-mgfr "f - - ' --/ 7. / W44C/1 \ iu^S^i^^i ■&£ttxl r&&^ mm L IBHARY OF THE U N IVLR^SITY Of ILLINOIS 598.297 N96m ^ ib40 biology % VrC. lu^L Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/manualofornitholOOnutt ORNITHOLOGY MANUAL ORNITHOLOGY INITED STATES AND OF CANADA THOMAS NUTTALL, A.M., F. L. S. &c. SECOND EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS. THE L.I. YD BIRDS BOSTON: HILLIARD, GRAY, AND COMPANY. Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1840 , by Thomas Nuttall, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. BOSTON: FREEMAN AND BOLLES, PRINTERS, WASHINGTON STHEET. 7 '6m PREFACE. After so many excellent works have appeared on the Birds of the United States, it may almost appear presumptuous, at present, to attempt any addition to the list. A compendious and scientific treatise on the subject, at a price so reasonable as to permit it to find a place in the hands of general readers, seemed, however, still a desideratum ; and to supply this defect has been a principal object with the author of the present pub- lication. Besides exploring the ever fruitful field of nature in this delightful and fascinating kingdom, every available aid has been employed ; and, as might be expected, invaluable assistance has been derived Jjft^J^f labors of the immortal Wilson and of the ju!^L^fc generally live six or seven times as long as the period required to attain maturity ; but in birds the rate is ten times greater. In proportion to their size, they are also far more vivacious and long-lived, than other animals of the superior class. Our know- ledge of the longevity of birds is, however, necessarily limited to the few examples of domesticated species, which we have been able to support through life; the result of these examples is, that our domestic fowls have lived twenty years ; Pigeons have exceeded that period ; Parrots have attained more than thirty years. Geese live probably more than half a century ; a Pelican has lived to eighty years; and .Swans, Ravens, and Eagles have exceeded a century: even Linnets, in the unnatural restraints of the cage, have survived for fourteen or fifteen years, and Canaries twenty-five. To account for this remarkable tenacity of life, nothing very satisfactory has been offered ; though Buffon is of opinion, that the soft and porous nature of their bones contributes to this end, as the general ossifica- tion and rigidity of the system perpetually tends to abridge the boundaries of life. In a general way it may be considered as essential for the bird to fly, as it is for the fish to swim, or the quadruped to walk; 3-et in all these tribes there are exceptions to the general habits. Thus among quadrupeds, the Bats fly ; the Seals, and other animals of that description, swim ; and the Beaver and Otter, with an inter- mediate locomotive power, swim better than they can walk. So also among birds, the Ostrich, Cassowary, Dodo, and some others, incapable of flying, are obliged to walk ; others, as the Penguins, Dippers, and Razor-bills, fly and swim, but never walk. Some, in fine, like the Birds of Paradise, Swallows, and Humming-birds, can neither walk nor swim, but pass their time chiefly on the wing. A far greater number of birds live on the water than of quadrupeds, for of the latter there are not more than five or six kinds furnished with webbed or oar-like feet ; whereas of birds with this structure there are several hundred. The lightness of their feathers and bones, as well as the boat-like form of their bodies, contributes greatly to facilitate their buoyancy and progress in the water, and their feet serve as oars to propel them. Thus in whatever way we view the feathered tribes which surround us, we shall find much both to amuse and instruct. We hearken to their songs with renewed delight, as the harbingers and associates of the season they accompany. Their return, after a long absence, is hailed with gratitude to the Author of all existence; and the INTRODUCTION. 29 cheerless solitude of inanimate nature is, by their presence, attuned to life and harmony. Nor do they alone administer to the amuse- ment and luxury of life; faithful aids as well as messengers of the seasons, they associate round our tenements, and defend the various productions of the earth, on which we so much rely for subsistence, from the destructive depredations of myriads of insects, which, but for timely riddance by unnumbered birds, would be followed by a general failure and famine. Public economy and utility, then, no less than humanity, plead for the protection of the feathered race ; and the wanton destruction of birds, so useful, beautiful, and amusing, if not treated as such by law, ought to be considered as a crime by every moral, feeling, and reflecting mind. Nest of the Tailor-Bird. BIRDS OF PREY Rapacious birds seem to occupy among the feathered race, the same situation as the carnivorous order among the quadrupeds. All obtain their subsistence from the animal kingdom, and most of them live essentially on flesh. Some, dastardly and indolent by nature, as well as unprovided with the means of seizing prey, live on carrion and garbage, and act the useful part of scaven- gers in ridding the earth of such offensive matters. Oth- ers boldly or insidiously attack living animals, quadru- peds or birds. Some again there are, that subsist almost wholly on fish and reptiles ; and a few of small size are contented with crustaceous winged insects. Less attach- ed to the earth than other birds, they traverse the aerial regions with a rapid flight, and often disappear from view in the ambient space from whence, ever watchful and keen of sight, they survey the wide landscape and mark out their distant quarry. Some peculiarities of their skeleton are in accordance with the power of their wings; thus the sternum is broad and completely ossified in order to give more extensive insertion to the muscles. The fourchette also, semicircular and widely separated, serves effectually to resist the violent motions of the hu- merus in the act of rapid living. Endowed witli such powerful means of flight, and natural weapons of destruc- tion, they are justly the terror of all other birds. Wan- 32 BIRDS OF PREY. derers and vagabonds, they live in solitude, or only asso- ciate by pairs. Their parental feeling, indeed, com- monly vanishes with the growth of their offspring; the young are driven forth with violence, and sometimes even savagely destroyed by these, their fierce, though natural protectors. Nature, apparently willing to dimin- ish or abridge the number of such cruel animals, has limited their annual progeny to a single brood, and their eggs, sometimes 2, never exceed the number of 4. For this purpose their nests are hidden in the clefts of inaccessible rocks, or fixed in the summits of the tallest trees ; and in the nocturnal kinds, in hollow trunks, or the ruins of desolate buildings which their discordant cries fill with sounds of horror; the diurnal, also in- quiet, gloomy, and suspicious, utter often loud, squealing plaints, or, in the larger kinds, almost wolfish barkings, sounds consonant with their insatiable and sanguinary ap- petites : indeed, when their victims are sufficiently abun- dant, their sole drink is often blood, and like the votary of intemperance, water, to quench their thirst, is only a last resort. The more powerful birds of this order see with proverbial perfection in the day, and like most oth- ers have the eyes directed sideways. The nocturnal tribe pass away this period in sleep and indolence, only perceiving their prey distinctly in the twilight, and in these the eyes are placed in front. The structure of their digestive organs indicates the stern necessity of this life of rapine. Their prey is either torn to pieces or swallowed whole; in either case the hair, bones and feathers, indigestible to them, are successively ejected from the stomach, by the mouth, in small balls or pellets. They eat largely when occasion offers, and can also fast for several days. In all this tribe the female is larger than the male, and this disparity sometimes amounts to a VULTURE; 33 third; she alone hatches the brood, and probably, finds the occasional necessity of defending them from her un- feeling mate. This order of birds are well distinguished by their short, robust bill, compressed at its sides, and curved towards its extremity ; the upper mandible is also covered at its base by a particular coating called the cere. The nos- trils are open. The feet strong, short, or of middling length, feathered to the knees, or sometimes down to the toes. The toes are three before, and one behind, all equally touching the ground, and wholly divided, or united at the base by a membrane ; the sole is rough, to assist in holding the animals on which they feed, and more remarkably so in those which live on fish, and re- quire this additional aid to retain their slippery prey. The toes are armed with powerful, sharp, retractile, and curved nails. VULTURES. These are ignoble, cowardly, and gregarious birds, generally con- fined to mild or warm climates, where, feeding on unburied carcases and filth, they render an important service to man, and in the South- ern parts of the United States they are consequently protected from destruction by law. They sometimes' also prey upon small living animals, reptiles, and the eggs of birds. They are exceedingly indo- lent, and in their mean and disgusting figure, slovenly attitude, foetid scent, and heavy gait, they are strikingly distinguished from those birds of rapine which give a preference to living animals, and seize their prey by stratagem or strength. In the conformation of their feet and claws, they are destitute of that powerful armature which is peculiar to the other rapacious birds ; they are unable to make use of these members either in attacking or conveying their prey, which must consequently be consumed on the spot. Their head and neck wholly naked, or partially clothed with a woolly down, is small compared with the size of the body, and the lat- ter i^ frequently long and slender. Although their flight is slow, 34 T.IRDS OF PRl they can elevate themselves to a prodigious height, ascending and descending in wide spiral circles. Their sight like that of the Hawks and Eagles, is keen; and the organ of scent was impro- perly supposed to be very perfect. They nest often amidst inaccessi- ble rocks, or in solitary places, laying but two eggs, and bear in their ample craw nourishment for their young, which they disgorge before them. They moult once in the year: and difference of size alone distiniruishes the sexes in appearance. None of the Vultures, properly so called, exist out of the ancient continent ; but the genus Cathartes, which comprehends our Vul- tares, admits of geographical and natural sections, the transatlantic species being still separable from those of America. 1. CATHARTES. In this genus the bill is long and straight, merely curved towards the point ; the cere is naked and extending beyond the middle of the beak ; the nostrils oval, naked and pervious ; and situated about the centre of the bill : the tongue channeled, with the edges serrated. — Head elongated flattened, and wrinkled. The tarsus or leg rather slender and naked; the side toes equal, the mid- dle toe long and united to the exterior at its base ; the hind one shortest.' The first primary, or quill, rather short, the third long- est. In the American section of the genus, the bill is rather stout; and the tail consists of 12 feathers. — The genus Sarcoram- phus of Dumeril, (which includes the Condor and the King Vulture.) differs only from the present, by the presence of the fleshy crest or caruncle. ^^^^^/ii^m^M THE CONDOR. (Cathartes gryphus, Temminck. Sarcoramp/tus gryphus, Du.merjl. Vultur gryphus, Lix>iEUS.) Si'kcific Character. — Blackish; wings varied with white, and not extending beyond the tail ; collar white ; the head furnished with a fleshy crest. — Female destitute of the caruncle. The young wholly brown. The Condor derives its name from an Indian word which alludes to its supposed sagacious scent. It inhabits the whole chain of the Andes of Mexico, Peru, Chili, and Patagonia to the Straits of Magellan, and, on the authority of Lewis and Clarke, they are sometimes seen in the range of the Rocky Mountains, towards the sources of the Mis- souri, where, in their journey, they are mentioned as enor- 3G BIRDS OF PREY. mous bustards ; though the bill and talons of one which was presented to Peale's museum proved the bird to be either the present species, or the nearly allied Vultur cali- fornianus. The occasional migration of these birds into this alpine region or the contiguous mountains of California is in conformity with their habits in the milder climates of Mexico and South America, where, according to Humboldt, they are known to soar to an elevation almost six times greater than that at which the clouds are ordinarily sus- pended over our heads. At the immense height of nearly G perpendicular miles, the Condor is seen majestically sailing in the ethereal space, watchfully surveying the vast expanse in quest of his accustomed prey. Elevated farther above our planet than any other anim.il, impelled by hunger alone he descends into the nearest plains which border the Cordilleras; but his stay in these regions is only for a few hours, as he prefers these desolate and lofty mountains, and this rarified aerial space, in which the barometer only attains an elevation of about 1G inches. These rocky eyries of the Peruvian Andes (whose plain is elevated about 15,000 feet above the level of the sea,) have hence ob- tained the vernacular name of Condor nests. Here, perched in dreary solitude, on the crests of scattered rocks, at the very verge of the region of perpetual snow, these dark gigantic birds are seen silently reposing like melancholy spectres, rousing only from their slumbers at the calls of hunger. Their peculiar residence is the great chain of the hicrh Andes, where they associate 3 or 4 together upon the points of clilTs without either fearing or injuring men, so that they may be approached within 4 yards without showing alarm, or making on their part any attempt at attack. Hardly an instance is really known of their even assaulting an infant, though some credulous naturalists, with the exaggerating privilege of travellers, have given CONDOR. 3T accounts of their killing young persons of 10 or 12 years of age. Their ability for such rapine is not to be doubted, but their natural cowardice forbids the attempt. At the same time, it is not uncommon to see them follow and hover around a young bull until they have torn out his eyes and tongue. A pair of Condors will not only in this way attack the Deer of the Andes, the Puma or American Lion (our Panther), the Vicogne, and the Lama (or American Camel), but also the Wild Heifer. They will pursue it for a long time, occasionally wounding it with their bill and claws, until the unfortunate animal, now stifled and overcome with fatigue, extends its tongue and groans ; on which occasion the Condor seizes this member, being a very tender and favorite morsel, and tears out the eyes of his prey, which at length falls prostrate to the earth and slowly expires. The Condor then gorges himself, and rests in stupidity, and almost gluttonous inebriation, perched upon the highest neighboring rocks. The for- midable hunter now loaded with his meal, may be driven about without his attempting to fly; and in this state the Indians sometimes pursue them with the lasso or noose, and easily take them captive. Thus restrained, the Con- dor makes extraordinary efforts to rise into the air ; but fatigued by the attempt, he begins to disgorge himself freely, an effort he appears to assist by lengthening and shortening the neck, and brincrincr forward the sheath of his beak. They will approach dwellings when allured by the scent of food; and a dead animal will draw down a crowd of these gluttons, where none at the time are at all visible ; they tear and eat with the greatest voracity, push- ing sometimes with their feet, and flapping their wings. They make no nest, but deposit their eggs upon the naked rock ; these are 2, wholly white, and 3 or 4 inches 4 38 BIRDS OF PRF.Y in length. It is said that the female remains with her young for the space of a year. The young Condor has no feathers. His body, for several months, is covered only with a very fine down or whitish frizzled hair, which re- sembles that of young owls. This down disfigures the young bird so much, that in this state it appears almost as large as an adult. The Condor at the end of the second year changes from black to blackish brown. The female as well as the male, at this age acquires the white color at the base of the naked neck, consisting of longer feathers than those on the rest of the body. The bill is straight, but strongly hooked at the point ; the lower mandible considerably shorter than the upper ; the plumage is white in front, everywhere else of a brownish grey. The head and neck are naked, and covered with a hard, dry, and wrinkled skin of a reddish color, and scattered over with short, rigid, brown, or blackish hairs. The cranium is remark- ably flattened, as in most other ferocious animals. The fleshy, or almost cartilaginous crest, peculiar to the male, occupies the summit of the head, and is about one fourth the length of the bill; it is of an oblong figure, and thin and wrinkled. The skin of the head in the male forms, behind the eye, folds or rugosities, and beard-like tufts, which descend towards the neck, and there unite into a loose mem- brane, which the animal has the power of rendering more or less visible, and swelling out at pleasure, somewhat after the manner of the Turkey. The ear is large, and hidden under a membranous fold. The eye is remarkably elongated, farther removed from the bill than in the eagles, very lively, and of a purple color ; the whole neck is covered with parallel wrinkles, but the skin is not so loose as that which covers the throat. The wrinkles are placed longitudinally, and originate in the habit this Vulture has of drawing in its neck, and hiding it in the collar, which serves it as a hood. This collar, formed of silky down, is common to the adult of both sexes; it is a white band which separates the naked part of the neck from the rest of the body covered with true feathers. The back, the wings, and the tail are of a greyish black. The feathers of the Condor are sometimes of a brilliant black ; but most frequently the black borders on grey. The primary quill feathers of the wing are black, and the secondaries are both in the male and female exteriorly edged with white. In the female, the wing coverts are of a greyish-black, but KING VULTURE. 39 the point's, and even the half of these feathers, are white in the male, so that the wing appears in this sex ornamented with a large white patch. The tail is wedge-shaped, rather short, and blackish in both sexes. The feet are very stout, of a greyish blue, and ornamented with white wrinkles; the nails are blackish, but little crooked, and very long ; the 4 toes are connected by a very loose but strongly marked membrane ; the 4th toe is very small, and the nail more curved. Total length, 2 to 3 feet 2 lines (French measure) ; bill 1 inch 10 lines ; extent of the wings about 9 feet and a half our measure ; the tail about 1 foot 2 inches ; intermediate or longest toe, with the nail, near half a foot. The measurements of this bird have been greatly exaggerated ; an individual, in the Leverian Museum in England, is said to have extended, from the end of the wings, 13 feet 1 inch (French measure.) Desmarchais gave it a stretch of 18 feet, and adds, that the excessive magnitude of its wings hindered it from entering into the forests ! It always, however, from choice, perches on the ground, or on elevated rocks, its talons, by their situation, not affording it a sufficient support on the branches of trees. KING VULTURE. (Cathartes papa, Illiger. Bonap. Vultur papa, Lin. and Latham. Gypagus papa, Vikillot, Dictionaire Hist. Nat. vol. xxxvi. p. 456. tab. ii. fig. 1. Sarcoravrplius papa, Dumeril.) Spec Charact. — Reddish-white; wings and tail black; nostrils carunculated. — 1 r oung, dark bluish; belly and sides of the rump whitish. This beautiful species is found in America from the 30th degree of north latitude to the 32d in the southern hemisphere ; but they become more numerous as we ad- vance towards the torrid zone. They are met with in Peru, Brazil, Guiana, Paraguay, and Mexico. The king of the Vultures, which the Spaniards of Par- aguay call the White Crow, from the color which pre- vails in its plumage, is very shy when found upon the ground or upon an isolated tree, but may be approached 40 BIRDS OF TREY. and readily killed, when in the woods, or in some place to which carrion has attracted it. They are said to prey upon rats, lizards and snakes. While it is feeding, either through fear or aversion, the common Vultures or Turkey- Buzzards, though in flocks, keep at a distance, and are contented with the fragments left by their monarch. Ac- cording to M. de Azara, it makes its nest in hollow trees, where it lays 2 eggs. The bill of this species is straight for one third of its length, then strongly curved, and surrounded at its base by a membrane which forms, on either side up to the eyes, a large depression, in which are situated the ample openings of the nostrils ; between these arises a kind of loose, soft crest, which moves readily from one side to the other, its extremity terminating in a remarkable cluster of warts. The crown of the head is naked and of a scarlet color ; a band of very short black hairs goes from one eye to the other across the hind- head. Below the naked part of the neck there is a very handsome plumy, greyish collar, with the feathers directed backward and for- ward ; it is sufficiently large to allow the bird at will to retract and hide his neck and part of his head. Behind the eye are some large wrinkles which come together on the hind-head and form a salient, fleshy, orange band, which descends from thence to the collar ; these wrinkles hide the auditory canal, which is very small, and afterwards unite with the other wrinkles which extend to the bill ; betwixt these wrinkles we perceive a down as well as on the other sides of the head. The quills and the great coverts of the wings, the tail, a space over the back, and the bill up to the membrane, with the feet, are black. The membrane and the fleshy crest of the beak are orange ; the naked skin at the base of the bill is purple ; the edges of the eye-brows are of a lively red ; the sides of the neck are flesh- colored, purple below the head, yellow above, and of a darkish violet near to the band, and the wrinkles of the hind-head. The iris, and all the rest of the plumage, are white. Some individuals, sup- posed to be males, have a feeble tint of red with the white of the upper part of the back. Total length 2 ( J£ inches (French). This description applies to the bird when it has accomplished its 4th year. At 3 years of age there is some black in the middle of the white wing coverts. At 2 years of age, the whole head and the naked KING VULTURE. 41 part of the neck are of a black inclining- to violet, with a little yellow upon the neck ; all the upper parts blackish; the lower similar, but with long blotches of white. The crest black, scarcely movable, and having its extremity divided into 3 very small protuberances. In its first year, it is throughout of a dark greyish blue, with the excep- tion of the belly and the sides of the rump, which are white ; the under part of the feathers also beneath the body are white. The feet greenish. The upper mandible is blackish red ; the lower, orange mixed with blackish, and with long black spots. The naked parts of the head and neck black, and the iris also dark, as well as the crest, which consists, at this age, of only a single solid and fleshy excrescence. The White-tailed Vulture of Bartram, called also the Sacred Vulture, from its veneration by the Creeks, seems in this particular of the color of the tail to differ essentially from the true King Vulture. Mr. Vieillot considers it as a distinct species, and describes it as follows : It has the bill long and straight almost to its extremity, where it is curved abruptly and becomes very pointed ; the head and neck are naked almost to the stomach, where the feathers begin to cover the skin ; they then lengthen by degrees, and form a ruff in which the bird, contracting its neck, hides it up to the head. The naked skin of the neck is spotted, wrinkled, and of a lively yellow, mixed with coral red ; the posterior part is almost covered with short thick hairs, and the skin is of a deep purple, which becomes more clear and red as it approaches the yellow at the sides of the fore part of the neck ; the crown of the head is red ; there are some orange red appendices at the base of the upper mandible. Its plumage is ordinarily white, with the exception of the wing and 2 or 3 ranges of small feathers covering it, which are of a fine deep brown. The tail is large, white, and sprinkled with the same brown or black color. The legs and feet are of a clear white. The eye is surrounded with a golden- colored iris. The Creeks, according to Mr. Bartram, form their royal standard with the feathers of this bird, to which they give the name of the Eagle's tail. These birds are scarcely ever seen in Florida, except after the burning of the prairies, when they assemble from all quar- ters, and approaching by degrees the scorched plains, collect, amidst the still warm ashes, the roasting reptiles, snakes, lizards, frogs, &C. on which they feed. Having thus gorged themselves, they become an easy prey, and even during their repast, seem bo employed as to 4* 42 BIRDS OF PREY. fear no danger. During a journey to West Florida I made many inquiries respecting this rare bird, but could only learn, that they were occasionally seen near the sea-coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Bartrain met with it, near New Smyrna, in East Florida. CALTFORNIAN VULTURE. (Cathartes calif omianus, Kan/.. Bonaparte, Anna]. Lye. vol. ii. p. 22. Audubon, Birds of America, pi. 411. Cathartes vnltarinus, Temm. VuLtur califomianus, Latham. Shaw's Naturalist's Mis- cellany, vol. ix. p. 301.) Spec Charact. — Blackish: feathers of the collar and breast lan- ceolate ; the wings as long as the tail. This bird was first brought from California by Menzies, and though met with far into the interior of the Oregon Territory has not yet been seen to the east of the Rocky Mountains. According to Douglas (in the Zoological Journal) it is common in the woody districts of California, mio-ratino- in summer as far as the 49th parallel ; being rather abundant in the valley of the Oregon between the Grand Rapids and the sea. Their food is carrion or dead fish, particularly the salmon, which they find wrecked and stunned to death in their unceasing attempts to ascend the rapids of the Oregon and the Wahlamet. In these situa- tions, they may be seen perching or hovering with the Buzzards and Ravens, watching the active and ominous exit of their numerous prey, which appear to dart from the water like so many flying-fish or a swarm of bees around the hive. This dilemma of the salmon, impelled by a pow- erful instinct to ascend the stream against every obstacle, affords a plentiful harvest to the Indian, who with a long handled net on a jutting platform, sweeps the boiling flood, and at no great distance sits or hovers this large, silent and gloomy vulture, waiting the sad issue of an CALIFORNIA^ VULTURE. 43 abortive instinct. At other times, the common resort failing, they may be occasionally seen near the Indian villages, attracted by the offal of fish thrown out, but are upon the whole a much shyer bird than the Buzzard. They are not observed to attack any living animal, except it be badly wounded ; they soar high in quest of their prey and on discovering a wounded deer, or other animal, they follow its track until it sinks, and then make a rapid descent. Crowding to the spot where their quarry is dis- covered, in an hour they will reduce a stag or a horse to a skeleton. They are extremely voracious, and when gorged, like the Condor, they become too sluggish and indolent to remove from the scene of their disgusting repast, and remain perched on the adjacent trees till again aroused by the calls of hunger. Except, however, after eating, or while guarding their nest, they are so wary, that the hunter can scarcely ever approach them within gun-shot. Their flight is slow, steady and sailing, with scarcely any apparent motion in their wings : but they are seen in great numbers, and soar highest before hurricanes or thunder storms. According to Douglas, they build in the thickest of the pine forests near the edges of precipices in the least acces- sible parts of the mountain valleys. The nest is large, composed of thorny twigs and grass, like that of the eagle, but more slovenly built. The pair resort to the same eyry year after year, and lay 2 nearly round eggs, about the size of those of the goose. They hatch about the begin- ning of June, and sit 29 or 30 days. The young are cov- ered with thick whitish down, and remain in the nest until the fifth or sixth week. The general color of this bird is greyish-black ; but the secondary quill feathers are white at their extremities, and the coverts of the wings incline to brown; the folded wings extend to the tail. The skin of the head and neck is more or less wrinkled, destitute of feathers, smooth and of a dusky red. The bill is yellow ; the base of 44 1J1IJDS OF PREY. the neck, is surrounded with a ruff of narrow blackish feathers ; and the under parts of the body are covered with loose and downy plumes. The tail is equal at its extremity, and the feet blackish. Length 55 to 50 inches. TURKEY-BUZZARD. (Cathartcs aura, Illig. Bonap. Aruniox, Birds of America, pi. 10G. Vultur aura, Lin. and Lath. Wilsoh. Am. Orn. vol. ix. p. 95. pi. 75. f. 1.) Spec. Charact. — Blackish; neck feathered equally all round; wings not extending beyond the tail, which is rounded ; the nos- trils oval. — Young, dark brown; with the winor-coverts and secondaries somewhat spotted with white. This common Turkey-like Vulture is found abund- antly in both North and South America, but seems wholly to avoid the North-eastern or New England states, a straggler being seldom seen as far as the latitude of 41 degrees. Whether this limit arises from some local an- tipathy, their dislike of the cold eastern storms which pre- vail in the spring till the time they usually breed, or some other cause, it is not easily assignable; and the fact is still more remarkable, as they have been observed in the interior, by Mr. Say, as far as Pembino in the 49th degree of north latitude, by Lewis and Clarke near the Falls of the Oregon, and they are not uncommon throughout that territory. They are, however, much more abundant in the warmer than in the colder regions ; and are found beyond the equator, even as far, or farther than the La Plata. All the West India islands are inhabited by them, as well as the tropical continent, where, as in the Southern states of the Union, they are commonly protected for their services as scavengers of carrion, which would prove highly dele- terious in those warm and humid climates. In the win- TURKEY-BUZZARD. 45 ter they generally seek out warmth and shelter, hovering often like grim and boding spectres in the suburbs, and on the roofs and chimneys of the houses, around the cities of the Southern states. A few brave the winters of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey; but the greater part migrate south at the approach of cold weather. The Turkey-Buzzard has not been known to breed north of New Jersey in any of the Atlantic states. Here they seek out the swampy solitudes, and, without forming any nest, deposite 2 eggs in the slump of a hollow tree or locr, on the mere fragments of rotten wood with which it is ordinarily strewed. Occasionally, in the Southern states, they have been known to make choice of the ruined chimney of a deserted house for this pur- pose. The eggs are larger than those of a Turkey, of a yellowish white, irregularly blotched with dark brown and blackish spots, chiefly at the larger end. The male often attends while the female is sitting; and, if not ma- terially disturbed, they will continue to occupy the same place for several years in succession. The young are covered with a whitish down, and, in common with the habit of the old birds, will often eject, upon those who happen to molest them, the filthy con- tents of their stomachs. In the cities of the south they appear to be somewhat gregarious ; and, as if aware of the protection afforded them, present themselves often in the streets, and partic- ularly near the shambles. They also watch the empty- ing of the scavengers' carts in the suburbs, where, in com- pany with the still more domestic Black Vultures, they search out their favorite morsels amidst dust, filth, and rubbish of all descriptions. Bits of cheese, of meat, fish, or any thing sufficiently foetid, and easy of digestion, 46 BIRDS OF TREY. is greedily sought after, and eagerly eyed. When the opportunity offers they eat with gluttonous voracity, and fill themselves in such a manner as to be sometimes in- capable of rising from the ground. They are accused at times of attacking young pigs and lambs, beginning their assault by picking out the eyes. Mr. Waterton, how- ever, while at Demerara, watched them for hours together amidst reptiles of all descriptions, but they never made any attack upon them. He even killed lizards and frogs and put them in their way, but they did not appear to notice them until they attained the putrid scent. So that a more harmless animal, living at all upon flesh, is not in existence, than the Turkey Vulture. At night they roost in the neighboring trees, but I believe, seldom in flocks like the Black kind. In winter they sometimes pass the night in numbers on the roofs of the houses, in the suburbs of the southern cities, and appear particularly desirous of taking advantage of the warmth which they discover to issue from the chimneys. Here, when the sun shines, they and their black rela- tives, though no wise social, may be observed perch- ed in these conspicuous places basking in the feeble rays, and stretching out their dark wings to admit the warmth directly to their chilled bodies. And, when not engaged in acts of necessity they amuse themselves on fine clear days, even at the coolest season of the year, by soaring, in companies, slowly and majestically into the higher regions of the atmosphere ; rising gently, but rap- idly, in vast spiral circles, they sometimes disappear beyond the thinnest clouds. They practise this lofty flight particularly before the commencement of thunder storms ; when, elevated above the war of elements, they float at ease in the ethereal space with outstretched wings, making no other apparent effort than the light TURKEY-BUZZARD. 47 balloon, only now and than steadying their sailing pin- ions as they spread them to the fanning breeze, and be- come abandoned to its accidental sports. In South Amer- ica, according to Humboldt, they soar even in company with the Condor in his highest flights, rising above the snowy summits of the tropical Andes. Mr. Waterton is of opinion that this Vulture is not truly gregarious, arriving at their food from various quar- ters, and coming singly. It is indeed certain that on all other occasions they keep only in pairs. The Turkey Vulture is about 2k feet in length, and G in breadth. Eyes dark or reddish-hazel. The head and neck for about an inch and a half below the ears, furnished with a reddish wrinkled skin, and some tints of blue, sprinkled with short black hairs. From the hind-head to the neck-feathers the space is covered with a black down. The fore-part of the neck is bare to the breast-bone. The plumage of the neck is large and tumid, and, with that of the back and shoulders, nearly black ; almost all the rest of the body is of the same color, in parts inclining to brown. 3d primary longest. The wings extend to the end of the tail. The upper plumage is generally glossed with green and bronze, having purplish reflections. Legs feathered to the knees; the feet somewhat webbed. The bill nearly white, often tipped with bright olive green. Weight from 4 1 to 5 pounds. BLACK VULTURE, or 'CARRION-CROW.' (Catkartcs jota, Bonaparte. Audubon, pi. 106. f. 1. and 107. f. 2. Vultcr jota, Molina. V. atratus. Wilson. Am. Orn. ix. p. 104. pi. 75. f. 2.) Spec. Charact. — Black; neck more feathered above than below ; wings not extending beyond the tail; 5th primary longest; tail a little emarginated ; the nostrils linear-oblong, and the head black. — Young, entirely brown. Tins smaller, black, and truly gregarious species of Vulture, in the United States, appears to be generally con- 48 BIRDS OF PREY. fined to the Southern states, and seems to be most nume- rous and familiar in the large maritime towns of North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. They are also met with in several of the Western states, and as far up the Ohio as Cincinnati. In the tropical regions of Amer- ica they are also very common, and extend at least as far as Chili. Like the former species, with which they asso- ciate only at meal-times, they are tacitly allowed a public protection for the service they render in ridding the earth of carrion and other kinds of filth. They are much more familiar in the towns than the preceding; delighting, dur- ing winter, to remain on the roofs of houses, catching the feeble rays of the sun, and stretching out their wings to admit the warm air over their foetid bodies. When the weather becomes unusually chilly, or in the mornings, they may be seen basking upon the chimneys in the warm smoke, which, as well as the soot itself, can add no addi- tional darkness or impurity to such filthy and melancholy spectres. Here, or on the limbs of some of the larger trees, they remain in listless indolence till aroused by the calls of hunger. Their flight is neither so easy nor so graceful as that of the Turkey-Buzzard. They flap their w r ings and then soar horizontally, renewing the motion of their pinions at short intervals. At times, however, they rise to con- siderable elevations. In the city of Charleston and Sa- vannah they are to be seen in numbers walking the streets with all the familiarity of domestic fowls, examining the channels and accumulations of filth in order to glean up the offal, or animal matter of any kind, which may happen to be thrown out. They appeared to be very regular in their attendance around the shambles, and some of them become known by sight. This was particularly the case with an old veteran who hopped upon one foot, (having by BLACK VULTURE. 49 some accident lost the other,) and had regularly appeared round the shambles to claim the bounty of the butchers for about 20 years. In the country, where I have sur- prised them feeding in the woods, they appeared rather shy and timorous, watching my movements alertly like hawks; and every now and then one or two of them, as they sat in the high boughs of a neighboring oak, commu- nicated to the rest, as I slowly approached, a low bark of alarm or waugh, something like the suppressed growl of a puppy, at which the whole flock by degrees deserted the dead hog upon which they happened to be feeding. Some- times they will collect together about one carcase to the number of two hundred and upwards ; and the object whatever it may be, is soon robed in living mourning, scarcely any thing being visible but a dense mass of these sable scavengers, who may often be seen jealously contend- ing with each other, both in and out of the carcase, defiled with blood and filth, holding on with their feet, hissing and clawing each other, or tearing off morsels so as to fill their throats nearly to choking, and occasionally joined by growling dogs; the whole presenting one of the most savage and disgusting scenes in nature, and truly worthy the infernal bird of Prometheus. In Carthagena, however, according to Ulloa, this species is highly serviceable to man, in the destruction it makes of the eggs of the formidable southern Alligator or Cay- man. The Vulture watches the Alligator as she lays her eggs in the sand, and, immediately, on her disappearance, darts upon the deposit, and joined, as usual, by numerous comrades, soon extinguishes these nests of reptiles. According to Mr. Abbott, and Audubon, this species chooses similar situations for its nest with the Turkey- Buzzard, fixing upon hollow trees in retired swamps, lay- ing two white eggs, blotched with black and brown. They 5 50 BIRDS OF PREY. sit 21 days, the male and female by turns, mutually feeding each other during incubation. It appears, according to Audubon, that those birds which frequent the city of Charleston, resort at night to a common roost, in the manner of Crows, — this place was a swampy wood across the Ashley river, about two miles from the city. The Black Vulture is about 26 inches long ; and 4 feet 4 inches in the stretch of the wings. The bill 2k inches, of a dark brown color for about an inch, the remainder black. The head, and a part of the neck, are covered with a black, wrinkled skin, scattered with papil- lose excrescences, and set with short black hairs, and downy behind. Iris reddish-hazel. The general color of the plumage is of a dull black. A dark cream-colored spot is visible on the primaries when the wing is unfolded. The legs whitish grey. The body, when opened, smells strongly of musk. FAMILY FALCONING. Head covered with feathers. The bill hooked ; and commonly curved from its origin ; provided with a colored cere, more or less hairy at its base; the lower mandible obliquely rounded, and both sometimes notched. The nostrils lateral, rounded or ovoid, situated in the cere and open. The tarsus clothed with feathers, or naked, and then scaly; the toes are 3 before, and 1 behind; the exterior commonly united at its base to the adjoining by a membrane. Nails sharp, strongly hooked, movable, and retractile. Tail of 12 feathers. These are the noble birds of prey ; their aspect, entire form, and actions indicate the different manner of living they pursue, from that of the Vultures. Strength, temerity, and stratagem are the attributes of this great family of rapacious birds ; they are provided with offensive arms denied to the ignoble race who feed on carrion ; the means of flight, the power of seizing their prey, as well as the vision, are very different in each. In these, the size of the head is CARACARA. 51 in proportion to the body, and wholly covered with feathers, as well as the neck, which is short and thick. Their vision is acute and extensive, their flight rapid and long sustained ; and they are able to soar to a prodigious height. They live either solitary or in pairs ; and their nourishment, by choice, consists almost always of living animals, which they seize and convey in their talons ; the different manner of seizing their prey, and the courage they display in its pur- suit, distinguish them one from another. The larger species subsist on quadrupeds and birds ; others on fish ; some only attack reptiles ; but the greater number of the small species are content to live on insects, and principally devour beetles. The plumage, at different periods of age is extremely different; the young are several years before they acquire the stable livery of the adult; this fixed charac- ter only takes place in their 3d, 4th, or even, in some species, their 6th year. The young are always distinguished from the old by having more numerous and variable spots and lines ; when the colors of the plumage in old individuals are disposed in transverse lines and bands, the young of such species have the same marks disposed lengthwise. The females are usually a third larger than the other sex; besides which disparity, they have often also a different-colored plumage. The moulting takes place only once in the year. — It appears scarcely possible, that amidst a genus only distinguished for harsh and quailing cries, a musical species should occur ; yet accor- ding to Daudin and Latham the Falco musicus, of Caffiaria, chants a song morning and evening, and sometimes like the nightingale even continues his lay throughout the night. POLYBORUS. (Veill.) CARACARA. The bill elongated, straight at the base, compressed, curved about half its length, depressed at the sides, the tip hooked and trigonal; lower mandible entire and ob- tuse : Nostrils oblong, oblique. Cere large, face naked. Legs naked. Lateral toes equal, the middle one longer, the outer connected to the middle one by a membrane at base, hind toe shortest. Winers lono-. Intermediate with the Hawks and Vultures; feeding upon fresh or putrid meat, and dead or living prey, which ry OF &% BIBBS OF PRI.\ . it sometimes seizes in tlie manner of the Falcon. Pugna- cious and tyrannical, frequently uttering loud screams. The flight easy, graceful, and long sustained. Several species exist in Surinam and other parts of tropical Amer- ica. CARACARA EAGLE. (Puhjhorns Brasilicnsis. Swainson, Audub. pi. 1G1. Falco Bra- siliensis. Gmel. Latham.) Spec. Ciiakact. — Cere and naked cheeks red; dusky; throat white, the hreast barred ; tail white with many (1G) narrow bars and a black terminal band. This very remarkable and fine bird was first met with by Mr. Audubon near St. Augustine, in East Florida. He afterwards also found it on Galveston Island, in Texas. From its general habits and graceful, sweeping flight, it was for some time mistaken for a hawk. Though com- mon in many parts of South America, it is within the limits of the United States merely an accidental visitor. It is said, however, to breed in Florida, in the highest branches of tall trees in the pine barrens, making a rough nest of sticks like a hawk. In Texas it breeds, according to Audubon, in the tops of bushes only seven or eight feet from the ground. Like the Vultures it lays but two eggs. Bill pale bluish-grey, yellow on the edges ; space before the eye, cheeks, and cere nearly bare and of a bright red. Above umber- brown, slightly mottled on the back; 4th quill longest, primaries and some of the secondaries barred with broad bands of white ; tail co- verts dull white, slightly barred ; tail groyish-white, with 1G narrow bars and a broad terminal band of blackish-brown; throat yellowish- white; breast transversely barred (in the adult), longitudinally in the young ; hind part, abdomen, sides dusky, legs and feet yellow ; lower tail coverts obscurely banded. Iris dark brown. Length 23£ inches, extent of wings 48 inches. GYRI ALCON. 53 FALCO. (Linn.) FALCON. The bill short, and curved from the base ; edges of the upper mandible provided with a tooth which closes into a corresponding notch in the lower ; the nostrils rounded, and having a central tubercle. Feet strong ; tarsi rather short; toes strong and considerably extended ; nails long, sharp, and curved. The wings long; the 1st primary equal in length to the 3d; the 2d longest; the 1st and 2d have an abrupt emargination on the inner web near their extremities. They exist wholly on living prey, and show great address in seiz- ing or surprising it; pursuing birds swiftly, or pouncing directly upon them from above. They nest usually in the crevices of rocks, ruins, or hollow trees. These were the species used in Falconry, and called noble because of the high prerogative of those who fol- lowed this amusement. The smaller species live much on insects or reptiles. In the island of Java there exists a species of this division no larger than a lark. GYRFALCON. (Falco gyrfalco. Lin. Falco islandlais, Latham, lnd. Orn. v. i. p. 32. sp. G9. [the adult], and Falco gyrfalco. Ibid. Ind. v. i. p. 32. sp. 68. [the young.] ) Spec. Charact. — Cere and round the eyes livid yellow; feet yel- low; plumage white, lined and spotted with brown; iris brown; bands of the tail 12 to 14. — Female more spotted, also banded on the flanks. — Young. Upper plumage greyish-brown, with small white terminal spots ; feet plumbeous, slightly inclining to yel- low ; cere light bluish. Tins elegant and celebrated Falcon is about 2 feet in length; the female 2 or 3 inches longer. They particu- larly abound in Iceland, and are found also throughout Siberia, and the North of Europe as far as Greenland ; Mr. 5* 54 BIRDS OF PREY. Hutchins, according to Pennant, saw them commonly about Fort Albany, at Hudson's Bay. Occasionally a pair is also seen in this vicinity in the depth of winter. They brave the coldest climates, for which they have such a predilection as seldom to leave the arctic regions ; the younger birds are commonly seen in the North of Ger- many, but very rarely the old, which are readily distin- guished by the superior whiteness of their plumage which augments with age, and by the increasing narrowness of the transverse stripes that ornament the upper parts of the body. The finest of these Falcons were caught in Iceland by means of baited nets ; the bait was commonly a Ptar- migan, Pigeon, or common Fowl, and such was the velo- city and power of his pounce, that he commonly severed the head from the baited bird as nicely as if it had been done by a razor. These birds were reserved for the kings of Denmark, and from thence they were formerly trans- ported into Germany, and even Turkey and Persia. The taste for the amusement of falconry was once very pre- valent throughout Europe, and continued for several cen- turies, but at this time it has almost wholly subsided. The Tartars, and Asiatics generally, were also equally addicted to this amusement. A Sir Thomas Monson, no later than the reign of James the First, is said to have given a thou- sand pounds for a cast of Hawks. Next to the Eagle, this bird is the most formidable, active, and intrepid, and was held in the highest esteem for falconry. It boldly attacks the largest of birds; the Swan, Goose, Stork, Heron, and Crane are to it easy vic- tims ; in its native regions it lives much on the hare and Ptarmigan ; upon these it darts with astonishing velocity, and often seizes its prey by pouncing upon it almost per- pendicularly. They breed in the cold and desert regions where they usually dwell, fixing their nests amidst the COMMON OR WANDERING FALCON. 55 most lofty and inaccessible rocks, and are said to lay from 3 to 5 eggs. In the old male, the bottom of all the plumage is white, striped upon the upper parts of the body and the tail with narrow brown bands. The lower parts are equally white, but marked with small brown spots in the form of tears ; these spots are larger and more nu- merous upon the Hanks. The bill is yellowish. COMMON or WANDERING FALCON. (Falco ■pcrcgrinvs, Lin. Great-footed Hawk, Wilson, Am. Orn. ix. p. 120. t. 76. Audubon, pi. 1C. [a spirited group in the act of de- vouring Teal.] Lc Faucon. Buff. pi. 421. Lc Lanier, ibid. pi. 430, [an old male.] Fulco Anatnm. Bonap. Birds of Europe and N. America, p. 4. No. 22. Spec. Charact. — Brownish-black ; beneath, whitish, transversely barred with blackish brown ; checks with a widening space of black; middle toe as long as the tarsus ; inner web of the 1st pri- mary only indented near the summit. — Female inclining to ash- color; beneath, tending to ferruginous. — Young alone, greyish- black, the feathers edged with pale brown ; beneath, whitish, with large longitudinal central brown spots ; also with the fore and hind head and cheeks whitish yellow with black spots. 56 . BIRDS OF PREY. The celebrated, powerful, and princely Falcon is com- mon both to the continent of Europe and America. In the former they are chiefly found in mountainous regions, and make their nests in the most inaccessible clefts of rocks, and very rarely in trees, laying 3 or 4 eggs of a reddish-yellow with brown spots. In Europe, they seldom descend to the plains, and avoid marshy countries. The period of incubation lasts but a short time, and com- mences in winter, or very early in the Spring, so that the young acquire their full growth by the middle of May. They are supposed to breed in the tall trees of the desolate Cedar swamps in New Jersey. Audubon, however, found them nesting on shelving rocks on the shores of Labrador and Newfoundland, laying from 2 to 5 eggs of a rusty yellowish brown, spotted and blotched with darker tints of the same color. It also breeds on shelving rocks in the Rocky Mountains, where Mr. Townsend obtained a speci- men on Big Sandy River of the Colorado of the West in the month of July. When the young have attained their growth, the parents drive them from their haunts, with incessant and piercing screams and complaints, an unna- tural propensity which nothing but dire necessity, the diffi- culty of acquiring sustenance, alone can palliate. In strength and temerity, the Falcon is not exceeded by any bird of its size. He soars with easy and graceful mo- tions amidst the clouds or clear azure of the sky; from this lofty elevation he selects his victim from among the larger birds, Grous, Pheasants, Pigeons, Ducks, or Ceese. Without being perceived, he swiftly descends, as if falling from the clouds in a perpendicular line, and carries terror and destruction into the timid ranks of his prey. Instead of flying before their relentless enemy, the Partridge and Pheasant run and closely hide iu the grass, the Pigeons glance aside to avoid the fatal blow which is but too sure COMMON OR WANDERING FALCON. 57 in its aim, and the water fowls seek a more certain refuge in diving beneath their yielding element. If the prey be not too large, the Falcon mounts into the air, bearing it off in his talons, and then alights to gorge himself with his booty at leisure. Sometimes he attacks the Kite, another fellow plunderer, either in wanton insult, or more probably to rob him of his quarry. The name of Wandering or Passenger Falcon was ap- plied to the darkest individuals, a character merely de- pending on age. These frequently migrate across the Mediterranean from the islands to the neighboring conti- nent, and hence were looked upon as foreign. They do not, however, essentially differ from the common species. Edwards' Black Falcon of Hudson's Bay is this kind in the same state of plumage. In New Jersey, it has, from its noted depredations, acquired the name of the Duck-Hawk along the sea-coast, where it is not unfrequent. Wilson's figure represents, apparently, an old bird, as the cere and feet are bright yellow : at an earlier period these parts much incline to green ; at this age the Falcon is in its fullest vigor, and, when well trained, was highly esteemed in the times when the princely amusement of Falconry was in fashion. Great care even was employed in select- ing the young at a proper age for acquiring docility. When taken too early they often proved noisy and obsti- nate ; if removed from the nest they were not to be handled, but put into another artificial one. Their food was to be wild animals or chickens, so as to foster their perfect and natural growth. The sorrel-colored or light- brown Falcons, caught late in autumn, were considered the most hopeful and easiest to breed and teach ; later, the habit of freedom, and the commencement of selective at- tachments, rendered them less patient in captivity, and their fidelity could not be relied upon. The dark Falcon 5S BIRDS OF PREV. moults in August. The dispositions of these birds vary in individuals, some prove indolent and cowardly, others are so fierce that they cannot be restrained. They no doubt, like other large muscular birds, live to a great age. In the year 1793 a Falcon was reported to have been caught at the Cape of Good Hope, and brought to Eng- land with a golden collar about its neck, dated IG10, and an inscription importing that the bird belonged to King James; therefore the collar must have been on this bird 183 years! It still appeared lively, but its eyes were dim, and the feathers round the collar were changed to white. To show the swiftness of the Falcon, it is related, that one belonging to Henry the Second, which flew after a little Bustard at Fontainebleau, was caught next morning at Malta, and recognized by the ring which it bore. When caught, a ring was put round the leg of the Fal- con to which was attached a label bearing the name of the owner, and a small round bell was suspended from the neck in order to discover the bird when wandering astray in the chase. As no durable attachment could be expect- ed from a bird of so rapacious a nature, obedience was obtained only by punishment and privation. At first the captive was muffled by a cap thrown over the head and retained for some days, during the greater part of which time the Hawk was suffered to fast; and his appetite was even whetted by a cleansing dose of tow which he was made to swallow rolled up in pellets for the purpose. In a short time this severe discipline had the effect of pro- ducing a passive obedience, and he became accustomed to the muffle, and submitted quietly to the privation of light; if still wild, the discipline was continued longer, and occasionally, the head of the malcontent was dipped into cold water. He soon became inured to the finger of the falconer, a morsel of food being held out as an induce- COMMON OR WANDERING FALCON. 59 ment ; at length, he was taught, after another fast, to eat his food from amongst a lure or string of legs and wings of birds; next he approached the sole object of his educa- tion, and flew at the prey shown to him, while retained to his keeper at the end of a long string ; and, finally, he was carried out and suffered to fly at large, to soar, and pounce upon his quarry from on high, in all the elegance and fierceness of unrestrained nature. Some of these birds, like modern dogs and horses, became the greatest favor- ites; and as the amusement was restricted to the privileged ranks alone, it excited the admiration and envy of all. The male or Tiercel (a third less than the female) was employed to catch Partridges, Blackbirds, Magpies, Jays, and small birds ; but the task of the female was to engage in the noble chase of the Hare, the Kite, the Crane, and other large objects. This recreation, not unknown even to the Romans in the early part of the Christian era, was also practised throughout the East, and still continues in Persia, Tartary, and China, where the most extravagant prices are given to the Russians and other Northern na- tions for these favorite birds, which appear to be more en- ergetic in proportion to the coldness of the climates where they happen to be raised. According to Chardin, the Jer- Falcon of Russia, taken to Persia, is not allowed to be kept by any person less than the king, and each bird is valued at the extravagant price of 1500 crowns; if any of them die on the road, the ambassador brings the head and wings to his majesty, to show that he has been faithful to his charge. The Falcon, long as it has been subjected to the caprice of man, has never been subdued or domestica- ted ; it refuses to breed in slavery ; the species at large still rove in all the freedom of their savage nature, and disown the empire of man. Their ferocity is broken by GO BIRDS OF PREY. restraint and privation, so that they submit to perform a task for the hope of an accustomed reward ; but they serve from habit and necessity, and not from attachment ; they remain obedient captives, but never become willing domestics. The length of this species in Europe, is 15 to 1G inches; the female is from 17 to IS. The female given by Wilson is said to be 20 inches, and 3 feet 8 inches in extent of wings. Bill greyish blue. A space around the eyes, iris, feet, and cere, yellow. Upper parts blackish-brown, the scapulars and tertials barred with faint ash (in the European adult of a cinereous blue, with bands of a darker color.) Wings not extending to the tip of the tail (in the European the wings extend to the end of the tail.) Tail rounded, black ; crossed with 8 narrow ash-colored bands. Beneath, yellowish-white, with the breast spotted with dark brown ; sides, femorals, and beneath, barred rather broadly with the same. The primaries and secondaries marked transversely on their inner vanes, with large oblong spots of ferrugin- ous white. — Female. Note. This bird appeared to live along the sea coast, having in its stomach the remains of small birds, and of the Sanderling. As this species is not quoted by Temminck in his ac- count of the Falcon, tiiere is some reason to doubt the indentity of the American and European species. PIGEON-HAWK. (Falco columbarius. Lin. Wilson, Am. Orn. ii. p. 107. pi. 15. fig. 3. Audubox, pi. 92. Young, F. temerarins. pi. 75. adult.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Dusky brown; beneath brownish- white, with black- ish longitudinal stripes ; the tail with 4 narrow white bands. This species is a little larger than the following, but by no means so abundant; though met with in latitude 48 degrees by Long's North-Western Expedition, and occa- sionally extending its migrations from Texas to Hudson's Bay, and rearing its young in the interior of Canada. Its nest was also observed by Audubon in Labrador in the low THE MERLIN. 61 fir trees, and contained 5 eggs, laid about the 1st of June. It is shy, skulking, and watchful, seldom venturing beyond the unreclaimed forest, and flies rapidly, but, I believe, seldom soars or hovers. Small birds and mice constitute his principal food ; and, according to Wilson, he follows often in the rear of the gregarious birds, such as the Black- Birds, and Reed-Birds, as well as after the flitting flocks of Pigeons and Robins, picking up the stragglers, the weak and unguarded, as his legitimate prey. Sometimes, when shot at without effect, he will fly in circles around the gunner and utter impatient shrieks, probably in ap- prehension for the safety of his mate, or to communicate a cry of alarm. The male is 11 inches long, and 23 broad. The female an inch and a half longer. The whole upper parts are of deep dusky brown, except the tail, which is thinly barred with white. The bill is of a light bluish-grey, tipped with black. The skin round the eye green- ish as well as the cere ; a line over the eye of lighter brown. The lower parts brownish- white, striped or spotted with dark brown. Legs yellow; claws black. The thigh feathers remarkably long and striped. Iris deep hazel. — The female darker, with some white on the hind-head. THE MERLIN. (Falco r herrings, lint yet arc seldom known to breed along the coast of Massachusetts. 82 BIRDS OF PREY. Eagles, he leads a comparatively harmless life ; and though unjustly doomed to servitude, his address and industry raise him greatly above his oppressor, so that he supplies himself and his young with a plentiful sus- tenance. His adroitness and docility in catching fish have also sometimes been employed by man for his ad- vantage. Intent on exploring the sea for his food, he leaves the nest and proceeds directly to the scene of action, sail- ing round in easy and wide circles, and turning at times as on a pivot, apparently without exertion, while his long and curving wings seem scarcely in motion. At the height of from 100 to 200 feet he continues to survey the bosom of the deep. Suddenly he checks his course and hovers in the air, with beating pinions ; he then descends with rapidity, but the wily victim has escaped. Now he courses near the surface, and by a dodging descent, scarcely wetting his feet, he seizes a fish, which he sometimes drops or yields to the greedy Eagle ; but, not discouraged, he again ascends in spiral sweeps, to regain the higher regions of the air, and re- new his survey of the watery expanse. His prey again espied, he descends perpendicularly like a falling plum- met, plunging into the sea with a loud rushing noise, and with an unerring aim. In an instant he emerges with the struggling prey in his talons, shakes off the wa- ter from his feathers, and now directs his laborious course to land, beating in the wind with all the skill of a prac- tised seaman. The fish which he thus carries may be sometimes from 6 to 8 pounds ; and so firm sometimes is the penetrating grasp of his talons, that when, by mistake, he engages with one which is too large, he is dragged beneath the waves, and at length both fish and bird perish. FISH-HAWK OR OSPREY. 83 From the nature of his food, his flesh, and even the eggs, are rendered exceedingly rank and nauseous. Though his prey is generally taken in the bold and spirited manner described, he sometimes sits on a tree over a pond for an hour at a time, quietly waiting its expected approach. Unlike other rapacious birds the Ospreys may be almost considered gregarious, breeding so near each other, that, according to Mr. Gardiner, there were on the small island on which he resided, near to the eastern extremity of Long Island (New York), no less than 300 nests with young. Wilson observed 20 of their nests within half a mile. I have seen them nearly as thick about Rehoboth Bay, in Delaware. Here they live together at least as peaceably as rooks ; and so harmless are they considered by other birds, that, according to Wilson, the Crow-Black- birds, or Grakles, are sometimes allowed refuge by the Ospreys, and construct their nests in the very interstices of their eyry. It would appear sometimes, that, as with Swallows, a general assistance is given in the constructing of a new nest ; for, previous to this event, a flock have been seen to assemble in the same tree, squealing as is their custom when any thing materially agitates them. At times they are also seen engaged in social gambols high in the air, making loud vociferations, suddenly dart- ing down, and then sailing in circles ; and these innocent recreations, like many other unmeaning things, are con- strued into prognostications of stormy or changing weather. Their common friendly call is a kind of shrill whistle, 'phew, 'phew^'phew, repeated 5 or 6 times, and somewhat similar to the tone of a fife. Though social, they are sometimes seen to combat in the air, instigated probably more by jealousy than a love of rapine, as their food is always obtained from an unfailing source. The ancients, particularly Aristotle, pretended that the 84 BIRDS OF PRFA'. Ospreys taught their young to gaze at the sun, and that those who were unable to do so were destroyed. Linnaeus even believed, on ancient authority, that one of the feet of this bird had all the toes divided while the other was partly webbed, so that it could swim with one foot, and grasp a fish in the other. Aristotle likewise remarked, that the young of the White-tailed Eagle were driven from the nest before they could feed themselves, and that they would perish but for the aid and education which they received from the Osprey.* This opinion arose, no doubt, from the fact, that that species, no less than the Bald Eagle, is in the habit of plundering the Fish-Hawk for its sustenance. The Fish-Hawk, according to the convenience of the site where it takes up its abode, forms its nest upon rocks, more rarely upon the ground among reeds, or amidst ru- ined and deserted buildings, or on trees; the last situation, however, appears to be preferred in the United States. It is commonly situated at a considerable elevation, and, like the eyry of the Eagle, continues to be occupied as long as the tree exists. The materials, however, of which the nest is composed are often of such a nature, and in such quantity, as to hasten the decay of its support. The fol- lowing, according, to Wilson, is the ordinary composition of this rude but substantial fabric. The external floor is made of large sticks, from ^ an inch to \h inches in diam- eter, and 2 or 3 feet in length ; these are piled to the height of 4 or 5 feet, and from 2 to 3 feet in breadth, the whole intermixed with corn-stalks, sea-weeds, and mullein- stems, filled in with large quantities of turf, and lined with the dry sea-grass (or Zostcra marina) ; the materials so * Buffon considers the bird here alluded to as the Sea Eagle, which is, however, only the young of the White-tailed species. FISH-HAWK OR OSPRET. 85 well matted together as often to adhere in large pieces after being blown down by the wind, and forming a mass observable at the distance of half a mile, and sufficient to form a cart-load for a horse.* As with the Rooks, they repair their nests in the autumn, previous to their southern emigration. Early in May the Osprey commences laying, and has from 2 to 4 eggs. They are a little larger than those of the common fowl, and are from a reddish or yellowish cream color to nearly white, marked with large blotches and points of reddish brown. During the period of incu- bation the male frequently supplies his mate with food, and she leaves her eggs for very short intervals. The young appear about the last of June, and are most assiduously attended and supplied. On the approach of any person towards the nest, the parent utters a peculiar plaintive, whistling note, which increases as it takes to wing, sailing round, and at times making a quick descent, as if aiming at the intruder, but sweeping past at a short distance. On the nest being invaded, either while con- taining eggs or young, the male displays great courage, and makes a violent and dangerous opposition. The young remain a long time in the nest, so that the old are sometimes obliged to thrust them out, and encourage them to fly ; but they still, for a period, continue to feed them in the air by supplying them with fish from their talons. The length of the male Osprey is from 21 to 22 inches. The female is about 2 feet. The summit of the head, and particularly the upper part of the neck, is furnished with long and narrow feathers, darkish in the middle, and edged with yellowish white ; these feath- * According to CEdman, the Osprey, in Sweden, makes its nest in the Inchest trees, chiefly of Pine tops, and lines it with the leaves of tin- Polypody (Poylpo- dium vulgare),a structure, as to materials, extremely different from that of our bird. 8 80 r.IKDS OF PREY. ers are erectile at the will of the animal. Upper parts dark brown; there is often a white band above the eyes ; a long band of deep brown along the sides of the neck. Lower parts white ; upon the breast some faint fawn-colored or yellowish traces ; plumage of the thighs streaked down the fore-part with pale brown. Cere and feet pale greyish blue ; the latter very large, covered with scales, and rough beneath like a rasp, (for the purpose of holding its finny prey.) Tail crossed with 8 bars of very dark brown, (only six in the Euro- pean, according to Temminck.) Iris fiery yellow. Bill black. The wings (according to Wilson) extend about an inch beyond the tail (more than two inches, Temminck.) — When young they have more or fewer fawn-colored spots beneath. The feathers of the upper parts are terminated with yellowish white margins ; also a considerable space upon the breast of a pale fawn-color spotted with brown ; the feet likewise darker. ASTUR. (Cuvier.) HAWK. The bill strong ; with the tooth or lobe of the upper mandible well denned. Nostrils roundish, or inclining to oval and oblique. Tarsi rather long, shielded with a row of parallel scales. The middle toe much longer than the side ones ; the outer connected at the base by a membrane, and shorter than the inner. The nails are long, much curved, and very acute. — Wings short; the first primary much shorter than the 2d , the 4th longest. The female similar in color with the male, but a third larger. These are bold, sanguinary, and malignant birds ; skim- ming the earth with a rapid flight, seizing their prey upon the wirier, and sometimes pouncing upon it from above. They are not inclined to soar at great elevations, and only describe wide circles in their flight about the commence- ment of the breeding season. A3IERICAN GOSHAWK. 87 AMERICAN GOSHAWK. (Astur atricapillvs, Bonap. Falco atricapillus, Wilson. Am. Orn. vi. p. 80. pi. 52. fig. 3. F. regalis, Temminck. Philadelphia Mu- seum, No. 406. Astur palumbarhts, Audub. pi. 141.) Spec. Charact. — Dark bluish-grey; eye-brows nearly white; be- neath white, everywhere transversely and narrowly banded and longitudinally lined with dark brown; tail ash-colored, banded with dark brown; cere greenish-yellow. — Young, dusky brown, skirted with ferruginous ; beneath yellowish-white with oblong spots of dark brown ; tail with 4 dark bands and tipped with white. The foreign representative of this elegant and spirited species of Hawk appears to be common in France, Ger- many, the northern parts of Great Britain, Russia, and Siberia, and extends into Chinese Tartary. Our species, so nearly related to the European bird, is very rare, mi- grating to the south apparently at the approach of winter. On the 2Gth of October, 1830, I received one of these birds from the proprietor of Fresh Pond Hotel, in the moult, having the stomach crammed with moles and mice, and it was shot in the act of devouring a Pigeon. The Goshawk was held in considerable esteem for fal- conry, and, according to Bell, was employed for this amusement by the emperor of China, who moved some- times to these excursions in great state, often bearing a hawk on his hand, to let fly at any game that might be raised ; which was usually Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, or Cranes. In 1269, Marco Paulo witnessed this diver- sion of the emperor, which probably had existed for many ages previous. The Falconers distinguished these birds of sport into two classes, namely, those of falconry pro- perly so called, and those of hawking; and in this second and inferior class, were included the Goshawk, the Spar- row-hawk, Buzzard, and Harpy. This species does not 88 BIRDS OF PREY. soar so high as the longer-winged Hawks, and darts upon its quarry by a side glance, not by a direct descent, like the true Falcon. They were caught in nets baited with live Pigeons, and reduced to obedience by the same system of privation and discipline as the Falcon. A pair of these birds were kept for a long time in a cage by Buffon ; he remarks, that the female was at least a third larger than the male, and the wings, when closed, did not reach within G inches of the end of the tail. The male, though smaller, was much more fierce and untam- able. They often fought with their claws, but seldom used the bill for any other purpose than tearing their food. If this consisted of birds, they were plucked as neatly as by the hand of the poulterer ; but mice were swallowed whole, and the hair and skin, and other indigestible parts, after the manner of the genus, were discharged from the mouth rolled up in little balls. Its cry was raucous, and terminated by sharp, reiterated, piercing notes, the more disagreeable the oftener they were repeated, and the cage could never be approached without exciting violent ges- tures and screams. Though of different sexes, and con- fined to the same cage, they contracted no friendship for each other which might soothe their imprisonment, and finally, to end the dismal picture, the female, in a fit of indiscriminate rage and violence, murdered her mate in the silence of the night, when all the other feathered race were wrapped in repose. Indeed their dispositions are so furious, that a Goshawk, left with any other Falcons, soon effects the destruction of the whole. Their ordinary food is young rabbits, squirrels, mice, moles, young geese, pigeons, and small birds, and, with a cannibal appetite, they some- times even prey upon the young of their own species. They construct their nests in the highest trees, and lay from 2 to 4 eggs of a bluish-white, marked with lines and spots of COOPERS HAWK. 89 brown. The egg of our bird, according to Audubon, is without spots. The length of this American kind is, according to Wilson, 21 inches ; the male individual in my possession was 25 inches long, and 37 inches in the stretch of the wings. The European is 2 feet (French) for the male, and a 3d, or 8 inches, less (16 inches), for the female. Our bird is therefore much larger, and the wings extend to within 2 inches of the end of the tail ; it is likewise darker on the head, and has a broad dusky stripe passing fiom the eye to the back of the head which is pale ; the under parts also, to the vent, are not merely barred with a single line, but each feather is crossed by nu- merous zig-zag, undulating, dark lines, longitudinally crossed by a central line of the same color, and the vent is also white. "Wilson's name may therefore be retained for this peculiar American species. The bill is blackish-blue; the cere and legs yellow. Irids orange yellow. The superciliary line very distinct and nearly white, pro- ceeding backwards to meet on the hind-head. Above, the plumage is dark cinereous, tinged with brown ; the primaries somewhat lighter. Legs feathered half way clown. Tail mottled with about 5 imper- fect bands of dark brown, chiefly visible on the inner vanes ; the central tail feathers dark grey, with about 4 imperfect, broad, dusky bars. COOPER'S HAWK. (Astur Coopcrii, Bonap. Am. pi. 30. Falco Cooperii, Boxap. Am. Orn. ii. pi. 10. fig. 1. [young]. Philadelphia Museum. No. 403. Falco Stanleyi, Aud. pi. 141, [adult male.] ) Spec. Charact. — Tail rounded, with 4 blackish bands, and tipped with white ; wings extending, when folded, to the 2d band : 2d quill nearly equal in length to the 6th, and the 3d to the 5th. Length 18 or more inches. — Young, dusky brown, skirted with furruginous ; beneath white, with oblanceolate, dusky brown spots. Tins fine species of Hawk is found in considerable num- bers in the Middle States, particularly New York and New Jersey, in the autumn, and at the approach of winter. They are also seen in the Oregon Territory to the shores of the 8* 90 BIRDS OF PREY. Pacific. His food appears principally to be birds of various kinds; from the Sparrow to the Ruffed Grous, all contribute to his rapacious appetite. I have also seen this species as far south as the capital of Alabama, and in common with the preceding, his depredations among the domestic fowls are very destructive. Mr. Cooper informs me that the plu- mage of the adult male bears the same analogy to the adult of F. Justus, as the young of that species does to the present, excepting that the rufous tints are paler. The difference in size between the two is as 2, or even 3, to 1. The length of this species is about 18 inches ; and nearly 30 in alar extent. The general color of the yonvg bird above is chocolate brown, and the head and neck blackish, edged with rufous and white. The body beneath is white, the feathers being marked each with a long, dusky stripe down the shafts, which spots become broader and oblanceolate on the breast and flanks. The vent and lower tail coverts white. The wings about 9 inches long, and when folded, scarcely extend to the 2d bar of the tail ; the quills crossed by blackish bands. 1st primary very short, more so than the secondaries; 2d equal to the Cth, and the 3d to the 5th, the 2 last being scarcely shorter than the 4th, which, as in all the birds of this section, is the longest. Tail 8 inches, extending 5 beyond the wings, ashy brown, tipped with whitish, and crossed by 4 equidistant blackish bands. Legs and feet yellow. The cere greenish-yellow. Iris bright yellow. — Female, 2 inches longer, but with similar plumage. AMERICAN BROWN or SLATE-COLORED HAWK. (Astur fuscus, Aid. pi. 374. Falco fuscus, Gmelin. F. pennsylvani- cus, Wilson, vi. p. 13. pi. 40. fig. 1. [adult male], and F. velox, (Sharp-shinned Hawk), Ibid. v. p. 110. pi. 45. fig. 1. [young fe- male]. Bonap. Ann. Lye. vol. ii. p. 434. Accipiter fuscus, Ibid. Birds of Europe and Am. p. 5.) Spec. Charact. — Tail even, with 4 blackish bands, and tipped with white ; wings extending to the 2d band ; 2d primary much shorter than the Gth ; and the 3d than the 5th. Length about 12 inches — AMERICAN BROWN OR SLATE-COLORED HAWK. 91 Adult, dark slate-color, beneath white, broadly barred with ferrugi- nous. — Young, dark brown, skirted with ferruginous ; beneath white, with narrow, oblong, ferruginous spots. This bold and daring species possesses all the coura- geous habits and temerity of the true Falcon ; and, if the princely amusement to which these birds were devoted, were now in existence, few species of the genus would be found more sanguinary and pugnacious than the present. The young bird is described by Pennant under the name of the dubious Falcon, and he remarks its affinity to the European Sparrow-Hawk. It is, however, somewhat less, differently marked on the head, and much more broadly and faintly barred below. The nest of our species, ac- cording to Audubon, is made in a tree, and the eggs are 4 or 5, greyish-white, blotched with dark brown ; they lay about the beginning to the middle of March. The true Sparrow- Hawk shows considerable docility, is easily trained to hunt Partridges and Quails ; and makes great destruction among Pigeons, young poultry, and small birds of all kinds. In the winter they migrate from Europe into Barbary and Greece, and are seen in great numbers out at sea, making such havock among the birds of passage they happen to meet in their way, that the sailors in the Mediterranean call them Corsairs. Wilson observed the female of our species descend upon its prey with great velocity in a sort of zig-zag pounce, after the manner of the Goshawk. Descending furiously and blindly upon its quarry, a young Hawk of this species broke through the glass of the green- house, at the Cambridge Botanic Garden ; and fearlessly passing through a second glass partition, he was only brought up by the third, and caught, though little stunned by the effort. His wing-feathers were much torn by the glass, and his flight in this way so impeded as to allow of 9"2 BIRDS OF PREY his being approached. This species feeds principally upon mice, lizards, small birds, and sometimes even squirrels. In the thinly settled states of Georgia and Alabama, this Hawk seems to abound, and proves extremely destructive to young chickens, a single bird having been known reg- ularly to come every day until he had carried away be- tween 20 and 30. At noon-day, while I was conversing with a planter, one of these Hawks came down, and with- out any ceremony, or heeding the loud cries of the house- wife, who most reluctantly witnessed the robbery, snatched away a chicken directly before us. At another time, near Tuscaloosa, in Alabama, I observed a pair of these birds furiously attack the large Red-tailed Hawk, squalling very loudly, and striking him on the head until they had en- tirely chased him out of sight. This enmity appeared to arise from a suspicion, that the Buzzard was prowling round the farm house for the poultry, which these Hawks seemed to claim as their exclusive perquisite. As this was, however, the 13th of February, these insulting marauders mio-ht possibly be already preparing to breed, and thus be incited to drive away every suspicious intruder approach- ing their nest. In fine weather, I have observed this species soar to a great elevation, and ascend above the clouds; in this exercise as usual, the wings seem but little exercised, the ascent being made in a sort of swimming gyration, though while near the surface of the earth the motion of the wings in this bird is rapid and continuous. The male of this species is 12 inches long, and 21 inches in extent, (the female 14 inches long, and 25 in stretch of the wings.) The bill is bluish-black. Cere greenish-yellow. Eye-brows strongly pro- jecting. The iris reddish orange. The upper parts of a deep slate- blue, the feathers shafted with black. Primaries brownish-black, barred with dusky; lining of the wing crowded with heart-shaped black spots. Tail 3 inches longer than the wings, nearly even, ash- colored, crossed with 4 broad bands of black, and tipped with white. MISSISSIPPI KITE. 93 Over the eye extends a narrow stripe of dull white. Chin white, mixed with black hairs. Breast, belly, and femorals, varie- gated with broad, transverse, brownish spots. Vent pure White Legs long, slender, and bright yellow. Claws black, remarkably sharp and large. — In a young female which I obtained, of the length of about 14 inches, the feathers of the breast and sides are marked with broadish transverse pale brown bars, which are terminated with pointed oblanceolate spots. This particular stage of plumage appear- ed to be anterior to the last. ICTINIA. (Viellot.) ICTINIA. Bill short, narrowed above ; the upper mandible angu- larly lobed ; the lower distinctly notched ; cere glabrous; nostrils rounded. Tarsi short, slender, scutellated (or covered in front with a row of broad scales) feathered for a short space ; the outer toe connected at base by a mem- brane. The nails short and not very acute. — Wings very long, extending to the end of the tail. 3d primary long- est. Tail nearly even. Bold species ; feeding on small birds, reptiles, &c, but chiefly on insects. They fly out in easy sailing circles at a considerable eleva- tion. — Note. The birds of this section appear to be intermediate between the Falcons and true Kites, and in manners they are some- what related to the Buzzards. MISSISSIPPI KITE. (Ictinia phi7nhca,\iT.\-LL. Bonap. Audub. pi. 117. Falco plumbcus, Gmf.lix. Bonap. Annal. Lye. p. 30. Falco Mississippiensis, Wil- son. Am. Orn. iii. p. 80. pi. 25. fig. 1. [adult male]. ) Spec. Char \ct. — Blackish-ash ; head, neck, and beneath whitish-ash color ; the tail and cere black ; feet and irids bright red. — Young. bluish-Muck ; head and beneath whitish, spotted with bluish-brown ; the tail with 3 white bands beneath ; the cere yellowish. Tins remarkably long-winged and beautiful Hawk does not appear to extend its migrations far within the United 94 BIRDS OF PREY. States. Wilson observed it rather plentiful about, and below Natchez, in the summer season, sailing in easy cir- cles, sometimes at a great elevation, so as to keep company with the Turkey-Buzzards in the most elevated regions of the air : at other times they were seen among the lofty forest trees, like Swallows sweeping along, and collecting the locusts (deader) which swarmed at this season. My friend Mr. Say observed this species pretty far up the Mis- sissippi, at one of Major Long's cantonments. But, except on the banks of this great river, they are rarely seen even in the most southern states. Their food, no doubt, abounds more along the immense valley of the Mississippi than in the interior regions, and, besides large insects, probably often consists of small birds, lizards, snakes, and other reptiles, which swarm in these their favorite resorts. On the failure of their food, they migrate by degrees into the Mexican and South-American provinces ; and were ob- served by D'Azara in Guiana, about the latitude of 7 degrees. According to Audubon this bird breeds in the Southern states, as well as in Texas, selecting the tall Mag- nolias and white oaks. The eggs are 2 or 3, greenish- white, blotched with black and dark-brown. From the narrow limits within which this bird inhabits in the United States, it is more than probable, that the principal part of the species are constant residents in the warmer parts of the American continent. They begin to migrate early in August. In length this species is 14 inches, and 36 in the stretch of the wings. (The European Kite is 24 inches to GO or upwards in alar extent, which is nearly the same proportion.) The bill, cere, lores, and narrow line round the eye are black. "Wings very long and pointed, the 3d quill longest; the primaries black, marked down each side of the shaft with reddish sorrel, and their coverts slightly touched with the same. All the upper plumage at the roots white ; the sca- pulars are also spotted with white beneath. Tail slightly forked, and as well as the rump, black. WHITE-TAILED HAWK. 95 ELANUS. (Saw) ELANUS. Bill moderately strong, compressed and rounded above ; the mouth cleft beyond the eyes; the lobe of the upper mandible obtuse ; cere villous; nostrils oval. — Tarsi short, thick, reticulated (or with the scales scattered) in front, feathered half way down ; toes cleft to the base ; the nails large and acute, the outer very small. Wings very lono-; the 1st and 3d primaries nearly equal ; the 1st and 2d strongly indented on the inner we>b ; the 2d longest. These are timorous birds, chiefly African, with a comparatively small and weak bill; they excel in flight, describing graceful circles in the air ; yet they seldom attack their prey flying, but dart upon it when at rest. They feed on small birds, insects, more particularly reptiles, and occasionally devour dead animals. WHITE-TAILED HAWK. (Elanns dispar, Aud. pi. 352. Falco dispar, Temm. Bonap. Am. Orn. ii. p. 18. pi. 11. fig. 2. [adult female.] Elanus leucurus, Bonap. Birds of Europe and Am. p. 4.) Spec. Charact. — Bluish-grey, beneath white ; wing-coverts black ; tail even, outer feathers shortest. This beautiful Hawk, scarcely distinguishable from a second, African species of this section, chiefly inhabits the continent of South America, as far as Paraguay. In the United States it is only seen occasionally in the penin- sula of East Florida, confining its visits almost to the southern extremity of the Uuion. It appears to be very shy and diilicult of approach, flying in easy circles at a moderate elevation, or at times seated on the deadened branches of the majestic live-oak, it attentively watches the borders of the salt marshes and watery situations for the field-mice of that country, or unwary Sparrows, that 9G BIRDS OF PREY. approach its perch. The bird of Africa and India is said to utter a sharp and piercing cry, which is often repeated, while lie moves in the air. They build in the forks of trees, a broad and shallow nest, lined internally with moss and feathers. The eggs are 4 or 5. A pair have been known to breed on the Santee river in the month of March, according to Audubon. The female of this species is about 16£ inches long, and 3 feet 5£ inches in alar extent. Sides of the head, neck, and body, and all beneath white. Head pearl-grey, becoming gradually darker towards the neck and back, from the front, which is white. Above bluish ash ; smaller and middle wing-coverts black ; primaries slate color. 1st primary a little shorter than the 3d ; the 2d longest. The closed wings attain within an inch to the tip of the tail ; the latter being 7 inches long, slightly notched, and with the outer feather more than half an inch shorter than the adjoining one ; the middle feathers pale bluish-slate, all the rest pure white. Legs and feet orange-yellow ; tarsus covered with small reticulated scales ; toes all separated to the base ; the nails, except the middle one, rounded beneath. Bill black ; cere orange-yellow and bristly. Iris brownish red. — The male, smaller and somewhat darker, tinged with ferruginous. NAUCLERUS. (Vigors.) SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK. The bill rather short, weak, compressed ; nostrils oval, situated in the cere, hairy at base, oblique. Wings long ; 2d and 3d quill very long; tail long, deeply forked. Feet short, weak ; tarsus reticulated; nails nearly cylindric. — There are 2 species in this genus, one of which inhabits Senegal. SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK. (Nauclerus furcatus, Vigors. Bonap. p. 4. Aud. pi. 72. Faho f mea- tus, Lin. Wilsox, Am. Orn. vi. p. 70. pi. 51. fig. 2. [adult male]. Philad. Museum, No. 142.) Spec. Charact. — White ; back, wings, and tail black, with greenish and purple reflections ; tail deeply forked. This beautiful Kite breeds and passes the summer in the warmer parts of the United States, and is also proba- bly resident in all tropical and temperate America, mi- grating into the southern as well as the northern hemis- phere. In the former, according to Viellot, it is found in Peru, and as far as Buenos Ayres; and though it is ex- tremely rare to meet with this species as far as the latitude of 40 degees in the Atlantic states; yet tempted by the 9 98 BIRDS OF PREY. abundance of the fruitful valley of the Mississippi, indi- viduals have been seen along that river as far as the Falls of St. Anthony, in the 44th degree of north latitude. In- deed, according to Fleming, two stragglers have even found their devious way to the strange climate of Great Britain. They appear in the United States about the close of April or beginning of May, and are very numerous in the Mississippi territory, 20 or 30 being sometimes visible at the same time, often collecting locusts and other large insects, which they are said to feed on from their claws while flying; at times also seizing upon the nests of lo- custs and wasps, and like the Houey-Buzzard, devouring both the insects and their larvae. Snakes and lizards are their common food in all parts of America. In the month of October they begin to retire to the south, at which sea- son Mr. Bartram observed them in great numbers assem- bled in Florida, soaring steadily at great elevations for several days in succession, and slowly passing towards their winter-quarters along the Gulf of Mexico. It is said to nest in the tops of tall oaks or pine trees, laying 4 to 6 eggs of a greenish-white sparingly blotched with dark brown ; both sexes alternately incubate. From the other states they migrate early in September. In length this species is about 2 feet ; and 4 feet G inches in the stretch of the wings. (The true Kite is 2 feet by upwards of 5 feet stretch.) The bill is black ; the cere yellow, as well as the legs. Iris orange-red. The head and neck white ; beneath also white. Upper parts black, glossed with green and purple. AVings reaching within 2 inches of the tip of the tail. Tail very long, and remarkably forked, of 12 feathers. Several of the tertial feathers white, or edged with that color; lining of the wings white. — The plumage of the male and female very similar. ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. 99 BUTEO. (Becht.) BUZZARDS. Bill short, suddenly curving from its base, and much hooked; lobe blunt; the sides of the lower mandible bent inwards. Head rather large, with the neck thick and short; the body also rather stout. Tarsus short and thick, scutellated, partially or wholly feathered; outer toes con- nected at base by a membrane ; nails rather weak, those of the inner and hind toe largest. Wings usually long, with the 4 first primaries indented on the inner web ; the 1st very short, and the 4th longest. Female, larger, but similar in color. The young very different. By their heavy flight, inferior boldness, and massive form, they often appear to make an approach to- wards the owls; in captivity indeed they habitually hide themselves, and appear dastardly. They feed on young rabbits, squirrels, mice, rats, moles, snakes, frogs, large insects, and small birds, which they commonly watch for while perched. ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. (Butco lagopus, Vigors. Audub. pi. 422. [adult], and pi. 1GG. [young.] Falco lagopus, Li.w Wilson. Am. Orn. iv. p. 59. pi. 33. fig. 1. [male.] Falco Sancti- Johannis, Gmelin. F. nigcr, Wilson, C. p. 82. pi. 53. fig. 1. [adult.] Butattcs Sancti- Johannis, Bo.nap. p. 3.) Spec. Charact. — Black; front and line round the eye white ; tail rounded, crossed with 5 bands of white, and terminated with dull white. Young, according to age, varied with white, brown, black- ish, and ferruginous; at first palish-brown; tail halfway white, with 1 or 2 external dusky bars, and a broad subterminal band of black ; the feathers sometimes merely blotched with black and white on their inner vanes. Tins remarkable species of Buzzard appears to take up its residence chiefly in the northern and western wilds of 100 BIRDS OF PREY. America. My friend Mr. Townsend, found its nest on the banks of Bear River, west of the Rocky Mountains. The nest formed of large sticks, was in a thick willow bush, about ten feet from the ground, and contained two young almost fledged. It is said to lay 4 eggs, clouded with reddish. It is common also to the north of Europe, if not to Africa. Its usual station is on the outskirts of woods, in the neighborhood of marshes ; situations suited for supplying it with its usual humble prey of frogs, mice, reptiles, and straggling birds, for which it patiently watches for hours together, from day-break to late twilight. "When his prey is perceived, he takes a cautious, slow, circuitous course near the surface, and sweeping over the spot where the object of pursuit is lurking, he instantly grapples it, and flies off to consume it at leisure. Occasionally they feed on crabs and shell-fish. The inclement winters of the high northern regions, where they are usually bred, failing to afford them food, they are under the necessity of making a slow migration towards those countries which are less severe. According to Wilson, no less than from 20 to 30 young individuals of this species continued reg- ularly to take up their winter-quarters in the low meadows below Philadelphia. They are never observed to soar, and, when disturbed, utter a loud, squealing note, and only pass from one neighboring tree to another. In the course of the winter they proceed into Maryland, and as far south as North Carolina. In Europe they seldom migrate so far to the south as Holland. The length of this species is (in the male) about 10 to 20 inches ; in the female, 2 feet 2 or 3 inches. Cere and feet yellow. Bill blackish. Iris yellow. General color of the adult ; above brown black with lighter shades, nape of the neck white below the surface. Lower parts black with slight shades of brown. The wings extend a little beyond the tip of the tail. The 5 first primaries white on their inner vanes. Tail deep black, with 5 narrow bands of white, and WINTER BUZZARD. 101 broadly tipped with dull white ; vent black, spotted with white. Toes very short. WINTER BUZZARD. (Buteo hicmalis, Nobis. Fako hiemalis, Wilson, vol. 4. p. 73. pi. 35. fig. 1. [male.] Falco Butcoidcs, Nobis. B. 1 meatus, Acd.) Spec. Charact. — Dusky brown ; beneath yellowish- white with ob- lanceolate dusky spots ; wings not extending to the end of the tail ; tail dusky with about 9 bars and tipped with dull white; cere and legs yellow. — Male, darker, with hastate spots on the femorals, and the external feathers of the tail wholly dusky, the under ones barred only on their inner vanes ; also more inclined to ferruginous beneath, and with the throat scarcely spotted. Female, 4 inches longer, lighter, with the tail distinctly barred, and the femorals scarcely spotted. This large American Buzzard is not uncommon in this vicinity, as well as in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, where Wilson met with it along the marshes and meadows, feeding almost wholly on frogs. It is abundant towards winter. He appears to have very much the manners of the European Buzzard, remaining inactive for hours to- gether on the edges of wet meadows, perched upon the larger limbs of trees, and at times keeping up a regular quailing and rather hoarse kcigh-oo, kcigh-oo, which, at in- tervals, is answered by his mate. When approached he commonly steals off to some other tree at no great dis- tance from the first, but if the pursuit be continued, he flies out and hovers at a considerable height. It is also an inhabitant of Hudson's Bay and Newfoundland. Length of the wale 20 inches. Bill dusky ; the cere and legs vcl- low. The head and hind part of the neck brown, broadly edged with white; primaries and lesser wing-coverts edged with ferruginous. Throat, breast, and belly, ferruginous white, marked rather thinly with oblong or oblanceolate brown spots ; belly nearly spotless, the vent 9* 10*2 BIRDS OF PREY. wholly so ; femorals ferruginous-white with hastate transverse, and some terminal pointed bars. Legs short, strong, and yellow. Irids dark brown. RED-TAILED HAWK or BUZZARD. (Bufio horcalis, Swain. Audubon, pi. 51. Falco borealis, Gmet.. Wil- son, Am. Orn. vi. p. 75. pi. 52. fig. 1. [adult] and American Buz- zard. 1'. I< n /-/units, Ibid. vi. p. TS. pi. 52. fig. 2. [young].) Spec. Charact. — Dusky brown ; beneath whitish with dark hastate spots ; wings considerably shorter than the tail. — Female very similar to the male. In the adult the tail is ferruginous, with a blackish subterminal band. — Young, with the tail pale dusky brown, crossed by 9 or 10 narrow blackish bands. Tins beautiful Buzzard inhabits most parts of the United States, being observed from Canada to Florida ; also, far westward up the Missouri, and even on the coasts of the northern Pacific Ocean, by Lewis and Clarke.* Wilson found the young to be fully grown in the month of May, about latitude 31 degrees on the banks of the Mississippi ; at this period they were very noisy and clamorous, keep- ing up an incessant squealing. They also occasionally nest and breed in large trees in the secluded forests of this part of Massachusetts. The young birds soon become very submissive, and allow themselves to be handled with impunity by those who feed them. The older birds some- times contest with each other in the air about their prey, and nearly or wholly descend to the earth grappled in each other's talons. Though this species has the general as- pect of the Buzzard, its manners are very similar to those of the Goshawk : it is equally fierce and predatory, prowl- ing around the farm often when straightened for food, and seizing, now and then, a hen or chicken, which it snatches * Vol. ii. page Jr. RED-TAILED HAWK OR BUZZARD. 103 by making a lateral approach ; it sweeps along near the surface of the ground, and grasping his prey in his talons, bears it away to devour in some place of security. These depredations on the farm-yard happen, however, only in the winter ; at all other seasons this is one of the shyest and most difficult birds to approach. They will at times pounce upon rabbits, and considerable sized birds, partic- ularly Larks, and have been observed in the southern states perseveringly to pursue squirrels from bough to bough until they are overtaken and seized in their talons. They are frequently seen near wet meadows where mice, moles, and frogs are prevalent ; and also feed upon lizards, appearing indeed, often content with the most humble game. They usually associate in pairs, and seem much attached to each other ; yet they often find it convenient and pro- fitable to separate in hunting their prey, about which they would readily quarrel, if brought into contact. Though a good deal of their time passes in indolence, while perch- ed in some tall and deadened tree, yet at others they may be seen beating the ground as they fly over it in all direc- tions in quest of game. On some occasions they amuse themselves by ascending to a vast elevation like the as- piring Eagle. On a fine evening, about the middle of January, in South Carolina, I observed one of these birds leave its withered perch, and soaring aloft over the wild landscape, in a mood of contemplation, begin to ascend towards the thin skirting of elevated clouds above him. At length he passed this sublime boundary, and was now perceived and soon followed by his ambitious mate, and in a little time, by circular ascending gyrations, they both disappeared in the clear azure of the heavens; and though I waited for their re-appearance half an hour, they still continued to be wholly invisible. This amusement, or 104 BIRDS OF PREY. predilection for the cooler regions of the atmosphere, seems more or less common to all the rapacious birds. In numerous instances this exercise must be wholly indepen- dent of the inclination for surveying their prey, as few of them beside the falcon descend direct upon their quarry. Many, as well as the present species, when on the prowl, fly near to the surface of the ground, and often wait and watch so as to steal upon their victims before they can take the alarm. Indeed the Condor frequents and nests upon the summit of the Andes, above which they are seen to soar in the boundless ocean of space, enjoying the in- vigorating and rarefied atmosphere, and only descending to the plains when impelled by the cravings of hunger. The Red-tailed Hawk is 20 to 22 inches in length, and 3 feet 9 or more inches in the stretch of the expanded wings. The bill greyish- black ; cere, sides of the mouth, and legs yellow. Upper parts dark brown, touched with ferruginous. Wings dusky, barred with black- ish, scapulars barred beneath the surface. Sides of the tail coverts white, barred with rusty, the middle ones dark. Tail rounded, ex- tending 2 inches beyond the wings, of a bright brown or brick color, with a single band of black near the end, and tipped with brownish white ; on some of the lateral feathers indications of bars. Beneath brownish white, the breast somewhat rust-colored, streaked with dark brown ; across the belly a band of interrupted spots of brown. Chin white ; vent and femorals pale ocherous, the latter with a few small heart-shapped spots of brown. Iris yellow. HARLAN'S BUZZARD. (Butco Harlanii, Aud. Falco Harlani, Acdubox, pi. 86. [male and female.]) Spec. Charact. — Brownish-black; the tail longer than the wings, with 7 or S black bands ; cere and legs yellow ; beneath purple with oblong black spots ; the femorals with hastate ones. This remarkable species was discovered by Audubon, near St. Francisville in Louisania, having bred in the COMMON BUZZARD. 105 neighborhood of that place, for two successive seasons. Its flight is rapid and protracted, and it seizes its prey with celerity. Pouncing on a fowl it kills it almost instantane- ously, and preys also on Partridges and the smaller kinds of Ducks. Length 21 inches, alar extent 45. Deep chocolate-brown ; beneath lighter, the feathers being margined with light brown. Tail lighter than the back, and rather narrowly barred with brownish-black. Under wing coverts whitish, spotted with dark brown. Bill light blue, black towards the end. Cere yellowish-green. Legs pale yel- low. The wings a few inches shorter than the tail. 1st primary rather short, 4th longest. COMMON BUZZARD. (Butco vulgaris, Rich, and Swaixs. North. Zool. ii. p. 47. pi. 27. [male.] Plain Falcon, Pexn. Arct. Zool. ii. p. 207. No. 103 ? [young female ?] Butco Sicainsoni, Bonap. p. 3. Falco obsolctus, Lath. Ind. i. sp. 61 ?) Spec Charact. — Blackish-brown ; the tail darker, crossed by about 7 bars; below dull brown, paler on the belly and spotted, whitish on the vent : cere and feet yellow. — Female less bright on the belly, barred with blackish-brown ; and with the cere and legs bluish-livid. The Common Buzzard, according to Richardson, ar- rives in the fur countries about the middle of April : soon after it builds its nest, and having reared its young, departs about the end of September. It haunts alluvial lands by the banks of streams, where on the bough of a tree it sits watching patiently for the approach of some diminutive quadruped, bird or reptile. On espying its prey, it glides of, and sweeping easily but rapidly down, seizes it in its claws. When disturbed it makes a short circuit, and soon settles on some other perch. Its nest, on a tree, is made of short sticks, and sparingly lined with deer's hair. The 10G BIRDS OF PREY. eggs 3 to 5 in number, are equal in size to those of the domestic fowl, and have a greenish-white color, with a few large dark-brown blotches at the thick end. It was seen as far north as the 57th parallel, and it most probably takes a still higher range. In France, the flesh is accounted a delicacy and much sought after during winter. The Buzzard is said to be of a cowardly and indolent disposition ; constructing, in old oaks and birch-trees, a nest of small branches, or taking possession of one deserted by the Crows, and lining it with wool and other soft sub- stances, in which it lays only 2 or 3 whitish eggs, waved with greenish, and spotted with yellowish. But, if defi- cient in courage it is not so in natural affection, feeding and tending its young with much assiduity ; and even the male, according to Ray, on the death of the female, pa- tiently feeds and rears the brood till able to provide for themselves. According to Buffon, a Mr. Fontaine succeeded in taming and domesticating a Buzzard, so completely that he exhibited a real attachment to his master, attended at the dinner-table, caressing with his head and bill. He managed to conquer the dogs and cats of the house, seizing the food from them when there were several to- gether ; and, as a last resort, when hard pushed by his assailants, took wing with a tone of exultation. He had also a singular antipathy to red caps, which he dexterously snatched from the heads of the working peasantry without being perceived; he likewise purloined wigs in the same manner, and after carrying J.his strange booty to the tallest tree of an adjoining park, he left them there without injury. Although he sometimes attacked the neighboring poultry, he lived on amicable terms with those of his master, bath- ing even among the chickens and ducklings without offer- ing them the least injury. BROAD-WINGED HAWK. 107 Length of the male Buzzard about 22 inches. — The dorsal aspect between clove and blackish-brown, the margins of the feathers paler; the head and hind part of the back darker, the edges of the rest of the plumage fading into soiled yellowish-brown. Quills and long scapulars, blackish-brown ; some obscure bars on the former. Secon- daries and a few adjoining primaries narrowly tipped with brownish- white. Tail deep clove-brown, with a narrow soiled tip, crossed by about 7 obscure bars of a deeper shade, the terminal one an inch broad. Under surface : the cheeks clove-brown; throat white; sides and fore part of the neck, and upper part of the breast, dull brocoli- brown, slightly mixed with yellowish-brown. Belly and thighs pale yellowish-brown, indistinctly barred with white. Vent and under tail coverts soiled white. Flanks yellowish-brown, with some patches of clove-brown. Tail square, beneath very pale ash-grey, crossed by 7 bars of clove-brown. Bill bluish-black. Cere and legs yellowish. Bill broad at base, flatly convex above, much compressed towards the tip, which forms a rather slender acute hook. The lower mandible very obliquely truncated at the end. The 3d quill longest. The general color of the female similar with that of the male, but the black bars on the tail are more distinct ; the breast darker, the belly less bright, and as well as the flanks studded with short bars of blackish-brown. The cere and legs have a bluish livid color. The 3d and 4th quills are also equal. — Length 2G inches ; tail 10. BROAD-WINGED HAWK. (Buteo pcnnsylvaniai s, Bonap. Falco ■pennsylvanicus, Audubox, pi. 91. [male and female.] Wilson. Am. Orn. vi. p. 92. pi. 54. fig. 1. [male.] Bonap. An. Lye. 2. p. 29. Philad. Museum, No. 407.) Spec. Charact. — Dark brown ; head streaked with whitish ; be- neath white, thickly spotted on the breast with brownish sagittate spots; tail short, black, with 2 bars of white and tipped with whitish, cere and feet yellow. — Young. Tail indistinctly banded with black and dusky , lower parts pure white, with rare blackish oblanceolate spots. This species was obtained by Wilson, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, in the act of feeding on a meadow mouse. On being approached, it uttered a whining whistle, and 103 BIRDS OF PREY, flew to another tree where it was shot. Its great breadth of wing as well as of the head and body, compared with its length, appears remarkably characteristic. The follow- lowing day the mate was observed sailing in wide circles, the wings scarcely moving, and presenting almost a semi- circular outline. These 2 individuals appear to be all that were known to Wilson of this species. Mr. Audubon considers it by no means a rare species in Virginia, Mary- land, and all the states to the eastward of these. Its usual prey is small birds, very young poultry, small quadrupeds and insects. It nests in the larger branches of trees, laying 4 or 5 dull greyish-white eggs, blotched with dark brown. The Buzzardet, of Pennant, No. 109, vol. i. p. 245, described from a specimen in the Leverian Museum, is doubtless this species. The length of this species (a mule) is 14 inches (according to Pen- nant, 15 inches,) extent 33. Bill black, bluish near the base, slightly toothed ; cere and corners of the mouth yellow. Irids amber color. Frontlet and lores white. From the mouth backwards runs a patch of blackish brown. Upper parts dark brown, beneath the surface spotted and barred with white. Head large, broad, and flat, streaked with whitish. Tail short, the exterior and interior feathers somewhat shorter; tail coverts spotted with white. Wings dusky brown, ob- scurely barred with black ; most of the inner vanes partly white ; lining of the wing brownish-white, marked with small arrow-heads of brown. Chin white, surrounded with streaks of black. Belly and vent, like the breast, white, but more thinly marked with pointed spots of brown. Femorals pale brownish white, thickly marked with small touches of brown and white. Legs stout; feet coarsely scaled, both of a dirty orange yellow. — Female, much larger, lighter colored over the eye, being rufous-white with minute spots ; femorals and beneath the wing marked with cordate spots. Beneath rufous-white with oblonir dusky-brown spots. Belly and rump the same color, but spotless. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. 109 RED-SHOULDERED PIAWK. (Butco lincatus, Aud. pi. 56. Falco lincatus, Wilson, G. p. SG. pi. 53. fig. 3.) Spec. Charact. — Brownish, varied with white and ferruginous; tail always banded, extending considerably beyond the closed wings. — Adult, brown; beneath, head, neck, and tail coverts white, spotted longitudinally with brown ; tail with 8 or 9 bands of dark and light brown. — Young, brown and ferruginous, beneath rusty, slightly varied with faint bars ; wings dusky and barred ; tail black, crossed and tipped with 5 bands of white. This very elegant Hawk does not migrate or inhabit very far to the north. They are never seen in Massachu- setts, nor perhaps much farther than the state of Pennsyl- vania. In the southern states, during winter, they are very common in swampy situations, where their quailing cry of mutual recognition may be heard from the depths of the dark forest, almost every morning of the season. This plaintive echoing note resembles somewhat the garrulous complaint of the Jay, kee-oo, kee-oo, kee-oo, continued with but little intermission sometimes for near 20 minutes; at length, it becomes loud and impatient, but on being distantly answered by the mate, the sound softens and be- comes plaintive like kee-oo. This morning call is uttered most loudly and incessantly by the male, inquiring for his adventurous mate whom the uncertain result of the chase has perhaps separated from him for the night. As this species is noways shy, and very easily approached, I have had the opportunity of studying it closely. At length, but in no haste, I observed the female approach and take her station on the same lofty, decayed limb with her companion, 10 110 BIRDS OF PREY. who, grateful for this attention, plumed the feathers of his mate with all the assiduous fondness of a dove. Intent upon her meal, however, she soon flew off to a distance, while the male still remained on his perch dressing up his beautiful feathers for near half an hour, often shaking his tail, like some of the lesser birds, and occasionally taking an indifferent survey of the hosts of small chirping birds which surrounded him, who followed without alarm their occupation of gleaning seeds and berries for subsistence. I have occasionally observed them perched on low bushes and stakes in the rice-fields, remaining thus for half an hour at a time, and then darting after their prey as it comes in sight. I saw one descend upon a Plover, as I thought, and Wilson remarks their living on these birds, Larks, and Sandpipers. The same pair that I watched also hung on the rear of a flock of Cow-buntings which were feeding and scratching around them. They some- times attack squirrels, as I have been informed ; and Wil- son charges them with preying also upon Ducks. I never observed them to soar, at least in winter, their time being passed very much in indolence, and in watch- ing for their game. Their flight is almost as easy and noiseless as that of the owl. In the early part of the month of March they were breeding in West Florida, and seemed to choose the densest thickets, and not to build at any great height from the ground. On approaching these places, the kee-oo became very loud and angry. According to Audubon, the eggs are 4 to 5, pale blue, faintly blotched with browish red. The male Red-shouldered species, according to Wilson, is 19 inches in length ; that of Pennant was 22 inches, having seven bands, how- ever, on the tail ; this must have been a female, which differs from the other sex chiefly in the colors, which are less dark and pure. Harris's buzzard. Ill Bill blackish. Cere and legs yellow. The head and back are brown- ish and rusty. The greater wing-coverts and secondaries pale olive- brown, thickly spotted with white and yellowish white. Primaries nearly black, barred with white. Tail black, rounded, extending about 1£ inches beyond the wings, crossed by 5 bands of white, and broadly tipped with the same. Beneath bright rusty, with indis- tinct darker transverse bands ; the dark shafts of some of these feathers present partly the narrow oblong spots of the Winter Hawk. Vent pale ochreous. Legs long, and feathered a little below the knees ; femorals pale rusty, and barred faintly with a darker tint. Iris reddish-hazel. HARRIS'S BUZZARD. (Buteo Harrisii, Audub. pi. 392. Bonap. p. 3. Birds of Europe and Am.) Spec. Charact. — Dark brown, tail dusky, with 2 broad white bands, the one at the base and the other at the extremity [young].) This species was discovered by Dr. Jenkins, in Louis- iana between Bayou Sara and Natchez, and was named by Andubon in honor of our mutual friend, E. Harris, Esq. Bill light blue, darker at the tip ; cere and feet yellow. Above deep chocolate brown ; the upper and lower wing-coverts, and the feathers of the legs brownish-red ; the coverts with a central dusky streak in each feather, enlarging in the secondary coverts, so as to leave only the margins ferruginous. The feathers of the rump faintly margined with the same ; upper tail coverts barred and tipped with white. Tail brownish-black, with 2 broad bands of white, the one at the base and the other terminal. Length 21 inches ; stretch of the wings about 30 inches. Wings long, the 1st quill four inches shorter than the 4th, which is longest. Tail long and rounded. 1 12 BIRDS OF PREY. WHITE THROATED BUZZARD. (Batco montana. F. Butco, Aid. pi. 372. [female].) Spec. Cii aract. — Dark brown; chin and upper part of the throat nearly white, below dusky with numerous spots ; tail brown, lon- ger than the wings, with about 14 dusky bars ; inner webs of the primaries whitish, with distinct dusky bars. — Male and Young? Mr. Townsend and myself observed this bird on the woody margins of the Rocky Mountain streams which pass into the Colorado of the West, about the month of July, when they were breeding, in a tree where Mr. T. found the nest containing 2 white eggs. Its habits closely resembled those of the Red Tailed Buzzard. From the Bateo vulgaris it appears to be sufficiently distinct, how- ever, allied. (Female.) Length 23 inches; each wing 17 inches. Bill leaden blue, yellowish at the margins, black at tip. Iris hazel. Feet yellow, and very stout, claws large bluish-black. Primaries black towards the tip, but a great part of the inner web, with the shaft whitish md barred with brownish-black, the bars more extended on the seconda- ries. Below the breast yellowish or brownish- white, faintly and transversely barred with brown. Femorals almost spotless and pale tawny yellow; 3d quill longest, 1st but little shorter than the 2d. Head flattish, very different from that of the Common Buzzard, with the bill longer and stouter. Scarcely any appearance of spots above. Tail proportionably longer with more bars. CIRCUS. (Becht.) HARRIERS. These are principally distinguished from the Buzzards by having a kind of collar of small rigid feathers sur- HEX-HARRIER OR MARSH-HAWK. 113 rounding the face, as in Owls. They are, however, bold and active birds, with a graceful flight, but are inferior to the Falcons, not chasing so well on the wing, and feeding principally on mice, reptiles, fish, young birds, and insects. They pass their time chiefly about marshes and ponds, near which situations, amidst weeds on the ground, or in the woods, they construct their nests. At the pair- ing season the males pass much of their time in soaring at considerable elevations, and seem to take delight in dwell- ing in the cooler regions of the air. The female and young differ considerably in color from the male. HEN-HARRIER, or MARSH-HAWK. (Circus cyaneus, Am. pi. 35C. Falco cyanevs, Lin. F. uliginosus, Wilsow, Am. Orn. vi. p. 07. pi. 51 fig. 1 [young female], and Bonap. Am. Orn. ii. pi. 11. fig. 1. [adult male]. Strigiceps uligi- nosus, Bonap. p. 5.) Spec. Charact. — With the wings extending to three-fourths the length of the tail: the 3d and 4th primaries equal; rump white. — Adult nude bluish-grey ; inner vanes of the primaries and be- neath white without spots ; the quills black towards the end. — Female and young dark brown; beneath pale yellowish-brown with dark spots ; the wings on the under side banded with black and white ; tail, except the 2 middle dusky feathers, barred with black- ish and pale brown. Tins species is common to the northern and temperate, as well as the warmer parts of the old and new continents, being met with in Europe, Africa, South America, and the West Indies. In the winter season it extends its peregrinations from Hudson's Ray to the Oregon Territory, and the south- ern parts of the United States, frequenting chiefly open, low, 10* 114 BIRDS OF TREY. and marshy situations, over which it sweeps or skims along, at a little distance usually from the ground, in quest of mice, small birds, frogs, lizards, and other reptiles, which it often selects by twilight, as well as in the open day ; and at times, pressed by hunger, it is said to join the Owls, and seek out its prey even by moonlight. Instances have been known in England, in which this bird has carried his temerity so far as to pursue the same game with the armed fowler, and even snatch it from his grasp, after calmly waiting for it to be shot, and without even betraying timidity at the report of the gun. The nest of this species is made on the ground, in swampy woods, or among rushes, occasionally also under the protection of rocky precipices; and is said to be formed of sticks, reeds, leaves, straw, and similar materials heaped together, and finished with a lining of feathers, hair, or other soft substances. A nest, examined on Galveston Island by Audubon, and Mr. Har- ris, on the ground, was made wholly of dry grass. The eggs are 4 or 5, of a bluish white, and without spots. In the F. cinrraceus, so nearly related to this species, the eggs are of a pure white. When their young are ap- proached, the parents, hovering round the intruder, and uttering a sort of uncouth syllable, like gcg geg gag, or ge ge ne ge ge, seem full of afright and anxiety. The Crows, however, are their greatest enemies, and they often succeed in demolishing their nests. The young are easily tamed, and feed almost immediately without exhibiting any signs of fear. In the old male the upper parts are of a bluish grey. The quill- feathers are white at their origin, and black the rest of their length ; the internal part of the base of the wings, rump, belly, sides, thighs, abdomen, and beneath the tail is white and without spots. Upper part of the tail of a cinereous grey, with the ends of the featheis STRIGIN^E OWLS. 115 whitish. Iris and feet yellow. The length 20 to 21 inches. — The old female is dirty brown above, with the feathers of the head, neck, and upper part of the back, bordered with rusty. Beneath rusty- yellow, with large longitudinal brown spots. The quills banded exteriorly with dark brown and black, but interiorly with white and black. Rump white, with rusty spots. The 2 middle tail feathers banded with blackish, and very dark grey; the lateral feathers banded with yellowish red and blackish. The length 1 or 2 inches greater than in the male. — The young very similar to the adult female. Family STRIGIN^ OWLS. These, in the order of nature, appear to occupy among the birds, the same situation as the Feline tribe among the mammalia. Like cats, which they externally resemble in the face, many of them are only able to hunt their prey in the evening or morning twilight, or aided by the uncertain light of the moon. There are a few of the species who are qualified to endure the light of day, pursuing their prey on the wing, or laying wait for it in the thickest parts of the forest; these species may be known by the absence of the ear-like tufts of feathers on their heads, and by the emarginated tail, which, as in most of the Hawks, extends beyond the extremity of the wings. In the other species (either with or without ear-tufts, and with a short and rounded tail seldom extending beyond the wings,) the pu- pil of the eye is so large, and admits so many rays, that they are dazzled by the light of day, and endeavor, like cats, to obviate this defect by contracting the pupil into a narrower circle of vision. In consequence of this pecu- liar organization, they seek, in the day, the retirement of the thickest forest, the cranies of the desolate ruin, or the 116 BIRDS OF PREY. humble and more natural retreat of a hollow and decaying tree. At times, routed from their refuge, or suddenly sur- prised by the approach of day, they may be seen dozing on some exposed branch or trunk of a tree. On such oc- casions, cries and insult are poured upon the nocturnal depredator from most of the neighboring birds who make the discovery,* and detest the feline prowler ; the Jay and Titmouse, themselves plunderers, are often the most ready to assail the bewildered Owl with scolding invective ; but the lesser birds, full of sympathy for their mates and young, seem only employed in extenuating the cry of alarm. The purblindness of these nocturnal birds arises rather from the delicacy than the defect of the eye; their sense of» hearing and its apparatus are also ex- quisite, perhaps superior to that of any other animal, and sufficient probably to direct them to the slightest motions of their skulking prey ; the drum of the ear is propor- tionally larger than in the quadrupeds, and the ear itself generally provided with an operculum which can be open- ed or shut at pleasure. The almost spectral flight of the Owl is rendered thus inaudible and gliding by the downy softness of his feathers, which is perhaps assisted by the recurved barbs that commonly edge the exterior of the 3 or 4 first quills. Thus provided, like the insidious assassin, with a noiseless and easy approach, sallying out under cover of the approaching shades of night, sacred to repose, he snatches the dormant bird from its perch, and turns the music of the grove into wailing and silence, con- sonant with his own malignant destiny and boding cries. * So constant is the persecution of the Owl hy a variety of birds, that advan- tage is taken of their antipathy, and many are caught by liming the neighboring twigs. OWLS. 117 Like the Hawks, his powerful talons are the arms with which he makes the fatal sweep amongst his prey ; it is only when greatly pressed by hunger that he deigns to feed on dead animals ; and his drink is rarely ever other than the blood of his victims, and their recent juices. The bones, hair, feathers, and hard parts, not digestible in the membranous stomach with which alone he is provided, are brought up, and ejected by the mouth, in the form of pellets or little balls. In anciently settled countries, frugal of labor, they content themselves to nest in old towers and ruins, sometimes in the holes of hollow trees, or the deserted nests of other large birds; in this country, decayed trees, as well as the fissures of rocks, and retired barns, are chosen for this purpose ; their eggs are from 2 to 6. Their moult takes place only once in the year ; and the striking disparities of plumage which occur among the Hawks, is generally unknown among the Owls. The young, however, before their first moult, have usually a darker face than the adult, thus appearing as it were masked; but after this period they no longer differ from the old. The species are spread all over the northern and temperate parts of the globe, and some are common even to both hemispheres. OWLS. (Lix.) STRIX. In these birds the bill is short, compressed, and curved from its origin ; the base surrounded by a cere, and covered wholly or in part by bristly feathers. Head large and very much feathered; the face surrounded by a sort of ri^id plumy collar. Nostrils lateral, com- ing out upon the anterior edge of the cere, rounded, open, and con- cealed by the incumbent setaceous feathers. Eyes very large, di- 118 BIRDS OF PREY. rected forwards; the iris brilliant. Legs and feet often covered with feathers to the very nails ; the toes entirely divided to their base ; the exterior toe capable of being brought round. Nails strong, sharp, and very retractile (so as to secure very small prey). Wings some- what pointed ; the 3 first primaries generally provided with loose re- curved barbs on their outer edge ; the first primary short ; the 2d not extending to the extremity of the 3d, which is tbe longest. § 1. With the bill curved from the base. Subgenus. — Surma. With the opening of the ears oval, of moderate size, and without operculum or cover; the disk round the face rather small, not very distinct, and composed of slender feathers. These are somewhat allied to the Hawks. t Head without tufts or feathers. Feathered to the claws; outer webs of the primaries not recurved. With the tail extending beyond the wings. The North American species are nearly all diurnal. HAWK OWL. (Strix funerca, Gm. Audub. pi. 378. S. hudsonia, Wilson, Am. Orn. vi. p. 64. pi. 50. fig. G. Philad. Museum, No. 500. Surnia funerca, Bo.nap. p. 6.) Spec. Charact. — Blackish-brown, thickly spotted with white; beneath white, barred with brown ; tail wedge-shaped, extending tar beyond the wings, marked with several narrow whitish bands ; feet thickly feathered: the bill yellow. — Female, with the tints less clear, and of a little larger size. — Young, with the plumage of a rusty brown. 120 BIRDS OF PREY. This remarkable species, forming a connecting link with the preceding genus of the Hawks, is nearly confined to the arctic wilds of both continents, Being frequent in Siberia and the fur countries from Hudson's Bay to the Pacific. A few stragglers, now and then, at distant inter- vals, and in the depths of winter, penetrate on the one side into the northern parts of the United States; and, on the other, they occasionally appear in Germany, and more rarely in France. At Hudson's Bay they are observed by day flying high, and preying on the White Grous and other birds, sometimes even attending the hunter like a Falcon, and boldly taking up the wounded game as it flutters on the ground. They are also said to feed on mice and insects, and (according to Meyer) they nest upon trees, laying 2 white eggs. They are said to be constant atten- dants on the Ptarmigans in their spring migrations to- wards the north ; and are observed to hover round the camp fires of the natives, in quest probably of any offal or rejected game. The length of the male of this species is about 15 inches. The bill yellow, varied with black spots, according to the age, and almost hid among the feathers. The iris also bright yellow. Cheeks white ; crown and hind-head scattered with round spots of dusky brown ; a black band commences behind the eye, extends to the orifice of the ears, and terminates angularly on the sides of the neck. The upper parts variously spotted with dark brown and white. Throat whitish; below, white, transversely barred with greyish brown. Tail round- ed, near 7 inches long, extending 3 inches beyond the points of the wings, the feathers greyish-brown, crossed by C or 7 narrow bars of whitish, and tipped with the same. Feet thickly feathered to the toes; the nails horn-color. Subgenus. — Noctua. (Savig. Cuvic?'.) Nyctea, (Bonap.) With the character of the section, differing merely in having a short tail, and with an incomplete disk of setaceous feathers round the eyes. SNOWY OWL. 121 SNOWY OWL. (Strix nyctea, Linn. Wilson, iv. p. 53. pi. 32. fig. 1. [male.] Philad. Museum, No. 458. Surnia nyctea, Aud. pi. 121. Spec. Charact. — White, more or less spotted and barred with dusky-brown according to sex and age ; tail rounded, reaching but little beyond the wings ; feet thickly clothed with long feathers ; the bill black. This very large, and often snow-white, species of Owl is almost an exclusive inhabitant of the arctic regions of both continents; being common in Iceland, the Shetland islands, Kamtschatka, Lapland, and Hudson's Bay. In these dreary wilds, surrounded by an almost perpetual winter, he dwells, breeds, and obtains his subsistence. His white robe renders him scarcely discernible from the overwhelming snows, where he reigns, like the boreal spirit of the storm. His loud, hollow, barking growl, 'whowh, 'whowh, 'whowh hah, hah, hah, hah* and other more dismal cries, sound like the unearthly ban of Cer- berus ; and heard amidst a region of cheerless solitude, his lonely and terrific voice augments rather than relieves the horrors of the scene. Clothed with a dense coating of feathers, which hide even the nostrils, and leave only the talons exposed, he ventures abroad boldly at all seasons, and like the Hawks seeks his prey by day-light as well as dark, skimming aloft, and reconnoitring his prey, which is commonly the While Grous or some other birds of the same genus, as well as hares. On these he darts from above, and rapidly seizes them in his resistless talons. At times he watches for fish, and condescends also to prey upon rats, mice, and even carrion. * These latter syllables with the usual quivering sound of the OwL 11 122 BIRDS OF PREY. It is very rare that this species leaves its dreary do- main to penetrate even into the north of Europe. They appear to have a natural aversion to settled countries ; for which reason, perhaps, and the still greater severity of the climate of arctic America, they are frequently known to wander in the winter south through the western thinly settled interior of the United States, as far even as the confines of Florida. They migrate probably by pairs; and according to Wilson, two of these birds were so stupid, or dazzled, as to alight on the roof of the court- house in the large town of Cincinnati. In South Caro- lina, Dr. Garden saw them occasionally, and they were, in this mild region, observed to hide themselves during the day in the Palmetto groves of the sea-coast, and only sallied out towards night in quest of their prey. Their habits, therefore, seem to vary considerably according to circumstances and climate. According to Temminck they nest among the steepest rocks, or upon the old pine trees of the glacial regions, and lay 2 eggs of a pure white. According to Richardson it lays 3 or 4, of which 2 only are in general hatched. The length of the female of this species is 2 feet 2 inches or up- wards (according to Wilson the male is only 22£ inches), and 4 feet 6 inches in the stretch of the wings. The iris bright yellow. The claws black. The female more spotted than the male ; the latter only becoming wholly white by age. The young, as they issue from the nest, are covered with a brown down ; the first feathers also are of a pale brown. Subgenus. — Athene. (Boie). With the legs long and bare of feathers, or only clothed with bristles. BURROWING OWL. 123 BURROWING OWL. (Striz cunicularia, Molina. Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p, 68. pi. 7. fig. 2. Philad. Museum, No. 472. Aud. pi. 432.) Spec Charact. — Cinnamon-grey spotted with whitish; beneath whitish, spotted with cinnamon-brown; tail even, reaching but little beyond the wings; feet covered with short, scattered bris- tles. It is to Mr. Say that we are indebted for the first au- thentic materials towards establishing the character of this remarkable species of Owl, which was known even to Molina as a resident in Chili, and by Father Feuillee as indigenous to the plains of Peru. In these countries, as well as in St. Domingo, where Vieillot observed it, it is said to excavate the burrow it inhabits, not only as a nest, but as a retreat and place of refuge in the bosom of the earth, instead of the hollow of a tree or the cranny of a ruin, according to the more usual habits of these nocturnal wanderers; indeed, this species appears to be nearly as diurnal as a Hawk, to which he bears no bad resemblance in the lightness and bareness of his long legs, and the projection of his bill from an unusually small head. With these indications of activity, he really enjoys the light of the full glare of day, and is seen at this time flying about, and searching for his food of hard- shelled insects. His habits on the plains, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, are somewhat different in cir- cumstances, from those of the same bird in Chili and the West Indies; for, like almost all the other smaller Owls, he appears to shun the labor of forming an independent dwelling, and takes up his abode in the deserted burrows of the Prairie Marmot, in consequence of which he often appears singularly amicably associated with this little bark- 124 BIRDS OF PREY. ing quadruped, whose note even he seems to have acquired, "'tshch, 'tsheh) 'tsheh, 'tskek," rather than the more na- tural howling of his fraternity. Vieillot attributes to him the usual Jioo, hoo, oo, oo, oo, and brings him round the farm-houses of St. Domingo like other common nocturnal species; but these habits would much better suit the Mottled Owl than the present, and may therefore justly be doubted. This species is abundant in some parts of the Rocky Mountains, and in Upper California, where they are out at all hours of the day flittino- alona in silence and dwelling in the deserted burrows of the marmot, from which however they appear to migrate in the month of August. Like the other species it lays 4 white eggs, and lines the nest with moss and dry grass. The burrowing habit, constant in this species, seems not altogether pecu- liar, as the Aluco Owl, according to Latham, also burrows sometimes like a Rabbit. The Burrowing Owl is 9£ inches long, and 2 feet in extent. The bill is yellowish horn color. Irids yellow. The breast banded with pale brown, Wings darkish, much spotted and banded with brown- ish white. The primaries have 5 to C bands; the 3d feather longest. Tail slightly rounded, of the color of the primaries, also 5 or G band- ed. Legs long and slender ; the feet dusky ; the feathers towards the toes degenerating into mere bristles. The nails black and rather small. Subgenus. — Scops. (Savigny). \ t With the head furnished with ear-like tufts of feathers. (Prey- ing only by night.) Disk of setaceous plumes round the face incomplete ; tarsus feathered only to the toes which are naked. Tail short. MOTTLED OWL. (Strix ruevia, Gmflix. Wilson, iii. p. 16. pi. 19. fig. 1. Philad. Museum, No. 444, and 42S. Aud, pi. 97.) Spec. Charact. — Dark brown, inclining to ferruginous and ash, mottled with black ; wings spotted with white ; beneath whitish, spotted with black and brown ; the tail even, reaching to the tip of the wings ; feet covered with short feathers nearly to the claws. Tins common, small, and handsome species, known as the Little Screech-Owl, is probably resident in every part of the United States, and, in fact, inhabits from Greenland to Florida, and westward to the Oregon. They appear more abundant in autumn and winter, as at those seasons, their food failing, they are obliged to approach habitations and barns, in which the mice they chiefly prey on now assemble; they also lav wait for small birds, and feed on beetles, crickets, and other insects. Their nest is usually in the hollow of an old orchard tree, about the months of n* 126 BIRDS OF PREY. May or June ; it is lined carelessly with a little hay, leaves, and feathers, and the eggs are commonly 4 to G, white, and nearly round. Aldrovandus remarks, that the Great Horned Owl provides so plentifully for its young, that a person might obtain some dainties from the nest, and yet leave a sufficiency for the owlets besides; the same remark may also apply to this species, as in the hollow stump of an apple tree, which contained a brood of these young Owls, were found several Bluebirds, Blackbirds, and Song- Sparrows, intended as a supply of food. During the day they either retire into hollow trees and unfrequented barns, or hide in the thickest evergreens. At times they are seen abroad by day, and in cloudy weather they wake up from their diurnal slumbers a considerable time before dark. In the day they are always drowsy, or, as if dozing, closing, or scarcely half opening their heavy eyes : presenting the very picture of sloth and nightly dis- sipation. When perceived by the smaller birds, they are at once recognised as their insidious enemies ; and the rareness of their appearance, before the usual roosting-time of other birds, augments the suspicion they entertain of these feline hunters. From complaints and cries of alarm, the thrush* sometimes threatens blows ; and though evening has per- haps set in, the smaller birds and cackling Robins reecho their shrill chirpings and complaints throughout an exten- sive wood, until the nocturnal monster has to seek safety in a distant flight. Their noi.es are most frequent in the latter end of summer and autumn, crying in a sort of wail- ing quiver, not very unlike the whining of a puppy dog, ho, ho ho ho ho ho ho, proceeding from high and clear to a low gutteral shake or trill; these notes, at little intervals, are answered by some companion, and appear to be chiefly * At least Wilson's Thrush, which I have observed in the act. RED OWL. 12? a call of recognition from young of the same brood, or pairs who wish to discover each other after having been separated while dozing in the day. On moonlight evenings this slender wailing is kept up nearly until midnight. The female Mottled Owl, or old bird, is 10 to 11 inches long, and 22 or more in extent. The upper parts are dark brown, shaded with paler, and thickly lined and spotted with zigzag points of black and ash. The wings lighter, and spotted with white. Tail mottled with black, brown, and whitish on a dark ground ; beneath, grey. Horns or auricular tufts, prominent, each composed of 10 graduated feathers. Face whitish, with small dusky spots, and bounded on either side by a black circle. Breast and belly whitish, variegated with broad lines and zigzag bars of black, with blended touches of brown. The legs feathered nearly to the claws, with hairy down of a pale brown. Vent and under tail coverts nearly white, the latter faintly marked with brown. Iris brilliant yellow. The bill and claws greyish horn color. The male is smaller and darker, and the white on the wing- coverts less pure. RED OWL. (Strix Jlsio, Linn. Latii. General History of Birds, [Ed. 2d.] p. 314. No. 12. Wilson. Am. Ornith. 5. p. 83. pi. 42. f. 1. [female]. Aud. pi. 97.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Reddish brown ; coverts and primaries spotted with white, tail barred w T ith dusky ; lower parts white with simple longitudinal spots. From the very satisfactory and careful observations of Dr. Ezra Michener, of New Garden, Chester county, Pennsylvania, published in the Sth volume of the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, it appears certain that the Red and Grey " Screecli Owls" of the United States are specifically distinct ; he has ob- served that the Red owls rear young of the same color; and that the Grey owls of the preceding species have also young which are grey and mottled from the very nest. 128 BIRDS OF PREY. Still different as they are in plumage, the habits of the species are nearly alike. The present inhabits and breeds in most parts of the United States. In Pennsylvania, they are hatched by the latter end of May, breeding in hollow trees. The eggs are about 4. I have had an opportunity of verifying all that Wilson relates of the manners of this species in a Red, or young Owl, taken out of a hollow apple tree, which I kept for some months. A dark closet was his favorite retreat during the day. In the evening he became very lively and restless, gliding across the room in which he was confined, with a side-long, noiseless flight, as if wafted by the air alone; at times he clung to the wainscot, and, unable to turn, he brought his head round to his back, so as to pre- sent, by the aid of his brilliant eyes, a most spectral and unearthly appearance. As the eyes of all the Owls, accor- ding to Wilson, are fixed immovably in the socket by means of a many-cleft capsular ligament, this provision for the free versatile motion of the head appears necessary. When approached towards evening, he appeared strongly engaged in reconnoitring the object, blowing with a hissing noise {shay, shay, shay), common to other species, and stretch- ing out his neck with a waving, lateral motion, in a threat- ening attitude, and, on a nearer approach, made a snapping with the bill, produced by striking together both mandibles, as they are equally movable. He was a very expert mouse- catcher, swallowed his prey whole, and then, after some time, ejected from the bill, the bones, skin, and hair, in pellets. He also devoured large flies, which at this time came into the room in great numbers, and even the dry parts of these were also ejected from the stomach without digestion. A pet of this species, which Dr. Michener had, drank frequently and was accustomed to wash every day in a basin of cold water, during the heat of summer. GREAT IIORXED, OR CAT OWL. 129 The Red owl is about 8^ inches long, and 21 in alar extent. Bright brown or ferruginous. Outer edge of the scapulars white. The five first primaries and 3 or 4 of the first greater coverts also spotted with white. Tail barred with dusky and pale brown. Chin, breast and sides reddish-brown, streaked with black and white. Belly and vent white, spotted with brown. Bill bluish grey. Iris bright yellow. Subgenus. — Bubo. Conch of the ear moderate, oval, with a membranous cover. Feet thickly covered to the claws with short feathers. The disk or rim of feathers round the face not very distinct. GREAT HORNED, or CAT OWL. (Strix virginiana, Gm. Wilson, vi. p. 52. pi. ."30. fig. 1. Audubon, pi. 61, [unusually daik and large]. Philad. Museum. No. 410.) Spec. Charact. — Mottled; primaries and tail feathers banded with black and dusky: shell «>{' the cur moderate ; wings nol exti ruling to the tip of the tail ; a very large species. 130 BIRDS OF PREY. Tins species, so nearly related to the Great Eared Owl of Europe, is mot with occasionally from Hudson's Bay to Florida, and in Oregon ; it exists even beyond the tropics, being very probably the same bird described by Marcgrave as inhabiting the forests of Brazil. All climates are alike to this Eagle of the night, the king of the nocturnal tribe of American birds. The aboriginal inhabitants of the country dread his boding howl, dedicating his effigies to their solemnities, and, as if he were their sacred bird of Minerva, forbid the mockery of his ominous, dismal, and almost supernatural cries. His favorite resort, in the dark and impenetrable swampy forests, where he dwells in chosen solitude secure from the approach of every enemy, agrees with the melancholy and sinister traits of his char- acter. To the surrounding feathered race he is the Pluto of the gloomy wilderness, and would scarcely be known out of the dismal shades where he hides, but to his victims, were he as silent as he is solitary. Among the choaking, loud, guttural sounds which he sometimes utters, in the dead of night, and with a suddenness which always alarms, because of his noiseless approach, is the 'wctugh ho ! 'waugh ho ! which, Wilson remarks, was often uttered at the instant of sweeping down around his camp fire. Many kinds of owls are similarly dazzled and attracted by fire-lights, and oc- casionally finding, no doubt, some offal or flesh, thrown out by those who encamp in the wilderness, they come round the nocturnal blaze with other motives than barely those of curiosity. The solitary travellers in these wilds, apparently scanning the sinister motive of his visits, pre- tend to interpret his address into " 'Who 'cooks for you all! " and with a strong guttural pronunciation of the final syllable, to all those who have heard this his common cry, the resemblance of sound is well hit, and instantly recalls the ghastly serenade of his nocturnal majesty in a manner GREAT HORNED, OR CAT OWL. 131 which is not easily forgotten. The shorter cry, which we have mentioned, makes no inconsiderable approach to that uttered by the European brother of our species, as given by Buffon, namely, lic-hoo, 'hoo~hoo, boo-hoo, &x. The Greeks called this transatlantic species By as, either from its note, or from the resemblance this bore to the bellow- ing of the ox. The Latin name Bubo has also reference to the same note of this nocturnal bird. According to Frisch, who kept one of these birds alive, its cries varied according to circumstances; when hungry it had a muling cry like Piihu. I have remarked the young, probably, of our species utter the same low, quailing cry, while yet day- light, as it sat on the low branch of a tree; the sound of both is, at times, also not unlike that made by the Hawks or diurnal birds of prey. Indeed, in gloomy weather, I have seen our species on the alert, flying about many hours before dark, and uttering his call of 'ko ko, ko ko ho. Their usual prey is young rabbits, squirrels, rals, mice, quails, and small birds of various kinds, and when these resources fail or diminish, they occasionally prowl pretty boldly around the farm-yard in quest of chickens, which they seize on the roost. Indeed the European Horned Owl frequently contends with the Buzzard for its prey, and generally comes off conqueror; blind and infuriate with hunger, one of these has been known to dart even upon a man, as if for conflict, and was killed in the encounter.* My friend Dr. Boykin, of Milledgeville, in Georgia, as- sured me that one of our own daring nocturnal adventur- es ers, prowling round his premises, saw a cat dozing on the roof of a smoke-house, and supposing grimalkin a more harmless, rabbit-like animal than appeared in the sequel, blindly snatched her up in his talons; but finding he had * This circumstance happened t<> ;i relative of tin- .vnhnr's in Lancashire, in whose possesion lit saw the mounted specimen of the bird. 13*2 BIRDS OF PREY. caught a Tartar, it was not long before he allowed puss once more to tread the ground. In England the same error was committed by an Eagle, who, after a severe con- flict with a cat he had carried into the air, was at length brought to the ground before he could disengage himself from the feline grasp.* An Owl of this species, which I have observed in a cage, appeared very brisk late in the morning, hissed and blew when approached with a stick, and dashed at it very heedlessly with his bill ; he now and then uttered a 'ko~ Jcoh, and was pretty loud in his call at an earlier hour. When approached, he circularly contracted the iris of the eyes to obtain a clearer view of the threatened object ; he also listened with great quickness to any sound which occurred near his prison, and eyed the flying pigeons, which passed by at some distance, with a scrutinizing and eager glance. When fed, he often had the habit of hiding away his superfluous provision. As far as I have been able to observe the retiring man- ners of this recluse, he slumbers out the day chiefly in the dark tops of lofty trees. In these, according to Wilson, he generally begins to build in the month of May, though probably earlier in the Southern States. The nest is usually placed in the fork of a tree, made of a considera- ble pile of sticks, and lined with dry leaves and some feathers ; and, as a saving of labor, sometimes they select a hollow tree for the purpose. The eggs are said to be 4, round, of nearly the size of those of a common hen, and equally white; those of the Bubo, often deposited in the crannies of ruins, or holes of rocks, only 2 and rarely 3, exceed in size the egg of the domestic fowl, and are also of the same color. * A Mr. Barlow, who saw this encounter, published a drawing of the action as he had witnessed it. ARCTIC OR WHITE HORNED OWL. 133 The male of this species is about 20 inches in length. The bill is black. The irids bright yellow. The horns are broad, and 3 inches in length, formed of 12 or 14 feathers, with black webs and cdo-ed with brownish yellow ; the face ferruginous, bounded by a band of black ; a whitish space between the bill and eyes. Beneath, marked with numerous transverse dusky bars on a yellow and white ground ; the vent paler. The feet covered with hair-like pale brown feath- ers. Claws black. Tail rounded, and broad, passing an inch be- yond the wings, mottled with brown and tawny, and crossed with 6 or 7 narrow bars of brown. Above, whitish and ferruginous, thickly mottled with dusky. Chin whitish, beneath a band of brown, and then another narrow one of white. — The Female is about 2 feet, with the white on the throat less pure, and is also less ferruginous below. ARCTIC or WHITE HORNED OWL. (Strix scandiaca, Linn. S. (Bubo) arctica, Swains, and Richards. North. Zool. ii. p. 8G. pi. 32. Strix maxima, capite aurito, cor pore niveo, or Great Horned White Owl, Bartram's Travels, p. 289.) Spec Ciiaract. — White tinged with brown, varied with blackish- brown bars and lines ; beneath brilliant white, slenderly waved on the throat, breast, and flanks; egrets long, composed of 6 or 7 feathers. Of this very rare and beautiful bird only one specimen was obtained by Dr. Richardson and the Expedition to which he was attached. This was seen flying at mid-day in the immediate vicinity of Carlton House, and was brought down with an arrow by an Indian boy. Imperfect and short as may be the description of this bird given by Linnasus, there can be no reasonable doubt but that it is the present rare and Arctic bird. Three years ago, an individual of the same species was observed in this vicinity, also prowling about by day, and remained in the neighborhood for two or three days. The length 23£ inches, according to Richardson. The tail S.\. Of the bill from above, 1 inch 9 lines. The tarsus 2 inches 3 lines. The 12 134 BIRDS OF PREY. face white, bounded behind by blackish-brown, succeeded by white, which two latter colors are continued in a mixed band across the throat. The egrets colored at the base like the adjoining plumage, the longer feathers tipped with blackish-brown, their inner webs white, varied with wood-brown. Above slenderly waved with dark umber-brown and white ; the white tinged with pale brown on the greater wing coverts, some of the scapulars, and particularly on the neck and lesser wing coverts. The quills wood-brown, white along a great portion of their inner webs, and crossed by from 5 to G um- ber-brown bars on both webs, and the intervals speckled with the same. Tail feathers white, deeply tinged on their inner webs with wood-brown, and crossed by 6 bars of dark brown, about half as broad as the intervening spaces : their tips are white. — Chin white. The throat crossed by a dark band, behind which there is a large space of pure white, bounded again below on the breast by blotches of liver- brown on the tips of the feathers. Belly and flanks white, crossed by narrow, regular waving bars of dark brown. The vent, under tail-coverts, thighs and feet pure white. The linings of the wings white, with the exception of a brown spot on the tips, of the greater interior coverts. Bill and claws bluish-black. Irids yellow. Fascial disk small, incomplete above the orbits. Auditory conch oval, and without an operculum. Egrets more than 2 inches long. Tips of the folded wings, 3£ inches from the end of the rounded tail. The 2d and 3d quills longest. Subgenus. — Strnium. (Sav. Cuvier.) Conch of the ear a simple oval cavity, occupying only the half of the height of the cranium. Head without tufts, and the disk of feathers round the face distinctly developed ; the tarsus feathered to the toes. GREAT GREY or CINEREOUS OWL. (Strix cinerea, Gm. Pbnnakt. vol. 1. p. 268. No. 120. Bonap. Am. Orn. pi. 23. fig. 2. Audub. pi. 353. 8. lappojiica, Tem. Syrnium cinereum, Bonap. p. 6. Birds of Europe and Am.) Spec. Charact. — Dark umber-brown mottled with whitish; the face cinereous, with narrow black concentric circles ; the tail ex- GREAT GREY OR CINEREOUS OWL. 135 tending beyond the wings, both of which are banded, and the bands mottled ; bill yellowish-white ; the irids yellow ; feet and legs grey and unspotted. This is the largest American species known, and, if the S. lapponica, common also to the arctic circle, and seldom leaving it ; being only accidental about Lake Superior, and occasionally seen in Massachusetts in the depth of severe winters. One was caught perched on a wood-pile, in a state of listless inactivity, in the morning after day- light, at Marblehead, in February, 1831. This individual survived for several months, and showed a great partiality for fish and birds. At times he uttered a tremulous cry or ho ho ho ho hoo, not very dissimilar to that of the mottled Owl. At Hudson's Bay and Labrador it resides the whole year, and was found in the Oregon Territory by my friend Mr. Townsend. They associate in pairs: fly very low, and feed on mice and hares, which they seize with such muscular vigor as sometimes to sink into the snow after them a foot deep. With ease it is able to carry off the alpine hare alive in its talons. In Europe, the species appears wholly confined to the desert regions of Lapland ; two or three stragglers being all that have been obtained out of that country by naturalists. Pennant adds, that it constructs its nest in a pine tree about the middle of May, with a few sticks, and lines it with feathers; the eggs are 2, and spotted with a darkish color. The young take to wing about the close of July. Dr. Richardson says that it is by no means a rare bird in the Fur Countries, being an inhabitant of all the woody districts, lying between Lake Superior and latitudes 67 or 68° , and between Hudson's Bay and the Pacific. It is common on the borders of Great Bear Lake ; and there, and in the higher parallels of latitude, it must pursue its prey, during the summer months, by day-light. It keeps 13G tIRDS OF PREY. however within the woods, and does not frequent the barren grounds, like the Snowy Owl, nor is it so often met with in broad day-light as the Hawk Owl, but hunts princi- pally when the sun is low, indeed, it is only at such times, when the recesses of the woods are deeply shadowed, that the American hare and the marine animals, on which the Cinereous Owl chiefly preys, come forth to feed. On the 23d of May I discovered a nest of this Owl, built on the top of a lofty balsam poplar, of sticks, and lined with feathers. It contained 3 young, which were covered with a whitish down. We got them by felling the tree ; and whilst this operation was going on, the two parent birds flew in circles round the objects of their cares, keeping, however, so high in the air as to be out of gunshot ; they did not appear to be dazzled by the light. The young ones were kept alive for two months, when they made their escape. They had the habit, common also to other Owls, of throwing themselves back, and makino- a loud snapping noise with their bills, when any one entered the room in which they were kept." The male of this species is 2 feet one or two inches in length, in alar extent 4, and weighs about 3 pounds. The irids are yellow. Bill pale yellow, almost hid in the feathers of the face. From the breast to the vent there is said to be a space about an inch in breadth bare of feathers (whether this is constant or accidental we have yet to learn). Disks of the face dark grey, edged with black, and about !> in number. Feathers round the inner angle of the eye and bill black. A whitish space immediately under the chin, bordered be- low by dusky feathers. Head, hind part of the neck, back, and coverts of the wing*, brownish sooty black, mottled or curdled with dirty white. The primaries dusky, inclining to white on their edges, with broad bars, composed of dusky and pale cinereous stripes ; each pale bar, being bordered on either side with a dusky one. Tail wedge-formed, extending nearly 3 inches beyond the points of the closed wings, irregularly marked with oblique or zigzag strokes of brown and muddy white, and barred in the manner of the wings with ALUCO OR BROWN OWL. 137 5 or C pale stripes ; the middle feather without bars and covered with zigzags. The breast, belly, and rump cinereous white, covered with large oblong, partly arrow-shaped, blotches of pale dusky brown, becoming narrower and longitudinal towards the vent. The legs feathered to the feet, dark cinereous, and without either the spots or bars (said to exist in 8. lapponica). Claws black and moderate. — The female has probably (as described by Bonaparte) the face whitish, with black circlets. ALUCO or BROWN OWL. (Stix aluco, Gmeli>\ Latham, Ind. Orn. i. p. 59. [adult.] S. stridula, Latham, Ind. i. p. 5G. sp. 2o. [the young, or Tawny Owl.] Spec. Charact. — Tawny, with dark brown and small white spots ; below yellowish-white, with transverse bars of brown, crossed by narrow longitudinal ones of blackish ; iris of a blackish blue ; the wings extending a liltle beyond the tail; 4th and 5th primaries longest. — Female more tawny, often inclining to ferruginous red. The Young of a year resemble the female, and have the iris brown . Tins species, hitherto seen only in Newfoundland, and the young suspected to occur at Hudson's Bay by Pennant, is common in Europe, and usually frequents the thickest forests. It is a nocturnal kind, lodging constantly in hollow trees, and commencing its rambles about dusk. It flies lightly and sideways like most of the genus, is a keen mouser, and may be decoyed within gun-shot by imitating the squeak of that animal. It is however observed to be rather dainty, seldom eating more than the fore-quarters of its prey, and leaving the rest in its nest untouched. It is said now and then to burrow like a rabbit, probably after its prey when heard or seen, in which particular it seems to follow, in a measure, the habit of the 8. cunicularia, or Burrowing Owl, already mentioned. Like the Long-Eared species, it takes but little trouble about a nest, constantly occupying those of other large birds which have become 12* 138 BIRDS OF PREY. neglected, such as that of the Buzzard, Kestril, Crow, or Magpie. Its eggs, 4 or 5 in number, are whitish, and round as usual. Although, during summer, it lodges constantly in the hollow trees of the forest, in winter it occasionally ventures to approach habitations and farm-yards, assisting the cat in ridding the premises of rats and mice. It also pursues and catches small birds, or picks them off their roost, and de- vours frogs and beetles. Early in the morning during summer, it retires into the woods, and conceals itself in the thickest copse, or sleeps away the day, hidden amidst the foliage of the most shady trees. Its dismal cry, lw5, 55, 55, 55, oo, oo, oo, resembling the howling of the wolf (uhdare), originated its name of ulula among the Romans. The cry of the young bird, or Tawny Owl, is like a shouting or hallooing hoh5, /who, hohohoho, which, however unpleas- ant, has the curious effect of drawing great numbers of small birds around him, at which times, it is probable, he repays their insolent curiosity by seizing and feeding on the plumpest of them. The length of this species is from 15 to 1C inches. The head is large and flattened behind. Above, spotted with large touches of deep brown ; on the scapulars are some large spots of white. Prim- aries and tail banded alternately with blackish and greyish rufous. The feet feathered to the toes. Occasionally varying to a pure white, peppered over with numerous triangular little spots ; also round the eyes white, with a black zone ; the down of the legs likewise white, with black points. This appears to be nearly an albino. Subgenus. — Otis. (Cuvier.) Conch of the ear semicircular, extending from the bill towards the summit of the head and provided anteriorly with a membranous operculum : the head with movable ear-like tufts of feathers ; the bill rather long ; tarsus clothed to the toes. — Its habits chiefly nocturnal. LONG-EARED OWL. 139 LONG-EARED OWL. (Striz otas. Lin. Wilson, vi. p. 73. pi. 51. fig. 3. Philad. Museum, No. 434. Audub. pi. 383. Otus Wilsonianus, Lesson. Traite d'Ornith. p. 110. 0. Americanus, Bonap. p. 7.) Spec. Charact. — Mottled; primaries banded with ferruginous: ear-tufts, long, of about C feathers : wings extending to the tip of the tail. This species, like several others of the genus, appears to be almost a denizen of the world, being found from Hudson's Bay to the West Indies, and Brazil, throughout Europe, in Africa, northern Asia, and probably China, in all which countries it appears to be resident ; but seems more abundant in certain places in winter, following rats and mice to their retreats in or near houses and barns. They also prey upon small birds, and in summer destroy beetles. They commonly lodge in ruined buildings, the caverns of rocks, or in hollow trees. It defends itself with great spirit from the attacks of larger birds, making a ready use of its bill and talons, and when wounded is dangerous and resolute. The Long-Eared Owl seldom, if ever, takes the trouble to construct a nest of its own ; it seeks shelter amidst ruins, and in the accidental hollows of trees, and rests content with the dilapidated nursery of the Crow, the Magpve, that of the Wild Pigeon, of the Buzzard, or even the tufted retreat of the squirrel. True to these habits, Wilson found one of these Owls sitting on her eggs in the deserted nest of the Qua-bird, on the "25th of April, 6 or 7 miles below Philadelphia, in the midst of the gloomy enswamped forest which formed the usual resort of these solitary Herons. So well satisfied was she in fact with her company, and so peaceable, that one of the Quas had a nest in the same tree with the Owl. The e^s are 1 sa 140 BIRDS OF PREY. or 5, white and round at both ends. The young, untii nearly fully grown, are greyish white, and roost close together on a large branch, during the day, sheltered and hid amidst the thickest foliage; they acquire their natural color in about 15 days. Besides mice and rats, this species also preys on field-mice, moles, and beetles. The plaintive cry, or hollow moaning made by this bird, " clow cloud" incessantly repeated during the night, so as to be trouble- some where they frequent, is very attractive to the larger birds, who, out of curiosity, and for persecution, assemble around this species when employed as a decoy, and are thus shot, or caught by limed twigs. The length of this species is about 14 inches. The tufts or ear- like feathers from 6 to 10, black, edged with ochreous and whitish. Irids bright yellow. Above, the plumage is ferruginous yellow, irregularly spotted with dark brown and light grey. Below, of a pale ochre yellow, with oblong spots of blackish brown. Bill black. The female has the throat and face white ; the latter marked at the sides with brown spots. All the plumage is also more tinged with grey- ish white. The young before moulting are of a ferruginous white, marked with transverse blackish lines. The tail and the wings grey, with numerous brown points ; and with 7 or 8 transverse dark brown bands. The whole face of a blackish brown. The iris paler, and the cere inclining to olive. SHORT-EARED OWL. 141 SHORT-EARED OWL. (Striz brachyotus, Latham. Wilson', iv. p. 64. pi. 33. fig. 3. [male.] Acdub. pi. 432. Brachyotus palustris, Gould. Bo.nap. p. 7. Spec. Charact. — Ear-like tufts inconspicuous, of 2 or 3 very short feathers ; general color ochreous, spotted with blackish-brown; face round the eyes blackish ; tail, with about 5 bands, not extending beyond the tips of the wings. — Female with the general tints paler. In the young the face is blackish. This is another of those nocturnal wanderers which now and then arrive amongst us from the northern regions where they usually breed. It comes to Hudson's Bay from the south about May; where it makes a nest of dry grass on the ground, and, as usual, has white eggs. After rearing its brood it departs for the south in September, and in its migrations has been met with as far as New Jersey, near Philadelphia, where, according to Wilson, it arrives in November, and departs in April. Pennant remarks, that it has been met with in the southern continent of America at the Falkland islands. It is likewise spread through every part of Europe, and is common in all the forests of Siberia : it also visits the Orkney islands, and Iceland, and we have observed it at Atooi one of the Sandwich islands in the Pacific, as well as in the territory of Oregon. In England it appears and disappears with the migrations of the Woodcock. Its food is almost ex- clusively mice, for which it watches, seated on a stump, with all the vigilance of a cat, listening attentively to the low squeak of its prey, to which it is so much alive as to be sometimes brought in sight by imitating the sound. They are readily attracted by the blaze of nocturnal fires, and on such occasions have sometimes had the blind temerity to attack men, and come so close to combat, as to be knocked down with sticks. When wounded, they also 142 BIRDS OF PREY. display the same courageous ferocity, so as to be dangerous to approach. In dark and cloudy weather it sometimes ventures abroad by day-light, takes short flights, and when sitting and looking sharply round, it erects the short ear-like tufts of feathers on the head, which are at other times scarcely visible. Like all other migrating birds, roving indifferently over the country in quest of food alone, they have sometimes been seen in considerable num- bers together ; Bewick even remarks, that 28 of them had been counted at once in a turnep-field in England. They are also numerous in Holland in the months of September and October, and in all countries aie serviceable for the de- struction they make among house and field mice, their prin- cipal food. Although they usually breed in high ground, they have also been observed in Europe to nest in marshes, in the middle of the high herbage, a situation chosen both for safety and solitude. The length of this species is from 13 to 15 inches (the latter the length of Wilson's bird, whose extent was 3 feet 4 inches). The head small. Tail ochreous, with brown bands and tipped with white. Beneath isabella yellow, with longitudinal spots of blackish brown. Bill black. Feet and toes feathered. Iris of a bright yellow. Subgenus. — Ulula. (Cuvier.) Conch semicircular, with a membraneous operculum ; the bill ro- bust, curved from the base. — Head without tufts. BARRED OWL. 143 BARRED OWL. (Strix nebulosa, Lin. Wilson, iv. p. Gl. pi. 133. fig. 2. Philad. Museum, No. 464. Aud. pi. 46. Ulula nebulosa, Cuvier, Bonap. p. 7.) Spec. Charact. — Greyish-brown with transverse whitish spots; beneath whitish, neck and breast with transverse bars, the belly and vent with longitudinal stripes of brown ; irids brown ; bill yellow; the tail extending considerably beyond the tips of the wings. — Female with the scapulars of a dark brown, and the wings more spotted with white. — The young have the tints deeper ; and the bill horn-colored. This species inhabits the northern regions of both the old and new continent, but with this difference, as in the Bald Eagle, that in the ancient continent they seldom wan- der beyond the arctic circle, being found no farther to the south than Sweden and Norway ; while in America, they dwell and breed, at least, in all the intermediate region from Hudson's Bay to Florida, being considerably more numerous even than other species throughout the swamps and dark forests of the southern states. Their food is principally rabbits, squirrels, grous, quails, rats, mice, and frogs. From necessity, as well as choice, they not unfre- quently appear around the farm-house and garden in quest of the poultry, particularly young chickens. At these times they prowl abroad towards evening, and fly low and steadily about, as if beating for their prey. In Alabama, Georgia, West Florida, and Louisiana, where they abound, they are often to be seen abroad by day, particularly in cloudy weather, and, at times, even soar and fly with all the address of diurnal birds of prey. Their loud guttural call of 'koh 'koJi 'Jco 'Id ho, or 'irha/i 'w/tah 'whah 'whah-aa, may be heard occasionally both by day and night, and, as a note of recognition, is readily answered when mimicked, so as to decoy the original towards the sound. One which 144 BIRDS OF PREY. I received, in the month of December (1830), was hover- ing over a covey of quails, in the day-time ; and though the sportsman had the same aim, the owl also joined the chase, and was alone deterred from his sinister purpose by receiving the contents of the gun intended only for the more favorite game. Audubon says, that they usually nestle in hollow trees, without adding any lining even to the cavity ; though they sometimes also take possession of the old nests of the Crow or Red-tailed Hawk. The eggs, globular and white, are from 4 to 6. When the young leave the nest, they still keep together for mutual warmth and safety, in the high, shaded branches of the trees where they have probably been hatched; and, huddled together near the trunk, they escape pretty readily the notice of their enemies. On being approached, however, by the parents, they utter a hissing call, audible for some dis- tance. According to Audubon, when kept in captivity they prove very useful in catching mice. Their flesh is also eaten by the Creoles of Louisiana and considered as palatable. The length of the male of this species, according to Wilson, is 16£ inches, according to Temminck 21 J! I have found the female to measure, as given by Wilson, 22 inches; Temminck's measurement of the same sex is nearly 23.^. The face cinereous, striped with brown. Above, as well as the tail, of a cinereous brown, barred transversely with whitish and yellowish. Wing-coverts thickly spot- ted with white. Tail remarkably convex above, barred with 5 or 6 broad stripes of brown. Fore part of the neck and breast whitish, barred transversely with pale brown; below, striped longitudinally with the same, to the tail. Legs clothed with short feathers ; the extremity of the toes covered with scales. Subgenus. — Nyctale. (BrcJun.) Conch very large, and with an operculum. Small species, icithout the ear-like tufts. ACADIAN OWL, J 45 ACADIAN OWL. (Strix acadica. Gm. Little Owl, Aud. pi. 199. Xyctalc acadica, Boxap. p. 7. S. jmsserina, Wilson, iv. p. GO. pi. 34. fig. 1. Philad. Museum, No. 522.) Spec. Charact. — Dark greyish brown spotted with white ; beneath white, spotted with chesnut brown ; tail short, not exceeding tbe tips of the wings, with 3 narrow bands of white spots ; bill black- ish; a small species. — Female, with the tints deeper, and with the white spots shaded with yellow. This very small species is believed to be an inhabitant of the northern regions of both continents, from which in Europe it seldom wanders, being even very rare in the north of Germany. In the United States it is not uncom- mon as far to the south as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where it is resident, having apparently a predilection for the sea-coast, living and nesting in the Pine trees, or in the clefts of rocks, and laying 4 or 5 white eggs. It is gene- rally nocturnal ; and if accidentally abroad by day, it flies quickly to some shelter from the light. It is very solitary in its habits, living wholly in the evergreen forests, and coming out only towards night, or early in the morning, in search of mice, beetles, moths, and grasshoppers, The note of this species is very different from that of the Strix passerina, or Little Owl to which it is nearly re- lated. This latter kind has a reiterated cry, when flying, like Poopoo poopoo. Another note, which it utters sitting, appears so much like the human voice, calling out dime, keme, edrrie, that, according to Buffon, it deceived one of his servants who lodo-ed in one of the old turrets of the o castle of Montbard ; and waking him up at 3 o'clock in the morning, with this singular cry, he opened the window and called out, " 11 "//(/;> there below? my name is not Edme, but Peter!" 13 146 BIRDS OF PREY. According to Mr. T. MacCulloch, this species utters a note which resembles the tinkling of a small bell. In con- finement it remains silent, and when handled will some- times feign itself to be dead. Audubon says, that it is known in Massachusetts by the name of the " Whet-Saw," from its uttering in the breeding season, a sound not unlike the whetting or filing of saw-teeth. The length of the Acadian Owl is about 7£ inches, and 18 in alar extent. Above, dark greyish-brown, scattered with spots and points of white. Below, white with large spots of light brown or chesnut ; [upon the flanks, in the European adult, transverse spots of the same color.] On the throat and sides of the neck large white spaces. 3 or 4 narrow bands of white on the tail, formed of spots of that color ; the primaries also crossed obliquely with 5 bars of white. The feet thickly feathered to the toes. The bill dark lead color, approaching black and yellowish at the point, (in Strix Tengmalmi it is yellow.) Iris pale yellow. TENGMALM'S OWL. (Strix Tengmalmi, Temm. Man. d'Orn. i. p. 94. Vieillot, Gal. des Ois. pi. 23. Richard, and Swains. North. Zool. ii. p. 94. pi. 32. Aud. pi. 330. JYyctalc Richardsoni, Bonap. Birds of Europe and Am. p. 7. Strix passcrina, Forster, Phil. Trans. 62. p. 385. No. 7. New species of Owl, Penn. Arct. Zool. ii. Suppl. p. 60.) Spec. Charact. — Dusky-brown spotted with white; beneath white also blotched with dusky ; tail extending far beyond the tips of the wings, crossed by 5 narrow bands of white spots ; secondaries spot- ted with white on their outer webs. A small species. This is a small and strictly nocturnal species ; and so much so that when it accidentally wanders abroad by day, it is so much dazzled by the light as to be rendered unable to make its escape when surprised, and may then be readily cauo-ht by the hand. Its nocturnal cry consists of a single melancholy note, repeated at the long intervals of a minute tengmalm's owl. 14? or two : and it is one of the superstitious practices of the Indians to whistle when they hear it ; and if the bird re- mains silent after this interrogatory challenge, the speedy death of the inquirer is augured : and hence among the Crees it has acquired the ominous appellation of the Bird of Death (Checpomesees). According to M. Hutchins, it builds a nest of grass, half way up a pine tree, and lays 2 eggs in the month of May. It feeds on mice and beetles. It probably inhabits all the forests of the fur countries from Great Slave Lake to the United States. On the banks of the Saskatchewan, it is so common, that its voice is heard almost every night by the traveller wherever he may select his camp. It inhabits the woods along the streams of the Rocky Mountains down to the Oregon, and betrays but little suspicion when approached. According to Richardson its length is 11£ inches, measured over the crown, while the S. acadica similarly measured gives only 10 inches. The tail in this species is 5 inches : in .S'. acadica only three inches. The bill whitish on the ridge and at the tip ; but dark- colored on the sides. Fascial circle blackish round the orbits and at the base of the bill ; the rest of it is white, with black shafts and barbs towards its posterior margin. Ear-feathers blackish-brown with a few white spots. — Above liver-brown. The front thickly dotted with round white spots, one only, in general, on each feather near its tip; but, in a few, there is an indication of a pair of spots lower down. (In S. acadica, the white forms linear streaks along the shafts of the feathers of the head). Spots on the occiput somewhat distant, larger on the back of the neck and shoulders, each spot beincr re- stricted to the middle of the feather. Only 2 or 3 spots on the back, but many on the scapulars. A few distant round spots on the lesser wing coverts. Coverts of the primaries unspotted, except on their inner webs. The quills with 4 or 5 semi-orbicular spots on the mar- gin of their outer webs, and as many oblong larger spots, extending to near the margins of the inner ones. The outer spots of the 2 first primaries are nearly obsolete. The secondaries have 2 spots on their outer webs, and usually about 5 on their inner ones. The tail of the general color of the upper plumage, crossed by 5 narrow interrupted 148 BIRDS OF TREY. white bands of spots not extending to the shafts of the feathers. — Etlow there is a general mixture of white and dusky- brown, disposed in large and confluent spots ; the white occupies the lateral margins of the feathers. Wing linings white with some blotches of clove- brown. The feathers of the legs and feet soiled yello wish- white > with some obscure brown markings. Conch of the ear partly semi- circular, with a long narrow operculum. The tips of the wings when folded are an inch and a quarter shorter than the tail. The 3d quill longest, and the 4th is nearly equal with it. Note. Besides the large Spotted Owl, (JVapaattha) of Mr. Hutchins, which Dr. Richardson considers as a distinct and valid species, I have seen in the collection of the Zoological Gardens in London a large Owl, labelled,. Bubo Maximus from Hudson's Bay- An Eared species much greater than Strix virghiitina, darker, more mixed with fulvous, and without the white crescent under the chin. The irids were also fiery red instead of sulphur or golden yellow. Whether this species has yet been published or otherwise I am unable to say, but leave it to further inquiry. SMALL SPARROW OWL, (Strix passcrinoides, Temm. planche color. 344. [adult]. Aud. pi. 432. Lesson. Traite. Orn. p. 104. S. pumila? Illiger. [young] ?) Spec. Charact. — Brown, punctuated with white upon the head, wings barred with the same; belly whitish, flamed with brown; face grey ; tail barred with pale grey and brown. This species, also an inhabitant of Brazil, has not been found, as yet on the eastern side of the North American continent. Mr. Townsend and myself met with it near Fort Vancouver, on the Oregon, where it was also found by the late Dr. Gairdner. According to Mr. T. the speci- men he killed had been preying on a Ruby-crowned Wren. The only bird of this species which I saw was near the estuary of the Oregon, towards evening in a shady fir wood. It appeared to be very lively and active flitting short distances from tree to tree with noiseless pinions, WHITE OR BARN OWL. 149 although at the same time one of its claws was loaded with a Sparrow it had caught, and which at length it relinquished, on being too closely followed. Ear, (according to Audubon) without operculum. Bill greyish- yellow, dusky towards the base. Iris yellow, olivaceous-brown ; the head punctuated with yellowish- white, having 2 spots on each feather; spots on the rest of the upper parts angular ; quills generally with 3 small and 5 large white spots on the outer and inner webs ; tail barred with transversely oblong white spots, of which there are 7 pairs on the middle feathers. Fascial disk brown, spotted with white; throat white, beneath which a transverse brown band, succeeded by a white one ; the lower parts white, with longitudinal dusky streaks. — Length 7 inches. WHITE or BARN OWL. (Strix Americana, Aud. pi. 171. Strix flammea, Lin. Wilson, vi. p. 57. pi. 50. fig. 2. S. pratincola, Bonap. p. 7.) Spec. Charact. — Yellowish-tawny, or pale yellowish with darkish zigzag lines, and small spots of whitish ; beneath whitish, or yel- lowish white, generally with dark brownish points; wings extend- ing far beyond the tail ; bill whitish. There is scarcely any part of the world in which this common species is not found ; extending even to both sides of the equator, it is met with in New Holland, India, and Brazil ; it is perhaps no where more rare than in this part of the United States, and is only met with in Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey in cold and severe winters. Nor is it ever so familiar as in Europe, frequenting almost uni- formly the hollows of trees. In the old continent it is almost domestic, inhabiting even populous towns, and is particularly attached to towers, belfries, the roofs of churches, and other lofty buildings, which afford it a re- treat during the day. The elegant graphic lines of Gray, 13* 150 BIRDS OF PREY. describing its romantic haunt, are in the recollection of every one. " from yonder ivy-mantled tower, The moping owl does to the moon complain Of such, as wand'ring near her secret hower, Molest her ancient solitary reign." It leaves its dark abode, usually at twilight, at which time it makes a blowing hiss after the manner of the Mottled Owl, something like shot, shale, shaiedi. It also utters other different sharp and grating notes either on the wing or at rest, resembling, craie, graie, &c, all of which are so uncouth and disagreeable, that, connected with the awful scenery of churches and of tombs, in the hours of darkness, they inspire dread and terror in the minds of the weak, timid, and superstitious. The owl, therefore, has been long regarded as a funereal spectre, or a messenger of death, and its unwelcome and familiar visits around the abode of the sick are thought to be little better than a summons to the regions of mortality, among which it de- lights to dwell. But so unreasonable is superstition that bad and good are sometimes derived from the same omen. Thus the Mongul Tartars pay divine honors to this mis- represented bird, attributing the preservation of the founder of their empire, Gengis Khan, to one of its accidental visits to the bush under which he lay hid, his pursuers naturally supposing, that no person could be concealed where this friend of solitude would venture to perch. The cry of this nocturnal bird, discordant as it appears, is still in harmony with the scenes and circumstances it accompanies, and we may say with Cowper, " The jay, the pie, and e'en the boding owl, That hails the rising moon, have charms for me: Sounds inharmonious in themselves and harsh, Yet, heard in scenes where peace for ever reigns, And only these, please highly for their sake.' : WHITE OR BARN OWL. 151 Nor are we to suppose that the cries of the Owl are only plaints and sounds of distress and inquietude. They are not left by nature as spectacles of derision, but have their calls of complaisance, of recognition, and attachment, which, though discordant to human ears, are yet only or- dinary expressions of agreement and necessity. Superstition laid aside, the owl renders essential service to the farmer by destroying mice, rats, and shrews, which infest houses and barns ; it also catches bats and beetles. They likewise clear churches of such vermin, and now and then, pressed by hunger, they have been known to sip, or rather eat, the oil from the lamps when congealed by cold. A still more extraordinary appetite, attributed to the owl, is that of catching fish, on which they fed their voracious young.* In autumn also they have been known to pay a nightly visit to the places where springes were laid for wood-cocks and thrushes. The former they killed and ate on the spot, but sometimes carried off the thrushes and smaller birds, which, like mice, they either swallowed en- tire, rejecting the indigestible parts by the bill; or, if too large, they plucked off the feathers and then bolted them whole, or only took them down piecemeal. In fine weather they venture out into the neighboring woods at night, returning to their usual retreat at the ap- proach of morning. When they first sally from their holes, their eyes hardly well opened, they fly tumbling along almost to the ground, and usually proceed side-ways in their course. In severe seasons, 5 or G, probably a family brood, are discovered in the same retreat, or con- cealed in the fodder of the barn, where they find shelter, warmth and food. The Barn Owl drops her eggs in the * This happened in England; gold-fish being missed from a pond, they were supposed to be stolon in the night, and the thief turned out at length to be an owl. 152 BIRDS OF PREY. bare holes of walls, in the joists of houses, or in the hol- lows of decayed trees, and spreads no lining to receive them : they are 3 to 5 in number, of a whitish color, and rather long than round. The season of laying, in Europe, is from the end of March to the beginning of April. When out abroad by day, like most of the other species, they are numerously attended by the little gossiping and insulting birds of the neighborhood : and to add to their distraction, it is not an uncommon practice, in the north of England, for boys to set up a shout and follow the Owl, who becomes so deafened and stunned as at times nearly to fall down, and thus become an easy prey to his perse- cutors ; and the probability of such an effect will not be surprising, when we consider the delicacy and magnitude of the auditory apparatus of this bird, the use of which is, probably, necessary to discover the otherwise silent retreats of their tiny prey. When taken captive, according to BufFon, they do not long survive the loss of liberty, and pertinaciously refuse to eat; a habit very different from that of the young Red Owl, who allowed himself to feed from my hand, and tugged greedily and tamely at the mor- sel held out to him until he got it in his possession ; small birds also he would instantly grasp in his talons, and hiss and skaie, skate, when any attempt was made to deprive him of his booty. A superstitious legend prevails in the north of England, that Pharaoh's daughter was transformed into an Owl, and the common distich which I have often heard when a child, and while the Owl was screaming on a winter's night, ran thus : Oh, ' odd od " I was once a king's daughter and sat on my father's knee, But now I'm a poor Hoolet, and hide in a hollow tree !" an invention that might do credit to the genius of Ovid, WHITE OR BARN OWL. 153 who thus describes this species of Strix, and the etymo- logy of its name : " Large is their head, and motionless their eye, Hook-billed, sharp-clawed, and in the dusk they fly. * - * * * * Screech- Olds they're called ; because with dismal cry, In darkling night, from place to place they fly." * How this feared and despised bird came to be the em- blem of wisdom, the sacred bird of Minerva, among so grave and wise a people as the ancient Grecians, is not easy to imagine, further, than that it was one of the ever fruitful inventions of superstition, adopted by accident; and as the loquacity of this stupid and generally silent bird would never betray the real defect of his character, his solemn looks and taciturn behavior continued to com- mand the veneration of the public. The young of this species, when they have just attained their growth, are, in France, considered good food, as they are then fat and plump. When first hatched they are so white and downy as almost entirely to resemble a powder puff. At Hudson's Bay, a large Owl, resembling the cin- ereous, is likewise eaten and esteemed a delicacy, accord- ing to Pennant. The Barn Owl is about 14 inches long, and upwards of 3 feet C inches in the stretch of the wings. The bill is whitish and longer than usual. The face white, surrounded by a border of narrow, thick- set feathers, of a reddish cream color externally. In some individ- uals the under side of the body is entirely without spots. Tail pale yellow, crossed with 5 bars of brown, and thickly dotted with the same. In the female, the tints are paler and clearer. Sometimes a variety occurs whitish, or wholly white. Grande caput, stantes oi uli, rostra apta rapinae Canitii - pennis, unguibus bamus in eat. ******** Est ill is stri<:il>ii< nomen ; sed aominis liujus Causa quod borrenda stridere nocte Bolent ORDER SECOND OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. (Temminck.) With the bill of moderate size, strong, stout, and edged at the sides ; the upper mandible more or less notched at the point. The feet provided with 4 toes, 3 of which are in front and 1 behind. The wings of moderate size, and with the quills pointed. Habits. The birds which compose this order live in bands, or companies, and are usually monagamous. They nest upon trees, in the crannies of ruins or old towers, and some of the species occupy the natural cavities of decayed trees. The male and female also hatch the eggs in turn. They live on insects, worms, and carrion, and often add likewise to this nourishment grain and fruits. Their flesh is usually hard, and unpalatable. Family — Gregarti. (Ittiger.) With the bill moderate in size, hard, straight, acute, and sharp on the edges ; the nostrils at its base, and partly hid ; the tongue incapa- ble of extension, and cleft or notched at the extremity. The feet ro- bust, and the legs naked. The wings of moderate length, and the quills pointed at the tips. These birds are generally omnivorous, and gregarious most part of the year. They build in trees, some also on cliffs, ruins, or round in- STARLINGS. 155 habited dwellings, and also on the ground. Their voice is generally- loud, quaint, and harsh, seldom harmonious; some have a remarkable talent for mimickry. The plumage, when of more than a single color, is often eminent for beauty, splendor, and singularity. They are in general, easily domesticated, and readily fed. § 1. Birds more usually Gregarious. In these the bill is in the form of an elongated cone, entire on its edges, and bare at the base, where it presents a sort of open sinus in the feathers of the forehead. The outer and middle toes united at the base. The tail of 12 feathers. STARLINGS. (Sturnus, Lin.) The bill in the form of a lengthened cone, depressed, and some- what blunt, with the edges vertical ; above somewhat rounded. Nos- trils half closed by an arched membrane. The tongue narrowed, sharp, and cleft at the point. The hind nail longest and largest. The 2d and 3d primaries the longest. The female is scarcely distinguishable from the male by the plu- mage ; but the young differ rom the adult. There is also a double and periodical change in the colors of the bill and feet, as well as in the tints and spots with which the plumage is decorated, which takes place independently of the annual moult, so that the feathers appear to undergo this alteration by the friction of their barbs, as well as the action of the air and light; and in spring, after the true moult, the numerous spots of the autumnal feathers disappear. The Starlings feed principally on insects which they find on the ground ; some of the species follow the cattle paths to pick up those they disturb, and often alight familiarly on their backs ; they also feed on different kinds of seeds, and search for them, like pigeons and common fowls, in the ordure of domestic animals. They nest in hollow trees, under the tiles and roofings of houses, and in the holes of walls ; but tbe Sturnella of America, confined to low meadows and savannahs, constructs its nest in tufts of rank grass. Species are found in all parts of the globe. The common Starling bns been taught to articulate words, and sings pretty well in confinement, though with something of the monotonous jingle of our common Black-bird. 156 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. STURNELLA. (Vieill.) AMERICAN STARLING. In this the sinus at the base of the bill is deep and rounded. With the hind toe as long as the middle one, and greatly exceeding the lateral. The wings shortish and somewhat rounded. No spurious or additional wing feather at the shoulder. The 1st and 5th primaries about equal ; the 2d, 3d, and 4th longest; two of the secondaries also much elongated. Peculiar to America, very distinct from the common Stare, and allied to the following genus, but more remotely to the Larks. AMERICAN STARLING, or MEADOW LARK. (SturneUa ludoviciana. Boxap. Aid. pi. 13G. Slurnus hidovkianus L. Mauda magna, Gm. Catesby. t. 1. pi. 33. "NVilsox, 3. p. 20. pi. 19 fig. 2. Philad Museum, No. 5212 ) Spec. Charact. — Beneath and line over the eye bright yellow; a black crescent on the breast ; and with the 4 lateral tail feathers white. This well known harmless inhabitant of meadows and old fields is not only found in every part of the United AMERICAN STARLING OR MEADOW LARK. 157 States, but appears to be a resident in all the intermediate region, from the frigid latitude of 53°,* and the territory of Oregon, to the mild table land of Mexico,! and the tropical savannahs of Guiana. In the winter, they abound in Alabama and West Florida, so that in some degree, like the Jays, and the legitimate Starlings, they partially mi- grate in quest of food during the severity of the weather in the colder states. It is not however improbable, but that most of the migrating families of this bird, which we find at this season, have merely travelled eastward from the cold western plains that are annually covered with snow. They are now seen in considerable numbers in and round the salt marshes, roving about in flocks of 10 to 30 or more, seeking the shelter of the sea-coast, though not in such dense flocks as the true Starlings ; these in the man- ner of our common Blackbirds assemble in winter, like dark clouds, moving as one body, and when about to de- scend, perform progressive circular evolutions in the air like a phalanx in the order of battle; and when settled, blacken the earth with their numbers, as well as stun the ears with their chatter. Like crows also, they seek the shelter of reed marshes to pass the night, and in the day take the benefit of every sunny and sheltered covert. Our Starling, like the American Quail, is sociable, and somewhat gregarious; and though many, no doubt, wander some distance after food, yet a few, in Pennsylvania, as well as in this rigorous climate, may be seen in the market after the ground is covered with snow. Wilson even ob- served them in the month of February, during a deep snow among the heights of the Aleghanies, gleaning their scanty pittance on the road, in company with the small snow birds. * According to Richardson in Franklin's Journal. | Bullock's Travels. 14 158 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. The flesh of our bird is white, and for size and delicacy it is considered little inferior to the Partridge ; but that of the European species is black and bitter. The flight of the Sturnella is laborious and steady like that of the Quail, with the action of the wings renewed at short intervals. They often alight on trees, and select usually the main branches or topmost twigs on which to perch, though their food is commonly collected from the ground. At various times of the day, and nearly through the winter, in the milder states, their very peculiar lisping, long, and rather melancholy note is heard at short inter- vals ; and, without the variations which are not inconsid- erable, bears some resemblance to the slender sing- ing and affected pronunciation of et se dee ah, and psedee etslfio, or tai sediVio in a slow, wiry shrill tone, and some- times differently varied and shortened. The same simple ditty is repeated in the spring, when they associate in pairs ; the female also, as she rises or descends, at this time, frequently gives a reiterated guttural chirp, or hur- ried twitter like that of the female Red-winged Black-bird. I have likewise at times heard them utter notes much more musical and vigorous, not very unlike the fine tones of the Sky-Lark, but I can by no means compare our lisping songster with that blithe " harbinger of day." There is a monotonous affectation in the song of our Lark, which appears indeed somewhat allied to the jingling though not unpleasant tune of the Starling.* The Stare, moreover, had the faculty of imitating human speech, (which ours has not, as far as we yet know,) and could indifferently speak even French, English, German, Latin, and Greek, or any other language within his hearing, and repeat short phrases, so that " ' 1 can't get out, I can't get out,'' says * Sturnus pisitat ore, isitat,pisistrat, was the cry of the Stare to the ears of the Romans. AMERICAN STARLING OR MEADOW LARK. 159 the Starling," which accidentally afforded Sterne such a beautiful and pathetic subject for his graphic pen, was pro- bably no fiction. At the time of pairing our Lark exhibits a little of the jealous disposition of his tribe, and, having settled the dis- pute which decides his future condition, he retires from his fraternity, and, assisted by his mate, selects a thick tuft for the reception of his nest, which is pretty compact, made of dry, wiry grass, 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 almost winding path is made, and generally so well con- cealed, that the nest is only to be found when the bird is flushed. The eggs are 4 or 5; white, with a very faint tint of blue, almost round, and rather large for the size of the bird, marked with numerous small reddish brown spots more numerous at the greater end, blended with other lighter and darker points and small spots of the same. They probably often raise 2 broods in the season. About the time of pairing, in the latter end of the month of April, they have a call like Hship, twee, the latter syllable in a fine and slender tone, something again allied to the occa- sional notes of the Red-winged Blackbird, to which genus, {Icterus) our Sturnella is not very remotely allied. To- wards the close of June, little else is heard from the species, but the noisy twitter of the female, preceded by a hoarse and sonorous 'fimp or 'j'ijp, accompanied by an impatient raising and lowering of the wings, and, in short all the un- pleasant and petulant actions of a brood hen, as she is now assiduously engaged in fostering and supporting her help- less and dependent offspring. Their food consists of the larva) of various insects, as well as worms, beetles, and grass seeds; to assist the di- 160 OMNIVOROUS UIRDS. gestion of which they swallow a considerable portion of gravel. It does not appear that this species adds berries or fruits of any kind to his fare like the Starling, but usually remains the whole summer in moist meadows, and in winter retires to the open grassy woods, having no in- clination to rob the orchard or garden, and, except in winter, is of a shy, timid, and retiring disposition. The length of the Sturnclla is lOi inches, its extent I6J. Above, variegated with black, bright bay, and ochreous. Tail wedged, the""""*'* featbcrs pointed, the 4 outer nearly all wbite. Sides, thighs, and vent pale ochreous, spotted with black. Upper mandible brown, the lowei bluish white. Iris hazel. Legs and feet large, pale flesh color . In „ the young bird the yellow is much fainter, than in th e adu lt Another species of this subgenus is found atTthc Straits of Magellan, darker than ours, and beneath of a bright carmine red. They form truly a, very distinct genus. TROUPIALS. (Icterus, &c.) In these birds the bill is in the form of an elongated, sharp-pointed cone, somewhat compressed, rounded above, and rarely somewhat curved ; with the margins inflected. Nostrils oval, and covered by a membrane. Tongue sharp, and cleft at tip. The tarsus rather longer than the middle toe ; inner toe but little shorter than the outer, and nearly equal to the hind one ; the middle toe longest ; the hind nail twice as large as the others. Win gs sharp. The 1st primary but little shorter than the 3d and 4th, which are longest. The Female is very different from the male ; but the young are very like the former. They generally moult once a year, but the colors are brighter in spring; in autumn and winter the plumage of the male somewhat resembles that of the female. — They are gregarious, and usually omnivorous ; building mostly in trees or bushes ; some of them are partly polygamous. Their gait is rather quick, with the body almost erect, the flight vigorous. Their flesh not usually esteemed. — A genus exclusively American. Some of those of the first section, Cassicus, possess considerable melody and power of voice ; as well as those of the genera Icterus and Dolichonyx. HANG-NEST. 161 ICTERUS. (Brisson.) IIANG-NEST. With the bill narrower and slightly bent towards the point; the frontal sinus of the bill acute, but not deep. Female scarcely differing in size from the male. — These are not constantly gregarious, only so during the period of migration, and before incubation ; they also frequent forests ; feeding chiefly on insects and berries, though when in confinement capable of digesting other vegetable food. In the breeding season they are usually seen in pairs ; and make very ingenious pensile nests. Allied some- what to the warblers of the subgenus Dacnis. W BALTIMORE ORIOLE, or GOLDEN ROBIN. (Icterus baltimorc, Daudin. Oriolus baltimore, Wilson, 1. p. 23. pi. 1. fig. 3 [male] and G. p. 68. pi. 53. fig 4. [female.] Audubon, pi. 12. [a nest, and very fine group] Philad. Museum. No.] Sp. Charact. — Tail nearlyeven. — Male orange ; head, neck, throat, back, wings, and tail, black ; the lateral tail feathers orange at the summit. — Female and young, with the orange color pale ; the black also greyish, mottled with yellow, and the tail orange. These gay, lively, and brilliant strangers, leaving their hibernal retreat in South America, appear among us about the first week in May, and more than a month earlier in BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR GOLDEN ROBIN. 1G3 Louisiana, according to the observations of Audubon. They were not seen, however, in West Florida by the middle of March, although vegetation had then so far ad- vanced, that the oaks were in leaf, and the white flowerinor Cornel* was in full blossom. It is here that they pass the most interesting period of their lives ; and their arrival is hailed as the sure harbin- ger of approaching summer. Full of life and activity, these fiery sylphs are now seen vaulting and darting in- cessantly through the lofty boughs of our tallest trees ; appearing and vanishing with restless inquietude, and flashing at quick intervals into sight, from amidst the tender waving foliage, they seem like living gems intended to decorate the verdant garment of the new clad forest. But the gay Baltimore is neither idle nor capricious; the beautiful small beetles and other active winged insects on which he now principally feeds, are in constant motion, and require perpetual address in their capture. At first the males only arrive, but without appearing in flocks; their mates are yet behind, and their social delight is in- complete. They appear to feel this temporary bereave- ment, and in shrill and loud notes, they fife out their tender plaints, in quick succession, as they pry and spring through the shady boughs for their tiny and eluding prey. They also now spend much time in the apple trees, often sipping honey from the white blossoms over which they wander with peculiar delight, continually roving amidst the sweet and flowery profusion. The mellow whistled notes which they are heard to trumpet from the high branches of our tallest trees and gigantic elms, resemble, at times, 'tshippe-tshay'ia too too, and sometimes 'tshippee 'tshippee, (lispingly) too too, (with the 2 last syllables loud and full.) * Cvi I'll ■ /.' 164 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. These notes are also varied by some birds so as to resem- ble 'tsh 'tsh 't sheet shoo tshoo tshoo* also 'tsh 'tsheefa 'tsheefa 'tsheefa tshoo and 'k'tiif a tufa tufa tea kcrry ;t another bird I have occasionally heard to call for hours, with some little variation, tu, Uo teo teo too in a loud, querulous, and yet almost ludicrously merry strain. At other intervals, the sensations of solitude seem to stimulate sometimes a loud and interrogatory note, echoed forth at intervals, as k'rry Jcerry 1 and terminating plaintively Jtfrrp k'rry k'rry, 'tu, the voice falling off very slenderly in the last long syllable, which is apparently an imitation from the Cardinal Grosbeak, and the rest is derived from the Crested Titmouse whom they have already heard in con- cert as they passed through the warmer states. Another interrogatory strain which I heard here in the spring of 1S30 was precisely, 'yip 'k'rry, 'yip, 'yip k'rry, very lnn. way even into Canada as far as the 55th degree, and breed in every intermediate region to the table land of Mexico. A yellow Brazilian species of the section of this genus called Cassicus, according to Waterton, inhabits also Demerara, where, like our bird, he familiarly weaves his pendulous nest near the planter's house, suspending it from the drooping branches of trees, and so low that it may be readily looked into even by the incurious. Omnivorous like the Starling, it feeds equally on insects, fruits, and seeds. It is called the Mocking-bird, and for hours together, ingratitude as it were for protection, he serenades the inhabitants with his imitative notes. His own song, though short, is sweet and melodious. But hearing per- haps the yelping of the Toucan, he drops his native strain to imitate it, or place it in ridicule by contrast. Again, he gives the cackling cries of the Woodpecker, the bleating of the sheep; an interval of his own melody, then probably a puppy dog, or a Guinea fowl, receives his usual atten- tion ; and the whole of this mimickry is accompanied by antic gestures, indicative of the sport and company which these vagaries afford him. Hence we see that the mim- icking talent of the Stare is inherent in this branch of the gregarious family, and our own Baltimore, in a humbler style, is no less delighted with the notes of his feathered neighbors. There is nothing more remarkable in the whole instinct of our Golden Robin than the ingenuity displayed in the fabrication of its nest, which is, in fact, a pendulous cylindric pouch of 5 to 7 inches in depth, usually suspended from near the extremities of the high, drooping branches of trees, (such as the elm, the pear, or apple-tree, wild-cherry, weeping-willow, tulip-tree, or button-wood.) It is begun, by firmly fastening natural strings of the flax of the silk BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR GOLDEN ROBIN. 167 weed,* or swamp-hoIyhock,f or stout artificial threads, round two or more forked twigs, corresponding to the in- tended width and depth of the nest. With the same mate- rials, willow down, or any accidental ravellings, strings, thread, sewing-silk, tow, or wool, that may be lying near the neighboring houses, or round the grafts of trees, they interweave and fabricate a sort of coarse cloth into the form intended; towards the bottom of which they place the real nest, made chiefly of lint, wiry grass, horse and cow hair, sometimes, in defect of hair, lining the interior with a mixture of slender strips of smooth vine bark, and rarely with a i"ew feathers, the whole being of a considera- ble thickness, and more or less attached to the external pouch. Over the top, the leaves, as they grow out, form a verdant and agreeable canopy, defending the young from the sun and rain. There is sometimes a considerable dif- ference in the manufacture of these nests, as well as in the materials which enter into their composition. Both sexes seem to be equally adepts at this sort of labor, and I have seen the female alone perform the whole without any assist- ance, and the male also complete this laborious task nearly without the aid of his consort ; who, however, in general, is the principal worker. I have observed a nest made almost wholly of tow, which was laid out for the conve- nience of a male bird ; who, with this aid, completed his labor in a very short time, and frequently sung in a very ludicrous manner, while his mouth was loaded with a mass larger than his head. So eager are they to obtain fibrous materials, that they will readily tug at, and even untie hard knots made of tow. In Audubon's magnificent plates, a nest is represented as formed outwardly of the Long-Moss ;f where this abounds, of course, the labor of obtaining ma- * JJsclcpias Bpeciee. | Hibiscus palustris. J TiUandsia usneoides. 16S OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. terials must be greatly abridged. The author likewise remarks, that the whole fabric consists almost entirely of this material, loosely interwoven, without any warm lining, a labor which our ingenious artist seems aware would be superfluous in the warm forests of the lower Mississippi. A female, which I observed attentively, carried off to her nest a piece of lamp-wick 10 or 12 feet long. This long string, and many other shorter ones, were left hanging out for about a week before both the ends were wattled into the sides of the nest. Some other little birds, making use of similar materials, at times twitched these flowing ends, and generally brought out the busy Baltimore from her oc- cupation in great anger. The haste and eagerness of one of these airy architects, which I accidentally observed on the banks of the Susque- hannah, appeared likely to prove fatal to a busy female, who, in weaving, got a loop round her neck, and no sooner was she disengaged from this snare, than it was slipped round her feet, and thus held her fast beyond the power of es- cape ! The male came frequently to the scene, now changed from that of joy and hope, into despair, but seemed wholly incapable of comprehending or relieving the distress of his mate. In a second instance, I have been told, that a female has been observed dead in the like predicament. The eggs of this species are usually 4 or 5, white, with a faint, indistinct tint of bluish, and marked, chiefly at the greater end, though sometimes scatteringly, with straggling, serpentine, dark brown lines and spots, and fainter hair streaks,* looking sometimes almost like real hair, and occasionally lined only, and without the spots. * The eggs which I have seen do not resemble Wilson's figure, plate I; though they may vary as much. BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR GOLDEN ROBIN. 1 G9 The period of incubation is 14 days.* In Louisiana, ac- cording to Audubon, they frequently raise two broods in the season, arriving in that country with the opening of the early spring. Here they raise but a single brood, whose long and tedious support in their lofty cradle absorbs their whole attention ; and at this interesting period, they seem, as it were, to live only to protect, cherish, and edu- cate their young. The first and general cry which the in- fant brood utter while yet in the nest, and nearly able to take wing, as well as for some days after, is a kind of te-did te-did, te-did, kai-te-te-did, or He He He He Hi H-did, which becomes clamorous as the parents approach them with food. They soon also acquire the scolding rattle and short notes which they probably hear around them, such as peet-iccet, the cry of the spotted Sandpiper, and others, and long continue to be assiduously fed and guarded by their very affectionate and devoted parents. Unfortunately, this contrivance of instinct to secure the airy nest from the depredations of rapacious monkeys, and other animals which frequent trees in warm or mild climates, is, also, oc- casionally attended with serious accidents, when the young escape before obtaining the perfect use of their wings. They cling, however, with great tenacity, either to the nest or neighboring twigs; yet sometimes they fall to the ground, and, if not killed on the spot, soon become a prey to numerous enemies. On such occasions it is painful to hear the plaints and wailing cries of the parents. And when real danger offers, the generous and brilliant male, though much the less querulous of the two, steps in to save his brood at every hazard ; and I have known one so bold in this hopeless defence, as to suffer himself to be killed, by a near approach with a stick, rather than desert his * Audubon, v< 1. i. p. 08. 15 170 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. offspring. Sometimes, after this misfortune, or when the fell cat has devoured the helpless brood, day after day the disconsolate parents continue to bewail their loss. They almost forget to eat amidst their distress, and after leaving the unhappy neighborhood of their bereavement, they still come, at intervals, to visit and lament over the fatal spot, as if spell-bound by despair. If the season be not too far advanced, the loss of their eggs is generally soon repaired by constructing a second nest, in which, however, the eggs are fewer. The true Oriole (O. galbula), which migrates into Afri- ca, and passes the breeding season in the centre of Europe, also makes a pendulous nest, and displays great courage in the defence of its young, being so attached to its progeny, that the female has been taken and conveyed to a cage on her eggs, on which, with resolute and fatal instinct, she remained faithfully sitting until she expired. The Baltimore bird, though naturally shy and suspicious, probably for greater security from more dangerous enemies, generally chooses for his nest the largest and tallest spread- ing trees near farm-houses, and along frequented lanes and roads ; and trusting to the inaccessibleness of his ingenious mansion, he works fearlessly, and scarcely studies con- cealment. But, as soon as the young are hatched, here, towards the close of June, the whole family begin to leave the immediate neighborhood of their cares, flit through the woods, a shy, roving, and nearly silent train ; and when ready for the distant journey before them, about the end of August or beginning of September, the whole at once disappear ; and probably arrive, as with us, amidst the forests of South America, in a scattered flock, and continue, like Starlings, to pass the winter in celibacy, wholly engaged in gleaning a quiet subsistence until the return of spring. Then, incited by instinct to prepare BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR GOLDEN ROBIN. 171 for a more powerful passion, they again wing their way to the regions of the north ; where, but for this wonderful instinct of migration, the whole race would perish in a single season. As the sexes usually arrive in different flocks, it is evident, that the conjugal tie ceases at the period of migration, and the choice of mates is renewed with the season ; during which the males, and sometimes also the females, carry on their jealous disputes with much obstinacy. That our Oriole is not familiar with us, independent of the all powerful natural impulse which he obeys, is suffi- ciently obvious when he nests in the woods. Two of these solitary and retiring pairs had this summer, contrary to their usual habits, taken up their abode in the lofty branches of a gigantic Button-wood in the forest. As soon as we appeared, they took the alarm, and remained uneasy and irritable until we were wholly out of sight. Others, again, visit the heart of the populous city, and pour forth their wild and plaintive songs from the trees which decorate the streets and gardens, amid the din of the passing crowd, and the tumult of incessant and noisy occupations. Audubon remarks, that their migrations are performed singly, and during the day, and that they pro- ceed high, and fly straight and continuous. The food of the Baltimore appears to be small caterpil- lars, sometimes those of the apple-trees, some uncommon kinds of beetles, cimices, and small flies, like a species of cynips. Occasionally I have seen an individual collecting Cicindcli by the sides of sandy and gravelly roads. They feed their young usually with soft caterpillars, which they swallow, and disgorge on arriving at the nest ; and in this necessary toil both sexes assiduously unite. They seldom molest any of the fruits of our gardens, except a few cherries and mulberries, and are the most harmless, use- 1V2 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. ful, beautiful and common birds of the country. They are, however, accused of sometimes accompanying their young to the garden peas, which they devour while small and green, and, being now partly gregarious, the damage they commit is at times rendered visible. Occasionally they are seen in cages, being chiefly fed on soaked bread, or meal and water ; they appear also fond of cherries, strawberries, currants, raisins, and figs, so that we may justly consider them, like the Cassicans and Starlings, as omnivorous, though in a less degree.* They sing, and appear lively in confinement or domestication, and become very docile, playful, and friendly, even going in and out of the house, and sometimes alighting at a whistle on the hand of their protector. The young, for a while, require to be fed on animal food alone, and the most suitable ap- pears to be fresh minced meat, soaked in new milk. In this way they may be easily raised almost from the first hatching ; but at this time vegetable substances appear to afford them no kind of nutrition, and at all times they will thrive better, if indulged with a little animal food or in- sects, as well as hard boiled eggs. The summer range of this beautiful bird in the fur coun- tries extends to the 55th degree of latitude, arriving on the plains of the Saskatchewan, according to Richardson, about the 10th of May, or nearly as early as their arrival in Massachusetts. Those which thus visit the wilds of Can- ada, in all probability proceed at once from Mexico, or ascend the great valley of the Mississippi and Missouri. I have had a male bird in a state of domestication, raised from the nest very readily on fresh minced meat soaked in milk. When established, his principal food was scalded * The true Oriole, scarcely distinct from our Vireo, lives upon insects, is very fond of cherries and fresh figs, and will also eat peas. BALTIMORE ORIOLE, OR GOLDEN ROBIN. 173 indian corn meal, on which he fed contentedly, but was also fond of sweet cakes, insects of all descriptions, and nearly every kind of fruit. In short, he eat every thing he would in a state of nature, and did not refuse to taste and eat of every thing but the condiments which enter into the multifarious diet of the human species : he was literally omnivorous. No bird could become more tame, allowing himself to be handled with patient indifference, and sometimes with playfulness. The singular mechanical application of his bill was remarkable, and explains at once the ingenious art employed by the species in weaving their nest. If the folded hand was presented to our familiar Oriole, he en- deavored to open it by inserting his pointed and straight bill betwixt the closed fingers, and then by pressing open the bill with great muscular force, in the manner of an opening pair of compasses, he contrived, if the force was not great, to open the hand and examine its contents. If brought to the face he did the same with the mouth, and would try hard to open the closed teeth. In this way, by pressing open any yielding interstice, he could readily in- sert the threads of his nest, and pass them through an infinity of openings so as to form the ingenious net-work or basis of his suspensory and procreant cradle. The Baltinore Bird is 7 inches in length; the bill bluish black. Exterior edges of the greater wing-coverts, edges of the secondaries, and part of those of the primaries, white. The tail-feathers under the coverts, orange ; the 2 middle ones from thence to the tips, black ; the next 5 on each side black near the covert, and orange towards the extremities. Legs and feet lead-color. The iris, hazel. — The white on the wing-coverts in the female is yellowish ; tbe under parts, not so brilliant an orange, approaching scarlet on the breast, arc, in this sex, much duller ; the back also of a dull black, and each feather skirted with olive yellow. The wing feathers of a deep dirty brown. The tail olive yellow ; but in others, according to age, the 2 middle 15* 174 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. feathers become partially or wholly black. Some of the males which arrive in the spring have the tail wholly yellow ; at times, only the 2 middle feathers black, and frequently the black on the back is still skirted with orange, and the tail tipped with the same color. The male moults, before his departure, into the same brilliant dress in which he arrives. WESTERN TROOPIAL. (Icterus Bullockii, Swains. Aid. pi. 383. f. 5. and pi. 433. f. 2. [fe- male.] Xanthomas Bullockii, Swains. Mexic. Birds. Phil. Mag-. 1827. p. 43G.) Spec Ciiaract. — Tail nearly even. — Male with the forehead, a band over the eye, cheeks, sides of the neck, and breast orange, a large white patch on the wing; above, except the rump, black; 4 middle tail feathers black. — Female and young, above greyish olive ; below greenish-yellow ; tail yellow w T ith a tint of olive. This fine species inhabits nearly the same limits with the Yellow-Headed Troopial, as far as Mexico ; and west- ward along the woody borders of the Platte, beyond Lari- mie's Fork, to the shores of the Oregon and the Pacific, it appears to occupy the place of our Baltimore Bird, con- structing also a very similar nest in the branches of the Balsam poplar. In the latter part of April they also arrive round Santa Barbara in Upper California ; the males as usual in scattering parties before the females, uttering the same plaintive fifing warble as its eastern representative, but more brief and less varied ; they likewise conceal themselves for a length of time while gleaning for larva?, or sipping the sweet juices of the blossoms of trees. They are more shv than the Baltimore Bird, and seem to dwell and roam entirely in the forests, never approaching the gardens or precincts of habitations. SPURIOUS OR ORCHARD ORIOLE. 175 Length 7^ inches; alar extent 11. Bill longer than in the Balti- more Oriole, greyish-blue. Upper part of the head, hind neck, ante- rior portion of the back, lores, base of the lower mandible, and a narrow longitudinal band on the throat, black. Anterior part of the forehead, a band over the eye, cheeks, sides of the neck, and the breast, orange ; the rest of the lower parts paler ; rump yellow, tinged with olive ; wings dusky, with a large patch of white, quills mar- gined with white, 4 middle tail feathers black, all the rest orange yel- low, with a dusky patch near the end. SPURIOUS or ORCHARD ORIOLE. (Icterus spurius, Bonap. Oriohis spurius, Lin. Wilson, i. p. G4. pi. 4. fig. 1. [female.] fig. 2. [a male of 2 years.] fig. 3. [a male of 3 years.] fig. 4. [the adult male.] Audubon, pi. 42. Philad. Museum, No. 1508.) Spec. Charact. — Tail wedge-formed. — Male bright chesnut ; the head and neck, back, wings, and tail black. — Female and young of one year, yellow olive, inclining to brown, beneath yellow ; wings and tail dusky brown. — The young male, the same, but with the throat black. This smaller and plainer species has many of the habits of the Baltimore Bird, and arrives in Pennsylvania about a week later. They enter the southern boundary of the United States early in March, and remain there until Octo- ber.* They do not however, I believe, often migrate far- ther north and east, than the state of Connecticut. I have never seen or heard of them in Massachusetts, any more than my scientific friend, and close observer, Mr. C. Pick- ering. Their stay in the United States, it appears from Wilson, is little more than 4 months ; as they retire to South America early in September, or, at least, do not winter in the Southern States. According to my friend * Audubon's < irnitbol igica] Bi igrapby, vol. i. p. 234. 176 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. Mr. Ware, they breed at Augusta, in Georgia ; and Mr. Say observed the Orchard Oriole at Major Long's winter quarters on the banks of the Missouri. Audubon has also observed the species towards the sources of the Missis- sippi, as well as in the state of Maine. The same author likewise remarks, that their northern migrations, like those of the Baltimore Bird, are performed by day, and that the males arrive a week or ten days sooner than their mates. They appear to affect the elevated and airy regions of the Alleghany mountains, where they are much more nume- rous than the Baltimore. The Orchard Oriole is an exceedingly active, sprightly, and restless bird ; in the same instant almost, he is on the ground after some fallen insect, fluttering amidst the foli- age of the trees, prying and springing after his lurking prey, or flying, and tuning his lively notes, in a manner so hurried, rapid, and seemingly confused, that the ear is scarce able to thread out the shrill and lively tones of his agitated ditty. Between these hurried attempts, he also gives others, which are distinct and agreeable, and not un- like the sweet warble of the Red-Breasted Grosbeak, though more brief and less varied. In choosing the situa- tion of his nest he is equally familiar with the Baltimore Oriole, and seems to enjoy the general society of his spe- cies, suspending his most ingenious and pensile fabric from the bending twig of the apple-tree, which, like the nest of the other, is constructed in the form of a pouch from 3 to 5 inches in depth, according to the strength or flexibility of the tree on which he labors ; so that in a weeping wil- low, according to Wilson, the nest is one or two inches deeper, than if in an apple-tree, to obviate the danger of throwing out the eggs and young by the sweep of the long, pendulous branches. It is, likewise, slighter, as the crowd- ing leaves of that tree afford a natural shelter of consider- SPURIOUS OR ORCHARD ORIOLE. 177 able thickness. That economy of this kind should be studied by the Orchard Oriole, will scarcely surprise so much, as the laborious ingenuity, and beautiful tissue of its nest. It is made exteriorly of a fine woven mat of long, tough, and flexible grass, as if darned with a needle. The form is hemispherical, and the inside is lined with downy substances; sometimes the wool of the seeds of the But- tonwood, formino- thus a commodious and soft bed for the young. This precaution of a warm lining, as in the pre- ceding species, is, according to Audubon, dispensed with in the warm climate of Louisiana. The eggs are 4 or 5, of a very pale bluish tint, with a few points of brown, and spots of dark purple, chiefly disposed at the greater end. The female sits about 14 days ; and the young continue in the nest 10 days before they become qualified to flit along with their parents; but they are generally seen abroad about the middle of June. Previously to their departure, the young, leaving the care of their parents, become gre- garious, and assemble sometimes in flocks of separate sexes, from 30 to 40 or upwards ; in the south frequenting the savannahs, feeding much on crickets, grasshoppers, and spiders ; and at this season their flesh is much esteemed by the inhabitants.* Wilson found them easy to raise from the nest, but does not say on what they were fed, though they probably require the same treatment as the Baltimore Oriole. According to Audubon, they sing with great liveliness in cages, being fed on rice and dry fruits, when fresh cannot be procured. Their ordinary diet, it appears, is caterpillars and insects, of which they destroy great quantities. In the course of the season they likewise feed on various kinds of juicy fruits and berries, but their depredations on the fruits of the orchard are very unim- portant. * Audubon's Ornithological Biography, vol. i. p. 001. ITS OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. The Orchard Oriole is about G£ inches in length. The bill and legs of the same color nearly as in the 2 preceding species ; the for- mer, however, is a little bent, and very sbarp at the point. The iris hazel. The male, in the 3d moult, is mottled on the upper parts of the back with black and olive, and on the belly, sides, and breast the reddish bay begins irregularly to appear, blended with yellow ; and generally the 2 middle feathers of the tail arc black, the others being centered with the same color. Subgenus — Xanthorxus. (Cuv.) Agelaius, (Vicili. Bonap. And.) With the bill robust and straight, horizontally flattened above, and the frontal sinus ending in an acute but shallow angle. — The female somewhat less than the male. These birds are constantly gregarious, and live chiefly in meadows, or round open bushy swamps. They feed principally on insects and seeds ; build in society, and construct convenient, but not very artful nests. RED-WINGED BLACK-BIRD, or TROOPIAL. {Icterus plucniceus, Daud. Bonap. Audubon, pi. 67. [the male, a small specimen]. Stiirnus pradatorius, Wilson, 4. p. 30. pi. 30. fig. 1. [male in summer dress], fig. 2 [female]. Philad. Museum, No. 1466, 14G7.) Sp. Charact. — Black ; lesser wing coverts vermilion red. — Young and autumnal mate, above, with the feathers, skirted with ferrugin- ous. — Female, dusky brown, varied with ferruginous and whitish, sometimes also with the lesser wing-coverts spotted with black and the red of the male. The Red-Winged Troopial in summer inhabits the whole of North America from Nova Scotia to Mexico, and is found in the interior from the 53d degree across the whole continent to the shores of the Pacific and along the coast as far as California. They are migratory north of Maryland, but pass the winter and summer in great numbers in all the southern states, frequenting chiefly the settlements and rice and corn-fields, towards the sea-coast, where they move about like blackening clouds, rising 180 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. suddenly at times with a noise like thunder, and exhibiting amidst the broad shadows of their funereal plumage, the bright flashing of the vermilion with which their wings are so singularly decorated. After whirling and waving a little distance, like the Starling, they descend as a torrent, and darkening the branches of the trees by their numbers, they commence a general concert that may be heard for more than two miles. This music seems to be something betwixt chattering and warbling ; jingling liquid notes like those of the Bobolink with their peculiar kong-quer-rce and bob a Ic, o-bob a lee; then complaining chirps, jars, and sounds like saw-filing, or the motion of a sign-board on its rusty hinge, the whole constituting a novel and some- times grand chorus of discord and harmony, in which the performers seem in good earnest, and bristle up their feathers, as if inclined, at least, to make up in quantity what their show of music may lack in quality. When their food begins to fail in the fields, they assem- ble with the Purple Grakles, very familiarly around the corn-cribs and in the barn-yards, greedily and dexterously gleaning up every thing within their reach. In the month of March, Mr. Bullock found them very numerous and bold near the city of Mexico, where they followed the mules to steal a tithe of their barley. From the beginning of March to April, according to the nature of the season, they begin to visit the Northern States in scattered parties, flying chiefly in the morning. As they wing their way they seem to relieve their mutual toil by friendly chatter, and being the harbingers of spring, their faults are forgot in the instant, and we cannot help greeting them as old acquaintances in spite of their preda- tory propensities. Selecting their accustomed resort, they make the low meadows resound again with their notes, par- ticularly in the morning and evening before retiring to or RED-WINGED BLACK-BIRD. 181 leaving the roost ; previous to settling themselves for the night, and before parting in the day, they seern all to join in a general chorus of liquid warbling tones ; which would be very agreeable but for the interruption of the plaints and jarring sounds with which it is blended. They continue to feed in small parties in swamps and by slow streams and ponds till the middle or close of April, when they begin to separate in pairs. Sometimes, however, they appear to be partly polygamous, like their cousins the Cow Troopials, as amidst a number of females engaged in incubation, but few of the other sex appear associated with them ; and as among the Bobolinks, sometimes two or three of the males may be seen in chase of an individual of the other sex, but without making any contest or show of jealous feud with each other, as a concubinage rather than any regular mating seems to prevail among the species. Assembled again in their native marshes, the male perched upon the summit of some bush surrounded by water, in company with his mates, now sings out, at short intervals, his guttural kong-quer-rce, sharply calls ftsheah, or, when disturbed, plaintively utters 'ttshay ; to which his companions, not insensible to these odd attentions, now and then return a gratulatory cackle or reiterated chirp, like that of the native Meadow Lark. As a pleas- ant and novel, though not unusual accompaniment, per- haps the great Bull Frog elevates his green head and brassy eyes from the stagnant pool, and calls out in a loud and echoing bellow, 'ir'rron, "'wc/rroo, 'worrorroo, '*boaroo J which is again answered, or, as it were, merely varied, by the creaking or cackling voice of his feathered neighbors. This curious concert, uttered as it were from the still and sable waters of the Styx, is at once both ludicrous and solemn. About the end of April or early in May, in the middle 10 18*2 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. and northern parts of the union the Red-Winged Black- birds commence constructing their nests. The situation made choice of is generally in some marsh, swamp, or wet meadow, abounding with alder (Alnus) or Button-bushes (Cephalanthus) ; in these, commonly at the height of 5 to 7 feet from the ground, or sometimes in a detached bush or tussock of rank grass in the meadow, the nest is formed. Outwardly it is composed of a considerable quantity of the long dry leaves of Sedge-grass (Carez), or other kinds collected in wet situations, and occasionally the slender leaves of the flag (Iris) carried round all the adjoining twigs of the bush by way of support or suspension, and sometimes blended with strips of the lint of the swamp Asclcpias or silk weed (Asckpias incamata.) The whole of this exterior structure is also twisted in and out, and carried in loops from one side of the nest to the other, pretty much in the manner of the Orioles, but made of less flexible and handsome materials. The large interstices that remain, as well as the bottom, are then filled in with rotten wood, marsh-grass roots, fibrous peat, or mud, so as to form, when dry, a stout and substantial, though con- cealed shell, the whole very well lined with fine dry stalks of grass or with slender rushes, (Scirpi.) When the nest is in a tussock, it is also tied to the adjoining stalks of herbage ;* but when on the ground this precaution of fixity is laid aside. The eggs are from 3 to 5, white, ting- ed with blue, marked with faint streaks of light purple, and loner straggling serpentine lines and dashes of very dark brown; the markings not very numerous, and disposed almost wholly at the greater end. They raise two broods commonly in the season. If the nest is approached while *This description, drawn from nature, agrees very nearly with that given by Pennant, Arctic Zool. vol. i. p. 300. RED-WINGED BLACK-BIRD. 183 the female is sitting, or when the young are hatched, loud cries of alarm are made by both parties, but more partic- ularly by the restless male, who flies to meet the intru- der, and generally brings together the whole sympathizing company of his fellows, whose nests sometimes are within a few yards of each other. The female cries 'queah, 'puedJi, and at length, when the mischief they dreaded is accomplished, the louder notes give way to others which are more still, slow and mournful ; one of which resem- bles t'ai, t'ai, or tea and t'tsheak. When the young are taken or destroyed, the pair continue restless and dejected for several days, but from the force of their gregarious habit they again commence building, usually soon after, in the same meadow or swamp with their neighbors. In the latter part of July and August the young birds, now resembling the female, begin to fly in flocks, and release themselves partly from dependence on their parents, whose cares up to this time are faithful and unremitting; a few males only seem inclined to stay and direct their motions. About the beginning of September, these flocks, by their formidable numbers, do great damage to the unripe corn, which is now a favorite repast, and they are sometimes seen whirling and driving over the devoted cornfields and meadows so as to darken the air with their numbers. The destruction at this time made among them by the gun and the Hawks produces but little effect upon the remain- der, who continue fearlessly, and in spite of all opposition, from morning to night, to ravage the cornfields while any thing almost remains to be eaten. The farms near the sea-coast, or alluvial situations, however, are their favorite haunts ; and towards the close of September, the corn be- coming hard, it is at length rejected for the seeds of the wild rice (Zizania aquatica), and other aquatic plants, which now begin to ripen, and allbrd a more harmless and 184 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. cheap repast to these dauntless marauders. At this time, also, they begin to roost in the reeds, whither they repair in large flocks every evening from all the neighboring quarters of the country ; upon these they perch or cling so as to obtain a support above the surrounding waters of the marsh. When the reeds become dry, advantage is taken of the circumstance to destroy these unfortunate gorman- dizers by fire ; and those who might escape the flames are shot down in vast numbers as they hover and scream around the spreading conflagration. Early in November, they generally leave the northern and colder states ; with the exception of straggling parties, who still continue to glean subsistence, in the shelter of the sea-coast, in Delaware, Maryland, and even in the cold climate of the state of Mas- sachusetts.* To those who seem inclined to extirpate these erratic depredators, Wilson justly remarks, as a balance against the damage they commit, the service they perform in the spring season, by the immense number of insects and their larvae which they destroy, as their principal food, and which are of kinds most injurious to the husbandman. Indeed Kalm remarked, that after a great destruction made among these and the common Black-birds for the legal re- ward of 3 pence a dozen, the Northern States, in 1749, experienced a complete loss of the grass and grain crops, which were now devoured by insects. Like the Troopial (Oriolus icterus, Lath.) the Red- wing shows attachment and docility in confinement, be- coming, like the Starling, familiar with those who feed him, and repaying the attention he receives, by singing his monotonous ditty pretty freely, consisting, as we have * My friend, Mr. S. Green, of Boston, assures me, that he has seen these birds near Newton, in a Cedar Swamp, in January. RED-WINGED BLACK-BIRD. 185 already remarked, of various odd, grating, shrill, guttural, and sometimes warbling tones, which become at length somewhat agreeable to the ear ; and instances are said to have occurred of their acquiring the power of articulating several words pretty distinctly. The flesh of this bird is but little esteemed except when young, being dark and tough like that of the Starling ; yet in some of the markets of the United States they are at times exposed for sale. The male is from 8£ to 10 inches in length : of a glossy black, with the exception of the lesser wing-coverts, in which the lower rows of feathers are of a reddish cream-color, the rest of a bright scarlet. Legs and bill black. Irids hazel. Tongue slender, and torn at the end. The female is from 8 to 9 inches long. Throat and below thickly- streaked with black and whitish, or cream color ; under the throat sometimes pale reddish. Above black, the feathers edged with pale brown, white, or bay. Young male, black, the shoulder of the wing the color of red lead, fading at the edges into buff yellow. Above, with the feathers edged with brownish ferruginous and brownish white, except the rump, in which the feathers are faintly edged with cinereous; over the eye-brows a pale line. Beneath, from the chin downwards, black, the feathers edged with greyish white. Note. The size and markings of this bird vary in an extraordi- nary degree. The old males are sometimes only 8£ inches in length, the largest 10. The females likewise vary from 8 to 9 inches. In the young female also the feathers are edged with ferruginous and whitish, and beneath and around the base of the bill nearly yellow. Other females have the edges of the feathers as described above. Some have the shoulder of the wing almost as red as in the male, but the same feathers spotted with dusky. As females of the same age, apparently, are without this mark, I suppose it to be accidental. Taking into consideration, then, the extreme differences in the size of either sex, the supposed disparity of the pair vanishes. This oc- casional diminution of size is probably, as in other birds, peculiar to the latest broods. 1G* 18G OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. THREE COLORED TROOPIAL. (Items tricolor, Nobis. Audib. pi. 3SS. fig. 1.) Spec. Charact. — Black; tail even ; lesser wing-coverts deep car- mine, edged posteriorly with pure white. — Female, ? Flocks of this vagrant bird, which, in all probability, extends its migrations into Oregon and Mexico, are very common around Santa Barbara and Monterey in upper California, in the month of April. Their habits are sim- ilar to those of the common Red Winged Troopial, but they mostly keep in large flocks apart from that species, which also inhabits this country as well as Mexico. They are, at this time, seldom seen but in the near suburbs of the town, feeding almost exclusively on the maggots or larvae of the flesh-flies generated in the offal of the cattle killed around the town for the sake of the hides. In large whirling flocks they are seen associated with the Cow Birds, Common Grakles, Red Winged Troopials, and a small black species with an orange yellow head,* all flit- ting about in quest of food, or perching on the olives and orchard trees in the town, where they keep up an inces- sant chatter and discordant confused warble, much more harsh or guttural even than the note of the Cow Bird. With the female, and the circumstances of breeding, I am unacquainted. Length 9 inches ; wing from the flexure 5 inches. Bill more slen- der than in the Red Winged Troopial, with the ridge at its base rather elevated and convex. Red on the wing deep carmine, edged behind with pure white. * For this species, apparently new, I propose tbe name of Agdaius or Icterus *calacephahis. It is black, about the size of the Cow Bird, with the head, neck, and throat, of a bright orange. YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. 187 TWO COLORED TROOPIAL. {Icterus gubernator, Aud pi. 420. fig. and 2. Jlgelaius gubernator , Bonap. p. 29. Psarocolius gubernator, Wagler.) Spec. Charact. — Black ; feathers on the head and neck erect vel- vety ; patch on the wing pure scarlet, the feathers white at their base. Specimens of this bird common also to Mexico, were ob- tained in Oregon by my friend Mr. T. K. Townsend. In the course of the winter they probably migrate into Mexico. Length 9 inches; wing from the flexure about 5£. Glossy bluish- black, on the head velvet black. Feathers on the fore and upper parts of the head standing erect, so as to present a velvety surface. YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. (Icterus icteroccphalus, Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p. 26. pi. 4. [male], fig. 2. [female]. Aud. pi. 388. fig. 2. 3. Philad. Museum, No. 1528, 1529. Angclaius Xanthoccphalus, Bonap. p. 29.) Spec Charact. — Black; head, neck, and breast yellow-orange; with a white spot on the wing. — Female and young dark brown ; wings without spots ; throat whitish ; also a rounded yellow patch on the breast. The Yellow-headed Troopial, though long known as an inhabitant of South America, was only recently added to the Fauna of the United States by Major Long's expedi- tion. They were seen in great numbers near the banks of the River Platte, around the villages of the Pawnees, about the middle of May ; and the different sexes were sometimes observed associated in separate ilocks, as the breeding season had not yet probably commenced. The range of this fine species is, apparently, from Cayenne, in tropical America, to the banks of the river Missouri, where 31 r. Townsend and myself observed them not far from the settled line of Missouri State. They have been 188 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. seen by Dr. Richardson, in summer, as far as the 58th parallel. Its visits in the United States are yet wholly confined to the west side of the Mississippi, beyond which, not even a straggler has been seen. They assemble in dense flocks, and in all their movements, aerial evolutions, and predatory character, appear as the counterpart of their Red-winged relatives. They are also seen to frequent the ground in search of food, in the manner of the Cow- Bunting, or Troopial. In the spring season they wage war upon the insect tribes and their larva?, like the Red- wings, but in autumn they principally depend on the seeds of vegetables. At Demerara, Waterton observed them in flocks, and, as might have been suspected from their habits, they were very greedy after Indian corn. On the 2d of May, in our western tour across the conti- nent, around the Kansa Indian Agency, we now saw abundance of the Yellow-headed Troopial, associated with the Cow-Bird. They kept wholly on the ground in com- panies, the males, at this time, by themselves. In loose soil they dig into the earth with their bills in quest of in- sects and larvae, are very active, straddle about with a quaint gait, and now and then, in the manner of the Cow Bird, whistle out with great effort, a chuckling note sound- ing like JcO'hukkle^aitf often varying into a straining squeak, as if using their utmost endeavor to make some kind of noise in token of sociability. Their music, is however, even inferior to the harsh note of the Cow Bird. In the month of June, by the edge of a grassy marsh, in the open plain of the Platte, several hundred miles inland, Mr. Townsend found the nest of this species built under a tussock, formed of fine grasses and canopied over like that of the Sturnella or Meadow Lark. The eggs, about 4, are of a bluish-white, covered all over with minute specks of brownish-purple, largest and most numerous at the greater end. YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. 189 The male of this species is 10£ inches in length (according to Prince Bonaparte, but the figure purporting to be the size of life is only 9^.) The bill dark horn color. Feet black. The irids dark brown. The head, neck, and breast are brilliant orange-yellow, more vivid and silky on the head. The feathers round ths base of the bill, chin, and a wide stripe passing through the eye, are black. The rest of the feathers glossy black, tinged with brownish. Some of the exterior wing-coverts are white with black tips, constituting 2 ichite spots on the wing. The 1st, 2d, and 3d primaries are longest and equal. Tail 4 inches long, slightly rounded. — The female S j inches long (in the figure about the same size as the male, 9±), dark brown, the margin of the feathers a shade lighter. The chin and throat whitish. On the breast a large round patch of yellow. On the lower part of the breast the feathers are skirted with white. — The young are very similar to the female. Species related to the Buntintr. (Emberizoides.) In these the bill is straight, short, thick, conic, and not much point- ed. The sinus at the base of the bill sharp and shallow. Note. These are somewhat allied to the Finches; yet still more so to the birds of the preceding section. COW TROOPIAL, or COW BLACK-BIRD. (Icterus pecoris, Temm. Audubon, pi. 99. Ember iza pecoris, Wilson, 2. p. 145. pi. 18. fig. 1. [male], fig. 2. [female], fig. 3. [the young]. Philad. Museum, No. 6373, 0379. Fringilla pecoris, Gmel. Molo- thrits pecoris, Swains. Bonap. p. 29.) Spec. Charact. — Glossy beak head and neck blackish-brown. — Female wholly sooty-brown, beneath pale. — Young similar to the female, with the breast spotted. The Cow-pen Bird, perpetually gregarious and flitting, is observed to enter the Middle and Northern States in the latter end of March or the beginning of April. They make their migration now chiefly under cover of the night, or early dawn ; and as the season becomes milder they pass on to Canada, and perhaps follow the Warblers and other small birds into the farthest regions of the north, for they are seen no more after the middle of June, until the return of autumn, when, with the colds of October, they again reappear in numerous and augmented flocks, usually associated with their kindred Red-wings, to whom they bear a sensible likeness, as well as a similarity in notes and COW TROOPIAL, OR COW BLACK-BIRD. 191 manners. They pass the winter in the warmer parts of America as well as in the Southern States, where I have observed them in the ploughed fields, gleaning along with the Red-wings and the common Black-birds. They are also very familiar around the cattle, picking up insects which they happen to disturb, or that exist in their ordure. When on the ground, they scratch up the soil and appear very intent after their food. Sometimes even, infringing on the rights of the Plover, individuals, in the winter, fre- quent the margins of ponds in quest of aquatic insects and small shell-fish ; and they may be seen industriously occu- pied in turning over the leaves of the water-plants to which they adhere. They also frequent occasionally the rice and corn fields, as well as their more notorious associates, but are more inclined to native food and insects at all times, so that they are more independent and less injurious to the farmer. As they exist in Mexico, and California, it is probable, that they are also bred in the higher table lands, as well as in the regions of the north. In Louisia- na, however, according to Audubon, they are rare visitors at any season, seeming more inclined to follow their route through the maritime districts. Over these countries, high in the air, in the month of October, they are seen by day winging their way to the remoter regions of the south. We have observed that the Red-wings separate in par- ties, and pass a considerable part of the summer in the necessary duties of incubation. But the Cow-pen Birds release themselves from all hindrance to their wanderings. The volatile disposition and instinct, which prompt birds to migrate, as the seasons change and as their food begins to fail, have only a periodical influence ; and for a while they remain domestic, passing a portion of their time in the cares and enjoyments of the conjugal state. But with our bird, like the European Cuckoo, this season never arrives; 192 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. the flocks live together without ever pairing. A general concubinage prevails among them, scarcely exciting any jealousy, and unaccompanied by any durable affection. From the commencement of their race, they have been bred as foundlings, in the nests of other birds, and fed by foster-parents, under the perpetual influence of delusion and deception, and by the sacrifice of the concurrent pro- geny of the nursing birds ! Amongst all the feathered tribes hitherto known, this and the European Cuckoo, with a few other species indigenous to the old continent, are the only kinds who never make a nest or hatch their young. That this character is not a vice of habit, but a perpetual instinct of nature, appears from various circum- stances, and from none more evidently than from this, that the eggs of the Cow Troopial are earlier hatched than those of the foster-parent, a singular and critical provision, on which perhaps the existence of the species depends. For did the natural brood of the deceived parent come first into existence, the strange egg on which they sat, would generally be destroyed. The number of nurses selected by this vagrant is some- what considerable. The greatest favorite appears to be the Red-eyed Fly-catcher, the White-eyed species, and the Maryland Yellow-throat; but the Blue-bird, Indigo-bird, Chipp/ing-Sparroio, Song-Sparrow, Summer Yellow-bird Blue-grey Fly-catcher, Golden-crowned and }Yilson's Thrush, as well as the common Pewit are also at times enlisted in the number of foster parents for the black and greedy brood of our Cow-bird. When the female is dis- posed to lay, she appears restless and dejected, and sepa- rates from the unregarding flock. Stealing through the woods and thickets, she pries into the bushes and bram- bles for the nest that suits her, into which she darts, in the absence of its owner, and in a few minutes is seen to rise COW TROOPIAL, OR COW BLACK-BIRD. 193 on the wing, cheerful and relieved from the anxiety that oppressed her, and proceeds back to the flock, she had so reluctantly forsaken. If the egg be deposited in the nest alone, it is uniformly forsaken ; but if the nursing parent have any of her own, she immediately begins to sit. The Red-eyed Fly-catcher, in whose beautiful basket-like nests I have observed these eggs, proves a very affectionate and assiduous nurse to the uncouth foundling. In one of these I found an egg of each bird, and the hen already sitting.* I took her own egg and left the strange one ; she soon returned, and, as if sensible of what had happen- ed, looked with steadfast attention, and shifted the egg about, then sat upon it, but soon moved off, again renewed her observation, and it was a considerable time before she seemed willing to take her seat ; but at length Heft her on the nest. Two or three days after, I found that she had relinquished her attention to the strange egg, and forsaken the nest. Another of these birds, however, forsook the nest on taking out the Cow-bird's egg, although she had still 2 of her own left. The only example, perhaps, to the contrary of deserting the nest when solely occupied by the stray egg, is in the Blue-bird, who, attached strongly to the breeding places, in which it often continues for several years, has been known to lay, though with apparent re- luctance, after the deposition of the Cow-bird's egg. My friend, Mr. C. Pickering, found two nests of the Summer Yellow Bird, in which had been deposited an egg of the Cow-bird previously to any of their own ; and unable to eject it, they had buried it in the bottom of the nest and built over it an additional story ! I also saw, in the sum- mer of 1830, a similar circumstance with the same bird, in which the Cow-bird's error, though incarcerated, was observed, in 1831, the hen sitting on 2 eggs, and me of the Cow-bird. 1? 194 OMxMVOROUS BIRDS. still visible on the upper edge, but could never have been hatched. At times, I think it probable, that they lay in the nests of larger birds, who throw out the egg, or that they drop their eggs on the ground without obtaining a deposit, as I have found an egg of this kind thus exposed and broken. On placing an egg of this bird in the Cat- Bird's nest it was almost instantly ejected ; and this would probably be the usual fate of the strange egg, if the dimin- utive nurses, thus wisely chosen, were capable of removing it. Wilson's Thrush, however, as large as the Cow-Bird itself, sits quietly on the strange deposit, as if incapable of or unwilling to distinguish it from her own. I have remarked sometimes 2 of these eggs in the same nest, but in this case one of them commonly proves abortive. The most usual nurse of this bird appears to be the Red-eyed Vireo, who commences sitting as soon as the Cow-bird's egg is deposited. On these occasions, I have known the Vireo to begin her incubation with only an egg of each kind, and in other nests I have observed as many as 3 of her own, with that of the intruder. From the largeness of the strange egg } probably the nest im- mediately feels filled, so as to induce the nurse directly to sit. This larger egg, brought nearer to the body than her own, is consequently better warmed and sooner hatched ; and the young of the Cow-bird, I believe, ap- pears about the 12th or 13th day of sitting. The found- ling is very faithfully nursed by the affectionate Vireo, along with her own brood, who make their appearance about a day later than the Troopial. From the great size of the parasite, the legitimate young are soon stifled, and, when dead, are conveyed, as usual, by the duped parent to a distance before being dropped ; but they are never found immediately beneath the nest, as would invariably happen if they were ejected by the young Troopial. In the sum- COW TROOPIAL, OR COW BLACK-BIRD. 195 mer of 1839, I actually saw a Chipping Sparrow carrying out to a distance one of its dead young thus stifled ; and a second nest of the same species in which 3 of its own brood Avere hatched soon after the Cow Troopial ; these survived 2 or 3 days, and as they perished were carried away by the parent bird. As far as I have had opportunity of observing, the foundling shows no hostility to the natu- ral brood of his nurses, but he nearly absorbs their whole attention, and early displays his characteristic cunning and self-possession. When fully fledged, they quickly desert their foster-parent, and skulk about in the woods until, at length, they instinctively join company with those of the same feather, and now becoming more bold, are seen in parties of 5 or 6, in the fields and lanes, gleaning their accustomed subsistence. They still, however, appear shy and watchful, and seem too selfish to study any thing more than their own security and advantage, The egg of this bird is almost oval, scarcely larger than that of the Blue-bird, thickly sprinkled with points and confluent touches of olive brown, of two shades, somewhat more numerous at the greater end, on a white ground tinged with green. But in some of these eggs the ground is almost pure white, and the spots nearly black. The song of the Cow-bird is guttural and unmusical, uttered with an air of affectation, and accompanied by a bristling of the feathers and a swelling of the body in the manner of the Turkey. These are also all the notes of the species in the season of their attachment; so that their musical talent rates lower than that of any other bird per- haps in the genus. Sometimes the tones of the male re- semble the liquid clinking of the Bobolink and Red-winged Black-bird. Sitting on the summit of a lofty branch, he amuses himself perhaps for an hour with an occasional 'kluck 'tsee t the latter syllable uttered in a drawling hiss 196 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. like that of the Red-wing. Accompanied by his mates, he also endeavors to amuse them by his complaisant chatter ; and watching attentively for their safety, they flit together at the instant he utters the loud tone of alarm ; and they are always shy and suspicious of the designs of every ob- server. On a fine spring morning, however, perched towards the summit of some tree in the forest, where they seek rest after their twilight wanderings, small and select parties may be seen gratefully basking in the mild beams of the sunshine. The male on such occasions, seems as proud of his uncouth jargon, and as eager to please his favorite companions, as the tuneful Nightingale with his pathetic and varied lay. The length of this species is 7 inches, its breadth 11. The head and neck blackish brown ; the rest black, glossed with violet on the breast, and with greenish above. Legs and claws black. Iris hazel. DOLICHONYX. (Swains.) RICE BIRDS. With the bill thick, pointed, and strong, the margins smooth and somewhat inflated, the upper mandible slightly ridged at the base ; the palate with a tubercle. — Wings rather long : tarsus robust. Tail rounded, graduated, with the feathers rounded or acuminated. These are lively and agreeable songsters, inhabiting meadows and plains, in society; nesting on the ground; with the plumage of the sexes very distinct in color. Af- ter breeding, the young and old become gregarious and frequent. marshes and reed fens, being all now nearly in the same TAb&^s In their habits, and voluble song they pre- - sent a curious transition from the Icteri to the Fritigillas. RICE BIRD, or BOB-O-LINK. (Dolichonyx oryzirorus, Swainsok. Bonap. Birds, &c. p. 29. Audu- bon, pi. 54. Icterus agripennis, Bonap. Emberiza oryzivora, Wil- son, ii. p. 48. pi. 12. fig. 1. [male in spring dress,] fig. 2. [female.] Philad. Museum, No. C02G.) Spec. Charact. — Tail feathers very acute. — Adult male in spring dress, black ; the hind head yellowish white ; scapulars, rump, and tail coverts, white, tinged with ash. — Female, young, and male, in early autumn and winter dress, varied with brownish black and brownish yellow ; beneath dull yellow. The mule with much more yellow. The whole continent of America, from Labrador to Mexico, and the great Antilles, are the occasional resi- dence of this truly migratory species. About the middle of March, or beginning of April, the cheerful Bob-6-link makes his appearance in the southern extremity of the United States, becoming gradually arrayed in his nuptial 19S OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. livery, and accompanied by troops of his companions, who often precede the arrival of their more tardy mates.* Ac- cording to Richardson it is the beginning of June when they arrive at their farthest boreal station in the 54th de- gree. We observed them in the great western plains to the base of the Rocky Mountains, but not in Oregon. Their wintering resort appears to be rather the West In- dies than the tropical continent, as their migrations are observed to take place generally to the east of Louisiana, where their visits are rare and irregular. t At this season also they make their approaches chiefly by night, obeying, as it were, more distinctly, the mandates of an overruling instinct, which prompts them to seek out their natal re- gions; while in autumn, their progress, by day only, is alone instigated by the natural quest of food. About the 1st of May the meadows of Massachusetts begin to reecho their lively ditty. At this season, in wet places, and by newly ploughed fields, they destroy many insects and their larvre. According to their success in obtaining food, par- ties often delay their final northern movement as late as the middle of May, so that they appear to be in no haste to arrive at their destination at any exact period. The principal business of their lives however, the rearing of their young, does not take place until they have left the parallel of the 40th degree. In the savannahs of Ohio and Michigan, and the cool grassy meadows of New York, Canada, and New England, they fix their abode, and ob- tain a sufficiency of food throughout the summer, without molesting the harvest of the farmer, until the ripening of the latest crops of oats and barley, when, in their autum- nal and changed dress, hardly now known as the same * Bartram's Travels, p. 295. (Ed. London.) | Audubon, Ornithological Bi( gnphy, i. p. Q83. RICE BIRD, OR BOB-O-LINK. 199 species, they sometimes show their taste for plunder, and flock together like the greedy and predatory Black-birds. Although they devour various kinds of insects and worms on their first arrival, 1 have found that their frequent visits among the grassy meadows were often also for the seeds they contain ; and they are particularly fond of those of the Dock and Dandelion, the latter of which is sweet and oily. Later in the season, and previously to leaving their native regions, they feed principally on various kinds of grass seeds, particularly those of the Panicums, which are allied to millet. They also devour crickets and grasshop- pers, as well as beetles and spiders. Their nest is fixed on the ground in a slight depression, usually in a field of meadow grass, either in a dry or moist situation, and con- sists merely of a loose bedding of withered grass, so inar- tificial as scarcely to be distinguishable from the rest of the ground around it. The eggs are 5 or 6, of a dull white, inclining to olive, scattered all over with small spots and touches of lilac brown, with some irregular blotches of dark rufous brown, chiefly disposed towards the larger end. The males, arriving a little earlier than the other sex, now appear very vigorous, lively, and familiar. Many quarrels occur before the mating is settled ; and the fe- males seem at first very coy and retiring. Emulation fires the Bob-6-link at this period, and rival songsters pour out their incessant strains of enlivening music from every fence and orchard tree. The quiet females keep much on the ground, but as soon as they appear, they are pursued by the ardent candidates for their affection, and if either seems to be favored, the rejected suitor is chased off the ground, as soon as he appears, by his more fortunate rival. The song of the male continues with little interruption as long as the female is sitting, and his chant, at all times very '200 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. yr" similar, is both singular and pleasant, £' Often, like the Sky- lark, mounted, and hovering on the wing, at a small height above the field, as he nasspsalong from one tree-top or weed to another, £«• utters such a jingling medley of short variable notes, so confused, rapid, and continuous, that it appears almost like the blending song of several different birds. Maitysof these tones ark very agreeable, but tl ey are delivered witrNsuch rapidity th\t the ear can scarcely separate tllem. Thev general efTect\ho\vever, lil\e all he simple efforts of nature, is good, a\d when several ire chanting for\h in theWme meadowAthe concent is very cheerful, though monotonous, and ^somewhat \quaint. Among the few phrases that can be distinguished, the liquid sound of bob-b-lee, bob-o-link, bol-o-linke , is very distinct, To give an idea of the variable extent of song, / <- and even an imitation, in some measure, of the chromatic tyVU period and air of this familiar and rather favorite resident, Ipljhe boys of this part of New England make him spout among others, the following ludicrous dunning phrase, as he rises and hovers on the wing near his mate, " 'Bob-o- linJc, 'Bob-o-Iink, ' Tom Denny ' Tom Denny. — 'Come pay me the two and six pence you've owed more than a year and a half ago ! — Hshe 'tshe 'tshe, 'tsh 'tsh 'tshe" mo- destly diving at the same instant down into the grass as if to avoid altercation. However puerile this odd phrase may appear, it is quite amusing to find how near it ap- proaches to the time, and expression of the notes, when pronounced in a hurried manner. It would be unwise in the naturalist to hold in contempt any thing, however tri- fling, which might tend to elucidate the simple truth of nature. I therefore give the thing as I find it. This relish for song and merriment, confined wholly to the male, di- minishes as the period of incubation advances, and when the brood begin to flutter around their parents and protec- RICE BIRD, OR BOB-O-LIXK. 201 tors, the song becomes less frequent, the cares of the parents more urgent, and any approach to the secret recess of their helpless family is deplored with urgent and inces- sant cries, as they hover fearfully around the intentional or accidental intruder. They appear sometimes inclined to have a second brood, for which preparation is made while they are yet engaged in rearing the first; but the male gen- erally loses his musical talent about the end of the first week in July ; from which time, his nuptial or pied dress begins gradually to be laid aside for the humble garb of the female. The whole, both young and old, then appear nearly in the same songless livery, uttering only a chink of alarm when surprised in feeding on the grass seeds, or the crops of grain which still remain abroad. When the voice of the Bob-o-link begins to fail, with the progress of the ex- hausting moult, he flits over the fields in a restless manner, and merely utters a broken 'bob'kc, 'bob'lcc, or with his songless mate, at length, a 'weet 'wcct, b'lcct b'leet, and a Xr noisy and disagreeable cackling chirp. At the early dawn of day, while the tuneful talent of the species is yet una- bated, the effect of their awakening and faulterinor voices from a wide expanse of meadows, is singular and grand. The sounds mingle like the noise of a distant torrent, which alternately subsides and rises on the breeze, as the performers awake or relapse into rest; it finally becomes more distinct and tumultuous, till with the opening day it assumes the intelligible character of their ordinary song. The young males, towards the close of July, having nearly acquired their perfect character, utter also in the morning, from the trees which border their favorite marshy meadows, a very agreeable and continuous low warble, more like that of the Yellow-Bird* than the usual song of the spe- * FringUla tristis. 202 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. jty cies ; in fact, they appear now in every respect as Finches, and only become jingling musicians, when robed in their r a pied dress as Icteri. y^V About the middle of August, tfc-etmrrrrn;atin«r number^ >itftrl ilr<*atrr-T7f-ull Tclootivc attachmerrt, vast foraging enter New York and Pennsylvania, on their way to the south. Here, along the shores of the large rivers, lined with floating fields of the Wild Rice,* they find a»- abundant mnnfif nf jsabm&e&fk during their short stay ; and as their flesh, now fat, is little inferior to that of the European Ortolan, the Rccd or Rice Birch, as they are then called in their Sparrow-dress, form a favorite sport for gunners of all descriptions, who turn out on the occa- sion, and commit prodigious havock among the almost ^jgilent«a nd gr eedy ro osting throng, j The markets are then filled with this "a r eTicious game, and the pursuit, both for success and amusement, along the picturesque and reedy shores of the Delaware, and other rivers, is second to none but that of Rail-shooting. As soon as the cool nights of October commence, and as the Wild Rice crops begin to fail, the Reed-birds take their departure from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in their further progress through the Southern States they swarm in the Rice fields, and before the crop is gathered they have already made their appear- ance in the islands of Cuba and Jamaica, where they also feed on the seeds of the Guinea grass, f become so fat as to deserve the name of '-Butter-birds, and are in high esteem for the table. The Rice-Bird is 7£ inches long, and 11 £ in extent. The dress of the male, on arriving, is with the upper part of the head, wings, tail, sides of the neck, and whole lower parts, black ; the feathers fre- quently skirted with brownish yellow, but more particularly so as he * Zizania species. t Sorghum. WESTERN OR PRAIRIE REED BIRDS. 203 puts on the livery of the female ; the back of the head yellowish white ; scapulars, rump, and tail coverts white, and all except the first tinged with ash. Feathers of the tail sharp at the end, (as among the Woodpeckers.) Iris hazel. Bill bluish-black; in the female, young bird, and autumnal male, pale flesh-color. WESTERN or PRAIRIE REED BIRD. (Dolichonyz bicolor, Nobis. Fringilla licolor, Prarre- Finch, Town- send. Aud. pi. 390. [male and female.] Calamospiza bicolor, Bonap. p. 30.) Spec Charact. — Black, with a white patch on the wing, quills and tail feathers margined with white. — Female greyish-brown streaked with dusky, below white spotted with brownish-black, except the abdomen which is nearly spotless ; tail feathers tipped with white on the inner web. In our western tour across the continent, on the 24th of May, soon after crossing the north branch of the Platte, we met with this interesting and very distinct species of Reed Bird. Like the preceding it is gregarious, and the males now associated in flocks with the Cow Birds, uttered a most delightful song. Towards evening we sometimes saw them in all directions around us on the hilly grounds, rising at intervals to some height, hovering and flapping their wings, at the same time singing something like iccct ivect ict 1 wt' wV , notes betwixt the hurried warble of the Bob-6-link, and the melody of the Sky-lark. It is in short one of the sweetest songsters of the prairie, is tame and unsuspicious, the whole employment of the little band being an ardent emulation of song. It feeds upon the ground, and may be seen as remarked by Mr. Townsend, in flocks of sixty to a hundred together. It exclusively in- habits the wide grassy plains of the Platte, as we did not see it to the west of the Black Hills or first range of the Rocky Mountains. 204 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. Length 7 inches. Wing from the flexure about 3 1 inches. Bill greyish-blue. Feet and claws reddish-brown. General color greyish- black ; a large patch of white on the wing including some of the smaller coverts, the tips of the first row, and the secondary coverts : primaries narrowly, and the inner secondaries broadly margined with white, with which most of them are also tipped. Middle tail feathers black. Some of the feathers on the abdomen and the lower tail coverts are also tipped with white. — Female smaller, quills dark brown, edged and tipped with reddish-white, with a patch on the wing of the same tint. Tail dark brown, the outer feathers exter- nally edged, and all tipped with white on the inner web. — Length G£ inches. § 2. Birds related to the Crow. (Coraces.) In these the bill is cultrate, and the edges sharp. The outer toe is also free, and scarcely united at base to the middle one. QUISCALUS. (Vieill.) AMERICAN BLACKBIRDS. With the bill bare, compressed from the base, and entire; the edges sharp, and somewhat bent inwards; the upper mandible carried back so as to form an acute angle on the forehead, curved from the middle, projecting considerably over the lower, and provided with a long keel within. Nostrils oval, half closed by a membrane. The tongue cartilaginous, flattened, torn at the sides, and cleft at the point. The tarsus a little longer than the middle toe, the lateral toes nearly equal, with the inner free, and the outer united at base to the middle one. Wings moderate in length; the first primary equal to the 5th, and but little shorter than the 2d, 3d. and 4th, which are longest. The tail composed of 12 feathers, and more or less rounded. The male black ; female generally brownish. The young differing from the adult. They moult annually, but by the wearing of the tips of the feathers, one species undergoes an additional change like the Starling. They are gregarious, retiring to warmer climates in winter ; usually build socially in trees, and lay about 5 eggs. Their flesh is dark and not esteemed. GREAT CROW-BLACKBIRD. 205 GREAT CROW-BLACKBIRD. (Quiscatits major, Vieill. Bonap. Am. Orn. vol. i. p. 35. pi. 4. fig. 1. [male.] fig. 2. [female.] Aud. pi. 187. Philad. Museum. No. 1582, 1583.) Spec. Charact. — Glossy-black; tail wedge-shaped, reaching very far beyond the wings (nearly 5 inches) ; bony keel (of the upper mandible) small; length 16 inches. — Female light brown, beneath and eye-brows whitish; length 124 inches. This large and Crow-like species, sometimes called the Jackdaw, inhabits the southern maritime parts of the Union only, particularly the states of Georgia and Florida, where they are seen as early as the close of January or beginning of February, but do not begin to pair before March, pre- viously to which season the sexes are seen in separate flocks. But about the latter end of November, they quit even the mild climate of Florida, generally, and seek win- ter quarters probably in the West Indies, where they are known to be numerous, as well as in Mexico, Louisiana, and Texas ; but they do not ever extend their northern migrations as far as the Middle States. Previous to their departure, at the approach of winter, they are seen to as- semble in large flocks, and every morning flights of them, at a great height, are seen moving away to the south. Like most gregarious birds, they are of a very sociable disposition, and are frequently observed to mingle with the common Crow-Blackbirds. They assemble in great num- bers among the sea islands, and neighboring marshes on the main land, where they feed at low water, on the oyster- beds and sand-flats. Like Crows, they are omnivorous, their food consisting of insects, small shell-fish, corn and small grain, so that by turns they may be viewed as the friend or plunderer of the planter. The note of this species is louder than that of the com- 18 200 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. mon kind, according to Audubon resembling a loud shrill whistle, often accompanied by a cry like crick crick crce, and in the breeding season changing almost into a warble. They are only heard to sing in the spring, and their con- cert, though inclining to sadness, is not altogether disa- greeable. Their nests are built in company, on reeds and bushes, in the neighborhood of salt marshes and ponds ; they lay about 3 to 5 eggs which are whitish, blotched and lined nearly all over with dusky olive. They begin to lay about the beginning of April : soon after which the males leave their mates not only with the care of incubation, but with the rearing of the young, moving about in separate flocks, like the Cow Birds, without taking any interest in the fate of their progeny. The general appearance of the male is black ; but the head and neck have bluish-purple reflections; the rest presents shades of steel- blue, excepting the back, rump, and middling wing coverts which are glossed with copper green ; the vent, inferior tail coverts, and thighs are plain black. The tail, wedge-shaped, is nearly 8 inches in length, and like that of the common species, is capable of assuming a boat-shaped appearance. Iris pale yellow. The bill and feet black. The female is of a light dusky brown, with some feeble greenish re- flections, and beneath of a dull brownish white. The young, at first, resemble the female, but have the irids brown, and gradually acquire their appropriate plumage. COMMON CROW-BLACKBIRD. (Qi/iscalas versicolor, Vieill. Audubon, pi. 7. [stealing corn, very spirited and natural] Bonap. Am. Orn. vol ii. p. 4-'. pi. 5. fig. 1. [female.] Gracula quiscala, Lin. Wilson, iii. p. 41. pi. 21. fig. 4. [male].) Spec. Charact. — Glossy -black ; tail wedge -formed, extending far beyond the wings (nearly 3 inches) ; bony keel within the bill large : length about 11£ inches; vertical breadth of the bill at base nearly half an inch. — Female similar to the male, but somewhat less brilliant : length 11 inches. This very common bird is an occasional or constant resident in every part of America, from Hudson's Bay and the northern interior to the great Antilles, within the tropic. In most parts of this wide region they also breed, at least from Nova Scotia to Louisiana, and proba- bly farther south. Into the stales north of Virginia they begin to migrate from the beginning of March to May, 208 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. leaving those countries again in numerous troops about the middle of November. Thus assembled from the north and west in increasing numbers, they wholly overrun, at times, the warmer maritime regions, where they assemble to pass the winter in the company of their well known cousins the Red-winged Troopials or Blackbirds ; for both impelled by the same predatory appetite, and love of com- fortable winter quarters, are often thus accidentally asso- ciated in the plundering and gleaning of the plantations. The amazing numbers in which the present species asso- ciate are almost incredible. Wilson relates that on the 20th of January, a few miles from the banks of the Roan- oke in Virginia, he met with one of those prodigious armies of Blackbirds, which, as he approached, rose from the surrounding fields with a noise like thunder, and de- scending on the stretch of road before him, covered it and the fences completely with black ; rising again, after a few evolutions, they descended on the skirt of a leafless wood, so thick as to give the whole forest, for a considerable extent, the appearance of being shrouded in mourning, the numbers amounting probably to many hundreds of thou- sands. Their notes and screams resembled the distant sound of a mighty cataract, but strangely attuned into a musical cadence, which rose and fell with the fluctuation of the breeze, like the magic harp of /Eolus. Their depredations on the maize crop or Indian corn commence almost with the planting. The infant blades no sooner appear than they are hailed by the greedy Black- bird as the signal for a feast ; and, without hesitation, they descend on the fields, and regale themselves with the sweet and sprouted seed, rejecting and scattering the blades around as an evidence of their mischief and audacity. Again, about the becrinninor of August, while the grain is in the milky state, their attacks are renewed with the most COMMON CROW-BLACKBIRD. 209 destructive effect, as they now assemble as it were in clouds, and pillage the fields to such a degree that in some low and sheltered situations, in the vicinity of rivers, where they delight to roam, one fourth of the crop is devoured by these vexatious visitors. The gun, also, notwithstand- ing the havoc it produces, has little more effect than to chase them from one part of the field to the Other. In the Southern States, in winter, they hover round the corn- cribs in swarms, and boldly peck the hard grain from the cob through the air openings of the magazine. In conse- quence of these reiterated depredations they are detested by the farmer as a pest to his industry ; though, on their arrival their food for a long time consists wholly of those insects which are calculated to do the most essential injury to the crops. They, at this season, frequent swamps and meadows, and familiarly following the furrows of the plow, sweep up all the grub-worms, and other noxious animals, as soon as they appear, even scratching up the loose soil, that nothing of this kind may escape them. Up to the time of harvest, I have uniformly, on dissection, found their food to consist of these larva?, caterpillars, moths, and beetles, of which they devour such numbers, that but for this providential economy, the whole crop of grain, in many places, would probably be destroyed by the time it began to germinate. In winter they collect the mast of the Beech and Oak for food, and may be seen assembled in large bodies in the woods for this purpose. In the spring season the Blackbirds roost in the cedars and pine trees, to which in the evening they retire with friendlv and mutual chatter. On the tallest of these trees, as well as in bushes, they generally build their nests, which work, like all their movements, is commonly performed in society, so that 10 or 15 of them are often seen in the same tree, and sometimes they have been known to thrust their nests 18* 210 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. into the interstices of the Fish-Hawk's eyry, as if for safety and protection. Occasionally they breed in tall poplars near to habitations, and if not molested, continue to resort to the same place for several years in succession. They begin their breeding operations from the commence- ment of April to May. The nest is composed outwardly of mud, mixed with stalks and knotty roots of grass, and lined with fine dry grass and horse-hair. The eggs, usu- ally 5 or 6, are of a dull green like those of the Crow, blotched and spotted with dark olive, more particularly towards the larger end. According to Audubon, the same species in the Southern States nests in the hollows of de- cayed trees, after the manner of the Woodpecker, lining the cavity with grass and mud. They seldom produce more than a single brood in the season. In the autumn, and at the approach of winter, numerous flocks af er for- acr'mc throuoh the day, return from considerable distances to their general roosts among the reeds. On approaching their station, each detachment, as it arrives, in straggling groups like crows, sweeps round the marsh in waving flight, forming circles ; amidst these bodies, the note of the old reconnoitring leader may be heard, and no sooner has he fixed upon the intended spot, than they all descend and take their stations in an instant. At this time they are also frequently accompanied by the Ferruginous species, with which they associate in a friendly manner. The Blackbird is easily tamed, sings in confinement, and may be taught to articulate some few words pretty dis- tinctly. Among the variety of its natural notes, the pecu- liarly affected sibilation of the Starling is heard in the wotfitshce, icottltshcc, and whistle, which often accompanies this note. Their intestines and stomach are frequently infested by long, cylindric, tapering worms, which probably increase sometimes in such numbers as to destroy the bird. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 211 The male is 12 inches long, and 18 in alar extent. The prevailing black color of the body is relieved by glossy reflections ef steel blue, dark violet and green ; the violet is most conspicuous on the head and breast, and the green on the hind part of the neck. The back, rump, and whole lower parts, with the exception of the breast, reflect a cupreous gloss. The wing-coverts, secondaries, and coverts of the tail, are light violet, with much of the red ; the rest of the wings and rounded tail are black, with a steel-blue gloss. Iris silvery. — The female is rather less, but very similar in color, and glossy parti-colored reflections. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. (Quiscalus ferruginous, Bonap. Aud. pi. 157. Gracula ferruginea Wilson, iii. p. 41. pi. 21. fig. 3. [male, in the spring]. Scolccophogus ferrugineus. Swains. Bonap. p. 28. Philad Museum. No. 5514.) Sp. Charact. — Glossy-black, tail rounded ; the length about 9 inches ; vertical breadth of the bill at base about £ of an inch : — Female nearly equal to the male, head, neck, and breast ferruginous- brown ; the belly and rump ash color. — Young with the feathers edged with ferruginous. This species, less frequent than the preceding, is often associated with it, or with the Red-winged Troopial or the Cow-pen Bird, and, according to the season, they are found throughout America, from Hudson's Bay to Flori- da and westward to the Pacific ocean. Early in April, according to Wilson, they pass hastily through Pennsyl- vania, on their return to the north to breed. In the month of March he observed them on the banks of the Ohio, near Kentucky river, during a snow storm. They arrive in the vicinity of Hudson's Bay about the beginning of May, and feed much in the manner of the common Crow- Blackbird on insects, which they find on or near the ground. Dr. Richardson saw them in the winter as far as the latitude of i>'& J , and in summer they range to the 212 OMNIVEROUS BIRDS. 68th parallel or to the extremity of the wooded region. They sing in the pairing season, but become nearly silent while rearing their young; though when their brood re- lease them from care they again resume their lay, and may occasionally be heard until the approach of winter. Their song is quite as agreeable and musical as that of the Starling, and greatly surpasses that of any of the other species. I have heard them singing until the mid- dle of October. They are said to build in trees, and bushes at no great distance from the ground, making a nest similar to the other species, and lay 5 eggs, of a pale blue spotted with black. The young and old, now assembling in laro-e troops, retire from the northern regions in September. From the beginning of October to the middle of Novem- ber, they are seen in flocks through the Eastern States. During their stay in this vicinity, they assemble towards night to roost in or round the reed marshes of Fresh Pond, near Cambridge. Sometimes they select the willows by the water for their lodging, in preference to the reeds, which they give up to their companions the Crow-Black- birds. Early in October they feed chiefly on grasshoppers and berries, and at a later period pay a transient visit to the corn-fields. They pass the winter in the Southern States, and like their darker relatives, make familiar visits to the barn-yard and corn-cribs. Wilson remarks, that they are easily domesticated, and in a kw days become quite familiar, being reconciled to any quarters while supplied with plenty of food. The male is about 9 inches in length; and 14 in alar extent; black, glossed with dark green ; with the tail somewhat rounded ; Iris silvery. — The female is of about the same size with the male, and the young of" the first season, of both sexes, are nearly of the same color. crows 213 CORVUS. (Lix.) CROWS. In these the bill is thick, straight at the base, curved towards the point, and compressed and edged at the sides. Nostrils at the base of the bill, open, and hidden in advancing hairs. The feet have 3 toes before, and one behind, almost entirely divided to their base ; the tarsus longer than the middle toe. The icings sharp-pointed ; the 1st primary short; the 3d and 4th, longest. The tail of 12 feathers. These birds appear to have the sense of smell very perfect. Sus- picious to excess they instinctively avoid all sorts of snares ; they have also the cunning and caprice, to take and hide things which are useless to them. They can be rendered amusing domestics ; may be taught to articulate words, and to obey the voice of their master. All kinds of nourishment is acceptable to them; and they sometimes commit great waste, which they compensate in a measure, by the destruction they make of the larvae of insects. The larger species occasionally prey on small birds, and most of them have a great ap- petite for eggs. They moult once a year. The sexes are scarcely distinguishable from each other, and the young, after castino- their first feathers resemble the adult. They travel and unite always in bands; and are spread over the whole globe. . * THE RAVEN. (Corrus coraz, Lin. Wilson, ix. p. 113. pi. 75. fig. 3. Aun. pi. 101. C. Catotl? Wagler. Bonap. p. 23. Philad. Museum, No. 175.) Sp. Charact. — Black; back glossed with bluish puple; tail rounded extending far beyond the wings: 3d primary longest; (length about 26 inches.) The sable Raven has been observed and described from the earliest times, and is a resident of almost every coun- try in the world; but is more particularly abundant in the western than the eastern parts of the United States, where it extends along the Oregon to the shores of the Pacific. This ominous bird has been generally despised and feared by the superstitious, even more than the noc- RAVEN. 215 turnal Owl, though he prowls abroad in open day. He may be considered as holding a relation to the birds of prey, feeding not only on carrion, but, occasionally seizing on weakly lambs, young hares, or rabbits, and seems in- deed to give a preference to animal food ; but, at the same time, he is able to live on all kinds of fruits and grain, as well as insects, earth-worms, even dead fish, and in addi- tion to all, is particularly fond of eggs, so that no animal seems more truly omnivorous than the Raven. If we take into consideration his indiscriminating vo- racity, sombre livery, discordant croaking cry, with his ignoble, wild, and funereal aspect, we need not be sur- prised, that in times of ignorance and error, he should have been so generally regarded as an object of disgust and fear. He stood preeminent in the list of sinister birds, or those whose only premonition was the announcing of misfortunes; and, strange to tell, there are many people yet in Europe, even in this enlightened age, who tremble and become uneasy at the sound of his harmless croaking. According to Adair, the southern aborigines also invoke the Raven for those who are sick, mimicking his voice; and the natives of the Missouri, assuming black as their emblem of war, decorate themselves, on those occasions, with the plumes of this dark bird. But all the knowledge of the future, or interest in destiny, possessed by the Ra- ven, like that of other inhabitants of the air, is bounded by an instinctive feeling of the changes which are about to happen in the atmosphere, and which he has the faculty of announcing by certain cries and actions produced by these external impressions. In the southern provinces of Sweden, as Linnaeus remarks, when the sky is serene, the Raven Hies very high, and utters a hollow sound, like the word clong, which is heard to a great distance. Some- times he has been seen in the midst of a thunder storm, 21G OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. with the electric fire streaming from the extremity of his bill,* a natural, though extraordinary phenomenon, suffi- cient to terrify the superstitious, and to stamp the harmless subject of it with the imaginary traits and attributes of a demon. In ancient times when divination made a part of reli- gion, the Raven, though a bad prophet, was yet a very interesting bird ; for the passion for prying into future events, even the most dark and sorrowful, is an original propensity of human nature ; accordingly, all the actions of this sombre bird, all the circumstances of its flight, and all the different intonations of its discordant voice, of which no less than 04 were remarked, had each of them an appropriate signification ; and there were never wanting impostors to procure this pretended intelligence, nor people simple enough to credit it. Some even went so far as to impose upon themselves, by devouring the heart and entrails of the disgusting Raven, in the strange hope of thus appropriating its supposed gift of proph- ecy. f The Raven indeed not only possesses a great many nat- ural inflections of voice corresponding to its various feel- ings, but it has also a talent for imitating the cries of other animals, and even mimicking language. According to Buffon, colas is a word which he pronounces with pecu- liar facility. Connecting circumstances with his wants, Scaliger heard one, which when hungry, learnt very dis- tinctly to call upon Conrad the cook. The first of these words bears a great resemblance to one of the ordinary cries of this species, Jcowallah, koicallah. Besides posses- sing, in some measure, the faculty of imitating human * Scala Xaturalis, apud Aldrovand. torn. i. page 704. f Porphyr. De abstinendo ab animant. Lib. ii. HAVEN. 217 speech, they are at times, capable of manifesting a durable attachment to their keeper, and become familiar about the house. Pliny speaks of the Raven being tamed, and taught to chase like the Falcon ; and Scaliger affirms, that Louis the Twelfth had one that was trained to attack the Partridge. Albert saw another at Naples, which not only caught Partridges and Pheasants, but birds of its own spe- cies ; when urged by the presence of the Falconer. The sense of smell, or rather that of sight, is very acute in the Raven, so that he discerns the carrion, on which he often feeds, at a great distance. Thucydides even attributes to him the sagacity of avoiding to feed on animals which had died of the plague. Pliny relates a singular piece of in- genuity employed by this bird to quench his thirst ; he had observed water near the bottom of a narrow necked vase, to obtain which, he is said to have thrown in pebbles, one at a time, until the pile elevated the water within his reach. Nor does this trait, singular as it is, appear to be much more sagacious than that of carrying up nuts and shell-fish into the air, and dropping them on rocks, for the purpose of breaking them to obtain their contents, otherwise be- yond his reach ; facts observed by men of credit, and re- corded as an instinct of the Raven, by Pennant and La- tham. It is however, seldom that this bird, any more than the rapacious kinds, feels an inclination for drinking, as their thirst is usually quenched by the blood and juices of their prey. The Ravens are also more social than the birds of prey, which arises from the promiscuous nature and consequent abundance of their food, which allows a greater number to subsist together in the same place, with out being urged to the stern necessity of solitude or famine, a condition to which the true rapacious birds are always driven. The habits of this species are much more generally harmless, than is usually imagined ; thev are use- 19 218 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. ful to the farmer in the destruction they make of moles and mice, and are often very well contented with insects and earth-worms. Though spread over the whole world, they are rarely ever birds of passage, enduring the winters even of the arctic circle,* or the warmth of Mexico, St. Domingo, and Madagascar.! They are particularly attached to the rocky eyries where they have been bred and paired. Through- out the year they are observed together in nearly equal numbers, and they never entirely abandon this adopted home. If they descend into the plain, it is to collect sub- sistence; but they resort to the low grounds more in winter than summer, as they avoid the heat and dislike to wander from their cool retreats. They never roost in the woods like Crows ; and have sufficient sagacity to choose in their rocky retreats a situation defended from the winds of the north, commonly under the natural vault formed by an extending ledge or cavity of the rock. Here they retire during the night in companies of 15 to 20. They perch upon the bushes which grow straggling in the clefts of the rocks ; but they form their nests in the rocky crevices, or in the holes of the mouldering walls, at the summits of ruined towers ; and sometimes upon the high branches of large and solitary trees. After they have paired, their fidelity appears to continue through life. The male ex- presses his attachment by a particular strain of croaking, and they are often observed caressing, by approaching their bills, with as much semblance of affection as the truest turtle doves. In temperate climates, the Raven be- gins to lay in the months of February or March. The eggs are 5 or G, of a pale muddy bluish-green, marked with numerous spots and lines of dark olive-brown. She * Richardson, in Parry's Voyage. t See Flacourt. RAVEN. 219 sits about 20 days, and during this time the male takes care to provide her with abundance of nourishment. Indeed, from the quantity of grain, nuts, and fruits, which have been found at this time in the environs of the nest, this supply would appear to be a store laid up for future occa- sions. Whatever may be their forethought regarding food, they have a well known propensity to hide things which come within their reach, though useless to themselves, and appear to give a preference to pieces of metal, or any thing which has a brilliant appearance. At Erfurt, one of these birds had the patience to carry and hide, one by one, un- der a stone in the garden, a quantity of small pieces of money, which amounted, when discovered, to 5 or G flo- rins; and there are few countries which cannot afford similar instances of their domestic thefts. Of the perseverance of the Raven in the act of incuba- tion, Mr. White has related the following remarkable anec- dote : In the centre of a grove near Selborne, there stood a tall and shapeless oak, which bulged out into a large excrescence near the middle of the stem. On this tree a pair of Ravens had fixed their residence for such a series of years, that the oak was distinguished by the title of "The Raven Tree." Many were the attempts of the neighboring youths to get at this nest; the difficulty whetted their inclinations, and each was ambitious of accomplishing the arduous task ; but when they arrived at the swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and was so far beyond their grasp, that the boldest lads were deterred, and acknowledged the undertaking to be too hazardous. Thus the Ravens continued to build, and rear their young in security, until the fatal day on which the wood was to be levelled. This was in the month of February, when these birds usually begin to sit. The saw was applied to the trunk, the wedges were driven, the woods echoed 220 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. to the heavy blows of the beetle or mallet, and the tree nodded to its fall ; but still the devoted Raven sat on. At last, when it gave way, she was flung from her ancient eyry ; and, a victim to parental affection, was whipped down by the twigs, and brought lifeless to the ground. The young, at first more white than black, are fed by food previously prepared in the craw of the mother, and then disgorged by the bill, nearly in the manner of pigeons. The male, at this time, doubly vigilant and industrious, not only provides for, but defends his family vigorously from every hostile attack, and shows a particular enmity to the Kite, when he appears in his neighborhood, pouncing upon him and striking with his bill, until sometimes both antagonists descend to the ground. The young are long and affectionately fed by the parents, and though they soon leave the nest, they remain, perching on the neighboring rocks, yet unable to make any extensive flight, and pass the time in continual complaining cries, till the approach of the parent with food, when their note changes into craw, craw, craw. Now and then, as they gain strength, they make efforts to fly, and then return to their rocky roost. About 15 days after leaving the nest, they become so well prepared for flight as to accompany the parents out on their excursions from morning to night: and it is amus- ing to watch the progress of this affectionate association, the young continuing the whole summer to go out with the old in the morning, and as regularly return with them again in the evening, so that however we may despise the appetite of the Raven, we cannot but admire the instinc- tive morality of his nature. Like birds of prey, the Ravens reject from the stomach, by the bill, the hard and indigestible parts of their food, as the stones of fruit, and the bones of small fish which they sometimes eat. crow. 221 The Raven is remarkable also for his longevity, being known to live more than a century. Although closely re- lated to the tribes of smaller birds, with which he is very properly associated, yet he may still be considered as hold- ing the place also of an additional link in the order of nature between the two preceding tribes of rapacious birds, namely, the Vultures and Hawks. The color of the Raven is a fine black, relieved with purple reflec- tions above ; tail black and much rounded. Bill strong, and, as well as the feet, black. The iris with 2 circles, greyish white, and cinere- ous brown. The female is a little smaller. It varies sometimes to total whiteness, or is of a yellowish white. Occasionally some parts of the body are white, and others black or rufous. THE CROW. (Corpus Jtmericanus, Aid. pi. 15G. Corvus corone, Lin. Wilson, iv. p. 79. pi. 35, fig. 3. Phil. Museum, No. 124b'.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Black and glossy, with violet-colored reflections ; feathers of the neck broad and rounded ; the tail rounded, extending but little beyond the wings ; the feathers of the tail acute ; the 4th primary longest, with the 1st equal to the 9th. [Length 16£ inches.] The Crow, like the Raven, which it greatly resembles, is a denizen of nearly the whole world. They are found even in New Holland, and the Philippine Islands; but are rare in Sweden, where the Raven abounds. They are also common in Siberia, and plentiful in the arctic deserts be- yond the Lena. The native Crow is a constant and troublesomely abund- ant resident in most of the settled districts of North America, as well as an inhabitant of the Western wilds throughout the Rocky Mountains, to the banks of the Oregon and the shores of the Pacific. They only retire 19* 222 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. into the forests in the breeding season, which takes place from March to May. At this time they are dispersed through the woods in pairs, and roost in the neighborhood of the spot which they have selected for their nest ; and the conjugal union, once formed, continues for life. They are now very noisy and vigilant against any intrusion on their purpose, and at times appear influenced by mutual jealousy, but never proceed to any violence. The tree they select is generally lofty, and preference seems often given to some dark and concealing evergreen. The nest is formed externally of small twigs, coarsely interlaced to- gether, plastered and matted with earth, moss, and long horse-hair, and thickly and carefully lined with large quan- tities of the last material, wool, or the finest fibres of roots, so as to form a very comfortable bed for the helpless and naked young. The eggs are 4 to 6, of a pale and dirty green, marked with numerous blotches and streaks of blackish brown or olive. The male at this season is extremely watchful, recon- noitring the neighborhood, and giving an alarm as any person happens to approach towards their nest, when both retire to a distance till the intruder disappears ; and in order the better to conceal their brood, they remain un- commonly silent, until these are in a situation to follow them on the wing. The male also carries food to his mate while confined to her eggs, and at times relieves her by sitting in her absence. In Europe, when the Raven, the Buzzard, or the Kestril makes his appearance, the pair join instantly in the attack, and sometimes, by dint of furi- ous blows, destroy their enemy ; yet the Butcher-bird, more alert and courageous, not only resists, but often van- quishes the Crows, and carries off their young. Like the Ravens, endued with an unrestrained and natural affection, they continue the whole succeeding summer to succor and crow. 223 accompany their offspring in all their undertakings and excursions. The Crow is equally omnivorous with the Raven; in- sects, worms, carrion, fish, grain, fruits, and in short every thing digestible by any or all the birds in existence, being alike acceptable to this gormandizing animal. His de- struction of bird-eggs is also very considerable. In Eu- rope they are often detected feeding their voracious young with the precious eggs of the Partridge, which they very sagaciously convey by carefully piercing and sticking them expertly on the bill. They also know how to break nuts and shell-fish by dropping them from a great height upon the rocks below. They visit even the snares and devour the birds which they find caught, attacking the weak and wounded game. They also sometimes seize on young chickens and ducks, and have even been observed to pounce upon pigeons, in the manner of hawks, and with almost equal success. So familiar and audacious are they in some parts of the Levant, that they will frequent the courts of houses, and like harpies alight boldly on the dishes, as the servants are conveying in the dinner, and carry off the meat, if not driven away by blows. In turn however the Crow finds enemies too powerful for him to conquer, such as the Kite and Eagle Owl, who occasionally make a meal of this carrion bird, a voracious propensity which the Vir- ginian Owl also sometimes exhibits towards the same spe- cies. Wherever the Crow appears, the smaller birds take the alarm, and vent upon him their just suspicions and reproaches. But it is only the redoubtable King-bird who has courage for the attack, beginning the onset by pursu- ing and diving on his back from above, and harassing the plunderer with such \iolence, that he is generally glad to get out of the way and forego his piratical visit ; in short, a single pair of these courageous and quarrelsome birds 224 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. are sufficient to clear the Crows from an extensive corn- field. The most serious mischief, of which the Crow is guilty, is that of pillaging the maize field, lie commences at the planting-time, by picking up and rooting out the sprouting grain, and in the autumn, when it becomes ripe, whole flocks, now assembled at their roosting-places, blacken the neighboring fields as soon as they get into motion, and do extensive damage at every visit, from the excessive numbers who now rush to the inviting feast. Their rendezvous, or roosting-places, are the resort in autumn of all the Crows and their families for many miles round. The blackening silent train continues to arrive for more than an hour before sunset, and some still strag- gle on until dark. They never arrive in dense flocks, but always in long lines, each falling into the file as he sees opportunity. This gregarious inclination is common to many birds in the autumn, which associate only in pairs in the summer. The forests and groves, stripped of their agreeable and protecting verdure, seem no longer safe and pleasant to the feathered nations. Exposed to the birds of prey, which daily augment in numbers ; penetrated by the chilling blasts, which sweep without control through the naked branches, the birds, now impelled by an overruling instinct, seek in congregated numbers some general, safer, and more commodious retreat. Islands of reeds, dark and solitary thickets, and neglected swamps, are the situations chosen for their general diurnal retreats and roosts. Swal- lows, Black-birds, Rice-birds, and Crows seem always to prefer the low shelter of reed-flats. On the river Dela- ware, in Pennsylvania, there are two of these remarkable Crow-roosts. The one mentioned by Wilson is an island near Newcastle, called the Pea-Patch, a low, flat, alluvial spot, just elevated above high-water mark, and thickly cov- crow. 225 ered with reeds, on which the Crows alight and take shel- ter for the night. Whether this roost be now occupied by these birds or not, I cannot pretend to say, but in Decem- ber, 1829, 1 had occasion to observe their arrival on Reedy Island, just above the commencement of the bay of that river, in vast numbers ; and as the wind wafted any beating vessel towards the shore, they rose in a cloud, and filled the air with clamor. Indeed, their vigilant and restless cawing continued till after dark. Creatures of mere instinct, they foresee no perils beyond their actual vision, and thus, when they least expect it, are sometimes swept away by an unexpected destruction. Some years ago, during the prevalence of a sudden and violent northeast storm, accompanied by heavy rains, the Pea Patch island was wholly inundated in the night, and the unfortunate Crows, dormant and bewildered, made no attempts to escape, and were drowned by thousands, so that their bodies blackened the shores the following day for several miles in extent. The Crow, like many other birds, becomes injurious and formidable only in the gregarious season. At other times they live so scattered, and are so shy and caulious, that they are but seldom seen. But their armies, like all other great and terrific assemblies, have the power, in limited districts, of doing very sensible mischief to the agricultural interests of the community ; and in conse- quence, the poor Crow, notwithstanding his obvious ser- vices in the destruction of a vast host of insects and their larva?, is proscribed as a felon in all civilized countries, and, with the wolves, panthers, and foxes, a price is put upon his head. In consequence, various means of ensnar- ing the outlaw have been had recourse to. Of the gun he is extremely cautious, and suspects its appearance at the first glance, perceiving with ready sagacity the wily man- 2*20 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. ner of the fowler. So fearful and suspicious are they of human artifices, that a mere line stretched round a field is often found sufficient to deter these wily birds from a visit to the corn-field. Against poison he is not so guarded, and sometimes corn steeped in hellebore is given him, which creates giddiness and death. According to Buffon, pieces of paper in the form of a hollow cone, smeared in- side with bird-lime, and containing bits of raw meat, have been employed. In attempting to gain the bait, the dupe becomes instantly hood-winked, and, as the safest course out of the way of danger, the Crow flies directly upwards to a great height, but becoming fatigued with the exertion, he generally descends pretty near to the place from which he started, and is then easily taken. Another curious method, related by the same author, is that of pinning a live Crow to the ground by the wings, stretched out on his back, and retained in this posture by two sharp, forked sticks. In this situation, his loud cries attract other Crows, who come sweeping down to the pros- trate prisoner, and are grappled in his claws. In this way each successive prisoner may be made the innocent means of capturing his companion. The reeds in which they roost, when dry enough, are sometimes set on fire also to procure their destruction ; and, to add to the fatality pro- duced by the flames, gunners are also stationed round to destroy those that attempt to escape by flight. In severe winters they suffer occasionally from famine and cold, and fall sometimes dead in the fields. According to Wilson, in one of these severe seasons, more than GOO Crows were shot on the carcass of a dead horse, which was placed at a proper shooting distance from a stable. The premiums obtained for these, and the price procured for the quills, produced to the farmer nearly the value of the horse when living, besides affording feathers sufficient to fill a bed ! risH enow. :4'z t The Crow is easily raised and domesticated, and soon learns to distinguish the different members of the family with which he is associated. He screams at the approach of a stranger : learns to open the door by alighting on the latch; attends regularly at meal times; is very noisy and loquacious ; imitates the sound of various words which he hears; is very thievish, given to hiding curiosities in holes and crevices, and is very fond of carrying off pieces of metal, corn, bread, and food of all kinds ; he is also par- ticularly attached to the society of his master, and recol- lects him sometimes after a long absence. It is commonly believed and asserted in some parts of this country, that the Crows engage at times in general combat ; but it has never been ascertained whether this hostility arises from civil discord, or the opposition of tiro different species, contesting for some exclusive privilege of subsistincr-around. It is well known that Rooks often con- tend with each other, and drive away, by every persecuting means, individuals who arrive among them from any other rookery. The Crow is much smaller than the Raven, and is of a deep black with violet reflections. The bill and feet are also black. The iris hazel. (The European bird is 20 inches, or nearly, and has the feath- ers of the neck narrow and distinct.) The female is smaller, and the reflections of the plumage are less lively. It varies sometimes to yellowish or greyish white, and occasionally the plumage is more or less varied with white feathers. Sometimes one part or other of the body will be white or rufous grey. THE FISH CROW. , Corpus ossifragus, Wn.sov, v. p. 27. pi. 37. fig. 2. Aud. pi. 14G. Philad. Museum, No. 1369.) Spec. Charact. — Glossy black, with violet reflections; the chin na- ked ; tail slightly rounded, extending more than an inch beyond the folded wings; the 4th primary longest; the 1st much shorter than the 0th; (length 1G inches.) 228 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. Wilson was the first to observe the distinctive traits of this smaller and peculiar American species of Crow along the sea-coast of Georgia. It is met with as far north as the coast of New Jersey, and although we did not see them in the western interior of the continent, they are common on the banks of the Oregon, where they were nesting in the month of April. It keeps apart from the common species, and instead of assembling to roost among the reeds at night, retires, towards evening, from the shores which afford it a subsistence, and perches in the neighbor- ing woods. Its notes, probably various, are at times hoarse and guttural, at others weaker and higher. They pass most part of their time near rivers, hovering over the stream to catch up dead and perhaps living fish, or other animal matters which float within their reach ; at these they dive with considerable celerity, and seizing them in their claws, convey them to an adjoining tree, and devour the fruits of their predatory industry at leisure. They also snatch up water-lizards in the same manner, and feed upon small crabs ; at times they are seen even contending with the Gulls for their prey. It is amusing to see with what steady watchfulness they hover over the water in search of their precarious food, having, in fact, all the traits of the Gull ; but they subsist more on accidental supplies, than by any regular system of fishing. On land they have sometimes all the familiarity of the Magpy, hopping upon the backs of cattle, in whose company they, no doubt, occasionally meet with a supply of insects when other sources fail. They are also regular in their attendance on the fishermen of New Jersey for the purpose of gleaning up the refuse of the fish. They are less shy and suspicious than the common Crow, and, showing no inclination for plundering the corn-fields, are rather friends than enemies to the farmer. They appear near Philadelphia, from the middle of FISH CROW. 229 March to the beginning of June, during the season of the shad and herring fishery. They breed in New Jersey in tall trees, having nests and eggs very similar to those of the preceding species, and rear a brood of 4 or 5 young, with whom they are seen in company in the month of July. The Fishing Crow is 1G inches long, and 33 in alar extent. The chin is often bare of feathers around the base of the lower mandible. The eye very small. Irids dark hazel. Claws black, sharp, and long, the hind one largest. Male and female much alike. This species bears some resemblance to the Rook in general ap- pearance, and by the bare space near the bill, but it is smaller, longer tailed, and wholly different in its habits and mode of living. The gregarious character of the Rook is very remarkable ; more than a dozen nests may be counted in the same tree, and some scores are seen in the same vicinity. They very seldom remove from the places thus chosen, and if a straggling pair attempt to intrude into the rook- ery, as they are apt to do from their instinctive dislike of solitude, severe contests ensue. In the year 1783, a pair of these birds, driven from settling in the general resort in the neighborhood of the ex- change at Newcastle, took refuge, at length, on the spiie of that building, and though still interrupted by the neighboring Rooks, they contrived to fix their nest on the top of the vane, and undisturbed by the noise of the populace below, they reared their young, who, with the nest and its owners, were turned about by every change of the wind. They returned and continued to refit the nest for 10 succes- sive years, until the taking down of the spire put an end to their aerial castle. PICA. (Briss.) MAGPIES. The feathers of the head not erectile. The tail very long and wedge-shaped. The general color of these birds is black and white, sometimes variegated, also wholly dark. They advance by leaps instead of steps ; and have usu- ally a low and short flight. 20 MAGPIE. (Pica mdanolcuca, Aud. pi. 357. Cor r us pica, Lin. Wilson, iv. p. 75. pi. 35. fig. 2. Pica Hudsonica, Boxap. C. Hudsonica, Sabine.) Spec. Charact. — Of a deep velvety black ; the belly, primaries on the inner web, and scapulars white ; the tail about 10 inches long, greenish black with bronzed reflections. Tins bird is much more common in Europe than in America, being confined in this country to the northern regions, and to the plains and table lands or steppes of the Rocky Mountains west of the Mississippi. Thence they continue to the banks of the Columbia, and on the oppo- site side of northern and temperate Asia, are found in Kamschatka, Japan, and China. They are sometimes met with as far down the Missouri as Boonsborough in the se- verity of winter, driven from the western wilderness, only by the imperious calls of hunger. In summer they are so rare, even in the Missouri territory, that from March to October, and from St. Louis to the trading-house at the MAGPIE. 231 Mandans, a distance by the river of 1600 miles, a party of near 70 men, attended by constant hunters, never met with a single Pie, nor were any appearances of their nests any where visible. 1100 miles up the Arkansa, and more than 1000 up Red River, countries which I visited in summer, never presented a specimen of this otherwise familiar and roving bird. The season of incubation with the American Pies, so different from their familiar habits in the old con- tinent, is passed, no doubt, in the wooded recesses of the Rocky Mountains, which abound with berries and acorns, and with small birds and their eggs. They are known to make so great a destruction among the eggs of Grouse, Pheasants, Partridges, and even among young chickens, in many parts of Europe, as to be proscribed by law, and de- stroyed for the premium justly set on their heads. The absence of food and shelter for their nests in summer, suit- able for the Magpie, on the vast prairies of the Arkansas and Missouri, particularly in the dry deserts at the base of the Rocky Mountains, will probably continue as a perpet- ual barrier to the eastern migrations of this mischievous species, whose means of flight and travelling are still more circumscribed than those of the common Crow. They consequently experience annually, in the terrible vicissi- tudes of climate incident to the countries they inhabit, like the Esquimaux of the arctic regions, either a feast or a famine, and are rendered so bold and voracious by want, that in the vicinity of the northern Andes, towards New Mexico, Colonel Pike was visited by them in the month of December, in latitude 41°, while the thermome- ter was at the dreadful line of 17° below zero, on the scale of Reaumur. They now assembled round the mis- erable party in great numbers for the purpose of picking the sore backs of their perishing horses, and, like the Vul- ture of Prometheus, they did not await the death of the 232 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. subjects they tormented, but fed upon them still living, till their flesh was raw and bleeding. They were so bold and familiar as to alight on the men's arms, and eat flesh out of their hands.* To the party of Lewis and Clark the Magpies were also very familiar and voracious, so that they penetrated into their tents, and without ceremony, like the Harpies of Virgil, snatched the meat even from the dishes, pre- ferring the chance of any death to that of hunger. They where also frequent attendants on the hunters, and while these were engaged in dressing and skinning their game, the Pies would venture to seize the meat suspended within a foot or two of their heads. Impelled by hunger, this species does not refuse to feed on carrion, but their usual familiar visits to the backs of cattle have a beneficial tendency, as they rid them of the larvae which burrow and nestle in the skin ; they also eat various kinds of grain, acorns, seeds, fruits, and other vegetable substances, and are greedy of worms, and in- sects of all kinds. In our tour across the continent, we first met with the Magpie, on the 15th of July, on the borders of Lewis's river of the Shoshonee. Mostly accompanied by the Ra- j-en, but there were scarcely any Crows. The young birds were so familiar and greedy, (approaching the encamp- ment in quest of food) as to be easily taken by the Indian boys, when they soon become reconciled to savage domes- ticity. The old birds were sufficiently shy, but the young continued hopping and croaking around us, and tugging at any offal thrown out, like so many vultures. Differing so far from the prescribed and persecuted Pies of Europe, these, at least the young, seemed evidently to court the * Pike's Journal, p, 170. MAGPIE. 233 advantages of society in supplying them with food, and betrayed scarcely any alarm on our approach. If chased off for an instant, they returned the next, and their monotonous and gluttonous croak was heard around us at ail hours of the day. The dryness of the season, and the scarcity of insects and small birds, urged them, no doubt to this unusual familiarity with their doubtful friend and frequent enemy, man. By the borders of streams in the central table land of the Rocky mountains, in several places we saw the old nests of the Magpie, made in low but thick bushes, in the usual manner, barricaded over and floored with interlaced twigs. We scarcely ever saw them at all in the heavy forests of the Oregon, any more than on the Platte, and Missouri, in all which places they are merely accidental visitors. They are not uncommon, how- ever, in the vicinity of Monterey in California. Their common call is, pay pay , and the usual low social chatter when approaching their companions. I one day observed a small flock, and among them heard one chattering famil- iarly in the varied tune of the Cat-bird, as he sat on a bough by the water, where small birds might become his prey. At another time I observed a flock of young Pies boldly pursuing other birds, and chasing even Pigeon Hawks. The Pie is also easily domesticated, and taught to imi- tate the human voice, articulating words with distinctness and emphasis. One which I saw, thus familiarized, was very fond of accosting passengers by what 1 what? what? and hea.ing the inmates where he dwelt energetically pro- nounce oaths, he became an adept at profane language. Heis readily accustomed to the sight of man, being very familiar in the house, of which, in time, he makes him- self the master; not fearing even the cats, with whom he 20* 234 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. has been known to live securely, and even pass upon them various tricks. He is extremely restless, active, and capricious on the ground, over which he leaps with antic gait, and con- tinues briskly moving his tail in different directions; he is also very mischievous, and given to mocking and imitat- ing all he sees and hears. His common prate is, like that of the Crow, but, besides his imitations of speech, he will sometimes counterfeit the lowing of the calf, the bleating of the goat, the sheep, and even the flageolet of the shepherd. One has been heard to imitate the flour- ish of a trumpet ; and Willughby saw several that could pronounce whole phrases. Like the Crow, the Pie has the habit of stealing and hiding provisions or pieces of money, which it performs with so much art, that they are often difficult to be found. It is pretended by hunters, that the Pie has a knowledge of arithmetic up to 5, so that when from 2 to that number of men entered a hut near the nest, it would not venture into it, while 2, 3, or 4 of the 5 came out, and only lost count when the experiment was made with 6. Cunning and precaution indeed prevail in all the ac- tions of the Pie, and are in nothing more evident than in the construction of his nest, which is situated either in a large tree, or a high and close bush on the edge of the forest or the orchard, and often in the tall hedge-row near the cottage. Both sexes unite in the necessary labor, and begin by fortifying it externally with flexible twigs, fil- ling in towards the bottom pieces of turf and clay ; it is then wholly covered with a canopy or defence formed with small thorny branches, well interlaced together, and leaving an entrance only in the best defended and least accessible side. Internally the nest is covered with a thick layer of well-wrought clay; this is then lined with a MAGPIE. 235 mass of pliable root fibres neatly interlaced together, which is in reality the true nest or bed for the tender young, and is only about 6 inches in diameter, while the whole of the defensive outworks give a diameter of at least 2 feet, The eggs are 3 to 6 in number, rather long, and of a whitish green, spotted with cinereous grey, and olive brown. Near Portsoy, in Scotland, a pair of Magpies for several succeeding years built their nest, and brought up their young in a gooseberry bush ; and the more securely to defend this lowly mansion, they encircled the bush with briars and thorns in such a manner, that no sort of enemy but man could gain access to it. They annually repaired and fortified their dwelling in each succeeding spring with strong thorny twigs, sometimes so large that the pair jointly employed their force, dragging, at either end, a stick that they were unable to lift from the ground. The Pies also defend their nest and young with great courage from the approach of the Crow, or even the Fal- con and Eagle, and are said occasionally to carry off the eggs, if the nest be too curiously observed. As might have been anticipated from his sagacity, the Pie has been considered as a messenger of fate in the north of Europe, and I have myself, when a boy, been often delighted or vexed, by the augural destiny of their appearance in cer- tain lucky or unlucky numbers. The antiquity of this su- perstition, still in existence, goes back probably to the time of the Romans. This species is 18 to 19 inches in length. The feathers of the tail are of very unequal lengths. The bill, iris, and feet are black. The secondaries purplish blue. The Pie varies sometimes to pure white, with a reddish iris, being then an albino. Sometimes the whole plum- age is variegated with tints of rufous grey, or black. Occasionally, according to Buffon, it occurs wholly black. 236 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE. (Pica Nvttattii, Acd. Orn. Biog. v. 4. p. 450. pi. 3G"2. Boxap. Birds of Europe and Amer. p. 27.) Spec Ckaract. — Bill and a bare space beneath and behind the eye yellow ; feathers of the tail rather narrow ; the rest as in the com- mon Magpie. As we proceed to the south in upper California, around the village of Santa Barbara, we find the Common Magpie substituted by this remarkable species, which is much more shy and cautious, as well as more generally insectiv- orous. It utters, however, nearly if not quite the same chatter. In the month of April they were every where mated, and had nearly completed their nests in the ever- green oaks of the vicinity (Qucrcus agrifoUa.) The only one I saw was situated on a rather high tree, towards the summit, and much concealed among the branches. Their call was p ait, p ait ; and on approaching each other, a low congratulatory chatter was heard. After being fired at once, it seemed nearly impossible again to approach them within gun-shot. When alighted in the thick oaks, they remained for a considerable time silent, and sometimes even wholly hide themselves; but after a while the call of recognition was renewed, and if the pair then met, they would often fly off a mile or more, without stopping, in quest of food. We often saw them on the ground, but never near the offal of the oxen, so attractive to the Crows and Ravens around. Length to the end of the tail 18 inches, wing from the flexure 7| inches long. The form, proportion, and colors quite similar to those of the Magpie. — Figured by Audubon on a branch of the Platanus *raccmosus, lanuginous, with the leaves deeply cleft, and the fruit in pendulous racemes, 3 or 4 on a filiform stalk. Found in the vicinity of Santa Barbara. bullock's magpie. 237 BULLOCK'S MAGPIE. (Pica BulLocki, Nobis. Garrulvs Bullochi, Wagler. Audubon, pi. 96. Gurrula gubernatrix, Temminck. Cijanurus Bullocki, Bonap. p. 27.) Spec. Charact. — Bright blue ; with a lofty crest of separate plumes • capistrum, throat, and breast black ; belly whitish ; tail-feathers largely tipped with white, except the 4 upper, which are longer, the 2 central ones curved, and nearly twice the length of the laterals. Of this large and magnificent species, scarcely any tiling is, as yet, known, but the splendid figure in Audu- bon's unparalleled work. It is not uncommon in Mexico, and the individual figured by Audubon was said to be ob- tained on the banks of the Columbia river. Mr. Town- send and myself, however, never met with it in any part of that territory; nor have I seen it in upper California. The size appears to be equal to that of a Raven, and the bright blue, graduated, fan-like tail, with 2 of the central feath- ers extended far beyond the rest, appears more like the train of some tropical Parrot, than a near relation to the common Crow. Length 31 inches. The crest formed of long and distinct feathers; region round the eyes, throat, and upper part of the breast, black ; 3d and 4th primaries longest; the 1st very short. Tail very long. Bill and legs brownish black. Inner webs of the quills dusky, and no stripes on any part. GARRULUS. (Briss.) JAYS. With the bill rather short and straight ; the upper man- dible somewhat inflected at tip ; the lower keeled. Feath- ers of the head capable of being erected at will. The wings not extending to the tip of the tail. The colors »00 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. usually brilliant, frequently with more or less of blue, or of the still brighter colors of the Roller (Corracias.) They are noisy and inquisitive ; like the Pies, progress by leaps, and with them, have a low and unprotracted Hight. BLUE JAY. (Garrulus cristatus, Aid. pi 102. Corvus cristatus, Lin t . Wilson, i. p. 11. pi. 1. fig. 1. Cyanocorax cristatus, Boie. Bon t ap. p. 27.) Spec. Charact. — Crested, and blue ; beneath whitish with a black collar; the wing-coverts transversely barred with black; the tail wedge-shaped. This elegant and common species is met with in the in- terior, from the remote north-western regions near Peace BLUE JAY. 239 river in the 54th to the 56th degree, Lake Winnipique in the 49th degree ; the eastern steppes of the Rocky Moun- tains, and southwestward to the banks of the Arkansa, also along the Atlantic regions from the confines of Newfound- land to the peninsula of Florida, and the shores of the Gulph of Mexico. The Blue Jay is a constant inhabitant both of the wood- ed wilderness and the vicinity of the settled farm, though more familiar at the approach of winter and early in spring, than at any other season. These wanderings or limited migrations are induced by necessity alone ; his hoards of grain, nuts, and acorns, either have failed, or are forgotten ; for, like other misers, he is more assiduous to amass, than to expend or enjoy his stores, and the fruits of his labors very frequently either devolve to the rats or squirrels, or accidentally assist in the replanting of the forest. His visits at this time are not unfrequent in the garden and orchard, and his usual petulant address, of djdy, jay, jay, and other harsh and trumpeting articula- tions, soon make his retreat known to all in his neighbor- hood. So habitual is this sentinel cry of alarm, and so expressive, that all the birds within call, as well as other wild animals, are instantly on the alert, so that the fowler and hunter become generally disappointed of their game by this his garrulous and noisy propensity ; he is therefore, for his petulance, frequently killed without pity or profit, as his flesh, though eaten, has but little to recommend it. His more complaisant notes, when undisturbed, though guttural and echoing, are by no means unpleasant, and fall in harmoniously with the cadence of the feathered choris- ters around him, so as to form a finishing part to the general music of the grove. His accents of blandishment, when influenced by the softer passions, are low and musi- cal, so as to be scarcely heard beyond the thick branches 240 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. where he sits concealed ; but, as soon as discovered, he bursts out into notes of rage and reproach, accompanying his voice by jerks and actions of temerity and defiance. Indeed the Jay of Europe, with whom our beau agrees entirely in habits, is so irascible and violent in his move- ments, as sometimes to strangle himself in the narrow fork of a branch from which he has been found suspended.* Like the European species, he also exhibits a great antipa- thy to the Owl, and by his loud and savage vociferation soon brings together a noisy troop of all the busy birds in the neighborhood. To this garrulous attack the night wanderer has no reply, but a threatening stare of indif- ference ; and, as soon as opportunity offers, he quietly slips from his slandering company. Advantage, in some coun- tries, is taken of this dislike for the purpose of catching birds ; thus the Owl being let out of a box, sometimes makes a hoot, which instantly assembles a motley group, who are then caught by liming the neighboring twigs on which they perch. In this gossip the Jay and Crow are always sure to take part, if within sight or hearing of the call, and are thus caught or destroyed at will. The com- mon Jay is even fond of imitating the harsh voice of the Owl and the noisy Kestril. I have also heard the Blue Jay mock with a taunting accent the he 00, Ice oo, or quailing of the Red-Shouldered Hawk. Wilson likewise heard him take singular satisfaction in teasing and mocking the little American Sparrow Hawk,f and imposing upon him by the pretendedpmints of a wounded bird, in w several would appe?r to join, until their sport sometl ended in sudden consternation, by the Hawk, justly enough, pouncing on one of them as his legitimate and devoted prey. See Gesner dcAvibus, p. 702. f Falco Sparverias. ^tinrcs BLUE JAY. 241 His talent for mimickry when domesticated, is likewise so far capable of improvement, as to enable him to imitate human speech, articulating words with some distinctness ; and on hearing voices, like a parrot, he would endeavor to contribute his important share to the tumult. Bewick remarks of the common Jay of Europe, that he heard one so exactly counterfeit the action of a saw, that though on a Sunday, he could scarcely be persuaded but that some carpenter was at work. Another, unfortunately, rendered himself a serious nuisance by learning to hound a cur dog upon the domestic cattle, whistling and calling him by name, so that at length a serious accident occurring in consequence, the poor Jay was proscribed. The Blue Jay becomes also, like the Crow and Magpie, a very mischiev- ous purloiner of every thing he is capable of conveying away and hiding. One which I have seen in a state of domestication, be- haved with all the quietness and modest humility of Wil- son's caged bird with a petulant companion. He seldom used his voice, came in to lodge in the house at night in any corner where he was little observed, but unfortunately perished by an accident before the completion of his edu- cation, or the proper developement of his intellect. The favorite food of this species is chesnuts, acorns, and Indian corn or maize, the latter of which he breaks before swallowing. He also feeds occasionally on the larger insects and caterpillars, as well as orchard fruits, particularly cherries, and does not even refuse the humble fane" of potatoes. In times of scarcity he falls upon car- rion, and has been known to venture into the barn, through accidental openings; when, as if sensible of the danger of purloining, he is active and silent, and if surprised, post- poning his garrulity, he retreats with noiseless precipita- tion, and with all the cowardice of a thief. The worst 21 242 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. trait of his appetite, however, is his relish for the eggs of other birds, in quest of which he may frequently be seen prowling, and with a savage cruelty he sometimes also de- vours the callow young, spreading the plaint of sorrow and alarm wherever he flits. The whole neighboring commu- nity of little birds, assembled at the cry of distress, some- times, however, succeed in driving off the ruthless plun- derer, who, not always content with the young, has been seen to attack the old, though with dubious success ; but to the gallant and quarrelsome King-bird, he submits like a coward, and driven to seek shelter, even on the ground, from the repeated blows of his antagonist, sneaks off, well contented to save his life. The Blue Jay often builds his nest in the cedar, and sometimes on an orchard tree, displaying little art in its construction, forming it of twigs and other coarse mate- rials, and lining it with the fibres of roots. The eggs, about 5, are of a dull olive, and spotted with brown. He is particularly cautious to make his visits to the spot as silent and secret as possible. Although a few of these birds are seen with us nearly through the winter, numbers, no doubt, make predatory excursions to milder regions, so that they appear somewhat abundant at this season in the Southern States ; yet they are known to rear their young from Canada, to South Carolina, so that their migrations, may be nothing more than journeys from the high-lands towards the warmer and more productive sea-coast, or eastern frontier. The Jay is 11 inches in length. The crest is pale blue. A narrow line of black runs along the frontlet, rising on each side higher than the eye, but not extending over it. A collar of black passes down so as to form a crescent on the breast. Back and upper parts of the neck of a fine light purple, in which blue predominates. Chin, cheeks, throat, and belly, white, with some blue, except in the last. Greater winor-coverts rich blue. Coverts and secondaries barred with steller's jay. 243 crescents of black, and tipt with white. Tail of 12 feathers, long, and wedged, of a glossy bright blue, marked at small intervals with transverse curves of black, each feather, except the 2 middle darker ones, being tipt with white. Breast and sides under the wings, grey- ish white, tinged with vinaceous. Mouth, tongue, bill, legs, and claws black. Iris hazel. STELLER'S JAY. (Garrulus Stdlcri, Aud. pi. 362. fig. 2. Corvus Stelleri, Pall. Gmelin. Boxap. Am. Orn. ii. p. 44. pi. 13. fig. 1. Cyanocorax Stdlcri, Bonap. p. 27.) Spec. Charact. — Crested; blue; head and neck blackish; secon- daries and tail-feathers slightly banded with black, tail rounded. We first observed this bird in our Western route in the Blue Mountains of the Oregon, east of Walla-Walla. Here they were scarce and shy, but we met them in suffi- cient abundance in the majestic pine forests of the Colum- bia, where, in autumn, their ioud and trumpeting clangor was heard at all hours of the day, calling out cljay, djay, and sometimes chattering and uttering a variety of other notes very similar to those of the common Blue Jay. They are, however, far more bold, irritable, and familiar. Watchful as dogs, a stranger no sooner shows himself in their vicinity, than they neglect all other employment to come round, follow, peep at and scold him, sometimes with such pertinacity and irritability as to provoke the sportsman, intent on other game, to level his gun against them in mere retaliation. At other times, stimu- lated by curiosity, they will follow you in perfect silence, until something arouses their ready ire, when the djay, djay, pay pay, is poured upon you without intermis- sion, till you are beyond their view. So intent are they on vociferating, that it is not uncommon to hear them 244 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. busily scolding even while engaged with a large acorn in the mouth. Of their geographical limits we are yet uncertain. They were first found by Steller at Nootka ; but they scarcely extend into Upper California, and hardly as far to the east as the most western of the true Rocky Mountain chains. A specimen, perhaps a straggler has however been collected in the table land of Mexico. They feed on insects, acorns, and the seeds of the gigantic pines which form a belt along the Pacific and the rivers of the Oregon Terri- tory. In the month of May, I found a nest of this species in a small sapling of Douglas's Fir, on the borders of a dark and dense forest, and again some time after, a second nest with young, in an elevated branch of the same species of pine, on the border of a rocky cliff. On approaching the nest, which contained 4 eggs, of a pale green color, with small olive-brown specks, varied with others inclining to a violet hue, both the male and female flew at me with the utmost anger and agitation, deafening me almost with their cries and entreaties. But though I took only two of their eggs, I found next day that they had forsaken the nest, being too fearful and jealous of the intrusion to remain any longer in the same place. The nest, as usual, was bulky, made of interlaced twigs and roots, with a stout layer of mud, and lined with black root fibres. I saw the nest about 10 days previous to the time of taking two of the four eggs ; and on that occasion the female (probably) only followed and eyed me in silence. This species is more than 12 inches long. The crest, head, and neck deep brownish black ; the feathers on either side the front tipped with azure ; neck and upper part of the back lighter brown than the head, lower part of the back becoming light blue, as well as the rump and upper tail-coverts. Below, from the neck, blue. 4th, 5th, and ULTRAMARINE JAY. 245 Cth primaries nearly equal and longest ; outer wing-coverts and secon- daries blue, crossed with blackish lines. Wings blue, the secondary coverts and quills rich indigo and ultra-marine, narrowly barred with black. Tail slightly rounded, 5£ inches long, of a deep glossy azure, with faint traces of dusky bars. Bill and feet black. ULTRAMARINE JAY. (Garrulus ultramarinus, Aud. 4. p. 456. pi. 362. f. 3. Garrulus sordi- us, Swains. Cyanocorax ultramarinus, Bonap. p. 27.) Spec. ChaPvACT. — Not crested ; bright azure blue ; the back brown- ish ; beneath whitish-grey ; tail long and cuneate ; front blue ; vent white. Early in October, on arriving in the forests of the Columbia, near Fort Vancouver, an establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company, we saw in the same situations with Steller's Jay the present species. Its habits are much like those of the Common Jay. It usually flies out to the tops of the lofty pines, jerks its tail and perches playfully on some extreme branch, where it utters at times, as if excited by petulant anger, a strong wlwit, woit, icott, woit, after which expression it emits a sort of recognition-call at short intervals, twee, and sometimes a shorter 'ticce 'ticce. When much pursued, it sits still in the concealing shade of the lofty branches on which it seeks refuge. It feeds on insects, acorns broken up, and probably pine seeds. They appear to associate in roving families throughout the fall and winter, like the other species, seldom if ever associa- ting with the more common Steller's Jay, though now and then perhaps in the same tree. It is a graceful, active, and rather shy bird, flying out straight from tree to tree, remarkable by its long tail and rather short wings; and its note is much less harsh and loud than that of Steller's Jay. 21* 246 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. They breed in the dark pine woods, probably where we so frequently saw them alight, and on the loth of June they were feeding their fully fledged young, two of which I pursued for some time, but they sculked so effectually as to escape me after a long and doubtful chase. The young had a predominance of grey on the back. The same spe- cies also extends into Upper California. This species is very nearly allied to the Florida Jay but it is larger, of a deeper blue in the adult male, with the front deep blue and the rump nearly quite white. It also inhabits a far more temperate region, being found at least to Frazer's river and probably nearly, if not quite as far to the north as Steller's Jay, though it migrates somewhat south at the ap- proach of winter. Length 12 inches. Above light clear blue, deeper on the head; back light greyish-brown, rump whitish ; quills dusky, the oth long- est ; tail long and graduated, appearing faintly barred. A narrow white band over the eye ; the fore-neck white, streaked with dusky, and bounded below by a broadish, rather interrupted semilunar band of dark blue, continuous with that of the neck. Below purplish-grey, white on the abdomen ; lower tail coverts white, scarcely tinged with blue. [Adult male.] Cabinet of the Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. FLORIDA JAY. (Garndus floridantis, Boxaf. Am. Orn. ii. p. 50. pi. 14. fig. 1. Corvus floridanus, Bartram. Audubon, pi. 87. Orn. Biog. i. p. 444.) Spec. Charact. — Not crested ; bright azure blue ; front white; the back brownish; beneath whitish-grey; tail wedge-shaped. Tins elegant species is, as far as yet known, almost wholly confined to the interior of the mild peninsula of East Florida. In a tour through the lower parts of Geor- gia and AVest Florida, protracted to the middle of March, FLORIDA JAY. 247 I saw none of these birds, and at the approach of winter, they even retire to the south of St. Augustine, as Mr. Ord did not meet with this Jay until about the middle of Feb- ruary ; from that time, however they were seen daily, flying low, and hopping through the luxuriant thickets, or peep- ing from the dark branches of the live-oaks, which adorn the outlet of the St. Juan. They appear to possess the usual propensities of their tribe, being quarrelsome, active, and garrulous. Their voice is less harsh than that of the common Blue Jay, and they have a variety of notes, some of which, probably imitations, are said to have a resem- blance to the song of the Thrush, and the call of the common Jay. According to Audubon, the nest of this species is form- ed of a few dry sticks, so slightly interwoven as readily to admit the light through their interstices. It is then lined with fibrous roots. The eggs, 4 to 6, are of a light olive, marked with irregular blackish dashes. They raise only a single brood in the season. Their food is very similar to that of the other species, namely, berries, fruits, mast, and insects; it likewise collects snails from the marshy grounds, feeds largely on the seeds of the sword palmetto; and, in the manner of the Titmouse, it secures its food between its feet, and breaks it into pieces previous to swallowing. Like other species of the genus, it destroys the eggs and young of small birds, dispatching the latter by repeated blows on the head. It is also easily reconciled to the cage, and feeds on fresh or dried fruits, and various kinds of nuts. Their attempts at mimickry in this state are very imperfect. The length of this species is about 11 h inches, and nearly 14 in alar extent. Head, neck above, and on the sides, with the wings and tail, bright azure. Front and line over the eyes bluish white. Black yellowish brown, with some blue on the rump; upper tail-cov- 24S OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. erts azure. Inner vanes and tips of the quills dusky. .Below pale yellowish grey. From the cheeks and sides of the neck, the blue passes down along the breast, and forms a sort of collar. The wings scarcely extended beyond the coverts of the tail, which is partly wedge- shaped and about 5£ inches long. The tail feathers indistinctly bar- red. The 1st primary as short as the secondaries, the 3d and 4th rather the longest. Feet and bill black. Iris hazel brown. — Female perfectly similar with the male, but a little less. CANADA JAY. (Garrulus canadensis, Swains, and Richards. Fauna Boreali. Amer. pi. ii. p. 295. Aud. pi. 107. Perisoreus canadensis, Bonap. p. 27, [adult]. Garrulus brachyrlujncJius, Swains, and Rich. North. Zool. 2. p. 296. pi. 55. [young] Corvus canadensis, Lin. Wilson, iii. p. 33. pi. 21. fig. 1.) Sp. Charact. — Brownish grey; hind-head and nape black; fore- head, collar, beneath, and tip of the tail brownish-white ; tail wedge-shaped. This species, with the intrusive habits and plain plum- age of the Pie, is almost wholly confined to the north- ern regions of America, being met with around Hudson's bay, but becoming rare near the St Lawrence, and in winter only straggling along the coast as far as Nova Scotia. Westward, occasionally driven by the severity of the weather and failure of food, they make their ap- pearance in small parties in the interior of Maine, and northern parts of Vermont; where, according to Audubon, they are frequently known to breed. They also descend in- to the state of New York as far as the town of Hudson, and the banks of the Mohawk. In the month of May I observ- ed a wandering brood of these birds, old and young on the shady borders of the Wahlamet in the Oregon territory, where they had probably been bred. They descended to FLORIDA JAY. 2-19 the ground near a spring in quest of insects and small shells. According to Mr. Hutchins, like the Pie, when near the habitations and tents of the inhabitants and natives, it is given to pilfering every thing within reach, and is some- times so bold as to venture into the tents, and snatch the meat from the dishes, even whether fresh or salt. It has also the mischievous sagacity of watching the hunters set their traps for the Martin, from which it purloins the bait. Its appetite, like that of the Crow, appears omnivorous. It feeds on worms, various insects, and their larvae, and on flesh of different kinds; lays up stores of berries in hollow trees for winter; and, at times, with the Rein-deer, is driven to the necessity of feeding on Lichens. The severe winters of the deserts he inhabits, urges him to seek sup- port in the vicinity of habitations. Like the common Jay, at this season, he leaves his native woods to make excur- sions after food, trying every means for subsistence ; and, tamed by hunger, he seeks boldly the society of men and animals. They are such praters as to be considered Mocking-birds, and perhaps superstitiously dreaded by the aborigines. They commonly fly in pairs or rove in small families, are no way difficult to approach, and keep up a kind of friendly chattering, sometimes repeating their notes for a quarter of an hour at a time, immediately before snow or falling weather. When caught, they seldom long survive, though they never neglect their food. Like most of their genus, they breed early in the spring, building their nests, which are formed of twigs and grass in the Pine trees. They lay 4 to G light greyish eggs, faintly marked with brown spots. The young brood, at first, are perfect Crows, or nearly quite black, and continue so for some time. According to Richardson this inelegant but familiar bird 250 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. inhabits all the woody districts of the remote fur countries from the 65th parallel to Canada, and now and then in se- vere winters extends its desultory migrations within the northern limits of the United States. Scarcely has the winter traveller in those cold regions chosen a suitable place of repose in the forest, cleared away the snow, light- ed his fire, and prepared his tent, when the Whiskey-Jack insidiously pays him a visit, and boldly descends into the social circle to pick up any crumbs of frozen fish, or mor- sels of dry meat that may have escaped the mouths of the weary and hungry sledge-dogs. This confidence is almost the only recommendation of our familiar intruder. There is nothing pleasing in his voice, plumage or attitudes. But this dark sinister dwarf of the north is now the only inhabitant of those silent and trackless forests, and trust- ing from necessity in the forbearance of man, he fearlessly approaches, and craves his allowed pittance from the wan- dering stranger who visits his dreary domain. At the fur posts and fishing stations he is also a steady attendant, be- coming so tamed in the winter by the terrible inclemency of the climate as to eat tamely from the offered hand; yet, at the same time, wild and indomitable under this garb of humility, he seldom survives long in confinement, and pines away with the loss of his accustomed liberty. It hops with activity from branch to branch, but when at rest, sits with its head drawn in, and with its plumage loose. The voice of this inelegant bird is plaintive and squeaking, though it occasionally makes a low chattering, especially when its food appears in view. Like our Blue Jay it has the habit of hoarding berries, morsels of meat, &c. in the hollows of trees, or beneath their bark. These magazines prove useful in winter, and enable it to rear its hardy brood even before the disappearance of the snow from the ground, and long before any other bird indige- NUT-CRACKERS. 251 nous to those climates. Its nest is concealed with such care that but few of the natives have ever seen it. The Canada Jay is 11 inches in length, and 15 in extent. The tail is long and cuneiform. Interior vanes of the wings brown, and also partly tipped with white ; plumage of the head loose and prom- inent. The drab of the under parts extends so as to form a sort of collar round the neck. The bill and legs black. Irids dark hazel. The sexes appear alike in color. Note. This species is nearly allied to the Mocking Jay of Siberia (Corvus infaustus), and the two appear to form a gradual passage from the proper Crows to the Nut-crackers (jXucifraga of Brisson.) NUCIFRAGA. (Briss.) NUT-CRACKERS. With the bill thick, stout, and straight, compressed at the sides, convex above, obtuse at the somewhat projecting extremity ; nostrils rounded, hidden by close setaceous feathers; tarsus scutellated ; 3d and 4th quills longest; tail rounded of 12 feathers. Besides the present there is one other species in Europe, which lives upon fruits, nuts, acorns, pine-seeds, and insects. It has also the habit of hiding and losing its food like the Jay ; and dwells by choice in solitary mountainous districts, chiefly in pine forests, but does not penetrate farther north than the southern extremity of Sweden. Oc- casionally, when food fails, they descend for a short time to the plains, where they are taken in all kinds of snares, and destroyed without mercy by the proprietors of the forests, in consequence of their mischievous habit of hacking and boring the trunks of the trees, probably in quest of insects. They are said also to make their nests in the holes of trees; and to be even more noisy and garrulous than the Magpie. AMERICAN NUT-CRACKER. (Mtcifraga Columbiana, Aid. vol. 4. pi. 36*2. Corvus Columbianus, Wilson, iii. p. 20. pi. 20. fig. 2. Phil. Museum, No. 1371. Cabinet of Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.) Spec Charact.— Brownish-grey ; wings and 2 middle tail feathers bluish shining black ; the secondaries white at the summits ; outer tail feathers white. 352 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. In our journey westward in the month of July, we first observed this curious bird in a small pine grove, on the borders of Bear River, which falls into the lake of Timpanagos, in the high table land of the Rocky Moun- tains, about 7000 feet above the level of the sea, and about the parallel of 42 degrees. In this mild season they were in all probability breeding ; and it is curious to ob- serve how completely their habits and predilections agree with their European prototype. We again saw a consid- erable flock of the young birds early in August, in a lofty ravine, near the summit of the ' Three Butes,' or isolated and very remarkable mountains, about 30 or 40 miles west of Lewis's river, of the Shoshonee. They appeared some- what shy, and were scattered through a grove of aspens, flying with a slight chatter, scarcely a caw, from the tops of the bushes and trees, to the ground, probably in quest of insect food. We never saw this species either on the lower plains or even the forests of the Oregon, or in any part of upper California. In fact, it appears never to de- scend below the mountain plains, and as Mr. Townsend remarks, has a constant predilection for the pine forests. My friend Mr. T., found the species afterwards on the Blue Mountains of the Oregon, in plenty ; he likewise re- marks, that its flight is very unlike that of the Crow, being performed by jerks, in the manner of the Woodpecker. At times, when sitting, it keeps up a constant scream in a very harsh and grating voice, and in an unvaried and rather prolonged tone. He also remarks that it breeds in the very high pine trees. Length about 12 inches; wing from the flexure near upon 8 in- ches ; bill along the ridge J| inches, the tip flattened and obtuse (ap- parently well suited for digging.) Toes and claws stout and large* No distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible ; 4th quill longest. Tail rounded, of moderate length. — Bill and feet brownish. TITMICE. 253 black. Iris hazel. Above and below light brownish-grey, forehead, throat, fore part of the cheeks, and a space round the eye white, tinged with yellow. Wings black, glossed with blue. Tail pure white, excepting the 2 middle feathers, and the greater part of the webs of the next pair, which are black ; lower tail coverts white. Family. — PARING. TITS. The bill short, stout, straight, compressed, conic and pointed. Nostrils, towards the base of the bill, half closed by a membrane, and covered by small incumbent feathers. The feet rather robust ; legs naked ; the outer toes united, at least at the base ; hind toe and nail longest. Tail of 12 feathers. These are lively and active little birds, living in woods and on trees, frequently suspending themselves by the claws to the under side of the branches, and climbing up or down. They feed much on insects, and sometimes on fruits and seeds ; they breed chiefly in the holes of decayed trees ; a few build very artful nests ; they have many eggs. The voice is rather unpleasant. PARUS. (Lin.) TITS. Bill short, straight, strong, conic, compressed, entire, edged and pointed, having bristles at the base; the upper mandible longer, rounded above, and slightly curved. The nostrils, at the base of the bill, rounded, and concealed by the advancing feathers. The tongue blunt and cleft, or entire and acute. Feet rather large, the toes almost wholly divided ; the nail of the hind toe strongest, and most curv- ed. Wings, the first primary of moderate length, or very short; the 2d much shorter than the 3d; the 4th and 5th are longest. — The female and young diner little from the adult. They moult annually ; and their plumage is long and slender. These are familiar, active, and restless birds, of a peev- 22 254 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. ish and courageous disposition, and great enemies to in- sects. They move by short and sudden leaps and flights from branch to branch, suspending themselves readily in all attitudes. They live in families, in woods or marshes, and approach gardens and orchards during autumn and winter. They are strictly omnivorous, feeding on grain, fruits, insects and their larvce, which they dislodge from every retreat, and in this pursuit sometimes injure, in some degree the buds of trees. They perforate seed-vessels, hard seeds, and even nuts and almonds, to obtain their contents; they likewise feed on flesh, and are fond of fat. Sometimes they carry their depredations so far as to pur- sue and attack sickly birds, even of their own species, commencing, like Jays, by piercing the skull, and devour- ing the brain. They are of a quarrelsome disposition, and often attack larger birds, killing the weaker, and are very resolute in defence of their young. They breed once a year, lay many eggs, in some species even 18 or 20. Their voice is commonly unpleasant, and their chatter monotonous. Their flesh is scarcely better than that of the Rook or Crow. They are readily tamed, and may be fed with cheese, nuts, and oily seeds. They inhabit all climates, except that of South America. In many respects (as justly observed by the Prince of Musignano) they ap- proach the character and manners of the Jays. TUFTED TITMOUSE. (Parus bicolor, L., Wilson, i. p. 137. pi. 8. fig. 5. Audubon,' pi. 39. Orn. Biog. i. p. 199. Philad. Museum, No. 73C4.) Spec. Charact. — Crested ; dark bluish ash-color ; beneath whitish; flanks tinged with yellowish-brown ; front black. From the geographic limits of this species, as it occurs to me, I am inclined to believe, that the bird seen in Greenland may be different from the present; as it scarcely appears to exist north beyond the states of Pennsylvania, or New York. They are seldom, if ever, seen or heard in this part of Massachusetts, and instead of being more abundant to the north, as believed by Wilson, they are probably not known there at all. In the southern States, 250 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. at least in winter and spring, they are very common, and present all the usual habits and notes of the genus. The numbers which I saw in the Southern States, from Janua- ry to March, would seem to indicate a migratory habit; but whether they had arrived from the northeast, or from the great forests of the west, could not be conjec- tured. The Pcto, as I may call this bird from one of his char- acteristic notes, and the Carolina Wren, were my constant and amusing companions during the winter, as I passed through the dreary solitudes of the Southern States. The sprightliness, caprice, and varied musical talent of this species are quite interesting, and more peculiarly so, when nearly all the other vocal tenants of the forest are either absent or silent, To hear, in the middle of January, when, at least, the leafless trees and dark cloudy skies re- mind us of the coldest season, the lively, cheering, varied pipe of this active and hardy bird, is particularly gratify- ing ; and, though his voice on paper, may appear to pre- sent only a list of quaint articulations, yet the delicacy, energy, pathos, and variety of his simple song, like many other things in nature, are far beyond the feeble power of description ; and if in these rude graphic outlines of the inimitable music of birds, I am able to draw a caricature sufficient to indicate the individual performer, I shall have attained all the object to be hoped for in an attempt at na- tural delineation. The notes of the Peto generally partake of the high, echoing, clear tone of the Baltimore Bird. Among his more extraordinary expressions, I was struck with the call of 'whip~tdm-lcilty lcilly, and now and then 'whip torn Tally, with occasionally some variation in the tone and expres- sion, which was very lively and agreeable. The middle syllable (torn) was pronounced in a hollow reverberating TUFTED TITMOUSE. 257 tone. In a few minutes after the subject and its variations were finished, in the estimation of the musical performer, he suddenly twisted himself round the branch on which he had sat, with a variety of odd and fantastic motions ; and then, in a lower, hoarser, harsh voice, and in a peevish tone, exactly like that of the Jay and the Chickadee, went day-day -day-day, and day -day -day -day -ddlt ; sometimes this loud note changed into one which became low and querulous. On some of these occasions he also called 'tshica dee-dee. The jarring call would then change occa- sionally into kai-tce-did did-dit-did. These peevish notes would often be uttered in anger at being approached ; and then again would perhaps be answered by some neighbor- ing rival, against whom they appeared levelled in taunt and ridicule, being accompanied by extravagant gestures. Later in the season, in February, when in the lower part of Alabama the mild influence of spring began already to be felt, our favorite, as he gaily pursued the busy tribe of insects, now his principal food, called, as he vaulted rest- lessly from branch to branch, in an echoing rapid voice, at short intervals, peto-peto-pcto-peto. This tender call of recognition was at length answered, and continued at in- tervals for a minute or two; they then changed their quick call into a slower peto peto peto ; and now the natural note passed into the plaintive key, sounding like que-ah que-ah ; then in the same breath a jarring note like that of the Cat-bird, and in part like the sound made by put- ting the lower lip to the upper teeth, and calling 'tsh 1 vah, 'tsh' vah. After this the call of kcrry-kcrry-kcrry-kcrry struck up with an echoing sound, heightened by the hol- low bank of the river whence it proceeded. At length, more delicately than at first, in an under tone, you hear anew, and in a tender accent, peto peto peto. In the ca- price and humor of our performer, tied by no rules but 253 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. those of momentary feeling, the expression will perhaps change into a slow and full pcct-pcct-a-pcet-a-pcct , then a low and very rapid ker-ker-ker-ker-ker-kerry, sometimes so quick as almost to resemble the rattle of a watchman. At another time, his morning song commences like the gentle whispers of an aerial spirit, and then becoming high and clear like the voice of the nightingale, he cries kecva hetva Iceeva kceva, but soon falling into the querulous, the doy- day-day-day-day-dait of the Chicadee, terminates his per- formance. Imitative, as well as inventive, I have heard the Peto also sing something like the lively chatter of the Swallow, leta-leta-leta-letalit, and then vary into peto-peto- peto-peto-pcto extremely quick. Unlike the warblers, our cheerful Peto has no trill, or any other notes than these simple, playful, or pathetic calls ; yet the compass of voice and the tone in which they are uttered, their capricious variety and their general effect, at the season of the year when they are heard, are quite as pleasing to the contem- plative observer, as the more exquisite notes of the sum- mer songsters of the verdant forest. The sound of 'wkip-tom-kelly, which I heard this bird utter, on the 17th of January, 1830, near Barnwell, in South Carolina, is very remarkable, and leads me to sup- pose that the species is also an inhabitant of the West India islands, where Sloane attributes this note to the Red- eyed Fly-catcher, but it is now known to be the note of a tropical species, the vireo longirostris, and which our bird had probably heard and mimicked in its distant clime. The Peto, besides insects, like the Jay, to which he is allied, chops up acorns, cracks nuts and hard and shelly seeds to get at their contents, holding them meanwhile in his feet. He also searches and pecks decayed trees and their bark with considerable energy and industry in quest of larvae ; he often also enters into hollow trunks, prying TUFTED TITMOUSE. 259 after the same objects. In these holes they commonly roost in winter, and occupy the same secure situations, or the holes of the small Woodpecker, for depositing and hatching their eggs, which takes place early in April or in May, according to the different parts of the Union they happen to inhabit. Sometimes they dig out a cavity for themselves with much labor, and always line the hollow with a variety of warm materials.* Their eggs, about 6 to 8, are white, with a few small specks of brownish-red near the larger end. The whole family, young and old, may be seen hunting together throughout the summer and winter, and keeping up a continued mutual chatter. According to the observations of Wilson, it soon be- comes familiar in confinement, and readily makes its way out of a wicker cage by repeated blows at the twigs. It may be fed on hemp-seed, cherry-stones, apple-pippins, and hickory-nuts, broken and thrown in to it. In its natural state, like the rest of its vicious congeners, it sometimes destroys small birds by blows on the skull. f This species is 6£ inches long, and in the stretch of the wings. Above, dark bluish-ash ; the front black tinged with reddish. Be- neath sullied white, except the sides under the wings, which are pale reddish-brown. Legs and feet greyish blue. Bill black. Iris hazel. The crest high and pointed, like that of the common Blue Jay. Tail slightly forked. Tips of the wings dusky. Tongue blunt ending in 4 sharp points. Female very similar to the male. * Audubon, Orn. Biog. vol. i. p. 200. f Ibid. CHICADEE, or BLACK-CAPT TITMOUSE. (Parus atrlcapillus, Li>\ "Wilson, i. p. 134. pi. 8. fig. 4. Philad. Mu- seum, Xo. 73S0. Aid. pi. 353. fig. 3, 4.) Spec. Charact. — Not crested; grey, tinged with brown; the head above and ridge of the neck as well as the throat pure black ; cheeks white ; beneath brownish- white ; tail 2 inches long; length 5^ inches. — In the female the black is less deep, and less apparent on the throat. This familiar, hardy, and restless little bird chiefly in- habits the Northern and Middle States, as well as Canada in which it is even resident in winter around Hudson's Bay, and has been met with at G2° on the North-west Coast. In all the Northern and Middle States, during autumn and winter, families of these birds are seen chat- tering and roving through the woods, busily engaged in gleaning their multifarious food, along with the preceding species, Nuthatches, and Creepers, the whole forming a busy, active, and noisy group, whose manners, food, and habits bring them together in a common pursuit. Their diet varies with the season, for besides insects, their larvre, CHICADEE, OR BLACK-CAPT TITMOUSE. 261 and eggs, of which they are more particularly fond, in the month of September they leave the woods and assemble familiarly in our orchards and gardens, and even enter the thronging cities in quest of that support which their native forests now deny them. Large seeds of many kinds, par- ticularly those which arc oily, as the Sun-flower, and Pine and Spruce Kernels are now sought after. These seeds, in the usual manner of the genus, are seized in the claws and held against the branch, until picked open by the bill to obtain their contents. Fat of various kinds is also greedily eaten, and they regularly watch the retreat of the hog-killers, in the country, to glean up the fragments of meat which adhere to the places where the carcases have been suspended. At times they feed upon the wax of the Candle-berry Myrtle (Myrica ccrifera) ; they likewise pick up crumbs near the houses, and search the weather-boards, and even the window-sills, familiarly for their lurking prey, and are particularly fond of spiders and the eggs of de- structive moths, especially those of the canker-worm, which they greedily destroy in all its stages of existence. It is said that they sometimes attack their own species when the individual is sickly, and aim their blows at the skull with a view to eat the brain ; but this barbarity I have never witnessed. In winter, when satisfied, they will descend to the snow-bank beneath and quench their thirst by swallowing small pieces ; in this way, their various and frugal meal is always easily supplied ; and hardy, and warmly clad in light and very downy feathers, they suffer little inconvenience from the inclemency of the seasons. Indeed in the winter, or about the close of October, they at times appear so enlivened as already to show their amo- rous attachment, like our domestic cock, the male approach- ing his mate with fluttering and vibrating wings ; and in the spring season, the males have obstinate engagements, 2G2 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. darting after each other with great velocity and anger. Their roost is in the hollows of decayed trees, where they also breed, making a soft nest of moss, hair, and feathers, and laying from 6 to 12 eggs, which are white, with specks of brown-red. They begin to lay about the middle or close of April, and though they commonly make use of natural or deserted holes of the Woodpecker, yet at times, they are said to excavate a cavity for themselves with much labor. The first brood take wing about the 7th or 10th of June, and they have sometimes a second towards the end of July. The young, as soon as fledged, have all the ex- ternal marks of the adult, the head is equally black, and they chatter and skip about, with all the agility and self- possession of their parents, who appear nevertheless very solicitous for their safety. From this time the whole fam- ily continue to associate together through the autumn and winter. They seem to move by concert from tree to tree, keeping up a continued 'tshc-dc-de-de-de, and 'tshe-de-de-de- dait, preceded by a shrill whistle, all the while busily en- gaged, picking round the buds and branches, hanging from their extremities and proceeding often in reversed postures, head downwards, like so many tumblers, prying into every crevice of the bark, and searching around the roots, and in every possible retreat of their insect prey or its larva?. If the object chance to fall, they industriously descend to the ground and glean it up with the utmost economy. On seeing a cat, or other object of natural antipathy, the Chicadee, like the peevish Jay, scolds in a loud, angry, and hoarse note, like Hshe ddigh ddigh ddigh. Among the other notes of this species, I have heard a call like tshc-dc-jay, tshc-dc-jay, the two first syllables being a slen- der chirp, with the jay strongly pronounced. Almost the only note of this bird which may be called a song, is one CHICADEE, OR BLACK-CAPT TITMOUSE. 2G3 which is frequently heard at intervals in the depth of the forest, at times of the day usually when all other birds are silent. We then may sometimes hear in the midst of this solitude two feeble, drawling, clearly whistled, and rather melancholy notes, like 'te-derry, and sometimes 'yc-perrit, and occasionally, but much more rarely, in the same wiry, whistling, solemn tone, 'pehbe. The young, in winter, also sometimes drawl out these contemplative strains. In all cases, the first syllable is very high and clear, the second word drops low, and ends like a feeble plaint. This is nearly all the quaint song ever attempted by the Chicadee ; and is perhaps the two notes sounding like the whetting of a saw, remarked of the Marsh Titmouse in England by Mr. White, in his Natural history of Selborne.* On fine days, about the commencement of October, I have heard the Chicadee sometimes for half an hour at a time, attempt a lively petulant warble, very different from his ordinary notes. On these occasions he appears to flirt about, still hunting for his prey, but almost in an ecstasy of delight and vigor. But after a while the usual drawling note again occurs. These birds, like many others, are very subject to the attacks of vermin, and they accumulate in great numbers around that part of the head and front which is least accessible to their feet. The European bird, so very similar to ours, is partial to marshy situations. Ours has no such predilection, nor do the American ones, that I can learn, ever lay up or hide any store of seeds for provision, a habit reported of the foreign family. In this fact, with so many others, we have an additional evidence of affinity between the Tit- mouse and Jay, particularly that short-billed section which includes the Garruhis canadensis, and G. infaustus. Even * Vol. i. p. 177. (1st Ed.) 264 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. the blue color, so common with the latter, is possessed by several species of this genus. Indeed from their aggregate relation, and omnivorous habit, we see no better place of arrangement for these birds than succinctly after the Gar- ruli or Jays. Following the authority of Temminck and Montagu, I considered this bird the same as the European Marsh Tit- mouse. I have since seen the Bird of Europe in its native country, and have good reason to believe it wholly differ- ent from our lively and familiar Chicadee. Unlike our bird, it is rather shy, seldom seen but in pairs or solitary, never in domestic premises, usually and almost constantly near streams or water courses, on the willows, alders, or other small trees impending over streams, and utters now and then a feeble complaining or querulous call, and rare- ly if ever the ' cJiicka dee-dee. 1 It also makes a noise in the spring, as it is said, like the whetting of a saw, which our snever does. The Chicadee is seldom seen near waters; often, even in summer, in dry, shady and secluded woods ; but when the whether becomes cold, and as early as October, roving families pressed by necessity and the failure of their ordinary insect fare, now begin to frequent orchards and gardens, appearing extremely familiar, hun- gry, indigent, but industrious, prying with restless anxiety into every cranny of the bark or holes in decayed trees after dormant insects, spiders and larva?, descending with the strictest economy to the ground in quest of every stray morsel of provision which happens to fall from their grasp. Their quaint notes and jingling warble are heard even in winter on fine days when the weather relaxes in its sever- ity ; and in short, instead of being the river hermit of its European analogue: it adds by its presence, indomitable action, and chatter, an air of cheerfulness to the silent and dreary winters of the coldest parts of America. Dr. Rich- CAROLINA TITMOUSE. 265 ardson found it in the fur countries up to the 65th parallel, where it even contrives to dwell, as in other parts of the continent, throughout the whole year. Besides other differences, the European bird is one inch shorter than ours : the bill does not appear to be perfectly black ; the black not extending so far below the chin ; and the back not so distinctly bluish-ash. The Chicadee is 5£ inches in length, and 8^ in alar extent. The throat, head, and ridge of the neck black. Cheeks, ears to the nape, and a line to the base of the bill, white. Above cinereous, tinted with brown. The wings darker, edged with whitish. Secondaries broadly margined with white. Beneath, the rest of the plumage is white, tinted with greyish-brown, particularly on the sides. The bill black. Tongue blunt. Legs bluish-grey. Iris dark hazel. The sexes and young, to me. are hardly distinguishable apart. I have never seen the young with brown heads ; they have the head quite black from the time they leave the nest. CAROLINA TITMOUSE. (Parus carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. 2. p. 341. pi. 1G0. Bonap. Birds of Europe and Am. p. 20.) Spec. Charact. — Not crested ; grey, somewhat tinged with brown ; the head above and ridge of the neck as well as the throat pure black ; cheeks white, beneath brownish-white ; length 4^ inches ; tail 2 inches long. — In the female the black is less deep. Tins species, detected by Mr. Audubon, is a constant inhabitant of the southern and middle states from the bor- ders of New Jersey to East Florida. It has a predilection for the borders of ponds, marshes and swamps, and less gregarious than the preceding, seldom more than a pair or family are seen together. It is also shy and retiring; inhab- iting at all times a mild and genial clime, it never seeks out domestic premises, nor even the way-sides, but like 23 266 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. the European Marsh Titmouse,* it remains throughout the year in the tangled woods and swamps which gave it birth. In the wilds of Oregon, late in autumn we frequently saw small roving restless flocks of these birds associated often with the Chesnut Backed! species ; at such times both parties were querulous and noisy, but the tshe te cle de is comparatively feeble, uttered in a slender wiry tone ; at such times intently gleaning for insects, they show very little fear, but a good deal of sympathy for their wounded companions, remaining round them and scolding in a pet- ulant and plaintive tone. At the approach of winter those in the Atlantic region retire farther to the south, and on the Pacific border they are to be seen in winter in the woods of upper California ; but in no instance did we see them approach the vicinity of the trading posts or the gar- dens. A nest of this species discovered by Dr. Bachman, was in a hollow stump, about 4 feet from the ground ; it was rather shallow, composed of fine wool, cotton, and some fibres of plants, the whole fitted together so as to be of an uniform thickness throughout and contained pure white eggs. Very nearly allied to the preceding but smaller, the grey of the back is also purer ; the white edgings of the wings are also less con- spicuous. HUDSONIAN TITMOUSE. (Parus Hudsonicus, Forster, Phil. Transact, lxii. p. 408 — 430. Latham. Ind. ii. p. 557. Aud. pi. 104. Pe.nn. Arct. Zool. vol. ii. No. 329.) Spec. Charact. — With the head and nape greyish rusty brown ; the back brownish ash color ; below greyish white ; a white line be- neath each eye. * Parus palustris. t Parus rufescens. CHESNUT-BACKED TITMOUSE. 267 This more than usually hardy species continues the whole year about Severn river, braving the inclemency of the winters, and frequents the juniper bushes, on the buds of which it feeds. In winter, like the common species, they are seen roving about in small flocks, busily foraging from tree to tree. It is said to lay 5 eggs. Mr. Audubon met with it on the coast of Labrador, where it was breeding, about the middle of July. He describes the nest as being placed at the height of not more than three feet from the ground, in the hollow of a decayed low stump, scarcely thicker than a man's leg, the whole so rotten that it crumbled to pieces on being touched. It was shaped like a purse, eight inches in depth, two in diameter inside, its sides about a half an inch thick. It was composed of the finest fur of different quadrupeds, so thickly matted throughout, that it looked as if it had been felted by the hand of man. On the nest being assailed, the male flew at the intruder uttering an angry te-te-te-tce. Length 5 inches ; extent of wings 7 ; wings and relative lengths of the quills as in the P. atricapillus. Tail long and much rounded. Bill black ; feet lead color. Above plumbeous, tinged faintly with brown ; head umber brown ; throat and fore-neck deep black, that color separated from the brown of the head by a broad band of white running under the eye. Below greyish- white, the sides yellowish- brown. — In the female the upper parts are deeply tinged with brown, and the head and throat are of a lighter tint. — The young above dull greenish-grey; throat as in the adult, below pale greyish, tinged with brown. CHESNUT-BACKED TITMOUSE. (Pants rafesccns, Town send, Journ. Acad. N. Sc. vol. 7. Ai'D. pi. 353. Orn. Biog. vol. 4. p. 371.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Head, throat, and upper part of the breast and back, blackish-brown ; back, rump and sides beneath the wingB. %6$ OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. bright chesnut, with a broad diverging band along the sides of the neck and below, white ; length 4£ inches. The Chesnut-backed Titmouse is seen throughout the year in the forests of the Columbia, and as far south as up- per California, in all which tract it breeds, forming, as I have some reason to believe, a pendulous, or at least an exposed nest, like some of the European species. It is made of large quantities of hypna and lichens, copiously and coarsely lined with deer's hair and large feathers, such as those of the Grouse and Jays. They are commonly seen in small flocks of all ages in the autumn and winter, when they move about briskly, and emit a number of feeble querulous notes, after the manner of the Chicadee, or common species, JParus atricapillus, but seldom utter anything like a song, though now and then, as they glean about, they utter a fshe, de, de, or t'dce, Vdee, dee, their more common querulous call, however, being like t'she, de, de, vait, fshc, de, de, vait, sometimes also a confused warbling chatter. The busy troop, accompanied often by the Carolina species, and the Regidus tricolor, are seen flitting through bushes and thickets, carefully gleaning in- sects and larvae for an instant, and are then off to some other place around, proceeding with restless activity to gratify the calls of hunger and the stimulus of caprice. Thus they are seen to rove along for miles together, until satisfied or fatigued, when they retire to rest in the recesses of the darkest forests, situations which they eventually choose for their temporary domicile, where in solitude and retirement they rear their young, and for the whole of the succeeding autumn and winter remain probably together in families. When the gun thins their ranks, it is surprising to see the courage, anxiety, and solicitude of these little creatures ; they follow you with their wailing scold, and entreat for their companions in a manner that impresses CnESNUT-CROWXED TITMOUSE. 2G9 you with a favorable idea of their social feelings and sym- pathy. Length 4£ inches ; wing from the flexure nearly 2£ inches. Pro- portion of the wings and the relative length of the quills as in the P. atricapillus, and P. Carolinensis. Bill brownish-black ; feet lead color. Head, neck, and fore part of the sides, chesnut, with a broad longitudinal band of white on each side, from the bill, beneath the eve, passing to the shoulder, and almost meeting on the back, which, with the rump is bright chesnut, as are the sides under the wings ; breast and abdomen white ; lower tail-coverts tinged with chesnut. Wings and tail brownish-grey, lesser coverts tinged with chesnut, the secondary coverts margined and tipped with greyish-white. CHESNUT-CROWNED TITMOUSE. (Parus minimus, Tows send, Journal Acad. N. Sc. vol. x. Aud. pi. 353. fig. 5. G. Orn. Biog. vol. 4. p. 3c2.) Spec Charact. — Grey, beneath pale dilute-rufous; head grcyish- chesnut ; tail elongated ; quill and tail feathers faintly edged with whitish ; bill very sharp, and slightly bent. We first observed the arrival of this plain and diminu- tive species on the banks of the Wahlamet, near to its con- fluence with the Columbia, about the middle of May. Hopping about in the Hazel thickets which border the al- luvial meadows of the river, they appeared very intent and industriously engaged in quest of small insects, chirping now and then a slender call of recognition. They gen- erally flew off in pairs, but were by no means shy, and kept always in the low bushes or the skirt of the woods. The following day I heard the males utter a sort of weak, monotonous, short and quaint song, and about a week afterwards I had the good fortune to find the nest, about which the male was so particularly solicitous as almost un- wittingly to draw me to the spot, where hung from a low 23* 2/U OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. bush, about 4 feet from the ground, his little curious man- sion, formed like a long purse, with a round hole for en- trance near the top. It was made chiefly of moss, down, lint of plants, and lined with some feathers. The eggs, 6 in number, were pure white, and already far gone towards being hatched. I saw but few other pairs in this vicinity, but on the 21st of June in the dark woods near Fort Van- couver, I again saw a flock of about 12, which, on making a chirp something like their own call, came around me very familiarly, and kept up a most incessant and queru- lous chirping. The following season (April 183G) I saw numbers of these birds in the mountain thickets around Santa Barbara, in Upper California, where they again seemed untiringly employed in gleaning food in the low bushes, picking up or catching their prey in all postures, sometimes like the common Chicadee, head downwards, and letting no cranny or corner escape their unwearied search. As we did not see them in winter, they migrate in all probability throughout Mexico and the Californian peninsula at this season. Length \\ inches ; wing from the flexure nearly 2 inches. Tail about 2 inches long. Wings short, very broad, 1st primary half the length of the second. Bill black ; feet dusky. Upper part of the head and hind neck, dull greyish-brown; above brownish-grey; wings and tail dusky brown tinged with grey ; below brownish-white ; sides tinged with rufous. — Female somew r hat smaller, and somewhat paler. Family. — AMPELIN/E. CHATTERERS. Not strictly omnivorous. Gregarious and sociable. Voice weak and lisping, just audible. WAXEN CHATTERER. 271 B0MBYC1LLA. (Brisson.) WAXEN CHATTERERS. The btll short, straight, and elevated : the upper man- dible slightly curved towards its extremity, and provided with a strongly marked tooth. Nostrils at the base of the bill, oval, open, hidden by stiff hairs directed forwards; the tongue cartilaginous, broad at the tip and lacerated. The feet with 3 toes directed forward and one backward, the exterior united to the middle toe. 117?? gs moderate ; the 1st and 2d primaries longest ; the spurious feather very short. The sexes are alike, and both crested ; some of the tips of the secondaries are terminated by small red, oblong ap- pendages, like sealing-wax. The plumage close, soft, and silky. They moult annually; live in numerous flocks; and are given to wandering at all seasons, except the mere time necessary for incubation. In disposition they are simple and readily tamed, but do not long survive confine- ment. They feed chiefly on juicy fruits, and small larvce or caterpillars; building in trees, and often laying twice a year ; the eggs about 5. The genus composed of only 3 species, one peculiarly American, the 2d common to Europe, Asia, and America, and the 3d in Japan. WAXEN CHATTERER. (Bomhjcilla garrula, Veill. Eovap. Am. Orn. iii. pi. 10. fig. 2. Aid. pi. 303. Ampelis garrulus, Lin.) Spec. Charact. — Brownish grey ; head, except the posterior part of the crest, chesnut ; chin, frontlet, and line partly surrounding the eye, black ; belly cinereous; vent chesnut color; wings with two series of white marks. The Wax-Wing, of which stragglers are occasionally seen in Nova Scotia, Massachusetts, Long Island, and the 2752 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. vicinity of Philadelphia, first observed in America in the vicinity of the Athabasca river, near the region of the Rocky Mountains, in the month of March, is of common occurrence as a passenger throughout the colder regions of the whole northern hemisphere. Like our Cedar Birds, they associate in numerous flocks, pairing only for the breeding season ; after which the young and old give way to their gregarious habits, and collecting in numerous companies, they perform extensive journeys, and are ex- tremely remarkable for their great and irregular wander- ings. The circumstance of incubation in this species are wholly unknown. It is supposed that they retire to the remote regions to breed, yet in Norway, they are only birds of passage, and it has been conjectured that they pass the summer in the elevated table land of central Asia. Wherever they dwell at this season, it is certain that in spring, and late autumn, they visit northern Asia or Sibe- ria, and eastern Europe in vast numbers, but are elsewhere only uncertain stragglers, whose appearance, at different times, has been looked upon as ominous of some disaster by the credulous and ignorant. The Waxen Chatterers, like our common Cedar Birds, appear destitute of song, and only lisp to each other their usual low reiterated call of ze ze re, which becomes more audible when they are disturbed, and as they take to wincr. They are also very sociable and affectionate to their whole fraternity, and sit in rows often on the same branch, when not employed in collecting their food, which is said to consist of juicy fruits of various kinds, par- ticularly grapes ; they will also eat juniper and laurel ber- ries, as well as apples, currents, and figs, and are often seen to drink. Dr. Richardson informs us, that this bird appears in flocks at Creat Bear Lake, about the 24th of May, when WAXEN CHATTERER. 273 they feed on the berries of the alpine arbutus, marsh vac- cinium, and other kinds exposed again to the surface after the spring thaw. Another flock of 3 or 400 individuals was seen on the banks of the Saskatchewan, at Carlton House, early in the same month. In their usual manner, they all settled together on one or two trees, and remained together about the same place for an hour in the morning, making a loud twittering noise, and were too shy to be approached within gun-shot. Their stay at most did not exceed a few days, and none of the Indians knew of their nests; though the Dr. had reason to believe that they re- tired in the breeding season to the broken and desolate mountain-limestone districts in the G7th or G8th parallels, where they find means to feed on the fruit of the common juniper, so abundant in that quarter. Neither Mr. Towns- end or myself observed this bird either in the Columbia river district, or on the Rocky Mountains. Length 8£ inches; alar extent about 15. Anterior part of the head bay, passing posteriorly into reddish drab, which is the prevailing color above as well as on the breast. Lower part of the back and rump cinereous. Belly and femorals pale ash ; vent reddish chesnut. Quills dusky, the 1st spotless, the 2d with a small mark of white on the tip of the outer web, which mark gradually increases on the fol- lowing feathers, forming a longitudinal spot which is much larger on the secondaries, 4 of which have the vermilion, wax-like appendages. Each feather of the bastard wing is also largely tipt with white, thus producing an additional spot of white ; there is however no yellow on the wing. Tail 3 inches, black, broadly terminated with pale yel- low. Feet and legs black. Iris reddish. CEDAR BIRD, or CHERRY BIRD. (Bomhycilla carolinensis, Briss. Bonap. Audubon, pi. 43. [extremely fine and natural]. Ampelis amcricana, Wilso.v, i. p. 107. pi. 7. fig. 1. Philad. Museum, No. 5C08.) Spec. Charact. — Brownish grey, the crest inclining to rufous; chin, frontlet, and line over the eye, black ; belly yellow, and the vent white ; wings and tail dusky grey, the latter tipt with yellow. Tins common native wanderer, which in the summer extends its migrations to the remotest unpeopled regions of Canada,* is also found throughout the American conti- nent to Mexico, and parties occasionally even roam to the * Seen by Mr. Say near Winnipique river in latitude 50, and by Mr. Drummond on the south branch ol the Saskatchewan. CEDAR BIRD, OR CHERRY BIRD. 275 tropical forests of Cayenne. In all this extensive geo- graphical range, where great elevation or latitude tempers the climate so as to be favorable to the production of juicy fruits, the Cedar Bird will probably be found either almost wholly to reside, or to pass the season of reproduction. Like its European representative (the Waxen Chatterer), it is capable of braving a considerable degree of cold, for in Pennsylvania and New Jersey some of these birds are seen throughout the winter, where, as well as in the early part of the summer and fall, they are killed and brought to market, generally fat, and much esteemed as food. Silky softness of plumage, gentleness of disposition, innocence of character, extreme sociability, and an innate, inextin- guishable love of freedom, accompanied by a constant desire of wandering, are characteristic traits in the physi- cal and moral portrait of the second as well as the pre- ceding species of this peculiar and extraordinary genus. Leaving the northern part of the continent, situated beyond the 40th degree, at the approach of winter, they assemble in companies of twenty to a hundred, and wan- der through the Southern States and Mexico to the con- fines of the equator, in all of which countries they are now either common or abundant. As observed by Audu- bon, their flight is easy, continued, and often performed at a considerable height ; and they move in flocks or compa- nies, making several turns before they alight. As the mildness of spring returns, and with it their favorite food, they reappear in the Northern and Eastern States about the beginning of April, before the ripening of their favor- ite fruits, the cherries and mulberries. But at this season, to repay the gardener for the tithe of his crop, their natu- ral due, they fail not to assist in ridding his trees of more deadly enemies which infest them, and the small caterpil- lars, beetles, and various insects now constitute their only 2?G OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. food; and for hours at a time they may be seen feeding on the all-despoiling Canker-worms,* which infest our Apple trees and Elms. On these occasions, silent and sedate, after plentifully feeding, they sit dressing their feathers, in near contact on the same branch to the number of 5 or G ; and as the season of selective attachment approaches, they may be observed pluming each other, and caressing with the most gentle fondness ; a playfulness, in which, however, they are even surpassed by the contemned Raven, to which social and friendly family our Cedar Bird, different as he looks, has many traits of alliance. But these demonstra- tions of attachment, which, in a more vigorous kind, would kindle the feud of jealousy, apparently produce in this bird scarcely any diminution of the general social tie ; and as they are gregarious to so late a period of the inviting sea- son of incubation, this affection has been supposed to be independent of sexual distinction. This friendly trait is carried so far, that an eye-witnessf assures me he has seen one among a row of these birds seated upon a branch dart after an insect, and offer it to his associate when caught, who very disinterestedly passed it to the next, and each delicately declining the offer, the morsel has proceeded backwards and forwards before it was appropriated. What- ever may be the fact, as it regards this peculiar sociability, it frequently facilitates the means of their destruction with the thoughtless and rapacious sportsman ; who, because many of these unfortunate birds can be killed in an instant, sitting in the same range, thinks the exercise of the gun must be credited only by the havoc which it produces against a friendly, useful, and innocent visiter. Towards the close of May, or beginning of June, the Cherry-birds, now paired, commence forming the cradle of * The caterpillar larva of Phaliena. \ My friend S. Green, Esq., of Boston. WAXEN CHATTERER. 277 their young ; yet still so sociable are they, that several nests may be observed in the same vicinity. The materials and trees chosen for their labors are various, as well as the general markings of their eggs. Two nests, in the Botanic Garden at Cambridge, were formed in small hemlock * trees, at the distance of 16 or 18 feet from the ground, in the forks of the main branches. One of these was com- posed of dry, coarse grass, interwoven roughly with a con- siderable quantity of dead hemlock sprigs, further connected by a small quantity of silk-weed f lint, and lined with a few strips of thin grape-vine bark, and dry leaves of the silver fir. In the second nest the lining was merely fine root fibres. On the 4th of June this nest contained 2 eggs ; the whole number is generally about 4 or 5 ; these are of the usual form (not remarkable for any dispropor- tion of the 2 ends), of a pale clay white, inclining to olive, with a few well defined black or deep umber spots at the great end, and with others seen, as it were, beneath the surface of the shell. Two or three other nests were made in the apple-trees of an adjoining orchard, one in a place of difficult access, the other on a depending branch easily reached by the hand. These were securely fixed horizontally among the ascending twigs, and were formed externally of a mass of dry, wiry weeds; the materials being firmly held together by a large quantity of Cud- weed down,f in some places softened with glutinous saliva so as to be formed into coarse connecting shreds. The round edge of the nest was made of coils of the wiry sto- lons of a common Cinquefoil,§ then lined with exceedingly fine root fibres; over the whole, to give elasticity, were * Jlbics canadensis. L. f jisclcpia.*, specios. % Onaphalium plantagincum. $ Potcntilla simplex. 24 278 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. laid fine stalks of a slender Juncus or minute rush. In these nests the eggs were, as described by Wilson (except as to form), marked with smaller and more numerous spot3 than the preceding. From the lateness of the autumn, at which period incubation is still going on, it would appear that this species is very prolific, and must have at least two hatches in the season ; for as late as the 7th of September a brood, in this vicinity, were yet in the nest. The period of sitting is about 15 or 16 days, and while the young are still helpless, it is surprising to witness the silence of the parents, uttering no cries, nor making any approaches to those who may endanger or jeopard the safety of their brood; still they are flying round, and silently watching the dreaded result, and approach the nest the moment the intruder disappears. They feed the young, at first, with insects and smooth caterpillars, but at the end of the 3d or 4th day they are fed, like the old ones, almost exclu- sively on sweet and juicy fruits, such as whortle and ser- vice berries, wild and cultivated cherries, &c. A young bird from one of the nests described, in the Hemlock, was thrown upon my protection, having been by some means ejected from his cradle. In this critical situation however he had been well fed or rather gorged with berries, and was merely scratched by the fall he had received. Fed on cherries and mulberwes, he was soon well fledged, while his mate in the nest was suffered to perish by the forget- fulness of his natural protectors. Coeval with the growth of his wing-feathers, were already seen the remarkable red waxen appendages, showing, that their appearance indi- cates no particular age or sex; many birds in fact, being without these ornaments during their whole lives. I soon found my interesting protegee impatient of the cage, and extremely voracious, gorging himself to the very mouth CEDAR BIRD, OR CHERRY BIRD. 279 with the soft fruits on which he was often fed. The throat, in fact, like a craw, admits of distention, and the contents are only gradually passed off into the stomach. I now suffered the bird to fly at large, and for several days he descended from the trees, in which he perched, to my arm for food ; but the moment he was satisfied, he avoided the cage, and appeared by his restlessness unable to sur- vive the loss of liberty. He now came seldomer to me, and finally joined the lisping muster-cry of tze tze tze, and was enticed away, after two or three attempts, by his more attractive and suitable associates. When young, nature provided him with a loud, impatient voice, and te-did t te-did, kai-tedid, (often also the clamorous cry of the young Baltimore,) was his deafening and almost incessant call for food. Another young bird of the first brood probably neglected, cried so loud and plaintively to a male Baltimore-bird in the same tree, that he commenced feed- ing it. Mr. Winship of Brighton informs me, that one of the young Cedar-birds, who frequented the front of his house in quest of Honey-suckle berries, at length, on re- ceiving food, (probably also abandoned by his roving pa- rents,) threw himself wholly on his protection. At large, day and night, he still regularly attended the dessert of the dinner-table for his portion of fruit, and remained stead- fast in his attachment to Mr. W. till killed by an accident, being unfortunately trodden under foot. Though harmless, exceedingly gentle, and artless, they make some show of defence when attacked, as a second bird which I brought up, destitute of the red appendages on the wings, when threatened, elevated his crest, looked angry, and repeatedly snapped with his bill. Almost all kinds of sweet berries are sought for food by the American waxen-wing. In search of whortle- berries, they retire in Pennsylvania to the western moun- 280 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. tain chains of the Alleghany range ; and in autumn, until the approach of winter, they are equally attached to the berries of the Virginia juniper,* as well as those of the sour-gum tree, and the wax-myrtle. They also feed, late in the season, on ripe persimmons, t small winter grapes, bird-cherries, the fruit of the Pride of China, and other fruits. The kernels and seeds of these, unin ured by the action of the stomach, are strewed about, and thus acci- dentally planted in abundance wherever these birds fre- quent. Like their prototype, the preceding species, the migrations, and time and place of breeding are influenced by their supply of food. In the spring of ]831 they ar- rived in this vicinity, as usual, but, in consequence of the failure of cherries, scarcely any were bred, and very few were either to be heard or seen in the vicinity. In this part of New England this bird is frequently known by the name of the Canada Robin, and by the French Canadians it is fancifully called Rccolht, from the color of its crest resembling that of the hood of this religious order. The length of our bird varies from 7£ to full 8 inches, so that at times it arrives at the full size of the European species. Head, neck, breast, back, and wing-coverts of a brownish-grey; becoming darker on the back, and brightest on the front and elevated crest. A deep black line from the nostril over the eye to the hind-head, bor- dered above by a slender line of white ; another line of the same color passing from the lower mandible. The chin black, gradually brightening into greyish brown. The belly yellow ; vent white ; wings dusky-grey. Rump and tail-coverts dark ash-color; tail of the same color deepening into dusky, and broadly tipt with yellow. Six or 7, and sometimes the whole 9 secondaries of the wings cu- * Improperly called Red Cedar. j In many parts of Georgia, and particularly the vicinity of Milledgeville, these trees are observed to spring up in whole groves or. cleared or burnt lands, and this growth must undoubtedly be due to the dissemination produced by these birds. CEDAR BIRD, OR CHERRJT BIRD. 281 riously ornamented with small vermilion oblong appendages, resem- bling sealing-wax, which are a prolongation of the shafts ; occasion- ally these processes also terminate some of the tail-feathers. Many of these birds are destitute of these singular ornaments, which an- swer no economical purpose whatever to the individual. The bill, legs, and claws are black. Iris blood-red. In the female, the tints are duller. 24* ORDER THIRD INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. In these the bill is either short, or of moderate length, straight, rounded, and weakly edged or pointed like an awl. The upper mandible is curved and notched towards the point, most commonly provided at its base with stiff hairs, directed forwards. The feet have 3 of the toes before, and one behind, all on the same level. The outer united to the middle toe at its base as far as to the first articulation. The voice of these birds is often agreeable and harmo- nious : all of them feed principally upon insects, particu- larly, during the time of reproduction ; berries also afford aliment to many of the species, but they are ordinarily only an accessory nourishment. They have often several broods in the year, and dwell in the woods and thickets, or among reeds and marshes, where they nest in single pairs. Family — LANIINjE. With the bill short or moderate, the tail of 12 feathers. — They feed on insects, at large ; excel in musical powers ; and their flesh is palatable. BUTCHER-BIRDS. 283 LANIUS. (Lin.) SHRIKES or BUTCHER-BIRDS. The bill of moderate size, robust, straight from its origin, and much compressed, with advancing bristles at the base; the upper mandible rounded above, hooked, and acute at the tip, near to which, on either side, there is a small sharp tooth; the lower notched, and also toothed near the tip. Nostrils basal, lateral, almost round, partly hidden in the hairs at the base of the bill, and half closed by a vaulted membrane. Fed, with the tarsus longer than the middle toe ; the toes entirely divided. Wings mod- erate, the spurious feather very short, and the 3d and 4th primaries longest. — The female and young of the Amer- ican species scarcely differ from the adult male. Some others have a partial moult a second time in the year. The larger species possess the courage and cruelty of birds of rapine. Their prey, which they seize and convey in the bill, consists, however, principally of large insects; they often also attack small birds, for which they com- monly lie in wait on the high branches of trees ; they hold their victim usually in one foot, and tear it to pieces with the bill. They fly precipitately and irregularly to short distances, and frequently move the tail. They defend their nests from the largest birds of prey with dauntless temer- ity ; live in families; build in trees and bushes, and lay from 5 to 7 eggs. Their voice is loud and somewhat mu- sical, and they have a propensity for imitating the calls and notes of other birds. They are found in all parts of the world; but in South America they are principally repre- sented by other allied forms. In habit they approach the birds of prey, have some relation at the same time to Mag- pies, and pass almost into the Flycatchers, Thrushes, and other small insectivorous birds. AMERICAN SHRIKE, or BUTCHER-BIRD. {Lanius septcntrionalis, Gm. Bonap. L. cxcubitor, Wilson, i. p. 74. pl # 5. fig. 1. Lanius borcalis, Vieill. Aud. pi. 192. Pliilad Museum, No. G64.) Spec. Charact. — Light slate-color, beneath white, undulated with pale brown ; wings and tail black ; tail feathers, excepting the 2 middle ones, partly white ; third primary longest ; 4th, equal to the 2d. — Female paler, with the band of black on the face obscure. — Young, greyish drab color, wing spot obscure, 3d and 4th primaries nearly equal, the 2d much shorter, with 4 of the middle tail-feathers wholly black. This little wary northern hunter is most commonly seen in this part of the continent at the commencement of win- ter, a few remaining with us throughout that season. They extend their wanderings, according to Audubon, as far as Natchez, and are not uncommon in Kentucky, in severe BUTCHER-BIRDS. 285 winters. In March they retire to the north, though some take up their summer abode in the thickest forests in Penn- sylvania and New England. The nest is said to be large and compact, in the fork of a small tree, and sometimes in an apple tree, composed externally of dried grass, with whitish moss, and well lined with feathers. The eggs are about G, of a pale cinereous white, thickly marked at the greater end with spots and streaks of rufous. The period of sitting is about 15 days. The young appear early in June, or the latter end of May. The principal food of this species is large insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets, and spiders. With the surplus of the former, as well as small birds, he disposes in a very singular manner, by impaling them upon thorns, as if thus providing securely for a future supply of provision. In the abundance, however, which surrounds him in the ample store-house of nature, he soon loses sight of this needless and sportive economy, and like the thievish Pie and Jay, he suffers his forgotten store to remain drying and bleach- ing in the elements till no longer palatable or digestible. As this little Butcher, like his more common European representative, preys upon birds, these impaled grasshop- pers were imagined to be lures to attract his victims, but his courage and rapacity render such snares both useless and improbable, as he has been known, with the temerity of a Falcon, to follow a bird into an open cage sooner than lose his quarry. Mr. J. Brown, of Cambridge, in- forms me, that one of these birds had the boldness to attack two Canaries, in a cage, suspended one fine winter's day at the window. The poor songsters in their fears fluttered to the side of the cage, and one of them thrust its head through the bars of his prison, at this instant the wily Butcher tore off his head, and left the body dead in the cage. The cause of the accident seemed wholly myste- 28G INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. rious, till, on the following clay, the bold hunter was found to have entered the room, through the open window, with a view to despatch the remaining victim ; and, but for timely interference, it would have instantly shared the fate of its companion. On another occasion, while a Mr. Lock, in this vicinity, was engaged in fowling, he wounded a Robin who flew to a little distance and descended to the ground ; he soon heard the disabled bird uttering unusual cries, and on approaching found him in the grasp of the Shrike. He snatched up the bird from his devourer ; but having tasted blood, it still followed, as if determined not to relinquish its proposed prey, and only desisted from the quest on receiving a mortal wound. The propensity for thus singularly securing its prey, is also practised on birds, which it impales in the same manner, and afterwards tears them to pieces at leisure. From his attempts to imitate the notes of other small birds, in Canada, and some parts of New England, he is sometimes called a Mocking-bird. His usual note, like that of the following species, resembles the discordant creaking of a sign-board hinge ; and my friend Mr. Brown has heard one mimicking the quacking of his ducks, so that they answered to him as to a decoy fowl. They also imitate other birds, and I have been informed that they sing pretty well themselves, at times, or rather chatter, and mimic the songs of other birds, as if with a view to entice them into sight, for the purpose of making them their prey. This fondness for imitation, as in the Pies, may however be merely the result of caprice. So complete, at times, is the resemblance between the Mocking-Bird (Mimus pollyglotlus) and this species of Lanius, that it is difficult to distinguish them apart. I have lately heard one (November 10th, 1833), employed in a low and soft warble resembling that of the Song Sparrow WHITE-WINGED SHRIKE. 287 at the present season, and immediately after, his note changed to that of the Cat-Bird. Like that preeminent minstrel the Orpheus, he also mounts to the topmost spray of some lofty tree to display his deceptive talent, and mislead the small birds so as to bring them within his reach. His attitudes are also light and airy, and his grace- ful flowing tail is kept in fantastic motion. The parents and their brood move in company in quest of their subsistence, and remain together the whole sea- son. The male boldly attacks even the Hawk or the Eagle in their defence, and with such fury that they generally decline the onset. This species is from 10 to 10^ inches in length, and 13 to 14 in alar expansion. Above, the adult is pale cinereous, with the sides of the head nearly white, crossed with a bar of black that passes from the nostril through the eye to the middle of the neck. Beneath sometimes nearly u-hitc, at other times inclining to dusky, and marked rather thickly with varied lines of a darker hue (each of the feathers marked with 2 or 3 of these rounding transverse bars). The wings are black, with a spot of white on the primaries just below their coverts. Rump and tail coverts light ash. Tail cuneiform of 12 feathers (in the adult), the 2 middle ones only black (in the young 4), the others are tipt with white, and the outer pair nearly all white. The legs, feet, and bill towards its point, black. Iris bright hazel. In the specific character it will be seen that the young differs so much from the adult as to disannul the marks of specification. WHITE-WINGED SHRIKE. (Lanius elcgans, Swainsox, North. Zool. ii. p. 122.) Spec. Chauact. — Clear bluish-grey, beneath unspotted white ; front- let the same color with the head ; a broad white band across the wing ; a slender and very cuneiform tail, entirely bordered with white: 2d quill longer than the 6th, the 4th longest; the tarsus exceeding the length of the bill. 288 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. A specimen of this handsome Shrike exists in the British Museum, to which it was presented by the Hud- son's Bay Company. The particular district of its resi- dence and habits are unknown. It is readily distinguished by the great quantity of white on the wings and tail, the narrower tail feathers, longer tarsi, and less curved claws. Length 9 inches 9 lines ; tail 4 inches 5 lines ; bill from the angle of the mouth 11 lines; from above, 8 lines ; tarsus 1. inch 2£ lines. Head and body above clear bluish-grey ; the tail coverts somewhat lighter ; exterior margins of the scapulars nearly white. The lat- eral marks on the head, the wings, with the exception of the white parts, and the middle of the tail, pilch-black. The white band on the wing 1£ inches broad, crossing the bases of all the primaries, from the 2d to the 10th, inclusive. The secondaries broadly tipt with white ; their exterior margins, and the whole of their inner webs (with the exception of a black patch near the tips of the first two), also white. The first primary and the three tertiaries are black. The 2 central pairs of tail feathers very slightly tipt with white ; the 2 next pairs broadly tipt with the same ; the 2 outer pairs wholly white, except the shafts which are brownish. Below pure white, except the brownish tips of the quills and the centre of the tail. Bill and legs blackish ; the lower mandible not pale at the base as in L. borealis. LOGGER-HEAD SHRIKE. (Lanius ludovicianus, Lin. Audubon, pi. 57. [a fine group]. L. caro- lincnsis, Wilson, iii. p. 57. pi. 22. fig. 8. Philad Museum, No. 557.) Spec Charact. — Dark slate color ; beneath white ; frontlet, wings, and tail black ; the tail-feathers, with the exception of the 4 middle ones, partly white ; 2d primary longest; the 1st and 5th equal. This species, principally inhabits the warmer parts of the United States, residing and breeding from North Caro- lina to Florida, where I have observed it likewise in win- LOGGER-HEAD SHRIKE. 289 ter. It was also seen in the table-land of Mexico by that enterprising naturalist and collector, Mr. Bullock, and my friend Mr. T. Townsend found it in the Rocky Mountain range, and in the territory of Oregon. According to Au- dubon, it affects the low countries, being seldom met with in the mountainous districts. Its habits are shy and retiring, and it renders itself use- ful, and claims protection by destroying mice around the plantation, for which it sits and watches near the rice stacks for hours together, seldom failing of its prey as soon as it appears. Like most of the genus, he is also well sat- isfied with large insects, crickets, and grasshoppers, which like the preceding species he often impales. In the breed- ing season, according to Dr. Bachman, he has a song which bears some resemblance to that of the young Brown Thrush, and, though very irregular, his notes are not un- pleasing. At other times his discordant call may almost be compared to the creaking of a sign-board in windy weather ; he probably, has also the usual talent for mim- icry. They begin to pair about March, at which time, the male frequently feeds the female, and shows great courage in defending his nest from the intrusion of other birds. The nest is, according to Dr. Bachman, usually made in the outer limbs of a tree such as the Live-Oak or Sweet Gum, and often on a cedar, 15 to 30 feet from the ground. It is coarsely made of dry crooked twigs, and lined with root fibres, and slender grass. The eggs, 3 to 5, are greenish white. Incubation is performed by both sexes in turn, but each bird procures its own food in the intervals. They rear two broods in the season. Its manners resemble those of a Hawk ; it sits silent and watchful until it espies its prey on the ground, when it pounces upon it, and strikes first with the bill, in the manner of small bird- 290 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. seizing the object immediately after in its claws ; but it seldom attacks birds except when previously wounded. The Logger-head Shrike is 9 inches long, and 13 in alar expansion, Ahove dark grey; the scapulars and line over the eye whitish. Wings black, with a small spot of white at the base of tbe primaries, and tipt with white. Forehead and sides of head included in a broad black band. Tail cuneiform, the 4 middle feathers wholly black (in the adult?), the rest more or less tipt with white, to the outer one, which is nearly all white. Below white, sometimes (according to age) marked with faint, waving, pale, dusky lines ; the sides tinged with brown. Iris dark hazel. Bill and legs black. — The Female is somewhat smaller and darker. MUSCICAPIN.E. FLYCATCHERS. In these the bill is of moderate magnitude, rather stout, angular, considerably widened and flattened towards the base, which is guard- ed with longish bristles ; the upper mandible is notched towards the end, and bent at the tip. The Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and partly hid in the advancing hairs. Feet, with the tarsus of the length of, or little longer than, the middle toe ; inner toe free, or merely united at the base ; hind nail more curved than the rest, and larger than that of the middle toe. Wings rather long and somewhat sharp ; with the 1st primary very short, the 3d and 4th longest. These are, in Europe and North America, birds of passage, usually arriving late, and retiring earlier or later in the autumn. They sub- sist during summer almost wholly upon flies, moths, and other winged insects, which they catch on the wing. They walk badly, and scarce- ly ever descend to the earth after their food. In autumn they feed much on berries, of various kinds, (and here chiefly on those which are bitter or astringent.) They have generally but a single brood in the season ; they perch on the summits of trees, living in single pairs in the forest where they form their nests, often morning and evening, and sometimes nearly the whole day, taking a station near some stag- nant water, and flying to and from this perch alternately after hover- ing insects. The broad-billed North American species are taciturn , or have only a few quaint, stridulous calls and cries, and form no at- tachment to those who feed them in a state of domestication, yet eat FLYCATCHERS. 291 greedily ; these also have only one moult in the year. In another section, allied to Sylvia, the voice is melodious, and the moult of the male double, arriving in the spring in a more brilliant nuptial plu- mage. The young differ from the adult only during the first year. The shells and drier parts of insects, as well as the skins and seeds of fruits, are brought up from the stomach, and ejected by the bill. TYRANNUS. (Briss.) TYRANT FLYCATCHERS. Bill moderate, rather long, strong, and rounded, depressed, straight at the sides, widened and triangular at the base, notched and hooked at the point; mouth large; tarsus short, thin and slender; wings short ; 1st, 2d, and 3d quills longest. Tail more or less deeply forked, emarginate or equal. The larger species are unusually petulant, tyrannical and coura- geous, driving sometimes from the vicinity of their nests the most powerful birds of prey. They have but a single moult, and are either wholly destitute of song, or only utter a few quaint notes. MH ■ KING-BIRD, or TYRANT FLYCATCHER. (Tyrannus ititrepidus, Vieill. Bonap. Musicapa tyr annus, Briss. Bonaf. Audubon, pi. 79. Lanius tyrannus, Lin. Wilson, ii. p. 07. pi. 13. fig. 1. Phil. Museum, No. 578.) Spec. Charact. — Blackish, beneath nearly white; tail even, ex- tending far beyond the wings, black, tipped with white. — Adult with a scarlet spot on the crown. Tins well known, remarkable and pugnacious bird takes up bis summer residence in all the intermediate region, from the temperate parts of Mexico to the uninhabited and KING-BIRD, OR TYRANT FLYCATCHER. 293 remote interior of Canada.* In all this vast geographical range the King-bird seeks his food and rears his young. According to Audubon, they appear in Louisiana by the middle of March, and about the 20th of April, Wilson re- marked their arrival in Pennsylvania in small parties of 5 or 6 ; but they are seldom seen in this part of New Eng- land before the middle of May. They are now silent and peaceable, until they begin to pair, and form their nests, which takes place from the 1st to the last week in May, or early in June, according to the advancement of the season in the latitudes of 40 and 43 degrees. The nest is usually built in the orchard, on the horizontal branch of an apple or pear tree, sometimes in an oak, in the adjoining forest, at various heights from the ground, seldom carefully con- cealed, and firmly fixed at the bottom to the supporting twigs of the branch. The outside consists of coarse stalks of dead grass and wiry weeds, the whole well connected and bedded with cut-weed f down, tow, or an occasional rope-yarn, and wool ; it is then lined with dry, slender grass, root fibres, and horse-hair. The eggs are generally 3 to 5, yellowish-white, and marked with a few large, well defined spots of deep and bright brown. They often build and hatch twice in the season. The King-bird has no song, only a shrill guttural twit- ter, somewhat like that of the Martin, but no way musi- cal. At times, as he sits watching his prey, he calls to his mate with a harsh tslicup, rather quickly pronounced, and attended with some action. As insects approach him, or as he darts after them, the snapping of his bill is heard, like the shutting of a watch-case, and is the cer- • Being seen by Mr. Bay at Pembino, lat. 48 degrees, and by Dr. Richardson in the 57 th parallel. t Onaphalium plantaginrum. 25 294 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. tain grave of his prey. Beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and winged insects of all descriptions form his principal summer food. I have also seen them collecting the can- ker-worms from the Elm. Towards autumn, as various kinds of berries ripen, they constitute a very consider- able and favorite part of his subsistence ; but, with the exception of currants (of which he only eats perhaps when confined), lie refuses all exotic productions, contenting himself with black-berries, whortle-berries, those of the sassafras, cornel, Viburnum, elder, poke, and five-leaved ivy.* Raisins, foreign currants, grapes, cherries, peaches, pears, and apples were never even tasted, when offered to a bird of this kind, which I had many months as my pen- sioner ; of the last, when roasted, sometimes, however, a few mouthfuls were relished, in the absence of other more agreeable diet. Berries he always swallowed whole, grass- hoppers, if too large, were pounded and broken on the flour, as he held them in his bill. To manage the larger beetles was not so easy ; these he struck repeatedly against the ground, and then turned them from side to side, by throwing them dexterously into the air, after the manner of the Toucan, and the insect was uniformly caught re- versed as it descended, with the agility of a practised cup- and-ball player. At length, the pieces of the beetle were swallowed, and he remained still to digest his morsel, tasting it distinctly, soon after it entered the stomach, as became obvious by the ruminating motion of his mandibles. When the soluble portion was taken up, large pellets of the indigestible legs, wings, and shells, as likewise the skins and seeds of berries, were, in half an hour or less, brought up and ejected from the mouth in the manner of the Hawks and Owls. When other food failed, he ap- Cissus hcdcracca. KING-BIRD, OR TYRANT FLYCATCHER. 295 peared very well satisfied with fresh minced meat, and drank water frequently, even during the severe frosts of January, which he endured without much difficulty ; bask- ing, however like Diogenes, in the feeble beams of the sun, which he followed round the room of his confine- ment, well satisfied, when no intruder or companion threw him into the shade ! Some very cold evenings he had the sagacity to retire under the shelter of a depending bed- quilt ; was very much pleased with the warmth and bril- liancy of lamp-light, and would eat freely at any hour of the night. Unacquainted with the deceptive nature of shadows, he sometimes snatched at them for the substances they resembled. Unlike the Vieros, he retired to rest without hiding his head in the wing, and was extremely watchful, though not abroad till after sunrise. His tacitur- nity, and disinclination to friendship and familiarity in confinement, were striking traits. His restless, quick, and side glancing eye enabled him to follow the motions of his flying insect prey, and to ascertain precisely the in- fallible instant of attack. He readily caught morsels of food in his bill before they reached the ground, when thrown across the room ; and, on these occasions, seemed pleased with making the necessary exertion. He had also a practice of cautiously stretching out his neck, like a snake, and peeping about, either to obtain sight of his food, to watch any approach of danger, or to examine any thing that appeared strange. At length we became so well acquainted, that when very hungry, he would express his gratitude on being fed, by a shrill twitter, and a lively look, which was the more remarkable, as at nearly all other times he was entirely silent. In a natural state he takes his station on the top of an apple-tree, a stake, or a tall weed, and betwixt the amuse- ment of his squeaking twiticr, employs himself in darting 206 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. after his insect food. Occasionally he is seen hovering over the field, with beating wing, almost like a Hawk, surveying the ground or herbage for grasshoppers, which are a 'fa- vorite diet. At other times, they may be observed in small companies flickering over still waters in the same employment, the gratification of appetite. Now and then, during the heat of summer, they are seen to dip and bathe, in the watery mirror, and with this washing, drying, and pluming, they appear to be both gratified and amused. During the season of their sojourn, the pair are often seen moving about in company, with a rapid quivering of the wings, and a continued tremulous shrieking twit- ter. Their energetic and amusing motions are most commonly performed in warm and fine weather, and con- tinue, with little interruption, until towards the close of August. One of the most remarkable traits in the character of the Kincr-bird is the courage and affection which he dis- plays for his mate and young; for on his first arrival he is rather timid, and readily dodges before the Swallow and Purple Martin. Indeed at this season I have seen the spotted Sandpiper * drive away a pair of King-birds, be- cause they happened to approach the premises of her nest. But he now becomes, on this important occasion, so tena- cious of his rights as readily to commence the attack against all his feathered enemies, and he passes several months of the summer in a scene of almost perpetual con- test, and not overrating his hostile powers, he generally finds means to come off with impunity. Eagles, Hawks, Crows, Jays, and in short every bird which excites his suspicion, by their intentional or accidental approach, are attacked with skill and courage ; he dives upon the heads * TUanas macuhu-ius. KIXG-BIRD, OR TYRANT FLYCATCHER. 297 and backs of the larger intruders, who become so annoyed and tormented as willingly to make a precipitate retreat. He pursues his foes sometimes for a mile; and at length} assured of conquest, he returns to his prominent watch- ground, again quivering his wings in gratulation, and rap- idly uttering his shrill and triumphant notes. He is there- fore the friend of the farmer, as the scourge of the pilferers and plunderers of his crop and barn-yard. ' But that he might not be perfectly harmless, he has sometimes a propensity for feeding on the valuable tenants of the bee-hive; for these he watches, and exultingly twitters at the prospect of success, as they wing their way engaged in busy employment ; his quick-sighted eyes now follow them, until one, more suitable than the rest, becomes his favorite mark. This selected victim is by some farmers believed to be a drone rather than the stinging neutral worker. The selective discernment of the eyes of this bird lias often amused me; berries of different kinds, held to my domestic King-bird, however similar, were rejected or snatched, as they suited his instinct, with the nicest dis- crimination. As the young acquire strength for their distant journey, they may be seen in August and September, assembling together in almost silent, greedy, and watchful parties of a dozen or more, feeding on various berries, particularly those of the sassafras and cornel, from whence they some- times drive away smaller birds, and likewise spar and chase each other as the supply diminishes. Indeed, my domestic allowed no other bird to live in peace near him, when feeding on similar food, and though lame of a wing, he often watched his opportunity for reprisal and revenge, and became so jealous, that instead of being amused by companions, sometimes he caught hold of them with his bill, and seemed inclined to destroy them for invading his 298 x INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. usurped privileges. In September the King-bird begins to leave the United States, and proceeds to pass the winter in tropical America. During the period of migration southward, Audubon remarks that they fly and sail through the air with great ease, at a considerable eleva- tion ; and they thus continue their silent retreat through- out the night, until about the first of October, when they are no longer to be seen within the limits of the middle States. The King-bird (called also Field Martin in Maryland and the South- ern States) is about 8 inches in length, and 14 in alar extent. The general color above is a dark ash color approaching to black. The head and tail are nearly black, the latter tipped with white ; the wings have something of a brownish umber cast. Upper part of the breast tinged with ash, the rest of the lower parts are pure white. The plumage of the crown, though even when the bird is at rest, can be, at will, erected, so as to form a rough crest ; below the black sur- face of which is seen a bed of scarlet inclining to orange, surrounded and based often with white ; this constitutes the crown of our feath- ered monarch. The bill is very broad at the base, and black. The legs and feet are also black. The iris hazel. The young birds re- ceive the oranjre on the crown the first season. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, or 'PE-PE.' (Tyrannus Coopcri, Bokap. T. borcalis, Swains. Mnscicapa Cooperi, Nobis, Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 422. pi. 174. M. inornata, Nobis, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. in loc.) Spec Charact. — Dusky brown; head darker, without discolored spot; sides olive grey; lateral space beneath the wing white; lower mandible purplish horn color; tail nearly even, and extend- ing but little beyond the closed wings ; 2d primary longest. Tins remarkable species which appertains to the group of Pewees, was obtained in the woods of Mount Auburn, in this vicinity, by Mr. John Bethune, of Cambridge, on OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, OR ' PE-PE.' 299 the 7th of June, 1830. This, and a second specimen, ac- quired soon afterwards, were females on the point of in- cubation. A third individual of the same sex was killed on the 21st of June, 1831. They were all of them fat, and had their stomachs filled with torn fragments of wild bees, wasps, and other similar insects. I have watched the motions of two other living individuals, who appeared tyrannical and quarrelsome even with each other; the at- tack was always accompanied with a whirring, querulous twitter. Their dispute was apparently, like that of sav- ages, about the rights of their respective hunting-grounds. One of the birds, the female, whom I usually saw alone, was uncommonly sedentary. The territory she seemed determined to claim was circumscribed by the tops of a cluster of tall Virginia junipers or red cedars, and an ad- joining elm, and decayed cherry tree. From this sovereign station, in the solitude of a barren and sandy piece of forest, adjoining Mount Auburn, she kept a sharp lookout for passing insects, and pursued them with great vigor and success as soon as they appeared, sometimes chasing them to the ground, and generally resuming her perch with an additional mouthful, which she swallowed at leisure. On descending to her station, she occasionally quivered her wings and tail, erected her blowsy cap, and kept up a whistling, oft repeated, whining call of 'pu 'pu, then varied to 'pu pip, and 'pip pu, also at times 'pip 'pip 'pu, 'pip 'pip 'pip, 'pu 'pu pip, ox'tUy'tu 'tti, and 'tu 'tu. This shrill, pensive, and quick whistle sometimes dropped almost to a whisper, or merely 'pu. The tone was in fact much like that of the 'phu 'phu 'phu of the Fish Hawk. The male, however, besides this note, at long intervals, had a call of 'cWphhhtt, or 'h'phcbea, almost exactly in the tone of the circular tin whistle, or bird-call, being loud, shrill, and guttural at the commencement. The nest of this pair I 300 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. at length discovered, in the horizontal branch of a tall red cedar 40 or 50 feet from the ground. It was formed much in the manner of the King-bird, externally made of inter- laced dead twigs of the cedar, internally of the wiry stolons of the common cinquefoil, dry grass, and some fragments of branching Lichen or Usnca. It contained 3 young, and had probably 4 eggs. The eggs had been hatched about the 20th of June, so that the pair had arrived in this vicin- ity about the close of May. The young remained in the nest no less than 23 days, and were fed from the first on beetles and perfect insects, which appeared to have been wholly digested without any regurgitation. Towards the close of this protracted period the young could fly with all the celerity of the parents; and they probably went to and from the nest repeatedly before abandoning it. The male was at this time extremely watchful, and frequently followed me from his usual resi- dence, after my paying him a visit, nearly half a mile. These birds, which I watched on several successive days, were no way timid, and allowed me for some time, pre- vious to visiting their nest, to investigate them and the premises they had chosen, without showing any sign of alarm, or particular observation. The Tyran of Buffon, (vol. v. pi. 537,) or Pe pe re, ap- proaches near to this species both in size and color, but is distinguishable by the bed of yellow on the head, be- neath the surface of the feathers. The habits of both are very similar. The South American birds live in the soli- tude of the forest by pairs, nesting in hollow trees, or in the bifurcation of some branch, chanting forth their quaint pe pe re, about the break of day, which they announce with more precision even than our domestic cock. They are likewise very pugnacious in defence of their young. Muscicapa barbata of Cayenne, has also some affinity with OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, OR c PE-PE.' 301 our species, and utters a.j )e P e i or somewhat similar note. (Vol. v. p. 277 of the same author.) My friend W. Cooper, Esq., so well known for his de- votion to Ornithology, received this bird likewise the preceding summer from the vicinity of Cape May, and Egg-Harbor, in New Jersey. The supposed young bird of the Crested Fly-catcher, cinereous above and white on the belly, mentioned by Pennant, might perhaps have been the present species. This bird appears to have been discovered in the fur countries about the same time as in the United States. According to Dr. Richardson, the specimen, figured so spiritedly in the Northern Zoology of Canada, was shot on the banks of the Saskatchewan as it was flying near the ground. In 1832, about the middle of June the same pair ap- parently had again taken possession of a small Juniper not more than 300 yards from the tree they had occupied the preceding year, about 14 or 15 feet up which they had fixed their thin twiggy nest as in the preceding year. It contained 4 eggs on which the female had commenced sit- Do ting ; these, except in their superior size, were precisely similar with those of the Wood Pewee, yellowish-cream color, with dark brown, and lavender purple spots, rather thinly dispersed. Being unfortunate enough to shake out the two eggs I intended to leave in the nest, the pair had to commence their labors of preparing for a progeny anew; and a few days after a second nest was made in another Virginian Juniper at a very short distance from the pre- ceding. The present year, however, they did not return to their accustomed retreat, and no individual was seen in this vicinity. In all places it appears, in fact, a scarce and widely dispersed species. Audubon has since observed this bird in other parts of Massachusetts, Maine, the Magde- 2G 302 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. leine Islands, and the coast of Labrador. He has also seen it in Georgia and in Texas. This species is a common inhabitant of the dark fir woods of the Columbia, where they arrive towards the close of May. We again heard, at intervals, the same curious call, like 'gh-phcbea, and sometimes like the gutteral sound, ' cgli-phebce commencing with a sort of suppressed chuck; at other times, the note varied into a lively and sometimes quick p't-pctuicay. This no doubt is the note attributed by Wilson to the Wood Pewee. When approached, as usual, or when call- ing, we heard the pu pu pu. The length of the Olive-Sided Pewee is about GA to 7 inches. Like the rest of the family to which it belongs, it has a blowsy cap or crest, erectile at will ; the color of this part is very dark brown, but with the hind head inclined to dark ash, which is th2 prevailing color cf the back. The wings and tail are dusky brown, without any particle of white ; the secondaries and their coverts edged with whitish ; the 2d primary longest and the 1st and 3d equal. The tail emarginate, extending only about | of an inch behond the closed wings. Bill very broad, nearly half an inch ; rictus bright yellow, as well as the inside of the mouth and tongue ; the latter somewhat cordate and bifid at tip ; the upper mandible distinctly carinated, and black ; the lower, purplish horn-yellow, lighter towards the base. Chin white. The sides dusky olive, a broad line down the middle of the breast, with the abdomen and rump yellowish white ; a broadish white space on the side, beneath the wing towards the back, extending almost to the region of the rump. Legs and feet black. Irids dark hazel. This species, though of the size of the King-bird, is nearly related to the Wood Pewee, yet perfectly distinct. GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. (Tyrannvs crinitus, Sw. Muscicapa criiiita, L. Wilson, ii. p. 75. pi. 13. fig. 2. Aid. pi. 129. Philad. Museum, No. 0645.) Spec. Charact. — Greenish-olive; throat pale ash; belly yellow; wing and tail feathers ferruginous on the inner webs. GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 303 This species nearly unknown in New England, arrives in Pennsylvania early in May, and builds his nest in the deserted holes of the Woodpecker or Blue-bird. He also frequents the orchard, and is equally fond of Bees with the King-bird. He has no other note than a harsh squeak which sounds like 'pa'tip, 'pa'ip, payup, 'paywip, with a strong accent on the first syllable. He preys actively on insects which he collects from his stand ; and, in short, has most of the manner's and physiognomy of the whole section or family to which he belongs. The nest being formed in the hollow of a tree, the materials are conse- quently scant, but somewhat novel ; being, according to Catesby and Wilson, a little loose hay, and large feathers, with hogs' bristles, dogs' hair, and pieces of cast snake- skins, the last of which, though an extraordinary material, is rarely wanting, its elastic softness forming a suitable bed for the young. The eggs are said to be 4, of a dull white, thickly marked with scratches and purple lines of various tints, as if laid on with a pen. The note of the male appears often delivered in anger and impatience, and he defends his retreat from the access of all other birds with the tyrannic insolence, characteristic of the King-bird. Towards the end of summer they feed on berries of various kinds, being particularly partial to Poke berries and whortle-berries, which, for a time, seem to constitute the principal food of the young. They remain in Pennsyl- vania till about the middle of September, when they retire to tropical America. In July, 1831, I observed a pair in an orchard at Acton, in this state (Mass.) They had rear- ed a brood in the vicinity, and still appeared very station- ary on the premises; their harsh 'payup, and sometimes a slender twittering as they took the perch, were heard al- most from morn to night, and resembled at first the chirp 304 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. of a young Robin. They fed on the caterpillars or vermin of some kind which happened to infest the apple-trees. I was told that it uttered a different and more musical note about sunrise, but of this I cannot speak from my own knowledge. They are unknown in the vicinity of the sea- coast of Massachusetts. According to Audubon they are found on the upper Missouri during summer. Many also pass the winter in the warmer parts of Florida. They also breed in Texas. This species is 8£ inches long, and 13 in alar extent. Above, the color is dull greenish olive ; the feathers of the head pointed, and centred with dark brown, the whole forming a sort of spreading cap or crest. Wing-coverts erossed with two irregular bars of yellowish white. Primaries bright ferruginous. Tail slightly forked. Bill, legs, and feet greyish black. Iris hazel. The female is scarcely dis- tinguishable from the male. PIPIRY FLYCATCHER. (Ttjrannus Dominicensis, Bonap. Birds, &c. p. 25. T. matutinus, Vieilt. Musckapa Domlnicensis y Briss. Aid. Orn. Biog. 2. p. 392. pi. 170.) Spec. Chakact. — Above ash grey; below greyish-white; a small flame-colored spot on the crown ; tail dusky edged with whitish, as well as the primaries. Tins fine tropical species was discovered by Audubon on the Florida Keys, where it arrives about the 1st of April, and spreads over the peninsula as far as Cape Flor- ida. It is common in Cuba and several other of the West India Islands. Stragglers, however, appear to wander at times, as far to the north as Charleston in South Carolina, a pair and their nest having been found in the College yard at that city, where they continued to return for several TIPIRY FLYCATCHER. 305 years in succession, rearing two broods in a season. Its whole demeanor so much resembles that of the common King-bird, that but for its superior size and note it might be mistaken for that species. They flutter while flying, and sometimes during the breeding season, the pair crossing each other's path, rise in spiral evolutions, loudly twittering as they ascend. When interrupted, alarmed by pursuit, or in quest of insects, they dart off with great velocity. If a large bird, as a Heron or Crow, or indeed any intruder, pass near their station, they immediately pursue it, and that often to a considerable distance : At the same time they appear careless of the approach of man, except when the nest is invaded, when they fly about in great anger, snapping their bills and loudly chattering, but when re- lieved from their unwelcome visitors, they return to their stand with notes of exultation. The nest, usually in a mangrove, much resembles that of the King-bird, being made of small sticks, and internally of a thin layer of fine grass or fibrous roots, the whole so thin as to show the eggs through it, which are about 4, of a white color, dotted abundantly at the larger end. They leave the Keys or small islands about the beginning of November. Length about 9 inches ; alar extent 14| or nearly. Third quill longest. Tail rather long, emarginate. Bill and feet brownish-black. Above dull ash grey, shaded with brown posteriorly, a concealed spot of flame color on the top of the head, perceptible only when the feathers are raised. Coverts, quills, and tail-feathers dusky brown, all more or less margined with brownish-white. Below greyish-white, the breast and sides pale grey, the lower tail-coverts and lower wing- coverts tinged with yellow. — The female somewhat smaller, and the spot on the head paler. 2G* 30G INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. ARKANSA FLYCATCHER. (Tyrannus rcrt/cah's, Say. Muscicupa rcrticalis, Boxap. Am Orn. i. p. 18. pi. 2. fig. 2. Aid. pi. 359. f. 1, 2. Philad. Museum, No. GC24.) Spec. Charact. — Head and throat ash ; a small orange spot on the crown; belly yellow; tail blackish, the exterior feather white on the outer web. We are indebted to Mr. Say, the well known naturalist, for the discovery of this recently known species of Fly- catcher, which appears to inhabit all the region west of the Missouri river. The specimen obtained, in the be- ginning of July near the banks of the river Platte, and only a few days' march from the Rocky Mountains, was a male. In our journey westward, we first met with this bold and querulous species, early in July, in the scanty woods which border the north-west branch of the Platte, within the range of the Rocky Mountains ; and from thence we saw them to the forests of the Columbia and the Wahla- met, as well as in all parts of Upper California, to latitude 32°. They are remarkably noisy and quarrelsome with each other, and in the time of incubation, like the King Bird, suffer nothing of the bird kind to approach them without exhibiting their predilection for battle and dispute. About the middle of June, in the dark swampy forests of the Wahlamet, we every day heard the discordant clicking warble of this bird, somewhat like tsh'k, tsh'Jc tsJtivait, sounding almost like the creaking of a rusty door-hinge, somewhat in the manner of the King Bird, with a blend- ing of the notes of the Blackbird or Common Grakle. Al- though I saw these birds residing in the woods of the Columbia, and near St. Diego in Upper California, I have not been able to find the nest, which is probably made in FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 307 low thickets where it would be consequently easily over- looked. In the Rocky Mountains they do not probably breed before raid-summer, as they are still together in noisy quarrelsome bands until the middle of June. Ac- cording to Mr. Townsend, its flight is often long sustained, often fluttering and hovering in the air like the Common King Bird with which it associates. The Indians also say that they are addicted to sucking the eggs of other birds, and sometimes also destroy the young. The length of this species is 9 inches, alar extent 15|. The head above, and hind-head are pale lead-color. Beneath the surface of the crown there is a small bright orange spot, also a dusky space between the bill and the eyes. The lead-color of the back is tinged with olive, the rump and upper tail coverts approaching to blackish. Throat and upper part of the breast very pale plumbeous, beyond which all the under parts are yellow. The wings umber brown; the 1st primary narrow. Tail deep brown-black, very slightly forked ; the exterior feather is white on the outer web. It is allied to the Muscicapa ferox of South America. FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER, (Tyr annus milvulus, Nobis. M. tyrannus, Bonaf. p. 25. Muscicapa savana, Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p. 1. pi. 1. fig. 1. Aud. pi. 1GS. M. ty- rannus, Lin. Philad. Museum, No. G020.) Spec Charact. — Cinereous ; head black ; a fulvous spot on the crown ; beneath white ; tail 111 inches long, extremely forked and black. This splendid bird is a resident in the tropical wilds of Guiana, where it is said to be common, and was found also by Commerson near the banks of La Plata and in the woods of Monte Video. Jt is only a straggler in the Uni- ted States, from one of which accidental visitors, near 303 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Bridgetown, in New Jersey, in the first week in December, was made the engraving which accompanies the account of this bird in Prince Bonaparte's Ornithology. In its habits it resembles the other native species of the genus, is a solitary bird, remaining for a long time perched on the limb of a tree, from whence it occasionally darts after passing insects, or flying downwards, it alights on the tufted herbage arising above the partially drowned savan- nas, beyond whose limits this sedentary species but seldom strays. While seated, his long train is in motion like that of the Wagtail, and he now and then utters a twitter in the manner of the King-Bird. Besides insects, like our King-bird, he feeds on berries, and this individual had his stomach distended with those of the Poke plant.* South America affords two other species resembling the present, and equally remarkable for the singular length and fork- ing of the tail-feathers. According to Latham this species inhabits South Amer- ica from Surinam to Monte Video. It arrives in Paraguay in the middle of September, and departs in March, fre- quenting moist and shady woods near streams, is bold and quarrelsome in the breeding season. A nest supposed to belong to this bird, was large, externally made of earth and small roots, lined with a downy substance, and con- tained 3 young and one white egg, spotted brown and ru- fous. M. Nosada says, however, that several nests which he found were small, composed of leaves, and strips of bark, and that the eggs were white. The length of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher is 14 inches, its tail alone measuring nearly 10. The alar extent is also 14 inches. The upper part of the head and cheeks is deep hlack. The feathers of the crown are somewhat slender, elevated, of a yellow-orange, form- * Paptolacca decandra. L. SWALLOW-TAILED FLYCATCHER. 309 ing a brilliant spot, only visible, however, when the crested cap is elevated ; the remaining part of the neck and back are greyish-ash; the rump is darker, and gradually passes into the black of the supe- rior tail-coverts. Beneath white. Wings dusky ; the first primary edged with whitish on the outer web, and equal in length to the 4th; the 2d longest; the 3 outer have a deep sinus on their inner webs near the tip, so as to terminate in a slender process. The tail is black and very deeply and widely forked ; the 2 exterior feathers 10 inches, the 2 next succeeding only 5, and the other feathers be- come gradually and proportionally shorter, until those in the middle are scarcely 2 inches in length ; the long exterior tail-feather is white on the remarkably narrow outer web, and on the shaft beneath for nearly | of its length. SWALLOW-TAILED FLYCATCHER. (Tyrannus forficatus, Nobis. Milvulus forjicatus Sw. Muscicapa for- fita, Gm. Boxap. Am. Orn. i. p. 1£. pi. 2. fig. 1. Aid. pi. 359. f. 3. Philad. Museum, No. GG23.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Light cinereous ; beneath white ; axillary feathers scarlet; tail greatly elongated, deeply forked, black, the outer feathers chiefly rosaceous. This very beautiful and singular species of Flycatcher is confined wholly to the open plains and scanty forests of the remote southwestern regions beyond the Mississippi, where they, in all probability, extend their residence to the high plains of Mexico. I found these birds rather com- mon near the banks of Red River, about the confluence of the Kiamesha. I again saw them more abundant, near the Great Salt River of the Arkansa in the month of August, when the young and old appeared, like our King- birds, assembling togother previously to their departure for the south. They alighted repeatedly on the tall plants of the prairie, and were probably preying upon the grass- 310 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. hoppers, which were now ahundant. At this time also they were wholly silent, and flitted before our path with suspicion and timidity. A week or two after we saw them no more, having retired probably to tropical winter quarters. In the month of May, a pair, which I daily saw for three or four weeks, had made a nest on the horizontal branch of an Elm, probably 12 or more feet from the ground. I did not examine it very near, but it appeared externally composed of coarse dry grass. The female, when first seen, was engaged in sitting, and her mate wildly attacked every bird which approached their residence. This harsh chirping note of the male, kept up at intervals, as remarked bv Mr. Say, almost resembled the barking of the Prairie Marmot, 'tsli 'tsh 'tsh. His flowing, kite-like tail, spread or contracted at will while flying, is a singular trait in his plumage, and rendered him conspicuously beautiful to the most careless observer. This fine bird is about 11 inches in length. The upper part of the head and neck is light grey ; back and scapulars dark cinereous, tinned with reddish-brown ; the rump of the same color but inclined to black, upper tail-coverts deep black. Beneath milk white, the flanks tinged with red; the inferior tail-coverts pale rosaceous. Winers brownish black, the upper coverts and secondaries margined externally and at tip with dull whitish ; under wing-coverts white, tinged with rose ; axillary feathers above and beneath of a vivid scarlet. The tail very long and deeply forked, of a perfect black, each feather with its terminal margin of a dull whitish tint; the 3 exterior feathers on each side are of a pale rosaceous color, on a con- siderable part of their length from their bases ; the external one is 5£ inches long, the 2d and 3d decrease gradually, but the 4th is dis- proportionately shorter; from this feather there is a gradual decrease to the 6th, which is little more than 2 inches long. Bill and feet blackish. Irids brown. Female nearly similar to the male. say's flycatcher. 311 SAY'S FLYCATCHER. (Tyrannus Saya, Nobis. Tyrannula Say a, Swains. Muscicapa Saya, Bo>-ap. i. p. 20, pi. 2. fig. 3. Aud. pi. 350. f. 4, 5. Philad. Museum, No. 6831.) Spec. Charact. — Dull cinnamon-brown; belly pale rufous; tail nearly even; the 1st primary longer than the Gth. This species was obtained by Mr. T. Peale, one of the naturalists of Major Long's expedition, in the vicinity of the Arkansas River, about 20 miles from the Rocky Moun- tains, and has since been found, in the central alpine region of the continent from Mexico to Carlton House, one of the remote stations of the Hudson's Bay Company. It strongly resembles the Common Pewee (J/, fusca.), having even the same note, but delivered in a different tone. Its nest, found in July, was built in a tree, and con- sisted chiefly of moss and clay, interwoven with a few blades of dried grass. The young were just ready to fly. We first observed this bird, in our route westward, about the 14th of June, within the first range of the Rocky Mountains called the Black Hills, and in the vicin- ity of that northern branch of the Platte known by the name of Larimie's Fork. At the time, we saw a pair perched, as usual, on a mass of rocks, from which, like the Pewee, though occasionally alighting, they flew after passing insects, without uttering any note that we heard ; and from their predilection, it is probable they inhabit among broken hills and barren rocks, where we have scarcely a doubt, from their behavior, they had at this time a brood or a nest among these granite clilfs. They appeared very timorous on our approach, and seemed very limited in their range. Except among the Blue Moun- tains of the Columbia, we scarcely ever saw them again. 312 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Their manners appear to be very much like those of the Common Pewee; but they are much more silent and shy. The length of Say's Fly-catcher is 7 inches. Above, dull cinna- mon-brown, becoming darker on the head. Beneath, throat, and breast of the same dull cinnamon tint, gradually passing into the pale rufous of the abdomen ; the under wing-coverts white, slightly tinged with rufous. The primaries dusky, tinged with cinnamon ; the 1st a quarter of an inch shorter than the 2d, which is nearly as long as the 3d; the 3d longest; the 4th and 5th gradually decrease, and the Gth is shorter than the 1st. The tail is scarcely notched and blackish, brown. The bill is remarkably flattened, the upper mandible black- ish, the lower pale horn-color below. The feet are also blackish ; and the irids biown. PEWIT FLYCATCHER. (Tijrannus fuscas, ~Soms. Museicapa atra, Gm. M. Phcrbc, Lath. M. fusca, Bokap. Aid. pi. 120. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 22. M. nunciola, Wil- son, ii. p. 73. pi. 13. fig. 4. Phil. Museum, No. CG18.) PEWIT FLYCATCHER. 313 Spec. Charact. — Dark olive-brown, darker on the head; beneath pale yellowish ; bill black; tail emarginate, extending an inch and a half beyond the closed wings; the exterior feather whitish on the outer web. This familiar species inhabits the continent of North America, from Canada and Labrador to Texas, retiring from the Northern and Middle States at the approach of winter. How far they proceed to the south at this season is not satisfactorily ascertained; a few, no doubt, winter in the milder parts of the Union, as Wilson saw them in February in the swamps of North and South Carolina, where they were feeding on smilax berries, and occasion- ally even giving their well known notes ; but in the winter, and early spring of 1S30, while employed in an extensive pedestrian journey from South Carolina to Florida and Alabama, I never heard or met with an individual of the species. Audubon found them abundant in the Floridas in winter. This faithful messenger of spring returns to Pennsylva- nia as early as the first week in March, remains till October, and sometimes nearly to the middle of Novem- ber. In Massachusetts, they arrive about the beginning of April, and at first chiefly frequent the woods. Their favorite resort is near streams, ponds, or stag- nant waters, about bridges, caves, and barns, where they choose to breed; and, in short, wherever there is a good prospect for obtaining their insect food. Near such places our little hunter sits on the roof of some out-build- ing, on a stake of the fence, or a projecting branch, call- ing out, at short intervals, and in a rapid manner phebe phebe, and at times in a more plaintive tone phee-be-ee. This quaint and querulous note, occasionally approaching to a warble, sometimes also sounds like pewait /await, and then pe-wai-ee, also phebi phe-bee-ee, twice alternated, 27 314 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the latter phrase somewhat soft and twittering. In the spring this not unpleasing guttural warble is kept up for hours together, until late in the morning, and though not loud, may be heard to a considerable distance. From a roof I have heard these notes full half a mile across the water of a small lake ; and this cheerful, though monoto- nous ditty, is only interrupted for a few seconds, as the performer darts and sweeps after his retreating prey of flies, frequently flirting and quivering his tail and ele* vating his feathery cap, while sharply watching the mo- tions of his fickle game. In the Middle States he begins to construct his nest about the latter end of March, in Massachusetts not be- fore the first week in April. The nest is situated under a bridge, in a cave, the side of a well 5 or 6 feet down under a shed, or in the shelter of the low eaves of a cot- tage, and even in an empty kitchen ; sometimes it vests on a beam, though it is frequently attached to the side of a piece of roofing timber in the manner of the Swallow. The outside is generally made of a mixture of moss (Hyp- num) and clay, and formed with considerable solidity; inside it is lined with flaxy fibres, films of bark, wool, horse- hair, or only with dry grass. The nest is also sometimes made merely of mud, root-fibres, and withered grass. The ecrors are about 5, pure white, without any spots. According to the touching relation of Wilson, this humble and inoffensive bird, forms conjugal attachments, which probably continue through life; for, like the faith- ful Blue-birds, a pair continued for several years to fre- quent and build in a romantic cave, in the forest which made part of the estate of the venerable naturalist, Wil- liam Bartram. Here our unfortunate birds had again taken up their welcome lease for the summer, again chanted forth their simple lay of affection, and cheered my aged PEWIT FLYCATCHER. 315 friend with the certain news of spring; when unexpect- edly a party of idle boys, one fatal Saturday, destroyed with the gun the parents of this old and peaceful settle- ment; and from that time forward no other pair were ever seen around this once happy, now desolate spot. There attachment to particular places is indeed re- markable. About the middle of April 1831, at the Fresh Pond Hotel, in this vicinity, three different nests were begun in the public boat-house, which may be here considered almost as a thoroughfare ; only one nest, however, was completed : and we could not help admiring the courage and devotedness with which the parents fed their young, and took their alternate station by the side of the nest undaunted in our presence, only now and then uttering a Hship when observed too narrowly. Some ruffian at length tore down the nest, and carried off the brood, but our Pewit immediately commenced a new fabric, laid 5 additional eggs in the same place with the first ; and, in haste to finish their habitation, lined it with the silvery shreds of a Manilla rope, which they discovered in the contiguous loft over the boat-house. For several previous seasons they had taken up their abode in this vicinity, and seemed unwilling to remove from the neighborhood they had once chosen in spite of the most untoward circum- stances. In two other instances, I have known a pair, when the nest and eggs were taken by some mischievous boys, commence a new nest in the same place, and laying a smaller number of eggs, raised a second brood. In one of those nests under a bridge, the insidious Cow Bird had also dropped his parasitic egg. Towards the time of their departure for the south, which is about the middle of October, they are silent, and previously utter their notes more seldom, as if mourning the decay of nature, and anticipating the approaching 316 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. famine which now urges their migration. In the middle States they raise two broods in the season, but in Massa- chusetts the Pewit rarely raises more than a single brood, unless, as in the instance related, they have had the mis- fortune to lose the first hatch. The young, dispersed through the woods in small numbers, may now and then be heard to the close of September, exercising their feeble voices in a guttural phebe. But the old birds are almost wholly silent, or but little hoard, as they flit timidly through the woods, when once released from t lie cares of rearing their infant brood; so that here the Phebe's note is almost a concomitant of spring and the mildest opening of sum- mer ; it is, indeed, much more vigorous in April and May than at any succeeding period. The Pewee is 7 inches in length, and H£ in alar extent. Above dark dusk}- olive ; the head brownish black, with an erectile crested cap, like all the rest of this North American family of Flycatchers, with the exception of the Redstart (M. rutkilla.) Wings and tail dusky, approaching to black, the former edged on every leather with yellowish white, the latter forked. Below pale whitish yellow, brighter on the abdomen. Legs and bill icholhj black. Iris hazel. The sexes almost entirely similar. WOOD PEWEE. (Tyra?i?ius virevs, Nobis. Tyrannvla vircns, Jari>. Bonap. Muscicapa vircns, Aid. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 93, pi. 115. Lin. jtf. rapax, Wilson, ii. p. 81. pi. 13. fig. 5. Philad. Museum, No. GGGO.) Spec. Charact. — Dusky brownish-olive, beneath pale yellowish; bill black, beneath dilute yellow; 2d primary longest; 1st much shorter than the 3d and longer than the 6th. Tins species has much the appearance of the Common Pewit Flycatcher, but differs essentially by its note and WOOD PEWEE. 317 habits. The Wood Pewee appears generally to winter south of the United States, and scarcely arrives in Penn- sylvania or New England before the middle of May ; its migrations, in all probability, extend to Canada. Accor- ding to Audubon many of them winter in the southern extremity of the United States, and Mr. Townsend and myself frequently saw them in the dark forests of the Ore- gon. It is a solitary species, frequenting gloomy forests, and dark orchards, where watching on some dead and project- ing branch for its insect prey, it sweeps at intervals amidst the shade, and the occasional snapping of its bill an- nounces the success of its flight. It then again alights as before, sometimes uttering a sort of gratulatory low twitter, accompanied by a quivering of the wings and tail, and in the lapse of its employment, in a feeble, sighing tone, often cries pee-wee or pce-e, and sometimes pe-wee pewittitee or pewittee pe-wee. This note is continued often till quite late in the evening, at which time many of the insect brood and moths are abundant. Most of these birds, indeed, appear capable of collecting their food by the feeblest light, the only season when some of their favorite prey ever stir abroad. This species also appears particu- larly fond of small wild bees. From June to September, its solitary notes are heard in the field and forest, after which time, preparing for its departure, and intently glean- ing food in every situation, it sometimes approaches the city, often examines the courts and gardens, at the same time feeding and training its young to the habits of their subsistence, and, about the first week in October, it retires south to pass the winter. The Pewee is a very expert and cautious flycatcher. and as if aware of the drowsiness of insects in the ab- sence of the sun's broad light, he is on the alert at day- dawn after his prey. At this early period, and often in 07* 318 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the dusk of evening, for the most part of summer till the middle of August, he serenades the neighborhood of his mansion from 3 to 4 or 5 o'clock in the morning, with an almost uninterrupted chanting ditty, sweet, but monoto- nous, like pe-ay pay-wee, pe-ay pay-wee, then in a little higher and less sing-song tone, his usual and more serious pee-a-wee. In dark and damp mornings, this curious war- ble is sometimes continued nearly to S o'clock ; and the effect of this tender, lulling lay, in the grey dawn, before the awakening of other birds, and their mingling chorus, is singular, and peculiarly pleasing. It is a gratulatory feeling of unmixed and placid delight, concomitant with the mild reviving light of the opening day, and the perfect joy of the mated male, satisfied in every reasonable desire; in short, a hymn of praise to the benevolent Author and Supporter of existence ! Towards the period of departure they become wholly silent, and, driven to extremity, they may now be seen watching the stagnant pools and ponds, dipping occasion- ally into the still surface after their drowsy and languid prey. Like the King-bird, this species at times displays a tyrannical disposition, and I have observed one to chase a harmless Sparrow to the ground for safety, who merely by inadvertence happened to approach the station he had tem- porarily chosen for collecting his insect game. The notes of peto-way peto-way pee-way are never ut- tered by this species; but on the 12th of February, 1830, in Alabama, I heard, at that season, a bird uttering this note, and several times afterwards I saw a rather large and dark Flycatcher in the Pine woods, to which I attri- buted this call, and which must be a distinct species, as its notes bear no resemblance to those of the Wood Pewee, at this season, probably, in South America. The Pewee, I believe, raises here but a single brood, PHCEBE, OR SHORT LEGGED PEWIT. 319 which are not abroad before the middle of July. The nest is extremely neat and curious, almost universally sad- dled upon an old moss-grown and decayed limb in an hori- zontal position, and is so remarkably shallow, and incor- porated upon the branch, as to be very easily overlooked. The body of the fabric consists of wiry grass or root fibres, often blended with small branching lichens, held too-ether with cob-webs, and caterpillar's silk, moistened with saliva; externally it is so coated over with bluish crustaceous lichens as to be hardly discernible from the moss upon the tree. It is lined with finer root fibres or slender grass- stalks. Some nests are, however, scarcely lined at all, being so thin as readily to admit the light through them, and are often very lousy with a species of acarus, which probably infests the old birds. The eggs, 3 or 4, are of a yellow cream-color, spotted and blotched, though not pro- fusely, towards the great end with two shades of lilac, and dark brown. The Wood Pewee is about 6 inches in length ; alar extent 10. Above dusky olive. Head, as usual, partly crested, brownish black. Below pale yellowish, inclining to white. Tail forked. The female a little smaller. PHCEBE, or SHORT LEGGED PEWIT. (Tyrannus Phoebe, Nobis. Tyrannula Phoebe, Bonap. p. 24. Muscicapa Phabe, Lath. Tyrannula Richardsonii, Swains. North. Zool. ii. p. ]4G. pi. 46. [lower figure]. Muscicapa Richardsonii, Aid. Orn.Biog. v. p. 299. pi. 434) Spec Charact. — Olive-brown; beneath pale; head with a thick incumbent crest ; bill black ; the 3d and 5th quills equal, the 3d and 4th equal and longest; tail slightly forked; tarsus very short. Tins species, so nearly allied to the Pewit (31. fusca, Bonap.) was found in the neighborhood of Cumberland 320 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. House in the fur countries, frequenting moist and shady woods by the banks of rivers and lakes. According to the suggestion of Dr. Richardson, its discoverer, it proba- bly extends its summer range to the shores of Great Slave Lake. My friend Audubon found this species plentiful on the coast of Labrador, and was at first inclined to overlook it for the common Pewit Flycatcher; its habits and voice however, were soon discovered to be sufficiently different; the nest also was placed in a bush and of a very large size chiefly composed of dry moss (or Usnea) and lined with the feathers of the Eider Duck and Willow Grouse, it was also suspended almost in the manner of the Orchard Ori- ole ; the eggs 5 to 7 were white and minutely spotted nearly all over with brown specks. If this bird be indeed the Phoebe of Latham it must be much more common than is supposed, but so easily confounded with the Common Pewit, as seldom to be distinguished from it. Length G inches 8 lines : the tail 2 inches 9 lines : the folded wings 3 inches 3 lines; the bill irom above, ^ an inch; tarsus 7| lines. Above hair-brown, very lightly tinned with olive-green, much darker on the head than elsewhere. Wings and tail liver-brown; the mar- gins of the secondaries and their coverts, and the outer edges of the exterior tail feathers, paler, as if worn. Below pale, between oil- green and wax-yellow, the under tail coverts approaching to ochre- yellow. Bill blackish-brown. Legs black. Tail an inch longer than the folded wings. The legs and feet much more slender than in the Pewit. The secondaries and tertiaries are also without the broad and distinct paler edgings of the Pewit. SMALL PEWEE. (Tyrannus acadicus. Nobis. Tijrannula acadica, Swains. Bonap. Mus- cicopa acadica ,Gm. M. r/vcriila, Wn.sox, ii. p. 77. pi. 13. fig. 3. Aud. pi. 144. Philad. Museum. No. Cd'25.) SMALL PEWEE. 321 Spec. Char act. — Dusky olive-green, below yellowish white; bill black, beneath dull flesh-color; 3d primary longest, 1st and Gth equal ; a whitish space about the eye ; tail even. Tins is one of our most common summer birds in this part of New England, arriving from the South about the last week in April, and leaving us, to retire probably to tropical America, about the beginning of September, or sometimes a little later. They also extend their migrations to Labrador and the Oregon Territory,* and seem most abundant in the Northern and Eastern States. Though, like the preceding, it is a solitary, retiring bird, and fond of the shade of the forest, yet in this vicinity, their nests are numerous. On their first arrival, previous to pairing, they are engaged in constant quarrels about their mates, and often molest other birds whom they happen to see em- ployed in pursuit of the same kind of food with them- selves. Like the preceding species, they take their station on a low branch to reconnoitre the passing insects on which they feed, and from time to time make a circular sweep for their prey. When seated, they utter very fre- quently a sharp, unpleasant squeak, somewhat resembling that of the King-bird, sounding like quedh, and sometimes 'tsh'ah, or tshedh, tshcah, and tshooe, with a guttural, snap- ping sound, succeeded by a kind of querulous, low twitter, uttered as they fly from tree to tree, and chiefly at the in- stant of alighting. At other times they have a recognising, rather low call of 'whit 'whit, repeated at short intervals ; again, in the warmest weather, 1 have heard one of these Pewees call something like the whistling of 'weet, 'weet, '/rut, 'will. Occasionally, when fighting or in living, it also makes an echoing tshirr. It possesses all the habits of the King-bird, catches bees, flies, and moths, exhibits a * Brou»lit from thence by .Mr. Townsend, 322 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. variety of quivering motions, and defends its nest with great courage against the approach of larger birds. The nest of the Small Pewee is usually fixed in the slender, upright forks of a young forest tree, from G to 20 or 30 feet from the ground. I have also found the nests on the horizontal branch of an apple tree or forest tree. In most instances, in the woods, a gloomy, solitary situa- tion is chosen. The materials of this fabric vary accord- ing to circumstances ; for the first brood, a very soft and warm nest is usually made of dry grass, willow, and cud- weed down, in large quantities, partly felted or matted together externally with the saliva of the bird. Common tow, if convenient, is also occasionally employed, when the nest is in an apple tree, for which some neighboring graft is probably unravelled. They likewise sometimes employ bits of wool. The interior is usually formed of slender, narrow strips of bark, bass, and dry grass ; the lining is commonly of fine root fibres, slender tops of bent grass, and at times a few hairs and feathers. Occasionally the principal external material consists of strips or strings of silk-weed lint, and the bark of the common virgin's bower.* The nest is extremely neat and uniform, resem- bling a complete hemisphere. The eggs are 5, and pure white. As nests may be found late in July, it is probable they have a second brood in the course of the season. They are extremely attached to their offspring, and keep up an incessant almost choking tsJiedh tshedk, when any person approaches towards the tree where they have their brood. The young and old now move about in com- pany, and at this time feed on various kinds of berries, particularly those of the cornel and whortle-berry. At length, the young are seen to select each other's society, * Clematis virrriniana. TRAILL S PEWEE. 323 and rove about without any fixed resort, previous to their gradual departure. A pair, probably of the same brood, still lingered here in September, and like the little Parrots, called Inseparable, appeared fondly to cherish each other's company. It was towards evening when I saw them, and at first they appeared inclined to roost in the shady willow tree on which they had alighted. They nestled close to each other with looks and notes of tenderness and affec- tion ; wherever one went the other instantly followed, and the same branch continually presented the same constant pair. This species is 5.J inches in length, and 9 in alar extent. Ahove it is dusky olive green. Beneath yellowish-white, inclining to ash color on the breast. The wings are dusky brown, crossed with two bars of brownish or sullied white ; a ring of the same surrounds the eye ; secondaries edged with whitish, the outer edge of the 1st primary white, under wing-coverts pale yellow ; 2d, 3d, and 4th primaries nearly of a length, with the 1st and Gth also equal. Tail pale dusky brown, decidedly emarginate, the outer feather margined with whit- ish. Legs and feet black. Bill, upper mandible blackish-brown, the lower, between horn and flesh color, not remarkable for its breadth. The sexes nearly alike. The white marks considerably clearer in the young before moulting. TRAILL'S PEWEE (Tijranmis Traihi, Nobis. Tyrannula TrailJii, Boxap. Birds, &c. p. 24. Muscicapa Tralllli, Aid. Orn. Biog. i. p. 23G. pi. 45. [male].) Spf.c. Ciiar.ut. — Dusky brownish-olive; below dull yellowish- white ; bill blackish, not convex at the sides ; beneath yellowish ; 3d primary longest; a narrow whitish space about the eye; tail emarginate. Tins species, so nearly allied to the last, was first dis- tinguished by Audubon. Its note resembles the syllable 'ivhcct, 'ichect, articulated clearly while in the act of flying. 324 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. It was first observed on the wooded skirts of the prairies along the banks of the Arkansa. Mr. Townsend and myself observed it in various places in the skirts of the forests of the Columbia and Wahlamet during the summer, when it was breeding ; but we could not discover the nest. Its motions are thus described by Audubon. " When leaving the top branches of a low tree, this bird takes long flights, skimming in zig-zag lines, passing close over the tops of the tall grasses, snapping at and seizing different species of winged insects and returning to the same trees to alight." Length about 5| inches; extent of the wings BJ. Tail longish, slightly forked when closed. Bill dark brown above, yellow beneath. Feet brownish-black. Above dull brownish olive ; larger wing-coverts tipped with dull white. Throat greyish-white, as is a very narrow space around the eye ; sides of the head and neck, and the fore part of the breast, colored like the back, but lighter ; the rest of the un- der parts dull yellowish-white. LITTLE PEWEE. (Tyraiuius pusillus, Nobis. Tyranmda pusilla, Swains. North. Zool. ii. p. 144. pi. 4G. fig. 1. Aud. pi. 434.) Spec. Charact. — Above olive; paler beneath; orbits and front hoary; wings somewhat rounded; 1st quill shorter than the 6th, and the 2d shorter than the 4th; the bill short and broad, with the under mandible pale. A small species. Nothing characteristic is known concerning the habits of this bird, which according to Richardson, was seen near Carleton House in the fur countries, the 19th of May, flitting about for a few days among low bushes on the banks of the Saskatchewan, after which it retired to the shady woods farther to the north. Without attending to the marks here given in the specific character it would be LITTLE PEWEE. 325 impossible to distinguish this bird from the Muscicapa acaclica, (31. qucrula, of Wilson.) In 31. qucrula, how- ever, the wings are invariably longer, being 3 inches, but in pusilla only 2^ of an inch long, and the primaries but T 6 o" l° n g er tnan tne secondaries, while in acadica they are an inch longer. According to Swainson, this new species is also a native of the shores of Mexico. On Wappatoo island, at the junction of the Wahlamet and Columbia, I observed a male of this species very ac- tive and cheerful, making his chief residence in a spread- ing oak, on the open border of a piece of forest. As usual, he took his station at the extremity of a dead branch, from whence, at quick intervals, he darted after passing insects. When at rest, he raised his erectile crest, and in great earnest called out sishui, sishui, and some- times tsishea, t si shea, in a lisping tone, rather quickly, and sometimes in great haste, so as to run both calls together. This brief, rather loud, quaint, and monotonous ditty, was continued for hours together, at which time, so great was our little actor's abstraction, that he allowed a near ap- proach without any material apprehension. As I could not discover any nest, I have little doubt it was concealed either in some knot, or laid on some horizontal branch. Mr. Audubon found this species both in Newfoundland and on the coast of Labrador in considerable numbers, and Mr. M'Culloch obtained it in Nova Scotia. In the breeding season the males are very quarrelsome. Mr. A. found a nest of this bird placed between two small twigs of a bush not above 4 feet from the ground. The nest was composed of dry grass and root fibres, so thinly ar- ranged as to be readily seen through ; the eggs were 5 in number, white, and thinly spotted with brown-red, and a few dots of umber. 88 326 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. BLACK PEWEE. (Tyrannus nigricans, Nobis. Tyrannula 71igri.cn ns Swains. Musci-> capa 7iigricans, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. p. 302. pi. 434. [male].) Spec. Charact. — Head, neck, fore part of the back, a part of the breast and sides brownish-black ; a small band of white across the wing; breast, abdomen, vent, and a small band on the wing, white. 1 observed this species rather common in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, in Upper California, in the month of April. One which I particularly observed kept near the house and garden in a very familiar manner, which led me to believe there was a nest, probably in some decayed cranny of the building. The male perched much on an olive tree on the edge of the garden, watching for passing insects, and kept up, at times, a slight call somewhat in the manner of the Common Pewee. I was informed of the existence of a nest in a hole in the wall of the neighboring convent, but I did not see it. Length 7 inches ; wing from the flexure about 3.^ inches. Bill and feet black; iris brown. Head, hind neck, fore part of the back, fore neck, a portion of the breast, and the sides dark sooty brown ; the rest of the upper parts greyish-brown ; secondary coverts tipped with greyish-white. Middle of the breast, abdomen, and lower tail coverts white. SETOPHAGA. (Swains.) AMERICAN REDSTART. Bill depressed, of moderate width, compressed and slightly bent to- wards the tip ; with elongated bristles at the base, the mandibles of equal length and acute ; the upper scarcely notched. Tarsus longer than the middle toe, 2d and 3d primaries about equal and longest, with the first scarcely shorter. Tail rather long and wedge-shaped. The moult of the male is double, and the voice musical like that of the Sylvias and Vireos, to which it is related, but sufficiently dis- AMERICAN REDSTART. 3:27 tinct. Nearly allied to the foreign Malurus of Vieillot, as well as to the Indian Phanicornis of Swainson, in which the brilliant colors and their distribution are very similar, but in that the tail is long, and un- equally graduated, and the bill more robust and strongly notched- The nest not pendulous, neat and somewhat artful, resembling that of the Sylvias. £• ^ Jfifife AMERICAN REDSTART. {Setophaga ruticilla, Sw. Muse ten pa ruticilla, L. Wilsow, i. p. 103. pi. 6. fig. 6. [adult male.] v. p. 119. pi. 45. fig. 2. [young]. Audu- bon, pi. 40. [in the act of attacking a nest of hornets.] Philad. Museum, No 6658.) Spec. Charact. — Black; belly white; sides of the breast, base of the primaries and tail-feathers (the two middle ones excepted) red- dish orange. — Female, young, and autumnal mule greenish-olive; bead cinereous; beneath whitish; sides of the breast and base of the tail feathers, yellow. Tins beautiful and curious bird takes up its summer residence in almost every part of the North American con- tinent, being found in Canada, in the remote interior near 323 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Red river in the latitude of 49 degrees, throughout Louis- iana, Arkansa, and the maritime parts of Mexico ; in all of which vast countries it familiarly breeds and resides during the mild season, withdrawing early in September to tropical America, where, in the perpetual spring and summer of the larger West India islands, the species again find means of support. At length, instigated by more powerful feelings than those of ordinary want, the male, now clad in his beautiful nuptial livery, and accompanied by his mate, seeks anew the friendly but far distant natal regions of his race. In no haste, the playful Redstart does not appear in Pennsylvania until late in April. The month of May, about the close of the first week, ushers his arrival into the states of New England ; but in Louis- iana he is seen as early as the beginning of March. He is no pensioner upon the bounty of man. Though some- times seen, on his first arrival, in the darkest part of the orchard or garden, or by the meandering brook, he seeks to elude observation, and now, the great object of his mi- grations having arrived, he retires with his mate to the thickest of the sylvan shade. Like his relative Sylvias, he is full of life and in perpetual motion. He does not, like the loitering Pewee, wait the accidental approach of his insect prey, but carrying the war amongst them, he is seen flitting from bough to bough, or at times pursuing the fly- ing troop of winged insects from the top of the tallest tree in a zig-zag, hawk-like, descending flight, to the ground, while the clicking of the bill declares distinctly both his object and success. Then alighting on some adjoining branch, intently watching, with his head extended, he runs along upon it for an instant or two, flirting like a fan his expanded brilliant tail from side to side, and again sud- denly shoots off like an arrow in a new direction, after the fresh game he has discovered in the distance, and for AMERICAN REDSTART. 329 which he appeared to be reconnoitring. At first the males are seen engaged in active strife, pursuing each other in wide circles through the forest. The female seeks out her prey with less action and flirting, and in her manners re- sembles the ordinary Sylvias. The notes of the male, though not possessed of great compass, are highly musical, and at times sweet and agreeably varied like that of the Warblers. Many of these tones, as they are mere trills of harmony, cannot be recalled by any words. Their song on their first arrival is however nearly uniform, and greatly resembles the 'tsh 'tsh tsh tshee, tshe, tshe, tslie tshea, or 'tsh 'tsh 'tsh 'tshitshee of the summer Yellow-bird (Sylvia ccstiva), uttered in a piercing and rather slender tone; now and then also agreeably varied with a somewhat plaintive flowing 'tshe tshe tshe } or a more agreeable 'tshit 'tshit a 'tshee, given al- most in the tones of the Common Yellow-bird (Fringilla tristis). I have likewise heard individuals warble out a variety of sweet, and tender, trilling, rather loud and shrill notes, so superior to the ordinary lay of incubation, that the performer would scarcely be supposed the same bird. On some occasions the male also, when angry or alarmed, utters a loud and snapping chirp. The nest of this elegant Sylvan Flycatcher is very neat and substantial; fixed occasionally near the forks of a slender hickory or beach suppling, but more generally fastened or agglutinated to the depending brandies or twigs of the former; sometimes securely seated amidst the stout footstalks of the waving foliage* in the more usual manner of the delicate cradle of the Indian Tailor- bird,! but in the deep and cool shade of the forest, in- *See the vignette at the close of this article, which represents one of the nests here described. t Sylvia suturia : the nest as given in Forhes's History of India. 28* 330 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. stead of the blooming bower. Security being obtained by a firm adhesion of the materials, our little brilliant and active architect is seldom solicitous about a great elevation, the height of the nest being probably rarely more than (> to 12 feet from the ground ; except in erect sapplings, when the height may be 20 to 30 feet. The external materials (of 3 nests from which I now describe) are short and rather coarse strips of Hemlock fir bark, and also stalks of small tree leaves, or toucrh blades of grass (Poa compressa) agglutinated by saliva, and thinly tied over with caterpillar's silk and the linty bark of the dog's bane [Apocynum, Sp.) ; to the outside appear also attached bits of snow-white fibrous touch-wood, and films of paper-birch bark; within this first layer are more scraps of touch-wood and bits of a white fungus (Agaricus iomentosus) ; after which, the rest of the man- ufacture, to the thickness of more than half an inch, consists almost wholly of slender brown strips of grape- vine bark, becoming thinner towards the ultimate lining surface, so as to appear no thicker, at length, than the finer sewing-thread. Sometimes, as in one of these nests, while making the first tenacious layer, sparing and acci- dental bits of thread are not refused when convenient, which must however seldom happen from the solitary and secluded habits of the species. This nest, never pensile, bears a great resemblance to that of the Pine Warbler, but the lininor is neither soft nor downv. The egas, 3 or 4, are cream white, and pretty thickly sprinkled with yellowish-brown spots of two shades, becoming more numerous towards, the greater end. Both parents, but particularly the male, exhibit great concern for the safety of their nest, whether containing eggs only or young, and on its being approached, the male will flit about within a few feet of the invador, regardless of his personal safety, AMERICAN REDSTART. 331 and exhibiting unequivocal marks of distress. The parents also, in their solicitude and fear, keep up an in- cessant 'tship when their infant brood are even distantly approached. The length of the Redstart is 5£ inches ; alar extent about 6£. Above, the general color is black, in places glossed with steel blue ; the sides of the breast below the black, the inside of the wings, and upper half of the primaries are of a fine reddish orange, sometimes approaching scarlet. The 4 middle feathers of the tail are black, the rest orange and black towards the tips. The belly and vent white, tinged with pale orange. Legs blackish, long and slender, (better suited for walking than those of the other Flycatchers of the United States) Bill brownish flesh-color. — The young males resemble the female in most respects, but differ in having a yellow band across the wings ; the back is also browner, the inside of the wings is yellow. In the 3d season he acquires his perfect livery. 332 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. SYLVANIA. (Nobis.) SYLVAN FLYCATCHERS. (WlLSONIA. BoNAP.) Bill of moderate length and breadth, straight, sub- cylindric, trigonal, somewhat depressed at the base, and acute; upper mandible slightly notched, the tip a little deflected, lower mandible straight; nostrils basal, partly covered by bristles. Tarsus a little longer than the middle toe ; wings somewhat acute ; 2d or 3d primary longest. A tribe of small Flycatchers living in the forests and nearly allied to the Sylvicolas, with the last of which they agree almost entirely in habits, having also similar notes, but feeding in the manner of the European Flycatchers and with bristles at the base of the bill. BONAPARTE'S SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. (Syhania Bonapartii, Nobis. Wilsonia Bonapartii, Boxap. Muscicapa Bonapartii, Audubon, pi. 5. Orn. Biog. i. p. 27.) Spec. Charact. — Cinereous, front and beneath dull yellow, mixed with grey, the breast sparingly spotted ; tail wedge-shaped. This species was discovered by Audubon in a cypress swamp, in Louisiana, on the 13th of August, 1821, which was the only time he ever met with it. Its manners ap- peared very similar to those of the American Redstart, and it now uttered merely a plaintive 'ticeet. Size a little more than 5 inches. Primaries edged with white. Bill pale, above light greyish-blue, Quills dusky, their outer webs blue; 2d primary longest. Legs yellowish flesh color. I believe I have once seen this species in a grove of the Botanic Garden in Cam- bridge. MITRED SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. 333 MITRED SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. (Sylvania Mitrata, Nobis. WUsonia Mitrata, Bonap. Syhia Mitrata, Lath. Aid. pi. 110 ; and Muscicapa cucuUata, Wilson 3. p. 101. pi. 26. f. 3 [male]. Muscicapa Sclbii, Audubon, pi. 9. Oin. Biog. i. p. 46. [young].) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive, head, neck, and throat black; fore- head, cheeks, and body beneath, j T ellow ; 3 lateral tail-feathers white on one half of their inner webs. — Young wholly olive green, below and line over the eye yellow. This beautiful and singularly marked summer species, common in the South, is rarely seen to the north of the state of Maryland. It retires to Mexico or the West In- dies probably to pass the winter. At Savannah, in Georgia, it arrives from the south about the 20th of March, according to Wilson. It is partial to low and shady situations darkened with underwood, is frequent among the cane-brakes of Tennessee and Mississippi, and is exceedingly active, and almost perpetually engaged in the pursuit of winged insects. W 7 hile thus employed, it now and then utters three loud, and not unmusical, very lively notes, resembling the words, twee twee 'ticlttshe. In its simple song and general habits it therefore much resembles the Summer Yellow Bird. Its neat and com- pact nest is generally fixed in the fork of a small bush, formed outwardly of moss and flax, lined with hair, and sometimes feathers; the eggs about 5, are greyish-white, with reddish spots towards the great end. This species is about 5£ inches long, and 8 in alar extent. The forehead, cheeks, and chin yellow, surrounded with a hood of black that covers the crown, hind-head, and part of the neck, and descends rounding over the breast; all the rest of the lower parts yellow. Above, yellow olive. Bill black. Legs flesh-colored. Tail emarginate, exteriorly edged with olive-yellow. — In the female, the throat and breast are yellow, only slightly tinged with blackish; 334 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the black does not reach so far down the upper part of the neck, and is less deep. The young ? have little or no black on the head or neck above. SMALL-HEADED SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. (Si/hania pumilia, Nobis. Sylvia pumilia, Vieilx. Orn. Amer. ii. p. 39. t. 100. S. Trochillus. Var. |S. Lath. 7. p. 77. [ed. 2d] S. Minuta. Bonap. Aud. pi. 434. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 291. Wilsonia Minuta, Boxap. Birds, &c. p. 23. Ficedula carolinensis , Briss. Muscicapa Minuta, Wilson. G. p. 02. pi. 50. f. 5.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Dark yellow-olive; beneath pale dull yellow; wings and tail dusky brown ; the wing-coverts tipt with white ; two lateral tail-feathers with a white spot on the inner vanes. This rare species was figured by Wilson, who met with it in Pennsylvania, towards the close of April in an or- chard, where with remarkable activity it was running and darting about among the opening buds and blossoms in quest of winged insects. According to Audubon this spe- cies has several rather pleasing notes which it utters at regular intervals in the manner apparently of the Sylvico- las. It is not uncommon; being seen in New Jersey, particularly in swamps, and may breed there, as it is found in the month of June. In the southern parts of the Union, in summer, it is probably more frequent than in the Middle States. My friend, Mr. C. Pickering, obtained a specimen several years ago near Salem, Massachusetts, in which state I have also seen it at the approach of winter. At this season it is also found in Jamaica and other of the West India Islands. According to Catesby they breed in North Carolina. According to Vieillot this species is found in Jamaica, St. Domingo, and Cayenne, as well as in South Carolina, Wilson's sylvan flycatcher. 335 where it breeds and passes the summer. He had not seen the eggs, but obtained the nest with 4 young. The nest is thin, deep, and composed solely of fine grass artfully wrought in the bifurcation of three small branches to which it is in a manner suspended. Length 5 inches ; alar extent 8L Below dirty white, stained with dull yellow towards the upper part of the breast. Bill dusky yellow, broad at the base, notched near the tip, with porrected bristles at the base. Legs dark brown ; feet yellowish ; iris hazel. WILSON'S SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. (Sylvania pusilla, Nobis. WUsonia pusilla, Boxap. Birds, &c. p. 23* Muscicapa pusilla, Wilson, 3. p. 103. pi. 2b", f. 4. Sylvia II ilsonii, Bo.v.vp. Muscicapa Wilsonii, Aud. pi. 124. Phil. Museum, No. 7785.) Spec. Charact. — Olive-green; crown black; front, line over the e}*e, and all beneath, yellow ; tail rounded. — Female and young, at first without the black crown, and dull yellow olive. Tins remarkable species of Sylvan Flycatcher was first observed by Wilson in New Jersey and Delaware, as a transitory bird of passage. Audubon has noticed it in Labrador and Newfoundland where it was breeding, and it is not uncommon in the state of Maine. He also saw it in his way to Texas early in April. They begin to migrate from Newfoundland about the middle of August and are seen in Maine in October. Mr. Townsend and myself had the pleasure of observing the arrival of this little cheerful songster in the wilds of Oregon about the first week of May where they commonly take up their summer residence, and seem almost the counterpart of our brilliant and cheer- ful Yellow-Bird (Sylvia eestiva) tuning their lay to the same brief and lively ditty, like f tsh 'tsh 'tsh tslica, or 336 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. something similar; their call, however is more brief and less loud. It was generally familiar and unsuspicious, kept in bushes more than trees, particularly in the thickets which bordered the Columbia, busily engaged collecting its insect fare, and only varying its employment, by an occasional and earnest warble. By the 12th of May, they were already feeding their full-fledged young, though I also found a nest on the 16th of the same month, contain- ing 4 eggs, and just commencing incubation. The nest was in the branch of a small service bush, laid very adroitly as to concealment upon an accidental mass of old moss, ( Usnea) that had fallen from a tree above. It was made chiefly of ground moss (Hypmim) with a thick lining of dry, wiry, slender grass. The female, when ap- proached, went off slyly, running along the ground like a mouse. The eggs are very similar to those of the Sum- mer Yellow-Bird, sprinkled with spots of pale olive-brown, inclined to be disposed in a ring at the greater end as ob- served by Mr. Audubon in a nest which he found in Lab- rador made in a dwarf fir, also made of moss and slender fir twigs. Length 4£ inches, extent of wings 6f. Bill light brown ; feet flesh-colored. Olive green above. Crown black, with a green re- flection, bordered anteriorly with bright yellow. Wings and tail dusky, margined with green ; tips of the wing coverts pale greenish- grey. Sides of neck greenish-grey ; below generally bright yellow. Subgenus. — Culicivora. (Genus Sw.) Bill rather broad at base, notched at the tip which is somewhat declinate. — Tail longish. BLUE GRAY SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. 337 BLUE-GRAY SYLVAN FLYCATCHER. (Sylvania cmrulea, Nobis. Culicivora cccrulea^ Swains. Bonap. Musci- capa ccerulea, Wilson, ii. p. 1C4. pi. 18. fig. 5. Sylvia cccrulca, Lath. Aud. pi. 84. Philad. Museum, No. 6829.) Spec. Charact. — Bluish-grey; beneath pale bluish- white ; tail longer than the body, rounded, black ; outer tail-feathers nearly white, the two succeeding tipt with white. — Female bluish white below, without the black line over the eye and front. But for the length of the tail, this would rank among the most diminutive of birds. It is a very dexterous, lively insect hunter, and keeps commonly in the tops of tall trees; its motions are rapid and incessant, appearing always in quest of its prey, darting from bough to bough with hanging wings and elevated tail, uttering only at times a feeble song of tsee tsee tsee, scarcely louder than the squeak of a mouse. It arrives in the state of Pennsylvania from the south about the middle of April, and seldom passes to the north of the states of New York and Ohio, though others following the course of the large rivers pen- etrate into Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansa.* Its first visits are paid to the blooming willows, along the borders of water courses, and, besides other small insects, it now preys on the troublesome musquetoes. About the begin- ning of May it forms its nest, which is usually fixed among twigs, at the height of 10, or sometimes even 50 feet from the ground, near the summit of a forest tree. It is formed of slight materials, such as the scales of buds, stems and parts of fallen leaves, withered blossoms, fern f down, and the silky fibres of various plants, lined with a few horse- hairs, and coated externally with lichens. In this frail * Aud. Orn. Biog. i. p. 432. f Of the Osmunda cinnamomea, &c. 29 338 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. nest, the Cow Troopial sometimes deposits her egg, and leaves her offspring 1 to the care of these affectionate and pigmy nurses. In this case, as with the Cuckoo in the nest of the Yellow Wren and that of the Red-tailed Warb- ler, the egg is probably conveyed by the parent, and placed in this small and slender cradle, which would not be able to sustain the weight or receive the body of the intruder. The eggs of this species, 4 or 5, are white, with a few reddish dots towards the larger end. They are said to raise two broods in the season. This species leaves the Middle States for the south to- wards the close of September, wintering in tropical Amer- ica, where they have been observed in Cayenne. Early in March, it arrives in Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia from its tropical winter-quarters, but none pass that season within the boundaries of the Union. Length of the Blue-grey Flycatcher 4£ inches ; alar extent 6£. Front and line over the eye black. Above, light bluish-grey, bright- est on the head. Below bluish-while and pale (white, in the females.) Tail edo-ed with blue, its coverts black. Wings brownish black, some of the secondaries next the body edged with white. Legs pale blue. Iris hazel. Bill black, broad, notched somewhat more at the tip. than the rest of this genus. ICTERIA. (Vieillot, Boxap.) The bill robust, rather long, convex, curved, com- pressed, entire, and pointed, with divergent bristles at its base ; the mandibles nearly equal, with the edges some- what bent inwards. Nostrils rounded, half covered by an arched membrane. Tongue cartilaginous, slightly cleft at the point. — The inner toe unconnected with the ad- joining one. First primary a little shorter than the 2d, 3d, and 4th, which are longest. — Female similar to the male in color. YELLOW-BREASTED ICTERIA. 339 They feed on insects and berries ; are fond of concealment ; alight occasionally on the ground near the thickets where they hide. Their flight is irregular, and their song quaint and varied. — The genus contains but a single species, and is peculiar to America. It is allied to Muscicapa as well as to the Vireo and Thrush. YELLOW-BREASTED ICTERIA. (Icteria viridis, Bonap. Aud. pi. 137. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 223. Pipra pohj- glotta, Wilson- i. p. 90. pi. 6. fig. 2. Muscicapa viridis, Gmel. Phila. Museum, No. 6C61.) Observ. General color above deep olive-green; the throat and breast yellow ; with the abdomen and a line encircling the eyes white. Tins remarkable bird is another summer resident of the United States, which passes the winter in tropical America, being found in Guiana and Brazil, so that its migrations probably extend indifferently into the milder regions of both hemispheres. Even the birds essentially tropical are still known to migrate to different distances on either side the equator, so essential and necessary is this wandering habit to almost all the feathered race. The Icteria arrives in Pennsylvania about the first week in May, and does not usually appear to proceed further north and east than the states of New York or Connecticut. To the west it is found in Kentucky and ascends the Ohio to the borders of Lake Erie.* In the distant interior, how- ever, near the Rocky mountains, towards the sources of the Arkansa, this bird was observed by Mr. Say, and Mr. Townsend saw it at Walla-Walla, on the Columbia, breed- ing in the month of June. It retires to the south about the middle of August, or as soon as the only brood it raises are fitted to undertake their distant journey. * Aud. Orn. niop. 2. p. 223. 340 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. The males, as in many other migrating birds, who are not continually paired, arrive several days before the fe- males. As soon as our bird has chosen his retreat, which is commonly in some thorny or viny thicket, where he can obtain concealment, he becomes jealous of his assumed rights, and resents the least intrusion, scolding all who approach in a variety of odd and uncouth tones, very diffi- cult to describe or imitate, except by a whistling, in which case the bird may be made to approach, but seldom within sight. His responses on such occasions are constant and rapid, expressive of anger and anxiety; and still unseen, his voice shifts from place to place amidst the thicket. Some of these notes resemble the whistling of the wings of a flying duck, at first loud and rapid, then sinking till they seem to end in single notes. A succession of other tones are now heard, some like the barking of young pup- pies, with a variety of hollow, guttural, uncommon sounds, frequently repeated, and terminated occasionally by some- thing like the mewing of a cat, but hoarser; a tone, to which all our Vireos, particularly the young, have frequent recurrence. All these notes are uttered with vehemence, and with such strange and various modulations, as to ap- pear near or distant, like the manoeuvres of ventriloquism. In mild weather, also, when the moon shines, this exuber- ant gabbling, is heard nearly throughout the night, as if the performer was disputing with the echoes of his own voice. Soon after their arrival, or about the middle of May, the Icterias begin to build, fixing the nest commonly in a bramble-bush, in an interlaced thicket, a vine, or small cedar, 4 or 5 feet from the ground. The outside is usually composed of dry leaves, or thin strips of grape- vine bark, and lined with root-fibres and dry, slender blades of grass. The eggs are about 4, pale flesh-colored, VIREO. 341 spotted all over with brown or dull red. The young are hatched in the short period of 12 days; and leave the nest about the second week in June. While the female is sitting, the cries of the male are still more loud and incessant. He now braves concealment, and, at times, mounts into the air almost perpendicularly 30 or 40 feet, with his legs hanging down, and, descending as he rose, by repeated jerks, he seems to be in a paroxysm of fear and anger. Its usual mode of flying is not, however, dif- ferent from that of other birds. The food of the Icteria consists of beetles and other shelly insects ; and, as the summer advances, they feed on various kinds of berries, like the Flycatchers, and seem particularly fond of whortleberries. They are frequent through the Middle States, in hedges, thickets, and near rivulets and watery situations. The Icteria is 7 inches long, and 9 in alar extent. Above, it is of a rich deep olive-green, with the exception of the tips of the wings, and the inner vanes of the wing and tail-feathers, which are dusky- brown ; throat and breast of a bright yellow ; the abdomen and vent white ; the front dull cinereous ; lores black ; a line of white extends from the nostril to the upper part of the eye, which it nearly encir- cles ; a spot of white also at the base of the lower mandible. Bill black. Legs and feet bluish-grey, the hind claw rather the largest. — The female merely differs by having the black and white adjoin- ing the eye less pure and deep. VIREO. (Vieill.) GREENLETS or VIREOS. In these the bill is rather short, a little compressed, and Furnished with bristles at its base ; the upper mandible curved at the extremity and strongly notched ; the lower is shorter, and recurved at tip. Nostrils, at the base of 29* 342 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the bill, rounded. Tongue cartilaginous and cleft at the point. Tarsus longer than the middle toe. Wings rather acute ; the 2d or 3d primary longest. — Female resembling the male. The species more or less tinged with olive- green. These birds, in the early part of summer, live exclusivly on insects ; towards autumn they feed on small bitterish or astringent berries, the hard, indigestible parts of which are regurgitated by the bill, as with the Flycatchers. They live almost wholly in trees, rarely ever alighting on the ground. The voice is highly musical, and their song long continued. At the approach of winter they migrate to tropical climates. — They are peculiar to America. Besides their other affinities, they are related to the true Icteri, in which the young and females are also olive- green : both build pendulous nests, have similar colored eggs, their song is not very different, and the young of both mew somewhat like cats. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. (Vlrco flavifrons, Vieill. Bonap. Aud. pi. 119. Muscicapa sylvicola, Wilson, i. p. 117. pi. 7. fig. 3. Phil. Museum, No. GGC1 ?) Sp. Charact. — Yellow-olive ; throat, breast, frontlet and line round the eye, yellow ; belly white ; wings with 2 white bands, and, as well as the tail, blackish. This species of Vireo, or Warbling Flycatcher, visits the Middle and Northern States of the Union about the becr'mning of May, or as soon as his insect food allows him a means of subsistence. He resides chiefly in the forest, where he hunts his tiny prey among the high branches, and as he shifts from twig to twig in the rest" vireo. 343 less pursuit, he often relieves his toil with a somewhat sad and indolent note, which he repeats, with some variation, at short intervals. This song appears like 'preea 'prccd, &,c, and it sometimes finishes with a complaining call of recognition, 'prreaigh 'prreaigh. These syllables rise and fall in different tones as they are repeated, but though usually sweet and impressive, are delivered too slow and solemn to be generally pleasing ; in other respects they considerably resemble the song of the Red-Eyed Warb- ling Flycatcher, in whose company it is often heard, blending its deep but languid warble, with the loud, ener- getic notes of the latter, and their united music, uttered during summer, even at noon day, is rendered peculiarly agreeable, as nearly all the songsters of the grove are now seeking a silent shelter from the sultry heat. In the warmest weather, the lay of this bird is indeed peculiarly strong and lively ; and his usually long drawn, almost plaintive notes are now delivered in fine succession, with a peculiar echoing and impressive musical cadence, ap- pearing like a romantic and tender reverie of delio-ht. The song, now almost incessant, heard from this rovincr sylvan minstrel, is varied in bars nearly as follows : pren pred prcoi, preait prroit p' rriwcct prccai, pared praiou, preeai prcco praoit, prceo prcawit preeoo. When irritated, he utters a very loud and hoarse mewing, praigh prdigh. As soon, however, as the warm weather begins to decline, and the business of incubation is finished, about the be- ginning of August, this sad and slow, but interesting musician, nearly ceases his song, a few feeble farewell notes only being heard to the first week in September. This species, like the rest of the genus, constructs a very beautiful pendulous nest, about 3 inches deep, and 2£ in diameter. One, which I now more particularly describe, is suspended from the forked twig of an oak, in 344 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the near neighborhood of a dwelling house in the coun- try. It is attached firmly all round the curving twigs by which it is supported ; the stoutest external materials or skeleton of the fabric is formed of interlaced folds of thin strips of red cedar bark, connected very intimately by coarse threads, and small masses of the silk of spiders' nests, and of the cocoons of large moths. These threads are moistened by the glutinous saliva of the bird. Among these external materials are also blended fine blades of dry grass. The inside is thickly bedded with this last material, and fine root fibres, but the finishing layer, as if to preserve elasticity, is of rather coarse grass-stalks. Externally the nest is coated over with green lichen, at- tached very artfully by slender strings of caterpillars' silk, and the whole afterwards tied over by almost invisible threads of the same, so as to appear as if glued on ; and the entire fabric now resembles an accidental knot of the tree grown over with moss. Another nest was fixed on the depending branches of a wild cherry tree, 40 or 50 feet from the ground. This was formed of slender bass strips wound crosswise, and held down with cater- pillars 1 silk. The bottom was also principally floored with large fragments of white paper, the whole scattered over sparingly with bits of lichen and spiders' nests, and very delicately lined with tops of fine bent grass. The eggs, about 4, are white, with a few deep ink-colored spots of two shades, a very little larger than those on the eggs of the Red-Eyed Vireo, and chiefly disposed towards the larger end. The food of this species, during the summer, is insects, but towards autumn they and their young feed also on va- rious small berries. About the middle of September, the whole move oft' and leave the United States, probably to winter in tropical America. SOLITARY VIREO, OR FLYCATCHER. 345 The Yellow-Throated Vireo is 5£ inches long, and 9 in alar extent. Above yellowish-olive ; throat, breast, and line over the eye lemon- yellow ; vent and belly white ; lesser wing-coverts, lower part of the back, and rump, ash. Wings deep brown, almost black, with 2 white bars; primaries edged with pale ash, secondaries with white ; tail a little forked, of the color of the wings ; the 3 exterior feathers edged on each vane with white. Legs, feet, and bill, greyish-blue. Iris hazel. The female and young have the yellow on the breast, around the eye, and the white on the wings, duller. SOLITARY VIREO, or FLYCATCHER. (Vireo solitarius, Vieill. Bonap. Audubon, pi. 28. Orn. Biog. i. p. 147. Muscicapa solitaria, Wilsox, ii. p. 143. pi. 17. fig. 6.) Spec Charact. — Dusky olive; head bluish-grey; line from the up- per mandible round the eye whitish ; the breast pale cinereous; the belly white, yellow on each side ; wings with 2 white bands, and with the tail dusky brown. Thts is one of the rarest species of the genus, and from Georgia to Pennsylvania seems only as a straggler or ac- cidental visitor. One was obtained by Wilson in Mr. Bartram's woods in the month of October. According to Audubon, it inhabits and breeds occasionally in the cane- brakes, and vast alluvial lands of Louisiana near the banks of the Mississippi. The nest, as usual, is partly pensile from the forked twigs of a low bush. It is slightly put together, coated externally with grey lichens, and lined with the hair of wild animals. The eggs, 4 or 5, are white tinged with flesh color, with brownish red spots at the larger end. It possesses all the unsuspicious habits of the genus, allowing a near approach without alarm. It seldom rises beyond the tops of the canes or low bushes, amidst which it is commonly seen hopping in quest of its subsistence, 34G INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. which consists of insects and berries. Its flight is gener- ally tremulous and agitated. According to Dr. Bachman, "it is every year becoming more abundant in South Car- olina, where it remains from about the middle of February to that of March, keeping to the woods. It has a sweet and loud song of half a dozen notes, heard at a considera- ble distance."* About the beginning of May, in the oaks already almost wholly in leaf, on the banks of the Columbia, we heard around us the plaintive deliberate warble of this species, first noticed by Wilson. Its song seems to be intermediate between that of the Red-eyed and Yellow-breasted species, having the preai, preai, &c, of the latter, and the fine variety of the former in its tones. It darted about in the tops of the trees, incessantly engaged in quest of food, now and then disputing with some rival. The nest of this bird is made much in the same manner as that of the Virco olivaccus. One which I examined was suspended from the forked twig of the wild crab tree, at about ten feet from the ground. The chief materials were dead and whitened grass leaves, with some cobwebs agglutinated to- gether, externally scattered with a i few shreds of moss (Hypnum) to resemble the branch on which it was hung; here and there were also a few of the white paper like cap- sules of the spider's nest, and it was lined with fine blades of grass and slender root fibres. The situation, as usual, was open, but shady, This uncommon species is 5^ inches long, and 8^ in alar extent. The cheeks, upper part of the head, and neck, dark bluish-grey ; breast, pale cinereous, inclining to reddish-grey on the throat; flanks and sides of the breast yellow ; back and tail-coverts dusky-olive ; the wings dusky-brown, with 2 white bands; primaries and tail-feath- Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 432. WHITE-EYED VIREO, OR FLYCATCHER. 347 ers bordered with light green; tail emarginate, nearly black ; aline of white from the nostrils to the eye, which it also encircles. Belly and vent white. Bill very short, and nearly as broad as in the true Flycatchers. Upper mandible black ; lower pale bluish-grey ; legs and feet bluish-grey. Irids hazel. — Female with the head dusky olive, and the throat greenish. WHITE-EYED VIREO, or FLYCATCHER. {Vireo norcboracensis, Bonap. Audubon, pi. G3. Ornith. Biog. i. p. 328. Muscicapa ca?itatrix, Wilson, ii. p. 1G6. pi. IS. fig. G. Phil. Museum, No. G773.) Spec Charact. — Yellow-olive; beneath white, sides yellow; line round the eye, and spot near the nostrils yellow; wings with 2 pale yellow bands, and witli the tail blackish; irids white. This interesting little bird appears to be a constant resident within the limits of the United States ; as, on the 12th of January, I saw them in great numbers near Charleston, S. C, feeding on the wax-myrtle berries, in company with the Yellow-Rumped Sylvias. At this season they were silent, but very familiar, descending from the bushes when whistled too, and peeping cautiously, came down close to me, looking about with complacent curios- ity, as if unconscious of any danger. In the last week of February, Wilson already heard them singing in the south- ern parts of Georgia, and throughout that month to March, I saw them in the swampy thickets nearly every day, so that they undoubtedly reside and pass the winter in the maritime parts of the Southern States. Towards the Pa- cific this species was also found, iu Oregon, by my friend Mr. Townsend. The arrival of this little unsuspicious warbler in Pennsylvania and New England is usually about the middle of April or earlier. On the 12th of March I first heard his voice in the low thickets of West Florida. 348 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. His ditty was now simply — ss't (with a whistle) icd icitte wjtte whwd, (the first part very quick.) As late as in the first week in May, I observed a few stragglers in this vicinity peeping through the bushes ; and in the latter end of the month a pair had taken up their abode in the thickets of Fresh Pond, so that those which first arrive leave us and proceed further to the north. On the 22d of June I heard the male in full song, near his nest, in our neighborhood, where incubation was going on. His warble was very pleasing, though somewhat monotonous and whimsical. This affectionate note, often repeated, near to his faithful mate while confined to her nest, was like 'tsfiippewee-wa- say 'tshippewee-wee-was-say, sweetly whistled, and with a greater compass of voice and loudness, than might have been expected from the size of the little vocalist. The sonor i s sometimes changed two or three times in the course of twenty minutes; and I have heard the following phrases ; 'att tshippcwat 'wurr, tshippewat 'wurr ; at another time, Hshipeway 'tshc o ct 'tshcrr. On another visit the little performer had changed his song to 'pip te wdigh a tshewa, with a guttural trill, as usual, at the last syllable. He soon however varied his lay to 'whip te ico'i wce } the last syllable but one consideTably lengthened and clearly whistled. Such were the captious variations of this little quaint and peculiarly earnest musician, whose notes are probably almost continually varied. On the Gth of October, I still heard one of these wandering little min- strels, who, at intervals, had for several weeks visited the garden, probably in quest of berries. His short, quaint, and more guttural song, was now atsluc-vciit, (probably the attempt of a young bird.) As late as the 30th of October the White-Eyed Vireo still lingered around Cambridge, and, on the margin of a pond, surrounded by weeds and willows, he was actively employed in gleaning up insects WHITE EYED VIREO, OR FLYCATCHER. 349 and their larvae : and now, with a feebler tone of voice, warbled with uncommon sweetness, wholly different from his usual strain, sounding something like the sweet whis- perings of the Song Sparrow, at the present season, and was perhaps an attempt at mimickry. Occasionally, also, he blended in his harsher, scolding, or querulous mewing call. From this journal, it must be evident, that the pres- ent species retires no further for winter quarters than the southern parts of the United States, where many also breed, as would appear, from the concomitant circum- stance of their music; nor is it at all improbable that the species may likewise inhabit the maritime parts of Mexico, as well as Louisiana. Audubon met with it at Galveston Island in Texas, in winter, and in summer it is occasion- ally found as far as Nova Scotia. Mr. Townsend also observed it on the Pacific side of the continent, on the banks of the Columbia. This species, like the rest, builds commonly a pensile nest, suspended by the upper edge of the two sides on the circular bend, often, of the smilax or green briar vine. It is composed of slender twigs, grassy fibres, pieces of paper, sometimes newspapers, or fragments of hornets' nests; the interior is lined with slender root fibres. The whole fabric appears to me, as far as my opportunities have extended, like the Cat-Bird's nest in miniature. The eggs are 4 or 5, white, marked at the larger end with a few small spots of blackish brown. In the Middle States they often raise 2 broods in the season, generally make choice of thorny thickets for their nest, and show much concern when it is approached, descending within a few feet of the intruder, looking down, and hoarsely mew- ing and scolding with great earnestness. This petulant display of irritability is also continued when the brood are approached, though as large and as active as their vigilant 30 350 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. and vociferous parents. In the Middle States this is a common species, but in Massachusetts rather rare. Its food, like the rest of the Vireos, is insects and various kinds of berries; for the former of which it hunts with great agility, attention, and industry. The White-Eye is 5 inches long, and 7 in extent ; wings and tail dusky brown, edged with olive-green, the latter forked. Bill, legs, and feet light bluish-grey ; the sides of the neck incline to greyish- ash. Female and young scarcely distinguishable in plumage from the male. WARBLING VIREO. (Vino gilvus, Bonap. Aud. 1. pi. 118. Orn. Biog. 2. p. 114. Musci- capa gilva, Vieill. M. melodia, Wilson, v. p. 85. pi. 42. fig. 2.) Spec Charact. — Pale green olive ; head and neck dilute ash-color ; beneath and line over the eye, whitish ; wings pale dusky brown, without bands ; irids brown ; 1st and 5th primaries about equal ; tail extending more than an inch beyond the closed wings. This sweetest and most constant warbler of the forest, extending his northern migrations to the confines of Can- ada, and along the coast of the Pacific to the Oregon, ar- rives from tropical America in Pennsylvania about the middle of April, and reaches this part of New England early in May. His livery, like that of the Nightingale, is plain and unadorned ; but the sweet melody of his voice, surpassing, as far as nature usually surpasses art, the ten- derest airs of the flute, poured out often from the rising dawn of day to the approach of evening, and vigorous even during the sultry heat of noon, when most other birds are still, gives additional interest to this little vocalist. While chanting forth his easy, flowing, tender airs, appa- rently without effort, so contrasted with the interrupted WARBLING VIREO. 351 emphatical song of the Red-Eye, he is gliding along the thick and leafy branches of our majestic Elms, and tallest trees, busied in quest of his restless insect prey. With us, as in Pennsylvania, the species is almost wholly confined to our villages, and even cities. They are rarely ever observed in the woods ; but from the tall trees which decorate the streets and lanes, the almost invisible musician, secured from the enemies of the forest, is heard to cheer the house and cottage with his untiring song. As late as the 2d of October I still distinguished his tuneful voice from amidst the yellow fading leaves of the linden, near which he had passed away the summer. The approaching dissolution of those delightful connections, which had been cemented by affection, and the cheerless stillness of autumn, still called up a feeble and plaintive reverie. Some days after this late period, warmed by the mild rays of the morning sun, I heard, as it were, faintly warbled, a parting whisper ; and about the middle of this month, our vocal woods and fields were once more left in dreary silence. " And through the sadden'd grove [now] scarce is heard One dying strain, to cheer the woodman's toil. While congregated Thrushes, Linnets, Larks, And each wild throat, whose artless strains so late Swell'd all the music of the swarming shades, Robb'd of their tuneful [songs], now shivering sit On the dead tree, a dull, despondent flock; With nought save [plaintive] discord in their note." ****** The Warbling Vireo is indeed allied to the genus of the Nightingale (Sylvia), whose song, from the description of Mr. White in his Natural History of Selbourne, bears con- siderable resemblance to that of the Black-capt Flycatcher (Muscicapa albicollis of Temminck.) When offended or irritated, our bird utters an angry 'tshay 'tshay, like the 352 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Cat-Bird and the other Vireos, and sometimes makes a loud snapping with his bill. The nest of the Warbling Vireo is generally pendulous, and ambitiously and securely suspended at great elevations. In our Elms I have seen one of these airy cradles at the very summit of one of the most gigantic, more than 100 feet from the ground. At other times they are not more than 50 to 70 feet high. The only nest I have been able to examine was made ex- ternally of flat and dry sedge-grass blades, for which, as I have observed, is occasionally substituted strings of bass. These dry blades and strips are confined and tied into the usual circular form by caterpillars' silk, blended with bits of wool, silk-weed lint, and an accidental and sparing mixture of vernal-grass tops and old apple blossoms. It was then very neatly lined with the small flat blades of the meadow grass, called Poa compressa. The eggs, 4, on which the bird was already sitting, were pure white, with a few small blackish purple spots of two sizes, and some confluent, straggling, hair-like lines, disposed chiefly around the greater end. The size of these eggs is very perceptibly smaller than those of the Red-Eyed Vireo, in one of whose nests I have seen two eggs of this species deposited, as well as one laid by the Cow Troopial ! an accidental parasitic practice, urged probably by the neglect of not providing a nest for the immediate occasion. The length of this bird is about 5 inches. Above pale olive-green, much mixed with ash on the neck and shoulders. Line over the eye and lower parts whitish ; near the breast and sides under the wings tinged with pale-greenish yellow. Wings greyish-brown, edged with pale olive-green, inclining to grey. The tail also simi- larly edged, and slightly forked. Legs, feet, and bill above, lead- color ; the lower mandible pale flesh-color. Iris dark hazel. The sexes nearly alike. RED-EYED VIREO, or GREENLET. (Vireo olivaceus, Bonap. Acd. pi. 150. Orn. Biog. 2. p. 287. Muscicapa olivacca, Lin t . Wilson, ii. p. 55. pi. 12. fig. 3. Philad. Museum, No. 6675.) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive ; crown ash, with a dark lateral line ; line over the eye, and all beneath, whitish ; wings without bands ; irids red ; 1st primary much longer than the 5th. — Young with the eye dark hazel. This common and indefatigable songster appears to inhabit every part of the American continent from Lab- rador to the large tropical islands of Jamaica and St. Domingo ; they are likewise resident in the mild table land of Mexico.* Those who pass the summer with us, however, migrate to the warmer regions at the com- mencement of winter, as none are found at that season within the limits of the United States. The Red-Eyed Vireo arrives in Pennsylvania late in April, and in New England about the beginning of May. It inhabits the shady forests or tall trees near gardens and the suburbs of villages, where its loud, lively, and energetic sono- is * Bullock's memjirs on the birds of Mexico. 30* 354 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. often continued, with little intermission, for several hours at a time, as it darts and pries among the thick foliage in quest of insects and small caterpillars. From its first arri- val, until August, it is the most distinguished warbler of the forest, and when almost all the other birds have become mute, its notes are yet heard with unabated vigor. Even to the 5th of October, still enlivened by the feeble rays of the sun, he faintly recalls his song, and plaintively tunes a farewell to his native woods. His summer notes are uttered in short, emphatical bars, of 2 or 3 syllables, and have something in them like the simple lay of the Thrush or American Robin when he first earnestly and slowly commences his song. He often makes use, in fact, of the same expressions, but his tones are more monotonous as well as mellow and melodious, like the rest of the Vireos. In moist and dark summer weather, his voice seems to be one continued, untiring warble of exquisite sweetness; and in the most populous and noisy streets of Boston, his shrill and tender lay is commonly heard from the tall Elms ; and as the bustle of carts and carriages attempt to drown his voice, he elevates his pipe with more vigor and earnestness, as if determined to be heard in spite of every discord. The call of " Whip-Tom-ketty " attributed to this species by Sloane and even Wilson, I have never heard, and, com- mon as the species is throughout the Union, the most lively or accidental fit of imagination never yet, in this country, conceived of such an association of sounds. I have al- ready remarked, indeed, that this singular call is, in fact, sometimes uttered by the Tufted Titmouse. When our Vireo sings slow enough to be distinctly heard, the follow- ing sweetly warbled phrases, variously transposed and tuned, may often be caught by the attentive listener : 'tshooe peioee peeal ?7iusik 'du 'du 'du, 'tshoove 'here 'here, hear here, 'King 'ritshard, 'p'shegru 'tshevu, 'tshecvoo RED-EYED VIREO, OR FLYCATCHER. 355 'tshuvee peeait 'peroi. The whole delivered almost without any sensible interval, with earnest animation, in a pathetic, tender, and pleasing strain, well calculated to produce calm and thoughtful reflection in the sensitive mind. Yet while this heavenly reverie strikes on the human ear with such peculiar effect, the humble musician himself seems but little concerned ; for all the while, perhaps, that this flowing chorus enchants the hearer, he is casually hopping from spray to spray in quest of his active or crawling prey, and if a cessation occurs in his almost untiring lay, it is occa- sioned by the caterpillar or fly he has just fortunately cap- tured. So unaffected are these delightful efforts of instinct, and so unconscious is the performer, apparently, of this pleasing faculty bestowed upon him by nature, that he may truly be considered, as a messenger of harmony to man alone. Wantonly to destroy these delightful aids to senti- mental happiness ought therefore to be viewed, not only as an act of barbarity, but almost as a sacrilege ! The Red-Eye, in the Month of May, builds a small, neat, pensile nest, suspended between the forked and depending twigs of some young and slender forest tree.* It is firmly attached by the whole of the 2 upper edges, and fixed at a height of from 4 or 5 to 20 feet from the ground. It is commenced by narrow loops of tenacious materials passed from twig to twig, which are successively increased in width to the size intended; the front is then carried up- wards in the same manner to complete the circular frame, the whole being sufficiently agglutinated into a thin pouch, to which is attached all the other necessary parts of the fabric. The external circular layers or loops consist of thin strips of grape-vine, paper-birch, or red cedar bark, * These nests are chiefly made in the maple, beech, birch, oak, hornbeam, and tree cornel, {Cornus florida, L.) 3jG insectivorous birds. and bass, agglutinated together. These coarse materials are then well tied over each other, outside with slender strings of bass, and others of caterpillars' webs, or the silk of cocoons of the larger moths, all rendered more or less manageable by the assistance of the adhesive saliva. Re- fractory fragments of rotten wood, coiled ends of white- birch bark, and spiders' nests commonly remain outside, as if for ornament; but some of them are often only the extra remains of materials or their ends, parts of which are in- terwoven or filled into the nest. At other times the out- side appears wrought evenly, and without any attempt at fanciful decoration. The inside of the nest is closely and elegantly lined with fibrous grass, minute wiry leaf-stalks, and sometimes very slender hemlock fir twigs, but chiefly with fine, dry pine leaves, and almost similar minute strips or strings of grape-vine bark. These nests, like little cir- cular baskets, are put together with so much neatness and firmness, that they sometimes survive the action of the weather for a year ; and Wilson knew an instance where the nest of the Yellow-bird was built in the cavity of one which had survived the season. When thus left, they are sometimes also taken possession of by the mice, who make use of other nests likewise for the same purpose. The eggs are about 3 or 4, white ; with a few distinct small spots of blackish brown, of 2 shades, disposed at the greater end. They often raise 2 broods in the season. The Red-Eyed Vireo is one of the most favorite of all the adopted nurses of the Cow-bird, and the remarkable gentleness of its disposition and watchful affection for the safety of its young, or of the foundling confided to its care, amply justifies this selection of a foster parent. The male, indeed, defends his nest, while his mate is sitting, with as much spirit as the king-bird, driving away every intruder, and complaining in a hoarse mewing tone when RED EYED VIREO, OR FLYCATCHER. 357 approached by any inquisitive observer. By accident, the eggs were destroyed in a nest of this species in the Bo- tanic Garden, in a sugar maple about 20 feet from the ground. At this time no complaints were heard, and the male sang all day as cheerful as before. In a few days, unwilling to leave the neighborhood, they had made a se- cond nest in a beech at the opposite side of the same prem- ises ; but now the male drove away every intruder with the greatest temerity. The young of this species are often hatched in about 13 days, or 24 hours later than the para- sitic Troopial ; but for want of room the smaller young are usually stifled or neglected. I have, however, seen in one nest a surviving bird of each kind in a fair way for being reared ; yet, by a singular infatuation, the supposi- titious bird appeared by far the most assiduously attended, and in this case the real young of the species seemed to be treated as puny foundlings. In the month of August, the young fed greedily on the small berries of the bitter cornel, and astringent Viburnum dentatum, as well as other kinds. One of these inexperienced birds hopped close round me in an adjoin- ing bush, without any fearful apprehension ; and, as late as the 26th of October, two young birds of the Red-Eye were still lingering in this vicinity, and busily engaged in gleaning subsistence. Eager after flies, about the 25th of August, a young bird with hazel instead of red eyes, entered a chamber in the neighborhood, and became my inmate. I clipped his wing, and left him at large in a room ; he soon became very gentle, took grasshoppers and flies out of my hand, eat Viburnum berries with a good ap- petite, and, in short, seemed pleased with his quarters. A fly could not stir but it was instantly caught ; his only difficulty was with a lame King-bird who occupied the same apartment. The king appeared very jealous of this 353 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. little harmless companion ; snapped his bill at him when he approached, and begrudged him subsistence, when he perceived that he fed on the same food with himself. At length, he would come to me for provision, and for protec- tion from his tyrannical associate. But the career of my interesting and lively companion was soon terminated by death, occasioned, in all probability, by a diarrhoea, pro- duced in consequence of swallowing a small lock of hair with his food which was found in his stomach. This bird, very different from a Sylvia autumnalis, which I afterwards had in my possession, regurgitated by the bill, like the King- bird, pellets of the indigestible parts of his food, such as the legs and wings of grasshoppers and flies, and the skins and seeds of berries. Unlike the King-bird, in one partic- ular, however, he folded his head under his wing when at rest, and reposed with great soundness, whereas for eight months I was never able to detect the former asleep. This species is about 5^ inches long, alar extent 9. The crown deep ash, bordered on each side by a line of blackish, below which is a line of white passing a little beyond the eye ; the bill rather long, dusky above, and pale below. Inner webs of the wings and tail dusky, the outer, like the rest of the upper parts, yellow olive, the folded wings extend within about half an inch of the tip of the tail. Beneath white, tinged on the breast and sides with pale yellow. Tail slightly forked. Legs and feet light bluish-grey. Iris of the adult red. In the female the colors are a little more obscure. BARTRAM'S VIREO. (Vireo Bartramii, Swains. Am. Orn. Biog. v. p. 306. pi. 434. Vireo- sylva Bartramii, Bonap. Birds, &c, p. 26. [male].) Spec Charact. — With the same plumage as that of the V. oliva- ceus, but brighter ; wings shorter, more rounded ; the 1st and Cth quills nearly equal, the 3d and 4th longest. LONG BILLED VIREO. 359 A specimen of this bird was procured by Mr. Douglass, on the banks of the Columbia. According to Swainson it exists also in Mexico, Brazil, and South Carolina. Audu- bon also found it in New Jersey and Kentucky, and con- siders it a species generally overlooked in America. He describes the nest as seldom being placed at a greater height than 4 feet from the ground. In two instances he found it attached to two strong blades of coarse grass, growing from beneath a thicket of brambles, not above 2 feet from the earth. It is truly pensile, about 3 inches deep, and formed wholly of slender grasses and fibrous roots. The eggs are pure white, without any spots or dots. There is a greater difference as to color between the sexes of this species than those of the Red-eyed. The female is generally much less pure in its tints ; while the males have usually much more of the yellowish tint on their upper and under plumage than is observed in the same sex of the other species. Length about 5 inches, and 7| in alar exlent. Above light yellow- ish-olive. Tail wood brown, margined with paler. The lower parts white, the breast tinged with pale yellow ; throat and sides with grey. Bill brown above, pale bluish-grey beneath. Feet bluish-grey. In the V. olivaceus the 1st quill longer than the 5th, in the present the 1st is shorter than the 5th. LONG BILLED VIREO. (Virco longirostris, S\v iinsok, North. Zool. ii. p. 237. [in note.] Ed- wards, p. 93. pi. 253.) Spec. Charact. — Plumage of V. olivaceus; the chin margined with a black line ; bill lengthened; wings short, when folded, not reaching to half* the length of the tail ; the 1st quill shorter than the 4th. 3G0 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. This species, entirely tropical, is found to be the true West India bird, known from its note by the name of Whip-Tom- Kelly. The V. olicaccus has never yet been found in those islands. According to Dr. Browne, who furnished Edwards with a specimen, from Jamaica, which he bas published, " it has not many notes but they are loud and sweet.'' Tlie size and general plumage is similar, according to Swainson, with that of a new species which he terms Vireo vircscois as well as V. olivuccus, excepting that the colors are somewhat duller than those of the last : but it is essentially distinguished by a narrow line of dusky -black, which margins each side of the chin : — Total length 5£ inches ; the bill from the front six tenths of an inch; the wings 2 in- ches and seven-tenths; the tarsus seven-tenths of an inch. Obs. We have given this species a place in a note thus to complete the history of our own familiar Virco and with a suspicion that it occasionally also strays into the forests of the Southern States. TURDINyE. THRUSHES. I.v these birds the bill is of moderate dimensions with cutting edges, and compressed and curved towards the point; the upper man- dible is generally notched towards the extremity, the lower round- ish ; there are also a few scattered bristles near the opening of the bill. Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and half closed by a naked membrane. Tongue fringed and notched at tip. Feet rather stout, the tarsus longer than the middle toe, which is attached at base to the outer one. Wings short or moderate ; the 1st primary short, or of moderate length ; 3d, 4th, or 5th primaries longest. Scapulars hardly longer than the secondaries. — The female and young differ little from the male. The young, however, are more spotted. The moult is annual. They generally live in pairs only during the period of reproduc- tion ; both sexes sometimes assist in incubation, and the male is often observed to feed his mate while thus engaged. They migrate in large companies, or remain sedentary in the warmer parts of Europe, and the milder states of the American union. They live on insects, worms, and berries, swallow earth and gravel to assist digestion, but diso-orge the kernels and hard seeds of fruit, and are also easily fed townsend's ptilogonys. 361 on bread and other farinaceous food. They excel in song, and are the most powerful of feathered musicians. Their flesh is also esteemed (but their lives and labors to the husbandman are infinitely more val- uable.) Every country and climate possesses species of this interest- ing family. PTILOGONYS. (Swainson ) PTILOGONYS. Bill short, rather strong, somewhat triangular, depress- ed at the base, a little compressed at the end ; upper man- dible with the dorsal line convex at the end, nasal groove wide, the sides convex towards the end, with a distinct notch, the tip short, and rather obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle rather long and wide, the tip small, with a slight notch behind. Nostrils linear-oblong, partially con- cealed by the advancing feathers. Feet short and rather slender ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe, compressed, covered anteriorly with a long plate and three inferior scu- tella ; toes free ; hind toe stouter. Slight bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings long, rounded ; 1st quill very small, 4th longest. Tail very long, emarginate, of 12 feathers. This genus seems to connect the Thrusbes with the Fly- catchers. TOWNSEND'S PTILOGONYS. (Ptilogonys Townscndi, Am. pi. 4l ( J. iig. 2. [female.] Orn. Biog. 5. p. 20G.) The only individual yet known was shot by Captain Brotchie, in the Hudson's Bay service, in the neighbor- hood of Fort George, (xAstoria) and presented to Mr. 31 3G2 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Townsend, who transmitted it, with his other rare birds, to Mr. Audubon. Female. — Length 8^ inches, the wing 4£. General color dull brownish-grey ; edge of the wing dull white ; basal part of the pri- maries pale yellow, of the secondaries ochre-yellow ; secondaries with a faint patch of light brownish-grey on the outer web toward the end ; middle tail feathers greyish-brown, the rest blackish brown, the outer with an oblique white space ; the next with a terminal spot of white ; below paler ; lower tail and wing-coverts broadly tipped with dull white, some of the inner wing-coverts also white. MIMUS. (Boie.) MOCKING THRUSH. With the bill elongated and considerably curved through- out ; first quill very small, 4th and 5th longest. In these the voice is powerful and eminently melodious, and they display usually a talent for mimickry. By the uniformity of their haunts, they live apparently paired for several seasons, and evince more sagacity and intelligence than any other musical birds hitherto known. THE MOCKING BIRD. (Mimus polyglottus, Boie. Turdus polyglottus, Lin. Wilson, ii. p. 13. pi. 10. fig. 1. Audubon', pi. 21. [a spirited group and nest attacked by a Rattle Snake.] Orpheus polyglottus, Swainson. Philad. Museum, No. 5288.) Spec. Charact. — Cinereous; beneath whitish; tips of the wing- coverts, primaries at base, and lateral tail-feathers, white ; tail cuneiform. Tins unrivalled Orpheus of the forest, and natural wonder of America, inhabits the whole continent, from the state of Rhode Island to the larger isles of the West Indies, and continuing through the equatorial regions, is found in the southern hemisphere as far as Brazil. Nor is it at all confined to the Eastern or Atlantic states. It also exists in the wild territory of Arkansa more than a 3G4 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. thousand miles from the mouth of Red River ; and I have since seen it in the scanty forests of Upper California. It breeds at the distant western sources of the Platte, near the base of the Rocky Mountains,* as well as in Texas ; and Mr. Bullock saw it in the table land of Mexico. The Mocking Bird rears its young, and consequently displays its wonderful powers, in all the intermediate regions of its residence in the United States to the peninsula of Florida. t It appears, in short, permanently to inhabit the milder regions of the western world in either hemisphere ; J and the individuals bred north of the Delaware, on this side the equator, are all that ever migrate from their summer residence. A still more partial migration takes place also, probably, from west to east, in quest of the food and shel- ter which the maritime districts afford. Though now so uncommon in that vicinity, 50 or 60 years ago, according to Bartram, they even wintered near Philadelphia, and made a temporary abode in the mantling ivy of his ven- erable mansion. In summer, a few proceed as far as Rhode Island, following the mild temperature of the sea-coast ; but further north, they are, I believe, nearly unknown, except rarely and occasionally in Massachusetts near the sea. With the advance of the season, also, in the country which it inhabits, varies the time of incubation. Early in April they begin to build in the maritime parts of Georgia, but not before the middle of May in Pennsylvania. In the winter season they chiefly subsist on berries, particularly those of the Virginia juniper (called red cedar), wax myrtle, holly, smilax, sumach, sour-gum, and a variety of others, which furnish them, and many other * Mr. Say. t Mr. Ware. X Mr. Litchfield informs me, that the song of the Mocking-Bird is commonly heard in Venezuela, where of course it breeds and permanently resides. MOCKING BIRD. 3G5 birds, with a plentiful repast. Insects, worms, grasshoppers, and larvae, are the food on which they principally subsist, when so eminently vocal, and engaged in the task of rear- ing their young. In the Southern States, where they are seldom molested, with ready sagacity they seem to court the society of man, and fearlessly hop around the roof of the house, or fly before the planter's door. When a dwel- ling is first settled in the wilderness, this bird is not seen sometimes in the vicinity for the first year ; but, at length, lie pays his welcome visit to the new comer, gratified with the little advantages he discovers around him, and seeking out also the favor and fortuitous protection of human society. He becomes henceforth familiar, and only quar- rels with the cat and dog, whose approach he instinctively dreads near his nest, and never ceases his complaints and attacks until they retreat from his sight. On the 2Gth of February I first heard the Mocking-Bird, that season, in one of the prairies of Alabama. He began by imitating the Carolina Woodpecker, tshooai tsliooaii 'tshow Hshoio Hshow; then, in the same breath, the swcctoot sweetool of the Carolina Wren ; by and by, woolit icoolit 'tu til of the Cardinal bird, and the peto peto peto of the Tufted Titmouse, with connecting tones of his own, uttered with an expression so refined and masterly, as if he aimed, by this display of his own powers, to make those inferior vocalists ashamed of their song. It was truly astonishing, what a tender sweetness he contrived to blend amidst notes so harsh and dissonant as those of the Woodpecker, which ever and anon, made, now, the chorus of his varied and fantastic song. In the lower parts of Georgia, by the beginning of March, they are already heard vying with each other, and with the Brown Thrush, rendering the new-clad forest vocal with the strains of their powerful melody. 31* 366 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Like the Ferruginous Thrush, to which he is so nearly related, the Mocking-Bird chooses a solitary briar-bush or a thicket for his nest ; sometimes an orchard tree con- tiguous to the house is selected for the purpose, at little more than the height of a man from the ground. The composition of this cradle of his species is, generally, an external mass of dry twigs, leaves, and grass, blended with bits of decayed wood, and then surmounted with a thick layer or lining of root-fibres of a light brown color. The eggs are about 4 or 5, pale green, with blotches of brown scattered nearly all over. The female sits 14 days, usu- ally producing two broods in a season, and is often assidu- ously fed, while so engaged, by the attentive male. She is jealous of her nest, and complains with a mournful note, their usual low call, when her eggs have been touched, but does not readily abandon the spot she has once chosen.* None of the domestic animals, or man himself, but partic- ularly the cat and dog, can approach, during the period of incubation, without receiving an attack from these affec- tionate guardians of their brood. Their most insidious and deadly enemies, however, are reptiles, particularly the black snake, who spares neither the eggs nor young. As soon as his fatal approach is discovered by the male, he darts upon him without hesitation, eludes his bites, and striking him about the head, and particularly the eyes, where most vulnerable, he soon succeeds in causing him to retreat, and by redoubling his blows, in spite of all pre- tended fascination, the wily monster often falls a victim to his temerity ; and the heroic bird, leaving his enemy dead on the field he provoked;: mounts on the bush above his affectionate mate and brood, and in token of victory cele- brates his loudest song. * Audubon-, Orn. Biog. vol. i. p. 111. MOCKING-BIRD. 3G7 The Mocking-bird, like the Nightingale, is destitute of brilliant plumage, but his form is beautiful, delicate, and symmetrical in its proportions. His motions are easy, rapid, and graceful, perpetually animated with a playful caprice, and a look that appears full of shrewdness and intelligence. He listens with silent attention to each pass- ing sound, treasures up lessons from every thing vocal, and is capable of imitating with exactness, both in meas- ure and accent, the notes of all the feathered race. And, however wild and discordant the tones and calls may be, he contrives with an Orphean talent, peculiarly his own, to infuse into them that sweetness of expression, and har- monious modulation which characterizes this inimitable and wonderful composer. With the dawn of morning, while yet the sun lingers below the blushing horizon, our sublime songster, in his native wilds, mounted on the top- most branch of a tall bush or tree in the forest, pours out his admirable song, which, amidst the multitude of notes from all the warbling host, still rises preeminent, so that his solo is heard alone, and all the rest of the musical choir appear employed in mere accompaniments to this grand actor in the sublime opera of nature. Nor is his talent confined to imitation; his native notes are also bold, full, and perpetually varied, consisting of short expressions of a few variable syllables, interspersed with imitations, and ut- tered with great emphasis and volubility, sometimes for half an hour at a time, with undiminished ardor. These native strains bear a considerable resemblance to those of the Brown Thrush, to whom he is so nearly related in form, habits, and manners ; but, like rude from cultivated genius, his notes are distinguished by the rapidity of their delivery, their variety, sweetness, and energy. As if conscious of his unrivalled powers of song, and animated by the har- mony of his own voice, his music is, as it were, accom- 3GS XSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. panied by chromatic dancing and expressive gestures; he spreads and closes his light and fanning wings, expands his silvered tail, and, with buoyant gayety and enthusiastic ecstasy, he sweeps around, and mounts and descends into the air from his lofty spray, as his song swells to loudness, or dies away in sinking whispers. While thus engaged, so various is his talent, that it might be supposed a trial of skill from all the assembled birds of the country; and so perfect are his imitations, that even the sportsman is at times deceived, and sent in quest of birds that have no ex- istence around him. The feathered tribes themselves are decoyed by the fancied call of their mates ; or dive with fear into the close thicket, at the well-feigned scream of the hawk. Soon reconciled to the usurping fancy of man, the Mocking-bird often becomes familiar with his master; playfully attacks him through the bars of his cage, or at large in a room ; restless and capricious, he seems to try every expedient of a lively imagination, that may conduce to his amusement. Nothing escapes his discerning and intelligent eye or faithful ear. He whistles perhaps for the dog, who, deceived, runs to meet his master ; the cries of the chicken in distress bring out the clucking mother to the protection of her brood. The barking of the dog, the piteous wailing of the puppy, the mewing of the cat, the action of a saw, or the creaking of a wheelbarrow, quickly follow with exactness. He repeats a tune of considera- ble length ; imitates the warbling of the Canary, the lisp- ing of the Indigo bird, and the mellow whistle of the Cardinal, in a manner so superior to the originals, that mortified and astonished, they withdraw from his presence, or listen in silence, as he continues to triumph by renew- ing his efforts. In the cage also, nearly as in the woods, he is full of life MOCKING BIRD. 369 and action, while engaged in song; throwing himself round with inspiring animation, and, as it were, moving in time to the melody of his own accents. Even the hours of night, which consign nearly all other birds to rest and silence, like the Nightingale, he oft employs in song, ser- enading the houseless hunter and silent cottager to repose, as the rising moon illumines the darkness of the shadowy scene. His capricious fondness for contrast and perpetual variety appears to deteriorate his powers. His lofty imita- tions of the musical Brown Thrush are perhaps interrupted by the crowing of the cock, or the barking of the dog ; the plaintive warblings of the Blue-bird are then blended with the wild scream and chatter of the Swallow, or the cackling of the hen ; amid the simple lay of the native Robin, we are surprised with the vociferations of the Whip-poor-will ; while the notes of the garrulous Jay, Kildeer, Woodpecker, Wren, fifing Baltimore, and many others succeed, with such an appearance of reality, that we almost imagine ourselves in the presence of the originals, and can scarcely realize the fact, that the whole of this singular concert is the effort of a single bird. Indeed, it is impossible to listen to these Orphean strains, when de- livered by a superior songster in his native woods, without being deeply affected, and almost riveted to the spot, by the complicated feelings of wonder and delight, in which, from the graceful and sympathetic action, as well as en- chanting voice of the performer, the eye is no less gratified than the ear. It is, however, painful to reflect, that these extraordinary powers of nature, exercised with so much generous freedom in a state of confinement, are not cal- culated for long endurance, and after this most wonderful and interesting prisoner has survived for six or seven years, blindness often terminates his gay career ; and thus shut out from the cheering light, the solace of his lonely but 370 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. active existence, he now, after a time, droops in silent sad- ness and dies. Successful attempts have been made to breed this bird in confinement by allowing them retirement and a suffi- ciency of room. Those which have been taken in trap- cajjes are accounted the best singers, as they come from the school of nature, and are taught their own wild wood notes. The prices of these invaluable songsters are as variable as their acquired or peculiar powers, and are from 5 to 50 dollars ; even a hundred has been refused for an extraordinary individual. The food of the young is thick- ened meal and water, or meal and milk, mixed occasion- ally with tender fresh meat, minced fine. Animal food, almost alone, finely divided and soaked in milk, is at first the only nutritive food suited for raising the tender nurs- lings. Young and old require berries of various kinds, from time to time, such as cherries, strawberries, whortle- berries, &c, and, in short, any kind of wild fruits of which they are fond, if not given too freely, are useful. A few grasshoppers, beetles, or any insects conveniently to be had, as well as gravel, are also necessary ; and spiders will often revive them when drooping or sick. The young male bird, which must be selected as a singer, may be distinguished by the breadth and purity of the white on the wings. This white spot, in a full grown male, spreads over the whole 9 primaries, down to, and considerably below their coverts, which are also white, sometimes slightly tipt with brown. The white of the pri- maries, also, extends to the same distance on both vanes of the feathers. In the female, the white is less clear, spreads only over 7 or 8 of the primaries, does not descend so far, and extends considerably farther down on the broad than on the narrow side of the feathers. The black is also more inclined to brown. MOUNTAIN MOCKING-BIRD. 371 The length of the Mocking-bird is 9£ inches, and 13 in alar extent. Individuals of the first brood in the season are larger and more ro- bust than those produced later. Above ash-color, at length inclined to brown. The wings and tail nearly black, the first and second rows of coverts tipt with white ; the primary coverts in some males are wholly white, in others tinged with brown. The 3 first primaries are white from their roots as far as their coverts ; the white on the next G extends from an inch to 14 farther down, and equally on both sides of the feather. The tail is wedge-shaped, the 2 outer feathers white, the rest, except the middle ones, tipt with white. Chin white ; the remaining parts below, a brownish white, and clearer in wild than domesticated birds. Iris inclining to golden, but lighter. Bill, legs, and feet black ; the base of the low r er mandible whitish. The differ- ence in the female is already given. The breast of the young is spotted like that of the Thrush. .MOUNTAIN MOCKING-BIRD. (Mimus montanus, Bonap. OrpJicus montanus, Tow.vsend, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. vol. 7. p. VJ2. Aud. Orn. Biog. 4 p. 467. pi. 2GD.) Spec. Charact. — Greyish-brown; beneath and chin whitish; spot- ted nearly to the vent ; three lateral tail feathers on either side, with a white subterminal spot. Ox the arid plains of the central table land, betwixt the northern sources of the Platte and the Colorado of the West, in the month of June, we frequently heard the cheering song of this delightful species, whose notes con- siderably resemble those of the Brown Thrush, with some of the imitative powers of the Mockinrr-bird. For a great part of the day, and especially early and late, its song re- sounds through the desert plains, as it warbles to its mate from some tall weed or bush of wormwood, and continues with little interruption nearly for an hour at a time. We met with it in the plains exclusively, till our arrival at 372 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Walla Walla, but we are not certain of having seen it in any part of Upper California, it being, apparently, entirely confined to the cooler and open plains of the Rocky Moun- tains. Just before arriving at Sandy River of the Colora- do, while resting for refreshment at noon, I had the good fortune to find the nest in a wormwood bush, on the mar- gin of a ravine, near which the male was singing with his usual energy. It contained 4 almost emerald green eggs, spotted with dark olive of two shades, more numerous towards the greater end, spots large and roundish. The nest was made of small twigs and rough stalks, lined with strips of bark and Bison wood. The female flew off to a short distance, and looked on her unwelcome visitors, without uttering either call or complaint. Length 8 inches ; wing from the flexure about 3| inches ; tail 3£ inches. First quill short, the 3d and 4th longest. Tail long and rounded. Bill dark brown, the base of the lower mandible paler. Feet yellowish-brown. Above greyish-brown, the tips of the secon- dary coverts, the edges of the primaries, and a large spot at the end of the three lateral tail-feathers, white ; the lower parts whitish, marked with triangular dusky spots, of w T hich there is a distinct line from the base of the bill; throat, middle of the breast, abdomen and lower tail-coverts unspotted. — Bill of moderate length, rather slender, compressed, straightish, and pointed. FERRUGINOUS THRUSH, or THRASHER. (Mlinvs rufus, Bonap. Tardus rufus, Lin. Wilson. Am. Orn. ii. p. 83. pi. 14. fig. 1. Aud. pi. 11G. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 102. Phil. Museum, No. 5285.) Spec Charact. — Reddish-brown; beneath whitish, spotted with black; tail very long and rounded; wings with 2 whitish bands; the bill long and without notch. Tins large and well known songster, inferior to none but the Mocking-bird in musical talent, is found in every FERRUGINOUS THRUSH, OR THRASHER. 373 part of this continent, from Hudson's Bay to the shores of the Mexican Gulf, breeding in all the intermediate space, though more abundantly towards the north. They retire to the south, early in October, in the states north of the Carolitias, and probably extend their migrations at this season through the warmer regions towards the borders of the tropics. From the 15th of April to early in May they begin to revisit the Middle and Northern States, keeping pace, in some measure, with the progress of vegetation and the comparative advancement of the season. They appear always to come in pairs, so that their mutual attachment is probably more durable than the season of incubation. Stationed on the top of some tall orchard or forest tree, the male, gay and animated, salutes the morn of his arrival with his loud and charming song. His voice, somewhat resembling that of the Thrush of Europe, but far more varied and powerful, rises preeminent amidst all the vocal choir of the forest. His music has the full charm of innate originality ; he takes no delight in mim- ickry, and has therefore no title to the name of Mocking- bird.* On his first appearance, he falters in his song, like the Nightingale, but when his mate commences her cares and labors, his notes attain all their vigor and variety. The young birds, even of the first season, in a state of solitary domestication, without the aid of the parent's voice, already whisper forth in harmonious reverie the pathetic and sweet warble, instinctive to the species. In the month of May, while the blooming or- chards perfume and decorate the landscape, the enchant- ing voice of the Thrasher, in his affectionate lay, seems to give grateful utterance for the bounty and teeming * lie is called in the Southern States, the French Mocking bird. 32 374 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. profusion of nature, and falls in pleasing unison with the harmony and beauty of the season. From the beginning to the middle of May the Thrasher is engaged in building his nest, selecting for this pur- pose usually a low, thick bush, in some retired thicket or swamp, a few feet from the earth, and sometimes even on the ground, in some sheltered tussuck, or near the root of a bush. It has a general resemblance to the nest of the Cat-bird : outwardly being made of small interlacing twigs, then layers of dry oak or beech leaves, either whole or dissected. To these materials usually succeeds a stra- tum of strips of grape-vine or red cedar bark, and with them I have once seen a piece of old tape, collected pro- bably from the vicinity of some cottage ; over the whole is piled a mass of coarse root-fibres, often of a dark color, and the finishing lining is made of a finer layer of the same. The eggs, never exceeding 5, are thickly and very ele- gantly sprinkled all over with minute spots of palish brown, on a greenish white ground. In the Middle States they have probably two broods in the season ; here seldom more than one. They display the most ardent affection for their young; attacking snakes, dogs, and cats in their defence. One of the parents, usually the male, seems almost continually occupied, in guarding against any dangerous intruder. The cat is attacked commonly at a considerable distance from the young, and the woods echo with his plantive ye-ow, ye-ow } and the low, guttural, angry 'tsh 'tsh 'tsh 'tsh. The enemy is thus pursued off the field, commonly with success, as guilty grimalkin appears to understand the threatening gestures and complaints with which she is so incessantly assailed. Towards their more insidious enemies of the human species, when approaching the helpless or unfledged young, every art is displayed ; threats, entreaties, and FERRUGINOUS THRUSH, OR THRASHER. 375 reproaches, the most pathetic and powerful, are tried in no equivocal strain; they dart at the ravisher in wild despair, and lament, in the most touching strains of sor- row, the bereavement they suffer. I know of nothing equal to the burst of grief manifested by these affectionate parents, excepting the afflicting accents of suffering hu- manity. Their food consists of worms and insects generally ; also caterpillars, beetles, and other coleopterous tribes, as well as various kinds of berries. In the month of January I observed this Thrush and the Mocking-bird feed on the berries of the sumach. Sometimes they raise up a few grains of planted corn, but this is more the effect of caprice than appetite, as the search for grubworms is what commonly induces this resort to scratching up the soil. The Thrasher is an active, watch- ful, shy, and vigorous species, generally flying low, dwell- ing among thickets, and skipping from bush to bush, with his long tail sometimes spread out like a fan. About the first week in October after moulting, they disappear for the season, and pass the winter in the Southern States. By the middle of February, or early in March, they already display their vocal powers in the warmer parts of Georgia and West Florida. They are easily reared, and become very familiar and amusing companions, showing a strong attachment to the hand that feeds and protects them. In their manners, intelligence, song, and sagacity, they nearly approach to the Mocking-bird, being equally playful, ca- pricious, petulant, and affectionate.* The Brown Thrush is 11£ inches long, and 13 in alar extent. The whole upper parts are of a bright reddish-brown ; the wings are crossed with 2 bars of whitish, relieved with black. Tail very long, * For additional traits of this species, see the Introduction. 376 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. rounded at the end, broad, and of the same color with the back. Below yellowish-white, with the breast and sides marked with long pointed or pencillate dusky spots. Bill without notch; black above, whitish below near the base. Legs dusky brownish. Iris yellow, (much paler in the young bird.) In the female the white bars on the wing are narrower, and the spots on the breast smaller. CAT-BIRD. (Mimus felitox. Boxap. Turdus fclivoz, Vieill. Aud. pi. 123. T. lividus, Wilson, ii. p. 90. pi. 20. fig. 3. Phil. Museum, No. C770.) Sp. Charact. — Dark slate color, paler beneath; the vent rufous ; the crown and tail black, the latter rounded. Tins quaint and familiar songster passes the winter in the southern extremities of the United States, and along CAT-BIRD. 377 the coast of Mexico, from whence, as early as February, they arrive in Georgia. About the middle of April they are first seen in Pennsylvania, and at length leisurely ap- proach this part of New England, by the close of the first or beginning of the second week in May. They continue their migration also to Canada ; where they proceed into the fur-countries as far as the 45th parallel, arriving on the banks of the Saskatchewan, about the close of May. They are said also to inhabit Kamtschatka, and conse- quently penetrate very far to the north. Throughout this extent, and to the territory of the Mississippi, they like- wise pass the period of incubation and rearing their young. They remain in New England till about the middle of October, at which time the young feed principally upon wild berries. The Cat-bird often tunes his cheerful song before the break of day, hopping from bush to bush, with great agility after his insect prey, while yet scarcely distinguishable amidst the dusky shadows of the dawn. The notes of dif- ferent individuals vary considerably, so that sometimes his song, in sweetness and compass, is scarcely at all inferior to that of the Ferruginous Thrush. A quaintness, how- ever, prevails in all his efforts, and his song is frequently made up of short and blended imitations of other birds, given, however, with great emphasis, melody, and variety of tone; and, like the Nightingale, invading the hours of repose, in the late twilight of a summer's evening, when scarce another note is heard, but the hum of the drowsy beetle, his music attains its full effect, and often rises and falls with all the swell and studied cadence of finished har- mony. During the heat of the day, or late in the morning, the variety of his song declines, or he pursues his employ- ment in silence and retirement. About the 25th of May, one of these familiar birds came 32* 3?S INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. into the Botanic Garden, and took up his summer abode with us. Soon after his arrival he called up in low whis- perings the notes of the Whip-poor-will ', the Red-bird, the pcto pdo of the Tufted Titmouse, and other imitations of southern birds, which he had collected on his leisurely route from the south. He also soon mocked the 'tshc-yah 'tshe-ydh of the little Acadian Flycatchers, with which the neighborhood now abounded. lie frequently answered to my whistle in the garden, was very silent during the period of incubation, and expressed great anxiety and complaint on my approaching the young after their leaving the nest. According to Latham, the Cat-bird is also capable of imi- tating the variable airs of instrumental music, and will sometimes mimic the cry of chickens so as to deceive and distress the hen that attends them. One of the most remarkable propensities of the Cat-bird, and to which it owes its name, is the unpleasant, loud, and grating cat-like mew ('^«j/, 'pay, '!»%)> which it often utters, on being approached or offended. As the irritation increases, this note becomes more hoarse, reiterated, and vehement ; and sometimes this petulance and anger are car- ried so far, as to persecute every intruder who approaches the premises. This temper often prevails after the young are fledged, and though originating, no doubt, in parental anxiety, it sometimes appears to outlive that season, and occasionally becomes such an annoyance, that a revengeful and fatal blow from a stick or stone, is but too often, with the thoughtless and prejudiced, the reward of this harmless and capricious provocation. At such times, with little ap- parent cause, the agitation of the bird is excessive, she hur- ries backward and forward, with hanging wings, and open mouth, mewing and screaming in a paroxysm of scolding anger, and alighting almost to peck the very hand that of- fers the insult. To touch a twig or branch in any part of CAT-BIRD. 379 the garden or wood is often amply sufficient to call down the amusing termagant. This harmless excess, and simu- lation of grimalkin's tone, that wizard animal, so much disliked by many, are unfortunate associations in the cry of the Cat-bird ; and thus coupled with an ill name, this delightful and familiar songster, who seeks out the very society of man, and reposes an unmerited confidence in his protection, is treated with undeserved obloquy and contempt. The flight of the Cat-bird is laborious, and usually continued only from bush to bush ; his progress, however, is very wily, and his attitudes and jerks amusingly capricious. He appears to have very little fear of enemies, often descends to the ground in quest of insects, and though almost familiar, is very quick in his retreat from real danger. This common and abundant species begins to construct its nest some time in the month of May. The situation, in which he delights to dwell, is commonly a dark thicket, in the woods, or close bush in some recluse part of the garden, at the distance of 5 to 10 feet from the ground, according to the convenience of the situation. The ma- terials are coarse but substantial ; the external part is com- monly made of small interlaced twigs, old grass, and dry leaves ; to these succeed thin strips of bark, often of the red cedar, somewhat aorarhitinated. The inside is lined and bedded with black root-fibres of ferns; other accidental materials sometimes make a fantastic part of the fabric. One has been known to carry away an edging of lace which was missed, and at length again recovered after the rearing of the brood, whose dainty bed it assisted to form. I have frequently found in the external coat of the nest, the cast off skins of snakes, more rarely bits of newspa- pers, wood shavings, strings, and bass-mat strips. The eggs are 4 or 5, of a bright and deep emerald green, and 3S0 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. without spots. According to the time of their arrival they raise two or even three broods in the season. The Cat- bird is not easily induced to forsake its nest. Wilson re- moved one containing 4 eggs, nearly hatched, from a grape-vine into a thicket of briars close by, which was soon occupied by the female, as if nothing had happened to it. Other birds' eggs, those of the Thrasher, and young of the same species, were instantly turned out of the nest in which they had been placed. Yet the male, divesting himself of selfish jealousy, observing the distress and helplessness of the young thus dislodged by his mate, began to feed them as his own. Their sagacity is there- fore superior to that of the ordinary Thrushes, as the Turdus Wilsonii is even one of the duped nurses occa- sionally employed by the Cow-Bird. The food of the Cat-bird is similar to that of the pre- ceding species, being insects and worms, particularly beetles, and various garden fruits; feeding its young often on cherries, and various kinds of berries. Sometimes they are observed to attack snakes when they approach the vicinity of their brood, and commonly succeed in driving off the enemy ; when bitten, however, by the poi- sonous kinds, it is probable, as related, that they may act in such a manner, as to appear laboring under the influ- ence of fascination. The Cat-bird, when raised from the nest, is easily dome'sticated, becomes a very amusing in- mate, and seems attached to his cajre, as to a dwelling or place of security. About dawn of day, if at large, he flirts about with affected wildness, repeatedly jerks his tail and wings with the noise almost of a whip, and stretch- ing forth his head, opens his mouth and mews. Some- times this curious cry is so guttural as to be uttered with- out opening the bill. He often also gives a squeal as he flies from one place to another ; and is very tame, though THRUSHES. 381 pugnacious to all other birds which approach him for injury. When wanting food, he stirs round with great un- easiness, jerks every thing about within his reach, and utters the feeble cry of the caged Mocking-bird. A very amusing individual, which I now describe, began his vo- cal powers by imitating the sweet and low warble of the Song Sparrow, as given in the autumn ; and from his love of imitation on other occasions, I am inclined to believe that he possesses no original note of his own, but acquires and modulates the songs of other birds. Like the Robin, he is exceedingly fond of washing, and dashes about in the water till every feather appears drenched ; he also, at times, basks in the gravel, in fine weather. His food, in confinement, is almost every thing vegetable, except un- bruised seeds; as bread, fine pastry, cakes, scalded corn- meal, fruits, particularly those which are juicy, and now and then insects and minced flesh. The length of this species is about 9 inches. Above deep slate- color, lightest on the edges of the primaries, and also considerably paler below. The under tail-coverts reddish chesnut. Tail rounded, the outer tail feather transversely barred with white on the inner web. Upper part of the head, legs, and bill, black. It occurs rarely pye-bald, with the head and back white, being nearly an albino. In a caged bird, I have also observed one or two of the tail-feathers and primaries partly white on their inner webs. — In the young, before the first moult, the rufous vent is paler, and the black of the head in- distinct. TURDUS. (Lin.) THRUSHES. Bill of moderate length or shortish, rather stout and straight, compressed toward the cnt], acute. Tarsus as long as the middle toe and claw. Tail of moderate length, and nearly even. First quill very small, 3d and 4th longest. 38:2 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. The Thrushes are but little inferior to the preceding genus in their musical talents, but their motions and forms are less graceful and elegant. AMERICAN ROBIN, or MIGRATING THRUSH. (Turdus migratorius, Lin. Wilson, i. p. 35. pi. 2. fig. 2. Lath., Sy- nops. iii. p. 26. Aud. Orn. Biog. 2. p. 190. pi. 131.) Spec. Charact. — Dark ash-color; beneath rufous; head and tail black, the two exterior feathers of the latter white at the inner tip. The familiar and welcome Robin is found in summer throughout the North American continent from the deso- late regions of Hudson's Bay, in the 53d degree to the table land of Mexico ;* it is likewise a denizen of the * Bullock '3 Memoir. AMERICAN ROBIN, OR MIGRATING THRUSH. 383 territory of the Oregon,* on the western base of the Rocky mountains. In all this vast space, the American Fieldfare rears its young, avoiding only the warmer maritime districts, to which, however, they flock for support during the inclemency of winter. In like man- ner the common Fieldfare migrates at a late season from the northern deserts of Siberia and Lapland to pass the winter in the milder parts of Europe. The Robin has no fixed time for migration, nor any particular rendezvous ; they retire from the higher latitudes only as their food be- gins to fail, and so leisurely and desultory are their move- ments, that they make their appearance in straggling par- ties even in Massachusetts, feeding on winter berries, till driven to the south by deep and inundating snows. At this season they swarm in the Southern States, though they never move in large bodies. The holly, prinos, sumach, smilax, candle-berry myrtle, and the Virginian juniper now afford them an ample repast in the winter, in the ab- sence of the more juicy berries of autumn, and the insects and worms of the milder season. Even in the vicinity of Boston, flocks of Robins are seen, in certain seasons, assembling round open springs in the depth of winter, having arrived probably from the colder interior of the state ; and in those situations they are consequently often trapped and killed in great numbers. Towards the close of January in South Carolina, the Robin, at intervals, still tuned his song; and about the second week of March, in the Middle States, before the snows of winter have wholly disappeared, a few desultory notes are already given. As soon as the 10th of this month, they may, at times, also be heard in this part of New England. Early in April, however, at the close of * Found, according to Latham, at Nootka. Sound. 384 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the jealous contests, which are waged with obstinacy, they are only seen in pairs, and now, from the orchard or the edge of the forest, deliver their simple thrilling lays, in all the artless energy of true affection. This earnest song recalls to mind the mellow whistle of the Thrush,* which, in the charming month of May, so sweetly rises in warbling echoes from the low copse and shady glen. Our American bird has not, however, the compass and variety of that familiar and much loved songster; but his freedom and willingness to please, render him an univer- sal favorite, and he now comes, as it were, with the wel- come prelude to the general concert, about to burst upon us from all the green woods and blooming orchards. With this pleasing association with the opening season, amidst the fragrance of flowers, and the improving verdure of the fields, we listen with peculiar pleasure to the simple song of the Robin. The confidence he reposes in us by making his abode in our gardens and orchards, the frank- ness and innocence of his manners, besides his vocal pow- ers to please, inspire respect and attachment even in the truant school-boy, and his exposed nest is but rarely mo- lested. He owes, however, this immunity in no small degree to the fortunate name which he bears; as the favorite Robin Redbreast, said to have covered, with a leafy shroud, the lost and wandering " babes in the wood,"t is held in universal respect in every part of Europe, where he is known by endearing names, and so familiar in winter that he sometimes taps at the window, or enters the house in search of crumbs, and like the domestic fowls, claims his welcome pittance at the far- mer's door. The nest of this species is often on the horizontal * Jurdus tAiinctw, Lin. f A well known legend to this effect. AMERICAN ROBIN, OR MIGRATING THRUSH. 385 branch of an apple tree, or in a bush or tree in the woods, and so large, as to be scarcely ever wholly con- cealed . The materials, chiefly leaves, old grass, and sometimes whitish moss (Bcfiomyces Sp.), are cemented together inside by a plastering of bog-mud, often filled with fibrous roots, somewhat after the manner of the Thrush, but the interior is lined with short, dry, rotten straw, and a mat of old grass. The eggs, about 5, are of a bluish green and without spots. So nearly domestic at times are their habits, that an instance is known, where they successively raised two broods out of the same nest. They show great affection, courage and anxiety for the safety of their young, keeping up a noisy cackling chirp when the place is approached, sometimes even boldly peck- ing at the hand or flying in the face of the intruder; and they have often serious contests with the piratical Cuckoo, who slily watches the absence of the parents to devour their eggs. To avoid these visits and the attacks of other enemies, the Robin has been known to build his nest within a few yards of the blacksmith's anvil; and in Ports- mouth (New Hampshire) one was seen to employ for the same purpose the stern timbers of an unfinished vessel, in which the carpenters were constantly at work ; the bird appearing, by this adventurous association, as if conscious of the protection of so singular and bold a situation. I have also seen a nest of the Robin bottomed with a mass of pine shavings, taken without alarm from the bench of the carpenter. The European Thrush is sometimes equally familiar ; a pair being known to make a nest on a har- row, among some other agricultural implements suspended on the joists of a cart-shed, in which 13 men were at work at the time ; and here they built and reared their young in safety. In this instance, the female was in such haste, that she laid an egg before the finishing of the nest, and 33 3SG INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. while the male carried on the necessary labor for its com- pletion ; so that this singular resort had apparently been forced upon the pair immediately after the loss of the ob- ject of their first labor, and they now successfully threw themselves upon the protection of the human species. From the petulant and reiterated chirp so commonly utter- ed by the Robin, when surprised or irritated, the Indians of Hudson's Bay call him, from this note, Pee-pec-tshu. They often also utter a loud echoing 'kh 'kh 'kh, and sometimes chirp in a high or slender tone when alarmed, and with an affectation of anger sharply flirt the tail and ends of the wings. They raise several broods in a season, and considerable numbers flock together in the latter end of summer and autumn. When feeding on cherries, poke, sassafras, and sour-gum berries, they are so intent as to be easily approached and shot down in numbers; and when fat, are justly esteemed for food, and often brought to market. In the spring they frequently descend to the ground in quest of worms and insects, which then consti- tute their principal support. They are commonly brought up in the cage, and seem very docile and content. They sing well, readily learn to imitate lively parts of tunes, and some have been taught to pipe forth psalms even to so dull and solemn a measure as that of " Old Hundred" I They acquire also a consid- erable taste for mimickry, imitating the notes of most of the birds around them, such as the Blue-bird, Pewee, Whip-poor-will, and others. On being approached with the finger, they usually make some show of anger by crack- ing and snapping the bill. At times they become very tame, and will go in and out of the house with domestic confidence, feel uneasy when left alone, and on such occa- sions, have sometimes the sagacity of calling attention by articulating endearing words, as pretty •, pretty, &c. con- AMERICAN ROBIN, OR MIGRATING THRUSH. 387 necting, apparently with these expressions, their general import of attentive blandishment. They become almost naked in the moulting season, in which they appear to suf- fer considerably, yet have been known to survive for 17 years or upwards. The rufous color of the breast becomes deeper in those birds which thus live in confinement. Their principal song is in the morning, and commences before sunrise, at which time it is very loud, full and em- phatic. This bird, according to Richardson, inhabits every part of the fur countries. Nests of the Robin are found as high as the G7th parallel ; and from the reports of travellers it is known to visit the north-west coast of America. It arrives in the Missouri (in lat. 41^°), from the eastward, on the 11th of April ; and in the course of its northerly move- ment, visits Severn River in Hudson's Bay about a fort- night later. On the 7th of May, in 1827, it was seen at Fort Chepewyan in latitude 58%°, and in the distant paral- lel of G5°, at Fort Franklin on the 20th of that month. In the 54th degree, they begin to hatch by the end of May; but 11 degrees farther to the north, they do not commence incubation until the 11th of June. The snow even then partially covers the ground ; but there are, in those latitudes, abundance of the berries of the Alpine Ar- butus, Crow-Berry, (Empetrum nigrum,) Whortle-Berry and Cow-Berry, ( Vaccinium irfiginosum, and V. Vitis idcca), besides those of some other plants, which, after having been frozen up all the winter, arc exposed, on the melting of the snow, again to view, full of juice, and re- taining their original flavor. Dr. Richardson remarks, that the notes of the Robin " resemble those of the com- mon Thrush, (Tardus musicus) but are not so loud. With- in the Arctic circle the woods are silent in the bright licrht of noon-day, but towards midnight, when the sun travels 38S INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. near the horizon, and the shades of the forest are length- ened, the concert commences, and continues till six or seven in the morning. Even in those remote regions, the mistake of those naturalists who have asserted that the feathered tribes of America are void of harmony might be fully disproved. Indeed, the transition is so sudden from the perfect repose, the death-like silence of an arctic winter, to the animated bustle of summer; the trees spread their foliage with such magic rapidity, and every succeed- ing morning opens with such agreeable accessions of feathered songsters to swell the chorus — their plumage as gay and unimpaired as when they enlivened the deep-green forests of tropical climes, that the return of a northern spring excites in the mind a deep feeling of the beauties of the season, a sense of the bounty and Providence of the Supreme Being, which is cheaply purchased by the tedium of nine months winter. The most verdant lawns and cul- tivated glades of Europe, the most beautiful productions of art, fail in producing that exhilaration and joyous buoyancy of mind which we have experienced in treading the wilds of Arctic America, when their snowy covering has just been replaced by an infant but vigorous vegetation." The Robin is 10 inches in length. Head, back of the neck, and tail, black ; the back and rump ash-color. The wings black, edged with pale ash. Three small spots of white border the eye. Throat and upper part of the hreast black, the former streaked with white. Below, dark orange or rufous. Belly and vent white. Legs dark brown. Bill yellow, as in the European Blackbird ; sometimes dusky brown above towards the tip. The colors of the female are paler. The young, during the first season, are spotted with white and dusky on the breast, and at that time bear a considerable resemblance to the Fieldfare of Europe. VARIED THRUSH. 389 VARIED THRUSH. (Turdus nonius, Gmelin. T. nan-ins, Lath. Ind. i .p. 331. Aud. Orn. Biog. 4. p. 489. pi. 3G9. fig. 2, 3. [male], and pi. 433. fig. 6. [fe- male]. Orpheus meruloides, Swains, and Rich. Faun. Bor. Amer. 2. p. 187.) # Spec. Charact. — Blackish-grey; beneath principally reddish- orange ; with a black pectoral belt ; two orange bands on the wings, with the quills exteriorly blotched with the same. Of this elegant and rather brilliant species, whose man- ners so entirely resemble that of the Common American Robin (Turdus migratorius), we know scarcely anything certain. They probably breed as far north as Nootka, where they were first seen by the naturalists of Cook's ex- pedition. They were observed in the Arctic Expedition, at Fort Franklin, in lat. 65^°, in the spring of 1826, ac- cording to Richardson, it was not found as far east as the banks of the Saskatchewan, and seems never to have stray- ed to the eastward of the Rocky Mountains. It is said to make its nest in a bush, and that it is very similar to that of the American Robin. Mr. Townsend remarks, how- ever, that it possesses a very different note, being louder, sharper, and quicker, and in the spring, previous to its de- parture for the north, it warbles very sweetly. In Oregon they are only winter birds of passage, arriving about Oc- tober, and continuing more or less frequently throughout the winter, roving about in companies of 20 to 50 in quest of subsistence. At this time they flit through the forests, frequenting low trees on which they perch in silence, and are at times very timorous and difficult of approach, having all the shy sagacity of the Robin, and appear roving about in a very desultory manner. They are found at this sea- son as far south as upper California, and probably spread to the extremity of that peninsula. 33* 390 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Length 9 inches 9 lines ; the tail 3 inches 6 lines ; the bill above, 10 lines, from the rictus 1 inch 1£ lines ; tarsus 1 inch 3 lines. Above blackish-grey ; the head, sides of the neck, and rudimental pectoral belt, pitch-black. The blackish ear-feathers surrounded by a narrow stripe of reddish-orange which extends to the eye-brows. Tail grey- ish-black, a large white spot on the tip of the inner web of the outer feather, and brownish-white spots on the tips of all the other feathers, diminishing in size to the central ones on which there is merely a minute brownish spec on their tips Quills, greater coverts, and the adjoining row of lesser ones, liver-brown. Two rather broad bands of pale reddish-orange cross the wings. A large patch of the same color on the primaries near their coverts, and a smaller one about half way to their tips. Tertiaries slightly tipped with white. Chin, throat, and belly reddish-orange. Vent white. Under tail coverts blackish-grey, edged with orange, and largely tipped with white. Flanks and axillary feathers bluish-grey. Bill black, pale yellow at the base of the under mandible. Legs flesh-colored. Bill straight, compressed, more slender than in the Robin, but otherwise resembling it. Wings 1£ inches shorter than the end of the tail, 4th quill long- est ; the 3d and 5th nearly equal it. Tail slightly rounded. Tarsus much longer than the middle toe. WOOD THRUSH. (Turdus mustcUnus, Gm. Audueon, pi. 73. T. melodus, Wilson, i. p. 35. pi. 2. fig. 1. Tawny Thrush, Pennant's Arctic Zoology, ii. p. 19. No. 108. Latham, Synops. iii. p. 28. No. 15.) Spec Charact. — Cinnamon-brown, rufous on the head ; rump and tail inclining to olive ; beneath white, spotted with blackish ; tail slightly emarginate ; the bill of moderate length. Tins solitary and retiring songster, during summer, in- habits the whole continent from Hudson's Bay to Florida; and according to my friend Mr. Ware, breeds as far south as the vicinity of Natchez, in the territory of Mississippi. Whether they leave the boundaries of the United States in the winter, is not satisfactorily ascertained ; as the species WOOD THRUSH. 391 is then silent, and always difficult of access, its residence is rendered peculiarly doubtful. The lateness of the sea- son in which they still linger, renders it probable that they may winter in the Southern States, as a young bird, glean- ing insects and berries, has been caugh^in a garden in Boston on the 26th of October. From the southern parts of the Union, or wherever he may winter, the Wood Thrush arrives in the middle States from the 1st to the loth of April ; though his appearance here, where the species is scarce, does not take place earlier than the beginning of May. At the dawn of morn- ing he now announces his presence in the woods, and from the top of some tall tree, rising through the dark and shady forest, he pours out his i"e\v, clear, and harmonious notes in a pleasing reverie, as if inspired by the enthu- siasm of renovated nature. The prelude to this song re- sembles almost the double tonguing of the flute, blended with a tinkling, shrill, and solemn warble, which reechoes from his solitary retreat, like the dirge of some sad recluse, who shuns the busy haunts of life. The whole air consists usually of 4 parts or bars, which succeed, in deliberate time, and finally blend together in impressive and soothing harmony, becoming more mellow and sweet at every repe- tition. Rival performers seem to challenge each other from various parts of the wood, vying for the favor of their mates, with sympathetic responses and softer tones ; and some, waging a jealous strife, terminate the warm dispute by an appeal to combat and violence. Like the Robin and the Thrasher, in dark and gloomy weather, when other birds are sheltered and silent, the clear notes of the Wood Thrush are heard through the dropping woods from dawn to dusk, so that, the sadder the day, the sweeter and more constant is his song. His clear and interrupted whistle is likewise often nearly the only voice of melody heard by 392 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS, the traveller, to mid-day, in the heat of summer, as he traverses the silent, dark, and wooded wilderness, remote from the haunts of men. It is nearly impossible by words to convey any idea of the peculiar warble of this vocal hermit; but amongst his phrases, the sound of 'airoee, pe- culiarly liquid, and followed by a trill, repeated in two interrupted bars, is readily recognisable. At times their notes bear a considerable resemblance to those of Wilson's Thrush ; such as eh rliehu 'vrhehu, then varied to 'eh vilfia villla, 'ch villia vrhehu, then, 'ch vclu villiu, high and shrill. The Wood Thrush is always of a shy and retiring dis- position, appearing alone, or only in single pairs, and while lie willingly charms us with his song, he is content and even solicitous to remain concealed. His favorite haunts are low, shady glens by water-courses, often ren- dered dark with alder bushes, mantled with the trailing grape-vine. In quest of his insect prey, he delights to follow the meanders of the rivulet, through whose leafy shades the sun-beams steal only in a few interrupted rays over the sparkling surface of the running brook. So par- tial is this bird to solitude, that I have known one to sing almost uniformly in the same place, though nearly half a mile from his mate and nest. At times indeed he would venture a few faltering, low notes in an oak near his con- sort, but his mellowest morning and evening warble was always delivered from a tall hickory, overtopping a grove of hemlock firs, in which the dimness of twilight prevailed even at noon. The Wood Thrush, like the Nightingale, therefore feels inspired in darkness, but instead of waiting for the setting sun, he chooses a retreat where the beams of day can seldom enter. These shady retreats have also an additional attraction to our Thrush ; it is here that the most interesting scene of his instinctive labor begins and HERMIT THRUSH. 393 ends; here he first saw the light, and breathed into exist- ence ; and here he now bestows his nest in a sapling oak, or in the next thick laurel or blooming alder, whose ber- ries afford him an ample repast in the coming autumn. Outwardly it presents a warm bed of withered beech or oak leaves, above these a layer of coarse old grass and leaf-stalks is laid, tempered with a mixture of mud and decayed wood smoothly plastered, so as to form a crust like the nest of the Robin. The whole is then surmounted by a thin lining of the black, fibrous radicles of the fern. The eggs, 4 or 5, scarcely distinguishable from those of the Robin, are of a uniform bright greenish blue and des- titute of spots. Beetles, caterpillars, various insects, and, in autumn, berries constitute the principal food of the Wood Thrush. The young remain for weeks around gar- dens in quest of berries, and are particularly fond of those of the various species of cornel and viburnum. At this season they occasionally leave their favorite glens, and in their devious wanderings, previous to their departure, sometimes venture to visit the rural suburbs of the city. The young are easily reared, and sing nearly as well in the cage as in their native wilds. The Wood Thrush measures about 8 inches in length, and 13 in alar extent. Above, bright cinnamon-brown, brightening into rufous on the head, and inclining to olive on the rump and tail. Beneath, whitish, thickly marked with pencil-shaped dusky spots. The vent pure white. Orbits of the eye white. Bill dusky brown, slightly notched, the lower mandible flesh-colored towards the base. Legs and claws very pale flesh-color. Iris dark chocolate. hermit thrush. ( Tardus solitarius, WiLSOK, v. p. 95. pi. 43. fig. 2. Audubon, Orn. Biog. 1. p. 303. pi. 58. [excellent] Phil. Museum, No. 3542.) 394 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Spec. Ciiaract. — Olive-brown, inclining to rufous on the tail; be- neath brownish white, spotted with dusky brown on the breast and under the wings ; tail emarginate. This species, so much like the Nightingale in color, is scarce inferior to that celebrated bird in its powers of song,* and greatly exceeds the Wood Thrush in the mel- ody and sweetness of its lay. It inhabits the United States, from the lofty alpine mountains of New Hampshire to Florida. It is also met with on the table land of Mexico, and in the warmer climate of the Antilles. In Pennsyl- vania, New Jersey, and New England, at the close of autumn, it appears to migrate eastward to the sea-coast in quest of the winter berries, on which it now feeds ; in spring and summer it lives chiefly on insects and their larva?, and also collects the surviving berries of the Mitch- ella repens. Like the preceding species, it appears to court solitude, and lives wholly in the woods. In the southern States, where it inhabits the whole year, it frequents the dark and desolate shades of the cane swamps. In these, almost Stygian regions, which, besides being cool, abound pro- bably with its favorite insect food, we are nearly sure to meet our sweetly vocal hermit flitting through the settled gloom, which the brightest rays of noon scarcely illumine with more than twilight. In one of such swamps, in the Choctaw nation, Wilson examined a nest of this species, which was fixed on the horizontal branch of a tree, formed with great neatness and without using any plastering of mud. The outside was made of a layer of coarse grass, having the roots attached, and intermixed with horse-hair ; the lining consisted of green filiform blades of dry grass, * My friend, Mr. C. Pickering, remarks, that the song of this species is far supe- rior to that of the Wood Thrush. AVilson considered it mute. HERMIT THRUSH. 395 very neatly wound about the interior. The eggs, 4 to 6, of a pale greenish blue, were marked towards the great end with specks and blotches of olive. In the Middle States this species is only seen for a few weeks in the spring and fall. They arrive in this part of New England about the 10th of April, and disperse to pass the summer in the seclusion of the forest. They are often seen on the ground in quest of their food, and fre- quent low and thick copses, into which they commonly fly for concealment when too attentively observed ; though when in small companies, in the spring season, they do not appear very shy, but restless, from the unsettled state of their circumstances. When dispersed, they utter a low, chirping call, and for some time continue to frequent the same secluded part of the forest in society. At times, like the Wagtail, they keep this part of their body in a slow, vertical motion. In manners it strongly resembles the following species ; but its song seems to be unusually lively and varied, warbling almost like the Yellow Bird, and then chanting like the Robin. In Lower Louisiana, they are said to raise two broods in the season. The length of the Hermit Thrush is about 7 inches ; alar extent 10^. Above, plain deep olive-brown. Below,, dull while ; upper part of the breast and throat of a delicate cream color, inclining to nankeen ; the dusky brown pencillated spots carried over the breast and under the wings where the sides are pale olive; 3d primary longest, inner webs inclining to dusky, the outer nearly as rufous as the tail ; on the inner webs of the secondaries a large oval spot of bright nankeen color. Tail and coverts, as well as the wings, strongly tinged with rufous. Legs pale flesh-color, the tarsus very long. Bill black above the lower mandible, flesh-colored below. Iris nearly black, and large. — The female darker, and with the spots on the breast larger and more dusky. Note. The Broicn Thrush of Pennant and Latham agrees pretty nearly with the Hermit Thrush (T. solitarius) of Wilson, and differs, 396 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. in several important particulars, with the bird of this article. The bird of Wilson's figure, if correctly done, I have never seen in Mas- sachusetts. DWARF THRUSH. (Tardus nanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. p. 204. pi. 419. f. 1.) Spec. Charact. — With the general plumage of T. solitarius. 2d and 6th quills nearly equal : length G inches. The first intimation of this species, if such it prove, is due to that accurate observer, my friend Mr. Charles Pickering, who communicated a portion of the skin to Mr. Audubon, to whom, though now known, it is very scarce. It has since been obtained in the forests of the Oregon, by Mr. Townsend, who gives its measurements as "length 6 inches, alar extent 9." It is probably confounded, in several instances, with the Hermit Thrush, which it so closely resembles, if indeed it prove sufficiently distinct. Of its habits nothing is yet known, except that it is almost exclusively terrestrial. WILSON'S THRUSH, or VEERY. (Turdus JVilsoni, Boxap. Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 362. pi. 164. T. mustelim/s, Wilson (not of Gmel.), v. p. 98. pi. 43. fig. 3. Little Thrush, Lath. Synops. iii. p. 20. (not of Pennant, &.c.) Phil. Museum, No. 5570.) Spec. Charact. — Tawny-brown; beneath and chin whitish, with dusky spots on the throat, which is inclined to tawny yellow; tail nearly even, the feathers pointed as well as the secondaries ; bill short. Tins common northern specie^ arrives in Pennsylvania and New England about the beginning of May, and their Wilson's thrush, or veery. 397 northern migration extends, as far as Labrador. They appear to retire to the south early in October, and are more decidedly insectivorous than any other native species. According to Wilson, many winter in the myrtle swamps of South Carolina. I have not, however, seen them in the Southern States at that season, and most part of the species pass on probably as far as the coast of the Mexican Gulf. They do not, according to Wilson, breed in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, though undoubtedly in the mountainous districts, where they are seen as late as the 20th of May. They propagate and are very common in Massachusetts. On the 3d of July we were serenaded by this old acquaintance, in the very central chain of the Rocky Mountains, or the borders of Ham's Fork of the Colorado, as well as in the thickets of Lewis River of the Shoshonee. In its retiring habits and love of concealment this Thrush resembles the preceding. They frequent the dark and shady borders of small brooks, and woods, and sometimes the bushy and retired parts of the garden ; from whence, without being often seen, in the morning, and particularly the evening, to the very approach of night, we often hear the singular, quaint, and musical note of this querulous species, at short intervals, as he perches upon some low branch of a tree or bush. This curious whistling note sounds like 'veku 'v'rehu VrtAti 'v'rehu, and sometimes 'veavea 'vreha 'vn/ia veku, running up the notes till they become shrill and quick at the close, in the first phrase; but from high to low, and terminating slender and slow, in the latter ; another expression seems to be, 've vcd vehurr. ascending like a whistle. The sono- of another individual was expressed in the following manner, 're 'rilll/l " rill ill 'fullull liillul. It was then repeated with variation, 're rilCiUil rillill villl.ll; then rilliUill rill/llill, 34 393 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Uiirdill tulfilill; the whole agreeably and singularly deliv- ered in a shrill, hollow voice, almost like the sound of liquor passing through a tunnel into a bottle. I have also heard several of these sounds, sometimes occasionally prefaced by a mewing or chirping warble. These sounds, through monotonous, are possessed of greater variety than is at first imagined, the terminating tone or key changing through several repetitions, so as to constitute a harmony and melody, in some degree approaching the song of the more musical Wood Thrush. From this habit of seren- ading into the night, the species is sometimes here digni- fied with the nickname of the Nightingale. Occasion- ally he utters an angry, rather plaintive mew, like the Cat-bird, or a quivering bleat, almost similar to that of a lamb, and, when approached, watches and follows the intruder with an angry or petulant qucdh qacah; at other times, a sort of mewing, melancholy, or complaining \fcow 'y'eow is heard; and then, perhaps, a hasty and impatient peut peut follows. The food of this species, at least during the early part of summer, appears to be shelly insects of various kinds, particularly Chrysomelas, or lady-bugs, and those many legged hard worms of the genus lulus. A good while after the commencement of the period of incubation, I have observed the males engaged in ob- stinate quarrels. On the 4th of June (1830) I observed two of these petulant Thrushes thus fiercely and jealously contending; one of them used a plaintive and angry tone as he chased his antagonist up and down the tree : at length, however, a cousin Cat-bird, to which this species has some affinity, stept in betwixt the combatants, and they soon parted. One of these birds had a nest and mate in the gooseberry bush of a neighboring garden; the second bird was thus a dissatisfied hermit, and spent many weeks Wilson's thrush, or veery. 399 in the Botanic Garden, where, though at times sad and solitary, yet he constantly amused us with his forlorn song, and seemed at last, as it were, acquainted with those who whistled for him, peeping out of the bushes with a sort of complaisant curiosity, and from his almost nocturnal habits became a great persecutor of the assassin Owl, whenever he dared to make his appearance. The nest of Wilson's Thrush (commenced about the close of the first week in May) is usually in a low and thorny bush, in the darkest part of the forest, at no great distance from the ground (1 to 3 feet), sometimes indeed on the earth, but raised by a bed of leaves, and greatly resembles that of the Cat-bird. This species seems, in- deed, for security artfully to depend on the resemblance of itself and its leafy nest with the bosom of the forest on which it rests, and when approached it sits so close as nearly to admit of being taken up by the hand. The nest sometimes appears without any shelter but shade and asso- ciation of colors with the place on which it rests. I have seen one placed on a mass of prostrated dead brambles; on a fallen heap of lilac twigs in a ravine; and also in a small withered branch of red oak, which had fallen into a bush ; below, it was also bedded with exactly similar leaves, so as easily to deceive the eye. But with all these precautions they appear to lose many eggs and young by squirrels and other animals. The nest is usually bot- tomed with dry oak or beech leaves, coarse stalks of grass and weeds, and lined very generally with naturally dis- sected foliage, its stalks, some fine grass, and, at other times, a mixture of root fibres ; but no earth is employed in the fabric. The eggs, 4 or 5, are of an emerald green, without spots, and differ from those of the Cat-bird only in being a little smaller and more inclined to blue. So shy is the species, that though I feigned a violent chirping 400 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. near the nest containing their young, which brought Spar- rows, and a neighboring Baltimore to the rescue, the pa- rents, peeping at a distance, did not venture to approach, or even express any marked concern, though they prove very watchful guardians when their brood are fledged and with them in the woods. They have commonly two broods in the season; the second being raised about the middle of July ; after which their musical notes are but seldom heard. I afterwards, by an accident obtained a young fledged bird, which retained in the cage the unsocial and silent timidity peculiar to the species. Wilson's Thrush is about 7 inches long, and 12 in alar extent. Above, of an uniform tawny-brown. Beneath white ; the sides of the breast and under the wings, slightly tinged with ash-color ; chin white ; throat and upper part of the breast cream-color, marked with pointed spots of brown. The tail nearly even, the shafts, as well as those of the wing-quills, continued a little beyond their webs. Bill black above, below flesh colored at base. Iris dark. Legs slender, pale brown. WESTERN THRUSH. (Turdus cestulatus, Nobis. T. Wihonii. [in a note] Aud. Orn. Biog\ v. p. 204. Museum of the Acad. Nat. Sc.) Spec. Charact. — Sides and above olive-brown, inclining to rufous on the tail ; throat, shoulder and breast pale tawny, spotted with dusky; tail nearly even, the feathers pointed; secondaries point- less ; bill short and slender. About the commencement of May, Mr. Townsend and myself observed the arrival of this species in the shady forests of the Oregon, where shy and retiring it was flit- ting through the low bushes or gathering insects on the ground. At intervals, on the commencement of the breed- ing period, we heard their notes, bearing indeed, some WESTERN THRUSH. 401 resemblance to the quaint warble of the Veery or Wilson's Thrush, though quite distinct, and easily recognizable from the notes of that Atlantic species. Its song was also more brief and interrupted, and the bird more shy and difficult of access. The warble of one of these birds which I heard at Chinhook, near the estuary of the Co- lumbia, on the 4th of July, resembled wit wit t'villia, and wit wit t'villia t'villia, cheering the dark solitudes of ever- greens where all day he remains recluse like our Wood Thrush : his recognition call is 'wit 'wit which he utters also when surprised, and as soon as seen flits rapidly through the thicket. About the close of July, I found the nest of this species in the prairies of Wahlamet ; it was sus- pended in the forks of a stout stalk of a large fern scarcely differing from the brake (Ptcris aquilina). Among other things it was lined with dry leaves and some mud, exter- nally of coarse grass. The only specimen from which I am now able to describe the species is that of a female procured on the banks of the Columbia on the 10th of June by my friend Mr. Townsend. This neglect arose from the too hasty conclusion that it was no other than the well known Wilson's Thrush. Length 7^ inches. Bill h. an inch ; the mandibles a little more than half the width of Wilson's Thrush, the upper brownish black, the lower yellowish towards the base. Above olive-brown, a little darker on the head ; the tail strongly tinged with rufous, and darker than in the preceding ; a pale tawny line round the eye ; cheeks, throat and breast down to the abdomen tinted with pale tawny and marked with rather small pencillate olive-brown spots no darker than the feathers of the back. Sides under the wings pale olive-brown. Middle of the abdomen white : vent, under tail and wing coverts strongly tinged with yellowish-brown; the shoulder beneath brownish-yellow with shades of dusky. Tarsus slender, pale flesh-color, almost white. 2d and 3d primaries longest ; the first near upon 2 lines shorter than the 2d; the quills rounded and without projecting points to the shafts, paler on the margin of the outer webs. 34* 402 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. SEIURUS. (Swainson.) WOOD WAGTAILS. Bill slightly depressed at base, and with the bristles at the opening of the mouth scarcely visible. — The two spe- cies here associated have not much affinity in character and habit ; and are rather remarkable for the habit of moving the tail. In T. aurocapillus, the white and spotted eggs, very artful nest, and usual monotonous rattling notes, are exceptions to its arrangement either in Sylvia or Turdus. NEW YORK or AQUATIC THRUSH. (Tardus yiovahoracensis, Nobis. T. aquaticus, Orn. Biog. 5. p. 284, pi. 433. Wilsow, iii. p. 66. pi. 23. fig. 5. T. ludovicianus, pi. 19. [male]. Aud. Orn. Biog. 1, p. 99. Sylvia novaboracensis, Latham and Bonaf. Phil. Museum, No. 6696.) Spec. Charact. — Dark olive ; beneath and line over the eye yellow- ish white ; breast and sides with dusky pencil-shaped spots. Tins shy and retiring sylvan species extends its summer migrations throughout the United States, breeding rarely in Pennsylvania, proceeding principally to the Western and Northern regions at the period of incubation. Dr. Rich- ardson states that this species was seen at Carleton House, where it frequented the moist and thickly wooded points of the river. It arrived in May, and disappeared after a few days, probably going further north to breed. Mr. Townsend and myself observed this bird in Oregon, as well as in Missouri, where it was, no doubt, breeding, and sung in a very lively manner, keeping in a shady wood which bor- dered a small stream, often descending to the ground after aquatic insects or larvae, and with the tail in a constant NEW YORK OR AQUATIC THRUSH. 403 balancing motion, reminded us strongly of the Wagtail or Motacilla of Europe. The Aquatic Thrush has, indeed, a particular partiality for the vicinity of waters, wading in the shallow streams in search of insects, moving its tail as it leisurely follows its pursuit, and chattering as it flies. During its transient migrating visits it is very timid, and darts into the thickets as soon as approached, uttering a sharp and rather plaintive tship i of alarm. About the beginning of May, it appears in Pennsylvania from the South, and stays around dark and solitary streams for 10 or 12 days, and then disappears until about the middle of August, when, on their way to their tropical winter quarters, they leave the swamps and mountains of their summer retreat, and, after again gleaning a transient subsistence for a few days towards the sea-coast, depart for the season. In Massachusetts, they are scarcely ever seen except in the autumn, and continue in shady gardens, probably feeding on small wild berries till nearly the close of September. It appears, according to Wilson, that the favorite resort of this species is in the cane-brakes, swamps, river shores, and watery solitudes of Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mis- sissippi. Here they are abundant, and are eminently dis- tinguished by the loudness, sweetness, and expressive vivacity of their notes, which, beginning high and clear, flow and descend in a cadence so delicate, as to terminate in sounds, that are scarcely audible. At such times he sits perched on some branch which stretches impending over the flowing stream, and pours out his charming melody with such effect as to be heard at the distance of nearly half a mile, giving a peculiar charm to the dark and soli- tary wilds he inhabits. The silence of night is, also, at times, relieved by the incessant warble of this Western Philomel, whose voice, breaking upon the ear of the lonely 404 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. traveller in the wilderness, seems like the dulcet lay of something supernatural. His song is also heard in the winter, when the weather proves mild. In this habit he appears considerably allied to the Reed Thrush* or River Nightingale of Europe, which night and day almost cease- lessly sings and soothes his sitting mate, among the reeds and marshes of his favorite resorts. This bird, in Louis- iana, commences its nest early in April. It is placed usu- ally at the foot of a tree, or by the side of a decayed log, and is formed of dry leaves, moss, and fine grass, being lined with hair or the similar fibres of the Spanish moss (Tilanchia). The eggs are 4 or 5, flesh-color, with dark red spots at the greater end. When startled from her eggs or young, the female tumbles in the path and simulates lameness. The Aquatic Thrush is about 6 inches long, and 9£ in alar extent. Above very dark olive, with a line of whitish extending over the eye, and along the sides of the neck. Below, w T hite, tinged with pale yellow ; the whole breast and sides marked with dark brown pencil- shaped spots. Bill dusky brown. Legs flesh-colored, or of a deep bluish-brown. Tail nearly even. The sexes almost alike in plumage. GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH, or OVEN-BIRD. (Turdus aurocapillus, Wilson, ii. p. 88. pi. 14. fig. 2. Aid. Orn. Biog. 2. p. 253. pi. 143. Sylvia aurocapilla, Bonap.) Spec Charact. — Yellow-olive; crown brownish-orange, margined on each side by a dusky line ; beneath white, the breast spotted with blackish. Tins rather common bird, so nearly allied to the true Thrushes, is found throughout the forests of the United * Tui-dus arundinaccus. GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH, OR OVEN-BIRD. 405 States, Canada, and in the Territory of Oregon during the summer, arriving in the Middle and Northern States about the beginning of May or close of April, and departing for tropical America, Mexico, and the larger West India islands early in September. The Golden-crowned Thrush, shy and retiring, is never seen out of the shade of the woods, and sits and runs along the ground often like the Lark ; it also frequents the branches of trees, and sometimes moves its tail in the manner of the Wagtails. It has few pretensions to song, and while perched in the deep and shady part of the forest, it utters, at intervals, a simple, long reiterated note of 'tsh'e tshe tslic tshe (she, rising from low to high and shrill, so as to give but little idea of the distance or place from whence the sound proceeds, and often appearing from the loudness of the closing cadence to be much nearer than it really is. As soon as discovered, like the "Wood Thrush, it darts at once timidly into the depths of its sylvan retreat. During the period of incubation, the deliberate lay of the male, from some horizontal branch of the forest tree, where he often sits usually still, is a 'tshe te tshe te tshe te tshec, gradually rising and growing louder. Towards dusk in the evening, however, it now and then utters a sudden burst of notes with a short agreeable warble, which termi- nates, commonly in the usual 'tshe te tshe. Its curious oven-shaped nest is known to all the sportsmen who tra- verse the solitary wilds which it inhabits. This ingenious fabric is sunk a little into the ground, and generally situ- ated on some dry and mossy bank contiguous to bushes, or on an uncleared surface ; it is formed with great neat- ness of dry blades of grass, and lined with the same; it is then surmounted by a thick inclined roof of similar ma- terials, the surface scattered with leaves and twigs so as to match the rest of the ground, and an entrance is left at 406 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the side. Near Milton hills, in this vicinity, the situa- tion chosen was among low whortleberry bushes, in a stunted cedar and oak grove. The eggs, 4 or 5, white, are irregularly spotted near the greater end, with reddish brown. "When surprised, the bird escapes, or runs from the nest with the silence and celerity of a mouse. If an attempt be made to discover the nest from which she is flushed, she stops, flutters, and pretends lameness, and watching the success of the manoeuvre, at length, when the decoy seems complete, she takes to wing and disappears. This bird is another of the foster-parents sometimes chosen by the Cow Troopial ; and she rears the foundling with her accustomed care and affection, and keeps up an incessant tship when her unfledged brood are even distantly ap- proached. They have often two broods in a season in the Middle States. Their food is wholly insects and their larva?, particularly small coleopterous kinds and ants, chiefly collected on the ground. This species is 6 inches long, and 9 in alar extent. Above rich yellow-olive ; the tips of the wings and inner vanes of the quills dusky brown ; the 3 first primaries are about equal. From the nos- trils a dusky line passes to the hind head ; crown brownish-orange. Below white, the breast covered with deep brown pencil-shaped spots. Legs pale flesh-color. Bill dusky, below whitish. In the female the crown is paler. CINCLUS. (Becht.) DIPPER. In these birds the bill is of moderate size, straight, compressed, the edges sharp and slightly incurved, and with the point of the upper mandible curved over the lower. Nostrils basal, lateral, concave, longitudinal, and covered by a membrane. — Tarsus longer than the middle AMERICAN WATER-OUSEL, OR DirPER. 407 toe; outer toe attached to the inner at the base, the lateral toes equal. Wings, with the 3d and 4th primaries longest. The female scarcely differs in plumage from the male; — the young more tinged with rufous. The moult is annual ; and the plumage water-proof. These curious birds associate only in single pairs, and frequent brooks and clear streams, diving and walking on the gravelly bottom beneath the surface of the water, which constitutes their favorite element. They feed on aquatic insects, small Crustacea, and the spawn of the trout. They build in the vicinity of rivulets, a well concealed, covered, and very artful nest. Their flight is rapid, straight, and skimming along the surface of the water. The voice is feeble and shrill. — The genus consist of only 2 or 3 species indigenous to the northern, or mild regions. AMERICAN WATER-OUSEL, or DIPPER. {Cinr.his Jincricanus, Swains. Arn.pl. 370. and 435. [young]. 'Orn. Biog. 4. p. 4!>3. C. Pallasii, Temm. Bona p. Am. Orn. 3. pi. 16. fig. 1. Phil. Museum.) Spec. Charac t. — Cinereous-grey ; head and neck blackish-brown. — Young, blackish-grey inclining to ash ; throat and breast tinged with clove-brown, quills and tail of the latter color, the secondaries slightly tipped with white; the bill horn-color ; feet flesh-color. — In the adult the bill is black. This species, of a very remarkable genus, chiefly dis- tinguished from that of Europe by the absence of the white on the chin and throat, seems to have been first noticed by Pallas in the Crimea, and afterwards by -Mr. Bullock in Mexico, from whence it nppenrs, by an exclusive interior route, to penetrate into the wild and remote interior of Canada as far as the shores of the Athabaska lake. Mr. Townsend obtained a specimen at Fort McLaughlin, on 40S INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the north-west coast of America, in the month of Feb- ruary. Of the particular habits of this bird, little is yet known. Mr. Townsend remarks, that it " inhabits the clear moun- tain streams in the vicinity of the Columbia. When ob- served, it was swimming among the rapids, occasionally flying for short distances over the surface of the water, and then diving into it, and reappearing after a long inter- val. Sometimes it will alight along the margin, and jerk its tail upwards like a Wren. I did not hear it utter any note. The stomach was found to contain fragments of fresh-water snail-shells. I observed that this bird did not alight on the surface of the water, but dived immediately on the wing." The common European species are shy and solitary birds, dwelling near clear and tumultuous mountain streams, from the torrents of the Alps and Appennines, to the wilds of Scotland. It is also seen, even by the close of March, in Sweden, and Finland on the banks of the Tornea, near to cataracts, in the vicinity of the polar circle.* They are never seen to perch on branches, frequent the gravelly beds of rivulets strewn with rocks, and flit from stone to stone, at times, attentively watching their aquatic prey ; as soon as it is espied, they plunge after it, beneath the water to the bottom, and never hesitate to enter the stream, and precipitate themselves without fear or danger amidst the eddies of the brawling flood. They even nest, occasionally, in the cavities, be- hind the waterfall where it overshoots the impending rocks. Water is, in fact, their proper element, though they are neither fitted to swim nor to wade with ordinary aquatic birds, but they fly with ease beneath it, across streams from bank to bank, against the force of the current. When the * Skioldebrand's Picturesque Voyage to Cape Xorth. p. 15, (French translation.) AMERICAN WATER-OUSEL, OR DIPPER. 409 water becomes deep enough for them to plunge, they open and drop their wings, with an agitated motion, and with the head stretched out, as in the ordinary act of flying in the air, descend to the bottom, and there, as if on the ground, course up and down in quest of food. While under the water, to which their peculiar plumage is impermeable, they appear silvered over with rapidly escaping aerial bub- bles, and bid defiance to every enemy while defended in so singular a retreat. When out of the water they fly direct and swift as an arrow, skimming the surface of their favorite element, in the manner of the Kingfisher ; and at the next moment, as the case may be, they are perhaps seen to plunge out of sight without alighting, and, like the Loon, again come into view in the eluding distance. While on the wing they utter a shrill and feeble cry, occasionally varied; and in the very depths of winter and early spring contri- bute to cheer their wild and dreary haunts by their simple, clear, and sweetly warbled notes, somewhat resemblinor those of the youn. 70. Greeo Warbler, Pen- > wr's Arct. Zoology, vol. ii. No. -J * A v, n diffi rent neat, iv-.mh1.1imc that of the Wood Pewee. is attributed to tins species by Audubon, whoak white, with a few purple dots at the large end. 428 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Spec. Charact. — Yellowish-green ; front, cheeks, sides of the neck, and line over the eye, yellow; beneath whitish; chin and throat to the breast black ; 2 white bars on the wings, which, as well as the tail, are dusky ; the 3 lateral tail-feathers marked with white. — Female with the chin yellow, and the throat blackish, tinged with yellow. Tins rather rare species arrives from its tropical winter- quarters in Pennsylvania towards the close of April or beginning of May. About the 12th of the latter month it is seen in this part of Massachusetts ; but never more than a single pair are seen together. At this season, a silent individual may be occasionally observed, for an hour at a time, carefully and actively searching for small caterpillars and winged insects, amidst the white blossoms of the shady apple tree, and so inoffensive and unsuspicious is the little warbler, that he pursues, without alarm, his busy occupa- tion, as the spectator, within a few feet of him, watches at the foot of the tree. Early in October they are seen in small numbers roving restlessly through the forest, prepar- atory to their departure for the South. Though the greater part of the species probably proceed farther north to rear their young, a few spend the summer in the Middle and Northern States ; but, from their tim- orous and retiring habits, it is not easy to trace out their retreats at the period of breeding. In the summer of 1830, however, on the 8th of June, I was so fortunate as to find a nest of this species in a perfectly solitary situation, on the Blue Hills of Milton. The female was now sitting, and about to hatch. The nest was in a low, thick, and stunted Virginia juniper. When I approached near to the nest, the female stood motionless on its edge, and peeped down in such a manner that I imagined her to be a young bird ; she then darted directly to the earth and ran, but when, deceived, I sought her on the ground, she had very BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. 429 expertly disappeared ; and I now found the nest to contain 4 roundish eggs, white, inclining to flesh-color, variegated, more particularly at the great end, with pale, purplish points of various sizes, interspersed with other large spots of brown and blackish. The nest was formed of circu- larly entwined fine strips of the inner bark of the juniper, and the tough white fibrous bark of some other plant, then bedded with soft feathers of the Robin, and lined with a few horse hairs, and some slender tops of bent-grass (Agrostis). The male was singing his simple chant, at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the nest, and was now nearly in the same dark wood of tall oaks and white pines in which 1 had first heard him a fortnight before. This simple, rather drawling, and somewhat plaintive song, uttered at short intervals, resembled the syllables, He de teritsca, sometimes te derisca, pronounced pretty loud and 6low, and the tones proceeded from high to low. In the intervals he was perpetually busied in catching small cy- nips, and other kinds of flies, keeping up a smart snapping of his bill, almost similar to the noise made by knocking pebbles together. This quaint and indolent ditty I have often heard before in the dark and solitary woods of West Pennsylvania ; and here, as there, it affords an agreeable relief in the dreary silence and gloom of the thick forest. This note is very much like the call of the Chicadee, and at times both are heard amidst the reigning silence of the summer noon. In the whole district of this extensive hill or mountain, in Milton, there appeared to exist no other pair of these lonely warblers but the present. Another pair, however, had probably a nest in the vicinity of the woods of Mount Auburn in Cambridge; and in the spring of the present year (1831) several pair of these birds were Been for a transient period, 430 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. This species is about 4£ inches in length, and 7£ in alar extent. Chin and throat, to the breast black ; sides under the wings spotted with the same ; breast and belly white, tinged with very pale yellow ; vent white. Wings dusky, with 2 white bars. The 3 exterior tail- feathers spotted on their inner webs with white ; the spots on the 2 outer tail-feathers very extensive. Bill black. Legs and feet brown- ish-yellow. Nearly related to the present species, apparently, is the Yclloic- Fronted Warbler of Latham and Pennant, said to be a spring pas- sage bird through Pennsylvania. In this the forehead and crown are of a bright yellow ; from the bill extends through the eyes a band of black, bounded on each side with white. The chin, throat, and lower side of the neck are black. Breast and belly white. The upper part of the neck, back, rump, and lesser coverts of the wings are of a light bluish-grey, the greater coverts and lower order of lesser bright yellow, forming a large spot on each wing. Primaries and tail deep ash-color; the inner webs of the exterior tail-feathers spotted with white. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. (Sylvicola Blackburnice, Jardin. Sylvia Blackburnm, Lath. Wilson, iii. p. G4. pi. 23. fig. 3. Aid. pi. 135. [male], and pi. 399. [female]. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 20d. Phil. Museum, No. TOGO.) Spec. Charact. — The head striped with black and orange; throat and breast orange, bounded by black spots ; wings with a large white space ; the 3 lateral tail-feathers white on the inner web. — Female yellow, without orange, and the black spots fewer. Tins is one of the rarest and most beautiful species of the genus, which, from the 1st to the 15th of May, or sometimes later, pays a transient visit to the Middle and Northern States, on its way to its remote boreal place of retirement for the breeding season. It is still more rarely seen in the autumn, about the month of September, on its passage to tropical America, where it winters, as may be presumed from its occurrence late in autumn about Vera ORANGE-THROATED WARBLER. 431 Cruz, according to Mr. Bullock. It is an exceedingly nimble insect-hunter, keeping towards the tops of trees, scarcely uttering even an audible chirp, and at this season, no song, as far as is yet known. On the Magdalene Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in June, Audubon remarks that he heard the song of this beautiful warbler, consisting of five or six loud notes, which it uttered from the branches of a fir-tree while engaged in quest of its prey. The nest found in Nova Scotia was made externally of coarse materials and lined with silky fibres, and delicate strips of bark, over which lay a thick bed of feathers and horse hair. The eggs, very small, were pure white with a few spots of light red towards the larger end. It was found in a small fork of a tree, 5 or 6 feet from the ground, near a brook. Dr. Brewer also found a nest of this species in Massachusetts. The Blackburnian Warbler is only about 4£ inches long, and about 7 in alar extent. A stripe of rich orange passes over the eye, and there is a small touch of the same beneath it ; the throat and breast almost approach the fiery color of red-lead, bounded by spots and streaks of black ; the belly dull yellow, also streaked with black ; vent white. The back black, skirted with ash ; wings the same, marked with a large lateral patch of white; tail a little forked. Cheeks black. Bill and legs brown. — Female above light olivaceous, the feathers dusky in the centre ; a faint greenish-yellow spot on the top of the head ; band over the eye dull yellow, that on the lore and cheek brown; fore part of the neck yellow, tinged with orange. ORANGE-THROATED WARBLER. (Sylvicola auricolis, Nobis. Sylvia auricolis i Latham, it. p. 481. No. 103. Pennant, Arct. Zool. No. 304.) Spec Ciiaract. — Olivo-ijrecn ; rump and tail-coverts cinereous; primaries brown; throat and under side of the body, orange; vent white. — Female with the colors paler. 432 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Tins is another rare and transient species, which pro- ceeds from its winter-quarters in Mexico and the Southern States as far as Canada, in summer, to breed. About the 23d of March, I saw numbers of these birds in the lower parts of Georgia, feeding partly on berries, and on insects, in the pursuit of which they were busily engaged. I have, very rarely, seen an individual in this part of Massachusetts towards the close of spring ; and it appears that Brisson received it from Canada. Above olive-green, except the lower part of the back, rump, and greater wing-coverts, which are cinereous ; primaries brown, edged with dark ash, on the inner w r ebs with dirty white. 2 middle tail- feathers ash, the rest black on the outside and at the tips, white within. Beneath orange, except the vent, which is white. Bill brown, be- neath paler. Legs grey. CHESNUT-SIDED WARBLER. (Sylvicola ictcrocephala, Swains. Sylvia icteroccphala, Lath. Audu- bon, pi. 59. Orn. Biog. i. p. 30G. S. pennsylvanica, Wilson, ii. p. 99. pi. 14. fig. 5. Phil. Museum, No. 700C.) Spec. Charact. — Crown yellow; under side of the body white; sides from the throat chesnut ; wings with 2 pale yellow bands ; the 3 lateral tail-feathers marked with white. — Female with the crown and chesnut sides paler. This rare and beautiful Sylvia, which probably win- ters in tropical America, appears in the Middle and Northern States early in May on its way north to breed ; they are also seen in the spring in Canada and around Hudson's Bay. A kw remain, no doubt, to rear their young in secluded mountainous situations, in the North- ern States; as, on the 22d of May (1830), a pair appeared to have fixed on their summer abode, near the summit of CHESNUT-SIDED WARBLER. 433 the Blue Hills of Milton. The note of the male was very similar to that of the Summer Yellow-Bird, being only a little louder, and less whistling; it resembles 'tsli 'tsh 'tsh 'tshy'ia, given at about an interval of half a minute, and answered by his mate at some distance, near which, it is probable, there was a nest. He appeared to be no way suspicious of our approach ; his restlessness was subdued, and he quietly sat near the same low bushes, amusing him- self and his consort for an hour at a time, with the display of his lively and simple ditty. On their first arrival, pre- vious to pairing, they are like the rest of the genus, gen- erally restless, and intently engaged in the chase of insects amidst the blossoms and tender leaves ; they likewise pur- sue common and green bottle flies with avidity and success. On the 27th of June (1831) 1 observed a pair selecting food for their young, with their usual address and activity, by the margin of a bushy and secluded swamp on the west side of Fresh Pond, in this vicinity ; but I had not the good fortune to discover the nest. I have, however, since, I believe, discovered the nest of this bird, in a hazel copse in a wood in Acton, in this state. It is fixed in the forked twigs of a hazel about breast high. The fabric is rather light and airy, being made externally of a few coarse blades and stalks of dead grass, then filled in with finer blades of the same, the whole matted and tied with cater- pillar's silk, and lined with very slender strips of brown bark and similar white pine leaves. It appeared to have been forsaken before its completion, and the eggs I have never seen. In the woods around Farranville, on the Susquehannah, within the range of the Alleghany chain, in the month of May (1830), I saw and heard several males in full song, in the shady forest trees by a small stream, and have no doubt 37 434 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. of their breeding in that situation, though I was not for- tunate enough to find a nest. Length from 5 to 5£ inches, alar extent about 8. The front, line over the eye, and ear-feathers white; crown brilliant lemon yellow; a triangular patch of black beneath the eye and connected with the lores ; hind-bead grey and black ; feathers of the back and rump black, edged with greenish yellow. Wings dusky, the primaries edged with whitish; the 1st and 2d row of coverts broadly tipped with pale yellow; the secondaries edged with greenish yellow. Tail forked, dusky exteriorly, edged with ash or with greenish-grey. Sides from the back beneath the eye to the thighs, furnished with a broad stripe of bright chesnut, the rest of the parts below pure white. Legs and feet dusky. Bill black. Iris hazel. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. (Sylvicola castanea, Swains. Sylvia castanea, Wilson, ii. p. 97. pi. 14. fig. 4. Audubon, pi. GO. Orn. Biog. i. p. 358. Phil. Museum, No. 7311.) Spec Charact. — Forehead and cheeks black; crown, throat, and sides under the wings, bay ; the wings with 2 white bars ; 3 lateral tail-feathers marked with white. — The female with less and paler bay on the breast, and less black on the head. Tins is a still rarer and more transient visitor than the last. It arrives in Pennsylvania from the south some time in April, or about the beginning of May, and towards the 12th or 15th of the same month it visits Massachusetts, but seldom stays more than a week or ten days, and is very rarely seen on its return in autumn. Audubon once ob- served these birds in Louisiana late in June, so that they probably sometimes breed in very secluded places, without regularly proceeding to the northern regions. It is an ac- tive insect-hunter, and keeps much towards the tops of the highest trees, where it darts about with great activity and BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 435 hangs from the twigs with fluttering wings. One of these birds, which was wounded in the wing, soon became re- conciled to confinement, and greedily caught at and de- voured the flies which I offered him ; but from the extent of the injury, he did not long survive. In habits and man- ners, as well as markings, this species greatly resembles the preceding. Its length is about 5 inches or a little more ; the alar extent 11. The crown a very bright bay. Beneath, except the sides, ochreous white ; hind-head and back streaked with black on a greyish buff ground. Wings brownish-black with 2 bars of white. Tail forked, brownish-black, edged with ash. Behind the eye is a broad oblong spot of yellowish-white, inclining to buff. Legs dusky. Bill black. Iris hazel. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. (Sylvicola striata, Swains. Sylvia striata, Lath. Wilson, iv. p. 40. pi. 30. fig. 3. [male] ; and vi. p. 101. pi. 54. fig. 3. [female.] Aud. pi. 133. Orn. Biog. 2. p. 200. Phil. Museum, No. 7054.) Spec Charact. — Crown black ; cheeks and beneath white ; wings with 2 white bands, the tail blackish ; 2 or 3 lateral tail-feathers marked internally with white. — Female and young dull yellowish- olive, streaked with black and grey ; beneath white ; cheeks and sides of the breast tinged with yellow. This rather common and well marked species is ob- served to arrive in Pennsylvania from the South about the 20th of April, but in Massachusetts hardly before the middle of May ; it returns early in September, and ap- pears to feed wholly on insects. In the Middle States it is confined chiefly to the woods, where, in the summits of the tallest trees, it is seen in busy pursuit of its favorite prey. On its first arrival it keeps usually in the tops of the ma- ples, darting about amidst the blossoms. As the woods 436 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. become clothed with leaves, it may be found pretty gen- erally as a summer resident ; it often also seeks the banks of creeks and swamps, in which situations it probably passes the breeding season. In this vicinity they are some- times familiar visitors in the lowest orchard-trees, where they feed on cankerworms and other small caterpillars, as well as flies of different kinds, &,c. At this time, towards the month of June, it is no longer a restless wanderer, but having fixed upon its station for the summer, it now begins, in a humble way, to display its musical talents in the cher- ished and constant company of its faithful mate. This note, uttered at intervals of half a minute, is like the sound of tsh' tsh tsh tshe tshe, from low to high, but altogether so shrill and slender as to sound almost like the faint filing of a saw. This species extends its migrations to New- foundland, according to Pennant. In the month of June, Audubon found the nest of this species in Labrador placed about three feet from the ground, in the fork of a small branch, close to the main stem of a fir tree ; it was formed of green and white moss and lichens, intermixed with coarse dried grass ; within this was a layer of bent grass, the lining of dark colored dry moss, looked like horse-hair, and was arranged in a circular direction with great care; lastly, was a thick bed of large soft feathers, some of them were from Ducks, but most of them from the Willow Grous. It contained 4 eggs. The Black-Poll Warbler is 5£ inches long, and 8£ in alar extent. The crown and hind-head is black (in the male), the latter bounded behind by greyish-white. Cheeks white ; from each side of the lower mandible runs a chain of small black spots becoming larger on the sides ; primaries black, edged with greenish yellow. Back ash, a little inclining to olive, and largely spotted with black. Tail black, edged with ash; vent white. Bill black above, yellowish white be- low. Iris hazel. Legs and feet yellow. PINE WARBLER. 437 PINE WARBLER. (Sylvicola pinus, Jard. Sylvia pinus, Lath. Wilson, iii. p. 25. pi. 19. fig. 4. Aud. pi. 140. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 232. [adult.] S. Vigor- sii, Aud. pi. 30. Orn. Biog. vol. i. p. 153. [young.] Phil. Museum, No. 7312.) Spec. Charact. — Bright olive-yellow, tinged with green; beneath yellow, clouded with obscure spots ; vent white ; wings with 2 whitish bands, and with the tail dusky brown ; 2 lateral tail- feathers partly white; lores not black. — Female greyish-brown, tinged with olive green on the back ; beneath pale yellow on the breast. — Young dusky olive above, yellowish obscure white below. This common species, to the commencement of winter, inhabits all parts of the United States, and probably extends its northern migrations to the forests of Newfoundland. They arrive in Pennsylvania at the close of March and beginning of April, and soon after are seen in all parts of New England, amidst the pine and juniper forests, in which they principally reside. Both the old and young remain with us till nearly the close of October ; stragglers have even been seen in mid-winter in the latitude of 43 degrees.* In winter they rove through the pine forests and barrens of the Southern States in companies of 20 to 50 or more, alighting at times on the trunks of the trees, and attentively searching them for lurking larvae, but are most frequently employed in capturing the small insects which infest the opening buds of the pine, around which they may be seen perpetually hovering, springing, or creeping, with restless activity ; in this way they proceed, from time to time, forag- ing through the forest ; occasionally, also, they alight on the ground in quest of worms and grubs of various kinds, or dart irregularly after hovering flies, almost in the manner • Mr. Charles Pickering. 37* 438 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. of the Flycatchers. In these states they are by far the most numerous of all the Warblers. In the month of March they already began to show indications for pairing, and jealous contests ensued perpetually among the males. The principal body of the species probably remain the year round in the southern forests, where I saw them throughout the winter; great numbers are also bred in the Northern States. In summer their food is the ecjo-s and larvae of various insects, as well as flies or cynips, cater- pillars, coleoptera, and ants. In autumn, the young fre- quent the gardens, groves, and orchards, feeding likewise on berries of various kinds, as on those of the cornel, wild grape, and five-leaved ivy ; at this season they are very fat, and fly and forage in families. They now only utter a shrill and plaintive chip. I have had a male Pine Warbler, domesticated for a short time ; he fed gratefully, from the instant he was caught, upon flies, small earth-worms, and minced flesh, and was so tame and artless, as to sit con- tented on every hand, and scarcely shift himself securely from my feet. On offering him drink he walked directly into the vessel, without using the slightest precaution or exhibiting any trace of fear. His tship and manner in all respects were those of the Autumnal Warbler. The song of the Pine Warbler, though agreeable, amidst the dreary solitude of the boundless forests which he frequents, has but little compass or variety ; sometimes it approaches the simplest trill of the Canary, but it is commonly a reverberating, gently rising, or murmuring sound, like er V V V 'r V 'r ah ; or, in the spring, 'twe 'twe Hw 'tw 'tw 'tw 'tw } and sometimes like 'tsh ''tsh 'tsh 'tw 'tic 'tw 'tw 'tw ; when hearkened to some time, there is a variation in the cadence, which, though rather feeble at a distance, is not unpleasant, as the little minstrel tunes his pipe during the heat of the summer day, while he PINE WARBLER. 439 flits gently and innocently fearless through the shady boughs of the pine or cedar in perpetual quest of his un- tiring prey. This song is commonly heard at a consid- erable distance from his mate and nest, from whom he often widely strays, according to the success of his pre- carious pursuit. As the sound of the warble varies from slender to high or low, it is often difficult to discover the retreat of the little busy musician, which appears far or near with the modulation of his almost ventriloquous note. The female likewise tunes, at times, her more slender lay in a wiry tone, almost like that of the S. varia, in early spring. About the 7th of June (1830) I discovered a nest of this species in a Virginian juniper, near Mount Auburn in this vicinity, at the height of about 40 feet from the ground. It was firmly fixed in the upright twigs of a close branch. The nest was thin, but very neat ; the principal material was the wiry old stems of the slender knot-weed {Polygonum tcnac), circularly interlaced, and connected externally with rough linty fibres of some species of As- depicts, and blended with caterpillar's webs. The lining was made of a few hogs' bristles, slender root-fibres, a mat of the down of Fern stalks, and one or two feathers of the Robin's breast ; a curious medley, but all answering the purpose of warmth and shelter for the expected brood. I saw several of these nests, which had at different times been thrown to the ground, and in all, the wiry grass and general material were the same as in the one now describ- ed ; and this, of course, is entirely different from that given by "Wilson on the authority of Mr. Abbot. The nest there mentioned, is nothing more than the usual pendulous fabric of the Red-eved Warbling Flycatcher. The eo-as in ours were 4, and, advanced towards hatching, they were white, with a slight tinge of green, very full of small pale 440 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. brown spots, somewhat more numerous towards the larger end, where they appear connected or aggregated around a purplish ground. The female made some little complaint, but almost immediately resumed her seat, though 2 of the eggs were taken away ; the male made off immediately, and was but seldom seen near the place. The length of the Pine Warbler is about 5£ inches ; the alar extent 8£ to 9. Above, yellowish-green, inclining to olive ; throat, sides, and breast yellow, clouded at the sides near the breast with a few olive spots. "Wings and tail dusky brown, the former marked with 2 bars of whitish. Tail forked and edged with ash, the two exterior feathers marked near the tip with a broad spot of white ; vent white. Iris hazel. — The young- in their first plumage, while fed by the old, are above dusky-olive, and below greyish-white, with scarcely any yellow. Before leaving us in the autumn, the male, however, very different from the Autumnal Warbler, acquires below, a yellow, more brilliant than at any other period of its existence. HEMLOCK WARBLER. (Syhicola parus, Jard. Sylvia parus, Wilson, 5. p. 114. pi. 44. fig. 3. [male] and 8. autumnalis, iii. p. 65. pi. 23. fig. 4. [young.] Aud. pi. 134. [adult] Orn. Biog. ii. p. 205. and pi. 83. (5. autumnalis,) Orn. Biog. 1. p. 447. [young].) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive with black spots ; head above yellow, dotted with black ; line over the eye, sides of the neck, and breast, yellow ; wings with 2 broad white bands, and with the tail black ; the 3 lateral tail-feathers white on their inner vanes. The very rare adult of this species was found by Wilson in the spring, in the Great Pine Swamp in Pennsylvania; and appeared to take up its residence in the dark hemlock HEMLOCK WARBLER. 441 trees* of that desolate region. It was very lively and ac- tive, climbing among the branches and hanging from the twigs like a Titmouse. It darted after flies to a conside- rable distance, and beginning with the lower branches, hunted with regularity upwards to the summit of the tree, and in this way it proceeded very industriously to forage through the forest till satisfied. At intervals, it stopped an instant to warble out a few low and sweet notes, probably for the recognition or company of its mate, which the dis- coverer, however, did not see. The nest of this species, according to Audubon, who discovered it in the Great Pine Swamp, was made in a Hemlock or Spruce tree at a considerable elevation. Lich- ens, dry leaves of the Hemlock, and slender twigs formed the exterior, it was then lined with hair or fur, and the feathers of the Ruffed Grous. He afterwards met with this species in Maine and Newfoundland. Nothing is more remarkable in the history of this species, than the rarity of the adult and the abundance of the young birds ; these last, which we have long known as the Autumnal Warbler, appear in gregarious flocks in the larger solitary forests of Massachusetts as early as the 20th of July, assembled from the neighboring districts probably, in which they have been reared. They remain there usually until the middle of October, at which time they are also seen in the Middle States. They feed on small insects and berries. Late in the season, on a fine autum- nal morning, troops of them may be seen in the fields and lanes, sometimes descending to the ground, and busily em- ployed in turning over the new fallen leaves, or perambu- lating and searching the chinks of the bark of the trees, or the holes in the posts of the fence in quest of lurking * tfbics canadensis. 442 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. moths and spiders ; and while thus eagerly engaged, they are occasionally molested or driven away by the more le- gitimate Creepers or Nuthatches, whose jealousy they thus arouse by their invasion. Earlier in the season they prey on cynips, flies, and more active game, in pursuit of which they may be seen fluttering and darting through the ver- dant boughs of the forest trees. One of these little vis- itors, which I obtained by its flying inadvertently into an open chamber, soon became reconciled to confinement, flew vigorously after house flies, and fed greedily on grass- hoppers and Ivy berries (Cissus hcderacea); at length it be- came so sociable as to court my acquaintance, and eat from my hand. Before I restored it to liberty, its occa- sional tweet attracted several of its social companions to the windows of its prison. At this time they are destitute of song, and only utter a plaintive call of recognition. The Hemlock Warbler is about 5£ inches long, and 8 in alar ex- tent. Above yellow-olive, spotted with black. The belly of a paler yellow than the breast, and streaked with dusky; round the breast some small streaks of blackish. Wings black, the greater coverts and next superior row broadly tipt with white, forming 2 bars ; pri- maries edged with olive, tertials with white. Tail-coverts black, tipt with olive; the tail slightly forked, and also edged with olive. Bill black above, pale below. Legs and feet dusky yellow. Iris hazel. BLUE MOUNTAIN WARBLER. (Sylvicola montana, Aud. Sylvia montana, Wilson, v. p. 113. pi. 44. fig. 2. [male.] Aud. Orn. Biog. 5, p. 294. pi. 434.) Spec Charact. — Yellow-olive; front, cheeks, chin, and sides of the neck yellow ; breast and belly pale yellow, streaked with dusky ; wings with 2 white bars, and with the rounded tail black ; the 2 lateral tail-feathers white on the inner vanes below the sum- mits. PRAIRIE WARBLER. 443 This is another very rare species allied to the Pine Warbler, which visits the United States during summer, and was discovered near the Blue Mountains by Wilson ; it has also been obtained in California, though we did not see it in any part of the Oregon Territory. Its habits are much the same as the preceding, and its song a feeble sweep, three or four times repeated. Its rounded tail is a striking external trait of distinction. It is 4* inches long. Vent pale yellow ; quills edged with whitish ; tail edged with pale olive. Bill dark brown. Legs and feet purple brown. Iris hazel. — Female unknown. PRAIRIE WARBLER. (Syhicola discolor, Bonap. Sylvia discolor, Vieill. Audubon, pi. 14. Orn. Biog. i. p. TC. S. minuta, Wilson, iii. p. 87. pi. 25. fig. 4. Phil. Museum, No. 7734.) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive, spotted on the back with bay ; be- neath yellow, spotted at the sides with black ; wings with 2 ? yellow bars, and with the tail dusky ; 3 lateral tail-feathers broadly spotted with white. — Male with a black crescent under the eye. — Female less spotted, and without the crescent. This species, rare in the Atlantic states, appears to be somewhat more common in the solitary barrens of Ken- tucky, and the open woods of the Choctaw country ; here they prefer the open plains thinly covered with trees ; and without betraying alarm at the visits of a spectator, lei- surely pursue their search for caterpillars and small Hies, examining among the leaves or hopping among the branches, and, at times descending pretty near, and famil- iarly examining the observer, with a confidence and curi- osity seldom witnessed in these shy and retiring species. Such was the conduct of a male bird in this vicinity, on 444 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the 4th of June, whom I discovered by his slender filing notes which were uttered every half minute, and like those of the Black Poll Warbler, resembled the suppressed syl- lables 'tsh 'tsh 'tsh 'tshea', beginning low and gradually growing louder, having nearly the same slender whistle as that species, though somewhat stronger. The pair were busily engaged collecting flies and larvae from a clump of young locust trees, in the woods of Mount Auburn, and occasionally they flitted among the Virginian junipers; the familiar visit of the male appeared for the purpose of dis- covering my intentions near the nest, about which he was naturally solicitous, though he made his approaches with the appearance of accident. The female was more timid ; yet, while I was still engaged in viewing this little interest- ing and secluded pair, she, without any precaution or con- cealment, went directly to the nest in the forks of a low barberry bush, near by, and when there, she sat and looked at me some time before she removed. She made, however, no pretences to draw me away from the spot, where she was sitting on 4 eggs, of which I took away 2; her ap- proaches to the nest were now more cautious, and she came escorted and encouraged by the presence of her mate. Two eggs were again soon added, and the young brood, I believe, reared without any accident. The nest was scarcely distinguishable from that of the Summer Yellow-Bird, being fixed in a trifid branch (not pensile), and formed of strips of inner red-cedar bark and Asclepias fibres, also with some caterpillars' silk, and thickly lined with cud-weed down (GnaphaUum planta- gincum) and slender tops of bent-grass (Agrostis — sp.) The eggs, 4 or 5, were white, rather sharp at the lesser end, marked with spots of lilac-purple, and others of two different shades of brown rather numerous at the great end, where they appear almost collected together into a HERMIT WARBLER. 445 circle. The nest, according to Audubon, like that of the Vireos, is pendulous from two twigs, or 3 or 4 blades of grass, and is coated externally with grey lichens. The great difference in the nest, described by Wilson and Au- dubon, is to me unaccountable ; my opportunity for exam- ination, so long continued, seemed to preclude the possi- bility of error in the investigation; neither can I compare the slender note of this species to any whirring sound, which would more nearly approach to the song of the Pine Warbler. They visit this part of Massachusetts about the first or second week in May, and, according to the obser- vations of my friend Mr. Cooper, are seen probably about the same time in the vicinity of New York, in small num- bers, and in pairs, and retire to winter in the West Indies, about the middle of September. The Prairie Warbler is about 5 inches in length, and 7 in alar ex- tent. Above yellow-olive, inclining to green, and considerably brighter on the crown ; a few pale bay spots mingled with the olive on the upper part of the back. From the nostrils, over and under the eye. yellow. Lores black. Below rich yellow; vent pale yel- low. Wings dusky; coverts edged and tipt with pale yellow; quills and dusky tail edged with yellow olive. HERMIT WARBLER. (Sylvicola occidentalis. Sylvia occidentalis, Towns. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 55. pi. 305. f. 3,4.) Spec Charact. — Plumbeous, spotted with black as far as the back of the neck ; upper part of the head, and sides of tbe face to the shoulders, yellow; throat black; the belly and inner web of tbe two lateral tail-feathers on either side, white. — Female paler, the head spotted nearly all over, and the throat whitish. The Hermit Warbler, I have little doubt, breeds in the dark forests of the Columbia, where we saw and heard it singing in the month of June, near the outlet of the Wah- lamet. It is a remarkably shy and solitary bird, retiring (JO 446 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. into the darkest and most silent recesses of the evergreens, where, gaining a glimpse of light by ascending the loftiest branches of the gigantic firs, it occupies in solitude a world of its own, but seldom invaded even by the prying Jay, who also retreats, as a last resort, to the same sad gloom. In consequence of this eremitic predilection, it is with extreme difficulty that we ever got sight of our wily and retiring subject, who, no doubt breeds and feeds in the tops of these firs. Its song, frequently heard from the same place, at very regular intervals, for an hour or two at a time, is a soft, moody, faint, and monotonous note, ap- parently delivered chiefly when the bird is at rest on some lofty twig, and within convenient hearing of its mate and only companion of the wilderness. Mr. Townsend obtained a pair of these birds near to Fort Vancouver, on the 28th of May, 1835. He found them flitting among the fir trees in the depth of the forest. They were actively engaged in searching for insects, and were frequently seen hanging from the twigs like Titmice. Their note was uttered at distant intervals, and resembled very much that of the Black-throated Blue Warbler. (aS^- vi cola canadensis.) Length about 5£ inches ; wing from the flexure 2i| inches. Bill black. Feet yellowish-brown. Above bluish-grey, spotted with black ; the upper part of the head, (which is similarly spotted) cheeks, and the sides of the neck bright yellow ; throat black, the rest of the lower parts wbite. Wings dusky, edged with greyish- white, with two bands of white. Tail dusky brown. TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. (Syhicola Toicnscndi. S. Townsendi, Nobis. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 36. pi. 393. f. 1.) Spec. Charact. — Olive-green, spotted with black; head, cheeks, throat and breast, black ; flanks spotted with black ; line over the rathbone's warbler. 447 eye, a broad diverging one beneath to the shoulder and belly yel- low ; rump, two bands on the wings, and the inner webs of the three lateral tail-feathers on each side, almost wholly white. — Female ? Of this fine species we know very little, it being one of those transient visitors, which on their way to the north, merely stop a few days to feed and recruit, previous to their arrival in the higher latitudes, or afterwards disperse in pairs, and are lost sight of till the returning wants and famine of the season impel them again to migrate, when, falling on the same path, they are seen in small silent flocks advancing toward the retreat they seek out for their temporary abode. As this species frequents the upper parts of the lofty firs, it was almost an accident to obtain it at all. The female remains unknown. The specimen fig- ured by Audubon was shot by my friend Townsend on the 28th of October, 1835, on the banks of the Columbia, and was in perfect plumage. Length nearly 5 inches. Wing from the flexure 2\. Bill dusky. Tarsus and claws flesh-colored. Two Lateral tail feathers on each side white, excepting a dusky band occupying the terminal half of the outer web, and a small portion of the inner ; there is also a white gpot near the end of the inner web of the next feather. RATHBONE'S WARBLER. (Sijhlcola Rathbaniu, Bonap. Sylvia Rathboyiia, Aud. pi. 65. Orn. Biog. 1. p. 333.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Pale golden yellow; the back olive; wings and tail dark yellowish-brown edged with yellow; feet flesh-color. — The sexes nearly alike in plumage. Tins elegant new species was discovered by Audubon in the alluvial forests of the Mississippi, where he met 448 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. with a single pair actively employed in the capture of winged insects, as they sported amidst the glowing blos- soms of the splendid Trumpet-Flower, {Bignonia radi- cans.) The nest and habits of the species, probably a southern one, yet remain unknown. The Rathbone Warbler is about 4.^ inches in length ; the bill from above, 4 lines long ; tarsus 7 lines; the middle toe £ an inch. Gen- eral color bright yellow, the upper parts olivaceous. Quills and tail dusky-brown, the former yellow on tbe outer webs, the latter mar- gined externally with the same color. Bill yellowish-brown above, beneath yellow. Feet flesh-color. Irids hazel. The 2d quill long- est. PARTICOLORED WARBLER, or FINCH- CREEPER. (Syhicola americana, Aud. Sylvia americana, Lath. Audubon, pi. 15. Orn. Biog. i. p. 78. S. pusilla, Wilson, iv. p. 17. pi. 28. fig. 3. Pa- rula americana, Bonap. Phil. Museum, No. G910.) Spec. Charact. — Dusky blue; interscapular region brownish yel- low olive ; throat and lower mandible yellow; belly white; wings with 2 white bars ; lateral tail-feathers marked interiorly with white. — Male with a black crescent, and with the breast tinged with orange. — Female without the crescent and orange color on the breast. — Young, brownish-grey ; beneath muddy white. This remarkable species visits the Middle and Northern States about the 1st to the 15th of May, and is seen again early in October on its way to the West Indies (St. Do- mingo and Porto Rico), whither it retires at the approach of winter. A few, according to Catesby, pass the whole year in South Carolina. It is very abundant in the sum- mer in the woods of Kentucky; is active and restless on its first arrival, and frequents the summits of the highest trees, being particularly fond of the small caterpillars and flies of various kinds, which are, in the early part of BLACK-THROATED BLUE "WARBLER. 449 spring, attracted to the opening blossoms and tender shoots. It also possesses in some degree the creeping and prying habits of the Titmouse, to which genus it was re- ferred by Linasus and Pennant. Entering the southern extremity of the Union by the first approach of spring, it is now seen searching for its insect food on shrubs and plants in moist places, by the borders of lakes and streams. In this vicinity it is not common ; but as it was singing as late as the 22d of May, in the woody solitudes of the Blue Hills of Milton, it must undoubtedly breed there. The nest, according to Audubon, is placed in the fork of a small twig towards the extremity of the branches, and is formed of lichens and other materials, and lined with downy substances. The eggs, about 4, are white, with a few reddish dots at the larger end. The notes of this species resemble those of the Prairie Warbler in some respects, though sufficiently difFerent ; the tones rising from low to hio-h are rather weak and insignificant. This bird is about 4A inches long, and 6i in alar extent. Above pale or dusky blue ; the head brightest. Wings and tail black, the former crossed with 2 conspicuous white bars and edged with blue. Between the bill and eyes black ; above and below the eye a small touch of white. The upper mandible black ; the lower as well as the throat and breast bright yellow; the latter deepening about its middle into a brownish orange, and marked on the throat with a small cres- cent of blackish or dusky. On the edge of the breast, below the shoulder, is a cloud of bay. Bell}'' and vent white. Legs and feet dull yellow. BLACK-TIIROATED BLUE WARBLER, (Sylvicola canadensis, Swains. Sylvia canadensis, Lath. Wils p. 115. pi. 15. fig. 7. Am. Orn. Biog. pi. 155. [male adult] and pi. 148. (Sylvia sphagnosa.) [young] Orn. Biog. ii. p. 1279. Phil. Muse- um, No. 7222 38* 450 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Spec. Ciiaract. — Slate blue; beneath white; cheeks and throat black; a white spot on the wings; 2 or 3 lateral tail feathers with white on the inner web. Of this uncommon species we know very little. It ap- pears only as a transient visitor in the month of April, in the Middle States, and, after staying to feed for a week or ten days, it proceeds to its northern breeding-place in the wilds of Canada, of which we are wholly ignorant. In November, I have observed a few on their return to the South, and, according to Vieillot, they winter in St. Do- mingo, and other of the larger West India islands. Near Farranville on the Susquehannah, within the range of the Alleghany Mountains, in the month of May, I saw and heard several pairs of this rare species in the shady Hemlock trees. The males were uttering their slender wiry and very peculiar notes, while busily engaged in for- aging for insects, and seemed by being paired to prepare for incubation. The nest according to Audubon (who ob- tained it from Professor McCulloch of Pictou, Nova Scotia), is usually placed on the horizontal branch of a fir-tree, 7 or 8 feet from the ground. It was composed of strips of bark, moss, and fibrous roots, and was lined with fine grass and a bed of feathers. The eggs, 4 or 5 in num- ber, are of a rosy tint, scantily sprinkled with reddish- brown dots at the larger end. The Pine Swamp Warbler (Sylvia sphagnosa) is now considered only as the young of this species, of which however, I think there yet remains some doubt. The length of this species is about 5 inches ; and 7^ in alar dimen- sions. Above wholly of a fine slate color, inclining to azure ; the throat, cheeks, and upper part of the breast, and sides under the wings, are deep black; the wings and tail dusky black; the primaries marked with a spot of white, and edged with olive green. Tail wedge-shaped, edged with dusky blue, the feathers pointed ; 2 and sometimes 3 of KENTUCKY WARBLER. 451 the external ones with a large white spot. Belly and vent white. Legs and feet dusky yellow. Bill black. — The black of the female inclined to dusky ash, or wanting. — The blue feathers of the hind part of the head and back, as well as the dark ones on the flanks, are edged with bright olive green ; perhaps a mark of the young bird. KENTUCKY WARBLER. (Sijhlcola formosa. Sylvia formosa, Wilson, iii. p. 85. pi. 25. fig. 3, Audubon, pi. 38. Orn. Biog. i. p 190.) Spec. Charact. — Deep olive-green ; beneath and line over the eye golden yellow ; crown black, spotted behind with pale ash; lores and space curving down the neck, black. — Female without the black under the eye, and nearly destitute of it on the crown, and with the sides under the wings pale green. This beautiful species, first described by Wilson, fre- quents the dark forests of the southwestern parts of the Union, being particularly abundant in Louisiana, and not uncommon in Kentucky and Tennessee, and from thence inhabiting throughout the country to the estuaries of the Mississippi. It frequents low, damp woods, and the desolate borders of the lagoons, cane-brakes, and swamps, near the banks of the great rivers. It arrives in Kentucky about the middle of April, but enters the southern extremity of the Union from Mexico by the same time in March, and by the middle of September retires south of the United States. The males are very pugnacious in the pairing season of spring, and utter some loud notes, in threes, resembling the sound of 'tint die tin (die, twccdlc. They attach the nest often to stems of stout weeds, or place it in a tuft of grass. It is made of the dry bark of herbaceous plants, mixed with downy substances, and lined with the cotton of the seed 452 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. of the wild poplar. The eggs, 4 to 6, are pure white, and sprinkled with specks of reddish. The female begins to sit early in May, and they have usually two broods in the season. They now associate in families, and live in the greatest harmony. The species is scarcely known to the east of North Carolina. This Warbler is 5J inches long, and 8 in alar extent. Above deep green, tinned with olive, darkest on the upper part of the back. Tail nearly even, rich olive-green. Legs whitish flesh-color. Upper mandible blackish, the lower flesh-color. CCERULEAN WARBLER. (Sylvicola cccrulea, S wains. Sylvia caruha, Wilson, ii. p. 141. pi. 17. fig. 5. [male] and Bonap. Am. Orn. ii. p. 27. pi. 11. fig. 2 [female.] S. azurea, Stephens. Audubon, pi. 43. Orn. Biog. 1. p. 255. [adult] and pi. 49. S. rara. Ib. 1. p. 253. [young]. Phil. Museum, No. 7309.) Spec. Charact. — Yerditer blue; beneath and line over the eye white ; wings with 2 white bars, and with the tail black : tail- feathers with a spot. This very delicately colored species is among the rarest summer residence of the Atlantic states, and does not probably migrate or rather stray farther north than the state of New York. In the southwestern states, particularly Tennessee and West Florida, it is one of the most abundant species ; it is also found in the West- ern wilderness beyond the Mississippi. It is only in the summer that it ever ventures into the Middle States, from which it retires almost before the first chills of autumn, or by the middle of August. It frequents the borders of streams and marshes, and possesses many of the habits of the Flycatchers, warbling also at times in a lively manner, GROUND WARBLERS. 453 and though its song be short it is at the same time sweet and mellow. The nest, according to Audubon, is placed in the forks of a low tree or bush, more frequently on a Dog-wood tree. It is partly pensile. It is composed externally of strips of pine bark and the stalks of rank, herbaceous plants with slender roots arranged in a circular manner, the lining consists wholly of the dry fibres of Spanish moss. The eggs, 4 or 5 white, with a i"ew reddish-brown spots at the great end. The Sylvia rara first met with on Cumberland river, by Wilson, is now believed to be only the young of the present species. Length 4^ inches ; alar extent 7£. Above verditer blue (in Audu- bon azure) with a few streaks of black on the upper part of the back. Wings and tail black, edged with pale blue. Tail forked, a white spot in the 5 lateral feathers on each side ; the 2 middle more slightly marked with the same. From the eye backwards a line of dusky blue. Bill dusky above, light blue below. Legs and feet light blue. — Female, with the sides of the breast spotted or streaked with dusky bluish. TRICHAS. (Swains.) GROUND WARBLERS. Bill as in Sylvicola, only somewhat slender and a little decurved. 3d and 4th quills usually longest. Wings rather short, rounded. Tail rounded and without spots. The species, (generally of humble flight, frequenting low busbes, and thickets and nesting low, or on the ground.) though few, are found in the Middle and Northern States and even across the continent, in Oregon, to the shores of the Pacific. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. (Trichas marylandica , Boxap. Sylvia Irichas, Lath. Audubon, pi. 23. Orn. Biog. i. p. 121. [adult] S. marylandica, WiisoS, i. p. 83. pi. 6. fig. 1. [male.] and ii. p. 163. pi. 18. fig. 4. [female.] Phil. Museum, No. 7282.) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive; beneath yellow; front and wide patch through the eye black, bounded above by whitish-grey ; tail cuneiform. — Female without black on the face, and beneath dull yellow. This common and familiar species extends its summer migrations from Florida to Nova Scotia, arriving in Penn- slyvania towards the middle of April, and in this part of New England about the first week in May. They return to the south in September ; a few stragglers of the young, however, may be seen to the first week in October, and though some may remain and winter in the Southern States, it is more probable that the main body retire at this season into the interior of tropical America; as they were seen late in autumn, around Vera Cruz, by the nat- uralist and traveller Mr. Bullock. Early in the month MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. 455 of March, however, I heard this species singing in the forests of West Florida. They also exist in the territory of Oregon, where Mr. Townsend, obtained specimens. We met with them on Lewis's River, of the Shoshonee in the centre of the Rocky Mountain chain. The Maryland Yellow-Throat, with cheerful devoted- ness to the great object of his summer migration, the attachments and cares of his species, passes his time near some shady rill of water, amidst briars, brambles, alders, and such other shrubbery as grow in low and wa- tery situations. Unambitious to be seen, he seldom as- cends above the tops of the underwood, where he dwells busily employed in collecting the insects on which he feeds. After these, like the Wren, he darts into the deepest thicket, and threads his devious way through every opening; he searches around the stems, examines beneath the leaves, and raising himself on his peculiarly pale and slender legs, peeps into each crevice in order to seize by surprise his tiny lurking prey. While thus encraored, 1 HS affection to his neighboring mate is not forgotten, and with a simplicity, agreeable and charac- teristic, he twitters forth, at short intervals, his 'whititetee 'whititetee 'whititetee, but his more common song is ' whit tit shee 'whittitshee, or 'wetitshee wetitshee wee; and sometimes I have heard his note like, 'wetitshee wetitshee, ''witfyu tec. On this last syllable a plaintive sinking of the voice renders the lively, earnest ditty of the active minstrel peculiarly agreeable. Copying apparently from the Cardi- nal Bird, the song was, in one instance, which came to my notice, 'vit'iyu 'vit'iyu 'vit'iyu. The whole is likewise often varied and lowered into a slender whisper, or tender reve- rie of vocal instinct. Sometimes he calls out, tcetshoo, ted- shoo, and sewaidedit sewaidedii seu/cddUsewee, or s<. (reddi- dit sewaiditsiwee, as he busily darts through the bloom- 455 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. ing and odor-breathing shrubs of the grove or garden, which he examines with minute attention, and sometimes springs, perpendicularly after his retreating and discovered prey. He appears by no means shy or suspicious, as long as his nest is unapproached ; but for the safety of that precious treasure, he scolds, laments, and entreats with great anxiety. The species generally nest in the recluse thickets of the forest, or the low bushy meadow, but some- times they take up their abode in the garden, or the field contiguous to the house ; and, if undisturbed, show a pre- dilection for the place which has afforded security to them- selves and their young. They commence their labor of building about the middle of May, fixing the nest on or near the ground, among dry leaves, withered grass, or brush, and choose often for security the most intricate thicket of briars, so that the nest is often sheltered and concealed by projecting weeds and grass. Sometimes a mere tussuck of grass or accidental pile of brush is chosen. It is made of dry sedge-grass (Cm-ex), and a few leaves loosely wound together and supported by the weeds or twigs where it rests; the lining consists entirely of fine bent-grass (Agrostis). The eggs, about 5, are white, inclined to flesh-color, with touches, specks, and small spreading blotches, and sometimes with a few lines of two or three shades of red- dish brown, chiefly disposed towards the greater end. I have also seen the eggs a whole size smaller, pure white, with a few small spots only at the greater end. This is perhaps the egg of a different, but allied species. The young leave the nest, here, about the middle of June, and a second brood is sometimes raised in the course of the season. The parents and young now rove about in restless prying troops, and take to the most secluded bushy marshes, where they pass their time, in comparative security, till the roscoe's yellow-throat. 457 arrival of that period of scarcity which warns them to de- part. As early as the close of July, the lively song of the male ceases to be heard, and the whole party now forage in silence; This species is about 4$ inches in length, and G£ in alar dimen- sions. Above yellow-olive, inclining to cinereous on the crown. Throat, breast, and vent yellow, fainter on the belly. Wings, and unspotted, wcdgc-shnped tail, dusky brown; the quills of both edged with yellow olive, 1st primary edged with whitish. Bill black above, paler beneath. Legs pale flesh-color and remarkably delicate. Iris dark hazel. Sometimes male birds occur with the pale grey line over the eye exalted into white, as in Buffbn's figure. — The young, at first, resemble the female, but the male of the season, before his de- parture in autumn, exhibits the brilliant yellow throat, as well as some appearance of the grey and black, which ornament the sides of the face in the adult. ROSCOE'S YELLOW-THROAT. (Trichas Roscoe, Nobis. Sylvia Roscoe, Aud. Orn. Biog. 1. p. 124. pi. 24. and vol. 5. p. 4C3, as the young of S. trichas.) Spec. Charact. — Very dark olive ; below yellow; a white streak near and over the eye ; a broad black patch from the corner of the eye passing over the ears ; tarsus short. This species was first discovered by Mr. Audubon in the State of Mississippi and not far from the river of the same name. It was pursuing its prey of winged insects in the upper branches of a tall Cypress, and uttered at short in- tervals a single twitt. It has a strong general resemblance to the Maryland Yellow-Throat, {Sylvia Trie has), but is sufficiently distinct. It is occasionally seen in the New England States, and particularly in this vicinity, (Cam- bridge,) in the same dark or low bushy thickets and swamps with the Common Yellow-Throat, and probably breeds in this quarter, though it is most commonly seen towards the 39 458 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. close of summer only. Its note, which T have heard, re j sembles in a measure that of its prototype Trichas, but it is much more varied and agreeably warbling. Its autum- nal twitt also is louder, deeper, and easily distinguishable from that closely allied species. The length of Roscoe's Yellow-Throat is about 5| inches; extent of the wings 6^ inches ; the bill above five twelfths of an nch ; tarsus one third of an inch. Very dark olive, the margins of the feathers lighter ; rump paler. Inner webs of the quills dark brown. Bill dark flesh-color, brown at tbe tip. Feet flesh-color. I rids pale brown. MASKED YELLOW-THROAT. (Trichas vclata, Nobis. Trichas Delafieldii, Am. Synops. p. 55. Syl- via Delafieldii, Orn. Biog. 5. p. 307. S. velata, Vieill. Hist, des oiseaux, L. Amer. Sept. 2. p. 22. pi. 74.) Spec Charact. — Olive-grey ; crown of the head bluish-grey ; front and patch tbrough the eye to the ears, black ; no white on the front ; tail much rounded, cuneiform. — Female. Of this species, so nearly allied to the Maryland Yellow- Throat, nothing further is known than of its existence in the Oregon Territory, near Fort Vancouver, where the only specimen described by Audubon was obtained by Mr. Townsend. This species, distinguished from the Maryland Yellow-Throat, by Vieillot, was obtained in some part of the United States, and is said to have a different song, and is also larger. Length 5^. Bill a little over half an inch long (in the Maryland Yellow-Throat only five twelfths of an inch.) Tail much rounded. The 1st quill much shorter than the 3d (nearly half an inch.) The black fronted band narrow. The rest nearly as in the common species. MOURNING GROUND WARBLER. 459 MOURNING GROUND WARBLER. (Tricha s jjliiladclphia, Boxap. Sylvia Philadelphia, Wilson', ii. p. 101. pi. 14. fig. G. [female?] Spec. Charact. — Dark greenish-olive ; head dark grey ; a crescent of alternate white and black lines on the breast ; belly yellow ; tail cuneiform. Wilson, the discoverer of this curious species, never met with more than a single individual, which, in its habits of frequenting marshy ground, and flitting through low bushes in quest of insects, appears very similar to the Maryland Yellow-Throat. The discoverer, however, also distinguished it more importantly by the novelty of its sprightly and pleasant warble ; we may therefore perhaps consider it as a solitary straggler from the main body in the western regions of this vast continent. It was shot in the early part of June near Philadelphia. On the 20th of May (1831) I saw, as I believe, the male of this species in the dark shrubbery of the Botanic Gar- den (Cambridge.) It possessed all the manners of the common species, was equally busy in search of insects in the low bushes, and at little intervals, warbled out some very pleasant notes, which though they resembled the lively chant of the Maryland Yellow-Throat, even to the icctitshce, yet they were more agreeably varied, so as to approach in some degree, the song of the Summer Yellow-bird (Sylvia csstiva). This remarkable note, in- deed, set me in quest of the bird, which I followed for some time, but, at last, perceiving himself watched, he left the garden. As far as I was able to observe this individ- ual, he was above of a dark olive-green, very cinereous on the fore part of the head, with a band of black through the eyes, which descended from the side of the neck 460 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. where at length it joined with a crescent of dusky or black spots upon the breast ; the throat was yellow and the under parts paler. Mr. Townsend saw a specimen on the shady borders of the Schuylkill, in the month of may last ; and a 2d individ- ual has been obtained by Mr. De Rham in the vicinity of New York. Two or three other specimens have also been obtained in the vicinity of Philadelphia and in New Jer- sey. It is however, still a very rare species and its proper habitation is yet to be discovered. This species is 5 inches long, and 7 in alar extent. Above deep greenish olive ; tips of the wings and centre of the tail-feathers brownish. Head dark, almost sooty-grey. Crescent of the breast formed of alternate transverse lines of pure white, and deep black; below yellow. Legs and feet (as in the Maryland Yellow-Throat) pale flesh-color. Bill dusky above, lighter below. Iris hazel. TOLMIE'S GROUND WARBLER. (Trichas Tolmai, Nobis. Sylvia Tolmai, Townsend, Journ. Acad, vol. 8. Narrative, Append, p. 343. Trichas Mac gillivraiji, Acd. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 75. pi. 399. f. 4, 5.) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive; head and breast dark grey, the latter sprinkled with white ; lores black ; below yellow ; tail cunei- form, nearly even ; a line of white above and below the eye. This species is one of the most common summer resi- dents of the woods and plains of the Columbia, appearing early in May, and remaining until the approach of winter. After the manner of the Maryland Yellow-Throat, it keeps near the ground in low bushes, where it gleans its subsist- ence. When surprised or closely observed, it is shy and jealous, immediately sculking off, and sometimes uttering a loud snapping click. Its note has occasionally the hur- tolmie's ground warbler. 461 ried rattling sound of Tardus aurocapillus, resembling tftsh tftsh t'tsh tshcctce, altering into tsh tsh tsh tcet shee. Another male, on the skirts of a thicket, called out at short intervals vish vishtyu, changing to vit vit vit vityu and vit vit vityu, sometimes, when approached, dropping his voice and abbreviating his song. Another had a call of visht visht, visht e visht t'sJiew and visht visht vishtcshew or vititshee. On the 12th of June, a nest of this species was brought to me, containing two young birds nearly quite fledged, in the garb of the mother, pale yellow be- neath, and brightish yellow-olive above. The nest was chiefly made of strips of the inner scaly bark of probably the White Cedar, ( Thuya Occident alis) lined with slender wiry stalks of dry weeds, and concealed near the ground in the dead mossy limits of a fallen oak, and further partly hidden by a long tuft of moss ( Usnea), It was less artifi- cial than the nest of the Yellow-Throat, but of the same general appearance, and concealed in a similar situation, probably in a thicket near the ground. On returning the nest to the place it had been taken from, I had almost im- mediately the satisfaction of seeing the anxious parents come to feed their charge, and for some days they showed great uneasiness on being approached. Mr. Townsend adds. It is mostly solitary and extremely wary, keeping chiefly in the most impenetrable thickets, and gliding through them in a cautious and suspicious manner. It may, however, sometimes be seen towards mid-day perched upon a dead twig over its favorite places of concealment, and at such times warbles a very sprightly and pleasant little song, raising its head until its bill is almost vertical, swelling its throat in the manner of its relatives. This species is very nearly allied to the Trichas Philadelphia, differing principally by the black lores and the white palpebra. 39* 462 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Length 5 inches ; extent of wings Gh. Bill dusky above, pale flesh-color below, 5-l2ths of an inch long. Iris hazel. Legs flesh- colored. Upper part of the head, the hind part and sides of the neck deep ash-grey, inclining to black on the head. Above yellow- olive inclining to green. Wings greyish-brown edged with olive - yellow, 1st quill edged with white. Lores deep velvet black ; on each eye-lid a distinct line of pure white above and below, with the rest of the lid black, the grey feathers of the throat and breast, many of them irregularly margined with white ; below bright yellow as well as the shoulder of the wing ; sides in part yellowish-green ; under side of the tail tinged also with yellow. — Female, head and sides of the neck lighter grey, the lores of the same color, with the centre of the throat whitish. MICHENER'S GROUND WARBLER. (Trichas tcjjhroeotis, Nobis. Sylvia agilis, Aud. in part, pi. 138. Mu- seum Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad.) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive, beneath yellow ; head ash-color; 2d and 3d primaries longest; throat greyish- white, tinged with yellow, a white line round the eye; tail wedge-shaped and feathers pointed. — Female ? The only specimen of this species as yet known was shot in the month of May, at New Garden, Chester coun- ty, by Doctor Michener, who remarks that its habits were exactly those ascribed by Wilson to the Trichas agilis, to which it is very nearly allied, though apparently distinct. It is nearly an inch shorter, that species being scarcely 5 inches in place of 5f , the bill is also shorter and more slender, the head grey and the tail-feathers acuminated. Bill § of an inch, the upper mandible pale brown, the lower pale flesh-color. 1st quill nearly as long as the 2d and 3d which are long- est, its outer web edged with white. Head and cheeks grey, almost plumbeous. Above yellowish-olive, inclining to green. Quills dusky brown. Below bright yellow, inclining to olive on the sides. WORM-EATIXG WARBLERS. 4G3 CONNECTICUT GROUND WARBLER. (Trichas agilis, Nobis. Sylvia agilis, Wilson, v. p. 64. pi. 39. fig. 4. Aid. pi. 138. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 227.) Spec. Charact. — Bright yellow-olive, inclining to green; beneath yellow; throat pale ash ; wings dusky. — Female with the throat pale buff. This rare species discovered by Wilson in Connecticut, and afterwards in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, ap- pears to frequent low thickets, and is exceedingly active in pursuit of its prey, scarcely remaining a moment in the same place. Wilson afterwards shot two specimens of a bird which in every particular agreed with the above, ex- cept in having the throat dull buff color instead of pale ash. These were both females, as he supposed, of the present species. Length 5| inches ; alar extent 8. Above rich yellow-olive, nearly green ; wings dusky-brown, edged with olive. Throat dirty -white or pale ash ; upper part of the breast dull greenish-yellow ; below pure yellow. Round the eye a narrow ring of yellowish-white. Bill, upper mandible pale brown ; the lower whitish. Iris hazel. Legs long and slender, pale flesh-color. VERMIVORA. (Swains.) WORM-EATING WARBLERS. Bill about the length of the head, straight, or slightly decurved, tapering to a very acute point, much com- pressed ; scarcely notched. Bristles at the base of the bill obsolete. Wings rather long, somewhat pointed, the outer 3 quills nearly equal, '2d longest. Tail nearly even. 4G4 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. These have much the habit of the Sylvicolas from which they scarcely differ enough as a genus ; they are also a divided group as now arranged. They generally affect dark and shady woods, inhabit both sides of the North American continent, and are nearly all rare. PENNSYLVANIAN VERMIVORA. (Vermirora pemisylvanica, Swains. Sylvia vermivora, Lath. Wil- son, iii. p. 74. pi. 24. fig. 4. Dacnis vermivora, Audubon, pi. 34. Phil. Museum, No. GS43.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Dusky-olive; head striped with black and buff; beneath dull buff, brighter on the breast ; bill stout. This species arrives in Pennsylvania about the middle of May, and migrates to the South towards the close o September ; they were seen feeding their young, in that state, about the 25th of June, by Wilson, so that some pairs stay and breed there. They are very active and inde- fatigable insect-hunters, and have much of the manners and even the note of the Marsh Titmouse or Chicadee. About the 4th of October, I have seen a pair of these birds roving through the branches of trees with restless agility, hanging on the twigs and examining the trunks, in quest, probably, of spiders and other lurking and dor- mant insects and their larvae. One of them likewise kept up a constant complaining call, like the sound of tshc de dc. According to Richardson, this species visits the fur coun- tries, where a single specimen was procured at Cumberland House, on the banks of the Saskatchewan. It is found also in Maine and the British Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Dr. Bachman says that it breeds sparingly in the swamps of Carolina, as he observed a pair followed by three or four young ones nearly fledged, all of which swainson's vermivora. 465 already exhibited the markings on the head. They lay 4 or 5 cream colored eggs, with a few dark red spots near the larger end.*' Length 5^ inches, and 8 inches in alar extent. Above dark olive, except the quills and tail, which are umber-brown. Tail scarcely forked. Head buff, marked with 4 longitudinal stripes of umber- brown. Breast orange-buff, mixed with dusky. Vent waved with dusky olive. Bill blackish above, below flesh-colored. Legs pale flesh-color". Iris hazel. — Female nearly similar to the male. SWAINSON'S VERMIVORA. {Vcrmivora Sicainsoni, Bonap. Sylvia Sicamsonii, Acd. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 5G3. pi. 198. and v. p. 4C2. Hclinaia Sicainsoni, Synops. p. 60.) Spec. Charact. — Olive-brown; the head tinged with red; lower parts and a band over the eye yellowish-grey : bill as long as the head. Doctor Baciiman, the discoverer of this species near the banks of the Edisto river, remarks ; " I was first at- tracted by the novelty of its notes, four or five in number, repeated at intervals of five or six minutes apart. These notes were loud, clear, and more like a whistle than a song. They resembled the sound of some extraordinary ventril- oquist in such a degree, that I supposed the bird much farther off than it really was; for after some trouble caused by these fictitious notes, I observed it near to me, and soon shot it." They appear to have a predilection for swampy, muddy places, usually more or less covered with water. They feed on coleopterous insects and the larva: which * Aud. Orn. P.iog. i. p. 177. 466 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. infest the pond lily. It keeps usually in low bushes; and retires southward at the close of summer. They breed, it appears, in South Carolina. According to Dr. Brewer, a specimen was shot in Massachusetts by Mr. Samuel Cabot. Length 5;§ inches, extent of wings 8£ ; bill along the ridge seven twelfths of an inch. Bill light brown. Iris brown. Feet flesh-colored. Above rich brown, tinged with red on the head ; beneath pale brown- ish-grey, the sides darker. Sides of the head brownish-white, the feathers tipped with brown ; a whitish line over the eye. Wings longish ; the first 3 quills almost equal, the 1st being very slightly shorter. Secondaries narrow and rounded. ■ PROTHONOTARY VERMIVORA. (Vermivora protonotarius, Bonap. Sylvia protonotarms, Lath. Wil- son, iii. p. 72. pi. 24. fig. 3. S. protonotarius , Audubon, pi. 3. Phil. Museum, No. 7020.) Spec. Charact. — Yellow; back and small wing-coverts yellow- olive ; wings black ; rump and tail-coverts greyish-blue ; all the tail-feathers, except the 2 middle ones, with a spot of white on their inner vanes ; tail nearly even; bill rather short. This beautiful species inhabits the Southern States commonly in summer, being plentiful in the low, dark, and swampy forests of the Mississippi near New Orleans, as well as in Louisiana and the wilds of Florida. In these solitary retreats they are seen nimbly flitting in search of insects, caterpillars, larvae, and small land shells, every now and then uttering a few creaking notes, scarcely deserving the name of song. They sometimes, though very rarely, proceed as far north as Pennsylvania. They appear to affect watery places in swamps which abound with lagoons, and is seldom seen in the woods. According to Dr. Bach- man, it breeds in South Carolina, as he saw a pair and their young near Charleston. SOLITARY VERMIVORA. 467 The usual length of this species is 5£ inches ; alar stretch S£. Inner vanes of the quills and tail black, edged with pale blue. Yent white. Bill black, rather long and robust. Legs and feet leaden- grey. Iris hazel. — In the female the yellow and blue are rather duller. SOLITARY VERMIVORA. (Vermivora solitaria, Swains. Sylvia solitaria, Wilson, ii. p. 109. pi. 15. fig. 4. S. solitaria, Audubon, pi. 20. Phil. Museum, No. 7307.) Spec. Charact. — Olive-green ; forehead and all beneath yellow ; lores black ; wings with 2 whitish bands, and with the tail greyish- blue ; the 3 lateral tail-feathers with their inner vanes almost wholly white. About the beginning of May this species enters Penn- sylvania from the South, and frequents thickets and shrubberies in quest of the usual insect food of its tribe. At the approach of winter, very different from the Pine Warbler, with which it has sometimes been confounded, it retires to pass the winter in tropical America, having been seen around Vera Cruz in autumn by Mr. Bullock. On its arrival it frequents gardens, orchards, and willow trees, gleaning among the blossoms, but at length withdraws into the silent woods, remote from the haunts of men, to pass the period of breeding and rearing its young in more secu- rity. The nest, according to Wilson, is placed in a thick tuft or tussuck of long grass, occasionally sheltered and concealed by a briar. It is usually built in the form of an inverted funnel, the bottom thickly bedded with dry leaves; the sides are framed of the dry bark of stout plants, and the interior lined with slender dry grass. The materials, instead of the usual circular arrangement, are inclined, or shelve downwards on all sides from the top to the bottom, 46S INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. which is narrowed. The eggs, 5, are pure white, with a few pale spots of reddish near the greater end ; the young are hatched by the first week in June. Length oh inches ; alar extent 7£. Vent white. Wings and tail deep brown, edged with pale blue. Bill black above, lighter below. Legs pale bluish. Feet dirty yellow. — The female scarcely differs from the male. GOLDEN-WINGED VERMIVORA. (] T crmivora chrysoptera, Swains. Sylvia cftnjsoptcra, Lath. Wilson, ii. p. 113. pi. 15. fig. 6. [male]. Boxap. Am. Orn. 1. p. 12. pi. 1. fig. 3. [female]. Aud. pi. 414. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 154. Phil. Muse- um. No. 7010.) Spec. Charact. — Dark bluish-grey ; crown and wing-coverts golden yellow ; beneath white ; throat and band through the eye black. — Female olive ; front and wing-coverts yellow ; breast and over the eye, dusky. This scarce species appears only a few days in Pennsyl- vania about the last of April or beginning of May. It darts actively through the leafy branches, and like the Titmouse examines the stems for insects, and often walks with the head downwards ; its notes and actions are also a good deal similar, in common with the Yvorm-eating Warbler. I have never yet seen it in Massachusetts, and if it really does pro- ceed north to breed, it must follow a western route. The length of this species is from \\ to 5 inches, and 7 in alar ex- tent. The 3 lateral tail-feathers with a spot of white on their inner vanes. Tail a little forked. The black band through the eye sepa- rated from the yellow crown by a line of white. Bill black. Legs dark ash. Iris hazel. TENNESS2E VERMIVORA, OR WARBLER. 469 BACHMAN'S WORM-EATING WARBLER. (Vermivora Bachmani, Bonap. Sylvia Bachmani, Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 483. pi. 185J Spec. Charact. — Brownish-olive; middle of the crown brownish- black; forehead, line over the eye, cheeks, chin, sides of the neck, and the breast, yellow; on the fore part of the neck a large patch of black; tail feathers, excepting the two middle ones, with a white spot on the inner web. This species was first obtained a few miles from Charles- ton, South Carolina, in July, by Dr. Bachman, after whom it is named. It appears to be a lively, active species, fre- quenting thick bushes, through which it glides after insects, or occasionally mounting on wing, it seizes them in the air. Several individuals were seen in the same neighborhood. Length about 4 inches ; alar extent about C>\. Bill about h an inch, dusky brown above, light blue beneath. Feet umber. Rump yellow- ish-green; flexure of the wing and lower wing-coverts yellow; sides greenish-grey, the lower tail-coverts white. Quills and tail wood brown, narrowly margined with whitish. — Female smaller, with the tints fainter, the forehead yellowish-green, and the fore-neck dusky. Length 3 10-12ths of an inch. TENNESSEE VERMIVORA, or WARBLER. (Vermivora peregrina, Bonap. Sylvia peregrina, Wtlsov, iii. p. 83 pi. 25. fig. 2. Aid. pi. 154. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 3 7. S. 1 u color ? Vim. i.. PhiL Museum. No. 7787.) Spec Charact. — Yellow-olive, bluish on the head ; line over the eye pale yellow; beneath whitish; wings without bands ; bill very short. Tins rare and plain species was discovered bv Wilson on the banks of Cumberland river, in the state of Tennessee. 40 470 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. It was hunting with great agility among the opening leaves in spring, and like the rest of the section to which it apper- tains, possesses a good deal of the habits of the Titmouse. Its notes were few and weak, and its food, as usual, smooth caterpillars and winged insects. It is still so rare that Au- dubon never saw more than three individuals, two in Louis- iana and one at Key West in East Florida ; all of which were also males. This species is 3| inches long ; and 8 in alar extent. Wings dusky, edged with olive. Tail forked, olive, relieved with dusky. Throat and breast pale cream-color ; belly and vent white. Legs purplish-brown. Bill short, dark dusky, somewhat paler below. Iris hazel. — In the female the colors are more obscure. DUSKY VERMIVORA, or WARBLER. (Vermivora carbonata, Bonap. Sylvia carbonata, Aud. pi. GO. Orn. Biog. i. p. 308.) Spec. Charact. — Crown and front black; above dark olive-green, spotted with black; throat, sides of the neck, and line over the eye, yellow ; below yellowish olive and darkly spotted ; two light bands on the wings. This new species was obtained by Audubon near the village of Henderson, in Kentucky. The only two individ- uals met with were males, not yet arrived at perfect plu- mage. Their actions and food appeared very similar with those of other Warblers. Rump yellowish; tail emarginate, dusky. A white band on the wing, formed by the margins of the upper coverts, also a yellowish one below. Bill 5-12ths of an inch, dusky. Legs flesh-colored. Iris hazel. Length 4% inches. GREY VERMIVORA. 471 BLACK-THROATED GREY VERMIVORA. (Vermivora nigrcsccns, Bonap. Sylvia nigresccns, Towns. Journal Acad. 7. p. 191. Aid. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 57. pi. 305.) Spec. Charact. — Leaden gray, spotted with black ; head, broad line through the eyes, and throat black ; line over the eye a broad one from the bill ; belly, and two bands on the wings white ; a great. part of the three lateral tail-feathers on their inner webs also white ; a yellow spot on the lores. This curious species, so much resembling Sylvia striata, was seen to arrive early in May ; and from its song, more readily delivered at intervals in the tops of deciduous-leaved trees, we have little doubt but that they breed in the forests of the Columbia. On the 23d of May, I had the satisfac- tion of hearkening to the delicate, but monotonous song of this bird, as he busily and intently searched every leafy bough and expanding bud for larvae and insects in a spread- ing oak, from whence he delivered his solitary note. Some- times he remained a minute or two stationary, but more generally continued in quest of prey. His song, at short and regular intervals, seemed like f slice 'tsliay 'tshaitsJiee, varying the feeble sound very little, and with the conclud- ing note somewhat slenderly and plaintively raised. My friend Townsend remarks, that it is abundant in the forests of the Columbia, where it breeds, and remains until winter ; and that the nest is formed externally of fibrous green moss (Usnea ?), and is generally placed on the upper branches of the oak, suspended between two small twigs. Length 5 inches ; bill on the ridge 5-12ths of an inch ; wing from the flexure 2| inches. Bill and feet black. Iris brown. Below white, the sides marked with narrow black streaks ; upper part of head, nape, loral space, checks, and the fore part of the neck with a small portion of the breast, black ; a band from near the nostrils to neaj the eye, yellow ; a band of white over the eye, and another from the 472 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. lower mandible along the side of the neck, white. Wings and tail blackish-brown, edged with bluish-grey ; outer margin of the first quill white, as are those of the outer two feathers of the tail, with the greater part of the inner web of the outer three. On the 29th of May, on the south side of the estuary of the Wahla- met, I heard a Warbler often in the tall pines, and now saw it for the first time. Its note was slender and monotonous, but quite peculiar. It seemed almost like the following syllables, 'Vdee 't'dee tt dtlium, the final note slenderly terminated. For hours this hermit of the forest remained in the same trees, either perched or rambling through the branches after insects. — Below it appeared grej-ish-white, with the throat and cheeks black, with a white band through the eyes ; above chief! y dull dark grey. Though nearly allied to the above species, it still seems distinct ; and was not obtained by us. It might be called Sylvicola *tristis, from its melancholy warble. NASHVILLE VERMIVORA, or WARBLER. (Vermivora rulricajyilla, Swains. Sylvia rulricapilla, Wilson, hi. p. 120. pi. 27. fig. 3. Aud. pi. 89. Orn. Biog. i. p. 450. Phil. Mu- seum, No. 7789.) Spec. Charact. — Yellow-olive; head and neck ash, inclining to olive; crown deepchesnut; beneath greenish yellow; centre of the belly nearly white ; wings without bands. This rare species was discovered by Wilson in the vi- cinity of Nashville in Tennessee ; it also exists in the neighboring states in summer, and occasionally proceeds as far north as Philadelphia, and even the neighborhood of Salem in this state. Its discoverer was first attracted to it by the singular noise which it made, resembling the break- ing of small dry twigs, or the striking together of pebbles, for six or seven times in succession, and loud enough to be heard at the distance of thirty or forty yards. A sim- ilar sound, produced, no doubt, by the smart snapping of the bill, is given by the Stone-chat of Europe, which ORANGE-CROWNED VERMIVORA. 4T3 hence in fact derives ks name. Audubon says, the male, while standing in a still and erect posture, utters a few low, eagerly repeated, creaking notes. This species has all the active habits of the family to which it more partic- ularly belongs. Audubon says that this species is not in fact rare, as he saw them in considerable numbers in the month of April, towards Texas, on their way eastward ; he also saw it in Maine and the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A few proceed to Labrador, and Dr. Richardson mentions the occurrence of a straggler in the Fur Coun- tries. Its length was 4£ inches ; alar extent 7. Wings dusky, edged with olive ; the primaries with yellow. Tail slightly forked, dark olive. Legs and feet yellow. Bill dusky ash. Iris hazel, — Female, beneath paler, mixed with grey, and without the chesnut patch on the head. ORANGE-CROWNED VERMIVORA. (Vermivora eclata, Jard. Sylvia celata, Say. Bonap. Am. Orn. 1. p 45. pi. 5. fig. 2. Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 449, pi. 178. Phil. Museum, No. 7013.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Greenish-olive; crown with a fulvous spot; be- neath olive-yellow ; vent yellow ; wings without bands. This species, first discovered early in May, on the banks of the Missouri, by my friend Mr. T. Say, appeared to be on its passage further north. It is not uncommon, in win- ter, in the orange giovesof "West Florida, where it pro- ceeds to pass the season, around St. Augustine ; and its note is described as a mere chirp and faint squeak, scarcely louder than that of a mouse. This species, according to Audubon, breeds in the east- 40* 474 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. em part of Maine, and in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Its nest is composed of lichens intermixed with bits of fine grass, lined with delicate root fibres, and a large quantity of feathers. The eggs, 4 to G, are of a pale green, sprinkled with small black spots. The nest, 3 to 5 feet from the ground, is situated usually in the forks of a low fir tree. In the month of May we saw this species abundant in the forests of the Oregon, where no doubt they breed. The song of this species is weak and some- what resembling that of most of the Sylvicolas. This species is 5£ inches long, and about S in alar stretch. Above dull greenish-olive ; rump and tail-coverts bright yellow olive. Feath- ers of the head rather thick and orange at base ; this color only vis- ible when the feathers are elevated. Inferior tail-coverts pure yellow. Primaries dark brown olive on the edges; tail-feathers similar to the quills, edged with white on the inner vanes. Bill dark horn-color. Legs dusky. Iris dark brown. — Female nearly similar. TROGLODYTES. (Cuvier.) WRENS. In these birds the bill is slender, subulate, somewhat arched and elongated, also acute, compressed, and without notch; mandibles equal. Nostrils basal, oval, half closed by a membrane. Tongue slender, the tip divided into 2 or 3 small bristles. Feet slender, tarsus longer than the middle toe; inner toe free; posterior with a larger nail than the rest. — The icings short, concave, and rounded, furnished often with a conspicuous spurious feather or short primary; 3d, 4th, and 5th primaries longest. The female and young hardly differ in plumage from the adult male. The moult is annual. The plumage thick and long, is always composed of sombre colors. The body is roundish and the tail almost onstantly erected. They are small musical birds, active, courageous and capricious in their movements, almost always hid in thickets and HOUSE V. REX. 475 bushes, keeping near the ground, to which they often descend to forage for worms and insects, and showing a fondness for prying into holes and dark places, as well as among logs, &c, where they more particularly surprise their prey of spiders and moths. The nest is constructed with much art, and the eggs are commonly numerous. § TROGLODYTES. TRUE WRENS. the middle toe is rather long and the nails of In the Common Wren the bill is also somewhat Ix these birds moderate length, straight. These are remarkable for their almost domestic habits buildino- often from preference about houses, either empty or inhabited ; they also sing agreeably ; species of which exist in both continents. HOUSE WREN. (Troglodytes aedon, Vimi. Audubon, Orn. Biog. i. p. 427. pi. 83. (truly admirable.) Sylvia domestica, Wii son, i. p. l'j;». pi. 8. fig. 3. S, forca, Lath. Phil. Museum, No. ' \ Spec. Chakact. — Dark brown, banded with blackish ; a whitish line 476 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. over the eye ; beneath dull pale grey, with obsolete indices of bands; the tail rather long and rounded. This lively, cheerful, capricious, and well known little minstrel is only a summer resident in the United States. Its northern migrations extend to Labrador. But it re- sides and rears its young principally in the Middle States. My friend, Mr. Say, also observed this species near Pembino, beyond the sources of the Mississippi, in the Western wilderness of the 49th degree of latitude. It is likewise said to be an inhabitant of Surinam within the tropics, where its delightful melody has gained it the nickname of the Nightingale. This region, or the inter- mediate country of Mexico, is probably the winter quarters of our domestic favorite. In Louisiana it is unknown even as a transient visitor,* migrating apparently to the east of the Mississippi, and sedulously avoiding the region gen- erally inhabited by the Carolina Wren. It is a matter of surprise how this, and some other species, with wings so short and a flight so fluttering, are ever capable of arriving and returning from such distant countries. At any rate, come from where he may, he makes his appearance in the middle States about the 12th or 15th of April, and is seen in New England in the latter end of that month or by the beginning of May. They take their departure for the South towards the close of September, or early in October, and are not known to winter within the limits of the Union. Some time in the early part of May, our little social vis- itor enters actively into the cares as Avell as pleasures which preside instinctively over the fiat of propagation. His nest, from preference, near the house, is placed be- * Audubon, Orn. Biog. i. p. 427 HOUSE WREN. 4< / neath the eaves, in some remote corner under a shed, out- house, barn, or in a hollow orchard tree ; also in the de- serted cell of the Woodpecker, and when provided with the convenience, in a wooden box along with the Martins and Blue-birds. He will make his nest even in an old hat, nailed up, and perforated with a hole for entrance,* or the skull of an ox stuck upon a pole; and Audubon saw one deposited in the pocket of a broken down carriage. So pertinacious is the House Wren in thus claiming the con- venience and protection of human society, that according to Wilson, an instance once occurred where a nest was made in the sleeve of a mower's coat, which, in the month of June, was hung up accidentally for two or three days in a shed near a barn. The nest of this species, though less curious than that of some other kinds, is still constructed with considerable appearance of contrivance. The external approach is bar- ricaded with a strong outwork of sticks interlaced with much labor and ingenuity. When the nest therefore is placed beneath the eaves, or in some other situation con- tiguous to the roof of the building, the access to the inner fabric is so nearly closed by this formidable mass of twigs, that a mere portion of the edge is alone left open for the female, just sufficient for her to creep in and out. Within this judicious fort is placed the proper nest, of the usual hemispherical figure, formed of layers of dried stalks of grass and lined with feathers. The eggs, from G to 9, are of a reddish flesh-color, sprinkled all over with innumera- ble fine grains of a somewhat deeper tint. They generally rear two broods in the season ; the first take to flight about the beginning of June, and the second in July, or August. *Tliis incident, with all the truth and beauty of nature, is given by Audubon in his best style. 47S INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. The young are early capable of providing for their own sub- sistence, and twittering forth their petulant cry of alarm. It is both pleasant and amusing to observe the sociability and activity of these recent nurslings, who seem to move in a body, throwing themselves into antic attitudes, often crowding together into the old nests of other birds, and for some time roosting near their former cradle, under the affectionate eye of their busy parents, who have perhaps already begun to prepare the same nest for a new progeny. Indeed, so prospective and busy is the male, that he frequently amuses himself with erecting another mansion even while his mate is still sitting on her eggs ; and this curious habit of superfluous labor seems to be more or less common to the whole genus. One of these Wrens, according to Wilson, happened to lose his mate by the sly and ravenous approaches of a cat, an animal which they justly hold in abhorrence. The day after this important loss, our little widower had succeeded in introducing to his desolate mansion a second partner, whose welcome appeared by the ecstatic song which the bridegroom now uttered ; after this they remained together, and reared their brood. In the summer of 1830, I found a female Wren who had expired on the nest in the abortive act of laying her first egg. I therefore took away the nest from under the edge of the shed in which it was built. The male, however, continued round the place as before, and still cheerfully uttered his accustomed song. Unwilling to leave the premises, he now went to work, and made, unaid- ed, another dwelling, and after a time brought a new mate to take possession, but, less faithful than Wilson's bird, or suspecting some lurking danger, she forsook the nest after entering, and never laid in it ; but still the happy warbler continued his uninterrupted lay, apparently in solitude. The song of our familiar Wren is loud, sprightly, and HOUSE WEEN. 479 tremulous, uttered with peculiar animation, and rapidly re- peated ; at first the voice seems ventriloquial and distant, and then bursts forth by efforts into a mellow and echoing warble. The trilling, hurried notes seem to reverberate from the leafy branches in which the musician sits obscur- ed, or is heard from the low roof of the vine-mantled cottage like the shrill and unwearied pipe of some sylvan elf. The strain is continued even during the sultry noon of the sum- mer's day, when most of the feathered songsters seek repose and shelter from the heat. His lively and querulous ditty is, however, still accompanied by the slower measured, pa- thetic chant of the Red-eyed Flycatcher, the meandering, tender warble of the Musical Vireo, or the occasional loud mimickry of the Cat-bird ; the whole forming an aerial, al- most celestial concert, which never tires the ear. Though the general performance of our Wren bears no inconsidera- ble resemblance to that of the European species, yet its voice is louder and its execution much more varied and de- lightful. It is rather a bold and insolent intruder upon those birds who reside near it, or claim the same accommo- dation. It frequently causes the mild Blue-bird or the Martin to relinquish their hereditary claims to the garden box, and has been accused also of sucking their eggs. Nor is he any better contented with neighbors of his own frater- nity who settle near him, keeping up frequent squabbles, like other little busy bodies, who are never happy but in mischief; so that upon the whole, though we may justly ad- mire the fine talents of this petulant domestic, he is, like many other actors, merely a good performer. He is still upon the whole a real friend to the farmer and horticultu- rist, by the number of injurious insects and their destructive larvae on which both him and his numerous family subsist. Bold and fearless, seeking out every advantageous associa- tion, and making up in activity what he may lack id 4S0 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. strength, lie does not confine his visits to the cottage or the country, but may often be heard on the tops of houses, even in the midst of the city, warbling with his usual energy. The House "Wren is 4i inches in length ; and 5§ to G inches in alar extent. Above deep brown, darkest on the head and neck, and be- coming much brighter on the rump. All the feathers, except those of the head and neck, barred with dusky. Below dirty whitish grey, nearly white towards the belly, feathers of the vent, and a little above, elegantly barred with dusky, white, and ferruginous; those just above the rump have large round spots of white below, not visible unless separated by the hand. Tail and wings strongly barred. Tail rather long and wedge-shaped. Bill somewhat long, upper mandible dusky brown, the lower pale, almost flesh-color. Legs and feet pale whitish yellow. — The female differs very little from the male in plumage. WOOD WREN. (Troglodytes amcricana, Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 452. pi. 179.) Spec Charact. — Dark brown, banded with blackish ; no pale line over the eye ; beneath pale brownish-grey, faintly barred ; tail dis- tinctly graduated, nearly 5 inches long. Tins species, so nearly related to the Common House Wren, was discovered near Eastport, in Maine, where they breed, by Audubon. The young were roving about with their parents in the recesses of a dark and tangled wood, where they were busily engaged in quest of insects. They breed usually in hollow logs in the woods, and seldom ap- proach the farm. Dr. Brewer, of Boston, procured the egg from the state of Vermont; it is of a dull yellowish- white, blotched all over with rather large markings of pale purplish red, and zigzag streaks of blackish-brown, more numerous around the middle than at either end. WINTER WREN. 4S1 In winter they have been seen around Charleston, South Carolina, in thickets and watery places as well as in the woods not far from habitations : its notes are said also to differ considerably from those of the House Wren. Spe- cimens have been brought from Oregon by Mr. Townsend, and they were frequent on the banks of Lewis's River in the Rocky Mountains, so that it is by no means an uncom- mon species. It has also been obtained in Pennsylvania, and I suspect it to be the common species of Massachusetts, as the note is different from the House Wren of the Middle States. Length near upon 5 inches, extent of wing 6^ inches. Bill dusky, below brownish-yellow. Feet flesh-color, inclining to brown. Above dark reddish-brown, duller, and tinged with grey on the head, obso- letely barred with brown, wings and tail undulatingly barred with dark brown, edges of the outer primaries lighter. Below pale brown- ish-grey, faintly barred on the fore neck, breast, and sides, the under tail-coverts distinctly barred. Closely allied to the House Wren: it is however somewhat larger, wants the whitish lines over the eye, and has the tail much orraduated. WINTER WREN. (Troglodytes hycmalis, Yieill. Sylvia troglodytes, Arn. pi. 3C0. Orn. Biog. 4. p. 430. Wilson, i. p. 139. pi. 8. fig. G. Phil. Museum. No. 7264.) Spec. Charact. — Brown, banded with dusky; beneath dull rufous- greyish with obsolete bands; the tail very short; bill almost straight. Tins little winter visitor, which approaches the Middle States in the month of October, seems scarcely in any way distinguishable from the Common Wren of Europe. It sometimes passes the winter in Pennsylvania, and accor- ding to Audubon even breeds in the Great Pine Swamp in 41 482 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. that state, as well as in New York. Early in the spring it is seen on its returning route to the northwest. Mr. Say observed it in summer near the base of the Rocky Moun- tains ; it was also seen, at the same season, on the White Mountains of New Hampshire by the scientific exploring party of Dr. Bigelow, Messrs. Boott, and Gray, so that it must retire to the Western or mountainous solitudes to pass the period of incubation. Mr. Townsend obtained specimens of this species in the forests of the Columbia. During its residence in the Middle States it frequents the broken banks of rivulets, old roots, and decayed logs near watery places in quest of its insect food. As in Europe, it also approaches the farm-house, examines the wood-pile, erecting its tail, and creeping into the interstices like a mouse. It frequently mounts on some projecting object and sings with great animation. In the gardens and out- houses of the city, it appears equally familiar as the more common House Wren. The nest of the European Wren is often in a bush near the ground, stump of a tree, or on the ground itself; they also seek the asylum of some corner of the out-house near habitations, or some stack of wood, or hole in the wall. The form of this fabric is nearly oval, with a small entry in the side, and varies externally according to contiguous objects ; thus, if near a hayrick it is composed sometimes outwardly of hay, if on a tree clothed with lichens, these are attached to the outside of the nest ; but if in a mossy stump, the exterior has almost exactly the aspect of a mere rude and larger mass of the same moss. The eggs, pro- verbially numerous, are said to be from 10 to 18, nearly white, with a few reddish spots at the larger end. The Wren has a pleasing warble, and much louder than might be expected from its diminutive size. Its song like- wise continues more or less throughout the year, even parkman's wren. 483 during the prevalence of a snow storm it has been heard as cheerful as ever ; it likewise continues its note till very late in the evening, thougli not after dark. The length of the Winter or Common Wren is 3£ inches, and the alar extent 5. Above dark-brown, crossed with transverse dusky touches, except the head and neck which are plain ; the black spots of the back terminate in minute points of dull white ; the same co- lored points are seen on the first row of wing-coverts ; the primaries are crossed with alternate rows of black and cream-color. Throat, line over the eye, sides of the neck and breast, dirty white, with mi- nute transverse touches of drab. Belly and vent thickly mottled with sooty black, deep brown, and white, in bars. Tail very short. Legs and feet pale clay-color. Bill straight, half an inch long, dark brown above, whitish beneath. Iris light hazel. PARKMAN'S WREN. (Troglodytes Parkmani, Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 310.) Spec. Charact. — Reddish-brown, faintly barred with dusky; below brownish-white, barred at the sides; tail rather long and rounded ; bill rather stout and curved. Specimens of this species, so nearly related to the Win- ter Wren, were obtained in the forests of the Oregon by my friend Mr. Townsend, where it is seen as a bird of passage apparently in spring and autumn. From the T. hiemalis it differs principally in the bill which is much longer, stouter, and decidedly arched. The wings are also longer, as is the tail in a still greater degree. The plu- mage is similar, and presents nearly the same markings, but the colors are much paler, and the lower parts nearly greyish-white. Length 4 2-12ths inches; bill along the ridge 7-12ths; wing from the flexure 2\ inches. A dull whitish band from the upper mandible over the eye ; below brownish-white, tinged with grey ; the sides 484 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. brownish, barred with dusky, lower tail-coverts brownish-white, barred with dusky. The secondary coverts, and the first small co- verts have each a white spot at the tip. CAROLINA or MOCKING WREN. (Troglodytes ludovicianus , Bonap. Acdubo.v, pi. 78. Orn. Bioor. i. p. 399. Sylvia ludoviciana, sp. 150. Lath. Certhia caroliniana, Wil- son, ii. p. 61. pi. 12. fig. 5. Phil. Museum, No. 7248.) Spec. Charact. — Chesnut-brown ; wings and tail with dusky-bars, the coverts tipt with white ; beneath pale rusty, inclining to grey on the throat; the vent white, barred with black ; a whitish stripe over the eye, extending down to the side of the neck. — Female, lighter, without the white on the wing coverts. This remarkable, mimicking, and Musical Wren is a constant resident in the Southern States, from Virginia to Florida, but is rarely seen at any season north of the line CAROLINA OR MOCKING WREN. 485 of Maryland or Delaware, though, attracted by the great river courses, they are abundant from Pittsburg to New Orleans. A few individuals stray, in the course of the spring, as far as the line of New York, and appear in New Jersey and the vicinity of Philadelphia early in the month of May. On the 17th of April, returning from a Southern tour of great extent, I again recognised my old and pleasing acquaintance, by his usual note, near Chester on the Dela- ware, where, I have little doubt, a few remain and pass the summer, retiring to the South only as the weather becomes inclement. On the banks of the Patapsco, near Baltimore their song is still heard to the close of November. Accord- ing to Audubon, the nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in some low and decayed tree, or in a fence-post ; sometimes also in a stable, barn, or out-house. The mate- rials employed are hay, dry grass, and leaves, for the outer part; with a lining of horse-hair, or the capillary dry fibres of the Long-moss ( Tillandsia). Sometimes the nest is 5 or 6 inches deep, but, with the usual precaution of the family, so narrow in the entrance as only to admit of one of the birds at a time. The eggs, 5 to 8, are oval, and greyish-white, spotted with reddish-brown. Like the com- mon species, an individual (probably one of the young birds) has been observed to roost for a time in an old Wood Thrush's nest which had been filled with fallen leaves. They are so prolific as to raise two, and sometimes three broods in a season. Our bird has all the petulance, courage, industry, and familiarity of his particular tribe. He delights to survey the meanders of peaceful streams, and dwell amidst the shady trees which adorn their banks. His choice seems to convey a taste for the picturesque and beautiful in nature, himself, in the fore-ground, forming one of the most pleasing attractions of the scene. Approaching the 41* 480 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. water-fall, he associates with its murmurs the presence of the King-Fisher, and modulating the hoarse rattle of his original into a low, varied, desponding note, he sits on some depending bough by the stream, and calls, at inter- vals, in a slow voice, tee-yurrh tee-yurrh^ or chr'rWWrh. In the tall trees by the silent stream, he recollects the lively, common note of the Tufted Titmouse, and repeats ihe peto peto pcto peet, or his peevish katetedid, katetedid, lcatedid. While gleaning low, amidst fallen leaves and brush-wood, for hiding and dormant insects and worms, he perhaps brings up the note of his industrious neighbor the Ground Robin, and sets to his own sweet and liquid tones the simple toivcet toiceet towcct. The tremulous trill of the Pine Warbler is then recollected, and frWrVVrA is whistled. In the next breath comes his imitation of the large Woodpecker, icoity ivoity icoity and icotchy wotcliy 2cotc7iy, or tshovee tsliovee tslwf, and tsJiooadee tshooadee tshooadcet, then varied to tshuvai tshuvai tshuvat, and toovai'iah toovaiiah toovai'iatoo. Next comes perhaps his more musical and pleasing version of the Blackbird's short song, wottitshee wottitshee wottitshee. To the same smart tune is now set a chosen part of the drawling song of the Meadow Lark,* precedo precedo preceet, then varied rece- do recedo recect and tecedo tecedo teceet ; or changing to a bass key, he tunes sooleet sooteet soot. Once, I heard this indefatigable mimick attempt delightfully the warble of the Bluebird in the month of February. The bold whistle of the Cardinal Bird is another of the sounds he delights to imitate and repeat in his own quaint manner ; such as vit- yu vit-yu vit-yii, and visknu visknu vishnu, then his woitee woitee woitee and wiltee wiltcc wiltee. Soon after I first heard the note of the White-eyed Vireo in March, the * Sturnella ludoviciana. CAROLINA OR MOCKING WREN. 487 Carolina Wren immediately mimicked the note of teeah wewd, wittee weewd. Some of these notes would appear to be recollections of the past season, as imitations of the Maryland Yellow-Throat (wittisee wittisee imttisee ivit, and shewaidit shewaidit shewaidit) not yet heard or arrived within the boundary of the United States. So also his tsherry tshcrry tsherry tshup is one of the notes of the Baltimore Bird, yet in South America. While at Tuscaloosa, about the 20th of February, one of these Wrens, on the borders of a garden, sat and re- peated for some time, tske-icJiiskce whiskee whiskee, then soolait soolait soolait ; another of his phrases is tsJiukddee tshnhddee tshulddeetshoo, and chjibicay chjibway chj~ibicay, uttered quick; the first of these expressions is in imitation of one of the notes of the Scarlet Tanager. Amidst these imitations and variations which seem almost endless, and lead the stranger to imagine himself, even in the depth of winter, surrounded by all the quaint choristers of the summer, there is still, with our capricious and tuneful mimick, a favorite theme more constantly and regularly re- peated than the rest. This was also the first sound that I heard from him, delivered with great spirit, though in the dreary month of January. This sweet and melodious ditty, tsec-toot tsee-toot tsee-toot, and sometimes tsec-toot tsee-toot sect, was usually uttered in a somewhat plaintive or tender strain, varied at each repetition with the most delightful and delicate tones, of which no concep- tion can be formed without experience. That this song has a sentimental air may be conceived from its interpreta- tion by the youths of the country, who pretend to hear it say, sweet-heart sweet-heart sweet ! nor is the illusion more than the natural truth, for, usually, this affectionate ditty is answered by its mate, sometimes in the same note, at others, in a different call. In most cases it will be remark- 488 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. ed, that the phrases of our songster are uttered in 3s ; by this means, it will generally be practicable to distinguish its performance from that of other birds, and particularly from the Cardinal Grosbeak, whose expressions it often closely imitates both in power and delivery. I shall never, I believe, forget the soothing satisfaction and amusement I derived from this little constant and unwearied minstrel, my sole vocal companion through many weary miles of a vast, desolate, and otherwise cheerless wilderness. Yet with all his readiness to amuse by his Protean song, the epitome of all he had ever heard, or recollected, he was still studious of concealment, keeping busily engaged near the ground, or in low thickets in quest of his food ; and when he mounted a log or brush pile, which he had just examined, his color, so similar to the fallen leaves and win- try livery of nature, often prevented me from gaining a glimpse of this wonderful and interesting mimick. Like the preceding species, he has restless activity, and a love for prying into the darkest corners after his prey, and is particularly attached to the vicinity of rivers and wet places, when not surrounded by gloomy shade. His quick and capricious motions, antic jerks, and elevated tail, re- semble the actions of the House Wren. Eager and lively in his contracted flight, before shifting he quickly throws himself forward so as nearly to touch his perch previous to springing from his legs. In Tuscaloosa and other towns in Alabama, he appeared frequently upon the tops of the barns and outhouses, delivering with energy his varied and desultory lay. At Tallahassee, in West Florida, I observed one of these birds chanting near the door of a cottage, and occasionally imitating, in his way, the squalling of the cry- ing child within, so that, like the Mocking Bird, all sounds if novel, contribute to his amusement. bewick's wren. 4S9 The Mimicking Wren is about 5^ inches long, and 7 in alar dimen- sions. Above chesnut-brown, the wings and tail barred with dusky ; a streak of yellowish-white passes over the eye and descends to the sides of the neck ; below that, a streak of reddish brown extends from behind the eye to the shoulder. The chin is yellowish-white or pale grey, the rest of the body below is of a pale rust-color ; the vent white, barred with black. Wing-coverts minutely tipt with white. Legs and feet dusky flesh color. Bill % of an inch long, with the upper mandible bluish-black, the lower lighter. Tail wedge-shaped, the 2 exterior feathers on each side % of an inch shorter. — As in the two preceding species, the feathers of the lower part of the back when parted appear below spotted with white, but broadly tipt above with reddish-brown. BEWICK'S WREN. (Troglodytes Bacickii, Aud. pi. 18. Orn. Biog. i. p. 9G ; and Synop- sis, p. 74.) Spec Charact. — Chesnut-brown; beneath cinereous, inclining to white ; stripe over the eye pale yellowish-brown ; tail long, and rounded, the lateral feathers spotted, and the external barred on the outer webs with black and white. For the discovery of this beautiful species of W r ren, apparently allied to the preceding, with which it seems nearly to agree in size, we are indebted to the indefatigable Audubon, in whose splendid work it is for the first time figured. It was observed by its discoverer, towards the approach of winter, in the lower part of Louisiana. Its manners are very similar to those of other species, but in- stead of a song, at this season, it only uttered a low twitter. Dr. Bachman found this species to be the most prevalent of any other in the mountains of Virginia, particularly about the Salt Sulphur Springs, where they breed and pass the season. The notes bear some resemblance to those of the Winter Wren, being scarcely louder or more connected, 490 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. From its habit of prying into holes and hollow logs, it is supposed to breed in such situations. Mr. Trudeau believes it to breed in Louisiana. In the marshy meadows of the Wahlamet, Mr. Townsend and myself frequently saw this species, accompanied by the young, as early as the month of May. At this time they have much the habit and man- mers of the Marsh Wren, and probably nest in the tussocks of rank grass in which we so frequently saw them gleaning their prey. They were now shy, and rarely seen in the vicinity of our camp. Length 5 inches, alar extent 6£. Wings slenderly barred with dusky. Tail long, the central feathers chesnut, barred with dusky, the rest nearly black, with the outer webs crossed with white. The outer tail-feathers not more than half the length of the middle ones. Legs and bill dusky-brown, the lower mandible paler. ROCK WREN. (Troglodytes obsoletus, Say. Aud. Orn. Biog. 4. p. 443. pi. 360. [female]. Myothera obsoleta, Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p. 6. pi. 1. fig. 2. [male.] Phil. Museum, No. 2420.) Spec. Charact. — Dusky-brownish, waved with paler lines; beneath whitish marked with brown ; tail long and rounded, bordered with ferruginous yellow ; bill one inch long* This large species was discovered near the Arkansa river, in the neighborhood of the Rocky Mountains, by Major Long's exploring party, and first described by Mr. T. Say. The individual was a male, obtained in the month of July. The only note at this time heard from it was harsh like the voice of the Tern, (probably a note of alarm from the parent in cautioning its young). It appeared to inhabit a sterile district devoid of trees, hopped along the ground, or flitted through the branches of the low stunted ROCK WREN. 491 junipers which bordered the river, in small families of five or six individuals. While thus engaged, it spread out its tail, but showed no inclination to climb, perching merely in the usual manner of the other Wrens. On the 21st of June, 1834, on the ledges of the bluffs which border the bottom of Ham's Fork of the Siskadee (or Colorado of the West), I heard, and at length saw this curious Mountain Wren. Its actions are those of the Caro- lina species, ( Troglodytes ludovicianus). The old female (as I supposed) sat upon a ledge of rock at the head of a high ravine in the bluff, cocking her tail and balancing her- self, at the same time uttering a cluirr, cJiurr, and tc aigh, with a strong guttural accent, and now and then, when ap- proached, like the common Short-billed Marsh Wren, (Tro- glodytes brevirostris), a quick, guttural tshe de de. It has also a shrill call at times, as it perches on a stone on the summit of some hill, again similar to the note of the Caro- lina Wren, occasionally interrupted by a cliurr. Among these arid and bare hills of the central table-land they were quite common. The old ones were feeding and watching a brood of four or five young, which, though fully grown, were protected and cherished with the querulous assiduity so characteristic of the other Wrens. They breed under the rocky ledges where we so constantly observed them, beneath which they sculk at once when surprised, and per- tinaciously hide in security, like so many rats. Indeed, so suddenly do they disappear among the rocks, and remain so silent in their retreat, that it is scarcely possible to believe them beneath your feet, till after the lapse of a few minutes you hear a low, cautious chirp, and the next instant, at the head of the ravine, the old female probably again appears, scolding, and jerking in the most angry attitudes she is ca- pable of assuming. In the same rocky retreats they are commonly accompanied by a kind of small striped Ground 492 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Squirrel, like that of the eastern coast in many respects, but much smaller. These little animals, which are nume- rous, the White-chinned Buzzard, (Butco vulgaris of Rich- ardson and Swaixso.v,) and the Raven frequently hover over and pounce upon. We met with this species as far west as the lowest falls of the Columbia, or within a few miles of Fort Vancouver, but among rocks and cliffs, as usual. The Rock Wren is 6 inches long. The bill about an inch from the corner of the mouth to the point, is very slender, and of a dark color. The feet are dusky ; the tarsus § of an inch. Iris dark brown. Above dusky -brownish, slightly undulated with pale lines, and tinted on the top of the head and upper part of the back with dull ferruginous. Sides of the head dull whitish, a brown line passing through the eye. Beneath whitish, with pale brown lines, except the belly, which is wholly white, and the flanks slightly tinged with ferruginous. The primaries spotless ; tail-coverts pale, with fuscous bands ; inferior tail-coverts white with dark brown bands. Tail nearly 2 inches, rounded, and obsoletely bended. SPOTTED GREY WREN. (Troglodytes maculosa, Nobis.) Spec. Charact. — Above cinereous-grey; side of the throat and breast with whitish spots. Ox the 4th of July, 1834, in the thick forests of Point Chinhook, near the estuary of the Columbia, I saw and heard this melodious W r ren, which has a very protracted and sweet note, trilling and quavering in the usual manner of this family of birds. On the 13th of April in the follow- ing year, I again saw this little active Wren, in a thicket near the village of Santa Barbara, in Upper California. At my approach the male uttered his usual jarring scold, and at intervals rose to the branches of the bushes, elevating and depressing the tail and uttering at this time an uncouth guttural and querulous song. SHORT-BILLED MARSH-WREN. 493 § Thryothorus, (Marsh-Wrens.) These birds scarcely merit any separation from the preceding, dif- fering merely in their habits ; their feet, better formed for climbing among reeds and rank herbage, have all the toes nearly of equal length, the middle one only a trifle longer, and the hinder toe more robust ; the claws, however, are all long, slender, and very sharp. There is no sensible difference in the bill of these from the preceding section, except that it may be a little more slender. The spurious feather in the wings is the same as in the true Wrens. These birds frequent, and live exclusively in watery and enswamp- ed situations, sometimes among reeds, which they grasp, and ascend by hops. Their voice is less musical than in the birds of the preced- ing section, but not without some degree of similar harmonious mod- ulation They are peculiar to America, and extend to the extremity of the South American hemisphere. SHORT-BILLED MARSH-WREN. (Troglodytes 'brevirostris, Nobis. Head in Acad. Nat. Sc. Philadel. Transactions of the American Academy, v. p. 98, with a figure. Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 427, and Synop. p. 77.) 42 494 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Spec. Charact. — Bill shorter than the head, which is striated; above? dark brown, varied with rufous and whitish; beneath, except the white throat and centre of the breast, pale rufous; wings barred. This amusing and not unmusical little species inhabits the lowest marshy meadows, but does not frequent the reed-flats. It never visits cultivated grounds, and is at all times shy, timid, and suspicious. It arrives in this part of Massachusetts about the close of the first week in May, and retires to the South by the middle of September at farthest, probably by night, as it is never seen in progress, so that its northern residence is only prolonged about four months. In winter they are seen from South Carolina to Texas. Its presence is announced by its lively and quaint song of 'tsh 'tship, a day day day day, delivered in haste and earnest at short intervals, either when he is mounted on a tuft of sedge, or while perching on some low bush near the skirt of the marsh. The 'tsh 'tship is uttered with a strong aspiration, and the remainder with a guttural echo, while thus engaged, his head and tail are alternately de- pressed and elevated, as if the little odd performer were fixed on a pivot. Sometimes the note varies to 'tship 'tship 'tshia, dti dti dh' dh' , the latter part being a pleasant trill. When approached too closely, which nut often happened, as he permitted me to come within two or three feet of his station, his song becomes harsh and more hurried, like 'tship da del da, and de, de, de de d' d' dh, or tshe de de de de, rising into an angry, petulant cry, which is sometimes also a low hoarse and scolding daigh daigh ; then again on invading the nest, the sound sinks to a plaintive 'tsh tship, 'tsh tship. In the early part of the breeding season, the male is very lively and musical, and in his best humor he tunes up a 'tship 'tship tship a dee, with a pleasantly warbled and reiterated de. At a later period, another SHORT-BILLED MARSH-WREN. 495 male uttered little else than a hoarse and guttural daigh, hardly louder than the croaking of a frog. When ap- proached they repeatedly descend into the grass, where they spend much of their time in quest of insects, chiefly crustaceous, which, with moths, constitute their principal food ; here unseen they still sedulously utter their quaint warbling; and tship tship a day day day day, may, for about a month from their arrival, be heard pleasantly echoing on a fine morning from the borders of every low marsh and wet meadow, provided with tussucks of sedge- grass, in which they indispensably dwell, for a time en- gaged in the cares and gratification of raising and provi- ding for their young;. O JO The nest of the Short-Billed Marsh-Wren is made wholly of dry, or partly green sedge, bent usually from the top of the grassy tuft in which the fabric is situated. With much ingenuity and labor these simple materials are loosely en- twined together into a spherical form, with a small and rather obscure entrance left in the side ; a thin lining is sometimes added to the whole, of the linty fibres of the silk weed, or some other similar material. The eggs, pure white, and destitute of spots, are probably from 6 to 8. In a nest containing 7 eggs, there were 3 of them larger than the rest, and perfectly fresh, while the 4 smaller were far advanced towards hatching; from this circumstance we may fairly infer that two different individuals had laid in the same nest; a circumstance more common among wild birds than is generally imagined. This is also the more remarkable, as the male of this species, like many other Wrens, is much employed in making nests, of which not more than one in three or four are ever occupied by the females ! The summer limits of this species, confounded with the ordinary Marsh-Wren, are yet unascertained ; and 496 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. it is singular to remark how near it approaches to an- other species inhabiting the temperate parts of the south- ern hemisphere in America, namely, the Sylvia platen- sis, figured and indicated by Button. The description, however, of this bird, obtained by Commerson on the banks of La Plata, is too imperfect for certainty. It was found probably in a marshy situation, as it entered the boat in which he was sailing. The time of arrival and departure in this species, agreeing exactly with the appearance of the Marsh-Wren of Wilson, appears to prove that it also exists in Pennsylvania with the following, whose migration, according to Audubon, is more than a month earlier and later than that of our bird. Mr. Cooper, however, has not been able to meet with it in the vicinity of New York ; but Dr. Trudeau found its nest in the marshes of the Delaware. The Short-Billed Marsh-Wren is about Ah, inches long. The bill £ an inch from the tip to the gape of the mouth. Above blackish- brown, varied with white and rufous, chiefly along the shafts of the feathers; top of the head also lined. Wings dusky, conspicuously barred with whitish and rufous on the outer webs, 3d and 4th prima- ries longest and nearly equal to each other. Upper tail-coverts, ele- gantly harred with the three colors above mentioned. Tail rounded, barred with dusky and rufous grey. Below, centre of the breast and throat, white ; sides of the breast, belly, and vent pale rust-color ; beneath the wings the flanks are faintly barred, the feathers having a single subterminal band. Legs and feet pale brownish flesh-color; claws scarcely more than half the length of those of the common Marsh- Wren. Bill rather dusky above, pale beneath, considerably curved, but much compressed at the sides. — The female and young scarcely distinguishable from the adult male. MARSH-WREN. {Troglodytes palustris, Bonap. Audubon, pi. 100. Orn. Biog. vol. i. p. 500. T. arujidinacevs, Vieill. Orn. Amer. pi. 108. p. 55. Cer- thia palustris, Wilson, ii. p. 58. pi. 12. fig. 4. Phil. Museum, No. 7282.) MARSH-WREN. 497 Spec. Charact. — Dark brown ; crown dusky brown ; neck and back the same, streaked with whitish ; a white stripe over the eye ; be- neath silvery-whitish, the vent only tinged with pale brown ; bill | of an inch. This retiring inhabitant of marshes and the wet and sedgy borders of rivers, arrives in the Middle States of the Union early in April, and retires to the south about the middle of October. According to Audubon many individuals of this species pass the winter near the shores of West Florida, and the estuaries of the Mississippi. They are scarcely found to the north of the state of New York, their place, in New England, being usually occupied by the preceding species, though a few individuals are known to breed in the marshes near Cambridge and Boston ; westward they were met with on the banks of the Missouri, within the wooded region, by Mr. Say, and we observed them about the middle of July on Lewis's river of the Shoshonee in a marsh near Fort Hall. It is a re- markably active and quaint little species, skipping and diving about with great activity after its insect food and their larvae among the rank grass and rushes, near ponds, and the low banks of rivers, where alone it affects to dwell, laying no claims to the immunities of the habitable circle of man ; but content with its favorite marshes ; neglected and seldom seen, it rears its young in security. The song of this species, according to the observations of a friend, is very similar to that of the preceding, a sort of short, tremulous, and hurried warble. Its notes were even yet heard in an island of the Delaware, opposite to Phila- delphia, as late as the month of September, where they were still in plenty in this secluded asylum. Towards the close of the breeding season, the song often falls off into a low guttural bubbling sound, which appears almost like an effort of ventriloquism. 42* 493 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. The nest, according to Wilson, is generally suspended among the reeds, and securely tied to them at a sufficient height above the access of the highest tides. It is formed of wet rushes well intertwisted together, mixed with mud, and fashioned into the form of a cocoa nut, having a small orifice left in the side for entrance. The inside is lined with fine, soft grass, sometimes with feathers, and the out- side, when hardened by the sun, resists all the injuries of the weather. The principal material of this nest, as in the preceding species, is, however, according to Audubon, the leaves of the sedge-grass, on a tussuck of which it also occasionally rests. The eggs are commonly 6 to 8, of a dark fawn, or almost mahogany color. The young quit the nest about the 20th of June, and they generally have a second brood in the course of the season. From the number of empty nests found in the vicinity of the resi- dence of the Marsh Wren, it is pretty evident that it is also much employed in the usual superfluous or capricious labor of the genus. The pugnacious character of the males, indeed, forbids the possibility of so many nests being amicably occupied in the near neighborhood in which they are commonly found. The Marsh-Wren is a little more than 4\ inches long. The tail is short, rounded and barred with blackish ; the wings slightly barred ; the sides of the neck are mottled with touches of a light clay-color on a whitish ground; the rump is also faintly spotted. The legs and feet aie pale brownish yellow, and large for the size of the bird ; the tarsus is | of an inch ; the nails very long, slender, sharp, and arched ; the hind one particularly long, and the toe itself stout, the middle toe but slightly exceeds the lateral ones. The bill slender, and greatly curved ; the upper mandible dark brown, the lower testa- ceous, and paler brown towards the tip. Tongue sharp-pointed, at- tenuated, and entire. Iris hazel. KINGLETS. 499 SYLVIAN^ WARBLERS. Bill moderate, slender, a little broader than high at the base, decli- nate, nearly straight, acute, notches small. Nostrils basal, 2d and 4th toe nearly equal, 3d longer, adherent at the base. Bristles short or weak. First quill very small, *2d, 3d, and 4lh longest. This is a numerous family in Europe, but in North America confined to the two following dissimilar genera. REGULUS. (Cuvier.) KINGLETS. In these birds the bill is short, straight, very slender, subulate, compressed from the base, and narrowed in the middle, furnished with bristles at the base, and with the edges somewhat bent in ; the upper mandible is slenderly notched, and a little curved at the tip. Nostrils basal, oval, half closed by a membrane, and additionally covered also with 2 small projecting, rigid, and decompound feath- ers. Tongue bristly at the tip. The feet slender ; tar- sus longer than the middle toe ; lateral toes nearly equal with each other ; the inner one free ; the hind toe stout- est, and furnished with a larger and thicker nail. — ~\Vings short, rather acute, with the spurious feather very short ; the 3d and 4th primaries longest ; the 1st and 7th equal. Tail notched. The female differs but little from the male ; but the young are con- siderably duller in color. They moult annually. The plumage lonff and somewhat bristly ; tbe head is ornamented with a brilliant spot on the crown. These arc among the smallest of birds in temperate climates, and withstand the rii_ r <>r of winter, but migrate, as it ad- vances, to more temperate countries. In summer they penetrate into the arctic regions, and are possessed of great activitv. being un- weariedly diligent in pursuit of small Hying insects, and in collecting their eggs and larvae. Like the Titmouse they are seen vaulting on 500 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. the extreme twigs of trees, and prying in all directions for their lurking prey. The nest is constructed with great art, and affixed to depending branches. They have one or two broods in a season ; and the eggs are sometimes as many as 12. They inhabit the north of both continents, migrating indifferently probably through either. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. (Regulus calendula, Licht. Bonap. Sylvia calendula, Wilson, i. p. 83, pi. 5. fig. 3. Aud. pi. 195. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 54G. Phil. Museum, No. 7244.) Spec. Charact. — Olivaceous; beneath whitish; crown vermilion, and without the black margin. This beautiful little species passes the summer and breeding season in the colder parts of the North Ameri- can continent, penetrating even to the dreary coasts of Greenland, where, as well as around Hudson's Bay, and Labrador, they rear their young in solitude, and obtain abundance of the diminutive flying insects, gnats, and cynips, on which, with small caterpillars, they and their young delight to feed. In the months of October, and November, the approach of winter in their natal regions stimulates them to migrate towards the South, when they arrive in the Eastern and Middle States, and fre- quent in a familiar and unsuspicious manner the gardens and orchards : how far they proceed to the south is un- certain. On the 12th of January I observed them near Charleston, South Carolina, with companies of Sylvias, busily darting through the evergreens in swampy situa- tions, in quest of food, probably minute larvae. About the first week in March I again observed them in West Florida in great numbers, busily employed for hours to- RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 501 gether in the tallest trees, some of which were already unfolding their blossoms, such as the maples and oaks. About the beginning of April they are seen in Pennsyl- vania on their way to the dreary limits of the continent, where they only arrive towards the close of May, so that in the extremity of their range they do not stay more than three months. AVilson, it would appear, sometimes met with them in Pennsylvania even in summer ; but, as far as I can learn, they are never observed in Massachu- setts at that season ; and with their nest and habits of incubation we are unacquainted. In the fall they seek society apparently with the Titmouse and Golden-Crested Kinglet, with whom they are intimately related in habits, manners, and diet; the whole forming a busy, silent, rov- ing company, with no object in view but that of incessantly gleaning their now scanty and retiring prey. So eagerly, indeed, are they engaged at this time, that scarcely feeling sympathy for each other, or willing to die any death but that of famine, they continue almost uninterruptedly to hunt through the same tree from which their unfortu- nate companions have just fallen by the destructive gun. They only make at this time, occasionally, a feeble chirp, and take scarcely any alarm, however near they are ob- served. Audubon met with this species breeding in Labra- dor, but did not discover the nest; its song, he remarks, is fully as sonorous as that of the Canary, as powerful and clear, and even more varied. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a little more than 4 inches long, and 6 in alar extent. Above green-olive. Wini_ r s and tail dusky greyish- brown, edged with olive-yellow; secondaries and first row of wing- coverts edged and tipt with whitish. The hind bead ornamented with a vermilion spot ; round the eye a ring of yellowish-white. Beneath yellowish- white. Legs and feet dusky brown. The colors of the female are less lively. 502 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. CUVIER'S CRESTED KINGLET. (Regvlus Cuvicrii, Audubon, pi. 55. Orn. Biog. i. p. 238.) Spf.c. Charact. — Cinereous olivaceous, beneath greyish-white; crown vermilion, anteriorly margined with black; cheeks cine- reous, a black band from the front, though the eyes. This is another interesting addition to the North American Fauna, which we owe to the talent and supe- rior devotion to ornithology of its celebrated discoverer. No species can be better marked or more strikingly dis- tinguished. It has the ruby-crown of R. calendula, with the black border of the I\. tricolor. The only specimen yet known was shot by its describer, on the 8th of June, on the banks of the Schuylkill, not far from Philadelphia. Its manners appeared similar to those of the preceding species. Length A\ inches, alar extent 6. Front, and line through the eye extending to the back of the neck, black. Wings and tail dusky, edged with yellowish-white ; two narrow short bars of white across the wings ; alula dusky. Vent yellowish-white. Legs and feet yel- lowish-brown. Bill black, slender, and subulate, brighter at its base. Iris hazel. AMERICAN FIERY-CROWNED KINGLET. (Regains "tricolor. Arc Orn. Biog. ii. p. 476. pi. 183. Sylvia regulus, Wu son, i. p. 126. pi. 8. fig. 2. [male]. Bonaf. i. p. 22. pi. 2. fig. 4. [female].) Spec. Charact. — Yellowish-olive ; beneath whitish, tinged with olive-grey ; cheeks greyish-white ; crown flame-colored, bordered with yellow and black; bill slender and rather short. Length more than 4 inches. — Female, beneath greyish-white ; crown lemon yellow. — Young male, with the crown golden-yellow. Tins diminutive bird is found, according to the season, not only throughout North America, but even in the West Indies. A second species with a Fiery Crest (22. ignicar pillus), and a third indigenous to Asia, are very nearly re- lated to the present; the first having been generally con- founded with it, or considered as a variety of the same species. Learned ornithologists have referred our bird without hesitation to the Fiery-crested Wren, with which, however, it only agrees in the brilliance of the crown ; and, instead of being less, is indeed larger than the true Golden- crested species. Like the former, they appear associated 504 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. only in pairs, and are seen on their southern route, in this part of Massachusetts, a few days in October, and about the middle of the month, or a little earlier or later accord- ing to the setting in of the season, as they appear to fly before the desolating storms of the northern regions, whither they retire about May to breed. Some of these birds re- main in Pennsylvania until December or January, proceed- ing probably but little farther south during the winter. They are not known to reside in any part of New England, retiring to the same remote and desolate limits of the farthest north with the preceding species, of which they have most of the habits. They are actively engaged during their transient visits to the South in gleaning up insects and their lurking larva?, for which they perambulate the branches of trees of various kinds, frequenting gardens and orchards, and skipping and vaulting from the twigs, sometimes head downwards like the Chicadee, with whom they often keep company, making only now and then a feeble chirp. They appear at this time to search chiefly after spiders and dormant concealed coleopterous or shelly insects; they are also said to feed on small berries, and some kinds of seeds, which they break open by pecking with the bill in the manner of the Titmouse. They like- wise frequent the sheltered cedar and pine woods, in which they probably take up their roost at night. Early in April they are seen on their return to the north in Pennsylvania: at this time they dart among the blossoms of the maple and elm in company with the preceding species, and appear more volatile and actively engaged in seizing small flies on the wing, and collecting minute, lurking caterpillars from the opening leaves. On the 21st of May, (1835), I ob- served this species feeding its full fledged young in a tall pine tree on the banks of the Columbia river. In England the Golden Crested Wren abides throughout AMERICAN FIERY-CROWNED KINGLET. 505 the year; but though in Scotland they breed in the Orkneys, at the approach of winter they migrate to the Shetland islands over sea, a distance of GO miles ; yet, according to Mr. CEdman, they sustain themselves through the winter in the pine forests of Sweden. At the period of breeding they are said to sing melodiously, but weaker than the common Wren. The nest is built usually towards the extremities of the branches of the pine and fir, being of a spherical form, with a small entry at the side ; it is exter- nally formed of moss and lichen, and lined with downy substances, and filaments, believed to be cobwebs, or pro- bably silk of caterpillars or cocoons. The eggs, scarcely larger than peas, are from 6 to 12, dusky yellowish white, with very minute points or reddish spots, scarcely distin- guishable except on narrow inspection. Like the Tit- mouse, for some time, the whole busy family hunt in company, and appear very lively, active, and amusing. The American Golden-crested Kinglet is from 4 to 4£ inches long, the female 3|, or thereabouts. Above yellow-olive, with the hind head and sides of the neck inclining to ash ; a dull whitish line, passing round the frontlet, extends over and beyond the eye on either side ; above passes a broadish stripe of deep black in the same manner ; the inner webs and tips of the interior of these dark feathers are of a bright lemon-yellow, forming a line of that color, and the lowest of these feathers on the front are almost wholly of the same yellow ; the inner crown then presents a bed of rich fame color, which passes over the top of the head. The lateral black and particolored feathers are much the longest, and the two tufts are capable of widening or ap- proaching, so as at will either to display or conceal the splendor of the crown. From the upper mandible to the bottom of the ear-feathers runs a line of black, accompanied by another which is whitish, from the lower mandible. Beneath greyish-white inclining to yellow. Wings and tail dusky, edged with yellow-olive, edges of the inner vanes of the former whitish ; greater wing-coverts dusky, tipped with white, and edged with olive, forming a whitish bar on the wing; another smaller bar appears also near the shoulder, formed by the tips of the upper coverts ; immediately below the greater white bar there 43 506 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. is a large dark spot on the secondaries, below which the same feathers continue to be edged with olive. Tail rather long and forked. Legs brownish-yellow, feet and claws yellow. Bill black and slender, widish and depressed at the base. The nostrils, as usual, covered each by a decompound, recumbent feather. — The female is much more dusky, and dull whitish beneath. SIALIA. (Swains.) BLUE BIRDS. The bill rather robust, short, and cleft to the eyes, about as wide as high at the base ; upper mandible rounded, carinated towards the base, notched and curved at the tip, the lower scarcely shorter, straight, compressed at the sides. Tongue cartilaginous, shortly lacerate at the base, and emarginate at the point. Nostrils basal, open, oval, partly obstructed by an internal tubercle, the nasal fosse extensive and depressed. Tarsus rather robust, a little shorter than the middle toe ; inner toe free ; the hind one stoutest, longer than the nail. Wings rather long and acute ; 1st and 2d primaries longest, the 3d scarcely short- er ; (spurious feather about an inch long.) The Blue-Birds are usually familiar, dwell much in trees, forming the nest in their hollow trunks, with a coarse lining of dry grass or hay ; they lay 5 or 6 pale blue and spotless eggs; live on coleopter- ous insects, grasshoppers, worms, and berries, in the manner of the Thrush, possessing the same pleasing and musical voice. They do not affect solitude or retirement ; our common species often takes possession of an artificial box near the house or barn, and flits along the public path, in preference to the woods or secluded retreats. BLUE-BIRD. (Sialia Wilsonsii, Swaikson. Aid. pi. 113. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 84. Sylvia sialis, Wilson, i. p. 5G. pi. 3. fig. 3. [male.] Saxicola sialis, Boxap. Ann. Lye. ii. p. 88.) Spec. Charact. — Blue; beneath ferruginous; the belly whitish. — Female dull blue. — Young, dusky, spotted with white ; beneath greyish white, clouded with dusky ; wings and tail bluish. This well known and familiar favorite inhabits almost the whole eastern side of the continent of America, from the 48th parallel to the very line of the tropics. Some appear to migrate in winter to the Bermudas and Bahama islands, though most of those which pass the summer in the North only retire to the Southern States, or the table land of Mex- ico. In South Carolina and Georgia they were abundant in January and February, and even on the 12th and 2Sth of the former month, the weather being mild, a few of these wan- derers warbled out their simple notes from the naked limbs of the long-leaved pines. Sometimes they even pass the winter in Pennsylvania, or at least make their appearance 508 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. with almost every relenting of the severity of the winter or warm gleam of thawing sunshine. From this circumstance of their roving about in quest of their scanty food, like the hard-pressed and hungry Robin Red-Breast, who by de- grees gains such courage from necessity, as to enter the cottaore for his allowed crumbs ; it has without foundation been supposed that our Blue-Bird, in the intervals of his absence, passes the tedious and stormy time in a state of dormancy; but it is more probable that he flies to some sheltered glade, some warm and more hospitable situation, to glean his frugal fare from the berries of the cedar, or the wintry fruits which still remain ungathered in the swamps. Defended from the severity of the cold, he now also, in all probability, roosts in the hollows of decayed trees, a situa- tion which he generally chooses for the site of his nest. In the South, at this cheerless season, they are seen to feed on the glutinous berries of the misletoe, the green-briar, and the sumach. Content with their various fare, and little affected by the extremes of heat and cold, they breed and spend the summer from Labrador to Natches, if not to Mex- ico, where great elevation produces the most temperate and mild of climates. They are also abundant, at this season, to the west of the Mississippi, in the territories of the Mis- souri and Arkansas. In the Middle and Northern States, the return of the Blue-Bird to his old haunts round the barn and the orchard, is hailed as the first agreeable presage of returning spring, and he is no less a messenger of grateful tidings to the farmer, than an agreeable, familiar, and useful companion to all. Though sometimes he makes a still earlier flitting visit, from the 3d to the middle of March he comes hither as a permanent resident, and is now accompanied by his mate, who immediately visits the box in the garden, or the hollow in the decayed orchard tree, which has served as BLUE-BIRD. 509 the cradle of preceding generations of his kindred. Af- fection and jealousy, as in the contending and related Thrushes, have considerable influence over the Blue-Bird. He seeks perpetually the company of his mate, caresses and soothes her with his amorous song, to which she faintly re- plies ; and, like the faithful Rook, seeks occasion to show his gallantry by feeding her with some favorite insect. If a rival make his appearance, the attack is instantaneous, the intruder is driven with angry chattering from the pre- cincts he has chosen, and he now returns to warble out his notes of triumph by the side of his cherished consort. The business of preparing and cleaning out the old nest or box now commences ; and even in October, before they bid farewell to their favorite mansion, on fine days, influenced by the anticipation of the season, they are often observed to go in and out of the box as if examining and planning out their future domicil. Little pains, however, are requisite for the protection of the hardy young ; and a substantial lining of hay, and now and then a few feathers, is all that is prepared for the brood beyond the natural shelter of the chosen situation. As the Martin and House Wren seek out the favor and convenience of the box, contests are not unfrequent with the parties for exclusive possession ; and the latter, in various clandestine ways, exhibits his envy and hostility to the favored Blue-Bird. The eggs are 5 or G, of a very pale blue, and without spots. As they are very pro- lific, and constantly paired, they often raise 2 and some- times probably 3 broods in the season ; the male taking the youngest under his affectionate charge, while the female is engaged in the act of incubation. Their principal food consists of insects, particularly beetles, and other shelly kinds ; they are also fond of spiders and grasshoppers, for which they often, in com- pany with their young, in autumn, descend to the earth, 43* 510 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. in open pasture fields or waste grounds. Like our Thrushes, they, early in spring, also collect the common wire-worm, or lulus, for food, as well as other kinds of insects, which they commonly watch for, while perched on the fences or low boughs of trees, and dart after them to the ground as soon as perceived. They are not, how- ever, flycatchers, like the Sylvicolas and 3Iuscicapas } but are rather industrious searchers for subsistence, like the Thrushes, whose habits they wholly resemble in their mode of feeding. In the autumn, they regale themselves on various kinds of berries, as those of the sour gum, wild cherry, and others ; and later in the season, as win- ter approaches, they frequent the red cedars and several species of sumach for their berries, eat persimmons in the middle States, and many other kinds of fruits, and even seeds, the latter of which never enter into the diet of the proper Flycatchers. They have also, occasionally, in a state of confinement, been reared and fed on soaked bread and vegetable diet, on which they thrive as well as the Robin. The song of the Blue-Bird, which continues almost un- interruptedly from March to October, is a soft, rather feeble, but delicate and pleasing warble, often repeated at various times of the day, but most frequently in early spring, when the sky is serene, and the temperature mild and cheering. At this season, before the earnest Robin pours out his more energetic lay from the orchard tree or fence-rail, the simple song of this almost domestic favorite is heard nearly alone ; and if, at length, he be rivaled, at the dawn of day, by superior and bolder songsters, he still relieves the silence of later hours, by his unwearied and affectionate attempts to please and accompany his devoted mate. All his energy is poured out into this simple ditty, and with an ecstatic feeling of delight he often raises and BLUE-BIRD. 511 quivers his wings like the Mocking Orpheus ; and, amidst his striving rivals in song, exerts his utmost powers to introduce variety into his unborrowed and simple strain. On heark- ening some time to his notes, an evident similarity to the song of the Thrush is observable, but the accents are more weak, faltering, and inclining to the plaintive. As in many other instances, it is nearly impossible to give any approx- imating idea of the expression of warbled sounds by words, yet their resemblance to some quaint expressions, in part, may not be useless, as an attempt to recall to memory these pleasing associations with native harmony ; so the Blue- Bird, often, at the commencement of his song, seems ten- derly to call in a whistled tone 'hear — 'hear buty, buty ? or merely hear — buty, and instantly follows this interroga- tory call with a soft and warbling trill. So much is this sound like that which they frequently utter, that on whist- ling the syllables in their accent, even in the cool days of autumn, when they are nearly silent, they often resume the answer in sympathy. During the period of incubation, the male becomes much more silent, and utters his notes principally in the morning. More importantly engaged, in now occasionally feeding his mate as well as himself, and perhaps desirous of securing the interesting occupa- tion of his devoted consort, he avoids betraying the resort of his charge by a cautious and silent interest in their fate. Gentle, peaceable, and familiar, when undisturb- ed, his society is courted by every lover of rural scenery, and it is not uncommon for the farmer to furnish the Blue-Bird with a box as well as the Martin, in return for the pleasure of his company, the destruction he makes upon injurious insects, and the cheerfulness of his song. Confident in this protection, he shows but little alarm for his undisturbed tenement; while, in the remote orchard, expecting no visitor but an enemy, in company with his 512 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. anxious mate, he bewails the approach of the intruder, and flying round his head and hands, appears, by his actions, to call down all danger upon himself rather than suffer any injury to arrive to his helpless brood. Towards autumn, in the month of October, his cheerful song nearly ceases, or is now changed into a single plain- tive note of tshay-wit, while he passes with his flitting companions over the fading woods; and as his song first brought the welcome intelligence of spring, so now his melancholy plaint presages, but too truly, the silent and mournful decay of nature. Even when the leaves have fallen, and the forest no longer affords a shelter from the blast, the faithful Blue-Bird still lingers over his native fields, and only takes his departure in November, when, at a considerable elevation, in the early twilight of the morn- ing, till the opening of the day, they wing their w T ay in small roving troops to some milder regions in the South. But yet, after this period, in the Middle States, with every return of moderate weather, we hear his sad note in the fields, or in the air, as if deploring the ravages of winter; and so frequent are his visits, that he may be said to follow fair weather through all his wanderings till the permanent return of spring. The Blue-Bird is about 7h inches long. The wings remarkably full and broad. Above a rich sky-blue. Inner vanes of the quills and their shafts dusky, the outer blue. Beneath ferruginous ; belly and vent white. Bill and legs black. Inside of the mouth and soles of the feet yellow ; the claws very sharp. Iris golden. — The female is of much duller colors both above and beneath ; the whole back and head, except the wings, is almost of a lead-color, with faint tints only of blue. — From an accidental injury to the upper mandible. I have seen a specimen in which the bill was much lengthened and nearly crossed, as in the Locia. WESTERN BLUE-BIRD. 513 WESTERN BLUE-BIRD. {Sialia occidentalis, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. vol. 7. p. 188. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 41. pi. 393. f. 4, 5. Sialia vicxicana? Swains.) Spec. Charact. — Bright blue; shoulders and lower part of the breast, chesnut-rufous ; chin and upper part of the breast azure; belly and vent tinged with blue. — Female and young, greyish, faintly tinged with blue ; beneath pale rufous and grey. The Western Blue-Bird possesses many of the habits of our common kind. The male is equally tuneful through- out the breeding season. Mounting some projecting branch of an oak or low pine, he delivers his delightful ditty with great energy, extending his wings, and exerting all his powers as it were to amuse his sitting mate, or to allure attention to his short, often repeated, but thrilling lay. In the midst of all this charming employment economy is rarely forgotten, and a crawling beetle or busy insect is no sooner seen than snatched up by our still watchful song- ster, who resumes his wonted perch, to be again interrupt- ed by the cares of providing a subsistence ; or, reiterating his melody, strives to drown the song of some neighboring rival by tender strains and more earnest endeavors. He appears also equally solicitous with our common species to show his affection for his mate, whom he constantly ac- companies, feeds, and caresses, with an ardor of affection seldom rivalled. His song is more varied, sweet, and ten- der than that of the common Sialia, and very different in many of its expressions. In the small rocky prairies of the Columbia, near its bank, where I first saw and heard this species, they were exceedingly shy, probably in conse- quence of the presence of birds of prey, which prowled around, and it was with difficulty that we got sight of them ; but afterwards, in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, in 514 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Upper California, [ saw them in considerable numbers, and very familiar at this time (April) their nests in the knot- holes of the oaks which abound in the neighboring plains. We first met a flock of young birds alone, in the winter, near to Fort Vancouver, flitting through the tall fir trees, like so many timorous and silent winter passengers. These had so much the appearance of the young of the common species, that for some time we paid little attention to them ; but their silence, the absence of the usual complaints of tshaywit, &c. and at length their different notes, convinced me of their being distinct, previous to any examination of their plumage. This species, unlike the Sialia arctica, does not extend to the mountains, but seems constantly to affect similar situations with our common kinds along the coast of the Pacific, as ours does along that of the Atlan- tic. Length 7 inches. Bill along the ridge nearly h, an inch. Wing from the flexure almost 4h inches. Bill and feet black. Bright blue, approaching ultramarine ; a broad bind across the fore part of the back, and scapulars, chesnut. Tail and wings dusky brown edged with blue and whitish. Sides and fore part of the neck light blue, tinged with grey ; the fore part of the breast and the sides light chesnut; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white tinged with blue. ARCTIC BLUE-BIRD. (Sialia arctica, Nobis. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 38. pi. 393. f. 2, 3. Ery- thaca arctica, Swains. North. Zool. ii. p. 209. pi. 39.) Spec. Charact. — Blue; beneath greenish-olive, and whitish on the lower part of the belly and under tail-coverts. __ Of this beautiful and distinct species, only a single spe- cimen was procured by the Arctic Expedition, and this was shot at Fort Franklin, near Great Bear Lake, in lati- ARCTIC BLUE-BIRD. 515 tude 04^°, July, 1S25. It appeared to be a mere summer straggler, and nothing was learnt respecting its habits. About 50 or GO miles north-west of the usual crossing place of that branch of the Platte called Larimie's Fork, in the early part of June, this species of Sialia was not uncommon. The female utters a low plaint when her nest is approached, the place for which is indifferently chosen in a hole in a clay clift, or in that of the trunk of a decayed cedar. At this time the young were hatched. The nest is made of the usual material of dry grass in a very insig- nificant quantity. They are more shy than the common species, and have the same mode of feeding by watching on some low bush or plant, and descending for an insect. We afterwards saw a nest of this species on a cliff of the Sandy River, a branch of the Colorado of the West. The female and male were both feeding their brood. The for- mer chirped and appeared uneasy at my approach, and at intervals uttered a plaintive ye'ow. The male sings more quaintly and monotonously than the common kind, but in the same general warbling tone and manner. Mr. Townsend and myself observed them in the winter at Fort Vancouver, associated with the preceding species, but these were chiefly small migrating flights of the young which had been bred probably far in the interior. Length 7\ inches. Bill along the ridge h an inch. Wing from the flexure a little more than Ah, inches. Bill and feet black. Wings long, 1st quill very small, 2d a twelfth shorter than the 3d which is longest, which but little exceeds the 4th. Tail deeply emarginate. Above light azure blue, approaching to smalt. Sides of the head, fore part and sides of the neck, and the anterior half of the breast, light greenish-blue. Abdomen and lower tail-coverts greyish-white. The bill a little longer than in the Common Blue-Bird. 516 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. MOTACILLIN.E WAGTAILS. Bill of moderate length, straight, slender, a little broader than high, declinate, nostrils small. Toes slender, the late- ral equal, outer adherent at the base, hind toe rather large, generally with a very long claw. Wings long and pointed. — Allied to the Larks, with which they agree in some of their habits. ANTHUS. (Beciit.) or TITLARK PIPIT. In these birds the bill is straight, slender, cylindric, and subulate towards the point, with the edges somewhat inflect- ed towards the middle, and at the base destitute of bristles ; the base of the upper mandible carinated, with the point slightly notched and declining. Nostrils basal, lateral, half closed by a membrane. Feet slender; tarsus longer than the middle toe ; inner toe free ; hind toe shortest with the nail almost always long, and somewhat straight. — Wings moderate, no spurious feather ; 1st, 2d, and 3d primaries longest; secondaries notched at tip; 2 of the scapulars nearly equal to the longest primaries. Tail rather long and emarginate. The female and young are usually much like the adult male, who assumes somewhat more brilliant colors only during a few days of the breeding season. The moult is annual. — These birds have many of the habits of the Wagtails and also of the Larks; they sing when rising on the wing in the same manner as the latter. They live ha- bitually on the ground in open places, in fields, and along the gravelly borders of streams and other bodies of water ; while thus employed in collecting their sole insect food, they keep their tails vertically moving like the Motacillas ; they also nest on the ground, and most of the species never alight on trees. The species, though few, are spread over the whole globe. BROWN TITLARK, OR PIPIT. 517 BROWN TITLARK, or PIPIT. (Anthus ludoricianus, Lie ht. A. spinohtta, Aid. pi 10. Orn. Biog. i. p. 49. [adult]. A. pipiens, Aid. Orn. Biog. i. p. 408. [young]. Alauda rufa, "Wilson, v. p. 89. pi. 42. fig. 4. [young]. Phil. Muse- um, No. 5138.) Spec. Charact. — Beneath and line over the eye white ; breast and flanks spotted with blackish ; tail-feathers nearly black, the outer one half white, upon the 2d and often upon the 3d, a conic white spot ; hind nail long and curved. — Female more spotted below. — Young dark-brown inclining to olive, with blackish-brown spots ; line over the eye and beneath pale yellowish rufous, the breast strongly spotted, and the bill paler. — The old male, for a short time in the breeding season, is below of a pale rufous rose-color. This is a winter bird of passage in most parts of the United States, arriving in loose, scattered flocks from the North, in the Middle and Eastern States, about the second week in October. In the month of April we saw them in numerous flocks, flitting over the prairies of Missouri, on their way, no doubt, to their breeding quarters in the inte- rior. Audubon found them also in the summer on the dreary coast of Labrador. He describes the nest as made on moss-covered rocks and cliffs near the sea, somewhat sunk in the ground, and made of fine bent grass, without any hair or lining. Both sexes incubate by turns, and sit so close as to be flushed only when closely approached. The eggs were 6, and, like those of the Sky-Lark, reddish- brown, with numerous dots and lines of a still deeper color. During the breeding season the male often rises on wing to the height of eight or ten yards, uttering a few clear and mellow notes, and then suddenly settles down near the nest or on some projecting rock. They leave Labrador and Newfoundland as soon as the young are able to fly, or about the middle of August. According to its well-known habits, it frequents open flats, commons, and ploughed fields, like a 44 518 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. Lark, running rapidly along the ground, taking by surprise its insect prey of flies, midges, and other kinds ; and when resting for an instant, keeping the tail vibrating in the man- ner of the European Wagtail. They also frequent the river shores, particularly where gravelly, in quest of minute shell- fish, as well as aquatic insects and their larvse. At this time they utter only a feeble note or call, like tiveet tweet, with the final tone often plaintively prolonged ; and, when in flocks, wheel about and fly pretty high, and to a consid- erable distance before they alight. Sometimes families of these birds continue all winter in the Middle States, if the season prove moderate. In the Southern States, particu- larly North and South Carolina, they appear in great flocks in the depth of winter. On the shores of the Santee, in January, I observed them gleaning their food familiarly amidst the Vultures, drawn by the rubbish of the city con- veyed to this quarter. They likewise frequent the corn- fields and rice-grounds for the same purpose. They emi- grate to the Bermudas, Cuba, and Jamaica, and penetrate in the course of the winter even to Mexico, Guiana, and Brazil. They also inhabit the plains of the Oregon. They are again seen on their return to the north, in Pennsylvania, about the beginning of May or close of April. The European Tit Lark (or Pepit, from its note,) a spe- cies so nearly allied to the present, makes its nest in moun- tainous countries, even upon the sterile plains of those which are most elevated, as the Pyrenees and others ; more rarely in salt marshes, or in tufts of grass on shelving rocks near the sea. This fabric is made, in the fissures of cliffs, of dry grass and a little moss, lined with finer blades of the former and a few long hairs. The eggs are 4 or 5, of a sullied white, covered with small brown spots, collected chiefly towards the larger end. The younger birds, or Dusky Lark, breed on the sea-coast of the south of England. BROWN TITLARK, OR PIPIT. 519 This species is about 7 inches long. Legs chesnut. Lower man- dible straight and livid, the upper blackish. Eye hazel. Above (in the adult) greyish-brown, with a darker shade in the centre of each feather. Small coverts of the wings bordered and edged with grey- ish white. Spots of the breast, pale greyish brown. In the you?ig } the spots below are dark and conspicuous, and the 2 bands on the wing are of a greyish brown; upon the 1st and 2d primaries there is also a large spot of white. ORDER FOURTH. GRANIVOROUS or PASSERINE BIRDS. In these the bill is strong, short, thick, more or less conic, and advancing back upon the forehead ; the ridge of the upper mandible is usually somewhat flattened, and both portions of the bill are generally without the toothed notch. The feet are arranged with three of the toes for- ward and one backward, and the anterior digits are divid- ed. The wings are of moderate dimensions. The general habits of this numerous order of birds are to live in pairs, until by instinct they assemble together and migrate in numerous troops. According to the cli- mates they happen to inhabit, they are either sedentary, or birds of passage. The greater number migrate periodi- cally, or sometimes only accidentally from countries un- equally subjected to the influence of frost. Their nour- ishment consists principally of grain and seeds, from which they usually shell the husk. Insects principally constitute their food during the time they are engaged in raising their progeny, and their young are fed wholly on this kind of diet: all of them, when adult, may be nourished with seeds in a state of captivity. Among all the feathered race, after the Pigeons and Gallinaceous birds, these associate the most freely with man, and are LARKS. 521 very susceptible of being trained to a domestic state. — In a few of the European species the moult is double, but the greater number of kinds, inhabiting other coun- tries, usually undergo this double change. The males, among some of the species, put on extraordinary nuptial ornaments, while others, on this occasion, are decorated with a brilliant-colored plumage; all of them, however, in the winter season, assume the humble garb of the female. These remarkable changes take place chiefly among those species which inhabit the warmer countries, as but few of the species in the United States, any more than in Europe, undergo this external transformation. Many of them are distinguished for the melody of their song ; and some for their extraordinary docility in edu- cation. ALAUDIN^E. LARKS. Character the same as the Genus Alauda. ALAUDA. (Lin.) LARKS. In these the bill is straight, rather short, and in the form almost of an extended cone ; the upper mandihle convex and entire, slightly curved, and nearly of equal length with the lower. Nostrils at the base of the bill, oval, and covered by the advancing feathers of the forehead. Tongue bifid. Feet, toes free, kind nail nearly straight, and generally longer than the toe. — Wings of moderate extent, the spurious feather very short or wanting; the '2d and 3d primaries longest, the 1st scarcely shorter; secondaries emarginated; two of the scapulars nearly as long as the primaries. The tail is usu- ally forked. Feathers of the head more or less elongated and capa- ble of erection. — Female and young scarcely different from the adult male. These birds live in flocks or families, dwelling on the ground, on 44* ;-22 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. which they form their nests ; they have also the habit of dusting themselves by fluttering on the earth ; they feed on seeds, and rarely on insects ; fly well, run with rapidity, and sing briskly as they rise almost perpendicularly into the air. The moult is annual. Their flesh is esteemed ; and the species are spread almost over the whole olohe. KW^ "~ SHORE LARK. of the firmer Baltimore. The svl- lables to which I have hearkened, appear like 'ts7ioove 'wait 'wait 'vehowit wait, and 'wait, 'vehowit vea wait, with other additions of harmony for which no words are ade- quate. This pleasing and highly musical meandering ditty is delivered for hours, in a contemplative mood, in the same tree with his busy consort. If surprised, they flit together, but soon return to their favorite station in the spreading boughs of the shady oak or hickory. This song has some resemblance to that of the Red-eyed Vireo in its 540 GRAXIVOROUS BIRDS. compass and strain, though much superior, the 'wait wait being whistled very sweetly in several tones, and with em- phasis, so that, upon the whole, our Pyranga may be con- sidered as duly entitled to various excellence, being harm- less to the farmer, brilliant in plumage, and harmonious in voice. The nest of this beautiful bird is built about the middle of May, on the horizontal branch of a shady forest tree, commonly an oak, though sometimes in a tree in the or- chard. It is but slightly put together, and usually com- posed of broken rigid stalks of dry weeds, or slender fir twigs, loosely interlaced together, and partly tied with narrow strips of Indian hemp (Apocynum), some slender grass leaves, and pea-vine runners {Amphicarpa), or other frail materials ; the interior is sometimes lined with the slender, wiry, brown stalks of the Canadian cistus (Heli- anthcmum) ; or with slender pine leaves ; and the whole of the substances is so thinly platted, as readily to admit the light through their interstices, thus forming a very clean and airy bed for the brood, well suited for the mildness and warmth of the season in which they are produced. The eggs, 3 or 4, are of a dull blue, spotted with two or three shades of brown or purple most numerous towards the larger end. They only sojourn long enough to rear their single brood, which are here fledged early in July, leaving us already for the South about the middle or close of August, or as soon as the young are well able to endure the fatigue of an extensive migration in company with their parents. The female shows great solicitude for the safety of her only brood, and on an approach to the nest appears to be in great distress and apprehension. When they are released from her more immediate protection, the male, at first cautious and distant, now attends and feeds them with activity, being altogether indifferent to that concealment which his gaudy SCARLET TANAGER. 541 dress seems to require, from his natural enemies. So attached to his now interesting brood is the Scarlet Tana- ger, that he has been known, at all hazards, to follow for half a mile one of his young, submitting to feed it atten- tively through the bars of a cage, and, with a devotion which despair could not damp, roost by it in the branches of the same tree with its prison ; so strong, indeed, is this innate and heroic feeling, that life itself is less cherished than the desire of aiding and supporting his endearing progeny.* The food of the Scarlet Tanager, while with us, con- sists chiefly of winged insects, wasps, hornets, and wild bees, as well as smaller kinds of beetles and other shelly tribes ; they probably also sometimes feed on seeds, and are particularly partial to whortleberries, and other kinds which the season affords. About the commencement of August the male begins to moult, and then exchanges his nuptial scarlet for the greenish yellow livery of the female. At this period they leave us, and having passed the winter in the celibacy indicated by this humble garb, they arrive again among us on its vernal renewal, and so soon after this change, that individuals are at this time occasionally seen with the speckled livery of early autumn, or with a confused mix- ture of green and scarlet feathers in scattered patches. The length of this species is about GA inches ; and JO.] in alar di- mensions. The plumage of the male is of a brilliant scarlet, except the wings and tail, which are black. The tail is forked, and some- times minutely tipt with white ; the inner cd^c* of the quills arc also nearly white. Bill yellowish horn-color. Legs and feet bluish-grey. Iris cream-color. — The female is more green above than the autum- nal mali'. * Wilson, ii. p. 43. 46 542 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. SUMMER RED-BIRD. (Tanagra astira, Gm. Wilsox, i. p. 95. pi. G. fig. 3. [male], and fig. 4. [female]. Audubon, pi. 44. Orn. Biog. i. p. 232. Phil. Museum, No. 1634.) Spec. Charact. — Vermilion-red; inner vanes and tips of the quills tinged with brown ; the tail even. — Young and autumnal male, yellow-olive, below brownish-yellow ; the moulting young spotted with buff. This brilliant and transient resident, like the former species, passes the greatest part of the year in tropical America, from whence in his gaudy nuptial suit, he pre- sents himself with his humble mate in the Southern States in the latter end of April or by the first of May. In Penn- sylvania they are but rarely seen, though in the warm and sandy barren forests of New Jersey several pairs may usu- ally be observed in the course of every season ; farther north they are unknown, ceding those regions apparently to the scarlet species. They are not confined to any particular soil, though often met with in bushy, barren tracts, and are consequently common even to the west of the Missis- sippi in Louisiana and the territory of Arkansas, as well as Mexico ; they also breed near the banks of that river around Natchez. The nest is built in the woods on the low horizontal branch of a tree, often in an evergreen 10 or 12 feet from the ground ; like that of the former, it is slightly put to- gether, and made of broken, tough, and fibrous weeds, and lined with fine grass. The eggs are from 3 to 5, and of a light blue color. Both parents assist in incubation, and the young are fledged by the middle or latter end of June. They only raise a single brood in the season ; and towards the middle or close of August, the whole party disappear on their way to the South ; though the young remain later than the old and more restless birds. LOUISIANA TANAGER. 543 The note of the male, like that of the Baltimore Bird, is said to be a strong and sonorous whistle, resembling the trill or musical shake on the fife, and is frequently repeated. The note of the female is more of a chattering, and appears almost like the rapid pronunciation of tshicky-tukJcy-tuk, tshicky-tukky-tuk, and is chiefly uttered in alarm when any person approaches the vicinity of her nest. From the similarity of her color to the foliage of the trees, she is, however, rarely seen, and usually mute; while the loquacity and brilliance of the male render him, as he flits timidly and wildly through the branches, a most distinguished and beautiful object. The food of the Summer Red-Bird is very similar to that of the preceding species ; bugs, beetles, and stinging bees make part of his repast, as well as flies and cynips of various kinds, after which they often dart about until hin- dered by the approach of night. This habit, however, is probably necessary from the almost nocturnal manners of some of these insect tribes. After the period of incuba- tion, and until their departure, whortleberries and other kinds of berries form no inconsiderable part of their food. The male of this species is 7^ inches, the alar extent ahout 12. He is of a rich vermilion color, most brilliant below, except the inner vanes and tips of the wings, which are tinged with brown. The legs and feet are pale greyish-blue, inclining to purple. The iris light hazel. — The Female is above of a brownish yellow-olive, below brownish-yellow. Other specimens of the female have been seen nearly as red as the males. LOUISIANA TANAGER. (Tanagra huloviciana , WlLSOW, iii. p. 27. pi. 20. fig. 1. Aud. Orn. Biog. 4. p. 385. pi. 354. Phil. Museum, No. G236.) Spec. Charact. — Fellow ; anterior part of the bead orange-scarlet ; back, wings and tail black ; wings with 2 yellow bands. 544 GRANlVOROUS BIRDS. Tins species was first made known by the exploring party of Lewis and Clark. It is a frequent inhabitant of the extensive prairies or grassy plains of Upper Missouri, and is seen occasionally as low as the cantonment of Major Long, or but a little beyond the line of settlements. They are continually flitting over these vast downs, oc- casionally alighting upon the stems of tall weeds, or the bushes which border only the streams, and in which, as well as in the grass, they build their nests. From their almost terrestrial habits, it is evident they must derive their food chiefly from the insects they find near, or on the ground, as well as from the seeds of the herbage in which they principally dwell; they also probably feed on the grasshoppers with which these plains abound ; and are upon the whole a common and numerous species west of the Mississippi, remaining in that country near- ly until the approach of October. For amusement, they are frequently shot with bow and arrows by the Indian boys, in defect of more important game. Though I have seen many of these birds throughout the season, I have no recollection of hearing them utter any modulated or musical sounds ; and they appeared to me like Sparrows, shy, flitting, and almost silent. We first observed this fine bird, in a thick belt of wood, near Larimie's Fork of the Platte, on the 4th of June, at a considerable dis- tance to the east of the first chain, of the Rocky Moun- tains, (or Clack Hills), so that the species in all probabil- ity, continues some distance down the Platte. We have also seen them very abundant, in the spring, in the forests, of the Columbia, below Fort Vancouver. On the Platte, they appeared shy and almost silent, not having there apparently commenced breeding. About the middle of May, we observed the males, in small numbers, scattered through the dark pine forests of the Columbia, restless, FINCHES 545 shy, and flitting when approached, but at length more se- dentary when mated. We frequently traced them out by their song, which is a loud, short, slow, but pleasing war- ble, not very unlike, that of the common Robin, delivered from the tops of the lofty fir trees. This music continues at short intervals throughout the whole forenoon, during which our songster, is busily engaged in quest of such coleopterous insects, and larva?, as are to be found on the young branches of the trees he frequents, and which require an assiduous and long-continued search to gratify his wants. Of the female, and nest we are still ignorant, though they are in all probability very similar to those of our known species. We have not seen this bird as far south as Upper California, though it may exist in the thicker forests remote from the coast, which we had no opportunity of visiting. The length of this bird is about G 1 inches. Bill yellowish horn- color. Legs greyish-blue. Tail slightly forked, and edged with dull whitish. — The female or young bird had the wings and back brown- ish. FRINGILLA. (Lix.) FINCHES. In these birds the bill is short, robust, conic on all sides, and generally without notch ; upper mandible wider than the lower, somewhat turgid, and a little inclined at tip; without keel, depress- ed at the upper part, and often prolonged into an angle entering the feathers of the forehead. Nostrils basal, rounded, covered by the feathers of the frontlet. Tongie thick, acute, compressed, and bifid at tip. Fret, tarsus shorter than the middle toe ; toes disconnected to the base ; hind nail largest. — Wings short ; 1st and 2d primaries but little shorter than the 3d or 4th, which is longest. The male differs from the female principally in the breeding sea- son. The younir in the 2d season resemble the adult; and the Eu- ropean and North American species generally moult only once in 46* 546 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. the year ; those of warmer climates usually undergo a double moult. These birds live on all sorts of seeds and grain, which they shell before swallowing ; at times they also add insects to their fare; they inhabit all parts of the world, and are particularly numerous in the warmer regions; they are prolific, raising several broods in the sea- son, and display often considerable art in the fabrication of their nests, which are usually built in trees and bushes. They flock together in considerable numbers, and migrate in bands ; live in woods and thickets, and are familiar often in gardens and orchards ; many alight also on the ground, in quest of their multifarious, but principally veg- etable food. Of all the winged tribes, after Pigeons and Gallinace- ous birds, these are the most easily accustomed to the domestic state, and many are esteemed for the vigorous music of their song, which is often a loud and fifing trill; some of them have likewise been taught to perform a variety of actions evincing an extraordinary de- gree of docility.* The North American species were divided into 4 subgenera by Prince C. Bonaparte, which all, at the same time, pass insensibly into each other. Subgenus. — Spiza. (Bonap.) With the edges of the lower mandible narrowed in. t Species allied to Tanagra. With the bill someichat curved. LAZULI FINCH. (Fringilla amoc?ia, Boxaf. Am. Orn. i. p. 61. fig. 5. Am. Orn. Biog. v. p. G4. pi. 398. 424. fig. 3. Embcriza amama, Say. Phil. Mus- eum, No. 5919.) Sp. Charact. — Verdigris-blue ; beneath white ; breast pale reddish ferruginous ; wings with 2 white bars ; the bill notched. — Female, above pale greyish-brown, pale blue towards the tail; breast paler ; the bar on the wing narrower. For the first notice of this beautiful species, allied to the Indigo Bird, we are indebted to Mr. Say, who met with it * For an account of which see the Introduction, pp. 21, 22. INDIGO BIRD. 547 in Long's expedition. It was observed, though rarely in the summer months, along the banks of the Arkansas, near to the base of the Rocky Mountains, frequenting the bushy valleys, keeping much in the grass after its food, and but seldom alighting on trees or shrubs. This species is common in the Oregon Territory from the base of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, and has most of the habits of the Yellow Bird (Frhigilla tristis). Its song is very similar, being a lively and melodious warble. It keeps much in low bushes and high weeds; is shy, flit- ting off rapidly when approached, in the manner of the Indigo Bird. The only nest T was able to find was fixed in the forks of the stem of a stout Fern (Pteris aquilina ?) round which it was fastened ; it is funnel-shaped, G inches in depth, and 3 inches in breadth. Internally its diameter is 2 inches at the mouth and its depth only 3. It was composed of lichens (Usnea) moss (Uypna), decayed leaves and grass, coarse and rudely interwoven, lined with fine grass and a few horse hairs. It nests, according to Mr. Townsend, usually in the Willows along the borders of streams. The length of this Finch is o% inches. Head, neck, and rump bright verdigris-blue; the back brownish-black, mixed with blue and with touches of rusty-brown. Superior part of the breast pale ferru- ginous, inclining to rose-red ; lower part of the breast, belly, and infe- rior tail-coverts white ; quills blackish, obscurely margined with blue externally ; under wing-coverts whitish with some mixture of blue. Tail slightly notched, blackish, edged with blue on the outer vanes, and with white on the inner webs at tip. INDIGO BIRD. (FringUla cyanea, Wilson, i. p. 100. pi. G. fig. 5. [male]. Bob w. ii pi. 11. fig. 3. [female]. Ai di boh, pi. 74. Orn. Biog. i. p. 277. Phil Museum, No. I J 548 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. Sp. Charact. — Bright blue with a green reflection; wings and tail dusky, the latter edged with blue. — Female brownish flaxen, be- neath pale yellowish-white. — Young and autumnal nude, as the female, but more tinged with bluish This very beautiful and rather familiar messenger of summer, after passing the winter in tropical America, towards the loth of May, decked in his brilliant azure livery, of the nuptial season, again joyfully visits his natal regions, in the Middle States ; and about a week or ten days later his lively trill in the garden, orchard, or on the top of the house, its chimney, or vane, is first heard in this part of New England. Still later, accompanied by his mate, he passes on to Nova Scotia, and probably to the precincts of Labrador. After raising and training their only brood, in an uniform and more humble dress, the whole family, in color like so many common Sparrows, begin to retire to the South from the first to the middle of September. They are also known in Mexico, where, as well as in the Southern States to the peninsula of Florida, they breed and pass the summer as with us. There is reason, however, to believe that they are less abundant, if seen at all, to the west of the Mississippi ; but yet they are met with in the Western States up to the alluvial lands of that great natural boundary. Their food in the early part of the season, as well as that of their young for a considerable time, is chiefly insects, worms, and caterpillars, as well as grasshoppers, of which they are particularly fond. They likewise eat seeds of various kinds, and are readily reared in a cage on the usual diet of the Canary. Though naturally shy, active, and suspicious, particularly the brilliant male, they still, at this interesting period of procreation, resort chiefly to the precincts of habitations, around which they are far more common than in the solitary woods, seeking their borders, or the thickets by the sides INDIGO BIRD. 549 of the road ; but their favorite resort is the garden, where, from the topmost bough of some tall tree, which commands the whole wide landscape, the male regularly pours out his lively chant, and continues it for a considerable length of time. Nor is this song confined to the cool and animating dawn of morning, but it is renewed and still more vigorous during the noon-day heat of summer. This lively strain seems composed of a repetition of short notes, commencing loud and rapid, and then, slowly falling, they descend almost to a whisper, succeeded by a silent interval of about half a minute, when the song is again continued as before. The most common of these vocal expressions sounds like sJie tshe tshe — tshe tshee tshee — tshe tshe tshe. The middle syllables are uttered lispingly in a very peculiar manner, and the three last gradually fall ; sometimes it is varied and shortened into tshca tshea tshea tshreh, the last sound being sometimes doubled. This shorter song is usually uttered at the time that the female is engaged in the cares of in- cubation, or as the brood already appear, and when too great a display of his music might endanger the retiring security of his family. From a young or imperfectly moulted male, on the summit of a weeping willow, I heard the fol- lowing singularly lively syllables, 'tie 'tic 'tic ta lec, repeated at short intervals. While thus prominently exposed to view, the little airy minstrel is continually on the watch against any surprise, and if he be steadily looked at or hearkened to with visible attention, in the next instant he is off to seek out some securer elevation. In the village of Cambridge, I have seen one of these azure, almost celestial musicians, regularly chant to the inmates of a tall dwelling-house from the summit of the chimney, or the point of the forked lightning-rod. I have also heard a Canary, within hearing, repeat and imitate the slowly lisping trill of the Indigo Bird, whose warble indeed, often greatly resembles that of this 550 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. species. The female, before hatching her brood, is but seldom seen, and is then scarcely distinguishable from a common Sparrow ; nor is she ever to be observed beyond the humble bushes and weeds in which she commonly resides. The nest of our bird is usually built in a low bush, partly concealed by rank grass or grain ; at times in the forks of a young orchard tree 10 or 12 feet from the ground. I have also seen one suspended in a complicated manner in a trellised grape-vine. If left undisturbed they often build in the same garden or orchard for several successive years. When in a bush, the nest is suspended betwixt two twigs, passing up on either side. Externally it is composed of coarse sedge-grass, some withered leaves, and lined with fine stalks of the same, and the slender hair-like tops of the bent-grass (Agrostis), with a very few cow-hairs, though sometimes they make a substantial lining of hair. The nest which I saw, in the vine, was composed outwardly of coarse strips of bass-mat, weeds, and some strings picked up in the garden, and lined with horse-hair and a few tops of bent-grass. The eggs, about 5, are greenish white, and without any spots.* (Wilson speaks of a blotch of purple at the great end.) The young here scarcely leave the nest before the end of July, or the first week in August ; and they raise usually but a single brood in the season. They appear to show great timidity about their nest, and often readily forsake it when touched, or when an egg is ab- stracted. Their usual note of alarm, when themselves or their young are approached, is a sharp tship, quickly and anxiously repeated, resembling almost the striking of two pebbles. They will not forsake their young, however ready * Dr. Brewer, after examining more than eight nests, finds no instance of spotted eggs. PAINTED BUNTING OR FINCH. 551 they may be to relinquish their eggs ; and they have been known to feed their brood very faithfully through the bars of a cage in which they were confined. The length of this species is 5^ inches, and 7 in alar dimensions. Above, the body is of a bright sky-blue, deepening on the head and throat to an ultramarine ; the rest of the blue, by reflection in certain lights, appears of a luminous verdigris-green. Wings and tail dusky, the former edged with bluish-grey, the latter with blue ; the tail forked, beneath presenting a pale silvery reflection ; coverts of the wings black, broadly edged and tipt with blue, lesser coverts blue and black at the base, lining of the wing blue, near the body grey, only tinged with that color. Upper mandible black, the lower paler towards the point, (in young birds pale horn- color.) Legs and feet dusky. — Female of a flaxen color tinged with pale ferruginous, the wings and tail dusky-brown, the latter edged with greyish-blue. Cheeks and below pale ferruginous-white, darker at the sides; about the rump, lower part of the back, and upper wing-coverts tinged with pale bluish-green ; the lower mandible very pale. PAINTED BUNTING or FINCH. (Fringilla ciris, Temm. Audubon, pi. 53. Orn. Biog. i. p. 279. Embe- riza ciriSj Wilson, iii. p. 68. pi. 24. fig. 1. [male] and fig. 2. [fe- male]. Phil. Museum, No. 6062 and 6063.) Spec. Ciiakact. — Vermilion-red; head and neck above purplish- blue; back yellowish-green; wings dusky -red; lesser coverts pur- ple ; the greater, and the tail, green. — Female and young of the first season, green-olive ; beneath Naples yellow. Tins splendid, gay, and docile bird, known to the Americans as the Nonpareil, and to the French Louisi- anians as the Papa, inhabits the woods of the low coun- tries of the Southern States, in the vicinity of the sea, and along the borders of the larger rivers, from North Carolina to Mexico. They arrive from their tropical quarters in Louisiana and Georgia from the middle to the 20th of 552 GRAN1V0R0US BIRDS. April. Impatient of cold, they retire to the South early in October, and are supposed to winter about Vera Cruz. For the sake of their song as well as beauty of plumage, they are commonly domesticated in the houses of the French inhabitants of New Orleans and its vicinity ; and some have succeeded in raising them in captivity, where plenty of room was allowed in an aviary. In England they have been known to build and lay their eggs in the orange trees of a menagerie. They are familiar also in the gardens and orchards, where their warbling notes are almost perpetually heard throughout the summer. Their song much resembles that of the Indigo Bird, but their voice is more feeble and concise. Soon reconciled to the cage, they will sing even a few days after being caught. Their food consists of rice, insects, and various kinds of seeds ; they collect also the grains of the ripe figs, and, frequenting gardens, build often within a few paces of the house, being particularly attached to the orangeries. Their nests are usually made in the hedges of the orancre, or on the lower branches of the same tree, like- wise occasionally in a bramble or thorny bush. Externally they are formed of dry, withered grass, blended with the tenacious silk of caterpillars, lined with hair, and internally finished with fine fibrous roots. The eggs are 4 or 5, white, or pearly, and marked with dark purplish brown spots. In the mildest climates in which they pass the summer, they raise two broods in the season. They are commonly caught in trap-cages, to which they are some- times allured by a stuffed bird, which they descend to attack ; and they have been known to survive in domesti- cation for upwards of ten years. The Nonpareil is about 5^ inches long, and 8 in alar extent. Back and scapulars glossy yellow, stained with green, and in old birds with red. Tail slightly forked, purplish brown (generally green). Legs WHITE-CROWNED FINCH. 553 and feet leaden-grey. Bill black above, plain greyish-blue below. Iris hazel. They gain their perfect livery in the second year. Fe- male a little less. t t Species of Fringilia, allied to Emberiza. WHITE-CROWNED FINCH. (Fringilia Icucophrys, Temm. Aud. pi. 114. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 88. Emberiza Icucophrys, Wilson, iv. p. 49. pi. 31. fig. 4. [male]. Phil. Museum, No. C587.) Spec. Charact. — The head white, line surrounding the crown and through each eye black ; beneath pale ash ; vent pale ochreous ; chin white ; wings dusky, with 2 white bands. This rare and handsome species is very little known in any part of the United States, a few stragglers only being seen about the beginning of winter, and again in May or earlier, on their way back to their Northern breeding- places, in the fur countries and round Hudson's Bay, which they visit from the South in May, and construct their nests in June in the vicinity of Albany fort and Severn river. These are fixed on the ground, or near it, in the shelter of the willow trees which they glean, probably with many other birds, for the insects which frequent them. According to Audubon, who found this species breeding in Labrador, the nest was placed in the mess which so generally covers the surface of that cold and desolate region, near the foot of a low fir, and was formed externally of green moss, (hjpna ? ) internally of fine grass, neatly arranged, lined witli delicate fibrous roots of a rich yellow color (probably those of the roots of the Copt is tri folia.) The e2£s, 5 in number, are of a li(dit sea-tureen, mottled towards the larger end with brownish spots and 47 554 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS, blotches of two shades ; the eggs were laid from the begin- ning to the end of June ; by the 12th of August they had commenced their southern migration. At this season the male sings in a loud, clear, musical, but rather plaintive tone, the song consisting of 6 or 7 notes ; these he repeats at short intervals during the whole day. On the 13th of April, 1835, I saw flocks of this species among the thickets in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, Upper California. It sung with a feeble, quaint note, to me unlike that of any other species, and almost similar to some of the notes of the Chic- adee. As they depart from Hudson's Bay in September, it is probable that they principally winter in the Canadian provinces, otherwise, as passengers further south, they would be seen more abundantly in the United States than they are. Indeed, as they approach this part of New Eng- land only in small desultory parties in the winter, as in No- vember and December, it is evident that they only migrate a short distance in quest of food, and return to the North at the approach of fine weather. While here they appear silent and solitary, and are not difficult to approach. Their food, as usual, is seeds of grasses, insects and their larvae. The length of this species is 7.^ inches ; alar extent about 10£. The back streaked with dark rusty -brown and pale bluish-white ; the wings dusky, edged broadly with brown ; 2 white bands produced on the wing by the broad white tips of the greater and lesser wing-coverts ; tertials black, edged with brown and white. Rump and tail-coverts drab tinted with lighter. Tail long, rounded, dusky, broadly edged with drab ; belly white ; vent pale ochreous. Bill cinnamon-brown. Legs and feet about the color of the bill, but lighter. Iris reddish- hazel. — In the female the white on the head is less pure, the black smaller in extent, and the ash on the breast darker ; she is also some- what less. YELLOW-CROWNED FINCH. 555 MOURNING FINCH. (Fringilla *qucrula, Nobis.) Spec. Charact. — Face and chin black; cheeks and nape cinereous ; throat spotted with dusky ; belly white ; above varied with black and brownish ; two faint white bars on the wings. We observed this species, which we at first took for the preceding, a few miles to the west of Independence, in Missouri, towards the close of April. It frequents thickets, uttering early in the morning, and occasionally at other times, a long, drawling, faint, monotonous and solemn note te de de de. We heard it again on the 5th of May, not far from the banks of Little Vermilion, of the Kansa. YELLOW-CROWNED FINCH. (Fringilla aurocapilla, Nobis. F. atricapilla, Aud. Synops. p. 122. Ember iza atricapilla, Lath, in part. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 47. pi. 394. fig. 3. [male]. Museum, Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil.) Spec Charact. — Front and broad line over the eyes to the nape, black, with a broad central band of yellow ; above olive-brown va- ried with dusky ; two white bands across the wings ; below grey, inclining to rufous on the sides and vent ; bill dusky, below flesh- color ; tail even. We first observed the young of this fine species on the plains which form the central table-land of the Rocky Mountains, a region elevated 6 or 7000 feet above the level of the sea. They were running mostly on the ground, and uttered no note more than an occasional chip. We after- wards saw a k\v stragglers, in the early part of winter, in the thickets of the forests of the Oregon, near Fort Vancou- ver, accompanying the White-crowned Finch (Frijigilla 556 GRAXIVOROUS BIRDS. Icucophrys), to which they appear to which they appear to have a considerable affinity, both in external appearance and habits. They descend to the coast and pass to the South in the cold season ; and are equally seen at this sea- son and until late in the spring, in the woods and thickets of Upper California. This bird is no doubt similar to the specimen mentioned by Latham from Nootka, (vol. v. p. 323, 2d ed.) and entirely distinct from the Emberiza atricapilla of the Sandwich Islands, of which he gives a figure in plate 91. — Length 7£ inches ; wing from the flexure about 3£ inches. Bill, upper mandible dusky brown, the lower flesh-colored dusky towards the point. Sides of the head above the eyes from the bill to the nape black, with a central broad band of greenish-yellow, fading into ash on the nape. Above, olive-brown tinged with grey, the feathers with central dusky spots ; 2 narrow bands of white across the wing. Tail greyish-brown, edged with yellowish grey. Cheeks, throat, and breast grey ; on the sides and rump tinged with yellowish-brown; 2d and 3d quills longest, the 1st quill about \ of an inch shorter. Legs, feet, and claws pale flesh-color. In the young male the crown is almost wholly yellow, mixed with dusky spots, the front only black. GAMBEL'S FINCH. (Fringilla Gambdii, Nobis. Museum of the Academy of Nat. Se. Phikd.) Spec Charact. — Crown deep chesnut, with abroad pale-brown me- dium band ; a narrow whitish line over the eye ; above pale yellow- ish-brown, varied with dusky; two white bands on the wings; be- neath grey, inclining to brown on the sides and vent ; bill cinna- mon-brown ; tail even. All that we know of this species is, that a single male specimen was obtained by Mr. Townsend towards the close of August, in the willow thickets bordering the Columbia, near Fort Wallah-Wallah. I believe this species was also seen by us on the ground in the plains of the Big Vermilion, LARK FINCH. 557 in Missouri, about the 1st of May. It is somewhat allied to the F. aurocapiUa, but is less by about an inch, with the legs and feet light brown and much more slender. The bill is also considerably smaller, and nearly of a uniform cinnamon-brown color. Length G inches. Legs, feet, and claws slender ; crown deep ches- nut down to the nape ; medium band broad and pale brown; nape grey, inclining to olive ; back light yellowish-brown, spotted with dusky; rump and lower part of the back pale yellowish brown. Tail wedge-shaped, about 2£ inches long, dusky brown edged with pale brown; tertiaries dusky, broadly edged with pale ferruginous, and partly tipped with white. The 1st and 2d row of wing-coverts tipped with white so as to produce two very distinct white bars ; 1st primary a little shorter than the 5th, the primaries edged with white ; a white ring round the eye. Bill cinnamon-brown, the lower mandible yel- lowish towards the base ; cheeks grey tinged with brown, below grey, nearly white on the throat, and wholly so on the abdomen; vent and sides pale brown, inclining to white. I have named this species after my friend and ornithologist, Mr. William Gambel. Note. — Fringilla Mortonii of Audubon, is the Ash- crowned Finch of Latham, and is a native of Chili, where Mr. Townsend procured the specimen described by Audubon, and inadvertently attributed to the Rocky Mountains. LARK FINCH. (Fringilla gramviacca, Say. Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p. 47. pi. 5. fig. 3. Aid. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 17. pi. 390. Phil. Museum, No. 62c^.) Spec. Charact. — Head striped with black and whitish ; tail round- ed, the lateral feathers partly white ; a white patch on the wing; above greyish-brown with dusky spots. For this species we are again indebted to Mr. Say, who observed it in abundance near the Council Bluffs and the 558 GRAXIVOROTS BIRDS. neighboring country of the Missouri in the spring as well as in the month of June. It appears to be wholly confined to the west side of the Mississippi, and probably extends into Mexico. They frequent the prairie grounds, and seldom if ever alight on trees ; they sing sweetly, and, like the Larks, have the habit of continuing their notes while on the wing. Mr. Townsend observes, " This species inhabits several hundred miles of the Platte plains in great numbers, as well as the banks of the Columbia river. It generally affects the low bushes of wormwood (Artemisia), from the summit of which it pours forth a variety of pretty notes." At the commencement of the pairing season, the males are very pugnacious, fighting often on wing, and the conquering rival, repairing to the nearest bush, tunes his lively pipe in token of success. Mr. T. also again met with it, in smaller numbers, in June, near the mouth of Lewis's river. We never observed it in the wooded region of the Oregon ; but they inhabit the prairies eastward, nearly to the settlements of the Missouri. This species is 6^ inches long. On the top of the head there are 2 widish dark lines, passing into ferruginous behind, and separated from each other by a light grey line ; another whitish line extends from the base of the upper mandible over the eye to the sides of the neck ; another small, interrupted, almost similarly colored line passes from the bill beneath the eye ; a broadish space of umber extends from the mouth over the auric ulars ; and then from the base of the lower mandible extends another broad, curving, white line ascending towards the ears ; another very dark, unequal line stretches from the same mandible along the sides of the throat, which last with the chin is, apparently, of a cream white. The neck and breast dull cinereous, a dusky brownish spot on the latter; belly and vent nearly white. Above cinereous umber-brown, the back feathers centred with a more dusky hue, and the wings and tail edged with very pale brown ; 2d primary longest ; a white angular spot on the wing. A white spot on all the tail-feathers but the 2 central ones, increasing in size to the outer. Bill pale horn-color. Legs and feet pale yel- lowish-brown. Iris dark-brown. — The female is duller in color, but in other respects very similar. WHITE-THROATED FINCH. 5o9 WHITE-THROATED FINCH. (Fringilla pennsylranica, Lath. Audubon, pi. 8. Orn. Biog. i. p. 42. F. albicoUis, Wilson, iii. p. 51. pi. 22. fig. 2. [male]. Phil. Museum, No. G486.) Spec. Charact. — The head striped with dusky and while ; a yellow line from the nostril to the eye ; shoulder of the wing edged with greenish-yellow ; cheeks and breast cinereous ; throat and belly white; above varied with dusky, bay, and light brown. — Female, below, and stripes on the head, light drab. This large and handsome Sparrow is seen in this part of Massachusetts, only as a transient visitor at the approach of winter, or in spring, about the first week in May. In the Middle and Southern States, they pass the inclement season, and appear there as a numerous species. A flock even of these birds has been observed in the state of New York in the month of January. In their hibernal resorts, they are seen in bands, and show a predilection for thick- ets, swamps, small streams, and the borders of ponds, where, among the tall and bleaching weeds, they continue to collect the seeds, and probably insect larva.', which con- stitute their usual fare. While here they keep much on the ground, and seek out cool and shady situations, scratching up the fallen leaves in quest of worms and other insects, and are at this time often very unsuspicious, allowing a near approach without betraying any alarm; but when in large flocks, they move about in timorous haste as soon as approached. About the loth of April, they leave the middle States, and retire to the high north- ern latitudes to breed, having been seen in Labrador, Newfoundland, and the fur countries up to the GOth paral- lel in summer. At the period of breeding, the male sings with considerable energy and melody already in the early spring, also before their departure to the North, on line 560 GRAMVOROUS BIRDS. mornings, they are heard to whisper forth a few sweet and clear notes, as in a reverie of the approaching happiness of their more lively and interesting condition. Dr. Richardson remarks that a nest of this species was found on the ]4th of June at Cumberland House; it was placed under a fallen tree, made of grass and lined with deer's hair and a few feathers: the eggs 4 in number were pale mountain green, thickly marbled with reddish brown. Another nest at Great Bear Lake was lined with the bris- tles of a species of Br yum. The length of this species is about 7 inches ; the alar dimensions 9 to 9&. A stripe of yellowish-white passes from the base of the upper mandible to the hind-head, which is bordered on either side by a stiipe of brownish-black ; another pale line passes over the eye, becoming yellow between that and the nostril; this line is again bordered by a narrrow stripe of brownish-black proceeding from the lower angle of the eye. Tail somewhat wedge-shaped. Legs pale flesh-color. Bill bluish horn-color, pale beneath. BAY-WINGED or GRASS FINCH. (Fringilla graminea, Gmel. Audubon, pi. 94. Orn. Biog. i. p. 473. Ember iza graminea, "Wilson, iv. p. 51. pi. 31. fig. 5.) Spec. Charact. — Breast and flanks spotted with brown ; lesser wing- coverts bay ; the 2 outer tail-feathers partly white ; above brownish- grey, varied with dusky. This plain-looking Finch chiefly frequents dry pas- tures and meadows, and is often seen perched on the fences and in the orchard trees; it also often approaches the public roads and gathers its subsistence tamely from various sources. It is abundant in all the States east of the Alleghanies, where many pass the whole year, yet great numbers also winter in the southern parts of the Union, proceeding as far as the maritime districts of Georgia and BAY-WINGED FINCH. 561 Florida: they are also found in the Oregon territory. From the commencement of April to the beginning of June, they sing with a clear and agreeable note, scarcely inferior to that of the Canary, though less loud and varied. On their first arrival, as with the Song Sparrow, their notes are often given in an under tone of considerable sweetness. Their song begins at early dawn, and is again peculiarly frequent after sun-set until dark, when, from the fence of some ele- vated pasture-field, in the cool of the summer evening, when other songsters have retired to rest, the Grass Sparrow, more than usually wakeful, after a silence which has per- haps continued nearly through the warmer part of the day, pipes forth his clear and slender, though now almost mo- notonous song, near to the favorite spot where his mate hatches or fosters her tender brood ; and from all the neigh- boring meadows, at this silent hour, as the last rays of the sun are reflected from the dusky horizon, we hear a con- stant repetition of an echoing and shrill tsh 'tsh 'tshe te tshete tshtte, with warbling tones blended and varied, at the beginning and close of this simple, rather pensive, but agreeable ditty. They are more common in fields than thickets, and run along the ground in the manner of the Lark. They likewise frequent ploughing fields, searching on the ground for insects, and are very fond of dusting themselves and basking in dry places. The nest is built on the ground, in tufted grass, usually sunk below the surface, concealed, or sometimes exposed, as in the Sky Lark, and formed principally of withered, wiry grass, also lined with the same and some hair. The eggs, 4 or 5, are white, with '2 or 3 shades of dark reddish- brown scattered spots, chiefly disposed at the greater end. Being nearly sedentary, they raise probably several broods in the season. Sometimes when started from the nest, the female simulates lameness with remarkable dexterity, so as 56-2 GRAXIVOROUS BIRDS. very readily to draw off the attention of her enemies or in- truders. The young are easily raised from the nest, and become very tame, clean, and domestic, but readily quarrel with each other. The length of the Grass Finch is about 6 or G\ inches, and 10£ in alar dimensions. Primaries edged with whitish. Tail partly wedged, the outer feather almost wholly white, except towards the base of the inner web; the next feather white on the outer vane, and (sometimes) also with a spot of the same color. Breast and flanks white, tinged with very pale brown, and spotted with dark pointed spots along the shafts of the feathers ; belly and vent white ; 2d and 3d primaries longest. Bill above dusky, notched near the tip ; beneath paler. Legs and feet pale flesh-color. Tarsus % of an inch. — Female hardly dis- tinguishable from the male; the spots of the breast somewhat fewer and smaller. -.T->~- *■-„ COMMON SONG-SPARROW. (Fringilla fasciata, Gmel. F. melodia, Wilson, ii. p. 125. pi. 16. fig. 4. Audubon, pi. 25. Orn. Biog. i. p. 126. Phil. Museum, No. 6573.) Spec. Charact. — Crown chesnut, divided by a greyish line ; breast and flanks spotted with blackish-brown ; tail cuneiform, unspotted ; COMMON SONG-SPARROW. 563 1st primary shortest : body above varied with blackish, chesnut, and olive-grey. This familiar and almost domestic bird is one of the most common and numerous Sparrows in the United States ; it is, also, with the Blue-bird, which it seems to accompany, one of the two earliest, sweetest, and most enduring warblers. Though many pass on to the South- ern States at the commencement of winter, yet a few seem to brave the colds of New England, as long as the snowy waste does not conceal their last resource of nutri- ment. When the inundating storm at length arrives, they no longer, in the sheltering swamps, and borders of bushy streams, spend their time in gleaning an insufficient subsistence, but in the month of November, begin to retire to the warmer states ; and here, on fine days, even in January, whisper forth their usual strains. As early as the 4th of March, the weather being mild, the Song-Sparrow and the Blue-Bird here jointly arrive, and cheer the yet dreary face of nature with their familiar songs. The latter flits restlessly through the orchard or neighboring fields; the Sparrow, more social, frequents the garden, barn-yard, or road-side in quest of support, and from the top of some humble bush, stake, or taller bough, tunes forth his cheering lay, in frequent repetitions, for half an hour or more at a time. These notes have some resemblance to parts of the Canary's song, and are almost uninterruptedly and daily delivered, from his com- ing to the commencement of winter. When he first ar- rives, while the weather is yet doubtful and unsettled, the strain appears contemplative, and often delivered in a pe- culiarly low and tender whisper, which, when hearkened to for some time, will be found more than usually melodious, seeming as a sort of reverie, or innate hope of improving seasons, which arc recalled with a grateful, calm, and ten- 564 GRANIV0R0U9 BIRDS. der delight. At the approach of winter, this vocal thrill, sounding like an Orphean farewell to the scene and sea- son, is still more exquisite, and softened by the sadness which seems to breathe almost with sentiment, from the decaying and now silent face of nature. Our songster, never remarkable for sprightliness, as the spring advances, delivers his lay louder and more earnestly. He usually begins with a tsh' tsh' tshe te tslittc tshcte, and blends in a good deal of quivering notes. Individuals also excel, and vary their song from time to time with very agreeable ef- fect ; and it is only because our familiar vocalist is so con- stantly heard and seen, that so little value is set upon his agreeable, cheerful, and faithful performance. When not attached to the garden, our Sparrow seems fond of fre- quenting low bushy meadows, streams, swamps, and watery situations, which afford him ready shelter, and his usual food of worms, insects, larva?, and seeds. Such situations are also their favorite resorts, when, in gregarious, and miscellaneous flocks with other congeneric kinds, they are seen to crowd the sheltered marshes of the Southern States. They are also commonly seen nimbly running along the ground, and gliding through low thickets in quest of their insect fare ; and in fine weather they dust them- selves, and bask in the sun. They often likewise frequent the water, being fond of washing ; and sometimes are seen to swim across small streams, particularly when disabled from flying, by a gun-shot wound. This species appears to abound from Canada to the Southern States, and breeds probably more or less in all the intermediate region. It builds usually on the ground, a little below the level, under a tuft of grass, or in a low bush, and occasionally in an evergreen, as the red cedar, 4 or 5 feet from the ground. Sometimes pushed for a sit- uation of sufficient concealment from enemies, I have COMMON SONG-SPARROW. 565 known it make a nest in the hole of a decayed trunk, 5 or G feet from the ground. It is usually formed of a consid- erable portion of fine dry grass, neatly put together, and mostly lined with horse-hair. The eggs, 4 or 5, are green- ish or bluish-white, thickly spotted with one or two shades of brown, the spots sometimes larger, and chiefly disposed towards the larger end; at other times very small and nu- merous, scattered over the greater part of the surface. They are very prolific, raising as many as 3 broods in a season, the young being occasionally hatched, in the mid- dle States, from the close of April to the end of August. They are very solicitous for the safety of their young, keeping up at this time often a tiresome chirping; and on the destruction of the female and most of her young, I have known the remaining male, with unceasing and anx- ious attention, raise a solitary survivor of his ruined family, with the most devoted affection. As they keep the young and their habitation so very clean, and are so prolific, it is a matter of surprise, that they do not re-occupy the prem- ises ; instances are, however, not wanting in which they have been known to raise two broods in the same nest. Both parents join in the duty of incubation, and alternately feed each other while so engaged. The Song-Sparrow is about G£ inches long, and SS in alar extent. Head chesnut and dusky, obscurely divided by a grey line ; line over the eye ash, becoming nearly white towards the bill ; stripe from the lower mandible, opening of the mouth, and posterior anole of the eye, dark chesnut. Breast and flanks pointedly spotted with chesnut, the spots centered with black. Chin, belly, and vent white, the last obscurely and faintly spotted with pale chesnut. Tail gg inches lono- brown, the upper feathers centered with dusky, and marked with nu- merous faint bands. Wings pale dusky, coverts dusky-brown and bay, edged with greyish-white, tertiala darker; undcr-coverts, or lining, and the ridge of the shoulder white ; 3d and 4th primaries 48 566 GRAXIYOROUS BIRDS. longest ; 1st primary much shorter than the sixth. Legs flesh-colored. Iris hazel. Bill above dusky, below purplish. — The female scarcely differing in plumage. SAVANNAH SPARROW. (Fringilla Savanna, Wilson, iv. p. 72. pi. 34. fig. 4. [male], and hi. p. 55. pi. 22. fig. 3. [female.] Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 63. pi. 109. F. hicmalis? Gmel. Lath. Pennant, No. 254. [young.] Phil. Museum, No. 6583, 6584.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Line over the eye and ridge of the wings yellow ; breast and flanks spotted with blackish ; tail emarginate, extending about an inch beyond the tips of the closed wings; 1st primary nearly equal to the 2d : above varied with blackish, brown and grey, or white. — Female darker. — Young without the yellow marks, and with the spots of the breast greyish-dusky. This Sparrow, allied to the preceding, but far less familiar, is commonly seen in this part of New England from April to October ; migrating towards the South in severe weather, though many pass the whole winter in the Middle States. They also exist on the plains of the Rocky Mountains, and as far west as the open borders of the Oregon, and along the Atlantic coast they proceed as far to the north as the coast of Labrador. In Georgia and West Florida they are rather numerous in the cold season, mi- grating in quest of food probably from the West ; and the whole species generally show a predilection for the warm and sheltered vicinage of the sea, where the seeds and insects they feed on are most abundant. On their first arrival in Massachusetts, they frequent the sandy beaches and shores of the bays in quest of Cicinddcu and other coleopterous insects, which frequent such situations ; and they are at this time exceedingly fat, though their moult is not yet completed. In summer this shy and timid species SAVAXXAH SPARROW. 567 lives wholly in pasture or grass fields, and often descends to the ground in quest of food. Its nest, also laid in the grass, and made of the dry blades of the same, very simi- lar to that of the Song-Sparrow, is usually built about the close of April. The eggs are pale greenish, slightly spot- ted and splashed with pale umber. In the month of March, in Georgia, I observed these Sparrows in the open grassy pine woods, on the margins of small swamps or galls. At times, they utter a note almost exactly similar to the chirpings of a cricket, so that it might easily be mistaken for that insect. At other times they utter a few pleasant notes somewhat similar to the song of the F. fasciata but sufficiently distinct. The length of this species is ahout 6 inches, and 9 in alar dimen- sions. (The female about 5^ inches long.) The head is dusky- brown, with some shades of bay, and divided indistinctly in the cen- tre by a yellowish-white line. The rest of the plumage above is a mixture of dusky brownish-black, with grey, white, or bay edgings to the feathers, the white edgings chiefly on the upper part of the back. Wings and tail dusky, edged with whitish, the tail only 2 inches long, with the feathers pointed. Chin white ; sides of the neck, breast, and flanks with dark pointed spots edged with bay. Belly white. Inner ridge of the wings touched with pale yellow ; tertials very dark ; (the black predominates much more in this than in the preceding species.) Legs pale flesh-color, the hind claw long and sharp. Bill above dusky, below purplish, inclining to yellow, notched slightly near the point. — Male with more white on the chin, breast, and sides of the face. Note. There is little doubt, but that the young of this species is the F. hiemalis of Gmelin and Pennant, though the wing-coverts are not edge: with real white ; Wilson's name, however, must remain, as the Linnacan hiemalis is also a synonyme of the Snow-Bird. 568 GRANIVOROU8 BIRD?. SUMMER FINCH. (FringiMa ast/va. Nobis. Summer Finch, Lath. vol. vi. p. 13G. No. 124. [Ed. 2d.] F. Bachmanii, Am. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 3G6. pi. 16.. Pcuccca Baclt in anii, Aid. Synops. p. 112.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Reddish-brown varied with black ; below yellow- ish-grey, streak over the eye ochre yellow ; throat pale, with a dusky streak on each side ; flexure of the wings yellow. Tins interesting species was first made known to Audu- bon by Dr. Bachman, who found it near the Edisto river, and afterwards breeding in the vicinity of Charleston, South Carolina, in the pine barrens. The discoverer remarks, of this bird, — When 1 first heard its notes, they so nearly resembled those of the Towee-Bunting, that I took it to be that bird. As soon as it is seen in the tall pine trees, where it usually sits to warble out its melodious notes, it darts down and conceals itself in the rank grass, through which it runs off like a mouse, and is flushed with difficulty. It is believed to breed on the ground. It is said to be the finest songster of the Sparrow family in the United States. Its notes are loud for the size of the bird, and heard nearly alone in the region it frequents. About the month of No- vember it proceeds to migrate further south, though a few stragglers still remain throughout the winter. According to Latham, they nest usually on the ground among the grass, under small bushes ; it is composed of dry grass for the most part, the eggs dusky white. He also adds, that they inhabit Georgia the whole year, frequenting fences, brushwood, and thickets. Some years ago, in Georgia, in the month of March, I observed these Sparrows in the open grassy pine woods, on the margins of small swamps or galls. On being suddenly surprised, they often flew off a little distance, and then, if followed, descended to the ground, and ran and hid closely Lincoln's finch. 5G9 in the tall tufts of grass. Their notes, at this time, were very long, piping and elevated, and resembling often tsht tship tship tship tsJu'p tship tship, — then tshc clC tsh* tsh' ts'h ts'h. Some of these notes were as fine and lively as those of the Canary ; loud, echoing, and cheerful. The food of this species consists of grass seeds, coleop- tera, and a variety of small berries as they come in season. The sexes are nearly alike in plumage. Length G inches, extent of wings 7£. Eill dusky, paler beneath. Tail deeply emarginate. Feet pale flesh-color. Above reddish- brown varied with black, the margins of the feathers bluish-grey, the rest of the large feathers edged with yellowish-brown or pale ochre. Throat pale yellowish-grey with a short streak of blackish on each side from the base of the mandible ; fore part of the breast and sides tinged with brown ; the rest of the lower parts yellowish-grey. LINCOLN'S FINCH. (Fringllla Lincohul, Aid. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 539, pi. 193. Pcucaa Lin- colnii, Aud. Synops. p. 113.) Spec. Charact. — Above yellowish-brown varied with dusky ; crown with a cinereous central band, and another over the eye; cheeks greyish-brown, with a curved ochreous band ; throat white, streak- ed with dusky and with a dusky line on each side; below greyish- yellow, streaked with dusky at the sides. The habits of this boreal species, discovered by Audubon in Labrador, are very similar to those of the Song Sparrow. Like it, mounted on the topmost twig of some tree or tall shrub, it chants for hours together ; or, diving into the thicket, it hops from branch to branch, until it reaches the ground, in quest of its usual fare of insects and berries. It moves off swiftly when watched ; and if forced to take wing flies low and with rapidity to some considerable distance. 48* 570 GuANIVOIlOlS biru9. It is met with usually near streams, in the sheltered valleys of that cold and desolate region. By the 4th of July the young had left the nest, and in August they had begun their migrations to the South. Specimens have been ob- tained by Mr. W. Cooper near New York city. Length 5| inches, extent of wings a little over 8 inches. Bill along the ridge 5-l2ths of an inch, dark brown at the end, greyish-blue at the base. Feet yellowish-brown. A greyish-blue band on the centre of the head and another at the side over the eye, the intermediate spaces chesnut streaked with brownish-black. Quills and larger co- verts margined with yellowish-brown, and the latter slightly tipped with whitish. Tail yellowish-brown, the outer feathers paler. Cheeks yellowish-brown, tinged with grey, beneath which is a curved band of ochreous yellow; throat white, streaked with dusky, and having a line of dusky spots on each side ; fore part of the breast and sides pale greyish-yellow, streaked with dusky, the rest greyish-white. SAVANNA or YELLOW-SHOULDERED FINCH. (Frinrrilla savanaram, Gmel. Latham, i. p. 443. No. 31 and Synop- sis, iii. p. 270. No. 27. F. passcrina, Wtlsox, iii. p. 76. pi. 24. fig. 5 Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 180. pi. 130. Phil. Museum, No. 6585.) Spec. Charact. — Breast pale brownish-yellow ; line over the eye, shoulder, and lesser w T ing-coverts yellow; tail-feathers rather pointed, the outer partly whitish. This small Sparrow is a summer resident in the United States, in the distant territory of the Oregon, and is like- wise, according to Sloane, a common species in the savan- nas or open glades of the island of Jamaica. From what little is known of it, as a bird of the United States, it appears to remain on the sheltered plains of the sea-coast of New York and New Jersey until the very commence- ment of winter. It is also observed in the lower parts of henslow's FINCH. 571 Pennsylvania, and about the middle of May or later, they are occasionally seen in the gardens of this vicinity, on their way apparently to some other breeding station. On these occasions they perch in sheltered trees in pairs, and sing in an agreeable voice somewhat like that of the Purple Finch, though less vigorously. Tn the West Indies, they live much on the ground, and run like Larks, flying low when flushed, and soon alighting. Their nest is like- wise fixed on the ground, among the grass, where they collect their usual fare of seeds and insects. It is made of loose, dry stalks of dead grass, and lined with hair and root-fibres. The eggs, 5, are of a greyish-white, spotted with brown, and the female has been observed sitting as late as the first of August. They probably retire to the West Indies or Mexico to pass the winter, as they are not seen at this season in any of the Southern States. The length of this species is from A\ to 5 inches, alar extent about 8. Upper part of the head blackish, divided by a slight pale line ; hind-head and neck with touches of dusky brown and white ; cheeks brownish- white ; back varied with blackish, brown, and pale ash ; shoulders of the wings above and below, and lesser coverts of the same, yellow; primaries and tail, drab, the feathers of the latter rather pointed ; breast without spots, yellowish-white with a tinge of brown. Belly and vent white. Legs flesh-color Bill dusky, pale bluish-white below. The two sexes are nearly alike. ITENSLOWS FINCH. (Fringilla Hensloicii, Nobis. Emberiza Henslotoii, Aid. Orn. Biog. 1. p. 300. pi. 70. F. candacuta, Lath. vol. G. p. 137. No 120 ?) Spec Ciiaract. — Pale brown, varied with dusky and rufous; below yellowish-grey, a line of the same over the eye ; sides, breast, and throat spotted with dusky ; bill flesh-color, darker above. This species so much allied to the Savanna Finch, dis- 572 (.KANIVOROUS BIRDS. covered by Audubon, is known to breed in New Jersey. As a winter bird of passage it is common in South Caro- lina, and equally abundant in the pine barrens of Florida, seeking out by choice the light sandy soils overgrown with pines, though it keeps on the ground wholly, running with celerity, and threading its way through the grass with the nimbleness of a mouse. Length about 5 inches. Feet and legs flesh-color. Above pale brown, the central part of the feathers dusky, the margins of those of the back bright rufous. Quills and tail dusky, margined with light yellowish-brown. Below pale yellowish-grey, the breast, sides, and throat spotted with brownish-black. TREE SPARROW. (Fringilla canadensis, Lath. Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 511. pi. 188. F. arborca, Wilson, ii. p. 123. pi. 1G. fig. 3. Phil. Museum, No. G575. Embcriza canadensis, Swains. North. Zool. ii. p. 252. Spec. Charact . — Crown bright bay ; stripe over the eye, sides of the neck, chin, and breast, pale ash ; wings with 2 white bars ; bill black, the lower mandible yellow ; legs and feet dusky ; 1st pri- mary shorter than the 5th and 2d. This handsome winter Sparrow arrives from the north- thern regions in New England about the close of October, withdrawing from Hudson's Bay and the neighboring coun- tries sometime in the month of September. The species, consequently, like many more of our Fringillas, only meas- ures his speed by the resources of subsistence he is able to obtain, and thus straggling southward, as the winter ad- vances, he enters Pennsylvania only about the beginning of November ; there, as well as in the maritime parts of Massachusetts, and perhaps as far south as Virginia, the Tree Sparrow is often seen associated with the hardy Snow-Birds, gleaning a similar kind of subsistence; and TREE SPARROW. 573 when the severity of winter commences, leaving the woods, gardens, and uplands in which he is an occasional visitor, he seeks in company the shelter of some bushy swamp, thickly shaded brook, or spring. Near Fresh Pond, in this vicinity, they are at that season numerous, and roost together near the margin of the reeds, almost in the society of the Blackbirds, who seek out a similar place of warmth and shelter as the chilling frosts begin to prevail. At this cool and gloomy season, and down to the close of the first week in November, as they pass from branch to branch, and play capriciously round each other, they keep up almost perpetually a low and pleasant liquid war- ble, not much unlike that of the Yellow Bird (Fringilla tristis), but less varied. Sometimes two or three at the same time will tune up s'weedit s'weedit wect, and s'waidit s'waidit iccct, accompanied by some tremulous trilling and variation, which, though rather sad and querulous, is heard at this silent season with peculiar delight. In sum- mer, during the breeding-time, they express considerable melody. According to Mr. Ilutchins, they breed around the Hud- son's Bay settlements, making a nest in the herbage, form- ed externally of dry grass, and lined with soft hair or down, probably from vegetables, in the manner of the Yel- low Bird. The eggs, about 5, are said to be pale brown, marked with darker spots of the same color. According to Audubon, the eggs resemble those of the Chipping Sparrow. About the beginning of April, they leave the middle States for their summer quarters, and arrive around Severn river in May ; they also probably propagate in Newfoundland, where they have been observed. With us, they are still seen in numbers to the 19th of April. The Treo Sparrow is about C, \ inches long, and 9 to !'. 1 , in alar ex- tent. The whole upper part of the head brighl bay without any />74 WIVOROUS BIRD?. dividing line ; sometimes this color, however, is slightly skirted with grey; stripe over the eye white at its commencement near the mandible, backwards fading into pale ash-color ; the centre of the breast marked with an obscure spot of dark brown partly hidden beneath the other feathers. From the lower angle of the bill, and behind the eye, proceeds a small stripe of chesnut. Sides under the wings and towards the belly pale brown. The back varied with brownish-black, bay, and drab ; lower part of the back and rump pale greyish-brown; lesser wing-coverts deep ash-color; wings dusky, the primaries edged with dull white as well as the tail, the seconda- ries with pale brown ; the 1st and 2d row of coverts broadly edged with bright bay and tipt with white. Tail dusky, forked, more than 2h inches long; centre of the belly and vent white. Bill black, the under mandible yellow below the tip, | of an inch long, Legs dusky, brown, feet almost black, and robust. CHIPPING SPARROW. (FringUla socialis, Wilson, ii. p. 127. pi. 1G. fig. 5. Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 21. pi. 104. Phil. Museum, No. C571.) Stec. Charact. — The 4 first primaries nearly of a length; frontlet black ; crown chesnut ; chin and line over the eye whitish ; breast and sides of the neck, pale ash ; bill black ; legs and feet slender, pale flesh-color ; hind nail shorter than the toe. This species, with the Song-Sparrow, is probably the most numerous, common, and familiar bird in the United States ; inhabiting from Nova Scotia to Florida, westward to the banks of the Missouri, and Mr. Townsend found it to be a common species in the territory of Oregon. Aware of the many parasitic enemies of the feathered race which it has to encounter, who prowl incessantly, and particularly in quest of its eggs, it approaches almost instinctively the precincts of houses, barns, and stables, and frequently ventures into the centre of the noisy and bustling city to seek in the cultivated court, an asylum for its expected CIIIPPIXG SPARROW. progeny. Soon sensible of favor or immunity, it often occupies with its nest the thick shrubs of the garden within a few yards of the neighboring habitation, by the side perhaps of a frequented walk, in the low rose-bush, the lilac, or any other familiar plant affording any degree of shelter or security, and will at times regularly visit the threshold, the piazza, or farm yard for the crumbs which intention or accident may afford it. On other occasions, the orchard trees are chosen for its habitation, or in the lonely woods, an evergreen, cedar, or fir is selected for the purpose. It makes no pretensions to song, but merely chips, in complaint, when molested, or mounting the low boughs of some orchard tree or shrub, utters a quickly articulated ascending 'tsh Hsli 'tsh 'tsh 'tsli tshc tslie, almost like the jingling of farthings, and a little resem- bling the faint warble of the Canary, but without any of its variety or loudness. This note, such as it is, is con- tinued often for half an hour at a time, but is little louder than the chirping of a cricket, and uttered by the male while attending his brooding mate. For many weeks, through the summer, and during fine weather, this note is often given from time to time in the night like the reverie of a dream. The nest of the Chipping Bird varies sometimes con- siderably in its materials and composition. The external layer, seldom so thick, but that it may be readily seen through, is composed of dry stalks of withered grass, and lined more or less with horse or cow hair. The eggs are 4 and 5, of a bright though not deep greenish-blue color, with a few spots of dark and lighter brown chiefly dis- posed at the greater end. They are usually narrowed considerably at the small end, though occasionally they are almost oblong. The Cuckoo destroys many eggs of this timid, harmless, and sociable little bird, as their nests O/b GRAXIVOROTJS BIRDS. are readily discovered, and numerous; on such occasions, the little sufferer expresses great and unusual anxiety for the security of her charge, and after being repeatedly robbed, the female sits closely sometimes upon perhaps only two eggs, desirous at any rate to escape, if possible, with some of her little offspring. They raise two or more broods in the season. Towards the close of summer, the parents and their brood are seen busily engaged collecting seeds and in- sects, in the neighboring fields and lanes, and now be- come so numerous, as the autumn advances, that, flitting before the path on either side as the passenger proceeds, they almost resemble the falling leaves of the season, rustling before the cheerless blast ; and finally, as their food fails, and the first snows begin to appear, advertised of the threatening famine, they disappear and winter in the Southern States. In the month of January, in Geor- gia, during the continuance of the cool weather, and frosty nights, I frequently heard, at dusk, a confused chirping or piping, like that of frogs, and, at length, discovered the noise to proceed from dense flocks of the Chipping Spar- rows, roosting or huddling near together in a pile of thick brush ; where, with the Song-Sparrow, also, they find means to pass the cool nights. This species is about 5 to 5£ inches in length, and 8 in alar extent. The frontlet is nearly black ; chin and line over the eye whitish ; crown chesnut ; the breast and sides of the neck pale ash ; rump dark cinereous ; belly and vent white. Back varied with brownish- black and bay. "Wings dusky, broadly edged with bright chesnut. Tail dusky, forked, edged with yellowish-white. Bill in winter black, in summer the lower mandible is flesh-colored. Legs and feet pale flesh-color, tarsus § of an inch. — The female has less black on the frontlet, and the bay duller. — The young for a time are faintly spotted on the breast. FIELD OR RUSH SPARROW. 577 FIELD or RUSH SPARROW. (Fringilla juncorum, Nobis. Motacilla juncornm, Gmf.l. Sylvia jimco- rum, Latii. ii. p. 511. Little Brown Sparrow, Catesbv, Car. i. p. 35. F. pusilla, Wilson, ii. p. 121. pi. 10. fig. 2. Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 229. pi. 139. Passer virginianus, Brisson, 3. p. 101. Phil. Muse- um, No. G5C0.) Spec. Cii aract. — The 1st primary shorter than the 6th; crown chesnut; body above varied with bay, drab, and a little dusky; cheeks, throat, and breast, pale brownish-grey ; bill and slender legs, brownish cinnamon-color, the latter paler ; hind nail as long as the toe. This small species, in size and general color is scarcely distinguishable from the Chipping Sparrow ; it is how- ever much brighter, inclining more to bay above, and the tail is about half an inch longer in relative propor- tion. The Small Brown Sparrow arrives in Pennsylvania and New England from the Southern States, where it passes the winter, in the beginning of April. It is with us a shy, wild, and retiring species, partial to dry hills and pastures, and open, bushy, secluded woods, living much in trees. In autumn, indeed, the pair accompanied by their brood in small flitting flocks, leave their native wilds, and glean, at times, in the garden or orchard ; yet but little is now seen of them, as they only approach cultivated grounds a few weeks before their departure. These Sparrows, if in- deed they are the same as those described by "Wilson, in winter, flock together in great numbers in the Southern States, and mingling with the Chipping Birds, and other species, they now line the roads, fences, and stragglinor bushes, near the plantations in such numbers, as, with their sober and brown livery, to resemble almost a shower of rustling and falling leaves, continually haunting the 49 5T8 CRANIVOROUS BIRDS. advancing steps of the traveller, in hungry, active flocks, driven by the storms of winter into this temporary and irksome exile. But, no sooner does the return of early spring arrive, than they flit entirely from the Southern wilds, to disperse in pairs and seek out again their favorite natal regions of the North. The nest of this species, built on the ground, in the mere shelter of some grassy tuft or accidental small bush, is made often wholly of the fine stalks of dried grass; sometimes it is lined also with horse-hair. The ecms, 5 or CO ' 6, are so thickly sprinkled with ferruginous as to appear almost wholly of that color. They raise usually two broods in a season in the Middle States. Our little bird has a pretty loud and shrill note, which may be heard at a considerable distance, and possesses some variety of tone and expression. Sometimes it is something like tice ticcc ticca, tw Hw 'tw 'tw 'tw 'tw 'tw, beginning loud and slow, and going up and down, shrill and quick, with a reverberating tone almost as rapid as the drumming of the Ruffed Grous. At other times the sound appears like te de de de de d' d' d' d' d' d' dr,' rapid and echoing ; then iveet jcect weed wat te 77 'd V 'd 'd 'd, also wcet wcet wect toeet' wtf wf wt' wt 1 trr ; the whole of these notes rising and running together into a short trill, some- thing like the song of the Canary, but less varied, and usu- ally in a querulous or somewhat plaintive tone, though towards the close of summer, I have heard individuals, nearly as musical and warbling as the Common Yellow- Bird. These tones are also somewhat similar to the rever- berations of the Chipping Bird, but quite loud and sonorous, and without the changeless monotony of that species. In fact, our bird would be worthy a place in a cage as a song- ster of some merit. Like most of the Sparrows, the food of this species consists of seeds and insects, and they also CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. 5/9 search the leaves and branches at times in quest of moths, of which they appear fond. The Field Sparrow is about 5| inches long. (In the New England male bird) the head is simply chesnut without any dividing line, and the brownish tint beneath very obscure, the color being more of a dirty white ; the belly, breast, and vent are almost pure white. Above chesnut predominates, though the feathers are edged with drab, and lined in the centre with dusky ; greater wing-coverts edged and tipt with brownish-white ; rump drab, inclined to brown. Tail, from the insertion of the rump nearly 3 inches, dusky, forked, and edged with whitish. First primary shorter than the Gth, the 3d longest. Bill reddish cinnamon-color, a hard knob in the upper mandible as in Emberiza. Legs and feet pale-yellow, scarcely inclining to brown, the tarsus ^ of an inch. — In a Pennsylvanian specimen, there is, on the head to the occiput, an indistinct grayish median line. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. (Fringilla jJaUida, Nobis. Emberiza pallida, Swains. North Zool. ii. p. 251. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. CG. pi. 398.) Spec. Charact. — Clay-colored brown, striped with blackish; be- neath white, unspotted ; the head with 3 pale and 2 blackish macular stripes ; auriculars brownish. This species, even smaller than the Emberiza pusiUa, visits the Saskatchewan in considerable numbers. It fre- quents the farm-yard at Carlton House, and is as familiar and confident as the common House-Sparrow of England. It has much the habit of E. pusilla, which differs however, from the present by its more robust and cinnamon-colored bill, in the chestnut-brown crown and back, &c. We observed this bird only in the prairies, and not in the woods in the spring season. It frequents the plains of the Platte, to its sources, visits the Colorado of the West, and pro- bably descends nearly eastward to the settlements of the Missouri. It is very active and shy, keeping in low bushes 580 GRAXIVOROUS BIRDS. and on the ground. Its voice is a sharp chirp, and occa- sionally a low weak warble. Length 5 inches 9 lines ; tail 2 inches 8 lines ; wing 2£ inches ; the bill above 4 lines ; tarsus 7A lines. Light clay color, or yellowish brown ; French grey towards the nape ; in the middle of each feather a dark blackish-brown stripe down the middle, not conspicuous on the back feathers ; these spots are crowded into two stripes on the head, between which is a paler line ; over each eye is another, much more conspicuous and whiter. Auricular feathers yellowish-brown, w-ith darker edgings, and bordered below with a stripe whiter than thei throat. Lesser or smallest wing coverts without spots; the row ad- joining the greater coverts black, with whitish tips ; the rest of the coverts and quills edged with the same. Below white, tinged very slightly with grey, and, on the breast and flanks, with clay color. Bill and legs yellowish, the ridge and tip of the former umber-brown. In the structure and proportion of its wings, feet and tail, it perfectly resembles Emhcriza schccniculus. Subgenus. — Passarella. (Genus of, Swains.) Bill short and thick, somewhat narrower than the head, almost per- fectly conic. FERRUGINOUS FINCPL (Fringi.Ua Uiaca, Merrem. Lath. Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 53. pi. 10S. F. rufa, Wilson, iii. p. 53. pi. 22. fig. 4. Phil. Museum, No. 6092.) Spec Charact. — Varied with reddish-brown and grey; beneath white, largely spotted with bright bay and dusky; tail and coverts bright ferruginous. This large and handsome Sparrow, after passing the summer and breeding-season in the northern regions of the continent around Hudson's Bay, and farther north and west perhaps to the shores of the Pacific, visits us in strag- gling parties or pairs from the middle of October to Novem- ber. At this time it frequents low, sheltered thickets in BROWN SONG SPARROW. 581 moist and watery situations, where they usually descend to the ground, and are busily employed in scratching up the earth and rustling among the fallen leaves in quest of seeds, worms, and insects, but more particularly the last. They migrate in a desultory manner, and sometimes arrive as far south as Georgia, passing the winter in the Southern States, and retiring early in the spring to their favorite boreal re- treats. They are silent, rather tame, and unsuspicious ; when alarmed or separated, their call is simply shcp, shep ; yet, at times, in the spring, a little before their departure, they whisper forth a few low and sweet notes, indicative of the existence of vocal powers in the pairing season. According to Richardson this species breeds in the woody districts of the Fur Countries up to the GSth paral- lel. The nest is made in a low bush, of dry grass, hair, and feathers ; the eggs are 5, of a dull greenish tint, marbled with irregular brown spots. The male perched near his mate, sings cheerfully and pleasantly. We did not meet with this species in the territory of Oregon, its place being substituted by the following. The Ferruginous Sparrow is about 7h inches long, and 10£ in alar dimensions. Head and neck cinereous, the feathers margined with ferruginous. Wings and tail rust-color, inclined to reddish-brown ; 1st and 2d rows of wing-coverts tipt with white. Legs and feet robust, brownish-white. Bill stout, dusky, the lower mandible yellowish. Irids hazel. BROWN SONG-SPARROW. (FringiUa guttata. Nobis. /'. dm rea, Aid. Orn. lhog. 5. p. 22. pi. 390. fig. 4. [male], nun Gmilin.) Spec. Charact. — Dark olivaceous-brown; greater wing-coverts ru- fous; a cinereous line over tl ye to the nape ; cheeks with two brown stripes divided by a whitish one; below white spotted with 5S'2 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. brown ; bill above dusky, below yellowish-white ; legs brownish- flesb color ; nail of tbe bind toe about its lengtb. This species, so much allied to Fringilla iliac a by its brown color, inhabits the woody districts of the Columbia, very generally as far as the sea-coast, and continues as far south as Upper California. It is a somewhat familiar and agreeable songster, mounting some low bush, and singing, at intervals, for hours together, much in the manner of the Song Sparrow, but with a sweeter and more varied tone. We heard their cheerful notes throughout the sum- mer ; and every fine day in winter until the month of No- vember, particularly in the morning, their song was still continued. The nest and eggs are scarcely distinguishable from those of the Song Sparrow, the former being chiefly formed of dry grass, and lined with finer blades of the same, or with deer's hair. They keep much in low ground and alluvial situations, amidst rank weeds, willows and brambles, where they are frequently to be seen hopping and searching after insects, like so many Wrens or Swamp Sparrows, which they so much resemble in plumage. They are as usual very solicitous for the safety of their young or eggs, keeping up an incessant chirp, and are nearly the whole summer like the Song Sparrow, engaged in the cares of rearing their young. Length G inches ; extent of wings 8. Bill dusky, 5i-12ths of an inch long, the lower mandible pale. Feet and claws pale brown, the bind nail scarcely longer than the toe. Featbers of tbe back dark ferrugin- ous witli a tint of olive, in the centre cbesnut, the wing-coverts ferru- ginous, the inner secondaries and tail feathers dusky brown, broadly edged with the same. Crown dark brown, mixed with a little grey. Over the eye a cinereous line, going down to the nape anterior to the eye, white ; cheeks brownish mixed with white ; sides of the throat with a brown band, separated from the cheek by a white one ; throat white, as well as the middle of the abdomen ; below and sides longi- tudinally spotted with cbesnut ; rump and sides under the wings pale townsenb's finch. 583 yellowish-brown, streaked with chesnut ; tail emarginate, 2£ inches long; shoulder of the wing whitish — 1st primary more than £ of an inch shorter than the 2d. 3d and 4th longest, and nearly equal. The female similar to the male. — This cannot be the F. chicrca, as it is not cinereous, nor is the ' : chin grey," or the " throat cinereous, spot- ted with whitish." Its markings are very similar to those of F. iliaca, but it is a much smaller bird, with slender legs, and with the upper mandible declinate at the point, &c. TOWNSEND'S FINCH. (FringiUa Tovmsendi, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. p. 236. pi. 424. fig. 7. [female].) Spec. Ciiakact. — Dark olivaceous-brown, with a tinge of rufous conspicuous on the rump and tail ; hind toe nail h an inch long ; no grey line over the eve. This species was collected in the Oregon Territory by Mr. Townsend on the 15th of February. It is very nearly related to the preceding, but is a larger species, being 7 inches long, and with an alar extent of 104 inches ; it also appears to be darker, without the grey line over the eye ; but spotted beneath, as in the preceding. Bill dusky above, the lower mandible yellowish and pale, above very deep olivaceous brown, tinged with rufous on the rump, tail, margins of the wing-coverts and quills ; a longitudinal band of white spots from the angle of the lower mandible. Below white, spotted with brown ; lower tail-coverts tinged with yellowish white. Subgenus. — Struthus. (Genus of, Bonap.) The bill short, rather Bmall, conical acute, slightly declinate at the tip. — These birds, very distinct from cur other Sparrows in the broad and uniform masses of color in their plumage, are still scarcely distin- 5S4 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. guishable, as a group, by any characters drawn from the bill, &c. — They affect a cool climate, and migrate later than any of our other species. COMMON SNOW-BIRD. (FringUla hiemalis, Lin. Aun. pi. 13. Orn. Eiog. i. p. 72. Struthus hicmalis, Bo.vap. p. 31. Jfipheea hiemalis, Aud. Synops. p. 106. F. nivalis, Li.v. Wilson, ii. p. 129. pi. 1C. fig. G. [in winter plumage.] Phil. Museum, No. G532.) Spec. Charact. — Bluish-black, inclining to grey} belly and lateral tail-feathers white. This hardy and very numerous species, common to both continents, pours in flocks from the northern regions into the United States about the middle of October, where their appearance is looked upon as the presage of approaching winter. At this season they migrate into the Southern States in great numbers, and seem to arrive in augmenting hosts with the progress of the wintry storms and driving snows, before which they fly for food rather than shelter ; for, even during the descent of the whitening inundation, and while the tempest still rages without abatement, these hardy and lonely wanderers are often seen flitting before the blast ; and, seeking advantage from the sweeping cur- rent, descend to collect a scanty pittance from the frozen and exposed ground, or stop to collect the seeds, which still remain upon the unshorn weeds, rising through the dreary waste. At such times they are also frequently accompanied by the Snow-Bunting, the humbly-dressed Yellow Bird, and the querulous Chicadee. Driven to straits, however, by hunger, they at length become more familiar, and are now seen about the barns and out-houses, spreading themselves in busy groups over the yard, and even approaching the steps of the door in towns and cities, and gleaning thank- COMMON SNOW-BIRD. 5S5 fully from the threshold any crumbs or accidental fragments of provision. Amidst all this threatening and starving weather, which they encounter almost alone, they are still lively, active, and familiar. The roads, presenting an ac- cidental resource of food for these northern swarms, are consequently more frequented by them than the fields. Before the severity of the season commences, they are usually only seen moving in families; and the parents, watchful for the common safety, still continue by reiterated chirpings to warn their full-grown brood of every approach of danger, and, withdrawing them from any suspicious ob- servation, wander off to securer ground. At this time they frequent the borders of woods, seek through the thickets and among the fallen leaves for their usual food of seeds, and dor- mant insects, or their larva:. Their caution is not unneces- sary, for on the skirts of the larger flocks the famished Hawk prowls for his fated prey, and descending, with a sudden and successful sweep, carries terror through all the wandering and retreating ranks. In the latter end of March or beginning of April, as the weather begins to be mild, they reappear in flocks from the South, frequenting the orchard trees, or retreat- ing to the shelter of the woods, and seem now to prefer the shade of thickets or the sides of hills, and frequently utter a few sweet, clear and tender notes, almost similar to the touching warble of the European Robin Red-breast. The jealous contest for the selection of mates already also takes place ; soon after which they retire, to the northern regions to breed ; though, according to Wilson, many remove only to the high ranges of the Alleghany Moun- tains, where, in the interior of Virginia, and towards the western sources of the Susquehanna, they also breed in great numbers ; fixing their nests on the ground, or among the grass, the pairs still associating in near communion 586 GRAN1V0R0US BIRDS. with each other. In the fur countries they were not ob- served by Richardson beyond the 57th parallel. In Europe this species dwells almost wholly among the wild recesses of the Alpine Mountains of Switzerland, the Pyrenees, and the high northern chains on the limits of the region of perpetual ice ! In the winter, less driven by necessity, or less encouraged by the inviting scope of an extensive continent, they there only migrate into the moun- tainous countries, and rarely descend into the plains. Their food is also observed to be insects, pine seeds, and those of aquatic plants. They likewise nest upon the rocks, or in their crevices, and lay 3 to 5 eggs, of a pale green, scattered with irregular touches and points of cine- reous, blended with spots of dark green. Mr. Edward Appleton met with the nests of this species in Oswego county, New York. They were made on the ground, some with concealed entrances ; the eggs were about 4, yellowish-white, thickly sprinkled with dots of a reddish-brown color. The nests were composed of strips of bark, grass roots, and horse hair, lined with fine moss, and the soft hair of small quadrupeds. At this period they sing sweetly. In July the young are abroad, and at this time frequent the whortleberry bushes for their fruit. The Snow-Bird is 6A to 7 inches long. The general color is bluish or leaden black, inclining to grey ; the lower parts from the breast to the tail white. Three secondary quills next the body edged with pale brown, the primaries with white. Tail dusky, emarginate. Bill and legs pale yellowish flesh-color in winter ; in summer the bill is black, and the feet brown. Iris bluish-black. — Female and young tinged with brown. — By the wearing of the edges of the feathers, in the course of the season, the male becomes of a deeper and clearer color. OREGON SNOW-BIRD. 537 OREGON SNOW-BIRD. (Fringilla oregona, Towns. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. vol. 7. p. 188. Aud. Orn. Biog. 5. p. G3. pi. 398. fig. 3, 4. Strutkus oreganus, Bo.vap. p. 31. J\'iphoc oregona, Aud. Synops. p. 107.) Spec. Charact. — Head, throat and upper portion of the breast, black ; back, edges of the tertiaries. and sides beneath the wings, dark chesnut ; beneath, and two lateral tail feathers on either side, white. — Sexes nearly alike. We first saw this species, (so nearly allied to the Com- mon Snow-Bird,) in the forests of the Oregon, in the au- tumn and winter, flitting about in small flocks, always in the woods, never in the open fields, or by the way-sides. At this time they rarely utter an occasional chirp, or remain wholly silent. We afterwards saw them inhabiting the same woods throughout the summer, in diminished numbers, or in pairs, but I do not recollect hearing them utter any song, though they are probably not silent in the season of breeding. With the nest, eggs, and young I am unacquainted. Length 6$ inches ; wing from the flexure about 3 inches. Bill reddish-white, dusky at tip. Feet and claws flesh-colored. Iris hazel. Below white, except the sides, which are tinged with brown. Fore part of the back dark reddish-brown ; the hind parts dull grey. Smaller coverts, secondary coverts and inner secondaries dusky with broad liodit-brown margins. Subgenus. — Ammodr amis. (Genus of, Swains.) Siiore- 1Y\< n is. The bill rather long, but little Bhorterthan the head, straight, rather slender, acute, and considerably compressed, with a faint notch. The species included in this section are chiefly maritime birds, living and feeding much on the ground and amidst rank grass, where they nest. 588 GRANIVOROU9 BIRDS. SWAMP SPARROW. (Fringilla gcorgiana, Lath. i. p. 4G0. No. 8G. F. palustris, Wilson, iii. p. 49. pi. 22. fig. 1. [male] Audubon, pi. G4. Om. Biog. i. p. 331. Phil. Museum, No. G309.) Spec. Charact. — The 1st primary shorter than the Gth ; front black- ish ; crown bay, undivided ; line over the eye, sides of the neck, and breast, ash color; bill robust, dusky, the lower mandible yellow- ish towards the base ; legs and feet very stout, the hind nail longer than the toe ; tarsus £ of an inch. The aquatic habits of this common though little known species is one of its most remarkable peculiarities. In New England they arrive from the Southern States, where they winter, about the middle of April, and take up their sum- mer residence in the swamps and marshy meadows, through which, often, without flying, they thread their devious way with the same alacrity as the Rail, with whom they are indeed often associated in neighborhood. In consequence of this perpetual brushing through sedge and bushes, their feathers are frequently so worn that their tails appear al- most like those of rats, and are very often flirted in the manner of the Wagtail. Occasionally, however, they mount to the tops of low bushes or willow trees and chant forth a few trilling, rather monotonous minor notes, re- sembling, in some measuse, the song of the Field Spar- row, and appearing like twe tw'' tw' tw' tw' tw' twe, and twV tw'l 'tw tw' twe, uttered in a pleasant and somewhat varied warble. These notes are made with considerable effort, and sometimes with a spreading of the tail. In the spring, on their first arrival, this song is delivered with much spirit, and echoes through the marshes like the trill of the Canary. The sound now resembles the syllables 'tw 'tw 'tic 'twee 'twee 'tw 'twe 'twe, or 'tshp 'tshp 'tshe 'tsh 'tsh 'tsh 'tsh, beginning loud, sweet, and somewhat plain- SWAMP SPARROW 589 tive, and the song is continued till late in the morning, and after sunset in the evening. This reverberating tone is again somewhat similar to that of the Chipping Spar- row, but far louder and more musical. In the intervals he descends into the grassy tussucks and low bushes in quest of his insect food, as well as to repose out of sight ; and, while here, his movements are as silent and secret as those of a mouse. The rice plantations and river swamps are their favorite hibernal resorts in Louisiana, Georgia, and the Carolinas; here they are very numerous, and skulk among the canes, reeds, and rank grass, solicitous of con- cealment, and always exhibiting their predilection for watery places. In the breeding season, before the ripenino- of many seeds, they live much on the insects of the marshes in which they are found, particularly the smaller coleopterous kinds, Carabi, and Curculiones. They ex- tend their northern migrations as far as the coasts of Lab- rador and Newfoundland. They form their nests in the ground, often in the shel- ter of some dry tussuck of sedge or other rank grass, in the midst of the watery marsh in which they dwell. Their eggs are 4 or 5, of a dirty white, spotted with reddish brown. They probably raise 2 or 3 J^roods in a season, being equally prolific with our other Sparrows. They ex- press extreme solicitude for their vounof, even after they are fully fledged and able to provide for themselves ; the young also, in their turn, possess uncommon cunning and agility, running and concealing themselves in the sedije of the wet meadows. They are quite as difficult to catch as field mice, and seldom on these emergencies attempt to take wing. We have observed one of these sagacious birds dart from one tussuck to another, and at last dive into the grassy tuft in such a manner, or elude the grasp so well, as seemingly to disappear or burrow into the earth. Their 50 590 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. robust legs and feet, as well as long claws, seem purposely provided to accelerate this clinging and running on the uneven ground. The length of the Swamp Sparrow is about G inches ; (I have measured young birds 5£,) and about 8 in alar dimensions. The crown bright bay, margined behind and in front with blackish ; back- of the neck dark grey ; the anterior portion of the line passing over the eye is whitish, inclining to ash; chin whitish ; a stripe of black- ish proceeds from the lower mandible, and another from the posterior angle of the eye. Back blackish-brown, the feathers margined with light bay, and some touches of yellowish white ; wing-coverts bright bay and a little black, without any edgings of whitish. Wings and tail dusky, the primaries edged with brownish-white, the secondaries with bay ; 3d and 4th primaries the longest. Belly and vent brown- ish-white (in the female nearly white). Bill dusky, the lower man- dible yellowish below. Iris dark hazel. Legs very stout and long, and, as well as the feet, pale brownish horn-color ; claws strong and sharp. — Young spotted with black and olive brown, not bay, the breast also streaked with dusky. SHORE FINCH. (Fringilla *littoralis, Nobis. Oriolus caudacutus, Lath. Orn. i. p. 186. No. 43. F. caudacuta, Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 2S9.pl. 149. Wil- son, iv. p. 70. pi. 34. fig. 3. Phil. Museum, No. 6442 ) Spec Charact. — Two stripes of brownish-orange, inclining to buff on each side of the head ; breast pale buff with small blackish spots; tail w-edge-shaped w r ith the feathers acute. The Shore Finch is an inhabitant of the low islands and marshy sea-coasts from Massachusetts to Texas, living on small shrimps, marine insects, and probably grass seeds, moving through the rank herbage nearly with the same agility and timidity as the Swamp Sparrow, to which, in the structure of the feet and stoutness of the bill, it bears considerable affinity. These birds are not rare, though SHARP-TAILED FINCH. 591 not so numerous as the Maritime Sparrow, with which they commonly associate. These Finches frequent the water, and walk on the floating weeds as if on the land; throughout the winter they remain gregarious till spring, when they separate for the purpose of breeding. They are almost silent, a single tivcct being now all they are heard to utter ; and even in the spring so defective are they in melody, that their notes are scarcely worthy the name of a song. They nest on the ground, amidst the short marsh grass near the line of high water mark ; a slight hollow is made, and then lined with delicate grass. The eggs, 4 to 6, are rather small,- dull white, with light brown dots at the greater end, they raise two broods in the season in the middle States. The Shore Finch is about 5\ inches long, and 7^ in alar extent. Back yellowish-brown olive, some of the feathers edged with semi- circles of white. AVing-coverts and tertials brown-black, broadly edged with pale rufous. Tail short, wedge-shaped, all the feathers sharply pointed. Chin whitish ; breast yellowish-white, with pointed dark spots ; belly white ; vent and rump dark buff; the former spotted with dusky. From the base of the upper mandible a broad stripe of cinereous extends over the crown to the hind-head, bordered on either side by one of dusky brown. Bill dusky. Legs pale brownish-yellow. Iris hazel. t SHARP-TAILED FINCH. (Fringilla caudacuta Lath. Index Ornith. i. p. 459. No. 85. Emberiza Hcnsloicii ? Aud.) Spec Charact. — Varied with brown and pale rufous, throat of the latter color and a line of the same over the eyes; neck behind darkish rufous ; tail even, the feathers sharp-pointed ; bill and legs pale. Tuis species, described by Latham as coming from Georgia, appears to possess the same lowly habits as the 592 GRANIVOROUS I5IRDS. two preceding species, living chiefly among the grassy herbage, and probably near the coast. It has yet, how- ever, escaped all oar ornithologists. Our Sparrows do not change their plumage so much at any period, as to give any probability to the opinion, that this bird may be a variety of the preceding. Besides, the length of this indi- vidual, only 44 inches, is incompatible with the size of the Shore Finch. With much doubt it is quoted by Prince Bonaparte as a synonyme for Fringilla savanarum ; the feathers of the tail, however, in this species, are scarcely at all pointed. Nearly allied if not identic with Henslow's Bunting. SEA-SIDE FINCH. (Fringilla maritima, Wilson, iv. p. 68. pi. 34. fig. 2. Audubon, pi. 93. Orn. Biog. i. p. 470.) Spec. Charaxt. — Stripe over the eye and edge of the shoulder yel- low ; breast cinereous ; belly white ; vent buff, spotted with dusky ; tail rounded ; bill rather stout and long. This species is not uncommon in the maritime marshy grounds, and in the sea islands along the Atlantic coast, from Massachusetts to the Southern States. It confines its excursions almost wholly within the bounds of the tide- water, leaving its favorite retreats for more inland situa- tions only after the prevalence of violent easterly storms. In quest of marine insects, Crustacea, shrimps, and minute shell-fish, it courses along the borders of the strand with all the nimbleness of a Sandpiper, examining the sea- weeds and other exuviae for its fare ; it seeks out its prey also at dusk, as well as at other times, and usually roosts on the ground, like the Lark. In short, it derives its whole subsistence from the margin of the ocean : and its macgillivray's shore finch. 593 flesh is even imbued with the rank or fishy taste to be ex- pected from the nature of its food. At other times it remains amidst the thickest of the sea-grass, and climbs upon the herbage with as much dexterity as it runs on the ground. Its feet and legs, for this purpose, are robust, as in the Swamp Sparrow. According to Audubon, they nest on the ground, in the bushy parts of the salt marshes which are elevated above the flow of the tides. This hab- itation is made of coarse grass and lined with finer por- tions of the same. The eggs are 4 to 6, greyish-white, speckled over with brown. They appear to rear two broods in the season. In May and June the Sea-Side Finch may be seen almost at all hours perched on the top of some rank weed near the salt marsh, singing with much emphasis the few notes which compose his monotonous song. When approached it seeks refuge in the rank grass by descending down the stalks, or flies off to a distance, flirting its wings, and then alighting suddenly runs off with great nimbleness. The length of this species is 6J inches. Chin white, bordered by a cinereous stripe ; crown brownish-olive, with a stripe of cinereous. Above yellowish-brown olive, varied with pale greyish-blue; greater and lesser coverts tipt with dull white ; primaries edged with yellow beneath the coverts. Bill dusky above, paler below. Legs and feet pale bluish-white. Irids hazel. — The sexes nearly alike. MACGILLIVRAY'S SHORE FINCH. (Fringilla Macgillivrayz, Nobis. Ammodramus MacgiUivrayi, Aun. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 285, and iv. p. 394. Synops. p. 111.) Spec Charact. — Crown brownish-black edged with dull greyish- brown, without any median line ; a yellowish-brown band over the eye ; throat and abdomen whitish ; below pale yellowish-brown with dusky streaks ; above as in F. maritima. 50* 594 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. This rare species, resides in the salt marshes of the Southern States and has been met with from Sullivan's island to Texas. They retire from South Carolina, where they breed, early in November; many, however, remain the whole year on the delta of the Mississippi and in Texas. They run among the rankest weeds with great celerity ; their notes are few and unmusical, and usually uttered early in the morning. Length 5^ inches, extent of wings 7§, bill along the back 6.^-1 2ths, tarsus 1 l-12ths of an inch. Bill dusky, the lower mandible bluish- grey. Feet dark brown. Above similar in color to F. marifima, and below to F. caudacuta, but darker above and duller beneath than either. Nape and back of the same color, the middle of the latter having some of the margins of the feathers pale reddish-brown, quills hair brown; secondaries dark brown, edged with reddish-brown; coverts like the latter, edge of the wing white, slightly tinged with yellow. Tail hair-brown at the edges. Throat and fore-neck grey- ish-white, with an indistinct dusky streak on each side. Breast and sides pale dull yellowish-brown, marked with brownish-black streaks. Middle of the breast and abdomen greyish-white tinged with yellow- ish-brown. § ii. In these species the palate is scooped and grooved. Subgenus. — Carduelis. Briss. (Spixus, Brehm. Chrys- o.mitris, Boie.) The bill somewhat lengthened, narrower than the head, straight, and compressed ; both mandibles acute ; wings rather long and pointed ; Jst, 2d, and 3d quills about equal and longest. YELLOW-BIRD, or AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. (Fringilla tristis, L Wilsox, i. p. 20. pi. I. fig. 2. [male.] Bo.vap. Am. Orn. i. p. 57. pi. 6. fig 4. [female.] Aid. pi. 33. Orn. i. p. 172.) Sp. Charact. — Wings black, varied with white ; tail-feathers black, interiorly white towards the tips. — Male, in summer dress, yellow ; crown black. — Female, young, and autumnal male, brown-olive ; beneath yellowish white. YELLOW-BIRD, OR AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 595 Tins common, active, and gregarious Goldfinch is a very general inhabitant of the United States. It is also found in summer in the remote interior of Canada, in the Fur countries and near Lake Winnipique, in the 49th degree of latitude, as well as in the remote territory of Oregon and the Rocky Mountains, on the banks of Lewis's River, where I found the nest, as usual, with white eggs. On the other hand it is also met with in Mexico, and even in Guiana and Surinam in tropical America, where they fre- quent the savannas. Although many of these birds, which spend the summer here, leave at the approach of winter, yet hungry flocks are seen to arrive in this part of New England throughout that season ; and sometimes, in com- pany with the Snow Buntings, in the inclement months of January and February, they may be seen busily employed in gleaning a scanty pittance from the seeds of the taller weeds, which rise above the deep and drifted snows. As late as the 15th of September I have observed a nest of the Yellow-bird, with the young still unfledged. Their migra- tions are very desultory, and do not probably extend very far, their progress being apparently governed principally by the scarcity or abundance of food with which they happen to be supplied. Thus, though they may be numerous in the depth of winter, as soon as the weather relaxes, in the month of March, scarcely any more of them are to be seen, having at this time, in quest of sustenance, proceeded prob- ably to the southern extremity of the United States. Those observed in tropical America, may be hibernal wanderers from the cooler parts of Mexico. At all events, they select the milder climates of the Union, in which to pass the breeding season, as at this time they are but rarely seen in the Southern States, Kentucky being about the boundary of their summer residence. Naturally vagrant and wandering, they continue to live 59G GRAN1VOROUS BIRDS. in flocks, or in near vicinage, even throughout the greatest part of the selective season. As the fine weather of spring approaches, they put off their humble winter dress, and the males, now appearing in their temporary golden livery, are heard tuning their lively songs as it were in concert, several sitting on the same tree, enjoying the exhilarating scene, basking and pluming themselves, and vying with each other in the delivery of their varied, soft, and cheerful warble. They have also the faculty of sinking and raising their voices in such a delightful cadence, that their music at times seems to float on the distant breeze, scarcely louder than the hum of bees ; it then breaks out, as it were, into a crescendo, which rings like the loud song of the Canary. In cages, to which they soon become familiar and recon- ciled, their song is neaily as sonorous and animated as that of the latter. When engaged in quarrel, they sometimes hurl about in a whole flock, some, as it were, interfering to make peace, others amused by the fray, all uttering loud and discordant chirpings. One of their most common whining calls, while engaged in collecting seeds in gardens, where they seem to be sensible of their delinquency, is, 'may be, 'may be. They have also a common cry like 'tshevect 'tshevee, uttered in a slender complaining accent. These, and some other twittering notes, are frequently uttered at every impulse, while pursuing their desultory waving flight, rising and falling as they shut or expand their laboring wings. They are partial to gardens and do- mestic premises, in the latter end of summer and autumn, collecting oily seeds of various kinds and shelling them with great address and familiarity, if undisturbed often hanging and moving about head downwards, to suit their convenience, while thus busily and craftily employed. They have, like the true Goldfinch, a particular fondness for thistle seeds, and those of other compound flowers, spreading YELOW-BIRD OR AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 597 the down in clouds around them, and at this time feeding very silently and intently ; nor are they very easily disturbed while thus enc>acred in the useful labor of destrovincr the O O JO germs of these noxious weeds. They do some damage occasionally in gardens, by their indiscriminate destruction of lettuce and flower seeds, and are therefore often disliked by gardeners ; but their usefulness, in other respects, far counterbalances the trifling injuries they produce. They are very fond, also, of washing and bathing themselves in mild weather ; and as well as tender buds of trees, they sometimes collect the Confei'vas of springs and brooks as a variety to their usual fare. They raise sometimes two broods in the season, as their nests are found from the first week in July to the middle of September. The nests are often built in tall young forest trees or lofty bushes, as in the sugar maple, elm, spice-bush, and cornel. They are made of strips of bass, hemlock bark, and root fibres, with a filling, at times, of withered downy stalks of apple-tree leaves, old oak catkins, and other softish rubbish ; then bedded and lined within with thistle down, the pappus of the button-wood (Platanns), or sometimes cow-hair, and fine bent-grass. A few lint-threads of Indian hemp and caterpillars' silk, are occasionally thrown over the exterior materials, and agglutinated to them for the purpose of more securely holding the whole together. They never make use of any external patches of lichen, nor use this substance in any manner ; and the eggs, 3 to 5, are white, without any spots. This description is taken from 8 nests of the same bird, which, with 3 or 4 more not in- spected, were all made towards the close of summer, chiefly in the Uotanic Garden at Cambridge. In 1831 I examined several more nests agreeing with the above description ; and from the late period at which they begin to breed, it is im- possible that they can ever act in the capacity of nurses to 598 GRANTTOROUS BIRDS. the Cow Troopial. This procrastination appears to be oc- casioned by the lack of sufficiently nutritive diet, the seeds on which they principally feed not ripening usually before July. Length 5 inches ; of a rich lemon-yellow, but nearly white on the rump and vent, and a little paler on the upper part of the back. The crown, wings, and tail, black; the shoulder and its coverts olive- yellow, fading into white ; the greater coverts and tertials tipt and edged with white ; the tail haiidsomely forked, with the feathers acute at the points, and shaded off into white on the inner webs towards their tips. The bill and legs pale reddish-yellow, the latter much fainter. — In the month of September the male moults into a new and humble dress of brownish olive, nearly similar to that of the female ; the wing-coverts and tertials are now edged with white, slightly tinged with rufous. At this time, the bill and feet are brownish. Some males are provided with a white wing-spot, visible only when the coverts are elevated. BLACK HEADED GOLDFINCH. (Fritigilla magellanica. Vieill. Aud. Orn. Biog. v. p. 46. pi. 394, [male.] ) Sp. Charact. — Head and throat black; above yellowish-green; below greenish-yellow ; wings black, with two bands of yellowish- green and a spot of yellow ; tail black towards the end. Five males of this species were observed at Henderson, on the Ohio, one cold morning in December, by Audubon, feeding on the heads of some sun-flowers. Two of them were obtained, but none of the species were ever seen since by him. Their notes resembled those of the Pine Finch, but their flight and manner of feeding resembled thjpSf the common Yellow Bird. Length 4% inches. Bill dusky, feet and claws reddish-brown; rump and lower parts greenish-yellow ; a conspicuous band of yellow on the basal portion of all the quills, most of which are margined toward the end with the same. Tail yellow at the base, black to- ward the end. ARKANSA SISKIN. o99 ARKANSA SISKIN. (Frinsilla psaltria, Say. Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p. 54. pi. G. fig. 3. [male]. Aud. Orn. Biog. v. p. 85. pi. 400. Phil. Museum. No. 0278.) Sp. Charact. — Olivaceous ; beneath wholly yellow ; crown, wings and tail black ; a white wing-spot ; lesser wing-coverts dusky olive ; 3 outer tail-feathers white on the middle of the inner web. black at tip. This species, first described by Mr. Say, was met with in the month of July, near the base of the Rocky Moun- tains, south of the river Platte, and probably exists in Mex- ico. Individuals of this rare species have been obtained, in Louisiana, at insular periods, by Audubon. As usual, it lives in trees and bushes, sings sweetly, and much in the manner of the Yellow-Bird. The specimen was a male ; the female, and any other vesture of plumage, are un- known. The Arkansa Siskin is 4^ inches long ; extent of wings, 8 inches. Crown black ; cheeks dusky olive ; neck, back, and rump olivaceous, mingled with dusky and yellowish ; upper tail-coverts black, varied with olive. Beneath pure yellow. Wings brownish-black, smaller wing coverts the same, but slightly tinged with blue and edged with olive ; greater wing-coverts tipt with white, forming a bar across the wing ; 3d to the 7th primaries white towards the base, producing a white spot beyond the coverts ; first 4 primaries nearly equal, 5th shorter; the secondaries broadly margined with white exteriorly towards their tips. Tail blackish, slightly emarginated, edged with dull whitish ; the three exterior feathers pure white on the middle of their inner vanes. Bill yellowish, tipt with blackish. Feet flesh- color. Irids dark brown. 600 GRAXIVOROUS BIRDS. YARRELL'S GOLDFINCH. (FringUla YarreUii, Nobis. Cardudis Yarrdln, Aun. Syn. p. 117. Mexican Goldfinch, F. Mcxicana, Ib. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 282 pi. 433. fig. 4, 5.) Spec. Charact. — Crown black; bill very thick ; above yellowish- green; nape and rump yellow; wings and tail brownish-black, the former with two bands, basal band broad and yellow ; below yel- low. — Female, above yellowish-green; below dull greenish-yel- low ; no black on the head. All that is known of this species is that it inhabits Up- per California, and may therefore also accnr in the Oregon Territory. It appears to be allied to the Arkansa Siskin. Length a little over 4 inches ; in the male, wing from the flexure 2£ inches. Bill flesh-colored, somewhat dusky above. Feet and claws yellowish-brown. Wings with two bands, the upper one greenish-yellow, the other bright yellow, and broad on the bases of the primary and secondary quills. Tail half way yellow, below bright yellow ; 2d quill longest, 3d a little longer than the 1st. STANLEY GOLDFINCH. {FringUla Stanley/', Nobis. Cardudis Stanleyi, Aud. Synops. p. 118.) Spec Charact. — Crown black ; bill thick ; above yellowish-green, faintly streaked with dusky, inclining to greenish-yellow on the rump. Wings and tail black ; the former, crossed by two bands, basal band broad and yellow; below greenish yellow, passing into white on the abdomen. — Female, above dull yellowish-green, faintly streaked with dusky, paler beneath. Brought from Upper California, and may probably pass into Oregon. Length 4% inches, alar extent 2 10-12th inches. 2d and 3d quills equal, the 1st a little shorter; wings with 2 bands, the upper one PINE FINCH. C01 greenish-yellow, arising from the tips of the first row of small coverts ; tail yellow on its basal third, except on the middle feather ; feathers on the throat black at the base ; lower tail-coverts yellow, tipped with white, and having a central, dusky streak. Subgenus. — Linaria. (BecJist.) Linnets. Bill conic, short, and obtuse. PINE FINCH. (Fringilla pinvs, Wilson, ii. p. 133. pi. 57. fig. 1. [winter plumage.] Aud. Orn. Biog. ii. p. 455. pi. 180. Phil. Museum, No. 0577.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Dark flaxen, spotted with blackish ; wings black, with 2 yellowish-white bars ; shafts of the quills yellow ; lateral tail feathers yellow on the lower half. Our acquaintance with this little northern Goldfinch is very unsatisfactory. It visits the Middle States in Novem- ber, frequents the shady, sheltered borders of creeks and rivulets, and is particularly fond of the seeds of the hemlock tree. Among the woods, where these trees abound, they assemble in flocks, and contentedly pass away the winter. Migrating for no other purpose but subsistence, their visits are necessarily desultory and uncertain. My friend, Mr. Oakes, of Ipswich, has seen them in large flocks in that vicinity in winter. With us they are rare, though their fa- vorite food is abundant. They are by no means shy, and permit a near approach without taking alarm, often flutter- ing among the branches in which they feed, hanging some- times by the cones, and occasionally uttering notes very similar to those of the American Goldfinch. Early in .March they proceed to the North, and my friend Audubon observ- ed them in families, accompanied by their young, in Labra- 51 602 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. dor, in the month of July. They frequented low thickets in the vicinity of water, and were extremely fearless and gentle. Their summer plumage, as we have since also found in the Oregon Territory, where they abound and breed, is entirely similar to the garb in which they visit us in the winter, with the sole exception that the yellow of the winffs is brighter. They sing on the wing in the manner of the Goldfinch. Their notes are clear, lively, and mellow, like as in that bird, but still sufficiently distinct; they fly out in the same graceful, deep curves, emitting also the common call note at every effort to proceed. The length of this species is said to be 4| inches ; and the alar ex- tension 8£. Rump and tail-coverts yellowish, spotted with dark brown ; sides, under the wings, cream-color, with long streaks of black ; breast light flaxen, with small pointed spots of blackish. Bill dull horn-color. Legs purplish-brown. Irids hazel. LESSER RED-POLL. (Frlngilla linaria, Lin. Wilson, iv. p. 42. pi. 30. fig. 4. [young male.] and ix. p. 126. Aud. Orn. Biog. iv. p. 533. pi. 357. Linaria mi- nor, Swains. Phil. Museum, No. 6571). ) Spec. Charact. — Above greyish, inclined to rufous, and spotted with dusky ; below, and rump, pale crimson, approaching to white on the vent ; crown deep crimson ; frontlet and chin black ; wings and tail dusky ; bill very sharply and slenderly pointed. — Female without red on the rump, the throat black ; the breast generally whitish; belly with large dusky spots. — In the young, the space round the bill is cinereous, the lower parts pale rufous, and spotted, with two rufous bands upon the wing. This elegant species, which only pays us occasional and transient winter visits, at distant intervals, is an inhab- itant of the whole arctic circle to the confines of Siberia, LESSER RED-POLL. 603 and is found in Kamtschatka and Greenland, as well as the colder parts of Europe. Arriving in roving flocks from the northern wilds of Canada, they are seen, at times, in the western parts of the state of New York with the fall of the first deep snow, and occasionally proceed eastward to the very city of New York, where, in the depth of winter, and for several weeks, they have been seen gleaning their scanty food, of various kinds of seeds, in the gardens of the town and suburbs. Flocks are likewise sometimes seen in the vicinity of Philadelphia in severe winters, though at re- mote periods, as, according to Mr. Ord, they have not vis- ited that part of Pennsylvania since the winter of 1813-14. They appear very unsuspicious while feeding in the gar- dens, or on the seeds of the alder-bush, one of their favorite repasts, and thus engaged, allow a near approach while searching for their food in every posture, and sometimes head downwards. They are also fond of the seeds of the pine, the linden, and rape, and in the winter sometimes content themselves even with the buds of the alder. Ac- cording to Mr. CEdman, about Michaelmas they migrate from Sweden in flocks of more than 200 individuals, which are found all to be males. Wilson believed he heard this species utter a few interrupted notes, but nothing satisfac- tory is known of its vocal powers. Mr. Ord remarks, that their call much resembles that of the Common Yellow-Bird, to which, indeed, they are allied. They are said to breed in the Highlands of Scotland, and to select the heath and furze for the situation of their nests ; though they more commonly choose alder-bushes and the branches of the pine. The nest, almost like that of the Yellow-Bird, is composed of stalks of dried grass, intermixed with tufts of wool, and warmly lined with hair and feathers. The eggs, about 5, are of a bluish- white, varied with numerous red- dish spots disposed at the larger end. A nest, on an alder G04 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. stump, has been found in the South of England, according to Latham, on which the bird sat with so much tenacity as to suffer herself to be taken off by the hand, and when re- leased would not forsake it. According to Richardson, this is one among the few hardy and permanent residents in the fur countries, where it may be seen in the coldest weather, on the banks of lakes and rivers, hopping among the reeds and carices, or cling- ing to their stalks. They are numerous throughout the year, even in the most northern districts, and from the rarity of their migrations into the United States, it is obvious that they are influenced by no ordinary causes to evacuate the regions in which they are bred. Famine in all probability, or the scarcity of food urges them to advance towards the south. It is certain that they do not forsake their natal regions to seek shelter from the cold. This season, by the 7th or 8th of November (1833,) before the occurrence of any extraordinary cold weather, they arrived in this vicinity (Cambridge, Mass.) in considerable flocks, and have not paid a visit to this quarter before, to my knowledge, for 10 or 12 years. They now regularly assemble in the birch trees every morning to feed on their seeds, in which em- ployment they are so intent, that it is possible to advance to the slender trees in which they are engaged, and shake them off by surprise before they think of taking wing. They hang upon the twigs with great tenacity, and move about while feeding in reversed postures like the Chick- adees. After being shot at, they only pass on to the next tree and resume their feeding as before. They have a quailing call perfectly similar with that of the Yellow-Bird (Fringilla tristis), twee twee, or tshe-vee ; and when crowd- ing together in flight, make a confused chirping 'twit 'itwit 'twit 'twit 'twit, with a rattling noise, and sometimes go off with a simultaneous twitter. Occasionally they descend MEALY RED-POLL. 605 from their favorite birches and pick up sun-flower seeds and those of the various weedy Chenopodiums growing in wastes. At length they seemed attracted to the Pines, by the example of the Crossbills and were busily employed in collecting their seeds. As the weather becomes colder they also roost in these sheltering evergreens ; and confused flocks are seen whirling about capriciously in quest of fare, sometimes descending on the fruit trees, to feed on their buds, by way of variety. Though thus urged from their favorite regions in the north there appeared no obvious reason for their movements, as we found them fat, and not driven to migrate from any imminent necessity. A smaller variety of this bird sometimes is seen in whole compa- nies. The usual length is about 5^ inches. Upon the flanks and in- ferior coverts of the tail are some longitudinal blackish spots. Wings and tail black, the quills edged with greyish rufous ; the former with two transverse bands. Bill yellow ; black at the point. Feet brown. In the female only part of the crown is carmine. MEALY RED-POLL. (Fringilla borealis, Savi. Temm. Aid. Orn. Biog. 5. p. 87. pi. 400. f. 2. [male]. Linaria borealis, Ib. Synops. p. 114.) Spec. Ciiaract. — Dusky streaked with brownish white ; lower parts and rump greyish-white ; two bands on the wings ; crown crimson ; cheeks, sides, and part of the rump pale carmine ; frontal band, lores and throat, black ; legs and feet black. — Female, with the black on the forehead and throat tinged with brown : the red patch on the crown small, and the sides and rump without red. Tins species, so nearly allied to the last, is met with partly in the same remote boreal regions in the summer, but is of much more rare occurrence ; it is also found in the territory of Oregon, and stragglers have been obtained as far south as New Jersey and New York. In Maine they 51* 006 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. are less rare. They have a note very similiar to the last species, but distinct. They are full of activity and caprice while engaged in feeding, making wide circles and deep undulations in their flight. Like Titmice also they fre- quently feed and hang to the twigs in reversed postures. Length 5.^ inches, extent of wings 9. Bill yellow, with the ridge dusky. Iris brown. Feet and claws black. Upper part of the head crimson ; hind part of the back and rump nearly white tinged with rose color ; the lower parts greyish- white, the sides streaked with du^ky. Wings and tail dusky, with greyish-white edges. Subgenus. — Pipilo. (Genus of, Vieill.) Ground Finches. Bill conic, thick, compressed, acute, with the [borders a little in- flated, tip declinate. Wings moderate. Tail long, wide, and rounded. Tarsus rather long and robust. — Known better by their habits, than by any well marked generic character. They keep much on the ground, where they also nest, scratching up the soil and fallen leaves for insects and seeds ; of almost uniform dark and plain colors, with- out spots. GROUND ROBIN, or TOWWEE FINCH. (Fringilla crythrophthalma, Lin. Aud. i. p. 151. pi. 29. Embcriza cry- throphthalma, Wilson, ii. p. 35. pi. 10. fig. 5. Phil. Museum, No. 5970.) Spec. Charact. — Black; belly white; flanks and vent bay; tail rounded, 4 outer featbers partly white ; a white spot on the wing below the coverts, and an interrupted white margin on the prima- ries ; bill black. — Female, olive-brown where the male is black, the head and throat inclining to chesnut ; (as in the young male) 3 only of the lateral tail-feathers are marked with white. — Youngish male with the outer primary partly edged with white, and with the narrow white spots on the three inner tertials partly obsolete, or tinned with brown. Tins is a very common, humble, and unsuspicious bird, dwelling commonly in thick dark woods and their borders, COS GRANTVOROUS BIRDS. flying low, and frequenting thickets near streams of water, where it spends much time in scratching up the withered leaves for worms and their larvae, and is particularly fond of wire-worms (or lull), as well as various kinds of seeds and gravel. Its rustling scratch among the leafy carpet of the forest is, often, the only indication of its presence, excepting now and then a call upon its mate (tow-wee, tow-wee, tow-weet,) with which it is almost constantly asso- ciated. While thus busily engaged in foraging for subsist- ence, it may be watched and approached without showing any alarm ; and taking a look often at the observer, without suspicion, it scratches up the leaves as before. This call of recognition is uttered in a low and somewhat sad tone, and if not soon answered, it becomes louder and interroga- tory, tow-wee towcc ? and terminates often with towect. They are accused of sometimes visiting the pea-fields to feed, but occasion no sensible damage. In the pairing season, and throughout the period of incu- bation, the male frequently mounts to the top of some bush amidst, the thickets, where he usually passes the time, and from hence, in a clear and sonorous voice, chants forth his simple guttural and monotonous notes for an hour or so at a time, while his faithful mate is confined to her nest. This quaint and somewhat pensive song often sounds like, fsh'd unite te te te te te, or 'bid-wi tee, tr tr 'tr 'tr, the latter part a sort of quaint and deliberate quivering trill ; sometimes it sounds like 'bid tsherr WJi Wh, rrh 'wt, then *fwee twee f tshcr' r'r, also ct se ya, ya 'ya 'ya 'ya 'ya, the latter notes, attempted to be expressed by whistled and contracted consonant syllables, are trilled with this sound. The Ground Robin, sometimes also called Tshc-wink and Pec-wink from another of its notes, is a general in- habitant of Canada and the United States, even to the base of the Rocky Mountains, and the peninsula of Florida, GROUND ROBIN, OR TOWWEE FINCH. G09 in all of which regions, except the last, with Louisiana and the contiguous countries, they pass the summer and rear their young, migrating however, from the Northern and Middle States in October, and returning again about the middle or close of April, according to the advancement of the season, at which time, also, the males usually precede the arrival of their mates. They pass the winter generally to the south of Pennsylvania, and are then very abundant in all the milder states in the Union. They are said to show some address at times in conceal- ing their nest, which is fixed on the ground, in a dry and elevated situation, and sunk beneath the surface among the fallen leaves, sometimes under the shelter of a small bush, thicket, or briar. According to the convenience of the site, it is formed of different materials, sometimes, according to Wilson, being made of leaves, strips of grape-vine bark, lined with fine stalks of dry grass, and occasionally in part hidden with hay or herbage. Most of the nests in this vicinity are made in solitary dry pine woods, without any other protection than some small bush, or accidental fallen leaves ; and the external materials, rather substantial, are usually slightly agglutinated strips of red-cedar bark, or withered grass with a neat lining of the same and fallen pine leaves ; the lining sometimes made wholly of the latter. The nest is also at times elevated from the ground by a layer of coarse leaf-stalks, such as those of the hickory. The eggs are 4 or 5, white with a tinge of flesh-color, thickly spotted with reddish-brown of two shades, rather more numerous towards the larger end. The first brood are raised early in June, and a second is often observed in the month of July ; but in this part of New England they seldom raise more than one. The pair show great solicitude for the safety of their young, fluttering in the path, and pretending lameness, with loud chirping when their nest is too closely examined. 610 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. The Towwee Finch is about 8 inches in length; and 11 in alar di- mensions. Vent pale bay ; a few spots at times on the sides of the bay of the breast. The wing in the adult and perfect male has the 1st primary wholly black. The next 3 with an interrupted white edging, about A, an inch in extent, running down across the wing ; the white spot below, and just over the bastard wing, stretches over the lower part of the G primaries after the 1st ; there are then 3 linear, irregular, white blotches on the outer webs of the 3 tertials next to the body ; in the younger males, even of the 2d season, these last spots resemble a mere rufous-white edging, and the upper straggling wing-spot extends now over the edges of the 5 primaries after the first. The 1st primary is short, and the 3d, 4th, and 5th are nearly of equal length, and longest, with the Gth but little shorter. The tail is long (about 3h inches), and the first 3 feathers on either side are reg- ularly graduated. The legs and feet are pale flesh-color, and remark- ably stout, with the claws very long. ARCTIC GROUND FINCH. {FringUla arctica, Nobis. Aud. Orn. Biog. v. p. 49. pi. 394. f. 4, 5 ; Pyrgita, (Pipilo) arctica, Swains. North. Zool. ii. p. 2G0. pi. 51,52.) Spec Charact. — With the head, neck, and upper plumage blackish (in the female ferruginous-brown;) back, scapulars, and wing cov- erts striped with white; 1st and 8th quills nearly equal in length. This handsome Ground-Finch was observed only on the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it no doubt breeds, as one specimen was killed late in July. It arrives about the close of May, and frequents shady and moist woods, where it is generally seen on the ground. Its habits, in short, cor- respond with those of the Towhe Bunting, which it so much resembles in external appearance. It feeds much on larvae, and is a solitary and retired, but not a distrustful bird. We found this familiar bird entirely confined to the western side of the Rocky Mountains. Like the Common Towee, it is seen to frequent the forests amidst bushes and thickets, where, flitting along or scratching up the dead ARCTIC GROUND FINCH. Gil leaves, it seems intent on gaining a humble livelihood. It is at the same time, much more shy than the common kind, when observed flying off or sculking in the thickest places, where it is with difficulty followed. In a few minutes, however, the male, always accompanying his mate, creeps out, and at first calls in a low whisper of recognition, when, if not immediately answered, he renews his plaintive pay pay, or pay pay ay, until joined by her ; but, if the nest be invaded, he comes out more boldly, and reiterates his com- plaint, while there remains around him the least cause of alarm. When undisturbed, during the period of incubation, he frequently mounts a low bush in the morning, and utters at short intervals, for an hour at a time, his monotonous and quaint warble, which is very similar to the notes of the Towee ; but this latter note (toicec) so often reiterated by our humble and familiar Ground Robin, is never heard in the western wilds, the present species uttering in its stead the common complaint, and almost mew of the Cat Bird. On the 14th of June, I found the nest of this species, situated in the shelter of a low shrub on the ground in a depression scratched out for its reception. It was com- posed of a rather copious lining of clean wiry grass, with some dead leaves beneath as a foundation ; the eggs were 4, nearly hatched, very closely resembling those of the Towec, thickly spotted over, but more so at the larger end, with very small, round, and numerous redish chocolate spots. As usual, the pair showed great solicitude about their nest, the male in particular approaching boldly to scold and la- ment at the intrusion. This species extends into Upper California, and is occasionally seen there with the brown species of Swainson, Pipilo f'u.. Orn. 5. p. 232. pi. 424. [male].) PIXE FINCH. C33 Spec. Charact. — Umber-brown ; crown blackish ; hind head grey- ish-white ; lesser wing and tail coverts with the flanks, tipped with rose-red. Only a single specimen of this singular new bird was obtained on the banks of the Saskatchewan, in the month of May. Length G inches 9 lines ; the tail 2 inches 8 lines ; the folded wing 4 inches ; the bill above A an inch, to the rictus 6<| lines; tarsus 9 lines; middle toe £ an inch. — Dark chesnut-brown or deep umber color, somewhat paler on the belly, and darkest on the chin, neck and ears. Front brownish-black, gradually changing posteriorly into shining ash-grey, which becomes almost white on the hind head. Nasal feathers whitish and shining. Wings, tail, and their coverts clove-brown. The lesser wing coverts broadly edged with bright peach-blossom red ; the greater coverts more slightly margined with red ; and the wings and tail have only narrow and pale edgings. Rump and upper tail coverts broadly tipt with rose-red ; the flanks and under tail coverts the same, but paler. Wings very long and pointed, the 3 first quills nearly equal. COEYTHUS. (Cuvier.) PINE FINCH. Bill moderate, thick, inflated at the base, conical, acute; somewhat compressed at the sides ; upper mandible convex, wide, curved at the point, overlapping the lower one which is straight and blunt ; the ridge obsolete. Nos- trils lateral, round, hidden by the advancing bristles. Wings moderate, the 1st and 2d quills longest; tarsus short, thick, scutellated. Tail rather long, deeply emar- ginate. — Only one species of the genus known. Common to both continents. 634 GRAN1V0R0US BIRDS. PINE FINCH. (Con/thus enucleator, Bonap. Loxia enucleator, Wilson, i. p. 80. pi. 5. fig. 2. [young male of the first ye.ir.] Pyrrhula enucleator, Aid. Orn. 4. p. 414. pi. 358. Phil. Museum, No. 664.) Spec. Charact. — The wings with 2 white bands, and the tail black ; secondaries edged with white ; length about 9 inches. — Adult male tinged with reddish-orange, beneath inclined more to yellow, above varied with blackish-brown. — In the young male the same parts and the rump are carmine of different shades, ex- cept the flanks, abdomen, and vent, which are cinereous. — Female, with the top of the head and rump brownish-orange ; below cinere- reous, with a faint tint of orange. This splendid and very hardy bird appears to dwell almost wholly within the cold and arctic regions of both continents, from whence only, in severe winters, a few migrate into Canada and the United States, where they are consequently of rare and uncertain occurrence. They are common in the pine forests of Siberia, Lapland, and the northern parts of Russia ; and are also observed in the Scottish Highlands, and on the North-west coast of Amer- ica. They have been seen in winter in the lower part of Missouri, and at the same season, occasionally, in the mar- itime parts of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The American birds of this species are observed to return to Hudson's Bay as early as April. According to Mr. Pen- nant, they frequent the woods of pine and juniper, and are now possessed of musical talents ; but as the period of incubation approaches, they grow silent. Their nests are made in trees (probably their favorite evergreens), at a small height from the ground, with twigs externally, and lined with feathers. The eggs, 4 or 5, are white?, and the young are hatched in June. Suited to the sterile cli- mates they inhabit, their fare, besides the seeds of the CROSSBILLS. G35 pine, alpine plants, and berries, often consists of the buds of the poplar, willow, and other northern trees and shrubs; so that they are generally secure of the means of subsist- ence, as long as the snows are not too overwhelming. The individuals, as yet seen in the United States, are wholly young birds, which, it seems, naturally seek out warmer climates than the adult and more hardy individ- uals. According to Mr. T. McCulloch, of Pictou, Nova Sco- tia, in very severe winters, flocks of these birds, driven from the pine forests by famine and cold, collect about the barns and even enter the streets of Pictou alighting in quest of food. A male bird at this season, caught in a trap, became very familiar, and as the spring approached, he resumed his song in the mornings, and his notes, like those of the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak were exceedingly rich and full. As however, the period for migration ap- proached, his familiarity disappeared, and the desire of liberty seemed to overcome every other feeling. For four days in succession his food remained untouched, and his piteous wailing excited so much commiseration, that at length he was released. They are said to breed in Maine as well as in Newfoundland and Labrador. The length of the Pine Finch is about 9 inches or under. Tail considerably forked. Legs black. Bill brownish horn-color. LOXIA. (Briss.) CROSSBILLS. In these birds the Tiir.i. is robust and convex, with the mandibles crossing each other and compressed towards the points, which are extended in the form of cresronls. Nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, hidden by the advancing hairs of the front. Tokgi e cartilaginous, short, entire, and pointed. The TARSUS nearly equal with the middle (j'SG GRAXIYOROUS BIRDS. toe ; toes divided to the base ; hind nail largest, much curved. — Wings moderate, 1st and 2d primaries longest. Tail notched. The female and young differ considerably from the adult male, and from each other ; there is likewise a difference of plumage according to age and season ; although they are believed to moult but once a year. They inhabit the boreal and arctic regions, and possess most of the manners of the Grosbeaks and Bullfinches. They live prin- cipally in the forests of pine and fir ; feeding usually on the seeds or nuts of that family of trees, their bills being singularly well adapted for the opening of the pine cones ; they feed also on other kinds of hard seeds of the trees and shrubs of cold and alpine regions. In Europe they are observed to nest often in the depth of winter, and still later in the cold and arctic regions whither they retire at the approach of summer. Their migrations are irregular, and influenced much by accidental circumstances ; sometimes they appear in great numbers, as if driven forth by the approach of famine. They are active, not timorous ; and easily tamed. By the genus Psittacirostra, or Parrot-billed Grosbeak of New Holland, the Crossbills evidently approach the Parrots of the next order Zygodactvli. PAROQUET CROSSBILL. (Loxia 2>ytio])siltacus, Bechst. Temminck, i. p. 325. (ed. alt.) Spec Charact. — Wings without bands ; bill shorter than the middle toe, very stout, and greatly incurved, the point of the lower man dible not crossing the upper edge of the bill. This species, hitherto unseen in the limits of the Unit- ed States, inhabits, according to Temminck, the high northern regions of America as well as Europe, where they principally dwell and breed. They are sometimes, however, seen in summer in Poland, Prussia, and Ger- many ; and disperse themselves in winter through the pine forests for subsistence, returning again to the north at the approach of summer. They live on the seeds of the pine and alder, which they dexterously extract from their cones and catkins. They nest in winter in Europe, upon the COMMON CROSSBILL. G37 branches of the same evergreens which afford them their principal sustenance. In Livonia, they lay in the month of May ; the nest is neatly and artfully constructed. The eggs, 4 or 5, are cinereous, marked at the larger end with some large, irregular spots of blood-red, and with lesser scattered spots of the same. Lengtli about 7^ inches. In the old male the general color is olive grey ; cheeks, throat, and sides of the neck cinereous ; upon the head brown spots edged with greenish-grey ; rump greenish-yellow ; breast and belly of the same color, but shaded with greyish ; some longitudinal spots of dark cinereous upon the flanks. Wings and tail blackish-brown, edged with olive-grey ; rump brown, with a wide and pale border. Iris dark brown. Bill blackish horn-color. Feet brown. — Male, up to the age of a year. Above and below of a scarlet red, more or less pure according to the time elapsed from the commencement of their second moult, which takes place m April or May. Tail and wings blackish, the feathers edged with reddish. A little time after the completion of the first moult, the red of the plum- age becomes shaded with greyish; also some grey spots upon the throat and cheeks ; the abdomen and rump rosaceous-white, upon the latter a large brown spot occupying its centre. — The young of the year are of a greyish-brown above, with darker spots upon the head and back. Below whitish-grey with longitudinal brown spots; rump of a yellowish grey. — The female differs little from the young last men- tioned ; the upper parts are greenish grey, with large spots of cinere- ous-brown ; the throat and neck greyish, shaded with brown ; the rest of the lower parts cinereous, slightly shaded with greenish yel- low ; rump yellowish ; belly and rump whitish, upon the latter a large brown spot. COMMON CROSSBILL. (Loxia curtirostra, Lin. Aud. Orn. ii. p. 5.")!). pi. 1!>7. Curvirostra americana, Wilson, iv. p. 44. pi. 31. fig. 2. [adult male:] Phil. Museum, No. 5G40.) Spec. Cii\i:a< r. — Wmgs without bands; the bill as long as the middle toe; the point of the lower mandible crossing the top of 54 633 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. the bill. — Adult male, greenish-yellow inclining strongly to cinere* ous. — Female and young before the first moult, shaded with green- ish and yellowish tints ; rump yellowish ; beneath whitish, streaked with dusky. — Young male, after the first moult, brick-red. Tins more common species, like the preceding, inhab- its the high northern and arctic regions of both conti- nents, where it breeds, and is met with from Greenland to Pennsylvania, or farther south, according to the sea- son, and their success in obtaining food, when driven to make their southern descent or migration. From Sep- tember to April, they are found inhabiting the extensive pine forests in the mountainous and interior districts of Pennsylvania and other States to the North; they also extend their winter migrations into the lower parts of the State of Missouri. They have occasionally been seen in the maritime parts of Massachusetts, but are less com- mon here than the following species, generally taking, in their irregular incursions, a more interior and moun- tainous route. In the eastern chain of the Alleghanies, in Pennsylvania, according to Wilson, they appear to be at times very abundant visitors, feeding so steadily on the seeds of the white pine and hemlock spruce, as to be ap- proached without taking alarm. They have also a loud, sharp, and not unmusical note, chattering as they fly ; and, during the prevalence of deep snows, become so tamed by hunger as to alight round the mountain cabins, even set- tling: on the roofs when disturbed, and, like pigeons, de- scending in the next moment to feed as if they had never been molested. They are then easily trapped, and so eager and unsuspicious, as to allow an approach so near that they may be knocked down with sticks. In these very familiar visits they are observed even to pick off the clay from the logs of the house, and to swallow the mere earth to allay the cravings of hunger. In cages they show many of the COMMON CROSSBILL. C39 habits of the Parrot, climbing up the sides and holding the pine cones given them in one claw while they extract the seeds. Like the same bird, in Louisiana, they also do con- siderable damage at times in the orchard, by tearing apples to pieces for the sake of getting at the seeds only. They feed likewise on the seeds of the alder, as well as the ker- nels of other fruits, and the buds of trees. Scarcely any of these birds have yet been observed to breed within the Uni- ted States, as they retire for this purpose to their favorite pine forests in high and more cool latitudes, where in secu- rity and solitude they pursue the duties of procreation. Dr. Brewer, of Boston, however, obtained eggs of this species from Coventry, in Vermont. Like the preceding, they often breed in winter in more temperate countries, as in January and February, and the young fly in March. The nest is said to be fixed in the forks of fir-trees ; and the eggs, 4 or 5, are of a greenish-grey, with a circle of reddish-brown spots, points, and lines, disposed chiefly at the larger end : the lines also often extend over the whole surface of the This species was not observed by the naturalists of the northern expeditions in any part of the Fur Countries. It is however described by Forster. In the winter of 1832, during, or soon after a severe snow storm, a large flock of these uncertain winter visitors were seen in a red cedar grove near to Mount Auburn in this vicinity. In 1833, accompanied by the White-winged species, a flock of the same birds made their appearance, as early as the 11th of November, in some tall pine trees, in the same place they visited the last year in the depth of winter. They are very busy and unsuspicious, have very much the manners of Parrots in their feeding. At some distance beneath the trees where they are engaged, we can hear them forcing open the scales of the rigid pine cones with a considerable G40 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. crackling, and the wings of the seeds fly about in all direc- tions. Sometimes the little Red-Polls also attend to snatch a seed or two as they are spread to the winds. They fly somewhat like the Yellow-Birds, by repeated jerks and sink- ings and risings in their course, but proceed more swift and direct to their destination ; they also utter a rather loud and almost barking or fifing chirp, particularly the females, like 'tsJi 'tslup 'tsh 'tship. Their enemies seem also to follow them into this distant and unusual retreat. One evening, as they were uttering their quailing chirp, and about to roost in the pines, we heard an unusual cry, and found that the alarm was justly occasioned by the insidious and daring attack of a bold Butcher-Bird (Lanius borealis), who had taken advantage of their bewildered confusion at the mo- ment of retiring to repose. Besides their call and ordinary plaints, we hear, as I have thought, now and then, in the warmer part of the day, a rather agreeable, but somewhat monotonous song. We found these birds, as well as the Red-Polls, very fat and plump ; and they devour a great quantity of pine seeds, with which the sesophagus is perpet- ually gorged as full as in the gluttonous and tuneless Cedar- Birds ( Bomb y cilia.) The length of this species is about Q>h, inches. The bill brown horn- color. Legs and feet light brown ; claws large, much curved and very sharp for the purpose of clinging to the cones and fruits on which they feed. Irids brown. — According to Audubon, the adult only are of a red color. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. (Loxia leucoptcra, Gmel. Aid. Orn. Biog. 4. p. 4C7. pi. 364. Curti- rostra leucoptcra, Wilsox, iv. p. 48. pi. 31. fig. 3. [young male.] Bonap. Am. Orn. ii. pi. 14. fig. 3. [female].) Spec. Charact. — Winsrs with 2 white bands. — The different states WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. G41 of plumage very similar to the preceding. — Young male more in- clined to crimson, and without any yellow. This beautiful and well-distinguished species inhabits the northern regions of the American continent only, from whence, at irregular intervals, on the approach of winter, they arrive in the Northern and Middle States ; and, as usual with the rest of this curious family, seek out the pine and hemlock-spruce forests. Their visits to this State are very irregular. About two years since, they were seen in large, gregarious, famished flocks, near Newburyport and other neighboring towns in the vicinity of the sea-coast, at which time many were caught, killed, and caged. Their whole habits are almost entirely similar to those of the pre- ceding species. Its song is said to be mellow and agreea- ble, and in captivity it becomes gentle and familiar. According to Mr. Hutchins in Latham,* this species, it is supposed, arrives around Hudson's Bay in March, and in May builds a nest of grass, mud, and feathers, fixed generally about half way up a pine tree, and lays 5 white eggs, marked with yellowish spots. The young fly about the end of June. It remains in this country till the close of November, after which it retires, proba- bly to the South ; and Wilson's bird was obtained in the Great Pine Swamp or forest of the Pokono (Pennsylvania), in the month of September, so that it may be possible that some few pairs breed in this situation. This species, according to Richardson, inhabits the dense white spruce forests of the fur countries, feeding principally on the seeds of the cones. It ranges through the whole breadth of the continent, and probably up to the 68th parallel, where the forests terminate. It is usually seen in the upper branches of trees, and, when wounded, * Latham's General S3 nopsis, Supplement! i. p.. 1 I 54* 640 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. still clings so fast as to remain suspended after death. In September, collecting in small flocks, they fly from tree to tree in a restless manner and make a chattering noise ; and in the depth of winter they retire from the coast to seek shelter in the thick woods of the interior. This species is about 6£ inches long. Extent of wings 10£. (In the old male) the wings and tail are of a deep black ; and the gen- eral color of the plumage is dark crimson, partially spotted with dusky; tertials tipt with white; vent white, spotted with dusky. Bill brown horn-color. Feet and legs brown, and stout as in the preced- ing species. ORDER FIFTH. ZYGODACTYLI. (Birds with the toes disposed in op- posite pairs.) The bill of various forms, but more or less arched and much hooked, — often also straight and angular (in the second family or sub-order.) The toes are always directed two backward and two forward, the hind exterior toe, how- ever, often reversible. This order contains birds which have the power of directing at will the outer toe backward or forward ; it also contains a considerable number (or subordinate family) which retain habitually the digits in pairs. This conformation, affording a more solid manner of attach- ment, furnishes the means for clinging to and scaling the trunks and branches of trees ; others also make use of this support advantageously for the purpose of prehension (as the Parrots.) The European and North American genera of this order subsist principally upon caterpillars, worms, and the Jarvae of insects ; other exotic genera, with a thick and curved bill, give a preference to soft fruits, while others, with very strong and hooked bills, derive their subsistence from kernels and nuts. The greater number of those birds which have the toes dis- posed in pairs, nest in the natural cavities of old trees, and some, by the aid of their cutting wedged bills, form for themselves holes to answer this purpose. G41 ZYGODACTYLI. PSITTACIN.E. PARROTS. In these the bill is short, large, protuberant, extremely hard and robust, somewhat compressed, convex above and below, furnished with a cere at the base ; both the mandibles movable ; the upper curved from its origin, with the margins angular, the point hooked, and more or less subulate ; lower mandible shorter, blunt, and curved at the point, which by use then sometimes presents two more or less obvious points. Nostrils basal, orbicular, open, and perforated within the boundary of the cere. Tongue thick and fleshy, entire, rounded at tip, and sometimes pencillated (or divided into terminal threads, as in the Toucans.) Feet short and robust; the tarsus naked and reticulated, shorter than the outer toe ; fore toes united at base, opposable to the hind ones ; outer hind toe not versatile ; sole of the foot broad and flat, nails incurved, rather large, and acute. — Wings rather long ; the 3 first primaries nearly equal, or very slightly graduated. Tail of various forms, consisting of 12 feathers. — The female generally similar to the male ; the young differ much from the adult, and pass through several changes previous to attaining their perfect plumage ; the colors of which are unusually brilliant. These remarkable and gregarious birds dwell in forests, chiefly in all the warm or mild climates, excepting Europe ; a single small spe- cies exists even at the Straits of Magellan,* and others in New Zea- land, and the Macquarie islands in the 52d parallel, in the Southern hemisphere, which is much more prolific in kinds than the Northern. They are naturally noisy and unmusical, having little or no variety of note, until tamed and educated, when, in consequence of their docility, aptness, and happy conformation of vocal organs, they are readily taught to articulate the sounds of the human voice, either in speech or music, with a surprising exactness, and exhibit also no inconsider- able share of memory. They are, in short, perfect apes, and deserve to rank with the most intelligent of irrational animals. t They fly with the swiftness of wild pigeons, and climb by means of the bill and feet, which last, indeed, supply the place of hands, and are often employed for the prehension of their food. They feed on fruits and seeds, breaking the hardest pericarps, and inflicting powerful bites. * Psittacus smnragdinus, (Emerald Parrakeet.) t For further particulars concerning the docility of the Parrot, see the Introduc- tion, p. 20, 21. PARRAKEET. G45 They often build and roost in the cavities of decayed trees, and some- times also nest in the bifurcation of large limbs, or in the cavities of rocks, laying from 2 to 4 roundish white eggs twice a year. They are said to macerate the food for their young, and in captivity are nearly omnivorous, but give a preference to nuts and kernels. Note. We have already remarked their affinity to the Loxias, one of the species being called indeed, by some, German Parrots; and the intermediate link seems decided in the Psittacirostra ! They have likewise a more remote affinity to the Accipitres, from which, at the same time, their habits are wholly estranged. The Finches, allied to the Parrots in physical structure, have, also, like them, a remarkable degree of docility, and have been taught to perform feats with all the address and sagacity of monkeys* The Viduas, in their elongated tails, seem almost to represent the section of the Parrakeets. CONURUS. (Kuiil.) PARRAKEET. Bill short, convex, above and below very stout, deeper than broad, with a curving outline, and sharp edges, deeply notched, tip hooked, somewhat three-sided, elongated and acute. Nostrils concealed, basal, round. Feet and tarsus short. Wings long and pointed, with the 2d quill longest. Tail long and wedge-shaped. * See the Introduction, p. 21. CAROLINA PARROT. (Conurus carolincnsis, Bonap. p. 38. Psitta&is carolinensis,L. Wil- son, iii. p. 89. pi. 26. fig. 1. Audubon, pi. 26. p. 135. Phil. Muse- um, No. 762.) Spec. Charact. — Green; head and neck yellow; forehead and cheeks orange ; tail elongated. — The young without the yellow color. Of more than 200 species, now known to belong to this remarkable and brilliant genus, the present is the only one found inhabiting the United States; it is also restricted to CAROLINA PARROT. 647 the warmer parts, rarely venturing beyond the state of Virginia. West of the Alleghanies, however, circum- stances induce them commonly to visit much higher lati- tudes ; so that, following the great valley of the Mississippi, they are seen to frequent the banks of the Illinois, and occasionally to approach the southern shores of Lake Michigan. Straggling parties even have sometimes been seen in the valley of the Juniata in Pennsylvania, and a flock, to the great surprise of the Dutch inhabitants of Albany, are said to have appeared in that vicinity. This species constantly inhabits and breeds in the Southern States, and is so far hardy as to make its appearance, com- monly in the depth of winter, along the woody banks of the Ohio, the interior of Alabama, and the banks of the Mississippi and Missouri around St. Louis, and other places, when nearly all other birds have migrated before the storms of the season. The Carolina Parrakeets in all their movements, which are uniformly gregarious, show a peculiar predilection for the alluvial, rich, and dark forests bordering the principal rivers and larger streams, in which the towering cypress* and gigantic sycamore f spread their vast summits, or stretch their innumerable arms, over a wide waste of moving or stagnant waters. From these, the beech, and the hack-berry, t they derive an important supply of food. The flocks, moving in the manner of wild pigeons, dart in swift and airy phalanx through the green boughs of the forest ; screaming in a general concert, they wheel in wide and descending circles round the tall button-wood, and all alight in the same instant, their green vesture, like the fairy mantle, rendering them nearly invisible beneath the shady branches, where they sit, perhaps * CvpressitS diiticha. f PlataniLS occidentalis. J CclLis occidental L>. G4S ZYGODACTYLI. arranging their plumage, and, shuffling side by side, seem to caress, and scratch each other's heads with all the fond- ness and unvarying friendship of affectionate Doves. If the gun thin their ranks, they hover over the screaming, wounded, or dying, and returning and flying around the place where they miss their companions, in their sympathy seem to lose all idea of impending danger. More for- tunate in their excursions, they next proceed to gratify the calls of hunger, and descend to the banks of the river, or the neighboring fields, in quest of the inviting kernels of the cockle burr,* and probably of the bitter weed,f which they extract from their husks with great dexterity. In the depth of winter, when other resources begin to fail, they, in common with the Yellow-Bird, and some other Finches, assemble among the tall sycamores, t and hanging from the extreme twigs, in the most airy and graceful postures, scat- ter around them a cloud of down, from the pendant balls, in quest of the seeds, which now afford them an ample re- past. With that peculiar caprice, or perhaps appetite, which characterizes them, they are also observed to fre- quent the saline springs or licks to gratify their uncommon taste for salt. Out of mere wantonness, they often fre- quent the orchards, and appear delighted with the fruitless frolic of plucking apples from the trees, and strewing them on the ground untasted. So common is this practice among them, in Arkansas Territory, that no apples are ever suffered to ripen. They are also fond of some sorts of berries, and particularly of mulberries, which they eat piecemeal, in their usual manner, as they hold them by the foot. According to Audubon, they likewise attack the outstanding stacks of grain in flocks, committing great waste ; and on these occasions, as well as the former, they * Xanthium strumarium. | jSmbrosia, species. J Platanus occidentalis. CAROLINA PARROT. G49 are so bold or incautious as readily to become the prey of the sportsman in great numbers. Peculiarity of food ap- pears wholly to influence the visits and residence of this bird, and in plain, champaign, or mountainous coun- tries, they are wholly strangers, though common along the banks of all the intermediate watercourses and lagoons. Of their manners at the interesting period of propaga- tion and incubation we are not yet satisfactorily informed. They nest in hollow trees, and take little, if any pains, to provide more than a simple hollow in which to lay their eggs, like the Woodpeckers. Several females deposit their eggs in the same cavity; the number laid by each is said to be only 2, which are nearly round, and of a light green- ish-white.* They are at all times, particularly attached to the large sycamores, in the hollow trunks of which they roost in close community, and enter at the same aperture into which they climb. They are said to cling close to the sides of the tree, holding fast by the claws and bill ; and into these hollows they often retire during the day, either in very warm or inclement weather, to sleep or pass away the time in indolent and social security, like the Rupicolast of the Peruvian caves, at length only hastily aroused to forage at the calls of hunger. Indeed from the swiftness and celerity of their aerial movements, darting through the gleaming sunshine, like so many sylvan cherubs, decked in green and gold, it is obvious that their actions as well as their manners are not calculated for any long endurance; and shy and retiring from all society but that to which they are inseparably wedded, they rove abroad with incessant * Aodubow. Orn. Biog. i. p. 139. t Cock of the Ruck of Peru, which is also somewhat related, apparently, to the Parrots. 55 650 ZYGODACTYLY activity, until their wants are gratified, when hid from sight, they again relapse into that indolence which seems a relief to their exertions. The Carolina Parrot is readily tamed, and early shows an attachment to those around who bestow any attention on its wants ; it soon learns to recollect its name, and to an- swer and come when called on. It does not, however, evince much, if any capacity, for mimicking human speech, or sounds of any kind ; and, as a domestic, is very peace- able and rather taciturn. It is extremely fond of nuts and almonds, and may be supported on the vegetable food usually given to other species. One which I saw at Tus- caloosa, a week after being disabled in the wing, seemed perfectly reconciled to its domestic condition; and as the weather was rather cold, it remained the greater part of the time in the house, climbing up the sides of the wire fender to enjoy the warmth of the fire. I was informed, that when first caught it scaled the side of the room, at night, and roosted in a hanging posture by the bill and claws ; but finding the labor difficult and fruitless, having no companion near which to nestle, it soon submitted to pass the night on the back of a chair. When placed in a cage out of doors, in a suitable situa- tion, the call of the prisoner instantly awakens the sympa- thy of the passing flocks, who from the neighboring trees sometimes enter into communion with their disabled or de- tained companion. A caged bird, as with some of the other species, and particularly the ' Inseparable,' is ex- tremely pleased with the society of a companion, and they are observed to roost side by side, even thrusting their heads, at such times, into the plumage of each other, and thus, by a variety of delicate attentions, succeed in amelio- rating the misfortunes of confinement and unnatural re- straint. Even her own image in a looking-glass often seems AMERICAN CUCKOO. 651 to diminish the weariness of solitude, and by the side of this pleasing phantom, the Parrot or the Canary sinks satisfied to repose. This species is about 14 inches long, and 22 in alar dimensions. The forehead and cheeks are orange-red ; the rest of the head and neck of a rich yellow; shoulder and bend of the wing edged with orange- red. Above bright yellowish glossy green, with bluish reflections, diluted with yellow below; interior webs of the primaries dusky-pur- ple, exterior ones bluish-green. Tail long and graduated, the exterior feathers only half the length of the middle ones ; shafts of all the quills black. Knees and vent orange. Feet a pale whitish flesh-color; claws black. Bill white, slightly tinted with cream-color. Iris hazel. In the young birds the head and neck is wholly green, except the front and cheeks, which are orange, as in the adults. — Though tough like the Pigeon, the flesh of this Parrot is commonly eaten in the Southern States, but, from my own experience, I cannot consider it as very palatable. The brains and intestines have likewise been said to be a poison to cats, though apparently without any foundation, according to the experiment of Wilson. CUCULIN/E. CUCKOOS. With the bill robust or moderate, deeply cleft, compressed at the sides; ridge of the upper mandible arched, the point hooked or curv- ed. Wings short and concave, quills often distinctly carinated ; two of the toes directed forward and two backward. COCCYZUS. (Vieill.) AMERICAN CUCKOO. 'I'm bill rather robust, long, compressed the whole length, carin- ated, entire, with both mandibles gently curved from ihe base and re- flected at the points, the upper somewhat longer. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, half closed by a naked membrane. Tongi r short, nar- row, acute. Fekt Blendei ; tarsus naked, robusl longer or only about the length of the longest toe, the 2 anterior toes united at the base ; nails short and but little curved. — Wings rather short; spurious fea- 652 ZYGODACTYLY ther short, 3d and 4th primaries longest. Tail moderate or long, not emarginated, consisting of 1U feathers. These birds inhabit the warmer parts of both continents, though there are none in Europe ; two or three species inhabit the United States during summer. They replace here the true Cuckoos* of the old continent, from which they scarcely at all differ except in habit. They built, however, gem rally, a nest in tall thickets, trees, or hollow trunks, and breed up their young. They usually reside in forests or orchards, are shy, and fond of solitude, hiding and crouching beneath the shady branches, and seldom if ever alight on the ground. They feed on insects and berries, particularly on the hairy caterpillars re- jected by other birds, in the digestion of which they are assisted by disgorging at intervals the roughened skins ; they are also exceed- ingly greedy of the eggs of other birds. They moult once a year, and there is but little difference in plumage between the sexes, or be- tween the old and the young ; the female is however somewhat larger. § i. Tarsus about the length of the longest toe, knees feathered. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, or RAIN-CROW. (Coccyzvs americanus, Bo>ap. Audubon, pi. 2. Orn. i. p. 18. Cucu- lus carol ijicnsis, Wilson, iv. p. 13. pi. 28. fig. 1. C. americanus, L. Phil. Museum, No. 1778.) Spec Charact. — Dark greyish-brown with bronzy reflections ; be- neath white; inner vanes of the primaries reddish cinnamon color; the lower mandible yellow 7 . The American Cuckoo arrives in the middle and colder States of the Union about the close of April or the first week of May, and proceeds to the north as far as Nova Scotia. They probably winter in Mexico, and some pass no farther than (he forests of Louisiana. t We also met with this species in the remote territory of Oregon. La- f Audubon, Orn. Biog. i. p. 19. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, OR RAIN-CROW. 653 tham speaks of this species, also, as an inhabitant of the tropical island of Jamaica. It delights in the shady re- tirement of the forest, and is equally common in tall thick- ets and orchards, where, like a piratical prowler, it sculks and hides among the thickest boughs ; and although, un- like the European Cuckoo, they are faithfully paired, yet the pair are seldom seen in the same tree, but, shy and watchful, endeavor to elude everything like close observa- tion. The male, however, frequently betrays his snug re- treat by his monotonous and guttural koto kow kow kow, or koo koo koo koo, and ko kiik, ko kuk, koo koo koo kuk, koo ko koo, koo ko koo, uttered rather low and plaintively like the call of the Dove. At other times, the kow koto kow, and 'tk 'tk 'tk 'tk Hcik, or 'M 'kh 'kh 'kh 'kah kow koto kow kow, beginning slow, rises, and becomes so quick as almost to resemble the grating of a watchman's rattle, or else, commencing with this call, terminates in the dis- tant cry of kow kow kow. From this note, supposed to be most clamorous at the approach of rain, it has received, in Virginia and other States, the name of Rain-Crow, and Cow-Bird. At various seasons, during the continuance of warm weather, the vigil kow kow kow kow of the faithful male is uttered for hours, at intervals, throughout the night. The same notes, but delivered in a slower and rather tender strain, are given with great regularity like- wise in the day as long as the period of incubation con- tinues. He often steadfastly watches any approach to the nest, going to it occasionally to assure himself that it is unmolested ; and, at times, he may be observed darting even at the dormant bat, who accidentally seeks repose be- neath the shady leaves of some contiguous tree, so that he is no less vigilant in seeking the security of his own pro- geny, than in piratically robbing the nests of his neigh- bors. There are two or three other species in Jamaica 654 ZYGODACTYLI. and other parts of tropical America, possessing a note very similar to that of our bird, which also frequently ap- proaches, when delivered in the plaintive mood, koo koo and koo koo koo, the usual sound of the European Cuckoo. There is a Mexican species (Cuculus ridibundus) which so simulates laughter, as to have excited the superstition of the natives, by whom it is hated as a messenger of evil, its accidental note of risibility being construed into an ominous delight in misfortune. The whole tribe of Cuckoos are in disgrace for the un- natural conduct of the European and some other foreign species, who, making no nests, nor engaging in conjugal cares, parasitically deposit their eggs, one by one, in the nests of other small birds, to whom the care of rearing the vagrant foundling is uniformly consigned. This whit- ish and darkly spotted egg, so different from that of our dubious species, is supposed to be conveyed into several of the nests where it is found, in some way or other, after being laid, for in no other manner could it be deposited in the closed nest of the Common Wren, or that of the Chiff-Chaff* and other small kinds. The piratic habit governs the Cuckoo from its very birth, and the deceived foster-parent, by her kindness, has brought out, in the ruthless foundling, the dragon of her own offspring, every one of them being instinctively thrown out of the nest to die by this intruder on nature's benevolence. So exclu- sive, indeed, isthis assumption of usurped existence, that when two Cuckoos have been hatched (as sometimes hap- pens) in the same nest, a continual contest ensued until the stronger ejected the weaker, and exposed it to perish ! We shudder at the instinctive expression of so much de- liberate treachery in nature, of a still deeper cast than * Sylvia hypolais. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, OR RAIN-CROW. 655 that which presides over the birth of our Cow-Bunting, for here though the genuine brood mostly perish, as soon as they appear, the foundling exhibits no hostility towards them. But where we cannot follow nor explain the de- crees of nature, we must bow in reverence to its necessary and inscrutable laws. From reflections so appalling, on the birth of the for- eign Cuckoo, we may turn with satisfaction to the conjugal history of our present subject, which, early in May, or soon after its arrival, may be, at times, observed obstinately engaged in the quarrels of selective attachment. The dispute being settled, the nest is commenced and usually fixed either in the horizontal branches of an apple tree, or in a thicket, a thorn bush, crab, cedar, or other small tree in some retired part of the woods. The fabric is usually very slovenly and hastily put together, and pos- sesses scarcely any concavity for the reception of the young, who, in consequence, often fall out of their uncom- fortable cradle. The nest is a mere flooring of twigs put together in a zig-zag form, then blended with green weeds or leaves, and withered blossoms of the maple, apple, or hickory catkins. A nest near the Botanic Garden had, besides twigs, fragments of bass-mat, and was now very uncomfortably heated and damp with the fermentation of the green tops of a species of maple introduced into it, and the whole swarmed with Thrush-lice or Millipedes. The eggs, usually 2 to 4, are of a bluish-green color, often pale, varying in the shade, and without spots; they are somewhat round and rather large. If thev are handled before the commencement of incubation, the owner gene- rally forsakes the nest, but is very tenacious and affection- ate towards her young, and sits so close, as almost to allow of being taken off by the hand. She then frequently pre- cipitates herself to the ground fluttering, tumbling, and G56 ZYGODACTYLY feigning lameness in the manner of many other affectionate and artful birds, to draw the intruder away from the prem- ises of her brood. At such times, the mother also adds to the contrivance, by uttering most uncouth and almost alarming guttural sounds, like qua qucih giraih, as if choak- ing, as she runs along the ground. While the female is thus dutifully engaged in sitting on her charge, the male takes his station at no great distance, and gives alarm by his notes, at the approach of any intruder ; and when the young are hatched, both unite in the labor of providing them with food, which, like their own, consists chiefly of the hairy caterpillars, rejected by other birds, that so com- monly infest the apple trees, and live in communities with- in a common silky web. They also devour the large yellow cock-chaffer,* Carabi, and other kinds of insects, as well as various sorts of berries ; but their worst propensity is the parasitic habit of sucking the eggs of other birds, thus spreading ruin and dismay wherever they approach. They hatch several broods in a season, and I have seen a nest with eggs in it as late as the 28th of August ! though they usually take their departure in some part of the month of September. Considering the time they are engaged in breeding, they raise but few young, appearing to be im- provident nurses, and bad nest-makers, so that a consid- erable part of their progeny are either never hatched, or perish soon after. They are greatly attached to places where small birds resort, for the sake of sucking their eggs; and I have found it difficult at times to eject them, as when their nests are robbed, without much concern, they commence again in the same vicinity, but adding cau- tion to their operations, in proportion to the persecution they meet with ; in this way, instead of their exposing the * JHelolontha lamgera. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, OR RAIN-CROW. 657 nest in some low bush, I have, with difficulty, met with one, at last, in a tall larch, more than 50 feet from the ground. When wholly routed, the male kept up a mourn- ful koto how kow for several days, appearing now sen- sible by experience of the misery of his own predatory practices. Careless in providing comfort for their progeny, the American Cuckoo, like that of Europe, seems, at times, inclined to throw the charge of her offspring on other birds. Approaching to this habit, I have found an egg of the Cuckoo in the nest of a Cat-bird ; yet, though the habitation had been usurped, the intruder probably intend- ed to hatch her own eggs. At another time, on the 15th of June (1830), I saw a Robin's nest with 2 eggs in it, indent- ed and penetrated by the bill of a bird, and the egg of a Cuckoo deposited in the same nest. Both birds forsook the premises, so that the object of this forcible entry was not ascertained ; though the mere appropriation of the nest would seem to have been the intention of the Cuckoo. This species is about 12 inches long; and 16 in alar extent. Above dark greyish-brown with greenish and yellowish silky reflections. Tail long, the 2 middle feathers of the color of the back ; the others dusky, gradually shortening to the outer ones, with large white tips; the 2 outer scarcely half the length of the middle ones. Below white ; the feathers of the thighs large, and hiding the knees as in the Hawks. Legs and feet pale greyish-blue. Iris hazel, eyelids yel- low or black. Lower part of the upper mandible also yellow. Inner coat of the stomach villous. — In the female, which is larger, the 4 middle tail-feathers are without white Bpots. ST. DOMINGO CUCKOO. (Coceyzus dominicus, Nobis. Cuettlus dominicus, Lnf. Black-billed Cuckoo. C. erythrophthalmus, Wilson, iv. p. 16. pi. 28 6g. 2, Animox, pi, 32. Urn. i. p. 1.70. Phil. Museum, No* 1854 653 ZYGODACTYLI. Spec. Charact. — Dark greyish-brown with faint bronzy reflec- tions; beneath white, inclining to cinereous on the throat and breast; inner vanes of the primaries partly yellowish-white; bill black ; a naked red space round the eye. This species, so nearly related to the preceding, is also equally common, throughout the United States in summer, and extends its migrations about as far as the line of Nova Scotia or Newfoundland. This kind also exists in the island of St. Domingo and Guiana, and those who visit us probably retire to pass the winter in the nearest parts of tropical America. They arrive in Massachusetts later than the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and the first brood are hatched here about the 4th of June. In Georgia they be- gin to lay towards the close of April. Their food, like that of the preceding, also consists of hairy caterpillars, beetles, and other insects, and even minute shell-fish. They also, like many birds of other orders, swallow gravel to as- sist digestion. They usually retire into the woods to breed, being less familiar than the former, choosing an evergreen bush or sapling for the site of the nest, which is made of twigs, pretty well put together, but still little more than a concave flooring, and lined with moss occasionally, and withered catkins of the hickory. The eggs are smaller, and 3 to 5 in number, of a bluish-green. The female sits very close on the nest, admitting a near approach before flying; the young, before acquiring their feathers, are of a uniform bright greyish-blue ; at a little distance from the nest the male keeps up the usual rattling call of kow kow kow koto, the note increasing in loudness and quickness ; sometimes the call seems like kh' kh' kh' kh' } kh 'kah, the notes grow- ing louder and running together like those of the Yellow- winged Woodpecker. This species has also, before rain, a peculiar call, in a raucous guttural voice, like orrattotoo or worrattotuo. This species is less timorous than the Yel- MANGROVE CUCKOO. 659 low-billed kind ; and near the nest with young, I have observed the parent composedly sit and plume itself for a considerable time without showing any alarm at my pres- ence. This bird is also equally addicted to the practice of sucking birds' eggs. Indeed, one which I saw last sum- mer, kept up for hours a constant watch after the eggs of a Robin sitting in an apple tree, who, with her mate, kept up at intervals a running tight with the Cuckoo for two days in succession. The Black-billed species is about 12£ inches long. The 2 central tail-feathers unspotted, the white terminal spots on the rest smaller and bordered with dusky. Inner lining, and inner webs of the wing quills, of a delicate cream-color. Wings pointed, the 1st primary very short, the 2d a little more than £ an inch shorter than the 3d, which is scarcely longer than the 4th ; the rest of the quills are, again, beyond the 4th, all regularly graduated to the secondaries ; there is a strong tinge of cinnamon-brown edging about the centre of the wing, and on the anterior edges of the larger coverts. Bill bluish- black, the base of the lower mandible and ridge paler. Feet and legs dusky-bluish, the former very short, and hidden with feathers which surround the knee. The naked dull vermilion spot around the eye is very characteristic ; it is also attributed to the C. vctula or Long-billed Rain Cuckoo by Linnaeus, though not given at all in Buffon's figure. In fact, the specific definition of Vctula applies wholly to our bird, and may be it instead of the species quoted under this name by La- tham. Although there appears to be a difference in the mcasureiru mt of our bird from the C. dominicus of authors, Buffon gives it nearly 12 inches, and Brisson saw a specimen from Louisiana, which could be no other than the present ; from his figure, however, no conclusion can be drawn on the subject. § II. Tarsus lon