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ANATOMY OF PIGEON.
Ackermann&Co. Lith* Boston.
1 ■.^'"MY»i,«»*.V.«*r>»w»"!i'i, '■!■•. .1'
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•:TH /W^ERTCAN Hli^^^
.. roNClsm Ar< T^VRRv SPKCUfS OF LIVIN^
eiHJi AT PRESKNT ^ i u.i 1 1. f.
^fffi'iti'E^Jtlli'ir:.
Batf, an\J Enttrfls Btlutittcu:
I'Hi .«« LNCORrORMEO
A^i Ol-'f'V
GENERAL ; .0 R Nil HOLOGY :
CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS;
;^■v .■v rnr. t,tvi ctv
A M.\NL.-.i- '■•■
FIELD ORMITHOLOGY:
. :,1 ARING. ANi> PRESEKVING BIRDS.
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BOSTON:
F. stes and LAURIAT
J 884.
. Liths Boston
r-n
5..
: Vf-,
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KEY
TO
North American Birds.
CONTAINING A CONCISE ACCOUNT OF EVERY SPECIES OF LIVING AND FOSSIL
BIRD AT PRESENT KNOWN FROM THE CONTINENT NORTH OF
THE MEXICAN AND UNITED STATES BOUNDARY,
INCLUSIVE OF GREENLAND.
S(conl) lEDitton, l^cbiscli to Datt, anH Snttrelg Stttorttttn:
WITH WHICH ARE IN'CORPORATED
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY:
AN OUTLINE OF THE STRUCTURE AND CLASSIFICATION' OF BIRDS;
AND
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY:
A MANUAL OF COLLECTING, PREPARING, AND PRESERVING BIRDS.
By ELLIOTT COUES, M.A., M.D., Ph.D.,
MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, ETC., ETC.
PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED.
BOSTON:
ESTES AND LAURIAT.
1884.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by
F. W. Putnam and Elliott Coues,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
F. W. Putnam and Elliott Coues,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
Copyright, 1882,
By Estes and Lauriat.
Copyright, 1884,
Bv Estes and Lauriat.
University Press:
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.
'^o
SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD,
Nestor of American Ornithologists,
€:i)ts; SBotk,
BEARING TO OTHERS THE TORCH RECEIVED FROM HIM IN EARLIER DAYS,
£s iDe0uateti»
TlTL
Ded
CoN'
Hisi
M
§3
§4
§5
§1C
§2.
5 3.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Title '
Dedication "'
Contents ^
Historical Peefacb ^i
PART I.
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY.
§ 1. Implements for collecting, and their use 1
§ 2. Dogs 9
§ 3. Various suggestions and directions for field-work 9
\ 4. Hygiene of coUectorship 19
§ 5. Registration and labelling 21
§ 0. Instruments, materials, and fixtures for preparing birdskius 25
§ 7. How to make a birdskin 2S
\ 8. Miscellaneous particulars 13
§ 9. Collection of nests and eggs 50
§10. Care of a collection 51
PART II.
§ 2.
S3.
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
Definition of birds 59
Principles and practice of classification 65
Definitions and descriptions of the exterior parts of birds 82
a. Of the feathers, or plumage 82
4. The topography of birds 91
1. Regions of the body 91
2. Of the members ; their parts and organs 100
i. The bill 100
ii. The wings 106
iii. The tail Ill
iv. The feet ... 118
Vi CONTEXTS.
PAOF.
§ 4. All introduction to the Anatomy of birds 133
tj Ustcoioffv : tlio osseous .s_vsti'iii, or ftkciftou 134
1. Tile spinal eoliiimi l''»
2. Tiic thorax: riii.s and slcruuiii 142
3. Tiic pectoral arcli 145
4. Tlie pelvic arch 1*7
5. The skull 11»
6. Keurolog.v: the nervous system; organs of special senses 174
c. Jlyology: the iiiusculnr system 1W2
tl. Aiifreiolofry: Ihc vascular or circulatory systems 195
e. ruciimatoldgy : the respiratory system 19!)
/ Splanchiioliifty : the digestive system 209
ff. Oology ; the urogenital system 215
§ a. Directions for using the arlilicial keys 227
Aktificial Kty to the Ordehs and SrnonnEits 230
Artificial Key to the Families 231
Tabular View of tue Groups uiguek than Genera 234
PART III.
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
I. Onk-r PASSERES : Inst'ssores, or Perchers Proper 238
1. Suborder I'ASSERES ACROMYODI, or OSCINES: Singing Birds .... 240
/. Family Tukdid^ : Thrushes, etc 240
1. Subfamily 7V/rrf(«i*.- Typical Thrushes 243
2. Subfamily il7iw(W; Mocking Thrushes 248
3. Subfamily C'iiicliiiif: Dipjicrs 254
4. SnhhmiU Siuiroliii/e ; Stone-chats and Blue-birds 250
5. Snhhmnly Jif'ffuliiue: Kinglets and Wood-wrens 259
(1. Snhlmnily Poliv/itiliiife: Gnat-catchers 260
3. Family CiiAM^iDiE : Wren-tits 2C2
S. Family Pauih.e : Titmice, or Chickadees 203
7. Subfamily Pffw/zP; True Titmice 263
4 Family Sittid.e : Nuthatches 209
5. Family Certiiiid.s : Crecjiers 272
8. Subfamily C(»r///«W; Typical Creepers 272
G. Family Troglodytid.e : AVrcns 273
9. Subfamily O/wy^pyoz-^/wrAiW/' ; Fan-tailed Wrens 274
10. S\ih(ei\m\y Trofflodyliiiie ; True Wrens ., 277
7. Family Alavdii)^ : Larks 280
11. Subfamily CV//</;/f/n7(«^/".- Shore Larks 281
12. Subfamily J/ffwr/iW .• Sky Larks 282
*. Family Motacillid.e : Wagtails and Pipits 283
13. Subfamily MotncilHmi; : Wagtails 284
14. Subfamily Anfhinee : Pipits, or Titlarks 285
CONTENTS.
vu
PAOB
9. Family Sylvicolid^. : Aiiicriciiii Wiirblers 287
15. Subfiiinily Syleitoliiue : True Wiiiblcrs 289
10. Subfiiinily Ir/eriiii/r: CImts 311
17. Subfiiinily Setophaginir : Ely-cntcliing Warblers 312
10. Family CrcREBiD* : Honey Creepers 317
11. Family T.\NAOiuD,K : Taimgers 317
12. Family IIiuuNDiNiD,«: Swallows 319
13. Family Am PKLiD.K: Ciiatierers 325
18. Subfamily Ampeliiite: Wax wings 325
19. SMmuly Pfiloffona/iiue : Fly -snappers 327
20. Subfamily MyiadeKlinfC : Fly-catcliiiig Thrushes 328
14- Family ViUEONiD.K: Viieos, or Grcenlets 329
15. Family L.vxiiD,*;: Shrikes 336
21. Subfamily Z^/««(W ; True Shrikes 330
16. Family FuixoiLUD.K: Finches, ele 339
17. Family IcTEiiiD.K: American Starlings ; Blackbirds, etc 399
22. Subfamily //.y^'/Ww^/'; Marsh Blackbirds 400
23. Subfamily Stnrimlliiue: .Meadow Starlings 405
24. Subfamily iHerbun Orioles 400
23. Subfamily Qiiimdinie: Crow Blackbirds 410
18. Family ConviDiU: Crows, Jays, etc 414
20. Subfamily Coniiiie: Crows 415
87. Subfamily GarrulbtP: Jays 419
19. Family Stuunid.k: Old World Starlings 420
28. Subfamily <S////v,/W.- Typical Starlings 420
a. Suborder PASSERESMESO.MYOi')!, or CLAMATOUES: Songless Passeres . 427
20. Family Tyiiannid.k: Americi'.n Flycatchers 428
29. Subfamily 7Vn'««<«'^,'; True Tyrant Flycatchers 428
II. Order PICAKIiE : Piearian Birds 444
3. Suborder CVrSELlFORMES : Cypseliform Birds 447
21. Family Capkimijlgid.*:: Goatsuckers 447
30. %\Mvi.m\\y Caprimiilffinie : True Goatsuckers 448
22. Family CvpsELiDiB: Swifts 455
31. Subfamily Ci/pseliiifV : Typical Swifts 450
32. Subfamily Chteturintr: Spine-tail Swifts 457
23. Family TiiociiiUDiE: Humming-birds 458
33. Subfamily Trochiliiup: Humming-birds 458
4. Suborder CUCULIFOUMES: Cuculiform Birds 407
24. Family TnoGONiD.E: Trogons 408
34. Subfamily Trogonime : Trogons 408
[ — . Family Momotid^ : Sawbills] 408
25. Family Alcedinid^e : Kingfishers 408
35. Subfamily Aleedinulte: Piscivorous Kingfishers 40!)
2Q. Family Cuculid.e : Cuckoos 470
36. Subfamily Crotophaginte : Anis 471
37. Subfamily Saurotheriti/e : Ground Cuekoos 473
38. Subfamily Coecyf/ina : American Cuckoos 474
6. Suborder PICIFORMES : Piciform Birds 470
27. Family PiciDiE : Woodpeckers 477
w
Viii CONTENTS.
PAOB
III. Order PSITTACI : Parrots 494
38. Family I'siTTACiD.t: : Parrots 495
39. Sublamily Ariiue: Parrots 495
IV. Order RAFIORES : Birds of Prey 495
0. Suborder STIUGES : Nocturnal Birds of Prey 498
29. Family Alucoxid.e : Barn Owls 500
SO. Family STiiiGin.K: Other Owls 502
40. Subfamily ^Z/vy/W/ 502
41. Subl'auiily Buljoniii(e: 503
T. Suborder ACCIPITUES : Diurnal Birds of Prey 517
31. Family Falcoxid.k : Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc 519
42. Subfamily Circiiur: lliirriers 521
43. Subfamily Milciiirp: Kites 522
44. Subtamily Arcipifi-iiire : Hawks 520
45. Subfamily Fuh-onimc : Falcons 531
40. Subfamily Poliiborhio! : Caracaras 539
47. Subfamily jy/z/cowwrt- .• Buzzards and Eagles 54I
.?~'. Family P.^xDioNiD.E; Fish Hawks, or Osprcys 556
8. Suborder CATII A RTIDES: Amerieaii Vultures 557
S3. Family Catiiaetid.u : American Vultures 557
V. Order COLUMByE : Columbine Birds 501
0. Suborder PER1STEH.E: True Columbine Birds 502
34. Family Columiud.e : Pigeons 562
48. Subfamily Coliimhiii/r Typical Pigeons 304
49. Subfamily /rtW(/(W.- Ground Doves 560
50. Subfamily ^/ff/v/ffwof/zW; Quail Doves 571
VI. Order GALLIXJE : Gallinaceous Birds ; Fowls 571
10. Suborder PEUISTEU.E: Pigeon-toed Fowls ! { 572
35. Family CuAciD.ii: Curassows 572
51. Subfamily Pciidopuice: Guans 573
11. Suborder ALECTOUo'l'ODES: True, fowls ....'.'. 573
36. Family Mkleagkidid.e : Turkeys 576
37. Family Tktu.voxid.e: Grouse; Partridge; Quail 570
52. Subfamily Ti-li-aoaiiuc: Grouse 577
53. Subfamily tt/wz/o/j/zonVrt-.- American Partridges and Quails . . . 5S8
[— . Subfamily Pealiciiice .- Old World Partridges and Quaiis .... 594
VII. Order LIMICOLyE : Shore-birds ; sgg
3S. Family CiiAUADiuiD.K: Plover 597
54. Subfamily Ckiradribifr: True Plover 597
55. Subfamily Jp/irkii/rr: Surf-birds 605
39. Family H,«MAToroDiD.K: Oystcr.catchers; Turnstones 000
50. Subfamily IJfrmfi/opof/iiKP .- Oyster-catchers 600
57. Subfamily ^/,vyMv7ffi/)f/'; Turnstones 60S
40. Family Recukviiuj.stuid.e: Avoccts; Stilts ! ! 009
4i Family PuALAUoroDiD.i; : Phalaropes dU
42. Family Scolopacid,*: : Snipe, etc ! " ' OU
PAOB
494
495
495
495
498
500
502
502
503
517
519
521
522
52f)
. 531
. 539
. 541
. 556
. 557
. 557
. 5G1 .
. 562
562
564
566
571
571
572
572
573
573
576
576
577
5S8
594
596
597
597
605
606
606
60S
609
612
614
CONTENTS. IX
PAGE
VIII. Order IIEUODIONES : Herons and their Allies (147
12. Suborder llilDES : Tlie Ibis Series ()4S
^3. Family luiDiihf: : Ibises 648
Jf^. Family PLATALEiD.ii : Spoonbills 651
13. Suborder PELAllGI : Tlie Stork Series 65;J
45. Family CicoxiiD.E: Storks 652
58. Subfamily /tf«/«//«'C .• Wood Ibises 632
59. Subfamily Cicoiiiime : True Storks 653
14. Suborder HEllODII : The Heron Series 654
4G. Family AiiDElD.E : Herons 654
60. ^\i\)[dimAy Ardeiiue : True Herons 657
61. ^\xhhm\y Botaui-iiuc: Bitterns 663
IX. Order ALECTORIDES : Cranes, Rails, and their Allies 665
15. Suborder GRUIFORMES: Cranes and their Allies 666
47. Family Giiuid.e : Cranes 666
^S. Fauiily Au.oiid.e : Courlans 667
10. Suborder RALLIFOUMES -. Ralliform Birds 669
Jfi. Family Parrid.k : Jafiiniis 669
50. Family Rallid.i; ; Rails, etc 669
62. Subfamily Ralliiitn: True Rails 670
63. Subfamily Galliiiiiliii/p : Gallinules 675
64. Subfamily FrtZ/'aW .- Coots 676
X. Order LAMELLIRO.STRES : Anserine Birds 677
n. Suborder ODONTOGLOSS.E : GrallatorialAuseres 677
51. Family PiicEXicnrTEUiD.E: Flamingoes 678
18. Suborder ANSERES: Anseriue Birds Proper 679
52. Family Asatid.e : Geese, Ducks, etc. . 679
65. Subfamily Cyi/niiirP: Swans 681
66. Subiamily Aiixeriiifp : Geese 6S3
67- Subfamily Aiiatiiia: River Ducks 689
68. Subfamily Fitliffitliiirr: Sea Ducks 698
69. Subfamily Mergiiia: Mergansers 716
XI. Order STEGANOPODES : Totipalmate Birds . 71 8
53. Family SuLiD.E : Ganncts 720
54. Family Pelecanid.e : Pelicans 721
55. Family "halacrocokacide : Cormorants 723
56. Family PLOTiDiE : Darters 729
57. Family Taciiypetid.e : Frigates 730
5S. Family PiiAiiTiioNTiD.'5 : Tropic Birds 731
XII. Order LONGIPENNES : Long-winged Swimmers 732
10. Suborder GAVL'E : Slit-nosed liongwings 733
59. Family Larid.i; : Gulls, Terns, etc 733
70. Subfamily LestridiiKP : Jaegers, or Skua Gulls 734
71. Subfamily ZffriW .• Gulls 739
72. SMiimWy Slenii/ite: Terns 754
73. Subfamily RAynciopiiia : Skimmers 772
X CONTENTS.
PAGE
80. Suborder TUBINARES: Petrels 773
GO. Family Pkocellariid.k . Petrels 773
74. Subfamily Dioniedeiiuf ■ Albatrosses 774
75. Subfamily ProM//tf/7iW. • Pel iris 776
XIII. Order PyGOroUES : Diving Birds 787
61. Family Colymuid.E : Loons 789
62. Family Podicipedid.e : Grebes 792
63. Family Alcid.e : Auks 797
76. Subfamily P/mlmiliiue : Parrot Auks, etc 800
77. Subfamily .^/«'//<e: Guillemots, Murres, and Auks proper . . . 810
■ i I
PART IV.
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF THE FOSSIL BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA.
A. Tektiary Birds S22
B. Cretaceous Birds 825
C. Jurassic Birds 829
INDEX 831
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
Were a modem Hesiod to essay — neither a cos-
mogony nor a theogony — but the genesis of even the
least department of human knowledge, — were he to
seek the begiunings of Ameri(»n Ornithology, he would
lind it only in Chaos. For from this sprang all things,
great and small alike,
to pass through Night
and Nemesis to the
light of days which
first see orderly pro-
gress in the course
of natural evolution,
when is first estab-
lished some sequence
of events we recognize
as causes and effects.
Then there is system,
and formal law ; there
science becomes possi-
ble ; there its possible
history begins.
Long was the time
during which the birds
of our country were
known to its inhab-
itants, after the fash-
ion of the people of
those days, — known
as things of which use
could be made, and
studied, too, that use
might be made of them.
But this period is pre-
historic; no evidence
remains, save in some quaint pictograph or rudely graven image. There followed a
period — shorter by far than the former one, though it endures to-day — when the same
xu
HISTORICAL PliEFACE.
birds awakened in other men an interest tlioy could not excite in a savage breast, and
tlio sense of beauty was felt. Use and liuauty ! What may not spring from such divinely
mated pair, when once they brood njion tlie human mind, like halcyons stilling troubled
waters, sinking the instincts of the animal in the restful, satisfying reflections of the
man ]
The history of American Ornitliology begins at the time when men first wrote upon
American binls ; for men write nothing without some reason, and to reason at all is the
beginning of science, even as to reason aright is its end. The date no one can assign,
nnloss it be arbitrarily ; it was during the latter ]mt of the sixteenth century, which,
with the whole of the seventeenth, represents the formative or embryonic period during
which were gathering about the germ the crude materials out of which an ornithology of
Xorth America was to be fosliioneil. As these accumulated and were assimilated, — as
the writings multiplied and books bred books, " each after its kind," this special depart-
ment of knowledge grew up, and its form changed with each new impress made upon its
plastic organization.
Viewing in proper perspective these three centuries and more which our subject has
seen — passing in retrospect tlie steps of its development — we find that it offers several
j)hases, representing as many " epochs " or major divisions, of very unequal duration, and
of scientific significance inveisely proportionate to their respective lengths. All that
went before 1700 constitutes the first of these, which may be termed the Archaic epoch.
The eighteenth century witnessed an extraordinary event, the consequence of which to
systematic zoology cannot be over-estimated ; it occurred almost exactly in the middle of
the century, which is thus sharply divided into a Pre-LiniKeaii epoch, before the institu-
tion of the binomial nomenclature, and a Post-Linii/raii epoch, during which this technic
of modern zoology was establislied, — each approximately of half a century's duration.
In respect of our particular theme, the first quarter of the nineteenth century saw the
" father of American ornithology," whose spirit pointed the crescent in the sky of the
Wilsonian epoch. During the second quarter, these horns were filled with the genius of
the Anduhonian epoch. In the third, the plenteousness of a master mind has marked
the Bairdian epoch.
Clearly as these six epochs may be recognized, there is of course no break between
them ; they not only meet, but merge in one another. The sharpest line is that which
runs across Linmeusat 17o8: but even that is only visible in historical perspective, while
the assignation of the dates 1700 and 1800 is rather a chronological convenience than
otherwise. Nothing absolutely marks tlie former ; and Wilson was unseen till 1808.
The Archaic epoch stretches into tlie dim past with unshifting scene, even at the
■ g-pnint of the two centuries in which it lies. It is otherwise with the rest ; their
.pes have incessantly changed ; and several have been the periods in each of them dur-
ing which their course of develojiment has been accelerated or retarded, or modified in
some special feature. These changes have invariably coincided with — have in fact been
induced by — the appearance of some great work ; great, not necessarily in itself, but
in its relation to the times, and thus in the consequences of the interaction between the
times and the author who left the science other than he found it. The edifice as it
stands to-day is the work of all, even of the humblest, builders ; but its plan is tliat of
the arcliitects who have modelled its main features, and the changes they have success-
HISTOBIJAL PBEFACE.
Xlll
ively wrought are the marks of progress. It is consequently possible, and it will be found
convenient, to subdivide the epochs named (excepting the first) into lesser natural inter-
vals of time, which may be called " periods," to each of which may attach the name of
the architect whose design is expressed most clearly. I recognize fifteen such periods, of
very unequal duration, to which specific dates may attach. Seven of these fall in the
last century ; eight in the three-quarters of the prasent century. We may pass them in
brief review.
The Archaic Epoch: to 1700.
Mere mention or fragmentary notice of North American birds may be traced back
to the middle of the sixteenth century ; but, up to the eighteenth, no book entirely and
exclusively devoted to the subject had appeared. The Turkey and the Humming-bird
were among the earliest to appear in print ; the latter forms the subject of the earliest
paper I have found, exclusively and formally treating of any North American bird as
such, and this was not until 1 693, when Hamersly described the " American Tomineius,"
as it was called. One of the largest, as well as the smallest of our birds, — the turkey,
early came in for a share of attention. The germs of the modern " faunal list," — that is
to say, notes upon the birds of some particular region or locality, — appeared early in the
seventeenth century, and continued throughout ; but only as incidental and very slight
features of books published by colonists, adventurers, and missionaries, in their several
interests, — unless Hernandez's famous "Thesaurus " be brought into the present connec-
tion. Among such books containing bird-matter may be noted Smith's " Virginia," 1012;
Hamor's "Virginia," 1615; Whitbourne's "Newfoundland," 1620; Higginson's "New
England," 1630; Morton's "New English Canaan," 1632; "Wood's "New England's
Prospect," 1634; Sagard Theodat's "Voyage," 1632; Josselyn's "New England's
Earities," 1672 ; — and so on, with a few more, — sometimes mere paragi-aphs, some-
times a page or a formal chapter, — but scarcely anything to be now considered except in
a spirit of curiosity.
The Pre-Linn^an Epoch : 1700-1758.
(1700-1730.)
The Lawsonian Period. — It may be a bicus a non to call this the " Lawsonian "
period ; but a name is needed for the portion of this epoch prior to Catesby, during which
no other name is so prominent as that of John Lawson, Gentleman, Surveyor-General of
North Carolina, whose " Description and Natural History " of that country contains one
of the most considerable faunal lists of our birds which appeared before 1730, and went
through many editions, — the last of these being published at Raleigh, in 1860. The
several early editions devote some fifteen or twenty pages to birds, — an amount aug-
mented considerably when Brickell appropriated the work in 1737. The Baron de la
Hontan did similar service to Canadian birds in his "Voyages," 1793; but, on the
whole, this period is scarcely more than archaic.
(1730-1748.)
The Catesbian Period. — This comprises the time when Mark Catesby's great work
was appearing by instalments. " The Natural History of Carolina, Florida," etc, is the
xiv
HISTORICAL PBEFACE.
first really great work to come under our notice ; its influence was immediate, and is even
now felt. It is the " Audubon " of that time ; a folio in two volumes, dating respectively
1731 and 1743, with an appendix, 1748; passing to a second edition in 1754, to a
third in 1771, under the supervision of Edwards ; reproduced in Germany, in " Selig-
mann's Siimiulung." 1749-70. It was publisiied in parts, the date of the first of which
I beUeve to have been 1730, though it may have been a little earlier. Volume I, contain-
ing the birds, appears to liave been issued in five parts, and was made up in 1731 ; it consists
of a hundred colored plates of birds, with as many leaves of text ; a few more birds are
given in the appendix, raising tlic number to 113. These illustrations are recognizable
almost without exception ; most of the species arc for the first time described and figured ;
they furnish tlie basis of many subsequently named in the Linna;an system ; the work
was eventually provided by Edwards with a Linna>an concordance or index ; and alto-
gether it is not easy to ovcrostiuiate the significance of the Catesbian period, duo to this
one work ; for no other book requires or indeed deserves to be mentioned in the same
connection, tliough a few contributions, of somewhat " arcliaic " character, were made by
various writers.
(I748-17i, u)
The Edwardmm Perind. — 'I'liis bridges the interval between Catesby and the estab-
lislinient of tiie binomial nomenclature, and finishes the Pre-Linna'an epoch. No groat
name of exclusive pertinence to \orth American ornithology appears in this decade.
But the great naturalist whose name is inseparably associated with tliat of Catesby had
begun in 1741 the "Natural History of Uncommon Birds," which he completed in four
parts or volumes, in 17.51, and in which the North American element is conspicuous.
This work contains two hundred and ten colored plates, with accom[)anyiug text, forming
a treatise which easily mnks among the half-dozen greatest M'orks of the kind of the Pre-
Linna!an epoch, and passed through several editions in different languages. Its impress
upon American ornithology of the tim- is secontl only to that made by Catesby's, of
which it was the natural sequence, if nut consequence It bore similarly upon birds soon
to be described in binomial terms, and was shortly followed by the not less famous
"Gleanings of Natural History," 1758-04, a work of precisely the same character, and in
fact a continuation of the former. PMwards also made some of our birds the subject of
special papers before the riiilosopliical Society, as those of 1755 and 1758 upon the
Rufled Grouse and the Phalarope. It may be noted hero that one of the few special papers
upon any American bird which Linna}us published appeared in this period, he having in
1750 first described the Louisiana Nonpareil {Passerina ciris). This period also saw the
publication of part of the original Swedish edition of Peter Kalm's "Travels," 1753-61,
which went through numerous editions in diff'erent languages. Kalm was a correspondent
of Linna;us ; the genus of plants, Kalmla, commemorates his name ; his work contains
accounts of many of our birds, some of them the bases of Linntean species ; and he also
published, in 1759, a special paper upon the Wild Pigeon. As in the Catesbian period,
various lesser contributions were made, but none requiring comment. Thus Lawson,
as representing the continuation of a preceding epoch, and the associated names of
Catesby and Edwards in the present one, have carried us past the middle of the last
centurj'.
HISTOmCAL PREFACE.
XV
id is even
spectively
754, to a
n " Selig-
of which
., contain-
it consists
birds are
cognizable
d figured ;
the work
and alto-
duo to this
the same
•:& made by
d the estab-
No great
bis discade.
^'atesby had
eted in four
30iispicuou8.
ext, forming
[ of the Pre-
Its impress
[Jatesby's, of
n birds soon
less famous
icter, and in
le subject of
i8 upon the
jecial papers
lie having in
also saw the
!," 1753-61,
)rrespondent
Di'k contains
and he also
jbian period,
lus Lawson,
id names of
I of the last
The Post-Linn-ean Epoch: 1758-1800.
(1758-1760.)
The Linuceaii Period. — An interregnum here, during which not a notable work or
worker appears in North American ornith(ilogy itself. But events elsewhere occurred,
hlie reflex action of wliich upon our theme is simply incalculable, fully requiring the
recognition of this period. The dates, 1 758-1 7CG, are respectively those of the appear-
ance of the tenth and of the twelth edition of the " Systema Xutune " of Linntcus. In
the former the illustrious Swede first formally and consistently applied his system of
nomenclature to all birds known to him; the latter is his completed system, as it finally
left his hands; and from tlicu to now, zoologists and especially ornithologists have dis-
puted whether 1758 or 17GG should be taken as the starting-point of zoological nomen-
clature. In ornithology, the matter is still at issue between the American and the
British schools. However this may result, the fact remains that during this "LinncDan
period," 1758 to 1766, we have tlie origin of all the tenable specific names of those of
our birds whicli were known to LiniiiKUS ; the gathering up and methodical digestion
and systematic arrangement of all tliat had gone before. Let this scant decade stand, —
mute in America, but eloquent in Sweden, and since applauded to the echo of the world.
Nor is this all. The year 1760 saw the famous " Ornithologia " of Mathurin Jaccjues
Brisson (born April 20, 1725 — dieil Juno 23, 1806), in six portly quartos with 261 fohled
plates, and elaborate descriptions in Latin and French of hundreds of birds, a fair pro-
portion of which are North American. Many aro described for the fii-st time, though
unfortunately not in the binomial nomenclature. The work holds permanent place ;
and most of the original descriptions of Brisson's are among the surest bases of Linna;au
species.
(1700-1785.)
The Forsterian Period. — Nearly twenty years have now elapsed with so little in-
cident that two brochures determine the complexion of this period. John Reinhold
Forster was a learned and able man, whose connection with North American ornithology
is interesting. In 1771 he published a tract, now very scarce and of no consequence
whatever, entitled "A Catalogue of the Animals of North America." But it was the
first attempt to do anytliing of the sort, — in short, the first thing of its kind. It gives
.302 birds, neither described nor even named scientifically. But that was a large num-
ber of North American birds to even mention in those days, — more than Wilson gave
in 1814. Forster followed up this exploit in 1772 with an interesting and valuable
account of 58 birds from Hudson's Bay, occupying some fifty pages of the "Philosophical
Transactions." Several of these birds were new to science, and were formally named, —
such as our White- throated Sparrow, Black-poll Warbler, Hudsonian Titmouse, and
Eskimo Curlew. Aside from its intrinsic merit, this paper is notable as the first formal
treatise exclusively devoted to a collection of North American birds sent abroad. The
period is otherwise marked by tiie publication in 1780 of Fabricius' " Fauna Groenlandica,"
in which some 50 birds of Greenland receive attention ; and especially by the appearance
of a groat statesman and one of the Presidents of the United States in the role of orni-
thologist, Thomas Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia" having been first pri-
mi
HISTORICAL PREFACE
m
vately printed in Paris in 1782, though the authorized publication was not till 1787.
It coutaina a Hst of 77 birds of Virginia, fortified witli I'eferences to Catesby, Linnmus,
and Brisson, as tiie autlior's authorities. Tliere were many editions, one dating 1853.
The long publication in France of one of the monumental works on general orni-
thology coincides very nearly witli this period 1 refer of course to Bulibn and hia
collaborators. The " Histoire Naturelic des Oiseaux," by Butfon and Montbeillard, dates
in its original edition 1770-1783, being in nine quarto volumes with 264 plain plates.
It forms a part of tiie gmnd set of volumes dating 1749-1804 in their original editions.
With the nine bird-volumes are associated the magnificent series of colored plates known
as the "Planches Enluminces," published in 42 fascicles from 1765 to 1781. The
plates are 1008 in number, of which 973 represent birds.
(1785-1791.)
The Pennantian Period. — A great landmark — one of the most conspicuous of the
last century — was set up with the appearance in 1 785 of the second volume of Tliomas
Pennant's "Arctic Zoology." The whole work, in tliree quarto volumes with many
plates, 1784-1787, was "designed as a sketch of the Zoology of North America."
In this year, also, John Latham completed the third volume (or sixth part) of his
"General Synopsis of Birds." These two great works have nnich in comm.on, in so far
as a more restricted treatise can be compared with a more comprehensive one ; and in
the history of our subject the names of Latham and Pennant are linked as closely as
those of Catesby and Edwards. The parallel may bo drawn still further ; for neither
Pennant nor Latham (up to the date in mention) used binomial names ; their species
had consequently no standing; but they furnished to Gmelin in 1788 the same bases
of formally-named .species of the thirteenth edition of the " Systema Natune," that
Catesby and Edwards had afforded Linnii3us in 1758 and 1766. Pennant treated up-
wards of 500 nniuiiial species of North American Birds. The events at large of this brief
but important period were the progress of Latham's Supplement to his Synopsis, the first
volume of which appeared in 1787, though the second was not completed till 1801 ;.
the appearance in 1790 of Latham's " Index Ornithologicus," in which his birds receive
Latin names in due form ; and the publication in 1 788 of the thirteenth edition of the
"Systema Naturcc," as just said.
We are so accustomed to see " Linn." and " Gm." after the names of our longest-
known birds that we almost unconsciously acquire the notion that Linnreus and Gmelin
were great discoverers or describers of birds in those days. But the men who made
North American ornithology what it was during the last century were Catesby,
Eilwards, Forster, Pennant, Latham, and Bartram. For " the illustrious Swede " was in
(his case little more than a methodical cataloguer, or systematic indexer ; while his editor,
Gmelin, was merely an industrious, indiscriminate compiler and transcriber. Neither of
these men ducovered anything to speak of in this connection.
(1701-1800.)
The Bartramian Period. — William Bartram's figure in the events we are sketching
is a notable one, — rather more on account of his bearing upon Wilson's subsequent ca-
wep than of his own actual achievements. Wilson is often called the " father of Ameri-
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
XVU
till 1787.
Linnoius,
1853.
aeral orni-
II and his
larcl, dates
ain plates,
d editions,
tes known
781. The
nous of the
of Thomas
with many
America."
art) of his
>n, in so far
uc ; and in
.s closely as
for neither
lieir species
same bases
.tune," that
treated up-
Df this brief
sis, the lirst
till 1801 ;
lirds receive
ition of tlie
)ur longest-
md Gmelin
who made
■e Catesby,
de " was in
! his editor,
Neither of
) sketching^
lequent ca-
• of Ameri-
can ornithology ; " if this designation be apt, then Bartram may be styled its godfather.
Few are fully aware how mucii Wilson owed to Bartram, his "guide, philosopher, and
friend," who published in 1 79 1 his " Travels through North and South Carolina," con-
taining much ornithological matter that was novel and valuable, including a formal
catalogue of the birds of the Eastern United States, in which many species are named
as new. I have always contended that those of his names which are identifiable are
available, though Bartram frequently lapsed from strict binomial propriety ; and the
question furnishes a bone of contention to this day. Many birds which Wilson first
fully described and figured were really named by Bartram, and several of the latter's
designations were simply adopted by Wilson, who, in relation to Bartram, is as the
broader and clearer stream to its principal tributary affluent. The notable " Travels,"
freighted with its unpretending yet almost portentous bird-matter, went through several
editions and at least two translations ; and I consider it the starting-point of a distinctively
American school of ornithology.
We have seen, in several earlier periods, that men's names appear in pairs, if not
also as mates. Thus, Catesby and Edwards ; Linmeus and Gmelin ; Pennant and
Latham ; and, perhaps, Buffon and Brisson. The Bartramian alter ego is not Wilson,
but Barton, whose "Fragments of the Natural History of Pennsylvania," 1799, closed
the period which Bartram had opened, and with it the century also. Benjamin Smith
Barton's tract, a folio now very scarce, is doubly a " fragment," being at once a work
never finished, and very imperfect as far as it went ; but it is one of the most notable
special treatises of the last century, and I think the first book published in this country
that is entirely devoted to ornithology. But its author's laurels must rest mainly upon
this count, for its influence or impression upon the course of events is scarcely to be rec-
ognized, — is incomparably less than tliat made by Bartftim's " Travels," and by his
raentorship of Wilson.
By the side of Bartmra and Barton stand several lesser figures in the picture of this
period. Jeremy Belknap treated the birds of New Hampshire in his " History " of that
state (1792). Samuel Williams did like service for those of Vermont in his "History"
(1794). Samuel Hearne, a pioneer ornithologist in the northerly parts of America, fore-
shadowed, as it were, the much later " Fauna Boreali-Americaua " in the narrative of his
journey from Hudson's Bay to the Northern Ocean — a stout quarto published in 1795.
Here a chapter of fifty pages is devoted to about as many species of birds ; and Hearue's
observations have a value which " time, the destroyer," has not yet wholly efl'aced.
The Wilsonian Epoch: 1800-1824.
(1800-1808.)
The Vieillotian Period. — As we round the turn of the century a great work occupies
the opening years, before the appearance of Wilson, — a work by a foreigner, a French-
man, almost unknown to or ignored by his contemporaries in America, although he was
already the author of several illustrated works on ornithology when, in 1807, his " Histoire
Naturelle des Oiseaux de I'Am^rique Septentrionale " was completed in two large folio
volumes, containing more than a hundred engravings, with text relating to several hun-
dred species of birds of North America and the West Indies ; many of them figured for
I
XVIU
HISTORICAL PliEl'ACE.
the first time, or entirely new to scioiico. This work, bearing much tho same relation
to its times tiiat Catcsby's ami Edwards' rcspoctivuly diil to tiieirs, is said to have been
published in twenty-two parts of six plates each, probably during several years ; but tho
date of its inception I have never been able to ascertain. However this may be, Vieillot
alone and completely tills a jieriod of eij^dit years, .luring wliich no other notable or even
nientionable treatise njion Nortii American birds saw the light. Vieillot's ease is an
exceptional one. As tho author of numerous splendidly illustinited works, all of which
live; of a system of ornitiiology, most of the generic names contained in which are
ingrained in the science ; of very extensive encyelopajdic work in which hundreds of
species of birds receive new technical names: Vieillot has a fame which time rather
brightens than obscures. Yet it is to be feared tliat the wm-ld was unkind during his
lifetime. At Paris, lie stood in tlr shadow of t'uvier's great name; Temminck assailed
him from Holland ; while, as to his work upon our birds, many years passed before it
was appreciated or in any way adequately recognized. Thus, singularly, so great a work
as the "Histoire Naturelle" — one absoluti-ly characteristic of a period — luid no appre-
ciable effect upon tho course of events till long after the times that saw its birth, when
Cassin, Baird, and others brought Vieillot into proper perspective. There is so little
trace of Vieillot during the Wilsonian and Audubonian epochs, that his " Hirds of North
America " may almost be said to have slept for half a century. But to-day, the solitary
figure of the Vieillotian period stands out in bold relief.
(180H-1S24.)
The Wilsonian Period. — Tho " Paisley weaver ; " the "Scotch pedler;" the "melan-
choly poet-naturalist ;" tho " father of American ornithology," — strange indeed are the
guises of genius, yet strangei' its disguises in the epithets by which we attempt to label
and pigeon-hole that thing which has no name but its own, no place but its own. Alex-
ander Wilson had genius, and not much of anything else — very little learning, scarcely
any money, not many friends, and a paltry share of " tho world's regard " while he lived.
But genius brings a message which men must hear, and never tire of hearing ; it is
the word that comes when the passion that conceives is wedded with the patience that
achieves. Wilson was a poet by nature, a naturalist by force of circumstances, an Ameri-
can ornithologist by mere accident, — that is, if anything can be accidental in the life of
a man of genius. As a poet, he missed greatness by those limitations of passion which
seem so sad and so unaccountable ; as the naturalist, he achieved it by the patience that
knew no limitation till death interposed. As between the man and his works, the very
touchstone of genius is there ; for the man was greater than all his works are. Genius
may do that which satisfies all men, but never that which satisfies itself ; for its inspira-
tion is infinite and divine, its accomplishment finite and human. Such is the penalty
of its possession.
Wilson made, of course, the epoch in which his work appeared, and I cannot restrict
tho Wilsonian period otherwise than by giving to Vieillot liis own. The period of Wil-
son's actual authorship was brief; it began in September, 1808, when the first volume of
the " American Ornithology " appeared, and was oit short by death before the work was
finished. Wilson, having been born July 6, 1766, and come to America in 1794, died
August 23, 1813, when his seventh volume was finished; the eighth and ninth being
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
xix
no relation
have boeu
rs ; but tlio
be, Vieillot
bio or even
case is uii
1 of which
which ure
miulrtids of
tiiuo ratlior
luring his
ick iissailod
(1 boforo it
reat a work
' no apj)ro-
birth, when
is so little
(Is of Xorth
tho solitary
the " niclan-
leed are the
mpt to label
iwn. Alox-
ing, scarcely
lilo he lived.
!aring ; it is
>atienco that
8, an Aiueri-
n the life of
ission which
)atienco that
ks, tho very
ire. Genius
r its inspira-
the penalty
nnot restrict
sriod of Wil-
3t volume of
;ie work was
1794, died
ninth being
completed in 1814 by his friend and editor, tteorgo Ord. Hut from this time to 1824.
when Bonaparte began to write, the rci^'uing work was still Wilson's, nothing iippcaiiiig
during these years to alter tlie comploxiou of American ornithohigy apiireciably. \\ ii-
sun's name overshadows nearly tlio wholo epoch, — not tiiat others wore not tlicn ^;ri'al,
but that ho was so much greater. This author treated about 2f<0 species, giving failhl'ul
descriptions of all, and colored illustrations of most of them. Tliere are numerous
editions of his work, of which the i)rincipal are Urd's, 1828-"29, in three volumes ;
Jameson's, 1831, in four; Jardine's, 18;}2, in three; and Brewer's, 1840, in one; all
tpf those, excepting of course the lirst one, containing Bonaparte's "American Orni-
thology " and other matter foreign to tho original " Wilson." In 1814, Just as " Wilson"
was linished, appeared tho history of the memorable ex|)e(lition under Lewis and Clarke
— an expedition which furnished some material to Wilson himself, as witness Lewis'
Woodpecker, Clarke's Crow, and tho "Louisiana" Tanager; ami more to Ord, who con-
tributed to tho second edition of "(lutlirie's ( leography " an article ujinn ornithology.
Ord's prominence in this science, however, rests mainly upon his connection with Wilson's
work, as already noted. Near the close of the AVilsonian period, 'J'homas Say ga\o ua
important notices of Western birds, upon the basis of material acquired through Long's
Expedition to the Kocky Jlountains, tho account of which ap]ieared in 1823. In this
work, Say described sundry species of birds new to science ; but ho was rather an ento-
mologist than an ornithologist, and his imprint upon our subject is scarcely to be found
outside tho volume just named. A noted — some might say rather notorious — character
appeared upon the scene during this period, in the person of C. S. Hatinosque, who seems
to have been a genius, l)ut one so awry that it is difhcult to do aught else than mis-
understand him, unless we confess that we scarcely understand him at all. In tho
elegant vernacular of tho present day he would bo called a crank ; but I presume that
term means that kind of genius which fails of interpretation ; for an unsuccessful genius
is a crank, and a successful crank is a genius. For tho rest, the Wilsonian period was
marked by great activity in Arctic exploration, in connection with tho ornithological
results of which appear prominently the names of William R Leach and Edward
Saldino.
As illustrating the relation between Wilson and Bartram, which I have already
pointedly mentioned, I may quote a few lines from Ord's "Life of Wilson."'
' " His RchooI-hftiiRO anil residence being but a short illstanco from Bartram's Botanic Garden, sltnate<l on
the west bank of the Scliiiylktll: a seqtiestereil spot, pOHKcssiiii; attrnoMons of no onllniirv kind ; an aoqiinlntance
was soon contracted with that renerablu naturalist, Mr. William liartrnni, which grew Into an uncommon friend-
ship, and continued without the least abatement until severed by death. Hero it was that Wilson found him-
self translated, If wo niay so speak, Into a new existence, lie bad long been a lover of the works of Nature, and
bad <lerived more hapi>incKs from the contemplation of her simple beauties, than from any other source of gratifi-
cation. But he bad hitherto been a mere novice ; he was now about to receive Instructions from one whom the
experiences of a long life, spent in travel and rural retirement, bad rendered qunllfied to teach. Mr. Bartram
soon perceived the bent of his frlcml's mind, and Its congeniality to his own; and timk every pains to encourage
him in a study, which, while it oxpiinds the f icultles, and purities tho heart. Insensibly leads to the contemplation
of the glorious Author of Nature himself. From his youth Wilson had been an observer of the manners of birds ;
and since his arrival In America he lia<l found thera objects of uncommon Interest; but he had not yet viewed
them with the eye of a naturalist."
This was about 1800 — rather a little later. Wilson's " novitiate " was the Vlcillotlan period, almost exactly.
Bartram survived till July 22, ISL'3, bis eighty-fourth year; the date of his death thug coinciding very nearly with
the close of the Wllsouian epoch and period.
n
HISTOHICA L PliEFA CE.
[
'?■.
TiiK AuDi'DONiAN Kpocii : 1824-1853.
(|H3t-l831.)
The ririnapiirtifiti Perio'l. — A iiiiiinly iicisni, dL-stiiifid to die one of tho most
famous (>f iiiDdcrii iiatiirulist.s — Cliaflcs l.iicii'ii Honiiiwrtc, uarly conceived and executed
tilt) plan of continuing Wilson's work in similar style, if not in tlio samo spirit. Ho
be^ian by pul)lialiing a series of " Ob.servations (in tlie Nomenclature of AVilson's Orni-
tholofiy," in tim "Journal "of tliu riiilad.'lpbia Academy, 1824-25, repnbiislied in an
octavo vdiiime, lH2(i. Tliis valuable critical commentary introduced a new feature, —
decided clinnges in numenciatuve resulting from tiie sil'linj,' and rectification of synonymy.
It is here that questions of synonymy — to-clay tiie bane and drudgery of the working
naturalist — first accpiiro prominfinu in tiio iiistory of our special subject. Tiiere had
been very little of it licforc, and Wilson himself, tho least "bookisli" of men, gave it
scarcelv any attentinn. iinnaparte also in 182.') added several species to our fauna upon
material collected in Florida by the now venerable Titian R. Peale, — whose hoiioreil
name is thus tho first of those of men still living to appear in these annals. Bonaparte's
"■\incrican Ornithologj'," uniform with "Wilson," and gonemlly incoqiorated tiierewith
in snbse(|uent editions, as a continuation of Wilson's work, was originally published in
four large (piarto volumes, running 182.'')-.1.3. Tho year 1827, in the midst of this work
of Bonaparte's, was a notable one in several ]iarticu]ars. Bonaparte himself was very busy,
producing a " Catalogue of tlie Binls of tlii' I'nited States," which, with a " .Supplement,"
raised tli(! number of species to 'MCt, ami of genera to 8.3 ; nearly a hundred species
having been thus become known to us since Ord laid aside tho pen that Wilson had
dropped. William Swainson tlie same year described a ntuiiber of new Mexican sjiecies
and gf^nera, many of which como also into tho "North American" fauna. But tho most
notable event of the year was tho appearance of the first five parts of Audubon's elephant
folio plates. In 1828-29, as may also bo noted, Ord brought out his three-vol. Svo
etlition of Wilson. In 1828, Bonaparte ret\irnod to tho charge of systematically cata-
logiiing tho birds of North America, giving now ,382 species ; and about this time he
also produced a comparative list of the birds of Rome and Philadelphia. His main
work having been completed in 1833, as just said, Bonaparte continued his labora with
a " Oeographical and fomparative List of the Birds of Europe and North America,"
published in London in 1838. This brochure gives 503 European and 471 American
species. The celebrated zoologist wrote until 18.')7, but his connection with North
American birds was only incidental after 1838. Tho period hei-e assigned him, 1824-
1831, may seem too short; but this was the opening of the Audubonian epoch — a
period of brilliant inception, and one in which events that were soon to mature their
splendid fruit came crowding fast ; so that room nmst bo made at once for others who
were early in tho present epoch.
(1831-1832.)
The Swaintonio-Richanhoman Period. — The " Fauna Boreali-Americana," the
ornithological volume of which was published in 1831, made an impression so indelible
that a period, albeit a brief one, must be put here. The teclmic of this celebrated
HISTORICAL PliEFAVK.
XXI
f tho most
il executed
spirit. Ho
.sun's Orni-
slied in tin
feiiturn, —
synonymy.
lie working,'
Tiiere liiul
nen, gnvo it
■ fiiunu upon
oso honored
Honuparte's
il therewith
lublislied in
of this worlt
IS very busy,
•upph'mcnt,"
idred species
. Wilson had
xican sprcies
But tho most
on's elephant
hree-vol. 8vo
latically cata-
this timo ho
1. His main
is labors with
th America,"
t71 American
with North
I him, 1824-
\\\ epoch — a
mature their
or others who
ericana," the
n so indelible
lis celebrated
treatise, moro valuable for its descriptions of now species and (»enera than for its methods
of classification, was by William Swuin.son, as were tho elegant and accunitn colured
plates; tho biographical matter, l)y Dr. (later Sir) John Richardson, increased our knowl-
edge of tho life-history of tho northerly birds so largely, that it became a fountain of
fatits to bo drawn upon by nearly every writer of prominence from that day to this.
I'ju'h of the distinguished authors had previously appeared in connection with our birds,
— Swainsim as above said; IJiehardson in 182."), in tho appendix to Captain Parry's
"Journal." Tho influence of the work on the whole cannot be well overstated.
Two events, besides the appearance of tho " Tauna," mark the year 1831. One of
these is the i>ublication of tho first volume of Audubon's " Ornitludogical IJiography,"
being tho beginning of tho text belonging to his great folio plates. Tho other is tho
coiuphttion of tho bird-volumes of I'cter Pallas' famous " Zoographia Posso-Asiatica,"
one of the most important contributions ever made to our subject, treating so largely
as it does of tho birds of the region now called Alaska. The same year saw al&u the
Jameson edition of " Wilson and Bonapurt(!."
(1832- 1H34.)
The Xuttallian Period. — Thomas Nuttall (born 1 780 — died 18.')9) was rather botanist
than ornithologist ; but tho travels of this distinguished English-.Vnierican naturalist
made him tho personal ac(piaintance of many of our birds, his love for which bore fruit
in his " Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and ( "anada," of which the first
viilumc! appeared in 1832, tho second in 1834. Tlui work is notable as the first "hand-
book" of tho subject; it possesses an agreeable flavor, and I think was tho first formal
treatise, excepting Wilson's, to pass to a second edition, ns it did in 1840. Nuttall's
name is permanent in our annals ; and many years after he wrote, the honored title waa
chosen to be borne by tho first distinctivelj' ornithological association of this (Miuntry, —
tho " Nuttall Ornithological Club," founded at Cambridge in 1873, and still flourishing.
(1834-1853.)
The Auduhonian Period. — Meanwhile, tho incomparable work of Audubon —
"the greatest monument erected by art to nature" — was steadily progressing. The
splendid genius of the man, surmounting every difficulty and discouragement of the
outhor, had found and claimed its own. That which was alwaj's great had come to be
known and named as such, victorious in its impetuous yet long-enduring battle with
that curse of the world, — I mean tho commonplace ; the commonplace, with which
genius never yet effected a compromise, since genius is necessarily a perpetual menace
to mediocrity. Audubon and his work were one ; he lived in his work, and in his
work will live i». -iver. When did Audubon die. We may read, indeed, "on Thurs-
day morning, January 27th, 1851, when a deep pallor overspread his countenance. . . .
Then, though he did not speak, his eyes, which had been so long nearly quenched,
rekindled with their former lustre and beauty ; his spirit seemed to be conscious that
it was approaching the Spirit-land." And yet there are those who are wont to exclaim,
" a soul I a soul ! what is that 1 " Happy indeed are they who are conscious of its
existence in themselves, and who can see it iu others, every instant of time during their
lives 1
xxu
HISTORICAL PREFACE,
!
i
,'-
Audubon's first publication, perhaps, was in 1826, — an account of the Turkey-
buzzard, in the " P^ilinburgh New riiilosophical Journal," and some other minor notices
came from his pen. But his energies were already focused on his life-work, with that
intense and perfect absorption of self whicli only genius knows. The first volume of
the magnificent folio plates, an hundred in number, appeared in 1827-30, in five parts ;
the second, in 1831-3-1, of tlie same number of plates; the third, in 1834-35, likewise
of the same number of plates ; the whole series of 4 volumes, 87 parts, 435 plates and
10G5 figures of birds, being completed in June, 1839. Meanwhile, the text of the
" Birds of America," entitled " Ornitliological Biography," was steadily progressing, the
first of these royal octavo volumes appearing in 1831, the fifth and last in 1839. In
this latter year also appeared the " (Synopsis of the Birds of North America," a single
liandv volume serving as a sj'stematic index to the whole work. In 1840-44 appeared
the standard octavo e<litiou in seven volumes, with the plates reduced to octavo size
and the text rearranged systematically ; with a later and better nomenclature than that
given iu the " Ornithological Biography," and some other changes, including an appendix
describing various \w\v species procured during the author's journey to the upper Mis-
souri in 1843. In the original elephant folios there were 435 plates ; with the reduction
in size the number was raised to 483, by tiie separation of various figures which had
previously occupied tlio same plate ; and to tiieso 1 7 new ones were added, making 500
in alL The species of birds treated in the " Synopsis " are 491 in number; those in the
work, as it linally left the illustrious author's hands, are 50C in number, nearly all of
them splendidly figured in colors.
In estimating the influence of so grand an accomplishment as this, wo must not
leave Audubon " alone in his glory." Vivid and ardent Wiis his genius ; matchless
ho was both with pen and pencil in giving life and spirit to the beautiful objects he
delineated with passionate love ; but there was a strong and patient worker by his side, —
William ^lacgillivray, the countryman of Wilson, destined to lend the sturdy Scotch
fibre to an Audubouiau epoch. Tlie brilliant French- American naturalist was little of
a "scientist." Of his work, the magical beauties of form and color and movement are
all his ; his jiage is redolent of Nature's fragrance : but Macgillivray's are the bone and
sinew, the hidden anat(jmical parts beneath the lovely face, the nomenclature, the
classification, — in a word, the technicalities of the science. Not that Macgillivray was
only a closet-naturalist; he was a naturalist in the best sense — in every sense — of the
word, and the " vital spark " is gleaming all through his works upon British birds,
showing his intense and loyal love of Nature in all her moods. But his place in the
Audubonian epoch in American ornithology is as has been said. The anatomical struc-
ture of American birds was first disclosed in any systematic manner, and to any consider-
able extent, by him. But only to-day, as it were, is this most important department
of ornithology assuming its rightful place; and have we a modern Macgillivray to
come ?
The sensuous beauty with which Audubon endowed the object of his life was long
in acquiring, with loss of no comeliness, the aspect more strict and severe of a later and
maturor epoch. Audubon was pmctically accomplished in 1844, the year which saw
his completed work ; but I note no special or material change in the course of events, —
no name of assured prominence, till 1853, when a new regime, that liad meanwhile been
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
xxm
he Turkey-
iuor notices
, with that
volume of
1 five parts ;
35, likewise
jilates and
text of the
pressing, the
1839. In
1," a single
44 ajipeared
octavo size
re than that
an appendix
upper Mis-
he reduction
s which liad
making 500
those in the
nearly all of
Wo must not
s ; mateldess
111 objects lie
y his side, —
tnrdy Scotch
Avas little of
lovement are
the bone and
nclature, the
igillivray was
inse — of the
British birds,
place in the
omical struc-
any consider-
t department
icgiilivray to
life was long
Df a later and
ir which saw
of events, —
lanwhilo been
insensibly established, may be considered to have closed the Andubonian epoch, — the
Auduhoniun period thus extending through the nine years after 1844.
\Vhil<» Audubon was finishing, several mentionuble events occurred. I have already
spoken of Bonaparte's "List" of 1838, and of the 1840 edition of Nuttall's "Manual."
Kichardson in 1837 contributed to the Keport of the Si.xth Meeting uf the British Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science an elaborate and important " Report on Xorth
American Zoology," relating in due part to birds. The distinguished Danish naturalist,
Keinhardt, wrote a special treatise on Greenland Birds, 1838; W. B. 0. Peabody one
upon the birds of Massachusetts, 1839. The important Zoology of Captain Boecliey's
Voyage appeared in 1839, with the birds done by N. A. Vigors. Maximilian, Prince
of Wied, published his "Reise in das Innere Nord-America " in 1839-41. Sixteen new
species of birds from Texas were described and figured by J. P. Giraud in 1841, and
tlie same author's useful "Birds of Long Island" was published in 1844. This year
saw also the bird-volume of De Kay's " Zoology of New York." The Rev. J. H. Linsley
furnished a notable catalogue of tlio birds of Connecticut in 1843. A name intimately
associated witli Audubon's is that of J. K. Townsend, wlioso fruitful travels in the
West in company with Nuttall in 1834 resulted in adding to our list the many new
species which were published by Townsend himself in 1837, and also utilized by
Audubon. Townsend's "Narrative" of his journey appeared in 1839; and the same
year saw the beginning of a large work which Townsend projected, an " Ornithology
of tlie United States," which, however, progressed no further than one part or number,
being killed by the octavo edition of Audubon. In 1837 I first find the name of a
friend of Audubon which often appears in his work — that of Dr. Thomas Mayi Brewer,
who wrote on the birds of ^lassaclmsetts in this year, and in 1840 brought out his use-
ful and convenient duodecimo editiou of " Wilson," in one volume. In 1844, Audubon's
last effectual year, the brothers Wm. M. and i?. F. Bairtl appear, with a list of the birds
of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, having the year previously, in July, 1843, described two new
species of flycatcliers, in the first paper ever written by the one who was to make the
succeeding e]joch ; and it is significant that the last bird in Audubon's work was named
"Emberiza hairdii."
Such were the aspects of the ornitl^ological sky as the glorious Audubonian sun
approached and passed the zenith ; still more significant were the signs of the times as
that orb neared its gohlen western horizon. In tiio interval between 1844 and 1853,
Baird and Brewer continued; Cassin and Lawrence appeared in various papers; and
round these names are grouped those of AVilliam ( Jambel, with new and interesting ob-
servations in the Southwest ; of CJeorge A. McCall and S. W. Woodhouse, in tiie same
connection ; and of HolbiiU in respect of Greenland birds. The most important con-
tributions were the several papers published by Gambel, in 1845 and subseiiueiitly, and
Baird's Zoology of Stansbury's Expedition, 1852. But no period-marking, still less epoch-
making, work accelerated the setting of the sun of Audubon.
The Bairdiax Epoch: 1853-18—.
(1853-1858.)
The Cassinian Period. — W^hile much material was accumulating from the explora-
tion of the great West, and the Bairdian period was rapidly Hearing; while Brewer and
XXIV
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
„>
::i'^
{%
Lawrence were continuing their studies and writings, and many other names of lesser
note were contributing their several shares to tlio whole result : the figure of John Cassin
stands prominent. Cassin was born September 6, 1813, and passed from view in the
Quaker City, January 10, 18G9. Xumsrous valuable papers and several important works
attest the assiduity and success witli which he cultivated his favorite science to the end
of his days. I think tiiat his iirst paper was the description of a new hawk, Cymindis
wilsoni, in 1847. Among liis most important works are the Ornithology of the Wilkes
Exploring Expedition ; of tlic Perry Japan Expedition ; and of the Gilliss Expedition to
Chili. Aside from his strong cooperation witli Baird in the great work to be presently
noticed, Cassin's seal ia set upon North American ornithology in the beautiful book
begun in 1853 and finished in 185G, entitled "Illustrations of the Birds of California,"
etc., forming a large octavo volume, illustrated with fifty colored plates. His distinc-
tive place in ornitiiology is this : he was the only ornitliologist this country has ever
produced who was as familiar with the birds of the Old World as with those of America.
Enjoying the facilities of the then unrivalled collection of the Philadelphia Academy, his
monographic studies were puslied into almost every group of birds of the world at
large. He was patient and laborious in the technic of his art, and full of book-learning
in tlie history of his subject ; witli tiio result, that the Cassiniau ])eriod, largely by the
work of (Jassiu himself, is marked by its "bookishness," by its breadth and scope in
ornithology at large, and by tiio first decided change since Audubon in the aspect of the
classiliciition and nomenclature of the birds of our country. The Cassinian period marks
tlie cuhuination of the changes tiiat wrought the fall of the Audiibonian sceptre in all
that relates to the technicalities of tiio science, and consequently represents the beginning
of a new epoch.
The peers of this period are only three, — Lawrence, Brewer, and Baird. The for-
mer of these, already an eminent ornitliologist, continued his rapidly succeeding papers
and was preparing his share of Baird 's great work of 1858 ; though later his attention be-
came so closely fixed upon the birds of Central and South America, that a " Lawrencian
period " is to \w. found in the history of the ornithology of those countries rather than
of our own. Dr. Brewer's various articles appeared, and in 1857 this author, so well
known since Audubonian times, became the recognized leading oblogist of North America,
through the publication of the first part of liis " Xorth American OiJlogy " — a work unfor-
tunately suspended at this point. Though tluis fragmentary, this quarto volume stands
as tlie first sj-stematio treatise published in thi.-i country exclusively devoted to oology, and
giving a considerable series of colored illustrations of eggs. But a larger measure of the
world's regard became his much later, when, in 1874, appeared tlio great " History of North
American Birds," in tlireo quarto volumes, all the biographical matter of which was by
him ; and, even as I write, two more v<dumes are about to appear, in which he has like
large sliare. Tims closely is tlio name of Brewer identified with the progress of the
science for nearly half a century, — from 1837 at least, to 1884, some four years after liis
death, which occurred January 23, 18S0. He was born in Boston, November 21, 1814.
Baird published little during the Cassiniau period, being then intent upon the great
work about to ajipear ; hut tlic; number of worlcors in special fields attests the activity
S. W. Woodliouso published his completed observations upon the birds
Zadock Thompson's " Natural History
of the times
of the Soutliwest in an illustrated octavo volume,
fe\
en
atl
ap
HISTORICAL PBEFACE.
XXV
of lesser
lin Cassin
iW in the
ant works
10 the end
Cymindis
lie Wilkes
|)edition to
presently
;iful hook
lalifornia,"
is distinc-
has ever
if America.
adeniy, his
world at
ok-learning
foly l>y the
1 scope in
poet of the
jriod marks
ieptre in all
B beginning
I. The for-
ding papers
ttentioii be-
Lawrencian
rather tlian
iior, so well
th America,
worlc unfor-
lumo stands
oology, and
isuro of the
ry of North
ich was hy
ho has like
ress of the
irs after his
r21, 1814.
11 the great
;he activity
1 the birds
ral History
of Vermont" (1853) paid attention to the birds of that state. Birds of Wisconsin were
crttidogueil by P. K. Hoy ; of Ohio, by M. C. Head and Robert Kennicott ; of Hlinois, by
n. Pratten ; of Indiana, by It. Haymond ; of ilassachusetts, by F. W. Putnam ; and
various otlier " fauual lists " and local annotations appeared, including President Jeffer-
son's Virginian ornitliology, three-quarters of a century out of date. Dr. T. C. Henry
and Dr. A. L. Heermann wrote upon birds of the Southwest ; Reinhardt continued ob-
servations on Greenland birds; Dr. Henry Bryant published some valuable papers.
The since very eminent Englisli oTuithologist, Dr. P. L. Sclater, appeared during this
period in the present connection. The series of Pacific Railroad Reports, whicli were
to culminate, so fiir as ornithology is concerned, with tlie famous nintli volume, were in
j)rogrcss ; the sixth volume, containing Dr. J. S. ^Newberry's valuable and interesting
article upon the birds of California and Oregon, was published in 1837. Tims the
Cassinian period, besides being marked as already said in its broader features, was
notable in its details for the increase in the number of active workers, tlie e.\teut and
variety of their independent observations, and the consequent accumulation of materials
ready to be worked into shape and system.
(18.'>8-18— .)
The Bairdian Period. — The ninth volume of the " Pacific Railroad Reports " was an
epoch-making work, bearing the same relation to the times that tl)e respective works
of Audubon and Wilson had sustained in former years. A great amount of materia] —
not all of which is more than liinted at in tlio foregoing paragraph — was at tlie service
of Professor Baird. In the hands of a less methodical, learned, and sagacious naturalist,
— of one less capalile of idaboratiir^ anil systematizing, — tlio result would probably have
been an ordinary official report upon the collections of birds secured during a few years
by the naturalists of the several explorations and surveys for a railroad route from the
Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Ocean. But having already transformed the eighth
volume of the Reports from sucli a " public document " into a systematic treatise on
North American Mammals, this author did the sanip for the birds of North America,
with tiie cooperation of Cassin and Lawrence. Tliis portly quarto volume, published in
ISoH, represents the most important and decided single stop over taken in North Ameri-
can ornithology in all that relates to the technicalities of the science. It effected a
revolution — one already imminent in consequence of Cassin's studies — in classification
and nomenclature, nearly all the names of our birds which had been in use in the
Audubonian epoch being changed in accordance with more modern usages in generic
and specific determinations. While the work contains no biographical matter, — nothing
of the life-liistory of birds, it gives lucid and exact diagnoses of the species ai:d genera
known at the time, with copious synonj'my and critical commentary. Various new
genera are cliaracterized, and many new species are described. The influence of the
great work was iiniuediate and widespread, and for many years the list of names of tlie
738 species contained in the work remained a standard of nomenclature from which
few desired or indeed were in position to deviate. The value of the work wi\s further
enhanced in 1 860 by its republication, identical in the text, but with the addition of an
atlas of 100 colored plates. Many of these plates were the same as those which had
appeared in other volumes of tlie Pacific Railroad Reports, notably the sixth and :enth
XXVI
HISTOIilCAL PREFACE.
and twelfth (the two latter vohinies Imviiig appeared in 1859) ; others were those con-
taiuod iu tlie " Mexican Boundary IJejHjrt " which had appeared under Professor Baird's
editorship in 1859; about half of tiieiu were new.
I liavo spoken of the collaboration of Cassin and Lawrence in the production of this
remarkable treatise. Considering it only as one of a series of reports upon the Pacific
Bailroad Surveys, I should bring into somewhat of association the names of those -who
contributed the ornithological portions of other volumes, as the fourth, sixth, tenth, and
twelfth,— Dr. C. B. li. Kcnnerly, Dr. J. S. >»'ewberry, Dr. A. L. Heerniann, Dr. J. G.
Cooper, and Dr. Cieorgo Suckley. Nor should it bo forgotten that numberless other col-
lectors and contributors, whose specimens are catalogued throughout the volume, brcnight
their hands to bear upon the erection of this grand monument.
But what of the genius of this work? — for I have not measured my words in speak-
ing of Wilson and Audubon. Can any work be really great without that mysterious
quality ? Certainly not. This work is instinct with the genius of the times that saw
its birth. This work is the spirit of an epoch emboiliod.
But here I must pause. My little sketch is brought upon the tiireshold of contem-
poraneous history, — to the beginning of the Bairdian period, of the close of which, as
of the duration of the Bairdian epoch, it is not for me to speak. When the splendid
achievements of American ornithologists during the past quarter of a century shall be
seen in historical perspective ; when the brilliant possibilities of our near future
shall have become the realizations of a past; when the glowing names that went before
shall have fired another gencntidii with a noble zeal, a lofty purpose, and a generous
emulation — then, perhaps, tiie thread here dropped may be recovered by another hand.
Yet a few words of Preface proper to the present work appear to be required. Tiio
original edition of the "Key" was published in October, 1872, in an issue of about
2,200 copies. It was not stereotyped, and has been for some years entirely out of print.
It formed an imperial octavo of 3(11 pages, illustrated with 238 woodcuts in the text and
6 steel plates. It was designed as a manual or text-book of North American Ornithology.
To meet this design, the Introduction consisted of a general account of the external
characters of birds, an explanation of the technical terms used in describing them, and
some exposition of the loading principles of classiiication and nomenclature. An artificial
" key " or analysis of the genera, constructed upon a plan found practically useful in
botany, but seldom applied to zoology, was introduced, to enable one who had some
knowledge of the technical terms to refer a given spcnimen to its proper genus. Then,
in the body of the work, each species was briefly described, with indication of its
geographical distribution and references to several leading authorities. The families and
orders of North American birds were also characterized, and a synopsis of the fossil birds
was appended. Tiie work introduced many decided changes in classification and nomen-
clature which the then state of the science seemed to require, and systematically recog-
nized a large number of those subspecies or geographical races whiish are now indicated
by the use of trinomial nomenclature, — a method now fully established and recognized
as peculiar to the " American school." The central idea of the treatise was to enable one
HISTOBICAL PREFACE.
XX VM
those con-
issor Baird's
;tion of this
tlie Pacific
f tliose who
tenth, and
II, Dr. J. G.
ss other col-
me, brought
Is in speak-
inysterious
les that saw
1 of contem-
)f which, as
he sjdendid
ury shall bo
near future
went before
a generous
lother hand.
[uired. Tho
iue of about
out of print,
ihe text and
Ornithology,
the external
'j; theiu, and
An artificial
ly useful in
10 had some
nus. Then,
lation of its
families and
B fossil birds
and nomen-
(ically recog-
tvr indicated
I recognized
enable one
to identify and label his specimens, though he might have no other knowledge of orni-
thology than such as the book itself gave him. I have been given to understand that
tho work has answered its purpose, and has had a useful career ; and I have long since
been advised by my esteemed publishers that they were ready to issue a second edition,
which I have only just now found time to complete.
The present edition of the " Key " is conceived in the same spirit as the former one,
to fulfil precisely tho same purpose. But it has been entirely rewritten, and is quite
another work, though the old title is preserved. An author who practises his profession
diligently for twenty years is apt to find fault with his first book, and seek to remedy
its defects when opportunity offers. It has become quite clear to me, as it doubtless has
to others, that the old " Key " no longer turns in the lock with ease and precision, — not
that it has rusted from disuse, but that the more comi)licated mechanism of the lock re-
(juires its key to be refitted. During no previous period has our knowledge gone faster
or farther or more surely than in the interval between the two editions of the " Key ;"
there are scores of active and enthusiastic workers where there was one before ; scores of
important treatises have appeared ; the literature of the subject has been searched, sifted,
and systematized ; every corner of our country lias been ransacked for birds, and the list
of our species and subspecies has reached about 900 by the many late discoveries ; active
interest in this branch of science is no longer confined to professed ornithologists ; the
importance of avian anatomy is as fully recognized as is the beauty of the life-history of
birds ; a distinctively American school of ornithology has grown up, introducing radical
changes in nomenclature and classification ; a quarterly journal of ornithology has reached
its ninth annual volume ; an American Ornithologists' Union, the membership of whicli
extends to every quarter of the globe, has been founded.
So rapid, indeed, has been the progress, and so radical the changes wrought during the
last few years, that I doubt not this is tho time to take our bearings anew and proceed
with judicious conservatism. Neither do 1 doubt that just at this moment a new
departure is imminent, hinging upon the establishment of the American Ornithologists'
Union. It behooves us, therefore, to consider the question, not alone of where we stand
to-day, but also, of whither we are tending ; for we are certainly in a transition state, and
not even the near future can as yet be accurately forecast. The pliability and elasticity of
our trinomial system of nomenclature is very great ; and the method lends itself so readily to
the nicest discriminations of geographical races, — of the finest shades of variation in sub-
specific characters with climatic and other local conditions of environment, that our new toy
may not impossibly prove a dangerous instrument, if it be not used with judgment and cau-
tion. We seem to be in danger of going too far, if not too fast, in this direction. It is not
to cry " halt ! " — for any advance is better than any standstill ; but it is to urge prudence,
caution, and circumspection, lest wo be forced to recede ingloriously from an untenable
position, — that these words are penned, with a serious sense of their necessity.
In the present unsettled and perplexing state of our nomenclature, when appeal to
no " authority " or ultimate jurisdiction is possible, it is well to formulate and codify
some canons of nomenclature by which to agree to abide. It is well to apply such
canons rigitily, with thorough sifting of synonymy, no matter what precedents be disre-
garded, what innovations be caused. It is well to use trinomials for subspecific deter-
minations. But it is not well to overdo the "variety business;" feather-splitting is
XXVIU
HISTORICAL FliEFACE.
no better than hair-splitting, and the liberties of the " American idea " must never
degenerate into licensL-. Our action in this regard must stop short of a point where an
unfavorable reaction would bo the inevitable result.
But I have digressed, in saying a warning word, from the point of the conclusion of
this Prefiice, which is simply to describe the new edition of the " Key " with special
reference to its ditference from tiie former one. The classification and nomenclature are
materially different, in consequence of the jirogress of our knowledge during the past twelve
years. In 1873, a year after the old "Key" appeared, I ]niblished a " Check Li.st," con-
formed exactly with the nomenclature of the " Key." In 1882, when I had recast the " Key,"
I published a second edition of the " Check List " in conformity with the new " Key."
The present work, therefore, gives the same names, with scarcely any variance, though with
a few additional ones; the new " Check List" and the new " Key" being practically one
in all tiiat pertains to nomenclature, and representing a particular phase of the subject.
The numbering of the sjiecies, also, corresponds with that in the " Check List."
Part 1. of the present work consists of my " Field Ornithology," originally published as
a separate treatise in 1874, anil now for tlie first time incorporated with the " Key." It is
reprinted nearly verl)atira, but with some little amplificiition towards its end, and the intro-
duction of a few illustrations.
Part II. consists of the introductory matter of the old " Key," very greatly amplified.
In its present shape it is a sort of " Closet Ornithology " as distinguished from a " Field
Ornithology ; " being a treatise on the classification and structure of birds, explaining and
defining the technical terms used in ornithology, — in short, teaching the principles of
the science and illustrating their application.
Part III., the main body of the work, describes all the species and subspecies of
North American birds known to me, defines the genera, and characterizes the families and
higher groups. The descrijjtions are much more elaborate than those of the old " Key,"
and I trust that such amplification has been made without; loss of that sharpness of
definition which was tlie aim of the first edition. I have kept steadily in vi(>w my main
purpose — the ready identification of specimens. In many cases I have drawn upon my
other works — such as the "Birds of the Colorado Valley," the "Birds of the North-
west," and several of my ^Monographs, — for available ready-made descriptions ; but for
the most part the matter of this kind is new. Scarcely any of this part of the old
" Key " remains as it was. One imjjrovement, I think, will be found in the removal of
the unnecessary references to authorities which closed the descriptive paragraphs of the
ohl " Key," and the utilization of tlie space thus gained by introducing terse biograph-
ical items, with special reference to nests and eggs, to song, flight, migrative and other
habits ; the technical descriptions of the species thus also epitomizing the life-history of
the birds. Geographical distribution is also more fully treated, as its importance de-
serves. More attention has been paid to the description of the phimagos of females and
young birds. The specific names head their respective paragraphs, instead of tailing-off
the same ; they are also marked for accent, and their etymology ia concisely stated, —
though for this matter the student should coTitinue to use the new "Check List."
As regards the artificial " key to the genera " of the old work, it has proven that
too much was attempted in undertaking to carry the student at once to our refined mod-
ern genera. I have accordingly substituted artificial keys to the orders and families ;
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
XXIX
must never
int where an
onclusion of
with special
enclaturo are
past twelve
k List," con-
t the "Key,"
new " Key."
though with
actically one
the subject.
St."
' published as
'Key." It is
and tlie intro-
tly amplified,
•om a '• Field
cpliiiuing and
principles of
subsjiecies of
e families and
e old " Key,"
sliarpuess of
i(!w my main
iwn upon my
f tlio North-
ons ; but for
t of the old
le removal of
graphs of the
rse biograpli-
ve and other
ife-history of
iportance de-
^ females and
of tailing-off
?Iy stated, —
List."
proven that
refined mod-
nd families ;
and tliroughout the work have analyzed species under their respective genera, these
under their subfamilies or families, and these again under their orders.
Part IV. consists of a Synopsis of the Fossil birds of North America, corresponding
to the apjjendix of the old " Key," but augmented by later discoveries. As before, this
part of the work has been revised by Professor 0. C. Marsh.
In the mechanical execution of the work, it has been my aim to compress tlie most
matter into the least space and leave no waste paper, in order to keep the treatise within
a single portable volume of convenient text-book size. I judge that there is nearly four
times as much matter in tlie present volume as there was in the original edition, the
page being much more closely printed, in a smaller type, and on thinner paper.
The old " Key " was msufiiciently illustrated, and the average character of the cuts
was not entirely satisfactory. The present edition more than doubles the number of
illustrations. These are in part original, in part derived from various sources, all of
which are duly accredited in the text. The basis of the series is of course the cuts of the
former edition ; but many of these have been discarded and replaced by better ones.
About fifty of tlie most effective engravings were secured by my publishers from Brehm's
" Thierlebeu ; " nearly as many more are from Dixon's " Rural Bird Life," the American
edition of which is owned by the same firm. A few have been copied from D. G. Elliot's
" Birds of America," and a few others from the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of
London. About fifty of the prettiest ones were drawn by Mr. Edwin Siie})pard aiul en-
graved by Mr. H. H. Nichols, expressly for this edition. Another set — how many there
are of them I do not know — are from my own drawings, and liave mostly appeared in
other of my publications. Several of Mr. R. Uidgway's drawings have been placed at my
service, through his kind attentions, and with Professor Baird's permission. I am in-
debted to Dr. E. W. Shufeldt, XJ. S. A., for about thirty original anatomical drawings, as
well as for the colored frontispiece. Mr. Henry W. Elliott has kindly put at my dis-
position several of his own artistic compositions, and I have received some very beautiful
engravings with the compliments of the Century Company of New York.
It is always agreeable to jiay one's respects when due, and acknowledge assistance
and encouragement received in the preparation of one's books. Yet what an embarrass-
ment is mine now ! For there is no writer of repute on North American ornithology,
and scarcely a leader of the science at large, who has not assisted in the making of the
" K(!y ; " and there is no reader of the work who has not encouraged its author to produce
this new edition. I am trebly in debt, — to thousands whose names I know not ; to
hundreds I only know by name and fame ; to scores of tried and trusted friends.
But let me say how much I am indebted to my compositors and proof-readers of the
University Press at Cambridge for the skill with which they have turned copy into jirint,
and to the proprietors of that justly-celebrated establishment for the pains they have
taken in making the book an example of beautiful and accurate typogi-aphy. Let mo
recognize hero the liberality and generosity of my friend, Mr. Dana Estes, senior of the
firm of Estes and Lauriat, in permitting me to make the book to suit myself, and in
sparing no expense to which he might be put in consequence. Let me not forget that
during its preparation, as for many years previously, I have enjoyed to the fullest extent
the privileges of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum, through the
courtesy of Professor Baird, nay access to the great collection of birds being always facili-
XXX
niSTOmCA L PliEFA CE.
tated l)y the attentions of Mr. iloljoit lii(lj,'Wiiy, tlio Curator of Ornithology. And may
tliat k'sa tunyiblo but not less rwil source of streuyth which inheres in the synipatlietic
and genial intercourse ol a lifetime continue tu be mine to draw upon, for all my works,
frum my warm iriend, J. A. .Ulen, tlie lirst President of the American Ornithologists'
Union.
" Prefaces," says some one, " ever were and still are but of two sorts; . . . still the
author keeps to liis uld ami wonted method of prefacing, wlien, at the beginning of his
book he ent(!rs, eitlier witli a lialtcr about his neck, submitting himself to his reader's
mercy wlietlier lie shall Ix' lianged, or no ; or else in a huifing manner he appears with
the halter in his hand, and threatens to hang his reader, if he gives liim not his good
word." liut I wish neither to hang iiur bo hanged ; I wish tlie work were better than it
is, for my n-adci's sake ; 1 wish tlie author were better than he is, for my own sake ; and
above all 1 wish that every autlior may rise superior to his best work, to the end that the
man himself be judged above his largest achievements. It is well to do great things,
but better still to be great.
K C.
Smithsonian Institition,
Washinoton, O. C, Ai'itiL, 1884.
And may
ynipathetic
my works,
litholoyists'
btill the
niiig of liis
his reuJer'a
pears with
3t his good
tter than it
sake ; and
!iid that the
reat things,
E. C.
Part I.
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY:
BEING A
MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION FOR COLLECTING, PREPARING,
AND PRESERVING BIRDS.
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY must lead tlie way to Systematic and Descriptive Ornithology.
Tiic study of Birds in the field is an iudispeusablc prerequisite to their study in tlio
library and the museum. Directions for observing and collecting birds, for preparing and pre-
serving tliem as objects of natural history, will greatly help tlie student on his way to become
a successful Ornithologist, if ho will faitlifully and intelligently observe tlieni. It is believed
tiiat the practical Instructions \vhich the author has to give will, if fidlowed out, enable any
one who has the least taste or aptitude for sudi pursuits to become proficient in the necessary
qualifications of tlic good working ornitliologist. Tliese instructions are derived from the
writer's own experience, reacliing in time over twenty years, and extending in area over largo
portions of North America. Having made in the field the personal accpuiiutanco of most
spe(!ics of North American birds, and having shot and skinned with liis own hands several
thousand specimens, he may reasonably venture to speak with confidence, if not also with
autluirity, respecting methods of study and manipulation. Feeling so much at homo in tlio
field, witli his gun for destroying birds, and his instruments for preserving their skins, he
wislies to put the most inexperienced student eqiudly at ease ; and therefore begs to lay
furmality aside, that ho may address the reader familiarly, as if chatting with a friend on a
subject of mutual interest.
§1. — IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR USE.
The Double-barrelled Sliot Gun is your main reliance. Under some circumstances
you may trap or snare birds, catch them with bird-lime, or use other devices ; but such cases
are exceptions to the rule that you will shoot birds, and for tliis purpose no weapon compares
witli the (mo just mentioned. The soul of good advice respecting tlie selection of a gun is,
Get the best one you can afford to buy ; go the full length of your purse in the matters of
material and workmanship. To say notliing of the prime reijuisito, safety, or of the next most
desirable quality, clRciency, the durability of a high-priced gun makes it cheapest in the end.
2
FIELD OliMinOLUGY.
•■«'
Stylo of finish is obvimi.sly of little coiisciinciicc. vwc^X as iiii index of other (nullities; for
iiilerior guns rarelv, if ever, display the ex(Hiisite i.iii.ointinents that murk a iirst-rato urni.
There is really so little choice among good gnus tiiat uothiug need be said ou this score; you
cauuot miss it if you pay euougli to any iviaitahl*' maker or reliable dealer. But collecting
is a specially, anil some guns mv better adaiittd tlian others to your particular puri>ose, which
is the destrncliou, as a rule, of small birds, at moderat<' range, with the least possible injury
to their plumiige. Probably tlirce-fourths or more of the birds of a miscellaneous collection
average undi/r tho size of a ipigniM, and were shot witliin thirty yards. A hmry guu is there-
foro unnecessary, iu fact ineligilile, tlie e.\tra weight being useless. You \\\\\ (iml a gun of
7i to S pounds weight most suitable. For sindlar reasons the bore should be sunill; 1 prefer
14 gauge, and should not tiuuk of going over 12. To judge from the best sporting authorities,
kngtii (if bund is of less conse(iuenrc than many sujppose ; for mys(df, I incline to a rather
king barrel, — one nearer ;j;i than 2S inches, —believing that such a barrel may throw shot
better; but 1 am not sure that this is even the rule, while it is well known that several
circumstances of loading, besides some almost iuaiipreciable differences iu the way barrels are
bored, will cause guns apparently exactly alike to throw .shot differently. Length and crook
of ntwk should of c<iurse be adapted to your figure, —a gun nniy be uuide to fit you, us well
as u coat. For wild-fowl shooting, und ou some other sjiecial occasions, a heavier and
altogether more powerful gun will be preferable.
Brcceli-Lortiler rs. JIuzzle-Loader, a case long argued, may be considered settled iu
favor <if tho former. Provided the mechanism and workmanship of the breech be what they
should, there are no valid objections to offset (d)vious advantages, some of which uro these :
eusc and rapidity of loading, and cnnse<|uently delivery of shots in quick succes.siou; facility of
cleaning; compactness and portability of amnumition ; readiness with which difl'ereut-sized shot
nmy be used. This last is highly imiiortant to tlie collector, who ucver knows the nunnent
he may wish to fire at a very different bird from such as he has already loaded for. Tho
muzzle-loader must always contain the fine shot with which nine-tenths of your specimens
will be secured ; if in both barrels, you cannot deal with a hawk or other large bird with
reasonable prosjiects of success ; if iu only one barrel, the other being more heavily charged,
you ure crippled to the extent of exactly one-half of your resources for ordinary shooting.
Whereas, with the l)reeeh-l(jader you will liabitnally use imistard-seed iu both barrels, und yet
can slip in a different shell in time to seize most opportunities re(piiring lurge shot. This cou-
sideration alone should decide the cfise. But, moreover, the X'ww spent in tho field iu loading
an ordinary gun is no small item ; while cartridges may be charged iu your leisure at home.
This should become the natural occu]iation of your spare moments. Xo time is really ijained ;
you simply change to advantage the time consumed. Metal shells, charged with loose ammu-
nition, and susce])tible of being reloaded many times, may be used instead of auy special fixed
amnumition which, once exhausted in a distant place (and circumstances nuiy upset tho best
calculations ou that score), leaves the gun n.seless. On charging the shells mark the number
of the shot used on the outside wad; or better, use colored wads, say plain white for dust shot,
and red, blue, and green for certain other sizes. If going far away, take us nuiny shells as you
think can possibly be wanted — and a few mure.
Experience, however, will soon teach you to prefer paper cartridges for breech-loaders.
Tliey nuiy of course be loaded according to circumstances, with the same fucility as metal
shells, and even reloaded if desired. It is a good deal of trouble to take care of metal shells,
to prevent loss, keep them clean, and avoid bending or indenting ; while there is often a prac-
tical difficulty in recapping— at least with the common styles that take a special primer.
Those fitted with a screw top holding a nipple for ordinary caps are expeusive. Paper cart-
IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR USE.
uilitics; for
t-mto arm.
suDi'i' ; you
t colk'ctinjj;
IKisc, wliicli
ssible injury
IS collection
iin is there-
Ill a gun of
11; 1 prefer
authorities,
to a rather
throw shot
that several
barrels are
li anil crook
you, as well
heavier ami
C(l settled in
)e what they
h are these :
n ; facility of
pnt-sized shot
s the moment
led for. Tho
lur specimens
irgc bird with
.vily charged,
lai-y shooting,
irrels, and yet
it. This cou-
dd iu loading
sure at home,
really gained ;
I loose amniu-
jr special fixed
ipset tho best
k the number
! for dust shot,
! shells as you
)reecli-loadcrs.
jility as metal
f metal shells,
s often a prac-
ipecial primer.
Paper curt-
ridges come already capped, so that this bother is avoided, as it is not ordinarily worth wliilo
to reload them. They are made of different colors, distinguishing various sizes of shot used
without employ of colored wads otherwise r(M(uired. They nuiy be taken into the field empty
and loadeil on occasion to suit ; but it is better to pay a triHe extra to have them loaded at the
sliop. In such case, about four-fifths of the stock should contain nuistard-seed, nearly all the
rest about No. 7, a very fc^w being reserved for about No. 4. Cost of amnumition is hardly
appreciably increased ; its weight is put in the nuist conveniently portable shape ; the wliole
apparatus for can-yiug it, and loading the shells, is dispensed with ; much tinu) is saved, the
entire drudgery (excepting gun-cleaning) of collecting being avoided. I was prepared in this
way during the summer of 187-5 for the heaviest work I ever succeeded iu accomplishing during
tlic same length of time. In iluue, when birds were plentiful, I easily averaged fifteen skins
a day, and occasionally made twice as nuuiy. As items serving to base calculations, I may
mention that in four months I used about two thousand cartridges, loaded, at 842 per M.,
witli seven-eighths of an ounce of shot and tw<i and tliree-fourths drachms of powder; only
about three hundred wer(( charged with .shot larger than nuistard-.seed. In estimating the size
(if a collection that may result from use of a given number of cartridges, it may not be safe for
even a good shot to count on much more than half as many specimens as cartridges. The
number is practically reduced by tlie following steps: — Cartridges lost or damaged, or orig-
inally defective ; shots missed ; birds killed or wounded, not recovered ; specinu'us secured
unfit for preservation, or not preserved for any reason ; specimens accidentally spoilt iu stutliug,
or subse(iuently dauuiged so as to be not worth keeping ; and finally, use of cartridges to
supply the tabic.
Other Weapons, etc. — An ordinary sittgle-harrel gun will of course answer ; but is a
sorry makeshift, for it is sometimes so poorly constructed as to be unsafe, and can at best bo
only just half as effective. This remark does not ajjply to any of the fine single-barrelled breech-
loaders now made. You will find them very effective weapons, and they are not at all expen-
sive. An arm now much used by collectors is a kind of breech-loading pistol, with or without
a skeleton gun-stock to screw into the handle, and taking a particular stylo of metal cartridge,
charged with a few grains of powder, or with nothing but the fulminate. They are very light,
very cheap, safe and easy to work, and astonishingly effective U}) to twenty or thirty yards ;
nuiking probably tho best "second choice'' after tho matchless double-barrelled breech-
kiadcr itself. The cane-gun should bo mentioned in this comu'ction. It is a singlc-baiTol,
lacquered to look like a stick, with a brass stojiper at tho nuizzlo to imitate a ferule, counter-
sunk hammer and trigger, and either a simple curved handle, or a light gunstock-shaped piece
that screws in. The affair is easily mistaken for a cane. St)nie have acquired considerable
dexterity in its use ; my own experience with it is very limited and unsatisfactory ; the handle
always hit me in tho face, and I gonorally missed my bird. It has only two recommendations.
If you apjjrove of shooting on Sunday and yet scruple to shock jiopular prejudice, you can slip
out of town unsuspected. If you are shooting where the law forbids destruction of small birds,
— a wise and good law that you may sometimes be inclined to defy, — artfully careless handling
of tlio deceitful implement may prevent aiTcst and fine. A hlow-gun is sometimes used. It is
a long slender tube of wood, metal, or glass, through which clay-balls, tiny arrows, etc., are
projected by force of the breath. It must be quite an art to use such a weapon successfully,
and its employment is necessarily exceptional. Some uncivilized tribes are said to possess
marvellous skill in the use of long bamboo blow-guns ; and such people are often valuable
em]doycs of tho collector. I have had no experience with tlie noiseless air-gun, which is, in
effect, a modified blow-gun, compressed air being the explosive power. Nor can I say much
of various methods of trapping birds that may be practised. On these points I must leave you
to your own devices, with the remark that horse-hair snares, set over a nest, are often of great
4 FIELD OJIMTIIOLOGY.
Bcrvico in securing tl.o parent of ojiks tlmt n.lKlit ..flirrwifn ronmin unidentified. I Inivo no
practical kiioulcd-c ..f hinl-limc ; I Lilicvr it is mI.Iuu. used in tl.is country. A mctluid of
«e«./ii/ birds alive,' wliid. 1 liave tried, is JHitii cisy and wurcssful. A net of fine ^'reen silk,
Bonic 8 or 10 feet square, i» utretclicd iierpendi.iiiinly across a narrow i)art of one of the tiny
brooks, overgrown with l)ricrs and shnild)cry, that intersect many of our meadows. Retreating
to It distance, the collector heals alnn- the .iniihlM.ry making all the noise he can, urging on
tho little birds till they reach tlie almost invisihh' net and become entangled in trying to lly
through. 1 have in this manner taken a dozen sparrows and the like at one "drive." Hut
the gun can rarely he laiil aside for this or any similar device.
Aminuiiltloii The best immkr is that combining strength nnd eloanlincsa in the highest
comj)alihle degree. In some brands too mucli of tlie latter is sacriliced to the former. Other
things being <'.|iial, a rather coarse powder is preferable, since its slower action tends to throw
shot closer." Some numbers are said to be ''too quick " f..r fiiH' breech-loaders. Inexperienced
sportsmen nnd e<.llector8 almost invariably use too coarse shot. When unnecessarily large, two
evils result: the munber of pellets in a load is decreased, the chances of killing being eorre-
epondingly lessened ; and tla^ plumage is unnecessarily injured, either by direct mutilaticm,
or by subsequent bleeding through large hides. As already hinted, shot cannot be too fine for
your routine collecting. Use " mustard-seed,'' or " dust-shot," as it is variously called ; it \»
smaller than any of the sizes usually muubered. As tlu) very finest can only be procured in
cities, provide yom'self liberally on leaving any centre of civilization for even ii ecamtry village,
to say nothing of remote regions. A small bird that would have been torn to pieces by a few
large pellets, may be riddled with nnistard-seed and yet be preservable ; moreover, there is, as
a rule, little or no bleeding from such mimUe holes, whicli dose up by tho ehisticity of tho
tissues involved. It is astonishing what large birds may be brought down with tho tiny pellets.
I have killed hawks with such shot, knocked over a wood ibis at forty yards and once shot
a wolf dead with No. 10, though I am bound to say the aniimil was within a few feet of me.
After dust-shot, and the nearest number or two, Xo. 8 or 7 will be frauul most useful. Water-
fowl, thick-skinned sea-birds, like loons, cormorants, and jM-licans, and a few of the largest land
birds, require heavier shot. I have had no experience with the substitution of fine gravel or
sand, nmch less water, as a projectile ; besides shot I never fired anything at a bird except
my ramrod, on (me or two occasions, when I never afterwards saw either the bird or the stick.
The comparatively trivial matter of mpa will repay attention. Hrecch-loaders not discharged
with a pin take a particular style of short cap called a " primer ;" for other guns the 6es<
water-proof lined ca])s will prcsvent anuDyancc; iind disajipoiutment iu wet weather, and may
save you an eye, for they only split when exploded ; whereas, the flimsy cheap (jnes — that
"G I) "trash, for instance, .sold in the corner grocery at ten cents a hundred — usually Hy
to pieces. Cut felt vmh are the only suitable article. Kly's "chemically prei)arcd " wadding
is the best. It is well, when using plain wads, occashinally to drive a greased one through
the barrel. Since you may sometimes run out of wads through an unexpected contingency,
always keep a wad-cutter to fit your gun. You can make serviceable wads of pasteboard, but
thoy are inferior to felt. Cut them on the Hat sawn <'nd of a stick of firewood : the side of a
plank does not do very well. Use a wooden mallet, instead of a hammer or hatchet, and so
save your cutter. Soft i)apcr is next best after wads ; I hav(! never used rags, cottcni or tow,
fearing these tiuder-liko substances might leave a sjiark in tlu- barrels. Crumbled leaves or
grass will answer at a pinch. I have occasionally, in a desperate hurry, loaded and killed
without any wadding.
Other Equipments. — (rt.) For the Gun. A gun-case will come cheap in the end,
especially if you travel much. Tho usual box, divided into compartments, and well lined,
IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND TJIEIH USE.
Iiiivo no
IIK'tllod of
trccii silk,
f tin' tiny
Kctrcatiiig
urging on
^•inp to fly
ivf." Hut
the liiglicat
r. Other
s to throw
xjierieiieed
i' large, two
I'iiig ('(irre-
iniitilation,
too fine for
called ; it is
proeined in
itry village,
L'es by a fcnv
, there is, as
iticity of the
tiny jiellets.
nd once shot
r feet of ine.
"ill. Water-
largest land
no gravel or
bird except
or the stick.
)t discharged
^inis the best
er, and may
ones — that
— usually fly
}d " wadding
one through
contingency,
iteboard, but
he side of a
chet, and so
)tton or tow,
led leaves or
i and killed
in the end,
well lined,
is the best, though tli(( full length leather or india-rublier doth ease answers very well. The
box hIiouIiI contain a suuiU kit of tools, such as inaiiisiniiig-vice, niipplc-wicnch, sciew-driver,
etc. A stout hard-wood cleaning rod, with woriner, will be re((uircd. It is always sate to
have parts of the gun-lock, especially nuiinspriiig, in duplicate. For imiz/le-loaders extra
nijiples and extra ntuirod heads and tips often conu- into use. For breech-loailers the appara-
tus for charging the shells is so useful as to be practically indispeusablts (fc.) For aiiimuni-
fidii. Metal shells or paper cartridges may be carried loose in the large lower coat iiocket,
or in a leather satdul. Tlu're is said to be a chance of ex]ilosiou by sonio unlucky blow, when
they aro so cari-ied, but I never knew <if an instance. Another way is to fix tliein separately
in a row in snug loops of soft leather sewn continuously along a stout waist-bi'lt ; or in several
such horizontal rows on a stjuare piece of thick leather, to be slung by a strap ovi'r the shoul-
der. IJut bi'tter than anything else is a stout lin<'n rest, similarly furnished with loops holding
each a cartridge; this distiibuti's the weight so perfectly, that the usual " forty rounds" may
be carried without fe<'liiig it. The appliances for loose ainuiunition ari' almost endlessly
varied, so every one may consult his taste tu' convenience. Hut now that everybody uses the
breech-loader, shot-pouches and powder-llasks an- among the things that were, (c.) For
8}icciiiiciix. You must always vuvry pa jwr in which to wrap up your sjiecimens, as more i)ar-
ficularly directed beyond. Nothing is better for this purpose than writing-paper ; "rejected"
or otherwise useless MSS. nuiy thus be utilizecl. The ordinary game bag, with leather back
and network front, answers very well ; but a' light basket, fitting the body, such as is used
by fishermen, is the best thing to carry specimens in. Avoid putting specinu'us into jmckcis,
unless you have your coat-tail largely excavated : crowding them into a dose pocket, where
tla'y press each other, and receive warmth IVoni the person, will injure them. It is always
well to take a little cotton into the field, to plug up shot-boles, mouth, nostrils, or vent, imme-
diately, if reiiuired. (d.) For Yoiirnclf. The indications to be fullilled in your clothing are
these: Adaptability to the weather; and since a shooting-coat is not conveniently changed,
wliihs an overcoat is ordinarily ineligible, the refiuirement is best met by ditlereut undercUithes.
Easy fit, allowing perfect freedom of muscular action, especially of \\h' arms. Strength of
fabric, to resist briers and stand wear ; velveteen and corduroy are excellent materials. Sub-
dued color, to render you as inconspicuous as possible, and to show dirt tlu^ least. Multiplicity
of pockets — a perfect .shooting-coat is an ingenious system of hanging jiouches about the
person. lJroad-s(ded, low-heeled boots or shoes, giving a firm tread even when wet. Close-
fitting cap with prominent visor, or low soft felt hat, rather broad brimmed. Let india-rubber
goods alone ; the field is no place for a sweat-bath.
Quallfleatluns for Success. — With the outfit just indicated you comnnuid all the reciuircd
appliances that you can hut/, and the rest lies with yourself. Success hangs upon your own
exertions; upon your energy, industry, and perseverance; your knowledge and skill; your
zeal and enthusiasm, in collecting birds, nnich as in other aflairs of life. But that your
cftbrts — maiden attempts they nnist once have been if they be not such now — may. be directed
to best advantage, further instructions may not be unacceptable.
To Carry a Gun without peril to human life or limb is the n & c of its use. "There's
death in the pot." Such (constant care is required to avoid accidents that no man can give it
by continual voluntary efforts : safe carriage of the gun nuist become an unconscious habit, fixed
as the movements of an automaton. The golden rule and whole secret is: the muzzle must
never sweep the horizon ; accidental discharge should send tlu; shot into the ground before your
feet, or away up in the air. There are several safe and easy ways of holding a piece : they
will be employed by turns to relieve particular muscles when fatigued. 1. Ilidd it in the
hollow of the arm (preferably the left, as you can recover to aim iu less time than from the
r
i
6
FIELD OEXITHOLOGY.
right), across the front of your person, the liiinil .m tlio grip, tho muzzle elevated about 45°.
2. Hang it by the trigger giuinl liitdied over the forearm brought round to the breast, the
stock passing Ix'hind the upper arm, the muzzle i.ointing to ;he grouud a pace or so lu front
of you. ;j. Siiouldcr it, the hand on the grip or lieel-phUe, the muzzle pointing upward
at least 45°. 4. .Slioulder it reversed, the hand gra.sping the barrels about their middle, tho
muzzle pointing forward and downward: tiiis is perfectly adu.issible, but is the most awkward
position of all to recover from. Always cani/ a hailed gun at half-cock, unless you are about
to shoot. .Most good gimsaro now fitted witli rebounding locks, an arrangement by which
the hammer is thrown bade tct half-cock as soon as the blew is delivered on the pin. This
admirable device is a great safe-guard, and is particularly elij^ible for breech-loaders, as the
barrels may be unlocked and relocked witliout touching the hammers. Unless the lock fail,
accidental discharge is inii)ossible, except under these circumstances : a, a direct blow on the
nipple or ])in ; b, catdiing of both liammer and trigger simultaneously, drawing back of
tlie former and its release whilst the trigger is still held, — the chances against which aro
simply incalculable. Full-cock, ticklish as it seems, is safer than no-cock, when a tap on
tlie iiamnier or even the heel-plate, or a slight catcli and release of the liannner, may cause
discharge. Never let tho muzzle of a loaded gun point toward your own person for a
single instant. Get your gun over fences, or into boats or carnages, before you get over
or in yourself, or at any rate no Liter. Remove caps or cartridges on entering a house.
Never aim a gun, loaded or not, at any objirt, unless you mean to press the trigger. Never
put a loaded gnu away long enough to forget whether it is loaded or not; never leave a
loaded gun to \h\ found by others under circumstances reasonably presujiposing it to be un-
h)aded. Never |iut a gtm where it can be knocked down by a dog or a child. Never imagine
that there can be any e.\cuse for lawituj a breecli-loader loaded under any circumstances.
Never forget that tlie idiots wlio kill people because tliey "did n't know it was loaded," are
perennial. Ne\cr forget tliat tliough a gunning accident may be sometimes interpreted (from
a certain standpoint) as a " disi)ensation of Providence," such dispensations happen ofteuest
to tho careless.
To Clean a Gun properly re(|uires some knowledge, more good temper, and most
" elhow-grease ; " it is dirty, disagreeable, inevitable work, which laziness, business, tiredness,
indilt'erence, and good taste will by turns tempt you to shirk. After a Jiunt you are tired, have
your clotlies to cliange, a meal to eat, a lot of birds to skin, a journal to write up. If ytm
"sub-let '' tlie contract the chances are it is but iialf fullilled ; serve yourself, if you want to
be well served. If you cannot find time for a regular cleaning, an intolerably fiud gun may be
made to do anotlier day's work by swabliing for a few moments with a wet (not dripping) rag,
and then witli an oiled one. For tlie fiill wash use c(dd water first ; it loosens dirt better than
hot water. Set the barrels in a jiail of water; wrap the end of tlie cleaning rod witli tow or
cloth, and pump away till your arms ache. Change the rag or tow, and the Waterloo, till
they both stay cleiiii for all tlie swabbing you can do. Fill the barrels with boiling water till
they are well heated: jiour it out, wipe as dry as i)ossil)le inside and out, and set tliem by a
fire. Fiiiisli willi a Unlit oiling, inside and out ; toudi up all the metal about the stock, and
polish the wood-work. Do not remove tlie locks oftener than is necessary ; every time they
are taken out, something of the e.vcpiisite fiiting that marks a good gun may be h'.st ; as long
as they work smootlijy take it for granle.l they are all right. The same direction applies to
nii.ples. To keep a gun well, under hmg disuse, it should have had a particularly thorough
cleaning; the chambers sJiould be pac' d witli greasy tow ; grea.sed wads may be rammed at
intervals along the barrels ; or the barrels may be filled with melted tallow. Neat's-foot is
recommen.le.l as the best easily procured oil ; porpoise-oil whicli is, I believe, used by M-at<'h-
nmkers, is the very best; tlio oil nuulo for use on sewing- maehiues is exceUcut; "oUve" oU
IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR USE.
about 45**.
jrt-ast, tlio
o iu front
g upward
iiiildlo, tlio
awkward
are about
by wbich
pin. This
rs, as the
lock fail,
•\v on tho
g back of
wliich arc
I ta]) on
may cause
<'r.<(in for a
II get over
ig a liouse.
;er. Never
vcr leave a
it to be un-
'ver imagine
cunistances.
loaded," are
jireted (from
i])eu oftenest
r, and most
ss, tiredness,
D tired, have
up. If you
you want to
gun may be
•ippiiig) rag,
better than
with tow or
•ater too, till
ig water till
I't them by a
e stock, and
ry time they
ost ; as long
n ap]dies to
riy thorough
' rammed nt
feat's-foot is
'd by watch-
" olive" oil
(uuido of lurd) for table use answers the puqwsc. The quality of any oil may be improved by
|iiitting in it a few tacks, or scraps of zinc, — the oil e.xpends its rusty capacity in oxidizing the
metal. Inferior oils get "sticky." One of the best preventives of rust is mercurial (" blue")
ointment : it may be freely used. Keroseuo will remove rust ; but use it sparingly for it
" I'ats" sound metal too.
To Load a Gun effectively re<iuires something more than knowledge of the facts that the
[xiwder sliould go iu before tlie shot, and that each should have a wad a-top. Probably the
most nearly universal fault is use of too nuich shot for the amount of powder ; aiul tlH> nest,
too much of both. The rule is bulk for bulk of powder and shot. If not exactly this, then
rather less shot than powder. It is absurd to supj)ose, as some persons who ought to know
better do, that tho more shot in a gun the greater the chances of lulling. The projectile
force of a charge canmit possibly be greater than the vis inertiic of the gun as held by the
shooter. The explosion is manifested in all directions, and blows the shot one way simply
and only because it has no other escape. If the resistaiu-o in front of the powder were
greater than elsewhere, the shot would not budge, but the gun would tly backward, or
burst. This always reminds mo of Lord Dundreary's famous conundrum — Why does a dog
wag his tail ? Because he is bigger tlu-ii his tail ; otherwise the tail would wag him. A
gun sluiots shot because tho guu is '.'.le heavier; otherwise the shot would shoot the gun.
Every uimecessary pellet is a pellet against you, jiot against the game. The ex])encnced si)orts-
man uses about one-third less shot "'in tho tyro, with proportionally better result, other things
being equal. As to powder, niorei. jr, a gun can only burn just so much, and every grain
blown out uuburnt is wasted if nothing more. No express directions for absolute weight or
measures o' cither powder or shot can bo given ; in fact, different guns take as their most
eflcctive charge such a variable amount of ammunition, that one of the first things yon have to
learn about your own arm is, its nornuil charge-gauge. Find out, by assiduous tai'get practice,
wliat absolute amounts (and to a slight degree, what relative proportion) of powder and shot
are required to shoot the furthest and distribute the pellets most evenly. This practice, further-
more, will acquaint you with the gun's cap:icities in every respect. You should learn exactly
what it will and what it will not do, so as to feel perfect coniideuco in your arm within a cer-
tain range, and to waste no shots iu attempting miracles. Immoderate recoil is a pretty sure
sign that the gun was overloaded, or otherwise wrongly charged ; and all force of recoil is sub-
tracted from the imimlse of the shot. It is useless to ram powder very hard; two or three
snuirt taj)s of the rod will suffice, and more will not increase tho exjdiisive force. On the shot
tho wad should simply be pressed close enough to fix tho pellets immovably. All these direc-
tions apply to the charging of metal or paper cartridges as well as to loading by the muzzle.
The latter operation is so rarely required, now that guns of c^very griule break at tlie breach,
that advice on this score may seem quite anachronistic ; uev."rtheless, I let what I said in the
original edition .stand. When about to rcehargo one barrel see that the hanuuer of tho other
stands at half-cock. Do not drop tho ramrod into tho other barrel, for a stray shot might
iuqiact between the swell of the head and the gun and make it difficult to withdraw the rod.
During the whole operation keep the muzzle as far from your person as j-ou conveniently can.
Never force home a wad with the Hat of your hand over tho end of the rod, but Imld the roil
between your fingers and thumb ; in case of premature explosion, it will make just the difi'er-
ence of lacerated finger tips, or a blown-up hand. Never look into a loaded gun-barrel ; you
might as wisely put your head into a lion's mouili to see what the animal had for diniu'r.
After a miss-fire hold tho gun u]) a few moments and be slow to reload ; tho fire sometiuies
"hangs" for several seconds. Finally, let mo strongly impress upon you the expediency of
light loading in your routine collecting. Three-fourths of your shots need not bring into action
tho gun's full powers of execution. You will shoot more binls under than over 30 yards ; not
8
FIELD OliNITHOLOGY.
a few yon must scoiiro, if at nil, at 10 or 15 yards ; ami your object is always to kill thorn with
the least possible ilaiiiaf;.' to the pliunage. I have, on particular ooeasions, loaded even down
to ioz. of shot and Udr. of powder. 'J'here is astonishing force compressed in a few grains of
powder; au astonishhig number of pellets in the smallest load of mustard-seed. If you can
load so nicely as to just drive the shot into a bird and not through it and out again, do so, and
save half the holes in the skin.
To Shoot successfully is an art whicli may be acquired by practice, and can bo learned
only iu tiio sclio(d of exiierience. No general directions will make you a good .shot, any more
than a proficient in music or iiainting. To tell you that in order to hit a bird yo\i must point
the gun at it and press the trigger, i.3 like .siying that to play on the fiddle you must shove
tiie bow across the strings with one hand while you finger them with the other; in either
case the result is the same, a noise — vox ct jmctcmi nihil — but n<'ither music nor game.
Nor is it possible for every one to become an artist iu gunnery ; a "crack slu>t," like a poet, is
born, not made. For myself I make no pretensions to get^ius in that direction; for although
I generally make fair bugs, and liave ilestroyed many tliousand birds in my time, this is rather
owine to some familiarity I have gained with the haliits of birds, and a certain knack, acquired
bv lonsr practice, of picking them out of tn-es and bnslies, tliau to skilful shooting from the
sportsman's standpoint ; in fact, if 1 cut down two or tliree birds on the wing without a miss
I am W(U-king (|uite uj) to iny average iu that line. Hut any one not a purblind "butter fin-
gers," can become a reasonably fair shot by practice, and do good c<'llocting. Tt is not so hard,
after all, to sight a gun correctly on an inunovable object, and collecting differs from sporting
proi)cr in this, that comparatively few birds are shot on the wing. IJut I do not mean to
imply that it requires less skill to colhrt successfully than to secure game; on the contrary, it
is finer shooting, I think, to drop a warbler skipping about a tree-top than to stop a quail at
full speed ; while hitting a sparrow that springs from the grass at one's feet to flicker in sight
a few seconds and disappear is the most difficult of all shooting. Besides, a crack shot, as
understood, aims unconsciou.sly, with mechanical accuracy and certitude of hitting ; he simply
wills, and the trained muscles obey without his superintendence, just as the fingers form letters
with the pen in writing; whereas the collector must usually supervise his umsdes all through
the act and see that they mind. In spite of the ]>roportiou of snap shots of all .sorts j'ou will
have to take, your collecting shots, as a rule, are made with deliberate aim. There is much
the same difference, on the whole, between the sjiortsman's work and the collector's, that there
is between ,shot-gun and rifle ]>ractice, collecting being comparable to the latter. It is gener-
ally understood that the acme of skill with the two weapons is an incompatibility ; and, cer-
tainly, the best shot is not always the best collector, even supixising the two to be on a par in
their knowledge of birds' haunts and habits. Still a hopelessly poor shot can only attain fair
results by extraordinary diligence and per.severance. Certain principles of shooting may per-
haps be reduced to words. Aim deliberately directly at an inunovable object at fair range.
Hold over a motionless id)ject when far off', as the trajectory of the shot curves downward.
Hold a little to one side of a stationary object when very near, preferring rather to take the
chances of missing it with the peripheral pellets, than of hopelessly mutilating it with the
main body of the charge. Fire at the first fair aim. without trying to improve what is good
enough already. Never "pull"' the trigger, but press it. Bear the shock of discharge with-
out flinching. In shooting on the wing, fire the instant the but of the gun taps your shoulder:
you will iui.Sb at first, but by and by the birds will begin to dntp, and you will have laid the
foundation of good shooting, the knack of "covering" a bird nnccmsciously. The habit of
"p(dsing" after a bird on the winsr is an almost incurable vice, and may keep you a poor
shot all your life. (The c(dlector's freiiuent necessity of poking after little birds in the bush
is just what so often hinders him from acquiring brilliant executi(m.) Aim aliead of a
SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK. 9
living bird — tho calculation to be made varies, according to the distance of the object,
its velocity, its course and tho wind, from a few inches to several feet ; practice will finally
render it intuitive.
§ 2. — DOGS.
A Good Dog is one of the most faithful, respectful, affectionate and sensible of brutes ;
(lt'f('ronc(> to such rare qualities demands a chapter, however brief. A trained dog is the indis-
peiisiilile servant of the sportsman in his pursuit of most kinds of game; but I trust I am guilty
of nil discourtesy to the noble aninuil, when I say that he is a lu.vury rather than a necessity to
the collector — a pleasant companion, who knows almost everything except how to talk, who
converses with his eyes and ears and tail, shares comforts and discomforts with equal alacrity,
and occasionally makes himself useful. So far as a cidlector's work tallies with that of a
sportsman, tho dog is equally useful to both ; but finding an<l telling of game aside, your dog's
services are restricted to companionship and retrieving. He may, iiuleed. Hush many sorts of
birds for you; but he does it, if atall, at random, while capering about ; for the brute intellect
is liiniteil after all, and camiot comprehend a naturalist. The best trained setter or pointer
that ever marked a quail could not be made to understand what you ar(> about, and it would
ruin him for siiorting purposes if he did. Take a well-bred dog out witii you, and the chances
are he will soon trot home in disgust at your perfornwnces with jack-sparrows and tomtits. It
imjilies such a lowering and perversion of ii good dog's instincts to make him really a useful
servant of yours, that I am half inclined to say ngthing about retrieving, and tell you to make
a companion o( your dog, or let him alone. I was fidlowed for several years by " the best dog
I ever saw" (every one's gun, dog, and ciiihl is the best ever seen), and a first-rate retriever;
yet I always preferred, when practicable, to pick up my own birds, rather than let a delicate
plninagc into a dog's mouth, and sc(ddcd away the poor brute so often, that she very properly
returned the compliment, in the end, by retrieving just when sin; felt like it. However, wo
remained tho best of friends. Any good setter, pointer, or spaniel, and some kinds of curs,
may be trained to retrieve. The great jKiint is to teach them not to " nnmth " a bird ; it may
he accomplished by sticking pins in the ball with which their early lessons are taught. Such
Jogs are particularly useful in bringing birds out of tho water, and in searching for them when
lost. One point in training should never be neglected: teach a dog what ''to heel " means,
and make him obey this command. A riotous brute is simply unendurable under any
circumstances.
§3. — VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK.
To be a Good Collector, and nothing more, is a small affair ; great skill may be ac-
quired in the art, without a single quality comnninding respect. One of the most vulgar,
hrutal, and ignorant men I ever knew was a sharp cidlector and an excellent taxidermist.
Collecting stands much in the same relation to ornithology that the useful and indispensable
olHce of an apothecary bears to tho duties of a physician. A field-naturalist is always more or
less of a collector ; tho latter is sometimes found to know almost nothing of natural history
worth knowing. The true ornithologist goes out to study birds alive and destroys some of
them simply because that is the only way of learning their structure and technical characters.
'I'here is much more about a bird than can be discovered in its dead body, — how much more,
tlien, than can be found out from its stuffed skin ! In my humble opinion the man who only
irathers birds, as a miser money, to swell his cabinet, and that other man who gloats, as miser-
like, over the same hoard, both W(n-k on a plane far beneath where tho enlightened naturalist
stands. One looks at Nature, and never knows that she is beautiful ; tho other knows she is
beautiful, as even a corpse may be; the naturalist catches her sentient expression, and knows
10
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY.
m
how beautiful sho is! I would hiivo you to know and lovo her; for fairer mistress never
swayed the heart of man. Aim higli ! - press <m, and leave the half-way house of mere col-
lectorsliip far behind in your pursuit of a .Icliglitfiil study, nor fancy the closet its goal.
Birds may be souRlit aiiywiiere, at any tiuu' ; tliey should be sought everywhere, at
all times. Some com(^ about your doorstep to tell their stories unasked. Others spring up
before you as you stroll in the field, like the flowers that enticed the feet of Proserpine. Birds
flit by as you measure the tired roadside, leudiug a tithe of their life to (juicken your dusty
steps. They disi)ort overhead at hide-and-seek with the foliage as you loiter in the shade of
the forest, and their uuisic uow answers the sigh of the tree-lops, now rijjples an echo to the
voice of the hniok. IJut y<JU will not always so pluck a thornless rose. Birds hedge them-
selves about with a bristling girdle of brier and bramble ycju cannot break ; they build their
tiny castles in the air surrounded by imi)assabl(^ moats, and the drawbridges are never down.
Tiu'y crown the uuumtain-toi) you may lose your breath to climb; they sprinkle the desert
where your parched lips may find no coiding draught ; they fleck the snow-wreath when the
uippiug blast may nuiko you turn your back ; they breathe unharmed the pestilent vapors of
th(! swamp that mean disease, if not death, for you ; they outride tlie storm at sea that sends
strong men to tlieir last account. Where now will you look for birds f
And yet, as slulled labor is always most productive, so e.\pert search yields more than
random or blundering pursuit. Inipfimis ; The more varied the face of a country, the more
varied its birds. A place all idaiu, all marsh, all woodland, yields its particular set of birds,
perhaps in jirofusion ; but the kinds will be limited in number. It is of first importance to
remember this, when you are so fortunate as to have choice of a collecting-ground ; and it will
guide your steps aright in a day's walk anywhere, for it will make you leave covert for open,
wet for dry, high for low and back again. Well-wat(n'ed country is more fruitful of bird-life
than desert or even i)rairie ; warm regi(Uis are more productive thou cold ones. As a rule,
variety and abundauco of l)irds are in direct ratio to diversity and luxuriance of vegetation.
Your most valuable as well as largest bags may be made in the regions most favored botani-
cally, up to the point where exuberance of plant-growth mechanically opposes your operations.
Search for particular Birds can only be well directed, of course, by a knowledge of
their special haunts and habits, and is one of the mysteries of wood-craft only sfdved by long
experience and close observation. Here is where the true naturalist bears liimself with con-
scious pride and strength, winning laurels that become him, and do honor to his calling.
Where to And i/cnne ("game" is anything that vulgar people do not ridicule you for shooting)
of all th(! kinds we have in this coimtry has been .so often and so minutely detailed in sporting-
works that it need not be here enlarged upon, especially since, being the best known, it is the
least valuable of oniithologieal material. Most large or otherwise conspicuous birds have very
special haunts that may bt^ soon learned; and as a rule such rank next after game in oniitho-
logieal di.sesteem. Birds of prey arc an exception to these statements; they range everywhere,
and most of them are worth securing. Hawks will iniwittingly fly in ycuir way oftener than
they will allow you to aiijiroach them when perched : be ready for them. Owls will bo
startled out of their retreats in thick bushes, dense fcdiage, and hollow trees, in the daytime ;
if hunting them at night, good aim in the dark nuiy be taken by rubbing a wet lucifer match
on the sight of the giui, causing a momentary glinnner. Large and small waders arc to bo
fouiul by any water's edge, in open marshes, and often on dry plains ; the herons more j)articu-
larly in heavy bogs and dense swamps. Under cover, waders are oftencst approached by
stealth ; in the ojwn, by strategy; but most of the suuiller kinds require the exercise of no special
in-ecautions. Swimming birds, aside from water-fowl (as the " game" kinds are called), are gen-
erally shot from a boat, as they fly past ; but at their breeding places many kinds that congro-
SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOB FIELD-WORK.
11
gato in viist numbers are more ri'adUy reached. There is a knack of shooting loons and grebes
on tliii «'ater ; if they are to bo reached at all by the shot it will be by aiming not directly at
them but at the water just in front of tlieni. Tliey do not go under just where they Hoat,
but kick up behind like a jumpiug-jack and plunge forward. Rails and several kinds of
sparrows arc confined to reedy marshes. But why prolong such desultory remarks ? Little
can be said to the point witliout at least a miniature treatise on ornithology ; and I have not
yet even alluded to the diversified host of suuiU insectivorous and grauivorous birds that fill our
woods and fields. The very existeuce of most of these is unknown to all but the initiated ; yet
tlicy include the treasures of the ornithologist. Some are plain and luunblc, others are among
th(^ most beautiful objects in nature ; but most agree in being ftmall, and therefore liable to bo
overlooked. Tlio sum of my advice about them must be brief. Get over as much ground,
both wooded and open, as you can tliorouglily examine in a day's tramp, and go out as nuuiy
(lays as you can. It is not always necessary, however, to keep on the tramp, csi)ecially dur-
ing the migration of the restless insectivorous species. One may often shoot for hours without
moving more than a few yards, by selecting a favorable locality and allowing the birds to
come to him as they pass in varied troops tlirough tlio low woodlands or swampy thickets.
Keep your eyes and ears wide open. Look out for every rustling leaf and swaying twig and
bending blade of grass. Hearken to every note, however faint ; when there is no .sound, listen
for a chirp. Habitually move as noiselessly as possible. Keep your gun ulwuijs ready.
Improve every opportunity of .studying a bird you do not wisli to destroy; j-ou may often
make observations more valuable than the specimen. Let this be tlie rule with all birds you
recognize. But I fear I must tell you to shoot an unknown bird on sight ; it may give you
the slip in a moment and a prize mjiy be lo.st. One of the most fascinating tilings about field-
work is its delightful uncertainty : you never know what 'sin store for you as you .start out ;
you never can tell wliat will happen next ; surprises are always in order, and oxcitemeut is
continually w!)('tted on the chances of the varied chase.
For myself, the time is past, happily or not, when every bird was an agreeable surprise,
for (lewdrops do not last all day ; but I have never yet walked in the woods witliout learning
something pleasant that I did not know before. I should consider a bird new to science
ample reward for a month's steady work; one bird new to a hicality would repay a week's
search ; a day is happily sjtent that shows me any bird that I never saw alivu before. How
then can you, with so much before you, keep out of the woods another minute i
All Times are good times to go a-sliooting; but some are better than others, (a.) Time
of year. In all temperate latitudes, spring and fall — periods of migration with most birds —
are the most profitable seasons for collecting. Not only are birds then most numerous, both as
species and as individuals, and most active, so as to be the more readily found, but they
include a far larger proportion of rare and valuable kinds. In every locality in this country
the periodical visitants outnumber the permanent residents ; in most regions the number of
regular migrants, that simply pass through in the sjiriiig and fall, equals or exceeds that of
either of the sets of species that come from the south in spring to breed during the summer,
or from the north to spend the winter. Far north, of course, on or near the limit of the venial
migration, where there are few if any migrants jxissing through, and whore the winter birds
arc extremely few, nearly all the bird fauna is composed of " summer visitants ; " far south,
ill this country, the rever.se is somewhat the case, thougli with nuiny qualifications. Between
tlie.se extremes, what is conventionally known as "a season" means the period of the vernal or
aiif uinnal migration. For example, the body of birds present in the District of Columbia (where
I collected for several years) in the two months from April 20tb to May 20th, and from Septcm-
bcr lOtli to October 10th, is undoubtedly greater, as far as individuals are concerned, than the
total number found there at all other seasons of the year together. As for species, the number
12
FIELD OnXITIlOLOGY.
of migrants about equals that of suiuurt vi.sitMUts ; tlu- prnnancnt residents equal the winter
residents, hotli these l.eiiiiilVwiT tlian citlier of the first mentioned sets; while the irregular vis-
itors, or stragglers, that eomidete tlie hird fauna, are about, or rather less than one-half as many
as the species of either of the other categories. About Washington, therefore, I would readily
undeilake to secure a greater varwtij of iiinl.s in the nine weeks above sjjecified than in all the
rest of the vear; for in that time would he found, not only all the i)erumiieut residents, but nearly
all the migrants, and almost all tlie sunuiier visitants ; while tiie number of individual birds
that lui-'ht be taken exceeds, by iiuite as much, the number of those procurable in the same
leiiirth of time at any other season. MuUttia miitcindix, it is the same everywhere in this
country. I..ook out then, ior "the .«eason ; " work all through it at a rate you eonld not
i)(issii)iy sustain tlie year around ; and make hay whih' the sun shines, {h.) Time of daij.
Early in the morning ami late in the afterno(ni are tlie best times for birds. Tiiere is a myste-
rious siiuiethini; in these diiu'iial crises that sets bird-life astir, over and above what is ex-
idainahle by the simple fact that they are the transiticin periods from repose to activity, or
the revers(>. Subtile meteondogical changes occur; various delicate instruments used in
])hysi(ists' researches are .sometimes inexplicably disturbed ; diseases have often their turning
point for better or worse; ]ieople are apt to be born or die ; and the suscejjtible organisms of
birds manifest various excitements. Whatever the operative iuHuence. the fact is, birds arc
particularly lively at such hours. In the dark, they rest — most of them do; at nocmday,
airain, tliev are conqiaratively still ; between these times they are jiassing to u\- from their
feeding grounds or roosting jilaces ; they are foraging for food, they are singing; at any rate,
they are iu motion. Many nigratory hinls (among them warblers, etc.) perform their journeys
by night ; just at daybreak they may be .seen to descend from the njiper regions, rest a while,
and then move about briskly, singing and searching for food. Their meal taken, they reeu-
jierate by resting till towards evening; feed again and are oif for the night. If you have had
some experience, don't you remember what a tine spurt you made early that morning ? —
how many unexpected shots offered as you trudged home belated that evening? Now I am
no fowl, and have no desire to ailopt the habits of tin; Iwu-yard; I hav(! my opinion of tho.so
who like the world before it is aired ; I think it served the worm right for getting up, when
caught by the early bird ; nevertheless I go shooting betimes in the morning, and wmild walk
all night to find a rare bird at daylight, (c.) Weather. It rarely occurs in this country that
either heat or cold is luiendurably severe; but extremes of temperature are unfavorable, fca' two
reasons : they both occasion great personal discomfort ; and in one extreme only a few hardy
birds will be found, while in the other most birds are languid, <lisposed to seek shelter, and
therefore less likely to be found. A still, cloudy day of moderate temperature offers as a rule
the best chance ; among other reasons, there is no sim to blind the eyes, as always occurs on a
bright day in <ine direction, particularly when the sun is low. While a bright day has its good
influence iu setting many birds astir, some others arc most easily approached in heavy or fall-
ing weather. Some kinds ar(' more likely to be secured during a light snowfall, or after a
storm. Singular as it may seem, a thoroughly wet day offers some peculiar induceinents to
the collector. I cannot well specify them, but I heartily indorse a remark J<din Cassin onco
made to me: — "I like," said he, "to go shooting in the rain sometimes; there are some
curious things to be learned about birds when the trees are dripping, things too that have not
yet found their way into the boidts."
How many Birds of the Same Kind do yoii want? — All yon can get — with some
reasonable limitations; say fifty or a hundred of any but the most abundant and widely diffused
sfiecies. You may often be provoked with your friend for speaking of some bird he shot, but
did not bring you, because, he .«ays, "Why, you've got one like that!" IJirdskins are
capital; capital unemployed may be useless, but can never be worthless, liirdskins are a
SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK.
13
ill the winter
rrcgulur vis-
liiilt' as many
IvoulJ reatlily
iiiu ill all tlu;
|ts, but nearly
ividual birds
in tlic same
Ivlicrc in tiiis
mu fduld nut
U'ime of (1(1)/.
p'c is 11 niysto-
what is ex-
() activity, or
icnts nst'J in
their tiirnins^
' organisms nf
t is, birds aro
; at noonday,
or from their
; at any rate,
their journeys
1, rest a while,
;en, they recu-
you liave liad
t morning ? —
; ? Now I am
liuion of those
tting uji, when
nd would walk
lis country timt
■orablc, for two
dy a f(>w hardy
L'k shelter, and
offers as a rule
lys occurs on a
ay has its good
I lieavy or fall-
fall, or after a
nducements to
in (Jassin oiico
hero aro some
that have not
;< — with some
widely diffused
d ho shot, but
Hirdskins arc
lirdskins arc a
medium of exchange among ornithologists the world over; they represent value, — money value
anil scientific value. If you have more of one kind than you can use, exchange with some
one for species you lack ; botii parties to the transaction are equally benefited. Let me bring
tliis matter under several iieads. («.) Your own "scries" of skins of any species is incomplete
until it contains at least one example of each sex, of every normal state of plumage, and every
normal transition stage of plumage, and further illustrates at least the principal abnormal
variations in size, form, and color to which the species may be subject; I will even add that
every different faiinal areii the bird is known to inhabit should be represented by a specimen,
particularly if there be anything exceptional in the geographical distribution of the species.
Any additional specimens to all such aro youYonli/ "duplicates," projierly sj)eakiug. (b.) Birds
vary so much in their size, form, and coloring, that a " specific character " can only be pre-
cisely ileteriiiined from examination of a largt? number of specimens, shot at different times, in
different places ; still less can the " limits of variation " in these respects be settled without
aiiijile materials, (r.) The rdritij of any bird is necessarily an arbitrary and fluctuating con-
sideration, because in the nature of the case there can bo no natural unit of comparison,
nor standard of api)reciation. It may be said, in general terms, no bird is actually " rare."
With a few possible exceptions, as in the cases of birds occupying extraordinarily limited
areas, like sonui of the birds of paradise, or about to become extinct, like the pied diu'k,
enough birds of all kinds exist to overstock every public and private collection in tiie world,
without sensible diminution of their numbers. "Rarity" or the reverse is only jiredicable
upon the accidental (so to sjieak) circumstances that throw, or tend to throw, specimens into
naturalists' hands. Acccssibiliti/ is the variable element in every case. The fulmar petrel is
said (on what authority I know not) to exceed any other bird in its aggregate of individuals;
how do the skins of that bird you have handled comiiare in number with sjiecimens you have
seen of th(! " rare " warbler of your own vicinity f All birds are common somewhere at some
season ; the point is, have collectors been there at the time f Moreover, even the arbitrary
apiireciation of " rarity " is fluctuating, and may change at any time ; long sought and highly
prized birds are liable to appear suddenly in great numbers in places that knew them not
before ; a single heavy " invoice " of a bird fnmi some di.stant or little-explored region may at
once stock the market, and dejireciato the current value of the species to almost nothing.
For example, Haird's bunting and Sprague's lark remained for thirty years ammig our special
desiderata, only one specimen of the former and two or three of the latter being known. Yet
they are two of the most abundant birds of Dakota, where in 1873 I took as many of both as
I desired ; and siiecimens enough have lately been secured to stock all the leading museums
of this country and Europe. (<?.) Some practical deductions are to bo made from these
premises. Your object is to make yourself accpiainted with all the birds of your vicinit\', and
to preserve a complete suite of specimens of every si)ecies. Begin by shooting every bird you
can, coupling this sad destruction, however, with the closest observations upon habits. You
will very soon fill your series t)f a few kinds, that you find almost everywhere, almost daily.
Then if you are in a region the ornithidogy of which is well known to the profession, at once
stop kiUiug these common birds — they are in every collection. You should not, as a rule,
destroy any more robins, bluebirds, song-sparrows, and the like, than you want for yourself.
Keej) an eye on them, studying them always, but turn your actual pursuit into other channels,
until in this way, gradually eliminating the undesirables, you exhaust the bird fauna as far as
|ii>ssible (you will not quite exhaust it — at least for many years). But if you are in a new
nr little-kiu)wu locality, 1 had almost said the very reverse course is the best. The chances
are that the most abundant and characteristic birds aro " rare " in collections. Many a bird's
range is quite restricted : you may happen to be just at its metropolis ; seize the opportunity,
and get good store, — yes, up to fifty or a hundred ; all you can spare will be thaiiUlully
r(!ccivcd by those who have none. Quite as likely, birds tliat are scarce just where you happen
J
14
FIELD OliNITBOLOGY.
to be, are bo only because you are on the edge of their habitat, and arc plentiful m more aceea-
siWo rogiims. Mut, rar.' or not. it is iihvnys a i.oiut to detenniue the exact geographical
di'*tni)utiou of a species; and tiiis is fixid l.cst i)y liaviug specimeus to tell each its own tale,
from as many diflbrcut and widely separated localities as possible. This alone warrants pro-
curini; one or more speeim.Mis in every locality; the commonest bird ac(iuires a certain value
if it be <Mi.ture<l awav from its ordinary range. An Eastern bluebir.l (Sialia sialis) shot in
Calif.irnia miglit he considered more valuable than the "rarest" bird of that State, and would
certainly be worth .1 imndr.d .Massachnsetts skins; a varied thrush {rimhis ncroius) killed
in Massachusetts is worth a lilie nmnber from Oregon. But let all your justifiable destruction
of birds Ipc ten>iiered with mercy; your humanity will be contimially shocked with the havoo
you work, and should never permit you to take life wantonly. Never .shoot a bird you do not
iiilly intend to preserve, or to utilize in some proper way. Bird-life is too beautiful a thing to
destroy to no purpose ; too sacred a tiling, like all life, to be sacrificed, unless the tribute is hal-
lowed by wortliiness of motive. " Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without His notice."
I .should not neglect to speak particularly of the care to be taken to secure full suites of
fniKih:^. Most miscellaneous odlections contain four or more males to every female, — a dis-
propiirtion liiat should be as far reduced as po.ssible. The occasion of the disparity is (d)vious :
females are usually more shy and retiring in disposhion, and ccmsequently less freipiently
noticed, wliile their smaller size and plainer idumage, as a rule, further favor their eluding
<d)servation. The dill'erence in coloring is greatest among those groups where the males are
most richly clad, and the shyness of the mother birds is most nnnked during the breeding
season, just when the mah's, full of song, and in their nuptial attire, bec(mie most ccmspicuous.
It is often worth while to neglect the gay Benedicts, to trace out and secure the plainer but not
less interesting females. This jjursuit, moreover, often leads to discovery of the nests and
eggs, — an important cousideration. Although both sexes are generally found together when
breeding, and mixing indiscriminately at other seasons, they often go in separate flocks, and
often migrate indciH'udently of each other; in this case the males usually in advance.
Towards tlie end of the passage of some warblers, for instance, we nuiy get almost nothing
but females, all our specimens of a few days before having been males. The notable excep-
tions to the rule of smaller size of the female are among rapacious birds and many waders,
though in these last the disparity is not so marked. I only recall one instance, among Amer-
ican birds, of the female being more richly colored than the male — the phalaropes. When
the sexes are notably different in adult life, the youm) of botli sexes usually resemble the adult
fennile, the young males gradually assuming their disthictive characters. When the adults
of both sexes are alike, the young commonly dift'er from them.
In the same connection I wisli to urge a point, tlie importance of which is often over-
looked ; it is our practical interpretation of the adage, " a bird in the hand is worth two in the
busli." Always keep the first .specimen you si.'cure of a species till you get another; no matter
how common the species, how poor the specimen, or how certain you may feel of getting other
better ones, keep it. Your most reasonalde calculati(nis may come to naught, from a variety
of circumstances, and anij specimen is better than no specimen, on general principles. And in
general, do not, if you can hel]i it, discard any specimen in the field. No tyro can tell what
, will prove valuable and M-hat not ; while even the expert may regret to find that a point comes
up whicli a specimen he injudiciously discarded might have determined. Let a collection be
" weeded out," if at all, (mly after (Uliberate and mature examinatiim, when the scientific results
it affords have been elaborated by a competent ornitlndogist ; and even then, the refuse (with
certain limitations) had better be put where it will do some good, than be destroyed utterly.
For instance, I my.sclf once valued, and used, some Smithsonian "sweepings"; and I know
very well what to do with specimens, now, to which I woidd not give house-room in my o'vn
oibinet. If forced to reduce bulk, owing to limited facilities for transportation in tlu' eld
SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK.
15
(us too often hiippeus), throw away accordiug to size, other things being equal. Given only
so many cuhic inches or feet, eliniiiuite the few Umje birds whii-h take tip tlie spaee that would
cdiitaiu fifty tir a hundred different little ones. If you have a fine; large balil eagle or pelican,
I'lir iiistarLce, throw it away first, and follow it witii your ducks, geese, etc. In this way, the
hulk of a large miscellaneous collection may be reduced one half, perliaps, with very little
(l(]ii-cciation of its actual value. Tlie same principle may be extended to other collections in
Hiitinal history (excepting fossils, which are always weighty, if not also bulky) ; very few bird-
skins, indeed, being as valuable contributions to science as, for example, a vial of miscella-
neous insects that occupies no more room may prove to be.
What Is " A Good Day's Work ? " — Fifty birds shot, their skins preserved, and obser-
vations recorded, is a rerij good day's work; it is sharj) jiractice, even wlieu birds are jdeiitifiij.
1 never knew a person to avertif/e anywhere near it; oven during the "season" such work
caiiiint possibly Ih- sustained. You may, of course, by a murderous discharge into a flock,
as (if blackbirds or reedbirds, get a hundred or more in a moment ; but I refer to collecting
a fair variety of birds. You will do very well if you avcntfic a dozen a day diu'ing the seasons.
I doubt wliether any collector ever averaged a.s many the year around ; it would be over four
tlidusand si)eciinens annually. Tlie greatest number I ever iirocured a lul prepared in one day
was forty, and I have not often gone over twenty. Even wlien cidlecting regularly and
assiiltiously, I am satisfied to average a dozen a day during the migrations, and one-third or
one-fourth as numy the rest of the year. Probably this iuij)lies tlie shooting of about ipne iu
five not skinned for various reasons, as mutilation, decay, ov want of time.
ApproachiiiR Birds. — Tliere is little if any trouble in getting near encmgh to shoot
most birds. Witli notable excei)tions, they arc harder to see when near enougli, or to hit
when seen ; particularly small birds that arc ahnost incessantly in motion. As a rule — and a
curious one it is — difficulty of approach is in direct ratio to the size of the bird ; it is perluip.s
because large conspicuous birds are objects of more general pursuit than the little ones you
ordinarily search for. The (pnilities tlnit birds possess for self-preservation may be called
ivariness in large; birds, shyttess in snmll ones. The former make ott' kui '.vingly from a sus-
picious object; the latter fly fri)m anything that is .strange to them, be it dangerous or not.
This is strikingly illustrated in the behavior of snnill birds in the Avilderness, as contrasted with
tlieir actions about towns; singular as it may seem, they are more timid under the former cir-
cumstances than when grown accustomed to the presence of man. It is just the reverse with
a hawk or raven, fin* instance ; in populous districts they spend imich of tlieir time in trying to
save their skins, while in a new country they have not learned, like Indians, that a white man
is " nnghty uncertain." In stealing on a shy bird, you wiU of course take advantage of any
cover tlnit may f)ffer, as inequalities of the ground, thick bushes, the trunks of trees ; and it is
often worth while to make a considerable detour to secure imobserved approach. I think that
birds are more likely, as a rule, to be frightened away by the movements of the collector,
than by his simple presence, however near, and that they are more afraid of noise than of
mere motion. Craclding of twigs and rustling of leaves are sharp sounds, though not loud
ones ; you nmy have sometimes been surprised to find how distinctly you could hear the move-
ments of a horse or cow iu underbrush at some distance. Birds have sharp ears for such
sounds. Form a habit of stealthy movement ; it tells, in the long run, in comparison with
lumbering tread. There are no special precautions to be taken in shooting through higli open
forest ; you have only to saunter along with your eyes in the tree-tops. It is ordinarily the
easiest and on the whole the most renumcrativc path of the collector. In traversing fields and
meadows move briskly, your principal object being to flush birds out of the grass; and as most
of your shots will be snap ones, keep iu readiness for instant action. Excellent and varied
16
FIELD omnnoL og y.
shooting is to 1)P liad along tlio licdgc rows, and in the iiiiik liorbngo tliat fringes fcncps. It is
best to li.M'p at a little distance, yet near enoimh t.) arouse all llie birds as you pass: you may
ciiteh them on wing, or piek them oft' just as tliey settle after a sliort iiight. In this shooting,
two persons, one on eaeh side, ran together do njore tlian twiee as niucli work as one. Thiek-
ets anil tangled undei-growtli are favorite resorts of many birds; but when very elose, or,
as often hapix'ns, over miry ground, tliey are hard places to shoot in. As you come thrashing
through the brush, the Utile inhabitants are scared into deeper recesses ; but if you keep still fi
few minutes in some favurabie s|M,t, lliey are reassured, and will often conio back to take a
peep at you. A good deal of standing still will repay you at such times ; needless to add, you
cannot be too lightly loaded for such shooting, when birds are mostly out of sight if a dozen
yards otf. Wlien yourself concealed in a tliicket, and no binls a)ipear, you can often call num-
bers about you by a simi>!<' artilice. A)iply the back of your hand t(p your slightly ]iarted lips,
and suck in air; it makes a nondescript " screejiing "' noise, vaiiable in intonation at your
whim, and some of the sounds resemble the cries of a wounded bird, or a young one in distress.
It wakes up the wh(de neighborhood, and sometimes jiuts certain birds almost beside themselves,
particularly in tlie breeding scasim. Torturing a wounded bird to make it scream in agony
aceomidishes the same result, but of course is only permissil)k' under groat exigency. In peu-
etratinj; s\vam]is and marshes, the best advice I can give you is to tell you to get along tlio
best way you can. Shooting on ]ierfectly open ground oilers much the same case; you must
be loft to yoiu- own devices. I will say, however, you can ride on horseback, or even in a
buggy, nearer birds than they will allow you to walk up to them. Sportsmen take advantage
of this to get within ii sliot of tlie upland jdover, usually a very wary bird in jiopulous districts ;
I have driven right into a ftock of wild geese; in California they often train a bullock to graze
gradually u]) to geese, the gunner l)eing hidden by its body. There is one trick worth know-
ing ; it is not to let a bird that has seen you know by your action that you have seen it, but to
keej) on unconcernedly, gradually sidling nearer. I have secured nniny hawks in this way,
when the bird would have llown off at the tirst step of direct approach. Numberless other
little arts will couk^ to you as your wood-craft matures.
Recovering Uirils. — It is not always that you secure the birds you kill ; you may not
be able to find them, or you may .sec them lying, perhaps but a few feet off, in a spot practi-
cally inaccessible. I'nder such circumstances a retriever docs excellent service, as already
hinted; he is eipially useful when a bird properly "marked down "is not found there, having
fluttered or run away and hidden elsewhere. The most difficult of all places to find birds is
among reeds, the eternal sameness of which makes it iilniost impossible to rediscover a spot
whence the eye has once wandered, wliih; the peculiar growth aUows birds to slip far down out
of sight. In rank grass or weeds, when you have walked up with your eye fixed on the spot
where the bird seemed to fall, yet failed to discover it, drop your cap or handkerchief for a
mark, and hunt around it as a centre, in enlarging circles. In thickets, make a " bee line "
for the sjiot, if i)ossihlo keejjing your eye on the spray from which thi^ bird fell, and not for-
getting where you stood on liring; you may require to come back to the spot and take a new
departure. You will not seldom see a bird just shot at fly off as if nidiarmed, when really it
will droj) dead in a few moments. In all cases therijfore when the bird does not drop at the
shot, follow it with your eyes as far as you can ; if you see it finally drop, or even flutter
languidly downward, mark it on the ])rinciples just mentioned, and go in search. Make every
endeavor to secure wounded birds, on the score of humanity ; they should not be left to pine
away and die in lingering misery if it can possibly be avoided.
Killing Wounded Birds — You will often recover winged birds, as full of life as before
the bone was broken ; and others too grievously hurt to fly, yet far from death. Your object is
SUGGESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR FIELD-WORK.
tti kill tlicin as quickly and as painlossly as pnssililc, without injuring tlio plumage. This is
til bo accomplished, with all small birds, by sufl'ocatiou. The respiration and circulation of
birds is very active, aud most of thcui die in a few moments if the lungs are so compressed
lliiit lliey cannot breathe. Squeeze the bird tightly across the chest, under the wings, thumb
(III one side, middle finger on the other, forefinger ])ressed in the hollow at the root of the neck,
between the forks of the merrythought. Press firndy, hard enough to fi.x the chest immovably
iiiid ( press the lungs, but not to break in the ribs. The bird will nnike vigorous but inetfect-
uiil efforts to breathe, when the muscles will contract spasmodically ; but in a moment more,
the system rela.\es with a painful shiver, light fades from the eyes, and the lids ch)se. 1
assure you, it will make you wince the fii-st few times ; you had better habitually hold the
poor creature behind you. You can tell by its limp feel and motionlessness when it is dead,
without watching the sad struggle. Large birds obviously cannot be dealt with in this
way ; I would as soon attempt to throttle a dog as u loon, for instance, \\\w\i which all the
pressure you can give nuikes no seusibh; impression. A winged hawk, again, will throw itself
on its ba(d{ as you come up, aud show such good fight with beak and talons, that you nuiy be
quite severely scratched in the encounter: mcunwhilo the struggling bird may bo bespattering
its )iluumgc with blood. In such a case — in any case of a large bird making decided resist-
ance — 1 think it best to step back u few ])aces aud settle the matter with a light charge of
mustard-seed. Any largo bird once secured may bo speedily dispatched by stabbing to tho
heart with some slender instrument thrust in under the wing — caro must bo taken too about
the bleeding ; or, it nniy bo instantly killed by piercing the brain with a knife introduced into
the mouth aud driven ui)ward aud obliquely backward from the palate. Tho latter method ia
[(referable as it leaves no outward sign and causes no bleeding to speak of. With your thumb,
you nuiy indent tho back part of a bird's skull so as to compress tho cerebellum ; if you can
get deep enough in, without materially disordering tho plumage, or breaking the skin, the
method is unobjectionable.
Handling Bleeding Birds. — Bleeding depends altogether upon tho part or organ
wounded ; but other things being equal, violence of the htemorrhago is usually in direct pro-
portion to the size of the shot-hole ; when mustard-seed is used it is ordinarily very trilling, if it
occur at all. Blood flows oftoner from the orifice of exit of a shot, than from tho wound of
entrance, for the latter is usually plugged with a little wad of feathers driven in. Bleeding from
the mouth or nostrils is tho rule when the lungs are wounded. When it occcurs, hold up the
bird by the feet, and let it drip ; a general squeeze of the body in that position will facilitate
the drainage. In general, hold a bird so that a bleeding place is most dependent ; then, pres-
sure about tho part will help the How. A " gob" of blood, which is simply a forming clot,
on the plumage may often be dexterously flipped almost clean away with a snap of the finger.
It is first-rate practice to take cotton and forceps into tho field to plug up shot-holes, and stop
tile mouth and nostrUs and vent on tho spot. I fcdlow tho custom of the books in recommend-
ing this, but I will confess I have rarely done it myself, and I suspect that only a few of our
most leisurely and elegant collectors do so habitually. Shot-holes may be found by gently
raising the feathers, or blowing them aside ; you can of course get only a tiny plug into tho
wound itself, but it should be one end of a sizable pledget, tho rest lying fluffy among tho
feathers. In stiipping the mouth or vent, ram the fluff of cotton, entirely inside. You cannot
couveniently stop up the nostrils of suuill birds separately ; but take a light cylinder of cotton,
lay it transversely across tho base of the upper mandible, closely covering tho nostrils, and
confine it there by tucking each end tightly into the corner of the mouth. In default of such
nice fixing as this, a pinch of dry loam pressed on a bleeding spot will plaster itself there and
stop further mischief. Never try to icipe <)^ fresh blood that has already wetted the plumage;
you will only make matters worse. Let it dry on, and then — but the treatment of blood-
stains, and other soilings of plumage, is given beyond.
2
i i|
18
CnrrylnK Birds
riELi) onyniioLOGY.
Iloiiip Safe, — SiipiHisc ynii havo Hrciircil a fiiio Kpocimon, very likely
itliout
lilcd (11- nilllc.l tcatljcr: ymir iii
xt calf will 1m' til liccp it sii till you are ready tn
skill it. IJiit if yiiii imckct nr
liau it iliici'ilv. it will ln' a snrry-li'iikiiifr oltjcct lirfiw yoii u'''
rcsjifctiv
Kacli siHriiiiru iinist lir MjiaraKlv ■•ami I'.ir, l>y wrapiiiiif,' m Htmit \w\>vr ; wntiiii;
as any, it' imt tlir lust. It will ii'iiay ymi to [irciiair a stock of iiapcr Ixforr
t sizes are tliose of a half-sheet of note, of letter, anil of ea|>
I'lilil anil cut newsjiaiKT t rres]ionil; besides, it is always
jiajier is as fjm
starting' out ; yoiir most cniiveiian
Kill
III' talie tlii'sc,
Wl
II to have a irlinli' news|ia|iir or two liir lait;e liinls. I'lciity of paper will k" '•' <•'<' l>i'<'ast
pock<'ts of the sliootillH-coa
.Malic a "corniu'oiiia," — the simplest tiling in the world, Init,
lik(! lyin^ a paiticn
feutli
IIS, and seein
knot, hard to e.xidain. Setting' the wiiiffs closely, adjiistinj,' disturlied
that the hill points straiiiht I'orwaid, tlirnst the hird head first into (ilie
of these paper cones, till it will pi no further, heintc hound hy the liiilj;e of the breast, l-et
tlie cone be lait;e enough for the o|ieii end to fold over or pinch together entirely beyond the
tail. He particular not to cniniple or bend the tail feathers. Lay the jiaper chsch in tlio giiine
hai; or great pocket so tiiat they very nearly run |iarallel and lie horixontal ; they will carry
better than if thrown in at rami Avoid oveicrowding the jiackages, as far as is reasonably
jiraclicable; iii.ideratc jjressiire will do no harm, as a rule, but if great it may make birds
bleed afresh, or cause the lliiids of a wonnded intestine to ooze out and soak the iduniagc of
the lielly, — a very bad accident indeed. For similar obvious reasons, do not juit a large heavy
bird on top of a lot of little ones ; I would .sooner sling a hawk <m' heron over my shoulder, >)r
carry it by hand. If it goes in the bag, see that it gets to the bottom. Avoid imttiiig birds
in iiockets that are close about your i)erson ; they are almost always unduly pressed, and may
gain just enough addilional warmth from your body to make them begin to decompose before
you can get at skinning them. Handle birds no more than is necessary, especially white-
phimaged ones; ten to one ycair hands are powder-begriined : and besides, even the warmth,
and moisture of your palms may tend to injure a deiieate feathering. Ordinarily pick up ii.
bird by the feet or bill ; as you need both bands to make the cornucopia, let the 8i)eciincn
dangle by the toes from ymir teeth while you are so employed. In eatehing at a wounded
bird, aim to cover it entirely with your hand ; but whatever you do, never seize it by the tail,
which then will ol'ten be left in your hand.s for your pains. Never grasp wing-tips or tail-
feathers; these large Hat (juills would get a peculiar enm]iing all along the webs, very difficult
to ellace. Finally, I would add there is a certain kiuudi or art in manipulating, cither of a
dead bird or a birdskin, by which you may handle it with seeming carelessness and jieifect
iin]imiity ; whilst the most gingerly lingering of an ine.xpeiieiieed per.son will leave its rude
trace. You will naturally aci(iiire the correct touch ; but it can bo neither taught nor
described.
A Special Case. — While the ordinary run of land birds will bo brought homo in good
order by tlie foregoing method, .some reiitiire special precautions. I refer t;; sea birds, such as
gulls, tern.s, petrels, etc., shot from a boat. In the iirst place, the plumage of most of them is,
in part at least, white and of e-Vfjiiisite purity. Then, fish-eating birds usually vomit and
jiurge when shot. They are necessarily iishcd all drijiping from the water. They are too
large for pocketing. If you put them on the thwarts or elsewhere about the boat, they u.sually
fall off, or are knocked off, into the bilge water; if you stow tlicm in the cubby-hole, they will
assuredly soil by mutual pressure, or hy rolling about. It will repay you to pick them from
the water by the hill, and shake oifall the water you can; hold them up, or let some one do
it, till they are tolerably dry ; plug the mouth, nostrils, and vent, if not also shot-holes ; wrap
each one .sejiarately in a chlh {nut paper) or a mass of tow, iind pack steadily in a covered box
or basket taken on board for this purpose. With such precautions as these birds most liable
to be soiled reach the skinning table in perfect order ; and your care will afterward transform
them into specimens without spot or blemish.
HYGIENE OF COLLECTORSIIIP.
19
Ti, very liUdy
nil' rrinly to
c't'nrc you jjct
|Hr; wriiiiiu
|>iilH'r lirfon-
r, and of fn\t
s, it is always
n tlic liii'ast
ic wiirltl, but,
iii^; (liHturbcd
first iutii one
breast, l.ct
ly beyond tllc
< in tlic ^anid
icy will carry
s is reasonably
ly make birds
lie |)lunia|u;o of
a larjje licavy
ly shoulder, or
imttiuK birds
>ssed, and may
compose before
liecially wliite-
•cii tbe warmth,
nrily jiick up a
t tho specimen
: at a wounded
?. it by tbe tail,
ig-tips or tail-
is, very difficult
inj,', cither of a
ess and perfect
I leave its rude
ler taught nor
t home in good
a birds, such as
nost of them is,
lally vomit and
They are too
at, they usually
-hole, they will
pick them from
.'t some one do
lot-holes ; wrap
n a covered box
rds most liable
rward transform
§ 4. — HYOIKNE OF COLLKCTOUSIIU".
It Is Unnecessary to speiik of the llealthfutness of a pursuit that, like tho collector's
(uciipiition, demands regular bodily exercise, and at the same time stimulates the mind by
siiiiiilying an (diject, thus calling the whole system into exhilarating action. Yet collecting
liMs its perils, not to be overlooked if we would acU'ijuately guard against them, as fortunately
we may, in most cases, by simple precautions. The dangers of taxidermy it.self are elsewhere
noticed; but, besides these, the c(dlector is exposeil to vicissitudes of the weather, may eudurc
(jrcat fatigue, may breatl'..' miasm, and may be mechanically injured.
Aeclilents from tlio CJiin have been already treated ; a few special rules will render
(itliiis little liable to occur. 'I'lie .secret of safe vUmdituj is never to relax one hold until another
is secured; it is in spirit eijually aiiplicable to scrambling over rocks, a particularly difficult
thii to ilo .safely with a lo;iileil gun. Test rotten, slippery, or otherwise suspicious holds
I trusting them. In lifliug the body up anywhere, keep the mouth shut, breathe
I the nostrils, and go slowly. In swinuiiiii;/, waste no strength unnecessarily in trying
to .> 1 a current; yield partly, and laud obliiiuely lower down; if exhausted, float; the
slightest motiiiii of the hands will ordinarily keep the face above water; an , iu any event keep
your wits collected. In fording deeply, a heavy stone will strengthen \ >' position. Never
siiil a boat experimentally ; if you are no .sailor, fake one with you or stay on l.iiid. In cross-
ing a high, narrow footpath, never look lower than your feet; tho muscles will work true if
not confused with faltering instructions from a giddy brain. On soft groimd, see what, if
anything, has preceded you; large hoof-inarks generally mean that the way is safe; if none
are found, inquire for yourself before going on. Quicksand is tho most tretic.horous, because
far more dangerous than it lordss; but I have seen a mub^'s cars finally disappear in genuine
iinid. (,'attle paths, however erratic, commonly prove the surest way out of a difficult place,
whether of uncertain footing or dense undergrowth,
Minsm. — Unguarded exposure iu malarious regions usually entails sickness, often pro-
ventalile, however, by due precautions. It is worth knowing, in the first place, that miasmatic
poison is most jiowerful between sunset and sunrise; more exactly, from the damp of tbe
evening until night vapors are dissipated ; we may be out in the daytime with comjiarativo
inipnnity, where to pass a night would be almost certain disease. If forced to camp out, seek
the highest and dryest spot, put a good lire on the swamp side, and also, if possible, let trees
intervene. Never go out on an empty fomacli ; just a cup of coflee and a crust may make a
deciiled difference. Meet the earliest unfavorable syiniitoiiis with (piinine; I should rather say,
if iinac<'liiiiated, anticipati! (hem with this invaluable agent. Endeavor to niaintain high
health of all functions by the natural means of regularity and temperance in diet, exercise, and
repose,
" Taking Cold." — This vague " houselndd word " indicates one or more of a long varied
train of nnideasant affections, lU'arly always traceable to one or the other of only two causes:
•iudden change of temperature, and unequal dislrihiition of teniiierature. No extremes of heat
or cold can alone effect this result; jiensons fro/eu to death do not " take crold" during the
process. fJut if a ]iart of the body be rapidly coided, as by evaporation from a wi't article of
clothing, or by sitting in a draught of air, the rest of the body remaining at au ordinary tem-
pinitiire ; or if the temperature of the whole be suddenly changed by going out into the colil,
or, esjiecially, by coming into a warm room, there is much liability of trouble. There is an
old saying, —
" WIioii llic (ilr comps throiiKli n Iiolo
Say your prayers to save your soiilj"
f
11
20
FIELD OltNITHOLOGY.
and I slinuia tliiiik almost any oup (■■.ul.l got a " c"!.!" witli a siiooiifiil <.f water on llio wrist
hdil to u key-hole. Singular as it may seem, smiden warming when cold is inoro daugerons
than the roversfl; everyone has notieed how soon the handkerehief is required on entering a
hi-ated n.om on a culd day. Frost-hiK; is an extreme illustration of this. As the Irishman
said on picking him.sell' uji, it was not the Call, hut stoi)i.ing so (piiekly that liurt him; it is
not the lowering <if the temi)eiatiin' to the fre.'/ing jHnnt, but its subse<iuent (devation, that
devitalizes the tissue. This is why ruhhing with snow, or bathing in e.dd water, is required
to restore safely a frozen p.irt; the arrested circulation must bo very gradually re-established,
or inllaniniation, perhajis iriorlitieation, ensues. General jireeantions against taking cold are
almost self-evident, in this light. There is ordinarily little if any danger to be ai)i)rehended
from M"t clothes, so long «.. exercise is kept uj) ; for the " glow " about compensates for thi^
extra cooling by < va|- 'ration. Nor is a complete drenching more likely to be injurious than
welting of one part. Hut never sit still wet; and in changing rub the body dry. There is a
general tcuvlency, springing from fatigue, imhdence, or inditl'erence, to neglect damp feet; that
is to say, to dry them by the lire ; but this iiioccss is tedious and uncertain. I would say
especially, otf with the muddy boots and sodden socks at once; dry stockings and slippers,
after a limit, may make .just tlu! diderence of your being able to go out again <»r never. Take
<!ari! never to check perspiration ; during this process, the body is in a somewhat critical condi-
tion, and sudden arrest of the functicm may result disastrously, even fatally. One part of the
business of perspiration is to e(iualize bodily temperature, and it must not be interfered with.
The secret of much that might be .said about bathing when heated, lies here. A person over-
heated, panting it may be, witli throbbing temides and a dri/ skin, is in danger partly because
the natural cooling by evaporation from the skin is denied, and this condition is sometimes m>t
far froui a " sun.stroke." Under these circumstanc<!S, a jierson of fairly good constitution may
plunge into the water with impunity, even with benetit. liut if tlie body be already eotding
by sweating, rapid abstrac^tion of heat from the surface nniy cause internal congestion, never
unattended vith danger. Drinking ice-water otfers a somi^what parallel cjise ; even on stoop-
ing to drink <it tht> brook, when Hushed with heat, it is w<dl to bathe the face and hands first,
and to taste the water before a full draught. It is a well-known excellent rule, not to bathe
immediately after a full meal ; because during digestion th(! organs concerned are compuru-
tively engorged, an ; any suihlen disturbance of the circulation nnjy be disiustrous. The
imperative necessity of resisting drowsiness under extreme cold requires no comment. In
walking under a hot sun, the head may be sensibly protected by grecu leaves ur grass in the
h".t; they may he advantageously moistened, but not enough to drip about the ears, llnder
su';h circumstances the slightest giddiness, dimness of sight, or confusion of ideaL<, should bo
taken its a warning of possible sunstndie, instantly demanding rest and shelter.
ilunxor iin<l Fntlffiie an^ more closely related than they might seem to be; one is a sign
that the fuel is out, and tin? other asks for it. Kxtri'me fatigue, indeed, destroys nppetito ;
this sinqdy m, aiis, temporary incapacity for digestion. Hut ' ven far short of this, food is inoro
easily digcLted and beltiT rilished afleralitlh' preparation of the furnace On coming bcmio
tired, it is much better to make a leisurely and rea.sonably nice toilet than to eat at <mce, or to
lie still thinking how lired you are; after a change and a wash you will feel like u " new
inun," and go to table in capital slate. Whatever dietetic irregularities a high state of civili-
zation may demand or lender practicable, a normally hi'althy person is inconvenienced almost
as soon as his regular meal-time pusses without foid ; a few can work comfortably or profit-
ably fasting over six <;r eight hours. Kat before starting; if for n day's tramp, take a lunch ;
the most frugal meal will appease if it do not satisfy hunger, and so postpone its urgency. As
u small scrap of practical wisdom, I would adil, keep tin' remnants of tho lunch, if there uro
any ; for you cannot always bo sure of getting in to supper.
REGISTRATION AND LABELLING.
21
on tlu! wrist
iro ilauj;orous
on cntti'in/;; ii
the Irishiimii
urt hill, ; it is
Icvutioii, tliiit
cr, iB required
•e-cstublialied,
king cold are
ajjiirehended
iisutes f(ir tlii^
iijiirioim than
Tiiero is a
imp feet ; that
I wouhl say
and slippers,
never. Take
critical condi-
110 part of the
uterfered with.
\ ])ers(iu over-
partly because
sometimes not
iiiititution may
iilready ciMiling
iigestion, m^ver
)ven on stoop-
iiid liands first,
.<, nut to bathe
1 am compara-
!astrou8. The
comment. In
ir grass in the
V ears. llii<ler
lcuL<, should bo
! ; one is a sign
troys apjietito ;
is, food is more
I coming himio
it at once, or to
«'l liko a " new
1 state of civili-
'iiieiiced almost
•taldy or profit-
, take a lunch ;
» iirgeiK-y. As
ich, if tiiere uru
Stimulation. — When cold, fatigued, depressed in mind, and on other occasions, you
niiiy feel inclined to resort to artificial stimulus. Kespecting this mauy-t iiled thct le I have a
few words to ofler of direct bearing on the collector's case. It should be ci"arly understood in
the first place that a stiu'.ulant confers no strength whatever ; it simply calls 'he powers that bo
iiitii increased action at their own expense. Seeking real strength in stimulus is as wise as an
iilUiipt to lift yourself up by the boot-straps. You may gather yourself to leap the ditch and
vdii clear it ; but no such nuHcular energy can be sustained ; exhaustion speedily renders further
(■xiH'iuliture impossible. Hut now suppos(> a very powerful mental impression be made, sav
the ciirumstaDce of a succession of ditches in fnuit, and a mad dog behind ; if the stimulus of
t(ii-(ir be sulliciently strong, you may leap on till you drop .senseless. Alcoholic stimulus is a
]iiii:illel case, and is not seldom pushed to the same extreme. Under its inthience you never
(Mil tell when you arc tired ; the expenditure goes on, indeed, with unnatural rapidity, only it
is lint felt at the time; but the upshot is you have all the original fatigue to endure and to
recover from, ^*/«.s the fatigue resulting from over-oxcitatiou of the system. Taken as a forti-
licalioii against cold, alcohol is as unsatisfactory as a remedy for fatigue. Insensibility to ctdd
dues not imply protection. The fact is the exposure is greater than before; the circulation and
rcsiiiriitiipii being hurried, the waste is greater, and as sound fuel cauiiol be immediately sn|)|ilied,
till' temperature of the body is so(Ui lowered. The transient warmth and glow «»ver, the system
liiis both cold anil depression to endure ; there is no usi^ in borrowing from yourself and fancy-
ing you are richer. Sectaidly, the value of any stimulus (except in a few exigencies of disease
or injury) is in proportion, not to the intensity, but to the e<[uablene.ss and durability of its
cll'ict. This is Olio reason why tea,cotree, and articles of corresponding qualities, are preferable
t(i alcoholic drinks ; they work no smoothly that their «'ifec.t is often unnoticed, and they "stay
by" well; tlu* iViction of alcolud is tremendous in comparison. A ghiss of grog may help a
veteran over tli(! fence, but no one, young or old, can slioot all day oii licpior. I have had
SCI iiiiich experience in the use of t<d>acco as a mild stimulant that I am probably no impartial
jiiilue of its merits: I will simply say I do not us(* it in the field, because it indisposes to nius-
cuhir activity, and favors rellectiou when (diservatiiui is recpiired ; and becaii.se temptu'ary
nlpstiiu'iice provokes the morbid appetite and renders tlui weed more grateful afterwards.
Tliiiilly, undue excitation of any physi(al function is followed by corresponding depression, on
tlie simple principle^ that action and reaction are eciual ; and the balance of health turns too
easily to be wilfully disturbed. Stimulation is a draft uptui vital capital, when interest aloiio
sliould siillice; it may be ne(Mled at times to bridge a chasm, but habitual living beyond vital
ii me infallibly entails bankruptcy in health. The use of alc(diol in health seems practically
resliicted to purposes of sensuous gratification on the part of those prepared to pay a round
price for this luxury. 'I'lie three golden rules here are, — never drink before breakfast, never
drink ahuie, and never drink bad liiiuor; their observance may make even the abuse of
alcohol tolerable. Serious id)jecti(Uis for a naturalist, at least, are that .science, viewed
tliniiigh a gla.ss, seems distant and uncertain, while the joys of rum are immeiliate and uni|ues-
tiniiable; and that intemperauce, being an attempt to defy certain physical laws, is therefore
eiiiiiiently un.scientific.
§5 — REGISTRATION AND LAHKLLING.
A nu^rn Oiitliiio of » Field NutiiniilHt's Duties would be inexcusably iiiC(Uiiplete with-
oui mention of these important matters; and, bi-cause so much of lh<> business of collecting
niiisl be left to he acipi'red ill the sclnxd of experieiii'e, I am the more anxious to give explicit
iliiectioiis whenever, as in this in.stance, it is po.ssible to do so.
Record your Oliservntions Dully. — In one si'iise tho specimens themselves are your
record, — prinut facif evidence of your industry and ability; and if labeUed, as I shall |ireseiilly
22
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY.
advise, they tell no small part of tlic whole story. But t'lis is not enougli ; indeed, I am not
sure that an ably conducted ornithological journal is not the better half of your operations.
Under your editorship of labelling, specimens tell what they know about themselves ; but you
Cfin tell much more yourself. Let us look at a day's work : You have shot and skinned so
many birds and laid them away labelled. You have made observations about them before
shooting, and have ob.served a number of birds that you did not shoot. Y(ju have items of
haunts and habits, abiuidance or scarcity ; of manners and actions under special circumstances,
as of pairing, nesting, laying, rearing young, feeding, migrating, and what not; various notes
of birds are still ringing in your ears ; and finally, you may have noted the wts^HCC of species yon
saw a wliile before, or had cxjiected to occur in your vicinity. Meteorological and topographi-
cal items, especially when travelling, are often of great assistance in explaining the occurrences
and actions of birds. Now you know these things, but very likely no one else does ; and
you know them ut the lime, but you will not recollect a tithe of them in a few weeks or months,
to say nothing of years. Don't trust your memory : it will trip you up; what is dear now will
grow obscure; what is found will be lost. Writedown everything M'hile it is fresh in 3'our
mind ; write it out in full : time so spent now will be time saved in the end, M-hen you ofl'er
your researches to the discriminating public. Don't be satisfied with a dry-as-dust item ;
clothe a skeleton fact, and breatiie life into it with thoughts that glow; let the ))aper smell of
tlie woods. There 's a pulse in a new fact; catch the rhythm before it dies. Keep off the
(piicksands of mere memorandum — that means something " to be remembered," which is just
what you cannot do. Shun abbreviations; such keys ru.st with disuse, and may fail in after
times to inilock the secret that .should have been hiid bare in the beginning. Vm) no signs
intelligible only to yourself: your not(!-l ks nuiy come to be overhauled by others whom
you would not wi.sh to disappoint. Be si)aring of sentiment, a delicate thing, easily degraded
to <lrivel : crude enthusiasm always hacks instead of hewing. Beware of literary infelicities :
" the written word remains," it may be, after you have passed away; put down nothing for
your friend's blush, or your enemy's sneer; write as if a stranger were looking over your
shouldcT.
OruitlioloKioiil Book-keeping may be left to your discretion and good taste in the
details of execution. Each may consult his preferences fur rulings, headings, and blank forms
of all sorts, as well as particular modes of entry. But my experience has been that tiie entries
it is advisable to make arc too multifarious to be an'ommodated by the most ingenious formal
ruling; unless, indeed, you nuike the conventional heading " Hemarks " disproportionately
wide, and conunit to it everything not otherwise provided for. My jjreference is decidedly for a
plain page. I use a strongly bound blank book, cap .size, containing at least six or eight
(piires vfynod smootli paper; l)Ut smaller may be needed for travelling, even down to a pocket
note-book. I would not advisi; a multiplicity of books, splitting up your record into dilfereut
departments: let it be journal and regi.ster of specimens combined. (The registry of i/aiir
OH-n collecting has nothing to do with the register of your nihiiiet ofhirdi, which is sure to
include a proportion of specimens from other sources, received in exchange, domited, or juir-
cha.sed. I speak of this beyond.) I have found it c.iuvenient to commence a day's record
with a register of tlie sjiecimens secured, each entry consisting of a duplicate of the bird's label
(sec beyond), accomjjanied by any further remarks I have to offer respecting the particular
specimens ; then to go on with the full of my day's observations, as suggested in the last para-
graph. You thus have a " register of collections" in <'hronological order, told off with an
unbroken series of numbers, checked with the routine label-items, and continually interspersed
with the balance of your oniithological studies. Since your private field-number is .sometimes
an indispensable clew to the autlienlication of a .specimen after it has left your own hands,
never duplicate it. If you are collecting other objects of natural history besides birds, still huve
BEGISTBATION AND LABELLING.
23
ed, I am not
r operations.
ves ; l>ut you
1(1 skinned so
them before
have items of
ircinnstances,
various notes
of speeies you
d tojHigraphi-
le occurrences
se does ; and
ks or montlis,
lear now will
fresh in your
vhen you offer
-as-dust item ;
))aper smell of
Keej) off the
," which is just
lay fail i:i after
Us(! no signs
others wluan
easily degraded
iry infelicities :
Wn nothing for
iing over your
)d taste in tlie
uiii Itlank forms
that the entries
igenious formal
i|iroj)ortinnately
i decidedly for a
st six or eight
jwii to a jiocket
rd into diireient
L'gistry of i/i)Hi-
liich is sure to
limited, or jiur-
! a day's record
the bird's label
the ]iarticnlar
u the last jiara-
dd off with an
lly interspersed
er is sometimes
iiir own hands,
birds, still have
hut one series of numbers ; duly enter your mammal, or mineral, or whatever it is, in its
jilace, with the number under which it happens to fall. Be scrupulously accurate with these
ami all other figures, as of dates and measurements. Always use black ink ; the " fancy "
writing-fluids, even the useful carmine, fade sooner than black, while lead-pencilling is never
s;ife.
Labelling. — This should never be neglecteil. It is enough to make a sensitive ornitlud-
(igist shiver to see a specimen without that indispensable appendage — a label. I am sorry to
observe that the routine labelling of most ccdUrtions is far from being satisfactory. A well-
aiipiiinted label is something more than a slip of paper with the bird's name on it, and is still
defective, if, as is too often the case, only the locality and cuHector are added. A eonipleto
label records the following particulars: 1. Title of the survey, voyage, exploration, or other
expedition {if any), during which the specimen was collected. 2. Name of the person in
cliaige of the same (and it \iv\, l-e remarked that the less he really cares about birds, and tlio
less he actually interests liiMself to procure them, the more particular he will be about this).
H. Title of the instituticai or association (if any) under the auspices or jiatronage of which the
s[)eciineii was procured, < " for which it is designed. 4. Name of collector; partly to give
credit where it is d'li , but principally to fix resjicmsibility, and authenticate the rest of the
items. 5. Collector's number, referring to his note-book, as just explained; if the specimen
afterwards forms part of a general collection it usually ac(piires anotlier number by new regis-
try ; the cidlector's then becoming the "original," as distinguislied from the "current,"
iiiiiiiber. 6. Locality, perhaps the most important of all the items. A specimen of unknown
or even uncertain origin is worthless or nearly so ; while lamentable confusi(m has only too
often arisen in ornithological writings from vague or ernnieous iudicatiims of hicality ; I should
say tliat a specimen " not authentic " in this particular had better have its supposed origin
erased and bo let ahine. Nor will it do to say simjily, for instance, " North Ameritia " or even
" Tiiited States." The general geographical distrihutinii of birds being according to recognized
faiiiial areas, ornithologists tcenerally know already the (luarter of the globe from which any
bird conies ; the locality of jiarticular specimens, therefore, .«hould be ftxed down to the very
Hjiiit. If this be <d)scure add the name of the nearest place to be found on a fairly good map,
giving distance and direction. 7. Date of collection , — day of the month, and year. Among
iitlier reasons for this may be mentioned the fact that it is often important to know what
season a particular plumage indicates. 8. Sex, and if possilile also w/e, of the specimen, — an
item that bespeaks its own importance. Ornithologi.sts of all countries ar(> agreed upon certain
sii,'iis to indicate sex. These are: ^ for male, 9 iov fvmule, — the symbols respectively of
Mars and Venus. Immaturity is often denote<l by the sign ^ ; thus, $ ^, young male. Or,
we may wriio 9 '«'•> 9 VO-i ♦""•'' «il'>lt female, young female, respectively. • It is preferable,
Imwever, to use the l-.iiguage of science, not our vernacular, and sny $ jar. (juceuis, young).
"iYi(/(/." signifies breeding plu:.>iage; " //on(o^" means a hir<l nf the year. 9. Meiisureiiients
'if length, and of 'xtent of wings; the former can only be obtained approximately, and the
latter not at all, fr )m a jirepared spe-imeu. 10. Cnhir of the eyes, and of the bill, feet, or
other naked or soft parts, the tini:; of •.t-hicli may change in drying. 11. Miscellaneous partic-
ulars, such as contents of stomach, special circumstances of capture, vernacular name, etc.
12. Scientific name of the bird. This is really the hast important item of all, though
Kciierally thought to take precedence. But a bird labels itself, so to sjieak ; ami nature's
label may be deciphered at any time. In fact, I would enjoin upon the cidlector uid to
write out the supposed luiino of the bird in the field, uidess the species is so well known as
to be absolutely unquestionable. Projier ideiititication, in any ca.se to which the slightest
doubt may attach, can only be made after critical study in the closet with ample facilities for
examination and comparison. The first eight items, and the twelfth, usually constitute the
24
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY.
fivco of a label ; the rest are commonly written <.n the back. Labels should be of light card-
b<.ard, or very stiff writing,' \yA\m- ; they may be dressed attractively, as fancy suggests; the
general items (if ii large niiiiibcr of specimens are best printed ; the special ones must of course
be written. Shape is immaterial; .small "cards" or "tickets" arc prefeired by some, and
certainly look very well when neatly ajipdinted ; but I thiuk, on the whole, that a shape
answering the idea of a " slip" rather than a " ticket" is most eligible. A slip about three
inches long and two thirds nf an inch wide will do very well for anything, from a hawk to a
humming-bird. Something like the " shipping tag" used by merchants is excellent, particu-
larly for larger objects. It seems most natural to attach the string to the left-hand end. The
slip should be tied so as to swing just clear of the bird's legs, but not loose enough to dangle
several inches, fur in that case the labels arc continually tangling with each other when the
birds are laid away in drawers. The ftdlowing diagrams show the face and back of the last
label I happened to write before these lines were originally penned ; they represent tlie size
and shape that I find most convenient for general punioses; while the " legend " illustrates
every one of the twelve items above specified.
g Explorallons In Dakota. Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A. S*
o S
S No. 2fi5.'>. Biitoo borealia(Gm.) V. 9 jiiv. ^
2 jj
g Fort Uandall, Missouri Kiver. Oct. 29, 1872. §
to
Obvene.
23.00 -■ 53.00 < 17.60. — Eyes ycllowisli-gray ; bill horn-blue,
darker ut tip ; cere wax-yellow ; tarsi dull yellowieh ; claws
bluisli-black. Stomach contained portions of a rabbit ; also, a
large tapeworm.
Reverse.
Directions for Measurement may be inserted here, as this matter pertains rightfully to
the recording of specimens. The fidlowing instructions apjily not only to length and extent,
but to the principal other dimensions, which nniy be taken at any time. For large birds, a
tape-line showing inches and fourths will do ; for smaller ones, a foot-rule graduated for inclies
and eighths, or better, decimals to hundredths, must be used ; and for all nice measurements
the dividers are indisiiensublc. " Length: " Uistaiicc between the tip of the bill and end of
the longest tail-feather. Lay the bird on its back on the ruler on a table; take hold of the bill
with one hand and of both legs with the other ; pull with reasonable force to got the curve all
out of the neck ; hold the bird tluis with the tip of the bill flush with one end of the ruler, and
see where the end of the tail points. Put tlie tape-line in place of the ruler, in the same way,
for larger birds. " Extent: " Distance between the tips of the outspread wings. They must
be/H% outstretched, with tlie bird on its back, cmsswise on the ruler, its bill pointing to your
breast. Take liold of right an.l left metacarpus with tlie thumb and forefinger of your left and
right hand respectively, stretch with reasonable force, getting one wing-tip Hush with erne end
of the ruler, and see jiow much the other wing-tip reaches. With large birds pull away as
hard as you please, aud us<! the table, floor, or side of the room ; mark the points and aiiiily
tape-line. " Length of wing : " Distance from the carpal angle formed at the bend of the
wing to the end of the longest primary. Get it with compasses for small birds. In birds with
a convex wing, do nfit lay the tape-line over the curve, but under the wing in a straight line.
This measurement is the one called, for short, " the wing." " Length of tail:'' Distance
MATERIALS FOR PREPARING BlIWSKINS.
25
from fho roots of the rectricoa to the end of the longest one. Feci for the pope's nose ; in either
a fri'sli or dried specimen there is more or less of a pal]>ablc lump into wliit-li the tail-feathers
sticlc. Guess as near as you can to the middle of tiiis lump; place the end of the ruler opposite
tliis point, and see Mhere the tip of the longest tail-feather conies. " Length nf hill : " 8<ime
take the curve of the upper maudihle; others tlie side of the upper mandilde from the feathers;
other.- i!ie gape, etc. I take the chord of the culmen. Place one foot of the dividers un the
cuhiien just where the feathers end ; no matter whether the culmen runs up on the forehead, or
the frontal feathers run out on the culmen, and no matter whether the culmen is straight or
curved. Then with me the length of the hill is the shortest distance from the point just indi-
cated to the tip of the upper mandible ; measure it with the dividers. In a straight bill of
course it is the length of the culmen itself; in a curved hill, however, it is quite another thing.
" LoKjthof tarsus:" Distance between the joint of the tarsus with the leg above, and that
with tlie first phalanx of tiio middle toe below. Measure it alwaijs with dividers, and in front
of the leg. " Length of toes : " Distance in a straight line ahmg the upper surface of a toe
from the jioint last indicated to the root of the claw on top. Length of toe is to be taken
■icitliout tlie claw, unless otherwise specified. ''Length of the clmrs : " Distance in a straight line
from tlie point last indicated to the tip of the claw. " Length of head" is often a convenient
dlnu'iisioii for comparis(m witli the bill. Set one foot of the dividers over the base of the eulmeu
(detenniued as above) and allow tlio other to slip snugly down over the arch of the occiput.
§0.- INSTRUMENTS, MATERIALS, AND FIXTURES FOR PREPARING BIRDSKINS.
Instruments. — The only indispensable instrument is a pair of scissors or a knife ;
althougli practically you want both of these, a pair of spring forceps, and a knitting-needle, or
some similar wooden or ivory object, yet I have made hundreds of birdskins consecutively
witliout touching another to(d. " Persicon odi, puer, apparatus!" I always mistrust the
eni])hasis of a collector who makes a flourish of instruments. You might be surprised to see
what a meagre, shabby-hxdting kit our best taxidermists work with. Stick to your scissors,
knif(>, forceps, and needh'. But you may as well buy, at the outset, a common dissecfing-case,
just what medical students begin business with ; it is very cheap, and if there are some unneces-
sary tilings in it, it makes a nice little box in wliich to keep your tools. The case contains,
ainoii!; other things, several scalpels, just the knives you want ; a " cartilage-knife," which is
nothing but a .stout scalpel, suitable for large birds; the best kind of scissors for your puqiose,
witli short blades and long handles — if "kneed "at the hinge so much the better; spring
fornjis, the very thing ; a Idow-pipe, useful in many ways and answering well for a knitting-
needle ; and some little steel-hocjks, chained together, which you may want to use. But you
will also require, for largo birds, a very heavy pair of scissors, or small shears, short-bladed
and long-handled, and a stout pair of bone-nippers. Have some pins and needles; surgical
needles, which cut instead of punching, are the best. Get a hone or strop, if yon wish, and a
feather duster. Use of scissors requires no comment, and I would urge their h.abitual employ
instead of the knife-blade ; I do nine-tenths of my cutting with scissors, and find it much the
easiest. A double-lever is twice as effective as a single one, and besides, you gain in cutting
soft, yielding substances by opposing two blades. Moreover, scalpels need constant sharpen-
in;; ; mine are generally too dull to cut much with, and I suppose I am like other people —
while scissors stay sharji enough. The flat, thin ivory or elxmy handle of the scalpel is about
iis useful as the blade. Finger-nails, which were made before scalpels, are a mighty help.
Forceps are almost indispen.sable for seizing and bedding parts too small or too remote to be
grasped by the fingers. The knitting-needle is wanted for a specific purpose noted beytmd.
rii(! shears or nippers are only needed for what the ordinary scissors are too weak to do. Our
instruments, you see now, are " a short horse soon curried."
26
FIELD OBNITIIOLOGY.
Materials. -(«.) For siuffin,,. "What .lo yon stuff 'em with?" is usually the fi,-st
«,urstu.n of idle curiosity about taxidrrmy. .s if that woro th. gr.at ro'"t ; v^^icreas, ho s uffiug
r;.. .nan a .nattor that 1 gcn-ally n, ,•, "anything oxcpt bnckbats ! " But zf stuffing
bird. M-.MC the tiual cause of Cotton, that adnn.able substance conl.l not be n.ore perfectly
adapted than it is to the purpose. Ordinary raw cotton-batting or wadding is what you want
When I can u-et it I nev.-r thi.d; of using anything else for sn.all bn-ds I would use it for al
birds were ..xnense n.> .d.ject. Here tow conies in ; there is a fine, clean, bleached articlo of
tow prepared for surgical dressings ; this is the b.st, but any will do. feouie say chop your
tow fine • this is harndess, but unnecessary. A cnunpled newspaper, wrapped witli tow, is
first-nte'for a lar«e bird. Failing cotton or tow, any soft, light, dry, vegetable substance may
bo made to answer, - rags, paper, .■ruu.bled leaves, tine dried grass, soft fibrous inner bark
etc • the down of certain plants, as thistle and silkweed, makes an exquisite hllm,- for small
bird's But I will .lualifv ni v remark about brickbats by saying : never put hair, wool, feathers,
or a,i>/ other anim.M. suhstmwc in a hircMiu ; far betttn- leave it empty: for, as we shall see in
the sequel, buus come fast enough, without being invited into a snug nest, {h.) For preserv-
inn. Ahsexi'c, — not the j-ure metal pn.perly so called, but arsenic of the shops, or arsenious
acid, -is tlie great preservative. Use dry imw.lered arsenic, plenty of it, and nothing else.
There is no substitute for arsenic worthy of the name, and no preparation of arsenic so good as
the simple substance. Various kinds of "arsenical soap" were and may still be in vogue;
it is a nasty greasy substance, not lit to handle; and although efticacious enough, there is a
very serious hvirieV.ic objection to its use.i Arsenic, I need not say. is a violent irritant poison,
and must therefore be duly ;/uar,kfl, but may be used with perfect impunity. It is a very
hear;/ substance, not appreciably volatile at ordinary teniperatiiivs, and therefore not liable,
jis some suppose, to be breathed", to any perceptible, much less injurious, extent. It will not
even at once enter the jmres of healthy unbroken skin : so it is no matter if it gets on the fingers.
The exceedingly miuut.' .piantity that may be supjxised to find its way into the system in the
course of time is believed by many competent jdiysicians to be rather beneficial as a tonic. I
will not coniinit myself t.. this; for, though 1 have never felt better than when working daily
with arsenic, I do "not know liow much my health was iniju-oved by the out-door exercise
always taken at the .same time. The simple precautions are, not. to let it lie too long in con-
tain witli the skin, nor get into an abiasi.m, nor under the nails. It will convert a scratch or
cut into a festering sore of some little severity ; while if lodged under the nails it soon shows
itself by soreness, increased by pressure; a white s]ieck ajipears, then a tiny abscess forms, dis-
charges and yets well in a few days. Your precautions really respect other persons more than
yourself; the receirtade should be conspicuously labelled "POISON!" Arsenic is a good
friend of ours: besides preserving our birds, it kee|)s bnsyboilies and meddlesome folks away
iVom the scene of operations, by raising a wholesome suspicion of th(! taxidermist's surround-
ings. It may be kept in the tin }iots in which it is usually sold; but some shallower, broader
receptacle i.s more convenient. A little drawer say d x (1 iiches, and an inch deep, to slip
under the edii'e of tlie table, or a similar eomi)artnient in a large drawer, will be found handy.
A salt-spoon, or little wooden shovel whittled like one, is nice to use it witli, though in effect,
I always shovel it up with the handle of a scal]iel. As stated, there is no substitute for arsenic;
• "SIrniige rk It iiiiiy npiKjar tii Kcimc, 1 woulil sny nvold especially all the sn-oalled arsenical goaps ; tlicy
arc at l>CKt li\it lillliy pieiMruliiiii8 ; besides, it s a Hut to wliiuli I can Lear pninfiii toHtlniony that tliey are,
OKpeclally wlien appiieil In a (Sieasy »kin, poisnixirs in tlie extreme I linve hcen W) liailly puiguneil, wliilc woikiiig
upon the pklnH nf wiine f:it water liirds that liail Ijceii prep:ireil with arsenical map, as to bo uiaile Bcriounly ill. the
p(>l.<H>n having wcirked Into the cystcin through tnine niiM wi>ini(l» or scratches on my hand. Hail pure nrnenic
been used In preparing tlic skins, the efl'ect would not have hecn fi.« had, althongh grease and arsenic arc generally
a hloiKl-polsoii In Hfiine degree; hnf when comhineil with ' soap " llu' ertect, at h'ast as far as my exi)cricnco goes,
is niiicli more injurious." (MAV>'.\ni<, iluUle, p. 12.) In endorsing this. I wouhl add that the combination is tlio
mora poisonous, in ail probability, simply because the soap, belli;: detersive, ineclninlcally facilitates the entruiice
of tlie poison, without, however, clicmicaliy increasing its virulence.
n.
MATERIALS FOB PREPARING BIRDSKINS.
27
but at a pinch you can make temporary ahift with the following, among other articles: — table
salt, or saltpetre, or charcoal strewn plentifully; strong solution of conosivc sublimate, brushed
over the skin inside ; creosote; impure carbolic acid; these last two are quite eificacious, but
tlicy smell horribly for an indefinite period. A bird threatening to decompose before you can
get at it to skin, may bo saved for a while by squirting weak carbolic acid or creosote down the
throat and up the fundament ; or by disembowelling, and filling the cavity with powdered
cliarcoal. (c.) For cleansing. Gypsum is an almost indispensable material for cleansing
soiled plumage. " Gypsum " is properly native hydrated sulphate of lime ; the article referred
to is " plaster of Paris " or gypsum heated up to ijGO° F. (by which the water of crystalliza-
tidii is driven off) and then finely pulverized. When mixed with water it soon solidifies, the
tiritfiual hydrate being again formed. The mode of using it is indicated beyond. It is most
conveniently kept in a shallow tray, say a foot square, and an inch or two deep, which had
hotter, fiu'therniore, slide under the table as a drawer ; or form a compartment of a larger
drawer. Keep (jijpsHm and arsenic in different-looking receptacles, not so much to keep from
piii.soning yourself, as to keej) from not poisoning a birdskin. They look much alike, and
sjjiiiiiing becomes such a mechauical process that you may get hold of the wrong article when
your thoughts are wandering in the woods. Gypsum, like arsenic, has no worthy rival in its
own field ; some substitutes, in the order of their applicability, are: — corn-meal, probably the
best tiling after gypsum; calcined magnesia (very good, but too light — it floats in the air,
and makes you cougli) ; bicarbonate of magnesia; powdered chalk ("prepared chalk," ciWa
pricpdnttii of the drug shops, is the best kind) ; fine wood-ashes ; clean dry loam. No article,
however powdery when dry, that contains a glutinous principle, as for instance gum-arabic or
flour, is admissible. (</.) For tcrapping, you want u thin, pliable, strong paper ; water-closet
jiajjcr is the very best; newsi)aper is pretty good. For making the cones or cylinders in
whifli birdskins may be sot to dry, a stifi'er article is required; writing paper answers perfectly.
Naturnlists habitually carry a Pocket Lens, much as other people do a watch. You
will find a magnifying glass very convenient in your search for the se.xual organs of small
hii'<ls when obscure, a's they frequently are, out of the breeding season ; in picking lice from
jiluniago, to send to your entomological friend, who will very likely pronounce them to be of a
" now sj)ecies ; " and for other purposes.
Fixtures. 'When travelling, your fixtures must ordinarily be limited to a collecting-
chest ; you will have to skin birds on the top of this, on the tail-board of a wagon, or on your
la]i, as tlie case may be. The chest should bo very substantial — iron-b<JUnd is best ; strong
as to hinges and lock — and have handles. A good size is 30 x 18 x IS inches. Let it be
fitted with a set of trays; the bottom one say four inches deep; the rest shallower; the top
11110 very shallow, and divided into compartments for your tools and materials, unless you fi.x
those on the under side of the lid. Start out with all the trays full of cotton or tow. At
lutino, have a room to youi'self, if possible ; taxidermy makes a mess to which your wife may
cihjoct. and arsenic must not come in the way of children. At any rate have j'our own tau.e.
I iii'ol'or plain deal that may be scrubbed when required ; great cleanliness is indispensable,
especially when doing much work in hot wesither, for the place soon smells sour if neglected.
I use no special receptacle for oft'al, for this only makes another article to bo cleaned ; lay
(liiwn a piece of paper for the refuse, and throw the whole away. A perfectly smooth surface
is desirable. I generally have a largo pane of window -glass on the table before me. It will
iially be found advantageous to have a scale of inches scratched on the edge of the table; only
a small part of it need be fractionally subdivided ; this replaces the foot-rule and tape-line,
jiist as the tacks of a dry-goods counter answer for the yardstick. You will find it worth M-hilo
to rig some sort of a derrick arrangement, which you can readily devise, on one end of the
28
FIELD onxrnioLOGY.
tabic, to hitch your hook t.., if you liang your birds up t.. «kiu thom ; they should swing clear
<,f cvt-rythiuL'. Thf table should Imv a larp. ^eucnil dnuver, with a little drawer for gypsum
and arseuic already n.eutioued, unless tlu'se be Ivept els.'where. Stuffiug ...ay be kept iu a box
uuder the table, aud .nake a ..iee footstool ; or in a bag sluug to the table leg.
Query : Have y<.u cleansed the hir.rs plumage i Have you plugged the mouth, nostrils,
and veiuf Have you ineasuicl the spe.i.nen and noted the c<dor of the eyes, bill, and feet,
and i.repare.1 the lab.ls. a.ul made the entry iu the register f Have you got all your apparatus
within arm's length 1 Then we are leady to p.-oceed.
§7. -now TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN.
a. TiiE Hkgulau I'nocEss.
Lay the Bird on Its Back, the bill pointing to your right > elbow. Take the scalpel like
a pen, with e.li;e of blade uppermost, and nm a straight fuirow th.-ougl. the feathers alo.ig tho
middle line of the belly, fi-om end of the breast-bone to the vent. J'art the feathe.-s coit.-
pletely, and keep them parted.^ Observe a strip of skin either perfectly naked, or only cov-
ered with shoi-t down ; this is the line for incision. Take scissoi's, stick iu the pointed blade
just over the end of the breast- bone, cut in a straight line thence to a..d into the vent ; cut
e.xtremi'ly shallow.'
Take the forcej.s in your left hand, and scalpel in your right, both held pei.-wi.se, and with
the forceps seize and lift up o.ie of the edges of the cut skin, gently pressiiig away the belly-
walls with thf scaljiel-pohit ; no cutting is lecpru-ed ; the skin may be peeled off without ti-ouble.
Skin away till yon meet an obstacle; it is the thigh. Lay down the instruments; with your
left hand take hold of the leg outside at the shaidi; put your right forefinger under the raised
flaji of skin, and feel a bump; it is the kiicc ; \mv[\ up the leg till this bump comes into view ;
hold it so. Take the scissors iu your right hand ; tuck one blaile uuder the concavity of tho
knee, aud sever the joint at a stroke ; then the thigh is left with the rest of the body, while
the rest of the leg is dissevei'ed aud hangs only by skin. Push the leg further up till it has
slipped out of its sheath of skin, like a finger out of a glove, down to tho heel-joint. You
have now to clear off the flesh and leave the bo..e there ; you may scape till this is done,
but there is a better way. Stick the dosed points of the scissors in among the muscles just
below the head of the bo.ie, then separate the blades just wide enough to grasp the bone;
snip off its head ; draw the head to o..e side ; all the muscles follow, being there attached ;
strip them downward from the bone ; the bone is left naked, with tho muscle hanging by a
bundle of tendons ("leaders") at its foot; sever these tendons collectively at a stroke. This
whole performance will occupy about three seconds, after practice; aud you may soon discover
you can nick off the head of the bone of a small bird with the thumb-nail. Draw tho leg bono
back into its sheath, and leave it. Repeat all the foregoing steps on the other side of the bird.
If you are bothered by the skin-flaps settling against the belly-walls, insert a fluff of cotton.
> Reverse tliisand foUowinBdlrcctloiis for posKimi , if you nro left-lmndcd.
» The motion \» exiictly lil<e stroking the rijilit ami li^ft sides of a moustaclio apart ; you vrould never dress
tlic liairs smootldy away from tlio middle line, by poking from cnde to root; nor will tlio fentlicrs Btny aside,
unless strokeil away from base to tips.
" Tlie skin over tiie belly is tliin as tissue paper in a small bird; the chances are you will at first cut the
walls of the Iwily too, opening the cavity ; this is no great matter, for a pledget of cotton will keep the bowels in ;
nevertheless, try t» divide skin only. Reason for cutting info vent: this orifice makes a nice natural termination
of the incision, !>uttoidiole-wisc, and may keep the end of the cut from tearing around tho root of the tail. Reason
fur lieginning to cut orer the e<lge of tlie sternum : the muscidar walls of the belly are very thin, and stick so close
to the skin that you may be in danger of attenipliiig to remove them witli tlic skin, Instead of removing the skin
from them ; whereas, you cannot remove anything but skin from over the breast bone, so you have a guide at the
start. You can tell skin from belly-wall, by its livid, translucent wliltislincss instead of redness.
HOW TO MAKE A BIBDSKIN. 29
Keep tlic feathers out of the wound ; cotton and tlio moustache movement will do it. Next you
must sever the tail from the body, leaviuj; a small "|)oi)e's-U()se" for the feathers to stay stuck
into. Put the bird in tlie hollow of your li{;htly closed left hand, tail upward, belly toward you;
or, if too large for thif, stand it on its breast on the table in similar position. Throw your
left forefinger across the front of the tail, j)res8ing a little backward ; take the scissors, cut the
end of the lower bowel free first, then peck away at bono and muscle with c-autious snips, till
the tail-stumi) is dissevered from the rump, and the tail hangs only by skin. You will soon
learn to do it all at one stroke; but you cannot be too careful at first; you are cutting right
down on to the skin over the top of the pope's-nose, and if you divide this, the bird will part
(M)nipany with its tail altogc^tlicr. Now you have the rump-stump protruding naked ; the legs
diini;ling on either side ; the tail hanging loose over the bird's back between them. Lay down
scissors, take uj) forceps* in your left hand; with them seize and hold the stump of the rump;
and with point or handle of scalpel in the other hand, with finger-tips, or with thumb-nail
(l)est), gently press down on and peel away skin.^ No cutting will be required (usually) till
you come to the wings: the skin peels off (usually) as easily as an orange-rind; as fast as it
is loosened, evert it ; that is make it continually turn itself more and more completely inside
out. Work thus till you are stopped by the obtruding wings." You have to sever tlio wing
from tlio body at the shoulder, just as you did the leg at the knee, and leave it hanging by
skin alone. Take your scisaoi's,^ as soon as the upiicr arm is exposed, and cut through flesh
and bone alike at one stroke, a little below (outside of) tl)e shoulder-joint. Do the same with
the other wing. As soon as tho wings are severed the body has been skinned to the root of
tlie neck ; the process becomes very easy ; the neck almost slips out of its sheath of itself; and
if you have properly attended to keeping the feathers out of the wound and to continual evcr-
sioa of the skin, you now find you have a naked body connected duinb-bcll-wiso by a naked
neck to a cap of reversed skin into which the head has disappeared, from the insido of which
tho legs and wings dangle, and around the edges of whicli is a row of plumage and a tail.*
Here comes up an important consideration : tho skin, plumage, legs, wings, and tail together
weigh something, — enough to stretch ' unduly the skin of tho neck, from the small cylinder of
which they are now suspended ; tho whole mass must be supported. For small birds, gather
it in the hollow of your left hand, letting tho body swing over the back of your hand out of the
< Or at tills stnge you may Instead Htick a hook Into a flrm part of tho rump, anil hang up the bird about
tho IcTcI of your breast ; you thus have l>oth hands iVee to work with. This Is advisable with all birds too large
to be readily taken in liand, and will help you, at first, with any bird. But there is really no use of it with a small
bird, and you may as well learn the best way of working at first as afterward.
' The idea of tho whole movement is exactly like ungloving your hand IVom the wrist, by turning the glove
inHide out to the very linger tips. Some people say, piM off the skin; I say never pull a bird's skin under any cir-
eiinistanucs: pnali it off, always operating at lines of contact of skin with body, never uiion areas of skins already
detached.
' The elbows will get in your way before you reach tho point of attack, namely, the shoulder, unless the
wings were completely relaxed (as was essential, intlcoti, if you measured alar expanse correctly). Tldnk what a
difturence it would make, were you skinning a man through a slit In tho belly, whether his arms were strctchol
above his head, or pinned against his ribs. It Is Just the same with a bird. When properly relaxed the wings
arc readily pressed away toward the bird's head, so that the shoulders are encountered Iwforo the elbows.
< Shears will be ronulrcd to crash through a targe arm-bone. Or, you may with the scalpel unjoint the
shiiuldcr, Tlio Joint will be found higher up and deeper among the breast muscles than you might suppose,
iinluiis you are useii to carving fowls at table. With a small bird, you may snap tho bone with the thumb-nai!
and tear asunder the muscles Id an instant.
' You find that tho little straight cut you ma<Io along the belly has somehow become a hole larger than the
greatest girth of the bird ; be undismayed ; it is all right.
If you have up to this point proiiorly pualied oil' the skin instead of pulling it, there is as yet probably no
stretcliiiig of nny consequence; but, !n skinning tlie head, whieli comes next, it is almost impoesible for a beclnner
til avoid stretching to an extent involving great ditmage to tho good looks of a skin. Try your utmost, by delicacy
of manipulation at the lines of contact of skin with flesh, and only there, to prevent lenglliieise stretching. Cross-
wise distension is of no consequence ; in fact more or less of it is usually required to skin the bead, and it tends
to counteract the ill effect of undue elongation.
I
13
80
FIKLD ORNITHOLOGY.
; i
if
wiiy ; f.ir largo ones, rPHf tlic alFiiir "u tho table "r your lap. Tc skin tlio hciul, secure tho
iM-ily ill til.- |»mitioii jiiNt imiicatcd, i.y n.ntiuiiiK tiio ii.rk l.rtwc™ your left lliuml. aud f<.n-
liiigcr; liriiig tlic rigiit fingers an<l tliuuib to a cone over the head, ami draw it out with gentle
loree; or, holding the head itself between tho hft tluunb and forefinger, insert the handht «if
the scalpel between the skin ami skull, and i>ry a little, to rnlarg.- the neek-eyliuder of «Uiii
enough to let the head pass. It will generally' slip out of its hood very readily, as far a.'» itii
greatest diameter ■. '^ there it stieks, being in faet piniieil by the mrs. Still hohling the bird uh
l)efore, with tlie point of the scalpel handled like a nut-picker, or with your thuinb-nail, detach
the delicate uieuihraiie that lines the ear-opening ; do the same for the other ear. The i-kull \»
then shelled out to the ci/cn, and will skin no furthi'r of its own accord, being again attached
by a mend.rane, around the border of the eye-socket. Holding the scalpel as before, run its
edge aripuiid an arc (a semicircle is enough to let you into the orbit) of the circumference, dis-
severing till' membrane from the bone. Ueverse the .scalpel, and .>icoop out the eyeball with
the end of the handle ; you bring out the eytt betwi.xt the ball of your thinnb and the handle
of the instrument, tearing' apart tl ptic nerve and the conjunctival tissue, but taking caro
not to open the eyeball" or lacerate the eyelids. Do the same with the other eye. The head
is then skinned far enough ; there is no use of getting iinile to the base of the lull. Yini have
now to get rid of the brain and llesh of the nape and jaws,* aial leave most of the skull in ; lh((
crani.ildouie makes the only perfect "stufling'' for the skin of the head. This is all (ban' at once
by only four particular cuts. Mold the head between your left thumb and fingers, the bill point-
ing towards you, the bird's palate facing you ; you obsi'rve a s]iace bounded behind by the base
of the skull where the neck joins, in front by the lloor of the mouth, on either side by tin? prongH
of the under jaw, — these hist especially jproiuinent. Take the .scissors ; stick (Uie blade just
inside out? branch of the lower jaw, thence into the eye-socket which lies below (the bead
being njiside down), thencr? into the brain-bo.K ; make a cut ]>arallel with the jaw, just inside
of it, biiuuing the upper scissor blade perpeiali(Milarly downwani, crashing through x\w. skull just
inside of tin- angle of the jaw. Duplicate this cut on the other side. Connect the anterior
ends of these cuts by a transverse one across the floor and roof of the mouth, t'onneet tho
posterior ends of the side cuts by one across \\w back of the skull near its base, — just where
the nape-muscle ceases to override \\\v cranium. You have enclosed an.l cut out a s.pnirish-
shaped mass of bonit and mns(de, and, on gi'Utly pulling the. lu'ck (to which of course it
remains attached), the whole aifair comes out, bringing the brain with it, but h'aving the
entire roof of tiie .'-kull supported on a scairohling of jaw-bone. It only renniins to skin the
wings. Seize the arm-stump with fingers or forceps; i\w upper arm is readily drawn from it.s
sheath as far as the elbow ; but the wing mu.st be skinned to the wrist (carpus — "bend of
the wing") ; yet it will not come out so easily, because \\\v secondary (piills grow to one of the
fore-arm bones (the ulna I, pinning down the skin the wlicde way along a series of points. To
break up the.se counec'lions, hold the upper arm firmly with the left thumb and forefinger, the
C(nivexity of the elbow looking towards you ; jiress the right thumb-nail closely against the
back edge of the ulna, and ship downward, .scraping the boni' with the nail the whole way.
If you oidy hit the line of adhesions, tiiere is no trouble at all about this. Now you want to
' Tlio Hiioolnl cnnc of lioiwl too liirgo for tlio nnllliro of tlio nccli Im t roiit(!il lioyoiul.
» Ami yoii will at oiico liinl a Kruat apiiarent liicriasu of aiiioiuit of free nkiii In your liaiul, owliiK to rcli-nfio
iniil I'xtfiisloii of nil lliat wan bofdre »liortoin'(l in luiiKtli liy circular ili>ituiii>iuii. In ciilui gt'iuuiit of tlio iicck-
cyliiidnr,
" An oycl.all In miicli Inrgcr tlian It lookit from llinoutnlilo; If you stick tlio inatruinent gtrnl|{lit Into tlio
i«H-kct, you may imiicli n hole In llio ball unci let out llio water; a very illnai;rcoal>lo coniplicatlon, Inshiuiito llio
kiiifu-liaiKllu doiHj to llu! rim of the Hocket, iiiiil liii); tlio wall of tlio cavity tliroiiKkoiil.
« You may of i-oursu at thW Htaijo cut olV llic neck at the iiaiio, ihiikIi a liolu In tho Imite of tlie nkull, dig out
thp liralim, nnil Hirii|ie away at tho Jaw-niuwlcB till yoii are »all«llcil or tlrcil ; an uniiecei'Httry Job, ilurlinc wlilcb
Iho nkln may have lpe<'oiiio dry and Blirlvollod uiitl liurd to turn right hide out. The oiivruliun dciicribod in tliu
text umy reijuiro ten aecondii, iierhapg.
HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN.
81
l(iiv(> in ono of tho two fom-ann boiirs, to preserve Niil!itieiitly tlie sJiapo of tho liinb, but to
rciMiive tlie iitlicr, with tho iipper-ariii Ixnie iiiiil all the tlesii. It is done in ii nioiiient : Htick thu
iidiiit of the Hi'issors Ix'tween tiie heutls of th(« two fore-iinn hones, uuil eiit tlie hiiuh'r one ( ulna)
iiwiiy from tho «'lhow; tlieti tho other fore-arm bono (railin.s), hearing nn its near enil tho
rlliow and tho whole upper arm, is to bir stiippetl away from the ulna, takiiiu; with it the llesli
(if the fore-arm, and to be eut olf at its far end close to the wrist-joint, ime sindve severin^j tho
lidue and all th<> ti'ndouH that pa8s over the wrist to tho hand ; then tho ulna, ban' of llesh,
is ainiie left in, attarlied at the wrist. Draw j^ently on the win;; from the outside till it slips
liitii the natural position whenee you everted it. Do the same Inr the otluir wing. This
liiiishes the skinuinu; process. The skin is now to be turned right siiU' out. liegin any way
viiM |>!ease, till yiiu se<> the |iiiint of the bill reappearing among the feathers: seize it with
liiiirers or furceps, as ennvenient, and use it for gentle traetinn. Itut by no means pidl it nut
by holding on to the rear end of the skin — that would infallibly stretch the skin. Holding
the hill, niak(! a eylindiT of your left hand and coax the skin backward with a sort of milking
Miniion. It will come easily enough, until the tinal stage of getting the head back into its
skiill-cap; this may reipiire some little dexterity; but you camioi fail to get the head in, if
you renicniber what you did to get it out. When this is fairly accomplished, you for the first
time have the pleasure of seeing .something that lo<d<s like u birdskin. Your iie.xt' care i.s to
apply arsenic. Lay the skin on its back, the opening toward you and wide spread, so tho
iiileiior is in view. Hun the .scaliiel-handle into the neck to dilate that cylinder until yiui can
see the skull; tiinl your way to the orilices of the legs and wings; expose the pope's- nose ;
lliiis yon have not oidy the general skin siu'face, but all the |ioints where some trai'es of llesh
were left, fairly in view. Shovid in arsenic ; dump smue down the ne<'k, making sure it reaclu's
anil plentifidly besprinkles tho whole skull; dropulilth- in (raeh wing hole and leg h<de;
leave a small pile at the root of the tail ; strew some more over the skin at large. The simple
nde is, put in as much arsenic as will .s<(('^ anywhere. 'I'hen close the opening, anil shake up
the skin ; move the head about by the bill ; rusth' the wiugi' and nmvo the legs ; this distrib-
utes the poisiui thoroughly. If yoii have got in more than is neces.sary, as you may judge by
seeing it piled up dry, anywhere, hold the skin with tho opening downward over the poison-
liiawer, and give it a Hip and let the suiiertlnous powder fall out. Now for the "make up,''
upon which tho beauty of the preparation depends. First get the empty .skin into good shape.
Let it lie on its back ;" draw it straight out to its natural length. ISeo that the skin of tho
head tils snugly; that the eyes, ears, and jaws are in place. Kxpand tho wings to make suro
lliat the hone is in place, and fold them so that the tplills override each othi'r naturally ; set tho
tail-feathers shinglewiso also; drawdown the legs ami leave them strathlling wide apart.
(!ive the plumage a preliminary dressing; if the skin is free from kinks and creases, thi' feath-
ei's comtMiatnrally into place; particular ones that may be awry shoiild be set right, as may
he gonornlly done by stroking, or by lifting them free repi'aledly, and h'tting them fall ; if any
(through carelessness) remain turned into the opening, they should be carefully picked out.
IJeniov(! all traces of gypsum or arsenic with the leather duster. Tho stulliug is to be juit in
tliiough tho op(>niiig in tho belly; the art Ih to get in just enough, in the right places. It
Would never do to push in pellets of cotton, as you would NtnlF a piUow-case, till the skin is
tilled up; no suhseiiiu'lit skill in setting could remove the distorliou that would result. It
takes just foitr'^ pieces of stufting — one for each eye, one for the neck, and one for ihi- body;
' Siiiiio direct tlio iioIhohIiik In Ih) iloJin wlillii (lie skin In still wroii;; hMh out; .iinl It iimy lir very tlimiMiKlily
ilVeetoil lit lluit HUlge. I wiilt, liiTHiine (lie iirKenie pMuTiilly strrwH iivir llie tiililu In ttio ii|M'riitliiii iif rever»ln({
the kIiIii, If you lino iiH iiiueli lis I lliink »(lvii>ulilu; itml It is In'ttir tii liitvu ii c»\ lly In put It iiilo tliiiii ii Hiirfucu In
1.1 lew It nil.
• Knr luiy nrillniiry Wrd up tn Hie iili;o nf ii crow. II is nfteii dlreeleil lliiil Hie leg-lmiicit lUid wlnK-I)niic» lie
wrnpiicd wlHiunttoii nr low. I xlinuld tint tliliik nf pill lint; iinyllilnt; iimnnd the wiiiclmiieHnf iiiiy liird up !<> Iliu
ri/e nf iin englu, owaii, ur fioliuaii. Exaiuliiiitlnii nf i> Hkliiiied wlnt; will hIiow Imw oxtreiiiely eninp.'iet 11 Is, exeept
82
FIELD ousrnioLooY.
wliilo it rrtiiiiros rutluT l.ss tlmu Imlf as much stii»iii!,' as an iiicxiMTienc.'.l ppmm niiRht
flupposc. Tiikf 11 mIiic.1 nf c.ttoii tliat will malcc a ti^iit Itall as larf,'c as i\w. bird's cyo; stick
it on tlic cud of .vmii- kuittinn-iiccdlc, and l)y twilling tiio umllo wliiUt tlio cottou is confined
ill your (inucr tips, yon niakr a neat ball. Introduce tliis tlir.iugli tbo belly-oi)ening, into
tho eye-socket; if you liave cut away skull euougli, as already directed, it will go right
in; disengage the needle with a reverse twirl, and witlidniw it. Take bobl of tho bill with
one iiand, and with the forceps iu the other, dr< ss tlu; eyelids lu'atly and luitiirally over
the elastic substance within. Reiuat for the other eye. Take ae.\t ii shred of cotton that
will rtdl into a tinu cylinder rather less than tbo size of the bird's neck. Koll it on tho
needle nnich as you did the eye-ball, introduce it in the same way, and ram it firmly into
the base of the skull ; disengage the needle by twirling it tho other way, and withdraw it,
taking care not to dislodge tin! cotton neck. If now you peep into tho skin you will see
the end of this artilicial neck ; push it up against tho skin of tho breast, — it must not Ho
down (Ui tlii^ back between the shoulders.* The body-wad comes next; you want to
imitate the size and .shape of the bird's trunk. Take a nuiss of cotton you think will bo
enough, and take about /ik// of this ; that will bo plenty (cotton is very elastic). It shcmld
make a tolerably firm ball, rather egg-shaped, swelling at the breast, suniller behind. If ycni
simply sipieeze up the cotttui, it will not stay compressed 5 it requires a motion something
like that wliich bakers employ to knead dough into tho shape of a loaf. Keep tucking
over the borders of \.\w cotton till tho desired shape and firmness are attained. Insert tbo ball
between the blades of the forcejis in such way that tho instrument confines tho folded-over
edges, and with a wriggling motion insinuate it aright into tho body. Before relaxing
the forcei)s, jnit your thumb and forefinger in tho bird's armpits, and pinch tbo shoulders
together till they almost touch ; this is to make sure that there is no stuffing between tho
shoulders, — the whole mass lying breaatwards. Loosen tho forceps and withdraw them. If
tho ball is rightly made and tucked in, tho elasticity (jf tho cottcyn will (diieHy expend itself in
puffing out the breast, which is just what is wanted. Bo careful not to push the body too far
in ; if it iiujiacts against tho skin of tho neck, this will infallibly stretch, driving the shoulders
apart, and no art will remedy the unsightly gapo resulting. You see I dwell on this matter of
the shoulders ; the whole knack of stufting correctly focuses just over tho shoulders. If you find
you have made the body ttw largo, pull it out and nuike a smalkr one; if it fits nicely about
the shoulders, but is too long to go iu, or too puffy over tho belly, let it stay, and pick away
shreds at the open en<l till the redundancy is remodied. Your bird is now stuffed. Close tho
opening by bringing the edges of tho original cut together. There is no use of sewing* up
the cut, for a small bird ; if the stuffing is correct, the feathers will hide the ojjening ; and if they
do not, it is no matter. You are not making an object for a show case, but for a, naturalist's
II
Just at the sliouldcr. Wlmt you rcmovo will nurer mnke any difrcreiico from tho outslile, while you would ulmoiit
inevitably get in too muuli, not of rhu riglit i<lia|>o, and make an awkward bulging no art would remedy ; I say,
then, leave tho wings of all !>ut tho lar|j;e!it birds empt;), an<l put in very little under any circumstances. As for
legs, tho wholo host of small perching Iilrds need no wrapping whatever; depend ui)on it you will make a nicer
skiD without wrapping. But large birds and those witli very niiiscular or otherwise prominent legs must have
the removal of Hesli conipcnsated for 1 treat of these cases lieyond.
• Altliough a bird's neck Is really, of course, in direct continuation of tho back-bone, yet the natural sigmoid
curve of the neck is such that it virtually takes departure rather from the breast, its lower curve being received
l)etween the prongs of the niorrythouglit. This is what we must imitate instcail of the truo anatomy. If you let
tho end of the neck lie between tho shoiildurs, it will infullllily press tlicm apart, so that the interscapular |iluinago
cannot shingle over tlie scapular feathers as It should, and a, gaping place, showing down or oven naked skin,
will result. Likewise If the neck be made tim lari/e (the chances are that way, at llrst), the same result follows.
These seemingly trilling points are very ini|portant indeed ; I never made a decent birdsklu till I learned to get the
neck small enough and to shove the end of it against tho breast.
» But sew It up, if you please, though you may be perhaps giving the man who subsequently mounts the
bird the trouble of ripping out the stitches. StKchea, however, will not come amiss with a large bird. I generally,
ill such cases, />i» the edges of the cut iu one or more places.
HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN.
83
(Mbiiict. SiipiKtHinj; you to liiivo bt'cii 8o fiir Hucfossful, little rmnniiig to be doiio ; tho skiu
aliriiily l<Miks very iiiucii likiMi dnul bird; you hiive only to ^iv^! tho fiiiisliiiiiu toueheg, uud
".set" it. Fixing; tlii) wiii>;s idcciy is a ^ri'iit point. Fold each wiiii; closely; sec that tho
carpiii Ik'IiiI is well dt-Kiit'd, tiuit tin- coverts show their several obliipu' rows l^ert■el•tly, that all
till' iiiiills override each other like xhinKles. Tuck the folded wings close up to the body —
niilicr on the bird's ba<'k than alon>{ its sides ; see that the winj^ tips meet over tin' tail (iinilcr
llie tail as the bird lies on its back); let the carpal ant;le nestle in the pbiniaKC ; have the
sliniilders close together, so that the interscapulars shingle over the .scajiulars. It' the wing bo
pressed in too tightly, the scapulars will rise up on end ; there must be neither furrow nor
riilge about the insertion of the wings; everything must lii- pi'rfectly smooth. At this stage
III' the process, I generally lift up the skin gingerly, and let it slip head first through luie haial
at'ier till' other, pressing here or there to corri'ct a deformity, or uniformly to make tho whole
skill compact. The wings set, next bring tin,' legs together, so that the bones within the
skill lie parallel with each other; bend the heel-joint a little, to let the tarsi ironn each other
alMiiit their middle; lay them sidewise on the tail, so that the naturally Hexed toes lie Hat, all
tlie claws nnitually facing each other. See that the neck is [lerfectly straight, and, if anything,
slioitened rather than outstretched; have the crown of the head Hat on the table, the bill point-
iiiLt straight forward,' the mandibles shut tightly.''' \ever attem])t any " fancy'' attitudes with
abirdskin; the sim|)ler and more compiu-tly it is made uji the better.' Finally, I say, hang
over your bird (if you have time i; dress better tho feathers that were well dressed before;
perfect every curve ; finish caressingly, and put it away tenderly, as you hope to be shriven
yourself when the time comes.
Then^ are several ways of laying ii birdskin. A common, eiusy, and slovenly way is to
thrust it head tirst into a paper cone; but it nnike.s a hollow-chested, pot-bellied object,
luipleasant to see, and renders j'oiir nice work on th<' make-up futile. A paper cijliiider,
corresponding in calibre to the greatest girth of the birdskin, binds the wings well, and makes
a good ordinary specimen, — perhaps better than the average!, liemarking that there are sonic
detestabli! practices, such as hanging np fi bird by a string through the nose (mt.'thods only ti>
he mentioned to be condemned), I will tell you the easiest and best way, by which the most
eli'i.'MMt Mild tasteful results are almost necessarily .secured. The skins are simply laid away
i they come from your hands. Take a considerabh' wad of cottiui, make a
the x|ieeimen in, and tuck it up nicely around the edges. In effect, 1 gcner-
,1 -lieet of cotton wadding, the sizing 4pf which confers souk^ textile consistency,
:p tl nl completely but lightly in it. Hy loosening or tightening a triHe here or
till '''yi'ig iiowu a " pillow" or other special slight pressure, the most delicate cimtour-lines
II i,v lie preserved with perfect fidelity. Unnecessary pother is sometimes made about rfr^/i/i*;
■ KxcejitloiiB. Won<l|ieckcr!>, ducks, and Bomo other blrdit treated of liryond, arc bent set witli tlie head ttat
oil line kIiIu, tlie bill poliitliig ubi^
tliL' biril Iiu8 on ItB back.
- If the iiiiinilibleHgapc, r
Injures tbi- nostrils (and wc tv
l,Miiys, (hiving It obliquely ii
Jiiw. A shred of cotton intr.
■I Don't cock up tho Iiciui
look riilleulous. Don't lay tin
tlie bird will never perch nor Ii
iy tu the right or left; owls, with tho bill pointing straight up in tho air us
iliro.id through the nostrils and tie It tightly niiilcr the bill. Or, since this
ly want to cvamine their siriu'ture) stick a |>lii In uinler the bill close to tho
.date. Soinetinies the skin of the throat looks sunken betwixt the sides of the
with f 'leeps through the mouth will obviiile this.
ng to iinpiirt a knowing air — it eaniiot be done, and only makes the poor bird
II on Olio Hide, with the legs in (iciTliing position, and don't spread the wings —
gain, and the siiggosllon is iinarllstii' beiause Incongruous. The only permls-
siMe diparturo from the rule of .-I'vere siniiillclly Is when some s|n'iiiil ornament, as a line crest, nniy be naturally
displayed, or some hidden markings are desired to be brought out, or a slmim of tall or wing to bo perpetuated;
hut in all such eases the"tlowery" Inclination should be s|>aringly and Judiciously Indulgod. It is, however,
l'ii''iueiitly desirable to give some special set to Ao.'i' ,n/(,7«;/, as loss of plumage, etc. ; this may often bo aceoni-
plished very cunningly, with excellent result. No rules for this can be laid down, since tlio iletalls vary in every
<'ase: but In general the weak spot may bo hidden by contracting the skin of tho place, and then setting tho bird
in an attitude that naturally corrcsiiouds, thus making a virtue of necessity.
3
~u
1-
1 : 1
84
FIELD OliXnnOLOGY.
sliins*, tlio flirt hciiiir tlmt nmlrr ordiniiry cirrmi
sfiuicps tlicv could not 1k> kojit from dryiiii:
[wrfi-ctly ; and tln-y dry in ixai
•tlv the !<li:i|M' tiny art- set, if not acciili'ntally jirfssi-d upon. At
s<«
•a. how-cv.T, or duiinu' unusually iM<.tra.-t.d w.t Wfatlicr, th.-y ..f cours.- dry slowly, and nniy
ourin^. fsptrially in the casfs of very lar>rc,
rf<|iiiri' some attiiitiou to iiri'vciii niiMi'W or
tliick-skinni-d, i
in tilt' sun. wil
irnnsv s|Hi-nnius. riiuroUL'li poisoniiiu'. and dryiuir l>y a fire, or placinir
IwavH ansuiT. Very clos.- i>ackiui.' retards dryinu;. When travclliuir, or
o|>rratin!.' uiid.r ntlur" cirrunistanci's rf.|uirini; tronoiuy of space, you must not cxix-et to
tiu-n out vonr eolleetlon in elegant miler. Perfection of contour-lines can only be secured liy
puttiiu; each specimen away tiy itself; undui- pressure is alwi-ys lialde to ju-oduce unliappily
outiT contiiruralion c.f a skin. Trays in a packin:: l.ox are of u'reat service in limitini; i.ossi-
Idlities of pressure
tliev sliotild l>e shallow: one four inches deep will take a well stuH'ed hel
hawk, for example, or accommodate from three to six sparrows a-iop nf mie another. It is
well to sort oiil vour s|iecim. is somewhat accoiirmi; to size, to keej) heavy ones olf little ones;
the cijiiiks aiuiind "lie former may usually he economi/ed with advantap' Ity packiiit;
iilde (ir the less neatly prepared of the latter. When limited to a Iravellintr
tl
iKUifh
in the h
chest. I iieiiei lly pass in the skills as last as maile, packing them "solid" in one sense, yet
huiitim,' up a nice re>tim.'-place for each. If each rests in its own ...;ion coHin, it is astonishin<r
how idoM' they may he laid without liarni, and how many ^^ill u'o in a triveii space; a tray
Ud X IS X I inches will easily Indil three hundred anil lifty hirds six inches loni;. As a tray fills
iiji. tlie drier ones first imt In mav he siiliiiiitled to more iiressiiie. .\ sk
rit;in,<llv dried in
id shape may sulisei|iiintly l.i> pressed perfectly llat without material injury: the mly tiling'
to avoid heini; coHliirlinii, The wlmle kn.ick of packini.' hirds corresponils to tiuit of fillini; a
trunk xiiliilli/ full i.f I'lnthes. as may easily he done without daniaue to an imnia<'ulate shirt-
front. Filially. I Would >ay. never put away a hinl niilahelled. not even for an hour; you may
fnlt'et it or die. Never tie a
\\
lahel to a hiid's hill, wiliii. or tail : tie it securely to iMifh leys
where they cross, and l
It will lie just half as lialde to Income detached as if tied t^
I one U'fi only.
Never paste a lahel, ur even a iiumher. ou a hird's plumage. Never put in tjlass eyes before
nioinitinir. Never paint or v.iniish a hird's hill or feet. Never replace missiiii; plumat^e of one
bird with the feathers nf aiiothei
not eviii if the birds
lit oftl
le same nest.
h. Si'K.t lAi. l'mi('Ks.si:s : ('o.mim.M'Aiiuxs .\nii .VcnnKXTs.
The KorPKoiiiK Mi'thoil of procedure is a routine practice applicabli> to tlii-ee-fourths if
not nine-tenths of the " ueiieral run " of birds. Hci there are several cases reipiirin^ a modi-
fication of this pioiiraii'.me; while several circiimstances may tend to embarrass your ojierations.
The principal special conditions may therefore he separately tnaled to ynur advaiitaKi.'.
Sl/.t'. Other ihitiL's beiiiu' ei|ua1. a laire bird is ninie dilficiilt to prepare than a small
one. (n oiie ca.se. ynii iiiily need a certain delicacy uf touch, easily aci|iiired and .-iMin beconi-
ilii; mechanical ; in the other, deiiiaiid on your slreni;th may be made, till your liiilscles ache.
It takes loiiu'er. ton;' ! cniild jHit away i< do/en sparrows in the time I should s|M'nd over
an eaule ; and I would rathei Ierl;.ke a hundred liiimmilitr-birds than one ostrich. For
' Till' rirnlir iiiiiv 1k> riirlmiH i.i kii"\v wmii'tlitiiK <t tin- HliitlHtlcH nti llilii wuri' — Imw loiij! it iiiit>)it tn tako
Mill to pripan- lui "plliiiiry xkiii II. ■ iiiii M'lio.ly liuiijln.'. rinm 1i|h Hrxt hill mi* ci|K'riitioiiH. Iidb fx|Mirl lie miiy
Imtiiiiii'. lint ..Illy 111 l.i'iiiiiy .if nnnli. 1ml III riiiilillty .pf i,.xc.iii|,.ii, I Imve mi-ii liislileniilHtH iiiiikit K'x") smnll
Kklim ill till- rnic .if ten uii li.iiir; I. ill tlil» [s i.xininr.lliiury Tlii' i|iilrki'i.l work I ever illil iiiywlf ww i-IkIiI iiii
liiiiir. iir nil iivitul'i' "f wviii uinl :i lialf iiiliiiitiii a|.l.ri-. miuI fiilrly u.hhI xkliiH. Iliil I plckisl my IMriU, all siiiiill
iilii'K. wi'll hIicI. liilii-lliil. iiii'iuiiiri"l. ami |ilci/tf<..| liffciiiliaiiil, ».■ tlmt tliii rule .if w.irk wan I'X.'cplj.innl, Ik-kMi'ii
lii.'lii.lliiK.iiily 111.' mtiml iiiaiilpnliiilum fruin llri.i .Mil l.i laxliitf away. N.i niii' 'ii'ir.i>/> .« cIkIiI IiIhIh iin li.iiir, even
I'X.n.lliii: till- iMioiwaiy iirilliiiliiiuliK .if .l.iaii^liiu. pliiui-iiiii. .•!.•. K.iur lilr.l« an li.mr, cv.ryllilii« liiclinlcl. Is
K.Hxl w.irk. A Vfry I'liiiiiiiil .iniltli.il.iKlHl ..fllilH miry, aii.l an .'Xiwrl laxl.I.Tnil«t, .inre Ini.l it wliliiiHival waiter,
tlnit he woul.l skin aii.l »lii« a lilr.1 iK'f.iri. a n-rlaln fri.'ii.l .if IiIh . <ml.l pi. k all llic r«atliiTii »(( it kihuIiucii .if llic
wiiiiii kliiil I fMriJi'l tin' Hill.', lint hi' w.iii, uii.l lilii friend atu c-r.iw, UUsrally, tluit iiiglit.
HOW TO MAKE A BIBDSKIN,
86
" large " hinls, siiy anything from a. hen-lmwk upward, variuu8 s|)ecial inanipiilutidus I have
ilirei'teil may l)e t'oregoue, while however you observe their generui ilritt ami intent. You may
(ipiii the bird as directed, or, turning it tail to you, cut with u knife.' Forceps are rarely
ri'i|iiired: there is not much that is tiNi small to be Uiken in hand. As stKin as the tail is
ilividi'd, iiang u[> the bird by the rinnp, so you will have both hands free. Let it swing ch'ar
uC tlic wall or table, at any height most convenient. The steel hodks of a ilissecting case are
lint always large enough; use a sttu'V lish-hook with the barb liled oB'. Work with your nails,
a»i.>-li(l by till' scalpel if necessavy. I know of no binl, and I thiidt there is none, in this
niiiiitiy at least, the skin of which is so intimately adherent by fibrous or muscular tissue as
t.i ri'i|iiire actual dissecting throughout ; a i>elicau comes, perhaps, as near this as any ; but in
many cases the knife uniy be constantly employed with advantage. I'se it with long clean
.■.vvii'piiii; s'mUes, hugging the skin rather than the body. The knee and shoulder commonly
n'i|iiire disarti<-ulatiou, uidess you use boiu'-uippers or strong shears; the four cuts of the skull
may presii|)pose a very able-bodied instrument, even a chisel. Tlw wings will give you the
must iniuble, and they re(|iiire a special jirocess; for you caimot readily breaU up the adhesions
iif the secondary <|uills to the ulna, uor is it desirable that very large feathers should be
(Ir)'rive(l of this natural supiMirt. Hammer or nip oH' the great heail of the upper arm-bone,
just below the insertion of the breast muscles; clean the rest of that bone and leave it in. Tie
a sirimr around it (what saili>rs call "two half hitches" gives a secure hold on the bony
cyliiider), and tie it to the other humerus, inside tlio skin, so that the two bones shall be rather
Ic >s than their natural distance apart. .Vfter the skin is brought right side out, attack the
wiiius thus: Spread the wintt uudir side iipperumst, ami secure it on the talde by driviui;
a lai'k or brad through the wrist-ji.int ; this ti.\es the far end, while the weight of the skin
steadies tli.' other, liaise a whole layer of the under wing-covei1s, and make a cut in the skin
thus exposed, from ellmw to wrist, in the middle line between the two forearm boues. I{ai.se
ihr llaps iif skin and all the mus<-le is laid bare; it is to be removed. This is best done by
liriiiig each muscle from its bed .separately, slipping the liauille of the scal|H'l under the
individual bellies; there is little if any bony attai'limeiit except at each enil, and this is readily
severed. Stri'W in arsenic ; a little cotton may be used to till the bed of uiuscle removed from
a en/ larije bird ; brinj; the llaps of skin together, and suioKth down the coverts; you need
ii'it be partii-ular to sew up the cut, for the coverts will hide the o|K'ning; in fact, the operation
dues not show at all after the make-up. Stulling of large birds is not commonly done with
iiiily the four pieces alreailv directed. Tlii' eyeballs, and usually the neck-cylinder, iro in as
licl'me; the boily may be tilli'd any way you plea.-te, provideil you do nut put in tiHi mucii
stulling- nor t;el any bejtween the shoulders. .\11 lari;e birds had better have the leg-bones
v\ia|iped to nearly natural si/e. Observe that the leu-muscles do not form a cylinder, but a
'line; let til" wrappini; taper naturally from oip to bottom. .Vtteiition to this point is neces-
-aiy for all large or mediiim-si/ed birds witli naturally prominent leus. The large linely
t'liiilnnd lens of a hawk, for example, ought to be well dis|ilayed ; with these birds, and al.so
with rails, etc., moreovr, imitate the liuli.'e of the thigh with a special wad laid inside the
skill. Larue birds commonly re(|uire also a special wad infnHluced by the mouth, to make
till' Nwell iif the throat ; this wad should be rather lliilIV than firm. As a rule, do not till out
' (Vrtaln aiiiniii; larger lilnln iiro nfli'ii him'iu'iI I'lsowlii're tliaii almii; tlin lu'lly. witli »li:it i(iIv»iiIi>k<> I riiiiiiot
^:i\ rnnn my nwii i'.\|><-rii<iiri<. Viirimin witter liinln, siirli uh Iihiiih, KrilH'i', uuk», KoH". loul ilmkii (ill facl any
"whnniiii); lilnl witli iIiiim) iiiulrr |i|i.iiiiiKi'i iiiiiy l>u ii|k'Iii'i| nUnig tlic xiili' liy a i iit iimlir tlii< wIiikh rrmii lln-
■.li'iiililur iiTor tilt' lii|i In tint riiiii|i; lliu cut l» riiiii|ilutc>ly lilililcii l>y tliu iiialo'-iip, ami tin- |iliiiiiaKi' In iK'Vcr nirtlixl
I ill! I «.'« 11(1 iRi'i'hdIly fur IIiIh; iMr, ii» a riili'. Ilii' livlly i>iHiiiiiiK imii. ifiliniivil. !«• coniplololy fll'acttl wllli ilim care.
'IxhikIi a wry Kreany lilnl witli wliili< iiiiilcr pliiiiiaiti- Ki'iiirully HtaiiiH ulnri' <>|h'|u'i1. in xpiii' of I'M'ry iirccaiitimi.
Stirli liiriln an Iihiiih, ^(ri'ln'it, iDriiinraiitH. ami iiriiuiiiiira am nflrii ii|H>niMl l>y a cut arnmK llii' fiimlaint'iit rroiii mio
ii'i; 111 lliu hIIiit; llii'ir ('oiiriirinalloii in t.trt niggi-iflK ami ruvura tbiii i>tirrulloii. I liiivo uften h.i.'Ii watvr biriln »Ut
tliiwii tlio buck; Init t cuimiilor it wry |Hiur iiriictluu.
86
FIELD OEMTHULOGY.
I
lurgr birds t.) tlifir iiatural dhncnsioiis ; they take; ui) too much nwin. Let the head, ueck,
uud Irgs bi! ai'curiitcly prepared, but U'ave tlie main (.-avity oue-third if not oue-half empty ;
no more is reipiircd tliau will fairly suiooth out frcascs in the tskiu. Keduce bulk rather l)y
tiatteuiug out than by general uonipre-ssiou. Use tow instead of cottou ; and if at all short of
tow, rcoiioinize with' i)ai)er, hay, etc., at least for the deejier portions of the main stuffing.
Large birds may he. "set" in a great (inantity of tow: \vrai)ped in pajjer, much like any
other parcel ; or simply left to dry on the table, the wings being only supported by cushioning
or other suitai)le means.
Shape. — Some sjjecial configurations have been noticed in the last paragraph, prema-
turely perhaps, l)Ut leading directly up to further considerations respecting shape of certain
birds as a modifying element in the process of preparation. As for .skhming, there is one
extri'niely imjicprtant matter. Most ducks, many woodpeckers, flamingoes, and doubtless
gome otiiers with which I am not familiar, cannot be skinned in the usual way, because the
head is too large for the calibre of the neck and cannot be drawn through. In sudi cases,
skin as usual to the base of the skull, cut otf the head there (inside the skin of course i, and
operate upon it, afti'r turning the skin right side out, as follows: Part the feathers carefully
in a straiglit line down the back of the skull, make a cut through the skin, just long enough
to jiermil the head to pa.ss, draw out the skull through this opening, and dress it as already
directed. Helurn it, draw the edges of the cut nicely together, and sew up the o)'ening witli
a great many hue stitches. Simple as it may appear, this process is often embal•ras^illg, for
the cut has an unha]i|iy tendency to wander about the neek, enlarging it.self even under the
most careful manipulation: whili' the feathers of the ]iarts are usually so short, that it is difli-
cult to elface all traces of the operation. I consider it very disagrei'able ; hut for ducks I know
of no alternative. I have however found out a way to avoid it with woodpeckers, e.scepting
the very largest ; it is this: Hefori" skimiing, i)art the eyelids, and plunge the scaljiel right
into the eyeballs; seize the cut edge of the ball with the forceps, and pull the eye right out.
It maybe dexterously done without spilling the eye-wa er on the ]>lumage ; but, for fear of
this, jireviously put a little pile of p'iister on the spot. Throw arsenic into the socket, and
then till it with cotttni poked in between the lids. The eyes are thus disposed of. 'i'lien, in
sUimiint:, when you come to tlii' head, dissever it from the neck ami work the skull as far out
as you can: it may be sulBciently exposed, in all ca.s(>s, for you to gouge out the base of the
skull with the scissors, and get at the brain to n'Uiove it. Apply an e.\tra large dose of
arsenic, and yon will never hear from what jaw-muscle has been left in. In all these cases, as
already remarked, the head is preferably set lying on one side, with the bill |)ointing obliipu'ly
to the right or left, {'ertain birds reipiire a special mode o( scKitig ; these are, birds with very
long legs or neck, or both, as swans, ^ee.se, pelicans, cormorants, snakebirds, loons, and
esjieciaily cranes, herons, ibises, and llamingoes. Long legs should be doubled complel.ly on
them.selves by bending at the heel-joint, and either tucked under the wings, or laid on the
under surface ; the chief ])oint is to see that the toes lie Ha., so that the claws do not stick up.
to catch in thing's or irel hmken otf. A loni: neck should be carefully folded: not at a shar|.
angle with a crea.se in the skin, but with t\ short curve, and brought round either to the si<h'
of the bird .ir on its breast, as may seem most convenient. The object is to make a " bale"
of the skin as nearly as may be. and when it is i>roperly eH'ecterl it is surprisim; what little
space a .'rane, lor instai occui.ies. Hut it is rarely, if ever, admissible to bend a tail back
on the body, however in.-onvenienlly long it may be. Special dilations of skin, like the pouch
of a pelican, or the air sacs of a prairie hen, may be moilerately displayed.
Tlilii Nkln. — LooM> PluniiiKe. . It is astonisliini; how much resistance is ofiered by
the thin skin of the smalh'st bird. Thouirli no thicker than tissue pai>er, it is not very liable
HOW TO MAKE A BIRDS KIN.
37
til tpiir if deftly liaiKllod ; yet a rent once started often enlarges to an embarrassing extent if
the skill be stretched in the least. Accidental rents and eiilargeiuents of shot-holes should be
iii'iitly sown Ills if occurring in an exjioscd jduco ; but in most cases the plumage may be set
III hide the oiieiiings. The trogons are said to have remarkably thin and delicate skin; I have
iH ver handled one in the tlesli. Among our birds, tiie cardinal grosbeak and the species of
Ciiprimiilfiidtc have, I think, about the tenderest skins. The obvious indication in all such
ciisis is simply a little extra delicacy of manipulation. In skinning most birds, you should
iidt loose more than a feather or two, excepting those bxisened by the shot. I'igeons are
]ieciiliar, among our birds, for the very loose insertion of their pliniiage ; you will have to be
]i:iiticiilarly careful with them, and in spite of all your jirecautious a good many feathers will
IMiiliiilily drop. As stripping down tlie secondary ([uills from the forearm, in the manner
already indicated, will almfist invariably set these feathers free from the skin, I recommend you
lint to attempt it, but to dress the wings as prescribed for large birds.
Fatness. — Fat is a substance abhorred df all di.s.sectors ; always in the way, embarra.^s-
1 (d)seuriiig oliservations : wliili- it is seldom worth examination after its
ill"- iiiiemtlcms and
si met lire has once been ascertained. It is piiilicularly obnoxious ♦ ■ the taxidermist, since it
is ruble to siiil the |>liima!.re during skinning, and also to .s<iak into the feathers afterwards ;
and greasy birdskins are never ideasini; cibjects. A few birds never seem to have any fat ;
siiiMi'. like petrels, are always oily ; at times, especially in the indolent autumn sea.son, when
hircis liave little to do but fi'cd, the great majiirity aciiuire an rmhoiijidinl doubtless to their own
satisfaction, but to the taxidermist's discumfurt. In all such cases gypsiiiii should be lavishl"
I'liipliiyed. i^trew plaster )dentifiilly. froni the first cut all through the operation; dip your
liiiu'crs ill it freiinently. as well as yi'Ur instruments. 'i"he invaluable absorlu.'iit will deal with
list <if the
iniiig"fat. When the skin is roiii]iletely reversed.
ive as much of the
siiliil fat as possible: it is generally found occujiyiiig the areohir tissue of particular definite
tiacls, and most of it may usually be peeled nr flaked off in considerable masses. Since the
siil't and oozy state nf most birds' fat at ordinary temiieratures may be innch ini|)roved by cold,
iieaiis
aiiv
it will repay you I" leave your birds on ice fur a while Ix'fore .skinning, if you have the i
and time to do so; the fat will becume <|iiite linn. There is a device fur preventing or at
rate lessening the soilinir of the pliimau'e so apt to occur along the line of your incision ; it is
iiivaliialile in all cases of white iiliiniage. Take a strip of cloth of greater width than the
Iciiutli iif the feathers, long enough to gn up one side <if the cut and down the other. Sew
ill around the cut, and it will form an apron to guard the plumage.
iliis closely to the ski
\>'U will tiio fre(|iiently timl that a bird, prepared without sniliiig and laid away ajiparently
-air, afterwards grows greasy ; if the ]iluiiiage is white, it .soon becomes worse than ever by
showini; dust that the grease catches. Perhaps the majority of such binls in our inuseimis
slidW the dirty streak along the belly. The reason is, that the grease has oozed out along the
cut. nr wherever else the skin has been bndten, and infiltrated the pliiinag«>, being drawn up
a|>|iarently l>y ca]iillary attraction, just as a lampwiek "sucks up " oil. Sometimes, without
iiliviniisly soilinir the plumage, the grease will run alont; the thread that ties the label, and
make a niiifi>niily transparent piece of "oil-paper."' I have no remedy to offer for this gradual
iiililtratiiin of the (ilumage. It will not wash out, even with soap and water. Possibly careful
and persistent treatment with an ether mitrlif be effective, but I am not prepared to say it would
he. Itemoval of all fat that can be gut off diiriiii; skinning, with a liberal u.se of jilaster, will
ill a measure prevent a difficulty that remains incurable.
niuoilstulns, etc. —In the nature of the case, this eomplication is of continual occurreiae;
fiirtiiiiat dy it is easier dealt with than trreasiness. Much may be done in the field to prevent
bloiidyiug of the plumage, au already said. A little bhHHi does not show much ou u dark
88
FIELD OBNITHOLOGY.
I
plumage ; but ii is of course conspicuous oi liiflit or white feathers. Dried blood may often
be scraped off, ia imitation of tlic luitural jiroress by wliicli a bird cleanses its ]dninage with
the bill ; or be pulverized by geutly twiddlini,' the feathers between the fingers, and then
blown off. Hut feathers may by due care be washed almost as readily as clothing ; and we
must ordinarily resort to this to remove all traces of blood, esjK'cially from white surfaces. If
properly dried they do nut show the o])eratioii. With a soft rag or jiledget of cotton dipped in
warm water bathe the jiiace a.ssidiiousiy, jiressing dnwii pretty hard, only taking care to stroke
the feathers the rigiit way, so as not to crumple them, until the red color disappears ; then you
have simply a wet place to deal witii. I'rcss gyiisiim on the spot ; it will cake ; Hake it oil'
and aj)iily more, till it will no longer .stick. Then raise the feathers on a knife-bhuh; and
s])rinkle gy])sum in aniinig them ; pat it down and shake it up, wrestling with the spot till the
moisture is entirely absorbed. Two other tluids of the body will give you occasional annoy-
ance, — the juices of the alimentary canal and tiie eye-water. Escape of the former by mouth,
nostrils, or vent is preventable by pluiiging these orifices, and its oceuiTence is inexcn.>iable.
IJut shot often lacerates the gullet, cmii, and bowels, and though nothing nuiy flow at the
time, Bubsoquent jolting or pressure in the game-bag cau.«e.s the escape of fluids : a seemingly
safe specimen may be unwrapped to .shnw tin' whole belly-plnmagc a sodden brown nuiss.
Such accidents should be treated precisely like Idooilstains ; but it is to he rennirked that the.sc
stains are not seldom indelible, traces usually persisting in white idumage at least in spite of
our best endeavors. Eye-water, insignificant as it may ajjpear, is often a great annoyance.
Tills iiiiuor is slightly glairy, or rather ghissy, and puts a sort of sizing on the jduniage dirticult
to eflace; tlie more so since the .soiling necessarily occurs in a conspicuous place, where the
l)lumage is too scanty and delicate to bear much liandling. It frequently haiqiens that a lac(>r-
ated eyel)all, by the ehistlcity of the coats, or adhesion of the lids, retains it.s fluid till this is
jiressed out in niaiiipiihiting the parts; and recollecting how the heail lies btn-ied in pliunage at
tiiat stage of tlie process, it will be seen that not oidy the head, but much of the neck and even
the breast imiy become wetted. If the jiarts are extensively soaked, the specimen is almost
irreparably (Liiiiaued. if not mined. I'hister will alisorb the moisture, but much of the .Mziuir
may be retain..! on tlie plumage ; thm fore, tliough the ]ilace seems simply wet, it should be
th<irouglily washed with water before the gypsum is apjdied. I always endeavor to prevent
the accident : if I notice a hicerated eyeball. I extract it before skinninir, in the manner
desriibid for woodpecker.-. Miscellaneous stains, tVoiii the jriices of plants, etc., may be
received ; nil such are treated on general princijiles. Illood on the beak and feet of rapai-ioiis
birds, mud on the bill iind le^s of waders, etc., etc.. may be washed off without the slightest
difli.'iilty. A land bird that has fallen in the water should l.e recovered as soon as possible,
l>ieked up /;// fhr hill, aii-l sliaken ; most of the water will run unless the plumage is eom-
jdetely Soaked. It should be allowed to dry just as it is, « nli<iut touching the )'liiiiia!;e,
before beiiii; wrapped and bairsred. If a bird tlill in soft mud, the dirt should be scraped op
."napped off as far as this can be done without pla.-t.nng the feathers d..wn, and the rest
allowed to dry : it may aftei wanl be riibbeil tine and dusted off, when no hariii will ensue,
except to white feathers which may require washini:.
Mutilation. — You will often be troubled, e.irly in y.mr practic.., with broken legs and
wings, aii.l various lacerations ; bttt the injury must be very severe (such as the carrving away
of a hmb. or bh.winc off the whole t.q. of a head) that cann'ot be in great mr.nsure r.'medied b'v
enre and skill. .Suppose a little bird, shot through the n,.ck or small of the back, comes apart
while b,.ing skinned : you have only to remove the hinder portion, be th.at much or little, and
go on with the r,..st as if it were the whole. If the leu bone of a small bird be broken near
the heel, let it com., away altogether; it will make little if any difference. In ease of the
same uccident to a large bird that ..ught to have the legs wrappd. whittle out a peg and stick
HOW TO MAKE A BIBDSKIN.
89
It ill tlio hollow stump of tho bone ; if there is no stiiinp left, file a piecr of stout wire to a
iiiiiut iiuil stick it iuto the heel joint. If the forcann bone that you usually leave iu a small
liird i.s broken, remove it and leave the other in ; if botli are broken, do not clean the wings
mi thoroughly that tjiey become detached ; an extra pinch of arsenic will condone the omission.
Ill a large bird, if both bones of the forearm are broken, splint them with a bit of wood laid in
between, so that one end hitciies at the elbow, tho other at the wrist. A humerus may be
replaced like a leg bone, but this is rarely require*!. If the skull Im- smashed, save the i)ieces,
and leave them if you can ; if not, imitate the arch of tho head with a firm cotton-ball. A
broken tarsus is readily splinted with a pin thrust up through the sol(> of the foot: if too large
for this, use a pointed piece of wire. There is no mending a bill when part of it is shot away ;
for I tlciiik the replacing of part by putty, stucco, etc., inadmissible; but if it bo only fractured,
tile pieces may usually be retained in place by winding with thread, or with a touch of glue or
iiiiK'ilage. It is singular, by tho way, what uusightliness results from a very trilling injury to
tlie bill: iiuich, I suppose, as a boil on a person's nose is peculiarly deplorable. 1 have already
hinted how artfully various weak ))laces in a skin, due to mutilation or loss of ]dumage, may be
liiiiclen.
Decomposition. — It miglit seem unnecessary to sj)eak of what maybe smelled out so
readily as animal putrescence; but there are some useful points to be learned hi this connection,
besides the imfKirtaut sanitary precautions that are to be deduced. Immediately after death
the various fluids of the body betiiu to " settle" (so to s]ieak), and shortly after the miiscidar
.xysteni as a rule becomes fixed in what is teehiiically called rif/or ninrti.s. This stifieuiiig
usually ficcura as the animal heat dies away : but its onset, and especially its duration, is very
viiiiable, according to circumstances, such as cause of deatli ; although in most cases of siidih'n
viiilriit death of an animal in previous good health, it seems to depend chi( fly upon tenij)era-
tiire. being transient and imperfect, or altogether wanting, hi hot wt^ather. As it passes off,
tlie whole system relaxes, and the body soon becomes as " Huip "' as at tho moment of death.
Tills is the period iiiiiiiediatidy preceding decomposition ; in fact, it may ho considered as the
stage of incipient putridity ; it is very brief in warm weather, and it slnmld be seized as the
last opportuiiity if preparing a bird without iiicoiivenieiice and even danger. If not skinned
at once, piitn'.sceiice becomes established; it is indicated by tlie etUuvhim (at the outset "sour,"'
but ra)iidly aciiuiriiig a variety of disgusting odors) ; by tho distension of the abdoiiien with
gaseous products of decom|i(isition ; by the loosening of the cuticle, and colise<iuelitly of the
feathers; and by other signs. If you part the feathers of a bad-smelling bird's belly to find
the skill swollen and livid or greeiiisli, whih? the feathers conic off at a touch, the bird is too
fa ycine to be ri'covereil without trouble and risk tliat no ordinary specimen warrants. It is
a sinyiilar fact that this early putrescence is more jioisonous than utter mttenness; as physicians
all' aware, a post-uiorteni examination at this stage, or even before it. involves more risk
tliaii their ordinary dissectinir-rooiii experience. It seems that both natural and pathological
piiisous lose their early virulence by resolution into other products of decay. The obvious
didiiction from all this is to skin your birds soon eiuuigh. Some say they are best skinned
)ii rt'eetly fresh, but I see no reason for tliis ; when 1 have time to chouse. 1 take the period of
liuidity as being preferable on the whole; for the fluids have then "settled," and the liiiilis aro
n iidily ridaxed by manipulation. If you have a large bag to dispose of, and are pressed for
time, set them in the coolest jiiace you can find, jireferably on ice; a slight lowering of tem]ier-
atiiie may make a decided difference. Disembowellin-.', which may be accomplished in a
1 ent, will materially retard d<'coni|iosiliiin. Injections of (U'eo.-'ote or dilute carbolic acid
will arrest decay for a time, for an indefinitely lonp period if a large (puintity of these aiiti-
.septics he employed. When it becomes desirable (i; can never be inrrssiirif) to skill a juitres-
ciiit bird, great care must bo exercised not only to accomplish the operation, but to avoid
40
FIELD OliSirnOLOdY.
<langor. I must not, however, iincoiiscioiisly lead you to cxafrucriitc the risk, ami will add
that I think it often overrated. I have prohahly skinned hirds as " gainey " as any one has,
and reiM'atedly, witiiout liein:; eonseions of any ill eliects. 1 am sure that no poison, ordinarily
generated by decoiupo.-iticn of a body hedllhij al death, ean eoniiiare in vinilenee with that
conunonly resullini; after death by many diseases. I also believe that the ga.seous i»roduets,
however otiensive to the smell, are iimnci s as a niie. 'Hie danger jiraetieally narrows down
to the absorixinii .pf tinids llimugh an aliradiil surface : the jicison is rarely taken in by natural
jiores of healthy skin, if it rem.iin in eimlaet hut a short time. Cuts and .serafehes may be
closed with a tilm of ciJlodiMn, »x n.vercil willi isinglass i.r eourt plaster, or protected by
rubber cots i<\\ the lingers. The luin<ls should, of cnurse, be washed with particular care
iumiediately after the operation, and the nails scru]>idously dre.ssed. Having never been
poisiiued (to my knowledire), I cannot give the symptoms from jiersoual experience; but I
will unote frum Mr. Maynard:
" In a fiw days nmuemus pimples, which are exceedingly painful, appear n])oii the skin
of the face and other parts uf tin; person and, ujioii thcise parts where there is chafing nr
rubbing, become hirge ami ileep sores, 'riiere is a general lani;ucir and, if badly poisolU'd,
cciuiplctc prdslraliou results; the sli^'ljlest scratch becomes a f( slei'ing sore. Once ]ioisoned
in this manner (and I .speak from exjieriencei, one is never afterward able to skin any aninnil
that has become in the h'ast putrid, without experiencing some of the synjptoms above
described. J'',veu birds that yoU handled befuro with impunity, ynii caunnt miw skin without
gn^at cjire. The best remedy in lliis case is, as the Jlibcrni.in wcmld say, mil to get poisimed,
.... ballio the jtiirts fre((iiently in cidd water ; and. if ciiafed, sprinkle the parts after bathing,
with wheat Hour. These remi-dies, if persisKMJ in, will effect a cure, if not too bad ; then.
laeiUcal a<lvice shciuld be procured witlioiit delay."'
How to iiioiiiit llli'ds. — .Vs Slime may imt improbably jirocnre this volume with a
rea.sonable expectation uf being laiigiit to imtiiiit birds, 1 ap|iend the re(|uired instructions,
altliongli the work only profc.x.ses to trc^at of the preparation of skins for the <'abinet. Asa
rule, the purposes of scic^nce. are best sub.served by not mounting specimens; for display, the
only I'ud iittained, is not required. I would strongly advise you not to mount your rarer or
other ise jianicMihirly valuable s)iecimens ; .select for this idu'pose trice, pretty birds of no
special scientific value. 'l"he principal idijectioiis to mounted birds are, that they take up
altogether too imicli room, re(|uil'u speciiJ urrangements for keeping ami transportation, and
camiot be hamlled for study with impunity. Sona^ mit;iit su]i]iose that a mounted bird would
give a better idea of its figure and general asjiect than a skin ; but this is only true to a limited
extent. Faultless mounting is un art really dillicult, acipiired by few ; the average work done
in this line shows soniethiiig of caricature, ludicrous or re]iulsive, as the ca.se may be. To
co]iy nature faithfully by taxidermy rei|uires not only long ami <'lose stutly, but an artistic
sense; and this l.i.st is a r.tre gift. I'nless you have at le.ist the germs of the faculty in your
composition, your taxidi'rnial success will be inconmiensurate with the time and trouble you
bestow. My own taxidermal art is of a low order, decidedly not abov«! average; although 1
have mounted a great many birds that would compare very favorably with ordinary museum
Work, few of them have entirely answered my ideas. \ live binl is to me such a beaiililul
object that the slightest taxidermal Haw in the effort to re])resent it is painfully oflenwive ; j^ter-
haps this imdies me place the standard of excellence too hitrli for practicil imrposes. I like a
ifood honest birdskin that does not pretend to be anything el.-e ; it is far preferalde to the
' Avolil all nicilinnli'fil Irrltallnii of llie iiitliiim-il p;irl»; inmli tlic parlH llmt Imvy iili'criiliil wllli imtlik
nriiiimrriiiiiillc; tiilto i» il.wc iir»!ili«; \isi. h> nip iif llio i.uU,!,. ,if inm, ,ir lliiiliiro ..f lliiMlilnrliliMif Iron, irny tlilrly
flriipg of citlier, In n wliii'){ln!<» uf wiilcr, lliiiio iliiily ; rest at llrBl, exerclxo (.Tiuliially an yoa can boar It ; ami skill
no birdi till you liav? cuiiiplelcly recovereil.
HOW TO MAKE A BIBDSKrX.
41
oiiiiimry taxidormnl nluirtioiiK <>f the sliow-cascs. But if, after the \vaniiiij{H tliat I mean to
cdiivi'v ill this para^raiih, ymi still wish to try your hand in the highiT Jepartnient of taxi-
(liiiiiy. 1 will exjilain thr wlioli' pi-occsN as far as nianipnlation goes; tlic art you must diseovcr
ill yourself.
'I'lie operation of skinning; is preeisely the same as that already given in detail : tiieii,
iii^tcit! of stiltling the skin as direetcd ai)ove, to lie on its hack in a <lrawer, you have to sliitl'
it so lliat it will stand up on its feet and look as much like a live bird as possible. To this end
a li w iiilditional inipleinents and materials art? recpiired. These are : a, annealed wire of vari-
ous iiiniilicrs : it may I'C iron or brass, but must be perfectly annealed, so as to retain no
elasticity or " spring;" h, several tiles of dill'erent sizes ; f. some slender, straight, brad awls ;
il, ciitliiig pliers ; e, s( ttiiig needles, merely sewing or darning needles stuck in a light wiMideu
liandle, for dressing individual feathers ; ,/', plenty of pins (the long, slender insect pins used by
ciitoiiiologists are the best) aiul sewing thread ; (/, an assortment of glass eyes. (The fixtures
ami <lccorations are noticed, beyond, as occasion for their use arises.j
Tlicre are two principal methods of mounting, which may be respectively styled xoff stulf-
iiiil and lifinl stutling. In tla^ former, a wire framework, consisting of a single anterior piece
|iassiiii; in the middle lin(* of the body u]> through the neck and out at top of the head, is
iimiiovalily Joined behind with two pieces, one i>assing through each leg; around this naked
forked frame soft stiiHing is introduced, bit by bit, till the proper contour of the skin is secured.
I have seen very pretty work of this kind, particularly oil small binls; but I consider it much
re dilliciilt to secure satisfactory results in this way than by hard stiilling, and I shall there-
fore coiiliiie attention to the latter. This method is applicable to all birds, is readily practised,
lac'ililates setting of the wings, arranging of the plmnage, and giving of any desired attitude.
Ill haiil sliitliiig, you make a firm ball of tow rolled up<ui a wire of the sixe and shape of the
iiiiil's body jind neck together ; you introduce this whole, afterwards running in the leg wires
and clinching them immovably in the mass of tow.
Having your empty skin in good sliajie, as already described; cut three pieces of wire of
till' riylit ' size; one ]iiece somewhat longer than the whole bird, the other pieces two or tlire<(
limes as long as the whole leg of tins bird. File one end of each j)iece to a fine shaqi (loilit ;
try to secure a three-edged cutting jioint like that of a .surgical needle, rather than the smooth
piMicliiiig point of a sewintt-needle, as the former ]ierforates more readily. Have these wires
perfectly straight.''' Itend a small portion of (he untiled end of the longer wire irregularly upon
itself, as a convenient nucleus for the ball of tow." 'I'ake line clean tow, in loose dossils, and
wrap it round and round the wire nucleus, till you make a firm ball, of the size and sha| f
tlie bird's body and neck. Study the contour of the skimicd body; notice the swelling bri'ast-
iiiiiscies, the arch of lh(( lower back, the hollow between the furciila into which the neck, when
iiatiiially curved, sinks. Kverything depends upon correct shaping of the artificial body; if
it lie misshapen, no art can properly adjust the skin over it. Firmness of the tow ball and
accurate contour may both be secured by wrapping the nniss with sewing thread, loosening
here, tightening there, till the shape is satisfactory. He ])articular to secure a miiooth sujier-
ticies; the skin in drying will shrink close to the stuffing, disclosing its irregularities, if there
he any, by the maladjustment of the plumage that will ensue. Observe especially that the
neck, tlioiigh the direct continuation of the ba(-kbone, dips at its lower end into the hidlow of
the iiierry-tlmuglit, and so virtually begins there instead of directly between the shoulders.
■ The rixlit xlzo lit tlio smnllofit tlint will siipiHirt tliv wliolo wolislit nf the Kliiftliii! nml Kklii wllhoiil heiidlni.'.
when a |iloci' in Itilrndiiced Intocncli leg. If UKliig tiH> thick wire, yiiu iiiny hiivti tnmlilo in thniHtiii); It lhriiii);li
llieli'ifs, or may l)iir»t tho taraal cnvolojic.
' If luulileiitnlly kinky, tlio liner Mr.en of wlro may bo rfla<llly utralghtomnl by drawing strongly iiihwi tli'iii
xo nil to Ktrctch thorn a little. Heavier wlro iniiHt Im haniincrcil out Htralght.
' Cotton will not ilo at all : It in too Hoft and elastic, and moreover will not allow of tho log wires bvlng IhniHt
' tM It and thoro clinche<l.
42
FIKLD OJiNiniOLOGY.
Thr thrrp inistnki's most likely t.. 1«' nmdc by a l)fj.'liiiipr are, Kfttinji the b<Mly nltogctlipr too
liirp', not firm ciiou^h, au.l irrctr'ilar. Wlicii im.iMTly mailr, it will clowly rrscmMc tin
biril's iMHly iiiid lu-ek, with an iiali or Mviral iiicln's of hhan>-l"'">t<'"' "■'"' l>r<>tni<liii>,' from tli.
iiiitcrior .■xtrnnity "f tli<' ii.rk of tow. Yoii have now to introduce the wliolc atfair into
the skill. Willi" the l>ii(l>kiii on its liack. the tail pointiiiir to your riftlit cUiow. uiiil tli.
abdominal oitouiuj; as wide as |)ossil)lc. Iiold the tow body in jiosiliim ridativi- to tlie skin ;
enter the wire, pa.s'* it ii|> tliroimli ilie nerk, brinj; the sliai'it iioint e.\iu'tly ayain.st the middh'
of the .skull, pierce .-kiill and sUin, caiisiiiir llie wire to protrude so distance from the middle
of the crown. Then by jicntlc means insinuate the body, jiailly jHLsliinir it in, partly drawinj;
the skin over it, till it re.Ms in its proper position. This is just like drawing; on a tiu'ht kid
ijlove. and no more dilliciilt. See that the binly is mnijilvteli/ vuvim'i]; you must be aide to
dose the abdominal aperture entirely. Yoii have next to wire the legs. Kilter the sharp
point of one of ihe lef;-wires already prepaif.'d, exactly at the centre of the sole of the foot,
ihrilstint; it up iiisiile the tarsal envelope the whole length of the "shank," thence across the
heel joint ' and up aloni; the next bone of the leu, still inside the skin. The jioint of the wire
will then be seen within thi' skin, and may be si'ized and drawn a little further through, and
you will have jmssed a wire entirely out of siiihl all the way along the leir. The end of the
wire is next to be fixed immovably in the tow ball. 'I'hriist it in at the point where the knee,
in lite, rests atiainsl lln' side of the body.'- ISring tlie (loint to view, bend it over and reinsert
it till it sticks fast. ']'here are no s])ecial directions to be given here; fasten the wire in any
way that eH'eciiially prevents " wabbling." You may find it convenient to wire both leg>
before fasteniiii; either, aiiil then clinch them l»y twisting the two ends togetlier. Hut remem-
ber that the leg-wires may be fixeil respecting each other, yet ])eniiit a see-saw motion cd" the
liody upon them. 'I'his must not be: the body and legs must be fixed upon a jointless frame.
Having secured tlie logs, dose the ahdoiuinal ojieiiiug niccdy. either by sewing or ]>inning; you
may stiid* jiins in anywhere, as freely as in a pin-cushion; the feathers hide their lieails. Stick
a pin lliroiigh tlii' pope's nose to fix tlii' tail in place.
All this while the liird has been lying on its back, the neck stretcdied straight in continua-
tion of the biKly, wired slitlly, the hirs stradilling wiiU' apart. .Mraii.'bt and stitf, the wings lyint;
loo.-ely, half-spread. Now brini; the leus toL'ether, ]tarallel with each other, and make the
sharp bend at the heel joint that will bring the feet naturally under the belly (over it, as the
bird lies oil its back). I'iidi up the bird by the wires that ]iri'ject from the sides and set it on
its stand, by runniiii; the wires throuu'h holes bored the proper distance iiiiart, and t!ieii .seciir-
iiii.' the ends by twisting. The temporary stand that you use for this )Mirpose should have a
heavy or otherwise firm support, so as not easily to overturn during the subseipient manipu-
lations. At this stage till' bird is a sorry-lookim; object ; but if you have stiilfed correctly ami
wired .H'ciirely. it will soon iniprovi'. Heuiu by niakiiii.' it stiind jiroperly. 'I'lie common fjiiill
liere is ]dacing the tarsi too neiirly perpendicular. I'erching birds, constituting the majority,
habitually stand with the tarsi more nearly horizonUd than ]ieriieiidicular. and generally keep
the tarsi parallel witli each other. Wadinir and most walkini: birds stand with the legs more
nearly upright and straight. Many swininiim: birds straddle a little; others rarely if ever.
See that the toes cdasp the ]ierch naturally, or are pro] lerly spread on the flat surface. Cause
the Hank feathers to be correctly ailjusted over the tibia- (and here I will remark that with
most birds little, if any, of the tibia' shows in lifei, the heel joint barely, if at all, projectini;
> Tlicre In nccaKlnnnlly ilifllciilly In Kettliig tlio wire ncroM till* Joint, from tlio point Rticktng Into tbo culnrgcil
enil of tlio uliln-liiiniv In muli e:iw. liiku stniit plliTs ami iilncli tlm Joint till tins bone l« gtuiiiilK'il to frnitinuntii.
Tlio wire will tliiii iiims iiikI the roiiuiihuillun will not show, ir tliere in any tnmble in pnB8ini; tlio wlro tlirouKli
the tiirnns, bore a hole for It with n brml nwl
« This point i» further forward and more belly-wnrd than you might mipiMiso. Olwerve the itkiniiol Unly
BRnln, and »oo where the lower end of Ihe thigh lien. If yoii IniHjrt the wlro too far back, you caiinut by any iiohiI.
bllily lialanee the bird iialnrally on Its |mt(1i; It will look In iiuiniiient danger of topidlng over.
HOW TO MAKE A BIHDSKIN.
48
rrniii tlif gi'ucriil |>liiiiia|i;c. It is a common fault of Htuffiiig not to draw tin- \og» cloKily
imumkIi t" tlif body, Abiivc all, ltx»k out for tin; oi'Utn' of gravity; thoiii;h you luivo really
f^i.-;t<'iii'il tlio bird to its pt^rch, you iiiUMt not let it look as if it would fall off if the wires i<li)i|i('d;
it must appear to rest there of its own accord. Next, give the head and ueek a ])reliuiiuary
.scttini;, acccirdiiig to the attitude you have determined ii|ion. This will bring tiie plunuige
itl>i>ut the shoulders in proper position for the setting of the wings, to whieh you uuiy at onee
iitliiid. If the boily he correctly fashioned and the skin of the shotdders duly adjusted over it,
the wings will fold into place without the slightest <litiicidty. All that I have said before
aliiMit setting the wings in a skin applies here as well ; but in this case they will not sltii/
in place, since they fall by their own weight. They nuist be piiun-d up. Holding the winy
in place, thrust a pin steatlily through near the wrist joint, into the tow body, .''ouietiiues
aiiiitliiT |iin is required to support the weight of the primaries; it may Im' stuck into the tiank
of tiie bird, the outer <piill feather reslinn directly upon it. With large birds a sharp pointed
wire must re])lace the pin. When properly .set, the wing-tips will fall together or symuietri-
(mIIv cip]iosite each other, the ipiills and coverts will be .siuiMtthly ind>ricated, the scapular
.scries iif feathers will I'e close, and no bare space will show in front of the shoiihler. Much
ilcpends upon the Jituil adjustment of the head. The conmuiuest mi.stake is getting it too
till- Jiway from the body. In the ordinary attitudes of most birds little neck shows, the head
;ip|i<iiiim: nestled ujmiu the shoulders. If the neck appears too long, it is not to be contracted
h\ piisliiiit; the head directly down upon it, but by making an S curve of the ni'ck. No jirecise
liirei-tioiis can be given for the set of the head, but you nuiy Im- assured it is a delicate, dithcult
iiiiitter ; the sliuhtest turn of the bill one way or another may alter the whole expression of the
hinl. You will of course have determined beforehand upon your attituile, upon what yon wish
ilir bird to appear to be doing; tlu'U, let your meaning be pointed by the binl's bill.
Oil the L'f'ueriil subject of strikiiiij an attitinle, and givini; ex)iri'ssioii t'l a stuffed bird, little
(Mil lie said to uoiiil purpose. If you are to become |iroticient in this art, it will come from
yoiir own study of birds in the field, your own good ta.ste and appreciation of bird life. The
iiKtiiiial processes are easily described and practised : it is easy to grind paint, I suppose, but
lint so to be an artist. I shall therefore only follow the above ai unt of the treneral processes
witli some special practical points. After " attituilinizin^ " to your .satisfaction, or to the best
111' yoiir ability, the plumage is to be carefully " ilre»eil." Feathers awry may be set in place
wiili a liirht sprint; forceps, or needles fi.ved in a handle, one by one if lu-ce.ssary. When uo
iiiilividiial feather seems out of place, it often occurs that the iieueral pluniaue has a lon>e,
>loviiiiy aspect. This i.- readily correcled by wrappiu;; with line threail. Stick a pin into the
miiliile of the back, another into tlii' breast, and perhaps others, elsewhere. Fasten the end of
a spniil of sewing cotton to one of the pins, ami <'arry it to another, wiiidint; the llinad about
aiimiiij the pins, till tl • whole sin'face is covered with an irregular network. Tiirlilen to
ri'iliire an undue prominence, loo.-ieu over a depression : but let the wrappiuu as a whole be
lii;lil, lirm, and even. This procedure, nicely executed, will u'ive a smoothness to the pluiiiai.'e
iini niherwise allaiuable, and may be maile to produce the most exipiisite curves, paiiieiilarly
alioiit the head, uvvU, and breast. The thread shoiilil be left on till the bird is perfectly dry :
it m.iy llu'ii be unwound or cut ofl', ami the pins withdrawn. When a particular pat(di of skin
is Milt of place, it may often be pulleil into position and pinned there, ^'oii need not be afraid
of sticking pins in anywhere ; they may be buried iii the plumai:e and left there, or withilrawn
when the skin is dry. Ill addition to the main stiittiiu;, a little is often reipiired in parti<-ular
I'laces. As for the legs, they should be tilled out ill all siu'h cases as I indicated earlier in this
scctinii ; small birds re((iiire no such stiiHing. It is necessary to fill out the eyes so that the
lids rest naturally ; it maybe done as heretofore directed, or by putting in pledgets of cotton
from the outside. A little nice stutiing is generally re<piired about the up|M'r throat. To stiitf
a ])ird \vith spread wings recpiires a spei-ial priK-oss, in most cases. The wings are to be wired.
44
FIELD ORNITHOLOGY.
pxartly iis dim-ted for the Icps ; tlicy imiy tliii In- i)laccd in any nhapc. But with most N!imli
birds, and tli-w witli i-hort wings, simp!.- i-luiiing in tlif lialf-sprrad position iudii-ating tliitlcr-
ing will suffice ; it is readily aoconiplislud with a long, slender inseet pin. I have already
spoken of fixing the tail l.y pinning or wii ing the jxti'e's nose to the tow body ; it may be tlins
H\ed at any desired eleviitioii or depr.ssi m. There uri' two ways of spreading the tail. One
is to run a pointed wire through the ([uills, near their hiise, where the wire will be liidd<'n by
the eoverts ; eaeh feather may be set ar any re«|uired distanee from the next by sUding it iiloiig
this wire. This nietliod is applicalde to large birds: for small ones the tail may be fixed with
the desired spread liy enrlosiiig it I'.ear its ha.^e in a split mateh, or two slips of eard-board,
with tl nds tie.l together. This holds the feathers until they dry in position, when it is to
l>c taki'U otr. Crests may be rai.<ed, npread, and displayed on similar ]iriuciples. A small
crest, like that of a cardinal or cherry bird, for instance, may be held up till it dries in position
by slicking in behind it a pin wi'.h a little ball of cotton on its head. It is sometimes neecs-
sary to make a bird's toes grasp a support by tying them down to it till they dry. The toes
of waders that do not lie evenly on the surface of the stand may be tneked down with small
brads. The bill may he pinned open or shut, as desired, by the method already given. Never
paint or varnish a bird's bill or feet.
Substitution of an artificial eye for the natural one is <'ssential for the good loolt.s of a
specimen, (ilass eyes, of all sizes and colors, may he purchased at a moderate cost. The
pu]iil is always black ; ihe iris varies. You will, of cour.se, .secure the proper <-oloi if it is
known, hut if not, put in a dark brown or black eye. It is well uncU'rstood that this means
nothing; it is ]iurely eonventional. Yellow is prid)ahly the next most eommou cidor; then
come red, white, blue, and green, perhaps apiu'oximately in this order of freipiency. Miit do
not use these ."Striking colors at hap-ha/ard; sacrificing truth, jierhaps, to looks. Kyes are gen-
erally inserted after the sp<-cimen is dry. Remove a portion of the cotton from the orbit, and
moisten the lids till they are perfectly pliable; fix the eye in with putty or wet plaster of Paris,
making sure that the lids are natinally adjusted over it. It goes iii iddi<|iudy, like a button
through a button-h<de. .Much art may be displayed in this little matter, nuiking a bird look
this way or that, to carry out the general " ex]iressioi.>.''
On finishing a specimen, set it away to dry ; the time required varies, of course, with the
weather, the size of the bird, its fatness, etc. The more slowly it dries the belter; then' is
les.s risk of the skill shrinking irregularly. You will often find that a s|iecimen sei away with
.smooth idumage ai.'d .satisfactory curves dries more or le.ss out of .shape, perhaps with the
feathers niseil in ]di»ces. I know of no remedy : it may. in a measure, be prevented by scni-
jmhius care in making the body smooili and firm, and in securing .slow, eipmble drying.
When i>erfectly dry remove the wrapjiing, pull out the superfluous pins or wires, nip oH' tho
others so short that the ends are concealed, and insert the eyes. The specimen is then ready
to be transferred to its ]iermanent stand.
Fixtures for the dis]day of the (diject of cinirse vary intenninably. We will take tho
sim]ile.st case, of a larire collection of mounted birds fiir public exhibition. In this instance,
uniformity and .simplicity are desiderata. " .Spri-ad eagle" styles of mounting, artificial rocks
anri flowers, etc., are entirely out of place in a c(dlection of any scientific pretensions, or
designed for popular instruction. Hesich's, they take up too much r<»oni. Arti.-^tic grouping
of an extensive ccdiection is usually out of the riuestion : and when this is unattainable, half-
way efforts ill that direction should be abandoned in favor of severe simplicity. Ilirds look
best on the whole in uniform rows, a.s.sorted according to size, as far as a natural classification
allows. They are best set on the plainest stands, with circular base and a short cylindrical
cro.ssbar on a liirhtly turned upright. The stands sluaild he itainte.l dead-white, and be no
larger than is m s.sary for secure sujiport ; a neat stiff paper label may be attached. A small
wjllectiou of birtls, as an oniament to a private residence, offers a different case ; here, variety
MISCELLANEOUS PAHTICULARS.
45
iif iiitiiiult' mill iii)|)r<>itriat(' iinitiitidii of tlio birds' uiituriil Hiimiiiiiilin^H ari( to Im< nocurod. A
iiiiiiiatiin' trrc, cm wliicli ii iiiniiliiT <if liinls nmy lni pliiccd, is rciulily iimdc. Takt- xUml wire,
anil liv Ix'iidiii^ it, and attai-liiii^ otlifi- )»ifi'«'H, i;('t tiie trami'Worii of tlic trcf of tin; di'.sirt'd si/c,
sliMiic, aiKJ iiiiiidH'r of peivliL's. Wrap it i-Ioscly witii tow to a projuT caiilirc, n-iiit'iniMM-iiit;
lliat iIh' two forks of a stt'iii inuHt Iti- together only about as lariii- as the strin itself, (iatlirr
a iiaskct full of licdii'ns and trt'c moss ; reduce tliein to eoarse powder by nibliin^ with the
liaiiiU : besmear the whole tree with inueilaKe or tbiii ^liie, and sift the liehen powder on it till
itir tiiw is completely hiilden. This jirodnees a very natural eti'eet, which maybe heiji^htened
liv separatrlv alHxin^ larffer scrajis of lichen, or little bunches of moss ; artiticial leavi's and
tliiwers may be added at your taste. The groundwork may be similarly jirepared witlin bit
111' lioanl, mad'/ adhesive and bestrewn with tlu^ same substance; grasses and moss maybe
aililcd. If a llaf surface is not di'sired, soak stout pasteboard till it can be moulded in various
iiri'i;ular elevations and de|iressions ; lay it ovitr tliu board and decorato it in the same way.
Ifdc'Us may be thus nicely imitated, with the addition of jMiwdered ijla.ss of various colors.
Such a lot of birds is generally enclosed in a (cylindrical ula.ss ca.se with arched top. As it
stands on a table to be viewed from different poitits, it must bu j)resentable on all siiles. A
iiidu' in jiarlor or study is often fitted with a wall-ca.se, which, when artistically arran;;ed, has
a very |pleasiiii; eti'ect. As HUch ca.ses nmy 1 f considenible sizi-, there is opportunity for the
dir;i'ay of j;reat taste in ^roupint,'. \ ]>hu'v is not to be found for a binl, but a bird for the
1 the ground, percbers on lU'ojectiiif; rests above.
I'l
waders and swimmers belo'
Tiie surroundiuKs may be |)repared by the methods just indicated. One point deserves atten-
tion here; since the birds are only viewed from the front, they may have a "' show-side" to
which evcrytliiny else nmy be sacrificed. IJirds are represented Hyin;; in such cases more
readily than uniler other circumstances, supported on a concealed wire inserted in the back of
liic case. I have .seen .some very successful attempts to re])resent a bird swinmiini;, the duck
hciiii; let down part way through an oval hole in a plate of thick i;lass, underneath which
wire tixcd .stuffed fishes, .shells, and seawef^l. It is hardly necessary to add that in all orini-
niinlal collections, labels or other .scientific machinery must be rigorously su|ipressed.
'transportation of mounted birds ofters obvious ditfiitulty. I'ldess very small, they are
hot ,secur< d inunovably inside a bo.x by .screwing the foot of the stands to the bottom and
siiles, so tliat they stay in place without toiwhiuj.; each other. Or, they may be carefully packed
ill cotton, with or without removal of the stands. Their preservation from accidental injury
ile|«iiils upon the .same care that is bestowed upon ordinary fragile ornaments of the parlor.
'I'lie lavages of insects are to be provented upon tho principles to be hereafter giv<ui in treating
of llie preservation of birdskins.
§ 8. — MISCKLLAXKorS PAHTirULAKS.
Determiiintloii of Sex. — This is an important matter, which must never be neglected.
I'nr allliiMigh many birds show une<|uivocal se.\ual distinctions of si/e. slnqie, and color, like
ilio.-^e of the barnyard cocdj and hen for instance, yet the outward characteristics are moi'e
rivipieiitly obscure, if not altogether inappreciable, on examination of the skin alone. Young
hinls, moreover, are usually indistingiushable as to se.x, although the adults of the same species
iiiay be easily recognized. The rule results, that 'he sexual organs shoulil be examined as the
iiiily iM''allible indices. The essential organs of ma.sciilinity are the testicIeK ; similarly, the
iii-dfim I'ontaiu the C8.senco of the female nattu'e. However sinular the accessory sexual struc-
iiiiis nii y be, the testicles and ovaries are always distinct. The male organs <»f birds never
liave the cavity of the belly to fill an extermtl bag of skin {scyotuin) as they do among
iiiaiiimalia ; they remain within the abdomen, ami lie in the same |)osition as the ovaries
of the female, lloth the.se organs are situated in the belly op])osite what corresponds to the
46
riKLJ) OUNITHOLDGY.
" NinitU of tho »)iirk," bound clcwly I" the siiinr, rcstim; cii the fnmt r.f the kiilnoys nrnr tlipir
fore .•ml. Tlic trsticlfs an' a pair <.f .Hulisiplirrical or ralliiT cllipsoiilal b<Mlic!., UKimlly of tlic
HiiiiM- Ki/i', Miapr. aii.l color, and aro .•oi.niioiily of ii .lull opu.iuo wliitmh tiut. They always
lio .-low. top'th.-r. A r.'inarlial.l.' tart .•oiin.rtf.l with tlirm is, that th.-y art- not alwayH of \W
Mani<' xi/f in the sani.' l.inl. lMiii« Miliji'ct to pcrio.lical .•iilarj,'rnirnt during llic l.r.'.'dini,' s.-aw.ii.
aiKl (•orrc-poiidiiii; atrophy at oili.T wasoiis. Tims tin- tcstii-lcn of iv lioiiso wimiTow, no l>ijr>{.r
than a pin's head i'l wiiin'r, sw.dl to the si/r of ix'an in April. Tho ovary (for although this
or^an is paired oriiiinally. only is usually functionally dcvrh.pcd in birds) will be r fi-
niwd as a Hattish nuws of irregular eiuitour, and usually whitish cidor; when inm-tive, it
simply appears of limly uranuhir structure which may reipiire a hand lens to be made (uit ;
when'i.roduciiii; ei;i.'s, its appearance is uiimistakalde. Hoth testis anil ovary nuiy further be
recojjnizeil by a tlirea 1 leading to the end of the lower bowel, — in one ejise the sperm-duct, in
the other the ovidiict ; »lie latter is usually miudi the more conspicuous, as it at times transmits
the perfect efi.'. There is no ditficuliy ill reaching the site of thcso organs. Lay the bird on
the left side, its belly lovard you: cut with the scissors throuirh the belly-walls diaifonally
fr anus to the root of th ■ last rib, or further, snipjiing across a few of the lower ribs, if these
coiitinui' far down, as they do in a loon for instance. Press the wludo mass of intestines aside
ciilleclively, and you at once see to the small of the back. There you observe the kidneys, —
lari;e, lobular, dark re<ldish misses moulded into the concavity of the .sacrum (or back middle
bone of the pelvis i; and on thrir surface, towards their fore end, lie tosti'.s or ovary, as just
described. Tl idy precautior required is, not to itiistake for testi(des a ])air of small bodies
cappini: the kidneys. These lire the iiilrnidls or " supi-ii-renal capsules," — organs whose
fun<'tion is unknown, but with which at any rate we have nothing to do in this coniH'ction.
They iM'cur in both sexes, and if the testicles are not innuediately seen, or the ovary not at
once reco;,nii/ed, they mifjht easily be mistaken for testicdes. Observe, that instead of lyini;
in ffont, they <f//> the kitlneys ; thai they are nsintlly yellowish instead of opaque whiti.sh : and
that they have not the linn, smooth, regidar sjdiericity of the testicles. The testes, however,
vary more in shape and cidor than night be expected, being sometimes rather (ddong or linear,
and soiiietinu's i;rayish or livid blui.-h, or reddish, 'i'liere is occasionally but one. The sex
determined, use the sign ^ or 9 '" 'hsignate it, as already explained. In the very rare cases
of im|M)tence or .sterility among birds, of course no organs will be observed ; but I should dislike
to liicoMie responsible for such labelling without very careful examination. The organs of a
small bird out id' the breeding season are never conspicuous, but nniy always be fiuuul on (doso
scrutiny, mdess the parts are disintegrated by a shot.
|{i>e»|{i>ltiun of Arp is a matter of ornithological experienee requiring in many or most
cases ereat laniiiiarity with birds fur its even approximate accom])lishment. There are, how-
ever, some unmistakable si^ns of inunatin-ity, even after a bird has become full-feathered, that
])ersist for at least one season. These are, in the first place, a peculiar soft Huffy " feed" of the
plumaue ; the feathers laid? a certain smoothness, density, and stitfeiniif; which they subse-
quently acquire. Secondly, the bill and feet are softer than those of the adults ; the corners of
the mouth are putty and Habby, the edges and jioint of the bill are dull, and tho scales, etc.,
of the legs are not sharply cut. Thirdly, the tiesh itself is tender and pale colored. These are
some of the piiints connuon to all birds, and are independent of the special nuirkings that
ht lonir to the youth of particular spt -ies. Some birds are a<'tually larger for a while after
leaving the nest, than in after years when the franu' seems to shrink somewhat in acquiring
the compactness of senility. On the other hand, the various nnunbers, esi)ecially the bill ami
feet, are iiroimrtioually smaller at first. Newly i.'rowin;r quills are usually recognized on sight,
the barrel being dark colored and full cd" li(iuiii. while the vanes are incomplete. In studying,
for e.xamph', the shape of a wing or tail, there is always reason to suspect that the natural
MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS.
47
|ii<i|HirtiiiiiH arc not yot prcHcntud, uuli<88 tho quill U dry, colork-itg, iiud oiiipty, or only <K-ciii)ii'd
witli .'•linnikcn wliitf pitli.
K.iitiiiiiiiitlon of the Stoiiincli frpi|ii('iitly li'iuli* to intfroHting obwrviitioiw, and Im always
vviiiili wliilc. Ill tilt' tirst |iliicc, \vi' learn iimst llll<|U('^<tillllallly tlic nature of tiir liinl's Iniul,
wlili'li is a iii^liiy ini|Mii'taiit ilciii in its natural history. Si'i'uniliy, we uttcii st'cnri' vaiiialili'
s|Hcimt'iis in otiier (leiiartinents of z<i<iliii;y, particularly ('iitiiiiiiilniry. IJirds cnnsiinK' iucal-
(Milaliic niiiiilM'rs of insects, the harder kinds of which, siicii as I ties, are not seldom found
iiilai't in their stomachs ; and a due jHTcenta^e of these represent rare and curious siM-cit'H.
The ci/zards of hirds of prey, in particular, sliouhl always he inspected, in search of the small
niaiiiiiials, etc., they tie vonr ; and even if the creatures are until for jireservation, went least
leiini of their occurrence, perhaps unknown hefore in a particular region. Mollusk-feediiii;
ami lish-eatinj; hirds yield their share (d" »i>eciniens. The alimentary canal is often the seat of
|>arasites of various kinds, interesting to the heluiinthologist ; other species are to he found
iiikIi'I' the skin, in the hoily of muscle, ill the hrain, etc. Most hirds are also infested with
external parasites td' many kinds, so various that almost every leading species has its own sort
of liiiise, tick, etc. Since these ci-eatures are only at home with a Un' host, they will he found
crMwIiiitr on tlie surface of the plunnige, preparing for departure, as soon as the hody oxds after
diaili. There is thus much to learn of a hird aside fmm what the prepared specimen
tcai'hes, and moreover apart from regular anatomical investigations. Whenever practicahle,
in'icf items should he recorded on the lahel, as already meutioiied.
Rostoriitioii of Poor Skins. — If your cahinot be a " general " one, eoinprising specimens
fniiii various sources, yon will fre(piently happen to recA'ive skiuH so Imdiy prepared as to ho
iiii|iic'asant ohjects, besides failing to show their specific chariu'ters. There i.s of course no siip-
plviiig of missing jiarts or plumage ; hut if the defect be simply deformity, this may usually be
ill a measure remedied. The point is simply to rrhix the skin, and then proceed iw if it were
fivslily removed from the binl ; it is what bird-stuffers constiUitly do in moimting birds from
pri'|iared skins. The relaxation is ettected by moisture alone. Ueniove the sintliiig ; till the
iiiieiior with cotton or tow saturated with water, yet not dripping : put piuls of the same under
tlie wings; wraji the bill and feet, and .set the specimeii in ii damp, cind phu-e. SmaM birds
sMl'ten very readily and completely; the process may be fiU'ilitnt<'d by persistent nniuii>ulation.
Tills is the usual method, but there Is another, more thorough and more effective ; it is expo-
Miic to a vapor-bath. The appointineiit« of the kitchen stove furnish all the apparatus
i('i|iiired for an extempore " steamer ; " the regular fixture is a tin vessel much like awash-
hiiiler, with closed lid, false bottom, and stoiM-oids at lower edge. On the false bottom is
I'lii 1 a heavy layer of gypsum, completcdy saturated with water; the birds are laid on a
|piiforated tray above it; and a gentle heat is maiiitaincd over a stove. The vajMir penetrates
every part of the skin, and completely rehixes it, without actually wetting the feathers. Tho
time reipiired varies greatly < if course; observation is the best guide. The chief precaution
is lint to let the thing get to<) hot. Profes.sor Haird has remarked that crumpled or bent
featlieis may have much of their original elasticity restored by dipping in hot water. Jinmer-
sioii for a few seconds siitKces, when the feathers will he observed to straighten out. Shaking
olf siiperHiioiis water, they may be simply h'ft to dry, or they may be dried with jdaster. The
iiii'thod is chiefly applicabh^ to the large feathers of the wings and tail. Soiled plumage of
dried skins may be treated exactly as in the ca.se of fivsli skins.
Miiinmiflcation. — As before mentioned, decay may be arrested by injections of carbolic
iiciil and other antiseptics; if the tissues bo sufficiently permeated with these substances, the
body will keep indefinitely; it dries and hardens, becoming, in short, a '• niuinniy." Injection
48
FIKLD OUMW 01 UO Y,
hliniilil )..• .Inn., l.y tin- iiioiilli iiii.l v.'iit, !>«■ tl .>roii>:li. and i.r n-jMNitnl scvi-nil tiim>« i\^ tl.c
lliii.l .IriiN ill. It Im nil ii!iiit'>v<>iiiiiil I'll this t.i ilix'iii'M.wi I ami till tlic Ully with saturiilr.l
Inw ..r ii.ttoii. I»ii<' <ar<' sIhmiI.I !>.• laki'ii not (<> niil tin- fratliiTH in any cium-, uor hIiihiIiI tin
iMilhilii' ^..llllinM i"iiin' in iii.ri wiili il'f liaii'l>, fi'i- ii i.H a |M.\vcrfiil irrilaiit iM.i.s.m. I nicntion
ilic |iiiMT.sM-l.i<tly t.i niiicitniu it a.' an aiii«i"ii^ i.iir; I <anii<i( iiiiaiiiiif wiial ■•ircuni.-taiiiM -
wmilil r<M iiicnil it, whiif only an <'Xtri'nif i tiiirifi-ncy ilil jiiMilV it. It is furtliiT ohjiction-
.■\,\i- InraiiM' it a|>|»'Mi> !•> Iiiiil a ilihL'V liMi to i^oiiii' |ilii;iiat:r.-'. ami to dull most of tllrlii
iH-ri'i'iiiilily. IlinU |ir(|>airi| — lallirr iiii|iriiiar(H - in lliis way, may ln' rrla.xi'il liy tin-
mi-t)i<Hl jii-t iliMTil.i-.l. ami till II skiiiiicil; Imi ihr op ration is iuiIht tlillicult.
. ii'l.ii-iil .4rrli I'f .III' iitiiriiilKnn. /.>i><i./ih.< ii//.m<, ri'iliiciMl ; h1i<t \ N<w-
t.rti. t, liil.';:il vVw, null It.,' I^.iir^ u,..l.l.- ,|..wh: •.', v|..w,..| (r Uh.w .1, MiTi.iiin ..r l.r.'.iMlM.i,,.. .IimwIiiu Iwu
l.iia^!.n.l.rl.ii.ii,l,,r.,.,«-,; /., ..|i.N ..f .1, riml ril..; .■. . i„l» ..f l.um.ru.. „r ii|.|..r >iini-l...hr. ...m- tlir hl.„iiMiT-
l.iliil ./. ~ M|.nl:», .ir >liimlilitr-liln<l«; , rii.oM ; f. m. rrj ilhiiinlii, i.r MrnilniM (.lnvl.li-
0»l..oh)Kl<-ul aiKl ..llMT (•.■.•piiriiilonii (lit;,. !..;{,. \\\,\\,. ,..„„, ,|,.to Nkrictonixinu "f
a l.ii.l IS a s|„.nal all of snmr .lilli.Mlly, am! nv tl„,i .1.«.k hot fall »iil,in t!„ sroi«. nf this
tivatiM', I may iianlioti two l.ouy |)r< |.ai.,iion* s. 17 t.a.lily mmli-, ami sMMc.|,ublp of n iid.iiiiK
MISVELLASEOUS PARTICULA RS.
49
tiini'M a.s till
itli .Hiituriktrii
•r kIiiiIiIiI till
I IllClltinll
I'lrcuiii^tKiici -
[!'[■ iiiijrcliiiii-
-t iif tlli'lij
laxrd liy tlir
rsftl ill sinni
tlii'ii' htiitl'iil
I'liiili nil till'
'\>f " liravy "'
I'illD'IIH ill tilil
'luillH'll llil'il.'-,
Iiiuical iiiati-
r>'i'ii:iiiii<'ii<l<'ii,
I' <.. /.iiic witli
ly As ^la.v-
I'iil aiiiiiiyaiii')-
<>|i<'iiini;, ari'
in If riMiiii I'm-
s, «'tr. I 'line-
1 )ilr\iiit llif
tine hlliilllli III'
X' lilliiilii'ircl to
M' llll'lltiti.tllll'.
alciilml tVi'i'ly.
Ili'ii iiiaki' fair
alciiliiil at llii'
Iry lllltnilclii'tl.
witli iilastrr.
il; iile<>r A Ni'W-
H.ni', ulniwIiiK twn
ii'iii'thi' nliiiuliliT-
;»l«'tuliizilii; of
MC11)M' iif tliiH
r^ of rfiiilt'nii);
(iriiitlmlojjy <■'""
iitiiil
I rrfiT to the Hkill.', iinil to tilt' lircaMt-lioiii
ith it
s |>riiici|ia
liiiii'iiti*. 'I'lii'w part!* of the Mkt'U'toii iin-, an a riilr, so hiulily I'liani.ti'ristii- that tln'y
al'ai
alliii'il ill iiioKt casi'H iiivalilalilr
js III' irsi' to Haci'itiiM' a skin, to
iiiuiilatcil or diTiiyril ,s|(«'ciiiii'iiH
in thin way.
The brcasl-lMi
tiiijt'il. ix always iircstTvaMf with
III ly form its natural a<'<'oiii|iaiu-
wiili it ihf ciiritniiils i\]\v stout
with tlif shoiilih'rM, fi^s. 1. i, e),
iiiifrvciiiiitr
lifii
ivi'i'li tln'st' lioiii'H,
il). all without ili'tai-hiiDMit from
tiv.'l
V con
Stitlltt- tin- "shollllllT-
iitf the lartJi' lirt'list liilisrlcs rlosii
sirliims into the wiiiu'-lMiiit's (c) ;
that tic till' shoiiliirr-Maili's lo the
/)) closr to the sicif of the hri'ast
iillv (u
><l \v
Ihi
lirip|i;{>
hiilil iif llii' slioiililir.', ifii»s. 1, -2,
alfiir, iliviilint; soiiii' >lii.'ht coiiiu'c-
lirhiiiil it. 'riic following; points
iil'ti'ii
has I.
lit;
sll'llll
rr 1 1 loci 'SSI •«
iiioii fiiwl ami till' |ilariiii;;an arc
kIiowii in till! ti^iircsi, liiihlc to ho
sli:i|i|M<l ; the shoMl'Irr-lihiili'S ilsu-
olf; the iiirrry-tlioii^ht is soini'-
Wlii'ii iravclliiii;, it is ^I'ln'rally not
tiiillS o
f lillr
skull
lli'sl
or sicriiiiiii
I ri'iiiovi'il, anil hrsiiriii
[iirfi'i'ily fli'iincil, is |>artii'<ilarly
IMoiiu'i'il lioni's that hi'mi- the jaw,
jiiwli on till' jialati' from hi'hinil.
.■'|>ri'tiii<.' till' iili'iititiralioll of tlli'SC
whii-h shoiilil invanalily hear thr
il hi'loiius ; tliii lal.-''I sliiiulij lir
is iiiori' likrly lo ]»■ ahli' to spoak
"My ill iM|iaiiirci l>y iiskin; iirvrr-
cililali' its ri'rocnilio'i slioiiiil hr
MI' ini'ihoils, w'lO.i wliirh i aiii not
|>i'i'|iaiations.
Jii
KB
n-
J)
zoiilo^iral iti-iiis. To save a skull
all iiitt'iits ; hut yoii often have
that are very protitaMy iitilizeil
(Kt;s. 1, i, (i) exi'e|itiiiK when mil-
the skin, anil for '•choice" invoices
nieiit. Yoii want to remove aloiii;
holies collliectiliii; the hreast-lMinc
the iiierry-thoiiKlit (fim's. 1, i, /l
anil the shoiililer-hlailes (tii;s. 1, i,
each other, fur these I
lones collec-
-.11
uUi
fiirille, or saijmlar un
to the lioiH
Ml
aid divide their iii-
8cru|ie or cut away the iiiiiiicles
che»t : snip off the rihs (tims. 1, i,
Mllle
I'Ver H toiitih iiieiiihrai
of the wish-hone; then, hy takiny
at ''), you can lift out the whole
tions iMiilcnteiilh the Ihh
id
reipiire atti'ntioii : the hreast-hone
hehiiid and on the sides ithe coin-
e.\treiiii' illu'itraiiuns of this, as
cut hy mistake for ribs, or lo be
allv t
y taper to a point, lai
Ic
ilv broken
times very delicate or defective,
advisable to make |H'rfi<<-t prepara-
ihey are best dried with only siiper-
kled with arsenic. The skull, if
liablf to io.se the oild-shaped,
and the freely movable ]iair that
I'l (
treat care slioii
Id bi
ised
re-
boiies, particularly ilie steriiiiin,
nunilior of the
specimen to w
hich
tied to thecoracoid lioin
for it.self. and, besidr
A skull
is not ilsii-
theless, ;iiiy record teiidini; to fa-
dtily entered on the n-jjister. There
familiar, of kiiukiiii; vletrant bony
I -III may secure
tni!
the I
iiiiies ; or, w
hat
i-rhii
Fi.i. S. -Trndin
wlnil|i)|K' (i( till' iimlo ri'il
very ^imkI results by simply hoil-
i/Vr- better, inacenitinu them in water
till the llesh is complrtely lotted f/"» Mrnl^.r, uImhii J mil. away, and then bliachilii: them in
llir Mill. A little polii'.^.'i or sihIii
V^ liri'imlrii iiiiTiiiiiiMr,
Hi«i', \lt'»i'il frmii III
OM'iini.li, iini'fNi'wii II. .1, hastens III.' pr.
^•ess. With breast-
I' mis, if yiiii can stop the priH-ess i
ili->iiKeil but the totii;her liu'iments
I'll p.iration, as it is called ; if tlic vwciliiii; iu'li.w iiirMknuiiy liL'amenis pi ti
iiiuiie; II II. ItH ulliicli- jiidt wbeli the tieiih is complelelv
iiinMii: ' I - • ■ ■
Intnl li: llii' iiiliMli' Hint
remain, voii Meciiie a "natural'
p.lllh
•f
lafu'e specii leii may ill
bii», /I ; / A' iTiiiiililiil
tilbi.ii, |{i>Imi' til liiii|{N.
till
as.sociiile
wired together, those of n small
"le K'lied. 1 think il best, with ' " skulls, to chaii them entirely of
li«anient m well uh muscle : for tin imderneath parts are usually those conveyiiiir the most
desirable inforiimtion, und they should not be in the slij;htest degree oli.sciired. Siuci in sue)
50
FIKLD ORNITHOLOGY.
CUSP the anvil-shiiiwd bnncH, the- iialatal cyiiiulfn* Hlmuly incnfionr'd, and Roirn-tiinoH ((tlnT
jiortimis coiiio Hjiarl, iIkj \\\M<\y an' licst kept in u suitablo Imx. I prt-for t" .•*<•<• u skull wiili
till' slicatii of tlic lii'uk rciiiiivcil, thipiiuli in .fonif i'uwh, imrticularly of liard-liilK-d liirdit, it
iniiy protiiahly I'c left on. Tin' coniiilctcil i>rciiaratioii.s slioulil lie fully lalu'llt-U liy writinf; tm
tlic bone, in iircfcrcnn' to an nccomininyinf,' or attia-litil iiajuT Bliji, wliioii may be lost. Some
objoct to this, us otli(ir» do to wiitiuu on ti,'g8, that it " dffaws " the siteciuieu ; but I confiss
I Bco in dry bones no beauty but that of utility.
" In many families of birds, as the ducks {Aiwtidir), the tmrhvn or \vind])i|Ht of the male
affords valuable means of clistiutruisliini; between the dillerent natural groups, or even 8i>eeies,
ebielly l>y llie form of the bony labyrinth, or India ossea, situated at or just uImivc the divari-
cation of the broiicljjal tubes. \ little trouble will enable the collector in all eases to preserve
this organ perfectly, as represented in the annexeil engraving (tig. ;i). Uefore proei'ediliK to
skin thi' specimen, a narmw-bladed knife shoubl be introdm-ed into its mouth and by takini.'
hold of tiir' tonijin' (.1) by the lingers or forceps, the muscles {It II) \t\ which it is att4iched h>
the lower jaw I'duld be .severed as far as tlii'y can be reached, care being of course taken not
to puncture the windpipe (('('): and later in the operation of skinning, when dividing the
body from the neck or head, not to nil into or through it. This done, the windpipe can be
easily withdrawn entire and separated from the neck, and then the stenial ajiparatiis Ix'ini;
removed as before described, its course must be traced to where, after b'unching off in a fork
( D), the liroiiehiul tubes (Av' K) join the lungs. At these latter jMiints it is to be eut off. Then
riiisiiiir it in c(dd water, and leaviiii; it to ijiy partially, it may, while yet pliant, be either
wrapped naiuil the sternum, or coiled up and labelled M'puralejy." — (.i. AVif<H»i.)
50. -COLLKCTION OF N'KST.S ,\M) K(i<iS.
(>rnithol0)O' ami OiiloRy are twin stu.iies, or ratiier one includes the other. A eollec-
tion of nests and vciis is indispensable fo: any tliorough study of birds; am' many jiersons
iiiid jieculiar ph'asnre in formiiuf one. Some, however, sliiink from" robbing birds' ni'sts"
as soiriethiim iiariiciilarly cruel; a sentiment •prim.'ini;, no doubt, from the syn:,iathy and
"'"'<"''' I' 'hat the teuchr otlice of maternity inspires ; but with all proj^'r respect for the
humane emotion, it may be .said simply, that binls'-nestinjj is not n.'arly so cruel as bird-
shcM.tinir. What I said in a former section, in eiKh'avoriiu,' ti. iruidr search for birds, applies
in substance to hnnlj-.u; for their nests; the ess.Mitial diH'erence i>, thai the latter are ..f
course .stationary idijects, and consei|ueiitly niori^ liable to be overhMiked. "tiier things iM'inu
eipnil, than l.;.-ds themselves. Must l.iids nest on Ire.'s or bushes; many on ili. gr.iund
and on rocks; others in ho||,.«>. Some buiM ehi-ant, elaborate structures, eiidh-ssly varied
in details .,f t'orin ami material; othi'rs make no neM wImlev.M-. In this intry, egging is
chielly practicable in .May an.l during the smnmer; but some s| ies, parli.'ularly birds of
prey, beuin to lay m January, while, on „iir wmthern bolder at least, tin- season of repro-
duction is protracted ihioimh Sepiembe;- ; .s„ there is really a long period for spurrh. I'ar-
ticuhir ne.sts, of course, like the birds that buibi them, can oniy be f..i<nd through ,.rnitholoi;ical
kimwledtje: but general search is usually rewar.l..l with a ^ tried assortm.nt. The best cbw
to a ! idden nest is the actions of the parents; patient watchfulness is commonly si ssfiil in
tracing tl,,. binj's home. As ih.. s..i..nce .,f ,„douy has not progressed to the jHunt of deter-
• "« '■'■"'" «'"■ ""''■"* '""' '•>f«P' »■• «>i«l bini th.y iHdonu, in ev..;, a tnajori.v of ,»ses, th.
utmost ..are in authentication is indispensable. T.. 1... wmth anvthing, not to he worse
than worthl-ss in fact, an eui; mii.st be i.ientilied beyond .pi.slion ; must he unt 01 iv
unsiispect.d, bif above suspicion. A shade of suspicion is often attached to dealen.' . ■•«h";
not neces..arily implyint: bad (aitb or eve,, ..eu-buence ..„ the deal, rs' part, but from the mmiiv
of tho ca»u. It 13 often extiemely ditlicull i.. umke »n un.iuestionable deterii.iMatio,,, us for
COLLECTION OF NEHTS AND EGGS.
51
iii>taiu'<- when nuintxra of binlH of Himilur liuliits are breeding rlutic together; or even iin|H>8-
silili', as ill ease tlie |mri'iit eliiile^. observutiou. SoiiM'tiiiies the inoitt aeiite observer may hf
!iii>tiii{tii, eiri'iiiiistanees ai)|H-ariiig to i)rove a |mreiitHge when Biieli is not tlr faet. It is in
;;rii(i;il udvisubli' to ""cure the parent with the eggs: if shot or snared on the ne8t, tin-
iiltiitilieation is simply unfjnestinnable. If yon do not y<<nr»elf know the species, it tlien
i.if.Miiis umssiiii/ to seenre tlie specimen, and retain it with the eggs. It is not iet|Uired to
iii;iKf II perfect preparation ; the liead, or better, the liead and a wing, will answer the piir|Nise.
Wlieii egging in downright earnest, n pair of climbing irons, a coil of g inch rope, and a tin
cipllecliiig box tilled witii cotton, become practically indispensable; these are the (fi'y tield
iiiipleiiieiits reiplired in addition to those already speiitied.
i>re|)»riiiK Ktign. For blowing eggs, a set of s]M'cial t<Hds is needed. These are "' egg-
drills," — sterl iiiiplements with a sbari>-iioiiited conical bead of ras|)ing surface, and a slender
s!i;ift : several such, of different sizes, are needed ; also, blow-piiM-s of ditterent sizes, a delicate
Pio. n. — limlniinenliirnr l>l(>wniKug){i; aflvr Niiwtiili. iij>.
lilii»'-|iiiH'H, ) nut hlxii ; r, wirr ri>r I'lunnnliiK lliviii ; it, oyrlnKf, i
lint. xUe Itliu riiiK "f <hi' liiin<ll» u<iiiit \h- \urgv <'ii<iii|ih to liiwrt
till* tliiiul>)i r, IiuIIhiiii lumiftlittur, Tor aucknitf cKKh.
Km. 4. — Kiuilrlllii, dittureiit vIzch, iiat.
Mil- ; nner Kuwtuii.
tliiii pair < s<-issors, light spring for-
ceps, some little hooks, and a small
synime. They an- inexpensive, and
limy be had of any dealer in natnr-
alisls" siipjdii'S. (See figs, i-7.) Kggs
sliiiiilcl never be blown ill Jie old way of making a lndi! at each end ; nor are two boles aiiy-
wlii re usually reipiired. (tpeniii" should bf (.'tfected on one side, preferably that showing least
conspicuous or chariicleristic markings. If two are inude, they should be rather near together ;
oil tlie >iiiiie sill.' :it any rate. IJiit one is ifenurally sullicient, us tbi; tliiid contents can escape
aiiiiiiiil the li|o\v-|ii)M'. Ilidding the egg gently but steadily in the fingers,' apply the point of
' Till' iiHiiiil niotliiMl itf emptying t'lsg* (lirmiKli nnv Kninil IiiiIp h •ImibileHii iiuii|m>m.<I to be n very mwlorn trick ;
ImiI II iliiii'H b.ii'k III li'aNl til IS'.'H. when M. Diiiikit |iro|niM>i| " ii iirw iiii'tlnKl of |>ri'|iiiriiitl ami pruHuvliiK e^Ks Tur
III' ' ibliii'l." wlili'li Ih |inii'llri)lly ll'.i' iili<> iinw rnllowi'il, lliniiKb liu iimiI it lliri't>-i'<lt(<'<l iiutiiljo In jirkk tliii bnU',
iii'-ir III iirmir iiinilcni ilrlll, iiiiil ill. I iml a|i|ivt>'' to kimw khiiic of mir wnyn of iiiiiiiiiifiiiK tin' I'liiliryo. I iimki- tliix
I'l'fi'ii'iiri' t.r hin iirtli '!• to rail a'lriilliui to one of llii' linlii In- ririiiiiiiii'iiils, wlilili I lliliik woiilil (irovu iiHCfiil. im
I'l'liiu' lii'ltir ll'iiii till' lliiKirK for lnlilliik; an v^te iliiiint: ilrlllliiK iiiiil Mnuinu Tlir ^llllIlll' hiKtniiiii'iit will Ih' imi-
ilir«i....'l from :i ,,lnni,i ui ilm ilifuro ijhun In llio Xiill.ill Itullrlln. ill, IsT", ;i l'.'! Tlic o\ul iiiii{« arc roviTwl « Itli
tiKlii I'.ilirlr. llku inMiK|iilto-ni'tlln); or miinlln. ami ilo not iiimli iIm- vjh. ulilrli h lioM l||{liily Imt wcurcly In tliu
nettlni;. Tlio i.i>.l w.oiM !.,■ Irll'.lni{, ami ilanjiT nilglit Itc iimMi.,! by Dungtrit nii'tli.xl
52
FIELD OlLMTJniLOd Y.
I
:l
\ t'il
COLLECTION OF NESTS AND EGGS.
F>ii
r-cdlo first.
tlu- nlifll,
oquircd to
H it alwiijs
Itliiig tlio
iinii>ii8 iiiiii
lilt all till'
y takiiif; a
is a ratliiT
(^
IIiHiku fur rx-
•yiiB, mil. hI/.« i
'I, /', r', iiliiin
I liii'ik, ImvliiK
uloliK IIki <'<>ii-
holf tliat cnii
'I'S witli tlir
lit Willi tlic
' tun "iiiall ;
I'll t'fiiitt, till'
•li prrNisti'iit
Willi watiT,
, ; carlioiiati'
it( jKM'r.'-.sary.
Iii'ii ('iiiiitii'ii
,'iiiil rinsed, cffus Mhotild bo Rciitly wiprd dry, and sot liolo downward on Idottiiijf-impor to
iir;iiii.' Mroitoii oi;f;s laay Im' neatly inonded, soiiietiiiioH with ii Klin of collodion, or a liit of
tissue |i:i|ier and imste, or the edijes may l>e simply stiiek together with any adhesive sulistaiire.
Kvni when fiattnientary a rare ejji; is worth jireservint;. K>;t;s should ordinarily he left ennity ;
iiiiliiil, the only ease in which any tilling is adniissible is that of a defective s|iecinien to which
sdiMc slii;ht solidity can he ini|)arted with cotton. It is unnecessary even to chise np the lioji'.
It is liest, on all accounts, to keep ej^t's in .sr^v, a " set " lieinjj the natural clutch, or whatever
|i's> iMiiiilier was taken from a ne.st. The most HcriipiiUms attention mii.'^t he jiaid to accurate,
i'(ini|>lete, and permanent lahelliiif:;. So important is this, that the iindeiiialile defacing of a
s|piciMieii, liy writini; on it, is no oH'si't to the advaiitai;es accriiint; from such tixily of record.
It is practically impossible to attach a labi ), as is done with a bird-skin, and a loo.se label is
always in danger of beiiijj; lost or displaced. Write on llio shell, then, as many iteinH uh
piissjlplc : if done neatly, on the side in which the hole was bored, at least one fjood " show side "
reiiKiiiis, All e^rg 8lioiild always hear the same number as the parent, in the collector's
leiiinl. In a ({enoral oolloctioti, where separate ornithold^ncal and oi'llojrical registers are kept,
iiliiililieiitioii of i'fsp with parent is nevertheless readily secured, by mnkint; one the numerator
the (itliir the deiioiiiinator of a fraction, to be siiii|dy invert.ed ill its respective application.
'I'lnis, bird No. 4.')<i, and ej;t; N'n. I'i.'l, arc ideiititied by inakiiii; the foriniT ^jj the latter JjjJ.
.\ll llieeix/^s of a clutch should have the same iiiimber. 11 the shell he laru'o eufiu^h, the name
(it ill.' species should be written on it ; if too small, it should be accompanied by a label, and
may have the iiaiiie indicated by a number referriiit: to a certain catalofjiie. Accordiiii; to my
"Check Ijst," for example, "No. I " would indicate Tardus mi(ji'»Uirins. The date of collec-
ticiii is a highly desirable item: it may be ablueviated thus ; .'$ | (i | H-i uieans .lime 3, 1SS2. It
is well to have the i%\i authenticated by tl Hector's initials at least. Since "sets" of eiru's
may he broken up fiU' distribiilioiis to other cabinets, yet permaneiil indication of the size of
the chilch be waiiteil, it is well to have some method. A t;ood one is to write the number of
llie clinch on each ei;^ coiiiposiiii; it, (iiviii;; each eiry of the set, morenver, its individual
iniiMlier. Siippos.iif^ for example the clutch No. |'^;J ciuitained five ej;j;s ; one of them would
'"■ \ii I ■"* I ' • ''"' '"'''' Irijf I •'• i ^' '""' ^" ""• ""' '• •'*houlil be remembered that all such
arliiliaiy meinoraiiila must be systematic, and be accompanied by a key. Kirt's may be kept
ill cahinets of shallow drawers in little ]>aste1ioard trays, each liohlint; a set, and contaiiiint; a
paper laliel on which various items that cannot be traced on the shell are written in full.
' //( infttrcinij llir Fr/i/iihrll In/nrr /l/nwini/. — Klif. " " hIi'iwk n |il<'('« iif piiiior, n iiiiiiilior (if wlilcli, wlitMi Kiiiiiined
(III to an cut;, "no "Vi^r lliu (illivr, uml li/l In ilrii. HtrcMKnii'ii llic nlii'll In micli n iiiiiiiikm' Unit Itii' liiKlriiiiiciilH iiluivu
(IcM'rIlx'd ciiii liu inlriHliii'ud tliniiiKJi (In' iiiHTlnrc In llic Inld'llc unci wurkcd In lln* licnl iidvitiitiiKe, Hint IIiiin »
riilly rorint'd cinhryci iniiy lie cut up. and tliu lilcics t'xlnuli'd tlii'(iiii:li iv very nnidcrntnly
sl/.cil liiilc; lilt' nninlicr (if llili knuHscH r<'(|ulrcd di'pfnds, nf CdiirKc, Krciilly ii|iiin I lie bIzo
"C iIk' <'\iv.. Ill" IcnuHi (if lime II tins Imkiii Imiiliiili'd. nnd Hie i>r(iiitnvHH of Ihu Hlmlt mid
llic |iii|icr Klvc (ir hIx Ih the IciihI iiiiinliur tluit it Is xafrt tii iihc. KiicIi fiiccc slKiiild Iw
Icfl III dry Ix'fi.ic III!' next Ik RMinnicd nn. Tlni rIIIji In Mm iinirKln ciiimc llicin In ict
prolly Hiniuillii ', wlilcli will Im) fniind very (Icnlmlilc; tlic npiirlnrn In Hit' inldillc (if iincli
limy lie i-iit mil iIihI, iir lliii wIkiIc hciIuh (if tuyere niiiy li« ilrlllcd Hininiili when llic IkiIo
Ik iiiaiti In He cui;. Knr e(inveiili"iie('' mike, tin) piiiH-iH may lie prepared ali-eiidy Knmnied,
mill ncilHlcncil when pill on (In Ihu miiiio way that iidlicHlvc (HiMtaije la'ielii aro iiM'dl.
liiiiiliHcHH. pnli licH (if lliinn (ir eiittdii ( Inlli wmild iiiiHwer i^qniilly uoll When tlin (i|H!rn-
lliiii Ih Mvcr, a Hlli;lit appllcatldn tit wiitor (cHiH-elally If warm) tlirdiiKli Ihu nyrhiKe will
I'Biwii ihec! Hd thai Hi«y can lie ojinlly removed, 'iiid Ihey can liii Bepiinitcd fmni nno
Miiollici, and dried Id nerve andllnir lime. The »\iu n'preminlnd in the Hketeh Ik that Kiiltnlilo fur an eKR "f niiHU
'talc dinicmildii. hiicIi as Hint (if n Cdmmdii I'dwi. The nidHt elleeliial way nf a<l(i|illiiK Diln metliiHl nf uluplyliiK
('UL'K Ik liy iikIiii,' m)i moiiu liiiiem i\f Ihiii fiiiiirr din/ i>lfnlji i>f Ihuk jium, linl Hilit Ik. (if rniirMO, the ninKl Ir'UniiK.
Ncvi rlhcleMK, it Infinite werlli the Irniiliie In the ciiKe (if really rare Kpoclniemi, and Ihey will lie mine Hie Wdrwi fur
(>|N'r:illni; n|Kin frnm the delay (if n few dayx eikUMHl liy walling' fdr Hie Kiini Id dry and Imnlcii. The iialiiraliKt
til Khdiii HiIh inathdil fimt iN'eiirred Imii fniind II aniiwer remnrkiilily well In every I'luu! that II hiiH Ih-cIi iiwd, frinn
the ('k'K of an eaule to that (d it hninmlnit-lilnl, aiel aiiKiiit! KiikIIkIi (Milu|;inlii it hiu bwll Kclicnilly iiddpled "
(.(. A.ic/.iii, in SnillliH Mine. Cull. l:i'.i. Iwui.,
Pni. K. — Nat iiliie
84
FIKLD OKNITIlOl.Or.Y.
Siirh trays hIiouIcI all Iw of tlic naiiu' ilrj.tli, — Imlf an iiuli is a convnirH'iit ili-pth for kcih nil
piir|>oHPH; aiiil of aHHorfcd cizi-c, nay frmn niic iiicli l>y oiii- and one lialf inchi'H up to tlinr liy
six iiichcM; it Ih fonvcniciit tc liavr liu' ill isionn rcjiularly niadiiatfil liy a conKtaiit fai-tor
of, say half an inch, >»< thai thr litlh' \»>\vk may hi- n-t xiiii- hy slih', fillifr h-ngthwlHc ci
crosswise, witliont intiTfrniifc. Kirt's may alw. !»■ k.-pt Haltly, iulvanta«<'onHly, and with
attractivi" I'tfi-cl, in the nrslH thi'm-i'lvcs, in whirli a lliltl" of n.tton may he placed to .steady
them. When not t<>i« hidlfy, too ln.iHly cnnMlrni-ted. or of material iinMiitalde for pri'.servalion,
nests should always he ccdlci^led.' Those that are very closely attached to twitrs shonhl not he
torn off. Ncsi.s llireiiienini; I iine to jiieces, or too frail to he handled witliont injnry, may
\hi secured hy sewini; Ihrounh and lhron(,'li with line thread; indeed, this is an advif<alde pre-
caution in most cases. I'ackinir euj-'s for traiis)>ortatioii reipiires much care, hnt the preoan
tions to he taken are ohvious. I will only remark thiit there is no safer way than to leave thern
in their <pwn ne.sts, each wra])ped in cotton, with which the whole cavity is to he lijjhtly filled ;
the ncNts thi-niselves U'\\\fi pai-ked close enonjjh to he jierfectly steady.
!■;■
f} 10. — C.MJK ol" .\ ('(iLLKCTION.
Well rr<>s<>rve(l H|ieciiii('iis will hi.st " I'lirever and a day," .so far as natural decay is
cimcrrncd. I Ij.i^c haudlril liiid> ill i.'<Mid .-.tiite, >liiil hack in the twenties, and have no doiilil
that someeiKhteenlh century preparations are still exiant. 'I'he preeaulions aijain.sl delilriiiriil.
lilalioii, iir other mechanical iiijury, are sell-evident, and may l>e dismissed with the remaii.,
that h7i(7c pliimaues, e.speciiilly if at ,dl K'''""*)' i'ei|nire the most care to jjuard af;ain>t soilini;.
We have, however, to fiylit fur our piis.se.--iiiiis ayaiii.sl a liii>l nf enemies, iiidividiially ile.s|iica-
hh' hilt cidleclively fnniiid.ihle, foes si. delermiiieil thai imlirint: viyiliince i.s riM|iiiiiil in ward
olf their attacks even temporarily, whilst in the end they prove invincilde. It may he said lli;il
til he ealin lip hy insects is llie iialiiral end III' all hird-skins nut .-miner desliuyed.
I " I riiii fill- Ihi Stiiilfi 11/ .\i »ls," tiuulr li> Ml KniiKl. Iinjirs.ill hi lils cxnlliiil " Itliils'-Ni'nlliii:." Hilllit
wlilli' III ciilli'i'i iii'hts -fur llirri' urn iiiaii) |m'I'
hi lllr I'llliillrl. An 11 srlililMli nlllil.N lllili' Is I'm
sriii'H iif i-mi.>. 'Dm- hrsi Ih siiinrlliln^ wUli wliiili
I mil iIliI I will triiiiM rllii' It.
' WllllllllT "f II
mills Willi iii'Vf r lilt sii — is, II sci'inii In iiii'
' li i|iii>
liiiiiT iiilviinluuc til Ih
l:iiiii-i| fi'iiiii a simIch I'l' iirslH
111
II
III
111!
1> U
if 1
fn
111
II
III
111
111
ll
11
iliil'lli'lrl
I ill' uiiritiiiJiii ; is In II I'l'rliilii cxli'iil
lliii will iiiiil riiiriilrs iiT llir lilnl urn iiiiirii'iii il. It i'\|iri'iv.
nil liiilrx III' its niiiU iiiiiHii^ liinls, - fur in Uriiriiil tliiisn ol' iln- lilgtirnt iir^iiiii/.all'iii iirr I In* Ih-hI an' lilt rets, - iili>l
Ifivi* iiM It i;iiiii|iiM' nf Mil' tiitii'h iiiiiiil iiiiij jMiwiT til iiiiilnrHiaiiil aiiil iniajil llsi'it' In riiaiitfi'ii ciiiniiliiiiiii of lilr. 1 l\i-r
llii< niiain' ami m iiaiiii'iiiatl<<ii nf an rau tlin iiiril iiiu< im iniiti'ii, In iii); im uiini' .liiin in );i.vi 111 till' iiiiillir than il
can I III' urn will nf liM iH'ak. 'I'lii'ii' it iih iiiiirli lUirciriiiii In nil'. In 1 ill' iiili'ii'sl lns|itii'<i, lnl wci'ii I lie iirsl air
i III!
<'t!l! nf a liirii, as IkIwiiii lis liraiii ami Iln skull, - iisiii)i tlm svnnl laaiii In Iiii' in tiir sial nf liiliiliit. Tiir iirsi in
ainayn iiinri' m Iish IIic nsiili nf 1 nnwlniis |ilaiiiiliit( ami liili l!i|{i'iil wnri,, i'mii liimiKli || iIimk I'niinn a liiriililary
Iniliil in Its stviv, wliili' llincmi in an iiiilnniaili' |irni|iii'linii var>lii|;, If at ail. 'Hilv an tin wlinln ni|;aiil/.alliiii ni
till' lilrii iimli>i);in'ii I'liaiitji'. Diin't m ulci I llin iirnin tiiiii. In lin'iii ninn liiaii aiiywlKH ri-M' iiin llic key tn t!ir
inliiil ami llimiKiits nf a lilnl, — tlm splril uliirli iiilialillH liial Inanliinl liaiiii' ami luiiililrs mil nf llial (("'■'^'■>
Miniilii. Ami lilt lint tills lliiii'r llfi', tlilH liiiinaii si|{iillli ami' in liinl iialiin
iiri) ail alniinu In illm'
({lili'il 111 I III' Nurfai'ii
llllH'k , lilC nlinir'n Ijf!
nVlT
Nil.
if
a
11
issy
ai
ifi
11
y HW
nis aru lioaiilltiil, Inn. Wiial I'aii siir|iiihn lim ili-iir
liiin Mill/ nf iirniliinliiKy, linil »ii
aiy nf till' liiiininliii'-lilril'H linliic
lirancli nr iiihIIIiik In tim tva
|iiiliil nf a |H inii'iil icaf, tin' nIm
silken liani-
ayiiid imrsn; llm lilarklilril'h iiiihIi'I liai-kil in tim liar's; Urn siiiiu liilln caves nf tin
iinrnli wri'iin; lim lii'rniilat|«-liiilH nf llio sliy \vai{lalln ami Ki'ininil-wariili'rs, tiic hIhiiI fnrlr
nf Iln
claiili'
nvallnws! Mnri'iivcr, tlnrn Is Iiiin li tlial in liliflily iiiirrisliiii} wlilcli r aiim In lin liarni'ii alimit iii'sts, anil wlili ii
can niiiy iii< kimwii iiy |ia)itii{. Inni' ultiiilinii In iIii'mi artWli' niaslcriili'ii's nf Hiihniil Jirl. Wn want In Kimw liy
wlial nnrt nf nklii llii' niJiiiy iii'nls arc wnMii |n(.(.||i,.r tliat we limi II mi Iniril even In ills, ii'.inisle; wc want In kimw
Imw IniiK llivyarii in IhiIiik inilit ; wrliutliiT llnri' In any jLirtii iilar clmlro in ri'S|Hil In lis-allnn; wiiillnr It In' a
mil', as Is Kii|i|H«usl, that Ilin fi'inaio hlnl Is llm anhltiTt, l.i tin, pxrlnslnii nf her male's cirnrls fiirlln'r lliati his
i>ii|i|ilyliiK II |iarl nf tlm inatirhils. Many sinli imlnln niiiain tn Imi iliarcil up. Tln'ii thi'ic In llm i|inslhin nl
variatliin, niiil lis .'xlcnt in tlm amliiu-et nf liu- ^anm sin'iiis In ilitl'i'n'iit .|iiart.'is nf its ranuiiiK iin a. Ilnw far In
tills i-arrlml, ami imw many varl«tli'S can Is. rmirdi'.! fmiii a sliiitln illslrl.l, wIhtc tlm saiim list nf inalirl'ils in
I'lHin III all till- hlrils iiiiially/ Variallnn shows imliviiinal n|i|iiinn nr taste ainiiiiif thi' liiilliicrs aa In tlm snitHliiilly
iif thia nr Ihttt wirl nf lliiilmr or fiirnltare f.ir tlmlr ilwfli.ims. ami olsu'rvnllnn* nism It thus Imruoiiu mir m nualnl-
aueo with tba m:u|i« uf liloiu auti linlill* clmrucluiistii- nf cuch sixiulcs nf htnl"
CABi: OF A UOLLKCUuy.
no
llirci' liy
tilllt I'lirtor
f^tliwi.sc III'
aiiil Willi
ti> ntciiily
ccrviitiDij,
•iilil nut III
n.jiiry, iiiiiy
.•<illi|(i |i|r
H' jirwiii
llVl' tlli'Mi
tlviillr.l:
nil (Icciiy \*
I' III! lllllllll
<li'lilrliMlil.
till' I'I'lIIMI'lt,
in.'-t Mlilillir.
ly ili^jiiiM
ill-<l til Uiiiil
!"■ Miiil tli.ii
Ji-mllii;." Hlllln
ail' iiiaii> |irt
1>I.\ llliTl' In I'lil
UK Hllll ullli li
I'lTlaill rvlrill
lilli'iti., iiikI
^nllllr. (ivir
iimllir lliiiii II
>' lir»l iiimI IIii'
I. 'I'llr lli>l Is
V It lii'ii'illlai)
i(;iiiil/.atii>ii nl
I 111' ki) til 111.
>r llial t(iilil>'ii
iliitt), Hint »ii
tl-lilrilH lioiiii'
H hllkl'll hlllll
n ravr.i ul" Ihr
r tiio wM'iiiiiii'
Ih, iiiiiI uIiIi h
III III kiinn h)
uiiiil ti. know
lii'llii'i II Ih' II
illirr Hlllll IiIh
I' l|lh*Nllul| III
lluw fiir In
r llllili'li'iln In
liu miitulilllly
JUr Hi i|Ultlllt-
lnH4t<-t P«it« (Fiffs. !), IH, 11, IjJ) with wliicli wi> hiivo to contoml ltrl(iiij{ imiicipally to \\w
t\\u i.iiiiiiiim TiiifiiUf iiiiil Ih'niifitUlw — tlic foriiifi' uri> iiiiitliK. tlu' liittcr lM'l•tl<'^<. 'I'lit' nintliH urn
ii|'.s|ii'rii-s iilciiticiil with, ami alliixl to, tliu coiniiioii rhitlicH moth, Tinea flm'ifrimtfHa, the ('ar|M t
iiiiilli. /' ^(/W.'»7/«, cti'.. — !«nmll Hjit'cii's ohsiTVi'il tiyiin; alioiit our apart iiifiits ami imuhmiiiis,
III May ami llurill^ tho miiiiimut. The hcctli's arc HrviTai riitiii>r Miiiall tiiick-Hi>t :<|N'cii>H, priiifi-
iiiillv of till' Ki-iioru IkrmvuteH ami Anlhrrims. \ am altii- t>> ii^iin- npiriuH of th<-iu< Kciicra,
with llii'ir larval sta;,'i'M, ami nl'two ollirr ;;cm'r!i, I'liinis ami Silixlirpa, throll^li the attnitioiis
of rrof. ('. V. liiii'V, thf ciiiiiU'iit •'iitoiiiiilo^ist. 'I'lit' larvii' (" ciitiirpillarH" of tlio iiiotlis, ami
" ^nilm" of tin- ln'cth's) appi'ur to In- the chiff agents of tin' ili'ittriicti'iu. The pHwiico of the
niaiiiri' iii.it'rts Ih iiHiiiilly rrailily ilt'tcctcil ; on ilLstiirhiiiK an iiif"sti'ii suite of NprciniiiiiM tht; moths
Flo. a, — Antlinnv lernfalnHir, pnlnrgoil ; tlio tlinrt lino ulinwii lint. itio. >■, h, liirvir ; r, impii ; </, liiinRn.
Km. Ill l>t rmfittA ftinliiriitn, t>u- l-'li.. 11 — Siioih>-fnt /mitrfi,
i.iruril >i, lurvn; 'Miiiuiiliirgvil liitlri i'iiliirKi'<l. n, linniiii; A, ll.< *ii-
.. 1.....^.. I..... I... I
Kilt. 1-. ■- I'Hiiiih liniimeut.
(', liiiuiin.
ti'iiiiii, iiiiiri! I'lilitrKt'il.
tliill
ri' alioilt, anil till' Im'I'IIi's crawl as far>t as thry can into slicltcr, or simulate death. I'hc
iii-iiliiiiis larva', however, arc not »o easily iih.serveil, luirrowint; iis llicy ilo aiumii; the featlu'rs.
Ill- ill the interior of u skin ; whilst the luinute e^jirs nn- coiniiionly altop'thcr ovcrlookeil. Itnt
llii "liiii;-'" arc not Ioiih at work without leaviiit; tiieir iinniistakalile traces. Shreds of
ri'.iihcrs lloal olf when a specimen i-< liaiidlcil, or lly out on Hipping' the itkiii with the Kiil'ci's.
aiiii III InuI cimi's even whole liiimlles of pInincN come away at a touch. Sometimes, IcuviiiK the
|iImiii.ii;c intact, hiius eat away llir horny covcrini; of the hill and feet, iimkiiiK a peculiarly
iniliappy ami irreparalilc iiiiitilatlnn. I siippo.-<e this piece of work is done hy a |iarticiilar
iihsect, but if HO I do not know wliut one. It would appear that when the Uu^itt etfcct liHlf^mcnt
ill any one Hkin, they usually linish it hefore attacking another, iiiiIchm they are in (treat for<M>.
Wc may uonHtupieiiily, hy ptoiiipt removal of an iiifectted upm-iimm. mivc further depredatii'ii.s;
TiG
FIIH.H OHMIIIOUKiy.
Ill
v.rll.ili'HH, ll.r riHt lMr..iu.'"niiH|.i(i..iiH,"uu.l til.' wIm.1.- .Iruwcr or l.-.x hIkmiIiI Ih> .|iiuriiii
HHi'H di'miiibrd liiiyoiid. Our liiii'H of (li'fi'iiro ari< hi'\ •
third, if not Hiil>iiiill<'d to iiiiy of tin- iiriKM
••ml. Wr limy iiiirliiiniiMlly »\<\i'<^f riilriiiiiT ,<{ l.lir nini
odorH llml clri\f I "II, mc-Iu' lull Inm, mid liiiiiily
I'liiv : \vi' iiijiy iiirri him with iihliorri'ut
k liiiii to dnith. I uill
«■(• IllilV I'oo
liolifl- llnwl' lllfthlHln HIHTI'Hhivrl.V, l.lluMK
MMiiii to drscrilii' a ailiiurl iiiidiT hrud of thii lil-Nl.
CitM'N for Hloriinr or 'rrniiM|Mirtiilloii KJioidd lir latlicr siiiiill, lor Hcvrriil rniNoiiH. 'I'ln
mv liihiiT to haiKllr and |M.'k. I'liciv air Irw.r hirds |.irs«iiiK rarli olhur. I'arli.'iihir »\»i
iiii'iiH arr iiiMiT rrai
Idv iiai'lird. UiiuM iiiiihl clVi'fl jiisl so many iiiori- «i'|ianili' nitrainTH |i
il'i'st llic vvlicdc. •Siiia
l»
I Nhmild iiol di'.-<ir)' a Imx ovir
jll^l jolii; rliolli;
II lidsai !■ nadily lilird lii{lil. l*'or ihi- ordiimiy run ofHiimll hirds
IS. |S. |s,aiMl vliiiiild |in iVr a snialirr oiir ; for lal't;)' hirds, a ho\
li lor till' l.i(,'i;rsl s|Hcinn'ii, and of olliir iiroiioilioiis to conrsii
md fairlv
.St iliijildi'. Whali'vir ihf diimMiHioiis, a |prc.|Mr lio\ |.iisii|p|>osis |M'iUTt Jointing
III
anv sn
hiK 11
|ili'ii>n hi' tnlfrlaiiicil on lliis s c, stoni |ia|MT slioidd he |iaslfd aloiijj all llir cdnis
liMth in>idr and onl. \\i havr |.ra.!irally lo >lo « illi llir
lid oiilv. II' Ihi' lot is liki'lv l<
irniain loii^ nntonrlii'd, tl
others. \'\:\l
iir olliri' an
.Mr may I..' srriwi.l very rlosr and llin I'rark jiastril liki' ihr
I ii^iial liivniiislaiiirs Ihr liil may hi' jirovidrd with a mrtal hoss lining;
a HiiMivr lin.'d with m.lia riil.hcr ..r lilli.l with was. An ixrtlhnl case may hr imnh' of lin
with tin- liil si'cnrni in this manni'i', and I'nrlhir lorlilinl willi a wo.iih'ii I'asing. Mirdskins
inlirtly I'r. .■ IV.. in iiisifls or llirir runs, I'la'ascd in soinr such srrnri' inanni'r, will ri'inaiii intact
indrliniiciv ; l.ni ilicri' is misiry in slori' if any hii^s or nils hi' jiiit away with ihi'iii.
<'itlillii'lH. Asa inaltrr of I'arl, most I'ollri'ti.ins air krjil ri'ailily ai'i'rssihir for rxainina
lion, ilis|ilay, or ollur imtnrdiali' iisr, and this |irrrhidt's any dis|iosili<iii of thi'iii in "hrrmrli-
cul " ••asi's. 'I'll.' III. .'•I Ml' ran do is lo sri'ini' lii;lil lilliiif; of nio\ahlr w Iwork. 'I'hr
"rahiiirl" is most tliyihlr for |irival .Ilri'lioiis. This is, in rll'rcl, simply a hnrt'iin, or I'lnsl of
drawiTK, proli'i'li'd with foldiiij,' doms, or a fi..nl thai may hr drlachnl, cithi'r of plain « I or
sashin({ for pan
I
IS ol i;las
h
IS .simply asliinishin^ lio\« many
hirds
ins ..f avrraur si/.r ran
ic at'i'oinino.
lal.
in a lahin. I llial niakrs in. iii.'..ii\rnirnl piri'i ..f I'tirnilnrr for an ordinary
ro..iii. .\ rahinrt may of conisi' he ..f any drsinil -i/r, sliapr, and slylr. In ^I'lirral it will hr
hrlirr to put nioiiry iiilo I'M'rllini'r .if lining ralliir llian rlr^aiii'i' of linisli ; thi' haiidsonii'st
fi'.mt dors II. . I I'omprnsali' fur a rraik in iht' haik or for a iliavMr lliat liitcin >. 'riirrr should
not hi' till' sli^hlt'sl Haw in ihi' i>xti'rior, and d.iors should lit so tightly that a pnlf of air may
III' frit on I'losini; llirni. 'I'lir f^rralrst drsidi'i'atnm of thr inlrrior work, nrxt aftrr rlosr
tilting yrt snioolli rnnninu of ihr drawrrs, is ci'onomy of sjiai'r. 'This is sci'iirrd hy making
llir drawrrs as ihin as is ronsislrni with slahilily ; hy having llirm sliilr hy a hoss at rarli in. I
lilting a ^roovr in Ihr sidr wall, iiistrad of ii'slin^ on liori/oiital partilious; and hy liinL;r.l
rouiitrrsunk liaudlrs iiiNlrad of knohs. I .1.. n.it ri nmii'lid, rxi-rpt for a siliti' of tlii> smallrsl
hirds, a nmllij.lirily of shallow draurrs, a.r.iiiini..dalinu rarli onr la\rr of sprrininis : it is
hrlirr to havr I'lwrr ilrrpi r iliawr rs, iiilo which liiiii shallow niovahir Irays arr lilird. 'I'lirsi'
traVH lirvrr iirrd hr ..I stiiH' ,.vi
I lulilli or
fourth of all inch thick, and m:>v have
holt H of slid' paslrhoar.l t'lur.l ..r la.k. .1 on. Tliry may vary from oiir-half inrh to two
inrhrs ill drplh, hill this iliinrnsi..n sh..iil.l always hr sonir factor of ihr drplh of ihr diawrr,
so that a crilain niiinhrr of Irays may rxaclly till it. 'I'liry Himuld hr jiLst as hili^ as onr
Iraiisvrrsr ilinii'iisi..ii of tlir drawer, and ralher narrow, so llial Iwo or more are Net hide hy
side. Finally, thoiiiih liny may he of din'riiiit .hplhs, lliry should hr <.f llir same h'ti^th and
ireaillh, so as
to hr inlrrrhaii^rahh'. They may simply rrst on lop of riieli other, or nlid i
parale projections in.sidr Ihr drawrr. Such trays arr extrrmrly handy for hohliiiff partirular
M'tN of Hpeeimeim, to he carried to the Hlndv lalde willmul distiirhinc llie rest of ll
diecli.
If
illecti
Ion hi' s.. I
xirnsivr thai any parlnnlar sprrimi n may nol hr rradily liiililed up
rAKK OF A coi.i.Hcnox.
•>l
il will III' riiiliiil •■oMVi'lllcllI III liiivi' llli> ilrilWi'I'S lIlcillHrlvCN IiiIh'IIi'iI Willi llic liiilllt* iif llic
■;ioii|i W'illiili. A nillrrlimi hIiiiiiIiI alwiiyH lif iiirtlinilinilly arraiiuni iiirlrnilily ii >i'iliiii; In
Niiiiir ii|i|iriivnl III' .sii|i|iii.M'il lialiiral I'laMrtillralinli nl' liil'iU : iIiIn is alxi llir rrailii'st iiiinlr, kiihi',
Willi NiiMir riiiiH|iii'iii>iiN rx<'('|tlliiii.s, liinlH iif tlii> xaiiic iialiiral Kri>ii|i arc a|i|>i'iixiiiiiilrly nl' llir
Kiiiir si:i'. ir I wrrr ili'Nii'i'il III sii^i;rHl |irii|iiii'liiiiis fur a |ii'i\ali' I'alijiirl nl' iiinxl i;i'iirral
iJiUiliililV, I 1*1 Ill "iiy rnill' Iri'l U\^U, liy llnrr IrrI wiilr, l>y l«ii fri-l ilirp, in llir rlrar ; llijs
iii.ilirH a piirlly yi't iml niiwlrlily InnkillK nlijrrl. Il IK wiilr rlii>lli;ll for fnliliii^-ilnnrH, In lir
Mrillril liV linlls at Inp ailil linlliilll, ailil Inrlt ; Iml Hn liit;li llial llli' ln|i iliaw rl' \s linl Iraillly
III III rli'il : anil III' |iiii|iiirrniiiali< ilijilli. Siirli a rasi- will lal><
V hrvni iiia«iis M\ nil
lliv. ill
I'
illii'i' III' llir lull wiillli. III' in Iwn M'i'ir.s Willi a iiiriliaii |iaiiilinii ; tlii'.<«' ilrawiTN will Imlil
iiivlliini; n|i In an ra^lr nr rniiir. A jiarl nf llii'iii at Irast ^liniilil liavi> a Inil rnlii|ilrliirlil nl'
•Ir
siirli li.iVH aH I liavr (li'srri
Hit,
iliiil.
MIIV
III
rniir liri's III' llii' blial
Inwrr Iravf*, llnrr liayr* in a
I'll alinlll Iwn I'l'i'l InllK liy lllinlll a I'nnl. W iilr ; ami nlir nr IWn lirrs nl' ili'r|irl' Irayx.
'I'll Dt'Mlroy ItiiKM. In niir |iri'Ni'iit i'Mm' prrvriilinli is iml llir lirsl I'mirily, ^illl|l|y lic-
I'iinsr it In iiiiI iiIwiivh |ii'ai'lii'ali|i' ; in .M|iilc nl' all iiiri'liaiiii'ill |iri'i'aiitinii>< llir liiit;-* w ill nit in.
\Vi' liiivr, tlirrri'iirr, In Nrr wliiit will ilrMlrny tliriii, nr at Ira.st ."Inii tlirir I'avap'M. Il is a
^I'lH ral inlr that any |iiiiip'nt aroiniiliR oilnr is nlmoxlniis tn ilinn, ami tliiit any vrry lii;lit
iHiwilny Hiilislani'i' rrslraiiis llirir nmvriiH'iils liy i^rtliiii; iiiln tlir jninis ami l-nalliini: |iiiri h.
Iliilli tlii'Mi' i|nalilii's arr Hrrniril in tlir ni'ilinary " iiiM'i't iinuilrr," In lir liail nl' any Irailiiit;
ilmuui-i. il sliniilil ill' lavisiily Htrrwn nil anil anion); tiio diiins, anil iaiil in tin riirr^ nl' ilir
iliavMis anil hays. 'I'lins I'lniilnyni it iinivrs Iii[;1i1y rirn-.tivr, ami is on tiir wlmlr llir nmsl
i'Iil;iIiIi' snlistam'r In list' wlirli a I'lillri'linli is I'lilistMiilly lianiiini. ('alii|iiinr is a valiialilr aunit.
Small Ira^lni'iitH iiiuy Im> Htn-wii iiiiniil tlin ilniwrrx, nr a liiinp |iiiini'il in iiiimi|iiitii iirllini; in a
iirr. |{i'ii/ini' is nisn vrry nsrriii. A Hiiiiili sanrrr fnii may lir itrpt rva|inraliiii;, nr tlir
lii(iiiil may lir s|iriiil(ii'il — cvni |Mini'ril ilirn'lly nvrr liir Hiuiis ; il is vrry xnlatilr ami Iravrs
litllr nr III) Ntaill. It is, Imwrvrr, nlivinllsly ini'iiu'iiilr wiirn a I'nilrrlinll Is ill cnilHlailt llsr.
My rrirml Mr. Alien infnrins mr lir lias iisnl siii|iiiiilr nf I'liriimi wilii ^r<■al hiii'i'i'ss. 'j'lir
iiliji'i'linii III litis ap'iil is, lliat il is a Ntinltiiii; pnisiin : himiilii iir iisni in llir ii|irn air, In
i'M'a|ir till' im'll'alily ilis^iislin^ ami ilrlrlrriniiH minis, ami its rni|iiiiy is |irii|M'rly rr^lrirlril In
rail's I'nr Nlnra^r. Wlirn llir iiiil nr I'rrt siinw lliry an* attai'kril, t'lirtlirr ■ir|irriialiiiii may
III' |ii'rvi'iiti'il liy |iriii'iHini; willi a HtrniiK Hiiiiiiinii nf ciirrnsivr Miiiiiinatr ; a wraltrr Miiniinii,
Hiir ill. it Iravrs nil wliitr Iiiln, mi ilryin^, mi a iilarii fratlirr, may rvrn i>r liriisiinl uvrr llir
wlmlr iiliiiiia^r. Mr. |{iiii;w'ay li'lls iiir lliat nil nf liillrr aliimmis is ri|nally rllirariniir'. ilnl
iiii'iiilirr llial tlii'sr |iiiisiiiis must lir iisi'ii wilii nirr.
irriliirnH iiia\
lir I.
iiiriril III I'liarsr
nl'iiM' liiliai Iruvi'N. ( Inr nr aimtiirr nl'llirsr linrs nf lirfrnrr will I'niiinmiiiy |ii'n\i' slll'l'r^.s|'l||
ill ilrslrnyin^ nr ilrivin;; nil' niiitnrr insri'tv, ainl i'^im in slll|l|lill^ tlir rava^l's nl' llir laiAii';
Iml I ilniilil llial any siicii iiiraiiH will kill tiir "liilN." Willi tiirsi* wr lilllsl ilral ntlirrwisr ;
.'iinl llii'ir lii'slrni'limi im less llial llial nl' liirir |iai'rnls is assiiri'ii, if wr Milijrrt lliriii In a liii^li
ti'm|ii'raltnr. Ilakill^: liinl skins is rraily llir only jii-ihtss liiat can niakr iis IrrI |ii'rl'rrlly
sail'. Inrri'lrii sprrinirns, ainiii; wilii Hiis|ir<'li'ii mii's, siiniiiii lir siiliji'rtril In it liry liral, I'rmii
'Jli I''. n|i In any lir^jrrr slmrl nl' sint;riiit; llir |iiiiiiiaur. This is rrailily linlir iiy |inlliiii; llir
Imils III a wnnilrn tray in any nvrli liirv iiiiisl Imwrvrr l<r wali'lini, nnlrss ymi iiavr s|M'i'ial
IS rriiiiirril is iim
ilialil
V III
Iiivaiii'i'?- I'nr rrunlaliiiK II"' Irniprralnrr. Ilnw imii; a tiiiir
^1''! rrlainrii willi |irri'isiiiii ; il will iir wril In lialir I'nr srvrrai limirH. Wlini tlir lirrllrs ami
LiiAM' arc fiiiiiifi i'nni|iirlrly |iari'lirii, il iiiiiy lie (•(iiiliiiriitiy iM'lirvnl lliat tin' illmrru cfsgM itrr
'Mil nf llir liali'liini; way Inrrvrr. .
Two lt<*lllH. I )nr is, lliat arsriiir lirlps In ki'i'|i mil llir iiims, lirsiiirs |ii'rvriitiliK ilri'iiy
fiii't thai slimilil iirvrr iir rnr^'nllrli, anil lliat siinlllii ^ivr sliariHT rii^r In my aihirr
58
FiKLiJ uHsnniiLoa y.
rpii|MM-tiiit( lavWi iiw nf tliP wibstiintM' nt tli itKit. If it U' tnir, an omm' otato, tliat Imii{h cmi
i-at arnriiir willmiil ilyiiiit, it is iil«n Iriif lliiil iIh'V iI" imt tv\\>\\ it; and in ••iitcriiijr u chim' «\
HkiiiH till')- will linrriiw l>v |ii<fci<' in tiiMW Imlilini; llic iiiisi of it. 'riii.-* fact in continuiillv
t'xiiiliiini in lariic r<i||ieti'>ni<, \vlnri' if two liinls la- hiilc Iiy At\v, >\w Ixinjf duly arw-niciztil
and tlif "llirr nut no, i.nc will Im- takin and \\w olluT left. My HiM-mid itrni, with itH |iro|M i
d<>dtu-ti<in, will form, I iljinli, a tiltiiiu I'lniilioiiiii to tliin trrali!*)'. It is a fat't in the natural
liiMory of tlifiM' onr |H>ts, that tiicy an' fond of ptiu-i' and i|nitt. — tliry ilo not like to Im dic-
liii-lird at tlifir niralx. So tliry randy ctfrrt pcrnianrnt lodunirnt in a colhrtiou that Ih <'on-
Htanlly liandli'd, tlioiiuli tlir doors stand o|m'm for Iionrs ilaily. As a consriincnrt', the df^ri'i'
of onr diliu'fnrc in slinhiiiiii liinlskiiis is likidy to lin-onic tli<' UD'asnrt' <d' onr succcsh ill Jirt'-
M-rvint' tlii'in. I once rcjid a work, by an rniincnt and It'arncil divini>, <m tliii " Moral Hm'h of
Park Tliinu's." inidiT wliicli licad thr aullior inrliicli'd cvfrytliini; from i>Hrthi|uaki's to inoM-
(juitoci. If tiii'D' III' a moral use in |Ij<> '' dark lliiiii; " tliut ninst'um |M'sts ci'rtuiuly uro to uh,
we liavr it lurr. i'lic very l)uji» nrp' on our work.
FiK. I.'i -Wilson's Sinooi.-noi-m:, vkak (IhaVs Fihuy. riMi.\nKi.i'HiA From n ilrnwlng tiy M. 8.
WVnvcr, (t.'l.'.'J, IsU, iv.civi'd l.y KlII^.M (Nines. Fi'linmry, W.>, frciiii Malviiiii l.iiwK.iii, iliiiielitiT nf Ali'XitniliT
l.ii\VH.iii, WllsMiis I'MLTiiviT. Si',, iirlli'lii ih ll IN'iiii Mniiilily," .lull.'. IK7;i. |i. Mil Thii ilriiwInK wiis llrst
(•iil.'nivi'.l nil ».".il. iiimI i.iiMWic'il. liy 11 iiih Mc.'lian. in liic •'(liinli'iiir's Mniilliiy.' .\iiifiiHl. iswi, p. •J4s. Till'
l.r.'wMl iiii|ir<'Hi.inii Ik troiii an .1, rimiyi f ilnil M...i.i-,iit, Tli.. ,iz.. „f ||h' "iii;|ti,il i» f,.lii < ,1.11.1 IndieH. Ttiin
mmludcr Kfciiriy ilayH .if •■ Kiilil Uiiiitliiil«Ky " in Ainuiieii amy Ihi riirlliL-r iilliHltsI liy tliu siKiiuturu of
Part 1 1.
CxENERAL ORNITHOLOGY:
AN ULTI.INK OK TIIK
STUl (Tl KK AM) ( LASSIMCATION OF HIKDS,
§ 1. — DKKIMTION (tK IJIUDS.
C"^r,Ni;i!Ali <)l!NI'ril()L()(JY, liU.' Fiil.l ()niilli..l..>;y. in a niiI.j<t| with wliidi ilit-
y stiiilriit iiiiisl liiivr s<iiiii> iiiM|uaiiitaiif(', it' lii' wmilii liii|H- In ilcrivr liliii'i' iiIi'mxiiii' or
|prolii frniii till' UinlM nl' N1111I1 Aiiicrira. Fur any iiitclliui'iit iiiiiii'rstaiiiiiiiu nf tlii.s .hiiIijccI, \\v
iiiii>t lit'i'iiiiir rraH»ia)ily raiiiiliar uitii tlic tccliiiiral Irniis iiM'ii in ilcscriliiiiK and I'la.^nilyini;
liirtln, and learn at least en<m>;li nf the slrnetiire of tliew creaUireH to a|i|ii'eriale llie cliaraeterH
ii|M>u whii-h all ileseription and clax.silieatiiin is ha^i'd. K\ten>i\'e ami varied and arcinate as
niiiv III' liiM randiini perceiitinn nt'nlijeet.s nf natin-al hi.stnry, IiIm knuwledge i.s unt seieiititic, hut
■ ■nly eni|iirical, niilii retlfclini Mies tii aid iihservatiiin, and cnneeiitinnH i>f the signiticanei' of
uliiii he kimwH are t'orined hy lngieal |inM'esses in the mind. For
Seieiiec (Lai. Kt'iir, to know) i.s knowledge set in order; knowledu'e dis|ioseil after the
r^ilioiial nielhod that hest shows, or tends to show hest, the true relations nf ohserved facts.
SiMind seieiitilie faets are the natural hasis of all |diiloso|diie truth, and the safest stejiping-
stones to religions faith, -to that wisdom which comes oidy of knowing the relation which
material entities hear to sjiiritnal realities. The orderly kiiowledue of any |iarticular class of
l.icts the methodical disposition of oh^ervatious upon any particular Net of uhjects — coiistitutei)
a .'special Sriuiict'. Thus
OriiitlioloKy (Six. of)vi6oi, oniillms, of a hird ; Xuyos, Utijini, a diwonrse) is the .Scii-iice of
lliiils. Ornithology coiisi.sts in the rational arranuenient and e.\|iosition of all that is known of
lili'ds, and the logical infereiu;e of much that is not known. Ornithology treats of the |ihysical
structure, physiological processes, and mental attrihutes of hirds : of their hahils and manners ;
of iheir geographical distrihution and geidogical succession; of their prohiilde ancestry: of
ilii'ii' every relation to one another and to all other animals, includinc iiian, — in short, of their
.-it'iiiticaiiec in Niitiiro iind Suporuuturu. Tho tirst husine»8 of Ornithology iri to detiiie its
ground — to iiuHWvr tho ipiestiou,
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
I.I
11.25
I4£|2^ 12.5
Ui iU 12.2
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t U& 12.0
yuu
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Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
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23 WiST MAIN STRin
WIBSTIR,N.Y. 14SM
(716)l7a-4S03
■^
60
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
What is a Bird ? — There is every reason to belicvo that ii Rird is a greatly iiiodificd
Reptile, being the offspring by direct descent of some reptilian progenitor; and there is no
reas(.n to suppose that any bird ever had any other origin than by due process of batching out
of an egg laid by its mother after fecundation by its father, —just \yhat we believe to have been
the invariable method during the period of the world known to human history. There is no
reason to believe that finy bird was ever originally created and endowed with the chai'acters it
now possesses ; but that every bird now living is th.e naturally modified lineal descendant
of parents that were less and less like itself, and UKjre and more like certain reptiles, the
further removed they were in the line of avian ancestry from such birds as are now living.
This is the Darwinian logic of uliserved facts, upon which the modern Theory of Evolution is
biised, in opposition to the tradition of the special creation of every species of animal; which
latter has no scientific basis wliatever, and is consequently accepted as true by few thought-
ful perscais who are capable of foriiiiug independent judgments. Accordingly,
Birds and Reptiles — even those of the jiresent geologic epocii — share so many and so
important structural characters, that the chiefs of science of our day are wont to unite the two
classes, Arcs and Rejjtilia, in one prinuiry group of the Vertehrata, or animai. ' 'tli a back-
bone. This group is called Saitropsidu, or rtptiliform ; it is contrasted, on the j.^e m ■.' .vith
Ichthtjoimda, or fish-like vertebrates, including Hatrachians as well as Fishes ; ai. " i the
other, with Mammalin, the province of the Vertebrata which includes iSIan and all other
animals that suckle their young. We find that
Tlie Sauropsida (Gr. aavpos, sauros, a reptile ; o\|^tr, opsis, appearance), or lizard-like
Vertebrates, agree with one another, and differ from other animals, in the following important
combination of characters, substantially as laid down by Professor Huxley, — some of the char-
acters being shared by the Icldhyopsida, and some by the Mammalia, but the sum of the
characters being distinctive of Sauropsida: They are all oviparous (laying eggs hatched out-
side! tiie body of the parent), or ovoviviparous (laying eggs hatched inside the body of the
parent), being never viviparous (bringing forth alive young nourished before birth by the
blood of the mother). The eiubrj'o develops those fcEtal organs called amnion and allantois,
and is nourished before hatching by the great quantity of yolk in the egg. There are no ,
mammary glands to furnish the young with milk after birth. The generative, urinary, and
digestive organs come together behind in a common receptacle, the cloaca, or sewer, and their
products are discharged by a single orifice. The kidneys of the early embryo, called Wolffian
Indies, are soon reiilaeed functionally by jiermanent kidneys, and structurally by the testes of
the male and the ovaries of the female. The cavity of the abdomen, or belly, is not separated
from that of the thorax, or chest, by a complete muscular partition, or diaphragm. Tiie great
lateral hemispheres of the brain are not connected by a transverse connnissure, or corpus
callosnm. Air is always breatlied by true lungs, never by gills. The blood, which nuiy bo
C(dd or hot, has red oval nucleated corpuscles ; the heart has either three or four separate
chambers, — the latter in birds, in which the circulation of the hot blood is comi)letely double,
i.e., in the lungs and one side of the heart, in the body at large and the other side of the heart.
The aortic arches are several ; or if but tme, as in birds, it is the right, not the left as in nuim-
mals. The centra, or bodies, of the vertebrte are ossified, but have no terminal ejnjthijses.
The skull hinges upon the back-bone by a single median protuberance, or condyle, and the
part bearing the condyle is eouipletely ossified. The lower jaw consists of several separate
pieces, the articular one of which hinges upon a movable quadrate bone ; and there are
other peculiarities in the formation of the skull. The ankle-joint is situated, not, as in
mammals, between the tarsal bones and those of the leg, but between two rows •■ tarsal bones.
The ekiu is usually covered with outgrowths, in the form of scales or feather — Different as
DEFINITION OF BIRDS. tl
are any living mcinbors of the class of Birds from any known Reptiles, the characters of the
two groups converge in geologic history so closely, that the presence of feathers in the former
class, and their absence from the latter, is one t)f the most positive differences we have found.
The oldest known birds are from the Jurassic rocks of Europe, and the Cretaceous beds of
North America. These birds had teeth, and various other strong pcculiaritiis of structure,
which no living members of the class have retained.
AVE8, or the Class of Birds, may be distinguished from other Sauropsida, for all that
is known to the contrary, by the following sum of charvicters : The body is covered with
feathers, a kind of s'.iin-outgrowth no other aninials possess. The blood is hot ; the circu-
lation is completely double ; the heart is pc^rfectly four-chambered ; there is but one (the right)
aortic arch, and only one pulmonary artery springs from the heart; the aortic and the pulmo-
nary artery have each three semilunar valves. The lungs are fixed and moulded to the cavity
of the chest, and some of the air-passages run through them to admit air to other parts of tlie
body, as under the skin and in various bones. Reproduction is oviparous ; the eggs are very
large, in conseijuence of the copious yolk and white ; have a hard chalky shell, and are hatched
outside the body of the parent. There are always four limbs, of which the fore or pectoral
]iair are strongly distinguished from the hind or pelvic pair by being modified into icings,
fitted for flying, if at all, by means of feathers — not of skin as in the cases of such mammals,
re])tiles, and fishes as can fiy. The terminal part of the limb is compressed and roduced,
bearing never more than three digits, only two of wliich ever have clav.'s, and no claws
being the rule. There are not more than two separate carpals, or wrist-bones, in adult recent
birds (with very rare exceptions) ; uor any difitinct intorclavioular bone. The clavicles are
complete (with rare exceptions), and coalesce to form a '' wish-bone " or " merry-thought."
The siertmm, or breast-bone, is large, usually earinate, or keeled, and the ribs are attached to
its sides only ; it is developed from two to five or more centres of ossification. The sacral ver-
tebra' proper have no expanded ribs abutting against the ilia ; the ilia, or haunch-bones, are
greatly prolonged forward ; the socket for the head of the femur,m thigh-bone,is a ring, not a
cup ; the ischia and jmhes are prolongc^d backward in parallel directions, and neither of these
hones ever unites with its fellow in a ventral symphysis (except in Struthio and Kliea). Tho
fibula, or outer bone of the leg, is incomplete below, taking no part in the ankle-joint. The
astragnlifs, or upper bone of tho tarsus, unites with the tibia,oT inner bone of the log, leaving
tlie ankle-joint between itself and other tarsal bones, the h)wer of which latter similarly unites
with tlie bones of the instep, or metatarsus. There are never Tnore than four metatarsal bones,
and the same number of digits ; the first or inner metatarsal bone is usually free, and incom-
plete above ; the other three anchylose (fuse) together, and with distal tarsal bones, as already
said, to form a compound tarso-metatarsus. Recent birds, at any rate, have a certain saddle-
shape of the ends of the bodies of some vfjrtebrre. Such birds have also no teeth and no tteshy
lijjs ; the jaws are covered with homy or leathery integument, as the feet are also, when not
featiiered.
Tlie Position of the Class Aves among other Vertebrates is definite. liirds come in
tho scale of development next below tho Class 3lai>imalia, and no close links between Birds
and Mammals are known; the most bird-like known mammal, the duck-billed platypus of
Australia (Ornithorhynchus parado.Tus), hc'mg several steps beyond any known bird. Birds
ai-o tlio higher one of the two classes of Sauropsida — the lower class, EepiiUu, connecting with
th(! Batrachians (frogs, toads, newts, etc.) and so with the Fishes, Ichthyopsida. In this Vorte-
l)rate series, Birds constitute what is called a highly specialized gro\ip ; that is to say. a very par-
ticular off'-shoot, or, more literally, a side-issue, of the Vertebrate genealogical tree, which in
th(! present getdogical era has become developed into very numerous (about 10,000) species,
62
GENEBAL ORNITHOLOGY.
closely agreeing with one another in the peculiar sum of their physical characters. In compar-
ison with other classes of Vertchrates, nil birds are much alike; there is a less degree of
difference among them than that found among the members of any of the other classes of Verte-
brates : their likeness to each other being strong, and their kind of difference from any other
Vertebrates being peculiar, makes them the ''highly specialized" class they are recognized to
be. The structural difference between a humming-bird and an ostrich, for example, is not greater
in degree than that subsisting between tlie members of some of tlie orders of Reptiles ; whence
some hold, witli reason, that Birds sliould not form a class Aves, but an order, or at most a sub-
class, of Sauropsida, and so be compared not with a class lleptilia collectively, but with other
Sauroi)sidan orders, such as Chelonia (turtles), Sauria (lizards), Ophidia (serpents), etc. The
pnictical convenience of starting witli a " class" .4i'e.s, however, is so great, that such classificatory
value will probably long continue to be ascribed, as heretofore, to Birds collectively. I have
spoken of Birds as a particular " side-issue " or lateral branch of the Vertebrate " tree of life " '<
hence it is not to be supposed that they are in the direct line of genealogical descent. Though
tliey stand as a group next below Mammals in the scale of evolution, it does not follow that
Mammals were developed from any such (creature as a Bird lias come to be, any more than
that Birds have been evtdved from any such Reptiles as those of the present day. It is ouv
of the popular misunderstandings of the Theory of Evolution, to imagine that all the lower
fonns of animals are in the genetic line of development of the liigher forms ; that man, fiir
example, was once a gorilla or a chimpanzee — actually such an ape. The theory simply
requires all forms of life to be developed from some antecedent foruv, presumably, and in most
cases certainly, lower in the scale of or-
ganization. Thus man and tlie gorilla
are both descendants of some common
progenitor, more or less unlike either of
these existing creatures. All mammals
are similarly tlie modified descendants of
some more primitive stock, from wliich
stock sprang alsit all Sauropsida, medi-
ately or immediately; therefore, a Mam-
mal is not a modified Bird, thougli higher
iu the scale ; and, though a Bird is a
modified Reptile, it is not a mollification
of any such snake or lizard as now ex-
ists. The most bird-like reptiles known
are not the Pterodactyls, or Flying Rep-
tiles {Ptcrosauria"), as might be sup-
posed; but of that remarkable order, the
Ornithoscenda, comprising the Dinosau-
riiins, which "present a large series of
modifications intermediate in structure
between existing HeptUia and Aves,"
and are therefore infereiitially in the
direct ancestral lino of modern Birds.
Flo. 14. —Oldest known ornllliologU'iil treatise, illus-
trating also tl ^ art of llthoKrapliy in the .Jnrassic period,
engraved by An-hivnplvrjir litlimiroiihiiti. From the oriKlnal
slab ill tlio British Museum ; after A. Newton, Kncy. Ilrit.
Geoloa^c Succession of Birds. —
Birds have been traced back iu geologic
time to Cretaceous and .Jurassic e]ioclis
of the Mesozoic or Mid-Life period of
the world's history. Tiie earliest onilth-
DEFINITION OF BIRDS.
es
ichnites, — the fossils so called because supposed to indicate the presence of Birds by their
fddt-prints, were discovered about the year 1835 in the Triassic formation in Connecticut.
Hut the creatures which made these tracks are now reasonably believed to have been all
I )iuosauriau Reptiles. The oldest ornUhoUte, or fossil certainly known to be that of a true
Hinl, is the famous ArcheBoptenjx, found by Andreas Wagner in 18(51 in the Orditic shite of
Sdlenhofen in Bavaria. This has a long lizard-like tail of twenty vcrtebrie, from each of which
springs a well-developed /ea</icr on each side; feathers of the wings are also well preserved;
FiQ. IS. — Restoration ot Heiperomia regalit. After Mursli.
bones of the hand are not fused together, as they are in recent Birds ; and the jaws Vtcar true
teeth. This Bird has served as tlie basis of one of the primary divisions of the class Aves ;
though it has many reptilian characters, it is a true Bird. The great t;a]) between this ancient
Avian and latter-day birds has been to 8om(! extent bridged by Marsh's discovery and splendid
restoration of Birds from the Cretaceous fornnitions of North America, such genera as
Tchthi/ornis and Hesperornis forming types of two other primary divisions of the class, Odon-
totormm and Odontolctc, or Birds with teeth in sockets, and tliose with teeth in grooves. In
both genera the tail is short, as in ordinary birds. In Ichthyornis, though the wings are
!|
64
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
woU devolopod, with ftiscl metacarpals, and the strni.nn is keeled, the vertebrae present the
extraordinary primitive character of being biconcave. In Hesperornis the vertebra} arc
saddle-shaped, as usual, but the sternum is flat, as in the existing ostriches, and the wings
arc rudimentary, wanting metacarpals. Some twenty species of several genera of other
American Cretaceous Binls have been described by the same author. Kemams of Birds
multiply in the next period, the Tertiary. Those of the Eocene or early Tertiary are largely
and longest known from discoveries made in the Paris Basin, among them the Gastoniis
a.
FiQ. 16. — Restoration of Ichthyortiis victor. After Marsh.
parisiensis, at least as large as an ostrich ; some of these belong to extinct genera, others to
genera which still flourish ; none are known to have true teeth, or otherwise to be as primitive
as the reptile-like forms of the Cretaceous. The Miocene or Middle Tertiary has proven
specially rich in remains of Birds, including some of extinct genera, but in largest proportion
referable to modern types. Later Tertiary (Pliocene and Post-pliocene) birds are almost all
of living genera, and some are apparently of living species. Extinct birds coeval with man,
their bones bearing his marks, are found hi various caves. Sub-fossil birds' bones occur in
shell-heaps (kitchenmiddens) and elsewhere, of course contemporaneous with man, and some
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
65
<if tlu'iii scarcely pre-historic. One of the oldest of these is the gigantic JEpyornis maximus
(if Jhulagascar, of which we have not only the hones, hut the egg. The iinntenso Mous, or
Dimtniithes of New Zealand, were among the later of tlicse to die,
IKiitioiis of skin, feathers, etc., of these great creatures having been
fciiiiid. With the Moa-reinains are found those of Harpagornis, a
iniitorial bird h'rge enough to have preyed upon the Moas. Finally,
various birds have been exterminated in historic times, and some of
tlicui within the life-time of persons now Uving. The Dodo of
Mauritius, Didus ineptus, is the most celebrated one of these, of
tlio living of which we have documentary evidence down to 1681;
the Solitaire of Kodriguez, Pezophaps solitarius, the Geant, Leguatia
gigunka, and several others of the same Mascarene group of islands,
are in similar case. The Great Auk, Alca impennis, is supposed
til have become extinct in 1844 ; a species of Parrot, Nestor pro-
ductus, was last known to be living in 1851 ; various parnjts and
otiior birds have likewise disappeared within a very few years.
At least one North American bird, the Labrador Duck, Camp-
tulccmus lahradorius, seems likely soon to follow. (A. Newton,
Encg. Brit., 9th ed., art. Birds.)
§ 2. — PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
Having seen what a Bird Is, and how it is distinguished
from other animals, our next business is to inquire how birds are
related to and distinguished from one another, as the basis of
Fio. 17. — Restoration of
Leguatia yigantea. From
Puvkard, after Schlcgel.
Classification : a prime object of ornithology, without the attainment of which birds,
however pleasing they are to the senses, do not satisfy tlie mind, which always strives to make
orderly disposition of its knowledge, and so discover the reciprocal relations and interdepen-
dcucies of the things it knows. Classification presupposes that there do exist such relations,
a(;('ording to which we may arrange objects in the maimer which facilitates their comprehen-
sion, by bringing together what is like, and separating what is unlike; and that such relations
are the results of fixed, inevitable law. It is, therefore,
Taxonomy (Gr. Ta|is, ttwis, arrangement, and ko/ios, nomos, law), or the rational,
lawful disposition of observed facts. Just !is taxidermy is the art of fixing a bird's sldn in a
natural manner, so taxonomy is the science of arranging birds in the most natural manner;
ill the way that brings out most clearly their natural affinities, and so shows them in their
jinipor relations to each other. Tliis is the greatest possible help to the memory in its
uttciiipt to retain its hold upon great numbers of facts. But taxonomy, which involves
c'iMisideration of the greatest problems of ornithology, as of every other branch of biology
(Inology being the science of life and living things in general), is beset with the gravest difficul-
ties, springing from our defective knowledge. We could only perfect our taxonomy by
liiiving before us a specimen of every kind of bird that exists, or ever existed; and by
tliorc Highly understanding how each is related to and difters from every other one. This is
obviously impossible ; in point of fact, we do not know all the birds now living, and only a
small number of extinct birds have come to light ; so that many of the most important links
ill the cliain of evidence are missing, and many more cannot be satisfactorily joined together.
With these springs of ignorance and sources of error must be reckoned also the risk of going
66
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
wrong through tho natural fallibLlity of the mind. Tho result is, that the " natural clasgifica-
tion," like the elixir of life or the i)hiUiHo]»hei''s stone, is a goal still distant ; and as a matter
of fact, the present state of the oi-uithological system is far from being satisfaetory. It is
obvious that birds, or any otia'r objects, may be " classified " in numberless ways, — in as
many ways as are afforded by all their qualities and relations, — to suit inu'ticular purj)oses, or
to satisfy i)articular bents of mind. Hence have arisen, in tho histoiy of tho science, very many
different schedules of classification ; in fact, nearly every leader of ornithology has in his time
proposed his own " system," and enjoyed a more or less respectable and influential following.
Systems have been based upon this or that set of characters, and erected from tliis or that
preconception in the mind of the systomatist. Down to quite recent days, the modifications
of the external parts of birds, particularly of the bill, feet, wmgs, and tail, were almost ex-
dusivly employed for purposes of classification ; and the mental point of view was, that
each species of bird was a sepai'ate creation, and as much of a fixture in Nature's museum
as any specimen in tho naturalist's cabinet. Croj)S of cliissihcations have been sown in
the fruitful soil of such blind error, but no lasting harvest has been reaped. Tho confusion
thus engendered has brought about tho inevitable reaction ; and the fashion of the present
day is decidedly the opposite extreme, — that of coimting cxterniil features of little conse-
quence in comparison with anatomical characters. Too much time has been wasted in
arguing tho superiority of each of these characters for the purposes of classification ; as if
a natural classification should not be based upon all points of structure ! as if internal and
external characters were not rcciprfical and mutually exponent of each other! Hut the
genius of modern taxonomy seems to be so certainly right, — to bo tending so surely, even if
slowly, in the direction of the desired consuunnation, that all differences of opinion, we may
hope, soon will be .settled, and defect of knowledge, not perversity of tlie mind, be the
only obstacle left in the way of success. The taxonomic goal ia not now to find the way in
which birds may be most conveniently arranged, described, and catalogued ; but to discover
their pedigree, and so construct their family-tree. Such a genealogiod table, or phylum
(Gr. <j)i\ov, phtilon, tribe, race, stock), as it is c4dled, is rightly considered the only taxonomy
wort,hy the name, — the only true or natural classification. In attempting this end, wo proceed
upon tho belief that, as explained above, all birds, like all other animals and plants, are
related to each other genetically, as offspring are to parents ; and that to discover their genetic
relationships is to bring out their true afiSnities, — in other words, to reconstruct the actual
taxonomy of Nature. In this view, there can be btit one " natural " classification, to the
perfecting of which all increase in our knowledge of the structure of birds infallibly and inevi-
tably tends. Tho classification now in use, or coming into use, is the result of our best
endeavors to accomplish this purpose, and represents what apjiroach we have made to this end.
It is one of tho great corollaries of that theorem of Evolution which most naturalists are
satisfied has been demonstrated. It is Ui^cessarily a
Morphological Glassiflcation ; that is, one based solely upon consideration of structure
or form {nop<pri, morpM, form) ; and for the following reasons : Every offspring tends to take
on precisely the structure or form of its parents, as its natural physical heritage ; and tho
principle involved, or tho law of heredity, would, if nothing interfered, keep the descendants
perfectly true to tho physical characters of their progenitors ; they would " breed true" and bo
exactly alike. But counter influences are incessantly operative, in consequence of constantly
varying external conditions of environment^ the jilasticity of organization of all creatures ren-
dering them more or less susceptible of modification by such means, they become unlike their
ancestors in various ways and to different degrees. On a large scale is thus accomplished, by
natural selection and other i^atural agencies, just what man does in a small way in producing
and maintaining different breeds of domestic animals. Obviously, amidst such ceaselessly
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION. m
shifting scenes, degrees of likeness or unlikeness of physical structure indicate with the greatest
exactitude the nearness or remoteness of organisms in kinship. Morphological clmracters
(icrivcd from examination of structure are therefore the surest guides we can have to the
l)l(p<id-relationships we desire to establish; and such relationships are the "natural affinities''
wliich all classification aims to discover and fommlate. As already said,, taxonomy consists
in tniciug pedigrees, and constructing the phylum ; it is like tracing any leaf or twig of a tree
to its branchlet, this to its bough, this again to its trunk or main stem. The student will
readily perceive, from what has been said, the impossibility of naturally arranging any consid-
erable number of birds in any linear series of groups, one after the other. To do so means
udtliing more or less than the mechanical necessity of book-making, where groups have to
.succeed one another, in writing page after page. Some groups will follow naturally ; others
will not ; no connected chain is possible, because no such single continuous series exists in
nature. In cataloguing, or otherwise arranging a series of birds for description, we simply
begin with the highest groups, and make our juxta-positions as well as we can, in order
to have the fewest breaks in tlio series.
Morphology being the safest, indeed the only safe, clue to natural affinities, and the key
to all rational elassificaticm, the student cannot too carefully consider what is meant by this
term, or too sedulously guard against misinterpreting morphological characters, and so turn-
ing the key the wrong way. The chief difficulty he will encounter comes from physiological
adaptations of structure ; and this is something that must be thoroughly understood. The
expression means that birds, or any animals, widely diflFerent in the sum of their morphological
characters, may have certain parts of their organization modified in the same way, thus bring-
ing about a seemingly close resemblance between organisms really little related to each other.
For example : a phalarope, a coot, and a grebe, all have lohate feet ; that is, their feet are
fitted for swimming purposes in the same way, namely, by development of flaps or lobes on
the toes. A striking but very superficial and therefore unimportant resemblance in a certain
particular exists between these birds, on the strength of which they used to be classed
together in a group called Pinnatipedes, or " fin-footed " birds. But, on sufficient examination,
these three birds are found to be very unlike in other respects ; the sum of their unlikenesses
re(|uircs us to separate them quite widely in any natural system. The group Pinnatipedes is
therefore unnatural, and the appearance of affinity is proven to be deceptive. Such resem-
blance in the condition of the feet is simply functional, or physiological, and is not correspon-
dent with structural or morphological relationships. The relation, in short, between these
three birds is analogical ; it is an inexact superficial resemblance between things profoundly
nnlike, and therefore having little Iwmological or exact relationship. Analogy is the apparent
resemblance between things really unlike, — as the wing of a bird and the wing of a butterfly,
ii.s the lungs of a bird and the gills of a fish. Homology is the real resemblance, or true relation
h.'tween things, however different they may appear to be, — as the wing of a bird and the fore-
hg of a horse, the lungs of a bird and the swim-bladder of a fish. The former commonly
rests upon mere functional, i. e. physiological, modifications ; the latter is grounded upon
structural, i. c. morphological, identity or unity. Analogy is the correlative of physiology,
hiiinulogy of morphology ; but the two may be coincident, as when structures identical in
morphology are used for the same purposes and are therefore physiologically identical. Physi-
oliigical diversity of structure is incessant, and continually interferes with morphological
identity of structure, to obscure or obliterate the indicatiims of affinity the latter would
otlierwiso express clearly. It is ob\aou8 that birds might be classified physiologically,
according to their adaptive modifications or analogical resemblances, just as readily as upon
iiiiy "tlier basis: for example, into those that perch, those that walk, those that swim, etc.;
and, in fact, most early classifications largely rested upon such considerations. It is also evi-
68
GKNKHA L OHNJTH OLOG Y.
dent, that when f.motioiml in.Hlitirutions hiipi-cn to bo coincident with strucjturul affinities, —
as wlicn the turning <.f the lower hirynx into a iniisie-box eoincid<'H with a certain typi^ of
Btructure, - such moditicalions are of tlie ^ri atest H.Tvice in dassification, as corroborativ
evidence IJut since all sounil taxonomy rests ..n niorjiholoKy, on real stnictiirul affiinty, we
must be on our Kuard against those jdiysiological "appearances" which are proverbially
" deceptive." I trust 1 make the priuciide clear to the stud(!nt. Its prm^tical ajiplication
is another matter, only to be learned in the school of expericmce. This matter of
Homology or Analogy may be thus summed : IJirds arc honwhgicully related, or
naturally allied or affined, accordiuj,' to the sum of like structural characters employed for
similar purposes; they are unalogiculhj related, only according to the sum of unlike characters
employed for similar purposes. A loon and a cormorant, for instance, are closely allined,
l)ecause they an- both fitted in the same way for the i)ursuit of their prey by Hying under water.
A .lipi>er (family CiiicUd(p) and a loon (family Coli/mbidtr) are analogous, in so far as both are
fitteil to pursue their prey by tlying under water ; but they stand near opjiosite extremes of the
ornithological system ; they have little affinity beyond their common birdhood ; very diflerent
structure being modified to attain the same end. So again, conversely, the crow has vocal
organs abnost identical in structure with those of the nightingale, and the organization of tlu^
two birds is in other resjiects very similar ; their affinity or homology is therefore dose, though
th(! crow is a hoarse croaker, the nightingale an impassioned musician.
The Reason why Morphological ('lasslflcation is ho imi)ortant as to justify or even
require its adojition has been very clearly stated by lluxley, whose words 1 cannot do better
than quote in this connection. .Sjjeaking of aninuils, not as physi(dogical ajjparatuses merely ;
not as related to other forms of life and to clinuital conditions ; not as successive tenants of
the earth ; but as fabrics, each of which is built upon a certain plan, he continues : " It is
ijossible and conceivable that every animal should have been constructed upon a jilan of its
own, having no resemblance whatever to the jdan of any other animal. For any reason w(!
can discover to the contrary, that combination of natural forces which we term Life might
have resulted from, or been niauifesttHl by, a series of infinitely diverse structures ; nor would
anything in the nature of the case lead us to suspect a connnunity of organizati<m between
animals so different in habit and in appearance as a porpoise and a gazelle, an eagle and a
erocodilt,', or a buttertly and a lobster. Had aninnils been thus indej)endently organized, each
working out its life by a mechanism peculiar to itself, such a classification as that now under
eontemjdation would be obviously impossible; a morphidogical or structural classification
plainly implying morphological or structural resemblances in the things classified.
" As a matter of fact, however, no such jnutual independence of animal forms exi.sts in
nature. On the contrary, the meiubers of the animal king(U)m, from the highest to the lowest,
are marvellously c(ainected. Every animal has something in common with all its fellows;
much, with many of them ; more, with a few ; and usually, so much with sev«!ral, that it
dift'ers but little from them.
" Now, a morphological classification is a statement of these gradations of likeness which
arc observable in animal structures, and its ol)jeets and uses are manifold. In the first jdace,
it strives to throw our knowledge of the facts which underlie, and are the cause of, the similar-
ities discerned, into the fewest possible general i)ropositions, subordinated to one another,
according to tlieir greater or less degree of generality ; and in this way it answers the purpose
of a memoria ieclmica, without which the mind would be incompetent to grasp and retain tho
multifarious details of anatomical science.
" But there is a second and even more important as])ect of morphological classification.
Every grouj) in that classification is such in virtue of certain structural characters, which are
PBINCJI'LES AND PliACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
69
not (inly common to the members of the group, but distinguish it from all others; iind the
stiitcincnt of these constitutes the definition of the group.
" 'I'iius, among animals with vertebrsp, the class Mammalia is definable as those which
liiivc two occipital condyles, with a well ossified basi-occipital ; which have each ramus of the
iiiiiiiclihU^ composed of a single piece of bone and articulated with the squamosal element of the
skull ; and which possess mannnte and non-nucleated red blood-c<ir[iuscles.
" Hut tliis statement of the characters of the class Mammalia is something more than an
arbitrary definition. It does not merely mean that naturalists agree to call such and such
iiiiimiil^ Mammalia: but it e.^cpresses, firstly, a generalization bused upon, and constantly
verified by, very wide experience; and, secondly, a belief arising out of that generalizatum.
'I'lic generalization is that, in nature, the structures mentioned are always found associaK'd
tiigctlier; the belief is that they always have been, and always will be, found so associated.
Ill otlier words, the definition of the class Mammalia is a statement of a law of correlation, or
( xistence, of animal structures, from which the most important conclusions are dediieible."
(liitrod. to Classif. of Animals, 8vo, London, 1869, p]). 2, 3.)
But broad as such laws of correlation of structure are, and important as are the conclusions
(icducible, wo must constantly be on our guard against presuming upon the infallibility either
(if the (lata or of the deduction, as the author just (pioted goes on to sliow. Such caution is
specially re(]uire(l where there is no obvi(jus reason for the particular combination that may bo
found to exist. In the case of the ostrich-like birds {Ratittp), for example, we can understand
how a Hat, unkeeled breast-bone, a particular arrangement of the shoulder-bones, and a rudi-
iiicntury state of the wing-bones, are found in combination, because all these modifications of
structure are evidently related to loss of the jiower of flight ; and, in point of fact, no excei)tion
is known to the generalization, that such conditions of the sternal, eoraco-scapuhir, and
humeral bones always coexist. But in all known struthious (ratite) birds, this state of tho
belies in mention coexists also with a iieculiar modification of the bones of the palate, and no
necessary connection between these two sets <if diverse characters is conceivable. Now, if wo
(iiily knew struthious birds, and found the combination in mention to hold with them all, we
sliduld doubtless declare our belief, that any bird having such palatal characters would also be
found to possess such imperfect wing-apparatus. But this would be going too far : in fact,
we know that the tinamous {Dromaognailuc) have such a palate, yet have a keeled sternum
and functionally developed wings. The real use and proper application of such generalizations
is to teacli the lesson, that creatures exhibiting such modified combinations of characters are
^genetically related to each other just in the degree to which they possess characters in common,
aiid ar(' genetically remote from each other in the degree to which they do not possess characters
ill common : i. c, that their similarities and distinctions of structure are sure indexes of their nat-
ural affinities. To take another case, derived from consideration of a large number of existing
it is an observed fact, that a particular arrangement of the plates upon the back of the
birds
tarsus, a peculiar modification of the lower larynx or voice organ, and an undeveloped or abortive
condition of the first large feather on the hand, are found associated in a vast series of birds,
constituting the group of Passeres called Oscines. What possible connection there can be
bet\^-een these three sei>arate and apparently independent modifications we cannot even sur-
mise ; but that they have some natural and necessary connection we cannot doubt, and that
tli(^ connection is causal, not fortuitous, is a logical inference from the observed fact, that
birds which present this particular combination are also closely related in other structural
ciiaracters ; that is, that they have all been subjected to operative influences wliich have
conspired to produce the modifications observed. Given, then, a bird with a known osciue
larynx, but unknown as to its feet and wings, it would be a reasonable inference that
these members, when discovered, would present the characters observed to occur in like
cases. But the first lark (Alaudida:) examined would show the inference to be fallible;
70
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
for the tarsuH of siu-h ii binl is .liffrn-ntly disposed, though a lark has an elaborate sii.giiii;
apparatUH, uiid only uii..^ ii.stea.l of t.;u d.'veloped priinuno«. Once more : the devclopinfiit
of ako.'lcd Htcrnnni, a peculiar saddlo-shapo of certain vortebric, and lack of true teoth, nri'
characters coexiHting in all the higiier birds ; and, as far as these birds are concerned, wr
have no hint tliat sncii a combination is I'ver broken. In fact, however, the singular Cretii-
c(M)U8 Ichthyornis shows us a pattern of l)ird in which a well-keeled steminn and perfectly
formed wing coexist with teeth in reptile-like jaws and with tish-like biconcave vertebra'.
What we learn from this case indeed breaks down one of the most preiiise definitions we
might have made (and indeed did make) respecting birds at large ; but in its failure we are
taught how great is the modification of geo.'.gically recent birds from their i)rimitive gener-
alized ancestry; we learn something likewise of the steps of such modification, and of tlie
length of time required for the jjrocess. It is the history of attempts to frame definitions
of groups in zoology, that they are all liable to be negatived by new discoveries, and
therefore to be broken down and require remodelling as our knowledge increases. It is tci
be readily perceived that the ability to draw distiuctiinis and make definitions of groups is as
much the gauge of our ignorance as the test of our knowledge ; for all groups, like all species,
come to be such l)y modification so gradual, so slight in each successive increment of difierence,
that, if all the stejis of the process were before our eyes, we should be able to limit no groujis
whatever in a positive, unqualified manner. All would merge insensibly into one another, be
inseparably linked in as many scries as there have been actual lines of evolutionary progress,
and finally converge to the one or few starting points of organized beings.
Practically, however, the case is quite the reverse, — happily for the comfort of the work-
ing naturalist, however sadly the philosopher may deplore the ignorance implied. Degrees of
likeness and unlikeness do exist, which when rightly interpreted enable us to mark off groups
of all grailes with much facility and precision, and thus erect a morphological classification
which recognizes and defines such degrees, and explains them upon the principles of Evolution.
The way in which the principles of such classification are to bo practically applied gives occa-
sion for some further remarks upon
ZoSloglcal Characters. — A "character," in zoiilogical language, is any point of struc-
ture which may be perceived and described for the purpose of comparing or contrasting animals
with one another. Thus, the conditions of the sternum, palate, tarsus, larynx, as noted in
preceding paragraphs, are each of them " characters " which may be used in describing indi-
vidual birds, or in framing definitions of groups of birds. Morphological characters, with
which the classification we have adopted alone concerns itself, may be derived from the
structure of a bird considered in any of its relations, or as affected by any of the conditions to
which it is subjected. Thus embryological characters are those afforded by the bird during
the progress of its development in the egg, from the almost structureless germ to the fully
fonned chick. Such characters of the embryo in its successive stages are of the utmost signifi-
cance ; for it is a fact, that the germ of each of the higher organisms goes through a series of
developmental changes which, at each succeeding step in the unf(dding of its appropriate plan
of structure, causes it to resemble the adult state of animals lower than itself in the scale of
organization. In fine, the history of the evolution of every individual bird epitomizes the
history of those changes which birds collectively have undergone in becoming what they are by
modified descent from lower organisms. Such transitory stages of any embryo, therefore, give
us glimpses of those evolutionary processes which have affected the group to which it belongs.
Any bird, for example, when a germ, is at finst on the plane of organization of the very lowest
known creatures, — one of the Protozoa. As its germ develops, and its structure becomes
more complicated by the formation of parts and organs successively differentiated and special-
ized, it rises higher and higher in the scale of being. At a certain stage very early reached
PBINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
n
(fur tbn ati'ps by whicli it bi'coinns liko any invcrtcbrato arc vrry siicctlily pasBCd ovrr), it.
ri'.sriiilili'i) a tish in ptiHSCSNing f;ill-liko slits, Hovcral aortiu ardios, no true kidncya, nu amnion,
oti'. Further advan(;t>(l, lotting iX» gills, gaining kiJncyg nnd amnion, etc., it rises tu the
ili^nity of a reptile, anil at this stage it is more like a reptile than like a bird ; having, for
example, a number of separate bones of the wrist and ankle, no feathers, etc. The nssnnip-
tliiu of its own appropriate eharaeters, i. e. those by whieh it j)a8se8 from a reptilian creature
to beeonie a bird, is always the last stage reached. Wo can thus aiitually see and ni.te,
inniile any egg-shell, exactly those progressive steps of development of the individual bird
wliicli we believe to have been taken on a grand scale in nature for the ev(dution of the class
Ares from lower forms of life ; and the lesson learned is fraught with significance. It is nothing
less tiian the demcmstration in ontogeny (genesis of the individmil) of Xhixt phyhgmy by which
groups of creatures conio to be. The interior of any adult bird, again, furnishes us with all
kinds of ordinary anatomical characters, derived from the way we perceive the different organs
and systems of organs to be fashioned in themselves, and arranged with reference to one
another. The finishing of the outward parts of a bird gives us the ordinary external characters,
in the way in which the skin and its appendages are modified to form the covering of the bill
and feet, and to fashion all kinds of feathers. Birds being of opposite sexes, and such differ-
ence being not only indicated in the essential sexual organs, but usually also in modifications
in size or shape of the body or quality of the plumage and other outgrowths, a set of sexual
characters are at our service. Birds are also sensibly modified in their outward details of
feathering by times of the year when the phunago is changed, and this renders appreciation
of .seasonal characters possible. All such circumstances, and others that could be mentioned,
such as effects of climate, of domestication, etc., in so far as they in any way affect the struc-
ture of birds, conspire to produce zoological " characters," as these are above defined. Sucsh
charact 'rs, according as they result from more or less profound iinpressiono made upon the
organisiii, are of more or less " value " in taxonomy ; being of all grades, from the trivial ones
that se.ve to distinguish the nearest related species or varieties, to the fundainenU«l ones that
serve to mark off primary divisions. Thus the " charaetcr" of possessing a backbone is com-
mon to oil animals of an immense series, called Vertebrata. The "character" of feathers is
common to all the class Avea ; of toothless jaws to all modem birds ; of a keeled sternum to
all the sub-class Carinatm ; of feet fitted for perching to all Passeres ; of a musical apparatus
to all Oscines ; of nine primaries to all Fringillid(E ; of crossed mandibles t(» all of the genus
LoTia ; of white bands on the wings to all of the species Loxia leucoptera. There is thus
seen a sliding scale of valuation of characters, from those involving the most profound or
primitke modifications of structure to those resting upon the most superficial or ultimate
impressions. It will also bo obvious, that every ulterior modification presupposes inclusion
of all the prior ones ; for a white-winged crossbill, to be itself, must bo a loxian, fringilline,
oseine, passerine, carinate, modem, avian, vertebrated animal. The more characters, of all
grades, that any birds share in common, the more closely are they related, and conversely.
Obviously, the possession of more or fewer characters in common results in
Degrees of Likeness. — Were all birds alike, or did they all dift'er by the same characters
to the same degree, no classification would be possible. It is a matter of fact, that thoy do
exhibit all degrees of likeness possible within the limits of their Avian nature ; it is a matter
of belief, that these degrees are the necessary result of Evolution, — of descent with modification
from a common ancestry ; and that being dependent upon that process, they are capable of
explaining it if rightly interpreted. For example : Two white-winged crossbills, hatched in
the same nest, scarcely differ perceptibly (except in sexual characters) from each other and
from the pair that laid the eggs. We call them " specificiilly " identical ; and the sum of the
difiercnccs by which they are distinguished from any other kinds of crossbills is their "specific
72
GENERAL OliNITHOLOGY.
character." All tho individnal crossbills which exhibit this particular sum constitute a
" sijecies." In this case, the genetic relationship of offspring and parent is unquestionable, —
it is an Observed fact. Now turn to the extremely oi)posite case. The difference betvvecu
our crossbills and the Cretaceous Ichthyonm is enoruious: I suppose it is nearly the greatest
known to subsist between any two birds whatsoever. But the Ichthyornis and the Loxia are
also separated by a correspondingly in.niensp interval of time, and presumably by correspond-
ingly cuormouH 'differences in eonditiom of em-ironment,—m their physical surroundings.
It is a logical inference that these two things — difference in physical structure, and differene(>
in physiciil enviromnent — are in some way correlated and coordinated. If wo presume, ni.ou
the fiiecry of evcdiition, tliat despite the great difference, a crossbill is genetically related
to some such bird as an Ichthi/omis, as truly as it is to its actual parents, only ihuch more
leniotelv, and that the difference is due to modifications impressed upon its stock in the course
of time! conformably with changing conditions of environment, we shall have a better expla-
nation of the difference than any other as yet offered, —an explanation, moreover, which is
corroborated by all the related facts we know, and with which no known facts are irrecon-
cilable. Hilt to correctly gauge and fornmlate the degrees of likeness or unlikeness between
any two birds is to coiTectly "classify" them ; and if these degrees rest, as we believe they do,
upon nearness or remoteness of genetic relationship, classification upon sucli basis becomes the
truest attainable fonnulation of " natural affinities." It is the province of morphological
classification to search out thosc^ natural affinities which the structure of birds indicates, and
express them by dividing birds into groups, and subdividing these into other groups, of greater
or lesser " value," or grade, according to the more or fewer characters shared in common, —
that is, according to degrees of likeness ; that is, again, according to genealogical relationshi[t
or consanguinity.
Zoological Groups. — To carry any scheme of classification into practical effect, natn-
ransts have found it necessary to invent and aitply a system of groujnng objects whereby the
like may come together and be separated from the unlike. They have also found it expedient
to give names to all these groups, of whatever grade, such as class, order, family, genus,
species, etc. ; and to stamp each such group with the value of its grade, or its relative rank
in the scale, so that it may become currency among naturalists. The student must observe,
in the first place,. that the value of each such coinage is wholly arbitrary, until sanctioned
and fixed by common consent. The tenn " class," for example, simply indicates that natu-
ralists agree to use that word to designate a conventional group of a particular grade or
value. Indispensable as is some such acceptable medium of exchange of ideas among
naturalists, their groups are not fixed, have no natural value, and in fact have no actual
existence in the treasury of Nature. It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the student
that Nature makes no bounds, — Natura non facit saltus ; there are no such abrupt transi-
tions in the unfolding of Nature's plan, no such breaks in the chain of being, as he would be
led to supiwsc l)y our method of defining and naming groups. Ho must consider the words
" class," " order," etc., as wholly arbitrary terms, invented and designed to express our ideas
of -the relations which subsist between any animals or sets of animals. Thus, for example, by
the term the " Class of Birds" we signify simply the kind and degree of likeness which all
birds share, such being also the kind and degree of their unlikeness from any other animals ;
the word "class" being simply the name or handle of the generalization we make respect-
ing their relations with one another and with other animals ; it represents an abstract idea,
is the expression of a relation. True, all birds embody the idea; but "class" is never-
theless an abstraction. Now, as intimated earlier in this essay, the definition of the idea wo
attach to the term — the limitation of the class Avcs — depends entirely upon how much wo
know of the relation intended to bo expressed. It so happens, that no animals arc known
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
T8
wliicli cannot be decided to belong, or not to belong, to the conventional class of birds, because
we liavo found it convenient and expedient to consider tlie presence of feathers a fair criterion,
cii- necessary qualification. But what, when an animal is discovered the covering of whose body is
half-way between the scales of a lizard and tlic plumes tif a bird, and whose structure is otiier-
wine as equivocal ? This may happen -iny day. A feather is certainly a modified scale ; a
featlier lias doubtless been developed out of a scale. In the case supposed, we should have to
niddify our definition of the " Class of Birds " ; that is, change our ideas upon the subject, and
alter the boundary-line we established between th(^ classes of birds and reptiles ; whereas,
were a " class" something naturally definite, independent, and fixed, all that we could learn
about it would only tend to establish it more surely. The same obscurity and uncertainty of
detiiiition attaches to groups of every grade — from the Animal "Kingdom" itself, M-liicli
cannot be cut clear of the Vegetable "Kingdom" — down through classes, orders, famihes,
genera, species, and varieties — yes, to the individual itself which, however unmistakable
aiiKiiig higher organisms, cannot always be predicated of the lowermost forms of Life.
Siicli divisions, of whatever grade, as we are able to establish for tlie purposes of classification,
depend entirely upon the breaks and defects in our knowledge. There is no such thing as
(Iniwing " liard and fast" lines anywhere, for none such exist in Nature.
Taxonomic Equivalence of Groups. — But, however arbitrary they may be, or however
(ibsciirc or fluctuating may be tiicir boundaries, groups we must have in zoology, and groups
(if (litt'ercnt grades, to express different degrees of likeness of the objects examined, and so
to "classify" them. It is a great convenience, moreover, to have a recognized slidiug-scale
(if valuation of groups from the highest to the lowest, and an accepted valuation. Just as in a
thermometric scale, there are " degrees " designated as those of the boiling-point of water, the
lieat of the blood, the freezing of water, of mercury, etc. ; so there arc ceitiiin degrees of like-
ness conventionally designated as those of class, order, family, genus, and species ; always ac-
cepted in the order here given, from higher to lower groups. (There arc various others, and
especially a number of intermediate groups, generally distinguished by the prefix suh-, as suh-
fiimily ; but those here given arc generally adopted by English-speaking naturalists, and
suffice to illustrate the point I wish to make.) It may sound like a truism to say, that groups
of tlie same grade bearing the same name, whatever that may be, must be of the same value,
— must be based upon and distinguished by cliaracters of equal or equivalent importance.
Equivalence of groups is necessary to the stability and harmony of any classificatory system.
It will not do to frame an order upon one set of characters here, and there a family upon a
similar set of characters ; but order must differ from order, and family from family, by an equal
or corresponding amount of difference. Let a group called a family differ as much from the
other families in its own order as it does from some other order, and by this very circumstance
it is not a family but an order itself. It seems a very simple proposition, but it is too often
ignored, and always with pnictical ill result. Two points should be remembered here : First,
that absolute size or numerical bulk of a group has nothing to do with its taxcmomic value :
(lue order may contain a thousand species, and another be represented by a single species,
without having its ordinal valuation affected thereby. Secondly, any given character may
iissume different inqiortance, or be of different value, in its application to different groups.
'I'lius, the number of primaries, whether nine or ten, is a family character almost throughout
O^cincs ; but in one oscine family {Vireonidec) it has swircely generic value. It is difficult,
however, to determine such a point as this without long experience. Nor is it possible, in
fact, to make our groups correspond in value with entire exactitude. The most we can hope
for is ii reasonable approximation. As in the thermometric simile above given, " blood heat "
and other points fluctuate, so does order not always correspond with order, nor family with
family, in actual significance. What degree of difference shall be "ordinal"? What shall
74
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
beaaifference of "family"? What shall be "generic" and what "specific" differences?
Such questions are more easily asked than answered. They demand critical consideration.
Valuation of Characters. — In a general way, of course, the greater the difference
between any two objects, the more "important" or "fundamental" are the "characters"
by wliich they are distinguished. But what nuikes a character " important" or the reverse f
Obviously, what it signifies represents its importance. Wo are classifying morphologically,
and upon the theory of Evolution ; and in such a system - character is important or the
reverse, simply as an e.\i)onent of the i)rinciples, or an illustration of the facts, of evolutionary
processes of Nature, according to the unfolding of whose plans of animal fabrics the whole
structure of living beings has been built up. Why is the possession of a back-bone such u
"fundamental" character that it is used to establish one of the primary branches of the animal
kingdom f It is not because so many millions of creatures possess it, but because it was
introduced so early in the evolutionary process, and because its introduction led to the most
profound modification of the whole structure of the animals which became possessed of a
vertebral column. Why is the possession by a bird of biconc.ivo vertebrsB so significant ?
Not because all motlern birds have saddle-shaped vertebra), but because to have biconcave ver-
tebra) is to be quoad hoc fish-like. Why is presence or absence of teeth so important f Not that
teeth served those old birds better than a horny beak serves modem ones, but because teeth
are a reptilian character. Obviously, to be fisii-likc or reptile-like is to be by so much unbird-
like ; the degree of difference thus indicated is enoraious ; and a character that indicates such
degree of difference is proportionally " important " or " fundamental," — just what wo were
after. By knowledge of facts like these, and by the same process of reasoning, a naturalist of
tact, sagacity, and experience is able to put a pretty fair valuation upon any given character ;
he acquires the faculty of perceiving its significance, and according to wluit it signifies does it
possess for him its taxonomic importance. As a m.itter of fact, it seems that characters of all
sorts are to bo estimated chro)iologically. For, if animals have come to be what they are by
any process that took time to be accomplished, the characters earliest established are likely to
be the most fundamental ones, upon the introduction of which the most important train of
cimsequences ensue. Feathers, for example, as the Archaopteryx teaches us, were in full
bloom in the Jurassic period, and they are still the most characteristic possession of birds :
all birds have them ; they arc a class character. If they had been taken on quite recently, we
may infer that many creatures otherwise entirely avian might not possess them, and they
would have in classification less significance than that now rightly attributed to them. On
the other hand, we cannot suppose that the finishing touches, by which, in the presence of
white bands on the wings of Loxia leucoptera, and their absence in Loxia curvirostra, these two
" species " are distinguished, were not very lately given to these birds. It is a very late stop
in the process, and correspondingly insignificant ; it is of that value or importance which wo
call " specific." The same method of reasoning is available for determining the value of any
character whatever, and so of estimating the grade of the group which we establish upon such
character. As a rule, therefore, the length of time a character has been in existence, and its
taxonomic value, are correlated, and each is the exponent of the other.
"Types of Structure." — In no department of natural history has the late revolution in
biological thought been more effective than in remodelling, presumably for the better, the
ideas underlying classification. In earlier days, when "species" were supposed to be inde-
pendent creations, it was natural and almost inevitable to regard them as fixed facts in nature.
A species was as actual and tangible as an individual, and the notion was, that, given any two
specimens, it should be perfectly possilde to decide whether they were of the same or different
species, according to whether or not they answered the " specific characters " laid down for
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
76
tluMii. Tho same fancy vitiated all ideas upon the subject of genera, families, and higher
groups. A "genus" was to be discovered in nature, just like a species; to be named and
dcfiupd. Then species that answered the definition were "typical"; those that did not do so
well were "sub-typical"; those that did worse, were "aberrant." A good deal was said of
•' types of structure," much as if living creatures were originally run into moulds, like casting
type-metal, to receive some indelible stamp; while — to carry out my simile — it was supposed
that by looking at some particular aspect of such au animal, as at the face of a printer's type,
it could be determined iu what box in the case the creature should bo put ; the boxes them-
selves being supposed to be arranged by Nature in some particular way to make them fit
l)orf('ctly alongside each other by threes or fives, or in stars and circles, or what not. How
much ingenuity was wasted in striving to put together such a Chinese puzzle as these fancies
made of Nature's processes and results, I need not say ; suffice it, that such views have become
extinct, by the method of natural selection, and others, apparently better fitted to survive, are
now in the struggle for existence. Rightly appreciated, however, the expression which heads
this paragraph is a proper one. There are numberless " types of structure." It is perfectly
proper to speak of the " vertebrate type," meaning thereby the whole plan of organization of
any vertebrate, if we clearly understand that such a type is not an independent or original
model conformably with which all back-boned animals were separately created, but that it is
one modification of some more general plan of organization, the unfolding of which may or
did result in other besides vertebratcd animals ; and that the successive modifications of the
vertebrate plan resulted in other forms, equally to be regarded as "types," as the reptilian,
the avian, the mammalian. Upon this understanding, a group of any grade in the animal
kingdom is a " type of structure," of more general or more special significance, presumably
according to the longer or shorter time it has been in existence. An individual specimen is
" typical " of a species, a species is " typical " of a genus, etc., if it has not had time enough to
bo modified away from tho characters which such species or genus expresses. Any set of
individuals, that is, any progeny, which become modified to a degree from their progenitors,
introduce a new type; and continually increasing modification makes such a type specific,
generic, and so on, in succession of time. There must have been a time, for example, when
the Avian and Reptilian " types" began to diverge from each other, or, rather, to branch apart
from their common ancestry. In the initial step of their divergence, when their respective
typos were beginning to be formed, the difierence must have been infinitesimal. A little
further along, the increment of difference became, let us say, equivalent to that which serves to
distinguish two species. Wider and wider divergence increased the difference till genera,
families, orders, and finally tho classes of Reptilia and Aves, became established. In one
sense, therefore, — and it is the usual sense of the term, — the "type" of a bird is that one
wliich is furtliest removed from the reptilian type, — which is most highly specialized by differ-
entiation to the last degree from the characters of its primitive ancestors. One of tho Oscines,
as a thrush or spaiTOW, would answer to such a type, having lost the low, primitive, gener-
alized structure of its early progenitors, and acquired very special characters of its own, repre-
senting the extreme modification which tho stock whence it sprung has undergone. In a
broader sense, however, tho typo of a bird is shnply the stock from which it originated ; and
in such sense the highest birds are the least typical, being the furthest removed and the most
modified derivations of such stock, the characters of which are consequently remodelled and
obscured to the last degree. Two opposite ideas have evidently been confused in the use of
the word " Type." They may bo distinguished by inventing tho word teleotype (Gr. rcXcor,
tcleos, final, i. e., accompUshed or determined ; formed like teleology, etc.) in the usual sense of
the word type, and using tho word we already possess, prototype (Gr. rrpurot, protos, first,
loading, determining), in tho broader sense of the earlier plan whence any teleotype has been
derived by modification. This, Ichthyomia or Archtcopteryx is prototypic of modern birds,
76
GENERAL OBNITHOLOGY.
any of which arc toleotypic of their ancestors. It may bo further observed that any form
which is telcotypic in its own gnuip, is prototypic of tliose derived from it. Thus, tlic
ArchtEopferi/.r, so prototypic of luodcni birds, was a very highly specialized teleotype of its
own ancestry. A little reflection will also make it clear that t!ie same principle of antitypes
(opposed types) is apidicable to any of our groups in zoiiloffy. Ant/ group is teleotypic of the
next greater group of which it is a member; prototypic of the ve.rt lesser one. Any species is
teleotypic of its genus; any genus, of its family; any family, of its order; and conversely;
that is to say, any species represents one of the ulterior modifications of the i)lan of its genus.
Tlie Class of Hirds, for e.vample, is one of the several teleotypcs of Vertebrata, i. c, of tlu"
vertebrate plan of structure ; representing, as it does, one of several ways in which the
vertebrate jirototype is accomplislied. Conversely, the Class of Birds is prototypical of its
several orders, representing the plan which these orders severally unfold in difl'erent \vays.
And so on, throughout any series of animals, backwards and forwards in the process of their
evolution; any given form being teleotypic of its predecessors, prototypic of its successors.
All existing forms are necessarily teleotypic, — cmly prototypic for the future. Prototype, in the
sense here conveyed, indicates what is often expressed by the word archetype. But the hitter,
as I understand its use by Owen and others, signifies an ideal plan never actually realized; the
" archetype of the vertebrate skeleton," for example, being something no vertebrate ever pos-
sessed, but a theoretical model — a generalization from all known skeletons. The corresjxmd-
encc of my use of " prototypic " with a common employ (jf " archetypic," and of " teleotypic '' as
including both " attypic" and " etypic,'' is noted below.'
The actual and visible genetic relationships of living forms being i)ractically restricted to
individuals of the same species, — parents and offspring "specifically" ideutieal, — it would seem
at first sight that species must be the modified descendants of their respective genera, in order
to bo teleotypic of any such next higher group. But nothing descends from a genus, or any
other group; everything descends from iudividuals ; a "genus," like any other group, is an
abstract statement of a relation, not a begetter of anything. To illustrate: the "genus
Turdus" is represented, let us say, by a score of species: if these species be rightly allocated
in the genus, they are all the modified descendants of a form which was, before they severally
branched oflf, a specific form ; and the "genus Tardus" in the abstract is simply that form ;
and that form is prototypic of its derivatives. In the concrete, as represented by its teleotypcs,
the genus Turdus sums the modifications whicli these have collectively undergone, without
specifying the particular modifications of any of them ; it expresses the way in which they are
all like one another, and in which they are iill unlike the representatives of any other genus.
Thus what is above advanced is seen to hold, though genera and all other groups are actual
descendants of individuals specifically identical.
Generalized and Specialized Forms. — Taking any one group of animals — say the genus
Turdus, of nmnerous s]iecies — and cimsidering it apart from any other group, wo perceive that
it represents a certain assemblage of characters peculiar to itself, aside from those more funda-
mental ones it includes of its family, order, etc. Its particular characters wo call "generic."
Among the numerous teleotypic forms it includes, there is a wide range of specific variation,
' " Archftiipicnl clmrnctcrs are tliose wlilcli a group derives fram Its progenitor, and wltli wlileli It com-
inencefi, but wlilcli In much inodlHed descendants are lost; sucli, for example, is tiie dental formula of tlio Kduca-
billa (M J PJI } C J 1 3 X 2), —a formula, as shown by Owen, very prevalent among early members of the group,
but generally departed from more or less In those of tlic existing faunas. AUijpicnt characters are those to the
acquisition of which, as a matter of fact, we Hnd that forms, in their Journey to a specialized condition, tend . . .
Eti/pical characters are exceptional ones, and which are exlilbited by an eccentric offshoot from the common stock
of a group." — (Ci//, Pr. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., xx, 1873, p. 2!)3.) To illustrate In birds: A generalized llzard-Ilko
typo of sternum Is archeti/pic of any bird's sternum. The sternum of the lizard-like animals whence birds
actually descended i» prototypic : the keeled sternum of a carlnate bird Is atti/pical in most birds, etypical In the
peculiar state In which It is found In Stringopt; but cquaiiy teleotypic in both Instances.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
77
within the limits of generic relationship. Some of its species are modified further away than
soino others are from the generic standard or type to which all conform more or less perfectly,
'i'lie former, having more peituliarities of their own, arc said to be the most speciuUzed ; the
latter, having fewer peculiarities, are the least specialized. Those that are the least specialized
are obviously the most generalized ; and this means, that we believe them to be nearest to the
stuck whence all have together descended with modification. The ajiplication of this illustra-
tion to great groiijis shows us the principle upon which any form is said to be generalized or
specialized. Tlio Ichthyornis, with its fish-like vertebne, reptile-like teeth, bird-like sternum
and shoulder-girdle, is a very generalized form. A thrush is the opposite extreme of a highly
specialized form. The two are also separated by an enormous interval of time : one being
very (dd, tlio other quite now; a chroncdogical sequence is here perceived. Since the ev(du-
tionary processes concerned in the modification on the whole represent progress fi-om simplicity
to complexity of organization, and therefore ascent in the scale of organization, a generalized
type, an ancient type, and a simple type are on the whole synonymous, and to be contrasted
with forms specialized, recent, and complex. They therefore respectively correspond to
" Low " and " High " In the Scale of Organization. — All existing birds are very
closely related, notwithstanding tlie great numerical preponderance of the class in the present
ge(dogical epoch. This outbreak, as it were, of birds upon the modern scene, is like the
nearly simultaneous bursting into bloom of a mass of flowers at the end of one branch of the
Sauropsidan stem. All modern birds, in fact, are strongly specialized forms, so much so that it
is dirticult to predicate "high" or "low" within such a narrow scale. The great group
Passeres, for example, comprehending a majority of all known birds, is scarcely more different
from other birds than are the families of reptiles from each other, and among Passeres we have
little to go upon in deciding "higli'' or "low" beyond the musical ability of Oscine.i. It is
hard to see mucli difference in actual complexity of organization between those birds regarded
as the lowest, as an ostrich or a penguin, and those conceded to be higliest, as a swallow or
sparrow. Nevertheless, in a larger perspective, as between a fish, a reptile, and a bird, the
student will readily perceive the bearing of the ideas attached to the tenns "low " and "high"
ill the scale of organization. Creatures rise in the scale by a number of correlated modifica-
tions and J I tlie course of time (for it takes time to evolve a class of birds from sauropsidan
stuck as really as it does to develop tlie germ of an egg into the body of a chick). Progressive
(liti'crentiation and specialization of structure and function in due course elaborates diversity
from sameness, complexity from simplicity, the " high" special from the " low" general ]dan
of orgaiuzation ; the culmination in man of the vertebrate type, first faintly foreshadowed in
the embryonic Ascidian. No one should venture to foretell the result of infinitesimal increments
in elevation of structure and function, nor presume to limit the infinite possibilities of evolu-
tionary processes, either in this actual world or in the foretold next one.
As to " evidences of design " in the plan of organized beings, it may be said simply that
every creature is perfectly " designed " or fitted for its appropriate activities, and perfectly
adapted to its conditions of environment. In fact, it must be so fitted and ada]ited, or it would
perish. Whether it so determines itself, or is so detennined, is a teleological question. Tlio
truth remains that every creature is perfect in its own way. A worm is as perfectly fitted to be
a worm, as is a bird to be a bird ; in fact, were it not, it would either turn into sometliing else,
or cease to bo. A spade is as perfect an organization of the spade kind, as is a steam-engine of
tliat kind of an organization ; though the difference in complexity of structure and functional
capacity, like that between tlie lowly organized ascidian generality and the highly organized
avian speciality; is enormous.
One word more: The class of mammals is highest in the scale of organization. The
class of birds is next highest. But it dod not follow, from this relation sustained by Mam-
78
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
malia and Aves collectively, that every mammal must bo more highly organized than every
bird. It is difficult to say how a mole or a mouse is a more elaborate or more capable creature
than a canury-bird, iihysically or mentally. The relative rank of two groups is deterniiut'd
by balancing the aggregate of their structural duiracters. In large series, the average of
development, not the extremes eillier way, is taken into account ; so that the lowest members
of a higher group may be below the higliest members of the next lower group. The common
phrase, " below par," or "above jiar," is most applicable to such cases.
Macbinery of Classifleatioii. — Tlie inexperienced student may be glad to be given some
exjdanation of the way in whicli tlic taxonomic principles we have discussed are applied, and
carried into practical effect in classifying birds. Our machinery for that jmi-pose is our inherit-
ance from those naturalists who held very different views from those which touch the evolu-
tionary key-note of modem classification. It is clumsy, and does not work well as a means of
expressing the relations we now believe to be sustained by all organisms toward one another ;
but it is the best we liave. Systematic zoiilogy, or the jtractice of classification, has failed to
keep pace with the principles of tlie science; we are greatly in need of some new and shariier
" tools of thought," which shall do for zoology what the system of symbols and formulee luive
done for chemistry. We tcant some symbolic formulation of our kno'vledge. The invention of
a practicable scheme of classification and nomenclature, which should enable us to formulate
what we mean by Turdus migratorius, as a chemist symbolizes by SO4H2 what he understands
hydrated auijdiuric acid to be, would be an inestimable boon to working naturalists. The
mapping out of groups with connecting lines to indicate their genetic relations, in the form of a
" phylum," is a common practice ; but that, like any other pictorial representation of a " fami-
ly tree," is not the graphic symbolizatiou required. The first steps in this direction have been
tentatively taken already by the late Mr. A. H. Garrod and others : we already have a mother
of the required invention in the necessity of the case, and may hope tiiat the father will not be
long in coming.
Under the present sj'stem. Birds are called a "Class" of Vertebrates, and are subdivided
into " orders," "families," " genera," " species " and "varieties," as already sufficiently indicated.
Groups intermediate to any of these may be recognized ; and if so, are usually distinguished
by the prefix sub-. Many other terms are in occasional use, as "tribe," "race," "series,"
"cohort," "super-family"; but those first mentioned arc the best estabhshed ones among
English-speaking naturalists. Their sequence is fixed, as above, frf)m higher to lower, in
relative rank.* With the exceptions to be presently noted, the names of any groups are
arbitrary, at the will of the person who founds and designates them. The framer of a genus,
or the describer of a species, calls it what he pleases, and the name he gives holds, subject to
certain statutory regulations which naturalists generally agree to abide by. The exceptions
arc the names of families and sub-families, the former connnonly being made to end in -idae, the
latter in -in(C : family Turdidee ; sub-family Turdintc. This is a great convenience, since we
always know the rank intended to be noted by these forms. The names of groups higher than
species are almost invariably single words; as, order Passeres ; but sometimes, especially in
cases of intermediate groups, two words are used, one qualifying the other; as, sub-order
Passeres Acromyodi, or oscine Passeres. A generic or sub-generic name is always a single
word ; these, and the names of all higher groups, invariably begin with a capital letter.
Until quite recently, the scientific name of any individual bird almost invariably consisted
of two terms, generic and specific, — the name of the genus, followed by the name of the
• The expression " higher group," in the sense of relative rank In the taxonomic scale, will of course be dls-
tliiguixhcd fi'oni the same expression when applied to the relative rank in the scale of organization of the ohjccts
claEsified. An order of birds is a " higher group " than a family of birds, in the foriuor sense, but no higher than
an order of worms, in the latter sense.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
79
lian <>vcTy
jo croatiiic
|t'tc'riiiiii,.,|
Jveragt' „{
iiit'iiibfr.s
siiccics ; as, Tiirdus migratoriiis, for the robin. This is the " binomial noinenchittire" (badly so
ciiiliMi, for "binominal " would be better) ; introdueed by Liuna-us in the middle of the last cen-
tury. It was a great imjirovement upon the fonner method of givinii either single arbitrary names
to birds, often a mere Latin translation of their vernaeular nickname, or long descriptive names
of several words; probably no other single improvement in a method of nomenclature ever did
so much to make the technicjue of nomenclature systematic. To couple the two terms at all
was a great thing, the convenience of which we who never felt its want can hardly appreciate.
To follow the generic by the specific term was itself of the same advantage that it is to luivo
tlu' Smiths and Browns of a directory entered under S and B, instead of by Johns and Jameses ;
besides according with tiie genius of the Romance languages, which conunonly put the adjec-
tiv<! after the noun. A Frenchman, for example, would say, Bec-croise mix ailes blanches de
rAmerique septcnfrionale, or " Bill-crossed to the wings white of the America north,'' where
we sliould say, " North American white-winged Cross-bill," and Linnaeus would have written
Lii.ria kucoptera. The binomial scheme worked so well that it came to have the authority
and force of a statute, wliicji few subsequent naturalists have been inclined, and fewer have
ventured, to violate ; while it became an ex post facto law to prior naturalists, ruling them out
of court altogether, as far as the legitimacy of any of the names they had bestowed was con-
cerned. It necessarily rested, however, or at any rate proceeded upon, the false idea of a species
as a fixity. Linnaeus himself experienced the inadequacy of his system to deal binomially with
tiiose lesser groups than species, commonly called "varieties," now better designated as "con-
species" or "subspecies"; and he often used a third word, separated however from the
biiioniial name by intervention of the sign " var." or some other symbol. Thus, if he had
supjiosed an American crossbill to be a variety of a European Loxia kucoptera, he might have
cjiUed it Loxia kucoptera, a, americana. Some years ago, in treating of this subject, I urged
tlic necessity of recognizing by luime a great number of forms of our birds intennediate between
nominal species, and coimecting the latter by links so perfect, that our handling of " specie'j"
required thorough reconsideration. The dilemma arose, through our very intimate knowl-
edge of the climatic and geographical variation of "species," either to discard a great number
tliat had been described, and so ignore all the ultimate modifications of our bird-forms; or else
to recognize as good species the same largo number of forms that wo knew shaded into each
so completely that no specific character could be assigned. In the original edition of the
present work (1872), I compromised the matter by reducing to the rank of varieties the nominal
species that were known or believed to intergrado ; and the original edition of the " Check
List" (1873) distinguished such by the sign "var." intervening between the specific and the
subspecific name. I subsequently determined to do away with the superfluous term " var.," and
in the next edition of the Check List (188'2) reverted to a purely trinomial system of naming
the equivocal forms; as, Loxia curvirostra americana. The same system is used in the iiresent
treatise; it is found to work well, and seems likely to come into general employ, at lea.st in
this country. It is commended to the consideration of our brethren over the sea.
Tlie Student cannot be too well assured, that no such things as species, in the old
sense of the word, exist in nature, any more! tlian have genera or families an actual existence.
Indeed they cannot be, if there is any truth in the principles discussed in our earlier paragraphs.
Species are simply ulterior modificiitions, which onco were, if they be not still, inseparably
linked together; and their nominal recognition is a pure c<mvention, like that of a genus.
Mure practically hinges upon the way we regard them than turns upon our establishment of
liiglier groups, simply because upon the way we decide in this case depends the scientific
InhcUing of specimens. If we are speaking of a robin, we do not ordinarily concern ourselves
\vith tho family or onlcr it belongs to, but we do require a technical name for constant use.
Tiiat name is compounded of its genus, species, and variety. No infallible rule can be laid
80
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
down for (letonniniiij,' wlmt sluill bu held to be a .si)(>cies, whiit a conspccies, subspecies, or
variety. It is a matter of tact and oxi)erieiice, like tlit; appreciation of tbo value of any other
group in zoiilojfy. TIktc is, liowever, a coiiveution upon tlie subject, which the iirescut
workers in oniitliology in tills coiiiitry find available; at any rate, we have no better rule to go
by. We treat as "specitic" any form, however little diftereiil from the next, that wo do not
know or believe to intergniili' with tliat next one ; between which and the next one no inter-
mediate ecpiivocal specimens are fcirtli(foming, and none, conseijuently, are sujiposed to exist.
This is to imply that the ditterentiation is accmuidished, the links are lost, and the characters
actually become "specitic." We treat as " varietal" of each other any forms, however differ-
ent in their extreme iiianifestiition, which we know to intergrade, having the intermediate
specimens before us, or which we believe! with any good reason do intergrade. If the links
still exist, the differentiation is still incomplete, and the characters are not specitic, but only
varietal, in the literal sense of tlu-se terms. In the latter case, the oldest name is retained as
the specilic one, and to it is appended the varietal designation : as, Tiirdm migratorins jiro-
pinquus. The specitic, and subsi)ecitic names are pri-ferahly written with a small initial
letter, oven when derived from a ])ersc)n or ])lace.
One other term than those just considered sometimes forms part of a bird's scientiiio
name: this is the sithgemis. When introduced, it always follows the generic term, in par-
entheses; thus. Tardus (Hi/locivhlu) musteUnus. This is cumbrous, espcc-ially when there
are already three terms, and is little used in this country. I have latterly discarded it altogether.
There is no real difference between a subgenus and a genus, — it is a difference of slight
degree merely; and modern genera have so multiplied that one can easily find a single name
for any generic, refinement he may wish to indulge.
It has always been customary to write after the bird's name the name of the original
de.scriber of the species, — originally and jiro])crly, iis the authority or voucher for the validity
of the species named. But as genera multiplied, it was often found necessary to change the
generic name, the species being ])laced in another gemis than that to which its original
namer referred it. The name of tlm ])erson who originated th<! new combination came to lie
generally suffixed, presumably as the authority for the validity of the classification implied.
As this was to ignore the proi)riet')rshii) of the original describer, it became custonniry to
retain describer's name in parentheses and add that of tht; classifier ; thus, Tiirdiis migratarius
Limianis ; I'hinesticiis miijntturiiis (Liun.) Itonaparte. The ])ractice still prevails; it is no
more objectionaWe than any other hamile.ss exhil)ition of hunum vanity. The student will find
it carefully carried out in my Check List, and entirely discarded in the present work.
It would take me too far to go fully into the ruKs of nomenclature: some few points may
be noted. A proper sense of justice to the describers of new genera, species, and varieties,
prompts us to preserve inviolate the names they see fit to bestow, with certain salutary
provisions. Hence arises the " law of pi-iority." The first name given since 1758 is to be
retained and used, if it can be identified with reasonable certitude; that is, if we think we
know what the giver meant by it. lUit it is to be discarded, and the next name in jiriority of
time substituted, if it is "glaringly false or of express absurdity," — as calling an American bird
" africaniis," or a black one " albtis." No generic name can be duplicated in zoology, and one
once void for any reason cannot be revived and used in any connection. The same specific
name cannot be used twii-e in the same genus.
The Actual Classitlcation of Birds has undergone radical modification of late years,
though the same machinery is emidoyed for its expression. This is as would be expected,
seeing how profoimdly the theory of Evidution has aflected our principles of classification, how
completely the moridi(»logical has replaced other systems, and bow steadily our knowledge of
the structure of birds, and their chronological relations, has progressed. Nevertheless, the
PPTNCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF CLASSIFICATION.
81
pccies, (11-
"iiy otiicr
present
rule to fit)
ve do not
no inter-
to exist.
'Imructers
ver tiltfiT-
riiiediate
tlie liiilis
>iit only
tained iis
'MS pro-
lyl initial
ornitliologieal system is still in a trancition state, and the classification implied by the way
North American birds are arranged in the present work must be regarded as tentative an<l
imivisional. In tlie original edition of the " Key," the classification was vitiated at the outset
1)V ])liysiological considerations,' and in some other respects was open to decided improvement, as
I trust the present editi(m shows. The general arrangement is, however, much tlie same. The
talilc given on a succeeding page (p. 231) will aft"ord tlie .student ncoup d'aeil of the groups, from
subclass to subfamily, which I have been led to ado])t; it represents, as far as it goes, a classiti-
catiiiu of birds at largo. The principal groups, higher than families, which are absent from the
Nortl) American Fauna, are: the whole of tlie i?a(ite, or Struthious birds ; the DromaognathtB,
])rol)ably an order, embracing the South American Tinamous ; the order or suborder of the
I'mijuins of the Southeni Hemisphere, S2>he>mci : and several small sujierfamily groups be-
longing in the vicinity of tiie Gallinaceous and Columbine birds.
As to the primary divisions of Aves, it seems certain that these must be made with special
rcfcnnicc to the extraordinary extinct forms from the Cretaceous, and to the radical difterence
between struthious or Katite and Carinate Birds. The arrangement offered on p. 234 has
j)erhaj)8 some claims to consideration. The subclass Carinatw, which includes all other exist-
ini; l>irds, seems certainly not to be primarily divisible into a few orders, such as were in vogue
but a few years ago; but to be sjdit directly into a large number — perhaps about twenty —
groups of approximately equivalent value, to be conventionally designated as orders, if we
taltc Carinata) as a subclass of the class Afes. The attemjit to force birds into a few — five or
six — leading divisions cannot be justified if we arc to regard the taxonomic significance of a
number of remarkable forms, the peculiarities of wliidi are now well known. P«sseres seems
to be one of the most firmly established of these ordinal groups. " Picarite " is one of the most
unsatisfactory of all, and I have no doubt it will be abolished.
Witli this glance at some taxonomic principles and practices, I pass to an outline of the
structure of birds, some knowledge of which is indispensable to any appreciation of onii-
thological definitions and descriptions. It is necessary to bo brief, and I sliall confine myself
mainly to the consideration of those points, and the explanation of those technical terms, which
the student needs to understand in order to use the present volume easily and successfully.
Here, however, I will insert a tabular illustration of a scquonco of zoological groups, from
highest to lowest, under which a bird may fall : — . ,
Kingdom, Animalia: Animals.
Branch, Vertebrata : Back-bonod Animals.
Province, Saurojisida : Lizard-like Vertebrates.
Class, Aves : Birds.
Subclass, Carinata;: Birds with keeled breast-bone.
Order, Passeres : Perching Birds.
Suborder, Oscines: Singing Birds.
Family, TunUdte: Thrush-like Birds.
Subfamily, TurdincB: True Thrushes.
Genus, Tardus : Typical Thrushes.
Subgenus, Hi/locichla: Wood Thrushes.
Species, ustulatus : Olive-backed Thrush.
Subspecies, a/jc»<E; Alice's Thrush.
' In primarily dividing birds into Ai'esaerea, Avea terreslns, ami ^Ircs atjtmlictp, after Lilljeborg, I should
ill) myself tlie justice to say, liowevcr, that the fact that these divisions did not rest upon morphological characters
of any vunscqueuce was expressly stated (pp. 8 and 276 of the orlg. od.).
6
GENEUAL OliNITJIOLOG Y.
§3. -DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EXTERIOR PARTS OF BIRDS.
a. Of the Feathers, or Pluaiaqe.
Feathers aro possi'MSfd only by birds, und all birds possess them. Feathers are modlKcd
scales; like scales, hair, horns, plates, sheaths, etc., they are outgrowths of the iiitegument, .,r
skin covering the body, and therefore belong to the class of epidermic (Gr. inl, epi, n\w\\\
iiptuL, derma, skin), or exoskektal (Gr. if ex, out; <r«X«rdi/, skeleton, dried; in the sense .if
" outer »k<'h'ton ") structures. The horny coverings of the beak aiid feet aro of the same class,
but very differently developed. Besides being the most highly developed or complexly special-
ized, wonderfully beautiful and p*>rfcct kind of tegumentary outgrowth ; besides fulfilling in a
singular manner the design of covering and protecting the body ; — feathers have their particular
locomotor;/ ottice : that of accomplishing the act of flying in a manner peculiar to birds. F.ir
all vertebrates, excepting birds, that progress through the air— the flying fish (Exocatus) with
its enlarged pectoral fins ; the flying reptile (Draco or Pterodactyl) with its skinny parachute ;
the Hying mammal (bat) with its great webbed fingers — accomplish aerial locomotion by means
of tegumentary expansions. Birds alone fly with tegumentary outgroicths, or appendages. All
a bird's feathers, of whatever kind, collectively constitute its ptilosis (Gr. tttiXoi', ptilon, a
feather) or pll'mahe (Lat. pluma, a plume or feather).
Development of Feathers. — In a manner analogous to that of hair, a feather grows in
a little j)it or pouch formed by inversion of the dermal or true-skin layer of the integument,
being formed in a closed follicle or shut sac consisting of an inner and outer coat separated by
a layer of fine granular substance. The outer layer or " outer follicle " is coitposed of several
thin strata of nucleated epithelial cells (cuticle cells) ; the inner is thicker, spongy, and fiUcil
with gelatinous fluid ; a little artery and vein furnish the blood circulation, very active durim;
the formation of feathers. The inner is the true matrix or mould upon which the feather is
formed, evolving from the blood-supply the gelatinous material, and resolving this into cell-
nuclei; the granular layer is the formative material which becomes the feather. The outer
grows a little beyond the cutaneous sac that holds it, and opens at the end; from this orifice
the future feather protrudes, sprouting as a little five-rayed pencil point. The process is thus
graphically illustrated by Huxley : " The integument of birds is always provided with horny
appendages, which result from the conversion into horn of the cells of the outer layer of the
epidermis. But the majority of these appendages, which are termed ' feathers,' do not take th(!
form of mere plates developed upon the surface of the skin, but are evolved within sacs fron'
the surfaces of conical papillte of the dermis. The external surface of the dermal papilla,
whence a feather is to be developed, is provided upon its dorsal [upper] surface with a median
groove, which becomes shallower towards the apex of the papilla. From this median groove
lateral furrows proceed at an open angle, and passing round upon the under surface of the
papilla, become shallower, until, in the middle line, opposite the dorsal iri-^dxat: groftve, they
become obsolete. Minor grooves run at right angles to the lateral furrows. Hence the surface
of the papilla has the character of a kind of mould, and if it were repeatedly dipped in such a
substance as a solution of gelatine, and withdrawn to cool until its whole surface was covered
with an even coat of that substance, it is clear that the gelatinous coat would be thickest at
the basal or anterior end of the median groove, at the median (aids of the lateral furrows,
and at those ends of the minor grooves which open into them ; while it would be very thin
at the apices of the median and lateral grooves, and between the ends of the minor grooves.
If, therefore, the hollow cone of gelatine, removed from its mould, were stretched from within;
or if its thinnest parts became weak by drying ; it would tend to give way, along the inferior
median line, opposite the rod-like cast of the dorsal median groove and between the ends of
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS.— FEATHERS.
88
the ciistH of tho lateral furrows, as well as between each of the minor grooves, and the hollow
(•(iiic would expand into a flat ui'ther-liite structure with a median shaft, us a ' vane' formed
(pf ' barbs' and ' barbules.' In jtoint of faef. in :'ie development of a feather sueh a cast of the
(Icriiial papilla is formed, though not in gelatine, but in tho horny epidennic layer developed
u|i<iii tlie mould, and, as this is thrust outward, it opens out in tho manner just described.
After a certain jjcriod of growth the papilla of the feather ceases to bo grooved, and a continu-
ous lioniy cylinder is formed, which constitutes tho ' cpiill.'" (Intiod. Classif. Anini., p. 71.)
OOaOOOO
O
Fi(). 18. — Syinmetricnl FiKures from Forming Feathers; o, dove; b, turkey. — "In the summer of
ISli!), whilst examining tlie feather capsule of a nestling dove, the microBcoplc slide was suddenly covered with a
niiillitiido of oxquisito forms. . . . Tho next day my German farmer climbed to the dove's neat and procured a few
more pin-feathers. Some of tliese were cut into fine shreds, rubbed in a drop of water, and placed under tlie
iiiicr<)sco|>e. In a short period the figures of yesterday wore again before me. From the cut surfaces of the
portions of the pin-feathers I had placed under the lens, granules appeared to stream forth like blood, covering
tho microscopic slide in countless numbers. Mingled with these were numerous larger cells of a globular or oval
form, having a transparent centre. These and the granules gave to the water a slightly glutinous consistency.
As the fiuids on the glass dried, lines at diflferent angles shot across the slide, looking much as though an
unseen camel's hair pencil had been swiftly drawn in opposite directions, sometimes at right angles, but ft'eqnently
at angles more acute. Probably at the moment of transition fVom a fluid to a solid condition, the transparent
iiiiclciitcd cells assumed the form of a square, a lozenge, a starry hexagon, a cross, or any other beautiful figure
wliioh could be formed of the parts which suddenly appeare<l in the spherical cells, these parts seeming at first, in
sonic instances at least, to consist of minute triangles. At the same moment the little granules moved to onler.
nnd tlicro before tho astonished gaze were diamonds such as Aladdin might have envied, in form as varieil, but far
more symmetrical, than the frost-work on a window pane of a winter's morning." (Miss Grace Anna Lewis, in
Am. Nat., T, 18Tl,p. 675.)
84
OENEIUL OUyiTllOLOG Y.
Structure of Feathers. — A prrfect fcftthor, jinssoRRinK all tho pftrts It can have dovtl-
opcil, nmsixtw 111' II iniiiii stem, Hlmft or scaix' (I.at. mipnii, a stalk ; tiir. 10, ml), and ii siip|ili..
iiiwntary Htciii or after-shaft (hi/porhachia ; V,r. ino, hii)m, uiuh-r, paxit, rhnchis, a epinn or ridfc ;
fig. 19, h), t'acli IwariiiK two wtdis or vaiips ( Lat. vexillum, pi. vexilla, a banner ; fig. 19, r, c, <■).
on« on citlicr Hide. Tlie wlicde oeape is divided into two parts: one, nearest tho body of the
bird, the tube or barrel or "<iuill" proj)er iLat. calamus, a reodj, which is a hard, horny,
hollow, and 8enii-trans])arent cylinder, containing a little pith in the interior; it bears no weii«.
One end of this i|niil tupers to be inserted into the skin ; the other |)asse8, at a point marked by
a little i)it (Lat. umhiliais, tlie navel) into the shaft projier or rhnvhis, tho second part of tlin
stem. The rhachis is a four-sided prism, H(iuarish in transverse section, and tajjors gradually
to a fine pcunt ; it is loss
horny than the barrel, very
elastic, opaque, and solidly
pithy; it bears the vexilla.
The after-shaft, when well
doveloi)ed, is like a du)dieate
in miniature of tho main
feather, from tho stem of
which it sinings, at junc-
ti(m of ealamus with rha-
ehis, close by the unibili(!us.
It is generally very snnill
compared with tho main
part of the feather, though
quite as large in a few kinds
of birds ; it is entirely want- *"'"• 20. - Two imrim,
' , a, n,ofn vano, benrliiR lui-
mg in some groups of birds ; terlor, b, b, and poBterior,
it is never developed on the c.biirbulesjcnlargoaj after
, . . ' , . ., Nltzsch.
large, strong wing- and tail-
feathers. The fa»ie consists of a series of appressed,
fiat, narrowly linear or lance-linear laminae or
plates, set obliipiely on tho rhachis by their bases,
diverging out from it at a varying open angle, end-
ing in a free point ; each such narrow, acute jdate
is called a barb (Lat. barba, a beard ; fig. 20, a, a).
to Interfere with h, tho aficr-shaft, the whole of jj,,^^ jf ^]^^;^f^ laminffi or barbs simply lay alongside
the right vane of which l8 likewise cut away. ,.,,,,.,
each other, like the leaves of a book, the feather
would have no consistency; therefore, they are connected together; for, just as the rhachis
bears its vane or series of barbs, so does each barb bear its vanes of the second order, or little
vanes, called barbules (diniiu. of barba ; fig. 20, b, b, c). These arc to the barbs exactly what
the barbs are to the shaft, and are similarly given ofi' from both sides of the upper « .-s of
the barbs ; they make the vano truly a weft, that is, they so connect the barbs togothei that
some little force is required to pull them apart. Barbules are variously shaped, but generally
flat sideways, with upper and lower border at base, rapidly tapering to a slender thready end,
and aro long enough to reach over several barbules of the next barb, crossing the latter id)-
liquely. All the foregoing structures are seem by the naked eye or with a simple pocket lens,
but the next to be described recjuiro a microscope: they are tho barbicels (another dimin. of
barba), also called cilia, or lashes (fig. 21); and hamuli, or booklets (Lat. hamulus, a little
hook; fig. 21). These aro simply a sort of fringe to the barbules, just as if the lower edge
of the barbules were frayed out, and only differ from each other i'l that barbicels are plain bair-
Fio. 19. — A partly |wnnaccou8, partly pliim-
ulaceonB feather, fVom Argus pheasant; after
Kitzsch. ail, ninlii Htem ; il, calamus; a, rhachis;
r, e, r, vanes, cut awiy on left side In order not
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — FEATHERS.
86
m
lilic |iroc('S8PB, while hiiinuli arc hookrd at the end ; they arc not found on nil fcnthorg, nor on
all iPiirtK of tfoinf fcathfi'H. Harl)ic('l» occur on liotli iinti'i'lor und postrrlor rows of barliulcN,
though niri'ly on th<> hitter ; hooklt'tt* aru fontincd to any an-
terior Hcries of harlitiles, which, aH wo liave Hcen, overlie tho
posterior i'owh, forming a diagonal inoMli-work. The design
of this beautiful Btructure Ih evident ; tho harbulen aro inter-
locked, and tho wholo uiado a wub ; fur each h<M>klct of one
harhulo (Pitches h<dd of a barhule from the next barb in front,
^ any barbulo thus holding on to as many of the barbules of tlie
? tu'Xt barb as it has booklets; while, to facilitate this interlock-
» ing, tho barhnles have n tliickened upper edge of the right siz(»
for the booklets to grasp. The arrangement is shown in fig.
Hi, where ci, n, a, a, are lour barbs in transverse section, viewed
from the rut surftu^es, with their anterior, b, b, b, b, and pos-
terior, c, c, c, c, barhnles, the former bearing tho booklets
which catch over tho edge of the latter.
Fio. ^2. —
Four liarbg In
ITOU Bcctiun, >i,
<i, <f, a, beurini;
luiterlur, //, h, h,
li, and iHMterlcir
c, V, bar-
Fro. 21 —
A Kiiigle bar-
Types of Feathery Structure. — But all feathers do not
answer flie above descrijition. The after-shaft may be wanting,
as we have seen. Hooklets may not be developed, as frequently i,'u|cb, t'lie'rurm
happens. Harbicols may bo few or entirely wanting. Barb- ir bearing iiook-
nles may be similarly deficient, or bo defective as to be only oy„^ ^l^^ latter;
biiie, i)eartng recognized by their position and relations. Even barbs them- magnlflotl ; after
burblcfls and ° t r i i • • i r au i a NltzscU.
iiodkictD ; mag- selves may be few or lacking on one side of the shaft, or on
nifltd ; after ijf,th sides, as in certain bristly or hair-like styles of feathers. Consideration of
NltzBcb
these and other inodilicatums of feather-structuro has led to the recognition of
three tyjies or plans: 1. The perfectly feathery, p^iwoKs, or penuaceous (Lat. plunta, a plume,
(ir peuiia, a feather fit for writing with ; fig. 23), as above described. 2. The downy or
litiimiihiceotis (Lat. plumula, a little plume, a down-feather), when the stem is short and
weak, with soft rhachis and barbs, with long slender thready barbules, little knotty dilatu-
tioiis in place of bnrbi-
cols, and no hooklets.
.'1. The hairy, bristly, or
fihi - plumaceotis (Lat.
filitm, a thread), with
a very long, slender stem, Fio. 28 — A fcatber from the tall of a kingbird, Ti/mrfnun carotinensiii,
and rudimontarv or very »linogtentlrelypennaceou»; no after-shaft. From nature, by Cones.
small vanes composed of fine cylindrical barbs and barbules, if any, and no barbicels, knots,
or hooklets. There is no abrupt definition between these tyj)eB of structure ; in fact, the samo
feather may bo constructed on more than one of these plans, as in fig. 19, partly pennaceous,
partly pluinulaceous. All feathers are built upim one or another, or some combination, or
modification, of these types; and, in all their endless diversity, may be reduced to four or five
Different Kinds of Feathers. — 1. Contour-feathers, penntB or plumte proper, have a
perfect stem composed of calamus and rhachis, with vanes of pennaceous structure, at least
in part, usually pluinulaceous toward the base. These form the great bulk of the surface-
phiinage exposed to light ; their beautiful tints give the bird's colors ; they are the most
uudified in detail of all, from the fish-liko scales of a penguin's wings to the glittering jewels of
tho humming-bird, and all the endless airay of the tufts, crests, ruffs, and other ornaments of the
feathered tribes ; even tho imperfect bristlc-liko feathers above mentioned may belong among
86
GENEBAL ORNITHOLOGY.
them. Another feature is, that they arc usually individually moved by subcutaneous muscles,
of which there may be several to one feather, passing to be attached to the sheath of the tuhe,
inside the sltin, in which the stem is inserted. These muscles may be plainly seen under tlic
skin of a goose, and every one has observed their operation when a hen shakes herself after a
sand bath, or any bird erects its top-kuot. 2. Doicn- feathers, plumula, are characterized hy
a downy structure throughout. Tliey more or less completely invest the body, but are alnidst
always liidden beneath the contour-feathers, like padding about the bases of the latter; occa-
sionally they come to liglit, as in the iieecy ruif about the neck of the condor, and then usually
replace contour-feathers ; they have an after-shaft, or none ; and sometimes no rhachis at all,
the barbs then being sessile in a tuft at the end of the quill. They often stand in a regular (Hiiii-
cuux (;•;) between four contour- feathers. 3. Semiphmes, semiplumcB, may be said to unite
the characters of the last two, possessing the pcnnaceous stem o." the former, and the plumula-
ceous vanes of the latter ; they arc with or without after-shaft. They stand among penna, as
the plumute do, about the edges of patches of the former, or in parcels by themselves, but are
always covered by contour-feathers. 4. Filophones, filoplumce, or thread-feathers, have an
extremely slender, almost invisible stem, not well distinguished into barrel and shaft, and
usually no vane, unless a terminal tuft of barbs may be held for such. Long as they are,
they are usually hidden by the contour-feathers, close to which they stand as accessories,
one or more seeming to issue out of the very sacs in which the larger feathers are implanted.
These are the nearest approach to Imirs that birds have ; they are very well shown on domestic
poultry, being what a good cook finds it necessary to singe off after plucking a fowl for the
table. 5. Certain down-feathers are remarkable for continuing to grow indefinitely, and with
this unlimited growth is associated a cont-nual breaking down of the ends of the barbs. Siieli
plumulae, from being always dusted over with dry, scurfy exfoliation, are called poivder-dotcn ;
they may bo entitled to rank as a fifth kind, or pulviphnnes. They occur in the hawk, parrot,
and gallinaceous tribes, and especially in the lierons and tlieir allies. They are always present
in the latter, where they may be readily seen as at least two large patches of greasy or dusty,
wliitish feathers, matted over the hips and on the breast. The design is unknown.
Feather OH Gland. — Birds do not perspire, and cutaneous glands, corresponding to the
sweat-glands and sebaceous follicles ao common in Mammalia, are little known among them.
But their "oil-can" is a kind of sebaceous follicle, which may be noticed here in connection
with other tegumentary appendages. This is a two-lobed or rather heart-shaped gland, sad-
dled upon the " pope's nose," at the root of the tail, and hence sometimes called the uropygial
(Lat. %iroptjgium, rump), or rump-gland. If there bo no single word to name it, it may bo
called the elceodochon (Gr. iXaio&oxos, elaiodochos, containing oil). It is composed of numerous
slender tubes or follicles which secrete the greasy fiuid, the ducts of which, uniting successively
in larger tubes, finally open by one or more pores, commonly u])on a little nipple-like elevation.
Birds press out a drc^p of oil with the beak and dress the feathers with it, in the well-known
ojjeration called " preening." The gland is large and always present in aquatic birds, whicli
have need of waterproof plumage ; smaller in land-birds, as a rule, and wanting in some. The
presence or absence of this singular structure, and whether or not it is surmounted by a particu-
lar circlet of feathers, distinguishes certain groups of birds, and has como to be made much use
of in classification.
Pterylography. — Feathered Tracts and Unf eathered Spaces. — Excepting certain
birds having obviously naked spaces, as about the head or feet, all would be taken to be
fully feathered. So they are all covered with feathers, but it does not follow that feathers arc
everywhere implanted upon the skin. On the contrary, a uniform and continuous pterylosis
is the rarest of all kinds of feathering ; though such occurs, almost or quite perfectly, among
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — FEATHERS.
87
cortaiu birds, as the ostrich tribe, penguins, and toucans. If we compare a bird's skin to a
woll-ltept park, part woodland, part lawn ; then where feathers grow is the W(Hidland ; where
they do not grow is the lawn. The former places are called tracts or pteri/lee (diniin. from Gr.
iTTt^ov, pteron, a plume) ; the latter, spaces or apteria (Gr. a privative, and nrtpov) , tlicy
mutually distinguish certain definite areas. Not only are the pteri/lcB and apteria thus definite,
l)ut their size, form, and arrangement mark whole families and even orders of birds ; so that
pteri/losis becomes available, and is indeed found to be important, for purposes of classification.
Ptenjhgraphy, or tlie description of this matter, has been made a special study by the cele-
brated Nitzsch, who has laid down the general plan of pterylosis which obtains in the great
iiiiijiirity of birds, as follows: 1. The spinal or dorsal triust (pteryla sphialis; fig. 2i, 1),
ruiiuing along the middle of the bird above from the nape of the neck to the tail ; subject to
great variation in width, to dilation and contraction, to forking, to sending out branches, to
interruption, etc. 2. The humeral tracts {pt. humerales ; Lat. humerus, the shoulder, or upper
arui-b^ne: fig. 24, 2), always present, one on each wing; they are narrow bauds, running from
the shoulder obliquely backward upon the upper arm-bone, parallel with the shoulder-blade.
Fio.24. — Pterylosis of Cypielus apus, drawn by Cones after Nitzsch; rlglit hand upper, lett hand lower,
surface. 1. spiual tract; 2. humeral; 3, femoral; 4. capital; S. alar; 6. caudal; 7. crural; 8. ventral.
.'{. The femoral tracts (pt. femorales ; Lat. femur, the thigh ; fig. 24, 3) : a similar oblique
band upon the outside of each thigh, but subject to great variation. 4. The ventral tract {pt.
ventralis ; Lat. venter, the belly ; fig. 24, 8), which fonns most of the plumage on the under
part of a bird, commencing at or near the throat, and continued to the vent ; like the dorsal
tract, it is very variable, is usually bifurcate, or forked into right or left halves, with a median
apterium, is broad or narrow, branched, etc. ; thus, Nitzsch enumerates seventeen distinct modi-
fications ! The foregoing are mostly isolated tracts, tliat is, bands nearly surrounded by com-
jilnmentary apteria ; the following are, in general, continuously and uniformly feathered, and
tliiis practically equivalent to the part of the body they represent : Thus, 5, the head tract
{pt. capitalis ; Lat. caput, capitis, head ; fig. 24, 4) clothes the head, and generally runs
into the beginning of both dorsal and ventral tracts. 6. The wing tract (pt. alaris ; Lat. aJa,
wing ; fig. 24, 5) represents all the feathers that grow upon the wing, excepting those of
the Immoral tract. 7. The tail tract {pt. caudalis ; Lat. cauda, tail ; fig. 24, 6) includes
tlio tail-feathers proper and their coverts, and those about the elaodochon, and usually receives
the termination of the dorsal, ventral, and femoral tracts. 8. The leg tract {pt. cruralis ;
Lai. cru.t, cruris, leg ; figs. 24, 7) clothes the legs as far as these are feathered, which is
Kfiierally to the heel, always below the knee, and sometimes to the toes or even the claws. —
I ii'-cd not enumerate the apteria, as these are merely the complements of the pterylae. The
88
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
highly important special " flight-foathere " of the wings and " rudder- feathers " of the tail are
to bo exauiined beyond, in describing those members for purposes of classification.
Endysls and Ecdysls. — Putting on and off Plumage. — Newly hatched birds aro
covered for so:ne time with a Itind of down, entirely ditterent from such feathers as they ulti-
mately acquire. It is scanty, leaving much or all of the body naked, in most altricial birds,
such as are reared by the parents iu the nest (Lat. altrix, female uourisher) ; but thick and
putfy in some AUrices, and in all Pracoces (Lat. preecox, precocious), which run about at birtli.
Since many birds which require to bo reared in the nest are also hatched clothed, or very speedily
becomr downy, a more exact distinction maybe drawn by using the tcnna ptilopeBdic and^wiYo-
pcedic (Gr. wtiXov, ptilon, a feather; ^tXds, psilos, bare; and nais, pais, a child) respectively
for those birds which are hatched feathered or naked ; a chicken and a canary-bird are faniiliar
examples. It is the rule, that the higher birds are bom helpless and naked, requiring to be
reared in the nest till their feathers grow ; the reverse with lower birds, as the walking, wading,
and swimming kinds ; and a primary division of birds has even been proposed upon this physio-
logical distinction. It offers, however, too many exceptions ; thus, no birds are more naked
and helpless at birth than young cormorants. Probably all prwcocial birds are also ptilopa'dic
and all psilopfedic birds altricial ; but the converse is far from holding good, many altrices, as
hawks and owls, behig also ptilopaedic. In other words, psilopsedic birds are always altricial,
but ptilopaidic birds may be cither altricial or praecocial. In any case, true feathers are soon
gained, iu some days or weeks, those i>f the wings and tail being usually the first to sprout.
The acquisition of plumage is called endi/sis (ivSvirit, endusis, putting on). The renewal of
jiluniage is a process familiar to all, in its generalities, under the tt'rm " moult," or ecdi/sin
(Gr. ?ic8u(Tir, ekdusis, putting off'). Feathers are of such rapid growth, and make such a drain
upon the vital energies, that we easily understand how critical an* periods of the change.
The first plumage is usually worn but a short time ; then another more or less complete
change commonly occurs. The moult is as a rule annual ; and in many cases more than
<me moult is required before the bird attains the perfection of maturity in its feathering.
It is well known how different many birds are the first year in their coloration from that
afterward acquired ; sometimes changes progress for several years ; and some birds ajipcar
to have a period of senile decline. All such changes are necessarily connected, if not
with actiuil moult, as is the rule, then at any rate with wear and tear and repair of the
plumage. The first plumage being gained, under whatever conditions peculiar to the species,
it is the general rule, that birds are subject to single, or annual, moult. This commonly occurs
in the fall, when the duties of incubation are concluded, and the well-worn plumage most needs
rcrewal. This once-a-year moult, at least, happens to nearly or quite all birds. Many,
however, moult twice a year, the additional moult usually occurring in the spring-time, when
a fresh nuptial suit is acquired ; in such cases, the moult is said to be double, or semi-annual.
Such additional moult is generally incomplete ; that is, all the feathers are not shed and
renewed, but more or fewer new ones are gained, with more or less loss of the old ones, if
any. The most striking ornaments donned for the breeding season, as the elegant plumes
of many herons, are usually worn but a brief time, being doffed in advance of the general
fall moult. A few birds, as the ptarmigan {Lagopus), regularly have even a third or triple
moult, shedding many of their feathers as usual in the early autumn, then changing
entirely to pure white for the winter, then in spring moulting completely to assume their
wedding-dress. As a rule, feathers are moulted so gradually, particularly those of the wings
and tail, and so simultaneously upon right and left sides of the body, that birds are at no time
deprived of the power of flight. The first flight-feathers acquired by young birds are usually
kept till the next season ; but in those that fly very early, before they are half grown, as so
many gallinaceous birds do, their first weak wing-feathers are included in the general moult
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — FEATHERS.
89
tail
are
which occurs to young and old in the fall. The duck tribe offer the remarkable ease, that
thcv ih-(ip their wiug-quills so nearly all at once as to be for some time deprived of the power
(if Jiitrht. It is quite certain that many birds change the colors of tiieir plumage remarkably,
witlidiit losing or gaining any feathers, by some process which aflfects the texture of the feath-
ers, such as the shedding of the barbicels and booklets, or its pigmentation ; or by such processes
cdiiiliiiied. The male of our bobolink changes from the buff dress of the female to his rich black
suit witliout losing or gaining any feathers. It is difficult to lay down any rules of moulting
fur partiiuilar groups of birds, since birds very closely related iliffer greatly in respect to their
clumgcs of plumage, and the subject has not yet received the attention its interest and impor-
tance slioiild claim for it. The physiological processes involved are analogous to those con-
cerned in the shedding of the hair of mammals and the casting of the cuticle of reptiles.
Plumage-changes with Sex, Age, and Season. Aside from any consideration of the
way in which plumage changes, whether by moult or otherwise, the fact remains that most birds
of tlic same species differ more or less from one another according to certain circumstances. The
ilissiniilarity is not only in coloration, though this is the usual and most proncunoed diflference,
but also in the degree of development of jdumes, — their size, fonn, and texture. Since young
birds are those which have not come to sexual vigor ; since breeding recurs at regular periods
(if the year ; and since males and feiniilcs usually differ in plumage, — nearly all the various
dresses worn by diflFerent individuals of the same species are correlated with tlio conditions of
tlii^ reproductive system. As the internal generative organs represent of course the essential or
priiiiiiri/ sexual characters, all those of the plumage just indicated may be properly classed as
secondary .lexiial characters. These are of great importance, not only in practical ornithok)gy,
but as the basis of some of the soundest views that have been advanced respecting the evolu-
tion of specific characters in tliis class of animals. The generalizations may be miule : that
when the sexes are strikingly different in plumage, the young at first resemble the female ;
wlien the ailults are alike, the young are different from either; when seasonal changes are great,
(he ytiung resemble the fall plumage of the parents ; and, further, that when the adults of two
related species of the same genus are nearly alike, the young are usually intermediate, their
s[iecific characters not being fully devebiped. Specific characters are often to be found oidy in
the male, the females of two related species being scarcely distinguishable, though the males
may be told apait at a glance. Extraordinary developments of feathers, as to size, shape, and
(•(iliir, are often confined to one sex, usually the male. The more richly, extensively, or pecu-
liarly the male is adorned, the simpler the female in comparison, as the peacock and peahen.
The Wis(! Man of Late has formulated the several categories of secondary sexual characters,
;,'iving the following rules or classes of cases : "1. When the adult male is more beautiful or
conspicuous than the adult female, the young of both sexes in their first plumage closely
re.«emblo the adult female, as with the coramon fowl and peacock; or, as occasionally
occurs, they resemble her much more closely than they do the adult male. 2. When the adult
female is more conspicuous than the adult male, as sometimes though rarely occurs [chiefly
«ifli certain birds of prey and snipe-like birds], the young of both sexes in their first plumage
resemble the adult male. 3. When the adult male resembles the adult female, the young of
both sexes have a jieculiar first phunage of their ovni, as with the ndiin [usual]. 4. When the
ii(hilt male resembles the adult female, the young of both sexes in their first plumage resemble
the adults [unusual]. 5. 'Wlien the iulults of both sexes have a distinct winter and summer
plumage, whether or not the male differs from the female, the young resemble the adults of
both sexes in their winter dress, or much more rarely in their summer dress, or they resemble
tli(* females alone. Or the young may have an intermediate character ; or again they nniy
(lilfcT greatly from the adults in both their seasonal plumages. 0. In some few cases the
yotmg in their first jilumage difler from each other according to sex ; the young males re-
90
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
scmWing more or loss closely tlio lulult males, and the young females more or less closely the
adult femak's." — (Diirwiu, Dcsc. of Man, new ed., ISSl, p. 4(56.)
Summary of Secondary Sexual Characters of Birds — The temptation to give llio
conclusion of tlie whole matter in Darwin's own words, summary of his views of Sexual
Selection as so important a factor in Natural Selection, need net be resisted. I therefore quote
again from the work last cited, jip. 496-499.
" Most male birds are Iilglily pugnacious during the breeding-season, and some possess weapops adapted for
tIgliMng with tbelr rivals. But the most pugnacious and the best armed males rarely or never depend for suecnss
solely upon their power to drive away or kill their rivals, but have siicclal means for cliarmiiig the female. With
some it Is the power of song, or of giving forth strange cries, or Instrumental music, and the males In consequeiuc
dlBer iu their vocal organs, or In the structure of certain feathers. From the curiously diversillcd means for pro-
ducing various sounds, wo gain a high Idea of the Importance of this means of courtship. JIany birds endeavor to
charm the female by love-dances or antics, performed on tlie ground or in the air, and sometimes at prei>are(l places.
But ornaments of many kinds, the most brilliant tints, combs, and wattles, beautiful plumes, elongated feathers,
top-knots, and so forth, are by far the commonest means. In some cases mere novelty appears to have acte<l as a
charm, 'llie ornaments of the males must l>e highly important to them, for they liavo been acquired in not a few
cases at the cost of increased danger from enemies, and even at some loss of i)ower in flgliting with their rivals.
The males of very many species do not assume their ornamental dress until they arrive at maturity, or they assume
it only during the breeding season, or tlie tints then become more vivid. Certain ornamental appendages become
enlarged, turgid, and brightly colored during the act of courtship. The males display their charms with elabor.ite
care and to the best effect ; and this Is done in the presence of the females. The courtship is sometimes a pro-
longed aCfkir, and many males and females congregate at an appointed place. To suppose that the females do not
appreciate the beauty of the males, is to admit tliat their splendid decorations, ail their pomp and display, are
useless; and this is Incredible. Birds have line powers of discrimination, and in some few cases it can be shewn
that they have a taste for the Iwautiful. The females, moreover, are known occasionally to exhibit a markeil
preference or antipathy for certain individual males.
" If It f>e admitted that the females prefer, or are unconsciously excited by the more beautiful males, then
the males would slowly hut surely be rendered more and more attractive through sexual selection. That It is
this sex whicli has been chieUy modified, we may Infer from the fact that, in almost every genus where the sexes
differ, the males differ much more from one another than do the females ; this is well shown in certain eloscly-allieil
representative species, in which the females can hardly he distinguished, wlillst the males are quite distinct. Birds
in a state of nature ofibr indirfdual differences which would amply suffice for the work of sexual selection ; but \vc
have seen that they occasionally present more strongly-marked variations which recur so fk-equently that they
would Inmiediately l>e iixed, if they served to allure tlie female. Tlie laws of variation must determine the nature
of the Initial changes and will have largely influenced the final result. The gradations, which may lie observed
between the males of allied species. Indicate the nature of the steps througli which they have jiassed. They
explain also in the most interesting manner how certain characters have originated, such as the Indented ocelli
on the tall-feathers of the peacock and the ball and socket ocelli on the wing-featliers of tlie Argus pheasant. It is
evident tliat the brilliant colors, top-knots, fine plumes. &c., of many male birds cannot liave been acquired
as a protection ; indeed, they sometimes lead to danger. That they are not due to the direct and definite action
ef the conditions of life, we may feel assured, because the females have been exposed to tlie same conditions,
and yet often differ from the males to an extreme degree. Although II Is probable that changed conditions nctlnu
during a lengthened period iiavo In some cases produced a definite effect on both sexes, or sometimes on one sex
alone, the more important result will have been an increased tendency to vary or to present more strongly marked
individual dlflferences : and such diS'erences will have afforded an excellent ground-work for the action of sexual
selection,
" Tlie laws of Inheritance, Irrespectively of selection, appear to have determined whether the characters
acquired by the mules for the sake of ornament, for producing various sounds, and for fighting together, have been
transmitted to the males alone or to both sexes, either permanently, or periodically during certain seasons of tlie
year. Why various characters should have been transmitted sometimes In one way and sometimes In another. Is not
in most cases known; but the period of variability seems often to have been tlic determining cause. When the
two sexes have Inherited all characters in common, they necessarily resemble each other; but as the successive
variations may lie dift'erently transmitted, every possible gradation may lie found, even within the same genus,
from the closest similarity to the widest dissimilarity between the sexes. With many closely-allletl species, follow-
ing nearly the same habits of life, tlie males have come to differ from each other chiefly through the action of
sexual selection ; whilst the females have come to differ chiefly from partaking more or lees of the characters thus
acquired by the males. The eftccts, moreover, of the definite action of the conditions of life, will not have been
maske<l In the females, as in tlie males, by the accumulation through sexual selection of stroiigly-pronouncetl colors
and other ornaments. The Individuals of both sexes, however aftccted, will have been kept at each succcstiivo
period nearly uniform by the (Vee intercrossing of many individuals.
" With species. In which the sexes differ In color, It Is possible or probable that some of the successive varia-
tions often tended to be transmitted equally to both sexes; hut that when this occurred the females were pre-
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — TOPOGRAPHY.
91
losely tho
Jgivo tlio
l>re quote
rcnteil from ncquirlng the bright colon of the males, by tho destruction which they suffered during incubation.
Tliuro i» no evidence that it is possible by natural selection to convert one form of transmission Into another. But
tlicrc would not bo tho least difllculty in rendering a female dull-colored, the male being still Itept bright-coloreil,
by the selection by successive variations, which were from the first limited in their transmission to the same sex.
Whether the females of many species liave actually been thus Diodllled, must at present remain doubtful. When,
tlirougli tho law of the equal transodssion of characters to both sexes, the females were rendered as conspicuously
colored as the males, their instincts ap()ear often to have been modified so that they were led to build domed or
concealed nests.
" In one small and curious class of cases tho characters and habits of the two sexes have been com))letcly
transposed, for tho females are larger, stronger, more vociferous and brighter colored than the males. They have,
nisi), become so quarrelsome that they often fight together for the possession of the males, like the males of other
pugnacious species for the imssession of the females. If, as seems probable, such females habitually drive awuy
tliclr rivals, and by the display of their bright colors or other charms endeavour to attract the males, we can under-
stand how it is that they have gradually been rendered, by sexual selection and sexually-limited truusmissioii,
more beautiful than the niales — the latter being left unmodified or only slightly modified.
" Whenever the law of inheritance at corresiwnding nges prevails, but not that of sexually-limited trans-
ndsslon, then If the parents vary lote In life — and we know that this constantly occurs with our poultry,
and occasionally with other birds — the young will be left unaffected, whilst the adults of both sexes will be
modified. If both these laws of Inheritance prevail and either sex varies late in life, that sex alone nill l)e
modified, the other sex and the young t>elng unaffected. When variations in brightness or In other conspicuous
characters occur early in life, as no doubt often happens, they will not be acted on through lexual selection unill
tlic iicriod of reproduction arrives; consequently If ilangerous to the young, they will bo eliminated through
natural selection. Thus we can understand how It is tliat variations arising late in life have so often been pre-
served for the ornamentation of the males ; the females and the young being left almost unatTectcd, and therefore
like each other. With species having a distinct summer and winter plumage, the males of which either resemblx
ur ilitt'er from the females during both seasons or during the summer alone, the degrees and kinds of resemblance
between the young and the old are excce<lliigly complex; and this complexity apparently depends on characters,
first acquired by the males, being transmitted in various ways, as limited by age, sex, and season.
*' As the young of so many species have been but little modified in color and other ornaments, we are enabled
to form some Judgment with respect to the plumage of their early progenitors ; and we may infer that tho beauty
of our existing s]iecies. If we look to the whole class, has been largely increased since that perio<i, of which the
plumage gives us an indistinct record. Many birds, especially those widcli live much on the ground, have undoubt-
edly been obscurely colored for the sake of protection. In some instances the upper exposed surface of the plumage
hns been thus colored in both sexes, whilst tho lower surface in the males alone lias been variously ornamented
througii sexual selection. Finally, fVom the facts given In these four chapters [pp. 358-199 of the work in citation],
we may conclude that weaiwns for battle, organs for producing sound, ornaments of many kliuls, bright and con-
8]>icuous colors, have generally been acquired by the males through variation and sexual selection, and have been
transmitte<l in various ways according to the several laws of Inheritance — the female and the young being left
comparatively but little modified."
b. The Topography of Bieds.
The Contour of a Bird with tho feathers on is spindle-shaped, or fusiform (Lat.
fusus, a spindle), tapering at both ends; it represents two cones joined base to base at the middle
or greatest girth of tho body, tapering in front to tho tip of the bill, behind to the end of the
tail. The obvious design is easiest cleavage of air in front, and least drag or wash beliiud, in
the act of flying. This shape is largely produced by the lay of the plumage ; a naked bird pre-
sents several prominences and depressions, this irregular contour being reducible, in general
terms, to two spindh^s or double cones. The head tapers to a point in front, at the tip of the
bill, and contracts behind, toward the middle of the neck, in consequence of diminution in
bulk of the muscles by which it is slung on the neck ; which last is somewhat contracted or
hour-glass shaped near the middle, swelling where it is slung to the body. The body is largest
in front and tapers to the tail. The
Centre of Gravity is admirably preserved beneath the centre of the body, and opposite
the points where it is supported by the wings. The enormous breast-nmscles of a bird are
among its heaviest parts, sometimes weighing, to speak roundly, as inu(!h as one-sixth of the
whole bird. Now these are they that etfect all the movements of the wings at tho shoiihler-
joiuts, lifting as well as lowering the wings. Did these pectoral muscles pull straiglit, tho
lifters would liave to be above the shoulder-joint ; but they all lie below it, and the lifters
92
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
accomplish their offioo by running through pulleys to ehiinge the line of their traction. They
work like men hoisting sails from the deck of a vessel ; ami thus, like a sliip's cnrgo, a bird's
cliief weight is kept below tlic centre of motion. Top-lieaviness is further obviated by the way
in which birds with a long lieavy necli and head draw these parts in upon the breast, and
extend the legs bcliind, us is well shown by tlie attitude of a heron flying. The nice adjust-
ment of balance by the variable extension of the head and feet is exactly like that produced in
weighing by shifting a weight along tlie arm of a steel-yard ; and together with the slinging
of the chief weiglit under the wings instead of over or even between them, enables a bird to
easily keep riglit side up in flight. The
Exterior of a Bird is divided for purposes of descriittion into seven parts : — 1. The head
(Lat. caput) ; -2. The neck (Lat. colliim) ; IS. The body proper, or trunk (Lat. tnnicus) ; 4.
Tlie bill or beak (Lat. rostrum) ; 5. The Mings (Lat. pi. ahc) ; 6. The tail (Lat. cauda) ; 7-
The feet (Lat. pi. links). Of these, 1, 2, 'i, the head, neck, and trunk, arc collectively termed
the hodi/ (.Lat. corputi), in disthiction from 4, 5, 6, 7, which are the members (Lat. niemhra).
The wings and feet are of course double or paired parts. The bill is strictly but a part of the
head ; but its manifold uses as an organ of prehension make it functionally a hand, and there-
fore one of the " members." The
tm
(I^
«u
till
Head has the general shape of a four-sided pyramid; of which the base is applied to the
eud of the ueck, therefore not appearing from the exterior, and the apex of which ia frustrated
at the base of the bill. The uppermost side is move or less convex or vaulted, sloping iu
every direction ; the under side is flattish and horizontal ; the lateral surfaces are flattish and
vertical ; all similarly taper forward. The departures from any such typical shape are endless
iu degree and variable in kind, giving rise to numerous general descriptive terms, such as
"head flattened," "head globular," but not susceptible of exact definition. The head is
moulded, of course, upon the skull, corresponding in a general way to the brain-cavity of the
cranium proper, both in size and shape ; but it differs in several particulars. In the first place,
there is the scaft'olding of the jaws ; secondly, hirge excavations to receive the eye-balls, and
smaller ones for the ear-jinrts ; thirdly, muscular masses overlying the bone ; and lastly, in
some birds, large hoUow spaces in the bone between the inner and outer tables or plates of the
cranial walls. Each side of the head presents two t)peiiings for tlie eye (Lat. oculus) and ear
(Lat. aurix), the jiosition of which is variable, both absolutely and in relation to each other.
But in the vast majority of birds, the eye is strictly lateral in situation, and near the middle of
the side of the head ; while the ear is behind and a little below the eye, near the articulation
of the lower jaw. Biit the shape of the skull of owls is such, that the eyes are directed forward,
and such birds are said to have '' eyes anterior." Om'Is also have enormous outer ears, in some
cavses provided with a movable flap or conch, closing upon the opening like the lid of a box ;
and iu many ciuses tlu'ir ear-parts, and some of the cranium itself, is unsymmetrical. In
most birds tJie ear-opening is quite small, and only covered by modified feathers. In the
woodcock and snipe, owing to the way the brain-box is tilted up, the ears are below and not
behind the eyes. The mouth (Lat. os, gen. oris) is always a fissure across the front of the head.
The cleavage varies, both in extent and direction ; the latter is usually horizontal, or nearly
so, but may trend much downward ; the former varies from a minimun, in which the cleft does
not reach back of the horny part of the bill, as in a snipe, to the maximum seen in fissure-billed
birds like the swifts and goatsuckers, which gape almost from ear to ear. There are no other
openings iu the head proper, for the nostrils are always in the bill. Tlie
Neck, in effect, is a simple cylinder, rendered somewhat hour-glass-shaped, as above said.
It consists of a movable chain of bones, the cervical vertebra: (Lat. cerri.T, the neck ; rerto. I
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS.— TOPOGRAPHY.
98
Thoy
bird's
e way
t, ami
idjiist-
ict'd in
iiigiiig
!)ii'd to
turn) enveloped in muscle, along which in front lie the gullet (Lat. asophagus) aud windpipe
(Lat. trachea), with associate hlood-vessels, nerves, etc. Its lengtli is very variable, as is the
ntiinber of its bones, tlie latter ranging from 8 to about 26. Bearing as it does the head, with
tlio bill, which is the true hand of iv bird, the neck is extremely flexible, to permit the neces-
sarily varied movements of this handy member. Its least length may be said to be that which
allows the point of a bird's beak to reach the uil-gland on the rump ; its greatest length some-
times exceeds that of the body and tail together, as in the case of a swan, crane, or heron. The
length is usually in direct' proportion to that of the legs, in obvious design of allowing the beak
to touch the ground easily to pick up food. The neck is habitually carried in a double curve,
like an open S or italic /, the lower belly of the curve, convex forward, fitting in between the
forks of the merry-thought (Lat. furculuni), the upper curve holding the head horizontal at the
f>aine time. This " sigmoid flexure" (sigma, Greek S), highly characteristic of the bird's neck,
is produced by the saddle-shaping of tlie articular surfaces of the several bones. The mechan-
ical arrangement is such, that the sigma may be easily bent till the upper end (head) rests on
the lower convexity, or as easily straightened to a right line ; but little if any further deviation
in opposite curvature is pcnnitted. As a generalization, the neck may be called relatively
longest in wading birds, as herons, cranes, ibises, etc. ; shortest in perching birds, as the great
majority of small Insessores; intennediate in swimming birds. But many swimmers, as
swans and cormorants, have extremely long necks ; and some waders, as plovers, have very
short ones. A long neck is a rarity among tlie higher birds (above the Gallin<e), in most of
whicli the head seems to nestle upim the shoulders. The longer the neck, the more sinuous
and flexible is it likely to be. Anatomiciilly, the neck ends before at the articulation of the
atlas (first cervical vertebra) with the skull, and behind at the first vertebra which bears free
jointed ribs reaching the sternum. (See also p. 133, Anatomy.) The shape of the
Body proper, or Trunk, is obviously referable to that of the egg ; it is ovate (Lat.
ovum, an egg ; whence oval, the plane figure represented by the middle lengthwise sectitm of
an egg ; ovate or ovoid, the solid figure). The swelling of the breast represents the greatest
diameter of the egg, usually near the larger end. But the ovoid is never perfectly expressed,
and departures from the figure are numberless. In general, the higher perching birds have the
body nearly of the ovate shape ; among waders, the figure is usually compressed, or flattened
vertically, as is well seen in the herons, and still better in the rails, where the lateral narrow-
ing is at an extreme ; among swimmers, tlie body is always more or less depressed, or flattened
horizontally, and especially underneath, that the birds may rest on the water with more
stability, as well sliowu by a duck or diver. Anatomically the body begins with the foremost
dorsal vertebrte, or those that bear true ribs ; laterally, it ceases quite definitely at the shoulder-
joints, the wh(de of the fore limb being outside the general content of the trunk , behind, in
the middle line, it includes everything, only the tnW-feathers themselves being beyond it ;
behind and laterally, it includes more or less of the legs, for these are generally buried in tlie
common integument of the body to the knee-joint, nearly or quite so, and sometimes to the
heel-joint ; thougli more strictly the trunk should be limited by the hip-joint. The rib-bearing
part of the back-bone, the ribs themselves, and the greatly enlarged breast-bone (Lat. sternum)
compose the cavity of the chest (Lat. ihoraa). \l\mu this bony box, which contains the
heart and lungs and some other viscera, are saddled on each side the bones of the shoulder-girdle
or scajiular-arch, namely, the shoulder-blades (Lat. scapula),thc coracoids, an<l the collar-bones
(Lat. clavicula), all three of which come together at tlie shoulder-joint. Tlie thoracic cavity
is not separated by any partition or diaphragm from that of tlie belly (I^at. abdomen), which
with the j)ehns, or basin, contains the digestive, urinary, and genital organs. The ))elvis is
composed, in dorsal mid-line, of so many of the vertehraB (^dorso-lumbar, sacral proper, and
urosacral, as become immovably joined to one another, and laterally of the confluent haunch-
94
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
bones. The uumorouB anchylosed (or confluent) vertebnu compose the mcrum. The hiiiineli-
boiies or ossa innominata consist on each side of three bones, iVi'mw, ischium, and pubiK, in luliill
hfe more or less perfectly anchylosed. Wlierc they all tiiree conic together is the hip-joint.
The remaining bones, usually included among those of tiie body proper, are the coccygeal or
caudal v.Ttebra!. (For anatomical detail see beyond, under Osteology, vXv.)
Topography of the Body. — Resides being thus divided into head, neck, trunk, nndmein-
bei-8, the exterior of the body is fmther subdivided or inapiied out into regions for the purposes
of description. It is necessary for the student to become familiar with the "topography " of a
bird, as this kind of mapjiing out may be called, for the names of the regions or outer areas
are incessantly used in ordinary descriptive ornithology. Many more names have been applied
than are in cumnum use ; I shall try to define and explain nil those which are usually em-
ployed, beginning with the parts of the body, and ending with those of the members.
L REOIONS OF THE BODY.
Upper and Under Parts. — Draw a line from the comer of the mouth along the side of
the head and neck to and through the shoulder-joint and thence along the side of the body to
the root of the tail ; all above this line, including the ujjper surfaces of the wings and tail, are
upper parts ; all below it, including under surfaces of wings and tail, are under parts ; for
whi(!h the short words " above " and " below " often stand. The distinction is purely arbi-
trary, but so convenient as to be practically indispensable. It will be seen how an otherwise
lengthy description, enumerating parts that lie over or imder the "lateral line" can be
put in so few words as, for examjde, " above, green ; below, yellow." Many birds colors have
some such simple general distribution. These parts are also the dorsal (Lat. dorsum, back)
and ventral (Lat. renter, belly) surfaces or aspects. The upper parts of the body proper, or
trunk, have also 'uccived tlie general name oinntaum (Gr. vuror, notos, back) ; the under parts,
similarly rcstricte 1, that of gastrmum (C5r. yaarrjp, gaster, belly) : but these tenns are not
iiuich used now. These two are never naked, while both head and neck may be variously ban^
of feathers. The only exception is the transient condition of certain birds during incubation,
when, like the eider duck, they pull off featlu'rs to furnish the nest, or when the plumage, as
tisually happens, wears off. The gastrreum is rarely onuunented with feathers difTerent in
texture or structure from those of i\\v. plumage at large ; but such a case is furnished by our
Lewis's woodpecker (Asyndesmus tnnpiatus). The nota!um, on the contrary, is often the seat
of extraordinary developinc^nt of feathers, either in size, shape, or t((xture, or all three of these
(pialities ; as the singularly elegant dorsal plumes of many herons. Individual feathers of the
notamm are generally pennaceous, and for the most part straight and lancecdate ; and as a
whole lie smoothly shingled or imhricntcd. The ventral feathers are usimlly more largely
j)lumulaceous, and loss flat and iiribricated, but even more comi)act, that is thicker, than those
of the upper parts; especially among water birds, where they arc more or less curlj', and
very thick set. There are subdivisions of the
Notaeum. — Beginning when^ the neck ends, and ending where the tail-coverts begin
Csec fig. 25, 12), this jjart of a bird is subdivided into back ("Lat. dorsum; fig. 25, 11) and
rump (Lat. urnpygium ; tii;. 25, LS). Tiiese are in direct continuafion of each other, and their
limits are not precisely defined ; the feathers of both are of the pteryla dorsalui. In general, we
shoidd call the anterior two-thirds or three-fourths of notieum " back," and the rest " rump."
With the former are generally included the scapuliir or shoulder-feathers, scajmlars or scapu-
laries ; these are they that grow on the pterylcf humerales. The region of notreum they repre-
sent is called scaiwlare fLat. scapula, shouhler-blade), and that part of notasum strictly
EXTEBNAL PARTS OF BIRDS.- TOPOGBAPHY.
95
(lunch-
•I luliilt
tgeal or
liciwi'cn them is culled tlic interscapularc (fig. 25, 10) ; it is often marked, ua in tlic chipping
sparrow, witii streaks or some other distinctive coloration. A part of dorsnin, lying between
intcrsoapulare and uropygium, is sometimes recognized as the "lower back" (Lat. tergi<m\; but
this distinction is not practically useful. To uropygium probably also belong tlie feathers of
tii(^ pteryla- femorales, or at any rate those are commonly ijicluded with the rump in descrip-
tions; but they more properly represent the flanks (Lat. ilia, or hi/pochondria) ; that is, sides
(if the rump. They arc sometimes the seat of largely developed or otherwise iwculiarly
iiiixlified feathers, as the snowy flaiik plumes of the white-bellied swift {Pawjptila saxatilis) or
violet -green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina), which meet over the rump. The whole of
iKita'um, taken together with the upper surfaces of the wings, is called the mantle (Lat. stragu-
liim, a cloak) ; often a convenient term, as in describing gulls and terns for example. In like
manner, the
47 481
Fio. 25 — Topography of u Bird. 1, forehead (/Vons). 2, lore. 3, circumocular region. 4, crown {vertex),
a, eye. 6, hind head (occipuO. 7, nape (nucAa). 8, hind neck (cerria^). 9, Bide of neck. 10, Interscapular region.
II, ilorstim, or back proiier, Including 10. 12, notaum, or ui)pcr part of body proper, Including 10, 11, and 13.
l.l, rump {uropygium). 14, upper tall-coverts. 15, tall. 16, under tall-coverts (triisum). 17, tarsus. 18, abdo-
iiion. 1!), hind toe (Aa//ii.r). 20, (/nWrrewm, Including 18 and 24. 21, outer or fourth toe. 22, middle or third toe.
'A eldo of the body. 24, breast (pectus). 25, primaries. 26, secondaries. 27, tertlarles; nos. 25, 26, 27 are all
rcmiges. 28, primary coverts. 29, alula, or bastard wing. 30, greater coverts. 31, median coverts. 32, lesser
niverls. 33, the " throat," Including 34, 37, 38. 34, jHjru/Mm or lower throat. 35, aurlciilars. 36, malar region.
37, ;7u/a, or middle throat. 38, mentum, or chin. 39, angle of commissure, or corner of mouth. 40, ramus of
under mandible. 4t, side of under mandible. 42, gonys. 43, apex, or tip of bill. 44, tomla, or cutting edges of
the bill. 45, culmen, or ridge of upper mnndililo, corresponding to gonys. 46, side of upper mandible. 47, nostril.
48 passes across the bill a little in front of its base.
Gnstreeum is subdivided into regions, called, in general terms, breast (Lat. pectus ; fig. 25,
21), Mhj (Lat. abdomen ; fig. 25, 18), and sides of the body (Lat. pleura ; fig. 25, 23). The
"sides "or pleurae belong really as much to the dorsal as to the ventral aspects of a bird's
body ; but in consequence of the underneath -freighted shape, the line we drew passes so high
up along them, that they are almost entirely given over to gastrrcinn. The breast begins over
96
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
thp mfirry-thought whoro jtigulum (see beyond) ends; on either hand, it slopes up to " sides";
behind, its extenniou is indetiuito. It should properly reach as far as the breast-bone doi'.s, \u
the limit of the thorax; but in nmny birds this would leave almost nothing for abdomen, ami
the limit would moreover fluctuate with almost every family of birds, the sternum being sn
variaWe in length. Practically, therefore, without reference to the breast-bone, "breast" or
pectus Is restricted to the swelling anterior jyart of gastra;um, which we call belly fir abtloiiini
as Boon as it begins to straighten out and Hatten. Abdomen, like pectus, rounds up on either
)/i\m\ into sides ; behind, it ends definitely in a transverse line passing across the anus. It has
/been unnecessarily divided into epinuxtrium or " jiit of the stonuieh," and venter or lower belly;
but these terms are rarely used. (CnsKiim is a word constantly used for some indefinite region
immediately about the vent; sometimes meaning the flanks, sometimes the vent-feathers or
under tail-coverts proixT ; I refer to it again in connection with these last.) Though the.-c
boundaries seem fluctuating and not perfectly satisfactory, a little practice will enable the
student to ap)ireciate their proper use in descriptions, and to empbiy them himself with sutli-
cient accuracy. The adjectival terms are respectively pectoral, abdominal, and lateral. Thv
anterior continuation of the trunk, or the
Neck (Lat. collinn) is likewise subdivided into regions. Its lateral aspects, except iu
those birds that have Literal neck-tracts of featliers, are formed by the meeting over its sides
of the feathew that grow on the dorsal and ventral pteryla', the skin being usually nttt planted
with feathers. Partly on this acu-ount, perhajis, a distinctively named region is not often
exiiressed ; we say simply "sides of the neck," or "neck laterally" (parauchenia, fig. 25, 9).
'Y\\v, neck behind, or the dorsal (upper) aspr-ct, is divided into two portions : a lower, the
"hind neck" proper, or "scruff of the neck" (Lat. cervix ; fig. 25, 8), next to the back;
and an upjier, or "nape of the neck" (Lat. nucha ; fig. 25, 7j, adjoining the hind head.
These are otherwise respectively known as tin* cervical and nuchal region ; and, in speaking
of both together, we usually say "the neck behind." The front of the neck has been need-
lessly subdivided, and these subregions vary with almost every writer. It suffices to call it
throat (Lat. giila, fig. 25, 37, or jugulum, 34) ; remembering that the jugular portion is
lowermost, vanishing in breast, and the gular uppermost, running into chin along the under
surface of the head. Guttur is a term sometimes us(;d to include gula and jugulum together :
it is simply equivalent to " throat," as just defined ; the adjective is guttural. Though gener-
ally covered with feathers, the neck, unlike the trunk, is frecjuently partly naked. When naked
behind, it is usually cervix that is bare, as so characteristically occurs in herons, from interrup-
tion of the forward exttnisiiin of the pteryla spinalis. Nucha is seldom if ever naked, except as
an extension of general bald-headedness. Gula is similarly naked from above dowmvards, as
consjiicuously illustrated in the order Stcganojmdes, comprising the pelicans, connorants, etc.,
which have a bare gular pouch ; and as st.'en in many vultures, whose baldness extends over
nucha and gula, and even all around the neck, as in the condor, whose nakedness ends with so
singular a collar of close-set, do\niy foathei-s. The lower throat or jugulum becomes naked
in a few birds, in which a distended crop or craw protrudes, ])ushing apart feathers of two
briuiches of the pteri/ln ventralis as these ascend the neck. The rule is, that the neck is not
the seat of enlarged or otherwise highly developed feathers, which might restrict the requisite
freedom of its motion ; but there are some signal exceptions, among which may be instanced
the grouse fa\nily. The ruflii'd grouse has a singular umbrella-like tuft on each side of the neck :
the pinnated grouse has still more curious winglets in the same situation, covering bare disten-
sible skin : the sharp-tailed grouse is in somewhat similar but less pnniounced case ; while the
cock of the plains has some extraordinary jugular developments of feathers in connection with
bis subcutaneous tympanum. Cervix projier almost never has modified feathers, but often a
transverse coloration different from that of the rest of the upper parts ; when conspicuous, this
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — TOPOGRAPHY.
97
is calloil " cervical collar," to distinguish it from the guttural or jugular "collars " or rings of
ciilor. Xuelirt is frequently similarly marked with a "nuchal band;" often special develoj)-
iiK uts there take tlie form of lenpthening of the feathers, and we luive a " nuchal crest." More
|iiirticularly in birds of largely variegated colors, guttur and jugulum are marked lengthwise
witii stripes and streaks, of which tlioso on tlie sides are apt to be ditfercwt from those along
tlie middle line in frout. Jugulum occasionally has lengthened featliers, as in many herons.
Hitliier uji, the neck in front may have variously lengthened or otherwise modified feathers,
("duspicuous among these are the ruffs, or tippets, of somt! birds, esjjecially of the grebe family
(I'lpdicipedidai), and, above all our otlier birds, of the nuile ruff (Machetes pugniu). But
tlu'.se, and a few other modifications of the feathers of the upper neck, are more conveniently
considered with those of the
Head. — Though smaller than any of the areas already considered, the head has been
more minutely mapped out, and much detail is reijuired by the number and importance of its
recognizable parts or regions. Without intending to mention all that have been named, I
describe all needed to be known for nny practical piirposos.
" Top of the head" is a collectivo term for all the upper surface, from base of bill to
uiipe, and laterally to about the level of the upper border of the eyes ; this is the pileum or
"cap" (fig. 25, 1, 4, 6) ; it is divided into three jjortions. The forehead, or frontal region,
or simply " the front " (h-Ai. frons ; fig. 25, 1), inclades all that slopes upward from the bill,
— generally to about opposite the anterior border of the eyes. Middle head i)T hvowxl (Lat.
corotui) or vertex (Lat., fig. 25, 1), includes the top of the head i)roper, or highest part, from
tiie rise of the forehead to the fall of the hind-head towards nucha. This slope is the hind-head,
or occiput (Lat., fig. 25, 0). Tiie lateral border of all three constitutes the superciliary line,
that is, the line over tlu; eye (Lat. super, over; cilia, little hairs, especially of the brows).
" Crown " is often used as the same thing as pQeum. The adjectives of the several words are
frontal, coronal or vertical, and occipital : pileum has none in use, coronal being said instead.
" Side of the head" is a general term defining itself; it presents for consideration several
regions. The orbital or circumorhital region, or simply the orbit (Lat. orbis, an orb, here the
socket of the eyeball; fig. 25, 3), is a snuill space forming a ring around the eye. It includes
the eye, and especially the eyelids (Lat. palpebrce). The points whore these meet, in front and
lieliind, respectively, are the anterior canthus and posterior canthus (Gr. kovBos, kanthos, Lat.
canthus, a tire). The orbital region is subdivided into supra-orbital, infra-orbital, ante-orbital,
and post-orbital, according as its upper, under, frout, or back portion is desired to bo specially
designated. The situation of the orbit varies much in different groups of birds ; it is generally
midway, as said above, but may be higher or lower, jammed on toward the bill, or pushed far
uj) and back, as strikingly shown in tlie woodcock. In owls, the orbital region is exaggerated
into a great disc of radiating feathers, confeiTing a peculiar physiognomy. The attral or
auricular (Lat. nuris, or auriculum, ear ; fig. 25, 35) regicm lies about the external opening
of the ear, or meatus auditorius ; its position varies in heads of different shapes, but it nearly
always lies behind and a little below the eye. Wherever located, it may be recognized at a
glance, by the peculiar texture of the feathers (the auriculars) which overlie the meatus.
Doubtless to offer least obstacle to sound, these are a parcel of loose-webbed little plumes,
which may be collectively raised and turned forward, exposing the orifice of the ear; they arc
extremely large and notable in those owls which have complicated external ear parts, and in
such they form part of the great facial disc. The term " temporal region " or " temple " is not
<iften used in ornithology, not being well distinguished from the post-orbital space between eye
and ear, and having nothing special about it. At the lowermost back comer of the side of the
head, generally just behind and below the ear, may be seen or felt a hard protuberance ; it is
the sharpest coruer-stono of the head, being the place where the lower jaw hinges upon the
7
98
GEN ERA L OUXtTIlOLOG Y.
Hkiill. This is railed the " iitifflo of tlic jiiw ; " it w a uriod laiidinarU, which innst by no incaiii*
1m' (••infused witli tlie " aiifjle of tlio inoutli," whore the horny piirts t>f the lioiik eoiiie togetlier.
'I'lie lore (Lat. Umm, a strap, or l.ridle ; lience, place where the cheek-Ntrap passes; fig. ij, i^
includes pretty nuich all the sjiace hetweeu tlie eye anil tlu side of X\w base of the upper
mandible; a consideraWe part of it is simply ante-orbital. Thus we say of :•. hawk, "Ions
bristly ;" and examination of a bird of that kind will .show how hirge a space is covered by the
term. Lore, however, should proiierly be restricted to a narrow line between the eye and bill
in the direction of the nostrils. It is excellently shown in the heron and jfrebe families, when-
" naked btres" is a distinctive character. The lore is an important jdace, not only from being
thus marked in many birds, but from being fre(|uently the .seat of specially modified or specially
colore<l feathers. The rest of the side of the head, including the space between angle of jaw
and bill, has the name of chirk (F-at. (jnui, first eyelid, then, and generally, the prominence
under the eye formed by the cheidt-bones ; fig. 25, 'MS). It is bounded above by bmil, infra-
orbital, and anricular regions; below, by a more or less straight line, representing the lower
e<lge of the bony prong of the under mandible. It is cleft in front for a varying distance by the
backward extension of the gapo of the mouth; above this gape is more properly /yenff, or mnhr
region (Lat. mala, upper jiiw) in strictness; below it is jaw (iiin.rill(i), or rather "side of tlu!
jaw." The lower edge of the Jiiw definitely separates the side of the head from the " under
surface" of the head ; properly bounded behind by an imagiimry lino drawn straight across from
one angle of the jaw to the other, and running forward to a jioiut between the forks of the
under mandible. As alri'iwly hinted, ''throat" {f/ula ; fig. 25, 37) extends upward and forward
into this space without obvious dividing line ; it runs into chin (Lat. mentum ; fig. 25, 38), of
which it is only to be said, that it is the (varying in extent) anterior part of the under surface
of the head. Anteriorly, it may be conveniently maiked off, opposite the point whore the
feathers end on the side of the lower jaw, from the feathery sjiace (when any) between the
branches of the upper uuindible itself; this latter is called XYm interramal sjtace (Lat. inter,
between, ramus, fork).
The head is so often marked lengthwise with different ccdors, apt to take such definite
position, that these lines have received special names. Median vertical line is one along the
middle of pileum, from base of bill to nucha ; lateral vertical lines bound it on either side.
Siiprcilianj line has already been noticed ; below it runs the lateral stripe ; that part of it
Itefore the eye, is loral or ante-orbital ; behind the eye, post-orbital ; when these are continn-
t)us through the eye, they form a trans-ocular (Lat. tram, across; oculus, eye) line; belfiw
this is mahir line, or cheek-stripe (Lat. frenum, a bridle) ; below this, on the under jaw, max-
illary or suhmaaHlari/ line ; in the middle below, mental or gular lines.
No part of the body has so variable a ptilosis as the head. In the great majority of birds
it is wholly and densely feathered ; it ranges from this to whcdly naked ; but nakedness, it
should be (diserved, means only absence of perfect feathers, for most birds with unfeathered
heads have a hair-like growth of tibiplumes on the skin. Our samples of naked-beaded birds
are the turkey, the vultures, the cranes, and some of the heron tribe, as ibises. Associated with
more or less comidete " baldness," is the frequent presence of various fleshy outgrowths, as
combs, wattles, caruncles (warty excrescences), lobes, and ^rt;).s' of all sorts, even to enumerate
whieh would exceed our limits. The parts of the barn-yard cock exemplify the wlnde; among
North American birds they are very rare, being confined, in evident development at any rate,
to the wild turkey. Sometimes horny pMes take the (dace of fcathei-s on part of the bead ; as
the frontal shields of the coots and gallinules. A very common form of head-nakedness marks
(uie whole order of birds, the Sierjanopodcs, which have mentum and more or less of gnla
naked, and transformed into a sort of jiouch, cxtn'mely developed in the pelicans, and well seen
in the cormorants. The next commonest is definite bareness of the hires, as in all herons
and grebes ; in the former including the whole circum-orbital region. A little orbital space is
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — TOPOGRA I'll Y.
09
liiiic in mimy birds, h8 tho vulturinc hiiwkx, iind sotno ]iigc(mu; species of jfnmw liiive a Imre
Wiiif y suiim-orbitiil space. Among water-birds particularly, more or less of tiie inteniiinal spiico
in ahiiost always unfuathercd ; the nakedness always proceeds from before backwards. With
the rare exceptions of a narrow frontal line, and a little space abont the anjfle of the mouth, no
other special parts of the head than those above given are nuked iu any North American bir<l,
unless associated with general baldness.
The opposite condition, that of redundant feathering, gives rise to all the various crests
(Lat., pi. crist(c) that form such striking ornaments of many birds. Crests proper belong to
the top of the head, but nuiy be also held to include those growths on its side ; these together
being called crests in distinction to the ruffs, rulHes, beard, (^tc, of gula or mentum. Crests
may bo divided into two kinds: 1, where th(^ feathers are simjdy lengthened or otberwisi-
enlarged ; and 2, where the texture, and sometimes even the structure, is altered. Nearly all
birds possess the power of moving and elevating the feathers on the head, simulating a slight
crest in moments of excitement. The general form of a crest is a full, soft elongation of the
coronal feathers ctdlectively ; when perfect, such a crest is globular, as in the genus I'ljro-
cephnlm ; generally, however, the feathers lengthen on the occiput more than on the vertex
or front, and this gives us the simplest and comuKmest form. Such crests, when more par-
ticularly occipital, are usually connected with lengthening of nuchal feathers, and are likely
to be of a thin, pointed shape, as well shown in the kingfisher. Coronal or vertical crests
proper are apt to be rather <lifferent in coloration than in specially marked elongation of the
feathers ; they are perfectly illustrated in the king-bird, and other species of the genus Tyran-
nit.i. Frontal crests are the most elegant of all ; they generally rise as a pyramid from the
forehead, as e.Kcellontly shown in the blue jay, cardinal bird, tufted titmouse, and others. All
tiu^ foregoing crests are generally single, but sometimes double ; as shown in the two lateral
occipital tufts of the " horned " lark, in all the tufted or " hornt^d " owls, and in a few cormo-
rants. Lateral crests are, of course, always double, one on each side of the head ; they are of
various shapes, but need not be particularized here, especially since they mostly belong to the
second class of crests, — those consisting of texturally modified feathers. It is a general, though
not exclusive, character of those last that they are tcmporarij ; while the other kind is only
changed with the general moult, these are assumed for a short period only, the breeding season ;
and, furthermore, they are often distinctive of sex. Occurring on the top of the head, they
furnish the most remarkable ornaments of birds. I need only instance the elegant helmet-like
|)luines of the partridges of the genus Lophortyx ; the graceful flowing train of Oreoriyx ; the
somewhat similar plumes of the night and other herons. The majority of the cormorants, and
many of the auks, possess lateral plumes of similar description ; these, and those of the herons,
are probably — in most cases certainly — deciduous ; while those of the- partridges above men-
tioned last as long as the general plumage. These lateral plumes, in nuiny birds, especially
among grebes, are associated with, and, in fact, coalesce with, the ruflVi, which are singular
lengthening and modifying in different ways of feathers of auricuhirs, gense and gula ; and are
almost always temporary. Beards, or special lengthening of the mental feathers alone, are
comparatively rare; we have no good example among our birds, but a European vulture,
Gypaetus harhatus, is one. The feathers sometimes bec^nne scaly {squamouK), forming, for
instance, the extpiisite gorgelets or frimtlets of humming-birds. They are often bristly (xcta-
ceous), as about the lores of nearly all hawks, the forehead of the dabc^hick, meadow-lark,
etc. A particular set of bristles, which grow iu single series along the gajie of many birds,
are called ricM bristles or vibrissfC These occur in greater or less (leveloi)nient in most small
insectivorous birds ; they arc large and stiff and highly characteristic of the family Tyrannidw,
or ttycatcliers ; while in some of the goatsuckers {Caprinmlyida:) they are prodigiously long,
and in one species of that family (Antrostomus caroUnetisis) they have lateral filaments. While
usually all the imlengtheued head-feathers point backward, they are sometimes erect, forming
100
GENEEAL OliNITUOLOGY.
a velvety pile, or tliey may radiate in a circle from a given point, as from the eye in most owl^,
where they form a disc.
In the foregoing paragraph I only uKnition a few styles of crests, chiefly needed to he
known in the study of our hirds ; but should add tliat there are many others, with endless
modifications, among exotic birds ; to these, however, I cannot even allude by name. Peculiar-
ities of nasal feathers, and others around the hitse of the bill, are noticed below. Forms of crests
are illustrated by many of the figures given jjansim in the present work.
2 or THE MEMISERS: THEIIi PARTS AND ORGANS.
I. THE BILL.
The Bill (Lat. rostrum) is hand and mouth in one : the instrument it's prehension. As
hand, it takes, holds, and carries food or other substances, and in many instances, feels ; as
mouth, it tears, cuts, or crushes, according to the nature of the substjinces taken ; assuming
the functions of botli lijis and teeth, neither of which do any recent birds possess. An organ
thus essential to the prime functions of birds, one directly related to their various modes of life,
is of nmch consequence in a taxonomic point of view; yet its structural modifications are so
various and so variously interrelated, that it is more important in framing genera than families
or orders J more constant characters must be employed for the liigher groups. The general
shape of the hill is referable to the cone ; it is the anterior part of the general cone that we
have seen to reach from its point to tlie base of tlic skull. This shape confers the greatest
strength combined with the greatest delicacy ; the end is fine to apprehend the smallest objects,
while the base is stout to manipulate the largest. But in mi bird is the cone expressed with
entire precision ; and, in most, the departure from this figure is great. The bill always con-
sists of two, the upper and the lower
Mandibles (fig. 26), which lie, as their names indicate, above and below, and are sepa-
rated by a horizontal fissure, — the mouth. Each mandible always consists of certain project-
o 6 c rf e / a '"S skull-bones, sheathed with more or less horny integument in lieu
of true skin. The ftame-work of the Upper Mandible is (chiefly)
a bone called the intermaxillary, or better, in this case, the preniax-
illary. In general, this is a three-pronged or trijwdal bone running
to a point in front, with the uppermost prong, or foot, implanted
upon the forehead, and the other two, lower and horizontal, running
into the sides of the front of the .skull. The scaft'old of the Under
Mandible is a compound bono called inferior maxillary ; it is U- or
Fio. 26. — piirts of a Bill. V-shaped, with the ])oint or convexity in front, and the prongs ruu-
o, side of ujiper mandible ; 6, ning to cither side of the base of the skrll behind, to be there mov-
culmeii; c, iinsai fossa; </, ,, ,. , „,, . , .^i . • ■, .. ,
nostril; c (sec below);/, g.ape, ''*"'>' hinged. Ihese two bones. With certain accessory bones of the
or whole eonmiissural line; j7, upper mandible, as the palatehowa, etc., together with the horny
rictus; A, commissural point • . . ^.^ ^ ^i i t, j. . . , . , .,
or angle of the mouth ; », ra- "'Vestment, (Constitute the JAWS. Both jaws, m birds, are movable ;
muKofunderJaw;j, tomlaof the under, by the joint ju.st mentioned: the upjKT, either by a
under mandible (the refer- ; ;,., „» „ i .i ' i ^-'-^ r xi i r .i ^ , , . .
cnce lines ^should have been 'l""'^ "*' '"^ 7 *''« elaijticity of the bones of, the forehead; it is
ilrawn to indicate the corre- moved by a singular iiiusculav and bony apparatus iu the palate,
diS?T'-^e"o'f'Tny";": ^"'■''''''' ""'"^" "^ ^^''''^•'' '* f-'i^-'=» '"'y°"J' ""'^^•- '>«»*» «f Anatomy
gonys; m, sidecfunderman- (Osteology). The motion of the upper mandible is freest and most
dlblein. tips of mandibles. ..xtensive in the parrot tribe, where both fronto-maxillary and
l-alato-maxillary sutures exist. When closed, the jaws meet and fit along their apposed edges
or surfaces, iu the same manner and for tlie same purposes as the lips and teeth of man or
other vertebrate animals. All hills, thus similarly constituted, have been divided into
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE BILL.
101
Four Classes, representing as many ways in which the two mandibles close upon each
other at the end. 1. The epignaihous (Gr. im. epi, upon, yvdOos, (ftuithos, ydw) way, plan, or
type, in which the upper mandible is longer than tlie under, and its tip is evidently bent down
(pvcr the tip of the lower. 2. The hypognathotis (Gr. wro, hupo, under), in which the lower
iiiiindihle is hmger than the other. 3. The paragnathous (Gr. irapa, para, at or by), in which
biitli are of about equal length, and neither is evidently bent over the other. 4. The metugna-
thous (Gr. ixtra, meta, with, beside, etc.), in which the points of tin; mandibles cross each
other. The second and fourth of these arc extremely rare ; they are exemplified, respectively,
hv tlic skimmer and the cross-bill (genera Rhiiiicboj)s and Loxia). The first is common,
occurring throughout the birds of prey, the parrots, and among the petrels, gulls, etc., etc.
The great majority of birds exhibit the third ; and, among them, there is such evident grada-
tion into epignathism, that it is necessary to restrict the latter to its complete development,
exhibited in the intcnnaxillary bone divested of its homy sheath, whieii often, as among Hy-
catchers, etc., forms a littU* overhanging point, but does not constitute epignathism. These
cliis.ses, it should be added, tliough always applicable, and very convenient in descriptions, are
purely arbitrary, that is, they by no means correspond to any four large groups of birds ; but,
on the contrary, usually only mark famili(!S and the subdivisions of families ; and the four
types may be seen in contiguous genera. The general shape of the bill has also furnished
Other Classes, for many years used as a large basis for ornithological classification, even
for the establishment ()f orders ; but which the jjrogress of the science has shown to be merely
as convenient as, and tmly less arbitrary than, the foregoing. The principal of these are
represented by the following types: A, among land birds. 1. Tho fissirostral (Lut. Jisstis,
cleft, and rostrum), or cleft, in which the bill is small, >s/ior(, and with a very large gap run-
ning down the side of the head ; as in the swallow, clumney-swift, whippoorwill. 2. The
ienuirostral (Lat. tenuis, slender), or slender, in which the bill is small, long, and with a short
cleft ; as in the humming-bird, creeper, nuthatch. H. Tl>e dentirostral (Lat. dens, a tooth),
or toothed, in which, with a various general shape, there is present a nick, tooth, or evident
lobe in the opposed edges of one or both mandibles near the end ; as in the shrike, vireti, and
some wrens, thrushes, and warblers. 4. The conirostral (Lat. coims, a cone), or conical, suffi-
ciently defined by its name, and illustrated by the great finch family and some allied ones. —
B, among water birds. 5. The hngirostral (Lat. longus, long), or long, an aquatic style of
the tenuirostral, best exhibited in the great snipe fiimily. 6. The pre.s,siros^r«J (Lat. pressus,
pressed), or the compact, illustrated by the plovers, etc., and quite likely analogous to the
conirostral. 7. The adtrirostral (Lat. culter, a knife), cutting, perhaps analogous to the
dentirostral, exemplified in the heron group. None of these terms are now used to indicate
natural groups, nor hiive we such absurdities as the " orders" Fissirostres, Tenuirostres, etc.
A swallow, for instance, and a swift are equally fissirostral, though only distantly related to
each other ; a swift is very closely related to a hnmming-binl, though the latter is extremely
tenuirostral ; and birds of contiguous genera may be dentin>stral or not. The words are
nevertheless convenient incidental tenns in general descriplions. Various other similar terms,
expressing specijil modifications, as lamellirosfral (Lat. lamella, a plate), acutirostral (Lat.
acittus, sharp), etc., are also employed as common names, simply descriptive of
Other Forms. — A bill is called long, when notably longer than the head proper ; short,
when notably shorter ; medium, in neither of these conditions. It is compressed, when higher
than wide, at the base at least, and generally for some portion of its length ; depressed, wlien
wider than high ; terete (Lat. teres, cylindric), under neither of these conditions. It is recurved,
when curved upward ; decurved, when curved downward ; bent, when the variation in either
direction is at an auglo ; straight, when not out of line with the axis of the head. A bill is
102
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
obtim (said chiefly of tho paragnathons sort) whou it rajiidly comes to an end that tlicrofoiv
is not fine ; or when tho enii is Iniohhy ; it is acute when it runs to a sharp point ; acumiuatp,
wlion e(iually sharp and slomlercr ; attenuate, when still slenderer; subulate (awl- shaped),
when slenderer still; acicular (needle-shaped), when slenderest possible, as in some humniiiij,'-
hirds. A bill is arched, vaulted, turgid, tumid, inflated, etc., when its outlines, both crosswise
and lengthwise, are notably more or less convex ; and contracted, when some, or the principal,
outlines are concave (said chiefly of depressions about the base of the upper mandible, or of
concavity alont: the sides of both mandibles). A bill is hamulate (Lat. hamus, a hook), or
utipuiciihitc (Lat. iinr/nis, a daw;, when strongly epignathous, as in rapacious birds, wlicre
the upper mandible is like the talon of a carnivorous beast; it is dentate, when toothed, as in
a falcon ; if there are a number of similar " teeth," it is serrate (Lat. serra, a saw), like a saw ;
it is cultrale (knife-like), when extremely compressed and sharp-edged, as in the auk, skimmer ;
if much curved as well as cultrate, it is falcate (Lat. falv, a reaping-hook ; scythe-.shaped) ;
anil each mandible may be ojjjjositely falcate, as in the cross-bil , constituting metagnatjiisni.
A bill mucli flattened and widened at the cud (rare) is si)atulate (Lat. spatida, a spoon) ;
exami)les : spoonbill, sho\eller duck. One is called lamellate, M-hen it has a series of plati i
or processes just inside the edges of the mandibles ; as in all the duck order, and in a few
petrels ; the design is to furnish a. sifter or strainer of water, just what is effected in the wliaie,
bv the " bone " in its mouth. Finally, tiie far end of tlie hill, of wJnUever .shape, is called the
tiji or apcj- (fig. 26, n) ; the near end, joined to the rest of the skull, the base ; the rest is the
continuity. Some other features of the bill as a whole are best treated under separate head of
The Covering of the Bill. — (a.) In the great majority of birds, including nearly all
perchers, many walkers, and .some waders and swimmers, the sheathing of the mandibles is
wholly hard, horny, or corneous (Lat. cornu, a horn) ; it is integument modified much as in
the case of the luiils or claws of beasts. In nearly all waders and most swinnnei-s, the sheatli
becomes, wholly or pailly, softer, and is of a dense, leathery texture. But some swimmers, as
among the auks, furnish bills as hard-covered as any, wliile some perchers have it partly ([uite
soft, so that no unexceptional rule can be laid down ; and, moreover, the gradations from one
extreme to the other are insensible. I'robably the softest bill is found auiong the snipes, wiiere
it is skinny throughout, iind in typical snipes and woodcocks vascular and nervous at the tip,
becoming a trn(> organ of touch, used to feel for worms out of -^ight in the mud. In all tin; duck
order the bill is likewise soft; but there it is always terminated by a hard, liorny, unyuis or
" nail," more or less distinct ; and such a horny claw also occurs in other water birds with sottish
bills, as the pelican. An interesting modificatiim oeciu's in all, or nearly all, of the pigeon order ;
these birds have the bill hard or hardisii at tip and tlirough most of continuity, but towards
and at the base of the upper mandible the sheath changes to a soft, tumid, skinny texture,
overarching the nostrils ; it is nmch the same with most plovers. But the most important
feature in this connection is afforded by the parrots and all tlie birds of prey ; one .so rennirkable
that it has received a distinct name: Ci;uK. Tlie cere (].,at. ('ciy/, wax ; becau.se it locdis
waxy) is a dense membrane saddled on the up]ier mandible at base, so different from the reM
of the bill, that it might hi' ijuesti<med whether it does not more properly belong to the head tlian
to the bill, were it not for the fact that the nostrils open in it. Moreover, the cere is often
densely feathered, as in the ("andina paroipiet, in the bill proper of which no nostrils are seen,
these being hidden in the feathered cere, which, therefore, migjit ea.sily be mistaken at first sight
for the bird's forehead. A sort of false cere occurs in some water birds, as the jaegers, or skua-
gulls (genus Stercorarius). The tumid nasal skin of ]iigeons is sometimes called a cere; but
the term had better be restricted to tlio birds first above named. The under nnindible probably
never presents softening except as a part of general skinniness of the bill ; it may have a nail
at the end. (6.) The covering is either entire or pieced, lu most birds it is entire ; tliat is, the
EXTERNAL PAHTS OF BIRDS. — THE BILL.
103
miiiatc,
lapc(i),
riniiiiir-
)ss\vi,sp
ii«ipnl,
or of
><>k), or
where
, as ill
a .saw ;
miller ;
il.e.1) ;
itliisui.
)0(il|) ;
l>lati i
II a few
wliale,
led the
t is the
I'ad of
sheath of cither mandible may be pulled off whole, like the finger of a glove. It is, however,
ill many birds divided into parts, by various lines of slight connection, and then comes otf in
iiieces; as is the case with some water birds, particularly petrels, where the divisions are regu-
hir, and the pieces have received distinctive names. Many auks {Alcidie) have the covering
of the bill in particular pieces, and it is an extraordinary fact that such parts are of a secondary
sexual character (see j). 90), being assuiued at the breeding season and afterwards moulted
liiio feathers. Such condition of tlie sheath of the beak, or of special deveh)])nieiits of the
siuatii, is called cadiicoiin or deciduous. The entire covering of both jaws togetlier is called
rhumphotheca (Gr. pa/iipoi, Itramjyhos, beak ; 6rjKri, thekc, a, sheath) ; of the upper alone,
rhiiiotheca (Gr. pit, hris, the nose) ; of the under, (jnathotheca (Gr. yvaBoi, gmithos, jaw) ; but
tliese terms are not much used, (c.) The covering is otherwise variously mailred; sometimes
so strongly that similar features are inipress"d upon the bones themselves beneath. The most
freniient marks are various ridges (Lat. pi. carina;, keels) of all lengths and degrees of e.'cpres-
sioii, straight or curved, vertical, oblique, horizontal, lengthwise, or transvei-se ; a bill so
marked is said to be striate (Lat. stria, a streak) or cariiiate ; when numerous and irregular,
they are called rugce (Lat. ruga, a wrinkle) and the bill is said to be corrugated or rugose,
When the elevations are in points or spots insteail of lines, they are called [mncta (Lat. imnc-
tum, a point) ; a bill so furnished is jiunctate, but the last word is oftener employed to designate
t]i<! presence of little pits or depressions, as in the dried bill of a snipe towards the end. Larger
softish, irregular knobs or elevations pass under the general name of iracAs or jw^j/Zte, and a
bill so marked is papillose ; when the processes are very large and soft, the bill is said to be
carunculate (Lat. euro, flesh, diminutive carunculus, little bit of flesh i. Various linear depres-
sions, often but not always associated with carinas are grooves or sulci (Lat. sulcus, a furrow)
and the bill is then called sulcate. Sulci, like carina-, arc of all shapes, sizes, and positions ;
when very largo and definite, they are sometimes called canaliculi, or channels. The various
kuidts, " horns," and large special features of the bill cannot be here particularized. Any of
till' foregoing fe-itures may iK'cur im both mandibles, and they are exclusive of that special
inaiii of the upi)er the nasal fossa in which the nostrils oj>eii, and which is considered below.
We liave still to notice the special parts of either mandible ; and will begin with the
simplest, the
Uniler Mnndible. — In the majority of birds it is a little shorter and a lit'le narrower and
not nearly so deep as the upper; but sometiincs quite as large, or even larger. The upper
edge, double ( i. c, there is an edge on both sides), is called the mandibular tomium, or in the
plural, tomia (dr. Tffiv€iv, temnein, to cut; tig. "iO,,/!, as far as it is hard; this is received
against, and nsually a little within, the corresponding edge of the upper mandible. The
prongs already mentioned are the mandibular ritmi (pi. of Lat. ramus, a branch ; tig. 20, t'l;
these meet at some jioint in front, either at a short angle (like >) or with a rounded joining
(like tJ ). At their point of union there is a prominence, more or less marked dig. 26, k) ;
this is the (iONV.s (corrupted from tlie Gr. yow, gonu, i\ knee; hence, any similar protuber-
ance). That is to say, this point is gonys proper; but the term is extended to ajiply to the
whole line of union of the rami, from gouys projier to the tip of the under mandible ; and in
descriptions it means, then, the under outline of the bill for a corresponding distance (fig. 2(), /).
This important term must be understood ; it is constantly used iu describing birds. The
gonys is to the under mandible what tlie kt.'el is to a boat ; it is the opposite of the ridge or
culmen of the upper mandible. It varies greatly iu length. Ordinarily it forms, say, one-
half to three-fourths of the under outline. Sometimes, ns in conirostral birds, a sjiaiTow for
example, it represents nearly all this outline ; while in a f<^w birds it makes the whole, and in
some, as the puffin, is actually longer than the lower mandible jiroper, because it extends back-
wards in a point. Other birds may have almost no gonys at all ; as a ))elicau, where tlie rami
104
GENEBAL ORNITHOLOGY.
only meet at the extreme tip, or in the wluile duck family, where there is hardly mtirc. As
tlif student must see, the length of the gonys is simply a matter of how extensive is the fusion
of the rami, and that, similarly, tlu'ir iiuidc of fusion, as in a sharp ridge, a flat surface, a
straight line, a curve, etc., results in ('(irrespondiug modificiitions of its special shape. The
interramal space is complementary to length of gonys: sometimes it runs to the tip of tlie hill,
as in a pelican, sometimes there is next to none, as in a iniffin ; while its width depends iipim
the degree of divergence, and the straightness or curvature, of the rami. The surface between
the tomium and lower edge of rami and gonys together is the side of the under mandible
(fig. '2fi, III). The most imp(n-tant feature of the
Upper Mandible is the admen (Lat. for top ()f anything ; fig. 26, h). The culmen is to
the upper mandible what the ridgo is to the roof of a house ; it is the upper profile of the bill
— the hir/hfst middle lengthwise line of the hill ; it begins M'here the feathers end on the fore-
head, and extends to the tip of the upper mandible. According to the shape of the bill it may
b(^ straight or convex, or concave, or even somewhat 02 -shaped ; or double-convex, as in the
tufted puffin : but in the great majority of cases it is convex, with increasing convexity towards
the tij). Sometimes it rises up into a thin elevated crest, as well shown in the genus Cro-
tophnga, and in the puffins {Fratercula}, when the upper mandible is said to be Jceeled, and the
culmen itself to be cultratc ; sometimes it is really a furrow instead of a ridge, as toward the
end of a snipe's bill ; but generally it is simply the uppermost line of union of the gently con-
vex and shilling sides of the upper mandible (fig. 26, «). In a great many birds, especially
those with depressed bill, as all the ducks, there is really no culmen ; but then the median
lengthwise line of the surface of the upper mandible takes the place and name of culmen.
The culmen generally stops short about opposite the proj)er base of the bill ; then the feathers
sweep across its end, and downwards across the base of the sides of the upper mandible,
usually also obliquely backwards. Variations in both directions from this standard are
frequent ; the feathers may run out in a point on the culmen, shortening the latter, or the
culmen may run a way up the forehead, i)arting the feathers ; either in a point, as in the rails
and gallinaceous birds, or as a broad plate of horn, as in the coots and gallinules. The lower
edge (double) of the upper mandible is the maxillary tomium, as far backward as it is hard
and horny. The most conspicuous feature of the upper mandible in most birds is the
Nasal Fossa (Lat. fossa, a ditch), or nasal groove (fig. 26, c), in which the nostrils open.
The upper prong of the intermaxillary bone is usually separated some ways from the two
lateral prongs; the skinny or horny sheath that stretches ])etwixt them is usually sunken
below the general level of the bill, especially in those birds where the prongs are long or
widely separated ; this " ditch " is what we are about. It is called fossa when short and wide,
with varying depth ; sulcus or groove when long and narrow ; the fonner is well illustrated in
the galliiniceous birds ; the latter in nearly all wading birds and many swimmers. When the
intermaxillary prongs are soldered throughout, or are very sh«irt and close together, there is
no (or no evident) nasal depression, the nostrils then opening Hush with the level of the
bill. The
Nostrils (fig. 26, d), two in number, vary in position as follows : — they are lateral, when
on the sides of the ui)per mandible (almost always) ; culminnl, when together on the ridge
(rare) ; sujierior or inferior when evidently above or beh.w nndway betwixt culmen and tomia;
they are basal, M-hen at the base of the upi)er mandible ; sub-basal when near it (usual) ;
median when at or near the middle of the ujiper mandible (frequent, as in cranes, geese, etc.) ;
terminal when beyond this (very rare ; probably there are now no birds with nostrils at the
end of the biU, except the Aptei-yx). The nostrils are pervious, when open, as in nearly all
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE BILL.
105
birds ; impervious, when not visibly opou, as among cormorants and otlier hinls of the same
oriicr ; they are licrforate when there is no septum (i)artition) between them, so that you can
I(Hik through them from one side of the bill to the otlier, as in the turkey-buzzard, eraue, etc. ;
impcifornte when partitioned off from each other, as in most birds ; but different oruithidogists
use these terms intercluiugeably. The prineiiial shapes of the nostrils may be thus exhibited :
11 line, linear nostrils; a line variously enlarged at either end, clavate, club-shaped, oblong,
ornte nostrils ; a line, enlarged in the middle, oval or elliptic nostrils ; this passing insensibly
int'i th(' circle, round or ciVcutor nostrils ; and the various kinds of more or less Ihiear nostrils
iiiiiy he eitlier longitudinal, as in most birds, or obli(|ue, as in a few ; almost never directly
transverse (up and down). Rounded nostrils may have a raised border or ri'w ; when this is
pmlonged they are called tubular, as in some of the goatsucker family, and in all the petrels,
rsiiiilly, the nostrils are defined entirely by the substance surrounding them; thus, of cere, in a
Ii:iwi{ ; of softish skin, in a pigeon, plover or snipe; or of horn, in most birds ; but often their
ciiutdur is partly formed by a special development, somewhat distinct either in form or texture,
anil this is (lalled the mtsal scale. Generally, it forms a sort of overhanging arch or portico,
as well shown in all the gallinaceous birds, among the wrens, etc. A very curious case of
tills is seen in the European wryneck (lyn.T torquilla), where the scale forms the floor instead
(if the roof of the nostrils. The nostrils also vary in he'mg feathered or naked ; the nasal fossa
being a place where the frontiil feathers are apt to run out in points (called antite), embracing
the root of the culmen. This extension may completely fill and hide the fossa, as in many
grouse and ptarmigan ; but it oftener runs for a varying distance toward, or above and beyond,
the nostrils ; sometimes similarly below them, as in a chimney-swift ; and the nostrils may be
densely feathered when there is no evident fossa, as in an auk. When thus truly feathered in
varying degree, they are still open to view ; another condition is, their being covered over
and hidden by modified feathers not growing on the bill itself, but on the forehead. These
are usually bristle-like (setaceous), and form two tufts, dose-pressed and directed forwards, as
is perfectly shown in a crow ; or, the feathers may be less modified in texture, and form either
two tufts, one over each nostril, or a single ruff, embracing the whole base of the upper
mandible ; as in nuthatches, titmice, red-poll linni^ts, snow buntings and many other northern
Fringillida. Bristles or feathers thus growing forwards are called retrorse (Lat. retrorsum,
backward ; here used in the si'ii>e of in an opposite direction from the lay of the general
plinnage ; but they should properly be called antrorse, i. e., forward). The nostrils, whether
culininal or lateral, are, like the eyes and ears, always two in number, though they may be
united in one tube, as in the petrels.
The Gape. — It only remains to consider what results from the relations of the two
mandibles to each other. When the bill is opened, there is a cleft or fissure between them ;
this is the gape or rictus (Lat. rictus, mouth in the act of grinning). But while thus really
meaning the open space between the mandibles, it is generally used to signify the line of their
closure. Commissure (Lat. committere, to put or join together) means the point where the
gape ends behind, that is, the angle of the mouth, angulus oris, where the apposed edges of the
mandibles join each other ; but, as in the last case, it is loosely applied to the whole line of
closure, from true commissure to tip of the bill. So we say, " commissure straight," or " com-
missure curved ; " also, " commissural edge " of either mandible (equivalent to " tomial edge ")
in distinction from culmen or gonys. But it would be well to have more precision in this
matter. Let, then, tomia (fig. 26, j) be the true cutting edges of either mandible from tip to
iil)posite base of bill proper; rictus (fig. 20, </) be their edges thence to the point commis-
sure (tig. 20, h) where they join when the bill is open ; the line commissure (fig. 26, /) to
include both when the bill is closed. The gape is straight, when rictus and tomia are both
straight and lie in the same line ; curved, sinuate, when they lie in the same curved or waved
106
GENEBAL ORNITHOLOGY.
liue ; angulated, whoii they are stniifjlit, or nearly so, but do not lie in the same line, mul
therefore meet at au angle. (An important distinction. See under family FmujilUdw in the
Synopsis.)
' ' n. TllK WING8.
Deflnitlou. — Pair of anterior ov pcctunil liicil.s organized for flight by means of dcniml
outgrowths. Used for tiiis purpose by birds in general; but by ostrieiies and their allies only
as outriggers to aid running;
by ])enguins as fins for swim-
ming underwater; u.sed also
in the latlereapaeily by some
birds that Hy well, as divcis,
cormorants, dippers. Want-
ing in no recent birds, Imt
imi)eif(!ct in a few, as M
Hutita; ; greatly reduced in
the Emeu, Cassowary, iiinl
Aptery.\ ; also in tiie .Moas
{Dinoniis) ; in the Creta-
ceous Jlesperornis only the
rudimentary humerus is
known. To under.staml
th»'ir structure we must
notice particularly
struct!
sioll o
fnely
SCiipill
The Bony Framework
(tigs. 27, 28, M). — The
skeleton of a bird's wing is
built upon a jilan common
to the fore or pectoral liiid)
of all the higher vert«d)rate»,
so that its bones and joints
may readily be (;oinpared
and identified with those
of any lizard or mammal,
including man. IJut the
Fro. 27. —Bones of liulit wing of a duck, Clangula islaiutica, from abore,
Jnat. pize. (Or. U. W. Slmfeldl, U.S..\.) .(. Blioiililer, ohkw .■ /;, elliow, rmraii;
( ', wrist, cnriiiis : J), I'liil of |irliirl|>al tinger ; A', eml of linml iiroper, niilncitrpim.
A It, npiK)!- arm, Imwliium : H(\ forc-arni, antibrtwliiiim ; (' H. whole liaml
or pillion, manita: comiioseil of <'^, hand proiwr or mitucnrpiin, excepting tl';
A' /), or (/ ' (/ ', (/ *, lingers, digits. (liyili. h. hiimirin) : rd, ratliiiK ; ul, iiliia : nt;
outer carpiil, scn))hnlitnnre or rmlktlv ; cii. Inner carpal, fiiii(';rt>rmc or uliKtrf;
these two coniiHisliig wrist or carpuK. mr, the compound hiind-l>o)ic, or niitn-
varini.t. eoniiioscil of three metacarpal lioiies, bearing as many digits — the outer
digit seated u|H>n a protuberance at the head of the metacarpal, the other two
situated at the end of the bone. (/ ', the outer or radial digit, commonly called
the thumb or ]mlU:r, composed of two phnlanucit; il', the middle digit, of two
phalanges; (/*, the Inner or ulnar digit, of one phalanx (/'- Is the seat of the
feathi-rs of the bastard irinij or alnln. 1> to ( ' (whole pinion), seat of the lllglit-
feathers called primaries; r to /V (lore arm), seat of the secondaries: at /i and
aliovelt 111 directhm of J, seat of /cr/inWis proper; liclow .-1, In direction of /i,
seat of xTOyiii/ririi's (upon pteryla hunieralls), often calleil tertlarles The wing member is highly special-
shown hall-spread; complete extension woulil bring .( /(f ' /Hiito a right line; . , l.oimr fittoil fiirticciiiii
In compl.te folding fgocstoyt, and /> to /I; all these motions marlu In the '''"> '"'"h ""*-"
plane of the paper. The elbow-Joliil and wrist are such jierfeet binges, that, In plishing flight, not only by
o|H'iiliig or closing the wing, (cannot sink below the paiier, nor /> Hy nii above .i il<iveloi)ment of feathers
the pajwr, as would otherwise be the etl'cct of the pressure of the air upon the •
lllglit-fealhers. Observe also: rd and ul are two rods connecting // and T; the but also by modiflcatiolis iu
construction of their Jointing at /(and '', and with each other. Is such, that they xi v,,,|„,g themstdves. The
can sliile lenylhwise a little upon each other. Now when the point r, revolving
about /I, approaches A In the arc of a circle, rd pushes on sc, while ii' pulls back
rii ; the motion Is transmltleil to I), and makes this point approach II. Con-
versely, In ojieiiing the wing, rd pulls back sr, and ul pushes on eu, making /)
recede from 11. In other words, the angle A II (' cannot be Increased or dlmln-
Islied without similarly increa.«lng or diminishing the angle /I r J); so that no
part of the wing can bo ojiened or shut without automatically opening or shut-
ting the rest,— an interesllng mechanism by which muscular (lOwer is corre-
lated and economized. This latter mechanism Is further llliistrateil In llg. 28,
where rcanil«f show respectively the size, shai>e and position of the raillal con-
dyle and ulnar condyle of the humerus. It Is evident that In the flexed state of
the elbow, as shown In the middle figure, the radiua, rd, Is so pushed upon that
its end projects lieynnd nl, the ulna ; while In the op|ioslte condition of extension,
shown in the lower figure, rd is pulle<l back to a corresponding extent.
axes of the bones have a
special direction with refer-
enct." to each other and to
the axes of the body; tin!
movements of the joints are
peculiar in some respects;
and the whole extremity of
the wing, from the wrist
outward, is jjcculiarly con-
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE WINGS.
107
sti iiL'ti'<l, by loss of some of the digits that tivo-fingcred animiils possess, and by the coinpres-
siiiu iif those that are left. The wing proper begins at the s!n)ulder-joint, where it liingcs
freely upon the shoulder, iu a shallow socket formed conjonitly by the shoulder-blade or
sciipiila, and by the coracoid
hdiic ; these two, with tlie
cliivicles, collar-bones or mer-
ry-thought, furculum, form-
ing: the shoulder-girdle, or
pciUiml arch (figs. 56, 59).
Tlie wing ordinarily con-
si>ts, in adult life, of ten or
ekrcn actually separate bones ;
iu the embryo (see fig. 29)
there are indications of several
nil ire at the wrist-joint, which
speedily lose their individual
identity by fusing together
and with bones of the baud.
Afiidc from these, there is
often an accessory ossicle at Fro. 28. — Mechanism of elbow-Joint. (See explniintion of ilg. 27.)
the shoulder-joint (tig. 56, ohs), .sometimes one at the wrist-joint, occasionally an extra bone at
the end of the pruicipal finger. The normal or usual number is shown in fig. "27, taken from
u duck (Clangula inlandica), in which there are eleven.
The upper arm-bone, h, reaching from the shoulder A
to tlie elbow B, is the humerus. In the closed wing, the
linnKU'us lies nearly in the position of the sanu; bone in nuiii
when the elbow is against the side of tlie body; in (s.xtensiou
of the wing, the elbow is borne away from the body, as when
wo raise the ann, but carry it neither forward nor backward.
A peculiarity of the bird's humerus is, that it is njtated on
its a.\is through about the quadrant of a circle, so that wliat
is the front of the human bone is the outer aspect in the
bird. The humerus is a cylindric bone, straightisli or some-
what italic /-shaped, with a globular heatl to fit tlie socket
of the shoulder, a strong pectoral ridge for insertion of the
breast muscles, and at the bottom two condyles (fig. 28, re,
uc,) or joint-surfaces for articulation M'ith a pair of succeed-
ing bones. The fore-arm, cubit or antihrachium, extending
from elbow to wrist, B to C, in fig. 27, has two parallel
bones of about equal lengths. These are the ulna, ul, and
the radius, rd ; the former, inner and posterior, the larger
of the two, bearing the quills of the secondary series ; the
latter, slenderer, outer and anterior. The enlarged proximal
extremity of the ulna is called the olecranon, or " head of the
Flo. 29, from a young gronso (Cenlrocercus nrnplianianus, six months old), Is 'lesignctl to show the coniimsl-
tion oftlio carjiiiH and motacarpuB before the dements of these bones fuse together: r, radius; m, ulna; a, Kcniih-
oluiinr or rodiale; o, cuneiform or ulnare; om, a carpal bone beiloveil to tic os magnum, later fusing with the
mc-tocarpusj :, a carpal bono, supposed to be unciform, later fusing with metacarpus; 8, an unldentiflcil flflh
var|ial bone, wliioii may be called imitosteon, later fusing wllli the metacarpus; 7, rnillal or outer metacar|>al
bone, bearing the jiollex or outer digit, consisting of two phalanges, <l and k; 0', pririripal (median) metacarpal
bone, bearing tlie middle Anger, consisting of the two phalanges, d', ri" \ 0, inner or ulnar metacarpal, lieiiring a
digit of one phalanx, d"f. The pieces marked om, z, 7, 8, 0. all fuse with l^. (From nature by Dr. B. W. Sliufuldt,
U.S.A.)
108
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
elbow." The tliird sogmcnt of the wing is the wrist or carpus. In ndult life, this norinully
consists <it' two little kiioMiy eiirpal hones, extremely irreguliir in shape.cnlled the scnphohmiir.
sc, luiil ciiiiciform, cii. One being at the end of the radius, the other at that of the nlna, tlicy
are also called radiuk and iibiure. In tlie embryo, tliere is at least another carpal bone, that
early fuses with the next segment. This fourth segment is the hand proper, or metacarpus,
mc, C'to E (exclusive of (I 2). The single metacarpal or hand-bone is very composite; that
is, compounded of several: for, besidi's including certain carpal elements, as already said, it
consists of three bones fused (in all recent birds I in one, corresponding to the tln-ee digits or
lingers that birds possess. In fact it is tliree metacarjmls in one. The metacarpal corre-
sponding to the princi])al finger is much the largest of tlie three ; that of the first finger is very
short, being only tlie expanded part seen in the figure just above the bone marked d 2 ; that
of the third finger is nearly as long as the nniin metacarpal, but much slenderer, and usually
fused only at its two ends, leaving between itself and the main metacarpal a considerable
s]iace, as seen 0|>posite tlie letters mc in the figure. The wing is finished oflf with three
fingers or ^/iV/ils-, nnirked f/ 2, d '.i, d I. The middle one of these, E to D in the figure, is
uuich the largest, and forms the main continuation of the hand. This digit, rf 3, ordinarily
consists of two bones, called phahtngex, jdaced end to end, as in the example before us ; but
occasionally there is found a third ]ihalanx. The outer or radial digit, rf2, ordinarily con-
sists of two bones, of which the terminal one is small, and may bo wanting. Tlic inner or
ulnar digit, d 4, consists of a single snuill phalanx, cbisely bound to the side of the middle
finger. Corresponding to the compactness and consolidation of these terminal segments, the
digits enjoy little individual motion. The outer or radial digit is the most independent one.
In the Arclucoptrri/.r the three metacarpals were free bones, and the whole hand more like
that of a lizard. No bird now has free metacarpals in adult life; none has more than three
digits. These three are supposed by s(mie to correspcmd to the thumb and fore and middle
fingers of our hands ; by others, to the fore, middle, and ring fingers, and being consequently
the second, third, and fourth digits, as marked in the figure. The digit marked rf 2 is com-
monly called a bird's thumb or pollex. The Apteryx and the cassowary have but one complete
digit. The resemblance to a lizard's or quadruped's digits is increased by the claios which
many birds possess. These may be borne on the enlarged terminal phalanx of d 2 (k, in
fig. 29), as is very well shown in the turkey -buzzard and other American Catluirtida; ; both on
this and on the terminal phalanx of d 3 (d" in fig. 29), as in the ostrich ; on the latter alone,
as in the Apteryx, cassowary, American ostrich, and swan. The inner finger, d 4 (rf'" in
fig. 29) is not known to ever bear a claw, excepting in Archaopteryx. The whole segment,
C to D, is commonly called " the hand," " pinion," or manus, though, as we have seen, it consists
of hand proper (metacarpus), and fingers (digits) with their respective phalanges. (Fig. 112 ter.)
Some other hones itxe observed in birds' wings. As already said, there is a little ossicle in
the shoulder -joint of many birds ; it is called the scapula accessoria (fig. 56, ohs). At the con-
vexity of the elbow there may be one or more ossicles, not pertaining properly to the wing-
skeleton, but developed in the tendons of muscles passing over the joint : they are sesamoids,
like the human patella, or knee-cap. In various birds there is found at the convexity of the
wrist, on the head of the metacarpal, an ossicle called the os promhteits ; apparently a
sesamoid. Some other ossicles observed in the wrists of young birds are all supposed to be
cai'pal elements, the exact homologies of which may be still questioned.
The Mechanism of these Bones is admirable. The shoulder-joint is free, much like
our own, jtermitting the humerus to swing all about ; though the principal motions are to and
from the side of the body (adduction and abduction), and up and down in a vertical plane.
The elbow-joint is a very strict hinge, j)ermitting motion in one plane, nearly that of the wing
itself. The finger-bones have little individual motioi . The construction of the wrist-joint is
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS.— THE WINGS
109
(luitd lu'cnliar. In tlio finst place tho two bones of the forearm arc so fixed in relation to each
otiirr, tiiat tho radius cannot roll over tliu ulna, like ours. If you stretch your arm upon the
table, you can, without moving tho elbow, turn the iumd over so that eitlier the palm or the
kniicldes are downward. This is a rotary motion of the bones of the forearm, called pronation
anil siqnniUion ; tho prone when the palm touches the table, supine when tiio knuckles aro
downward. This rotation is absent from the bird's arm ; if it couhl occur, the action of tho air
iipuii the pinion-feathers would tiirow them all " at sea " during the strokes of tho wing, render-
inj? liight difficult or imi)ossible. The hiugeing of the liand uptm the wrist is such, also, that tiie
Imud does not move up and down, as ours can, in a plane peqiendicular to the surface of the
wing, but in the same piano as that surface. The motion is that which would take place in our
hanil if we could bring the little finger and its border of the hand so far aromid as to touch the
cun-csponding border of tho forearm. It is a motion of adduction, not of fiexion, and its o])posite,
abiliirtion, not extension, by which a wing is folded and spread. Such abduction is the way in
wliicli the hand is " extended " upon the wrist-joint, increasing and completing tho unfolding
of the wing tiiat begins by the true extension of tho forearm upon the elbow and abduction of
the upper arm from tlio body. In a word, a wing is spread by tho motion of abduction at the
siioulder and wrist, of oxtensi(m at the elbow ; it is closed by adduction at the shoulder and
wrist, and flexion at the elbow. Tho numerous muscles which unftdd or straighten out the
wing are called extensors ; those that bend or close it are flejcors. Extensors lie upon the biu-k
of the upper arm, and tho front of the forearm and hand, their " leaders" or tendons passing
over the convexities of the elbow and of the wrist. The fiext)rs occupy tho opposite sides of the
limb, with tendons in tho concavities of the joints. The most powerful muscles of tho wings
are tlie great 2>ectoral or breast nmscles, acting upon the upper end of the humerus ; there are
several of them, exerted in throwing out the arm from tho body, and in giving both tho up and
down wing-strokes. Tendons are generally strong inelastic cords ; but there is an interesting
arrangement of an elastic cord in a bird's wing. In fig. 27, ABC is a deep angle formed by
tlio naked bones, but ncjno such is visible from the exterior, because tho space is filled by a
fold of skin passing from C to near A. But C approaches and recedes from A as the wing
is folded or unfolded, and a cord long enough to reach A-C would bo slack in the folded wing,
did ncjt its elasticity enable it to contract and stretch, keeping the anterior border of the wing
straight and smooth. (For another automatic mechanism, see explanation of fig. 28.)
Tho point G is a, highly important landmark in practical ornithology ; it rei)resonts, in
any folded wing, a very prominent point, the di.stanco from which to the tip of the longest
flight-feather is a special measurement known as that of " the wing." It is the convexity of
the carpus, commonly called tho " wirpal angle," or " bend of tho whig." Having thus glanced
at tho bony structure and mechanism of the wing, we are ready to examino the
Feathers of the Wing (tig. 30). — How important these are will bo evident from the
consideration that thoy aro tho bird's chief organs of locomotion ; for without them the wing
would be useless for flight. We also remember that such means of locomotion is tho great
specialty of birds. Wing-feathers are those which grow upon the pteryla alaris. They are
of two main sorts : the flight-feathers proper, or long stiff quills, collectively called remiges
(Lat. remex, pi. remiges, rowers) ; and tho smaller, weaker feathers overlying them, and hence
called coverts, or tectrices (Lat. tectrix, pi. teetrices, coverors). To these may be added as a
third distinct group the bastard quills, which constitute the
Alula, or Ala Spuria (Lat. alula, little wing, diminutive of ala, wing ; spuria, spurious,
bastard). The ''little wing" is simply tho small parcel of feathers which grow upon the
"thumb" (8eefig.27,d2; i9,dandk; 30, aQ. Highly significant as these may be in a mor-
phological point of view, as representing what this part of tho wing may have been in early times.
110
GENERAL OliNITHOLOGY.
they are so much reduprd in iiuKlern birds as to he of little aeef>unt in practical ornithdldiry.
Ill fact, the unpractised .student may fail to recognize them at first. They form a siiuill ii:ii'l;(.t
oil the fore outer border of the pinion near the carpal angle, and lie smoothly upon the upper
surface of the wing, strengtiicning and finishing off what would be otherwise a weak spot in
the contour of the wing-border. It is ((uite easy, on recognizing them, to lift them collectively
a little away from the other feathers, owing to the slight mobility the thumb possesses. In fact,
they are sometimes (piite obtrusive, when faulty taNidermy has discomposed them. They are
not often conspicuously modified either in size or cidor. In a few birds {e.g., Cathartes), a cluiv
will be found at the end of the joint which bears them. The student must bo careful to dis-
criminate between the use of the word npurioits in the present connection and its applieiiticni
to a rudimentary condition of the first remex (see p. li;i). The
Wlng-Coverts overlie the bases of the large (piills on both the upper and under fiurfaccs
of the wing. They are therefore conveniently divided into an upper set (tectrices super i< ires)
and an under set {tect. inferiores). The former are so much more conspicuous than the latter
that they are always under-
stood when " upper" is not
.specified. The latter are
sometimes collectively called
"the lining of the wings."
Coverts include all the siiuill
feathers of the wings except-
ing the bustard quills ; they
extend a varying distance
along the bases of the flight-
feathers. The ordinary dis-
position and division of the
upper coverts is us follows :
One set, rather long and stif-
fish, grow upon the pinion,
and are close-pressed upon
the bases of the outer nine
or ten remiges, covering
these largo feathers about as
far as their structure is plumulaceoiis. These are the upper primary coverts, or coverts of the
primaries (fig. HO, j)c) ; they are ordinarily th(^ least conspicuous of any. All the rest of the
upper coverts are secoxdary; they sjiring mostly frfim the forearm. These are considered in
three groups or rows. The greater upper .<>econdarg coverts, called simply the "greater coverts "'
(tectrices majores, fig. 30, gsc,) are the first, outermost, longest row, reaching nearest the tips of
the flight-feathers ; they overlie the bases of nearly all the remiges, excepting the first nine or
ten. The median upper secondary coverts, shortly known as the " middle coverts " (tectricefi
media;), are a next row, shorter and therefore less exposed, but still quite evidently forming a
special series (fig. 30, msc). It is a common feature of these median coverts that they shingle
over each other contrary-wise to the way the greater coverts are imbricated, the outer vane of
one being under the inner vjine of the next outer one. All the rest of the ujiper secondary
coverts, fonning several indistinguishable rows, pass under the general name of lesser coverts
(tectrices miiwres ; fig. 30, be). The greater coverts furnish an excellent zoological character ;
for in no Passereji are they more than half as long as the remiges they cover, while the reverse
is the case in most birds of lower orders. Wfiodpeckers, however, though non-passerine, have
quite short coverts. The under coverts have the same general anungeinent as the ujiper ; but
FiG. 30. — tViitliers of a sparrow's wing; nat. size. (For explanation see text.)
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE WINGS.
Ill
l'"''"gy.
' upper
|f<||"t ill
cctivi'ly
Jill fact,
I'lfy lire
1> <i ihiw
I to (lis-
Hii'aliiiii
tlify iirf more nlikt! and leas distinctly disposed in rows or series; so that for prncticul purposes
lluy puss under the general name of under wing-coverts, or linhig of the tcing. Since, wlicn
the "iiig is particularly nuirlied on the under side, it is tlie coverts and not the reniiges that are
liii;lily or variously colored, the common expression " wing Ix'low," or " under surface of the
wiiii;," refers to tho coverts more particularly. We should distinguish, however, from the under
I'ovcits in general, tho axillars, or axillary feathers (Lat. aj:illa, the arm-pit). Tiiese are tlie
Iniicrniost feathers lining the wings, lying close to the luuly ; almost always longer, stiU'er,
narrower, or otherwise peculiarly modified. In ducks, for example, and many of tlie waders,
as snipe and jjlover, they are remarkably well d(iveh)ped. Tiie c(dor of the axillaries is the
prini'ipal distinction between some species of plovers. The
Rcmlges, or Flight-Feathers (fig. 30, b, s, and OiJ?'^'" ''"" wing its general character,
iiiiiiiily determining both its size and its shape ; they represent most of its surface and of its
inner and outer borders, and all of its posterior outline, forming a great expansion of which the
linny and fleshy framework is insignificant in comparison. The shape of the wing is indeed
]iriniarily affected by the relative lengths of its bcmy segments, the upper arm being, in it
liiniiniing-bird, for example, very short in comparison with tho terininal portion of the limb,
and in an albatross again, both upper and fon'arm being greatly lengthened ; still in any case
it is the flight-feathers that mainly determine tho contour of tho wing, by their absolute degree
iif development, their lengths proportionately to ono another, and their individual shapes. They
collectively form a thin, elastic, flattened surface for striking the air, quite firm along the front
border where tho bone and nnisde lie, thenco growing more mobile and resilient toward tho
jHisterior border and along the outer edge. Such surface may b(f quite flat, as in such Viirds as
cut the air with long, pointed wings, like oar-blades ; but it is genenilly a little concave under-
neath and correspondingly convex above ; such arching or vaulting of tho wing-surface being
usually associated with a short, broad, rounded wing, as in tho gallinaceous tribe, and being
least in birds which have tho thinnest and shai-jicst wings. Corresponding differences in the
mode of flight result. The short, rounded wing confers a powerful though labored fiight for
short distances, usually accompanied by a whirring noise resulting from the rapidity of the
wing-beats; birds that fly thus are almost always thickset and heavy. The long, jiointed
wing gives a noiseless, airy, skimming flight, indefinitely prolcmged, and accomplished with
more deliberate wing-beats ; birds of this style of wing are generally trim and elegant. These,
of course, uro merely generalizations of the extremes of modes of flight, mixed and gradated
in every degree in actual bird-life. Thus the humming-bird, which has sharp, thin wings,
whirs them fastest of all birds, — so ra])idly that the eye cannot fidlow the strokes, merely
perceiving a haze about the bird while the ear hears tho buzzing. The combination of acute-
iicss and concavo-convexity is a remarkably strong one, confcn-ing a rapid, vigorous, whistling
flight, as that of a duck or pigeon, or the splendid hurtling of a falcon. An ample wing, as
one both long and broad without being pointed is ciilled, is well displayed by such birds as
herons, ibises, and cranes ; the flight nnvy be strong and sustained, but is rather slow and
heavy. The longest- winged birds are found among the swimmers, particularly the pelagic
family of the petrels, and some of the whole-webbed order, as pelicans, particularly the frigate-
pelican. The last named, Tachypetes aquilus, has perhaps the longest wings for its bulk of
body of any bird whatever, as well as the shortest feet. The American vultures are likewise
of great alar expanse in proportion to their weight. Tiie shortest wings, among birds possess-
ing perfect remiges, occur among the lower swimmers, as auks and divers, and among some
of the GallinsB. The great auk is, or was, perhaps the only flightless bird with well-fonned
flight-feathers, only too small to subserve their usual purpose ; though certain South American
ducks aro said to be in similar predicament. In the penguins, the whole wing-structure is
degraded, and tho remiges abort in scale-like feathers, tho wings being reduced to fins both
112
GENEliAL ORNITHOLOGY.
in form and function. Thti wholo of tlic existing Itatitie Imvo niilhiii'ntiiry or very iniiMitVct
Willis, iiH was tlic case with tlic C'ri'lactMnw Jhspcruniis ; luit tiu' contcniiiorary of tlic latter,
hthi/onm, and tiiu Htill more ancient ArclDfoptcn/.r, appear both to havt- iiad excellent ones.
The disposition of the remiues in their mutual relations is very noteworthy. They hiivti
a rigid hollow barrel of ^'reat ri'sistant powern, considering,' the amount of Hubstanci^ — just
like the eylindrieal stem of the cereal phuit ; a stout, Holid, highly elastic shaft; the outer web
narrower than thi! inner, with its barbs set at a nioru Hcuto angle upon the shaft. Any one
of these stiH'er outer vanes ocerlies tlie broader and more yielding inner vane of the next outer
feather, wliicli, on receiving the impact of air from below, resists as it were with the strength .if
a second shaft superimposed. TI gii the "way of an eagle in the air" was a mystery Vi the
wise man of (dd, tlie mechanics of ordiiuiry llight are now b(!tter understood. Hut the siiliuj;
of some birds for an indefinite h'ugth of time, up as well as down, without visible motion of
the wings, and witlmut reference to the wind, remains an enigma. The Hight of the albatross
ami turkey vulture, I venture to attirm, is iu>t yet exi)lained. The riddle of The Wing will he
read when wi' know how the ardisaurian escaped from ilus to a'ther.
The number of true remiges ranges from about sixteen, as i umming-bird, to uji-
wards of fifty, as in the albatross. Tiieir .v/Kfyjt- is quite uniform, letails aside. They
are the stiffest, strongest, ino.st perfectly pnuKtccuun of feathers, wilin evident hyporhachis,
if any. Tliey are generally lanceoliite, that is, tapering regularly and gradually to an obtuse
point, though not infreiplently more parallel-sided, especially those of the secondary ami
tertiary .series. Either or both webs may be incised toward the end ; that is, more or less
abru])tly narrowed ; this is called emarginittiim (see fig. 279) ; their ends nniy be trnnsversely
or obli(|iu'ly truncate, or nicked in various ways. In a few birds, ai)parently for purposes of
sexual ornanu'utation, they are developed in bizarre shap<;s of beauty, with evident decrease of
utility as Hight-feathers. Those of the ostrich and penguin tribes share the peculiarities of the
general phuuage of these extraordimiry birds. Remiges are divided into three classes or series,
according to where they grow upon the limb, whether ui)ou the hand, the forc-ann, or the
upper arm. In this distinction is involved one of the most important ciHisiderations of practical
ornith(dogy, of which the student must make! liim.self nnister. The three classes of quill-
feathers are: 1. t\ui primaries ; 2. iho secondaries ; 'A. the tcrtiuries.
The Primaries (Fig. 30, b) are those remiges which grow upon the pinion, or hand-
and tinger-bones collectively (tig. 27, (' to 1)). Whatever the total number of the remiges
may be, in nearly all birds with true remiges the Primaries are either nine or ten in number.
The humming-bird with sixteen remiges, the albatross with fifty or more, each have ten
primaries. The grebes and a f(^w other birds are said to have eleven i)rimarie8 : if this be so,
it is at any rate highly exceptional. No instance of a higher number than this is known
to me. Again, it is only anuiug the highest Passeres that the nmnber nine is found, the
Oscines having indifferently nine or ten. lu a good many Oscines, rated as nine-primaried,
there are actually ten, though the outermost is so rudimentary, and even out of alligninent
with the developed jmiuaries, that it is not counted as one of them. Among Oscines, just this
difference of one evident and unquestionable i)i'imary more or less forms one of the best distinc-
tions between the families of that suborder. So the tenth feather in a bird's wing, ccuinting
from the outside, becomes a crucial test in nuiny cases; for, if it be last primary, the bird is
one thing ; if it be first secondary, the bird is another. In such cases the necessity, therefore,
4if determining exactly which it is becomes evident. Of course it is always possible to settle
the question by striking at the roots of the remiges and seeing how nuiny are .seated on the
pinion ; but this generally inv(dves some defacing of the specimen, and there is usually an
easier way of determining. Hold the wing half-s])read : then, in most Oscines, the prinniries
come sloping down on one side, and the secondaries similarly on the other, to form where they
EXTERN AL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE WIN (is.
IIB
iniTt 11 rci'iitrant aii^lo in tlic general rontonr of tlie ]l(l^^te^t)r bdnlor of the wintj ; the feather
tliiit <i(Tii|iieH tliis iioteli is tlie oiu^ we are after, aiiil unluckily it is sometiincs last ]iriinary,
sdiiii'tinies lirst seennilary. Hut uliserve tliat i)riinaries are sn tn siu-ak, nelj'-annertinp, enijihatii;
itnlici:c(l, reniiges, stitt", strouff, and obstinate ; while seeonduries are retirinij, wliiKperiiiii, in
hrevier, limber, weak, and yudding. Their different cbaracter is ulinost always shown by
,s'()/»(7/iiH7 in their shupo or texture which the student will soon learn to recognize, though it
ciunicit well be described. Lot him examine tig. .'10, where h marks the nine itrinuiries of a
sparrow's wing, and » indicates tiio sroondaries; ho will see a difference at once. Tho
priuiarics express tlu'iiiscdvos, though with diminishing emjihasis, to the last one ; then the
sccoiiilaries begin to tell a different tale. Among North American birds the only ones with
Nisr, jirimaries are tlu' families Miitdcillidir, Viirunuhr, Correhidic, Sijlrk'iiUd<r, Iliruudinidtc,
Tit>i<iijrid(i\ T'rhtijdUdiC, Icleridtr, part of y'ireoiiidirr, and the genus Aiiijiclii. Tlie condition
iif the Jir.ft primary, wlu'ther npiirioii.s or not, is often of gri'at help iu this <letermination.
The first jirimary is called " spmious"' when it is very short — say oiu' third, or less, as long
as the second, or longest, jirimary. Among ]'tisscres, a spurious first primary only occurs in
certain ten-i)rimari('d Osc/ocs; whence it is evident, that to find such short first primary is
e((iiivalent to (h'teruiining the presence df ten primaries, though not to tind it does not prove
tin le are oidy nine ; the count should be made in all eases in which the outer prinuiry is more
lliiiii oue-thini as long as lb' urxt. The difference between inne primaries, and ten with tho
first spurious, is excellently , i-itated aii oug the species of Viri'o. Any thrush, nuthatch,
tituious4', or creeper shows a si)uiious iirimary to advantatje, — large enough not to be over-
looked, small enough not to be mistaken.
The St'coiiilaries (Fig. t'lO, .v) are those remiges which are seated on the fore-arm (tig.
■27, B to ('). They vary in mnnber from six to forty or more. 'J'hey have the peculiarity of
being attacheil to one of the bones <)f the fore-arm, the
idiui. If an ulna be examined clo.sely, there will be
seen a row of little juiints showing the attachment ;
such are indicated in tig. il, along »l, and iu tig. 'i\.
,„, , . (? > n I , „ Fin. ,11. — Ulna of Cohiiilia mi'.ru-anitii,
the 80C(mdarie.s jw.sent no points necessary to dwell RiiowiiiK i">liits of mtniiimontof iiionecona-
npon here, after what has been said of the primaries. '"'''^*- (Ur. U. W. Slaifulilt, u. s. A.)
'i'liey are ein)rmously developed in the Argus pheasant, aial have oiu'ious shapes in some other
exoiic birds. They arc often hmg enough to cover the primaries comjdetely when tho wing ia
dosed, as iu grebes; ou tho other hand, they are extrenu-ly short in tho swifts and liunnniug-
birds.
The Tertiaries (Fig. 30, t) are jiroperly the rcmigcs which grow upon the upper ann,
humerus. But such feathers aro not very evident in nu)st birds, and the two or three inner-
most secondaries, growing ujxm the very elbow, and eonunonly different from the rest in form
or color, pass under thi^ name of " tertiaries." Again, in some ea.ses, .■scapular feathers
(tig. 30, ■•^cp,) are called tertiaries, esiu'cially wln'ii long or otherwise eonsjncutuis. Hut
there is an evident and proper distinction. lScai)ulars belong to the pteri/la hiiiiiemlin {nva
p. 87) ; while tertiaries, whether seated on the elbow or higher up the arm, are the innermost
remiges of tho pteryla ahnis. These inner ronnges are often shortly called tertiuhi ; though
the longer name is more correct, besides being confonnable with the names of the other two
series of remige.s. Tertiaries often afford good charaetei's for deseri))tion, in peculiarities of
their size, shapo, or color. Thus it is very common among Friit<jiUid(C for these feathers to be
parti-colored differently from the other remiges. In nmny birds they are long and "Howiug";
as in tho families MotacilUdte and Alnudidtc, where they reach about to the end of tho
l)rimaries when the wing is closed. Their development is similar in nniny Scoloi)acid(C. In
8
114
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
such cases, the fpatl.cr-bonlor of the wing pronounces the letter W quite strongly, — ,,mtT
lower angle at point of primaries ; middle upper angle at reentrance between primaries and
secondaries; inner lower angle at point of tertiaries.
The " point of the wing" is at the tii) of the longest i)riinary. It is best expressed when
the first primary is longest. Sometimes the end is so much rounded off, that the midmost
primary may be* the longest one, the others being graduated on both sides of this projiTtintt
point. In speaking of the relative lengths of remiges, we always mean the way in which tl lir
tips fall together, not the actual total lengths of the feathers. Thus a second primary, wh..sf
tip falls opposite the tip of the first one, is said to be of equal length, though it may actually
be hmger, being seated higher up on the pinicm. The development of the primaries also
furnishes one of the most important measurements of birds: for the expression '• lengtli of
wing." or simjdy "the wing," means the distance from the "beud of the wing," or carpal
angle, to tlie end of the longest prinuiry. The integument of the wing does not very often
develop anything but feathers. Occasionally
Claws and Spurs are found upon the pinion. Claws have been already noticed (p. 108).
They are jjrojjcrly so called, being horny growths comparable in evi-ry way to those upon the
ends of the toes, like the claws of beasts, or human nails. A spur (Lat. cakar), however, is
somethiug different, though of the same homy texture, since it does not terminate a digital
phalanx, but is off-set from the side of the hand. It is exactly like the spur on the leg of a
fowl, which obviously is not a claw. The spur-winged goose {Pkctropterus), pigeon (Didini-
culiis), idovers (Chettiisia, etc.), and the doubly-spurred screamer (Palamedea), afford exam-
ples of such outgrowths, of which the Jasauas (Parra) furnish the only, though a very
well-marked, illustration among North American birds. (See fig. 53 ter.)
III. THE TAIL.
Its Bony Basis. — Time was when birds flew about with long, lizard-like, bony and
fleshy tails, having the feathers inserted in a row on either side like the hairs of a squirrel's.
Kut we have changed all that distkhoiis arrangement since when the Archteoptcryx was
steered with such a rudder through the scenes of its Jurassic life. Now the true sejiaratc
coccygeal bones are few, generally about nine in number, and so short and stunted that they do
not tiroject beyond the general plumage, — in fact scarcely beyond the border of the jjclvis.
Auteri<irly, within the bony basin of the pelvis, there are several vertebree, which, fusing
together and with tlie tru(^ sacrum, are termed urosaa-al or false tail-bones. To these
succeed the true caudal vertebrje, movable upon each other and upon the urosacrum. The
last one of these, abruptly larger than the rest, and of peculiar shaiie, bears all the large
tail-feathers, which radiate from it like the bhides of a fan. The true caudal vcrtebne col-
lectively fonn the coccyx (Gr. k6kkv$, kokkux, a cuckoo; from fancied resemblance of ilie
human tail-bones to a cuckoo's bill) ; the enlarged terminal one is the romer (Lat. romer, a
plough-share, from its shape ; not to be confused with a bone of tlie .''kull of same name) or
jiyyo.styk (Gr. jrvv7, piiye, rinni>, and arv\os, sliilos, a stake, pale). The pygostyle, however,
is a compound bone, consisting of several stunted coccygeal vertebne fused in one. The b(nies
are moved by ai)propriate muscles, and upon the surface is seated the eheodochou (p. 86). Tiii'
whole bony and mu.'ciilar att'air is familiar to every one as the " pope's nose" of the Christmiis
turkey; it is a bird's real tail, of which the feathers are merely apj)endages. In descrijitivc
ornithology, however, the anatomical [larts are ignored, the word "tail" having reference stdely
to the feathers. These, like those of the wings, are of two sorts: the coverts or tectrkes, and
the rudders or rectrkcs (Lat. rcctrix, ])1. rcctrkes, a ruler, guider; because they seem I"
steer the bird's flight) ; corresponding exactly to the coverts and remiges of the wings. The
EXTERNAL 'ABTS OF BIRDS. — THE TAIL.
115
Tall-Coverts arc tho numerous cimparativoly small and weak feathers which overlie and
nmlcilH' the rectriecs, coviring the'f buses and extending a variable distance toward their
(■iKi.", contributing to the lir»nness and symmetry of the tail. They pass smoothly out from
tlif Ixiily, by gradual leiigthenuig, there being seldom, if ever, any obvious outward distinction
lii'tvvcpu them and feathers of the rnnip and belly; but they belong to the pteryla camlalia
([). S7). Tho natural division of the coverts is into an upper and under set (tectrices super-
iorcs, tectrices inferiores). The inferior coverts art the best distinguished from tiie general
|ilimi;ige, the anus generally dividing off these " vent-feathers," as they are sometimes called.
It is to the bundle of under tail-coverts, behind the vent, that the term crissum is most properly
apiilied. Neither set is ever entirely wanting ; but one or the other, particularly the upper one,
may be very short, as in a connorant, or duck of the genus Erismatura, exixtsing the (luills
almost to their bases. While tho upper coverts are usually shorter and fewer than the under
otii's, reaching less than half-way to the end of the tail, they sometimes take on extraordinary
ilcvclopiueut and form the bird's chiefest ornament. The gorgeous, iridescent, argus-eyed
train of the peacock consists of enonnous tectrices, not rectrices; the elegant plumes of tlie
paradise trogon, Pharomacrus mocinno, sevenil times longer than the bird itself, are like-
wise coverts. Occasionally, a pair of coverts lengthens and stiffens, and then resembles true
taii-fi'athers; as in the Ptarmigan (Lagopus). The crissal feathers are more uniform in
(ievclopment ; they ordinarily form a compact, definite bundle, as well shown in a duck,
wiu're they reach about to the end of the tail. In some of the storks, they become plumes of
considerable pretensions ; and in the wonderful humming-bird, Loddigesia mirabilis, the
middle pair stiffens to resemble rectrices and projects far beyond the true tail. The
Rectrices, Rudders, or true tail-feathers, like the remiges or rowers, are usually stiff,
well -pronounced feathers, pennaceous to the very base of the vexilla, without after-shafts, as a
rule, and with the outer web narrower than the other iu most cases. They are always in
pairs ; tliat is, there is an equal number of feathers on the right and left half of the tail ; and
their number, consequently, is an even one. The exceptions to this rule are so few and
irregular, and then only among birds with the higher numbers of rectrices, that such are
proliably to be regarded as mere anomalies, from accidental airest of a feather. They are im-
bricated over each other in this wise : the central pair are high- ^
est, lying with both their webs over the next feather on either
side, the inner web of one of these middle feathers indifferently ~"
underlying or overlying that of the other; all thus successively
overlying the next outer one so that they would form a pyra-
mid were they thick instead of being so flat. The arrange-
mcnt is perceived at once in the accompanying diagram ; ~~^
wliere it will be seen, also, that spreading the tail is the diver- ''
gcnce of (I from b, while closing the tail is bringing a and b together under c. The motion
is effected by certain muscles that draw on either side upon the bases of the (piills collectively ;
they are the same that pull the whole tail to one side or the other, acting like the tiller-ropes
of a boat's rudder. The general
Shape of a Rectrix is shown in fig. 23. Such a feather is ordinarily straight, some-
what clubbed or (dilong, widening a little, regularly and gradually toward the tip, where it is
gently rounded off. But the departures from sncli shape, or any that could be assumed as a
standard, are numberless, and in some cases extreme. In fact, none of a bird's feathers are
mure variable than those of the tail; it is impossible to specify all the shapes they assume.
Wiiile most are straight, S(une are curved — and the curvature may be to or from the middle
line of tlie body, iu the horizontal plane, or up and down, in the vcrtiuil plane. Some shapes
116
GENEliAL OliNIlHOLOGY.
\^M^s!i>^
have received partieular naiiiois. A rootrix broad to the very tip, and there cut squarely i.il. \g
said to be truncate ; one sudi cut (d)liiiuely oti'is iucised, especially wlien, as ofteu liappciis, tlip
outline of the cut-ofl" is concave. A linear rectrix is very narrow, with parallel sides; a hinceo-
late one is broader at tlie base, thence tapering regularly and gradually to the tip. A notably
pointed rectrix is saitl to be acitte ; when the pointing is produced by abrupt centraction near the
tip, as iu most \voodi)eckers, the feather is ticiiminate. A very long and slender, more <m- less
linear feather is called JilamrntoUK, as the lateral pair of a barn swallow or most sea swallows.
The vanes sometimes enlarge abruptly at the end. forming a spoon-shaped or sjmtiilate featlicr;
or such a spoon mav
result from narnnvini;
of the vanes near tl.c
end, or their entire ab-
sence, as ill the "lai-k-
et " of a saw-bill (Mo-
motiiK). The vanes ii.e
sometimes wavy »•. if
crimped; our I'latu: is
a tine exaiiii>!:' ol tiiis.
Sometimes the vanes
are entirely loosciinl,
the barbs being reniiitc
from each other, as in
the exotic genus Slijii-
tiirus, and some jmrts
of the wonderful caiulal
appendage of tlic nialc
lyre-bird (Mcniira sii-
perba). AVheu the rlia-
cliis jtrojects beyond the
vanes, the feather is
spinose, or better, mit-
"V cronate (Lat. miicro, a
.•_^" pricker), as excellently
shown in the chiniiiey-
swift, Chirturn (tig.
'297)- A pair of feathers
Kii,. ;u. — Tlie l.yrc-biril of Auslraliii, .U.iiiim )ii(/>ir6((, to sliow the unique al)rui>tly extending lar
/i/mfinliaiH) uf the tail. (From Ainor. Nut.) bevoiid the otlicis are
caUed hmrf-esserted, after the analogous use of the tonn in botany. Tail-feathers aiso differ
much in their consistency, from the softest and weakest, not well distiniiMished from coverts.
to such stitl' ami nmired jirops as the woodpeckers jio.s.sess. They are downy and very rmli-
mentary in a few birds, notably all the grebes, PitilicipcilidfP, which are commonly said to
have no tail. The tinanious uf Simth America {Drumiivgnathtc) are al.xo very clo.>iely
docked. The
TyplPBl Number of Ileetrlees is tirelre. This ludds in the great majority of birds. It
is so uniform throughout the irreat grouji 0.><cines, that the rare excej)tions seem perfectly
anomalous. In the other umup of I'nsseren {(' Innuitores) it is usually twidve, sometimes ten.
Ten is the rule among I'inirirp, though many have twelve, a very few only eight, as in thi'
genus Crotophuga. The whole of the wotMljMickers [Piciila) have apparently teti ; but n-ully
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS.— THE TAIL.
117
firehe, of which the outer one on each side is spiirious, very small, nnd hidden between the
basis (if the second and third feathers. Birds of prey (Rajytores) have about twelve. In
iiiirt'diis the rule is twelve or fourteen, as in all our genera; but sixteen are found in some and
tweiitv in one case. In birds below these, the number increases directly; there are often or
usually more than twelve in the grouse, and there may be sixteen, eighteen, or twenty, as
aiimiii; our own genera of Tetraonida;. Wading birds, often having but twelve, furnisli in-
stances of as many as twenty. Those swimming birds witli large well-fonned tails, as the
Loiifiijieiivcs, and some Anatidee, have the fewest, as twelve, sometimes fourieen, rarely
sixtci'ii ; those with short soft tails have the most, as sixteen to twenty-four. Among the
pciit'iiius there are tliirty-two or more. The Archaopteryx appears to have had forty, — a pair
til rai'li free caudal vertebra ; and tliis may be considered the prototypic rehition between the
limu's and featliers of the tail. The
Typical Shape of the Tall, as a whole, is the fan. The modifications of form, how-
ever, \vlii<'h are greater and more varied than those of the wing, are susceptible of better
(ietiiiiliiin, and many of them have received si)ecial names. Taking the simplest case, where
the rectrices are all of the same leiigth, we have what is called the even, square, or truncate
tail. 'I'lie other forms depart from this mainly by shortening or lengthening of certain
featliers. A tail nearly or quite even may have the two central feathers long-esserted, as seen
in the jaegers (Stercorarius), and tropic-birds (Pluietfion). The most frequent departure from
the even shape results from gradual shortening of successive rectrices from the middle to the
outer ones. This is called, in general, gradation or graduation (Lat. gradus, a steji) ; such
shiirtening nniy be to any degree. More precisely, graduation means shortening of each
successive feather to the same extent, — say, each half an inch shorter than the next; but
such exactitude is not often exjiressed. When the feathers shorten by more and more, we
linve the true rounded tail, probably the commonest form among birds; thus, the gradation
hetween the middle and next pair may be just appreciable, and then increase regularly to an inch
between the next and the lateral feather. The opposite gradation, by less and less shortening,
gives the wedge-shaped or cuneate (Lat. cuneus, a wedge) tail ; it is well shown by the
iiiai;pie (Pica) in which, as in many other birds, the middle feathers would be called long-
exserted were the rest all as short as the outer one is. A cuneat(^ tail, especially if the feathers
bo narrow and lanceolate, is also called acute, or pointed, as in the sprig-tailed duck (Dafila)
(ir sharp-tailed grouse {Pediacetes). The generic opposite of the gradated is the forked tiul',
in which the lateral feathers successively increase in length from the middle to the outermost
jiair. The least appreciable forking is called cmargination, and a tail thus shaped is said to bo
einnriiiiiate ; when it is better marked, as, for instance, an inch of forking in a tail six inches
liiiii;, the tail is truly /orA«/ or furcate (Lat. furca, a fork). But the degrees of furcation, like
those of gradation, are so insensibly varied, that qualified expressions are usual; as, "slightly
forked," " deeply forked." Deep furcation is usually accompanied by more or less narrowing
or filamentous ehmgathin of the lateral pair of rectrices, as in the barn swaUows {Hiniiido)
anil most of the sea-swallows (Sterna). An advisable term to exi>ress such an extreme fnrca-
tiiiii is forficute (Lat. forfe.r, scissors), when the dejith of the f irk is at least eqiuil to the
length of the shortest feathers ; it occurs among «air birds in those last named, in the species
of th<' flycatcher genus Milrulus, and el-sewliere. Doulile-forked and douhle-rounded tails
are lint uncommon; they result from combination of both opjMisite gradations, in this way:
The middle feathers being of a certain length, the next two «>r three jmirs progressively
inereasing in length, and the rest successively decreasing, the tail is evidently forked centrally,
rounded externally, which is the double-rounded form, each half of the tail being rounded ;
it is shown in the genera 3Ii/iadcsfes and Anoun. Now if with middle feathers as before,
the next pair or two decrease in length, and then the rest increase to the outermost, we have
118
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
the doublo-forked, a common stylo among sandpipers, as if each half of the tail were forked.
But in such case, the forking is slight, merely emargination, being little more than i)rotnisiim
of the middle pair of feathers in an otherwise lightly forked tail; and in the double-roinided
form the gradation is seldom if ever great.
I should also allude to shapes of tail resulting from the relative positions of the fcatliers.
Prominent among these is the complicate tn folded tail of the baru-yard fowl, and others of tlio
Phasianida:, — a very familiar but not comnum form. It is only retained while the tail is
closed and cocked up, — for when it is lowered and spread in flight it flattens out. The (i|i])(i-
site disposition of the feathers is seen to some extent in our crow blackbirds (Quisniliix)^
a where the lateral fiatlicrs
slant upward from the lower-
most central pair, like tlii'
sides of a boat from its keel ;
this is the scapJioid ((!r,
(TKd<f>tj, a boat) or cnriimle
(Lat. carina, a keel) tiiil.
Our "boat-tailed" grackli'
has been so named on this
account. One of the nmst
beautiful and wonderful of
all the shapes of the tail is
illustrated by the male of tin;
lyre-bird {Mciiitra siipfilm,
fig. 32), in which the feiithers are anomalous both in shape and in texture, and tlie resiihinu;
form of the wh(do is unique. Various shapes, which the student will readily name from the
foregoiug paragraphs, are illustrated in many other figures of this work. It should be rcniciii-
bered tliat, to determine the shape, the tail should be nearly closed; for spreading will ob-
viously make a square tail round, an cmarginato one square, etc. I append a diagram of the
principal forms (fig. 33).
Fio. 33. — Diagram of sliapes of tall. oAc, rounded ; aec, gradate; oic,
cnncate-gradatti ; tile, cuiicate; ahc, doable-rounded; fig, square; fliij,
oniarglnate;y)teoi7, double-emarglnate ; kim, forked; hem, deeply forked;
kbm, forllcate.
IV. THE FEET.
The Hind Limbs, in all birds, are organized for progression — all can walk, run, or ho])
on land, though the power to do so is very slight in some of the lower swimming bird.-*, as
louns and grebes, and certain of the lower perching Itirds, as hummers, swifts, goatsuckers, and
kingfishers. They are .spe(^ially fitted for perching on trees, bushes, and other sujiporfs requiriiif;
to be grasped, in the great majority of birds, as throughout the Panseres, Picariai, Accijiilivn,
ColumbfC, and, in fact, many water-birds ; there being few forms, mainly found among three-
toed birds, or those in whi(di the hind too is short, weak, and elevated, in whiidi the extremity
of the limb has not di-cided grasping power. The limb becomes a paddle for swimming either
on or in the water in many cases. In not a few, as parrots and birds of prey, the font is
serviceable as a hand. Those kinds of birds which live in trees and bushes habitually
progress, even when on level ground, in a series of ho])s, or rather leaps, both feet beiiii,'
moved together: in all the lower birds, however, the feet move one after the other, a.s in ordi-
nary walking or running. The modificaticms of the hind limb are more numerous, more
diverse, and more important in their bcarini; on classification than those of either bill, wini;,
or tail; their study is c<msequ(nitly a matter of special interest.
Their Bony Frameworlc (fig. 34). — Regiiming at the hip-joint, and ending at tli.>
oxtromities of the several toes, the skeleton of the hind limb c.msists in the vast majority «(
adult birds of twenty bones. This is the typical and nearly the average number; birds
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS.— THE FEET.
119
scnrcoly ever have more, and the principal lessenings of the number result from the absence
of one or two toes, or a slight reduction in tlie number of tlie joints of some toes, or absence of
tho linee-cap. Of the normal twenty, fourteen are bones of tlio toes ; one is an incomplete
bono connecting the liind toe with the foot ; one is the knee-cap, and four are tho principal
bones of the thigh (1), leg (2), and foot (1). The first or uppermost is the thigh-bone or
fenmr (Lat. femur ; adjective, femoral), fm, from hip to knee, A to B in the figure. It is
ii ratlier short, quite stout, cylindrical bone, enlarging above and below. Above it has a
gloliiilar head, a, standing off obliquely fr 'mi the shaft, received in the acetabulum (Lat. aceta-
bulum, a kind of receptacle) or socket of the hip, and a prominent shoulder or trochanter,
Avhicli abuts against the
brim of the acetabulum.
Below, it expands into
two condyles (Gr. kovSu-
\ot, a knob), for articu-
lation with both the
bones it meets at the
knee. It is tlie same
bone as the femur of a
quadruped or of man,
and corresponds to the
humerus of the wing.
Ill the knee-joint, many
or most birds have a
small ossicle, and a few
have two such bony nod-
ules, not shown in the
figure, but nearly in the
position of tho letter B :
tiie knee-pan or knee-
cap, pnlella (Lat. jmtel-
la). The lliigh is tlie
first segment o{i\\c limb;
tlie next segment is the
leg proper, or crus (Lat.
cms, tlie shin ; adjective,
crural), B to C in tln^
figure, or from knee to
lieel
oeeu])ied by two bones,
the tibia (Lat. tibia, a
tube, trunipetj, tb, and
Jibula (Lat. fibula, a
s))liiit, clasp), fi. Of
these the tibia is the
principal, larger, inner
lioiie, running quite to tlie heel ; the fibula is smaller, and (with rare exceptions, as in some of
tiie penguins) only runs part way down the outside of the tibia as a slender pointed spike, close
pressed against or even partly fused with tlie shaft of tlie tibia. Above, at tlie knee, both
bones articulate witli the femur ; the tibia with both the femoral condyles, the fibula only with
the outer condyle. Above, the tibia has an irregularly expanded head or cnemial process (Gr.
Fio. 34. — BnneH of a bird's liind limb : from a duck, Ciavpula iaiantlica, J nat.
Rlze ; Dr. K. W. Sbufeldt, U. S. A. A, bip: II, knee: (', heel or ankle-joint; D,
bases of toes. A to /I, tbigh or " second Joint " ; B to (', crns, leg proper, " drum-
stick," oflon wrongly railed " thlgli " ; r to />, metatarsus, f(M)t proper, correspond-
This segment is Ing to our instep, or foot from ankle to bases of toes; in descripllTe ornithology
the tnraua; often called " shank." From I) outward arc the toes or digits. Jin.
femur; th, tibia, principal (inner) bone of leg; ./f, flbula, lesser (outer) bone of
leg; mt, princiiial metatarsal l>onc, consisting chiefly of three fused metatarsal
bones; am, accessory nictatnrsnl, l)earing \t, tirst or bind toe, with two Joints ; 21,
second toe, with three Joints; .'!/, third toe. with four Joints; 4^ fourth toe, with
five Joints. At f there are in tho embryo some small tarsal bones, not shown in
tho figure, uniting in part with the tibia, which Is therefore a tibin-lnrsus, in part
with tlie metatarsus, which is therefore a laran-metatnrmut : the ankle-joint being
therefore between two rows of tarsal boues, not, as it appears tu be, directly be-
tween tibia and metatarsus.
120
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
Kinjiit], Ineme, same as Lat. cms), wliich in some birds, as loons, runs high up in front uIhivo
tliu Itnee-joint. lU-ldW, tlic tibia alone forms the ankle-joint, C, by articulating with the mxt
bone. For this jturi)o8e it ends in an enlarged trochlear (Cir. TpoxaXj'a), or pulley-like surface,
presenting a little forward as well as downward, above wliieh, in many birds, there is a little
bony bridge beneath whicli tendons passing to the foot are confined. This fini.shes the leg,
consisting of thigh, A B, and leg proper, B C, bringing us to the ankle-joint at the heel, C.
Now a bird's legs, unlike ours, are not separate from the body from the hip downward;
but, for a variable distance, are enclosed witliiu the general integument of the body. Tlie
frecMlom of the limb is greatest among tlio higli perching birds, and especially the Jlajilmrs,
which use the feet like hands, and least among the lowest swinnners. The range of variation,
from greatest freedom to most extensive eudosure of the limb, is from a little above B nearly to
C, as in the case of a loon, grebe, or penguin. In no bird is the knee, B, seen outside the
general contour of tlie plumage: it must be looked or felt for among the feathers, and in must
prepared skins will not be found at all, the femur having been removed. It is u point of little
practical consequence, tliough bearing upon the generalization .just made. The first joint, or
liending of the limb, that appears beyond a bird's plumage is the heel, C ; and this is what,
iu loose popular parlance, is called " knee," upon the same erroneous notions that make people
call the wrist of a htirse's fore-leg " knee." People also call a bird's cms or leg j^oper, B to C,
the "thigh," and disregard the true thigh altogether. This confusion is inexcusable; any one,
even without the slightest anatomical knowledge, can tell knee from heel at a glance, whatever
their respective positions relative to the body. Knee is at junctuai of thigh and leg proper;
it always hemis forward; /(ceHs at junction of leg with foot, and always bends backward.
This is as true of a bird, wliich is (ligiliijrade, that is, walks on its toes with its lieels in the
air, as it is of a man, who \s pUmtigrade, that is, walks on t!ic whole sole of the foot, with the
heel down to the ground. In a carver's language, the thigh is the "second joint" (from
below) ; the leg is the "drumstick "; the rest of a fowl's hind limb docs not usually come to
table, having no ttesh upon it. (See frontispiece, Th, Kn, Lg.)
Before proceeding to the ne.vt segment of the limb, I must dwell upon the ankle-joint,
situated at the heel, — the point C, — corresiK)ndiug to the carpal angle or bend of the wing,
C, in fig. 27. Tiiere we found, in adult birds, two small carpal bones, or bones of the wrist
])roper ; and noted the presence in the embryo of several otheh carpals (fig. 29), wliich early
fuse with the metacarpus. Just so in the ankle, there arc in embryonic life several tarsal bones,
or bones of the tarsus (Lat. tarsus, the ankle) ; all of which, however, soon disappear, so that
tiiere ajipcars to be no tarsus, or ccdlection of little hones between the tibia and tlie next
segment of the limb, the metatarsus. An upper tarsal bone, or series of tarsal bones, fuses
with the lower end of the tibia, making this leg-bone really a tibio-tarsus ; and similarly, a
lower bone or set of bones fuses with the ujiper end of the metatarsus, making this bone a
tarso-metatarsus. So there are left no free bones in the ankle-joint, whicli thus appears to be
iminediately between the leg-bone and the principal foot-bone; but Miiich is nevertheless
really between two series of tarsal bones, the identity of which luis been lost.'
* The exact liomologuca of a bird's vaiilfiliing tarsnl Imncs are still questioned. Gogenbaur showed the 80>
railed epiphysis or shoe of Iwno at the foot of the tibia, and the similar cap of bone on the head of the prinripal
metatarsal bone, to be true tarsal elements. Morse went further, showing the tibial epiphysis, or upper tarsal bono-
of Gegeiibitur to bo really two bones, which ho held to correspond with the tiblale and fibulare, or atlragnlun and
(■a/canrHm of mammals; these subsequently combining to form the single upper tarsal bone of Qegenbaur, and
finally becoming ancliyloscd with the tibia to form the bitrochlear condylar surface so characteristic of the tibia m
At<ei. Tlie distal tsrsal ossicle he bclieve<l to be the renlrale of reptiles. Wyman discovered the so-called " process ot
the astragalus" to have a distinct ossiflcation, and Morse Interpreted it as the inlermeilium of reptlle.1. Ijiter
views, however, as of Iluxlcy and Parker, limit the tibial epiphynis to the atlragalna alone of mammals. If these
opinions bo correct, other tarsal elements (more than one) are to lie locked for In the epiphysis of the metatarsus.
Whatever the final determination of these obscure points may be, it Is certain tliat, as said In the text above, tho
lower end of a bird's tibia ami the upper end of a bird's metatarsus include true tarsal elements, Just as the upper
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS.— THE FEET.
121
Tlip next spgment of the limb, C to D, or the foot proper, is represented by the principiil
metiitarsal bone, mt. This corresponds to tlie hmiiiiu instep or arcli of the foot, nearly from
tlic i\iikIe-joint quite to the roots of the toes. Tiio nietiitarsiil bone, like the nietuciupal of
the hand, whieh it represents in the foot, is a compound one. Besides includiut; the evaiies-
coiit tarsal element or elements already specified, it consists of three metatarsal bones con-
sdliiliitcd in (me, just as the metacarpal is tripartite. Among recent birds, the three are
(lartly distinct only in the penguins; but in all, excepting ostriches, the original distinction is
iiidicati'd by three prongs or stumps at the lower end of the bone, forming as many articular
surfaces for the three anterior toes. The other toe most birds jiossess, the hind toe, is hinged
n|ii>n the m«'tatarsus in a different way, by means of a small separate metatarsal Ixme, (pute
iiti|nMfict; this is the accessori/ metatarsal, am. It is situattd near the lower end toward the
iiiucr side of the principal metatarsal bone, and is of various shapes and sizes ; it has no true
jdiiitiiig with the latter, b)it is simply jiressed close upon it, much as the fibula is applied to the
tibia, or partly soldered with it. Above, it is defective; below, it bears a good facet for articu-
lation with the hind toe. tW In spite of anatomical proprieties, the metatarsal part of a bird's
t'cMit — from heel to base of toes — from C to Z), is inordinary descriptive ornitludogy inrariahh/
called " The Tarsus" ; a wrong name, but one so finnly established that it would be finical
and futile to attempt to substitute the correct name. In the ordinary attitude of most birds,
it is held more or less upright, and seems to be rather " leg " than a part t>f the " foot." It is
vulgarly called " the shank." These points must bo ingrained in the student's mind to
prevent confusion. (See fig. 112 bis, p. 229.)
The digits of the foot, fir toes, upon which alone most birds walk or perch, consist of
certain numbers of small bimes placed end to end, all jointed upon one another, and the basal
or proximate ones of each toe separately jointed either with the principal or the accessory metii-
tarsal bone. Like those of the fingers, these bones are called phalanges (Lat. phalanx, a
rank or series) or internodes (because coming between any two joints or nodes of the toes).
The furthermost one of each almost invariably bears a nail or claw (unguis). The plialanges
are of various relative lengths, and of a variable number in the same or different toes. Hut all
tiiese points, being nuitters of descrii>tive ornithology rather than of anatomy proper, are fully
treated beyond, as is also the special homy or leathery covering of the feet usually existing
from the point C outward. Vv'^e may here glance at the
Merhanlsm of these Bones. — The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, permitting round-about
as well iia fore-and-aft movements of the whole limb, though more restricted than the shoulder-
joint. The knee is usually a strict ginglymus (Gr. yiyyXvftor, gigglumos, hinge) or hinge-joint,
allowing only backward and forward moticm ; and so constructed that the forward movement of
the leg is never carried beyond a right line with the fenuir, while the backward is so extensive
that the leg may bo quite doubled under the thigh. In some birds there is a slight rotatory
motion at the knee, very evident in certain swimmers, by which the foot is thrown outward, so
tliat the broad webbed toes may not *' interfere." The heel or ankle-joint is a strict hinge ; its
bendings arc just the reverse of those of tbo knee ; for the foot cannot jiass back of a right lino
with the leg, but can come forward till the toes nearly touch the front of the knee. In some
l)irds the details of structure are such that, with the assistance of certain muscles, the foot is loeked
upon the leg when completely straightened out, so finnly that some little muscular eftVirt is re-
(|uired to overcome the obstacle ; birds with this arrangement sleep securely standing on one leg,
which is the design of the mechanism. The jointing of the toes with the prongs of the meta-
tarsus is peculiar ; for the articular surfaces are so disposed in a certain obliquity, that when
i>n(! of the metacarpufi inchules carpal elements; and tliat a bird'B ankle-joint li not tiblo-tnrsal or lietnccii
leg-bone and foot-lranes, as In mammals, but between proximal and distal series of tarsal bones, and tbcrcroro
nirrflo-tarsal, as In reptiles.
122
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
tho toes arc brought forwards, at right angles or thcrcahouts with the foot, they spread ajiiirt
from each other aiitoniatically in tlie artion, and tim diverging toes of tlio foot tluis opened are
pressed ui)on tlic ground or against tlic water. When tlio toes are bent around in tlie ojipositc
direction, they automatically < le together and lie in a bundle more or less parallel with one
another, besides being each bent or flexed at their several nodes. The mechanisni is best
marked in the swimmers, which, for advantageous use of their webbed toes, must present a
broad surface to the water in giving tlie backward stroke, and bring the foot forward witli the
toes closed, ])resenting only an edge to the water, — all in\ the imnciple of the feathering of oars
in rowing. It is carried to an extreme in a loon, where, when the foot is closed, the digit
marked 2t in the figure lies below and behind St It is pr(d)ably lea.st marked in birds of
prey, whicli give the clutch with their talons spread. The jointings of the individual phalanges
of the toes upon one another are simjile hinges, pennitting motion of extension to a right line
or a little beyond in some eases, with very free flexion in the opposite direction. On the
wh(de, the mechanics of a bird's foot are less peculiar than those of the wing, and quite those
of the limbs of a fH'.adruped.
In ordinary hopping, walking, and running, and in perching as well, only the toes rest upon
or grasp tlie support, from D to beyond, C being more or less vertically over D. Such resting
of the toes is comidetc for 2 t, 'it, it in the figure, or for all the anterior toes ; but for the hind
toe it varies according to the length and jiosition <if that digit, from complete incumbency, like
that of the front toes, to mere touching of the tip of that toe, or not even this : the hind toe
is then sure to be functionless. I5ut many of the lower birds, such as loons and grebes, cannot
stand at all upright on tln-ir toes, resting with the heel touching the ground ; and in many such
cases the tail furnislies additional sujiport, making a tripod with the feet, as in the kangaroo.
Such birds might be called plantiff.ade (Lat. planta, the s(de; [iradus, a stej)) in strict
anatomical conformity with the quadrupeds so designated. The others are all digitigrmk,
standing or walking on their toes alone. But no birds jirogress on the ends of their toes, or
toe-nails, as hoofed ([uodrupeds do. A bird's ordinary walking or running is the same as ours,
so far as the ordinary mechanics of the motions are concerned ; but its so-called " hopping" is
really leaping, both legs moving at once. Most birds, down to Coltimba, leap when on the
ground, a mode of jirogression characteristic of the higher orders; but many of the more terres-
trial Passeren ami Accipiires progress by ordinary walking when on the ground, as is invariably
the case M-ith parrots, jiigeons, gallinaceous birds, and ail wailers and swimmers.
The student need scarcely be reassured that, whatever their modifications, their relative
development, motions, and postures, the several segments of both fore and hind limbs of any
vertebrate, (piadruped or biped, feathered or featherless, are fixed in one morphologically iden-
tical series, thus: 1, shoulder or hip-joint; 2, upper arm or thigh, humerus or femur; 3,
elbow or knee-joint ; 4, fore-arm or leg proper, radius and ulna or tibia and fibula; 5, wrist,
bend of wing, carpus, or heel, ankle, tarsus ; C, hand proptir, metacarpus, or foot proper,
metatarsus; 7, digits with their phalanges, of hand or foot, fingers or toes. 2, first segment;
4, sectind segment; 5, third segment (not separate in foot of bird) ; 6 and 7, fourth segment,
in the wing called nianus or pinion, in the leg, pes. Observe the improper naming of parts,
in tho case of the hind limb, whereby 1, 2, 3, are not generally counted; 4 is called "thigh " ;
5 is called " knee " ; C is called " leg " or " shank " ; 7 is called "foot." Observe also that in
descriptive oniitludogy 6 is " the tarsus."
The Plumage of the Leg and Foot varies within wide limits. In general, the leg is
feathered to the heel, C, and the rest of the limb is bare of feathers. The thigh is always
feathered, as part of the body plumage (^ptcryla femoralis). The cms or leg proper (thigh of
vulgar language, B to C) is feathered in nearly all the higher birds, and in swimming birds
without excjeption ; in the loons, the feathering even extends on the heel-joint. It is among
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE FEET.
123
till! walking and especially the wading birds that the cms is most extensively denuded ;
it iiuiy be naked half-way up to the kneo. A few waders, — among ours, chiefly in the
snipe family, — have tlie cms apparently ch)thed to the heel-joint; but this is due, in most if
imt all eases, to the length of the feathers, for probably in none of them does the pteryla crurnlis
itscilf extend to the joint. Crural feathers are nearly always short and inconspicuous ; but
sometimes long and flowing, as in the "flags " of most hawks, and in our tree-cuckoos. The
<(/)Vfi/s (I now and hereafter use the term in its ordinary aoceptation — C to D in fig. 34 ; trs in
Hi,'. HC)) in the vast iriajority of birds is entirely nakeil, being provided with a Iiorny or leathery
sheath of integument like that covering the bill. Such is its condition in the I'asseres and
Picari<B (with few exceptions, as among swifts and goatsuckers) ; in the waders without ex-
oe])tion, and in nearly all swimmers (tlio frigate-bird, Tachypetes, has a slight feathering).
'V\w Raptorea and Gallina furnish the most feathered tarsi. Thus, feathered tarsi is the rule
among owls (Striges); fi-equent, either partial or complete, in liawks and eagles, as in Aqiiihi,
Archibitteo, Fako, Biiteo, etc. All our grouse, and perhaps all true grouse, iiave the tarsus
uiorc or less feathered (tig. 35). The toes themselves are feathered in a few birds, as several
of the owls, and all the ptarmigans (Lagopm). Partial feathering of the tarsus is often con-
tinued downward, to the toes or upon them, by sparse modified feathers in the form of bristles ;
as is well shown in the barn-owl (fig. 47). When incomplete, the feathering is generally want-
ing behind and
below, and it is
almost invariably
eontinnous above
with the crural
plumage. But in
that spirit of per-
versity in which
birds delight to
Drove everv rule Pio. 35. —Feathered tarsus of a grouse, CMpWonincupirfo. Nat. size.
we establish by furnishing exc-eptions, the tarsus is sometimes j)artly feathered discontiiriously.
A curious example of this is aflcjrded by the bank-swallow, Cotile riparia, with its little tuft of
feathers at the ba.se of the hind toe; and some varieties of the born-yard fowl sprout monstrous
leggings of feathers from the side of the tarsus.
The Length of Leg, relatively to the size of the bird, is extremely variable ; a thrush or
sparrow probably represents about average proportions of the limb. The shortest-legged bird
known is probably the frigate-iMilican, TacJiypetes ; which, though a yard long more or less,
lias a tibia not half as long as the skull, and a tarsus under an inch. The leg is very short in
many Picarian birds, as hummers, swifts, goatsuckers, kingfishers, trogons, etc., in many of
which it scarcely serves at all for progression. Among Passeres, the swallows resemble swifts
in shortness of their hind limbs. It is pretty short likewise in many zygodactyle, yoke-toed or
scansorial birds, as woodpeckers, cuckoos, and parrots. In most swimming birds the limb
may also be called short, especially in its femoral and tarsal segments ; while the broad-webbed
toes are comparatively longer. The leg lengthens in the lower jierching birds, as many
hawks and some of the terrestrial pigeons; it is still longer among walkers proper, such as the
gallinaceous birds, and reaches its maximum among the waders, esjiecially the larger ones,
such as cranes, herons, ibises, storks, and flamingoes ; among all of which it is correlated with
extension of the neck. Probably the longest-legged of all birds for its size is the stilt
{Ilimantopus'). Taking the tarsus alone as an index of length of the whole limb, this is in
the frigate under one-thirty-sixth of the bird's length ; a flamingo, four feet long, has a tarsus
a foot long : a stilt, fourteen inches long, one of four inches ; so that the maximum and
124
a EN ERA L OJiXrniOLOG r.
uiinimum lonptlis of taraiis are nearly thirty and iindtT tlirce per cent, of a bird's wliujo
length.
The Horny Integument of the Foot rpquirps particular attrntion. That jmrt of tho
limb whir-h is (lovciid of feathers iw eovcred, like the bill, by a hardened, tliieUened, ditiid
integument, varying in texture from homy to leathery. This sheath is called tho potluthnu
(Or. novt, noSos, jjoh.'*, podim, foot, mid OriKt], tlicke, sheath). It is more corneous iu land hinls,
and in water birds more leathery ; this general distinction has but few exceptions. The perfectly
horny envelope is tight, and iunnovahly fixed or nearly so, while the skinny styles of slicntji
are looser, and may usually be sli]>}>ed about a little. Tho integument may differ on diHeniit
parts of the same leg, and in fact generally does so to some extent. Uulike the sheath of the
bill, the podotheca is never shnido and continuous, being divided and subdivided in various
ways. The lower part of the cms, when naked, and the tarsus and toes, always have their
integinnent cut up into scales, plates, tubercles, and other special formations, which have
received particular names. The maimer and character of such divi-^ions are often of the
utmost coiise(iuence in classification, especially among tho higher birds, since they arc (piite
sigtiificant of genera, families, and even some larger groups.
iteV
Fin. 3G. — Booted laminlplantar
tarsus of a robin. Nat. size.
Fio. 37. — Scut«1Iato
laminlplantar tarsus of a
cat-bird. Mat. sUe.
Fio. 38. — a. Reticulate tarsus
of a plover. Nat. size. b. Scutel-
lato and reticulate tarsus of a
pigeon. Nat. siio.
The commonest division of the podothecti is into scales or scntella (Lat. scutelhim, a little
shield; pi. sciiMla, not scuteUa; as often written) ; figs. 37, and 38, b. These are generally of
large comparative size, arranged in definite vertical series up and down tho tarsus and along
the toes, and apt to be somewhat imbricated, or fixed shingle-wise, the lower edge of one
overlapping the upper edge of tho next. The groat majority of birds have such scutcUa. They
oftenest occur on the fnmt of the tarsus (or acroiarsium, corresponding to our " instep"), and
almost invariably on the tops of the toes (collectively called acropodiitm) ; frequently also on
tho sides and back of the tarsus or planta ; nttt so often on the crus, and rarely if ever on the
sides and under surfaces of the toes. A tarsus so disposed as to its podotheca is said tn bo
scutellate, — scutellato before (fig. 37), or behind, or both, as the case may be. The tenn is
ecjually applicable to the acropodium, but is not so often used because seutcllation of tho upper
sides of the toes is so nnivcrsal as to be taken for granteil unless the contrary condition is
expressly said. The most notorious case of the Oscine podotheca (figs. 36, 37), characterizing
that great group of birds, is given boy(md (next paragraph).
Plates, or reticulations (Lat. reticulum, a web; fig. 38, n) result from tho cutting up of
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE FEET.
125
tlic cnvoloiK} ill various ways by cross lini's. I'latos nro of various sliapes and sizes, ami
jinidc usually into tnir sciitfUa, from wliich however thoy arc generally tlistiiiKuislied by being
.viiiailer, or of irregular (Muitoiir, or not in deKnite rows, or laeking the a)>|H'araiiee of iiuliriea-
tiiiii ; but there is no positive distinetiou. They are oftenest hcrarfoudl (six-sided), a form Jiesl
adapted to close paekiiig, lis sliown very jierfectly iu the cells of the lioney-bee's comb; but
they may liave fewer sides, or be imhjfionul (many-sided), or even circular ; wlieii crowded in
one direction and loosened in another the Hlia]H' teuds to be oval or even liiu'ar. A leg so fur-
nished is said to be reticulate : tlie reticulation may be entire, or be associated witli sciitellation,
as often happens (fig. 38, h). A particular cuso of reticulation is called ifmimlation (Lat.
pniiinm, n grain): when the plates become elevated into little tubercles, roughened or not.
Such a leg is said to be granular, granulated, or rugone: it is well shown by parrots, ami the
tisli-hawk {I'andion). When the harder sorts of scales or phites are roughened without
obvious elevation, the leg is said to be scabrous or scarious (Lat. scabrum, u s<'ab). Iliii
svdhroiis is al.so said of the under surfaces of the toes, when these develop special jmds, or
Wiift-lilse bulbs (called tijluri) : as is well shown in the siiarp-shinned and many other hawks.
The softer sorts of legs, and especially the webs of swimming birds, are often marked crosswise
<ir croicfWato/ with a lattice work of lines, these however not being strong enough to produce
|ilate.s ; it is more like the lines seen on our ]ialms and finger-tips. The ]dates of a pait of the
leg occasionally ilevelop into actual serrations ; as witnessed along the binder edge of a
grel)e's tarsus. When an iinfeatliered tarsus shows no divisions of the podotheca in front
(along the acrotaraium), or only two or three scales dose by the toes, it is said to be booted or
grnircd ; and such a podotheca is holiithecal ((Jr. oXor, holos, whole, entire, and ^ki;; fig. HCi).
Tiie generic opposite is schizothec(d ((Jr. axl^a, I cleave), whetiii'r by scutellati«m or reticula-
tion or in any other way the integiinient n:ay Ix; cut up. A booted or holothecal tarsus chiefly
occurs iu the higher Oseincs, and is supposed by many, jmrticularly German 'iriiithologists, to
indicate the highest tyjie of bird structure. It is, however, found in a few water birds, as
Wilson's stormy petrel and other species of Oceanites. It is not a common moditication.
Exceptions aside, it only occurs in connection with an eipially iiarticular condition of tin?
sides and back of tiie tarsus, or planta. In almost all Oscine Passeres {Alaudidte are an
exception), which constitute the great bulk of the large order Passeres, the ])laiita is covered
with one pair of plates or laminee, one on each side, meeting l)ehiiid in a sharp ridge ; a condi-
tion caUed laminiplantar, in distinction from the opposite, scutelUplautar, state of the parts.
A holothecal jiodotheca only occurs in connection with the lamini|dantar condition, the combi-
nation resulting in the perfect " boot." Among North American birds, the genus 0«vn»7c.s
aside, it is exhibited by the following genera, and by these only: Ttirdus, Cinclus, Sa.ncola,
iSialia, Regulus, Cijanecula, Phijlhscopus, Chamaa, Mifiadestcs ; and even birds of these
genera, when ;/oung, show scutella which disap]M>ar with age by progressive fusion of the
acrotarsial podotheca. (C'omparo ligs. 36, 157. )
The Crus, when bare of feathers beh)W, may, like the tarsus, be scutellate or reticulate
before or behind, or both ; such divisions of the crural integument being commonly seen in
long-legged wading birds. Or, again, this integument may be loose, softi.sh, and movable, not
<d)viou8ly divided, and passing directly into ordinary skin.
The Tarsus, in general, may be called siibcylindrical : it is often quite circular in cross-
st!ction; generally thicker from before backward, and only rarely wider from t)ne sid(> to the
other than in the opjwsite direction; but such a shajH^ as this last is exhibited by the ])engnins.
When the transverse thinness is noticeable, the tarsus is said to be conipre.tsed ; and such
compression is very great in a loon, in which the tarsus is almost like a knife blade, (juite
cylindrical tarsi occur chietly when there are similar scales or plates before and behind, as
via
GENEIUL OHNITHOLOOY.
lmi)iit'U8 in tlio larks (.i/rtwe/i(/<r) ; tlit-y an- rare ntiioiig laud birds, common ainon/j; wailnii.
Tliimc swiiiiiiiiiig Ijiids with a very tliiii «liliiiiy ixKlotluTa an- ajtt to wliow tracps of tiic loiir-
HidediiCHH (if the mftatnrcal bono. Tiie tarsus in tlic vast majority of land birdn is seen i,n
close iusjiei'tion to be Hiniewbat ovate or droii-shaped on erosH-section, —gently roundiil in
front, more eomiiressed laterally, and Hharp-ridged beliind. This re»nlt« from tlie htmimpluv-
lation described above, and is e<|iially well exhibited by most passerine birds, whether tliry
iiave booted or anteriorly sciitellatc tarsi. The liuo of nnion of anterior scntella with jiostero-
Inleral jdates on the sides of tiie tarsns is generally in a straight vertical line, — either a nine
lino of flush union, or a ridge, or oftener a groove (well seen in the crows), which nuiy nr
may not be tilled in with a few small narrow jdates. In the C'lanmtorial I'dsneres, reprcsenti d
by our flycatchers, the tarsns is envebii)ed in a scroll-like podotheca of irregularly arraiiirKJ
plates, the edges of the scrtdl meeting along the inner side of the taraus. But the full con.sjdd-
atiou of special states of the tarsal envelope, however important and interesting, would be part
of a systematic treatise on ornithology, rather than of an outline sketch like this.
The Number of Toes (individually, digiti ; c(dlectively, jiodium) is four: there an*
mver more. There are two in the ostrich alone, in which both inner and hind toe arc waulinu.
There are three in all the other struthious birds (Ehcidir, Cusu-
nriidfc), excepting Apteri/.v, which has four. There are like-
wise three, the hind toe being su])pressed, in the tinamint'
genera C'fltorfro»i«,>i and Thutmotis {Dromaogiiatluc) ; through-
out the auk family (Alcida) ; in th«' petnd genus I'elrcn.i-
dides; apparently in the albatrosses (Diomedehur) ; usually in
the gull genus Hissa; in the flandng<i genus Pha-iiicopnrra ;
throughout the bustard family (Otidida:), and am<ing various
related forms, as Qidicnemus, Emeus, Cursorius; in tlio
plovers (Charadriida;), excepting Sqtiatarola ; and in the
bush-quails {Turnicidtc), excepting Pedionomus. In higher
birds, three toes are a rare anomaly, only known to occur in
three genera of woodpeckers (Picdides, Sasia, and Tigd), and in one galbuline genus (Jacu-
maralcijon), by loss of the hind toe ; in two genera oi kingfishers {Ce;i.T ami Alci/oti'). by sup-
pression of the inner front toe; and in the passerine genus Cholon the outer
front toe. North American three-toed birds are these only ; tb' the genus
Picdides; all auks {Alcidcc), and albatrosses {Diomed< •■ ■ here is a
rudiment of the hind toe) ; all plovers {Charadriida, c taroi the oyster-
catchers (Hamatopus) ; the sanderling {Calidris, fig. the stii limui, jiux). Hirds
with two toes are said to be didactyk ; with three, tridiui; with (' .r, tetradacti/le. In the
vast majority of cases, birds have three toes in front and one behim! Ooeasionally, either th<*
hind toe, or the <iutermost front toe, is versatile, that is, suscept, I. of being turned either
way. Such is the condition of the outer front toe in most owls {Striyes), and in the fish-haw).
(Pandion). We have no case of true versatility of the hind toe among North American birds:
but several cases of its stationary somewhat lateral position, as in goatsuckers {CaprimnUjid' '
•some of the swifts (Ci/pselidit:), the loons {Colymbidfr), and all the totipalmate swimi
(Stegn)iopodcs). Nor have we any example of that rarest of all conditions (seen in soii
Cypselida; and the African Coliida) in which all four toes are turned forward. The arrang<
ment of toes in pairs, two before and two behind, is quite common, being the characteristic,
of scansorial birds and some others, as all the (larrots and woodi)eckers, cuck(K)s, trogons, etc.
Such arrangement is caUed zngodactyle uv ii/godacti/lous (Gr. fuyoV, zngon, a yoke; ddiervXor,
daktulos, a digit) ; and birds exhibiting it are said to be yoke-toed (fig. 45). In all yoke-toed
birds, excepting the trogons, it is the outer anterior toe which is reversed ; in trogons, the
Fi(i. 3«. — Triiliictyle foot of sand
orliiig, Calidrit arenaria ; nat. size.
EXTERNAL I'AHTS OF BIRDS. — THE FEET.
127
iiiiitT <iiiL'. Ill iirmly every throo-tfK'd bird, nil three toes uie uuterior; mir single exoeption xn
ill llir m'lius J'ivdiitvM, wilt-re tiie triK- hind toe in wiintiiig, tliu outer iiuterior one being reversed
iiH iisiiai iu /ygudiietyU-H. No bird bus inure tooH behind thuu iu fmut. UirdH' Un's, iind tlieir
respei'live joints, are
Nil III lie red, in a eertain definite order, as fidlows (see figs. 34, 'M): hind toe = firnt toe,
1/; inner anterior toe =«a'OH'/toe, it; middle anterior toe = //ii)v/ toe, 'M; outer anterior
tilt' = fourth toe, it. Sueli identitieation of 1 t, 2 t, 'it, i t apjilies to tiie ordinary eawe of tliree
toen ill front and one lieliind. Hut, (d)viously, it liidils giMid fur any otlier arrangeiiient of tlie
toes, if we only l«now whieli one is ehanged in position, — a tiling always easy to learn, as we
sliiill see at oiiee. In birds with the hind toe reversed, leaving all four in front, tlie same
order is evident, though then 1< is the inner anterior, it tlie next, ete. ; for it always happens,
when a hind toe turns forward, that it turns on the inner side of the foot. Similarly, iu yoke-
toed birds (execpting Trogonidir) , it is the outer anterior which is turned backward, as above
said ; then, evidently, inner hind t«M) = W ; inner front toe = 2< ; outer front toe =-'it ; outer
hind toe = 4 t. In Trw/ouidtr, with inner front toe reversed, the eoiTectioii of the formula is
easily made. Moreover, when the number of toes decreases from four to three or two, the
digits are almost always reduced in the same order: thus, in three-toed birds, 1 < is the missing
one ; iu the two-toed ostrich, 1 1 and 2 1 are gone. The only known exceptions to this general-
ization are afforded by two exotic genera of kingtishers, Ceij.r and Alcyone, in which 2 < is
defective ; and by the anomah)UH passerine Cholvrnin uf China, in whicdi 4 t is iu like case.
The rule is jtroveu by the
Number of Phalanges, or joints, of the digits. The constancy of the joints in birds'
toes is remarkable, — it is oue of the strongest expressions of the highly inonomorphic character
o( AveH. In all birds, excepting ProcellariiiUe, 1 ( when present has two joints (not counting,
of course, the accessory inetutursal). In uH birds, 2 1 when present has three joints. In ticarli/
rill birds, 3 1 has four joints. In nearly all birds, 4 1 has /i-e joints. Thus, any digit hixa one
more joint than the nuinb(>r of itself. The exceptions to this regularity consist in the lessening
of the number of joints of 1 < or 3 < by one, and »»f 4 t by one or tuo. So when the joints do
not run 2, 3, 4, 5, for toes 1 to 4, they run either, I, 3, 4, 5, or 2, 3, 4, 4, or 2, 3, 3, 3. (These
.xfatements do not regard the anomalous easva of Ceyx, Alcyone, and Cholornis — see above.)
This variability is nearly confined to certain Picarian birds : our examples of it are in certain
V
genera of Cypselituc, tig. 40, where the ratio is 2, 3, 3, 3,
of CajmmulgintF, tig. 41, where it is 2, 3, 4, 4 ; and the jx'trel
family, with 1, 3, 4, 5. Such admirable conservatism enables
V^r^if '^w "" '•* ^^^ what toes are missing in any case, or what ones arc
W^f t) "lit of the regular jxisition. Thus, iu Ficoides, the hind toe,
^ ff ai>parently 1 1, is known to bo 4 t, because it is five-jointed ;
in a trogon, the inner hind toe is 2 t, being three-jointed ; in
the ostrich, with only two toes, 3t and it are seen to be
preserved, because they are respectively four- and five-jointed.
(See fig. 34, where the digits and their phalanges are numbered.) IJesides
this interesting numerical ratio, the phalanges have other inter-relations of
some consequence in classification, resulting from their comparative lengths.
In some families of birds, one or more of the baml or proximal phalanges glue foot, 2, 3, 4, 4
(those next to the foot — opjwsed to di>it<d, or those at the ends of the digits) of the front toes-
are extremely short, being mere nodules of bone (fig. 40) ; iu other and more frequent cases,
they are the longest of all, as in figs. 34, 41. On the whole, they generally decrease in length
from proximal to distal extremity, and the last one of any toe is quite small, serving merely
Fio. 40.— Pha
langeH of Cypu-
lino foot, 2,3,3,3.
a ^
Fio. 41.-Plia-
IniigeB of Cnprlmul-
128
GENEIiAL OliNlTUOLOGY.
as a corp to tho daw. The difffroiicc in the l(>iigtliH of tlio sovcriil phiilaiigt's, hlu' tluit ot
the digits tlu'iiisclvcs, makes the toes more etficieut in grasping, since they thereby ehisj) more
perfectly npon au irregular object. The ile.sign and the prineiple are the same as seen in tlie
humau hand, in which model instrument the digits and their joints are all of ditfereut lengths.
The Position of tlio Digits, other than in resiK'ct to their direction, is important, hi
all birds the front toes are inserted on the metatarsus on the same level, or so nearly in one
horizontal plane that the diilerence is not notable. The .-ianie may be said of the hind toes
when they are a pair, as in zygodactyle birds. l?ut the hind toe, or halliu; as it is often
calleil, when present and single, varies rennirkably in position with R'fereuce to the front toes:
and this matter recpmes special notice, as it is important in classification. The insertion of
this digit varies, from the very bottom of tlie tarsus {metatarsus), where it is on a level with
the 'iout toes, to some distance up the bone. When the hallux is Husli with the bases of
the other toes, so that its whole length is on tin; ground, it is said to be iiwiimhcHt. When
just so much raised that its tip only touches the ground, it is called insistent. When inserted
so high up that it does not reach the giound, it is termed remote (amotus) or eknihil.
Hut as the precise position varies insensibly, so that the foregoing distinctions are not readily
perceived, il is practie'i'.ly best to recognize only two of these three conditions, saying simply
" hind toe elevated," when it is in.serted fairly above the rest, and " hind toe not elevatid."
when its insertion is Hush with that of the other toes. In round terms : it is characteristic of
all insessiiriiil (Lat. itiisedo, 1 sit u])oi,) or perching birds to have the hind toe down" ; of all
other birds to have it i;i' (when present). 'I"he <'xcei)tions to the first of these .statements arc
extrenu'ly rare ; among North Anii'rican birds they are chiefly furnished by certain genera of
Cdjirimidyidrc, perhaps also of Ci/jinelidtc, and of Cathurtidec. lUit among other Huplnris
besides Cnthartidtc, e.sjM.'cially certain owls (Slrif/es), and in some of the pigeons {('oliimliidit),
the hind toe is not ipiite down, or is decidedly uplifted (as in Starwnias, for example). It is
elevated in all our rasorial birds ((ralliiur); elevated in all our waders excepting the herons
and some of their allies (llerodioiies), though not very markedly .so in the rail family (Halliilir).
It is elevated in (/// swimming birds, whether lobe-footed or completely or jiartly web-footed,
but in the totijialmate order (Sleiitnnipodcs), where the hallux is lateral in position and
webbed with the inner toe, the elevation is slight. Now since, curiously enough, the oidy
ones of our insessorial genera (see above) that have the hind toe nji, have also little webs
between the front toes — since some Uaptores are onr only other insessorial birds with any
such true webbing — since herons and some of their allies are our imly birds with such
webbing that have the hallux down — the fidlowing nde is jwrhaps infallible for North
American birds : Consider the hind tve VV in anif bird with any true ireiibinff or hthinij of the
front toes, excepting herons and some fif their allies and .some birds of prey. The converse
also holds almost as well : for our only birds with fully cleft anterior toes and hind tiK- up, are
the rails and gallinuh's (Jiallidtc), the bhick-bellied plover {Sqnatarohi helretiai), our only
four-toed plover, the turn-stone (Strepsihis interpres), the American woodctx-k {PhilohiUi
minor), thi' Kuropean woodcock {Seolopa.r rusticida), Wilson's snipe {Gidlinaijo irilsoni), and
most of the .sandpipers (.SV()/()/>r»nV/rr). If the sense of this ])aragra]di is taken in, the student
who wishes to use my artificial "key" will seldom be puzzled to know whether to take the
toe up or ilown.
The Hallux has other Notable Characters. —It wfree and simple, in tho vast inajoriiy
<if binUi : in all insessorial birds, nearly all cursorial (hat. cursor, a courser), ami most natatorial
(Fiat, natator, a swinuner) forms. Its length, claw imduded, may equal or surjiass that of the
longest anterior toe ; and generally exceeds that of one or two of tli.'se. It is never so long as
when incumlic.it ; when thus down on a level with the rest it also acipiires its greatest mobilitv
and functi
iudepcndc
just as ou
rises ou 1
the short
shorter St
plcte in o
ami is rei'
in the bil
ally ^"''^''
inner toe
(Hi:. 5-').
lobcof fV(
(I'idiijid
{l'odivi)i<
witli one
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE FEET.
129
and func'tiduul efficiency. In most Pasnerts it is virtually provided with a spocial innscle for
iiidt'iK-'udcnt nioveuient, so that it may be jK-rfectly api»<i9j»ble to the other ^x-s collectively,
just as our thumb may be brought against the tiji of any linger. In general, it shortens as it
rises on the metatarsus; and probably in no binl in which it is truly elevated is it as long as
till' siiiirtest anterior toe. It is short, barely touching the ground, in most wading birds;
slicirter still in some swimmers, as the gu'ls, where it is probably functionless ; it is iuconi-
iilcte ill one gemis of gulls (Rixsa), where it bears uo ]>erfect claw ; it has only one phalanx
and is represented only by a short immovable claw in the jK-trels (^PriKeUariUUv); it disa))|>ears
in llie birds named in the last paragraph but two above, aud in some others. It is never actu-
ally soldered with any other toe, for any noticeable distance ; but it is weblwHl to the ba.se of the
inner toe in the loons (^Coh/mhus), and to the whole length of the to«' in all ihe Sterjnnopodes
(li^'. 5:.'). It may also be independently webbed; tluit la, 1h) provided with a separatt! Hap or
lolic oC free membrane. This hdmtion of the hallux is seen iu all our sea-ducks and uierganscrs
(Fiili<inUu<c and Mtrifinfc), and in all the truly lobc-ftK>te.d birds, as ciMits (t'liliai), grebes
(I'udicijiedidic) and jihalaropes (PhalarujHHlida). The modes of luiiou of the anterior toes
with one another may be finally considered under the head of the
Three leading Modiflentions of the Avian Foot. — liirds' feet arc nKxlellcd, oti the
wliide, n)»on one or another of three jdans, fm-nishing as ma>iy ti/pes of structure ; which
ty|M's, though they niu into one another, and each is variously modified, may readily be appre-
ciated. These plans are the perching or insfstiurud, the walking or wading, ciirsorad or
<iridl(doriid, and the swimming or nutntoriid — in fact, so well distinguished are they, that
carinate birds have even b^en ]irimarily divided into groujts corresponding to these three
evideiK'cs of physiological adaptation of the structiia- of the Avian pes. Independently of the
nninbcr aud position of the diuits, the ]>lans are pretty well iiulicate<l by the method of union
of the toes. (»r their entire lack of union. 1. The hisessorud type. {«) In order to nnjke a foot
the most of n hand, that is, to fit it best for tliat grasping function which the perching i '
birds upon trees aiul bushes recpiires, it is reipiisite that the digits should be as free and
iniivable as possible, and that the hind one should be perfectly ai)]<osabli' to the others.
Compare the liumaM hand, for example, with the foot, and observe tlie pi'rfection secured by
the perfect freedom of the fingers and especially the appositeia'ss of the thumb. In the most
aci-(iin]ilished insessorial foot, the front toes are eleft to the base, or only coherent to a very
sliu'lit extent; the hind to<> is completely incumlM'Ut, and as long and Hexible us the rest. Our
thrushes ( Tnrdid(i') probably show as complete (deavage
as is ever seen, practically as much as that of the
liiniian fingers; the cleft between the inner and miilille
tiM' being to the very base, while the outer is only joined
to the middle for about the length of its own basal
joint. This is the typical pasKeriiw foot (figs. 'M\, ,S7.
ii, 4;{)' There may be .somewhat more cohesion of
the toes at base, as iu the wrens, titmice, cree|M'rs,
vireos, etc., without, however, obscuring the triu- j)as-
serine character. As regards this matter, thi' |M.int is,
tl'ut when the tiK's are united at all, it is by their actinil
ctdiesioii there, not by movable webbini'. Mesiiles the
, . , ... , , ,. , . Fios. -12, 43. — Tvplcftl pnivoriiio fuel.
typical passerine, there are several other m.Hlihcations ,ti,o riKlit-linii.l flg. i^ l'lteir,.,,han,t Uippo.
of till' insessorial foot. (It) Thus a kingfisher shows n""". tint, nine.)
what is called a si/ndticti/h' or Ki/ii(/ne.siuu.i ((ir. viiy. »iiii, together; yvii<not. (fuesjos, relatiiig to
way of birth) foot (fig. 44), where the outer and middle tiK's odiere for most of their extent and
have u bioad sole in common. It i.s a degradation of the inscMorial finit, and not a common
130
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
Kid. 44. — Syn-
ductylefixit ofkltig-
flHliiT, lint. bIzc.
out' citluT ; seen in tlidw pirchiiig birds wiiich scurcoly use their feet for progressidii, Imt
siiniily I'dr sitting iiiotidiiU'ss. (c) The :ijf)0(lactyle or yoke-toed nuidifieiition has been siilii-
cieutly noted (fig. 45 ). It was fonneily iiuule much of, as a scansorial or climbing type df fnof,
and an absurd " onlrr"
of birds has been called
Scdiisorcs. Hut many
of tlie /ygddactyle birds
do not climb, as the
cuckods; while the nidst
nimble and adroit <>f
climbers, such as the
uiithatches and creeiiers,
n'taiu a typically pas- Fio. 45. — ZygoUoctjio foot of a wootliiecktr, ///(/.irnmuj
serine fddt. The ".scan- ^""'""' '""• »'"•
sorial " is simply due nidditicatidu df the iusessorial plan, and has litth' das-
sificatory significance, — mi nidre than that attaching to the particular cmm-
dition of the iusessorial ftxit (<l) which results from elevation or versatility «(
the hind toe, as in some CypseUthc and Caprimulgiila;. This is an abnormality which lias
received no special name ; it is generally associated witli some little webbing of the anterior
toes at base, which is a de-
parture from the true iii.«es-
siirial jdan, (ir with alinonnal
reductidu of the i»halanges uf
the third ami fourth tdcs, as
explained abdve (figs. 10, 41).
(f) The raptorial is ancitlier
nidditieation of the iusessorial
foot. It is advantageous to a
bird of jirey to be able to
spread the toes as widely as
possible, that the talons may
seize the prey like a .mI of
Fio. 4C. — Itaptortal foot of a Imwk, Arcipiler cooprri, nat. Mte. gra]ipling irdus ; and accord-
ingly the tdcs are widely divergent iVdiii each other, the outer one in the owls and a few hawks
being quite versatile. In a foot of raptorial character, the tiH's are cleft iirofdundly. dr. if united
at base, it is by movaMe
webhing; tlie claws are iui-
mensi'ly devehipcd, and the
under-siirf'aces of the toes are
scabnius or bulbous for greater
Becurity of the <d>ject grasiied.
Any hawk or owl or dld-woiM
vulture exhibits the rap(dri;il
insesstirial foot (figs. 40, 47).
2. 'J'lir cursorial or (jralhiln-
rial li/pe. The gist of this
plan lies in the decrease nr
Fio. 47. — Itaplorliil fiHii ofHiionl, .4/Kr(i/frt>nmrns, nat. fIzc. entire loss of the grasping
funetidu, and in llu' elevatidu, re.luction in h'tiglh, or hiss of the iiind tiK-; the fdnt is a good
foot, but nothing of a hand. The eohimbine birds, whicii arc partly terrestrial, partly arboreal,
EXTERNAL PARTS OF BIRDS. — THE FEET.
131
Fid. 48. —Semlpiil-
iiiiitimi In Enunetea;
iiat. 8i7.C.
oxhiliit the transition from the perching to the gradient foot, in some reduction of the hind toe,
\vlii( li is uevertiieloss in most eases still on the same level as the rest (fig. 38, b). In tlie
i.Mlliiiiui'(>iis or rasorial (Lat. rasor, a. scrajter) birds, which arc essentially terrestrial, and
iidtcd for their habit of scratching the ground for food, the hind toe is decidedly elevated ami
slmrteued in almost all of the families (fig. 35). Such reduction and ujillftiug of the hallu.>c is
carried to an extreme in most of the waders, or gral-
latores, in many of which this toe disappears (tigs.
38, a, 39). It is scarcely practicable to recognizee special
modifications of such gra<lient or grallatorial feet, since
they merge inseut-ildy into (tne another. The herons,
which are the most arboricole of the waders, exhibit a
reversion to the insessorial type, in the length and in-
cumbency of the hallux. The motlo of union of the
front toes of the walkers and waders is somewhat char- f'"- ••'•*• — Semi-
. . ,„, . , , , ■ X 1 1 palni.itoil bases of
acteristic. Ihc toes are either cleft quite to tlie base, toes of Sumplumia:
iir tliere joined by small webs ; probably never actually coherent. Such "at- »'ze-
basal webbing of the toe'S is called scmipalmation ("half-webbing"). It is actually the
same thing that tK-curs in many birds of prey, in most gallinaceous birds, etc. ; the tenn is
iiiiistly restricted, in descriptive ornithology, to those wuding birds, or grallatores, in which it
(Mciirs. Such basal webs generally run out to the end of the first, or along part of the second,
|ilialaux of the toes ; usually farther between the outer and middle
than between the middle and inner toes. Such a foot is well illus-
trated by the .semipalmated plover {Aigialites semipalmatus),
s ipaimated 8amli)iper {Ereumtes piisillus, fig. 48), and willet
(Siiiiii)lifmia semipalmata, fig, 49). In a few wading birds, as the
avucet ami flamingo, the webs extend to the ends of the toes.
This introduces us at once to the third main modification of the
font, 3. The natatorial igpe. Here the finit is transformed into
a swimming implement, usually with much if not entire abrogation
iif its function as fmit or hand. Swimming birds with few c.\-
c'l ptious are notoriously bad walkers, and few of them are perchers.
Tlic swimming type is presented under two jtrincipal uiodiftca-
tiiiiis: — ((I.) In thi' palmate or ordinary webbed foot, all the front f,o. so. — Palmate foot nf a
tnis are united by amide webs (fig. 50). The palmatioii is usually tern, Sterna fortttri ; iiat. »lzc.
I'liinplcte, extending to the ends of the toes; but one or both webs may be so deeply incised.
tliat is, cut away, that the palmation is practically reduced to soinipalm.ition, as in terns of
ilic ireiius llijdrnchcUdon (fig. 51). The totijialmate is a special case of palmation, in
HJiicli all fiiur toes are wetibetl ; this characterizes tlie wlude order
Stiiidiiojiodrs (fig. Hi), (li.) In the lobate foot, a padtlle results not
ficpiii coiniectini; webs, but from a .series of hihes or flaps along the
sides of tlie individual toes; as in the coots, grebes, ]ihalaropes, and
siiii-liirds (Helii)ntithidfr). Lobatjoii is usually associated with seiiii-
p.iliiiatioii, as is well scfii in the grebes (Pitdicipedidrr). In the snipe-
lilo' phalaro]ies (I'h(diiriipodidtr). lidiatioii is jirt'seiit as a iiiodificatiim
nf a fiHit iitlicrwisc ijiiite cursorial. The most eiiiphatir cases of loba-
lioii are tlio.sc in which ea<'h joint of the to«'s has its own flaj), with a
li convex border : the membranes as a whole therefore present a scol-
loped outline (fijjs. 53, 53 his). Such hdies are merely a development
of certain marijinid fringes or processes exhibited by many iion-lobate or non-]iiilniate birds.
Thus, if the foot of soiiiu of the gallinules be examined in a fresh state, the toes will be seen tt
Fio. Kl. — IiKiBoil pal-
niatliin nf lliitlrmhitiilon
Inrijhrmit ; iiat. size.
132
GENERAL OliNlTUOLOGY.
have u iiiUTow membranous margin running the whole length. The same thing is cviilcni in
a great many waders, and on tlic free borders of the inner and outer toes of web-footed ))ir(ls,
In the grouse family
{Tdraonidtc), mar-
ginal fringes are
very eousj)ieuous ;
there being a great
development of hard
horny substance,
fringed into a series
of sharji teeth or
pectinations (fig.
.'{.)). Tliesc fonna-
Fin.r.2.-Totli.almutofoot of 11 ti"i'S appar to be
Iieltcan; redueca. deciduous, tliat is,
to fall off periodically, like parts of the claws of
some quadrupeds (h'uunings).
Fio. 63. — Ix)bate foot of n coot ; reduced.
Pig. 5.T hh. — I.nlmte fixit of plinln-
ro|io, Ijiliiixn In/iurtxiriuii: iint. kIzc.
Claws and Spurs. — With rare anomalous e.vcejitions, as in the case of an imi)erfect
hind tor. every diuit terniinatis in a complete claw. The general shap«' is remarkably constinit
in the cliiss; variations being rather in degree than in kind. A cat's claw is about the usual
shape: it is compressed, arched, acute. Tiie great tahms of a bird of j)rey are only an en-
largement of the tyi>ical shajM' ; and, in fact, they are .scarcely hmger, more oirved, or more
acute than those of a ilelicate canary bird ; they are simply stouter. The claws of scansorial
birds arc very acute and much curved, as well as quite large. The under surface of the claw
is generally excavated, .so that the transverse section, as
Well as the lengthwi.se outline below, is concave, and tlie
mider snnace is bounded on either side by a sharp eclirc
One of these ,dires. pailicuhirly the inner edge nf the miildlc
chiw, is expanded or dilated in a great many birds; in sniiie
it becomes a per'Vct cotid), liavinc a regular se-ies nf ti'ith.
This pectination (Lat. pectcn, a comb), as it is called, only
occurs on the inner edge of the nuddle claw. It is beiiutifully shown by all the true lierons
(Ardeidfr) ; by the whip-poor-wills and night-hawks (t'aprinnilijida-, Hu. 41 ) : by the friuatc
pelican (Tachijpete.s) ; and imperfectly by the barn owl {Aliico flainmcits). It is supposed to
1k) used for freeing parts of the ))lumage that cannot be reached by the bill from jiarasitc- ;
but this is very -itionable, seeing that some of the short est -legged birds, which cannut
lK)ssibly reach miic,,. of the )ilumage with the comb, possess that instrunu'iit. Claws arc
more olitK^r among the lower birds than in the insessorial and scansorial groups, as the
columbine and gallinaceous (/•(i.soriVi/) urdrrs. and most natatorial families. Obtuseness is
generally associated with Hatuess nr depressiiiu ; for in iiroportion as a claw becomes less
acute, so does it lose its arcuation, as a rule. This is well illustrated by Wil.son's petnl
{Oceanite.: oceaniciis), as comiinred with others tif the same family. Such condition is carricil
to an extreme in the grebes (Pudiiipedidtt), the chiws of which birds resemble hunuin finger-
nails. Otherwise, deviations from curvature, without loss of acuteness, are chielly exhibitcil
by the hind <law of many terrestrial I'asscres, as in the whole family Alaudidtr darks).
and some of the finches (frinijillidre), as the species of " long-sjiur " (("entrophaues). Hut all
the claws are straight, sharp, and ]>rodiuiously long, in birds of the irenus I'arra (tig.
M trr); the.se jai^'aiais being enabled to run lightly over the floating leaves of aquatic jdants
by so much increase in the spread of their toes that they do not " slumji in." Claws are
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
133
also \ariciiisly cnrinate or ridged, sulcate or gnuived. In a few oases they are rounded undcr-
titiiili, so as to be nearly circular in cross-section, as is the case with those of the iiah-hawk
(I'diidioii). They are always homy (comcoiM). They take name from and are reckoned by
tlicir respective digits : thus, 1 cl. = claw of It ; 2 cl. = claw of 2 1, etc.
-2^'
Fin. ri3 ter. — Foot of Parm ffi)mno»toma, not. size, uliowing the long, straight claws, (rrom Pr. U. S. Nat.
Mus. The npiirrrrf wing of the samn bird U also shown. See p. 114.)
Spurs ([..at. calcar, a sjiur) are ileveloped on the metatarsal hones of a few birds. They
arc of the nature of claws, being hard, horny modifications of tlie epiderm : but they have
iiiitliing to do with tlie digits. Tliey possess a Iniiiy core ujton which they are su|)|iorted,
like tin horns of cattle. Such growths chietly twcur in gallinaceous birds: tlie spurs of the
domestic fowl are a familiar case. Sometimes there are a pair of such weapons <m each fcKit,
as ill tlie I'nro hicalcnrntus. The only instance of their occurrence among indigenous birds of
Nortii America i.s otTered by the wild turkey (Meleagris gallipavo). Metatarsal spurs are
characteristic of tlie male se.K ; they are offensive weajnms, and belong to the class of "second-
ary .sexual characters" (p. 90). (For wing-spurs, as shown in fig. 515 ter, see p. 114.)
§ 4. — AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.
Anatomical Structure now affords oniithologists many and the most important of the
ciiaracters used in classification. In fact, few if any of the groups above genera can be
securely established without consideration of internal parts and organs, as well of exterior
iiioditications of structure. Therefore, the student who really " means business " must bo on
speaking terms at least with avian anatomy. For exaiiipl<>, none could in the least intclli-
giiilly understand a wing or a leg without knowing the bony framework of those members.
Vet, for mo to ade((uately set this matter forth would be to occupy this wlicde volume with
anatomy ; whereas, I can only devote a few pages to the entire subject. In such embarrass-
iiM'iit, which attends any attempt to treat a great theme in a short way that shall not also be a
small way, attention must be mainly confined to those p<iints which l>ear most directly upon
systematic ornithology as distinguished fr<nn pure anatomy, in order to bring forward the
structures which are more jiarticularly concenieil in the classification of birds. I wish to
uive a fair account of the skeleton, as osteidogical characters are of the utmost importance for
the determination of natural affinities; and to continue with some notice of projninent features
of tiio muscular, vascular, resjjiratory, digestive, urogenital, and nervous systems, and
organs of the special senses, as the eye and ear. The tegumentary system has already been
treatetl at some length (pjt. 82-91) ; so has the osseous .tystem, so far as the boncb of the limbs
are conconu'd (pp. 100-109, 118-122, 127 ). What further I shall have to say is designed
merely as an introduction to the rudiments of avian auntomy, and is supiKised t<i be addressed
to beginners only.
134
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
a. Ohteolooy: The Osseous System, or Skeleton.
bdiic; \uyot, lopos
■<ll is
ritific dc
Osteology ((Jr. dtrrtov, osteon, u hiiiic; Aoyot, to()os, iiwitni) i« a sfiermnc desprif
b(tn« ill griitnil ami "f Ihhics in partiiuilar. IJ'nio cmisists of an animal basis or matrix iLut.
viatrix, a mould) hardened by deposit of eartliy salts, cliieHy iiiiospliate of lime. Hone is
oitlier iiroformed in tlie f,'rislly substance railed cartihuje (Lat. vurtilago, gristle), and results
from the substitution of the ])e<'uliar osseous tissue for the eartilaginous tissue, or it is foniieil
direetly in ordinary eounective tissue, such as that of most iiiembraues or any ligaments of tlii'
body. IJoiie tissue presents a peculiar microscopiir stniclure, in which it diH'ers from teetli, iis
it does also in not beiiit; develoiM'd from inueoua membrane; the substance is ealled fM^n'»,
as distinntiislii'd from dentine. Though very dense and hard, bone has a cojiions blood-sujiply,
and is therefore very viisatlar ; the nutrient Huid jienetrates every i)art in a sy.stcm of vessels
called Hitveman amah. In the natural state bono is covered with a tough membrane called
periostenw (Or. irtpi, peri, around, and ootiov), which is to bone what bark is to a tree. 'I'lir
bones collectively constitute the osseous ,<iijstem, otherwise known as the .ikeleton ((ir. iritfXfTiii/,
dried, as bones usually are when studied). The skeleton is divided into the endoskelctoii {{',v,
Mov, endon, within), consisting of the bones inside the body ; and the exoskelcton (fJr. c^, i:i;
out of I, or those ii|>ou tin? surface of the body, of which birds have none. Certain hmirs
developeil apart from the systematic eiidoskeletoii, in fibrous tissue, are called scleroskililid
(Or. (TKXppur, scleros, hard), as the o.ssiKed tendons or leaders of a turkey's leg, the ring of
ossicles in a bird's eye (an o.<<.sick is any small bone). Sesamoid (Gr. orjaafiri, sestinw, a
kind of pea) bones, so often found in the liiranients and tendons about joints, are proli:ililv
best considered scleroskeletal. The endoskeleton Ls divided into bones of the n.rial skrlflmi,
so calleil because they lie in the axis of the body, as those of the skull, backbone, chest,
jielvis, and ,»ihoulder-girdle ; and of the appendicular skeleton, including bones of the linilis,
considered as <liverging a|ipendages of the trunk. The skeleton is jointed; bones juiii
either by immovable suture, or by movable articulation (Lat. articulus, a joint, dimin. of artiis
a limb). In free articulations, the opposing surfaces are generally smooth, and lubriciited
with a tliiid called sipioria. I'rogre.ssive ossification often I'auses bones originally distinct to
coiissifi/, that is, to fuse together; this is termed ankiilnsis or anrhi/losis ; bones so melted
together are said to be anA'i/Zo.sw/ or rt»ic/ii//«s«/ ((Jr. dyKvXua-ts or (iy;(v\a>(Tis, the .stitfeiiing of
joints in a bent position). Thus all the bones of a bird's brain-box are aindiylosed together,
though the box at first consists of many distinct ones; and the detiM'inination of such oss is
elements or integers in compounded bones is a very important matter, as a clue to iliejr
morph(dogical composition. The names of most individual bones, chietly derived from the
old anatomists, are arbitrary and have little scientific signification : many are fanciful and iiiis-
leadiiig; bones named since anatomy ]iassed from the empiric stage, when it was little more
than the art of dissecting and describing, however, have as a rule better naming. The shaft
of a long bone is its continuity : the enlargements usually found at its extremities ari' called
condi/les ((Jr. Kiii>£vXor, kondulos, a lump, knot, as of the knuckles). Points where ossiticaiion
commences in caililagt> or membrane, are o.<i.«i/i'c rc>i/;r.s', or osteosr.'i ; valuable clues, usually,
to the elements of com))ound bones. Hiit os.sification of individual simjile bones may begin in
more than one sjwit, and the several osteoses afterward grow together. This is esjiecially the
c^ise with the ends of bones, wlii<'h often make much progress in ossific;>tion before they uuile
with the shaft or main part ; such ca]>s of bone, as long as they are disunited, an- called
ejnphi/.'tes (Gr. f'jri, epi, upon; (fiCirtt, phusi.s, growth). I'rotrusivt! parts of bones have the
general nanm of processes, or (ij>ophyses ((ir. dn-d, ajM, away from, and </)t(nr) ; such have
generally no o.ssific centres, being mere outgrowths. Hut many jiarts of a vertebra, which are
called " npo|)hyse8," huvo independent (jssific centres. The progress of ossification is usually
rapid and effe«-tuul.
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
135
Tlio skolcton of birds is noted for tlio ninnlwr and extent of its anchyloses, ii great ten-
dency to coossifioution and condensation of Iione-tissuo resulting from the energy of the vital
activities in this hot-blooded, quick-breathing class of creatures. Birds' lionea are remarkably
hard and compact. Wlien growing, they are solid and marrowy, but in after life more or fewer of
tiicm become hollow and are filled with air. This pneumaticiti/ (Or. Trvrv/uiriKov, pueumntikon,
wiiiily) is highly characteristic of the avian skeleton. Air penetrates the skull-bones from tlie
HUM' and ear-passages, and may ]iermeate all of them. It gains access to the bones of the
trunk and limbs by means of air-tubes and air-sacs which connect with the air-passages in
till' lungs; such sacs, scnnetimes of great extent, arc also found in many places in the interior
of tlic body, beneath the skin, etc. ; sometimes the whide subcutaneous tissue is pneumatic.
Tlie extent to which the skelet(m is aerated is very variable. In many birds only the skull,
in a few the entire skeleton, is in such condition ; ordinarily the greater part of the skull,
and the lesser part of the trunk and limbs, is pneumatized. The passag<> of air in some cases
ia BO free, as into the unn-bone for example, that a bird with the windpipe stopped can breutlio
ft/t
Fio. 54. — Mcnl plan of tlie (loiililc-ringwi bixly of a
TOrtol>riilc. X, neural cnnal ; //, liniinitl cnnul ; tlic bixly
8C|iariilliig tlioni <h tlio ecnirum of any vertebra, lM!nr-
iiiK I', an e|in|M>pbyHlii, nnil //. a liy|ia|K)|iliyiiiii; ii, ii, neu-
ni|«)ipliyi«os; tl, il, illapM|iby8cg; no, bllM neural Rplne;
III, />/, plfuraiM)|iliyHeft; A. A, lin<niapnpliygcii; Ak, biliil
liM'inal Bplnc. Drawn by J)r. K. W. Sliulcltit, U. S. A.,
after Owen.
Fin B5. — Actual section of the body In the thoracic
region of a bird. ..V, neural canal; //, Incnial canal; c,
centrum of a dornal vertebra; Ai/, Iiypapophyslii; il,
diaimphysia ; ;. zygapiiphysU ; ?i*. neural spine; r,
pIcurapopbyslH, or vertebral part of a free rib. bearing
«, uncinate procesH or cpipleura; or, lia>nia|H>pliyi>ls
or Htcrnal part of the fame; .it, nectlon of Hternuni or
breaxt-bonc (liainial spine). Designed by Dr K. W.
Shufeldt, U. S. A.
for an indefinite period through a hole in the humerus. Pneumaticity is not directly nor
necessarily rehited to jM)wer of tlight ; some birds which do not fiy at all are more pneumatic
than some of the most buoyant. (Ou the general pneumaticity of the body see beyond under
head of the respiratory system.)
The Axial Skeleton (figs. 54, 55, 50) of a bird or any vertebrnted animal, that is, one
having u back-bone, exhibits in cross-section two rings or hoops, one above and the other
below a central jMiint, like the upju'r and lower loops of a figure 8- The ui>per ring is the
neural arch (Gr. vtvpov, neuron, a nerve), 8<« (tailed because such a cylinder encloses a section
of the ccrcbro-spiual axis, ur principal nervous Bystom of a vertebrate (brain and spinal cord,
136
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
whrnpc nrisp all tlio nrrws of tlio Iwdy. fxropting those of tho pytnpathotic non-ons R.vf<tciii).
The lower riiij; is the hfrmiil arch ((ir. al/M, hnima, blood), which similarly coiitiiiiis n si^.tion
of the prineipHl blood-vpssels ami visocrii. Fig. 55 shows such a section, made across tlic
thornck or chcst-rcginn of the trunk. Hrro the upper ring (neural; is contracted, only sur-
rounding tho Blender spinal cord, while the lower ring is expanded to enclose the heart ainl
fc) s $ 1 i 3
.- 5 5 a «
£ •^ » 4) .. •*
a ii 3 — « 3
J3 .= = " 3 >>
fe ? § s ~ 5»
Bj " > ■& r
J •— s' ■' -
A 2 V '^ 5~
B .s - "5 =
^
« u B ** -.\= .2
o a w g ■" 3
" ' " 5 «
» • — ■/.
, J3 . • S ~ i
S = S •- ?i §
£ d .a »! 5 .. S
- » S •« ■** " "
lungs. Such a section, made in the region of the skull, would show tho reverse ; the upper
ring greatly inflated to contain the brain, the lower contracted and otherwise greatly modified
Into bones of the jaws. Thus the trunk of a vertebrate is a double-barrelled tube ; one tube
above for the ner\'oU8 system, the other below for the viscera at large ; the partition between
tho two being u jointed chain of solid bones from one entl tif the body to tho other. These
solid bones are the centn.ma or bodies of vertebra:, in tho trunk ; and in tho head certain
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
187
boiii'M wliifh ill some rospocts corrosiiond with tlio ppntruins of vertobrm. Tiio ontiro clinin or
jn'rics <'f vcrtcbrip poinpoaos tliii bafk-lxmo or npinal column; with itH coniirctiinm (thoritx iiiul
ni'lvis) and aiitt'i'ior coiitinuiitioii (Hkiill) it is the n.r<Vi{ skeleton. The sl{iill is contiidcrril by
gdiiir iMiiiiiM'ti'iit nimtoiiiistH to conHist of modiiird vertcbrn'. Thr- Hkuii-boiu-.s Imvp certainly
the |nisitii>ii and n-lations of parts of v('rt(d>nc ; to a certain extent tliey resemble vertebrie, as
ill lirliii; divisible into several «<'giiieiits, lik*- as many vertebral segments ; they are also direct-
ly ill tiie axis of tho body, enclosing a part of the cerebro-spinal nervous system above, and
ndftions of the visceral systems below. lint snpjxised strict morpludogical correspondence oi
crnniiil bones with vertebne is not supported by their mode of d(!velopment, and is now gen-
emlly dinied, the relation being considered rather analogical and physiological than hoinological
and inoi'pholdgical.
1. TIIK SriXAL COLCMX.
A Vertebra (so called from the flexibility of the chain of vertebrrp; Lat. rerto, I turn)
consists of a solid body or centrum, and more or fewer processes or apophyses, some of which
liHVc sejtarate ossific centres. I'late-liko processes which arch upward from either side of a
cciitnuii to enclose the neural cannl are the neural archen or neurupophyMH (fig. 54, n, n) ;
nt tlicir union in the middle line alxtve they ccnnmonly send up a process called the neural spine
(iik). Transverse processes from the sides of the neural arch are diapophi/ses (Or. did, din, across)
(fit'-'' ■"'^t •'••'> ''• '')• Obli<ine processes from the sides of tho same arches, serving to hxrk them
tiigetiier, are ziiijapophysex ((Jr. ^1701/, zugon, a yoke ; fig. 55, z) ; there are two on each side ;
ene anterior, on the front border of an arch, a pre-zygapophysis ; one posterior, on tlie hind
border, a jmst-zyynpophymit. From the under-side of 11 centrinn, in the inidtUe line, there is often
ahyiKipopliysiH (Or. iwo, hupo, under: fig. 55, /(//). These several jtrocesses, with soiius others
not necessary to mention here, make with the centrum « vertebra in strictness; that is, when exist-
ing at all, they are completely consolidated with one another and with the centrum into one bone.
Hilt certain important elements of a vertebra, developed from inde|K>ndent ossific centres, may or
may not anchylose therewith, in diflereut regions of the same spinal cidumn. These are tiie
l)leuriiimphyscs (fSr. Tr\tvp6v, pleuron, a rib; fig. 5-t 7)/; fig. 55, r). Any rib is in fact tho
plcnrapophysial element of a vertebra ; it may be, and in most regions of the spinal c(duiiiu it is,
<|iiite small when existing nt all, and anchylosed with the vertebra to which it belongs, as an
integral portion thereof. Only in the lower region of the neck, and throughout the tlmnicic
ivgion, such ph'urajHiidiyses elongate, and are movably articulated with their respective verte-
hne; they then become the "ribs" of ordinary language. Moreover, the true thoracic; ribs of
l)ir(ls are jointed near the ini<ldh>, each thus consisting of two pieces ; tho upper juece is ph-iira-
popiiysis proper: the lower is called a hicmajHiphyfiis (fig. 54, /»; fig. 55, cr) ; it coiTcsponds to
a " costal cartilage " of human anatomy. Once again : since th<' sternum (breast-bone) is theo-
retically, and doubtless archetypically, a solidified set of those parts of the vertebral segments
wliicli complete the hiemal arches below, each segment of a sternum to which a ha>ma|iophysi8
is ai'tlculated is called a lucmal spine, being compared to a neural spine above. Aside from any
(•(Piisideration of the ribs proper and sternum, or free pleurapophyses, hiemajMtphyses, and
iiiemal spines, any "vertebra "of ordinary language is the compound bone which consists of
ccutrnm and ueur-, di-, pre- and i>ost-zyg-, jdeur-, hyp- and other -apophyses, if any, and
neural spine ; the lattc>r being often culled tho "spinous process."
The Vertebras join one another, forming a continuous chain. Their centra arc placed
end to end, one after another ; their neural arches are also locked together by the zygai»ophyses,
wlien such articular processes aro developed. Zygapophyses bear upon their free ends smooth
articular facets, the faces of which are mostly horizontal ; those of the prc-zyga|)ophyses looking
downward, and overriding tho reversed faces of tho iwst-zygaiwphyscs. Tho niudo of jointing
188
GKNKItAL OIlMTItOLOG Y.
of thf centra of Rucli vcrtcltni' as arc fnily iiKivaMo ujMm ouch otlicr ix liii^lily clmiiicii listic
iif 1>inl.s, ill NO far as the slinjirs of the articuhir ciiiln of tlii) vortcbral cciitni iiro coiictriu'd.
In aimloiiiy at hirnc, a vcrlrlnal (•tiitniiii wliidi is ciipiicil or liollowcd at both cinls, in of
coiirH' hi-coiK-avc. Such u vcrtclira in callcil (iiiijihiarloiiH (Ur. u^(/)j, (iinphi, itn Ixith >iil(s;
KoiXot, koiloH, liollowctl) i tills is till' rule in tislics, aiitl oldaincil in some extinct Cretaceous hinln,
as Jclilliiioniis ; it is unliiiown in recent liinls.' A ceiitriini cuiiped iii front <uily \n pruarluus ;
one cuiiped only hehiml is niiisllioiiiliiiis ((ir. om(T$f, npislhe, hehilul). Such structiiie iiices-
Hiirily results in a hall-.iiiil-socliet joiiiliui; of veitehrie. In tho»o vertehrm <if hinls in wliidi
this urraiiijenient obtains, it is always the posterior fmie of a centrum which is cuppiil, the
anterior one heiiiu balled; sneh vertebra) are therefore o|iisthocii'loiis Hut in tlie ficesi,
vertebral articulation of birds, that existiui; in the reu;ion of the neck, another iiiodilJrMtiiiii
occurs. liolh eiiils of each vertebra are suddle-nhnprd ; i. c, concave in one direction, convex
in the other; a coiidiliou which may be called hflirocwloits ((ir. «T»p«s, lictvron, contrary).
Till iicavo-couvexily of any one vertebra tits the reci|iriM'al concavo-convexity of the next.
Antvriiir faces of heteroctelous vertebrae are concave crosswise, np-and-ilown convex; pnnlirior
faces are the reverse; coiiseiiiiently, such vertebra) are )iriM;udons in hori/ontal Hi>ction, hut in
vertical section oiiisthocielous. 'The varitiiis physical (diameters of verlebni" in ditferent lenicms
of the lioily, and their connections with and relations to other jiarts of the body, have cuiix'd
their diviHion into sevi'ral sets, as cervical, dorsal, etc., which are bust coimidered separately.
Ci'rvlciil Vt>rt«)lino (liij;. .It), cr) are those of the neck: all those iu front of the ihomx m-
chcHt, which do not bear free pleiirapophyse.s in adult life, or the free )denrapopliyses of whicli,
if any, uro not in two-jointed pieces ami do not reach the breast-bone; i. e., have no lueiiia-
pophyses. It is advisable, in birds, to ilraw this line between cervical and siicceediiij; veitehra',
uo other beiiit; eijiially practicable ; for, on the one hand, one, two or imu'e of the cervicals
(reco^Mii/able as such by their p'lieral conformation and free articulation) may have htii^ free
ribs, niovably articulated; and all the cervicals, excepting nsuallv the first, or first and second,
have short phurapipphyses. anchylosed iu adult life, but free in the emliryo ; while, on tlic
<itlier hand, a vertebra, apparently dorsal by its coiitigiiratioii and even its anchyhisis with tlic
dorsal series, may he entircdy cervical in its ph'urapophysial cliaracter.* Thus, in fi>,'. 51), of mi
owl's trunk, the bone which is apparently first dorsal, and is so marked (dr), bears a free
Myliform "rihlet"an inidi loii^r (<:'), only it is not jointed, and does not reach the sternum;
while the next to the last cervical has a niiiiiite but .still frec^ rib (c). In a raven's iieidi befme
nie, tlii> last cervical rib is about two inches Ion;;, articiilatiuK by well-di'fined bead and shoul-
der to biidy and lateral jiroce.ss i>{ the vertebra; the penultimate rib is about half an inch lorn.',
with one ailiculaiion to the lateral ]irocess ; while the next anterior vert<d>ra (third from the
last) has a iiiiiiiite o>.si«de, as a free " riblet."' The rule in two sindi free pleiira]io|)|iy,ses or
cervical ribs of any <-oiisiih'rable length : sometimes cme; rarely three ; in the cassowary four,
liiidimentary jileurapophy.ses may usually be traced up to the second cervical vertebra, as slender
< Kxrcpt to HiIh Htnti'iiii'iil, hnwrver, tliu iHlilly-rniiKKCil pyunHtyle, wlildi. In liirilii wliere it torinliiitl iIIhc
«levt'lii|iii liiriti'ilirlv. may In; cliHlliiclly <'ii|i|iinI iit Ixitli cnils. lis It Ih in a. rnvoii for oxniii|iIu.
' Tlic I'lihu Ik vi'ry |m/.i!llii)!i lliu iimri' so Ivcaiist', vluwiiii; the wIidId HiTicHiiflilrilii, tlio nml>lgiinuH "cervirci-
tlorwil." or luo Kiii'li i'(|ulviH'.il vorti'lme, niiiy loiiii in ilinVrriit ciikuh in o|i|Hmilu ilirirtioiiK wlicii tliu wlioiu hhiii of
cliiirni'tcrs ix tiilieii into iiioonnt. Tlicrororu It inny l>« iH'xt, ait alruiiily miIiI, to nriku tim |MH>HCR8ion of n joliilcil
slLTiiiim-rtwiiliiK rili llir crltiTloii of tlie ,llrHl liorwil vertolira, oven thoui;li iin antcceituiit. oiio may liavo tlir
|iliyi>i('alrlnira<'ti'rKnra(lorwkl, ami l>o aiicliyloM'ii willi lliuilorHal Hcrles. TIiIh Ih tliu vluw tnlien liy liiixloy, who
HayH: "Tlietlmt iloratl vcrtclira Uiii'tlnLiI as hiicIi hy tlii! union of Kh rlhii with the Htoniiim liy nieamtuf a stiTiial
rib." ( Aiiat. ViTt. Anim., IST'J, ji. ■.■.17.) Owen a|i|H^arH to ri-|{aril itM ilormil any of tlie vertelirie in >|iiestion wlilcli
beitr friH- rilis. The aoliial uncertainly In the eauu, ami the lilmTOpant reckoning hy ilifl'ercnt nutliorit, prcvciitH ui<
fl-oni makiiiK a sat infaetory eoiinl of the luimlierH of the two iicries of vertchrii" in any given case. TIuib, llg Bfi, ai-
niarke<l hy Dr. Sluifolilt, hIiowh «i.r ih>riialK|i/i'|, to whirh In to lie aihh'il the one nmieryi, liearliig tlie rllixr. ami
frnni whieh Ih to lie mihtrnrlcti the anterior niio, liearing the rib c', which hi tu be regurileil nn cervical, thuugli Hit
phyiiieal cbaractcrs are evMeiitly tliuau of the iluraal iteries.
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
189
Itic
•ll.
ntylits or riMfts, cninplctcly aiicliylowd with tin; npiiral arrlicH in iidiilt life, and lying p«rali«l
with tlic InnuaxcM of the Imni's. Tlic ancliyiiidii^ of |d<'nro|)o|i|iysi's dixtinuiiiflicH inont i;civiral
vcrliliiir in anotliiT way: for from it rcHultw, on each ^iili' of the neural arch, a J'oruiiwn
(Lai. fiinimeii, a hole, \t\. foriimitKi), thron^h which hhwHl-vettwels (vertebral artery and vein)
jiaw III and from the hUuII. Tlu' serien of tiiene foramina is railed the vertehraiieritil atmil ;
iKiur Mich exist in those posterior eervieal vertehra) which hear free rihs ; thus, in the raven the
canal he^ius ahruptly at the fourth from the last cervical. Hut, as in Jihfit i'nr instance (and
doiilitlr.ss in nniny other cases), tlu^ vertehrarterial canal shades visihly into the series of
fdraiiiina formed hy the spaces between the head and shoidder of any rih and the side of the
vt'i'trlira to which it is attached; such heini;, as I sMp|H)se, the tiue )nor|d!olo^y of the canal.
Tlic riTvical is the uuiM Jlf.ribk region of a bird's spine ; the articular ends of the vertebral bodies
jiic the most completely saddle-shapetl (heterocudous) ; the /.y^a]>ophyH<'s are hnxe and tlariii^',
iivri ricliiij; each othi'r extensively ; the larKcsf processes are at the fore ends of the bones ; the ap-
|iii>iiiiius of the central and zy^apophysial articular surfaces are collectively such, that the column
lend." to bend in an S-shape or siirmidd curve. The vertebral bodies are more or \cm contracted
in till' iniddle, or somewli.'<t liour-^lass-sha]HMl ; on several low<>r cervicals, hypapojdiyses are
likely to be widl developed; as are n(uiral spines toward both the beginning and end of the
.scries. The vertebra! on the whole are large ; their neural cainil is also of ample calibre. Tho
first two cervicals art! so pe(Mdiarly moditied for the arti(!ulation of the skull as to have receivetl
spn'iiil names. The Jirsl one, fig. ,")('), nt, the dllns (so called because it bears up the head, as
till' giant Atlas was fabled to sup]iort the firnniment), is a simple ring, apparently M'ithout a
centrum. The lower part of the ring is deeply cup])ed to receive the condyle of the mriput
into balUaud-.xocket joint. The second cervical is the axis, a.r, whi(di subserves rotary move-
niinls of the skull. It has a peculiar tooth-like odontoid (dr. oftoiJj, tMirros, odoiis, odonlos,
timtli ; »jSot, ridos, form) process, borne ujion the anterior end of its body, fitting into the lower
]iart of the atlanlal ring; about which pivot the atlas, bearing the heail, revolves like a wheel
upon an eccentric axis. The cervicals of birds vary greatly in number; according to Huxley
there ari' never fewer than eight, and there may 1h> as many as twenty-three; .Stejneger gives
twenty-four for some of lh(! swans. Twelve to fourteen limy bo about an average number.
Tliorneic or Dorsul Veptehrie (fig. ."jO, dv) extend from the cervical to or into the
pelvic region of the spine. In most animals, and in ordinary anatomical language, a "dorsal"
is one whi(di bears a distinttt free rih, and is therefore truly thoracic, since " ribs" are tho side-
walls of the (diest. Hut in birds, as we have s<'en, certain cervicals have distinct (dongate
riiis ; and, as will be seen soon, long jointed pleiira|>ophy.ses are usually found in that region
ciinunonly called "sacral." The first dorsal, ill birds, is arbitrarily considered to be that one
which bears the first rib which is jointed, and wlii<di reaches the sternum by its lower (Inema-
|iophysial) half. Five or six vertebrae of birds commonly answer this description ; though the
last oia- whiidi bears a long free jointed rib (whi(di may or may not reach the sternum) is com-
monly aindiylosed with the sacrum, as si: So few as only three luemaiiophysis-bearing ribs may
reach the sternum. There may also be a long free-jointed rib which " floats" at both ends;
/. ('., is articiihited neither with the sternum nor with the vertid)ra to which it btdoiigs as in tho
iiiou, for example. As tlii! dorsal scries thus .shades insensibly btdiind into another series, tho
liiniliar (whifdi has no free, nor any f/i.s/uif7 ribs, — ribs that one would not hesitate to call
.^iicli), it is best to consider as dorsal or thoracic, all those viMlebne, succocding the last
cervical (which is to bo determined us explained in the last paragra]di), which have disti»ict
jiiinted rihs, whatever tho connection or discoiinet'tion of such plenrapophyses at either end.
On this understanding, one, sometimes two or even three "dorsal" vortebrn) nnchyloso with
the ptdvic region of the spine. Fixity of the dorsal region being of advtiutugu to flight, these
vertebrro are very tightly locked together; not only by tho close apjMJsition or even
uo
GENEHAL OILMTIIOLOG Y.
nncliyl'isix i>f tlicir nodicn ami prucrHRps, l)ut also, in many cniPR, by ofwificaliniix of the
tciiiloiis ipf iniisflcn of tlic bark, ami c.iiis.sificatiKiKt of tlicsi- wifli flip vcrtchni-, like a Hit (,f
(tpiiiils, till tlio ciiii.Hiiliilation nf the tlii'raclc is rnily siii-]m!i.si'(l l)y tliat "f tlic pelvic rcijiim dftlip
HjiiiiP. Diirwal vcrlcltrH' also usually tlifftT a piod ileal from most ccrvlcals in liaviiii; slmrttr
Imdips, latnally i'oui))rPssp(l, pioduciiiK a ridp- wliich runs aloui; tlieir iiiiddir liur ImK.w ; in
lapkiiiK a vcrttlnai-tprial paiial ; iu liavinn on each side two articular laccls, — one on the Imly
and the other on the transverse jirocess, for the head and shoulder of ii rih. They are fiinlier
distiniiuished, usually. I>y liavinj; larj{p spinous prtK-psses, in thp form of liii;h, lone tliiii.
siiiiarisli plates, often or usually anchylosed together. Their traimvorsp processes are also
very prominent laterally, thin and hori/ontal, and often anchylosed. More or fewer dorsals
may biar larjjp hypapophyses ; which, as in thp loon, may Idfnrcuto at their pikIh int<i two
llariuif idates. .'<uch prtK-esses continue a Himilar series from tho npck, and arp in relation to
till' advanlaueoiis action of the muscles (minx colli autiriiH and Ioiiijnh colli) liy which tho
neck is made to strai^'hten out from tho lower curve of its sigmoid flexure.
The "Sacrum" of a Blril (figs. .')7, nnd fiO) is commonly cotisidered to hp that liuuo
Hidid mass of nninernns iinchylospil vprt»dirM! in the rpgiim of thp p<dvis, covpred in hy. and
fiispil morp or h'ss pomidetply with, the principal hones of ihe
pelvis, or haunch-liones (iliii). Kut in this consolidation of an
extremely varialde numlipr lavpraging perhaps twplvp. hut run-
ning up to at Ipast twenty. pIpvpii to tliirtpcn hcinif usual)
of hoiips are includpd vcrtchrie which in tither animals helniii;
to several different sets — ihirsal, lumlmr, sacral iiroper, and
coccygeal or caudal. Wp have just sppii that one or two, even
three, vprtebrip, which are dorsal according to tho dptinition
agreed upon, may pnfpr info flip composition of ilip "sacriiiii,"
being firmly anchylo'ed tlierpwith, and tlicir long ribs issuing
out from undpriipath tho ilia, as shown in fig. .50, sr. Next
comps one hone, or a sprips of spvpral (two to five or morel
bones, anchylosed together by their bodies and spinous proc-
esses, and also anchylospd with thp ilia by mpans of stout lateral
bars of boiip spnt transversely outward on eitlipr siilc from tlnir
rpsppctivp centra to abut against the ilia. These cross-bars
correspond in general form and ]iosition with tho transverse
process of the last true rih-bparing dorsal, — that pr<K-pss apiiiist
which the shoulder of any dev(doped rib abuts ; they are variously
considpred to be, to rpprespnt, or to includp rudinipntary ribs;
and such diffprencp of view may be warrantpd by tlip state of tin-
parts in differpiit birds. Howpvpr this nuiy bp, thp boiips just
dpscrihpil arp Ixmhar vcrtpbrie (Lat. luinlnin, the loin ; where
such vertebne are situated in nnin and other iiiaiiimals) ; which
certainly possess abortive ribs in some ea.sps. On snccpssivp
P(g. 87. — Tlic "wicrum" of himbars the cross-bars, whatever their nature, eommonlv slip
» young fowl, seen fnmi lielow, , , , , i ,, n ix .1 _» 1 1 1' r
lint. Mze; after Parker, ill.ihir- h'wer and lower downward (b«dly-ward) on the vertebraMioilies,
w)liinibar »crlo«, whereof tlie flrrt till the hist ones are quite down to the level of tho ventral
li dorsal uroper. tlic next tliroo , , , , 1 ,, . .
are iimitiar; », tlie iiarral serii-n "sppct of tho centrum; these afo also commonly the stiMitest,
proper, or true iincnim, connlut- most directly transvprsp, and most npnrly horizontal «>f thp series
liill of five vertclirn-; c, tlio iiro- , , . 1 .,. ,. , . 1 »• 1
Nuriil sericit, lH-lii(t tlioiie caudal <'' Jirocpssps, abutting against thp ilia a littip in advance ot the
vprtei.™., rijc m nuiiiiicr, wiiich siK'ket of tlip thi»;h bone. This ends a series of cons<didated
aiicliyloae witli one auotber and , , . ,.,.,//. • , n
with the sacrum. sacral ' vertebric which are tenned collectively " dorso-lumbar.^
THE ANATOMY OF UIHDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
141
_all "I il"'"' imtiTior to tho tni« »acrum of ii bird. Tho sacrum prni)er (tii{. 57. «) pomtiHtH
„f (li(i>r fi'W vrrti'lini' — llircc, I'niir, or fivr — from foriiiniiiu iM'twiM'ii wliicli iitNiU' tin' npiinil
iicrvcM lliat fiiriii tlir net-work callnl tin- mcral iilerim. TIu'M' tnii' Hiicral vcrtflirii' iirr rililrKx,
mill iiiav Ix' n>cof(iiix<'<l, in it Ki'ix'ral wiiy, by tin- ul)w>iici' of anytliliiit liki> tliu croHM-Imn* hIhivo
ili'si'i'ilM'il, i.MNuiiiK from tlif vcrti'liral ci-iitrii; thoiiKli their iieiiriii art-hcH Heml otf Home xiiiall
ban* or |ilates to fiiNe with the ilia. 'I'hi-Ne Haeraln |iro)M'r are at or iieitr the miilille of the
wliiile Nacrai inai*n. .M'ler these roint' ii lar>{e nuiiiher — from tiv(> to ten or more — of verte-
lirii' wliii'li, from their followiiii; the true Naeralft, tlioiiuii (•oiiHoliilateti therewith aiul witli one
iiiicitliir, are i-oiisiilereil to Im'Ioiii; to wliat Would he the eaiiilal re|;ion of other aniiiialx, ami
arc hence called " tail-Nacralx," uro-Hdcnils (dr. oipa, tail. tii;. .57, c) Thew continue to w-nil
olf a scricK of little )ilale-like iiriH-e.Hxes from their neural arches, jiixt as the true HacraU do;
Imt, ill addition to these, priM-esses are ;;iven otJ' from the hodies of the uro-sacrals, corre-
s|HiiiilJiii; in itositioii and relation to those which proceed from the hodies of the liimhars, and
iH'iiiL' apparently of the same mor|ih) domical character (pleura]>ophysial). 'I'hese "rildets"
lire. Ii<>wev<'r. <|uite sh'nder, and also ohiiipie in two directions; for instead of heiiiK traiis-
vi'i'sc anil nearly hori/.oiital, they trend very ohlii|Uely hackward and iijiward : they also
uliortiii ciiiisccntividy from before hackward. The cross-bars of the latter um-sacrals, however,
an' sloiiter and altogether more like those of a lumbar vertebra. The appearanccH ib's<'ribt>d
aro lliiise seen from below, or on the ventral aspect. Above, on the back (d' the jielvis, the
liiic III' continent spinous priH-esses of the dorso-lumbars is commonly distinct, separated a little
fnnii the llarint; li|>s of the ilia. .Such distinct tormation may continne tlirou^'hont the sat-ral
ami iM'ii-sacral reuioiis ; ofteiier, however, the line of spinous process sinks, tiatteiis, and
H'iileiis into a horizontal plate which becomes perfectly conttueiit with the ilia aloni; the ]his-
tcrinr portion of their extent; su<'h smooth, somewhat lo/en^e-shaped surface beiiii; ipiite
cniiiiiiiiiiiis with the snperticies of the jM'lvis, but perforated with more or fewer pairs of inler-
vcrti'lmd foramina. — Such is the general character of a bird's complex sacrum; the description
is tal<rii chietly from a raven {Corrun ainu) ; the tii;iire from the common fowl, after I'arker.
Till- kidneys are mouhled into the recesses between the sacral and uro-sacral veHelirie and in
til Heavily of the ilia. The general hIuiim- of a " sacrum," viewed from below, is fusiform,
limaili'st across the sacral bodies pro|M'r or jnst in front of them, ta|M'riiit; toward either end;
till' face of the sacrum is also tiaitest about the middle, more or less ridi;ed before and behind
fripiii comiiression of the vertebral iMMlles. It has little if any leiifjthwi.se curvature, and that
cliii'tly in the uro-sacral reirioii, where the concavity is downward. The total number of bom>s
may he less than twelve, or more than twenty. The extensive anchyloses in this reirioii nf
the spine art) in evident adaptation to bipedal locoinotiou, which re<piires fixity hereabouts,
that the trunk may not bend upon the fulcrum represented by a line drawn throUKh the hiji-
jiiiiits, which are situated about op|Mihite the middle of the sacral mass, as shown by the arrow,
«'■, in tiij;. (10. (The word '' sacrum," a '' sacred thinn,'' curious in this application, is very
aiii'ii'Ut in hmiian anatomy, coinmeinoratiniu; somo supenstitious ur ritinklistiu notion, res|ii>ctini;
this part of the biMly.)
The CoccyKCttl, or Caudal Vortebrm (tii^. 5(), civ) pro|H'r, terminate tin- spinal column.
'I'hi'V are called "coccygeal,'' from the fancied resi'inblance of the human tail-bones collectively
til the beak of a cuckoo ((Jr. kokkv.^, kokkitr). The eaudals are all the fire liones situated
hiliiud the anchyhised uro-sacrals. The series conmionly begins opposite the point where the
jielvic bones end ; it consists of a variable number of bones, from the twenty biiif^ slender ones
wiiirh the A rchtciiplfrifx possessed, down to seven or fewer separate ones. The usual number
is iit;ht without the j)ypistyle. They are stunted, tlej;radeil vertebra-, whose chief <dfice is to
MipjHirt the tail- feathers ; for the leash of nerves which emer>{<' from the spinal canal to form
ilie sacral plexnt> by uo iiiiicL diwiniHh the spinal rord that a mere thread is h'ft to |>i;ne-
142
GENEIUL OUNITIIULOGY.
trill.' tlif (nil, tli.piiyli iln' neural .irrlicH of all tlii' (•occyp'iilM he still |i<Tvi(.iis. All immv Im-
frcfly iii'.valilc, a> in lli" Ann licaii Oslric'i (Wtin) ; liiit in almost all l»ir<ls only the i.iitirinr
oii('8 Mil- (I'slincl anil vfrtrlira-lik<', the nst, ti. a varialilc iniinlicr, licin;; ali.irlivc, and inrltrd
int'i tli.'t cxtraonlinary atl'air calltil the " idou^lisharc " or pi/fioKli/le ((ir. trvyij. jnifie, il,,.
riifiiii; Tvi'Xot, a |i"ist), wliicli may consist "f nn fewer than ten such nietanior)ilioM'i| tail-l..oiis.
It has MMially a fiia|pe .-ii^'uolint; the share of a ii|on>;h (see fig. Tj*). ]ij/), hut is too variahlr i,,
I ncixlv ilescrihed. The iiyt'ostyle sii|i|)orts the tail-feathers ; and as thesi arenior|(lic,l..yi.
ci'.lly one pair to each reclrlx-heariuf; vertelmi, the ninnher ..f tail-feathers may he iiriMi.iiiiv
ei|'ial to the niMiiher of verti lira' \vhi<di fuse in the jiyijostyle. Thus the swan is said to jjiivc
ten verti'.'a' in this mass; our wild swan {('yijuus coliiiiihiatiuy) has twenty tail-feathers, in
this view, six should he the nsiral coiiiiiosition of the slmre-lMilie. A bird's tail is really re
extensive and lizard-like than cominoidy snpiio.sed ; thus the swan, hesides its ten in the
pyj,'os|_\|f. has seven free caudals, and ten uro-sacrals -— '.wenly-seven post-sacral vertehra^ in
all (Mu.'.ley). In the i.iven, the free caudals are six, exclusive of tin pypistyh'. These all
have laru'e ilarini; iriiisverse processes and moderate spinous jiroces.ses, and the latti r ones arc
also pidviiled with hy]iapophys( s, some of which are hifurcate. The pygoslyle in many hiids
cxpandH lielow into a large circular or pidygonal disc.
bmly of :i vci
lai'Tal procc
nwclini:)-
,,ro|..ntod al
imiiiiii'!-''""'
iirticnhiles w
which ihn> i
ils viisl'il I'l'"
t.iL'clhcr. *
The rihs ar
cXiUnpl"'' th
fr„i,i hcfori
arnihs of <\>
Ixilh with
taciits of t!
•i. TIIK rt.'llllAX; nuts A\n STKIINVM.
Tlio Thorax ((!r. flaipnf, a coat of mail; in aiiat., the chest; adj. fhornrk; see tig. .'.tl) i.<
thp hony hox formed hy tin? rihs on each «i<l(), the breast-hone ladow, ami the? hack-lioni ;;1kivc.
In hirds, it is vry extensive, including most or all of the abdominal as well as the thoracic
viscera, and its cavity is not partitioned off from that of the belly hy u complet<'d ilidjiliniiim,
though u rudimentary structure of that kind is found in the class. The thorax is usually sol-
di'red hehind to the pelvis hy union of one or more pairs of ribs with the ilia; in front it al-
ways and entirely hears the prrUiriil anh (see |i. II..")). The thorax is very movable in hirds,
by ri'asoii of the great length ami joint<-dlieHS of the rihs.
TIh' !4ll>» (Lat. mstii, a rib; pi. cdsfrr; adj. cosliil; see fig. !iC>, r, <:', J{, cr, sr, »/), as :aid
above, arc the plenrapopliysial elements of vertehra-, which remain small and amdiylosed, or
b"'iine loiig and free. In the hitter state only are they " ribs" in ordinary latigeage. The
OIK or more cervical rihs, however (dongated, and the abortive lumbar and iiro-sacnil ribs, are
to h" ( xcluded from the present <le.scription, aial have lieeii already considered. Triif rihs arc
those which belong Ui the dorsal verttdu'H' proper, and are jointed in iheiiiselves; that is, l'a\c
articulated lurmiiiHiiihi/sex (see ji. 1H7), by which they may or do articulate with the stermnn.
Such true libs wrf Ji.rcd, when they rea(di from bii(d«-boia' to breast-biuie; jUmlituj, when ( ithir
or iM'ilhi'r of these coniiectioiis is made, rsiuilly the last rib, though hearing a perlVct ha iii-
apophysis, does not reach the .tcrmim; in the loon, for example, the last rib floats at /«<'/(
•■nds, having coiniectloii neitln r with \<rtehra nor sternum ; at d the tw-i next ribs float at
their slerial eials. Th" perfe<'tid ribs are few, — five or six is a u.^ual number, ihougii nine
are iuemaj opi.ysi.s-bci.'ing in the loon. Tlu' last rib at least is usiially "sacral;" i.e., he-
longs to a dorsa! vert< bra wiiich is amdiyhwd mIiIi tli" "sacral" mass; and two or ev- ii, as in
the loon, tiiree ribs may likewise issue oet from under cover of the ilia. These "sacra! ribs"
are i'lirtheriiiore distinguished by heini.' dev lid of the riiijilniinl or iiiicilKile pr<^tr-:sts (|„it.
liiicKs, a hook ; tig, .'itl, ") with which other true ribs are furnished, forming a .series of splint-
bones proceeding oldiipiely from one rib to .shingle over the next succeeding on.', and thus
iiieiease the stability of the thoiai'i.' sid.'-walls. >Mich splints may 1 ither articula^'d or an-
ehyli. cd with th.ir respecliv.' rihs; they have independent ossitic .•entres. Th.' upper ipleiira-
IM.pl'ysial) [lart of a rib, or " vertebrivl rib," when perfected, aiticiilatos with the sido of the
main ;<'
"tSi^.'14V,?.^S*^f^^^i (5^->
THE ANATOMY OF litUnS. — OSTEOlJXSY.
148
IiimK 'I 1 virldifii l<y its IiiikI nr niiiHnliim ^\a\\. iliiniti. nf aifmt, ln-iiil). tiiiil iiImi vviili ihc
lai"nil I'liicos <if tlic siiinr vcilclira l>y its sIhhiIiIit it tiilMiTuliiiii (l.at iliiitin. nt' liilirr, a
gwc.liiiu). Ill wrll-iiiiirUcd rimvx, tlir lii'iid ami sliiiiihliT arc i|iiilr far a|parl, llir ril> scciiiiiii;
liroloiiurd aliiivi-; cither of tlienc vcrtclmil nmiHTtioiiH may !>«• iiiMstal»lisli<(l. tlir (.ilicr rc-
iiiiiiniiiL', "!■ '"'ill iii'iy Ih' lust. Tln' li)\v<'!' (Ii)i-iiia|iii|i|iysial) part cif a rili. or "strriial ril>,''
artii-iilalcs willi tlii' -^iili' of tin- stcrniiiii liy a siiiiplr f-iil ir!.')'iri('iii ; the iiii|> uf tlin.-r sttriial rilm
ttliicli tliMs j<iiii till' ."IcriMiiii tciiil t(i iliistir r|iis4ly toiri-tliir at a part nf tin- l)n>ast-lHi!ic riillcil
\\s iii^iliil jiiiMi'is (lit;. .')S) ; fiiiisr wliicli dii lint iiiakr tlic MiTiial rniiiiii-tinii arr siiiiplv liiiiidlcft
tiiu'cllirr. ('iiiiiiiiniily live nr six, sniiicliiiifs fniir, rarely nidy tliri-c rilis rrarli the sti'riiiiiii.
Tlii' lilis arc ordinarily as slciidrr and strict iim tlmsc slmwii in tig. 5fi ; Init in A/iteri/.r, fnr
I'Xaiiiplc. their piciirapnpliysial parts arc expansive and plate-like. 'I'licy Icnutlieii rapidly
fnnii Ik Inre liai'liward, lioih in their vertcliral ami their sternal nmieties; llie.sc jiarts meet at
alleles nf dccrcasini; acnlcncss frnni Iwlnre haidtwurd: Imt these aiiulcs, nx tlmiM- of the riliit
biilli with vcrtelirir and steriiiKii, im-essalitly increase and diiniliish in the respiratory move-
incuts of the chest ; all lieimr in expiration more acute, and more idttii.se in inspiration.
The Aviiiii Sl,(>riiiiiii {dr. aTt'ituov. sttriiftii, the hrcast ; tiu. .'ifi, .s') is highly speeiali/eil ;
its extensive devclopiiieiil is pci-iiliar to the class of Itirds, .mil its miHlilieatioiis are of miire
iiiipnitaiice in classilicatinii than thnse of any other siiiule Imiie. 'riiereii|Hin it licciuiics an
iiiterestiiiir nhject. 'riicorctically it is a collection of htemal spines of vertidine. 'rhoii;;|i
such nioriiholou'ical i haracter is apprecialde in tliiw ai'iiiials wliieli have a loim jointeil ster-
riiiiii. the sctrmciits ni" which, answering to pairs of rihs, ih'vejnp fmm separate centres, there
is htlle or nothing' in the develnpnient or physical characters nf the avian sternnm to favor
this view. 'I'lie f.'reat liniii' tloors the clie8t and more or lew* of the helly, and fiiniishes the
main jkhiiI (rnji/iiii of Imth the lioiiy and ninsciilar apparatus of tlii.'lii, receivinu iinportant hones
cpf llie scapular arch and >;ivintt nrij;in to the immense pectoral niii.s«des. (S.e al.so (iu. .'18.)
Iik<
Itirds oiler two leadiiif{ types of .sternal strnctiin-, the rH/i7«* and the mrinntr, <ir th^
' raft-
id the " liuat-liki
accoi'dint; as
the III
Hat or keeleil (l.at. mtis, a raft; adj.
rdlilr; iuan arhitrary noiii. pi., 7f'(/i/rt', a name of one of the leadiiiu divisions nf hirils: l.at. c»r-
iiifi, a keel; adj. niriiKilr: iioni, pi. Ciirintilir, name of another such division). I. In alj slrn-
tliioiis liirils, comprehendint; the ostrich and its allies (ami also in the Cretaceous llfffuriiniis).
the Merniiin is a llattish, or rather concavi
iivcx, htlckler-likc Im
me, of somew
hat
"I"
.sh
or rhoiiihnidal shape, developed from a siiiyle pair of lateral cc-iitres o*' ossitiealioii, ji '• flat
lioal," without any keel, hiiilt with reference to an important niiHliticatioii of the slioiilder-cir-
illc, and a reduced or riidimeiitarv condition of the wines, which are iiiitit for lliirht. i. In all
t!\iii<; hirds, and some which ficm nther than any fault I'f the sternimi do imt llv,
ciiiiiprisiiitf
all reiiiainin^ recent hirds, nr r^frKi'i^r, and alsn the ('retacemis lihllii/oniis, the sternum
is keeled and develojm from a median ceiitn* of ossilicatioii ax well as from lateral paired cen-
tr.'
iillv t\
th
inu li^
nil. Ill a few Ciiriuiilir the keel is riidimeiitarv, aw
the tlitjhtless ground p.ornl i" \i'\y '/,ii\\i\\u\, Slriiiifo/i.i hi'tiro/ililiis ; or oiherwise amiiiialoiis,
as in the extraordinary O/iisHidiiimiis iristnliis, when* it is cut away in front, and in the rail-
like Xiiliiriiii, t\here the .■•lermnn is extremely like a li/ard's. In ifeiieral, the ilevelnpment nf
the /.(•(■/ is an index nf wiiitj-powcr: whetlier for llyiiit; nr >wiiiimiiiu. '>r Imth ; the etl'eetiveness
nf the pectoral muscles lieiiit; rather in proportion to depth of kei-l than to extent of the itides
nf the " hoat-lmiie ;" thus, the keel is emirnioiis in swifts {('i/iisrliihr) and liunimiiiK-hirdH
( TrtxhUuhr).
The earinate sternum nnrii.ally devejnps from five centres, liavint; ciinsei|iieiitly an many
separate pieces in early life. 'I'wo of these are lateral and in pair- ; the tlii--d is median am)
single. The median ossilici;tio'i, which includes the keel, is the l<)filwetfoii(H \- . XiUftot, ln/ihoi,
a crest ; (ivrtou, oslam, a bone). The uiiterior lateral pi<-ce, tliiil with which the rilw, nr smii'
144
UKyKKA L OliSlTllOL OG Y.
1-
H
m
«if tliciii, iiriiciilalr. in \hi- jikiirosteoti (»ir. n^tvpoi'. iilrunin, a rili): in ailiill lilV tliis Imc, ii„»
till- niMhil iiriinsH, wi iirniniiiiiii in I'lissvirs (Wi:. .")Si. 'I'lii" |Mmt»'ri<ir latcriil piiTc is tlic imtn.stiDti
(dr. jifTfi, Willi, ntlrr). I'l'iiii llif lalirr air lii'iivcd the ]>air, <>r t\vi> jiairs. of lati-ral pr-HTsscs
wliiili III!' |>n^ll•l■i()|• lii.nlrr »(l\ii- sliniiiiii lia> in so iimny liinls. In tine, ilir rxtciit of ...-slli,
tinii of tlif lopliostfoii am
1 nictostt'a, anil tin- nnxli' of tlifir ••iMisification, ilrtcnnincs all
ili.i
various slia|M's of tlir poslrrjor liorilrr of ■]»• sternum whirli. Iii'lnj; roniiiinnly <'liararliii.«iii. i.f
jjciHTa ami liiiilirr Kroiiiis, arc cl<M-ril>rii for ]mr|tosi's of classitiratiou. 'I'lius, if tlir lo|ili(istiii!i
anil till- iiictostca ar nipli'ti'ly ossitiril ami to tin- saiiii- cxtriit bi'liiml, tlir |«isti'rior lioidrr m|'
till' >lirhuui will III- Iraiisvirsr, ami inrfirtly liony. Such a strrniiiii issaiil \<i]iv niliir. \(\\w
|ii|ilio.sti'oii i.> loiiuir lliaii till' lati ral iiirns, tlir slrniuiii will liavr a i-cutral |»oiiitii| or loiiiiilid
|iroji'i'tiiin ; when stirli a forinatinn is calli'il llif miilillf .riiihuiil jironss i( Jr. fi(^or, .iiyi/nw, a
HWiiril: fii>ov, rif/(i.«, forni). 'i'lii' ]>riiji'i'tioii of tlii' iiiftosira, not iiifroi|Urnt, similarly ■.■ivi..
a |mir of iMirnal latiral .\iiilionl prori'ssi-s. Unt siirli |>roiTss<'s ofimi r ri'suit mi-rrly IV Ic-
fiM-ls of I'oositiration lirtwriii tlir rli'iiii'Uts of tlir .•^tirniim. 'J'lius, tliiri> is often a ilee|i iioii'li
ill till* |His1erior lioriler of tlie sternum lietweeli the lo|ihosteon ami the metosteou of each .--iili' ;
the sternum is then saiil to he fhiiilr-Hiililiril or siiiiilr-i'iiiiiniiniilr (one |>air of iio|r|ie>, i>iii' i.n
eaeh siile : lii.'. TiS). This roiifoniialion (irevails throiiu'lioui the yreat >;rou|> I'lissn-is. |iu>>ili|v
without exre|itiou; it is therefore highly eharai-teristie of that onler, tlioii(;h a f:reat many otjur
birtlH iiImi) have it. In the natural state, the noteh is tilleil in with meinhraile. Sneh a
lloli'll
llso )
le eoliverleil III!'
■ fiinlam'lli'"or./»'H»'.>V(V( (\.i\\. fniislrii, i\ wimlow), whieh
hole ill the hone, the me, isti a haviiiu urown to the liphosteoii at their extleinities. hut li'li an
o|M'iiini{ hetween. Sueh a ntt'i
i-alled fnimtriiU; more exaetlv inii-friirstriilr (I,at. iim
lie wimtow on
each siilc). Now, the ji.irts remaiiiini; as liefore,
the |o|i|iost
r each melosteon, he liolcheil or fenestrate ; ohvi
1 ither each hall ..f
h
oiislv then, siicli a stcrniiiii i>
iliiiilili-iiiilrlml or l)i-ti'ni:-'liiili; haviiin four notches, or holes, \\\ ii eai-h siile, two notr
hoh
>r lioteheil nti'l fenestrate, haviiii; a noti'li ami a hole on each siile. The latter
IM very fiiM|nent : when occiirrint;, the hole is t;enerally nearest the miihlle lini-, tlic notch cn-
•erior. Irret;ularily ol os.»iticatioii, ciinverlini: a hole into a notch, anil conversely, may in ai
< use resnil ill iacU of symmetry) : hut this is a mere imliviilnal |H'cnliarity. When there arc
two iiotche.'i on each side, as in lit;. a(>, the Hterniim has evidently ii median and two lateral hack-
WMiil exteiisious, which are tlun called res|M'<-lively the wiilillr, hilrninl lulrriil, mii\ r.itiiiinl
liilinil \i|ihoi4| |irocesses. Nolcliiim of tlie lophosteon iu the iiiiilille line, at least to any exliiil,
must he very rare, if iiideeil it ever <MMurs. The extn'me ease of emar^inationnf the sternum is
atrordcil hy the (iiillintr, and is lii|;hly charaeterisf'c of that yroiiji. Mere the lo|ilio..tt'oii i>
extremely iiarrnw, ami tiNsered dcejilv away from the metostea, which 1; Icr are deeply forked :
the arriinuenient civiiiu rise i.- iw.i very loiufHJemliT latenil priN-esses on eaeli side (fi>;s. 1 and i,
|i. IH), The sternum of the tinaniou. a <lrouiii-ou:nathniis hird, is still more deeply eiiiari.'i-
liiited, hut th" extremely loUL' and slender lateral pioces.-es, which enclose an oval contour, arc
Hiiiipl.', not lurked.
Ill a very few hirds there an centres of ossiKcation additional to those ahove descrihed.
Ill Tilinir, there are said hy I'arker to Ik- a pair of centres hetwein the pleurostea, which he
mimes iiniifiiHlrn. lie-'au.-te related to the pari of the slerniim with wliich the coraco'.ds (.nee
p. I t'l) unite. 'I'he same authority descrihe- for Diihiiliiiiltiis a posterior median cartilaui-
iiotm tliip haviiii; a ."eparate centre, named in-i>Htnni ((Ir uvfia. niirn, tail). In vanoiis idrds the
KtiTinim is eked out in the midille lini' hehiml hy eaUilaue which has no ossitieatioii.
The sternnm, es|« i i.illy nt llie hiuliei lunls, de\'c|o|is ill the middle line in front a heak-
likr priHM'Hs called the rostrum of Hi ntiihfiiiui (Lai. miiimlirium, a handle) ; its si/.e and shape
vary ; it i> wellniarked in Passerine hirds (fiy. .'i i) ; and may Im' hifurcate at the end and run
down the front of the keel some way, :\-> III .he raven. The fore horder of the sternum is
({I'lierally urcatly convex from side to side, iiuii then, in those hirds whicli have proiiiimiil
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
145
pn-wutB
3. 77//; I'Kcnm.i/. .men
Tin* I'cetoruJ Arch (I. at. iiidiis. tlir lirca^t : tii;s. 1, ;.', 5(i, 58. a'.t) is tliat b.iiiy stnirtiiri'
liy wliicli tilt' wiuirs nrv Imnic ii|i<iii tlir axial Niiclctun. It is t" the '"mi' liiiii) what tlir iiclvir
arch ii* to the liiinl liiiih; hut is <iisciiini<'ctril iVdiii the hai'li-ltntir ami unitnl with thr Itrrast-
ImiM', wlii'icas the reverse arraiiu'enieiit nhtaiiis in the pelvie, 'vhich is t'lii-ed with the saeral
Ti'^Utu iif the spine. Kaeh peetciral areh of hirds emisists (<-liie(lj) tit" thret' Ixnies : the naipula
anil vonuojl, fnnnint; the sliDidilrr-girdlf pniper. ur sai/iiilaf unit ; ami the acees.sory chriclin,
iir ^i^Ili ami letl half nC liie tliiriciiltir ttnli. 'I'here is al.so at the shuuliler-jnint el' ninst biril.s
an insi^nitieant He.sanioii) ossicle, calleil scapida iiccci^sorKt or os hiimrm-nciiiiulnre (tijtr. 5(1, ohs) ;
ami in many a rmlinielit of a hone ealleil jiriintinroid, which occurs in reptiles, hut in hinls is
united with the clavicle. From the rihs, the scapula ; trom the sternum, the coracoid ; from
its fellow, the clavicle, coiivertres to m-'et each of the two other hones at (he point of the
shoulder. The lenirlhwise scapular arches of opposite sides are ilislinct from each other ; the
clavicular arch is crosswise, and nearly always completed on the middle line of the hody ; hy
which tniion of the clavicli's the wlnde pectoral arch is coa|itated. Tht rai'oid hears the
shoulder firmly away irom the hreasf ; the .s<'apula steatlies the shoulder anainsl the ribs ; the
clavicles keep the shoulders apart from each other. The scajiular arch is always present and
oinijdete ; the cluviculur lit 8oin(>tiini>H ilefective or wautiuj;. There are iwo leading styles of
10
140
GKNKliAL OnyiTllOLOUY.
i
«ca|iiilar arcli, comsiiiiiiiliTiir to tln« ratitc .iikI cfiriiiiiti' stornnni. (1) In Knlilrr tho swcs .,|' il,(.
nn-aciiiil anil si-ii|pnla arc iiraiiy coiiiciiliiit ((«r tlic most part in a itiinioiw I'mht line) Mini
aiK'liylosnl t<ii.'«'tlirr : tlir rlavicli;* ari' I'siially waiiliiiu, <ir ilcfcctivf; imil the tMiraroi.U arc in-
stc|ii)r.l nil till' >tiniiiiii far apart. (•,') In all ('iiriiiiil(r, tlic axes of tlic cnracniil ami scapula
form an acute or scarcely obtuse aiiiilc (tif. .')(•, sf/lc) : normally these l»ones are not andiylo.-c.l;
jHTfeet eiavideH are present, andiyloscil witli each other, but free from the otlHT Imum's ; ami the
coracoiils mic instcppeil dose touether. Deciileil exceptions to these conilitioiis, as in y<iloriiis,
an anoiiialoiis ; tlioiit'li iiicomplelion of the clavicles re]ieate(lly occnrs, as noteil below.
Fid. (IP — Kiiclit iitx'l rill itrrli iif » Mnl, I'lilitr-
rrtin jth'ljt
ilhiM. iiat. hl/.i", i>ii!i,iili> vinw; Itr. It.
v. Sliiifilill, r.S / , H. miipiiln:
•iiriii'iilil; (;/,
kIi'IkiI'I, tliiMMvily r.r liciiilnriiiii.icriiH; <', iliivii'lc ;
III'. hyiHH'li^liilum. /» kHii, \\w iIkIiI iiiiI uf t>ic tlK-
uru xiiiiiiliP till up :i Utile; mt' ttg. M.
Tlip Si'H'Hilii (Lat. Heiijtiih, tlie i«li<inliler-
hlade ; liu's. .Vl, .")'.l, x) merits in liirds its name of
" hlaile-ltoiie," lieini; usually a loni;, thin, narrow,
sahre-like hone, which rests up >ii the rihs — iisu-
iir it ; hilt ii Uulilir otherwise.
ally not fur from parallel with the spinal column, ami
It seliloiii ^ains much wliltli, ami is ipiite thin ami llat in m<>st of its lenijUi : hut it has a
(liickcneil heail or iiamlle, expaiiiliiitj oiiiwanls into a iilnioiii jinxTss which unites with ili:il
if th
Me coracoiil t'l I'oiiiph'te till L'leiioiil cavity, aiiil ililateil inwani to form an iwriimiiil {Hr.
iiKftainiov, idrowi'in, point ><( the shouliler) /»r.<r<'.«iN for articulation with the clavicle (an it iIim's in
man), -vlieii tlial hone e\i>i.s. Thr nihcr i'IhI is u>ually sliarp-jiointed, Init may he ohtnse, or
e\e.i ciiihheil, as in a wooilpii lii r. The scapula is hroaclert atiil most jilate-like in the pen-
BiiiiiH, in which birds all ihe buius of the llipper-likc wint? arc HiiiKularly llattem d. In Ajilrri/c
il readies in lrii!,'tli over only a coii|>le of ribs ; inmost birds, over most of the thorax; and
in soiiir its point overrii.dies the pelvis.
■imH"^
fjMr' H «! n« ii a i *"J g'
THE ANATOMY OF BIUDS. — OSTKOLOGY.
147
The Clavicles, or Furciilum (Lat. clariailn, ti litlli* key: fiirailum, a litili- t'l.rk ;
fiirs. r)(i, ii'J, <■/), or tlir clavicular ardi, arc the pair of Iioiicm wlii-li when imitfil tonctlicr I'nriii
the iihjcct well known aft the " mcrry-thoiiKlit " or " winh-hon<'," com'»i>oii(liiii; to the Iniiuaii
" (•(illar-boiM'n." 'I'licy lie in front of the hrca«t, across the iiiidiiii' line of the hody like a V
or r ; the u)i|M*r emls uniting; as a riih- l>otli witli scapuhi ami coracoid. For this |)ur|)ogc, In
ini'ht hinis, the ends are expanded more or less ; such e\|iansion is calh'd the r/xWciV/i/im ((Jr.
ini, ci>i, upon ; kXiiAiW, kleidiiin, the cidlar-hone) ; in Passerine liirds it is wtid to ossify separ-
iitelv, anil is considered hy I'urker to repn sent the priH'ormvid «if reptiles. At the point of
union helow, the hones often develop a pr<K'ess (well shown in the domestic fowl) called the /i///jii-
fli'iiliiim ((Jr. vn6, lijipo, under ; fi^- ■")',), /(c), snpiiosed to represi'nt the interdfiricif of reptiles.
'I'lic clavicles are as a rule present, perfect, unc'.ylosed to^utiier, articulated at the shoulder; in u
few hirds anchyhwd theie; in seviTal, there and
with the keel of the sternum ; in Ojiistliocomns t\\i<ro
anil with the mannhrium iif the sternum. In various
hircls, chietly I'icarian and I'sittaciiu', they are (h'-
fcctive, not meeting each other. They are wanting;
in Slruthio, Uhrti, Aiiterif.r, anil sonn' I'sillncidtr.
lloiiles curving toward each other, the clavich-H
have usually a fure-and-aft curvature, convex for-
Wiiril. hi geni-ral, the strength of the clavicles,
the lirmness of their connections, and the o|M>nness
iif the V or r, are indicationit of the v<ditorial or
iniliitorial power of the wiufs. The end of the fiir-
cidniii is hollowed for a fold of the wilidpi|io iu the
en Nled pintado (Owen).
4. TtlK PK I.VIC Alien.
The l*elvlH (hat. iirlrix, a Imsiii, fij;. (50), is
tliiit posterior part of the trunk which receives the
uro-i;c)iital, and lower |Mirtion of the diuestive, vis-
ccr;!. It consists of the "sacral" vertehra- on the
middle ilorsal line, llaido'd on each side )iy the hones
of the iH'Irir iirch, which supports the hind limit.
Ill vertehrates p'nerally the pelvic hasiii is com-
pleted on th<' ventral aspect hy union (si/iiijiliifsiH;
111. iTvu, sun, top'ther ; <l>vrTif, ;;rowlh) of the hones
IVoiii opposite sides. Kxceptiiii; only Slriitliiii, which
has a puhic symphysis ; and Hht'a, which lias an
ischiac symphysis jiist helnw the sacral vertchne,
the pelvis of a liird is entirely open hehiw and
hehiiid : each pelvic arch anchylosini; tirnily with
the sacral vertehiii' to form a roof over the viscera
ahove named. This sacro-iliac anchylosis is com-
I . . ... ., ,, ' ,. 1 I'm. (Ml. — I'l'lvln of n lieron (.lii/"i 'i<r«</(<i»l,
"""'l.^' ' Xtelisive with th .ntluence ..t the many ,„„. ,|,.., »,,.„,„| fp,,,, ,,^i„„ ; fr„m niitun- l,y l.r.
verlehrie which make the " sacrum " of ordinary !l. Wslmfi'ldi, f s .\. <//, (li.r*i-liiniliHr vrrtclini'
I .1 . ■ i' .1 <• . 1 II. .1* 111 mill liichiilliiullioliml "111-, »!'; Iii'l"« i.. , fur llio
lanuuaKe, thai is, Ir.-m the hist dorso-liimhar to th.' ,.„.,,„ „r„,.. /„",, ,,i,„.K.|,a,.,..M, -ii,.ii,..,vrn.« i
lust nro-Mtcrul. The whole roof-like atl'air looks nrctlii' Irnc wirrnl vfrtnline; im. iinwiicrnl viTle-
ni.i I II 1 ' . I 'iM liricfiii'inmlli'llii'tlvi'iiviil liliu'k hiiiii'kk; //.IIIiiiii;
mm like a keelless sternum inverted. I he ,,, |J,,'„„„. ,.. ,,„„U; „(,. „l„„niior fon.imii.
IR'lvic arch of each side cimsititH of three hones, ilium, TItc arrow IIIuh liitu tliu aculnbiiluiii.
148
(IKNEHAL OliSimOLOU Y.
'i
•i
inchium, iiiid pithis, whii-li liavc iii(lf|iciiilt'iit usfiitic cfiitrcw, but brcoinc firmly cuiiMiliiliitid
top'tlirr til fiinii tlic liiiuiicli-lMPiic or n.i in)ii)miti(itiim. Kacli nf tlii-sc Imuh's iiiiiti's willi ili)>
(ithiT two, whih'wIhtc iK'iir tlic iniildli' of tin- wliolc atl'air, at a rliii;-liki' Nlnirturc callnl ili,>
iicrtdliHliim (l^it., a viiit'nar-friicl, lii;. ■><>, a; fit'. <)0, armw ni), wliirli all three eDnscijUiiilly
coiitrilMile to the loniiali.ill of, ami which i.s the niK'ket for the iiead ol the thit;h-lMi|ie (/ninir.
\i. 11!)). When free rilt.s isitiie from iiiuier cover of the jH-lviti, they are emiimoiily aiicliyl..M i|
with the ilia ; ami all the ahortive |ileura|io|)hyse.s of the liimliar ami iiro-^aeral vei'lelira' have
likewise iliae aiiehylo.sis, as exjilaimd in treating "f tli<' faeriiiii ([i. 140). Ax a whole, the |ie|vi:i
vitrieM like the Hteriiiim in relative lenuth, hreadth, iiml de);r f e<invexity ; and e.s]H'eially in
til ntiuuratioii of ilH |iosterior border; but few /.ii<>loi;ieal eharacters are derived from ilii:i
.siraelnii'.
N'ii'Wed from below, the ]iidvi» i« Keen to In- much hidlowed or excuvilted for the lodumcut
of the kiihiey.s, ami eronM-eiit iiit >m]iartments by the .saeral raftern ; the series of sai i.ij
bodies formini; a ridue-pole aloni; the middle line, .\bove, the series <d" sacial s|iiiioiis jirn-
eeHses represelil tile ridp>-|iole ; anti'riorly, tlii' somewhat .-|ioon-sha)ied iliat- bones are
a|i|died, eoiieavily ontward, to thi' dorso-liunbars ; |Hi.s|eriorly. in the middle line, is a more or
les> llallened hori/oiital expansion, and laterally are the more expanded siiles of the isehiae roof,
tiiii>heil alonn the eaves anil bihiiid by the slender puliie bone, whiidi eomiiionly projiets
haekward, and inelines toward its fellow of the opposite side. 'I'lie most ]ironiinenl formation
of the side wall of the pelvis is the thiek-lip|M>d HiiUMith artienlar rin^. x\n' (irfliihiiliiiii n-
veiled in the natural state into a eiip by a iiiembniiie.
■\'\u
lostero-sllperior
eminent ol the rim
I"
neiit, to form the iinlHrtU'hintli'r ((ir. atni, unli,
apiinst ; Timxiii^>)p. InwhnuU-r of the feiiinr) auaiiist
whieh tl
head
>l Ill
if the femur ahllt.s when tlii
IS III the rin^.
It is normal to reeeni Carinale birds to huve
the isi-hium fused with the ilium, however dislilirl (lie
pubis may remain; but to Cretaceoiis birds (even the eariiiate Irlillii/oniis), and the exisiint;
liiitilfr. to have both i.Hchium and pubis distinct in most of tlieir extent.
Th«' llliiiii (I,at. i7iH)H, hannch-bone : pi. ilin : adj. ilinr : tiiis. .j(). /. liO, (il. //) is the
median, most anterior and loui;est of the hauiich-boiies, and the only one which extends in ad-
vaiiee of the aeetabiilnin. Such anterior pioloniration of this bone is the specialty of the avian
[M'lvis: il commonly overlies one or more ribs, and is often overreached by the end of the scapula.
Il is loneest and narrowest and llattest in some of the lower swimmers; the reverse aiiioiiu (he
liiuliest birds. ItH relations and connections have been sutticiently indicated. Tlu< bone is
almost alivays separated fiom its fellow by the sacrum, thoiii;h the iip|ir<>xiination may be
very clo.se over the back of tlie pelvis, alonn the middle line.
The iHchtiini ((Jr. iir^i'<ii<, iM/iioti. the b.-iuncb-bmie : pi. inthiii : adj. isihiiiilii iiihinliv.
better isdiiar; lii;s. .'ifi, HO, (11, Is) lies entirely po.st -acetabular, or bebiml the siM-ket whicli ii
contributes to form, and composes most of the side-wall of the |M'lviM tlienc«« to the end. It is
generally a thin, plate-like bone. Amoni; (-"retaceons birds and existini; lintiln it only unites
with the iliiini at and just behind the acetiibiilum, w hence a deep i7(«-|.s(7(i>(C fissure between
the two exists, as in the iidiiiiij ifrouse, fijf. (il ; but in ordinary adult birds ibis fissure is coii-
vcrtetl into a fencHtra or window of hirue size, jiisl behind the acetabulum, by union of the two
Ihiiics iMdiind il. Thin vacuity, whether a iioteh or a hole, correspouds to the •• sacro-sciatic
notch" of human anatomy (flu. 50, in). The i.schia of opposite sidcH are distinct, except in
Hhe'i.
THE ANATOMY OF BIHDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
149
TIio Pubis (I^iit. piihis, lioiic nf tlic fmiit nf tlic hiiiiiaii pt'lvis wlicrc tlio hair >;r<i\vn at
piihi ill) : |il. jiiihcs : adj. imliic ; fiirs. 'it't, (iO, (U P), lirKiiiiiiii;; at its sliarc <if tiic act'talmiar riiiL',
is a i"iii; slciiiliT Imiiic wliicii runs almi;; tin- lnwcr Ixirdcr nf tlif isrliiiiin, sotiH'tiiiirf fur a j-tmil
(listiiiirr Hilly. <>fti-ii fur till- wlinlt' li'iii;tli nf till' iscliiiiiii, anil iixiially |iriiji'rtiiiu Ix-liiiiil ; iiinri'
(ir l"-> |irrfrrily {laralli'l with, aiijilinl In, nr iiiiitril with, tin- iiifi'rinr isrliiar Imnlrr. Winn
si|i;ir;iir, a lniii{ ilccp finiiuri' rfsiiltx : wlu'n uniti'il at the I'ml, a Inni; narmw furainrn is
fi.rijxil : vvlii'ii ini'niii|i|i't)'ly iinitril in any ]iart nf its iscliiac rniitiniiity, a tissiirr ami a fnraniiii,
ill ilir .istrii'li two fnniniina. rrsiilt. All tlicsc nmilitinns nrriir: in any i-ast*, siirli ischin-|iiihi<-
iiiii r\Ml rnni's|)iintls tn tlir ohliii'iiltir foramen (fijr. ad, o; fij{. (i((, ah) nf hinnaii iinutnmy ; it is
(jrraicsi ill Cri'tarrniis liirds and cxistini; Itnliln: TIii' frrr ends nf the |iii1h's may he ninrc nr
less i'\|iMiiilrd. Ill tht' nstrii'h niily tlirri- is a |>iiliii' symphysis nf tl nds nf the hnni's: in the
saiiif liinl a si'|iarat<' nssicli', situated ii|inn the Inwer hnrder <if the ])iiIh>8, nnd ealled cjiiimUic,
is I'Miisidi'ied to represent a '' marsupial " hniie ((iarrnd). In varinns hirds, aiiinnt; them niir
jlimiiid ciicUnn, (ifiicocci/.r ((ilifuniiiiniis, the piiliis prnjeets a little fnrward, iiiidei the a
taliiiluiii : this prniiiinence is the iirojiiihis. Separatinn nf the jmhes is siippnsed tn he fnr
aiiipliliealinii nf the pelvie strait tn faeilitate the passaue nf the larire chalky e>.'i;s hirds lay.
S TIIK SAI'I,/.
The Skull of a |{ir<l is a pneiii in Imne — its an-liileeliire is the " frozen music" nf
liiiMplinlnyy ; in its mutely elmpieiil lines may Im' tra 1 the rhythmic rhymes nf the myriad
aiMii'hifnrin animals which ennstriicted the nid>le edifice when they sann in^ether.' The jMiesy
(yroi'rfirii'. jiiiifsis, a inaUinu^ "f the siihject has heen translateil with cniispicimus zeal and success
hy .Mr. \V. K. Parker; it.- /niilneical iimral has heen similarly p<iinted hy l'rnfes.snr llnxley ;
and the yniinj; nniitlinlnt;ist whn wniilil imt he hnpelesslv iliifashinnahle must W able to wlii.stle
sniiic liars nftlie cranial smitj — the pteiyun-palatiiir liar at least.
'The rapid prni;ress nf (is>iticatinn mhui nhliterates iimst nf the nri^iiial landmarks nf the
skull. Iiisin^ the ilistinct territnrie.s nf Imne in niie ^reat iiidislin^nishalde area. 'I'liiis the
hrain-lin.x nf aliimst any mature hird is apparently a sini;le .sidid hone, and most ]iai1s of the
jaw-scatrnldini; similarly run lni;ether. .\side fn>ni the Imnes nf the tnnKUe, which are cnllec-
tivcly separate frniii tlinse nf the skull pmper ; .iml nf the cnTiipniind Invver jaw. which is freidy
articulated with the rest nf the skull; nnly twn i.r three other hones of the skull, as a rule, are
]iernianeiitly and perfectly free at both eiulH. These are the ipiadrate hones — the anvil-sha|H'<l
pieces hy which the Inwer jaw is slum; tnthe skull ; the |iteryi;nids, articulating the palate «ith
the ipiadrate ; and sometimes the vomer. Traces nnly of the hones of the face and jaws are
usually found ; hut even such vestitfcs disappear, as a rule, from anions the hones of the
lirain-hox. It is iieci^s.sary to any intelliuent uiiderstaii<liiii.' of the cniistmctinii nf a hird's skull,
tn learn somewhat nf its mode of devclo|inient in the cmhryonii- staue ; iliis heiiij; the only clue
to the individual hones of which it is comiHi.sed, and .so to any correct idea of its iiiorpholot;y.
One theory is, that tlii' skull consi.sts of four m<Hlitied vertehne : and the principal hones have
liien iianied and desi'rihed hy some in terms iiulicatini; tin i lements of a liieoretical vertehra.
It W true that the skull is seumented. or inay he se(;riienteil oH', like a chain of several
vertehru'; that it continues the vertidiral axis forward: that it has a hasis minit like a series of
verttdiral centrilins, alnive which rises a sei;nicuted neural arch enclnsinu the yreat nen-niis
mass, and helnw which dejieiids a set of hniies euclnsini; visceral nails like a luenial arch.
The hiiiilmnst cranial segment, the iH'cipital hniie. re.senihU's a verttdira in many physical
characters, ami even in mode of developnient. Hut if the seriid hninohicy of tho tikull with
' niiii<-'ll<Diiit' clili-lly riiiixlHtii iif tli>. iiKgri'u.itc^l Kkclctom of (htnimirhir a l«lti>l "f inil-fdlular protoiiuiii
niilinnli) wliUli liilintiil hi iiiyrimU (lie limlleK ol' lu-nrly ikll the \ trithrtiin, |hiiim>mIii|[ iIiu fiwiilty of fpciliiig ii|hiii
|ili<w|iliiile of lliiii' aii'l oilit-r uarllix iiuitlurii llit-y thiil in the IiIinhI. hihI itlivrwiinl I'XiTi'liiig lliviii tn tbo furiii »f
miiltlriuilitte exiwkolL'tiiiis nf lliclr »wii, cnllvcllvely f»riiiiiig tliv m\w\v tkcletuii nf their lu«t.
ir.o
GKNKliAL OHMTJIOLOG Y.
the back-lKini- Iw real uml tnir, it i« hh nlisciirctl l»y tlm ••xtraonliniiy iiKKliflcuiwuiH t<> wliioli
tlif viTtclirul iltiiii'iitH liiivf linn milijr.'tcd tliiit llif fact »( Mich lioimilofry ciuiiiut lie ilcm,,!,.
Htratcil; uml ti> ililtridct llic ^kull :i.s snuulliiiij,' miiMi-iiiilioNrd il|iiiil, and liiiii|ili.il(i>;i<;dly
(UflVrciit fiiiiii tlic Hiiinal cnliiiiiii, is |)(iiccll>' wanaiitrd if imt iciiuirid l»y the known fii(i> ..f
itH ccinstiiiclivf dcv(l<i|>incnt. 'I'liis ic tlic view taken l>y tlic nilcin of l.Mlay'n wicncc. A>
already .-aid (\>. \'M) ilic iclalicin lictwccn cranial and vertebral partu Ih ratlier the luiiilo^ry i,f
lulaptive niiMlilir;'liiiM than a true hiiniiil.pi.'y uf structure.
Itefnre iiriiceediuu tn descrilie thi' mature skull, it will he \n-nt U nsider its uicuje nl'
develi.|iiuent. In this I shall citi.sely fidlnw Parker, often nsinj; the words of that master, ami
illiLstratini; tlie early slaves of the eiuhryo with liynres horrowed from the sanu- sale .mhmcc.
In the fewot words |io.-<sihle, I wish to Convey an idea of tl niltryouic skull u|i to I'arki r's
" third slaue," at which it he^iins to o.ssify. Here, however, I will first insert a li^Mie, kindlv
drawn for me hy Dr. K. W. ShulVldt, of the 1'. S. Army, which shows most <if the ciani.d
hones, and will >;ive the student a jtrelimiuary notion of the " lay of the land." I advi,-e liim
t ntein]date this jiictiire till he has learned the names printed on it hy heart, and can apply
them to the ideiitilicatioii of the ])arts of the real Hkull he should have in hand at the same lime.
.le may also meditate on lig. Oii.
XfcUrHaU, cimtftinj
S uran aufar
I'lo. tlj Skull i>friiimniiii fowl, iiiliir({i'il ; frnin iiiiliirc l)y l>r It. W SliiiriicH, 1' S. A. Tlir iiiiiius nf linmii
mill M'M Iliir |i:irlH ur<' |>rliil<'il, 0'.|iilriii); mi ■'X|iluii»llnii ; jmt ulim'ive Ilic rolluwiiii; ihiIiiIk: 'I'Iii' illslliirllini of
iioii. iif ||ii. liniii'Hi'niii|H<h|ii|,' ilic liriilii-c'iiHi' (till' ii|i|H'r I'ui'k <'\|iiiiii|c<l |iiirl ) > .'III I"' riiiiinl III II liiiiliirn skull. 'I'li>'
I Hill II Ih niiitaliii'il Itclwrt'ii 111!' (l(•(■(/^(^//. ..*/»//. ttniihifi, Mi/iiiininnitls, fitii-itt'th iitul |tfirt nf fti'iitttt : tlic » tftniitiiliitM
Im'Iiiii^ lo til" r>;4iii» i;r(iii|M>r ('raiil:il Imiim'h |irii|H'r. .Ml ntlit^r liniii's, rxri'iilliiK llic three o/if car-lHiiirH, art* ItniirH
iif till) t'ai'i' anil Jhuk. TIm' I'iuit Jaw, nf llvn Ii'iiich, in i|i'a»ii ili'tiirlii'il ; II artlciiliilim l>y tliti lilack otirrmi' iiiaiki il
tirtirulur with I lie iirniiilneiiie jnril al"<ve (lie t/ttiiihah liiiif. i ilmervo tliat rrniii lliin i|iiii(h'iite a mtIi'h of lioiirH
— t/iiftitrtitt>-iiitftit, /tiif'tl, in>i iillttffi - niaki'M n Kleiiiler timI ruiiliiiiu to tlic /ni imirithirii ; iIiIh Ih llui .i/i/'unti, i>i
Jufiiil tnir. iiloaTve friiir. tlie i|tiailnite alni, aiiotlicr i*ei|eH. ei>ni)Hineil nf iitirfiiji'iit uiiil finhithu lioiieH. to the itri-
liiaxlllary; tlili. In the />^ i i(7"-/»i/"'iiii l"ir . Il xllilen ahmi; a iiieillan ILxeil ii\ls •>{ llie Hkull. the ri>.ifno/i, nlilili
Uai" till' liii)H<> iiiiiK r at il» eml. r|ii. mnli i ii.aiiillMe, <|iiailrale. |ilorvu"lil, ami vniiicr i»rc llic niily imiTalile l»iiii »
iiflhlH NknII. lint wlun the <|iiai|rali' inekH haek ami I'orlh, a» It iI<h's hy Its u|i|H'r Jnltil, ItH lower end |iiiIIk ami
iniHhen ii|ion thv ii|i|>i!r inamllhle, hy iiieaiix of the Jimal ami |iti'ryt!o-pahilliie hars, m'IIIiik the wlinle MiiMoliliim nl'
the ii|i|ier Jaw In inntlnn This innlloii hliiKen ii|niii the ehmtielty of the hdiieHnf the rorelieail, lit the Ihiii plaee JnkI
where the rvtuii'iiev-lliies from the wnnlK " lueryinal " ami " ineM'lhinnhl " eromi eai'h other. The ilark oval Hi'aee
iH'hIiiil the i|iiB.lrate h tl xleriial orllico of the I'ic. the parlB In II to whhli the three ri'fcreme-llties K • .iri!
(ll.'iKriitniiiath', not aeliial re|ireHentnt|oiiB : IIhih. the ijiiaihale artlenlalcH with ii larm« /inwi/ie bm well an with
thu miiiiimiisiil. The i-reiit e\ia\atloii at the inlilille of the tlK'nre, coiitalnliit; tin- I'Irelel of iiiishaileil hone«. Ix the
leflorWM/oP'i/i/, "'■'"'."rwKkel oftl yc 'rhemi .1. (Ami.ii/ iiielmleninoKt ofthi' laekiiroiinil of thlmavlty. nhaileil
(liiiKonMlly. Thu n|i|M'r oneof the twniiriM'cnM'H of hone exiemllni; Into It from lichlnil In thu iHinl-fnniliil or .«/''"■
iM/ie /ii'fK'e.M . the iiiiiler oneljiinl over thei|imilrale In the .«7iiiimo.iii//ii'r><'i'fiii. A Imiiic mil nhown, the /ii'i.i/</i< H"o'.
lloH Ju«t III (t'uiit uf Ibo oval hluuk Kpnou ovur thu oikI of fxi«i«y;A<'>iui</. TIiIh black oval la tho upliv Joniiiit >t,
77//; ANATOMY OF UinUS. — OlSiKOLoaY.
161
Ihrouiili wlili'li tlin liorvo of *\v,\\i, ihimcn from llio lirnlii-rnvity In (lie eye. Tliu liluck ilnl n llllli> U'liiml Die (ipllir
fiiriiiiii'ii In till' iirllliMMif oxli iil'ii |iiirl nf ilin liij\uutl iiorv«. Tin- liliwk murk hihIit llii- li-llcm "mu " nniio wnnl
"frmilal " I" tl»i iil/'irtnri/ Jniomi ii, wliiTii llii' iiiTvv nf hiiicII I'liierKi'H rrmii tli<' liriiiii-lH>x I. ki> In i|ii> iiumv The
nuMil < iivKy I" llii' liliiiik >|iiici' livliliul iiainl iiiiil invirtil liy tluil Imiiu, uml In tlir nviil liliiiik li<<rnri< II. Tin- luirtii
of llic l"'iik riniTi'il by linrii iiri' only jiri iiiiiiillnrii, luitnl, uml iluilnrn Ttii' •■•<mljili urtliiiliiivH wllli llii' llmt
riTvii'itl Mirli'lint: Jiinl ulnivit It, nnl Klinwii.lntlii-/"'""" " ni'ii/""'", orgrciit Imln llirmiuli kIiIiIi llii>ii|iliiulmfi|iil|ii,
or iiiiilii iKTvniiit rdril, piiMivii rriim lliu Hkiill Into llie i<|>liml ^nlumt^ Tim /KiKunii/iiM/ In lilililun, itxiciiling IIh
riiluMr; M> Ik iiiiK'Ii »t tUr Ihi.^i»iiIii imiil. Tim |iriil(MiKi>ll<'ll liirHJiril nf llii' liiii<lii|>lii'milcl, injirkinl ■■ riirlriim," uml
U'lirintt <!>■' <i>m>ir ul IIh i'IiiI, Ih tlic /»inifiyi/i> limit, UN lur nn lln llilcki iicil iimliT Imtili'r Ik t'liiici'riKMl. Ilctuiiii tin
fiiri' iviil i>r thu iitcryKolil nml tim lutnlHlilinncilclul rnnlruni, U llli' kIIu of llm lumijil, rmiiiiil inini hm, liy wlilili tliu
Ihiiii'h cKmcrniKl nrlii'iiliili) l>y HiniHilli rucflH; tiirllirr forwanl, llm iiululincn riili' fri'dy n|Kiii tliu |iuruii|il Iilul
rcwiriiiii. Ill uiiy I'unKirlnK hlrd, tliu nmur w>iiil<l Ih' lliirk In frniii, iiiiil forkvil licliliiil, rlilliiu llku llir |iulullni^
ii|Hiii ihi' nmiriini. Tliu |iululliiu HotuiiH In rnn Into tliu muxlllury In IliU vli'W : Iml It cuntiiiiiuH nn In iirumuxlilnry.
Tin' m.ii/""-/"i'"'i'i' Ih an lin|inrlunl Iniiiu wlilili cuiimil lie mtii In llir IlKiiru Iiuiuiim' It uxti'iulii linrl/niilully liilo
tliii |ia|wr frniii tliu niiixlllury uIhiiiI wIutu llm rul'urrtuu llim " mu.\illiiry " K<>rHlnlliut Imni'. Tim k''''"'™' Hi"'
fniiii lli« lonilyli' In llm uml nf lliu vninur Ih tliu iniiiinl niin, /»i«i« vntiiii, nr biinu uf lliu cniiiluin. TIiIh Hkiill la
wIiIikI uituiu tliv |Ki»t-t'rnDtul ; next lumil wi uurnHH tliu liulgu uf tliu Jiigiil bur.
I'm. (1.1. — Skull "fa ilmk (I'lniiiiiiln hlniiilirn , mil hIzu; Ur. It. \V. Slnifi-Mt. I' S. A. «. |irdiin\illary Imni';
h. iHUliy "KKilli'il liili'ri>:">al Huptiiiii ; /•', |Mr\ l"ii» |iail nf miclill ; c , mil nf pruiiiaxlll.iry, ix'rfnrnti <1 fni tiiiimiiiiiH
liraiii iiiH'if MTMiiil i1IvIhI"Ii "film lll'tli uraiilal iiiivu; i/, il.iilaiy Iml f iimlur niuiiilli>l<'; > , griKivu f"i- mrvun, rlr ;
/, iiMiriiily liulni'i'iMleiiliiryaiiil nllirr |ili'ri'Hnf llir inamlllili': ii, aill< iilai Hiirfaru; h, miirvuil " aiigli' nf llicjaw : "
i, iK'i'l|iliul jirnliiliuiann': i, vai'iiily In i>ii|ira<Hrl|ili il Imiiu: I,, iiiii'-< iilar liii|>ri'Hii|nii nn lunk nf nkiill : / Ih hmt llm
Mai'k I'ar I'uvlly; iii, |inHl-frniital priHTHH: ii, <|iiailrali' Imiii'; n, piirvi'Miil; /i, |ialallni': >/, <|iiiiilraln-Jiii;al ; >',
Jiii:al , H, maxillary ; ', lrnnln-|iailutal ilniiiu "f llm liralii-ia\ llv : ii. iIk- la< ryiiial l>"nr, liiiniunHU In uilmk. iii-arly
r<ini|ili'lliiK rliii nf llm nrliit liy a|i|irniii'liiii|{ m: r, vniiiur; ir, Hii|iia-nrMlal ilriiruHxInn for thu ininal |{lunil
(MT |>. I."); .1', urniiln-ruclal liiiiKu; //, n|itli' fiiraiimti; :., utc, ititumrliilal vuriillluH
I)t>voliipill«>lll of tlli< KowTh Mkllll (tiii.M. (U to (i'.l). — 111 llic rliii'li'.-* linid rilflililtrt' id
I'liniiril iiliili^ tlir lliiiii' (if lilt' sluill liy (111' liflli il'iy nf iMriiliatliiii. 'i'liis rMrtihi^iiinii.s liii^ilar
platr is tiiniifil mi ciicli niilc nf ilic uitloihonl, Wn (1 1, /• ((!i-. vutTnv, union, liiirlt ; x"l'^''h ''""'''''. ii
I'lmril), It I'liil-lilii' striicturr, tlir |iriiii.ii'ilial ns\:* nf tin- limly, iinniiiil wIik-Ii, aloiiK tlm .Hpiiial
riiliiiiili, til)' linilii'ti nf the vci'ti'lirir arc fnniiril, ami whirli riilLs ill llir iiiiililli' liiir nf tlir tlnnr
iif tlir sUiiil as far at* ttic }nliiiUirii siimr, jii^. Tlic li:i>ilar plate is tlir fniiiiihnnliil {(!r. mi/iii.
}mm, liy the siili- nf) cartilajit'. In this, at tlic carlii'st .stap', arc alrcaily platitcil certain parts
nf tlic car, llic rovhkd, vl, {Im\. nichlfii, a siiail-slicll), ami tlic Imri/niital niic of llic tlircc sriiii-
riiriiliir viiiiiih, lisr. ( tppnsilc tlic cml nf the iinloclinril, tlic limdcr nf tlic paraclmidal plalc
is iintclicil, ."i ; this iinti'h afterward forms the yifivimc/i (inilf, fur the passat;c of parts nf the
Jiflh nr Irifiiiiiil nerve. Near the middle line, posteriorly, the plate is perforated for the
passaj;c of the twelfth or hf/iiofiliinsiil nerve, (/. At each lateral corner is the separate iiiiiiihnti'
cartilage, tn fotni the ipiadratc hone. Anlcri<irly. the plate connects l>y a ^trap or hridiic
of cartilage, the liufiiilii, Uj (I,nt. litufulit, a little tongue) with the Indwculii; tf (\m\. tmlir-
fiilii, u little heaiii), which enclose the piluilarii spncr, fits (\m\. fiitiiilii, mucus: no applica-
liility here). In front of this pituitary iiiterviil the truheciilii' coine together to fnriii tin inler-
ir>2
liKSKltA L OHM inolJHi Y.
ntimil philr, wliirh is mi iirrlicd iivcr (|i»wiivviiril ad tn (liHa|)|M'iir from iIiIh view, un mim ii,
W\l. f'l."), wlicrr Jii \* lln' IVcihtii-ii.iMil |ir'icfi<f<, ami >i Im ilic fiiliirc ixliiiial m.Mtril. .\n,,r
iinitiiiK ill IIh' iiil<r-iiii.''al plali', liic f'Ti' <iiiIh nf the iralMciila' Kcparati' aii>l Ihci.iiic fi,.,. ; x\w\t
fric <iii|jt arc lln' iiiiil<r i xtniiiilicN of tliis jirst rmnttl anh (lirsl ami mily |ir(-.,ral anli).
'I'lir -lainc chick''' Ih inl, ii>i\v vicwiil (V Iiclnw, 11^, ti,'!, hIiiiwh iIic i«<|iiariKli a|icrliirc, m,
of llic future iii'Milli ; llic three |.o>l-.iial aiciics, witli their ieM|Mclive caitiiauiiKiiis haix, mit
of which an- t" he rorined tlie Ihhics <•!' the jaWM ami Ioiikiu'. I, i, .'*, are the correM|i.iii(liii(f
risirriil ihfl.s, lietwccii the urclici* ; llie rn>t of tiie»e is to lie iiiiMlcncil into the ciir-
passane!- ("iilcr and middle ear ami eiistacdiiaii liiliiO ; the others will disa|i|icar. The iiiitnhiilc
car(ila>,'e, 7, is the same that was .seen in liu'. ''h it is already nearly in |inKiiiiin, lietwccn the
hind cimIm of the scail'oldini.' of the ii|i|Mr ami under jaw. The ciirveil Hulioriiliir or wiuillo.
Iiiiliiliiir liar, Hi.iy), divcln|ii i| in the (iisl iidsl-oral arch, already indicates anteriorly /kiAi/ikc,
{III, and |Hisicricirly, iilniiiiniil, inj, parts ; it will form the lioiies so named, ami others of tin-
s
I
Pin. Al. Skull of I'lilck, nnii clfty nf liiciilallon,
"■ OlIlulmillTll. SiTll friilll lllnni', thr lllcllllltllliolln rcmf
iiftlic sktill mill Mir lii'iilii ri'iiKiviMl nl, iiiiliTlor icrc-
liriil M'llrli- . r.iyi'; <', iioliM'lMinl, niiiiiliiK lliniiiifli llm
liijililli' <<r llii' Imnlliir pliili' iir |iiirnrli>>nlul ciirtlliiKi'. In
wlilili iirc nlri'iiilv vlnllilf llu' rinlliiiinliiry i'iir|>iirtii,</,
111!' I'lnlili'ii, /i.<., till' Imrlxoiiliil w'liilrlri'iilarriiiiiil : /i'»,
llii- iilliilliiry npiKi', IhiiuhIiiI l>y Ir, llir InilH'iiilir,
wlilrli iniiii' lii|;i'llii'r iH'fiiri' II \i< fnriii Ilic ri'inilMiiiiMil
lildlc. J'n, III 11^. ('>;•; III, titiftuftl **T lirlilK*' n>li|i('f'tlll|{
IriiUciilic Willi iinrai'linrilal ciirllliiiio ; fi, iinlcli allir
wiiril Ih'i'iiiiiIiii; riiriiiiii'ii iiviilr fur |iii>«»i{'' "f I'lirlKiif
tlin linii ili'irnrliili iiiTvi' : !i, ruraiiii'ii fur liyiintilMiiDiil
liitrvis V, M'liaralc larllluuu rnniiliiu llw riiiiir» i|iiail-
rutti Imiiic. (Aflir I'arkcr, In /.'ik-.i/. Ilrit.)
pa.
Kio (I'l. — SaiiH' nit lilt ftt, lull KTcii friiin liilnw.
cil, aiilirliir ccrclirnl M'hIiIc; i, uyc; iii, iiioiiili . /i/.«,
(■lliiilary Kpiiii' ; ,/ii, rniiilo-iiiisal |ilalo: Ir, iiiiU ul lliu
Iralii Till;!', Trie aualii alter lliclr iiiitoli iilul iKriil xlrniiu'-
ly fniiii Iliu iirlnliial axis nf Ilic Iralirciilii' ; 11, c»lii-
iial iiiMlril. Ill I'fi, HiiliiK'iilar liar of rarlilaKi'. nr (iiiiy-
Kii-|iulallii(' nsl, III r<>iiii /»(, palalliii', ami /></, |ili'iyii<>l<l
IhiIic, anil nlliir |iaili> i>r tlic ii|i|k'I' Jaw. a^ Ilir iiiavll-
lary.Jiiu'ul ami i|imi|ialM-J"l.'''l; >/, "luailralc rarlilaKi',
Mini' IIH wen ill IIk li^i '"''• imikcllaii larlllaKi'. I'>l'<>riii
Inwrrjaw; lliiiM'|iiirl» ani In llii' llrsi iiiwl-mal vlwrral
ari'li; i/i, iiTalnliyal. anil '''1, lniMlliyal. nf wnpinl ikhiI-
iirikl nii'li; i/<i, roralc>-liraiiilil:il, •''/■. iiil-liraiulilal,
/i/>r. liai-l liianililal. of llilnl iKwI-nral anli; Ilic paiiH
of lli« winiiil anil lliliil arrli all uiiliiK Inl" Hi" liynl'l
Imiik". t, 2, .1. Ul, Jil, 'M vlwcral rIofiB, wliiToiif Ilic l»t
In III lie iiiikIIIIiiiI IiiIo Ilic i'ar-|iaHiiai;cs, aiiil the nllirrit
arc Id Ih! iililltunilcil. (After I'arkcr.)
np|iei jaw. 'I'liis siiliociilar liar is an anter.<-superior part of the lirst |Mist-oral iindi, of which
7 and m/' are a |iostero-inferiiir jinitinn: tl left o) the future mouth is to lie lietwecn tliciii.
The lower jaw hone, or lllilllilililf, is entirely develo|ied from »l/', its several hones developini;
aroiiml this rod of cartilage, the imrkrliiiii cartilaue ; it is to liecoine inovaldy articulated with
the lione, the tiiiiiilnilr, into which 7 will lie transformed. 'I'liiis the postero-iiiferior part of
the lirst jiost-oral arch fsi nd nf the hIioIc series of arches) lietjiiis in two pieces, one of which
is to liecoine the HKHiwiMuriiim, or Hiispender of the maiidilde, and the other tho iiiaiidiidi>
77/ a; awatomy of muDs.^nsrEoLofiY.
\M
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
1.1
11.25
M^W2A |Z5
£f lia 12.0
6"
Photographic
Sdences
Corporation
23 WiST MAIN STRUT
WIUTm,N.Y. 14SM
(716)I72-4S03
'<«^>^
^4^
^
154
GENERAL OliNITHOLOGY.
the exoccipital {teo). This trowel of cartilage is the upper anterior segmcut of the hyoidcan
(second post-oral) arch, being to that arch what the pterygo-palatiuc bar is to the niandil)ular
(first post-oralj ardi. Several parts of this stapedial cartilage are recognized, as named in the
fine print under the figure. If the connections of the
second post-oral arch were completed, as those of tlio
first are, the tongue bone would be slung to the skull
as the lower jaw is ; but they are not, the tract rep-
resented by the dot-lino from the sti/lo-hyal, sth, to
the cerato-hyal, chy, being, like ist, above sth, only
soft connective tissue. This defect of connection is
made up for by the great development of the hydideau
parts of the third post-oral arch, br 1 and br 2, wliich
retain the tongue-bone in position, without however
articulating it with the skull. The hand of the trowel
of cartilage soon segments itself off from tiie ear-ca)i-
sule, bringing jvway with it a small oval piece of tlie
periot;y wall, which piece is the true stapes, and tlio
oval space in which it fits is tho fenestra ovalis hiuVmii
Fio. fi7. — Tho post-oral arches of tho
Iiouse inartiii, at middle of period of Incuba-
tion, lateral view, x 14 diameters, mk, stump
of mcckellan or mandibular rod. its articular j^to ^1,^ inmost ear (the COChlea). The broad part (if
part, (ic, already sliapcn I o, quadrate bone, or ., ^ i i i j • ^i ^ ^ i- i ^ i. i
sHspensorluni of lower jaw, with a free anterior the trowel-blade IS the extra-stapedial part, on which
orbital process and loiiR posterior otic process t],(> mewbrana ttjmpani, or ear-druui, will be stretclied,
articulating with the ear-c.; .mle, of which /CO, .. i i i ji -n • • ii .. i v i
tympanic wing of occipital, Is a p.^rt ; nwt, The stylo-hyal, sfh, Will jom the extra-stapcdial
est, x.it, ;.^^ .f/Aiiiarts of the suspensorium of pijite, and the afterward chondrifled band of union will
the third jmst-oral arch, not completed to rliy;
tnut, mcdlo-stapedlal, to come away from teo,
bringing a piece with it, the true stapes or co-
liimell'i niiris ; the oval liase of the stapes fit-
ting into the future finesim oralis, or oval
window looking Into tho cochlea \ sst, supra-sta-
pciUal ; I. it. e.\tra-stnpedlal ; ist, infra-stapedlal,
which will unite with sth, the stylo-hynl ;
chii anil bhi;, cerato-hyal and basl-hyal, distal
parts of the same arch ; hhr, hr 1, br 2, basl-
branchlal, cpl-branchlal and cerato-branchlal
pieces of the third arch, composing the rest of
the hyold bone ; tij, tongue. (After Parker.)
be the infra-stapedial, ist. (Figs. 71, st, and 83.
Keturuing
now to tho
chick's head,
which we left
to examine
tho intricate
ear - parts at
the proximal
Fio. 68. — Skull of chick, second stage; In
end of the second post-oral arch, we see by fig. 08 profile, brain and membranes removed to
h. 11 41 4 1 • ii 1 i iL show cartilaginous fornmtlons, x 4 diameters.
ow rapidly the parts are shaping themselves at the ,„,, ethmoid forming me.linn nose-parts an.i
end of this second stage of development. This figure iuter-orbltal septum j developing lateral imrts,
shows the cartilaginous skull, in whieli no trace of as«/c,allethmold,«/«,ali«eptnn.,«/«.allnasal
ossification has appeared, excepting in the under
mandible. The brain and membranous parts of the
craniuu'i have been removed. The roof of the skull
never becomes cartilaginous, bone there growing di-
rectly from the membrane; and the whole of the clum-
dro-cranium, as shown in the figure, is one ctmtinuous
cartilaginous structure (like the whole skull of an
adult sliark or skate), excepting tlie parts of the post-
oral arches, whidi are separate. The auditory cap-
;>;), partition between nose and eye; ;)h, iirc-
naeal cartilage; ps, prcsphenoldal part of inld-
cthmold; 2, optic foramen; as, allsplienoid,
walling brain-box in front ; pf, post-frontal,
bounding orbit behind; pn.pff, palatine and
pterygoid; »/, quadrate; so, supra-occlpltal;
eo, ex-occipital; oc, occipital condyle, borne
upon bast-occipital, and showing iic, rcniaiiia
of notochord; these occlpitals bound the fora-
men magnum, and eo expands laterally to form
a tympanic wing, circumscribing the external
auditory orifice behind and below, hsc.pxc,
horizontal and posterior vertical semicircular
canals of ear,- //■, st, fenestra rotunda and
sule is environed by occipital cartilage, eo, stretching fenestra ovalis, leading Into inner car, lat-
4l,„ 1. 1 jr 4i 1 11 J 1 • vi .1 ttr closed by foot of the stapes; mk, ch, lit,
over the back of the skull, and by wmg-like growths ^j,.^ ^j,,.^ efcri parts of jaw and tongue, as nam-
(alisphc)wi(h, as) which wall most of the brain-box ed in figs. G5, cc and 67. (After Parker.)
in front. Tlie high orbifo-nasal septum is a continuous vertical plate of cartilage, upgrowing
from tho tract of tho conjoiued trabeculsB. Lateral developments of this ethmoidal wall, iu
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
155
lean
ular
the
tho
tlio
kiill
ivp-
to
mly
liich
I'ver
front, are divided into several reeogniza1)lo parts, ale,
ah. nh), the latter being tlie external nostril ; pj) is a
transverse partition between the orbital and nasal cham-
bers. The nasal cartilages ultimately become much
eiinvdluted to form the nasal labyrinth, among the con-
volutions of which will be the superior and inferior tur-
binal cartilages, in addition to those already ntited.
The ethmoidal wall ends behind at^Js, tho presplie-
uoidal region, wliere the brain case begins ; below and
behind, it is deeply notclied for the optic foramen, 2.
The pituitary space forms a circular foramen, through
which the carotid arteries enter. TIio site of the orbit
of tli(^ eye is bounded behind and below by the post-
froutal process of the alisphenoid wing, ^>/ of as. The
ptcrygo-palatine n>d is seen along the under border of
the skull, pg and pa. The quadrate, q, has acquired
nearly its shi ■"". and the rest of the mandibular and
hyiidean par up olearly displayed, mk, etc. Tho
proximal hyoidea:' f!i ^nt, •'.', is freed from the peri-
otic cartilage, leaving > ., fenestra ovalis (see last para-
graph). Below tlie general e utline, jja to oc, is not
shown a mat of soft tissue, in which are to be devel-
oped the basitcmporal and parai^phenoid bones which
undertloor the whole skull, — tho former making a plat
between the ears, fig. 09, It, the latter forniiug the thick-
ened under edge of tho rostrum of the skull rbs.
At the third stage, about tlie middle of the second
week of incubation, the cartilaginous pai'ts already
described are neatly finished, and the skull is beginning
to ossify. The occipital parts are well formed; the
condyle is perfect ; the foramen maguuni is circuni-
scrilied by tho cs- and suiira-occipituls, eo and .so, fig.
G!). Investing bones, formed in membrane without pre-
vious cartilage, are becoming apparent. Tlie basitem-
poral, bt, and parasphenoid, rbs, are engrafting upon
the base of the skull. Tlie premisal carfilai/e, pn, now
at its fullest growth, is beginning to decline; on each
.side of it is formed a three-forked bone, the premaxil-
lary, ^jx, having superiorly nasal, and laterally palatal
and dentary processes. This bone is to grow to great
size, forniing most of the upper beak, and starving out
the maxillary, whicli in mammals is the principal bono
of the upper jaw. Tho palatal, j)a, and pterygoid, ^j*/,
hones are ossified, and the quadrate, q, is ossifying.
IJetween tho premaxillary and tlio quadrate are the
bones forming tho zygoma, or jugal bar, developed in
tlie outer part of the niaxillo-palatine bar of the <'arller
embryo. They are the weak maxillary, m.r, with its
ingrowing process, the maxillo-palatine bono, mxp;
next the jul, j ; theu the quadrato-jugal, qj ; the
Fio. 69. — Skull of clilck, third stage,
viewed from bilow, x 6ii iliameterB. jm,
prcniinnl cartilage, running behind into the
soiitiiiu nasi ; on each side of it the premax-
illary, /).i', of whidi the (inner) palatal and
(outer) (Iciitary processes are seen (the upper
nitsal process hidden) ; ?».r, tlie maxillary,
developing inner process, tlie maxillo-pala-
tlno, mvp ; pn, the palatal, well-formed, ar-
ticulating behind with rhs, the sphenoidal
rostrum, its thickened under border, the
parasphenoid; tliis will bear the vomer at its
end when that bono is developed; J, jugal,
joining j)i,r and f//, tlie quadrato-Jugal, join-
ing / and (/, the i]ua<iratc ; mx to ij, tlie
jugal bar or zygoma ; pn, the pterygoid,
making with pa tlie pterygo-palatine bar,
joining <i and p>- ; lit, tlic bayitemporal. great
mat of bone from car to car, underfiooring
the skull protier, as rhs, a similar formation,
does further forward ; h; outer end of carotid
canal, to run between the ht jilate and true
floor of skull, and enter brain cavity at origi-
nal site of pituitary fo^sa < tigs. 64, CO, ir) ; lij,
tympanic cavity — external ojiening of car;
an, alisphenoid, bounding much of brain-
box anteriorly, and orbital cavity posteri-
orly; pso, ])ostcrior semicircular canal of ear,
in opisthotic bone, which will unite with tho
spreiuiing eo, cxoccipital, which will reach
the conilyle shown in th; middle line, above
the foramen magnum, fm, completed above
by so, supra-occipital; 8, foramen lacerum
posterlus, exit of piieumogastric, glosscvpha-
ryngcal and spinal accessory nerve; 9, exit
of hypoglossal nerve, in basi-occipital. (After
Parker.)
156
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
whole forming an outer lattral roil from quadrate to premaxillary, like a duplicate of the
pterygo-palatiue rod from the same to the same.
Among occurrences of later stages are to be noted the development in membrane in the
middle line hehiw of the vomer, borne upon the end of tlie rostrum ; the roofing hi of tlio
wlidle skull by Xhv parietal, .squamosal, frontal and nasal bones; the completion i>1 X\m periolic
bones as the proiitic, epiotic aud opisthotic, which form the otic capsule ; the development of
lacri/mal hones, bounding the orbits of tlie eyes in front. Absorption of the middle wall of
cartilage between the nasal and orbital cavities nicks off the nose parts from tiiose of tlie orliit
(fig. 70, between ntb and eth) ; and certain changes in tlie orbital septum develop the orhito-
sphcnoids. Very nearly all the bones of a bird's skull having thus been accounted for, we may
next consider them iu their adult condition. Kcfereuce should now be made to figs. (r2,
63, 70, 71.
The Occipital Bone (fig. (2, 70, 71) fonns the back part of the floor of the skull, and lower
part of tlie back wall of the skrll; neither its boundaries nor its composition is visible in
a<lult skulls. It is formed by the oasioccipital, bo, below iu the middle line ; the supra-oecipital
so, above in the middle line ; the CToccipital, eo, on either side. These bound the foramen
magnum (fig. CO, fm), where the ivrvc mass makes its exit from the cavity of the cranium into
the tube of the spinal cidumn. At the lower part of the foramen is the protuberant occipital
condyle (figs. ()8, 71, oci, borne chiefly upon the basioccipital, but to the formation of which the
exoecipitals also contribute; tlie latter flare widely on each side, into the tympanic wings, wliidi
bound the external auditory meatus behind. Tlie true basioccipital is mostly covered by the
underlying secondary bone, the hasitemporal (09, 70, bt), which extends from one tynipanio
cavity to the other, and more or less forward in the middle line to the sphenoidal rostrum.
Openings to lie observed in the occipital region, besides the great foramen, are those for the
hypoglossal nerve, 9, near the condyle ; for the parts of the vagus nerve, 8, more laterally, and
the carotid canal, ic: also, above the foramen magnum, openings for veins, sometimes of great
size, as in fig. 03, j.
The Parietals (figs. 62, and 70, 2>, 71). — Proceeding np over the briiin-box, the next
bones are a pair of parietals, between the occipital behind, the frontal before, and the sipia-
mosal beside ; but their limits are rarely if ever to be seen in adult skulls. They are relatively
small in birds ; simply squarish plates, bounded as said, coming together iu the midline.
The Frontals (fig. 62, and 70, /, 71), origin.illy paired, soon fuse together, and with sur-
rounding bones of the skull, though maintaining some distinctiim from those of the nose and jaw.
These roof over much of the brain cavity, close in much of it in front, and form the roof anil
eaves of the great orbital sockets. Anteriorly in the middle of the forehead line the feet of tin;
nasal process of the premaxillary are implanted upon the frontal, usually distinctly; more
laterally, the nasal bones are articulated or anebylosed ; this fronto-naso-premaxillary suture
forming the fronto-facial hinge, (fig. 03, .r) by the elasticity or articulation of which the upper
jaw moves uptin the skull, when acted on by the palatal and jugal bars. In the niidst of the fore-
head the two halves of the frontal sometimes separate, as they do in the fowl, aUowing a little
of the mesethmoid to come to the front. In the middle line, tmderneath, the frontals fuse witli
whatever extent there may be of the mesethmoid which forms the lengthwise inter-orbital
septum, and often a crosswise partition between the orbital and nasal cavities. To the antero-
external corners of the frontal are articulated or anchylosed the lacrymals. The post-frontal
/)roce«s,* niorplndogically the post-fnmtiil or spbenotic bone, bounds the rim of the orbit behind;
> There Is apparently some ambiguity In the use nf the term " post-fr( ntal " process by different autliors. It
would appear that this process, bounding the rim of the orbit beliind, may bo a projection of the frontal bono, and
therefore strictly a post-frontal process. Or that, as said by Owen for lihea, it may be a separate bono, and there-
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— OSTEOLOGY.
157
it is usually quite prouiincnt. The frontal rim of the orbit in many birds shows a erescentic
dei'ifssion (very strong in a loon and many other water birds; fig. 63, w), for lodgment of the
sui)ni-orbital gland, the secretion of which lubricates the nasal passages. The cerebral plate of
tlie frontal is often imperfectly ossified, showing large " windows" besides the regular openings
for the exit of nerves which are always found at the back of the orbit. View from above, the
frontal is vaulted and expanded behind, over the brain cavity, then pinched more or less, some-
times extrem(dy narrow over the orbits, then nsually somewhat expanded again at the fronto-
facial suture. The extent of the frontal between the orbits and face, in the lacrymal region,
is very great in the duck family, as seen in fig. 63.
The SQ'jamosal (Lat. squama, a scale : figs. 70, 71, S(/.) bounds the brain-box laterally,
l)(n\v('L'n occipital, j)arietal, frontal and sphenoidal bones, its distinction from all of these being
iililiterated in adult life. It is situated near the lower back lateral corner of the skull, forming
S()in(^ jiart of the cranial wall just over the ear-opening, and a strong eaves for that orifice. It
is tiniily united also to the bones of the ear proper, and receives the larger share of the free
articulation which the quadrate has with the skull. It often develops a strong forward-down-
ward spur, the squamosal process (fig. 62), looking like a duplicate post-frontal process ;
between these two is the crotaphijte depression, corresponding to the "temporal fossa" of man,
in wliicli lie the muscles which close the jaws. It scarcely or not enters into the orbit, the
adjacent part of the orbit being alisplienoidal.
The Periotlc Bones (Gr. Tre^ji, peri, about; oZi, cirdj, ous, otos, the ear; fig. 70) are
those that form the petrosal bone (Lat. iietrosus, rocky, from their hardness), or bony periotic
cai)sule, containing the essential organ of hearing. When united with each other and with the
squamosal, they form the very composite and illogical bone called "temporal" in human anat-
omy. There are three of these otic bones, — an anterior, the pro-otic; a posterior and inferior,
tilt! opisthotic (Gr. oirurdt, opisthe, behind) and a superior and external, the epiotic. They can
only be studied in young skulls, upon careful dissection ; they do not appear upon the outside
of the skull at all, excepting a small piece of the opisthotic, which there fuses indistinguishably
with the exoccipital. But somewhat of these bones are seen on looking into the cavity of the
outer ear, and if the fenestra <jvalis can be recognized, it detennines a part of the boundary
between the prootic and opisthotic bones, while the fenestra rotunda lies wholly in the latter.
The cavity .of the periotic bone is hollowed for the labyrinth of the internal ear, including the
cochlea, which contains the essential nervous organs of hearing, and the three semicircular canals
— so much of them as does not invade sun'ounding bones. In the young fowl's skull viewed
internally (fig. 70), Parker figures a very large prootic portion (j;o) of the periotic, perforated
by the internal auditory meatus (7) for the entrance from the brain of the auditory nerve : below
and beliind the j)rodtic a small opisthotic (oj)), in relation with the exoccipital, upon the surface
of wiiich it also appears, outside (fig. 69, at jisc), and with which it blends ; a very small epiotic
ci'utre (e})), between the prootic and supraoccipital ; and the anterior semicircular canal {use)
em))edded in the latt(!r. In Dr. Shufeldt's figure the otic elements are merely noted diagram-
mutically. According to Huxley's generalization, the epiotic is in special relation with the pos-
terior semicircular canal ; the prootic with the anterior vertical canal, between which and the
foramen ovale (5) for the lower divisions of the trifacial nerve it lies. That part on which the
inner foot of the quadrate is implanted is prootic. Below the drooping eaves of the squamosal,
liefore the flaring wing of the exoccipital, and behind the quadrate bone, is the always decided
and considerable cavity of the ear, bounded pretty sharjdy by the squamosal and exoccipital rim,
r»i'e properly a post-frontal bone. Or. again, tliat It may bavo notbing to do with the frontal bone, but belong to
the alisphenoid, as a process of the latter or a separate ossillcation ; In which case It would be properly the sphe-
nutlc. In no event has it anything to do with the squamosal process lettered as such in fig. 62.
158
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
sloping with less distinction in front toward the orliittU cavity. In this auditory hollow nuiy ho
seen several opcniu,s;s : the mentm or proper car-passage, through whicli, in one direction, a
hristle may be passed to emerge at or near
the middle line of the base of the skull,
about the root of the basisphenoidal ros-
trum. Such a passage is through tiie Jir.st
visceral cleft of the early embryo, modi-
fied into meatus audiiorius and eustachian
tube, which latter communicates with tlio
back part of the mouth. Besides the other
ear-passages proper, may be found othor
openings of air-passages leading into the
interior diploic tissue of bones of tlie
skull, and especially into the lower jaw
bone. The ear-parts are immensely de-
veloped in owls, lu many species of
which they arc unsymmetrical, that is,
not sized and shaped alike on right and
left sides of the head.
The Spbenoid (Gr. (r</)t7i', sphen, a
wedge; fldos, eidos, fonn; figs. (52, 70,
71) is a coinpouud bone, not easy to un-
derstand as it occurs in birds, as much
of it is hidden from the outside, some of
it is very slightly developed, and all of it
is completely consolidated with surround-
ing bones in the adult. It is wedged
into the very njidst of the cranial bones
«,*.*. **•. 'fi?* proper, with its body in the middle line
Fio. 70. -Ripe chick's skull, longitudinal section, viewed below, next in front of the basioccij)ital,
tii,«i(^, X 3 illimieterB ; after Parker. In the mandible are seen : .^mj Jtg wings spread on either side in the
>»<•, reniaii'S of meckellan rod ; r^ dentary bone ; .ip, splenial ; ,. , -a t, -j
a, angular; sh, surangular; «r, articular; in;>, internal articu- orbital cavity. A sphenoid consists es-
larprooesswia/), posterior articular process. In the skull: ;)M, gentially of the hasisplienoid, or llKliu
the original prcnasal cartilage, upon which Is moulded the pre- f ♦!, i /« co\ ♦! 7' ;
maxillary, ;).r, with its nasal process, H/),r, and dentary process, Pa^ ot tllC bone (tig. O^J; the alisplic-
dl>.r: SH, septo-nasal cartilage, in wbieli is seen hh, nasal nerve; noids or " wings," on either side (figs. 70,
nM, nasal turblnal ; tlie reference line crosses the rmmV/Vrrin/ ,., ■, ..i i i -j / \-
sutim; the face parts and cranial I«rt8 being nearly separated ' ' i "V > ♦"« "bscure presphetwtd, {j)S) ill
here by the nick seen in the original cartilaginous plate; ifh, the middle line in front of and above the
ethmoid ; nc, perpendicular plate of ethmoid, which will spread • i i . i ti . n „„i..-<„ „..j.»
nearlythroughouttbedottedcartilaginoustrkctlnwhlehitlicB, '"'"» ^'^'Ij' ' ''^nd the smaU orblto-sphe-
to form nearly all the interorbital septum; transverse thicken- iwids. which are in fact the wings of the
Ing (in some birds) below the reference line efli will form the , „ • i rri „ i i,. ;„ „„„ ,ii., ,. „.,„.,„i
pre-frontal, or orblto-nasal septum ; iof, interorbital foramen ; presphenoid. The body IS usually coyerc'd
7),'!, prc-Bpbenoidai rcgic:i. just above whicli is the orbito-splie- in by the undcrtlooriiig of the basiteiii-
noidal region ; 2, optic foramen ; «.i, alisphenoid, with S, foramen ,,,,_„!. ;* :„ „ ^i.,* tri'intrnhir nlate nro-
fordivision8ofthe5tb(trifaeial)nerTc;/.frontal;.-!7,Bquamo8al; P"™' ' " >» » "'" tiunguiar piaie, pro
7), parietal: .10, superoccipital ; am; anterior semicircular canal; duccd more or less forward in the middle
»c, a sinus (venous canal) ;r/^epiotic;™,exoccipital; 07,. opis- jj ^jj^ hasisphenoidal rOStruiH, or
tliotlc ; i>o, prootic, with 1, meatus auditorlus internus, for en- ^ . .
trance of 7th nerve; 8, foramen for vagus nerve ; '10, basioccipl- beak of the skull. This rOStl'Um Is an
tal:j<i;, Ivasitemporal; ,V, canal (In original pituitary space; important tiling. It forms, in fact, the
tig. 06 tc) by which carotid artery enters brain cavity ; «p, basi- ' . "^ '
pterygoid process; ff^) to r?i.s-, rostrum of tlio sknll, being the Central axis of the base of the SKuU ;
parasphenold bone underlloorlng the basisphenold and future «.i(]j |j,p mesethinoid lllate the inferior
perpendicular plate of ethmoid. (The scaHblding cf the up|)er » , . ,.1 n
Jaw not shown, excepUng /).r, &c.) border of the lutcrorbital septum, usually
THE ANATOMY OF BIEDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
159
1.0
I, a
K'ltr
nil,
tliicki'iiod by the unilcrflooring of the parasphowid (fig. 70, rbs). The rostrum often hears
on each side a hasipterygoid process (ap), — a smooth facet with which the iiterygoid artic-
ulates. These processes may he very
strmiLr, awl far back on the basisphenoid
I)(i(ly, when the pterygoids articulate with
them near their own posterior ends, as
in the struthioiis birds and tinanums (fig.
75, Uii) ; or they may be further along
on the rostrum, and the pterygoids then
articulate near or at their fore-ends. The
rostrum may bo prfKhiced far forward,
licyond the maxillo-palatines and vomer
oven, as in an ostrich ; or it may bear the
vomer at its end ; or may be embraced
by forks of the vomer ; the palatines may
glide along it, or be remote from it on
cither side. In any event, whatever its
production, whatever part may be eth-
moidal, or basisphenoidal, or parasphe-
uoidal thickening, pterygo-faoeting, etc.,
this " beak " of the basisjdienoid is
always in the axis of the base of the
skull, and at the bottom of the inter-
orbital plate ; it may be horizontal, or
ohli(iuely ascending forward ; and the
variety of its relations with the pterygo-
palatine and vomerine mechanism fur-
nishes important zoological characters,
as we shall sec when we come to treat
of palatal structure particularly. Just at
the base of the beak, where it widens Fio. 71. -Ripe chick's skull, in profile, x 3. Uameters; after
hitd the nmin body of the bone, may Parker, pr, premaxlllary; n/», ali-iiasal cartilage; en, scpto-
1 1 ■ e 1 A. nasal ; n, nasal bone ; /, lacrymal ; »<■, perpendicular plate of
commonly be seen, commg from between ethmoid, as in fig. 70; )„, pre8,,henoi.Ial region; a,,, alispl.e-
tho sphenoidal body and the lip of the noid ;/, frontal ;;), parietal ; .19, squamosal ; .w, superoccipital;
1, .,.:» . ,., « 1 ,.„i„_u„,_: *i -a. fo, exoccipital; oe, occipital condyle; s/. the cross-like object,
basiteniporal nndcriloonng, the orifices ^^^ ^^^p^^'^ „„;^ \^^^ ^^^ f^„^j/^ „,„,i^ ^^ Ag 83. ^ ^„,^,,.
of the eustachian tubes, and often also rate; ^17, pterygoid; 7j,quadrato-jugal;./, jugal; /iir, palatine;
the anterior ends of the carotid canal. "••^. "•a^l""'?. In the mandible: rf, dentary: »«. surangular;
a, angular; or, articular; la;), internal angnl.tr pr(x:ess: ;>»;>,
If a bristle, passed into a questionable posterior angular process. 2, optic foramen : 5. foramen ovale,
foramen here, comes out of the ear, it for inferior divisions ofthe 6th nerve. (Compare fig. 70.)
has gone through the eustachian tube ; if it comes out below the ear, on the floor of the skull,
outside, it has run in the carotid canal. The extent of the alisphenoids (figs. 70, 71, ns) can-
not be determined in old skulls. They lie at the back lower border of the orbital cavity, clos-
ing in most of the brain box that is not foreclosed by the frontal heme. You will always find
at the back of the orbit, close to the mid-line, and rather low down, the very large optic fora-
mina (any figs., 2) ; alisphenoid should not extend in front of these orifices. A little below and
behind the optic foramina, and much more laterally, not far from the quadrate itself, is a con-
siderable foramen, quite constant, for transmission of the inferior divisions of the fffh {trigeminal
or trifacial) nerve. This is the foramen orale (any figs., 5) ; it is either in the alisphenoid, or
between that bone and the proiitic ; it must not be mistaken for one of the .several smaller hides,
usually seen close about the optic foramen, which transmit the nen-es (oculo-motor, pathetic.
ip
160
GEISIEBAL OUNITHOLOG Y.
and abduft'iit) which move the iiiuscles oi the eyeball; these holes being collectively iil,(,iit
eqiiivalfnt to tiie foramen lacenim anteriiis of human anatomy. Parts about the optic fuiiuncu,
before anil above, are presphenoiilal (figs. 70, 71, i^) and orbito-sphenoidal ; but they are
obscure to all but the enibryologist, and practically furnish no zoologiciU characters.
Tlie Kthinold ((Jr. tJ^/ios, rtlimos, a sieve ; from the M-ay it is perforated in the luunau
s]M'cics ; tin. (1^) is till- bone of the mid-line of the skull, in front of the sphenoidal elements and
below the frontal ; it is in special relatiou with the olfactory nervous apparatus, or sense of
smell. This is not an easy bone to "get the hang of" in birds. Keferring to figs. 0(1, OS, etii,
the student will see in tiie early embryo a high thin plate of cartilage, the mesethmoUl cartiliigo,
whicli is develo[)ing lateral proces.ses to form tiie convoluted walls of the nasal passages. 15v
the uprising and forth-growing of the prenasal cartilage, the mcsethmoidal plate i.s tilted buck-
ward, as it were, under tiie fnmtal. Next, by absorjitiou of tissue just opposite the future
cranio-facial suture, the plate is nicked apart, the portion in front of the nick elabornting
the nasal chambers, which usually remain cartilaginous, and the portion behind this nick
becoming the permanent plate, fig. 70, eth, pe, to which the name mesethmoid or mid-ethniuid
is more strictly applicable. Practically, a bird's ethmoid is chieHy the inter-orbital septum, in
vertical mid-line between the orbits, with such ilange-like processes or lateral plates as may lie
developed to form an orbito-iiasal septum separating the eye-socket from the uose-cliaiuber.
In general, the permanent ethmoidal plate becomes nearly coincident with this orbital wall, and
pretty well cut oft" from the osseous or cartilaginous devehipments, when any, in the nasal cavi-
ties. It is then fairly under cover of the frontal, with which, as with the sphenoidal elements
posteriorly, it becomes completely fused. When this inter-orbital septum is fully developed, it
comidetely divides the right and left orbital cavities, and its lower horizontal border, fused
with the basisiiheuoidal rostrum, may like the latter be thickened by bearing its share of tlie
paraspheiioidal splint. Oftener, however, this lower border slopes upward and forward, from the
sphenoidal base to the roof of the .skull about the site of the cranio-facial suture; and usually
the .septum is incomplete, having a membranous fenestra simiewhere near its middle (fig. 70,
«V*/). Along the upper border of the mesethmoid plate, or just in the crease between it and
the overarching frontal may usually be seen a long groove, which, beginning behind at tlie
olfuciory foramen of the brain-bo.\, conducts the thence-issuing olfactory nerve t(j the nasal
cliambers. Sometimes there is another such groove, from a similar foramen near by in tiic
sphenoidal parts, which similarly traces the course of the ophthalmic (first) division of the tri-
facial nerve. Occasionally, as in tlie fowls, the two halves of the frontal bone separate a little
at the extreme forehead, allowing the mesethmoid plate there to come up fiush with the outer
surface of the skull.
In some birds, as the low ostrich, for example, the original mesethmoidal cartilage-plate
does not nick apart into orbital and nasal moieties, but ossifies as a continuous sheet of bone,
dividing right and left halves of the skull far towards the point of the beak (see fig. 75, beyond
B to Pm.r). A nasal septum, separated from the orbital septum, may persist to ossify ; form-
ing, as in the raven, a vertical plate separate from all surroundings, and liable to be mistaken
for a free vomer (see fig. 7!), where the reference line » goes to it, instead of to the truncate
voin<T) ; or, as in many birds, a plate variously ancliylosed with its surroundings. But these
formations, as well as the various turhinal (Lat. turbo, a whorl) scrolls and whorls formed in
this part of the skull, belong rather to the organ of smell than to the skull proper.
The Cranial Bones proper are all those thus far described, excepting the nasal ossifica-
tions just noted, which belong to the first pre-oral arch; and the stapedial parts of the ear,
which belong to the hyoidean apparatus (second post-oral arch). Intermediate in some
respects between the proper cranial bones and
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
161
The Facial Bones proper is the Vomer. — By " facial bones," as distinguished from
"cranial " bones, is meant the entire bony scail'okling of the ui)i)er and lower jaws, and of the
tongue, — parts developed in the pre-oral or maxillary, and first, second, and third post-oral, or
Hiaiulibular, hyoidean i)r(jper, and branchial, arches.
The Vomer (Lat. vomer, a ploughshare ; iigs. f>2, fi3, 75 to 80, v) is considered, by those
who liold the vertebral theory of the skull, to be the body of the foremost (fourth from behind
— the basioccipital, basisphenold, and prespheuoid being the other three) cranial vertebra. Ho
fur from having any such morphohigical signlKcance, it is one of the late secondary bones,
developed, if at all, apart from the general make-uj) of the skull, as a special superaddition
underlying the ethmoidal region, as the paraspheuoid and basitemporal underlie the skull further
back. Its character is extremely variable in the class of birds, thougli usually constant in the
several natural divisions of the class, — a fact wliicli confers high zoological value upon this
anomalous bone. A vomer is a symmetrical mid-line bone of the base of the skull, fijund if at
ail at or near the end of the rostrum. It is originally double, i. e., of right and left paired
halves. These halves persist distinct in the W(jodpeckers, and are remote from each other,
<)n(( on eacli side of the mid-line (fig. 80). The vomer is wanting entirely in the Columbine
birds, as the i)igeous and some of their allies, as the sand grouse (Pterocleles) and bush quails
(Hemipodes) of the old world, and in certain of the true GallincP. Its ccnincctions are various.
It may be borne free upon the end of the rostrum. It may be applied like a splint by a grooved
upper surface ti> the under side of the rostrum, and so fixed there ; or, in such situation, it may
glide along the rostrum according to the movements of the palatal parts with which it may
connect. Thus, in the ostrich (fig. 7.)), it saddles the rostrum below, and is joined by the
niaxillo-palatines. Or, it may be united witli separate ossiticiitions, the septo-maxillaries,
which in some birds bridge across the palate (fig. 80). The commonest case is its deep
bifnrcatiou behind (fig. 79 j, each fork uniting with the palate bone of its own side, and some-
times also with the pterygoid. Such is usually the fixture of the bone behind, and it then rides
along as well as simply bestrides the rostrum. The anterior end of the vomer may be perfectly
free, projecting into the floor of the nasal chambers (figs. G2, 77), or the fore end may be
variously steadied or connected with maxillary processes (fig. 78). When free in front, and
often when not, the vomer is a simple share-like plate, more or less expanded vertically, quite
thin laterally, and " spiked,'' i. e., running forward to a point ; under these circumstances it may
or may not bifurcate behind, and be there attached to the palatines or not. But the commonest
case of vomer, shown by the great Passerine group, which comprise the majority of recent
birds, is different from this, the vomer being in front thickened, flattened and expanded laterally,
and connected with nasiil cartilages and ossifications (alinasals and turbinals). Such a vomer,
deeply cleft behind to join the palatals, is endlessly diversified in the configuration of its fore end,
wliich may be notched, lobed, clubbed, etc. The general case of such a vomer is indicated by
the expression " vomer truncate in front," as distinguished from the simply pointed or "spiked"
vomer. (For further details see description of the several patterns of palate-structure, beyond.)
The 42uadrate Bone (Lat. guadratus, squared; figs. 62 ; 63, n; 64, 65, 68, 69, 71, q;
75, Qti), with which we may begin the jaw-btmes projier, is the suspensorium of the lower jaw,
— the perfectly constant and characteristic bone by means of which the mandible proper articu-
lates with the skuU. Its rudiment is seen in the earliest embryos, at the comers of the pri-
mordial parachordal cartilages. It belongs to the mandibular (first post-oral) arch, of which it
is the proximal element. Its general morphology has caused much dispute. From the fact
that in birds one of its functions is to support, in part, the tympanum of the ear, it has been
identified with the tympanic bone of mammals, — that whicii in man forms the bony tube of the
external auditory meatus. The view now generally accepted is, that the bird's quadrate repre-
162
GENERAL OliNITHOLOGY.
8>'iit8, certainly in jiiirt, probably in whole, the little bono of the middle ear called the»ia//cM.s in
mammals. Anyhow this may be, the (|uadrate of a bird bears the proximal ends of both jiiw8,
currying their final (posterior) articuliitldn up to the sfiuamosal and jietrosal bones. Thus, tlie
foot of the quadrate forms the free liiuge of the lower jaw, and also movably articulates the
back end of both the zygomatic and tlie pterygo-palatine bars or "arcades." The head of
the quadrate freely articulates with the squamosal, just in fnmt of the tympanity cavity, wliich
it thus bounds in fnmt ; and there is usually a shoulder which furthermore articulates with
the anterior ppriotic bone, the prootic ; Struthious birds do not have these two distinct facets.
A long pedicle or orbital process extends forwards, inwards, and upwards in the orbit ; this non-
articular handle is for advantageous muscular traction. So circumstanced, the quadrate is a
stocky bone, of a shape reminding one of an anvil ; it rocks freely to and fro upon its cranial
socket, pulling and pushing upon the whole maxillary and mandibular mechanism, with such
effect that when the lower jaw drops, the zygomatic and palatal bars are automatically shdvcd
forward, tending to make the upper jaw rise, and so increase the opening of the mouth. Such
mobility of the upper jaw automatically with the movement of the lower is very free in parrots,
whose cranio-facial connections are quite articular in character ; it is well shown also in ducks ;
and probably nearly all birds have some such UK)tion of the upper jaw upon the skull. In
iiearly all birds, the mandibular articular facet of the quadrate is divided by a lengthwise
impression into inner and outer protuberances, or ccradyles, fitting corresponding depressions on
the articular face of the lower jaw ; in some birds the articular surface is single. The zygo-
matic articulation with the quadrate is made by the balled end of the quadrato-jugal socketed
in a cup at the outer side of the mandibular facet (with various minor modifications in different
birds). The palatal iirtieulation is made by a little condyle of the quadrate, at the inner side of
the main facet, socketed into the cupped end of the pterygoid (with minor modifications).
The Quadrato-Jugal and Jugal Bones (Lat. juguni, a yoke ; figs. 62, 03, q, r; 09, 71,
gj, j) form most of the outer arcade — the jugal or zygomatic bar — leading from the quadrate
bone to the beak. The quadrato-jugal is posterior, reaching a variable distance forward ; at its
fore end it is obliquely sutured to the jugal, a splint-rod which cames the bar forward to the
maxillary bone, with which it is in like manner obliquely sutured. The whole affair is almost
always a slender rod, which with its fellow of the opposite side forms the outermost lateral
boundary of the skull for a great distance. It corresponds in general with the " zygomatic
arch " of a mammal, which is made up of a " zygomatic process of the squamosal " and a malar
or " cheek-bone." The whole zygomatic arch, including the maxillary bone itself, is develdjied
from the outer part of the priinijrdial pterygo-palatine bar (see fig. 05). In parrots the zygoma
is movably articulated before as behind.
The Maxillary Bone (Lat. maxilla, upper jaw bone ; fig?. 62 ; 63, s; 69, 71, 75, m.r),
forming so much of the upper jaw of a mammal, is in birds greatly reduced, being starved cut by
the predominant premaxillaries which form most of the upper beak. The shape of this stunted
bone varies too much to be concisely described. Its connections are, ordinarily, with the jugal
behind by a long sleuder splint-like process, and with the premaxillary and usually the nasal
bones in front and externally. Internally, it may or may not connect with the palatal and
vomer. The zoological interest of this bone centres in certain inward (palate-ward j processes,
often its most conspicuous parts, and apparently corresponding to the plate which in a mammal
roofs the hard palate anteriorly. Though these are mere processes from the main maxillary,
they are so distinct and unportant that they are commonly described as if they were independent
bones, under the name of the maxillo-palattnes. They are flange-like or scrcdl-like plates, or
large spongy masses t)f delicate bone-tissue, — endlessly varied in configuration and context (see
the various figures of base of skull, mxp, beyond, where the palate-patterns are described).
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
168
III
lv.=,
III'
lii>
of
lich
lith
■ts.
(m-
a
liial
iicli
Ivci}
lllcll
Ills,
Crrtain other inward maxillary processrs, which may or may not unite with the vomer, and bo
liiduo over the palate, are called septo-inaxillaries (fig. 80, smx) ; and in some woodpeckers
yet (itlier palate- processes appear (fig. 80, pmx).
The Pterygoid Bones (Gr. irripv^, ptefux, wing ; f ifior, eidos, form ; figs. 62 ; 63, o;
65, CO, 08, 69, 71, 80, pg; 75 to 7'J, Pt). Returning now to the quadrate, and going along the
inner arcade, we first encounter the pterygoid, — a generally rod-like, but variously twisted,
cniiiked, or expanded bone which makes the connection between the quadrate behind and the
jialatc bone before. The pterygoid is always freely jt>inted at both ends ; its posterior quadrate
articulation has been noted above; its anterior connection is usually by little nipper-like claws
by which it " catches on" to the hind end of the palatine. In the ostrich (fig. 75, Pt) the
pterygoid expands into a scroll-like plate ; but its rod-like shape is usually preserved. Besides
passing very obliquely Inward as it goes forward from the wide-apart quadrates to the narrow
riistruin in the axis of the skull, the pterygoid often bellies or elbows inwards in its course to
join the basisphenoidal beak, and be movably articulated therewith. In the majority of birds,
there is no such rostral articulation, or the pterygoid only touches the rostrum at its fore end
where it joins the palatal. In many, however, special artictilar facets, called basipterygoid
processes (fig. 70, ap), are developed on the rostrum for the pterygoids to abut against and
fjliile over. In Carinatc birds, excepting the tinamous {DrommognatluB), these processes are
forward on the beak, and the pterygoids articulate at or near their own fore ends, as well shown
in tlie fowl or duck, figs. 77, 78, Pt. In Batite birds and tinamous, the basi pterygoids are
very long, flaring transverse processes, far back on the rostrum, at the sphenoidal base, and
the pterygoids articulate therewith at or near their own posterior ends (figs. 75, Btp, and 76).
The Palatal or Palatine Bones (Lat. palatum, roof of the mouth ; figs. 62 ; 63, p; 65,
60, 08, 69, 71, 77, 78, 80, pa; 75, 70, 79, PI) are a pair, approximately parallel and near the
inid-linc, forming that part of the " hard palate " or roof of the mouth which is not constructed
by tlie palatal processes of the maxillaries, or vomer. They are nearly always long thin bones,
aiiumg the most conspicuous parts wlien tho dried skull is viewed from below. Sometimes, as in
the ostrich (fig. 75, pi), they are remote from the axis of the skull and only connected in front
with the maxillaries and maxillo-palatines. In many birds they skip the maxillary parts in
filing forward to be fused with the premaxillaries ; in most, probably, they form anterior con-
nections in one or another fashion with palatal parts both of maxillaries aud of premaxillaries.
Hehiiid, they always coiTcctly articulate with the pterygoid. The mid-line connections made
ill most Carinivte birds (not in Dromaiognatha;) are variously with the vomer, with the ros-
tniiii, with each other, or some or all of these relations at once. A long deeply-cleft vomer
may by its posterior forks attach itself to the whole palatal mid-line, excluding the palatals
from the rostrum ; less extensive attachment of the same kind may permit the palatals to touch
each other aud the rostrum posteriorly, while cutting tlu^m oflF anteriorly ; also, a non-cleft
vomer may attach itself to the posterior extremity of the palatals, and bear them oflf the ros-
triiiii. The whole hard pahite may fuse into an indistinguishable mass ; and in almost any
case the relations of the palatals to each other and their connections afiord some of the most
valuable zoological characters of great groups of birds. (Details figured and described beyond.)
'i'hough very variable in configuration, as well as in connections, certain parts of a palatal may
usually be recognized, and conveniently named for descriptive purposes. Anteriorly, in tho
f;i<'at majority of birds, of whatever technical kind of palatal structure, the palatals are simply
jirolonged as fiat strap-like or lath-like bars running past the maxillary to the premaxillary
region ; and such simple band-like character may be preserved behind. Ordinarily, however,
the palatals expand posteriorly, becoming more or less laminar; and in this plate-like part
three surfaces may usually be recognized. One, more or less horizontal, llariug outward, is the
164
GENERAL OliNITIIOLOGY.
external lamina. It is well shown in a Pafscrino or Rnjrtorial bird, where the postero-exkrwtl
angle (hctwccn the outer border and the jiosterior end) of the palatal is well-marked, «r may
bo acutely ijrodiiced ; there is no such laniiuii in a fowl, when; the palatals are for the most
part slender and rod-like. An internal, more or less vertically produced, plate to niiilic tlie
inid-linc rostral or vomerine connection is the superior internal lamina, or medio-pahtinc jim-
cess; very strong, for example, in a fowl, where it forms all the ex])anded jmrt of tiie himc, jiud
ends anteriorly as a shaqi inter-palatine spur. The medio-palatine is pr(d)ably to be rciranlid
ns the main body of the bone, being the most axial part, of the most extensive and varied con-
nections. A third lij) or jilate of the i)alatal is the inferior internal lamina, huddng downward ;
it is generally very evident, hut in a iluck or fowl is reduced to a mere ridge, iudicatiiit; wiiero
the suj)erior internal and external laminiu meet. A duck's palatals are ([uile difl'erent in ajt-
]iearance from those of most birds, all the posterior parts just distinguished being reduced and
constricted, while the fore ends, running abruptly into the hard-boned beak, are much expanded
horizontally (tig. 78). The iiostero-external angles of the jtalatal (formed by the cxterniil
lamina), es-en when much jiroduced, may not reach as far back as opposite the iiterygo-palatine
articulati(m ; or they may surpass these limits, and when they do, such backward )H(donuation
is called ptost-palatiue, the palate being (Maisidered to end at the pterygoids. In like manner,
the maxillary processes of the i)alatals, or the jialatal strips as pndonged into the iiremaxillary
region, are called pre -palatines. The inner posterior process, by which the palatine is articu-
lated with the pterygoid, is ha pteri/r/oid 2>rocess.
The PreniaxUInry Bones (figs. 02 ; OH, a; fiO, 70, 71, 80, px; 75 to 70, pm.r), also called
Interiiiaxlllaries, form most of the upjier beak, attaining enormous devidopment in birils, and
reversing the usual relative size of jireniaxillary and maxillary. Mainly determining as they
do the form of the upper mandible, their shapes are as various as the bills themselves of
birds; but their generalized characters can be easily given. Each iiremaxillary, right and
left, forms its half the bill ; the two are always complet<dy fused together in front, eonmionly
prescr\"ing traces at least of their original distinction behind. They are commonly called one
bone, the premaxillary. Each is a triradiatc or 3-prouged bone ; one upper prong, the most
distinct, called the nasal m frontal process, forms with its feUow the culmen (p. 101, fig. 2fi, h\
of the bill. These processes, side by side, run cle.ar up to \.\w frontal bone in birds, driving the
nasal bones apart from each t)ther. Such a median fronto-prenuixillary suture, with lateral
fronto-nasal and naso-premaxillary sutures, is highly characteristic of birds, — an arrangement
probably exceptionless. Two other Iiorizontal prongs on each side, extensively distinct from
the frontal process in most birds, but less separate from each other, run horizontally along the
side and roof of tlie mouth for a variable distance. These horizontal jtrongs are an e.rternal or
dentarij process (fig. 80, dpx), forming the toniium (p. 104) of the bill, and reaching back to
join the dentary ])art of the maxillary, and an internal or palatal process (fig. 80, vyj-r), run-
ning along the commencement of the bony palate. With this latter tlie anterior ends of the
palatal bones unite, — either on the side toward the mid-line of the beak, or between the palatal
and dentary jirocesses, as in a woodpecker (fig. 80). Great laminar expansions inward of these
])alatal parts of the premaxillaries roof the hard ])art of the mouth anteriorly, though there is
usually a vacancy between the premaxillary hard palate and that formed farther back by the
maxillo-palatines and palatines. The posterior extremities at least of the frontal processes of
the jiremaxillaries are commonly distinguishable from each other, as well as from the frontal
and nasal bones — in fact, these fronto-naso-preniaxillary sutures arc among the most per-
sistent of all. The divergence of the frontal from the palatal and dentary jirocesscs bounds the
external nostril in part, the circumscription of that orifice being completed by the prongs of the
nasal bones. The superficies of the premaxillary bone, like that of the dentary piece of the
lower jaw bone, is commonly sculptured with the impressions of the vessels and nen'cs which
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
165
raiiiify honciith the homy intpginnont ; and in birds with very Bcnsitivo bills, ns a snipe or
(iiicU, tilt' end is jirrfdnitcd sieve-like with little holes, into which the skin shrinks in ilryiiig,
])riiilticiiig the familiar " i>itted" ajipearanco (fig. 03, at c).
The Nasal Boies (figs. 02; 71, «) might have been desv-ribed next ahvr the frot^tah, as
tlicv rcintiiiue forward tlic general roofing of the skull; but are eonveniently eousidered in the
|ins('iit coiincetion, being in birds rather " facial" than " cranial." They are of hirge size in
liiiils, and pronged, — one fork, the su])erior jnvuss, being applied for a variable distance along
till' nuter side of tiie frontal jirocess of tlu! jjrenuixillary, the other, inferior, descending to or
tiiwiinls the dentary border of the nuixillary or i)rennixillary, or both ; the divergence of these
twii jprocesses bounding the nostril behind. The bas(! of the nasal, uppermost and posterior,
aiicliyloses (uHually) or sutures (often) or articulates (as in parrots) with the antero-external
iMinirr of the frontal bone; its fretpient collateral connections being with the lacrynial or
ctiinioid, or both of these. The nasals are very variable in shape, as well as in the extent
of their connections. "When expansive, they may wall in much of the nasal cavity, as well as
bound the nostrils. These latter openings, as far as the bony bonntlaries are concerned, are
ii.siiidly much more extensive than they seem to be from the outside, being much contracted by
iiiciiibraue and integument. Ordinari.ly, each forms a great vacuity, which the descending
lining of the nasal bone separates from a similar vacancy between itself and the lacrynnil, the
laciynial in tiu'n interposing between this and the orbital cavity. The descending process of
the nasal, in fact, is a marked idtject at the side of the base of the upper mandible of most birds,
tliongh slight or rudimentary in the Ratitie. A character of the nasals has been em[)loyed in
clas>;ification by Mr. tiarrod. A bird having the bones as above generally described, with
1 lenite forking, so that the angle of the fork, bounding the nostrils behind, does not reach so
fur hack as the fronto-premaxillary suture, is termed hnlorhinal (Gr. oXor, holos, whole; pis,
(jti/iif, rhis, rhinos, nose; fig. 02j. But in the Columlndm, and in a great many wading and
swininiing birds, whoso palates are cleft (schizognathoiis), the nasal bones are schizorhinal
((Txi'fu, schizo, 1 cut) ; that is, cleft to or boyom' the ends of the premaxillaries ; such fission
leaving the external descending process very distinct from the other, almost like a separate
111 me. Pigeons, gulls, plovers, cranes, auks, and other birds arc thus split-nosed. The value
of the character, except as an auxiliary, is doubtful.
The Lacrymal (Lat. lacryma, a tear ; from the relation of the human bone to the tcar-
ciiu't : figs. ()2; (13, «; 71, ') is one of several splint-like membrane-bones of the skull, having
little intimacy of relation with the general morphology of the cranium, though quite constant in
liirds, and often very conspicuous. It is situated at or near the anterior outer corner of the
orbit, near the nasal but behind that bone ; sometimes anchylosed, sometimes very loosely
attached, oftener firmly sutured with the frontal ; and may also have connection with the nasal
and ethmoid. It is generally a daw-like affiiir, depending from the fi'ont outer comer of the
frontal, and consefpiently bounding the orbit anteriorly; it may be variously twisted, crooked,
liooked, etc. It is singularly elongated and distorted in the ostrich. In the duck tribe, in
which the lacrymo-frontal region of the skull is greatly elongated, the lacrymal has coex-
tensive attachment to the frontal bone, and is broadly laminar, with a downward process;
in some ducks bounding at least a fourth of the orbital brim, and almost completing the circle
by extending toward the very protrusive post-frontal process, as in fig. 03, u. In some parrots,
the rim of the orbit is completed below, and even sends a bony bar to bridge over the temporal
fossa behind the post-frontal. In some birds, the lacrymal is quite free, and even in more than
one free piece. The os uncinatum, or os lacrymo-palatimim, would appear to be a palatine bone
distinct from the lacrymal ; it has been observed in the Musophagidce and many other pica-
rian birds, in Tachypetes and certain Procellariidte. The lacrymal bone seems to be the prin-
11^
166
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
cip.ll relic, in birds, of a set of splint-bones which lie about tho edges of the orbits in inniiy
Sauropsida. Another is tho post-frontal or sphenotic, usually a process of the frontal, dftcn u
separate ossification. In some birds, as various Raptores, there are one or more loose siiprii-
orbital plates of bone, serving to eke out the brim of the orbits; thus forming the " orhital
shields " so prominent in many hawks, and causing their eyebrows to project. Were siidi a
a chain of splint-bones complete (lacrymal, superorbitals, post-frontal, and squamosal, ti)
quadrate), it would fonn an arcade of bones over the orbit, like the actual zygomatic aicli
(ma.\illary, jugal, quadrato-jugal, to quadrate) which lies under the orbit ; and such a (l(Jiible
series is very ))erfcctly illustrated in many of the Saurojjsida below birds (Huxley).
Other special ossifications have been described in some birds, but 1 am obliged to pass
tliem over. 1 have already far exceeded intended limits, and have yet to describe the mandib-
ular and hyoidean arciies, and the zotilogical characters of the palate as a whole.
The 31aii<lible, or Lower Jaw Bone (figs. 02, 03, 70, 71) is a collection of bones devel-
oped in the first post-oral visceral arch. Eacli half of the comjwund bone (right and left I cuii-
sists normally oi five bones, which become immovably ancliylosed, but traces of the oiitrinal
distinction of which connnonly persist for an indefinite period, — in some birds throughout tlitir
lives. In an embryo whose skull has passed to the cartilaginous stage, a long slender roil df
cartilage appears in the first post-oral visceral arch ; this is 3Iecl;eVs cartilage, or the mcckelinii
rod (figs. 05, 00, 08, 70, tnk), so named after a famous anatomist. Around this rod, wliidi
subsequently disappears, the several bones of the mandible are developed. The anterior one of
these is the dentarij (rf). forming the scafl'old of the horny part of the external under manilililc.
It usually unites by anchylosis, sonu^times only by suture, with its fellow of the opposite side.
This union in the middle line is the symphysis (Gr. triiv, sun, with ; (pvan, phiisis, Kniwtli).
The line of union is externally the gouys (.see p. 103), the length and other diaracters of which
arc determined by tho mode of .symphysis, as is the rencral shape of the tip of the lower nianili-
ble. The union generally makes an angular ^, but maybe an obtuse £1 ; the symphysis is
very short and imjjerfect, as in a pelican, for instance, or the o])positc, as in a woodpecker and
a multitude of birds. Behind tho d<'ntary, each ramus of the jaw continues with pieces called
sploiial, angular and surangular (sj), a, su); there is often a fenestra between them, hy
imperfection of bony union, as shown in fig. 02, or 03,/, which also sufficiently indicates the
relations of these parts. Tho articulation of the jaw with the quadrate bone is furnished hy a
fifth ])iece called articular (ar) from its function. As a whtde the mandible is a pronged hone,
forking with a variable degree of divergence from its obtuse or acute point, sometimes (|uite
parallel-sided, as in a duck, oftener very open; such prongs may be straight, or variously
curved or bent either in the vertical or the horizontal ]danc ; are generally stout anil stan<'li,
sometimes so slender as to be quite fiexible. The articular part, always expanded horizontally,
presents a smooth irregularly cupped sujierior surface for reception of the protuberances of the foot
of quadrate. In general, the concave articular surface is divided into an inner and outer cup se])a-
rated by a protuberance, corresponding to similar inequalities of the ojiposiug surface of tiic
quadrate. Cupping of the mandibular articulation is characteristic of birds as compared with
mammals, in which latter the lower jaw lias always a knobb(>d articular surface (condyle). In
many birds the angle of tin; jaw is jirolonged back of the articulation as a 2>osterior articular
process (fig. 03, h, 70, 71, l>ap), which may be long, slender and up-curved, as is well shown in
a fowl, duck, or plover. Such birds are said to have the "angle of the mandibh; recurved : ''
the opposite condition is "angle truncated" (cut off). Usually also, an internal angular
process (figs. 70, 71, iap) is produced inward from the articular part of the jaw, as in the
fowl, duck. Between the dentary and articular parts, the ramus of the jaw is usually verti-
cally produced as a thin raised crest, which, when prominent, is called the coronoid process ;
it corresponds to the strong process so called in a mammal, and relates to the advantageous
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
167
insertion of the temporal or masseteric muscles wliicli effect closure of the jaw. It is scarcely
evident in the fowl, fig. G2, but well marked in the duck, tig. 63, over/. At the hack of the
articular surface is the pneumatic foramen for entrance of air, when any ; on the inner surface
of the ramus, about the splenial bone, is the opening conveying the vessels and nerve.
The Hyold Bone (Gr. letter v, hu=hy, tlbos, eidos, fonn; figs.
65-fi8, 72-74) is the skeleton of the tongue ; a very composite struc-
ture, consisting of several distinct bones, developed in the second and
third post -oral visceral arches (see fig. 05, where ch and hh are the
original elements of the second arch, making the basihyal and cerato-
liijid hones, and hhr, cbr, and ebr are the original dements of the third
arch, making the basibranchial, cerato-bmnchial, and epihmnchial
hones). The whole affair is somewhat \- or fj-shaped, lying
loosely, point forward, between the forks of the lower jaw, with its
long slender prongs curving up behind the hind head more or less ;
but not definitely wmnccted with any other bones of the skuU. The
connection which exists between the hyoid and other cranial bones
in a mammal is in birds broken by non-development of certain
huks of bone developed in the mammalian second post-oral arch, as
the styh>-h}'al, epiliyal, etc. ; though birds have a rudimentary styhi-
liyal, at least in the embryo, among the several proximal parts of
the see(md arch which form the intricate bones within the car-
passages (fig. ()?). The visible parts of a bird's hyoid are usually :
the body of the bone, basihijal (bh, and fig. 72, c), single and median,
commonly quite short and stocky, sometimes long and slender. The
basihyal bears in front a pair of cerato-hijah (ch; not shown in
fig. 72, where they have been absorbed in b) usually movably
articulated with the basihyal. They commonly appear as little
" horns" or processes of the next piece, the glosso-hi/al (tig. 72, b)
or hone chiefly supporting tiie substance of the tongue. It may be
a stout and apparently single bone, as that of the goose tigured ; but
ofteuer appears as a pair of slender bones, side by side, whose back-
ward ends are the cerato-hyals. The glossohyal may or may not
bear at its fore end a cartilaginous tip, as in tig. 72, a. All the fore-
going are hyal, i.e., belonging to the second visceral arch: the
following are branchial, of the third arch: The busi-brancliial
(hhr, tig. 72, d) is a single median iiicce, projecting backward
Fio. "2. - ll.void bones of a
horn the basihyal, with which it may be perfectly consolidated, as goose, imt. size ; by Dr K. W.
it is in the tigure, or separately articulated ; it may be wanting ; it fi','"J|;J)J','g m'kn'jwo ot'h 7ho
i.s usually tipped and prolonged backward with a thread of cartilage, great glosso-liynl, which' ims
The basibranchial is oftcner called " urohval," but had better be "''sfi""! "f replaced cerato-
. • hvals or " lesser coriiua ' ; c,
allowed its strict morphohigical name. On either side, tlic basihyal basiliyiil, movably nrticulated
hears the separately articulated ccrato-brauchials (cbr, tisr. 72, e), ^;'"' ''- •'^",'' ,™"'l'ln<?'i <;("n-
' ' \ ' h • > ^< pietely with (I, bnsibraiu-hial,
long slender bones diverging as they pass backward, and bearing commonly called " uroiiyal;"
np(m their ends the epi-brmickials (ebr, fiir. 72, f), which tinish off ;'- ceratobranchiai ; /, cpi-
' •* V > & • >./;> branchial; e and/ are to-
the hyoid bone behind, or may be in turn tipped with cartilaginous gcther known as "tiiyro-
threads. The cerate- and epi-branchials together are badly called liyals," or" greater cornua."
the " thyro-hyals," and in still more popular language the "greater cornua" or "horns"
of the hyoid. All these bones vary in different birds in size and shape and relative develop-
ment ; the branchial elements are the most constant in their length and slendeniess. The
168
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
whole hyoid apparatus of the woodpeckers is specially modified; the basihyal is very Idnir
and slender, beariug stunted ceratu- and glossti-hyals at its extreme end ; there is no um-
hyal, or only a rudiment; the ccrato-brancliials are long, and the epibranchials so extraordi-
narily elongated in some species as to curl up over the hack of the skull and forward along tlic
top of tlie skull to a variable distance ; sometimes, as in fig. 73, curling aroimd the ()rl)it of the
eye, or, as in fig. 1\, miming into the nostril to the tip of the beak. In such ca.ses tlicv
bundle together in passing forward over the skull, and go obliquely to one side. (Derivation
of the terms iu this i)aragniph : hyal is anotlier form of hyoid; branchial, Lat. hruiirhitc
gills; hatii-, Lat. lusia, liasc; cerato-, Gr. Kepas, Kcparos, I;era.s, hcratos, horn; epi-, (ir. {Vi,
cpi, upon; stylo-, Lat. stylus, a pen; glossu-, Gr. yXmero-a, glossa, tongue; nro-, Gr. ovpa,
ottra, lail; thyro-, Gr. dvptos, thureos, a shield.)
Other Bones of the Skull.—
The articulation of the Iciwei- jaw
with the quadrate may hav(^ ciTtaiii
sesamoids. Thus, there arc two
such sckrosteoHS or ligament-boiics
iu the external lateral ligament of
the raven's jaw-joint, and the Idiig
occipital style of the cormorant and
snake-bird is of the same character,
being an ossification in the nuchal
ligament of tlie neck. The sii)ho;i-
like tube wliich conveys air fnun
the outer ear-passage to tlie hollow
of the mandible may ossify, as it
does in an old raven, resulting in
a neat tubular "air-bone" or at-
mostcon (Gr. aTftos, air).
F108. 73, 74. —Under ilg. side view of a wiindpcckor's iPicus)
skull, sliowing the long Klenilerb.isiliyal (&A), bearing slight elements
at Its fore end, no urojhal, and extraonlinarily long thyroliyals
(chr, cbr) curving upoverbiiok of skull anil curling together around
orbit of the right eye. Upper Ilg. top view of skull of Cnlnptts,
showing thyroliyals running along the skull and into right nostril
to end of the bill. (Dr. K. W. Shufehlt, U. S. A.)
Types of Palatal Structure.—
The arrangement of the bones of the
palate in birds results in several
types of structure, first defined by
Huxley and apidied to the classification of birds. These are the divmccoynathous, schi^ug-
nathoiis, desmognathous and (rgilhognatJwits ; to which Parker has added the sauroguathoits.
Huxh'y proposed to make the primary division of Carinate birds upon this score; and since
the plan could not be made to work in his hands, it is certainly futile for any one else to
demon.'strate again the iinpo.ssibility of establishing the higher groups of birds upon any one
set of characters, — upon the modifications of any one structure. Nevertheless, when duly
co-ordinated witli other characters, palatal structure becomes of the utmost importance iu
defining large groups of birds. It is necessary, therefore, for the student to clearly understand
this matter, which I will lay before him as nearly as jjossiblc in the words of the authors
just mentioned.
Dromeeognathism (Gr. Spopaios, dromaios, a runner : genus-name of the emeu). — All tlie
Ratite birds, and the tinamous alone of Carinate birds, are dronucognathous. "The posterior
ends of the palatines and tlio anterior ends of the pterygoids are very imperfectly, or n(jt at all,
articulated with the basisphenoidal rostrum, being usually separated from it, and supported by
the broad, cleft, hinder end of the vomer. Strong basipterygoid processes, arising from the
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
169
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H * 2. s- r 1
|- s. r - ^ "
- i I, ® V
O O M ^ ro
f r B* c ft
liddy fif the basisphenoid and not from the rostrum, articulate with facets which are situated
nearer the posterior than the anterior ends of the inner edges of the pterygoid bones." This is
170
GENERAL OBNITHOLOGT.
the gist (if (IronKVognathism; it is oxliibited in several ways, (a) In Struthio alone, fig. 7.5,
the very short vomer, home ui)on tlic rostrum, articulates neither with palatines nor with pfrry-
golds, but M-ith the niaxillo-palatincs ; and the palatines, which are remote from the rostnim,
advance beyond tlie maxillo-palatines, as in mo.st birds. (?>) In Rhea, the vomer is as long as
usual in birds, and articulates beliind with the palatines and pterygoids, but does not join thn
maxillo-palatiues in front; the sliort palatines unite with the inner and posterior edges r if the
thin fenestrated maxillo-i)alatiues. (c) In Casuarius and Dromeeus (cassowary and emeu),
the long vomer articulates behind witli tlie palatines and pterygoids, and unites in front with
the maxillo-palatines; these are flat, imperforate, and solidly joined to the premaxillie; the
palatines are short, (d) The extinct Dinornis had flat imperforate maxillo-palatino plates
uniting solidly with the premaxillie, and probably with the vomer, as in Dromeeus. (r) hi
Apteryx, tlie long vomer unites with palatines and pterygoids behind ; sliort broad paliitinos
I'mx-^^
^, Pmx-
Mi
'xp.
Pt-
- P„
suture obliquely with flat imper
fovate maxillo- palatine plates,
which unite both with premax-
illary and vomer. (/) Tlie tin-
anious, Dromccognatha (flg. 70)
" have a completely strutliious
palate"; vomer very broad,
uniting in front with broad max-
illo-palatine plates as in Dro-
mcnus; beliind articnhiting with
posterior ends of palatines and
anterior ends of pterj'goids, both
of which are tluis prevented, as
in all Ratitcc, from any extensive
connection with the rostrum ;
basipterygoid processes sjiringing
from body of sphenoid, not from
its rostrum, articulating with
pterygoids very near the pos-
. • ■ 1 i- »i „ 1 »4 . . Fio. 77. — Siihhonnalliniix skull of
tenor or outer ends <,f tlie latter ; ^„„,„,„,, f,,^^,^ ,„^j ^^^^ f,,,„„ „^„„.,^_
Fir..7(i. — />iYimfro.(7iia/7;oHs head of quadrate witll a siugle byl>r. K. W. Slmfeldt, U. S. A. Letters
Bknil »f tlniunou {Timnnus articular facet, as in iiafj'te. as before ; /X palatine.
)v,/,((..j/H,<); copieil liy Slmfeldt '
I'riim Huxley, r.etters a» he-
toTc; M.ip, iiLixiilo-pnlatino. ScliizoKDUtliism (Gr. o-xi'fo), schizo, I cleave) is the kind of
"cleft palate" shown by the columbine and gallinaceous birds, by the waders at large, and
many of the swimmers (see fig. ??)• In this general case, the vomer, whether large or small,
tapers to a point in front, while behind it embraces the basisphenoidal rostrum, between tlic
pahitincs ; •' -"^e bones and the pterygoids are directly articulated with one another and witli
the basi d rostrum, not being l)onie upon the divei'gent po.sterior ends of the vomer ;
the max .latines, usually elongated and lamellar, pa.«s inwards over \tmdcr, when tin'
sknU is viewed upside-down, as it usually is] the anterior part of tlie jialatiues, witli which
they unite and tlien bend backwards, along the inner edge of the palatines, leaving a broader
or narrower fissure between themselves and the vomer, on each side, and do not unite with one
another or with the vomer. It follows from this that in the dry skull of a plover, for instance,
which shows the schizognathous aiTangement extremely well, " the blade of a thin knife can
be passed, without meeting with any bony obstacle, from the posterior uares alongside tlie
vomer to the end of the beak." There are several groups of birds which exhibit tlie schizo-
gnathous plan, with ulterior modifications of palatal and other characters. (a) Tlio colum-
THE ANATOMY OF B/BDS. — OSTEOLOGY.
171
|m,
as
Ithn
Itlie
0,
jith
Itho
litos
In
I
Bmsc.
Lino birds (Periste''omorph(B of Huxley's arningement) : maxillo-palatines elongate and
spongy; basipterygoid processes narrow, but prominent, (h) The gallinaceous birds (^?cc-
toromorphee) : maxillo-palatines varying greatly in size, but always lamellar ; palatines long
and narrow, with rounded off postero-external angles ; basipterygoid processes oval, flattened,
scssilt" upon the rostrum, articulating with the pterygoids, (c) The penguins (Sphenisco-
vKirphtc): maxillo-palatines concavo-(M)nvex and lamellar; no basipterygoid processes; ptory-
poids flattened. (J) In the gulls, jictrels, loons, grebes,
and auks, constituting the Cccomorplue of Huxley, the
maxillo-palatines are usually lamellar and concavo-
c<pnvcx, but may be spongy, tumid, and closely approx-
imatod to the vomer ; and basipterygoid processes are
absent or present, (e) lu the cranes, rails, and their
allies (Gentnomorpha;), the maxillo-palatines are con-
cavii-('(.nvex and lamellar, and basipterj-goid processes
ar(! usually absent. (/). In the plover-snipe group,
or liniicoline Gralla: (^Charadriomorpha), the niaxillo-
jialatines are always concavo-convex and lamellar ; the
l)asipterygi)id processes narrow and prominent. Except-
ing perliai)s group d, wliieh does not hang together so
well, tlio schizognathous groups here noted correspond
very closely with recognized orders or suborders of birds;
in all of them, the maxillo-palatines are perfectly dis-
tinct from one another and from the vomer, and the _
latter is slender and usually pointe<l. There are plenty " ~»
(if other birds in whieli the former factor in the ease
obtains; but in these the vomer is broad and usually
ti'Uucate in front (see yEgithognathism, beyond).
Fir
Desmognatliism (Gr. Sta-fios, de.imos, a bond) is
exhibited in one or anotlier style by those swimming
and wading birds which are not schizognathous, by
the birds of prey, and various non-passerine perching
birds. It does not fadge so well as any other one of
the palatal types of structure with recogTiized groups of
birds based on other considerations, lu the "bound-
palate " type, the vomer is either abortive, or so small
tliat it disappears ; when existing it is usually slender
and tapers to a point in front; the maxiUo-palatine.s
are united across the median line, either directly or by
means of ossifications in tlie nasal septum ; the posterior
ends of the pahitines and the anterior ends of tlie ptery-
goids articulate directly with the rostrum (as in schizo-
iTuatliism). Tliis type is simply and perfectly exhibited by a duck (fig. 78) in which the
masillo-palatine is a broad flat plate united with its fellow in mid-line ; the oval sessile basi-
pterygoid facets are far forward, opposite tlie very ends of the pterygoids. In the flamingo,
ibis, spoon-bill, sttn-k, heron, the united maxillo-palatines are tumid and spongy, filling the
base of the beak ; basipterygoids are wanting (rudimentary in the flamingo). In totipalmate
swimmers (pelican, cormorant), desmognatliism is carried to an extreme by union of the palate
bones also across the mid-line ; the general arrangement is as before. The birds of prey
exhibit several special conditions of desmognathism. The parrots are another case ; among
Fio. 78— Drsmofiimthoiis skull of mal-
lard duck. Anas boscaH, uat. size, from
nature, by Dr. K. W. Shufeldt, U. S. A.
Letters as before.
m\i
172
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
-'Bh
other cranial characters of these birds is to be noted the articulation of the palate boucs wiili
the ui)per beak, like that fif the zygoma. The multifarious Picarian birds, or nou-passcriue
Insessores, are desmognathous, cxeeptiiig the schizognathous trogous (Trogonidee) and the
" saurognathous " woodpeckers. Parker has established the following categories of dcsnio-
guathism : (a) Perfect direct, the maxillo-palatiues uniting below at the mid-line ; either with
the nasal septum free from such bony bridge, as in a duck; or auchylosed therewith, as in ni;iny
birds of prey. (l>) Perfect indirect, very common, as iu eagles, vultures, owls; niaxill<i-
palatines separated from each other by a chink, Ijut au-
chylosed witli nasal septum. (c) Lnperfecthj direct;
nuuxillo-palatines sutured together, but not auchylosed.
" In young falcons and hawks the palate is at first in-
direct, is then imperfectly direct, and at last ijcrfcctly
direct." ((/) Imperfectly indirect; ma.xillo-pulatiiies
closely articulated with, and separated by, the ■' median
septo - maxillary ;" but there is no anchylosi^s. (c)
Double: tlie palatines united as well as the maxillo-
palatiues ; as in the pelican and cormorant above noted,
in certain Caprimulgine birds, horn-bills, etc. (/) Cum-
jMund: when the properly (cgithognathous skull of a
passerine bird becomes '.so desmognathous.
./Kgithognathism (Gr. alytOaKos, aigitlialos, some
small bird) is exhibited almost unexceptionally by the
great group of Passerine birds ; it is also nearly coinci-
dent with Passeres, though a few other birds, notably
the swifts (Cyijselidtc), also exhibit it. Huxley's term
Coracomorplia, nearly synonymous with Passeres, relates
to the palatal structure exhibited by a raven (fig. 79), as
typical of that of Passeres at large. The vomer is a
broad bone, truncate in front and deeply cleft beliind,
embracing the f;)henoidal rostrum in its forks. The
palatines have produced postero-external angles. The
nnixillo-palatines are slender at their origin, extending
inwards and backwards over the palatines and under tlie
vomer, where they end free, being united neither with
each other nor with the vomer. This disconnection of
the maxillo-palatines is gMoarf /joc " schizognathous," (if
course ; but such condition, in association with the pecu-
liarities of the vomer, is ajgithognathous. The nasal
septum in front of the vomer is often ossified in aegitho-
gnathism, and the interval between it and the premax-
illfe filled up with spongy bone; but no union takes
place between this ossification and the vomer (Huxley).
According to Parker, the distinguishing character of the
a'githognathous type is the union of the vomer with the alinasal wall and turbinals. He dis-
tinguishes four styles : (a) Incomplete; very curiously exhibited by the low Turnix, which
stands near the galUnaceous birds, (h, c) Complete, as represented under two varieties, one
typified by the crow, an Oscine Passerine, the other by the Clamatorial Passerines Pachgrham-
phus and Pipra. (d) Compound, i. e., mixed with a kind of desmognathism, as noted above.
"Vomer truncated in front" is the general expression for the condition of that bone in the
FlO. 79. — ^githognatlinua skull of
raven, Cornis mrn.r, iiat. size, from na-
ture, by Dr. R. W. Slmfeldt, U. S. A.
Letters as before. N. B. The reference
line, r, goes to the ossified nasal septum
Iwrne ujion the end of the vomer, which
latter bone begins at the thickest part of
the central projection. Mxp underlies V
and overlies PI, but touches neither.
THE ANATOMY OF BIRBS.— OSTEOLOGY.
173
tcffithoguathous typo ; it is frequently massive in that direction, and of endlessly varied oon-
fiirunition.
Saurogiiatliisin. — (Or. <ravpot, saiiros, p lizard; fig. 80). According to Huxley the
woixliipi'lvers exliibit a •' degradation and simplification of tlie wgithognathons structure." The
peculiarities of the palate of tliese bird.s (including Ficida, Picumnida and Ii/iif/idfrt are sn
dcciiKMl that Parker proposes to call thcnn saurognathons. The structure is very difficult
to nialu' t)ut, and may be imderstood best by
(itiidy of the accomi)anying figure, copied from
Parker. The maxillo-palatinos, mxp, are
very slight, not extending inward beyond the
(iiitci- margin of the palatines, and being some-
times ([uite rudimentary. In front of them,
an additional little palatal plate of the max-
illary, 2»ii-'^, is developed. The vomers, i', are
di'licate paired rods on each side of the median
liiir. The postert)-cxternal angle of the pala-
tir Is either rounded off or obtuse-angled.
Where the broad main part of the palatine
siiildeuly narrows is developed an interpala-
tiiie process, ipa. The ethmo-pahitine plates,
qui, <ir internal superior plates of the i)alatine,
vliich are of variable length, are connected
by the most marked medio-palatine ossifica-
tiiiii, nqm, seen in the class of birds. Bridges
of l)one are deposited along the inner borders
of the palatines ; such are the septo-maxil-
laries, smx, and other formations which, like
the medio-palatine, serve to bind the palate
hiilves together. The nasal chambers are
unusually simple ; there are peculiarities of
the tympanic cavity and quadrate bone.
" All these things being considered,"
says Parker, in conclusion, " it will seem con-
tradictory now to assert the great uniformity
Fio. 80. — Saurognathous skull of nestling Picru
minor, x 4 (Uameters, after Parker, Px, premaxillary :
{Ipx, its ilentary process; ppx, its palatal proresg; m,
r ,, 1 ,, 1- i>- 1 1 • I I r T>- I septo-nasal ; ua, palatine ; 7>mx, peculiar palatal plate of
of the skulls ot Hnds, and mdeed of Birds maxillary of a woodpecker; n/. nasal turbinal; mx.
themselves. Yet so it is ; and the countless maxillary; ipa, interpalatal spur of palatine bone; mjfp.
rudimentary maxillo-pal.ttine, scarcely reaching palatine;
smx, septo-niaxillary, in several pieces ; r, right vomer,
its fellow opposite; pe, lower border of perpendicular plate
of ethmoid, between vomers; epa, ethmoidal (inner)
plate of palatine ; mpa, metlio-palatine ; pg, pterygoid ; i,
foramen for internal carotid; 8, for vagus nerve; 9, for
iiKidifications that (ifier themselves for obser-
vation are gentle in the extreme. One form
is (iften seen to pass into another by almost
insensible gradations. ... In the rest of the
Birds' organization abundant evidence of the •'ypo-glossai nerve,
sanu! specialization will be setui. The mind fails to desire more beauty or to contemplate more
(.'x<iuisite adaptations. An almost infinite variety of Vertebrate life is to be found in this class.
( >f its members some dig and bury their germs, which rise again in full plumage, whilst others
watch and incessantly feed their teudt?r brood in the shady covert or ' on the crags of the rock
and the strong place.' In locomotion some walk, others run, or they nniy wade, swim, plunge,
<ir dive, whilst most of them 'fly in the open firmament of heaven.'" (Ency. Brit. 9th ed.
Art. Birds, p. 717.)
11
I
■'i
m
174
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
b. Neuuoloqy; The Nervous System; Oroans of Special Senses.
The Nervous System of any Vertobmto determines the form of such an animal ; in fact
the beautiful skeleton we liave examined is simply a sketch in bone of the cerebrospinal nenums
system, conformably with which the whole bony framework of the body is erected. A liruin
and spinal chord and their lateral prolongations or nerves are the commanding superad-
<litii>ns, in a vertebrate, to any such nervous system as an invertebrate may or does possess.
Besides the vertebrate or main nervous system, all brainy vertebrates retain a syniputhctic
system of nerves, supposed to represent a modified inheritance of the whole nervous system of
Invertebrates. Thus the cerebro-spinal and sympathetic are the two distinct nervous systems
of nearly all vertebrates, — of all vertebrates which have a skull and brain. The former presides
over the animal life of the creature, — its sensations, perceptions, and voluntary actions ; tiie
Litter more especially over its vegetative functions, as digestion, respiration, circulation, and
reproduction, which are more or less involuntary. But tlic two are inseparably connected,
anatomically and physiologically, so that no distinct line can bo drawn between tliem.
Nerve-tissue consists of an aggregation of nerve-cells and their investing substance, — tlu*
bodies of a myriad NeuramabtB agglutinated by their secretions. They are of two sj)ecies :
Neuramaba cinerea and N. Candida. The former are usually multiradiate, inosculating cells
of nerve-substance, which form the "gray matter" of the brain and spinal chord and tiie
ganglia (knots) of nerves ; the latter are white, thready, and fonn the connections of the
ganglionic masses and the whole substance of ordinary nerve-chords. The gray amoibas are
the immediate communicants between the mind and the body of the creature ; the wiiit(!
amoebas are the mediators between the body and outward things. The gray ama'bas translate
thought in terms of matter, and conversely ; the white convey the translation. How this is
done, no one knows, but the fact is manifest. In ordinary language, gray nerve centres receive
from white tracts impressions made up<m the periphery of the nervous system ; and, with or
without the knowledge and consent of the animal, convert these impressions into appropriately
responsive actions. This is called the " reflex action " of the nervous system. Some think
such reflection is the principal or only activity of the nerve-tissue, taking animals to be mere
automata, the mechanism of which is only set in moti<m by external stimulation. Others think
that animals, and even human beings, have in their consciousness an inner spring of action,
vaguely called " spiritual," whose operations upon the matter of their bodies manifests what is
called by some " mind," by others " soul." I am satisfied of the correctness, in the main, of
the latter view ; but, however this may be, it is quite certain that white nerve tissue is a means
of carrying something to and fro, which something is called a " nerve impulse," for want of
knowing what it is. White nerves have therefore an efferent function, when they carry im-
pulses outward from gray centres, and an afferent function, when they bring impulses in to gray
centres. The former is their motor function ; the latter is their sensory function. In nerves at
large, impulses of both kinds travel in the same tracts without interferene<' ; such mixed nerves
are therefore called sensori-motor. Thus, each spinal nerve; has a posterior sensoi-y ganglion-
ated root, and an anterior motor simple root, which soon blend in one chord, in which both
functions coexist. Some nerves seem to be entirely motor, as those which move muscles of the
face and tongue. The purest sensory nerves are those of " s{)ecial sense," as the olfactory,
optic, and auditory. Some nerves are so " mixed " as to combine functions of special sense,
common sen.sation, and motion, as that called glosso-pharyngeal, which moves, feels, and
tastes. The motor eftluence of nerve tissue upon itself and other ])arts of the body is literally
animation; \ho sensory influence is nominally materialization. The physical mechanism of
these occult processes in a bird is as follows : —
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — NEUROLOGY.
176
ct,
The Brain (Lat. cerebrum; Gr. iyxitfuikop, egkephalon; frontisp.) ia the anterior dilatation
and (•()ini)lieation of the main nervous axis of tlic body, contained witliin the skull. It resembles
a soap-bubble blown at the end of a pipe, beiufj not less beautiful in its iris-quality, and not less
lasting. It is primarily triune, or three-f(dd, beginning as three such bubbles, called the
anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral vesicles, corresponding to what arc afterward the fore-
t)riiin, mid-brain, and hiud-brain, or prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and opisthencephulon. The
liirtli and multiplication of gray neuramcebas causes tliickcuiugs of the bhuldery membranes in
various places and ways; all such gray deposits are the ganglia of the brain, and the great
■icri|)iu'ral ganglion is the cortical layer or " bark of the brain." Similar deposits of white
iiciiraiiKjebas connect all these ganglionic colonies, furnishing the various commissures of the
iiraiii. The cavity of the original bubbles, continuous with the hollow of the pipe-stem f)r
s|)iiiMl chord (which was at the outset a fun-ow along the bfick of the embryo, not a tube)
liccomes i)artially divided up into several communicating hollows ; these are the ventricles
(little bellies) of the brain. Actual prolongations of brain-tissue, or nervous threads more like
the ordinary spinal nerves, pass out of the brain-box; these are cerebral nerves, oftener called
cranial nerves ; there are twelve pairs of them. At the pituitary space (see p. 151 ; the noto-
clicrd ends just behind it; fig. 04) is developed a remarkable structure, i\\c pituitary body : its
iiatun* is unknown. This lies under the brain ; opposite it, on top of the brain, is another
curiosity, the pineal body ; it has been considered the special seat of the soul by some, though
others have located that throne of animal grace in the solar plexus of the sympathetic system,
wliicli is in tlio belly. The pituitary and pineal are also called respectively the hypapophysis and
qmpophysis cerebri. They lie respectively at the bottom and top of one of the cavities of the
brain, arbitrarily called the third ventricle; the anterior wall of this ventricle is the lamina
terminalis, or terminal sheet of the bniin, with which, morphologicidly speaking, the brain ends
ill front; though, in its actual gniwtli, the prosencephalon crowds ahead of this formation. As
the brain-cells multiply, the prosencephalon f)utgrow8 the associated parts, and becomes nearly
si'])arated into lati'ral halves ; these are the hcmisplieres of the cerebrum, or " halves of the
great brain " ; they retain their ventricles, which interc(unniunicato through a passage-way,
wliich also leads into the third ventricle ; this is \\\{', foramen of Munro. Each sends out in
front a hollow process ; these processes are the olfactory lobes, or rhinencephalon (" nose-
hrain "). A great ganglionic thickening of gray matter in the interior of each hemisphere is
the corpus striatum; these " striped bodies " are connected by the anterior commissure of the
brain. The rest and greater part of the original anterior cerebral vesicle makes up by
ganglionic thickening of its sides into what are called misleadingly the optic thalami, since
these tniets have nothing to do with the sense of sight. The thalami and associate parts
Iicliind the lamina terminalis (third ventricle, etc.) compose what is called the thalamen-
ccphalon, or " bed-brain." The original middle cerebral vesicle makes up underneath into
longitudinal commissural fibres, called the crura cerebri or " legs of the brain," connecting fore
and aft parts ; but especially composes the ganglionic centres called corpora higemina, or
" twin bodies." These are the optic lobes, or " eye-brain." They are connected by transverse
commissure. The optic ganglia and (lommissure, the cerebral crura, and contained cavities,
essentially compose the mesencephalon or " mid-brain." The original posterior cerebral
v<'siele (opisthencephiilon) becomes sej)arated into two parts : The fore part of it is moulded
into the considerable mass of the cerebellum (" little brain ") ; which, with its connections of
white sukstance (pons vandii, peduncles, etc.) and the h<dlow underneath it (" fourth ventricle")
constitutes the metencephulon or " after-brain." The hind part of it tapers off into the spinal
chord ; this tapering part is the medulla oblongata, or " oldong marrow," also called the
myelencephalon, or " marrow-brain." This description is pertinent to brains at large, repre-
senting the general plan of structure; any fairly developed encephalon shows the parts speci-
fied ; and most complicated brain, as that of man, only shows what elaborate finishing touches
176
OENEIiAL OMNITIIOLOGY.
miiy be given to tlio siinplo stnicturo thus outliiicil, wlini rclls, both whito and gray, Imt
('Hpi'cially lln' latter, are imifiisely fiiniislied, to tlie oniaineiitation of the iniud's estate \\ iili
raee-track.s great and small, and tlie [dace of fornication, — fruits of the olive, and of the arlmr
vitii'. The inenibranes, or iiieniii(frs, \vlii(di hide all this from the uninitiated, are three. 'I'lic
jiid muter, or " tender mother," which immediately invests the brain, is very vascular, and
furnishes the blood siijiply ; not only l)y small arteries which immediately jienetrate the sub-
stance of the brain, bnt by enfolded sheets wliicdi enter the ventricles, and are called rhiirind
plc.niK. The' arachnoid, or "cobweb," comes next ; a si'rous tlnid which it secretes batlies tlic
brain, and meets concussion with its gentler tliattuation. The tlitra iiiuler, or "stern mother,"
is a dense outer membrane which enwrajm and holds tlio wlude firmly. These meniuires
descend into the spinal ciduiiin, and answer the i>anu! i)urpose there, maintaining the same ills-
position around the spinal <'hord.
The Itird's nriilii offers the fidlowing comparative characters: It is comjiaet, having
nothing of the straggling apart of its elements seen in low vert(d)rateH, aial comjdetely fills the
cranial cavity, its long axis is about transverse to the axis of the si)inal cidumn. The eerehriil
hemispheres are well duveh)i)ed, but do not cover the cerebcdlum or oj)tic hd)es; from their
dome the rhinencephalon jirotrudes like h porte-cochere. 'I'lieir surface is (piite smooth (devoid
t)f the gyri and sulci of most mammalian brains) ; even tln^ sylvian fissure is barely indicated.
The optic lobes are of immense size, ndatively to those of naist vertebrates, and relativ(dy to
the rest of the ence]dnilon ; they appear much loosened from their surroundings, at the siV/e.s and
loirir part of the mid-brain ; they n^tain theii ventricles, as does also the rliinence]dialon. The
eorpora striata are very lai'ge. The fonii.v is rudimentary. The cereladlum is well devehp))eil
and <leei)ly sulcate, with transverse fi.«sin'es, but is not divided into right and left hdies ; a
" H(.'ecy " lobid(! on each side, the fldcciihix, is M-ell defined, and received in a specii'l recess (if
the inner wall of the skull. I'arts of thi^ medulla oblongata notable in mammals are obscure or
<)I)solete. Tliere is no pons nmiUi, or superficial transverse connnissure of the cerebellum, nor
any corpus callosum, — that great white comniissiu'e of the cerebral hemispheres, characteristic
of all but th(^ lowest mammals.
The Spinal Chord, or medulla spinalis (" .spinal marrow") i.s the main nerve-axis of the
body, rinniing in the series of neural arches of the vertebra; from bead to tail ; it directly eon-
tinues the medulla oblongata. Tt retains its ])rinutively tubular (duira<'ter in part at least, and
consists a.s usual of whit(! matter enclosing gray matti'r. Tin; chord is fi.ssured into lateral
columns, as these are also to some extent into anterior and jiosterior tracts. The latter diverge
in ascending the medulla (ddongata, to throw the central tube into the cavity of the fourth
ventricle; ami especially in the sacral region, where a sort of ventricle, known as the avian
sinus rhonibuidulis, is similarly formed. The calibre of the chord increases at the root of the
neck, when^ large nerves are to be given ofl' froiri the brachial plexus to the wings, and again in
the saeral region, with the same reference to nerve su])]dy of the legs; after which the chord
continues to the end of the sjiinal canal as a terminal thread.
The Cranial Nerves are twelve pairs, as in mammals, the highest vertebrate number.
1, the olfactory nerve of .special sense (smtdl) ; origin from rhinencejihalon ; exit from cranial
cavity by olfactory foramen, high up in orbital cavity ; conducted ahuig a groove to final escape
between peq>endicular and lateral plates of ethmoid into the na.sal chambers : distributed to the
investing mucous membrane of the sejrtal and turbinal bones of the nose. The exit is through
a sieve-like or cribriform plate only in Apieryx and Dinornis (Owen). 2, the optic, nerve of
special sense (sight) ; origin from optic lobe and thahunus ; of great size, and forming a
chiasm (decussation) with its fellow; exit by optic foramen, a largo hole in back of orbital
THE ANATOMY OF LIRDS. — NEUROLOGY.
Ml
oiiviiy 1)('tween contrrs of orbito-siilit'iinid aiul alisiibcnoiil, cIomc to or in coiiiinon with it«
fcljiiw. Tiiis nerve forms the retina of the eye. 3, 4, 0, tlic ocitU-mutor, pathetic, ahiluveiit,
ct)ll('<tively the motor iierven of the eye, supplying tlie muscles moving the «7e-l;all; 3, to all
tlii'sc inuseles exeoi)ting superior ohlitpie anil external rectus; origin from crura cerebri, base of
incsciicephalon ; 4, to the superior oblicpie, origin behind optic lobes, npjier surface of meten-
cc|iliiiloii ; 0, to external rectus (also to muscles of the third eyelid in birds); origin between
iiH't- and myel-encephalon, base of brain ; 3, 4, 0, exits from cranial into orbital cavity by
several small, not constant, foramina near optic foramen ; or by this foramen sometimes all the
iicivis which enter the orbit pass out of brain cavity through one great hide. 5, great trifacial
or tritjeminal, sensori-motor ; feeling skin of head, moving muscles of jaws ; origin (double)
fniiii niyeleucephalou ; leaves brain from sides of metencephahni ; sensory root has gasserian
gaiigliou; motor root simple. This nerve has three divisions, whence its name: &a, ojihtliulinic
(livisioii, the most distinct ; exit from cranial into orbital cavity by separate foramen above
mill to outer side of optic foramen ; grooves orbital wall in passing ; ciliary ganglion ; distri-
bution mainly to lacrynuil and nasal parts ; traceable to end of upper mandible ; 5h, superior
nuuillari/; exit by foramen ovale, in alisphenoid or between that and proOtic centre ; distribu-
tiuii to side of upper jaw ; meckelian ganglion ; He, inferior maxillary, derived chietiy from
motor root; exit same as &h; distribution to lower jaw (muscles, substance of bone, integn-
nii'iit) ; no special .sense (gustatory) function; no otic ganglion. 7, facial or portio dura.
niiilnr; origin from myelencephalon ; enters periotic bone, escajtes from ear behind iiuadrate
bipiii', by what corresponds to stylo-mastoid foramen of mammals; communicates with 5c by
churda tijmpani nerve, with 9, 10, 12, and symjiathetic system ; di.>itribution to skiu-musdes
and others of h)wer jaw and tongue, etc. 8, auditory or portio mollis, nerve of special sense
(hearing I ; origin with T; no exit from skull; enters meatus auditorius intenius of periotic
bone; forms auditory apparatus in labyrinth of ear. 0, glosso-pharyiigeal, mixed nerve, sensori-
inotiir and gustatory (taste) ; origin myelencephalon ; exit by foramen in exoccii)ital bone,
bciiind basitemi)oral, near lower border fif tympanic recess ; distribution to muscles and mem-
branes of gullet, throat, tongue, etc. 10, pncumogustric, sonsori-motor ; t)rigin and exit next
toO; distribution to windpipe, lungs, gullet, stomach, heart, etc.; has recurrent .syringeal to
vdi'iil organs. 11, spinal accessory, sensori-motor; origin ui)per jiart of spinal chord ; exit with
9, 10; distribution to these nerves and to mu.scles of neck. 9, 10, II, are intimately connected
with one another, and with other nerves, especially 10 with sympathetic. The .several fora-
uiina in a bird's skull which may be seen in the jdace indicated at 8, iigs. ()',), 70, are for the
ilivisious of this composite vagus or " wand<}ring " nerve of respiration, circulation, digestion,
etc. ; they represent morphologically a foramen lucerum posterius, between exoccipital and
opistliotic centres. 18, hypoglossal, motor nerve of the tongue ; origin from myeleucejihalon ;
exit by anterior condyloid foramen in front of the occipital condyle. Thus the plan of the
cranial nerves of birds is nearly coincident with that of mammals.
The Spinal Nerves, in j)airs, coiTi'spond in a general way to tlie vertebra?, between
wbich they pass out by intervertebral foramina, to supply the body at large. They are sensori-
motor; arise from the spinal chord by anterior motor and posterior sensory (ganglionated) roots
wiiich unite before leaving the s|>inal canal ; in the sacral region the main branches leave by
separate foramina. They form plexuses or interlacements. The principal of these is the
hruchiul plexus ; constituted by several lower cervical nerves, and one or two usually counted
as dorsal, which combine to form a single chord, whence the nerves of the wing are derived.
Similar network of three to iivo true sacral nerves furnishes the nerves of the leg.
The Sympathetic System consists of a pair of nervous chords running lengthwise below
llie bodies of the vertebra', one on each side in the trunk, and iu corresponding relations with
12
H-!
17H
GENEKAL OKNITIIOLOGY.
cranial biincs. An cxtcnfivi' and intricate sorioH (if cdniniunicatiouB is cffccfcd witli tlir nerves
-if tlic ccrcliro-sjiinal Hj'nti'in, cxccptiiiK the Hiit'cial-wnKC ncrvcH of Hnicli, wiglit, and liearinjr.
Tlic ipciints of coniniiinicatiiin furni a ciiain of syniiiatlictic pinglia; fnmi tlics*! iinots, the nm^t
consiiieiiMii.s teatiiri's nf tlie system, ncrvii'is ciicinls pass to tlieir disiriliiitioii in the nminiv
niedianisMi of tiie lii'art and liiood-vessels and otiier viscera. The anterior synipatlu'tic nerves
are tlie iridiiin ; tlie ^ninglia are tlie nplii'iio-pulaliiie or wcvkelidii, intimately connecli'd with
cranial uerves. Tlie system eials behind in the (.'undal region of the spine by a (junijlmt
iiiqmr, •
8piise of Smell: Olfiipttoii. — The sense (if smell is effected by terminal brniiciies of tin;
(dfiictory (1st cranial) nerve, ramit'yiiiiu; in the iiincons (pitnitary or schneiderian) nieinliniiie
of the nasal cavities. Owint; to the comparatively small si/e and little complexity of the foM-
ings and ]ileatinf;s of bone or cartilage in the nusul chambers, the sen.sory surface heinu; cor-
resjMindinuly limited, it is not pndiable that birds jtossess this sense in a liitrli ileirree. Itesides
the cartilai;iiioiis or o.sseous scptitm, generally more or less comjilete in birds, tliere are hiteial
scridls and whorls of bone in endless diversity in most birds, \vhi(di may be ossilied, or remain
gristly. The general cavity is mostly bonnded and encdosed by the bony beak ; floored by the
anterior part of the hard palate; defended on each side by the descending prong of the nioal
bone; in the dry skull, it either seems continuous with the great orbital cavity on each side
behind, or is separated therefrom by lateral ethmoid (pr((- frontal) or Licrymal ossifications, or
both. Outwardly the nasal chambers open upon the beak by the external nostrils — orifices of
great zoological diversity, as already indicated (p. 10 1), bounded by prongs of the preniaxiliiiry
and nasal bones. These openings are minute i>T (piite <ddiferated in some Slc;i<nwji(i(l<s, as
p(dicans and cormorants. The lutsal cavities always communicate with the ba(di jiart of the
mouth, or the posterior narc.i (Lat. varis, a nostril) ; generally paired, that is, with a partition
between them, sometimes united in one median aperture. The (dfactory nerve, which is rather
a pndongation of the rliinencephalon itself than an ordinary nerve, escajiing from the brain-
box ))y a special foramen, traversing the upper part of the interorbitul .septum in a groove or
canal, enters the nasal cavity by a single orifice (excepting Apleryx and Dinornis), instead
of the numerous apertures in a cribriform jdate by which its filaments reach their destination in
niaimnals. Tiie true sensitive membrane in which the nervous filaments end is that investing
dhmnhlitl (septal and turbinal), not maxillary parts. An associate structure of the (dfactory
organ is the nasal gland, sometuncs called the sit2}erorhital gland, from its position in many
birds. Thus it is of great size in a loon, and lodged in large deep crescentic depressions on
top of the skull over the orbits (fig. (53, w) ; these crescents nearly meeting each other in the
middle line. In other birds it is smaller, and within the cavity of the orbit, but never in that
of the nose itself, its secretion being poured into the nasal chamber by a spc^dal duct.
Sense of Sight: Vision. — The eye is an exquisitely perfect optical instrument, like an
automatic camera obscura which adju.sts its own focus, jdiotographs a picture upon its sensi-
tized retinal plate, and telegraphs the midecular movements of the nervous sheet to the optic
" twins" of the brain, where the result is " biogenized;" that is, translated from the physical
t(>rms of motion in matter to the mental terms of consciousness. But no part of the nervous
tract, from the surface of the retina to the optic centr(>, sees or knows anything abont it, beiiic
simi>ly the apparatus through which the Bird lo(dis, sees, and knows. In this class of Verte-
brates, the optic organs, both cerebral and ocular, are of great size, power, and effect; their
vision far transcends that of man, tmaided by artitichil instruments, in scope and delicacy. The
faculty of accommodation, that is, of adjusting the focus of vision, is developed to a marvellous
degree; rapid, almost instantaneous, changes of the visual angle being required fordi.stinct )i('r-
cejrtion of objects that must rush into the focal field with the velocity at least of the bird's flight.
THE ANATOMY OF lilUDS. — NEI'UOLOGY.
ITf)
llinls an? tluTcforo far-sighted iir nciir-sifflitnl (|ir('Nliyni)ic or iiiyoiiic) iiccoi'ilinK to the dcifrfc
III' ^')(.s■/V/H the uci V('-ti(lo cxcitt's in tlic eye l)y tlic mi'cliiiiii.siii (l('S('rilii'<l t'lirtlicr on ; an<l tlic
Iraiisiliiin iVoin oiio to t)in otiicr «tiitt' it* ctirctcil witii j^rcat unickncss ami correctness. Oli-
>icrve III! ca>{le woarin^ aloft nntil ho hccmis to n.s Imt a hju'cIc in the lilno exiiause. He is lar-
niKliteil; anil scainiin>( the earth below, descries an oliject much sniaUer than himself, which
wiiiild he invisible to ns at that distance, lie |irr|iares to |ioiuice npon his ijuarry ; in the nio-
iiiciit rc(|uired for the deadly idnnift? he heconies in'ar-sighted, .seizes lii.s victim with nnerrinu
aim, and sees well how to com)dete the bloody work bei;nn. A hnnnnin^-hird darts so ipiicddy
tliiit oiir eyes cannot follow him, yet instantaiH'oiisly settles as lij^ht as a feathi'r uiion a tiny
twii;. IIow far off it was when first [lerceived n-e do not know; bnt in the intervening; fraction
iif a .second the twii,' has rushed into the focus of distinct vision, from many yards away. A
woodcock tears tliroiif^li tint thickest cover as if it were ch'ar space, avoidintj every idistacle.
Tlie only thin^.s to the accurate )ierception of which birds' eyes appea'' not to liave accommodated
themselves are telefj;raph- wires and light-houses ; thousanils of birds are annually hurled ayaiust
llicsi! id)ject8 to their destruction.
The orbital curiti/, orliit, or socket of ihe eye, has been almost surticiently described ( p. l.jO ;
sec also any tigs, of skull in protilei as that great rcce.ss in the .side of the skull boundiMl above
by the roofing frontal bone, behind by this and sphenoidal elements, in front, if at all, by biteral
ethmoidal eli'Uients ipre-froutal), and separated from its fellow more or less completely by the
inter-orbital septinu, which is chiefly the perpendicidar plate of tlu^ niesethmoid, but may be al.so
ill part orbito-sphenoidal and pre-spheuoidal. The brim is completed in few birds, by union of
lacrynial and post-frontal; in (piite a number of birds, however, it is nearly (M'rfected by the
iipproxiination of these same bones, as in tig. fiH, a and m, and in s<Hne the rim is carried out
by extra supra-orbital and infra-orbital ossification. There is no bony floor, or only such slight
scart'olding as the expansion of the palatine ami jtterygoid nniy afford. The zygoma itself, in
many dry skulls, seeins like the threshold of the orbital chamber. The bony walls nuiy be also
defective in some places by great vacuities in the inter-orbital septum (fig. 70, iof, and fig. (i.'J, .-),
and others in the cerebral wall, aside from the regular foramina which the nerves pass through.
The Ist — Gth nerves (p. l?*)) inclusive usually enter the orbit: of their foramina, the ojAic
(tiys. ('»(), 68, 70, 71, 2, and fig. 6;}, (/) is much the largest and most c(Uistant, generally blended
with its fellow. Those for nerves 1 and 5 (p. 177 1 are next mo.st obvious and constant; others
are often, and nil may be, thrown into one large op(>ning. In such a socket as this the eye-ball
rests upon a cushion of muscle, fat, gland, and comiective tissue; and large as is the (duiniber,
tlii^ ball fits and nearly fills it. A bird's eye-ball is much larger than the opening of the
cyo-lids (see p. 30, note).
As to its development: "the Ei/c" says Huxley "is fonned by the coalescence of two sets
of structures, one furnished by an involutuni of the integument, the other by an outgrowth of the
brain. The opening of the tegumentary depression, which is primarily [in the very early em-
bryo] formed on each side of the head in the <)(!ular region becomes closed, and a shut sac is
tlie result. The oute- 'vall of this sac becomes the transparent cornea of the eye ; the epider-
II, is of its Hoor thicken and is metamorphosed into the cri/KtaUinc leiis ; the cavity fills with
\]n' aqueous humor. A vascular and muscular ingrowth taking place round the circumference
<if the sac, and dividing its cavity into two segments, gives rise to the iris. The integument
around the cornea, growing out into a fold above and behiw, results in the formation of the
eyelids, and the segregation of the integument which they enclose, as thi! soft and vascular con-
Jinwtira. The pouch of the conjunctiva very generally communicates, by tho lacrijmal duct,
Mith the cavity of the nose. It may be raised, on its inner side, into a broad fidd, the nictitating
membrane, moved by a proper muscle or nniscles. Special glands — the lacrymal externally,
and the harderian on the inner side of the eye-ball — may be developed in connection with, and
pour their secretion on to, the conjunctival mucous membrane. The posterior chamber of the
«
1
I
180
GENEKAL ORNITHOLOGY.
oyc has a totally distinct origin. Vory early that part of the anterior cerebral vesicle which
eventually becomes the vesicle of the third ventricle, throws out a diverticulum, broad ,it its
outer, narrow at its inner <;nd, wliich ai)i)lies itself to the base of the tegumentary sac. The
posterior, or outer, wall of the; diverticulum then becomes, as it were, thrust in, and finccd
towards the opjiosite wall by an ingrowth of the adjacent connective tissue; so that the i)rinii-
tive cavity of the diverticulum, which, of course, communicates freely with that of the anterior
cerebral vesicle, is (dditerated. The broad end of the diverticulum acquiring a spheroidal sliaiic,
while its pedicle narrows and elongates, the latter becomes the o])tic ner^•e, while the Inriiier,
surroinidiug itself witii a strong tibrous sclerotic coat, remains as the posterior chamber of the,
eye. The double envelo])e, resulting from the folding of the wall of the cerebral optic vcsicli!
upon itself, gives rise to the rc<i«a and tlie c/iojwd coat, the plug or ingrowth of connective
tissue gelatinizes and jiasses into the vitreous humor, the cleft by which it entered bcconnng
obliterated." (Anat. Vert., 1S71, p. 7'J.)
Birds alone, of all animate beings, may be truly siiid to "fall asleep" in death. Wlicn
the "silver cord " of a bird's life is loosed, the "windows of the soul" are gently chiscd by
unseen hands, that the mysterious rites of
divorce of spirit from matter may not be jiru-
faned. When man or any mammal e.\])ires,
the eyes remain wide open and their stony
stare is the sign of dissolution. Only birds
close their eyes in dying. At the same mo-
ment, the eye sinks and seems to collapse, by
the ebbing of its w.aters. The closure is
chiefly eft'ected by the uprising of the lower
lid. These arc the principal external differ-
ences between the eyes of birds and nianuiials.
The movements of the upper lid in most birds
are much more restricted than those of tiie
lower. Th(! few ex<!eptions are chiefly far-
nished by night birds, as owls, whippoorwills,
and others of their res])ective tribes. The lids
consist externally of common slvin, internally
Fio. 81. -Uigl.t eye-ball, seen from behind, show- "f ^ l"y<'>' <'f Conjunctival (joining) mucous
Ing the muHcli'H :«, rectus superior ; i, rectus cxtcrnus; membrane, with interposed connective tissue:
t\ rectus Inferior; tl, rectus intcnius; c, oblinnuf ., , . , .■a. , .., ,, , .
suDerior; /, (not lettered) ol.liquus inferior; </, qu.id- *"*" '"^^'C'' >" ''>■«" Stlflcned With a smootli plate,
ratus; h, iiyramidaiis, witii its tendon, k, jiassing the tarsal Cartilage. The Upper is raised l)y a
tlirougli a pulley in the quadratus (as shown by the n i ii i r •. m 7 i 1
dotted line) to keej. it oft-the optic nerve, /, then jiassing ^'""'1 '""sele, called from Its office levator pnl-
around the edge of the ball to its insertion in the nicti- pehrOi SUperioris, arising from the bony orbit.
tating membrane. rm ■ • 1 1 ■ i-i'.- 1
1 liere is no special lowering nor lifting iiiusrle
of the under lid ; the lids close together by the action of the orbicidaris oculi, which nearly
surrounds the eye, and whose chief office is to lift the lower lid; the latter has a small dis-
tinct ilejvrssor muscle. Birds have no true hairs, but in some kinds modified filiform featlieis
answer to eye-la.shes. When wide o))en the orifice of the lids is circular, that is, witiiotit \\\r
inner and outer corners icanthi) of alimmd-eyed creatures like num. There is a third inner
eyelid, highly develoited and of beautiful mechanism: this is the nictitating membrane, or
"winker" (iiictito, 1 wink), a delicate, elastic, translucent, pearly-white fold of the con-
junctiva. While the other lids move vertically and have a horizontal commissure, tiie winker
sweeps horizontally or obliiiuely across the ball, from the side next the beak to the oppo-
site. If we menace a bird's eye with the finger, it is curious to see the winker rush out of
the corner to protect the ball. Owls habitually sit in the daytime with this curtain shading
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— NEUROLOGY.
181
the fivps from the glare of light; and doubtless tlic eagle throws the same siTcen over its sight
when soaring towards the sun. When not in action, the winker lies curled up in the c(jrner of
the eye, like those patent window shades which stay up t)f themselves till pulled down. The
iniicuious mechanism of the movement of the winker across the lid may be uuderstood with the
help of fig- 81, which represents the hack of the eye-ball. The winker lies in front, on the left
hand of the picture, and is to be pulled across the front by the slender tendon, k, {.\i i\\c pijrami-
(hilin nuiscle, h. As h contracts it pulls on k, and k, winding round to the front, pulls the
wiuker to the right hand. But i is the optic ner'-e, entering the ball; k would press upcm
it, were it not fended off by passing, as seen by the dotted line, through a pulley in the end
of the quadratus muscle, g. The harder h pulls, the harder doc^s (j also pull, their consentane-
ous action at once giving the proper direction to the tendon k, and keeping it ofl" the nerve.
Beneath the eye-lids, upon the ball, is a delicate filmy membrane not easily recognized on
ordinary inspection : this is the conjunctiva, so called because it joins the eye to the lids. The
ocular layer is transparent where it passes over the cornea : it is then reflected away from the
hall, to form the palpebral layer, — a folding between being the nictitating memlmme. The
(•(iiijinictiva is highly vascular, but the blood-vessels are too snuill to be seen unless they be-
I'onie cougested, when the eye jjresents the well-known appearance called blood-shot. Though
hinls can hardly be said to cry, they have a well-developed apparatus for the manufacture of
tears. The lacrymal are two small ghmds lying one in each corner of the eye, inner and
outer. The former, called the harderiun gland, is the smaller, deeply seated behind the
winker, up<m which it pours a glary fluid : it is an oil-can which not only supplies but
applies the fluid to the wiuker, which needs constant lubricating to work well. The lac-
rymal gland proper is the outer one, which prepares the tears to mtiisten and cleanse the
coiijunctiva ; after which they are drained off by the lacrynuil duct into the cavity of the
nose, which thus becomes a sort of cesspool to receive the refuse waters of the eye. A third
gland about the orbit has been already mentioned (p. 178) as pertaining to the nose, not to the
eye. Its site is shown in the crescentic super-orbital depression, tig. (Hi, w.
The motions of the eye-ball, though more restricted than in mammals, owing to the .*:hape
of the ball and its dose socketing, are nevertheless subserved by the usual number of sir mus-
cles. Of these four are called the recii, or straight imiscles, and two the ohliqui, or oblicpie
muscles; though they are all "straight" enough, the terms applying to their lines of traction.
The four recti arise from the bony orbit, near together, about the optic foramen, and pass to
he in.serted in the eye-ball at as nuiuy nearly e(itii<listant points on its circumference ; the
musculus rectus mperior, tig. 81, «, on top; m. r. inferior, c, below, antagonizing a ; the m. r.
artcrnus, b, and internus, d, respectiv<dy to the outer and inner (hindward and forward) sides,
also antagonizing each other. The two (d)li(|ue muscles arise further forward in the bony or-
bit, near each other, and then diverge! oblicpiely upward, m. o. superior, e, and downward, m.
0. inferior, f, to be inserted near the margin of the glolu' of the eye, close by the respective in-
sertions of superior and inferior rectus. All the motions of the ball result from consentaneous
or dis.sentaneous action along these si.v lines of traction; the muscles acting as ropes to pull
the hall about, and to steady it in any direction of hs a.xis. The peculiarity of mechanism in a
bird is, that the superior oblique goes straight to its insertion, instead of passing through a
indley which changes its line of acti(m in mammals. The special nerves presiding over
these muscles (I?, 4, 6) have been pointed out already (p. 177). In the figure, the cut orbital
ends of them all are reflected away from the ball to disclose the underlying muscles of the
winker: the re.ider must mentally bring the si.K loose ends together and fasten them to the
bony orbit at points near about opposite^ »', as above said of tlu'ir origins.
The above are the principal circumstances and accessories of the optic apparatus ; we may
now examine the eye itself, of which fig. 82 gives an enlarged view, in longitudinal vertical
section, — the nerve, marsupium, aud ciliary processes not indeed lying as shown in this section,
i-.,v
II
18:
GENEliAL OKNITHOLOGY.
but so introduced us to show tlieni up intelligibly. A bird's eye-ball is not nearly so spherical
or globular as a niaiiiinai's. The globe of the hunum eye is about a tive-sixths segment t,( ^
large sphere (sclerotic) with a one-sixth segment of a snniller sphere protruding in front (cor-
neal). The anterior part of the sclerotic; of a bird is .so prohniged as to be in some cases alnii..>^t
tubular or cylindric, and tlie corneal protuberance is very convex : the result may be likened
to an acorn which has a short blunt kernel in a heavy shaUow cup, or to a thick ulii-
fashioned watch with a very convex crystal. This characteristic shape is fairly shown in
the figure; but some birds' eyes are much more tubular in front, — owls' for example. Tlio
eye-ball being hollow and tilled witii fluids which press in all directions, it is hard to see at tirst
how such a pecidiar shape is maintained. But the sclerotic coat is very dense, almost gii.>tly
in some cases; and it is reinforced by a circlet of bones, the sclerotnh, h, h; see also tig. {',2^
where the circlet is shown. These are packed alongside each other all around the circunnfcr-
ence of one part of the sclerotic, like a set of splints. The large discoidal segment of a Ifird's
eye is mostly composed of the mem-
brane called from its hardness the
sclerotic, — thick, tough, and strong,
of a glistening livid coUir. Three
sclerotic c(jats or layers may Im! de-
monstrated by careful dissection; in
the figure b is the outer, c the com-
bined middle and inner ones, — much
exaggerated as to their distinctnes;*.
The bony plates lie between tlui
outer and middle coats anterior to the
greatest girth of the eye-ball, extend-
ing from the rim of the dlst; nearly
or quite to the edge of the cornea.
They are a dozen to twenty in mun-
ber, of oblong squarish slia])e, tiqier-
ing toward the cornea, around wliicli
Fio. 82.- Vertical antero-po8tciior8cctluii„f eye-ball: a, optic they are thus circularly disj.osed ;
nerve ; A, sclerotic, its outer coat ; c, sclerotic, its middle and inner they are pretty closely bound t<i-
coatu; rf, choroid; <■. hyaloid;/, niarsuplum; 0, cornea ; A, A, bony ,,■ i .,, ., :_ i ,* .1,1
plates l«.tween sclerotic l.iyer;;i,i,c..rruEation» of clmroid, form- g''^'"^"^' '"" ^^e circlet as a whole
ing ciliary processes ; k; k, canal of Petit ; /, /, iris ; m, anterior ciljoys Some little motion back and
cliamher of eye; H, capsule of the lens; (), lens; y*. posterior cham- «■_,„,_,] ,„:»i, ♦!,„ ,■.,„,.;„,. ..,,,,..,„;.,.
1,0- p „.„ x» i.i »i .. .1 11 1 .,1 <•.! lorwarii with the varying cotivexUv
uerofoye. Neither the retina, nor the peculiar sheathing of the .
optic nerve, is shown. Tlie nerve, marsuiiiiim, and ciliary processes, of the Comea, g. Tills last is the
n,.t lalling in this section, can only be arbitrarily shown. ^j,;,, transparent membrane comph't-
int! tiie eye-ball in front, like the crystal over the face of a watch. It is very protuberant
in birds, — even a liemis]ihere, or almost tubular. Its struciiire is not peculiar in birds; but
it is remarkable in this class of creatures not only for its convexity, but for the wide range of
the variability in convexity which increased or diminished pressure of tlie contained humors
may effect, and its collapse in death.
The sclerotic coat is lined with the choroid membrane, d, loosely woven of cellular tissue,
replete with blood-vessels, and i)aiiited pitch-black with a heavy deposit of pigment-c(dls. It
lines the whole globe as far forward as the edge of the sclerotal bones, where it splits in two
laj-ers. The iuiwr choroid layer timis aw;iy from the wall of the ej'e, toward the interior, and
in so retlectiuir becomes jdaited, as a bag is jnickered by pulling the strings. These jileats
converge upon the rim of the delicate (,;psule enclo.sing the lens of the eye, n, and there
adhere, forming the cilinrij processes, 1, 1. The oi(^c»' layer also starts away from the cir-
cumference of the sclerotic wall, as if to pass directly across the cavity, but ends in the irif.
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. —NEUROLOGY.
183
Aniiiiiil the circumference of the iris, whore s?lerotic, corneal, and choroid coats come together, is
aeirt'iilarband of fibres, the ciliary ligament; and on tlie outer surface of tlie choroid is a similar
biin<l of circular and radiating contractile fibres, the ciliary muscle. These ciliary structures arc
gupiiiised to be the agents of the accommodating faculty of the eye, acting upon the lens to alter
its shape or its position, or both. It is a difficult matter to settle, when such delicate structures
are in question.
The iris, I, I, or rainbow of the eye, is an exquisite structure hanging like a many-colored
curtain vertically between the two compartments of the eye ; a highly ornamental framework
of the eye's window, being both sash and blind to the pupil. It is suspended vertically in the
aqueous humor, just in front of the lens. Viewed in front, from the outside, the iris appears as
aciiliired circular baud around the pupil, and seems to come to the surface of the eye. But
this is n<it so, for the conjunctiva, the cornea, and the aqueous humor of the front chamber of
the eye, are between us and it. It may be likened to the dial-plate of a watch, which we look
at witliout noticing the interposed crystal. Similarly, the pitjnl of the eye, which shows us our
own reflection, diminished to the size of the " eye-baby," may be likened to tlie round central
hole in the dial-plate through which protrudes the shaft that bears the hands of a watch. The
" iiiii)il '' is the round black spot within the colored rim of the iris ; but it is not a thing — it is
a hiile in a thing — the hole in the iris through which we may look and see the black choroid
coat behind. The quivering iris is very similar in texture to the choroid, being a delicate tissue
of interlacing fibres and vessels ; but it is highly mobilized by circular and radiating sets of
contractile fibres, by which the curtain is tightened and loosened, with corresponding change
ill the size of the central orifice — the pupil. Although the iridian movements are largely
iuituniatic, depending upon the stimulus of light, they are to some extent voluntary, as any one
may satisfy himself w!io observes owls in confinement. During these expansions and con-
tractions of the iris, the pupil in birds preserves its circularity ; and even when the movement
is freest and most voluntary, as in owls, the contracted pupil never appears us a vertical oval
tii,nire, or a slit, like that of cats. The round pupil of the great horned owl ranges from the
(liiiiiieter of a finger ring down to that of a small split-pea. The iridian colors are often
j<triking in birds. Though black and brown are the commonest, yellow is quite frequent,
red is often seen, blue and green are rarer ; the eyes of cormorants are of the latter color. The
iris is sometimes pure white, as it is in our common " white-eyed " greenlet, Vireo noveboracensis.
Ill the Californian woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus, the ey^s are iiidifi'erently (or at ditt'er-
ciit ages of the bird, or seasons) brown, bluish, jiink, rosy, or yellow.
The crystalline lens, o, is a transparent biconvex disc, like a common magnifying glass,
apiiarently set in the iris like a mirror in its frame, but really iianging a little back of that
.stnurture. It is enclosed in a capsular membrane, n, of extreme delicacy and transparency,
wliich is in turn set between two layers of the hyaloid membrane to be presently noticed.
Wliere these layers of hyah>id separate around the rim of the cajisiile to form the investment, a
small space is left between them ; this circular tube around the lens is the canal of Petit, k, k.
Tlie lens is stationed in the axis of vision ; some suppose it to be equally stationary in any
transverse axis. It is, however, difficult to understand how an object thus suspendeii in
Hiictuating humors should be insusceptible of some motion backward or forward, as well as
iif alteration in its degree of convexity; both of which may be factors in the focusing process.
From what has preceded, it is evident that the cavity of the eye is divided into anterior and
piisterior compartments, or chambers, by the rcficction, from the sclerotic wall, of the choroid,
liyaloid and iridian structures, which with the lens form a vertical partition. Each chamber
is filled with a fluid of different den.sity and consistence. That in the anterior or corneal
I liamber is thin and watery, and therefore called the aqueous humor; that in the sclerotic
<iivity is more dense and glassy, and for this reason known as the vitreous humor. There is
much less aqueous than vitreous; but birds have comparatively more of the former than usual.
1 : I i!
184
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
owing to the rolativcly greater size and convexity of the cornea. The waters are encldscd in
exceedingly delicate nicnibranes; the vitreous iu the hyaloid membrane, e, which, hcsldcs
lining the posterior chauibrr and enclosing the lens as already said, sends thin partitimis all
through the vitreous humor to steady these glassy waters.
'hie 0])tic nerve, a, of birds is peculiar. In mammals, as a rule, the nerve is a sinonth
cylinder, proceeding straight to the sclerotic, penetrating the coats of the eye-hall directly, iiciir
the middle point behind, and then spreading out on the inside of the ball as a large circiilnr
concave mirror. This thin, saucer-liUe expansion of nerve-tissue is the retina. In binls the
optic nerve is a iluted column, which approaches the eye-ball (piite obliquely, strikes it at a
point eccentric from the axis of the eye, and does not at once pierce the sclerotic. Tapering to
a fine jxiint, and running still ohlicpiely, downward and forward, in a deej) groove iu the
sclerotic that would be a tube were it not split, and through a similar slit in the choidid, a
fluting of the nerve rises to attain the cavity of the eye, and the retina spreads out from the
sides and end of this fold. But the jtriuie peculiarity of a bird's eye is the " purse " or " comb,"
nutr.iiipiiini, jjecten, f; a very vascular structure, like the choroid, and likewise i)ainted black;
apparently " erectile," that is, capable of increasing and diminishing in size by influx ai\d i iHux
of blood. It is attached behind to the nervous structure; is suspended in the vitreous luniKir,
and runs forward obliquely a part or the whole of the way to the lens, to the envelope of wliich
it may be attached in some cases. Its ofllice is not fully determined. Its great resemblance to
the choroid proper suggests a similar function in the absorption of light. If it be turgid and
flaccid by turns it must occupy a variable space iu the vitreous humor, and in the former state
press the waters upon the most yielding jiart of their walls, — that where the lens is situated,
even to tlie extent of altering the jiosition of the hitter; and if so, of changing the focus of tlie
eye. It is difficult to account for the bird's eyes' powers of accommodation by the acticm of
the ciliary muscle in only changing the .shape of the lens, thus throwing out of account as
imiHissiblc any change in the position of that refracting medium, or of the density of the
refracting humors, or of the convexity of the cornea. The peculiar course of the optic nerve
may be simply an anatomical convenience, or may have something to do with a bird's ability to
see straight ahead though its eyes be laterally positioned. (See Am. Nat., ii, 1868, p. 578 ; Pr.
Best. Soc. Nat. Hist., xii, Apr. 21, 18(59.)
Sense of Hearing : Audition. — This is enjoyed to a high degree by the " musical class "
of the Vertelirata, — birds being the only animals besides man whose emotions are habitually
aroused, stimulated, and to some extent controlled by the aj)preciation of harmonic vibrations of
the atmosphere. Most birds express their sexual passions in song, sometimes of the most
ravishing (luality to our ears, as that of the nightingale or the bluebird, and it cannot be su])-
posed that they themselves do not experience the efit'ct of music in an eminent dcirree of
pleasurable i)ertm-bations. Otherwise, they would cease to sing. The capability of musical
expression resides chiefly iu the more spiritualized male sex ; the receptive capacity of musi<'al
affections is better developed in the female, who chiefly furnishes the plastic material which is
to be mould(>d into the physical manifestation of the male principle. Quicku<'ss of ear is
extraordinary in such birds as those of the genus Slimus, which correctly render any notes they
may chance to hear, with greater readiness and accuracy than is usually within human
l)o8sibility. It may be reasonably doubted that any others than some of the world's greatest
musical composers have a higher experience in acoustic possibilities than many birds. Birds'
I'ars have nevertheless a comparatively simple anatomical structure, on the whole much more
like that of reptiles than of mammals. Such simplicity is seen in the ligulate or strap-shaped
(M)chlea, the essential organ of hearing, flgs. 84, 85, 80, 87, as compared with the helicoid curva-
tion of the mammalian cochlea. The openness of the ear-parts which lie «)utaide the tympanum
is seen in fig. 02, at the place where the reference-lines "ear-cells" reiich the skull; and
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— NEUROLOGY.
185
espt'cially in fig. 71, where the stupes, st, is e en lying in the ear-cavity, the tympanum having
been removed.
There is ordinarily no external car, in the sense of a fleshy conch or auricle, thougli owls
at least have a considerahle flap which overlies the auditory aperture. Tlio place of an auricle
is filled by a set of peculiarly modified feathers surrounding and overlying the opening, called
in ornith(dogy th(! ear-coverts, or auriculars (p. 97 ; tig. 25, 36). The outer ear or meatus
auditorius cxternus is a considerable shallow roundish depression in the skull, at the extreme
Idwcr lateral corner. Its ordinary boundaries are the movably articulated (piadrate bone in
fnjiit, the expanded rim of the squamosal above, the tympanic wing of tlie exoccipital behind
and below; the termination of the basitemporal also usually contributing to the under boundary.
(See tig. 71, at st ; 03, under/; fig. 62, where reference lines "bones of ear cell" go.) On
renioviug the quadrate from the dry skidl, the general tympanic depression is seen to be uhu'c
or less continuous with the alisphenoid ; the boundary is best marked behind and below by tlie
broad tliin shai-p-edged sludl of the tympanic wing of the exoccipital. To the brim iudi-
patcd is attached the ti/mpanum, or drum of the ear — that membrane being, fnmi the con-
figuration of the parts, quite sujierficial, — not at the bottom of a tube-like meatus, as in man.
Tile membrane proper is invested exteriuilly by modified conunon integument which readily
peels <pfr. Thus this wide sliallow depression overlaid with feathers or a slight flap is all there
is to represent the "outer ear-passage." The tympanic membrane sometimes develops slight
ossitication, which then represents the "tympanic bone," or "external auditory process "of
liunian anatomy. Did not this membrane oc(dude the way, the ])assage through the ear to the
mouth would be pervious. This passage is the modified persistence of the first visceral cleft or
" gill-slit" of the embryo. Just within tlie tympanic membrane is the cavity of the tympanum
(ir middle ear, which may be very extensively exposed by merely removing the membrane.
Looking into this cavity, as may readily be done from the outside, in carefully cleaned dry
skulls, many objects of interest are jjreseuted; among them, a number of foramina — openings
leading in various directions. In the first place there are some (inconstant and not readily
identitied) holes, which are pneumatic openings, conveying air from the middle ear-passage to
the interior of bones of the skull and lower jaw. Next is observed a large oritice in the lower
anterior part of the cavity, — the mouth of the eustachian tube. This tube continues the ear-
passage to the mouth ; opening at the back of the hard palate by a median oritice in common
witli its fellow. In clean skulls of any size a bristle;, or even a wooden tooth-pick, will pass
through the eu.stachian tube, and appear upon the floor of the skull in mid-line or nearly there,
under the basispheuoid, over the basitemporal. The foregoing passages have not conducti^d
us to the inner ear or proper acoustic cavity. There will be observed, in the side-wall of the
tympanic cavity, two definite openings near the eustachian oritice. One of these, anterior and
superior to the other, larger usually, and oval, is the fenestra oralis; it lies in the obliterated
suture between the prootic and opisthotic btmes ; and when the membranous curtain which
doses it in life is gone, you look through this " oval window " into the vestibttlar cavity of the
car proper. The lower, posterior, circular orifice is the fenestra rotunda; through which round
window in the opisthotic bone you look into the cochlear cavity of the ear projier. Fenestra
(ivalis and f. rotunda are generally close together, — only divided by a little bridge of bone, or a
iiuTe bony bar. To the circumference of the fenestra ovalis is fitted the expanded oval foot of
the truinpet-shaped columella, auris, — the stapes, or " stirrup-bone," as it is called in mammals
(Kg. 83, st). This is an elegant little heme, which establishes mechanical ccmnection between
tlie membrane closing the fenestra ovalis and the tympanic membrane, — something <ui the
principle of tlie " sounding-post " inside a violin. It is shown magnified greatly in its embry-
onic conditi(m, in fig. 07, and there seems to be primitively and morphologically the proximal
connection of the hyoid bone (by cerato-hyal elements) with the bony capsule t>f the ear; but
no trace of this relation persists. Fig. 83 shows the mature stapes of a fowl, and indicates its
186
GENEBAL ORNITHOLOGY.
Fio. 83. — Mature
stniws of fowl, nbout x
4; after Parker, s/, its
foot, litting fenestra
ovaliH; ni.i/, main shaft,
or nie(lio-stai>C()ial cle-
ment ; ast, supra-sta-
IMMlIal ; ent, extra-sta-
tiedial ; ht, infra-sta'
Iiedliil, its end reprc-
scnting a rudimentary
stji(vliyal ; /, a fenestra
in tlie extra-stapcdial,
(.See .s7 in situ, tig. 71,
and its embryoidc for-
mation, tig. C7.)
several elements which have received special names. In sknlls prepared with sulficieut caro,
the stapes may be seen in situ, as in fig. 71, nt, — an e.\tieinoly delicate rod, stepped into the
fenestra ovalis by its foot, the otlier end luotriiding freely, and bearing in many cases its
hammer-like or claw-like stapedial elements. A stapes I have jnst
picked out of an eagle's ear is a fourth of an inch long, with a stout
i'oot, but a stem as fine as a thread of sewing silk, and at the tynipiinie
end a still finer hair-like process half as long as the main stem, frum
which it stands out at a right angle. The ossification is perfect, ami
there appears to have been another similar process which has broken
off from the cross-like figure shown in fig. 71, st. In a raven's skull
before me the stapes has fallen into the fenestra ovalis, and lies there witli
its head sticking out, though perfectly loose. I cannot withdraw it intact,
as the expanded foot fits the hole too closely to pass through in any
position I have succeeded in placing it. It appears to be about as large
as the eagle's. Close examination at a point somewhere about the fe-
nestra ovalis, or between that and the eustachian orifice, will discover a
minute forameu, coiTCsponding to the " stylo-mastoid " foramen of iiiiun-
mals. It transmits cranial nerve 7 (see p. 177), or the/(«ci«i nerre, wliich
has buiTowed througli the bony acoustic capsule from the brain-cavity
and entered the tympanic cavity on its way to the surface. There are
sometimes two such minute foramina, close together, both conducting to
the brain cavity (neither in cf)mmon with the internal auditory meatus) ;
as in the eagle, in which large bird a fine bristle just passes through each.
Thus in the dry skull of a bird, all the hard parts of the middle ear or
tympanic cavity, as well as the eustachian tube, can readily be insi)ected
from the outside; even the limits of the opisthotic and prootic bones can be determined to some
extent, and the ossiculum auditiis be seen in situ. There will also bo noted, in most birds, the
articular facet upon the prootic bone for the inner head of the <iuadrate, as well as upon tlie
squamosal for the outer head of the quadivite ; however these may shift in position, in dif-
erent birds, they cannot easily be overlooked or mistaken. Details of mere size and configura-
tion aside, the above general description will apply pretty well to any bird, and should surticc
for the identification of the objects seen on looking into the ear, though the numbtn- and
variety of the irregular pneumatic openings may bo puzzling at first. To see these tilings
clearly in a mammaVs ear would require special preparation of the parts, as they lie inside a
tympanum which is itself at the bottom of a contracted tube. In such an oar, properly laid
open, would be found a cliain of three ossicles crossing the tympanic cavity from the inner
surface of the tympanic membrane to the opjiositc surface of the membrane closing the fenestra
ovalis — the malleus, incus, and sta^yes, or "hammer," " anvil" and " stirrup; " and the latter
would be stirrup-shaped, not trumpet-like witli a cross-bar at the mouth-piece. Some iiiani-
mals would also show a hyoid bone wliich would have what are the cerato-hyals of a blnl
produced up toward the ear-parts, and continued to these by a bone called stylo-hi/al, or
"styloid process of the temporal"; and any mammal's jaw would articulate directly with the
squamosal, — the chain of three ossicles being entirely inside the ear. As to comparing the
parts now: the mammalian stapes is the stapes or columella of a bird, — its stem and foot at
least ; the incus of a mammal is represented by one of tlie claws of the cross-bar of a bird's
stapes (the .sK^jra-stapedial element; fig. 83, sst); the malleus of a mammal is the great
quadrate bone of a bird; the stylo-hyal of a mammal is not fairly developed in a bird, unless
contained in or represented by another claw of the stapes (an »>0-«-stapcdial element, ist) ;
and in these facts is the reason why a bird's lower jaw is articulated indirectly to tlie sluill
by means of the quadrate, and also why a bird's hyoid bone is not articulated or in any way
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— NEUROLOGY.
187
iro,
he
[its
list
Imt
liiiu
0111
111(1
ipii
lull
[ith
J"'t,
Jniy
ff-
■r ii
1111-
icli
directly oonnectctl with the skull — excepting when, as in a woodpecker, elongated branchial
eli'iiiciitti of the hyoid bone take on such office by curling over the erauiuiii (tigs. I'i, 7-1).
Section of the bone is rc<iuired for further exaiiiinatiou of the ear-parts. On longitudinally
liiscctiug the skull, or otherwise gaining access tt) the brain-cavity, the internal surface of the
pcriolic bono is brought into view (tig. 70, j)0, op, ep). It is the same bone we have seen iu
till,' tympanic cavity, now viewed upon its cerebral surface. In a skull of any size, as that of the
eai;Ie before me (from which the rest of my description will be taken), there is no difficulty in
inaUiiig out the parts, although the periphery of the periotic bone is completely consolidated
with its surroundings. The periotic, or petrosal (Lat. petrosus, stouy — from its hardness), or
" petrous part of the temporal," is the bony capsule of the inner ear, enclosing the lahyrinlh or
essential organ of hearing, — in fact, it is the skull of the ear, sometimes therefore called the
otocrmie — just as ethmoidal parts form the "skull of the nose," and the sclerotal bones represent
a " sliuU of the eye." The periotic consists of the three bones already often mentioned, — the
proiitic, po, epiotic, ep, and opistlwtk, op, or anterior, superior, and posterior ottici-anial bones,
CDiiipletely consolidated together, as well as with surrounding bones. The petrosjil ajjjwars as
an irregular protuberance in the inner wall of the brain-cavity, at the lower back part. It
serins to be more extensive than it really is, because the great superior semicircular canal, too
larsre to be entirely accommodated in the petrosal, has invaded the occipital bone, — the track of
its lied in that bone being sculptured in bas-relief (tig. 70, asc). Behind this semicircular tnice,
tiit> deep groove of a venous sinus is engraved in the bone, makhig the tract of the canal still
more i>roiiiinent (fig. 70, sc). The top of the petrosal and contiguous occipital is the floor of
a recess or fossa in which is lodged the great optic lobe of the brain, partly divided firctm the
general cavity for the cerebral hemisphere by a bony tentorium, like that which in mammals
separates the cerebellar from the cerebral fossse. On the vertical face of the petrosal, or on the
corresponding occipital surface, is a large smooth-lipped orifice, at least ^ of an inch in longest
(liiiiiieter ; it leatls to a tongue-like excavation of the bone, in which the Jtocciilus of the cerebel-
lum is lodged. In front, between the petrosal and alisphenoid (or in the conjoined Ixtrder of
<me or the other of these bones) is a considerable foramen, conducting the second aud third
divisions of cranial nerve 5 (see p. 177; figs. 70, 71, '') into the orbit. Beh>w the jR>trosal (in
fact, between the opisthotic and the exoccipital), near the border of the foramen magnum, is a
foramen (which may be subdivided into foramina), representing the foramen lacerum posterius
of mammals, transmitting cranial nerves 9, 10, 11 (see p. 177; fig. 70, ^). The general space
under description is continued to the margin of the foramen magnum by the exoccipital (fig.
70, eo). Now on the vertical face of the petrosivl itself — behind foramen for 5, alxjve that for
9, 10, 11, in front of the large floccnlar orifice, will be seen a smooth-lipped depression, the
meatus auditorius internus (fig. 70, 7), at the bottom of which are at least tico separate small
foramina. A bristle passed iu ilw ujjper (or anterior) one of these two holes emerges outside
tlie skuU, in the tympanic cavity, near the tympanic end of the eustachian tube ; it ha.s traversed
tlic interior of the petrosal, in a track known as the fallopian nerriilud; it transmits cranial
uorve 7 — the facial, or 2)ortio dura. A bristle passed into the other of the two foramina may
also be made to come out in the tympanic cavity, but by a different track, for it emerges through
either the fenestra ovalis or the fenestra rotunda ; it has traced the course of cranial nerve 8, —
the auditor;/ nerve or portio mollis. Both bristles have entered the common internal aud'tory
meatus, but the secoud one has traversed the ear-cavity proper, through the labyrinth of the
ear, and come out at the tympanic vestibular orifiiic (fenestra ovalis), or at the tympanic cochlear
orifice (fenestra rotunda). Either passage is easily made, without breaking down or indeed
meeting with any bony obstacle, which would not be the case with a mammal. Cranial nerves
7 and 8 were formerly counted as one (seventh) ; hence the name portio dura (" hard portion")
for the former, and imrtio mollis (" soft portion ") for the latter. The fonner, as siiid, traverses
the petrosal bone and escapes upon the face ; the latter, which is the true acoustic uerNc, or
^88
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
ncrvfi of hoaring, rt'inains in the bone, being cxpendt-d upon the lubyrinfhino stnicturos witliin
— tlie restihule, semicircular canah,M\A cochlea, which coustitnto the walls of the {■aviiics in
which thf osscntiul organ of iicaring is snugly encased.
If now, with a very iiuo saw — the saws now so much used for fancy scroll-work will
answer the purpose — the whole periotic mass be cut away from tlio skull, and then dividcij in
any direction, the labyrinth can be studied. It is best to make the section in some dcliiiite
jdane with reference to the axes of the whole skull, — the vertical longitudinal, or vertical
transverse, or horizontal, — as the direction and relations of the contained structures arc then
more easily made out. Four or five parallel cuts will make as numy thin flat slices of bnnc,
affording eight or ten surfaces for examination ; the whcde course of the labyrinthine cavity can
be seen in .sections which, when jiut together in the mind's eye, or held a little apart in tlii'ii-
proper relations and visibly tln-eaded with bristles, afford the required jticturc very nicely. It
is extremely difficult to chisel out the affair from the bone in which it is embedded. At first
glance the slices show a bewildering maze, — a continuous net-work or lattice-work of bmie, in
which the unaccustomed eye will recognize nothing but confusion. All this caiiccllafcd stiiic-
tun?, however, is pneumatic — the open-work tissue of the bone, containing air derived tVoin
the tympanic or eustachian cavities, and having nothing to do with the ear-passages iiropcr.
Parts of the bony labyrinth will soon be recognized by their firm smooth walls and detiniic
courses, as distinguished from the iiTegular interstices of the pneumatic bone-tissue. The Imhiv
labyrinth consists of an irregular central cavity, the 'vestibule ; of a cavity, iirojecting like a
beak downward and backward from the vestibule, tjie cochlea; and of three honseshoe-shaiied
tubular cavities, above, behind, and below the vestil)ule, the semicircular canals, the ends nf
who.se hoHows all open into the vestibule. Imagine three hollow borse.shoes, with tlieir ends
melted into a hollow inflation (vestibule), the opposite wall of which is a hollow projection
(cochlea) — or a h(dlow Hat-iron (vestibule) with a long nose (cocldea) and three hollow liandlcs
(the canals). Or, see figs. 84 to 87, representing the contained 'iiembranous labyrintli. to which
the containing bony labyrinth very closely conforms, as it is sin ply the bony cavity wiiose walls
encase the membranous and otlier soft structures. According as the sections have been made,
numerous cross-cuts of the canals will be seen hero and there as circular orifices ; tlie canals
themselves lying curled like worms in the petrosal and occipital substance, tlieir ends finally
converging to the vestibular cavity. As compared with those of nnm, the parts are of great
size ; in the eagle, the whole affair is as large as that part of one's thumb covered by the nail ;
the wlnde length of the superior semicircular canal is an inch or more; its calibre, I should
judge, being absolutely about as great as in man. The cochlea, however, though not diminutivi!
comparatividy, is in a rudimentary cmidition as far as complexity of structure is concerned, in all
Snuropsida, representing only the begiiming of the cochlear structure of mammals. In the
latter class, the cochlea is spirally coiled or whorled on itself like a snail-shell (whence the
name — cochlea, a snail), making at h-a.st one turn and a half, sometimes five (two and a half in
man) ; with a centre-])ost or modiolus around which wind.s a bony fiange, the lamina spiralis,
a membranous extension of which to the cochlear out-wall divides the c.ivity into two com-
partments or scalfC (scala, a flight of stairs) ; it is just like a spiral stairway, only an inclined
plane instead of a series of steps. The membranous extension of the Ixmy spiral lamina to the
side-wall obviously throws the cavity, as just said, into two spirals, M'hicli only interconnnnni-
cate at the top, where the modiolus ends in a furmel-shaped expansion, the infundibulitiii,
beneath the apex of the snail-shell, the cupola. A marble rolling down the upper stairway
would fall into the restibidar cavity ; this division of the cochlea is therefore the scala vestibuli.
The marble starting from the other side of the infundibulum would roll along the under stair-
way, and if nothing stopped the way, would fall through the fenestra rotunda into the tym-
panic cavity ; this is therefon; the scala tympani. The first marble would also eventually
reach the tympanum, through the vestibule, and out of the fenestra ovalis, if the foot of the
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— NEUBOLOGY.
189
stnix's were uusteppcd (in life, of course, both thco " windows " are closed by membranous
curtains). Now in birds the cochlear cavity and its bony or cartilaginous contents are only tliu
hci'iunings of such structure — a strap-sliaped or tongue-like protrusion from the vestibule, as
if 11 part of tlie first mammalian whorl, and very incomi)letely divided into scala vestibuli and
scahi tympaui by a ^^^ -^- pg.,- ^^j,.^
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lis ; conducting to meatus auditoriiis internus by the course of the auditory nerve. In the
eagle, if its irregularities of contour were smoothed out, it would about hold a pea.
In the language of human anatomy, the three semicircular canals are the (o) anterior or
superior vertical, the (6) posterior or inferior vertical, and the (c) external or horizontal ; and
the planes of their respective loops are approximately nmtually perpendicular, in the three
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190
GENERAL OliNlTHOLOGY.
pliincs of any cubical flgtirc. In birds these tonus do not apply so well to the situation of tln>
canals with reference to the axes of the body, nor to the direction of the Ioojjs ; neither is
mutual perpendieuhirity so nearly exiiibited. The wliole set is tilted over backward to scnno
degree, so that the (a; "anterior'' (though still superior) loops back beyond either of the otliers ;
tiie ('') "p<isterior" loops behind and behiw tlie (cj liorizontal, whieii tilts down backwiinl •
the vertieality of the planes of {<i) and {h) is better kept. Tiu' canals may be better known
as the (n) superior (vertical), and {h) inferior (vertical), and (e) internal (luu'izontal). What-
ever its inclination backwanl, there is no mistaking' («), much tiie longest of the throe, hHijiiinr
liigh up over the rest, exceeding the petrosal and bedded in the occipital, the uiipii- liuili mikI
loop of the arch bas-relieved upon the inner sui-face of th(^ skull (tig. 70, usv). It makes nnicli
more than a semicircle — ratiier a horse-.shoe. Tin! inferior vertical (Jb) loops lowest of ail,
though litth' if any of it reaches further backward than the great loop of («) ; it is the secimd in
size; in shape it is (piite circular, — rather more than a half-circle. Its upper limb Joins tlic
hiwer limb of («), as in nam, aiul the two open by one orifice in the vestibule ; but it is not
simple union, for the two limbs, before forming a common tube, twine half-round each other
(like two fingers of one Iiand cros.sed). The loop of (li) reaches very near the back of the sknil
(outside). The canal (c) is the smallest, and, as it were, set within the loop of (It), though its
l)lane is nearly the opposite of the plane of (/>); and the cavities of (V) and (e) interconnnuni-
cate at or near tlie point of their greatest convexity, farthest from the vestibule. This decus-
sation of (/;) and (c), like the twining inosculation of (a) and (Ji), is well known. It may not
bo so generally understood that there is (in the eagle if not in birds generally) a third extra-
vestibular communication of the canals. My sections show this jierfectly. The great loop of
(a), sweejiing past the decu.«sating-i)lace of {h) and (c), is thrown into a cavity common to all
three. Bristles threaded either way through each of the three canals can all three be seen
in contact, crossing each other through this curious extra-vestibular chamber, which may be
named tlie trina, or " three-way" jilace. (The arrangement I nuike out does not agree well
with the figure of the owl's labyrinth given by Owen, Anat. Vert., ii, 134. The trivia is at
the jtlace where, in fig. 84 or 85, the three membranous canals cross one another. It does not
follow, however, that these contained membranous canals intercommunicate, and it apjjcars
from Ibsen's figures that they do not. Study of these admirable illustrations, with the
explanations given under them, should make the details perfectly clear to the reader.)
All that precedes relates to the bony labyrinth, — the scrolled cavity of the periotic Ixine.
The wemhranous labyrinth is a sac lying hxjselyinthe hoUow of the bone, and shaped just like
it, lining the hollow of the vestibule and tubes of the semicircular canals. Withdrawn intact,
it would bo a perfect " cast" of the labyrinth. Originally, this sac is also continuous with one
in the cavity of the cochlea, called the membranous cochlea, which afterward becomes shut off"
from the nuiin sac. This shut-oif cochlear part lies between the scala tympani below and the
scala vestibuli above ; its interior is the scala media. If demonstrable in birds, it must be (|uite
as rudimentary as the other scala'. The membrane is not attached to the bony walls of the
labyrinth, but is separated by a space c(tiitaining finid, the perilymph, which also occupies the
scala vestibuli and scala tympani. A similar fluid, the endolymph, is contained in the cavity of
the membranous labyrinth, and scala media of the cochlea; in it are found concretions, or oto-
liths, of the same character as the great " ear-stones " so consjiicuous in numy fishes. This
lymph has a wonderful office — that of equilibration, enabling the animal tf) preserve its
equilibrium. The labyrinth and its contained fluid may be likened to the glass tubes filled
with water and a bnbl)le of air, by a combination of which a surv»'yor, for example, is enabled
to adjust his theodolite true to the horizontal. Somehow a bird knows bow the fluid stands in
the self-registering levelling-tubes, and adjusts itself accordingly. Ob.servations made on
pigeons show that " when the membranous canals are divided, very renuirkable disturbances
of equilibrium ensue, which vary in character according to the seat of the lesion. AVhen the
is
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THE ANATOMY OF DllWS. — NEUliOLOOY.
191
Imrizdiitiil ciinals arr tlividcd rupiil iiiovcmpnts of the hcdd from side to sido, in a liorizoiital
iilaiJ<'< tiik)' place, along with um-illatiou of the cyuhalls, and the animal tends to xpin ronnil on
ii vertical axis. When the jioMterior or inferior vertical canals are divided, the head is moved
riipiilly l)ack\vards and forwards, and the animal tends to execute a backward somersanit, head
iivci- heels. When the superior vertical camils are (livi(U'd, the head is moved rapidly forwards
1111(1 backwards, and the animal tends to execute a forward somersault, heels over head. C'om-
biucd section of the; various canals causes the most bizarre contortions of the head and body."
(Fcrrier, Fuuct. of the IJrain, IS?*), p. 57.) Injury of tho canals does not cause loss of hearing,
iKir lines loss of eipiilibrium follow destruction of the cochlea. Two diverse though intimately
cuiniccted functions are thus presided over by the acoustic nerve, — audition and ecpiilibration.
Menses of Taste and Touch: GiiHtatton and Taction. — The hands of birds being
liiiiileii in the feathers which envelo)t the whole body — their feet and lips, and usually miidi
if lint all of the tongue, being sheathed in horn, these faculties would ajtiiear to be enjoyed in but
small degree. While it is ditticult to judge how much appreciation of tlie sajiid <(iialifies of sub-
stances birds may be capable of, we must not be hasty in supposing their sense of taste to be
uiiieli abrogated. One who has had the toothache, or teeth " set on edge" by acids, or pain-
fully affected by hot or c(dd drinks, may judge how sensitive to impressions an extremely dense
tissue can be. Persons of defective hearing may be assisted to a kind <if audition by an instru-
ment applied to the teeth ; and it is not easy to define the ways in which sensory functions may
lie vicariously performed or replaced. Birds are circumspect and discriminative, even dainty, iu
their choice of food, in which they are doubtless guided to some extent by the gustatory
sensations they experience. As, however, only some human beings make these an end instead
iif a natural ivnd proper means to an end, the selection of food by birds may be chiefly upon
intuitions of what is wholesome. Such purely gustatory seuso as they possess is presided over
hy the branches of the glosso-pharyngeal nerve which go to tho back part of the tongue and
mouth. Though the chorda tympani nerve exists, there isn<j lingual (gustatory) branch of the
third division of the fifth cranial nerve. Yet the latter, which goes in mammals to the anterior
part of the tongue, is less effectually gustatory than the glosso-pharyngeal ; as we know by the
fact that the sensaticm of tast(! is not completely experienced until the sapid substance passes to
the back of the mouth. Gustation is likewise connected with (dfaction ; the full effect of
nauseous substances for example, being not realized if the nose is held. From these alternative
considerations, each one may estimate for himself how nmch birds know of sapidity ; remember-
ing also, how soft, thick, and fleshy are the tongue and associate parts in some birds, as parrots
and ducks, in comparison with birds whose mouths are quite horny.
The beak is doubtless the principal tactile instrument ; nor docs its hardness in most birds
preclude great sensitiveness ; as witness the case of the teeth, above instanced. Sensation is
here governed by the branches of the fifth nerve. In some birds, in which also the tenninal
filaments of this nerve are largest and most numerous, the bill acquires exquisite sensibility.
Such is its state in the .snipe family, in most members of which, as the woodcock, true snipe, and
sandpipers, tho bill is a very delicate nervous ]>rid)e. The Apteryx also feels in the mud for
its food, enjoying moreover the unusual privilege of having its nose at the end of its long
exploration. Ducks dabble in the water to sift out proper food between the " strainers" with
which the sides of their beaks are provided ; and the ends of the maxillary and mandibular bones
themselves are full of holes, indicathig the abundance of the nervous supply (fig. 03).
The senses of birds and other animals are commonly recktmed as fi.ve — a number which
may bo defensively increased — as by a sixth, the muscular sense, which gives consciousness
of strain or resistance, apart from purely tactile impressions ; and perhaps a seventh, the
faculty of equilibration, which has a physical mechanism of its own, at least as distinct and
complete as that of hearing. The ordinary "five senses" are ciu'iously graded. Taction con-
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GENEIiA L UJiNITlWLOG Y.
noti's qualities of iiiiittrT in bulk, uh density, r(>ii>,'hu('88, tomporiituro, etc. GusUitioii, nmitir
(liftHolvcd iiiMiittT — tliiiilic. Olfiiction, imittcr ditfimt'd in air — acriforined. Audition, utino.s-
plirrid air in umlulution. Visiwi, an ctlu'rcal suljstanco in undnlation. All animals arc |mi>1iii-
bly also sUHW'ptiblo t)f hiugenfttion, which is thu utfwtion resulting from the intlnenec of hii)>;cii ;
n substance consisting of self-conscious force in coinbiuation with the niininiuni of nintur
required for itH inunifeutution.'
c. MvoLOov : THE Muscular System.
Muscular Tissue consists of nion^ or ft^wer ania>biforiii animals; separate ccdonies of whirli
creatures, isolated in various parts of the body, eoin])osc the individual different muscles. Tlicy
are envelo])ed in fibrous tissue, the sheets of which are caUed fnscia:, and the ends r)f whirli,
usually attached to bones by direct continuity with the periosteal covering of the latter, funn
tendons and ligaments. The muscle-uuimals belong to a genua which may be termed
Mi/iniKfhd, differing from other genera of the aniad>ifonn8 which com]iuse the body of a bird
less in their )ihysical character of being elongate<l and spindle-shaped, or even filiform, thiiu in
their physiohigical character of vontructilifij. Under a|)iiropriate stimulus, as the passage of a
(current of electricity, or the wav(! of biogen-substance which constitutes a " nerve-iiii]iidse,"
Mii»mah(C sluu'teu and thicken, tending towards a state of tonic contraction which, if coiii|pleteil
and long sustained, would cause them to become encysted as spherical bodies; but extreme con-
traction is never long continued. Hy alternate contraction and relaxation all the motions of the
body in bulk are effected. The caj)acity of, or tendency to, contracti(m is called tlie Umidtij of
musculur fibre. The simultaneous contraction of any c(dony of Mijamwha pulls u])on the iitlach-
ment of the muscle at eacdi of its ends ; in some cases a])])roxiuuiting botli ends ; oftener moving
the part to which one end is attached, the other being fixed. The action of a umscle is upon
the simplest mechanical principles, — nothing more or li'ss than ]iulling uixui a i)art, as by a
ro|)e, the line of traction being exactly in the line of c<intraction of the nuisde ; thougli it is
often ingeniously changcul by the ))as8age of tendons around a corner of bone, or through a loop of
fibrous ti.«sue, as if through a pulley. Sued) moveiaents as those of a turtle jjrotruding its bend,
or a bird thrusting its beak forward, where nuisde seems to ^j«,s7i, are fallacious; when analy/.i'd,
the motion is invariably resolved into siinjde pulling. The swelling up of a muscle in contract-
ing must indeed im]iinge upon neighboring parts and shove them aside ; but that is an extrinsic
result. Muscles contract most jiowerfully under resistance to their turgescence : what is etlected
by the fasciie which bind them down ; — what the athlete seeks to increase by bandaging his
swidling hicepn. There are two species of Myamahu. M. striata is the ordinary striped tibie
of voluntary motion, and also of some motion not under contr(d of the will, as that of tlie heart.
This s])ecies is usually of a rich red ctdor (pale pink in uuvny birds of the grouse family), and is
the ordinary " flesli " of the body. The other species, M. Imvis, composes the pah; or cijlorle.-s
smooth fibre of the inv(duntary muscles, as those of the intestines, the gullet, etc. A species of
c.<mtractile tissue commonly referred to the genus Dcsmnmaehn (indifferent conm'(!tive-tissue
cells) is very near Mijumaba Iccvis ; example, mammalian dartos. The movements of erectile
organs, as the neat combs over the eyes of grouse, or the turkey's caruncles, are not in any sense
mijannebic, but depend mechanically upon influx of blood.
The Muscular System of Aves (lan only be touched upon ; it is impossible in my limits
to even name all the muscles, nnich less ilescribe them. I can only note the leading iieculiarities,
and present a figure in which the princnjjal muscdes are named.
< The reader who may l)o iiitcrcsteil tn inquire ftirtlior in tlils ilircotion is referred to a publication entitled : —
Biogen : A Speculation on the Origin and Nature of Life. Abridged from a jiajier on the " Possibilities of Proto-
plasm," read before the Pliilosophical Society of Wasliington, May 6, 1882. By Dr. Elliott Coues, etc. Wasliiiig-
ton, .ludd & Detweiler. 8vo, pp. 27. Second ed., Boston, Estes & Lauriat, 1884.
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — MYOLOGY.
198
'I'lin NubcutaneouB shoot of imisclo (of wlilch tlin liumnn " inusrlpH of oxprmsion " nnd
pluti/xDKt myoiden ato scgnigiitioui-) Is hrokun up in l)iriln into ii coiKitlrss iiiiiiiImt of littlo NlipM
wliirli iigitiito tho ffutlicrs t'ollei'tivcly, anil csiMM-iiiUy tlic ),'r('at (|uill« of tliu wiiigH ami tail.
Tlirri' am I'stiiiuitwl to be 12,000 in a goose. 'I'iio |iriiiH' jwiHiliarity of binlx' iiiiim-iilaliou ix tin;
cmirnum.s (iDveloimii'iit of tho pedumles, or bicust inumih's, wiiii-h operate the wings. The
ert'at jjcctoral, p. major or j>. priiniin, arises from the sternal keel, when that special bony sep-
tuui between the fellow-peetorals e.xists, and from more or less of the body of the steriniui, pass-
im; (lireetly to tho great jjectoral or outer ridge of the humerus, near the upjier end of that bone.
Its oiiijin may even e.xceed tho limits of the sternum, invading tlu; elaviele, etc. ; it may utnte
with its fellow. It is the depressor of the humerus, giving tho downward stroke of tho wing.
The next pectoral, ^J. secundus ttr p. mediim, arises from much or most of tho steruuiii not occu-
pied by tho first, under cover of which it lies ; it passes also the humerus, but by an interesting
way it has of running through a i)ulley at tho shoulder it elevates that bone, giving the upward
wiiig-stroko. A third pectoral, p. tertius or p. ininiinwi, arising from sti-rnum, and often cou-
tiijiiDUs parts of tho coracoid bone, passes directly to tho humerus, Bupi)leinenting the action of
tile Krst. A fourth muscle in many birds acts upon tho humerus from tho sternum or coracoid,
particularly tho latter. These four differ greatly in their relative development. Such extent of
the sternum anil pectoral muscles correspondingly reduces that of the belly-walls, and tho
aliiiouiinal muscles aro consequently scanty. Fixity of the sjnnal column in tho dorsal region
(liiiiiuishes tho musculation of that i)art, the spinal mtisdes being much better developed in
tlie cervical region ; where, in cases of some of the long-necked birds, thero aro curious con-
trivances for tho mechanical advanfagf' of the muscle in flexing and ext(;nding this m(d)ilc part
iif tlie body. Muscles of the hyoidean ap])aratus acquire a singular devolopnieut in woodj)eckers.
. Tlie lower jaw is depressed particularly by muscle inserted into tho end of tho mandible ; the
U)iper is elevated by particular muscles operating tlie pterygoid and quadrate bones. Temporal,
masseteric, and ordinary jiterygoid muscles close the jaws. They are unsymnn^trical in Lo.ria.
Tiie diiiphraym, tlie musculo-menibranous jiartition which in iiiammals divides the thoracic
from the abdominal cavity, is only represented in birds in a rudimentary condition. Macgillivray
has tigured that of the rotdt as c<insisting of three fleshy slijis, r, r, r, passing from as many
lilis, 4, 5, 0, to the pleural sac of the lungs, /, /, in fig. 101, p. 200. It is best develojied in tiie
Ajilfrif.r.
The remarkable s])ecializatioii of both limbs, — the former for flight, the latter for the
perfectly bipedal Idcoiiiotioli wliich ciiily birds besides man enjoy, — results in cnrres])onding
pcciiriiii'ities (pf the niu.scular mechanism. Muscles beyond the .shoulder are greatly reduced in
number and complexity from an ordinary quadrupedal standard ; those of the legs are rather
increased, and their configuration, relative size, and to some extent their relations are so much
cliaiiged, that tireat diflicnlty is exjierieuced in identifying them witli tliecurrespdiidilig muscles of
(|iia(lru])eds. Tlie result is, great confusion in their niniienclatinc, wliidi is .still shifting, though
nmch has been done of late to give it precisinn. Attention has recently been called by Garrod
to the dassificatory value of certain muscles of the limbs. The Inisor pdiiit/ii, that muscle or
muscles which may have elastic tenddus, and by which the fnuin of .skin in lin> angles of the
wing bon(>s are regulated, may have different characters in diH'erent groups of birds. It has
Icing been known that particular muscles of the hind limb are in direct and imi>ortant relation
to tlie prehensile power of the toes, and conseciueiitly co-onliiiated with the iuse.ssorial or the
reverse character of the foot. In the highest birds, I'a.'<Kercs, the foot gras])s with great
facility, owing to the distinctness or individuality of the Jlc.ror hiiif/iis halliicis, or bender of the
liiiid toe. The omhirns (Lat. awhiois, going aronnd) is a muscle of which Garrod has even
made so much as to diviih' all birds into two primary groups according to whether they possess
it or not. The anibieiis arises from the jielvis about the acetabulum, and jiasses along the inner
side of tho thigh ; its tendon runs over the convexity of the knee to the outer side, and ends by
13
194
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
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THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — ANGEIOLOGY.
195
connecting with the flexor digitorum perforatus, — one of the muscles which bend the toes col-
lectively. When this arrangement obtains, the result is th.it when a bird goes to roost, and
8([iiats on its perch, the toes automatically clasp the perch by the strain upon tlio ambicns that
ensues as soon as the leg is bent upon the thigh, and the tarsus upon the leg, tli(! weight of the
bird thus holding it fast upon its perch. Tlie effect is as if an ela.sti(! cord were tied to the hip
joint, thence directed over the front of the knee and badi of the lieel and so on to the ends of the
toes. Obviously, such a cord would be strained when the limb is Ijcnt, relaxed when the limb is
striiightened out. The reader may <ibserv(i a corresponding effect of the muscular arrangement
of his forearm by throwing the hand as far back as [)ossible ; the fingers tend to dose by the
strain on the flexors in passing over what is a convexity of the wrist wlien the liand is in that
position. Passeres have no ambiens, tlie perfection of their feet in otlier resp(>cts answering all
pMrjioses. Birds having it arc termed Iwnuilogonatou.i or " normally-kneed" (Gr. 6na\6s. hoinalo.i,
I'roni 6^09, homos, like, even, etc.; ydi'v, yovaros, gonti, gonatns, knee) ; those wanting it arc called
uiiumalogonatous, " abnortnally-kmM'd." Tlie distinction prevails with much applicability to
various large groups of birds, and docs good duty in diagnosis when duly connected with other
characters; but surely should not give name to primary gioups founded upon it! Other
uuiscles of the leg much used by the same sagacious and zealous anatomist are the femoro-
cawlal, accessory femoro-caudal, semitendino us, and accessory semitendinosus. The whole five
(if these muscles " vary ; any one or more tiian one may be absent in different birds ; . . . the con-
stancy of the peculiarities in the different individuals of each species, or the species of each
genus, and very generally in the genei >f each family, makes it evident to any one working at
tlie subject that much respecting the a.iinities of the different families of birds is to be learnt
from the study of their myology, in connection with the peculiarities of their other soft parts;
and that these features will, in the long run, lead to a more coiTect classification than one based
on the skeleton alone, becomes almost equally certain." (Garrod, P. Z. S., 1873, p. 630.) I
(piote in justice of this author, a modem Macgillivray in sincerity and love of truth ; and very
generally, in constructing my characters of the higher groups of birds in the body of this work,
1 shall be as glad to use the myological formulae of Garrod, as I am here to pay this slight
tribute to his memory.
d. Angeiology : the Vascular or Circulatory Systems.
Blood and Lymph are the two media by the circulation of which throughout the body
the various ama'boid animals which compose the tissues are fed, their waste repaired, and their
dead parts removed. Each species of Amoeba has the faculty of selecting from the constituents
of blood and lymph its appropriate food; and of converting such nourishment into its own
|iroper substance. Refuse matters are either drained off by the kidneys and voided as excrement,
or swept by the current of blood into the lungs and there cremated. The stream of lymph is a
feeder to the blood, and when the mingled currents are no longer distinguishable has become
liiood. The machinery of circulation is two sets of vessels — the heemptic, or vascular system
proper, consisting of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries for the blood-circulation ; and the
lymphatic, consisting of lymph-hearts .and vessels, for the flow of lymph. The lymphatics,
converging from all parts of the body, and especially from the intestines, end in vessels which
pour the lymph into the veins of the neck. The heart is the centr.al organ of the blood-circu-
lation, by which that fluid is pumped into all parts of the body through the arteries or efferent
vessels ; straining through the netwca-k of capillaries, it returns to the heart through the i'eins,
or afferent vessels. The set of efferent vessels is the arterial system ; that of afferent vessels is
the venous system. Tlie blood in arteries excepting the pulmonary is bright red ; that in
veins excepting the pulmonary is dark red. The change from bright to dark occurs in the
capillaries of the system at large ; the change from dark to bright only in the capillaries of the
lungs and air-sacs. The systemic blood circulation is completely separated from the pidmonic
i
i
196
GENERAL OBNITHOLOOY.
in all animals in which, as in birds, the right and left sides of the heart are separated from each
other ; such circulation is said to be double ; that is, arterial and venous blood only mingle in
the capillaries, whether of the lungs or others, and therefore at the periphery of the vascular
system : the heart being the centre of that system. Blood, in all or some of its constituents,
l)ermeates absolutely every tissue of the body. Those tissues whose capillaries are large enmigli
for the passage of ail the constituents of blood are said to be vascular; those which only feed by
sucking up certain constituents of the blood, and have no demonstrable capillaries, are called
non- vascular. But nutrient fluid penetrates the densest tissue, as the dentine of te(;th ; no
permanent tissues are really non-vascular, or they would soon die, as do feathers, which require
to be renewed once a year or oftencr.
Lymph and the lymphatics are noticed further on. Blood consists of water in wliidi
several ingredients are dissolved, and certain solid bodies are suspended. Its watcn- is salted,
albuininated, libriuated, and corpusculated. The proportions, which vary in different birds and
at different times in the same bird, are in round numbers : water 80, fibrine and corpuscles 15,
albumen and salts 5 = 100 parts. Withdrawn from the body and allowed to settle, blood sepa-
rates into two parts, serum and coagulum. The serum is the clear yellowish salty albuminous
water ; the clot is the fibrine, in the meshes of which are mii'ed the corpuscles, reddening the
whole mass. The plasma, ])lasm or plastic material of the blood, is its substance dissolvcil
in water ; that is to say, minus the solid corpuscles. These latter interesting little bodies are a
myriad of minute animals, which swim in the life-current, and are named HtBmatamwha
cruentata. They have been sujiposed to be of two species ; but the so-ealled white blood
corpuscles, or leucocytes, indistinguishable from lymph coq)uscles, are simply the forma-
tive stages of the red blood-discs. In its early colorless stage, the Heematamaba is a
nucleated mass of protoplasm (protoplasm is the indifferent substance out of which all animal
tissue is derived), of no determinate size or shape, exhibiting active amoeboid movements.
Later in the life of the minute creature, it passes into a sort of encysted state, in which it red-
dens and accjuires definite dimensions and configuration. In birds, these "blood-discs" are
flat, elliptical, and nucleated, that is, containing a kernel ; they average in the long diameter
•jj'j-j, in the short j-g^^, of an inch. Thus they differ decidedly from the flat, circular, nun-
niicleated, red blood-discs oi Mammalia, which latter are su])posed to be mthor free nuclei tlian
perfected Htcmatamoeha;. The red color of blood is entirely due to the presence of these
unicellular animals. The energy of respiration, and corresponding activity of circulation in
birds, make them hamatothermal, or hot-blooded ; the pulse is quickest, the blood hottest,
and richest in organic matter, in these of all animals.
The Heart is a hollow muscular organ, at the physiological ci-ntre of the hoDmatic vas-
cular system. Its muscle presents the principal exception to tlie rule, that the contractility <if
Myamoeba striata (see p. 192) is subject to voluntary control. It is the most industrious organ
of the body, never ceasing its rhythmic systole and diastole, or contraction and dilatation, from
the moment of the first ])ul.siition in the contractile vesicle which begins it, t<i that when the
" muffled drum " gives the last beat of the " funeral march to the grave." The arteries are
the elastic thick-walled branching tubes which leave the heart on their way to the body at
large; their pulsations, over which the vaso-motor nervous system presides, arc isochronous
with the heart-beats, and arterial blood thus flows in jets. The veins are the vessels converi:-
ing from all ))arts ; thin-walled, less elastic, with more equable current. The capillaries are
the communicating vessels, of such size as just to permit the Ilrematania'bas to pass through ;
th((ir network rejiresents the terminations of arteries and the commencements of veins. The
heart in adult birds is completely double; i. e., the right and left sides iire perfectly se])arated.
It is also eoiiqdetely four-chambered; i. e., there is an auricle and a ventricle on each side,
which communicate ; in embryonic life the two auricles communicate by the foramen ovale,
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— ANGEIOLOGY.
197
wliii'li tlien closes. Arteries proceed from the strong muscular ventricles ; veins are received by
the weaker auricles. The course of the blood is: From the body excepting the lungs it comes,
(lark and licavy with products of decomposition, through tlie caval veins into tlie right auricle ;
fnnii right auricle through tlie auriculo-ventricular opening into right ventricle ; from right ven-
tricle through the jmlmonari/ arteries to the lungs ; in the cai)illaries of which it is relieved of
its burden. There decarbonized and oxygenized, the bright red aerated blood returns through
till' jmlmonary veins to the left auricle ; through the corresponding auriculo-ventricular open-
ing to the left ventricle, which ])uinps it out through tlie aorta and other arteries to the
(•ii])i!laries, and so to the veins and heart again. Thus the pulmonary arteries convey black
lildiid, the pulmonary veins red blood ; the reverse of the usual course. Before lungs come into
]il:iy, in the egg, the blood is purified in the allautois, an cnibryonic organ which then sustains
a rcsiiiratory function. Besides the pulmonary there is another special circulatory arrange-
iiiciit, the hepatic portal sj'stein of veins, by which blood coming from the chi/lopoctic viscera
'stdiiiach, intestines, etc., whidi make chyle in the process of digestion), strains through the
liver before reaching the heart. There is no renal portal system in birds.
The heart of birds is not peculiar in its conical .shape, but is more median in position than
ill mammals. There being no completed diaphragm, the pericardial sac which holds it is received
in a recess between lobes of the liver. The right ventricle is much thinner- walled than the
left; the auricles have less of the elongation which has caused their name (" little ears" of the
heart) in mammals. The right auriculo-ventricular valve, which prevents regurgitation of
blood, instead of being thin and inenibranous, is a thick fleshy tlap which during the ventricular
systole applies itself closely to the walls of the cavity. The pulmonary artery and the aorta arc
each provided at their origination with the ordinary three crescentic or " semilunar " valves, as
in mammals. The pulmonary artery arises single, forking for each lung. The pulmonary
veins are two. The systemic veins, or vena cava;, bringing blood from the body at large, are
three — two pre-caval, from head and upper extremities, one post-caval, from trunk and lower
extremities. The aorta, almost inimediatoly at the root of that great trunk, figs. 90-95, h,
divides into three primary branches ; right, ri, and Ic^ft, li, innominate arteries, conveying
blood to the neck, head and upper extremities ; and main aortic, a, which curves over to the
right (left in mammals) and supplies the rest of the body. More precise statement is, perhaps,
that the aortic root, h, first gives off the left innominate, li, then at once divides into right
iuiiominate, ri, and main aortic trunk, a, (right). It represents the fourth primitive aortic
arch of the embryo. On the whole, the avian heart is a great improvement tin that of most
reptiles, though nearly resembling that of Crocodilia ; it is substantially as in any mammal,
though differing in its fleshy right auriculo-ventricular valve, two instead of one pre-caval vein,
right instead of left aortic arch, and mode of origin of the primary aortic branches.
The zotilogical interest of the .avian blood-vessels centres in the carotid arteries, which,
with the vertebral arteries, supply the neck and head. The ciirotids may be single or double ;
and other details of their disposition correspond well with certain families and orders of birds.
They are the first branches of the iunominates. In most birds, there is but one carotid, the
left ; in a few, one, formed by early union of two ; in many, two, long distinct. The arrange-
ment will be perceived by the diagrams taken from Garrod's admirable paper (P. Z. S., 1873,
p. 457). In nearly the words of this author : 1. In what may be termed the typical arrange-
ment (though it is not the usual one), two carotids, of equal size or nearly so, run up the front
of the neck, converging till they meet in the middle line, and so continue up to the head, (m the
front of the bodies of the cervical vertebra', in the hypapophysial canal. Birds with this
arrangement Garrod calls aves hicarotidituc tiormales (fig. 90). 2. In most birds, the carotid
branch of the right innominate being not developed, only the left, of larger size, traverses the
hypapophysial canal ; but it bifurcates before reaching the head, thus producing two carotids,
distributed as if there had been two all the way up. Such birds are said to have a left carotid.
'ill
198
GENEHAL OliNITHOLOGY.
li
and arc termed aves Irwo-carotidince (fig. 91). 3. In certain parrots only, with two carotids,
the right is as iu (1), but tlie left riuis siiiierficially along the neck with the jugular vein anil
pneumogastric nerve ; such birds are aves bicarotidince abnonnales (fig. 92). 4. Two carotids,
arising normally, unite almost immediately, and the single trunk runs to near the head, just as
if there were two as in (1); then it bifurcates, as iu birds with left carotid only (2). Sucli birds
arc termed aves conjiindo-carotidina:. Special cases of (4) are : in the bittern, the two roots
are of nearly equal size (fig. 93) ; in the fianiiugo, the left is very small (fig. 94) ; in a wjckatoo,
the right is very small (fig. 95). Parrots display all four oH the arrangements ; the cases of tlie
bittern and flamingo are unique. The question is thus for nearly all birds narrowed to whether
there be two normal carotids (1), or the left only (2). Observations upon three hundred genera
show two iu one hundred and uinety-tliree, iu one hundred and seven the left only ; but tlie
Flli. U2.
Fi08. 90-95. — Diagr.ims of carotid arteries of birds: A, root of aorta; a, arch of aorta, to the right siilo; li, left
Innominate; ri, rigl\t Innominate ; Is, left subclavian ; rs, right subclavian; Ic, left carotid; re, right carotid. (1)
Fig. 90. Aves hicarnlldince normalcs, with two carotids, botli alike. (2) Fig. 91. y^i'c.i lavo-carotidimr, with It't'l
carotid only. (3) Fig. 92. Arrs hicnrotidina abnormal 'S, certain i)arrots, with two carotids, not alike. (4, 0, i'\
Area poyiiimcto-carntiriinw, with two carotids, which speedily unite in one. (4) Fig. 93, bittern, both alike. (.1)
Fig. 94, flamingo, left very small. {«) Fig. 9.'>, cockatoo, right very small. (Copied by Shufeldt from Garrod.)
numerical proportion of Passerine genera makes (2) the most frequent arrangement. There is
but one carotid in all Passercs as far as known ; in most Ci/pselidcc ; in Trogonidec, Mcrop'uhr,
Upupidte, Bhamphnstida;, some Psittaci, the Tiirnicida;, Megapodidce, Podicipedida, Alcidtr,
SheidcE, Apterygidce. Thus in Passeres, Columha;, Accipitres, GralleB, and Ansercs, the
carotid arrangement is an ordinal character, all but the first named of tliosc great groujis
having two. The character separates most of the families of " Picarian" birds, and also dis-
tinguishes the families Pha^iicopteridcc, Megapodidce, Craddw, Turnicida;, Podicipedidw, tnid
family groups of the Batita;, from among one another. It is apparently only a generic charac-
ter in Psittaci, and in Ci/pselidcn, Ardcidtc and Alcidce.
Reaching the skull, the carotids burrow in the bone, between the basitemporal plate and
the true floor of the skull, and enter the cranial cavity by the " sella turcica" (the original
pituitary space) ; their anastomosis furnishes a sort of " circle of Willis." (Figs. 66, 69, 7<), ic)
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— PNEUMATOLOGY.
199
Both liinbs of birds liave a prime peculiarity of tlicir arteries as compared with mammals.
In the fore liinb, the blood supply being chiefly absorbed by the immense pectoral innscles,
vessels which in mammals are small axillari/ branches appear like the main continuation of the
subclavian trunk, and the bracliial arteries are correspondingly reduced. In the leg, the main
source of supply is the great ischiac artery, the femoral being small. Tiiis ischiac artery cor-
responds to the twig wliich in man accompanies the great sciatic nerve (comes itervi ischiatici) ;
and the rare human anomaly of a posterior main vessel of the thigh is therefore a reversion
(atavism) to the avian rule. There is no single proper renal artery to the kidney.
The Lymphatics of birds consist chiefly of a deep set accompanying the main blood-
vessels, forming various plexus, — nodes, "glands," or "lymph-hearts" in their course. Su-
perficial lympliatics, so prominent in mammals, are little developed, though lymphatic glands
are found in tlie arm-pit and groin of some birds. These are the s2/s<«»)i!C vessels; a special
set, the lactcals, arise by numberless twigs in the course of the small intestine, uniting and re-
uniting to form at length two (not one as in mammals) main tubes, which lie along either side
of tlie spinal column. These are the thoracic dncts; whidi terminal trunks of the whole lym-
phatic sy.stem empty into the right and Mx jugular veins at the root of the neck. The contents
of the vessels differ corres))ondiiigly. Pure lymph is a pale, limpid, albuminous fluid, contain-
hii; when maturely elaborated a number of irregular ania'boid bodies, indistinguishable from
the wliite formative corpuscles of the bh)od (j). lOO). It is strained out of the tissues at large,
being that material, not yet eih^te, which is still flt for feeding the blood. Tlie lacteals contain
difik, — the other kind of lymph, ulrained oft' by the niucous membrane of the intestine from the
lircparcil food in that tube ; an albuminous fluid, milky or cloudy from the abundance of oil-
gl()l)nlcs, which, after mingling with the systemic lymph, is poured directly into the current of
the blood, in the manner above said. Since the lacteals do not appear to begin with open
months, the chyle must soak into them through the lining membrane of the intestines; and
as tins consists of a layer <jf ama-ba-like animals, through whose bodies the chyle passes, it is
Huite true to say that the whole organism is nourished upon the excrement of amcebas-
e. Pneumatolooy : the Respiuatouy System.
The Organs of Respiration provide for the ventilation of the body. Since the respira-
tory process is also calorific, they likewise furnish a heating apparatus. They consist essen-
tially of air- passages and air-spaces connected with lung-tissue, being therefore pulmonary
organs. No other animals are so thoroughly permeated as birds with the atmospheric medium
in which they live ; in no others are the respiratory functions so energetic and efiectual. The
lung may be likened to a blast-furnace for the combustion of decaj'ed animal matter; purifica-
tion of the blood and wanning of the body being two inseparable results obtained. Dark
blood flowing to the lungs, heavy with efft.'te carbonaceous matters, is there relieved of its bur-
den and aerated by the action of oxygen ; the products of combusticm being exhaled in the
form of carbonic dioxide and water. Aside from the ])roper lung-tissue, the capillary substance
of the immense air-sacs tends to the same result. There is likewise, in birds, a lesser system
of ventilation, by which air is admitted to cranial bones through the eustachian tubes ; but
this is unconnect<!d with the proper respiratory oftice. Pulmonary tissue consists chiefly of a
wonderful net (a rcte mirahile) of capillaries, interlacing in every direction, bound together and
su])ported by fine connective tissue, and invested with membrane so delicate that their walls
MHim naked, their exposure to the air being thus very thorough. Air gains such intimacy
with the capillaries through the larynx, trachea (fig. 101, o), and bronchial tubes (r, r), these
being the primary air-passages. But all the bronchial tubes do not subdivide into the ultimate
air-cells; some largo ones run through .he lung, pierce its surface (as at n, u, fig. 101), and end
200
GENEBAL ORNITHOLOGY.
in that systPin of cnonnous air-spaces for which the respiratory system of birds is so remarkably
distiiiKnishcil. — like a heap of soap-bubbles, blown up en masse from a bowl of fluid ; the extra-
pulmonary air-spaces beiiij; the larger superficial bubbles, the minute vesicles of lung-tissiic
projier being little bubbles just formed. In this way air penetrates even the hollow skeleton of
most birds (p. 135).
The Lungs of Birds (fig. 101, t, t), notwithstanding their heated energy of respiration,
arc anatomically more like tliose of reptiles than of mammals. They are not shut by a dia-
phragm ill a special division of the great thoracic-abdominal cavity of the body, but extend fiuin
the apex of the chest as far as tlie kidneys, in the pelvic region. They are not divided into jdlics,
as in maiiimals, nor do tliey as in that class Hoat freely in the chest by their mooring at their
roots ; nor, again, are tliey eomjilctely invested by a serous membrane foniiing a closed jilciiral
cavity. Tliey are fixed in the dorsal region of the general cavity, covered in front witli picurii,
with which slips of tlie rudimentary diaphragm (r, r, r) are connected; but on the dorsal surlacc
are accurately moulded to the intercostal spaces, showing the impresisions of the ribs and verte-
bra', — just as the lobulated kidneys are stamped with the sacral iiieiiualities of surface. Tlicy
are, as usual, two, rigiit and left ; their " roots" are the bronchi (r, r), the jiuliiiunary arteries
and veins, nerves, and connective tissue.
TUe Pneumatocysts. — A bird is literally inflated with these great membranous recejita-
cles of air, and draws a reinarkiibly "long breath," — all tiiroiigh the trunk of the body, in
several pretty definite conifiartmeu's ; in many, or most, or all, of the bones; in many inter-
muscular spaces ; in some birds also throughout the cellular tissue immediately beneath the
.skin. They vary so much in extent and disposition as to be not easily described except either
in the most general tenns already used, or with particuhirity of detail for diflerent species. Ac-
cording to Owen, however, the usual disposition is: An inter-clavicular air-space, quite con-
stant: this, with its cervical pndongations, furnishes the great "air-drums" of our jiiniiatcd
grouse and cock-of-the-plains. Anterior thoracic, about the roots of the lungs. Lateral tho-
racic, pndonged to axiUurij, and to s[)aces and passages in the wings, including the holhiw
humerus. Large hepatic or posterior thoracic, about the lower part of the lung and the liver.
Abdominal, right and left, of great size, from the lower part of the lung where the longest bnm-
ohial tubes open very freely; extending to ])elric and inguinal compartments, \Y\umci' femoral
sacs, the hollow of the femur, etc. The subcutaneous cells are enormously developed in tlie
pelican and gannet ; the extensive areolar tissue being thoroughly pneumatic, and furnished
with an arrangement of the cutaneous muscle (panniculiis carnosus) whereby, apparently, the
air may be rapidly and forcibly expelled by compression. A similar mu.sde develops in some
birds in connection with the interclavicular air-space. (For pneumaticity of the skeleton, see
p. 135.)
The purpose of this extensive respiratfiry apparatus is thus dwelt upon by the great "New-
ton of Anatomy" just cited: "The extension from the lungs of continuous air-receptacles
throughout the body is subservient to the function of respiration, not only by a change in the
blood of the pulmonary circulation effected by the air of the receptacles on its repassage through
the bronchial tubes ; but also, and more especially, by the change which the blood undergoes
in the capillaries of the systemic circulafiim which are in contact with the air-receptacles.
The free outlet to the air by the bronchial tubes docs not, therefore, afford an argument against
the use of the air-cells as subsidiary respiratory organs, but rather supports that opinion, since
the inlet of atmospheric oxygenated air to be diffused over the body must be equally free. A
second use may be ascribed to the air-cells as aiding mechanically the action of respiration in
birds. During the act of inspiration the sternum is depressed [lowered from the back-bone in
horizontal position of a bird], the angle between the vertebral and sternal ribs made less acute,
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS.— PNEUMATOLOGY.
201
1111(1 tlic thoracic cavity proportionally enlarged ; the air then rushes into tlie luncs and tho-
racic rc'ccptiiclf's, while those of the abdomen become flaccid ; wlien tlie stenium is raised or
approximated towards the spine, part of the air is expelled from the lungs and thonu-ic cells
thripiitrh the trachea, and part driven into the abdominal receptacles, which .are thus altcniately
ciilariied and diminished with those of the thorax. Hence the lungs, notwithstanding their
fixed condition, are subject to duo compression through the medium of the contiguous air-
receptacles, and are affected equally and regularly by every inf>tion of the sternum and ribs.
A lliinl use, and perhaps the one which is most closely related to the peculiar exigencies of the
bird, is that of rendering the whole body specifically lighter; this must necessarily follow from
tli(! desiccation of the luaiTow and other fluids in those spaces which are occupied by the air-
cells, and by the rarification of the contained air from the heat of the IkkU". ... A fourth use
(if the air-receptacles relates to the mechanical assistance which they afford to the muscles of
tlie wings. This was suggested by (d)serviiig that an inflation of the air-cells in the gigantic
crane (Cicoiiia argala) was followed by an extension of the wings, as the air f«iuud its way
along the brachial and anti-brachial cells. In large birds, therefore, which, like the argala [or
our wood ibis, Tanlulun lociihitor], hover with a sailing motion for a long-continued |H-riod in
the upper regions of the air, the muscular exeition of keeping the wings outstretched will be
lessened by the tendency of the distended air-cells to maintain that condition. It is not meant
to advance this as other tiian a secondary and pr(d)ably partial sers'ice of the air-cells. In the
same light may be regarded the use assigned to them by Hunter, of contributing to sustain the
song of birds and to impart to it tone and strength. It is no argmnent against this function
that the air-cells exist in birds wliich are not pro%-ided with the mechanism necessjiry to pro-
duce tuneful notes; since it was not pretended that this was the exclusive and only office of the
air-cells." (Owen, Anaf. Vert, ii, 180G, p. 210.)
Though nothing like them exists in mammals, it must not be inferred that these air-
pimches are unique in birds. The general pulmonary mechanism is reptih'-like, and the or-
nithic development is simply a logical extreme of arrangements found in reptiles and lower
vertebrates, — even to the swim-bladder of a fish, which is inorphohigically and honudogically
pulmonary, though fishes' gills are functionally, and therefore analogically, their lungs ; i. e.,
their respiratory apparatus.
The Trachea ((ir. rpa;^«a, tracheia, rough) or " asper-artery"
answers perfectly to its English name, wind-pipe. It is the tube
wiiich conveys air to and from the lungs (fig. 101, *, o to q). It
commences at the root of the tongue by a chink in the floor of the
mouth (fig. 101, 3, c), runs down the neck in front between the
gullet and the skin, and (mds below by forking into right and left
bronchus (fig. 101, ', r, r). It is composed of a series of very
nunujrous gristly or bony rings connected together by elastic
membrane. Lengthening and shortening, effected by muscles
to be presently .noted, is permitted by a very ingenious and in-
teresting construction of these rings, which will be cb'arly under-
stood with the help of the figures (90, a, h, 97 *, ^) borrowed from
Macgillivray's admirable account. When contracted, the rings
look like an alternating series of lateral half- hoops, iis in fig.
90, a ; when stretched to the utmost, as in fig. 96, b they are
clearly seen to be annular, or completely circular. The curious
bevelling of the right and left sides of each ring alternately is
shown in fig. 97, ', 2; and fig. 97, *, 2, represents the same two
rings put together. The principle by which auy two rings slip
FlO. 96. —a, an Inch of tra-
chea, contracted to the utniiitit,
tlie rings looking like alter-
nating half-rings; b, the same,
stretched to two inches, the rings
evidently complete, with inter-
vening membrane. (After Mac-
gUUvrajr.)
i
!
■Ui
n
u!
t
202
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
partly over onch other on ftltprnate sides is something like that upon which a cooper fastens
the ends of any one barrel-hoop without any nailing or tying. The rings arc in some hinls
perfectly cartilaginous : iu most they becdino
osseous. The trachea is moved by liitcial
muscles, which not only shorten the tulic liy
approximating the rings, but also diiii; tiic
whole structure backward, by tlieir attach-
ment to the clavicle and sternum. Tlic strip,
Fi<! n-. - 1, 2. Mt imnd. two trnrhciil rinss, popa- """ two Strips, of nuisdo lying uinm each side
rivte, UN ill iiK, !h;, //, 1, 'A riijiit liuml, tlic siiiiie put of the trachea, is the contractor traclwic (fig.
togutlier, UK 111 lli;. OC, n. (After Macgillivray.) ,„, • . \ .i . » • ■ ,
' t. J ' ]oi, 1, ss, ss) ; the most anterior, when tlicre
lire two, as soon as it leaves the tube to go to the clavicle, becomes the cJcido-truclmilis, nr
ckido-hi/oid, fig. 101, ', /, /; the other is similarly the sterno-trachadis. The latter may lie a
direct continuation of the contracior, as in tig. 101, 1. the loose strips under (/, or ajiiiarciilly
arise separately from the side of the lower end of the tube, as in fig. lOl, '<>, e. (Other muscles
are to be descrilied with the larynx sn|)erior and inferior.) The trachea is long in liinls, pio-
jiortionate to tiie extension of the necit ; it is very flexiious, fidlowing with ease the bcmls of
the neck in which it lies so loosely. Its cross section is oval or circular; but all that i(l:itc-3
to the configuration and coin-.se of the pipe requires sjiecial description, — so variable is tlio
organ in ditt'erent birds. It is subject to dilatations and contractions in any part of its txicnt,
and to deviations from its usual direct ctmrse ta the lungs. Minor modifications iiiiist be
passed over. Tlie most remarkable expansions of the lower part of the tube occur in iiiaiiy
8ea-(hicks and mergansers {FidiguUna and Merginw), and some other birds ; several lower riiJi:s
of tlu; trachea being enormously enlarged and welded together into a great bony and nieui-
braiious liox, of wholly irregular, unsymmetrical contour. Such a structure, represented in
J figs. 3 and 98, is termed a tracheal tympanitm, or hdnj-
rinth. It is not a part of the voice-organ proper, but
may act as a reverberatory cluimber to increase the vol-
ume of the sound, without however modulating it. IJeing
chiefiy developed in the male, it is a kind of secondary
sexual organ. The vagaries of the wind-pipe are .still
more remarkable. Very generally, in cranes and swans,
the trachea entc^rs the keel of the sternum, which is exca-
vated to receive it, and where it forms one or more coils
before emerging to pass to the lungs. This curious wind-
ing is carried to an extreme in our Grus americuna, the
whooping crane, in which the wind-pipe is about as long
as the whole bird, and about hiilf of it — over two feet of
it! — is coiled away in the breast-bone (fig. 99). The
same thing occurs in G. canadensis to a less extent (fig.
to/ort,,rtr.;;r„Vth7n:i\,ma:.':^ m. in a Ouinea-fowl, Guttera cristata, a loop of the
in/anr/ica, Been from lieliind, nat. 8<ze. Dr. trachea is received in a cup formed by the apex of tlie
K. W. simfcldt, U. S. A. clavicles. In various birds, as some of the curassows ( Cra-
cidec), the capercaillie (Tetrao urogullus), a goose, Anseranas semipalmata, and the female of the
curious snipe, Rhynchaa australis, the trachea folds between the pectoral muscles and the skin.
The Larynx (the Gr. nanne, Xdpiry^, larugx) is the peculiarly modified upper end of the
trachea (fig. 101, l, and 3 to 12). In mammals it is a complicated voice-organ, containing the
vocal chords and other consonantal apparatus; in birds the construction is simpler, as the
larynx merely modulates the sound already produced in the lower end of the tube. It lies in
THE ANATOMY OF BIMjOS. — PNE UMATOLOGY.
20S
Fio. 99. — Coiling of tlio windpipe In tlic sternum of Grus americana ; reduced. (From Amer. Nat.)
Fio. 100. — CoUIng of the windpipe in tlie sternum of Grus eanadentis; reduced. (From Amer. Nat.)
204
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
tlip floor of tho iiiontli, at tho root of tlio tongue, between the forks of the hyoid bone, restiu^'
iil)on the uro-Iiyiil. Besiiles its attiicliineuts of inucoua and other iiiembrane, it is connectnl
with the hyoitl bone bj- ii ))air of tlii/ro-hifoid niuselcs (», !>•), and usually with the rest of tlic
traehea by i)roloni;ations of the sterno- and elcido-traeheales. It is usually a small, siiniilc,
conieal " mouth-piece " of the pipe (*, u), without the dilatation which renders the correspoudiin;
structure — the " Adam's «j)ph'," — so conspicuous in the hiuuan throat. Helow, it coniniuui-
cates directly with the pipe: above, it ojiens into the mouth by the glollulean fissure, or riiiid
glottidis (", e), a median lengthwise chiidf, which opens and shuts as its si(h's diverge or cldsc
togeth<'r, anil which is further defended in front by a folding of the mucous membrane of tlic
itKUith, constituting a rudiment of that curious trap-door arrangement which, when fullv
developed, is called t\\v fpiyhUis (3, d, e). Exclusive of two broken upper rings of the fm-
ehea («, (j), the cartilages (or oftener bones, — for they generally ossify) of the larynx are live.
One is a large single median and inferior piece, the thi/roid, or shield-pieco (••, O^ 7^ „)_
forming the most substantial part of the structure. It is sonu'what triangular or oblong, nui-
niug to an (dituso end in front; and with sides and posterior angles which curl uj)ward bcliiiid.
To its lateral posterior corner is attached (m each side the snuill "horns" or coniiciila lariiiifiis
(0, 0, 7, I,), There is a snuill median U](per posterior piece, supposed to represent all there is
of the cricoid (5, ', e), which in num makes a ring around the larynx below the thyroid. To
the cricoid, as to a base, are attached a jiair of straight slender arytenoids («, 7, ,/), iinijccting
forward along the upper surface of the larynx : these form the rima glottidis, — tlie fissure of the
gb)ttis being between them. The arytenoids are attached in fnmt by sb'uder ligaments to the
end of the thyroid (p, the little slips between d and e), and they are supplemented by ciirti-
laginous edges {p, f,f) ; but there are no true vocal cliords. Besides the extrinsic thyro-Iiyiiid
muscles, which pass from the larynx to the tongue-bone, the laryngeal parts are operated by
intrinsic muscles, the sum of tho motion given by which is the opening and shutting of the
glottis by drawing apart or pulling together the arytenoids. Four pairs of such muscles are
described for some birds. As named and figured by Macgillivray for tiie ro(d{, there are : tho
thyro-arijtenoidii, which are the openers of the glottis (", 2,2) ; the oblique arytenoids (•(>, 3,3) ;
the thyro-cricoids {'i, *<*); and the posterior thyro-cricoids (•• and ^~, s.s).
The Syrinx (Gr. avpiy$, surigx, a pipe) or Lower Larynx is the voice-organ of birds; in
most respects a more complicated structure than the larynx proper, and one so ditferently
constructed in different birds that it affords characters of great signiticance in classification.
The highest group of Passeres, for example, is signalized by the elaboration of this musical
organ, the marvellously adroit fingering of the keys (jf which by the little umseular performers
sends through the tracheal sounding-pipe the tuneful messages of bird's highest estate. A few
degraded or disgraced birds, as the ostrich and the American vultures, have no bucolic organ at
all, the trachea forking as simply as possible. Others, as the connnon fowl, have a fair syrinx,
but no muscles whatever to modulate their jjastoral lays. Others have one, two, or three jiairs
of intrinsic nmscles; to which may or may not be added a stemo-tracheal with syringeal attach-
ment. It is not so much the bulk or mere ttcshiness of the syrinx that indicates musical abil-
ity ; but the distinctness of the several muscles, and the mode of their insertion, which result in
endless combinations of rotating and rocking movements of the parts, whereby an infinite modu-
lation of the musical tones becomes possible. In Oscines, there are normally five or six pairs
of muscles, without counting the extrinsic stemo-tracheales ; and the gist of the arrangement,
in these melodious Passeres, is the attachment of tho muscles to the ends of tho upper bronchial
half-rings, as far as the third one. As Professor Owen remarks with appreciative feeling, "the
nuinifold ways in which the several parts of the complex vocal organ in Cantores may be
affected, each of the principal bony half-rings, as one or the other end may be pulled, beiug
made to perform a slight rotatory motion, are incalculable ; but their effects are delightfully
THE ANATOMY OF BIHDS. — PNEUMATOLOGY.
206
rti.,.
lilii;
illii-
liiiiit
appnciiilile by tho rapt listener to the Hingiilarly varied kind and quality of notes trilled forth
in tli(^ stilliieHs of gloom by tho nightingale."
1 sliould bo able to inako tho plan of the syrinx clear to tho student with the assistance of
Miicfiiliivray's beautiful figures. These are drawn from the rook, — a corvine croaker, indeed,
but line whoso syrinx is in good order, though ho has never learned to play. As the inoditica-
tioiirt affect principally tho soft parts covering and moving the music-box, one description of tho
latter is applicable to most birds. The last lower ring, or |)iece com])osed of several fused rings,
of the trachea, at its bifurcation into bronchi, is enlarged or otherwiso modified (fig. 101, l',
aba), and crossed below from front to back by a bony bar, the pesstdus ('8, at b; 15^ a), or
bolt-bar, whicli, dividing it into lateral halves (as at '■»), fonns thus two lateral openings
in.st('ad of one median tube, — tho beginnings of each bronchial tube. A membranous plate,
strengthened by cartilage, ri.ses vertically into the tracheal tube, forming a septum, or median
partitiiiii, between tho orifices of each bronchus. The free curved upper margin of this septum,
c.\t('ii(liug ofcour.se, from front to back of the orifice, is called the semilunar membrane; being
tiie edge of a partition common to both bronclii, it forms, in fact, the inner lip of each bronchial
orifice ; that is to say, tho inner rima glottidis si/ringis, or lip of the syringeal mouth-piece.
Tills membrane vibrates with the column of air, and is, in fact, one of the "vocal chords."
Now the bron(!hial ring.s whitih succeed aro not annular, circumscribing the bronchial tube,
but are half-rings (15, l^ h), or arcs of circles to bo completed by membrane, which forms more
or less (scarcely or not half) of tho circumference of the tube ; this membranous part, termed
th(! internal tijmpnniform membrane (", c to c), being on the side of the bronchus which faces
its t'elli iw, while the hard bronchial half-rhigs complete tho rest of the cylinder. The mem-
brane is attached to the pessuliis above. This accounts for the whole broiuihial tube and its
vocal septum from its fellow. Now the concavity of the upper two or three bronchial half-
rings, on th«! outer wall of tlio tube, but in its interior, is the place where is developed a certain
fold of the mucous membrane, projecting into the tube opposite the septum, and forming the
outer lip of tlu^ .syringeal glottis; fortius membranous f<dd, like the semilunar membrane, is
set (piivering in vocalization. The upper tracheal rings which enter into this urraugemcnt
arc enlarged anil otherwise modified. Thus are formed two " vocal duirds," upon the vibrations
of wliich the harmonious or discordant notes of the bird deiiend. The cords are struck by tiie
lianil of air indeed, but endless musical variations result from the play of the muscles in increas-
ing or diminishing and variously combining the tcusion of the several parts of tlie instrument.
In giving four i)airs of intrinsic syringeal muscles (anterior external, anterior internal, inter-
mediate, and posterior, besides the extrinsic stemo-tracheules), as figured in i"^ a, b, c, d and e,
Mai'gillivray is said to have understated the full oscine number, which is five or six. In the raven,
Uwon describes ./I'cc, witliotit counting the sterno-trachealis : broncho-trachealis anticus, anteriur
external; broncho-trachealis 2'osticus, posterior external ; broncho-trachealis brevis, posterior
internal ; bronehialis anticus, anterior internal; and bronchialis posticus. The genc^ral arrange-
ment, however, is fairly indicated by Macgillivray in 16, where on the side of the syrinx, the mus-
cli'.< aro seen to diverge from the tracheal lateral line to go to end of the bronchial semi-rings.
The student will understand that my description is particular only as regards tho oscine
syrinx ; that in birds at large every possible modification, almost, of lower tracheal and upper
lirouchial rings occurs, and with various musculation, or vi'ith none. The non-oscinc rule fur
till' muscles is, one on each side, if any ; and insertion into mid-parts, not ends, of the broncliial
liall'-rings. The latter character chiefly distinguishes the nou-oscine syrinx when it has sev-
eral muscles. As to situations of the .syrinx, three have been recognized : the ordinary broncho-
Irucheal, in formation of which both bronchi and trachea take part ; the tracheal, only known
to occur in some American Passeres, as in Thamnophilns and Opetiorhynchus, situated wholly
in the trachea, the lower part of which is extensively membranous ; and the bronchial, wholly
iu the bronchi, us in Crotophaga and Steatornis.
I
206
GENEIiAL OliNlTHOLOOY.
iif tri
hllpH
wllh
IlllllH
Cltllfl
I'. I>, 1
iniiiit
mill
</, ''.
Luryi
ti'iii>l<
tiai«l<
(if till
crliii
held'
b(.ll-
(ir Hy
illnn
Inicli
tliu I
Fio. 101 . — Respiratory and rooal orgaim nf the Knok , Conms frugilegus, an Osclno Pasaerine bird ; nat. size,
after Macgillivray. 1. a, tongue; b, basi-brancliial, commonly called iiro-hyal; c, c, horns of Iiyoid bone; rf, tl,
genio-liyoid muscles; c, e, stylo-liyoid muscled; /,/, clcido-hyold muscles; g. A, i, a'sophagus; j, proventriculus;
or secretory stomach; k, gizzard, or gigerium, the muscular stomach ; /, ni, n, n, intestine, duodenum to rectum ;
THE ANATOMY OF liJlWS. — PNEUMATOLOOY.
m
o, p, trachi'ft, or winilpipo \ q, Inferior Inrynx, or nyrinx : r, r, right and left bronclma ; »«, •*, contractor miiMlps
(if Iraclien; I, t, liiiigH, with u, m, niivrtiiruH <'(iniinuiilc»tliiK willi thonicli' iilr-cullii ; r, f, r, thro« piilrH of mtiMMiliir
hll|M niiHwerlng (o n riKlliiiviititry dliiphrnKm ; l.^i.l, 4,n, H, T, iih iiiiiiiyrlliH. — 2. Ilyolil tMiiic; n, Kluimo-hyiil, tlii|>eil
with cartllagu, Uh |Mmtvrlor liorim IiuIiik I'l'ratoliyala prdpvr; h, l>ai>l-liyal ; <■, baxl-braiichlal proiKT, loiiiiiinnly
citllcil uro-hyul ; <l, it, corato liraiiclilulH proper, conitiioiily csIIihI a|H)-hyalH ; c, c, c|illiraiii'hlalii pro|ivr, coiuiiionly
ciilluil c«rati>-hyal8, tlp|iv<l witli cartllagi', ,/',/. —3. CiloltiH, or opening of trachea In the nioutli; n, bam^ of tonisiio;
t), h, liorngof hyohl Imno . c, rima Kluttiillti, cleft or chink of the glottlH; (/,a triangular vacuity : i, an clastir llgu-
ineiit ; >' anil >' reprcHent an epIglotllN : / /, a papllloHe Hiirface. —4. Larynx viewed from liofore (liclowl; », tliy-
roiil bone or carllliigc.— 9. Larynx vlewcil from bvhimi (above); >i, thyroid bone; h, ft, ItH appendages ; c.crioolil;
i/, (/, arytcnolilH ; c, c, anterior border of thyroid, to which (/, il are connected by two arytenoid llgamentH. —0.
Larynx viewed from right bIiIo ; a, lliyrold ; '/, appendage ; r, cricoid ; il, aryteiiiiUI ; /,/, cartilage attachwl to ary-
tenoid ; {I, a tracheid ring. —7. Larynx viewed from behlnil ; a, thyrohl ; l>, b, Uh apjiundagi'ii ; c, cricoid ; il, if, ary-
tcnoldH. — 8, I), 10, 11, \>. MimeleHof the larynx; 1,1 (llg. K), thyro-hyoldH; ii, 2 (tig. II), thyro-arytenoldH, or o|icncrH
ortheglottlii; :i, I (tig 10l,oblli|iie aryteiioldii ; 4, 4 (tig. II), Miyro-cricohlH; n,6 (tIgH. 11 and VI), iHwtvrlor tliyro-
crK'olilM. — 13. It fnrcatidn of trachea; dim, hint entire tracheal ring. — 14. Umt oiitiro tracheal ring, viewed IVom
below, croHxed by the pcHituliiH. — 1,1 lilfnrcatlon of trachea, and bronchi, viewed from below; x, penHUluH, the
bolt-bar, or " bone of divarication "; h, li, next xucccedlng tracheal balf-rlngH. 10. >i, A, r,(/. Inferior laryngeal
or Hyrlngeal niiiHclcB, not well made out In thin llgiiro; hcc text. Rut the typical iMclne arrangement (acromyo-
ilian) In |icrcelved, InaHinuch aa anterior (a) and [MiKterior (>/) IntrliiHlc muncular niaiiticii go to finln of the tirht
tracheal half-ring, at It and c ,- the cxtrlnHlc allp r paiwliig to titurnuia ; couiparo tig. 1, at 7. — 17. Trachea, etc., of
the idghtingale, uat. size. (Compare ligs. 3, 07, 72, 73, 74.)
The SoiiK of Birds unlockH tlu' j^rpiit secret of Genesis to tho.st* who can hear the key-
note. It is tlie closest ii|i])i'<iacli, in uiiiiiiiite iiiitiire, to the riiijfinj- of tlie liyiiro^en bells in the
physics of li){ht. The musical iiistriiment figtired (101, '^) is tl. i'litical ])i| • the "great goJ
Pan " firat fashioned for a legacy to all time, as so sweetly said by Mrs. Browning : —
" He tore out a reed, the great god Pan,
Frimi the deep cool bed of the river.
The limpid wMor turbldly ran.
Anil the broken llllcH a-dying lay.
And the ilragon-tly had fled away,
Ere he brought It out of the river.
" 'This Is the way,' laughed the great god Pan,
(Laughc<l while ho sate by the river!)
The only way since go<l8 began
To make swoet music, they could succeed.'
Then dropping his mouth to a hole In the reed,
He blew in power t>y the river.
" Sweet, sweet, swoet, O Pan,
Piercing sweet by the river!
Blinding sweet, O great gojd Pan!
The ' un on the hill forgot to die,
Anu .he lilies revived, and the dragon-fly
Came back to dream on the river."
But the sad sequel, felt by Keata, when poor Psyche has seen and known, and Eros has
found his wings : —
'■ So did he feel who pulled the boughs aside.
That we might look Into a forest wide.
To catch a glimpHo of Fauns, and Uryailcs
Coming with softest rustle through the trees;
And garlands woven of flowers wild and sweet,
Uplield on Ivory wrists, or sporting feet:
Telling us how fair trembling Siirinx fled
Arcadian Pan, with such a fearful dre.'ul.
Poor Nymph, — poor Pan, — how ho did weep to find
Naught but a lovely sighing of the wind
.\long the ree<ly stream ! a half heard strain
Full of sweet desolation, balmy pain."
The blessed blue-bird, "bearing the sky upon her back," is burtheued with the same
" light load of song" —
A-
208
GENEIUL ORNITHOLOGY.
i.d
Have you listened to the carol of tlie bluebird In the spring?
Has her gush of molten nielo<ly been not poured forth in vain?
Ah! then tlio pulse has quickened, and a sigh, perhaps, has risen,
From tlio breast the bluebird's music stirs to thoughts that lack expression —
So tender, so tumultuous are the fancies thus aroused.
The bluebird's song breathes gladness — breathes the sweet and solemn triumph
Love feels when all love's passion melts In its own fk-uitiou.
Exquisitely subtile are the chords the bluebird touches —
Chords that quiver now in ecstasy, :iv iv thrill in fond expectancy,
Now (He in dreams of all that might have been.
Ilcrs is language to interpret, and translate in accents rhythmic,
All the yearning of young love to claim his own —
Of young l>vo that trembles on the threshold of the passions,
And shrinks before the images his ardor calls to life.
Thus to the maiden musing come thronging thoughts unbidden.
When she hears this sjieaking echo of the hopes that glow within ;
And the te tale blushes redden to the rose-tint on the bosom
Of the bird .lat dares to breathe her secret Joy.
Thus to the youth iuiiictuoug, whose life is set to music —
Let love but laugh and beckon from afar —
Fultllment sends a greeting In the soft voluptuous languor
That steahi upon the senses if the bluebird's song be heard —
This song of wondrous gladness, ever bubbling, welling, gushing,
From a fountain full of promise, inexhaustible, divine !
Sweeter far tlicsc Ihiuid accents when the buds of ho|ie are blighted.
Ami the tree of knowledge bears its hitter fruit;
When memory gits brooding on the ashes of her birthright,
And sackcloth shrouds a heart that once was young;
For a silver chord is quickened where was greedy, silent sorrow —
KesiHjmling to a sympathetic touch:
The bird sings true ami tender, with a precious burden laden.
With the tidings of a love that never dies.
So in the timid si)ring-limc, when tlie world wears wreaths of roses.
King clear the Joyous nielmlies of lioi>c!
So in the summer season, when the wine of pleasure reddens,
I\<ng passionate the triumphs of the heart!
So in the sad, still autumn, when life bends beneath its burden.
When what might have been has never come to pass,
Kings once again this music on the crushe<l and wounded spirit,
Bringing light where all was dark and drear before :
All is nut li'~! il the music that the biuebird bears be heeded,
For her •.:'.«ion is ;» tell us love is Goil.
Tl'jugh it is il fact tliiit"tlip (Ihenomorphrr. are uot provided with iiitriusio .syriiij'i'al
mil: rlc s" tliiTc maybe miicli triitli in treatises rfc c«>i<it Q/chj HiociVw;-/ wliii'h haw apiR'arccl
from time to tiiiie, and to tlic number of wliicli I may be ])ardonuit for adding: —
' • IIow sadly sweet, how soft and low
Is the music l>orn of pain —
How nuiurnful sounds the ebb and flow,
What measured beats, what throb and throe.
In the Willi swan's dying strain!
The archer. Death, and the twanging bow.
And the fateful shaft on-siied,
All stale and (trace and pride laid low,
Uisorilercd |>lumes and crimson How —
For the white swan's heart has ble<l.
Pit hear the mournful cry that rings
On the startled air of nluht!
As a spirit form in the darkness wings
Its way unseen, tlio wild swan sings
Ilhi psalm of life and light.
THE ANATOMY OF BIHLS.— SPLANCHNOLOGY.
209
How sadly sweet the solemn strain —
The dirge of the dying swan!
Tliat wondrous music, cldld of pnin,
That requiem, sounding once again —
And a bird's soul passes on.
/. Splanchnology : thk Digestive System.
The Alimentary Canal, or digestive tract, is a tube which passes through the body
tVoiii iiKiuth to anus, convoying food, the nutritious qualities of which are drawn off by the lac-
teals in transitu and assimilated, the refuse being voided. This is digestion. The canal i.^i
iTnUy a tiibe within a tube, being contained in the cavity below the bodies of the vertebra-,
formed by the series of hamal urcltes (p. 133). Birds are fast livers, their digestive operations,
like the processes of respiration and circulation, being very active and effectual ; they require
] proportionally great quantities of food. The voracity of the cormorant is proverbial, but it i.s
jirobably not greater than that of the ethereal nightingale. Birds as a class are (minivorous ;
many species are as nearly omnivorous as any animals can well be; but the majority are either
vegetarian or Hesh-feediug. Very many birds feed u])on fruits, hard or soft ; but even these,
wlien in the ucst, are nourished for the most part upon the bodies of insects ; and it may be truly
said, that the great majority of birds are insectivorous. Birds seem to be the great controlling
agency in the economy of nature, of the increase of insect life ; agriculture would be difficult if not
iiiqmicticable without them, and their eccmomic valut! is simply incalculable. Insectivorous
bii'd.s cannot be much interfered with, without destroying one of the most important and conse-
quential of nature's many beautiful adjustments. The bird cries perpetual " echec !" to the
insect. Even those birds which are mainly flesh-eaters, as the hawks and owls, are similarly
lieiieficial, for the creatures they chiefly prey upon arc the small rodents so fateful to husbandry.
Tiu' caiTion -eaters contribute largely to make tropical regions habitable to man. Various
tribes of birds feed almost exclusively upon fish ; and these sometimes reach the dignity of
(iiploniatic and other political interests of mankind: nations have gone to war over the dung
of such birds, guano-beds being to some of the South American powers a large item of their
revenue. Chili and Peru have been fighting lately, and the United States have been wrang-
ling, over th(i excrements of the alimentary canal of sea-birds. This tube, in general, is
.shortest, simplest, and most direct in the flesh- and fish-eaters, the nature of whose food assim-
ilates already more nearly to the substance of their bodies than does that of the vegetarians.
The tube is modified in ditt'erent portions of its extent, for the prehension, retention, saturation,
maceration, and connninution of food, and the mixture with it of other solvent fluids than those
.seen'ted by the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal itself Hence arise the various
modifications of its length, dilatation here, contraction there ; the presence in its lining mem-
brane of numerous follicles ; and the annexation of various glandular organs. Being always
longer than tin; body, the tube is necessarily coiled away in certain places; this folding taking
l)lace chiefly in the intestiiuil part of the tract. Modifications of structure make recognizable
])arts, as the mouth, gullet, croj), stomach, gizzard, intestine, cloaca, anus. Annex organs
are the salivary glands, the liver, and the pancreas, all of which pour their seci'etions Into the
canal. This tub(( also receives the terminations of other systems of organs : the auditory organ
of special sense; th(! respiratory system, which is at first a mere bud or off-set from the
digestive ; the m'inary and the generative, which, though originally di.stinct, primitively and
jjcnnanently oj;eu into the lower bowel. Tlu^ intestine is also continuous with the cavity of the
umbilical ve.sich* of the embryo, a primitive structure which disai)pears as the chick matures;
and with that of the nllautois, another embryotic organ which begins by budding from the intes-
tinal cavity. Its connection with the system of blood-vessels is direct through the lacteals and
thoracic ducts (p. 199). Its operations are automatic and spontaneous, of the "reflex" order;
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GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
that is, excited by the presence of food, — having work to do making it work, so to speak. Its
innervation is chiefly by the pneuinogastric and sympathetic nerves; and digestion is the uuist
purely vegetative function, dealing with the raw materials of nutrition and consequently of tlic
growth and repair of the whole body. The active factors in this transaction are several spe-
cies or varieties of small creatures, called Enterammbm ; they are all derived by descent wiili
modification from the hypoblastic cells of the early embryo. Those of the canal itself fdiiii
all the mucous epithelium of that structure, with its various secretory crypts, follicles, and villi ;
similar creatures, perhaps of difl'erent genera, form the lining of the salivary, he])atic, and pan-
creatic glands. Blood-vessels, in intimate connection with the digestive organs, form tiiat
special venous arrangement by which the blood coming from that part of the intestinal tract
where chyle is made is collected in a j)or/rt? system and sent through the liver, — in the enilnyo
a sort of "great dismal swamji" which interrupts the ordinary cunent. The tube within tlie
tube is fixed not only at its ends, but by various membranous connections, among them tlie
mesenteries. We will notice the several departments of the alimentary canal, and its annexes ;
reference! should be made to the colored frontispiece, and to fig. 101, where most i)arts of the
digestive system are shown.
The Mouth and Tongue. — The most anterior of the special cavities in which the tulie
is dividinl, and the " manual " organ it ciratains. The mouth in general corresjxinds to the
sliape of the jaws, already sufficiently noted (pp. 100, 1(')2). The
anterior part is much hardened, like the beak ; in fact, this iianl-
ness of the buccal cavity, and the absence, or very slight distinc-
tion, of a "soft palate," are among the peculiarities of a bird's
mouth. Tiiere is consequently little distinction, if any, befwcin
mouth proper and fauces, or pliarynx, which is the posterior part,
leading directly into the gullet. Besides this conuniinication the
mouth receives the terminations of four special cavities. 1. The
posterior narcs, on the roof of the mouth posteriorly, generally a
median slit, leading into the nasal chambers. 2. The generally
single and median and more jiosterior opening of the eiistachinn
tubes, which lead into the tym])anum, and are the remains nf the
first jHtst-oral visceral cleft of the early embryo. ',i. The glottis (lis;.
101, 3, c), a slit at the base of the tongue, the opening of the wind-
pipe, and so of the whole respiratory system, which is defended by
a rudimentary trap-door, the epif/lottis, if any. 4. One or several
pairs of orifices, the openings of the ducts of the salirarif ghiuds.
These structures, corresponding to the ])arotid, submaxilhiry, and
st'ibliiigual glands of mammals, vary extremely in their develup-
ment. In woodpeckers, for example, and some Raptores, elaborate
special salivary glands occur, having a glomerate structure, and
a special " stenoniiie " duct. In many other birds, similarly com-
Fio 102. — (iulnr poiirhof pound but less elaborate submaxillarv ulands pour their secreliim
bustnni ; copied liy SInifeMt f , , , . , ", , . , ,
from Giii-rod. a, tongue; b, into the iiioutli l)y a series of pores. In most birds, however, the
tlie pouch, oiKiiiing uiiiler n, salivary glands are small, simph-, find less distinct from various
liniigiiig ill front of c, the tru- , » ,. , . , , i ,
clieii, iieliind wlilcli Ih tlio ot'ier sets ot inuemis crypts which open into the mouth. In the
(Esoplingus, rf, with Its crop, c. great bustard {Otis tarda ; fig. W2) there is a singular buccal struc-
ture; a great pouch opening beneath the tongue, susceptible of distension during those amatnry
antics termed the " showing-off " of the creature. It is in fa<'l an air-.sac, but not of the kind
already eciiisidered (p. '200), having no connection with the respiratory system. The narial,
eustachian and glottidean apertures are commonly defended by retrorse papilhc ; and other such
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — SPLANCHNOLOGY.
211
pnicesst's of inucuus niembrano, knobbed or acute, may occur elsewhere iti lines and patches.
The roof of the mouth is nearly all " hard jialate," as already said ; its soft Hour is the muciius
membrane and skin between the jaws, with muscular or other intervening structures. The
principal flooring muscle is the mylo-hyoid ; the genio-hi/oid (tig. 101, ', d) is another, which
passes, like the tirst, from the mandibular to th(^ hyoid bone; a third is the siylo-hijoid (t).
The floor in some cases fonns a pouch, which, as in the case of the pelican, is of great extent
and susceptible of enormous dilatation (tig. 501).
The handler of the mouth, or lingual organ, is tlie tongue, which answers the same pur-
pose as in other creatures : it is tactile, to some extent gustatory, sometimes prehensile, nearly
always manipulatory. In some birds, as the pelican and ibis, and also the kingtislicr, it is
very slightly developed, — scarcely more than a pad at the bottom of the mouth, enjoying the
most limited motion or other function. In some birds, as the parrot and duck tribes, and also
the flamingo, the t(>:.|_;no is large, thick, and Heshy, ([uite tilling the mouth. In tiie first-
named of these, it s dexterously manipulatory ; the morsel of food is managed between the
tongue and ujiper beak ; the tactile certainly and perhaps the gustatory sense i.« highly tlevel-
oped ; and the f ■ ■hine.'is of the timgue may atlect th.-it power of articulate speedi for which
some parrots jul! justly noted. In the Lamellirostres just mentioned the tongue has lateral
processes corresponding to the denticulations of the beak, and the under surface is horny at the
end, like a hmnan finger-nail. In the woodpei'k<'rs (figs. TA, 74) the tongue it.self (glosso-hyal
part of the hyoid) is reduced to a slight horny and spiny tip of the lingual apparatus; but other
parts of that medianism are so extraordiiuirily deveUiped that the "tongue " appears as a
lumlrkiform (worm-likej, spear-headed organ usually capalde of great protrusit.ui from the
niiiutii, and therefore acting as a prehensile instrument, being bedewed for that purpose with
tenacious saliva frtun the great salivary glands; while it is actuated in protrusion and retraction
by specially develo|ied muscles. In the snipe and many of tlie long slender-billed waders, the
tongue is similarly slender, but not protrusible. The hmg narrow tongue of the toucans {liliam-
phastidfc) \i^ be.set with slender processes, so that it .seems feathery. The tongue of the liuni-
ming-bird is very singular, — delicately tliready, yet double-barrelled, — two tubes placed
side by side, serving as sii)hons to extract the nectar of flowers. These and other
interesting extremes aside, the ordinary style of a bird's tongue is Hat, narrow, more or h'ss
sagittate or lanceolate, and ti])ped or slieathed in liorn, conunonly with lateral backward pro-
c<'sses like the barbs of an arrow head, — the whole filosnul structure upborne pretty distinctly
upon the end of the basihyal bone. (.See fig. 101, where ', a, is such an ordinary tongue, and
2, («-/, is its whole .skt-leton.) Such horny tongues are commonly bifid at the extreme tip
or there variously lacerate, or laciniate. or thready, — -and even the fleshy tongue of sotno
parrots, as tlie lori<'s, is brusliy at the end. The bony foundation of the timgue is the com-
posite hyoid b'i'.if. iilready often nu'ntioned (see j). 107); the free lingual part proper is based
upon the glosso-hyal aii:l its teririinal cartilage; the roots curve more or less extensively about
tlie base or more of the skiii!. The tongue is niove<l by some intrinsic muscles, as well as by
tliosc^ extrinsic ones by which i», is connected to the skull, jaw. and windpipe (fig. 101, • and *).
The (EsophnguB. After comminution, if any. by the beak, and insalivation in tho
mouth, food passes directly through the pharynx into the fr.vo;;/irt(;i(.s' cir gullet, — a musculo-
menibranous tiibi^ connecting mouth with stomach (tig. 101. '. //, /*, /). This is comiiosed (besides
its mucous membrane) of circularly ilisposed cdtishidiir fibres, and longitudinal coH^rncfor fibres,
it( Mtiamuhn, of the pale, smooth species (.1/. Itrvis). It has generally a pretty straight <-ourse,
but may be diverted to one side or the other ; and, in particular, is subject to various dilatations
and contractions, )iennanent or tei;iporary, aside from the mere distension caused by the ])as-
sage of food. When the floor of tlu" Tiionth is wide and loose, the t'lillet partakes of the same
character above ; the extreme case is afl'orded by the pelicans, esiiecially /'. /i/whs. But the
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GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
gullet of mauy small birds, as various genera ot Frinffillido', and Corvida, is much more disten-
sible than is commonly supposed, and may bo found crammed with seeds which there find rest-
ing-place for some time. The lish-eating birds, as herons, cormorants, loons, and others, liavo
also capacious gullets. The Australian bustard, Eupodotis australis, has an oesophagus capa-
ble of such extraordinary distension that it hangs down in front of the breast when intlatcd
with air, as it is in the amatory display in which that species is wont to indulge. Aside from
mere distensibility of transient character, the oesophagus of uuuiy birds becomes modified
anatomically into a special pouch, — the crop or craw, ingluvies, where the food is detained to
be macerated in a special secretion before ])assiug on to the true stomach. Such definite crops
occur iu birds of prey, whi(!h gorge such masses of food in their irregular voracious banquets
that it cannot all bo received into the stomach at once; and likewise throughout the orders of
Columbine and Gallinaceous birds, which habitually feed upon seeds and other fruits so hard
that tliey are advantageously macerated as a preliminary to true digestion. The common fowl
funiislics a gootl illustration of a large, definite, single and median crop ; in pigeons it is a jiair
of lateral dilatations (set; frontisp.). In these latter birds, when they are rearing their young,
the secretion of the ingluvies, always copious, becomes still more so, and of a milky character in
consequence of the activity of the altered mucous surface; it is regurgitated into the mouths of
the young, along with the macerated grains. " This phmiomenon is the nearest ajjproach in
the class of Birds to the characteristic mammary ftmction of a higher class ; and the analoiry
of the 'jiigcon's milk' to the lacteal secretion of the Mammalia has not escaped popular notice."
Various other birds also feed their young by regurgitation of elaborated food; and very many
similarly reject indigestible portions of their ingestii. Such vomiting is best known to be tiie
wont of birds of prey, which habitually throw np tlie hair, feathers and bones of their victiuLx,
made up into the boluses called "castings"; but tlie practice is far from being confined to these
flesh-eaters. The extreme case of eniesis offered by birds is witnessed in tht,' horn-bills
(Bucerotidcc) which have been known to throw up the coat of their stomach without discom-
fort, — what a blessing it would be to some old topers if they could do the same, and grow
another with etjual ease! In fact, in consequence of the capacity and directness of the gullet,
vomiting is very easy to birds, and with some it is a means of self-defence, — very effectual
for instance in the cases of our vultures (C((thnrtides). Fisli-eating birds, as herons, gulls,
petrels, habitually vomit when wounded or otiierwise molested.
The ProventrloulHS. — The tube just considered ends below in a s])ecial tract, variously
dilated or not, but always peculiar in the presence of certain ga.stric follicles whieli secrete the
digestive fluid ])ro])er. The " stomach " of a Itird, in fact, is compound, consisting of a glandular
or digestive jxirtiou, and a muscular or griuding part. The former is tht! j)rovcnfricitlus;
whatever its size or shape, or whatever its magnitude in comparison with the grist-mill, it is
recognized by the presence in its mucous surface of these gastric follicles, secreting the pejitir
fluid wliich c/i»/»i(^cs' the f4)od. The follicles are perhaps always large enoiigli for tliis jjart of
the tube to be recognized by the naked eye, — the mucous membrane having here a tliickened,
velvety, vascular api)earance. The i;]ands are of various sizes and shaj)es, — usually simply
tubular, sometimes clubbed or conical, or variously racemose (like a bunch of grapes). Tliey
are disposed in a zone arotmd the tube, or in patches nyHiu part of its surface, —^ in the darter
(Plotiis). very singularly in a separate lati'ral compartment looking like a crop. Details of the
grou|>ing of these solvent glands are interminable. Whatever its anatomical variations, and
however like the end of the (rsojdiagus it may simply ajjpear to be, this vcntricidun glandnlosus
is the bird's proper stomadi (fii;. 101, ', j).
The Gizzard. — Mixed with the salivary, iuirluvial, imiventricular and other secretions ctf
the mucous surface, and already chymified, the fot)d of birds next passes directly into the giz-
THE ANATOMY OF BIMDS. — SPLANCHNOLOGY.
213
zard, gigerium, or muscular division of the stomach, sometimes called the ventriculus bulhnsug.
i'lietwo arc sometimes 8C{)arated by a tract, sometimes immediately consetiueiit. In tiie imis-
c.ular gizzard, the food-grist is ground tiue. Ti» this end, the walls of 'he cavity become devel-
oped into a more of less powerful muscular apparatus, and the mucous membrane changes to a
tough, thick, horny, occasionally even bony, lining ; this caHous cuticular lining being often
very loosely attiiched, and eveu deciduous in some cases. The muscular arrangement is chiefly
in two great masses, called the lateral musclen, converging to a central tendon; 'ietw<'eu them
intermediate fibres may form a more or less distinct muscular belly. In the most powerful
gizzards, the muscular tissue is very dens<> and dark-colored; the tendons brilliantly glistening,
,111(1 tlie contained " millstones " extremely callous. Such a gizzard is well displayed by the
(Common fowl or the goose. The opposite extreme is afforded by the caniivorous and espe-
cially the piscivorous birds, whose soft food requires little trituration, — it is all a matter of
degree. How readily this part of the canal responds to the regimen of the bird, is witnessed in
our cock-of-the-plains {Centrocercus iirophasianus), — a bird whose gizzard is so slightly mus-
cular as to appear like a membranous bag, though its gallinaceous relatives have extremely
strong grinders. Its food is chiefly the buds and leaves of the wild sage (Artemisia), and gra.ss-
hoppers. Increased muscularity of the gizziird has even been artificially jiroduced. llirds
whose grist is heavy habitually swallow gravel, that these small stones may mechanically aid
in the grinding process. The action is so energetic, that in "auscultating" a fowl when the
mill is in full blast, the noise of the grinding can b<^ distinctly heard. The jiebbles, in fact,
have a function which leaves "hens' teeth" not entirely mythical. The kind of motion
unpressed upou the opposing pads of cuticle is alternating, — a rubbing back and forth to a
slight extent. Peculiar dispositions of the callous surfaces arc found in some pigeons, with
corresponding peculiarity of the cross-section of the gizzard. In some of the cuckoos a matting
of impacted hairs of lepidopterous insects has been mistaken for u coat of the gizzard itself, lii
the darter, which has a pyhiric division .>r compartment of the gizzard, this is nearly filled with
amass of matted hairs, a peculiar modification of the epithelial lining, serving to guard the
pyloric orifice. F<dds of the lining membrane form a pyloric valve in numy birds. The /«//o-
nis, or the pyloric orifice, is that opening by which food leaves the gizzard for the intestines;
the orifice of entrance from the (esophagus is the cardiac. The two are always near together,
and sometimes adjoining. (In fig. 101, ', k is on the central tendon of the nioderately muscular
gizzard ; the cardiac orifice is between j and k, and pylorus between / and A".)
The Intestine continues the alimentary canal to the cloaca. Any difference in the
length of the whole tract, relatively to that of the bird, is chiefly produced by the foldings of
the intestine, especially in the upper portion of its course. The extremes of proportionates
length are jierhajis not ascertained; but known to be from less than 2: 1, to more than 8:1.
In birds there is little or no distinction between "small" and "hirgi-" intesfin*', as to the calibre
of the tube, nor is the latter sacculated as in mammals. The fonner is ccmsidered to extend
from the pylorus to the cwca (structures to be presently notic«'d). Above tlie cieca the intes-
tine commonly receives its foldings and windings; below them it usually priK-eeds more
directly, or (juife straight, to the cloaca, forming literally a " rectum" ; but in the ostrich this
ultra-CHHVil tract is longer than the rest, and convoluted. The cis-crecal p<irtion is convention-
ally divided into ditodftium, jejunum, and iletnn ; there is, however, no positive anatomical
distinction of these parts in any animal with which I am ac(jiiainted. In birds, a "duodenum"
is perhaps as distinct as ever ; it forms the most constant duplication of the intestine, the pan-
creas being lodged in this duodenal fold (fig, 101, i, /, ni, n). The course of the intestine is
otherwise very various in different birds. The U]i])er end, near the pylorus, receives the hepatic
ducts; and f(K(d is chjlified after iiM]iregnation with the biliary and pancreatic fluids ; a process
furthered by the proper secretions of the intestinal follicles. The vhijle is drawn off by the
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214
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
lacteals already described (p. 199), and the unassimilublo refuse of the food becomes excreincn-
tituius.
Caeca (Lat. ciecus, blind; in the nom. pi. asca; sing, cacum).— The "blind gutff," so
called because they end in culs-de-sac, are of two kinds. One is the umbilical ceecum, or
vitelline ctecum, a rudiineutary, or rather vestigial, structure, the remains of the open dii<!t by
whieh the cavity of the umbilical vesicle (an embryonic organ) communicated with thfU of tlin
intestinal tract. It is ordinarily not to be noted at all ; but it is said by Owen to have been
found half an inch long in the gallinule, an inch in the bay ibis, and dilated into a sac an inch
in diameter in the Apteryx. The structures ordinarily called ceBca, or ctcca coli, for they arc
usually j)aired, are pouches or diverticula which set off from the intestine proper at the junc-
tion of the ileum with colon ; but there is nothing in the intestine itself to mark this point, .sn
that when cseca are absent, as frequently happens, no distinction of ileum from colon or rectimi
is api)reciable. No part of the intestinal tract is so variable as the ctecal; so that presence or
absence of these appendages furnishes zoological characters now-a-days taken very commonly
into account in framing genera and families. There are no ca>ca, as in the turkey-
buzzard and some pigeons ; there is a single snniU ceecum in herons. From a condition of
extremely small size, like little buds upon tlie intestine, caeca are found to elongate to extraor-
dinary dimensions ; and the large specimens are frequently saccate or clubbed, with shnider
roots. In geese and swans the casca are a foot long, more or less ; in some grouse they are
said to be a yard long. In the ostrich, the mucous membnine is thrown into a spiral fold.
However develoi>ed, the physioh>gy of these intestinal appendages is, the detention of food until
all its nutritive qualities are absorbed, and increase of the absorbent surface.
The Cloa'ca (tig. 101, * /) or " sewer," very well named, is the tenninaticm of the bowel,
— an oval or globular enlargement of the rectum, of suHicient capacity at least to contain tlie
completely shelled egg. For, not as in placental manmials, the uro-genital and digestive or-
gans are behind-hand in their evolution, and do not entirely lose connection with each other.
Nor is there in birds any distinct bladder; but a cavity, originally that of the allantois of tiie
embryo, persists in common with that of the intestiu(>s, and is the cloaca. Such incomplete
distincticm between the two as there may be, by a folding of mucous membrane or partial com-
partment of the whole, results in cloaca proper and urogenital sinus, in which latter are the
papillose orifices of the Mrcter,s, one on each side, from the kidneys; and of the singh^ oviduct
(9) or paired .«ii>erm-dncts (^), from ovary or testes. The urine of birds not being li(|ui(l
requires no more of :-> bladder than tlie sinus funii.slies. The same cavity contains the penis of
those birds, as the ostrich and <h'ake, wiiicli are provided with an organ of copulation. A
peculiar anal gland, the bursa fahricii isee frontisj).), also opens into the cloaca. Refuse of
digestion, tlie renal excretion, the spermatic secretion, ami the product of cimceptiou, are dis-
charged by a single anal orilice, the two former en masse.
IJeiiig intimately related to dietetic regimen, and so to the habits of birds, the alimen-
tary canal varies greatly, — even more than my sliirlit sketch shows, — and consequently affords
good zoiilogical diaracters in the details of its construction. Hut of all the anatomical systems,
this is the one most variable as a matter of phijsioloijical adaptniion (see p. G7). Its char-
acters, even when they seem weighty, are therefitre peculiarly liable to be fallacious as indices
of natural atiinities, an<l must be a|)plied with discreet caution to morphological classification.
Such are commonly only of ijeneric significance. Thus in pigeons the caeca and even the gall-
bladder may be pre.sent or absent in neighboring genera.
Alimentary Annexes. — Some of these, as the salivary glands, have been noticed already.
The two most im|>ortant bodies connected with the digestive tract, and jiroperly considered
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OOLOGY.
215
adjuncts, arc tho pancreas and the liver. The former is that kind of lobnlatcd salivary gland
wliicli in mammals is called tho " sweetbread.'' It lies in tho duodenal loop, along which its
loosely aggregated lobes extend. Its ducts, formed by the successive union of smaller elfcrent
tubes, are two or three in number; they j)ierco the intestine a little below its couimcncement
at tlie pylorus, and pour into tho canal the pancreatic juice, which has the projwrty of emul-
sionizing fat. Tiio liver is a well-known glandular organ of very s]>eci:il structure and func-
tion, secreting the fluid called bile, also received into the intestine. It is of moderate sizt! in
birds, and deeply divided into two principal (right and left; lobes: in some birds there is also a
smaller lobe ; and one of tho largo lobes may also be divided. The lobes dispart above to
receive between them tho apex of the heart ; tiiey are held in place by pleuro-jK-ritoneal folds
contributing to form the thoracic-abdominal air-cells. The viscus receives venous blood from
tlie extensive portal system of birds ; two hepatic veins then conduct it to the post-caval. Tiio
emunctory ducts, carrying off the bile, are two or three in number. One at least goes directly
to the intestine, and another to the gall-bladder, when that cyst exists ; in which case there is
a separate cystic duct from the bladder to the intestine, no ductus communis cholcdochus, or
duct common to tho hepatic substance and its cyst, being formed in birds. Two hepatic Awxs
may coexist with a cystic duct, making three to tho intestine, all separate; two is the rule
when there is no gall-bladder. Tiiese emunctories commonly enter the intestine some distance
apart, and after tho pancreatic ducts. The gall-bladder is generally present, firequently absent;
it may occur or not in closely related gononi of birds.
g. ()fii,0GY : THE Uro-Gehital Organs.
The Urinary and Generative Organs may be conveniently considered together, not
only on account of their (dose anatomical relations, but because their physiologic^il functions,
totally diverse in adult life, are i)rimitively related in the most intimate manner. For it is a
singular fact that titc mean office of straining urine out of the system is at first sustained by a
structure (wolffian body), in closest connection with which, in the female, actually as a part of
wliich, in the male, are later developed those organs (ovary and testis) whoso exalted office
is creative ; for these permanent genital glands procreate the microscopic creatures called
Dynamamabtc, the marriage of which results in the reproduction of a complex organism like
the male or female parent. (See figs. 103, 104, and following.)
The WoIflSan Bodies, or primordial kidneys, are a pair of tubular structures which
appear very early in the progress of development of the embryo, beneath the spinal cohnnn, in
front of the fore end of the future kidneys : with each of them is develojHMl a duct, the wolffian
duct, which carries their excretion into tho cavity of tlie allantois (the future clojica). Upon
the appearance of the true kidneys, the transitory wtdffian bodies and ducts h)se their urinary
function; they ultimately disap])ear from the fenuile, for the most part, leaving only a trace of
their foniier existence in certain vestigial structures (parovaria, etc.) : in the male, likewise,
they atrophy, but not to the same extent; for a portion of the Ixidies |)ersists a; -n aiM-essory
(epididymal) portion of the testicle, and their ducts jwreist as the sjH'rui-duets, or vana dfjeren-
tia. Meanwhile, in ch)Sest connection with the wolffian bodies, appears a pair of organs, the
fienilul fflands, for a while exactly alike. If the new creature is to become /em'i/e, thv iji'iiilnl
ghoul develops to a certain complexity of tissue and becomes the ovarij ; while a certain duct,
the miilleriun duel, developed coincidently to connect such ovary with the eli>ac:i, becomes
the oviduct. In birds usually only one ovary and oviduct (the left) l>ecomes functional. If
the new creature is to become male, the same genital gland develops to a higher degree of
crunjilexity, acquires a tubular structure, and becomes the testicle; it connects with remains of
the wolt'iau body, and the wolffian duct becomes the pcnnaneut si)enn-duct, conveying the
216
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
product of the malo function to tlio cloaca, just as tho oviduct convoys the prodtict of tho female
fuTiction to tho same aewcragc. Thus the testicle of the male and tho ovary of tho female are
homologous, in fact primitively identical organs, ui>on which sexual difforoneo is impressed hy
the greater eomjilexity fif structure acquired if tho sex is to bo malo; a female being, anatomi-
(•ally and physiologically, simply an imperfect male, arrested at one stage of her jjhysical
progress to male perfection of structure; and tho whole nature of the female boars out the sunio
relati(m of inferiority. But the oviduct of the female, and the spenn-duct of the male, thmigli
physicdogically identical, having the same function of conveying the products of geueratiou
from tho genital gland to the light of day, are not anatomiailly tho same; for in tho case of ilie
female, whose wolffian duct has disappeared, the miillerian is tho oviduct ; in tho ease of tlie
male, in which no miillerian duet appears, the wolffian is tho spi-rm-diu-t. Tho two are analo-
gous, not homologous (a good illustrati(m — see p. 68). IJut it must ho further observed tl at
whih' tho sperm-duct conveys (mly tho masculine es.'^enco from centre to periphery, the ovliiiict
conveys the feminine material from centre to periphery, and (duo the male e.ssence in the opixisiie
direction ; for, upon coitus, which is direct in all birds, the spermato/.oa, deposited in the cloaca
of tho female, find their way up through her oviduct to the ovary, there to accomplish iuijireg-
nati<m of the ovarian ova, the fecund product then passing down by the same avenue. All tliat
rohitos to the mysteries of generation, -- both the structure and function of the reproductive
organs, and tho maturation of the product of coiuM-ption, is properly Oology (Gr. i>6v, uon, an
egg) ; though the term is vulgarly used to signify merely a de.scripticm of tho chalky substance
in which the egg of a bird is finally invested. The anatomy of the egg is Embryology. Au
egg, or ovum, is simply the product of conce]ition up to the time that product acquires an iude-
pendent existence; while still connected with the feiriale tissue of the ovary, and before or after
it amalgamates with the male element, it is an ovarian ovum ;
more or less incompletely matured, it is an embryo or fortus, —
tho former term being connnonly applied
to the unhatched young of birds. Tho
only diffii'reuce between tho "egg "of a
"viviparous" nuimnuil and that of an
"oviparous" bird, is in tho albuminous
and cretaceous envelopes of the latter,
and its s|)eedy expulsion from tho body
of the female to be hatched outside, with-
out anatomical connection with the moth-
er ator the hard shell is formed ; whereas,
in most mammals, the ovum 's retained
in a dilated part of the miillerian duct
(uterus or womb) until it " hatches" ; but
mammal and bird alike "lay eggs," the
Fio. 103. — Uro-genltftl essential germinativo part of which is Fio. 104. — Uro-genitalorgnn*
orgHnRofmaleimibryohlnli i,i,.ntic.il. Appreciation of these tacts, of fenmleem'l.rycl.lrd; from Owen,
from Owen, auer Milller. '' ' after Atflllor a kliliievR' 6 wolf-
a, kl.liicys: h, uretcrB; c, and a proper idea of the relations of the fl„„ bmllesj c, 'genital Kliiiiil, to
woltflan IwHlles; rf, tlielr ,„„t„i.p sexual organs to tho W(dffian iwcome ovary ; rf,a«lr«nal»; f.ure-
iluctB, to be 8|«!rm-(lHc(g; . , . ,. ter»; /, wolfflan iluct*. to .|l»iip-
p,({cnltalglaii.l8.tol)ocomc bodies is necessary t(. any understanding ,«M,r; ff.maUcrlanductii.tobecome
teKtidcH;/, a<lrenals. of the parts and processes concerned in ovidueta.
rt'priMluclion.* We have here to consider tiie permanent as distinguished from the transitory
kidneys, and may then recur to the subject of generation.
■ The matter may be furtlier illiiHtrnteil by tlic two flgurea borrowml from Owen (after MUller). In botli Akk.,
tho large dark masiicg, a, are the iicrniancnt kidnryi<, wIkwc ductR, h In Kg. 103, r in t)g. KM, are the ureters, empty-
ing into tlie cloaca. In tig. 103, male, c in the wolfllan body, whose duct, d, persists ao the s|ierm-duct, conveying
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDH. — OOLOGY.
217
The Kidneys (Liit. renes, Engl, reins, iidj. retvil ; figs. lO.'i, 104, <»; 10.'), x) (^iffor iiiuoh
friiiii tliiiso of iimiiiiMuls ill jiliysical clmractcrs, though iUcnticiil in function, — timt of ^traiiiiiig
off from the lildod certain tU'letcrious suhstanccs in the form of urea ; whence they are soinetiiiun
callctl emuUjent organs. Their ottice of purification in anah)gous to that of the lungs, whidi
(licarbonize the blood, and to some extent vicarious, as is that of excretory organs in general.
As the lungs are closely bound down to the thoracic region of the trunk, so are the kidneys
impacted in tiie jielvic region, being moulded to the sacral ineipialities of surface (p. 141).
I hey are paired, hut sometimes connected across the median iiin^ by reual tissue ; they have no
special renal artery, but derive their blood from various sources; and blood from them takes
|iMrt in the hepatic portal system, no reni]Mirtal being accomplished. 'I'hey have little or noth-
ing of the particular mammalian configuration which has made " kidney-shaped" a conimon
litM'iiptive term ; being elongated, somewhat parallel-sided and rectangular, flattened IxMlies,
liibiited into a few large compartmeiit.s, and lobulated into many h'sser divisions; their figure
(ii peiids niueh npon that of the pelvis. They are very dark-colored, rather soft, easily lacerable,
and appear to the naked eye to be of a granular sub.stance, without dis-
tini'tion of "cortical" and "medullary" iKtrtions. Nor is there any
" jielvis" of the kidneys in whidi the nriniferous tubules emi)ty together
by numerous ducts as into a common basin. Each nrrtcr (figs. 1011, h;
lot, e ; 10.5, y), or excretory duct, is formed by reiterated reuni<m of the
tnhuli uriniferi, after the manner of a pancreatic duct ; each ureter passes
down behind the rectum and ojtens into the lower back part of the cloaca,
— much like a mammalian ureter into the ba.so of the Idadder. The
original cavity of the allantois remains to funiish no more of a urinary
hhuldcr than some special dilatation of the chiaca represents; but this
rudiiiientary bladder, as distinguished from the uro-genital sinus in which
the ureters terminate alongside the sperm-ducts, is well marked in some
birds ; being in the ostrich, ft>r example, a considerable enlargement of
the cloaca b<!tween the termination of the rectum proper and the uro-
genital compartment of the sewer. The renal excretion is not watery
as in mammals, but semi-sidid, and voided with the fa'ces, of which it
forms part.
The kidneys are capped by a pair of small yellowish bo<lies, the
supra-renal capsules or adrenals (figs. 10.'1, /,■ 104, 10.5, d), the nature
of which is undetermined. They are chiefly interesting to the practical
ornithologist in their liability to be mistaken for testes in examining Fio. ins. — Uro-Ren-
specimens for sex (see p. 45). ^1^ "^r'nToI
a, tcHtis; A, cpidldyniiR;
Male Organs of Cieneration The fc.s7i>(I.at. ^m^i.i, pi. testes, ;. "Porm-'lucK"- vas .le-
' I ' fcrcns; rf, ailrcnal; *,
a witness; fig. 105, n) or te.slicle has been already sufficiently noticed as cloaca; x, klilncy; //,
to its general apiH'arance and position (p. 40). As said above, it is the "''''''"■•
essential male organ, consisting of the primitive indifl'erent genital gland (fig. lOli, e) in its
highest state of development as a tubular secretory organ, connected with the remains of
the wolffian body as a part of its eflerent structure (epididymis : fig. 105, b) and with the
original wcdffian duct as its ras deferens (figs. lOH, d; 105, c), or eflerent duct, by which the
scmien is conveyed to the cloaca. The original glands normally remain paired, and both
are usually functionally devfdojied to corresponding size, shape, and activity; they remain
in their embryonic situation in frtmt of the upper part of tin- kidneys ; ami such difference
Homcn trnm r, the tcdtis. In flg. 104, b Is the wolffian body, nrbor<c duct,/, diiinpp<!ar8 ; and g is tlio milllerian duct,
liecoming the oviiluct, to convey tlio egg from e, the ovary. TIiuh e, fig. 103, and e, flg. 104, arc the liomologout
genital glands, becoming either twtii or ovary : but the RporniKiuct, il, flg. 103, is nut the oviduct, g, flg. 1<M.
:5i
l!iS
218
GENERAL ORNITUOLOOY.
of apprarnncn as thoy present under ditferent (•irctiinstiinces is mainly HeasoniU. For liirds,
as a rule, procreate only at j)artieular times of the year, rarely having more than om- or
two hroods of yonnj;: the funetional aetivity and (luiesceneo of the testes correspond, as the
enormous swelling of the gland during the breeding season is one of the pccuUarities of the
bird's organ. 'I'his may be related to the absence, in birds, of spciiially formed resicula; semi-
naks, or seminal ri'servoirs ; though certain contortions and dilatations of tlxi sperm-diici.s
which are to be observed may iniperiectly answer to detain tlie secretion until (nnrumstaiiccs
render it available. 'I'he passage of the sperm-duct is along the face of the kidneys, gent iMlly
in (iompany with tlu! ureters; the opening is by a papilla upon the surface of the uro-genital
sinus. These papillose terniinationa of the- s|>erm-duut8 are erectile to a degree, and answer the
purpose of pairt3d jienes in those birds whicli are not provided with better-formed copulatory
parts. In coitu, the cloacal chambers (containing the orifices of the genital ducts are opened,
and the more or less protruded ])apilhe come in contact or close juxtaposition. In eases in
which a penis or two penes are developed, tiie urethral passagts is a groove, never a tuiir,
though cavernous and even muscular tissue nuiy be developed ; and in any case of such an
intromittent apparatus, it has cloaeal invagiinttion when not operative (see j>. 680). 'riicse
organs, in all their variety, are of tlu; saurtipsidan, not mamnmliau, type ; thougli in snuie
respects the structure a])proiiche8 that 8ceu in the uou-plaueutal mammals. No ]>rostati3 or
cowperian glands exist in birds.
The sole office of the testis, or oiiphoron maaculiHum, is the setsretion of semen, asaociatn
structures being simply acc<'ssory, for the conveyance of that vital substance and its transfer-
ence to the opposite sex. The seminal fluid itself is merely the vehicle of trans])ort of the
spermatozoa, in whicli their activity nniy be freely exercised in their intuitive struggles to gain
access to their nuites in the ovary. It is literally a "sea of life" in which the minute creatures
swim in shoals to their destiny, — and their fate in any ease is death. If they suceesst'ully
buffet the waves of fate they find a watery grave in the ovmn at last; if that haven be not
reached they simply ]M>rish in mid-ocean. The spermatozoa, or seminal aninuilcules, or male
Ihjnttmitmwlxc (tigs. lOli, 107), are the iWiwX counterparts of ovarian ova, in so far as thi'V are
single-celled animals of a very low grade of organi-
zation; but their activity and intelligence is marvel-
lous, and still more so is tht^ mysterious attribute
with which they are endowed of assimilating their
protoplasmic sub.stance with that of the ovum; with
\\w result that the thus fecundated ovum is (%ipable
of ]irocreating itself by fission for a period until a
ma.ss of similar creatures is engemh'red; from which
Kio 1(1.1. -si,.,.nimt../.(.a ,„i,ss is then s|)eedily evolved the coinidex body of ,,,J''!';J!!L7,m'^v
iimKiiilleil; fnmiUweii.nncr the Mini. 11 rrespoudlllg leinale Ih/liiniiiniKrlun Kft'iitly iiiiiKiiillnl ;
WiigiHT mill U'uekurt. (ovarian ova) are .-iimple spherical aiiiiiialciiles, phys- \vL,ier aiiil'l.eiii'k-
ically indistinguishable from an ordinary encysted /I hi«7>« ,• but the s]ierma- art.
tozoa are remarkably distinguished in appearance, furnishing iirobably the best marked case of
sexual characters to he found among tlie Proto'on, to whicli class of animals they belong. The
spermatozoa resemble llagellate infusoria or ciliated endothelium cells, though they each have
but a single whip. 'I'hey are of extremely minute size, miu^h smaller than their females, am!
filamentous; more nr less thickened and sometimes wavy at their nucleated heads, whence iiro-
triides an excessively delicate thready tail, endowed with great vibratory energy. They may he
likened to diminutive attenuated tadpoles, which swim by lashing the tail in the seminal tliiid.
Under the microscope shoals of the.se curious creatures may Ix! seen swimming in the sea, nosing
about in search of the ovum, butting their heads in wrong places, backing out and trying again
iu another direction ; with such success that out of myriads a .score or so may gain their end. It
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. -OOLOGY.
219
will 1)0 ACf^n that thoy hnvn a long journey to accomplish ; for, liborutcd in tbo cloaca of tlio
I'cinalc, they hivvo to Hwiiii tiirough tht' whole Iciij^th of tho ovidiiot to tin- ovary. HcHidt's
Hiicli pliysical difforcuvo lu>tW(^oii thn inulo and feiiial<! Dyuamamabai ua I huvo indicated, they
ilitier in their plaeo and mode of hirtli ; and in this diH'crenco lies the very ^i^^t of sex. Tho
oi'i^'iiiul inditferent genital gland above di'surihiMi, arrested, uh said, at a eertain stage of du-
vriopiiient and llierefore fenialo — the ovary — produces its eggs from its surfiu;*>-cells, which
siihside into the ovarian tis.iiie, and arc (|iiietly piuikcd uway there as ovarian ova, ready to
ripen and awalten to impregnation in due course. The same gland, further developed into a
testis, gives active hiith to tlie spennato/na in tho tubules of its complicated int(^rior tissue. In
the firmer case, the superficial cells slowly ovulate; in the hitter, the cells lining the interior
speedily spornmtu ; in a word, the testis is as literally viriimroiis as is the ovary oviparous, —
aii<l tlx'se conditions are certainly no iusiguiticuut indices of relative development in the scale nf
lieing. The spermato/oa apptuir in some aiumals to be set free in myriads from tho walls of the
seminal tubules \vlienct> they diri'ctly issue; in birds, they are described as appearing coih'd or
otherwise ])acked in delicate sperm-cells, which speedily rupture and dis(duirge the creatures in
till! current of the seminal fluid, where they take up the course and display the energetics airlious
above noted. Either case bus its |>arallel among ordiiuiry Protozoans; the former correspond-
ing to the process of budding or gemmation, the latter to that of interior fission and discbarge
of numerous progeny l>y ru|>ture of the (^ivelope. The final conjugation of spenuatic filameuts
with ovarinu ova is simple fusion, such as any ordinary sexless amatboid animal may practi.se to
blend its protoplasmic substance with that of another. But there is this difference, that in the
(sase of Ihjnamamicha it is a true se.vual congress, usually poli/androus, and still more nf a
one-sided affair in that tho feniulo Dtjnumumaha is at the time in u more or less quiescent,
encysted state.
Fciniilo OrKtins of Generation. — The connection between the male and female organs
of gen(M'ation is naturally .so close that in what has preceded it has been scarcely ])ossible to
speak of the former without referen(!e to the female counter|iarts. I have thus far endeavored
to state clearly the nature of the originally sexless gcnutal gland ; the ditl'erence in the same
gland when afterward sexed male or female; and the charac^ter of the spermatic offspring of
the male gland. In reading that lesson the novitiate in such Eleusiiuau mysteries must not
mistake the language I have useil to descrilx^ tlu^ uuih' Ihjtmmamcrba, or spermatozoiin, as
applicable to anything in the development of the fenuile Jh/niiminiiabn, or ovum, into the
chick ; for all said thus far only relates to the bringing of tiie spermatozoon into contact with
the ovum, prermiininy to the initial step of the ovum in its coinse of development. It is this
female Ih/utiiiKiiiiohit — th\>* primitive tivarian ovum, the germ of the chick, which corresponds
to and is the counterpart of the male Di/ntniiawtrhn, on meeting and mingling with which
fecundati(Ui is accomplished; the impregnated ovum beiuir then empowered to take up its
nuirvellous march. (Jon.juiration of the opposite Ihiminiiimiilm curs either in the ovary or
upper part of the oviduct, - most probably the former. ( »ne or several spermatozoa — usually
more than one — accomplishing their jouriu'y up the oviduct, and tiudini; their aflinity,
insinuate themselves into the substam-e of the ovum, and <lie there, tlissolved in amorous pain;
that is to say, thi-y nu'lt into the substance of the ovum. The now fertile result, consisting of
the mingled protoplasm of tl pposite auKebas, is to all apiiearauce precisely tho same as the
original infecund ovum —yet there is all the difference in (he world, as the result shows.
The general character of the ovary of a bird has been already indicated Cp. K')). The
principal sujierticial diflerence in appearaiu-e when the ovary is in functional activity, from the
corresponding organ of a mannual, is that the ova develop to such a ."ize, in ripening in the
ovary before leaving it for the oviduct, that the organ bioks like a bunch of grapes,— very
large and conspicuous. The oviduct is tho inusculo-meuibrauous tube (modified mUUorian
f
1
1
■
i
220
GENERAL 0RN1TU0L0OY.
(liu't) which roiivpyR the riponod ovum, and in its imMHiipo pnividi's it with a qinintity of wliiic
ulbuintMi, and finully ii chalk shell. A Mrd's .iviilmt i« the »trict inorpholdgiml li<iniii|<i^iu>
(p. (iH) iif II iiiiiinnmrH fallopian tube, iitoruH and vaKiim, —
nmrc ncciiratfdy, of ww fallopian tube, ono half of a utcnm,
and one half of a vagina; for tho uterus and va^'iiia of a
niainuial result from the union of both miUlerian ducts;
whereas in a bird only one — tho h'ft usually — is normally
devtdoped. Functiomilly, tho oviduct is also analo^nnis (p.
f)8) to tho mammalian uterus, inasmuch an it transmits tlie
product of conception, and d(>tains it for a while, in tlie initial
staL'e of its germination, as we shall see in the sei|Mel ; tlicumli
all but the very first steps in the development of llie rhicit
arc taken durini; iucubation, the eg^ having so hastily left
its uterine nuitrix. These structures — ovary and oviduct,
tig. 108, — are most conveniently described as we trace the
course of tho ovum from its origination to its maturity. 'I'liis
record differs considerably from the corresponding course of
events in a mammal, inasmuch as the ovum id' a bird, though
primitively id(>ntical with that of any other aniuuil, ac<|Mires
special albundnous and cretaceous envelopes which the mani-
nutlian ovum, dcvidopcd in the body of the parent, does not
rcfpiire. The process is termed oruUition. Ovulation, wliich
is the formation (d'an egg in the bird, must not be confounded
with (lermination, which is the fornnition of a bird in the et;g.
The former can be accomplished by the virgin bird, which
iiioiit; h, It rl|.f (iiiu; c, Iik Ktii.'iii:i, i„„y lay eggs scarcely differing in aitpearance from those which
»/,a nipfiircl omi>ty(al.vx,l..lionl.- ""vc been fecundated, but germumtlon in which is of course
Kiiriwil; (, inruiKUiiiiliim, or fiuiiiel- impossible. The course of ovulation, and afterward of germi-
Bhniii'il nrlllceof the (iviiliicl ;/. iii'Xt .■ ■ . t . i
|K,r(l.mnrovl.lmt; „, fuUl.nlar part "l^t*""' '" "'>W *" ^^' traced,
(if oviduct ; m, iiK'imiiii'lr}', nuniilirniio
r:!:.!';?^:;.!''::;; ';:.:S:rr^ ovulation. - Tho ovum bcgms «« a microscopic poim in
uiiiiiiuH (if iiie oviduct : tiicBc partx the ovary, the A^ro/Ha or tissue of which is packed with tlies(>
Sn^'l^CI^-l'^^r^i^^ovldS i""ipi<"'t ogK- It i« pvi.nitively Just like any other f^Muale
III whidi Ik a cuiiipicted egg, j : /, Di/namfinKehn, from that of a sponge ii]) to that of a woiiian,
lowest or vuKinal part of oviduct, _ ^,,,, gi,,,,,^. ^.^n capable of exhibiting activo ainoiboid
o|ieiiing Into iiro-Kciillal sliiuB of tlie i ' i r?
clom-a, w .■ o, aiiiiH. movements. It consists of a finely granular protoplasm, tho
ritelhis. or i/iU; enclosed in a delicate; structureless cell-wall, the rihlline memhrane, called
the zona pdlwida from its appearanco under tho microscope. Imbedded in the vhellus is a
nucleus, or keniel, the qcrmimil resick; in this is a iiiKdeidiis, or inner k<Tnel, the pmnimU
spot. The ovum occiiiiics a tiny space in the ovary, tlie cellular walls of which cimstitiite an
ovisac, m firnafian follicle. Now if such an ovum as this were mammalian, it wtmld, without
material change, biir.st the ovi.sac, be received into the fallopian tube and conveyed to the
uterus; where, sujijiosiug it already fertilized, the wlnde of its contents would develop into the
liody of the embryo. It would therefore be holohlnstic (fir. oXot. hnlos. the whole ; ^XaariKot.
llastilcos, germinative). It is different ^Wth a bird or other " oviparous " animal, the egg of
which has to hatch outside the body; for provisicm must be made for the nourishment of the
developing chick, thus separated from the tissues of its mother. Such provision is made by
the accumulation about the ovum of a great quantity of granular protopla.smic substance, which
forms nearly all the large yellow ball called in ordinary language " the yelk " of an egg. None
of this adventitious substance goes to form the embryo ; it is what tho embryo feeds on during
Flo. lOS. Ki'iiialo i.rgniiH of do-
incsllc fowl, in aclivllv ; froniinvcn,
after ('ani«. <', 's <'■ '', nniKs of ova-
rian ova. In all itliips of develop-
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — Oi)IA)UY.
881
iti* formation. A birdV trr in tlinn'fnro mernhlnntic ((Jr. fupot, meron, a jmrl, ni)il ^XncrTwot),
ami wr must carflfiilly (liHcriininate iM'twccn tlic j^rcat iiiar>N <if yellow /wm/-//WA', aH it iniiy lie
callod, and a small <(iiantily of " white yelk," tlir true germ-yelk, wliicli alone is traiiitforineil into
the body of the eliiek. Tlie latter forms the rimtricle, vulgarly called the "tread"; that small
disc, visible in most birds' efrgs to the naked eye, which appears
upon the surface of thu ^reat yellow ball, Hoatin^ in a pale thin
yelk which jiciietrates th<; denser and yellower food-yelk by a
cord of its own substance leading to a central cavity, the false
yi'Ik-cavify, around which the food-yelk is deposited in a series
of concentri(! layers like a set of .onion-skins The whole mass
is surrounded by a delicate structureless yelk-skin, called the
riliUine membrane (whether this be the original vitelline mem-
lirinie of the DjinHmam<pha or not ; i.e., whether the food-yelk
litis accumulated iiisidt> <ir outside the original zona pelliicifla).
All this enormous accumulation, ett'ectins what is called a nieto- j.^^ ^^ — Moroblastlc ovam
mm or afler-etrt;, to di.stin^uish it from the protoritm, or iirimitive (yclki of donieitlc fnwl, nut. »i/.e,
state of tiie viin, ir<'<'« <•" i" the ovary, and in the ovisac of each J" "^tlon; after llaeckel. a, the
'^ _ •' tlilii yelk-itl<ln, ciicliMliig till! yel-
oviun ; with the ripi'uini; of the ovum, the ovisacs becouu> dis- inw f(><Ml-yi'lk, whlcli Ih ileiHwiteil
tended to a corresiiondini; size, and the whole ovarv acouires '»<•""<;«""''-■ '"y"*! «■.''•■''■ H'e
' . " ' ' ' elcnirlcle or Ireiul with lt« nii-
tlie fiimiliar iHUich-ol-^rapes apiiearance. nittisuch maturation cIoiih, whenci' paxM'H it oonl <>(
of tlie fruit, ti nnection with the rest of the ovarv leiiL'thens *•'"" >'^'"' ^^'^^ represontd in
,, 1. 1 , 1. 1 I ■ i' . black) to the coiitrul cavity, (/'.
into a sl:iik, or jieilwel, by which the ripe ovum liani^s to its
stock, like any fruit upon its stem, ready to burst its skin and fall into the ojten mouth of the
oviduct. Such ni]iture of the trraatian follicle (ovisac), in its now distended state known as
the cnpniile or cali/x, occurs aloiis; a line where the numerous blood-vessels which ramify
upon its surface a]>]u>ar to be wantin^, called the stigma : this is rent; the ovuin slips out of
its calyx, like the substanc** of a ^rape pinched out of its skin, and falls into the oviduct.
After this dischartje, the empty calyx collapses, shrivels, and ultimately disappears by ab-
sori)tion. (See expl. of ti^. lOS).
Tli iivuin thus acipiires tlie full size of its yelk in the ovary, — becoming, as in the ease of
. a yellow sphere an inch in diameter.* Notwithstanding its cnoriii(>us distension with
Ik. it is still mor|)liidogically a sini)ile cell, atfordiug the maximum dimension of any
protozoan or single-celled animal. Entering the <»viduct, tln' germ-yelk part of the
loass is fertilized by spermatozoa, unless this jiroce.ss has before iKTiuTcd in the ovary,
auil 111 its passage through that tube the yelk-ball becomes invested successively with the
mass of transparent albumen known as the '• white" of the egg, and finally by the chalk shell
— both secreted by the mucous membrane lining the oviduct.
During its finictional activity, the left oviduct (there being usually only this one) becomes
highly develojied 'li as to its muscular walls, which by tiieir contractility embrace the ovum
closely iind s(pi( ■ t along, ami as to its mucous secretory surface. It is supported by perito-
neal folds forii menometri/, like the mesentery of the intestines; its whole structure and
office ari' <|ui ihose of a length of intestine. The upper end of the singularly serpentine
oviduct is dilat* ito an infiindibulum, or funnel-like mouth, correspomliiig to the fimbriated
extremity of thi .ammalian fallo]iian tube, and constituting a mornns diaboli, or '' ilevil's grip,"
' How great this is can only l>c n|iprcclatcil by conipariaon. The hnninn egg, on eHcapIng from the graatian
follicle, i» Hahl to bo from ,\n to ,)oOf an Inch in iliametcr. Taking it at j,t,n. there woiiM bo 4(1,1)00 in a fuinare inch,
and in a cubic inch 8,000,000. The largest bird's egg known, that of the .Epiinniin, Is said to ha^-c a content of
about a gross of hen's cgga — 144. SnppoHlng the yolk of the /t'pitnmin egg to l>enr tbo UMial proportion to the
other contents of the shell, and allowing for the dlH'ercncc in bnlk liotweeii a sphere and a cube of e>|Ual diaiiieturs,
there would still be somewhere almut a billion human eggs in one .K/iiioniiH egg-yelk, — roundly, a mass of Iheni
equal to that of the germs of more than one-half of the present iiupulatlon of the gh)be.
r.
wl
:»i;
■11
■ °
;•
1
ii
1
222
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
which ffots hdld of the ovum to drnp it down totho common lot of mortals from its high ovarian
liirili. Tlic infundibiilum receives from the mcsontory a delicate tunic of iinstriped uiusciiliir
tihrea, which are sd disposed as to dilate that orifice for the reception of the ovum ; and diiriiif;
the venereal orjiasni tlie mouth of the tube is supposed to seize upon the ripest efrp. '('In.
actual anatomy of the arrangement, and the wh(de oi)eration, is strangely suggestive of one of
the (ddest myths respecting tlie seqtent which b«ire the egg of the world in its jaws. The
mucous lining of the oviduct consists of a layer of ciliated epithelium ; the membrane lias a
different character in successive portions of its extent. Above, when tlie tube is not ilistemled
with its burthen, the lining is thrown into lengthwise f(dds, which lower tlown become spirally
dis|)os('d. and then longitudinal again before they cease. This rugous j)ortion of the f.ibe is
beset with nuicous follicles, which secrete "the white." The oviduct, after coutrncting at a
point called the isthmus, enlarges to a calibre sullieient to accommodate the egg in its shell :
for this is thesliell-foniiing i>art, homologous with the mammalian uterus (a sinister semi-utmis
at least), lined with large vii.i, and beset with the follicles whose secretions calcify the egg-slicll,
and decorate it with j)iginei.t. The rest of the tube is vaginal, being iiu'rely the passage-way
by which the ])erfected ovum is discharged into the cloaca, to be e.\]ielled per anum. The
muscular walN of the oviduct consi.st of both circular and longitu'Miuil nnstriped fibres, like
those of intestine, — the latter especially in upper portions and at the infundibuhim, the foniier
more cons]iicuously below, where they form a .sort of as tinea' at the botf(.;'i of the calcific
portion, and a kind of sphincter vagina; at the end of the tube. A recognizable clitoris is
developed in many birds.
Thi' deposition of the white and of the shell
remains to be noticed. The first deposit upon
the yelk-ball cotisi.sts of a layer of den.se and
somewhat tenacious ^dbunien, called the chala-
ziferous membrane ((ir. xu^oC"- chala-a, a tu-
bercle, and Lat. fero, I bear). As tiie egg is
urged along by the peristaltic action of the
tube, it acfpiires a rotation about the a.xisof the
tube; the successive layers of soft albuirHii it
receives arc deposited somewhat spirally ; and
the chala/iferons membrane is drawn out into
Fm. lift. — lIon'H egg, imi. nine. In acctlnn: from threads at ojiposite poles of the eirg. Tlies<'
Owon nftir A. Tli»n.,«..ii. ,(, ckuirl.lo or "trca.1," threads, which become twisted in oi)i.osite direc-
wltli itii iiiic'lt'iiH, ofwlilto Kcrm-yclk, nnntiiigiinKiirfncc . • • , ,
iif |ial« thill nutritive ynlk, lowllng to cmitrni yolk- """*< during the rotation of the ( gg, are called
ravliy.r; n.ilio yellow >elk-l.all,.lo|Hi»lte.l In the Biic- chuhKO; ; they are tl .striiiL's," rather un-
rcHfilvvlnverii. fcirniinen Ket of Aa/nH('«, and cnvi'lo|ic<l i -i • r i •! i
ill tli« clmliizl^roim nicmliranc wlilcli i» Kpiiii out at pleasantly evident in a soft lioiled egg, but serve
opiiiwiti! polcH into the iwl»(eil BtrliiKH, olmln/.a!. <•,(•; the important office of mooring and steadviiiiT the
'i. '>'. micTr»nivo invi'Hlint'iitii of Roflcr white allimnen; n . i /• i ■ i n .
./. m.'iiihrana piilan.liilit, the "soft ulicll" or egK-iKxI. VclU in the sea of wlilte by adhesions eventually
iiciwocn layers of whhh at i lie great oiul of tlio egg l» cimtracted with the membrane which iiiinieili-
IhiMiir space,/; <■, the hhell. . i i- .i in n,, , . . .
ately lines the shell. I hey are also intnistecl
wiih the duty of ballasting, or keeping the yelk right side up. For there is a " right side"
to the yelk-ball, being that on which floats the cicatride. or "tread." 'I'his fide is also tlic
lightest, the wiiite yelk being less dense than the yidlow ; and the chalaza- are attached a little
below the central a.xis. The result is, that if a fresh egg be shiwly rotated on its long axis,
the tread will rise by turning of the yelk-ball in tl-.c opjMisite direction, till, held by the twistiiii:
of the chalazic, it can go no farther; \vhen, the rotation being continued, the tread is cai-ried
under and up again ou fl-.e other side, resuming its sujierior position as before. After all the
spii-al I'lyers of soft white are laid on, a final coveiiiig oi' dense albumen is deposited at the
isthmic part of the oviduct. Thiii forms u tough tunic called the membrana pulaniinis (Lat.
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OOLOGY.
223
jiitlamen, a pool, rind), <tr " egg-pod"; it is the final euvelope (if such a " soft-Bhclled cjig"
as ;i lien drops when deprived of the lime required to ena'do her to wcrete a hard shell. In
the uterine dilatation of the oviduct a thick white Huid charged with earthy matter is exuded ;
tills condenses upon the egg-poil and forms the siiell. The composition of this eartli is chietiy
carlionate of lime (common chalk), with some carhonate of nuignesia, and phosphates of hotli
(if lliese bases — thus like that of hone as to ingredients, but in very tlifferent proportio.is. The
sliell does not simjdy overlie ilie pod in a distinct siieet, but is intinuitely ctdierent, the micro-
scopic crystals or other purticles of the earthy matter being dej)osited in the matted fibrous
texture of tiie pod. The ccumection is most intimate in fresh eggs; after a while, layers of tiu'
jiod separate at tlie butt of tliecgg, forming the large air-space which every one lias noticed in
tiiat situation. The shell being very porous, readily admits air. The air sjiace enlarges duriTig
iiiciibation, and the pod becomes more and more distinct from the .shell, whicli latter also
ii.creases in porosity and fragility towards "full tvnu." The rougli <.r smooth appearance of an
egg-shell, the pores which may be visible to t\w naked eye, and other physical characters, are
due to the impression made upon it by Ihe lining membrane of the " uterus." Tlie superticial
(irposit of chalk is so heavy, ia s<une cases, as those of corinorants, etc., that it nuiy be scraped
iilf without interfering with tlie te.xtuvally firm sliell-sub.stance underlying. All tlie coloration
iif egg-shells, wliic.h fre(|uently makes them pretty objects, is simply the d<'iiosit of pigment
gvauuh's in or upon tlie shell. Hudi deposit may be jierfectly imiforiu, as it is in the bluish-
green egg of a robin, for instance, but it is oftener spotty — either upon a wiiite or a whole-
colored ground. The browns and neutral tints are the usual eoh>rs, particularly a bright
reiidish- brown ; the same, lying in instead of upon the shell, gives the grays, " lilacs," and
"lavenders" so well known. In jitarmigan, the pigment is so In ivily deposited that the
egg comes out pasty on the surface; a sign of " fresh paint!" one must not disregard if he
would not spoil the decoration.
\i ^ i|
Oviposltion. — Till' energy and rapidity with which the prcK-e.sses invcdved in th(! manu-
facture of so complex a product as a bird's egg is now seen to be are extraordinary. A domestic
fowl may lay an egg every day for an indetiuite jieriod. It is ditfieult to say how (piickly an
ecg may ripen in the ovary; for, during the activity of that organ, several or many are to be
found in all stages of inniiaturity, and the date of the initial impulse cannot well be determined.
As there is probably but one egg at a time in the oviduct, the wlude process of tinishing off the
y<'lk-ball with its chalaziform, soft albuminous, putaniinous, and calcareous env<'lo|ies may go
on in tw<'uty-four hours, most of which time is consumed in the sliell-fonuation. The number
of eggs nnitnred by the human A'liiale is or should be thirteen annually: this is no large number
for many of the gallinaceous and anatine birds to deposit in about as many days. Itut a
pndtable average number is five or , ix. Defeat of the jirocreative instinct from any accident is
commonly a stimulation to renewed endeavors to reproduce ; and very many birds rear two or
three broods annually, though one clutch of eggs is the rule. Many, such as auks, petrels, and
penguins, lay a single e^g. Two eggs is the rule in huiiiming-birds and pigeons. Three is
normal to gulls and terns, though these often have but two. Four is the rule amoni; tht^
small waders of the limicoline groups. Some of the small Oscines lay over the average,
liavini; eight or ten ; ainoni; these, the Kuro[teau sparrow, I'tissrr (loini'slicii.i, is probably the
iiiosl prolific. The parasitic cuckoos are said to lay the relatively smallest et;t;s ; that of the
Aperti/.t is said to be the largest, weighing one fourth as much as the biid. The usual
shtipc of an egg has gi>'eu us the common names oval, ovale, and uroidal, for the well-known
figure. Some, as those of owls, woodpeckers, kingfishers, and others, more or less nearly
ajiproach a sjilierical shape. Kggs of grebes, lienuis, Totipahnate birds and various others
are rather eUi|)lical, or e<|iial-ended, and narrow in projiortion to their leiitfth. Kirijs of the
limicoline group are generally pyriform, — very broail at one end and narrow at the other. Rut
• I- :'.
!
; !
tet
224
GENERAL OliNJTHOLOOY.
the eggs of all birds vary more in size and sliaiM! than some of the devotees of theorptical oiilo^y
admit in tlu-ir jmictice. The variation .so will known in any breed of doniestii- fowl is Hcarccly
above u normal rate. The short diameter, eorresixinding to tlie ealibre of the oviduct, i.s Uss
variable than the hmj; axis ; for wiun the ((uantity of ftxHl-yelk and white, upon wliich tlic
ditt'ereuce in bulk depends, varies with the vi(,'or of the individual, the scantiness or rediindamy
is expressed by the shortening or lengthening of the whole nuiss. The egg traverses the
passage small end foremost, like a roinid wedge, with obvious reference to ease of parturition
by more gradual dilatation of the outlet.
<«erniinatlon. — Leaving now all the accessory parts of an egg, let us confine attention
to the t/cnii-ijclk, or " tread," which Is alone concerned in tiie germinative process. Heciirriiig
to the female JJi/uiiiMimu'lia, consisting of granular i>rotoplasm (vitellu.s) included in its cell-
wall (vitelline membrane) and including its nucleus and nuch'olus (germinal vesicle and germi-
nal spot), we will trace it up to the time it begins to take shape as an eml)ryo(;liick. At first,
as I have observed before, it is like any other amu'ba ; the first step of development is picib-
ably a retrograde one ; for if there ensues, when the spermatozoa melt into the ovum, tlie
result alHrmed for nuimmalian ova, the origiiuil germinal vesicle and germinal siKit disapiuar,
and till' wii.ili' coil-
tent of the ovum
proper is simjiiy a
homogeneous muss
of granular |)i'iiti>-
plasm. In this rct-
roiirade step, tiicnr-
ganisiii, at tlie jnw-
est |iossilili' roiiiicl
of the ladiier •>!'
evolution, is ciiUrd
a tiiimi'nilii. Tin
germinal vcsicli
and spot, however,
are s|ieeilil_v recoii-
strilctcd, and tin
ovum looks pre-
cisely as it dill III"
Flo. 111. S»Kmcntiitlon of tliovltRtliiii l>y(ll(ic()lilnl cleavage, <llii({Tnnimntlc. X almiil '"re. Hut nliscrvr
in tliiicm, nrtrr Ilairkcl, Only Hi« ••Ircinl," ilculrlrle. or (jerni-yclk IIkh. ion,'', ltd, .(i In that the actual ilit-
ference is enormous;
rcpri-Keiiteil, uh iKintlu'r piirt iiftlii' vvlmU; yi'Ik-lmll iiiKlcrKDeHllic |>riM<cM«. .l,M'|iiirnlii>n
Into'.'; /t. Into I; ', Into Hi, I>y S riiillnl an<l I concont tic furrow; />, iiitcmmiiy pnrtH. I>y
lii riiilial iiiiil aluiiit 4 niiii'i'Mtrli' fiirrowH; A', 0,4 riiillnl anil hIhiuI (! I'oni'cntrii' fiirrowii; for it now ciin>i>ts
A', llio wliolo trcail briikcii up Into II iiinll>orrv-inniiH iHiiini/'i|of cells. <■ i i i i i i
' • of the blendcil siili-
stance of the original ovum and of tlie spermatoxoa ; and in this duplex or bisexed state,
before any further step is taken, the creature is called a ri/tuUi, — the parent cell of the entire
future ortranisiii. In the former state it could reproduce nothing, not even itsidf: tor it is the
Strang)' physiii|oi;ical law of a Ih/uiimiimirhii that it cannot reproduce like an ordinary cell,
but must evolve an entire organism, like both of those two whose vital forces it concentrates,
siimmari/es, and embodies,— or nothing.
The first change in the parent-cell is that by which it becomes broken up into a nuiss if
fells, each of which is just like itself. This process is ealh'il nfflnirntntion of Ihr riti-llus; each
line of the numerous resulting cells is called a rlriinifje-rrll. 'I'he nucleus of the parent-cell
divides into two; each attracts its half of thi! yelk ; the halves furrow apart and there are now
Ill
THE ANATOMY OF JJUWS. — OOLOO Y .
■2.1b
till) rlfiiviiRc-i't'Us in placo of tliii oiio [iiircnt-coll. A furrow nt riglit angles to. tho first, and
riiii vision of tiu; nuclei, results in four cloiiviigc-culls. Iliuliiiting furrows interiniMliiito to the
first two bisect the four cell.s, and would render eir/hl cells, wore not thesti simultaneously
(l(iiil)letl by a circular furrow which cleaves each, with tlie result of sixteen cleavage-cells. So
tlie subdivision goes on until the parent-cell becomes a mass of cells. This particular kind of
cleavage, by radiating ami concentric furrowing, is called discmdid, and the resulting heap of
little cells assumes the tigun; of u thin. Hat, circular disc.- Segmentation of the vitellus, in
whatever manner it iiuty go on, results in a mulberry-like mass of cleavage-cells ; and the
iii'iginal cytula has become what is called a morula. This process and result uro clearly shown
in tig. Ill, A-F.
The iiionda or mulberry-massed germ of which the "tread" of a bird's egg nt this mo-
ment consists increases by multiplication of cells, and the disc is lifted a little away from the
iiiiiss of yellow food-yelk upon which it rests, like a watch-crystal from the {m-c of a watch.
'I'liis disposition of the greatly niultiplied cells in u luifer and their coherence forms of course
a iiifmbrune, — the hluKtodermic inem-
hidiw, or blastoderm, tig. 112, li, b.
The cavity between the blastoderm
ami the mass of food-yelk is called the
cli'iiriii/r nirilif, s. At the stage when
the blastodermic membrane and cleav-
age-cavity are formed, the germ is
called a Itliistiilii, or grrm-irsiclf,^ and
the process by which the morula be-
comes a Idastiila is called hldslidutitm.
Next, from the thickened rim, w, of
the watch-crystal -like blastiila a layer
of large entoderm cells, fig. Ik', (1, i,
■separates, and grows toward the centre:
wln-n it gets there, of course the oritii-
iial cleavage-cavity, s, is shut off from Fin. 11'.'. — FurtluT ili'vi>lM|.;ii,.|it cif lipii'it<'i;tr: ulifr lliirrki-l:
the suifa.-e of the food-yelk : a second ,,'• 'I'- '"""^"y "'"""' ;''" •■'••'";;|'« ;«""• ''; "»""■' »" ""•"• "•' '"I- '"
■' (IK III, r, here vli'wnl In |it(itllu in wctlDn, rcMInt; iijion n, llu-
crystal having grown umler the first Hliiiiily-Hlmdcil lart of tliu tlKiirc, tn rvprrsunt I'onvi'ntloniilly the
one. The .second adheres to the first, ".""'" '"^ •'""''-Vlk. ,;'■ "'"'■"l^' Kl.yc (u» I«f..rc); «. Mu»tuU
ctiiltc, the ni:i»» cif oi'IIh, h, fDriiiiiiK '"•' I'liwtolcrni, niiliriwl fnmi
obliterating; the original deavage-cav- ilii> ri.ij-yi-lk. IcuvImk tlie ili'iivaiftf-ouvjiy, .«; ic, ilic tliicki^nwl
itv; the L'i'llii is now obviously tico- rim ..r ilie nerm-llw; <, tlio lilaMiita In pnx-,>8i. ..r Inv.THlun, l.y
' . . . . ■ wlilili II liiyiT of i-nliKli'mi-rells, i. KPiwIntf fniin pi'rliilicry lo
liii/rnd ; tiie risilu; of tlic inner layer .•.ntr.', will upply llwir tolh.. liivir of ,>xiKlornwi.|li., ...ililltcrnt-
to meet the outer results in a cavity ''"^ "'" '■l''i»*nK''-''"vlly. ■■<; /'. Hi'- •llw-uni'lnilii lonii.li-tcd, by
lielweeli llsell and the I l-yelk, J), d. |i,i,.|,iii,„l .Hvlty, ./, wlil.-li Ix <iiill.- Klnilliir In ii|i|M.iiranfu to tlio
This cavity exactly reseiubles the 'I'livaKiMiivily, x, Imt niDrjilmlDglcally iiulto illftereiit.
original cleavage-cavitj, but it is ii very different thing, being the primitive! intestinal cnritij.
The blastuhi, or yerm- vesicle, has become converted into a (fastruln, by the invauinatiiig
process just described, known as ijast mint ion. The uastrula of a bird has the circular dis-
coidal form whii-h caii.ses it to be termed a discoifastrula. This prix-ess of forming a single
hiastodermic layer, with a cleavage-cavity (hiastula, or trm- germ -vesicle), then two bhisto-
deriiiic layers, with obliteration of the <-leavai;e-cavity and substitution of a primitive intestinal
cavity (gastnila), is common to all animals which consist of more than single cells, under vari-
ous modifications ami disguises: the process descrilM'd is that occurring in meroblustlo eggs
which have a ili.M'oidal cleavage and form a discoga.strnla.''
' Nut til lio ciinfiiiunloil wllli llic iirl^lniil "iri'rnilnni vpi'li'l<>"iirilic pnri'nt-ocll. wlilcli lonir ulnn' iIliuip|N-»re<l.
' Tlittiui-oulluil "KvrinvLiilclu" of tbo liololiluntlc maniuialiiin egg l» aubsequeiit tu i;iiiitrulntluii,nut priur,
ami la tlicrvruru nut u liliwtulu prii|iar.
Ifi
hill *
SS6
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY.
Wliiit wp Imvo got now is a tread or jcrm considtiiiu of a circular ronrnvo-convcx disc of
two layers of Mastodcrin, resting by its rim upon tlic \!,n'B.X yellow ball of fiKMl-yelk, from wliich
it is W'piiratcd liy a cavity, as a watdi-crystal from its face. All these changes, up to coiiiiilc-
tion of gastriilation, may go on before the eijfi is laid, tlie tread <if a perfectly fresh egg hciui;
already a iiiulticeliiilar discogastrula. Since the earlier stages of the enihryo (cytiila, morula,
blastula, and gastriila) are actually accomplished while the egg is still in the body of the parent,
the analogy of the oviduct to uterus, etc., as well as its strict houudogy to the parts of a
miillerian du.t so named, is not so fanciful as some appear to think. The outer of the two
bhisfodeniiic layers is the ectoderm or ejiiblust, (■ ur It, e; the inner is the etidoderm or hiffHi-
hldxt, i. |{y multiplication of cell.- between the two arises the mesohhtst. The mesohla.stic
lay<'r of ludls sub.se(|ucntly splits into two, of which the outer is the somntopkura, or Imdy
layer, the inner the .splayichnoiileura or visceral layer. The two-layered germ has then bicuinc
four-layiTcd. V\i to th<' time of fornuition of four layers, the cells are all alike, or only dill'i r
slightly in size, color, or consistency. Now, however, ensues that nuirvellous process by wluclj
the indiH'ercnt i-ells of the blastodermic layers are to becoin(> differeutinted in form and special-
iced infinwlion, — a sort of divisiou-of-lahor system in the infant <'(dony of cells, by which some
am to learn to move, others to digest, others to procreate, others to think and feel, with corre-
sponding modifications of form by which are generated the Ostetimo'ba:, Myamu'bfp, Keiir-
amoeba', — the boue-cells, muscle-ctdls, nerve-cells, and all others of the complex organisni
which is in a few days to come into being from such simple Ix-ginnings. This of course opens
up the whole liehl of embryology, which we cannot here enter ujxin. I will only add. that from
the ejiihiast is derived the integument, and its inversions, as those of the eye and ear, and the
brain and spinal chord. From the hypoblast is derived the lining of the alimentary canal ami u\
its annexes and offsets, as liver, lungs, etc. The rest of the embryo comes from the iiiesolilasi.
and nuist of it from the souuitopleural layer. The fissure between the two layers of the
niesobhist becomes the great pleuro-peritoneal cavity.
In explaining the early embryo, I have closely f(dluwcd the great German morphologist.
Hacckel ; and the illustrations are from the sitme high source.
incubation. — To induce the wonderful nietamorjihoses just hinted at, It is only necessary
to keep a birds <'gg at a pretty even temperature of about 100° F. Nearly all birds secure
this result by th<' process of incubation. In many cases the sun's rays relieve the jiareut of
801IU' part of the duty. In a few, the heat evolved from vegetable ferment or decomposition is
utilized for the same ]mrpose. This seems to be the case to some extent with gr<d)es ; but
these incubate. ''The exception to the rule of incubation is given by the Megapodial birds
of the Australasian Islands. A liug«! mound of decaying v able inatt( r is raised ; the egys
nn; deposited vertically in a circle at a certain depth, ncai the ..ummit, and the chick is devid-
oped with th(. aid of the heat of fermentation. Th<' l.irge size of th<- egg relates to atfordiiu;
a supply ofnuiterial sntlicring for an unusually advanced .state of development of the chick at
exclusion ; whereby it has strength to force its way to the surfa >f the hatchiiig-moiiiid,
with wings and feathers sufficiently developed to enable it to take a short tliirht to the nearest
branch of , 'in overshadowing tree" (Owen). The period of incubation has been ascertained
with precision for few binls; it is known to ninge from ten days (perhaps less), as in case ol"
the wren. In fifty or sixty for the oslri<'h. The female is usually the sitter. FreipiiMitly both
sexes iMcuhat<> in turn; such umiatural care for the young by the male is termetl double moDoij-
am)). In most or all Jtatitrt', in the family I'hiilnropodidfP, and some other l/nnicoliiic genera,
the male incubates. Most birds attend to their own eggs; many cucKnos (ri<('/(/iV/rf) and the
Bpe<'ies of Mtdothrus, are parasitical, laying in the nests of other birds, which are thus forced to
buuome foster-parents of alien offspring, generally to the ih'struction of their own. This seems
to result from some peculiarity of the egg-laying process, which does noi |)ermit several i-ggs
THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. — OOLOQT.
227
t(i Im incubated and hatched simultancoufdy. It is not so unusual among Ainrrican cuckoou
,'is gcncnilly Hui>posc>d. Tho degrco of diivt-lopiiicut to which birdx atuiiii in tiic egg has been
.iliviuly discussed (p. 88). They brcuii the shell by pecking at it, and struggling; for the
roriner o{)cration the bill is often tempered ut the tip by a hard knob which is afterward ab-
siirbed. The necessity of providing a receptacle for eggs, in which they may be incubated,
rt'siilts in nidificution or nest-building ; and the extraordinary taste and ability many birds dis-
jihiy in this matter, as well as the wide range (if their habitudes, furnishes one of tiie most
(iciigiitfiil departments of ornithtdogy, railed caliolotjy ((Jr. KoAid, kalia, a bird's nest; see
p. 54, note). Many binh burrow in tho ground; others in trees; the most beautiful and
cliiborate nests are furnished by various members of the Oscines, the weaver-birds of Africa
( I 'loceida) probably taking the lead. The male sometimes constnn-ts his own "nest" apart
tVoiM that in which the female incubates. "Certain conirostral CVih<<»-c.s still practise in the
iiiiiiisturhed wilds of Australia the formation of marriage-bowers distinct from the later-formed
nesting-place. The satin bowiT-bird (I'titouoilti/uclms luiloKericeux), and tiie pink-necked
iiipwer-bird {Vhlamt/doilera maciiltttn), are remarkable for their construction on the ground of
avenues, over-arched by long twigs or grass-stems, the entry and exit of which are adorned by
pearly shells, bright -cohired feathers, bleached bones, and other decorative nuitenals, which are
liidught in profusion by the nnile, and variously arranged to attract, as it would se(tm, the
female by the show of a handsome establishment" (Owen). The extraordinary nests of the
Crotopliaga, used in connnon by a colony of the birds, are noted at p. 471. " Edible birds'-
iiests," constructed by swifts of \\\v. genus Collocalia, ccmsist chietly of inspissated saliva.
I'erhaps the most remarkable of all the receptacles of eggs is that which the |)enguin makes of
its own body, the egg being carried in a sort of pouch formed by the iutegumeut of the belly,
something like that of a marsupial mammal.
m
If «• 5
5 6. DIRECTIONS FOR USING THK ARTIFICIAL KEYS.
These "Keys" ditfer from natunil analyses in being wholly arbitrary and artificial.
They are an attempt to take the student by a "short cut" to the name and |Misiti<m in the orni-
thologicikl system of any 8))ecimenof a North American bird he may have in hand and desini to
identify. The plan has Im-cu much used in Hotany, though seldom if ever employed for a
whole Fauna, before the original editicm of this work. It will serve a goinl purpose, rightly
UEUid ; but it nmst be remembered there is nu "royal road to learning"; nolnidy can bo
smuggled into s<mnd erudition, either. Nor must too iinn-li be ex|H'cled of me here; I rnu
take the student nowhere until he has learned the diii'erence between the head and the tail of
a bird, at any rate. That is what the preceding pages undertake to teach ; but, until such
technicalities havt* been mastered, progress in ornithidogy is out of the ipiestion.
The original " Key to the (lenera" proved scarcely so sati^'faetory as I hop«'d it wouhl be.
It undertook tint much, to conduct the stiulent at once down to the intricJicies of the very
many modern genera, not all of which can by any possibility he cliaracterixed intelligibly in
a line <if type. I have pndiably siinpliKed and expedited matt<'rs by jireparing on the same
plan Keys to tint Ordi-rs and Sub-orders, and to the Families. Then in the body of tho
work, under each head, further analyses are given when sncli seems to be reipiired, of
tiiniilies under their orders <ir siib-onlers, of genera under tlieir families, and of species under
their genera. The.se ulterior analyses ant for the most part riillier natural tlian artilicial.
tiiough I never luisitate to seize upon any character that may furnish the desired clue to ideiiti-
tication.
The artilicial Keys inimetliately following will take the student to the /(U«i7m.», with refer-
ence to the page of the work where such groups come ; on turning to which, further analyses
228
UKiSEHA L OHM nWLUO > .
will b« found, gpiirriilly down to species and even varieties. They are to be used as follow.^
(after the preceding lessons have been learned) : —
We have in hand a hird we do not know, and the name of which we wish to asnrtain
Sup|)o.se it to he that c.onniion species whi( h huiids the nest of mud upon the bough uf tin
apple-tree and lays greenish-blue egifs. To what family does it Inilong f
The Key o|k'Us witii an arbitrary division of our birds acconiiufj to the tiuniber and
|>ositiou of their toes. Our specimen, we see, has four toes, three in front, one behind. It
therefore comes under IV. iin'iUfi to IV., we read :
Hind too — liiserli'cl uIk>vc tliu level of the real, etc.
— not innvrtiMl altuve the level of tbe rest.
(OutoB.)
Our specimen has the hind toe not in.«erted above the level of the rest. Going to Fl, we lind
liv(! alternatives. Our bird presents no one of the s]iecial characters of tlu; first four ailiTua-
lives, and this determined takes us to jf. There we find :
ill) I'rimurluii — lo ; tliu l»t (never npurloiiii), etc.
— 11); tliu tm (H|iiirl()UH iir), etc. . . . (Uo lo t)
— 9 ; tliu lit (never ii|iuriuiiii), etc.
In this ca.se the bird has (diviously a spurious first primary, not nearly two-thirds us loin; a>
the hingest. (j<dng lo i; -
(i) Tttraus— " bootutl " i wiugi— ahorter than, etc.
— lunger thuii tail ; tail — ilniibic rniinilc<l.
— not iliiublo ruuiiilcd .
Ti;uDin*;, p. 24o.
Thus (provided we have tak<!n the trouble to inform ourselves what " sjiurious first pri-
mary " and "booted tarsus" mean), the key conducts to a family, by |iresenting in siiccessidu
certain alternatives, on meeting with each of which, we have only lo determine which one ul'
the two or more sets of charactcr.s agrees with tho.se atforded by our specimen. 'I'lierc will
not, it is believed, be any trouble in determining whether a given character is so, or is nut so,
since only the luo.st tangibU', detinite, anil obvious features have been selected in framing tlic
key. After each determination, either the name of a family is encountered, or else a reference-
letter leads on to some new alternative, until by a gradinil process of elimination th<> proper
fan y is reached. After a few trials, with specimens representing ditferent groups, the pr<«'css
will be shortened, for the main divisions will have been learned; still tbe student must be
careful how he strikes in anywhere except at the beginning, for a fal.se start will soon set him
liopelessly adrift. The key has been tested .so thoroughly that there is little danger of his
niiming off the track e.\cept through carelessness, or misconception of technical terms; but
there is no excuse for the former, and liie latter may be obviated by the (jllossary at tlu^ end uf
the book, and - specially the foregning (ieneral Ornilliology, ^ .'<, wliich should be consiilliil
when any doubt arises. Time sjient upon the preliminary lessons will be time saveil in
the end.
At jiuge 240, as indicated, the family Tiirdid.r is fully charaeteri/.ed, and its sub-families
and geiu'ra are analysed. The bird in hanil .slmuld answer all the charai-ters of the family and
those of one of the sub-families, Tnrdinee. and one nf the genera, Tardus. Tiie analysis n|'
the species of Tardus should show the specimen to be Tardas niifiratoriiis, the Hobiii. Undrr
ilie head of that species. No. I of the hi.st, will be found a fair description and various othei
particulars.
If there Im- any dillieiilty in goinn at once to the family, the student may try tbe key to
the orders and sub-orders, and get on the track in that way.
Directions for measurement have already been given (|>. 24). In eoinpariug measure-
nu'iits made with those given in the Synopsis, absolute agreement intist not be expected ;
individual B|)ccUneu8 vary tixi much for this. It will generally Im> satisfactory, if the discre-
JJIUKCTJONS FOR VSISO TIIK KKYS.
2'29
nancy if not boyoiul wrtnin bounds. A variation of, say, five jxt cent, may l>e safely allowed
(III birds not largi'r than a robin : from tliis size up to that of a crow or hawk, ten |M-r cent. ;
fill- larger birds even more. Some birds vary up to twenty or twenty-five jH-r cent., in their
tiital length at least. Ho if I say of a sparrow for instance, "length ."ix inches," and the
!i|icciiiien is found to be anywhere between live and thrw-fourths and six and tine-fourth, it
will be ([uitc near enough. But the relative jiroinirtions of the different iwrts of a bird are
iiiiicli more constant, and here less discrepancy is allowable. Thus " tarsus lougiT than the
iiiidtlle tiM'," or the reverse, is often a matter of much less than a (piarter of an inch ; and as it
is upon just such nice points as this that a great many of the geuj-ric analyses rest, the neces-
sity nf the utmost accuracy in measuring, for the us<' of the keys, b«>comes obvious. When I
tiiid it necessary to use tli(M|ualification "about" (us, "bill rtfcon/ ^= tarsus '') I jirobably never
mean to indicate a difference of more than five per cent, of the length of the |»art in (jMestioii.
It may be well to call attention to the fact, that most |)enions unuccustouie<l to bandliii^
liinls are liable to be deceived in attempting to entimatc a given dimension ; they geiieraUy
make it out less than measurement shows it to 1m>. This seems to be au optical effect con-
nected with the solidarity of the object, as is well ilhistrateil in dniwing plates of birds, which,
when mad(! exactly of life-size, always look larger than the original, on account of the tlatuess
of the paper. The ruler or tape-line, therefore, should always Im- usitl, and particularly in
those cases where analyses in the key rest upon dimensions. It is hanlly necessary to add,
tiiat in taking, approximately, the total length from a prepared s|H-cimen, n-giird should be
had for the " make-up " of the skin. A little practice will enabh- one to detennine pretty
accurately how much a skin is stretched or shrunken, and to make the due allowance in either
case.
The measurements used in this work are all in English inches and decimals.
There are pr(d)ably no signs or abbreviations not self-explanatory or nut already vxpluiuod
ill " Field Ornithology."
J— -
»-..
•Mcuvt
'.Mms
■--. n%%l 0...
Fto. 112 M«. — DlHir-im of rnrrciiponillnR neginonti nf liinti llmlin of nuo, bone, ami bird. Tbe UiM* l-ll
i»(Aamt$, cutting tbe liiiibt Into uurpbologically equal part*, or Uumtrt*.
:
§
280
GENERAL ORNITUOLOOY.
ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE ORDERS AND SUBORDERS.
I 'age
I, Tors S; 2 In front, 1 behind /'•<^i/»rm«* n/ Pk-ari^. 444
11. Toes 3; 3 In front. Tow — cleft or Bemlpalmate Iamwoi.m KW,
- palmate. NostrlU — tubular Uinoiprnnkh 7.w
-not tubular Pvaoroma 7»i7
III. Toes 4 ; 3 In front, 2 behind. Bill — cored and liookwl Phittai.'I 4!)l
— neither cered nor hooked. Tall featbera — g or 10
Cueulifnrmei<if PicAHlM 444
— 12 I'ici/ormet </Pioahi.k 444
IT. Toes 4 ; 3 in front, 1 behind.
Toea — ajrndactyle ♦Wu/i/omiMii/PiiTAiii* 444
— totlpalmate (all four full-wubbod) .STKaA^<■l■ol>Ka Tix
— paluiato. BUI — curvinl u|> l.iMiiu>i..« 59c
— not curved up — lamolliiti! Lamkllirohi'|(i:i< tilT
— not lamellate. Hallux — lobate i'vuoroiiKit TXT
— notlobata . . I»noii-kn!<ks 7.(3
— lobato. Tall — rmllmentarjr Pvooi-iidu 787
— perfect. — A horny frontal Hhleld ALKirruRlDKs (fit
— No frontol Bhield LIMIOOL;!! KtH
— Heuiipalmate; Joinwl by evident movable basnl web (go to A).
— cicfl to the bom! or llieru immovably coherent go to B).
A. Uiod toe — elevated. Tibhu — feathered below. Nostrlla — |ierforate . , . r'a/A<ir«i(/rx(2/' Uai'Tohkm 4!ii;
— lm|ierforate. Oape — reaching below eye
Cy;uf/(/>imi<'ii>!/'Pii'.\Ri.i.: 444
— not reaching Iwlow cyu
UALLlN.t: .071
— naked below. Noatrlls — |icrforate Alkctohidi-'s t;ii^->
— imperforate. Tarai — acutellate In front
LlMIrDL.K .I'.N!
— reticulate, llcail — luilil
IIkhdiiionkh i;t7
— fKnlhuroil
LiHICUL.t: .'iiiti
— not olevuted. Tlbin — naked below Herudionkh tl)7
— foathervtl below. Bill— cered and booked Kaitorkh 41)1;
— Dotcered. Nasal — membranesofl Coi.i.mh.I': Ml
— scale hani tlAi.i.iN* .'hI
II Hind toe — elevated. Qape — reaching liclow eye ('i/p»rl{fiirme>of Vwmuk iU
— not below eye. 1st primary — emarglnate or about = 2d . . Limkoi..!; fiiiti
— not emarglnate and shorter than 2<l
Alkctoridkh tWt
— not elevated. Nostrils — oimning beneath soft swollen membrane Coi.tTSin.t': ."JCI
— otherwise. BUI — ccrod and hooked Rai'ToIikh 4!N>
— otherwise. Secondaries — only six
Cypmli/ormeaiifPwAniK 444
— more than six (go lo a).
». Prlmuriet— 10; Ist more than jj as long as the longest Clamalnret qf\
— 10; 1st not] as long as the longest 1 ... UiamrA itJA ^^*'^** ^^
— 9 only j
ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES.
281
ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES.
Pat*
TOE3 3, — 2I.S KllOJJT, 1 BFIIIMI) PlOIUiK 477
TOES 3, — :i IM KRO.NT. (Oo til II.)
TOK.S 4,-2 IN KRUMT, 2 UKIIINI). (Qo to III.)
TOKS 4, — 3 111 KBOMT, 1 BKUIMO. lOu to IV.)
II. [ToKs 3, 3 IM fnowT.J
Toe» — completely webbed. Noitrili — tubular (Albatroaaeo) Prockllariid« 773
— not tubular (Auka, ftc.> Alciuvk 707
— Incompletely or not webbed. Leg« — about n* long aawhiKi. nilUuhulato (Stilt) KEcuHVlROSTlilUit: fiOU
— niucli iliorlcr than wingR (go to a).
(•I Tonus — Rcutollato In ftront, about a« long an bill (Samlorling) Scoi.oPAt'll>jB 614
— reticulate la (Tout — iliortur tban ml itliisul-llko bill (Oyster-catcher) . \Ijk.uilTovohwx. 606
— lunger than bill (Plovon) CUAHADUilbiK &l>7
III. [Toes 4,-2 i.n kront, 2 beiiini>.|
mil — ccrc*l and strongly hooked. TamuH granulatol (Parrot) PsiTTAdiDifC 406
— nutcered; iuuer hlud too — 3-JointG<l; PiuniagoiriilcHvunt (Trngon) Troooniua 468
— 2-Julnteil; — tull uf — 8 iir 10 Hoft fnathor* (Cuckoos, A:c.) . . CunuLIUiK 470
— 12 (apparently only 10) rigid acuminate feathers
(Woodpcckera) Vkwm 477
IV. [T<)K8 4, — 3 IN FRONT, 1 UEIIINU.)
HiNO TOK — INSRRTKD AIIOVK Till: LKVKL OK THE BEST (AND ALWAYS 8IIORTKB TUAM THE SUORTEST
FRU.NT TOK). (flo to A.)
— NOT INSKRTKI) AUOVK Till'. LKVKL OV THE RKST (AND OKNEUALLY HUT MOT ALWAYS NOT
8II0IITKR TUAH TIIK 8UUHTKHT FRONT TOK) (Oo tu B.)
A. I I'ltr hind toe elicaltd. \
feet — TOTir/-. .mate (all 4 loe» Wfhbeil; hiiul toe lemi-tiileral anil banly elevated). (Oo to A.)
— I'ALM.^ TK {3/nmt tnea/ull-iribbeil, html tw tetll up, timple or lobeil or connected by »llgkt webbiny to
Ixtue only of inner toe). (Oo to B.)
— LOOATK (a front lor» pitrlly irebliril or not, and contplruouily bordered with plain or icalloped mem-
briinei ; hind toefrre, and simple or lolud). (Oo to C.)
— SKMIPALMATK (3, or 3, front toti webbed at bate only by tmiill yet evident membrane ; hind toe well up,
limple). (OotoD.)
— SIMPLE i/Vi)ii< tort with no evident membranes ; hind toe well up, simple). (Oo to K.)
< A.) Tarsus — fcuthercd, partly ; toil deeply rorkc<l; bill cpigiijitliiiuK Krigato-binli . . . . Taciivi-ktid.*: 730
— naked; bill — > tail, bookc<l at tip, fiirniabiMl with onnrniDus pouch (Pelicans) PKLKCAMDiK 7SI
— < tail; throat — fcathuroil; miUdIo tail fuatliers filamentous (Tropic-blrdr)
PUAKTUDNTIDjIS 731
— naked ; tall — pointed, soft ; tonilasubfierrate(GBnneti>) SULlDiK 720
— rounded, stiff ; bill — paragnatlious (Anhinga)
Plotid^ 729
— epignathous (Cormorants)
PUALACBOCORAVIOf 723
r
282
OF.NKHA L OUNI I IKHAK1 Y.
TaRo
(B«) BUI - curv*! up, extremely ulemlornriil 8cuto(Avncet( nRri'RviliDKTniii^: lUili
— belli iilirii|illy iIdwii, very Blunt, Imiiflliile (Klaiiiliigo) I'lliKNlcui-'rilltJi)^: i'iTn
— laiiiL'lluli.'. iiKwlly iiii'iiilininiiiiH, Willi nail al villi (Swaim, (lopHC, DiK'kH, \T.) .... Anatiii.i: i;7!i
— nut laniullatu; iKwIrila — tiiliiilur; liiiiil toe very Hiiiiill (IVtrt'lK) Pmu.'KM.AIllllM: ';.'l
— lint liiliiilar^ liliiil lou — rri'c, lint liilnil ((I11II8 mill TeniH) . , I.aiiih.I': ;.;.'|
— not Treu, liilHxi (l^ooiiit) C'lii.vMiiin.i: 7M)
(C.) Tall riiillnu'iilary; InrcH nakoil (Orebcn) roiiirii'iiniii.K ':il!
— Iicifuil i fiiruliuml — tdvireil Willi a lioriiy hIiIcM (C'lHilii) U.\i.i,iii.k (;i;il
— ffallit'iril (I'liiilariipcB) I'iiai.aiiiiI'miiiii.i: ui.i
(It.) Mlil'Oluw — iK'i'lltiatu; 4tli tiK! 4-Jiiliiluil; iiliniiaKu lax ((liiatHiii'kcriil C.\l'liMli'i.iiil>.v: -147
— nut |H.'<uliiatu; liiiiil tiH- — vcmulilo; pliiiiiaKi' i'iiiii|ia>i (S\virt4| C'vrhKi.iii.K irA
— nut vurHalllui licail — iiakvil (pi lu h).
— fcullieriHl (ifii 111 !•).
(b.) NuiilrllH — Iniperrurato; nakoil leg ami fiHit aliurlcr llian tail I'l'iiikcyi . . . . Mki.kaiiiiiiiiii.i: 67(1
— iierfuralc; iiakvil lu|; anil I'lMit -- Hliiirtcr lli:iii lull (Turkey liuzzariln) . <'ArilAltll|i.t: h:',
— luiiuvr than (all l(.'raiiuii) Uiii'iii.i: iwii
(c.j NuHtrllii— fi^atlicri'il, nr Kcaluil, III ili'op rimmi urntiiiil liani bill TlvrKAoMiM: ri7r.
— nut ruutliurcil nor ncalvil, in Krwivu ofiiunisli bill; lamui — rctlcnlnle (I'luvcr)
CiiAitAiiitiiD.i': .V.17
— ncutcllato in front (Snipe, il'c )
(E.) Wing — nimrrcHl I'AniiiiM. fiCiti
uut ■jiiirrcU; forohuaU — covorol witli aliurny Dliielil ((lalllniileii) Uai.i.ih.I'; Gi;'.)
— feallicreil; loiigtii — 'J fret ur iiiuiu AllA.Mlli.l: 1.1)7
— uiiiiar2re«t; iKtiirliuury — altviiiiatu(W(HMlcock). , . S('Oij)rA<ui>.i': GI4
— iiotuttenuuto — uiucli shorter than 2il(l(ailH)
UAi.i.iii.t: liCii
— about equal to 2<1 (Sullie.&c.) SciiLorArlli.t-: Iil4
or Umukvovumum (knj
B. \Tlie hind lo* not rieraletl.]
ToER RYNnArTVLniTH; tibiic nakol Iwlowj bill Htralglit, acute (KhigllslierH) Am.'KI>iniiia: 40*
Tiai^: NAKi:i> iiKuiw. (dulml.)
NOBTIIII.H (ll-KNI.NO lirNKATII HoKT HW((I.I.KN UKM ilKANl:. ((ill to e.)
Kill iiihiki:!) and i'cu.mhiikii with a <'i:ui'.. ((tutor.)
iiiKiiM without Tin: aikivi: ('Iiaiiactkkm. (UotuK.)
(d.) Middle claw — iicctinatu (lleroiiH) Aiiin.iii/i': ti.VI
— Klmplo; tariuii — Kculcllate In frunt (IblHCRl IiiiiiiujI': Ms
— reticulate; bill — Hat, ■|ioon-i<lia|iO(l (S|K)onbill) , Pi.atalkiii.I': Oil
— nut Hut, Htuut tailoring (WimmI IblH) CiciiNiin.t: eca
(e.l Bird over 18 Inclie* long, grvenlHli (Texan Uuan) CliA< M).)-: 572
KIrilH uiiilvr ISIncbcH longdMgeonii) (kiMiMlilli^: 662
(f.) Uyea — lateral, not Kurroundwl by uiIIih'; noRtrlU in the cere ( Huwkii, Kagicn, &r.) . Kai.<'(imi>« RIO
iir Panihonii>* SIMl
— anterior; faro more or leu dt-c-IIko; nostrils at edge of cere (Owls) ; middle claw — alinple
Stiikiida: 602
— Jnggi'd
ALUc'ONlli.t': 500
(kO Pbimauik*- 10; the tat (never spurioiiB) attt>ay» morr Ihnn J at long a» limyrat (go to h).
— 10; the tut (KpiirliiuH ur) 11/ mimt iml j| im Inny an lonijvnl (go to i).
— 0; the lilt (nrrrr n/iiiri/iMji) uf variable length (go to k).
(h.) Tall — 12-fcathere<l; turiuilenvebi|ie irregular (KiycateberK) TvnANNlt>jK 428
— 10-fcatlicre<l; ■cconduricH — only tl; bill Hubiilate (lIuninilng-blnlHi . . . Tiioriiii.ii>/«': 488
— mure than 0; bill Hniall, very Hliorl (Swiriii) . . (JvrNKLiii^: 456
(!•) Toraun — "booted"; wingi — iilinrler (ban tall, but li niiieb ruumkil; plumage very lax CllAM/l':iii.4c 262
— longer than tall; tall — iluiible-roniiiled AufKi.iii.i: :I2A
— iiutilouble-riiunde<l(Thru8lie», &c.)Tiii(i>ii>.t': l-Mo
— KUtellate ; noetrlli — concoalud ; bill — strongly eplgiiutlious, toothed and notched (HhrikeH)
liANIIIl.!-: .'Ulil
- Iioragnatbous;- over 7 liichei long (Crows ami
Juys) Coiivili.l^: 411
— notTlnches; bill — nearly ■= head
(Nuthatches) Sittiii.k 36U
— scarcely or not
J - head (TIU) PAKIU.K 203
r
ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES.
2^3
I'nge
— expoMHl: lengtli — ovorOliicbci; color brown or bliio . CnRviti« 414
— 7-tl IiicIii-h; urvnttnl; j |{li>iu>y liliick Ami'Ii.iii.I': 3'JA
— 4]-(ll liii'lii'ii; liill ilii-iliully liiHiki-cl) lull mill,
wllliiiiit liliirk Viui:iiMi>.i: .tiii
— 4|-0i Inclici; bill uluiiiler, riirvud, tail kIIIV, iuiiIi'
i;i:i<lllill>.l: Tt'i
— Birtli wllliout tlicao cliaroctors ; rlctux — l>i Ihi Inl
Ti'iiiiin.i''. 'jlD
— iMiliriitiluil
Tl«iiii.i>iivriii/t: 'J73
(k.) TffrHiin — Rciili'lllplnntnr; liliiil claw iitrntgbt(l.iirkii) Ai,ai;i>ii>a: 2M0
— Iamliil|il»iitar; bill — iiietiigiiulboiiH, both mamllbiM fulcato, lliclr |k)IiiIh cri>i<M.-il
KltiMiil.Mri^: xm
— pnriigiiiilliouii, lunila of up. mand, toollioil or Inlicil near iiilibllo
(Tiiiiiiuuri') Tanaoiiiim: .117
cpi|[nntliuuK,iiolclic<l mill liookotint lip. U'iiicllif>l-l>l Viiii'.omd^: .TJI)
— variouH. QuIUh — tlpiiol witli red liuriiy npiK-iidiiKiii ; liuml
crvHtud Ami-i:i.iu^ 'JM
— not appondagoU; bill — llwtiriiHtritl (go to I).
— doiillnmlnil or Icnul-
roHtriil (ko to in).
— oonlroHlral (i{o lo n).
(1.) mil trlnngiilnr-drpmnod, about as wido nt bniu) nR long, gapp twice n» long n* ciilniun, reaching
alHiut cipiKiHllo eycH, tar»UK nol longer llian outer Inn and cliiw |Swallow8) . . lllliUNDlNlli.l': 31!>
(ill.) l/ih|{i'Ht Mt'ondary nearly reaching end of priniarica In cIowhI wtug; bind claw (nitnally) little
curvoil, nearly twice an long an middle claw (TitlurkK) M<iTArii.i.in.ic 28;i
LongCHt Hecondary not nearly reaclilng end of primaries in cloHod wing; Idnil cluw well curved,
not nearly twice a» long aH midillc claw (Warlilcm, Sii: ) . CikkkiiID.I': :I17, or Svi.vi<;i>l.il>.K 2X7
(n.) Bill UHually thick, ittout, anil Willi evident angululion or tliocomuiliuuru IcTKitiii.i: 3tNi
or' Kkingii.liii.I': XIU
' Sole. — TliOM two famlllpH cannni be eimciiiely diHtlngulKlied. hTi.BiD* contalnii (lie blnckbinla, orioleii,
nirailow Htarlings, Imbollnkii, and cowbirilM. KaiNull.Llli.v:, our largest family, Includes all kinds of groHbcaks,
biiiitiiigK, linnets, tlnebes, and sparrows.
FlO. \\1 trr. Diagram of fore limbs of niun, bat, liorse, and bird. TTie lines 1-9 arc itotomtt, cutting tlio llmha
Into morpliologically o<|unl iiarts, or itontrt$.
234
GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY,
TABULAR VIEW OF THE GROUPS IIIGflER THAN GENERA
AOOITBD IN THIS WORK roR TIIH
CLASSIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
Subclass CARINAT^: Carinate Birds.
OltDKIlH ( 13).
HUIIOIIDKKM (20).
Kamii.ikh (U3).
.SuilKAMIMKit (77).
I. I'ASSEUKS. . . .
1, UHUINKH
1. Turdlda
1. TiinllniB.
2. Mlniliim.
3. ClnrllniK.
6. lU-giilliiiii.
6. l'iiHo|itllimi).
2. ChamtrUla Ci
3. raritliK
4. Sillidit . ,
7. rnrliiiD.
B. I'lrlliiiilif
0. TrotiloitjilMa . . .
8. Cerlliiliim,
0, Cuni|iylcirliyncliiiin>.
10. Tri>gliMlylliini.
It. Cnl.'tiiilrllliuii.
12. AluiiiliiiO).
13. Moliic'lllliiU).
14. Aiitliliiiii.
15. Sylvliuillnm.
Iti. Ictui'iliia).
7. Alaudiilui
8. MntacilliiUr. ....
0. Si/lukoliitiK ....
: ; : ;
17. SotoplinKilKD.
In Cirrehultr
l;i Ainiiflitlir t'\
18. Ani|H!liiia>
ID. rtllogunntinio.
20. MyliMlcatiniD.
14. I'in'intiilit ,
21. Ijiiiilna).
V*
m. yiimiillulir
17. /cleritlat
22. AKcliiiiiim.
24. Icttrlim!.
2B. (^iilMnlliia).
20. Corvinii!.
27. (larruliniD.
28. .Stiiriiinm.
20. Tyriiiiiiinn).
30. Ca|irlMiul|ilniD.
31. Cy|<iw)liiiK.
32. CliBituriniu.
.13. Trocliiiliiio.
34. Trogoniiini.
36 AleeiliniiiiD
; 18. I'nrnlilni
II. PICAKKK(?). . .
2. Clamatorkr . . .
3. UV1-8KLIFOIIMKS . .
20. Tyrfiiinitltr- ....
21. C'aprimiili/idai . . .
22. Cypivtidie ....
23. Trochilidir. ....
24. TroijontdiB ....
4. COCULIFORMEg?. .
26. Cuculida
36 Crotophatctniu.
38. Cocryginm.
B. PlCIPORMKH . .
27. ricidai
CLASSIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS
286
ukdkim (i;i).
III. psirr.ici . . .
IV. HAI'TOUES . . .
.SUIMtllUKIIH (iO).
Kamilirm (MU).
SuilFAMILIICa (77).
. . . . ?
a. HrHiuKK
•J». l'$Utari,ta ....
39. Arliia.
30. .SlrigUla
40. Htrlginar
41. HuUxiliuD?
42. C'lrcliio).
43. Mllvlna.
T. AOCIPITaKH . . . .
31. FulconMm ....
44. Acclpltrlna.
46. PolylHirlna
4T. Butoonlna.
32. I'nmllnnUla . . . .
8 Cathaktiuks . .
0. PKRIItTKH.K. . . .
33. CUharliilw ....
V. COLUMBiB . . .
U. rolumbida ....
46. Coliinibliioi.
49. ZuMlillniB.
VI. (lALUNA . . .
10. Pkriiitkiiopodks .
11. Alkutoiiupoukm. ,
as. rnteitla
30. Melitii/rlilida . . .
Si. l>onalo|iliiB.
37. TrIraonMa ....
B2. Totrnoiiliiin.
S3. UilDiitiiphiirhiB.
M Clmrnilrllna).
VII. LIMICOLiC . .
. . V
38. Chanulriida . . .
30. Ilirmntnpmliilm . .
no. lliniiiitli)|iiMl|iiiD.
S7. Stru|Mllalria>
40. Itrfurrin>»lru1it . .
41 I'hiilamptMHiliri
42 SeotoiMcUltx ....
VIII. HEUODIONES .
13. InipKs
43 Ibiiliilit
44 I'laliilfiiln . .
13. Pf.laroi
4S I'Ironiulir ....
6)1. TuiiUllna.
fill CIuokIIiio).
OM. Arilvliim.
61. Butaurlnos.
U. IlKRODII
40. AnMJa ....
IX. ALECTOKIUES .
19. Uruikobmcm . .
47 Onttila
16. Ralmfoumkh.
fiU. Italliilir
03. llHllliim.
lU (liillliiiilliiii).
04. Kiillolnm.
Ki. C)'|{iiInio.
iKi. AiiKorlnn).
07. Anntliim.
tW. Kullmillna.
00. MerirliiiH
X. LA.MF.U.IUUSTUES
17. OIMINTIKILOIK i:
It). ANltKKKa
111. /'hiniiropteriila . .
&2. jlnnliila
XI. 8TEGANOPODES
.VI. Siiliilit ...
&4 /'I'lfranitltri .
r<l\. I'lntiihr
57. TdrlniiMliilm . . .
88. I'haiUhimHila . . .
ao. LnrUlir . .
7n Ix<iitrliliiiii>.
XII. LONOIPENNES.
19. Oavi« ....
71. I^rlnii*.
V2 8lt*rnliiin
73. Itliyiiclin|iiiiic.
74. DiiiiniMlrlniD.
75. Prueollarlliiai.
20. TlTUINARK* ....
60. I'merllarlMn . . .
XIII. PyOOPODES .
•tl. t'lili/mMilai
«2. roiliciptiUda . . .
63. AhUlm
ill. PlinlerMino).
77 SiiiK.\MiiJKa.
13 OnnF.itfi.
20 SuRnnnRRB.
0.1 Famii.if.s.
EXPLANATION OF COLORED FRONTISPIECE.
ANATOMY OF PIGEON, 9, 8 Nat. Size.
Ar hrmsi-lnmr nnd entire front trails ofhodif r'nioied; the rixrera drawn to tlu right.
A, A. skin III' inrU ti'riieii iisitlc. — a, tuieningof bursa filjricii into fKuini. — B, luaiii
niMovcil I'roiii hUiiII uk-I turned hind part bffon' (p. Mfi). — Up, braflilal plcxud (p. 177). —
!». (ipciiiiiu' of .>viiiuH into .•loacii (p. i\\)). — O, onp, with left C, ami rifflil C", latcnil dihi-
iaiioii> (p. 21^). — I't ;HMiiiif{ of U'fl ureter into cUmcji. (p. 214). — c«^ ca-ca enW, point wlicro
Miiall intc^itiut'H piuts into colon (p. 211). — D, I>, duixloiml l<H»p of intOHliuc, oufcddinK jk-.h-
ircaH (p. 2l;{)— *''» '■'*'1*'"'WH'*. K""*"' (P- -")■ *'^'''» ''«'>' I'ur-ojioninj;. — e. left eenlMiil
lieinispliere. - f, optic nerve (p. i7<'i). <«, gizzard ; letter on central tendon (p. 212). r
let'l optic i.>l>e (p. l/Ci). — 11, hca:t (p. I'Jti) ; tlic unlettered oranije-red arteries from it are liie
.iliort ri^lit anil Imitr left innominate, latter dividiuK into left carotid and left Hulu-lavian (Imtli
cut hhorl), former dividin^t into ri^lit carotiil (the lonjf aHconding vexwl) and ri^ht suhclavia
just over tin- letters "Ty"; main aortic arch (right) not shown (pp. I',»7, lilS) ; the unlet-
(i-red l)rij?ht-hlue vcsw-'Ih are the pulmonary artericH. — Hy, hyoid arch (p. 1(')7). — b, ccrehcl-
le II (p. I7<'')- — •'•'i In-patic ducts enterin« tiiKidenum fMui liver (p 21.')). -- 1, termination
of r<-ctiini in cloaca (p. 211). - J, a'sophatfus hetweei' crop and proventriculus. - Kn, kiico
(p. 120). - k, k, k, three loh<-s of kidney, lyin^ in |Hdvis p, ureter w pnuKing down upon
tl',y->'n too (p. 217). --LL, Kver, ri^ht and left lobes, receiving; ii|M'x of heart between thcin
(p. 21.5). - Lg, le« (p. 120). -I.U, hf! Inui,' (see p. 200; con^pare «p. lOl).— M, M', .M",
V', Ktiniip:< of cut pectnnil mi'scles (p. lOH). - m., entrance into lunjj; of left bronchial lube.
.N, N, Mkiunrd nock. — n, spigelian IoIh' of liver. — O, left ovary, inactive (p. 220, fig. lOS)
od,, \A\ oviduct, passiuf; down with ureter to l». — H, |M'lvif partly exjMiwd (p. 11-7). — I'c,
pun<.:reas, I;, iiiU in duodeii'il fold of intestine (p. 21'>). — Pr, proventriculuH or true Ntoi.iach,
b<>twepu u'.sopha;T*<i* ii"''< gizza' ' (p. 2M). — p, medulla oblongata, conm^cting brain with
spinal coi-d (p. l".")) -C, coils of intestine, coming down from D', behind O, ]iassing cu to I
(p. 21iJ). — 1?, cut I nds t^f several ribs. — r, t', two o|H>ningM ieadi. g from lung io not shown
uir-«'<'S (p. 200, fig. iol, •;, m). -- S, spleen. — 8r is piacc ! over the syrinx ; the ticshy bauds
on each side of the h'ters are the intrinsic syringeai muwlrs ; the nariiiiTer bands diverging
froin t/achea between Sr and Tr are extrinsic muscles (p. 204, fig. 101, Ifi, r. -<•).— Th,
thigh (p. 120). -Tr, trachea or wiml-pipe (p. 201). — Ty, a gland. — t, intermediate tnus-
cle of the gizzard. -■ t) or V, romuhis of skull broken open to remove braiu. — v, v', v",
three pantreatic dvcts enteriut; intestir.n (p. 213). — w, ureter, BCC k, above. — Drawn and
ndorcd from natuit by Ur. U. VV. Siiuvelut, U. 8. A.
Part III.
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS
&t>
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.
CLASS AVES: IJlHm.
HIS CLASS OF ANIMAI-S, wliilc sharply (lisliiiniii.li.'.l frnm Maimimls. is so .-tosfly
rt'latcil to ({('itlilt's, that the iircsi-iicc of fcathci'N in the I'oriiii r, ami tiiiir alistiicr
from tilt' lattor, ih tin- most obvious if not the only prisilivc chitracti'r l»y whii-h the two cliisst's
T
I'H
intltlo.
'I'hoiifjh tho HjK'cicH of birds nro uuiiM'nmH (w)nif l(),(J(Ml an' known), tiif strm-tiiral ilivcr-
8ity of ^hc) ()iaMB ih coiniiarativt'ly tui Mlight. that the (tharai-tcrs :i|ioii which tiic primary divisioiiH
arc based seem infii;;nilieaiit in view of tliose upon whii-h the niaji.r u'ronps of Mammals or
Keptiles may he founiled. With striet reuanl for eijnivaleiiey of laxoiiomie ^'roups, ba.-ed on
mor]ilioloi;ical eonsiih-rntions, the eonventioiial '•«"b»ss"of Hirds is scarcely or not of hiylirr
value »han an order of Reptiles, with which IMrds ar" associated under the mime S.Mitoi'-
siiiA. liut it is not proven that a liven structur.il ehnracter may not have classiticaiory valii:>
in one case, iliderent from that wU'wh may |)r()perly he attri)>uted to it in another: so that,
thouj^h the most diverse hirds may be uiore alik(> than an extremes amoni; I^i/ards for
example, we may stiM '■oulinue to speak of.. cIiiks Are-i, to be primarily diviiled into sub-i-las.ses
or ot'ilers.
All known liirds, livlut; and extinct, are ilivisilde into the fidlowint; primary uronps,
winch Ui.iy Im- termed sub-classes ;
i. SAi;ui;K,f:. - Birds with tcctb. Vertcbrie bicom-iive (amphictvlouH). Sternum
keeled. Winu-' small, with se])aratr metacarpals. Tail longer Ih.iu body, its
Vertebra' not pytjo.lyled, its feathers aiiaii(;ed in distichous series. (One s|M'cies,
Ai h<fo)ilfi\i/.r lithi>iir(ii>lii('ii, frinu the .Jurassic of Kiiiope. Fin. 14.)
Ik. Ol)(i\rnToiiM,K. Hirds with teeth, implanted in s<K'kets. Vertebra' bii-oncave.
Winirs larjje, with an<diyloseil metacarpals. .Sf;'rn'itn keeled. Tail short
(Typified by tliu genus hhtUijurnis, from the CretucRous of North Amoricu.
FiK. 1(5.)
J ;
9)
288
SYSIKMA TIC SYNOI'SIS. — CARINA TAi — PASSEHES.
III. OnosTou .*:. — Hiriln with tc«'t!i, iinplimU'cl in grtMiven. V«*rt«'l)rtB Bnddlp-slmjH d
(lictcriK'ti'liiu.s). WitiK.s riiiiiiin'iiliiiy, \vaiiliii>{ iiic-taciir|miH. .StiTiium uiilmiit
keel. Tiiil xJKirt. (Tj|iiti(il liy tin- i^oimtt y/<'*^j«roniiJ', from tlir CntaciiuiH of
Norili Anirricu. Fi^j. 15.)
IV. KATiT.f.. Ilirils willioiit teeth. Vertehni- (sojiie) Middle- tihapef I. Wiiijrs nuii-
iiii'iiiiiiy, nr at iiinsi iiiilit f<ir lliiihl, with aiicliyhiMil iiielacar|ials. Steriiuiji
vvithciit keel (a« in < IdaiitolfO; fi^. I,")). Tail bhort. (KinliraeiiiK the exlinci
Miias, aiMJ liie liviiii; O.strieheH, ("aft.inwaries, HliieuH, and Kiwis. I
V. ('AltlN.V'r.i;. — IHrd.s williiiilt teeth. Verlehlie (Millie) sadille-.sha|ied. Wilifis clevel-
(>|ied, with rare e.>ife|iti(iiis tit fur llifjiit, with aiiehylosed iiietaeariiaix, Stei-iiiiiii
keeh'd. 'fail xlmrt (a.x toils vertehra', wliich are )ty>;iistyliii). (Kiiihrueiiif; all
liviiJH iiirds exeeptiliK the I{iilil(r).
V. AVES VAItlXATyK: OlilUXAIiY lUliDS.
'I'lie eHHeiitiitl ehuraeters nf tliis Kroiiji, wliicli iiieludeH all living birds exeejitiiiK the
iislrii-lies and their allies (ralitc or stnitliii)Us liirdsi, are the ahseiice nf teeth, the saildle-slia|iei|
t'aees nf the liest-develnjted veriehiie, and the kt'elnl hreast-hniie (ti'. SCi), in I'lniiliinatinn with
the |MTfecti<in of wiii^-struetiire in ada|itatiiin tn aerial (or aipiatie) tli^'ht. The inetaruqials and
three metatarsals are anchylosed (fiirs. il . 'M): the seapiila and eoriK'oid meet at less than a
rijfht aiiiile (very rarely more), and the t'liiiMiliini is 'isiially perfeet (tin. •'»■')• ('" 'he tli^htlesN
parrot of New /ealand (SlriHtio/is hnhrniililiis), the sternal keel is rudimentary,) The eaildal
vertehrie are few, and the last tew (pyt;ostyle, tii{. .")l'i) are |weiiliarly nioditied to support the
tail-feathers in fan-iike array. 'I'here is iioniially e.\ti'nsive post-aeetalmhir anchylosis of the
|)idvie hones, whieh are normally separate there in the other i;ronps (eompare tips. 5(1 and ?.5).
The division of ('annate hirds has aivays exereised the judgment and in^ennity of oriii-
tholo^ists ; no system that has Ih"-!! pro|Hise>l has lu'en iiiiiversally adopted, and few if any of
the major (jronps caii he considered rslahlishe^t and perfectly detined. The orders of Curinula;
therefore, are still provisional. Hut a ffrent assenihla^e of hirds have Ix'en ascertained to
u^ree (with few exeepti(iiis) ill |M)Ktu>HMiiig certain chamcter«, U|mi(i tin* coiiibinutiou of which
may he ham-d au
I. — Order PASSERES: Inseasores, or Perchers Proper.
The feet are [H'rfectly adapted for uniKpiiiK hy tin- length and low iiiM'rtion of the hind Uh',
great power ol appcsint; which to tin- front iocs, and ureat mohility of which, are secureil hy
separation nf its principal iiiiiscle (llexor loni;iis halliir|.<) from ih.it whirli licnds the other toes
collectively i llexor profundus ditiitoriiin). The hind tiw is always present, iH'rfiilly ineuniheiit,
and never turned forwards or even sideway- : its claw is ai* long as, or loiii;er than, the claw
of the middle loc. The (■■•ct are never /yt'iMlactyle, nor svndai'tyle, nor seinipalmate, nor
palmate; the front tiH's are usually inimovnhly joined to each otiier at hase, for a part, or
(he whole, of the has4ll joints. No oiir of the fioiil t<H's i^ >ver versatile. The joints of llic
tiH'H lire alwayx i, '.i, 4, 5, ciuintinK ''i'"'" ^he first (hinder one) to the fourth (laiter front one).
The toes :, re always four in nuniher lexrcptinu ('lioliirtiis). ( l"it;H. ,'{ll, :i7, ii, l'\.) \arious
as are the shapes of the wiims, these menihers airree in having the ui.-at row of '.ivcrts not more
than half iiH lonvas the secondaries ; the primaries either nine or ten in uiiniher. and the wvoimI
ares more than six. (Fit;. .'HI. i The tail, evtremely variahle in ..hape, ha- iwtIm n-ctrces
(\uth ceiiain aiiomiiloiis exceptions). The hill i-, ton variable in form to fiirni'-h charaeli i- ot
irroiipM higher than t'amilies: hut it^ coverinit is always hiii^l and linniy, in part or wholly, —
never extensively meinhranoiis. ,is in many wiuliuji; and -wimininu hints, itiir sadMy tumid, iis in
CHARACTERS OF PASSLREH.
•iJJU
pi^oonH, u«ir ccrnd, !U< in iiarrots iiiul Itirds uf pn-y. Tho DOHtrils do not (>|M<iily romiuiitiirnto
with cuch (itlicr. 'i'lit- nil-^laml (p. Hii) ]n iiuili*, and ul' ii cliunii'trrititic Hliapo. ItcsidcM tlirsv
I'Xtcrriiil cliiiructrrH, wiilcli llic Ntiidi'iit may readily cxaiiiiiK- wit'ioiit disHcctimi, tlitTf arc mxik'
more ii>'*><>rtaiit aiiatmiiiral hiick. 'I'Iii' .stcriiiiiii (willi U'W rxi'i'ptioiis) Ih cattt in a particular
iiioiild, liciiii; niaiiiilirialcil, uitli pruiiiiiiciii I'ustal prnccsscs, ami having cacli side i.t' the pustc-
rinr hiirdcr Niiii^lc-iiotchcil (iicitiicr ciitir<-, ii>ir deeply nnr dmihly notched, nor fencntrate: t'm.
5S). The hiiny palate has a peculiar structiu'e, called a-i{ithi>;;nathciu.-- (ti^'. ill)- There in hut.
iiuc* curotid artery, tlie left (lit;. Ul). Tiie c(L-ca culi are present, thnu^h small, 'i'here i.s a
peculiarity in tho na'tlnMl nt' insertion of tiic tensor patai{ii hrevis. Itesides jMis.sessinn the |m'i'uI-
iarity of the llexors of tin' toes, already nieiitioned, l'(i,sseirs are ,'inomalo^onatous (p. I'.(."i);
that is, the andiieiis mus<dc is altsent, as is the acces.sory femoro-cauthil; the fcinoro-caudal and
semitendinosuit are present, i\» is mtually n\tu> thu acccswiry semiteniUiioHUM.
l'liysioloi;ically, the nature of I'lmsercii is altricial and p.silopa'dic (p. SS) ; that is, the younn
,'ire hatched weak and naked, and re<piire to he fed for mime time in the nest hy the parents.
Tlwy rPjiroHcnt tho lii^hest grade of pliysio](>i;ical devidopment, as wull uh thii most |H'rfi'ct
physical ort;ani/ation of the 4'lass of l)irds. Their nervous irritability is ^reat, coiirdiuate with
the rapidity of their respiration and rirciilatioii ; they consume the most oxygen, and live the
fuMtCHt, of all hirds. They hahitually reside almvt' tho earth, in tho air that surrounds it, amonu
the plants that witli them .niorn it ; not on the ground, nor on "tlie wati'rs under the earth."
Pns'sirrs wfu- named hy Cuvior in \7\iH i •* an order of hinls; tin' name is simply the
plural of the Lat. /Hisscr, a sparrow, lint tho group as e'<tahlished hy him included many
forms which were lirst properly excluded hy the celehrated Nitxsch, who in l^'j'.Mimited the
group as now accepted. Ilesides heing one of the host detined, it is hy far the largest group
of its grade iu ornithology. Tor example, of the 8SH hirds enumerated as North American in
the Check List, no fewer than ll'.ll are l'(MMerei<; at* are more than half of all known hirds.
I'tiHHerni are prinnirily ilivisihle iiitd two groups, comnioidy called Huh-orden*, inuinly
according to the sirui-ture of the viM-al organ, — the lower larynx, or syrinx. In one of these
groups, tho musical apparatus is highly developed, with several distinct pain* of intrinsic mus-
doH, iiiHortod into tho oihIh of tho up|MT three half-rings of tho hroiichial IuIm-m. In the other,
tho ' lico-orgati is less complex, with less s|H'cialixed muM-les in.s<-rtod into the middle |Hiiiions
of the upper hronchial half-rings. The former arrangement is tinned iirrnmi/ixliaii, the latter
mrnomijtiiliiin: and the liirds which oxhihit this ditforonco of structure an- respectively called
I'llKunrn (writiniiitili and I'flssrirs mesomi/iDli, or Oscin-x and ('Inmnliirfs. (See p. -'((.'), fig. KM. i
As.soeiated with the acromyiHlian or oseine ty| f syrinx is a pt'cnliar condition of tho
tarsal envelope. In nearly all Onchieii, tho tarsus is covered on each sidi' with a horny plate,
nearly or ipiite undiviiled, mcetini; its fellow in a sharp ridt;e heliind. This comlition of the
tarsus is calh il Inluiiiiniilc, anil the hiids showint; it are litiniiiiiihnitiir (figs. ',\7, 12, l.'M- In
HtiiMO ciM*es the fusion of the tarsal envelo|N' pnivccds so tar that the front of the tarsus Iike\vis4'
pn-Honts a nearly or ipiite undivided surface, tho whole tarsus heing then incaseil in a " hoot,"
ilM it is called. .\ hi'olod" tarsus may ho said to he liiliiiniiiule (tig. 'M'l). The principal ex-
ception |4i the a.s.soi'iatiiin of a hilaminate or trilamiiiate t.irsns with an ,'icromyodian syrinx is
litrorded hy the AtiiuUi(la\ which liav<- the tarsus scutellate ami hlunt hehiud ; and, with very
fuw oxooptioiiM, no bird wliioh is not acromyiHJian ha.H a hiiaininalo tarxiiH. A thinl itn)Mirtniit
feature clniractoriy.es Osrinrn, as a lule. I'liis is the reduction in leiiijlh of tlie first primary,
which never eijuals the lonuest primary in lent{lli, is rarely over two-thirds as long as the
liingo.Hi, Ih no short as to Im' called spurious, or is <piilo rudinioiitary and apparently wanting,
leii\int( apparently only nine primaries (lii;. .'t(l<.
.XsstM-ialed with the mesomyodi.tn or clannilorial type of cyriiix is »een (with few oicop-
tlons) tho opiMisiti- condl'ioli of tlie taisus, tho sided and hack of which, as well as tho front, are
covcioil with v.uionaly arrangid MUtolla, bo that there i.i no sharp undivided ridge bohiml
SYSri:MA TIC SYNOl'.^IS. — PASSEJiKS— OUCl.SKS.
Ill Mirli ciisn's tlicro art' iilsi' ten fully drvclii|K!il |)riiiiiiiii's, tins firnl of wliirli, if not pqimlliny ur
l»ciii>{ il^i(•lf llic illll^'^s|, i> at li'ast two-lliinl.s ii.s loiii,'. (See p. 12S, fit;, ■27'.>.)
'I'iwtn iiiliiiialiciii> III cliaractcrs may iir (•iiiitrasttil fm' llir |iiir|iiis(! «if iliviiiin/,,' ilic j-icai
group I'dssirtu into t«<> MTiiuiis, <-i.iiviiiiiiiiial!y ilrinuniiialril Miii-onlci-M.
1. Si iiuui.KK I'ASSKHKS A('Uo.MV«U)l, OU O.S(;iNi:S: .Sinuisu Hiiu)«.
Syrinx willi fmir m livr ili>liiicl pairs m iiitiiiisir iiiiiMfk's, ilLscrtcil at the cikIh of the tlin-i-
iip|M'r liroiicliial liall-riiigs, irpirMiiIiiif,' tin- acroiiiyiMliaii type of voiic-oiKaii, and cou.slittitim;
u liit;liiy ciiiiipifx ami ilfn-iivc m sinil apparatus. Side of tai-suH covi-nd with ii horny pjati-
iiiri'tiiiu its ('cliiiw ill a sliarp riiiiri- In liiud ; fmiit of tarsus also suinrtinics laniiiiato. I'riiiia-
rics ii'ii, with till' lint siiiiri or spurious, or appariiitly only niii<>.
ilcrt' ht'loiiy all tlic Nnrlli Aiiicriniii faiiiilirs of /'((sst-rcs, with tic siimlf cxccptinn of tlic
Ti/nnitiitlw, or Flycati-iirrs, «liich arc clamatorial (nicsoinyodian). Thi' only North Aiiirricaii
cxcrptiiiiis to tlir iliauiiosis nivrii arc ati'orilcd liy the Alitndul<c, or Larhs, and certain Tniiiln-
il;/li<ltr, wiiicli, with an osriiic syrinx and wiiiii;-slructnrc, do not have a hilaniinatu tarsus. Of
our ;UI1 i'a»sci'iu(' specie;
il. o.n'coio', iliviuint;
-hirds
lo fewer than liCili arc (Kscii
those wl
'riid name is the hat. os'cen,
in
lose whos<^ notes wi'i'c rct;arded as aiimn
il.
it is a i|Ueslion, which one of the numerous Osciiie families should he placed at the head
of the series. I^ai'ifely, )M>rhapN, through the inlluciice of those i>rnilliolo|L'ists wlm hold iImI
fiisinii of the tarsal envelope into one continuous plate indicates the acme of liird-striictiire, the
place of lioiior lias of late heeii usually assit;iied lo the tliriishes. Hut only a part of the
thriislieH theiiLselvcs show this character ; on which iiccouut, pmhahly, the rest wen^ iiMHiH-iatcil
Ity Cahanis with the wi
It seems to ine most pn halde that this charaitter, thoui;h iiiiipu
tioiiahly of !iii;h iiiiport, should he taken as of less value than the reduction of the iiuiiiher of
Pi
ries fi'iiiii ten to nine ; and I am at present inclined to helieve that eventually some Osci
family with only nine primaries — as the linclics or tanap'rs- will tal<e the liadini; positi
II.
I foU.
sap' In the HCipuMicu of the North .Auierican families of Dsrinrs. as
follows: Tiinliiltt, ('lidiiKriilic, I'liridir, SUtiiler, ('rrtliiidtc, 'I'liiiilmli/tidir, Aluiiiliilir, Mutn
ciUid(r, Si/U'iioliiltt , Tdndipiila', JJinnutiniiltc, Aiiijitlii/w, Vireonida', iMniidw, l-'itiitiiUtdir,
Jclcrida; Corcidic, Sluniiilu:
1. Family TURDID^ : Thrushes, etc.
The essential clniraciir of this ;;reat ^'loup of
Oscincs is, iHJoted tursl and ten primaries, the 1st
spurious. Itiit such expression r(M|uires i|ualiiicatiiiii,
for the Tiirdidic do not show this comhiiiatinn with-
iitit exception, and hirds of some other faiiiiliex i)o
possess it. Thoiitjh it be as natural as any other
Osciue family of ei|iial extent and varieiy, and ei|ii:illy
close relationships with other i;rou)is, it is in the
nature of liie case insiisceptihle t^f perfect deliiiilinii
i'.i concise terms. 'I'lie North Alueiican representa-
tives, howevrr, may readily he circiimscrih<'d iti a man-
ner enahliiif; the student to a.ssure him.self of the family
to which they helonn. H.-sides the true 'riirilslies, the
,, ,,., ,_, , ,. 1, 1 1 fiiniilv as at itresent consliliiled iiicludeM the .MocUiiit!
{Ti,i-<liia iliitcuii] .mil Kli'lili'uro (/'. piUirU). 'i'liri'shcs. Dippers, nilie-hirds. Kinglets and (iluit-
Kroni IM-xmi. cjivchcr.-;, with stray rcpriw^ntativcs of cerlain OU
World forms, tlio tlliats and Sylvines, sonieliiiies held to n-prcjent Hcpiirutu fuinilies {SurkV'
h'lii al
■jlie Vlj
ih.iM a|
easy I'
spurlii'
are re;
woiddl
laiinotl
liiniis
tvuiuda: — iL'UDisj-: .• niursiiEs.
841
Itilii anil Si/b'iiiltr), lictwci'ii uliicli giinl Tunliilrr, lu'Wrvcr, iin liin' wlmti'Vrr can lie ihuwn.
Till' vast aHM•lnl)la^t■ nflMil NVnvM Warlilrrx an- in t'ai-t iniu-li niori' tliiirniikrlily 'rhru»ii-liki<
tliiiii an- our .V/»i(»(//', I'll)' fxaiiipli' : ami tin' 'I'linliiltc \\i>\\\i\ In- iiiiu'li iiinir |jiiniiii;i'nripiis ami
ra>\ til I'Imrartrri/.i' it tile Mnrk-liinU ami ( <nal-i'alrlui>, with M'lilillatr taoi ami imt >tiirlly
>|iiiriiins l.it |iriinai'y, wi'IT ThIm' i'.\rlmlril. 'I'lii- ri'latiMii'.lii|is ut' tin- Miiiiitur willi tlir Wri'iis
arr rrally sii rliw, tliat tlii'V liavi' nl'trli lii'i'n axxiirialril Willi till' 'I'loiiliMli/tidtr, 111 -.vliirli till')'
uciiilil pmlialily III' Im'.-'I aKsJuui'il at'trr all. 'I'lir |iii.>iitiiin hI" J'iiliiii)lilii is iim-rrtaiii : lint it
ranmit wrll u'i> with I'liriiltr, ami ilurs mit M'i'ni tci lir viry iliHrri'iit I'lnni sniii. nl' tlir Syhinr
liiniis niiw lirmiulit nmlrr 'J'linliilir.
'('ill' Niirili Aiiirrican nn-nilirrs <<( tin' TnnHdir nlli'i- nillii'tivily tin' fnllnwlnu rliar.i-trr!* ; —
^\'ill^; I'l tin |iriniiiiii's, i'''\vliirli ilir l>t is >|iniiiiiis nr ijiiitr slmrt — atiaininu I'lim-tii'iial
si/.i' ciuly in Miiiiiiitr anil ]'iiliii]itiliiitr. Wiiii: iimri' or liss i'li>nt;aii' ami iioiniril, |iini.'i'r than
tin- tail (sliiirtrr anil nimi' niiimlril in I'liliniililn ami nicist Mimiiui), InniT si'i-iitnlarirs nrvcr
liMij; ami llnwini.' as in Mnliicilliilif. Itill nrvi r slmit ainl nmiral, mir \t jiji anu'iilalril ruiiiniis-
sin'r, inn' llattrnril with ti:\\H- I'lai'hinu innlri' thi' ryrs : iisiiaiiy .-Irnilri', >ti'aif;ht m' liiili' i-nrvnl,
nmri' III- li'.sx riiiii|ii'i'nH'il, Mihiilati' anil acute, u.-nally nniriii'il at rml nl' n|i|i<'i' niamhiilr (Imt
till' nirk l'ri'i|Urntly
olisiilrti', ami wlmli-
Itill attainini; cx-
Iranrilinary rharar-
trrs in //(//•/«/;•/(//)(-
iliiis). Nnstrils iival
or I'liunilish, lairly
linrar, r.\|iiisri| in
riins|iicuiins na.sal
I'lissii' ; nrarly nr
i|uili> ri'arlii'il nr
nvrrrrarhnl liy thr
Irnntal Irathrrs, Imt
nivrr rmiri'ali'il liy
a ili'Usi' riiir as ill
I'liiiiirr ami Sllliilir.
Kirllls liristli'il nr
with liristli'-ti|i|ii'il
liathi'l's, i'XiM'|il ill ('imliis, 'I'ai'siis iinniially liciniiil, ihr aiitirinr -I'Ut.Jla, rxrr|>linn a Irw
lii'lnw, lii'ini; t'liM'il in a i-niitinunns )ila!«', — not ho in Miiiiiinf ami I'oliiiiililiiiir. (In tin- siili-H
anil lirhiml, tarsus strirtly laiiiini|ilaiitar (coiniiarr .l/iiiii//i//r ami mhih' Tnuilmliiliilu). TarsiiK
n>nally also lonu iiml sli'inlrr: iirvrr ili'i-iilrilly slmrtrr lliiin ihr iniililli' loi' ami il.iw. nl'lni
ili'i'iili'illy Iniiuir. Aiilrri'ir tors ilii|ily I'lit'l, tlir ininr In it- vi'iy Imsr. llir mitir ailliri'i'iit to
till' niiilillr I'nr nnly ihr li'ni.'ili nt' its liasal Jnini (rnni|iarr 'I'mtilmliiliilii). IlimI i'la« urvi'r
IriiUthriii'il ami striiuhti'iii'il as usual in Mulm iUiihr. Tail trallifis tuilvr; tail norinally
niiii'li slinr
l''lii. 114. — Hkiills of V'liii/ii/ir mill sV/'i'iVn/ii/ic, lull. kI/i'; liner Sliiifflill. .\, »»n>-
itriffitt ft mnntinmn . II, -s,filiii
mi riritll'l .
f
fill
■III
H IH< nrtltlllH ,
l>.
llliM'i VI' liki'lic'M lii'lHi'Uii .V uiid II, III inillilii miirlioil •
III iHiiiilh iiiiii kill /', li,' •/, </'.
, I, I'; ami Ih'Iwihhi r iiml H,
trr th
III thr Willi's, Miimiinirs almiil ii|Ual, only ih'i iiliilly Iniicrr in Minii- Miiiii
i'V*>r I'liiii'iitr, imr ili'i'|i|y I'nritril, imr ilmilily rninnliil.
Any .Nnrih Aini'riran l.inl slinwini; Imnti'il tarsi, tni |iriiiiarii's, thr 1st s|Hirioiii<,
ami
nil' of ihi' 'J'linliilii'. Till' t;rnn|i thus i'.iii>liluliil i^ ili\ i'<ilili'
nut ilniilili'-rnuinli'il tail
intn M'Mial siili-l'aiiiilii's, wliii'h may lir analy/ril as fnllnws with I'l'lrri'in-r in the Nnrlh Aiir
Iran i.'i'iii'i'a : — *
As.M.VHlN UK SnUAMII.IKM.
'ri'lliHN.t; ; '////«'(■(// Thnislirs. Tar>i ImhiIciI. jtii'ins liristly. Nostrils oval, ix|insril.
Hill Htraiglit, Hlioiti-r than liiail. First iiuill sirirtly H|>urioUH ; ;.M hitwnn Ith ami Dili. Tail
lit
242
.systi:m.\ tic syxci'sis. — passkhes ~ osci.sks.
fliortor thill) witij;!*. 'rmsiii' \\u\v if any Imimr iImu tlii' miilcllt' luc ami .law. Of iiitiliiiin
»izi'. ('ni«lllci|Mi|ilall. ( (lie HCIMI> 'I'lllllllS.
.Ml.MlN.l:: Miickinii 'I'hnislits. 'I'aiMil x'litrlla ilMiially iliittiiict. Mill varialilc, M>iiirliiiii>
attaiiiiiiK ixlrannliiiary li-iiKtIi ami ciirvatiirr. {{ictiiH liriMtl)'. Nnstriis oval, )'\|him'i|. Wjh^m
shnrt ami miimlcil ; l>t i|iiill iml .slrirtlv siiiiiiiiii>, al liawt i.ia-liaH an ImiK a« -.M, wliicii i.,
slmrti'i- than lilii. Tail i'c|iialliii^ or iiiiu'h jiniuii' than wiiiu.s. Of iiiiiliiiiii ami lai'i;i>i
"l/r.
I'
rrlliiar li
All ahrmilit i.'ri>li|>, iclalfil In the TioijUhIijIhIu-. 'I"hr
■(■«■ m'lura,
(h'iisiojilis (tii;. Ill, .1), Miiiiiis, lliirfinrliiini'liiis.
Tim I. IN. i: : IHiiimis. 'I'aoi liiiniril. Mill .>li(.rt(r than hcail. NnxtrilH limar, i'\|ii>-.rcl,
hill iivi'iriarhril liy fralhrrs. Nn l.li>llc.s whatrMI' almllt ncltlx. Willff.s >hiir|, jiiit htilj Iniiuir
than ihr vtiT An>v\ M|iiair lail, with >lricll_v N|iiiii..ii.-i l.st |iriiiiary. I'"iiiiii >liiiit. riiiiiia;;r
ilriiM'. Ilahii.s !ii|iiiilii-. ( 'i>MiM>|Hiliiaii. Oni' t;i'iiii.s — <V(i(Vi(.'< (lit;. 114, (').
S.v.Mi iii.iN.K ; ('lints, itv. 'j'aisi I tnl. Hill •.mall, iinirh flmilcr ihaii hcail. IlirtiiM
hrinlly. Nii.slrili, nval. Wiiiy.* imiiilcd, cxiriiiiiit' ihf >liiirl, ><|ilan' ur iiiiaruiiiatr lail. 'I'ai-
Hii.s ii.siially iiiiii'h Iniiucr than tin- iiiiiidlo l<>r ami rlaw (not in Sialin). Of miiiiII hI/.c ami
>li'mliT fiiiiii, ami I'm- llic iiulhI jiarl tciiotrial ; hnt .srau-i ly ilistiiit.'iii.'.hnl iVniu Tiiiiliiin
|ini|MT. Chirlly ol.l W'oilil. Thri'i' uinrra, — Sii.iiiiiln, Ciiuiii'iilii, ami Siiilm (liu. III./.').
ItKiii t.iN.i: : Kini/lrls. 'Vixrh'i iHMitctI (M-iitclla ranly a|>|ii')'<'iahli'). Hill iiiiirh a.-* in
/»
hill Miiall ami wi'ali. Nnslril.-* tximimiI,
If
"Vi'iliiiiit; hv tiliv fcalhir.-
\Vi
•ii> l>i |iiii
|ii>iiiii'<l, u ith sirii'ily >|iiiri<
hinder tliiin iniclillr \i»- ami claw. \°i'ry
itchI. Chii IIv Ohl W.nl.l. 'I'w.. t'cmr:
inner than tlir cviii ur i
lMai'i.'>nati' tail. T
ir.-i
It
mlcr Nix inrho. (lr^l'ni^ll, >>fti
ith II,
iiiiiiiu
I'liillliisi'Hiiis ami UiifiiliiK.
i'lM.loi'TII.IN.I. : (iiiiil-tiiltliifs. '\'iiv>\ wiitcllalr. ilill \try slnnlrr. Init wiiliiinl aiiil
tlallfiii'il at hiiw>, with iiriilf iinli'liril aiiil honknl ti|i. liictiis Htnuiuly hristli'il. NuNlril^
rnliri'ly i'X|Mwil. Kirnt |iriiiiary iihI strii'tiy !*|iiiii<in>., half as hmu' a.s ihr -.M. X'rt-y Miiall :
nmli'i
I'liliofililii.
MIX IIICllC.".
( 'i ill ii'al lull hliii.sh. Mack ami wliiti'. I'lM-nliar In Anii'iica. Our uciiiis
.Irliriiiiil hijili'ilii ii,iiir<i.
Tiinil illHliiii'lly iiriili>niilu iiriml, rrliMinii ri><MUIi) WliiKminl liiiiK>'r lliiiti liill.
I^mitlli iiiiiliT li iiirlii'ii. Coliirii IiIiiIkIi, liluik hikI wIiIU'
Lt'iiKlli "vir ii nii'lii'i>.
i/iii/i/i/.i II
lllll iiImiiiI nn loiiu UK lii'iiil i>r iiinrli liiiit.'r'' 'I'.ill ili'i'liliHlly lunger lliiiii nlntin lliiiiHuhjiiiihuf |
Kill hlmilcr lliiiii hi'iktl
Tumi lMiiit4'<l uiiiIciIh
\Vliii{« mill mil iif uIkiiiI i->|iml li'iiKllii.. .\i>liy. >|i<illi'<l In'Ihw
\Vliii:» nilliri nliiiiii'i lliiiii nill. Axtiy, mliiltii |>liilii UOnu ; nr <'ii|i hliu'li
I'lili'llii i\\ hiM.i Ihillnlliicl)
itVi'lll'ltltti n
Mill
1.1'tiKlli .^ liirlii X Ml li'M. I'liLiiK Kri-i-iiliili mid yi-lliiwiii|t,
A llniiir iiilonil iirnt ,
N iliiii'il iriwt
I<i)li|llli "Vrr .'i iiirlii'K
N'oliiivlli'itiilioul l.lll. \Vlit>li"i'ii|iirnl. .\i|iimli'
Kill lilt l>ilMl>-l
TiiritilK iiiiii'li lHiit;rr lliaii iiilililli' Iih' iiiuI rliiu
llliii' nil tlirnal. ioIiIIkIi <'Ii lull . .
N'.i liliic nr ii'ilillfli. 'I'all Mill k iiml »lilii'
/t'ir/if/ii.4 III
l'hiillii»ii<im» '.I
< inrhf
1'l/tiinr»tii
, ,s>rjii<>/<i
Tnrniin lillli' iriiii> I 'iiiii lliiiii lalililli' I<h' iiikI . Iiiw.
iMliirillhili ,l|irll> lillli., lllll m„| t,.,.l liiiirK ... Ni.
N.ililiir lllll mill I'l. I lllll liliii'k /•«>
'ilu*
1
DIIK. Ill iliirriiiliiliiit I Imnii'lir .if iJiiKim, nlii'llii'i In
il nr noiili'lliilc, il Ik imi I'Muirv In i-xaiiiliii' iiiliill IiIiiIk.
fur till- fiiKiiiii iif llii aiili'ilni TUli'lla Ih |ii.i|iri'wi\i'. iiikI nii|\ m iniiiiilinliiil |N'rri'rll> iil iiiiiliirHy .VikI hi ti<')i< riil,
III imliiK iirlllli'lal ki'\» in niiiiia ami i>|>h Iik. ilir niiuliin iiiimt aurru willi Ilic aiillmr in iiiiili>riilniiilini{ Hull »\»'' i-
nii'lM fnirlj illiinlriitiiii; iniriiiul luliill rlinnirlfm iiri- In liuml.
Ti'uinit.i:— rrithLWK: tyi'icm. inin sues.
848
V\i,
I. Subfamily TURDIN/C: Typical Thruahes.
. • .. Willi tJK- tiir!<ii>. ill ilir iiiliilt, " iMNititl" or
i-iivi'|i>|ii'il ill a iiiiitiiiii<>ii!> pjati', f4iniif<i liy fiiKixii
III' all till- t:ir>iil -riiti-lla )'\ri'|i|iiit; twn or llirri-
jii.'-l alMtvi- tlif liiiM' iif till- tiN'!i (tiu. Hli). 'i'lH'M
iltTply clffl, lli4' iiiiiiT III iIk- M-ry Inim-, tlii>
iiiitrr <-)ilifr<-iit with tin' iiii<l<llr niily for tin- li'iiulli
III' its lia.tal joint. Wiiii:^ inori' or li» iHiiniiil,
|ont;rr tliaii llu- tail : l>l |>riiiiary N|>iirioii>. aiiil
vi'iy >liort : i>\ Iohuit than *ith. Kill iii<Nh-iair.
hhorli r than ihi' luaij. »trait:ht, iiiorr or li>s miI<-
iilati', iillh' lii'iin^M-il at ki.x', with hrixtly rii'tu>.
Il.'i. — A iv|i|i'iil 'I'lininli, lliit KiimiK'nii NnNtrilK oval, iii-arlv or i|iiil«' r«iichiti hv tin*
'""*•'•''"'"'■""' "'■"• "■"•'""""'"• iVonia! r.ath.n*. W\a. IKV) Tail-f. atli.is
wiilcnint; soinrwlial touaril llirir i'IIiIn; tail an a wIioIi' Munrwhal fall-^ha|■«'<l : niitlKr <h-<'iilrilly
I'orkiil at the cinl, nor niiirli urailuatnl. rpwanls of one hiiiiilnil ainl hfty -jN-fii'M an- now
ii-*italiy aKsiifiifil to ihi' 'I'lirilhttr, iiioki nf (hnn rrtrraliii' to tin- >.iiiuli' n' iin> Tuiilun ami it»
>iil>ili\ isioiis. 'I'lii'V arc nearly ro^nio|ioli|an, ami havi- a irn-ai •h'\)'lo|iiiii'iii in th<- warmer
partx of Anicrica, wlieir lliry arc inaiiily ic|iicMntcil l>y ty|i«s cloM'ly alia <! to Tiiiilu> |iro|icr ;
iiiiirc alH'rraiit loriiix, coinititittin^' very iliHtitirt t.'cncra, iN-<-iir in the t Mil World. Wi- havi<
lint one L'ciiiiN in N'ortli .Vnieriea. of which llie rohin is the iikmI familiar, ai> it i> a xery
cliaractcrislic, rxaiii|ili ; a specicM of ('iithiiriit. however, iM-eiirK viTy near if not acliially
over our .Me\ican lionlcr. 'I'lic thni>he.>i are iliU'ii.Neil over all the w>Ri<llaiiil luirlM ol mir
I'oiinlry, ami arc all Htrictly iiil|rratoiy inwctivotNHin hiniM, tliiniuh feetliut; alwi ii|ioii lHTric> aial
iilhcr Mift fruit."!. Thoiiyli not irnl" :;rei;arioii><, some, as the mhin for iiislaiiee. often collect in
lroo|iH at lavorite I'eeilini; |ilace>, or inicratc in i'oiii|iaiiies. They l>iiil<l rather rmh- ihsIm,
often |ila.'.tereil with ninil. never |>i ii>ile, imt oaililleil on a ImhiuIi or tixe<l on a fork, or x-t
on the m'oiniil; ami lay froni four to hix trrccii or hlnc es;i;:«, soinetiiiie-. I'laiii. Miiintiines
.•>|Hitleil. All arc viH-al : ami hoIiic, like the woml ihlilsh. are exi|iiiMtely iiie|ialioii>.
'riicM- hirilH tiiay he lakcit in illiiMiMtion of a character which niii» throiiuh other of ihc
:!ron|»« of Tiiriliiltr lii'siilcn the 'I'liriliiiic |iio|M'r. 'I'lie yoiiiii;, in their fir-i feaiheriiit:, which
Is Worn hilt a short time, are curiously s|iccklcil ami '•trcakcil, in i inanm r iinitc ilitfi n nt
from the ailiilts. 'I'lii.^ featnre is well shown hy a yoimt; mlttii, or lilio -hinl, as <h-M-ril>eil
hcyoiiil.
i'l'U ItrS. (Lat. tiinlim, a thnisii.) 'rilltl siii.s. The characters of the typical ami -iiiL'le
neiiiis represeiili il in North Anierici are ill etficl the same a- thiw of the -iilifaiiiily alreaily
uiven. The several s|M'cies fall ill lliree siiliueiiera, which may Im- lhii:> aiialyzeil : —
Mrriilii Sexes similar. Itill iiotchctl near eml, little wiileiieil at Ikim*. 'I'ar^i litth loiii;er
than niiilille toe ami clan lliiii.ilh mostly niiicolor, with stnakeil thr<i;it. I.ir^e : stoiit.
(Type, I iiiiliis niiriilti .■ luclmles our rohins.)
lliiiMTiMiililii. — .SexcH ilissiiiiilar. liili iimintcliiil. Ma!- with .i hlack |>»cior.il <•« liar. tMlier-
« i-e like Miiillil. {'i'\\<i , ami only species, 'I'lliillis nnirins.)
Tiiiitits. .Sexes similar. Hill iiotcinil near einl. iiMicli M iih iie«I ami •h-pn-'M.I .it has*', 'larsi
ilei'iili'illy longer than iiiiihlle toe ami clav«. Metieath s|M>itei|. I If '.iii.tll Mature, and rather
sIiihIci roriii.
.tiMliittn\f SpirientHil \tiritlkt.
Ni'ltlii-r H|Mitl<s| nor IuiiuIihI tH>liiu , Imt tliniut stroaki''! Ilol'liiit )
l'|i|M'r luiili" sli'i'-ciil"!!'!! ; I mi .ml iliintliiil.
oiiii'i lull fi'atliur Willi u lihi' ll|i|ilii|( (Kimtirn
oiilci iiiliri'iitliir V.11I1..111 lii'lili'.l uhlii- il|>|<liii; iWcvtcni ) . ....
I'l>|s r luirii- itmyliili luali . tiniiKl yt'lliiwUh liiilt. i'a(s' SI l.iit'4a.i .....
m
244
■s'i',s'/7;,v.i TIC sYxnpsrs. - passkhics— <)S('ixi':.s.
Struiikixl U'liiw nil wlilii k''"iiiii|, ultli ri'i|>ll>li »Mi'> iKiirniH'iin ) ilinr
liiiiiili'il <'ri>M>»lM',iiiii hiiMiii'.l, lii'lnw . ii|i|Hr inii'ln iiliiti'-iiilni'cil. (WfUlurii) iitrri
NjHiUol lii'lxw III hIiIIi' i>i Inwiiv ur'Hiiiil.in mi Imlli.
1 |t|H't fiiii'lh iMil III' iiniliii'in I'liliir.
rpiii'i |i;irtK liiwiiy, ^llllllllu' In mIIm' mi riiiii|i. (WihmI Tliniiili, i-nMurii.)
l'|i|H'l |iMI In iillvi'. nlillilllll,' til I llliilIK mi nilll|i
munlilhiuA r,
nil lliiiM »i/.i'. illi'iiiili 'I'lii'imli, iMiMvrn.) . .
Ill liiik'i'xl xi/i'. I lliriiiil rill Hull, lliH'ky Mill.)
nri-iiialli'Ml xl/.r. Ilti'iiiill TIiiiikIi, rmlllr niiilit.l
I*|i|M'r piirlN III' iiiiiliii III I iiliii' iliriiiii,i|imii.
, titiihtUiiti II
. uii'itturir K
ri>|i<'i |i:irii- nin'ii> : n|Hiii> livliin ri'W, |iiiti<, rlilvlly niiilliietl ill bull' Jiignliliii im luitl
uyi'i'iiiK I Titniiy Tlii'iiili, laiili I'll I . .
rplHi' luii'tH riiKwl iijlvi': iiiii|i>r imiln im iN'rurr; no bilfl' I'ye-rliiK. <Tiiviiiy Tlinmli,
,/'i(iir» ji'f HH
I'llU-lml,, ;
l'|i|ii'i' |iiirl« I iiKN'l iillvi<; i-imli- III liiw iiiiiiioroiu, iiiviuUliu wliitu liriiuii ; ii hull' cyv-
iImi! iWntti'iii illlvi'-liai'ki')! TIiI'iikIi.I
I'liliir iiaitHiliirk piiru ollvi- : ■|iii(it ImIiiw lu liur<ire; n liulT i-yi'-rllitf. (KnitiTii Ojlvr-
Hntllltll»i< I)
lilli'klil rill'llall.
rpIKT imrtmhiik imi'i! iillvis m|ki1i« Ih'Ihw hi. iKfiiiii; im liull'i-yu-rlinf. iKiiMiTii.)
iiiHKiiii. l:i
1. T. luIxriito'rlHH. (I.mI. niiiiiiilnriiin, \\\\\irAUi\-\- \ m///>'ri/<»', a waliilrrrr. Tit's. IJti, .'iS, |lCi.)
KmilN. (i< in smiiinir: r|i|><'l' I'l'irls !.|iitr-i'iilnr, willi a sliailr nt'nlivr. Ilrail lilai-k, tlicryi'-
licls anil a H|iiit licl'iiir ||ii< r^r wliilr, ami llii' llimal HtrraUnl willi wliilr. t^nill.'* nl' llif wiiiijK
iltishv, riii.'<'<l M'itli Imai'v a>li, ainl witli tin
>r III' till' liarli. Tail lilai'lti>|i, tlir miti
ftalhtT iiHiially ti|iiii il «iili «liiir. riiilcr |iarls, li> tlir \iiii, ini'linliiit: llir iiiiilir winu-iuMits,
(■Ik'sIiiiiI. riiilcr lail-i-iivi-tiH anil tiliiii' w liiir,
Kliiiwint,' iiinl'i' III' |i'>s |iliiiiilii'iiiis. Mill yrlliiw,
iiftiii «itli a ilii>l«j' liji. .MiMitli yclliiw. Kyi'H
ilai'lt Ih'kimi. Ki'i'I lilai'kiMli, tin* huIch yrlluw-
isli. Li'iiuili alMiiit lo.iNl: I'Mi'iii ji'i.iKi: wiii^
.'i.lNi-.'i.:iU: tail 1.1)0 (..'ill; liilMl.Mi; tai'MiK, iir
iiiiililli' tiir aiiil I'law, \.-iTi. 9> in Miiiiinri':
Similar, Iml tlir rnlni-K ilulji'i' ; u|i|>rr jiarlv
rallirr iilivai'niiis-nray ; rlii'f.liiiit nl' llir iiihIit
|iart> paliT, tlii' fratlirrs xliiilril willi uray nr
wliitr: lirail anil tail \v!.>^ Itlai'lii.-ii ; tlimat »iili
iiiiiri' wliili'. Hill iiMii'li I'liiiiilnl willi ilii.-ky. J 9 • '" «intfi'. ami yimiii; : Similar tn tin' ailiilt
9. Iiul n'riiiiiiL' smiii'Mlial lailliri' liinii llir $ in .-miiiiirr liy tlir iliillir ciilnr.'., tlir |iali'ii('it.s
anil I'i'sli'irliiiii orijii' rlii'stiuit, W'illi it!< rxtciisivi' ..•liirtinu witli wliiti', lack ii|'ili.»lim-li<in nl' tlir
I'liiiir 111' till' lirail I'l'iMii that u^ tlir liark, ti'iiili'lii'y nl' tlir uliiti' h|Mit iM-fnrc tin* i-yc t<i run intii
I Mllii'irill,
'I
I'klril,
iiy Mn
ik
ilarl
<r III' iiiiist III' till liill. N'rrv voiinu liirils liavr tlir liat'k
■aril I'rallirr
wliiti>li I'l'iitiallv. willi a iliirikv ti
an<l Mil'
it till
miller jiarts is .''|iiitti'il vviih
III 1.
sh
'I'll
■alrr riivrrts ai'r li|i|iiil witli wliili' nr nil'miH,
ri'n|iiriitly |iri-sisti'Ml. a.'i ai'r mImi sniiir similar mai'kiims mi tlir lissrr I'livi'its. N. Am. at
lari;i'; an almiiilinl ami I'aiiiiliar liinl, miirralmy, Init liniiliiii: anywlirri' in its rail);*'. Nt'st
in tnr.s, usually .sailillnl mi a limi/.mital limitfli. i'mn|Hisi'il lai'i;rly nl' liinil ; i'KUh -t—li, alimit
l.l*>X"''^". nnirmiii miiiiisli-liliii', nuniially nns|Millril.
T. III. iii'iiplirqiiiis? (I.ai. /i/'iiyii/ii/iif(.<(, miulilMirin); ; a.s n-latrii tn llir last.) .Xi.i.ii'.n
IfiiiiiN. (^iiiir iiki' 7'. iiiiiiriiliiriiis; avcrauiiit; Nliulitly larm-r; M'iiitr np In ."i.TiH: tail n|i
llial nl' 7'. miijiiitiii-iiis, till- miicr I'l-allirr "it! I wliili', nr
A .si-arri'ly ilisiini;nislii'il rarr. nl" tlir U'nrky .Ml. ri'(,'inii ami
In I.711, imt
III
irUlsli as
mri'riy a iiarmw fijuint.'.
wi'stlwiiril.
«'J. T. I'oiili'niN. (I.al. (iiiiliiiln, alliril nr nlalii
tn T. iiiiiiniloriiis.) St. Ijt.vs Ifonis.
rpp'r |iarts, inrlmliiii.' siilis n|' liiail ainl link, miit'nrm .<:i'ayisli-asli, uitli slit'lit nlivr shailr
.si'arri'lv ilarkir nii lln' lirail : rliii
111 ilirnai w'liiii'. stri'.ikril witli ii»liv-l>nnvti : liri-ast. sidis.
lilUnihK - TVUDIS.K . lUHlSllES.
'lA'o
mill liiiiiijj of wiii^s ]iali' y(■llll^vi^ll-lmt^. Ixlly vvliiii-, IliiiiU!" ii^liy. A ili^tiiirt wliitr "iiiH'r-
riliill'y .s||'i|M'; IdWrr lyiliil wllitr. I''r;itlli'l'.s III' jll^llllllii mill ^il|^s will) anliy \\\»\ Ulriltrr
uiii^-ciivrrtN li|i|N'il witli wliiti^li : liill yi'lliixn^li, ii|>|h'|' iiiaiiilililc mul tip nf luuvr tiiiuiil
«illi iliinliy ; I'iM't pair liriiwii. Winu .Vlii; tail (.III; lai^ii^ l.-.'n; liiiililli- tin- ami rl.iw
I.I)/. I.iiwi'i' ('alil'iiniia ; rr»i'iiililiiii,' a yniniK mliiii, Imt i|iiit<' ilisiinrl.
I. T. iiriioiia. (I.at. iliaciiK, nlaliiiK to tin- ttaiikH, wliiili air ml. Ki({. IIH.) ltKl)-wiN<ir.i>
'I'lllll'nil. l'|i|H'r parts liaii'-1in>\vii witli an ulivr .oliailr. ilaikcr mi tin' licail, jialrr mi tlir
riiiiip. \Viiit.'-i|iiills ili'i'p li.'iiwn; rnvriN aiiil iiiiiir MruiiilariiM tippnl \«illi \iliiii>li. Tail
ilark limwii, the miii'i- fralli)'!- iiHiially wliiti'-iippril. Lmi' Markisli ; ryi-liilH ami Hiipcrriliary
rili'ipi' wliiti^li ; mirii'iiliirs >li'<'akril willi liulil ami ilark lirnun. Tliiiiat yi'lli>\vi>li-\\ liiti',
Hllraknl witli lii'ii\viii>li Mark ; liira>l ami lirlly L'layi.-li-wliilr ; Inwir tail-nivii'ts wliilinli,
hli'i'iikt'il with Itrnwii. SIiIcn iiihI iimlri' wiiiu-covcrtM liulit I'i'il. Hill liniwiiiNli-Mai-k, lia^il
liall'iif liiwrr iiiamlilili' i>raiit;r-yi-lliiw ; ii'i.o limwii; Irct lli'Kli-nilnrnl. ScM'm alike. I.t'iiulli
S..'i(l; cvii'iit U.iH): wiiiu I. .'ill; tail :<..'ii) ; liill li.7'> : taiHiiH, nr miilillf Iih- ami flaw, l.l.'i.
.V Kiii'ii|H'aii sprrii's, niily N. Aimriraii as iNTiiriiiiir in tin riilaml. 'I'lir iipprr parts iiri*
aliiiiist I'xai-tly liki' a ruliiii's; tlir Inwir wliilisli, stnaki-il with iliisky, tin* Mvn of tlir linily
mill liliiiii; lit' the wili^s liriulit rlii-stiiiit.
a. T. liiii'viiiM. (I,al. Hiiriiis, .spiitti'il, variiil; litrnis, a liirlli-Kiiirk. Tii;. 117.) \' \lt1l:i>
'I'llUl'Nil. Oltl-^iiiiN iSiililN. (f,iii siiiiiiiirr: Kiitin' iip|NM' parts ilark slati'-cnlur, vmyinu in
sliiiilc frmii a lilai-ki.sh to a pliniilN'min Hliitc, in Iciw |N-rf<-vt 8|NfiiiiiiiH with u xIIkIiI <>livi- tiiii;i-;
witit;s aiiil liiil Markisli, witli innri' or less of pIiiiiilH'oiiH or olivr sliailr, acniriliiiL: to tlu' aui' nf
till' ipiills ; wiiii{-nivi'iis, (ircatrr ami
Irsscr, tippi'tl with ormmi'-lirowii foriii-
iiiU two ri'oss-liars, mill quills iiliriil in
two or tlilrc plans willi the siliir :
Ipiills also wliiti' at liasi* on tlir iiiiirr
ivi'lis, this iiiarkiiit! imt visililr froiii tin'
ontsiilc ; oiir or .srvrral of tlic lateral
tail-li'iitlirrs tip|M'il »itli wliitr. .\
liroail lilai-k rollar aero.ss tlir Inrasi.
liioiiiitiiiu on till- .siile of the lieek ami
lieail. Stripe liehimi the eye, lower
cycliil, mill nmler pails uranue-lirown,
Krailnally uiviii^; way to white on the
le
Ik
vent ami erissiini inixii
white, oraliue-hrowii, ami pliiiiilieoi.s.
liill Itlaek : feet ami flaws iliill yellow-
IhIi, Length '.I.. 'ill- 1 11.01); extent ahoiil
lli.lHI;
tarsus.
inu "i.i'il: tail ;!.7.»; hill ii.Mt;
lilille ti
III fill
\.>:,
i-'ii,. ii:
iial. ill I. I'). C.|
ViirlotI Tliriiuli i rmilm iim iii>), nut. nine i.Vil.
9 , in sniiiiiier : I'pl"'' parts olivaeeoii
plniiiheoiis (ainiiist exaetly the .slia.lr of the foiiiiiimi rnhiii in winter) ; wiii(;» ami tail s<arfely
ilarker; the peitorul foliar inirrow, like the hack ii lor; other iiinler parts like those of
the jf . Itiit ilnller, paler, ami rather riisiy than iiraiii.'e-l>rown, with i v while mi the l..\vir
lielly. .Markiliu's of heail. tail, ami uinys exaetly as in the male. YoniiL' : Like the ailnll 9"
rpl'i'i' parts in many easis with a ileeiile.! iiiiiher-hrown wash. No speekleil slime, like that
of the very yolllii; roliii,, has lieen olmerveil, tlioiiL'h ,Vlli;llsl speeimeiis have heeil exaiiiineil.
Ill the yoiliiij J, the lihifk |M'ftoral har is at liisl imlieateil liy interriipti il Maikisli eresfiiits
mi iiiiliviilnal feathers.
'linn 9 9 smiietinies show sfiireelv il Iraee of the i-ollar.
At
all aijes, the iiiarkinus of the heail ami wiiius
iiiiii'li till' siinie. I'ai'itif foast region,
Ala.ski
24({
SYSTEM A TK ' SYSOI'SIS. — PA SSHIiES— OSCISKS.
to Mexico, nbilliiliilit, iniuratKrv ; ai'i-'nli'iital in Mumn., N. il., ami Lniiu Inlaiiil. A liraiitil'ii
ittiil viTV iliKtiiict f|NTii-., n
itiiii; till' Milii,'iiiii,'< III sf>rri»ii hill ((if. tiTntftiit, /«.'iy«';'<i.«, |,:il.
iTHiiiriis, wcKlirii, ami xij^Xa, kiihln, a tlini.-li). Nest in IhikIk's, ut' twi^!*, grawxi'N, iihikm'x,
ami liflicuN ; ctfUK i.k' X "'^"i liulit uri-cnixli-liliic, HpiTkli'il tvitli ilurk lirnwii.
A. T. iiiHNtoiriiHH, (l.ai, mHsliliiiii". Nvraxrl-liki' ; i. r., lawny in nilnr; miiNlrln, a wraxi'l,
l-'it;. Ih.) WiHiii 'riiiMMll. ^ 9''><l'<ll: r|i|>*'i' paiiN, ini-lmlin;; llic Niula I' tlir closiil
wiiiUN, liiwiiy-liriiwn, |iiii'i'-i ami iIii'ih'hI un tlic licail, Mliailin^' iiiHt'UHilily hitii oliviu'nins cin ilir
i'nni|i ami tail. Itilnw, |>in'i' wliitc, lainlly tinuiil un tlii' liniiNl with lintV, ami I'Virv w luri',
cxci'pl un till' tliiKat, niiiiiilr III' lirliy, and irisxuni, ni.nkril willi ninniriiuh lai't.'i', wi'li-ili'liniij,
rnnmlctl nr HMlitrianu'ular lilackixli H|Hits. himT wdis
mil rniis lit' iiiiillx I'lisi'iiMM, with u MJiilr
liMllv
iluini; liiwanl llir liiixr. (Ji'ralrr iiniirr \\iiii.'-riivt'iiM
niiixtl
wliilt
Ani'iriilai'H Nharjily hirraknl wii
iliixkv ami wliitr. {till lilai-kisli-lirnwn, wiili llr
riilciri'il nr yi'lliiwisli In
l-'rrl likr this part nl' iIk
liill. T^ntrtli 7.''>i)-'<.<H); ixlrnt al IIH.IMI; wii
"«
4.(N)-I.
tail .'i.lNI-.'ljri ; lull i).',:, ; tarsus
iniilillf tiM' ami claw Ichh.
I iiuiii;:
•lirrklfil
stlrakril aliiivr U'itll pair yrllnvvisli nr wiiilisli, rspr-
Km. itH. - \v.«HiTlinii.li (•/'. ii,'(«/./i«Mii), cially iintinalili' as trianunlar spnts mi ihr winu-
ciivcrts. Hnt tlii'sr spiTilily ilisapprar, when a
iial. kIiu. (All. ml. iM. K. C.)
pliuiiaur SI
ai'i'i'lv ililVrri'iit rriMii tlial iif tlir ailiill is assuinnl, 'I'lir iiinst strnnuJv niarkril
-I"
il' till
ic xllliuclius.
In •/■.
lllllllilMrii; till' nlilv ntlllT lllll
sliiiwin^ lintli la
\fnY am
iillVl' nil
till' nppiT parts, till' pnsiiinn nl' llir Ivvn mlnrs is ri'VcrHol, tlic lawny iH-ciipyiii^ ilir
riiiiip, till- niivi' till' licail. In im nilirr sprcirs arc llir spnts lirlnw sii lari;)', sliarp, nniiirrniis,
ami iT'iii'ially ilisprisi
•il. Kaslirii I'
N. In Ni'w I'lnulaiiil niilv ; a raniniis vm-alist mninn
ill Inw ilaiiip wihmIs anil tliirkrls; iiiiKralnry; lirccds tlirniiuliniit itH raii^c; iicsl in IhisIics
ami Inw tnrs. Ill" Iravi's, urassis, I'll-., ami iiiiiil ; eft's usually l-.'i, plain urri'iiisli-lijiii' lilii
lliiiM' nl'tlii' rnliin, liiit siiiallir: l.DS X l>-7<l'
■J. 'I". fiiHi'cit'ci'iiH. (I, at. I'ii>risinis, less lliaii J'lisnis. ilark.) \Vii,son'.s 'riittt'sii. \'i;i.iiv.
J 9 • I'ppir parts rnlilisli-lirnwii, with sliu'lil nlivc sliailr ; im rmiiiast nf rnlnr liriwirii
liark anil tail : ijiiills ami lail-l'iatlH'rH darker and purer Imiwii, tlie I'nriner willi while nr
led liases nl' iIh' inner welis (as usual in this siilit;eiius). A'o nrlii-
irii'ulars mily nlisnietely streaky. Ilelnw, wliite; tlie .sides
liuir
siiai'i- al till' nineea
I II
le eve
lal liulit liliL' irnnili
hliaded Willi hnaiy-cray nr pale m'liyisli-nlive ; (lie jntfulnni liiiU'-cnlnred iitrastiiiK strnnuly
willi till' wliile nf (lie lireast, and marked willi a I'l
ill II
arrnw'-lieads, llie eliiii and
liii'ldle line nf llirnal. Iinwever, liiaily wliile and iiiiiiiaeillale. A ffir nlisnlele t'layisli-nlive
><|Hi|s ill llie while nf ilir lireast : hut ntjiirwise the niarkiiiKM cniitined In llie liiilf area. Kill
dark ahnvi', innstly pale lulnw, like the feet. ^J, l.eiii;lli 7 -'i'l 7-')*^ ', extent aliniil |-i.U(l;
wiiit; I.IIH-I.J.1 ; tail ''».< iO-;t. :.•."> : hill im'iII; tarsus I. -.Ml. 9, smaller; average nf Imth sexes:
leiit'ih 7;i"i; extent 11.75; win>;:t.lMI; tail i.s.'i ; tarsus I.k'. ("Iiietly eiLsteni I'. ■.. lull N.
to Canada; eniniiinn, iniiiralnry, nestini; in nnrtherly parts nf its rani;e. Nrst mi L'rnniid nr
near it, nf leaves, ura.s.ses, ell'., hill lin lillld ; eiiU'S i't, u'reellish-ldlle like tlinse nf the Wnncl
thrush, nnrnially lUispntlid, H.'.in X ••.<''•. A deliuhlflll sniij;sler, like nlliers nf the plllis,
fnuiiil ill ihii'k wnnils aiid swaiiips; nf shy ami retiriiii; liahitH.
Ta. T. f. Hiillcl colli. (Lal. siili.r. ;i willnw; ruin, I eilllivate.) Wtt.I.iiW T.WVNV 'rtlllt sit. Like
'/'. filsiTsirif<, hut averauiiii: laitier. the upper parts less di'i'idi'dly tawny, the jilcuhmi leSH
disliiielly liiill'. Wiiiu' :i.Sil J.;'."i, av. I.dj; tail J.'.l.")-:!. |M, av. It.:.'!! ; hill l).."),'i O.CiO ; tarsus,
IV. 1.17; middle tne withniit ilaw, aV. (I.IV.). .\ :lii.'lil fnriil leeenllv deseriheij liy Mis Kid
u'"ay,
idiahit
••'K tl
ir willnwy pnitinus nf the {{ni'kv .Ml. reninii, U. S. This vurit'ty is I'leaily
M.
Ti iwiha: — TV mux. K . rim vshes.
M7
riTcnililc to T. fuHrmrniK ; l>iit il licars an rxtruiirtliiiiiry roKciiililiiiirc t<> 7'. iinhilutii*, in thr
rii!<!<rl-<>liv<' riiliir III' tlir ii|i|>rr |iart,-, ami iMily ^l><.'litly IhiII' tiiiui' uI' tlir jiiumIiiiii It is illn.
tiii^ili»lii'il tViiMi iiMliiliihts liy lai'k III' llii' liiill' iirliilal riii« m» i'liaiarlrii.«lir nf iisliiliilm ami
mrnitiiioHi, uihI otJHT rlmracltTH l>y wliicli fiisirsirim tlitrcnt, imialiiy tin- few H" any i»|Hit» in tin
uliilf liri'aHl liark i>l' tlir Imll' area, ami pair Imary yray innlrail nf snnliil niivi'-may xliailiiiK nf
llic niilcM. Tlir ur.«l ami r^'ij> air inrsniiialily liUi' tlmHc i>( Jiinciniriis, unt likr iIhikc nl' iislu-
hiliiH itT HiriihisiiHi. (Nut in CiiiM'k KIhI, 1sH;{)
R. T. liiiMlaHni'. (Naniiil I'mni llir ihlaml i.|" I'Mala^ka. I Wkstkhn IIkiimit 'I'immhii. In
..iliir aliMiiiiirlv like Nil. |((; in hi/.c sliuliiiv l<>» I'M an aveianc; liiiulli hrarctly < .<«» ; uinif
Ctll: tail l.W; taiHnH 1.15. I'arilic ciNixt nxiun nl' N. A.
U. r. II. iiii'<liil»iiil('rii ,1. J. Amlnliiin.i Arm iuin'h IIkii.mit Tiiuuhii, In m
iliii' aliHiilnti'lv
Ilk)' Nil. Ill; in >i/.r laru'i'i' 'in an avrrau<': li'ii^ili altnni 7.('>;
lu t.;.'il: tail .'i.Kll; larxiiH
l.:iil. SiiMllicrn KiM'ky
III. r. II. nil HUM. (lit. mi
Ml.
I'i'Uion.
A Im'IIi'I' niarknl vai'irlv than tin' hu-^l.
i». Lat. miiiiM, a ilwail.) Ka.stkun IIkiimit 'rnitrsii. jf 9. in
sannncr: r|i|H'i- jiariN nlivai'i'imM, witli a lininnixli cant, mul tlM't'i'fni'f nnl su piu'c ii> in
sirnhisiiui; ihi.s nilur I'lianu'ini; nn tlii' iinnp aiiil npjH'r lail-fnvrrlf* intn tlir nilnns nl' liir tail,
in ilrriilnl l•llnt^a^<l uitli llir liack. Tnilii parts wliiti', Hliailril with jirayiNli-ulivc un tlif Niilr>;
till' Inrafi, jnnnlnni, anil hIiIi'h nf tin' mik ni- vi' nr less ^tl■lln^,'ly tin>:i'il wiili ytHnwi.sli, ami
niarki'il witli nnnirrnnN lai'nr, anu'iiLir, iliisky ., iIh, wliirli t-xlcml liark nf the y<'llii\vi>li-iinti'<l
parts. 'I'liriiat ininiai-nlalr .\ yi'llnw isli nitiital rini;. Hill lirnvvnisli-hlai'k, imiHt nf tiii' ninlrr
Miamlililc liviil v.'liilisli ; nmnlli ycllnu', cyrs Itrnwn ; Ii'Kh pal*- ln'ii\vni.»li. ^, It-n^tli 7.11"-
7.2.-1 ; I'Xtint ll.lMt-l'.'.lMI; m inu H..")ll-:i.7.-i ; tail ;.'.7.')-H.IJtl. 9,sniallrr; irn^'tli (i.7.'> 7.IHI;
t'Xlrnt 111.7.')' I i.-."! ; wiiifj; ■■{.li.'i iLfiU. ,\vi'rau't's nf Imili m'.xi'.s arr : Irnu'lli 7.l>il ; <'Xitnl ll.J.'t;
tviiit; .'l..'iil ; tail i.l'i', tarnns 1.1.5. Thi' iliincnHinUH tliiiN nvrrlap tlmsi- nf Imtli uniil<isfii;\ui\
iiiiiliilmiii, anil III) pnsitivi' iliscriininatinn is pussiMc ; thr ilill'rrrnri's, wlirn any, luini; •>(
avrrajfi's, imt nf rxlrrim's ritlirr way. S9' >" wiiiii'r: Tin' nlivarrnns nf tin' upper parts
a.-snnii's a nmri' rnl'nus cast, ninrli likn tliat nf iistnluliis. ami tlir yrllnwisli wasli nf tin' nmirr
parts ami siilcs nf the lirail ami nrok is innri' strmiuly pinnnnrn'ril. Iliit llio innst rufmis sprri-
nirnH III')' rraillly ilistinunislii'il frmn fiisirstniH liy tlir stmni; cnntraNt lictwiicn the cnlnr nf llir
tail ami nllirr iipprr parts. N'rry yniini; : Must nf tlir iipprr parts niarknl with pair yillnwish
Inii^itnilinal stri'iik^, with rlnhlinl nMrrniitii's, ami iliisky sprrks at tlir cml ; wliilr tlir fratlnrs
nf tin' lii'lly niitl Hanks air nl'lrn skirlrtl with iliisky in ailililimi In tlir niinirmiis hiackish spnis
nf thii ri'st nf Ihr iiinlrr parts. N. .\iii. at lai'ifr, tint rliirlly tlir Kastrrn I'rnvinri'; almmlaiit;
niitrratniy, ami I'miml in all wnnillami, Imt hniils mily nnrtliirly. fnini Massarliiisrlts ami mr-
I'l'spontliiiK lalitiiilt's tn the Ah'tic ri'Kiniis ; wiiiti'i's in tlii' Sniithi'rn Stati's. Nrst ami I'^'^'s mil
ilistinunislialilr I'min thnsc nf the Vt'cry (Nn. 7).
II. T. iiHtiilii'tiiH. (Lai. iisliildliis, sriirchnl, siiiifcil; rrfrrrliii; In the warm nisHct cnlnratinii.)
tlitKOiiN Ol.lVK-ii.Vi Kl'.it Tiiltl Nil. UrssKT-it.VcKKi) Tllinsii. (^uiti' liko '!'. mniiiixtnii
prnpcr, Nil. l'.\, in iinifnrniity nf the cnlnr nf the wlmlr npprr parts, iiri'smcc nf a hntfnrhital
riiiu', ami t;t'ni'i'al cliararlrr nf llir shailini; ami spnttinu nf ihr iimirr parts; Imt nlivi' nf tlir
upper pans iml pure, liavini; a ileriileil riifmis liiiKe, resiiltiii;,' in a riis.<ei-nlive nf exaelly the
sliaile nf that nf the upper parts nf the Western variety nf fiisirsiniH iMiiliriniln) ; frniii whieli
il is ilistiii^iiisheil Ity the Imtf nrhital riiii;, ami very ilifl'ereiil shailini ainl niarkint; nf the
miller parts (nmipare Nn. 7al ; there lieiiii;, as in siiiiiiismii prnper, iniirh nlive-trray spniiim;
nf the white hreast liaek nf the hiltf area, ami iniieli sliailiii).' nf the same nlive-(;ray mi the ^illes.
i^i/.e nf nirililisoiii. Nest in hushes, ainl t'lltiH spnttcd, as in the latter. Paeilie enast rei;inii
if the r
ilmmlant.
I'i. 'V. II. uli'elii'. (Tn .Miss Alii-e Keiinientt, sister nf linliert Keiiliientt.) <i|(.\V rllKKKKli
Tllltt'Hii. Similar tn mraiiiHoiii in unifnrinity anil purity nf the ulive nf the np|ier parts, whirli
is IIH illirk ami pure (nn temleney tn the rilfniis nf (isli(liiliis) ; hill the siiles nf the lieail lack'-
i 1
It
'
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
I.I
11.25
Li|2^ |25
S 114 "■
£ US |2.0
■luu
^1^
6"
/.
I^tographic
Sciences
Corporalion
23 WIST MAIN STMIT
WnSTIII,N.Y. 14SM
(716)l7a-4S03
.^
f
%
248
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES— OSCINES.
ing the yellowish or huffy suffiisidn seen in mcahisoni, heing tliiis like the hack, or merely
grayer ; iio huff ring around eye ; hreast slightly if at all tinged with yellowish. Kather larger
than mcmiismii, ahont eriuallnig niiisteliiiiis : length 7.30-8.00; e.xtent 12.50-13.50; wing
■1.00— 1.25 ; tail ;5. 00-3. 25 ; hill over 0.30; average dimensions iihout the maxima of .iirainsoni,
Distrihution and nestuig the same, hut hreeding range more northerly(?). A M'ell-marked
variety, perhaps a distinct speeies. (A loeal race has heen desorihed as smaller, with the hill
usually slenderer; Catskill and White Mts.; T. (tlicuc hichtelli Kidgw.)
13. T. II. swain'soni. (To Wni. Swains<in, an English naturalist.) Olive-backkd Tiiursii.
^ 9: Ahove, clear olivaceous, of exactly the same shade over all the upper parts; helow,
white, strongly shaded with (dive-gray on the sides and flanks, the throat, hreast, and sides
of the neck and head strongly tinged witli yellowish, the fore parts, excepting the throat,
marked with numerous large, hroad, dusky spots, which extend haidiward on the hreast and
helly, there rather paler, and more like the olivaceous o? the uj)per parts. Edges of eyelids
yellowish, forming a strong huff orhital ring; lores the same. Mouth yellow ; hill hlackish,
the hasal half of L)wcr mandihle ])ale ; iris dark hrown ; feet pale a.shy-hrown. Length of
^,7.00-7.50; extent 12.00-12.50; wing 3.75-4.00; tail 2.75-3.00; hill 0.50 ; tarsus 1.10.
9 averaging smaller; length G.75 ; extent 11.30-12.00, etc. North America, N. to high
latitudes, W. to the IJocky Mts., comuKni ; migratory; breeds from New England northward.
Nest hi hushes and low trees, thus in situation like that of the wood thrush, hut no mud
in its composition ; eggs unlike those of miisfeliiin.i, fiisccscens, and the varieties of nnakwcfC,
in lieing freely speckled with different shades of hrown on a grcenish-hlue ground ; size 0.90 X
0.00 ; number 4-5.
2. Subfamily MIMING: Mocking Thrushes.
Aberrant TiirdidfP, departing
from the prime characteristic of
the family in having the tarsi scu-
teliate in front (the scntella scnne-
thnes fusing, however, as in the
catbird), and the Ist primary,
though .short, hardly to he called
sp\n'ioiis. Wings .»*hort and round-
ed (for this family), about equal
to the tail only in Oroscoptcs ; 2d
primary shorter than the fith.
Tail large and round(>d or much
graduated, usually decidedly longer
than the wings. Tarsus about
erjual to the middle toe and claw ;
feet stout, in adaptation to some-
whfit terrestrial life. Bill various
in form, usually longer or at least
more curved than in the true
Fro. 119. -Mocking-bird, about ilnat.Dlzo. (After WUson.) thrushes; in llarjmrhi/vchm at-
taining e.xtraoi'dinary length and <'urvatm-e. Birds much like overgrown wrens (with «-hich
they have been associated by .some) ; distingui.shed chiefly by greater size, dift'erent nostrils
and rictal bristles, and more deeply-cleft toes. As a group they are rather southern, hardly
passing beyond the United States: few species reaching even the Middle States, and the max-
imum devehipment being in Central and South America. They are peculiar to America,
where they are represented by Oroscoj)tcs, Mimus, Harjmrhi/nchus, and five or six related
14.
i
TUBDIDJE — MIMINJE : MOCKING THRUSHES.
249
tfoiiora, with upwaril of forty recorded species, two-tiiirds of whicli arc certainly grniiiiie.
About oue-lialf of these fall in 3Iimi(s alone; : of HavporhijnchuK, nearly all the species occur
in the United States. In their general habits they resemble wrens as niucU as thrushes,
habitually residing in shrubbery near the ground, relying for concealment as nnich up<pn the
nature of their resorts as upon their own activity and vigilance. They an- all melodic us, iuid
some, like the immortal iuocking-bird, are as famous for their powers of mimicry as tor the
brilliant execution of their proper songs. In compensation for this great gift of nuisic, perhaps
that they may not grow too i"'oud, they are plaiidy clad, grays and browns being the ])r<'vail-
ing colors. The iK«t is generally built with little art, in a bush, and the eggs, two to six in
number, are blue or green, plain or speckled.
Analjisia of Genera.
Smallest : bill sliortost ; wings about equal to tall. Adults speckled below Oroscoptes 2
Medium : bill moderate ; wings a little sborter than tail. Adults plain below \fimus 3
Largest : bill immoderate ; wings muck shorter tlian tail. Flain or spotted below . . . Ilarporhnnrhus 4
2. OROSCOP'TES. (Gr. &pos, oros, a mttuntain, and (TKclirmjj, scojites, a mimic). ^Ioixtaix
MocKKitS. Wings and tail of equal lengths, the former more pointed than in other genera of
MiinitKC, M'ith the 1st quill not half as long as the 2d, wliich is between the fith and 7tii ;
the 3d, 4th, and 5th about equal to one another, and forming the point of tin; wing. Tail
nearly even, its feathers but sliglitly graduated. I'arsus longer than middle toe and claw,
anteriorly distinctly scutellate. IJill much shorter than head, not cun-ed, with obsolete notch
near the end. Kictal bristles well developed, the hmgest reaching beyond the nostrils.
0. montanus is the only known species.
14. O. monta'nus. (Lat. montanus, of a mountain.) Mountain Mof'Kixci-mRn. Sage
Thuasiiek. $ 9) ill sunnner: Above, grayish or brownish-ash, the feathers with ob-
soletely darker centres. IJelow, whitish, more or less tinged with pale buft'y-browni, every-
where marked with triangular dusky sjiots, largest and most crowded across the breast, snuiU
and sparse, sometimes wanting, on the throat, lower belly, and crissum. Wings fuscous,
with ninch whitish edging on all the quills, and two white bands formed by the tips of tiie
greater and median coverts. Tail like the wings ; the outer feather edged and broadly tijjped,
and all the rest, excepting usually the middle pair, tipped with white in decreasing amount.
Bill and feet black or blackish, the former often with pale base. Length about S.UO; wing
and tail, each, about 4.00; tarsus 1.12; hill 0.75. Young: Dull brownish above, conspic-
uously streaked with dusky; the markiny;s below streaky and ditt'use. Plains to the Pacific,
U. S. ; also Texas and Lower California; an hiteresting species, resembling an undersized
young uiocking-bird, abundant in the sage-brush of the W. Nest on ground or in low bushes ;
eggs usually 4, 1.00 X 0.72, light greenish-blue, heavily marked with brown and neutral tint.
3. 311'MUS. (Lat. mimus, a mimic.) JIockixg-iukds. IJill much shorter than head, .^can'ely
curved as a whole, but with gently-curved commissure, notched near the end. Rictal vibrissas
well developed. Tail rather longer than wings, rounded, the lateral feathers being C(msiderably
graduated. Wings rounded. (Tarsal scutella
sometimes obsolete.) Tarsi bniger than the niid-
dle toe and claw. Of this genus there iire two
well marked secticms (represented by the mock-
ing-bii-d and cat-bird respectively), whicli may
bo distinguished by cidor: —
Mimus. — Above {ishy-bnuni, below white;
lateral tail-feathers and bases of prinmries white.
(Tarsal scutella always distinct.) Fio. 120 -Cntblrd, nat. »lze.'(.Vd. nat. del. E. C.)
Galcoscoptes. — Hlackish-ash, scarcely paler below; crown and tail black, tmvarieil;
crissum rufous. (Tarsal scutella sometimes obsolete.)
260
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSERES— OSCINES.
15. 91. pulyglot'tus. (Lat. pohjglottus, many-toiigucd ; from Gr. ttoXus, polus, inaiiy, and yXeirTa,
glotta, tongue. Fig. 119.) Mocking-bird. $, adult: Upper parts ashy-gray; lower parts
soiled white. Wings bla(!kish-l)rown, tlio primaries, with the exception of the first, marked
with a large white space at the base, restricted on the outer quills usually to half or less of
these feathers, but occupying nearly all of the inner quills. The shorter white spaces show as
a conspicuous spot when the wing is closed, the longer inner ones being hidden by tlu! second-
aries. The coverts are also tipped and sometimes edged with white ; and there may be much
edging or tijjping, or both, of the quills themselves. Outer tail-feathers white ; next two
pair white, except on the outer web ; next pair usually white toward the end, and the rest
sometimes tipped with white. Bill and feet black, the former often pale at the base below ;
soles dull yellowish. Length about 10.00, but ranging from 9.50 to 11.00; extent about
11.00 (1:5.00 to 1,5.00); wing 4.00-1.50; tail 4.50-5.00; bill 0.75; tarsus 1.25. ?, adult:
Similar, but the colors less clear and pure; above rather brownish than grayish-ash, below
sometimes quite brownish-whitf, at least on the breast. Tail and wings with less white than
as above described. But the gradation in these features is by imperceptible degrees, so that
t.'iere is no infallible color-mark of sex. In general, the clearer and purer are the colors, and
th^ more white there is on the wings and tail, the more likely is the bird to be a $ and ])rove
a g'.od singer. The 9 is also smaller than the $ on an average, being generally inider and
rf.rely over 10 inches in length, with extent of M'ings usually less than 14.00 ; the wing little
if any over 4.00, the tail iii)out 4.50. Young: Above decidedly brown, and below speckled
with dusky. TJ. S. from Atlantic to Pacific, southerly ; rarely N. to New England, and not
common N. of 38°, though known to reach 42° ; thronging the groves of the South Atliintic
and Gulf States. Nest in bushes and low trees, bulky and inartistic, of twigs, glasses, leaves,
etc.; eggs 4-6, measuring on an average 1.00 X 0,75, bluish-green, heavily speckled and
freckled with several brownish shades. Two or three broods are generally reared each seastm,
which in the South extends from March to August. When taken from the nest, the " prince
of musicians" becomes a contented cai)tivc, and has been known to live many years in con-
finement. Naturally an accomplished songster, ho proves an apt scholar, susceptible of improve-
ment by education to an astonishing degree; but there is a great difference with individual
birds in this respect.
10. 31. caroliiieu'sis. (Of Carolina : Ca>-o<((.s, Charles IX., of France.) (Figs. 37, 120.) Cat-
bird. $ 9 : Slate-gray, paler and more grayisl-.-pluinbeous below; crown of head, tail, bill,
and feet black. Quills of the wing blackish, edged with the body-coh)r. Under tail-coverts
rich dark chestnut or mahogany-color. Length 8.50-9.00; extent 11.00 or more ; wing 3.50-
3.75; tail 4.00; billO.GO; tarsus 1.00-1.10. Young: Of a more sooty color above, with little
or no distinction of a black cap, and comparatively paler below, where the color has a soiled
brownish cast. Crissum dull rufous. U. S. and adjoining British Provinces. West to the
Rocky Mts., and even Washington Terr., but chiefly Eastern; migratory, but resident in the
Southern States, and breeds throughout its range; nest of sticks, leaves, bark, etc., in bushes;
eggs 4-0, deep greenish-blue, not spotted. An abundant and familiar inhabitant of our
groves and briery tracts, rennirkablc for its harsh cry, like the mewing of a cat (whence its
name), but also possessed, like all its tribe, of eminent vocal ability.
4. HAKPOBHYN'CHUS. (Gr. apTnj, liavpe, a sickle; puy^oj, rhygcJws, heak ; i. e., bow-
bilh'd.) TiiRASiiER.s. Bill of indeterminate size and shape, ranging from one extreme, in
which it is straight and shorter than the head, to the other, in which it exceeds the head
in length and is bent like a bow (see figs. 121-125). Feet large and strong, indicating terres-
trial habits; tarsus strongly scutellate anteriorly, about equalling or slightly exceeding in
length the middle toe with its claw. Wings and tail rounded, the latter decidedly longer
than the former. Rictus with well (U'veU)p(!d bristles. Viewing only the extreme shapes of
the bill, as iu H. rufus and H. crissalis, it would not seem consistent with tho minute subdivis-
17.
TURDIB^—MUIINJE: 3I0CKING THRUSHES.
261
out
ions which now obtain in ornithology to place all the species in one genus ; but the gradation
of form is so gentle that it seems impossible to dismember the grouj) witliout violence. Tlio
arcuation of the bill proceeds ^^an 2mssu with its elongation ; the sliortest bills being the
Btraightest, and conversely. There is also a curious correlation of color with sliape of bill ;
the short-billed species being the most riclily colored and heavily spotted, while the bow-
billed ones arc very plain, sometimes witli no spots wliatever on the under parts. Our nine
forms of the genus are witli one cxcepti(jn South-western, focusing in Ariz(jna, wliere occur
four species, two of them not known elsewliere ; two others are confined to California ; two
to the Mexican border, leaving only one generally distributed. They furnish the following
Analysis of Species and Varieties.
Bill not longer tlian head (.0.87-1.12), little or not curved. Breast spotted.
Bill 1.00, quite straight. Above rich rusty-red ; below wbltlsh, heavily spotted and streaked with
dark brown. Eastern rufus IT
BUI 1.12, slightly curved. Above dark reddish-brown, below whitish, heavily spotted and streaked
with blackish. Texas loitgirostris IS
Bill 1.12, curved. Above ashy-gray, below whitish, breast with round spots of the color of the back.
Mexican border .md Arizona cttrcirostris ot pnlmeri 19,20
Bill 0.87, scarcely curved. Above grayish-brown, below brownish-white, breast alone with arrow-
heads of the color of tho back. Arizona bemliril 12
Bill 1.12, curved. Above ashy-gray, below whitish, with profuse distinct blacklsh-brown spots.
Lower California cinereus 22
Bill longer than head (1.50), arcuate. Breast not spotted.
Dark oily oUvo-brown, below paler, belly and crissum rufiscent. Coast of California . . rciHvivus 2.3
Pale ash, paler still below, lower belly and crisHum brownish-yellow. Arizona lecontil 24
Brownish-ash, paler below, crissuni chestnut In marked contrast. Arizona, New Mexico, and
California cHssalis 25
17. H. ru'fus. (Lat. rufm, rufous, reddish. Fig. 121.) Thrasher. Brown Thrush. $ ? : Upi)er
parts uniform rich rust-red, with a bronzy lustre. Concealed portions of quills fuscious.
Greater and median w iig-coverts blackish near the end, then consjjicuously tipped with white.
Bastard quills like the coverts. Tail
like the back, the lateral feathers with ___.. ,
paler ends. Under parts wliite, more .^- :--=>-^..j
or less strongly tinged, especially on
the b.east, flanks, and crissum, witli i»l iii|iiwaipmw 1^— I if.- -m >
tawny or pale cinnamon-brown, tlie ^^M^^ra^BBE^' f'*'
breast and sides marked with a profu- ( ^m^SB^^ ^^^SKSl^ ' aII j
eion of well-defined spots of dark ^*!}^M^j^%g<1,^''M* _
brown, oval in front, becoming more ^^^^^^S^tif^'
linear postei'iorly. Throat immaculate, vlkj^,^,
bordered with a necklace of spots; "•:-.i3K^7
middle of tho belly and under tail- rmv-
coverts likewise unspotted. Bill quite ^M^
straight, black, with yellow base of the *y
lower mandible ; feet pale; iris yellow Fio. 121.— Thrasher, nat. size. (Ad. nat. del. E. c.)
or orange. Length about 11 inches; extent 12.50-14.00; wing 3.75-4.25 ; tail 5.00 or more;
bill 1.00; tarsus 1.25. Eastern U. S. chiefly, but N. to adjoining British Provinces and W.
to the Kocky Mts. ; migratory, but breeds tliroughout its range, and winters in the Southern
States. A delightful songster, abundant in thickets and shrubbery. Nest in bushes (some-
times on ground), bulky and rude, of sticks, leaves, bark, roots, etc. ; eggs 4-5, sometimes 0,
1.05 X 0.80, whitish or greenish, profusely speckled with brown.
18. H. r. longlros'tris. (Lat. longus, long, and rosins, from rostrum, beak ; i. e., long-billed.)
Texas Thrasher. Similar to H. rufus ; upper parts dark reddish -brown, instead of rich
foxy-red ; under parts white, with little if any tawny tinge, the spots large, very numerous,
252
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEltES— OSCINES.
anil bliifkish iiis-tcad of brown ; ends of the vcctricos scarcely or uot lighter than the rest of these
feathers ; hill almost entirely ilark -colored. IJesides these points of coloration, there is a decided
difference in tlie sliape of tlie ijill. In //. rufus, the bill is (luite straight, and only just about
an inch long; the gonys is straight, and makes an angle with the slightly concave lower
outline of the mandibular rami. In H. luuijirostfis, the bill is ratlier over an inch long, and
somewhat curved; the outline of the gonys is a little concave, making with tiie ramus one con-
tinuous curve from base to tip of the bill. Size of H. ritfiix. Texas aud Mexico.
19. H. curvlros'trls. (Lat. CKrciis, curved, and rostris ; bow-biih'd.j CrRVE-uiLLEi) TllUASHEU.
(J 9 : Above, unifonn ashy-gray (exactly the color of a mocking-bird), the wings aud tail
darker and purer brown. Below, dull whitish, tinged with ochraceous, especially on the
Hanks and crissum, and marked
with rounded spots of tlio color of
the back, most numerous aud blend-
ed on the breast. Throat <iuite
white, iunnaculate, without maxil-
lary stripes ; lower belly aud <'ris-
sum mostly free fnun s]iots. No
decided markings on the side of the
head. Ends of greater and median
Fio. 122. - Bow-billc(l Thrnslier', nat. size; bill a Uttle too wing-coverts white, forming two de-
tliick. (Ad. nat. del. E. c.) <.i,li.,l cross-bars ; tail-feathers dis-
tinctly tipped with white. IJill black, over an inch long, curved, stout; feet dark brown.
Length of ^ about 11. on ; wing 4.25- I.ijO ; tail 4.50-5.00; bill 1.12; tarsus 1.23 ; middle too
and claw 1.3;i. 9 averaging rather snuiller. Jlexico, reaching the U. S. border of Texas.
ao. H. c. pal'nierl. (To Eilw. Palmer. Fig. 12:2.) IJow-bili.eo Tiiuasheu. Above, grayish-
brown, nearly uniform ; wing-coverts and (piills with slight whitish edging, the edge of the
wing itself white ; tail-feathers with sliglit whitish tips; below, a paler shade of the color of
the upi)er parts, the th.roat fpiite wliitish, the crii^smu slightly rufescent, the breast and belly
with obscure dark gray sj)ots on the grayish-white ground; no obvious maxillary streaks,
but vague speckling on the cheeks; bill black; feet blackish-brown. Length 10.75; bill
1.12; wing 4.23; tail 5.00; tarsus 1.23; middle toe and claw 1.^10. 9 smaller; wing 3.73 ;
tail 4.30; tar.sus 1.20; middle toe and claw 1.12: bill barely 1.00. Although the difterences
from the tyi)ical form are not easy to express, they are readily appreciable on (comparison of
specimens. The U])per parts are quite similar ; but the under parts, instead of being whitish,
with decided spotting of the color of the back, arc grayish, thiged with rusty, especially
behind, and the .spotting is nebuhms. The white on the ends of the wing-coverts and tail-
feathers is reduced to a miuimmn or en-
tirely ,su])pressed. The bill is slenderer
aud apparently move curved. Arizona,
common, in desert regions. Nest in cac-
tus, mezcpiite and other busiies; eggs
usually ;{, l.lO X O.SO, pale greenish-blue
profusely dotted with reddi.sh-brown.
21. H. beiidl'rii. (T.. Capt. Chas. Rendire,
U. S. A. Fig. 123.) AuizoNA Tiirasiieu.
^9: Hill .shorter than head, compara- Fro- 123. -Arizona Thrasher, nat. size. (Ad. nat. del. E. C.)
tively stout at base, very acute at tip, the culnien quite convex, the gonys just appreciably
concave. Tarsus a little longer than the middle toe and claw. 3d and 4th primaries alxnit
eipial and longest, 5th aud (Ith successively slightly shorter, 2d equal to 7th, 1st eipial to j)enul-
timate secondary in the closed wing. Entire upper parts, including upper surfaces of wings
22.
TUIWID.E — MIMING : MOCKING THRUSHES.
268
ICSO
iilo.1
)"Ut
anil
•011-
;
and tail, uniform dull pale grayish-brown, with narrow, fiiintly-rnsty edges of the wing-
coverts and inner quills, and equally obscure whitish tipping of the tail-feathers. Xo max-
illary nor auricular streaks; no markings about the head excejtt slight speekling on the
cheeks. Under parts brownish-white, palest (nearly white) on the belly and throat, more
decidedly rusty-brownish on the sides, flanks, and crissmn, the breast alone marked with
numerous small arrow-head sjiots of the color of the back. Bill light-colored at base
below. ^ : Length alviit 9.25; wing 4.00; tail 4.2.5; bill 0.87; along gape 1.12; tarsus
1.2.5; middle toe and claw 1.12. 9 rather smaller; wing, 3.75, etc. Arizona, le.ss eomiiKm
than ^)a?Hieri, with which it is associated. Nest in bushes; eggs 2-3, about 1.00X0.73,
elliptical rather than oval, whitish, spotted and Wotched with reddish-brown.
22. H. ciner'eus. (Lat. CiHecei(<;, ashy; ci«is, cjHe»7',s, ashes. Fig. 12 K) St. LucA.s Thkasiieu. ^
9 : Upper parts uniform ashy-brown ; wings and tail similar, but rather purer and darker
brown, the former crossed with two white
bars formed by the tips of the coverts, the
latter tipped with white. Below, dull white,
often tinged with rusty, esjK.'cially beli'iid,
and thickly marked with small, sharp, tri-
angular sjjots of dark brown or blacki.-h.
These spots are all perfectly distinct, "oNcr-
ing the lower parts exce])ting the throat,
lower belly, and crissum; becoming smaller
anteriorly, they run up each side of the throat
in a maxillary series bounding the immacu-
late area. Sides of head finely speckled,
and auriculars streaked; bill black, lighten-
ing at base below, little hmger than that of
H. rufiis, though decidedly curved. Length
of ^ about 10.00; wing 4.00; tail 4.50; bill 1.12; tarsus 1.25 ; middle toe and claw 1.25.
9 averaging rather smaller. Young : Upper parts strongly tinged with rusty-brown, this
color also edging the wings and tijiping the tail. The resemblance of this species to the
mountain mocking-bird (Oi'oscojjtcs montanus) is striking. It is distinguished from any others
of the U. S. by the sliar)mess of the .spotting underneath, which ('(pials that of U. riifus itsidf,
the small and strictly triangular character of the spots, together with the grayish-brown of the
upper parts, and inferior dimensions. Lower California, common. Nest a slight shallow structure
of twigs in cactus and other bushes; eggs 1.12 X 0.77, greenish-white, profii.sely speckled.
23. H. redivi'vus. (Lat. redirivus, re-
vived ; the long-lost species having
been rediscovered aiid so named.
Fig. 125.) CalifokxiaTiikasiieu.
^: No spots any where ; wings and
tail witlioiit decided barring or tip-
l)ing. Bill as long as the head or
long(>r, bow-shaped, black. Wings
very much shorter than the tail.
Above, dark oily olive-brown, the Fio. 125. —California Thrasher, nat. size. (Ad. nat. del. E. C.)
wings and tail similar, bat rather purer brown. Below, a paler shad(! of the color of the
upper parts, the belly and crissum strongly rusty-brown, the throat definitely whitish in marked
contrast, and not bordered by decided maxillary streaks. Cheeks ami auriculars blackish-
brown, with sharp whitish shaft streaks. Length 11.50; wing 4.00 or rather less; tail 5.00 or
more; bill (chord of culmen) nearly or quite 1.50; tarsus 1.35 ; middle too and claw about
Fio. 124. — St. Lucas Thrasher, nat. size,
del. E. C.)
(Ad nat.
1
^
264
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES.
tlio same. 9 similfir, ratlior siniiller. Coast region of California, abundant in tlcnso chaiiarral ;
npst a rii(l(! platform of twiirs, roots, grasses, leaves, etc., in bushes; eggs 2-3, 1.15 X 0.83,
bluish-green, with olive and russet-brown .siwts.
24. H. r. lecon'tli. (To Dr. Jolin L. Le Conte, tho entomologist.) Yuma Thuasiier. This
form, with sizt- and jiroportion.s the same as those of redivicus proper, differs very notably in
the pallor of all the eidoration, being in faet a bleached desert race. Excepting the slight
maxillary streaks, there are no decided markings anywhere; and the change from the pale
ash of the general under parts to tlut brownish-yellow of the lower i)elly and crissum is very
gradual. Valley of the Gila and Lower Colorado; very rare. Nest in bush, bulky, loose,
<leep; eggs 2, 1.15X0.77, pale greenish, dotted with reddish.
25. H. crlssa'lis. (,Lat. cWssate, relating to tho cri,w»)», or under tail-coverts. Fig. 120.) Cuissal
TiiHASiiKU. (J: Brownish-ash,
with a faint olive shade, the
wings and tail jjurer and darker
fuscous, without white edging or
tipping. Below, a paler shade
of tho color of the upper parts.
Throat and side of the lower jaw
white, with sharp black maxil-
lary streaks. Cheeks and au-
riculars speckled with whitish.
Fio. IM. — CrisK, ' Thrasher, nat. size. (Ad iiat. del. E. C.) Under tail-covei1s rich chestnut,
in marked contrast with the surrounding parts. Bill black, at tho maximum of length, slen-
derness, and curvature ; feet blackish. Length about 12.00; wing 4.00-4.25 ; tail 5.50-0.00;
its lateral feathers 1.50 shorter than the central ones; bill 1.50; tarsus 1.33; middle too
and claw 1.25. This line species is distinguished by the strongly chestnut under tail-coverts,
tho contrast being as great as that seen in tho cat-bird. Tho sharp black maxillary streaks are
also a strong character. The bill is extremely slender, the tail at a maxhnum of length, and
the feet are notably smaller than those of H. redivivus. Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and
California in the Colorado Valley, conunon in chajjarral ; nest in bushes near tho ground, of
twigs lined with vegetable fibres ; eggs usually 2, emerald green, unspotted.
3. Subfamily CINCLIN^i
Dippers.
Wing of 10 primaries, the
1st of which is spurious, and,
^ like the others, falcate ; 2d
" primary entering into the
point of wing ; wing short,
stiff, rounded, and concavo-
convex. Tail still shorter
than the wing, soft, s(piare,
of 12 broad, rounded feathers,
almost hidden by the coverts,
which reach nearly or quite
to tho end, the under being
especially long and full. Tarsi
booted, about as long as the
middle too and claw. Lateral
toes equal in length. Claws
all strongly curved. Bill
30.
Fio. 127. — Eiiropenn Dipper, C. ai;itaticua. (From Dixon.
TURDID2E — CINCLINJE : DIPPERS.
256
Ins
in
le
■17
shorter than head, slender and compressed tliroiighout, higher than broad at the nostrils, about
straight, but seeming to bo slightly recurved, owing to a sort of upward tilting of the superior
mandible; culmen at first slightly concave, then convex; connnissuro slightly sinuous, to cor-
respond with the culmen, notched near the end; gonys convex. Nostrils linear, opening
beneath a large scale partly covered with feathers. No rictal vibrissic, nor any trace of bristles
or bristle-tipped feathers about the nostrils. Plumage soft, lustreless, remarkably full and
compact, water-proof. Body stout, thick-set. Habits aciuatic. A small but remarkable
group, in which the characters shared by the Ttirdinie, Saxicolina, and Sylviincc are modified
in adaptation to the singular aquatic life the species lead. There is only one genus, with
about 12 species, inhabiting clear mountain streams of most parts of tiio world, chiefly tlie
Northern Hemispiiere ; easily flying under water, and spending much of their time in tfuit
element, where their food, of various aquatic animal substances, is gleaned.
6. CIN'CLUS. (Gr. kiVkXos, kigklos, Lat. cinclus, a kind of bird. Figs. 114, 127, 12S.) Dip-
PEUS. Characters those of the subfamily, as above given.
30.
Fio. 128. — Ameriuan Dipper, uat. size. (AU nut. del. E. C.)
C. mexica'nus. (Lat. mexicanus, Mexican. Fig. 128.) American Dipper, or Water
Ouzel. ^ 9 > adult, in summer : Slaty-plumbeous, paler below, inclining on the head to
sooty-brown. Quills and tail-feathers fuscous. Eyelids usually white. Bill black; feet
yellowish. Length 0.00-7.00; extent 10.00-11.00; wing 3.50-4.00; tail about 2.25 ; bill 0.60;
tarsus 1.12 ; middle toe and claw rather less. Individuals vary much in size. (? 9 , in
winter, and most immatin-e specimens, are still paler below, all the feathers of the under ])arts
being skirted with whitish. The quills of the wing are also tipped with white. The bill is
yellowish at the base. Young : Below, whitish, more or less so according to age, frequently
tinged with pale cinnamon-brown ; whole under parts sometimes overlaid with the whitish ends
of the feathers, shaded with rufous posteriorly ; throat usually nearly white ; bill mostly yellow ;
white tipi>ing of the wing-feathers at a maximum ; in some cases the tail-feathers similarly
marked. Mountains of Western N. A., from Alaska to Mexico; a sprightly and engaging resi-
<lentof clear mountain streams, usually observed flitting among the rocks; has a fine song.
Nest a pretty hall of green moss lined with grasses, with a hole at the side, hidden in the rift
of a rock, or other nook close to the water: eggs about 5, 1.04 X 0.70, pure white, unmarked.
256
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSESES — OSCIXES.
4. Subfamily SAXICOLIN^ : Stone-chats and Blue.blrds.
Cliit'Hy Oltl World ; rciiro-
sciitt'd in Ndi'th Aiiicricii by
two European .species ami the
familiar IMue-birds ; authors
assign ditl'crent limits to the
group, and fr(M|iR'ntly trans-
pose the genera. As usually
constituted, it eontains uji-
wards of 100 species, com-
monly referred to about 12
genera. Like many other
groujjs of Piisseres, it lias
never been defined with pre-
cision, being known conven-
tionally by the birds orni-
thologists put in it. 'J"he
following hirds have booted
tiirsi; oval nostrils ; bristled
rictus ; rather short, s((uare or
emarginate tail ; long, pointed
wings, with very short spuri-
Fio. 129. — Wlient-ear. (From Dixuii.)
ous 1st quill; tarsus not shorter (except in Sialia much longer) than middle toe and claw;
bill much shorter than head, straight and acute.
Analjiais of (Icnera.
Bill slender. Tarsus mueli longer tlmn middle too and claw. Point of wing formed by 2d-4tli quills.
Lateral toes of equal lenjillis. Form slender. No blue. Terrestrial ,svi.ii<ij/a 6
Bill very slender. Tarsus much longer than middle too and claw. Point of wing formed by 3<l-5tU (jniUs.
Lateral toes of unequal lengtlis. Form slender. Tliroat intense blue and chestnut; tall with c'liostnut
. Cyiiiiiruhi 8
Bill stouter. Tarsus not longer than ml<ldle toe and claw. Point of wing formed by 2d-4th quills. Lateral
toes of unequal lengths. Blue the chief color. Form stouter. Arborlcolo Sititia 7
6. SAXI'COLA. (Lat. sariim, a rock ; colo, I inhabit. Fig. 130.) Sto.ne-ciiats. Bill shorter
than bead, .slender, straight, dej)re.ssed at base, com-
pressed at end, notched. Wings long, pointed, the tip
formed by the 2d-lth quills, the 1st .spurious, scarcely
or not one-fourth as long as the 2d. Tail much
shorter than wing, square. Tarsi l)ooted, but with 4
scutella below in front ; long and slender, jnnch ex-
ceeding the middle toe and claw; lateral toes of about
equal length.s, very short, the tips of their claws not
reaching the base of the middle claw; claws little
curved ; feet thus adapted to terrestrial habits. A large
and widely distributed Old World genus, of some 30
species, inhabiting Eurojie, Asia, and especially Africa.
26. S. oenan'tlie. (Gr. olvdvdr], oinanihe, name of a bird, from 011/7, """"t ^''^ gmpP; and iivdoi,
n»i^7io.f, a Hower. Fig. 120.) STOxr;-cii,\T. AViik.vt-k.vk. Adult ^: Ashy-gray ; forehead,
superciliary line and under ])art.s white, latter often brownish-tinted ; upper tail-coverts white ;
wing.s and tail black, latter with most of the feathers white for half or more of their length ;
line from nostril to eye, and broad band on side of head, black ; bill and feet black. 9 >'""■*>
brownish-gray, the black cheek-strijje replaced by brown. Young without the stripe, above
Fio. 130. — Generic details of Siixieoln.
TURDW^ — SA XIUOLIN^ : BL UE-UIliDS.
267
VS.
olive-brown, superciliury lint , (mIkch of wiiij^s iiiiil tail, and all uiiilcr i)art!<, ciiiimiiioii-hrowii ;
tail black and wliitu as in tlie ailult. Li'ugtli of <J 0.75 ; extent \i.'^); wini; 3.75 : tail 2.50 ;
tarsus 1.00; inidtUo too and elaw 0.75. 9 smaller: h'ngtli (5.50; e.xtent 11.30, etc. Atlantic
coast, from Europe via Greenland ; also North I'aeifie and Arctic coast, from Asia. Common
iu Greenland, and probably also breeds in Labrador. Xest in boles in the ground or rocks,
crevice.s of stone walls, etc. ; eggs 4-7, 0.87-0.00, greenish-blue, without sjMtts.
SIA'LIA. (Cir. (TtuXtV, .s/u/i'jt, a kind of bird.) Ul,uk-uiui).s. Primaries 10, the 1st spurious
and very short. Wings ]iointed, the tip formed by the 2d, 3d, and 4th quills. Tail much
shorter than wings, omarginnte. Bill about half as long as bead or less, straight, stout, wider
than deep at base, comjiressed beyond nostrils, notched near tij), the culmen at lirst straight,
then gently convex to the end, gouys slightly convex and ascending, commissure slightly
curved throughout. Nostrils overhung and nearly concealed by jjrojecting bristly feathers:
lores and chin likewise bristly. Gape ami)le, the rictus cleft to below the eyes, iurnished
with IV moderately developed set of bristles reaching about opposite the nostrils. Feet short,
though rather .stout, adapted exclusively for perching (in Saxicolu the structure of the feet
indicates terrestrial habits). Tarsus not longer than the middle toe; lateral toes of unei|Ual
h'ngths ; daws all strongly curved. Blue is the princi]>al color of this beautiful genus, which
contains three species. They are strictly arboric(de ; fre([uent the skirts of woods, coppices,
waysides, and weedy fields ; iu>st in holes, and lay whole-colored eggs ; readily become semi-
diiniesticated, like the swallow, bouse wren, and house sparrow; feed upon insects and berries;
and have a UHdodious warbling song. Pidygamy is sometimes practised by them, contrary to
the rule among Oncincs. Blue-birds art! peculiar to America, aud appear to have no exact
representatives in the other hemisphere.
Analysis of Species.
S Kicli sky-blue, nnirurm nil back ; tliront anil brcnst chestnut, belly white ainVis 27
S Kleli flky-blue, hicluiliiig thrnnt : mliMle of back ami brenst chestnut, belly whltlgh. . . . mexicnmi 28
i Light blue, paler below, fading to white on belly ; no chestnut arclicn 21)
S. si'alis. (Gr. o-mXt's, .siaZw, a kind of bird. Fig. 131.1 Eastekn Bluk-hikd. Wilson's
BLUE-Hini). ^, in full plunuige : Bich azure-blue, the ends of the wing-(|uills blackish;
throat, breast, and sides of the body chestnut ; belly and
crissum white or bluish-white. The blue sometimes ex-
tends around the bead on the sides aud often fore part of
the chin, so that the chestnut is cut off from the bill.
Liaigth 0.50-7.00; extent 12.00-13.00; wing 3.75-1.00:
tail 2.75-3.00; bill 0.45; tarsus 0.70. <J, in winter, or
when not fuU-plumaged : Blue of the upper parts inter-
rupted by reddish-brown edging of the feathers, or obscured
by a general brownish wash. White of belly more ex-
tended ; tone of the other under parts paler. Iu many
Eastern specimens, the reddish-brown skirting of the
feathers blends into a dorsal patch ; when this is accom-
panied by more than ordinary extension of blue on the
throat they closely resemble S. mcxicana. 9 » •" f"ll ""'• '''^'- *■• ^-^
plumage: Blue mixed and <d)scured with dull reddish-brown; becoming- bright and jiure on
the rump, tail, and wings. TTnder parts paler and more rusty-brown, with more abdominal
white than in the male. Little smaller than ^. Young, newly Hedged: Brown, becoming
blue on the wings and tail, the back sharply marked with shaft-lines of whitish. Nearly
aU the under parts closely and uniformly fnu-kled with white and brownish. A white ring
round the eye ; inner secondaries edged with brown. From this stage, in which the sexes are
indistinguishable, to the perfectly adult condition, the bird changes by insensible degrees.
17
Fio. 131. — Blue- bird, not. size. (Ad
'!f
S68
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEHES— OSCINES
Enstorn U. S. nml Cnnndii, iibunilnut and fiiiiiiliar, almost ddincHtic; W. (tftcii to the Rocky
Mts. Migratory, but breeds throughout its raiigo; winters in the .Southern States aud beyond,
whence it comes as one of the early harbingers of spring, or during mild winter weather,
bringing its bit of blue sky with cheery, voluble song. Nest in natural or artificial hollows
of trees, posts, or bird-boxes, Iciosely constructed of the most miscellaneous materials; oggs
4-fl, palo bluisli, occasionally whitish, unmarked, 0.80 XO.OO; two or three broods in one
season.
38. 8. mexlca'na. (Lat. mexkann, of Mexico.) Western ])LtTE-niKi>. Mexican nLUE-BiRii.
i, adult: Kich azure-blue, including the head and neck nil around. A patch of purplish-
chestimt on the middle of the back ; breast and oides rich chestnut ; belly and vent dull blue
or bluish-gray. IJill and feet black. Size of the last species. 9t "'"' yo'ing: Changes
of plunuigc coincident with those of tho Eastern blue-bird. Inniuiture birds may usually bo
recognized by some difference in color between tho middle of the back and the other upper
parts, and between tho color of tho throat and of the breast; but birds in th(( streaky stage
could not be determined if tho locality were unknowu. In some adult nniles, the dorsal patch
is restricted, or broken into two seapuhir patches with contiimous blue between ; tho chestnut
of the breast sometimes divides, ])erinitting connection of the blue of tho tliroat and belly.
Specimens with little trace of the dorsal patch are scarcely distinguished from those tif iS'. sialis
in which there is much blue on the throat, — the grnyish-bluc of the belly, instead of white,
being a ))rincipal character. U. S. and Mexico, from Enstorn foot-hills of the Kocky Mts.
to the Pacific ; N. to Vancouver; E. occjvsionaUy to the Mississippi. Abuudant in tho West ;
habits, nest, and eggs identical with those of S. sialis.
SO. S. arc'tica. (Lat. ardica, arctic; arctos, a bear; i. e., near the constellation so-named.)
AucTu; Blle-bikd. Rockv Mountain Blue-biki). (J, in perfect phnuage: Above
azure-blue, lighter than in the two foregoing, aud with a faint greenish hue ; below, paler and
more decidedly greenish-blue, fading insensibly into white on the belly and under tail-coverts.
Ends of wing-quills dusky; bill and feet black. Larger; length 7-00 or more; extent Ki.OO
or more; wing 4.50; tail 3.00. 9 : Nearly uniform rufous-gray, lighter and more decidedly
nifous below, brightening into blue on rump, tail, and wings, fading into white on belly and
crissum ; a whitish eye-ring. Young : Changes parallel with those of the other species.
Birds in the streaky stage may bo known by superior size, and greenish shade on tho wings
and tail. N. America from tho Rocky Mts. to the Pacific, chieHy in high open regions, abun-
dant ; resident southerly, migratory further North. Habits those of the others ; nesting the
same, but eggs larger, about 0.'j2 x 0.70.
8. CYANE'CULA. ( A diminutive form of Gr. Kvdvios, Lat. cijanem, blue ; as we should say,
"bluet.") Blue-throats. Bill much shorter than head, slender, comj)ressed tlirought)ut,
acute at tip, with obsolete notch (rpiite as in Saxicola, but more compressed and slenderer).
Feet, as in Saxicola, long and slender ; tarsus much hmger than tho middle too and claw ;
lateral toes of unequal lengths, the outer longer, but the tip of its claw still falling short of
the base of tho middle claw ; claws little curved, tho hinder fully as long as its digit. Wings
long and pointed (less so than in Saxicola), the point fonned by the 3d, 4th, and 5th quills ;
2d about equal to tho fith ; 1st spurious, fibout (uie-third as long as the longest. Tail of mod-
erate length, slightly rounded. Tail particolored with chestnut ; throat and breast with azure-
blue and chestnut. The species were formerly included in Huticilla, an Old World genus very
closely related to Saxicola; they form the connecting link between Saxicolinm proper and
Sylmnts, placed by some authors in one, by others in the other group. The relationships with
Saxicola are certainly very close.
31. C. sue'clca. (Lat. stiecica, Swedish.) Blue-throated Redstart. Red-spotted Blue-
throat. Entire upper parts dark brown with a shade of olive (about the color of a tit-
lark, Anthtis ludovicianus}, the feathers of the crown with darker centres ; rump and upper
TUlWWuE — liEG ULINJE : KINGLETS.
250
tnil-covcrts rather lighter, iind iiiixeil with briglit chestnut-red. Wiugfi like the back, with
tiliglitly paler edgings of the featlierH. Middle tail-feuthers like buck- or rather darker, the rest
blackish, with the basal half or more of their length bright chestnut-red, or orange-brown.
Lures dusky ; a whitish superciliary line. Chin, throat, and forebreast rich ultramarine blue,
enclosing a bright chestnut throat-patch ; the blue bordered behind by black, this again by
chestnut mixed with white. Kest of under parts white, washed on the sides, lining <if wing«
and under tail-coverts with palo fulvous. IJill and feet black. 9 ""J young similar, the
throat-uuukiugs imperfect. Length 5.75-0.00; wing 3.00; tail 2.25-2.50; bill 0.50; tarsus
1.00; middle too and claw 0.75. Alaska; a beautiful and interesting bird, widely distributed
in the Old World.
5. Subfamily RECULIN^: Kinglets and Wood-Wrens.
The two genera to bo hero noticed aro most readily distinguished by the simple cidors of
PhjjUoscopiis, contrasted with the elegant colored crest of Begulua ; both genera include very
diminutive birds not over five inches long.
9. PHYLLO'SCOPUS. ((jir. <^i;X\oi», phidhn, a leaf; ckottos, skopos, a watchman; as these
birds i)eer about in the foliage.) Wood-Wrens. Bill shorter than head, slender, straight,
depressed at base, compressed and notched at tip ; nostrils exposed, though reached by the
frontal feathers. Tarsus longer than middle too and claw, booted or sometimes indistinctly
scutellato; wings pointed, longer than tail; point formed by 3d and 4th quills; 5th much
shorter, and (Ith shorter still, 2d between 5th and Otli; spurious 1st primary very short, exposed
less than 0.50. Tail aliout even. Size diminutive and coloration simple. Includes numerous
(about 25) Old World species, one of them occurring in Alaska.
32. P. borea'Us. (Lat. horealis, northorn ; horeas, the north-wind.) Kennicott's Warhler.
Above, olive-green, clear, continuous, and nearly uniform, but rather brighter on the rump;
quills and tuil-fea'.hers fuscous, edged externally with yellowish-green ; a long yellowish super-
ciliary stripe; under parts yellowish-white, the lining of wings and tho Hanks yellow; wings
crossed wirh tvvi yelhjwish bars, that across ends of greater coverts conspicuous, the other
indistinct ; bill dark brown, palo below ; feet and eyes brown. Length 4.75 ; extent G.OO ;
wing 2.25-2.50; tail 1.75-2.00; tarsus 0.70; middle toe and claw 0.55. Europe, Asia, and,
in America, Alaska.
10. BEG'ULUS. (Lat. rc<;M?«s, diminutive of rcj", a king; kinglet.) Kinglets. Tarsus booted,
very slender, longer than the middle too and claw. Lateral toes nearly equal to each other.
First ([uill of tho wing spurious, its exposed portion less than half as long as tho second.
Wings pointed, longer than the tail, which is emarginate, with acuminate feathers. Bill
shorter than the head, straight, slender, and typically Sylviino, not hooked at tho end, well
bristled at rictus, with the nostrils overshadowed by tiny feathers. Coloration olivaceous,
paler or whitish below, with red, black, or yellow, or all three of these colors, on tho head of
the adult. There aro about ten species, of Europe, Asia, and America. They aro elegant and
dainty little creatures, among tho very smallest of our birds excepting the Hummers. They
inhiibit woodland, arc very agilo and sprightly, insectivorous, migratory, and highly musical.
33. R. calen'dula. (Lat. calendula, a glowing little thing.) Ruby-crowned Kinglet. $ ? ,
adult : Upper parts greenish-olive, becoming more yellowish on the rump ; wings and tail
dusky, strongly edged with yellowish ; whole under parts dull yellowish-white, or ycllowish-
or greeuish-gi-ay (very variable in tone) ; wings crossed with .two whitish bars, and inner sec-
ondaries edged with the same. Edges of eyelids, lores, and extreme forehead, hoary whitish.
A rich scarlet patch, partially concealed, on tho crown. This beautiful ornament is apparently
not gained until the second year, and there is a question whether it is ever present in the
female. Bill and feet black. Length 4.10-4.50 ; extent 6.66-7.33 ; wing 2.00-2.33 ; tail
1.75 ; bill 0.25 ; tarsus 0.75. Young for the first year (and 9 ?) : Quite like tho adult, but
260
.S y, STEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEliES — OSCINES.
wanting tho scarlet patch. In a newly fledged specimen the wings and tail are as strongly
edged with yellowish as in tho adult ; but tho general plumage of the upper parts is rather
olive-gray than olive-green, and the under parts are sordid whitish. Tho bill is light colored
at the base, and tho toes appear to have been yellowish. N. America at large, breeding far
north and in mountains of the West, wintering in tiie Southern States and beyond. An exqui-
site little creature, famous for vocal power, abundant in wooded regions. Nest a largo mass
of matted hair, feathers, moss, straws, etc., placed on the bough of a tree ; eggs unknown.
34. R. satra'pa. (Gr. o-oTpdm^r, Lat. .sa/rajjes, a ruler; alluding to the bird's gcdden crown. Fig.
132.) GoLUEX-cuKSTEi) KiNCJLET. $, adult:. Upper parts olive-green, more or less bright,
sometimes I'ather olive-ashy, r.lways brightest on
the rump; under parts dull ashy- white, or yel-
lowish-white. Wings and tail dusky, strongly
edged with yellowish, the inner wing-quills with
whitish. On tho secondaries, this yellowish edg-
ing stops .abruptly in advance of the ends of the
oovorts, leaving a pure blackish interval in ad-
vance of the white tips of the greater coverts :
this, and tlie similar tips of the median coverts,
form twt) white bars across tho wings ; inner
webs of the quills and tail-feathers edged with
white. Superciliary line and extreme forehead
hoary -whitish. Crown black, enclosing a large
space, tho middle of which is tlame-eolored, bor-
dered with pure yellow. The black readies
across the forehead ; but behind, tho yellow and
Fio. 132.- Qolden^rcsted Kinglet. (After Audubon.) flame-color reach the general olive of tho upper
parts. Or, the top o"" the head may be described as a central bed of fliune-color, bounded in
front and on the sides with clear yellow, this similarly bounded by black, this again in the
Sfimo manner by hoary-whitish. Smaller than i?. calendula; overlying nasal plumes larger.
Length 4.00; extent 0.50-7.00 ; wing 2.00-2.12 ; tail 1.G7. 9, adult; and young : Similar
to the adult $, but the central field of tho crown entirely yellow, enclosed in black (no flame-
color). N. America, at largo; another exquisite, abundant in woodland and shrubbery, breed-
ing from N. New England northward, wintering in most of the >fi8fe ^^- ^- ^^^^ 'i ball of
moss, hair, feathers, etc., about 1.30 inches in diameter, ou mWB 1"^^' bough of a tree,
preferably evergreen ; eggs G-10, white, fully speckled; mSBk{ ^'''•^ ^"^^ ^ 0.40.
35* R s. oUva'ceus? (Lat. o/iraccMs, olivaceous; oWt'a, an MSK^/n olive.) We.stern
Golden-crested Kinolet. A slight variety, said ^K^^6^ ^" ^'^ "^ livelier color-
ation. Pacific coast
region.
A small group of one
genus and about a dozen,
chiefly Central and South
American, species ; peculiar
to America. Polioptila has
been sometimes associated
with tho Parida;, but differs
decidedly and is api)arently
Sylviine. Characters those
of tho single genus.
11.
6. Subfam. POLIOPTILIN^
3«
Fio. 133. — Blue-gray Onat-catchor, nut. size. (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
II
TUIWIDJE —POLIOPriLINJE : GNA T-CA TCUEBS.
261
1 1 , POLIOP'TILA. (Gr. noKtos, polios, hoary ; tttiKou, ptilon, a feather ; tho primaries lieing
edged with whitish.) Gnat-catcheus. Tarsi scutellatc. Toes very short, the lateral only
about half as loug as the tarsus ; outer a little longer than the inner. First quill spuri-
ous, about half us long as the second. Wings rounded, not longer than the graduated tail, the
feathers of which widen toward their rounded ends. Bill shorter than head, straiglit, broad
and depressed at base, rapidly naiTowing to the very slender terminal portion, distinctly
notched and hooked at the end — thus Muscicapine in cliaracter. Rictus with well-developed
bristles. Nostrils entirely exposed. Coloration without bright tints ; bluish-ash, paler or
white below; tail black and white. Delicate little woodland birds, peculiar to America, not
over 5 inches long; migratory, insectivorous, very active and sprightly, with sharp squeaking
notes. , , . ,„
Analysis of Species.
cf Forehead and line over eye black ; outer tnll-featber wliite cwriilea 3G
cf Whole crown blnck i outer wub of outer tall-feiither only edged with white nulantira 37
J Line over eye black ; outer web of outer tail-feather white plumbea 38
30. P. ccorul'ea. (Lat. citrulea, cerulean, blue. Figs. 133, 131, b.) Hue-guay Gn'at-
CATCIIER. $, adult: Grayish-blue, bluer on the crown, hoary on tho rump, the forehead
black, continuous with a black superciliary line. Edges of eyelids white, and above these a
slight whitish stripe bordering the black exteriorly. Below white, with a faint i)luMibeous
shade on tho breast. Wings dark brown, the out(T wel)s, especially of tho inner quills, edged
with hoary, and tho inner webs of most bor-
dered with white. Tail jet-black, the outer ~
feather entirely or mostly white, the next one
about half white, the third one tipped with ^ ^ .,-. ~^ g «^^^^^
white. Bill and feet black. Length 4.50- ^;d^ l/m^M^^^^
5.00; extent G.25-7.00 ; wing 2.00-2.20 ; t;<il
about the same. 9 • Like the (J, but duller
and more grayish-blue above; the head like
the back, and without any black. Bill usually ^^tf^fe*- h
in pait light-colored. U. S. from Atlantic to mfff" --^^'^
Pacific, N. to Massachusetts ; breeds through-
out its range, and winters on the southern
b<.r.ler and southward ; abundant in woodland. p,„ „_,_„_ „^,^^ ^^ roiiopnia meiamira ,• ft. of r.
Nest a model of bird-architecture, compact- cterulea; c, tai\ o( /'. milanura ; il, of I', plumbea; all
walled and contracted at tho brim, elii;antly ""*'• *'^''-
stuccoetl with lichens, fixed to slender twigs at a varying height from 10 to 50 or GO feet ; egcs
4-5, about ().(>0 X 0.45, whitish, fully speckled with reddish and umber-brown and lilac.
37. P. melanu'ra. ( Gr. ^t'Xas, melas, black; oiJpa, r)«m, tail. Fig. 134, n, c.) Black-capped
Gnat-catciieu. ^ : Like P. c«>)-i(?ea, but whole top of head black. White of tail reduced
to a minimum ; outer web of tho outer feather only edged with white, instead of wholly white ;
tip of the inner web, with tip of the next feather, white for a very slight space ; no white on
tho third feather. Size of the foregoing ; tarsi rather longer, — about 0.70. 9: No black on
the head ; distinguisluul from 9 ccerulea only by less white on the tail. Texas to South and
Lower California.
38. P. plum'bea. (Lat. plumbeus, plumbeous, lead-colored. Fig. 134, rf.) Plumbeoils Gnat-
catciieu. ,y, adult : Upper parts like those of P. ccerulea, but duller and more grayish ; no
black on forehead ; a short black stripe over eye, and below this a white one. Outer tail-
feather with the whole outer web and tij) white (like the second feather of P. ccerulea) ; next
two feathers tipped with white. Size of P. cacruka. 9 '• Lilfc the ^ ; tho upper parts still
duller, and frequently with a decided brownish shade; no black over eye; thus only distin-
guished from 9 carulea by less white on the tail. Valley of tho Gila and Colorado.
262
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES.
'Ri
i
Obi. According to Brewster, Bull. Nutt. Club, vl, 18*1, p. 101, the two foregoing are adult (No. 37) and young
(No.38)ortliesamo8pcciC8,\vliicli Is /j/iunica, Bil., Pr. Pliila. Acad., 1854, p. 118; B.N.A., 1858, p. 382, and authors;
melayiura, Lawr., Ann. Lye. N. Y., vl, IWO, p. 168, but not of authors referring to the Califoriiian bird ; also, atri-
capilla, Lawr., Ann. Lye. N. Y., v, 1851, p. 124; Cass., 111., 1854, pi. 27, but not of Swainson. Brewster describes
the Callfornian bird as a new species, as follows: — P. califohnioa. California Ulack-capped Gnat-catcher,
g : As compared with P. jtlumtien, upper parts decidedly plumbeous instead of bluish ; throat, breast, and sides dull
ashy instead of ashy-white ; lower belly and crissuni fulvous or even pale chestnut ; llglit edging of tlio tail-feathers
conflneii to outer pair, witli sometimes slight tipping of next pair (as in my tig. IW, c.) ; lining of wings pearly-ash,
not white; Bccondaries and tcrtials edged with light brown. No pure white anywhere; general aspect of under
parts nearly as dark as those of a cat-bird. AVholc crown glossy black. Length 4.50 ; extent CIO; wing 1.84; tail
1.80 ; tarsus 0.73 ; bill 0.50. 9 ; Sindlar, but no black on crown ; belly and crissuni i)ale chestnut ; outer webs of
second pair of rectriccs edged with wliito. California ; being the mdanura of autliors referring to California birds,
but not of Lawr., 1850.
2. Family CHAMjEID^ : "Wren-tits.
Recently framed for a single species, iimch like a titmoiiso in general appearance, but
with the tarsus not evidently scutellatc in front ; rouiuled wings nnich shorter than the gradu-
ated tail ; lores bristly, and idinnage extraordinarily soft and lax. With the general habits of
WTens, with which the .species was formerly associated. The position and valuation of tho
group are still uncertain ; j)r(jbably to be determined upon anatomical characters. I have
little doubt tliat Chamcca will yet be found referable to some other recognized family of birds,
and suspect that it might be assigned to the Old World Timeliida, with at least as much
• propriety as some other Americiin groups, whicdi have lately been relegated to that ill-assorted
assemblage.
12. CHAM.<E'A, (Gr. xafxai, chamai, on the ground.) Wuex-tits. Form and general aspect
combining features of wrens and titmice. Plumage extraordinarily lax, soft, and full. Color-
ation simple. Tarsal scutella obsolete, or faintly indicated, at least outside. Toes coherent at
base for about half the lengtli (jf the proximal joint of the middle one. Soles widened and
padded, much as in Paridec. Primaries 10, tho Gth longest, the Ud equal to the longest sec-
ondaries, tho 1st about three-fifths as long as the longest ; wing thus extremely rounded, and
much shorter than the tail (about two-thirds as long). Tail very long, constituting moro
than half tho entire length of the bird, extremely graduated, with soft, narrow feathers, widen-
ing somewhat toward their tips, rounded at the end, tho lateral pair not two-thirds as long as
the middle. Bill much shorter tlian head, very deep at the base, straight, stout, compressed-
conical, not notched, with ridged and very convex culmen, but nearly straight commissure
and gonys ; naked, scaled, linear nostrils, and strongly bristled gape. Fi-ontal feathers reaching
nasal fossrc, but no ruff concealing the nostrils as in Pnridcc.
30. C. fascia'ta (Lat. fasciata, strijied ; fuscis, a bundle of faggots.) Wben-tit. Adult :
Dark brown with an olive shade, the top of the head clearer and somewhat streaky, tho wings
and tail purer brown, obscurely fasciated with numerous cross-bars; below, dull cinnamim-
brown, paler on belly, shaded with olive-brown on the sides and crissum, the throat and
breast obscurely streaked with dusky ; bill and feet brown ; iris white. Length about 0.00 ;
wing 2.25-2.;)0 ; tail ;i.2.5-;{.50, much graduated, the lateral feathers being an inch or moro
shorter than the middle ones; bill 0.40; tarsus 0.90-1.00; middle toe and claw 0.75. Fir.st
primary nearly an inch shorter than the longest one. California coast region. A remarkable
bird, resembling no other, common in shrubbery ; nest in bushes ; eggs plain greenish-blue,
0.70 X 0.52.
39a. C. f. lien'sliawi. (To H. W. Henshaw.) Hexshaav's Wren-tit. Much lighter and duller
colored ; above, grayish-ash with slight olive shade (about the <!(d(n' of a Lophophanes) ; below,
scarcely rufescent upon a soiled whitish ground, shaded on the sides with the color of the back;
bill and feet smaller. Interior of California, and jirobably adjoining regions; seems to bo
a well-marked fonn. (Not in the Cheek List, 1882; see liidgway, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. v.,
1882, p. 13.)
PABIDJE — PABIN^ : TITMICE.
263
es
•r.
Ill
irg
■ i"ff'.
3. Family PARID-S : Titmice, or Chickadees.
?^ »•"■"■ ., ,- r^-" _rr'^'" .■.'-^-:^ Ours are all small (under 7 inclies
long) birds, at once distinguished
by having ten primaries, the 1st
much shorter than the 2d; wings
barely or not longer tlian tlie tail ;
tail-feathers not stiff nor acuminate ;
tarsi scutellate, longer than the mid-
dle toe ; anterior toes nuicli soldered
at base ; nostrils concealed by dense
tufts, and bill compressed, stout,
straiglit, uuuotched, and mucli
shorter than the head ; — characters
that readily marked tliem off from
all their allies, as wrens, creepers,
etc. Really, they are liard to dis-
tinguish, technically, from jays ;
but all our jays are much over 7
inches long.
They are distributed over North
America, but the crested species are
rather southern, and all but one of
them western. Most of tliem are
hardy birds, enduring the rigors of
Fio. 138. — European Greater Titmouse, Parus major. (From Dixon.) \vinter without inconvenience, and,
as a consequence, none of them are properly migratory. They are musical, after a fashion of
their own, chirping a quaint ditty ; arc active, restless, and very heedless of man's presence ;
and eat everything. Some of the western species build astonishingly large and curiously
shaped nests, pensile, like a bottle or purse with a h(de in one side, as represented in fig. 140 ;
others ,Mve in knot-holes, and similar snuggeries that they usually dig out for themselves.
They arc very prolific, laying numerous eggs, and raising more tlian one brootra season ; the
young closely resemble tlie parents, and there are no obvious seasonal or sexual changes of
plumage. All but one of our species are plainly clad ; still they have a pleasing look, with
their trim form and the tasteful colors of the head.
7. Subfamily PARING : True Titmice.
Exclusive of certain abenant forms, usually allowed to constitute a separate subfamily, and
sometimes altogether removed from Parid(p, the titmice compose a natui-al and i)retty well
defined group, to which the foregoing diagnosis and remarks are particularly applicable, and
agree in the following characters : — Rill very sliort and stout, straight, com])ressed-conoid in
shape, not notched nor with decurved tip, its under as well as upper outline convex. Bictus
witliout true bristles, but base of the bill covered with tufts of bristly feathers directed forward,
entirely concealing the nostrils. Feet stout ; tarsi distinctly scutellate, longer than the middle
toe ; toes rather short, the anterior soldered together at tlie base for most of the length of the
basal joint of the middle one. Hind toe with an enlarged pad beneath, forming, with the con-
Bolidateil bases of the anterior toes, a broad firm sole. Wing with ten primaries, of which the
first is very short or spurious, scarcely or not half as long as the second; wing as a whole
rounded, scarcely or not longer than the tail, which latter is rounded or graduated, and com-
posed of twelve narrow soft feathers, with rounded or somowhat truncated tips. Plumage
264
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS — PASSEBES— OSCINES.
long, soft, and loose, without bright colors or well-marked changes according to sex, age, or
season (excepting Auriiiarus).
There may bo about seventy-five good species of the ParintB, thus restricted, most of
them falling in the genus Pants, or in its immediate neighborhood. With few exceptions
they are birds of the northern liemisphere, abounding in Europe, Asia, and North America.
The larger [yroportion of the genera and species inhabit tlie Old World. All those of the New
World occur within our limits.
Analysis qf Genera.
Crested.
Wings and tail rounded, of about equnl lengths. No red or yellow Lophopbanes 13
Not crested.
Wings and tail rounded, of about equal lengtlis. No red or yellow J'arua 14
Wings rounded, shorter tlian the graduated tail. No red or yellow Psaltripnnis 15
Wings pointed, longer than the even tail. Head yellow ; bend of wing red Auriparua 10
13. LOPHO'PHANKS. (Gn Xo0or, /ojj/tos, a crest ; ^mW, jj/tamo, I appear.) Chested Tit-
mice. Head crested. Wings and tail rounded, of about equal lengths, and about as long as
the body. Bill conoid-compressed, with upper and under outlines both convex. No yellow on
head nor red on wing. Pluimige lax, much the same in both sexes at all ages and seasons.
Average size of the species at a maximum for Parina:. Nests excavated in trees; eggs spotted.
Analysis of Species.
Frontlet black ; sides washed with rusty. Eastern hicolor 40
Crest like rest of upper parts ; Jio rusty on sides. Southwestern mnn}atus 41
Crest entirely black ; rusty on sides. Texan atrocristatus 42
Head with several black stripes ; no rusty on sides. Southwestern wollweberi 43
40. L. bi'color, (Lat. bis, twice; coZor, color. Fig. 13G.) Tufted Titmouse. ^ 9, adult:
Entire upper parts ashy, the back usually with a slight
olivaceous shade, the wings and tail rather purer and darker
plumbeous, the latter soinetiines showing obsolete transverse
bars. Sides of the head and entire under parts dull whitish,
"•^^^ washed with chestnut-brown on the sides. A black frontlet
at the base of the crest. Bill plumbeous-blackish-; feet plum-
beous. Length 6.00-6.50 inches; extent 9.73-10.75; wing
and tail 3.00-3.25; bill 0.40; tarsus 0.80; middle toe and
claw 0.75. 9 smaller than ^. Young: The crest less devel-
oped ; little if any trace of the black frontlet ; sides scarcely
washed with rusty. Eastern U. S., rather southerly ; scarcely
N. to New England ; resident, abundant in woodland and
shrubbery. Nest iu holes; eggs 6 or 8, 0.75 X 0.5G, white,
Fio. 136. -Tufted Titmouse, , ,, , r,, , ,. , , ' ,,., ' '
nat. size. (Ad nat. del. E. c.) dotted With reddish -brown and lilac.
41. L. inorna'tiis. (Lat. in, as signifying negation, and ornatus, adorned ; orno, I ornament.)
Plain Titmouse. ^ 9 > adult : Entire upper parts dull leaden-gray, with a slight olive
shade; the wings and tail rather purer and darker. Below, dull ashy- whitish, without any
nisty wash on the sides. No black on the head. Extreme forehead and sides of the head
obscurely speckled with whitish. No decided markings anywhere. In size rather less than
L. hicohr; length usually under 6.00 ; wing and tail under 3.00. Young quite like the adults,
which closely resemble the young of L. hicohr; but in the latter there are traces at least of the
reddish of the sides or black of the frontlet, or both ; the general coh)ration is purer, with more
distinctifm between the upper and under parts, and the size is rather greater. The speckled
appearance of the sides of the head and lores of L. inornatus is peculiar. Southwestern United
States, abundant, resident. The typical form Califomian ; a rather larger, stouter-billed form,
lighter leaden-gray with scarcely any olive shade, from Utah, Arizona, etc., is L. i. griseus,
Ridgw., Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus., v., 1882, p. 344.
14.
PARID^ — PARING : TITMICE.
265
or
13
43« Ii. atrocrlsta'tus. (Lat. a<ro, with black, cmta<Ms, crested; crista, a crest.) Black-crested
Titmouse. ^ 9 > adult : Plumbeous, with a shade of olive, the wings and lail rather darker
and purer, edged wiUi the color of the back, or a more hoary shade of the same. Beneath, dull
ashy-whitish, especially on the breast, the abdomen whiter, the sides chestnut-brown as in L.
bicolor. Extreme forehead and lores whitish ; entire crest glossy black. Bill blackish-plum-
beous; feet plumbeous. Small: length about 5.00; wing and tail 2.75. Valley of the Kio
Grande. Nest in natural cavities of trees, '.isually including cast snake-skins among its materi-
als ; eggs 0.75 X 0-58, white, spotted with reddish-brown in fine dots over the general surface,
boldly blotclied at large cud, but not distinguishable from those of L. hicolor.
43. L. woUweb'erl. (To one Wollweber. Fig. 137.) BuinLED Titmouse. ^ ?, adult:
Upper parts olivacet>us-ash, wings and tail darker, edged with the color of the back, or even a
brighter tint, sometimes nearly as yellowish as in Seguhts. Under
parts sordid ashy-white. Crest black, with a central field like the
back. Whole throat black, as in species of Parus. A black line
runs behind the eye and curves down over the auriculars, distin-
guished from the black of the crest and throat by the white of
the side of the head and white superciliary stripe; a half-collar ,j»' ^^^<s. •
of black on the nape, descending on the sides of the neck, there M ^^ ^8'
separated from the black crescent of the auriculars by a white cres- ^ ^^
cent, which latter is continuous witli the white of the superciliary
line ; considerable whitish siieckling in the black of the forehead _ ,„ „ , „ , _,,
and lores. Bill blackish-plumbeous ; feet plumbeous. Smallest : mouse, nat size. (Mex. B.
length 5.00 or less ; wing or tail 2.40-2.G5 ; bill 0.33 ; tarsus O.CO- Survey.)
0.70. Young : Cliin narrowly or imperfectly black, and some of the above described head-
markings obscure or incomplete. The singularly variegated markings of the head of this
species at once distinguish it. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, abundant, going
in troops, in woods and shrubbery.
14. PA'RUS. (Lat. paras, a titmouse.) Typical Titmice. Chickadees. Head not crested.
Wings and tail rounded, of approximately equal lengths, and about as long as the body. Bill
typically parine (see foregt)ing characters). No bright colors (in any North American species).
Head in most species with black. Plumage lax and dull, without decided changes with age,
sex, or season. Size medium in the family. Nest excavated. Eggs spotted.
Analysis qf Species.
Species dcfliiitely block-capped and black-throated.
A white superciliary strliMj montanua 48
No wliito supcrcilliiry stripe.
Tail not slinrter than wing ; feathers of both with mncli hoary-whitisb edging.
Larger ; tail at maximum length, coloration most lionry. Missouri Region and Rocky
Mts septenlriovalis 45
Smaller ; tail moderate ; coloration less hoary. Eastern atricnpillus 44
Size of No. 44 ; coloration darker. Pacific Region occidentalis -46
Tail shorter than wings ; whitish edgings of wings and tail obsolete.
Rather smaller than No. 44. South Atlantic States carolinensia 47
Rather smaller than No. 44 ; coloration very dark. Mexican border . . . mendionalis 8"f)
Species brown-capped, or crown quite like back, and blackish throat.
Cap hair-brown; back little different.
White confined to side of head. Eastern and Arctic knihonicus 49
■White spreading over sides of neck. Arctic ductus 62
Cap dark wood-brown ; back chestnut.
Back and sides rich chestnut alike. Pacific, northerly nifrsceru 50
Back chestnut, but sides only washed with rusty. Pacific, southerly neglectus SI
44. P. atricapUlus. (Lat. ater, black ; capillus, hair. Fig. 138.) Black-capped Titmouse.
Chickadee. Crown and nape, with chin and throat, black, separated by white sides of the
head. Upper parts brownish-ash, with slight olive tinge, and a rusty wash on rump. Under
266
SYSTEMATIC SY^^OPSIS.—PASSEBt:S— OSCINES.
Flo. 138. — Black-cnpped Chickadee,
reduced. (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
parts more or less purely white or whitish, shaded on the sides with a brownish or rusty wash.
Wings aud tail like upper parts, the feathers moderately edged with hoary-white. Average
dimensions: length 5.25; extent S.OO; wing and toil,
each, 2.50; tarsus 0.70. Extremes: length 4.75-5.50;
extent 7.50-8.50; wing and tail 2.35-2.05; tarsus 0.G5-
0.75. Eastern X. Am., from the Middle States northward,
very abundant, well-known by its familiar habits and pecu-
liar notes. Nest in holes of trees, .stumps, or fences, natural
or excavated by the bird, made of grasses, mosses, hair, fur,
feathers, etc. ; eggs 6-8, 0.58 X 0.47, white, fully sprinkled
with reddish -brown dots and spots.
45. P. a. septentrioiia'lls. (Lat. septentrionalis, northern ;
septentr tones, the constellation of seven stars, the dipper.)
Loxti-TAiLEi) Chickadee. Similar to P. atricapillm;
averaging larger, aud especially longer-tailed, the tail
rather exceeding the wing in lengtli. Coloration clear and
pure; wings aud tail very stnmgly edged, especially on
the secondarits and outer tail-feathers, with hoary-white,
which usually passes entirely around their tips. Cap pure
black and very extensive on the nape ; black of throat
reaching br(>ast ; sides of hrad and neck snowy-white.
Bill and feet dark plumbeous. Average dimensions about
the maxima of P. airicapillm : length 5.25-5.50 ; extent
8.50; wing 2.50-2.75; tail 2.60-2.80, sometimes 3.00. This style reaches its extreme devel-
opment in the region of the Upper Missouri and Rocky Mts., there apparently to the exclusion
of P. atricapillus proper.
46. P. a. oceidenta'Ils. (Lat. occidentalis, western; occido, I fall; 1. e., where the sun sets.)
Western Chickadee. Similar to P. airicapillm ; of the same average size; presenting
the opposite extreme from P. scptentrionalis in minimum edging of wing- and tail-feathers
with hoary, heavy brownish wash of sides, aud general dark sordid coloration. U. S-, Pacific
coast region.
47. P. carolinen'sls. (Lat of Carolina.) Carolina Chickadee. Averaging smaller than P.
atricapiUun, with relatii'ely as well as absolutely shorter tail, which is rather shorter than the
wings ; wings and tail very little edged witli whitish. Average dimensions about at tlie minima of
P. atricapillus. Length about 4.50 ; wing 2.50 ; tail 2.25. South Atlantic and Gnlf States ;
N. to Washington and Southern Illinois. Nesting like P. atricapillus; eggs similar, rather
smaller.
879. P. merldlonalis. (Lat. meridionalis, southern.) JIexican Chickadee. Differs decidedly
from P. atricapillus in having the under ])arts men^ly a paler shade of the ashy of the upper,
instefid of white, without any brownish wash on sides; wing-coverts and tail lacking any
hoary edging, though the wing-quills have a slight grayish-
white edging. Tims quite like P. montanus in color, but no
white superciliary .stripe. Length 4.80-5.20; extent 8.00-
8.70; wing 2.67-2.90 ; tail 2.40-2.67. Mexico, recently ascer-
tained to occur in Arizona. (Numbered among addenda in
the Check List, 1882.)
48. P. monta'nus. (Lat. montanus, of mountains. Fig. 139.)
Mountain Chickadee. Upjier parts ashy-gray, with scarcely p.,,,. jjg, .Mountain cuickodee,
a shade, and only on the rump, of tlie ochraceous seen in most nat. elze. (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
other species ; under parts similarly grayish-white, without a rusty tinge, the middle of the
50.
.'il.
19.
49a.
52.
15.
PABIDJE — PARINJE : TITMICE.
267
ash.
rago
belly nearly white, the rest more heavily shaded. Wings and tail with comparatively little
whitish edging — the tail at least with no more than that of P. carolinensis. Sides of the
head and neclc wliitc ; top of the head, and tlic throat, black. A conspicuous wliite super-
ciliary stripe in the black cap, usually meeting its fellow across the forehead. Length about
5.Q'); extent 8.30; wing 2.50-2.75; tail rather less ; bill 0.38; tarsus 0.6G. U. S., from
Eastern foot-hills of the Rocky Mts. to the Pacific, chieily in alpine regions.
5(). P. rufes'cens. (Lat. riifescens, rufous, reddish.) Chestxut-backed Titmouse. Crown
and nape dark wood-brown, becoming sooty along the sides, separated from the sooty-black of
the throat by a large white area extending back on the sides of the neck. Entire back and
sides of body rich dark chestnut, contrasting strongly with the brown of the head. Breast
and central line of under parts, with lining of the wings, whitish. Wing- and tail-coverts
more or less washed witli rusty-brown. Quills and tail-feathers scarcely or slightly edged
witli whitish. Bill black; feet dark; iris brown. Young with throat brown, like crown,
instead of sooty. Length 1.75; extent 7-50; wing 2.30; tail about 2.00. A strongly
marlced si)ecies, with chestnut back and sides contrasting with dark brown cap and sooty tliroat.
Pacific coast region of the U. S., northerly, and corresponding portions fif British America.
.11. P. r. neglec'tus? (Lat. negkctiis, neglected, i. e., not chosen; iiec, not, and lego, I gather,
choose.) Quite similar: crown, tliroat, and back the same, but sides not extensively chestnut,
being simj)ly washed M-ith rusty-brown. Coast region of California.
• 9- P. hudson'icus. (Lat. hiuhonicus, of Hudson's Biiy ; after Henry Hudson, the navigator.)
Hi;i)SOXiAN Titmouse. Crown, nape, and upper parts generally clear hair-brown, or ashy-
brown with a slight olive shade, the coloration quite the same on back and crown, and contin-
uous, being not separated by any whitish nuchal interval. Throat quite black, in restricted
area, not extending backward on sides of neck ; separated from the brown crown by silky
white on the side of the head, this wliite not reaching back of the auriculars to the sides of the
nape. Sides, ilanks, and under tail-coverts washed with dull chestnut or rusty-brown ; other
under parts whitish. Quills and tail-feathers lead-color, as in other titmice, scarcely or slightly
edged with wliitish. Little or no concealed white on rump. Bill black ; feet dark. Size of
P. atricapillus, or rather less. Wing 2.50 ; tail rather less. New England and British America
generally ; Nevada to Alaska. Common in coniferous woods.
49a. P. Ii. evu'ra, nobis. Alaskan specimens are larger, the tail nearly 3.00 ; thus corresponding
witli P. atricapillus septentrior.alis, and being quite the size of P. citictus, from which dis-
tinguished by retaining precisely the coloration of P. hudsonicus. Alaska.
52. P. dne'tus. (Lat. cinc*«s, girdled; ci«(/o, I bind about.) Siberian Titmouse. In general,
similar to P. hudsonicus, but quite distinct. Throat sooty-blackisli ; crown and nape dark
hair-brown, bordered laterally with dusky, quite appreciably different in tone from the brighter
brownish of the back, from which also separateil to some extent by whitish of the cervix.
Sides of head and neck pure white, in a large area widening behind, this white of opposite
sides nearly meeting across the cervix. B.ick ashy overlaid with flaxen-brown, the rump light
brown with much concealed white. Under parts whitish centrally from the black throat, but
heavily washed on the sides, flanks, and crissum, sometimes quite across the belly, with light
brownish. Wings and tail slate-color, as usual in the genus, with much whitish edging,
especially on the secondaries. Bill plumbeous-blackish ; feet plumbeous. Wing 2.60 ; tail
rather more. A large stylish chickadee, lately ascertained to inhabit Arctic America, especially
Alaska, as well as boreal regi(ms of Asia and Europe.
15. PSALTRI'PARUS. (Gr. yffaXTpia, Lat. psaltiin, a lutist ; and partis, a tit.) Bush-tits.
Dwarfs among pj-gmies ! 3.75-4.25 long; wing 2.00 or less, tail 2.00 or more. Ashy or
olive-gray, paler or whitish below ; neither crown nor throat black ; no bright colors. Head
not crested; wings rounded, shorter than the long narrow graduated tail, which exceeds the
length of the body. Nest large, woven, pensile, with lateral entrance (fig. 140). Eggs 6-9,
268
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS —PASSERES— OSCINES.
white, tininarked. The three speeies are western ; they are notable for their diminutive size,
scarcely equalling a Polioptila in bullv.
Analysis of Species.
Crown brown, unlike bnck ; no blnck on side of liend minimus 53
Crown like back ; no black on sidu of bead plumbeus M
Crown asli, unlike buck; a black Btrliio on side of head melanotis 65
$ 9 '• Dull lead-color,
53. P. min'lmiis. (Lat. minimus, least, smallest.) Least Busii-tit.
frequently with a brown-
ish or olivaceous shade,
the top of the head ab-
ruptly darker — dove-
brown or hair-brown.
Below sordid whitish, or
brownish- white. Wings
and tail dusky, with
slight hoary edgings.
Bill and feet Uavk.
Length 4.00 or less ;
wing scarcely or not
2.00; tail 2.00 or more;
bill 0.25; tarsus O.GO.
Young birds do not dif-
fer materially. There is
considerable variation in
the preci.ie sliade of the
body, but the brown caj)
always ditl'ers in color
fVoni the rest of the up-
j>er parts. Pacific coast
region of the U. S.
51. P. plum'beus. (Lat.
plumbcits, lead-c(dored.)
Plumbeous Bush-tit.
$ 9 • Clear plumbeous,
with little or no (dive
or brownish shade ; top
of head not different
from the back ; sides
of head pale brownish.
Under parts as in P.
minimus, but clearer.
Tail longer than wings.
Eyes yellow or dark brown. Length about 4.25; wing 1.88-2.12; tail 2.25-2.50; bUl
0.25 ; tarsus 0.60. Very closely related to P. minimus ; but specimens are readily distin-
guishable. Total length greater, owing to elongation of the tail, which sometimes exceeds
the wings by 0.50. General colorati(m clearer and purer ; crown not different in color from the
back, but cheeks brownish in obvious contrast. Southern Rocky Mt. region, from Wyoming
and Nevada southward ; common in Arizona.
55. P. melano'tis. (Gr. fiiKat, melas, gen. fie\avos, melanos, black ; oSs, ous, gen. <ar(5f, otos, ear.)
Black-eared Bush-tit. ^, adult: Sides of head broadly black with greenish lustre, the
Fia. 140. — Least Bush-tit and nest, about J nat. size. (Ad nat. del. H. W.
Elliott.)
16.
50.
SITTIDJE: NUTHATCHES.
269
bands meeting narrowly across the chin, and nearly meeting on the napo. Crown and nape
clear ash. Back hair-brown. Wings and tail fuscous, with narrow pale ashy edgings of tlio
feathers ; outer webs and tips of outer tail-featluu's, and inner webs of many wing- feathers,
whitish. Below, white, pure on tiiroat and sides of neck, thence ])assing through lavender-
gray to rusty-brownish on Hanks and crissuni. Bill and feet black ; iris brown. 9 unknown :
probably not (hfferent. Young quite similar, having glossy black on the head before they arc
fully feathered, but tlie black does not at first meet on the chin. Length about 4.00 ; wing
1.90; tail 2.2o ; bill 0.25, compressed, with very convex culmen and nearly straight under out-
line ; tarsus O.fiO ; middle toe and claw 0.45. A neat little torn-thumb, native of Mexico,
N. to Arizona and probably farther, rare; I hav(\ seen but three specimens.
16. AUKI'PAKUS. (Lat. aiirt, of gold, and jifOKS, a tit; from the yellow head.) GoLD-TiTS. Head
not crested. Wings ]iointed, the 2d quill being little shorter than the 3d ; the 1st spurious.
Tail little rounded, decidedly shorter than the wings. Bill not typically parine — extremely
acute, with straiglit or slightly concave under outline, and barely convex culmen, tlius resem-
bling that of a Hcbninthojihofjd ; longer and slenderer than usual in Pariuic ; nostrils scarcely*
concealed by the imperfect riitt'. Tar.si relatively shorter than in the preceding genera.
Briglit cohirs on head (yellow) and wing (red). Plumage comparatively ctmipact; sexes
alike, but young very ditlereut from the adult. Size very small. General form sylvicoline.
Nest globular, woven. J^ggs sjiotteil. One species.
56. A. fla'viccps. (Lat. flariceps, yellow-head.) Gold-tit. ^ 9 : Upper parts ashy ; under
parts whitisji ; M-ings and tail dusky, with hoary edging. Whole head rich yellow. Lesser
wiug-coverts chestnut-red. Bill dark jdumbeous; feet plumbeous. Length 4.00-4.25;
wing 1.80-2.00; tail 1.75-2.25. Young without red on wing or yellow on head; thus obscure
obje<!ts, known, however, by their generic characters. Adults vary in Iiaving the yellow
heightened to orange, or dull and greenish ; the red sometimes Inematitic ; and the .shade of
the asliy clear and jiure, or dull and brownish. Valley of tlie Rio Grande and Colorado, and
Lower California; abundant in chaparral, building in bu.shes a great globular nest of twigs,
lined with down and featiiers; eggs 4-0, pale bluish speckled with brown, O.GO X 0.45.
ii
4. Family SITTID^ : Nuthatches.
Bill snbcylindrical, tajiering, compressed, slender, acute, nearly or about as long as the
head, culmen ami conniiissure about straight, gonys long, convex, ascending (giving a sort of
recurved look to a really straight bill). Nostrils rounded, (!oncealed by bristly tufts. Wings
long, pointed, with 10 primaries, the 1st very short or spurious ; tail much shorter than wings,
broad, soft, nearly even ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw, scutellato in front ; toes
all long, with large, much curved, compressed claws ; 1st toe and claw about equal to the 3d ;
2d and 4th toes very unequal in length. Plunnige compact ; body flattened ; tongue horny,
acute, barbed. Nuthatches are amongst the most nimble and adroit of creejicrs ; they scramble
about anrl hang in every conceivable attitude, head downwards as often as othenvise. This is
done, too, without any help from the tail, — the whole tarsus being often ajiplied to the sup-
port. They are chiefly insectivorous, but feed also on hard fruits ; and get their English name
from their habit of sticking nuts and seeds in cracks in bark, and hammering away with the
bill till they break tlie sliell. They are very active and restless little birds, quite sociable,
often going in troops, which keep up a continual noise ; lay 4-6 white, spotted eggs, in hollows
of trees. The family, as conventionally framed, is a small one, of less than thirty species,
among them a single remarkable Madagascar form (Hi/posittn), a genus peculiar to Australia
(_Sittella), and another confined to New Zealand (Acanthisitta) : but some of these (especially
Acanthisitta) may not be Sittida at all, and in any e%-ent the family is chiefly represented by
the genus Sitta, with some fifteen species of Europe, Asia, and North America.
i i
270
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSERES— OSCINES.
I
17. PITTA. (Lnt. sitta, Gr. o-i'tto, nnino (if a Lird. Fig. lil.) Typical Nutiiatciieh.
Churacters practically those given under lieud of tlie family.
Analyait n/ Species and VarielieB,
Wliite below, the crlfuanm wnslicd with rusty-brown ; cnp glosxy lihu'k, without Btrlpei.
Bill stouter, 0.18-0.20 deep at bnso. Inner souondnries boldly varlcgiited with black. Eastern
ritrolinenaiii 57
Bill slenderer, 0.12-O.lG deep at base. Inner secondaries scaiccly variegated with blacklsli. VcHtcrn
aculvata IM
Rusty-brown below; cap glossy black with white HtripoH, or color of (he back canailmsia SO
Rusty-brown or brownish-white below ; cap brown, unlike back, without stripes.
Crown clear hair-brown ; a white spoton naiKs ; middle tail-fcnthers plain. Southeastern . pxinWa 00
Crown dull brownish, with darker border ; little or no white on nape ; niddla tail-feathers with
block. Southwestern pygmcra 61
■^l
\j
■\>.vr
Fio. 141. — European Nuthatch, Hitta caisia (rcsenibling S.pusUla), nearly nal. size. (From Brehm.)
57. 8. carollnen'sls. (Lat. of Carolina. Fig. 142.) Carolina Nuthatch. White-bellieu
Nuthatch. ^, adult: Upper parts, central tail-
feathers, and innch edging of the wings, clear ashy-
bliic ; whole crown, nape, and back of the neck, glossy
black. Under parts, including sides of neck and head
to above eyes, dull white, more or less marked on the
flanks and crissuni with rusty-brown. Wings and their
coverts blackish, much edged as already said, and with
an oblique bar of white on the outer .webs of the pri-
maries towards their ends ; concealed bases of primaries
white; under wing-coverts mostly blackish ; bold bluish
Fio. 142. —Carolina Nuthatch, nat. slzo.
(Ad nat. del. E. C.)
and black variegation of the inner secondaries. Tail,
SITTIDJE: NUTHATCHES.
271
Fio. 143. — Canailft Nutliatcb,
nat. size. (Ad iiat. del. E. C.)
excepting the two middlo feathers, black, each feather marked with white in increasing amount,
the outer web of tlie lateral feather being mostly wiiite. Bill blnckiHli-plumbeous, iialc at
the base below. Feet dark brown. Iris brown. Length 5.3()-(5.00; extent 10.50-11.00;
wing 3.50; tail 1.75; bill about 0.00 long, 0.18-0.20 .kep at base. 9 : Similar; black of
head imperfect, mixed or overlaid with the color of the back, or altogether restricted to the
nape. Eastern U. S. and British Provinces, resident, abundant in woodland, where its curious
quank, quank, quank may often bo heard as tlic nimble bird hops up and down the tree-trunks.
Nest in holes, often excavated by the birds with infinite labor, lined with fur, feathers, grasses,
etc. ; eggs numerons, 0.80 X 0.00, white, profusely speckled with reddish and lilac.
riS, 8. c. aculea'ta. (Lat. aculeata, sharpened ; referring to the slender bill.) SLENnEn-BiLi.ED
Nuthatch. Like the last; bill slenderer, 0.12-0.10 deep at base. Inner Rccondarics scarcely
or not variegated with blackish, and general tone of coloration duller. Woodland of Middlo
and Western provinces of the U. 8., common, replacing No. 57.
59. S. cunaden'sls. (Lat. of Canada, an Iroquois word. Fig. 113.) Red-bellied Nuthatch.
Canada Nuthatcic. ,J, adult: Upper parts leaden-blue (brighter than in S, caroUnejisis),
the central tail-feathers the same ; wings fuscous, with slight
ashy edgings and concealed white bases of the primaries.
Entire under parts rusty-brown, very variable in shade, from
rich fulvous to brownish-white, usually palest on the throat,
deepest on the sides and erissum ; tail-feathers, except the
middle jjair, black, the lateral marked with white. Whole top
and side of head and neck glossy black, that of the side a[)pear-
iiig as a broad bar through the eye from bill to side of neck,
cut off from that of the crown by a long white superciliary stripe, which meets its fellow across
the forehead. Bill dark plumbeous, paler below ; feet plumbeous-brown. Length 4.50-1.75;
extent 8.00-8.50 ; wing 2.00 ; tail 1.50 ; bill 0.50. 9 : Crown like the back ; lateral stripe
on the head merely blackish. The under parts average paler than those of the (J, but there
is no constancy about this. Young birds resemble the 9- Temperate N. Am., common, in
woixlland ; habits like those of No. 57 ; eggs similar, sm.iUer, 0.05 X 0.54.
00. S. pusil'la. (Lat. imsilla, puerile, petty. Fig. 144.) Bkown-headed Nuthatch. $ 9 '•
No blacli cap or white stripe on head. Upper parts dull ashy-blue; under parts sordid or
muddy whitish. Cap clear hair-brown. A decided spot of
white on the middle of the nape, in the brown cap, which on
the sides of the head includes the eyes, and is bordered with
dusky. Middlo tail-feathers like back, without black, and with
little or no white. Small : length scarcely 4.00 ; extent about
8.00; wing 2.50; tail 1.25; tarsus 0.60; bill about 0.50.
South Atlantic and Gulf States; N. to Virginia and Ohio.
Habits of the other si)ecies : eggs 0.00 X 0.50, very heavily
speckled with dark reddish-brown.
01. S. pygniee'a. (Gr. jruy/i^, 7J«(/me, the fist; Liat. pygmaius, a
pygmy, fistling, or tom-thumb.) Pygmy Nuthatch. $ 9 : Upper parts ashy-blue, and
wings with slight if any markings (as in canadensis), though some outer primaries may be
narrowly edged with white. Whole top of head, nape, and sides of head to below eyes, olive-
brown, the lateral borders of this patch blackish ; an obsidcto whitish patch on the nape.
Central tail-feathers like the back, but with a long white spot, and their outer webs black
at base ; other tail-feathers blackish, with white marks, and often also tipped with the color of
the back. Entire under parts ranging from muddy-white to smoky-brown or rich rusty, nearly
or quite as intense as in S. canadensis ; flanks and erissum shaded with a dull wash of the
color of the back. Bill and feet dark plumbeous, the former paler at base below. Iris black.
l''io. 144. — Brnwn-lieaded Nut-
hatch, nat. Bize. (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
07*
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — I'A SSEJihS — OSCINES.
I
Size of tlio lust. Youiik: DifftTs iiiiich ii« tlif 9 of cnnademis dops from tli<« ^, In hiiviii^f tin-
top of tin; liciiil liki- tilt! buck. U. H. fiom tiic Hocky Mtn. to the I'lii'ltif, iilmiKliint, ciiiclly in
piuu woimIh; N. to VaiicoiivDr. Kgi(» <i-7, white, piofiisely speckleil with roddiKh, 0.(12 X O.JO.
6. Family CERTHIIDiE: Creepers.
A very small, well-mnrki'd group, of about a dozon spccien, and four or five gciiora, which
full in two Hoctionx, commonly callt'd Hubfamiiifls ; one of thesi', Tkhodromiitcc, iti repruMenti'd
by tilt! well-known European Wall Creeper, Ticlwdruma mitmriii, anil weveral (trhietly Auh-
tralian) HpeeiuM of tlie genus Cliiniwteris; wliile thti genun C'erthia, with fivu or »i.\ upecies t»r
varieties, and certain allieil genera (all but one Old World) conHtitiite the
Flo. 145. — Common Brnwn Creeper, fiT/Ain/dHiWinris, nearly nat. Bizo. (From Brolim.)
8. Subfamily CERTHIIN^: Typical Creepers.
Our species may be known on sight, among North American Oschies, by its rigid, acumi-
nate tail-featliers, like a woodpei-ker's. Besides: — bill about equal in length to head, ex-
tremely slender, sharp, and decurved ; no.'strils ex]>osed ; no rietal bristles ; tarsus scutellate,
shorter than 8d toe and claw, which is connate for tlie whole of the 1st joint with both 2d anil
4th too; lateral toes of uueqtnil lengths, 1st toe shorter than its claw; claws all much ciu'ved
and very sharp; wing 10-prinuiried, tlie 1st primary very short, not one-haif the 2d, which is
l(?ss than the 3d; point of wing formed by 3d, 4th, and 5th tpiills; tail rounded, equal to or
longer than wing, of 12 stout, elastic, curved, acuminate featliM's. Restless, active, little forest
birds that make a living by picking bugs i>ut of cracks in bark. In scrambling about they use
the tail as woodpeckers do, and never hang head downwards, like tlic nuthatches. Lay numer-
ous white, speckled eggs in knotholes; are not regularly migratory ; have slight seasonal or
sexual changes of plumage ; are chiefly insectivorous, and not noted for musical ability.
nWGLUUYTlD^ : WJiENS.
273
Fio. 146. — Ilcnd, foot, uiul tiill-foatliorof (Vr-
thla, nut. hIzo. (Ad mil. del. K. V.)
18. CEK'TIIIA. (Lnt. certhiuit, a (Tcctpor. Fig. 110.) Chiirnctprg as alxivc. Tin* stock-foriii
(if tliit) guiiUH vark'8 aiTonliiig to locality. Eiiropi'uu vai'ictii'.s suiiit'tiincs rt'C(imii/.i>il are C, conta
aud C. britannka, Thu N. Am. bird, wliicli Ih in-
Hcparablu frmn the Kurii|i*>aii, Iiuh liccii culled C.
rufa, fuaca, and amerkutnu, fur Kawterii niiecinieii!*,
C7. montana for tlioHo from the liucky Mt. regioii,
and C. ovcidentalin for tlio.se from tlic Pacitic coast
regiuu. The Mexican form, C. meuicauu, dill'crM
more iiii]ireciaMy, »« below given.
d'i. V. fuiiiiliu'riM. (I ..at. familiariH, from fumilia,
family; domestic, home-like. Fig. ll.j.) IJuowN
<'UKKI'KI{. i 9= I'pper part.s dark iirowii, cliaiig-
iiig to ni«ty-bro\va on the rump, everywhere
streaked with ashy-whltc. \a obscure whitisii superciliary stripe. Under parts dull whitish,
sometimes tinged with rusty on the Hanks aud cri^<sum. Wing-coverts and i|Mills tipped with
white, the iiuier secondaries also with whit<! shaft-lines, which, with the tips, contrast with the
blackish of their outer webs. Wings also twice crossed with white or tawny-white, the ante-
rior bar broad and occupying botli wubs of the feathers, the other only on the outer webs near
their ends. Tail grayish-brown, darker along tin' shaft and at the ends of the feathers, some-
times showing obsolete transverse bars. Hill blackish above, mostly llesh-cidored or yeUowish
below; feet brown ; iris dark brown. Length of ^ 5.2.')-5.75 ; extent 7.50-8.00 ; wing 2..')0 ;
more or le.ss; tail usually a little longer than the wing, sometimes not so, "2.50 to nearly IS.OU ;
tarsus about 0.(10 ; bill 0.().j-0.7'> ; 9 "^'''''"W"'K ^nudler than ^ . Temperate N. Ani., in wood-
land, abundant, generally seen winding spirally up the trunks and larger branches of trees.
02a. C. f. iiicxieii'mi. (Lat. of Mi'xico.) .Mk.mcan Cur.Ki'Eii. DiH'ers in lacking light tips of the
primary coverts, and general richer coloration, the brown more rusty ; rump bright chestnut ;
under jiarts grayish. Mexico, to .S. W. border of the U. S.
ascertained to inhabit Ari/.ona.)
(Not in Check List, 1882 ; since
6. Family TROGLODYTID^ : Wrens.
Embracing a number of forms assembled in
considerable variety, ami ditKcnlt to define with
lu-ecision. Chiseiy related to the last three fami-
lies ; known from thest^ by nou-acuininate tail-
feathers and exposed nostrils. Very intimately
resembling, iii jiarticular, tin- mocking group of
thrushes — those with sciitellate tarsi and not
strictly sjiurions 1st prinniry; but all our wrens
Mv. Kimdler than any of the Mimiutc, and other-
wist? di.«tiuguished by less deejdy cleft toes — as
stated on p. 2 18 ; " the inner toe is united by half
its ba.sal joint to the middle toe, sometimes by
Fia. 147. —EuroiHjaii Wren. (From Dixon.) the whole of this joint ; and the se<!ond joint of
the outer toe enters wholly or jiartially into thi.s union, instead of the basal only." Nostrils
narrowly or broadly oval, exposed, overhung by a scale; bill moderately or very slender,
straight or slightly decurved, from half as long to about as long as the head, minotched
in all our genera; no (evident rictal bristles; wings short, more or less rounded, with 10
primaries, the Ist short, but not strictly spurious; tail of variable length, much or little
rounded, of broad or narrow feathers, often held over the back. Tarsi scutellate, sometimes
behind as well as in front.
18
274
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES.
Excepting some Old World forms of doubtful affinity, and the species of Anorthura proper,
the Trogladi/tida: are confined to America ; and if thus restricted are susceptible of better
definition. About one hundred species or varieties are recognized, usually referred to about
sixteen genera, most of which belong to tropical America, where the group reaches its maxi-
mum development, — over twenty species of Campylorhynchus being described, for histance.
Of North American genera, Campiilorlnjnchus, Cuthcrjies and Suljnnctes are confined to the
West, and represent a section distinguished by the breadth of the tail-feathers, which widen
toward the end. Siiecies of all our other genera are common and familiar eastern birds, mtich
alike in disposition, manners, and habits ; the house wren typifies these. They arc sprightly,
fearless, and impudent little creatures, apt to show bad temper when they fancy theniselvijs
aggrieved by cats or people, or anything else that is big and unpleasant to them ; they (juarrel
a good deal, and are particularly spiteful ti>wards martins and swallows, whose homes they
often invade and occupy. Tiieir song is bright and hearty, and they are fond ol their own
music; when disturbed at it they make a great ado with noisy scolding. Part of them live in
reedy swamps and marshes, where they hang astoi-ishingly big globular nests, with a little hole
in one side, on tufts of rushes, and lay six or eight dark colored eggs ; the others nest any-
where, in shrubbery, knotholes, hollow stumps, and other odd nocdcs. Nearly all are migratory;
one is stationary ; one ctimes to us in the fall from the north, the rest in spring from the south.
Insectivorous, and very prolific, laying several sets of eggs each season. Plainly colored, the
browns being the usual colors ; no red, blue, yellow, or green in any of our species.
Analysis of Suhfamtlies, Genera, ami Sjiecies,
CAMPYLOBHYNeniN.*:. Feet not Btrlctly laminiplantar, the lateral plates divided, ornot perfectly fused in one.
Tall broad, fan-shaped, the indiviilual feathers widening toward the end.
Very largo ; length about 8 inches. Tarsus decidedly scutellato boiilnd. Lateral toes of equal lengths.
Above streaked with white, below spotted with blatic Campylorlii/nclitis
Black and white bars of tall chiefly on outer webs of the feathers C. In-unneicaj>illus C3
Black and white bars of tall chiefly on both webs of the feathers C. afflitis 64
Smaller, about 6.00 long. Tarsus scutellate behind. Lateral toes of unequal lengths
Salpinctes ( S. obsoletus) 65
Smaller, about 6.50 long. Tarsus scarcely scutellate behind. Lateral toes of unequal lengths
Catherpes (C. mexicanus) (iO, 67
TBoaLODVTiNii':. Feet strictly laminiplantar, as usual in Oscincs. Tidl thin, with narrow parallel-edged
feathers. Wings and tail more or less completely barred cross-wise.
Large. Upirer parts uniform in color, without streaks or bars ; rump with concealed white spots. Belly
unmarked ; a conspicuous superciliary stripe.
Tail shorter or not longer than the wing, all the feathers brown, distinctly barred
Thryothnrus (T. liuloviciamts) 68, 09, 70
Tail decidedly longer than the wing, blackish, not fully barred on all the feathers
riirynthoms (T. beicicki) 71, 72, 73
Small. Upper ,)arts not uniform, the back being more or less distinctly barred cross-wise; wings, tail,
and flanks fully barred.
Tail about equal to the wing, the outstretched feet reaching scarcely or not beyond its end
'J'riiylodyti'S {T. ilomeaticus) 74, 75
Tail decidedly shorter than the wing, the outstretched feet reaching far l)cyond its end
Anorthura (A. tmylotlylis) 76, 77, 78
Small. Upper parts not uniform, the back being streaked length-wise j flanks scarcely or not barred.
Bill about I as long as head ; crown plain ; streaks of back conflned to interscapular region
Tilmatotlytcs (,T. paluslris) 79, 80
Bill scarcely or not } as long as head ; crown streaked, like the whole back
I'istothorus {€. stellaris) 81
9. Subfamily CAMPYLORHYNCHIN^: Fan.talled Wrens.
For characters of this group and analysis of its genera, see above.
19. CAMPYLORHYN'CHUS. {{}t. KaiiiTv\os, kampulos, bent; piyxot, rhugcJios, beak.) Cac-
tus Wrens. Of largest size in this family ; length about 8.00 inches. Tarsus scutellate
behind. Lateral toes of equal lengths. Wings and tail of about equal lengths. Tail broad.
C3.
A4.
20.
05.
TROGLODYTIBJE—CAMPYLORHYNCHIN^: FAN-TAILED WRENS. 275
65
with wide feathors. Tarsus a little longer than the middle toe and claw. Upper parts with
sharp white streaks im a brown ground; under parts boldly spotted with black on a white
ground; tail-fciithers barred witli black and white.
G3. C brunneicapil'lus. (Lat. bninneus, brown ; capillus, hair.) Brown-heaped Cactus
WuFA'. J, adult: Back gruyish-brown, marked with black and white, each feather having
a c('ntral white Held several times indented with black. Whole crown of head and napo rich
dark wood-brown, immaculate. A long white superciliary stripe from nostril to nape. Beneath,
nearly pure white anteriorly, gradually sluuling behind into decided cinnamon-brown — the
throat and foro part of the breast marked with large, crowded, rounded black spots, the rest of
the under \nni.s with small, sparse, oval, or linear black spots, again enlarging on the crissum.
Wing.s darker and more fusct)us-br()wn than the back ; all the quills with a series of numerous
whit(! or whitish indentations along the edge of both webs. Central tail-feathers like the
wings, with numerous more or less incomplete blackish bars ; other tail-feathers blackisli, the
outer with several broad white bars on both webs ; the rest with usuallj' only a single com-
jdete white bai near the end. Bill dark plumbeous, paler below; iris orange. Length near
8.00; wing li.SO; tail rather longer; bill 0.80; tarsus 1.00; middle toe and claw 0.90. ?,
adidt: Quite like the ^, but the spots on the throat and breast rather smaller, therefore less
(Towded, and less strongly contrasting witli the sparse speckling of the rest of the under parts.
Young : Similar to the adult on the upper parts, but the throat whitish with little speckling;
scarcely any spots on tlie rest of the under parts, which are, however, as decidedly cinnamon as
those of the adults. Southwestern U. S., — Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Utah
and Nevada, and portions of California ; connmm in cactus and chaparral, building a large
pur.se-sliap(Ml nest in bushes ; eggs about 0, 1.00 X 0.68, white, uniformly and minutely dotted
with salmon-color. (If not C. hninneicapillus Lafr., this will stand as C. couesi Sharpe, Cat.
Dr. Mus., vi, 1S82, p. 190.)
04. C. afll'nis. (Lat. qffinis, affined, allied ; ad, and finis.) St. Lucas Cactus Wren. Sim-
ilar to the last. Cap reddish-brown, lighter instead of darker than the back. JLirkings of
back very conspicuous, in strong streaks of black and white, these two colors bordering each
other with little or no indentation. Under parts nearly white, the black .spots, though con-
spicuous, not enlarged and crowded on the breast, but more regularly distributed. All the
lateral tail-feathers, instead of only the outer ones, crossed on botli webs with numerous com-
plete white bars. The variations with sex and age correspond with those of C. hrunneicapillus.
Lower California. Nest and eggs as before. (According to Sharpe, I. c, this is C. bruu-
noioapilliis Lafr.)
20. SALPINX' TES. (Or. (rnX7rtyKTi7y,,w//;(y//rte'!, a trumpeter."! TlocK Wrens. Bill about as long
as head, shMider, comi)ressed, straiuht at base, then
sligiitly decurved, acute at tip, faintly notched.
Nostrils conspicuous, scaled, in a large fossa. Wing
longer than tail; exposed jMirtioii of 1st jiriniary
about half as long as ;Jd, whicli is decidedly shorter
than ;5d. Tail rounded, of 12 broad plane feathers,
with rounded or subtruncate ends. Feet small and
weak ; tarsus longer than middle toe, ficiiMlate pos-
terioiii/. Hind toe and claw shorter than middle
one ; lateral toes of unequal lengths, the outer p,j,. ,49 _ ^0^,^ ^vren, nat. size,
longest, both very short, the tips of tlieir claws del. E.G.)
falling short of base of middle claw. Only one species known.
05. S. obsole'tus. (Lat. ohsoMits, unaccustomed ; ob, and koIco, I am wont; hence (d)solete, effaced,
the coloration being dtiil and diffuse. Fig. 148.) UocK Wren. ^ 9 1 '"hilt: Upper jiarts
pale brownish-gray, minutely dotted with blackish and whitish points together, and usually
(Ad nut.
276
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS —PASSEBES— OSCINES
showing obsolete wavy bars of dusky. Rump ciunamon-brown j a whitish superciliary line.
Beneath, soiled white, shading behind into pale cinnamon, the throat and breast obsoletely
streaked, and the under tail-ooverts barred, with dusky. Quills of the wings rather darker than
the back, with similar markings on the outer webs. Middle tail-feathers like the back, with
many dark bars of equal width ivith the lighter ones; lateral tail-feathers similarly marked on
the outer webs, plain on the iimer webs, with a broad subtenninal black bar on both webs, and
cinnamon-brown tips, the latter usually marbled with dusky ; outer feathers with several black-
ish and cinnamon bars on both webs. Bill and feet dark horn color, the former paler at base
below. Length 5.50-6.00; wing 2.G0-2.S0; tail 2.20-2.40; bill 0.6G-O.75 ; tarsus 0.75-O.SO.
Most of the markings blended and diffuse. Shade of upper parts variable, from dull grayish to
a more plumbeous shade, often with a taint pinkisli tinge. Specimens in worn and faded plu-
mage may fail to show the i)eculiar dotting M-ith black and whitish ; but in these the cross-
wise dusky undulation, as well as tlie streaks on the breast, are cf)mmonly more distinct than
in fi-e.^ilicr-feathered examples. The rufous tinge of the ur.der parts is very variable in shade ;
that of the rump, however, being always well marked. Western U. S., E. to Iowa ; common,
haunting rocky places, where it is conspicuous by its restlessness and loud notes ; nest of any
rubbisli in a rocky nook ; eggs numerous, 5-S, of (Crystalline wliiteness, sparsely sprinkled with
r('ddisli-l)ri)wn dots, 0.75 X 0.02.
21. CATHER'PES. (Gr. Ka6(p7n]s, l-ather2)es, a creejier; Kara, Jiaia, down, epjro), herjm, I creep.)
Canon Wrens. Bill singularly attenuate, about as long as he.id, nearly straight in all its
outlines, with such direction of its axis that the bill as a whole appears continuous with the
line of the forehead. Tarsus not long(>r than middle toe and claw, with tendency to subdivision
of the lateral tarsal jilate. Lateral toes of unequal lengths, tin; outer longest. AVings and
tail as in Salpinctes, and general features, even to system of coloration, much the same as in
that genus. One known species, with several varieties.
66. C. niexiea'nus. Me.xk'AN Canon Wkkn. Similar to the form next described ; nuich darker
colored both above and below, with sharper contrast of the white throat; the white speckling
mostly restricted to the back and wings ; the black tail-bars broader and more regular, and the
light markings of the wings mere indentatitms instead of complete bars. Bill straight, more
abruptly decurved at extrenui tip. Feet stouter, dark brown. Size greater; h'ugth about
0.00; M-ing 2.80; tail 2.40; bill nearly 1.00 long, only about 0.12 deej) at base. Specimens
vary much in sharpness and t>xtensiveness of the speckling of the ujjper parts. In best-niiirked
cases, the spots quite white, almost lengthened into streaks, each one completely set in black ;
other exami)les, small, sparse and restricted, these specimens also showing wavy transverse in
bars of blackish. Mexico, to Texan border.
67. C, m. conspcr'siis. (Lat. counpersim, speckled.) Speckled CaSon When. ^ 9 , adult :
Upper parts brown, paler and grayer anteriorly, behind shading insensibly into rich rufous,
everywhere dotted with small dusky and whitish spots. Tail clear ciniunnon-brown, crossed
with numerous very naiTow and mostly zigzag black bars. Wing-quills dark brown, the outer
webs of the primaries and botli ivebs of tlie inner secondaries barred with the color of the back.
Chin, throat, and fore breast, with lower half of the side of the head and neck, jnu-e white,
shading behind through ochraceous-brown into rich deep ferruginous, and jmsteriorly ob,soletely
waved with du.sky and whitish. Bill slate-colored, paler and more livid below; feet black;
iris brown. Length about 5.50; extent 7.50; wing 2.30; tail 2.12; tarsus 0.00; bill 0.80.
Throughout New Mexico and Arizona, and portions of Texas, Colorado, ITtah, Nevada, and
California ; N. to at least 40°. A remarkable bird, famous for its ringing notes, inhabiting
canons and other rocky places. Nesting and eggs like those of the rock wren ; eggs 5 or
more, 0.75 X 0.55, crystal white, fairly sprinkled and blotched with reddish-brown.
67a. C. m. punetula'tus. (IjuL punctulatus, dotted.) DoTTEn Canon When. Smaller than
either of the foregoing : length about 5.00; wing 2.10; toil 1.90; bill 0.75. Coloration inter-
TBOGLODYTIDJE—TROGLODYTIN^: TRUE WRENS.
217
mediate ; upper parts most like those of C. compersus, aud wings completely barred as in that
siK'cies ; but under parts posteriorly dusky ferruginous (dark mahogany etdor), and tail-bars
broad, firm, aud regular, as in mexicamts proper. Coast region of California. The type speci-
men, the only one I have seen, for some years in my oabinet and now No. 82,715. Mus. S. I.,
seems to bo recognizably distinct ; but all tlic forms of the genus intergrade. (Not in Clieck
List, 1882 ; since described by llidgway, Pr. Nat. Mus., v., 1882, p. 'iU.)
10. Subfamily TROCLODYTIN^: True Wrens.
See characters and analysis of this group on p. 274.
22. THRYOTHO'RIIS. (Gr. 6piov, ihnion, a reed, and 6ovpos, thouros, leaping.) Rp;ki) Wrexs.
Of largest size in this subfamily ; length 5.50-C.OU. IJack uniform in coloi', without streaks or
bars; wings and tail tnoreor less barred crosswise; belly unmarked ; a hmg superciliary stripe ;
rump with concealed white spots. Eggs colored.
Tiill not longer tliaii wingB, like back In color, ami b.irre(l, in r/iryo/Aonis proper Nos. 68, 09, 70
Tail longer than wings, blackish, not fully barred, in Thryomanes 71, 72, 73
68. T. liKlovlcia'niis. (Lat. Lmlovicianiis, Louisiana; of Ludovicus, Louis XIV., of France.
Fig. 119.) GuKAT Cakolina Wren. Upper parts uniform reddisli-browu, brightest <jn the
rump, where are concealed whitish spots ; a
long whitish superciliary line, usually bordered
with dusky streaks ; upper surfaces of wings
and tail like back, barred with dusky, the outer
edges of the primaries and lateral tail-feathers
showing whitish spots. Below, rusty or muddy
whitish, dearest anteriorly, deepening beliind,
the under tail-coverts reddish-brown barred
with blackish. Wing-coverts usually with dusky
ard whitish tips. Feet livid flesh-colored.
Length (i.OO; extent nearly 7-50; wing 2.40;
tail 2.25 ; bill O.Oo ; taraus 0.75. Eastern
IJ. S., southerly ; N. regularly to the Middle
States, rarely to Massachusetts ; resident as far
north at least as Wasliington. A common and
well-known inhabitant of shrubbery, with a
loud ringing song; shy and secretive. Nest in
any nook about out-buildings, or in shrubbery,
when in the latter usually roofed over, of the
most miscellaneous materials; eggs 6-7, white,
profusely sjieckled and blotched with shades of
reddish, brown, and purplish ; 0.72 X 0.60.
09. T. 1. iniainlen'sls. (Of the Miami River, Florida.) Floridan AVren. Similar: larger,
stouter, and more deeply-colored, especially below, where nearly uniform rusty-brown. Wing
2.75; tail 2.60; hill 0.90 ; tarsus 0.95. Florida; a local race.
70. T. 1. berlan'tlleri. (To Dr. Louis Ilerlandier.) TexvnWren. Similar: smaller; length
5.25 ; wing 2.25 ; tail 2.12. C(doration darker than in typical ludovicmnus, especially below;
flanks as well as crissum barred with dusky ; tail-bars broken up into irregular nebulation.
Valley of the Rio Grande ; a local race.
71. T. bewlcki. (To Thomas Bewick.) Bewick's Wren. Above, dark grayish-brown;
below, ashy-white, with a brownish wash on the flanks. Rump with concealed whitish spots.
A long whitish superciliary stripe from nostrils to nape. Under tail-coverts dark-barred; two
middle tail-feathers like back, with numerous fine black bars; others black with whitish
Fio. 140. — (iroat Carolina Wren, reduced.
Nuttail, after Audubon.)
(From
' I]
278
SYSI'EMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEIiES— OSCINES.
markings on the outer wobs and tips. Length about 5.50; extent 0.75; wing 2.00-2.12;
tail 2.35; bill 0.50; tarsus 0.75. Eastern U. S., southerly, N. to the Middle States and
Minnesota. Not very common in the Atlantic States, but so abundant as to replace t\w house
wren in some parts of the interior. Nest in holes in trees, stumps, fences, etc. ; eggs white,
finely dotted and spotted, resembling those of Catherpes or Saljnnctes.
72. T. b. leucogas'ter. (Gr. XtvKos, leukos, white; yaarifp, gastei; belly.) White-belued
Wren. Above, uniform clear ashy-brown; below, clear ashy-white; i)ure white on tlio
middle parts. A long, strong, white superciliary stripe; auriculars speckled with white. Con-
cealed white spots on the rump. Quills of the wings fuscous, the inner feathers very obsidetely
waved with the color of the back. Two middle tail-feathers closely barred with jmrc dark ash
and black ; others black, with irregular white or ashy-white tips, the outer web of the exterior
feather barred with wliite. Length 5.50-5.75 inches; extent 0.75; wing 2.00-2.33; tail
2.25-2.50 ; bill 0.50 ; tarsu.s 0.75. Southwestern U. S. ; a well-marked geographical race.
73. T. b. spilu'rus ? (Gr. (TTrtXor, s^Jitos, spotted ; ovpa, oiira, ti\i\.) Speckled-tailed When.
Similar to No. 71, and scarcely distinguishable; bill said to be longer, O.GO. Pacific Coast.
23. TROGLO'DYTES. (Gr. rpwyXoSurijt, troglodutcs, a cave-dweller.) House Wrens. Of
small size; no decided superciliary line. Upper parts not uniform in color, the back more or
less distinctly barred crosswise ; wings, tail, and fianks fully barred crosswise ; tail about equal
to wing in length, the outstretched feet scarcely or not reaching beyond its end. Eggs colored.
74. T. (lomes'tlcus. (Lat. domesticus, domestic; domiis, a house.) Eastern House When.
Brown, brighter behind ; below rusty-brown, or grayish-brown, or even grayish-white ; every-
where waved with darker shade, very plainly on wings, tail, fianks, and under tuil-ci tverts ; breast
apt to be darker than either throat or belly ; bill shorter than head, about 0.50 ; wings and tail
nearly equal, about 2.00, but ranging from LOO to 2.10; total length 4.50-5.25, averaging about
4.90 ; extent about 6.75. Exposed porticm of 1st primary about one-half as long as longest
primary. Eastern U. S., N. to Canada, W. to Dakota; very abundant anywhere in shrubbery,
gardens, an<l about dwellings, wliere its active, sprightly, and fearless demeanor, together with
its hearty trilling song, bring it into friendly notoriety. Nest of any trash in a hole of a build-
ing, fence, tree, or stump; egg.s 0-9, 0.05 X 0.55, profusely and uniformly .studded with minute
jtoints of brown, often rendering an almost uniform color; two or three broods each season.
Kesideut in the South, migratory farther north.
75. T. d. park'mani. (To Dr. Geo. Parkman, of Boston.) Western House Wren. Brown
above, little brighter on rump, nearly everywlicre waved with dusky, strongest on wnngs and
tail, but usually appreciable on the whole back. Below brownish-white, nearly white on belly,
obscurely variegated with darker markings, which, on tlie fianlvs and crissum, become stronger
bars, alternating with brown and wliitish ones. Bill blackish above, pale below ; feet brown.
Length 5.00-5.25; extent fl. 75; wing and tail about 2.10. Exposed portion of 1st priuuiry
about one-half as long as 2d primary. W^estem U. S., from the Plains to the Pacific, abun-
dant, there replacing 'T. domesticus, to which it is so similar ; but on an average paler and
grayer, with rather lojiger wings and tail.
24. ANORTHU'RA. (Gr. dv, an, signifyhig negaticm ; 6p66s, orthos, straight ; oSpa, oum, tail.
Fig. 147.) Winter Wrens. Like Troglodyti's proper, but tail decidedly shorter than wings,
the outstretched feet reaching far beyond its end. Eggs colored.
76. A. troglo'dytes hiema'lis. (Lat. /iiVwa/is, wintry ; /((c/h.s, winter. Fig. 150.) Winter Wren.
Above brown, darker before, brighter behind, most of back, together with tail and inner wiug-
ijuills, banded with dusky, the markings obsolete on the back, where usually accompanied by
whitish specks, strongest on the wings and tail. Outer webs of several primaries regularly
banned with brownish-white, in marked ccnitrast with the other bars of the wings. Au incon-
spicuous whitish superciliary line. Below brownish, paler or whitish anteriorly, the belly,
flanks, and crissum heavily waved with dusky and whitish bars. Bill slender, straiglit, decidedly
TEOGLODYTIBJE—TROGLODYTIN^: TRUE WRENS.
279
Fio. 150.— Winter Wren, little reduced,
figure of A. alascensis.)
(Baird'g
shorter than the head. Tail much shorter than the wings. Length 3.90-4.10; extent 6.00-
6.J0; wing 1.75; tail 1.25; bill 0.40; tarsus, middle toe, and claw together, about 1.12.
N. Ain. at large, connnon, migratory, breed-
ing from New England and corresponding
latitudes northward, wintering in tlie U. S.,
the strict representative of the European
wren. Nest of twigs, moss, lichens, hair,
feathers, etc., usually in a stump or log
close to the ground ; eggs 5-8, 0.05 X 0.48,
pure wiiite, minutely dotted with reddish-
brown and purplish. A sly, secretive little
bird, less often seen than other wrens no less
common ; voice strong and highly musical.
11' A. t. pacl'ficus? (Lat. pacifictis, pacific,
peace-making; pax and facio; alluding to
" the stilly sea. ") Wk-steun Winter When. Like the last ; darker, in lack of the
whitish specks of the upper parts, and whitish bars on outer webs of the primaries; but
very slightly distinguished. Pacific Coast region.
T8. A. t. alaseen'sls. (Of Alaska.) ALA.SKAN Winter Wren. Like the common species in
form sind coloration; larger; size of a house wren; wing 2.00-2.20; tail 1.50; tarsus 0.75)
tarsus, middle toe, and claw together 1.40; bill 0.65. Culmen, gape, and gonys almost per-
fectly straight, latter slightly ascending. Aleutian and Pribylov Islands, Alaska. Well dis-
tinguished from the comincm form, and nearer the Japanese A. fumigatus.
25. TELiMATO'DYTES. (Gr. rtKfia, ielma, a swamp ; 8wrj;r, dutes, an inhabitant.) MARSH
Wrens. Small. Upper parts not uniform ; back streaked lengthwise witli white in a black
patch; flanks scarcely or not barred; crown plain; bill about two-thirds as long as head.
Eggs dark.
79. T. palus'tris. (Lat. j;aZ«s<n's, marshy ; pa^ws, a marsh. Fig. 151.) Long-billed Marsh
Wren. Above clear brown, unbarred, the middle of the back with a large black patch sharply
streaked with white (these white stripes sometimes de-
ficient). Crown of head usually darker than the l)ack,
often quite blackish, and continuous with the black inter-
scapular patch. A dull white superciliary line. Wings
fuscous, the inner secondaries blackish on the outer webs,
often barred or indented with light brown. Tail evenly
barred with ftiscous and the color of the back. Under
parts white, usually quite pure on the belly and middle
line of the breast and throat, but much shaded with
brown on the sides, flanks, and crissum. Bill blackish
above, pale below; feet brown. Length about 5.00;
extent 6.50; wing 1.75-2.00; tail about the same; bill 0.50 or more; tarsus 0.66-0.75.
Temperate N. Am. ; Greenland. Breeds throughout its range, and winters in the Southern
States ; an abundant bird, colonizing reedy swamps and marshes in largo numbers, its great
globular nests of plaited rushes, with a hole iu the side, being atfixed to the swaying herbage ;
eggs ()-10, 0.5S X 0.45, very dark-colored, being so thickly dotted with chocolate-brown as to
appear almost uniformly of this color.
80. T. p. paludi'cola ? (Lat. paZHrficoZrt, a marsh-inhabiter; ;)f(Z«,s and co7o, I cultivate.) Tile
Marsh Wren. Scarcely recognizable as <listinct; bill said to be shorter, and tail and its
coverts more distinctly barred. Pacific Coast.
Fio. 151. -Long-billed JIarsh Wren,
nat. size. (Ad iiat. del. E. C.)
280
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSEHES— OSCINES.
26. CISTOTHO'RU8. (Gr. Kiarot, kistos, a shrub ; 6ovpos, thouros, leaping.) Marsh Wrens.
Like Telmatoihjtes ; ivliole back and crown streaked with white. Bill scarcely or not one-half
as long as bead. Eggs white.
81. C. stella'ria. (Lat. s^cZ/nns, starry ; i. o., speckled. Fig. 152.) Short-billed Marsh Wren.
Upper parts I)rown, the crown and most of the back blackish, streaked with white. Below,
whitish, shaded with clear brown across the breast and along
the sides, and especially on the Hanks and crissuin, the latter
more or less indistinctly barred with dusky (often inappreci-
able). A whitish line over the eye. Wings and tail marked
as in the last species. Upper tail-coverts decidedly ban-ed.
Bill blackish above, whitish below, extremely small, scarcely
half as long as the head; feet brown. Length 4.50; extent
5.75-6.00; wing and tail each about L75 ; bill 0.35-0.40;
tarsus, middle toe, and claw together, about 1.12. The streak-
ing of the hea<l and that of tlie back are usually separated
by a plain nuchal interval ; but these are as often run together, the whole bird above being
streaked with whitisli and bladdsh upon a brown ground. The wings, tail, and entire imder
l)arts are much like those of T. pahmtris, from which the species is distinguished by the mark-
ings of the ni)per parts and extremely sliort bill. Chiefly Eastern U. S. and adjoiuing British
Provinces; W. to Utah. Migratory; winters in the Southern States. Frequents marshy
places like T. pahistris, but is not common. Nesting different, and eggs white.
Fio. 152. — S!iort-l)illc(l Mnrali
Wren, nnt. size, i Ad imt. del. E. C.)
7. Family ALAUDID-ffi : Larks.
A rather small group, well definod by the character of the feet, in adaptation to terrestrial
life. The subcylindrical tarsi are scutellate and blunt behind as in front, with a deep groove
along the inner side, and a slight one, or none, on the outer face. That is to say, there is an
anomalous .structure of the tarsal envelope; the tarsus being covered with two series of scu-
tella, one lapping around in front, tlie other around behind, the two meeting along a groove on
the inner face of the tarsus, which is consequently blunt behind as M-ell as in front. There is a
simple suture of the two series <if plates on the outer face of the tarsus; the individual plates
of each series alternate. Oth(.'r characters (shared by some MotaciUiilcE) are the very long,
straight, hind claw, which (Mjuals or exceeds its digit in length ; the long, pointed wings, with
the 1st primary sj>urious or apparently wanting, and the inner secondaries (" tertiaries ")
lengthened and flowing. The nostrils are usually <'oncealed by dense tufts of antrorse featliers.
The shajie of the bill is not diagnostic, being sometimes shoit, stout and conic, much as in
some FrinffiUidfC, while in other cases it is slenderer, and more like that of insectivorous
Passeren. The family is composed, nominally, of a hundred species; M'ith the exception of one
genus and two or three species or varieties, it is confined to the Old World. Its .systematic
position is open to question ; s(ane jdace it at the end of the Oscine series, or remove it from
Oscines altogether, on account of the peculiarities of the podotheca; authors generally place it
near the FringiUida, from the resemblance of the bill of some species to that of some finches;
but it has many reIationshii)s with MotacillUlip, and, in the arrangement of this work, I find no
better place for it than here, though it has no special affinity with the preceding families.
Moreover, the fact that it appears to have indifferently 9 or 10 primaries may indicate a natunal
]iosition between the sets of families in which number of primaries is among the diagnostic
features. The musical apparatus is certainly well developed, as testified by the eminent vocal
powers of the celebrated sky-lark of Europe. The unpractised reader must be careful not to
confound the larks proper with certain birds loosely called "larks"; thus the titlarks, or pipits,
though sharing the lengthened, straightened hind claw and elongated inner wing-quills of
82.
ALAUDIDJE — CALANDRITINJE : SHORE LARKS.
281
Fifi. 153. — Shore Lark, much reduced,
ney, after Baird.)
Alaudida, belong to an entirely different family, the MotacillUl(B ; while the American fielii-
lark is one of the Icteridee, much further removed.
According to shape of hill, structure of nostrils, and apparent number of primaries, the
family may be divided into two subfamilies, the Alnudina, typified by the celebrated sky-lark
of Europe, and the Ccdmutritiiue, of which the well-known horned lark is a typical representa-
tive. IJoth of these occur in North America ;
the Alanda, however, only as a straggler from
Europe.
Calaxdritis*, without ivlilent spurious Ist primary,
tlie priiuurlcs apparently only 9.
ALAfDis.t:, with spurious 1st primary, the primaries
therefore evidently 10.
II. Subfamily CALANDRiTIN>E :
Shore Larks.
Kepreseiitcd in America by the single genus
ErcmopMla, of which there are nominally ten,
(From Ten- ri'ally f""!" I'l" five si)ecies, one of which occurs
in North America.
27. EUEMO'PHILA. (Gr. ipfjuos, eremos, a desert ; <f)i\(<o, iMleo, I love.) Hornkd Lakks.
Primaries apparently only (no obvious spurious 1st primary). Point of the wing fornieil
by the first .'$ developed primaries. Inner secondaries elongated. Tail of medium length,
nearly even, the middle pair of feathers different in shajjc and color from the rest. Bill com-
pressed-conoid, acute, shorter thim head. Nostrils completely concealed by dense tufts of
antrorse feathers. Head not crested, but a peculiar tuft of feathers over each ear, somewhat
like the so-called "horns" of some owls. Feet of ordinary alaiidine characters, as already
given. Coloration peculiar in the presence of yellowish tints and strong black bars on the
head and breast. The birds of this genus frequent open places, are strictly terrestrial in habits,
and never hop when on the ground, like most Passeres ; they are migratory in most localities,
and gregarious, except when breeding; nest on the ground, and lay 4-5 speckled eggs ; sing
sweetly in the .spring time.
82. E. alpes'tris. (Lat. cdpestris, alpine. Figs. 153, 154.) IIorxkd ok Shore Lark. <J ? ,
adult, in breeding plumage: Upper parts in general pinkish-brown, this jiinkish or viuaceous
or liliaceous tint brightest on the nape, lesser wing-
coverts, and tail-coverts, the rest of the upper parts
being duller and more grayish-brown, boldly variegated
with dark brown streaks; middle pair of tail-feathers
and several of the inner secondaries rufous-brown, with
tlarker centres. Under parts, from the breast backward,
white ; the sides strongly washed with the color of the
upper parts, and mottling of same across the lower part
of tlie breast. A large, distinct, shield-shaped black
area on the breast. Tail-feathers, except the uiiddle
pair, black, the outermost edged with whitish. Wing-
quills, except the innermost, plain fuscous, the outer
web of the 1st primary whitish. Lesser wing-coverts Pio. 154. — Shore Lark, nat size, (Ad
usually tipped with grayish -white. Top of head like "**• *'^'- ^ ^'^
nape; bar across front of vertex, thence extended along sides of cro^rn, and produced into a
tuft or " horn, " black ; front and line over eye, also somewhat produced to form part of the
tuft, white or yellowish ; a broad bar from nostrils along the lores, thence curving below the
eye and widening as it descends in front of the auriculars, black ; rest of the sides of the head
282
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES— OSCINES.
83.
84.
and.whulo throat white or sulphury-yellow. Bill pluinbcous-bluckish, bluish-plunibcous at
base below (soinetiuu's there yt'llowi.'*!!) ; feet ami daws black; iris brown. Length of (J,
7.00-7.50; extent 13.00-U.OO ; wing 4.25-4.50; tail 2.75-3.00; bill, from extreme base of
culmen, 0.40-0.50 ; tarsus O.SS-O.'JO ; middle too and claw rather less ; hind claw about 0.50,
usually longer than its digit, but very variable. 9 commonly smaller than tlm <J ; length
C. 75-7. 25 ; extent 12. 75-1;}. 25 ; wing about 4.00, etc. (J 9, adult, in winter: As usually
seen in most of the United States in the fall, winter, and early spring, ditt'er from the above in
more sordid coloration of the upper parts, which may be simply grayish-brown, heavily streaked
with dusky, even on the crown, with little or none of the '* pinkLsh " tints ; and in lack or re-
striction of the black markings of the head and breast, or their being veiled with whitish tips
of the individual feathers ; nevertheless, tlie sulphury tinge of the white parts about the head is
usually viM'y conspicuous. Fledglings have the upper parts dusky, mixed with some yellowish-
brown, and sprinkled all over with whitish or light tawny dots, each feather having a tenninal
speck. Most of the wing- and tail-feathers have rusty, tawny, or whitish edging and tipping.
The under parts are white, mottled with the colors of the upper parts along the sides and across
the back ; no tractes of definite black markings about the head and bn^ast, nor any yellow
tinge. Bill and feet jjale or yellowish. This peculiar speckled stage is of brief duration ; with
an early autumnal change, a dress, little if at all difl'erent from that of the adults in winter, is
acquired. Nesting begins very early in April, or even in March, sometimes before the snow is
gone, and freciuently other broods are reared through the summer; nest of grasses, etc., sunken
in the ground; eggs very variable in tone, but always profusely and heavily marked with
brownish-gray or dark stone-gray upon a grayish or greenish-white ground ; in some cases
the whole surface nearly uniform. Northern hemisphere at large; in America, chiefly north-
ern and eastern i)arts, breeding from the Nortlu^rn States northward, conunon in flocks in the
U. S. in winter; chiefly rejdaced in the West by the following varieties.
E. a. leucolee'ma. (Gr. Xtvxos, leiikos, white ; Xni^ds, laimos, throat.) Western Shore
Lark. Size of the foregoing. General coloration extremely pale — brownish-gray, the
peculiar ))inkish tint of certain pa ts sharing the general pallor. Black markings on head and
breast much restricted in extent, and white surroundings correspondingly increased — thus, the
black post-frontal bar scarcely or not broader than the white of the forehead. No yellow about
head, excepting usually a slight tinge on the chin. Changes of jjlumage parallel with those
already given ; even the nestlings show the same decided jjallor. Prairies of Western U. S.,
breeding everywhere north of about 40° ; very abundant.
E. a. clirysolee'ma. (Gr. xp^<^'°^> cJiruseos, gtdden ; Xaifios, hinios, throat.) South-west-
ern Shore Lark. Smaller than the foregoing : ^ with the M'ing scarcely or not 4.00, and
.,,. ^ - > . , • .^ other dimensions to correspond; a very small
specimen, probably 9 > 'i^is the wing only 3.50 ;
in another, marked (J, it is 3.75. The "jdnk-
ish " tinge intensified into ciiniamon-brown, and
pervading nearly all the upper parts ; yellow of
head intensified ; black markings very heavy, —
the black on the crown widened to occujjy more
thau half the cap, reducing the white frontlet to
a mere trace. Southwestern U. S. and Mexico,
breeding mostly south of 40° ; abundant.
Fio. 155. — Sky-Lark, reduced. (From Dixon.)
12. Subfamily ALAUDIN>E: Sky.Larks.
Bej)rescnted in America by one species, a
straggler from the Old World. Fig. 155.
28. AIAU'DA. (Lat. alanda, a lark ; supposed Celtic al, high, and aud, song.) Sky-Larks.
H.'i.
MOTACILLIDJE : WAGTAILS AND PIPITS.
283
Priinivrioa 10, the spurious Ist primary niinnto but evident. Head subcrestod, but witlmut
lateral ear-ttifts. Wiugs long, pointed, the tij) formed by the fii-st 3 develojjed primaries ;
inner secondaries long and Wowing. Tail eriiarginute, little more than half as long as wing.
Tarsus equal to middle toe and elaw. Lateral toes of unequal lengths. 8ex(!s alike. Nest on
the ground. Eggs 4-j, tliickly speckled.
S.l. A. arven'sis. (Lat. arrensis, relating to arable land ; armtm, a ploughed field.) Sky Lark.
Upper parts grayisli-brown, the feathers with darker centres; under parts whitisli, tinged
with buif across breast and along sides, and there streaked with dusky ; a jmiIc superciliary
line ; wings with much whitish edging; outer tail-feather mostly white, the next one or two
with white borders. Length of ^ 7.50; extent 11.75; wing about 4.00; tail 2.50; bill
0.50; tarsus or middle toe and claw 1.00; hind toe 0.45, its claw up to nearly 1.00. 9
smaller. This celebrated bird, whose music so often inspires the poet, occurs as a straggler
from Europe in Greenland, and also, it is said, in Bermuda and Alaska. It has also been im-
ported and turned out in this country, where it may perhaps become naturalized.
8. Family MOTACILLID-ffi : "Wagtails and Pipits.
<.aih3l^^ jjjjj gj^„rtcr than the head, very
slender, straight, acute, notched at
tip. Nostrils not concealed by
feathers, which however reach into
the nasal fossffi. Rictus not nota
bly bristled. Primaries 9, of wliich
the 1st is about as long as the 2d,
and the first 3, 4, or 5, form the
point ; inner secondaries enlarged,
the longest one nearly or quite
equalling the primaries in the closed
wing. Tail lengthened, averaging
about equal to the wing. Feet
long and slender ; tarsus scutellate,
usually longer than the middle too
and claw ; inner toe cleft to the
very base, but basal joint of outer
toe soldered witli the middle one ;
hind toe bearing a long and little
curved claw (except in 3Iotacilla
proper). A pretty well-defined
group of one hundred, chiefly Old
World, species, wliich may be
Fio. 15C.- Upper, White Wagtail; lower, Yellow Wagtail. termed ten-estrial Sylvias, all liv-
(From Dixon.) ing mostly on the ground, where
they run with facility, never hopping like most Oscines. They are usually gregarious ; are
insectivorous and migratory. They have gained their name from the characteristic habit of
moving the tail with a peculiar see-saw motion, as if they were using it to balance themselves
upon unsteady footing. Tiu-y may be distinguished from all the foregoing birds, except
Alaudida:, by having only 9 primaries ; from all the following Oscines, by having long flowing
inner secondaries ; and from Alaudida, with which they agree in this respect, as well as in
usually having a lengthened, straightish hind claw, by having the tarsal envelope as in
Oscines generally, slender bill, and exposed nostrils. Two subfamilies are generally recog-
nized, though the distinctions are scarcely more than generic.
284
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEItES— OSCINES.
Aiinljinh nf Siiltriimllirn anil flvnrru.
MoTACiLLiNi:. Point of wing formed l>y tlrat .'I prlnmrlco. Tiill longer nr not obvloiinly shorter tlmn wIngH, witli
niirruw liii^rlng feitlliorB. UinU cliiw variable In length nnd curvature. Coloration black and white, or
yclluw and greenlHli.
Tall decldfdly longer tliiin wIiikh, doubly enmrglnate. Illnil claw of ordinary length nnd curvature.
Colors bliickiiiHliy, anil wlillc, 111 niiiSKi'H Molnrillit 2i)
Tail, If nnythlng, Hliorter tlmu wings, nearly oven. Hind elaw lengthened and Htralglitencd. Colors
yellow nnil green, In inasHi'S Jlmlj/tin 30
Anthi.n.i;. Point of wliin formed by llrst 4 or .% primaries. Tall decliliilly slioilcr than whigB, Its feathers not
tajierliig. Hlml elaw lengthened and straightened. Coloration brownish, the uniler parts streaked, ujipor
usually also variegated.
Tarsus not shorter (rather longer) than hind too and elaw. Tail moderately sliorter than wing, the
outslreti'hed feet not reaching l)eyond its end Iiilliiis ;!l
Tarsus shorter than hind toe and claw. Tall only about two-thirds as lung as wing, the outstretched
feet reacldng lieyund Its end Stomvya 'Xi
13. Subfamily MOTACILLIN>E : Wagtails.
Rcprosontod in Aincrica by two sjiccics ; in tlic Old World liy nearly fifty siu'cic.'* (ir vari-
eties, ehii'Hy beliingiiiK to tjie genn.s Motdcilla and its sulidivisions or immediate allies, of
whieh Biidijies is one, forming ii perfect connecting link between Motacilla jn-oiier and tlie
Anthina;.
29. MOTACIL'LA. (Lat. mota-cilla, wag-tail; name of wone small bird.) White Waotailh.
Tail much longer than wings, of 12 narrow, weak, taiiering or almost linear feathers. First
3 primaries abont e(|nal and longest; longest .lecondary (when full grown) about reaching
their en<ls when the wing is closed; these Howing secondaries narrow and tapering. Tarsi long
and slender; lateral toes of abont efpial lengths; hind claw not particniarly lengtiieiu'd or
straightened ; with its digit much shorter than the tarsus. Form remarkably lithe and slender;
coloration black, ashy, and white, in large masses.
80. M. al'bn. (Lat. '(//(«, white. Fig. l.")!).) WiUTlc Wac.tatl. (J, in summer : Head black,
with a broad mask of white across forehead and ahnig sides ; the black extending on the fore-
breast ; wings blackish, with much white edging and tipping of the (piills and greater coverts;
tail black, the two lateral feathers on each side mostly white ; back and sides ashy; lower
parts mostly white; bill and feet black. In winter the black more restricted, that on the fore
breast forming a crescent spot. 9 similar, the black still nioro restricted, in part rejdacod by
gray. Young, gray above, grayish-white Ixdow, with a gray or blackish crescent on the
fore neck. Length about 7.25 ; wing 3.25 ; tail 3.75 ; tarsus O.'JO; bind toe and claw 0.00;
bill 0.50. A species of wide distributi(m in Eurojie and Asia, occasional in Greenland.
86a. M. ocula'ris. (Lat. nciihris, octdar.) .Sibehiax Wao.taii.. Larger, and with a black eye-
stripe in the white mask. Occurs at Plover IJay, East Siberia, an<i may be expected acro.ss
Behring's Straits. (Not in the Check List, 1882; since found in (.'alifornia.)
30. BU'DYTK8. (Or. ^ouSJttjs, himliites, some snuiU bird.) Yei.i.ow WAtiTAlL. Characters of
Motacilla; tail shorter, not exceeding the wing in length ; hind claw lengthened and straightish ;
hind toe and claw nearly as hmg as the tarsus. Cfdoration chiefly yellow and greenish.
87. B. fla'vus? (Lat. ^an<.s, yeHow. Figs. 157, 150.) Yem.ow Wa(jtail. Blce-iieaued
Qi'AKE-TAiL. Adult: Above, yeUowish-green ; below, rich
ft*>*J yellow, shaded with greenish on the sides, and bleaching on
the chin. Top and sides of head bluish-gray, enclosing a long
white superciliary stripe; a dusky stripe from corner of mouth
„^ through eye to ear-coverts. Qnills of the wing dusky, the
lesser coverts edged with the color of the back ; median and
greater coverts showing whitish wing-bars, and inner second-
Fio. 157. - Yellow Wagtail, *"•'* '^''^.'"^ ^'^''^ *''" ^'""*'- ''''*'' '^"^''^J'' ^^^ '"'•'^lo feathers
nearly nat. size. (After Baird.) ' edged with tho color of tlio back; tho outer two on each side
MOTACILLin^-ANTHIN^ : PIPITS, OB TITLARKS.
285
;il
31,
88.
Pio, 1B8. — Meadow I'lplt. (Frum Dlxun.)
mostly wliite. Rill and foct black. Length about 0.50; wing 3.00; tail about 2.75; bill 0..")0;
tarsus 0.90; liiml toe and claw 0.65. A protean spocii's of e.xtciisive dispersiou in Europe and
Asia, occurring abinidantly in Alaska; tliero 18 hoiuc uncertainty to what form the American
bird strictly belongs. It is that with tlic whole side of tlie head, below the wliite stripe, slaty-
blackish, and some dusky markings on breast ; doubtless some Asiatic sub-species {tuivunuii
Swiuh. ?)
14. Subfamily ANTHIN^: Pipits, or Titlarks.
In these, the tail is sliorter than the wings,
and composed of broader featliers retaining their
widtli to near the end; -1 or 5 primaries usually
form tlie jxtint of the wing; tlm tarsi are rela-
tively shorter, usually about e(puil to the middle
toe; th(> lateral toes are longer, the points of
their claws reaching beyond the base of the mid-
dle chiw; the hind claw is always leiigtlu^ued
and straightened (as in the figure beyond given
of Anthiis ludovicianuit^ ; and the c(doration is
" niggled," that is tt) say, broken up in streaks
and spots. The species of Aiithincc nnike up
m>arly or about half the family; they are chiefly referable to the genus Aitthus, of which,
however, there are several subdivisions. In typical Atithux, the wing is longer than the tail,
and its point is formed by the outer 4 primaries, the 3th being abruptly shorter; the hind
claw is nearly straight, and nearly or (piite e<pui1s its digit in length. Xeocon/s <Mily differs in
having the feet larger and tail shorter. In certain S. Am. forms, I'ediomrya and Notiocon/s,
the wing is more rounded, and 1 or even 5 primaries enter into the tip of the wing ; iu
several European subgenera only 15 primaries are abruptly longer than the succeeding ones.
Our AnthuH is strictly congeneric with the European A. spinoktta, tyjie of the genus. About
fifty species (among them six or eight Central and South American ones) are ascribed to
Anthhite. They an^ terrestrial and more or less gregarious birds, migratory and insectivorous.
AN'THUS. ((Jr. livOoi, (infhos, Lat. uiithus, a kind of bird.) PiPiTS. Hill sliorter than head,
about as wide as high at base, couijiressed in most of its extent, acute at tip, where distinctly
notched ; culmeu slightly concave between base and terminal convexity ; rictus slightly bristled.
Wiugs longer than tail, tijiped by the first 4 prinuu'ies, 5th abruptly shorter. Tarsi not
shorter or rather longer than the hiiid toe and claw ; inner lateral toe rather long<ir than the
outer, or the two about e'lual. Tail extending beyond the end of the outstretched feet.
Markings of upiMir parts distinct, and sliudo of under parts greenish in pratensis 88
MarliingB of upper parts obscure, and sliade of under parts buH'y in ImlorieiamiH 89
A. praten'sis. (Lat. ^jra^e»isis, relating to ^)raN<Hi, a meadow. Fig. 158.) Meadow Pipit.
Upper parts pale greenish-brown, distinctly marked with blackish-brown centres of the feath-
ers; wing-fpiills and coverts clove-brown, edged with greenish -gray. Tail-feathers dark
brown, edged with the greenish shade of the back, the (juter one obli(iuely white for nearly half
its length, and others with white at the end. Cheeks olivaceous, speckled with dusky. Under
parts browuish-whito with a tinge of green, marked on the breast and sides with brownish-
black streaks running forward as a nnixillary chain ; chin, belly, and under tail-coverts un-
marked. Bill dusky above and at end, the rest livid fiesh-color; feet obscure llesh-ccdor ; iris
blackish. Length about G.OO; extent 9.50; wing 3.00; tail 2.50; bill 0.50; tarsus 0.75.
Europe; North American as occurring in Greenland, and also, it is said, in Alaska. I have
seen Alaskan Pipits, certainly not ludovicianus, and apparently pratetisis; but too young and
in too bad condition to furnish decisive characters.
286
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEliL'S — OSCINES.
Fio. 169. — Titlark, iiat.
Bize. (Ad imt. (Ii'l. K.C.J
80. A. luaovicia'nuB. (Lut. of LoiUHiana ; Liiiloviciis, Lmiis. Fiy. 159.) LonsiANA Pipit.
Ahkur'AN TlTLAKK. IJitowN Lauk. Waotail. V\>\n'T parts dark brown with an olivo
(tliuilf, iiio.st of tlu' fcatlii'rs witli iln.sky ccutroH, giving tm oltHciiro
Ktri'aky or nebulous n|i)i<'aran('(' ; cyi'liils, suiH'rciliary lini-, and all
undfr jiart.s lirowni.sh-whiti', or jialc luitl'y or oclircy brown, vcrv
^^ V. variable in shade from muddy white to rich butf, the breast and sides
^^^^^^^ \^ of the body and neck thickly streaked with dusky ; win^s and tail
^^^^^^^\ blackish, the inner secondaries imle-edp'd, and ]-.'{ outer tail-feathers
^^^^^^m white wholly or in jtart. Hill blackish, jiale at base below ; feet brown.
^^^^ f i\ ''''"«'•' •'•^'>-''-7j> sometimes 7.00; extent 10.25-11.00; wing W.-l^-
j\\ ;<-"'0: tail 2.75-:J.00; bill 0...0 ; tarsus O.'.K). X. Am., everywhere ;
'J an abundant and well-known bird of fields and plains ; mi^fratory; in
the r. IS. seen chieHy in tloeks in fall, winter, and early spring;
breeds in high latitudes, and in the Hocky Mts. above timber line
us far south as Colorado; lays l-C) very diirk-colored eggs, 0.80 x O.dO, in a mossy or grassy
nest on the ground; voice i[ueruloiis, gait tremulous, flight vacillating.
32. NEO'CORYS. ((jr. vtot, iwos, new; Kopvs, konis, a helmet, and hence ajiplied to a kind of
crested lark.) Sky Pipith. Characters of Anthiis, from which little distinguished by tho
shorter and more in^arly even tail and larger feet, which when outstretched reach beyond tho
eiiil of the tail; tarsus shorter than hind toe and claw. Colors clearer and markings nuire dis-
tinct than in Anthux liidovicianun ; more as in some European species oi Anthus.
90. N. spra'Kuli. (To Isaac Sprague, of Mass.) Spiia»iik'h Pipit. .Mi.s.S()i'Ui Titlauk.
Above, variegated with numerous streaks of dark brown and gray, in largest pattern on tho
back, smallest on tho mijie, the gray constituting tho edging of the feathers. Ikdow, dull whit-
i.sh, more or le.ss brownish-shaded across the breast and alonti the sides; the breast sharply
streaked, tho sides less distinctly so, with dusky; a more or li'ss evident series of ma.xillary
spots. Quills dark grayish-brown; the inner ones, and tho wing-coverts, ed;;ed with grayish-
white, corresponding to the pattern of the hack. Middle tail-feathers like the back ; next ones
Idackish-brown, tho two outer pair wholly or mostly puro white, the lid j)air from tho outside
usually touched with white near the end. With reduction of the gray editings of tho feathers
of the upper parts by wearing away in sunimor, tho bird becomes darker above, with narrower
and sharper variegation, and the jtoetoral streaks aro fainter. Hill blackish above; below,
like the feet, pale Hesh-coh)r; iris black. After the fall moult tho c(dors again become pure;
the streaking of the upjior i)arts is strong and sharp, and tho under parts ac<piire a ruddy-brown
shade. Young: Edgings of tho feathers of tho upper jiarts bufl'y, giving a rich complexion to
the plumage; feathers of back with puro white edging, forming conspicuous semicircular mark-
ings; greater wing-coverts and long inner secondaries broadly tii)ped with white, and ])rima-
ries broadly edged and tipped with white or buff. Ear-coverts buffy-brown, forming a more
con.spicuous patch than in the adult. Under parts strongly tinged, except on throat and middle
of belly, with buffy-brown, the pectoral and lateral streaks largo and diffused. Soxes indistin-
guishable; 9 rather snuiller than <J. Length G.25-<).73, rarely 7.00; extent 10.00-11.00,
generally about 10.30, rarely 11..50; wing 3^00-;i.:50; tail 2.2.5-2.40; bill 0.50; tarsus 0.80-
O.'JO; middle too and claw 0.90; hind too and claw nearly 1.00, tho claw ahmo about 0.50.
Central portions of tho U. S., and adjoining British Provinces, from tho eastern edge of tho
high central plains to tho Kocky Mts., from the valleys of tho Kod Kiver of the North and
of the Saskatchewan to Texas ; breeding in profusion in Dakota and Montana ; nest on tho
ground, of fine dried grasses, .sometimes arched over; eggs 4-5, 0.90 X O.GO, grayish-white
minutely Hocked with darker, giving a jjurplish cast. General habits and maimers of titlarks;
but soaring flight when singing, and tho song itself, having all tho (pialities which have made
the European skylark famous, and being no less worthy of colobratiou in poetry.
S YL VICULWJK : A ME RICA N WA lillL KliS.
JS7
9. Family SYLVICOLID-ffi : American "Warblers.
I'rimariiis, iiiiif ; r
trices, twt'lvc ; tiirci hcii-
ti'llatc ; inner xcnuKiaricx
iiiit ('iilurijt'll, nor liiml tnr
Iciit'tliciird iiikI HtriiiKlit-
I'Mi'il, as in till' t\vii prc-
ccdini; families ; bill with-
out a Idlie or tooth near
the iiiiildle of the coni-
iiiissiire, as in Viirnniju ;
not strongly toothed ami
hooked at end, as in l.n-
iiiiis and Vireo (which
may have ten ])rimaries),
nor t,'reatly tlatteiUMl with
jjaiie reacliini; to eyes, as in
llirnndimUc, nor strictly
Pio, 100. — Blnck-tliroati'd »)r«oii Warbler, nnt. size. (AJ nat. del. E. C.) conical with auL'nlated
commissure, as in FiitiijiUuJa;. The family jiresonts such a numher of minor modifications
(if form, that it seems impossible to characterize it, except negatively ; in fact, it has never been
satisfactorily defined. But doubtless the student will be able to assure himself that his spt-ci-
luen is a sylvicoliue, by its not showinfi; the peculiarities of our other nine-primaried Oscines.
All the .sylvicolas luv smnll birds; excepting Icteria, and jjcrhaps a species of Sii(riis, not
one is over six inches long, and they hardly averngo over five. With fuw exceptions they
arc beautifully clothed in variegated cidors; but the sexes are generally unlike, and tiie changes
of plumag<', with age and season of the year, are usually strongly nmrked, so that ditlerent
speciinens of the same species may bear to each »)ther but little resemblance ; this of conr.se
renders careful di.scrimination necessary. The usual shai)e of the bill nniy be called conoid-
elongate (something like a slender minid bullet in miniature), but the variations in jirecise
shape are endless. The rictus is usually bristh.'d ; the bristles sumetinies have an extraordi-
nary development, and are soniethues wanting. The wings are longer than the tail, except
in Gcothhipis, Ictcriu, and one or two exotic genera ; neither the wing n.r tail ever presents
striking fiirms; t\w head is never crested. The feet have no special peculiarities, though
tlic^y show some slight modifications cttrrespondiug to somewhat terrestrial, or more strictly
arboricole, habits. The nidification is endlessly varied, more or less artistic or artless nests
being built in trees, bushes, ludes, or im the ground. Musical proficiency might be expected
from the agreeably suggestive luune of the family, but as a rule the "warbler's" singing is
rather " (plaint and curious" than very skilfully modulated or highly melodious, — to which
statement, however, there is signal excejitioii to be taken, as in the case of the Sinri. Some of
the warblers have tlie habits of titmice or wrens ; others of creepers or nuthatches; the Siiiri
closely resemble the titlarks in some respects, and have even been placed in the MotacillidfC ;
while the Setophnginte sinuilate the TyrnnnkUc (of a different suborder) so perfectly that they
used to be classed with these damatorial flycatchers. The warblers grade so perfectly t(tward
the tanagers that they have all been made a subfamily of TanagridcB (where possibly they
belong). The attinity of some of them with the Carchidic, or honey-creepers of the tropics, is
so dose that the dividing line has not been drawn. The position of Icteria and its two asso-
ciate exotic genera, GranateUus and Teretristis, is open totpiestion; perhaps they come nearer
Virconidcc. It is probable that final critical study will result in a remapping of the wlnde
1
III
288
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSERES — OSCINES.
group ; incanwhilp, the very diversity of fonns included in it enables us to mark oflf sections
with case.
This is the second largest family of North American birds, the FringillideE alone surpass-
ing it in number of species. If not exactly " representative,'' in a teclmical sense, «tf the Old
World Sylviinee, it may be considered to reidace that family in America, liaving much tho
same )'(5/c in bird-economy ; both families abound in species and individuals; they are small,
migratory, insectivorous, and everywhere take prominent ))art in tho make-up of the bird-fauna.
There are ujjward of a hundred sjiecies of Sylcicolklcc, distributed over the whole of North and
Middle America, and much of South America. The centre of abundance of the Sctuphaniiue,
or flycatching warblers, is in the warmer parts of America ; comparatively few sjM'cies reach
the United Stati's, and only two or three arc extensively dispersed in this country. On tlio
other hand, the Si/lcicolimc are more particularly bird.s of Nortli America ; very few of tho
spec'ies are confined to Middle or South Americii ; and iJciidraca, the leading type of this grouj),
is the largest, most beautiful, and iH jst attractive genus of North American birds, preeminently
characteristic of this country. The warblers have we always with us, all iu their own good
time; tlu'y come out of the South, ])ass on, return, and are away again, their appearance and
withdrawal scarcely less tlian a my.stery ; many stay with us all sunnner long, and some brave
the winters in our midst. Some of these (flight creatures, guided by unerring instinct, travel
true to the meridian in the liours of darkness, slipjiing past " like a tliief iu the niglit," stoop-
ing at day-break from their lofty flights to rest and recruit for the next .stage of tlie journey.
Others pass more leisurely from tree to tree, iu a ceaseless tido of migration, gleaning as they
go; tlie hardier males, in full song and plumage, lead the way for the weaker females and the
yearlings. Witli tireless industry do the warblers befriend the human race; their unconscious
zeal plays duo part in tlie nice adjustment of Nature's forces, helping to bring about that bal-
ance of vegetable and insect life without which iigriculture would be in vain. Tlioy visit tlie
orchard when the apple and pear, tlie peach, i>linn, and cherry are in bloom, seeming to revel
carelessly amid the sweet-sceuted and delicately-tinted blossoms, but never faltering in their
good work. They peer into the crevices of the bark, scrutinize each leaf, and explore tlie very
heart of the buds, to detect, drag forth, and destroy those tiny creatures, singly iiisigniiicant,
collectively a scourge, which prey uiwn the hopes of the fruit-grower, and which, if undisturbed.
Would bring his care to nought. Some M-arblers Hit incessantly in the terminal foliage of tlio
tall(>st trees ; others hug close to tho scored trunks and gnarled boughs of the forest kings ;
some peep from the thicket, the coppice, the impenetrable mantle of shrubbery tiiat decks tiny
water-courses, playing at hide-and-.seek with all corners ; others more humble still descend to
the ground, where they glide with pretty mincing steps and affecttMl turning of the head this
way and tliat, their delii-ate tlesb-tinted feet just stirring the layer of witiiered leaves with
whicli a past season cai'iieted the ground. We may seek warblers everywhere iu their season ;
we .shall find them a continual surprise; all mood and circumstance! is theirs.
As at jiresent constituted, the Sifh'icolUhr, comprising upwards of a hundred good species,
may be divided into three subfamilies, the character.s of M'hich, given more at length beyonil,
may here be shortly contrasted : —
Analysis 0/ S'thfamilies.
Si/lvicolinie.—'W\ngR longer than tnll (except In Gcothhjpis) ; bill conical, slender; coninilssiiro Bllglitly
curved, witli short bristles or none. Size moderate.
IcIiriiiKf. —Wings shorter than tail ; bill compressed, high, very stout ; commissure much curved, with-
out any bristles ; size very large.
Setojiltanina. — Winfin longer than tail; bill brood, flattened ; commissuro slightly cunrod, with bristle*
reaching far beyond tho nostrils.
Artificial Key to the Genera qf Sylvicolida.
Length 7.00 inches 01 ore Icteria 43
Length 5.S0 inches or more an<l tail-feathers plain Siurua 40
Length under 6.60 or tail-fcnthers not plain.
SYL VICOLIDJE — SYL VI COLIN jE : TR UE WAIiBLERS.
289
wing shorter than tall, or equal and head ashy Oeothlypis 42
Wing longer than tall, or equal and head not ashy
Tarsus shorter than middle too and claw AlniotUta 'SS
Tarsus not Hliorter than ndddlo toe and claw.
Rlctal bristles evidently reaching far beyond nostrils.
Tall black and orange, or black and white, or dark and yellow Setophaga 40
Tail ashy edged with white, ai'<l head willi red Oirdellina 45
Tail greenish, unmarked, or with white blotches Myiodioctea 44
liictal bristles evidently not reaching far beyon<l nostrils, or not eyident at all.
Tail-feathers all unmarked.
mil at least 0.50 inches long, very acute ; 4 black stripes on head, or none . Ihlminllierus 3tt
Bill not U.50 inches long.
Wing over 2.50 inches ; bill not acute ; bright yellow below, or head ashy . Opnromia 41
Wing not over 2.50 Inches ; bill very acute ; no bristles Udminthophila 37
Tail-feathers blotched with white, or yellow on inner webs.
Uictal bristles not evident.
Bill not 0.50 inch long ; whole fore parts not yellow llelminthophila 37
Bill at least 0.50 inch long i whole foreparts yellow I'rnlonotaria 35
Rlctal bristles very evident.
Bock blue with gold spot, throat and legs yellow /'nnila 34
Head orange-brown with black bar througli eye I'tuci:ilrnmu» 38
Coloration otherwise /Mnilrwca 39
lAaijiiostics or Characteristics of some of the Genera, of Sylvicolida).
O'.iera Mniotilta, t'arula, and Peucetlramus are crerpinn irarhlers, with certain slight moditicationg of the
feel, juabling them to scramble about the trees much like creepers or nuthatches.
Ocnera Geothhjpls and O/iorornis i\to yrouiul irurhUrs, with the feet modilicd In adaptation to terrestrial
' '■>. Uenus Siurus is similar In this resnect ; the species walk on the ground, and act in some res(>ects like Motu-
C. 'OS.
Genera Protonotaria, Helmintherus, and llelminthophila tae" worm-eating" warblers (.the old genus Ver-
mlToral, with slight rlctal bristles or none.
Uenera Setophaga, Cardelliiia, and Myioilioctes are Jly-catchiny warblers, with strongly bristled bill and
muscicapine habits, In some respects like siiccies of Tyranniiltr.
Genus Icteria is isolated by its peculiarities of form and habits, and great size for this family,
Genus IJemlraca comprehends the itooil warblers par excellence, — the largest genus, with over twenty
s|)6cies.
Bill : — Peculiarly stout, high, and compressed In fcteria ; — lialtlsb, and strongly bristled in Setophaga,
(^ardellina and MyioiliiKtes: — large, viUh .straightisli outlines, scarcely or not bristled, and very acute in /'ro-
lonotaria and llelminlhirus; — small, unbristled, and very acute In llelminthophila.
Fbi;t ; —Tarsus longest, slenderest, and usually pale-tinted in the yrnuml warblers .—shortest In the creep-
ing warblers, with relatively longest toes.
WiNOs : — Shorter than the tall in Icterin and species of (leolhli/pis ; — about equal to tlie tall in species of
Oeothlypis, Siurus, Setophayn, and ( 'anlellina : — usually ilcciiledly longer than the tail.
Tail : — Tlie feathers (some or all) hlotrhed with white in the following: Mniotilta. Parnia, Protonotaria,
species of llelminthophila, all Dendra'cn- excepting I), irstira, Pmcedranius, one Myiodioctes, one Sitophaya.
The feathers plain olivaceous, or otherwise like the back, uninarkeil, in species of llelminthophila, In Helmintherus,
Oporomis, (liothlypis, Siurus, Icterin, species of .Vyiodioctes, < 'ardellina ; yellow and dark in one Setophaga and
one Detuhveca.
15. Subfamily SYLVICOLIN^: True Warblers.
Bill eoiioiil-t.'lDiigato, sliortcr tliiiii lipiid, iil)(Uit us liigli as, or rather higher thiiii wide oppo-
site the nostrils, not hooked, and witli hut a .slight iioteh, if any, at tip: eoinniissiire straight
or .slightlj' curved ; a tew rietiil hristles, reaching little, if any. beyond the nostrilt", or none.
Wings ])ointed, iisnally loiigt^r than the narrow, nearly even tail.
This heatitifiil group, which comprehends tlie great majority of the Warblers, is s])eciall y
characteristic of North AnuM'ica, and reaches its highest development in the eastern portions of
the contini»nt, inpinly through tho preponderance of species of the largest genus, Dendraca.
All the genera ana most of the species of Siihknlincc are found in this country, mainly as iiii-
grimts, which appear in the spring, pass thi^ summer, and retirt; for the winter to Me.xico, the
West Indies, and Central or even South America; though some pass the inclement season
within our limits, and one at least is found in winter in Northern States.
1',)
290
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSERES— 0SCINE8.
Fio. 161. — Black-aiul-white
Creeper, nat. size. (Ad nat. del.
E. C.)
Here belong the goncra Mniotilta, Pariila, Proionotaria, Helmintherus, Hdminthophila,
Peucechanuis, Uendrwcu, Siiirus, Oimrornis, uiul Geothh/pis.
33. MNIOTIL'TA. (Gr. ixviov, mnioii, moss, aud tCKKo, tillo, I pluck, or nXros, tiltos, plucked ;
conjectural application to tlie nest-building.) t"REEi>iNCr Waubleus. Coloration entirely
black-and-white ; tail-feathers white-blotched. Tarsus not longer than middle toe and claw ;
hind t<je long, with large claw. Wings long, pohited, 1st }triniary about as long as 2d ; tail
nearly even, much shorter than wing. Hill nearly as long as head, slender, much compressed,
with concave lateral outlines, and cur\-ed culmen aud gouys, slightly notched and bristled.
Only one good species.
*!• M. var'ia. (Lat. mnVr, variegated. Fig. 161.) Black-and-white Creeper. ,J, adult:
Black ; edges of featliers of upper parts, coronal, superciliary, and maxillary stripes, tips of
gniater and median wing-coverts, outer edges of inner second-
aries and inner edges of quills and tail-feathers, and spots on
inner webs of lateral tail-ft'athers, white; under parts mostly
white, with black streaks ou sides and crissum ; bill and feet
black. 9 similar: less black in proportion to the white, being
mostly white below. Length 5.0(J-3.25 ; extent S. 25-8. 73 ; wing
2.35-2.75 ; tail 2.25 ; bUl ueiirly 0.50. Eastern N. Am. ; N. to
the Fur Countries ; W. to Dakota; migratory; breeds throughout
its range ; winters from the southern border southward. .\
common bird of woodland, thicket, and swamp, generally seen
scrambling actively about the tninks and larger branches of tl»>
trees, rather like a mithatch than like a creeper, the tail not being nsed as a prop. Nest on
the ground, or in a stump, of bark-strips, mosses, grasses, leaves, hair, etc. ; eggs 4*-5, 0.70 X
0.52, Miiite, profusely marked with reddish and other dots.
02. M. V. borea'lls? (Lat. 6o)e« /is, northern ; ?>o)eas, the north wind.) Saiall-billed Creep-
er. Nortiierly .specimens said to have the bill shorter and straighter.
84. PA'RULA. (Lat. panda, diminutive of jjajms, a tit.) Blue Yellow-backed Warblers.
Coloration highly variegated; tail-feathers white-blotched; biusk bluish, with yellowish
spot; throat yellow, with diirk spot; feet pale. .Size very small — -under 5.00 inches. Bill
short, stoutish; the notch obsolete, the bristles slight though evident. Two very distinct
species in N. Am.
93. P. america'na. (Lat. of America ; said to be named not for X\u\ Italian navigator, but from a
mountain in Central America f) $, in spring: Upper parts clear ashy-blue; middle of back
with a patch of greenish-yellow or brownish-golden. Lores dusky. A white spot on each
eyelid. Wings blackish, crossed on the ends of the greater and middle coverts with two broad
white bars; primaries narrowly, secondaries more broadly, edged externally with the color of
the back, internally with white. Tail like wings, with much edging of outer webs like the
back, the middle featliers mostly bluish ; at least two outer feathers on each side with large,
white, squarish patciies <m the inner w'eb near the end, usually third feather blotched with
white, and a white touch on fourth or even fifth feather. Chin and throat yellow, rather nar-
rowly confined, this yeUow sjireading over the whole breast, but much of brea.st spotted or
tinged with orange-brown, and jugulum showing even a decided blackish ctdhir; cobtration of
this part very variable ; sometimes reddish-brown markings along the sides, much as in the
ciiestuut-sided M-arbler. Rest of \iw\n- parts wliite. Bill above black ; below wliitish or flesh-
colored, drying yellowish. Legs pule. Length 4.50-4.75 ; extent 7.00-7.50; wing 2.10-2.30;
tail 1.75. 9 J i'l spring : Like the ^J; upper parts less brightly bluish, or with .slight greenish
gloss; back- patch not .so well defined; less white on tail; white wing-bands narrower; dark
or reddish tinting of the fore breast less decided or scarcely indicated ; the yellow itself more
restricted. Young : Bluish of upper parts glossed over with greenish, sometimes to such extent
U4.
sylvicolid^—sylvicolinj:: tmue warblers.
291
U4
as to obscure the dorsal patch, which .is then not very ilitforent from the rest of the upper parts.
White tail-spots smaller, generally confined to two <>utcr feathers on each side. AVIiite wing-
bands narrower. Edging of tail and wings tinged with grcenisli, like tlie back. Eyelids not
spotted witli white. Yellow of fore under parts pale, witli little or ni> indication of the dusky
across the juguhun. White of the under parts tinged with yellowish posteriorly, and fre-
quently showing brownisli touclies along the sides. Eastern U. S. and British Provinces ; W.
sometimes to the Kooky Mts. ; migratory ; breeds in the greater part of its N. American range,
but diiefly nortlierly ; winters from Florida southward. An elegant, diminutive sjjecics, abun-
dant in liigli open woods, wliere it is generally observed fluttering among the smallest twigs
and terminal foliage. Nest in trees, an elaborate woven structure of mosses and lichens ; eggs
4-5, 0.62 X 0.48, white with the usual sprinkling of reddish and (jther dots.
P. nlgrilo'ra. (Lat. niyer, black ; lontiii, a bridle ; applied to the space between eye and
bill of a bird.) Sennett's Wakbler. ,J, adult : Upper parts of the same ashy-blue coh)r
as in P. americana, with a dorsal patch of greenish-yellow exactly as in that species. Wings
also as in americana, dusky, witli grayish-blue outer, and whitisli inner, edgings, and crossed
by two ccjnspicuous wliite bars across tips of greater and middle coverts. Tail as in ameri-
cana, but the wliito spots smaller and almost restricted to two outer featliers on each side.
Eyelids black, icithout white marks. Lores broadly and intensely black, this color extending
.•IS a narrow frontal line to meet its fellow across base of culmen, and also reaching back to
iuvade the auriculars, on which it shades through dusky to the general bluish. Under parts
yellow as far as the middle of the belly, and a little farther on the flanks, and also si)readiug up
I lie sides of the jaw to involve part of the mandibular and malar region; on the fore breast
de«'pening into ricli orange, but showing nothing of the orange-chestnut and blackish of P.
americana. Lower belly, flanks and crissum white. Bill black above, yellow below. Legs
undettnable light horn-color. Length about 4.50; wing 2.00-2.20; tail l.SO-1.90; bill
from nostril 0.3S-0.40 ; tarsus 0.62-O.G5 ; middle toe alone 0.40. Texas. Another little
exquisite, recently added to our fauna ; quite distinct from, though resembling, P. americana;
coming nearer P. pitiayiimi, a Mexican species.
PROTONOTA'RIA. (Low Lat. protonotarius, first notary, or scribe ; why f) Golden
SwAMi' W.\UBi.EKS. Bill of great size, nearly as long as head, compressed, conic, acute, with
slightly notched tip and scarcely bristled rictus. Wings pointed, unmarked, much longer than
the short, nearly even, spotted tail. Tarsus equal to middle toe and claw. One species.
P. cit'rea. (Lat. citrea, pertaining to the citron; i. e., yellow.) Prothonotauy Warbler.
Golden-yellow, paler on the belly, changing to olivaceous on the back, thence to bluish-ashy
on the rump, wings, and tail; most of the tail-feathers largely white on the inner webs ; no
other special markings ; bill entirely black, very large, at least 0.50 long. Length about
5.50; extent 9.25; wing 2.75-3.00; tail 2.25; tarsus 0.75. Sexes similar. In highest
feather the yellow of the heail sometimes becomes orange-red. Eastern United States, south-
erly; north casually to Maine, New Brunswick, and Ohio; regularly to Illinois and Kansas;
west to Indian Territory and Texas ; winters extra-liiiiital. A beautiful sjiecies, of striking
form and colors, and sedate manners, inhabiting swamps and thickets; nest in holes, or other
sheltered cavities in trees, stumps, and logs, of the most miscellaneous materials ; eggs -1-5,
0.68 X 0.54, creamy white, jirofusely speckled.
HKLMINTHE'RUS. (Gr. tX/iir, gen. tXiiiv6os, helmis, hehiiinthos, a bug; tfijp, an animal;
i. e., i\iuv6o6r]pas, hclminthotheras, a bug-hunter; like vermivora, wonn-eating.) Worm-
EATixc. Swamp Warbler-s. Bill large, conic-acute, especially high and stout at the base,
nearly or quite as long as head, unnotched and scarcely or not bristled. Wings rather pointed,
mucli longer than the little rounded tail. Tarsus about e<|ual to middle toe and claw. Sexes
similar ; tail-feathers unmarked ; legs pale. Two very distinct species.
06. H. vermi'vorus. (Lat. vermicorus, worm-eating ; vermis, a worm, voro, I devour. Fig. 162.)
36
05
36
292
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEIiES — OSCINES.
WoUM-EATiNo VVakhleu, Olivc, bclow buffy, piilcr or whitish on tlie belly; head buff,
with four bliick stripi'is, two aloug sides of crown from bill to nape, one along each side of head
through the eye ; wings and tail olivaceous, nnmarked ; bill
and feet i)aie ; bill acute, unbristled, unnotched, at least
0.50. Length .5.50; extent 8.75 ; wing 2.75-3.00; tail
2.00-2.25. The distinctive head-stripes appear before the
bird is fully fleilged. Eastern U. S., ratlier southerly, but
north regularly to the Middle States, casually to Maine ;
west to Kansas, Missouri, and the Indian Territory; breed.s
Fi(i. 161!. — Worm-catlng Warbler, throughout its U. S. range; winters from Florida soutb-
nat. size. (Ail iiat. del. E. C.) ward ; comniou in woods, shi'ubbery, and swamps ; a bird
of rather slow and sedate movements ; nest on the ground, of leaves, grasses, rootlets ; eggs
4-5, crystal-white, minutely dotted with reddish-brown, 0.70 X 0.50.
97. H. swalii'soni. (To Wni. Swainson.) Swainson's Waublkr. Somewhat similar to the
last; no black head stripes ; no rfec«/«i markings anywhere. Upper parts dark olive-brown,
nearly uniform, but browner on exposed surfaces of wings and tail, and quite clear brown on the
crown. A long light superciliary stripe. Under parts dull sordid whitish, shaded on the sidt.'s with
the color of the back. Middle tail-feathers with obsolete wavy cross-bars. Bill brown above,
pale below; feet ])ale. Large: length nearly G. 00 ; wing 2.75, pointed, ti[) formed by 1st
-'M ([uills; tail 2.00, emarginate; bill of great size, 0.G5 along culmeu, about equalling tarsus
in length, ileep at base, with straight upper mandible rising high on forehead ; thus shajjcd
something like a meadow- lark's. A rare and curious species, confined to the South Atlantic
States. 1 have seen but three specimens ; the description is from Audubon's type.
37. HELMINTHO'PHILA. (Gr. tX^ns, tX/iii/floy, helniis, helminthos, a bug ; ^iXt'co, phihv, 1
love.) AVoUM-KATixci Wariu.eus. IJill slender and exceedingly acute, unnotched, unbristh.'d
(fig. l(iH). AVings pointed, longer than the nearly even tail, — in
one spccie.s nearly half as long again. Tarsi longer than middle
toe and claw. Tail-feathers in .some species white-blotched, in
other.s plain, — the former being otherwise of bright and variegated
C(dors, tlie latter more simply clad. Xest on the ground or quite
near it (excepting in the case of H. luci<c) ; eggs white, spotted.
To the eight established species of the genus have lately been
added three others; but one of them is almost certainly a hybrid
between H. pmus and Oporornis formosu, while the other two are "*'• "s'^*- ('^'' "at •'"'• ^- <^)
probably hybrids between H. pimtn and H. chnji^uptern. There has also been added a variety
of H. celata. These are enumerated beyond, but only the eight established si)ecies are con-
sidered in the analysis of the genus. Even with this reduction, HeUniuthophihi is still the
second largest gtiius of the subfamily. It is peculiarly North American, all the known
species occurring in this country, some of them not being known to occur elsi^where. Tiie
genus may be divided according to coloration into two groups, \A-hicb correspond in a general
way with geographical distribution. Three species {H H. phiiis, chrysoptera, and hachmniii),
exclusively eastern, are of variegated (Colors, the tail-feathers M-hite-blotched as in Dendrar.n.
In the other five the coloration is sini]der; the tail-feathers are not, or not conspicuously,
blotched with white, and all but (me of tiiese sjiecies have a crown-patch; one of them is East-
ern, t\\ o are Western, and two of general dispersion. The natural analysis of the species, and
a shorter key to them, are subjoined; these tables .should suffice to identify any adult male
specimens, but fenuiles and young, particularly of Nos. 5, fl, 7, require detailed descriptions for
their recognition. (In H. peregrina, with tail normally plain, the outer feather is sometimes
distinctly white-blotched.)
Fio. 163. — H. chrysoptiitt,
SYL VICOLID^— SYL VICOLIN^ : TRUE WAHBLERS.
203
Natural Analysis of Species.
I. Tail-feathers conspicuously wliite-blotclic<l. Wings with whito or yellow on coverts, llcacl or breast with
black. All exclusively Eastern.
1. Bluish-ash, below white ; crown and wing-bars yellow ; throat and stripe on side of head black
vhri/^iipli rit 102
2. Olive-green ; wings and tall bliilsh-ash, former with white or yellow bars ; crown and under
parts yellow ; lores black jiiniis m
3. Olive-green, below yellow ; throat, breast, and crown-patch black ; forehead yellow . bitrlimitni lat
II. Tall-feathcrs inconspicuously or not blotched with white. Xo ilcciiled wing-markings. No black anywhere.
((. Crown without colored patch. Wings about half as long again us tail.
4. Tail, with obscure whitish sjiot on outer feather; under parts whito or whiti.sh; upper parts
olive-green, brighter behind, quite ashy in front. Chiefly Eastern peregrina 109
li. Crown with colored patch. Wings shorter.
r>. Crowii-iiatch orange-brown ; tail unmarked; upper parts olive-green, under parts greenish-
yellow, both nearly uniform. Western and incompletely Eastern vcldta 107, 108
6, Crown-j)ateh chestnut ; tail unmarked ; upper parts olive-green, growing ashy on head ; imder
parts uniforndy yellow. Eastern ami incompletely Western rnficapilla 100
T. Crown-patch chestnut; tail unmarked; above olivaceous-.ash, below whitish ; rump .lud under
tail-coverts bright yellow ; breast yellowish. Western rirfiiiiia- 105
8. Crown-patch and upper tail-coverts chestnut ; outer tail-feather with dull white
patch ; above pale cinereous, below white. Southwestern luri<e 104
Pass-key to the Species.
Tail-feathers whlte-blotchcd — bluish, crown yellow, throat black chrysoptirn Wi
— greenish, crown and all under parts yellow pinus 98
— greeidsh, crown (i)artly) and throat black bachmani 103
— upper tall-coverts chestnut, crown-patch chestnut Iuci<r 104
Tail-feathers all unmarked — upiier tail-coverts — yellow ; crown-patch chestnut riri/imVr 105
— not yellow ; crown-patch — chestnut . . . njicapilla 100
— orange-brown . celata 107, lOK
— wanting . . . peregrina 109
08. H. pi'niis. (Lilt. pinu!>, a pino-troo.) Blue- winged Yellow Waubler. $, adult :
Fore pint of crown aiul ontire iiiuler parts rich yellow; ui)pcr piirt.s yellow-olive, becoming
slaty-blue on the wings and tail (system of coloration thus like that of Protonotaria). Wings
with two white or yellowish bars ; tail with several largo white blotches ; under tail-coverts
white; ej'clids bright j-ellow ; small stripe through eye black ; bill blue-black. Female and
young not very dissimilar ; duller and more olivaceous. Length about 4.75 ; extent 7.50 ;
wing 2.40-2.50; tail 2.00-2.10; tarsu> 0.G5 ; bill 0.45. Eastern United States, north to
Massachusetts and Minnesota, west to Kansas, Indian Territory, and Te.xas ; common, migra-
tory, breeding in its United States range, wintering extralimital. Nest on the ground, eggs
4-5, 0.()7 X 0.48, white, sprinkled with reddish-brown dots.
00. H. lawren'cU? (To Geo. N. Lawrence, of N. Y.) Lawrence's Warbler. Like H.
piiiux ; but a large black patch on the throat and breast, and broad black eye-stripe, reaching
over auricnlars, as in //. chri/soptera ; thus pinus X chri/.wptera, and doubtless a hybrid
between the two. New Jersey ; two specimens noted to date.
lOO. H. leiicobronchla'lls ? (Gr. XfvKor, kucos, white, /3poy;^or, hrogchos, becoming hronchiix,
throat.) WiiiTE-TiiROATKD Warbler. XaVc II. chrijsoptera ; but a black b:ir through the
eye as in pinus, and lacking the black breast-patch of chrifsojitcra, the entire under ])arts being
white; thus chrysnptern X pinus, and doubtless a hybrid between the two, though up to date a
dozen or more specimens have been described, from New England, New York, Pennsylvania,
and Michigan.
101. H. cinclnnatlen'sls ? (Of Cincinnati, Ohio, where discovered.) fiNtiXNATi Warbler.
Like H. pinus in color ; bill with evident rictal bristles ; Uf) white wing-bars or tail-blotches ;
no ashy-blue on wings or tail ; concealed black on crown and .lides of head like the incom-
pleted black mask of Oporornis formosa, with which the bird otherwise closely agrees in color ;
thus curiously being H. pinus X 0. formosa. Length 4.75 ; wing 2.50; tail 1.85; bill 0.44.
Ones specimen known, Ohio.
294
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES.
108. H. chrysop'tera. (Gr. xP«'<''o'f) chrusos, goldon, and imp6v, pferon, wing.) Blue Golden-
wixoED Wauhleu. $, adult: Upper parts slaty-bliic, or lino bluish-gray; crown, and largo
wing-patch formed by confluent wiug-bars, rich yellow ; a broad stripe on side of head and
patch on chin, throat and fore-breast, black, the eye-stripe bordered above and below with
white; under jtarts generally, e.\ce])ting the black breast-plate, white, often tinted with yellow-
ish, and shaded on the sides with ashy. Exposed surfaces of wings and tail like upper parts ;
great white blotches on three lateral tail-feathers; bill black; feet dark. 9 ""J inimaturc
specimens have the back more or less glossed with yellowish-olive ; the yeHow of the crown
obscured with greenish; tin; black eye-stripe and breast-plate veiled with gray tips of the
feathers, or not at all evident. Size of H. pinus. A Iwautiful species, common in Eastern
United States and Cana<la; migratory, breeding anywhere iu its United States range; nest and
eggs like those of H. innit.i.
103. H. bach'mani. (To Kev. John Bachman, of S. C.) Baciiman's WAUBLEn. ^ : Upper
parts yellowish-olive, including sides of head and neck, tinged with ashy on the hind head ;
forehead and under parts bright yellow ; a band on the vertex separating yelhiw front from
ashy occiput, and the throat and fore breast, black, this breast-plate isolated in yellow sur-
roundiug.s. Wings dusky, glossed with the color of the back on all the exposed surface.
Two or three outer tail-fcatiiers white-blotched. Small; length 4.50; wing '2.:J5; tail 2.00.
South Atlantic States, extremely rare, only known to occur in South Carolina, Georgia, and
Cuba.
104. H. lu'ciae. (To Miss Lucy Baird, daughter of Prof. S. F. Baird.) Lucv'.s Warbler.
^ 9 1 atlult: Clear ashy-gray. Beneath white, with a faint tinge of buff on the breast. A
rich chestnut patch on the crown, and upper tail-coverts of the same color. A white eye-ring.
Quilh and tail-feathers edged with the color of the back or whitish. Lateral tail-feather with
an obscure whitish patch. Lining of wing white. Feet dull leaden-olive. Iris dark brown
or black. Length 4.33-4.60; extent 7.00-7.50; wing 2.25-2.50; tail 1.75-2.00; tarsus
0.00; bill 0.25-0.33. Young: Lack the chestnut of the crown, though that of the rump is
present. The throat and breast are milk-white, without the ochrey tinge of the adults; the
wing-coverts are edged with pale rufous. The chestnut upper tail-coverts, and absence of any
trace of (divaceous or yellowish coloration, distinguish this interesting species, the general
superficial aspect of which is quite like that oi a, PoUoptila. Valley of the Colorado and Gila;
not yet known except from Arizona. The exceptional nidification of this species of the genus
(Am. Nat., vi, 1872, p. 493) has been confirmed: nest in crevice behind bark of a tree or bush,
such as a wren might select ; eggs 4, not peculiar, being white dotted with reddish.
105. H. virgin'lae. (To Mrs. Virginia Anderson, wife of the discoverer.) Virginia's Warbler.
(J, in summer: Ashy-plumbeous, alike on the back, and top and sides of head. Below dull
whitish, the sides .shaded M'ith ashy. Lining and edge of wings white. Upper and under
tail-coverts, and isolated sjmt on the breast, yellow, in strong contrast with all surroundings.
A white ring round eye. Wings and tail without yellowish edgings. Crown with a chestnut
patch, as in H. riiJicnpiUd. Length 4.75; extent 7.50; wing 2.25-2.50; tail 2.25. 9)i"
summer: The yellow duller and slightly tinged with greenish; that of the breast, and the
chestnut of the crown, more restriiited. Autumnal specimens resemble the 9 i l>i't ''i ^wth
sexes the plumbeous of the upper parts has a slight olive shade, and in birds of the year the
crown-patch may he wanting. Southern Rocky Mt. Region ; north to Ccdorado, Nevada, and
Utah at least. Nests on the ground, like others of the genus ; eggs indistinguishable from
those of allied species.
106. H. ruflcapiria. (Lat. r«/((,s, rufous ; cn^ji'Wifs, hair.) Nashville Warbler. ^, in sum-
mer : Upper parts olive-green or yellowish-olive, clearer and brighter on the rump and tipper
tail-coverts. Top and sides of the head and neck ashy, with a veiled chestnut patch on the
crown, and a white ring round the eye. No superciliary stripe. Lores pale. Wings and tail
107,
108
100
SYLVICOLIDM—SYLVICOLINJE: TRUE WARBLERS.
295
107.
fuswtus, edged with the color of the buck. Eiitiru under parts yellow, includiiig under wing-
coverts iind edge of the wing, the sides shaded with olive. Length ■1.50-1.75; extent 7.50;
wing '2.33-2.50; tail 1.75-2.00. 9, in suinnier : iSiniihir. Head less purely asliy. Crown-
patch snialU'r and more hidden, if not wanting. Yellow of under parts paler, whitening on the
belly. Autumnal specimens, of both sexes, though tpiite as yellow below as in summer, have
the ash of the head glos.sed over with (divaceous, and in birds of the year the crown-patcii nuiy
be entirely wanting. This species is distinguished by the rich clear yellow of the under parts
at all seasons. In H. celata, which is next most yellow below, the color has a greenish east ;
the head is little, if any, diftV-rent from the rest of the upper jiarts, and the crown-patch is
orange-brown. Temperate North America, but espechilly the Eastern Province; west oidy
rarely to Utah, Nevada, and even California. A common bird, migratory in most of its U. S.
range, but breeding in New England (and fartiier south in alpine regit)ns) and thence north-
ward. Nest ttn the ground, like the others, and eggs not ])eculiar.
H. cola'ta. (Lat. celata, concealed, as is the orange on the crown.) Ouanoe-cuowned
Wauhleu. $ 9 , in summer : Upper parts olive, duller and washed with grayish toward
and on the hea<l, brighter and more yellowish on the rmnp and ujiper tail-covw'ts. Hcneath
greenish-white, palest on tile belly and throat, more idive-shaded on tlie sides; the color not
pure, but rather streaky, and having in places a grayish cast. Wings and tail edged with the
color of the back ; lining of the wings like the belly, and inner edges of tail-feathere whitish.
Orbital ring and htres yellowish. An orange-brown patch on the crown, ])artially concealed,
smaller and more hidden in the 9 than in the $. Lcaigth 1.80-5.20; extent 7-40-7.75 ; wing
2.30-2.50. Uesembling the last, and often ditticult to distinguish in innnature plumage; but a
general oUveness and yellowness, compared with the ashy »if some parts of rujicapillu, and the
diilerent ctdor of the c^rown-patch in the two species, will usually be diagnostic. The sexes of
this species scarcely differ, and young or autumnal birds are very similar to the adults, except
the fretjuent or usual absence of the orange-brown crown-sjMit in birds of the year. The
species is well distinguished from all its allies by the coh>r of the crown-patch. North America
at large, but especially the Western and Middle regions ; rare or (K-casional in the Eastern
Province ; north to high latitudes in British America and Alaska; migratory; breeds in Arctic
regions and in alpine loealiti(?s further south ; nest and eggs not j)eculiar.
108. H. c. liites'cens. (Lat. lutescens, growing yellowish.) I'acific OKANOE-cnowNEi> Wau-
BLER. Differs in being much more richly colored. It nuvy be described simply as olivo-green
above, and greenish-yellow, shaded with olive on tlus sides, below, without any of the (lualify-
ing terms re(|uired for precision in the case of typical celata. Pacific Coast region, Alaska to
Lower California.
H. peregrl'na. (Lat. peregritM, wandering, alien, foreign ; i. e., migratory.) Tennessee
Wakiii-ek. (J, adult: Upper parts yellowish-olive, brightest posteriorly; on the fore parts
and head changing to pure ash, without any greenish tint whatever. No crown-patch of any
diflbrent color. Lores, ey(!-ring, or frequently a decided superciliary stripti, whitish. Entire
under parts dull white, scarcely or not tinged with yeUowish. Wings and tail dusky, strongly
edged with the ccdor of the back, the outer tail-feathers freipiently with an obscure whitish
spot. Bill and feet dark. Length '4.50-1.75, rarely to 5.00; extent 7.50-8.00; wing about
2.75, thus long for the siz(! of the bird, and especially in comparison with the short tail, pointed,
with little difl'erence in length between the first three or four <|uills; tail only 2.00 or less, thus
remai'kably sliort ; the comparative length of wings and tail, with other characters, probably
always distinguishes the species from the foregoing. 9) adult: Quite like the $, but ashy of
the he id less pure and clear, and under jyarts more or less tinged with greenish -yellow.
Young : Entire upper parts strongly and uniformly yellowish-olive, like the rmnp of the adult
(J, or even brighter, tiiis color also tinging the eye-ring and superciliary stripe. Under parts
as in the adult 9 > or more decidedly greenish-yellow, leaving uuly the belly and crissum whit-
100
296
SYSTEM A TIC SYXOPSIS. — PA SSEBES — OSCINES.
ish. In this condition specimens more closely resemble st>me other species than when adult ;
but the short tail, long wings, and no crown-patch, should be distinctive. Chiefly Eastern
North America, but west to the Upper Missouri region and in Colorado to the Rocky Mts. ;
common, especially in the Mississippi Valley, but less so in the Atlantic States; migratory;
breeds in New England and tlie northern tier of States, and thence to high latitudes in IJritish
America; nest aud eggs as in otlier species of the genus.
38. I'KUCK'DUAMUS. (Gr. ntvKr). peulcc, a pine, and Spanuv, to run.) Olive WAnnLEns.
(ieneral a.xpect of JJendraca. Tongue nmch as in that genus, but larger, with revolutc edges,
cleft tip, and laciuiate for some distance from the end. Wings elongated, half as long again
as the tail (in Dendrwca but little longer than the tail), reaching, when ftdded, nearly to the
end of tilt; tail. Tail emargiuate. Tarsus no longer than the middle too and claw. Hallux
little if any longer tlian its claw. Hill little shorter than tarsus (averaging little over half the
tarsus in Uemlneca), attenuate, notably depressed, yet very little widened at base. Culmen
rather concave than convex in most of its length, the under outline almost jjcrfectly straight
from extreme base to ti]i. Nasal fossic very large, with a highly developed nasal scale. Kic-
tal vinrissiu few and short. I'luuiage witliout streaks. One species known.
110. r. ollva'cous. (Lat. oUvaceiis, olivaceous iu color; olivn, an (dive.) Olive Warbler.
(J : Upper [larts ashy, more or less olivaceous, changing to greenish on the nape. Head aud
neck all around orange-brown or inteiisi' saU'ron-yellow, with a broad black bar on the side of
tlie head through tlie eye. Wings blackish, the inner \vebs of all the cpiills edged with white,
the outer webs of most of the primaries with whitish, and the outer webs of the secondaries
with greenish ; most of the primaries also marked M'ith white on the outer webs at base, form-
ing a conspicuous spot (only seen elsewhere in D. carulescens, which is altogether different in
other characters). Tail like the wings, with greenish edging of most of the feathers, the two
outer ones on each side mostly or wludly white. Belly and sides whitish, tinged with olive or
brownish. Basal half of under mandible light brown. Length 4.75-5.25; extent 8. 25-9. CO;
wing 2.75-li.lO; tail 2.25-2.55 ; bill 0.55; tarsus 0.75. The female is described as having
till' saffron color nmch clearer yellowish, and shaded with olive-green on the crown ; the black
bar replaced by whitish, excepting a dusky patch on the auriculars. A remarkable Mexican
warbler, lately ascertained to inhabit Arizona, esjjecially in mountainous localities; probably
also Texas and New Mexico. It has much the habits of the j)ine-creeper ; the nest and eggs
are still unknown.
39. DENDRCE'CA. ((ir. Siv&pou, dendron, a tree, and ohia, oikeo, I inhabit.) Wood Warblers.
Bill variable in shape, usually conico-attenuate, nnjre or less depressed at base, compressed
from the middle, notclied near the tip, not showing the extreme acuteness of that of Hehnin-
therus, HdminthophUa, and Pfotonofaria. Rictus with obvious bristles, which are not evi-
dent in the true " worm-eating" warblers. Tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw (it is
shorter, or not longer, in Miiiotilta). Hind toe little if any longer than its claw (decidedly
longer in MniotiUa and Panda). Wings much longer than tail, pointed, 1st and 2d primaries
longest. Tail moderate, witli rather broad feathers, nearly even, but varying to slightly
rounded, or with slight central emargination. Pattern of coloration indeterminate. Tail always
with white blotches (except in astiva and its immediate allies, where the inner webs are
yellow), never jdain olivaceous. Crown never with lateral black stripes, nor under parts
uniformly streaked with blackish on a pale ground, nor back with a yellow patch, nor whole
head yellow. Length usually five or six inches ; rarely under and perhaps never over these
dimensions. Nest in bushes or trees, with rare exce[)tions. Eggs white, spotted. It is not
easy to frame a definition of this genus covering all its modifications, yet introducing no term
inap{)liciible to any species ; but the foregoing expressions considered collectively, however
arbitrary or trivial some of them may seem to be, will serve to distinguish any Dendraca from
its allies of other genera; and, if so, the diagnosis is exclusively pertinent to the group as con-
SYLVICOLIDJE— SYLVICOLINJE : TRUE WARBLERS.
297
vcntidually accepted. The coloration of the rectricps is a good cluo to this genus ; for all the
species (excepting D. astiva and its exotic conspecics) have the tail-feathers always blotclied
with white, — a feature only shown, among North American allies, in Miiiotilta, I'aniln, Pro-
tonotaria, Pettccdramus, and some species of HehninthophiUt, Mijiodioctes. There is as nuicii
uniformity in the nest and eggs of Drnilrcocn as in those of Hdmintliophila. Whereas all
these nest on the ground, as far as known all the Lendraica; nest in trees and bushes, with tlie
single exception of D. jxdmarum. Excepting V. custanea, the eggs are essentially similar ;
all being white, variously speckled, dotted, or bh)tche{l with sliades of reddish and darker
brown', and lilac or purplish shell-spots. About thirty-live species are current, but not all of
them ai'o well established ; they all occur within our limits excepting tliese : piti/ophila
(Cuba), (idelaidfc (Porto Hico), pharctra (Jamaica), coa (Jamaica), aureola (Galapagoes),
vapit(dix (IJarbadoes), and petechia (West Indies) with its several troj)ical forms, all like our
ffstiva. Of the twenty-six species wliich have been ascribed to Nortli America, one, olivacea,
has since been made type of the genus Peucedrainus; while of " montana" and " carbonata"
nothing is now known : leaving twenty-three species to be treated, nearly as in the original
edition of the Key, there having been but one North American accession to tlie gen is since
1872, though two varieties (respectively of dominica and of pidmarum) luive meanwhile been
described. D. tujrina has been made type of a genus Pcfissoglo.sm ; but it remains to be seen
whether other warblers d(t not possess the same peculiarities of tiic tongue. The following
artifichil analysis will facilitate tlie determination of our twenty-three established species; I
believe it to bean infallible key to the perfect male plumages, and that it will probably hold
good for spring s])ecimens of both sexes of many species; but it will fail for nearly all autumnal
and most female specimens of (b). It is difficult if not imjwssible to meet the varied require-
ments of these by rigid analysis; and recoui-se must be had to the detailed descriptions of the
speci(!s aiTanged in what seems to be tlieir natural sequence. The supplementary table of cer-
tain diagnostic marks nniy prove of much assistance, though it is not a complete analysis.
Analysis of perfect Spring .\fales.
Tail-foathcrscilgcd with yellow; head — yellow (estiva 111
— chestnut virilloli IWa
Tail-feathers blotched with white ; a wl>!''i8pot at the Imse of prlmnric!) ea-ritlescens 117
— no white 8i)ot at base of ijriiuiiries. (a)
(a) Wlng-bara not whita Below, white, sides chestnut-streaked, crown yellow penmyli-anica 124
— yellow; sides reddish-streaked, crown reddish palmnnim 13'.', 133
— black-Btrcakc<l ; above, ashy kirtlnndi 131
— olive, reddish-streaked . . discolor 127
(u) Wing-bars white (sometimes fused into one large white patch), (b)
(bl Crown blue, like the back ; below white, sides and breast streakeil ctrrulea 118
-chestnut, like the throat i below, .ind sides of neck, bnffy-tlnged castanea 123
— clear ash ; rump and under parts yellow, breast and sides black-streakeil maculosa 125
— blackish, with median lino orange-brown, like the auricuiars ; rump yellow tir/rina 126
• — perfectly black ; throat black ; a smiiU yellow ioral spot nigrescms 116
— not black; no yellow ; feet flesh-color striata 122
— with yellow spot ; throat flame-color ; rump not yellow blncllmm(e 121
-white ; rump anil sides of breast yellow cnronata 119
— yellow; rump and sides of breast yellow nuilMxini 120
(b) Crown otherwise; throat black; back ashy, streaked, rump ash, crown yellow . ... occidentnlis 113
— blackish, rump black, crown blackish chrj/sopnria 115
— olive ; crown like back virens 112
— not like back toirnsendi 114
— yellow ; back olive ; no black r. ashyonhead piiius 134
— ashy-blue ; cheeks the same ; eyelids yellow i/raciw 128
— black ; eyelids widte dominica 129, 130
Diagnostic marks qf certain Warblers in any plumage.
Wing-bars and belly yellow discolor 127
Wings and tail dusky, e<lgcd with yellow astiva ot vieilloti 111 or Ilia
Wing-bars yellow, and belly pure white pennsylvanica 124
298
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEIiES— OSCINES.
A yellow Riiot in front of the aye nnd nowliero cIko nigrescent 116
A whltu »iK)t a^ linse of priinarles (almost never wanting) ccemlesceiia 117
Tliroat (iotlniloly yellow, belly white, bauli with no grceniah ilominica or yracUe 12u, 130, or 128
Ilunip, HidvH of breaitt, crown iinil throat, more or leHH yellow amluhmi 120
Hill extremely acute, iierfeptihly uiirvcd i rump (generally) yellow tii/rhiu I'M
Kump, Hides of breast, anil crown more or iewt yellow ; throat white coroimta 110
Wing-bars white, tail-spots oblli|iie, at end of two outer feathers only pinim l.!4
Tail-»|K)ts at miildle of nearly all the feathers, rump and belly yellow mncuhsa 125
Wing-bars brownish, tail-8i«)ts square, at end of two outer feathers only palmnrum 132, l.'IS
Wing-bars not very conspicuous, whole under parts yellow, buck with no greenish kirttandl 131
Tall-spots at end of nearly all the fuuthors, and no tiellnlte yellow anywhere cicrukit 118
Tliroat, breast, and sides black or with black traces, sides of hea<l with dllTuse yellow, outer tail-feather
white-edge<l externally (''reii« and Its western allies 112,113,114,110
Throat yellow or orange, crown with at least a trace of a central yellow or orange spot, and outer tall-
feather white-edged externally lilacklmnKB 121
Bill ordinary ; and with none of the foregoing special marks striata or caatanea 122 or 123
111. D. wstl'va. (Lilt, astiva, sunimory ; astas, suiniiior.) Si'mmeu Warblkii. Summer Yel-
Low-itiRi>. I{m;i>eyei> Yellow Warbler. Golden Warbler. ^,ndult: Goldcn-
ycll(jw; tlio back with a grocuisli tiiifie iTsulting iu rich yclluw-olivo, the ruiiip iiuiro yellow-
ish ; tlie iniiUUe of the back soiiietiiiie.s obsoletely streaked witli darker. Crown like tlie under
parts, in high i)luniage often tinged with orange-brown. Breast and sides, and sometimes
most of the under parts, streaked witli orange-brown. Quills and tail-featliers dusky, edged on
botli webs witli yellow, tlie yellow occupying most of the inner webs of the tail-feathers. Bill
plumbeous. Feet pale brown. Length 4.75-.5.00; extent Z-iO-?.?.'! ; wing 2.50; tail 2.00.
9, adult: Yellow- olive of upper parts extending on tlie crown; streaks below obsolete or
entirely wanting. General coloration paler. Young : Like the 9 > l>ut still duller colored.
Upper parts, including crown, pale olive, with an ochrey instead of clear yellow shade ;
below ochrey-whitc or dull i)ale yellowish. Edgings of wings and tail dull yellowish. North
America, everywhere in woodland, gardens, orchards, parks, and even city streets, a beautiful,
abundant, and familiar little bird. Nests throughout its range, in fruit or sliade trees, shrub-
bery and brushwood, building a neat, compact, and durable nest of S(jft vegetable and animal
substances felted together; eggs commonly 4-5, fi-om 0.64 to 0.09 X 0.48 to 0.53, grayish- or
greenish-white, variously dotted and blotched with reddisli-brfiwn and lilac shades. The c<dor
of this precious gem makes a pretty spot as it flits through the verdure of the forest or plays
amidst the rose-tinted blossoms of the fruit-orchard ; and its sprightly song is one of the most
familiar sotmds of bird-life during the season when the year renews its youth.
Ilia. D. vieil'lotl bry'anti. (To L. P. VieiHot. To Dr. Henry Bryant.) Chestnut-headed
Golden Warbler. Belonging to the ''golden warbler" group of the genus, and resembling
D. astiva in general characters. Dusky predominating over yellow cm the tail-feathers;
tarsus about 0.72. $, adult: Whole head chestnut, well defined all around against the
yellow; edging of wing-coverts slight; rufous streaks of breast and sides few and nari'ow.
The continental I), vieilloii, as described by Cassin in 1800, would appear to b(! well dis-
tinguished among its inunediate insular allies by the rufous hood which envelopes the head,
but to be very questionably divisible into the several forms noted by Bidgway in 1S74. That
here given is described as the Mexican race, lately ascertjiincd to occur at La Paz, Low(;i
California. The 9 is said to be indistinguishable from that of others of the golden warbler
group. The extra-liniital forms are all said to differ from the N. Am. 1). astiva in having
longer tarsi and less yellow on the tail-feathers. (Not in the Check List, 1882. See Hist.
N. A. Birds, i, 1874, p. 217, and Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus., iv, 1882, ]). 414.)
112. D. vlr'ens. (Lat. lurais, growing green. Fig. IGO.) Black-throated Green Warbler.
(^, in sjiriiig : Back and crown clear yellow-olive; forehead, superciliary line, and whole sides
of head rich yellow (in very high jdumage, middle of back with dusky marks, and dusky or dark
olive lines through eyes and auriculars, and even bordering the crown) ; chin, throat, and
113.
SL YVICOLIDJE -8YL VICOLINJE : TB UE WA RliLERS.
299
11!0
119
I.!4
125
, 1.'I3
131
118
breast jet black, prolonged bohind ns stronks on the sides ; other under parts wliite, usuiilly
yellow-tinged; \ving!< and tail dusky, former with two wliite hars and uiudi wliitisli edging,
latter witli outer featiiers nearly all white ; bill and feet blaekish. ^ in the fall, and 9 •" the
H|inng: Similar, but the blaek restricted, inten-upted, or veiled with yellow ; young Himilar to
the 9 ( '"•t tl'e bluek still more restricted or wanting altogether, except a few streaks along
sides. Small: Length 4.80-5.10; extent 7.00-8.00 ; wing 2.30-2.55 ; tail 2.00. Eastern
U. S. and Hritish Provinces, west only to the edge of the Plains; migratory, abundant; breeds
from higher portions of the Middle States, and plentifidly from New England northwanl ;
winters extraliniital. This jaunty bird is one of the c(anm(uiest warblers of summer in New
England, breeding in the pineries, in June. Nest in fork of a bough, usually at some elevation,
of the most miscellaneous nniterials ; eggs 4-5, 0.07 X 0.54, white, with the usual sprinkling
or wreathing of brown and purplish markings. The nuptial song is very i)eculiar.
113. D. oceldenta'lis. (Lat. occidcntalis, western; where the sun sets.) \Vk.sti;un WAuni.ER.
IIkumit Waubleu. ^, adult: Above, ashy-gray, tinged with (dive, especially on the rumj),
and closely streaked with black ; below, white. Top and sides of head rich yellow, the former
witli transverse black markings. Central line of chin, throat, and juguluni black, ending on
the breast with a sharp c(mvex outline, (M>ntrasted with the adjoining wliite. Wings and tail
as in rjr«w. Bill black. Length 4.75-5.00; e.\tent 7.75 ; wing 2.50-2.75 ; tail 2.12-2.25 ;
tarsus 0.00-0.75; bill 0.40. 9)'i'lult: Described as similar to the nnile, but darker gray
above, with the yellow of the head less extended, and the throat whitish, spotted with dusky.
Young : Upper parts idivaceous-ash, and the yellow of the top of the head overlaid with <dive.
Sides of the head j»retty clear yellow, fading gradually into the white of the throat. No black
on the throat. White of the under j)arts ftiintly brownish-tinged, and sides witli obstdete
streaks. In a September specimen the dusky olivo extends over all the upper parts, tinging
the ashy of the lower back, and reaching on the crown nearly to the bill, where it gradually
lightens by admixture of yellow ; the sides of the head are clear yellow, soileil with some
olivaceous ; chin and throat the same, fading on the breast into the dull white of the other
under parts; sides with obs(deto streaks, and a slight gnvyish-olive wash. There is no bkvek
whatever about the head or throat, and the blackish streaks of the back are obsolete. The
wings are twice-barred with the conspicuous white tips of the greater and median wing-
coverts. Kocky Mts. to the Pacific, U. S. and southward; one of the several western relatives
of 7^. rirens.
114. D. town'sendi. (To J. K. Townsend.) Townsend's Warbler. (J, adult: Entire
upper jiarts yellowish-olive, rather darker than in virens, everywhere streaked witli black,
especially on the crown, where the blaek usually predominates ; no hidden yellow on the
crown. Side of the head bright yellow, enclosing a large black patch, constituted by the
loral and orbital and auricular regions, in whiiih the yellow eyelids ajipear. Chin, throat,
breast, and sides j)art way, yellow, the jugtilum black ; the sides of the breast and of the body
streaked with black. Under wing-coverts, belly, flanks, and crissum white, the two latter
slightly shaded and streaked with dusky. Wings crossed with two white bands, that of the
median coverts broadest. Wings and tail fuscous, the former with \):\\e edgings, the latter
having two or three outer feathers larg(dy blotched with white. Bill and feet blackish horn-
color. Length about 5.00 ; extent 7.50-8.00; wing 2.25-2.50; tail 2.00. 9: Like the (J, but
the black of tlie jugulum mixed with yellow (and that on the sides of the head mixed with or re-
]daced by olive?) Young: Shade of the upper parts slightly brownish, and the black streaks
slight, obscdete, or wanting. The dark patch on the side of the head olivaceous, like the back.
No continuous blaek on the jugulum. Autumnal adults show various gradations between the
characters of the old and young. Very closely related to D. virens, of which it is the western
representative. Adult males readily distinguished by the darker greenish upper parts, con-
spicuously streaked, especially on the head, with black; the black cheeks and auriculars;
m
5500
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES.
Idiick iif jiiRuliiiii not rc'Hcliinp iintcriiirly t" the Mil, ami the Hurnmiidiiijr yellow aditiK on
till" breast liack of the Maek. Yoimi; binls not so easily (liscriniiiiafccl ; lint tliere are usually
traees at least oi" the hlaek streaks on the upper jiarts; there is uoeoiioealeil yi'lhiw on the
crown; the yellow of the under parts, (jiiite as l>rif;ht as in the adult, extends far alon^ the
breast, behind that part wherr it veils the black. Kocky Mts. to the I'aeitle, Alaska to (lUiit-
enuihi; coniinon. A straggler taken a» Philadelphia.
115. I>. cliryHoimrrK. ((Jr. x^firdr, c/irMsos, golden, and n-npf«ii, ^McriVf, cheek.) OoLUKN-niEKK-
Ki> \Vauhi.i;|{. Prevailing color of upper )iarts black, usually mixed with olive-greon ; sides
of head yellow, with narrow black stripe through eye; below, with the wings and tail, as in
riretis; size of this species, and changes of pbimage doubtless parallel ; very closely related,
(f , in full dress; Above, jet black from bill to tail, anteriorly narrowing to a ]toint on the fore-
head, with scarcely a trace of dlivaceous toward and on the rump. Kntire side of head and
neck golden-yellow, reaching the hill, elsewhere enclosed in black, and enclosing a long black
striiie thnaigh eye to side of nape, nearly cutting <pfi' a superciliary stripe from the general yel-
low area, which, however, is continuotis on lore and side of najie. Chin, throat, and breast
ji't black, this c(dor extending backward along the sides as heavy streaking ; narn '"it; ante-
riorly where sharjdy defined against the yellow ; other under parts, including liii wings,
white, s(piarely defined against the black of breast (the wliide under jiarts thus rnn).
Wings blackish, with two broad white cross-bars, and whitish edging of the f|uills, especially
t]w inner secoialaries. Tail blackish, the outermost feather white with only a black shaft-line
clubbed at end ; the next three \y.\m with decreasing white areas. Kill and feet black. Texas
and southward ; rare, at least in c<dlections. Nest in upright fork, preferably of a cedar, largo
for the bird, compactly felted of bark strips, fine grasses, rootlets, and slender vegetable fibres
and c(d(W(djs, lined copiously with hair and feathers ; eggs 0.75 X O.-'iS, white, dotted with
reddish-brown and lavender, and blotched with darker brown, laid in .May.
110. D. ulgres'eens. (Lat. jif'i/tY.scrH.x, growing black. Fig. 1(11.) Hi.ACK-TilltoATKi) fJuAY Wau-
itl.KK. ^, adult : Above, bluish-ash, the interscapular region, and usually also the npper-tail
coverts, streaked with black. Helow, from the brea.st, \)mv white, the
sides streaked with black. Entire head, with chin and throat, black ;
a sharply-defined yeUow spot before the eye, a broad white stripe
behind the eye, and a long white maxillary stripe widening behind
from the comer of the bill to the side of the neck. Wings fnsc(ai.s,
with much whitish edging, and crossed with two broad white bars
on the ends of the greater and median coverts. Tail like the wings,
Pio. 164. - Blftck-i'liroatcl *'"' *'""''*' '"♦<'""''l feathers mostly white, excei)t on the outer webs.
Gray W(irl)ler, iiat. size. (Ad the fourth with a white blotch. Hill and feet black. Size of IJ.
nat. .lei. E. c.) towmendi. 9 : T/ike the male, but the black of the crown mixed
with the ashy of the back, and th.nt of the throat veiled with white tips of the feathers. Young :
Like the 9 > 1'"* the crown iilmost entirely like the back, and the black of the throat still more
hidden. Hack not streaked. Less white on the tail. Hill r.,:t entirely black. Kocky Mts. to
the Pacific, IT. S. and southward, connnon in woodland. Quito unlike any other species ; one
of the five T>en<lr(cc(c which are normally confined to the West.
117. D. cceniles'cens. (Lat. rnrrntcscens, growing blue; canileits, blue.) Blaok-THUOATED
Blue Wauhler. ^, in spring : Above, uniform slaty-blue, the perfect continuity of which is
only interrupted in very high iduinages, by a few black dorsal streaks ; below, jiure white ;
the sides of the head to above the eyes, the chin, thro<at, and wlude sides of the body continu-
ously jet black ; ving-hars wantinrf (the coverts being black, edged with bine), but a lar;;e
white spot at base of primaries : quill-feathers blackish, outwardly edged with bluish, the inner
ones mostly white on their inner webs ; tail with the ordinary white blotches, the central feath-
ers edged with bluish ; bill black ; feet dark. Young ^ : Similar, but the blue glossed with
iia.
110.
SYLVICOLlDAi — SYLVICOLINJt:: TRUE WAliliLKUS.
301
oliviiccoiw, ami tlu! Itliick iiitt'rrnptrd and ri'striott'd. 9 cntircbj different : l)iill iiIiv(>-Kr)'i>iiii<li,
with faint Idnihli HJiadc, liclow paii' woilcd ycllowisli ; lint rcodmiizublc liy tlit' white spot at base
of jiriintirien, wliii'li, tliminii it may be rcdnccd to a iiicri' speck, is nearly always evident, at
least on pusliing aside tlie jiriniary niverts ; no other win|,'-niarkings ; tail-blotehes small or
obscure; feet rather pale. .Size of vii'enH. Kastern U. S., abundant, in woodland, its rmiKc
closely coincident with that of riirnn. Ii is, however, rather a bird of brake and bin-ii
than of high woods, at least in summer; and nests in bushes, chist^ to the ground. Kggs not
peculiar. A beautiful bird, the ^ with black, white ami blut^ in inattses, thus reseuibliiig no
other, and the olive-cidored 9 ">* diH'erent as jiossihle from her mate.
118. I>. coeru'leii. (Lat. I'tenileiis, cerulean, sky-blue.) Cf.uii.k.v.n Wauiii.kk. Azt'itK W.Vli-
III. Kit. (^, adult : Kiitire up]ier parts sky-blue, the middle of the back streaked with black ; the
crown usually richer and also with dark markings. Ilelow, pure white, streaked across the
breast and along tlu^ sides with dusky-blue — the breast-streaks inclining to form a short bar,
sometimes interru|ited in the middle. Auriculars dusky; edges of eyelids and .superciliary line
white. Wings blackish, much edged e.vternally with the color of the back, the inner wtd)s of
all the ((uills, the outer webs of the inner secondaries, mid two broad bars across the tips of the
greater ami median coverts, white. Tail black, with much exterior edging of the color of the
back, all the feathers, except the middle pair, with small, white, subternunal spots on the inner
WL'bs. Length 4.(K)-t. 50; wing 2.00 . tail 2.00 or le.ss. 9 , adult : Quite different. I'pper
pails dull greeiush, with more or les- layi.sh-bluc shade, the greenish brigliti'st and j)urest on
the crown. Kyelids, line over eye, and i /I'ire niidt r parts, whitish, more or less strongly over-
cast with dull grecni.sh-yellow. Wings and tail dusky, the exterior edgings of the c(dor of the
back; the bars, spots, aial interior edgings white, as in the ^. The female is curiously sim-
ilar to the saiia' sex of I). arnileKceiin, but in the latter the tail-spots are ditt'erent ; there are no
white wing-bars, but instead there is a small whitish spot at the base of the outer primaries.
The autumnal ]ilumage of the adults is said to differ in no wise from that of the spring. Young
malesare much like the adult females, but less uniformly greenish-blue above and purer white
Ixdow, with evident blacki.sh strijies on the interscapulars and sides of tin' head. 'I'he young
female resembles the adult of that sex, but is still greener above, with little or no blue, andipiiti^
butly-y(dlowish below. When in full dress this is a perfect little beauty, there being sumething
pecidiarly tasteful and artistic in the simple contrast of the snowy-white with the delicate azure-
blue, without any "warm'' color. Eastern U. !S., rarely north to New Kiigland; west siane-
tiines to the Rocky Mts. in the latitude of Colorado. One of the rarer species. Nest small
and neat, in fork of a bough 20-,")l) feet from the ground; eggs 4, creamy-white, heavily
blotched with n'ddish-b'own, O.fiO X 0.47.
110. D. r >roiia'ta. (Lat. coronntu, crowned; corona, i\ crown. Fig. 105.) Yeu,<)W-ui;.mpei»
WAiuti.Kit. YKi.how-cHowxKK W^\Ull^EU. MvUTi.E HiRi). <J, iu spring: Slaty-blue,
streaked with black ; below, white, breast and sides mostly
black, belly, and especially throat, pure white, immaculate;
rump, central crnirn-patvh, and sides of breast, sharplij i/elloir,
there being thus four delinitt; yellow places ; sides of head
black ; eyelids and superciliary line white ; ordinary white
wing-bars and tail-blotches; bill and feet black. ^ in winter,
and 9 ill summer, similar, but slate-color less pure, or ([uite
brownish ; ijoung birds are (piite brown abov(>, with a U'W
obscure streaks in the whitish of the under parts. It is im-
possible to specify the endless intermediate styles; but I never Fio. len — Yeiinw-rninptxl War-
..1 . .1 ,| 1 1 1 X .. bier, iiat. »lze. (Ad iint. del. E. C.)
saw a specimen without the yellow rump, and at least a trace
of the other yellow marks; these points therefore are diagnostic. (The only other obscure-
looking brownish warblers with yellow runip are maculosa and tigrina, when young. Reseni-
302
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PA SSEBES— OSCINES.
blcs ttuduboni, excepting in the following points: — Throat white IJrenst black, mixed with
wliitu. Sides of the head definitely pure black; edges of eyelids, and long narrow superciliary
line, white. Wings crossed with two broad white bars, which do not fuse into one white
patch, owing to narrowness or deficiency of white edging along the outer webs of the great
coverts.) One of the larger species. Length 5.30-5.75 ; extent 8.80-9.40; winj.; 2.75-3.00;
tail about 2.50. North America, but chieHy eastern ; Alaska; Washington Territory ; Cali-
fornia; Arizona; U. S. rarely in sunniier, but during the migrations the most abundant of all
the W'lrblers; winters as far north as New Kngland ; seen everywhere, but is particularly
numerous in shrubbery, along hedge-rows, in Hocks, with troops of simrrows, titmice, etc.
Breeds from northern New England northward; nest generally low in evergreens; eggs 4.
about 0.75 X 0.55, with tiie usual markings. Moult double, there being a vernal as well as
an autumnal change, tlic former usually eflected dtu'ing the spring migrations.
1 >. D. iiud'uboni. (To J. J. Audubon.) Aituubon's Wauhlku. Western Yellow-immp.
(J, (tfliilt, in summer : Upper parts clear bluish-ash, streaked with black. A central longitudi-
nal sjiot on the crown, the rump, threat, and a patch on each side of the breast, rich yellow.
Sides of the head little darker than the upper parts; eyelids narrowly white, but no decided
superciliary white stripe. Tiie ash of the upi»er parts extending far around the sides of the
neck. Jugnlum and breast in high plumage pure black, though tisually mixed with .some
grayish skirting of the feathers, or invaded by white from behind, or even touched with yellow
here and there. IJelly and under tail-coverts white, the sides streaked with black. Wings
blackish, with gray or white edging, especially on the inner quills; the median wing-coverts
tipjied, tlie greater ones edged and ti|)ped, with white, forming i- great white blotch. Tail like
the wings, the outer webs narrowly edged with gray or white, tiie inner webs of all the lateral
feathers with large white blotches. Bill and feet black. One of the largest species. Length,
5.50-5.75; extent, 8. 75-9.. 3;{ ; wing, 2.75-3.00 ; tail, 2.25. 9,insunnner: (ienerally similar
to the (J. Upper parts duller and browner slate-color, with less heavy dorsal streaks ; crown-
spot and other yellow parts j)aler ; breast not continuously black, but variegated with black,
wliite, and the color of the back. Sides only obstdetely streaked. Eyelids scarcely white, and
cheeks hardly different from the back. White of wing-coverts mostly restricted to two bars;
wliite tail-spots smaller. Both sexes in autumn and winter, and yoimg: Upper parts (piite
brown, with ob.scure black marking. YeUow crown-spot concealed or wanting; yellow of
throat, rum)), and sides of breast jialer and restricted. Under parts whiti.sh, shaded on the
sides, and usually across the breast, with a dilut<! tint of tiie ."olor of the back, the breast and
sides ob.soletely streaked with darker. White of wing- coverts obscured with brownish. North
-Vnierica, from ea.sternmo.st woodland of the Rocky Mth. to the Pacific; north probably to
Alaska; accidental in New England; migratory, breeding northward and iu Alpiuc regions;
extremely abundant ; nesting in no wise peculiar.
121> D. bliiek'biiriiae. (To Mrs. Blackburn, an English lady.) Blackbi'IIS's Warhleu.
PliOMETiiEfs. (J, adult, iu spring: Entire upper parts, including the wings and tail, black,
the back varied with whitish, the ■■••ings with a largt; white speculum on the coverts and much
white edging of the coverts, the lateral tail-feathers largely white, only a .■diaft-line, with
clubbed extremity, being left blackish on the outer two or tliree pairs. Spot on fore part of
crown, eyelids, line over eye spreading into a large spot Ixdiind the auriculars, with chin,
throat, and fore breast, intense orange or flame-c(dor. There is nothing to compare with the
ext|uisite hue of this Promethean torch. Sides of head black in an irregular patch, usually
confluent with the black st;-eaks on the side of the breast, isolating the orange of the sides of
the head from that of the throat, and circumscribing the orange patch below the eye. Under
jiarts from the breast white, more or less tinged with orange or yellow, and whole sides streaked
with black. Bill and feet dark. Length about 5.50 ; extent 8.50 ; wing 2.75 ; tail 2.00. 9,
adult, in spring: Similar to the male iu the pattern and distributicm of the colors; upper
122.
SYLVICOLID^— SYLVICOLIN^ : TRUE WAIWLEIiS.
803
parts hrownisli-olivp, stroakod wiih black ; thn fiery orange of the male not s<i iuteuso, or
merely yellow, that on the crown olscure or obsolete. White s])eculuin of the wiug resolved
into two white bars. Sides of the luad like the back, instead of black as in the male, and the
lateral streaks duller and more blended. ^ and 9, adult, in autumn, are sufficiently similar
to the respective sexes in sfiring, but the C(doratioii is toned down, the fiery colors of the male
beiufi; less intense, and the black of the back being much mixed with olivaceous, bringing
about a dose resemblance to the spring fenuile; M-l,il<. tbe female is duHcr still, and more im-
j>urely colored. Young: Early autunnial birds of the year of this species are very (discure-
looking, showing no sign of the rich coloration of the adults. Above, like the adult 9> '"•*
still browner, with more obsolete dusky streaking. Usually an indication of the crown-spot in
a lightening of the part. Sides of the head like the crown, cutting off a superciliary stripe and
the eyelids, wliich are ochrey-white. Whole under i)arts white, tinged, especially on the throat
and breast, with yellowish, the sides with (d)solete streaking. Indication of the peculiar pat-
tern of the adults, though without their actual coloration, together with the extent of white ou
the tail-feathers, will usually suffice f<ir the determination of the species, before any orange
appears on the throat, after which there can be no difficulty. Chiefly Eastern N. Am. ; W.,
however, to Utah. Abundant in mixed woodland; breeds in northerly parts of its U. S. range
and northward; winters extralimital. One of the later migrants in spring. Nests in bushes
and low trees ; eggs not ju'culiar.
132. D. stria'ta. (Lat. .s/riV/^n, striped. Fig. IfiC).) Bi.ack-I'oi.l Warhleu. ,y, adult: Back,
nnnp, and upper tail-coverts grayish-olive, heavily streaked with black : whole crown pure
glossy black. Ilelow, pure white; a double series of black streaks
starts from the extreme chin, and diverges to jtass one on each
side to the tail, the streaks being coulhient anteriorly, discrete
jMisteriorly. Side of head above the chain of streaks j)ure white,
including lower eyelid. Wings dusky, the jn-imaries with nuich
greenish edging, the inner secondaries with whitish edging, the
greater and nu'dian cr)verts tipped with white, forming two cross-
bars. Tail like the wings, with rather small white spots at the
ends of the inner webs of two or three outer feathers. Upjier
mandible brownish-black; lower mandible with the feet fiesh-
colorcd or yeUowish. Length j.-2.')-5.75 ; extent 8.7.5-9.H(l ; wiug 2.70-2.90; tail 2.25. 9:
Entire upper parts, including the crown, greenish-olive, with dusky streaks ; below, white,
much tinged with greenish-yellow, especially anteriorly, the streaks dusky and not so sharj) as
those of the nnile, but still very evident. Bars and edgings of the wings greenish-white. Tail
as in the nnile. Bather smaUcr than the nuile on an avcriure. Young: Similar to the adidt
9 , but brighter and more greenish -olive above, the streakiugs few and chiefly confineil to tlu-
middle of the back ; below, more or less comidetely tinged with greenish-yeUow, the streakiugs
obsolete, or entirely wanting. T'nder fail-coverts usually pure white. These autumnal birds
bear an I'xtraordiuary resemblance to those of I), casttima (though the adults are so very differ-
ent), the upper parts being, in fact, the same in both. But young cn,s^rt»i<?fl generally shows
traces of the chestnut, or at least a bulTy shade. <iuile different from the clear grceuish-cdive of
utriiita, this tint being strongest ou the flanks and under tail-coverts, just where striata is the
nio.st purely white. Moreover, castaiira shows no streaks below, traces at least of which are
usually (dtservable in striata. X. .\m.. excejttiug the Western and most of the Middle Province ;
\. to the Arctic ocean, Greenland. Alaska: west to Nebraska and Colorado. Winters extra-
limital. Breeds from northern New England northward. ^ligrates late in the spring, bringing
up the rear-guaril of the Warbler hosts; when the Black-jioUs appear in force the collecting
sea.son is about over! Nests h)W in spruce-trees and other evergreens; eggs 5, 0.72 X 0.50.
not peculiur.
Fio. IOC. — Hlnrk-poU War-
bler, nat. size. (.Vd tiat. del, K.C.)
304
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSERES — OSCINES.
123« D. casta'nea. (Lat. castanea, a cliestuut, in allusiou to the color.) BAy-BUEASTEn War-
liLEK. (J. ill sprinir: JJaek tliii-kly streaked with bhiek and grayish-olive; forehead nnd sides
of head black; enclosing a large deep chexintit patch ; a duller cliestuut (exactly like a blue-bird's
breast) occupies the whole chin and throat and thence extends, more or less iuterrujited, along
the entire sides of the body: rest of under (larts oclirey or butfy whitish ; a similar huffy area
behind the ears: wing-bars and tail-spots ordinary: bill and feet blackish. 9ihisj)ring:
More olivaceous than tiie male, with the markings less pronounced; but always shows evident
chestnut coloration : and probably traces of it persist in all adult birds in the fall. The yoiuisr,
however, so clo.sely resemble young striata, that it is somotinics impossible to distinguish them
with certainty. The upper )iarts. in fact, are of precisely the same greenish-olive, with black
streaks; but there is r/cdcra//// a difference below — castanca being there tinged with huffy or
ochrey, instead of the (dearer pale yellowish nf striata ; this shade is particularly observable on
belly, Hanks, and under tail-coverts, just where striata is whitest ; and moreover, castanea is
usually not streaked on the sides at all. Mature spring birds vary interminably in the extent
and intensity of the chestnut. Size of striata. Eastern X. Am., north to Hudson's Bay, W.
to the edge of the I'laiiis. Winters extraliniital. Migratory in most of the IJ. S. Breed.-:
from northern New Kngland northward. Nests moderately high in conifers, building a large
uest of twigs, tree-moss, rooth'ts, fur, etc. ; eggs ;}-(), 0.70 X 0.52, blitish-green, profusely
spotted with browns and lilac.
184. D. pennsylva'iiica. (Of " IViiu's woods"; sglva, a forest; si/lranus, sylvan. Fig. 107.)
t'ilESTNUT-SiUEi> Waubi.EK. (J , in sjiriiig: l$ack streaked with black and pale yellow (some-
times a.shy or whitish i; irhole crown pure i/ellou; immediately bordered with \vhite, then
enclosed with black ; sides of head and neck and whole under
yurtu pure white, former with an irregular black crescent before
the eye; one horn extending backward over the eye to border the
yellow crown and be dissi])ated on the sides of the nape, the other
reaching downwaril and backward to connect with a chain of j>ure
chestnut .streaks that run the whole length of the body, the
under eyelid and aiiriculai-s being left white; wing-bands gen-
erally fused into one large patch, and, like the edging of the inner
secondaries, niucli tinged with yellow: tail-spots white, as usual :
bill blackish, feet brown. 9 > hi spring : Quite similar; colors
less pure: black loral crescent obscure or wanting; chestnut
streaks thinner. Young: Above, including the crown, clear yellowi.sh -green, jierfectly uniform,
or back with slight dusky touches; no distinct head-niarkings : below, entirelg white from bill
to tail, uimiarked, or else slinwintr a tra< f chestnut streaks on the sides; wing-lmiids cleai
gellnw as in the adult : this is a diagnostic feature, shared by no other species, taken in con-
nection with tl ntinuoiisly white under parts; bill light-colored below. Small: Length
l.M)-5.10: extent 7.7.')-S,10; wing ■i.:Vt--2..")() ; tail -i.lM). Kastern V. S. and adjoining British
Provinces: west only to the edixe of the Plains; winters extraliniital; breeds abundantly in
Middle and Northern States: nests in forks of low .saplings, shrubs, and bushes: eggs 4-.j, O.fiS
X 0..J0, with the usual markiniis. .\ pretty species chained with chestnut on snowy ground.
Fio. lliT. — Cliestnut - Bldeil
Warliler, iiat. Hize. (Ail iiat. del.
E.C.)
lUH. D. maeulo'sa. (Tiat.
iliisa, full of sjiots ; macula, a spot. Fig. 1(18.) Bi.ArK-Axn-
yeli.ow Wauhi.eu. MAiiNui.iA. (J 9- ill sjiring: Back black, usually <|uile ]iureaiid unin-
terrupted ill the (J, more or less mixed with olive in the 9 : rump yell
ow ; iioper
■r tail-
coverts
black, often skirted with olive or ashy. Whole crown of liead clear ash : sides of head black,
including a very narrow frontlet ; the eyelids and a stripe behind the eye, between the ash and
black, white. Kiitire under parts rich yellow, excepting the white crissuni, heavily streaked
with black across the breast and along the sides, the streaks on the breast so thick as to form a
nearly continuous black border to the iiiiinactilate yeUow throat. Wings fuscous, with white
120.
IS"!
m p
SYLVICOLID^—SYLVICOLIN.E: TRUE WARBLERS.
305
1
lining, white edging of the inner webs of all the quills, of the outer webs of the inner second-
aries, nnd with a largo white jiateh formed by the tips of the median covertis and tips and outer
edges of the greater coverts. Tail blackish, with square white spots on the middle of the inner
webs of all the feathers excepting the middle pair. Bill blackish; feet dark. Length 4.75-
5.00; extent 7.00-7.50 ; wing 2.25-2.50; tail 2.00-2.25. Young: Upper parts ashy-olive,
grayer on head; rump as yellow as in the adult ; no decided head-markings; a whitish ring
around eye. Below, yellow, generally pure and continuous,
sometimes partially replaced by gray ; black streaks wanting,
or few and conlined to the sides. AViugs with two bars ; /«i7-
Sjwts as in the adult. While the sexes of this dainty little
species are quite similar, the young require looking after ; ob-
serve yellow rump, small square tail-spots on middle of feathers,
and extensively or completely yellow under parts. Eastern
N. Am., N. to Hudsou's Bay and Great Slave Lake, W. to
,» , ,, „ ^. . , . , 1 . ,1 . F'o. 168. — Black-anil-ycllow
the Rocky Mts. of Colorado; abundant, chietly migratory in Waiblcr, nat. size. (Ad nut. del.
the U.S.; winters extraliinital ; breeds from New England K. c.)
northward. Builds a small neat nest in low conifers ; eggs 4-5, 0.04 X 0.48, not i)eculiar.
126. D. tlgrl'na. (Lat. ti(irina, striped like a tiger, tifiris.) Capk May Wauiu.er. Adult ^,
insjn-ing: Back yellowish-olive, spotted with black; crown in high plumage perfectly black,
usually interrupted with olive, liuinp, sides of the neck nearly meeting iicross the najie, sides
of iiead and entire under parts bright yellow ; ear-patch orange-brown ; a black transocular
stripe, cutting off a yellow superciliary stripe; lower throat and whole breast and sides thickly
streaked with black ; yellow of throat sometimes tinged with orange-brown ; that of belly and
under tail-coverts pale or wliitisb.- Wing-bars fused in a large white patch, formed by iniddlo
coverts and outer webs of most of the greater coverts. Quills and tail-feathers blackish, edged
on outer webs with olive; tail-spots on three outer feathei's near their ends, oblique, large on
outer feather, diniinishing on the next successively; bill and feet blackish. The yellow i)atch
ou the rump is conspicuous, and in high plumage that on tiie side of the neck is immaculato
and very bright. 9 • >n ^piug > Similar; lacking the distinctive head-markings; under i)arts
l)aler and less streaked, tail-spots small or (discure; less white on the wini;. Young : An in-
signiticant-looking bird, resembling an overgrown ruby-crowned kinglet, witliout its crest ;
obscure greenish-olive above; rump yellowish; under parts yeUowish-white ; breast and sides
with the streaks obscure or obsolete; little or no white <m wings, whicli are edifcd with yel-
lowish. Lengtii 5.00-5. 2r) ; wing 2.75; tail 2.25. Eastern \. Am. to Iliidson's Bay, only
known W. to the Mississippi. Another exquisite, resembling the Magnolia in its yellow rump
and yellow black-striped under parts, but easily recoiriii/ed at maturity by the oranu'e-brnwn
car-coverts; possessing also the charm of rarity In most ]iarts. It Is also remarkable for the
curved and very acute bill, and some anatomical ix'cuilarltles of the tonuue, which have caused
it to be maile type of a genus I'erissogloxsa. Breeds In ])ortlons of New Enghind and nortii-
ward : nest low in trees ; eggs not peculiar.
137. D. «ll9'eolor. (Lat. discolor, j larti- colored ; ojjposed to concolor, whole-colored.) PnAiltlE
Wakiii.EU. Yellow-olive; back with a patch of brick-red spots ; foreiiead, sujiercillary line,
two wing-bars, and «'iitire under parts, rich yellow; a V-shajM'd black mark on side of head,
its upper arm running through eye, its lower arm Cimnecting with a series of black streaks
along the whole sides of the neck and body; tall-blotciu's very large, occupying most of the
inner web of the outer feathers. The sexes are almost exactly alike, and the young only differ
in not Ix'ing so bright and in having the dorsal patch and head-markings obscure. Small:
Length 4.75; extent 7.00-7.40; wing 2.15-2.25; tail 2.00. Eastern I'. S. to Massachu-
Betts ; W. U-' Kansas ; an abundant bird of the Middle and Southern States, in sjiarse low
woodland, cedar thickets and old fields grown up fu scrub-pines ; remarkable for its qiiuiut
306
SYSTEMATIC SYHOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES.
and curious song ; an export Hy-catclier, constantly darting into the air in pursuit of winged
insects, lilco tiic Jtedstart and tlie s]K'cii's of Mi/iudiodes. Ikeeds throughout its U. S. range ;
winters in Florida and the West Indies. Nest on a bush or sapling near the ground ; a small,
neat, compact structure; eggs 3-(). not j)eculiar.
128. D. gra'eite. (To iMiss Grace I). Cones, tlie author's sister.) Gkace's Warhlkp Entire
upper parts ashy-gray, with a slaty-blue tinge ; the middle of the back streaked with black,
the ujiper tail-coverts less conspicuously so marked; the crown with crowded black an"ow-
heuds, especially anteriorly and laterally, the tendency of these markings being to form a line
along the side of the crown, meeting its fellow on the forehead. A broad superciliary line of
yellow, confluent with its feUow on the extreme front, changing to white behind the eye.
Lores blackisli; sides of head otherwise like the back, enclosing a crescentic yellow spot below
the J'ye ; edges of eyelids yellow. Chin, throat, and fore breast bright yellow, bordered with
blackish streaks; the yellow of the throat sejiarate from that mider the eye or on the hires.
Under parts from the breast white, the sides shaded with the coha- of the back, and streaked
with black in cuntinuation of the chain of shorter streaks along the side of the neck. Wings
dusky, with very narrow Avhitish edging, and cro.><sed with two white bars along the ends of the
greater and median coverts. 'J'ail like the wings; the lateral feather nio.stly white, excepting
the outer web ; the next two or thrcf,' \vith white blotches, decreasing in size. Eyes, bill, and
feet black; soles dirty ycHowish. Length 4.90-5.25; extent about 8.00 ; wing 2.00: tail
2.25; bill under 0.50. (J, in auttnnn: Cohir of the upjier ])arts obscured with a .shade of
browni.sli-tdive, the dorsal streaks (dtscure. The head-markings as in sunnner, and the yellow
parts (|uife as bright. 9 '• Quite similar to the male, and in fact scarcely distingui.-ihable from
the male in autuuui, though the yeihiw is not ((uite so stnuig. Young: The slate-gray of the
upper parts uuich shaded with brownish-cdive, the black streaks wanting on the back, those on
the crown obsolete. Yellow much as in the adult but paler, aiul not bordered along the sides
of the neck with black streaks. The black lores are poorly defined. The wing-bars are gray-
ish or obsolete. The wiiit*' of the under parts has an ochrey tinge, and the lateral streaks are
not so heavy in colnr nor so well detined. .Southern Hocky Mt. IJegiou of the V. S. and scnith-
ward ; a beautiful .sju'cies, related to <hmintm and (idelaidic ; it is abundant in the jjine woods
<if Arizona and New Mexico. Nesting still uidiuown.
120. D. doiiilii'ica. (Lat. rfo»itHici<.s, of St. Domingo.) Yki.low-tiiuoatkd Waiuileu. Much
like the last species, with which its chatiges of ]dunuige correspond; back without black
streaks ; uo yellow in the black under the eye. A white patch separating the black of the
cheeks from the bluish-ash of thcJieck; a long sujierciliary .'itripc', usually yellow from bill to
eye, thence wliite to the luipe. Forehead and sides of crown usually <iuito black, chin and
throat rich yellow, bordered on each side by black. Kest t>f under parts white, the sides Ixddly
streaked with black. IJill black, extn'inely compres.-icd, almost a little decurved, very long
(at least 0.50). Length 5.00 or more; extent 8.00; Ming 2.70; tail 2.25. A large hand-
some sjtecies, M-ith its bright yellow throat. South Athiutic and (lulf States, conuuon ; N.
sonietimes to the Middle States, casually to New England. IJreeds in its U. S. range at large;
winters in Florida and extralimital.
130. D. a. Kibllo'ra. (Lat. «//(!/.«, white ; /onoH, the hire.) WiHTE-nitowKK Wahiii.er. Pre-
cisely like the last ; but superciliary striju- entirely white, and yellow of chin cut ott" from bill
by white. This sli^rht variety (considering bow variable dominkn is in amount of yellow ill
the superciliary line) is the common form of the Mississippi and Ohio valley, north regularly to
Uhio, Indiana, Illinois, W. to Kansas and Texas.
131. D. klrt'landi. (To Dr. Jared P. Kirtland, of Ohio.) Kikti.ani)'.s AVAKiiLEn. $ : Upper
parts slaty-blue ; crown and back streaked with black ; lores and frontlet black ; eyelids
mostly white. I'nder parts clear yellow, whitening on crissuni, the breast with small sjMits
and the sides with short streaks of black ; greater and nuddle wing-coverts, quills, and tail-
13;
i:
SYL riCOLIDJI^ — SYL VICOLINJE ; TR UE WAIWLERS.
•Wi
fi'iithors <m1ji;('(1 with white; two outiT tail-feathers white-blotched on inner web. Length
5.jO; wini; 2.80; tail 2.70. 9) ailnlt : I'lijier parts tlull bluish-gray, <))«.-;eure(l witli Imiwn-
i.sli on the hind neck and back, marked with heavy blacki^ih streaks on the wiiole back ;
crown and upper tail-covcrts M'ith line black shaft-lines. .Sides of head and neck like upper
parts, with darkened lores and whitish eye-ring. Wing-cpiills dusky, with slight whitish edg-
ing of both webs; coverts like back, but with large bhickish central field, and whitish edging
and tipping, forming two inconspicuous wing '^ars. Tail-feathers like wing-<piills, only the
onterniost one having a small white blotch. Entire under ])arts dull yellow, brighter on breast,
paler ou throat and belly, washed with brownish on sidt's, with a slight neckhice of brownish
dots across the fore breast (as in MijmUocten canadcims) ; these spots stronger on the sides of
the breast, whence lengthening into streaks on the sides and Hanks; a few small sharp
scratches of the same nearly across h)wer breast. Under tail-coverts white, unmarked. IJill
and feet black. Length about .').;{0; wing 2.()0; tail 2.30; bill 0.40; tarsus O.SO. Eastern
U. S., th(^ rarest of all the Warblers; only about a dozen specimens known thus far; its rehi-
tionsliips appear to be with dominica, gracitjo, and udeluidcc.
132. I), paliiia'riiin. (Lat. yx<Zwffj'Hm, of the palms ; gen. pi. of jj«/wifi, a i)alm.) Yellow Hkd-
roLL \V.\KiiLEK. I'alm Wahhlku. Iu spring: Urownish-olive, rump and upper tail-coverts
brighter yellowish-fdive, back (d)soletely streaked with dusky, croicn chentniit ; superciliary
line and entire under ](arfs rich yellow, breast and sich's with reddish-brown streaks, somewhat
ns in the Summer Warbler; a dusky loral line running through eye; no white wiiitf-bars, the
wing-coverts and inner quills being edged with yellowish-brown; tail spots ut very end of
inner webs of two outer ])air- of tail-feathers only, and cut squarely off — a peculiarity distin-
guishing the .species in any plumage. 9 n"t particularly ditl'erent, from the $. Young: Au
obs(!ure-h>oking object, browiii.sh above like a young Yellow-rump, but upper tail-coveils
yellowish-olive, and under tail-coverts apt to show (piite bright yellow in contrast with the
dingy yellowish-white or brownish-white of other under parts; pectoral and lateral streaks
obscure: crown generally showing chestnut traces; but in any phnnage, known by absence
rtf white wing-bars and peculiarity of the tail-s]iots. Length 5.00-3.25 ; e.xtent about 8.00 ;
wing 2.50; tail 2.25; tarsus 0.75. Eastern N. Am., abundant; \. to Labrador, Hudson's
Hay, Fort Hesfdution, etc. ; breeds only beyond the l^. S., excepting in Maine. Nest on the
ground; peculiar in tliis respect in the genus, as far as known; eggs not peculiar. When the
bird is migrating it is usually found iu fields, along hedge-rows and road-sides, with Yellow-
rumps and Sparrows; the most terrestrial species of the genus, often recalling a Titlark;
ndgrates early in the spring, and renuiins in the fall latest of any, e.\cept the Yellow-rump,
being observed at both these seasons in New England, with snow, in April and November ;
winters abundantly from the Candinas to Texas, and in the West Indies.
133. I>. p. liypoeliry'sea? ((Jr. vjro, /(m^jo, under ; ^P'^crfor, c/ok-scos, golden.) Yellow-dellied
Kek-poll Wahuleu. Said to differ in being more brightly and continuously yellow on the
und<'r parts, with the streaks confined mostly to the sides, broadly tear-sluqied instead of linear,
reddi.sh instead of dusky ; lower eyelid yellow, not whitish ; back brighter olive. •' Atlantic
States, from East Florida to Nova .Scotia." According to this, hypochrynen should Ix- the
common bird of the Atlantic States, and what is above described as true pulmantm should be
the bird of the interior. But I have little faith in the validity of the physical characters
assigned, and none in the geographical distinctions sought to be establislied.
134. I>. pl'iius. (Lat. ;}i«K.'!, a jiine.) PixE Wauulek. Pixe-cueepixo Wahhleu. $ : rniform
yellowish-(dive above, yellow b<dow, paler or white on belly and under tail-coverts, shaded and
sometimes obsoletely streaked with darker on the sides; superciliary line yellow; wimr-bars
white; tail-blotches confined to two outer pairs of feathers, large, oblique. 9 "'"' you'iK ^
Similar, duller ; sometimes merely olive-gray above and sordid whitish below, thus nuiking
very dingy, non-committal objects. The variations in [irecise shade are intenniuable ; but the
308
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEIiES— OSCINES.
species may always bo kuown by the liiek of any special shaq) iiuirkings whatever, cxcei)t the
BUiKTciliary 'uie ; and by the coinhiiiatiuii of wiiite wiiig-bars with hirgc oblique tail-s|)ots
cuutiiii'd to tiic two outer pairs of fL-uthiTs. One of the largest species, as well as most siiii]>ly
colored; It'iigth 5.50-5.75; extent 8.50-U.OO; wing i.Jo-.i.Ot); tail 2.40; tarsus 0.70; bill
0.45. Eastern U. S., strictly; N. only to Canada and Xew Urunswick, \V. oidy to the Missis-
sippi Valley. IJrceds tlinmghout its wliolc range, and abounds in M-inter in the Southern
States; is nearly resident, being sometimes seen in the Middle States in midwinter, and in
New Kngland early and late, with snow. N'ests in j)in(!-trees ; ne.st and eggs not peculiar.
*,* Thus passing in review the i',i "solid" species of Dcndrocca, with two varieties lately
introduced, I nniy allude to two species described by early authors, but never identified.
1. Si/lria montaiKt, Wilson. Tiiis I have given (in the orig. ed., ji. 105) .some reasons for sup-
posing to be a young 1). circus. 2. Si/kiu curbonuta, Audubon. A stroiigly-nnirked bird,
the like of which hius never been seen since. It has been conjectured to be a hybrid of D.
tigriita and IJ. striata.
40. SIl'KL'S. (Gr. <r«ci),seio, I wave or brandish; o5pa, oioa, tail.) Wao-tail Warhlkij.s. In
general form scarcely distinguishable from Deiidrwai ; larger in size, ditt'erent in jjatteru of
coloration, in habits, gait, and niditieation. Hill ordinary. Hictal bristles .short but evident.
Wings pointed, nuich longer than tail. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. Tail nearly
even, witii rather acute featiiers, and long, copious under coverts. Neither wings nor tail ])arti-
coloied. Above olivaceous, with iir witiiout head-markings, otherwi.se uniform; below white,
buffy, or yellowish, profusely streaked. Legs slender, usually pale-colored. Habits terrestrial
to somi^ extent; nest ou the ground ; eggs white, spotted, ^'ocal powers preeminent. Oait
umbulatorial, not saltatorial, and some other traits decidedly Motacilline.
Anntyain of SpecieH.
Criiwii orangc-lirowii, wltli two black Htrlpcs; no Buperiillury lliio aiirirapilliis IXt
Crown like buck ; a lung supurciliary lino.
Uulow, ycllowlsli, lieavlly hlroakeil; Hmallor; bill not ovur 0.50 mriiim l.TC
UuUiw, wliltlsli, lightly stroakud ; larger ; bill over 0.50 motticilla 138
135. S. aurlenpll'Ius. (Lat. «i»'i«hi, gold ; «(^)(7/i(.s-, hair. Fig. 109.) (t()i,i>i:s-(U()WM'.i> WAti-
TAll. WaUHLKU. (iOLDKN-CUOWXKK AcCKNTOU. GoM)KN-('UOWXKl> Tllltl .Sll. Ovr.N-lllKD.
J 9<"*'"'t' Entire upper jtarts, including the wings and tail, uniform l>riglit olive-green,
witiiout markings. Top of head with black lateral stripes, bounding a golden-lirown or dull
orange .space. A white ring round <'ye ; no M-hite super-
ciliary strip(!. L'nder parts white, thickly spotted witli
dusky on the breast, the spots lengthi^ning into streaks on
tli(^ sides ; a narrow black maxill.'iry line ; under wing-
coverts tinged with yellow. Legs llesh-colored. I^ength
5.75-()..")0, usually (i.OO-il.iJj ; extent 8.75-10.40, usually
9.50-10.00; wing 2.90-;5.'25 ; tail ab.ait 2.50. Varies
much in size, but is remarkably constant in coloration with
Fi.i.loo.-Ovcn-blrd.nat. size, (Ad age, sex, and seas.m ; se.xes indistingui.shable, and young
iiat. del. K. C.) scarcely to be ttdd from the adults. Fall spi'cimeiis
ordinarily quite as bright-colored as thotic of spring ; and the orange-brown crown-.spnt, tlioiiirh
it may bo le.s8 briiiht, is acquired by the young with their first full feathering. There are
at first no crown -stripes, and the lower parts are butty, indistinctly .streaked ; upper parts
fnlvous-brown ; wings and tail as in the adult. X. Am., W. to Colorado, Dakota, and
Abiska ; breeds throughout its N. Am. range ; winters from the southern border .southward. A
pretty and engaging species, called '•Oven-bird" from the way it has of rooting over its nest,
abundant in wo<Mlland, migratory. In May the woods resound with its h)ud crcseentlo chant,
.so incessant and obtrusive that the bird was long in acquiring the reputation of musical ability
130
13
la
SYLVICOLIDJE — SYLVICOLINJE : TRUE WARBLERS.
309
tlin
ots
I'ly
iiiii
<is-
ITIl
iu
•1.
In
t(i which its hixiirioiis nuptial song entitles it nut loss than the Louisiana water thnisli itself.
'J'he bird spends uiueh of its time on the jiround, trailing' jirettiiy aniont; the fallen leaves with
niineing steps. Nest on the ground, of leaves, grasses, ete. ; eggs l-O, white or slightly
ereaniy, jirofu.sely speckled with reddish-hrown and lilac, 0.85 X 0.65.
130. 9. nte'vius. (Lat. iKcviiis, 8|)otted; ntcrus, a mole, birth-marli.) Wao-tail Wakhi.er.
Ayi'ATic Aci'KNTOu. New York Water Thrush. ^ 9 : rniform dark <dive-brown ;
wings Hiid tail similar, unmarked ; below, pale sulphury-yellow, everywhere, except perhaps on
the middle of the belly, thickly speckled or streaked with dark olive-brown, the markings small-
est on the throat, largest on the sides. A long dull whitisli superciliary line. Hill and teet dark.
' Length 5.50-().00 ; extent 8.50-i).50 ; wing 2.75-3.00 ; tail 2.25 ; bill not over 0.50 along
the cnlmen. The sexes do not differ appreciably. The .shade of the upper parts varies from a
decidedly olivaceous-brown to a purer, darker bistre-brown, and that of the under |)arts from
sulphur-yellow to nearly white ; but it is never of the buffy-white of S. motacillu. The streak-
ing varies in anioimt and intensity, but has a sharp distinct character in comparison with S.
motacilla, and is rarely if ever absent from the throat. Xo bill over 0.50, and this member lacks
the peculiar shape, as well as size, characteristic of .S'. motacilla. The very yunng bird .sooty-
bhu-ki.sh, each feather of the upper i>arts with terminal bar of ochraceous ; wing-coverts tipped
with the same, forming two bars; streaks below as in tlie adult, but broader, and not so slmridy
defined. N. Am. at large, breeding in most if not all tif its range ; winters from the southern
border .southward; a common inhabitant of thickets, swamps, and morasses, less frei|uently of
mixed wooilland. Nest usually under a stum]) or log, of mosses, leaves, and grasses, lined with
rootlets; egys 4-('), hrilliant wliit(>, profusely speckled, O.SO X O.CO.
137. S. II. nota'bills? (Lat. Jio^fW///*, noteworthy.) WvoMixi; Water THHisir. Described as
identical in coloration with the last, but larger; wing 3.25 ; tail 2.50; bill from nostril 0.50;
its depth at base 0.25 ; tarsus 0.83 : middle toe without claw 0.50. Wyoming, one specimen :
very doubtful:
138. 8. motttcll'la. (Lat. »H0<«(i7/rt, a wag-tail. See p. 2S4.) LAROE-itil.i.En Waotaif. Warhi.EK.
LoiLsiAXA Water TiiRfSH. Very .similar to .S". >i<^ri-i»,s-; larger; length (i.OO-().25 ; extent
10.00-10.75 ; wing 3.00-3.25 ; bill especially longer and stouter, over 0.50 ; tarsus nearly 1.00.
Under parts white, only faintly tinged, and chielly on the Hanks and crissum, with buff (not
sulphury-yellow) ; the streaks sparse, i)ale, and not very sharp; throat, as well as belly and
crissum, unnuirked ; legs i)ale. 1 have yet to see a specimen I cannot distinguish on sight;
the size of the bill is by no means the only character, though it is a principal one. Eastern
IT. S., rather southern, and not very common ; N. to Massachusetts regularly, sometimes to
Maine ; W. to Kansas, Indian Territory, and Texas ; more abundant in the Mississippi \'alley;
breeds in its U. S. range at large ; winters extralimital. Habits, nest and eggs like those of
.S'. iKCfiii.s. A sweet and .skilful songster.
41. OPOKOK'NIS. (f!r. dnafja, opora, autmnn ; Spvis, onii.'f, a bird: noting the abundance of
O. (i()iU.i in the fall.) MisH Warblers. Mill of ordinary Sylvicoline characters. IJictal
bristles short but evident. Wings ]iointed, much louijer than tail ; 1st ipiill nearly or (piite
longest. Tail nearly even, witli acute feathers ; wings and tail unmarked, like the biu-k.
Uutler tail-coverts long and copious. Tarsus about ('(jual to middle toe and claw. Feet pale-
colored; back, wings, and tail olive ; under parts yellow ; black or ashy mi head. Sexes alike.
.■InahfftiH of .'<j>ccifs.
Head wttlinut block ; crown mill tliront .ihIi; a wliitiKli eye-ring oiiilin l.')9
Head with bluek ; line over eye mid under parts yellow formnsa 140
130. O. u'gllis. (Lat. (Kjilin, agile, active.) Connectu'IT Warbler. Olive-green, becoming
ashy on the head ; below, from the breast, yeUow, olive-sliad<'il on the sides ; chin, throat, and
breast dark ash; a whiti.sh ring round eye; wings and tail mnnarked, glossed with olive;
under mandible and feet pale ; no decided nuirkings anywhere. Length about 5.50 ; extent
310
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES — OSCINES.
h.SO-it.OO; wiiiK 2.7J-;{.00; tail 2.00. In spring Itirds tho n.sli of tho licml and throat is quito
pure, ami very dark, alino.st Mack on the breast ; tiicn tlie roseniblancc to Geothlypis philn-
(It'lj)liiu is close; but in the latter tlic winjfs are little if any longer tlian the tail. In the fall
the iiiijier jiarts from bill to tail are nearly nniforni (dive, ami the a.'sli of the throat is pale.
Eastern V.. S., not commonly observed in the spring ; abounding in the fall in some localities;
11 isliy, fiiuitive inhabitant of brushwood and thickets. Distribution, niigratiun, and breeding still
imperfectly known.
140. O. foriiio'sii. (Lat. /ocmo.s«, shapely, comely ; hence, beautiful in any way. Fig. 170.) Kkn-
Tl'CKY Waimu.ki!. Clear olive-green; entire under parts bright yellow, cdive-shaded along
sides; crown black, separated by a rich yellow superciliary line
(which curls around the eye behi'id) from a broad black bar
running from bill below eye and thence down the side of the
neck; wings and tail unmarked, glossed with olive; feet Hesli-
c(dor. Length 5..'>0-5.75; extent about 9.25 ; wing 2.7.")-'J.OO ;
tail 2.25. Young birds have the black obscure, if not wanting ;
in the fall, the black feathers of the crown of the adult are
skirted with ash. Eastern II. S., N. to the ('on)iecticut Valley ;
also known to occur near Quebec. Not abundant, but connnon
Km. 17ft. — Kentucky Warbler, in certain secti<(ns, as in Illinois, Kansas, and other portions
iiat, Bizc. (A.l n«t. .l.-l K. C.) „,• ^j,^. Mississippi Valley. IJreeds throughout its II. S. range ;
winters <'.vtralimital. A beautiful object, gh'aming like gold in the tangle and debris of thick
dark woods and swamps. Nest on the ground, or in rubbish near it, of leaves, grasses, weed-
stems and rootlets, large and shallow ; eggs -1-5, 0.70 X 0.5(1, crystal-white, sprinkled with
reddish dots.
42 OEO'THLYPIS. (Gr. y^ or yia, ge or gen, tho earth, and 6\viris or Opavirii, ihliipis or
tlinaipin, name of .some bird.) (Jkoiind WAuni.KU.s. Hill of ordimtry Sylvii^cdine characters ;
rictal bristles very slight. Wings rennirkably short and much rounded, scarcely or not longer
than the rounded tail. Legs stout; tarsi longer than middle toe. Of medium and rather
small size for this family. Coloration olivaceous above, with yellow below. Tail rountled,
without white spots. Legs ])ale-c(dored. Habits somewhat terrestrial. Nest on the ground
or near it. This genus affords severivl species more or less resembling t\w common Mary-
land Yellow-throat, chiefly of th<' warmer parts of America — three of X. Am. They arc
well distinguished from other Warblers by the extreme shortness of the wings, which aro
scarcely or not longer than the tail, and by the size of the j)ale-eolore<l legs, which indicates
somewhat terrestrial habits. Our species arc familiar inhabitants of the shrubbery, ordimirily
keeping near the ground, where tho nest is usually jdaced.
Analusis nf Spiriva.
Scxps qnitp iiiiliki-: (f witlinblnck nuisk Irarclurcil witli nHti,nn<l tlirnat yellow ; $ with liend plnin trirhnu 141
Scxi'H ii(>arly nllki' : lii'iul iiiiil tliront ii»liy, deoiMniliig on lircaHt.
No wliito oyi'Iiilx ; breast of a<1ult cf quite lilackisli Philadelphia 142
WHilto cyellils : bren»t of ailull cf Hrarccly (Ufferent from throat mariiilltrraiji 143
141. O. tricli'ns. (Cr. T(ux«t, name of some bird in Aristotle. Fig. 171.) Ykm.ow-TIIUoatki)
(iRorNn Waiuu.f.h. Mauyi.axu Yki.ldw-tiikoat. <f , in summer: Ujiper parts rich olive,
in<-lining to grayish on the liead, brightest on the rump. Wings and tail brown, edged with the
color of the ba<'k. Chin, throat, anil breast, with under wing- and tail-coverts, rich yellow.
Middle under ])arts dull whitish, sliaded <m th(> sides. A broad black nuisk on the front and sides
of the head, bordered behind by hoary-ash. Hill black ; feet flesh -colored. Length 4.75-5.00 ;
exlenMi.50-().<)l) ; wing 1.90-2. 10 ; tail rather more. 9 > i" *"•"•""''' • Hather smaller ; yellow
of the under j)arts pali'r and more restricted ; no black or ashy markings on bead, but crown
usually with some concealed reddi-sh-brown. Otherwise top and sides of head like buck, with
SYL VICOLIIL^ — ICTERIIXJE : CHA TS.
311
soino obBPiirc whitishnoss about tho Uiros nnd orbits. Young : Similar to tho adult fcmalo, but
thi! olivo of the upjH'i- jiarts with iiiuch of a brownish tinge, tho yellow i)arts and, in faet, most
of tho under parts, quite butl'y. 'I'he adults, in fall and winter, aro Biinilar to each other, except
in tho purer and stronger yellow of the male, as at that season
the i>eeidiar black and ashy marldngs of the head are wanting.
Hotli sexes then resemble the autinnnal i)lumage of tho young
in tho browner shade of the oliv(; and buffiness of tho under parts.
U. S., from Atlantic to Pacific; breeds tliroughout this range;
winters from the southern border southward. An abundant and
faunliar inhabitant of shrubbery and underbrush, the sameness
of which is etdivened by its sprightly presence and hearty song ^^^^ ^^^ -Maryland Yel-
throughout tho smnmer months. Nest on the ground or near it, low-tliroat, ^, nat. bIzo. (.\ii
usually carefidly concealed, of large size and built of any rub- "»'• ilcl. K. C.)
bish ; eggs 4-fi, usually ().()()-((.7<) long by 0.50-0.55, white, rather sparingly spriidded, and
mostly at the large enil, with several shades of brown : but the markings, like the size and
shai>e of the eggs, are very variable.
14a. G. pliiliulcl'plii)!. (To the city of brotherly lovo ; Or. <^<X(ci>, phiko, I love ; d8t\<f)ik, (idelphos,
brother.) MoruNlNtJ Wahiii,i:u. ^ 9 , in .spring : Bright (dive, bob iw clear yellow ; on the
lioad the (dive jiasses insensibly into ash ; in high plumage of <J the throat and breast black ;
but generally ash, showing black traces, the feathers being black veiled with ash, producing a
peculiar ai)i)earanco suggestive of tho bird's wearing crape; wings and tail unnuirked, glo.s.sed
with olive; under mandible and feet flesh-color; vo whUc nhout eyes in adidt (J. Young,
and generally fall .specimens : Ash of the fore jmrts veiled with (dive ; sides and across breast
(piitt* olivaceous, leaving oidy central line of under ])arta yellow; blackish-ash of jugulum veiled
by bright yellow tips of the feathers; eyelids brownisb-yollow. Young birds have little or no
a.sb on the head, and no black on tho throat, thus resembling Oporornis aifilix; but are of
course distinguishable by their generic characters. Length 5.25-5.50; extent 7.50-8.00;
wing and tail, each, about 2.25. Ea.steru U. S., W. to Kan.sas and Dakota, rare in most
localities in tho Atlantic States, but abimdant in tho Mississippi Valley; migratory; no record
of wintering in tho U. S. ; breeds chiefly in the northernmost tier of States and along the Hritish
l)order. Niditicatiiin like that of O. trichas; eggs not distinguishable.
143. ti. niHCKlUlvrfty'l. (To \Vm. Mac(iiUivray, tin? enunent Scot(di ornitb(dogist, co-author of
Audubon's works.) Ma((iii,livuav'.s WAuni.KU. ^ 9 : Upper jiarts, including expo.sed
surfaces of wings and tail, clear (dive-green ; below, bright yellow, shaded with idive on tho
sides. Head and n(>ck all around, throat, and fon- breast, clear ashy ; eyeUdx white ; the loral
region usually dusky, the throat with blackish centres to lh(> feathers, veiled by their gray
skirting. Up))er nnmdible blackish ; under mandible and feet flesh-c(dored or pale yellowish.
Length 5.25 ; extent 5.75-8.00 ; wing and tail, each, alxait 2.25. Sea.sonal and sexual diflerences
those of G. phihulelphin, of which it is the Western rejiresontative, differing in having white
eyelids, and in n(n-er showing a decided black patch on the breast, which is conspicuous in tho
highly pbnnaged $ of the other form ; but thus chwly resembling 9 ;>/ii7'"/W/)/iiV(, which nor-
mally shows a whiti.sh eye-ring, and has not the breast (juito black. Middle and Western
I'roviiKTs of tho U. S., E. to the lindt of trees on \\w jdains, N. to Hritish C(dinnbia ; abundant,
migratory ; broods throughout its 11. S. range ; winters beyond. Nest and eggs as in others of
tho genus.
16. Subfamily ICTERIIN^: Chats.
A snnill group, framed to accommodate tho f<dl()wing genus and its two tropical allies,
Granntelliis and Teretistris; it is perhaps (ptcstionablo whether they aro most naturally classed
with tho Warblers.
F
312
SYSTEMATIC SYXOPSIS —PASSEIiES— OSCINES.
43. ICTE'RIA. (Gr. 'ucrtpot, ikteros, the jaundifo; liciicc, ypUowiiPss; from tlio bird's gidilon
brciut.) CiiATH. liill »ti>iit, liigli iit tlic biiso (liigbor than broad at iidstril!*), tbciico ctnii-
prosHcd ; iniiKitchcd, uiibri.stlcd, with iiiiich curved culiiicii and c-iniiiiiiMMurc. Frontal fi'athcrs
rcacliiiig the nostrils, wliiidi arc suhcircniar and scaled. Wings nmch ronnded, shorter or iiot
long(tr than the gradnatetl tail. Tarsus jmrtly booted, longer than middle too ; feet stout.
Inner toe deft to the degree usually seen in this family. Of largest size for this family. Form
stout. Coloration siniiile, <'hiefly olive, yellow, and white. Se.xes alike. Xestin bushes. Kggs
white, spotted. Probably only one spe-ies.
144. I. vl'rens. (Lat. riVfo.s-, being green. Fig. 172.) Yeli.ow-hkeastki) CiiAT. <J 9 » '"'"It •
ISright (dive-green, below golden-yellow, belly abruptly white ; lore black, i.sidating the white
under-eyelid from a white superciliary line above and a short white maxillary line below; wings
and tail luimarked, glossed with olive; bill blue-black;
feet plumbeous. Length about 7.50; extent about 10.00;
wing about '4AM; tail about '.\.-2'>. Little ditl'erence with
age, sex or s<'ason in the plumage of this rich bird ; very
young have the fore under part.s gray or white slashed
V; \ , vC>\^SSSlffl5P^ with yellow, no black ou lore, and lower nnindible pale;
white of belly and orissum tinged with buff. Kastern L'. S.,
« ^^ N. to .Ma.'tsachusetts, abundant, ndgratory ; bn-eds througli-
Pio. 172 -Y.llow.broastedChBt.nat. ""t its range; an exdu.Mve inliabitant of K.w tangled un-
kIzc. (Adiml. (Id. K. C.) dergrowth, and oftcner lieanl than seen, excejit during the
mating season, when it performs the extravagant aerial ev<dutions for which, as well as for
the variety and V(dubility of its song, it is noted. Nest in a crotch of a bush near the ground ;
eggs 'A-l, very variable in .«ize and nuirkings. about 1.00 X O.SO, white, dotte*!, s])otted or
blotched with reddish-browns and the usual lilac sbidl-markings.
145. I. V. loiiKieau'da. (\Mt. loiirjiis, long; mi/f/((, tail.) L(>X(i-TAiM',i> CliAT. ^ 9 : Kntiro
upper parts, including ex])osed surfaces of the wings and tail, grayish-idive. Quills of the wings
and tail fuscous. Fore half of body below, including lining of the wings, rich yellow; hinder
half white, shaded with gray on the sides. Loral region black ; a sharp nntxillary line,
another from no.stril over the eye, and the under eyelid, white. Hill blackish-plumbeous ; feet
plumbeous. Size of the last ; tail averaging longer. .Middle and Western I'rovinces of the
U. S. This form, in its typical manifestation, differs fnnii lirois in the shade of the upper
parts — quite grayish instead of pure olive-green ; in tlie dullest-colored birds there is scarcely
a tinge of olive in the gray of th<' n])per parts. The yellow of the brea.st is as rich, however, as
that of I'/mi.f. As in the cases of so many birds from this region, the tail averages longer than
that of Easteni representatives of the same species.
17. Subfamily SETOPHACIN^: Fly-catching Warblers.
These usually have the bill depres.sed, broader than high at base, notched and ho(d<ed at tip,
and furnished with long stiff bristles that reach halt-way or more from the iio.strils to tht; end
of the bill. In other res))ects they are not distiniinished from the rest of the family. While
many or most other (S/z/c/co/iV/cr are expert in taking insects on the wing, these capture their
prey in the air with special address, simulating in this respect the true Clamatorial Hyi'atchers
with vvhidi some species i<( Sctophafja us<'d to Ix? classed in the extensive <dd genus " Muwi-
capa.'' It is hardly uecessary to say that, however closely some of them may resemble? the
TyrmnudfP, they are at once distingnished from tlutse Clannitorial birds by the Uscine character
of the tarsi, and the presence of only nine primaries. The Sftojiliarfina; are most developed in
Central and South America, where they are represented by three or four genera, and upwards of
forty .species. They inclnd<' some very brilliant little birds, with glo.ssy black, orange, and even
carmine red, very likely nustakcu by heedless bugs for the tints of flowers. Besides the species
8YLVIC0LIDJE — SETOPHAGINJE : FLY-CATCHINO WABBLERS. 313
'iiin-
tlicrs
iiiit
tout,
''tirin
-W8
to be described, four or five others mnybo expected to occur over our Mexican border, — aimmg
them tlie lovely CardvUinn rubra, which in cariiiiiic red all over, with silky white cars ; Seto-
phar/n mininUt, very near 6'. jticla; and Hpecies of the genus BanileHteriin. Our three generii
are reatlily distinguished, so fur as our species uro concerned, by coloration.
/liiiiliiHiii nf flintm.
if ninrk, wlilto, mill nraiiRc; 9 '"'•■wii, wliito, anil yellow Srtnphnpa 40
(f $ Anliy, wlilti", mill carmine or riwy reil (nrihlliim 45
(f 9 WItliiiiit brown, reil, or (irungo Mii'milimlis 44
44. 3IYIOI>I<)C'TtJS. (Or. /ivia, muia, a Hy, and Siwkttis, lUoktes, a pursuer.) Fl.v-CATCIIIXO
Wauhi.kks. Hill .Miiscicapine, though with lateral ontlines a little concave, broad and depressed
at base, with many "bvious rictal bristles reuchini; decidedly beynnd tlie nostrils; cuhiieu and
commissure nearly .straight. Wings pointed, as in most Si/lrkoli(l(i\ l"ni:er tiian tail ; jst "(iiill
longer than 5th, 'M eipialling or exceeding 4th. Tail narrow, even or little rounded. .Midille
toe without claw about three-fifths as long as tarsus. Tail iinmarUed, or with wliite blotches
t\n hi J)niilr(rc(i. No red or tlame-color : always yellow below. ('iini|ir('henils three sjiecies,
well distiugiiislieil among Si/lrirolidfC \>y thv development of the rictal bristles and the dejiresscd
shape of the bill, ihoiigh these .Miiscicapine characters are nut piislied to the extreme .seen in
Seto])h(iff(i. '!"he tail is narrow, lacking the fan-shaped contour nf that n( Siittjiliiii/<i, ami tlir feet
are stouter, with hmger toes. In ('(iriMliiin, a near ally, the bill is narrow and coiiuiilal, sniiio-
what I'ai'ine in aiipearance, with curved cnlmeii. In liasilfHlcnis, and in fact in all the extra-
limital forms of the Fly-catching Warblers, the wing is rounded, with tlit^ Istijuill shorter than
the 5th.
Annlj/Hh nf S/n-riin.
Olive iinil yellow ; Inil-foatliers wlilte-blotolicil milriilim 14(!
Olive anil yellow ; tall-fealliiTji pliiiii ininilliin 147
Asliy-bliie ami yellow: tall-foatliorg |ilain , cnniiiliiinnt 14!)
140. M. mltra'tiis. (Lat. milnihis, weariiii: a mitre, orother head-dress. Fig. IT'!-) UoiM>i:i> Fl.V-
t'ATt'lllXd WAKIU.KIt. jj, adult: Clear yellow-olive above ; helow, rich yellow, shaded with
(dive along the sides; wliide head and neck pure black, en-
.^^^^^ closing a broad golden mask across forehead and tliniiigli eyes;
iji^ ^^^^^^ wings unmarked, glossed with (dive ; tail with lalge white
blotches on the two or three outer pairs of feathers, as in
'\ywr ])f„,lr(tc(i; bill black; feet Hesli-c(dore(b Length j.OO-f). 25 ;
extent 8.50; wing about 2.75; tail about 2.25. 9. adult,
and yoimg (J, with the black restricted or interrupted, if not
whidly wanting, as it is in the earlier stages, when the parts
concerned are simply colored to corresjiond with the upper
Fi«. n.'l. — Itooilcd Warlilor, nat. and under surfaces of the bird. Hood .said to be not perfected
"''■"• ''*'' '"*•■ ''"'■ "■'■ ^l till the third year, and to be finally ac(iuire(l, in the fulness
of its extent if not in the purity of the black, by the feniah'. Eastern U. S., strictly; N.
regularly to the Connecticut Valley ; W. to Kansas ; migratory : breeds at large in its IT. IS.
range ; winters extraliniital. A lovely bird, reminding one of the
Kentucky warbler, common in the south in such brakes and bottoms
us the Kentucky haunts, rarer northward. Xest in bushes ; eggs 4,
about 0.70 X 0.."0, as usual white, reddish-sprinkh'd. ^- 'L I'^^fv y><fK^^
147. M. piisil'liis. (Lat. pusilhis, puerile, petty, small. Fig. 174.)
lli.ACK-cAi'i'Kn Fi.v-t^ATCiiixci Wauui.ku. (J, adult: Upper
parts, including exposed edgings of the wings and tail, bright yel-
lowish-(dive ; under parts, includmg front and sides of the liead „. Fu.. 174 -Black-L>i,,pc,l
■ ' * Warbler, nat. size. (Ad nat.
und superciliary line, rich yellow, shaded with olive on the sides. A del. k. o.)
314
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSKRES— OSCINES.
n(|unrisli, Rlf'scy liliif-lilnck imtrli on the crown. WiiiRs ami tail plain fiidcotig, with nrroniHli
nJKiiii;!*, iiiiiiiai'kcil witli iitlicr <-ii|i>r. r|i|H'r iiiaiiiiiWIo <larl\ ; iindor iiiaiiiliblt! and feet liu'lit.
licniitli i.l'f, extent H.7."i-7.<Mt ; wini; •2AH)-i.i'i ; tail 2.(10. 9 • "'"I J"'iiip : l..a('kiiiK tlio
Idai'k cap, tlic cmwn licini; ccdorcd like tlic liack. There is very little variation in tiii.s n|iecieM,
accordini; to a^'eor seaxon, tii(ini;h tlieadnlt sinnnier hirds an^ the more richly colored. N. Am.
at lari;e, in w led reuions : common, miirratory. lireeds from the northcrnmoHt States north-
ward to the limit of trees, anil in the Rocky Mts. as far south ns Colorado at least; winters
exlraliniilal. Nest on the ground ; eijjjs 4-.'), O.CiO X 0.50, white, siiockled and hlotcliud with
<lark reddisli-hrowM and lilac.
118. M. p. |tll«>()lii'tiiH. (Lat. /«7(W>(/i(.'», wearing the ;>iV<'i<m, a kind of cap.) Wkhtkun Hi-Ack-
c.M'l'i'.h l'"i,v-<A'r(iiiNii W'Ainil.Kii. Specimens from the Southern Hocky Mts. and I'aciHc
coast reixion are freipiently of a hriyliter yellow, almost orange, on the head and fore i>arts
helow, with the under mandilde bright yellow.
140. 31. euiiudcii'slH. ( l.at. of Canada. Fig. 175.) Canadian Fi.v-CATriiixr, WAiiBi.Kn. (J,
adult in spring: llluish-ash ; crown speckleil with lanceolate hiack marks, crowded and gen-
erally continuous on the forehead ; the latter divided length-
wise hy a .ilight yellow line; short superciliary line and edges
of eyelids yellow; lores black, continuous with Idack mider the
eye, and this passing as a chain of Idack streaks down the side
of the neck and ju'ettily encircling the throat like a necklace
of jet ; excejiting these streaks and the white nnder tail-coveits,
the entire under jiarts are clear yellow ; wings and tail uinn:irked ;
feel tiesh-cidor. (J in autumn with the yellow very rich, even
tip])ing the feathers of tho black necklace. Length 5.25-5.50;
extent 7-75-8. 25 ; wing 2.50; tail 2.25. In the 9 »'id young the
bhiek of crown, cheeks, and necklace is <d).scure or much restricted,
and in the young the back may b(- glos.sed with cdive; l)Ut they
cannot be mistaken for any other species. Eastern X. Am., an abundant and beautiful wood-
lan<l species, migratory, breeding from the Middle States occasionally, from New Kngland rei:u-
liM'ly, northward to the limit of trees. Nest on the ground, in which resjx'ct specie* f (his
uenus diH'er from most Si/lriroliilae and resemble Jlclminthophiln ; egys -t-S. n
white, dotted and blotched with reddish-brown after the usinil fashion of Wiiible
46. <'Altl>KLLl'NA. (Apparently derived from Lat. carihiclin, a kii ms,
thistle.) KosK FiA-('ATniiN«j Wahiii.kus. Hill Pariiie ill shape. slion. . hea
high at base, rnlmen convex througlunit ; commissure curved. Hicim lies stitf. at hardly
reaciiiiiir half-way from nostrils to tip of bill, which shows scarctdy a tiMcc of noi.li. Wiiii;s
lout; and pointed; 2d, .id, anil 4th <piills nearly eipial and longest ; 1st a little Ion r than 5th.
'fail shorter than wings, nearly even. Feet small; tarsal scutella indistinct externally; tarsus
|oni;er than mitldle toe and claw.
150. C. ru'hrlfrons. (Lat. n/fcer, red ; /ro>i.s, front, forehead.) HEn-FitoNTED Fi.y-catciiino
WAitni.Kli. (J 9 '■ Fppcr parts ash, wings and tail rather darker, edged with ashy-white;
a broader and whiter bar across ends of median coverts. Helow. from the breast, white, more
or less shaded with a.shy on tlie sides, and tiniied with rosy. l{um|) and a nuchal patch white,
or rosy-white. M'hide head, throat, sides of the neck, ami fore breast, bright red, with a broad
black ca|) exteiidini; down on the sides of the head, involving the eyes and ears, ending in a
point below the auriculars. The border of this cap is squarely transverse against the red of the
forehead from eye to eye; behind it. the red reaches up the sides of neck, but not across the
back of the neck, the white nuchal area there meeting the ashy of the back. Hill and feet
dark. In the highest summer plumage, the red is rich and carmine in hue, the cap glossy-
black ; the under parts are much tinged with rosy ; the rump is snowy-white. Less richly-
Fin. IT.!. — rAiiiiilinii Kly-
cnli'lilhg Wni'lilcr. (Ad nut.
•lei. E.C.)
46.
151.
sYLVirnuDJt: — sktopiia gix^t-: .- fly-ca tciiino wa niii.Kits.
ai")
hninh
|i!.'llt.
tlio
I'cics,
JAin.
|>rtli-
litcrs
rvitli
fpiitlicri'd R|M'ciiii('iiH liiivp the liriul ))laiii rrd, tin- <'iiiiHi»)ty-l)liwk. Tlicro in iniirli ilifforoiicp in
till' cliaractiT nf ilic wliitc on tlir iia|M'. Lmutli 5.01): uiiii; -J.iifi ; tail 'i.oO ; larsiis O.lili ;
liill ((..'J.'l, i|iiitt' tlitli'ifiit in xliajic IViiiii tiiaf of Svl<)jiliiii)<i. Yoiinif, newly llf'«li;i'il : Asli of Mppcr
|)arts nincli sliadrd with lirown, and wliiti- of tlic miilfr parts tlic sanif. Itnnip snowy-wliito,
aM in tilt' adnit, Imt tlir imclial patcli oliscni'i' or inapprcfialdr. Wind's and tail an in the adidt,
hnt with hrownrr cd^in^'s. Illack cap rt'strit'ted to top of head, and of a dull sooty cast. Itrd
parts of the adult, includini; those parts of the side of the licud which arc <K'cupicd in the adult
with the extension of the hiack cap, dull i;rayish-l>rown, tinned or irregularly slashed with red,
especially on the forehead and throat. Mill li^ht brown ; feet pale. Arizona, and douhtless
New Mexico and Texas ; common in the pineries of .Southern Arizoint.
46. SKTO'PIIAOA. (fir. iTijt, (TijTor, .ws, .v(7»w, an insect ; <})dya>, jiluif/o, I eat.) Rkii.staiit.s.
Kill tliorontrhiy Mnscicapine in depression and breadth at base, where wider than hi^h,
otraiKhlness of superior and lateral outlines, and devidopment of rictal bristles, which reach far
beyond the nostrils. Wini;s pointed, not shorter than tail ; 2d, !id, and ith ipiills nearly eipial
and loni;est ; 1st intermediate between 4th and 'i\\\. 'I'ail rather lon^ and fan-shaped, with
broad Hat feathers, widenint; at their ends. Feet slender, with loiij; tarsi indistinctly scutellate
externally, and short toes, the middh* one without its <daw beinj; about half as loiij; as the
tarsus. Coloration indeterminate. Habits arboricole and Mnscicapine. The j^r'uus has been
made to cover considerable variety in form amouff the numerous species of Fly-catching Warblers
of subtropical and tropical America, where it is best represented. The diagnosis, drawn up
from <S'. nilicillfi, may retjuire some little niodiKcation in order to its applicability even to S.
pictn. All the extralimital species differ in the shorter and more rounded wing and other char-
acters. .S'. rulicilla is the only species in which tin! .sexes are decideilly dissimilar in color ;
even in S. pida, the nearest ally, they are substantially alike ; and in all the rest, in which the
cidoratioii is very various, there is no id)vious difference between the sexes. Species of Srto-
phafia (indudint; Mi/ioborus and Kiithli/pis), to the number of twelve or more, are recognized
by late authors. S. ruticilln is the only one that is generally distributed in North America.
Anntjinit nf Specien.
if ninck, wlilto, niid nrango; 9 brnwii, wlilto, nnd ycUow ruHrilla 1.12
it 9 liloi'k, wliltv, mill euriiiliii.'-ruil . picitt l.'il
151. 8. pic'ta. (Lat. pkUi, painted. Fig. 17*').) I'AiXTEn Fi.Y-rATC'iiix(} Warbler. $ 9 =
Lustrous black; middle of breast and belly canuiuc-red; eyelids, a large patch on the wings
formeil by the greater and middle coverts, broad edsiing
of inner secondaries, edging of inner \v(d)s of ]irinniries
toward the base, lining of wings, nearly all the outer tail-
feather, and a dinnnishing space on the next two or three,
together with the crissuin, white. Kill and feet black.
Length 5 inches; wini; an<l tail each 2.7'); tarsus O.OCi ;
bill ().;J.'J-().4(). 9 not particularly different from the $,
though rather less richly colored. In poor ]dunniges, the
black is not so lustrous ; red of the Ixdly less extensive and
of a more bricky-reil tone ; white of the \vinj;s and tail more
restricted. Very young: Dull black, or only slightly lus-
trous ; white nearly as in the adult ; spot on lower eyelid,
patch on wing, outer edge of first i)riniary only, outer edges of secondaries, inside of wings,
axillars, crissum, tibia', outer tail-feather excejit at base, and a diminishing sjmee on the second
and third, white. Arizomv and N. Mexico, and doubtless also Texas; common in Santa Kit.i
Mts. of Arizona. Xest found " under a projecting stone, in a bank near a stream" ; large. Hat,
shallow, of bark, weed-fibre, grasses and u few huirs. Eggs 3, 0.65 X 0.50, white, speckled
and wreathed with pale reildish-brown.
Km. 17fi — Pitintcil FIv-catcliIng
Warbler. (A<l nat. del. II. W. Elliott.)
316
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEItES— OSCINES.
II :
152. 8. rutlril'la. (Lat. ruticiUn, red-tail; riitihis, reddish; "redstart" is eorruptcd from roth-
sterl, red-tail.) Amekk ax IJKDSTAin'. (J, adult: Lustrous Idue-blaek, the belly, flanks
and erissuin white. Sides of the body and lininjj of winjjs rich flauie-eolor, whieh often
tinges the breast quite across. Ha.ial jnirtions of all the winp-quills, excej>ting the innennost
Becoiidaries, the same rich reddish-oranjie, britrhtest on the outer webs, where it fonns a eon-
spicuous exposed spot, paler and more extensive on the inner webs. All the lateral tail-
feathers similarly colored for half or more of their length, the orange ine<'ting the black
abru])tly with transverse outline. Jlill and feet black. Length 5.(K)-.').5() ; extent 7.')0-8.()0 ;
wing ■i.i.'j-a.CO; tail the .same ; bill 0.;j;{ ; tarsus O.fiti. 9, adult: The black (.f the ^ replaced
on the upjM'r parts with olive, growing more ashy on the head, on the wings with fu.scous, and
below with white. Sides rich yellow where the (J is orange, this color often tinging the breast
ucross. Orange iuarkings of the wings and tail of the ^ replaced by clear yellow. Lures
Kio. 177. — Iloiicy Crceiicr (Cirthiola jlnnnln ; not iliiithigulHliiiblu In a jut fioiii I'. Imhameniii), t nnt olzo.
(From Ilrelini.)
dusky ; eyelids and slight stripe from nostrils to eye whitish. Itather smaller than the ^, about
efpial to the lesser several dimensions given. (J, young : Like the 9 ? '"'t the upper jiarls more
brownish, the tail (|uite black, and the yellow of the sidi's brighter. Males changing in the
sjiring to tlieir liiial plumage are irregida'"lv patched with black in the general olivaceous and
white. The spring migration includes males in this condition, and others irregularly patched
with black, as well as those in perfect dress; whence it is evident that the redstart does not
nc<|uire his full-dress suit until in his third year. (See H. ('. V., p. 'Mi).) 'I'emperate X. Am.,
but chiefly Kastern ; W. to I'tah. Ilreeds in most of its I'. .^., and all of its Hrilish American
range; abundant trom tli<' Northern States. Nest a neut compact structure in the fork of a
8hrub or sapling at little elevation; I'lrys l-.'i, averagint: O.li.j-O. .">(), not ilistinguishable from
other warbler eggs. During the nuptial ecstasies the lovely redstjtrt shines among the birds
that throng the woodland, where his transparent beauty Hashes like a lamlM'nt tongue of flame
at play uniidst the tender pale green ftdiage of the trees.
11
47.
l.-|3.
CCEREBW.E: HONEY CliEEPEliS. TANAGRID^ : TANAGERS. 317
n roth-
flanks
1 iiftcn
HTIIKlSt
a con-
a) tiiil-
J.lack
-8.00 ;
•placed
I**, and
l>rcast
Lores
10. Family CCEREBID^ : Honey Creepers.
I'riniariett 9, and other external charaeters very nearly as in the last fuuiily: but tlie bill in
KcneniUy nlenderer and sliarper, and often a little deeiirved. The line between the two ('ami-
lies has never been drawn with preeision, and has bi'conie nion- dilKcnlt of expression sinc«
some of the Si/li'Uvlida: have jmjven possessed of a j)eenliarity of the ('(vrehidw. : deeply bifid,
{MMiieillate tongue. As eonnnonly understood, it is a small group eontainintr jH'rhaps 40 si)ecies
of pretty litth^ birds, of th«^ genera Cciihiolii, J)ii)lossii, and (.'(iri-lM, contined to tropieal and
subtropical America, being especially numerous in tin- West Indies. Our species is uiurely u
stray visitor to Florida.
47. CERTHI'OLA. (Diminutive of Lat. eerthin, a creeper. Fig. 177.) HoxKV Chkki'KHS.
Hill little shorter than heaci, stout at base, but rapidly tapering to the extremely acute tip;
whole bill much curved, cnlnien very convex, outline of under mandible continuously concave
from base to tip. liictus unbrisih'd. Wings long, exceeding the .short roumled tail. Tarsus
long<>r than miildle toe without claw. Contains about 15 species or varieties, mostly West
Indian.
I.>3. C. baliuiiien'sis. (Of the Itahanuis.) n.MiAMAN IIoNKV C'KKKl'Klt. Dark brown al)ove ;
long superciliary line and under parts dull white; breast, edge of wing, and rinrip, bright
yellow ; wings dusky, with a white sjiot at base of primaries, and whitish edging of the ipiills ;
tail dusky, tipped with white ; bill and feet black ; eyes blue. Length 4.50 ; wing i.'i'i ; tail
1.75. Fhtrhla; Itahanias; closely related to the Stock species, C. //«rco/«.
48.
Fio. rs. — DpiitlniHtnil lilU of n T.inn-
11. Family TANAGRID-S: : Tanagers.
An extensive, brilliant family, ctuitined to America,
abounding in sj)ecies between the tropics. Its ])ositiiin
is a [loint at issue with ornithologists; it nuiy naturally
follow the ('(rrrhiilcc and Si/lriailiilti; though i-ei1aiuly
no families should stand between it and EriHi/ilUdw.
In fact, certain tropical forms might bi assit;ued to
either inditlerently. The best ih-tinition of the Tana-
gers i.-" that given by tin- distinguished ornithologist
who called them "dentirostral finches ;'' but this gen-
eralization, like other ha]>py epigrams, is insu.sceptible of application in detail, and the Tana-
gi'rs remain to be ]ireci.sely characterized. As a <'onse(|uence, the number of species can
harilly be approximately estimated ; but upwards of ;{00 are usually enumerated.
The single well-established North American genus may be recoirnized, among all the
birds of our country, by the combination of nine ]>rimaries and scutellate tarsi with a turgid
bill, notched at the tij) and toothed or lobed near the middle of the maxillary tomia ifii;. I7*>);
though this last character is sometimes so obscure that it midit be looked at without being
seen. The species of I'ljfmirja are liirds of brilliant colors, with great seasonal and sexual
ditferences of plumage. They are fruirivorous and insectivorous, and consei|uenlly migratory
in the I'nited Stati.s. They inhabit woodland, lay i-5 dark-ndored, s|>eckh'd va\i>^. nest in
trees, and are no yreat soni;sters. In distribution they are rather southerly, scarcely pa.ssing
northward beyond the 1'. S. fhi<> species of anotlier genus, Eiiphonin rlrfiinitisniinii, admitted
to our fauna upon iusiitlicient evidence, doubtless occurs over the Mexican border.
PYBAN'CJA, (Harbarous name of some South American bird.) Simmku Tan aukuk. Hill
stout, turuid, conoidal. usually notched at tip. and with one or more denticulations of the cul-
tini; edce of u|iper mandible near midille of commissure. Hictal bristles well-develo|M'(l. Nos-
trils basul, th<.> fmnlal antiai reaching then). Wings lengthened and pointed ; first 4 feuthcm
r
318
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEUES — VSCIXES.
154.
HiilM'(|iial anil Idiifjpst. Tail imidrrati' in l('iJi;tli, shorter tliaii wiiips, cinartriuatc. Tarsus not
lout;)'!' than niiddlf tuc; hitcral toes ahiiut ('(iiiai, niitcr fulifrcnt witii niidilU' 1>3' nearly all of
tlie h'ni;tli <if its hasal jipjnt. Sexes more or U'ss unlike in enlor; reil usually prevailiuu; in the
nuile sex. Ilahits nii^ratury. inseetivcinius, arlmreal ; voice not niusieal. Kgys spotted.
Four sjieeies of this lieaulitiil tfcnus iuhahit the I'. S., tlin-e of thein representiutt as many of
the sections into which it is divisihle aeei>rdin|L; to iiattern of c(doration. Numerous others are
found in the warmer parts of America.
.Iiiahf.iiit nf .Spi'civs,
(f Crlinson or (M'nrlet, with bliK-k wings ami tuU: 9 •"Icnrolivo and yellow. No whift-biirs . . . ruhni 154
(f Vi'rniiliiin or rom'-riMl, includini; wln^s ami tall: $ lirownliih-oliYu and bnfl'y-yullow . Uill llglit.
Smaller: Iriiijili alioni 7..'iO; wiiiKll.TS (ratirii 1,V)
I.uiB'^r: loiinlli al"iiit Slid; winu 4.'J.') nxijuri IM
jf Dunkyrcil aliovi', liiiliiiliiii.' wiiiun anil tall, cf niihy-nliro anil yellow. lilU ilark Inixilho 1.17
tf Yellow, with Hcurlel lieail ami Mack bat k, wlnK» »ntl tail. § clear olive ami yellow, with '_• wiiii;-lpar«
liuloriciitiin 15S
P. rnb'ra. (Lat. n(///Y». red.) Sc.mm.kt Taxahku. ^, adult: Criinson or scarlet ; wintrs
and tail hlaek ; hill and feet dark horn-color. ?, adult: Ahove. clear olive-i;reeu ; helow,
clear yreeiiish-yellow ; wiiiys and tail dusky, glossed with the color of the hack ; no winir-
hai-s. (J, yonni; : Like the ?; later, when chaimini;, patched with red, t;reen, and Idack.
Adult males often show altiiormal coloring, the hody heiiig yellow, orange, or tlaine-color;
or red patches appe.i.iUg on the wing covel'ts. ^ sui<l to change back to plumage of 9 at
each fall i ilt(.') Length (i./.J-r.OO ; extent 11.00-1^.0(1; wing .•^..JO-lJ.'.tO : tail ,ihouI H.OO.
Kastern U. S. and adjoining IJritish I'i'ovinces, strictly; \V. to Kansas, Indian Territory, .-ind
Texas ; not common N. of Mas.saeliusetts ; tireeds throughout its V
range ; winters extra-
limital. This hriliiant creature iiests in woods, groves, and orchards, upon the hori/.outal
hiiMgh of a tree, building a rather loose and shallow fahric of twigs, fibres, rootlets, etc. Kggs
.'}-,'), 0.'.).') X O.C).), (hill greenish-hlue, fully s|iotted with brown and lilnc.
135. 1*. lesti'vtt. (Lat. (Cstiva, summery; ustus, summer.) Uusk Tan.voek. Si'MMKU Uf.h-
lillii). (^, adult : Rich ruse-red or vermilion, including wings and tail; the former dusky on
unexposed iiortions of the feathers: bill ]iale; fe(>t darker. 9< adult: Didl brownish-olive
bell
dull bi
lish-yellow; no wing-bars. ^, young: Like the 9- S changing
plumage shows red, greenish and yidlowish in irregular patches, but no black, 'i'lie 9 distin-
guished from 9 '■"'"■" h.v th<! dull brownish, ochrey, or bully shades of tl live and yellowish,
the greenish and yellowish of 9 »'"'"'" being much clearer and p.iler : also by the paler bill
and feet. 'I'he tint of mature nniles varies greatly ; from rosy to bricky red. Size of riihrii,
or rather larger. Kastei'u V. S., strictly, and rather southerly ; .N. rarely to Connecticut, only
casually farther ; \V. to Kansas, Indian 'I'erritory, ami Texas. .Migratory, a oundant ; bre(;dH
throughout its range; winters extralimital. Nesting ami eggs like those »{ nihrtt.
150. I*, u. eoo'pcrl. (To Dr. A. (i. Cooper, of California.) Cnui-Kit's TANA(;r.i{. Wk.stkrx Sim-
.MKIt 1{f.i>-II1UI> Characters of rrs7/i'r( ; back rather darker than head ; larger; length about
8.00; extent about IK.OO; wing4.:j.'); tail K.liO ; bill 0.7.'> ; tarsus O.SO. I.,ittle distingnislied.
Southern Hocky Mt. region.
157. 1*. Iirpa'tk-u. (Lat. /ic/wc, hrfHitis, the liver.) IIkpatic TAXAdF.U. (J, adult: I'pper
parts brownish -ashy, intimately mixed with (bill red; tup of head, upper tail-(M>verts, and
edgings of wings and tail, brighter brownish-retl. Imier webs and ends of wing-<|uills dusky ;
tail-feathers throughout decideilly tinged with red. Sides of the head like the back ; edges of
eyelids red. Helow, briu:ht red ; sides and Hanks shaded with the rolor of the back, many
feathers often also with ashy skirting. Mill anil feet blackish-jiliiml us, the culling edire of
the up|M'r mandible furnished with a tooth more |irominent than in most species (tiij. \7H),
Length about M.OO; wing 4.00; tail :<.:(■'< ; billO.nC; tarsus O.M). 9, adult: liill and feet as
in the (J. I'pper jHirts greenish-(dive, with an ashy-gray tinge, the crown uuJ rump clearer
158.
llIliUNDIKWJE : SWALLOWS.
ail)
HIIH not
all <.f
in the
IMittcd.
laiiy of
ITS JI|-(!
IBT,
'"I I.W
and nmro yellowish-olive. Sides of head like buck. Heiieath yellow, elear anil nearly ]>iire
medially, tthaded on ihe cides with the eolor of the baek, souietinie.s hrigiitcnin!; alnioKt into
orange on the throat. (Quills and' tail futwHtus, with olivaeeous-yollow edgings, the former
darker than the latter. Youni; ^ : Like the 9 '. i" niah-s eliaMi;inir, the fhara<'lers of the two
sexM'.s eonfiised. Very yoinif; : There is an earlier ulirak'i/ Mi\^i', before tlie asstiniption of ii
idiniiagi* like tliat of the 9- I'I'Imt jiarts grayish-brown with an (dive tinge; lower jtarts
grayish-white with a yellowish shade ; both everywhere streaked with ihisky. Wings and tail
like those of adnit 9t l>*'t ''"' former with oehraeeons band.s amiss ends of greater and middle
coverts. Southern Hocky .Mt. region and southward.
1S8. I*. IiKloviein'iiu. (I^at. of Louisiana, formerly (d* great extent in the West ; name now ina|i-
jdieable.) ('kimsox-iikaki'.h Taxaciek. (J, adult: .Middle of back, wings, and tail, Idack ;
wings crosse<l by two yellow or yellowish-white bars on ends of greater and middle <'overts;
inner .secondaries markeil with white or yellowish. Head all around .scarlet or even crimson, the
color extending diluted on the brea.st. Other parts bright yellow, generally purest on thi> rump.
Iris brown; bill horn-c<dor; legs livid Iduish. Length al)out 7.011; wing ;{.,■)()- 1.1)0 ; tail
•2. 7.') -.'1.2.'); bill 0.()0; tarsus 0.7"). 9i adult: Above, olive, darker and .somewhat asliy-shaded
on miildle of back, ch'aii-r and brighter on rump and crown. IJtdow, greenish-yellow, shaded
with (dive on sides. Wings and a'ld tail fuscous, with edgings of the color n( the upper parts ;
greater and me(lian coverts tipped with wiiite or yellowish ; imier secondaries edged with the
same. Averaging rather less than tlu; (J. The bird lacks the butfy shades characteristic of 9
(fstirii, besides being deciih'dly snuiller. The general c(doration, in its clear (dive and yellow,
is exactly that of 9 »■"'"'« : IVom which distingiii. '.led by the white or yellow markings on the
wings. The (J at first resembles the 9> "'"' '" progress toward maturity every gradation
between the two is pn'senteil. The distinctive dark ihir.sal area, and traces of the re(l of the
head, soon appear. In a usual condition of incomplete dress, the black of the back is mixed
with gray or (dive, the yellow of the back of the neck i.s obscure(l, that of the under ]iarts is
.shaded with (dive, and the head is only ]iartly red. I'pper Mi.ssouri region and eastern foot-
hills of the Uocky Mts. to the Pacific; Itritish ('(duuibia. Itreeds in all its N. A. rang(.- and
winters e.xtralimital. Habits, nests, and eggs like those (d° our other Tanagers.
12. Family HIRUNDINID^ : Swallows.
Sirnlloirs nir JisKironlriil Osciue Pimsrrea irilh
nine primarifs. Kill short, broad, tiat, some-
what triangular, deeply (deft, the gape wide and
about twice as long as the cuhuen, the mouth
thus opening to about beneath the eye:.. This
is the stnuigest character (d" the family in com-
parl.son with its Osciiu' allies, and one perfectly
distinctive, though .some ;;<'nera of ilirundines,
esjiecially I'mgiii; approaidi the AiniivUilir. in
the form of the bill. The bill narrows rapidly
to the compressed acute tip. Xasal fossa' short
and wide ; nostrils directed laterally or upward,
soinetinieH circular and eomplet(dy exjiosed,
.sometimes scaled over. Culiuen convex,
scarcidy ii third as long as the head; tip of
upiier mandible overhanging, UHUally nicked. ItietUM HnuNith (or with a few inconspicuous
bristles?). Wings extremely long and strong, the pinion bearing only'.) ]>rimaries, the 1st of
wliich e(|uuU or exceedu the 2d in length, the rest being so rapidly gradmited thut the Ul]>
Fio,
ruttiea.
li!». — Kuri>|H>nii Barn .Snitllow, inruniln
(Knim IMxiiii.)
r^-
320
S YSJ'KMA TIC S Y\OPSIS. — PA SSERES — OSCINES.
is wiircoly or not Imlf hh loiij; us the 1st; socomlarirs aiitl their coverts also very short; all
tht'M' quill-tVi tilers hroati and stout. An aeiite, thiii-hladeil and somewhat falcate wing, of
Huriiassini,' volatorial (Kiwer, resnlts from these inoditieations. Tail of \'i reetriees, ]>erha|)s
ahnormally only ID, usually forked, or at least emarjiinate, and often deejily forfieate, the
outermost feathers heini; in tliis latter case narrowly linear in shajie for a considerahle dis-
tance. Feet short, small,
and weak, ill-ada]ited to
secure fout-hoid, and very
liadly formed for walk-
inji. Swallows scarcely
use their feet lor locomo-
tion, relying nuiinly u]iun
their )irowess of (liidon.
The tarsal enveloj^e thor-
oughly Osciuo in struct-
ure, being scutellate in
front and latninatehehind;
it is sometimes ]iartially,
or almost entirely, feath-
ered ; the tarsi are com-
moidy shorter than the
lateral toes. The digits
]iossess the normal mimlier
iif |ihalanges; the hasal
|ilialaii.\ of the niiddlo
digit is conimouly coherent
with line or both lateral
toes; the hallux is ordi-
nary, and not reversilde.
The digits are commonly
naked and scutellate, rare-
ly feathered to the claws.
'I"he claws are compara-
tively .strong, compressed,
well-curved, and acute,
apt for dinging. Tho
plunuige is soft, smooth,
and hleiided, most fre-
ijUeiilly glossy or even
iridescent, hut sometimes
lustreless. lleiul short,
broad, and deprosed ;
neck short. Mouth capu-
clous, its greatest width
e<|ualling that of the head.
This is a iierfeetly natural group, wi II distinguished by the foregoing <-haracters. Tho
pwallows alone reprr-sent, among Oscines, the tissirostral tyjte of structure; tliey have a close
«U|M'rficial resemblance to the swifts and goat-suckers of another order, but the relation is one
of analogy, not of allinity, though all these birds were formerly chisseil together in the highly
unuuturiil " order " Vissirostrcx. (Seo beyond, under CypscUdiC and Caprimuli/ijo!.)
Fid. isn. — UpiMT, Europraii Hoiiiio Martin, ChelUlon urbica ; lnwer, Banic
Swallciu, I nlili- riynirjii. (Kroiii lllxoii.)
'
HIRUNDINID.E : SWALLO WS.
321
A himdred Bpn-ics of swallows arc recorded ; probably about tliree-t'ourths of them aro
poniiiiu'. 'I'licy art' distributed all over the world ; the most generalized tyiies, Vikr Hi r undo
itself, are uiore or less eosmopoiitan, but eaeli of tin' great divisions of tiie globe lias its iieeiillar
subgenera or jiartieular sets of siteeies. Tliiis, all liie Anierieau groups exeept llirundu and
Colilc are peculiar to this eontiuent.
Swallows are iuseetivnroiis, and therefore migratory in cidd and temperate hititiides;
unsurpassed in powers of Hight, they are enabled to pass with ease and swiftness from (itur
eouiitry to anotiier, as the state of the weather may re(|uire. With us a few warm days in
February and .March often allure them northward, only to be driven back again by the eold,
giving rise to the well-known adage. No birds are better known to all classes than these, and
none so welcome to man's abode, — cherished witnesses of peace and plenty in x\w homestead,
dashing ornanu'iits of the busy thoroughfare.
The habits of swallows best illustrate the modifying influences of civilization on indigenous
birds. Foruu'riy, they all bred on ditls, in banks, in hoUows of trees, and similar ]daces, and
nuiny do so still. Hut most of our species have forsaken these primitive haunts to avail them-
selves of the conv<'uieiit artiticial nestintt-jdaces that man, intentionally or otherwise, provides.
Some ar<' just now in a transition state ; thus the purple martin, in settled parts of the country,
chooses the boxes everywhere provided for its aeconuiiodation, while in the West it retains its
<dd custom of breeding in liolbiw trees. The nesting of oin- swallows now presents the lollow-
iug categories of method : —
1. Holes in the ground, dug by the bird itself, slightly furnished with soft material : Votile
riparia, Strhiidojitiri/.r urn-ipciinis.
•2. Holes in trees or rocks not maile by the birds, fairly furnisiieil with soft material:
Vroijm' siiliis, Irido/ifocne hiailor, 'I'liclii/ciiii'ln tliiiliissimi.
'i. Holes, or their e([uivaleuts, not made by the birds, luit secured through human agency,
and more or less fully furnished with soft mat(>rial, according to the shallowness or depth of the
retreat, (luinnirlif, no sitrcii:i : now, all the s/xries c.irejitinfi Colilc ripnriii.')
■i. Holes constructed by the birds, of mini, pla.stered to surfaces, whether artiticial or natural,
and loo.sely furnished with soft material. This is seen in perfe<'tion in the nesting of I'ctro-
chflidon litnij'ronx, and is imperfectly illustrated by the niditication u[ llirundo lionrtintiii.
5. Kgi,'s piu'c white, unmarked : Iridoprocne hicolor, Tuthijcinda llt(da.isimi, Cotik ripu-
ria, Sti'liiidoptiri/x sirripennix, I'rogne snbis.
(>. Egi;s thickly speckled : Itinindo horrenrinn, Pelnwhi'lidon liniifron:'.
The seven establisheil North American species, referable to as many modern genera, nniy
reailily be determined by the following
Aixihjuii nf Hi-nrrii nnil SprrU'ii.
1. Tall ilcc|)ly fiirtlciito, with linear lateral fentlicrii : liistroim Ktocl-bluc nbnve. riifiuis lielow
iliriniilo friftfintf/iiHtni hnrnnrum ir»l>
2. Tall Hlmply cniarKlrintc: IiiMtroiiHitrMii; bcncatli wliltn /riiln/iriK-iif himlnr tm
3. Tail Klmply ciiiarKlrialv; (>|iai|iia vul\'<!(y-i;rc('ii: liciiuatli while Turhnfiinlii tliiilimHhin lill
4. Tall nearly even; limtrDUH Htucl-Uui'; ruiii|i riiriiiiH frtiiirhiliilmi liiiiifntiis ua
ft. TarsiiiB Willi tuft nffcBlhcrH lifliiw; liiHtrclei's ({ray; Ik'Iiiw while liilih' ri/xirin lti.'l
0. Outer etlRe of lirst |irlmary serrate; luKlrelenH lirowiilnh ; paler below . . . StrliiiilnpliTiix mrriiuuniii !t!l
T. Itlll very etuut, curvo<l ; male entirely luilroiiH blue-blaek /'m>/n<' suli'm li'i.'i
49. IIIUIIMX). (hat. /i/ri/Wo, a swallow. Fiu's. 17!). 181.) Hahv SwAt.i.ow.s. Tail dieply
forfic.iite, nearly or about as long as the wings ; lateral feather linear-attenuate, about twice as
long as the middle feather. Tarsi shorter than middle tix; and claw, above feathereil for a littlo
distance: basal joint of middle toe partly adherent to both lateral toes. Hill of moderate size
for this family, of the usual shape, with .straight <'ommi.ssure ; nostrils lateral, overarched by a
membranous scale. Upper parts glossy, dark -colored ; a dark jM'ctoral cidlar; forehead aud
under parts rufous; tail spotted with white. Eggs c<don'd. Sexes similar.
21
322
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSTS. —PASSKPES — OSCIXES.
Km. isl.
159. H. erythrogas'trii horreo'runi. (Or. ipvOpis, rnilliron, riultly, niiil yaonjp, gasfrr, bt-Ily.
Lat. hornvriini, of liariii*, gen. yl. of horreum, a liarii.) Hau.n Swallow. ^, ailiilt: i\vv\t
lustrous sUrl-blut' ; fori'licaii ami I'litiro iimlfr
luirtM riifoiiH, ^I'licrally dc'C|iC'Mt on tin- forehead
ami tiiroat ; an imperfect steel-liliiu -.-ollar.
Willis and tail lilaekisli, with Meel-hliie or
Koiiiewlmt gruoiiish gloss ; tho lateral ]iair of
tail-feathers iiiueh lengthened and lilifonn at
the end, all lint the central pair with a white
spot. Ix'ngth ().00-7.00, very variahle, accord-
ingto the development <ii the tail; extent 12..')(J-
lU.'iO; wing 4. .')()-.). 1 10; tall :i.()()-:..t)0, the fork
2.0((-;J.()0 de.'i>. 9, adult: C^uite like the <J ;
colors rather less intense and lustrous; average
si/e snuiller. Young: Lacking in great measure
the elongation and attenuation of the lateral tail-
featln-rs, the fork lieing an inch or less in depth.
Similar to the adidts, hut much duller, ;ind with
rather a greenish than sleel-hlue lustre — at an
early age (|uite lirown, with scarcely any lustre,
and the rum]) and u)>per tail-itoverts skirted with
rusty. Frontlet ohscurely marked or reduced to
Gi'iierlc ilctails of iiirmulo (II. hur- a mere tawny line, and under parts, especially
r,..,HiH, nut. gl/.ci. lAd nat. .lei. E. c.) behind th(! dark collar, very pal.', even brownish-
white. N. .\m. at lartre : abundant: br.'.'ds thr.iugh.nit its rang.'.
50. IKII>OI'K<><"NK. ((ir. 'ipii, gen. 'Ipifiot, Iris, m.'ssenger of the gods ; al.xo the rainb(.w ;
ripiiKfi;, I'rocne, daughter of I'andion.) lltiM SWALLOWH. I'lunnig.! c.impact, lustrous, as in
lliniiiilo ; but tail lacking the elongation of that g.'iuis, being simply enutrginate. I'nder
))arts snowy white. Kgtrs colorless. Sexes similar.
IflO. I. bi'culur. (Lat. //('(Wo/-, tw.i-ctdored. Fig. 1S;J.) WiiiTK-iii:i,i,lKi> S\VAi,i..»\v. (J,ailult:
Kntire upper jiarts glossy dark green : wings and tail bla.'kish, lustrous; lores bla.-k. Kntiro
under parts pure whit.'. Mill black : fe.'t dark. Length
about Ct.W; .'Xtent lii.Od; wing 4.. »()-.). 0( I ; tail i.M.
9 : Similar, th.' colors rather less iul.'n.se and lustr.ais.
Young : Hir.ls of th.' year slowly actpdre a plumag.*
diti'ering only in the less lustre and intensity from that
of th.' adults; but, on leaving the n.'st, they are dark
in.Mise-gray .ir slate-c.dor abov.', in.-luding the wings
au.l tail, the int.Tscapulars and inner .pillls tipped with
rusty ; an.l white b.low, slinhtly shad.'d with ashy ;
thu8 ciniously similar to Cotile riparia. The f.'et yel-
low. The first phunace is worn long.'r than usual, th.^
autumnal .Iress heiny slowly gained — one .ir two of Fio is'^ - WIiIU'-IhsIUwI Swullow, imt.
the metallic-tint.'d fi'athers at a tinu'. The .piills of »'"• (^'^ »"'■ '•'••' ^- ^•>
the wing are moulted by th.' young as well as by the adidt, and in both, in autini'n, the iniuT
s«'conihiries are white-tipii.'d. Temperat.' N. Am. IJreed.s imlitfertintly in all parts of its
range, an.l wint.'rs abundantly on th.t southern bord.'r.
51. TAC'IIYCIXE'TA. ((;r. raxwKiwjrot, ttwiiiikitielus, moving rajtidly.) Ylid.lCT-VKl.VK.r
Swallows. Similar to the last, but lacking lustre of tho richly varied plumage of the
upper parts.
UlltUSDISIDyK : S WALLO WS.
olid
MH. T. tlinlait'sinn. (Or. BoKdtraivoi, thaliissinos, scu-trrccii.) VioLKT-diiKKV Swallow. ,$,
iiiliilt : Kutii'c iimU'r parts, iiiclinliii^ tin- sitlcs of tlic licml t<> Just alxivc the eyes, and an ciilartfcci
lliitl'y tiitt im the tiaiiks tciulini; tti join its fVllnw nvcr tlic niiiip, piiri' silky wliitc. I'ppt'r pails
ricii, siit't, vi'lvt'ty-frn-cii, inixt-d witii a little vinlft-purplc; the crown of tlie head siiiiiilar, Imt
ratlier ureeiiish-lmiwii, with a purplish tiiiye. Cervical retfioii, in some cases a well-detiued
thdiiuh narrow cervical collar, and the upper tail-cnverts, violet-purple. These rii'li colors
opaijue, without ^loss or sheen ; wini;s and tail hlackish, with vicdet and imrplish i;loss. Kill
Mack; feet hrownish-ldack, small; iris hrown ; month pale yellow. Length 4..">(I--.).(J() ;
extent ll..)0-l;>..Vt ; wiuj,' 4..')0 ; tail i.m, lis.'htly forked; hill ii.-2:> ; tarsus O.Mt. The ?,
and immature hirds in f;eneral, dill'er simply in the le.<s purity and intensity of tin' colors of
the upper parts. In the very highest pluniai;ed specimens, the ba(dv is nearly pure j^reen,
the cervical collar distinct, and the several contrasts of cr iwn, collar, hack, and upper tail-
coverts are stront;; in general, the iiack has a hrownish-pirple shade, more like that of the
crown. Very yoimi; l)irds are like /. bico/nr, thoauh smaller, heint; dark mouse-gray ahove
and white helow. lint traces at least of the special tints speedily appear. Younu or autumnal
liinis usually have the iimer secondaries white-tipiwd, as in /. Iiuolai-. Middle and Western
I'i'ovinces, {'. S. and adjoinint; portions of JSriti.sh Ana'rit-a; K. to the I'pper Missouri. Urceds
liiroiinhou; its ranire, and winters extralimital. A lovely species.
52. rKTIM>(;ilKLI'I><»N. ((ir. TrtV^jo, yWrr(, a rock ; xeX'^w". 'hvUdoii, a swallow.) Ci.ifk
Swallows. Kill stout and ileep (for this family); nostrils superior, opening without nasal
scale. Tail unusually short, the tips of the fohled wings reaching heyond it, ahout even, or
only slightly emarginate, with the feathers hroad to their ends. Feet much as in Iliniiido ;
tarsi feathered ahove; toes extensively adherent at hase. A hristly ai)pearance of the front
and chin, dill'erent from what is seen in other groups. The tuft of crissal feathers is full,
reaching lu'arly to the end of the tail. The species agree well in a special ]iattern of ccdoration,
heiug .steel-hliie ahov<>, with rufous rump and nuchal hand, and usually a froistlet uf different
color from the rest of the upper parts; undi'r parts not continuously white as in TavhijviitrUi
and Iridoinovw. The nidification peculiar; egus colored. Sexes alike.
\{\'X. I*. Iii'iilfroiis. (I.at. liitui, the moon, or a crescent; /runs, foreheatl. Fig. IS.'i.) Clii'K
Swallow. Kavk.s Swallow. Ckk.m !;nt Swallow. Mti> Swallow. (f9,adidt:
Kack and top of head, with a spot on the throat, lU'cp lustrous steel-hlue, that of the crown
and back se|tarated by ti grayish nuchal collar. Frontlet whit<'
or brownish-white. Shorter upper tail-coverts rufous. ("bin,
throat, and sides of head intense rufous, sometimes purplish-
chestnut, prolonged aronml the side of the nape. I'nih'r ]iarts
didl grayish-brown, with usually a rufous tingi' (rusty-gray),
and dusky shaft-lines, whiteuing on the helly, the under tail-
coverts gray, whitish-edged and tinged with rufous. Wings
and tail blackish, with slight gloss. Kill black ; feet brown.
Length 5 .00-,). 50 ; e.-Jtent 1;!.00 or more; wing •l.-2,)-l..jO; tail
i.i'), nearly square. Sexes not distinguishable; both vary much
in the toiH' of c(doration, especially of the rufous parts. Fore- Fm. nt.'i. — (.'IIH'Swnlluw, nut.
head soUH'tinies white, soinetimes (piitu brown. In young !)inls, '''"'• ''^'' '""• *•"'• *■'• *'*
the fnmtlet nuiy be altogether wanting : upper parts lustreless dark brown, most of tbo
feathers being skirted with whitish ; the rufous of the throat and rump a mere tinge, the spot
on the throat wanting, and the parts often speckleil with white. N. Am. at large, abundantly
but irregularly distributed, breeding in coloines wherfver suitable sites iiuiy be found for its
ciu'ious retorl-.shaped or bottle-nosed nests of mud.
53. t'O'TILE. (IJr. KwrtXur, kolilti.i, a babbhr, twiften r.) Kank SwalloWM. Tarsus with li
tuft of feathers at the base below, near insertion of the hind toi-. Edgo of wing not rough.
ir
324
SYSTJ'LMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSIJIiKS — OSCIXES.
Cliiws little riirvi'd, tlif lateral n>af'liiii){ Iwyoml the Itase nf tin- initldlc r.iio. Hill very ninall,
tin' nostrils iijH'iiiiij; laterally ami overliuiif,' by a nieiiiltrane. Tail niiieli shorter than winj;s,
eniar^iliate. Coloration ililll ami sini|(le — liistn'less brown above ami aeross breast, white
below. V.fiii!* nncolored, laid in holes iu the ^ronnd excavated by the bird. Sexes alike.
103. V. rlpu'rlu. (Lat. rijiaria, riparian; ripu, bank of a stream. Fi>;s. 180, 1»4.) Uaxk
SWAM.DW. (J 9 : Lustreless niollsi-
brown; winu's and tail fuscous. IJe-
low, white, with a broad pectoral
band of the color of the back. A
<lusky ante-orbital sjMit. l^ength
about .'j.O(J; extent I ()..")() ; wing
4.00; tail 2.00. Sexes similar ; thu
younj; dill'cr chiefly in whitish edg-
ings of the fi'alliers, especially of
the wiugs and tail. Kven in the
adult, the upper parts arc apt to
be not (|uite uiiiforni, then- being
paler gray edgings of most of the
feathers. The dark jMrtoral band
sometimes extends backward along
till' middle of the under jiarts (not
mIiowii in fig. 181). Autumnal s]ieci-
niens have the sucomlaries white-
tipped. ■ \'ery young birds have
rather rusty than whitish skiiting
of the dark feathers, and the white
throat speckled with the same. Al-
most cosuio]>olitan : Kin'(i|>e, Asia,
Africa, America; abundant in N. Kio. IM.- I.ank Sw«ll..vv. (I.e«l«uu,l by II. W.KIllott.)
Am., breeding in immense trooj)s in Indes in the groiiml, wlierover suitable sites offer, as
natural embankments, rail-road cuttings, gravel-jiits, etc.
64. STlCMJinOI'TKIlYX. ((Jr. (TTfXyir, stilgis, a scraper; irrtpv^, pieru.r, wing.) Hoioii-
wiNiiKK SwAi.i.ttws. (ieneral aspect of Cotila ; form and coloration niu<-h th(> same. Outer
well of 1st prii/iary converted into a series of stifl', recurved liiHiks. (Other Swallows, as Psiili-
<lo]>ri)ciic ("ab., have this ]ieculiar wing structure, but are otherwi.se diH'erent.) The ih'sign of
the structure is not clear, but we may readily supitose that the hooks assist the birds in crawl-
ing: into their holes, and in clinging to vertical or hanging surfaces. Tai-sus slightly feathered
above, liiii lacking the cin'ious tuft seen nt the base of the hind toe in Ciitilf. Lateral claws
curved, and not reaching beyond the base of the middle. Ita.^al joint of midtlle toe exten-
sively adherent to the outer, much less so to the inner. Itill small, with oval, su])crior nostrils
margined by meiubrane behind, but not overhung. Tail short and .^slightly emargiuate. Kggs
iinccdored, in hides dug by the birds, or elsewhere, ."^exes alike.
104. 8. HorritH'n'iiis. (Lat. srnvi, a saw; ;«»>i(«, a feather.) IJoiruil-WixuKit SWAIXOW. ^ 9:
I^ustreless mouse-brown or brownisli-gray, paler below, gradually whitening posteriorly.
Wings and tail darker than the upper jiarts. liather larger than the last species. No dark
pectoral band contrasting with whiti^ No tuft of feathers at the base of the bind toe. Young:
At a very early age, the feathers of the back, rumji, and wings are suffused or edged with rich
ru.sty-brown, while the uialer jiarts are more or less tinged with u jialer shade of the same.
The booklets of the wings are only fully developed in adult birds, iind ani not appreciable at
all in young ones. U. S. and adjoining British Provinces ; rare in Kustern States.
AMPKLIDAS — A MPELIXE : WA X WINGS.
325
55.
1.1
105.
rTOfi'MC. ((Jr. XlpoKvt), Prnrnr, it iiiytli(il(if{iciil cluinirtrr.) Of lar>;r sixo iiiul roliuHt fnrin
for tliix faiiiily. Hill l(||l^ iiiitl titoiit, with iniicli-fiii'vcil t'liiiiiiiisMiin- ami ilctlcctcil ti|); ciilincii
(•(invcx, its toiiiial cilfio foncavo-miivcx like "os . Nostrils riiviilar, opciiiiig iipwanl, witliout
nasal seal*'. Ffct largi", with stroiij;, iinich-fiirvfil diiws; tai-sus shorter than Miidillr toe ami
claw; lateral toes ubont e(|uallinK each other in length ; hamil Joint of iniddle toe freer from
lateral toes than usual. Tail forked. Sexes dissimilar. Kj{gs colorless.
I>. sii'biM. (\Mt. mihis, unuw of an unknown hird.) I'l'Ul't.K AfAiniN. ^, adult: Intense
lustrous steel-hluo. Wiu>;s and tail blackish, with bluish lustre. Hill black; feet blackish.
Length 7.50 inches ; extent I."). .')(»; wing 5.50-«.00 ; tail U.OO-:?. 50, forked ; bill 0.50, very
stunt, broad at the base, somewhat d(-ctn'Vi>d at the end; nostrils circular, exposed, o|ieiiiii|{
ujtward. 9 • I'm'l* grayish-brown, glossed on the back and head with steel-blue. Wings
atul tail fuscous, i)aler on the inner webs, with nuiTow gray edgings. Ileneath, whitish, shaded
with dark gray in most i)arts, the feathers very generally with dusky shaft-line. Viamg birds
of both sexes resemble the adult fenuile, though the young nniles are rather darker. The steel-
blue appears at first in patches. V. S. and adjoining liritish I'rovim'cs, abundant ami gener-
ally distributed ; breeds throughout its rang(-, usually in the Kust in bo.xes provided for its
accommodation, in the West in holes in trees.
13. Family AMPELID^ : Chatterers.
This appears to bo an arbitrary and umiatural a.ssociatioii of a fi'W genera that agree in
Some particulars, but are widely ditferent in others. Tin mposition and position of the group
ditfer with almost every writer; some place it in Cltimalotrs, next to the Tjn'ioiiiidtc. I tliink
that the family slioulil be dismembered ; the Mi/imlvstiiw are near the true Thrushes, and
doubth'ssthe other two subfamilies here presented nuiy be properly dissociated.
Itirds of the three followint; genera agree m this character: Mill shtu-t, broad, flattened,
plainly notched at tip, with wide rictus, and cnlnien or gonys hardly or not exceeding half the
length of the commi.ssure; basal phalanx of middle toe joined with outer toe for about two-
thirds its length, and to inner toe for alxait half its length. The three, considered separately,
may be readily and precisely detined.
18. Subfamily ANIPELIN^: Waxwings.
Of this subfamily, as here restricted, there is oidy one genus with three species — one of
Europe, .\sia, and Anu'rica, on(* of .\sia and .Japan, one peculiar to .\nierica.
66. AM'I*KLI9. ((Jr. dunikU, Lat. (iwimUs, name of a binl.) WA.xwiXdS. Kill short, broad,
tlat, rather obtus<>, ]dainly notched near tip of each mandible, with wide and d<'eply-cleft gape,
the ciinvex cuhnen and gonys less than half as long as the nearly straight commi.xsure. the
width of rictus more than two-thirds the length of the gajie. Nasal fossie broad, but tilled
with short, erector antrorse, and close-set velvety feathers; nostrils narrowly elliptical, over-
arched by a (feathered) scale. Hictal vibrissa' few and short. Wings long and )Hiinted, nmcii
longer than the tail, their iioint formed by the 'M primary, closely supporteil by tlu- 2d and 4th,
the 5th abruptly shorter and the rest rapidly graduated. I'rimaries 10, but the 1st spiu'ious, so
very short as readily to escape observation, and stanetimes displaced to the outer side of the M
primary, — a condition like that seen among the Vireos. Inner i|uills, as a rule, and .sometiuu-s
the tail-feathers, tip]M'd with curious red horny appendages, like .sealing-wax. Tail short,
narrow, even, two-thirds or less of the h'Uttth of the wing. Feet rather weak ; tarsus shorter
than the middle toe and claw, distinctly scutellate with five or six divisions anteriorly and sonw-
what receding from strict Oscine character by subdivision of the latenil plates. Lateral toes of
nearly e(|Ual lengths, the ends of their oliiws scarcely reaching thi- base «>f the middle claw ;
hallux about us hiiig as the inner latvntl tuc. Hasal phalanx of middle toe coherent with outer
ir
326
SYSTKMATIC SYXOPSTS. — I'ASSKTiKS — OSCINKS.
t<Mt for nixmt Iwo-tliirds its IciiKtIi, witli iiiiicr tuo for u1>oiit lialf itH h'liKtIi. Hoity Ktoiit. IIcikI
roiiH|iiciioiii*ly crrsti'il. l'liiiiiii^'i> pi'i'iiliiirly f*nft, hiiiiniIIi, and Nilky. 'I'ail tippcil witli yt'llow
(or rctl, ill tlio Ja|iaii('m' A. jili(i'niri>j)tcni). Sexes alike; yomiK ditl'ereiit. KkK" "potted.
Nest on trees.
too. A. Kiir'riiliiH. (Lat. ,//'»;')'"/i/.«, a jay-l>ird : from its loipiaeity. Flu. 18.5.) HiiiiKMiAN Wa.n-
WIM). ^ 9< adiill : (ieiieral eojor lirownisli-Msli, Hliadiiiu iiiseiisihiy from the elear asli of tlio
tail and its upper eoverts and riiiii)) into a reddisli-tint;eil asli anteriorly, this jteciiliar tint
heii;lilening on the lieail, especially on tlu' forehead and sides of the head, into oran^'<--liro\vn.
A narrow frontal line, and hroader har throiii;h the eye, with the ehiii and throat, Hooty-1da<-k,
not or not shai'idy borilered with white. No yellowish on lielly. T'nder tail-coverts oraiifjr-
Itrnwn, or (dicstnnt. Tail ash, dee|ieniiiK to Idackish-aHli toward the end, hroadly tipped uitli
Km. 1S6. — liciliviiiUii WiixwIiiKx. i not. M/.v. (Knmi lireliin.)
rich y(dlow. Wind's ashy-hlackish ; iirimaries tipped (chieHy on the outer welts) with Hharp
spaces of yellow, or white, or both ; secondaries with white spaces at the ends of the outer welis,
the shafts usually eudin>; with eulan;ed, horny, red a]>]ienilaKes. I'riinary coverts tipped with
white. Hill 1dackish-]dunil)eous, often paler at liase helow; feet hiack. Length 7 or 8 inches;
wiiit; about 4..')() ; tail 2..'>(). The .sexes of thi.s beautiful bird are alike, and the ]H'iuci]ial varia-
tions, aside from mere shade of the body-color, consist in the markings of the win^s. In the
finest H|M<cimeus, the ends of the primary (piills are rich ycdlow, like the tips of the tail-feathers,
formiiiK broad linn sjiaces, in a continuous line when the wiuf; is closed, with narrower oKsets
jjoiiif? around the ends of the (piills. In less perfect specimens, these markings are simply
white, are less firm, and do not a|)pear on all the <|nills. 'I'he sectuidaries may or may not
show tho rod " Bealiiiy-wax" lips, but iu ndult birds nt least probably always show white
A MVELIliJ': - PTILOnnXA TlX.i: : FL Y-SSA Pl'KRS.
827
^'
X,
(e
a
niarkin>;a nt tho Piidn, nnd tlip oniMi' is tlif ciisc with the iiriiimry cnvrrts. 'riit'!«(> \viiii;-iiiiiil«-
iiiiTK. with tlic clicHtinit (Tissinii, and alwcncc of yrilnwisii mi the hrllv, will always iliNiiii(;Mi>h
the sprcirs from A. cetlrnriiin, iii<li'|M'iMl<'iitly of its nnich siipcrlor si/c. Vomit;: 'I'lifn' is an
parly utrcaUnl 8tai;<' of |>lmnai;i', iikf that of A. crdmnim. N'orthrru ht'mis]ilH'r<', northerly,
wandering south in vast troops at irri't;nlar periods. In Ameriea, south rei;ularly in winter to
the northern tier of States; in the KocUy Mts. much further; casually to ahoul '\'t°. Hare on
the I'acitic coast except in Alaska. Itree<ls in liii;li latitudes, hut down tu the I'. .^. lionler in
the IJoi'ky Mts. N'estim; siihstantially the same as that of ,1. vi'ilrorum, and eirys only diH'er-
ent in their (ireater si/e - aliout l.OU x 0.(17.
wn. A. cealro'riim. (Ijit. ceilnis, j;en. pi. ci'ihitrum, the cedar. Fii;. 18().) ('f.i>au Wa.XWINii.
('Aitm.iNA \Va\\vin<i. ('KiiAit-iiiitD. ('iiKiti{V-iiiRi>. f ^ , m\\\\\ : VtvwrA \'t\\itT AimWw^
from clear ]iure ash on the upper tail-coverts and rnmp throuKh olivaceoiiii-ciuuainon into h
richer and sonu'what purplish-cininiinon on the fore partR
and head. On the under ])arts, the color shades throui;li
yellowish on the helly into white on the under tail-coverts.
There is no demarcation of color whatever, and the tints
are scarcely susceptihle of adeipiate description. Frontlet,
loroH, and stripe through the eye, velvety-ldack ; chin the
Hanu', soon shading into the odor of the hreast. A sharp
white line on the side of the under jaw; a narrower one
Itorderiui; tho black frontlet and lores; lower eyelid white.
Quills of the winijs slate-^ray, Idackening at the ends,
paler aloui; the ed^es of the inner welts ; without white
or yellow nuirkings, as a rule; inner <|nills tipped with
red horny appendages. Tail-feathers like the primaries,
lint lijiped with yellow, :iud sometimes also showing red
horny appendages. Mill plumheous-hlack, sonwtinies paler
at ha.se helow; feet Idack. Lent;th ()..'iO-7.:2.") ; extent
11.50-12.00; wing 3. ')(>-;!. 7") ; tail •i.i'S. Young: Hrownish-gray, with a sliglit idive shade;
paler lielow, whitening or hecomiug slinhtly ytdlowish on the hcdly ; everywhere streaked with
dint;y whitish ; tlu' markings most evident on the hreast and sides. Wings and tail as in the
ndulls, hut usually lacking the red appendages. The velvety-Mack and white on the head
imperfectly detined. Mill ]iale at hase helow ; feet pluml us. Specimens apparently mature
and full-feathered l'rei|uently luck the sealing-wax tips. These are normally confined to the
Becondaries, hut occasionally ap))ear on one or .several |U'iuun'ies, and some or all «if the rectrices
(as in tig. IS.')); a case is ri'corded in which an under tail-covert was similarly emhellished. Moth
itexes po.ssess these ornanH'nts, hut as a rule they are hest devtdoped in the f. Tin,' liornnil
period of their appearance is nut known— if is prohahly not constant; birds in the earliest
known plunuig(> may possess one or more. They are possibly deciduous, independently of
inoult of the feather. Their use is unknown. N. .\ni. at large to hit. .'i 1-° X. at least; breeds
inditfereiitly throughout its X. A. range, and migrates or rather wanders about according
to food-supply; winters in most of the V. S. ; goes in flocks nearly the whole year, and is
espt'ially fond of resortint; to cedar thickets to feed upon the berries; breeds late (.Inue, tluly)
in orchards and groves; nest in trees or bushes, in the crotch of a bough or saddled on a limb;
«'ggs .'{-(■>, livid or pale bluish, sharply and usually thickly nnirked with bhickisli surface spots
nnd others jialer in the shell ; narrow and idongate, about 0.82 X 0.60.
10. Subfamily PTILOCONATIN>C : Fly-tnappers.
Mill nnic.b as in the last subfamily, but sh'nderer for its length ; inisal scale iniked ; it few
short bri.stles about buso of the bill. Tarsus scutclluto niitcriorly, and soinctinies ulsu on
Km. iKfi. — Coilar-biril, imt. size.
(Ailnitt. <lcl. K. (' I
'rr
828
SYSTi:.MA TIC SYXOrSlS. — PASSEIlh'S— OSCiyES.
the 8i(lri« ; ubntit <\n \i>\\u as iii'ulilli' tor ami claw; liiiiil toe mimrkalily hIioiI. Wiiikh luit
luiigt'r tliaii tlic la:l, iinicli riiiiinlcd, of It) priiiiaricM ; tlic Int !<|iiiriiiiis, Ickh tliaii lialf ax liui^ as
tlic> ^<l, wliii'li is iiiily alxtiii as Inii^' as the t^tli ; pniiit of tii<' wiiii; funni'il liy tiii^ 4tii, 5tii, and
I'ltli or Htl <|iiills. 'I'ail lonj;, nearly cvi'ii, witli liroad plant' {vi{\\ifr>* {I'hahtojirjila) ; or inucli
^rttdinili'd, with tapering' central leathers (I'liliifioiii/s). Head conspicnoiisly crested ; sex«'»
(in our ^enns) dissimilar ; yonn^ not streaked or sjiotted. There are only tu'o genera of the
Hultfamily as thns restricteil — J'liatiio]tfiiln and I'liloijitnyH, the latter with two strongly
marked sjiecies of Mexico and Central America.
57. I'llAIN'OrKT'LA. ((ir. i^fiW. ;'/""'""»<. shining'; jr«jrXor, /«'^)/(w, a rtd»e.) SiilNMXd Fl-Y-
HNAi-i-KKs. Hill somewhat as in Ainiwlis, Imt sh-iiderer for ItM h>n^tli ; nostrils naked,
Bcaleil ; antiie bristly, reaehinir to nostrils; a few short rictal bristles. Tarsns scntellato
anteriorly, and slii;htly snhdivided on sides lielow. Hind toe very short ; middle toe and claw
ahont as lon^' as tarsus; lateral toeit u littlo (ine<|Mal, outer the longer, reaehiii^' a little hey<ind
base of middle claw, its basal joint adherent to middle ; inner lateral toe nearly free to the base ;
claws all much curved. \Vini;s not loni;er than tail, rounded, of 10 primaries, the 1st spurious,
though more than half as lon^ as the 2il, which about ei|uals the leiif^ih of the secondaries:
point of wine formed by the Ith, .'ith, and (tth ijuills. Tail louf; and fan-.sluipe(l, not einar^i-
iiate, of broad piano feathers witlenin^ to their olttiise ends. Head with a hm^', tliiu, occipital
crest. Sexes dissimilar: (J flossy black, with large wliite winn-patch ; 9 dull-colored; yoimjjf
not sjioited or streaked. Fine songsters. Niditication arboreal ; eggs cidored.
108. 1*. lilU'iiM. (Lat. >ii7rH«, shining.) SiiisiS(S Flv-nsai'I'i:ii. (J, adult : Kntirely rich lus-
trtiiis black, with stetd-blue or greenish retleclions. Primaries with a large white space on tho
inner webs. Kill and feet black. Length about 7.<'>0 inches; " cvtent 11.50"; wing It.. '>0-
3.70; tail 3.50-4.12; bill (1.40-0.50; tarsus 0.(10-0.0(1; middle toe and claw 0.(1(1-0.75. 9,
adult : (Vested, like the ^. Kntirely brownish-gray, paler beneath, the wings and tail black-
ish, the white on the inner webs of the prinuiries much reduced or extinguished, and in its stead
much whitish edging of the (piills and coverts, tail-feathers, and crissum. Young <J : Like
the 9 ' '""' during the progress to nuiturity every gradation between the characters of the two
sexes is (diserved. Sonietinu's nearly all the feathers are skirted with white. Middle and
Western Provinces, W S., from Utah, Nevatlu, and ( 'i dorado southward ; u bird of ninarkabh-
characters and appearance, restless and vigilant ; feeds on berries and insects ; sings beautifully.
Ni'sl a slight shallow structure, about {.(H) in diameter by :J.50 high, with a cavity about 2.00
deep, saddled on a bough, loosely fabricated of twigs, plant-tibres, and down; eggs 2-3 (rarely
single), averaging 0.93 X 0.(15, greenish-white, distinctly and profusely speckled with blackish
or dark brown.
20. Subfamily MYIADESTIN^: Flycatching Thrushes.
Kill as in the last subfamily. Tarsus hooted, and toes deejdy cleft, as in Tnrdultr. ]^ateral
t<K'S very une(|Ual in length, the tip of the inner claw falling short of the base of the middle.
Wings of 10 ]irimaries, the 1st spurious, the -id about as long as the (1th, the point <if the wing
formed by the 3d, 4th, and 5th. 'I'ail long, about <-(puilling the wing, (hmhlc-roundrd, being
forked centrally, graduated externally; all the feathers narrowing somewhat towanis the end.
Head subcresti'd ; plumage sombre, v.iriei;ated on the wings; sexes alike: young spotted.
Highly musical. Containing about a do/en siM-cies, mostly nf the genus Mijitulrstrx ; others
of CichlofisiH and I'l(i(i)ci(hlii ; all except one are birds of Central and .'^oulh Anu>rica and the
West Imlies. Though our species was formerly called " I'lilogonys," it has nothing to do
with iIk' foregoing subfamily. Th<' Mi/imksliiiic are in fact nearly related to the 'J'iirdi(l<r.
Slionld they be placed iu that family, as might be done without vi(dence, the com|mrative
diagnosis would be :
TuUDlSi*;. — Bill moderiite, scurw ly or not depressed, moderately cleft. Legs stout.
66
lot
VlUKONIDyT:-. VIIiKOS, OH UHKF.SLKTS.
H not
\\\S, 118
I, 1111(1
liillcli
HfXCM
if the
iiit'ly
Kiel. Ik*. — <!riu>rliMl»tnllH iif MiitdiliMlm (.1/. Ininini inli : Mil .iinl
fiNit nut. hi/.!', wliiK mill (nil i). (Knuii lliilnl.i
Ttiil-fi'titliiTM v.'iilrtiiiiK II little tnwanl tlio oiid, tlir tail tliiiH IhtoiiiIh^ wiuiiriHli or ran-it|iii|H'il;
cvuii or little roiiiiileil at their eiiiU.
MviAiiKHTiN.K. — Kill very Hliorf, imu'li ileproKwd, widenod at lia.-'e, deeply cleft. I.,«'i;»
weak. 'I'aii-featlierH ta|M>riii^, the tail iN'iiit; thu<* rendered Hoinewiiat eiineate, and double-
rounded at end.
58. »IYIAI>KH'TKS. ((;r. /<mn,
Miiia, a lly, and tiiarfit, riles-
lrn, an outer.), Fl.Y-tATClllNd
TllKi'HilKH. CharaeterH of the
Miihfiiiniiy as iiliove ^iven.
laV. M. town'itenill. (To J. K.
Towimend.) 'I'ownskxii'm Plv-
CATciiiNU TiiKl'Hii. <J9: •■••"■
cral color dull lirownish-aNh,
paler below, bleaehiiiK on the
throat, lower heily. and crLsMiiiii.
Willis lilackirili, the inner sec-
oiidarivH edged and ti|i|ied witii
white, nearly all tlie ((iiills ex-
tensively tawny or fulvous at
the base, and several of the in-
termediate ones again edged ex-
ternally toward their ends with th« Hiiiiie nilor. In the closed wing, the hasal tawny .Hhowti
U|ion the outsiile as an ohlii|ue spot in the recess between the greater coverts and the bastard
ipiills, separated by an <ibli(pie bar of blackish froiii the second tawny |iiitch on the imter web.o
of the <|nillM near their en Is. Tail like the wings (the middle |iair of feathers more nearly like
the back); the outer feather edged and broadly tipped, the next one more narrowly tipped, with
white. A white ring around the eye. Kill and feet black. Kyes brown. Length about S
iiichex; wing and tail about etpial, 4.()l)-kr)i); the latter forked centrally, grailuatid laterally:
bill 0.50; tarsus 0.7'); middle toi; and claw rather more. Young: S] kled at first, like a
very young thrush; each feather with a triangular or rounded spot of dull ochracecius or
tawny, edged with blackish. Western I'. S., from the eastern foot-hills of the IJiM'ky Mts.
to the I'acitic ; N. to Kritish Columbia. A bird not le.^s strang)> and unlike anything seen in
the east than the I'liiihidiiriiln ; inhabiting wiHidland and shrubbery, feeding on in.sccts and
berries, and capable of musical expression in an exalted degri'c. Nest on the ground >>r m
rubbish near it, loo.sely inaih* of gra.sses ; eggs about 4, bluish-white, freckled with reddi.-li-
bniwii, (l.<.»,» X fi7.
14. Family VIREONID^: Vireos. or Greenlets.
Small dentirostral OHeiHcn, relaf<'d to the Shrikes, with hiMikeil
bill, 10 primaries and extensively coheri'iit tiH's. Kill shorter
than the head, stout, com|iressed, distinctly notched and liooked
at tip; rictus with (Mtnspicuous bristles; nostrils e.v|Mi.sed. over-
hung with a scale, but reached by the small bristly erect frontal
feathers. Toes sohh'red at base for the whole length of the basal
Joint of the middle one, which is united with the basal joint of
/■/^ the inner and the two basal joints of the outer, all these coherent
Fio. 180. — Wurliling Vlrco, re- phalanges very short. (I.,ateral to«'s unei|ual in the genus Virri'.)
<li.co.l. iFrou, Tfiiiicy.) Tarsus eiinal to or longer than the iniddh* t.M« and chiw, sciitel-
liite in front, lutenilly undivided, except at extreme base. Wings iniMlorate, of 10 primaries, iT
:m
.si'.s'7-/;.v : TIC sYxnrsis. - pa ssfhes — nsrixp:s.
Ill
wliich tlio 1st \.* slinrt i<iiu'-liiilf to <iiir-fimrlli tin- urcoiiil), or siniriinis, or ttppiircntUj wanting
(lii'iiiK riiiliiiu'iitary \\\\^ ili.splaciMl). Si/c small, iiiiilcr 7 Iik'Ih'h; coloration ttiii.plc, iixjHtly and
oflcni'^t irrrt'iiisli ; yoiniu ii"l spotlnl or strcakcil.
'I'l'is rmiiily was fornirrly iiiiitcd uiiii the next (Litniuht), rhictly on ac<M>iiiit of tlin
n'scinlilancf' in tin- slni|it' of the liill of ccrlain s|M'cics to tiiat of tin- slirikcs ; lint the liUt'ncsH
is ncviT iicrfrri, and tlicH' arc other inon' ini|iortant cliaractrrs, t's|»'cially in \\w strnctnrc of
tlic fret, liv wlii.di till' twii t'fonjis may l>c discriniiinitt'd. TIk' Virronidii arc iicciiliar to
Anifrifii ; llii'y an a siirill family of tivf or six t'''"<'ra and nearly seventy recorded s|iecics,
of wliicli al)onl five-sixths appeiir to hi' Pennine. 'I'he typical and |irinci|ial ir< nns, Virvo, con-
talnlnL' nearly thirty species, is es]M'cially characteristic of North America, thoni;li several S]iei"ies
occur in the West Indies and Central Anu'rica ; one i;enns and species, l.uh'IfK oshiinii, is
(Xi-hisiveiy Wi'st Indian; the ri'st — CtivlnrUix, llijlophdim, ]'iir<ilniiiiis, t\ui\ Xmchloe — are,
wii'i one exception, South and (' <itral American. In fnrther illustration of the characters of
the uroup. I oll'i'i' s(.:ue ri'niarks under t!ie head of tin- only t;enns with which we have to <lo in
the preselil connection.
59. VIKKO. (Lat. r</r'«, I am ;;ree" or tlourishint;.) (iiit'.KMaKTS. liill like that of a shrike
in miniature, moderately or very stout, shorter than tin- head, coiupressed at least toward the
end. chsiim-tly hooked ami notched at the tip, soni) times with trace of a tiuith helilnd the n< tch
of the n]>per iinindihie, and usually a nick in the under n.andilde tiMi. |{ictal hrisiles con-
spicrous, and othi'rs jiresent aimmt! the frontal and nu'lital featiir-rs. Nasal fossa- nearly tilled
willi siiort erect feathers. Toes I'Xtetisively coherent at hase, as explained umler head of the
family: lateral toes id' nneijual lenirths; claws stout.
nirrov.ly citnpresseii. niin-h ciirvei
'd and
acute. Winirs at least as loni; as the tail, more or less roiinded ; .sometimes nnndi longer and
<|nite ]iointeil ; of 10 primaries, the Is* usually evideat, thoni;h short ami spurious, hat sonu--
tinies (in the section ]'iirosiilriii and in rir»i(7/((r//>v*»(.'«) rndinH'ntary and more or less com-
pletely i><incealeil iexce]>tionally ohvious even in these species). 'I'ail short, even, of narrow
feathers. Size small ; lenyih usually live or six iiiches. Coloration simple ; ahove olivaceous
wn like the hack, or ashy (in one case hrown. in another hlack), the under
or lira VI
di. liii
piirts wlile, or white and yellow, or partly olivaceous, ."^exes ipiite indistinunishahle ; younj;
siniiliir, no*
t sp.iMe,! i>r streaked. .Miirratory in N. .\m. Insectivorous, arhoricole. Nest pi
dulous ; ei;t.s while. siMilted.
'I lie ninnerons species of this yemis have heen divided into severil pronps, hut no violence
will he done hv consid">'ini; them .ill as Virrn — in fact, it is ditiicnit to do •itherwi.se. For
even the ."iceniint'lv snhstantial division into two ifeiiera, accordimr as there is
ident
1st
primary or apparently none, separates specii's, like iiilni.i and iiliiliiiMiihiriiH,
enera, accoril'i'.i;
in-i'd'y otiierwise specilically distini,'uishalil.' ; wiiile another division into two i;
to the shape i.f tin wini;s an. I length of tin- spurious 1st prinniry or its ihsenci', is suhject to
souM' uncertainty of determination, and imiti s s|M'cics. liki' iilivncnis and Jl(irifint<H, no-^t dis-
snniiar ni other nsiiec's
spec's. The fai't IS. that Miniost every sinijle species of J'l/ro has Its own
pecul'ii'- form, in sliajie i,'' hiil, prop, -tlois of priiujiries, < ic, and these details camiot wjII h.i
considered as of more than siiecitic value. These slinht difTereiu'CK arc perfectly tani;ildc ,iiul
'■■nrprisi;M_'ly constant, re.iderhn.' the determimition i.i" 'he speejes comparaiively < asy. tliouah
tliese hirds hear to each other a close ucneral resemhl
si/e and color. They
are all more
or less oliriu'eoii.i ahove. sometimes inclinini; to j;ray or plinnheous, with {an cniwii either lik«
the hack, or el.se ashy, — in one species, however, hrown. and in another Idack ; ami white or
whitish iielow. Usually lU'ire or less tinned with yellow. 'i"!ie coloration Is very constant, the
.sexes helm; indi.stl,.u;uishahle. ami the yiiun« differing; little, if at all, from th.' adults. All are
small hirds. — ahout ."i or (1 iindies lonij. As a yroiiji the niudent will pndiahly have no ditli-
cidly in reco^i. ..in,; them hy the foreuoInK diatrnosis, as the character of the feet seiMns to he
)K-culiar, among N. Am. bird^•, uud it>ut any rutu diagmmtic whon tukeu in eounct'tiou with Uin
h I r
viuKosin^i:: vtitKos. on anKEXLKr^.
\\:\\
oliiiriictcr of tlio liill, all l!ii>s<' l)sciiif!», as wroiis, cn'riMTs, nr titiiiicc. tliaf slmw niticli
ciilioiiiii cif the Iiirs, liavint: an ciiTiri'lv <lill'<'rt'tit Mil. Sunir iil'llif wrakcr-liillcil s)MTir.s innrhi
Im' carclr.-isly liiistakrii for warlilirs ; liiit there is wt cmmisc for lliis. nor fipr ronfoinnliiiK tln-in
with any of the little rlainatorial tlyeatehers. The N'ireos were lonir sM|i|Mineil to |HmKeNK eitlier
',) or ll) primaries. Hut that the inijiortaiit eharaeter of niiiiilier of primaries - one inarkiiit;
II — sIiomIiI here Sllliside to s|Hcilie value only, seemnl silspii-ious ;
.! H .. 1 lit ..I.. .1... :. :.. .11. . „:. _._
. hinf/i.'tis t'f Spirit H,
X'riniiirim ni>|mri'iitty !i Mlio ti>t rii<lliii<-iit!iry nm'. illKiiliirtMli. (u^
Prliiuirlr)! rviilciiilv 10 (llio tut Hiiort or npiirioiiKi il>)
la) Tiiroiil j.'llow
1 J.'llow
white: crown anliy, nut liliu'k-nl)!)')), Iiiinlly i'»ntrn»lliiK nirli lini'k . .
— Iila<'k-i'<l|!<il ; l>il'l« nllvu ; Willi iiiHXiihiry nlri'iili
Unrifrnna till
. . . . pflifitih /jihirtlH IT.'t
tMirlfttuliiM IT'J
— no iiiiixilliiry ntri'akr<; crlKiiiiiii merely ycllnwluli
ii/o-<i(V •!.« 170
IiriKliI yrlliiw
tloriririilii ITI
. . . ittririi/titliiM i<i
. . . . rirhiinr 180
(li) Crnwii lilai'k . ,
— nnt lilaek; Hliurloiiminill at li'MKl ) nH liiiiu' iiH lM, iiikI niiii,' J .'ill loiii; . , .
— nut 1 a< Iniii; a- '.'i|, nr »iii|; ikiI 'J.,'iJ Ihiik rl
(«0 Wlnu-bamls \iaiillnu: I'dloratimi ai> In ;'/ii''ii/' ////(MiM
— irciHjnl ; 'ciiitlli nn'r ."..IKI; Im k nllvf, iiintniKtlnK with nuliy-lilin' c rnvn
i/ih in ITt, 17.1
itnliltinii^ 177, I7H
|ilii:iil
n>"im, c-rnwii m arii'ly dillrirnt /i/iim'xiin I7!l
— S.00 .>r lew : winu tall. Ii.illi all.. Ill 2.'.'.'i; l»l .|iiill ( llii
.'.1
tail; cniwn anliy. I'liiii ami miiicri' lltii' niilt.'
— ii|l\r, ililii will . miiN'ir. lilii' yell.
ptmillim |A4
. . IhIH IH.1
>/«.
IM
ami iiml.'r luirlH yllVli
170. V. o)lvae«'lls. (I,at. o/inncMX, nlive-eoloretl. Tii; l^!l.) |{ki>-KVKI> (lld'.KXI.KT.
luiilimi \Wi
Alnive,
ive-t'ieen ; erowii ash, eiljreil iin each niile with u I>lackii4h line, helow tlii.s ii white wipei
eili
apiii
li
-. hel
ihiMk>
o\\- llllH
htri|M"
throiiuh eye; iniilcr |i<irtN
white, faintly sliaileil
wi<h ureeiiish - yrllow
aloiiK Hiih's, anil tiiiueil
le same on ninler
ith tl
Willi;- am
I t
lil-eoverls; VsS
I tail tliiNkv,
win^s am
the feathers edueil with
Fin. 1811 — r. ii/ii'fi(Yu<, nat. nlxo iPmiii Uklrd.)
»;{'j
SYSTKMA TIC SYMifSIS. — VASSKHKS— OSCISKS.
olivi' iiiithiil)', will) wliilisli iiisiili' ; Itill iliisky iiIhivc, pale Im-Ihw; feet Iciulon-bliio ; pyos ri'd ;
IK) iliirtky iiiiixillary xtrciiUs ; iin a|)|ii(r<'iit H|Hirii>im i|iiill. l/iitlc ilitrcri'iit with \\fn\ sex, or
warn III ; y-iiiii^ ami Tall liinl.s tlic lii'i){litr!<t I'nlni'i'il, i')'|ii'<'ially on tlii' siilcs, rrisMini, ami liiiiiii;
<>fu'iti|!H. hiirur; liiitflli .').7.')-(i.;{."i : cxlciit ',1.7:1- 10.7:. ; wiiit; :i.(M»-.'{.a:i ; tail l'..'J:{-J..'i(I : liiil
ulHiiit iMW'i ; tai'.-iiK ll.;.'i. v.. N. Aim.; N. t<i IliiilsiiiiV Kay ami cvni (irri'iilaiKl; \V. sni
tiiiich I" I'taii aiitl \Vil^llilll,'t^lll 'I'riiitoiy ; lirccds lliniii^liiiiit its I'. S. raiii;i'. ami wintrix I'lniii
tiif (iilir StalcH Hiiiitliwai'il. Ill most |ila<'r.H tin- iiiciHt alMiiiiiiilil N|M'cirx nl' tlir cciiiis, in uuimI-
iaml; a viiliililc, tiri'lrss siiiit;Htri'.
ITI. V. llavlvl'riillN. (I,ai. .//'ii/o, yill"W ; idk/Zx, mccii. l-'ii;. I DO) ^'i.i.i.ow-iiitiiiiN (Jitr.KN-
1,171'. Ni'vy hiiiiilar tn tlii' lai^t ; imiri' yrllnwisli liclciw ; iimli'i' wiii^- ami tail-i'ovri'ts ili'ciilnlly
yi'lliiu ; hiilcs nf ImhIv cliTiili'dly (^nTiiiwii-yillnw. Texas ami scuillnvanl.
\Ti.
173.
Kill v.'.' I /.'i./.i./.V/./iMin.iijilnlxn. (Frnm nnlril.l PkiIIW f. i/l'rin, nnt irtio. (PVniii Hulnl.)
174. V. kII'viin. n.iil. '/iV'M". v< ll'uvisli. KIum. IKS. '.Ct.) \V ahiii.im; tiiii;r.M.Hvi . ('cil..is ]irt.-
I'lm-ly a.s in llii' laxt mimtIi-m: M|iiiri<)nN <|iiill |iri'sciil ami iviilnit. \ In ^ a.s liniiriiM llir Jil |irilnary.
I.rn-.'tli '(.."ill ii.iHl : cxlriii s.:,ii '.l.J.-|; wiiii; -.'.Hu; tail .' 25 ; Mil O.lii; tarsus il.Ci.'i. KaMtcrn
N. .\iii. to till- liii;li niiiral |>laiii!«, liiccilinu tlii'iiiit,'lii>nt its ninu'r ; w iiiliTini,' I'xlialiinital ; ,111
iiliiimlaiit litlli' liini iiinl .111 i'xi|itiHilr wiimstcr Its vnicr is mil slinin;. ■ml many liinls rvn-l
il ill liiilliiiliry "if <'Xi'riiliiiii ; lull mil mii' .if tlii'iii ,il! ran rival llir ti'iiilcnit'ss ami Knfliicss iif
n.'i.
I'll
\v
VIUKONIDyK: VIUEOS, <)!{ (iUJ: i:\LHTS.
:v.v.i
vr,\ ;
X, iir
iiiiiij;
liill
ilirc-
liiilii
IMiliil-
1*5.
till' li<|iii"l !<traiiiM <if tliis iiiiMlfxt viN-iilist. Nut Imrii t" " wiinti' itn HWOctni'HH mi |)it> ilfwrt
air," ill*' warbliiii.' viri'o tnrsiilArs tlir <li'|iilin nf tlir wnoilluiiil for tlii> juirk ami ori'lianl aiitl
sliaiiy .striM'l, wlirrt' it tiidrs lliliiiiuli liif I'liliaur "f tlii' laljr.st Iiti-s, tlir lllliU'i'li liir.s.Hi'liKir 4if
ir>t and |i< at'r to tlic liii.sy, iliisly, liainitN iit'iiirii.
V. K. NWiitumtiil'' (Til Will. SwaiiiHiiii. Fiii. IIH.) WKhTKiiN W.Miiii.lMi N'liiKii. " Similar
til \'. fiilnis, liiit smaller: rnliiiN paler; liill limrt' ili'|ir<'sx<'il ; ii|t|M'r iiiamlililr almnMt Mark;
;^il i|iiill miirli sliiirirr tlian iiih." Kucliy M\i*. tn tlir I'ai'ilii', I'. S. 'I'lii.-- Wrsiirii I'urm lia.t
lii'i'ii lirMM'iliril as ilistiirrt, liiit llir •■liaracttrs aMsi^iiiil will imt lie rmiiiil eniistanl. Il Is ^illl|llv
(I iliill-eiiliit'i'il raee, like many other liiniH of tlii.s retiimi.
177.
Klii l!ll ~ 1° '/ nii-iiiiiMniii, ii'it. f\/.r (I'miii ItninI i
l''li) lli'i l.lliiiilniiiii.ui\.h\/.i>. (I''riiiii lliilnl )
I7M.
\'. lla'virroiiN. (Lai. y/idio, Villi. XV ; ,/Wm.i, limtt.) Vf.I.I.hu -•iMlii».\iKii(iiiKi:Ni.i.i . .MmM,
rii'li iilivi'-i,'ieeii, I'l'iiw II till' sami or even driuliter, riim|i iiiseiisilily sliailiiii; IiiIh liliilsli-asli ;
lieiiiw, liriL'lil yi'lliiw, lirlly ami riissiim aliriijilly wliite, sides anlirinrly sliaded willi olive,
|Hi.><teriorly with |iliim)ieiiiis ; e.vtieme rnielieail, iiii|ierriliai'y line and riiii; round eve, yellow;
lores dusky; wind's diisky, with the inner sennidaries liioadly wliile-edijed, ami tun liro.'iil
white hars aeross lijis of greater and median eoverls; tail diisky, nearly all the leal hi is com-
|ili'ti'ly eiii'iirled with while eilL,'iiii; ; hill and feel dark leadiii-hine ; no apjiarenl s|inrioiis i|iiill.
I.en^lli .'i.7.'i-li.ll<l ; e.xleni ahoiil ID.IMI; wini: ahoiii .'I.OU ; tail only ahniit -'.^'.'i. .\ lal'ue,
hloiil, hiuhly-eiijiired .s|ieeies, eiirionsly resemhliiiK hirriu rirnis, niininon in the woods of thii
Kjislerii r. S.. and ailjoiiiiiii; lliitish I'lu.inees ; \V. only to the edue of the |ilaiiis ; winters in
l''loiida and .southward : hreeds in all its I'. !^. raiiye. Its |irii|ier name may he I', mliniliiinis.
V. Miilila'rIiiH (l,al. siililiiriiis, xoWlixry ; .sd/irw. alone, l-'iy. \'.H\.) Ki.i i:-iii.Aiii:i' ( I|(i:i:n-
l,i;r. ."siil.ll MtV lilti:i:M.i'.'l'. .Nhove, olive-trreen ; erown and sides of h< ad Idilish-ash in
marked ■■oiiirast, with a hrnad white line IVom
iioHlrils to and aronnil (not lieymiil) eye, and a
dusky loral line ; helou', |iiii'e while, llaiiks
washed with olivaremis, and a\illars and eiis-
siini pale yellow ; \vih|;s and tail dnsky, most
of llie feathers eilueil willi white i.r whitish,
ami iw nspii'iioiis hais of ihe same aemss
tipH of middle and urealer eoverls : hill and
feel Maekish-plnmheoiis; iris hrown. Leiiulh
.'». •.'."! U.Vf, exleiil S..'iO; Willi; 'i./i •"t.HO: tail -.'.i.'j-i'.H:! ; hill al I U. 10, slmil, nearly It. iO
deep at haNe ; Hpnrioiis i|iiill ll..5l.> O.lil'i loni.'. alioiit | jih |oii|r an x'd primary. Yoimtr and fall
hperimeaH more hii^htly colored. .\ sliiillly-hilill sjH'eieH, known at a ulatiee hy the Idnish eap.
i'lastern I'. S. and Canada; not rare, hut not mi eoiiiinoii »n iilirnctiis, Jldrijhuis, or tuivvlm-
yiHThsin ; inhahits woodland.
V. H. euH'slnl. (To ,!ohn ("a.ssiti.) Cv.ssin's (illKKNI.I-ir. Seareely ditfereiit ; said lo he
duller and more hrow nish-oliva m ; under parts tinifed with hiilf or oilniy where siiIiIi'iiiih
is pure while ; loral line and eyerini; iiii|iiirely wliilish. .\ri/oiia and California. (Not al .'ill
like r. jiliimlteun, with which il Im ^eiit;rapliieaily aHsocialeij.)
I''li.. IIn; I' mililiiiiiiit, Unt nl/.i- iroiiii lliilnl,)
ajJ4
.SYSTJ'JMA TIC HY.SOl'SIS. — J'ASSKUL'S— OSCJXKS.
170. V. K. pliiin'bctus. (I.al. /iIuihIm-iis. Icud-mlnri'il. Fijt. 10?.) I'l.i miikois (SnEF.xi.KT.
Lciii'iii-Kray, fiillicr liriulidr :iiiii iimic a.sliy "ii tin- ciumii, Imt wiilmiit marUnl I'lmtraMt,
faintly >;l>'>Mil uiili olivf mi rum|>; a itiii«iikMi(iiw wliiii- liia- li ^ll■il t" ami aroiiial <jr,
ami Ixlmv tliin a iliiNJiv lural slii|M' ; liclnw,
TB ^"^ ^^ — ^ > . piiir wliili', .sides (if iHcl< aliil liica.'-t Nliailcil
-\ - Ji, ~II!II^~-^r-y M'illi till' f il">r nt' ilir liack, Itaiik:^, axillacH
/ \ '^ \ — -.^^7^ _^p^ ami cix-siiiii with a iriiTc Iraci' 111' iilivacfoiiM,
/ \ \ -;^^ '"' """"'; Willis ami tail ilii.sky, willi cini-
V^ — W' / ■ JN 3^ M|ii<Miiiiii* |mrf wliitc nl^'iii^s ami rri>i<H-l»arM.
/ < ^ ' ■'-'^ '*'''••' "' lolil'ii'iiix "I" lai-tirr. I.rii^rtli 'i.'i't-
^ ^ (i.lO; fxtciit '.l.r.'i-lO.:.'.'): wiiiu :.'.',)(»~;S.1(»;
n,M!.7. ( « ,,/.,»W-.M,.ml.»Uo. (FromHnlnl.) ,,,ilo.:,„. MH (,..-,„; tar.sil.^ 0.(1(1 ; mi.l.llr I...-
tlir KiiiH': ^|llll'ilal.s i|illll i'X|iiwi'il aliiiiit ().7.°i, h a.t liiii^ nn the 'id <|uill. Ct'litl'al I'laiiiH
to till' rarilic, r. S., and csiircially Sniitlicni IJucky .Mt.^., wlicfr it iw alii'' 'iiiit. A laiuc stmit
H|ir: ics, a iirar ally 111' snliliiiiii.s, liiit nearly all tlie nlivaceuns nl tlial Mperio re|ilari'd liy
|diiinl)eiiii)t, ami the yellnwiMli liy wliite, so tlm' it is a very iliU'eient-liiiikinu liii'd. Tall
!«|ieeinienH, iiiiwcver, are nun'e olivaeeniis, a:id the liii'd e\''lently ^I'adeM closely ii|i ti> Kiilittirii(s,
IHO. \'. vlel'iilor. (I.iit. i«(/(i/,'<, neiu'lilimint;.) <!it \V «i t{i:i'.\t.i:f. Willi ll'" iremral ii|i|ieaiann'
111' a >iiiall I'ailid .s|ii riiiieii i>\' iiliniilinis : leaden-^niy, I'aiiilly iilivaeemis un llie nnn|i, lielnw
u liile, w itii liai'illy a traee ul' yellmvisli on the sides ; win^x and tail hardly edued with while ;
IHI.
INS.
i
VIHi:uMlKK: VIUKOS, OR GUEKSLETS.
;{:]o
cntirrly ycllnwi.sh. ('alitnrnia. FirMt <|nill rather Icsn tliaii lialf tlit- iiX, wliifli alwiiit <'i|iiaN
till- loth; -id a littl<> Imiixcr than 7th; I'll and 5th iicarly i'i|ual ami h>U(;r.><t. 'I'ail ^lij^hlly
ri>iiii(h-(l, Nhiirtcr than tlic wiii^s. Itill very small. Aliovc ulivf-grccii : hriuhti'st lirhiiiil,
(>.s|M'<-ially im ruiii|i and edging' nl' tail; didirr and niorf
ashy towanl and mi tup and sides id' head and ni'ck.
\Vini;s with two hands on fovcrls, and ontcr cdycs iit'
innrrniust secondaries rather hroadly olivai'eons- while;
other <[uills edi,'ed externally with olive-irreen, jialer
toward outer primary, internally with whiiish. Lat-
eral tail-feathers edijed externally with yellow.sh-
white. leathers of rnmp with much eoiieealeil vel-
K.wish-nray. I'nder parts i.ah^ olivaeeous-yellow'ish. Kiu. l-.w.-C. /..///..Hi. nat. «lx«. (I-T..m llalnl.)
pnrest hehiiid, lightest on throat and ahdonien ; the hreast more olivaeeoiis, the sides still
deeper olive-Kreen, the hreast soiled with a slight hntfy tinge. Axillars and crissimi yellowisli,
the inside of wings whitish. Loral region and narrow space aronn<l eye dull yellowish, in faint
contrast to the olive of head. Itill horn-color ahove, jialer below : legs ihisky. l^enirlh 4.7" ".
wing i.W; tail iM'^. (Description from Kaird.)
iwiii. V. h. Htc'voiiHl. (To I'. Stephens.) Stki'IIKXs' (Jitr.i;Ni.Kr. I^ike 1'. hiilloni. liill sioni ;
wing^ from ().:t(i-(».>ii longer than tail. Ahove, grayish-ash; the crown, vertex and sides of
head and neck nearly pnre ash; the liat'k faintly tinged with olive; the rump and an edging on
till! tail-feathers dnil idive-green. \Vings with two nearly continent hands on the coverts, and
the outer edgi's of the inner secondaries iiroadly white : outer ipiills edged more '.larrowly with
the sami lor. Iteneath lir<iwnish or smoky-white, wii h a mere wash of yellowish on the sides
and crissnni. I'pper eyidid dnsky-brown; remainder of the orbital ri'gion, xtiih the lures,
ashy-white in decideil contrast with the nearly clear cinereous of the In ad generally. Lining
of wings white. Lenu'lh '>.-2U: extent *>..')li; wing ::'..).'i--i.',l<l ; tail i.-i't: tarsus ((.7-{ ; cnlmen
().'>U. Arizona and New Mexi espi^cially in nioimtain ranges. Helaied to liiillniii, which
has bill less stont, wing 2.40 <>i l<'ss, anil is olive-green above and olivai'eoiis-yellow below,
without (dear white anywhere, 'rhedillereiices are nearly parallel with those between In Hi and
liiisilliis, — slrri iisi being grayish-ash above with no decided olive-green excepting on the rnmp
am! tail, brownish-white below, untinged with yellowish excepting on sides and crissnni, tlu!
wing-bands pure while and nearly I'onlinent. (Not in Check List, I^SO. description from
Itrewster, Itnll. Null. Club, vii, IHsJ, p. — .)
IH3. V. Iu'l'll. (To ,]. (i. Itell, of New York. Fig. :iiHI.) IJki.I.'.s Ciskkm.KT. (Ilive-green,
brighter mi riiiiip, iishier on liead, but wiilimit decided contrasts; head-markings almost
exactly as in fillriis ; lielow, siilplinry-ycllowisli, only whitish on chin and iniddle of btdly ;
inner ipiills edged with whitish ; two
whitish wing-bands, but one mor n- :^<'' - T^ ■'^^^
spiciimis than the other. Hardly or not *^-I^ --■♦< --1 ~:^ i^
.1.11(1 long; wing scarcely over 12.0(1; tail
under ;J. (Ml ; s>iiirimis ijuill about jf the :>il,
which eipiuls or exceedH thi) 7lli. \ pretty
lillle species, like a liiiniatnre ii( fiilriis, but
ri-adily dislingiiished frmn that species by Fm a)0. - r. f«//i. n«t. Mne. (From Hulrd.)
its small size, presence of decided winir-bars, more yellowish inider-parls, ami different wing-
formnla. Middle region of the !'. S., W. to the Hocky .Mis., K. to the valley of the tlliio; an
abiindaiil species, inhabiting copses and shrubbery in <i[ien cmmtry, with much the same
sprightly viiys and Imid song as those of tiori'lmrmriisis.
IHI. V. puHil'liiH. (Lat. inisilliis, puerile, petty. Fig. 2(i|.) Lkakt (JuKKXi.K.r. Olivaccmis-
gray. below while, merely tinged with yellowitih iv the sides; head- markings ob.sciire ; wing
886
SYSTEMATIC sryOPSIS —PASSEltES— OSCINES.
IhiikIh ami ciluiiiKs, though cvidi'iit, iiurrow iiiiil wliitixh ; no decided olive or yellow miywlu-n'.
Size of belli : uiiiu iiikI tail of e<|ual Icliutlis, little over i.Di); liill (I.;|M ; tiirrtiiH O.IWi ; miilillu
liM' mill elaw 0.50: !i|iiiniiiis i|ulll aliciiit i an Imig a^ the 2d, which in iiiteriiiuduite iH-tweeii tlio
illi ami Sth. A .small, olisi'iire-lookiii^
(•IMcics, i-e.seiiiltlilii; hilli, lint liiiicli ^.Taver,
t4iil itlativcly loiipr. >|Miiiiiii.s i|nill luii«ei-,
and iA |ii'iiiiary .••lioiter. Arixoiui and
Soiitlii'i'ii ('alifiirnia ninioii.
1H5. V. utrieapiliiiN. ( I. at. «/('«', lilaek ; tv//>i7-
his, hair.) Ili..\( k-< ai'I-ku «ini:KXi.KT.
(J : 'i'ii|i and t^iile "f the head lilacU, e.\
r
^\ in
Flo. 201. — r. pimillui, nnt. n\tc. (Krnm Itiilnl.
er|iliiii,' a « liilr eye-iintr and white liii'al utripe. I']))ier jiai'ts olivaeeous ; lower )iarl.~ wliiti-,
tinunl with |i.'ili' L'reenish on tho xide.s iiial tlanli.x. \Viut.'»< and tail lilaeki.sh, edi;ed with
olivaeioiis, the flintier with two diniry whiti.sh har.s aerons the ends of the ureater and median
eiiverl>: liiiini; of wint's yelluwish. Itill hlack ; feet dark; iris red. I.eni:th (■.7.") ; extent
7.^.'): w'luii -'.li.') ; tail ni-arly :J.Ot(; hill (l..")0; tar^<ns 0.7.'); middle toe and elaw 0..")M; Isi
priniary e.\|iiiseil {\.tW. A s|)eeimen from Ma/atlan, hsnpposed to he a 9i i'** deserihed liy iht^rd
and IJiiitrway as havini: the hlaek of the head rephi 1 hy dark slate eolur, the n|i|ier parts
duller iilivi'. the liiwer somewhat hiitfy. The hlaek rap of the ^ renders llie s|H-cies eon-
(ipiriiiius anioiit; all its roiiuemrs. 'I'e.xaH and .Me.xieo, rare; few sperimens kmnvn. Nest in
tri'es. pensile fmm a forked twiu as nsnal in the ^eniis, lint egus white, nuniarked (ais far an
known ; l.i e.^aniples examined) ; si/e 0.(),)-0.7.> X 0.ri()-<l.,'i,").
15. Family LANIID^ : Shrikes.
Ks.Hentially charaelerized hy the eoniliinalion of
comparatively weak, strictly )>asserine feet with a
notched, tiH.theil and hooked hill, the si%e, shape, and
strength of which recalls that of a liird of ])rey (tit;.
•20i.). 'I'he family comprises ahont l'imI n-conletl
species, referahle to miinerons yenera and divisildn
into three uronps. not very well delined, however, of
which the folliiwini; typical snhfamily is the only
imu occnrrin>( in Anu'rica: —
A'
Klii. '.Hr.' — Hlirikeii' lltllii, nnt.Klzu. iFrnni Itairil.)
21. Subfamily LANIIN^: True Shrikes.
In this u'riiiip the win^ has 10 primaries and the tali \i reetriies ; IhiiIi are nnndi mimdeil
and of nearly eipnil lenjftliH. The rictns is furnished with Htmnu hristlcH. The circular nostrils
are more or less ]M'lfectly covered and con-
cealed liy dense tufts of anlror.se hrislly
feathers. The tarsi are scntellale in front
and on the outside in the latter respect
(deviaiim: from a usual Osrine ch.iracter.
Our sin-ikes will thus Im- easily distinunished ;
ndditional features are L'iven under head of
the uenns Ltiiiiim, the only ri'pre.seiilalive ^\ "\
of this urou]i in .Vmerica. i.-,„. «nn - Butchor-hlr.1, r«.liir<<.l. (From Tennry,
These shrikes are hold and spirited ater Wllwui i
birds, ipnirrel.some anioni; themselve>. and tyranniral towanl weaker s|H-cieN ; in fact, their
nature seenix as hiirhly raimcioui* iv (Kat of the truu birdti of |>r('y. They are caniivoroim,
LA NIIDAi — LA SI ISA: . S II HIKES.
887
fdHHling oil iiiwTtH HUil Hiich miiiiiII birds iiml <|imili'ii|H-<lN uk tliry oaii ciiiitiirr ainl nvcriHiwrr ;
iniiiiy iiiNtiiiin'N have Iktii imti'il nf tlicir ilaHliiiiu attacks ii|iiiii caur-liirils, ami tliiir irrUlt .-h
IMirxiiil iif otiii'i' HiM'cii'M uiiilii' fii'ciiiii.ttuiici's that coMt tlii'iii tlicir own livo. Kiit tlir nin.st
rt'iiiarkaltli- tact in tlu- natural liistor}- of the chrikci* in tlicir itiiiKular ami iiicx|>lical>lc liaMt of
iiii|ialint; tlicir |ircy on tlmni^ or !*liar|i twijjs, ami Icaviiii; it stickiii),' tlicrc. Tlii.s has ncca-
hidiicd many iiiirciiioiis siinnix's, none of uliich, however, aii' entirely >atisl'aetory. 'I'hey
liiiild a rather rude and Imlky nest of t\vii,'s, ami lay 4-li speckled cut's. 'I'hey arc not strictly
initiratory, althonuli our iiorthi'rninost species usually retires >i>uih\vard in the tall. The >exeH
are alike, and llii' yoiiiit; ditfer hut little. 'I'liere arc only two well deterniiiied Aniericaii
Hjiecics, of nine that coiii|M)He the ucniis,
60. L.VMI'H. (I,at. Idniim. a hntchcr.) (tit.vY SiiitiKK!*. Witm of |(l )iriinarics, and tail of
12 rectriccs, Imth rounded in !iha|H', and of nearly ci|ual li'iiu'th.v I'oint i fthi' winu luniied hy
the .'id, hh, and .'ith i[iiills, the second not lonifir than the I'ltli. and the 1st aiioiit half as loutf
as the .'Id. Tarsus iM|uallini; or slightly c.xcevdiiit; in h'liuth the middle toi. and claw, strontrly
Mcutellate in front, and with the outer lateral plate usually more or less sululivided, as is iinnsuiil
liiuont.' Osrlni's. Lateral li«'s of ahoul e<|ual linuths, their claws reachiiiu to the hase of thii
middle claw ; inner toe cleft nearly to the hase, the nuter more extensively cuhereiit with thu
basal joint of the middle Iih'. Feet larjfc and strolic. but without sj iaily " raptorial "
development either of ilie diuits or of their claws. Hill lari:e and powci'ful, compri'ssed. ileep,
fompletely notched and toothed, ainl stroiiKly I ked, preseiitini; the full accomplishment of a
riiptoritil character, liictiist ample and deeply cleft, and stroiiuly bristled ; i;onyN short, only
about half the length of the lower niaiidihle. Nostrils circular or nearly sn, placed well I'orw.ird
in the iia.sal fossie, more or less |M'rfectly overhuiii; ami concealed by lulls of alitror>e bristly
fcatlii-fH, ItiHly utoiil ; neck short: lieail relatively laruc Coloration simple, the black, white,
nml bluish i>r urayish tints beini; unrelieved by red or other blight color. In the amount of
the iliisky vermiciihitioii of the under parts the species are graded from huniilis (mo>t) to r.rcii-
hilitriilrn (least or none), and each oiie is graded frmii young to uhl. In all, the general resem-
blance to a mockinu-bird is strikini;.
iMTiii' : li'iiKlli '.MM iir Dvor. Itliu'k h<-iul-Htrl|Mi bnilioii iin iindrr eyulid nml acruiw rorelioail. .\lwa,v< wnM'<!
ImI.iw wllli iliisky /».!•. >i/i.i lM«t
Hiiiiill: li'iiulli iiiiilcr ;).ilO. Illnck lio><l-iilrl|iouiilir<il(aii norom forplioail: no white nii iiiKloreycllil, AiIiiIih
llliwiivinl lii'low.
I.IkIiIi'I': iimii'Ii wIiIIooii runu> unci M'n|iiilnrit; Iciiik wlille inil.li on prliniirlcH . . . imiliilniiili » \HH
Dnrki'i': littlr wlillc mi i uin|i iinil >M'ii|iiilari>; Klmrt wliitu puli'li on iiriiiiarlt'H . . . hnliniriiinHii W
IHit. L. Iturt'ii'llH. (|jit. lH>iriilis, northern. 1 .gs. iO'i, i'(i4.) (iiiKAT Nuktiikkn .^iiitiKK.
Itiri iiKit-iiiKii. ^ 9< iiilult : .Mhivc, clear bluish-ash, blanchiuu on rum]i and scapulars;
below, white, always vermiciilated Ir.ius-
Vcrsely with tine wavy Idackish lines ; a
broad black bar along sid< of head, not
nieeting il.s fellow ai-ross fdreheiul, inter-
riip*' 'I by a while I'rescelit nii under eyelid,
nnd bordered above by hoary white that
also (M'ciipicH tlio I'Xtn'ine forehead : wings
lid tail black, the former with a lai
i.'e
white spot near ba.se o
>( till
P
and white tips of most of the ipiills, the
latter witli the outer wcd> iif ill Iter
feather edged, and all th> fiat hers except-
ing tlio middle pair brmully tip|H'<l, with
white, aiiil with concealed white buHCH ; bill and feet bluish -black ; oyon blackish. I.cncth
niti
11 'I
888
SYSTh'MA TIC .SYNOPSIS. —PA SSKKKS — OSCIXE'S.
i
(I.OO-KMK); i-Miiit i:i..'i()-M.:i(); wiiiu .VOO-'i.-'iO ; tail ratli<T iiiorr ; liill 0.75; tureuitO.VO;
iiiiildlf tiH> mill claw ().<.i. Vhiiiik: TIic ciiIiii-h niiicli los imrc and clrar. AImivc, ^'rayisli-
lii'nwii, m-art-i'ly nr imt wliitniiii^ mi tlic hca|)iilarH, lail-cuvcrtH, ami rni'clii'ail. 'I'lic yiiiin^rci
til)' lii'iiwiirr, Hiiiii'tiiii('!< iiliiiimi u'iili a ni.sly liiiui'; ^rayrr accoriliii^ to ap*. Itclnw lirowniNli-
wliitr (ill)' yoiiii^'i'i' till' lii'iiwiii r), till' wavy ilaik iiiarliiii^r* htinii^cr than In tin* mliilt. 'I'lm
l>ar aliiiiK tlir lirail |iiMirly ilrliiiril, iiii'i'i'ly liii-^Uy, nr i|iiiti' nliMilt'tr. WIiiijm ami tail l)riiwiii>li-
blarlt, with Ii-m< white than in the ailiilt. Mill |i|iiiiiIm'iiiih-Iii'<iwii, tlfxh-i'iilnri'il at Iiiim- lii'lnw.
At a vrry rarly at;i', tlir ii|i|H'r |iarti« an- |ii'i>lial>ly vi'iiiili'iilatril Minirwhat lilo' tlir InwiT, ax
ill the Niiiif >!:ii,'(' nf /,. liiiliiriiiiiniiM ; hut thin fttalc I havr imt iih.icrvi'il. In nhl 11^1', tlio
ilil^hy vrniiiriilalinii ■•!' llii' iinih-r ]iai'tM i.s iiiiicli iliiiiiniMhi'il, hut I have iicvt'i' xccii it almrnt
nllciurllur. This Iraliiii', rciii|iin| with thr ]iai'tirulai' chararlrr nf tlir hcail-luarhiii^s anil
thr l.ii'ur >\/.f ami riiiii|iaratiM'ly shmt tarsi, will always ili^tiiii;uisli the H|i<'rit'r> Irniii /.. Iiiiln-
ririiiiiiis nr r.rniliilnrlilr.i. N. Am., iinrlln'rly ; lircfilM, Imwcvfr, on niniinlaiiiM nf the .Miililli>
Stairs ami iu Ni w Kiiulaml ; in winter, ilsiiiilly extemis S. tn almiit .'(.'1'. The ea.'-tle of \U\n
" friiilal harnii ami hi'ii.'aiiil hnld " i> huili in a hu>li nr low trie with a hasiiiKiil nf stii'liM,
n|inii wliii'h is nialtcil ami felleil a thirk w.iriii .»ii|ii'i>trui'iiiri' nf hark-slri|is, grasses, ami snfl
ve^'flahle .siihsiaiiees : euys l-'i, ahniil I . Ill X "•''••. rather i'Hi|itii-al in shape, sn |irnfiiM'ly
h|ieekli'il, si-rati'heil, ami marhlnl with reilili.sli, hi'iiwiiish, ami |iur|ili.-li shades thai the Kreeni.sli-
niay uiiiiiml mlnr is searnly iiirrejiiihle.
1N7. I.. Iiiiltivteiii iiiiH. (Lat. /iff/i<('iVifi»i(s, nf Lniiisiaiia.) LiiciiKliiiKAi) SiittlKi:. J 9<ndiill:
Ahnvi', >lale-enliired, sliuhlly whitish nii ii|i|ier tail-i'nvertM and emls nf seapiilars : hejnw,
vhite, sniiieiiiiii's a lillli' a>hy->haileil, hut nil wavy hiaek lilies, nr mily a few slii;lit mies ;
white nil win^s and tail hs.s e\teu>ivi' than in horiiilis nr i:iTiiliilitriilrs; hiark hridle meeting ils
fellnw ai'i'iiNH fnreliead, iml iiili'rru|ited hy while mi Inwer eyelkl, wareely nr lint iHirdered iihnve
1>y hnary white. Siiialler : leiiulh S,0(l-s.:)ii ; wiin; and tail eaeli I. IHI nr little iimre ; tarsus
at least I. IHI. thus relatively liiiiu'er than iu linrrnlis ; hill ahniit ll..'iU. N'miiiv '■ din'eriuK frmii
the adult niiieli as ynilliK luirriiliH iIih'h, and deeidedly waved helnw, as in that HpeeieN : hut the
size and ntlier I'haraeters are distiiietive. Kaslern and ,*<niitlierii I'. S., resident, ahnndant ; iu
ils ly|>ii'al niaiiireslalimi it is I'haraeleristir nf the S. .\tlalitii' States ; hut s|H'i'inieiis iiinre like
lililiiridinilis llmii iriilhilnriilrs ncelir N. In New {''.nulallil and W. In t Mlin.
IMH. (', I. i>.\eiil>ll()rr<lrH. (I.al. i.miliilnr, a sentinel : tir. (lAor. riilns, reM'tiildanee ; i. e., like the
r.iun|naii /,. ijiiihilor.) WiiriK-iiiMii.n Siikiki;. Cummon .\.Mh;iiii an Siihikk. J9t
adult : l.eadeii-uray nr liuhl slale-i'ninr, whiteiiiiu; mi the si'apiilar> and ufiper tail-enverts.
Itelieath, while, sliuhljy >hadeil with the l''rem'h ^ray mi the sides, hut withmil dusky vennieil-
lalinii. A iiarriiw stripe aemss the fureheiid, ciiiitiiimiiiN with a hrnail liar almiK the side nf the
In'iid, eiiilirarini: the eye, lilark, sliuhlly, if .'it all, hmdered with whitish. I.nwer eyelid imt
while. Willis and tail Idaek, with while iiiarkinus, niinh a.> in the last spe -ies. Hill and feel
idiitiihemis-hlaek. I^eimth under '.l.lHt : extent 12. nil IK.IHI; wiii); and tail, earh, ahmit I.IK);
liill n.UCi ; lai'siis I.IHI nr limre. N'miuir : X'lrinii'ulaled helnw with dusky, iipmi a hi'nwnish
Urmind, ahniil in the wiilie extent as is seen iu very iild examples nf /.. Iiniiillis. ( Selieral tnlie nf
the upper parts less pure than iu the adult ; seapiilars and tail-enverts imt purely white : Idaek
liar nf head less linn, hut as far as it i,'nes iiiaiiilainini; the eharaeters nf the speeies. At a
Very early ai;e, the upper parl>, ineluiliuL; the whilii»h nf ihe seapiilars and lail-enverts, are tinely
veriiiii'iilaled with dusky waves. 'I'he ends nf the ipiills, winu-enverts, and lail-fealhers nflen
have rusty nr rufniis niarkinus. Kxtreiue examples nf c.iriiliiloriiirs Innk very dilfereiit tmni
htiliiririiniiis prnper, hut llie Iwn are nhserved tn melt inin eaeli nther when many speeimeim
are I'niMp.ired, sn that im .ipeeitir eharaeler ran he assimieil. .Middle and VVeslerii N. .\ni.
uml Mexien ; N. tn the re),'iiin nf the ."saskutehewan, K. tn Oliin, Ni'W Ynrk, Caiiai.a and
even New England.
Fitisaiu.iii.K: FixrifHs, luwTTxas, sPAimon's, y/ir
anp
16. Family FRINOILLID-S: : Finches, etc.
Kit)
Mills lias
• lllrlitlv I
•JO.-.
Ciiiiirin'triil (hnnr» irilh
'.• iirimiiriis, Tlic larxrHt
.NiH'tli .\iiii'rii-aii family,
(■iiiii|iri>iiii: alHiiii niii-
xrvi'Utli (I-.':i: SNH) <if all
mil' liii'ils, ami tlif iimoi
fxiiiixivc nniii|i 111' iln
urailr ill nriiilliiilnuy. At*
iinliiiaiily i'iim<tiliit<'il, it
ri'|iri'M'iitH, ill i-iiiiml luiiii-
liirs .'lOil ciii'i'i'iil .H|iri'ii'H
alhl 10(l yi'iiiTa. <•( iirarly
all jiarti i>l' llir wni'lii, i x-
('r|il Aii-lialia, liiit iiiiin>
liarliriilai'ly i>t llii' inirtlii'l'll
lii'iiii>|ilirr)' ami tlii'iiiiKli-
mil Aliirririi, wlnii' llii>
^rmiji attains its iiiaxiiiiiiiii
ilrvi'lii|itiii'iil. Any iiiii'
I'niti'il Statrx liicality of
avrrai;!' attrartivriirKN to
l''.urM|>i'iiii Clntlliii'li I t'niijiido iii/ifxi. (Alli'i' |)ixiili )
a liihl-raiiiia uf nver :ilMi >|M'rir!i ; ami if it ln' away frmii llir M-n-niaKl, ami f<iiinc-
ininlialiiti'il l>y marim- liinls, almiit uiu'l'iiirtli nl' its i«|ifrifs arc Siilruiiliitir and
Fiiiiiiillidir tiiijrtlar tlir lattrr smiirwliat III txi'i's.s III' the rnriiirr. It is nut I'asy, tln'i't'l'mt',
t<i ^ivi- iiiiiliii- |ii'iiiiiin)'ni'i- III tlirsi' twii rainilir--
'I'lic FriiKjilliilir ari' imm' |iarlirnlai'ly « li.ii iisnl t" lir ralli'il '• miiiidstral " liinls, in ilis-
lliuvs, swifts, itml uiiatsm'kiTs. " trniiirostrfs," as hnni-
liiH'tiiiii frniii " lissiriislrrs," as tlir s
lniii^-liinls ami rn r|iirs, ami " ilrutiru'-trfs," as warMiTs, viirns, ami iiiust nf tin' |ii'«'<'r(lini;
faiiiilii
Till' liiil a|i|
Hiiarlirs lirairs
t till' iilral nilir. riiliiliililll|: strrliulll tiii'l'llsll siiils, uitll
ili'liciK'y iif Imirli til siiMiii' ininiiti' ulijii'ts. 'I'lir I'lnir is smiii'litiirs nearly rxpn'sni'il, liiit itt
imiri' l'i'ri|miilly tiiiiii.l or fumiiilal, chiim's in must iliicrtiiiiis ur, a^ain, >" I'mitraitiil that siinic
111 lis mitlinr:
iiiravr. 'I'lir iinstrils arcalwavs silu.itiil /<<<//i "/» — maii r tlir rn
I'll tli;
till' I'litlini; I'llk'i' <if the hill ; they are iisnally expuseil, liiit in many, chietly iMueal, Kcneru, the
liasi' uf the hill is I'lirnishril with a niM' ><v twu mils uf anlrui'se feathrrs iiiin'e m' le
ipletely
euvi'iinu the i>|ii'liiiius. 'The rnltini: eili,'rs ot the hill ni.iy he si' :htly iiuieheil, hut are usually
|ilain. 'riiei'e are iisiially ii few iliciiiis|iiciiiiiis hristles ahmit the rirtiis, siiiiietiineH waiitiii^,
Hiiini'linies liiiihly ileve|ii|ieil, as in mir ^l■ushealis. The winj;s are rmlh ssly varieil in s!ia|ie,
IiMt auree in |iussessiii;; uiily nine ilevelu|ii'i| |iriiiiMries ; tlie tail is ei|nally xariahle in turni, hut
iil\\ays has twelve rei'triees. The feet sliuw a sirirlly Itsrine ur laniiniplantar |)ui|ii||iei'a,
Hentellate in frmil, ruvereil nil eaeli siile with all iiiiiliviileil |ilate, |iriiilm'iiii; a sliar|i riilue
lieiiiliil. Niilie uf these nieinherx iitfer extreme |iliases uf ilevelii|iineiit in any uf mir s| ies.
lint the must tant;ihle ehararteristii' uf the fainilv
ii"/i(
hili
'I III
'II' inlliinissurr.
Th(
cuniinisNiire rniis in a Ktraiuht line, ur with a sliuht enrve, lu or near tu the hase uf the hi!
il
In then iiiiirt' or leMH ithrn|illy heiit iluwn at a varyini; iintile — the nittini; eilt'e of the ii|i|ier
liianililile furinini; a rei'iitranee, that uf the lower luamlihle a ('iirri's|iiimliiii; salieiiee. In
familiar terms, we niinht say that the corneis of the mouth are ilrawii iluwn — that the Fiiii'lieK,
tiioiiKh very merry little liinls. iire literally " iluwn in the month." In the ifieat majority of .
rikm-H tliis feature is nnniiNtakalile, ami in the KrosU.-aki*, for i-xum|ik>, it is very HtroiiKly iimrkeil
840
SYSTEM A TIC SYSOl'SIS. — VASSEHES— OSCINES.
iiiili'i'il ; liiit ill rtiii f till' i<iiiiilli'i'-liilli'il fiiniiK, ami i'H|K'ciiilly tlioMc with Nlnnli'i' liill, it ig
liariiiy |H-rrr|iti)>lr. On tlir wlmli', Imwrvi'i', it i- a a I rlianirtrr, iiiiil iit any rati' it Is tliii
liiiiKt rriialili' rxtrnial I'raiiiir tlial ran lir t'luiiiil. It i«'|iai'atrN niir I'riiigilliiii' IhiiIh prrtty
tri'iirliaiitly frniii utiii'i' '.)-|ii'iiiiiii'ii'ii Onciiii'M cxi-t'iit Iiirriila-, ami iiinHt of iIii-hx may Im- iliH-
tiiiKiii''lii'<l l>y till' rliiirat'ti'i'.i uiviii lifynml.
'ral<iiii; ilii'ir i'li!irac-ti'i> all tiip'tliiT, Frinifillidtr may lii'ili'tiiiril a^ <.)-|irimai'ii'il <'iiniriii<tral
luiniiii|ilaiitiir iimMm< I'iinmi'ii'k witli axi>« ut' liiil at an iiiikIi' >villi that of xliiiil, ami iiuHtrilH
iinirrr I'liliiii'ii tliaii riitiiiit: iil^i' of Mil.
Wlirii «!' I'oiiii', liiiwiMT, I Hifiiilrr iIiIh ^n-at Kroiip i>r<'<>iiii'i"<tral OhcIiich in iti* t'litiicty,
UN riiiii|iariil with hiirilriint; raiiiilirx likr the Ulil Wiirlil Vlmridtv, nr tlir Jctrriiltr, ami fxiH'-
••ially till' TiiHiifiriiltr, i<( thr Ni'w, ihr ilillifiilty if mil tlir iiii|iiiMKiliility "f I'raiiiiiii; a iifflrct
iliauiKoi" hirniiM's ii|i|iat'i'iit, ami I am imt aware that any attriii|it.s at ri^'iil ililinitiiin havo
pi'iivi'ii j*iii'i'if>>riil. ( >niiiliii|cii;isiN ari' iii'iirly at;i' I uliiit Idnln tci call iVin^illim', witlmut hriim
Hii wi'll |iir|iai'i'il til Miy what " friiiKiHiui' " iiii'iiiim. 'I'lir MiliiliviNiiniM nl' tlir lamily, at* nii^-ht
1m< i'.x|H'rit'il, im> Htill ciinvi'iitiniial, ami viiryinu with I'vcry li'tiiliiiK writer. Our i<|iei-ies iniKlit
lie ihiciwii intii M'Veiiil ui'iiiiii.", lint the ilistiiii'linii!* wiiiilil lie iimre nr lent* arliitrary ami imt
reailily |ii'rreivi'il. It Im theiel'nie lient t" Waive the i|iii'!«tiiin, ami f-inijily rulliii'ate the genera in
orilerly M'i|iiem'e.
The l-'ritiijilliilir an' |iii|iiilarly knnwn liy wveral iliH'ereiit lianies. Here liehniir all llm
HiiiiriDirs, with the allieil liinl.s ealleil tlneheH, Inintiiius, linnets, uinslieaks ami
'.hills
h
(lie fnlliiwiliK pawl's I ilesi-rihe \i'i )<|NM-ie)i ami Nulis|iei'ies, inustly well ileterinineil, ami aseer-
Iniiii'il t<
iir within mir liniiis, referriiiu tlieiii tn 117 p'liera, as tl iistuni is, altlinm,'
.'h 1
think this niiiiiher ol' genera alliiL'ilher tim larye. 'I'wn nf them, J'lissrr tliiiiirsliiiis ami 7'. iiiiih-
ttiinm, are iiii|Hirteil ami naliirali/eil. S|ii'i'ii's neeiir tlirniiuhoiit niir I'liiintry, in every sitiiatimi,
ami many nl'them are aiiKiiii; niir must alnimlant ami I'amiliar hirils. Tiny are all t;raiiiviiriiim
— seeil-i'iilero, lillt many I'eeil extensively nil limis, tVilils, anil nllier snl'l veuelahle sllhslanees,
as well as nil insects. They are imt sn |ii rl'eclly mii.'iatnry as the exclusively insectivniniiN
liii'ils, the nature nf wlmse Inml i'ei|iiii'es |irnni|it reimival at the a|i|irnacli nf cnhl Weather; lint,
with Hiinie exee|itiiiiiH, they witlulraw IVnin their lireeilini; jilaees in the fall In s|ieml the winter
farther sniith, aiiil tn return in the s|iriiii;. With a few siyiial exce|itinns they are imt truly
f;i'ei;ariniis liii'ils, tlmiiKli they nfteii assnciate in lai'ue ciim|ianii's, assemlileil in cnmiiiiinity nf
interest. The miiiles nf nesting; are tnn varinns tn lie here Hlimiinirizeil. Nearly all the lim-lieH
hint;, with varying; ahility ami eti'ect ; sm if them are aiimnt; mir nmst ileliiflitfiil vncalists.
As a rule, they are |ilainly ciml even meanly, in cnm|iarisnn with snine nf niir sylvan
lieiuities ; lint amnnjr tliein are hirils nf ele^niiit ami striking cnlnrs. AmmiK the lii(;lily-ciiliii'<>i|
ones, the sexes are nini'e nr less unlike, aiiil ntlier cliantfes, with at;e ami seasnii, are strmiKly
liiarkeil; the revel
Ise IS the case w
ith tl
le rest.
Till' uiiiiractiseil stuileiit will have mure tnnihle in this family than elsewhere in iilenlifyinj?
his H|ierimen<i. In tlie first jilacc, the jieiiera ami siiecies are very nnmerniis, ami sn varimisly
iliterrelatcil that nn satisfactory siihfamilies have lieeii estahlisheil : they are tlierefnie not
|)ari'elli'il niit ill sets. Secnnilly, all the ni'iiera eann. t lie iliscriminateil in a line nf tyjie. Tn
meet the ilHlicnlty, I have caiiHeil the family tn lie |irnfiisely illnstrateil with cuts nf nmre than
averai;e excellence, ami attempteil ii tahnlar analysis nf the Kciiera, which, thnii^li necessarily
•lel'ective, will ilonlilless hel|i tn Hiiiiie extent. S|ieakin>i rniimlly, there are three Ints nf
genera: (ii) /.o.i'i/dc, iinistly hnreal liirils, sexed unlike, ^ nfteii reil, 9 ihill, "<• lilne, cnlnrs
masw'il nr strenky, bill umially rntfed at bane, win^s pnintcd, tail forked, feet weak; (h)
Siii^flliiie, everywhere, mostly small streaked and spntted sjiecics, sexeil alike, may be
yellnwed but are never red nr hliie, wiliijs, tail, and feet variniis ; (c) Sj)i;iiu; liinstly smilli-
orly. sexed ntilike, ^ nften red nr blue, bill unriill'ed, wiiigH, tail, uud feut various; — but
nothing will serve to distinguish them' gnmpH unexceptioiially.
Fttixan.i.UKiJ: Fixciih's, jii'Mixds, si:n{nn\rs, trir. M\
Annlytt (piirlintt i\f (irturn.
mil miMf/n>ifV>Nii, IhiIIi niAlKlllilcii IHIi'itte, llii'lr t«>liili<i'ri>iuio<l ,-f rcil, 9 iljirk ami yvlluwliih /^>ri>i AS
mil enuriiiKiiit, nviirly — tiimiin, i/niHi«A-.i/i7/<iH'. Wlnuii liliick utiil wliilis titll iiiid tilila' bliiik. (WihIitii >
llmiuii'iilii'iifi lil
lilll P'lrrot'llku, t/'Ai/fnA. IIoiul cuniplcuotialy i-ri-nttxl. J $ ifrity and i-arniliie, fitcu nut liliuk. Liiiifili
7 W i>r mnro. (H. W. I'. H ) /•i,n-liiil,,,„i m
■ill! rt'/i/MA. Ilcnil <'<iiiH|<l>'iiciii>ly crnloil. cf vi-riiillioii, facu bliuk. V Kmy nml riKldliili. I^'iitftli 7 .V)
or imi-n. (K. liihlH H.S.i (uriliiinlit 'M
ISIII Willi a riijf, or imlr ol ii'i.«i/ IhiIm, nriititrnrmi |i|iiiiiiili>», nl liii»i' of iiiiiht iiiiiiiilltili*.
I«iitftli M.ou or iiiiiru. J i>i/uiiil Kni.v, <| Kmy unci yi'lluwlali, iiiiiTi'iili'il Hill /iii'</i>/, Inxiki-ii. ll<<>ri'iil<
I'illirnlll 02
— untlar 8.00. — /t/ninA-f/nij/, bvlow ro<lilliili-|[rny, crown, wlng«, nml tall lilack. (Aluvkn )
I'linhiil; 03
— While, with blAck nn liiu'k, wlnipi, ami mil ; or wiuliod with ilvnr brown. ( llmiMil 1
t'hrlmiiliini.n Ti
— Chimtliite-liniini, iiimtrcaki'il, wllli mo// wlglnipi ; blnrk or rienr luli nn lii'inl.
(Wi'iiicrn.) I.,u,„»ii,i, ti7
— .S7r<(i/l-w .■ no yt'llow ; ,f uxIriiHlvoly m/.- V 'l'"l< nml wlilto. WW luriiiil (K. iinil
W. I'.S.i (,iri>.«hu->,» lis
— Slriiikii, witli iluiiky or flnxen-lirown nml wlilto; crown rrimtim. Itlll <i<iii,.
(Ilorciil.) t'.iiifiliiit tW
— Sli-'iikii every wlicro, mi red or \>\\to black, noma //''//oirinA. lilll lU'iilf. (X. \m.)
CfiritHtiiinfriit 70
— Streuky or hci( ; much yelloir, wing! and tall hlm-l;, im rc<l. Illll moderate ( I' S.i
.Itlriiiinlinin 71
llntcrincillnio iHJtwcen Noa. ngnnd 70] . . /.iimtn I'lO
Illll inllhnut r\\n'; noatrlU i'X|i<im><I.
Hind rlaw leiiKllieiied, »/ivii;/A^Hi(/. — Illll moi/mifi-. ,f wllli a colored <vrric<i/ ivi//(ir ; obll<|m< wliltv
on tall. (S.aiiil W. X. A.) Ciilr-iiihinim 73
— Illll /«r(/i(/, HO cvrvlcnl collar : trnnaverm white on tall. iWeiil-
ern.) Illiiiiiilvjihoiirt 74
Hind nml fore clawa leniilhennl : all much curved ; lunar renchlnK nt leoal J way to end of nddille
one —
— SiMilliil mill uliriUiil foxy or alaty Hpnrrown, about 7,ih) [ung. (X. Am.)
I'liiiAi nllii Ml
— Itliick, wlilloamlchcittnut, ill nii(ii<ii-«. ( A Wcatorn a|ieclc« of' .... /'i/ii/» IM
Hind and fore elawH in'l ihnitinr.
laMigtli 4 .W or /.nil. — f Itliick and wlilie. V "H'ai'eoiK and yellowlali. I'lVxaa). . Siurmi'/iliilii 1(3
,f <lri'iinli«li blackenlnu on head, 9 ureenUli. j Florida. I . . . /'Ainii/iiini 113
lA'ntjth 7 .'lOdi- iiiiirc. — Tall /nii(/iT /Ami wIngM. I'luln brown, etc., or black, while, ami cheiilnnl.
(Cs.) rij.iin o»
— Tall tlinrlir lliiin wInuK J lireant roa*- or oriingo ; 9 unlphnr or Kallron
nndcr winua (US.) Xnmilfuliii H9
I<enKth "'•"' 4.''>", iiiulir 7..W
C'olora i/rcciiidA — with yellow — on edge of wing, ami — I! rnfoua crown-atrliioa. iTexai« )
h'.inhiriiiiiirit 07
— Crown choHtnut, brcaat anhy. (WcmI-
crn aiH'ciea oO /'i/>i/o 06
— on all under parlH no hoail markliiKa (9 oraNoiiiliorn hin)-
licMoD I'liAsiriiiii !tl
Colon nnl grecnlKh, and nol exlcn»ively and declilodly a|M>tte<l or atrcakatl.
Illiirk; with great irhilf wing-palch ; longeat Kecondary about = longc»l primary.
iWcKlern.i (Vi/mmi»/,i;(i 87
/l/iir, with rA,»/iiii/ on wiiiiSH, cf : plain briiwn, 9 ; '>ver COO lung. (U.S.) Iliiinirn 90
/(/lie, with red, purple, golij, white, or not, J : brown, with white or not, 9 '■ umler
(i 1)0 long. (U.S.) /'(iitmriiKi III
,s7ii/i'nr anhy, rod-backed or not, lialiy ami 1-3 tall-fenthorairAWr. .N. Am.) ■/iiiiro na
UniH, throat and tall hlnrl., head with 2 white Htrljiea, Iwlly while. (Wcalerii )
.l»i/iAii</>i:<t HI
Coloin nut grcenlah, hut aimiewhero or every wliere apottcd or atreakeil.
Inner avcondarlea lengthened, hIhuiI e<|uallliig prlniarieo In the elowd wing.
A \iiTgii irhilf irhiii-iiiilili, ('p|iei parlH much atrenkiil. (9"f) • • '<i/(im(i«/ii:a H7
Ueiid ol' wing rhinlnitl : outer tail-feather irhilf . iin yellow anywhere. (N. Am. )
Vixrrrlei 76
.Vo wblta or chcatnut area on wing, ita cilge (uaually) ytllomth. (N. Am. )
I'lUtftvulut 7S
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
1.1
ki§2A 12.5
itt lii 12.2
Z us. 12.0
Wiftu
IL25 III 1.4
Hiotographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WIST MAIN STRUT
WIBSTIR,N.Y. MSM
(716) •72-4503
'^
2^
5;
r
342
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEEES— OSCIXES.
Iiincr Recondarles not oiilargeU ; wing deciihdly longer than tail.
Edge of wing and loral Bpotj/e/Zoit'; lirea«t butfj wing under 2.S0. (Eastern.)
Cotitmiculus 77
With i/ellotB on breast, edge of wing, over eye; black tbroat-patch or stripes.
(Eastern.) Spha 88
No yellow ; liead striped with black, white, and chestnut ; tall black, white-tipiwd.
(Western.) Chonilesten 88
No yellow ; wingsWdVc-inrrtrf; throat black, J. (Imjmrfed.) Paster 64
Inner secondaries not enlarged ; wing not, or not decidedly, longer than tail.
Tail-featbcrs — very acute ; bill — very slender. (Eastern, chiefly maritime. )
Ammodramuii 78
— very stout. (Eastern, interior.) . .Coturniculus 77
— not acute ; tall— forked. Length 6.00 or less; no yellow on wing.
(N.Am.) Sphella 83
— rounded — WaeA-; edgoofwingyellowish. CWest-
ern.) AmphispUa 81
— not black. —Streaked below, or crown
chestnut. (N.Am.). . Afelospha 79
—not streaked below. (S.
and W. U. S.) . J'euava 80
or (N. Am.) .^ono(ric/ii(i 84
•«• The commonest "sparrows" of Eastern U. S., whlcli tlie student will be most likely to find first, belong
to the genera Passer, Spi-ella, Melospixa, Zuimtrichin, I'nsserella, I'asserculus, J'mecetes, Coturniculus (these
anywhere); Ammodramus (marshes only); common but more distinguished frliigillines are Carpndacus, Astra-
gaiinus, Chrysomitris, I'asserina, .Spiza, I'ipito, and Cardinalis. Winter visitors, in flocks, aire Loxia, Pinicola,
Plectrophanes, Centropltanes, jSgiothus, and Junco.
61. HESPEROPHO'NA. (Gr. iffiripa, Hesperus, place of .sunset; (fxavfj, voice.) AMrnicAN
Hawfinches. Bill euoruiously large, vaulted, nearly as wide as high at hase ; culmen nearly
straight ,to the decurvcd end ; commissure curved without ohvious angulation ; gonys very long,
and mandibular rami short, not reaching back of
-v^ --V ^^^^j^f T-^ base of upper mandible; numdibles of equal thick-
,~ct~- ^ ^^:^^^B^^^H^^^ ness, lower not so deep as uj)i)cr ; lateral outlines of
_^3^^^^^^^^V bill converging straight to tip. Nasal fossa) cx-
^^'^^^^^^B^^^H tremely short .and broad; nostrils slightly overliung
^ '*~/^^ V-^^l|H^B^^^» by antror.sp plumulie. Wings long, pointed, folding
beyond middle (jf tail, pointed by fir.«t two primaries,
the rest rapidly graduated ; no peculiar shaiie of
inner primariea or outer secondaries. Tail rather
short, eniarginate, with long coverts, the under
reaching nearly to the forking. Feet small and
iif«^B weak ; tarsus shorter than middle toe without
I IB claw ; lateral toes of about equal lengths, their claws
• W reaching only to base of mitldle claw. Coloration
Fio. 206. - EvenhiR Orosbeuk, reduced. black, white, and yellow. Sexes dissimilar. ].,ittle
(Sheppard del. Nichols sc.) different from Old World Coccothraiistes, exccjjtiug
coloration and sim])licity of wing-quills.
189. H. vesperti'na. (Lat. rcspertina, of Hesperus. FiG. 206.) Evening Grosbeak. Adult
,J : General color sordid yellow, overlaid with a sooty-olive shade, deepest on fore parts, quite
black on crown, clearest below behind. Forehead and line over eye, scapulars, and rump,
yellow. Wings and tail black ; several inner secondaries and inner half of the greater coverts
white ; lining of wings black and yellow. A narrow black line around base of upper man-
dible ; tibi£B black. Rill greenish-yellow ; feet apparently dusky flesh-color. Length
7.50-8.50 ; wing 4.00-4.50 ; tail 2.50-3.00 ; bill 0.75 long, 0.67 deep, 0.60 broad. ? :
Brownish-ash, paler below, whitening on belly, irregularly patched or mixed with yellowish ;
white of wings imperfect, or tinged with yellow ; primaries, which are quite black in ^ , with
FRINGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPAEROWS, ETC.
843
77
86
64
78
77
83
81
7D
largo white spaces on inner webs, and sometimes tipped with white. Adult $ 9 differ in tlic
shade of yellow and degree of its obscuration. (Specimens from Southern Kooky Mts. said
to have less turgid bill and narrower yellow frontlet) A bird of distinguished apjiearant'e,
whoso very name suggests the far-away land of the dipping sun, and the tuneful romance
which the wild bird throws around the fading light of day ; clothed in striking color-contrasts
of black, white, and gold, ho seems to represent the allegory of diunial transmutation ; for his
sable pinions close around tho brightness of his vesture, as night encompasses the golden hues
of sunset, while the clear white space enfolded in these tints foretells tho dawn of the nion-ow.
Western U. S. and somewhat northward ; E. in region of great lakes to N. Y. and Canada
and probably New England ; irregularly migratory ; common. Nest and eggs unknown.
62. PINI'COLA. (Lat. pinus, a pine ; coh, I cultivate.) Pine Bullfinches. Bill short,
Btout, about as high as broad, sides convex in aiU directions, culmen convex throughout, tip
hooked : commissure gently curved throughout, without decided angulation ; gonys relatively
long, rami of under mandible short, former nearly straight, latter coming together in a very
broad gentle curve ; commissural edge inflectod. Nostrils small, round, basal, concealed by
the ruff of antrorse plumules ; nasal fossa) short and broad. Wings of moderate length, tipped
by 2d-'lth quills, 1st and 3th a little shorter ; 2d-5th with outer webs incised ; no peculiarity
of inner quills. Tail little shorter than wings, emarginate, its short coverts scarcely or not
?aci.:"g half-way to end. Feet small ; tarsus not longer than middle toe without claw, 7-scu-
. dilate in front, laminipbmtar behind, but the outer of these plates commonly subdivided into 3
or 4 beiow ! Lateral toes .short, their cl.iws scarcely surpassing base of middle one, outer
rather lo.iger than inner ; hind too less in length than inner lateral ; its claw shorter, though
stouter and more curved than tho middle. Sexes
unlike ; $ red, 9 gray. One sjiccies.
190. P. enuclea'tor. (Lat. emtcleator, ono who shells
out. Fig. 207.) Pine Guosbeak. Adult ^ :
Light carmine or rosy-red, feathers of back with
dusky centres ; lower belly and under tail-coverts
gray, and, in general, the red conthiuous only in
highly pluinagetl s])ecimens. Nasal tufts and lores
blackish. Wings blackish ; primaries with narrow
white or rosy edging, inner secondaries more broadly
edged with white, ends of greater and middle coverts
white or rosy, forming conspicuous wing-bars.
Tail like wings, with n.arrow edgings like those
of primaries. Bill blackish, with or without paler
base below; feet blackish. Length about 8.50;
wing 4.30 or more ; tail 4.00. 9 • Ashy-gray,
paler below ; feathers of tho back with darker cen-
tres, those of head, rump, and fore parts generally pard del. Nichols sc.)
skirted with a saffron or yellowish color, very variable in extent and tint, from dull gamboge-
yellow to olive-orange, or rusty-orange, or even reddish; in some specimens crown and rump
quite bricky-red. Throat sometimes abruptly paler than surrounding parts. Ratlicr smaller
than ^. Young $ resembles 9- Northern portions of both hemispheres ; in America, in
summer, Alaska, British America and N. border of U. S., the Kocky Mts. to Colorado, and
Sierra Nevada to California ; in winter, range extended sometimes to Maryland, Ohio, Illinois
and Kansas. Inhabits chiefly coniferous woods, in flocks when not breeding, feeding upon
tho fruit of such trees. A fine musician, of amiable disposition and gentle manners, often
caged. Nest composed of a basement of twigs and rootlets, within which is a more cnmpact
fabric of flner materials ; eggs usually 4, pale greenish-blue, spotted and blotched with dark
brown surface-markings and lilac shell-spots ; 1.05 X 0.74.
Fio. 207. — Pino Orosbeak, reduced. (Shep-
344
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSERES — OSCINES.
63. PYB'RHULA. (Lat. ^f/rr7(!«?rt, a bullfinch.) Bullfinches. Generic characters of PimcoZa
as above given ; the lesser hook of tlie bill anil different style of coloration being the principal
distinction. Colors in masses of black, white or gray, and red.
191. P. cas'slnl. (To John Cassin. Fig. 208.)
Cassin's BiLLPiNCH. Above, clear ashy-
gray; beUiw, cinnamon-gray; rump and under
wing- and tail-coverts white ; wings and tail,
crown, chin and face black ; outer tail-feathers
with a white patch, greater wing-coverts
tipped and primaries edged M'ith whitish ; bill
black, feet dusky. Length 6.50; wing 3.50: /'
tail 3.25. Nulato, Alaska, only one specimen
known, marked ^ , but having all the charac-
ters of a 9 ; "i-'i rest related to P. coceir.ca of
Asia, and originally described as a variety of
tiiat Sliecies. FlO. 208. —Cassin's Bullfinch, reduced. (From Balrd.)
64. PAS'SEB. (Lat. %isser, a spr.n'ow: this very species.) SrAKUOw.s. Form stout and
stocky. Hill very stout, .shaped somewhat as in Cio'podacus, but without nasal ruff. Cul-
men curved; connnissure little .ingulated ; gonys convex, ascending; lateral outlines of bill
bulging to near the end. Wing pointed ; 1st, 2d, and 3d primaries nearly equal and
longest ; 4th little shorter, rest graduated ; inner secondaries not elongate. Tail shorter than
wings, nearly even. Feet small ; tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw ; lateral toes of
equal lengths, their claws not reaching to base of middle claw. Sexes unlike. ^ with black
and chestnut on head. Middle of back only streaked. Old World : two species naturalized in
North America.
192. P. domes'ticiis. (Lat. domesticits, domestic. Fig. 209.) Tiik Sparrow. Philii' Spar-
row. House Sparrow. Parasite. Tramp. Hoodlum. Gamin. ^ , adult : Upjier
])arts ashy-gray; middle of back and scapulars boldly streaked with black and bay. A dark
chestnut or mahogany space behind eye, spreading on side of neck. Lesser wing-coverts deep
chestnut ; median tipped with white, forming a conspicuous wing-bar, bordering which is a
black line. Greater coverts and inner quills with central black fiehl bordered with bay. Tail
dusky-gray, unmarked. Lower parts ashy, gray or whitish ; chin and throat jet black,
spreading on the breast and lores, bordered on side of neck with white. Bill blue-black ; feet
brown. Wing about 3.00 ; tail 2.25. 9 » "''"It : Above, brownish-gray ; streaking of back
light ochrey-brown and black ; wing-edgings light ochrey -brown, the white bar impure.
No black, mahogany, or white on head ; a pale brown postocular stripi; ; bill blackisli-
brown, yellowish at base below. Varies endlessly in the purity or dinginess of coloration.
Young ^ at first like 9 • Europe, etc. Imported about fifteen years ago, during a craze
which even affected some ornithologists, making people fancy that a grarivorous conirostral
bird would rid us of insect-pests, this sturdy and invincible little bird has overrun the whole
country, and proved a nuisance without a redeeming quality. Well-informed persons
denounced the bird without avail during the years when it might have been abated, but
further protest is futile, for the sparrows have it all their own way, and can afford to laugh at
legislatures, like rats, mice, cockroaches and other parasites of the hinnan race which we have
imported. This species, of all birds, naturally attaches itself most closely to man, and easily
modifies its habits to suit such artificial surroundings ; this ready yielding to c<mditions of
environment, and profiting by them, makes it one of the creatures best fitted to survive in the
struggle for existence under whatever conditions man may afford or enforce ; hence it wins in
every competition with native birds, and in th's country has as yet developed no counteractive
influences to restore a disturbed balance of forces, uor any check whatever upon its limitless
193
FlilNGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPABIiOWS, ETC. 345
193.
increase. Its habits need not bo noted, as they are already bettor known to evoryoue than
those of any native bird whatever.
T. monta'nus. (Lat. montanus, of mountains. Fig. 209.) Mountain Sparrow. Potnc-
what lilio the last, but smaller and otherwise different. (J : Crown and nape a pe<!uliar jiur-
plish-brown. Lores, cliiu, and throat black, the tliroat-patch narrow and short, not spreading
on breast, contrasted with ashy-white on side of head and neck ; ear-coverts blackisli. IJai-k
Fio. 209. — Exotic Sparrows. Lowest one, P. dnmesticua ; next one, P. montanus; reUuce<l. (From Brelim.)-
and scapulars streaked with black and bay, tlie streaking reaching to the purjilish nape ;
rump and tail plain grayish-brown. Wings marked much as in P. domesticus, with a black
and white bar across tips of median coverts, but filso a narrow wliite bar across tips of greater
coverts. Primaries more varied with ochroy-brown on outer webs, forming a basal spot and
other edging. Below, ashy-gray, shaded on sides, ilanks, and crissum with grayish-brown.
Bill blue-Wack ; feet brown. AVing 2.75 ; tail 2.50. 9 differs much as before. Europe ;
naturalized about St. Louis and elsewhere.
34(i
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSEBES— OSCINES.
65. CARPO'DACUS. (Gr. Kapnos, karpos, fruit ; SaKos, dakos, biting.) Purple Bullfinches.
Bill siiialler iiiid less turgid thiiu in Pinicola or Pyrrhula, more regularly conic and more acute;
sides convex in all directions, but with distinct ridgo prolonged in a ptiint ou forehead where
not concealed by the antia), its outline moderately curved ; com-
missure decidedly angulatcd, about straight before and behind the
r J .^^^^k l>ond ; gonys quite straight. Nasal ruff little developed, barely
concccallng the slight nasal fossa;, thenco falling over sides of bill,
but discontinuous across culmen. Wings long and pointed, fold-
ing half-way to end of tail or farther, pointed by first 3 or 4 quills.
Tail much shorter than wings, considerably forked, with rather
Fio. 210. — Bill of Purple narrow feathers : both sets of coverts reaching more than half-
Fincli, nat. size. .. , t. ,i -, < , , . , ,<
way to end. Feet small and weak ; tarsus shorter tlian middle
toe ; lateral toes subequal, outer rather longer than inner, their claws reaching base of middle
claw. Soxes unlike. $ extensively red of some shade, 9 streaky brown and white. Head
with erectile feathers, but not fairly crested. A beautiful genus, of several species of New and
Old World.
Analysis qf Species ((f).
Bill conlc-ncute, with scarcely convex cnlmen ; e<lglii(^ of wing- und tall-featlicrs recMteli.
JjtiTgK : length U 50-7.00 ; bill at least O.SO along ciilmon. Under tall-coverts streaked with dusky centres
of the feathers. Crimson crown well distingnlshcd from merely reddish-brown back. (Southwestern
U.S.) cassinl 195
Medium : length 6.75-6.25 ; bill not 0,!W along culmen. Under tall-coverts scarcely or not streaked.
Crimson of crown not well distinguished fi-om that of back. (U.S.) jmrjmreus IW
Bin conoid-obtuse, with very convex culmen. Edgings of wing- and tall-feathera whitish.
Small : length scarcely 0.00 ; bill about 0.40 along culmen. Front, lino over eye, rump and throat red,
more or less contrasting with brown or white of other parts.
Ued pretty definitely restricted to the areas said (Southwestern U. S.) frontalis 100
Ked spreading over other parts (Cahfornlan coast) rhoilocolpiis 197
194. C. purpu'reus. (Lat. pxtrpureus, purple. Figs. 210, 211.) PunPLE Finch (better Crim-
son Finch.) Adult $ : Kose-red, paler below, insensibly whitening on belly and crissum,
brightest anteriorly, intensified to crimson on crown, darker and more brownish-red on back,
wliere also streaked with dark brown. Wings and tail
dusky, the quills edged and coverts tipped with brownish-
red. Lores and feathers about base of bill hoary-whitish. J^S^mP^^^MBe*iA
Bill and feet brown, the under mandible rather paler. ^ ,3S^BB^^^^^^''^
Length 6.00-0.25; extent 10.00-10.60; wing 3.00-3.25;
tail 2.25-2.50 ; tarsus 0.02; middle toe and claw 0.87 ; bill
under 0.50. The shade of red is very variable, almo.st any-
thing but purplish — according to season, and age and
vigor of the individual. In high feather, the crown is
richer crimson than any other part, but does not fonn a
definite cap. The auriculara are dusky, and there is an
appreciably light rosy stripe over them. Younger $ $ -i^^^^^^^H '•S
have frequently a bronzy shade. 9 '"id young : Oliva- ^J^^C^llflil^JI^^ '^1^'W^''-
ceour.-brown, more clearly olivaceous on rumji, everywhere ^t' "^.-k^^^^V v ^
streaked with dusky. Below, wliite, marked everywhere ■"-\ ( ' - -
except on throat, belly, and crissum with streaks and Fio. 211. — Punilo Finch, j, reduced,
arrow-heads of dusky olive-brown; the latter pretty <Sheppard del. Nichols, sc. )
evenly distributed on breast, fonner the same on sides, on the sides of neck and throat con-
fluent and gathered into a maxillary series running up to the bill, separated by a poorly-
defned whitish area from the olive-brown auriculars, over which is a whitish postocular
streak. Wings and tail as in ^, but the edgings plain brown. Length 5.70-5.90; extent
FBINGILLID.E: FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPABEOWS, ETC. 347
9.50-10.00 f wing about 3.00. Young ^ cannot be certainly distinguished from ^ ; in general,
duller and grayer brown, with less of tlie olive shade; the red first shows pale or bronzy in
slight touches. Cage-birds souietinies turn yellowisli after moulting, as is the case with
various other red tinches. U. S. from Atlantic to Pacific, excepting proijably the Southern
Kocky Mt. region ; N. to Labrador and the Saskatchewan. Breeds from the Middle States
northward ; winters in most t)f the U. S., particularly the M. and S. States. An engaging
bird, of bright colors and sweet .'<ong, i.nd many auiiabh> traits, among them its fondness for
the society of man ; it comes fearlessly about our houses to build its own, which is generally
situated on a horizontal bough or fork, comi)osed of the most miscellaneous nuiterials, almost
any vegetable fibre being available for the Hat and shallow structure ; it is usually lined with
hair, and the eggs, to the niunber of -1 or 5, are j)ale dull greenish, or almost whitish, sparsely
S))rinkled and scratched with blackish surface-markings and lilac shell-spots ; size about 0.83
X 0.05 ; two broods are often reared. When not breeding the birds are generally found in
flocks, and it is to be feared they do damage in the spring to the blossoms of fruit-trees.
195. C. cassi'ni. (To John Cassin.) Cassin's Pukple Finch. Adult <J : In highest plumage
duller than C. jmrpuretfs, excepting on crown. Middle of the back brown, tinged with red,
the feathers dusky-centred, gray^edged ; crown crimson, the cap not s<i extensive as iu pnrpH-
reus, and quite well defined, separated by a dusky and gi'ay interval from the color of the back.
Under tail-coverts with dusky shaft lines, usually wanting in purjntreus. Larger : length
6.50-7.00; extent 11.00-11.50; wingH.50; tail 2.50; bill at least 0.50 along culmen, u.sually
more, relatively less turgid than in purptireus. Iris brown ; feet blackish-brown ; bill above
dark bluish horn-color, below dusky flesh-tinted. The sexual changes are the same as in the
last species ; it is not so easy to distinguish the 9 and young ^ from those of purpxirens, but
they are larger, with longer and less tumid bill, and more streaked on the crissum. V<>ry
young birds have an ochraceous or light rufous suffusion, especially noticeable on the under
parts; the streaks are more numerous and diffuse. Rocky Mts. of U. S. and westward, espe-
cially the Southern Kocky Mt. region, as Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Jlexico; N. to
British Columbia ; E. to Wind Kivcr mountains ; S. to table lauds of ^lexico. Habits the
same as those of the [lurple finch ; eggs not fairly distinguishable.
196. C. fronta'lls. (Lat. frontalis, pertaining to the front.) CniMSON-FRONTED Fixcn. IIoi'SE
FiscH. BuKiON. Adult (J : Grayish-brown above, somewhat varied with darker centres and
paler edges of the feathers, and for the most part tinged with red. Below dull white, streaked
with dark brown, often tinged with red. Fore part of crown, superciliary line, rump, throat,
breast and sometimes side of head, crimson. Wings and tail dark b)-own, with nan-ow i)ale
edgings. Bill diisky-brown above, paler below ; feet and eyes brown. Length about G.OO ;
extent scarcely 10.00; wing 3.00; tail 2.50; scarcely forked; tarsus 0.07; bill 0.10, very
turgid, almost as in Pinicola or Pyrrhnla. 9 : Like ^, but without any red; upper parts
more varied with darker centres and jtaler edges of the feathers, and entire under parts streaked
like belly of ^. Young <f resembles the 9 » l*"t at an early age is browner, and apt to have
buffy edgings of the wings. Ccdors of adult $ as variable as those of jxupiu'eioi or more so.
In winter, the rod less, intense and more diffuse, and may have a rosy or purplish tint, or bo
interrupted with grayish edgings of the feathers. Generally in the Colorado Valley, where the
typical form is developed, the red is restricted to the parts said, but the constant tendency is to
spread ; the back and belly have usually in fact a tinge of red, and in some cases the whole
bead and fore parts are thus encrimsoncd. U. S., rather southerly, from the Kocky Mts. to the
interior ranges of California; Colorado, Utali, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico ; abundant in
those regions, and as familiar as a swallow or chip-bird, nesting in the streets and gai-dens,
where its bright colors, hearty song, and sprightly ways make it a welcome visitor. The nest-
ing is like that of the purple finch in essential particulars ; the eggs are smaller, paler, ami of
more fugitive bluish tint, with the blackish sprinkling sparser; size 0.08 X O.GO to 0.75 X0.54.
348
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEBES— OSCINES.
197. C. f. rhodocol'pus. (Gr. podov, rhoilou, tho rose; KoXiros, kolpos, the breast.) Rose-
breasted Finch. This allogcd variety rcsoinbles tho last; crimson tints more diffuse.
Piicific coast ro^idii of California and southward.
66. LOX'IA. (Gr. Xofo'r, loxos, crooked.) Cnoss-BILLS. Bill inctagnathous; both mandibles
falcate, deHecle<l to oppo^iito sides, tlicir points crossed (unique among birds). Upper mandible
stout and broad at base, rapidly narrowing to the elongate, decurved, laterally deflected and
overhanging tip, its sides nearly flat, cubninal ridge well marked and very convex throughout ;
its base beset witli a ruff of antror.se plumules concealing nostrils and nasal fossic. Lower man-
dible witli gonys very long, occupying nearly all tho exposed part (»f the bill, convex through-
out, tho end of the mandible prolonged, curved upward and deflected to one side. Commissural
lino of either mandible curved in tho opposite direction from its fellow. Mouth very narrow
anteriorly, ample at base ; tongue horny and concave at end; (esoidingus with a large special
crop, bulging to the right side. Wings long, pointed by tips of the first three primaries, rest
rapidly graduated. Tail very short, only about f as hmg as tho wing, emarginate and divari-
cate, covered nearly to the forking by tho coverts both above and below. Foot small ; tarsus
shorter than middle too without claw ; covered with 3 or 4 large overlajjping plates, and smaller
ones above and below ; the postero-lateral plates mucli broken up below. Lateral toes of sub-
equal lengths, tij)s of tlieir claws falling opposite base of middle claw. Hind claw about equal
to its digit, longer; stouter, and metro curved
than tho middle one. Form stout, thick-
set ; neck short ; head broad and flattened
on top. Plumage soft and blended. Sexes
dissimilar in cobtr. $ red, 9 brown with
^v>^ "' J*v °^'^" ^^ yellowish tinge. There are several
" "^V^^ ' species of these singular finches, — finches
-■ ,l'^?y>. — , „ ill which not only the horny envelope of tho
' '♦>'■' '-iltra^. beak, but the bony framework, and to some
■ (^^^^, - T— -^ extent the ligaments and muscles acting
V//>^^.,, Mi','^'''^ upon it, are unsymmetrical. The struct-
^^^ _^ , ^ ^^^^'^1^^- "'"•-'3 concerned in what would appear to a
,- ^-^ j,^^j ^^ ^^ ^ deformity constitute a handy
tool for cracking nuts of som'i kinds and
Pig. 212. -White-winged CroBsblll, reduced. (After shelling out their kernels; it acts like a
Audubon.) ...... ,. . j •
pair 01 cutting pliers, — pincers and scissors
in one. Our two species inhabit the northern parts of America, coming southward in flocks in
the fall ; but they are also resident in northern and mountainous parts of the U. S., where they
sometimes breed in winter. They aro irregularly migr<atory according to exigencies of weather
and food-supply ; are eminently gregarious, and feed principally upon pino seeds, which they
skilfully husk out of the cones with their curious bills.
Analysis nf Species.
Wings with two white bars. <f rosy-red; 9 brownish-olive, streaked and spotted with dusky, the rump
salfron-yellow leiicopfera 198
Wings witliont bars, cf bricky-rcd. 9 as before, without wing-bars.
Bill sniall, about 3 of an inch long ainericaHa 199
Bill large, }-{ of an inch long mexicana 200
198. L. leucop'tera. (Gr. XfVKos, Jeukos, vfhxto ; nrtpou, jiteron, w'mg. Fig. 212.) White-winged
Ckoss-bill. Adult ^ : Rosy-red, sometimes carinined or even crimsoned, obscured oii middle
of back, paling on lower belly and crissum, latter whitish with dusky centres of the feathers.
Scapulars black, this ccdor sometimes meeting across lower back. Wing- and tail-feathers
black, with slight white or rosy edgings ; inner secondaries and greater and middle coverts
^pped with white, forming two cross-bars, sometimes confluent in one largo patch. Rather
FlilNGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARHOWS, ETC.
349
109.
larjjer than the next, the bill thinner and more attenuate. 9 i"J ymmK • Though the ditfi-r-
cnees arc parallel with tliose of L. americuna, some poeuliarity in tone of color usually serves
to distinguish the two species, independently of the white wiug-iiuirks, which exist in hoth
sexes at all ajjes. The difference is something like that between the 9 9 "*' Pyratujii (cstim
and 1'. nihrn, in the presence of ochrey or huffy tints, instead of clear olivaceous or yellowish.
Upjicr i)arts fuscous, closely lined with an ochrey-olive or dingy ochre, the runij) bright yellow-
ochre. Helow, the gray overlaid with ochreous, and further varied with dark gray centres of
the feathers, tending to streaks on the flanks. The whole tone of coloration varies inter-
minably ; the under parts and rump arc sometimes bright tawny yellow, or brownish-orange.
Some (J (J are brilliant carmine, some 9 9 P'll" tirange, almost unifonu. North Am.,
nctrtherly ; Alaska; Greenland; casual in Europe, lu winter S. in most of the U- S., in
flocks with the next, not so common. Resident in N. New England, and along whole N. tier
of States, probably breeding also in aliiine U. S. localities to Pennsylvania and (Colorado.
Breeds in winter and early spring, nesting like that of the next species ; eggs pale blue, dotted
chiefly at the larger end with black and lilac ; 0.80 X 0.36.
L. ciirvlros'trn ainerica'na.
Cu<».ss-BiLi.. Adult (J: Red;
wings and tail blackish, with-
out white markings. Middle
of back darker, more brown-
ish-red t!\an elsewhere, th(?
feathers with dusky centres.
In the highest featiier, even,
the nnl is scarcely continuous
except on head ami rump,
where brightest ; lower belly
and crissum iisually gray or
pale. Though the shade of
red is never rosy or carmin(!
as in the last, it varies inter-
minably. It is usually tile-
red or cinnabar, heightening
in some cases to vermilion, in
others shading to brownish-
(Lat. cuivirostris, curve-billed. Fig. 213.) Ameuican Kei>
Fio. 213.— Common Crossbill, cf$, reduced. (SUeppard del. NIcIioIb bc.)
red, and often mixed not only with gray, but with olivaceous or saffron-yellowisli tints.
Orange, chrome or gamboge (J <? are sometimes seen. Length about 6.00; wing 3.50; tail
2.50 ; bill (chord of culinen) 0.67 or less, very variable ; under mandible usually weaker than
upper. 9 iiwd young : Dull greenish-olive, much mixed with gray or dusky, brighter and
more yellowish on head and rump ; below, gray, most feathers skirted with dingy yellowish,
overcasting most of the plumage. Very young are dusky, streaked with grayish-white, usually
no trace of olivaceous ; below gray, streaked with dusky ; bill M-eak. From such state as this
the (J usually passes through stages resembling the 9 > being found in every possible patchy
state of mixed gray, olive and dusky-reddi.sh ; sometimes appears to pass directly into the red
state, and the same is doubtless the case with other species. N. Am., alpine and northerly;
S. in most of the U. S. iu winter, on the E. side usually to Pa. and Md. ; resident in Maine,
in mountains S. to Pa., and in the Rocky and other Mts. of the West; abundant, in gentle and
unwary but timid flocks, usually including some individuals of the other species, fluttering and
creeping about iu the foliage of coniferous trees. Nesting often in winter or early spring when
snow still covers the ground ; nest in forks or among twigs of a tree, founded on a mass of
twigs and bark-strips, the inside felted of finer materials, including small twigs, rootlets,
850
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES.
grasses, hair, feathers, etc. ; eggs 3-4, 0.75 X 0.57, pnlo greenish, spotted and dotted about
hirger end with dark purplish-browii, witli lavender sheli-niarlsings.
200. L. c. niexica'na. Mexu'AX C'kohs-bill. Lilje the last; the bill hirger, 0.75 or more long,
the under mandible especially more robust. Southern Kocky Mts. and southward on the table
lands of Mexico.
67. LEUCOSTIC'TE. (Gr. Xfvifoy. /('((/.os, white; (micTij, .s^'de, varied. Fig. 215.) Rosy FiN'ciiKS.
Hill small, conie-aciite, rutted at base with antrorse plumules meeting over culmen and con-
cealing the short nasal fossa^ and small nostrils. Side of under mandible (in typical species)
with a sharp ridge running obliquely upward and forward. Cuhnen ridged between two slight
depressions parallel with itself, gently convex throughout. No obvious angulation of commis-
sural edge of upper mandilile ; that of lower with decided bend ; goiiys straight. Wings long,
folding beyond middle of tail, tipped by first 3 ju'imaries, 4th shorter. Tail of moderate length, ■
forked, its feathers rather broad, its coverts reaching about ^ way to end. Tarsus not shorter
than middle toe without claw ; lateral toes unequal, imuT shorter, its claw not reaching base
of middle claw. Hind cLiw about as long as its digit, moro curved and longer than middle
claw. Sexes somewhat dissimilar. Cohiracion peculiar; usually choc(date-brown, enriched
with roiie or carmine, sluwled with silvery-gray or black ; one .species mostly silvery-gray. The
Ameri(;an representative of the C)ld World genus MontifriiKjilht. Terrestrial, highly gre-
garious ; nest on ground ; eggs innnaculate white. Numerous species of this very interesting
genus are scarcely stable ; I jiresent the forms that are usually recognizable. The nearest
AuK'rican relative is ^giothiis; the general economy is more that iji Plcctrophanes.
Analtjuia of Spicies.
Under iniindiblo ridged. Body-color chocolate-lirowii or darker.
No ash un liead (Colorado) australis 202
Afib on head nonflncd to tlic top.
Coloration blackl»li (Colorado) atrata 201
Coloration chocolate (W. America) tepltrocotis 203
Ash Bpruading on sides of head.
Smaller: wing 4.20. (W. America) Htoralis 204
Larger: wing 4.60. (Alaska) grlsHnucha 205
Under mandible smooth.
Dasky-purpligh and silvery-gray, with rosy arctoa 200
201. L. atra'ta. (Lat. atrata, blackened. I Ridoway's Rosy Fixch. Sexes unlike. $, in
Ajjril: Pattern of coloration and distribution of tints as in tephrocotin prt)per (see beyond);
nasal tufts \vhite, and occiput ashy, as in that sj)ecies, but the chocolate-brown uf te2)hrocotis
replaced by black, deej)est anteriorly and on under parts, sooty-brownish on the back. Bill
black (April) r.r yellow (September). Size of tephrocotiK. 9 , in April : Black of ,J repre-
sented by dark slate-gray, more brownish on back, the rosy markings duller and more restricted ;
size rather less. This form occurs in the mountains of C'<dorado and Utah. Wo know neither
the summer nor winter plumage of this bird; no winter plumage nor whereabouts o{ australis ;
nor young nor breeding plumage of teplirocotis ; — points to be ascertained before wo can decide
the status of several alleged species of the genus.
202. L. austra'lis. (Lat. rtM.s7r«/i.s-, southern.) Allen's Rosy FiNCH. Sexes unlike. ,J, breed-
ing plumage: Rich choc<date or umber-brown, the feathers of the back with darker shaft-lines
and paler edges, those of the under parts darker and somewhat purplish -brown. Red parts. of
the body heightened to intense crimscm, extending farther forward than in tephrocotis, some-
times skirting all the feathers of the under parts ; especially strong on the wing- and tail-coverts
and belly. No pure ash whatever on head ; whole pileuni black or blackish, purest anteriorly,
duller behind. Nasal tufts white. Bill and feet black. Length 6.75 ; wing 4.00-4.40, aver-
aging in 09 specimens 4.30; tail 2.80-3.35, average 3.10; bill 0.45 ; tarsus 0.75. When not
in highest feiither, carmine toned down to more pink or rosy. In winter, bill yellow, changing
to Mack through various cloudings. 9, in summer: While generally like $, having black
2o:
20
20
FRINGILLIDjE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SVAlUiOWS, ETC. 3")1
bill 1111(1 no ash on head, avoragos a little Binullor, and in inufh ilulliT colored ; brouii parts of
a grayish cast; rosy roduccd or almost I'Xtiiigiiislu'd, fhicfly traceable ou rimiji and wing-
coverts; abdomen searcely tinted, andi[uills and tail-feathers with whitish instead of rosy edg-
ings. Wing 4.00-4.20, averaging little over 4.00 ; tail 2.'JO-3.2o, average 3.00. Ccdorado
and New Me.xieo, breeding np to 12,000 feet ; u eiirious southerly local race of the genus.
a03. L. tephroco'tls. (Or. Tt<f>p6s, tephros, gray ; oiJy, urot, ous, otofi, the ear. Fig. 214.) SwAix-
Son'8 ItdSY Fixcil. iSe.xes similar. Adtdt (J, in breeding phnnage or nearly so: Hill and feet
bhudt. Nasal plumules white. Frontlet black ; rest of piluuni hoary-ash, not descending
below level of eyes and upper border of
auriculara (for when tlio ash invades the
sides of head to any extent, the bird
takes the first step toward litorulis, in
wiiich the head is extensively hooded in
ash). General color, sides of head in-
eluded, chocidate or liver-brown of vary-
ing intensity, many feathers skirted witli
gray or whitisii, especially tlu! inter-
scapulars, which also have dusky centres,
and inclining to blackish on chin and
throat. Hinder parts of tin,' body above
and below, including tail-coverts, rich Fm. 214. -Rosy Finch, reduced. (Sl.eppard del. Nichols sc.)
rosy or carmiiHs red, this color due to broad edgings of the dusky feathers fif these parts.
Wings and tail blackish, the wing-coverts and primaries edged with rosy, showing nearly
continuous in the closed wing ; edgings of inner secondaries rosy-white or white. Length
(average) 0.75; wing 4.00-4.45, average 4.25 ; tail 2.50-3.00, average 2.75; culmen 0.40-
0.50, average 0.45 ; tarsus 0.75-0.85, average 0.80. ? , adult : Very similar ; pattern identi-
cal ; tone subdued; size a little less; length (l.GO ; wing 4.10; tail 2.05. (J 9 in winter :
Bill yellow; pattern unchanged; coloration le.ss vivid, the brown rather umber than ehocohite,
the red rather rosy than carmine. Kocky Mt. region, from the (Saskatchewan or beyond, through
most of the U. S. in winter ; breeding limits unknown, supposed to be Northern Kocky ^Its.
of U. S. and beyond. This is the central figure in the genus. It runs directly into
204. L. t. lltora'lls. (Lat. Utoralis, littoral.) Baiuo'.s Ko.sy Fixcii. Like the last; thu ash
spreading over the head, more or less, sometimes almost enveloping it like a hood, and even
occupying the chin in extreme cases. Size of the last. Northwest coast ; in summer unknown,
in winter spreading from Kadiak S. and E. to California. Nevada, Utah, and Colorado; very
abundant, in Hocks mixed witii tephrocotis proper.
805. I* grlselnu'cha. (Low Lat. griseus, gray, and nucha, nape. Fig. 215.) BnAXi>T's Rosy
Fixcii. Like the littoral variety of tephrocotis, in having the ashy extending over the sides of
the head ; this color settled in a definite hood, said t(} never invade
the chin. The resident form of the N. W. coast and islands, from
Kadiak W. and N. ^Much larger than Nos. 203-4 ; length 7.00
or more; wing 4.50 (4.25-4.85); tail 3.50 (3.15-3.90); culmen
0.57 ; tarsus 0.95. Sexes scarcely distinguishable. Bill black or
yellow according to season. Yonng "uniform brownish-gray,
washed with umber ; wings and tail dusky-slate, the feathers
bordered with paler ; the edges of the lesser wing-coverts and
rcmiges very pale pinkish ; of the greater wing-coverts and tertials
pale dull ochraceous ; no black or gray about head ; bill hom-cidor." Nest well made of
grasses and mosses, lined with feathers, on the ground or among rocks ; eggs 3-6, generally 4,
pure white, 0.97 X 0.67.
Fio. 215. — Brnndt'B Kosy
FiiicU. (After Balrd.)
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEliES— OSCJNES.
200. L. urcto'u. (Or. dfiKT<fos, urlioioi<, iiortlicrn.) Pallas's J{ony Finch. Dnsky-imrplisli ;
neck above imlc ycllowi.sh ; forelifiul mid nasal fcatlii'i-n Ma('ki(*)i ; outer webs of ([uills and
vviiig-c'overts, tail-coverts, ruin)) and (•ri.sstiiii silvery-gray, rosy-iiiargiiie(l. Kurile and Aleu-
tian Islands; Siberia. Subgenerieally different from any of tlie foregoing.
68. ^GI'OTIIUS. (Gr. Alytoeos, noni. jMoiir. Fig. 21(5.) Ked-pom- Linnkts. IJill small,
short, .Htraigbt, very acute, more or less eomiiressed, the lateral outlines usually a littli eoiu^ave,
those of culnien and gonys straiglit ; commissure straight to the slight angulation, llase of bill
thickly bes(^t with a ruff of antrorse plumules, concealing the small nasal fossie unil romid
nostrils. Wings longer than tail, pointed by first 3 ])rimaries.
Tail rather long for this group, forked. Feet small and weak,
but tarsi longer than middle toe without claw; lateral toes of
e<|Ual lengths, their claw-tips falling beyond base of middle claw.
Hind claw much longer, stouter and more ciu'ved than the mid-
dle, exceeding its digit in length. Size small ; plunmge streaky
with dusky, wliite, and flaxen c(dcjr», crown crimson, face and
throat blackish ; sexes otherwise dissimilar ; ^ with rosy or
carmine on breast, wanting in 9 • Scarcely different from Linuta
(JIdvirostris, etc.) the pattern of coloration being the most avail-
able distinction. Arboreal, gregarious, highly boreal finches of
circunipolar distribution, breeding in high latituiles and alpiuc
regions, roving south in winter in great flocks. The species are pj^, „,(. i)i,(|,iiMof faln-
much involved ; we have four recognizabhr forms. thuaU'i:. iKtriumnimi, i\ai.ii\/.a).
(From Elliot.)
Ana/ysis nf Species.
Tursus as long as middle too nnil claw. Heavily stroukcd below. Kiimp always fully streaked.
Smaller: length about 5.50; wing 3.00; bin moderate (N. Am. nt large) linnrla 207
Larger: length ttl)OUt (i.OO; wing .3.25; bill immoderate (Canada, etc.) linlhniHi 2C8
Tarsus longer than nibldle too and claw. Lightly or scarcely streaked below. Kump of adull j immacu-
late white to some extent.
Smaller : length about 5.50 ; wing 3.00. BUI and feot small (Urit. Am., scarcely U. .S.). . . exiliiivn 210
Larger: length about 0.00; wing 3.30. Bill and feet largo (drcenland) honiemanvi 200
207. .iE. Una'ria. (Lat. linaria, Huxen ; a linnet. Fig. 217.) Common Kkk-i'oll. Adult ^:
Frontlet, lores, and throat-spot sooty-blaek. I'rowii crimson. Above, variegated with lirowii-
ish-yellow and dusky, the feathers having dark
centres and flaxen edges. • liinnp streaked with
dusky and white, and tinged with rosy, more or
j^^ less so according to age and season. IJelow,
iJt-^-^^^ white, the sides and crissum streaked with dusky,
oailiiifl? the entire fore-parts c(dored with rose-red more
':. .. ., or less rich and extensive according to same cir-
s^j^sF cumstujices. Wings and tail dusky, the feathers
JtI,^ edged with whitish, the middle aud greater
coverts tipped with the same, forming two cross-
bars. Bill black or yellow, usually fouial yel-
low with dusky tip and edges. Feet Wackish.
*■' Length 5.50; extent 9.00; wing 3.00; tail
2.50 ; bill 0.33 ; tarsus 0.65 ; middle toe and
claw the Bume. Adult 9 : Wanting entirely
or having but a trace of rosy on the rump and
Fio. 217. - Common HeU-iioll, reduced. (Shep- under parts. Breast with a dingy yellowish wash,
pard del. Nichols sc.) streaked with dusky. Slightly smaller. Young:
Like 9 > but the ^ soon showing rosy. Young may usually be distinguished from the adult 9 by
•i08
209
210
6£
^11
7C
FRLVGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC. 8")3
a gonoriil biiffy suffusion, psppoially on foro parts ; odfjiuKs of wing likewise buffy ; streaks below
less slmrply deflneil ; crimson of erown restricted, or of a coppery or bronzy tint. In worn mid-
HUnnner plnnnigu the bird is very dark colored, ahnnst entirely dnsky. This brifjht little bird
inhabits northerly parts of both heipispheres, irregnlarly sonth in winter in N. Am. to about
35°; at times abundant, but erratic. KfTgs 4-5, very pale bluish, finely speckled all over with
reddish-brown, 0.65 X 0.52. Nest in low trees and bushes.
«08. JE. 1. hol'boelll. (To C. Ilolboll, a Danish naturalist.) IIoi,n(iix's Uei>-I'om.. Like tho
last; larger; length 0.00 or more ; wing !i.'25 ; tail 2.75 ; bill longer and less constricted, with
straight lateral outlines and rather curved culmen. Europe and N. Am., especially Canada and
New England.
200. JE, hor'nemannl. (To J. W. Ilornemann. Fig. 210.) Ghkenlano Mkaia' 11ei>-1'oll.
Hill regularly conic, only moderately compressed and acute, as high at base as long, coh>r
varying with season from black to yellow. Frontlet black, overlaid with hoary. A recjogni-
zablo light superciliary stripe, reaching to the bill. Crimson cap over nearly all the crown.
Upper parts streaked with brownish-black and white, tho latter edging ami tipping the feathers ;
this white nearly pure, only slightly tlaxen on sides of head and neck. Wings and tail as in
other species. Kumji and eutint under i)arts from tho sooty throat white, fi'ee from spots, tho
rump and breast rosy. Feet large and stout; tarsus rather longer than middle toe and claw.
Length 0.00; wing ;}.;{0 ; tail 2.80; bill 0.34; tarsus 0.05; middle toe and claw 0.58. Se.xual
and seasonal changes as before ; quite dark in midsummer. Greenland and N. Europe. This
large hoary northern form is resident ; never known to occur in tho U. 8., and most of tho con-
tinental Ked-polls of even Arctic N. Am. belong to tho next species.
210. M, exi'lipes. (Lat. exilis, exiguous, small ; iies, foot.) Amkkican Mealv Reij-poll. Hill
small, short, stotit at base, regularly conic, little compressed, all its outlines about straight ;
nasal plumules very heavy, soine*imes reaching half-M'ay to tip of bill. Frontlet dusky, but
the feathers tipped will? hoary ; an ai)preciable light superciliary line ; lores and throat-spot
dusky. General color of i.ppt^r parts as in Unaria, but tho dusky streaks are smaller and less
distinct, especially on the anterior parts ; and the flaxen is very pale, nearly white, disai)pear-
ing entirely <jn lower back, leaving a space streaked only with dusky and white. liump snowy-
white, rosy-tinted, immaculate. Wings and tail as in other species ; under parts white, tho
breast with a rosy tint, paler than in Unaria of same age and season ; the sides streaked with
dusky, tho markings sparser and loss definite than in Ihiaria; crissuni almost innna(!ulato.
Feet very small and weak, tho toes especially shorter. Length 5.50 ; extent 9.00 ; wing 3.00;
tail 2.50 ; tarsus 0.55 ; middle toe without claw 0.28 ; middle too and (daw shorter than tarsus ;
bill 0.32. Seasonal and sexual differences as before. This form inhabits tho whole of boreal
America, seldom reaching the U. S. and only along the northern tier of St.ates.
69. UNO'TA. (Latinized from Fr. Unoitc, a linnet.) Linnets. Character of JEgioihua in
form ; no crimson crown. European.
211. L. flaviros'tris brew'sterl? (Lat. flacirostrin, yellow-billed. To Wm. Brewster, of Cam-
bridge.) Hrewsteu's Linnet. With the general appearance of an immature JEgiothtis,
this bird will be recognized by absence of crimson on crown, no black throat-spot, a sulphur-
yellowish shade on lower back, and somewhat different proportions. Wing 3.00; tail 2.50;
tarsus 0.50. Massachusetts, one specimen known. {JEgiothus flavirostris, var. hrewsteri,
Ridg., Am. Nat., vi, July, 1872, p. 433 ; Hist. N. A. B., i, 1874, p. 501. Conjectured to bo
JEgiothus Unaria X Chrysoniitris jiinus.)
70. CHRYSOMI'TRIS. (Gr. xpuffo/i'Vptr, chrusomitris, having a golden head-dress.) Siskins.
Bill exceedingly acute ; its lateral outlines concave by compression of the sides toward the end,
culmen and gonys about straight, commissure angulatr 1, cutting edges inflected, no ridges on
either mandible. Nasal tufts concealing tho nostrils in their short fossa?. Wings long,
exceeding tho short, emarginato tail ; point formed by tho 1-3 or 4 quills, 5 and rest rapidly
23
854
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSEBES— OSCINES.
Fin. 'J18. — I'iiie Fiiicli, reduced. (Slieppard
del. Kicliulg K. )
shorter. Tarsus about as long as middle too with claw j lateral toes of equal lengths, their
claws reaching base of middle claw ; hind claw shorter than its digit. Everywhere thickly
streaked. No red. Sexes alike. Habit gregarious. Nest in trees. Eggs speckled.
212. C. pi'nus. (Lat. pinus, a pine. Fig. 218.) Pine Linnet. Pine Finch. American Sis-
kin. ^ 9 , adult : Continuously streaked, above with dusky or dark olivaceous-brown and
flaxen or whitisli, below M-ith dusky and whitish, tlie wliolo body usually suffused with yellowish,
most evident on the rump. Wings dusky, tlie basal
portion of all the quills and their inner webs for some
distance suli)hury-yellow, usually showing e.vtcrnally
as a spot just beyond tlie coverts, sometimes restricted
and hidden. Outer webs of the quills also nanowly
edged with yellow, separated from the basal yellow
patch by a blackish interval. Tail dusky, its basal
half yellow, and outer webs edged with yellow. Kill
and feet brown. Length about 4.75 ; extent 8.75;
wing 3.75; tail 1.75. Very variable in yellowness of
tone, sometimes quite bright, again plain streaky,
dusky and whitisli or flaxen ; but the yellow colora-
tiim of the wings and tail is distinctive. Young birds
have the markings diflusc, with a general buft'y-
browuish suttusion. N. Am. at large, breeding
northerly, ranging in flocks in the winter through
most of the U. S., abundant. Nest high in trees, preferably conifers; eggs pale greenish,
speckled with brown ; about 0.70 X 0.50. Flight undulatory ; voice querulous.
71. ASTRAGALI'NUS. (Gr. dorpayaXIvor, astragalinos, name of some bird.) American Gold-
finches. Like Chrysomitris. I'll stouter, less acuminate, without extreme lateral com-
pression, culinen rather convex, gonys quite straight ; commissure strongly angulated ; upi)ei
mandible usually showing longitudinal stria*. Nasal ruff evident, though short. Wings and
tail as in Chnjsonntris ; feet smaller ; toes shorter ; lateral digits of unequal lengths ; outer claw
rather overreaching, inner not reaching, base of middle claw. Coloration massed, not streaky ;
yellow, olive, black and white, no red. Sexes unlike. Eggs white.
Analysis qf Species,
if yellow (in summer) with black cap, wings and tail, tlie
two latter wliite-raarked( Eastern) .... tristit 'J13
cf gray, varied with yellow on back, breast, and wings,
wiUi black face, wings, an<i tail, latter white-marked
(Western) laxmncii 214
(J above olive or black, or mi.\ed with both ; yellow below ;
wings and tail black, wliite-uiarkeil CWestern).
Back olive ; crown black, not below eyes ; large white
tail-spots psaltria 215
Back mixed olive and black ; crown black ; moderate
white tail-spots ari--.nn(e 216
Back and crown black, to below eyes; small white
tail-spots mexicnnua 217
(f yellow, with black yellow-spaced wings and tall, and
whole head black. (Mexico, etc ) notatus 218
213. A. tris'tls. (Lat. ^ns/js, sad; from its note. Fig. 219.)
American Goldfinch. Yellow-bird. Tiiistle-
UIRD. $, in summer: Rich yellow, changing to
whitish on the tail-coverts; a black patch on the »ummer, reduced. (Sheppard del. NlcholsBC.)
crown ; wings black, more or less edged with white ; lesser wing-coverts white or yellow ;
greater coverts tipped with white ; tail black, every feather with a white spot ; bill and feet
Fio. 219. — American Uoldtlncli, ,f, in
FBINGILLID^: FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
3o5
flesh-colored. In September, tlie blaek cap disappears; the general plumago chauges to a
pule flaxen-brown above and whitey-browu below, with traces of the yellow, especially
about the head ; wings and tail much as in sinniner ; sexes then much alike : this con-
tinues until the following April or May. Length 4.80-5.20; extent 8.75-9.25; wing 2.75;
tail 2.00; 9 olivaceous above, including the crown; below .soiled yellowish, wings and tail
dusky, whitish-edged; rather smaller than the ^.
Young like the winter 9 ; when very young, suf-
fused with fulvous, and the wings edged with tawny.
N. Am., especially the Eastem U. .S. ; an abundant
and familiar species, conspicuous by its bright
colors, and plaintive lisping notes; in the fall,
ccdlects in large flocks, and so remains until the
breeding season ; irregularly migratory, but winters
as far north as New England ; feeds especially on
the seeds of the thistle and buttonwood ; flies in
an midulatiug course. Nest small, compact, built
of downy and other soft pliant substances, jjiaced
in a crotch ; eggs 4-C, faintly bluish-white, nor- f:o. 220. - Lawrence's GoWfincIi, reducea.
mally Ulinuirkcd, 0.65 X 0.50. (Altered from Audubon.)
•ill. A. lawren'cii. (To G. N. Lawrence, of New York. Fig. 220.) Lawuexce's Goldfinch.
(J, in summer : Gray, more or less tinged with yellowish, whitening on the belly and crissum ;
rump, a large breast-patcii, and much of the back rich yellow; crown, face, and chin black;
wings black, variegated with yellow, most of the coverts being of this color, and the same
broadly edging tiio quills; inner secondaries edged with hoary gray; tail black, most of the
feathers witli large square white spots on the inner webs and whitish edging of the outer ; bill
and feet flesh-color more or less obscured. The 9 resembles the ^, but there is no bladj on
the head, and the yellow places arc not so bright; yellow of the back often wanting. ^ 9 ? i»
winter : The yellowish of the upper parts changed to olive-gray, but the yellow of other parts
often as bright as in summer, and the black of the (J's head the same. Size of trisiis, or
rather less ; an elegant species. California, Ariz(jna, and New Mexico. General habits the
same as those of C. tristis; nest and eggs indistinguishable.
215. A.psal'tria. (Gr. ^dXrpta. j).w?//7«, a lutist. Fig. 221.) AuKANSAW GOLDFINCH. (y,<idult:
Upper parts uniform olive-green, without any
black ; below yellow ; crown black, this not
extending below eyes; wings black, most of
the quills and the greater coverts white-tipped,
and the primaries white at base ; tail black,
the outermost three pairs of feathers with a
long rectangular white spot on the inner web.
9 and young similar, but not so bright, and
no black on the he.ad ; sometimes, also, no
decided white spots on the tail. Length 4.25-
4.50 ; wing 2.30 ; tail 2.00. Plains to the
Pacific, U. S., southerly ; N. at least to the
head-waters of the Platte. A pretty species,
of the same habits as the common Goldfinch ; nest aud eggs the same. Southward this form
passes directly into
aiO. A. p. arizo'nse. (Lat., of Arizona.) Arizona Golofinch. The upper parts mixed olive
and bhick in about equal amounts ; thus leading directly into
an. A. p. mexica'nus. (Lat. Mexican. Fig. 222.) Mexican Goldfinch. The upper parts con-
Fio. 221. — Arkansaw GoUlflncli, reduced.
Audubon.)
(After
356
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS— PASSEBES— OSCIXES
Fig. 222. — Mexican
(After Aiiiliibon.)
Qoldfincb, reduced.
tinuously-black, and the black of the crown extending below the eyes, enclosing the olive
under eyelid. Mexican border and southward. This bird looks quite unlike typical jisaltria,
but the gradation through var. arizonec is perfect ; and mexicana, moreover, leads directly into
var. Columbiana, a Central American form in which
the tail-spots are very small or wanting. The
females of these several varieties cannot be distin-
guished wth certainty.
218. A. uota'tus. (Lat. notattis, noted in any way.)
Black-heaoei* Goldfinch. (J, adult: Bright
yelhnv, obscured on tlie back, head all around glossy
black, extending on fore-breast ; wings black, with
largo basal area on all tlio quills yellow, forming a
conspicuous patch ; tail black, basal half or more of
all the feathers but the middle pair yellow. Wing
2.70 ; tail 1.80 ; bill extremely acute, much as in
Carduelis or Chri/somitris proper. South and Cen-
tral Am. and Mexico, a straggler in TJ. S. (? "Kentucky," Ai(duhon.)
72. PLECTRO'PHANES. (Gr. TrXijierpoK, plectron, a certain instrument; (f)aiva>, I ap])ear;
alUuling to the hind claw.) Bill very small and truly conic, well exhibiting "emberizine" or
"buntiug" characters; i. e., strong angulation of commissure ; inflected cutting edges; a
palatal knob. Culmen slightly curved; gonys perfectly straight, and very short, less in length
than width of bill ; lower mandible heavier than ui)per. A dense nasal ruff. Wings very long
and pointed ; 1st or 1st an<l 2d (juills longest, rest rapidly graduated. Tail -J shorter than
wings, nearly square. Tarsus longer than middle toe without claw ; lateral toes of subeipial
lengths, and much shorter than the middle one. Claws slender and compressed, with deep
lateral grooves at base ; hind claw lengthened and less curved than the rest, but not straight.
Gullet very distensible. Sexes alike. Colors very difl'erent with season ; in summer ^
entirely black and white. One species, circumpolar. Terrestrial, gregarious.
219. P. niva'lis. (Lat. niralis, snowy ; ni.r, nicis, snow. Fig. 223.) Snow Binting. Snow-
flake. (J, in full dress: l*ure white; the bill, feet, middle t)f back, scapulars, primaries
exce])t at base, m(^st inner secondaries, bastard quills, and several tail-feathers, black. Length
about 7.00 ; extent 12.50-1.3.00 ; wing 4.00-4.25 ; tail 2.50-2.75. In less perfect summer dre.ss,
black of the back, inner secondaries and tail-
feathers varied with white. 9 > in breeding
plumage: The black impure or brownish, and
most or all of the upper parts brownish -black,
varied with white. Kather snniUer. Dimen-
sions of many specimens of both sexes : length
0.50-7.00; extent 12.00-13.00; wing 4.00-
4.25; tail 2.50-2.75; bill 0.40; tarsus 0.80;
middle toe and claw 0.90 ; hind toe and chiw
0.C7-0.75 ; claw alone 0.33-0.44. Adults, in
winter, as generally seen in the U. S. (where
black-and-white birds are rarely if ever
found) : Upper parts overcast with ri(!li M'ariu
chestnut -brown and grayish -brown, mixed
with the black of the back, and clouding the other upper parts which are wliite in summer,
becoming dusky or even blackish on the head ; this brown also usually forming a patch on the
cars, a collar on the breast, edging of the inner wing- and tail-feathers, and a wash on the
flanks; but specimens vary interminably; other parts white or black as in summer; bill
Fio. 223. — Snow Bunting, In summer, reduced.
(Slieppard del. Nicliolg bc. )
7:
22<
FBINGILLID^: FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
357
yellowish, usually black-tipped, but drying reddish -bro\vn. Fledglings : Dark ashy-gray
above, and on the fore parts below this color overlaid with brown, and streaked on tlio
back with dusky; below, from the breast, white; Literal tail-feathers mostly white; inner
secondaries black with brown edging. A very notable bird, inhabiting the northern hemi-
sphere, breeding in arctic regions, whence migrating south in vast flocks with the snow, as if
one with these pure crystallizations. Thousands whirl into the U. S. in the fall on the wings
of the storm, relieving by their animated presence the desolation of places exjMised to the
fury of the blast. South regularly only to the Nortliern States, but often the roving Hocks
reach 35°. Nest on the ground in the sphagnum and tussocks of arctic regions, of a great
quantity of grass and moss, lined profusely with feathers : eggs 1-0, very variable in size and
color, about 0.90 X 0.05, white or whitish, speckled, veined, blotched, and marbled with deep
browns and neutral tints.
73. CKNTRO'PHANES. (Gr. Kfvrpnv, Jcenfron, nail, claw; (l)aivo, plmino, I appear; the hind
claw lengthened and straiglitened.) Loxospi'RS. Characters ot Plcctroj)ha)ies; hind claw and
its digit more developed ; longer than the middle ; bill relatively and absolutely larger, ratlier
" fringillino " than thoroughly " embcrizine," but still with a palatal knob; no decided nasal
ruff, but iintrorse plumules in nasal fossro ; a little tuft at base of rictus. Wings less acute,
the point formed by lst-3d primaries, -Ith abruptly shorter; tail emarginate. Sexes very
unlike : ^ with a black hood and chestnut cers'ical collar. Gregarious, terrestrial.
Analysis of Adult Males.
Whole head and throat black J licUy wliito ; bill yellow ; feet black lapponiciis 220
Crown black ; whole under parts fawn-colored ; feet flesh-colored j)iclus 221
Crown black; throat white; belly black or mahogany; feet dark omafus 222
220. C. lappon'Icus. (Lat. ?fy)jwni;H,s, of Lapponia, Lapp-land. Figs. 43, 224.) Lapland Long-
SPl'K. ^, hi full dress (seldom seen in U. S.) : '^
Whole head, throat and breast jet-bhick, bor- -i-
dered with buffy or whitish, which forms a
post-ocular stripe separating black of crown
from that of sides of head, sometimes contin- _,,.___,___-_. .,i^_,„~.__.,.v.„ ._ ,
ued to the bill. A broad cervical chestnut col- iS2«fflB«W(fflBKfi»™kVfcii«V\r!«»
lar, separated from the black cap by whitish
or buffy line and nuc^ial spot. Upper parts
brownish-black completely streaked with buff Wi^^^-: ^■B^B^HHB^Sli^
or whitish edges of the feathers ; under parts mnsa^^^-"^-^- ^- -"s*^^
white, the sides streaked with black. Wings ""'
dusky, with pale or brownish edgings (jf the
feathers, but no strong markings. Tail lilse
wings, with largo oblique white spaces on
outer 3 feathers. Bill yellow, black-tipped. <^>^t:i'.^ j^T^F^ -ZT^ :^- "Vs.«>\-^-
Legs and feet black. Length about 6.50 ;
extent 11.25 ; wing 3.50-3.75 ; tail 2.50-2.75 ; pio. 224. - Lapland Longspur, in summer, reduced,
tarsus 0.75 ; middle toe and claw rather more ; (Sheppard del. Nichols »c. )
hind claw about 0.50, slender, sharp, and little cur\-ed. ^, adult, in winter: The black hood
overcast with brown or gray tips of the feathers, or otherwise imperfect. Chestnut collar also
overlaid with gray. Edges of secondaries and wing-coverts rnddy-browi ; sides of flanks
washed with brown. WHite tail-spots less extensive. Yellow of bill obscured. ? , in breed-
ing plumage : Upper parts of body, wings and tail, as in (J. No continuous pure black on
sides of head, chin, or throat. Cervical collar indicated, hut dull and obscured. Black of
crowTi overlaid with gray ; superciliary and postocular stripe^ buffy ; sides of head blackish,
overlaid with gray; throat similarly varied, but chin nearly white; on the whole, the patterr
■ I
358
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSERES — OSCINES.
of the ^'s black hood clearly indicated, but interrupted and ill-defined. Sides of breast and
belly with few small sharp dark streaks, instead of heavy black stripes ; other under parts as in
the $. Bill obscure yellowish, dusky-tipped; feet dark brown, not black. Kather smaller.
i 9 ! young, in winter, as usually seen in U. S., without any continuous black, resemble
the adult 9 as to coloration of head and fore parts, and are like winter ^ in other respects.
The cer\-ical coUar may be scarcely appreciable, but usually shows a trace <at least ; sides often
quite brown. Fledglings : Continuously streaked on the upper and fore parts with blackish
and brownish-yellow ; wings and tail broadly edged with chestnut ; bill dark ; feet pale. A
species of circumpolar distribution, like the last ; breeding range and winter roviiigs much the
same, but less commonly observed in the U. S. South irregularly to the Middle States, Ohio,
Colorado, etc. Nesting like P. nivalis; eggs 4-6, 0.80 X 0.02, dai-k-colored, vei-y heavily
mottled and clouded with chocolate-brown, through which the greenish-gray ground scarcely
ajux'ars.
221. C. pic'tus. (Lat. ^Jic^ws, painted.) Painted Loxg.SPUR. Adult ^ : Cervical collar and entire
under parts rich fawn color; crown and sides of head black, bounded below by a white line, and
interrupted by a white superciliary and auricular line and white occipital spot. Upper parts
streaked with black and brownish-yellow. Lesser and middle wing-coverts black, tipped with
white, forming conspicuous patches. One or two outer tail-feathers mostly white. No white
on the rest. Legs pale or tlesh-colored. Size of /fyyjoJiiCMS. Length 6.50 ; extent 11.25 ; -wing
3.75 ; tail 2.50; tarsus 0.75 ; middle toe and claw, about the same; hind toe and claw, rather
less (C. ornattis is much less in all its dimensions). Young, and generally in winter : Bill dusky-
brown above and at tip, paler below ; feet light brown (drying darker) ; toes rather darker.
Entire under parts rich yellowish-brown, or butfy (in C. omatiis never thus) ; paler on the chin
and throat, which, with the fore-breast, are obsoletely streaked with dusky; the tibite white.
Tail white only on the two or three outer feathers (in C. oniatits all the feathers, excepting some-
times the central pair, are white at the base). Upper parts much as in tlie adult, but the distinc-
tive head-markings wanting, or only obscurely indicated. Interior N. Am. from the region of the
Yukon, McKenzie, Saskatchewan and upper Missouri to the prairies of Illinois in winter. It
is not found in the Atlantic States, but is common on the prairies of Dakota, Montana, and
southward, associated in the fall with C. ornatus, but breeding mostly farther north. Habits
and general aspect of ornatus, but easily distinguished by larger size, huffy under parts, black
and white wing-patch, and white only on some lateral instead of all of the tail-feathers. Nest
on ground ; eggs size of lapponicus, colored more like ornatus.
222. C. orna'tus. (Lat. ornatus, adorned). Chestnut-collared Long.spur. Black-shoul-
dered LoNGSPUR. White-tailed Loxgspur. ^, in full dress: Cervical collar intense
chestnut. Crown black ; a whitish spot on nivpe, and broad white superciliary stripe. Auricu-
lars black, mixed M'ith the color of the throat ; throat and most of the sides of head below eyes
rusty-white, changing to pure white which extends around sides of neck, partly bordering the
chestnut collar. Breast and belly lustrous black, often mixed with intense ferruginous or
•nahogany feathers, sfimetiines largely overlaid with this rich sienna-color. Lining of wings
re M'hite. Sides of body, flanks, lower belly and under tail-coverts, white, all but the last
usually rusty-tinged. Back, rump, and scapulars brownish-black, varied with grayish-brown
edges of the feathers. Wings dark brown without decided markings, though the feathers are
pale-edged, excepting jet-black lesser coverts, with or without white tips. Tail like wings,
but two or three lateral feathere entirely white, and all the rest basally white in decreasing
amount : in flight, the " white tail" is very conspicuous. Bill blackish-plumbeous; feet dark.
Smaller than the foregoing : Length 5.75-6.00, rarely 6.25 ; extent 10.25-10.75, rarely 11.00 ;
wing 3.00-3.30 ; tail 2.00-2.30. 9 > i" fuU dress : Rather smaller ; size averaging about the lesser
figures just given. Upper parts, wings, and tail as before, but lesser coverts not black ; chest-
nut collar obscured ; crovm like back, separated from the back-markings by a slight rufous
74
22J
FBINGILLID^: FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
359
74.
223.
dusky-streaked interval. Sides of head, and throat, whitish, with dusky speckling on cheeks
and ears. Under parts dull brown, fading to white on belly and crissuni, the feathers some-
timt'S with dusky streaks. Thus an obscure bird : but observe generic characters, and exten-
sively white tail. $ , adult, after the fall moult : The full dress is confined to the breeding
season ; afterward, the colors arc much obscured. Cervical collar and black of head and belly
veiled by gray ends of the feathers, but visible on raising the plumage. Crown like bjick, with
concealed black ; superciliary stripe and other distinctive head-markings obliterated ; bill
brownish-plumbeous. The changes in the 9 are parallel, but there is less to be altered.
Young $ 9 ( before first moult : Whole upper parts blackish-brown, with semicircular gray
or whitish markings, and a slightly lighter cervicul interval. Throat definitely white. Under
parts dull brown, heavily streaked with dusky, especially on the breast. Much light brown
edging and tipping of the quills and wing-coverts. Feet and bill pale. This stage is transi-
tory ; with the first moult the young acquire the characters above described for the winter. A
beautiful species of the interior plains, British America and U. S. and Alexico ; breeds in pro-
fusion on the prairies ni Dakota, Montana, and whole upper Missouri and Saskatchewan
regions, S. to Kansas or further; has occurred in New England ; rarely W. of the Rocky Mts.
Breeds in June and July ; nest on ground, sunken flush with surface, of a few grasses and weed-
stalks ; eggs usually 4, about 0.80 X 0.60, white clouded with purplish shell-markings, gray
the prevailing tone, this iiTCgularly dotted and veined with sharp dark -brown surface-marks.
Young covered with whitish down. In the breeding season the birds are fond of soaring and
singing as they fly, rising to great height and letting themselves down with the wings held like
parachutes ; they curiously resemble buttei-flies when so engaged. The white tail shows very
conspicuously. Ordinary flight wayward and v.icillating ; song weak and twittering, but pleas-
ing. The birds flock as soon as young are fairly on wing, and leave the northern prairies in
October. They are associated in the breeding season with B. maccowni, and joined in October
by P. pictus and lapponiciis from the north.
BHYNCHO'PHANES. (Gr. pvyxot, rhiigchos, beak, anA <f>aiv(>>, phaino, I appear; in allusion
to the turgid bill.) Longspurs. Similar to Centrophanes, but departing in the direction of
Montifringilla (an exotic genns). Bill turgid, very stout and large in comparison ; culmcn rising
high on forehead, its outliiio' almost a little concave. Hind too and claw less developed. Hind
claw not longer than its digit, not notably straightened. Sexes dissimilar. No cervical collar.
^ with black pectoral crescent aud red bend of wing.
B. maccown'i. (To Capt. J. P. McCown, U. S. A.
spuit. Bay-wisged Longspur. (J, in full dress:
dusky and grayish or yellowish-
brown, especially on the interscap-
ulars. No cervical collar, but a
chestnut patch on the wings, fonncd
by the median coverts. Crown jet-
black, bounded by a white super-
ciliary line ; sides of head whitish,
but auriculars more or less slaty.
Throat white, bounded by firm
black maxillary stripes. Breast
jet-black, in broiid crcscentic form,
sharply defined against the white
throat, shading behind into slaty-
blackish, becoming more and more
mixed with white on the bellv and i. „,, m i • ..it i ■ ,c.i. • i •
Fio. 225. — Black-breastetl LoUK^ipuri reduced. (Sheppard del.
sides, till posteriorly the parts are Nichols sc.)
Habits of Centrophanes strictly.
Fig. 225.) Black-breasted Lono-
Upper parts slate-gray, streaked with
■I
i.
I
360
SYSTEMATIC SY^'OPSIS. — PASSEHES— 0SCINE3.
puro white ; lining of 'wings white. All the tnil-fonthers, except the middle pair, and bases
and tips of interniodiatc^ones, white, eiidiug squarely across both webs. Bill blackisli-pluin-
beous, pale at base below; feet biowuisli-blacl<. Length about 0.00; extent 11.00-11.50;
wing 3.30-3.60; tail 2.25; bill 0.50; tarsus 0.67; middle toe and claw rather less. 9, in
breeding j)lumage: Upper parts, wings, and tail as in the ^ — coverts with at least a trace of
chestnut, and tail displaying the rectangular shape of the white area ; crowu lilce bac-k in-
stead of bhiclv ; no black maxillary stripes, and breast-crescent slaty-gray ; throat whitish ; bill
and feet ycllowish-browu, more or less obscured. The seasonal changes of j)lumage, as well as
the sexual differences, are parallel with those of P. onmtus; there is the same veiling of black
parts by gray, etc. Though so different from orntttiis in full dress, the bird is very similar in
other conditions, age for age, and sex for sex : but larger; no trace of chestnut on nape ; trace
at least on wing-coverts; and peculiar pattern of tail-feathers shown as soon as tliey sprout
and never lost. Very young birds have curved edgings of the feathers of the njiper parts ;
the uuder jiarts quite purely white, with some dusky streaks, and a butt' suttusion on tlie breast.
Region of tiie upper Missouri and its tributaries; N. to the Saskatchewan ; not known W. of
the Uocky Mts. ; S. to Texas and Mexico ; E. to Kansas and probably Iowa and Missouri.
Breeds in profusion on the jmiiries from Colorado northward, in parts of Dakota and in
Montana associated with P. ornatiis; winters from Colorado southward. Its habits and man-
ners are tlie same as those of P. oniatiis. It has the same soaring singing ttiglit, and para-
chute-like descent, " sliding down on the sc 'e of its own music ; " nesting the same ; eggs re-
sembling the paler varieties of P. ornatus; 0.80 X 0.60.
75. PASSER'CULUS. (Lat. imsserculm, a little sparrow ; diminutive of passer, a sparrow.)
Savanna Sparrows. Groixi> Sparrows. Bill rather slenderly conical, culmen, conniiissuro
and gonys about straight (hill more turgid in P. rostrutiis and guttatiis). Wings longer than
tail, point formed by outer 4 primaries, of nearly equal lengths; inner secondaries enlarged and
flowing, reaching nearly or ([uite to end of primaries in the closed wing. Tail short, nearly even
or little emarginate, of narrow pointed feathers. Feet slender, pale-colored, usually reaching
when outstretched nearly or quite to end of tail ; tarsus and middle toe with claw of about equal
lengths ; lateral toes of equal lengths, their claws iniderreaching base of middle claw ; hind toe
rather longer than its claw, which has no special development. Plunntge thickly streaked
everywhere above, and below on brerst and sides; crown with median liglit line and lateral
dark ones ; no decided markings on tail-feathers. In most species edge of wing yellow, and
traces at least of yellow on head ; no red, blue, or greenish. Sexes alike. Embracing small
plain streaked ground sparrows of slender build, mostly with a touch (jf lemon-yellow on edge
of wing, long inner secondaries and pale slender legs ; one species abounding in the East, others
of more special distribution.
Analysis qf Species ami I'lirieties.
Bin typical. Crown with median light stripe. Inner secondaries seldom quite equalling primaries. No
decide<l lemon-yellow on edge of wing. Top of head with two black sti-ipes, and sufiused with rich
brownish-yellow iHtirtIi 224
Bill typical. Crown with median light stripe. Inner secondaries at full length. Edge of wing with
lemon-yellow; same shade on head, if any. Upper parts much variegated ; under white, with sharp
streaking.
Large, pale; little or no yellowish; length 6.00 or more; wing 3.25. Coast of New England princeps 225
Large, dark, with decided yellow; length about 6.00; wing 3,00. Northwest coast . . samlricemia 226
Medium, of average coloration; length about S.SO; wing 2.T5. N. Am. at largo sarana 227
Medium; pale; size of snrniia proper. Interior and western alauiliniis 229
Small, dark; yellow very decided. Lengthabout 5.25; wing 2.50. West coast anthinus 228
Bill enlarged, turgid, with convex culmen. Orown-stripe obsolete. No yellow on head or wing.
Larger: bill 0.50. Length 5.30; wing near 3.00. Pale brownish-gray, with obsolete streaking; the
streaks below light brown. Coast of Citlifomia roslrnlus 230
Smaller : bill 0.33. Length 5.00; wing 2.50, Darker, the streaks below dusky, L. Cala. . guttalua 231
aa4. P. balpd'l. (To Prof. S. F. Baird. Fig. 226.) Baird's Savanna Sparrow. ^ 9 , adiiU, in
breeding plumage : With a general resemblance to P. savana. Inner secondaries less elon-
22
FRINGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARItOWS, ETC.
3G1
225.
gated, rarely equalling the primaries in the cldsed wings. Fii-st 4 quills about equal and longest.
Hind too and daw abciut equalling the middle toe and claw, its claw about equalling tlie diirit.
Tail shorter than wing, lightly double-rounded (central and outer pair of feathers both a little
sliorter than the intermediate ones). Top of head streaked witli black and rich brownisli-
yellow, or buff, the former predominating laterally, the latter chiefly as a median stripe, but
also suffusing the nape and sides of head in greater or less degree. Back varied with
brownish-black and gray, together with a little bay, the two latter colors forming the edg-
ings of the intei-scapiilars and scapulars. Kump variegated with gray and chestnut-brown,
different in shade from that of the back. Under parts dull white, usually witli a faint
ochrey tinge on the breast, but often without ; a circlet (jf small, sharp, sparse, dusky streaks
across the breast, continuous with others, longer and mostly lighter, along the wlndo sides, and
with others, again, extending up the sides of the neck into small vague maxillary and auricular
markings. When the feathers arc perfectly arranged these lateral head-markings are seen to
bo a post-ocular stripe just over the auriculars, a post-auricular spot, a streak starting from the
angle of the mouth, and another heavier one parallel
with and below this, running directly into the pec-
toral ones. Quills without special markings, except-
ing the elongated inner secondaries, which correspond
with the scai)ulars. Tail the same, slightly whitish-
edged. Upper mandible mostly dark, lower pale.
Feet flesh-colored. Length 5.10-5.S5, averaging
5.07; extent 8.C0-9.S5, average <J..")0: wing' 2.75-
3.00 ; tail 2.00-2.25 ; culmen about 0.10 ; tarsus
about 0.75 ; middle too and claw, and hind toe and
claw, each, rather less ; 9 averages rather smaller.
Autumnal plumage : Soft, with brighter, more suf-
fused colors, in bolder pattern. Whole top and sides
of head, as well as nape and part of neck, suffused
with rich buff, in many instances as bright a golden-
brown as that on the head of Siurus auricapillus. A
paler, rather ochraceous shade of the same also suffus-
ing the whole fore under-parts. I'ectoral and lateral
dusky streaks, as well as the two rows on each side of the throat, large, heavy, diffuse. Bay
and whitish edgings of the secondaries broad and conspicuous, c<jntrasting with the black central
fields. Whitish edgings of tail-feathers the same ; and, in general, the same character is stamped
over all the upper phunago. Ncuhj-flcdged younfj have each feather of the dorsal plumage con-
spicuously bordered with white, producing a set of semicircles, much as in Neocorys spragtiii.
There is the same general buft'y suflusiou of the head and fore parts as in autumnal adults,
but the tint is dull and ochrey. The markings below have a short, broad, guttiform character.
When just from the nest, the edging of the secondaries and tail-feathers is of a peculiar jjinkish-
rusty shade. Central Plains, U. S. ; N. to British Provinces ; E. nearly to U(.'d River of the
North ; S. to Texas, N. Jlex. and Arizona ; W. to the Rocky Mts., and beyond. An interesting
spaiTow, long almost unknown till I found it breeding in profusion in Dakota, taking 75 speci-
mens one season. In general habits and appearance in life (piite like savanna sparrows ; mix-
ing freely with these and Neocorys, Eremophila, and Plectrophanes ornatus. Song peculiar, of
two or three tinkling syllables and a trill, like zip-zip-zip-zr-r-r-r. Nest on ground, r light
structure of grasses and weed-stalks, about 4 inches across ; eggs 5, 0.80 X 0.65, white, irregu-
larly speckled and blotched with pale and dark reddish-browns, laid in June and July.
P. prin'ceps. (Lat. princeps, chief.) Ipswich Savanna Sparuow. $ : General ai)i)ear-
anco of a largo savanna sparrow, but with a resemblance to a bay-winged bunting. Upper
Fia. 220. — Bitlrd's Siiviiiiiia Siiariow, re-
duced. (SUeppard del. Kichuls ac.)
862
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEFES — OSCINES.
320.
parts grayish-browii, with blackish rufous-odged centres of the feathers; median crown-stripe
iiot strong, and scarcely yellowisli ; a wliitish snpen^iliary stripe, not yellow anteriorly ; ear-
coverts grayish, with a rufous tinge. Scapulars, coverts and secondaries blackisii-brown,
broadly edged with rufous, brightest on the secondaries ; seai)ulars also edged with white, and
both median and greater coverts white-tipped. Tail brownish, tipj)ed and edged with whitish.
Wludo under parts white, breast and sides of throat and body streaked, the streaks dusky-
centred, rufous-edged. Kill dark brown, base of under mandible j)aler ; eyes and feet brown.
Length C.30; extent 11.00; wing 3.25; tail 2.(10; bill 0.45; tarsus 0.95; middle too and
claw 1.05 ; hind toe and claw 0.72. (Foregoing condensed from original description of the
type, taken in winter. Following as redescribed by liidgway.) Bill of size and shajjo as in
P. biiirdi cxueily; inner secoiiuaries liitle lengthened. Outstretched feet not reaching to end
of tail. In color almost exactly as in P. rostratiis, but diifcrent in nn»rking.s ; above Kght
ashy, tlie dorsal feathers light sandy-brown centrally, their shafts black. Surt'ace of wings j)alo
sandy-brown, the f<'athei"s darker-centred ; inner secondaries with whitish outer webs, and con-
spicuous black central field. Crown becoming darker brown anteriorly, where an indistinct
median line of ochrey-white ; an indistinct supciciliary stripe, and conspicuous maxillary stripe
of the same, the latter bordered above by a nanow duslvy stripe; lores and cheeks like the
sujierciliary stripe ; auriculars like crown. Below, white, slightly ashy on Hanks ; whidt; brea.st
and sides of body with narrow streaks of blackish-centred sandy-brown ; belly, crissum, and
lining of wings imnmculate ; throat with a few minute specks, but on each side a bridle of
suffuse streaks. ?: whig 2.90 ; tail 2.40 ; culmenO.50; tarsus 0.S5. (FoUowing notes taken
by me of a specimen received from Maynard; ?, Ipswich, Oct. 18, 1872: Xo. 73,55.3, Mus.
S. I.) "About size of largest P. sandvicensis from Alaska. No trace of yellow on head or
wing. Upper parts even paler and grayer than extreme (tf P. alaudinus from the West — the
streaks of upjier parts having f)nly shaft-lines of blackish-brown, brown-edged, the edges
of the feathers finally gray ; nape, rump, and upper tnil-coverts gray, scarcely streaked at
all. Crown streaked like interscapulars, but in snniller pattern ; divided by a median light
line. A long whitish (not yellowish) superciliary line ; lore gray below this. Inner second-
aries and greater coverts blackish, broadly edged on outer wobs with bay, fading t<j whitish at
tips ; median coverts similar, but more noticeably whitish-tipped ; these edgings of wing-
feathers making the strongest coloration of all the ui)iier parts. Below, white ; throat and
middle of belly only immaculate, flanks a little shaded with gray ; whole breast, sides of neck
and body, and crissum, with brown streaks, pale in comparison with those of P. samnn,
and rather suffuse. On the sides of head below auriculars the stripes tend to form two <'hains
— a maxillary one and another above it ^epanvted by an immaculate interval. Kesembles P.
rostratiis in diffuse grayish coloraticm and lack of yellow on head or wing. Looks as a hybrid
between P. savana .and Poacetes might be supposed to do." Seems distinct, but not firmly estab-
lished as a species. Coast of New England, es{K?cially sand-hills of the Massachusetts coast ;
general range unknown ; perhaj)s a local race. Curiously similar in some respects to the
Californian litoral form P. rostratus,
P. santlvlcen'sis. (Of the Sandwich, ono of the Aleutian Isl.inds.) Similar to the ordinary
savanna sparrow: averaging in size about the maximum of theliitter; length .iboutC.OO; wing
3.00; tail 2.25 ; culmen 0.45 ; depth of bill at base 0.25; tarsus, and middle toe and claw,
each, 0.80. Bill nearly twice as bulky as that of ordinary savana. A firm briglit yellow super-
ciliary stripe from nostril to eye, thence fading over auriculars (i. e., chri/sops, Pall.) Under
parts precisely as in savana; upper similar, but grayer — less rufous and more gray in the
edgings of the feathers. Such are the peculiarities of a specimen from the very spot whence
Latham and Pennant describe their bird ; they are appreciable on laying the skin alongside n
largo varying series of Eastern savana. Alaska. But it docs not follow that all the Alaskan
and Aleutian savanna sparrows are like this.
221.
220
228
230
,
FlilXGILLIJh^ : FINCHES, BUXTIXGS, SPAJiROWS, ETC.
8(13
237. I*. 8. snva'na. (Spiuiish sabana or snmna, a mondow. Fig. 227.) Common Savanna Spar-
iiow. (J 9 , adult, in Hi)ring : Thickly strciikod cvorywlion; above, on sides, and acniKs breast ;
a sii)>nrciliary lino, and cdgo of tlio wing, yellowish; lesser wing-t'overts twt chestnnt ; legs Hesh-
color ; bill rather slender and aente ; tail nearly even, its outer feathers not white; longest
secondary nearly as long as tlje primaries in the closed wing. Above, brownish-gray, streaked
with blackish, whitish-gray and pale bay. the streaks largest on interscapulars, smallest on
cervix, the crown divided by an libscnro whitish line; sometimes an (d)scin'e yellowish snti'iision
nbont head besides the 8tn<ak over the eye. Below, white, pure or with faint butl'y shade,
thickly streaked, as just stated, with dusky — the individual spots edged with brown, mostly
arrow-shaped, rumiing in chains along the sides, aud often aggr<>gated in an obscure blotch on
the breast. Wings dusky, the coverts and
inner secondaries black-edged and tipped
with bright bay ; tail-feathers rather nar- r'l ! .
row and pointed, dusky, not noticeably
marked. Extreme dimi'nsions of both
sexes: Length 5.20-0.00; extent 8.50-
10.00! wing 2.lO-;{.00; tail 1.75-2.25;
tarsus 0.75-0.88 ; but such figures are rare.
Average of both sexes 5.25; extent 8.75;
wing 2.(10 ; tail 2.00 ; tarsus 0.8i. <J usu-
ally 5.:{0-5.r)0 ; extent 9.00-9.50; wing
2.07-2.75; 9 ustuilly 5.00-5.80; extent
8.75-9.00; wing 2.50-2.67. Ordinarily,
bill about 0.40 ; tarsus, middle toe and claw
together ] .50. Fall and winter sjiecimens
much more brightly ccdorod than spring
and summer ones ; the young yiarticularly
having much ochrey or butty suffusion, in-
stead of clean c(dors, more brown and bay, instead of dusky and gray. It is not easy for an un-
practiseil jierson to discriminate the small sparrows, and so variable a one as this offers special
ditticulty ; attention to the points oiform as well as of C(dor is requisite. North Anier. at large,
chieHy Eastern, very abundant everywhere in fields, on plains, by the wayside, and along the
sea-shore ; a thoroughly terrestrial bird, migratory, and in the fall somewhat gregarious. Has
an agreeable though weak song in tin; spring. Winters at least from Middle States southward,
and breeds at least from New England to highest latitudes. Ne.st sunken in ground flush
with surface, of a few grasses and weed-stalks; eggs 4-0, 0.70 X 0.50, varying interminably
in their motley cidoring ; usually heavily clouded and blotched with dark brown ; most like
those of Poacetes, but smaller.
P. 8. aUiidl'nus. (Lat. (ilaiidinus, lark-like ; no applicability.) Lark Savanna Sparrow.
So similar to the last as only to be distinguished by rather duller and paler coloration on an
average, and weaker bill, about 0.85 long by 0.20 decj) at the base. If the " savanna spar-
row" be split into several races, this may possibly be allowed with the rest. Western U. S.
P. 8. anthi'nus. (Lat. anthimis, pipit-like ; no applicability.) PiPiT SAVANNA Sparrow.
A form from the Pacific marshes, especially the coast of Cala., better marked than the last.
Bill as long as in savana, but slenderer ; under parts more sharply, closely, darkly and
extensively streaked. Yellow eyebrow and bend of wing quite as well marked as in saratiO^
and therefore contrasting with the paler and grayer alaiidinus with which it is associated.
230. P. rostra'tus. (Lat. rostratus, beaked ; . rostrum, beak.) Bkaked Savanna Sparrow.
San Diego Savanna Sparrow. Sea-shore Sparrow. . With the form of a Savanna, but
the bill elongated as in Ammodramus, yet very stout and turgid, with decidedly convex
220.
228.
Fro. 227. — Common Savanna Sparrow, reduced,
pard del. Xicliolg tie. )
(Shcp-
864
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES.
culiiii'n 0.50 lonj?. No yollowisli ovor oyo or on t'di^o of wiuK ; no cvidrnt median Btripo on
crown. Hrowni.Hh-griiy, obsolctcly strcukpil with diirk brown, most notici>ulil(! on crown and
middle of bacli; entire under parts dull wliite, contluently streaked witli clear brown every-
wlicre except on throat, middle of belly, and crissnm. Wings and tail dusky-gray, tho
rectrices with paler edges, the |)riniaries with whiti.sh edges, the wing-coverts and secondaries
broadly edged and tipped with grayish-bay. An obscure whitish superciliary line, liill light
brown, under man<lil)le paler or yellowish ; legs pale. Length ,5.23 ; wing 2.50-2.75 ; tail 2.00.
Pacific coast, U. S., especially California ; u curious species, ccanmou, nmritime, representing,
with var. (iittliiiius, tho Ammoilrnmi in the marshes of tho seashore.
231. r. Kutta'tus. (Lat. {/Httatiis, spotted; gittta, a drop.) St. LtrcAS Savanna Spakuow.
liill shaped as in rustratiia, rehitively as stout, but snuiller ; culmen 0.45; depth at base 0.25.
IJird smaller: pattern of coloration tho same, but tone darker; streaking of the under parts
8lnii'i)er, heavier, and darker. Instead of tho light brownish-gray of rostmtu8 the upper parts
are hero dark, almost olivaceous, brown, so that the dark streaking of the crown and inter-
8ca])ulars is less noticeable. Tho same difference characterizes tho under parts. Cape St.
Lucas.
0ns. There is a sparrow of tho L. Cala. Gulf coast and islands like gitttatus : larger;
wing 2.75 ; bill 0.50, at base 0.150 deep, thus as largo as that of rosiratus, but regularly conic,
with straight culnion suddeidy deflected at end, and j)erfectly straiglit connnissure; up)ier
mandiblo and tip of lower blackish; rest apparently yellowish. An it. sp. f P. sanctorum
N., Mus. S. L, San Benito Isl. (See Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus., March, 1S83, p. 5:i8.)
7Q. POCK'CETES. (Gr. irdri, ^wc, grass ; o«Wn/s, oikctes, an inhabitant.) Gha.s.s Sparrows.
Bill moderate, culmen, gcmys and commissure nearly straight. Wings long, hmger than tail,
tij) formed by first 4 (piills ; inner secondaries somewhat elongate, less so than in Passerculus.
Tail emarginate, with rather broad firm feathers, not acuminato at ends. Tareus about as long
as middle too without claw; lateral toes of about equal lengths, their claws scarcely reaching
base of middle claw; hind claw as usual, not longer than its digit. Plumage thickly streaked
everywhere above, on sides below and across breast; bend of wing chestnut; 1-3 outer tail
feathers white ; crown without light median stripe ; no trace of yellow anywhere.
232. P. grami'neus. (Lat. £rra/HJHe«s, applied to a grass-loving bird; gramen, fcnxss. Fig. 228.)
-_ .. _ ..- . Grass Finch. Bay-winoed Bunting.
Vksi'ER-riri). Above, grayish-brown,
closely and uniformly marked with dusky-
centred bn>wn-edged streaks, and further
variegated by palo gray edging of tho
feathers. Crown (piite like back, though
tho marking is in smaller pattern ; super-
ciliary lino and eye-ring whitish. Under
])arts dull white, usually noticeably buff-
tinged in the streaked areas, thickly streaked
across breast and along sides with dusky-
centred brown-edged streaks, anteriorly
tending to concentrate in lateral chains
bounding the white throat ; above this
FIG. 228. -Bay- winged Bunting, reduce.!. (Sheppard chain a maxillary brown Stripe ; auriculars
del. Nichols sc.) varied with light and dark brown. Quills
fuscous, the longer ones with grayish-whito edging, tho secondaries and greater and median
coverts with broad firm brown and white edges and tips ; lesser coverts bright chestnut, whence
the name " bay-winged." Outer tail-feather largely or wholly white, next pair or two pairs
largely white in decreasing amount. Upper mandible brown; lower, and the feet, flesli-
233.
77.
234
FlilNOILLWJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPAUIIOWS, ETC.
iW't
«!(.Iorc(lor yellowish. Loiiirtli 5.75-fi.2r) ; extent 10.00-10.50 ; wiiiR 2.80-.'».2ri ; tail 2.25-2.75.
North Ainer. at lar^e, hreediiig throughout itti range, hut jmrthilly niigriitory, chicHy nextiuf;
northward, and wintering Hoiithward. A large, stout, fiill-ehested !<iiarrow of jilain a])))earauee,
hut recognized on sight hy the hay hend of the wing and white lateral tail feathers, — the latter
consi>i('uous as it flies. Very ahundant in fields, along roailsides ; terrestrial, gregarious to
Some (>xtent when not hrccding. N<-st siniken in the groinid, hulky, thick-riuuucd, dee|dy
eupped ; eggs t-O, heavily coh)red, as in 1'. savana, O.SO X O.CO; two or throe broods may ho
reared. One of the sweetest songsters among the i<jiaiTows.
233. P. g. confl'nia. (Lat. cow^'nis, near.) Wkstekn Gkass Fiscii. The paler, grayer form from
the dry western regions.
77. COTURNl'CULUS. (Lat. coturnix, a quail; coturniculus, a little quail.) Gkashiiopi'KU
Si'ARiiows. Bill (in iHtsserinuH and hendowi) short and stout, with eurved euliuen (in
lecoiitii slenderer and more elongate)- Wings extremely short and rounded, so that the inner
seeondaries reach nearly to the tip when closed, without special elongation on their i)art. Tail
of variahle length according to species, weak, of narrow, lanceolate feathers, in one species very
tajiering and acuminate. Feet stout, much as in AmiiKHlmmita. I'lunuige greatly variegated ;
huffy tints conspicuous on under jmrts. Contains 3 remarkahly distinct X. Am. species of queer
little sparrows of grass, weeds, and reeds, with another of S. Am. (f. mimimlic). They sliow
a greater range of variation in form than our finical modern genera usiuilly allow, and shade
through C. lecontii into Ammodramxts. The name is appropriate; C. imsserinus curiously
resemhles a quail in miniature.
Annljinia q/* Species.
Tail sliortertlian wings; outstrctclied foet reacliiiig toor beyond ttsend. Bill stout, brown. Adult notcvl-
dently atrcakcd below jKimiirhiiiii 234, 285
Tnil cnuiil to wings. Slinrii maxillary, iMJCtornl and lateral strcakH. Hill stout, brown . . . Intmloiri 23ff
Tall longer than wings ; outstretched feet not reaching Its end. Bill slender, bluish. Sharp lateral without
liectoral or maxillary streaks Immtil "2X1
234. C. passerl'nus. (Lat. passcrinns, si)arrow-like. Fig. 220.) Yki.low-vvin(ii:i) Si'auhow.
Qi:ail Spauuow. Grasshopper Spakhow. $ <} , aAwXI: Edge of wing conspicuously yel-
low; lesser wing-coverts greenish-yellow; a
yellow loral spot; short line over eye htiffy-
yellow. Crown with median stripe of jtale
hrownish-yellow. Below, ochraceousor pale
huff w tawny, fading to whitish on helly, not
evidently streaked, though a few dark touches
ma^ appear (m sides of hn^ast. Above, sin-
gularly variegated with black, gray, yellow-
ish-brown and a peculiar purplish-bay, in
short streaks an<l specks ; the crown being
nearly black with sharp median brownish-
yellow stripe, the middle of the back chiefly
black with bay and brownish-yellow edgings
of the feathers, the cervical region and rump
chiefly bay and gray. When the feathers
are not disturbed, the peculiar pattern of the
cervical region separates that of the crown
and back ; the markings extend on the sides
of the neck, but the sides of the head are pard del. Nichols so.)
plain, like the under parts. Wing-coverts and inner secondaries variegated in intricate pattern,
the general effect like the back. Primaries and tail-feathers plain dusky, with narrow light edg-
ings ; outer tail-feathers paler, but not white. Feet flesh-colored. Small : length 4.80-5.25 ;
Fio. 229 — Yellow-wlngeil Sparrow, reduced. (Shcp-
866
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSERES — OSCJNES.
extent 8.00-8.50; wiiij; 2,25-2.50; mil 2.00 or less, Hhortcr than wiiiK, (lutstrt'tclicd fi>ot
reacliiii^ Itcytnul it ; miimlctl or ratlicr douljlt'-riiiiiiilcd at end, tlic fnitluTs narrow and lanei--
olate. llili very stout and full. In autumn, IVcsli-moultcd birdu arc as nsnal rudicr in ndor,
tho nnu'kin^H more Mended and diB'uHe, the fore parts below and the sides rieh huffy lirown, in
whicli va^ue lijfhter and thirUer niarltings usually aj>|tear. Young: before ilie moult, uro
whitish below, with decided dusUy maxillary and pectoral streaks, thus resembling C. heiislowi.
Eastern U. S. and Canada, but not far north ; breeds tliroughont its range ; resident in tho
Southern Htates, elsewhere a migrant and summer visitant. Abundant in the rank herbagi^ of
<dd ticdds, but less fre(inently (d)served than it would bo did it not hide so jHTsisteiitly in the
herbage; has a peculiar chirring note, like a grasshopjter's ; nests on tho ground; eggs i-5,
crystal white, tlecked with reddish-brown, 0.72 x 0.(U.
23S. C p, pcrpul lidiis. (Lat. perjmUkhis, very i)ale.) Hi.KAciiKn Yki,U)W-WIS(1ed Hpakuow.
S)M'cimeiis from <lry western regions are ])aler and grayer ; less black and more slaty-gniy
on the upper parts, the ochrey crown stripe and edgings of the dorsal feathers, as well as tho
under parts generally, paler.
330. <'. Iieu'slowi. (To I'rof. J. S. Henslow, of Englan<l.) Hkn8IX»w's OiiASSiioppKii Si-ahkow.
Somewhat resembling a youmj V. passeriiiiis. Under parts whitish, tinged .strongly along the
whole sides, across the breast, and on the flaidts and crissum with butt", all these butt" i>arts
sharply and distinctly streaked with blackish in tine pattern; the pectoral streaks connecting
along tho sides of neck with decided black nntxillary stripes. The brownish-yellow shade is
very variable in extent and intensity, but it usually leaves only the throat and belly decidedly
wliiti.sh. Dround-cohir of head and hind neck iv jieculiar i)ale <dive-gray, with a decided
greenish-yellow tinge; top of head with broad lateral blackish stripes, continued on the cervix
in much smaller pattern, divided by a greenish-brownish-yellow median stripe. The peculiar
color of the hind ;.ick e.xtending far aroinid on siiU's of neck, and sides of head of much tho
same tint; a Ijl^u-kish post-ocular stripe bounding the auriculars above; below and anterior to
them a black maxillary stripe starting from the angle of tin* mouth ; below this usiuilly other
maxillary streaks ; dark specks often behind auriculars. Dorsal and scapular feathers with
broad black central field, then broadly chestnut, then mostly narrnwly edged with whitish,
these nnu'kiiigs in bold pattern, and contrasting with the peculiar greenish-gray cervical region
with its fine black streaks. Edge of wing yellow. Greater wing-coverts and most of the
secondaries ctdored to correspond with the back, the closed wing showing chiefly chestnut with
the black field of the three innermost secondaries. Tail-feathers extremely narrow and acute,
brown, the inner at least with long blacki.sh shaft stripe, and reddish-brown on inner webs.
Bill brownish, usually <[nite dusky above, pale below ; feet pale. Length scarcely 5.00 ;
extent 7.50 ; wing and tail, each, 2.00-2.10; bill from extreme base of cuhnen 0.15 ; 0..S0 dcH'p
at base; tarsus or middle too and claw 0.()5. Eastern U. S., strictly, N. to New England,
not very connnoidy ; W. to Nebraska. Not abundant on the whole, nor easily <diserved.
Common about Washington, where it breeds, in fields and meadows; nest ou the ground, in
tufts of grass. Eggs 4-5, greenish-white, profusely speckled with reddish, 0.75 X 0.57.
837. C. lecon'tii. (To Maj. J. Le Conte, of Philadelphia.) Lk C()STe'.s Grasshopper Sparrow.
Le Coxte's BtJXTiNO. (J 9 , adult : Hill smaller and slenderer than in either of the foregoing,
dark honi-bluo above, paler bluish below ; iris black. Tail long, decidedly exceeding tho
wings when full grown, and remarkably graduated ; lateral feiithers i-i inch shorter than tho
central pair ; all extremely narrow, tapering, and acuminate, even more so than in tho sliarp-
tiiiled finch (AmmodratuKS caudacutus) ; outstretched feet not reaching to its end. Wings
short and much rounded; primaries in closed wing hardly J inch longer than secondaries.
Length 4.90-5.10; extent 0.90-7.10; wing 1.90-2.00; tail 2.00-2.25 or a little more; bill
0.40 ; tarsus 0.67. No trace of yellow on bend of wing, nor any yellow loral spot. No bl>>"k
maxillary or pectoral streaks ; markings of under parts confined to sparse, sharp, blackish
FRINGILLWjE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
307
strpiikB cm tlie huIob. Geiicriil roloriition iixiro nr Ichh bntf, accunliiig to ii^o iiinl KraHon.
Crown with Itliick lutcriil MtrijH's, t*f|iiii'uti'(l by ii wliitixh Htripe brciiiiiiiii; oclircy un t'orclicitd.
biili'M ofhi'iul liiitf, brif^litvtit on tlio Ioiik broad Mupcrciliary lini', enclosing i*laty-^ray auricnlurx,
wliiuli uru bonliTi'd ubovu by a bliu-k poHt-ocular line, winu'tinii-H cliiotly apix-arin^ as a dark Kpcck
behind them. Cervical featiieru bay, bhick-uhafted and wliitiab-rdKcd, ionniug a <liHtinct inter-
val botwoeu iiiarkiugHof back and crown. Dorsal featlierx in bold pattern, with black terminal
central field, littlo rufous and much whitish or buffy edging ; streaking extending on rump and
upper tail-coverts. Wing-coverts and inner secondaries cidored bohlly to correspond witii tho
back. Under parts buffy-wliite, sometimes (piite whitish, again much more buffy, with season,
usually <|uite buff with only belly whitish. Fresh moulted fall birds are often entirely deep
buff below, excepting the belly, which is white, in nuirked contrast. Young : iiill stiJI smaller,
reddish-brown instead of bluish ; general ct)lor buff above, whitish below, more or less buffy ou
breast and sich-s ; nuirkings of upper parts black, without the bay and brown variegation, except
on wings and tail, which are nearly as in the adults ; sparse black streaks of under parts usually
appearing across breast as well aa on sides. An interesting, h)iig-hist species, recently redis-
covered : Yellowstone K. (Auiliibvn, 1843) ; Texas (Linceaim) ; Dakota {Couvs, 187;}) ;
Illinois (iVe/won, 1873); Iowa {Nciiton, lS7o) ; Minnesota (7'/|^a)ii/, 1878) ; .South Candinal
{Loomix, 1881.) Approaching Animodraiiiiis cnudacitlus in many respects, and iiduibiting
similar resorts in the interior. Xest and eggs still unknown.
78. AMMO'DIIAMUS. (Gr. (T/i/uor, amnios, mud ; bpanflu, dniiiieiu, U) run.) Sea-siuk Hvah-
Itows. Hill renuirkably slender and lengthened for this family, with culmeu decurved toward
end, gonys straight, and sometimes an
evident hd>ation of the cutting edge of
the upper nuuidible. Wings short and
rounded, yet longer than tail ; inner sec-
ondaries, though not elongate, reaching
nearly to end of primaries when wing
is closed ; point fonued by !jd-4th quills.
Feet large and stout, reaching out-
stretched about to end of tail ; tarsus
about etpnil to nuddlu toe and claw in
length ; lateral toes of e<[ual lengths,
very short, their claws underreaching
base of middle claw. Tail shorter or
not hmger than wings, much rounded,
of narrow, stittish, sharp-pointed feath-
ers. Embracing snuill streaky marsh
sparrows, especially of tho sea-coast,
but not exclusively maritime, as long
supposed ; remarkable for slonderness
of the bill, sharp narrow tail-feathers, and stout feet fitted for grasping slender swaying reeds.
Edge of wing bright yellow ; a yellow spot or buff stripe ou head ; upper parts olive-gray or
quite blackish, streaky.
Analysis qf Species.
Lural spot nnil cdgo of wing bright yellow.
Upper purts oUve-gray obscurely streaked marilimtts 238
Upper parts quite blacklsU niqrescens 239
A long buff superciliary stripe caudacutus 240-241
238. A. mari'tlmus. (Lat. mart<tm«s, maritime, coast-wise; mare, tho sea. Fig. 230.) Sea-side
Finch. Olive-gray, obscurely streaked on back and crown with darker and paler ; below, whit-
ish, often washed with browniijh, shaded on sides with color of buck, and with ill-defined dark
Fin 230 - -Generic details of .<4n>m(»jrainu<i (A. caudaculus),
nat. size. (Ad. nnt. del. E. C.)
8()8
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEBES— OSCINES.
streaks on broast and sides ; maxillary stripes of the same ; wings and tail plain dusky, with
slight olivaceous edgings ; •wing-coverts and inner quills somowhat margined with brown ;
edg(! of wing bright yellow ; a bright f/eUow spot on lore, and often some vague brownish and
dusky markings on side of head ; hill ])hnnbeoHS, or dark horn-blue ; feet dark. Length 5.75-
C.25; extent 8.50; wing 2.25-2.50; tail about 2.00. Keeognizablo on sight by the bright
yellow edge of wing and loral sjiot, M'ith little varied olive-gray upper parts. Salt marshes of
the Atlantic and Gtdf coast ; abundant. North to Massachusetts ; breeds throughout its range,
and resident in the south, but screened from casual (d)sen-ation by the nature of its haunts and
habits. Nest in a tus.sock of grass just out of water; eggs 0.75 X 0.55, grayish-white, thickly
and pretty evenly marked.
230. A. III. nigres'cens. (Lat. nigrescent, growing black.) Flokida Sea-side Fixcn. Like
A. maritimus; rather snniUer bodied, though members not shorter, aii.d consi)icuously different
in color, being almost entirely black and
white. Upper parts sooty-black, slightly
variegated with slate-colored edgings of tho
feathers, and soinoj)ale gray edgings of tho in-
terscajiulars. IJelnw white, heavily streaked
with blacki.sh everywhere excepting on the
tiiroat and middle of belly. A bright yellow
loral spot, and bend of the Aviiig bright yid-
low (both very conspicuous in the black
plumage). "\Viiig-(inills blackish, the inner
.secondaries (jiiitc bhick ; all narrowly edged
with browni.sh. Tiiil black, Avith gray edg-
ings of the feathers, — the.'io edgings tending
to form scallops -rith the black central field.
Hill and f'et as in ^1. maritimus. A curi-
ous local race, resident in Florida.
840. A. raiidacu'tus. (Lat. w«rfo, tail; n«<<((.s,
sharp. Fig. 231.) Sharp-tailed FiXCll. Fio. 231.-Sca-8l.Ie Finch, reduced. (Sheppard del.
Olive-gray, sharply streaked on the back Nli'lml" si;)
with blackish and whitish, less so on the rump with blackish alone. Crown darker than nape,
with brownish-black streaks, tending to fonu lateral stripes and obscure olive-gray median line;;
no yellow loral spot, but long line <iver eye and sides of head rich buff or orange-l)rown, enclos-
ing olive-gray auriculars and a dark speck behind them, or dark post-ocular strijie over them.
Olive-gray of cervix extendhig around on sides of neck. I$elow, white; the fore parts and
sides tinged with yellowish-brown or buff of variable intensity, the breast and sides shaqdy
streaked with dusky. Greater coverts and inner ,»iecondaries witli blackish field toward their
ends, broadly margined with rusty brown and whitish. Tail-feathers brown, with du.sky shaft-
strij)es and tendency to "water" with crosswise wavy bars. Bill blackish above, i)ale or
not below, feet brown. Coloration in spring and summer clearer and jialer, in fall and in
young birds more brightly and extensively buff. Rather smaUer than A. maritimus; bill still
slenderer, and tail-feathers still narrower and more acute. Length 5.10-5.50; extent 7.50;
wing 2.25 ; tail 2.00; bill 0.15-0.50; tarsus, or middle toe and claw, 0.75. Salt marshes of
the Atlantic and Gulf States, N. abundantly to Maine ; range similar to that of A. maritimus,
but on tho whole more northerly, especially in the breeding season ; nest and eggs similar and
scarcely distinguishable.
841. A. c. neVsoni. (To E. W. Nelson, of Illinois.) Similar to the last, but smaller, with
bill slenderer and longer; e.dors brighter and markings more sharply defined. Fresh marshes
of Illinois and other j)ortious of tho Mississippi Valley at large ; N. probably to Canada.
79.
FRINGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
3G9
79. MELOSPI'ZA. (Gr. fxiXos, melos, song, melody, and enrtfa, spiza, naino ot" some Fiuch in Aris-
totle). 8()N(i SPAKKOW8. IJill moderate, conic, without special turgidity or compression, ont-
lines of culmen, connnissure, gonys and sides nearly or abont straight. Wings short and nuich
rounded, folding little 1/eyond base of tail ; 1st primary quite short ; point of wing formed by Sd,
dth, and 5tli, supported closely by 2d and Cth ; inner secondaries not chnigated. Tail long,
about equalling or rather exceeding the wings, nnich rounded, with firm feathers broad to their
rounded ends. Feet moderately stout ; tarsus scarcely or not longer than middle toe and claw ;
lateral toes slightly unequal, outer the longer, its claw scarcely or not reaching base of middle
claw. Embracing a large number of middle-sized and large sparrows, without a trace of yellow
anywhere, and of brownish-yellow only in M. lincohii; upper parts, including crown, thickly
streaked; under parts white or ashy, thickly streaked across breast and along sides (excepting
adult M. palustris). No bright color anywhere, and no colora in masses. The type of the genus
is the familiar and beUivcd song sparrow, — a
bird of constant characters in the East, but which
in the West is split into numerous geographical
races, some of them looking so different from
typical fasciata that they have been considered
as distinct specic^s, and even placed in other gen-
era. This difl'erentiation affects not only the
color, l)iit the size, relative proportion of parts,
and particularly the shape of the bill; and it is
sometimes so great, as in case of 31. citierea, that
less dissimilar-looking birds are commonly as-
signed to different genera. Nevertheless, the
gradation is complete, and effected by impercep-
tible degrees. Some Northwestern forms of
great size and dark colors arc easily discrimi-
nated, but there are U. S. birds from Atlantic to
Pacific which are not readily told ajtart. The
student should not be discouraged if a subject (Sheppanl del. Nichols sc.)
which has tried the chiefs perplexes him ; nor must he expect to find drawn on paper hard and
fast lines which do not exist in nature. The curt antithetical expressions used in constructing
the analysis of species and varieties necessarily exaggerate the case, and are only true as indi-
cating the typical style of each ; plenty of specimens lie " between the lines" as written. In
going over a large .series of Western song sparrows — specimens picked to illustrate types of
style rather than connecting links, it still seems to me tliat distinctions have been somewhat
forced; and that, also, different degrees of variation are thrown out of proper perspective by
reducing all the forms to the same varietal plane. Thus, the differences between cinerea
and all the rest, or between rufina and fasciata, are nuich greater than between rufina and
guttata for instance, or between fallax and fasciata. In any outline of the genus the curves and
angles indicated by Baird in 1838 are as far as they go nicer qualificaticms than the dead-level'
varieties later in vogue. The several degrees of likeness and unlikeness may be thrown
into true relief better by some such expressions as the following than by formal antithetical
phrases: — 1. The common eastern bird slightly modified in the arid interior into the duller
colored 2. fallax. This, in the Pacific water shed, more decidedly modified by dee])er
c(doration, — broader black streaks in 3. heermanni, with its diminutive local race 4. samuelis,
and more ruddy shades in 5. gutcata northward increasing in intensity, with increased size,
in 6. rufina. Then the remarkable 7- cinerea, insulated much further apart than any of
the others. A former i\merican school would probably have made four "good species."
1. fasciata; 2. samiielis; 'i. rufina; 4. cinerea. The jiresent British school might perhaps
24
Fia. 232. — Liiiculii'ii Soiig-Sparrow reduced.
870
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEHES— OSCINES.
handle them as 1. fasciata and fallax, with a, heermanni; 2. samuelis; 3. nifina, with a,
guttata. 4. cinerea.
Analysis of Species and Varieties.
Breast streaked, and with a transverse belt of brownisli-yellow; tall nearly equal to wings . . lincohii 242
Breast ashy, unbelted, with few streaks, or none ; tail about equal to wings palustris 243
Breast white, or brownish-white, with numerous streaks ; tall usually longer than the wings, both rounded.
Thickly streaked above, on sides, and across breast fasciata and its varieties 244-200
The streaks distinct, decidedly blackish-centred (in breeding plumage).
Tone of upper parts grayish-brown or reddish-gray. Streaked from head to tall. Dorsal streaks black,
rufous, and grayish-white. Wing MiO; tail under 3.00. Eastern N. A fasciata 244
Tone of upper parts gray. Streaks obsolete on rump. Dorsal streaks narrowly blackish and grayisli-
whlte, with little rufous. Tail about 3.00. Southern Rocky Mt. region fallax 245
Tone of upper parts ashy-gray. Streaks obsolete on rump. Dorsal streaks broadly black, with little
rufous and scarcely any graylsh-whltc. Size of the first. California heermanni 248
Tone of upper parts olive-gray. Streaks on rump and upper tail-coverts. Dorsal streaks as in the
last. Very small. Wing 2.25; tail 2.50. Coast of California samuelis 249
The streaks difnise, not black-centred nor whitish-edged. Bill slender. Pacific, coastwise.
Tone of upper i)art8 rufous-brown. Streaks above and below dark rufous. Medium-sized ; wing 2.60 ;
tail under 3.00. Pacific coast, U. S. and British Columbia ijiitlata 246
Tone of upi>er parts olive-brown. Streaks sooty. Larger; wing and tail about 3.00. Pacific coast,
British Columbia and Alaska riijinn 247
Tone of upper parts dark cinereous. Streaking reddish-brown. Largest; wing and tail 3.25 or more
cinerea 250
842. M. Un'colnl. (To Robert Lincoln. Fig. 232.) Lixcoln's SoxG Sparrow. ,? , ? : IJelow,
white, with a broad brownish-yellow belt across bren-st, the sides of tlie body and neck, and the
crissuni, washed with the same ; extent and intensity of this buff very variabht, olten leaving
only chin, throi.t, and belly purely white, but a pectoral band is always evident. All the bufl'y
parts shaiply and thickly streaked with dusky. Above, gi-ayish-brown, witii numerous .sharp
black -centred, brown-edged streaks. Top of head ashy, with a i)air of dark brown black-
streaked stripes ; or, say, top f)f head brown, streaked with black, and witli median and hiteral
ashy stripes. Below the superciliary ashy stripe is a narrow dark brown one, running from eye
over ear; auriculars also bounded below by an indistinct dark brown .stripe, below wliich and
behind the auriculars the parts are suffused witli buff. Wings with inucli rufous-brown edging
of all the quills ; inner secondaries and coverts liaving quite black central fields, with broad hay
edging, becoming whitish toward their ends. Tail brown, the feathers with ]>ale edges, and
tne central pair at least with dusky shaft-stripes. Bill blackisli, lighter below; feet brownisli.
Length 5.50-6.00; extent 7.75-8.25; wing and tail, each, about 2.50, the latter rather shorter.
Tliere is little variatittn in color, except as above said. Fall specimens are usually most huffy.
Very young: Before the fall moult, birds of the year are much browner above, with consider-
able brownish-yellow streaking besides the black markings ; top of head quite like back, the
ashy stripes not being established ; whole under parts brownish-yellow, merely ])aler on throat
and belly, dusky-streaked throughout. North Am. at large; a peculiar species, not so well
known as it might be, less numerous in tlie Atlantic States than in the interior and west ; and
keejting very close in shrubbery. Migratory ; winters in the South ; breeds at least from N. Y.
and N. England to Arctic regions, and in the West S. at least to Mts. of Colorado. Nesting
like that of the song sparrow, and eggs not distinguishable with certainty.
343. M. palus'tris. (Lat. paliistris, swampy ; pahis, a swamp. Fig. 233.) Swamp Soxo Spar-
row. (J 9 , perfect plumage : Crown bright chestnut, blackening on forehead, the red cap and
black vizor as conspicuous as in a chipping sjiarrow; but oftener, crown with obscure median
ashy line, and streaked with black. An ashy-gray superciliary line ; a dark brown postocular
stripe, bordering the auriculars ; sides of head ashy, with grayish-brown auriculars, dusky
speckling on cheeks and lores, and slight dusky maxillary spots or streaks. An asliy cervical
C(dlar separating the chestnut crown from the back, sometimes pure, oftener interrupted with
blackish streaks. The general ash of the sides of head and neck spreads all over the breast
214
FBINGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC. 371
214.
and under parts, fading to whitish on throat and belly ; the sides, flanks, and crissum marked
with brown, and obsoletcly streaked with darker brown. Hack and rump brown, rather darker
than sides of body, boldly variegated with black central streaks of the feathers and their pale
brown or grayish edges. Wings so strongly edge<l with bright bay as to appear almost uni-
formly brownish-red when closed; but inner secondaries and greater coverts showing some
black and whitish besides the bay. Tail likewise strongly edged with bay, and usually showing
sharp black shaft lines. Thus well marked by the emphasis of black, bay, and ash. Length
5.40-5.80, usually 5. GO ; extent 7-50-8.00 ; wing and tail, each, 2.20-2.40. Varies little except
as above noted, and in extent and intensity of the ash on fore and under parts. In birds of the
first autumn, the crown may be <iuite blackish, with little chestnut and an ashy median stripe.
Very young birds may be conspicuous-
ly streaked below, and a few streaks
may persist on the sides of the breast.
North Amer. at large, W. to Utah, N.
to Hudson's Bay and Labrador, but
chiefly Eastern U. S. and Canada;
breeding at least from New England
northward, wintering entirely in the
Southern States. Abundant, but a
timid recluse of shrubbery, swamp,
and brake, and seldom seen by the^>'o-
famim vuhjus; a good musician, like
all the genus. Nesting and eggs like
those of the song sparrow.
M. fascia'ta. (Lat. /rt.sciafrt, bundled
together ; fascis, a bundle of rods ; fas-
ciii, a band; whence fasciata, banded,
stri)ied ; the allusion not to the body-
streaks, but to the t)bsolete bands on
the tail-feathers. Fig. 234.) Soxc.
Spakuow. SiLVEn-TOXGiK. Below,
Fio. 233. — Swanij) So!ig Sparrow,
Nichols 8C.)
reduced. (Slieppard del.
white, slightly shaded with brownish on the flanks and crissum ; with numerous black-centred,
brown-edged streaks across breast and along sides, usually forming a pectoral blotch and
coalescing into maxillary stripes bounding the wliite throat ; crown dull bay, with fine black
streaks, divided in the middle and bounded on either side by ashy-whitish lines ; vague brown
or dusky and whitish markings on the sides of the head ; a brown post-ocular stripe over the
gray auriculars, and another, not so well defined, from angle of mcath below the auriculars ;
the interscapular streaks black, with bay and ashy-white edgings ; rump and cervix grayish-
brown, with merely a few bay nutrks ; wings with dull bay edgings, the coverts and inner ([nills
marked liise the intcrscaj)ulars ; tail plain brown, with darker shaft lines, on the middle feathers
at least, and often with cd)8olete transverse wavy markings. Very constant in plumage, the
chief differences being in the sharpness an<l breadth of the markings, due in part to the wear of
tlie feathers. In worn midsummer plumage, the streaking is very sharp, narrow, and black,
from wearing of the rufous and whitish, especially observable below where the streaks contrast
with white, and giving the impression of heavier streaking than in fall and winter, when, in
fresher feather, the markings are softer and more suffuse. The aggregation of spots into a
blotch on the middle of the breast is usual. Bill dark brown, paler below ; feet pale lirown.
Length 5.90-G.50, usually 6.30; extent 8.25-9.25, usually 8.50-9.00; wing 2.40-2.75, usually
about 2.60 ; tail nearer 3.00. 9 averaging near the lesser dimensions, but the species re-
markably constant in size, form, and coloring. Eastern U. S. and Canada, breeding thnuigh-
'
li
Ji
?u
372
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSEIiES— OSCINES.
out its range, wintering nearly throughout ; one of the common winter sparrows of the Midtllo
States. A very abundant bird everywhere in shrubl)ery and tangle, garden, orchard, and park,
as well as swamp and brake. A hearty, sunny songster, whose quivering pipe is often tuned
to the most dreary scenes; the limpid notes being one of the few snatches of bird melody that
enlivens winter. Nesting various, in a bush near the ground, or a grass tuft, or on the gnmud :
eggs 4-0, 0.75-0.85 X 0.55-0.60, greenish or grayish-white, endlessly v.iried with browns, from
reddish to chocolate as sui-face-markings, and lavender or jjurjdish shell-markings, either
speckled, blotched, or clouded : no general eflect describable in few words. Two or three
broods may b(! reared.
245. M. t. fal'lax. (Lat. fallax, fallacious, deceitful : well named.) Gray Song Sparrow.
E.xtremely .simihir; the first and least departure from /nsciVi^rt, and scarcely distinguishable ;
tail rather longer ; tone of upjjer parts paler,
gi'ayer ; the streaks not so obviously blackish
in the centre and with less rufous ; obsolete
(m rump. Southern Kocky Mt. region and
(ireat Basin.
248. M. f. heer'mannl. (To Dr. A. L. Heer-
maun.) H Hermann's Song Sparrow. Sim-
ilar : tone of uj)per parts grayish, the streaks
numerous, broad, distinct, with little rufitus
and mostly lacking pale edging, obsolete on
the rump. Size of fasciata. California.
249. M. f. sumue'Us. (To E. Samuels.) Samuels'
Song Sparrow. Similar to the last, in dis-
tinctness of the black streaks, wliich are not
obsolete on rump ; tone of upper jiarts ashy-
gray. Very small, scarcely 5.00; wing 2.00;
tail 2.30. California coast.
246. M. f. gutta'ta. (Lat. guttata, marked with
drop-like spots.) Oregon Song Sparrow.
Decidedly different. The streaking diffuse,
the streaks above and below dark rufous-
brown, without 'black centres or pale edges.
Coloration blended, the general tone ruddy;
under parts extensively shaded with brownish, except on belly. About the size of fasciata,
or rather larger. Pacific eoas^t, U. S. and IJritish Cidumbia. This form was recognized as dis-
tinct by Audubon, who wrongly called it Fringilla cinerea Gm. ; and by Nuttall, who named
it F. guttata, and compared it witli the fo.x sparrow, from its resemblance in color to I'nasereUa
Hiiica. ,
247. 31. f. rufl'na. (Lat. rufina, reddish.) RfSTY Song Sparrow. Quite like guttata; larger
and darker; tone of upper parts smoky-brown, the streaking very dark. Wing and tail about
3.00. Pacific coast, British Columbia and northward. (Combined by Baird with the last,
unth'r name of 31. rufina.)
250. M. eine'rea. (Lat. cinerea, a.shy.) Cisereoits Song Sparrow. Kadiak Song Sparrow.
Peculiar in size, 8ha])e, and color. Above, brownish slat<'-color, more rufous on wings, the
streaking broad and blended, very dark. Below, jdumbeous-whitish, shaded with brown on
sides, the streaks broad, diffuse, and dark. Spring and fall jdmnages differ much, but tin; bird
may be recognized by its great size. Length about 7-00 ; wing 3.30 ; tail 3.50 ; bill very long,
slender for its length ; culmen about 0.60 ; depth at base 0.30. Kadiak, Alaska ; Aleutian
Islands. (Fringilla cinerea Gm. M. in.signis Bd.)
Fio 234. — Song Sparrow, reduced. (Slieppard del.
NicliolK gc. )
8C
251
2.V-.
FRINGILLID^ : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC. 373
80. PEUC^'A. (Gr. ntvKfi, pence, a pino ; not well applied except to P. astivalis.) Simmer
Finches. IJill of moderate size, mther elongate-eonic, upper iiiaudilile declivous toward cud,
coniinissurc bent. Wings short and much rounded, folding little if any beyond base ((f tail, tlie
inner secondaries not elongated. Tail little or much longer than wing, much rounded, the
lateral feathers some i an inch shorter than tiie middle; of weak narrowly linear featluiii with
elliptically rounded ends. Feet small and weak, not reaching wlieu outstretched nearly tn end
of tail; tarsus about equal to middle too and claw; lateral toes equal, short, their claws not
nearly reaching base of middle claw. Adults scarcely or not streaked below ; crown chestnut
or (oftcner) quite like back, streaked with rusty-brown, black, and gray. A su])erciliary and
post-ocular stripe, but usually none running under auriculars; more or less distinct black
maxillary stripes. Edge of wing yellow (in most species. These nest on the ground and lay
white eggs).
Analysis of Species {ailults).
Edge of wing yellow. Crown not uniform chestnut ; no chestnut on lesser wing-coverts. INIaxillary stripes
slight. Nest on ground ; eggs white.
Broadly marked above with rufous streaks or blotches on ashy ground, with black centres of the
streaks on middle of back. Tall-feathers plain, or only with obscure whitish area . . o'stii-nliii 251-253
Marked above with pale brown black-centred streaks, these black centres enlarged transversely at
their ends on the middle of back. Tail-feathers shafted and barred with blackish, the outer broadly
edgcil and tipped with white casniiii 'JM
Edge of wing not yellow. Crown chestnut. Maxillary stripes heavy.
No chestnut on lesser wlng-K-'overts rujiceps 255-'.'5ri
A ciiestnut patch on lesser wing-coverts carpal is i;57
251. P. sestlva'Us. (hat. a;stivalis, Vike eestivus, swnmory ; «;stas, summer.) Bachman's Si'mmeu
Finch. Upper parts, including crown, continuously streaked with blackish, dull chestnut and
ashy-gray ; no yellow about head ; wing-coverts and inner secondaries marked like the back ;
edge and bend of wing yellow, as in Coturnkiilus passerinus. Helow, dull brownish-ash, or
brownish-gray, whitening on the belly, deepest on sides and across breast, nowhere obviously
streaked in adult plumage. Some obscure dusky ma.xillary streaks, some vague dusky niai-li-
ings on auriculars, a slight ashy superciliary line, and very obscure median ashy line on crown.
Hill dark above, pale behjw ; legs very pale ; lateral claws falling far short of base of middle
claw; hind claw much shorter than its digit ; tarsus not longer than middle toe and claw ; tail
much rounded, with obscure grayish-white area on the lateral feathers. Yoting have tiie breast
and sides evidently streaked. Length 5.75-6.20, average 5. 'JO; e.xtent 7.60-8.30, average 8.00;
wing 2.17-2.55, average 2.10 ; tail 2.25-2.68, avei-age 2.50. South Atlantic States, strictly,
and especially a bird of pine barrens, common in suitable localities ; a line songster. Nest on
the ground, of grasses; eggs 4, 0.75 X 0.60, pure white. As the first described si)ecios of tlie
genus, this has been used as a statulard of comparison ; but it is the most modified oft'shoot of a
geiuis which focusses in the Soutliwest and Mexico.
2i>2. P. 8e. lllinoen'sls. (Of Illinois.) Illinois Sijimer FiNCH. Oak-woods Sparrow. Above,
sandy-ferruginous, indistinctly streaked with light ashy-gray, the streak.s broadest on the back
and middle line of crown ; interscapulars sometimes with narrow black streaks. Wings light
ferruginous, the greater coverts less reddish and edged with paler ; inner secondaries dusky,
bordered at ends with pale reddish ash. Tail plain grayish-brown, with ashy edgings of the
feathers. Sides of head, neck, and body and breast (piite across, dingy buff-color, deepest on
breast, paler on throat and chin ; a post-ocular rusty-brown streak over the auriculars ; sides
of neck streaked with the same ; an indistinct dusky streak on side of throat ; belly dull white ;
erissum buff; edge of wing bright yellow; bill pale horn-color, darkest above; feet palo
brown; iris brown. Size of ffi.s^'w//i.v; wing a little longer, 2.35-2.60, average 2.50 ; tail 2.55-
3.80, average 2.70 ; bill thicker; black streaks of upper parts, instead of being generally dis-
tributed, few and confined to the interscapulars ; breast and sides more buffy. Illinois to
Texas. (Like tcsticalis proper, but quite different from any of th6 following forms.)
!
374
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES.
253. p. H>. arlzo'nae. (Of Arizona.) Auizona Simmkr Finch. With tt general likeness to P.
(Sstivalis, in pattern of coloration, streaking of all ujiper parts, similarity of back to crown,
yellow edge of wing, and plain tail feathers ; size same, wing and tail a trifle longer (as in
illhwensis). Colors duller and less variegated ; maxillary stripes oWurc or obsolete. Upper
parts light dull chestnut or reddish-brown, miulerately streaked with plunib(>ous-gray, hut
reddish tlie prevailing tone; interscapular feathers, and sometimes those of the crown, with
blackish centres; a poorly defined light superciliary stripe. Beneath, dull whitish, unstreaked,
the breast and sides with a decided ochrey-brown tinge. Wings dusky, the inner secondaries
darker and Mitii more conspicuous rusty-brown edgings than those of the longer (luilis, and also
some whitish edging or tipping. Hill blackish above, pale below; legs flesh color. Young :
above, streaked with blackish and yellowish-gray, showing little reddish ; under parts more or
less streaked witii dusky. Western Texas, New Mc'xico, Arizona and southward. (Tliis is
what I meant by P. var. casiiini of the orig. ed. of the Key ; but true cassini is entirely differ-
ent. Var. arizona is probably identical with Zonotrichia botterii Scl.)
254. P. cas'sini. (To John Cassin.) Ca.ssin''s Summer Fin'Cii. Belonging to the asfivnlia
group, with yellow edge of wing, and most resembling var. arizontc; but periectly distinct. A
peculiar character of marking raises groundless suspicion of immaturity. $ 9 , adult : Entire
ui)per parts, from bill to tail, alike in pattern of cidoration — a peculiarly intimate vari<'gatio)i
of ashy-gray, rufous-brown and blackish — the ruddy color occupying most of the feathers,
wiiich have a blackish central field and gray edging ; the blackish area on each feather, espe-
cially of the back, rump, and upjjcr tail-coverts, where it is most conspicuous, being hammer-
headed, or widened toward the end of the feather. Pattern of markings smallest on the cervix.
No special heail-markings, though then' is a tendency toward a lateral browner band on the
side of the crown; and browner post-ocular stripe, separated by a gray interval. A'ariegation
of the upper parts descending on sides of nec^k ; sides of head with some vague markings.
Innermost secondaries showing quite blackish in the general field of the n\i\>n- parts, and edged
all around with a firm border of ashy-white or hoary-white. Greater and middle coverts exactly
like the inner secondaries ; jjrimaries similar, but the edging uot so clear. Edge of wing clear
yellow, and somo of the least coverts tinged with this color. Tail curiously j)articolored ;
middle pair of feathers light grayish-brown, with a strong dusky shaft-line throwing oft" uuukm--
ous dusky cross-bars, so that these feathers seem "watered" with lighter and darker shades.
Other tail-feathers, except the outermost pair, are dusky-brown, with pale grayish-brown
terminal spots increasing in size from the inner feathers outward. On the outermost fi'ather
this pale gray space is very hirge, and rinnned all around with white. An indistinct maxillary
stripe on each side of the chin. A number of strong well-defined dusky strijies on tiie flanks ;
otherwise, entire nuder parts unmarked, and of :v dingy whiti.sh color, clearest on the belly and
throat, more grayish on the sides and across brea.st. Bill brown, pale below; feet i)ale.
Length f).00-('>.25 ; extent about 8.25; wing 2.50; tail 2.75. Young: Described as very
similar, but with a few drop-shaped streaks on the juguUnn and along sides ; feathers of upper
parts with a more ajtpreciable terminal border of bufl". Texas to California, N. to Kansas, S.
into Mexico. Habits, nest, and eggs as in P. astivnlis (eggs pure white).
255. P. ru'flceps. (Lat. ruficeps, red-headed.) RuFou.s-i'ROWNEO Simmku Fixcn. BeU)nging
to a difl'erent section of the genus, without any yellow on edge of wing as in the rcs^iraZjs group
and cassini. Lesser wing-coverts not chestnut as in P. cavpalis. Strong maxillary streaks.
$ 9 t atlult : Crown bright chestnut, in perfect condition bright and continuous, blackening
on forehead, where divided by a short whitish line (whole cap thus as in SpizeUu socialis or
Mclospiza pnlustris) ; crown, however, oftener streaked with olive-ash, especially along a
median dividing line, thus assimilating more nearly with colors of other upuer parts. An
obscure olive-ashy superciliary line, whitening over the lores. Back streaked with olive-ash and
chestnut-brown, the latter Bometimes distinct, as bold streaking with ashy edging of the
FRINGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPAliUOWS, ETC.
375
feathers, soiiietiines spreading almost to extinction of tlio ashy ; and the brown also varying in
shade from u kind of i)uri)lish-bay to light rusty-brown, aj)j)arently according to wear and tear
of the plumage. Wings and tail dusky, with varying amount of reddish-brown edgings of tlie
feathers. Under parts dull whitisli, strongly shaded with olive-gray or (dive-brown, jtaler on
belly, quite whitish on throat, which latter is bounded by strong blacl'. maxillary stripes. Size
of P. casshii, or rather less. Young : Crown like back ; under parts streaked with dusky,
especially the breast. California. Xest and eggs still imknown.
2,"»«. P. r. boucar'di. (To Adolphe IJoucard, a French c(dlector.) B()iTCAni>'8 Si'MMEu Finch.
From the typical Californiau ruficeps the Arizona bird is said to difl'er in being darker, more
brownish-plumbeous than olive-ash, the dorsal streaks scarcely rufous, and with black shaft-
streaks. Few spaiTows, if any, vary more than the species of Peuaca, according t(j mere wear
of the feathers, indeperidently of any moult, and to some extent of season. Birds of very
difterent aspect result, and it is not clear how the present alleged variety differs from riificejys
proper. Obs. P. r. eremccca IJrown, Texas, seems scarcely ditt'crent. I'eiicaa seems to he,
like Jiinco, Melospiza, Passerella, etc., still unstable in its specific differentiations — to ho
" making species," in fact.
257. P. carpa'lis. (Lat. carpalis, relating to the carpus, or wrist-joint.) Uay-wisged Si'MMEu
Finch. Belonging to the section without yellow on edge of wing. Lesser wing-coverts
chestnut, forming a patch as conspicuous as in Powcetes or Auriparus. Strong black maxillary
stripes. Whole crown rufous, or dull bay, divided on fi>rehcad by a short pale stripe, and
bordered with a pale grayish-ash su[)erciliary stripe. Cervix like crown, but mixed with ashy-
gray. Middle of back and scapulars grayish-brown, mixed with a little bay, and shar|>ly
streaked with blackish ; lower back gray, with little or no black or brown. The general effect
of the upper parts, crown, and back, is like that of Sjuzella socuiUs. Wings and their greater
coverts dusky, with grayish-fulvous edging and tipping ; j>rimavies and tail-feathers with
whitish edging ; one or two outer tail-feathers white-tipped. Under parts white, shaded on
breast and sides with ashy, the throiit pure white, bounded on each side by a sharp black
maxillary stripe, above which is another dark line from angle of mouth. Bill apparently
reddish flesh color below, dusky above; feet pale brown, the toes rather darker. Length about
6.00; extent 8.50; wing 2.25-2.50; tail 2.75, graduated about 0.50; bill O.iO; tarsus 0.67.
Less mature : Crown less difterent from back, being streaked with ashy, blackisli, and rufous.
Very young : No chestnut on wing-coverts, and under parts streaked with dusky ; thus much
like the earliest stage of Spisella socialis; after this first stage the chestnut bend of the wing is
always conspicuous. Arizona ; a very distinct and curious species, lately discovered. Farther
peculiar in nesting in bushes and laying a greenish egg, all the other Peuccca, as far as known
nesting on ground and laying pure white eggs. {P. rujice})s, however, is not yet known in
this particular.) Eggs 4-5, 0.72X0.58, June-September; nest in a fork of bush, deeply
cupi)ed, of grivsses, rootlets, and hairs.
81. AJIPHISPl'ZA. (Gr. d/j<^t, rtm^j/n", on both sides ; mriCa, spiza, a. finch : alluding to the close
relation of the genus to those about it.) SACfE Si'AUROWS. Bill moderate, conical, not peculiar.
W^ings folding considerably beyond the base of the tail, M-ithout elongated inner secondaries ;
point of wing formed by 2d-5th quill, the 1st between 6tli and 7th. Tail not shorter than wings,
of rather broad firm feathers, rounded at ends. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw ; lateral
toes of unequal lengths, the outer (h)nger) not reaching to base of middle claw. Embracing two
Southwestern species, with rounded blackish tail not shorter than the wings, plumbeous-black
bill and feet, and few decided streaks, or none. These do not particularly resemble each other,
and might not necessarily be associated ; nor is the genus well characterized, though diffi.'rent
from the exotic Poospiza to which the species were fonnerly referred. The larger one of the
two species, A. belli, is sometimes placed in the genus Zonotrichia.
V
I
876
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PA SSESES — OSCINES.
AnalyaiB of Speciet.
Adult with throat blnclc, pities not 8treake<l, nnd no yellow (in edge of wlDg Ullneatn '£iS
Adult with tliroat white, Hldeti streaked, and yellow nn edge of wing.
Smaller: wing and tall under ;i.(Ki ; dorsal streaks ubsolete belli '251>
l..arger: wing nnd tail 3.0U or more ; dorsal streaks distinct nevmleiisis 2(K)
258. A. billnea'ta. (Lat. bilineata, two-lined ; Ins, twice, linea, a line ; iilliuling to the stripes on
the liciul. Fig. 2:55.) HLACK-TimoATEn Finch. HLACK-FAtKn Saok .Spauuow. ^ 9 ,
adult : Face, chin, and tliroat sharply jet-black ; a strong white superciliary line, and another
bounding the black of the throat ; under eyelid white ; auricuhirs dark slate. No yellow any-
where. Below, pure white; the sides, ilanks, and crissuiii shaded with ashy or fulvoqs-
-i» -'i ^ .^^^ brownish, but no streaks. Above, nniforni gray-
^^^^^^ M^^^^^ ish-brown ; clearer ash in high plumage, other-
wise browner, generally more ashy anteriorly than
^^^^^t^^^^Kf^^^M behind, and shading insensibly into the black of
$^^^b^r^sii^^^^^BP^^^^^H^9^ ^'"^ ^''*''''' ^^'^'"K^ dusky ; coverts and inner (|uil1s
.4^iM^3*Sa»k^^^^^^^ ^K^^K^ edged with the c(dor of the back. Tail black,
with narrow grayish edgings ; the outer feather
sharply edged and tipped with white, and several
i^SRtJ?3fiK-;^.^||||^-G^MbB..~'jn:'' -^ others similarly tip[ied. Hill and feet jdumbe-
ous-black. Small: lengtli about 5.50; wing
«^^k '£i_: about 2.50; tail 2.75. Young: The head-mark -
»■ >.T,»iF-r tsB^B^iu vW '"^'' "'^"*i''"'e ; little or no black on tliroat; a few
M "■<■ -""i.ii , 5*?^kS* x"^ pectoral streaks. Owing to absence of bhu-k on
V'*\ the throat, the white maxillary stripe is ill-de-
Fio. 235.— Black-thronted Finch, reduced. (Shep- fined, but the other strijie is conspicuous. Hack
pard del. Nichols sc.) ^.,^1,^^ brown than ashy; tail blackish, not pure
black. A jaunty little sparrow, haunting tl'S sage-brush and chaparral of the southwest, from
Texas to California, N. to Utah and Nevada or farther, migratory northerly. An ett'ective
songster. Nest in bushes close to the ground; eggs 4-5, 0.72 X 0.58, whitish, unmarked.
259. A. belli. (To J. G. Bell, of N. Y.) Beix'.s Finch. CALiFoitxiA .Saok Si'AKuow. No
definite black about head, and edge of wing slightly yellowish. Forehead, line over eye, and
edges of eyelids, inconspicuously white. Below, white, more or less tinged with jiale brownish,
the sides with .slight sparse streaks that anteriorly become aggregated into slight maxillary
stripes cutting off from the white throat a whiti.sh line that runs from the corner of the bill ;
hires and circum-ocular region dusky. Above, grayish-brown, ashier on head, the middle of the
back with snial) obscure blackish streaks; wing-coverts and inner i|uills with much fulvous
edging ; tail black with slight pale edgings, the outer web of the outer feathei' simply whitish.
Bill and feet jdunibeous-blue. Length under 6.00 ; wing and tail under 3.00. Southern
California, resident. Nest in low bushes or on the ground ; eggs greeni.sh-blue, speckled.
260. A. b. nevaden'sis. Artemisia Spahrow. Nevaka Sage Sparrow. Similar to th<? last
in coloration. Edge of wing, and sometimes the lesser coverts, yeUowish. Above, ashy-brown,
much as in P. hUineata, clearer ash anteriorly, more brownish behind ; also clearer in high
plumage, and more overcast with brown in less mature specimens ; the middle of the back and
the scapulars very notablj- streaked with fine black lines. Below, white ; the sides and some-
times, especially in fall .specimens, most of the under parts shaded with pale fulvous-brown; the
sides, and sometimes the breast, with dusky streaks, which on the side of the neck tend to run
in a chain, partly distinguishing a jiure white lateral strijie above them from the general
whitish of the under parts. Sides of head slaty, becoming dusky on lores ; a conspicuous white
eye-ring. A short white line above lores, and another on middle of forehead. Wings and tail
as in the last; outer feather edged and tipped with white. Bill dark bluish-plumbeous, under
82.
*^GI
FRINGILLIDJE: FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC. 377
iDiiudiblo somi'tiiiu's yt'Uuwish. DcciikMlly larfjcr tlian helH proper, tli(iiit;h so littk' (lifl'cmit in
color; wing and tail fully S.OO, if notnioro; bill 0.U5 ; tarsus 0.7'). Southern Rocky Mt.
region, N. to K)" and beyond, resident ; abounding in the .sage-brush deserts of Nevada,
Utah, New Mexico and Arifona. Xesting as in P. belli; eggs 0.80 X 0.(50, pale greenish, pro-
fusely .speckled with reddish -brown and hiackish-brown, with purplish shell-nuirkings.
82. JUN'CO. (fLat. juncKS, a reed.) Sxow .Si>AHK()\v.s. SNow-muiLS. Bill small, strictly
conic. Wings rather long, the \)riuiaries much suii)assing the short inner secondaries in the
cUwed wing ; usually 2d, 3d, and 4th quills longest, 5th little shorter, then Ist and (ith. Tarsus
a little longer than middle toe and claw; lateral toes suboqual, their claws about reaching base
of middle claw. Tail about as long as wings, slightly eniarginate or iibout even, of rather
narrow but firm fcathei"s, rounded oval at ends. A beautiful genus; adults unspotted,
unstreaked, the ccdia-s massed in large definite areas ; belly, crissum, and 2-3 lateral tail-feathers
white ; hill whitish, or black and yeUow. Length (1 or 7 inches ; wing and tail about 3 inches.
Sexes subsiniilar, but ^ clearer and i)urer in c(doration; young entirely ditt'erent, ([uite streaky.
Nest on the ground; eggs speckled. One common Eastern species; in the West the Junco
stock s]dit into numerous forms, all of which intergrade with each other, and with the Eastern
bird. Almo.st all late writers have taken a hand at Junco, shutHing them about in the vain
attempt to decide which are "species" and which " varieties." All arc either, or both, as wo
iriay elect to consider them ■ for the degree of ditt'erence between almost any two of the nearest
related ones is about the same. The distinctions between the typical styles of each are very
nice and easily perceived. The theory of hybridization advanced to account for the connecting
links .simply restates without exi)laining the case ; for interbreeding is just (me of the conditions
of intergradcd species, keeping them from positive distinctness. Upon this understanding the
recognizable styles of Junco may all be treated alike. Adult male birds of the several forms
afi'onl the fidlowing
Analysis of Species or Subspecies.
Bill flesh-color.
Blaokish-nsli, witlioiit rei)<1i!>1i tints; sides nsliy.
No wliito wing-bars . . hieitmli.i '2fil
Two wliito wing-biirs aikvni Lfi'J
(mixed clmracteis of first and next connectiiis 26-'«
Sooty-biaulc on licad and bri^ast ; baciv rcddtsli ; sides pinkish ornjim lu '.'(>:)
(mixed cliaraeters of last and next anmclens 2fi4
Ashy on liead and breast; interscapulaiB alone reddish canicips 'lf&
Bill blaek and yeliow.
(mixed rlinracters of last .ind next dorsal is 266
Ashy on head and l>reaHt ; interscapulars and wing-covorts rcddisli cinereus '2CT
Setting aside aikoii as a special oft'slioot, we have hicmalis connected with oregonus by
birds possessing pink sides and ashy back, or reddish back and ashy sides ; this style may be
named connectens. Similarly, orcgoniis and crniiceps are annexed by gray-headed red-backed
birds with pink sides; this is (innectcns. And again, but more renuirkably, the i)ink-billed
canicrps is affixed with the bhu-k-and-yellow-billed cinereus by dorsalis, which has the bill of
the latter, but otherwise resembles the former.
aoi. J. hieina'lis. (Lat. hienialis, wintry; hicms, winter. Fig. 236.) Eastern Sxow-iiird.
IJi.ACK Sxow-niui). lihickish-ash, below abruptly pure white from the breast, the sides shaded
with ashy. In the 9 , -lud most fall and winter specimens, the upper jiarts have a more grayish,
or even a decidedly brownish, cast, and the inner secondaries are edged with ])ale bay. ^ , in full
dress : The slaty-black intense on the head ; lielly and crissum pure white, the line between
the two transverse or convex forw;ird ; wings and tail blackish, with slightly hoary edging of
soineofthe feathers ; 2-3 lateral tail feathers pure white, wholly or in greatest part. No rusty-
brown on back or sides; any shade on the sides ashy, not pinki.sh. Bill pinkish-white, or
ttesh-color, usually black-tipped. Length 6.00-f)., 50 ; extent 9..50-10.00 ; wing 3.00-3.25; tjiil
rather less. These extremes uncommon; average 6.25 — 9.75 — 3.10. 9t i" summer: The
!'
378
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —I'ASSEIiES— OSVINES.
i I'
I
sluto-cnlor loss intense, ovcrluid with brown (not reildisli), sometimes qiiitu bn>wn ; edtfini; of
inner Hecondiu'ies rusty-brown ; iivenigc less white on tiie tiiil ; ratlior smaller ; averiige about
nt tho lesser of the above diuiensions: sunictimes only 5.73 — 9.^5 — 2.75. <J 9i '" winter:
Itesembling the 9 in summer. Young of tho year: Tlie gi'ueral eolor ratiier brown than
slate, with conspicuous bay edgings of inner secondaries; bill much obscured with dusky.
The brown overcast, it should bo id>served, is a general shading, not of j)artlcular areas, and
not i)inkish. Young before first inoidt : Entirely streaked and sjiotted, like most very young
sparrows. Ui)per jmrts streaked with blackish and rusty-brown, the secondaries and wing
coverts consjiicuously edged with tho lutter. Under parts streaked or spec^kled with dusky
and oehrey brown, on all the fore jmrts and
sides, the belly and erissum soiled whitLsh. IJill
dusky, paler below. Eastern N. Amer., N. W.
to Alaska, W. to the ]{(icky Mts. and even
Utah and Washington Territories ; still chieHy
Eastern. One of oin- most abundant and familiar
winter birds, in tlocks in the shrubbery, from
October to April. Hetires to high latitudes or
altitudes to breed. Nests in mountains of tho
Middle and someof tlie Southern States, as Vir-
ginia and X«)rth l"ar<dina, and dttwn to sea level
from the limn,' of tin; Canadian fauiui in Maine ;
winters anywhere in the U. S., most numerously
from Massachusetts southward ; a cheery bright
little bird, coming fearlessly to the threshcdd
and window-sill in bad weather. Its snapping
note is better known than is the pleasant song
with which it takes leave in the spring. Nest
on tho ground ; eggs 4-0, white, sprinkled
with reddish and darker brown dots, about
O.SO X 0.00.
202. J. h. al'keni. (To C. E. Aiken, of Colorado.) WiiiTE-AvixoED Black Snow-biuh. Like
the last : the wings crossed with two white bars formed by the tips of the greater and middle
coverts ; and sometimes white edging of the hnier secondaries. Hather large. Mts. of C<dorado.
262a. J. li, connec'tcns. (Lat. connectens, connecting; cow, M'ith, nccto, I join.) IIybkid Snow-
iiiui). Possessing in varying degree tlie ('haracters of hicmaUs and oregonus; rufous back of
the latter and ashy sides of tho former, or, ofteiiei-, the ashy back of the former and pink sides
of the latter ; occurring wherever the breeding range of the two comes together, and elsewhere
during the migration.
263. J. h. ore'gonus. (Lat. of the Oregon River.) Oreoon Snow-bird. Head and neck all round
and fore brea.st sooty-black, ending shaqdy against white with a rounded outline convex back-
Mard; middle of back dull reddish- brown, and feathers of the wings much edged with the
same ; below from the fore breast abru])tly white, tinged on the sides with j)ale reddish-brown
— a ])eculiar " pinkish " shade. Rill white, black-tipped. In the ? and young the black is
obscured by browniish, but the typical form may always be distinguished by an evidejit contrast
in c(dor between the interscapulars and head, and the fulvous or j)inkisli wash on the sides.
The season and sexual changes of plumage are ])arallel with those of hiemaUs. A specimen
examined by me has imperfect white wing-bars, like aikeni. Kocky Mts. to the Pacific; as
abundant there as hiemalis is with us, and thence straggling eastward ; has occurred in ^lassa-
chusetts ; N. to Alaska. In the U. S. it is less obviously migratory than hiemalis, owing to
tho broken mountainous regions it inhabits.
•zat.
Fid. 230.
Nieliob KC.)
-Eastern Siiow-Biril. ( SliepimrU del.
2«5.
wa.
2«7.
83.
208
iniNGlLLW^E: FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPAlUiOWS, ETC. ii7l)
aoi. J. li. aiiiiec'tens. (Lat. nnncctens, aiincxiiit; ; tul, to, ami wcto, I jnin.) 1'i\k-sii>ki> Snow-
Itiui). ("Iianictcrs in gciioral of J. aiHici'ps (No. Hi')) ; diti'iTs by iiicn'c at»ni]it ili'liiiitinn cif tlm
wliito bfUy f'rtiiii tlic asliy breast, ami jtiukish ."idex : by go imicli ri'sciiiblint,' oiryoiiiis. SniitliiTii
Hocky Mt. iTginii, from Wyomiiiff, aixl cspt'i'lally ('olonulo, to New Mt-xico and Arixona;
ini^n'atiiii; latitiidimilly with ^«'axoll, l>ut cliicHy workiiii; iiii and down tlit* nioiintaius.
•irt.». •!. h. oa'niceps. (I^at. miiicrj)/!, gray-liwulcd ; ainiis, ^ray.) (Jkav-iikadeh Sxow-iiiiiii.
Clrarasli, jjurcst on head, i)al('r below, and tadin^ Kradually into wliiteon belly; intersca|iuiars
abruptly, definitely, cliestnut or nisty-brown ; lores blaekisli ; bill Itesii-eolor ; iris brown; ni>
fulvous wasii on sides ; no eliestnut on winijs in tlie typical form, liather lar^fer than hictmdU;
lenuth about 7-<)(); winjr over li. 00 ; tail about .'J.OU. The sexual and seasonal ehani;es im' not
so well marked as in the iieavily-e,(dored hiemulis and orcgonits, but |iarallel us far as they ^o.
Very younjj birds are .streaketl, like all the rest. Hoeky .Mts. of thi' I'. S., from Wyoming
southward ; Wahsateh and Uintah Mts. Five or six of the stylos of Jhiicd, ineludin^ J.
hicniiilix, occur totjethei' in the mountains of (J<doradi>, Now Mexico, and Arixona.
200. .1. h. (lursa'lis. (Lat. (loi-Kidis, pertainini^ to the back; ilorsinn, the back.) ]{Ki>-iiA('KKi>
SxdW-iiiiti). Characters in general of t/. Crt>i(«y>.s'; but with the bill Idack and yelhnv, as in
riiinriis. Mountains of New Mexico and Arizona.
207. il. Ii. eliic'reiis. (Lat. ciuercus, a,sliy ; ciiiis, ashos.) CiNKUEOtrs SNow-mitD. .Mkxican
Sxu\v-HIK1>. Like J. cankvpn. Under ])arts paler ash, fadinu; .sooner and more insensibly into
white; chestnut of back intense, and spreading over the wing-coverts and inner secondaries ;
npjMT mandible black ; lower yellow; iris yellow. Mexico to the U. ><. border. .Mt. Urahain,
Arizona.
83. SI'IZK1..'LA. (Ital. diminutive form of Lat. sphn. from Gr.
o-TTifn. 11 tincii.) Uiiii'i'ixr. Si'AHUOWS. Kmbracing snuill ^^^Sl^
species, .")-() inches long, with the long, broad-feathered, forked
tail about eqiutUing (more or less) the rather pointed wings ; \S^
with no yellowisli anywhere, and no .«treaks (ai the under parts X^'^'x'^o •
when (iihilt ; interscapular region distinctly streaked ; rump jdain ^^^^^?-
(excejtt atrii/iilnris) ; t/oiDif/ fully streaked. Point <if wing formed ^^S^^
by M to Mb or M\ tpiill ; 1st usually between 5tli and Gth. Hill
small, conic. Tarsus little if any longer than middle toe and Fio. 2,17. — Clilppj's lic.iil, ns
claw; lateral toes about eciual. Tail-feathers wich'nhig a little 'a'Bo as life. (K. C.)
to broadly oval tips. Numerous species. Eastern and Western, inhabiting shrubbery; tlirco
of them familiar Eastern birds.
ytnahish of Specirs,
E.istorn and Western species with tlie crown o/'/Ac mliilt cliiistiitit.
Bin liliick 1111(1 yellow; furelioiul not block ; two distinct white wing-bars; dark spot on brcnst ; largo:
about 6.00 long mnnlimla 268
mil ami fiirelicad black ; wing-bars not conspicuous; breast asliy-whltc, witlinnt spot ; length under fi.
Tail di'cidciily shorter than wing (luiiicslica 269. 270
Bill browiiisli.red ; forehead not black; wing-bars Indistinct; lireast buffy white, without spot.
Length uiiilcr (i.OO mirestis 271
Western species, with the orown not chestnut, and streaked like the back.
Crown divided by a median stripe, and Its streaks separated from those of the back by an ashy
interval. Tail equal to wings pallifJa 272
Crown not evidently divided, and streaked continuously with the back. Tail longer. . . . hrnn-ri 2Ti
Western sirecles. with the crown of the adult dark ash. Face and throat black. Tall decidedly longer
than wing atrigitlarh 274
268. S. monti'pola. (Lat. motif icola, inhabiting mountains ; mons, moutis, a mountain ; colo, I
dwell ; iticola, tin inhabitant.) Tree Spauuow. Winter Chip-bird. Bill black above,
yellow below ; legs brown ; toes black. No black on forehead ; crown chestnut (in wint<;r
specimens the feathers usually skirted with gray), bordered by a grayish-white superciliary and
loral line ; a postocular chestnut stripe over auriculars, and some vaguo chestnut marks on
880
ay STEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSKliES — OSCINES.
chcoks; hWch (if head and uwk othorwiHo aitliy-gray. llcltiw, iiii|iiir('Iy wliitiuli, tinK<'<l with
iwliy anteriorly, ^va^<llt'(l witli iialc liniwiiiwli poHtcriiprly, flic middle of tlic lirca.st witli an obsciiro
duHJiy Idotcii. Middle of liacl< Itoldiy Htrealfed witli lilacii, buy, and tlaxen ; middle and greater
wing-eoverls black, edged with bay and tippeil with white, fonning two eonspieiions eroHM-bars ;
inner neeondarieH similarly variegated ; other i|uills and tail-featherH plain diiwky, with pale or
whitiMli edges. Kemarkably constant in coloration ; sexes iialistingnishable, and young very
Hinular, the chief variation being in the veiling of the cap with gray. There is a very early
streaky stage, however, as in other species. A handsome sparrow, the largest of the genns.
Length ."i.SO-O.jJO, nsually <).0() ; extent 8.75-9.75, nsnally '.t.25 ; wing and tail 2.75-:{.10.
Abundant in the IJ. S. in winter, flocking in shrubbery; breeds in mountainous and boreal
regions, even to tlu' Arctic coast. Iidre<(uent or casual west of the Hocky Mts. Nest in low
bushes or on the ground, loosely constructed of bark-strips, weeds, and grasses, wannly
lined with feathers. Eggs 4-G or even 7, ptilo groeu, minutely and regularly sprinkled with
reddish-brown spots.
209. S. Uomes'tlea. (Lat. domestica, domestic. Figs. 2;J7, 2U8.) Ciiipi'ISO .Spauuow. Ciiu'-
itmi) oiiCiiiiTY. IIair-iiikd. Adult: Hill black ; feetjiale; crown chestnnt ; extrenn- fore-
head black, usually divided by a pale line; a grayish-white superciliary line; behtw this a
blackish stripe tbnaigh eye and over nuricnlars ;
lores dnsky. Uelow, a variable shade of jiale ash,
nearly uniform and entirely inmiarked ; back
streaked with black, didl bay and grayish-brown ;
inner secondaries and wing-coverts similarly vari-
egated, the Xi\m of the greater and median coverts
forming whitish bars; rinnp ashy, with slight
blackish streaks or none ; jirimaries and tail-
feathers dusky, with jialer edges. Smaller:
length 5.00-5.50; extent S.OO-O.OO; wing i.(\(]-
2.75 ; tail less, abont 2.50. Sexes alike, but very
young birds quite ditt'erent ; the crown being
streaked like the back, the breast and sides
thickly streaked with dusky, the bill jiale brown,
and tho head lacking definite Idack. In this
stage, which, however, is of brief duration, it resembles some other species, but nuiy be known
Ijy a certain ashiness the others lack, and from the sumll sparrows that are streaked below
when adult, by its generic characters. North America, extremely abundant, and tho most
familiar s]iecies about houses, in gardens, and elsewhere, nesting in shrubbery ; nest of fine
dried grass, lined M'ith hair ; eggs 4-5, bluish, sjieckled sparsely and chietly about the larger
end with blackish-brown, with purplish shell-markings; siz(^ about 0.70 X 0.55.
270. S. d. arizo'nae. (Lat. of Arizona.) AmzoNA C^iiU'i'iNCt Spahkow. Like an innnature S.
(lonwxdcn. Paler than this species, the ashiness in great measure brown; crown grayish -brown
streaked with dusky likc^ the back, and showing evident traces of rich chestnut, but never
becoming wholly chestnut ; black frontlet lacking or obscure, and no definite a.'shy superciliary
line, tho sides of the crown merely lighter brown ; bill brown above, pale below. Arizona, and
other portions of tho Southern Kficky Mt. region. A curious form, as it were an arrested stage
of domestica. Some specimens, with the least chestnut on tho head, look remarkably like
breweri, but this last is evidently smaller, without chestnut on tho head, and otherwise difleront.
271. S. agres'tls. (Lat. rtr/)w<(,s-, pertaining to fields; a/;ec, a field.) FiKU) Spakkow. Bill palo
reddish; foot very pale ; crown dull chestnut; anriculars and postocular stripe the same; no
decided black or whitish abort head. Uelow, white, unmarked, but much washed with pale
brown on breast and sides ; sides of head and neck with some vague brown markings; all tho
Kio. 2a8. — Cliip|ihig-S|iiirr(i\v, lodiiicil (isliip-
pard del. NIcliolg »c )
FmNCiJLLJJKl'J . FINCllKS, HUNTINGS, Sl'AJWOWS, ETC.
m\
'ZVZ.
273.
274.
ashy piirtN of domeMica ri'jiliici'tl hy jialt.' lirowiiiMli. Buck hri^lit Imy, with Mack HfrriikH and
801III' palf tlaxL'u t'd^iiiKH ; iiiiu'r m'cipmlarit'M Hiinilarly viirifpitcil ; tips of iiiiMlinn ami ijrcutcr
covcrtN t'liriiiiiiK wliitiuli ciOMs-liarH. .Si/c of dmnvsliat, hut more iirarly the colois of iiintiliviila.
hrufith 5.25-5.73; extent 7. 75-8. 40 ; wiuK i.'M)-2.W ; tail <|iiiti' an niiicli, or nioic, tlin« not
cliortcr than winn, uh it is in tlin last. SexcH alike ; yimn^ for a «liort time Mtreaketl lielow, aH
u-Mual in Spi:ellii. KaHteru U. S., ctrictly ; lianlly N. tlirouKlioui New Knifland, \V. only to the
edjje of tlie Plains; migratory ; breeds iisinilly from \'irginia northward, and winti'rs from tlic
same southward ; very ahnndaut in fields, i-o))ses, and hedges, in lloeks wiien not lireeding.
Nest indifferently iu low bu»lie» or on ground ; ej{>{8 whitish, fully speekled with rusty-lirown,
0.(18 X 0.50.
S. ptil'lltlu. (Ijat. jwi//iV/", jtale.) (!l,AY-('(>i,()UKi> Sl'AUUOW. ("rown and hack clay-colored
or flaxen, distinctly streaked with black, without evident bay, the dorsal streaks noticeably
separated from those of the crown, by an aslner, less streaked, ci'rvical interval ; rnni]> brown-
ish-gray. Crown divided by a pale median strijie; a distinct whitish sni)erciliary line ; loral
and auricular regions decidedly brown, with a dark postocular stripe over the auriculars, and
another from the angle of the mouth, bounding the brown area interiorly ; below this a dusky
maxillary streak ; wing-coverts and inner secondaries variegated like the back, being black with
broad llaxen-brown odging and whitish tipping. Helow, white, soiled witli clay-color. Itill
dusky above, imle below; feet i>ale. Snnill : Length .').0O-5.25, rarely 5.50 ; extent 7.40-7.75,
rarely 8.00 ; wing and tail, each, about 2.50. Yoimg birds lightly streaked below. Central
region of the U. ,S. into IJritisli America, Saskatchewan and Ked Hiver regions; S. to Texas;
E. to Iowa and Illinois. Abundant ; nest in bushes close to ground ; eggs 3-J', pale green
sparsely s))eckled with rich brown ; 0.62 X 0.50.
S. brew'erl. (To Dr. T. M. Mrewer, of IJoston.) BiiKWKu's Si'AHIiow. Similar; paler and
duller, all the nuirkings indistinct; streaks of crown and back small, numerous, not separateil
by a cervical interval ; no definite nuirkings on sides of head. ri)per parts grayi.sli-brown,
with nnirked dorsal area of orightcr brown, and contimmusly streaked from head to tail. Size
of the la.st, but tail relatively longer, exceeding the wings — about 2.00 long, thus e<nnilliiig, if
it does not somewhat exceed, that of domestica, although the latter is a larger bird. South-
western U. H., especially New Mexico iiid Arizona ; said to have occurred iu Massa<diusetts ;
habit.s those ui pallida; nest and eggs iinlistingui.shable.
8. litrlffula'rls. (Lat. atriffularis, black-throated; ater, black; f/ida, throat.) IJi-ack-
CIIINXKI) Sl'AUUOW. (J, adult: Dark ash, fading insensibly into whiti.sh on the belly,
deepeuing to black on the face and throat ; interscapulars bright bay, streaked with black ;
wing-coverts and inner secondaries variegated with the same c(dors ; tail blackish, with pale edg-
ings ; bill coral red as iu S. ayrestis; feet dark brown. A snnill-hodied species, but full (i.OO
hnig, on account of the great
length of the tail (2.73-3.00),
which nuich exceeds the wings
(2.25-2.50; extent 7.75). The
young lack black on the face,
have the cr(»wn washed with
ashy-brown, the middle of the
back duller chestnut, and the
bill dusky above ; but may be
known by the lenirth of the tail. „ „,„ „
T /- i-,. . ^"'- 240. — Crown Sparrow,
Jlexico, Lower California, An- (wlilte-crowned), nat. slxo. (Ad.
nat. del. E. C.)
Fio. 239. — Crown Sparrow (wlilte-
throated), nat. size. (Ad nnt. del.
E. C.)
zona.
84. ZONOTRICH'IA. (Gr. (atvr), zone, u girdle, band ; Tpi)(ias, trichias, name of a bird. Figs.
239, 240.) CUOWN Sparrows. Embracing our largest and handsomest sparrows, 0.50 to
382
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — I'ASSESES— OSCINES.
7-50 inches long, the rounded wiugs iind tail each 3.00 or more ; the under parts with very few
Btrealis, or mine, tlie middle of tlie hack streaked, the ruiii)) plain, the wings with two white
cross-bars, the head of the adults with black, and usually with white and yellow also, or both.
Bill moderate, conical, culnieu and gonys just appreciably curved, commissure very little angu-
lated. Point of the wing formed usually by the '2d-4th cpiills, and Ist about e(iual to 5th ;
folding decidedly beyond the inner secondaries, and to near the middle of the tail. 'J'ail-feathers
of moderate widtli and consistency, rounilcd oval at the end; tail as a whole rounded. Tarsus
about equal to middle toe and claw ; lateral toes about equal to each other. The Crown
Sparrows are peculiar to Xortli America, where they are represented by live beautiful and i)er-
fcctly distinct species.
Analiisis of f^pecles {adults only).
Crown blnck an J white; no yellow on head; throat ash.
liOres black. Dorsal streaks purpllsli-bay ; no yellow on wing leitcophrys 276
Lores gray. Dorsal streaks imrplisli-bny , no yellow on wiiiu inlcrineilid Til
Lores gray. Dorsal streaks sooty-black; edge of whig yellowish (jamhvH 278
Crown black and wliltc ; yellow spot before eye ; throat white : edge of wing yellow albk-olHn 275
Crown black, yellow and ash ; edge of wing yellow ; throat ashy corontitu '210
Crown, face, and throat black ; no yellow on head or wing qucrula 280
275. Z. albicol'Us. (Lat. albicoUk, white-throated; alhus, white; coUiim, neck. Fig. 241.)
WniTE-THUOATEU Crown Si'AKROW. Peauouy-birij. Adult ^ i CrowH black, divided by
a median wliite .stripe, bounded by a white
-iiJMErjDnS^W'.v^ii.. superciliary line, and yellow spot from
i^^^xn^U^S^K^^UI^MSl^^ nostril to eye ; below this a blaclf stripe
I . ^^ ■ill tw^w^iiiB ^■iHii m through eye ; below this a maxillary
., ^i-OT&T^ ^^■BEfe.-^s;4J^KlUII'JJ4yK«BBi»^(^ black stript^ bounding the definitely pure
_„__, .,___ white throat, sJiarplv contrasted with the
iStSi^^^m^^S^^^BBSa^^ma/aili^ \^^-- Jiirk asli of the breast and sides of the
^^fl^^R^T^^VP^^^^BE^^^'^^^^Bfly^^ neck and head. Edtje of iriiiff )/ellou\
Hack continuously streaked with black,
chestnut, and fulvous-white ; rump ashy,
unmarked. Wings mudi edged with
V'vtiii.S«^.Wttsi^^li5S(e!V!4tv'^5C''.^^p^;j^j^jj^;^^ ],^y^ (1,^ white tips of the median and
^^ greater coverts forming two conspicuous
^-''^Sf^S^fc^/ '""" ' q'lills and tail-feathers dusky, with
./xjr , !^??"^%*-^^iR^i, pale edtjes. IJehiw, wliite, shaded with
///J^ -^"^^ ^~^ ashy-brown on sides, the ash deeper and
Fio. 241. — White-throated. Crown Sparrow, reduced, purer on the bi'east ; bill dark ; feet pah;.
(Sheppard, del. Nichols .c.) ^ .,„j i,„,„ature birds, and sp.'cimens
as generally .seen in the U. S. in fall anil winter, with the Idack of the head rei>laced by brown,
the white of the thi'oat less conspicuously contrasted with the duller ash of surrounding parts,
and frequently with obscure dusky streaks on the breast and sides ; but the species nuiy always
bo known by the yellow over the eye and on the edge of the wing (these never being imper-
ceptible), coupled with the largo size and the generic characters. Length 6.50-6.90; extent
9.20-9.90; wing 2.75-3.00; tail about tho same. A fine sparrow, abundant throughout
Eastern N. Am. to bititude 63° X.; \V. to Dakota; breeds from the New England and
other Northern States northward ; winters from the Middle States southwiird. Found in
all situations, but especially in shrubbery, generally in Hocks, except when breeding ; a
pleasing if not brilliant soni,. (cr, with its limpid j)ea-peabo(l!), peabodi/, peahody in cadence.
Nest on the ground, rarely in bushes ; eggs 4-6, about 0.90 X 0.66, with tho endless diversity
of tone and pattern of those of the song sparrow, from which they arc only distinguished by
their greater size.
2T0
27'
271
871
FIUNGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
383
870. Z. leuco'phrys. (Gr. X*vicos, Icucos, white ; o(/)pus, ophrus, eyebrow. Fig. 2t2.) White-
BitowEi) Ckowx Spauuow. $ 9 , adult : Crown pure white, euclo.sing on either side a broad
bhick stripe that meets its fellow on the forehead and descends the lores to the level of the eyes,
and bounded by another narrow black stripe that starts behind the eye and curves around the
side of the hiud-licad, nearly nu'oting its fellow on the nape ; edge of under ey<did white. Or,
we uiay say, crown bhick, enclosing a median white stripe and two lateral white strii)es, all
confluent on tlie hind head. Xo yellow anywhere. General color a line dark ash, paler below,
whitening insensibly on chiu and belly, more brownish on the rump, changing to dull brownish
on the flanks and crissum, the middle of the back streaked with dark j)urplish-bay and ashy-
white. No bright bay, like that of ulbicollin, anywhere, except some edging on the wing-
coverts and inner secondaries ; middle and greater coverts tipped with white, forming two bars.
Bill and feet reddish. Length 0.25-7.00; extent 9.20-10.20 ; wing and tail 2.90-3.20 ; usually
0.7.5 — 9.o0 — 3.10. Young: IJlack <if the head replaced by very rich warm brown, the white of
the head by pale brownish ; the general ash has a brownish suifusion, aud the back is more like
that iiddbicollifi, being streaked with dusky
and ochrcy-brown ; but the two species
cannot be confounded. Very young : Hc-
foH! the first mo' it, there are indications of
the head markings as last described ; but
the whole -'oer parts, sides of the neck
aud fore un r parts are streaked with
blackish and ochrey-])rowu or whitish.
North Amer.. especially eastern and rather
northerly ; W. to the IWky Mts., where
mixed with Z. I, intvrmcdia; Greeidaiid;
Cape St. Lucas. Not nearly so abundant
in the U. S. as (tlbicolUx, but common in
many sections in winter and duriug the
migrations. Hreeds occasion.illy in North-
ern New Kngland, and plentifully in Lab-
rador, where it is one of the commonest
sparrows. Nesting the sam<( as that of p,(,_ ^42. - Wliite-lMowe.l Crown Si^rrow, ruduccd.
alliieoUix, and eggs undistinguishable. (Sliepimrd del. Nlcliolssc.)
277. Z. 1. luterme'dia. (Lat. inlermeiUa, intermediate, in the middle.) iNTERMEniATE CROWN
Si'.Mtisow. Kxactly like the last, but lores gray or a.sliy, continuous with the white stripe over
the eye, i. c, the black of the forehead does not descend to the eye. Perhaps averaging a trifle
smaller, and duller colored. Some S|)ecimens resemble kucophrys on one side of the head, and
intermedin on tlu! other. Hocky Mts. to the Pacific, mostly replacing true leucoplmjs. {Z.
gnmheli IJd., 18.)8, Cou<'S, 1872, nee Nutt.)
278. Z. gaiu'beli. (To Wm. Gambel, of Phila.) Gamrel's CuowN Spaukow. Markings of the
head much the same as in Z, I. intermedin; body colors entirely difierent, aud almost exactly as
in eoronatd, No. 279. Streaking of the back sooty-black. Edge and lining of the wing yellow,
as in eoronatd and albicolli^. Bill in dried specimens blackish and yellow, not reddish. Size of
coronntd. I>acific coast, IT. S., .southerly. (Z. (jdmbeli Nutt., 1840, nee Baird, Coues.)
270. Z. corona'ta. (Lat. corom.Ui, crowned ; eoronn, a crown.) G(1M>en Cuowx Spakuow.
$ 9) adult: Forehead aud sides of the crown black, enclosing a dull yellow coronal i)atch
anteriorly, an ashy one jxisteriorly ; a yellow spot over eye ; lores black. Edge of the wing
yellow. Above, much like alhicoUis, but with le.^s bay and no whitish ; two white wing-bars.
Below, including sides of head and neck, ashy, passint; insensibly into whiti.sh on the belly, and
much shaded with brownish on the flanks and crissum ; thus much like leucophrijs, but the
'
884
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES— OSCINES.
ashy not so pure ; larger than lencophrys; Icugth averaging 7-00 ; wing over 3.00. Young :
bhick of the crown rephioed by brown ; but always traces of the yellow on crown and wings.
The yellow eye-spot is small, and not always evident. Pacific coast (to tlie Rocky Mts. f),
from Alaska to Southern California, abundant, migratory.
880. Z. qiie'rula. (Lat. queruhi, querulous, plaintive ; qtteror, I complain, lament.) Hooded
CuowN Si'AKUow. H.VHHis'.SiUKUOW. Adult (J , in breeding plumage : Whole crown, face,
and throat jet-black ; sides of head palo ash ; auriculars darker ash, bounded by a black lino
starting behind the eye and curving around them. Under ))arts nearly pure wliite, but slightly
ashy before and faintly brownish -washed behind, the sides with a few dusky streaks, the breast
witli a few black sjjots continued from the black throat-patch. Back nearly as in coronata,
streaked witli dusky and reddish-brown. Bill coral-red ; toes dark ; tarsi pale. No yellow
anywhere. Very large : Length 7.00-7.75; extent 10.75-11.25; wing .■J.2."j-,S.5() ; tail 3.40-
3. CO ; bill 0.45 ; tarsus 1.00 ; middle toe and claw rather less. 9 similar, but witli much li s
black on head and throat, the hood being restricted or imperfect; but its outline usually trace-
able. ^ 9 , in the fall : Bill light reddish-brown, usually obscured on ridge and at tip, and
paler at base below ; feet flesh -colored, obscured on the toes ; eyes brown. Crown grayish-
black, every feather witli a distinct, narrow, pale gray edge all around, producing a peculiar
cifect ; this area bounded with a light ochrey-brown superciliary and frontal line. Sides of Iiead
like the superciliary, but the auricular patch ratlier darker grayi.sh-brown, and the loral region
obscurely wliitish. Cliin jiure white, bounded on each side by a sharp ma.xillary line of
blackish, with a rusty-red tinge. On the lower throat, a large, ditt'usc! and partially discon-
tinuous blotch of this same blackish-red, cutting off fiie wliite ('liiii from the white of the rest
of the under parts, connecting M-itli the maxillary streaks, and stretching along the sides of the
neck and breast in a series of ridi dusky-chestnut streaks. On the middle of the breast the
blotch generally runs out into the white in a sharp point, but its size and shape vary inter-
minably. The markings here described an; all in<duded in the jet-black hood and breast-plate
of the perfect spriug dress ; and between tlie two extrtjnies every intermediate condition may bo
observed at various seasons. The rest of tlie plumage does not difier very materially from that
of the adult ^ in summer. This is the l.irgest of our sparrows; a bird of imposing appear-
ance — for a sparrow. Interior IT. S. and British I'rovinces, especially the valley of the Missis-
sippi, Lower Missouri, and Red River of the Korth; scarcely W. to the Rocky Mts.? E. to
Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, and probably Illinois ; 8. to Texas. It is abundant in the line of
its migration, as in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Dakota, etc., but its breeding resorts are still
unknown. I found it in Dakota at 4!)° coining early in September from the North.
85. CHONDES'TES. ((jr. xovSpo*. chondros, cartilage; also grain, seeds; tStcrrTis, edestes, an
eater; badly formed.) Laijk Si'AUHOWS. Framed for a
single S))ecies, M-itli long pointed wings exceeding the
long rounded tail ; jioint of the wing formed by SJd and 3d
primaries, but 1st and 4th scarcely shorter ; rest raiiidly
graduated. Tarsus about e(|ual to middle toe and claw ;
lateral toes short, tips of the claws not reaching base of
middle claw. Bill swollen -conie> M'itli culmen slightly
convex, and cominiiv<ure little angulated. Sjiecies large,
for a sparrow, streaked above, white below, tht^ head and
tail jiarti-ccdored.
aSl. C. grarn'mica. (Gr. ypan/xiKos, grammicos, marked with a
ypafifjui, gramma, a line, word ; badly selected to indicate the Fio. 243.— Lark Sparrow, nat. size,
stripes of the head. Vig. 2y.i.) Lauk Si-Anuow. l^rk <**•""'• '^*'' ^- ^'^
Fixc'ii. ^ 9 ) iidult : Head variegated with chestnut, black, and white ; crown chestnut,
blackening on forehead, divided by a median stripe, and bounded by superciliary stripes, of
86.
282.
383
FRINGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
385
white ; a black lino throiigii eye, ami another below eye, enclosing a white streak niuler the
eye and the chestnnt auriculars ; next, a sharp black niaxilLiry stripe not ipiite reacliing tlie
bill, cutting off a white stripe from the wliite chin and tliroat. A black ])lotch on middle of
breast. Under parts white, faintly shaded witli grayisli-brown ; upper parts grayish-brown,
th(« middle of the back with fine black streaks. 'J'ail very long, its central feathers like tlie
back, the rest jet-black, broadly tifiped with pure white in diminisliing amount from the Literal
pair inward, and the outer web of the outer pair entirely wliite. Lengtli ().50-7.<)() ; wing
3.50, pointed; tail 3.00, rounded. Very young : Crown, back, and nearly all the under parts
streaked with du.sky ; no chestnut on head, nor are the black stripes firm ; but with the first
moult the jieculiar pattern of the head-markings becomes evident, and there is little variation
aft(>rward with age, se.x, or season. A beautiful species, abundant from the eastern edge of
tlie prairies, and even Iowa and Illinois, to the Pacific, U. S. ; occasional in Ohio, and strag-
glers have been taken in Massachusetts and about Wasliiugton. A sweet songster ; breeds
throughout its rang(^ ; nest usually on the ground, of dried grass ; eggs 't-7, white, with strag-
gling zigzag dark lines, as in many Icterida:; size 0.75-0.85 by about 0.05.
86. PASSKREL'LA. (Ital. diuiiimtivo form of Lat. jyasser, a sparrow.) Fox Sparrows.
Kemarkable for the size of the feet and claws : Lateral toes elongated to about eipiai degree,
the ends of their claws reaching about half-way to the end of the middle
claw ; claws all very large ; middle too and claw about as long as the tarsus.
Wings long and pointed, ftdding about to the middle of the tail ; point
formed by the '2d-4th quills, 1st and 5th little shorter. Tail moderate, a
little rounded or nearly even. Bill rather small, strictly conic, with straight
outlines and scarcely angulatcd commissure. Large handsome reddish or
slate-colored species, marked below with triangular spots and streaks of
the color of the back. Habits terrestrial and somewhat rasorial. Nest
iiidifterently in trees or bushes or on the ground ; eggs greenish, fully
sjieckled. The species, if more than <me, are, like those of Junco, Melospiza,
and Pipilo, still imperfectly diffV'rentiated.
282. P. lli'aca. (Lat. iliaca, relating to tlie ilia, or flanks, which are conspicuously marked. Figs.
244, 245.) Eastkrn Fox Sparrow. (J, 9 '• General cob)r above ferrugineous or rusty-red,
purest and brightest on the rump, tail, and wings, on the other up])er parts appearing in streaks
laid on an ashy ground. IJelow, white, variously but thickly marked except on the belly and
cri.ssum with rusty-red — the markings anteriorly in the form of ditt'use confluent blotches, on
the breast and sides consisting chiefly of sharp arrow-head spots and jiointed streaks. Tips of
middle and greater whig-coverts forming two whitish bars. Upper mandible dark, lower
mostly yellow; feet pale. One of the finest singers of the family ; quite unlike any other Ea.stern
species of sparrow. A large handsome species. Length ().50-7.25 ; extent 10.50-11.50 ; wing
3.25-3.60, averaging 3.40; tail little or not over 3.00, thus decidedly shorter than the wing;
bill, along culmen, 0.40; tarsus 0.90; hind claw about 0.35. Sexes alike, and young not
particularly different aft<>r the first moult, though in an early stage mucii darker; back rufous-
brown with darker streaks; no wing-bars; all the under parts heavily marked. There is
much individual variation in color, independently of age, sex, or season. P^astem N. Am. ;
W. in the U. S. regularly only to the edge of the Plains, occasionally to Colorado ; but in
Alaska to the Pacific; N. to the Arctic coast. Breeds throughout the interior of British
America and in Alaska ; not known to do .so anywhere in the U. S. Winters from the Middle
States southward. Nest on ground or in bushes or trees ; eggs pale greenish-wiiite, thickly
speckled with rusty-brown, 0.95X0.70; general aspect of the egg as in Zonotrichia and
Melospiza.
383. P. 1. unalascen'sis. (Of the Island of Unalashka.) Townsend's Fox Sparrow. S, 9 ■
General color above dark olive-brown, overcast with a reddish-brown tinge, and the streaking
25
Fio. 244.— Bin of
Fox Sparrow, iiat.
size.
386
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSERES — OSCINES.
f !
obsolete, —thus giving ti uuifonn and continuous ruildy-olive tone, boeoming more foxy-rod on
the rump, wings, and tail. Wing-bars obs(dfte. Beneath, white, thit-kly marked, extTi)ting
on the middle of the belly, with triangular sjHJts of about the same dark color as the back, —
aggregated on the breast, and the entire sides of the ueek and body almost like the back iu
uniformity of the color, but still showing ill-defined conHuent dark reddish- brown streaks on a
more olive-brown ground. Cheeka
and auriculars with some whitish
speckling. No obvious nuirk-
ings on wings. Hill dusky above,
apparently reddish or yellowish
below; feet reddish-brown. .Size
of iliaai, but very ditfereiit-loc ik-
ing in color, and somewhat differ-
ently proponioned ; wing aver-
aging 3.23, and tail scarcely or
not shorter; bill about 0.50;
iiind claw the same, and as long
as its digit. A curious form, re-
lated to iliaca much as Mcl(iit2)Un
nifinu is to tlie Eastern song spar-
row. PaciHc coast region, from
Alaska to California, breeding in
moiiiitaius and nurlhward. (i'.
Fig. I'tj. — Fox Siiuriow, ruilufoJ. (.Slif|iiiar<l ilul. Xicliuls uc.) toirUKetidi Allil \uct )
284. P. i. sehlsta'cea. (Lat. schistacea, slaty; Or. crj^ifrros, schistos, tisaWc or cleft, as slate-stt)no
is; the allusion, however, is to the color.) Slate-coi.ouku Ft)X .'^I'Akkow. <J,9: General
color above uniform slate with a slight olive tinge, becoming dull foxy-red on the wings and
tail; the streaking of the back <d)solete, but whitish wing bars soinetinie.s indicated. IJelnw,
white, shaded along the sides with the color of the back, but not so as to obscure the decided
markings of the i)arts ; the under parts at large spotted and ."^treaked witli dusky-hrown, usually
aggregated into a bhiteh on the breast. Tliis is tlie connecting link between iliiiai and inia-
lascensis; the tipper parts are nearly of the shity-ash that forms the ground eidor of iliacay
only the foxy streaks of the back are obsolete. Tlie spotting below is correspondingly darker.
The form has, however, some peculiarities : tail decidedly longer iu comparison with the wings.
Length about 7.1K) ; wing 3.00-3.25 ; tail 3.35-3.G0 ; bill 0.« ; tarsus O.'JO. Kocky Mt.
region, chiefly, but noted fron; Kansas to California.
285. P. i. luegarhyn'clia. (Gr. fiiyat, mcgas, great ; livyxos, rJiiigchos, rhi/nchiis, beak.) Lakok-
BILLED Fo.\ Sl'AUROW. Coloration as in P. schisUtcea. Tail sit nu«ximum lengtli, averaging
at the extreme of that of schistacea; claws and beak verj- highly developed ; bill very thick, its
depth at base 0..50, rather more than its length from nostril to tiji; hiiul claw longer than its
digit. A liical race of tlie last, in the mountains of California and Nevada.
87. CALAMOSPI'ZA. (Qr. KoKaiios, kalainos, hnU calamus, a ri'vA ; o-Trifn, .s7;i.-fl, a finch.) Lakk
Bl'XTixo.s. llill large and stout at base, the culnien a little curved, the commissure well
angulateil ; rictus bristly. Wing long and itoiuted : tip formed by the lst-4tli <(iiills, rest
rapidly graduated ; inner secondaries enlarge<l and flowing, one of them about reaching the
fKiint of the wing when closed. Tail shorter than wing, nearly even. Feet stout, adapted to
terrestrial habits; tarsus about as long as middle toe and claw ; lateral toes nearly ecpial to each
other, scarcely reaching the base of the middle chiw; hind claw about as hing as its digit, but not
straightened. A well-marked genus, with wing-structure reminding one of Authi(,s or Alamla;
the turgid strongly-angulated bill resembles that of a grosbeak. Sexes very dissimilar; $
black uud white.
FBINGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC. 387
280. C. bl'colop. (Lilt, hicolor, t\vo-col(iroil. Fig. 240.) Lark Bitktino. WiiiTE-wiNOKn
I5l>ACKitiUD. {J, in auininer. Blaoii, with a large white piitch on the wings; the ((tiill.s and
tail-fcathors frequently marked with white; bill dark honi-bliie above, jiuler ludow; feet brown.
Length ().00-().7.5 ; extent 10.00-11.0(1; wing3.25-.'}.50 ; tail -2.50-2.75 ; bill 0.50-0.55 ; tar.^iis,
or middle toe and claw, 0.90-1.00. Sexes unlike: ? more resembling a sparrow. Above, gray-
ish-brown, streaked with dusky-brown, on the back the edges of the dark streaks often of a
purer brown than the general ground-color. Below, white, shaded on the sides with grayish-
brown, thickly streaked with blackish-brown everywhere excepting the throat and belly, the
streaks mostly sharp and distinct, but blended on the sides, tending to aggregate on the breast,
and run forward as a maxillary ciiaiu. A poorly-defined light superciliary stripe. Wings
dusky, with a large white or whitish speculum, much as in the (J, but not so pure nor so
extensive ; inner secondaries edged with brown and white. Tail-feathers, the middle excepted,
blacldsh tipped with white. Young i like the ? , but colors more suffuse and brighter ;
uiiper parts pm-e brown ; under parts tinged with fulvous, the wing-markings quite fulvous ;
under surface of wing <iuite
blackish. In very young
birds the markings more
motley than streaky ; the bill
brownish, llesh-cohired be-
low. (J wears the black
[iluniage only during the
breeiling season, like tlio
bobolink; when changing,
the characters of the two
sexes are confused. In the
form of the bill, this interest-
ing species is closely allied
to the grosbeaks ; and this,
with the .singularly enlarged
secondaries, as long as the
primaries in the closed wing,
renders it unmistakable iu
any plumage. A prairie Fio. 246. -Lark Bunting, j 9, reduced. (SUeppard. lei.
bird, abundant on the central plains ; X. to 49° at least, in the Missouri and Milk River region,
W. to the Kocky Mts., and southerly to the Pacific. The male has the habit of soaring and
singing on wing like a lark ; nest on the ground, sunken Hush with the surface, of grasses;
eggs 4-5, 0.90 X 0.05, pah; bluish-green, normally unmarked, occasionally speckled.
88. SPI'ZA. (Gr. ffirifa, sjjua, a kind of finch, probably F. cwlehs.) Silk Bixtixgs. Bill
much as in Culamospiza, but longer for its depth and not so strongly angulated. Wings very
long and pointed; 2d primary usually hmgest, 1st and 3d little shorter, 4th and rest rapidly
graduated ; one inner secondary a little elongated, but not nearly reaching point of wing. Tail
short, nearly even, but a little emarginatc. Tarsus and middle toe and claw of about e(iual
lengths; lateral toes of nearly equal lengths, not reaching base of middle claw; hind toe with
claw as long as the middle toe without claw.
287. S. america'na. (Lat. of America. Fig. 247.) BL.\CK-TiiROATF.r> Buntixo. $ : Above,
grayish-Lrown, the middle of the back streaked with black, the hind neck ashy, becoming on
the crown yellowish-olive with black touches. A yellow superciliary line, and maxillary touch
of the same; eyelid white; ear-coverts ashy like the cervix; chin white; throat with a large
jet-black patch. Under parts iu general white, shaded with gray on the sides, extensively
tinged with yellow on the breast and belly. Edge of wing yellow ; lesser and middle coverts
888
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— OSCINES.
I I
rich chestnut, other coverts and inner secondaries edged wnth paler. Bill dark horn-blue;
feet hrown. Length 6.50-7.00; extent 10.50-11.00; wing ;j.25-U.5(l, sliaqj-pointed ; tail
2.50-2.75, oniarginate. 9 • Smaller ; wing under
3.00, etc.; above, like the (J, but head and !ieck
plainer; below, less tinged with yeUow, the black
throat-patch wanting, replaced by sjiarso sharp
nnixillary and pectoral 8treak.s, the wing-coverts
not clujstnut, though so indicated by rufous edg-
ings of the individual feathers. Young ^ : Larger
than the 9, but in general similar; throat-patch
indicated by blackish feathers ; wing-coverts chest-
nut. An elegant sjiecies, of trim form, tasteful
c(dors and very smooth plumaire, abundant in the
fertile portions of the Eastern V. S. ; N. to Massa-
chusetts ; W. to Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and
in the south to Arizoua; rather southerly, scarcely
reaching the X. border of th(> V. S. anywhere;
winters wholly extralimital ; breeds throughout its
Fiii. '^47 - Blaok-tliroated limiting, reducal. ^^- S- range. Not a g 1 vocalist; the simple
(Slieppard del. Nirli(.l» bc.) ditty sounds like chip-chip-cher, chec, chee. Nest
on the ground, or in a low bush ; eggs 1—5, normally plain greenish-white, ran'ly speckled ;
O.SO X 0.05.
288. S. town'sendi. (To J. K. Townsend.) TowNSEsn's Bi:ntixg. " Ui)per parts, head and
neck all r<iund, sides of body and forejiart of breast, slate-blue ; back and upper surface of wings
tinged with yellowish-brown ; interscapulars streaked with black ; superciliary and maxillary
line, chin and throat and central line of under parts from breast to crissum, white ; edge of
wing, and gloss on breast and middle of belly, yellow; a black s])otted line from lower comer of
lower mandible down the side of the throat, connecting with a crescent of streaks in the upper
edge of the slate portion of the breast." Pennsylvania ; one specimen known, a standing jiuzzle
to omithtdogists, in the uncertainty whether it is a " good species," or merely an abnormal plu-
mage of the last, or a hybrid, jiossibly of .S*. americana 9 X (? Guiraca coenilm. While it is not
impr(d)able that the type came from an egg laid by <S^. americana, even such immediate ancestry
M-ould not forbid recognition of " specific characters; " the solitary bird having been killed, it
represents a species which died at its birth.
89. ZAMELO'DIA. (Gr. (a, za, much, very ; /itXaifiia, melodia,
melody. Fig. 218.) Soxo Giin.sni'.AK.s. l$ill extr(>mely
heavy, with the lower mandible as deep as the ni)p(>r or
deeper, the commissural angle strong, far in advance of the
featliered base of tlie bill, the rictus overhung with a few hnig
stiff bristles. Wing with outer 1 primaries abrujitly longer
than 5th. Tail shorter than wing, even or scarcely rounded.
Feet short and stout. Embracing two large species, of beau-
tiful and striking colors, the sexes dissimilar. (J black and
white, with carmine-red or orange-brown ; 9 otherwise, but
with lining of wings yellow. Brilliant songsters ; nest in
trees and bushes ; eggs spotted.
Analysis of Specif s.
(f black and white, with carndne-red on breast and under wings. $ with lining of wings HaftVon-yellow.
Eastern luilnriciana 289
cT black and white, with orange-brown on breast : cf $ with lining of wings and belly yellow. Western
melanocephala 290
28$
Fin. 248. — mil of Xameloilia (Z.
ludoviciauB, nat. size.) (Ad. uat del.
E. C.)
2fl
FRIKGILLIDJE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
889
280. Z. ludovlcla'na. (Lat. of Louisiftiia. Figs. 218, 249, 255.) RosK-nnEASTF.n .•ioNc, Ouos-
BKAK. Adult (J with tii<; hoail and neck all around and most of the \\\>\»'v parts Idack, the
rinnp, uppor tail-covtTts and under parts white, the breast and under wing-eoverts (>X(iuisite
earniiue or rose-red ; wings and tail hlaek, variegated witli white ; bill white ; feet grayish-
blue; iris brown. 9 above, streaked with blackish and olive-brown or Haxen-browii, with
median white coronal and superciliary line ; below, white, more or less tinged with fulvous and
streaked with dusky ; niider wing-coverts
sajfron-ycUow ; upper coverts and iimer
quills with a white spot at end ; bill brown.
Young $ at first resembling the 9 ; but the
rose c(dtir appears with the first full feather-
ing. Tw<i or three years are required to
produce the perfect beauty. Sexes of same
size. Length 7.75-8.50; extent 1;*. 00-1:5.00:
wing .■{.90-1.25; tail ;5.25; tarsus 0.90.
Eastern IT. S. an<l IJritish Provinces, N.
to Labrador and the region of the 8a.skatche-
wan ; W. in V. S. to tlie Red Hiver Valley,
and edge of the Missouri River plains ; win-
ters extralimital ; breeds from the Middle
States northward. A splendid bird! Few
comhino such attractions for the eye and ear.
Nest in bushes and low trees, chiefly of root-
lets and slender fibres; eggs 3-4, 1.00 X
0.75, dull gre(,'nisli, fully splashed and dotted
with dark brown, laid in .June.
!!»0. Z. inelauoee'pliala. ((Jr. ^("Xar, /xcXavoj, V«.r<.\A^\. Nichols sc.)
melas, melauos, black ; (ctc^nXij, ke^ihuU; head. Fig. 250.) Black-headed Song Gnoi5nEAK.
Adult $ with the crown, sides of head, Ijack, wings, and tail bhick; the back usually varied
with whitish or cinnamon-brown, the wings spotted with white on the ends of the coverts, an<l
usually al.so towards the ends of the quills, and with a large white patch at base of primaries ;
several lateral tail-feathers with
large white spots on inner
webs near their ends. Neck all
around, rump, and under parts
rich orange-brown, changing to
bright pure yellow on the belly
and under wing-coverts; bill
and feet dark grayish -blue.
Size of the last. The 9 and
young differ much as in the last
species, but may be recognized
by the rich sulplutr-i/cllow under
_ wing-coverts; the bill is shorter
ll\\\ H.H.Jni. and more tumid, 0.(i()-0.75 along
Fig. 250. — Klack-lieiiilcdGroBbciik, reiluceil. (Slieppnrildcl. Nlcliolggc.) culmell, 0.(10 deep at base. 9
adult: Under i)arts like those of the ^, but paler, though the belly and lining of wings
arc as pure yeUow. Upper parts dark brown with an olive shade, varied with whitish or
brownish-white, the head blackish with white or brownish coronal and superciliary stripes.
Wings dusky, marked as in the (J, but the basal white spot on jirimarics restricted ; tail as in
Fio. 240. — Knse-brcastetl GroHl>eak, reduced. (Slicp-
)
r. i
a I
390
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSEHES— OSCINES.
Fio. 251. — Hill of Cuirncii, iiat.
size. (A<liiut. (lol.E.C.)
(J, but the white siuits reduced or obsolete. Bill light-eolored bi'low. lu the ^ the ten-
dency is to j)eriectly black head, back, tail, and wings, the two former juire and continuous,
the two latter boldly spotted with white as described ; but such faultless full dress is not often
seen. This stylish AVestern representative of the elegant rose-breast is common in suitable
woodland from the Plains to the l*a<'ific, U. S., wintering in Mexico, breeding throughout its
U. S. range ; its habits are the same ; its nest and eggs aro
indistinguishable.
90. GUIRA'CA. {Vox larh., Me.\. or S. Am. name of some
bird. Fig. 251) IJi.fK Guo.siiKAKs. ]$ill with commissure
strongly angulated far beyond base, with deej) under mandible
and bristly rictus as in Xameloilia, but not so swollen, the cul-
men nearly straight. Wings long and pointed, fiddiug about
the middle of the tail ; tip fonued by the 2d-4th ([uills, 1st
little shorter, 5th rapidly graduated. Tail shorter than wings,
wen. Tarsus rather less than middle toe and claw; outer
lateral toe .slightly longer than the inner, but scarcely reaching
base of middle claw. One sjiecies, large, (J blue, i brown.
291. G. coeru'lea. (Lat. ccerulea, cerulean. Fig. 25:i.) Riak Guosbk.VK. Adult $ : Kich dark
blue, nearly uniform, but darker or blackish across middle of back; feathers around base of bill,
wings and tail, black; middle and greater wing-coverts tipped with chestnut; bill dark horn-
blue, paler below; feet blackish. Length 0.50-7.00; extent 10.50-11.01); wing 3.;{()-;5.f)0 ; tail
2.75-3.00; bill 0.00-0.0? ; tarsus 0.75; middle toe and claw rather more. 9 .smaller, plain
warm brown above, paler and rather flaxeu-bruwn below, sometimes whitey-browu on throat
and belly, or with slight streaks on
belly and crissuni ; wings and tail fus-
cous, sometimes slightly bluish-glossed
or t>dged, the former with whitey-brown
cross-bars; bill and feet brown. Young
$ at first lik«> 9 t when changing,
shows coufuseil brown ami blue; after-
ward, blue inteiTUitted \vith white be-
low. IT. S., from Atlantic to Pacific,
but southerly ; rarely N. to Massachu-
setts, and even Maine ; winters wholly
cxtralimital ; breeds throughout its U. S.
range. Its limit of northward migra-
tion with regularity and in any numbers
is about the latitude of Philadelphia.
Fig. 252.— Biuo Grosbeak, reduced. (Slicpiiard del. Klcbolssc.) \est ill bushcs, vines or Other shrub-
bery, sometimes a low tree, of grasses and rootlets; eggs 1—5, averaging 0.90 X 0.05, palest
bluish, normally unspotted ; quite like those of the indigo-bird, but larger.
91. PASSERI'NA. (Lat. j)f».ssmn«s, sparrow-like : not well applied to these " matchless ones.")
Painted Finches. Bill relatively smaller and weaker than in the la.st, with less conspicuous
angulation, the ciilmen regularly a little convex, the gonys nearly .straight. Outer 4 primaries
longest ; 1st usually between 4th and 5th, the latter much shorter. Tail little shorter than wing,
about even or emarginate. Feet moderate; tarsus about ecpial to the middle too and claw ;
lateral toes about equal to each other, their claws falling short of base of middle claw.
Embracing several elegant finches of small size; the males of very showy hues, especially
blue, but also red, purple, yellow, and green, usually in masses; the females 'iiiple and
tasteful greenish or brownish shades.
miNGILLID^ : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC. 391
Analytii <\f Species.
f rich blue, Intense red nml golden-green ; $ greenish and yellow. Southern riris 202
(f purpllsli-bluc, dusky and rtMldlsli. 9 bro\vn. Southwestern rersimlor 2!Kl
(f Inzull-blue and white, the breast brown ; 9 brown and whitish. AVestorn nmivmt I'M
(f indigo-blue; $ brown. Kasteni eiinnrn ■.i),'}
292. P. cl'ris. (Gr. tttipit, leiris, imine of iv bird into wliicli Scjlla, (liiufjlitrr of Nisus, wna triuis-
foriiu'tl. ) I'aintkk Finch. Paintkd llixnxo. NoxPAiiKir-. Pope. ^. adult : Crown and
liiiid ueck and sides of head and neck ricli blue; back and seapulars beautiful fjolden-grcen ;
ej'elids, rnnii>, and entire under jmrts intensi' vermilion-red ; wings dusky, glo.ssed with yreeii
and reddi.-ih ; tail dusky reddish. Rill dark horn-e(dor ; feet dark brown. Size of C. nmcrna;
\\\\\ii 2.7") ; tail 2.25, a little eniargiiiate. 9 • Above, jdain 3-ellnwish-f;reen, nearly uniform, this
eoUir irlossinii the dusky wiiiirs and tail; below, yellowish; bill brownish, pale below; thus
quite different from the broivn 9 9 <'*" "'^ ^''f following .spceies. Young ^ at first like 9 i
acquiring the red and blue with every possible gradation between the cohirs of the two se.ves.
South Atlantic and Gulf States, abundant; uj) the coast to Carolina, and in the interior to
Illinois; Texas and Mexico. An ex(|uisite little creature of matchless hues, well named the
" ineom])aral>l(> " ; a fair songster, and a favorite cage-bird in Louisiana. Nest in bushes,
hedges and low trees ; eggs pearly white, .sjx'ckled with reddish and puqdish browns.
293. P. versl'color. (Lat. rernkolor, various in e(dor; rerto, I turn; color, c<dor.) Pfiti'i.R
Painted FiNcii. Vaiueij IUtntixo. Westeun Xospakeil. Pkusiaxo. <J, adult: Hind
hea«l, throat, and fore breast brownish-red or chiret-eolor, the former sometimes scarh't ; hind
neck and middle of back similar, but more obscured; fore-part of crown jturplish-rt'd ; rump and
ui)per tail-coverts puridish-blue ; below, from the brca.st, and the wings and tail, dusky, tinged
or glossed with purplish ; concealed white in feathers of side of rump ; lores and circumrostral
feathers black. Hill horn-bluish, j)aler below, stouter than in the other species, with very
convex culmen and concave cutting edge of upper mandible. Feet dark. The versiccdoration
is ditKcult to describe ; the general aspect is that of a purplish-dusky bird, rediler or bluer hero
and there. Size of the others. 9 plain brown above, whitey-brown below, like nmcrna and
fliattca; no whitish wing-bars; no black strijie on gonys ; coii(!ealed white on siil(>s of rump;
bill stout. Lower California and ^fexico, N. to U. S. border, esj)ecially in the Kio Grande
Valley, where eonnuon in some localities. (Accidental in Aliehigan.)
294. P. ainue'iia. (Lat. amaena, delightful, charming, dressy.) I.,azitli Painted FiNCir. ^,
adult: Head and neck all around, entire ujiper jiarts, and lining of wings, rich azure or lapis-
laziili blue, more or less ob.scured on the middle of the back; the lores black. BeloM', from the
blue neck, chestnut-brown, changing to white on the belly and erissum. A firm white wing-
bar across ends of the median coverts, and usually another weaker one across tips of greater
coverts. Wings and tail dusky, glossed with blue. IJill and fe(>t bluish-black. Length ."i.2.j-
5. .50; extent 8.00-8.50; wing 2.75-;}.00 ; tail 2.25-2.50; bill 0.37; tarsus 0.05. 9, adult:
Above, flaxen-brown, nearly uniform, but with slightly darker centres of the feathers, and some-
times a faint bluish gloss. Below, buffy or brownish-white, most colored im the breast, palest
on throat and belly. Wings and tail fuscous, with faint bluish edgings usually, crossed with two
decided brownish-white bars, — the chief distinction from 9 ci/anea. $, young: Like the 9 >
when changing, patched with browni and blue ; when very young, $ 9 somewhat streaky,
especially t>n under parts. Replacing P. ci/anea from the Plains to the Pacific, coiunum in
suitable places : habits, nest, and eggs the same.
295. P. cya'nea. (Lat. cijanea, Gr. Kvavtos, kmtneos, dark blue. Fig. 253.) Isdioo Painted
Finch. Indioo-biiid. Adult $ : Indigo-blue, intense and constant on the head, glancing
greenish with different lights on other parts ; M-ings and tail blackish, glossed with greenish-
blue; feathers around base of bill black ; bill dark above, rather paler below, with a curious
black stripe along the gonys. 9- Above, plain warm brown, below whitey-hrown, «d)s<detely
streaky ou the breast and sides; wing-coverts and inner quills palc-cdged, but not whitish;
'
892
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSERES— OSCINES.
Fid. 253. — Indlgo-blrJ, rciluceil. (Sliepimril Uol. Nichols sc.)
no wJiitisli wing-bars; upper niunilible blucl<i!<h, lower jmle, witli the bhick i<trii)e just
nientioui'd, — this is ii pretty constant fcuturc, unil will distinguish the species from any of our
Eastern little brown birds. Young ^ : Like the 9) '"'t soon shows blue traces, and afterward
is blue with white variegation below.
Size of the foregoing. Eastern U. .S., N.
to Maine and Canada ; W. to Kansas,
Indian Territory, and Texas; winters
wludly extraliniital ; breeds throughout
its N. A. range. Abundant in fields and
open woodland, in suninu'r ; a well mean-
ing but rather weak vocalist, Mho.se low
rambling strain is delivered as if the liltlo
j>erfonner wi're tired or indifferent. Xest
in the crotch of a bush, large for the size
of the bird, and not at all artistic ; eggs
usually 4-.'J, averaging 0.72 X 0.52, white
with a faint blue shade, and normally
plain, though not sehlom a little sjieckled.
92. SI'KRMO'l'HIluV. (Gr. trnipiM, speniia, seed; <^i>os, jiliilos, loving.) PytiMV FiXciiK.s.
Bill like that of a bullfinch in miniature, short and extremely turgid ; swollen in all directions,
nulmen convex nearly in the sextant of a circle ; cutting edge of U|i]ier nuindible very concave ;
gouys short, about straight in outline. Wings short and greatly rounded ; 2d-4th (piills
longest, 1st, 5th, and even 6th, little shorter, and secinulariea nearly covering primaries in the
oliised wing. Tail rather shorter than wings, slightly rounded, with abruj)tly ]iointed tips of
the feathers. Tarsus etpial to middle toe and claw, and lateral toes to each other, their claws
about reaching base of middle chiw. A large C. and S. Am. g<'nus of i)ygniy finches, one of
M"hich reaches our border; our most diminutive fringilline (but Phonqtura is about the ,sime).
200. S. niorelet'l. (To one Morelet.) Mouki.kt'.s I'vti.MY FiNcii. LiTTi.i: Skkd-katkk. ^ :
Toj) and sides of head, back of neck, broad band acro.ss npper part of breast, middle of back,
wings, and tail, black ; chin, upper throat, neck nearly all around, rump, and remaining under
l)arts, white, the latter often tinged with ]>ale bulf; two wing-bauds, and bases of all thcipiills,
also white, that on the secondaries hid(h>u by the coverts, that on the primaries forming au
expo.sed spot ; inner secondaries usually edged with white ; tail-feathers sometimes with
obscm-ely whitish tip. Bill blue-black ; feet dark. 9 olivaceous-brown above, brownish-
yellow or dull buff below; wings with whitish bars, but no white bases of (|uills ; bill brown;
feet dark. Length about 4.00 ; wing 2.00-2.10 ; tail l.'JO ; tarsus O.GO. Mexico to Texas, in
the Lower Bio (jlrande valley.
93. PHOM'PARA. ((;r. </)<a>'i},7>/io«c, sound, voice; Lat. ^Mrw, I produce: badly formed.) (inA.ss
Qrns. Bill small, acute, culmen slightly convex, connnissure about straight to the angulation
at base. Wings short, rounded, 2d-jth primaries subequal and little longer than 1st, 6th, 7th.
Tail still .shorter, about even. Tarsus if anything shorter than middle toe and claw : lateral
toes subecpial to each other in length, scarcely reaching base of middle toe. A West Indian
genus of diminutive finches, one of which occurs in Florida.
297. P. ze'iui. {Vox harh. ; perhaps proper name.) Bi,.\(K-FA('Eit GuAS.S QllT. ^, adult:
Upper parts, including exposed surfaces of wings and tail, dull olivaceous, passing on the face,
throat, and breast, into .sooty-black, fading on other under parts into olive-gray, niore or less
varied with whitish ; wings and tail \unnarked; no decided demarcation of colors anywhere.
Bill blue-black ; feet dark brown. 9 lighter (divaceous, passing to olive-ashy where the ^
is black; bill ))alo bek)w; feet light brown. Length about -1.00 ; wing 2.00-2.10 ; tail 1.75.
West Indies and Florida. One of the conmion house finches in various West Indian Ishmds;
94
•i'JH
99
299
FRIXGILLWyJJ : FIXCJIES, JJ US TINGS, SPAIiIi(nyS, ETC.
aua
npst ill biishrs and slirulibcry, large, iknacil, with lutcriil I'litraiu-c; I'gus H-Ci, O.do x '•.">(),
white, sju'ckli'il with I't'ddisli.
94. PYRRIIIILO'XIA. {iMt. pDrrliiilii + Inxiii; /)i/)t/ih/«, iv Imlltiiicli ; /«.ci«, a (Tiisst-bili. (ir.
jru^^r, i)iirhruii, red ; Xogi'ay, lo.rias, crtiolscd.) llil.l.rixcii ('AltidNALS. Hiil very >hipit and
xtt lilt, hot lived almost lilie a jjarrot's : its dejitli at base I'xeeedinj,' its leiigtli ; under niandiblu
deeiier than upper at nostrils; eulnieii eurved almost to tin- <|Uadraut of a eirele ; eomniissure
foieibly angulated in advanee of nostrils; p>nys about straiglit. Otherwise generally like
CardiiKilis. L'olors grayish and red ; head erested. One large siieeies.
aos. 1*. Hinua'ta. (Lat. sinuata, bent, Imwed, eurved; sitiiis, abend, bay: alluding to the bill.)
llri.l.rixcil C'akdixai.. TkxAH Cauimsai,. ( 'onsiiicuoiisly erested, and otiierwise like the
eiimmon eardinal in form, but tlie bill extremely siiort and crooked. (J: Asiiy-brown, paler
or wliitish behiw; the erest, faee, tliroat, breast, and ndddle line of belly, witli tiie wings and
tail, more or less perfectly crimson or carmine red; bill wldtish. Length 8.(I((-S.5(); extent
11.00-1:3. 00; wing ;{..')0-t.00 ; tail .'1.75-4.2.'). 9 similar to the ^, more .so than 9 Ciirdiiinlis :
red of crest, wings, and tail much the same ; ratlier brownish-yellow below, usually with traces
of red on the breast and belly, sometimes without. Young ^ like the 9- -^t an early age,
both sexes have the hill (djsetired. In this species the crest is long, but thin, consistiui; of a
few coronal feathers, without general elongation of tlie head-plumage. The .shade of red is very
variable in eipially adult males. In highest feather it is continuous on the under jtarts from
bill to tail along the median line; but it is often binkeii into patches on throat, belly, and
crissum. The tint is always carmine, not vermilion as usual in the common cardinal. The
intense rose-cohir is well displayed on siireadiiig the wings. A singular bird, inhabiting tlu^
U. S. near the Jlexieau border, from Texas to Lower (."aliforiiia ; abundant in the valley of
the Lower Hio (1 ramie. The habits, nest, and eggs arc substantially the same as tho.se of the
common cardinal.
95. CARDINA'LIS. (Lat. cardinalis, pertaining to earth,
a door-hinge; rardhml, that upon which .something
hinges or depends ; hence important, principal, cardinnl
point ; cardimd, a chief ecclesiastical othcial, wearing
the red hat; hence airdiiitd-red, fnnii which color the
bird is named. Fig. :J."i I.) Cauiuxai. Guo.shkaks.
IVill very large and stout, but ([uiti nic ; culmen a little
convex ; goiiys about straight; coniiiii.ssure sinuate, not
abruptly angulat<'d ; lower mandible about as deejt as
upper; rictus bristled. Wings very short and rounded :
usually 1th and 5th ((uills longest, <ithers ra[)idly grad-
uated both ways, — 5th to Lst, 5tli to '.tth. Tail longer
than wings, rounded, of broad feathers with (ddiipiely
oval tips. Tarsus longer than middle t<ie and claw; nat.sizc. (.vi imt. del. K. c.)
lateral toes subequal. Size large. Head crested. Color mostly red, including bill. Sexes
subsimilar.
290. V. virgiiiia'nus. (Of Virginia ; name iiiappro|M'iate to Queen Elizabeth. Figs. :254, 255.)
Caudixai. GuosnEAK. Caudixai. l{i:i)-iiiui>. ViHiJixiA XiiiirnxcAi.K. (J, adult: Hich
red, usually vermilion, sometimes rosy; pure and inten.se on crest and under parts, darker on
back, where (discurcd with ashy-gray, as it is also on up]ter surfaces of wings and tail; the
feathers of the wings fuscous on inner webs. A jet-bhick mask on the face, entirely surround-
ing the bill, extending tin the throat. IJill coral-red ; feet lirown. Length 8.00-',l.00; extent
11.00-12.00 ; wing 3.50-4.00 ; tail 1.25-4.75 ; bill 0.07-0.75 : tarsus 0.'.»0-l.(J(). 9 rather less :
Ashy-brown, paler and somewhat yellowLsh-brown below, with traces of red ; reildening much
as in the (J on erest, wings, and tail. Young <J : At first like 9? hut soon reddening; at an
Flo. 254. — Hfiiit of fanliiiul Groslieali,
I'
8M
SYSTL'MA TIC SYXOPSIS. — PA SSEIiES — OSUINJiS.
pnrly iicr. bill dark. Eastern 1'. S., Hontlicrly, Htldoiii N. to tlic ('(iiiiucticiit Vallry ; alinij,' the
M)'\ii'an Icirdcr Hliadiii^' into ('. r. ifiunin. A liird nl' utriluiig aii|>(>araiict> ai)d brilliant vocal
powiTs, resident and almndant from tlir Middle States Moiitliward ; inhabits thickets, tangle and
underi;ro\vth of all kinds, wlieiu'e issne its rii'h rolling whistling notes while the |iertornier,
brightly elad as he is, often eludes observation by his shyness, vigilanee, and activity. Tho
iiost, built h)o8ely of bark-striiw, twigs, leaves, and grasses, is idaced in a bush, vine, or low
96.
300.
Fwi. 255. — Canllnnl Grosbeak, upiwr; Uose-brousleil Uruvbeak, lowur; iwlucod. (Fiuiii Urelitu.)
thick tree ; the esrgs are 1.00-1.10 long, 0.70-0.80 in breadth, i)rofusely nnirked with browns,
from reddi.sh to dark chocolate, with neutral tint in the shell, usually in tine dotting or mar-
bling pattern. Two or three broods are reared in tho South. Like the rose-breasted grosbeak,
the eardimil is a favorite cage-bird.
C. V. ig'neus. (Lat. »V/Hei<s, fiery.) Fiery-reh Cardinal. Like the last; not redder, but if
anything lighter red ; black mask narrowed on forehead, or so ititerrujited there that the re«l
reaches to the bill; crest incliniug to light red, more lilve that of belly than of back. Bill
.
FIUNGILUDJE: FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPARROWS, ETC.
895
toiiiIiiiK til Hwrll, with more (Icciilcilly ciirvcil I'liliiK'ti. Tail rather loiigor, mi an avcranp.
\'all('y lit' till' Ciiliiriulii ami (>ila, ami Luwrr Calit'iirnia, ('111111111111.
06. I'l'l'ILO. (Ijat. /lipilti or jiijiiii, I pip, pwp, chirp. 1 'r<i\viiKK, HfNTISfiH. KiiihraciiiK
iiiiiiH'riiiiN .sp('(•i<'^^ ami viirirtif's of lurp' EriniiiUidir, viiryiii/u' niiirii in systrm nt' I'liiiiriitiini ami
dctall.s (if fiinii, anil tlicrrt'iirc imt rawy t" charat'ti'ri/i' I'linciwly. lv\('r|itiii^ mir s|.i'cii's, nil are
over aeven inches lout/, lilll iiiinU'ratt' in hv/.v, ciinlc wlthmit fxtrciiit'H of tiirKiility nr cuiiiiirrN-
siiiii, lint varyinjr iiiiich in pri'dxc sliapi- with thr .spccifs. I'ri't laryr ami stnmL', littril fur
gniiiml wiirlt : tarsus almnt <'lplalliM^ nr rathrr I'xci'rilini; t'li' niiililli' t<ir ami rlaw ; latrral tucH
Hiiliorpial, iintcr nsually iv litth' tho Iniigt'r, its claw ri'achiii^'. in snnir rases rxiTi'ilinir llir liasti
of the iniilillr claw ; the claws all stunt ami ninch cnrvcil, in simii' species hiuhly ilevelnpeil.
Wings short ami greatly mnmleil, almnt the 4tli-.'ith primary Imigest, whence the ipiills arc
ra]iiilly grailnated tn 1st ami i)th ; 1st very slmrt. Tail hniK, o-vceciling the wings, rnuiiileil or
much grailiiateil, uf bniail firm feathers with nnniileil emls. harire species, inhaliiting shrnh-
liery, ami partly terrestrial. They fall in li sections nr series. I. lUmk Tmvhirn : of which the
only Eastern sjiecies is a ty]iical cxaniiile. In this, the se.xes are very unlike, hut the iliH'erencc
is less in the Western varieties into which it runs: all the forms are hlack on heail ami npper
parts, with hlack, M-hite-markeil wings or tail, tli. hack also white-niarkeil nr not ; helly while,
siiles chestnnt. Jl. llroini Tmrhern : variiair- lirown alu've, jialer, etc., helnw, the sexes
nlike. The.se nri nfineil to the .Southw«'.st, wlui' the inmierons species stand in the .same
relation to Frinfiilli(l(C that the Southwestern forms of JIarjmrhiowliiiH hear to Turdidir. Ill,
(Jirni Toirliir.'< : one small species, standing alone.
Oils. I. The hlack series of Pijiilo otters a case nearly iiarallel with those of Mijn.ijii:ii,
I'dsserelln and Jinict) alrca<ly discussed. 'I'here is one Eastern form much more distinct from
the several Western ones than these are from one another. It is nniform lilack almve, seldom
with a trace of white spotting on the scapulars: the 9 distinctively lirown where the (J is
hlack. The Western ones all have spotted scapulars and sianetinies also interscapulars ; and
9 9 i"''" Idackish, much like the (J (J. (Tliesii furthermore shade into an iiliruri'ons .Mexican
form.) /'. (irdivKs corr('s]ionds in a way with J^Ieliispua heeniidiiiii, I'uxserrllii xchiitnt'en, and
Jinico cmikrps ; 1'. oregituits with McUispita fjuttaUt or riifiiiti, I'lisserelln iiiDiliisrir and Jinim
Oregon H a : 1'. iiiefinloin/.r c\iwi\y with ]'<isserell(t mcfiarhi/ncha. It might he more consistent
til treat all the hlack Towhees as races of one incompletely specified stock ; Iiiil it is not easy
to so far ignore the sexual distinctivem'ss, nor the fact that though J', eri/tlirojihthdhtm.i has
(ircasional spots on the scajtular.'-, its intergradation is scarcely estahlished. II. The Hmwn
Towhees att'or one remarkahly distinct species, ]'. aherti, to he likened to Harjmrhi/iwliii.t
crissalis; and others incompletely separated from eacli other, like 11. rcdirinis and H. leconlii.
Analj/sh nf .'fpicics niul 1'ariilii's.
1. Ittarl; Tmrhfi'S. ColorH of tlie ni.ilo lilncl*, wliltc, and clicstnut In ilcflnlte areas.
No wlilto oil tlie scaimliirs or wliig-coverts. SexeH very unlike.
Kyes red In tlie breeiling acnsoii. Kastern U. S. at large erythropHlinlmun 301
Kyo» wlilte In tlie breeding season. Florida, resident ullmi .TOli
Scajiulars and wing-coverts with wlilte spots; sexes more alike. Western.
Little if any white at bases of primaries ; none on outer web of outer tail-feathers except at end.
nregnnus 303
White on wings and tail as In erythrnplitlialmnn, but interscapulars streaked .... arcticua :m
Like the last ; claws highly developed ; •exes nearly alike mef)alonj/r 306
2. Jirnini Tnirheia. Colors not definitely black, white and chestnut ; no greenish: sexes alike. Snutliwestern.
Grayish-brown, puler below, without blackish face ; throat and crissuni fulvous or rufescent.
Light; belly whitening; crissum yellowish-brown; necklace of dusky streaks . . . me/inhwm .IOC
Similar; more white on throat alhiriula .107
Dark ; belly only paler ; crissuni cinnamon-brown ; throat fulvous, speckleil rrinMlh 3(W
Oraylsh-brown, paler below; face blackish ; no other decided markings abirti 309
3. Green Toirliven. Colors greenish ; sexes alike.
Crown brown, throat white, breast ashy, edge of wing yellow, etc chlorunm 310
396
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES.
i
301. I*. erythrophtharmuB. (Gr. ipvOpos, eruthros, red ; otpSaXnos, ophthalmos, eye.) Towhee
HiXTiMi. Maksh lioBix. t'liKwiXK. (Jjiidiilt: Glossy bhick ; belly white ; sides chest-
nut ; crissiun fiilvous-brown ; itriinaries and inner secondaries with white touches on the outer
webs ; outer tail-feather with outer web and nearly the tenninal luilf of inner web white, the
next two or three with white spots decreasing in size ; bill black ; feet pale brown; iris red in
the adult, white or creamy iv the young, and generally in winter specimens. Nonnally, the
black pure and continuous ; occasionally, white touches on wing-coverts and scaj)ular.s. White
on iiriuiaries confined to bases of outer 6, and their outer webs at about their middle ; on
secondaries to outer webs of inner i or 3. ]Slack fe.ithers of throat with concealed whitish
bases. Length 7.50-8.75 ; extent 10.00-12.00 ; wing 3.-20-3.f)0 ; tail 3.35-4.00 ; tarsus 1.00-
1.12; but these extremes are rare ; average length S.OO; extent 11.25; wing 3.75 ; tail 4.50.
9 : Kic' warm brown where the male is black ; otherwise similar, but smaller. Ven/ young
birds ar> streaked brown and dusky above, beh>w whitish tinged with brown and streaked with
dusky; but this plumage is of brief duration; .sexual distinctions may be noted in birds just
from the nest, and they rapidly become much like the adults. Eastern U. S. and British
Provinces ; X. to Canada, Minnesota and Dakota, where meeting P. ardicus; W. to Kan.sas,
and in .Missouri Hiver region to about 13°. Northerly jierfectly migratory; winters from middle
U. S. southward; breeds nearly throughout its range. An abundant and familiar inhabitant of
thickets, undergrowth, and briery tracts, s])ending much of its time on the frround, scratching
among fallen leaves. Nest on the ground, bulky, of leaves, grasses and other fibrous material ;
eggs 4-5, 0.95 X 0.70, white, thickly .speckled M-ith reddish. The curious names " Towhee "
and •' ( 'liewink " are from its cry ; " Marsh Hobin " from its haunts and the chestnut of the sides.
30a. P. e. al'lenl. (To J. A. Allen, the eminent naturalist.) Wimte-kved Towhee Uintixo.
Similar; snuiller; less white on the wings and tail; chiws longer; ivix ichite. (J, extremes:
Length 7.25-8.50; extent 9.50-11.55 ; wing 2.80-3.50 ; tail 3.25-4.00; tarsu.s 0.80-1.10; aver-
age length 7.90; extent 9.90; wing 3.12; tail 3.50; tail »•?/«///•<•/// hmger than in Northern
specimens, producing less ditt'erence in total h'ligth than there is in length and extent of wings.
♦Vhite on outer tail-feather about as much as on the next feather of V. criithruphlhttlmus.
Florida; resident; a hK'al race.
[P. inacula'tus. (I^at. maciilntiis, spotted.) Omve-ki.ack Spotted Towhee. A Mexican
species, with extensively olivaceous ctdoration and streaked back, into which tiie following tlire(>
varieties shade imperceptibly, — oreijonus being farthest removed and most like erythivjilithdl-
miis, arcticiis and megnlonij.v successively nearing tiie Mexican stock-form. j
303. I', ni. ore'gonus. (To the Territory of the Oregon.) OuEiiON To'viiEE. ^ : Very similar to
erijthriiphthalmus; (juitc as bhick, but not continuously 8<» ; wing-coverts with small rounded,
and scapulars with larger oval, white spots on the outer webs of the feathers near tin; end;
interscapulars sometimes also with white touches? white marks on the ])rimaries and inner
secondaries very small or wanting, usually none at the bases of the former; white .spots on tail-
feathei's very small, the outer web of the outer recirix not white exce))t at tli<^ end. Excepting
these particulars, this form hniks more like i t ijihrophthalmux than liki' the tyjiical nidciihiliin,
in which the body-colors are olivaceous. 9 'l'""'* innber-brown, but not tpiitt? blackish.
Pacific coast region, N. to Hritish Columbia, S. to Southern California, melting eastward
into nniicus, .southeastward into megahmijx.
304. P. III. arc'tloiis. (Lat. «rc/icM.'i, arctic.) AitcTic Towhee. Similar to the foregoing ; le.ss
purely and continuously black, with tendency to idivaceous on back and rump ; white sitots of
wing-cove.'s larger, those of scajndars still larger and lengthening ii!«o streaks ; interscapulars
al.sti streaked with white; white on the <|uills and tail-feathers at a maximum, as in rnjthro-
jthUmhnun; usually, alsK, concealeil white sjiecks in the black of the throat. 9 eoniparatively
dark, but not tpiite blackish. In this form, the white on the wing-quills and tail-feathers, so
much reduced in the glossy black oregonux, is as extensive as in crijthrophtlmlmus ; but the
FRINGILLIDjE : FINCHES, BUNTINGS, SPAIili0^y'S, ETC. S!)7
wing-coverts, scnpulars and interscajnilars are fully t.iarkcd with white ; the black teutls to
olive, at least on niiiip, and tlie 9 is not fairly brown. Central region of X. Am., from tlie
limit n{ eri/Hirojihthalmus in Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota, to that <>( oregomis in Oregon and
Washington ; in the S. lloeky Mt. region melting into megalonyx.
305. P. m. megalo'nyx. (^rydX^, Wifiyn/e, great ; ovv^,onux, i'Xiwv.) SPfUBKn T(1WMKK. BiNTixfi.
The \)revailing form in the S. l{(!eky Mt. region. New Me.xico, Arizona and California. I're-
cisely like arcticus, but feet larger, with highly-developed claws ; hind claw deciiledly longer
than its digit ; lateral claws reaching to or beyond middle of middle claw. In this form at any
rate, the 9 is hardly distinguishable in color from the ^ , being slaty-blackish with an appreci-
able olivaceous shade, thus exhibiting a decided approach to the ty])ical Mexican stock. The
note is entirely different from that of the Ea.stern Towhee, being so exactly like the scolding
"mew" of a cat-bird, that I have heard persons stoutly couteud that there are cat-birds in
Arizona. The general habits, nest and eggs of all these Western Towhees are substantially
the same as those of the Easteni.
[P. fiis'eus. (Lilt, fiiscus, dark brown.) Me.\i( AN HuowN Towhke. An obscure Mexican
stcxdi form, carelessly described by Swainson, to which the three following N. Am. birds are
pndmhly referable as varieties.]
306. 1*. t. mesoleu'cus. (dr. fiitros, mesos, middle; XcvKor, leucos, white; the middle uiuler parts
whiter tlian in cri.s.inlis.) HitowN Tf)win:K. Ca.non Towhek. ^, 9 = Above, uniform
grayisii-brown with a slight olivaceous shade; crown brown in aj)preciable contrast; wings
and tail like the back, unmarked, or some tail-feathers with rusty tijts. IJelow, a pah'r shade
of the color of tlie back, whitening on the bellj-, tinged with fulvous and streaked with dusky
on the sides of throat and middle of breast, M'ashed with rich ru.sty-l)rown on the Hanks and
erissuui. The belly is usually quite white, contrasting with the rusty Hanks and vent ; the
throat is ochrey, usually imnuicuhitc and embraced necklace-wise with dusky spots in series on
each side, aggregated and blotched on the breast. Kill dusky, jialer below ; feet brown, toes
usually darker than tarsus. Sexes indistinguishable. In fresh fall specimens, the tawny
sutl'uses nearly all the under jiarts except middh^ of belly, and the throat spots ant ditt'used
instead of being in series. In the very early streaked stage, there is no distinction of a brown
cap ; the wing-coverts are ru.sty-edged ; and the wlnde under parts are dusky -streaked. Length
8.00-8.50; wing 3.00-4.00; tail 4.25-kf;(). S. W. U. S., chietly New Mexico and Arizoua,
but also W. Texas, S. CNdorado, Utah and Nevada, and interior of Southern California. Nest
in bushes ; eggs, as in all the Hrown Towhees, s])ecked and scratched with blackish on a pale
greenish ground. (P. /k.scx.s of the Key, orig. ed.)
307. P. f. albi'Kiila. (Lat. alhiis, white ; gula, throat.) WiiiTE-TiiuoATEi) Buowx Towiiee.
Exactly like the la.st, but the white of the under jiarts extending further up the breast, the
gular spots more restricted, sparser, and better deHiu'd. Lower California. Slightly distin-
guished ; but in good spring specimens the rusty is restricted to the crissuin ; the ochraceous of
the throat is less extensive, paler, and mainly confined within the necklace.
30 . P. f. crissK'lis. (Low Lat. cri'.ssa/w, relating to the cri».iiim, the under tail-coverts, which arc
highly cohm'd.) Crissal Towhee BtxTixct. Califou.ma Towiiee. Similar to niesoleiicii.i ;
crown like the back ; rather darker above, with an olivaceims tinge, (hridedly so below, the
middle of the belly scarcely or not whitening, the gular fulvous .strong, and, with its dusky
streaks, definitely restricted to the throat; the fiauks and erissum chestnut or deep cinnamon-
brown. Uather larger : wing 4.00 ; tail 5.00; 9 rather less. Coast region of California (and
northward?), abundant. Nest in bushes, probably also on ground; eggs .'{-4, O.'.la X 0.72,
l)ale greenish or blui.sh-white, fully spotted with blackish and neutral tints. This is the dark
coast form, bearing the same relation to mesolencu8 that the coast Harporhynchus refltviviis
hears to the paler //. kcontii of the interior. The crown is brownish, but not forming a cap
contrasting with the back ; the throat is fulvous rather than ochrey ; this color of very limited
398
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSERES— OSCINES.
extent, and spccklt-U with dusky throughmit; the orissnm rich rusty. (It is the P. /uncus,
Ciiiss., 111., 1S54, pi. 17 ; Bd., 1858 ; but uot the true fuscus of Sw. ; Fringilla crissalis,
Vigors, 1839.;
309. P. a'bertl. (To Lieut. J. W. Abert.) Abert's Towhee. Gray Towiiee. Somewhat
similar to the fon-goiug species of this sectiou of the genus, but entirely distinct ; a very
large, long-tailed form, witii no decided markings anywhere excepting the dark face. Above,
grayish-brown, with a slight fulvous tinge ; wings and tail darker and purer brown, the tail-
feathers slightly rusty-tipped. Below as alH)ve, but i>aler, by dilution with a peculiar pale
pinkish-brown shade (like that on the side of an Oregon snow-bird), particularly on the throat ;
crissuin more cinnamon-brown ; hires and chin blackish. Bill and feet brown ; under mandible
paler tlian the upper. Young more rusty. Then; is much individual variation in shade, but
this hirge dingy wliolc-c(dored bird witii dark face is always easily recognized. Length about
•J. 00 ; wing 3.40-3.70 ; tail 4.50-5.00 ; tarsus 1.00-1.10. New Mexico and Arizoiui, abundant,
especially iu the valley of the Gila and Colorado, where we find it a wild and shy inhabitant of
thickets and chaparral; X. to Cohiradoand Utah. Nest in bushes, loose and bulky; eggs 3—4,
1.00 X 0.75, bluish-wiiite, sparingly sjieckled and scrawled with blackish.
310. P. cliloru'ru8. ((Jr. x^'wpoS) Morox, green; oSfM, oiira, tail.) Gri:en-tau.ei> Towiiee.
Blaxdixg's Finch. <?, 9, adult: Above, grayish-green, sometunes quite olive-gray, at
otiiers bright olive-green, the exposed surfaces of the wings and tail with brigliter greenish
edgings. Edge of wing and under coverts and axillaries bright yellow, (.'rown rich chestnut ;
forehead blacki.sh, with awhitisii h>ral spot on each side. Chin and throat pure white, Ixiunded
by dusky maxillary stripes as sharply contrasted as in the wliite-throated sparrow with dark
surroundings. Whole breast and sides of head, neck and body fine clear ash, or slate-gray,
obscin-ed on the Hanks and crissum with brownish, fading to white on the belly; coni]iieting
the resemblance to Zo»io^rtt7iia ulbicoUis. Bill biackish-iilumbeous ; feet brown, toes darker.
Length about 7.00; extent ',).50 ; wing 2.80-3.20: tail 3.40-3.70; tarsus 0.<.I5. Less iiiaturo
birds have the chestnut cap veiled by gray tips of the fcjithers. Yoh)kj : Crown like back.
Upper parts dull brown tinged with greenish in places, streaked throughout with <lusky, but
wings and tail as in the adult ; under parts foreca.xting the jiattern of the adults, but dusky-
streaked throughout. This stage is brief and the birds resemble the adults after tiie tirst fall
inoult. An interesting l>ird, of no intimate relations with any other ; it lias long been con-
ventionally placed in Pipilo, for want of a better location ; it is not ea.>*y to see how it diftei-s in
form from Zunotrkhia or Kmliernagra. Southwestern U. S., esjiecially S. Bocky Mts. ; X. to
Wyoming and Idaho; migratory; winters over our border. A sprightly inhabitant of ^hrub-
bery ; nest in bush or on the ground ; eggs O.'JO X 0.(18, pale greenish (»r grayish-white, freckled
all over with bright reddish-brown, usually aggregating or wreathing at the larger end.
97. EMBKRNA'GRA. (A villanous com|Miund of emberizn, a bunting, and taiiaijra, a tan-
ager ; the former is only Latinized from Old German, tlu; latter is South American.) The
integrity of the genus is (pu-stionable. Said to contain several extralimital sjiecies not nearly
allieit to ours. It is ditHcult to .see how the following species differs more than specifically from
Pipilo cMoriirus. It offers the fidhiwing details of form: Bill not notabh' in any way. Tarsus
exceeding the middle toe and claw. Lateral toes short; outer a little longer than inner ; claw
of neither reaching base of middle chiw ; fore claws all small anil weak ; hind claw about as
long as its digit. Wings very short and much rounded ; 4th to 7th prinuiries about equal and
longest ; SJd as long as '.)th ; 1st equalling the .'hi from the innennost secondary. Tail about as
long as the wings, much rounded, the outer feathers half an inch shorter than the middle ones;
all broad to their rounded ends. Cohiration olivaceous with yeUow edge of wing and incon-
spicuous head-stripes.
311. K. rufovirga'ta. (Lat. r«/(», with rufous, virgnta, striped; virga, i\ rod.) Green Finch.
Te.\A8 Si'ARROW. ^, adult: Above, dull olive-green, brighter on wings and tail. Under
ICTERIDJE: AMEBIC AN STARLINGS; BLACKBIIWS, ETC.
399
parts shading from color of tho upper through grayish-olivo and olive-gray to sordid whitish,
purest on the middle of the belly. Inner webs of wing-([uills fuscous ; tail the same, but nmro
glossed with greenish, and sometimes sliowiiig traces of crosswise watering with darker waves,
as often seen in the song sparrow. Wliole bend and lining of wing bright clear yellow. Crown
like back, with two broad stripes of dull rufous from nostrils to nape; a similar rufous stripe
behind eye, scunetimos traccalde ])ast eye to the lore, then defining a superciliary line of light
olive-gray or whitish. A whitish eye-ring. Tpper mandible light brown, lower drying
yellowish; feet pale. Length O.^j-fi.?.) (in't 5.50, as in Baird) ; extent 8.5fM,).(K) ; wing
2.40-2.75; ttiil the same ; bill 0.50; tarsus (l.'.i;) ; middle toe and daw 0.75. 9 said to ditler
immaterially, and young to lack the head-stripes. Young, first idumage : Above, mixed hmwu
and olive-tawny; wings brown, edged with olive, the coverts edged and tip|)ed with tawny ;
bri st like back ; belly tawny. Texa.^, in l^owiT Hio (irande Valley. Iniiabits .shrubbery,
e'.aparral, and close cover of all kinds, where it is dlHicult to discover, owing to its (juiet ways
.vnd greenish tints. Keeps near the groinid, but builils a domed nest of twigs and grasses in
bushes and low trees; two broods are reared in May-June, and Aug.-Sept. Eggs 2-4, pure
white, unmarked, averaging 0.85 X 0.65, but frtmi 0.75-0.90 by 0.(50-0.70.
17. Family ICTERID-^ : American Starlings: Blackbirds, etc.
Cultri rostral Osciiies with 9 prima-
ries. — A family of moderate extent,
confined to America, where it repre-
sents the Stitniuhc, or Starlings <if
the Old World. It c<nisists of tlie
Blackbirds and Ori<des, among tiie
former being included the ISobolinks,
Cow-birds, and Meadow " Larks."
It is nomiinilly composed of 150
species, half of which nuiy prove
valid, distributed among 50 genera
tir subgenera, of which one-fourth
may be c(msi<lerod worthy of rett'n-
tion. The relationships are very close
with the ErinijillidfC, on the one
hand ; on the other, they grade
FI0.2M. — A typical /cro-Msi/. /<«H<Hi-.). (.Vftcr Audubon). toward the Crows (Co/T If /ff). They
share with Fringilline birds the characters of angulated commissure and '.) developed j)ri-
muries, and this di.stinguishcs them from all the other families whatsoever ; but the distiiu--
tions from th*? Frinfjillida: are not easily exi)ressed. In fact, I know of no character that
will reiigate the Bobolink and Cowbird to the Ideridtc rather than to the Frintiillidee,
in the current acceiitatiou of these terms. In general, how<'ver, tlu? Icteridcc are citltrirostral
rather than strictly mnirontral Osciues, having tliat cutting rather than crushing style of
bill seen in perfection in the crows, toward which some of the Icterid<p approach ; being thus
distinguished by the length, acntetu'ss, and not strictly conical shape of the uniiotched,
unbristled bill, which has a peculiar extension of the cnlmen on the forehead dividing tho
prominent antite of cb)Be-set velvety featiiers that reach to or on the nasal scale — a character
well exhibited in Stnrnella, for instanci'. In length, the bill umudh) ecpials if it dcM's not exceed
tho head ; the tip is unnotclied, the rictus nnbi-istled, the commissure obtu.sely but evidently
angulated. The bill is shortest and most fringilline in DoUchonyx and Mulothnts ; most acnitc
in the Orioles (^Icterus), where it in sometimes actually deciir\'ed; most cnjw-liko in the
400
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES — OSCINES.
Graokk'8 {Quiscaliis). (See any figs., iM'yoml.) Excepting tlie arboreal orioles, the feet are
large ami strong, fitted for the more or less terresitrial life wliicli all the species lead, walking
on the ground with ease instead of hopping like most FrintjUUda:. Xo specialties of wing or
tall; former usnally pointed, latter rounded, sometimes very large and fan-shaped.
Among our moderate numlxT of species are representatives of four of the subfamilies into
which the Icteridm are conveniently and ipiite naturally divisible. In most of the genera black
is the prevailing color, — either uniform and of iutenso metallic lustre, or contrasted with
masses of red or yellow. In Slurnella alone the pattern is "niggled." In nearly all, the sexes
are conspicuously dissimilar, the female l>eing .smaller and browni.sh or streaky in the iridescent
black species, greenish and y(dh>wish in the brilliantly colored ones. All are migratory in this
country. Other details are best given under heads of the sul)families. These groups, with
their component genera, may be analy>!ed as fidlows by tlie salient features more likely to
attract the attention of the student than less <d>vions technical characters : —
Anahji'm of SnhfnmHies anil dturn
AiiKL.Ki.v.i-:. Marsh Jllackhirih. Terrestrial anil gregarioiiii. mil ciiiiic-nciite, HonietiiueH quite friiigilliiie,
nlidrler or Hi'ureely longer tliuii liuail. Feethtoitt.
JlnlMiliiil.li. Sexes unlilce in summer. Illa>'l< and bufl°, or yellowisli ; iiu rcU. Tail-fcatliers verj- acute.
Tarsus shorter tlian nitilillu too and claw J)i)liiliimj/.i- !)8
Covliinlf. Sexes unlike. Lustrous l>lack (f, brown 9 i »» reil or yellow Mulothriis 09
JtlacKliirih. Sexes unlike. Lustrous black cf. reil on wing; streaky $; no yellow . . . Aiirlnna 100
llUiclhirih. Sexes unlike. Lustrous black cf, brown $, lM>tli with yellow bead . XnnthiKi'ithalun 101
Stiknki.ux.k. Meailnw Lnrka. To'.restrialand imjierfectly gegarious. Kill of i>eculinr shape. Tall very
short. Feet large and stout.
Soxes alike. Jlotley-colored, extensively yellow liciow Slunutln 102
ICTF.nix.K. Oridlm, Arboreal, non-gregarioiis. Bill extremely acute, someliiues decurved. Feet weak.
Sexes unlike.
Illack, with yellow or orange or chestnut In masses, in tlie J : 9 greenish and yellowish . . Jctiriin 103
Qt;is<'.\i.iN.l-:. >'rnw lilarkhirih. Terrestrial and gregarious, liill elongate, corvine. Feet stout. Color
of jf entirely Iridewent black ; $ brown or blavkisb.
liill shorter than head; even tail shorter than wings ScolivnpliniiuK IM
Itill not shorter than head ; graduated tall not shorter than wings (^uitcaliia 105
22. Subfamily ACEL^IN^: Marsh Blackbirds.
Gregarious, graiiivorous species, more or less completely ten'estrial, and chiefly jmlustrine,
not ordinarily conspicuous vocalists ; building rather rude, not pensile, nests, laying 4-fi sjwtted
or curiously limned <'ggs. With the fei^t strong, fitted both for walking and for grasping
swaying reeds ; the wings more or less (Miinted, eipialling or exceeding the tail in li'ngth ; the
bill conic-acute, shorter or little longer than the head, its cutting edges more or le.ss inflected.
Four well-marked genera, the species of which aboimd in the I'nited .States, on jdain and
prairie, in marsh and meadow. In the West, they swarm alKHit the .settlements, stage stations,
military posts and other detestable places.
08. DOLICIIO'NYX. (Gr. fioXixoir, ilolichos, long: Sw^. nnu.r, claw.) IJoiioi.lXKK. Sexes
unlike, but only in the breeding season : ^ black, liufl'and white; 9 brownish and yeUowish.
IJill short, conic, fi-ingilline, not nearly as hing as bead. Wings long tind pointed, 1st and 2A
•piills longest, others rapiilly graduated. Tail stifl'ened. with rigid very acute feathers, almost
like a woodpecker's, shorter than wing. Feet stout ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw ;
claws all very large. Oiu^ remarkable sjM'cies, though there arc several others in tropical
America; noted for the iteciiliar changes of plumage and the ''mad music "of the ^ ; abundant
in marsh and meadow of the Eastern T'. S.
312. D. oryafvorus. ((ir. opvfa, t»«.-i, Lat. ory-n, rice ; roro. I devom-. Fii;. 2.57.) Hoitoi.iXK.
Meadow-wink. Skixk nLACKniiin, Northern folates. Kkkh-iiihu, Middle States. IJuf.-
Hino, Southern States. ,J, in breeding plumage: IJlack ; cervix buff; scapulars, rump and
upi)cr tnil-coverts iishy-white ; iiitersi-apulars streaked with black, butt", and ashy ; outer quills
99.
ICTERIDJE — AGEL^INJE : MARSH BLACKBIRDS.
401
99.
edged with yellowish ; bill blackish-horn ; feet brown. The faultless full dress of black, white,
and buif is worn only for ii brief jieriod ; and even in spring uud sunnnor, most males are found
to have yellowish touches in the black, especially of the under parts. The "delirious song"
is oidy heard whih; the males are trooping their way to their breeding-grounds, and before the
midsummer change (jf feather. $ in fall, 9 > «nd young, entirely different in color : Yellowish-
brown above, brownish-yellow below; crown and back cons, '■.•uously, nape, rump, and sides
less broadly, streaked with black ; crown with a median and lateral light stripe ; wings and
tail blackish, pale-edged ; bill brown, paler below. In this, the ordinary coudition, the $ is
only known by superior size. Fall birds are more buffy than the spring ? . Tiie $ changing
shows confused characters of both sexes (see \i. 89) ; but in any plumage the species may be
recognized by the stiftish, extremely acute tail-feathere, in connection with its special dimensions.
$ : Length 7.00-7.50; extent 11.50-12.25; wing 3.50-3.80; tail 2.75-3.00; tarsus 1.00;
middle toe and claw 1.25. ? : Length C.50-7.00 ; extent 10.50-11.25 ; wing 3.25-3.50, etc.,
averaging i an inch less in length and an inch in extent. Chiefly Eastern U. S. and Canada ;
N. to 54° in the region of the Saskatchewan, W. not ordinarily beyond the central plains, but
occurs in Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. Winters whidly extralimital. In May, the
vivacious, voluble, and eccentric " Bobo-
links" pass North, spreading over the
meadows of the Middle and Northern
States from the Atlantic to Kansas and
Dakota, perfecting its black dress, and
breeding iu June and July. After the
midsummer change the "Keed-bird" or
" Kice-bird " comes back, thronging the
marshes in inunense tiocks with the Black-
birds ; has simply a chirping note, feeds on
tht! wiltl oats and wild rice, and becomes
extremely fat and is accounted a great
delicacy. The name "ortidan," applied
by some gunners and restaurateurs to this
bird, as well as to the Caroliiui Kail {For-
zana Carolina) is in either case a strange
misnomer, the Ortolan being a fringilline bird of Europe, Emheriza hortulana L. (Lat. hortu-
lanus, relating to a garden.) In the West Indies, where this bird retires in winter, as it does
also to Central and South America, it is called "butter-bird." The names "bobolink" and
"meadow-wink" are iu imitation of its cry; "skunk blackbird" notes the resemblance in
c(dor to the obnoxious quadruped. The migrations are i)erformed mostly at night, when in
May and early September one may hear the mellow metallic " chink" of the invisible passen-
gers. Nest on the ground, artfully ccmcealed in the grass; eggs 4-0,0.90X0.05, stone-gray,
dotted, mottled, and chaided with dark browns.
MOLO'THRUS. (Gr. fjLoKoBpot, or fioKo^pos, vagabond, tramp, parasite.) Cowninns. Bill
short, stout, conic and fringilline, about f as long as head ; but entirely nnnotchcd and
unbristled, witii little bent of commissure, the broad (tulmcn running well up on the forehead,
the nostrils well in advance of the feathers. Wings long and pointed, the first 3 primaries
entering into the tip, rest rapidly graduated. Tail shorter than wings, nearly even or a little
rounded, tending to divaricate in the middle, the feathers broad and plane to tlieir rounded ends.
Feet strong ; tarsus not shorter than middle toe. ^ black and lustrous, without red or yellow ;
9 plain black or brown. Terrestrial, but not sj)ecially j)alustrine ; eminently gregarious and
polygamous, or rather communistic, never mating or building nests ; thus parasitic, like; the Old
World cuckoos; no musical ability. To the single 8i)ecies long notorious in the U. S.,a second
20
Fin. 257. — Itoboliiik, cf > reduced.
NichoU 8c.)
(Sbeppnrd del.
402
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES— OSCINES.
bas lately been added ; there are several others in the wanner parts of America, all of the samo
irregular and objectionai c tendencies.
Analj/sit (if Sptcies and Varieties.
(f, Bteely black vith brown head.
Larger: J, wing over 4.00; tail over 3.00 ; $, wing al)OUt 3.75 ; tail about 2.75 ater 313
Smaller: cTt size of $ of the foregoing obacurus 314
(f, brassy blnc'k, including head; eye8 red; wing near S.OO; tail nearly 4.00 aneiis 316
313. 31. a'ter. (Lat. nfer, black. Fig. 258.) Common Cowbikd. Cuckold. ^, adult: Lus-
trous green-black, with steel-blue, purple, and violet iridescence. Head and neck deep wood-
brown, with some i)urplish lustre. Bill and feet black. Length 7.50-8.C9; extent 13.50;
wing about 4.50, at least over 4.00 ; tail about 3.25 ; bill 0.70 ; tarsus 1.00-1.10. ? , adult :
An obscure-looking bird, dusky grayish-brown, nearly uniform, l)\it paler below than above,
where most of the feathers have dusky centres, and most of those tif tho under parts with dark
shaft lines ; giving a somewhat streaky apiK-arance. There is some gloss on the ui)j)er parts,
particularly on the wings and tail, where a slight greenish lustre is usually evident. IJill
blackish-brown, paler below ; feet blackish-brown. Smaller than tho ^. Length 7.00-7.50 ;
wing about 3.75 ; tail 2.75. Young ^ 9 = Similar to the 9 adult ; still duller, and more
.-^ - V i, =, = variegated; ni)iH'r parts dusky brown, the
j^^^^^^^^^^i^^^^^^^^^ feathers skirted with gray, ])ro<hicing a set
of semicircles on the back; below, ])ale
grayish, or ev(ni ochrey-brown, everywhere
streaked whh dusky. The sexual ditt'ercnce
in size s»Hin appreciable, and the black of
the <J soon begins to apjiear in patches.
N. Am. at large ; migratory, abundant,
gregarious, polygamous, parasitic. The
iMJLl'jmJJt^^^^M^^immmm^^Kmm^^^ singular habits of this bird, .shared by others
ie^-^^^^^BBHS^^^^^^^^B^^^^^E^' of the genus, form one of the most inter-
_^^^^^^^ ^ esting chapters in ornitludogy. Like the
•'■t-^txr "^'i .^_,v j- x-- European cuckoo, it builds no nest, laying
Fio. aS8. — Cowbird, reduced, (Sheppnrd del. its eggs by stealth in the nests of vari(Ui8
Nichols 8c.) other birds, especially warblers, vireos, and
sparrows; and it appears to constitute, furthermore, a remarkable excej)tion to the rule of
conjugal affection and fidelity among birds. A wonderful provision for the peqietuution of the
species is seen in its instinctive selection of smaller birds as the foster-parents of its ofispring;
for the larger egg receives the greater share of warmth during incubation, and the lustier young
cowbird asserts its precedence in the nest ; while the foster-birds, however reluctant to incu-
bate tho strange egg (their devices to avoid the duty are s(anetimes astonishing), become assid-
uous in their care of the foundling, even U> the neglect of their own young. The cowltird's
egg is said to hatch sooner than that of most birds: this would <d>viously confer additional
advantage. The list of birds in whose nests cowbirds' eggs have been found includes a largo
number of finches, warblers, greenlets, flycatchers, etc. ; there seems to be really little choice.
While umall species are nsually victimized, this is not always the case. I have found eggs in
nests of the kingbird and towhee bunting. In the West, where cowbirds swann about the ranches
and settlements, it is the rule, I almo.st said, to find their eggs in nests of the ])rairie Frui-
gilUdtv, etc. The' egg is usually single ; sometimes 2, 3, even 1 are fouiul in a nest ; they
range from 0.80-1.00 in length, by 0.G5-0.70 in breadth, and are white, fully speckled and
dashed with browns and neutral tints.
314. M. a. obBcu'ruB. (Lat. obscurus, dark.) Dwarf Cowbird. Similar ; smaller ; ^ the size
of 9 M. ater; 9 under 7.00; wing 3.33; tail 2.33. The differeucc is strongly marked, and
ICTERW^ — AGEL.l£IXuE: MAUSH BLACKBIRDS.
403
apparpiitly Pdnstunt. Southwestern IT. S., Texas to California, tlie resident form, breeding
there, wliilo M. nter passes on, tliough tlie two are associated during the migration of the hutor.
Swarming lilte M. uter; eggs as in tluit species, but smaller ; only up to about 0.80 X 0.60.
315. 91. ie'neus. (Lut. rt?>ieM.s or «/»e»iJM,s, brassy, bronzy ; <es, brass.) HuAss.s C'owiiiun. Uuonzeu
CowuiKU. Ked-eyku Cowmni). $, adult : Entire body and head bhick, sph'udidly lustrous
witli bronzy i-eHections, the tint much like that of the back of (juixcidus cvnem. This rich
brassy-black unifor.ii over the wlude bird, there being no distinction of c<dor between the head
and body, as in M. uter. The brt)nze only on the ends of the feathers, the covered jiarts of
whicli an? vicdet-black, with plain dusky rimts. AVings and tail black, with violet, purjilc, and
especially green metallic lustre on the upper surfaces. Under wing- and tail-coverts cliietiy
violaceous-black ; the purplish and violaceous tints most noticeable on the upper coverts of
both wings and tail, the reflections of the quill-feathers themselves being chiefly green. Hill
ebony-black. Feet bhick. Iris red. Length 8.00-8.50; extent about 15.00 ; wing 4.50-l-.r5 ;
tail H. 25-3. 50 ; tarsus 1. 15-1.25 ; bill 0.1)0 ahtng culmen, very stout and especially deep at base,
much ctnnjiressed ; lateral outlines concave ; under outline straight ; upper gently convex
throughout ; tip very acute. 9 notably smaller : wing scarcely over 4 inches ; tail about 3.00 ;
culmen scarcely 0.75 ; tarsus 1 .00. Color
not brown, as in M. ater 9 . but uniformly
quite black, with considerable gloss, though
nothing like the brassy splendor of the (J.
Wings and tail with greenish reflections.
Young (J : Uniform dull black, faintly
violaceous <m back and rumj), greenisli on
wings and tail. Early spring birds, in im-
perfect dress, are exactly like the adult 9
in cohir, but nuich larger. Mexico to the
Lower Kio Graiidf, abounding in some
places ; a large and very handsome Cow-
bird, recently added to our fauna. Pidyga-
moHS and parasitic like the others, but egg
entirely different, beiiig greenish-white,
without markings; size 0.85-0.95 in length
by 0.05-0.75 broad ; average 0.(K) X 0.70.
Found in nests of Icteria, Icterus, Cardi-
nidis, Milfidus, Tifmnmix, etc.
100. AGELiE'US. (Gr. dyfXaior, agelaios, gregarious; ayi\ij, a flock.) Rei>-wino Maush
lil.ACKliluns. Bill about as bmg as head, stout at base, where deeper than broad, upper and
under outlines on an average about Stmight ; c<nnmissure variously simiate or bent ; culmen high
on forehead, where flattish and broadly parting the feathers ; mil rapidly tapering to an acute
tip. Wings pointed, but 1st prii.iary not longest ; usually 2d-4th entering point of wing. Tail
even or little rounded, of broad feathers widening a little to very obtuse ends, somewhat divari-
cate in the middle. Tarsus a little longer than the bill. Our three forms are very closely
related: the (J uniform lustrous black, with bend of wing red ; 8.00-9.00 long; wingi.50-5.fX);
mil 3.50-4.00. The 9 everywhere streaked ; above blackish-brown with palo streaks, inclin-
ing on head to fonn median and superciliary stripes ; below, whitish, with many sharp dusky
streaks; sides of head, throat, and bend of the wing, tinged with reddish or fulvous; under
8.00 ; wing about 4.00 ; tail 3.25. The young $ at first like the 9 , but larger, apt to have
a general bufl'yor fulvous sulTusion, with bright bay edgings of the feathers of back, wings, and
tail, and scxm showing black patches. The 9 9 are scarcely distinguishable : the (J ^ may be
dctennincd as follows :
Fi«. 25(1. — Mnrsli Blackbird, J, rcduceil.
del. KiclioU DC.)
(Slieppard
404
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSERES— OSCINES.
Analysii <]f Species wul yarieliet.
Middle wlng-cnVilH hiil)', bordering tliu briglit reil patch phcenicruB 316
Midillo wliig-cii\ jrtit butt', but bluvk-tii>po(l, uDUuUy luuving red patch without buff border . gubfrnator 317
MliUllo wliig-covorts white, bordering the dark red patch tricolor 318
310. A. phoBnl'ceu8. (CJr. (ftotviKtoi, phoinikeoH, Lat. phomkeus, rod, of a color introdnccd in Grot'cc
by the rii(jcnicuuis. Fig. 2.V.).) Hlackhiri). Maksii lii.AcKuiiU). Kki)-\vin(iei) Black-
HiKD. UEU-AXi)-m'KF-siiori-i)KKKi» Maksii liLACKHiui). (J : Lt'sspr wiiig-covcrts scarlet,
like arterial blood, broadly bordi-rcd by browuish-yellow, or brownisli-whito, the iiiiddlo row of
coverts being ontircly of tbis color ; sometimes tbe greater row, likewise, are mostly similar,
producing a patcli on tlie wing nearly as largo as tlio red one; occasionally, tbere are traces of
red on tlio edge of the wing and below; in some specimens the bordering is a'most i)uro white,
instead of buff. Extremes: ^, length 8.25-'.).85; extent 1:}.60-15.;J0; wing 4.35-5.00; tail
3.12-;{.90; bill 0.75-1.00; average: Length 9.00; extent 14.50; wing 4.1)5; tail 3.60. 9,
length 7.35-S.55 ; extent 11.85-13.55 ; wing 3.0.5-4.25; tail 2.65-3.20 : bill 0.70-0.80; aver-
age: Length 7.()5 ; extent 12.35; wing :5.S5 ; tjvil 3.00 ; bill 0.75. The extremes hero given
not often seen. Southern-bred birds an- much smaller as well as glossier. Temperate N. Am.,
but chioHy E. of the Rocky Mts. ; brooding anywhere in its range, wintering from about 35°
Southward. From its general disiiersiou in low or wot thickets or fields, swani)>s, and marshes,
the blackbird (collects in August and iSeptember in immense Hocks, thronging the extensive
tracts of wild oats and other aciuatic plants in marslies and along watercourses, also visiting and
doing much damage to grain-fields. Thousands are destroyed by boys and pot-hunters, but the
hosts scarcely diminish, and every known artifice fails to protect the crops from the invasion of
the dusky hordes. At other seasons the "maize-thief" is inuiK-uous, if not positively beneficial,
as it destroys its share of hisects. \est usually in reeds or bushes near the ground, or in a
tussock of grass, or on the ground ; occasionally in small trees, vines, and shrubbery ; a bulky
structure of coarse fibrous materials, usually strips of rushes, sedges or marsh grass, lined with
fiu(n- gra.sses ; eggs 4-G, 1.00 X 0.75, May and July, pale blue, fantastically dotted, blotched,
(ilouded, and scrawled over with dark or v\va\ blackish-brown, and paler or pur])lish shell-marks.
The usual note is a guttural clwck ; in the breeding season the " creaking chorus " makes an
indescribable medley.
317 A. p. guberna'top. (Lat. gubernator, a governor, alluding to the red epaulettes, as if a sign of
rank or command.) Rkd-shoitlderei) Marsh Blackhiuu. Lesser wing-coverts scariet, as
before, narrowly or not at all bordered with butf, the next row having black tips for all or most
of their exposed portion, so that the brownish-yellow of their bases does not show much, if any.
Pacific Coast, U. S. and British Columbia. Scarcely different; 9 indistinguishable from 9
phaniceus.
318. A. trl'color. (Lat. tricolor, three-colored; red, white, and black.) Reu-and-wiiite-
siiouLDEiiED Marsh Blackbirh. Lessor wing-coverts dark red (like venous blmnl), bor-
dered with pure white. Besides this obvious distinction from phceniceus, the bill is usually slen-
derer and the tail is less rounded; the gloss of the phunageis bluish, not greenish (a))preciably
so in the 9 "s well as in the ,J?). 9 with median wiug-coverts white-edged. California and
Oregon, especially coastwise ; resident or scarcely migratory. General habits the same ; nest
and eggs indistinguishable.
101. XANTHOCETHALUS. (Gr. ^v66s, .Tn>i<7ios, yellow ; K€<l>a\i), lejihale, head.) Yellow-
Headed Blackbirds. General characters of Agel<em; claws more developed, tlie lateral
reaching much beyond base of the middle. Tail more nearly even, with narrower feathers.
Wings long and ])ointed; tip formed by outer 3 quills. Colors black, white, and yellow.
319. X. Icteroce'phalus. (Gr. ucrtpos, ikteros, Lat. icterus, yellow. Fig. 2(10.) Yellow-headed
Blackbird. ,J: Black, including lores and small space around eye and bill ; whole head
othennse, with the neck and breast, rich yellow, orange in high feather, the color extending
ICTERID^i: — STURNELLIN^ : MEADOW STAULISGS.
405
iutcrnipti'dly to »>r towards the belly; some feathers around vent, and the til>inr>, usually yellow
also. A large white imteh on the wing, formed by tlie iiriiiiary and many of the greater seeond-
ary eoverts, iuterru|)ted by blaek of the bastard ((uills. Hill and feet black. Length 10.()(>-
11.00; extent lG.50-17.50; Ming about 5.50; tail 4.50 ; bill 0.75-1.00 ; tarsus 1.25. In less
jterfwt dress, the yellow overeast with dusky. 9 , adult : Dark brown, including back of head
and neck ; line over eye, tliroat and breast dull yellow, with dusky lua.xillary streaks ; usually
there are whitish feathers in the yellow, and sometimes the same in the black of breast. No
white wing-patch. Hill dark brownish horn-color ; feet blackish. Much snuiller. Length
8.00-9.50; extent scarcely 14.00; wing under 5.00; tail under 4.00. Nestlings are snuH'y-
brown; the sprouting wing-feathers black, already showing white; feet flesh-color. It is use-
les.s to pursue the eudle-ss ccdor varia-
tions ; the species is unmistakable.-
Western U. S. and IJritish Provinces
to 58°; K. reguhirly to Illinois, Iowa,
Wisconsin, etc., casually to Pennsyl-
vania, .Massachusetts and Greenland;
S. into Mexico ; migratory, very abun-
dant. Its distribution is general on the
j>rairies, but irregular; it flocks about
ranches and .>*ettlemeuts, and collects in
ctdonies to breed in marshy spots, any-
where in its general range. Nest a
light but large thick-brimmed fabric
«>f dried reeds and grasses, slung to
growing ones, 5-() inches in dianu'ter,
about as <U'ep ; eggs S-O, 1.00-1.15
long by 0.75 broad ; grayisii-green,
spottetl, as iu i<Cokcophugus, with red- Fkj. hGO. — Vcllow-liijaduil Itlackbiid, reduced. (SUeppaid
dish-brown, not scrawled as in Agelcciis. '^*'- Nichols sc.)
A flue largo species, cttnspicuous by its yellow head among the several blackbirds that tnwp
together iu the West.
23. Subfamily STURNELLIN^: Meadow Starlings.
If the marsh blackbirds, orioles, and crow blackbirds be respectively entitled to rei)resent
subfamilies of IcteriiUc, the meadow starlings seem to be equally entitled to such distinction;
and I lind that by making Sturuella (with Tnipialis) the type of a subfamily, the Atjelwhuc are
susceptible of better definition. The characters are induiled under head of the type genus.
102. STl'RXEL'LA. (Irregular diniin. of Lat. .s<«ni«A', a .starling. P'ig. 201.) MEAixm- Larks.
(Name '• lark '' objectionable and misleading, but apparently ineradicable.) A reuuirkable
gi'uus of IderidfC. Hill along ctdinen longer than head, .shorter than tarsus ; depth at base
about i the length ; outlines about straight above and below, and along commissure to the
8tr<)ng bend near its base. Culmen flattened throughout, extending broad and far into featiiers
of forehead ; laterally, the frontal feathers reaching the narrow scaled nostrils. Inner lateral
toe rather longer than outer, claw of neither reaching base of middle claw. Hind toe long, with
a great claw twice as large as the middle one. Feet very large and stout, reaching beyond tlio
end of the tail when outstretched : eminently fitted for terrestrial locomotion. Wings sliort and
much rounded; little difference in lengths of lst-5th tpiills ; enlarged inner secondaries nearly
covering them in closed wing. Tail very short, rounded, of nan'ow, acute feathers. Feathers
of crown stitiish, bristle-tipped. No other genus ai)proache8 Stunielhi, excepting Tnipialin,
406
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSJiRES— OSCINES.
whicli is much tlu- siiiiit', with red iiisti-uJ of yellow. C'outaius several iiiii)orfectly diflfereutiated
coiiMiiet'ies, 3 of this country.
Ana/yiit qf ConipecieH.
Common Vharnetrrg. — PluniBKe lilglily vuriugntod ; each feather of tlie bnck lilackUli, wltli a terminal reililisli-
browii area, and Blinrji brownish-) ellnw Ipoiilcnt; nvok Hluiihir, the patturn Hniullor ; crown Htr«akeil with bhirk
ami brown, and with a pule nivdian unci KUin-rciliary i>trl|H- ; a biaukUh linu liehiiul oyii ; gevt-ral lateral tall-fuathera
white, theothem, with the Inner iiulUs and wlng-covcrtu, barred or Rcallnped with l)laek, and brown or gray. Edge
of wing, Bimt over oyo, and nndcr parln generally, bright yellow, the nldcH and crUHuni tiaxen-bruwn, with nuuier>
OUB Hharp blackUh utrcakx, the brca»t with a large black eresfent (obminro In the young).
Prevailing tone brown above: yellow of chin eonHne<l to ipoce between forkH of the Jaw; wingi and tall with
continent black bars and gray xcnlloiHi.
Larger; black le8» preilouilnant : wing 4..W or more mm/mi .t2(>
Smaller : black more predominant; wing 4.R0 or leiw nicrirciiin 321
Prevailing tone gray above: yellow of chin vpreading on cheeks; winga and tail with alternating black
and gray bars mglirtn 322
3*10. S. mag'nu. (Lat. mngna, large.) Field Lauk. Oli)-kikli> Laiik. Mkadow Lauk.
Tho colors, as ahove described, rich and pure, the prevailiiiji aspect hrowu; hlaek streaks
prevailing on crown; yellow of chin
usually confined between rami of
under mandible ; black bars on wings
..-^.t and tail tisually conHuent along the
LOiJ^ shaft of the feathers, leaving the gray
in scallops. iScxcs simihir : 9 duller
c. ; , _ colored, the yellow paler. Young at
.if f : r first have little if auv pale yellow,
and the pectoral crescent indicated by
a few streaks. Length of $ lO.IM)-
ll.(K); extent about 17.00; winu4.50
Fu!. 261. — Hill and foot of SturneUa, nat. size. (Ad nat. or more; tail ."l..")!) ; bill 1.3.") ; tarsus
''"'•E-C* l.K). 9: length 9.00-9.50; extent
about 15.00 ; wing 4.25 ; tail ,3.00. Varies greatly in size, like Agehciis ; soutlH'ru-bred birds
much smaller than northern. Eastern V . 8. and Ikitish Provinces ; X. to about 54° ; mixing
in the Upper Mississip]>i valley with ■negleda, and extending to edge of the plains; evj'rywhere
abundant in open country; winters usually from the Middle States southward; imperfectly
migratory ; partially gregarious when not breeding; strictly terrestrial ; an agreeable vocalist.
Breeds throughout its range ; nest of dried gra.^s, on the ground, usually domed or covered iu
some way in the gra.ss-clump. Eggs l-fl. crystal white, speckled with reddish and ])ur]ilish ;
very variable in size, averaging about 1.10 X 0.80. Two (ir three broods may be reared.
331. 8. m. mexiea'na. (Lat. Mexican.) Mkxican Mioadow Lauk. Very similar ; the browns
intense, ap)iroaching reddish-brown; black at a maximum ; yellow very rich. Size smaller;
wing of (J about 4.25; bill and feet relatively larger; bill 1.20: tai-sus 1.00. Mexico to
Texas.
328. 8. neglec'ta. (Lat. neglectn, not selected, overlooked ; as the variety long was.) Western
Meadow Laisk. The colors duller and paler, the prevailing as|tect gray ; black at a mini-
mum, not prevailing over gray on the crown ; j-ellow of chin usually encroaching on sides of
h)wer jaw; black on wings and tail usually resolved into distinct bars alternating with gray
bars. Western U. S., from Iowa, et<'., to the Pacific. General habits, uumuers, and appear-
ance the same, but soug said to l)c different.
24. Subfamily ICTERIN/E: Orioles.
Non-gregarious, insectivorous and fnigivorous species, strictly arboricole ; of brilliant or
strikingly c«)ntrasted colors, and pleasing song ; distinguished as architects, constructing elabo-
10£
32
33
ICTJililDuE — ICTERISjJ-: : ORIOLES.
407
rutcly woven pcn«ili' nests. Witli tlie bill rt'latively louiter, as well ns slenderer and more aente
than in most of the Iclerida:; the feet weaker, exelnsively fitted for iiereliin>;. Three of our
upeeies are migratory birds, abundant in sununcr ; the Tv»t merely reach our soutiiern bonUr
from tropical Anicrini.
103. IC'TKRUS. (Gr. iKTtpos, ilteros, Lat. icterus, yellow.
Fig- 'i>'d.) (JIUOI.KS. Our single genus of the sub- •— n
family: characters iirueticivUy the same. Hill averaging \^
as long as head (more or less) ; very acute, sometimes
decurved. Feet fitted for perching, not for walking;
tai-sus not longer than middle toe and claw. I^ateral
toes, if not of equal lengths, outer hingest (the nde in /
Friiinillithr; in Icteridw the reverse). Wings usually
... . w /I 1 . .1 ^ F'o- 2ta. - mil of Bii < iridic,
pointed and averaging e(|iial to (longer or shorter tliau)
the rounded or graduated tail. A large and beautiful genus, the species of which vary much
in details of form, but are not easily divided othcrwis*- than specifically. The colors are strik-
ing : the males black with orange or yellow, usually also with white; iu one sjiecies, black
and chestnut. The sexes very unlike. The 9 9 "* sev4Tal sjM-cies clo.>;ely resemble one
another, though the $$ are very different. Two Eastern sjH'cies; one Western; the rest
Southwestern.
Analfinis qf Sjiecief.
Tlie (f l>lack and clieRtnut: npurina, iijniiin.
The (f black ami ormige: unllmld, hullnrl.i,cufulliitiis.
Tlio cf black niid clear yoUow : jjoridoriiin, a«rfii'«i)ii, cH/f/rtW*.
Fcnthci's of throat Hoft and normal.
(f Mark and cliofitnut ; $ olivaccoui* and yellovrkli. Length T.OO or less tpurius 324,325
(f lil.ick and orange, or llanie-color.
I'ail rounded, not longer than wlngn.
cf head and neck all aronnd Idack ; white on wings In tinrs iinll.-iila 326
cf crown and throat black, sliles nf head orange. White patch on wingH .... Inillnrk-l 327
Tail graduate<l ; outer feathers an Inch shorter than ndddlc one«; hinger than wings.
tf head orange, with bhtck mask riirulltiliis 328
<f black and pure yellow.
(f head, neck, breast and back black. Sexes unlike; length about S.OO parimrum .329
(f $ head, neck, and breast lilack; bixly yellow, greenish on back; length aljout 9.00 . nmluhmi 330
Feathers of throat elongate and lanceolate. Sexes alike. length alxiut 10.00.
cf 9 niack and yellow, with white on wingH rulfinriit 323
323. I. vulga'rls. (Lat. vulgaris, vulgar, common.) TnoiriAL. IJill acute, attenuitted, elongate,
and somewhat decurved. Throat-feathers lengtheiU'd, loosened, anil lanceolate. IJare .spiipo
around eye. Adult (J 9 '• II<''id and neck all around, fore bn-ast, isolated dor-^al area, wings
antl tiiil, black. Rump, upper tail-coverts, cervical colhir, and under parts of the breast, rich
ycHow. Wings with white jitrtch on coverts and much white edging of secondaries. Large:
length about 10.00 ; wing and tail 4.30 ; bill over 1.00. A common and well-known species
of Tropical America, said to have strayed to the Southern Sttites. Xo late cases of so doing.
(The species would be better enumerated next after \o. 330.)
324. i. spii'rius. (Lat. spurius, spurious; the species was fi>nnerly called "bastard Baltimore
oriole," whence the undeserved name.) Okch.vrd Oriole. Adult ^ : IJhick and chestnut,
lleiid and neck all around, fore breast and back, black. Rump and iipjK'r tail-covt.'rts, lesser
and under wing-coverts, iiud whole uuder-parts from the breast, chestmit or chocolate-brown.
Wings and tail black, former except as said, and some white or whitish edging of the quills
and tipping of the greater eoverts, the latter forming a wing-bar ; outer tail-feathers somctimea
with a touch of chestnut. Bill and feet blue-black. Length about 7.00 ; extent about 10.00 ;
wing 3.00-3.23 ; tail nearly as long, much rounded, its graduation nearly 0.50 ; bill 0.70 along
culmeu, very slender and acute, somewhat decur\-ed ; tarsus 0.90. 9 » adult : Smaller than the
408
SYSTKMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEHES — OSCIXh'S.
^. Above, (lull ycllowisli-ollvo, clrarest on hciul, rump, iiud tail, obsciirod ini the Imi-k.
lii'low, Honlid yrllowisli. Wiiius |iluiii <liii«ky, kIohhciI with olivaccoiix, with whitish t'ilu:iii^,
iiiuch 118 ill till' (J. An iiu'oiispicudiis olijcct, Imt known from other 9 orioles liy its siimll
size anil slender hill, a little eiirved. Yoiiii)i{ ^ : First year like 9 i '"'t hirjLfer ; seeoiid year
like 9< '"'* "■'•'' " I'laek mask on tho face and throat. Afterward showing confused characters
of both sexes. Three years re(|iiired to assume the full dress. Kasterii I'. S., strictly; rarely
N. to Maine, Canada; W. tothehijfh central plains. Mreeds tiifouj;hoiif its U. S. raufie; winters
oxtralimital. Abundant in orchards, ]iarks, streets, the skirts of woods, etc. The nest is oiio
of the most perfect e.vamples of a woven pensile fabric, even in a |j;rouit of birds distiu^'uishod
US the orioles are for the dexterity and assiduity they display in their elaborate textile wstrifac-
tiiren. They antedate Howe in the exjiedient of )dacing thc! ej-e of a needle at i!s jioint — that
which revolutionized hand-sewing, and made sewing-machines practicable ; for their bill works
to jirecisely the same effect. The orchard oriole's nest is generally more compact and homo-
geneous than the Italtimore's, Avoven chiefly of slender grass-blades which cure in the sun like
good hay, long retaining some grceuuess, which tends to its concealment in the foliage. ]t is
smaller, less deep in proportion, and often not so strictly pendant from its forked twig. Eggs
smaller than the Haltiniore's, scarcely 0.8.5 X O.CiO, and sjiotty rather than scrawly.
335. 1. s. afll'nta. (Lat. affiiiis, atTnied, allied.) Tio.xah Okciiakd Ouiolf:. SmaUer : ^ littlo
over (').()() ; wing usually under H.OO. Texas ; Southern race, scarcely distinguishable.
336. I. gal'bula. (Lat. gnlyula ar rfulhula, some small yellow bird of the ancients. " naltiniore"
is not from the city of that name, but from tho title of Sir (Jeorge ("alvert, first baron of Haiti-
more ; the cidors of the bird being cho-
sen for his livery, or resembling those
of his coat-of-arms. Fig. iOIi.) Hal-
■IIMOUE OUKII.K. (ioLDKX I{i IIIIN.
FiKKiiiKU. Hanonest. Adult (J:
Jtlack and orange. Head and neck
all round, and the back, black; rum)i,
upper tail-coverts, lesser and iindi"
wing-coverts, most of the tail featli'
and all the under i»arts fi'"' '^ i'
fiery orange, but of vai
according to age and si Miiidii-
tail-feathers black ; wiiiu lick, the
middle and greater coverts, and iniMT
(piills, more or less edged and tipjied with white, but the M'liite on the coverts not foriiiiiui ,|
continuous patch; bill and feet blue-black, or dark grayish-blue. Length 7..')()-8.{)0 ; extent
IL. 50-12. 5(( ; wing 'iM\: tail H.OO. 9 smaller, and much paler, the black idisciired by olive,
sometimes entirely wanting. Above, mixed dusky and yidlowish-olive, somewhat overcast
with a gray shade. IJelow, dull orange, morn or less mixed with whitish, and usually with
black traces oii the throat. Tail and its iijiper coverts dull yellowish, the central feathers
usually blacki.sh. Hill and feet lighter jdumbeous than in the ^. Young ^ entirely without
black on throat and bead, otherwise colored nearly like the 9- Below, dull orange yellow
whitening on throat, shaded with olive on sides. Above, olive, more yellowish on rump and
tail, but latter without black; middle of back idisciired with dusky centres of the feathers;
wings dusky, with two white bars and white edgings of the inner f|uills. In some splendid
featherings, particularly from the Mississippi valley, the orange becomes intense Hamo-eolor,
and there is so much white on the wings as to apprtiacli the character of /. hiiUocki. U. S.
and adjoining liritish Provinces ; W. to the plains, and reaching toward the Rocky Mts. This
is one of our famous beauties of bird-life, noted alike for its Hash of cidor, its assiduity in sing-
Flli. L'Ik).
Nichols 8c.)
IliiUiiiioru Oriole, reduced. (Slicppard del.
M-,
3'iH
330
ICTERIDA} — ICTi:my^E : OIU ULEH.
4UU
ing, ftiul ItH skill at the Ukiiii ; itH (.'liilKtriitcly fiihriciitcd and jH-rft'ctly juMixilo iif-HtM N\viiyiiii(
from tlic tops (if our slmilc-tri'fs, wiiicii liiivc onu i-lmrin lultlfd wlii'ii liifd witli nuuli lirilliuiify
88 the oriolu liriii^s to contruHt with vt'i-diirc. Kg^s 4-U, uearly l.UU X 0.115, tlius ratluT
elongate; ground color ii Hhaded wliitc, irregularly H|iotteil, blotcliod, eloudeil and t'l^iierially
serawled with hlaeliish-lirowii imd other heavy xurfaee eolors, together witli Hiilidued slieli-
inarkingH.
337. I. iMil'Iookl. (To Wui. llulloek, of London. Fig. 2.')(i.) Mi'LLock'm Oiuoi.k. Adult $ :
Similarly lilaek and orange, the orange invading the sides of tlie liead and neek and tlu' fore-
head, leaving only a narrow spnoe on the throat, the lores, and a line throui;h the eye, lilaek ;
a hirge eontinuous white jiateh on the wing, formed liy the middle ami greater eoverts. l^arijer
than th(^ Haltimore. Length 8.00-8.50 ; extent 12. 5O-i;{.50; wingMMt; tail ;<.40. 9: (Hive-
gray, helow whitish, all tin- fore jiarts of the hotly and head tinged with yellow; the wings
dusky, with two white hars, lint the tail and its under eoverts (juite yellowish. 9 ''"'•■< ^''O'
closely resembling the 9 Haltimore, and more detailed (h'scription nuiy lie desiralile. Larger:
length about 8.00; extent 12.00 ; wing H.75 ; tail 3.25. Above olive-gray, iieeomini; i|uit(!
gray on the rumji, brightening into olive. Yellow on inijie, upjier tail-coverts and tail.
Forehead, su|ierciliary line, sides of head and neck, and largo sjmce on breast, bright yelhiw ;
lores and throat white. Other under jiarts grayish-white, tinged with yellow on tlie under tail-
coverts. Kdgo and lining of wing yellow; middle coverts broadly edged and tipped with
white; greater coverts and (juills less conspicuously edged. Young $ at first like thi' 9- soon,
however, showing black and orange; in one stage with a black throat jiatcli. Western l'. S.,
in Woodland, ubinidant, rejdacing the lialtiuuire, to which it is so closely allied, and with which
it corresponds in habits and manners.
H'XH. I. ciiculla'tus. (Lat. ciicHllatiis, wearing the ciiculln, a kiml of hood or cowl.) 1I(mii>kd
Ouioi-K. Adult (J: Orange and black. General e(dor orange; from rich chnnne yellow tt>
Hanie-color. Middle of back (.scapulars and interscapulars) black. A black mask, embracing
eyes, a narrow frontal line, and patch ou chin, cheeks, and throat. Wings black, with wliite
edging of the (|uills and coverts. Tail black, some <ir all of the feathers usually with narrow
whitish tips. IJill and feet blue-black, the former extremely slender and somewhat decurved,
0.80; tarsus O.'JO. Length 8.00; extent 10.50; wing 3.30; tail 3.50-1.00, thus hmger than
wings ; the feathers narrow and lanceolate, the outenntist an inch or so shorter than the central
pair; such length, mirrowuess, and extreme graduation of the tail being a strong character.
9, adult: Above, dull grayish-(dive; tail and under parts dull yellowish; wings dusky, the
ipiills and coverts edged with dull wliite. The 9 thus resembles other species, but the long
slender graduated tail and attenuated decurved bill are diagnostic. Fairly smaUer than the (J.
Y^iung ^ : At first like 9i but bill pah' at base below. Various intermediate states during
progress to maturity ; sometimes the black dorsal band interrupted by yelhjwish-gray, and the
iiieral orange obscured with the same. A frequent condition, when the general jdnmage is
ike that of the 9j '>* t" haye a black frontlet and gorget, like /. spuriuK under the same
•ircumstances. Southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, chiefly near the Mexican
bonier. Nest woven like that of other orioles, very substantial and durable ; in places where
the Siianish moss grows, it is usually nuule <if this nuiterial, and placed in a truss of the .sime.
Eggs 3-4, sometimes 5, varying from 0.80 to 0.90 long by 0.60 broad, usually (piite iiointed at
both ends; color white, with the usual scrawling. In the Lower Kio Grande valley this is the
commonest oriole in some places.
380. !• parlso'pum. (To the brothers Paris.) BLACK-ANn-YEM.ow Oukile. I'auis' Okioi.i'..
Adult (J : Black and clear yellow. Uehiw from the breast, rump, anil upper tail-coverts,
lesser, middle and under wing-coverts, both above and below, and basal portions of all the
tail-feathers, except the central ones, clear yelhiw ; greater wing-coverts tijiped, inner (|uill.s
edged, with white. Head, neck, breast, and back, black. Ou the tail, the yellow occupies the
410
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEBES — OSCINES.
basal half of the lateral feathers, but only the extreme base of the central jwir. Length 8.00;
extent 12.00; wing 4.00; tail 3.40-;J.()0, moderately rounded, the lateral feathers gradnatM
about 0.50; bill 0.90, attenuate and slightly decurved ; tarsus 1.00. Yonng ,J : The blaek
parts all overeast with grayish-olive skirting of the feathers, giving the ])revailing tone on the
upper parts, but on the breast the black showing more clearly. The yelhiw likewise obscured
witli grayish-olive, especially on the riunp. Tail greenish-yellow, the middle feathers black-
ening. Wings dusky, all tlie (piills and the greater and middle coverts broadly edgeil and
tip|ied with wliite. ? ? resc-mbling the last described ; less white on the wings ; central tail-
feathers simply fuscous like the ends of the others. Southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona
and Southern California, near the Mexican Iwirder. Not y<'t well known or found breeding in
the U. S. Nesting essentially the same as that of other orioles, often in bunches of moss
or vines banging in cactuses, <piite near the ground; eggs 0.90 X 0.()5, whitish, variimsly
blotclied and dotted with pin'pli.sh and blackish-browns.
330. I. inelano< e'plialiiB aud'iiboni. ((ir. /itAar, melan, gen. iiiXavos, melmios, black; Kft^oXij,
Aryirt/r, head. To J. , I. Audubon.) Hla(K-iik.\i)eu<)ki(U,e. Ai;i>lb<»n'8 0ri<»lk. Adult ^:
Black and clear yellow. Entire Ixwly rich gai.iljoge-yellow, without orange <ir Hame tint, but
shaded with greenish on back, sides, and upper tail-coverts; uikUt tail-coverts j»ure yellow,
like the belly. Middle and le.ss«'r wing-coverts and lining ,f wings pure yellow, the former
with bliiek ba.ses concealed by the yellow tips. Head all aroin.d, fore neck and brea.st, glossy
jet-black, wit!iout any concealed yellow, except at edges of the black on the breast — the black
there thus ending ragged, dili'en'nt from the clean-cut border of cuciillatKn. Wings black, tlio
outer webs of the (piills white-edgeil, esjiecially (m inner secondaries and outer |irimarie8
toward their end ; greater coverts with white sjurt at end of outer web. Tail black, the outer
feathers more or less edged and tipjied with wliite. ])ill an<l feet plumbeous-blackish, former
paler at base below. Length 9.2.5-9.75; extent 12.5O-i;J.0O ; wing 4.00; tail rather more,
much graduated, the outer feathei-s 1.00 or more shorter than the middle. JSill stout, straight,
almost as in yl//c/rt'M.<!; cuhiien fully 1.00. Tarsus 1. 10; middle toe and claw the same. Adult 9:
Quite like the ^ ; not smaller, and little different in color, contrary to the rule in the genus
and family. IJack nttlier more olivaceous; wings rather more edged with white; outer tail-
featlier edged and tijijM'd with whitish. The sexual characters long remained undetermined.
This fine oriole is little known : it is a large beautiful sjiecies, occuniug in the V. S. only, as
far as known, hi the Lower Ki<. Grande vaUey ; thence southward runiiiug into tlie true Mexican
nwlniiocephulus. Said to hi' a magnificent songster, and a favorite cage bird. Nest half-
IM'iisile, woven of grasses; eggs 0.95-1.00 by 0.()7-<(.72, white dusted with fine brown specks,
over which are stains and splashes of dark brown and lilac, witii the coarse blacki.sh jiieroglyplm
usual in this genus.
25. Subfamily QUISCALIN^: Crow Blackbirds; Crackles.
Closely resembling
the Affrhrhiff both in
etructiire and in habits,
these birds are distin-
guished by the length
and attenuation of the
bill, with decidedly
curved culmen, es-
pecially towards the
end, more or h-ss siii-
Fio. 284.— Footof a Quiwrt/ufC?. m<i<THrM«, nat. ilie). (From Balnl.) |,„j^, e(iinmissnn> and
strongly inflated tomia. The bill is (juite cultrirogtrul, and the typical Quiscali have u certain
104.
3.11.
:i32.
ICTEIUDJE — QUISCALINJE : CHOW BLACKBllUiS.
411
I
crow-lilsp aspoct ; but thry nrp readily distiiipuislipd by several features, besidt-s S.) instead of 10
]iriinarifs. The feet are large and stroiiy:. and the birds spend nmcli of their time on the
griiiind, wliere they walk or run instead of advancing by leaps. Tliey gt'neraliy build rude,
bulky nests, lay spotted or streaked eggs, and tiieir best voeal . S'oits are hardly to he called
inusieal. The $ of all our species is lustrous black, with various iridesceiici', the 9 uieri'jy
blacki'th, or brown and much smaller. There is only one genus (Caasiilix) besides the two
of this country : in Sculecoplinf/iis the tail is slightly rounded and shorter than the wings : in
QiiiscaliiH the tail is graduated, and nearly ecpials or e.\ceeds the wings. They are not sjH'cially
palustrine. Individuals of all the species abound, esiweially in the .South and West ; only two
are common Eastern birds.
104. SCOLKCO'PHAGUS. ((Jr. (rKu>\r)$, gen. (TKw\rjKOi, scolf.r, ncoh'cos, a worm : <l>ayos, plinpos,
eating.) Ilisrv Gkacki.es. Tiiiiisii Hla» kbiuds. IJill shorter or not longer than head,
slender for the subfamily, and somewhat like a robin's, for instance; culmen little conve.\, if
any, except at the decurved tip; gonys slightly eonve.\; cutting edges inflexed, commissure
little sinuated. Wings pointed, decideiUy longer than the nearly even tail: ]»oint formed by
the outer 4 primaries. Tail much as in Agelteus in size and sha|te. Tarsus rather longer than
middle tot? and claw. Lateral toes short, with moderate ehiws. scarcely or not reaching base
of middle claw. Xest in bushes. Eggs spotty, not veiny and streaky.
Annljin'nt nf SpiciiH.
SmitlliT: n'iiiK iiniler .vno. Bill iilciiiler, tliniHli-like. rf Krot-nlnli-blnck, Inclmling head. Sexox ver>- iiii-
llkc : $ quite riiHly-l>ri(wii, even with clicMiiiil ; 11 llj 'it Hue over cyo /irniiiini im 331
LnrRiT: wIiik n.OO oriiiore. Bill stmitor. more blackbird-Uke. (f grccnlsli-black, lieail nii>rc vlcilt-t. 9
Hiilwliiiilar, Routy-brown ; no pule snporcllliiry 8trl|ie ei/anoerphaliiK 33'.!
331. 9. femiKl'nens. (Eat. /<')T«f//)(c«.>(, rust-C(doreil ; ferriiffo, mm-nii^i: only applicable to 9 ""d
young.) HisTV (litACKi.K. T'lursii IlLACKiuim. Adult <J, in summer : One lustrous black
with gri'en metallic reflections; head not notably diflerent from other jiarts in its iridescence.
IJill and feet black. Iris creamy or lemoti. (Not ordinarily seen in the V. S. in this full dress
— usnally with some rusty.) Length 9.(MM).r)0 ; e.xtent U.DO-l.j.OO ; winu' under j.OO ; tail
4.00 or less ; bill 0.80, only about O.H.'i deep at base; tarsus 1.20; middle toe and claw le.ss.
Adult 9 '" sunnner: .Slaty- blackish, duller below, with greenish reHe<'tions chiefly on winjrs
and tail ; nearly all the upper jtarts overlaid with rich ru.sty-brown, and under pr.rts M-ith a
paler shad«? of the same ; inner secondaries brown-edtred ; a whitey-browii streak over eye; iris
brown. Moderately smaller than the ^. The young ^ at first resembles the 9. '"•' i**
larger, and shows more decidedly lustrous black, esjieeially on wings and tail. As usually
found in Hocks in the I'. S., in fall, winter, and early s|)ring, young and old of both .m'ncs
are very rusty, with light line over eye. Eastern North Amer., X. W. to Alaska: in the
IJ. S., W. to Dakota, Nebraska, etc., meeting an<l mi.xing in the fall with the next species.
Ill winter, generally dispersed over tlie E. l'. S. : breeds froni X. New England northwanl.
Nesting and eggs like those of XdiithiKrjihnliis ; breediiit; in loose colonies, in swampy tangle;
nest in bushes, of sti(di8 and gra.sses mixed with mud. lined with fine grasses and rootlets: eggs
usually 4, about 1.05 X 0.7'), but very variable: dull greenish-bluish or grayish -white, flecked
and mottled with dark brown, but with little or no line-tracery.
338. 8. oy«iioec'ph»lu9. (dr. levavos, kiunios, I.M. ri/nniis, hlm>; Kt<(>a\r], kejilinlchmii.) Mme-
liK/.DKi) (iuAcKi.F.. Hkkwku'h Hi.ackiiiki). Similar to the hist, but (|uite a different bird.
Ailult (J, in summer: Very lustrous green-black, as before, but with jyurjde and violet iridi's-
otMieo, especially on head, where the violet or steel-blue she«'n eontrastsi with the general
greenish hue. Hill and feet bhiek. Iris creamy or lemon. Larger : length averaging lO.(M)
— '.).73-10.2ri ; extent 10.00 or more ; winj; .").fK)-r).2.i ; tail 4.(K)-4.2.') ; bill 0.80, stout at base,
where about 0.40 deep — more like an abbreviated Qniscahi/t-\nl\ than a thrush's; tarsus 1.25-
1.30; middle toe and claw 1.10-1.15. 9» «dult, in summer: Ulacki.sh. with iluU greenish
412
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES.
slmtlp (111 Imck, wings, iiiul tail; more slaty-blnekish below. Fore parts of body above, head
and most under parts overlnitl witb brownisli-gray, lightest on head and throat, never rich
riisty-brown. Xo light snpereiliary line. Iris brown. There is thns nineh less sexnal differ-
cnee than in S. frrrutjineiis. Smaller; size abont that of $ ferriujineus : length lt.O(Mt..')();
extent 1 4. 50- 1.').. 50 ; wing 1.50-4. !»0, ete. Young $ resembling 9; s'*"") however, showing
more lustre, overeast with grayish (not rusty) Vmtwn, in same style as ferruginem, but difter-
ent shade. Western l'. S., and adjoining Uritish I'rovinees; E. to eastern edge of the jdains,
ovcrlapiting the migratory range of S. ffirttgineus; W. to the I'aeific. Hreeds nearly through-
out its range, in suitable plaees ; migratory to and from extremes of its nmge. Nest and eggs
substantially the same as tho.se of .S'. ferriigineus.
105. (^I'lS'C'ALrS. (Span. qiiinqniUu, Lat. quinquiUia;? Vor barb., of uneertain ni<'aiiing and
applieution. See Coues, Cheek List, HA ed., p. (54.) Cuow Hi.ACKiiiuns. Kill about as long
as bead, (piite eultnite and erow-like, but more attenuate and aeute, with detleeled cutting
edges; ujiper and midcr outlines straightish to the terminal eurve of eulmen, but varialde;
commissure variously sinuate. \Vings relatively shorter and h-ss acute than in Srohrojihiujiis,
usually jtohited by the 2d-4th <|uills, 1st and 5tli shorter. 'I'ail of varying develo]>ment with
the spe<'ics ; at its greatest, much longer than wings, at its least decidedly shorter; always
graduated, the lateral feathers 1-H inches sliorter tlian the middle l)air, in life ca|)able of
slanting upward on each side, so that the middle feathers make a keel bidow ; whence thv name
"boat-tail." (Tail usually described as "longer than wings" in (Jiiisailiis; but in nio.st
species it is decidedly shorter.) Fe<'t stout ; tarsus about e(puil to middle toe and claw. The
(J (J in all the species " black,'' but so magiiiticently iride.M-ent that little dead black is seen,
being brassy, steel-blue, violet, jiurple, greenish, ete. 9 subsimilar, or plain brown.
Anali/Hh of S/xriiii ntiil Inriitim.
Tall iteoldeilly »liorfcr tlinn wiiigB, grniliiatod l.no-I..'in. Sexes BiibKiiiiilar.
IrlileMcciioo viiiiiiiiH — Brt'oti, Miie, purple, vlnli'l. J iimially i>vor I'.'.flO iitir]»ir<ii.i XKi
IrldeweiK'o of Iiiuk l)ra»sy : licml etce. blue, (f usually over 12.00 tnn im '."M>
IriilcfU'ciiL'e grei'niitli, neck purple, (f usually under IL'.UO iiiilniis XU
Tall about e<|Ual til wings, graduatoil oliiiut ir>0. Sexes very <llft'ercnt. ? brown m.i/Vir XU
Tall di'cldcdiy longer tlian wings, graduated 2.50-:i.5O. Sexes very iliH'ereiit. 9 iTown . . marruvim 3.13
333. Q. inaeru'riis. ((Jr. noKptis, indents, long, large; otpa, oina, tail.) Fan-TAII.ki> Ckow
Ill.ACKIllltl). Tk.XAS (iUACKI.K. ( tf largest size, with longest, most keeled anil gratluated
tail. Sexes very unlike. IJill very stout at base, tapering to the strongly detlected tip.
Adult (J : Irideseeneo ehieHy ]iurplisli and vi.det, more greenish posteriorly. Length about
18.00; extent 2:{. 00-24.00 ; wing 7-50-8.00; tail about il.OO, graduated 'i.50-;i.50 ; bill 1.75.
Adult 9 ■ ihwk brown; pah'r, grayish orwiiitish below. Length i:{.(K)-14.00 ; extent 18.00-
19.00; wing 5.5O-().00 ; tail little more. The species pndmbly shades into the next, but pre-
sents dimensions the latter has not shown. Lower Kio (irande of Texas and southward, very
abundant, swarming in the towns, whci.' 'jonspictious by its curious antics as well as great si/o
aiul numbers. Breeds in colonies, either in reedy marshes, when the wnt is placed in tho
rushes over water, or anywhere about the .settlements in trees away from water; sonu'time.s
there are many nests in one tree ; some nr'sts at an altitude of .'(() or 40 feet. Xests built of any
trash, usually witb mud. Kggs in April-May, usually;}, 1.12-1.45 by 0.82-0.95, averaging
1.25 X 0.'^5 ; greenish or purplish-white, clouded oftener over smaller end than at the other,
irregularly spotted, veined, and scratched with dark browns and blackish.
334. Q. major, ([..at. major, greater (than Q. piirimri-Hs).) IbtAT-TAii.r.D ("rtow Iti.At'KiiiKO.
]b)AT-TAII,KI) tJltACKI.E. .IackiiAW. (if large size, with lonir, much keeled and graduated
tail. Sexes very unlike. Hill stout at base, tapering to the detlected tip. Adult ^ : Iriiles-
cence mostly green, becoming jmrjde or violet chietly on the head and neck. Length 15.50-
17.00, average 1().50; extent 21.00-2.'{.5(t, average 22.50; wing and tail, each, (1.25-7.25,
ICTEliWJE — QUISCALTN^ : CBO W BLA CKBIRLS.
413
avorago 7.00, liittor rathor the longer of tho two ; its grsuluation about 2.50; bill 1.50 ; tarsus
nearly 2.00 ; niidtUe toe anil claw about the same. Adult 9 : Astonishingly sinallir than tlic $ ,
lacking entirely the groat development of the tail, and easily to be mistaken for another sjieeies.
Length 12.00-13.50, average 13.00; extent 17.25-18.25, average 17.75; wing 5.25-0.00, average
5.(57 ; tail 1.73-5.50, average 5.25. General color plaiu brown, only darker on wings and tail ;
below brownish-gray, frequently whitening on the throat. South Atlantic and Gulf States, on
the coast, abundant ; N. regularly to the Caroliuas, frei.(uently to the Middle districts, but not
to New Kngland, as far as certainly known, though very likely in exceptional ca.-*es. Tlii.s
species difl'ers from the common crow bbickbird in being strictly maritime, with the conse(iU(nt
moditicatiou in food and habits ; it may be seen at times wading in the water, and small tish and
crustaceans form much of its fare. Nesting and eggs as in Q. macruius; eggs averaging
smaller, but not distinguishable with c^-rtainty.
335. Q. purpur'eus. (Lat. purpureus, purple. Fig. 205.) Prui-I.E C'm>w Bi.ACKitiui). Com-
mon ('now lli.ACKHiui). I't'iU'ia: Guackle. ( )f medium size, with moderately keeled and
graduated tail, shorter than
wings. Sexes subsimilar. Hill
usually less tapering and de-
flected at tip, but very variable.
Adult ^ : Iridescence very
variable with season, age, and
sexMial vigor, a.s well as on
dillerent parts of the body ;
but always intense in healthy
adults, and at its height during
the love-ardor ; variously piu--
ple, green, blue, violet, and
bronyv • not the extensive Fio. '^05. - I'urple < iniuklc, reiliiccii. (Slieppunl del. Niuliolg gc.)
green of the hist species, nor usually the decided brassy of tho next variety; wings anil tail
mostly purplish ; dark ]iiu'pli.sh and steel-blue on head, neck, and breast; back more green-
ish or bronzy. Hill and feet ebony black. Iris straw-yellow. Length 12.0()-i;i.50 ; ex-
tent 1 7.00-1 S. 50; wing 5.0<Mi.(MI, averaging 5.00; tail 4.50-0.00, usually un.ler 5.50; l)ill
1.25, very variable ; tarsus 1.25 ; graduation of tail 1.00-1.50. Adult 9" Rlackish, and <iuite
lustrous; sutliciently siniihir to the ^•, length 11.00-12.00 ; wing about 5.00 ; tail about k5().
Hirds of this character, without i)erfectly brassy back and steel-blue head, are the usual kind in
the Atlantic States ; abundant and generally distributed, migratory and gregario\is, breeiling
anywhere in their range, but chiefly northerly. Nesting variable, in tree or bush, on bough or in
a hollow, at any height; sometimes in an artificial retreat, or a fish-hawk's nest. Nest bulky,
of any trash, usually with mud ; eggs of the character and with all the indescribable variability
of others of the genus ; usually bluish or greeni.sh, with pur]dish veining and doudiut;, zigzagged
and floiu'ished with dark browns or blacki.sh ; avernging 1.25 X 0.90 in size; 5-0 in number.
The grackles are abst'iit from their breeding-grounds for only a snuill ]iart of the year, when
they flock southerly, often in inunense bands scouring about for food. At times tlu-y are very
injurious to the croi>s, but this is offset by their destruction of noxious in.se(!ts. The courtships
of the males look very curious to a dis])assionate observer, being carried on with the most gro-
tesque actions and ludicrous attitudes, as well as curious vtK-alizatiou.
336. Q. p. te'neuB. (Lat. tnieus, brassy.) HitoNZKi) Citow Hi.ACKiiiKi). Hkash Gkacki.k.
Hirds from the interior IT. S., esjiecially the Mississipjii valley, ac<iuire in full iilumage a
s|deudid iridescence of three kinds, in pretty distinct areas. Hody uniform shining brassy.
Hind neck and breast chiefly steel-blue. Wings and tail chiefly violet and puridi'. This bril-
liant ctjloration is that rei)n'sented by Audubon, pi. 221 of the Hvo. ed. Such birds occur
414
SYSTEMATIC SYyOPSIS. —PASSERES— OSCIXES.
from Now Eugliinil, Hudii<tn'8 Buy, the Saskutolu-wan and Rocky Mts. to Texas and the
(liUf States.
337. Q. p. aglHs'us. ((jr. dyXat'or, iitjUiios, splendid.) Florida ('now ItLACKBiun. Gkeen
GuACKhK. Hirds resident in S. Florida are smaller than averajje piirpureun, with rehitively
longer and slenderer bill more deenrved at tip ; the IkmIv lustre ehietly greenish ; head and neck
ehietly vicdaeeoiis steel-lihie; M'ings and tail .«teel-ldue, lieeoining violet on the coverts. Aver-
aging an inch less in length than i>iopiirciis, and other parts in proportion, excepting the bill
and feet, which are (piite as long. (^>. baritus, Ud., 1858, uec auct. Q. agkeus, Hd., 18(i().)
18. Family CORVID.ffl: Crows, Jays, etc.
CtiUri rostra I Oxcines with 1 prima-
ries. — A rather large and inipnitant
family, comprising such familiar birds
as ravens, crows, rooks, jackdaws,
magpies, jays, with their allies, and a
few diverging forms not so well known ;
nearly related to the famous birds of
pjiradi.xe. There are iD ]iriniaries, of
which the 1st is short, generally about
half as long as the -id, anil several
outer ones are more or less sinuate-
atti'nuatc on the inner web toward the
enil. The tail has 12 rectrices, as usual
among higher birds ; it varies much
in shajie, but is irenerally rounded —
sovnetinies extremely graduated, as in
the magpie ; and is not forked in any
of our fonns. The tarsus has scutella
in front, se]iarated on one or both sides
from the rest of the tarsal envelope
by a gpHive, .sometimes naked, some-
times filled in by small scales. The
bill is stout, about as long as the head
or shorter, tapering, rather acute, irenentUy notched, with conve.v ciilmen; it lacks the com-
missural angulation of the Frintjilliiltr and Ictcritlrr. the deej) cleavage of the lUriniditHtln;
the slenderness of the C'rrthiidfC, Sittiilrc, and most small insect ivi irons birds. The rictus
usually has a few stiHish bristles, and there are others about the ba.M' of the bill. An essential
character is seen in the dense covering of the nostrils with large lung lufts of clo,>ie-]>resse(|
antrorse bristly feathers (excc-pting, among our forms, in Gi/nnnKitIa ti\u\ I'siliirhiiiiis). Thewt
last features distinguish the rornWrt; from all our other birds excepting I'urulte; the mutual
resemblance is here so close, that I cannot i>oint ont any <dtvious technical <duiracter of external
form to distingui.'ih, for example, ('i/anocitta from J.ophi>)iho)ie.i, or PerixorciiH from Pants.
Hut as already remarked, nue is here perfectly distinctive, all the Corridtr, being much larger
birds than any of the Paridtc.
C)wing to the uniformity of cohir in the leading groups of the family, and an apparent
plasticity of organization in many forms, the nnmber of s|tecie8 is ditficult to determine, and
is very variously estinntted by different writ«'rs. Mr. (J. R. Gray admits upwards of 2fl<),
which he distributes in .50 genera and subgenera; but thes*' figures are certainly excessive.
Pio. 266. — Kuropcnn •Inckdaw (OircHii monntuli
Dixon.)
(From
106
con VWjE — COliVIN.E : CRO WS.
415
106.
pnilMibly ref|iiiring rcdiietidn by at least oue-third, in Iwth cases. The Corriilie have been
divided into five subfuiiiilies ; three of the.so are small and api>areutly speeiulized in-imjis cou-
tiiied to the Old Wtirld, where tliey are represented must largely in tiii' Australian and Indian
regions ; the other two, constitnting the p-eat bulk of the family, are more nearly cnsmoiiolitan.
These art) the Comna and GarruUna;, or crows and jays, readily distinguishable, at least so
far as our forms are coneerned, by the longer pointed M'ings and shorter less rounded tail ot" the
former as eontrasted with the shorter rounded wings and longer more rounded or gniduated tail
of the latter.
20. Subfamily CORVINE: Crows.
With the wings long and ]iiiiuted, mueh exeeediiiiu' the
rr tail ; the til) formed by the Hd, 4th, and 5th (|nills ; iA
nnich shorter, 1st only about i as long as ltd. The
legs stout, fitted for walking as well as perching. As
^ a rule, the plunuige is sombre or at least unvariegated,
V — blue, the characteristic color of the jays, being here
rare. The sexes are alike, and the changes of plumage
Fio. '.'fi?. -TyiilealCorTliie bill. ,. , ^ ... • . i • n • i- i
slight. Although technically om-me, corviiu! birds are
hitfid y unmusical ; the voice of the larger kinds is raucous, that of the smaller strident, — witness
the croak of the raven, \\w "caw "of the crow, the screaming of jays. They frecpient all situ-
ations, and walk firmly and easily on tiie ground, where jays hop. They are among the most
nearly omnivorous of birils, and as a coiisetpience, in connection with their hardy nature, tliey
are rarely If ever truly migratory. Tiicir nesting is various, ai rding to circum.stances, but
tlie fabric is usually rude and bulky ; the eggs, of the avenige osciiie number, are commonly
bluish or greenish, speckled. .\lthou;;h not properly gregarious, as a rule, they often as.siK-iate
in large numbers, drawn together by community of interest. In illustration tif this may be
instanced the extensive roostinir-places in the Atlantic States, conipuriible to the nudiiTies of
F.urope, whitlu'r immense troo])s of crows resort nightly, often from great distances, recalling
the tine line of the poet, —
" The blnckeiiiii); trains ufcruwH tu their repoio."
Our three genera <if Cnrvuur are readily known by the black color of Cornm, the irray,
white, and black of I'icicorriis, and the blue of GymmtcitUt. In the latter, as in I'silorliiims
of Giirriili)i(P, the nostrils are I'xposed, contrary to the rule in each subfamily.
COR'Vl'S. (Lat. airnis, a crow. Fig. -207.) Uavkxs. Cuows. Tiie spi-cies throughout
uniform lustrous black, including the bill and feet ; na.'<al bri.>it1es about half as long as the bill,
which exhibits the typical cultrirostral styh'. Nostrils large, but entirely concealed. Wings
much longer than tail, folding about to its end. Several outer primanes sinuate-attenuate on
i .iier webs. Tail rounded, with broad feathers, sinuate-truncate at ends, with mucroiiate shafts.
Feet stout ; tarstis more or less nearly efpial to miildle toe and claw, roughly scutellate in front,
laminar behind, with a set of snmll plates between.
Analyiin of Sprrieii.
Rarent, with the throat-fenthcrH acute, lengthened, <llMonnocte«l.
AlM>ut 2 feet long; wing 16-lS hiehcg; tall nbimt 10. liuMa of rer%ical feathers gray .... eomr 338
Smaller; conecalctl ^Kix'ii of c-crvlcal feathers pure wliito (Southwcstcnu criiplohucut XVJ
Croirn, with the thrnat-fciUhcriiovnl itnil lilcndiMl.
Length 18-20; wing 12-14; tall7-8; hill l}'2,ltii height at base }; taraut about equal to tiie mldille toe
and clnw, longer than bill ; 1st ()ulll not longer than 10th frmi'irorui .140, 341
Small. Length 14-16; wing 10-11; tail6-T; bill l]-2; tarsus rather longer than bill or mldcllo toe and
claw; Ist i|iilll longer than lOlh. (Northwestern) nturiniii 3U
Small ; 14-ttl Inches long ; wing lO-l I ; tall 6>7 ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw, longer than
bUl; Ist quill nut longer than 10th maritimui M!(
4Hi
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEliES — OSCINES.
I
33fi. C ro'rox. (Or. Kipa(, ktirnx, Lat. curihr, a croukrr — tin* ravpii. Fii{. 2f)8.) Amehican
Havkn. Fcatlu'rM of tliroat ttniiu'what Htitfciiftl, Ifii^thciiiMl, ])oiiiu>tl, lying liMme from oiio
another; thouc of ncfk willi ij^ny <l"wuy bascx, a« cIsi-wIhtc on the iMxIy. Color entirely Ini*-
troiis black, with chietly ))iir|ilisli and violet liurnishing. Length ahont i feet — at least over
20 inelies; exitause of vungs 4 or -li feet — nineh over u yaril. Wing ahont IJ feel — at leant
over 13 iuchea. Tail alM)Ut 10 inches ; its feathers grailiniteil I.5I)-2.5U iuehes. liiil along choril
of eulnieu, anil tarsus, about i.50. Varies inurh in size. Greeuluud and Labrador s|N'einien8
are of great size, with iinnienso bill touclung .'{.(10. The bill is nsiially longer and relatively less
d<N<p in the Auieriean thiui in the Kuro|ieau raven ; whole bird more sturdy and robust. The
usual wint'-formuLi is: jirinmry 4> ;{=.")> 2 >(> >1 =: S ; but tliese i|uills grow and moult
HO gradually the projiortionate lengths ditler niueli in s]HTimens examined. The 9 is undislin-
guishable from the <J, though averaging snuiller. X. Amer. ; but now nm? in i\w V. S. east
of the Mississijipi, and altogether wanting in most of the States ; Labrador, ranging southward,
310
Fio. 268. — Ueiul of a very largo American Raven, nat. hIec. (Ail nat. del. R.C.)
rarely, along the eoast to the Middle distriets ; very abundant in the West, where the .^iablf
plume and the bleaeliing skeleton, the ominous emak and the Indian war-whoo]i, are not yet
things of the jmst. Wherever in the We.><t the raven abounds, the rrow seems to be sup-
pbinted. Nests high in trees and on elitfs, seleeting the most iiuiecessible places. Kggs 4-8,
oftener 4-5, about 2.0(1 X l-'^O, greenish, dotted, bUitehed and elouded with neutral tints, pur-
plish- and blaekish-browns.
330. C oryptoleii'cus. ((Jr. (t^wrriir, ATM;>toK, erypted or hidden ; Xfvitos, /fMAos, white.) WliiTK-
NKCKKI) Kavks. Throat-feathers as in C. mriix ; but ba.ses of the feathers of nei-k snowy-
white. Smaller than the raven; about as large as a giMMJ-sized crow, and genenilly taken for
one in those regions where it iKurnrs with the raven, the ditt'ereiiee between them lieing obvious
in life; the aeeouuts of"eroW8"in some n'gions when* C. umericmutx does not iH-eur being
based iijum the presem-e of ('. crifptoleitcus. Southwestern V. S., Llaint Kstaeado and hiuher
Hio Oruudu of Texas, Wyoming, Culorudu, Now Mexico, Arizona, and iKirtiuuH of California.
311
:ii:)
107
con vw.T-: — con i ly.i-: .• cno ws.
417
310. C. friiffi'vorus. (Lut. /rir_7i>()ri«Ai, friiit-catiiii; : /r«.r, fniit ; (Wi, I ilcvmir.) C'<imm(1\ Ameui-
CAN Cliuw. 'I'Ijc I'liiiiiiKDi <-ri>\v isn foot itml u lialf loii^, or riitlirr iiiorc; win^ 1:2 to 1 ( iiu'lifti :
tail 7 to S ; Itill X.'to-iM), ubout 0.75 liii;li at lia.si' ; tarsu.s alxnit clonal tn iniilillc tnr and riaw.
ralluT exceeding tlif Mil. First |iriiiiary not lnni^cr than Kith. FcathtTs of the thmat uval.
soft, anil Idcnilcd ; no snowy-white undcr-pluniafri'. Tin' Imrni.shing is chiftly on the win^s,
tail, and hark, the head Ix-in^ nearly clcad-hlack. The 9 ■>* dt'cidnliy sunillcr than thr f,
and iindcr-si/cd cahini't s|i('cinii'ns arc not stddoni lahcllcd " ossifrajjns.'' Ea.sti'rn X. Anifr..
chii'lly r. S., not ordinarily t'onnd westward in tin- interior, where the raven ahonnds ; rare or
wantinu in the rpix'r Missouri and Sinithern Itocky Mt. re^'ious ; coniinoii, however, in some
|iarts of California. In settleil ))arts of the couiitry the crow lends to colonize, and some of its
"roosts" arc of vast extent. Mine is on the \'irt;inia side of t!ie I'utouuic, near Washini;ton.
tVows are always tlyint' west oviT the city in the afternoon, iMid when as a boy I nsed to see
the i;ray of the morning, crows were tlyinit the other way It is ihiahtless the same now; hut
I oftener hear miilnitfht migrants than see such " early liinls " these days. Nest in trees, any-
where in the woods, usually concealed with some art, thoui;h so liulky ; huilt of sticks and
trash; ews I— fi-7, l.'iO X !•!?". lik'' the raven's in color and markinu;s, and eciually variable.
{('. ittiwriviiHHx, Aiicl.)
311. <'. f. Ilurltlit'niis. (hat. of Florida.) Fl.oltJK.V ('now. Iie]iresents the i;reater relative size of
tlie bill and feet sliown by many resident birds of Florida and i-orrespondiui,' latitudes.
31'^. <•. eiiiirriili!!. (Lat. riuirus, the N. W. wind, whence ctiiiriuiin, northwestern.) XnHTII-
WKSTKUN Fl.sil Cititw. Small: about the si/e of the common tish crow, but feet more as in
('. (iiiifririiiiiis, the tarsus not heim; shorter than the middle toe and claw, though rather li'ss
tlian the bill: Isl i.rimary l"Ut;er than lOth. heniith 1 L(M)-Hi.(HI ; winy 1(».,)(); tail ()..')();
bill I.7.)-2.IHI. N. I 'acilic coast, ( (region to Alaska ; maritime; piscivorous; voice .saiil to ho
dilfereut from that •>(('. fniijironis.
:ii:i. «". iiiiirrtiiiius. (l.al. iiiiiriliiiiiis, maritime; iiiriir, the sea.) S(>rTII-K..\STKIlX Fisil <'llo\V.
.'<mall. l-euuih IkOit-Ki.UO; wiuu; l(l.(Hl-l 1.(1(1; tail (i.()(»-7.()() ; bill l.:,U ; tarsus l.liO ; mid-
dle toe and claw 1.?."). First primary not li.nt'ir than lOth ; a bare space abyiit thi' i,'ape .'
South Atlantic and (lulf Stales, N. to New Kni;land. Common; luaritime, piscivorous.
Apparently a dilfereut bird from any of the forenoiny, as it presents some tanuible distinctions,
although eol.-stantly a.ssociated with <'. J'niffironis. Nest and eyijs not to be di.stini;uished
with certainty from those of th uunion crow, thouuh averai?int,' smaller. (C. os.sifrwjuH
Wils.)
107. IMCU'OK'VIS. (Com-
pounded ii( /liiiii, a wood-
pecker, or yjtV'f/, a matrpie,
and <orviis, a i-row. Fii;.
iW.) A.Mi.iti( AN Ntr-
1 llACKKKS. (leueral
characters of the F.uro-
pean Xiivifnuin. Kill
nlenilerer, more ueiite,
with more regularly
curved culmen and com-
missure, ami Htraight in- *■"'"• ^CO- — JI>'»il of I'lcifarrua, nut. kI/i'. (All luU ili'l. V,. ('.)
Htead of convex and nscendini; emiys ; as a whole somewhat decurveil. Nostrils circular, con-
cealed by a full tuft of plumules. Winjjs hmj,' and pointed, fiddin^,' to the end of the tail : ."ith
ipull huiL'est ; 4th. :<d, (>th little leKM; Sid much shorter, 1st not half ait hin^ as 3th. Tail little
over half as lonif as wiiiL', little rounded. Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw; the envelope
dividt'd iuto Hiuall plutes oil the sidett iM'hiud toward the b<ittv)iii. Claws very large, Htroiiif,
418
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSEHES— OSCIXES.
scute and much cun-cd, espofially that of the hind toe; tho hitrml rraohing In-yund base of the
middle claw. Coloration iK'culiar; gray, with black-and-wliiti' wings and tail. Habits much
the same as those of Nucifraga; alpine and sub-boreal, pinicoline, and pinivorous. Ono
species, confined to \V. Amer.
344. P. columbla'nus. (Of the Columbia River. Fig. 270.) Clarke's Crow, g 9 , adult :
Uray, often bleaching on the head ; wings glossy black, most of the secondaries broadly tipiicd
with white ; tail white, including
the under coverts ; the central
feathers and usually part of the
next pair, together with the up-
jwr coverts, black. Hill and feet
black. Iris brown. Length
about 12.50; extent 22.00; wing
7.00-8.00; tail 4.00-5.00; tar-
sus 1.;$."); bill averaging l.fi7 ;
feet from 1.2.i to 1.?."). Se.xe.s
alike in cobir, but 9 smaller than
(J. Young siuiihir, but browner
ash. There is great ditl'erence
FIO. 270. —Clarke's Crow, rolucfil. (Slii'iipunl dvl. NIelioIs sc.) ji, {],(. shade in adults, the
phnnage when fresh being more g1auc<>us-a!«li, wearing browner, and also bleaching in ]>atclieH,
especially on head. Coniferous belt of the West, X. to Sitka, S. to Mexico, K. tti Nebraska,
W. to the Coast Hanges ; the American rejiresentative of the European nutcracker, Kudfroyit
Cari/ocatactes ; abundant, imperfectly gregarious. A remarkable bird, wild, restless, and noisy,
sometimes congregating by thousands in the pineries of the W., roving in .search of fiKMJ.
Breeds high in pines, in alpino and northerly localities, concealing the nest witli care; nest of
sticks as a basis, on whicli bark-strips, gr.is.>ies, and other fibrous substances are well matteil
together. Kggs 1.211 X O.tKl, light grayish-green, sja'ckled and blotched with grayish-brown
au<l lilac, chiefly about the larger end.
108. GYMNOCIT'TA. ((Jr. yvfivcis. (/«hi»io,s, naked, as the nostrils are ; kitto, A-i7/ff, a jay.) Bl.fK
Crows. Mill of peculiar shape, with nearly straight culmen moimting on forehead, thus some-
what as in Sluniclla, between
the prominent and somewhat
antrors(' antia', which, how-
ever, do not hide the nostrils;
slender, tapering, acute, not
notclied ; gonya stniightish,
scarcely a.sceuding. Nostrils
small, oval, entirely exposed.
Tail nearly stputre, nmcli
shorter than wings. Wings
long, pointed, folding nearly
to end of tail ; 4th primary
longest, 8d ami 3th scarcely Kio. 271. — Blue Crow, nnt size; culiucn too convex. (Atl nat. del, E.C. )
shorter; 2d shorter, 1st shorter still. Feet stout, indicating somewhat terrestrial luibits ; tar-
sus longer than middle toe without claw, the envelope sulHlivided behind towards the Inittom.
Claws all large, strong, and much curved. Ctdor bluish, nearly unifonn : wxes alike. Ono
species.
345. O. ryanoce'phala. (Or. nvavos, kumws, blue; k€<^Xi;, kephnle, head. Fig. 271.) Hi.fK
Cbow. i : Dull blue, very variable in iutcusity, nearly uniform, but brightest on head, fading
CORVIDJE—GABRULINJE: JAYS.
419
on belly ; the throiit with whitish streaks ; wings dusky on the inner webs. Rill nntl feet
blaek. Iris brown. Length 11.00-12.UO; extent 1().50-1<J.O() ; wing 5.50-0.00; tail alxnit
4.50; hill 1.33, but from 1.25-1.50; 9 smaller, duller. KiK-ky Mt. region: uiueh the same
elevated distribution as the last, but apjtarently rather more southerly; deeiiU'dly greirarious,
and very abundant in sonu' ]daees. A remarkable bird, eombiuing the form of a erow with
the eolor and habits of a jay, and u jieeoliarly sliaped bill. It roves about in noisy restless
flocks, Sometimes of thousands, in seareh of food, which is ]iine seeds, especially piAones, juni-
per berries, acorns, etc. Breeds in colonies ; nest in jiirlon pines and other evergreens, compact
but bulky, of twigs, and fibrous bark-strips well worked together ; eggs 3-i, 1.25 X O.S7,
greenish-white, profusely spotted with light brown and purplish ; laid in April.
27. Subfamily OARRULIN>E: Jays.
- - ^ With the wings much shorter than or about
' ^ ^^* r^^''^ 'ni^ >t^- equalling the tail, both rounded; tip of the
.y \^^B^^--''''^W^'^ ■■ wing formed by the 4th-7th (piills. The feet,
-'^\^^^i^^-.£.i. - ItH^^^'^^ as well as the bill, are usually weaker than in
2^l$3^- /"' the true crows, and the birds are more strictly
iv.^ -^ arhoriccde, usually advancing by leaps when on
'-■^^?i the ground, to which they do not habitually re-
'\ wwHS^TiV^^^B9HE3B|^<^^i" ^'"''- I" •'*triking contrast to most Corvhur, tho
_ wf ^^v!!^KS^^ki> S 'J' jays are usually birds of bright and varied colors,
fTr^^j^^^flHR^Ill^R^^l^^^H^^^^O.''^ among which blue is the most prominent; and
■ '^T' 3BiHBsy^'s^^^^B('r'^ ^■' the head is frequently crest«'d. The sexes aro
'>^^ =?~ nearly alike, and the changes of plumage do
Fto.'.tl'. -Kiiroiwnii .lay ((;.irni/«ii (/famtariuo). "<'t aiqtear to U' as great as is usual among
(Frniii iiixiiii.) higjily-colored birds, although some differences
are frequently observable. f)ur well-known lUue Jay is a familiar illustration of the habits and
traits of the sin-cies in general. They are found in nuist i)arts of the world, and reach their
highest devehqiment in the warmer portions of America. With one boreal exception (I'eri-
goreiis), tho genera of the Old and New World are entiri'ly diflerent.
It ispnqier to observe, that, while the American Corritirc and frarruUna, upon which tho
foregoing |iaragra|dis are mainly drawn up, are readily distinguishable, the characters given
may require modification in their application to the whole family, the diflerent divisions of
which appear to intergratle closely. Our six genera are easily discriminated.
AnnhiHis c/ Uruint.
NontriLs l:iri;c. nnkcil.
Not ort'sleil. Goiiernl color brown P»ilorhinut 109
Niwlrilx iiiiNlurHti'. oivurtMl tiy fi'iitlicrg.
First (iriiimry iittoniiiiteil, ritlcato: tail cxccciliiiKly long, grnilimtnl.
Not ircHtcil. ColiirH liliicli, wliitc. ami iridt'm'ciit I'icn 110
First primary not attuiiiiale<l. Tail iiKMlcrarc.
Crvstcil. Kliie: wiii);H ami tail liarrol witli black Ciinnix-itln lit
Nutcre«ttil. liliiu: wiiiKit ami tail uiiliarrctl .4)>hiliH-i>mit 112
Om^ii ami yellow, with blue ami black on head XmitUnnt 113
dray, with Hiaty wings ami tail I'lrianreut 114
109. PSILOUIII'NITS. ((;r. ^iKot, pnUon, smooth, bare, bald ; pit, piimt, hrU, hrims, nose.)
Hkowx Jays. .*<Mf»KY I'iKS. Nostrils exjiosed, large, rounded. Mill stout, with very convex
culmen, curved from the base. Wings and tail of about e<|ual lengths, both rounded. (Jf
large size, and sinoky-bn>wn cohir ; not crested.
346. P. mo'rio. (Lat. mono, " a dark brown gem.") BmtWN Jav. Sm(d«y-brown, darker on
head, fading on bidly ; wings and tail with bluish gU)S8. Hill and feet black, sometimes yel-
420
Sl'SlEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEIiES— OSCINEH,
li)W. Lrnpth nbout Ifi.OO; wini,' nml tail almiit 8.((n, tho mrmiluatiou of tlio litter about 2.00 ;
bill 1.25. Uio OiaiuU' Valley ami :*initli\varil.
110. I'I'CA. (Lilt. i)im, a i)ic.) Maiumks. Tail oxtromcly long, when fully tlovelnin'il foniiini:
iiuin! than i the total loniftli, tiraduattd for about i its own longtli ; tbc fi-atlicrs willi roumlcil
rinln, tbo niitldle i)air at least ta)Hiinc, au<l six'cially Ifnijtlipni'il bcyoud tbc rest. Hill »( imli-
nary corviiw HbajM' ; iins-
trils I'oiict'aliMl by loin; iiii.
Ral tnt'ts. VV'iiigs sbori ami
roiiMiled, witli very slmrt.
narrow, falcate first pri-
uiary. Feetntoiit; tarsus
little loiii;iT tlian iiiidille
too aud elaw. Head imt
crested. A uakeil sjiace
about eye. I'lun)ai;eblael<,
irido.sceut, wilb iiia.sses of
wbite ; bill blaek or yel-
low. Sexe8 aliki*. Habits
arbor<>al and simiewbat ter-
restrial, — very irregular,
in faet, u nia^]iie's p'Ueral
eburaeter being nunc of
tlie best, tliougb tlie cc-
nerie eharacters are i x-
eelleut.
I>. riis'tlen hiKlHon'irn.
(fiat. n».s^'crt, rustle, rural;
run, riiris, tlie country.
Of Hudson's Hay. Fig.
iT'i-) .MAdi'iK. Lui»trous
black, with green, jiurple,
violet, and even golden
iridescence, especially mi
tliii tail and wings. He-
low, from tbe breast to tbo
crissum, a scai>ular patch,
ami a great |iait of the in>
uer webs of the primary
<|uills, white ; some whit-
ish touches on tbe throat;
h>wer ba<'k showing gray,
owing to mixture of white
with black : bill and feet
black ; eyes blackish.
347.
Fio. 273. — Magiiie, re<liiiMMl. ( Krniii I>Uon. )
Length 15 or 20 inches, according to the development of the tail, which is a fmrt or less long,
extremely graduated ; extent about 2 feet ; wiug about 8.00, the outer primary short, slender,
aud falcate; bill 1.23; tjirsusl.67; middle too and claw 1.50. 9 rather smaller than i, but
alike in color. Arctic Ainer. and U. K. from Plains to Pacific, except C'alifoniia ; common.
The American magpie is extremely similar to the notorious binl of Europe, and attempts to
establish specific characters have failed. It is a rather larger aud " lietter" bird, though quite
:tl
11
^
COHrWJJ — GAimULIX.E : J A YS.
421
Hf niiirli lit' a niHcal. 'I'ln' nest i» jilacnl in thick KhriiMM-ry, an liitf '•'' ■'' I'lisiicl, liriKtlinn witii
u rliev<iu.r-(li''frise mititiilc, with a hitcral nivcn-d way h'ailinu to tlir in'st vvitiiiii. V.kK>* "-U,
1.2U to 1.4U h)iig by O.'.M) to I.IH) broail, pah- ilrah, ilottid, ihi.xhi-il, aii<l hiotciitil with |iiir|iii.s|i-
Imiwii.
:IIM. I*. iiiit'tMlll. (To ThoH. Niittall.) Vki.i.ow-iiim.kh MA<;nr.. Kill ami liare kiucc ah<mt
fVf' yellow. OthiTwisf, itrccinrly like the last, of which it is a ]n-r|M'tiialcil acci<lciit ! The
Kiiro|M'aii iiia^]>i(' HoiiictiiiicN i<howH the xaiiic tliiiii;, ami in i'linic nthir species, like 7'. innrin,
the liill is imlitl'ereiitly Mack or yellow. Calironii.i niiiinii.
111. t'YAMM'IT'TA. (Kr. Kvavos, kKtiiion, hhu : utTra, lilhi, a jay.) ('lti:.sTF.ii lll.iK .Iav.s,
Coiispicuoiisly crested ; wiii^s aixl tail Mile, Mack-harreil : hill ami feet hiack. Leiifth 11.00-
lii.OO; wiiii; or tail 5.00-Ci.OO. Nostrils lar^e, siihcirciilar, Imt coi aled. Wiii^s ami tail of
eipial leliKtIiii, liotli rounded. Hind claw larue, ei|uallinu or excecilint; its di^-jt in length.
Then- an* two fi])eci<>8 of this beautiful p'lius, one liuht blue uud white, Kasteru, staudiiig
)|uit<> alone ; the other Uimky-bodied, Western, running into seveml varieties.
Anfxt lints of SjHt'ii'f and I'ltrittUg^
rnrt>lliili-bluo, whitoninK Iwlnw, with u liliivk ciilliir crhtalti 340
S(H)ly-lirii\viilHli nr -I>lackl8li, liluliig mi IhmI>' lit'lilnil. wiiiipt iiimI mil ; tlie latlt-r black-l>iirre<l.
.SiNit.Y-liliioklKli ; Htllo If niiy liliic oil fiirelivail; none alKiiil eye ; wliiK-t'nvtTtH iiiiliarru<l . . ulellcH 3S0
Si><>ty-lilackli«li; but blue' on forelicad ami aliuve vyu; wilic-cDViTts uiiliarrLMl aiiiurtiiiii .'Ut
ScKity-browiilHli, blueoii furebviul; Utile If any liluu alxiut eye ; wiiiK-t'ovcrtH unli»rre<l . . J'iiii,''ilia U53
SiM>ty-bro\viilHli, llic cruRt iiulto blai'k. Itlulnli-wliilu Btreuks uii furvliuail and al>out eye ; \vliit(-
rovcrlii black-barrol uminilfjilm IWi
3I«. r. rrlHtii'ttt. (Lat. t•»•l.s/«^l, crested. Fig. J7J.) UuT. Jav. <J : I'lirpli.sh-Mue, beh>w pale
purplish - gray, whitening uii
throat, belly, and crissmn. A
black collar acros.s lower throat
and up the sides of tint neck ami
bead behind the crest ; a black
frontlet bonh'red with whitish.
Wings and tail pure rich blue,
with black bars, the greater
coverts, secondaries, and tail-
feathers, except the central,
broadly tipped with pure white ;
tail much rounded, the gradua-
tion ii\)-r an inch. Length
11.00-1 J.OO ; extent Ki.OO-
1?. .')(); wing and tail, each,
.").00-().00 ; bill l.-Io; tarsus
1. ;{,"). 9 similar, not so richly
blue : smaller. There is much
diHerence in size b.-twoeii north- ^"' ""^^ " "'"" •'"J- '^'''<-'^'- <si.ei.i.ar.| .lol SIcholii «c.)
em and .southern bred birds, as in the AfielmiK. Florida specimens are particularly small, the
bill relatively larger, the crost h-ss, the white <in winys and tail restricted ; as worthy as
Some iither Floridau races to be named (C. r. Jlnriiicola, X.). Ka.stern X. A., esjiecially I'. S.,
but X. to Hudson's Bay; W. to the central plains; a very abundant resident or balf-iniirratory
bird, breeding throughout its range; ii well-known char.icter I Xest in trees and hushes, or
any odd nook, large and substantial; eggs 5-() in number, 1.00 to l.iO long by 0. SO to 0.90
broad, drab-colored with brown spots.
350. C. stcl'Ierl. (To CI. W. Steller.) Stei.i.eii'h Jay. ^ 9: Whole head, neck, and bark s<M»ty
blackisli, little if any lighter on throat, and with little if any blue in furehead or about eyes ;
422
SYSTJ-LMA TIC SYXOPSIS. — PASSERES — OSCINES.
I t|:
tliiH Booty color iMixniiii; niBtiisibly on tlii' nmip niid breast into dull l>lui'. Winjfs uiul tiUl
rii'licr Vtliii', <To«.Mnl witli nnnu'rouH Muck Itnri*, not on tho secondary covcrtn. Kill and feet
black. Youun more fiiliKinoU!*, the \vin>.'-bars faint if not wanting. Size of tlio Eastern jay,
or ratiier larger. Tacitic coa!*f region. (>rev;oii to Ala:»ka, K. to the HiM-ky Mts., where inoscii-
liitinK with C. ». macrolopha. Tiiis is the typical form, with little or no blue, no whitish on
head, and niibaiTcd wing-covens ; rnnninK ihroiij;h anuevtens, frontalis, anil nmcrolophn into
some very diHerent Mexican forms. Habits, nest, and effgs as described under iiiacrolopha.
3S1. C. B. annec'tens. (Lat. aiiHeclens, anutxiuf;.) Hlack-iikahki) Jay. This name has been
ftiven to specimens directly connecting stelUri and mitcivhpha. General tone of the former ;
<|uite blackish, short-crested, with plaiit wiuj,'-covert8 ; but blue frontal streaks and whitish
eye-patch of the latter. N. IJocky Mts., I'. .S.
353 C\ B. froiita'Us. (Lat. frotiUili.s, |)ertaininf,' to from, tho forehead.) BurK-FHONTED Jay.
SiKiiUA ,Iay. An offset from stelleri ; the sooty color rather brownish than blackish ; the bluo
of ilitferent shade on body from the deep indigo on wings and tail; whole crest gios.sed with
bluish, and conspicuous blue streaks on forehead; no whitish eye-patches; wing-coverts
obsolctely or not barred. Sierras Xevadas of California.
3ft3< C. 8. macrolopha. (Gr. fioKpos, makros, long ; \6(pot, InphoK, crest. Fig. 275.) Loxn-
CUESTEU Jay. IJetter marked than tho connecting links. ,$ 9 '• Upper parts sooty uudter-
browu, with a faint bhio
tinge, blackening on
head and neck all
around in decided con-
trast, ]>assiug on rump
and upjier tail-coverts
into beautiful light co-
balt-blue; passing on
fore breast into tho
same blue which (Hum-
pies all the under parts.
Crest black, but faciul
on forehead with bluish-
white, which, when the
Fio. 27S. — Lonu-crcstwl .lay, nat. size. (Ailnat. <lcl E. C.) feathers are not dis-
turbed, runs in two parallel lines from the nostrils U]iward — these colored tips of the feathei-sof
firmer texture than their basal portions. One or both eyelids patched with white. Chin ab-
ruptly whitish, streaky. Exposed surfaces of wings rich intligo-blue, most intense on the
inner .>iecondaries, which, with the greater coverts, are regularly and firmly barred across both
webs with black ; the outer webs of the immaries lighter blue, more like that of the rump or
under ])arts. rpi)er surface of tail rich indigo, like the .secondaries, and sindlarly black-barred;
these bauds most distinct towards the ends and on the outer webs of the feathers ; tail viewed
from below a|)pearing mostly blacki.sh. Iris dark. Dill and feet black. ]..eugth 12.00-I.1.(M) ;
extent 17.00-10.00; wing rj..')0-R..'jO; tail the same; bill 1.12; tamis 1.50; middle tin- and
claw l.,'i;{. Sexes ijuite alike, but 9 "' *'>•' lesser diiuensions given. Crest btnger than in
northeni ste/fcn, sometimes U.OO. Young: Much more sooty; below entirely fuligiu(uis, with
tho future blue indicated by an ashy or grayish shade. Wings and tail nearly as bright blue as
in the adult, but the black bars faint or wanting. Crest shorter, not ipiite black, not faced with
blue, and no white alK)Ut eyes. This form melts into C. dindenmla of Mexico, which is
bluer; and this is near the quite blue C. coronata. Rocky Mt. regiiui, IT. S., es|)ecially
southerly; a common bird of the pint* belt, displaying in marked degree the tiotorions attributes
of its genus, or genius. Nest in trees and bushes, usually concealed with art, though bulky;
CORVIDJK - GARHVUS.K : J A VS.
498
eggft 5-fi. 1.25 to 1..'55 X •••8(> to 0.90, jiuli- bltii»h-gr<rii, profiimly siH)tt<Ml ami blotclird with
(liii'k oliTr-limwii tiiiil lijjliter linixvii.
112. APIIKL0'C03IA. ((Jr. d(/><Xi}t, iiithehs, Hinontli, hIccU ; no/ii;, kome, Imir: uUmliiig to tlif
litck of crpst.) Chkhtlkss Mi.rK.lAYM. (jcufnilly an in r//<(»i(W»((. Iliail iinrnnlcil. Tail
loii>{(>r or Hliortcr tliaii wiiiirH, iiintcail of uljoiit f<|ual, Ki-ailnatnl (In sunn' i-xlniliinital f.inns
nltoiit oipial to the wing anil even). Tarsn» ratlnr lonijiT tlniii niiildlf too ami i-law. \Viiii;s
nnil tail blue, without Mack barn, ami bliif th(! chief body-color; wliitich nndcrncath, with
(usnully) or without a gray jiatch on tho buck. All Houtlicrn ami South wcHtcrn.
Annlytin of Sjurl'i nnil t'liriilim.
Tall loiigpr tliaii wlngii, griKluated. Above Iilue, with uniy ilnrml oroa; belly <lliigy whltUli; a »iipcr-
vllliiry KtrliM-, niiil tlio tliruut utrcnky.
Fiirvlionil lioiiry-wliltu; miiiuri'lllury iitrl|ia not wvl|.<lutliicil. Dtireal piitcli wclUletliiol. CrlMiuii
blue, cimtrnHtliig with grnylnb inidor piirfg jlnrulniut 3M
Fun'lionil blue; iiu|Mtrclllury Rtrlim illHtliict. IXirmtl pntcli UIhIcIIiioiI, uprvailliig aii<l blulali. <'rli>»um
liliiiKli, liMl mil well u«iitriutt<»l wltli iliiigy imilcr purl* iriuiilhiiiinii 'Mti
Fori'liciul bliio; Riiiwrclllury atrl|io illHtlnvt. DorMtl piitoh wcll-(letliio<l. Crliwuni wliltUli llkr otliur
miller part* riih/ntniia 3S0
Tall ratlier Hlmrtcr tliun wing, rouDilod, Blue, without dotlnlto doriutl area, ur iMctoral or iU|iuroUiiiry
atroaks ari:onit 357
3.14. A. florldtt'lia. (Of Florida.) Fi.oKinA Jav. (J 9: Hluc ; back with a Binall wcll-dcfini'd
gray iiatcli not invading Hcaixihirs ; bcdly and sides jtalc grayisii; under tail-coverts and tibitu
btiu> ill marked contra.'<t ; much hoary whitish on forehead and sides of crown, but no shar|i whit<<
superciliary Htripe; chin, throat, and middle of breast vague streaky wliitish and bliiisli ; ear-
coverts dusky; the blue that seems to encircle the bead and neck well (h'fined against the uray
of back and breast. liill comjiarfttively short, very stout at the base. Length 11. 00-li. ,'>(),
average 11.7'); extent l;{. 50-1.'). (10, average 14.50; wing 1.00-4.75, average 4.40 ; tail 4.50-
5,50, average 5.00, always longer than wing; bill about 1.00. Florida (and (iulf States f),
abundant. Very local, ami not authentic as iMTurring outsi(h> of Florida. Usual habits of
jays. Nest a Hat structure, in bushes, of twigs lined with iibres. Kggs 4-5, bluish-green,
8|mringly speckled, chielly at larger eml, with brown, 1.00 X O.SO.
355. A. f. womlliou'sll. (To S. W. Woodhouse.) Wookiioisk's Jav. Tho dorsal patch dark,
glos.sed with blue, shading into the bliK^ of sun-oiinding jmrts ; under parts rather darker than
ill C. flofidann, somewhat bluish-gray ; the under tail-coverts bluish but not contrasted ; oii
the breast the blue and gray shading into each other, the gular and jiectoral streaks wliitish
and well-dptined, the superciliary line definite white, but no hoary on forehead ; bill slenderer.
(J 9 ' ndnlt : (ioneral color blue, rich and jture on the winns, tail, runiii, crown, back and sides
of neck, and on the breast surrounding the streaky white area. Midtlle of back aii<l scapulars
dark gray much tinged with blue, shading insensibly into the surrounding blue. Upper and
under tail-coverts blue. Under parts from the breast gray, with blue tinge (in ailijortiicn
nearly white). Chin, throat, and breast with a series of whitish blue-edgeil streaks, enclosed
in surronmling blue. Lores, orbits, and auricnlars dusky. A series of shaqi white streaks
over and behind eye. Wings and tail blue ; the inner webs of most of the ([uills, and the tail
viewed from below, dusky. The iiiniT Hecondaries and tail-feathers, chmely examined, show
obsolete barring, like that which beconies iironounccd in Cijawmtta, but the traces are faint,
and the feathers may be properly called plain. Iris brown ; bill and feet black. Length of $,
about 12.00: extent 10.50; wing 5.00; tail 6.00; bill 1.12; tarsus 1.50; middle tiM- and claw
1.33. 9 Rinallcr: nverago 11.23 ; extent 13.50, ctn. Young : Wings and tail as in the adult ;
Hp|wr parts mostly gray : under parts grayish-white, with little or no blue tin the breast, the
pectoral streaks undefined, as are those over the eye. Km-ky Mt. region, from Wyoming and
Idaho southward. Habits, nest and eggs us in other S]M>eies. Tho egi;s in this genus usually
differ from those of Cyanocitta, by more greenish ground color and bolder marking, cs|)cciully
424
.sySJl-:MA TIC J:iYXOl'SIS. — PASSEUEH— OSCIXES.
ut llie larpT rw\. In rcKums when WimmHkiusc'h ami tlic loiig-crestcd jiiy« occur together, tlio
hitter lives eliieliv in tiie \i\ws, the fninier in the Hcnih-ouk and other thickets.
360> A. f. PMllixriilra. (< >t' < iiiitonila.) ('Ai.irnuMA Jay. The dorsal patch light ami distinct
as in A. Jliiriildvii, Imt iln under parts, including tail-coverts and tihia-, nearly white ; gular
Htreaks very large, aggre;;iit<i". and white, causing the tliroat to lie nearly uniform; a 'vliite
sM|ierciliary line, iu< in tn><i Ihohsii. hut ni' hoary on forehead; hill slemler. 'riius it is seen that
eiich of the three forms presei.ts a ' arying emphasis of conunou characters. (J 9 > adult:
(Jeneral color hliie. Scapulars ami interscapulars gray, with little if any tinge of hlue; rump
iind upper tail-coverts Iduish-gray, usually miNcd with some white. Forehead and nasal tufts
lilue like crown; a sharp white superciliary strii>e over and hehiud eye; lores, eyelids, and
aiiriculars hlackish. I'lider jiarls tVom the hreast -oiled white, with little or no tinge of hlue
except on cr'ssmi; ; hreast ap|iearing as if hlue, overlaid with hroad white stripes, which hecouu'
contiuu'Ms on throat and chiu ; il'e 'ureast is really v hiti', in streaK;. edi;.'d with hlue, and with
a .(irrounding of hlue iu which the <treaks are as if framed. Iris hrown ; hill and feet hlaek.
Length li.tH) or h'ss; whig 5.(KI ; tiiil5.50; lelll.OO; tarsus 1.50; middle tuv iiml rliuv 1.25.
in I'nmparison with iriioilhousii, •liffe-en-es are seen in the well-detiiu'd gray dorsal patch ; the
iM'arly white u)iderparts without decidedly hlue crissum ; and tin hroader and nuire continuously
white gular streaks. The general huhitu, nest, nnil eggs are the same.
357. A. iiItrHniiirriiu iirlzo'iitr. (Lat. iillrinttariiiti, hiyond the .sea, iiumc of a hlue color.) Altl-
ziiNA .Iav. neliingiiii,' to a different section of the genus, distinguished hy having the tail
rather shorter than longer than the wings, the up|H'r parts uniform hlue, and no throat-streaks.
<J 9 1 adult: Ahove, liylit hlue, purer on head, wings, ami tail than on hack, where rather
dull, neneath, sordiil hluisli-gray, hhiest on hrea.<t, pahr on throat, whitening on helly,
tiauks, aix! crissum. Lores hlackiih ; orhits and auriculars dark. No super '<liary si ripe, nor
decided streaks ou throat or hrmst. Mill normally hlack, sometimes irreyularly patched with
wiiitish. Feet hlack. Length aho!it 111.00; winir fi.-i.'i-fi.?.') ; tail ().00-(i.50, rounded, the
luleiul feathery gracluated 'iltout 0..')() : hill l.i'.), 0.10 deep at lia.se: tarsus I.C)? ; miiliile toe and
claw l.'M. Voung: Little if any hlue e.\cepting on wings and tail, heing dull gray ahove;
below, mui h like the adult. Hill tie.di-coloreil ou most of under iiiandilih'. Ari/ona, and
prcihahly New .Mcvico; N. to ahuiit .'1,')°. (C. nonlida, lid., 1S.")H; Comcs, l^'ii, may he u
variety of .vor'.iWd, hut it \» ,ir'..l>ahly going too far to bring in ultmiiKirimi, ami make both
this ami iii->:oti(C varietu>s >i( norilitla.)
H£. XANTIir'KA. {(Jr. fii^or. mi/^/io;. yellow: of/m, if'ira, tail.) fJitKKN Jayh. No crest.
Wings sii'H-t, iiiiirh iitiinileil, with lei gtli -ned inner .xrcondaries foldiii;: nearly over thi' pri-
liiiiries. Tail 1. iiiii-r than wings, irra<iuited. Hill short and ileep, with ciilmeu curved from
tl.e base, ('(dors green ■ ml yellow, with l.l.ick and hlue on head. Several tropical species of
these luxurious jays, one reachiiit; our border.
35N. X. lux!sr!'»'su. fLat. lu.niriosii, li'.<;inous. Coiiiinoiily writte^i liu-uomi.) liin GitAM>K
iJay. .\dult (Jf : Hack and exposi'd suifac f wings yellowish-green : inner webs of iiiost of
the (piills bhicki>-h eduid with clear vcIIdw : their shafts idack above, yellmv or whitish
beli'W ; lining of winu.< clear yellow. F'>nr middle tail-feathers greeni; li-blue, at base little
dill'c-eiit from back, bluing ttiward mds; these fciihers, si'ca from below, t|uiti' black; other
tail-fea'hers all clear rich yellow, includiiu; their shafts. I'nder pints from the breast liirht
gre 'ni li-y/'llow. yieldiiit; to piuM' yellow on middle of belly. Top of head and, na.s,il pliuuuleM
beautiful rich blue, ynidiiig on forehead to hoary-white. Sides of head to above eyes, and
whole chin, thmat, and fore-ln-e,ist jet black, enelosiiuf i. large triangular i)ateh of bine on
the sii'.e of the lower jaw. and blui' touches ^ u the eyelids. Hill and feet black. Leiiirtli
ll.2.')-li.(M); extent 1 1.,">()-1j,.)0 ; wiiii: i..">0-,).00 ; tail ."..i'.'i-.)./.") ; tarsus LSO : middh' t>ie
mid claw 1.25; bill l.tKt, very .stout. 9 near the lesser of the ilimen.sion.s given. This truly
elegant bird is ahiindant in soiiu liH-alities in the Lower Ilio (Jiando valley. Nest in hushes
114
a,->i
:««
iitt
:i(l-
l'ohvida:— (iAiwrLi.wE: .i.i vs.
l-2.'>
and Kiiiiill trees, ImlUy, of twii{» witli ftiier liiiiiij;; mn* usually 'I-l-, l.lu X '••'^0, i;reciii-.li-
(Irali, iiiai'Ui'il as usual with lu'owus.
114. I'KltlSO'KICUS. ((ir. irf^iKTotiitCw, jurisdiriKt, I Ijeap up; ju'cilialdy iu alliisinu to tlie
lioai'diug III' thievish jirojiensities nl' jays.) (iUAV Javs. Xnt cresleil. I'luinaKe sufl. t'ui! an. I
lax, txrayish nr sooty. ItiU very shoi1, not deep hut wide at l>a.se ; euliiieu litth' eurvid ;
i;onys a.seeudin^. Wiiijis and tail of ap]iroxiuiately e(|ual leiiu'ths; latter L'radualeil. .V
cireuuipidar and horual or alpiue genus, of one species in Anu'riea, with several varieties.
Auiih/Hi.1 I'/ t'tirirtii n.
Dark IkhkI mixlerato ; forclieml wtilto; tiack l>riiwiilHli-i!ni>, Ktrt'iikiil rutunliiiii.^ :w.i
Dark liiMxl extfimivc; forulicuil Hiiiuky : limk lirnwiiish-uniy, iiiislrciikc<l fitmi/miit M*\
Dark IkxoI I'Xteiii'lvi' ; forelivail wliiliHli ; liatk ImiwiiiKli, uiili wlilti; Hluifllliii'H otmciinii liill
Dark liiKxl restrictetl; forulivail uxtuiialvely wliitu; liuck atiliy-tiniy, iiiiHtroakiHl injnlulix Mi
3S0. 1*. oaiiiMloii'sls. (Of Canada. V'tii. 27<i.) Caxaha .Iav. \\'lll.><Kf;v .Ia< K. .Moo.sk-
ItlUK. "ray, whileninn oil heail, ueeli, and hreast ; a dark cap on liind head and nape, sep-
arated hy a jirny ei-rvical eidlar from the asliy-pluiiiheous buck ; winifs and tail pluniheous,
'*.e feathers ohseurely tijiped with whitish. Hill and feet hlaek. Yoiiiif,' : Mueh darker,
sooty or snioky-luown : tiie lilearhiujt; protrresses indetinitely with ai;e. L> igth lO.UU-
11. (H); extent aliout Ui. on : wiiiji .">.i5~
5.;."> ; tail rather more, jiraduated; uir-
sus \.'M; hili under 1, shaped like a
titmouse's, .Vrelie Am. into the \.
States, N. W. to Alaska; breeds in
.Maine and northward ; rexident, ami
seldom seen south of its lireedinif ranije.
'I'he " WisskachoM " (wheia-e " whisk-
ey .)ohn"and then "whiskey Jaek ")
is lilted for the fiuiiliarily ami impu-
dence with which it haiiLfs about the
hunter's eamp to steal provisions, for
eonsortint,' with moose, and for m'siimr
in winter or early spriiii;. Xi'st usually
on the boufihof a spruce or other coni- Fio. iTU.-lJaiiuJa.lay, rwluciil. (Sliipiuir.! .M. Xleli.iliiw,)
ler, a larije substantial striicture, ;>f twii;s, (jrasses, inos.ses, and feathers ; etrus U-+, l.:i(l X
d.S.'). yellowish -t'l'ay to pale Kr( eli, finely dotteil and blotched with hmwii and slati', or lavender,
especially about the larger end ; others more unilorndy and lartjely blotched ; variation wide,
as in other Jays.
;j«0. I*. «'. fll'lllifroiis. (Lat../'/(m«s, smoke: jVnOS, forehead.) Ai.ASKAN .Iav. SM!TTV-NnM.l>
Jav. ."^'imilar : colonitimi darker and diiiui"r throughout ; white ..f t'orehead ob.sciiie.l .h- oblit-
erated by smoky-gray. Coast nirion of Alaska.
:i(Sl. **• »'• ohM-n'riw. (I,,at. ohnruriiM, idi.scin'e.) (htntitix .Iav. More ditl'erent : dark hood
eiicro.ichiuj.' Ill crown, not well detiind; upper parts imibci-brovnish rather than ]iiumbeous,
the f.athiis with white shatt-lin.> ; tail n.'t distinctly tipped with whitish. I'acitii' coast
reiriim, ( >r. uoii to Sitka.
:uyz. ''• «'. eii|ilta Hh. (i.at. ai/iitiili.t. lapital, lehitinir to the heail, r((y;i(/,) HocKV MiUNrAlv
Jav. lieiieral color ashy-plumbeous, or hitdeii-gray, jialer below; wimrs and tail blii.'kish,
vith a jMruliar ulaiifotis shade, no If frosted or silveri.l over. 'Ihe body-<'olot ffivini; way .m
the brea.st and liiM'k to whitish, established as hoary-white on tlii' head, isolatiiiu the narrow
w. ll-ili'tined nuchal band of sooty-iiiay. Xo white lines on ' I'k . tail-leathers iii>tincil_\ tipped
with whitish, and much edirint; of the same oil the winjjs. The clearer colors generally — back
rati ir bliiish-uray than browni>h-irray, very white head with narrow nuidial band pro.lui"
426
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSHRES— OSCINES.
a l)irtl (liffcrinj^ visibly fnmi tlic onliimry >;n»y jay. Tin* clianm'ft of |iliiiiiiiu<> with uko are
IHirallcl. Si/t' at a iiiaxiiiiinn. I.tii>;tli alxpiit l:i.(M); (.'Xtciit 17.00; wiiii; aiiti tail, cacli, tii-ar
A.OO ; bill 0.7.'j ; tai-Mis 1..H0; niidillc tiH' ami rlaw l.OU. S. Itc ky Mt. rcKitui, <'s]Hrially
Coliirado, Wyoming, N. Ni'W Mt'xicu ami Arizona, Malio and Montana, northward Hhadin^
into ty])ical cauuilvHsis. The high luuuutaiuM uf Culorudo furuish tht* oxtrunu> vum^h.
10. Family STURNID-iE : Old "World Starlings.
116.
-rgi
1!
i
^ ' V^ .— I. ,
Klii.jrr — Tlie starling. (From IHx.pii.)
of till" iipiMT inniidiblo ; oouiiiiirtHUro olituwly anjfulatid ; •lidcK of lowiT niamliblf .xtrnhi- tdy
dtiiiidcil and. i-iini wliat <'xrav. 'rd j fratix'pt Hllinif the iiitcnuiual Ni>ar. •; im bristles about tlu'
Mil. NVin>{« Ion;; and |Miinti'.i ; \?.\ priMntry mmrions a. id vrry .small; id uud iid lnutti'iit,
A family contint'd to
thi'Old World: diHii-nll
to charartrrizf, owin^ to
tlu- Variety of forms it
includes. Apitarently
rtdated to the Ictrriiltr,
from whieh distin^'uisbed
by the jireseuce of tm
primaries the first short
or (piile spnrioMs. 'I'ho
only form with which we
have here to do is the
jreniis Stitnius, belong*
iufi to the
28. Subfamily
8TURNIN>C: Typical
Starlings.
STl-K'Nirs. (l.at. star-
mis, a .'-tare or >tarlinu.)
StAHMNUS. ISill shapeil
soniew'iat as in Stiirmlla
or Jrlrrus, but widened
and llattened ; ratlier
shorter than head; eul-
men anil ^onys about
straight, both irently
rounded in traiisNersp
section, and at the tip ;
tlie culmcn rising high
on the foridi) ad, dividing
prominent antia' which
extend into tlu' wtdl-
niarUcd misal fossa> ; n
conspicuous nasal scale,
overirching tlie nostrils ;
toi lial edges of mandibes
dilated, especially tli iKe
s
STUIiNWyK— mUIiXIXyE : TYl'ICAL STAJiLIMiS.
4i7
rest rapidly ^ruiliiuted. 'I'liil of 12 fcatlicn-, ciii»r),niuitc, littlf iimre tliuii lialf ax Inii^ uh thi>
wiiii;. Ft'i't shnrt ; tarsus of strictly ost-iiK' ]iui|iitlH'cu, r'ciiti'llatt' uikI lainiiii|ilaiitar, almut as
1(111^' as iiiiiidii- too withiiiit its daw. Lateral tors of siilM'<{iial Iriigths, tlirir rlaws falliui;
short of l)asi> of iniddlt' i-law; liitid claw about as lou^r as its <ligit. l'luiiiai;i' iiii'tallii' ami
iridi'sci'iit, till- feathers all distinctly outlined.
.110. 8. viilKiirlM. (Lat. ci/A/^/'/.v. viilt'ar, eoiimioii. Fig. 277.) Tin: St.\ki.i.n»i. Ailult : (ien-
cral |>liiiiiaKe of metallic lustre, iridesciiii; dark grc ,i on most |iai1s, more steel-ldne on the
under |iarts, and violet or iiuridish-ldue on the fore jiarts ; more or less variepited thront;liiiut
with |iah- ochraeeoUH or whitish tips of the feathers. Wiiifs and tail fuscous, the exposed
jiarts of the feathers somewhat frosty or silvery, with velvety-Mack ami pale oclirey mari:in-
iiifrs, the foruu'r within the latter. Hill yellowish: feet reddish. Youn;; and in winter:
lMnma^e moro iioavily variegated throughout, with larger tawny-lirowii spots on the upiM-r
])arts, and white ones below ; wings and tail stronirly edged with brown; bill dark. Length
about .S..")() : wing .).(MI: tail 2.7'): bill !.(((»; tarsus l.Dd: middle toe and daw 1.2.'). Kuropi-,
etc., one of the longest and best kiiuwn of birds. Has stragt'lcd to (ireeidand in one knowu
iii.'taiice.
2. «t ii()iii.i;ii I'.vSSKlJES MKSOMYODl. <>U CL.VM.VTOIJK.S :
N<ix-MKi.(>i)i<»i'.s im S(>Mll.l:^ss I'asskiiks.
Mrmmn/ixlian sriilfllijiliiiitiir ]'<issfren with ten fiillj/ ilrri'liijii'it jirimnrles. — Syrinx with
fewer than four distinct pairs of intrinsic muscles inserted at the middle of the upper bronchial
half-rings, representing the mcsomyodian type of voice-organ, ami constituting an uncompli-
cated and inetl'eetive nmsical apparatus. Side and back of tarsus, as widl as the front, covered
with variously arranged scutella, so that thero is no sharp undivided ridge behind (as, ('.;/.,
in fig. 2X0, <i). Ten fully developed |iriniaries, tin- Lst of whii'h, if not e(|ualling or ex il-
ing the 2d, is at least ii as long. (See p. 2 HI, \»liere the Osciiies are di'tiiied as aero-
myodian laminiplautar I'asseres with '.) fully-developed primaries, or 10 and the 1st short
or spurious.)
'I'lie essential character of this group, as di<tini;iiished from Osciiies, is thus seen to be ati
anatomical oia', coiisistini,' in the uon-dt.'vdopmeiit of a singing apparatus: the vocal muscles of
the lower larynx {si/iiii.r) being small anil (I'W, or else forming simjily a tleshy mass, not sepa-
rateil into |iarticnlar muscles : in either case inserted in a s| iai maniu'r into the bronchial half-
rings. This character, though subject to some uncertainty of determination, corresponds well
with the principal external chanieter »8siginible to the group, namely, a certain eiuidition of the
tarsal envelope rardy if ever seen in the higher I'tissrri's. If the leu of a Kiiii;-bird, for example,
be closely examined, it will be seen covered with a row of scutella formini; cylindrical plates
<<iiilMiuously enveloping the tarsus like a segmented scroll, and showing on its postero-intennil
face !l dee)i gl ve where the edges of the envelope come toeether: this gl ve wiili'llillg into
a naked space above, partially liiled in behind with a row of small plates. Wit'i some minor
iiioditicatious, this scutelliplantar condition marks the Cliiniiiiiiri'il binls, and is something
tangibly ilitlcrent froni tln'ty()ical Osriiirur laminiplautar character of tli" tarsus, which consists
ill the presence on the sides of entire corneous lamime meeting behind in a sharp ridge. .\nd
PVei) when, as In the cases of the osciue h'mnitphihi and .Ih/;)''/).*, there is extensive subdivision
of the lamina' on the sides or behind, the arrangement does imt exactly answer to the above
The CUtiimtorfs re])resent the lower I'nHHerex, approaching the larire order
ilescrililion
pli
Pirarur (see beyond) in the stops by which they recei'.e from Osciiirs, yet well sejiarated frim
the Picarian birds. 'I'lie families eom])iising the suborder, us connnonly ricoived, are lew in
iiuinbei ; only otio of tlioiii is reprosoiitod in North Ainericti, worth of M<'xk'o.
428
sysn:MA ric sY^oi'sis. — vassehes — llama toiu:s.
vm 2-k. - inn "f «
20. Family TYRANNID^ : American P'lycatchers.
Wliilf liaviii^ ii <-liisr ui'iiiTiil rcsi'iiililaiii-i' in hhik' nf tin* rnnxniiif;
iiiMTiivipriiii.s Miiil o.sciiii- I'dsxirrs, tin- Ncirlli Aiiicr ran n'lHTMi'iitativi'x nf
tlii> I'aiiiily will Itf iii.staiill)' ili.vtiii^iii.HlD'il liy llic aliuvi'-ilrMTilicil cniiili-
tioii lit tilt' larNiis ; tu^vtiiiT with llif |irrHi'iii-i> nf III |iriiiiarirH, wlirri'iil'
llif InI is liiiit; 111- |iiii;;i'.st. Kiuin tlit' liiiil.s of t|ir riilliiwjii^r I'irariaii
iililcr liy iIh' I'asNCi'ilif rliarai'lcrs of Ixvclvr iiTlrirrs, ^'iralrr M ilii.'-ciiv-
rrln not iiiori' than half aH Itiii^ ai* tlic roTiiiiilarii's, ami liiinl claw mil
Klynil. li.r i />c..«<ih» sliialjri- tliaii tile iniilillc rlaw.
'■"■'"■"''■'•'"""''•"' 'I'liis family is |Mriiliar In Aiiii'iica ; it is .me nf llio must cxlfiisivr
anil I'liararlcrisiic ^riiii|is of its jrrail)' in tiic? Nrw Wnrlil, tlif Tiuiiiiiriilic ami TrtH'UiI'dtv alniii!
a))|iriia('liint^ it in llii'si' rcsiMrts. 'I'liiTr an- nvcr HMI rnrrciit s|Mi'iis, ilistrilMiii'il ai^.mm almiit
IIMI uciirra ami siili^riu'ra. As wrll as I can .jni1);i' at |ii'csi'iit, at liasl twn-tliirils i>t' tlic s|ii'cics
arc valiil, nr very strnn^ly iiiarUcil Kcii;;ra|iliical races, tlic rcmainui r liciiit; aliniit iM|iially
(iiviilnl lictwccn sli^lit varieties ami mere symmynis. < Inly a small !'rai;ment iil' tlie lamily is
ri'|ireseiiteil witliiii iiur limits, ffivin^' Imt a va^ne idea <it' the nnmeniiis ami siii^nlaily iliver-
silieil liinns uliiiiimliiif; in trii|iical America. Sniiie nf tlicse t^raile sn clnsely lnwanl other
I'amilies, that a strict ileliiiirnm nf tin- Ti/mtitiiitir U'cnmes extremi ly iliHii'nlt ; ami I am nut
|ire|iareil In (iU'er a salislaclury ilia^jnusis nf the wlmle (.'rmip. Our siiecies, however, are closely
relaleil to eiicli other, ami niav reailily he ileliiieil in a manner
answering the rei|nii'emi'nts oi' the |ireseiil volume. With ii
|iossihle exce|iiion, not necessary to insist ii|>iin in this coiiiiec-
lioli, they helon^ to the
v::.:.^^:::^'^^
29. Subfamily TYRANNIN^ : True Tyrant
Flycatchers,
-^ |ireseiiliiii; the t'ollowiiiL' rharailir.- : W ini; ol III |irimariis.
the Isl never s|iiirii'iis nor Mry ^liori ; one or more l'rii|iientiy
einar^'-iate or alleiiuate ■ 'i llie iniiei' ueh near the eml. Tail
of Ii reclrices, nsiially nearly i\eii, sometimes ilee|p|y forlicate.
l-'cet small, weak, evcliisively titled for )ierchinK ; larsus little
if any loiiirer ihan iiiidille toe ami claw ; anterior toes, espe-
cially the oiiler, extelisivi'ly coheniit at hase. Kill very hi'oad
and more or Ichh ile|iressed at hase, ta|ierin^' to a line |ioiiit,
thus |iresent<iii; a more or less perfectly triaiiunlar outline when
\ii'\M'i| from ahove ; ti|i aliriijilly ilellecleil and ii.->iially plainly
mitchi'd just hehimi the lieiid ; iMlinen snioolli ami roiinded
transversely, straight or nearly so leiiiilhwise, except towards
the end; coiiiinissiire slraiuht (or slightly curved) except at
theend; uoiiys loiit,'. Mat, not kiilid. \o>liils small, circular,
strictly hasal, ovcrhnnn hut not coiiceale.l hy hiisilcs. Month
capacious, it • riHif soiiiewhat excaxaled ; rictus ample ami
ilcpU cleft ; commissural point almost lieneath aiiterii>r hor-
der of eye. Kiciiis Im'scI tviili a niimhei' ol' loni.' stilf vihrisKa*.
soii.etinies reaching nearly to end ol' hill ; |r,.|||. rally sliorler,
Km ■.■7II Ki.i<irKlimtl..i. Mf |.rl- „„.| ||,„.j„j; ..tiuvard on eacli side; other hristles or hiislh-
limriiH III iiiriimiiuii-. „. Miliiihit .-in i,,. ,. i
f„rH.,ilu»: !■ 7',./r.iHii««.-.ir../Jm rMi«. tipped tealliels hImiUI liase ol lull, lliil \ery llfihl, HIVIIIJ? a
c Tiimnnuf virliiiilin: il. I'tiixn- resonant sound ill dried HiM-ciiiieiis when lapped, ami on heiiiy
M«« riHirtriiim; all iiul. »Ui'. I.ld , , , .-i i n , .. . • ■
mil ili'l K. «;.) hroUi n open, the iippir mamlilili' will In- lound extensively
rYliASSIlLK— TYliAySIS.K: TYHAST I'LYCA rCHKliS.
A'l'd
Imlliiw. Tlii'sc srviTiil |H'ciiliarilirs of the Mil (In must of wliicli Oniilhiiini (itl'crs siiriiiil cx-
fi'|itiiiii) HIT tlif iiiiiM olivioiis t'catinrs nf till' i;niii|i; ami slimilil |ii't'vi'iit iiiir small nlivaiTuiis
FlycalcliiTs friiiii iM-iiii; cinifDiiiiili'il cvrii liy tlic tyni with iiisrrtivnrous ( (sciiicH, tm the War-
liliTs anil N'ili'iis. (Sit tii,'s. -27^, -JSd.)
'I'lii* striirtiirf i<r till' liill is ailniiralily aila|)tr(l fur tlir rajituri' of wiiiu'i'il insn'ts ; tlir Itioail
niiil il<'i'|ily tiHHiM'ril maiiililiirs rnnii a capiu'lixis iiiniitli, wMli' tlir Inni; liiistlrs ,irv u( si'i'viri' in
ciilatiuliiiu tlif rri-atiiirs in a tra|> anil ri'sti'ainini; tliiir stlllct:l•'^' ti> I'srajir. 'I'lii' sliajii' i>l' tlir
wini^s anil tail nmrrrs tin' |ni\vrr nf rapiil ami variril aiTJal r\ nliilin is nrrrssary tur llir siii'i'i'ssl'iil
|itii>iiiit nf iictivi- llyini; insi-rts. A lillli- |ira<-tiri' in lirlil cuiiil' .•inyy will malili' niii' tn i-crni;-
ni/r till' Klyi'atrlii'rs IViini tlii'ir lialiit nf |irri liinu in wait fnr iliiir |iriy ii|inn sniin' |ii>>niini'nt
niit|inst, ill a iiri'iiliar attiimir, u'itli tlir wint.'s ami tail ili'nn|iril ami vilmitiiig in irailiiii'ss fnr
iiiHtaiit artinii; ami nf ilasliiiii; iiitn tlir air, ^ „
Hi'i/inu tlir |iassiiii; insri't with a i|iiirl( ninvr- \?__!!^r!^:r~~, ^ I'S^"—-^
iiii'iit ami a rlii'k nf ihr hill, ami tlim rrlniniiit; J^,-^ — "'^^'^ ^___^^
tn thrirstaml. ,\lllinnj,'h rrrtaili Hsriiirs liavr
.snliii'what lilt' saliii' lialiit, ihrsr |inrsiii' insrrls
frnin plai'i- In plaiT, inslrail nf |irri'hini; in ^*\
wail at a jiarlii'iilar spnt, ami thrir fniays air y<J#^-\ *> ^*^^^ \ ^>
lint niailr willi siii'li ailmiralilr c'/"". |)i'|ii'nil- ^/^yJ^^'^vY- ' /r-\
riit rr tirrly n|Hi|i iiisci-l fnnil, ihr Flyi-ali'liiTN fll Kt 1\ I
art' II ssarily miirratnry in niir latilmlrs; tiny ^^ ^A ^sj^
apiirai with trrrat nirnlarily in siiriin,', ami V v-^ vi'^-
<li'|iiii't nil Ihr a|>|ii°nai-li nf mlil wrathir in llir
fall. 'I'liry arr ilistrilnilnl nvir trni|irralr
Nnrth Aiiii'rii'a ; many nf thrni arr rnmmnii
l>iriln nf till' Kastrrn Stairs. Tin- vnirr, ,siis- "c—-^^^^ U'l ~~^<^''
i'i'|ilililr nf liltlr ninilnlalinii, is nsnally harsh ^ "^S^ ^ ^^Sv \ ^
ami slriilrnl, llinllt.'li snllir s|>rrirs liavi' lin ''""^^
iinmiisii'al whlsllr nr twiiirr. Tlir srxrs arr ^^ ,^ . >
lint nriliiiarily ilistiiii;iiis!ialili (rrmarkahlr rx- ,itr-^)v\ ' r I\\
(•r|itinii ill I'linuriiliiiliis), ami ihr ••hantrr.'* nf ' -^Jj\\ " J> '
|ihiniai,'i' w itii aur ami srasmi arr imt nnlinarily
irrrat. Tlir nmilrs nt iii'stint; arr Inn varimi.H _ .... ...
'^ ,, . 1 .1.1 |. I • Kl 1. "iKii, — diiniTli' ili'Inllii iif Vwi-'DiniH'r, fi Wi/i-
tn hr i-n|lri'livi'ly linlnl. I III' larpT Ulllil!* nl nnliiii . '• .v.i.i/...;'<i.» . ., ( „»^,,„„ ,/ / m/>«/"».i r ,•
l'"lyi'ali'hirs air iinmistakahir, l.iil srvrral nf nil mhc. h1/.i'. i.V.I. mil. li.'l I r.i
till' snialirr ..prrii's, nf ihr unirra Siii/inriiis, ('oiiliiiiiis, ami I'.spri'ially l'Uiiiiiilo)iit.v, Innk iniii'h
alike, ami thrir iliscriiniiiatinii lircniiirH a iiiattcr nf iniifli tiift ami ililiiji'iii'i'.
Tn thr S m'lirta nf Tilfiltllliihv Inlit; klmwil In lir Nnrth .^inrrii'MM havr latrly 1 II Milclril
\\ frnm .Mi'xini till' ininirnsi'-hillrd I'ltiimjHS, ihr sirr.lky, yrllnw-hrlliril, rnl'nlls-lailril
Mllioiliiiiiinlni, ami thr ciirinis littlr '• hrarillr.iM '' Oriiilliiiim. Tlir ] I may hr rrailily ilisi'rimi-
liatril hy thr fnllnwill^ I'liaraclCI'H : —
.tiiithiith tif firHt-rti.
Hill Itikl' lull, fully lirinlliil mill IhniIk'iI iih iiniiiil hi Tiinniniilir.
OlMi or iiiori* iiiiliT |iriiiiiirlcii allriiiiHlii iit I'lul A lliiliin or ynllnw hihiI nii I'riinii. ( '/V'liini )
Tall ileitply rorllritlf, iiiiii'li lotik'-r tliiiii mIiiKn Mihuliit IIH
Tiill aliiiiili' I liiiiKir limn wliitpi Ttirtn'iiut III)
OtlliT |iriiiiiirii'/i iMt iilli'iiiiiili'tl. A yrlJMW rr<>wii-H|Kit.
WliiKH unci lull i'xli'iii.|nly nifiMr^; iM-lly y.iliiw; nil Htri'iikii oxi'e|il ciii lii'iul .... I'ilni'iiw It"
Tiill Imt mil wliiKii I'Xti'liKlvi'ly Mir<iii» ; Ik lly yiillnw. NtriiiikiKl iiIhivi' iiiiil ImIuw , MjiiinliiHiiftrt 117
Outrr iiiimurli'ii iml ulliiiiiiili'. 't'litl iiuHliTUtii. Nn yrlliiw k|iiiI mi irnuii i TiirnHnulir.)
Tnil I'lii'Ktiiiil iiml ilimky, ill li'ii|{lli»liio iMtllcrii. Iti'lly yi'llnw ; tlinuit iinliy . . . . Miiinrrhun l'>ii
Titil nitlloiil rlii'Kllllll
Tull nbiiul c'i|mtl In or liilU: nliortiT lliaii wliiK, iliKliHy or not fiirkml. Illll ■iiirrnw. 'larsiiH
480
aySTKMATIC SYy<)J',SlS. — I'ASilKUE.S — CLAMATOHES.
not uliorler <ir rallirr longvr than mldillc loo «nil t-lnw. I'nldrntloii lilnrk nn<l wlillo, rlnnn>
liiiiii-liriiwti, nr ollvuciHiiiH ahvi'tiim 111
Tull 'li'iiilcilly nlMirUT tlmii wing, n llllli' fnrkiil. liill lirooil uiiil Hut. Tarauii •IuhIit IIiiiii
liililillu ti« ami t'liiw. oliviii im; Ii-iikiIi iLl-'Aur iiinni (iin/n/nM 123
Tiill It llltiv nliiirtvr tliiiii niug, ubiiiit cvi^ii. lull llal. TiirKiiK mil Hlmrtcr nr nilliii lniiiccr
Until iiililillo tiw itml clitw. Oilnratli'ii ■>liviir<iiiiHaiii| jcIIkwIkIi, ImiI im ri'il, lull) m |iiiii'
limwii. l^'iiKlli <>^'> or li-M iiHiiitlly iiikIit ••iHi A.'ni/ii>/«iiii c Ij;!
Tall, fti'., aH III /•.'«i/ii(/i>ii(i r, fniiii wlilrli Marci'ly dllliirviit. Ctilorutlmi iimri- lirowiiUli-
iilhi', liiitIV Iwliiw. ViT)- Kiiiitll Mili'iihiitirt m
Tull itiiil larHim itK III A'iH/ii>/iiiiiir. Illll iiarrciw. Iliml ikh )iiii|[i'r tliaii littrnti t<H'. Scxi'it
iilillko. if lilll-tTCDluil, vcriiillliiii uimI pure lnnwii /'i/nxr/i/oi/iM I'.'O
Illll comiircwHtl, i|iiltii iiurliiK In ii|i|H.Mtritiiir, iinbrlKiliHl, uiniiiiilifil. <ipiivrul colnr imliy, ultli m'Mhw
lliiliiK of wiiiKi). VoryHiiiull: li'ii|{tli iiiiilcr •MIO iiruilhiiim l.'.l
lilm. lltflili'H Illll uIhivi', aiiiillii'r KriiiiH ami hihi'Ich iliiiilitloii iict'iirii In Ti'Xiih: MyIozctRTI'm rr.M'NHtfi. Itlll
Hliiirl, Kliiiil, wry iiniitil at liaiu-, wllti riirvol I'liliiivii. liiHiki'<l iiml imlrlnMl lip, uml lii'itvlly-lirlHllcil rli'tim I'rl-
niarli'D Illll iiimrKliiati'; '.'il. :i<l, <ltli Ioiiki'IiI, Mli Hlmrltr: li>l uIhhii ciiual imlili. Tail »liiirli'r lliiin wliiK"i iK'urly
wiuari!. Kot<l, hiiiuII; larniiit rather U'lw tliaii iiililillu tm' ami i-l.tw. Alxivr, ullvr ; ttiiiu'i- iiml tail lirnuii, »llli yi'l-
IiiwIkIi i'iIicIiiK ot lliii iiiillln. riiiler lutrlK, IihIuiIIiik IIiiIhk iirHlii|{i>. Iirliilit |iiiri> yillun ; llirual ili'lliilti'ly wliiln.
Tii|i ami hIiIiw uf liva<l itray, Imary nii fnfi'lieail ami hvit run, ihii-ky mi Innn ami iiiirlriilarn, <■ll^ln^illK a llaiiii- ami
yvlliiw iTiiwii-Kinit. Illll ami tixl Muck. IaiiikIIi abuut T.uil, n Iiik .l..'iU ; tull liuu; lilll uini , lurmiii u.;;>, iiililill«
tuu mill claw U.tiO.
116. I'lTAX'OI'M. (Vo.rhtirh.; ii Mrxiciiii or H. .\m. iiiiiiH' <if soiih' liinl.) Dfuiiy Fi.vcAn iikiis.
< Mllrr |ii'iiiiiirirs imt i-iiiari;iui>ti'. .\ii iiniiiui' crnwii |tali-li. Hill a.- Imiu as licail, rxn'riliiiL,' llii<
tiirxiis, HtniiKliI, xtmit, Imt iiarmw, iim i|i-i'|i a.« Itmatl at tlii' imstrils. wiili riilui'il i-iiliiii-ii striilulit
til till- liiiiiUnl I'liil; (.'oliVN aliiiiit Nlraiu'iil. a^rniiliiii; : nniiiiiissiirr ami al^n latrral niitliin'is
|MTf<'ctly htrai^lit. N"isli'il> niiiiiilril, marrr r<iiiiiiii>siirr tliaii i-iiliiicii. \Viiiu> I'lUiinli'il, ii|i|ii'i|
by .'<d-'itli iinills; '2<l ami litli altmit i'i|iiai ami HJiurtcr, Ixt otily alMiiit I'ljiial In *.llli. 'rail
hliiirtiT tliaii \viiii.'M, iinirly I'Vi-ii, Imt wmn'uliat ilniilili'-rniimlril. Tarsus alxmi us Iniiu ax
liiiilillr Iiir ami i-lau. I.arp'sl-liniliiMl nf ,iii_v N. .\iii. Ilyratrhri'. Krinvii almvi', yi'll"W
lii'liiw, witli lilarlt, wliitr. ami iiratiK<' Ix'ail : iiiiillsaml tail-fcutli«-rH rxliMisivi'ly rlii'Nliiiil, as in
Mi/iiii-ihiiK. Mi'xiraii; lalrly fmiml in Ti-xas.
304. I'. «li*rlilu'iiH!t. ('I'll hiinl Pirliy. Fit;. iM.) Dr.itiiv Fi.vc.vniiKU. I'|i|Mr parts liiilii
wiHHl-lirnwii, with ail nlivi' lini-i' ; wiiiKs and tail tin- siiiiii', Imt tin- rratiirrs rxiiinsivrly
linrili'ri'il witliiitit auil witliin wiili
rlirstlilll, InnilillU a ciillsliiiMliiim
■■■HitiiiiitiiiM ari'a mi tlii' wiiiu-
•|iiills ill till' rliisi'il wiiiK. ami nil
iniml <if till' wiiii; alul lail-rratlii'rK
ii<^ . , , ,
llliiri' I'X'IrllMVl' lliall lilt' IllnWII
|iiii'iiiin III' ill!' iiimr wrim. lic-
liiW I'min till' lii'i'iiMt, IlirlililiiiK
liiiiiii; 111' Miti^s, rli'iir ami run-
liiimiils It'iiinii-yi'lliiw. Wliiilr
fliiti mill tlii^iul |mi'i' white, wiil-
. 'y^^^^ *«<.__ ■" M <'iiiiii; lifliiml iiji iimhr rar-niv-
rrls. Till' aliil -iih's uf liritil
lilark, a cii'i'li' of while frmn fnrc-
Pio. '.'81. — IdTliy I'lycatilifr, iiat. »Uo lA'l iiBi. ili'l I', I' i hcail over ryi'N tii na|M' while, thu
••Iifhwil hlarU I'lii'limiiii.'; a h'lmm ami iiraiiui- [lali'li. < >r, iiiiililh- iifrmwn yrilnw ami nraiiui',
PUrliiM-il ami partly coiifi'ah'il in Mark, this hlai-k iiii-hi.sol in whitf, thin ihr Imi^' ami limail
black liar mi siilr nf hcail, separatiiii: thi' whilr of siilr of cniwii froiii tliut of hiiir of throat.
Till' I'lironal fratlur* Iriicthciii'il ami rnrtih- as in .i Kinu-liirfl, or inori' so; crowii-patcli of
Haiiii' I'harartiT hnl iiimi' rxti'iisivi'. Kill onl feet Ulnck : iri- ha/.rl. Si-xrn alike. I.inulli
of rimlealHiiil III.5U; wint' alHiiit 5.IM) ; tail about i.W \ bill I. JO; tuntUH l.(H). A ureal
I4
ryuASMij^ — Ti'iuyMy.i: : inuM FLicAiLntiiis.
4;Jl
Hyrati'lirr of im^jri'itiiivc ii|i|M>iiniii<-f, lonj; known in Mexico, rrn-iitly ai«MTtainc«l to otriir nii
till' l.ciwt'r Itio (iniiiili' ill 'I'l'xaH.
117. MYIOI>VNAJ*'TKH. (tir. /ivia, imiihi, a lly ; dvraimjj. (/i/mw^w, a riilir.) SriUl'Kii I'l.Y-
( .vr< IIKItH. Ki'lali'il to MfiiiirrliHn; tail I'Mili.-ivi'l)' clioliiiil, mk in that i;i'iiii>, liilt no fli<'>l!iiit
OH wiiiKM. No |iriiiiarii'M i-iiiarKinatr. A yrjlow l■ro\vll-^|Hlt. Itill xliortiT tliaii lirail, a» i<>i\n
iiM taixiiH, very turbid, iniicli ImuMUr than hi^h at tin- noxtrih*, lalcrai oiitliiitH xlii;hily coiivix,
i-iiliiMMi nearly xtrai^rhl to the little I Keil lip, ^onys loii^, ax-eiitlinK. Itic'in.>> niiHlerately
lirlsthMl. \ViiiU!« loiiK anil |><iiiiii'i| ; :ii| i|iiill .-li^lilly lonuii' than ^il, Itii little ^h•ll'tl'r, .'illi
iiiiieli Hhorter, IhI iN'tweeii jtli anil Ctth. 'I'ail Hhorter than wini.'i', nearly even, l-'ert very
Hinall, relatively i\h weak an in Ciiiidi/nis; tar.-iiM rather shorter than niiihlle toe anil elavv.
Sevi'ial .HjieeieH of Mexiro anil tropiral Am. Ilyiali'hu>, uilh erow n-.-|><it, rnloUM tail, ami the
wliolf |ihiiiiaue ulrriikr)!.
:i(l,'i. >l, lutt'lvt'irtrlN. (I.at. Iiilrus, yi How, rnitiis, ,.( iiuUr, the In lly.) Si i.fllt l(-liKi.l.li:ii
.Sftiil'Kit Fl.vi A't'C'iii:i(. Kntire n|i|Mr parts, ineliiiitiii; the heail, streaUeil ; the feathers with
liroailly iliisky i-eiitres ami olive-hrou n Imnlers, linally < ilu'iii sliuhlly with yellowish-hrown. .\
yellow iTowii-s|Hit, I'oneialeil an in the Uiiiu-hinl. Tail aiul its upper eoverts rieh chestnut, all
the reatherH with hiaekisli Hliaft stri|N-H — on the iiiiilille feathers alHiiit half the wiiltli of either
well, oil the outer narrnweil t<> the shaft it-elf ami a sliuhtly eliililieil emi ; iVniii hiliiw, shafts
of the feathers white exeept at eiiils. Wilir- hlaeUlsli, the iiieiliaii ami jrreater eoverts .iiiil
inner ijuills, Uith externally atiii inienially. eoiispieiioiisly eilf;e«l with yeMowii)li-while ; some
riifoiis eil^iiii;s also nil lesser eoverts. I'liiler parts, im-liiiliiii; lining of wiims, siilpliiir-yillow,
failini; to white on tin' throat ; rverywhere, exi-rptinu mi niiilille of Welly aii<l i-rissuni, heavily
streakeil with hlaeUish, iheMi ihirk stri|H's snil'iiseil ami hliiiih-il mi the throat, piirtieularly
aloiiu its siiles. I.oies alul aiirienlars iliisky ; fmiheail ami streak over rve whitish. Hill
hlael«i«h. pale at haw lielow. \Vin« I.IM; tail .l.lii: hill ami tarsii- ii.7.'»; niiilillr \«v ami
elaw rather re. Ceiilial .Vni. ami .Mexieo In Ari/.ona, where em ii, ami lirmliin; in
-millieni part- "I the territory.
118. .MII/NIMM. (l,ai. iiiilniliis, iliniiniitive ..f milriix. a Kill.) Sw M.i.nw- lAii.j.ti I't.v-
« .Ml licnw. I'ail in the ailult iheply fnrlii at,.. alMmt Iwiee as hmt; us the winir. < >utir priiiiaiy
or primaries iihruplly atteniiale, ami nlhir eharaetirH as in '/'(/(voiiii/i pn.pi r (l.iymi.l). .\
yellow or llaiiiiiiK erown-spot.
Amtlfit <•/ Sitrrift,
Tliroa iir four |irliiinrliii ■'iniirnltiiili' <°inui|.>|n.i ti'||,.«r, ii, |,|:i,|t ,.,,,, fwrxnuni .1*1
lliK' |.rliii»r> I'liiiiritliiiili' • o<Mi|.>.|i.it iliiinin^'. hi iii>li> >a| . . /«rH>-)tlu» .THT
liOO. M. lyriin niiH. (|,at. Iiini„„ii^, a tyrant.) rmiK- 1 Vli.KH KiMMiiir.M. .f 9 , ailiill :
« (merit or tprimariis iinaruinate. Crown-patih yellow. .Mmve, elear ash: IhIow , whilr ;
top ami siihs of hi ail lihnk ; tail lilaek, tl iiiir feather wlnti mi miti r wi h for alimit h.ilf its
liii«ili ; winifs iliisky, iininarkeil. ,«<im - aliki . Vmiiiu similar, t.iii prim.irii - imi iniaruMiiaie.
nor tail leiiu'lheiii., , no rrnw n-spm ; wiim ami tail-eoverts i ilu'eil with hmwii. Wiiif t I'l ;
tail up to a liHit Imiy, fnrkeil 11 S inehis. A iMaiilifiil liinl of irnpieal Am., aeeiihnial iii the
r. .*«. (Liiiiisiaiia, Ketiliieky, New .lirsey !)
'Mt. >l. forlleu'lHH. (l,at. finlimhis, fnrki.l liki ./ii»;/i i . a pair nf sei-sors. Kiu'- •-"».') Sw vi.
inu I VII, I. II I'l.vi .\n ,IKU. .s« issiiti-rvii.. jj9, iiilnit : First priiiiiiry akme eiiiarui-
ii.ili' (11^. i'lW, II). Cinwii |Hitili iiniiiiji or warlet. (ieiieral eulor hoary-iMih, paler or while
ImIow ; siiK's III iiiserti f wimrs searh i or IiIibmIx nil, nml nthrr part- .if the hoilv xariously
liliKiil with the same, or a pahr sal -nil. Wilms hlaeki-li. with wlolioji iiluiiius. Tail
hlaek, h'.st Heveral of the Ioiik feathers extensively while or rosy ; these are imrmw anil linear,
Hoihelinies wiih'tiiiiK smm-whal in s|Hion-sha|M-. Winy 4.iii .-..(Hl ; (..xleiit of wiii^s 14.. Ml
15. .10 ; tail lip lo a fiH4 hin((, uMiully I4.H»> lU.OO iiiehm, fnrke*! 5.UU-<t.tM». 9 av.TiiniiM:
482
,S' YSTJJMA Tl V S WX 01' SIS. — J 'A SSJ:Hi:s — CLA MA KUiJ-JS.
\\
Hiimllcr tliiiii (J, witli tliu tiiil ciiiMiiioiily l<'.''s iI<'vi'Iii|m'iI. Yninii;: Similur ; |iriiiiiirv imt
Hltnifitly I'liiiiruiiuiti'; tiiil iiiiilrvrlnpfil ; im fruwii-hpnl, iiiiil litlli' nr im red. Lnwrr Mi.Hsis-
iii|>|)i villi)')' iiiiil 'I't'Xii.s ; ii>iiiilly N. In liiiliiin 'I'rrri-
tiiry iiikI Kaiii-as, rvrii S. W. Mi^'»<lllri ; lu't'iilciital in
Nrw Ji'iMi'v ami Nrw Kiiu'laiiil ! A limht <'li'i;aiit,
grat'rl'iil, ami >lii>\vy liinl, aliiiiiilaiit in Texas, niii- ■ ij>M
R|ii(Hi()iiN by iIk' display il iiiakcN in ii|M'nini! ami clns-
in^' till' tail, like M'issor-lilailfs ; very arlivr, ilasliili^
ami mii.sy, like a kiiii.'-))ii'il, — all tlx' larp' llycatclit'i's V ^^^^^^^ *^H*^^^
idiariiit; this saim- ini|irtiiiius, irrital>li' ilispnsiiiuu. ^^^ ^^^1^^^^ ^V'S^^S
Ncsiinu liki' till' kiiin-l>iril's ; fitus !-.'>, wliitr, Imlilly
liliitclinl witli rt-ililisli oil till' siirfai't', anil lilac slirll-
s)iniM laiil ill May. ^
119. TYItANM'S. (I.al. ^/r(r»l)ll(.^ a tyrant.) Kint, l''i.v- ~'^^^*'!
('A'i't'llKUS. Tail innilcrati' in si/c ami sliajx', ratlirr V^Hi
Hlmrti'i' than win^', rvrn nr littlr rmimlnl, i'iiiai't.'iiiatf ^^■''IWI
111- liulitly I'lii'ki'il. Wilms luni;. imiiitril hy ihr :iil-;iil ^^^■s'*l|
.piills, 1st anil 4tli littli- if any sliiirtcr, .'ith ami ri'st ' ?^n' v j
rapidly ^'mdiiatt'd, Srviral niiirr )>riiiiai'i)'s ahniptly iffiS n*
I'lnai'ifiiiat)' or siniiati'-nan'owi'd mi iinirr wrlis towards 9(^w! ('(■
end. Hill Hloiit, tiatlish, I'lilly hristli'd, notchi-d, and ^f'tft,,'^.^^
Iiooki'd (till, i'^)- l'"i'i't small and wr.ik, tlir tarsus tj ink' J/i^^
with srah's olivioiisly lappinu' anmml. Si/r laiu'i': ' ; JT ^'^
IcnKtIi S iiiclii's or niori' ; wiim ovir 4. .Srxrs alike; *, .'/p
9 sliarinir tin- tiaiiiiiii; rrnwii-patrh ; priniarii's less or ' ' j
not i'iMari.'inati' .' Voiiiiu laekint; the rro\vi,-s]iot and I
utii'iiiiatiiin of |iriiiiari)'s. Nist Imlky. on a luiiiuli,
conipiK'tly woven and t'elled. Kirt's white, Imldly Km. •>'.'■- Swiili.iw-I.illnl l-'ljialiliiT.
iiiarUed with oval or tear-shaped spots of reddish- tSlii.p|,ar.l .Ifl. Ni.'lic,i» w)
lirowii. Contains niinieroiis spi riis. ."> of \. Am., wliidi have heeii divided into several nai I
(tiihuenera, hiil are elosely interrehiled ihroiiuli variou.N exotie .species. They are the •• kiiii:-
liiids" proper.
.lll'lh/xii' i>/ Sjurirn.
No iillvo iiur iIuoIiIikI yvllnw ; lilurklnli nml wIiIIIhIi
Hilly lwi> |irlniiirli'H i<livliiiiiily <'iiiiiri;iiint<'. Tiiil iiliniil even, cniiniiiciiiiiiiily \vliili'-tl|i|ir<l. 11111 Kinall,
miller I. INI. (7'/(r<(»«ii.«i .•(ir../i(i. »«(.« .'UIH
l''lvi! (ir six prhiiurleit I'liinrKlnntc. Tall i'IiiuicIiihIc, iiicrcly ll^lilvr ut oihI. Hill lii|;, I.IMI Imi^. iMtlii-
I'lrrliim) iliimiiiiiiiiiiii' 'MO
OlIviK'Udiin, tvltli |iiiri' yi'lltiw on iH'lly, a»liy on licail. Hill iiiixlerBte. {I.njilnirh s.t
Tnll lilarklnli, iiicri'ly rinarKinatr; u Iiikk ilark lininn.
.Scvi'ial oiilvr |iriiiiarlrii Krnilnally alti'iiiialu lor n loni; iliKtuni'i'. (^Hilir wub of outer tail-t'eallier
white i;ilif<ilh :I70
Several miter |iriniarleM ulirn|illy eniHrciiiale for n Hliort illstniicc. Outer well of outer tail-feather
iiierel> \vlilllKh-e<l|;eil riiri/iiiiiit IITI
Tail <lark lirouii, like tin' wings, olivioiisly forkol
8uvural outer prlinnrleK nbriiptly oinnrgliinte Tor ii iilinrt ilistunce iimrhi ,'173
36N. T. <-iirolliii>ii'itlH. ((If Carolina. Fit;. -'s:i.) KiMi-muu. l!i;i;-M.\ifnN. (J 9 , ailnli :
No olive nor dei'ided yellow. (Inly two outer primaries olivioiisly eiiiarjiiiu'.te (lii;. •Ji'.l, In,
Tail nearly even if anythiiii.' a little loiimled. Itlaeki.di-ash, still darker or iplite hlaek on
head, I'l'iiwii with a llaniiiii; spot. lielow, pure while, the lireast shaded with pliiniheoiis.
Winers dusky, with miieh whilisli eduiiii,'. Tail hlaek. hroadly and sharply tipped Willi
white, the outer feather sonietinies edged with the same. Kill and feet hlaek. Yoiiii); :
Lucking enuirgiuutioii of the priniaries, and no erown-s)>ot ; \ery young birds show rufous
:{'
TYUAyXWyE — TYliAXM.WK: TYUAyT FLyCMnir.US.
4:5:1
\
Km. '.'It;!. — Klnu-lilnl, rwliii-til. (.Krnin
Teiiiioy, ttfliT Wllwiii.)
ol^iiii: of tli<- w'wwir- ami tiiil. Li'iiKtIi iilHnit 8.110; <-xt<>iit ll.JO; M'iiii; 1.50; tail 3..'iii,
rvi'ii or sl'mlitly I'oiiiKlt'il : Will hiiihII, iiikIci' nn iiirli loim. 'l')'iii|HTtil<' N. Am., Imt chirily
K. r. •'^. to KiH'ky .Mtf. : rare or t-asiial on tlu' I'ai'itii- >lo|i<' ; aliiiiitlaiit in t<iiniiiii'r; brcctlit
tliroiiulKiiii its raiiut' ; wiiitcrx on tlii> xoiitlu'rii linrilcr and
iN'Vonil. 'I'liis trim anil xliaprly " martinci," in scvrrc
Mack anil wliiti' Init with ticry |iom)>on, \» familiar to all.
anil ninally notnl for its irritaltility, piiifiiacity, anil intrc-
iiiiliiv. ami its iiivrtrrati' I'limity to rrows, hawks, ami owls.
wliirh it ilix's not hrsitati' to attai'k, ritlu'r in ilffciirt- of its
iit'st or jiist to show its h|iiink. Nest a r<ins|iii'iiiiiis ohji'i't
in thf orcharil or liy llif waysiili', on tiir horizontal hon^li ^
of a trc)', litri;)-, <-ii|i|h'iI, comiiartly woven ami niattnl with
lihriiiis anil ilisiiiiri,'rali'il vi'i.'<'tahli' siihstancrs ; r.i;siisn-
aily i-.')-i"i. •i.'.tO to l.OD hiny liy (I.T^ hroail, wliilr, rosy, or
iTi-aniy, variously s])otl<'il or hlotrhril in hold patti'm with
ri'ddish and darkrr hmwn snrfart'-s|iots and iilar slii'll-
markinifs. Ilrstmys a thunsand noxions insi'iMs for every
hee it lats!
:i(IV. T. (luiiiliilet'n'HiH, (< M St. Domingo.) (iiiAV KlNd-iiiitn. (^ 9 • "■''I't = Five or six oiiirr
primaries iisnally i'mari;iiiate. ('rown-s|iiit as hefore, (irayish-iilnmlh'ons. rather darker mi
head, the anrienlars dusky. Ilelow, whit<', shaded with ashy on hreast and sides, the nmier
wiutr- and tail-eoverls faintly yellowish ; winjrs ami tail dusky, ediieii with whitish or yel-
lowish ; the tail-leathers merely indislinetlv lighter at the extreme tip. I.ariiii than the last :
l.eiii.'th alioiit '.t.iMi ; w'xwti 't.M ; tail nearly .VKH, more or less emai'Kinate : hill very tiiru'id. an
imdi li>ni{. West Indies; Florida regularly; X. to Carolimi rarely, to Mas.^aehn.seits arri-
iliiilally. (ieneral appearalii-e, hiihits and neslinK of the kinu-hird.
:I70. T. v(>rtini'liH. ll.at. miimlis, relatiiii.' to the vnir.r, or top of head, which has a llame-pateh.
I'ii;. -T'^.i .\ltK.\Ns.\N TviLVNi Fi,V( A'rcnf.it. .Several outer prinmriis uradnally altennaled
fur a liiiii; distance (ti^. •27\K <)■ Coloration olivaceous and yellow; lielly ami under wiii^-
aud lail-coverts clear yellow ; hack ashy-olive, chaiiuini; to clear ash ou the head, throat, ami
hreast, the chin whiti liiiii;, the Ion .-i and anrienlars dusky; wind's dark hrown vtitli uliilish
eduini; ; tail Idack or Idackish ; hill and feet Idack ; iris hmwii. (Miter weh of oiilii' tail-
feather entirely white. Ash of the fore |iarls pale, contrasting with dusky Ions Miid aiiric-
ulars, fadini; insejisildy into white on the idiiii, and chan^int; ;;railnally to yellow on the
helly ; adive predomiiiatiiit; over ashy on the hack, Length iihoilt *.I.IHI : extent ahoiit lii..'iU ;
wiiii; ."».(H) ; tail l.'t'l ; hill 0.7."); tarsus O.7."). Youiit,': Similar: i,'eneral ash of the hody
dull, with a limwuish cast ; little or no olivai us on hack ; tail not ipiile IdacK : yellow of
under parts Jiale and sulphury, even whitish; hill liuht-colnred at ha.se helow ; im color on
crown, and primaries scarcely or not attenuate. \'ery yoiiUL' with rusty edyinu's. especially
oil wiim- and tail-coverts. Western l'. S., ahumlant ; accidental in I.oiiisiaiia, New .Jersey,
ami Maine; K. n'^nlarly to Kansas, Iowa, etc., N. to llritish Provinces in Missouri and Milk
Uiver reiriiiii :ind westwanl. (Ieneral traits those of the kinii-hird ; nest similar, rather
lai'uer, with more Unify and less tilinms material ; eui;s not distini;uishahle with certainty.
371. T. voerferaiiH. (\.n\. rofi/iraiis, vocifenms, voice-hearim; ; ro.r, voice, ami frrn, I hear.)
Cassin's TviiANT Fi.V('AT('iii-;i{. .Several outer |irimaries ahruptly emariiiiiate for a short
distal (tii;. 27'.h ''). < hiter weh of outer tail-feather Imn'lyornot eilfed with whitish. Ceiieral
coloration as in 7'. nrlifiilis; hut ash of fon- parts dark, little dillerent on the lon's and anrien-
lars, chan^inK rather ahruptly to while i.ii the chin and to yellow on the helly ; ashy predoini-
iiatiiiK over oliviMin the hack. The ditl'enMiPc is ilerisive m iii]iari.son. Tlie outer primaries
are ahruptly nieki><l uiid narrowed within half an iiicdi of the end. The mere edu'ini; of th iter
484
i' YSIEMA TIC S \\\OP:iIii. — I'A S.SEHES — CLAMA TUliEH.
Uil-fi'iitlior with while iiicirnil "I" llw wlmlc wcli hciiii; wliiti- Ih hIho a ^imhI churucti-r.
CliiiiiKr.i of |iliniiai{(' till' .taiiic iix in rrrliviilis; n\/.t' t\iv suiiii' ; l>ill riitlicr >tiiut('r, iiIhiiii 0,65;
UirHiiK ^liKlitly liiiii;fr, mi an avrrauc. Siiiitli\\'i'.>>ifrii l'. S., ami Hoiitliwanl ; N. to Wyoming
ami Malio : al>iiiiilarit in tla* KihUv Ml. nuioii, tliciv uiootly ri>|ilafiiiK veitlviiliH in tin- lirci-tiinK
McaMon. Nt'Ktini; iiinl ('Kf^n tin- sanir.
373. T. iiii<litiicliuilcii» cuuchl. ((ir. /i«X(iy;(oXuur, nirliiiichiilikos, l<at. mrhnichiiUfiin, ini'laii-
clioly, i. v., atraliiiioux ; fiiXat, niXavut, iiiiltis, mrliniiis, lilack ; X"^"'' <'''"'<"<> Kail, Itilf. To
Li. |). N. Coiifli.) Cort ii'h I'l.vt .vrniK.it. N'lry Hiniilai- to tlic laxt ; prinniriiH alirii|itly
cninrKinati' for a »liort ilistaiMT, an iu T, viicij'fmns, and outor \v«'l> of outn- tail-frathcr not
u'liitr ; Imt tail dark lirown, like the wln^it, ami oltviointly forked (altout ()..'>(); in rm'ifrrintit
llie tail i|niir Mark, Nliu'liilv I'niartfiuate or nearly even) ; all ItN featliem wiili uliulit |iali'
ed^e.H, and their nhaftH pale on the nnder Hurl'aee. ^'ellow of under partH very hriulit. reaehiiit;
liiL'li np on the lireaxt ; throat us well an chin eMen>ively white. Si/e of the fore^oini;, and
ehanjKeN of pInniaKe eoineident. A nniverhally distrihuied South and Central Am. hiH'eies,
of whieh a .-liitht variety reachex over our Mexiean border.
120. .MYlAlt'Clirs. ((Jr. fivia, iniiiii, a lly ; li^x"** '"'<'""'• " ruler. Kii;. i^i), ii.) ('kkntk.i*
•■'i.vtATt iiKitM. Anii-tiikii.vtki) Ki.vr.vn iikhs. Iti toi n-t.vilkh Ki.vt'.vrciiF.its. No
colored patch on the crown, hut head >lii;hlly croted l>y lenu'thened erectile featherH. I'ri-
uuirie.s einatt^'inate. ttlivaceoiix; niore or lew* yellow lielow, the throat a»li, the prinniries
uiaruineil wiih chrKtnut, tliu tail-featherx the Hanie or nioxtly chestnut xuch coloration tlie
hexl mark of the uenux. 'I'ail nearly even, if anything rounded, aliout a.x lonu as wintis, of
hroad Mat feathers with rounded ends. Win^s rounded, the lip formed liy 'M 4lh ipiills
(Usually I, the .'iih shorter, lith ami 1st niiicli shorter. Tarsus alniut as lon^ as middle toe and
claw. if any ditl'ereni, longer. Kill moderate, variahle in shape and relalive si/e. Xext I"
ihe characteristic rufous on wini;s and tail, si/.e is a i;ood clue to this i;eniis anionu oiu' oli\a-
coous flycatchers without colored crest ; for the Miiiiirvhi excepting M. Iiiinrniii are much
lari;er than any others exceptiuu ('inituiniM linrfiiliM and ('. jitrliiiii.r. Only one Knsiein
species, hui four others in the southwest, reipiirinu nice discrimination. Peculiar, all of ihem.
in nesiiui.' iu holes, and laying ecus s<'ratcheil ami snarled, but chietly scrawled leut'liiwi.se,
with dark brown, in close and intricate pattern.
.Innhitiii nf SiHi-im nnil t'liriilirii,
Lurgo; li'iittlli s.lKlor re liiiicr wcIm iif liill-fi'iUlH'rH liiri;vly riirniiit.
liiiriiiiH iwi'iipyliiK iii'iirly <ir c|iiUc ull tlict liiticr wulin iifiwveriil liilcrnl tiill-ri-utli(TK . . . . rriniliiii :V!3
KiifiiiiM iMvii|i>liiu tuner wilis cif Minm rcalliiTK In ncurly ci|niil ituinnnt mIiIi u Iummiiim iilrl|iu iif f<|iml
widlli lhriint;liiiiit. Kill iiuarly or i|iiltu l.(Ki no/Hri 880
ItiiriiUK iHTii|iyhii; inner welw nt munn reiitlierH in nearly isiinil iinniiinl Willi it flliH-iiiin i<lri|Mi of
e<|inil wiillli Ihrniigliniii mil iilsmt ii.T* •nillinHfrrun .174
ltiir»iiK iiteiiiiyliii; iiinvr webit of miniu foAtlivra In Kruiiler uiniiinit Uiaii u fuwoiiH iilri|>a ulileli wIiIiiik
at einl mil vtry narriiw .... iim n i«i »« ;rr5
Small: leiiKtIi T.iMiiir li'M. Inner wolMiiftnll-reallierH M-arrely or not rufoiiK /utrnnWi UTO
3t3. M. crliirtiiH. (Lat. niiiitnn, haired, i. e., crested; nhiis, : air. l-'iu;. iSi.) (jkk.VT
l'tlKNTi:i> l''l.V('.\rcilKll. (J 9 • '"I"'!' = Decidedly olivaceous above, a little browner on head,
where the feathers have dark centres ; throat and fore breast pure dark ash ; rest of under
parts brit;ht yellow, the two colors meetiiiu abruptly: primaries marifined mi both edi;es with
chestnut; s ndaries and coverts edi;ed .iiid lipped with yellowish-while; tail with all llio
feathers but the central ]iair I'hestnnt on the whole of the inner web lexcepiini; perhaps a very
narrow s]>ace next the shaft > : outer web of outer feathers edtred wilh yellowish; midillo
feathers, outer webs of the rest, and winys excejit as stated, dusky-brown. The foret;oiii|{
jilirasfH arc intended to be chietly amithetical to those used in describini; vhirrrKcnis, below.
No, li7-'>. Other dia^uoslic points are: bill dark but not ipiit<> black, pale at base Im'Iow ;
Rtuut aud ooiiiparatively short, hardly or uot au Ioiik iu» larHUb, the latter perhaps never O.UO .
TYRAXMlKl-:— TYRAXXrX.T-:: IYHAXT FLYiATCIIKJiS.
4U
tli«> iilivc liuck, null tliriiiit, iiihI yrllnw lirlly i<cviTiilly pun- in color: all tiiiUl'ratlii-rH Imt uiiilillo
|)air Hii ('Xt)'iiNivi'ly rut'oiiK mi iinu'i' wcIin dial a iiirrc liiii', if any, nf l'ii>c-iiiis |ii'rr4ii«t>> next
liic Hlial'l (<'<>iii|iiiri- rri/thrmrrriin ami vitofirrt), ami tliJK fiiM-niix iiii«-, if any, niiiiiiiii.' <>(' miimi-
iiarriiwiirHK !•• cihIh of tli<< fratlicrH (ciniiiian- liHrrrMTUM) ;
never imire tliau a traee nf riifmis nii mner wetw. Very
yiiiiii^ liJrilN have nifniiH hkirtiiii; uf many featlier<<, in iiil-
ilition to the clit'Ntiint alxive ilewrilieil, liiit lliin mhui <li!«-
appeant. I,ari;e : leiiutli 8.(KI-<,t.lMI; extent alHiiit I.I.IHI;
wiiiu ami tail alonil I. DO (;l.HU-^.:.'(l) ; l.ijl ll.;:,-tl.Hil ;
tarsus (l.7(M).S(l ; niitlille tiN> ami elaw O.il.'i-O.;'' : (•n-ailtli
nf l>ill at liaxe OJtH-O.iO, or al>oiit ) ihe lenutli of eiilineii.
I''.a>ierii r. S., weNt to .Mi>Noin'i, Kall!<a^, ArUaii.«a>. ami
Texaii, N. ti* Maswu-liiiNelts ; Mexieo ami Central Am. in
winter. An ahiiinlaiit liinl, in wiHHllaml, of loiiil liar>li ,
voiee ami iinarrel.siiiiie iliMpo.vJtion, noted for its lialiitnal .>. _ _ ^V ^^Vt ■ «vt{tv ^
use of iM!>l-otf hiiaUe- 'linn ill the striietiire of lis ne>t.
Nest ill hollows of treen .mil similar retreats : et;us iiiiii|iie
(oiitsiile this tfeiiiis) in pattern : Kroiiinl eolnr liiitf or rieh
riay-eolor. with iiimiheriess markiiii.'s of purpli!<h-elie!<i-
niii, or pnrpiish-eh late, ami others paler, shaqt ami
serateliy, mostly leiititliwise, lint esiMrinlly at the Imtt
taii^leil lip; si/.e ahoiit O.'t.'i X H.IW. lireeds throiiulioiit
its r.S. ranu'e, Init entirely withdraws in winter. LiN-ally I-'k- >4. -tirrni rr.'i.iiM| Klyniidior,
, . ,1 ■'.•I.I-.., II . I itxIiifFil. (!4lii'tii>ttr<l, cU'l. NIvliiilii MM
ami irreunlarly ilistriliiited III woodland. ^ n ■
HHt>. (in addenda.) -M. v. eoo'pi'rl. (To Wm. <'oo|Mr.) ('iMtl'KH'H l-Altlif.-IIII.I.KU CllEHTKll
l-'i.Vi'.vrniKii. IHsliiit'ni^JMd in its extreme develo|iiiient from crniifHfi liy its rather greater
si»>, and especially the ^reat si/e of the hill, whieli runs from (l.^O fully up to l.lli nieasiiied
aloiiir eiilmen, eipiallin{i{ or even exeeediiii; in lenutli the tarsi, wliieli are themselves usually II, 111
loiiuer than in vrinitim. The olivaceoii.t is usually not so pure, ainl the yellow not so clear;
hilt the chief ditl'ereiice is, that the inner welis of the tail-featlier-> have a fuscous stripe \ to
nearly i the width of the feather, as in rriithriH-rrfiis; from which latter it ditJers mainly in the
Ureatersixe, especially of the hill. Winusalid tail :<.iM>-(.-.':i ; hill II.SII-1.()() ; tarsus l).H.i-l).<).') ;
Mexico and over the r. S. Iiorder ; .\rizoiia. {Ti/rinniiiln nKi/irri, Kaup, IS,)1 f .1/. amjirri
Ihl., IS.'iS. M. niiiiliis var. iiiniiiii, ('ones, I'r. I'hila. .Viail., \^7i, |>. •!?.)
;ni. X. e. frytlircM'tT'cHH. ((Jr. «/iv^(mis, fnilhnm, nildish ; «i^«ot, hrkos, tail.) IIikoih-iaii.kd
('llKs'i'K.li ri.Vi'A'nilK.lt. On compariiiu this lurd with typical .1/. (ToiiVkm, it is immediately
perci'ived to he ditlWelit. The lateral tail-feathers have a slri|M- of fuscous on the inner Weh
adjoining the shaft, this stripe i'i|ualliu!.' or exc lint; the width of the whole outer well nf the
respective feathers, and heini; almut half-and-half with the rufous ; whereas in rriiiihin there is
only the narrowest possible dusky stripe ou the inner weh, nr imne at all. 'I'liis iliisky stripe
is of iiiiifnrm width tlirnut;hniit, not enlart;eil at the eml to iM-rupy inotit or all of the feather, as
is the case with r'l'iinv.viriw. 'I'he entire up|M'r parts are darker than those of (•/•ikiVkai that
is, tliey have a sordid hrowiiish-olive cast, instead of the clearer iiiid purer ureeiiish-olive of
erinitUH, The yidlow of the helly is much paler. The ash of the thmal is decidedly liuhler
and clean-r, and it coiiies farther down the hreasi, yieldim; to the yellow withnut the iuterveii-
tioii nf the olivaceous [u'ctoral area which is usually c<uispicuous m rrhiitiis. The i;eueral
aspect of the under parts is much as in riiifrrsrrns, hnth the distriluitiou uud shade of the colors
heiinj more as witnessed in the latter than as seen in rrinihiK. The liuht edi.'iuL'> of the wiiiij-
feathers are also paler lluin those it( rriiiiliin. The lull is Idack, nut dark hrown, slenderer than
in crinilim; in hIzo nothing liko that of owi/mti, imr has it the very constricted shii|ie of thai c f
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
'^o
^<
^r
1.0
I.I
11.25
150 ^^^ ■«■■
nUU
1.4 mil 1.6
■ 22
£f 1^ 12.0
Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WBT MAIN STtEfT
WIBSTIR.N.Y. MSM
(716) •72.4503
4^
Pa
f
9-
436
SYSTEJIA TIC SYN^OPSIS. — PASSEBES — CLAM A TORES.
cinerescens. Tlio gcnornl body-coloration is almost exactly as in cinerescens, from which it is
at oncfi (listir.giiishcil l)y tlio ditt'oroiit shape t)f tho bill and different pattern ot' the tail-featiuTs.
Agreeing very closely in c(dors with cooperi, it is smaller than that species, and lacks in par-
ticular tho enormons development of the bill, ■<vhich, in cooperi, is an inch or more in lengtli of
culmen, and proi)ortionately broad. It is clearly neither crhiitus proper, nor crinittis cooperi, nor
yet cinerescens. Av(!rage length 8.75 j extent about 12.75; wing .3.00— 1.00 ; tail 3.75; bill
0.75 ; tarsus 0.85 ; middle toe and claw 0.75. Lower Kio Grande of Texas, and southward.
Common, breeding. Nest ami eggs like those of crinitus. (M. crinitits var. irritabilis, Cones,
Pr. I'hila. Acad., 1872, p. 65, nee Ti/rannus irritahiJis Vieill. 31. crinitus erytlirocercus, Coues,
Bull. U. S. Gcol. Surv., iv, 1878, p. 32, and v, 1879, p. J02. M. niexicanus var. cooperi,
Kidg., Pr. Nat. Mus., i, p. 138, nee cooperi Bd. M. mexicanu.:, llidg., Pr. Nat. Mus., ii,
p. ll)
375. M. cineres'cens. (Lat. cinerescens, ashy. Fig. 285.) A.sii-tiiroated CnE.STEr> Flv-
CATCHEU. (J 9 , .adult: Rather olivacecms-bromi above, quite brown <m the head; throat
very pale ash, sometimes almost wliitish, changing
gradually to very pale yellow or yellowish-white on
the rest of tho under parts. Primaries i 's.'"-! as in
crinitus, but secondaries and coverts edgeii .v-iti. :;:••",■
ish-white. Tail-feathers as in cn»it/;<,s, but the • :'i>\s
of the inn(>r webs hardly or not reacliing their en,.o,
being cut off from tho tij) by M-idening of tho fuscous
stripe (in young birds, in which the (juills and tail-
feathers are more extensively rufous-edged, the last dis-
tinction does not hold). Size of crinitus, but tarsi
longer and bill slenderer; tarsi 0.80-0.00; bill 0.75-
0.85, but only 0.27-0.33 broad at tho base, where only
about as wide as high, and obviously narrower than in
crinitus; though in Cape St. Lucas specimens (M.
pertinax Bd.) shaped quite as in ci'initus, but smaller.
FiQ. 285. - Ash-thioatcrl Flycatcher, Southwestern U. S. ; N. to Wyoming and Utah and
reduced. (Slieppard del. Nichols so.) Nevada; S. through Mexico; E. and AV. from Texas
to the Pacific ; said to winter in the Lower Colorado valley, U. S. Though so similar to the
foregoing, it is a different bird from any of them. Nesting and eggs as in tho others. (M.
mexicanus Bd., 1858, uec Kaup, 1851. Tyrannula cinerascens, Lawr., 1851. M. cinerescens
Cones, 1872.)
376. M. lawren'cll. (To Geo. N. La\vrence.) Lawrence's Crested Flycatcher. Similar in
color to M. crinitus, but much smaller. No chestnut on tail-feathers exccj)t a naiTow bcuvler-
ing on the outer webs, and, in the young, an inner margining also. Wing-coverts and inner
secondaries as well as the primaries edged with rufous (rarely yellowish on inner secondaries) ;
pileum dark or quite blackish. Bill broad, flat, shaped much as in Cotitopus, about i its own
length wide at the nostrils. Very small : length 7.00 or less ; wing and tail only 3.00-3.33 ;
bill 0.62-0.70 ; tarsus 0.C5-0.75. Texas (?), Mexico, and Central Am., there running into
M. nigricapiUus.
121. SAYIOR'NIS. (Name of Thos. Say, with Gr. opvK, ornis, a bird.) Pewit Flycatchers.
The 3 following species do not particularly resemble each other ; most authors place tliem in
8ei)arate genera, and some even under different subfamilies, of Ti/raHnidcc. Tho discrepancies
of form, however, are not startling, and for tlie purposes of this work the species may be projierly
put together, as they agree in presenting a certain aspect not shown by the other N. Am.
groups. (Fig. 280, b.) They are small species, about 7-00 or less in lengtli. ^' id with a
slight crest of erectile feathers. Tarsus ratlier longer than middle toe and claw ^ilio reverse
TYEANNIDJE — TYEANNINJE : TYRANT FLYCATCHJiEH.
437
in Contopus). Bill narrower than in the other little Flycatchers, with nearly straight lateral
outlines, its width at base about i the length of culnicn. Wing pointed by 2d-5tli (|uills, 1st
shorter than 6th. Tail about as long as wing, cniarginate, with broaJ fcii'.h'rs tending to
divaricate iu the middle. One Eastern, two Western species. Nest ah'>;od to rocki and
buildings, with mud ; eggs normally white, unmarked.
Analysis qf Species.
Asliy-brown, with cinnamon belly and black tail anyi 377
Blackish, with white belly nijiricans 378
Olivaceous and yellowish fusca 379
377. S. say'i. (To Thos. Say.) Sav's Pewit Flycatcher. $ 9 , adult : Grayish-brown, some-
times with faint olivaceous tinge, rather darker on liead, where the feathers iiave dusky centres,
paler on throat and breast, then changing to cinnamon-brown on the rest of the under parts.
Wings dusky, lined with tawny-whitisli, edged with whitish on the coverts and inner r|uills.
Tail i)ei-fectly black. Bill and feet black. Iris dtirk brown. Length about 7.00 ; extent 11.00 ;
wing 3.73-4.35; tail 3.25-3.50; bill 0.50-O.CO, narrow and slender for a flycatcher; tarsus
0.80 ; middle toe and claw 0.07. Young : More extensively fulvous or paler cinnamon than the
adults, this color extending far up the breast, skirting the feathers of the back and rump, form-
ing conspicuous cross-bars and edgings on the wings, and even tipping the tail. But no bird
of our country resembles this one. Western U. S. and adjoining British Provinces, E. to
Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, etc., common in open or rocky country, where seen singly or in
pairs ; the principal flycatcher of unicooded regions, iu weedy, brushy places, displaying the
usual activity of its tribe, and uttering a melancholy note of one syllable, or a tremulous twitter.
Nests naturally on rocks, but soon adapts itself to buildings like the Eastern Pewee. Nest of
mud, straw, moss, feathers ; eggs 4-5, 0.80 X 0.62, white.
378. S. ulg'rlcans. (Lat. nigricans, blackening.) Black Pewit Flycatcher. Sooty-brown or
blackisli, deepest on head and breast; belly and other under parts pure white, abruptly defined;
lining of wings, outer web of outer tail-feathers, and edges of inner secondaries, whitish ; bill and
feet black ; iris red. Tlie coloration is curiously like that of Junco hiemalis. Length about
7.00 ; wing 3.50-3.75 ; tail 3.25-3.50 ; bill 0.50 or less,
very weak ; tarsus 0.67 ; middle toe and claw 0.60. South-
western U. S. and southward, but on the Pacific to Oregon;
chiefly in unwooded country, and especially along rocky
streams, and in canons — I have seen it at the bottom of
the Grand C'afion of the Colorado, some 6,000 feet behnv
tlie surface of the earth ! Nest of mud, etc., on rocks and
walls; eggs 0.75 X 0.56, white. __^..^_r
370. S. fus'ca. (Lat. fusca, brown. Fig. 286.) Pewit Fly- -sss^B^^^^" '<
catcher. Water Pewee. Pewit. Phcebe. Dull oli- ,^^_.^__,
vaceous-brown, the head much darker fuscous-brown, " -«.^^ ^. - .
almost blackish, usually in marked contrast with the back ;
below, soiled whitish, or palest possible yellow, particularly
on the belly ; the sides, and the breast nearly or quite across,
shaded with grayish-brown ; wings and tail dusky, the outer
tail-feather, inner secondaries, and usually the wing-coverts, m^^ wg^^
edged with wliitish ; a whitisli ring round the eye ; bill and
feet black. Varies greatly in shade; the foregoing is the Fm. 28c.- Pewit Flycntchsr, reduced,
average spring condition. As summer passes, the plumage (S'lepparJ del. Nichols so.)
becomes nmch duller and darker brown, from wearing of the featliers ; then, after tlie moult,
fall specimens are much brighter than in sjjring, the under parts being decidedly yellow, at
least on the belly. Very young birds have some feathers skirted with rusty, particularly on
I
438
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PASSEBES— CLAMAT0RE8.
the edges of the wing- and tail-feathers. The sexes are alike, the 9 averaging at the lesser
dimensions of the $. Tlie species requires careful discrimination, in the hands of a novieo,
from any of the little olivaceous species of the next two genera. It is larger ; length 6.75-
7.25 ; extent 10.75-11.75 ; wing 3.00-3.50, usually 3.40 ; tail about the same, slightly cniargi-
nate ; hill 0.50 or sliglitly more, little depressed, not so broad for its length as is usual in
Contopus and Empidonax, its lateral outlines straight ; tarsus equalling or slightly exceeding
the n\iddle toe and claw, these together about 1.33 long; point of the wing formed by the 2d
to 5th quill ; 2d shorter than 6th ; 3d and 4th generally a little the longest ; 1st shorter than
6th. Eastern U. S., and Britisli Provinces, very abundant in open places, iields, along streams,
and almost as domestic as the barn swallow. One of the very earliest arrivals in spring, and a
late loiierer in fall ; winters abundantly in tlie Southern States. West to Dakota, Nebraska,
etc. Its ordinary note is harsh and abrupt, unlike the drawling pe-a-wec' of Contopus virens —
sounding like jie-icit' ^j/ie'-J/e, whence the name. The typical nest is affixed to the side of a
vertical rock over water, often itself moist or dripping, and composed of mud, grass, and espe-
cially moss, making a pretty object, lined with hivyor fecathers. The bird now builds anywhere
about houses, bridges, and other buildings ; its attachment to pai-ticular spots is so strong tliat
it will return year after year, and often persist in nesting under the most discouraging circum-
stances. Eggs 4-5-6, O.80 X 0.60, normally pure white, not seldom sparsely dotted.
122. CON'TOPUS. (Gr. Kovrot, kontos, a pole or perch, and novs, j)Ous, foot. Fig. 280, c.) Wood
Pewee Flycatchers. With the feet extremely small ; tarsus shorter or not longer tlian the
bill, shorter than the middle toe and claw (except in pertinax) ; the t-irsus, middle toe, and
claw together, barely or not one-third as long as the wing ; bill flattc^ricd, very broad at base ;
wings pointed, much longer than the emarginate tail, the proportions of tlie primaries varying
with the species. Medium-sized and rather small species, brownish-olivaceous, witliout any
bright colors or very decided markings ; the coronal feathers lengthened and erectile, but luirdly
fonning a true crest. A small group of woodland species, near Empidonax, but characterized,
as above described, by the feeble diminutive feet. Nest on boughs ; eggs spotted.
Annlyais of Species.
Species 7-8 long, with a tuft of white fluffy feathers on tlie flank.
Under parts slreakij. Wing pointed by 2d primary, supported nearly to end by 1st and 3d, 4th much
shorter. Tail about 3.00; wing about 4.00. Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw. . . boreal is 380
Under parts more smooth in color. Wing pointed by 2d, 3d, and 4th quills, Ist much shorter; tail
3.50 or more ; wing about 4.00. Tarsus not shorter than middle toe and claw pertinax 381
Species under 7.00 long, without an evident cottony white tuft on the flank.
Tarsus, middle toe, and claw together hardly or not 1.00 long virens 382, 383
380. C. borea'Us. (Lat. borealis, northern.) Olive-sided Flycatcheu. Dusky olivaceous-
brown, usually darker on the crown, where the feathers have blackisli centres, and paler ou the
sides below ; chin, throat, belly, crissum, and middle line of breast, white, more or less tinged
with yellowish ; wings and tail blackish, unmarked, excepting inconspicuous grayish-brown
tips of the wing-coverts, and some whitish edging on the inner quills ; feet and up]}er jnandiJde
black, lower inaudible mostly yellowish. The olive-brown below has a peculiar streaky appear-
ance hardly seen in other species, and extends almost entirely across the breast. This ragged
aspect of mixed dusky-olive and whitish, together with the large white Unify flank-tufts, is
diagnostic. Young may have the feathers, especially of the wings and tail, skirted with rufous.
Length 7.00-8.00 ; wing 3.87-4.33, averaging 4.00, very long, folding to terminal third of tail,
and remarkably pointed; 2d quill longest, supported nearly to the end by the 1st and 3(1, the
4th abruptly shorter ; tail about 3.00, thus about J the wing, emarginate ; tarsus only 0.50,
shorter than bill, or than middle toe and claw ; tarsus, middle toe, aiu'. claw together only about
1.25 ; bill 0.67-0.75. N. Am. at large, apparently nowhere very abundant, rather common in
some New Englau 1 localities, very rare in the Middle and Southern States, less so in the West.
N. even to Greenland ; S. to Central America in winter. Breeds from New England north-
TYRANNID^ — TYRANNIN^ : TYRANT FL YCA TCHERS.
439
ward, and much further south in the West. Generally seen high on some exposed outpost ;
note querulous, hut loud and harsh. Nest usually high, on a horizontal bough, rude and flat,
of twigs, rootlets, grass, moss; eggs about 4, 0.85 X 0.65, buffy or creauiy-white, fully spotted
with lighter and darker reddish -browns. A stoeky, able-bodied, dark aud streaky species,
quite unlike any other.
381. C. per'tlnax. (Lat. pertinax, pertinacious ; pertaining to C. borealis; per, and tenax,
tenacious.) CoUEs' Flycatcher. Stnnewhat similar to C. borealis; colors more uniform
and more clearly olive ; below, dull brownish-olive, lighter on throat, fading insensibly on belly
into dingy yellowish-white ; lacking the peculiar streaky appearance of C. horealin. Cottony
tufts on the flanks less conspicuous. Bill longer and comparatively narrower than in borealis;
black above, yellow below; feet black. Wing-formula entirely dill'erent; 2d, ;5d, and 4th
quills nearly equal and longest, 1st abruptly 0.50 shorter, about as long as 5th, or between 5th
and 6th. Feet small, weak, and jiroperly " contopine," but tarsus if anything longer, not shorter,
than middle toe and claw, about equalling the bill (the reverse proportion of bill, tarsus, and
toe obtains in C. borealis). Length of ^ about 8.00 ; extent l.'J.OO ; wing 4.00-4..30 ; tail :}.50-
3.80 ; bill iind tarsus, each, about 0.67 ; middle toe and claw 0.60. 9 rather less. Young :
Lower mandible and mouth orange-yellow ; feathci-s of wings and tail and their coverts skirted
with rusty, and a shade of the same on the under parts generally. Midsummer adults wear
browner, like the common wood pewee; and, in fact, the whole coloration of the species is the
counterpart of a wood pewee's. Mexico, N. into Arizona, where common in the pine woods.
382. C. vl'rens. (Lat. I'irens, virent, greenish. Fig. 287.) Wood Pewee. Olivaceous-brown,
rather darker on head ; below, with sides washed with a paler
shade of the same, reaching nearly or quite across the breast ;
throat and belly whitish, more or less tinged with dull yellow-
ish ; undi, i' tail-coverts the same, usually streaked with dusky ;
tail and wings blackish, the foruiir unmarked, the inner wing-
quills edged, and the greater and middle coverts tipped, with
whitish ; feet aud upper mandible black, under mandible usually
yellow, sometimes dusky ; iris brown. Spring specimens are
purer olivaceous ; early fall birds are brighter yellow below ; in
summer, before the worn feathers are renewed, the plumage is
quite brown and dingy whitish. Very young birds have the
wing-bars and edging of quills tiuged with rusty, the feathers
of the upper parts skirted, and the lower plumage tinged, with
the same ; but in any plumage the species may be known from
all the birds of the following genus, by these dimensions :
Length 6.00-6.50; extent 10.00-11.00; wing 3.25-3.50; tail
2.75-3.00; tarsus, middle toe and claw together hardly one inch, '^"=«^- (Slieppard del. Nichols m.)
or evidently less ; tarsus alone about 0.50, not longer than the bill. Kill very flat, its breadth
at base more than one-half its length ; lateral outline bulging. Wings very long and pointed ;
2d quill longest, 3d little if any less, 4th shorter, 1st between 4th and 5th. Tail but little
(about 0.50) shorter than wing, emarginate. Eastern N. Am., in woodland; extremely abtm-
dant in most U. S. localities, May-Sept., entering U. S. from the South usually in March,
reaching its limit of dispersiim by the end of April or early in May. Possibly winters along
the southern border. West only to the high central plains. In the breeding season the
peculiarly plaintive, drawling note may be heard in almost any piece of woods, while the
dolorous little bird is at his post, perched on some exposed twig near iiis nest, and continually
raiding after insects, which he captures witli a quick twist in the air and a click of the bill,
regaining his perch adroitly, and standing erect with hanging tail and wings. Nest a very
pretty structure, saddled on a horizontal bough, flat and thin-bottomed, with thick Malls and
Fig. 287.
Wood Pewee, re-
440
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PASSERES— CLAMATOliES.
! i
well-tiirnod brim, of line fibres stuck over with lichens, the whole looking much like a nat-
ural excrescence of the tree. Eggs 4-5, creaniy-wliite, marked with reddish -brown and
lilac in various pattern, usually wreathing and blending about the larger end, sparser else-
where; size about 0.75 X 0.G5 — pe-a-toee! a-piie-wee> !
383. C. V. rlch'apdsoul. (To Sir John Richardson.) Western Wood Pewee. Similar; darker,
more fuscous-olive above, the shading of the sides reaching almost uninterruptedly across tlie
breast ; belly rather whitish than yellowish ; outer primary usually not obviously white-edged ;
bill below liftener dusky than yellow, sometimes quite black. I fail to appreciate any reliable
differences in size or shape ; or, in fact, any specific character. It is impracticable to pronounce
upon a pewee, in thech)8et, without knowing the locality ; but those familiar with both Eastern
and Western birds in field, agree that they are not exactly the same. Note not exactly like that
of virens; nesting said to be difli'rent (Audulou, AUeii). Kocky Mountains to the Pacific ;
"Labrador" {Andubon). (Tyranmda richardsonii 8w., Fn. Bor.-Ani., ii, 1831, p. 14()?
Contopns richardsonii Bn., B. N. Am., 1858, p. 189 ; Muscicapa idmhe At;i)., B. Am., 8vo. ed.,
i, 1840, p. 219, pi. 61 ; Nutt., Man. i, 2d ed., 1840, p. 319. See CouES, B. N. W., 1874,
p. 247.)
123. EMPIDO'NAX. (Gr. €/«rir,gen.f/ijrifiov, emiJi's, emjJiVZos, agnat; ai/a|, wHrta;, king. Fig. 280, rf.)
The Little Olivaceous Flycatchers. Small olivaceous species, 5.00-0.00 (rarely C.25)
long ; wing 3.12 or less; tail 2.75 or less; whole foot at least 4d as long as wing ; tarsus more
or less obviously longer than middle toe and claw, much longer than bill ; 2d, 3d and 4th (piills
entering into point of wing, 1st shorter or not obviously longer than 5th ; tail not over i an inch
shorter than wings ; breast not buflFy. (Compare Sayiornis, Contopus, Mitrephanes.) As in
allied genera, several outer primaries are slightly emarginate on the inner web, but this character
is obscure, often inajjpreciable, and may be disregarded. The coronal feathers are lengthened
and erectile, but scarcely form a true crest. There are never any more conspicuous (-(jlor-marks
than in Sayiornis fusca or Contopus virens. The bill varies M-ith the sjjecies in size and
shape, from almost as broad and flat as in a wood pewee in acadicus, to the narrower shape of
a pewit in obscurus; but it is always much shorter than the tarsus. It should n(jt be ditficnit
to recognize Empidonax as different from Contopus, due attention being given to the nice points
of diagnosis ; but it is a very difficult matter to discriminate the numerous species, recpiiring
much tact, care, and patience. The following account, carefully prepared after examination (tf
a great amount of material from all parts i>f the country, will probably suffice to determine
ninety out of a hundred specimens ; but I confess it does not entirely satisfy me ; and, as it does
not fully answer all the requirements of the case, it nuist be regarded as provisional. How
much alike are these interesting little birds may be inferred from the fact that Wilson knew
but a single species, acadicus, to which Audubon added but one, trailli, until Baird showed him
two more, minimus and Jlarirentris. Yet these four are perfectly distinct birds. Any experienced
collector knows them to be different, not only when he has them in hand, but in life, by their
haunts and habits, their notes, nests and eggs — indeed, the nests and eggs of each of them iire
readily discriminated. Three of them are common New England breeders — trailli, minimus,
and flavivcntris; while acadicus is the common breeder in the Middle States. The case is
complicated, however, in the West. The two exclusively Western species, hammond'i and
obscurus, are pretty distinct — entirely .so from each other; but the recognition of " j)!<,si7/«s"
and especially " difficilis" is somewhat conventional. Since 1858, when Baird first fixed the
species upon anything like a satisfactory footing, no changes whatever of his determinations
and characterizations have been established; and as it is useless to exchaugo one doubtful
opinion for another, the less obvious species may be suffered to renniin as he left them. It is
not reasonably possil>le to analyze all the forms in concise i)hrase ; the student must go at once
to the detailed descriptions ; but the following raay help him somewhat : —
3
TYEANNIDJE : — TYBANNIN^ : TYRANT FLYCATCHERS.
441
Exclusively Eastern Species.
Largest: rather over than under 6.00; wing nearly or over 3.00; tarsun 0.67 ; middle too and claw 0.50;
bill nearly or quite 0.50. Clear light olive-green iibove, below whitish ; wing-biir» and eye-ring liiwiii/.
Nest .rfdMn forlc of a horizontal bough ; eggH »/)<'c/,7i(/. Not New England arniliriat 384
Medium: rather under 0,00; wing 2.70; tarsus 0.67, but middle toe and claw 0,00 ; liiU hardly 0,. TO,
OMve-brnwn above, below grayish; wln?-'.>ar8 and eye-ring whitish. Nest a bulky cup In a bush ;
eggs speckled. New Kngiand trnilli 898
Sin < 1: rather under 5,50; proportions and colors nearly as In Irailli. Nest a neat cup in upright
crctchof a rffc; eggs H7/if(?. Commonest breeder In S. New England minimus 387
Medium : under parts thornuyhly yellow. Nest near yroumi in a stump or log, bulky. Eggs speckled.
Now England Jlavirentris 388
Exclusirely Western .Species.
The rep.-csentative of trailli. Etjys speckled pusillus 386
The representative of flavirentris. Eyys speckled dijlirilis 389
Small, and otherwise like minimus; dark below, breast not very different from back; bill extremely
narrow. Eijys white hammnndi 390
Large, about the size of acadicus ; olive-brown above; breast dark; outer tail-feather white on outer
web ; bill very narrow. Eggs white obscurus 391
384. E. aca'dlcus. (Lat. of Acadiii.) Small Gkeek-ckksted or Acadian Flycatcher.
Above, oWva-green, clear, light, pontinuous ami uniform (though the crowu may slunv rather
darker, owiug to dusky centres of the slightly lengthened, erectile feathers) ; below, whitish,
olive-shaded on sides and nearly across breast, yellowisli-washed on belly, tlanks, crissum and
axillars; wings dusky, inner quills edged, and coverts tipped, with tawny yellow; all the
quills whitish-edged internally ; tail dusky, olive-glossed, unmarked ; a tawny eye-riug ; feot
and ui)per mandible brown, under mandible j)ale. In midsummer, rather darker ; in early fall
brighter and especially more yellowish below ; in the young, the wing-markings more fulvous,
the general plumage slightly buffy-suffused ; when very young, .said to bo mottled transversely
with pale ochraceous. Largest: 5.75-6.25 — rather over than under 6.00 ; extent rather over
than under 9.50; wing 2.75-3.00 (even 3.12) ; tail 2.50-2.75 ; bill nearly or quite 0.50, about
0.25 wide at nostrils, broad and flat, like a pewee's ; tarsus 0.G6 ; middle toe and claw 0.50 ;
point of wing reaching nearly an inch beyond the secondaries; 2d, 3d, and 4th quills nearly eciual
and much {\ inch or more) longer than 1st and 5th, which about equal each other ; 1st much
longer than 6th. The 9 near the lesser of all the dimensions given. Eastern U. S., southerly,
scarcely knoicn in New England; abundant in the Middle and Western States in woodland ;
readily recognized by the points of size and shape, without regarding coloration. Nest in trees,
in horizontal fork of a slender bough ; thin and open-worked, shallow, flat, saucer-shaped ; eggs
2— t, 0.78 X 0.36, creamy-wliite, boldly spotted, resembling a wood pewee's. {Muscicapa sub-
viridis Baktuam, 1791 ; Empidonax subviridls Coues, 1882 (name acadicus geographically
false). Muscicapa querulaVf iIjU., ii, 77, pi. 13, f. 3; M. acadicn Aud., 13. Am., 8vo. ed. 1840,
1, 221, pi. 62 ; Empidonax acadicus Bn., B. N. A., 1858, p. 197.)
385. K. trairii. (To T. S. Traill, of Eilinburgh.) Traill's Flycatcher. Above, olive-
hrown, lighter and duller brownish posteriorlj', darker on head, owing to obviously dusky
centres of the coronal feathers ; below, nearly us in acadicus, but darker, the olive-gray shading
quite across the breast; wing-markings grai/ish-white with slight yellowish or tawny shade;
under maiulible pale; upper mandible and feet black. Averaging smaller than acadicus;
length 5.50-6.00 ; extent under 9.50, usually 8.73-9.00 ; wing 2.66-2.75, more rounded than
in acadicus, its tip only reaching about f of an inch beyond the secondaries, formed by 2d, 3d
and 4th quills, as before, but 5th not so much shorter (hardly or not \ of an inch), the 1st ranging
between 5th and 6th ; tail 2.50 ; tarsfis 0.66, as before, but middle toe and cLiw 0.60, the fi'et
thus diiferently proportioned, owing to lengtii of toes ; bill not so broad and flat as in acadicus.
Eastern N. Am. to tin; Plains, common ; an entirely different bird from acadicus, btit difficult
if not impossible to distinguish from the following variety ; almost the same in color as minimus,
but larger, and otherwise perfectly distinct. A common breeder from New England and Canada
442
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES— CLAMATOBES.
to Dakota and Missouri ; migrating througli all tho E. U. S., wintering beyond. Nest in troos
or bushes, usually the latter, in New England at any rate ; nest in au upright crotch, thick-
walled, deeply-cupped, more or less com])act- walled, sometimes slovenly and resembling that of
an Indigo-bird ; in any case different entirely from tho flat pewce-like saucer of acadicm; eggs
not distinguishable from those of acati/cii.s, though averaging smaller; very different from those
of minimus. Note a flat ke'-wink ke>-wink, slowly.
380. K. pusil'lus. (Lat. pusillus, puerile, petty.) Little Westeun Flycatcher. Replaces
true trailli from the Plains to the Pacific ; may usually be recognized by its more fuscous color-
ation, the olivaceous and yellowish shades of trailli being subdued ; by its larger bill, and tho
feet nearly as in ncadicus. But are not specimens absolutely like trailli found in the West ?
Tho original Tyrannula pusilla of Sw., Fn. Bor.-Am., ii, 1831, 144 ; Am., B. Am., 8v<>. ed.
ii, 1840, 236, pi. 06, is uncertain, just as likely have been minimus as this bird. I therefore
pass over the name, which, if belonging here, antedates trailli, and ado[)t trailli for the eastern
form (although Audubon says " Arkansas to tho Columbia"), taking pusillus of Baird for tho
Western variety. This is the usual "little flycatcher" in Western woodland, generally dis-
tributed. Habits, nest .and eggs counterparts of those of trailli.
387 E. nii'nlmus. (Lat. minimiis, smallest.) Least Flycatciieu. Colors almost exactly as
in trailli; usually, however, olive-^ray rather than olive-brown ; tho wing-markings, eye-ring
and loral feathers plain grayish-white; the whtde anterior parts often with a slight ashy cast ;
under mandible ordinarily dusky ; feet perfectly black. It is a smaller bird than trailli, and
noi so stoutly built ; the wing-tip projects only about half an inch beyond the secondaries ; tho
5th quill is but very little shorter than tho 4th, tho 1st apt to be nearer 0th than 3th ; the feet
are difffTcntly proportioned, being much as in acadicus; tho bill is obviously under half an
inch long. Length '00-5.50; extent about 8.00; wing 2.00 or less; tail about 2.25. A
series of (J <?, measured fresh, runs 5.20-5.50 long, by 7-00-8.30 in extent; several 9 9 are
4.80-5.10 long, by 7.40-7.90 in extent. Although a largo ^ may grade up to 9 trailli in
size, and there is no obviously different coloration, it is a different bird. Eastern N. Am. to tho
Plains, very abundant in tho U. S. during the migrations, in orchards, coppicies, hedgerows, and
the skirts ()f woods rather than in heavy forests. Tho commonest breeder in New England,
especially Massachusetts ; very common along Red River of tho Nortli, breeding at 49°. Ranges
through E. U. S. in migration ; winters extr.alimital. Nest in upright crotch of tree, shrub,
or sai)ling ; small, neat, com pact- walled, deejdy-cujjped ; oggs 3-4, white, normally unmarked,
rarely speckled, 0.00-0.69 long, averaging 0.63 X 0.51. Note a sharp che-hec', or se-vjick',
quickly.
388. E. flavlven'tris. (Lat. flaims, yellow, ventris, of the belly.) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
Above, olive-green, clear, ctmtinuous and uniform as in acadicus, or even brighter ; below, not
merely yellowis/t, as in tho foregoing, but emjtliatically yellow, bright and pure on tho belly,
shaded on tho sides and anteriorly with a paler tint of tho color of tho back ; eye-ring and wing-
markings yellotv; under mandible yellow ; feet black. In respect of color, this species differs
materially from all the rest ; none of them, even at their autumnal yellowest, quite match it.
Size of trailli, or rather less ; feet proportioned ns in acadicus; bill nearly as in minimus, but
rather larger ; 1st quill usually equal to 0th. Eastern U. S. cand British Provinces, common,
in woodland, swamps and shrubbery. Breeds probably from tho Middle States northward.
There has been much misunderstanding about the nest and eggs of this bird ; the latter are
described by Brewer and by Cones (1874) as white. Nest in swamps, close to ground, in a
stump, log, or roots of an upturned tree, thick and bulky, of mosses, etc., deeply cupped ;
eggs spotted. Note a low soft pe-a, slowly.
389. E.f. diflfl'dlls? (Lat. difficilis, dis-facilis, difficult, tm-doable; very appropriate !) Western
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Not tangibly distinct from flaviventris; coloration dingy,
instead of pure olivaceous and yellow, tho latter dulled with an ochroy shade ; tail said to bo
longer. Western U. S., abundant. Eggs speckled.
TYRANNIDJE — TYRANNIN^ : TYRANT FLYCATCHEIiS.
443
lest in treos
itoli, tliick-
liiig that of
diem; ('jrvs
t from those
Rephipcs
scoua t'olor-
>ill, and the
1 tlie West ?
m., 8vo. ed.
I therefore
the eastern
Jaird for the
iierally dis-
t exactly as
gs, eye-ring
t ashj/ cast ;
trnilli, and
idaries ; the
th ; the f(!et
ider Iialf an
lit 2.25. A
ral 9 9 are
9 trailli in
. Am. to the
gerows, and
'W England,
9°. Kaiiges
tree, shrub,
f unmarked,
or se-wick',
lYCATCIIER.
below, not
n the belly,
^ and wing-
leeies differs
te match it.
inimus, but
3, common,
northward,
le latter are
round, in a
ly cupped ;
Western
tion dingy,
il said to bo
390. E. ham'mondl. (To Dr. W. A. Hammond, U. S. A.) Hammond's Flycatcher. Dirty
Little Flycatcher. Above, o\\\c-gray, decidedly gi-aycr or even ashy on the fore-jiiirts ;
tiie whole throat and breast almost continuously oUve-gray but little paler than the back, tlie
belly alone more or less decidedly yellowish ; wing-markings and eye-ring dull soiled wliitish ;
bill very small, and extremely wMcrojr, being hardly or not 0.20 wide at the nostrils ; thisdi.xtin-
guishes the bird from all but »iJMtmi<,sand obseurus; under mandible usually blackish; tail usu-
ally (lecid(?dly /ocA'crf, mon? so than in other species (though in all of them it varies from sligjitly
rounded to slightly <'marginate) ; outer tail-feather usually whitish-erf(/erf externally (a chanicter
often shown by trailli and niinimm), but not decidedly white. About the size of minimun ;
wings and tail relatively longer. Plains to the Pacific, U. S., and Ikitish Am. This is the
Western representative of minimus, but is tangibly distinct ; the general tone of coloration is
heai'!/, fall specimens in particular giving somewhat the effect of a iVirty Jlar^iveiiiris; the tiny
bill is a good mark. Nesting substantially like minimus; eggs white, unmarked. Note " a
soft pit."
391. K. obscu'rus. (Lat. obseurus, dark.) Wright's Fly'catcher. Gray Little Fly'catcher.
Colors not very tangibly difft.'rent from those of trailli or minimus, but outer web of outer tail-
feather abruptly white in decided contrast. General tone quite gray; gray below quite across
breast, giving the effect there of Contojms richardsoni; under mandible obscured ; eye-ring and
wing-edgings quite whitish. General dimensions approaching those of acadicus, owing to
length of wings and tail. Length doubtless up to (i.OO, and extent to 9.50 ; wing 2.6()-;5.00 ;
tail 2.50-2.75; tarsi about 0.75; bill about 0.50, extremely narrow (much as in Sayiornis
fusca), its width at the nostrils only about ^ its length. The bird looks singularly like the
Western Gontopus, though of course innnediately seen to bo Empidonax. Kocky and other
mts. of the West, N. to 49°, in woodland, groves and thickets. To complete the analogies
between the Eastern and Western Empidonaces, this may be considered to represent acadicus.
Nesting, however, substantially as in minimus : a ueat, compact, deep-cupped nest in crotch of
a sapling, and eggs I5-4, white, unmarked, but large, 0.75 X 0.58. Note " a weird sweer," " a
soft liquid whit." (E. obseurus, E. wrightii, Haird, 1858 ; but qu. Tyr. obscura Sw. 1827?)
124. MITRE'PHANKS. (Gr. /iiVpij, »«j7)e, a head-dress ; ^aivto, I appear.) Little IhiFF Fly-
catchers. Coronal feathers and rictal bristles longer than in Empidonax, and general cast of
the plumage buffy or fulvous rather than olivaceous ; otherwise (our species at any rate) not
different from Empidonax. Several Mexican species, one reaching our border. {Mitrephanes
CouES, 1882, vice Mitrephorus Scl., 1859, preoccupied.)
392. M. ful'vifrons palles'cens. (Lat. fulvifrons, fulvous-fronted ; 2^<^^^fscens, growing pale.)
Little IJuff-breasted Flycatcher. Above, dull grayish-brown tinged with olive, par-
ticularly on the back ; below, pale fulvous, strongest across the breast, whitening on the belly ;
no fulvous on the forehead ; sides of head light brownish-olive ; wings and tail dusky, outer
web of outer tail-feathers, edges of inner primaries except at the base, and tips of wing-coverts,
whitish ; iris brown; bill yellow Mow, black abevo ; feet black. Length 4.75 ; extent 7.3;{ ;
wing 2.12; tail 2.00; tarsus 0.55 ; middle toe and claw 0.45 ; bill 0.40. New Mexico, Ari-
zona, and southward. (Empidonax pygmccus Coues, Ibis, 1865, p. 537 ; Mitrephorus palles-
cens CouES, Proc. Phila. Acad., 18C6, p. 63. My original specimens, affording the descriptions
quoted, and the first known to have been taken in the United States, do not appear to be
specifically distinct from Muscicapa fulvifrons of Giraud (B. of Tex., 1841, pi. 2, f. 2) ; they
are clean spring birds, and the species is more fulvous in fall plumage.)
125. ORNITH'IUM. (6r. opvlBiov, ornithion, dimin. of opvis, a bird.) Beardless Flycatchers.
General aspect of Etnpidonax, but remarkably distinguished by the parine shape of the bill,
and almost entire absence of the rictal bristles so conspicuous in most genera of Tyrannida:,
though a few slight ones may be seen on close inspection. Bill much shorter than head, stout,
compressed, not depressed as usual in Tyrannida, with high-ridged arched culmen and scarcely
444
SYSTEM A TIC S YNOPSIS. — PICABI^.
overhanging tip ; commissuro gently decurvcd ; gonys about straight. Head a little crested,
as ill Empidonax, Contopus, etc. Wiugs of moderate length, much rounded ; 2d to 5th prima-
ries subequal nud longest, Gth shorter, Ist about equal to 7th. Tail a little shorter than wings,
even or scarcely rounded. Tarsus long, exceeding the middle toe and claw ; lat(;ral toe.s sub-
equal, their claws about reaching base of middle claw ; hind claw shorter than its digit. Of
diminutive size, and dull plain colors, as in the small olivaceous flycatchers generally; but for
the bill, the species might be mistaken for an Emjndonax.
303. O. Imber'be. (Lat. iinberbis, beardless ; in, not, and barba, a heard.) Texas Beardless
Flycatciieu. Adult <J 9 '• Above, dull t)live-gray, a little darker (browner) on the length-
ened erectile feathers of the crown, a little brighter (greener) on the rump and upper tail-coverts.
Below, jialc dull gray, somi-times almost grayish-white anteriorly, clearing on the belly and
under tail-coverts to pale yellowish. Wings and tail fuscous, with pale gray or whitish edgings
of the middle and greater coverts and most of the quills of th(! wings, as in an Empithnax.
Bill dark brown above, pale below. Worn specimens are ([uite brownish above, and whitish
below, with little edging of the wings and tail. Young and fresh fall specimens are more clearly
olivaceous above aud yeUowish below, shaded with gray across the breast ; the young with the
wing-bars tinged with butf or tawny — all (juite as usual in Empidonax. Very small : length
about 4.25 ; wing 2.10; tail 1.80; bill scarcely 0.30 ; tarsus 0.55; whole foot scarcely 1.00.
A curious little flycatcher of Mexico and Central Am., lately discovered on the Lower Kio
Grande of Texas. Nest and eggs unknown.
126. PYBOCE'PHALUS. (Gr. jrCp, gen. jru/ipr, ^jhc, p«ms, Are ; Kt(f>aKt), hephale, \\caA.) Fire-
CROWNEU FLYCATCUER.S. Sexes very dissimilar : head of $ with a full globidar crest (fig. 28S ),
and all under parts (usually) scarlet- red; other jiarts deep bn>wn ; 9 brown and whitish. Bill
slender, naiTow at base, much as in Sayiornis. Wings moderate, pointed ; 2d-4th quills
longest, 1st between 5th and (5th. Tail nearly even, shorter than wings, t>f broad feathers.
Tarsus scarcely longer than middle toe and claw. A tropical g('nus of several species, one of
which reaches our border.
394. P. rubi'neus mexlca'nus. (Lat. nibineus, ruby-red.) Vermilion Flycatcher. Adult (J :
Pure dark bR>wn, including stripe along side of head ; wings and tail blackish with flight jjale
edgings ; the full globular crest, and all the under parts scarlet or vennilion ; bill and feet
black. 9 • Dull brown, including the little-crested crown ; below, white, tinged with red,
reddish or orange in some jjlaces; the breast and sides with slight
dusky streaks. Immature (J shows gradation between the characters
of both sexes ; at first there is no red whatever, the bird otherwise
resembling the 9 1 but pale yellowish where she is reddish ; upper
parts gray ; all the feathers may be skirted with whitish, especially
on the wing-coverts and inner secondaries; tail quite blackish ; under
parts more purely white than in the 9? "ii<l rather speckled than
strciiked with gray. But reddish soon replaces the yellow of the
crissum and axillars. Adult ^ ^ are subject to much variation ; the
red is sometimes rather orange. Length about 6.00 ; wing 3.25 ;
tail 2.50 ; bill 0.45 ; tarsus 0.55 ; middle toe and claw 0.50. Valleys of the Rio Grande and
Colorado, and southward ; common in Arizona on the Gila ; a very showy little bird, of the
usual flycatcher habits.
Fio. 288. -Head of Ver-
lailioii Flycatcher, nat, size.
n. — Order FICARI^!: Ficarian Birds.
This is a miscellaneous assortment (in scientific language, "a polymorphic group") of
birds of highly diversified forms, grouped together more because they difler from other birds in
one way or another, than on account of their resemblance to one another. As commonly received,
PICABl^: PICARIAN BIIWS.
445
ttlo crested,
) 5th priiiia-
thiiu wings,
•al toes sub-
;8 digit. Of
illy ; but for
Beardless
the leiigth-
tuil-coverts.
le belly and
tish edgings
Empidonax.
and whifisli
more clearly
ing with th<^
nail : length
3arcely 1.00.
Lower Rio
ad.) FiRE-
«t (fig. 288),
liitish. Hill
d-'tth quills
lad feathers,
pcies, one of
Adult i :
Llight imlo
ill and feet
d with red,
with sliglit
e characters
(1 otherwise
lish ; upi)er
especially
kish; under
Dckled than
How of the
riation; the
wing 3.25 ;
ande and
bird, of the
^oup") of
ler birds in
ly received,
this order includes all the non-passerino Land Birds down to those with a cered bill (parrots
and birds of prey). Excluding the jiarrots, which constitute a strongly marked natural group,
of equal value with those called ord(M's in this work, the Pkuria: correspond to tlic StrisorcK -f-
Scamores of authors; including, however, some that are often referred to Clamutores. (Tliis
"order" Scansores, or Zygodadyli, containing all the birds that have the toes arranged in
l>airs, two in front and two behind (and some that have not), is one of the most uniiiitigated
inflictions that ornithcdogy has suffered; it is as thoroughly unnatural as the divisions of my
artificial key to our genera.) I have no faith whatever in the integrity of any such grouping
as '" Picariiu" hnplies; but if 1 should break up this conventional assemblage, I should not
know what to do with the fragments ; not being prepared to ftdlow Garrod to the length of
a cla.ssification of birds based primarily upon the condition of certain muscles of the leg; and
knowing of no available alternative. With this protest, and upon such understanding, 1 retain
the Picariau gronj), as in the original edition of the Key, to include all the N. A. Laud Birds of
uou-i)asserine character, without a hooked and cered bill, and without the proper characters of
the Columbine and Galline families.
Manifestly, from what has been said, the Picariec are insusceptible of satisfactory definition ;
but I nuiy indicate some leading features, mostly of a nt^gativo character, that they possess in com-
mon. The sternum rarely conforms to the particular Passerine model, its posterior border
usually being either entire or else doubly-notched. The vocal apparatus is not highly developed,
having not more than three pairs of 8ej)arate intrinsic muscles ; the birds, consequently, arc
nt^ver highly music^al. There are some modifications of the cranial bones not observed in
Passeres. According to Sundevall, the Picarice, like lower birds, usually lack a certain special-
ization of the flexor muscles of the toes seen in Passerea. The feet are very variously modified ;
one or another of all the toes, except the middle one, is susceptible of being turned, in this or
that case, in an opposite from the customary direction ; the fourth one being frecpiently capable
of turning either way; while in two genera (of Picida the first, and in two others (of Ake-
dinida) the second, toe is deficient. 'J'he tarsal envelope is never entire behind, as in the
higher Panseres. Another curious peculiarity of the feet is, that the claw of the hind toe is
snuiUer, or at most not larger, than that of the third toe ; and on the whole the hind toe itself
is inconsiderable, weak if not wanting, not always perfectly incumbent and api)osable. The
wings, endlessly varied in shape, agree in possessing ten developed primaries, of which the first
is rarely spurious or very short. (A notable exception to this occurs in the Pici.) A very
general and useful wing-character is, that the coverts are larger and in more numerous series
than in Passcres; the greater coverts being at least half as long as the secondary quills they
cover, and sometimes reaching nearly to the ends of these <]uills. This is the common case
among lower birds, but it distinguishes most of the Picari(e from Passeres; it is not shown,
however, in the Picidcc and some others. The tail is indefinitely varied in shape, but the
number of its feathers is a good clue to Picarice. There are not ordinarily more than ten perfect
rectrices, and occasionally there are oidy eight ; the Woodpeckers have twelve, but one pair is
abortive ; there are twelve, however, in the Kingfishers, and some others. The bill shows
numberless modifications in form, and has ^ts own specialization in nearly every family ; it
assumes some of the most extraordinary shapes, as in the hombiUs and toucans, and is seldom
of the simple style seen in a thrush or finch ; it is never hooked and cered as in parrots and birds
of prey, nor soft and swtiUen at the nostrils, as in pigeons.
With this slight sketch of some leading features of the group (it will enable the student to
recognize any Picarian bird of this country at least, and that is my main object), I pass to the
consideration of its subdivision, with the remark that a precedent may be found for any con-
ceivable grouping of the families that is not perfectly preposterous, and for some arrangements
that are nearly so. As well as I can judge from the material at my command, and relying upon
authority for data that I lack, the PicaricB fall into three divisions at least. These I shall call
446
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —I'ICAlilJE.
Buborilors, iu>t liowevor insisting in the lonst iip(in the question of tnxonomio rank, but sitnply
cnipluying tlio terms oontiirniiiliiy wiili my usugo in otlier wises. Tije three groups may be here
Uibnluted, witli rcmiirlcs ciilenhiteil to give un idea of tlieir romiKisition : —
I. C'Yi'HKl.lFdUMKH — inchuling only t'jn tlireo famiiicH Ci/pseli<l(r, Caprimulgiihc, und
Trochilidtc — tlio Swifts, Uoutsuiricrs, anil Ilninmiiig-birds. They are birds of
remuriiable volitorial powers ; the wing is pointed, and very hmg in its feathers and
terminal iiortions, though the upper arm is very short. The feet are e.ttremely small
and weak, and are seareely if at all serviceable for progression. The liind toe is
sometimes versatile (among the Swifts) or somewhat elevated (in the Goatsuckers
and some Swifts) ; the front toes are frequently connected at base by movaWe web-
bing ((loatsuckcrs), and sctmetimes lack the normal number of phalanges (among
Swifts and Goatsuckers) ; but the feet are never zygodactyle nor syndactyle. The
variously-shaped tail has ten rectrices. One family (Hummhig-birds) shows the
teniiiiostml type of bill ; the other two, the fisairustral, on which account they used
to be classed with the SwaUows. The sternum is broad, with a deej) keel, entire or
doubly notched (rarely singly notched) behind. The syrinx has not more than one
pair of intrinsic muscles.
II. Cuc'ULiFOKMES * — comprehending the great bulk of the order ; in all, about fifteen fajni-
lies, rather more than less. They are only readily limited by exclusion of the charac-
ters of the preceding and fidlowing groups. The sternum is usually notched behind ;
the syringeal muscles are two pairs at most. The feet arc general!;/ short ; the dis-
position of the toes varies reunirkably. In the Coliida;, or colies, of Africa, all the
toes are turned forward. In the Trogonidte, the second too is turned backward, so
that the birds are zygodactyle, but in a different way from all others. Fatuilies with
the feet pernuinently zygodactyle in the ordinary M'ay by reversion of the fourth, or
partially so, the outer toe being versatile, are — the Cuculida:, or Cuckoos, with their
near relatives the Indicatorida; or Guide-birds of Africa; the BhamphaslidfC, or
Toucans, confined to tropical America and distinguished by their enormous vaulted
bill ; the Musophagidce, Plaintain-eaters tir Touracos, of Africa ; the Biicconida; and
CapUonida:, or fissirostral and scansorial Barbets of the New and chiefly of Old World
* respectively ; and the Galbulidte, or Jacamars, of America. (The Cuculida; and
Mnsophagidce are by Garrod placed together with Gallinaceous birds.) In the
remaining groups, the toes have the ordinary position, but sometimes offer unusual
characters in other respects. Thus in the Akedinidcc (Kingfishers), and Momotida
(Motmots or Sawbills), the middle and outer toes are perfectly coherent for a great dis-
tance, constituting the syngenesioits, syndactyle or anisodactyle foot. The Bucerotida,
or Hornbills, of the Old World, characterized by an immense corneous process on the
bill, are relatives of the Kingfishers ; so are the Todida, a group of small brightly-
colored birds of Mexico and the West Indies. Other forms, all Old World, are the
Meropida or bee-eaters, the Upupida or Hoopoes, and the Coraciidce or Rollers, with
their allies the Leptosomatidce, of Madagascar.
ni. PiciFORMES — comprising only three families, the lyngidw, or Wrynecks, with one
genus and four species, of Europe, Asia, and Africa ; the Pkumnida, with one or two
genera and nearly thirty species, chiefly American ; and the Picida or true Wood-
peckers. The digits are permanently paired by reversion of the fourth, except in
two tridactyle genera, having no hind too proper; there is a modification of the
• While the Cypseliformei and Pic\formes are each of them well characterized and perfectly defined groups
of birds, the rererBe la the case with the ri(c«/i/ornie«, — a mixed lot requiring to be reconstructed by exclusion of
mnie of the families here given as entering Into Its composition. The Troyanulix have already been eliminated
by Sclater under the name of Iltterodactyli.
CAVKIMULGIIKI-:: GOATSUCKEIiS.
44T
, but Hiinply
iniiy be hero
ulgidfC, and
re birds of
fciitbers and
eiiiely small
liiiid toe is
Li<»at.sufl{er8
jvablc web-
f^t's (auKing
ctyle. The
shows tlio
It they UHod
lel, entire or
I'O than Olio
fifteen fanii-
tlio charac-
lu'd beliind ;
rt ; tlio (lis-
rica, all the
ackward, so
iiuilies with
e fourth, or
i, witli their
\hastidce, or
lous vaulted
cconida and
f Old World
icuUdce and
s.) In the
ffer unusual
Momotid(B
a great dis-
Bucerotidee,
ocess on the
11 brightly-
rid, are the
Pollers, with
i, with one
1 one or two
true Wood-
, except in
tion of the
lefined groups
y exclusion of
in eliuiinuted
lower end of the metatarsus, c<irrespondiiig to tlie reversed positiou of the fourth toe,
nud tlio ujiper part of tho same bono is perforated i)y canals for Hexor tendons. Tho
basal piialanges of tiie toes are short. Tiio wing has 10 primaries, and siiort
secondary coverts (contrary to tho rule in I'icmiit) ; tiio tail 10 rectrices, soft and
rounded in lyuyidtc and I'icnmnidtc, rigid and acuminato in I'itikUe, where also u
Bupplcmentary pair of sjiurious feathers is developed, mulling H in all. The nostrils
vary: they are large and of peculiar structure in lyiigidw, usually covered with
autrorso plumules in tiio rest. Tlie bill is straight or nearly so, hard and strong,
acute or truncuto, the mandibles o<[ual; tho tongue is lumbriciform, and very gener-
ally extensile to a remarkable degree, by a singuhir elongation of the bones and
muscles (figs. 73, 74). The structure of tlio bony palate is unique among birds; it
is called saurognathoiis by Parker (see p. \Ti). Tlio salivary glands have an
unusual development, in tho typical sjiecies at any rate. Tlie sternum is doubly-
notched behind. A very strongly-marked group ; in some respects it approaches tiio
i-'«s.<ierine' birds more nearly than other I'kuruc do.
However impossible it is to define any such group as the conventional Picnria, and how-
ever difficult it may bo to make three or any otlier small number of subdivisions, tlie very
divcTsity of tlio forms enables us to define the familwH witli ease. The student can never bo ia
doubt to which one of tho six North American families his specimen belongs.
3. Suborder CYPSELIFORMES: Cypseliform Biui>8.
Fissirostral {Cajmmitlgidtc, Cypselidcc) or tcnuirostml (Trochilidw) Picarice. Wings
lengthened in tho distal joints, shortened in the proximal, with 10 fully-developed primaries ;
makii.g aii instrument of remarkable power. Feet never zygodactylo nor syndactyle ; small,
weak, scarcely fitted for progression ; hind toe often elevated or versatile ; front toes often
webbed at base, or witli abnormal ratio of phalanges, or both these modifications togcither
(figs. 40, 41). Tail of 10 rectrices. Palate tegitliognathous (p. 172). Sternum deep-kecded,
its posterior border usually entire, or doubly -notched or fenestrate. Syringeal muscles not more
than one pair. The oil-gland nude. No coeca in Ci/pselidcc and Trochilida ; ca-ca present in
Cuprinndgidee. Anomalogonatous ; no auibions nor accessory fomoro-caudal muscle.
Contains the 3 families named above, — Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Humming-birds, Not-
withstanding the peculiarities of the latter, especially their long slender bill, they are really more
nearly ndated to tho fissirostral Swifts than these are to tho fissirostral Caprimulgidce, in essential
structural characters.
21. Family CAPRIMULGID-^ : Goatsuckers
(So called from a traditional superstition).
Fissirostral PiearicB. Head broad, flattened ;
neck inappreciable ; eyes and ears large. Bill
extremely small in its homy portion, which is
depressed, and triangular when viewed from
above, but with enormous gape reaching be-
low the eye, and generally with bristles attain-
ing an extraordinary development. Nostrils
basal, exposed, roundish, with a raised V.order,
sometimes prolonged into a tube. Wings
more or less lengthened and pointed, deriving their sweep mainly from elongation of the distal
joints and the feathers, the proximal segment being short ; of 10 primaries and more than 9
secondaries ; the latter not so extremely short as in Cgpselid<e. Tail variable in shape, of 10
Fio. 289. — ■Wlilppoorwlll, a getiroBtral Caprimul
glne. (From Tenney, after ■Wilson.)
448
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PICARIJE— CYPSELIFOliMES.
rectrices. In certain genera, either wing or tail develops a pair of immensely lengthened
feathers. Feet extremely small; tarsus usually short, and partly feathered; hind toe very
sliort, commonly elevated and turned sideways ; front toes connected at base by movable web-
bing, and frequently showing abnormal ratio or phalanges, the 4th toe having but 4 joints
(p. 127, lig. 41) ; middle toe lengthened beyond the short lateral ones, its claw usually pecti-
nate (fig. 291). The oil-gland is nude, and coeca are i)resent. The arrangement of the leg-
muscles is anomalogonatous (p. 195); the ambiens and accessory femoro-caudal are both
absent.
A definitely-circumscribed, easily-recognized group of about 14 genera and rather more
than 100 species, of temperate and tropical parts of both hemispheres. They are all more or less
nocturnal, and have a certain resemblance to owls, — particularly the genus Stcatornis, which is
quite owlish. The iligiit is perfectly noiseless ; the plumage is very soft and lax, as in owls,
and the colors are usually blended in the most intricate pattern. Th(^ Cuprunulgida are
divisible, according to the structure of the feet, into two subfamilies : Podarginee, cliiefly Old
World, with tiie normal ratio of ])halauges, and CaprimulghuB (as below). Considering, how-
ever, other points, particularly the shape of the sternum, a more elaborate division is into (I)
Potlargince, jilialanges normal, tarsus naked and lengthened, sternum doubly-notched, with
three genera {Podargus, Bairuchostomus, and JEgotheks »i the Old World; (2) Nyctibihw,
])h.i!.inges normal, tarsus short, feathered, sternum doubly-notched, upper mandible toothed,
containing one genus (Nyctibius) of tro))ical America ; (3) Steatontith'ma;, pluilanges nonnal,
sternum singly-notched, with one nnnarlcable genus (Steaiornis) of tropical America, which
might properly be made type of a separate family, so many are the peculiarities of this owlisli
bird ; <ind finally (4) Caprimulgincc, comprising the rest of the family. The latter alone is
represented in North America. Our " Whipjioorwills " are typically caprinuilgine, and give a
good idea of the essential characters of tlie family; our "Night-hawks" are more aberrant,
representing a particular section of tlie subfamily; but neither of these gives any hint of tlie
sin^ 'lar shapes which some of the genera assume.
30. Subfamily CAPRIMULCIN^: True Goatsuckers; Night-Jara.
Steruuin singly-notched on each side bel)ind; its body not
scpiare. Katio of phalanges abnormal. Outer ioc i-Jointed ;
middle daiv pectinate; hind toe very short, elevated, semi-lcteral;
anterior toen morahly webbed at base (tig. 41); lateral toes not
nearly reaching 1)ase of middle claw. Tarsus very short, com-
monly much feathered (longer and naked in Nyctidromtis and
Phalanoptihis). Besides the semipalmatiou of the fe<?t, tliere
is another curious analogy to wading birds ; for the young are
downy at birtli, as in Prtecoces, instead of naked, as is the rule
among Altrices. The plunuige is soft and lax, much as in the
Owls; the birds bave the same noiseless llight, as well as, in
most cases, noctunial or crepuscular habits; and some of tlieni
bear an odd resemblance to Owls. Besides this tiufliness and
laxity of the plumage, the skin is very thin and tender ; it is
difficult to make good spe(!imen8 of the whippoorwills, and the
curiously variegated blended shades, of exquisite beauty, like
„ ^„ V. • , ' . . the powdery coloration of a moth's wings, are at best not easy
Fia. 290. — Night-hawk, a Rlal>- , ., . ., , . ,. , . i . i
rlrostral Cnprlmulgine. (From Ten- to describe. An evident design ot the capacious mouth is tlie
ney, after Wilson.) capture of insects; the active birds quarter the air with wide-
open mouth, and their minute prey is readily taken in. But they also s(>cure larger insects in
other ways; and to this end the rictus is frequently strongly bristled, as in the Tyrannidw. In
CAPBIMULGID^—CAPRIMULGIN^: TRUE GOATSUCKERS. 449
127.
all our genera excepting Chordediles, tlie rictal bristles are an inch or more in length, in a firm
regular series along the gape — they are relatively longer and stiffer than the whiskers of a eat.
Our several genera are readily discriminated by good charactcTs of the nostrils, enormous rictal
bristles, and comparatively short wings of the Night-jars proper, in comjjarison with tl>e slight
bristles, forked tail and long pointed wings of Chordediles; they respectively represent two
sections of the subfamily — Setirostres, bristled-billed (fig. 289), and Glabrirostres, smooth-
billed (fig. 290). In both the feci are so extremely short that tlie birds cannot perch in the
usual way, but sit lengthwise on a large branch, or crouch on the ground. Tliey lay two
lengthened, white or thickly spotted eggs, on or near the ground, in stumps, etc. The sexes
are distinguish.ible, but nearly alike. The voice is peculiar, and has given several of the
species their fanciful onomatopoetic names. Migratory.
Obs. Since the orig. ed. of the Key was published, a fine genus and species, Nyetidromiis
alhicolUs, has been added to our Fauna. " Xuttall's Whippoorwill " has been made the type of
a new genus, Phal<B)wptili(s, on the ground of its naked feet, sJKjrt square tail, and other good
characters. The (iomnion whippoorwill has been referred back to the old genus Caprimulgus.
While it certainly dittera from the chuck-will's-widow, type of Antrostomus, in not having the
rictal bristles garnished with lateral filaments, and is not very obviously difierent from Capri-
mulgus t)f the Old World, it may be best to keep it with Antrostomus, where all the New
World species are usually referred, until the limits of the respective genera are better under-
stood.
Anali/sia of Genera.
A. Setiroatres. Long rictal bristles. Plumage very lax.
Tarsus extensively feathered. Nostrils not extensively tubular.
Tail roundeil, much shorter than viiig. Primaries all mottled, without white spaces. Eggs
colored. Large and me<lium-size<l Antroatomua 128
Tarsus naked, except on Joint above. Nostrils extensively tubular.
Tail square, much shorter than wing. Primaries all mottled, without white spaces. Eggs color-
less. Small (Western.) PhaUenoptUus 129
Tail rounded, about as long as wing. Outer primaries mostly whole-colored, with great white
spaces. Eggs colored. Very large (Southwestern. ) NyctUlromua 127
B. Glabrirostres. No long rictal bristles. Plumage more compact.
Tarsus moderately feathered. Nostrils not extensively tubular.
Tail forked, much shorter than the i>ointcd wing. Outer primaries mostly whole^;olored, with
great white spaces. Eggs colored. Medium-sized ( 'hordediles 130
NYCTI'DROMUS. (Gr. wf gen.
joiKTor, mix, nuctos, iiii;ht; Spofios, jT "\,_^ \ r)~
dromos, act of coursing. Pig. 291.) A '' '^ .-:.'.>->-.■•>' ..-^^-^ -
Night CouRSEUS. Nostrils prolonged ^^;^^L^^ ' -KCSMo^ y* ^^^ nl/
as cylindric tubes opening forward and ^^r^-^i'S^^S;^ ^srr-i^ ^^ ///
outward. Rictal bristles immense, V ^ - — ^'^
simple ; other bristle-tipped or bristle- \ ^ rt
bearded feathers about the bill. Tar- "^'^'^ -'' '^'
sus lengthened, but not exceeding the
middle too without claw, naked except x-^:;=^-, f
just on the joint. Wing scarcely ...^^^ _^^
rounded ; tipped by 2d, 3d, and 4th " ""
quills, 1st longer than 5th, folding to — .^- — =- _ £ -\ jvm
about the middle of the tail, wliich is ^<^
rounded, and approximately of equal
length with the wing. Plumage not Pig. 291. —Head, foot, and pectinated claw of JVyctlrfromtij,
• . I. -11 . ■ ai.- nat. size. (Adnat. del. R. Uldgway.)
80 lax as in a whippoorwill ; in this, as * ' <
in the stiffish primaries with little marbling but great white spaces, and the under parts barred
crosswise, is seen an approach to Chordediles, between which genus and Phakonoptilus Nycti-
29
450
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PIC ARI^— CYPSELIFOBMES.
dromus probably comes. One or two species, long well known in tropical America, lately
found N. to Texas.
395. N. albicol'lls. (Lat. albus, white; collum, neck.) White-throated Night-courser.
Pauraque. Adult (J : Assuming brownish-gray as the ground color of the upper parts :
Crown heavily dashed with black streaks along the middle line, with narrow black shaft-lines
at the sides and on nape. Back more diffusely streaked with black in smaller pattern, tending
to break up in chains of shaft-spots, and with lighter gray and brown marbling. Scapulars
and tertiaries boldly and beautifully marked with firm, even, shaii) lines of white or tawny-
wliite — the arrow-headed edgings of angular black terminal fields. Wing-coverts curiou.sly
mottled with black, white, and tawny — the white and tawny conspicuous as large irregularly
roundish spots. Five outer primaries with a largo oblique white spot, on the 1st at about its
niiddle, on the others ncaring their ends ; these primaries otherwise plain blackish, except a
little marbling at their ends — the whole effect thus as in Chordedile.s. tHher primaries and all
the secondaries blackish, fuUy scalloped and barred with tawny in increasing amount and regu-
larity from without inward. Four middle tail-feathers clouded with the same variegated colors
as the other upper parts, but without definite white — the markings tending to wavy cross-bars.
Next two lateral feathers on each side with great white spaces on one or botli webs at end, 2-3
inches long, the rest of these feathers chiefly barred with black and tawny ; outer feather chieHy
black, but with marbling, and with white and tawny. Ear-coverts rich diestnut, well con-
trasted with surroundings. Throat with a bnjad wliit(! collar, some of the white feathers black-
tipped. Under parts ochraceous or jiale tawny, varied with whitisli, and pretty regularly
barred crosswise with blackish-brown, thus somewhat as in Chordediles. Length 13.00 ;
extent 25.00: wing and tail, each, 7.30; tail graduated 1.00 ; tarsus 1.00; middle too and
claw 1.25. Another Texas specimen (])erhaps 9 > I'l't "''th even more white on the tail, but
white on only 4 primaries) is much snuiller: length about 10.50 ; wing ().50 ; tail 6.00. The
species is said to be very variable in size and markings ; 9 to have the collar buff. Tropical
America, N. to Texas, where common in the valley of the Lower Kio Grande. Eggs 2, laid
on the ground ; 1.25 X 0.92, creamy-buff, spotted witli ])inkish, brown, and lilac.
128. ANTRO'STOMUS. (Gr. avrpov, antroti, a cave; arofia, stoma, mouth; alluding to the cav-
ernous mouth. Fig. 292.) Ameuican
XiOHT-jARS. Nostrils oval, with a raised
rim not j)rolonge(l as a tube, opening up-
ward and outward. Rictal bristles im-
mense, with or without lateral filaments,
and other bristly or bristle-bearded feathers
.about the bill. Tarsus not longer than
middle toe without claw, feathered in front
nearly to the toes. Wing rounded, tipped
by 2d and 3d quills, folding to beyond the
middle of the tail, wliicli is rounded (not
enough so in fig. 293) and much shorter
than wing. Plumage very lax, with mi-
nutely nnirbled cidoration, in some places
as if dusted or frosted over ; primaries
weak, all mottled with tawny, without great wliite si)aces ; under parts mottled, with little
tendency to regular crosswise barring ; nuirkings of crown longitudinal. Size medium atid
rather large; sexes distinguishable; eggs 2, heavily colored. Highly nocturnal. Containing
those shadowy birds, consorts of bats and owls, — those scarce-embodied voices of the night,
here, there, and everywhere unseen, but shrilling on the ear with sorrow-stricken iteration.
Fio. 292. — Head and foot of WliippoorwiU, nat. size
(Adnat. del. U. Kldgway.)
CAPRIMULGIDJE — CAPRIMULGINJE : TRUE GOATSUCKERS. 451
Analytis of Speciei.
Large: rlcUl bristles garnished with lateral fliumeiits. Tail with large whole-colored spaces in S only
(Antroatomus proper) carolinenaia 396
Small : rictal bristles simple. Tail with white spacea in both sexes ( Caprimulgus .') .... vociferua 397
3i>6, A. carolinen'sis. (Lat. Carolinian.) Chuck-WILL's-widow. The rictal bristles with
lateral filaments. Singularly variegated witli black, white, brown, tawny, and rufous, tho
prevailing tone fulvous ; a whitish or tawny throat-bar ; several lateral tail-feathers with large
whole-colored space in the ^, all variegated in the 9- Adult ^ : Taking dark wood-browu
as the ground color of the upper parts, this is heavily dashed with black, lengthwise on tho
crown in large pattern, elsewhere similar in smaller style, everywhere minutely punctulated
Fio. 293. — WhippoorwiU, } nat. size. (From Brehm. Tail not rounded enough.)
with ochrey and gray, as if dusted over ; wing-coverts and inner quills more boldly varied with
black centre-fields and tawny or whitish edgings of the feathers. Four middle tail-feathers
singularly clouded with gray and tawny on a seeming black ground, the pattern tending cross-
wise. All the other tail-feathers with the inner webs having 2-3 inch long whole-colored
spaces, white viewed from above, tawny seen from below (a curious difference, which has
caused some cfuifusion in descriptions of the sexes of this bird) ; their outer webs mottled with
black and tawny. Primaries black, fully mottled with broken-up tawiiy-reddish cross-bars.
General tone of tho under parts ochraceous, becoming quite so posteriorly, with pronounced
tendency to black cross-waves. Length 11.00-12.00 ; extent about 25.00 ; wing 8.00 or nuire ;
tail 5.00 or more ; whole foot 1.75. 9 only differs in lacking the whole-colored spaces on the
tail, all tho feathers being motley throughout ; primaries more closely mottled with reddish ;
452
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PICABI^ — CYPSELIFORMES.
rather smiiller. South Atlantic and Gulf States, Carolina to Indian Territory, Texas and N.
Mexico, S. to Central America ; resident ou our southern border. Twice as bulky as a whip-
poorwill, the general tone rufous. Eggs 2, 1.45 X 1.05, heavily marked in intricate pattern
with browns and neutral tints.
397. A. vocl'ferus. (Lat. vociferus, voice-bearing. Figs. 289, 292, 293.) Whippoorwill.
NiGHT-jAK. TJie rictal bristles sinqAe. Upper parts variegated with gray, black, whitish, and
tawny ; prevailing tone gray ; black streaks sharp on the head and back, the colors elsewhere
delicately marbled, including the four median tail-feathers ; wings and their coverts with bars of
rufous spots; lateral tail-feathers black, with large white {$) or small tawny (?) teniiinal
sjiaces; a white (^) or tawny (9) throat-bar. Adult $ : Assuming stone-gray as the
ground-color of the ui)per parts : Crown with a purplish cast, heavily dashed lengthwise with
black ; back darker, with smaller streaks ; tail beautifully marbled with slate-gray and black
tending cro.sswise on the 4 middle feathers ; scapulars with bold black centre-fields set in frosty
niarbUng ; hind neck with white specks, as if continued around from the white throat-bar.
Primaries black, with a little marbling at their ends, fully broken-barred with tawny -reddish;
no white spaces. Three lateral tail-feathers mostly black, with pure white tenninal spaces
1-2 inches long. Under parts quite blackish, on the breast jiowdered over with hoary-gray,
more posteriorly marbled with gray and tawny, tending crosswise. Lores and ear-coverts dark
brown. It is only in perfect jdumage that the colors are as slaty and frosty as described ;
ordinarily more brown and ochrey. Length 9.00-10.00; extent 16.00-18.00; wing 6.00 or
more ; tail 5.00 or less ; whole foot 1.40 ; the distance across from one corner of the mouth to
the other about as much as length of gape. 9 , adult : General tone more brownish and odirey ;
throat-bar tawny-whitish ; tail-spaces very slight and ochraceous ; rather snuiUer. Eastern
IT. S. and British Provinces to the central ])lains, abundant, migratory ; breeds throughout, but
chiefly northerly; winters beyond. A shady character, oftener heard than seen, of recluse
nocturnal habits and perfectly noiseless flight, in the breeding season ceaseless in uttering
its strange uncouth cries with startling vehemence. The notes are likened to the phrase which
has given the name ; they are very rapidly reiterated, with strong accent on the last syllable ;
when very near, a clicking sound, and sometimes low murmuring tones, may also be; heard.
No nest; 2 eggs on ground or log or stump, 1.25 X 0.90, creamy-white, heavily marked with
browns and neutral tints. The young are helpless, shapeless, downy masses ; both eggs and
young are often removed in the parent's mouth if disturbed, as a cat cames oft' her kittens, — a
practice, however, habitual in this curious family of birds. Unlike the night-hawk, the whip-
poorwill rarely flics by day, unless flushed from its shady retreats.
881. (addenda) A. V. arlzo'n». Arizona Whippoorwill. Similar: larger: rictal bristles longer.
$ : Throat-bar and superciliary streak ochraceous ; lores and eai>covert8 tawny ; white spaces
on tail short; under tail-coverts nearly unbarred.
Length 10.20; extent 19.40; wing 6.65; tail 4.45;
longest rictal bristle 1.80 ; longest tail-spot 1.55.
Arizona. Perha])s approaching A. macromystax.
129. PHALiENO'PTILlJS. (Gr. ^dXatra, jiihalaina, a
moth; TTTtXov, ptUon, feather: alluding to the pow-
dery plumage, like the furriness of a moth's wings.
Fig. 294.) Poor-wills. Nostrils tubular, cylin-
dric, opening forward and outward. Rictal bristles
immense, but simple. Tarsus naked except just on
the joint above (as in Nyctidromus), as long as mid-
dle toe without claw. Tail square, much shorter
than the rounded wings, which fold nearly to its
end. Plumage peculiarly soft and velvety, in hoar-
Fio. 294. — Head and foot of NuttnllV Poor-
will, nat. size. (Ad nat. del. U. Ridgwny.)
CAFIilMULGinJ^—CAPSIMULGIN.^: TRUE GOATSUCKEBS. 453
frosted pattern of coloration. Markings of crown transverse ; priinurics barred with black and
tawny. Size small. Soxes alike. Note dissyllabic. Eggs \\\\\W.
398. P. nut'talll. (To Thos. Nuttall.) Nvttall's Poou-wn.i.. $ 9 » "dull : Assuming the
upper parts of a beautiful bronzy-gray ground color, this is elegantly frosted over with soft
silver-gray, and watered in wavy cross-i)attern with black, these black double crescents enlarg-
ing to herring-bone marks on the scapulars and inner quills. Four middle tail-featliers patterned
after the back ; others with firmer black bars on motley brown ground, and short whito tips.
Priniarics and longer secondaries bright tawny, with pretty regular black bars, and niarbh'd
tips (the half-opened wing viewed from below is curiously like that of the short-earetl owl.)
A large firm silky-white throat-bar. Under parts grounded in blackish-brown, giving way
behind through ochrey with dark bars to nearly uniform ochrey. It is impossible in words to
give an idea of the artistic blending of the colors in this elegant little night-jur. The sexes
Fig. 295. — Niglit-liawk, or Bull-but, i nat. size. (From Brclim. Bill too brUtly.)
scarcely differ ; specimens before me marked ? have as purely white throat as the $ , but the
tail-tips are shorter and tinged with tawny. Length 7.00-8.00 ; extent 15.00 ; wing about .5.50 ;
tail 3.50 or less; tarsus, or middle toe without claw, 0.fi5. Plains to the Pacific, U. S. and
southward, abundant. Note of two syllables, the first of the " whippoorwill " omitted. Eggs
2, 1.05 X 0.80, elliptical, white.
130. CHORDEDI'LES. (Gr. x°P^hi chorde, a stringed musical instrument; &ei\ri, evening:
alluding to the crepuscular habits.) Night-hawks. Glabrirostral : the rictus without long stiff
bristles. Homy part of beak extremely small. Nostrils cylindric and rimmed about, hardly tubu-
lar, opening outward and upward. Tarsus feathered part way down in front. Tail lightly forked,
much shorter than the extremely long, pointed, stiff", and thin-bladed wing, with 1st primary
as long as the next. Plumage more compact and smooth than in the night-jars ; primaries
mostly whole-colored (in C. texetisis spotted), with large white (or tawny) spaces on the outer
4-6 ; under parts barred across ; a largo white for tawny) V-shaped throat-bar. Eggs 2,
heavily colored. Not strictly nocturnal. Remarkably volitorial.
454
HYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PICAEI^ — CYPSELIFORMES.
■ !
Analysis (\f Species.
Large: wing near 8.00. Primarieg dusky, with large wlilte spot on 6 of them, in both sexes, about half
way from bend to point of the wing pnpetue 390, 400, 401
Small : wing about 7.00. Primaries more or less spotted with tawny, with large white ((f) or tawny ( 9 )
spaces on 4 of them nearer point than bend of the wlug. (Southwestern.) texeiiaia 403
309. C. popetue. (Vox barb., incog. Figs. 290, 295.) NioiiT-iiAWK. Bull-bat. Above, mot-
tled with black, brown, gray and tawny, the former in excess ; below from the breast transversely
barred with blackish and white or pale fulvous ; throat with a large white ( (J ) or tawny ( 9 )
cross-bar ; tail blackish, with distant pale marbled cross-bars and a large white spot (wanting in
the 9 ) on one or both webs of nearly all the feathers toward the end ; primaries dusky, unmarked
except by one large white spot on outer ^cf, about midway between their base and tip ; second-
aries like primaries, but with whitish tips and imperfect cross-bars. Sexes nearly alike : 9
with the wliite spaces on the quills, but tluit on the tail rejilaced by tawny or not evident.
Young similar, with the wiug-spots from the nest, but the markings liner and more intricately
blended, in effect more I'lkn Antrosiomus; ipiills edged and tijjped with tawny. Length 9.00 or
more; extent about 23.00 ; wing about 8.00 ; tail i.30; whole foot 1.23 ; culmon scarcely 0.25 ;
gape about 1.25. Temperate N. Am., chiefly Eastern, abundant; migratory; breeds through-
out its range ; winters beyond. This species flies abroad at all limes, though it is p('rhai)s
most active towards evening and iii dull weather ; and is generally seen in ('(jinpanies, busily
foraging for i.. sects with rapid, easy, and protracted Hight; in the breeding season it iM'iforms
curious evolutions, falling through the air with a loud booming sound. Eggs 2, ellijjtical, 1.52
X 0.87, finely variegated with stone-gray and other neutral tints, over which is scratched and
fretted dark olive-gray; but the pattern and tints are very variable. The young hatch cov<'red
with Huffy down, whitish below, varied with blackish and brown above. It may be necessary
in this family for the young to be covered from the first, to protect them from the cold groun<l.
On being disturbed while brooding the female feigns lameness, dragging and fluttering about,
moaning jiiteously, and will sometimes remove her young.
400. C. p. hen'ryl. (To Dr. T. C. Henry.) Western Night-hawk. The lighter-colored form
prevailing in the dryer or unwooded portions of western United States; the gray and fulvous
in excess of the darker hues, the white patches on the wing, tail and throat usually larger ; the
under t,ui-covcrts more nearly tmiform ; but no specific character can be assigned.
401. C. p. mi'nor. (Lat. minor, smaller.) Cuban Night-hawk. A form found in tlie West
Indies, similar to C. i)opetue in color, but rather more tawny, and decidedly smaller: wing
7.00 ; tail 4.00. Florida.
402. C. acutipen'nis texeu'sis. (Lat. aciittis, acute; imina, a feather: alluding to the sharp-
l)ointed wings. Of Texas : our bird a northern race of the S. Am. si)ecies.) Texas Night-
hawk. Smaller than the foregoing, and otherwise very distinct. General tone lighter, pattern
more blended and diffuse, more as in a.i\ Antrostomus. $, adult : Assuming upper parts gray,
this color intimately punctate with lighter and darker shades, more boldly marked with blackish,
chiefly in streaks, and with tawny and white, largest on the scapulars and wing-coverts.
Under parts barred, as in popetue, with bhickish, tawny, and wliitish, but the two former pre-
vailing. A large white V on the throat. Four outer primaries with large white spot on both
webs, nearer tip than bend of the wing ; inner primaries and all the secondaries spotted with
tawny in broken bars. Tail blackish, with broken gray or tawny bars, and a complete sub-
tenninal cross-bar of white on all the feathers but the central pair. 9 lacking this white, all
the tail-feathers being motley-barred with gray and tawny throughout; the primaries all spotted
with tawny, larger spots of this color replacing the white of the $ ; throat-V tawny. Young
more suffused with tawny on a pearly-gray, black-speckled ground ; but young $ with the
white tail- and wing-spots from the first. Length 8.00 or more ; extent 20.00-22.00 ; wing
about 7.00 ; tail 4.00. S.W. U. S., valleys of Rio Grande and Colorado, Texas to California
CYPSELID^: SWIFTS.
455
and southward, common. General habits and traits of a night-hawk, but the difforcnpo between
the two is obvious when they are flying. Eggs 2, heavily veined and marbled, 1.20X 0.87.
22. Family CYPSELID-^ : Swifts.
Fio. 296. Northern Black Cloud Swift, nat. t\ze. (E. H. Fitch.)
Fissirostral Picariee :
Bill very small, flattened,
triangular when viewed
from above, with great
gapo reaching below the
eyes ; unuotched, unbris-
tled, the gape about six
times as long as the cul-
men. Nostrils exposed,
superior, nearer culmen
than commissure, the
frontal feathers tending to
reach forward tmdor them.
Wings extremely long,
thin, and point(!d (fre-
quently as long as tlie
wh<de bird) ; the prima-
ries acute and somewhat
falcate ; the secondaries
extremely short (nine?).
Tail of 10 rectrices, va-
riable in shape, often
mucronate. Feet small,
weak, the envelope rather
skinny than scaly ; tarsi
naked or feathered ; hind
toe frequently elevated, or
versatile, or permanently
turned sideways or even
forward ; lateral toes near-
ly or quite as long as
the middle; anterior toes
deeply cleft, the basal
phalanges extremely short,
the penultimate very long,
the number of phalanges
frequently abnormal (2, 3,
3, 3, instead of 2, 3, 4, 5 ;
see p. 127, fig. 40); claws
sharp, curved, never pecti-
nate. Plumage compact,
usually sombre and whole-
colored, or only relieved
with white; sexes alike.
Sternum deep - keeled,
456
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. -PICAHIJE — CYPSELIFOBMES.
131.
403.
widening behind, its posterior margin entire; fureuluni stout, rather U- than V-shaped. Oil-
gland nude. No coeca. Leg-muscles auonuilogouatous (p. 195) ; fenioro-caudal present, but
accessory fcmoro-caudal, seniiteudiuosus, accessory seniitendinosus and anibiens absent. Eggs
sovcrul, narrowly oval, white.
" One of the most remarkable points in the structure of the CypseUd<e is the great dt^vel-
opment of the salivary glands. In all the species of which the nidificatiou is known, the
secretion thus protlueed is used more or less in the constructit)n of the nest. In most cases it
forms a glue by which the other materials arc joined together, and the whole nest is ai{i.\ed to a
rock, wall, or other object against which it is placed. In some species of CoUocalia, however,
the whole nest is made up of inspissated saliva, and becomes the ' edible bird's nest ' so well
known in the East." (Sclat'^ti.)
A well-defined family of (i or 8 genera and about 50 species, inhabiting temperate and warm
parts of the globe. They are rather small birds, of plain plumage, closely resembling swallows
in superficial respects, but with no real affinity to these Oscines. Notwithstanding the utmost
difference iu the shape of the bill, the real affinities are with the tcnuirostral Trochilida; in
every structural peculiarity. Tliey are birds of extraordinary volitorial ability, being only sur-
passed in this respect by the hummers themselves. The family is divisible into two stibfami-
lies, according to the structure of the feet.
Analysis of Subfamilies and Genera.
Cvi'SELiNjj. Front toes with 3 Joints apiece. Hind too lateral or versatile. Tarsi feathered.
Toes feathered. Tall not spiny I'anyplHa 131
Ch.«:ti;uina:. Front toes with 3, 4, and 5 Joints from Inner to outer. Hind toe imstcrior or lateral, hut
not reversed. Tarsi and toes naked.
Tall emarginate, not mucronuto Nephitcetea 132
Tail rounded, mucronate i'hatura 133
31. Subfamily CYPSELIN^: Typical Swifts.
Ratio of the phalanges abnormal, the 3d and 4th toes having each 3 joints like the 2d ;
basal phalanges of all the anterior toes very short (fig. 10). Hind toe reversed (in Cypselus,
where nearly all the species belong), or lateral (in Pimyptild). Tarsi feathered (in Cypselus) ;
toes also feathered (in Panyptila). Contains only these two genera and nearly half the sjiecies
of the family. Of Panyptila there are only three well-determined species, all American ; while
Cypselus has upward of twenty, mostly of the Old World ; the three or four American ones
being sometimes detached under the name of Tachornis.
PANY'PTILA. (Gr. ndw, j)anu, much, very; nrikov, ptilon, wing : in allusion to the length
of wing.) Rock Swifts. Tail about i as long as wing, forked, with stiffish and narrowed,
but not spiny feathers. Wing pointed by the 2d primary, the 1st decidedly shorter. Tarsi
feathered to the toes ; these also feathered to some e.^tent. Hind toe elevated, lateral, but not
reversible. Front toes with slight basal webs. Eyelids naked. Colors black and white.
P. saxa'tilis. (Lat. saxatilis, rock-inhabiting ; saxiim, a rock.) White-throated Rock
Swift. Black or blackish ; chin, throat, breast, and middle lino of belly, tips of secondaries,
edge of outer primary and lateral tail-feathers, and a flank-patch, white. Forehead and lino
over eye pale ; a velvety black space before eye. Bill black ; feet drying yellowish. The
purity of the color varies with the wear of the feathers, some specimens being dull sooty
brownish, others more purely and even glossy blackish. The extent of the white along the
belly is very variable. The flank-patches are conspicuous, in life sometimes almost meeting
over the rump. Length G. 50-7-00; extent about 14.00: wing the same as total length ; tail
about 2.66, forked, soft. Southwestern U. S. and southward, breeding iu colonies on clifis ; a
large and beautiful swift — a high-flier of almost incredible velocity, with a loud shrill twitter,
nesting in the most inaccessible places, sometimes by thousands. The eggs do not appear to
have been taken yet, but are presumed to bo white, as in all the species the eggs of wliich are
known. Found N. to Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.
CYPSELIDJE—CHJETUMINJE: SPINE-TAIL SWIFTS.
457
Flo. 20'. — ('Iiieltiriiiii;. Heiiil and mu-
cronate tail-feather of Chtelura pelaagica,
nat, size. (Ad iiat, del. £. C)
32. Subfamily CH^TURIN^: 8plne-tall Swifts.
Toes with the iinriiml number of phalanges; nil but
the pcnultiinutc ones extremely short. Anterior toes eleft
to the base (no webbing). Hind too not reversed, but
sometime.s versatile; our species have it obviously ele-
vated. Tarsi never feathered ; naked and skinny, even
on the tibio-tarsal joint. In the princij)al genus, Ch(C-
turn, containing abont half the species of the subfamily,
of various parts of the world, the tail-feathcra are stiffened
and mucromtte by the projecting rliachis. The other
genera are Collocalia and VcndrocheUdon of tbo Old
World ; Cijpxeldides, and the scarcely different Nephaece-
tes, of the New.
132. NEPHOS'CETBS. (Gr. vi(f>os, neplios, a clond; oikcjt;^, otl-cto, an inhabitant : well applied to
these high-flyers.) Cloud Swifts. Tail forked or einarginate, with obtusely -pointed but non-
mucronato stiffish feathers. First i)riniary longest. Tarsi naked, skinny. Hind too elevated,
but pfii-fectly posterior. Front toes cleft to the base. Nostrils embedded in feathers. Utiicolor.
401. N. nl'ger borea'lis. (Lat. ni(/ei; black; i)ore«Zi.s, northern. Our species is a variety of the
West Indian N. niffer. Fig. 296.) NoKTHEiiN Bl.\ck Cloud Swift. (J 9 , adult. Entire
plunmge sooty-black, with slight greenish gloss, little paler below than above, the feathers of
head and belly with grayish edges. A velvety black area in front of eye ; forehead hoary ; eye-
lids partly naked. Bill black ; feet probably dusky-purplish in life. Length 6.50-7.00 ; wing
the sjime; tail 2.75, forked nearly 0.50 in the adult ^, merely einarginate in the 9 ; tarsus
0.50 ; middle toe and claw about the same. Young : Tail rounded ; plumage dull blackish, nearly
every feather skirted with M-hite, especially noticeable on belly, rump, and upper tail-coverts and
inner wing quills ; crissuin mostly white ; supposed to require several years to [jorfect the black
• plumage. Kocky Mts. to the Pacific, U. S. and British Columbia ; a great black swift still
little known ; supposed to nest in cliffs up to 11,000 feet ; ranges to about 13,000 ; crops found
filled with Ephemeridw.
133. CH.a2TU'RA. (Gr. xo'"?' chaite, a bristle; o5pa, oiira, a tail. Fig. 297.) Spine-tail
Swifts. Tail short, less tlian half as long as wing, even or a little rounded, mucronate, — the
stiff spiny shafts of the feathers protruding like needles beyond the webs. First primary longest.
Tarsi naked and skinny. Hind toe elevated, but posterior. Front toes all of about the same
length, cleft to the base. Feathers reaching to but not far below the nostrils. Unicolor or
bicolor (our species one-colored, sombre). Sexes alike.
405. C. pelas'gica. (Gr. IlrXao^oi, the Pelasgoi, a nomadic tribe ; Lat. pelasgica, i. e., migratory.)
CiiiMNF.Y Swift. Chimney "Swallow." Sooty-brown, with a faint greenish gloss above;
below paler, becoming gray on the throat ; wings black ; a velvety black space about eyes.
Length about 5.00; wing the same; extent about 12.50; tail 2.00 or less, even or a little
rounded, spiny. Eastern U. S., migratory, very abundant in summer. Like the swallows,
which this bird so curiously resembles, not only in its form, but in its mode of flight, its food,
and twittering notes, it has mostly forsaken the ways of its ancestors, who bred in hollow trees,
and now places its curious open-work nest, of bits of twig glued together with saliva, inside
disused chimneys, in settled parts of the country. In districts still primitive, however, it con-
tinues to use hollow trees, to which it resorts by thousands to roost. Not impossibly winters
in such retreats in a lethargic state ! The twigs for its pretty basket-like nest are snaj)ped off
the trees by the birds in full flight. The eggs are 4-5, 0.75 to 0.80 long by 0.53 broad, thus
narrowly elliptical, and pure white. So great are the volitorial powers of this bird, that the
sexes can come together on the wing.
458
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PIC ARIJE — CYPSELIFOBMES.
1 ,1
■
406. C. vaux'l. (To Wm. S. Vaux, of I'hilnilolithia.) Vaux's Swift. Similar; jmlor, tlin rmiip
and ui)i)pr tail-covcrtK liglitor than the rest of thu ui)i)('r i>artH; tho throat whitish. Sniall(;r ;
lengtii 4.50; wing the same; tail 1.67. I'aeitie Coast, U. S., autl southward. SecniN to be
ditfercnt from 2ielas(/ica, but jjcrhaps the same as a S. Am. species. Ncstiug and eggs as in tlio
conimon spccits.
23. Family TROCHILID^ : Humming-birds.
>c >4
X
Via. 298. — Huniniing-birils. (From .Michelet. )
Tenuirostral Picaria. These beau-
tiful little creatures will be known on
sight; and as the limits of this work
preclude any ade([uate presentation of
the subject, 1 prefer merely to touch
upon it.
>^ ^ ^Pv V i'-^'"^ J.' '•" '^ '"^^ Trocliilitl<r, in all essential struc-
^a A ^ v^i^^J^ifetti^^^-^ ^""'' *'l"""'"'''^''"''> "'■'" nearest related to
^mH^*'^ -.r^^^^M^JBr^lffWlr^'^^^' " *'"' Cypselula: These two groups have
^^^^^^•^-'^wi^KT^^fit. my^t^^^K^-^ in fact been united by some in a super-
family Macrochires, in allusion to the
lenfj;th of the linnd and its feathers, and
tersely described as schizofftutthous In-
sessorcs. Tiio Hying-ajiparatus is as in
the swifts: a very deep-keeled sternmii,
for attachment of powerful pectoral mus-
cles, a very short upperarin, but the
distal segments of tlie fore limb length-
ened, bearing a thiu-bladed or even
falcate wing; j)rimaries 10, the Ist
usually longest ; secondaries reduced to fi, and very short. Tail of 10 rcctrices, but otherwise
too variable to be characterized, presenting almost every ]>eculiarity in size and shape as a
whole, in size and shape of individual fe.ithers, and often differing in form as well as color in
the opposite sexes of the same species. Feet extremely small and weak, unfit for jjrogression,
formed exclusively for perching ; tarsi naked or feathered. Iliud too incumbent. Claws all
large, shaqj and curved. The bill exhibits the tenuinwtral type in perfection, beiug long and
extremely slender for its length ; it is usually straight, subulate or awl-shaped, or with laucc'.-
shapcd tip ; it is often decurved, sometimes recurved, and again bent almost at au angle ; in
length it varies from less than the head to more than all the rest of the bird. The cutting
edges of the mandibles are inflected : the rictus is devoid of bristles. The nostrils are linear,
with a supercumbcnt scale or ojwrculum, sometimes naked, oftener feathered. In size the
Hummers average the least of all birds, the giants among them alono reaching a length of 6 or
7 inches, the pygmies being under 3 inches ; the usual stature is 3 or -A inches. In a few the
coloration is plain, or even sombre; most have glittering iridescent tints — "the most gor-
geously brilliant metallic hues known among created things." The sexes are usually unlike
in color.
The chief anatomical peculiarity is the structure of the tongue, which somewhat resembles
that of woodpeckers, in being protrusible or capable of being thrust far out of the beak by n
muscular mechanism connected with the long horns of the hyoid or tongue-bone, which curve
up around the back of the skull. The tongue is in effect a double-barrelled tube, supposed to
be used to suck the sweets of flowers. The character of the sternum and wing-bones has been
already mentioned. How perfectly the feet are fitted for grasping and perching may be inferred
TROCHJLIDJE — TROCHILINJE : HVMMIXG-JillWS.
459
in
from the fact that, as in Paascres projtcr, the flexor longus hnllncis is independent of tlio flexor
liingiis (ligitoruni, — that is, the inusole wliich bends tlie hind too wori<» separately from tliat
wliicii flexes the other toes colh'otively. Tlie arningenient of tlio thigh muscles is the same an
iu Ciipselidic, There is one carotid artery, the left ; a nude oil-gland ; no ca'ca. The pterylosis
is eliaracteristic.
The food of the Ilinniners was formerly supposed to be the sweets of flowers. It is now
known that they arc chiefly insectivorous. Their little nests are models of architectural beauty.
The eggs are always two in number. The yoinig hatch weak aiid helpless, reipiiring to be fed
by the parents, the Hummers being thus of altricial nature. The voice is not musical.
The family is one of the most perfectly circumscribed in ornithology, and one of the largest
of its grade. So intiuuitely and variously are the genera interrelated that every attempt to
divide it into subfamilies has proven unsatisfactory. The hummers an! peculiar to America.
Species occur from Alaska to Patagonia ; but wc have a mere sprinkling in this country. The
centre of abundance is in .:-';-— :^' -^^-■^- ^^^ ,
tropical South America,
pailiciilarly New Gra-
nada. Nearly .500 sjjc-
cies are current ; the
niunber of positively spe-
cific forms may be esti-
mated at about 400 or
more. Tlie genera or
subgenera vary with au-
tliors from 50 to 150.
The latest critical author-
ity upon the subject gives
420 species, assigned to
125 genera. (Elliot.)
None of the known
N. A. Hummers exhibits
the extremes of shape of
bill or tail which some of
the tropical genera illus- Fio. 299. — Unliy-tlnoiited IIuiiiiuiiig-bir4lH, J, 5, ami nest, nearly iiat. size,
trate; inonlyone(CrtZo- (Slieppard del. XIcIioIh se.)
thorax hicifer) is the bill decidedly curved. Only one species is as much as 4 inches long, —
the magnificent Eugenes fuhjens. Some curious shapes of tail, including marked sexual
characters in this respect, arc exhibited by certain genera.
Only one species, the common Ruby-throat, is known to occur in the East ; this was the
only one known to Wilson. Audubon gave fiair species, but one of them erroneously. Since
his time, however, new fonns of these exquisite creatures have successively been brought to
light over our Mexican border. In 1858, Baird gave seven (one of them Lampornis mango,
erroneously, as Audubon hml done). In 1872, in the " Key," I was able to increase the number
to ten, but with two wrongly given (the Lampornis and Agyrtria linntei). The same ten, with
the two errors, were given by Baird and Ridgway in 1874. Within a few years the discoveries
have been so many, that, after eliminating the two errors, I am able to describe no fev.-or than
fifteen perfectly distinct species of United States Humming-birds ; and I have no doubt that
several others will in due time be found over our Mexican border.
The discrimination of the females and young is difficult ; but with the adult males there
should be no trouble. The following table is intended to enable the student to tell the genus
and species directly of any U. S. Hummer, if the specimen ho has in hand be an adult male.
400
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —VICAUIJE— CYVSELIFOmiES.
Ifu f(>iiialo or yuiin^, \u' must refer to tho detuilud dcHerlptiouH. He will be iiiueli UNHiMted 1>y
tlie tigiircM tpf gi'iieriir detailw, driiwu tniiii imtiire by Mr. K. Kidgwiiy for Mr. \). G. KUidtV
iiioiiugriipli, and kindly loaned to me by i'rof. Haird.
Anali/tla i{/' tienem anil Specimii/X. .1. TroehiUdit (lulult male$).
Friiiitiil feathori not fully cuvcrliiK imaal hcuIu. Tumi feutliorixl. Tail emariiliiutti. Bill broad, in part
Uealwoloreil.
NuHiil Dciilu uiitlrvly naked.
Wliitu Htrlpu (111 liBitil. Crown, face, and cliin, block. Tail riifouR llatillnna xnnt mi 407
Nasal Hcalo partly naked.
Crown cruon ; tliroht blue; lull blackUh laelu lalimitrit Vl\
Tlirout green ; tall rufoun; Hides rufoUH Imnzil'm vivrinirmlriii 420
Tliroat Kreeii ; tallrnfonH; HideiiKroon Amti^ilia/uHniCdutldlii 411)
Frontal reutlierH covering nu«al scale.
Jiill nut iwrfcctly straight.
mil curved throughout. Tail Torkod, with ulmoHt lllirorni lateral feather . . ('iiUilhiirn.v liici/ir 4tR
Kill nearly straight. Length over 4 inches. Throat and breast green .... KiijinwH/iiljiniH 40A
Bill iKsrfcctly straight. Length under 4 inches.
Crown as well us throat with nictullic scales.
Scales liluc-crinison. Lateral tail-feather |iarallel-cdged Cal i/jilr nmur 414
Scales violet. Lateral tall-featlier acutely falcate Cnlnpti- cotltt 415
Crown simply ghissy, like back ; throat with metallic scales.
Middle tuil-feulhers unlike buck in color.
Scales ci>nllneil to enils of throat-feathers, their bases snow-white . . . Stelluta calliope 417
Middle tail-feathers like back in color ; throat-scales lorndng a continuous surface.
{..literal tuil-feathcrs whlto-tlpi>cd ; none aoundnate. (Juter primary abruptly eniarginute
and acute Allhin heloixr 416
Lateral tail-feathers not wldte-tlpi>cd ; some or all anundnate,
Throat-scales copiwry-reii ; back and tail greeidsh ; (Uitcr two prlmnrios acute, faU'ato ;
all tho taii-featherH acuminate, tho two outer uchuilur Siltinphonm nllim 412
Throat-scales coiniery-rcd ; back and tall mostly chestnut; primaries us in .S'. rufim:
next to middle tall-feuthcr abruptly notched Silunplmrim riij'm 411
Throat-scales lilac-red; back g(dden-grecn ; 1st primary emarginuti>, turned outwuril,
next oblhiuoly Inclseil at end Silimjilinnis plnli/cii-niH 4lil
Throat-scales opa<iue black, becoming violet posteriorly; back golden-green ; primaries
not iieculiar TriM-liihm nUxanilrl 410
Throat-scales ruby-red; back gidden-green. Primaries not peculiar (Kastcrn)
TrncliiliiH coluhrin 409
134. BASILIN'NA. (Gr. fiaviKivva, basilinna, a queen.) Quekn IIitmmeus. Head ajipearing
more globose than in any other N. Am. g(niu8, in consequence <if the non-extension of the
feathers on base of upper mandible, when! they do not reaeh
opposite those on ehin, leaving the turgid nasal scale entirely
~"^ \ exposed. JJill broad at base, tapering reguhtrly to tiji, with dis-
tinct supra-nasal grooves; scarcely longer than head, straight.
^ —;, s^^ Tarsi feathered. Tail ample, all tho ft^athers broad and
-'^.^ — ^'tyZ^'^^^^^/ rounded; nearly even, in $ a little doubh.'-rounded by short-
--^ —^ ^^ iiess of both lateral and central pair of feathers, in 9 *<iniply a
little rounded. No peculiarity of prinuiries. Sexes net i' alike
in form ; 9 lacking the green gorget of $ ; bill in botu sexes
Flo. 300.— Xantus Humming- largely Hesh -colored ; $ \\\\\\ white stripe on head; no white
bird, nat. size. (From Elliot.) „„ ^j,;", „(• pi,,,^.^ g^,^ (j^r jj rpj,;^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^jj ^^ ^^^^^^^
ranged next after lache.)
407. B. xan'tusi. (To J.,. J. Xantus de Vesey. Fig. 300.) Xantit.s IIummino-biiid. Adult $ :
Above, and the throat, metallic grass-green; below, cinnamon-rufous; face blue-black; a
white stripe through the eye ; wings purplish-dusky ; tail purplish-chestnut, the central feathc^rs
glossed with golden-green ; bill flesh-colored, black-tipped. 9: Shining green above, including
central tail-feathers ; below, and the face, pale rufous, whiteri^g about the vent, and the sides
greenish ; head-stripe rufous, whiteijing on the auriculars ; taii-feathers, except the central,
135.
40H.
TliOClllLllKE — TU(H 11 1 L IS.K : II rMMl.S G-HIUDS.
4til
400
clioHtnut. with a dark torininal h\w{. Loiigth U.50; extoiit 4.75; wiiiK "i.K) ; tiiil l.;.'j: bill
0.7'i. ("iijM' St. liiiniN.
135. EU'tJKNKS. (iir. tvytvTit, eiigexi-SyWoW-hDni.) FfLOENT HfMMKUH. ( »f ^rcut itizc : about .")
iiicliCH long. Kill iiiucli longer than lu'uil, not i|iiit(> Mtraight, tliittt'ncd untl Hiiglitly wiilcncil at
baMP, subcylindrical in continuity, witii lani'ct-pointt'd tij). Frontal fi'atht'rs rxtcmling on na^<al
spalt". Tail aniph', in (J moderately forked, in 9 ilonble-ronnded, all the leathers broad, witii
roinided endw. Tarsi feathered. A tuft of downy while at insertion of feet. Outer primary
but littlo narrower or more faleate than the rest. Sexes nearly alike in form, nnliku in color.
Kill black ; no white on tail of ^.
40H. K. fiil'Kens. (Lat. /((/f/e^w, glittering. Figs. SOI, liOiJ.) HKKi'l.dKNT llrMMlNd-lilKi). <J :
Tail sinijdy forked. General body-cidor shining golden-green above an<l below, duller on belly
and crissnin, on breast Hhowing opaciuo black when viewed from before backward. Crown
glittering metallic vio-
let in proper light,
opaciue black viewed
obliipiely from behind
forward. Gorget glit-
tering einerald-grceu
in proper light, opatino
greenish-black from
tho o]ipo8ite direc-
Tail like body, but more brassy.
136.
Fio, 301. ^ Rofiilgent Uumnilng-btrd, heiul,
nat. Hize. (From Klliot.)
Fio. 802. — Tiill of tho laiiio, <f ,
lint, gizo, (Kruiii Klllot.)
tion. White nuirks abont eyes. Tail like body, but more brassy. Wing-coverts and lining of
wings like body ; quills dusky-purplish. Large : length abont 5.00 ; extent G.50 ; wing 2.75:
tail 1.75 ; bill over an inch from tho feathers on culnien, nearly 1.50 along gape. 9 '■ I'pjH'r
parts like those of tin; ^, but crown like back. No emerald gorget, the whole under jtarts
whitish, specked here and there with green, the throat with dusky specks. Wings as in <J, but
tail very different; double-rounded, both central and lateral feathtirs shorter than intermediate
ones ; middle feathers brassy-green, others the sann- in decreasing extent, increasing in bhickish
towards ends, and squarely tipped with dull white. Smaller: length about 4.50 ; wing 2.50;
tail 1.50 ; bill, however, about as long. Our largest and most magnificent species, lately
discovered in Arizona. Texas?
TRO'CHILU8. (Gr. Tf)6)(t\os, trochilos, Lat. trochihts, a runner: a plover so named by
Herodotus : by Liuuieus transferred to Hutnming-birds.)
Gorget Hummers. Bill slender and subuliite, not widened
at base ; frontal feathers covering nasal
scale. Tail in ^ forked or eniargimite,
with lanceolate feathers; in 9 sim-
ply rounded or double-rounded, with
broader feathers. Outer four prinniricjs
not peculiar; but the Ist one strongly
curved or bowed at end inwards ; inner
six abruptly smaller and more linear (in
^ at least). Tarsi naked. Bill black.
A metallic gorget in ^ , not prolonged into a ruff; no scales
on crown. 9 lacking the gorget ; and tail white-tipped.
409. T. colubrls. (Latinized from the barbarous colibri. Figs.
299, 303, 304.) Ruby-throated Humming-bird. ^ : f,o 304. _ Ruby-throatcd Hum-
Tail forked, its feathers all narrow and pointed ; no scales mlng-btnl, (f, nat. size. (From Elliot.)
on crown; metallic gorget reflecting ruby-red. Above, golden-green; below, white, tho sides
green; wings and tail dusky-purplish. 9: Lacking the gorget; throat white, specked with
Fio. 303. — Ruby-
tbroated Humming-
bird, $, tail, nat. size.
(From Elliot.)
462
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PICARI^ — CYFSELIFORMES.
OJUV
Fio. 305. — Alexander H um-
niing-bird, tall of young J anil $ ,
nat. size. (From Elliot.)
dusky; tail double-rounded, the central feathers shorter than the next, the lateral then gradu-
ated ; all broader than in <J to near the end, then rapidly narrowing with concave inner margin ;
tail with black bars, and tiie lateral feathers white-tipped ; nt> rufous on tail in either sex.
Length of ^ 3.25; extent 5.00; wing 1.75 ; taill.25 ; bill 0.66. ? snmller: length 2.80;
extent 4.60. Eastern N. Ain., especially U. S., abundant in summer, generally seen hovering
about flowers, sometimes in flocks. Feeds on insects, and the sweets of flowers. Nest a beau-
tiful structure, of downy substances, stuccoed with lichens outside; eggs two, white, 0.50
X 0.a5.
410. T. alexan'drl. (To Alexander. Fig. 305.) Alf.xander Hummikg-bird. Size and general
appearance of T. colubris. $ : Tail double-rounded, i. e., centrally emarginate, laterally
rounded: central emargination about 0.10, lateral graduation
more ; the feathers all acuminate, and whole-c(dored. Upper
parts, including two middle tail-feathers, as in T. colubris.
Gorget oi)aque velvety black, only posteriorly glittering with
violet, sapphire and emerald. Other under parts whitish, green
on sides. Length 3.25 ; wing 1.75 ; tail 1.25 ; bill from frontal
feathers 0.75. 9: Tail different from that of $, both in .shape
and color ; simply slightly rounded (witliout appreciable central
emargination), the lateral feathers scairely acuminate; middle
feathers \\\n' the back, darkening at ends; others with broad purplish-black space near end,
and white-tipped ; thus so closely resembling colubris 9 that tlie lack of decided emargina-
tion of the tail is the principal character. No g<irget, the throat whitish witli duslcy specks.
California, Utah, Arizona, and probably other portions of SW. U. S.
137. SELAS'PHORUS. (Gr. trtXay, light ; ^opo'y. bearing.) LiciiTXixu HuMMF.RS. IJill slender
and subulate; frontal feathers covering nasal scale. Tail in ^f 9 graduated or rounded, not
forked, and extensively rufous or tipjjed with white. The central mud) broader than the lateral
feathers. Details of shapes of the feathers varying witii the species, and with the sexes (.•^eo
descriptions, and figs. 306, 307). Outer jjriiiiary, or two outer ones, of ^ abruptly attenuate,
the end bowed ; inner six primaries not abruptly narrower than those furtlier o.itward.
Tarsi naked. IJill black. A metallic gorget in (J, little or not produced into a ruff; no
scales on crown. 9 lacking the gorget, and tail wliite-tippcd.
411. S. ru'fus. (Lat. rufus, reddish.) KEr>-BAtKED Rufous Humming-bird. Nootka Hum-
Mixo-Biun. ^ : No metallic scales on crown. Gorget glancing coppery-red, somewhat jiro-
longed into a ruff. Tail cuncate ; middle pair of feathers broad, narrowing rather suddenly to
a point. Next pair broad, nicked or emarginate near end (fig. 306).
Next three pairs successively narrowing gradually, but not even the outer
becoming aciculai'. Two otiter primaries narrow, falcate, gradually very
acute,- the ends bowed inward. General color above and below cinnamon-
red, becoming more or less green on the crown, and sometimes flaked
with green on the back, fading to wliite on the belly. Tail-feathers
cinnamon-red, deepening to dusky-purplish at ends. Quills dusky-
purplish. Length about 3.50; wing 1.50-1.67, averaging 1.60; tail
L30; bill 0.65. 9 showing the characters of the tail and wing, but less
plainly. Coloration extensively rufous, but overlaid with green ; no fig. 306. Tall of S.
gorget, replaced by a few dusky-greenish feathers ; under parts exten- "(/""i "at- »'ze-
sively white, but shaded with cinnamon on the sides and crissum. Middle tail-feathers glossed
M-ith greenish, darkening to black at end, and usually touched with cinnamon at base ; otlier
tail-feathers extensively rufous, then black, finally white-tipped. Length 3.20; wing 1.70;
tail 1.20. (On comparing 9 r»fi<s witli 9 pM'Icercus, a great difference in tlie size of the
outer feather is observable; in rufus this ftather is only 0.12 broad, and under 1.00 long; in
TROCHILID^ — TBOCHILIN^ : HUMMING-BIRDS.
463
Fio. 307. — Tall
of S. alltni, iiat. size.
Fio. 808. — Green-backed RufouR
Hiimiiiini;-bir(l, tf , nut. size. (From
Elliot. )
platycercus the same feather is 0.25 wide, and over 1.00 long.) Rocky Mts. to the Pacific, N.
to Ahiska ; the commonest and most extensively distributed species in the West. Noted as
the northernmost known species of the family. (This is S. ruftis, Gm., the true " Nootka
Sound Humming-bird," the ^ easily known by its cinnamon-red back, and vne nick in the
ne.xt to the middle tail-feather. S. hemhmci Elliot.)
412. 8. al'lenl. (To C. A. Allen, of California. Figs. 307, 308.) Grf.en-backed Rufous Humming-
Biui>. Allen Humming-bikd. In generalities similar to the last. $: Two outer tail-feathers
ciu each side very small and narrow, the
outermost almost ucicular ; next little
larger; third abruptly larger ; fourth from
the outer smaller than third or middle
pair. Upper parts golden-green, dullest
on crown. Under tail-coverts, belly and
sides cinnamon, paler on the median
line, white on breast next to the gorget.
Tail-feathers cinnamon, tipi)ed and edged
with dusky-purplish. Gorget liery-red.
Length about 3.00; wing 1.50; tail 1.18 ; bill 0.64. ?
similar to 9 ''"/"s .* averaging smaller ; tail-feathers nar-
rower, especially the outer ones. Coast region of California
an-1 northward. (This is the bird of ten described as 9
riifus; carefully distinguished by Henshaw, Bull. Nutt.
Club, ii, 1877, p. 53 ; considered by Elliot to be true
riiftis Gm.)
413. S. platycer'cus. (Gr. jrXorus, platus, broad ; KfpKos, kerkos, tail. Fig. 309.) Broad-tailed
HUMMiNO-Biuu. (J : No scales on toji of head ; crown like back. A gorget of scales, not
prolonged into a ruff. Outer primary attenuate, acuminate, ending acicular, the point turned
outward ; next primary also narrowed, not so much so as the first, its end obliquely incised with
a slight nick. Tail amjile ; niiddUt feathers scarcely or not shorter than the next, but the rest
mpiilly graduated ; middle and several lateral ones broad, briefly acuminate, the outermost nar-
rowed linearly with rounded end. Above,
including crown, golden-green; the two
middle tail-feathers purer shining grass-
green ; lateral tail-feathers ])uritlish-
dusky, some of them with narrow longi-
tudinal chestnut edging only on one or
the other web (a stnnig character of the
species : compare extensively rufous tail-
feathers of the two foregoing specues).
Gorget glancing lilac-red : other under
parts whitish, glossed with golden-green
on the sides and sometimes elsewhere.
Fio. 309. - Bro.id-taned Hummlng-blnl, J. ?, nat. size. Qu'Hs puqilish-dusky. Length nearly
(From Elliot.) or quite 4.00; extent 4.75-5.00; wing
nearly or quite 2.00; tail 1.35 ; bill 0.70. 9: Outer primary narrow and falcate, but without
special attenuation at end. Outermost tail-feather narrower than the rest, as in the ^, but the
others i-ouuded at ends, not acuminate. Lateral tail-feathers chestnut at base quite acrcss, then
black for a space, then white-tipped. Above, like ^ ; below, no gorget, the throat white with
dark specks ; no green on sides, which are more or less rufous, as in S. rufus 9 1 f''""i which
some care must be taken in discrimination. It is usually less rufous below ; middle tail-feathers
464
138.
414.
415.
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PICABIjE — CYPSELIFOBMES.
entirely green, these having dark ends in rufus 9 ; rufons on lateral tail-feathers confined to
their bases and of less extent than the black, while in riifua ? the rufous equals or exceeds the
black area. The next to tlie middle tail-feather in platycercuH 9 is green, with only rufous
edging of outer web near base, short black end, and wliite tip ; in rufus 9 the same feather is
rufous on both webs to an extent equal to the green, black, and white spaces all together.
Though such details are not fibsolutely constant, they suffice to distinguish all the many speci-
mens I have examined. (See also S. rufus 9 •) Southern Rocky Mt. region, U. S. and south-
ward. N. to Wyoming, Idah(j, Utah, Nevada; Sierras Nevadas of California.
CALYP'TE. (Gr. KaXvTrrij, Kalupte, a proper name.) Helmet Hummers. Crown of $
witli metallic scales like the gorget, which is prolonged into a ruff; outer primary not attenu-
ate ; tail of (J forked, the outer feather abruptly nanow and linear, of 9 sliglitly double-
rounded. No peculiarity of primaries. Bill ordinary, as in Selasphorus or I'rochilus; black.
No rufous color any where. Tail of (J unvaried ; of 9 white-tipped. (Our only genus with bill
ordinary and scales on crown of (J.)
C. an'nic. (To the Duchess of Kivoli. Figs. 310, 311.) Anna Humminq-birij. ,J: Top of
head with metallic scales like those of throat, the latter prolonged into a ruff ; the iridescence
lilac-crimson, covering
whole head and throat,
except a separating line
through eye. Tail deeply
forked ; middle feathers
m„.i" ,^^ 'KHMf rili A ^i very broad and rounded, fio. 311.- Anna Humming-bir.l, j,
\ /\U' I I //IK>/\m\ ^^^ lateral all succes- "at. size. (From Elliot.)
sively more narrowed and linear, especially the outermost,
but all still with obtuse ends. Outer primary narrower
than the next, but of no special peculiarity. Back and
middle tail-feathera golden-green ; other tail-featlicrs, like
the wing-quills, purplish-dusky, without any rufous or
white ; under parts whitisli, nearly everywhere glossed
over with green. Length about 3.50; wing 1.90; tail
9 like the J excepting on head and tail. No metallic scales on head ; crown
Tail gently rounded, witli slight-
Pio. 310. — Anna Humming-bird, (f,
, nat. size. (From Elliot.)
1.35; bill 0.75.
like back, golden-green ; throat whitish with dusky specks,
est centr.ll emargination, all but the middle feathers (which are like back) green (or gray) at
base, then blaek for a space, then white-tipped (no rufous). Under parts gray, with much
green gloss. Califoniia, common, resident.
C. cos'tae. (To — Costa. Fig. 312.) Costa Humming-bird. (J : Metallic scales on top and
sides of head as well as throat, latter prolonged into a flaring ruff; the iridescence violet, sap-
phire, steel-blue or purplish, not red. Tail lightly forked ; middle 5
feathers broau and obtuse, lateral narrowing successively, but the
outennost abruptly nan'owest, falcate — very noticeable. Outer
primary simple. Back and middle tail-feathers golden -green ;
other tail-feathers like the wing-quills, puri)lish-dusky. Below
whitish, the belly gray, glossed with golden-green. Sm.iU: length
3.00-3.25; wing 1.75-1.80; tail 1.00; bill 0.67. 9 = No scales Fir..3i2.-Co8taHumniing.
on head. Tail simply rounded, or with least possible central bird, <y, $. nnt. size. (Elliot.)
emargination ; lateral tail-feathers narrowing, but outermost not noticeably different from the
next. Crown like back; throat like belly, with dark sjiecks. Middle tail-feathers like back,
others green or gray, then black, then white-tipped. Entire under parts whitish. Compared
with anncB, the only other with scales on crown in <J, costee is smaller: throat ruff much
more fluring ; glitter entirely different (not red at all) ; tail less forked, with almost acicular
TROCHILID^ — TEOCHILINJE : HUMMING-BIRDS.
4Go
fiUcate outermost feathor instead of straight linear parallel-sided rouuded-ended ; and under
parts less glossed with green. Tiie 9 costce lac'Us green glo.ss on under jiarts, which are
nioro white, has much narrower tail-feathers, and is smaller, in comparison with 9 nnnrv.
The 9 coste m(jre closely resemhles 9 Slellulu calliope, but the latter has traces at least of
rufous on tail and under parts. Also resembles 9 Trochilm^, but has all the lateral tail-
feathers whitc-tijiped. Arizona and Southern California, and southward.
139. AT'THIS. (Gr. 'Artfir, ^<^/iis, Attic; also a proper name.) Attic IlfMMEUs. Crown of ^J
not metallic like the gorget, which is pndongcd into a ruff; outer jmnuirydf ^ attenuate; tail
graduated, the feathers rounded at the end, the lateral black-barred and white-tipped in both
se.\es (peculiar in this respect among X. Am. genera). IJill only about as long as head. Size
very diminutive.
•116. A. lieloi'ste. (Fig. 313.) Heloisk IIuMMiNO-Bmn. ^ : Outer primary attenuate at end,
with a needle-like point, as in S. plutycerciis, but not bowed outward. Tail graduated, the
central featiiers, however, slightly shorter than the next, all round-ended, nont^ notably nar-
rowed. No scales on (Town ;
s ■
those of throat prodiu-ed
into a ruff. IJill diminutive.
Above, including crown and
middle tail-feathers, golden-
green, the tail-feathers rather
nu)re grass-green, sometimes
^>^t,A^^ M.>^V^',N. darkening at end or with a
Fig. 313. — HelolsoHumming-biril, (f, 9, iiat. tlze.) From Elliot.) touch of rufous. Other tail-
feathers rufous at base, then black-barred, then white-tipped — the only case of such parti-
coloration in the male in United States species. Gorget glancing violet, sapphire, and
lilac. Under parts snowy-white, glossed with g(dden-green, touched with rufous on Hanks.
Very small: length 2.75; wing 1.25; tail 0.75; bill 0.50. 9= ^*> peculiarity of outer
primary. Colors much as in the $, but no gorget, the throat being white, specked with
dusky ; tiie Hanks and crissum more rufous. Texas and southward ; probably also New
Mexico and Arizona.
140. STEL'MJLA. (Lat. .sW?»/rf, dim. of ,sfe?/«, astar.) Starry Hitsimeus. No scales on crown ;
those of throat confined to the tips of the lengthened feathers, thus not forming a continuous
metallic surface, but set like stars in a Heecy, snowy bed. Tail of ^ slightly double-rounded,
the lateral feathers graduated, tiie central also shorter than the next; middle feathers «»ilike
back in color ; all broad, and rather widening to near the suddenly cmitracted ends ; outer feather
slightly incurved, the others ending about as acutely as a silver teaspoon. Outer primary
sim]de. IJill longer than head, ordinary, but not entirely black. 9 ''''*' $ "' f'""'" "f t»il "i"!
wings. Size very diiMinutiv<'.
41T. S. calli'ope. (Or. KaXXtoTnj, KalUope, ^^ ^ Z -3
Lat. Calliojw, one of the Muses. Fig. "^^"^f^^f-:,^-.©.
314.) (^VLUOI'E UUMMING-BIUI). ^ : Y^^^^S^^ ""X ft i'li
Crown and back golden-green. All .'^^i;^-^?^— - nL I Si /^
tail-feathers dusky, with rufous at base ^^
and slightly pale tips. Gorget vi<det lllVyW
or lilac, set in snowy-white; sides of
throat, and crissum, white. IJelow, Fio. 314. - Stellula calliope. <f, n.it. sUe.
white, glos.sed with green on the sides. IJill yellowish below.
(Prom riHot.)
Length 2.75; wing 1. 60; tail
1.00; billO.CO. 9= Form of the (J; C( dor of upp(T parts the same. No gorget ; throat whitish
with dark specks ; other under parts quite strongly tinged with rufous. A white mark under
eye; bill light ut base below. Middle tail-feathers green, not so golden us the back, ending
:50
if
466
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PICAEI^ — CYPSELIFOBMES.
with dusky; others green (or gray) for a Uistanco decreasing xn suocessivo feathers, crossed
with black, tipped with white to reciprocally increasing extent, and touched with rufous at
base, as in several allied species ; but the small size, slight rufous on tail, and the extensive
rufous on under parts, are characteristic. Mts. of whole Pacific slope, U. S. j E. to Nevada ;
S. into Mexico.
141. CALOTHO'RAX. (Gr. (caXor, Aratos, beautiful ; ^<ipa|, //nyrao", chest.) Lucifer Hummeus.
Very different from any of the foregoing. Hill curved throughout, hmger tliau head ; but nasal
scale covered as usual by feathers, and color of bill blnck. Tail deei>ly forktnl ; lateral tail-
feather shorter than next, and in our species filiform and acicular. Tarsi partly plumose.
Si.'xes unlike.
418. C. lu'cifer. (Lat. i«ci/c)-, the light-bearer ; lux, light, /oo, I bear. Fig. 315.) Licifer
IIliMMiX(t-Hlui). (J: Above, bronzy-green; gorget lilac-
purple ; wings and tail purplish-dusky. IJelow, white,
bronzed with green on the Hanks. IJill black. Lengtli IJ.2.") ;
wing 1.50; laill..'i,"); bill 0.75. 9: Above, like ^, but
browner on head ; ni gorget; under parts rufous. Middle
tail-feathers bronzy-green, next green tipped with black;
the rest rufous basally, then crossed with black and tipjied
with wliite. Tail sliaped as in the (J? (.My description is
unsatisfactory; but the species sliouid be known by the
curved bill.) Arizona: introduced into our fauna upon
Fio. 315. - Lucifer Hummiug-bird, '^ 9 wrongly identified as "Doricha eniciu-a." (.'^ee Hull.
<f,nat. size. (From Klllot.) Xutt. Club, ii, 1877, p. 108.)
142. A31AZI'LiIA. (Latinized from ama~iU, vox barb.) Amazii.i IIitmmer.s. Iblouging to a
group which includes Basilinna and laclic; very unlike any of tlie others. Nasal scale large
and tumid ; nasal slit entirely exposed ; feathers extending in a point on the sides of the cul-
men, sweeping obliquely across the basal part of the nasal scale, and forming at the angle of
the mouth a deep re-entrance with those of the chin, which reach much farther forward on the
inteiTamal space. Bill liglit-c(dored, dark-tipped, quite broad and flattened at base, thence
gradually tapering to the acuminate tip, slightly bent downwanl, the curve most noticeable
just back of the middle. Tarsi appearing feathered nearly to the toes, but really naked except
at the top in front. No lengthened ruffs or tufts about tlie head ; no metallic scales on top of
head, different from those of the upper parts at large ; no special head-nuirkings. Tail amjile,
forked or emarginate, the feathers all broad and obtuse, with simply rounded ends. No peculiar
primaries, though the outer ones are narrower and more falcate than the next. Of large size,
usually 4-5 inches. Sexes alike in form and color. An extensiv(! genus, covering some 25
species, two of which are known to reach our border : above characters more particularly
applicable to these.
419. A. fuscocauda'ta. (Lat. /«sco, with dusky, ca«rfato, tailed.) Dusky-tailed Hummiko-birk.
(J 9 : Above, metallic grass-green, f)rgolden-gr(!en,more brassy on crown and rump, the long
upper tail-coverts cinnamon-rufous. Wings purplish-dusky, their coverts like back. Tail
deep chestnut, the feathers edged and ended with bronzy-purplish. Throat, breast and sides
metallic green, glittering emerald in certain lights on the former, on the latter duller and more
bronzy; feathers gray beneath the metallic tips, and this color prevailing on the abdomen;
crissum rufous ; flank-tufts fleecy white. Hill extensively liglit-cidored, dusky at end.
Length about 4.00; wing 2.25 ; tail 1.00; bill O.SO. Diflers from the next in not having the
under parts extensively fawn-ctdored. Lower Rio Grande of Te.xas, to S. Am.
420. A. eerviniven'trls. (Lat. cervimis, like a deer, cervus; in this case meaning fawn-cfdored >
renirts, of the belly.) Rufois-bellied Humming-bird. (J 9 '■ Upper parts shining g(dden-
grcon, nearly unitbrin from head to tail, but top of the head rather darker, and with a reddish
TROCIIILIDJE — TROCHILIN^ : HVMMING-BIIWS.
467
gluss in some lights, and upper tuil-covcrts soincwliat shaded with reddish. Metallic gorget (if
great extent, reaching fairly on the breast, glittering green when viewed with the bill of the
bird pointing toward the observer, dusky-green when seen in the opposite direction. Less
scintillating and more golden-green feathers extend a
little farther on the breast and sides, and most of the
under wing-coverts are similar. Belly and under tail-
coverts dull rufous or pale ciunamon ; Hocculeut snowy-
whito patches on the Hanks. Wiugs blackish, with
purple and violet lustre. Tail large, forked about oue-
tliinl of an inch ; ccdor intense chestnut, having even a
purplish tinge when viewed below, the middle feathers
glossed with golden-green, especially noticeable at their
ends, and all the rest tiitped and edged for some distance
from their ends with dusky. Length 4.00 or more ;
extent 5.50; wing 2.30; tailLSO ; bill 0.90. Lower
Rio Grande of Texas to Yucatan.
143. I'ACHE. (Gr. 'lax"}, luche, a proper name. Fig.
310.) Circe IIummicks. Xear Amazilia; with broad
and not perfectly straight bill longer than head, reddish
at base, and frontal feathers covering the nasal scale ;
the sui)ranasal groove very distinct. Tail ample, forked,
with broad obtuse feathers; no wing- or tail-feathers
peculiar in shape. Tarsi feathered. Se.Kes unlike in
color.
421. I. latiros'trls. (Lat. latits, broad; rostrum, beak.)
CiiuK HusiMiXG-Bmi). (J : Above and below glit-
tering green ; more
golden above, more
emerald below ; throat
sapphire - blue ; tail
steel-blue-black, the
fijathers tipped with
gray; Hanks and un-
der tail-coverts white.
Bill reddish, tipped
with black. Length
nearly 4.00 ; wing
2.00-2.25; tail 1.30, forked 0.35; billOSO. 9 above
like (J, but middle tail-feathers bronzy-green; others
bronzed at base, then broadly bluish, tlien white-tipped.
Under parts dark gray. Easily recognized among our
species by the special c<doratiou, as described, and by
the peculiarities of the bill; in all our genera excepting
lache, Amazilia and Basilinna, the nasal scale is fully
, , ., 4 • r. .. 1 ,, , . . , Fto. 317. — Paradise Trogon. or Qiiesal
covered by the extensive frontal feathers. Arizona and (Phammacrua mocinno), j, $. TFrom
Mexico. MIchelet.)
Flo. ."ilG.
, nut Hue.
— CIrco Humming-bird,
(From Elliot.)
4. Suborder CUCULIFORMES : Cuculiform Birds.
The nature of this large group has been indicated on the preceding page (416).
I' ll
I (
408
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS —PICARI^— CUCULIFOliMES
24. Family TROGONID^ : Trogons.
Feet zygodaetyle by reversion of the second toe (seo p. 127). Tho
liiisi' of tlio short, broad, (lentatc bill i.s liiilileu by aijprosscd iintrorso
f('atlu'r.s ; tli»} wings are short and rouuded, with falcate (luills ; the
tail is long, of twelve broad feathers ; tho feet are very small and
weak. The general plnniage is sfift and lax, tho skin tender, the
eyelids lashed. A well-marked family of about 50 species and
perhaps a dozen genera, chiefly inhabiting tropical America. They
Fio. 318. — llend of Cop- '""" '^''" !i<^'",«<'"us ctdors, and among them are found the most magni-
pcr-taiicil Trogon, iiat. size, ficent birds of this continent (fig. .'JIT).
144. TROGON. (Gr. rpcaycai/, <»'0(/oH, a gnawer : alluding to tho dentate bill.) The leading genus,
to which the above characters fully ajiply.
428. T. ambl'guus. (Lat. ambigitus, ambiguous, as doubtfully distinct from T. mexicantts. Fig. 318. )
Coi'PEU-TAiLKi) TuoGON. Metallic golden-green; face and sides of head black ; below from
the breast carmine; a white collar on the throat ; middle tail-feathers coppery-green, tht! outer
white, finely variegated with black ; quills edged with white. Length about 11.00; wing 5. '25 ;
tail G.75. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande, and southward.
[Family MOMOTID JE : Sawbills.
Feet syndactyle by cohesion of third
and fourth toes (p. 12!)) ; tomiu serrate.
Avery .small family of tropical American
birds, com;)rising abcmt 1.5 species, none
having really rightful place here ; but
the Momotus cceruleiceps (tig. 319) comes
near our border, and is included to illus-
trate the suborder. In this species, the
central tail-feathers are long-exserted,
and spatulate by absence of webs ahuig
a part of the shaft — a mutilation effected,
it is .saiil, by the birds themselves; the
Fio. 319. — Head of Bluc-lica<le(lSaw-blll, nut. size. bill is about as long as the bead, gently
curved; the nostrils arc rouuded, basal, exposed ; the .viugs arc short and rounded; tlio tar.si
are scutellatc anteriorly. It is greenish, with blue head. Mexico.]
25. Family ALCEDINID-S: : Kingfishers.
Feet syndactyle by cohesion of third and fourth toes (p. 129, fig. 44) ; totnia simjile. Bill long,
large, straight, acute (rarely hooked) ; somewhat " fissirostral," the gape being deep and wide.
Tongue rudim(!ntary or very small. Nostrils basal, reached by the frontal feathers. Feet very
small and weak, scarcely or not ambulatorial ; tibiae naked below ; tarsi extremely short, reticu-
late in front ; hallux short, flattened tmderneath, its sole more or les.s continuous with the s<de
of the inner toe ; soles of outer and middle too in common for at least half their length ; inner
toe alwaj's short, in one genus rudimentary, in another wanting (an abnormal modification).
Developed toes always M-ith the nonnal ratio of phalanges (2, .S, 4, .5 ; p. 127) ; middle claw not
serrate. Wings long, of 10 primaries. Tail of 12 rectrices, variable in shape.
" The Kingfishers form a very natural family of the great Picarian order, and arc alike
remarkable for their brilliant colonition and for the variety of curious and aberrant forms which
11,
ALCEDINIDJE - ALCEDININ^ : KINGFISHERS.
400
arc included witliin their miinber. . . . ' Tlieir churncteristic liubit is to sit motionless wtiteliing
for tlu'ir prey, to dart lifter it and seize it on the wing, and to return to their original position
to swallow it-' . . . Tho Alcedinula:
nest in holes and lay white eggs. It
is, however, to be remarked that, in
aceordance with a modification of tho
habits of the various genera, a cor-
responding inodificatiou has taken
place in tho mode of nidification, tho
piscivorous section of the family nest-
ing for the most part in holes in the
banks of streams, while the insectiv-
orous section of the family generally
nest in tlie holes of trees, not nec-
essarily in the vicinity of water."
(Shaiu'e.)
The nearest allies of the King-
fishers are the Ilornbills {Bnccro-
ti(1(C) and Hoopoes {Upupklw) of
the Old World, and the Toucans
{l{h<im})1utKti(la') and Harbets (^Cap-
itonidfp) of the New. All these
families, like the Woodj)eckers
(l'iciil(c), agree in being auomalo-
gouatous, with two carotids, a
tufted oil-gland, and nocceca. Tlio
formuhi of th(f leg-muscles is the
same as in TivgotiidfC, tho acces-
PlO. 320. — A typical Kingfisher, the European Alci'do ispUln.
(From Dixou.)
145.
sory fomoro-caudal, accessory semitcndhiosus and anibicns .all being absent. (Garuod.) One
would gain an imperfect or erronettus idea of the family to judge of it by the American fragment,
of one genus and () or 8 species. According to the author ftf the splendid monograph above cited,
there are in all 125 species, belonging to 19 genera; the latter appear to bo very judiciously
handled, but a moderate reduction of the former will be rofpured. They are very uneiiually
distributed. Ccri/le ahme is nearly cosmopolitan, absent only from the Australian region; the
Northern portion of the Old World has oidy 2 i)eculiar species ; 3 genera and 24 species are
characteristic of the Ethiopian region; one genus and 2.5 species are confined to the Indian :
while nf) less than 10 genera and 59 species arc peculiar to tlie Australian. Mr. Sharpe recog-
nizes two subfamilies ; in the insectivorous DaccloniiKe (with 14 genera and 84 species), the
bill is more or less depressed, with smooth, rounded, or sulcate culmen. In tho
35. Subfamily ALCEDININ^, Piscivorous Kingfishers,
the bill is compressed with carinate culmen. The American species all belong here. It is the
more particularly jiiscivorous section ; the Vacelomna; feed for the most yian I'.pon insects, rep-
tiles and land mollusks. Cerifle is the only American genus, with 2 North Anu-rican species.
They are thoroughly aquatic and piscivorous, seeking their ])rey by plunging into the water
from on wing ; and nest in h(des in banks, laying numerous white eggs.
CE'UYLE. (Gr. (c^puXoy, kerulos, a kingfisher.) Beltkd Kingfishers. Head witli an
occipital cre.'it. IJill longer than head, straight, stout, acute. Wings long and pointed. Tail
rather long and broad (in comparison with some genera), much shorter than wing. Tarsi
short ; legs naked above the tibio-tarsal joint. Plumage belted below.
470
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PICAEIJE — CUCULIFORMES.
Large ipecicB, dull blue nbove alcyon 423
Small specieH, glas»y green above cabanisi 424
423. C. al'cyon. (Liit. ulajon, a kingfisher. Fig. 321.)
Beltkd KiNCiFlSiiKii. Upper parts, broad pectoral
bar, ami siiles uiuler the wings, dull blue with fine
blaek shaft lines. Lower eyelid, spot before eye, a
eervical eolhir and under j)arts excejrt as said, pure
white; the 9 with a chestnut belly-band and the sides
of the same color. Quills and tail-feathers blaek, spec-
kled, blotched or barred on the inner webs with white; ;
outer webs of the seccmdaries and tail-feathers like the
back : M'ing-coverts frequently sprinkled with white.
Bill black, pale at base below. Feet dark ; tibia)
naked below. A long, thin, jiointed occipital crest ;
plunuigc compact and oily to resist water, into which
the birds constantly plungi; after their finny prey.
Lengtii 1 2.00-1:5.00; extent 21.00-2;5.00 ; M-ing (i.OO-
f).,)0; tail 3.30-5.00; whole foot 1.33; cuhnen 1.7")-
2.25. N. Am., cnmmon everywhere, resident or only
forced southward by freezing of the waters. This fine
bird, whose hiud rattling notes are as familiar soun<ls
along our streams as the noise of the mill-dam or the
machinery, buiTows to the depth of si.\ or eight feet in the ground, and lays as many crystal
white sjdieroidal eggs, 1.25 X 1.05, at the enlarged extremity of the tunnel.
434. C. ainerlca'na eaba'iiisi. (To Dr. Jean t'abanis, of Germany.) Tkxan Green Kixa-
FisiiEU. Ad'U (J : Entire upper parts glo.ssy-green, with bronze lustre, the bases of nearly
all the feather! snowy- white, which appears sometimes upon the surface ; crown, scai)ulars and
wing-coverts supei-ficially sprinkled with white. Wing-ipiills dusky on inner webs, green on
the outer, both marked in regular double series with pairs of white spots, scallops or bars.
Central tail-feathers dark green, usually touched with white along the edges, the others green
with white bars becioming confluent at the bases of the feathers, where forming white spaces
more extensive than the green portion. Cervical collar and entire under parts white, the breast,
belly, sides and crissum sj)otted with glossy-green. Bill black, usually light at base below ;
feet dark. A supposed 9 difl"ers in having the green-spotted idumage of tlio under parts and
adjoining white urea tinged with chestnut. Length about 8.00 ; wing 3.25-3.50 ; tail 2.50 ;
bill 1.07; whole foot 1.00. Valleys of the Lower Kio Grande and Colorado, and southward;
common. Nesting and eggs as in C alcyon; eggs 4-(), very thin and smooth, lilic porcelain,
rounded oval, 0.90-1.00 X 0.()8-0.75.
Fio. .^L'1. — lieltnl Kliigfislicr. reduced.
(From Teiiney, after Wilson.)
26. Family CUCULID.^ : Cuckoos.
Feet ztigodadyh hij reversion of the fourth toe. This character, in cnnnection with those
given below, will answer present jiurjioses ; and, in my ignorance of some of tlie exotic forms, 1
cannot attempt to give a full diagnosis. The only other North American birds with the toes
yoked in the same combination are the Picidtr and the Psittaci, whose numerous specialties will
prevent any misconception regarding Cuciiliilce. The latter are desmognathous in palatal struct-
ure, and homalogonatous, having the ambiens and three or all four of the other leg-muscles used
by Garrod for classilicatory pur])oses ; in these important respects differing from all birds pre-
viously treated in this work. There are two carotids. The oil-gland is nude, and coeca aro
present. The family is a large and important one. It comprehends quite a number of leading
CUCULWJE CliOTOniAGINJE : ANIS.
471
forms showing peculiar ii)inor inodificiitioiis ; tlicse correspond in great measure with certain
gcograpliical areas of faunal distribution, and are generally hold to constitute subfamilies.
Three or four such are con-
fined to America ; about twice
as many belong exclusively to
the OU World ; among them
are tlie CucuUna, or typical
cuckoos allied to the European
C. cnnoruH (tig. 322), famous,
like our Cowbird, for their
parasitism. This sectiim com-
prehends the great majority of
the Old World species ; the
Couiim are a peculiar Jlada-
gascan type ; others rest ujjon
a si)ccial condition of the
daws or plumage. There arc
about 200 current species of
the family. Many of them,
besides the one just cited in
instance, lay their eggs in
other birds' nests. The Amer-
ican cuckoos have been de-
clared free of suspicion of such
Fio. 322. —European Cuckoo, Ciiailua camrus. (From Dixon.)
domestic irregularities ; but, though pretty well-behaved, their record is not quite clean : they
do .sometimes slip into the wrong nest. The curious infelicity seems to be connected in some
way with the inability of the 9 to complete her clutch of eggs with the rapidity and regularity
usual among birds, and so incubate them in (tne batch. The nests of our species of Cocci/giis
commonly contain young by the time the last egg of the lot is laid.
Wo have three very distinct genera, usually referred to as many subfamilies.
Analysis of Subfamilies and Genera.
Crotophaoin.*;. Terrestrial. Tall of 8 feathers. Bill compresseil, crested. Plumage lustrous black
Crolnphniin 14(!
SAUROTnEniN.K. Terrestrial. Tail of 10 feathers. Feet anibulatorial, with long tarsi . . . Gmcnnyx 147
CoccYGlN.i:. Arboreal. Tail of 10 feathers. Feet insessorial, with short tarsi Cnccyyus 148
36. Subfamily CROTOPHACIN^: Anis.
Tail of eight feathers, graduated, longer than the rounded wings. Bill exceedingly com-
pressed, the upj)er mandible rising into a thin vertical crest, the sides usually sulcate, the tip
deflected. Plumage uniform (black), lustrous, the feathers of the head and neck lengthened,
lanceolate, distinct, with scale-like margins ; face naked. Terrestrial. Nest in bushes. Ono
genus, of three species, of the warmer parts of America.
146. CROTO'PHAGA. (Gr. Kporatv, h-oton, a bug ; (fmyos, phagos, eating.) Anis. In additiim
to the characters of the subfamily : Bill about as long as head, with regularly convex or angu-
lated culmen, its aides smooth, wrinkled, or sulcate ; tip of upper mandible decurved over end
of lower ; gonys straight. Wings n)unded ; 4th or .5th primary longest, 1st quite short. Tail-
feathers broad, widening to very obtuse ends. Tarsus longer than middle toe, anteriorly
broadly scutellate, the sides with large plates meeting in a ridge behind. According to tho
concurrent testimony of various independent observers, the cuculine irregularity of nesting is
expressed in a very curious manner, in the case of C. ani at least ; several birds forming a
■ 1 1
472
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— PIC ARIJE- CUCULIFOIiMES.
425.
sort of colony of Coininuiiists uniting to build ft largo nest to be used in comnioii. The eggs
are greenisli, overlaid with u white elialky substance, easily rubl)ed off when fresli.
C. a'ni. (The Urazilian name. Fig. 3;j;{.) Ani. Hi-aik Witcii. Savanna HLACKninD.
IJill smooth or with a few transverse wrinkles ; culmen regularly curved. Color black, with
violet and Stcel-bluo rcHeetions, duller below, the lanceolate feathers of the head and neck
M-ith bronze borders. Iris brown. Length i;i.00-15.00 ; wing fi.OO ; tail 8.00; tarsus 1.50.
Tropical America ; West Indies ; Florida ; accidental near I'hiladeliihia.
Fio. 323. — Ani, 1 nat. bize. (Kicini Brchm.)
430. C. sulciros'trls. (Lat. s«fcK.«, a groove ; ros/n,'*, jiertaining to the beak.) GuoovE-Bii.LKn
Axi. IJill with three distinct grooves on upper mandible, i)arallcl with the regularly curved
culmen. Black, with stee]-I>ln(' and violet reflections, more olive-
brown on belly ; scaly feathers of bead and neck bronzy, of breast,
back and wings metallic greenish. Wing.'* with 4th and 5th
([uills bnige.st, .3d little shorter, 2d nearly an inch, Lst nearly 2
inches from point of wing. Hill more than twice as high as
broad at the base ; 0.85 high, O-.S? broad, 1.20 long. Hill and
feet black, scaling grayish in some places. Iris brown. Length
14.50; extent 17.00; wing 5.50-0.00 ; tail 7.50-8.00, graduated 2
inches; tarsus, or middle toe and claw, 1.50. Tropical America ;
N. to Texas in the lower Kio Grande Valley. Eggs said to be
FiQ. 324. — Head of Qeococcyx.
(After Cassln.)
usually five, and no peculiarity of nesting noted; iiest of twigs,
lined with fibrous roots, in a tree or bush.
lil
CUCULID^T. — SA VllOTHElUXyK : GROUND CUCKOOS.
473
••KK8
X>l
37. Subfamily SAUROTHERIN^ : Ground Cuckoos.
Tnil oiten featluTs, grmliiati'd, IciiiiriT tlmn the slmrt, rninidcd, (•(mcavc winqs. Rill nlxuit
ns Inufj as tho licatl, coinjircs.scd, sitrnifjlit at liasr, taiicriii^, with dcHt'ctpd tip. gently fiirvcd
niliiion and auipli- rictus, Fci-t large* and Htrong, in adaptation tii terrestrial lite ; tarsus Icmirer
than tho toes, seutellate before and hehiiid. One West Indian genus, Saurothcni, with thruo
or four sjjeeies, and the following, with two: —
147. OEOCOC'CYX. (Gr. yrj, tje, the ground; k6kkv^, lolkux, a, cuckoo.) Ground Cuckoos.
.'■^^
:-v>^^
Fio. 325. —Ground Cuckoo, \ imt. 8ize. (From Brelim.)
Head crested j most feathers of head and neck bristle-tipped ; eyelids lashed ; whole jduinago
coarse. A bare colored space around eye. Bill about as long as head, nearly straight, but with
culnien and commissure much decurved toward end, gouys if anything a little coneave. Wings
very short and concavo-convex, with long inner secondaries fidding entirely over the primaries;
4th, 5th, and succeeding primaries longer than 3d, 2d, and 1st, which rapidly shorten. Tail of
long tapering feathers, much graduated, making more than half the total lengtli of the bird.
Feet as above. Plumage lustrous and variegated above. Sexes substantially alike. Eminently
terrestrial ; nest in bushes ; eggs numerous.
474
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — I'lCAHlJE— ClfCl'LlFOHMES.
487. Ci. I'lillfornlu'nus. (Of {'ulifdniiii. Fijfs. 324, H;J5.) Groi'M) f'rrKoo. C'iiai>auuai. (Nick.
IJoAK UrXNKU. SNAKK KlI.l.Klt. I'AIMANO. MoHt of tllC foiltlHTH (if the licud lliul IKck
l»ri«llt'-tii»|M'(l ; a iiiikcil iirni iii'imiiil i'yi> ; crown cri'Hti'd ; |>luiiiaK<' coiirHi'. (J 9 '• Above, lim-
troiiM lii'oiizy or fo|i|)i'ry-j,'n'('ii, cliaiiKitig to dark Htwl-hluc on tlici licad auil neck, to ])iir))liNli-
violct oil tho middle tail-fcatlicrs ; cvcrywln'rc cxi'cpt on ninii) <'onsiiii<'UoiiHly strrakcd with
wiiili', niiNcd with tawny on the head, neck, and win^s — thif wliite and butf streaking roii-
sistinj; of tlie oilp's of the leathers, whicli am frayed out, fringe-like, ])rodneing a jieenliar
elVe<'I. Breast, tliroat and sides of neck mixed tawny-white and black ; other nnder parts dull
Hiiled whitish. I'rinuiries white, tijijied and with oblique white 8i)acc au outer webs, liateral
tail-feuthers steel-blue with green and viidet rcHections, their onter webs fringed i)art way with
while, their tips broadly wliite. Lower back and rumj), where covered by the folded wings,
dark-colored and unmarked; nnder surtiK f wings sooty-brown. IJare n\»iw nround eye
bluish and orange. Hill dark horn-color; feet the same, the larger scales yellowish. Young
birds are very similar, the iridescence developing with the first growth of tlu^ feathers, as in a
magpie ; more white and less tawny in tho streaking. Nearly two foot long ; tail a foot or less ;
wing ()-7 inches; tarsus 2.00; bill l.()(l-2.0(). Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and
southward; ('(dorado; Arkansas IJivcr. A bird of remarkable asjicct, noted for its swiftnes.s
of foot ; aided by its wings held as outriggers, it taxes the horse in a race ; feeds on fruits, roj)-
tiles, insects, and land moUusks. Nest in bu.shes ; a .slight, loose structure of twigs, as if the
birds were just learning how to build. Eggs (i-S-9, white, ellijitical, averaging 1.55 X i.2().
They are laid at considerable intervals, and incubation begins as soon as a few are deposited.
The development of the chicks i.s rapid ; iierfectly fresh eggs and newly hatched young may be
found together; and by the time the last y(Uing an^ breaking the shell the others may be graded
uj) to half tho size of the adult. The birds are sometimes domesticated, making amusing ]»ets.
They arc shigular birds — cuckoos coinpouuded of a chicken and a mag]iie !
Subfamily COCCYCIN^: American Cuckoos.
Tail of te)i soft feathers, much graduated,
little longer than the wings, which are
somewhat pointed, although the first and
second (piills are shortened. Hill about
equalling or rather shorter than tho IknuI,
stout at base, then much compressed, curved
throughout, tajiering to a rather acute ti)> ;
nostrils basal, inferior, exposed, elliiitical ;
feet comparatively small, tho tarsus naked,
not longer than i\w, toes. There are four or
five genera, and perhaps twenty sjiecies,
of this subfamily ; one genus only is North
Fio. 326. -American Tree Cuckoo (foecj/ffMs ameri^n- American, with three distinct species.
«««), reduced. (From Tcnncy, after Wilson.)
121. COC'CYGUS. (An adjectival form derived from KoKKuf, a (Mickoo.) Trke Ct:CKOOS. Head
not crested; all the feathers soft. Bill as above. Wings pointed, but not longer than tho
tail ; inner quills not folding over much of the primaries ; Hd and 4th primaries longest, 2d and
5tli shorter, 1st nuich shorter still. Tail of soft rather tapering feathers, with very obtuso
ends; much graduated. Tibial ft^athors flowing; tarsi naked, shorter than middle toe. Our
sjiccies aro strictly arboricole birds of lithe form, blended plumage and subdued colors; tho
head is not crested ; the tibial feathers are full, as in a hawk ; tho sexes are alike, and tho
jroung scarcely different; tho upjier jiarts are uniform satiny olive-gray, or " quaker-color,"
with bronzy reflections. Lay numerous plain greenish elliptical eggs, in a rude nest of twigs
' !
T' '''
1 ,1
CUCVLIDJE—COCCYGIXJI':! AMKIilCAN CUCKOOS.
476
tho
saddled (Hi ii briiiuOi or in u fork. Tlumiili imt liuMtimlly piiriiditif, llicy nCti'ii olip nn ivk in
otliiT liii'ds' iii'Hts, (ir ill fucii ntiicr's. <lvi|)ii.siti(iii Im tiinly iir im'^iiliir ; tlir iicsts iiHimlly t'lHi-
tiiiii ^'H^i» ill diffiTciit staff's "f di'vciiiiniu'iit, or v^iin and ymiiiif tufV'tiii'i'. Tlii'y ar<' wi'll-ldiowii
iiiiialiltantM of diir Htrt'cttt and (tarltH as well as of wiMKliand, imti'd for tlicir loud, jrrUy cricH,
wliich tlipy arc supposed to utter most fV<'(|U('nily in liilliiig wratlier, wiirnce tlii'ir popular
uanic, " rain-crow." Migratory, insectivorous, and fnigivoroiis.
Analyili c/ Specif t.
Bill Mnrk nnil Miilali
Wlitto below. WlngB with llttis or nocliiiinnion. Tnil-fentlicra not bromlly wliltc-cndod.
iriiUnniililliiilmiiK
Bin liliuk nnil yellow. Tall-fe»tlier(i liromlly wliltc-emleil.
Wlilto below. Wings o.\tcn»lvoly c'liiiiiiniiiii nmrrii'iniii.i i.
Tawny below. Ears dusky tininilim *:m
FlQ. 327. — Yellow-billed Cuckoo, i iiat. size. (From lircUm.)
428. C. erythrophthal'mus. (Gr. ipvBp6s,erHthros,TcMi»h ; 6<t>6ai\ii6t, ophthalmos, eye.) Black-
nii.LEO Cuckoo. <J 9 : Bill blackish except occasionally a trace of yellowish, usually bluish
at base below. Above, satiny olive-gray. Below, pure white, somotimes with a faint tawny
tinge on tho fore-parts. Winga with little or no rufous. Lateral tail-feathers not CGntrasting
with tho central, their tips for a short distance blackisb, then obscurely white ; no bold contrast
of black with large white spaces. Bare circumocular space livid : edges of eyelids red. Length
11.00-12.00 ; extent about 15.50 ; wing 5.00-5.50; tail 6.00-C.50 ; bill under an inch. Very
470
SYSTE3IA TIC SYNOPSIS. — PICAltlJE — PIVIFOEMES.
young h\t(\s have the feathers of the upper parts skirted with whitisli ; tl>c bill and feet palo
bluisii. Eastern U. S. and Canada, M-est to the Roclcy Mts., X. to Labrador, conniion ; ratlirr
more northerly tlian C. americanus, being the commoner species in New England ; said to
winter in Florida. Nest preferably in busiies, often quite near the ground; eggsl.lU X 0.80,
greenish, deeper-colored, less elliptical and smaller than those of the yellow-billed cuckoo,
though probably not to bo distinguished with certainty.
429. C. amerlea'nua. (Lat. Anierican. Figs. .'526, 327.) Yellow-billed Cickoo. Bill black,
extensively yellow below and on the sides of upper nuindible. Feet dark plumbeous. Above,
satiny olive-gray. Below, pure white. Wings extensively cinnamon-rufous on inner webs of
the quills. Central tail-feathers like the back ; the rest black with large white tips, the outer-
most usually also edged with white. Very constant in cob)r, the chief variation being in extent
and intensity of the cinnamon on the wings, whidi sometimes sliows through wlien th(> wings
are closed, and even tinges the coverts. Young difter chielly in Iiaving tlie white ends of the
tail-feathers le.ss trenchant and extensive, tlie black not so pure ; this state apiu-oaches the con-
dition of C. erjithrophthahmis, but docs not match it. Length 11.00-12.00 ; extent 15.50-1()..")0 ;
■wing 5.50-1). 00; tail about G.OO ; bill a short inch; tarsus LOO; middlt^ toe and daw rather
more. U. S., rather more .southerly than the last species, and chiefly Eastern; but also, I'l'.citic.
coast and Southern Kocky Mts. Nest ii slight structure of twigs, leaves and catkins, on a
bough or in fork of a tree rather than in a bu.sh; eggs -i to 8, pale greenish, 1.25 X O.'JO, laid
irregularly, mostly hi June.
430. C. seni'culiis. (Lilt, seniculus, a little old man ; diminutive of sciic.r, probably alluding to the
gray on the head.) JlANdKOVE Cl'CKOO. Hill much as in the last. Above, thi^ same (|uaker-
color, but nuire decidedly ashy-gray toward and on head. IJelow, pah' orange-brown. Wings
suffused with the color of the belly. Auriciilars dark, in contrast. Tail as in the last, but
outer feather not white-edged. .Size of the others, or rather less. \\'est Indies; Florida,
rarely. Eggs as in C. americanus.
5. Suborder PICIFOKMES: Piciform Birds.
See p. 446 for characters of this suborder. It is a perfectly homog<'neous group, so much
so as to be often reduced to tlie grade of a single family, Picidtr, then with IiitujuKC and
P(CH)H)ii)i<e as subfamilies. In palatal characters the Piciform birds exhibit " a sim])lification
and degradation of the a>githognathous structure" (Hii.rlf;/), and this pa.sserine aHinity is bonio
out by the common reduction of the first primary to small size or even spurious condition, leav-
ing but 9 functionally deveh)ped primaries; but the details of the construction of the bony
palate, as worked out by Parker, are so extraordinary that he has proposed to make the I'ivi-
forines one of the nnijor divisions of Carinate birds (see p. 173, tig. 80). The greater secondary
coverts are likewise as short as in Pa,<i.<<crcs. Tlie feet are high.y scnnsorial by reversion of tlie
fourth toe. In typical Pici the bill is straight, hard, often strengthened by lateral ridges, and
forming an efficient chiselling in.strument. The salivary j^'niids are highly developed, and the
hyoidean apparatus is peculiar. The sternum is doubly-notched. Only the left carotid is
present ; the oil-gland is tufted, and there are no ca'ca. The accessory feinoro-candal, accessory
semitendinosus aiid ambiens muscle are absent. The nearest relatives of the Piciform birds are
the Ca})ito)}i(l(r or Scansorial Barbets, and the Touchus {lihumphastiiUc) ; both of which are
so closely affined that they might come under the above head, with little modification of the
characters here assigned. Of the three families here meant to be included by the term I'ki-
formes, the Old World Ii/ngidec or Wrynecks are most unlike Woodpeckers, having a soft tail
and various otlt r peculiarities. The Picummda' are more Woodpecker-like, but still the tail
is soft ; in general superficialities they resemble Nuthatches quite cm-iously. Exclusion of these
two families leaves us the
PICin.E : WOODPECKEliS.
477
27. Family PICIDjE : "Woodpeckers.
Feet perfecfhj zi/godacti/le by rerersion of the
fourth toe (in two gfiicra the first, toe wuutiiiir) ;
tail-feathers rigid, acuminate; hill a chisel. TJiis
cx])rt'ssi()ii will serve tor the reeoiiiiition of any
wooilpeeker (eoiiiparo diagnoses ot'firevious I'iea-
rian families). Wing of 10 ]irinniries, the 1st
quite short or even si)urions, the wing-forninla
being (inite as in most passerine hinls — a crow
or thrush, for examph'. Greater row of seeond-
- ary eoverts short, as in passerine hinls at large.
Tail of 12 reetrices, hut the outermost pair rudi-
mentary, lying concealed at the base of the tail
Fio. 328. — European Spotted Wooilpeeker (/"icus between the ponidtimate (now exterior) and next
major), reiluce.l. (From Dixou.) j,,,;,.^ j,,, ^]y^^^ ^]^^,J^ appear to be but 10, as usual
in Picarian birds (a strong peculiarity). Tail-feathers very stiff and strong, with enlarged
clastic shafts, and acuminate at the end. Tarsi scutellate in front, on the sides and behind
variously reticulati'. T<jcs strongly scutcllat(! on top. The usual ratio of tlie toes is : 1st
(inner posterior) shortest; 2d (inner anterior) next longer; 3d (outer anterior) longer; 4th
(outer posterior) longest of all (in most typical species ; iu some, however, scarcely or not
e(pniUing the 3d in length). The basal joints of the toes are abbreviated. There is a very
unusual arrangement of the flexor tendons of the toes (shared, however, among Toucans,
Scausorial Barbets, and Jacamars).
These birds have been specially studied, with more or less gratifying success, by Malherhe,
Sundevall atul Cassin. There are nearly 250 well determined sjjecies, of all parts of the world
except Madagascar, Australia, and Pidynesia. Their sei)aratiou into minor groups has not been
agreed upon; our species are commonly thrown into three divisions, which, however, 1 shall
not present, as consideration of exotic forms shows how the genera are inten-elated, and how
nice is the gradation in form between the Ivory-bill and tlio Flicker, which stand nearly at
extremes of the family ; the little diversity of which is thereby evident. One of our genera,
without very obvious external peculiarities, stands apart from the rest in the character of the
tongue. In ordinary Pici the " horns " of the tongue are extraordiiuirily produced backward,
as slender jointed bony rods curling up over the skull behind, between the skin and the bone,
to the eyes or even further ; these rods are enwrapped in highly developed, specialized muscles,
by means of which the birds thrust out the tongue sometimes several inches beyond the bill
(tigs. 73, 7t). This is not the case in Sjjhyropicus, whcr(! the hyoid cornua do not extend beyond
the base of the skull, and the tongue, consequently, is but little more extensible than in ordinary
birds. The tongue of SphijropicuH is beset at the end by numerous brushy filaments, instead of
the few acute barbs connnonly obser\-ed in tlie family. The same or a similar ccmdition of the
parts is observed in Xenopicus. In most of our species the bill is perfectly straight, wide and
stout at the base, tapering regularly to a compressed and vertically truncate ti}), chisel-like, and
Strengthened by sharp ridges on the side of the upper mandible — an admirable tool for cutting
into trees; i\nd in all such, the nostrils are hidden by dense lufts of antrorse feathers. Iu
t'hers, like the Flicker, the hill is smooth and barely curved ; the tip is acute and the nostrils
are exposed. There is a regular gradation in form between those with the most and the least
chifol-like bills. The former are more stocky-bodied birds, with larger heads in comparison
with the constricted neck, as any one may satisfy liimsclf by skinning a Plicated or Hairy
Woodpecker, and trying to pull the skin over the head — an operation which nuiy he i)erformod
on a Flicker. The ridges of the bill, the bevelling of the end, the uosal tufts, and usually tho
1
SYSTEM A TIG SYNOPSIS. — VIVARIJE — PICIFORMES.
length of tlie outer hind toe, are characters wliich diminish or are lost together as we pass from
the Ivory-bill extreme to the Flicker end of the series. The claws are always large, strong,
sharp, and much curved; the feet do not present striking generic modifications, except in the
three-toed genus Pico'ides; the length of the outer hind toe is the most variable factor. The
wings are specially noteworthy, for the shortness of tlie coverts, in exception to the Picariau
Fio. 329. — Ivory-bllled WooJpeckcr, i iiat. size. (From Brcliiu.)
rule ; and the shortness of the first primary, which may fairly be called spurious ; but these
points and tlie remarkable character of the tail have been already mentioned. This member
offers indispensable assistance in climbing, when the stiff strong quills are pressed against the
tree, and form a secure support. To this end, the muscles are highly developed, and the last
bone (vomer or pugostijle) is large and peculiar in shape. \Voodp<'cker8 rarely if ever climb
head downward, like Nuthatches, nor are the tarsi applied to their support.
4:
PICIDjE ; WOODPECKERS.
479
\
Species arc abundant in all the wooded portion of this country, and wherever found aro
nearly resident. For, although insectivorous, tliey feed principally upon dormant or at least
BtatioJiary insects, and therefore need not migrate; they are, moreover, Iiardy birds. They dig
insects and tbeir larvse out of trees, and are einineiitly beneficial to the agriculturist and fruit-
grower. Contrary to a prevalent impression, their boring does not seem to injure fruit-trees,
which may be riddled with holes without luirmful result. The number of noxious insects these
birds destroy is simply incalculable ; what little fruit some of them steal is not to be mentioned
in the same connection, and they deserve the good-will of all. The birds of the genus Sjihii-
ropicus are probably an exception to most of these statements. Hut Woodpeckers also feed
largely u|)on nuts, berries, and other fruits; and those which thus vary their fare to the greatest
extent are apt to be more or less migratory, like the common Ked-head for example. Wood-
peckers nest in holes iu trees, which they excavate for themselves, sometimes to a great depth,
and lay numerous rounded pure white eggs, of which the shell has a smooth cry.stalline texture
like porcelain, on the chips and dust at the bottom of the hole. The voice is loud and harsh,
susceptible of little modulation. The plumage as a rule presents bright colors in large areas or
in striking contra.sts, and is sometimes highly lustrous. The sexes are ordinarily distinguishable
by color-markings ; the young either show sexual characters from the nest, or have special
markings of their own.
Artijicial Analysis of X. A. Genera of Picida.
Toes 3 . . Picouhs 153
Toes 4.
Tongue not decideilly extensible.
Body entirely bliicli ; Iieud wliite Xeiinpiriis 152
Body variegiited ; liead not white Uplii/rojiitits l&t
Tongue very extensible.
Consi)ion()U.sly crested; much over .a foot long.
Bill white; outer liitid toe longer than outer front too Campephiltis 149
Bill dark ; outer hind toe not longer than outer front too l/iilolomus 150
Not crested ; a ftH)t htng or less.
Sides of upper inandil)k' distinctly ridged; wings spotted /'ietts 151
Sides of upper mandible indistinctly or not ridged.
Back lustrous green; belly carmine Asi/utle.imu.i ir>l
Baek l)lue-black ; belly wldte Melttni rpis l.'iO
Back black-barred ; belly black-spotted (olaplis 138
Back black-barred ; belly not sjiotted Centunm 156
149. CAMPE'PIIILUS. (Gr. (cdfwn/, /i-nw^ie, a caterpillar ; (^jXos, ^>/ii7os, loving.) Ivouv-iull.s.
Of largest size, with very strict neck, conspicuously creste(l head and white bill; color black,
with white on wings and neck, and scarlet crest. Bill longer than head, perfectly straight,
with truncate tip, bevelled sides, with .strong ridges ; broader than high at the base. Gonys
very long ; more than half the coimnissure. Nostrils concealed by large nasal tufts ; antrorso
feathers also at base of lower mandible. Outer hind toe much the longest. Wings pointed ;
4th, :5d and .jth <(uills longest ; 2d intich f<horter ; 1st very short and narrow. Tail very cuneate.
Containing the largest tmd most magnificent known Woodpeckers, of sevcnil species, peculiar
to America.
431. C. principalis. (Lat. principalis, principal; ^jnftce^js, chief. Fig. 320.) IvonY-BlLLEi>
WooDi'ECKEU. (J 9 '• Glossy blue-black ; a strijjc down side of neck, one at base of bill, the
scapulars, under wing-coverts, ends of secondaries and of inner primaries, the bill, and nasal
feathers white ; feet grayish-blue ; iris yellow. A hnig pointed crest, in the ,J scarlet faced with
black, in the 9 black. Length 19.00-21.00 ; extent 30.00-;53.00 ; wing 9.75-10.7.5 ; tail 7.00-
8.00; bill 2.. 50 ; tarsus 2.00. Varies much in size ; 9 smaller than the (J. A large powerful
bird of the S. Atlantic and Gulf States, N. to No. Carolina along the coast, to the Ohio Kiver iu
the interior ; common in the dark heavily wooded swamps, but very wilil and wary, and ditticult
to secure. Nests high in the most inaccessible trees ; eggs about G, 1.35 X 1-00.
480
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PICARIJE — PICIFORMES.
i : it
150. HYLO'TOMUS. (Gr. vXord/ior, hnlotomos, a wnoil-cuttcr.) Pileated Woodpeckers.
General form as in CampepliiluH. \\\\\ as in that genus, but not white, witli shorter gonjs
only about half as long as commissure; nasal plumes as before, but no iintrorso feathers on
sides of lower nuiniUble. Wings and tail substantially as in Ciimpeithilns. Feet peculiar :
outer posterior shorter than <juter anterior toe, and tarsus shorter than inner anterior toe and
claw ; inner posterior toe very short (fig. 3:50). Kill dark ; general color black, relieved by
white, tlie (J with a jMiintcd scarlet crest : 9 <'restc(l, but with black only. Our single si)ecies
is the representative of the famous black woodpecker of Europe, Picm maitius ; a classic bird,
by some considered the type of the LiunsDau genus Picus. There are several typical American
species.
432. II. pilea'tus. (Lat. pikatus, capped, i. e., crested ; pileitm, a caj).) Pileated Woodpeckeu.
General odor dull black ; throat, post-ocular line, u long .stripe from nostrils along side of
^^^^^^ head and neck, sj)reading on side of breast,
^^^^^^^^^^^|k|^^^ lining of wing, and a great white space at
^^^^^^^^^P^^^^^^^^^^^H^^ the bases the more
'^^^^^^^^^^^^ .^^n^^ ^^^^^^ or less tinged with sulphury-yellow. Feath-
■iC^^^^ ^p ^H ^^^^k ers of Hanks and belly often skirted, and
^^ ^^^ .^^^^B some of the quills often tipped with the
^^V ■! same. $ : Top of head, including the
^^L^ A ^ whole crest, and a cheek-patch, scarlet.
^^H^^ -^^ 9 • Posterior i)art of crest only scarlet.
Fig. xio.- Right foot of Pileated Woodpecker, iiat. size. HH'l "<' dieek-patch. $ 9: ]$illdark
(Ad. iiat. del. E. c.) horu-color, paler below; feet blackish-
plumbeous; iris yellow. Quite constant in coloration; very variable in size. Length I'j.dO-
l'J.(JO inches, usually 17.00-18.00; extent 2.j.00-;J0.00, usually 2().00-28.00 ; wing 8.00-10.00,
usually 8..-)O-'J.00 ; tail ().00-7.00 ; bill 1.50-2.00 ! 9 averaging about 2 inches less in length
than (J, and other dimensions proportionally .smaller. Northern individuals averaging much
larger tlian southern ones. North Am. at large, common, resident anywhere in heavy timber;
but this is a very wild, wary, and solitaiy bird, — one which grows scarce or di.sippears among
the first with the clearing away of forests in advance of civilization. Nests in remote and
secluded woods and swamps, usually at a greixt height ; the taking of eggs is something of an
exploit. The eggs measure about 1.25 X 1.00. Eggs of woodjjeckers are proportioned rather
to tiie bird's bulk of body than its linear diuu>nsious; tho.se of Camptplxilus and Ilylotomus are
relatively smaller than a flicker's, for instance.
151. Pl'CUS. (hilt. picHs, a woodpecker.) Hi.AiK-AXD-wiiiTE Spotted Woodpeckeu.s. Hill
more or less nearly e<puil to head in length, stout, straight, truncate at tip, bevelled toward end,
with shar[) culmcn and distinct lateral ridges on upjicr mandil)le ; at base rather broader than
high, with large nasal tufts hiding the nostrils; culmen, commissure and gonys straight or
nearly .so (Kg. !W3.) Feet with the outer posterior longer thau outer anterior toe; inner anterior
intermediate between these. Wing lontr, jiointed by the 4th, 3d and 5th quills ; 2d decidedly
shorter (shorter thau Tth, except in P. boirulis) ; 1st fairly spurious. Species of medium and
small size, all black-and-white (one brown-backed), the back striped or barred, the wiugs with
numerous sunill round white spots on the quills; ^ with red on the head.
AnalyaiH of Sjtecii'S nnil ]'itrWtU's.
Back dark l)rowii, neitlicr strli>eil nor fully liarrcd with wlilte stricklanili 437
Back black, not xtripcil lengtliwloe, but barrcil crosswlpc with white: "ladder-backs "(as in Hg yj',)).
One large white space on side of head. Crown black boreath 433
Two white 8tri|ic8 on sides of head.
Nasal feathers white; cf crown black, nape rc<l, both white-spotted nultnlli 4a'5
Nasal feathers brown ; J crown and na|>o red. both white-simttcd.
Outer web of outer tail-feather entirely black-barred scaiar'i 434
PJCID^: WOODPECKERS.
481
Outer web of outer tall-feather partly black-barrol lucasanut 436
Back black, not liarreil croKswIse, but striiwil loiiglliwiHc with white: •' polc-backa,"
Outer tiill-fuiitlicrH wholly white. Length usually "J-IO inchev.
Greatoi-eovorts and Inner »econJarle» profusely whitu-»iM)tte(l villoHm 438
Greater coverts and Inner scconilarles sparsely or not white-spotteil Iiiini.ii 439
Outer tall-feathers barreil with black. Length usually <>-7 Inches.
Greater coverts ami inner sei.'ondaries profusely white-simttod pulvaci na 440
Greater coverts and inner secondaries sparingly or not whitc-siHitteil yainliirri 441
433. V. borea'lis. (Lat. horealis, northcrii ; inapiiropriiite f<ir a U. S. 8i)ecics. Fig. 3;J1.) Rkd-
CocKADKi) WooiU'KCKEK. IJodj' spiitti'd ami crosswise baiiiU'd, but imt stri'akcil. Head
black oil top, with a largo silky wliito auricular
patch eiiibiaciiit;; the eye and extending on the side
of th(! neck, bordered above in tin; (J by a scarlet
stripe not meeting its fellow on the nape; nasal
feathers and those on the siiU; of the under jaw '^CST'
white; black of th(( crown connected across the v^^
lores with a black stripe running from the corner of \
the bill down the side of the throat and neck to be -
dissipated on the side of the breast in black sp(»ts /''
continued less tliickly along tlie whole side and on /W',,/v
the crissuni ; under i)arts otherwise soiled white. pJi^'J'Ji,'^'
Central tail-feathers black; others white, black- •^^■m*."
barred. Hack and wings barred with black and Fio. 3;(1. - itcd-cocka.lud Woodpecker, nat. size,
white, the larger ijuills and many coverts with the (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
white bars resolved into jjaired spots. 9 lacking the red cockade. A ))eculiar isolated species;
wiugs longer and more pouited than usual in this genus ; 2d (juill bnigcr than 7th ; spurioua
primary very short; bill .smaller than usual, decidedly .shiu'ter than head. Length 8.00-8.50;
e.xtent 14.00-1.). 00 ; wing 4..50-4.90 ; tail 3.25-3.75. I'ine swamps and barrens of the 8.
Atlantic and Gulf States ; N. to Pennsylvania. Eggs 0.95 X 0.70.
131. I*, scaln'ris. (Lat. scalitris, ladder-like; scnla, a scale, flight of stairs, etc.; alluding to tho
black and white cross-l'iirs on the back.) Ti;.\'AN Woooi'ECKEK. Entire back, from nape to
iipjier tail-covei'ts, barred across in bhudi and white stripes of equal width ; a narrow space on
back of neck, ui)per tail-coverts, and 4 middle tail-feathers, entirely black ; wing-coverts with a
round white spot at end of each feather, and a hidden spot tir pair of spots further along tho
feather. Primaries reguhirly marked with white spots in pairs on the edges of the webs, thoso
on the outer webs .small and angular, on the inner webs larger and more rounded ; on tho
s< ndarii's ilie.se spots changing to broken bars ; so that tins primaries antl coverts are spotted
alike, the secondaries and back barred alike. Ci"own black, speckled with white, in the ^
extensively crimson ; the feathers being black, specked with white, finally tipped with red,
which becomes continuous on the hind head, where the white specks cease. Side of head
white, with )i long black stripe from bill under eye, widening bi'hiiul, there joining a black
)iost-ocuLir strijie and spreadhig over side of neck. Nasal feathers siiudsy-brown. Under parts
ranging from soiled white to smoky-gray, with numerous bhu-k sjtots mi sides, flanks and cris-
Hum ; lateral tail-feathers perfectly barred with black and white in e(iual amounts. 9 lucking
red on the crown. Simill : length 7.00-7.50; extent 13.00; wiug 3.50-4.00; tail 2.75-3.00;
bill 0.G6-0.87. Southwestern U. S. and southward, abundant. It is obviously im])ossiblo, in
the cases of these profusely spotted wood])eckers, to frame a description which will meet every
ea.se, without being t(M) vague, or going into tetlious particulars. Tin.' foregoing, taken from
Kio Granilo specimens, covers the usual style of the sjiecies as found along our southern border ;
but the student must not be surprised if I fail to uccuuut for every spot of tho particular speei-
iiioii ho bos iu huud.
31
482
SYSTEM A TIC SYA'Ol'SIS. — I'lCAltnH: — PICIFOEMES.
435. P. s. nut'talli. (ToTluis. NiittiiU. Fig. :5.'{2.) Nittall's Woodpecker. Similar; rather
larger; more wliitc, this jircvailiiig oil the back over tlio Llaok hars ; nai)e chiefly white ; iia.sal
tufts white; lateral tail-feathers, especially, sparsely
tir imperfectly barred. The t'alifornian coa.-it race,
tlifl'eriiig ileciileiily in some respects, and constantly;
but connected with general series of ladder-backs.
Harring restricted to tiie back proper, the hind neck
being black, succeeded anteriorly by a white space
adjoining the red, wanting in xcalaris, where red
joins black. Ked chiefly confined to the occiput,
the rest of the crown black, spotted with white.
Lateral tail-feathers white, not barred througlioiit,
having but 1-15 black bars, all beyond their mid-
dles, all but the terminul one of these broken.
Wiiite jiostocuhir stripe running into the white
nuchal area, but cut off" from i\w wliite of tlie
shoulders. AVliito maxillary strij)e enclosed in
ria. 332. - Nuttall's Woodpecker, nut. size, l^l"^''' '"* '" "cchiriK, but this black continuous with
(From Elliot.) the cervical black patch, which is not tlie case in
scalnris. No smoky-brown state of the under jiarts observed.
436. P. 8. lucasa'nus. (Of ("ape St. Lucas.) St. LrcAS WooDPF.rKER. A L)cal rac(M)f, scrt/nns.
Smoky-brown nasal tufts and style of head and back as in that species. Lateral tail-feathers
imperfectly barred and only toward end, as in nuttnlU. Red of crown of $ broken up anteriorly.
Peculiar in disproportionate size of bill and feet : bill 1.10 ; tarsus 0.75.
437. P. striek'IaniU. (To II. E. Strickland.) STRiCKLAxry.s Woodpecker. Entirely difierent
from any of the foregoing or following species. Adult $ : Upper ])arts dark brown, immacu-
late; top of head, rump, and 't middle tail-feathers black; the occijiut with a scarlet band.
Sides of head with white post-ocular and nui.villary bands, expanded and more or less confluent
on sides of neck. Wing-quills like the back, their outer webs with a few snuill \vhite sjxits,
the inner webs with mon? numerous larger white spots or broken bars. Outermost tail-feathers
evenly barred throughout with blackish-browni and white ; intermediate feathers partly so
banded, but mostly blackish. Entire under parts sordid whitisli, thickly spotted witli dusky ;
the markings few and somewhat liueur on the throat, crowded and cordate on the brt^ast, widen-
ing and tending to become
bars on the lower belly,
flanks, and crissum. Itill
and feet blackish -plumbe-
ous. Size of a small P.
villosus; wing 4.50; tail
3.25; bill 1.12; tarsus
0.75; middle toe and claw
0.90. 9 similar: no red
on nape ; color of upper
parts duller, and some
featliers of middle of back
barred with white. Young:
Like adults of the respec-
tive sex ; but top t>f head
brown like back, and spot- F«o- 833. - Hairy Woodpecker, nat. nlze. (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
ted with red. A Mexican species, lately ascertained to bo of common occurrence in Arizona.
,11
PICin^\- WOODPECKERS.
483
438. P. villo'sus. (Lat. ciWosffs, liiiiry, 8linj;i;y, villous. Fiir. IJU;}.) IIaiuy WonnrKCKER. Sixittcd
aiul U'ligtliwisc strcakcil, but not baiiilcil. Usually ',)-!() hnij; ; nutcr tail-fratlu'rs wliuUy white.
Hack black, with a hiug white strijie lUiwii the middle. Quills and wiiig-corerts with a i>rii-
fusiou of white sjiots ; usually ()-7 pairs ou the ]iriinaries, several on all the seeoiularios, and
olio or more on eaeli of the eoverts. Four middle tail-feathers black ; next jiair bhudc and
wliite; next two ]iairs wliite, as .stated. Under parts white. Crown and sides of head black,
with a white stripe over and behind the eye; another from the iia.sal feathers runniuir below
the eye to spread on the side of the neck; a scarlet nuchal band in the (f , sometimes liroken
in two, wanting in the 9- Voung with tlie crown mostly red or bronzy, or even y(dlowisli.
Ea.stern X. Am., abundimt. Length usually 9.00-10.00 ; extent 1.")., 50-17.30 ; wing 4.:)0-5.00 ;
tail S. 50 ; bill 1.12 ; whole foot l.fifi. Varies greatly in size, mainly ac<'ordiiig to latitude. In
tho West, shades directly into P. v. linrrisi, by di.sap|»earaiice of the spots from the covertsi and
inner secondaries; tlie change occurs on the Eastern slopes of the Hocky Mts. One of the
common Eastern U. S. woodpeckers, in British Am. trending westward to the Pacific in
Alaska ; but not so often noticed as the little P. pubexceiis, as it is less familiar, and keeps more
in the woods. Kesident wherever occurring. Eggs KJ or 7, 1.00 X 0.75.
rt. iiKijoi: Xortliern : very large and lioary. Length up to 11.00; wing over 5.00; tail
ni'arly 4.00; whole foot 1.90 ; bill 1.50! {P. leucomelas Bodd.)
b. mcdius. The ordinary bird, as above.
c. minor. Southern : very small and dark. Grading down to 8.00, thus within an inch of
tlie maximiim of P. puhcscem. (P. auduboni Sw.)
430. P. V. Iiar'rlsi. (To Edward Harris.) Hauris' Woodpecker. Exactly like villosus, except-
ing fewer wing-spots ; generally none on tho coverts and inner quills; with specimens enough
we can see tho spots disappear one by one. Generally white below, but in some regions
smoky-gray (a thing not observed in Eastern birds), such being especially the case on the
Pacific slopes, where tlic smoky-bellied birds also sometimes acquire a few thin black stripes
on the sides ; those from the interior being quite purely white below. Size of au average
P. rillosufi. Kocky Mts. to the Pacific, U. S.
440. P. pnbes'cens. (Lat. p«fcc*"ceH.<i, coining to puberty ; i. e. hairy. Fig. 334.) Down'Y Woon-
PECKER. Usually 0-7 long ; outer tail-feathers barred with black and white. Exactly like
P. villosus, except in these respects. Length 6.00-7.00 ;
extent 11.00-12.00; wing 3.50-4.00; tail under 3.00;
bill about O.GO ; whole foot 1.25. Eastern N. Am.,
abundant in orchards, and all wooded jilaces. Range
substantially the same as that of the hairy woodpecker,
but in most U. S. localities the more abundant of the
two ; on the whole rather more southerly. This is tho
little spotted bird that bores the apple-trees so persist-
ently ; but it does not appear to hurt them. There is
no such difference in the character of the plumage as
the terms "downy" and " hairy" imply. Eggs about Fio. 334. — Downy Woodpecker, nat. size.
0,0.85X0.70. lAdnat.del.E.C.)
441. P. p. gaird'nerl. (To Dr. Meredith Gairdner, a Scotch naturalist.) Bearing the Stame relation
to P. piibescens that harrisi does to P. villosus ; the wing-spots few or wanting on the inner
quills and the coverts, the belly smoky-gray in some localities. Kocky Mts. to the Pacific,
U. S., but much rarer than P. piibescens is in tho East, and almost wanting in tnuch of the
Rocky Mt. region, where P. harrisi abounds.
162. XENOPl'CUS. (Gr. ^ivot, xenos, rare, foreign.) Masked Woodpeckers. Form as in
Picua proper. Body uniformly black. Head white. Tongue said to bo but little nuir"
extensible than in Sphyropicus (not verified by me).
ill i
■ r<
'f P
484
,iYt)TEMATia SYNOPSIS. —PICAIil^ — PICIFOIUIES.
442. X. albolarva'tus. (Lat. albo, with white, lanatus, masked.) WiiiTE-iiEADEn Woon-
PECKEK. l$()dy not banded, streaked, nor spotted. Uniform blaek ; wliole head white, in the
^ with tt scarlet nuclial baud ; a largo patcli of white on the wing, formed by white spaces on
both webs of the primaries, divided only by tlieir black shafts; on the secondaries commonly
resolved into a number of blotches. Bill and feet plumbeous-blackish. Iris red. 9 without
the red on the nape. Length 8.75-9.50; extent 15. 75-10.25 ; wing 5.00-5.25; tail 3.50.
Mountains of California, Oregon and AVasliington, common in pine M-oods. A remarkable
species, unique in coloration, and still more peculiar in the little extensibility of the tongue,
which can be pulled out scarcely an inch ; that of P. villosiiis, for instance, extending 2 inches
or more beyoml the end of the bill.
163.
Fio. 335. — Kuropcaii Thrce-tocd Wooili>ccker(/'tcoif(/«s tridactylus), \ nut. sizu; liurdly iliKtIiigiilsliablo in tliu
out from P. amcricniiH.t, (From Brelim.)
PICOi'DES. (Lat. ^Jiei<.s, a woodpecker; Gr. tifios, cfV/os, resemblance. Fig. 33.5.) Three-
toed Woodpeckers. Three-toed : the hallux (Ist toe) absent, the ith toe reversed as usual
in the family. Bill as in Picits projier. about as long as the liead, stout, straight, with bevelled
end and lateral ridges, and nasal tufts hiding the nostrils ; very broad and much depressed at
base, with the lateral ridges very low down, in most of their length close to and parallel with
commissure ; nostrils very near commissure ; gonys about as long as from nostrils to end of bill.
Wings very long and ])ointed ; 1st quill spurious ; 2d between 6th and 7th in length. Crown
■with a square yellow patch in the ^ ; sides of h' ■' striped, of body barrtMl, with black and
white ; under parts otherwise white ; quills but not coverts with white 8i)ots ; tail-featlu^rs
I'ICILJE : WOODPECKERS.
485
ilnoiily
imlmrred, tlic outer wliito, tlio oc utrul bltu-k. All tlic siti-cics of tills ponus are uufiucstionubly
iiiodiKed (Icrivativi's of oiu' cifcuiiijiolar stock ; the Anicricau si'ciii to liavo bi'coiiu' comiili'tcly
dift'crciitiatcd froiii tlu^ Asiatic and Eiiro)i('aii, and further diviTgciu'c seems to' have jieil'ectly
Ht'parated arcficiis from umericunus ; but dorxalia and americanus ai'u still liuked together.
Analy»is of Speciei.
Bnck uiiiform black ureliviin 443
Back wltli fiitirely liitcrriipteil Iciigtliwiso white Hlripc umivininiis 444
Hack witli nearly or quite uiiliitorriipted leiigtliwlsc whitu stri, 10 ilarmlis 445
443. P. arc'tlpus. (Lat. nrcticus, aretic.) Hlack-uackkd Tiiuiok-tokd Woom'KCKint. Kn'iro
upper parts glossy blue-black, with only a few white spots jiain^d ou the wing-ipiills. Hclow,
M'hite from bill to tail, the sides, flanks, and liuini; of wini;s barred with black. A slis;lit or
concealed white post-ocular striiie (often wanting) and a siile-stripe on head from across fore-
head to neck, <'iit off by black from the white of the under parts. Four middle tail-feathers
black-, the rest white, but the intermediate one usually touched witli black. ^ with a s(|uare
yellow patch ou crown, wanting in 9- I'i'l !>"'! ^''''t blackisli-iilumbeous ; iris brown. J^cngtli
9.00-10.00; e.\tent 15.00-17.00; wing 5. 01 1-5. .50; tail 4.00; bill 1.^5 or more. Xorthwesteru
Am., S. in winter through New England and generally ahmg the uortheru tier of V. S., in tin;
mountains of the West to about 39° in Nevada and California. Ilaliits of ordinary I'icus.
Kggs i).U-2 X 0.72.
4.;4. r. ainpriea'niis. (Of America.) LAMDKH-itACKKD Tiiukk-tokd WooDPixKint. Tjipcr
parts black, the mi<ldle line white, more or less completely barred across with bhick ; the
general etiect thus <if a " ladder-back." All the primaries and secondaries witli [laired white
spots or bars. Four middle tail-feathers black, others white, the intermediate one usually
tduclied with black. Helow, white from bill to tail, the sides, flanks, and lining of wings
black-barred. A white post-ocular stri))e to nape, and a larger white stripe from lore to side
of lu'ck. (J with a yellow s<(iuire on crown, wanting in 9 I i" both, crown seldom uniform
black. IJill and feet blackish-plumbeous; iris brown. .Smaller than the last ; length 8.00-
9.00: extent U.OO-Ul.OO ; wing 4.50-.').00; tail under 4.00; billl.25 or less; whole foot 1.50.
Northern \. Am., S. to Massachusetts and along northern tier of States.
445. I*, a. dorsa'lls. (Lat. dursalis, relating to dorsum, the back.) Pole-backi;i> TiiitEE-
T(>i;i) WodHPECKKU. In extreme ca.se, the back with an uninterrupted white lengthwise
stripe, producing the effect of a " pole-back," as in 1'. villusus for instance; this is produced by
such increase of white on the ends of the individual feathers that their black bases do not show,
the subterminal black bars of P. hirsittits disappearing. Usually partly banded black and
white, and grading bar by bar into hirsitttis. The amount of spotting on the wings is about
as in Picus hnrrisi — on jirimaries and secondaries, not on coverts. Size of hirsutiis. Rocky
Mt. region, M. S., S. to New Mexico.
154. SPIIYROPI'CUS. (Gr. (r<^i)pa, .S7j//»cr<, a hammer; and Lat. ;)ic«.s.) Sap-suckixg Wood-
i'Ei'KEi{.s. Bill about as long as head, not so stout and chisel-like as in the foregoing genera ;
pointed, with little bevelling at extreme end only, and lateral ridges running obliquely into the
commissure at about its middle; culmcn and gonys both a little eurved ; nasal tufts moderate.
Wing pointed by 4th jminary; 3d and 5th nearly as long ; 2d between Oth and 7th ; spurious
1st very short. Tail-feathers long-aeuniiuate. Outer hind toe little longer than outer front
one ; inner hind toe extremely short. Plumage highly variegated with yellow and red. Sexes
unlike. Tongue scarc(dy extensile ; the tip (d>tuse, brushy ; hyoid bones short. Birds of this
remarkable genus feed much up(m fruits, as well as insects, and also upon soft inner bark
(cambium) ; they injure fruit-trees by 8trip]iing off the bark, sometimes in large areas, instead
of simply boring holes. Of the several small species commonly called " .sa]>suckers." they alone
deserve the namt!. In declaring war against woodpeckers, the agriculturist will do well to
discriminate between this somewhat injurious and the highly beneficial s[)ecies.
488
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PICAlilAC —VIClFOliMES.
m
i r
440. S. va'riiis. (Liit. fciriits, varicgntiil. Fit.'. 33(1.) Yi:m,()\v-iii;i,i,ii:i> Woodpeckeu. ^:
Crowu oriiuHdii, biinlcrcil all iiroinnl with Mack ; cliin, tliroiit, and breast black, ciicldsiiig a largti
ii'iinsoii patch on the forincr (in the (J ; in tlic 9 this patch white) ; siilcs of head with awhito
lino Htartitig from the nasal feathers and dividing the black of the throat from a trans-ocular
black stripe, this separated from the l)lack of tlie croM-n by a white post-ocular stri])e ; all these
stripes frequently yellowish. I'nder parts dingy yellow, brownish and with sagittate dusky
marks on the sides. Jlai.'k variegated with black and yellowish. Wings black with a largo
oblicpie white bar on the coverts; the fjnills with numerous paired white spots on the edges
of both webs. Tail black, most of the feathers white-edged, the inner webs of the middle pair,
and the upper coverts, mo.stly white. ]{ill
brownish; feet greenish-plumbeous ; iris
lirown. Young birds lack the definite
black areas of the head and breast, and tlie
crimson throat-patch, these jiarts being
mottled gray ; but in any plumage the bird
is recognized by its ycUmruesa, ditferent
from what is seen in any other Eastern
species, and the broad whit(! wing-bar, to
say nothing of the generic, characters.
Length 8.25-S.7.") ; extent ]5.()l)-l().0ii :
wing 4.SO-.").2(); tail 3.50. Eastern N.
Am., abundant in most V. S. biealities,
resident in the Soutii, mis^ratory northerly ;
N. to i\\° at least; AV. to Dakota; S. into
Central Am. and W. I. The liyoid bones
are the shortest of those of any N. Am.
species ; the tongue is jirotrusible only about i inch iM-yond bill. Eggs l-Ci, about 0.'.).") X 0.70.
447. S. T. nuchalls. (Lat. «w/i«/is, jtertaining to HHc/irj, the nape; notclassic.) N'icii.M. Woon-
PFX'KEK. Like the last; with an additional band of scarlet on the iiaiie (where the white is
seldom even tinged with red in S. vnriits) ; red throat-patch invatling the surrounding black, and
9 with this j)atch at h'ast in part red : all the yellowish variegation very j)ale, almost white on
the belly (where viirhis is yeUowest) ; bill slaty-black (not brownish). Size o( variiis. Hocky
Mt. region, U. S., abundant. In .S'. variiisi
the red rarely spreads on the najie, and the
9 seldom has any «ni the throat. In S.
vuchalis this extension of red is a step
which culminates in S. ruber.
448. S. V. ru'ber. (Lat. ruber, red.) Ked-
imEASTEi) WooDi'ECKEH. Like the last,
but M-hole liead, neck, and breast canniue-
red, in both sexes, in which the markings
of varius are more or less completely dis-
solved, though usually traceable ; gray in
the young. Size of the last. Pacific coast
region, U. S. A remarkable extreme, long
supposed to be perfectly distinct ; now-
known to Intergrade in every degree with Fi... XST. - Brown-headed Woodpecker (9), not. size.
nuchalis. (.A.l imt. del. E. ('.)
440. S. tliyroi'des. (Gr. 6vptofiSr]s, Ihureoeides, shield-like : Bvptos, thureos, a shield ; ctfior,
resemblance ; alluding to the black ]dastrun of the 9 . Figs. 3.37, 338.) Bkown-iieaded
Pro. 336. —Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, iiat, size,
lint. del. E. C.)
(Ad
PICIJU-J : WOODPECKEliS.
487
155.
WoODPECKEK ( 9). ni,A('K-ltUi;.\Sli;i> WdOKPECKKUf 9)' He1)-TIIU<)ATE1> WoOlM'KCKKII
(c?)- Williamson's Wooiumukkk ( c?)- Adult ^ : (ilnssy Mark, includiim all the tail-
ffutlicrs. llt'lly gaiiiliipgc yollow. A narrow scarlet j)at('li (Hi tlii' tlirnat. r|i))i'r tail-cnvcrts,
a broad id)li(|iio bar on tlio wiug-covorts, a imst-ocnlar striin", a striiit' t'rotn iicistrils tx'low oyo
and car, and small, in |)art paired, si>ots on the ([iiills. white. Lining of wings, sides of body,
Hanks and crissnin varied with white, leaving the black in l>ars and cordate sjiots. Itill slati'-
color; foot greiMiish-gray ; iris reddish-brown. Length '.).(HMI..")<) ; extent 10.00-1 7. OK ; wing
5.00-,'). . ')0 : tail H.7.") ; bill 0.90; whole foot 1.07. Adult 9: Altogether different ; oidy n]>iier
tail-coverts white and belly yellow as in $ ; only continuously black in a. shield-shaped area
oil breast of varying ostont. Otherwise, entire body, including wing-coverts, inner secondaries
and most tail-feathers, closely and regularly barred crosswise with black and white, or brownish-
white I most brownish on body, <|uite whiti' on
wings and tail). Whole bead uniform hair-
brown, invaded more or less with the varie-
gation of the body, sometimes with traces of
the i)ost-ocular stripe of th(^ (J, and often
touched with red on the throat. Quills more
heavily white-spotted than in $, tho spots
paired on all the feathers, clninging to bars
on tho inner ones. Two or three interme-
diate tail-feathers black, but middle and one
or two outer pairs barred. Size of the $.
Tho extraordinary sexual differenco.s long
kept thifro'ides and " williumfiohi" apart in
the books as perfectly distinct species; espe-
cially as they begin with tho first featherings, Fio. 338. — Reil-tUroatod Woodpecker (j), iiat. size,
tledgliiigs in the uost showing tho opposite <■*'' ""'■ •'*'• ^'- <^-)
l)atterns perfectly. Young (J : Like adult ; no rod in tlio white throat-patch ; belly merely
y(dlowish; tail varied with white. Young 9= I-'ike adult, but wh<do bead, neck, and breast
banded with dusky and gray, cimfonnable with the general variegation of the body. Tho best
9 9 '"■•' those with the cleanest brown bead and most black l)reast. Though tho general
effect of this beautiful woodpecker is so peculiar, in each sex, thtf cobiration is referable to
the pattern of S. varius. lu both, yellow belly, red throat ((J), white upper tail-coverts,
S]iotted (luills, varied flanks and crissum, stripes on head, black breast (only circumscribed in
9), white oblique wing-bar (oidy develope<l in $}, variegation of inner web of middle tail-
feather (9 and young (J); geni'ral variegation of back of !v<ni(s repeated in 9i while gray
bead of young variiiK is met by brown head of 9 thyro'ides. Hocky ^Its. to the Pacilic, \j. S.,
chiefly in the piuo-belt, of which it is one of tho characteristic sjiecics, like Clarke's crow,
^teller's jay, and other birds ; abundant in favorable localities. It is strictly a Sphi/ropicus,
with little extensible, brushy and obtuse tongue, and feeds on juices of trees, as well as insects
and berries. Eggs not j'et taken : doubtless indistiugui.shable from those of S. varius.
CENTU'RUS. (Gr. Ktvrpov, kentroii, a prickle ; oipd, oura, tail ; but the species not sliarjier-
tailed tlnin other woodpeckers.) Zebua W(H)niM;cKEK.s. Bill about as long as bead, com-
pressed, little bevelled or truncate at end, with decidedly curved culmen ; lateral ridges near
culmeu, subsiding before reaching end of bill ; misal tufts moderate, partly concealing nostrils.
Outer hind toe shorter than outer anterior one. Wings and tail ordinary. Soxes alike, except
less or no rod on head of 9 • " Ladder-backed; " Lack and wings, except larger rpiills, closely
banded with black and white ; primaries with largo white blotches near the base, and usually a
few snuillor spots ; below, imm.iculato, j'xeept sagittate black mark.s on the flanks and crissum ;
the belly tinged with red or yellow ; 9-10 long ; wing about 5.00 ; tail ubout 3.50.
4HH
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — I'lCAHI^i: ~ a WI FORMES.
Aniiliifi»i\l'Siitrieii.
Uelly reddoiilnij ; 111) yellow about lifiiili (f wlioUi iiowii luil; $ iiii|)c red i-iii-hIiiiiih I'lli
Uelly yulliiwliig ; (f crowii-Miint rwl ; V ii" rod on lu'iul.
Front mill imiicyullow; niiiii)i;iillrily wldtu; lull iiliiKiat fiitlroly blai'k iiiiri/rdim 451
No yellow on licad; rump uiid lull miiuli burred with bliu'k und white Hifi/ij/r/in/lii 4.12
450. C. caroH'nus. (Of Caroliim. Fij;. 339.) Kkd-ukllikh Woodj'kckkk. Wliolo i luwii ami
iiaiic Bcarlet in tlic ^ ; luii nly so in the ?• Hiilt's <it'lioa(l, and uiiilcr parts, grajiNli-wliitr,
nsiially "itli a jclluw sliatli', rnldcnintj ou the belly; tail black, out! tir two outer CeatlierN
Mliile-liaiTcil ; inner web of central featli-
ers'wliite with black spotft, outer web of ^^ '■ '' ,:''''' 'V'''; ' "' '''''^'-ii,: ,v
tbe xanie black with a white space next ^ -. .\ ^^^^| idflilj^^ '
the shaft for most of its leujith ; white X^\\^^>^B^r .^^P^^^ ¥"
iireiioiiiiiiatini; on the mini). Itill aiul feet v^^^V^vCV v.\ S^F ^HPv ' ,f ^B
dusky pluinbeoiis. Iris red. l<arge ; length aES^^ \^MvV\ />r'''''*'iil^^
the Kocky Mts. ; Texas; connnon Bouth- NS^vlM^-'Vjjffili \)^^ -"^
451. C. au'rifrons. {XaW.. auruin, fuM: frtmx, ^^^al^]^j^P^i!l'^V '*'^^JliRBy
belly y<'nowish, not reddish ; red of head \ l^^^^'X-^il^^'- ■Si'^M^f/ M
in <J confined to a croM'n-patch, in 9 V^r^^^^^ii^^^KV)l vrvU
wanting. Ftirehead and nasal phiuies ^ ^- S B^^BwriV I V^
golden-yeUow; nap(! with a goltU'ii, orange, * ' ^^^^1'' '''i
or reddish band (in both sexes, besides tlui Fio. 3yi». — Uwl-hillied Woodiicckcr, rcdncod. (Sliep-
scarlet crown-patch of the $). Lad(h'r- I'»'-'l'Iel- NIcI.oIhsc.)
rungs of back narrow, nunierou.s, and distinct. Head aial under parts dear ashy-gray, very
ditlerent from the smoky-gray of C. iiropygiuUs, \\w. belly yellowish, tlu? fianks and crissum
whitish, varied with black. Upper tail-coverts white, not barred. Middle tail-featiiers entirely
black; outeriuost not entirely barred ; next black or only touched with white. Hill and feet
bluish-black. Iris red. l^ength <.)..)0-i;)..")() ; extent 1()..5()-17..")0 : wing ,').0()-.5..")(l ; tail 3.2.")-
3.75. 9 differs as said. ■ Young (f : Distinctively like the adult ; nearly all the crown bronzy-
red ; nasal jdunies not yellow; najie dull yellowish; a few thin streaks of dusky on breast.
Texas and southward ; very abundant in suitable localities on the Lower Hio (Jrande. Habits
not peculiar. Eggs 4-0, 1.00 X 0.80.
452. C. uropyKla'Iis. (Gr. ovponvyiov, oiiropugion, Lat. iiropi/f/iitm, the rump; banded in this
species, not M-hite as in aurifroits.) (iu..\ Woodim'.ckkr. SAtifAKo AVoonPF.CKEii. Head
all around and entire under parts fulvous-gray, with front and nape not notably difl'erent, the
middle of the belly yellowish, the tlanks and crissum whiti.sli witli black bars and cordate spots;
middle of crown crimson in f. Hack, rumj), upper tail-coverts, wing-coverts, and inner (piills
closely and regularly banded with black and white, latter not jaire I'li dorsal region. Primaries
blackish, not regularly barred or spotted like the iimer quills, but slightly white-tipped and
-edged, and with large white blotches at base, of irregular shapes and tending to resolve into
sets of smaller spots. Middle pair of tail-feathers black, with long white shaft-space on outer
riCJD.V: : WOOUI'KCKEliS.
4.H'.t
(Sliep-
wob, on imicr web wliiti' with lilack liiirs ami s|ints ; iiitcniit'clinti' tiiil-fciitlicrs liluck ; oiitiT-
iiioHf rcniiliirly Imrrcd with liliiflv iiml wliitc ; next In iiiilfniinst tims liiirml nt cihI mily. Kill
MiU'kifili ; feet ii1iiiii1m<pus ; ir'iM |iriilmlily rt-d. Size of tlic ntlicrr*, <ir I'Mtlicr Ifss. 9 willmMl
rr<l ou lii'iul. A jiociiliiir sjiccii's, iiImiiiihUiiu: iiitlii' vallry nl'tlic (iila iiml Luwit ('(>liir;ii|i>, ;iiiil
Hoiitliwai'il, wIhtc it nests iisimlly in tlir triiiiit cMctiiM's.
156. MKLANKK'I'KS. ((ir. fif\ai. iiiiliis. Murk; I'pjrrjr, livrjirs, n crfi'\Hr.) 'rmtni.nii ^\■()lll>-
I'KCKF.KS, Kill aliiiut as Idii^ as litail, ili'|ii'rssi'il at liasr, ('(iMi])i'('ss<'(l licyniiil, ciilnicli and umiys
riiltrcd Idit curved tln-(ini,')i(Piit, sides of iipiier iiiainlllile distinctly ridu'i'd Inn a little way, end <<\'
bill |ii)inted with little hevellini; ; nasal tnl'ts small, nut ecnu'ealini; nnstrils. Outer |iiisleric>r
and aiit«'ri(ir toes nF e(|nal lengths. Win^s pointed l>y lid, Ith, and .Itli ipiills ; :.'d shorter than
Cith ; Ist spurioiis, IMuniap' lustrous and " liroail" in coloration, wiiii Mack, white, and red in
masses, little or not spotty or streaky. Sexes alike and younn dillerent, or sexes unlike and
vounn similar. The two species are very diH'erent, reipiiriuf; no analysis ofthe'r characti'rs.
4,13. M. (>rytlirui-i>'pliuliiM. (Hi. ipvOpos, I'l'iilhriin, rvi\; KfpnXr], liijiliiilf, hci\i\, Fii;, liK).) Ukd-
iir.Ain'.i) W(Kii/i'i:(Ki:u. 'riticoi.oi!. <J 9'"<1"1'' beautifully tricolor with ■ the red, white,
and blue." Hack wiiij,'s and tail ulossy Mue-black ; seconda-
ries, upper tail ' irts, under winn-coverts, umler parts from
the breast, and eiulf* of «>lno orltPf tail-feathers, white. Whole
head, neck and fore lireast <'rimson, usually hlack-bordered
where adjoiiiinir tlie white. The white of the winu;s and rump
is pure ; that of helly usually tinj^ed with ochra( us or red-
dish : the white ipiills have black shafts. The red feathi'rs
are stillish and .somewhat bristly in their c(dored portions.
The kUihh is soniotinies ffreeu instead of blue. Hill and feet
dusky liorn-c(dor. Iris brown. Leni;th 8. ,50-'.). 50 ; extent
1 ().( 10 18.00 ; win,irr).(K)-.-)..")(l: tail ;{..")0 ; bill 1.00-1.12; whole
foot I.()7. (J 9. youn^r: 'V\h- red jiarts of the adult gray,
streaked with dusky ; the red apjiears in irregular patches.
Feathers of back and wing-coverts skirted with light gray,
and mixed with concealed whitish, in bars. Primaries and
tail-feathers tipped and edged with white. White of sfconda-
rii'8 broken M-ith black bars or spots. At a very early age,
wlitde under jiarts .streaked with dusky much like the head,
but these jiarts whiten before the head reddens. Kastern U. !S.
and British I'rovinc^ps, irregularly rare or common northerly,
abounding in most V. S. localities; common N. to 1!)° along I>ccker, reiluced.
Ked Kiver of the North ; W. to Kocky Mts., sometimes to '^"''■''°'' "''■'
Utah and California; migratory in most sections. A very familiar bird, in orchards and gar-
dens as well as in the M'oods, conspicuous with its gay tricolor ])linuage, and a great genius, no
less brilliant and versatile in character than in plumagi^ — very accomplished, of endless re-
sources, with tricks and m.inners enough to fill the rest of this volume with good reading
matter! Feeds much on acorns, nuts, berries, and various fruits as well as u]>on insects,
and sometimes lays uj) a store, like the Californian Woodpecker. Xest anywhere in wood,
preferably the blasted to]) of a tree. Kgus .5 or 0, glassy and spheroidal as usual in the family,
1.10 to 1.1.") hdig, 0.80 to 0.90 broad. Two Imiods southerly.
454. M. formlci'vorus bairdl. (Lat. /ormicrt, an ant; roco, I devour. To S. F. Haird ; our species
a variety of the Mexican one. Fig IV] 1.) (".m.ii'ohnman Woodpeckeu. (J 9 = f-h'ssy blue-
black ; rump, bases of all the quills, edge of the wing, and under parts from the breast, white ;
sides with sparse black streaks; forehead squarely white, continuous with a stripe down in front
of the eyes and tlieuce broadly eueircling tho throat, there becoming yellowish ; this cuts otf the
Fio. .340. — Re<l - licu<lcil Wo(nl-
(Slicpparil del.
; f
!
Ill
41)0
SYSn-JMA TIC SYS or SIS. — PICARIJE — I'ICIFOILMES.
black aromitl l)a8P of bill anil <m the oliin coiiiplptcly ; crown in tho ^ criinsfm from tlip white
front. In tlic 9 si'l'aratcd from the white by a black interval ; freriuently a few red feathers in
the black breast-jiatch, which is not sharply defined behind, bnt diaiiffes by streaks into the
white of the belly. IJill bhudi : eyes white, often rosy, creamy, yellowish, milky, bluish, or
brown. Yoiini.' not j)articnlarly ditter-
ent, biit have the heail-iinirkin_-s less
delinod, the red bron/y. In th(> 9i
the succession of white, bhndi, and red
on the crown is very sharp and sipiare.
In some speciinens of either sex, the
secondaries are edtjed and tijiped with
white. The trloss is sometimes rather
fireen than bine. Si/eof the last. Hill
varies in size from 0.87 to 1.1:2 ! Uocky
Mts. to the l'aciti(% T'. S., abnndant ;
noted for its habit of stitdiinj^ acorns in
little hides that it diijs in the bark for
rio.3II.-CallfornianWoo<li.ecker,imt. si'c. (Ad nat. del. ''"■ l"in'">'e : whole branches are fre-
K. C.) ([ueiitly studded in this manner, (ien-
eral manners and bearinji those of the common red-head. Ki,'i;s l.lO X ••.<)0.
455. M. t. HiiKiis'tifrons, (Lat. njii/frs^xs, narrow, straitened; frous, forehead.) Nauuow-fuontkk
Wooitpr.CKKU. Said to have the white frontid bar narrower ; bill somewhat ilitt'erently shapecl ;
white bar narrow(>r than the blacdi one tif the 9 ? 1'"'*'' totrether less than the red. L. California.
157. ASYNDES'Ml'S. (dr. a jn-ivative, crvv, situ, together; SfCTfiin. ilfsmos, a bond ; allndintr to
the loosened texture of the feathers of certain parts.) 15i!I.sti.i:-iii:i.i.iki> WiioDPKCKi'.its. IJill
abnost colaptine in seneral as])ect, but with .short distinct lateral ridfjes as in Meluucipes; as
Ions; as head, rather hmiier tlian tarsus, not broader than hiirh at base, coin|tr'ssed and some-
what curved toward end; jMiinted
with scarcely any lateral bevidlini;.
culmen curved and scarcely ridt;ed ;
tjoiiys straight. Wings of excessive
leuirth, toldinir nearly to end of tail,
and jieculiar in jiro|Hprtion of prima-
ries : 4th (|uill loniiest, 'M and .")th
about e(|Mal and shoi-ter than 2d.
Inner aiit(>rior claw reatdiint; little
beyond ba.sc of outer anterior. Feath-
ers of untler parts anil of a nuchal col-
lar with the tibrilhe of their colored
portions eidart"':'. m calibre, bristly,
of siliciouR hardness, loosened and
disconnected, beint; devoid of bar-
bictds and booklets. Dorsal |du- Fio. .■M'.'. — Lewis' Woiwlpci-kcr, nat. size. (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
matje coni])act. of inti'use metallic lustre. Feathers of faci! soft and velvety. Sexes alike;
yount; ditt'erent. I do not see why my friends have snubbed thi.s genus; it is a good one, as
genera go now.
450. A. torqua'tiis. (I-at. torquntus, collared. Figs. ;U-'. '\\'.\.^ Lewis' Woodi'Eckeh. Coi,-
l.Aur.i) AV(M)i>PK('KKli. <J 9 • adult : I'jtjter jtarts, including wings and tail, tlanksand crissuin,
ij;reen-bla(d( with intense bronzy lustre, especially on the back — this iridescence like that of
Qv.iyndun tcneiw alnm.st. Face dark crimson, in a patch of v< Ivety feathers around bill and eyes.
PICTDjE : WOODVKCKKItS.
491
("OL-
A narrow distinct tollar aro.iiid baek of ncclt, and breast, Ixiary Idnish-cray, trradnnlly i)rit;htt>n-
'm\r Ix'liind on the uider parts to intense rose-red or lake, delicately ipencilled in liaiv lines with
the hoary-gray. X'l white on winirs or
tail, their under surfaces simply black.
Hill blackish ; feet |t;reenish-]iIunibeons.
Iris brown. Lengtii 10.00-11 .00 ; extent
20.00-22.00; wing 6..')0-7.00 ; t."i1 1.59;
bill 1.20. Young: Little lustre at first,
but this soon appears, before any red.
Little or no trace of the hoary c(dlar or
crimson mask ; face sooty-black ; throat
and breast nii.xed fuscous and gray, chang-
ing on the belly to sooty-black, tinged or
slushed here and there with red. 'J'he
hoary and lake-red are established with
the feathers that are of the bristly charac-
ter above described. A remarkable bird,
inhabiting wooded mountainous parts of
the West, especially the piiu'-belt, Kocky
Mts. to the I'acific, U. S. and IJritish C(d-
umbia. It is found with Clarke's crow
and Steller's jay ; wild and wary, liki' our Fio. ;M3. - I.owl»- Woodpecker, rwluced. (Slieippunl .lul.
Hylotomus ; keeps high up in the trees, Nichols sc.)
and in flying looks more like a crow than a woodjiecker. Its aerial excursions arc very con-
s)iicuous. Nest and eggs as usual ; size of eggs 1.12 X 0.95.
158. COLAP'TES. (Gr. Ko\atrrr)i, lolnptea, a chisel, hammer.) Gilded Woodi'ECKKRs. Fmck-
Eus. Hill about as hmg as head, slender and weak for this family, without any lateral ridges or
bevelling, pointed without truncation, culnien and commissure curved, gonys nearly straight,
only about half as long as culmcn, nostrils not concealed by the slight nasal tufts; culmen and
gonys, however, both ridged.
Outer posterior toe shorter
than the outer anterior ; in-
ner posterior very short.
Wings long, pointed by lid
to 6th <piills; 2d sliorter
than 7th ; l.st about \ the
2d. Tail lengthened. Se.xes
generally alike, but distin-
guishable by positive marks
about head. Plumage highly
variegated and very showy.
Under parts with numerous
circular black spots on a
pale ground. A large black
pectoral crescent. Kump
snowy-white. Hack, wing-
Fio. 344. -Flicker, nut. bi/.e. (Ad nat. del. E. C.) coverts and innennost <iuills
brown with an olive or lilac shade, and thickly barred with black; ipiills and tail black, ex-
cepting as below stated; red or black cheek patches in (J, wanting in 9- About a fool
long ; wing about (i.OO; tail 4.50. A beautiful genus, of AmeiMcan species, 3 of X. Am.
492
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PICAIUJt: — PICIFOMMES.
Analysis of Species.
Bed moustaches In (f ; no red on najie In J?; wings ami tall orange-re<l umlerneath ; cap lilac-brown ;
throat ashy ; m> yellow on belly ; back uniber-brown (Western) mej-iconus 459
(Mixed in every degree with)
Black nioustaclics in j ; red nuchal crescent in ^ ; wings and tail golden-yellow underneath ; cap ashy ;
tliroat lilac-brown; yellow on belly; back olive-brown (Kastern) aiiratus 467
(Not mlxcil with)
Bed inoustachcH ill J; no red on naim in (f 9 : wings and tail golden-yellow underneath; cap lilac-brown;
throat ashy; yellow on belly; back umbcr-lirown (Southwestern) chrysoules 45S
Km. 340 — Cioldcii-winged \Viiod|iecker, i nat. size. (Kmni Kriliiii )
Obs. It will lie iRitcil, litnv curiously these species iire tlistiiifjiiislieil iiiaiiily l>y ii ilifferent
cuinbinatiiiu of ciiiniiinii eliaructers. — Colapti's iii/resi Ari>., C liiihrMii.s lt.Miti>, ('. anvato-
mexicanus Siwukvam,, isii fnrin frmii the Missmiri and Hocky Sit. refjitnis in which the charac-
ters of mexicanus and aiiratun are blended in every conceivalile de;;ree in different s)H'ciinens.
Pcrha]is it is a hybrid, and perliaps it is a transitional I'orni, and doubtless there are no such
things as species in Nature. Kastern siieeinien.s of (iiiraliis soinetinieH show red touches in llu'
black maxillary jtatcli, as isj fre<|ucntl; the ease with Kansas exani|iles. In the West, yon
457.
PIVIILE : WOOD!' IX KEJiS.
498
will find sppcimcns aiirntiis on one side ttf tlio body, mexkanits on tho other, — tail gilded on
souk; fcatliors, rubrifutt'd ou others, otc.
457. G. aiira'tus. (Lat. ««r«^<s, g(dden, gilded. Figs. 344, Ula.j GoLnKX-wiNOEnWooni'F.CKKU.
PlOEOX WOODI'ECKEU. FlKKEU. YlCKEll. Ill(!ll-l[OM)El!. Hiick and exiMised Slllfliccs
of wing-coverts and secondaries olive-brown with numerous black bars. Hump snowy-white;
umier tuil-eoverts white, nii.\ed with black. Primaries blackish, with golden shaft.s, and glossed
with gidden un(U'rn(!ath, at their bases paler and more tawny yellow. Tail-feathers above black,
their shafts and under surfaces golden, blackened at ends, the outeriuo.st with a few touches of
yidlow or white. Top of heail, with back and sides of neck, ash, with a .scarlet nuchal band (in
both sexes). Sides of head, whole chin, throat, and fore-breast lilac-brown, with broad black
cheek patches, the.so ' moustaches ' wanting usually in the 9- -^ broail black pectoral semi-
lune. Other under jiarts shading from a lighter shade of the ctdor of the brea.st into creamy-
yellow, marked with numerous circidar black spots. Itill and feet dark plunibemis. Iris brown.
Length 12.00-1:1.00; extent 18.O0--21.O0, usually about 20.00; wing .-).7r)-().25 ; tail4..')0; bill
1.2r)-1.50; wludc foot 2.:5;j. Young similar : more red on lu'ad. Kastern North Am. ; kce]iing
pretty .straight to tho upper Missouri, where, as said, adulterating with iiic.rkaniis; ]>ure to tlii^
Pacific in Alaska. The tir.st deviation is the a])pearance of red feathers in the black maxillary
]iatches; these increase till they jirevail, finally to the exclusion of the black, resulting in tins
wholly red \ti\tch of (,'. me.ricrimts. With this change occurs the diminution and final extinction
of the scarlet nuchal crescent; when, coincidently, we find tho characteristic golden-yellow on
the wiiiKs and tail i)assing through an intermediate orange into the red of mexkanus, a change
accompanied with another affecting the j)eculiar lilac-brown of the throat and (dive-brown of
tlie back, which become respectively ashen and pur]>lish-gray. One of the most abinidant and
best-known species of the family, in any woodland, and sometimes foraging for food in open
country far from trees ; a great ant-eater. A liv(dy bird, of sunny temperament, like its
feather.s, faithful atid devoted, assiduous and successful in domestic affairs, and a good hou.se-
keeper. Kgt;s usually (1 or 7 ; under exceptional cinHunstauces 18 to 23 have been taken from
one hole ; averaging 1.10X0.00. Miirratory northerly.
4.j8. <'. chrysoi'des. ((ir. xpviy6s,chriisi)s, tii<U\; fi8os,eiilo!<, Vikti.) Gil.ni'.ii Woodpeckeu. Body,
wings and tail, substantially as in iiurutiis; bead as in mcxknnus; ^ with scarlet moustaches ;
no red on nape in either sex ; crown lilac-brown ; chin, throat, and fore-breast ash ; sides
tinged with creamy-brown, bidly with yellowish. There are, however, some specialties,
(iolden of wings and tail less vivid than in iiiirtitHs; tail-feathers black for about half their
length, (ieneral tone of under parts pale, without the decided tints of eitlu'r of the other
species, the round black spots large and crowded. To|> of tiead ])urer and more cinnamon
i)rown than in me.rkdniis. Smaller: wing about .°)..'>0 : tail about 4.00. Gradation between
this form and mcj-kiiniiK has not yet been id>served. Valley of the Colorado River, Lower
California and southward.
I.">«. <!. inexiott'nus. (Of .Mexico.) Ked-siiakted WooiU'ECKEU. Mexican Fuckek. Hack,
rinnp, and upper surfaces of wings and tail as in C aiirdliis. but a different shade of color, a
faintly reddish replacing the olivaceous tinge of the ground-color. Wings and tail of the .same
l)attern, hut the auration replaced by rubefaction. 'I'op of head rufous (like the throat of
miratiis) ; no occipital red crescent in either sex. Throat and sides of head and neck clear
a.sh, with scarlet maxillary patches in the jj. A black pectoral semilune. I'nder jiarts very
pule lilac-ltniwn, fading to whitish on the belly, nuirked with numerous round black spots.
Hill blackish-slate ; feet dark plumbeous. Iris brown. Size of (\ (iiinttus. Western North
Am., mostly rej)lacing the yellow flicker from the Rocky Mts. to the Pacific, Sitka into
Mexico. In habits a perfect counterpart of the cumniuu flicker.
494
SYSTEJIA TIC SYyOI'SJS. — I'SITTA CI.
ni. Order PSITTACI: Parrots.
!' !f
Feet permanenth/ ci/fiodactiilf
by rerersiiiu of the J'ourlh lur,
cdvcrcd with riigosf t;raiiiiliir
scales or plates; bill slmrt, ex-
trciiicly stdiit, Ktrouffli/ eiiujtm-
tlidiis, (iiul fiiniinhed with a (frc-
qui'iitly fi'athert'd) cere, as iu the
birtls <»f prey ; ^vin^s ami tail
variable. The jiarrnts, ineliuliiiir
the iiiaeaws, eockatous, hiries,
Pte., form tine of the innst strnnj,'-
ly marked p'oiips uf birds, as
easily ree<itriiizableby their i)eeii-
liar external a|)pearaiiee as de-
fined by teehuieal points iif struc-
ture. They were formerly in-
cluded in an "order" Sainsores
(»n account of the jiaired toes, but
this is a comparatively trivial cir-
Fio. 546. — Carolina Parroqnct, reduced. (From Toiinev, after Wilson.) ,, , .11* • 1
' ' •' cumstan<'e ; they Iiave no special
affinity with other zygodactyle birds, ami their peculiarities entitle them to rank with groups
called orders hi the present vtdunie. They iniiiht not inaptly be styled friif/irorous Itiiptoirs;
and in some respects they exhibit a vague analogy to the <|uadruniana (monkeys) among
mammals. The tongue is thick and fleshy, in some genera peculiarly brushy ; it is used to
some e.Ktent in prehension, objects being handled between the tongue and upper numdible.
Th(! upper mandible is much more freely movable than is usual in birds, being articulated in-
stead of suturally joined with the forehead ; and the bill is commonly used in climbing. 'I'he
bony orbits of the eyes are frecjuently completed by union of the lachrynnil hones with postor-
bital proces.xes. and in some genera develop a bony bridge across the temporal fossa. The
symphysis of the lower jaw is short and obtuse. The sternum is entire or simply fenestrateil
posteriorly; the furculum is weak, sometimes defective, or wanting. The principal metatarsal
bone is short and broad, and its lower extremity is modified to suit the ]iositiou of the fourth
toe. The lower larynx is j)eculiarly constructed, with three pairs of muscles : the ability to
articulate human s))eech is one of the most notorious faculties of some ]iarrots. 'I'he plumage
shows aftei-shafts ; the oil-gland is wanting in certain genera ; when present, it is tufted.
There are no ca'ca, and the gall-bladder is wanting. Though the family is so jierfectly
circumscribed that no one doubts of any bird whether it be psittacine or not, jtarrots differ re-
markably among themselves in certain .structural charactere which have iu most birds a high
classificatory value. Thus, there are three decided modifications of the carotid arteries — of
which right and left may both be present, and both running deep in the vertebrarterial canal ;
»»r both may be present, but the left superficial ; or only the left is <h'V(doped (in Cacatua), as
usual in biiils. The ainbiens muscle, again, may be present and normal, present and incom-
plete, or wanting altogether. The femoro-caudal muscle, .semitendinosus, and accessory scmi-
tendinosus are present ; the accesstiry femoro-caudal is absent.
The division of the Puittaci into family groups has taxed the ingenuity of oniithologi.sts ;
for so variously iuterrehited arc the numerous forms, that the grouping fluctuates with almost
every character or set of characters selected for use in cla.«sification. IJut (JarnKl's admirable
auutuinical investigations show that the Psittaci may bu ranged in two series, according to tho
PtHTTA CI : rAimUTS.
495
charnctcrs afforilod by tlio eiirotid artprios and aiiibioiis iiuisi'lc. I. PAi..T:nnNiTiiin^, : Caroti'b
two (cxci'jtt in CacatiKi), tlu' li-ft iionnal, and no anibicns. II. I'sri'TAtiD-K : Carotids two,
Uio left siiiiertieial, tlie anduciis i»n'si'iit in one series of genera, absent in others. In the snh-
faniily (1) Paleroniithhier, there is no farther deviation ; in (2) Cacdtithxc, bi^ides tlic lacit of
a riglit earcitid in Cncuiua itself, the orbital rinj; is eonipletely ossified, and develops a bony
proeess bridgint; in the t( inpora! f'>ssa ; in (U) Strimjiipbw, wliieh ineliules the <'urious lliglitlcss
ground I'arrot or (twl Parrot of New Zealand {Stritujtps haliropUlim), the frircnhnn and sternal
keel are detieient or defective. I'siltacidtr ineliicle ( i) tiio Arinef, in which the andjiens niusele
Fio. 347. — Ciiruliiia l'arro<iu«t, } nut. size. (Fruai Ilrcliui, after Audubon.)
ia present ; (5) PyrrhitriiKP, in which it is absent, without further mwlification ; (0) Platif-
cercincp, no aiubieiis and no fnrculiiin ; (7) Chrijmtina; no aiubiena, no furculuni, and no oil-
glaud. There arc thus 7 subfamilies of i families of Puittaci.
" Parrots abound in all tropical countries, but. except in Australia and New Zealand,
rarely extend into the temperate zone. The Indian and i£thio|iian regions are p<Mir in jiarrots,
while the Australian is the richest, containing nniny genera and even wh<de fiiinilier ])eculiar
to it." (Newton.) The highest authority, FiNwii, n'oognizes U.54 species as well deter-
mined, distributing them in 20 genera; 142 are American, 23 African, and 18 Asiatic; the
Moluccas aud New Guinea have 83, Australia 59, and Polynesia 29.
4'J(>
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —liAl'TOliES.
28. Family PSITTACID-^ : Parrots.
Sro above. Two ciirotiils, tin; left sii|)i'rticiul. All New World PaiTots belong here (but
all I'sittacida are not of the New World).
30. Subfamily ARIN^: Parrots.
Soe abcivr. Ambions iiiusdo, tufted oil-jL,'land and coiiiiilete furculuin. Of this siibfainily
the Macaws (vine) and our speck's of Comtrits are characteristic.
169 C'OXLT'Itrs. ((Jr. K&vos, kunos, a cone; oiipa, onrti, tail; cuneate-tail.) Pauroqijets.
Tail Icngtliencil, la'arly equalling wings, cuneate, with tajjeriiig feathers. Face entirely
feathered excepting a slight space about the eye. Nostrils in the feathered cere. Hill very
stout, with bulging lateral outline, broadly rounded cuhnen, and toothed or l(d)ed commissure.
Tarsi very short, much less than the inner anterior toe ; outer anterior longer than outer pos-
terior toe. Feet granular-reticulate, becoming scutellate on the toes. Wings pointed ; in our
specii's the 2d and Hd jirimaries longest, the 1st and 4th subequal and shorter. A large genus
of tropical America, with one U. .S. .species.
460. <'• earoUnen'sls. (Lat. Candinian. Figs. 340, .'$47.) Cauolixa Parroquet. Green ; head
yellow; face red: bill white; feet flesh-color: wings more or le.ss variegated with blue and
yellow. Sexes alike. Yomhi/ simply green. Length 12. .'>()-i;i. 50; extent 21.00-22.50 ; wing
7.00-8.00 ; tail 0.00-7.00. Southern States ; up the Mississippi Valley to the Missouri region ;
W. to Arkansas and the Indian Territory ; recently Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, etc. ; formerly
strayed to Pennsylvania and New York, but of late has receded even from the Carolinas; ."still
abundant in Fltirida. But it would seem that if the cru(d and wanton slaughter to which the
gentle creatures are subjected by idlers goes on, they must before long be exterminated. Gre-
garious, frugivorous, and granivorous ; not regularly migratory, but roving. Said to breed in
cuuipauies iu hollow trees; eggs whitish, 1.40 X l''J5, elliptical in sha)>e, rough in texture.
IV. Order RAPTORES: Birds of Prey.
Jiill qyignnihoHs, cered; and
feet not ziigodadyle. The rapa-
cious birds (J{aj)forex, Baptntores
or Avripities of authors, Ai-to-
morpluc of Huxley) form a fairly
natural assemblage, to which this
expression furnishes a clew.
(The i)arrots, probably the only
other birds with strongly hotdced
and truhf cered bill, are yoke-
toed.) The Jiajitores ])resent
several ostecdogical and other an-
atomical characters. The ster-
num is ample and dee)) keeled,
its j)osterior margin doubly or
singly notched or fenestrate on
each side, or (.-ntire with central
emargination; the furculuin an-
chylo.sed or not. Angle of man-
dible not recurved ; inaxillo-
palatines united o au ossified
septum ; rostruii. arched and
hooked; basipterygoid processes
Flo. 318. — Death as a bird uf prey. ( From Miclielet. )
IIAI'TOHES: BIJWS OF PliEY.
4U7
present i)r absent. Hallux iilwiiys present, usually valid and insistent ; outer toe reversible in
some cases, never permanently reversed. The anibiens is jm'sent (except in Strigex) ; all ex-
cepting Gypogerunides and some CathartUks possess the i'eninro-caudal muscle, but unt its
accessory, nor the semi-tendinosus nor its accessory (excepting C'lithiirtuks, which liave the two
last named, and GypogcvunidvH, which have these and the accessory I'enioro-eaudal). t'u-ca
are ])resent (except in (kithurtkh's). The oil-gland is present in all, and tutted except in
Cathartides. After.shafts are present (usually), hu'king in some Accijntres, all Sirigrs and
Cathartides. There are two carotids ; the syrinx, when developed, has but one pair of intrinsic
muscles. The nature is altricial, yet ptilopiedic, the young being downy when hatch ^-d, and
long fed by the parents in the nest. The alimentary canal varies with the families, but ditters
from that of vegetarian birds, in adaptation to an exclusively animal diet. In the higher
types, the whole structure betokens strength, activity, and ferocity, carnivorous j)ropensities
and i)redaceous nature. Most of the snuiller, or weaker, species feed much ujiou insiu-ts ;
others more i)articularly upon re|)tiles, and fish ; others upon carrion ; but the nuijority prey
upon other birds, and small mammals, captured in open warfare. To this end, the claws no
less than the beak are specially adapted, by their development in the " tahnis " which we con-
.»<fantly associate with our ideas of birds of prey. These weapons of offence and defence are
as a rule of great size, strength, crookedness, and acuteness; and also peculiar in being con-
vex on the sides, gradually narrowed to the point, and little or not excavated undi-rneath. The
inner claw is larger than the outer, and the hinder one smaller than the middle ; and all are
very llexibly jointed, so that they may be .strongly bent underneath the toes, carrying to the
extreme the grasping power of the feet. The legs are muscular and largely free from the
body, feathered to the sufl'rago or beyond; wh.en unfeathered, the tarsal envelope varies in
character. The wings are ample, and, as usual in birds below Passeres, the eoveiis are long
and numerous, covering three-fourths or more of the folded wing. The tail, very variable
in shajK', has twelve rectrices (with rare exceptions).
liepresentatives of this order are fomid in every part of the world. They are divisible into
four primary groups, of more classiticatory value than that attaching to average families in
ornithology, and therefore to be held as superfamilies or suborders. t)ne of these, Ggpogeranides,
consists of the single remarkable sjiecies Gi/pofferouun serpmtarius, th<' secretary-bird or serpent-
eater of Africa ; this shows a (lurious grallatorial analogy, being mounted ou long legs like a
Crane, and has .several im])ortant .structural mollifications. The other three are the Sfriges or
Owls; the Accipitrcs or Hawks, Kagles, etc., including the (Md World Vultures : and the
Cathartides or American Vultures, — these last more diU'erent from the others collectively than
the re.st are from one another. All are well rejn-esentcd in this country. They are recognizable
at a ghincc, but the following analysis will .serve to jdace the characters of the suborders and
their respective families in strong relief.
Analysis nf Snlmrihra nml I'nmilUs.
Feet scarcely raptorial, wltli weak, blunt, loiictlieiicd. Utile ciirvecl or oontractlle cliiwH. Mind toe ele-
vated, not more tliaii lialf aH long at outer toe, with Bniall claw ; ndddle toe lengthened ; outer too not
verdatllc; front toes all tvol>lie(l at bane; l)aBal joint of middle toe longer than either of the »ueeee<ling
ones. NoHtrilit large, |icrforate. Dill little raptorial, lengthened and Honiewhat I'ontraeteil in conti-
nuity, tomia never lobed or toothed, tip liliint, little hooked. Head largely naked. Inde.\ iligil with
a large claw. No lower laryn.x, eivca, aftersliafls, or tuft of oii-gland. .Vnibienx present ; fenioro-
caudal present or absent ; semlteniilnosuH and its accosory present C.VTHAHTIDKS.
Diurnal: gressorial; fecil exclusively on carrion Catii.vutiii.k.
Feet highly raptorial, with large, strong, sharii, curved, contractilo chiwg. Hind too not elevated, lenglh-
encil, more than half as long as outer toe, with large claw; outer toe often versatile; front toes with
slight l)asal webbing l)etween outer and middle, or none Nostrils small, inijierforate. Hill short,
stout, very seldom contracted in its continuity, tomia often once or twice lobed or toothed, tip sharp,
much hooked. Head feathered comjiletely or in greatest part. Lower larynx with one pair of intrinsic
muscles. Ca'oa present. Plumage with or without aftcrshafts. Anibiens present or alwnt. Fcmoro-
caudiil present, Scmitcndinosus and its aecegsory absent. As a rule, saltatorlal, and kill their |>rey.
32
498
SYSTEMATIC SYXOPSIS. — liAVTORES— STlilGES.
i
I
-1
Pbysiognoiny not ixiciillar; no great lateral expanninn of the cranium nr thickening of its walls
with (li|iloi'i cyi'B l(K>lilng Hldewayii; no fuciul ilidc or only an iniiicrfcct one; Imso of lilll not
hiilduii by apprcusud fuathers. NoBlrliH wholly in the cere. Toniia tii<naily tootlu>il or lolied.
No I'xturnai uar-eoncii. Uutor tou not Hhorter tiian Inner, and rureiy vvritullle. lluval Joint of
ndddic toe longer tliiui the next. Feet with rare excciitions mostly or entirely naked of feiitlierii
geiilillrtto or reticulate, or both ; toes always bare and scaly. Sternum commonly Kinule-
notciicd or -fenestrate on each side, sometimes entire. Oil-gland tufted. Plumage coin|iiict,
usually aftershafted ; lliglit au<llble. Ambiens jiresent. Diurnal .... ACCIPITHKS.
Outer toe not reversible, and iiluuiage usually aftershafted Fauoxid.i:.
Outer toe reversible, and plumage without aflershafts Pa.muoxid*;.
Pbyslogniiniy iieculiur by reoscui of great lateral expansion, Icngtliwise contraction and diploVc
thickening of tliu often unsymmutrlcal cranium ; eyes looking forward, surroundcil w Itli a radi-
ated disc of nKMillied leathers, in front appressed, antrorse, liiding base of bill. Nostrils usually
at cilgu ol tlie cere. Tonda never lolicd or tisilhed. A 'arge external ear-conch often devel-
ojicd. Outer toe completely versatile, sliortcr than inner toe. Basal Joint of middle toe not
longer than secomi, much shorter than the iienultlnmtc one. Feet usually feathery or bristly
to or on the toes. Oil-gland nude. Plumage without aftcrsliafls, soft and lax ; Hlglit noiseless.
Ambiens absent. Nocturnal STUKJES.
tjterimm entire behind, with central cmarglnatlon ; furculuni anchyloiietl. Middle claw
pectinate. Facial disc complete, triangular Alicosid.i;.
Sternumdoiible-notched or fenestrate; furculum free. iMiddle claw not pectinate. Facial
disc circular when complete Stiikud.*;.
r>. SnionnF.R STRIGES: NofTunNAL Bmns op Prev.
Head very large, ami csjicfially broad from aidi- tti side, but sslioitciu'd Ifiigthwisp, the
"fare" tlnLs foi'iiu'd furtlitT di'fincd by a mort! or l<'.«s coiniiU'tc '' ruff," or ciiTlet of radiatiiifr
foatluTs of )ifculiar ti'Xtiiro, oii t-atdi side. Eyes very large, looking more or less directly for-
ward, set ill a eirelet of radiating bristly feathers, and overarched by a supereiliary shield.
External ears extremely large, often provided with an o))ereiiluni or iiiovabh' flap, presenting
the nearest ap]>roaeli, among birds, to the ear-eoneh of nianiinals. Hill shaped much as in
tirdinary Accipitren, but tliickly beset at base with elo.se-))ressed antrorse In-istly feathers,
and never toothed. Nostrils large, eonimonly opening at the edge of the eere rather than
entirely in its substance. Ifallux of average length, not idiviously elevated in any case; outer
toe more or less [terfectly versatile (but never perniaiieiitly reversed), and shorter than the
inner toe ; its fir.st three joints very short, altogether not as long as the sueceeiling one ; Ita.sil
joint of middle toe not longer than the next. Claws all very long, mtieli curved and extremely
sharp, that of the middle toe ]iectiiiatc in some species. As a rule, the tarsi are more or less
comjdi'tely feathered, and the whole foot is often thus coven-d. Among numerous osteologiciil
characters may be mentioned the fre<|tieiit want of symmetry of the skull, wide sep;iration of the
inner and outer tablets of the brain-case liy intervention of spongy diploe, the spongy maxillo-
palatines and lacrymals, which latter long persist distinct; the basijiterygoid jtroce.^ses ; the
inanubriated iind commonly 4-notclicd (if not entire) sternum ; a jieculiar structure of the tar.so-
nietatarsiiB; a particular arrangenient of the bones about the shoulder-joint, and the weakness
of tho furculum when not aiiehylosed with the steniuni. The gullet is capacious but not
dilated into a special crop; the gizzard is only moderately iiiu.sciilar : the intestines are short
and wide ; the eoeca are extremely h»iig and club-shaped. The syrinx has one pair of intrinsic
muscles. The oil-gland is nude. Tho anibieiia is absent. The feathers have no aftershaft,
and the general jdiimage is very soft and Idended.
The Xocturniil Birds of I'rey will be inimediutcly recognized by their peculiar jdiysiognotny,
indeiiendently of the technical characters that mark them as a natural, sharply-detined group.
They are highly monomorphic, without extremes of aberrant form; but the ease with which
they are cidlectively defined is a measure of the difficulty of their rigid subdivision, which is
not yet satisfactorily det<'rmiiied. Too much stress has Iwen laid upon the trivial, although
evident, circuiiistauco of presence or ubscucc of the peculiar '* horns " that iiiany species possess.
STIildES: XOCTUJiXAL BIRDS OF I'llEY.
li)U
These nre tufts of lengthened featlirrs risiiiu; over the eyes fnini the forehead, iind ooimnoiily
called " eiir-tufts" ; but they have nothing to do witli the ears, and are more aiiiirojiriiitfly
named '" idiunicorns," or feather-horns. More reliable cliaraeters may be drawn t'roni the
striieture of the external ear and fiu-ial disc, tlio modifications of which ajjpear to bear directly
u]ton mode of life ; thes(! j)arts being as a rule most highly develojittd in tlie more nocturnal
species ; some jioints of internal structure have been found corresjM indent. Thus, one group,
of which the burn owl, Aluco JlamineuH, is the type, is very distinct in the angular contour and
FlO. 349. — " Kst illis SIriiiihiiit iinmen : sc<l iioiniiiiB hiijiis
CauDii quod liorrcndft strlilcro iiocto solcnt." — OviD, Faeli, vi. 139.
" Sfreerh-otrls tlicy 're rnlletl, l)ccausc wltli dismal cry
In darkling night fk'om place to place tlicy fly."
high development of the facial disc, pectination of the middle claw, and other characters upon
wliich a family Aluconidic may he established. Probably the rest of the suborder fall in two
subdivisions of a single family Strif/idtc, the essential characters of which have already been
contrasted with those ^)( Atiicotiultc.
Tiie nean?st relatives of the Striffen, outside their own order, are the Cuprinhtlgi — the
relationship being really very close through the genus Sfeatornis. As is well known, owls are
eminently nocturnal birds ; but to this rule there are numerous striking exceptions- This
general habit is correspondent to the modification of the eyes, the size and structure of which
600
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — HA PTORES — STItlCES.
ennblo the birds to boo hy iiii;lit, iin<l wuisr tlicm tc» siiffrr from tlio glare of thr sunlight. Most
Bpocics jiass tlif (laytiiiic sccrctcil in liollow tri'rs, or ticiist' I'oliagt' and otliiT dusky retreats,
roHuniiiig their wonted activity after niylittail. Owing to tiie jieiMdiar texture of tlie jduniage
tlieir tlight is perfectly noiseless, like the niineiuu steps of ii cat ; and no entirely fanciful anal-
ogy has heeii drawn between these birds and the feline carnivora that chietly i)rey stealthily in
the dark. The nest is commonly a rude aH'air of sticks gathered in tlu^ various places of diurnal
resort ; tho eggs a!-e several (commonly .'{-(i), white, subs|ih<>ricul. The 9 i "» ii rule, is larger
than the $, hut the sexes are alike in cohir: the coloration is conuuonly blended and diffuse,
ditlicult of concise description. Owls feed entirely ujmmi animal substances, and capture their
prey alive — small quailrupeds and birds, reptiles and insects, and oven fish, l/ike most other
HaplorfiK, they eject from the mouth, after a meal, the boin's, hair, feathers, and other iudigesti-
bh; substances, niado u]) into a round pelh't. They are noted for tlieir loud outcries, so stranije
and often .so lugubrious, that it is no wonder traditional sujierstition places these disnuil night-
birds in the category of thint;s ill-omened. Mesides the well-known lines whi(di are set
beneath two of the accompanyinir tiirures, the reader may recall the owl as among the' portents
weird' which foretidl the fate of the unhappy <iueen of Carthage, when, deserted by 'pious'
yEneas, she resolves to die.
"Sola(|iii!ciilniiiiibiiH fL-rnll fiirniiiir Imlm
Sffiiioinicri, et Ii)iigni4 in Hut mil iliiciTo voccH." — Vkiio., .Kn., Iv. 462.
Tlie lioiit-owl, tiriHxIiiii; diiiIiiiiiih aliori;
Her fiitufiil liniin', is wi'iiriii); iliHiiiiil iii|>lit uwiiy
With will! vcM'ircration. PurtciitM wt-inl, etc.
Owls lire among the most ciim|detely cusinopiditan of birds : with minor modili<'ations
nceordi))g to circumstances, tlu'ir general habits are much the same the M'orld over. A dilli-
culty of correctly estimating the number of s]>ecies arises from the fact that numy, especially of
tho more generalized types, have a wide geographical distribution, and, as in nearly all su<'h
cases, they split into niori' or le.ss easily recognized races, the interpretation of which is at
j)r(!sent a nnitter of opinion rather than a settled i.ssue. About :J()() species )tass current ; tliLs
number must be reduced by uue-third : out of about 50 generic names now in vogue, prcdtably
less thuu uuc-hulf represcut some structural ]>eculiarity.
160.
29. Family AL.UCONID-<E : Bam Owls.
J. Two genera of Owls, Aliico and I'hodilns, differ so much
'is>'^ i. fr,,|,, other Slri<iis thai they may jn-operly ciMistitute a family
ajiart from Striijidii: The jirinie character is anchylosis ot
the furcnlmii with the sterninn, which latter bone is entire
behind (unusual; compare tig. .">()). Kxterual characters
are: facial di.sc and outer ear-jiarts highly develojied, the
former not cin-ular. but rather triautjular, the latter sym-
metrical ; middle and inner toes of about eipial lengths ; inner
edge of middle cl.iw serrate or jagged, siunilatiug the pecti-
nation seen in Capriiiiiilffiflff, to which birds these owls .-u'c
^1 curiou.sly rel.-ited fhroui;h Stt'otoniis. The patteni of cidor-
ation is iM'culiar : the plumage is very downy; tho habits
of the species are eminently noctunial. The leading genus.
Allien, of several species or races, is nearly co.smopolitan,
bi-ing absent only from high latitudes and some insular re-
gions ; the other, of one species, Phoiiiliix hndiun, inhabits
Fio. 3B0. — BamOwl. (From Dixon.) ,„ i • /. i t in xt n
|M>rtions of f^a.steni Asia, ( eyion, .Java and IJomco. — A. H.
Adoption of the name Aluco for the Bani Owls, instead of Strix, retiuires the present family to
ALUCoxiiKj:.- n.iKx owi.s.
CM
bo callpd Aluconid(C, insti'iid of Stfiyidfr ; wliicli latter imiiic i.-* tn lie a|>i>li»(l t<> tlir miccccdiiif;
family.
160. ALIT'CO. (Ital. rt/o<7io, wiini'kind (if owl. Fiirs. 47, H.")l.) IJah.n < hvi.H. 'I'lialinvc cliainctcrs
add: Wings very long, jiointcd, folding beyond tlietail, the 1st or SJd jiriniai'v lonircst, ami none
emarginate. Tail sliort, nearly even or emaryinate, about 1 as long as the wing. Tarsns nearly
twice a.s long iiti middle toe without elaw, clo.sely feathered, the jdmnage becoming scant and
Flo. 351. — Bam OwIk, ) imt. ►Izc. (From Itrcliiii )
" Krum vdiiilir ivj-in;iiilleil towiT.
Tliu iii(>|>iiii; iitvl iliH'H til tlio inmiii ciiiii|il:iiii
Of mcli, as waiKTriiie iienr litr Hccrct Ikiwit,
Miili'.it lirr iiiu'ieiit Holitury rciun." — filiAV.
bristly below, like that on the nearly naked toes, and reversed in direction on the posterior
aspect : claws extremely long and acute (see tig. 47). Hill lengthened, compressed, the cere
nearly as long as the rest *if the culnien ; no.strils oval: no plumiconis ; eyes comparatively
small, black ; bill liglit-c(dored; jdumane Hagraut, not dichromatic; size ineditnn. One North
Am. species.
602
systj:ma tic ni'yoi'sis. — haptouks — snuaEs.
433. A. flam'inous pratln'colit. {\ai\. Jldmiiirux, tlaini'-fnlnrcil ; jtriiliiiroln, iiicailow-iiihiiliiliii^'.)
Uaii.N (»\vi„ AIhi\c, iiicliidiiij; ii|)|i('r siiifaiM's nf wiiiu's ami tail, tawny, I'iiIvchim, or oraiiu'c-
browii, ili'licatcly cluudi'il or niarMnl witli asliy ami wiiitr, ami iliittri! with bliu'luMJi, NdinctiiiK'M
also with white ; such iiiarl«iiii; rcsolvi'il, or tending to resolve, into t'onr or five hars of dark
mottling on the wings and tail. Itelow, including lining of wings, varying fruni |inre whilit to
tawny, oclirey, or fnlvoiis, hut nsxiiilly paler than th<' U|))ier parts ami dotted witli HMiall hut
distinct hiackish sjieeks. Face varying from white to fiilvoiis or purplish-brown, in some shades
am if stained with claret, usually ijuit*' dark or even black. About thi' eyes, and the border of the
diw, dark brown. Thus extremely variabh- in ton(> of ccdoration, but the pattern moro constant,
while the generi<' characters render the l>ird nnniistakable. Xi'stlings are covered with tlull'y
white d.iwn. Length 15.00-17.IMt : extent about ROO; wing l.'J.OO-li.OO; tail (1. 00-7.00 ; bill
O.'.Kf, tarsus 2.75. 9 larger than ,J. The superior size is the chief ilistliictioii from thi'CUd
World A. Jldiiiiiifun. V. S. from Atlantic to Pacific; somewhat southi'rly, only known X. to
Massachusetts aial corresponding latitudes; S. into .Mexico, West Imlies and Central America;
abundant in wooded, settled, aial especially maritime regions; usually resident. Ibeeds natu-
rally in hollow trees, frei|uently in the barn, belfry, tower, or other building; eirgs ;{-(') in
number, cidorless or soiled yellowish-white, about 1.75 X 1.25, nearly eiiual-eialed, lai<l with
little or no ])re]iaration upon the debris of the hole, commonly bones and other refuse of the
food, which is chiefly small (inadrupeds and in.sects.
161.
30. Family STRIGID^ : Other Owls.
All other SlriqcD, as far as
known, have the stenimn once
or twice notched on each side
behind, and the fiurnlun". free
from that bone. 'l"he outer ear-
parts are sometimes as highly
dcvel'Mii'd M- AlllCoiiidic, or
iiiM ipiite small ; the
' <•» iu si/e and jier-
I, I. largest, most <'ir-
, and -I coniidetely radi-
a iig from till) eye as a centre iu
tliosp species in which the I'ar-
'Mich is best develojH'd. These
two characters would tb'reforu
seem to go together, ai iliey
Fio. 362. —Mobbing an owl, (From Mlchelet.) are not correlated with t' wcs-
rnce or absence of jdumiconis. 'I'he inner toe is shorter than the middle, and '' lUlle
claw is not iM'c.tinate. It nniy ]irove advisable to make these features the basis oi > ision
(if the Strigkhc into two subfamilies, Strifiiiur and liuhonhue, as proposed by .Mr. Slin but
1 do not deem it expedient to present such arrangement on the present occasion. In i event
tif snch final determination, our genera Strix, Asio, and Nyctala would fall iu Striffnuc; tho
rest iu Biihimitur.
ytiiah/sh nf (Icni'ra,
(40) STBmiN.i: ? Eyo centric In large complete circular illuc, and ear-conch larger than eye, with well
(IcTeloped njicrciiliini.
Pluniicorng iilmciit : ccro iiliort.
Enr-iiart»»yiiini«trlciil. Largo: length over 12 Inches .S/ri.r 164
Ear-part« niiymmctrk'iil. Small: Ifiigth under 12 Inches Xyetaln 107
Plumlcorns present; cere longer than rest (if ciilnicn .^"'o 103
STUiaiDyE: OTllKJi OWLS.
6o:J
161.
402.
(41) lUiioMN.i; V Kye eirciilrlc, iiniriT tdp llmii bottum of iiinrf or lou liicuuiplcio illic, oud cnr-ci.m-li
iKit liiruer lliiiii cyi', wllliinil clevrl.iiPi'd i>|hiicii1iiiu.
I'liiiiiliciiiiH preMiMit, welUloviilcipi'il.
ViTV liir({<i: luiiKlli civcr IH ImlieB; tall olwiit 3 tl>» wt»B ""'" '"'
Hiiiiill: loiiglli umlir I'.' liiilii'ii; hill uliniil i ll'" "I'm aVi./m liU
riiiiiiU'i>niiiiiri'wiit, nicllmt'iilnry. Vury lurgo: leinjlluivur 18 llldie». Wliitu .N>7.a lua
PllllIlll'OrilH llllHt'lll.
TiirBiiH full-friuUi'reil,
Tall xniilualoil. Li'iiRtli over VJ Im-lico. Hawk-llkc .">iirn(/i ItW
Tiill riiiiinliMl. I,iii«tli iiiiii'li iiiiilur 1:! liicliuH (lliiiniiliiim 1(18
TnrHim luiki'd or waiil-fnitliereil.
Liiiatli uiHler H liiehus Mirnilln if Uil»
LuiiKtli over K llicliOH Sj„i,ti/I<' 170
nr'no. (Lnt. ^"/w), thr linnil'll owl.) 'J'lIK (iUKAT HoilNKI) OWI.S. Hi in T ( Iwi.s. Skull
anil rar-imrts syiniin'lri<al {<<( saliic si/c on Imtli sides uf iicail). tlir latlir xiinjiiy clliiitiral,
iicin-<i])crculatt', not Imip'r than tlii' );m\\ yellow eye, which is pcci'iitric in the nKxliratrly dcvi'l-
ojicd facial disc (nearer its toi> than liottoiii). I'lii-
niiconis hiulily develojied. Nostrils oval, in tho
ed;;!' of the cere, which is not iiillated, nor as lon^
as the rest of the cidinen ; hill rid)nst, black, not
liuried in the frontal bristles. Win^s rather .short,
fcddiiiK "'"'rt of the end of the tail, the Ud or Ith
l>riniary longest, the first i or H eniarginate near
their ends. Tail rounded, more than i as hai)^ nH
the win>;. its under coverts not reaching its end.
Feet densely feathered to the last joint of tlie toes,
but claws exjio-sed. Of mcdinni and very larf^e size
(.soino of the species are nearly the larjiest of tho
owls), and variegated, usually dark, colors ; jiliiniage
not dichromatic. Knibracin^' numerous species, of
all Amoricft and nearly all of the Old World ; only
one, however, in X. Am.
B. virfflniii'iuis. (l^at. rirfiiiiinniis, Virginian.
Fig. 3.j.'J.) (Jkkat Houxki) Owl. Hoot Owl.
Cat Owl. Distinguished by its large size and con-
spicuous ear-tufts, our other species of similar stature
being tuftless or nearly so. Length nearly or about
two feet ; e.\teut 4 or 5 feet ; wing li.OO-Ki.OO
inches; tail 8.00-10.00; tarsus 2.00-2.2.J ; cubnen Fm. a-a.- Great Home.! Owl, much reaucod.
without cere 1.10-1.20. 9averaging larger than (J. (From Tenucy, after Aiiduboii.)
Plumage varying interminably, no concise de.icription meeting all its phases. A white collar on
the throat is the most constant color-mark. (h\ the upper parts, the iiniler-pluiuage tawny, but
81) overlaid with course mottling of blackish and white, that it shows chietly on the head, na]ie,
uud scapular:*; the mottling chietly transverse, and resolving into 7 to 9 continuous or broken
bars on the wings uud tail. Tnder jmrts white, indefinitely tawny-tinged, nnd for the most
part barred crosswise with blackish, changing on the fore breast to rag>;eil and rather lemrtli-
wise bhitcbes. Feathering of feet la'arly jilain tawny. Ear-tufts black and tawny ; a dark
mark over eye ; border of the facial disc black, the face white or tawny, but the feathers mostly
bluck-shufted. Hill and claws black ; iris y(dlow ; pui)il always circular: when fully .lilated us
large as a. finger-ring, contractile to the size of a pea. Young covered at first with white down ;
first plumage more unifonnly tawny and ligbter-c(dored than it becomes after the first moult,
when tho white collar and other distinctive markings are assumed. This powerful bird, only
604
aYHTEMA nv SYSOJ'SJS. — HAl'TORES — STliWES.
yicldinj; to the firciit jiriiy owl in Btaturc, ami t» iiom- in spirit, is a coimnon iiilialtitant of
Nortii Am. at larirc, ri'iucsciitiiii.' H- iffnanis of Kuropi'. It is uoii-minratory ; lirtfds in late
wiiitiT, and I'ariy .sprinf; niuntli.s ( usually Frbruary or Marcii i, layinj; in hollows of trees or rifts
of rocks, or in a bulky nest of sticks on the branches of tall trees, often appvopriatin-,' that of
a larp' hawk, as a huU'o. Kl'^Is said to be Il-O, not known to me to be more than i in num-
ber ; colorless, subs|)herical, about i.ii X !•'•"• in size; duration of incubatiiii said to be abo'it
three weeks. The yount; begin to hoot when about 4 months old. Tliis owl preys upoTi
birds and (|uadrMpeds up to the size of domestic fowls and rabbits. It is habiinally abroad in
the daytime, apparently not at all iuconveiiienced by sunlight. Huns into the fidlowing vari-
eties, which, however, are not as strictly geographical as the names would indicate : —
403. H. V. are'tieiiH. ( I, at. (ur/ici/.v, northern.) WlllTK lloUNKU (>\VI,. X'ery pale cidored, fre-
qneutly ipiile whitish, and not distantly resembling the snowy ov I. (See .Swainson's Hg. in
V. \\. A., pi. lid.) Iloreal and alpine N'orth Am. : such specimens asiunal in Northern
I'. S. in winter, and Itocky .Mt. region.
404. H. V. imerileiiH. (I.at. imcijicun, of the I'acilic ocean.) DrsKV IIoitNF.K Owl,. Very dark
colored, ciiietlv Mackish and grayish, with litlle or no tawny. .Apparently a littoral jdiase, sup-
posed to bt more particularly de-
veloped on the I'acilic coast ; I>ut
the extrei f this style, in whici;
the tawny is extinct, and which
has been called It. siiliinilii.s, is
from Labrador, where also occur
the darkest specimens of (iyr-
falcons.
162 8<;OI'S. rOr. (Titaxjf. Lat. NTO^w, II
kind of owl. Fig. .'{54,) Litti.k
IIiiltM'.l) ( )\V1,S. .ScHKKCII OWI.S.
Like a miniature Jiiilxi in form
(all our species under a fiiot hmg).
Skull and ear-parts synnnetrical ;
latter small, simply elliptical, with
rudiuientary operculinn ; facial
ili.>ic moderately developed; plumi-
corns evident ; nostrils at edge of
th re, which is not inllated,
and shorter than the rest of the
culiru'U. Wings rounded, but
long, about twice the length of
the short roinided tail, alxait to
tho Olid of which they fold ; in
our speci"s the 4th anil 5tli priinaries longest, llie 1st i[uile short; .'1 or 4 outer primari''H
sinuate or emarg'uate on inner webs. Tarsus featln'red (in our species), but toes only partly
bristly (in the iS'. «.ii<» group) or (piite naked (as in S. Jlamiiwola). I'lumage ilichromatic
in some ca.ses ; i. r., some individuals of the same s])ecies normally inolt'.ed gray, while otlr rs
are reddish, the two pha.se.s very distinct whi'ii fully developed, but slunliug insensibly into
each other, and entirely independent of ago, Hoasoii, or sex. In normal plumage, a white or
whiti.sh sca)iular stripe; lower parts with lengthwise blotches or shaft-lines and crosswise
bars or waves of blackish or dark ctdor : upper |tarts with black or blackish shaft-lines on a
finely-dappled brown or gray gniuiid (more or less obliterated in llie red phase) ; facial disc
black -iHtrdered nearly all around; \ving-(inills spotted or marbled ou outer webs, burred ou
Kl(i.;J."i4. — Scruccli Owl, rciliictil. (Kiuui Hull.;
Kl.'i.
100.
sTinaiiKK: <yriii:ii owls.
o05
inner wpbs. Tail with light and dark hars. A larpf and noarly cosTnopolitnn ponns, pspocially
rich in tropical spncics ; but only two an- known to inhabit N. Am., one of then) running
into several local races very dilKcult to characterize satisfac-torily.
/.••ah/nin of Sprcim <tiitl lOriiiiea.
Toes lirlstly or partly fontlicreil. riuiiiiciiriiH ciiiispiciiuui) iinjo 405
DIcliroiimlic : ruil pimsu bright rusty. Eniitcrii.
Mcdiiiiii III hIzo: wing uHually Iwtweeii aoo anil 7.00; tnil alioiit 3.50. Mnrkingsor under partii
coitrKC, irrcKulnr, iiiiil liliitcliy, usuiiliy wiintiiit; <>» mi'Mli! uf belly; of upiier partH tiiiu but
irri!i;ul!ir, without iiiicliiil collar. KiiHtuni U. S. ami ('.inuila nain 40.1
Sinull: wini; UBually fi.SO-O.OO; tail about .'1.00. Markings an in ruio, t'lt rather heavier. Florida
jlnriiliiiiuH 469
Small: bIzk nt jlitriilaiiim. MnrkiiiKs of under parts lino, regular, of upper parts coarse, but rcg-
iiliir, with tiMidiMicy to 11 iiucliiil oollar. Tivxas mnrcnUi 468
llk'liroiiiatk' ; red pliaso ruxty-brown. Northwestern.
l.iir«o ; wing usually over 7 (K). In the gray phase like aain, but markings of under iiarts liner,
inoru regular mill eontlmioUB. Northwestern kiiininitti 466
DU'hroniatlsin not known to m'eur. Western.
Medium: size of average (iHin. Markings of iinilcr parts thick, regular, continuous over the
whole surfiu'c; of upiier parts exactly as in «.<i(). California Innilirii 4fl(W
Mcdiiiin : size of average ri.iio. .Markings of all parts very light, the gray pale, with iiiiich
white, esjicclally on wings ami uiiiler parts niiirinlhr 467
Toes perfectly naked. I'liimlcorns short. Southwestern jUimmmln 471
Ifl,"!. S. a'Hto. (Lat. umiii, a kind of hornnl owl.) liiTTi.K lIouNP.n (Mvi,. .Sckkkcii Owi..
M<1TTI,EI> Owi,. UkkOwi-. Of niediuni .size ; length S.OO-lO.dO ; extent about 22.00 ; wiiiir
(i. 00-7. 00, usiijijly'ietween these nuiiibei-s : tail .'{.i2,')-.'{.."iO. Unii/ or iinniiiil pliasi; adult ^ ^ :
Tpper piirt.s bfowni.sh-pruy in minutely dappled pattern of lighter and darker shades, every-
where finely but irregularly streaked with black or blackish shaft-lines, usually most evident
im the crown. A i-onspicuous obliipie scajiular bar formed by the white or creiimy outer webs
of several sc;i]iulars, etudi usually touched with black iit its end ; a s ml similar bar on outer
W(dis of sever;il outer wiug-i'overts. \Viiig-<|uills dusky, the outer webs of the ]irimaries with
M'veral distinct cimspicuous white or buff s]iots; the inner widis of the |)rimaries and liotli webs
of the secondaries with numerous alternating lighter and dtu'ker b;iis : lining of wings mostly
yellowish-white. Tail like the .s( ndaries, but the light bars mostly ragired or di.ssijiated in
marbling. Facial disc set in a blackish frame nearly all around ; mostly finely mottled, but
the lores and chin usUiiUy whitish, immaculate. Taking white as the ground of the under
parts, this is coarsely and irreguhirly blotched and streaked with thick shaft-lines giving off
numberle.xs finer curved or wavy cro.ss-bars ; the general aspect patchy; the markings usually
Wiinting on the middle of the belly. Iris yellow ; bill livid or slate-gray, pale horn-color lit
tip ; claws blackish. From this stage the ' mottled owl ' passes by insensible degrees, through
wood-brown, hazel-brown, and tawny into the ' red owl.' — lied or rri/tlirisnuil jihusr : Hri^iht
rust-red, sometimes even bronzed; most of the special markim;s dissipated or absorbed in the
red, continuous and uniform tibove, showint; only traces if any of the black shaft-stripes ; below,
black stripes and blotches usually preserved, .lud the red also nii.\ed with much white. The
dark rim of the disc, and white sca|iular stripes, are usually preserved. The two jdiases are
distinct from the first feathering. Xestlinu's are covered with white down. The first feather-
ing, in the normal plia.se, is almost everywhere closely and regularly barred or waved cross-
wiso with dark gray and pale gray or whitish. Kastern V. S. and Canada, \V. to the Hocky
Mts., on the confines of its rsinge sliadim; into the several varieties noted beyond ; resident, and
on the whole the most abundant owl. iireeding about buildings as well as in hollow trees or
stumps, and feeding on small ipiadrupeds, as mice and shrews, small birds, and insects ; nest a
slight structure in the hollow selected for a resident ; eggs .5 or <>, white, subspherical, 1.150 to
I.IOX 1.15 to l.'iO.
400. 8. ». kennioot'tl. (To llidiert Kennicott.) Kkxxicott's Schkkcii Owi,. The larger
northern form. Length about 11.00; wing usually 7.00-7.50, but grading down in sonic cases
60(5
.V I'smMA TIC SYyorsi:s. — haptohes — stujges.
t(t (i.jO ; tail ul»<tut 4.00. In tin- fjray jOimm', vrry similar tu xsw ihoimt, the iij)j)Pr parts lioiiit;
ill tact iiiilistini^iiislialilc, liiit the markings nt' the iiiulcr ])art.s tiiicr, iii<ii't> regular ami ciiiniiiiiniis
over the whnle siirfaee : in the ' red' phase dusky iiiiiher-ln'own, ([iiite unlike the hriyht rusl-
eoliir ct' ((,s/t». This state was liiiit; suii|iipse(l to he the only one, and eharaeteristie of the hinl ;
it oeeiirs ehielly coastwise and far north, while the gray piia.se, only distinguishalde from tiiat
it\' itsin as ahove said, seems to he the rule in the l". S. In size, sonu" New Kiigland siiecimeu;,
are fully uji to the average of kriinicolli. West and Xorthwest N. Am., from Malio to ."^ilka.
40Ga. S. a. heml'lrll. (To ('apt. ('has. JJendire.) ('AUKoltM.V ScitKIU ll Owi,. No red jdiase
known to oeenr. Size of asio, and extremely like it, difl'ering ehietly in the finer, more
mmierons anil continuous cross-liars of the under parts, which cross the middle of the lielly as
elsewhere; the shaft-stripes al.so a)ipear less blotchy. It is thus ijiiite like the gray phase of
hnniiviiiti, hut smaller. The plumicorns are 8aid to lie shoiler. Coast region of California,
ciPiiiiMon. I have yone carefully over a series of Sivps, and appreciate the jioiuts lately made
hy .Mr. Mrew.ster and .Mr. Hidgway. If tlie.se tine sliach's are to he recognized by name, the
|ireseiit seems entitled to he named with the rest.
407. S. ». iiiii.xwcriM'. (To Mrs. .M. A. Maxwell, of lloiilder, Colorado, a noted huntress and
taxidermist.) Ctii.uii.viio ScitlCKCII ()\\h. Size of (o/o; no red ))liase <disevved ; hut, on the
contrary, the whole plumage very pale, almost as if bleached, the dill'ereiice evident in nestlings
even. I'jiper jiarts pale gray, with reduced lilai'k lines; lower whiter with reduced dark shaft-
lines and cross-bars, the .scapular bar very <'ouspicuous ; much white on wing-coverts; white
spots on outer webs of several primaries running into continuous areas only indeiiti'd with small
dark spaces. .Mountains of ('(dorado, ami <loubtless adjoining ones ; an alpine form.
408. S. H. iiiaeeurii. (To Col. (ieo. A. McCall.) Tk.XAN StHEKni (»\vi.. A Kiiiall sonthern
form; size <>( lltniildiiiix; gray and red phases, as in tisiit ]iroper. Aery similar to itsii>; in
tlie gray pha.se, the markings of the under parts liner, lirmer, more regular and coiitinuous, the
shaft-lines strict, not blotchy, the cross-lines sharp; the strijies of the upper parts coar.se, but
reiriilar and the nape with a tendency to present a light nuchal collar. 'I'exas and southward,
to (iiiatemala (.V. mdiniUi Ca.ss., iJS.il, iS.'iS; C<iiks, \S'i-i\ S. nsio var. ctuiiio Lawk.,
Klixav.. Ilist. N. A. H.. iii, ls7t, p. 48, but not imurnUi, ihid., p. :>i.)
400. s. a. florida'iiiis. (Of Floriila.) Fi.ohiha Sciikkcii (hvi.. .\ small southern form; wing
ri.,')(M'i.()() ; tail about .'{.()(). Coloration as in naio; red jiliase frei|nent if not the usual one; in
its full development, the ru.sty makes ([uite tirm broad cross-bars on the under parts, wliicli in
not the rule in <isin, though very evident in s)ieciiuelis from .Southern Illinois, for example,
where the reil is by far the most fre(|uent plumaije, Florida, and adjoining regions.
"^TO. s. trieliop'ttls ? ((Jr. Bpt^, r;iix'>s. tlin'.i-, Irichiis, hair, oyjfis, iiiisi», aspect.) An alleged
species, or a subspecies ii{ (isiit, with which I am niiaci|uainted. Described as having the bars
of the lower surface tine, nearer together than in nsio, and much more uniformly distributed ;
the general aspect being paler than in (isia, with miK-li finer vermiculatioiis (IJidgway). Cali-
fornia, N<w .Mexico, and southward. (.'>'. a. mmrulli, liiinav.. Ilist. N. A. U., iii, 187 !•, p. ■")2 ;
.V. Iiirlioiisis, UiiMiw., I'r. r. S. Xiit. Mils., 1S78. p. lU; but whethi-r <.f \Va(1i.kh, IS.'J^
471. 8, flaiiiiiie'ula. (L.it. fliiiiimioln, here signifyiiur a little reddish thing.) Klam.MII.ATK.K
StKI'.r.cil (>wi,. A small spt'cies, with much the general aspect of an nugrown S. asiu; lint
the close feathering of the tarsiiH stops abruptly at the bases of tlie toes, which are naked, and
the plumicorns are i|uite short. Leiiuth (i..")'l-7.0') ; wing .').i.'.")-.')..")0 ; tail i.l't ; tarsus O.'.IO ;
eulmeii, without cere, •)..'{.') ; middle toe, without claw. ((..'i.'). Adult ^ 9- I''acial disc, soiiie-
tiniPH whole head, rusty-rufons, or light chestnut, speckled with black, on the to]i of the head
also with white, tending to form a superciliary striiie. (Jrouiid of under pails white, but heavily
overlaid with sh.ift-stripes or blotches of black giviiii.' off irregular cross-waves, on the breast
tinged with rusty-rufous here and there; tarsi while, speckled with dusky. I'ppiT parts
niiiuitely dappled with dark brown and hoary-gray, anil with ragged dark shaft-i<tri|>CH ; u cou-
163.
srmailt.E: OTllLli OWLS.
607
163.
47a
spii'urms wliitish sciqiiilar bar, as in .S'. r/x/'j. Tail jiivc liack. Imt with miiiirrotis narrow aiid
rairu't'il crnss-liars of jiaic riisiy <ir wiiiiisli. 'Winy-iinilis ' liittcn in" nii laitcr wtl>s wiili wliin-
<ir liiiH', ciinspicniinsiy Hum several (iriniarics. their inner wehs with reirular hut inirrow. distant
anil weak hars, sfrenu'theninu, Imwever, tciward the hases i>t" the s mdaries. Ymnii; Mrds.
like those of .S. asin, ti'iid to a iniil'orni eross-liarriiii.' id' tlie whole ]dninai:e, hnt esjie.-iailj of
the under parts, with li.i;ht and dark : the top of tlie head is finely verniicuhited in this manner ;
the eliestnnt first appears on the ear-eoverts and ahoni the eyes : hut in any ndor-variation this
inlerestini; little Sio/if, only ahoiit as lartre as a (iliiiin'iliiiHi, is nninistakalde.
A'SIO. (Lat. «.s(((, a kind of horned owl.) K.\im;i> ( >wi.s. M.vusii Owi.s. Skull and ear-
j)arts more or less unsyiiimetrical : the conidi of immense si/e. ahont as loni; as the sknll is hii,'h,
famished with a niovalde operculum for its full h n;:th. Kyi's centrie in the perlcv'tly developed
facial ilisc. I'lnmicorns more or less developed. Nostrils at edije of the cere, which is some-
what ilillated, and longer than the chord of cidnien heyond it ; hill rather weak. Winsrs ahont
twice as loii^' as tail, pointt'il, ;.'il primary usually loni;est, oidy 1 or ;.> ]irimaries emariiinate on
ilMier wehs. Feet closely feathered to the ends of the toes. Of medium bi/e ; our species IJ-
11) inches loiii;, Kmhracing numerous species, and nearly <-osiuopolitan. Our lon^-eared owl
is decidedly different from that of Kiirope, Asia otxs, hut the short-eared has not been sati!>fac-
torily distinguished from the almost co.smojiolitau .1. iKvipilriiius.
.■Innh/Hii* nf Sjwrii'f.
riiniiii'ornH Inii);, inaiiy-fcntlicrcil (^nj'i liroinTi inVnoHidnHji 4T2
riiuiilriiriiH dlinrl, frw-fwitlicroil (//iiii7(;/ii/i(») iicrijiilriiir.H 473
A. wilsoiiia'iiiisi. (To A. Wilson. Fii;. .")(i. i A.mkhhax Lono-kauki) Owi.. Kar-tnftscoii-
fipicuiais, about as loni; as middle toe andtdaw, of S-l-i feathers. First jnimary only emarjii-
intte on imier W(d). I'pper parts brownish-black, miiuilely mottled with j;rayi.*h-white, and
variegated with the tawny of basal jiortions of the feathers which comes to the surface liere
and there; the general effect dark, ipiite ilitferent from the tawny streakini; of A. iitiis of
Kurope. I'mler jiarts coufu.seil blatdiish-brown, ;.'rayish-white and tawny: on the breast
marbled in larire pattern, for the rest with dusky shaft-lines throwiiiK off dusky cross-bars
(several on each feather) on a whitish >.'ronnd, and the tawny bases of the feathers sliowinif
more or less : feet and crissuni mostly imnuicidate, tawny or whitish. (Quills bhudiish-brown.
rej{ularly barred with mottled >{ray, niul towards their bases with tawny, which latter forms a
couspicuous area on the outer wehs of several jirimaries. Linintr of wintrs tawny, separated
by a dusky area from the similar bases of the inner webs of the primaries, 'fail like the
secouilaries, dusky with ^ray marbled bars, and more or less tawny towards the ba.se ; but from
below presentin;; <|nite lit,'ht, with numerous firm narrow dusky hars. Facial disc mostly
tawny, franu'd all around in a hlacUish border speckled with whitish, and more or less Idaid;-
cned about the eye; usually a whitish superciliary line; bristles at base of bill mixed whitish
and blackish ; plnml is-ldackish, basally tawny, edu'i'il on one siih' with whitish. Hill and
claws Idackish ; iris yellow. Leni;th li.(Ml-lC..(M) ; extent about :tll.(K); winij 1 l.dit 1-i.OU ;
fail .■)..")IM1..)0; tarsus I. :?.'">- 1.. '>() ; ehonl of whole enlmeii about 1.0(1. Less variable than
many owls, and always easy to ncoimize. N. Am. at laru'e. common and iri'uerally dis-
tributed, resident ; perfectly nocturnal, and thus screened from casual idiservation. even where
it is numerous, but often surprised in the daytime in shadv resorts, as thick bushes aloni:
iitreams, caffons, caves, etc. Nestinir various, in a hidlow tree or stniu]), rift of rock, on the
^rouinl, or in (h'serted lu'sfs of other birds, as hawks, prows, magpies, or even herons ; usually
constructed with little art, as when in a hollow or on the irronnd, sometimes better built in
branches of a thick tree. Food small <piailrupeds, birds, and iusects. Kiru's white, snb>ipherical,
I..'i0 to 1.(10 X l..'«) to 1.40.
113. A. arrlpltrl'iiiiH. (Laf. rtrri7)i7riHH,i, hawk-like. Fip. H.').').) Siioiir-F.AiiKit Owi,. Maiish
Owl. Far-tufts ineouspicu<Mis, much shorter than middle toe und tdaw, few-feathered. First
fiOH
SYSTh.UAJlC SY.\<)J'SIS. - UAVTOUES -SrUKiKS.
: ±1.
i I,
anil id immiirios ciiiar^iiiati- mi iiinor wclis. Above, coiiiplctfly viiri('i;!itc(l, cliicHy in streaks,
with fnlvoUH or tawny, and dark brown ; breast much the same, imt other nmler parts paler
oelirey, usually bleaehing on the
belly, whieh is sparsely but sliarply
streaked (never barred) with dark
brown: feet pale tawny or whilisli.
usually Immai-ulate; llnint; <if \vinu;>
interruptedly whitish. \Viiii.'-<piills
varied, mostly in lari{e pattern, and
tail pretty ret^nlarly barred (about .')
bars) with the two colors of the
U](per parts. Facial area while or
nearly so, but with a larue bhi<'k eye-
patch ; tlie disc minutely spiM-khd
with fulvou.s and blackish, bordered
with white internally and usually
liaviuL,' a blackish patch behind the
ear : radiating feathers of the oper-
culum streaked with blackish and
fidvous. Iris briiriit yellow : hill
and claws dusky-bluish : the naked
t;rauular soles yellowish. The ear-
openillj; of this species is extliniely
lar^e, bein;; two inches or more
Jicross the longest way. Lenirth of a
(J I4.."jO; extent4l.(i0; winjr l;j.(it):
tail fi.(ll): tarsus to end of miildle
claw .S. .")(); chord of culmeii, cere
iniduded, 1.1:2; ?> averaiiinju' hn-;!!-
Fio. a-W. — .Sliiirt-furcil Uwl.r.'iluccd. (Sliepiuird del. NleluiUw.) .1 » 1 1 1 . v t .1
' than (f. Inliaoits N. .\m. at larije,
and most other parts of the world. It a|ip(>ars to be somewhat migratory with us, and is
Hometimt'S .seen in considerable tiiH-ks, especially in marshy places, which are its favorite
hnntin^-irrounds for the small (|uadru|ieds and other animals upon which it preys. It is a
jrreat destroy of shrews and lield-niice, deservini; on this account to be protected in the
interests of i\^ 'ultiire. The nest is coiiunoidy built on the ^round, sometimes in an under-
ground burrow, cousistinu of a little hay and leathers: the ciius ari' 4-7 in number, dull white,
roundish, about 1. .").'> X l.'^'). This owl breeds inditleri'iitly in any latitude, and is one of tho.se
fre(|uently abroad in the daytime.
164. STKIX. (Cr. (TT/iiyf, slrii/.i; l.at. Klri.r, a screech-owl.) (ilt.w «twi,.s. Uihiwn Owi.s.
\V(ioi> t)\vi..><. i^kiill and ear-parts more or less iinsynimi'trical, the latter lartre, furnished
with a iiioilerate operculum .scnrcely reachint: the whole leiifilh of the openini;. Mead very
larfie, ap]ieariiiK as broad as the body, and perfectly smooth, there bciiifj no pliimicorns : facial
disc complet*' and of ^rreat extent, the comparatively small eyes centric in the radiating H-athers.
Nostril in edye of cere, which is shorter than rest of ciilmen. Mill yellow; iris yellow or
black. Tail very lonj;. jj to ■[ as loiiu' as the wili«;s. Wiuu'* much rounded : 1- to (i prinuirieH
Hiniiiite on inner webs; 1st (plite short. Feiith(Tilij; of feet variable; tarsus always fi'alhered,
but toes whidly or ]iartly feathered, or naked. A laru'e yciiiis of •earless' owls, chielly of the
iiiirthern hemisphere, of medium to very larirest size. North Ami'rii'a has at least three per-
fectly distinct sjiecies ; the commonest one of these, H. nebuUtsii. lepresents the Kiiro|M'an
tawny ow), S. tihico.
ill.
iTrt.
SmjaHKK: OTllHli OWI.S.
fi08
AuiihjfiA lit' Sjtrrifs,
Uiiiler parts strcnkpil on tlir lircMt, olnewlicri" liiirrt-"!. Iris yellow. Six niillls Kinnate.
Of limiiciiso njzi'; length ■-' ffcl iir iiiiirr : liH-» cluiiwiy foalliiii'il. Nurlln'iii cinrrra V\
L'liilcr pnrtM liarrol dm tliu bri'iint. rlM-uliuruatreal<i'<l. Iri> lilai k. I'ivi' i|iiilli> Hiiiiiulo.
Of IlKXlilllll Hi7.l' : IvIIKtiMllHIIII 1) ft'L't.
Ti>c» fully fuiitlioii'il. KiihUtii mliiilDtn \;f,
TocK iiiniitly iiikkml. Kli>riila •illmi 477
Uiiilcr purls liarroil evorywlierc. Irlit Muck. Klv« i|uillH iiliiiiiktit.
Ofiiit'iliiiiii hI/.o: tiK's fully fcatlierol. Western luiiihulnliH 471
471, S. J'liio'rea. (Lat. </»i<rtvi, iisliy.) GitKAT (Jlt.vv ( Iwi,. Si'iu TUAl, < >wi.. Fret fuiiiplttcly
ffiitliiTc'tl t<i tlic claws ; liill and ryes yt'llow: tl iiriiiiarics cut mi inner wclis. Kntii'i' ii|i|M'r
parts (larU bmwn, niuttlcd witli ^'rayisli-wliiti' in cniit'iisi'il anil intricate jiattcin, rcdiicililr in
giMicral to (li8si|iatiiiii of liars. Wiii^s and tail similar, lirokrii-liarrcd with grayisli-whito
niarlilinK. I'lulcr parts of the same dark limwn and |iali' ^ray, the pattern in streaks on the
lireast, in cripss-harsmi the lielly and Hanks, in spnts nn the feet. The trreal facial disc watered
with dark brnwn and lii;hl yray in rei;ular rintfs euucentric with each eye, the niitennnst ring
dark hrown, and str<>ni;er than the rest, Imunded lielow with a ragged whit illar. Leniflli
2 feet iir mure; e.xleiit alimit .") feet; wiiiju' Ki.OO-lS.IM) inclies : tail I l.l)((-l:i..j(l ; ciihiieii
1.00 witlKHit cere. .\li iniiiieii.se iiwl, one of the larirest <if all, inhaliitint; .Victic America,
straying irreirnli.Jy s >uth into the U. S. in winter, even to New Jersey. Illinois, and California ;
said to he common from mir northern liorder northward, and perhaps resident in Northern New
Kiigland. Nest in trees, of sticks, mosses, and feathers ; eggs usually ;} or 4, not ei|iial-ended
and rather small for the hird. 2.2."i X \.W. hike others of the ueiiiis it is a wood owl : while
its |irowe.ss enaldes it to prey upon creatures tip to the size of grouse and hares.
•n."!. S. €'. Iiippo'iiicii. iLat. /'i/<;«i»i/r(i, of Lapland. I LaI" Owi,. Specimens from .\laska. liuhter
colored than ordinary, have been referred to the Kiiropean rather than the American variety.
ITrt. H. iii>liiilo'im. (Lat. iM''*i(/().«(, cloiiih'd. Tii:. S.'iCi.) Makkkii Owi,. Ilmir Uwi.. .Vmkiih an
Wood Owl. Toes fully feathered, nearly or <|iiite to the claws, which are lilackisli ; hill
yellow; iris Mack. Of medium si/e in the genus: length
|S.(iO-20.00: extent alK.iit 14.00; wing I2..'j0-l:{..')0. rounded;
tail '.(.00-10.0<), rounded. Murkimis of hack and Iireast in
cross-hars, of helly in lengthwise stripes. Ahove, imiher-
lii'own or liver -color, everywhere liarred with white or tawny,
or lioth ; lireast the same ; on the lielly the pattern chanuiiur
alirnptly to heavy dusky shaft-stripes on a while or tawny
ground ; crissiim the same ; t'eet speckled with dusky : wiuu:s
anil tail like the hack or rather darker, regularly liarred with
gray, liijht hrown or tawny, some of the liars usually making
white spots iit their ends, and the marking of the wing-coveits I'"io. .Vit!. — narrvil owl, rfMliuTfl,
rather in spots than hars. Lining of wiims tawny, with some dusky spotting. Facial disc
8ut ill a frame of Idaek and white specks, with Idackened eye lids, and oliscurely watered
with lighter and darker colors in rinu's around the eye as a centre, the bristly feathers alioiit
the hill mixed hlack and white, or white at base, Idackened terminally. .\ iiotaldy large and
Homewhut iinpivssive owl of Ka.stern N. Am., roiiiiiuin in wiHidland of the I'. S.. es]iecially
southerly ; not known to ramre much north of the I'. S.. though occurrini; in parts of Canada,
and not reported from the West, where apparently replaced liy .S'. oniilniliilis. It is the coui-
iiionest ' hooting' owl, the strange oiitliursts of midnight discord which one may hear .iliout the
farm-house or camp-tiro priM-eedini; oftener from this s)iecies than from tlie u'reat horned owl ;
and it is strong enoui;h to prey njMin poultry, <|uail, rahhits and si|uiri-els, as well as hiimhlir
jjame. Nest in a hollow tri'e, or a deserted huwk'H or crowV iieHt ; eggs laid early in spring,
white, siilis)iherical, about ;.M)0 X l.7'>.
;■)!()
SYS'j.t:MA TIC si'yopsjs. — lurroiiKs— snaai-js.
477. S. n. al'leni. (To J. A. Alloii.) Fi.oitinA n.\nuKi> OwL. T/ik«' .S". iwlnilosn nrop<T, but
ti'i's nliiiiist ciitin'l.V uakcil. Tlic ti'itlluTiiif; »( tin- tarsii.s stcijis at tlic rinit!< of the tncs aliimst
as al)ru]itlv as it ilocs in Scoj)!< jUimmeoUi, in I'niiiparisdU with H. <isii>, tii(Hii;li a sii^Jit stiip of
bristly t'catlicrs nius almij; tlu' oiitsiilc of tlic iniilillc toe. The barriiit; of tlie hrcasi sceiiis
to be lieavier, on an averap'. Fhii'iila ; a local raci-.
478. S. oeciileiitu'lls. (Lat. ovcideiitdlis, western.) Wksti.KN' nAliKKi) (»\\I,. Toes feathered as
in iS'. iii'biiliisa. DeeiiU'illy sniaUer than that species, and otherwise readily distint^uished.
fJronnd-color of npiMT ]»arts much the same, but the barring broken up into spotting, for the
most part ; on the back and wing-coveils resulting in irregular variegation, on the head making
small round white spots. Wings, tail, and facial tlisk much as in .S'. iicliiildsii. I'nder jiarts
(piite dirterent, the markings being in bars everywhere, with little ditterence in |)attern between
the belly and the breast. The latter is closely and regularly barred with brown and white, as
in S. iwlmldKii, and if the barring is at all ditt'erent on the belly, it is from separation of the
white bars into jiairs of spots, in any event very ditt'erent in appearance from the firm length-
wise stripes of S. whiilosii. The ditterence between the two sjiecies in this regard is comparable
to that between the long- and short-eared owls. The lining of the wintrs is fully spotted with
dusky on a tawny ground. The general brown color of the bird is on the wlnde warmer than
that of S. tiehnhsa. Length about Ul.OO : wing li.Ol)-l:{.(K) ; tail S.OU-'J.OO. Western V. S.,
southerly; a very distinct sjiecies, apparently replacing the barred owl, common in parts of
California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Kgg i.OO X 1.7'>, yellowish-white, granular.
165. NYt'TKA. (tJr. v\,KTiis, iiukteiin, Lat. ni/cteus,
nocturnal.) Sxow Owi.s. Much the same gen-
eric characters i\n Bubo, which see; but plundcorns
rudimentary, and geiu'rally considered wantint;;
facial tlise ipiite incomplete, and eyes not centric
to it; bill nearly bin-ied in the frontal feathers;
feet densely clothed in long shaggy feathers which
even hide the claws ; four outer (piills eniarginate
on inner webs; imder tail-coverts reaching end of
tail, which is rounded, and rather more than i as
long as the wing. One circumpolar species of
great size, and mostly white color; young covered
with sooty down.
479. N. seanilia'ra. (Lat. scamliaca, of Scandinavia.
Fig. .S.)7.) SxowY Owl. Pin-e white, spotted
and barred with brownish-black markings, wholly
indetermiiuite in size an<l innnber; but entirely
white specimens are very rare. There is often
more blackish than white ; and in the darkest
birds, the markings tenil to l>ar the pbnnage with
rows of simts, such pattern specially evident on the
wings and tail. A common average jilinnage is Kiu. ;k);.- snowy owl, rcdiicc.l. (FromTcnney,
si)ott<'d all over the upper parts, broken -barred on after AmlulKjn,)
the ipiills and tail-feathers, regularly barred on the under parts, and with white face and paws.
The face, throat, and feet are usually whitest. Hill and claws Idack ; iris yellow. Nearly or
about two feet bmg; extent 4.."»f)-.').00 feet ; wing 1(1.00-1^.00 inches : tail !).00-l 0.00; culinen
1.10 without cen-; tarsus 2.00: middle ttM' without daw 1.35. This remarkabli" owl, conspic-
uous in size and color, abounds in the boreal regions of both hemispheres, whence it counts
southward irregularly in winter. sonietim<>s raiding in large numbers. With us, it is of every
winter occurrence in the Xortheru uud Middle S
mo.
pi
ling
ray
the
STlilall).E: uniElt OWLfi.
611
but
Carolinus mid Texas ; thorp briiifi no part of tlie U. 8. when- it may not appoar at that scaMHi.
It is far from hcing cxcliisivfly noctin'iiMl, ami limits abroad in tlir (lay-tiiiir as rt'ailiiy as any
liawk. It has never been ascertained to breed in tiie V . S., tliougb it prohaiily dues so in
Maine, as is certainly the case little further north. It is capable of endin'ini; I lie rii;nrs df
Arctic winters. The nest is usnally upon the ^'I'omid or rocks; the ei,'i;s are .') to lo, laid at
intervals (as is the <'ase with various other owls), so that the nest may Mintain fresh and incu-
bated e;;i;s and yomij; birds at once: they are ei|ual-ended. about i.'ii) X 1 •'•">■ Tbe bird prey.s
upon grouse, ptarmigan, hares, and siimller t;anie, especially the ticld-mice and leniniinuH
which swarm in the Arctic regions.
168. 8ri{'NIA. (Ktym. of Siiniiii or Si/rniiim unknown.) Hawk Owi.s. .skull and lar-parts
much as in Bitho or Xi/ctva; latter non-ojierculate, the openiut; of sniall size ; facial dis<' very
little devehiped, and eyes not centric to it; no plumicorns. Wings foldint; far short of end of
tail; third jtrimary longest; first 4 emargiuate on inner webs. Tail remarkably lontr, little
shorter than the wing, much graduated, with lancecdate feathers. Feet thickly and completely
feathered to the claws; tarsus S(!arcely or not lonyer than middle to<'. Of medium size, with a
peculiarly neat and dressy appear;ince, for an owl, the wliidir plumage being more strict than in
other members of this family. There is but one species, common to northern portions nf hotli
hemispheres, as hawk-like in habits as in mien, though unmistakably an owl.
4H0. 8. fiine'rea. (I.at. finirmi, funereal. Kig. -i'tS.) Amkkk AN Hawk Owl. Dav (>wi,.
Itill and eyes y»dlow ; claws brownish-black. I'liper parts bistre-brown, darkest and aluautt
blackish on the head, where jirofusely
s]iotted with small round white marks,
to which succeeds a niudial interval h'ss
spotted or free from spots, then an area
of larger and lengthened spots ; scapulars
l)rofiisely spotted with white in large
])attern, forming a scapular bar as in
Sfit2>.i; back and wiug-ctiverts more or
less spotted with white also ; primaries
and seconclaries with white s^tots in pairs
on opposite edges of the feathers. Tail
bridicn-barred with white or jtale gray,
usinilly narrowly aud distinctly, on one
or both welis, and tip|ied with the same;
but there is great individual variatiiui in
this respect, as may also he said of the
amount and character of the spottitig of
the whole upper parts. I'lider parts
from the breast backward, including the
crissnm, (dosely and regularly cross-
barred with rich reddish-brown, or even
reddish-black, upon a white ground, the
alternating bars of color usnally of
about e(pial widths — if auythiiu;, the
white the broade.sit. The linimr of the Fio. 358. — Hiiwlc Owl, ri-<l»cc<l. (Sliepimnl del. NkliolitwM
wings shares the same character, but is more si>ntty : the paws are mottled with brown and
whitish, in different pattern. On the '.reast the regular barrinj; gives way, the tendem-y beinu'
to form a dark |iectoral band on a white or spotted groiiml, but this disposition is seldom per-
fected. Facial disc mostly whitish, bounded by a conspicuous blackish crescent behind the
car. When the dark nuchal ctdlar is perfected, a second bar curves down behind the first on
;')l:i
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — HA VTORES — STRIGES.
the sitlo of the mrk, »qmnit<'(l by a wliili.sli interval; tlic cdjifOH of tlu' eyoliilH, iiiuiiy (d" ilif
lnral lii'i.stli's, a liiir just in front nt' tin* v\v, and a <-)iin-Hpiit, arc bla<'k nr dnsky ; the iiiwrr
jiart nt' tiic ilisc liclow the cars lia.s also dusky streaks. Tlif cxiiiiscd part nl' the l)ill is l)rinlil
yellow, as wiid, Itiit most of that hidden Ity tlie ItristlcH is of a dark livid cidor. However vari-
able in detail, the markings of this species are unmistakable ; those about the head are better
defined than in most owls, and i|nite peculiar. Leii^rth l.i.UI); extent HM.UO ; win^ about
9.00; tail about 7.00; tarsus, or middle toe without claw, 1.00 or less; culmen without cere
0.75. A handsome and s|iirited owl, abuialant in northern portions of N. Am., S. into
northern V . S. in winter, frequently and rej,'ularly : ajipareutly resident in Maine. I/ike the
snowy owl, it endures the ripirs of Arctic winters. Nest usually in trees, sometimes on rocks
or stumps, of sticks, mosses, fjra.s.ses, and feathers; e^ns 1-7, April. May, about 1. .'>.") X \-'i'i,
whitish. The food of this sjiecies seems to be chielly tield-mice and other small rodents,
hawked for in broad daylight, this owl bein^ ajiparently the least noctm-nal of its tribe.
4NI. S. f. ll'Iulu. (Lat. h/i////. a screech owl.) KfUopKAN Hawk Dwl. Lifjhter-colored speci-
mens from Alaska have been considered to represent this variety, just as darker-colored ones,
froMi the Itritish Islaniis, have been referred to the ])recedin^ variety.
167. NVC'TALA. ((ir. vvieraKoi, iiiikldlos, slee))y.) .Saw-wmkt Owi.s. Skull and ear-parts
highly unsynnnetrical, the latter of trreat size, and fully opercidate. Head very larp' (as in
SIri.i), without jilundcorns ; facial tlisc complete, with centric eye. Nostril at edt;e of the cere,
which is inflated or not. Tail from i to i as lon^ as the wint;, rounded. Third anti Itli primaries
longest ; 1st (piit<- short ; 2 or it emar^iinite on inner webs. Feet thickly and clo.sely feathered
to the claws. In this interestint; f;enus the ear-)>arts are of yri'at si/.e, and reach the extreme
of asymmetry, the whole skull seeming mi.sshapen. Three species are known, all of snuill
size; one of circumpcdar distribution, one peculiar to N. Am., tln' third of unknown habitat,
]iro)iably American. They are notable for the umisual ilecree of difference between olil and
younu : and oiu' species are readily distin^'uishetl by stroiijjer characters than are ordinarily founil
between cougeiu'ric owls. The adults are umber or chocolate-brown above, spotted with wliite,
belciw whiti', striped with brown; the youni; more uniform. Eyes yellow; bill black or
yellow.
. tniitifHtii iij' S/H't'h'H.
I.ari;ur: wlni; iiIhiiiI T.ini; tnil 4..'i(l. Hill yellow; ccri' iiiit lumld; iiiiHtrllH prcgcntiii); lutrnilly, unci
"liliiliiely (iviil. Anili' rivhiinhnui 4S'.'
Siniillor: wliii: .'i fill; tail 2.)iT Hill bliick ; cvro tumid ; nnHtrlls proiieiitiiiK iiiitLTinrly, mid ulH>ut ciniiliir.
I'. S iiiiiilirtt 483
<IN*i. N. teiiK'malnil rleli'Hrilsuni. (To 1*. <i. Tengmalm, and .1. llicliardson.) Aitiric A.MI-.U1( AN
SAW-wiif.T Owl,. Adiill : I'jiper parts. iu<-ludin^ winus ami tail, uniform clmci ate-brown.
spotteil with white : on the to|i of the head the spots small and iirofuse, on the nape larger and
bh'Uih'd into a nudial collar, on the back and winu-coverts larp' and spar.se, but tending to
form a scapular bar, on thi' win>;-i|uills and tail-feathers in )iairs, at the opposite edj;es of the
welis, on the inner webs lartrer, nmre like bars, and more or less run together, especially on
the inner secondaries. I'nder parts white, thickly and confusedly streaked lengthwise with the
color of the bai'k. Facial disc mostly white, but with bhn-kish eyelids anil loral spnt, set in a
frame of dark brown s)ieckleil with white. 'I'he ceneral tone of the brown of this sjiecies is
oftenest ruddy, nearly as in X. iKiiilicii, but sometiiries dark and pure. Ytnituj not .seen by me ;
said to differ from the adult much as .V. mivliiii does. Lenu'th 11.00^-12.00; extent 21.00;
wini: 7.00; tail f..'iO; tarsus 1.00; middle toe without claw 0.(17 ; culmen without citc 0.(10.
Said to be distinuuislnd from the F-uropeai ns|M'cie« (H>;. ."J.")',!) by its darker coloration, iM-hrey
feet spotted with brown instead of beinu nearly immaculate white, and more heavily streaked
miller tail-coverts. This line species inhabits the Arctic retrioiis, beinir seldom seen in the
V. S., where only known in winter and not further south than New Knulanil, Wisconsin,
Northern Ohio, and Oreuon ; thoujili it is ]iro1>ubly resident in Northern Maine, like tlio snowy
483. 1
STItiailfJ:: OTIIEIi OWLS.
618
mill liawk (iwls. Tho iipst Is said tn In* Imill in a tree ; tlic egj^s aro variously stated to Iw from
2 to ft in nuiiibt'r; Mi/« 1.25 X \M'i,
483. N. apn'ilica. (Lat. luiidivn, of Acmliii.) AcAiHAN f)\vi,. Saw-whet Owi,. Aiiiilf :
Tpper parts, iiicliuliiii; wiiiys ami tMil. vrry siiiiiliir to tlios<! of llic lust sprcics, Imt tiie |L;roiiiui
usually a riiilclicr brown, tlir spottinu less rx-imsivo, tli<> inariis on tint top of tlu> head ]M>ucill<Ml
ill (h'licafo sliaft-lincs instead of rcmnd spots, tlmsf of liic wintrs and tail exactly as in A. rklt-
tmlsoui. I'lider |)arts wliite, ditl'iisely streaked or dappleii w itii a pecniiar liu'lit l>rowii, almost
l>inkish-l»rowii. Feet iinmaculate wliilisli, liiipMl willi Itiitf. Facial disc mostly white, but
blackened immediately about tlie eye and on tlic loral 1>ristles, and pencilled witli dusky on
the aiiriciilars; set in a frame of tlie <-o|or of tiie back, touched witli white points behind the
.■^^a:fV'^^^:^
Fifi. Xi'X — I'liinT, Ti'iiKiimlm's Kiiropviiii Siiw-wlict Owl, very uour No. 4Bi. Lowur Kiiru|>ouii Spurruw Owl,
ronnililiiiK No. 4»tl. Ilotli J nat. »ir.v. (Kroiii liruliiii.)
ear; this frame distinct on tlie tliroat wlicre it separates the white of the disc from a wliite
Juijular collar, before the pectoral streaks bei;in. liill l)liick ; claws dark ; I'yes yellow. Yitinii/
i|uite ditl'ereiit (A', iilliiffotis) : .\bove, ruddy chocolate-browii. without any spots ; wiiifjs and
tail more fuscous brown, marked substantially as in the adults. Itelow, the c(dor of the
back exteiidiiii; over all the fore parts, ihe rest beiii;; brciwiiish-yellow ; no streaks whatever.
Facial disc sooty-brown, with whitish eye-brow, and some white touches on the rim behind
the car curviiit; forward to the chill. Hill l)lack, as before. I^eii^tli 7.-"<"-S.(J0 ; extent I7.'t0-
18.00; Willi;
;).:i.i-.)./.)
tail 2. •»()-:>.<)() ; tarsus O.7.") ; bill without cereO..")0; middhaoe with-
out claw O.ftO. 'I'his curious little owl. the most diiiiiniitive species found in Kasterii N Am.,
inhabits the U. .*<. from Atlantic to I'acilic, and t;oes somewhat further North into JSritisli
America, and also S. into Mexico), 'riioiiyh apparently common and generally distributed, it i8
514
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — UAPTOUKS — STUKiES.
not very well known, a.s it ii* xliy and ntirinju', and i|uitc nix-tiirnal in liadits. It itt cliictly
noted for itM idiriil liaryli nutt-.s, wliicli, iM'in^ liiicnt-d to tiling; a Haw, have ofcaiiiniK'd its name.
Tlic ni'st in usually made in tlir IjoIIow of a tnr or stnni|>, in A|iril ; tin; I'ffgH are ll-(i in ninnlirr,
wliitc, nearly iilolmlar, alMinf l.(((l X O.S?.
168. «L.VI'('l'l»ll'>l. ((ir. iliniih. of yXav{. ///fiff.r, an owl.) Cnomk Owi.H. SPAititow Owi.h.
I'VUMY Owi.s. Size very small. Head |Mrftflly snicHitli ; no |duniiforns ; oar-iiarts small,
non-o|icr<'nlal<'; facial dis» very iiir<im|ilete, ilie eye not eentrie. N.istril circi'lar, opening i»»
tiiu tumid i-ere : Mil r<d>ust. Tarsus fully and elcwly feathered, l>ut toes only bristly for tlie
most ]iart. Win^s .short and much rounded, the Ith priuiary Icmp'st, the 1st i|uite short, the
H outer ones omarginate, and next one or two sininite. Tail lon^'. ahout '{ as Ion;; as the wiiiL'.
even or nearly so. Claws stroni;, mncli eurveil. A laru'e uenus of very snuill owls, mostly of
tropical countries. The numerous sjK'cies, chielly of warm parts of America, are in dire con-
fusion, hut the only two known to inhahit N. Am. are well determined. The plumage of
)iMX\\ or most species is di<-hromatic. as in Svops, there hein^' a red and a i;ray pluL-ie indepen-
dently of a>;e, seasiui, or se.\ ; hut the rtil is not known to occur in our (i. iiiiomu. 'I'lii- upper
parts are marked with s|MitH or lines ; Imn, or rowti of s|Hits, cross the wings and tail; the
under parts are streaked ; there is a cervical collar. NotwiihstaiMling their slight stature, the
gnome owls are hidd aial predaceous, sometimes attacking hirds ipiite as large as them.selves.
They arc not sjKieiaUy nocturnal. The eggs are laid in holes in trees, and are not iM-culiar in
character.
AnahfHiM of Spt-rtef,
MarltliiRfi «r iipiior piirtH ill ilotM anil rouml *|K ts. Tnil ilurk liniwii, with rnwn of white Kpiita . . r/nnmn 4k4
Mnrl<iii|iM of il|i|ii'r |Hirt8 ill Dimrp line*. Tiiil roliliKh, willi iiarl( lirciwn liiirH ..... firruijinrum 4S5
484. <<. K»o'iiiii. (fiat, (/mx/m, a spirit of tlio mines.) ('Ai.iroKNiAN fis'o.MK Owi,. (^ 9, adult:
Tail coiicolor with the hack, and markings of the iip]ier parts, as widl as lho.se crossing the
wings anil tail, in the form of dots or round spots, not lines or hars. I'pper parts one shade of
dark hrown, everywhere dotted with small circuhir sjMits of white; a collar of lui.xed hlackish-
hrown anil white around the hack of the neck ; hreast with a haiiil of mottled hrowu. separatini;
the while throat from tlie white of the rest of the under parts, which have irregular lengthwise
streaks of reddish-hrown. Wings and tail dusky-brown, tlie feathers marked on both webs with
rows of round white spots, largest on the inner; under wing-coverts white, crossed oldiipiely
by a blackish bar. Hill, cere, and fei't dull t'reenish-yellow ; soles cliroiiie yellow; claws
black; iris bright yellow ; moutli livid Hesh-color. Length of ^ r.tMJ or a little less; extent
H.iVh wing ;J.75 ; tail .'{.00. Leni;th of 9 Z-'i'': extent 1, '».."»(), etci. In the 9 the upper ]iarts
are rather lighter, with fewer lari.'er spots, and a nearly obs<dete nuchal collar; hut hotli sexes
vary in tlie tint of the upiMT parts, which ranges from jmre deep brown to pale grayish, almost
(divaceous, brown, proliably a rdini,' to age and season, the newer feathers heinir darker than
they are when old and worn. The condition of erythriMii, so well known in the next species,
has not lieeii (diserved in the )iresent one. which is closely related to the sparrow owl of Kiirope
{ft. iKinsfriiiinn, fiu'. .'{.')'.!). |{iM-ky .Mts. lothe I'acific. V . S. and southward, coiiinion in wooded
regions; an interesting little owl. crepuscular and rather diurnal than strictly nocturnal, ]ireying
cliietly upon insects, but also upon birds and <|iiadrupeds sometimes about as large as itself.
483. CJ.. ferruKriiPiiiii. (I.,at. fnruijinviitii. rusty-red.) Fi'.iiiti'iiiNKiii's tt.NoMK (Iwi.. (J 9 1
ailult. tuinmil iiliniinrif : Tail entirely ferriiiiineous. or liu'lit chestnut-red, crossed with 7 to W
hars of hlackish-brown, — of the .sime width as the rufous interspaces, and both sets of mark-
ings tpiite regular. (These tail-marks distinguish the s|wcies in any plumage from (t. ijwimn.)
Entire top of the head, iiImivc the su|M'rciliary riilu'es, and sides of the heail behind the auriciilars,
olivaceous-brown, stn-aked witli small, distinct lines of while or fulvoiis-whitish ; lhe.se mark-
ings being on the forehead ami most of the crown like pin-scratches in their sharpness, and
though a little less so liehind the ears, everywiicre retaining their narrow linear character. (In
ami a 1 1) a: : utiikh owls.
516
169.
U. fitwma, thi> tiP)id-iimrkiiif{M arc ilnU iiihI H|MitH, not liiicH.) liiu-k liko tlu- h«>iiil, (ilivuVcoiiH'
lirou-ii, liiit witliiiiit iiiurkiiif;!*, rxr^'pt on tlic wa|iiiliirH, imiHt of which fcathcrn liiivc ii larK(>
roiiiiil white »\>i>t on tlic oiitiT wch near tlir cnil, and more or fcwrr jiairH of fiilvoiiH h|miIh on
Uith wchw. Color of hack and head divided hy an idivioiiH cervical collar, consi.xlin^ of a hcriex
of ditfuxv wliitiA<h, and another of fulvous, x\»\\n, Neparated hy a nearly continuimN line of hiack.
I'ltper tail-covertH nHiially more or less riifesceiit, a|i|iroxiniatiii);' to the color of the tail.
Kenii^eH olivaceoiis-fiiscoiis, like the hack, the primaries imperlectly and indistinctly, the sec-
ondaries completely and decidedly, cross-liarred witli numerons rnfescent hands, narrower than
the dark intervals ; hesides whii'li markings some of the primaries have an incompleted series
of small whitish or very pale fiilvous spots alonj; the outer edu'c, and all have larj;e and deep
indentations of white or whitish ahai^ the inner weli, increasini; in si/e from the ends toward
the hases of all the feathers, and also on individii:)l feaihers from the oriter primaries to tjje
inner secondaries, on which last they reach ipiite across the inner wehs. I^ininu of wiM|;s
white, with an obliipie dark har, and another cnrved dark l>ar, the latter across the emls of the
under coverts. I'nder part.s white, heavily streaked alony the siiles with the ccdor of the hack ;
lliiii color extending <|uite across the hreast, where, however, the feathers ' .wv dilated shaft-
lines of whitish : chin and throat white, divided into two areas hy a Idackish w dark tfular col-
lar, which curves across from one post -auricular region to the other. 'I'he markings all ditl'use.
Aiiriculars dark, sharidy scrat<'lied with white shaft-lines, hounded helow hy pure while. Kye-
hrows white, pretty detinitely hounded alwive hy tli lor of the crown. Keirion innnediately
alHint the hill whitish, hut mixed with the lont;. heavy, hlack hristles that project far heyoiid
the hill, which latter is greenish at liase, growint; dull yellowish at the end; sparsely-haired
tiH's somewhat like the hill; claws hrownish-hlack : iris lemon-yellow. Length of <J ahoul
(l..")0; extent li.."itt; wing I<..")0 : tail i..')<l; tarsus (J.7.'i ; middle toe without claw ahnut the
same, its claw 0. id. 9 '"rger ; length ?.(H( or more; wing 4.(J0 ; tail nearly IS.'IO, Uid
filiilge : Kntire upper parts deep rufoiis-red, with the lighter markini,'s of the heati, etc., ohsolete
or olditerated ; tail the same, with dark bars s<-arcely traceahle. Dark cervical collar, however,
conspicuous. White of imder parts tinged with yellowish or fulvous ; the markings of the
under parts similar iucoliu- to the ground of the upper parts, hut ilullerand paler; tiliia* rufous,
withiait markings, (iular collar hlackish. \'ari lus intermediate stages have been ohserved,
and the species is to he fouiid i'l every degree of transition, from the slitrhtest departure from
the normal state to the completely erythritic cunditiou. riie>e colnr-conditious are conuiiou to
IhiIIi sexes. In extreme ca.ses, the rufous hecouies intense and almost uniform, a light rufous
replacing even the white of the iniiler parts, and there heinix no traces left of h.irs on the wings
or tail. 'I'exas to Ari/.cuia and Southern ('alifornia, and soulhward.
MK'ltATIIK'NK. ((!r. fiiKinW, inll,-rtm, small; '.\^r;i'i;, Athene, goddess of wi,s(him, to whom
the owl was sacred.) Kl.KOwt.s. Itelated to (iliiHiiiliinii ; of very diminutive size, including
the smallest known species of owl, and one of the least of all raptorial birds. Head perfectly
smooth; noplumicoms; ear-parts small, non-opercnlale ; facial disc incomplete, with eye not
centric. Nostril circular, opening in the tundil cere. Tarsi scarcely feathered behiw the suf-
fnigo, !)eing almost entirely naked and bristly, like the toes; this is as in S/irnliiln, thouu'h
other characters .ire ([iiite different. Claws remarkably small and weak ; middle too ami claw
about as long as the tarsus ; outer <'law rea<-hing a little beyond ba.se of miildle claw ; iuniT
intermediate between miildli! ami caiter. Winirs very long, rather nmre than J the total lenirlh
of the bird, but much rounded, the 1st primary only j| as long as the |oni;est one; .'{il and Ith
longest, 5th but little shorter, 'id about eipial to fith ; the outer four sinuate on inner wehs.
Tail of nioik rat<' length, J as long as the wing, the feathers not graduateil, ami broad to their
very tips. Kill small and weak, compressed at base, where hidden in dense antror-e bristly
feathers; cnlmeii aiul gony.s oidy moderately convex; lower mandible ohsoletely nolcdied.
One sjK'cies known.
61H
SYSTKMATIC HYXUl'SIS. ~ lU I'TOJiES ~ STUl(JJ<JS.
460. M. wlilt'npyl. (To I'rof. J. I>. Wliitmy.) Ki.K Owi,. (f.uiliill: AImivi>, VinUt iiiiiImt-
brown, tliickly niarkctl with irrc^iiliir iiii^iilnr |>ali' lirowiiiHli tlotn, one on cvrry t'catlii'i', ami
iniiiutrly iiiiiluliktnl with li^htrraml ilai'ktT mlor. A ronccali'il white riTvii-al roljar, thix color
t)C4'.M|)yin^ thi> iniildlc of tiu' t'cathiTM, which arc hrown at their cniin ami plinnhi'oii.s at Inihc.
A white Hcapiihii' Ntri|>e, the outer wehn of the Hea|iularH iH'in^' ahiioNt entirely of thiH color.
WingH like the hai'k ; IcHHcr covertH with two |iale hrowni^•ll r<|iotH on eacii feather ; niiiidle ami
greater covcrtH holilly (tjHittcil with white at the eml of tlie outer weh of each feather, anil with
|iale lirowii ^|llltl4 near the end. (jnillN with '.i to ti pale hrown Hpot» on each weh, forinini;
hrokcli liars, nio.stly pahr^inj; to white on the eilf(e of the leatherN, thoxe on a few iiiterineiliatc
primaries alnioNt white. 'rail-featherH like the \\ing-i|niIlK, with .') hrokeii liari* ami one ter-
minal, of pule hrowni^h whitening on the inner wehh. Linint; of winuM white, interrnpteil
with dark hrown. l-'ace ami re({ion ahoiit I'ye white, helow it harred with litflit and dink
brown ; hrit<tlesat hai<e of hill hlack on terminal half. Chin and throat white, fonninu a hroad
mark from >ide to ^ilh', (icncral color of under partx whitihh, the hreast hlotched ami imper-
fectly harred with hrown, formini; t iward the ahdomen larue patches, t)ie hides more urayinh,
the tlanks )duniheons, tihia! narrowly harred with li^ht hrown ami duxky. 'I'arxal hrixtles
whiti.sh ; those of the toes yellowish ; liill pale txreenish : iris hriuht yellow. I.,ent;th .'i.7')-').2.') ;
extent H..2J-l.).-*."> ; wiiiK 4.^.")-l..")lt : tail -'.UO-i.^.") ; tarsus (I.MMI.IM). Arizona and s..iith-
wanl ; a very curious little owl, not yet well known, few specimens havintf In-en (lecured. 'I'he
general luihits, iicNting, and food, appear to he similar to those of the gnon wis.
170. SI'KOTYTO. (tir. oniot, njiiun, a cave; tvtio, tiilii, u kind of owl.) Itl'ltltowiNi) ()\\ l,s.
Of medium and rather small si/e. Head smooth; im phimicorns : ear-parts small, mm-oper-
culate ; facial disc incom-
A ^ J^ plete. Nostril opeiiini; in
■ '"* ^ the tumid cere. Win^sof
moderate length ; 2d to
Mil <|uills loiit.'est ; 1st
ahoilt ei|ual to .'ith ; two
or three sinuate on inner
weliH lu'tir tli(> eml. 'I'liil
very short, only ahoiii
half as liin^ as the wiiiu.
even or scarcely rounded.
Tarsi e.vtremely loiii;,
ahoiit twice as loni; as
the middle toe without its
claw, very scant -feathered
in front, harehehiml; toes
bristly. The long slim
IlillH mill feel (.r >/<,.i/;//.., nut. *\m. U^\\Kt, s. hnjiiiytui , iipiier, h'gs are i|nite peculiar (lij.'.
StiO). A genus contineil
to America, where tlicre are several varieties of apparently a single s] ies, of diurnal and
terrestrial hahits, noted for inhahiting iiiiilertrroiind hiirrows.
•18T. 8. riiiiiciilM'riii hypoKic'n. (I.,at. ciiiiiriiliirid, a Imrrower; Gr. vniiytios, hii/mijeios, nnder-
ground. Fiu'. Mfil.) ,\dult (J 9 '■ .Vhove, dull trrayish-hrown, ))rofii.sely spotted with whitish ;
the markini;s mostly rounded and paired on each feather, )iut anteriorly lengthened, (jiiills
with i ti)<i whitish liars, entire or hrokeii into cross-rows of spots; tail-feathers similarly marked.
There is much individual variation in the tone of the ground-color, and size and numher of the
8I)uts, which may also he rather oclirey than whitish. ."Superciliary line, chin, and throat, white,
tho two latter separated by adark brown jiiuular collar ; auriciilars brown ; facial bri.stles Idack-
Fni. .toil.
S.fltiriiliinn (A<l imt. ilvl. It. K.)
INH.
ACCIl'lThhS: 1)1 U UN A L HIRDS OF VUKY.
r,i7
4NH.
■Iiuftctl. Under partn wliito or piilu oohruy, tho hreuHt, bt'lly, iiikI hIiIch Immil with trnni«v«>r»e
ii]NiU of Imiwn, in ii pnttty n-Kular iimiiiivr ; It-^H ami uiulcr tail-covctlM iiiiiiiarkrd. Lining of
wiii^H tuwiiy-wliitc, iliiHky-N|Mitt*'(l on tin- |iriiiiary cuvci'tK. H<>x('h iiiilidtingiiiiiluiMo in xi/.o or
color: Iciigtli <.),.jl); itxtciit '^:{.()() ; wiii^ ('i.5U-7.()i(; tail .\M)-\\.i:> ; tarxtiM 1.50-1. ?:>; iiiiddln
tiNi witlioiit cIuwO.hO; diord of <'ulmi'ii without cere ()..')(Mi.(i(l. Yoiini; ditl'rr in nnicli hsu
ti|Htttiiii;, or <>v<>n iinifonn-
ity, of \\\v hody ahovc,
and wiiitinh under partH,
('X(-('|itinK the ju^uhir (-(d-
hir; winu- and tail-coverts
lart'cly wliite. A remark -
aide owl, ahoniidiiitr in Huit-
alde |dai'es in Western N.
Am,, IVoni tlie IMaiuM to
the I'aeilie, in tlie treeless
rc'^ioim inhaltited liy the
" prairie do^s," {(hpiomiis
UiiloricUuntu and (L giiiiiii-
sntti) and other burrowinu
rodents, espeeiaily Sjii'niii)-
Itliilii.i rirliiirdnoni in the
Uorth, and >S'. hircliei/i in Kn.. ^Kil, — Itiirniwlngunl, ruduuwl. islifpimnl dul. Niclmlii m' i
California. 1 have found e<do)iies in Kansas, N(d)raska, Wyoniini;, Dakota, Montana N. to
4'.('', Colorado, New .Mexico and California, in all eases oceupyin>( the de.^erted hurrnws of
tin' i|iiMdrupeds, not livini; in eoniniou witii tlieni as usually supposed. Tiiey also oecupy the
holes made hy hadi^ers anil foxes. The eyiis may he laid even 11 or H feet from the entrance of
the harrow; they appear to vary in nuuiher up to 10; are wliite, suhspiierical, !.•'(•) X i.l".
'i'he species has exceptionally occurred in Massachusetts. Its food is eliielly insevtM and small
reptiles, hirds and <|iladrupeds heinir apparently rarely taken. Wherever I'oiilid, the species is
resident, heinir aide to endiu'e extrena'ly cold weather.
S. f. Ilurlirmin. ((tf Florida. Fii;. .'KiO.) Fi,uitii>.\ Hi itlinwiNd Owi,. I, ike the last;
ratiier smaller ; win^ ti.lKMi.,')!) ; tail scarcidy .'l.lll); shanks more <'\teiisively denuded, only
feathered ahout half way down in front ; feet and hill relatively loiiu'er. Cpper parts darker,
ratiier histre-hrown, more profusely and confiiseilly s|>oited with siiialli'r and wliiier m:"ks;
under parts more heavily and ret;iilarly harred with darker hrowii. Florida, an isolated local
race, cidouies of which are eomnnai in scaiie places.
7. Si:iu)ni»KU Al'CII'ITIlK.S: Diiknai^ Hiuds <»k 1'uky.
This larire i.'<*oup, com])risinir the lartje majority of the order l{iijttorcs, may he most
readily defined by exclusion of the particular cliaracters of the other suborders. '1 lieie is
nothiiit; of the ^rallatorial aiuihtfjy shown by tlie siiii;iilar Gijpnijernnide.i. Tlie nostrils are
not completely imtvIous, nor is the hallux elevateil, as in <\itli(irtiilf<i: while other jieculiarities
of the American vultures are wantin^. Coniparinir Accipilrca with SIriges, w" miss the peculiar
physioijnomy of owls, the eyes lookini; laterally as in ordinary birds, and tin facial disc beiii^
absent (rudimentary in Circiiur) \ aftcrshafts are usually jiresent. and the outer toe is not versa-
tile nor shorter than tho inner one (exc. PaniUonuhv). The external ears are moderate and
n<Mi-opercidate. The eye is nsinilly sunken beneath a much [irojectin^ siiiicvciliary shield,
ronferrinK u decided and threatening gaze. The bill shows the rajitorial type p( rfectly, and is
always provided with a ccro in which (not at its edge as in most owls) the nostrils open ; tho
:• 'i^
I ''
\%
1 ^
M
rAH
SYSm.MA TIC SYNOPSIS. — JiA PTOUES — A CCIPITRKS.
cut'iug ci!gc8 uni ii.siiiilly lobcil, or tixitlicil (soc any figs.). Tlio hires, witli (M'ciiHioiml flxrcp-
tiiiiiH, duo t<i iml«'<lii('i«H or iIciim* mtt't fciitlKTiiigs, uni xcantily riotliod with riuliiitiiig hristly
h'Uthcrs, whii-h, howcviM', ih> imt fonn, as ii.siial in nwl.s, u ilciisi- a)i|in>sHL'(l nitf hiilini; th« hnnv
of tiif liijl. \Vinu.'< of 10 |iriiiiarit'.-i, ami tail of li rcctrifcs (with rare L'xci'ptiinih); hoth
cxtrrniciy variaMi' in .shaiic ami rclativi* and absolute h'nuths. The feet are usually Htroiig ami
ntlieieiit iustnimrnts of (ireheusiou and wea|ioiis of otTeiici or dofenee, with widely separahh)
Fio. iW. — StimililiT-JoInt of .In i/iitriM. iiflcr Itlil^wny. n, nntiirlur riiiI of rnrmoiil ; '', upper onil of tluvlclc;
e, ix'i>|iulHr iirnroiiof riirarolil, ri!iu'liiii|{ '• In tln' iiihi III;. (/Vi.'iii inriiirinui), tint not In llio ! 'I't.liuiul !)){. {ttiiUo
hiri'ilin), niir in tin' i)|.'lii liaiiil tig, {/'niiilinn Intlinfluii); il, lowvr oliil of ■vniiulo, Tlio lijpt iiat, ilzo, tuft rIiIc,
viowuti ttom i<p|K>«lte ulilc
an.i stioii)[;lv eoiitractile toes, eleft to the hase or there onlv illiifed hv sniiill inovjilile wehs, and
generally seahroiis Miidenieatli wi:li wart-liUe pads or lylari to prevent >lippin^, as shown in
i\n. Mi. The elaws tire developed into large sharp eiirved tahtns. Thi! tarsal envelope (pod-
oihei'a) varies; sometimes (he wliolr i.irsiis is feathereil, and il is iisnally so in part ; the horny
eovi'iiiiL' tiilies the form of s<
la, or retii'idations, or riii;oiis granulations, and is
oecasioiiallv
fused. The eaparioiis tfullet dilat>'s into a crop; the i;ix/.ard is iiiiHlerately iiiuseiilar : the
eo-e:i are extremely small, 'i'lie iill-ulan<l is Inl'leil, The syrin.v has one pair of inlrinsie
niMsfdi's. The umhieiis iind feniofo-eandal miiseles are present ; the aeei'ssory feieoro-eandal.
I'niiii'ndiuos'w ami its aeee.s.sorv are ahseiit, 'I'here are y I cisieciloi;ieal ehariu'tei
Tlh
phalaliues o! the hind toe are more than half as I. mi; as lliose of tlii' milir toe ; the hasal joint
of th.' Iliiiidle o! outer tor is loiiuer than the llexl olie. There are no l(asipt<'ryi.'oiil proeesses.
The stennini is inaniihr'ated, and when not mtire hehind is sint;le-n>itrlied or leliesirate on eaeli
Bide (l^>llhly .MO in most owls). Iliixley has I'alled .itteiition to a eharaeter of the shoiilder-L;irdle,
alleiivjud well elahoratd 1>) Mr. Wid^way (litr. Uli-): In rertain ireiiem, as FhIid, Miiiii.->liii\
Ifi riiiiiillii: 's, and in the i'iili)lii>riiiii\ the .seapiilar pr'H-i'ss of the eoraeoid, lit;, itf'ij, e, i.s pio-
lon^'ed heheath the 'leapnh'i, </. to meet the elavieli', '<; whieli is iml |I nsr ii niher groups of
genera -pf the /''iilroiiiiltr. imr in Pii:iilii>iiiilii . This distinetion has lirrii made the liasis of a
prima V (!l\isioii . !' il i- ilii:rnal .tni/ii'/rs into two snhfaiiiilies. l''<ilrii!:iii.i am
lliih
iitimi'- , till'
toiiner imdiidinu i'lili/lionis timl its allies, the latter inrlmlint; I'miilioii : hnt some modilii-alioii
oftliiit Heheiiie is advisahie, I thiu'ii. il seems to lae that the priliitirii divisiiiti should he niadi
as on p. I'.l*>. hy • xi'lndini.' fniiiliuniiltr as a fimily dislinci from FnUiniilii |iiiipir, mi tin
irroiind of its nmny p'ruljaiilies. This heiiu.' dune, ll.e eliaraeler of iIm sinaddi'r-joiai may
properiv he (;(Uisidered in ilividintf the l-'iili-itniilir into siihfamilies. I am pi-rfeelly willini; to
approxiiiiale I'tilfiliiinit to Fnlrn on this tei'hnieal ijroiiml, nolwilhslandinii the L'tejit oi.uv.ird
lissimilarit) n( these t\\<i I'orms ; mil il is unlilitly that o:nith<dot.Msls will allow the eonslnir-
tion tif ilie shoulder -joint t itwei;;h all other eliaraeters eondiineij.
i)iurnal Kinls of I'ny alM.nnd in all pails of the world, Inddilltr thi' relation to the rest of
their ehiss that the carnivorous hiasts do to other mammals. With many exeeptioiis, the sexes
ni^' alike in eolor. hut tin' female i-- almost inv.irialdy larger than the male. The ehaiii;i s of
I'ALCONlJJyE : VULlTliKS, l-AUOSS, HAWKS, ETC.
519
oxct'p-
bristly
1)1 IlilMf
; Ixith
11;; .-iliil
•ill'lllllu
(iliiiiiMije witli ill!*' iiro uri'iit, ami rondcr tlif ilclcrniiimtinii of the s|M><'ii's ]i<'q>lt'xiiii» — tin* inure
Hii xinrp piirrly iii<)iviiliial, ami sniiit'wliat I'linialit-. cnlcir-variatioiis, ami >iicli ;;|H'rial c-Miiclitimi.s
M lllclaiiisiii, art' very tVi'i|Uriit. Tlif iijimIcs i>[' m'stiiii; ari' varimis; tlic f^ijis us a rule arc
bliitrlicil, ami imt ;.<> nearly s|ili('rical as llinsc nt' ciwls. 'I'lir I'immI is rxclMsiMly >•( an animal
liatun', tliiiiigh cmllrssly varieil ; liir refuse nt tin- stuniael is ejeeteil in a hall liy the nioiilli.
Tho vi»i('4( w loud ami harsh. As a rule, the hiril« »( jirey are m>t strieily niiuratory, thmi^'h
many nf iheni chanue their ahmle with much rci;nlarity. Their nmilc ">(' lilc ri'nclers them
usually niiu-nri't;ariiins, cxce|itiiu.', hciwcver, the viillurcs and vulturc-lilic hawks, which cnn-
j;renate where carrion is plenty, i|nitc like the American Cnllinrtiili's. There are upwanls ot'
liOO species or i;o(mI ueoirra|)liical races, justly rel'crahle to ahnul .ill full irenera, and divisildi'
into two families — t'lilconiilir and J'tiiidiimiila:
31. Family FALCONID-^ : "Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc.
characters as aliove. ex-
clusive of those markinu the
tish-hawks, J'liuilioiiiihf, ]»■-
yoiid. No unexccptionaMc
division of the family liavini;
been proposed, and tiie i<uli-
families hciui; still at issue, it
may he hest not to nia'nially
modify the arrant;! meiit pre-
sented in the earlier edition
of ihi'< Work, fiirthei than
to .-I pa rate I'linilimiiilif from
Fdlconiilir proper.
'I'he Olil ll'.x/'/ Viilliirr^
t'orm a u'loup -landins; some-
what apart fi>>m t!ie rest in
many |ioints of >uperticiul
-iructure and liahits. thoiitrh
>.i closely C(irie:-|iondenl with
j.^y^-f^' . ...^jJWBWW^*'^ • *'**^^SfN*f«<^» ordinary "/•<(/.-o»..V/„.. an.i
1' ' «'f~ "" '"■'".i-^^^^^T^'" ■ ;"' pccially with lliilioiiiiur, in
all i.-.TUlial respects, that
Fm. Ml. — Till' Viillnrc'H l«iiii|iiri ; lUimlniiliik' »iil>rMiiiil\ liiliiiriiiir»t they can form at moKt a suli-
nmilly A-' .,i,i,/,i., ii.)t ri'|«n.n.iiic.il 111 .\iiurlia vl i.iiii .Mkli lei. familv Vullilliiui i Htr. IK'i.'t. (
'I'liey have nothing to do with llu> Aiiirfifini N'uitui'es (~iihorder <'<illiiiiiiilts), with which they
liave Im'cii wroiiiriy united in a family \'iiltiiriiln\ 'I'liey are a small jjroup of >ome >i\ ueiicra
and alioiit twelve species, of which the most decidedly raptorial is tli<' hearded L'ritlin. (iiiiiiirhiit
bnihiitiix; other characteristically ■• Miiiiiriiie" fonnr. l.eiiiu ViiUnr iiitiiiinhiis. (Hiniiips <iiii-iiii-
fcl''i.«, (iii/is f'lilriis. .Vi()/i/i/V()i jiirciiiiiilrnis, and (iiiimliiiriir iiii-inlninis.
'1 he Siiiilh .\iiierica:i jfeiiera, .I/icckhV//;' and HiriMiiillni's, are each deserihed .i« In in^
HO peculiar a» to luriii n p'oiip of supe'ueneric value inparalde wiili iIiom tirniMl siihfamilieit
in the (.reseiii Work. Their rri.iti.iiiships are with I'llniuiiitf. ( HidL'way. )
The N'ortli .'.merican Valiituiila with which we have here to do fall in sever.d uroups,
which I .-hall call siihfamilies, without insisting upon their laxniiniiiic rank, or raising tii<-
iplestion whethi'r the faniil_ at laiu' is divisildi' in this manner. These Lrioiip> are six iu
iiiimlM'r: I. Ciniiitt; liaiiiers ; -2, ilihinu, kitcH; A. AccijiHiiim, hawks; i I'liliuiinirt,
S 'iM
!___,
')20
SYSIKMA TIC SYXOPSIS. — HA PTOIiluS— A CCIl'ITlil'.S.
falciiiiH; 5. I'oli/lHiriiitr, cariicaras ; (1, liiiteonincr. \»y/.7Mnh and cables. If it In- urijoil that
tlit'iu- griiu|)8 gratif into one aiiotiicr, it may )><' ri'pllcd that iiioHt lar^c ^r(ai|is uf likr ^'railc in
nniith<iliii;y iln the saint' ; aiul that ' ty|ii(-al' or crntral genera of each nf tlicni iitlri' |iractical
ilintint'tiiiiis wliich have hctn rrcu^Mii/rd t'i'iiiii tinir imt of niinil, in ]iii|iniai° <i|iinioii and vrr-
i-uiar I
inK'nap',
In niv riM'cnt rcvi>ion of tin' North Anii'iii-an Fitlinuidic, niaiU> to chrck
and ani|tlify tiir di'M-riptions in tliis work, an inliTrstini; relation hriwrrn thr >lni| f the
wiiit.'^ and ihcir |iattrrn of roioration iiri'srntcd itself, (a) \i we lake a ' ludde ' falenii, such as a
[lerem'ii.e or a laiiner. We tinil a stinn;;. yet sliarp wiim, with the seeoiid |iriniary loimesl, siip-
|iorted marly to the end hy the rn'>t and third : the niekint; of the i|iiills conlined to a few. if
oceiirriii;.' on nmre than one, and .-iinaled near the tip, ,Siieh a win^; is as potent in its feiitliers
as in the cciiistrnelion of ii> >iioiildi r-joint, and indirate> the aenie of raptorial )lo\^'er in its po>-
sessor, a fali'oM lieinu ahle to dash <lown npoii it> ipiarry with ailnost incredihle \eioeily {iinl
ileiie
Tl
je niarkiiii:
da fa I
nil's wiiii; are no less eliararterislie, eoiisistiiiK o
feh
nt. di
linct siiuls of liMhl eolor on holh wchs of the pi i ma lies Mlid seeondaries, lliroMt;hotlt their « hole
extent, or almost >o. (Ii) Any trne ' hawk.' a> an Aslin or Aii i/iilir, has a rounded eoiieavo-
eoiivex wiiit', eoiili riint.' .1 rapid, alinoHt whirrinir, Hitllit, like that of a piiriri(li:e at full speeil :
and -nrh a hiid i'a|itlires its prey hy ehasinu after il with Wonderful impelno>ily. hiil not :• a
>inule pliinue like n fal"on. S\tr\\ a v\'inir has more primaries nil. far
Ihi r f
I'oni Ilieir eiiils, am
the inarkiiiLTs are pretty i.'ffiilar and distim-t Inns, (e) Any ' hiix/ard,' as n Itiilm, a heavy and
eoinparatively slow or even Inmherini; hird in tliulit, takinu its prey hy snrprise ainl merely
droppinu on it withonl s|iei
iai ad>lre>s, has inanv or most of the
1"
ciie> I'lil, far from their
ends, and the teiideiii'y of the iiiarkinus is to fuse and hleml in lari;e irregular masses id' eolor,
the sharp markiniis id' /•'((/<■() or .Icri/ii/i';' heini; thus dissipated. Of ronr>e there are exeeplions,
as V ell a.- every possihie gradation, in the ease ; hut if one will rompare the wilii; of Cirrus or
Arc'iiliiilrii with that of Atiii'ilrr and l-'ulni, he imiiiioI fail to pereeive the point I rai>e. The
tail IS in somewhat like eaM-, In the most imhle hird> of |>rey it i> Mry siilf and si>uiit:, ,(|ih
almost lanceolate feathers, sharply spotted as a rule: in a h.iuk, longer .iml weaker, still
iiunlarly haind: in a hn//ard iinnriilhi (ilnre ,iie marked exeeptioii^) of medinm leni;lh and
>'ii'en>.'tli, with the iiiarkiii(:s tending' to nierp' in laif^e areas o| color, just as iliore of the
wiii^s ilo.
it may lie remarked further, w'lhonl spreial reference to what has preceded, that in larue
and ditlicnli L'lnera.
Itilliii t.ir •'X:iiii|i|i
ih.
•ie>l
.peel
lie el
lar.iciers may
iiiarkinus of the lai
I. Tl
lese are ii>nallv eiiile dilfereiit in voniit.' and old hi ids ; Imt
led hy the
ire anions
a liawk'> most >pecilic credentials, after the mature pliim.iue i> a>~iimed, even wh-n the rot of
the pliimai;!' varie.- ureal ly. or issnhjict to melanism, erythri.-m. etc. In line, m.iny hatv Ks
are lies! kicowii hy their tails. Melanism in freipieiit in Fnlnmiiltr : eryihrism i> not (jiisi the
reverse ol ihe cast of Slrifiiilii). The further ueiieralixatioii may he made, that the coloration
of the under parts of luilrutmlf is more di>tinctive of species than that of the upper parts; and
that when these parts are harred ero.shwise in the adult they are hireaked leiit;thwise in 'i'>-
yoiini;.
r.\ei'ptional.
'Xiial dll*'"i'ence~ are rather in >j%e than in color, siicli a case as that of ('inns hi
intf
.tllotft^HA Iff' Vn/;/iMM*/l,.<.
Mi'iipuliir priHi HH "(i • r:ii'i>|il n'licliiiin rlio i. ji-
t'|>|n'i' iiiiumIIIiIi' I'"'IIii'i|. Imhi r iimii'llhli m.^IiIiihI
Mniiilllili'i, witlioiit liHilh
til
K\l.i iiM\ K
i'ol.V IIOIIIN I
Si'ii^iiilur pr'K-i'.M tif I urarolil iml rciirltliitf i'lii\ l;'l«i
Kiit'i* Willi a rtilV''i>iui'\\liul MH III •*»!)•
I'liri' uilhiiiil mil.
Tiiri>iii<a|i|iriixliiiiili'l)'i'i|iiiil In llliiii In linc" riMiiiiKil »|iii;« III lie IniiUrr iliiiii tail Ai i ll'l I liix i:
I'lirsiiH i|i>i'|i|i'<lly slinrdT tliiiii lililii.
I'.iM Icirkril, < r I Il i-linrtir Iti.iii tlir Imiik |im|iiIi><| u|ii;!s .
Tnll mil fiirlicil. mmlvratiily •ImrtiT lliitii the hIiIumi wIiikh
Mll.MN.K
lit rl.oKI.V.K
I i i5
^'.l L ( OXIJKE — L'lUClS.E : 11 A laUKIiS.
521
42. Subfamily CIRCIN/i : Harriers.
I'acc .tiiri'iiiiiiilt'il with an iii('i>iii|i|rtt' riiir (as in innst
i'wIn) ; (iriKi'c of car alMHit as larp' as tlii' eye, and in
sdUK' cases at least willi a ileeiiled I'lnieli (tit;. 'M\\). Itill
ratlier weaU, not Iiicitlini nr nutrliiil. \.tc> linuthineil,
llie tarsus a|>|ir<i\iniately ciinalliiit.' tiir liliia in linulli (as
ill Acciiiilriiiii). \Vini;sanil tail lenu'tlieneil. Ki.rin liijlit
ami litlii'; plunia^'i' 'inise; mineral mLMni/atiun uf tlie
liilteiinine rallier than nl' tin- ralemiini' ilivisinn nf ihe
Ki.. :iftl.-E.ir-|Niris..rr»vH.,. (After family. Tims, the srai.nlar pionss ..fth. laeni.! is n..t.
ViU'Killivriiy ) |in>ilu('i'il ti> the elaviele : there is ni> meilian riili;e mi
the palate anteriorly ; the seiitiiin na>i is less niin|ih le than in h'ulvii, ami the imstrils ari' m>t
eireiilar with a central tiihercie. 'I'lie harriers ccinstitiile a ssnall i,'riiM|i. nf the single lieiiim
Cuius ami it> siili.i'ix i.-iciiis (tn whicii sunie ailil the African I'lili/liiiriiiiiis), luntaiuini: some l.'i
or -.'(I spec-ies of varions parts ot'the Horhl.
171, ciKi'l'M. (tir. »ci'(»«"«. /•"'/•'"■"■. I.at. (//I'/s, a liimi of liawk : IVmii its cirdim; in tiie air. Vk-
MM.) II MEitii'.iis. ilill thickly lieset with many ciirxeil railiatiiiu liristles snrpassinu' in lenutli
t' e cere, which '\> larue ami Ininiil : tohiia loheil or l'estoon( il. Imt neither tootheil nor iiotcheil.
Nostrils ovatt -(ilili>iii.r, nearly hurizoiital. Snperciliary shiehl prominent. 'I'arsiis Ion;: ami
-lemhr, scntellate liet'ore ami mostly so liehiml, reticulate laterally ; Iih's slender, the middle
v\ilh its claw much shorter than the tarsus; a lia.ial ui'h hetweeii the outer and iiiiildle ; all
nil.erculale underneath: claws very larue and sharp, mnch cinveil. \Vini;s \ery lonu; ami
ample: ;hl and Ith 'piills loiit'csl : 1st shorter than fith ; outer II-,') (in onr s|MiMe>. I)emarui-
nale on inmr wehs : -Jd-.'itli emaiL'inal i outer wel.s. 'I'.iil very loiij;, alMiut ij a^ loliu us the
«int.', nearlv even or r ideil, tin- roldid wint;-. lailiuL' short of its end. In our species. «hich
-carcelv diller;. t'roiu the r.nidpean C. rifaiii'iis, the se\es are ixtreniely imlik^' in color and si/.e ;
the •■Id ^ is chielly Iduisli-uriiy
ind «hiii': i!ie 9 •""' younu of
lioth sexes are dark laown and
reddish-lirowii or ta\>ny, with
white rniMp: ilie 9 i'* much
larger than the ,(. The ne>i
is placed upon the uroMliij ; th
'U'L's are I'olorless or nearly so.
The harriers are ainoiii; the
most " iunolde" of hawks, prey-
iiii; upon hunddi' ijuarry. childly
Kinall ipiadrupeds, reptiles, and
itist'cts, for wlilidi they hunt hy
iplatlerinir low over the uroinid
with an easy ulidi'ii; llit.'lit.
They :ile " liyht - Weiu'hts " in Km. ;ift1 - M.irMi lluwk, rial -1/. . i.V.I iml. -Irl K C.l
proportion to their linear dinieiisions, all the tueinhers heini; leiiu'theiiei!, and the wiiiL's espe-
cially aiiiple. Till' plumaue is also loose and Huffy, Noinewliat like that of owls, ti> which the
harrieiN are reiali d in several respects.
|N)t. (!. cyti'lH-ilH liMiUuii lilH. (I.at riiiiiiiiis, hlue, the color id' the old ^ : liiiilsniiiiis. <<{ \\wi\-i'ti'y
liny. I'ii.'. 'il',:,,) A.mkuu as Makmi Hawk, or iJAitiiiKii. ili.n. Hawk. Adult ,( : In
perfect plumanc pale |iearly-1duisli, or Idui-h-ash, ahove. w'th the upper lail-covirts eiiliri ly
pure while ; hul iiioMt s^H'ciiiiens have a ilusky wash idiM'uriiig the Iduisli, and retain traces of
\\\
SYSTKM. 1 Ti< • s yyovsis. - 11. 1 /> Tnni:s - a c< in tkes.
brown or nifoiifi. Five imti>r ))riiiiiirirM niimily Mix-kiHli, nil of tliciii ami tlio w-omnlarii's witli
larp' wliiti' l>a.-al an'a> mi imitr wclis ; tail-lratlinw liaiiilrd wiili 5 m- (> nliHi-iirc (lii>liy liar>.
the tt'niiiiial mii' .stroiiur.st ami iiin.si ili^timM, ami iiiarltli'd witli wliitr towanl tlioir liaM's. 'I'Ih'
Itlnisli cast iiivaili-H tlx' f<ii'<' iimlcr )iarts, rlir irst of wliirli arc \vliiti>, with s|)ai'Mc ilrop->i|ia|ii'il
I'lifniis K|Hits ; liiiiiiu iif wiiiuM wliit)'. rrmii tlil> liliic-aml-wliilr xtatrtlii' l>lril is fniiml crailinu;
l>y ili-t;i't'i's iiitii till' very ilillrri'lit |ililliiap' nl' tlic 9 oiiil yoiiii^' : AIhivc, ilailt iiiiiliri'-lii'iiwn-
^'Vcrywlicro iiiori' or less viirit'il with ri'ildish-hrowii or ycllowish-hrowii, the ii|i|Mr tail-covcri>,
linwcvrr, irhilf, fnrniint; a very <'oiis|ii('iioiis mark; initltT parts a variahir shaili' of limw iii.-h-
ycllow, or iM'inaiTipiis, strrakcil m iili niiilMT-hrnwii, at Ifasi mi hrrasl ami .vidis ; tail crossed « iih
(1-7 hlacUish liars. The ymiiiircr tlu' liird the heavier the coloratimi, which is smiietiiiies i)iiiie
blackish and reddish, rxci'|ilini; the white iipiier laii-coverls. ^ ?: Iris, tarsi, and loes hriuht
yellow; cere yellow or yellowish; bill blackish; claws black. (J: leni:ili 17.">0-I".I.(MI i
vxteni K).(H»- 14.0(1 ; wine l:i.(M)- U.IIO ; ta" '.t.(MI-; ..>M) ; tarsus H.dil or le.-s : middle toe with-
out claw \.H). 9: leUKth l'.».()()-:.'l..')0 ; e.Mciit l,-i.(H(-.-|(l (Ml ; wiuu' ll.(MI l(i.(M); tail '.»..",(»-
l()..')ll ; tarsus -'{.(H) or more ; midille toe without idaw l.HI. North Am. at hnxe, miv »( tin
most ahumlaut and widely-dill'nsed of its family. es| iailv in meadowy and marshy |il.ici-s, ainl
easily recoi;ni/ed by its yi'iieric characters, in all iis \aiialion of si/.e and color. The nest i>
placed upon the t;round, and rather neatly liiiilt of hay. a font in diameter. .'I inches liit:li ; rua-
:t- (i .' conin ly l-'i. broad and nearly e(|iial-ended, l.SO to I. ".MIX l.tii-l.l'i, dull white.
with more or less i;rreni>h iir bluish shade; no tlrciilcd marking's, but frec|iieiitly small s|Hits
ami laru'e blotches of very pale brownish on the ■iiuliice. and some neutral-tint slndl-spoi.s.
No specific ilitl'ereiice from ' '. ri/iniiiis of Kiirope ; avei.mini; a little laii;'r: old ^ retaining .i
few rnfoiis spots in white of umler parts, and more evidenl barrinu of wiiit;s ami tail.
43. Subfamily MlkVIN^: Kites.
- ;VTr.., No nil' or eai-i'on<di. i.niil
bristles miHlerate, scanty or(|iii;i
wanlini:, the head biini; then
(dosely and .-oflly I'eatlnled !••
the bill. Supel'cili.irv >liielcl i'\ i-
ilent or not. {till usually weak.
sonH'limes extremely slender.
the I'litliiii.' id^e iif thi- Upper
maiKlible stlalL'lit to the curve,
or lolled or festooned, but iiol
toiithed, nor the lliidel malidible
truncate .iiid iniliheil. Ni»lriN
iml circular, iior with central
b.iny lulu icle. Wilms very
loliL'. liMile or less narrowed
and pointed, with several (in
our u'enera i to .'>) primaries
cmaruiiinte on inner webs. Tail
very variable in length and
shape, ill our ueiiera nearly
even or deeply forked. Feet
Very small: tjirsiis much shortir
than liliia, approximately eipial
to middle toe without claW, —
Kii!. :totj. -A ()iiiitti Kiioi/.(.o.,.....«/..i;(ti«<M») ^Kroni Ml.liclot.) Usually feathered above, ihe test
FALCOSllKK - Mil. VIS.V. : KtTKS.
:5
ii's with
.' Til..
■>liii|ii'ii
Cniiliiij;
-ln'owil.
riivcrt>,
iwiii.^h-
'I «itll
■■ >|ilitr
lirii;lii
I'.i.on;
">■ Willi-
il '.t..V)-
IlliiMtly <ir entirely relieiilate in .»iimll jmtterii (with few or iin hiriie traiisviTse seiilr]l:i). Tlie
j;eiieral orifaniziitiidi \* linteniiiiie ; tlie sea|iiiiar pmi'i'ss uf llit laetiid iIih's mil inn i ilie
eluvii'le, the Ke|itillii lia>i is il ln|iietely iis!<itieil, a:iil tlie aiiteiim' l'iili.'e nl' the |ialute i> little
<ievelii|M'(l if at all : the Nn|iereiliary shield is in mie i>r twn pieces. The kites furni a rather
extensive i;riiii|i nf hawks nl' iin ureal streiitrlh anil less than average size. ihmiL'li very aelive.
^enerally nt' lithe and uraeel'tjj sha|H', with Iniit; thin wind's and nfleii Iniliid tail. Thi'y are
"iunnhie" liirds, snhsistiiiK u|Hin small piine, esjieeially inseels and reptiles. In J'rniis
oiiiriinis, the liee-eatini! Iiawk "f Ku'npe. the wlmle hi'ad is i!' nsely and sullly I'ealhered t" the
hill. The ^nnip is less hnniiiueii) iins than the nlliers here presented, and niiulil lie. perhaps,
<liHiiietiiliered, or inerKed in U>ilfouiiM\ 'I'he t;enei'a a.ssi^ned diller with nearly excry writer
who reeii^ni/es the t^rnnp at all. 'I'he type tif the ;;riinp is the i;eiiiis Milrils, near which
stands unr FAinuiiiks (tii;. 'MM't), and with which it may imt Im' iinprii|ier to aswM'iale J'Jlaims,
Jfliiiia, and JtoslrhdiiiKH.
Tall iipnrly an liiliKiu) llii' wliiKi, (looply forktfil; lii-a<l rliim.>ly frullii^reil A,7(iii..ii/. .. \;:<
Tall tiiMirly or almiil cmmi
Klvc iiiitcr |irliii»rl(.ii t'liinrtfliiato iin liiiiiT wi'lm; lilll ami claus uxironioly ■Ivmler . . Ilf/tilifimiiii l?.'
'I'wii iiiitiT prliiiarliH ciiiariilnalu^ (armi* waii'llalc in fniiit htini<t \'.\
— ciillrcly ri'Ili-iilati! A.7<oiii« ITl
172. IIOSTKII.VMI'S. (hat. i().s7n«m. a heak ; /kimii/.v, a I k.) SnKl.E-iiii.i.r.K Kni;s. ISill
e.xtreinely loiit; and slender, the np|M'r in iiidihle hiHiked almost into a sickle-shape, the enrva-
Inre also impressed to Mime extent upon the under niaadihle ; enttlnii edu'es entirely witliuiit
tooth or lohe, lint simply cnrved like the cnlineii ; uoiiys slraiiiht. Cere contracied ; nostrils
narrowly oval, hori/.ontal. Loral hristles sliirhl. Space lietweeii hill and eye nearly naked
and colored, as it' u continnalion of ihe cere. Wiiius hnii; ; ltd and Itli ijiiills longest ; .'ilh
next ; 1st shorter than lith ; outer .'i emaruinaie on inner wehs. Tail ahoiii half as loni; as the
win^;, s!ii;litly eiiiaruinale or nearly even. I'eet small : tarsus fealhered alioiii A way down in
I'lnnt, then scillellate, for the rest reticiilale: middle toe and claw ahoiit a.s loiii; as taisiis.
Inner toe without i-luw shorier than outer ditto; inner toe and claw loiiuer tliaii ditto ; no evi-
dent weldiint; lielweeii either of llieiii: soles uraimlar, lull lillle Inlierciilate. Claws very loiiu
and aciile, Imt slender and comparaiivelv little ciirveil ; inner edue of the middle one dilated
and jai;i.'ed. .\ ueiins marked liy the extreme hookiiiu of the slender hill, othiTwise near
h'/iniiis; conlainiiit; two or three spei-ies of the waiiiier pails of .\merica.
11)0. It. Hoeiii'ltllls iilMin'lieiiK. (Lai. siHidhilis. ^'I'euarioiis ; jiliiiiilniis. lead-coloied.) KvKlt-
la.Aiii: Ki'i'i:. .\dnli ^ 9 '■ (ieneral color Maekish-pliimlieons, Idaekeiiiii); on wintfs and tail.
Itase of tail, with loii^'er upper coverts and all under coveiis while, increasinu in extent on the
tail from middle to lateral feallieis : tail also with a pale uray or whili di lermiiial /.one. Kill
and claws Idaek ; hase of hill, cere and feel lirii;hl oianiie, dryiiiL' diniry yellow : iris red.
Lentfth Ifi.dll Is.lHI: extent al t II.IMI: winu l:t..')il-|.'i..'')ll ; tail li..V)-;..'iii ; hill i).<lll-l. nil ;
tarsns |.7'i-'i.'i,'> : middle loe without daw, rather less. Yonnt; hirds are iniicli varied with
hrown, yellowish, and while, Imt the species is nnmistakal.'. in any pliiniaue. I'lorida anil
the West Indies: said to he i nion ill the " e<eri! lades," and to reseinlde the marsh hawK ill
haliits; nest in a lin>li. eu^s commonly two, whitish, irreunlarly spotted, hlotched, or smirched
with hrown, ahoni I.J.'X l.l'i. Compared with the S. .\ui. J{. SDcidliilis, ihe Fluiida hiid
averau'is laruer, iiiihler-colnicd, and wraker-liilled.
173. IC'I'IM.V. (to. iVruKnr. iklimis. a kile. Fii.'. Ml-) LlAH Kiri:s. Itill i.iiliir -mall. Imt
rolmsi, very deep .'iiid « ide for its liiiL'th : lip of upper mandilde ninch ovi ihaimiin;, ii> cuiiiin;
eilt;<' very prominently lohed, sometinie- almost tooihid like a filcon's, sonieliines i ire;:! daily
iiiiiiiate-serrale ; the nick jiisi in finni nf the lohe iisiially |H'rinitliiiu the median ridue uf ihe
pal. lie to lie xisihle Ironi the side: ciilmeii very strongly archill ill neirly a i|naih'anl of .i liicle;
■n
■ \ '
\ I
i
iti
li
401.
r>'24
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA PTOPES - A CCIPITPES.
giiiiyH <'<invc'X, nwriidini.' : cprc slmrt ; iKistrilxsiniill, Hiibi'ircular ; luml liriHtliiit; xlipht ; siiprr-
ciliiiry nIiIcIiI miimII, in iiii<> ]ii<'t'c, \\'iii).'s nt' iiioili'nite Iciiutli, aiiiph- ; .'M i|iiill luiip'st : i^il Imt
littlf 'iinrtcr: 1st i|nit(' slmrt. alMHit numl tofitli; outer 2 riiiiirf,'iimt<' nii iiiix-r Wfli, and next i
siniii'Wliat sinuate. Tail nimierate, even or eniaruiiiate. the t'eatliers timail to their obtusely
rounih'ii ends. Feet sliort and stout ; tarsus scantily fealliered al>ont J way down in IVoiit, then
seilteihite. lor the rest retiridate: middle toe without elaw about as ioni: as the tarsus ; outer
and middle toes eonne<-ted by a bawil web for the whole lenjrth of the basal .joint of the latter ;
inner toe without elaw shorter than the outer, with claw lonu'er, ifH elaw beinir niuch laruer
than that of the outer toe, rearhintr beyond ba.se of niidille idaw. Soles broad, esjiecially under
l-'Kl. ;i»i7. — fypft, MiivlMlppi Kite, } nnt. size; rlijlil, S«:ill"«-l!illi'<l Kile. .'. mil size, (from llri'tini.)
the hind toe, whieh is widely niai'irined : claws -^hort. stout, much curved. A ifelins ol two
species, coiitined to teni|ierate ami tropical .Vmerica : of irreat volitorial power, spemlinir iniuli
of their time on the winir in ai'rial i:yrations: .somewhat ureearious like other Milrimr. aui\
preyini; H|Hintlie hmiiblest ipiarry. especially insi'i'ts and small nptiles. often feedinu from their
talons, as they sail tliii'Ut.'h the air. after sweepinir down upon their prey and sei/inu it as they
pas> w itleiut -tayini.' their tliu'lit.
I. Hiiitcu>ru'U>u. (I.al. v'('«'i7'i(/(V(. b|ui>h.) Missi.ssii'i'i Kiri;. Adult ,(9- ••eueral |p|iimau'e
plumbeoiiH or -Inrk .-i.shy-trray. bleaebini,' on the head and s< ndarie«, blackeiiiiii; on ihe tail
and wiit){H, <<evcrH) primaries moiir((^)or less (9) suHuseil with chestnut-red on the inner
174.
FALCON I lU:— MIL VIS.K: KITES.
will or (III liiitli ^v^l)^». Forrliciiil ami ti|m of m iitliincs iisimlly xilvfry-wliili.-li ; i'i>iir*'uli><l
wliitf .s|>otH on iIh' hcii|inliirs ; liasrs of rciitliri- ol' IhmuI jiikI iiihIit |iiirt> llnry-wliilf. I.^irfu,
t'Vi liilti, ami liill. iiicliuliiiu; I'rri', lilm-k ; iiapi' ol' moiiili ami li rt, oraiii.'<'. iIh' lattiT oli.Hriiriil oii
till' front of till' t.irsiis, ami aloni; thi' to|m of tlir toi-M ; iri> lakc-nil. V\t\ mimI crrr ilryinu to n
iianii'li'M' iliuuy I'ojor. l.i'iiL'tli of f alioiit li.(H); rxtint ''«).( H I : wiiii; Id jll-l I.Tiii : tail il.nii-
li.JO; tarsus 1.1.'); 9 alxnit I.'). (Hi; wiiit; I I.IHI-I '^..')(i ; tail t'l. .')(>-;. (Ml. Voiiiit:: lliail. m vk
ami iimirr |iart.s wliitish, s|i<>tt<-il with ilark lirown or ri'dilisli-lirowti. i'<(rr|itiiii; on tlir throat
ami aloiii; a sii|m ri'iliary liiii'; liiiinu of wiiius tawny. >|ioltril with riisty-lirown : ii|>|ii'r |iai'ts
hlackisli, most of tlir fratliri's )'iIl:i'cI with tawiiy-wliiti': iiiiills ti|i|>i'it with wliili' ; tail Mark,
with iihoiit 'I |ialr ashy hamis, ami as many rows of whiti' spots on ihr Inner wi-hs. Soiiilnrii
I'. S., ri'u'iilarly N. to South Carolina, Illinois ami Imliaii Territory, I'lisimlly to I'lunsylvania.
Iowa, ami Wisi'onmn : S. into Mi'xii'o; rr|ilari'il in Ci'iitral ami S. Am. hy thr rrlatrd Iml
iiilitr clislilH't /. Iilillllhiit. Nrst of ■•tirks. ill'., in tl'i'l's ; I'lZt's .'
174. IC'hAM'S. (I,al. i7(/ii((>, a kilr.) rK.VKI. KlTi:.'^. IJi'laliil to thr last: u'lnnal fmni ami
aspt'i-t siniilar. I'atti'rti of coloriitioii iMiliri-ly ililfririit. Kill lathiT wiak ami i'oni|iri'ss*'il. thf
toiiiia of the ii|>|>i'i' inamlilih' ilcvoiil of lohc or fi'.st<ion. lint slightly ^iiiii.iti' to tlu' ovi'rhaiiL'int.'
ti|i ; t'onys ahoiii slraiirhl : ciiliiK'n h'ss stroiiuly convrx than in liluiin: nostrils siiln'iri'iilar,
mar iniilillr of the nioiliratt' rrri'. Fri't vrry sinall : tarsus iVathrrril half-way ilown in front,
for till' rrsi lini'ly ulii'iihitt'. likr thr to|i> of thr tors to nrar tlirir mils ; hilnl tiM' xcry short;
claws all small ami litlh' i-iirvnl ; liasal wrh lit'twicii niiihlli' ami outer tiM's slight (i'iini|iari'
fi'i't of Itliiiiii) Winu's nearly or alioiit twiee as lont; as tail : |ioiiit<il, M ami <'<il i|nills lonuest,
1st alioiit eijiial to Itli. 1st ami ;.'<! eniaruinate on inner wehs. Tail eniaruinate. hiii mitei
feather shorter than the next, all the feathers liioail In ilieir ohtiisely-roiimleil eml- .\ small
L'eiiiis of [ or '} s|H>i'ies inhaliitinu the wanner parts of the worlil.
u»'i. I':. kIiiii'i'i*" (Lai. f/ZifKei/.x. hliiish.) Ki.vi'K-siiiM'i.iiKitr.ti Kith. \Viim:-i\ii.i:i> Kiik.
.\cliill ^ 9 '■ I'l'l"'!' I'iii'ts pale hinish-asli. most of the lieail, the whole tail, anil entire iiinler
parts, inelmlin^ linim; of the wind's, pure while ; les.ser anil niiilille wiiiir-i'ovetls hiaek. lormiiiL-
a ^reat hlai'k area ; a patch on iimler » inu-coverts, ih.' shafts of nmst tail-t'eatlier>, iiihI a loral
Hpot, also lilaek. 'The white ot the iimler parts ami niiilille tail-feathers often with it |H',irly
hliiishcast. Mill and claws hlack ; cere anil feel yellow nr oraiiue ; iris nil or nsjilish. I.r ii;th
I(i.l)()-I7.l"l; extent .!'.).»»«» H..')(l; Willi; I •,'..".()- |:i..')() ; tail /.'HI s. (Ml ; tarsus |.:iii; niiiliUe toe
witllon' claw alioill the s.ime ; 9 lil'h' larger thiin ^. Yoiiiit: iiiiirkeil with iliisky ainl
r<'ilili'>h-hro\\ n, the wiiiu-feath -I's while-tippeil, the tall-feallh is with a snhterniinal .ishy har
In this species the tail is eiiiaru'inale to a ilepth of ahoiit i)..'i(l, tlie onter tail-fealher also ahoiit
as much shorter than the next, which is the loiiuest oiie. Southern I'. S. from Atlantic to
I'aeilic ; N. to South Carolina. Illinois, Imlian Territory, ami Miilille California; S. tiiri>iii.'li
Central ami most of S. Am. ; cin n. With hahits in ireiieral like those of the last s|Mi'ies,
this I'lcKiilit kite is slron^er iilul trnm' piiiluceiiiis, preyiiii: upon small liirilsaml ipnulntiMtU le^
well as insects ami reptih's. It nests in trii • ainl lin>-his ; rtn:-^ 4 ll, siihsplierical, l.il'i X
l.l.'>, whitish, hlotcheil ami sniircheil with mahoi;any coloi
175. KhANOI l>K8. (Lat. ilinins, ami (Jr. uK>t. >iil„x. resenihlai .) SwAl.l.nw-r \II.K.I» KlTK".
I'roniinenlly characleri/.eil hy the extremely elonuiihsl .'iinj iliiply forlieali t;iil, the ientrlh ••*'
wliich nearly eipials that ot the winu. the narrow, acnniiiiaie l.-iiei.-il feathers heinu more than
twiee as loni; as the niiilille pair when full urown. Winus also very loiii;. thin ami aen*< ;
'ill ami :iil ipiills formint; the point ; Isi alHiiit eipml to -Mh ; Isi ami M emaru'inale •m inner
Wehs. Keel Very nhoi1, hilt Htoiit I titisiis feiitliei'eil alMiii' '„ way 4>>wn ill tr»inl, elsewhere
irri'uulai'ly lelicnlati'; toes mostly .•.eiilell.ile on top, hnl relicul.iti to«vari| then hase-, craii»>lar
ami pailileil umlermath : claws short, stnin, stninuly areiiate, si'ihi|h'iI out uiiiltrtieath. u<ih sK.irp
eiltiex, tliill of the inidille ililateil. Itill rather weak, with iiiiHlentHly I'lmvex cnliiieti ami small
ceri' ; the cutting e<lp' fesloolieil. Nostrils oval, oltliijlie lleail closely l^-Hlhel'i'*! "li ihe siih-s ;
r»2«
SYSlhMA TIC SYMU'SIS. UMTOltES - ACCH'ITIU.'S.
H Hiiiall Hii|i('ri>rltiiiil Nhii'ld i)f a mIiikIi* txiiic. A IxtiMtifiil p'liiiH nf ii sIiikIi' H|H>«-i<i«, ri'latnl tu
ilir (Mil Wiirlil Milnis (typiful kilch) ami i')>|H'rially In \iimlrnix, willi wliirli latter it li:i>
il!<ilall\ li'Tii a.-Miriati'il,
40:i. !•;. furlh'it'lUH. (\.it\. Jinjinihii, t\ii\t\\ {iirUi'tl. KiijH. ,'1(1(1, ;i(i7.) .'^WAI.I.nw-TAII.KO Kill:.
Ailiilt J 9 ' lli'iil, iK'i'k, liaml <iii i'iiiii|i, ami riitirt' iimlrr |iart!<, iiirluiliiiL' liiiiiii; of \viiii;!<, Mmw-
wliitr: liarii, \\iiik;>, ami tail, ulii>.-<y lijarli, willi vailniis lii.xtir, cliirlly unin ami \ inlet. Ilill
li|iii>li-lilaek ; cere, eilu'en nf iiiamlililes, ami feet |iale IiIiiIkIi, the latter tllii.'eil \«itli t'leeiiixli ;
rla»> liulit-enlnreij. I.eii(;tli alxmt ilJtil, lait very varialile ; extent .'(((.(Ml : -.viii^ I,'i..'i(l-I7..'i(i ;
tail ii|) til II. .'id, <'let't iimre than ^ itn len^Mli : tarniiH alxiiit I. -J.'); iniilille tne witlmut elaw
rallier le.H.'*. ^ iiiiiii; : Similar; lixs lii.stnuis ; u iii^'- ami tail-l'eatliers \vliite-ti|i|ieil : l'iatlier>« nf
lieail ami lieeU |iem'illeil with ilelieale hlial't lilieM nf lilacUiMli. 'i'lii.^ iiin.st ele^'aiil kite, >ii|ier-
lulive ill ea>e ami uraee nf the wiii^, llnalx, NiiiirH, ami ilaxlieN nver the ifrcater part of Aiiieriea,
anil even rnmses the .Vtlalltie nil ilH lillnyailt jiininnH. It is alilimlallt in the Snutliern r. .">.,
hnnietinie> u iiiuiiii; its way tn tiie .Miilille Stales, ami nxMilarly ii|i the whnle Mississi|i|ii valley,
In Minnesntii ami l>aknta, latilmle W°. Kiaiwii In nest frnm Wisennsiii ami fnwa sniithwaril.
'The liesi !.•. jilareil nil a tree, (•nlistnirteil nfstieks, hay. llinss, ete. ; ey^s I- Ci, whiti>ll, l.'.td X l.")ll,
irregularly hlnielieil ami sjierkeil with rii.-ty aiiil eliestniit-lirnwii.
170.
I ' It
44. Subfamily ACCIPITRIN/C : Hawks.
(ieiieral fnnii .striel. with small lieail, slmrtened wiiitrs,
ami leiiulheiieil tail ami let;s. 'Tarsi a|i|il'n\iiiiately eijilal
tn the tihiii in leiiu'lh. Ilill slmrt, I'nlnist. Iiiuh at liax)' ;
Innthless, lint nsiially with a |irniiiineiit fe.stnnii ; im een-
Iral tnlieirli' in the Innailly nval imstiil, imr keel nf palate
aiiteriiirly. Siipereiliary shielil pmniiiient. Cnraniiil ar-
raiiijenienl a.s in ItiiliiHiiiDi, IwUi \\]i\{-\[ ^rmip the present
nlie urailes. \\'ilii.'> eniieavn-eniivex, the IM tn (ith iplills
Iniip'si, the iKt very slinrt ami ninre nr less linweil inwai'il,
the niiter :l tn ,') eiiiarciiiate nr sinuate mi inner welis.
Tail iplite Inii^, Nipiare nr I'niimleil, sniiietiines eniai'^i
iiale, nearly eipialliiiL; ihe winu in lenu'th. Tarsi slemler,
Iniif^'er than iniilille tne witliniit elaw. Usually extensively
if lint eniiipleli'ly ileiimh'il nf feallierx, llllil .seiltellate
liefnre ami ImIuihI. This is an extensive ^:rnnp nl
nieiliiiin->i/eil ami small hawks, little if at all interinr in
spirit nf amiai'ily tn the true faleoiis, ihniicli less pnwer-
fiilly nriz.'inixeil am! in faet i-niifnrniini: i<i aiiatniniral
eharaeters with the Itilltdlliiiii rather than with the b'lihtiiiiiKl. In the le.liliie nf fill iiy,
the Arnftilritiiv are styleil " iijniilile," lieeiiiise these short -uiiiueil hawks rake after the i|iiarry.
iiisteail nf plmminu npnii it like the "iinlile" |nn:,'-«iiii.'i'l falemis. Their tlitrht is swifi ami
ilashinn; tliev iMplnie their pn-y in npen eliase with ama/iiii; iilirity ami aililress, alvvays
killiii|{ fnr theiiiselNes ami ilisilaininu lel'iise. Their ipiarry is rhietly liinis ami ipiailrnpeils.
.1 W/<c anil All ij, ill)- are the typieal ami prim-ipal liinera, nf vihieh some ."i(» .-peeies (rliielly of
(he fonmr u'einis) are kiinvMi. inlialiilini; most pails ,if the worhl. ( •• repriMiitatives of
tiiene ueiiera are ea.-ily ili>riiiiiiiiatiil, Imt snine exniie speeies imel them iplite rinsely,
Ann I II Kin ol' ilnhni.
Hiniill Miiil nii-illiiiii-iilr.o<l! ti-TiBth "JO 'HI or li'hs Tiiisiis inure vxIrnRlvoly ilcnmlixl, niiil Hnili'llntp. immo-
llliii> IuimIi'iI . . Airiinlir ITI!
■ .iirue; li'iii;llt ivrr .111111. Titrmiii Iemi I'Xtonnlvi'l.v ili'iiihli'il, ami M'liti'lliilc, m^vcr liiH)lril . . . Aaliir 177
Km ;WW.— .\ lyplfiil .Vrclliltrhif 1 rnmi
|i|\iiii.i
FAWOSIIKE — A ('('II'HUIX.K . Jl.i Whs.
oiiT
I'latoil ti>
IT it lia.s
176. ArCI'PlTEK. (L.it.(ifri>i7<T. iiliuwk. Kiif-^l'^.) SiiauI'-hiiisnki) IIawkh. Tiirxi fiiitlnn<l
aliiiiit i way ilnwii in I'mnt, nr less (in Astiir altniit \ way), aiiil <|iiil(' kIi'IuIit (wIkmiim' the (itiii
" Hliar|i->«liiiiii<'il ") ; in <>M)' Kpccicn iii'ianinrntly and niiitiniiniii'ly Hcnhllatc liil'iiii' an<i licliintl,
tli(> wntcllalion continui'ii on to tlic tiM'it ; in thcniln'r the miUM', or finally fiiKcil in a <'oniiniioiii«
" lioot." Toi's lonu. Klrndcr, llic onirr one nincli wrlilinl at lia.sc aii<l |>atlil('<l niiilcriK'ath;
iiiiKT I'law niiii'li lai'^)'!' tiiaii tin* iniildli' one, a|i|)i'(ixiinati'ly ri|naHinK tli*' liind claw ; laif^ht
Km. n<;9. — (i<//nVir ih'.iim ipf Kiii"|k', miIuIi f, ; iml. .li/o; ii.t ilisliiii;iii8linl>lo In a ml frnni mir Sliar;)-
hIiIiiiu'iI Hawk ; takiii an <il' \ nut. nUu il wiiulil I'l'lMcniia (;<hi|iui''» llik»k Jtint an writ ; at \ it wmild iln iliilY ti>r a
*i<i»liawk. iKroiii llii'lnn.)
of liill at Ita.sr ^'icatcr tliaii clioid of ciilint'ii : 1th and .')tli i|iiIIIh longest, .td and (itii iH'.\t.
ii\ >lioft('r tliaii (>tli, 1st vrfy short. 'I'lic two followiiij,' s|H'cirs arc cxaftly aliki' in color: one
is a ihiniatiiri.' of the other. 'I'hc ordinary idillna^c is dark lirowii ahovc (deepest on tlic head,
the occijiital fcathii's showilii; while vv hen disturlied), with an ashy or |dMlidi is .-hade wiiieh
incri'iises with atie, till tiie t;etierai cast is i|nite liliiisli-iihh ; below, white or whitish, variously
streaked with dark hrown and rusty, limilly cliaii^niL,' to lirownish-rcd (|>alest hehiiid and
r>2fi
SYSTi:M.irH' SYXorsiS. liM'lnUES ACCIPIHIHS.
xliuliily iihIiv ihtohm tht' brt'iixt), tin- «vliiti> then only filiowiiii; in nitrmw <T<iNit-)ian« ; rliin,
ilirnat iinil l■ri^•l<llnl wliit)', willi lihirki.-li iNiirillini;, \\\r crixKinii, linwrvcr, nMually iiMinafiilitti- ;
wini;i< mill tail Itiiinil witli ii.-liy ami lirown or liinrkiKli, tlir i|ui!li« wliitt'-liiirrcil liaxally. llir lail
\vliili>li-ti|i|H'il ; liiil liaik : rlawM Mark: irin, rnr ami I'nt yellow. SexcM alike in eolor ; 9
iniieli larger llian J.
.tnntit*tt itf S/Mi'tr^,
KpvI I'^trt'iiii'ly uli'tiilcr ; l>ar<' |airlli>ti nf inroiiK iMiincr lliioi iiilililln liw ; mmiIi'IIii rri'ipii'ialy t\im»\ : tall
M|iiiiri>. if liMi<) l-.'.iiu; I'xii'iii iiUiiii :.'l i»> . HhiKUm^T mi, lull .Vtio-il (H). ', \j.i»<HMU. rxtuiil iilxMit
'.'.'■.'HI; nliiit T IHi h.(»i; Iftll tt.uO-T.iNi, mIk.Ii' foil M.VIor liiw J'utrut \>M
Frri in'xli'riili'ly r>liiiil . Imri- |«irll<>ii nf itirviiii Klmrlcr tliitii iiil<li|li> lii<>: M'Uli'llik iilwnyii illnlliii'l . lull
r>Miii.|i.<l ,f IIkINI Ih.ihi; i'\I|.|ii iiInmii :imni. « iii|{ ihiiiIii INI; lull ; IIO-H.INI V ■"OU-'.II.OII; nxli'lil iiIhuiI
;i.'. INI; uliiu KI.IIO- II.UO; tall N.OU umi; wliiilv fiMiM IKiiir liiiirii ri«>/«ri -IliC
lUI. A. fiiM'iiB. (hat./iimiifi, ilark. Kijr WJ.) Sii.\iif-NiiiNNKi> Hawk. " I'kikux " II.wvk. ho-
I'alletl, lillt not to he eollfolimleil Willi FaUii nilunihiirillii, No. .'id,'). Atllllt (J 9^ .Miove,
ilai'k iiIiiiiiIh'iiiih, Hlate-enlnr, i>r liliii>li-i;ray. hoioewliat niore fiiNeniiM mi tlie wiii^M ami tail
lliall nil till' ImhIv, llie I'eatliers of the liiiiil-lieail with tieeey white liaite.-, the M'a|iillarK with
eoneealeil white ii|hi|n. 'I'ail cnniM'tl liy iiImiIiI I MaekiKll Imm, the tii>t iiliilei the envertx, the
la>t Milileriiiiiial anil hrnailot :
extreme tijih of the l'ealhei>
while. I'l'iiiiai'ii '^• alunliiarlii il
with hlaekL^li liar.s or i*|iiil>,
ami wliitetiini; at their haiie!>,
ill harN or iiiileiit.'< nl' the iniiei'
Melm, I'liiler parts harnil
eroMHV-JKe with rnfoiiN mi a
while uroiiml, the hars mi
Millie jiarlK emilale ami enn-
lieeteil almii; (he i>hat'l> uf the
feather.-', wliii'h are hlaekish ;
ear- eoveriN nii'mis : ni|mi<.
iiiiiNtly or entirely waniliiu
nil the I'heekH, throat, ami
Kli,. :i;ii. — llvuk anil lalulisnf .lr<'i/ii/<rl.l. >->«>/>•», nul. nlU'l. (Ail iiul.
ilel. K. r I
eriMMillii, whieli are limre or IrM tin«-ly |M'iieille<l with the hiaek Hhaftn of the featherH; eris.'-illii,
however, ol'teii |iiire white. .\.xillar> harreil like other iimler |iiii1r<: liniiit' of wiiii.'.s white, with
ilii.sky fjiot.x. Diniensiiiii!' as alMive, ^'011111;: Almve, iiniher-liiKWii, varieil with nntty-hrown
eil^ilii;.-4 of most of the feathers ; while s|MitH of IU'a|llllarN eX|Hiseil. lleloW. W'llite more or less
tawiiy-tiiit'eil, siripeil leiiifthwise w iih ilark hrown or reildish-hrowii mi most |iaits, the feaihers
mostly lilaek-shafteil. 'I'lii.s stati' is ofteller seen than the jierleeleil |ilnmat;e; 4'Veiy iiili r-
liieiliate Hla^e is seen : hilt there can Ix* no iniHilliilerMtamlint; the speeies, as mir only other
hawks (/•'((/(■() inhitiilMiriii" ami /•'. ^/inrrrriiiii of similar slichl iliiiirnsioiis lnlonL' to a iliU'ereiit
^eiins ami siihfamily. N. Am. ai larue, mie of mir most aliiimliiiit h.iwks, ami one uhieli,
notwithstamliiii; its smallnrHi', HMHiuiiiM tlie n'|)iilation of Airipitriiitr fnr nerve ami |irowess.
The nest is llsii;illv hiiilt ill the liraiiehes of a trie, sometimes in a hollow or oil a leilue of
roeks, lieiiii; a |ilallonii of small siieks ii|mi|i whieh lists a heil of hay, moss, leaves, or hark :
the etfUM are ((I'lierally laiil in May. to tlie iiiiml>er of i or .'1. The white (;roimil-eo|or has
often a livid or even )iiirplish lint, aial is marked, ofien so thii'kly as to I hseiired, with
larixe, irregular sphishes of various sli;i)les of hrown, inleriiiiiialdy i'haiii.'ealile in inimher, si/e,
and pattern, Honietimes im lininu to form iiiahM-K or a wnalh, sometimes more evenly dis-
triliiiled. The I'L't; is of nearly eipial si/eat Imtli ends, ,'inil measures alimit l.l.'i X I. la. Il
is not ili-tiiiuuishalde with eertainty from that of l-'iiho iiiliniiliiiiiiis,
1"5. A. roo'iH'rl. (To Will. ('iMi|Mr. FiL'. •i/O.) CimiI'KK'k ll.\w K. ( 'iiiiKKN II.XWK (a name shared
l-M.CltSUKK-ACCII'tiniS.K: IIA WKS.
29
I'liin,
■iiliili' :
till' l;iil
it; 9
liy H|Hfi<'H of Butfo), Til liirM mill (■Iiiihucn of |>lniiiaKf i>t' tliii> ii|Nrif!< Im-'mii.' |inictii'iill)r
llr oilllli' a> tlinsr III' /(. filsniM, lirnl liiil lii' rr|M'iiti'il. Til)' rliiif iliHrri'lli'i' i>>, (lull lllr rrnWII
iif till- iiiliilt in iiHiiiilly a|i|iri riiilily ilarkrr Mlatr than tlic dark : tlic wliiti- !»'a|iiilar k|ii>n arc
•iiiulliT. ffWiT, or wiiiitiiiu ; in liiuli pliiiiiaui' tlir U|i|H'r part.« arr i-li'iirrr Miii»li, wliilr llif
liri'ant liiiN a liiii' ulaiiniiiK IiIihuh nvrrlyiiiu tin' riiroiDt ami wliiti- cMinnl-rnli'i' : tlir tail i->
niori' iliriilriliy \vliitr-ti|>|H'<l. A itiiiall ^ ritofHTi uraili'it in ni/i' nrarly ilnwn t>> a larur 9
fiinriiH, lint tliiTi' a|i-
|H'ar'< III Im' rimHlantly
u ilitTi'ri'lirr i>f a riiii|i|ii
iif inclirM iif total li'nutli
lit Iriift ; anil in any
rvrnt, till' iitliiT rliar-
arlii-* alinVf L'ivrii « ill
MilliiT riiri'iriiiliM'iini-
liiatinii. In I'iilii'r m|H'-
cil-, till' yrlliiW III' till-
rirr anil frrt is nl'lrn iif
iiHiiiilly iiliwiiii'il with -^jiijj^ ♦'^•^
urii'iii-li. In niiiiiiii, wV^r I . iTv'^/'i' -■• I
till' lar>al nriili'ila an- l • , ^ I
itnllii'tillirM ll'HH iliMlilli-t (■ /M H
C
tliiiii i'< nnrnial, Iml ari'
iiiit kiiiiwn III I'liT intii
a ImmiI. a iai'ui' 9 nut
ili->tanlly riM iiilili'> a
l/lillliil Hllllr ( iiisliiuvk ;
lint till' liitri'i'i-ncii ill
fratlirrini; nf tlir tardus
i> ili>lilirli\i'. Trlil-
|irrali' \. Am. at lai'ui-,
mill Miiilliwanl ; nni' nf
tlicciiiiiiiiiiii"<'liii-ki'ii''
lia\vk>, ami a IrliuU'
III' t.'1'i'at amiarily ami
|iriiWfss, jirryini; mi
liinl.i n|i til till' si/i-
iif uniiiHi' ami ilimirslir
IMiiiltry. Ni'Hiiiit; ax
ili-M-riliril fiir .1 . t'lisriiM.
Till' <'Uti> I liavr I'X-
iiiiiinril nii'axnri' I'l'uiii
l.Hd X l.l'') til :i.l<i X 1><'>II (liitMri'M sliiiwini; tlir variatinii Imtli in A/.v ami "liaiii'), avorauini;
tilHiiit l.'.H) X I'll). Tiny ii'M'tiililr tliiixi' III' ihr liiar>'li liawk xn rlnxrly ax nut (<■ In- I'lTtaiiily
ili>tiiii;iiii<lialili>, liiit iiri' iiNUiilly imiri' ulnlmlar, ami vviili a innn- t'laniilalril hIh-II. Tlir
LTi-aii-xt ilianu'trr ix at nr very iirar tlir iniilillr: ilitfrri'iici' in xlia|M' nf tlir two rmlx ix rarrly
a|i|in rialil)'. All iiri> iimrr nnironn in ciilui' than tlmxi' i>l' iiiuxt hawkx, ri'xi'inlilinu tin' jiali',
x4-arrrly-inai'ki'il rxani|ilrx ni'i-ar-iiinally laiil hy nmxt kimlx : mnir ari' riin>|iii'iiiiii.>ly ilark-
inarki'il. Thr );i-iiiiml is wliitr, faintly lintcil wiih lixiil nr Krri'iii>h-L'ray : it' inarki'il, it ix with
faint, Moini'tiini'H alnnixt uhxiilcti-, lilntrlicx nCilrali, liahlc to he nVfiliHiki'il wilhniit i'Iuxl- iiiM|H.r,-
tiun; (iiily an iK-caHiniial H|Hriiiii'ii ix fiiinnl with ilcciili'il, tlmuuli otiH <hill ami x|iarHi', inarkiiiuH
■■11
Fill :tTt. — t',iirM|>ciiii ()'>iiliawk. iifmin (* . | mil "Ijo. imt <IMIiii;iiiii|iii1ili' In llio
I'll! riiiiii lliii Aiiiri'ii'iiii liiwlmnk; >'liiiii|{i' of m iilr Im \ or ) wmiM iiiiikr il ri'|>iu-
M'lit lliD yniuiu S ('iio|H)r'» iir Sluirp-iililiiiiuii lluwk. (Frniii llrflini.)
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
,/^..^^
1.0
1.1
11.25
12.0
!4U4
■ 2.2
«« lAO
lit !■■
Ill
ttuu
Photographic
Sciences
Corporation
23 WIST MAIN STRfIT
«ViBSTER,N.Y. 14580
(716)t72-4S03
630
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — BAPTOEES— ACCIPITRES.
of pale brown. Tluee or four eggs are the usual nest-compleinent ; in the Northern and
Miilille States they are laid in May.
177. AS'TUR. (Lat. asUn; a liawk.) Goshawks. Characters in general as above given for
Acc'qnter; size superior, and organization more robust; feet stronger, the tarsus featliered
about i way down in front and on the sides, leaving only a narrow bare strip beliind ; the
scutellation discontinuous at the bases of tlie toes, which are finely reticulate; resumed beyond ;
never fused. These " goose-hawks " or " star-hawks" are a small genus of five or six " ignoble "
species, held in high estimation by falconers for their prowess in the chase. Ours appears to
be quite distinct from A. jxdumlarius, tliougli closely related.
400. A. atrieapil'lus. (Lat. atricajnllus, black-haired. Fig. 371.) Ameuican Goshawk. Ulle
Hkn Hawk (adult). Chukex Hawk (young). Adult ^ 9 : Above, dark bluish-slate color,
each feather black-shafted; top of head blackish, cftuspicuously dift'ercnt from other upper
parts, the feathers there witli fleecy white bases ; a long white superciliary or rather post-
ocular stripe ; auriculars blackish. Ground color of under parts, including lining of wings,
white, closely barred or vermiculatcd in narrow zigzag lines with slaty-brown, except on throat
and crissum, and everywhere sharply pencilled with blackish shaft-lines, one on eacli featlier.
The barring is largest and uiost regular on tlie belly, flanks, and tibitu, hut is for tlie most jiart
much dissipated iu a tiue mottling. It varies greatly iu coarseness in different specimens, some
of which approach A. ii'tlum-
hariits in this respect. Tail
like back, banded with four
or five blackish bars, the ter-
minal one nuudi tlie broadest.
Bill dark bluish ; iris yellow-
ish ; feet yellow, claws black.
Wing-quills in similar pat-
tern, and both these and the
tail showhig tendency to some
whiti.sh mottling of inner webs
of the feathers. Young : The
difference is substantially as
in species of .4cci))i7er.- above,
dark brown, varied with rusty-
brown and whitish ; below,
white, more or less tawny-
tinged, witli t)b]oug, lance-
linear, clubbed or <lrop-shaped
Fio. 372. —Prairie Falcon, J nat. size. (From life, by II. W. Elliott.) dark brown markings. Tail
more distinctly barred than in the adult, and with white tip. But in any equivocal plumage,
the goshawk may be recognized by its size, which is tliat of an average Buteo, together with
the short rounded wings, very long fan-shaped tail, and other gt'ueric characters. Length of
$ 20.00-22.00; extent alx.ut 42.00; wing 12.00-13.00 ; tail 9.00-10.00; tarsus 2.75 ; middle
toe without claw 1.75; cliord of cuhneu without cere O.'JO ; 9, length 22.00-24.00; extent
45.00 or more; wing 13.00-14.00; tail 11.50-12.50. A large, powerful, and when iu perfect
plumage, a very handsome hawk, of splendid spirit, the terror of the poultry-yard. A larger,
brighter, and altogether better bird than the European. It inhabits northern N. Am. ; the
northern half of the V. S. chiefly iu winter, but is also resident in some parts, and breeds
Iu mountainous regions as far south at least as Colorado, where 1 have seen it iu suimner.
Its ordinary quarry is grouse, ptarmigan, and hares. The nesting and the eggs, as described,
are most like those of Accipiter cooperi ; the eggs, probably only distinguishable by their supe-
Ten
FALCONID^ — FALCONING : FALCONS.
631
nor size, nioasiiring about 2.30 X 1-90, soiled wliitish, "umrkcd iiTcgularly M'ith large l)ut quite
faint blotchi's of drab and yellowish-brown."
40T. A. a. strla'tulus? (Lat. strkUulus, finely striped.) Westehn Goshawk. Deseribed as
having the markings of the under parts so fine and dense as to present a nearly (iniforin bluish-
ashy nebulation, pencilled with line black-shafted lines. Rocky Mts. to the Pacific. (Probably
uutenable.)
45. Subfamily FALCONING: Falcons.
^__ Bill furnished with a sharp tooth and notch near the end of
the cutting edge of the upper mandible (sometimes two such
teeth), and end of under mandible truncated, with notch near
the tij) (figs. 372, 37i). Nostrils circular, high in the cere,
with a prominent central tubercle (fig. 372). Inter-nasal
septum extensively ossified. Palate with a median keel ante-
riorly. Sujterciliary sliield prominent, in one large piece.
Shoulder-joint strengthened by union of scapular j)rocess of
the coracoid with the clavi(de (fig. 3(12) as in Mkraxtur, Hcv-
lietotheres, and the I'oli/borhuc alone of Falconidrc. Wings
strong, long, and ixiiiited, with rigid and usually straight and
tapering flight-feathers ; the tip formed by the 2d and 3d
i|uills, supported nearly to their ends by the 1st and 4tli,
both of which are longer than the 5th ; oidy ime or two outer
primaries enuirginate on imier webs near the end. Tail short
and stift", with more or less tapering rectrices. Feet strong,
rather short, the tarsus of less length tlian the tibia, feathered
more or less extensively, elsewhere irri'irularly reticulate in
small pattern varying with the genera or subgenera; never
s(uitellate in single series before or behind. Middle toe very
y, '• . long; talons very strong. The true ./w/cohs are thus enii-
Fio. :!7.'!. — A "noble" Falcon, nditly distinguished from other menibers of the family; a
(From Micliulet.) glance at the toothed beak sutfices for their recognition.
They are birds of medium and small size, some kinds being not larger than a sparrow, but
extremely sturdy organization, vigorous physique, and temerarious disposition. They capture
their tjuarry with sudden and violent onslaught, and exhibit the raptorial nature in its highest
degree. The typical and principal genus is Falco, of which there are several subdivisions
corresponding to minor modifications. Upwards of fifty species are recognized. Our rather
numerous species represent the several grades of gyrfaleons, laimers, peregrines, merlins, and
kestrels. These I sluJl consider under one genus, Falco, with indication of the subgenera.
Fio. 374. — Peregrine Falcou, greatly reduced. (From
Tenney, after Wllsnu.)
<-*«.
Fio. 37.1. — Kestrel Falnon. like our Sparrow-bawk
{Tinnunculus), ledaceil. (From Dixon.)
532
SYSrmiA TIC SYNOPSIS. — liAPTORES—A CCIPITRES.
178. PAL'CO. (Lilt. /«?to, a falcon or faucoii.) Cliaracters as above, with minor modifications as
follows : —
Analysis of Subgenera and Species.
Tarsus more or lesf featlicred above, elHewliero irregularly reticulate in small pattern (no large plates
like Bcutella;; 2d primary longeitt; 1st longer than 4th, and decidedly emargiuate on inner web. (Gyr-
falcoiis, tanners, and pereyrinea.)
Gyrj'alcons: Tarsus feutliorcd fully } down in front and on sides, leaving but a narrow strip
bare Itohiml ; longer than nii<ldlo toe without claw ; 1st quill shorter than 3<1. Sexes ulilir.
Very large; about 1! feet long. (II'kkofalco.)
Prevailing coliir dark ; head and neck darker than bock aacer 498,499
Prevailing color dark ; head and neck lighter than back islnntlicus CflU
Prevailing color white ramlicmis 501
Lnnnrm: Tarsus feathered i way down in front, broadly bare behind; longer than middle toe
w.thout claw; 1st quill sliorter than 3d. Medium; grayish-brown above; sexes alike. (Ukn-
: .4IA.) nie.iiranuH .Wi
I'et -iirinin : Tarsus feathered but a little way down in front, broadly bare behind ; not longer
thin middle toe without claw; Ist quill not shorter than 3d. Medium: slaty-bluish above;
sexi's alike. (Falco.) pereyrinus 503, 504
Tarsus scarcely feathered above, with the plates in front enlarged, like a double row of alternathig
scutella (anil often with a few tiiic seutella at base); 2d or 8d primary longest; 1st not longer than
4th; Ist ani 2d cmarginate on Inner webs. (.Verliiis and Kestnls.)
Mirlins: Tarsus longer than middle toe without claw. Sexes unlike; young of both like adult
fem.ile. Small ; wing 7.50-8.50. (.Ksalon) (■nlnmlmriun ,50,"), .5flfi, 507
Kfntii'h: Tarsus longiT than middle too without claw. Sexes very unlike at all ages. Smullest:
wing 7.00-7.50. (TiNXf.NciLL-8.)
Under parts white or tawny ; back of mole and female rufous, barred or plain spnrrerius 50K, 509
Under parts rufous; back of male plumbeous, of female rufous spdrnriimltn 610
HoMiies: Tarsus little longer than middle too without claw. Sexes alike; young little ilifl'orent.
Medium ; wing 10.00 or more (Rhtkchopalco.) /iiiii:icurulis<-(n.t 511
498. p. sa'cer. (Lat. sacer, .sacred.) American Continental Gyrfai.con. Oho of the large.st
:iiid most powerful I >f the I'^ikonina;. Feet very stout ; tarsus rutlior Linger than middle tue
without claw, feathered fully half-way down in front and on sides, with narrow haiv; striji
behind; elsewhere reticulate. Wing iiointed by 2d quill, suiijiorted nearly to the end by the
3d ; 1st rather shorter than ;hl, only the 1st decidedly emarginate on inner web. 'I'ail rounded.
Sexes alike. Young little different. Wing of (J 13..50-11.50; tail 8.50-9.50; wing of 9
15.00-lG.OO; tail 9.00-10.00. Adults: General plumage of the upper parts haired with dark
brown and pale ash, the former predominating, especially on the head and neck ; tail closely
barred witli light and dark in about ef|ual amounts. Lower parts white, immaculate on
throat, elsewhere streaked and variously spotted with dusky. Young darker than the adults ;
at an early stage, some of the lighter markings tinged with ochraceous. This is the stock-
form of Continental N. Am., probably inseparable from F. gyrfalco of Europe; the distinctions
from F. inlandicm being moreover not very apparent. I suspect the truth to be, in respect to
all the gyrfalcons, that there is but a single circumpolar species; that with specimens enough
an uninterrupted sei-ies could be established connecting the blackest " obsoletus " with the
whitest "candicans" ; and that the races even, whicli most ornithidogists recognize, arc not
coincident with geographical areas. But I defer in this case to those authorities who have
formed the contrary opinion, upon mucdi further investigation of the subject than I have
ever made. Gyrfalcons of the ])resent kind, or of Nos. 499, 500, not infrequently visit the North-
em States in winter, sometimes even reaching the Middle States and Kansas. They reside
in summer beyond the U. S.. and abound in the Arctic regions, nesting in trees or cliffs, preying
upon hares, grouse, jitarmigan, ducks, auks, etc. The eggs range from 2.25 to 2.50 in length,
X 1.60 to 1.90 in breadth, and are usually heavily colored with reddish and brownish pig-
ments in interminable variety.
499. p. 8. obsole'tus. (Lat. obsoletus, unwonted.) Labrador Gyrfalcon. A dark phase of
the last, almost entirely dusky, the usual markings nearly obliterated ; from the f(»ggy coast of
FALCONID^ — FALCONINJE : FALCONS.
633
Labrador into U. S. in winter. {F. labradora, And., folio pi. 196.) I have seen it perfectly
dark, — no marltings whiitevor.
500. F. islan'diciis. (Lat. form of Icelandic.) Icelaxu Gyufalcon. Resembling F. .sficpr as
above described, and probably not fairly separable ; on an average lighter colored, more ex-
tensively white below, the head and neck lighter than the rest of the upper parts.
This form occurs in Iceland and southern Greenland, straggling in winter into the N. E.
U.S.
,409
fiOO
501
rM
501.
Fio. 376. — Laiiner Falcon, } nat. size; not dlBtinguisbnble in the cut from tbe Prairie Falcon. (From Brehm.)
F. can'dlcans. (Lat. candimns, whitening.) Greenland Gyrfai.con. The extreme
form, averaging when adult as white as a snowy owl. Head, neck, and under parts pure white,
with few dark touches if any. Back, wings and tail with white and dusky in about eciual
amounts, or former rather prevailing, giving the ground color, on which tlie dark appears in
bars, crescents, and cordate spots. Bill and feet light. This form is characteristic of Greenland,
straying south in winter; but I know of no case of its occurrence in the U. S.
534
SYSTEM A TIC SYXOl'SIS. — RAPTORES— A CCIPITRES.
!
502. F. mexica'nus. (Liitjnej-icnjiws. Mexican. Fig. 376.) American Lanxku Falcon. Prairik
Falcon. A mediinn-sizcd sMefics, (li.stiiiguislu'tl from any gyrfiik'on by the smaller size,
(liflbreut feathering «if tlic tarsus, ete. ; tVimi the Juek hawk by the general much lighter color,
which is (lull browiiisli above instead of dark slate, etc. Adult ^ 9= Upper parts brownish-
drab, each feather with a paler border of brown, grayish, or whitish ; the top of the head more
uniform, the occiput and nape showing more whitish. Under parts white, everywhere ex-
cepting on the throat marked witli linn spots of dark brown, most linear on the breast, then
more broadly oval on the belly, enlarging and tending to merge into bars on the Hanks, very
spar.se or obsolete on the crissum, in the maxillary region forming a broad firm moustache ;
these markings corresponding with the ground color of the upper jiarts. J'riniaries ashy-
brown, with narrow but lirm pale edging of outer webs and ends, the inner webs regulni'ly
marked with white in form of barred indents or circumscribed spots, most numerous and regular
on the outer few i)rimaries ; the white tinged with fulvous, next to the shafts ; the outer web
of the first i)riniary either plain, or with whitish indents as in E. Icmarius ; outer webs of sec-
ondaries more or less marked with fulvous; axillars plain dark brown; lining of wings other-
wise white, spotted with dark brown. Tail j)ale bri>wnish-gray, nearly uniform, but ■with
white tip, and more or less distinct barring or indenting with whitish, esjjecially on the lateral
feathers, producing a pattern not unlike that of the jjrimaries. Bill mostly dark bluish horn-
color, but its base, and much of under mandible, yellow ; feet yellow. Young birds have m<ire
fulvous in the dark ground of the upper parts ; are more heavily spotted below, and the
white is there tinged with buff or ochrey, feet plumbeous. ISize very variable : length of $ about
18.00, extent 40.00 ; wing 12.00-13.00 ; tail 7.00-8.00; tarsus about 2.00 ; middle toe witliout
claw about the same; chord of culmen, including cere, 1.00. ? larger: wing 13.00-14.00;
tail 8.00-9.00, etc. A noble species, representing the Old World lanner an<l jugger, and scarcely
separable therefrom ; abundant in Western N. Am., csjiecially on the plains ; E. occasionally to
Illinois. I have traced it from Montana at lat. 19° to Arizona and S. Califoniia, find found
it very numerous in Wyoming, where it is the characteristic sjiecies of its genus ; it extends
into Mexico. In the region first named it was nesting on cliffs. Eggs 2-3, from 2.05 to 2.23
X 1.55 to 1.65, white or creamy-whitish, irregularly but usually thickly clouded, mottled, and
Idotchcd with reddish-brown ; often with a purplish shade; thus indistinguishable fr<mi those
of related species. (JP. XMlijngrus Cass.)
503. F. peregri'mis. (Lat. jjecejfnuMS, wandering. Fig. 377.) Perkorine Falcon. DcckHawk.
Great-footed Hawk. A medium-sized falcon, about as large as the foregoing, but known
at a glance from any bird of X. Am. by the slaty-plumbeous or dark bluish-ash of th(> nji-icr
parts, the black " moustache," and other marks, taken M-ith its particular size and shape.
Wings stiff, long, thin, pointed by the 2d quill, supported nearly to its tip by 1st and 3d ; 1st
quill alone abruj)tly emarginate on inner web, this about 2 inches from its tip ; none cut on
outer webs. Tomium of upper mandible strongly toothed, t^f under mandible deeply notched.
Tarsus feathered but a little way down in front, otherwise entirely reticulate ; toes very long,
giving great gras]) to the talons. Adult $ 9 '■ Above, rich dark bluish-ash or slate-cidor,
— very variable, sometimes quite slaty-blackish, again much lighter bluish-slate; the tint
pretty unifonn, whatever it may be, over all the upper parts, but all the feathers with sonie-
trhat paler edges, and the larger ones for the most part obscurely barred with lighter and
darker hues. Under parts at large varying from nearly pure white to a peculiar muddy buff
color of different degrees of intensity; the throat and breast usually free from markings (or
only with a few sharp shaft peucillings), and this white or light color mounting on the auricu-
lars, so that it partly isolates a blackish moustache from the blackish of the side of the liead;
the under parts, except as said, and including the under wing- an 1 tail-coverts closely and
regularly barred, or less closely and more irregularly spotted, with blackish ; the bars best
pronounced on the flanks, tibiae, and crissum, other parts tending to spotting, M'hich may extend
I
FALCON. ID^^— FALCONING : FALCONS.
635
fonvnrJ to invaJo tlip breast (this is the rule in European birds, the exception, tliough not ii
rare one, in American birds). Tail and its upper coverts regularly and closely barred with
blackish and asliy-gray, the interspacing best marked on the iinier webs, and all the featlicrs
narrowly tipped with white or whitish. Primaries all showing uniforn! blackish on their ex-
posed surfaces, but on tlio inner webs seen to be marked with numerous regular and close-set
spots of white, whitish, or muddy buff, for the most part isolated within the webs, but on the
Fio. 3T7. — Peregrine Falcon, or Duck Hawk, J nat. size. (From Brclim.)
inner primaries and secondaries, and toward the bases of all, becoming or tending to become bars
reaching the edge of the feather. Bill blue-black; cere and much of base of bill yellow;
feet yellow ; claws blackish. Size very variable ; length of a good-sized 9 , I'J.OO ; extent
45.00; wing 14.50; tail 7.00. <? averaging smaller; wing 12.50; tail 0.00; a usual range,
sex not considered, is, wing 11.50-U.OO; tail 6.00-8.00; tarsus 1.73-2.10; middle toe
without claw rather more. Young : Recognizably similar to the adults in general characters ;
not barred below, but there more or less extensively and heavily streaked lengthwise ; upper
536
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — liAPTOBES — A CCIPITItES.
parts brownish or bltickish, in either case without the gliiucous bloom iind appearance of
transverse inarltings wliich the adults show, the variegation being chieHy in light gray or rusty
edgings of individual feathers. This faleon is the central figure in the whole genus, and in
one or another <if its geographical guises is cosmopolitan ; it is universally but irregularly dis-
tributed in N. Am., scarcely to be considered common anywhere ; breeds as far south as Vir-
ginia at least, usually in mountainous regions ; nests indifferently on trees or difls or tlin
ground; eggs 2-5, oftener 3-1, 2.10 to 2.35X1.00 to 1.75, averaging about 2.25 X 1 .05 ;
white or whitish, spotted, blotched, wreathed, clouded, etc., with the reddish-browns, from
chocolatt! or even purplish to the ochres. The peregrine is a bird of noted prowess, habitually
striking a quarry as large as itself or larger, as grouse, ducks, herons, hares, etc.
604. F. p. peal'ii? (To T. K. locale.) Peale's Peueokine. A dark form, described from the
N. W. c(iast. Dubious.
605. F. columba'rlus. (Lat. columhariiis, a pigeon-fancier.) Pigeon Hawk (a name also aj)-
I)lied to Accqnter fiiscns). Smaller than any of the foregoing ; about tiie size of an Acvipi-
terfuscus, but much stouter and differently proportioned. Tarsus mostly with a d<mble row
of alternating scutella in front, feathered but a little way down ; middl(! toe without claw
nearly as long as tarsus. Tail about f the wings, lightly rounded. Wings ])()inted by 2d and
3d (piills, 1st about equal to 4th; 1st and 2d ennirginate on inner webs near tlie end;
2d and 3d sinuate on outer webs. Sexes unlike ; old ^ blnish above, 9 and young dark
there. Old <? : Above, some shade of bluish, from j)ale bluish-gray or bluish-ash to dark
bluish-shite, each feather i)encilled with a fine black shaft line. Tail banded with the color
of the upper parts and black, about three zones of each, the subterniinal bhick band broadest,
all subject to much variation ; tail tipped with wliite. Primaries blackish, with lighter edges
or tips, and numerous oval transverse spots of wliite or whitish on the inner webs; outer webs
often showing traces of ashy markings ; a similar pattern continued on the secondaries. T'n-
der parts white, or whitish, generally pure and innnaculate on the throat, elsewhere tinged witli
tawny or ochraceoas, almost everywhere longitudinally streaked with dark umber-brown ;
the individual streaks very variable in size and distinctness, generally blackish-sliafted, as a
rule heavy and thick on the breast, more strict on the Hags and vent, duiuging to spots or
even bars on thetlanks; these latter markings sometimes hivolved in a bluish ch)udiug.
Side of head with fine dark jiencilling on a light or whitish ground, not gathered into a
maxillary stripe, but coalescing on tlie ear-coverts ; a pretty well defined light su[ierciliary
streak ; maricings of side of head confluent on nape, forming a nuchal hand which interrupts
the continuity of color of the upper parts. Iris brown; feet yellow; claws and most of bill
bluish-black; cere and base of bill greenish-yellow. This plumage is comparatively seldom
seen. Length about 11.00; extent about 23.50: wing 7-50-8.00; tail 5.00-5.50; tarsus
1.35 ; middle toe without claw 1.25. Adult 9 , and specimens of ehher sex, as usually
observed : Pattern of c(doration as before, but upjier parts and tail quite different. Above,
the bluish shade replaced by dark umber-brown, nearly uniform, or only interrupted by the
nuchal band of streaks, but the feathers usually with appreciably paler edges, and black shaft-
lines, the latter especially on the head. Tail like back, and tipped with white, and crossed by
about four other narrow whitish or light ochraceous bands, formed of bars or transverse spots
on both webs of the feathers ; the uppermost of these bands lying under the coverts ; there are
generally only three exposed ones, besides the tenninal one ; the intervening dark zones are
all of about the same width, say an inch, but the subtermiual one is usually rather wider than
the others. Pattern of quill-feathers iis in the (J, but the spots rather tawny or fulvous than
whitish. Under parts as before, but the ground color ranging from nearly white to quite rich
buff or even fulvous, and showing a wide range of variation in the heaviness of the streaking.
Length of 9 about 12.50; extent about 26.50; wing 8.00-8.50; tail 5.50-6.00. In quite
young birds, the edgings of the feathers of the upper parts may be tawny or rufous. A spir-
508.
FALCONIDJE — FALCONIX^: : FALCONS.
687
ited littlo falcon, generally distribiitod in N. Am., coininou, representing tlio merlin of
Einrnpv, F. cesaloii. Nests chieHy nortlierly, on Itranulies or in holes in trees, or (Jii rocks;
eggs ranging in size and sliajte from 1.50 to 1.80 X 1.30, sorne being sniispherical, otlii-rs elon-
gato-ovai. Tlio coloration ranges from a nearly uniform deep rich brown (chestnut or burnt
sienna), to whitish or white, only marked with a fow indistinct dots of dull grayish or drab.
Such extremes aro connected by every degree ; a yellowisli-brown ground-C(dor, irregularly
splashed with rich ruddy brown, is tiie usual style. Tlie markings may be very evenly dis-
tributed, or mostly gathered in a wreath around one or the other cud, or even both ends. Tlio
quarry is chicHy birds, even np to the size of a ptarmigan.
606. F. c. suck'leyi? (To Dr. Geo. Suckley.) A dark form, described from the N. W. coast.
Dubious.
."iOT. F. c. rlch'ardsonl. (To Sir J. Richardson.) Richardson's Pioeon Hawk. Ajieuican
Merlin. " Adult ^ ; Upper plumage, dull earth-brown, each featlier grayish-umber cen-
trally, and witli a conspicuous black shaft-line. Head above, approaching ashy-white ante-
riorly, the black sliaft-strcaks being very conspicuous. Secondaries, i)rimary-coverts, and
primaries, margined terminally with dull white; the primary-coverts witii two transverse
series of i)ale ochraceous spots; primaries, with spots of the same, corresponding with tlioso
of tho inner webs. Upper tail coverts, tipped and spotted beneath the surface with white.
Tail, dear drab, much lighter tlian tlie primaries, l>ut growing darker terminally, having
basally a slightly ashy cast, crossed with xl.r. sharply defined perfectly continuous bands (tlie
last terminal) of asliy-white. Head frontally, laterally, and beneath — a c(dlar round the nape
(interrupting the brown above) — and entire lower parts, white, somewhat ochraceous, tiiis
most perceptibh' on tlie tibiie; dieeks and (>ar-coverts witli sparse, fine, liair-like streaks of
black ; nuchal collar, jiiguliiin, breast, abdomcin, sides, and flanks, with a median linear stripe
of clear ochre-brown on eacii feather ; these stripes broadest on the flanks ; each stripe witii a
conspicuous black sh.-ift-strciak ; tibiie and lower tail-<'ovcrts with fine shaft-streaks of brown,
like the broader strip(!s of tlio other portions. Chin and tliroat, only, immaculate. Lining
of tho wings spotted with ochraceous- white and brown, in about equal anumnt, the former in
spots approaching the shaft. Inner webs of primaries with transverse broad bars of pale och-
raceous — eight on the longest. Wing 7.70; tail 5.00; cidnien 0.50; tarsus 1..'50; middle
toe 1.25 ; outer 0.85 ; inner 0.70 ; posterior 0.50. Adult 9 '• Differing in coloration from
the male only in the points of detail. Ground-color of tlie upper parts clear grayish-drab, tho
feathers with conspicuously black shafts; all the feathers with p.'iirs of rather indistinct rounded
ociiraceoiis spots, these? most conspicuous on the wings and scapulars. Secondaries crossed
witii three bands of deeper, more reddish-ochraceous. Hands of the tail, pure white. In
other resp(>cts exactly like the male. Wing 0.00 ; tail 0.10 ; eulmen 0.55 ; tarsus 1.40 ; niid-
dle too 1.50; Young $ : DiffV-riug from the adult <mly in degree. Upper surface with tho
rusty borders of tlie feathers more washed over the general surface ; the rusty ochraceous
forming tho ground-C(dor of the head, — paler anteriorly, where the black shaft-streaks aro
very conspicuous ; spots on the primary coverts and jiriinaries deep reddish ochraceous ; tail-
bauds broader than in the adult and more reddish ; the terminal one twice as broad as tlie rest
(0.40 of an inch), and almost cream color. Beneath, pale ochraceous, this deepest on the
breast and sides ; markings as in tho adult, but anal region and lower tail-coverts immacn-
lato; the shaft-streaks on the tibiw, also, scarcely discernible. Wing 7.00; tail 4. 00."
(Uidgway.) Interior N. Am., especially from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mts. ; very near the
last, both being closely related to F. asalon, the fewer bars on the wings and tail apparently
the principal character. A 9 I took in Dakota measures : length 12.75; extent 26.75; wing
8..50.
.508. P. sparve'rlus. (Lat. xparverius, a sparrower. Fig. 378.) Rustv-crowned Falcon. Spar-
row Hawk. Smallest of our FalconincE; sexes unlike in color, but of nearly the same size,
538
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — ItAPTOIiES— A CCIPITHES.
Flo. 378. — Sparrow Hawk, iiat.
size. (Ad nat. dol. E. C.)
contrary to tlio rule in tliis family. Tail rounded, at least 3 "s long as the wing, nstially
more. Wings iiointal by M and lUl <|iiills; 1st about equal to 4tb ; 1st and 2d cmarginato
on inner M'dis near the end; 2d and 3<1 sinuate on outer webs. Tarsus featliered but a little
way down in front, decidedly longer than middle toe without elaw, usually suri)assing middle
toe and (daw. Young differing less than usual from adults of their respeetive sexes. Adults:
Orown ashy-blue, with a ehestnut imteli, sometimes small or altogether wanting, sometimes
^_^^_^ occupying nearly all the crown. Consiiicuons bhick ma.xil-
lary and am'ieular patches which, witli three others around
the nape, make seven places in all, usually evident, but snnuf
of them often obscure or wanting. IJack cinnamon-rufous,
or chestmit, like the crown-patch, in the ^ with a few black
sjxtts or none, in the 9 with numerous black bar's. Wing-
coverts of the (J fine ashy-blue, like the crown, witii or
without black spots; of the 9 cinnamon-rufuus and black-
barred, like the back. Quill feathers in <J, 9 bla(d«ish,
usually with pale edges and tips, and the inner webs with
numerous white indentations, or bars continuous along the
inner webs, leaving the black chieHy in a series of dentations j>roceeding from the shafts ;
ends of secondaries usually also slaty-blue like the coverts. Tail bright cliestnut, in the ^
with M-hite tip, broad black subterminal z(me, and outer feathers mostly white with several
black bars, in the 9 the whole tail with numerous imi)erfect black bars. Under parts white,
variously tinged with buff or tawny, in the ^ with a few black spots or none, in the 9 with
many dark brown streaks ; throat and vent usually in>maculate. Bill dark horn ; cere and
feet yellow or orange. Length, either sex, 10.00-11.00 ; extent 20.00-2:5.00 ; wing 6.50-
8.00; tail 4.50-G.OO; tarsus 1.35 ; middle too without claw 1.00. The young dt> not recpiire
to be separately described, as the si)ecies is a strongly marked one, and as the young speedily
acquire recognizable sexual characters. They may bo distinguished when just from the nest.
N. Am., e very where, very abundant. Desjtitc its great variation in markings, aside! from the
normal sexual dift'erences, this elegant little falcon will be innnediately recognized by the sub-
generic characters of Tiiinuneuhis, its small size, and entirely peculiar coloration. Its char-
acteristic habit is to hover or poiso in the air over some (diject which seems to promi.se a meal,
and then pounce down upon the prey. The birds are very active and noisy during the breeding
season. They build no nest, but lay iu the hollows of trees, often deserted woodiieckers' holes,
or similar nooks iu rocks or about buildings. Eggs 5-7, nt^arly spheroidal, about 1.33 X
1.12 ; ground-color usually buffy, or pale yellowish-brown ; blotched all over with dark brown,
tho splashes of which aro usually largest and most numerous toward the greater end, at or
around which they may run into a crown or wreath. Some eggs are pale brown, minutely
dotted all over with dark brown ; some are white, with pale brown spots ; and a few arc whit-
ish without any markings.
609. P. 8. IsabelU'nus ? (Low Lat. isahellinus, color of a dirty chemi.'<e.) Isabel Sparuow
Hawk. A Middle American form of the last, occurring in the Gulf States, shading directly
into sparveritts proper: $ without rufous on crown; several Lateral tail-feathers variegated,
and the black zone an inch wide ; black spots on back and sides very sjjarse ; breast ochra-
ceous, 9 with the black bars of the upper jiarts very broad, upon a ferrugineous ground.
510. F. sparverloi'cles. (Lat. sjiarveriits, and Gr. ciSoy, eidos, likeness.) Cuban Sparrow Hawk.
Closely related to F. sjmrverins, and generally similar, but apparently a distinct species. ^ :
" Above, except the tail, entirely dark plumbeous,, with a blackish nuchal collar ; primaries
and edges and subterminal portion of tail-feathers, black. Beneath, deep rufous (like tho
back of sparverius) with a wash of plumbeous across the jugulum ; throat grayish-white.
Inner webs of primaries slaty, with transverse cloudings of darker. 9 differing from that of
FALCON WJ!! — VOL YJiOHLWK : CAR A CAJtA S.
689
tlR' nbdvo gpmcs in <liirk riifcms lower jiiirts, anil dusky, niottk'il inner \vel)s of iiriniiirios."
(Hidijwiiy.) ('iil)ii; Florida.
511. F. fiiselctprules'ceiis. (Lat. fiisciis, dark; cwriilescenfi, bluish.) Fejkirai, Kai.con.
Ai'l.DMAix) Falcon. Quite different from any of tiie foreijoini; ajieeies, though belonuinu to
the sparrow hawk grouj) {TinniiHCiiliis) ; it ha.s been made a separate subj^enuH (UIuiiuIm-
falco). Hill ridiust, with lartfc cere; irregular scutelhitiou of tarsus* eontinuous on the toes;
tarsus a little loufier than middle toe without claw ; iA and IJd ([uills longest; Ist about ei|ual
to 4th ; Ist and 2d ouuirginato on inner webs ; -2(1 and ;id sinuate on outer wobs. Si/e
medium (among tlio smaller faleons); form slender; sexes alike. Adult (J 9 • Above, uniform
plumbeous; tail with about 8 narrow white bars, and tipped with white, as are the seeondaries;
primaries with numerous narnuv white bars on inner webs, mostly being isolated transverse
spots, reaching neither shaft nor inner edge of the feathers; the same pattern less definitely
contiiuied on to the seeondaries. Side of head with a broad white or tawny jxistocular stripe,
continuous with the narrowly white forehead, .shading into orange-brown on the nape, where
continent witli its fellow ; aurieulars mostly white, set in the black of the side of the head, but
continuous with the white of the throat, so that a black su])ra-atu'icular strijie meets a black
mystachil stripe under the eye. Sides of body and a broad belly-band black, with or without
numerous narrow white bars; the extent of this bhudc very variable; it usually leaves tho
breast white or tawny, but in younger specimens tlu; whole breast is streaked with black on a
tawny ground. Throat usually white. Lining of wings blackish, sjiotted with white, tho
border mostly white or tawny. Flaidis, Hags, and crissuni uniform tawny or orange-brown.
Young sulliciently similar, but upper parts rather dark brown than plumbeous. Length 15.!)0
or more ; wing 10.00-11.00; tail 7.00-8.00; tarsus 1.7.5; middle too without claw 1.50. A
handsonu! hawk, w.ell-known and wide-ranging in S. and C Am., reaching just over our Mex-
ican border. Nest in trees or bushes; eggs 1.80 X l.(j5, white, finely dotted with light brown,
overlaid with blotches of dark brown.
179.
535.
46. Subfamily POLYBORIN^: Caracaras.
Anatomical characters of FalconiiifC proper, in the scapular arrangement by which a pro-
cess of tho coracoid reaches the clavicle, the central tubercle of the extensively ossified nasal
boiu'S, tho antcTior keel of the i>alate, and the supcrorbital shield in a single piece ; extin'nal
characters very unlike those of Falconinir, and general aspect vulturine. Hill toothless.
Sternum single-notched on each side behind. Three or more primaries sinuate-omarginate on
inner wel)s; .'Jd or 4th longest ; 1st shorter than 5th. A small but remarkable group, com-
bining some of tho essential charai;ters of falcons with others more vulture-like ; the species are
chietiy teiTestrial, rather sluggish, and fe<,'d much on carrion. The genera are Volyhorus,
Phdlcohccniis, Sener, Milvaffo, Ibijcter, and Dnptrim, all confined to America.
POLY'BORUS. (Or. iroXv^opoj, liohjboyoi^, very voracious. Fig. 379.) Caracauas. Bill
long, high, much compressed, little hooked, the commissure nearly straight to tho deflected
end ; cere ending anteriorly in a nearly straight vertical line ; nostril high in tho front ujiper
corner of the cere, linear, oblique, its posterit)r end uppermost, its tubercle concealed. Chin
and sides of head bristly, extensively denuded ; a naked pectoral area ; an occipital crest.
Tibiffi shortly flagged. Tarsus nearly twice as long as middle toe without claw, almost
entirely naked, chiefly reticulate, but in front broadly scutellate in single or double row;
lateral toes of about equal lengths ; hind toe much the shortest ; claws long and little curved.
Wings very long, with 3d and 4th quills longest, 2d and 5th next, 1st shorter than Gth or 7th ;
outer 4 or .5 cmarginate. Tail rounded, about § as long as wing. Cinnprising two or three
species of large vulture-like carrion hawks, of terrestrial habits, and anibulatorial, not salta-
torial, gait, P. cherivay, P. andiihoni, and P. hitosus, of the warmer parts of America.
P. au'dubonl. (To J. J. Audubon.) Common Caracaua. Ad. (J 9 : General color blackish,
640
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —liAPTORES—ACClPlTUKS.
the thnint, nock all aniuiid, anil uiurr ur less of foro back and breast whitish, siiotted and chietly
barred witli blackisli ; iijuter and under tail-coverts and most of the tail white, the latter very
nnnieroiisly barred with blackisii, of which color is the broad terminal zone; the shafts white
along tile white portion of each feather. Basal portion of priinarii < likewise barred with
whitish. Hill variously pale colored; cere carmine; iris brown ; fi t ; yellow; claws black;
soft parts drying to a dingy indefinable coh)r. Y(»ung similar, but rather brownish, llie mark-
ings of the body in lengthwise streaks, not cross-bars; tail, however, barred. Length (eitlier
sex) 21.00-23.00; extent about 48.00; wing U.50-iC.50; tail S.00-10.00; tarsus about 3.00;
Fig. 37!>. — The Cnracara, i nat. size. (From Brehm.)
middle toe without claw 2.00. I describe the N. Am. bird, which is much less extensively
barred than that of S. Am. (See Cassin, Pr. Phila. Acad., 1865, p. 2.) The difference in
several specimens handled is striking, nearly the whole body, wings, and tail of the S. Am. bird
being multitudinously rayed across, while in Texas and Florida specimens the body and wing-
coverts are mostly uniform, the barring being restricted to the neck and fore half of the body,
and to the primaries and tail-feathers. If I have compared ago for age, the bird is certainly
different. P. lutosus is barred throughout, and otherwise different again. S. border of U. S.,
Florida to L. Cala. and southward, common, in some places abundant, gregarious like a
turkey-buzzard where offal is exposed. Nests bulky, in trees and bushes, of sticks and
' falconult: — nrTi:<)\ lyj: : iwzzards.
641
Iouvi'h; p^UX ciiiiiindiily 2, hromlly oval or snliN|ilirri('iil, ln'iivily t'olort'il witli Mntclics anil
cliiHtcrH of rich rrddiHli-lirowii and smaller IdacUiedi ovi'r-M|iots ; si/i- -J.JO to 2.40 )iy al>oiit
1.85. The loiij^ iii'ck and Icjrs of tliis biril, itH ti'm-strial ImliitM and walldiii; |iowi'rs, fjivo
it |ii'ciiliar cliaractfr, aliiicmt mijiitcstiiii; (huHujvmnuK. Like our vultiirfi', it is a coiiMtant
feuturo of till! sceno in Monio Hoiitlicrly iocaliticft.
180.
47. Subfamily BUTCONIN^: Buiiards and Eagle*.
Hill varialdi! in w/a> and shape, but witlmiit the tootiiinj; ami notoliiiig of tjiat of Fiih'onhitp
(witli rari' cxcoptions), the cuttinju; od^e being variously lobed or festooned, or simple. Nos-
trils not circular, nor with a central tubercle; nasal septum incompletely ossilied. Sujier-
ciliary shiidd more or less prominent, usually consisting of two jiieces. Scapular j)ro<'ess of tlm
coracoid not produccil to m(?et the clavicle. Wings and tail variable, but not i)resentini; tho
Hpecial characters noted under Fitkoniiur, nor the relativt? lengths of those of Avrijiitrhun.
Tarsus obviously shorter than the tibia', generally scutellatc before and beliiial, .sometimes
feathered to tho toes. Tho huzznrils form a large group, not easy to define excejjt by exdu-
fiion ; thotigh rpiite distin<'t from Foko)iiiur and J'oh/borinre, they grade into each of the otiier
subfamilies here presented. They an^ hawks «if medium and rather large si/e, heavy-bodied,
of Htrong but measured Hight, inferior in spirit to the true hawks and falcons, and as a nilo
feed ujiou humble game, which they rather snatch stealthily than capture in open pirai-y.
The extensive geiuis Jiiiti'o with its subdivisions, and its companion Airliihiiico, typify tho
bu/xards ; they include, howi^ver, a great variety of forms. AVith them must be associated
the erif/ks; for the ])opular estinnite of these famous gri-at birds as something renuirkably
diH'erent from ordinary hawks is not confirmed by examination of their structure, which is the
same as that of other buzzards. Although usually of large size and jiowerfid jdiysiipie, tliey
are far below the smallest falcons in raptorial character, i)rey like the buzzards, and often
stoop to carrion. The genus 4(/i/i7rt nniy stand a.s the type of an engle ; its several species
are contined to the Old World, with one exception. UulinHtus reitresfuits a decided modifica-
tion, in ada])tation to nii.''ifi!;ie and piscivorous habits. A celebrated bird of tiiis group is tho
harpy eagle, Thnisijiwtus harpi/ia, with innncnae bill and feet, and one of tho most powerful
birds of tho whole family. There are several other gimera in either heinisphero.
Analyais nf Genera.
Torsi fentliercd in front to the toes.
Buzzards not over 2 feet long Aralillmlio 181
Kngles about ,1 feet long Aquila 186
Tarsi nakeil and scutellate or reticulate below.
Crested. Kagles about 4 feet long Thrnniini'tu/i 185
Not crested. No basal webbing of toes. Kagles about 3 feet long Hnliititus 187
A basal i -b between outer ami middle toes. Bustzards not over two feet long.
No tibial Hag; outstretched feet reaching beyond tail Onyrlintea 184
Tlblaj tiaggcd J under parts of adult finely barred crosswise; wings rounded . . . . Aaturinn 182
—otherwise; wings more pointed . . . Vrubitinya, \1!3, at Itutin 180
BUTEO. (Lat. 6i(feo, a buzzard-hawk.) Bizzakd.s. Size medium and largo ; form heavy,
robust. Bill of moderate size and ordinary shape. Wings rather long and pointed, exceed-
ing the tail to a variable extent ; 3d to 5th quills longest, 1st to 5th emarginato on inner webs,
1st not longer than 8th. Tail of moderate length, probably averaging | of the wing, a little
rounded. Feet more or less robust ; tarsi scutellate in front at least, feathered in front for a
varying distance ; tibia? flagged. This is the central or typical genus of its subfamily, as
Falco is of Falconina;, embracing numerous (about 30) species of nearly all parts of the world
excepting Australia ; about half of them American. Tho type is B. vulgaris of Em-ope, to
which the N. Am. B. swahisoni is so closely related. Four of our sjiecies (BB. borealis, swain-
soni, lineatus, and pennsyleanicus) arc abundant ''hen hawks "or "chicken hawks" of the
U. S., the first named running into several varieties; tho others are little known {BB. hurlani.
542
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — HA PTOSES — A CCIPITRES.
cooperi), or of very partial distribution in N. Am. In all cases, the sexes are alike or similar;
the 9 is larger tluin tlie $ ; the young are ditferent from tlie adults ; melanism is frequently
exhibited.
Analysis qf Subgenera ami Species,
Five outer primaries emarginate or fiiiuato on ititier webs ; tail iiioro tlian J the wing ; bill lilgh at bnso ;
nostrils ovnl, witli uecentrie tubercle. (Purtibutio.)
Tail blackish (with wlilte base ami tip) ; lesser wlug-coverts and tibiiB reUdisli ; general plumage
blackish. Southwestern U. S., common unicinelus 512
• Four outer primaries emarginate or sinuate on inner webs.
Tail triiite, with a broad black subterminal zone and numerous very narrow, zig-zag, or broken,
blackish cross-lines. Texas albocaudnlus 513
Tail mostly white, ashy-clouded ; marked len<itliwise ■with rufous and darker; and with dark sub-
terminal zone ; under jiarts mostly white. C'ala., one specimen known conpcri 514
Tail mottled with dusky and white, and with subterminal blackish zone; showing also reddish
touclies. I'lumage almost entirely blackish, with tleecy-whitu bases of feathers. Kas. to Tc.k.,
little known Iiarlani ,"»15
Tail of adult cliestnut-re<l, with broad black subterminal bar, and others or not ; no reddish on wlng-
coverts ; white prev.iiling on under parts, especially breast. Tail of young closely barred with
grayish and blackish. Largest and most robust ; wing usually 14.00 or more ; tarsus stout.
N. Am., abundant Imnalis 51G-519
Tail of adult blacL; crossed by about 6 white bars ; primaries spotted with white ; lesser wing-coverts
reddish, like under parts. Tail of young dusky, numerously barred with whitish; under jiarts
whitish, streaked with dusky. Less robust; wing usually under 14.00; tarsus slender. N.Am.,
^ abundant tim-iilus 5:iO, 'j'l\
Tail of adult black, with 3 brood white zones on Inner webs only of the feathers, ashy on outer webs ;
plumage black, spotted or not with white. Tall of young dusky, Inner webs mostly white,
black-barred. Southwestern U. S abbrerialiis 522
Three outer jirimaries euuirginatc or sinuate on inner webs.
Tail numerously and narrowly cioss-barred with liglitcr and darker. Plumage extremely variable,
but not extensively reddish underneath, nor cheeks with a dark mustache. Large ; wir.g usually
over 13.00. Chietly western U. S., abundant siniiiinnui r>'23
Tall of adult blackish with • bout 3 light gray bamls exposed ; under parts extensively rufous ;
a dark moustache. Small ; wing under 12 00. Eastern U. S, common .... jiciinnnlrauicu.i .'J24
Tall (of adult ?) crossed with numerous light and dark bars (6-8 of each); ger<eral cnlur fuliginous,
scarcely or not varied. Southwestern U. S brachyurns ia'i, 8ti;i
* Heavy-weights ; 5 outer primaries cut.
518. B. unlcin'ctus liar'risl. (Lat. ««i-, once; ci«c^(,s'. girdled. To Ya\\\. Ilanis.) HAitnis's
IJuzzARU. Adult $ 9 • <^ioneral pluniago blackish, more or loss intense, sometimes rather
dark chocolate-brown, blackening on wings and tail, but in tiny case pretty uniform over tb(?
wlude body. Lesser and jiart of middle wing-coverts, lining of wings, and the tibia>, bn>wiiish-
red, or rich chestnut. Tail-coverts and base of tail broadly white, thus girdling the whole
figure ; end of tail also white for an inch or more. Length of $ about 20.00; e.\teiit 41.00-
4G.00; whig 12.50-i;}.,")0 ; tail 8..J0-n.,50; tarsus .3.00-3.2.); middle toe witliout claw 2.00.
9 larger; about 2:5.00; e.Ktent 43.00-17.00; wing 13.,)0-14.30; tail 9.50-10.50. Young:
Less decidedly blackish, the upper parts varied with rusty-brown, lower quite tawny with
dusky spots or streaks, chestnut of wings not mibrokeii, and white of tail less distinctly defined.
Tibia? tawny-white, distinctly barred with chestnut. Hut in any jdumage the species is un-
mistakable, forming a separate subgenus from Buteo proper, by some ranked as a genus ;
the loral region is e.Ntensively denuderl to the eye, and furnished with short radiating bristles.
In some resiiects it resembles Poli/bonis, being a sluggish, carrion-feeding bird, usually found
associated with the caracara, turkey-buzzard, and black vulture. It is a common inhabitant of
the warmer parts of America and over our Mexican Itorder; abundant in some parts of Texas.
Nest in a tree or bush; eggs commonly 2, measuring 2.00-2.10 X 1.70, white or whitish,
unmarked or with faint brownisli- yellow. (Parahtitco Bidg. Erijthrocnema Sharpe.)
** Heavy-weights ; 4 outer primaries cut.
513. B. albocauda'tus. (Lat. albus, white ; caudatus, tailed.) White-tailed BrzzAHD. Adult
(J 9 • Tail and its coverts white, with a broad black subterminal zone, with numerous
FALC0NID2E — BUTE0NINJE: BUZZARDS.
548
very fine zig-zag or broken blackish cross-lines. Upper parts (excepting the niinp, which is
white like tiie tail), definitely including the sides of tlie iicad and neck, ash-cohir or plumbeous,
ligliter or darker in different cases, the feathers Heecy-whito at bases so extensively as to sliow
with the least disturbance of the plumage, and on the scapulars tinged with reddish. Most of
tlie lesser wing-coverts (but not quite to tlie bend of the wing), chestnut, somewliat as in
B. unicinctus. Entire under parts pure wiiite, lightly touched witli fine dusky cross-bars on
the sides, lining of wings, and usually the tibite. On the surface of tlie wings tlie plumbeous
of the upper parts deepens to the blackish of tlie primaries, whose inner webs are ligliter and
more brownish, crossed with numerous darlcer bars, and toward the base are cut, barred, or
B[)eckled with white, wliich increases in regularity, firmness, and extent on the secondaries.
Siiafts of wing-feathei"s brown or black, those of tail wliite along the white portion of tlie tail-
feathers. Bill mostly dark, in part light; feet yellow; claws black. Length of $ 23.00;
extent 48.00: wing 16.00; tail 7.00; chord of culmeii, including cere, 1.40; tarsus about 3.25;
featlicred about 1.00 down in front. ? larger; length 24.00; extent 54.00 ; wing 17.50; tail
8.00, etc. (Described from Sennett's and Merrill's Texas specimens. Young unknown to
me.) A fine large hawk of the warmer parts of America, lately ascertained to reach the
Kio Grande of Texas; it is very unlike any other of this country.
514. B. coo'perl? (To Dr. J. G. Cooper.) CooPEii's BuzzAKD = ^l)c/ii6i(^eo/(?m///i))c«s f "Head,
neck, and whole lower parts wliite ; feathers of tlie head and neck with medial longitudinal
streaks of black, tlie white prevailing on the occijiut and suiierciliary region, the black i)ri'-
dominating over the cheeks, forming a " mustache ; " throat with fine lanceolate blackish
streaks ; sides of tlie breast with broader, more cuneate markings of the same ; Hanks with
narrow, huKieolate stripes, these extfindiiig sparsely across the abdomen; tibite and lower tail-
coverts immaculate, the inner face of the former with faint specks. Upper plumage in general
dark plumbeous-brown, inclining to black (m the back; plumbeous clearest on primaries,
which are uniformly of this color, the inner ones inclining to fine cinereous. Scapulars and
wing-coverts spattered with white beneath the surface. Rump black ; upper tail-coverts
white, tinged with rufous, and with irregular, distant, transverse bars of blackish. Tail with
light rufous [irevailing, but this broken up by longitudinal daubs and washes of cinereous,
nud darker iiiottlings running longitudinally on both webs ; basally, the ground-color
approaches white; tips white, with a distinct but very irregular subtermiual bar of black, into
whicli tlie longitudinal mottlings melt; outer wel» "f lateral feathers entirely cinereous, and
without the black band. Under side of the wing white, with a large black sjiace on the lining
near the edge; under surfaces of primaries white anterior to their eniargination, finely mottled
with ashy and with indistinct transverse bands terminally. 4tli quill longest ; 3d shorter than
5th; 2d equal to 6th ; 1st equal to 10th. Wing 15.73 ; tail 9.10; tarsus 3.23; middle toe 1.70."
Santa Clara Co., Cala., one specimen known, probably the last as well as the first ; for I
sujipose this to be Archibuteo fernigineus ( witli or without a mesalliance of Buteo boreali.s),
witli abnormally denuded tarsi. I have carefully examined the type specimen, but copy Mr.
Ridgway's description in preference to constructing a new one.
616. B. har'lanl. (To Dr. R. Harlan.) H.\ki.ax'.s Hizzard. "Black Warrior." "Form
strong and heavy, like B. borealis, but still more robust; tibial plumes unusually developed,
long and loose, their ends reaching to or beyond the base of the toes; lateral toes nearly equal.
Four outer primaries with inner webs cut. Wing 14.23-13.75 ; tail 8.80-10.00 ; culmeii 1.00;
tarsus 2.75-3.25; middle toe 1.50-1.70. Nearly uniform black, varying from a soiity to ii
carbonaceous tint, with more or less of concealed pure white. Adult : Tail confusedly mottled
longitudinally with grayish, dusky, and wliite, often tinged or nii.xed with rufous, the ilifferent
shades varying in relative amount in different individuals; a subtermiual band of black.
Young: Tail grayish-brown, crossed by about 9 very regular and sharjily defined broad bands of
black about equal in width to the gray ones." (Ridgway.) La. and Tex. to Ivas. ; an obscure
644
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — UAPTORES — A CCIPITRES.
species, variously interpreted by writers. Different " blaelt hawks" have been called " ?iar-
lani,^^ such as the inelauistic phases of botli borealis and swainsoni, and hurlani lias been
supposed to be not different from borealis. A few specimens in the Sniitlisouiau Institution,
identified with Audubon's bird by Mr. Kidgway, agree sufficiently with the plate and description,
and the alleged species may, for the present, stand upon its own demerits.
516. B. borea'lls. (Lat. borealis, northern. Fig. 380.) Ked-tailed Buzzard. " Hen Hawk."
Adult (J 9 '• Upper surface of tail rich chestnut, with wliite tip and usually a black subteruiinal
zone, with or without other narrower and more or less imperfect black bars; sonietii.uis
barred throughout. From below, the tail appenr., pearly whitish with a reddisii tinge, either
quite uniform, or barred throughout with the \>!iitish and blackish. In general, it is tlie 9
with the most barred or completely baired tail, the J with the uniform tail, only siibtcr-
miually once-zoned. Upper parts blackish-brown, with a thoroughly indeterminate amount
of light variegation, gray, fulvous, and whitish; feathers of hind head and nape with (cottony
white bases, showing when disturbed ; those of hind neck usually with fulvous edging ; of
Fks. 380. — Kud-tuilcil Uuzzanl, iiat. size. (Ad nat. del. E. C.)
scajiular region showing most variegation with tawny or whitisli, or both, the scapulars and
a<ijoining feathers being largely barred, and only blackish on their exposed jmrtions ; U])])er
tail-coverts showing much tawny and white. Ground color of under parts M-liitc, more or less
buff-toned, the dark color of the ui)per parts readiing nearly or (|uit(' around the tliroat, the
flanks and lower belly heavily nuxrked with dark brown or blackisli, but a large i)ectoral area,
with the tibiiP and crissum, mostly free from markings, as a rule ; but no description will
cover the latitude of coloration. Primaries blackening on tlieir cxpo^'d portions, for th(^ rest
lighter grayish-brown, dark-barred a<'ross both webs, and exteusivi'ly white-areated on inner
webs basally. Length of ^ 19.00-22.00; extent about 48.00; wing Ia.50-1G.50; tail 8.50
-10.00; tarsus 2.50-3.00, feathered half-way down in front. 9 larger; length 21.00-24.00;
extent about .56.00 ; wing 14.50-17-50; tail 9.50-10.00. (J 9,y"""g: General character of
tlie ujjper parts the same as in the adult, but less variegated, and that chiefly witli whitisli and
buff, instead of grayish and fulvous ; upper tail-coverts more regtdarly barred with dark and
wliite. Tail entirely different, without any shade of red ; light gray, with numerous (6-10)
regular dark bars, and narrow white tips ; the gray gradually yields to the chestnut shade
.
FALCONIBJE — BUIEONINJE : BUZZARDS.
640
617.
518.
510.
with reduction, intemiptiou, or extinction of all these hara except the last one. Uutjer parts
somewhat as in tlie adult, but, like the upper, without the fulvous or rufous shades ; usually
white, unmarked in a large pectoral area, with circlet of throat stripes, and pronounced abdom-
inal zone of dark or blackish markings; tibia) spotted or not; crissum immaculate. There
should be no difficulty in recognizing this hawk among those of the Eastern U. S. in any
plumage;; the red tail of the adult is of c<turse distinctive; a weakly young male might raise a
doubt with reference to B. lineatun; in that case, notice the stout tarsi, feathered about half-
way down ; the decided white pectoral area, free from sjxits, circumscribed by dark markings,
especially those of the abdominal zone; and absence of any reddishness on the upper parts or
wing-coverts. Such is the ordinary "hen hawk" so abuutlaut in Eastern North Americii,
where it is subject to comparativehj little variation. In the West, however, where it is e(]ually
numerous, it sports almost interminably in color, and not always coufonnably with geograph-
ical distribution. Several of these phases have received special names, as given beyond.
I am willing to spread them upon my page, but too nmch of my life is behind me for me to
spend much time in such trivial mutabilities. The tendency is to melanism and erythrism, the
extreme case of which is B. calurus of Cassin. A pure borealis, exactly matching the normal
Eastern type, is seldom seen in the West. But in all its color-variation, the bird prest.'rves its
specific characters of size and robust proportions, being thus readily distinguishable from the
smaller and weaker species, B. swainsoni, in any of the endless and somewhat jiarallel varia-
tions of the latter. The nest is usually built high in a tree, a bulky mass of sticks and smaller
twigs, mixed toward the centre with grass, moss, or other soft material, and often some feathers.
Eggs generally 3, about 2.10X^.00, dull whitish, sometimes with only a few i)ale markings,
oftener boldly and richly blotclied with warm shades of brown. The young are slow to acr|uiro
their perfect plumage, being long full-grown before the red appears ujjon the tail, and this
usually precedes the fulvous of the under parts.
B. b. calu'rus. (Gr. koXm, A'rtfo.s', beautiful ; ovpd, oura, ta,i\.) Western UEn-TAiL. Black
Keo-tail. The extreme case is chocolate-brown or t^ven darker, <|uite unioolor, with rich red
tail crossed by several black bars ; from which erythro-inelanism grading insensibly into
ordinary borealis. The usual case is increase over borealis of dark rufous and dusky shades
in bars and si)ots underneath, particularly on the flanks, flags, and crissum, and presence of other
than the subterminal black bar on the tail. One case is chocolate-brown, with a great reddish
blotch ou the breast. Western N. Am. at large, particularly U. S. from 1{. Mts. t(i tiie
Pacific.
B. b. lucasa'nus. (Of Cape St. Lucas.) St. Lucas Red-tail. A light-colored form, like
krideri, white below, tinged with rufous on the tibitB, uud no black subterminal bar on the tail.
Lower Cala.
B. b. kri'deri. (To John Krider.) Krider's Red-tail. A light-colored form, pure white
below, with few markings or none, and the subterminal tail-bar reduced or obliterated. High
central plains, U. S. This and the last hardly tenable.
• • • Light-weights ; 4 outer primaries cut.
520. B. linea'tus. (Lat. lineatus, striped.) Red-shouldered Buzzard. Winter Hawk.
" Chicken Hawk." Adult $ 9 : Feet and cere chrome yellow, the anterior tarsal scales
tinged with greenish. General plumage of a rich fulvous cast. Above, reddish-brown, the
feathers with dark brown centres, giving the prevailing tone, and black shafts ; head, neck,
and entire under parts orange-brown, mostly with dark shaft-lines and white bars, especially
on the lower parts posteriorly ; lesser wing-coverts rich orange-brown or chestmit, forming a
conspicuous area on the bend of the wing. Quills and tail-feathers black, beautifully n)ark<d
with white ; the primaries and secondaries with white spots or bars on both webs terminating
on each edge oi the feather, the light bars which cross the feather, and the darker intervening
36
646
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — BAPTORES— A CCIPITBES.
gpiices,. being more or less touched with reddish. The same style of marking on the wing-
coverts; the tiiil crossed with several narrow white bars, and the tip white. Young very
different ; little or uo fulvous or orauge-brown ; above, plain dark brown, the wing-patch
indicated or not; head, neck, and under parts white or butfy-wliito, fully streaked or arrow-
headed with dark brown. Tail brown, crossed with many lighter and darker bars, the
former mostly tawny on the outer webs, whitish on the inner wtfbs; wing-quills extensively
variegated in similar pattern. Length of (J 18.00-20.00; extent about 40.00; wing Ij '0-
13.50; tail 7.50-8.50; tarsus 2.75-3.25; ? 20.00-22.00; extent about 45.00; wing 12.' 0-
14.00; tail 8.50-9.50. There is much variation in size; Florida and Gulf specimens are very
small. Nearly as long as B. borealis, but not nearly so heavy ; tarsi more (,'xtensively denuded.
The adult of this handsome hawk is unmistakable; but the student may require to look closely
after the young. Eastern N. Am., one of tlie commonest hawks of the U. S., especially in
winter; not far N. in Brit. Am. Habits and niditication simihir to those of B. borealis ;
eggs 2-4, 2.00-2.25 X about 1.75, with the usual range of color-variation.
521. B. 1. e'legans. (Lat. elegans, choice.) Western liED-SHOULnEKKi) BiizzAun. Tin;
erythrism of the last. In extreme case, the whole under jiluinage ricrh dark reddish, almost
obliterating the usual marking.s; wings and tail, however, still elegantly barred with pure
white. R. Mts. to the Pacific, U. S.
528. B. abbrevia'tus. (Lat. abbreviatus, shortened.) Band-tailed BirzzARi). Adult ^ 9 :
t^oal-black, glossy and uniform over the whole body. Tail black ; viewed above, it seems to
be crossed with 3 zones of ashy-gray or slate-color, increasing in width and firmness from the
proximal to the distal one, and is narrowly tipped witli white ; from below, there aj)pear 3 pure
white zones, since the ashy is on the outer webs only of the feathers (both webs of the middle
pair, however), and the white is on tlie inner webs. The j)laniagc of the head is snowy-whito
at the roots, and in some specimens, probably less mature, it is so extensive on the head,
neck, and breast as to appear in spots on the least disturbance of the feathers. The wing-
feathers appear quite black in the folded wing, but their inner webs basally acquire the
usual light and dark spacing, with more or less whitish nebulation, or white areation. The
feet appear' to be yellow, the bill mostly dark. Young recognizably similar? Length of my
Arizona specimen 19.50; extent 47.50; wing 15..^0-l().5O ; tail 8.50-9.00 ; tarsus 2.50; middle
toe without claw 1.(50. A peculiar hawk, very unlike any other of the TJ. S., slightly built,
witli long wings and tail ; not yet well known nor worked out in all its iilumages. Cent. Am.
and Mex. into Southwesteni U. S. ; Ariz., (!ala. (B. zonocevcm, Scl., Tr. Z. S., 185S, pi. 59;
Kidgw., Hi.st. N. A. B., iii, 1874, p. 272. B. aUmnotatits, (iray.)
**•* Light-weights ; 3 outer primaries cut.
523 B. swaln'soni. rTo Wm. Swainson.) Common American Buzzard. Swainson's Buz-
zard. Adult <J 9 : Upper parts dark brown, very variable in shade according to season or
wear of tlu; feathers, varied with paler brown, or even reddish-brown edgings of the feathers,
but without the clear fawn-color of tlie young ; the feathers of the crown showing whitish
when disturbed, and usually sharp, dark shaft-lines ; tlie upper tail-coverts chestnut and white,
with blackish bars. Quills and tail-featliers as below, but tlio inner webs of the former
8ht>wing more decided dark cross-bars ujion a lighter marbled-whitish ground, and the latter
having broader and sharper, dark wavy bars. These large (iiiills. and imrticularly those of the
tail, vary much in shade according to wear, the new feathers being strcmgly slate -colored, the
old ones plain dark brown. The tail, however, never shows any trace of the rich chestnut that
obtains in the adult B. borcnJk. Iris brown, never yellow ; feet, cere, gape, and base of under
mandible rich chrome-yellow; rest of bill and claws bluish-black. Adult $ : Under parts
showing a broad i)ectoraI area of bright chestimt, usually with a glaucous east, and sharp black
shaft-lines ; this area contrasting sharply with the pure white throat. Other under parts white,
FALCON ID JE — B UTEONtN^ : B VZZABDS.
647
more or less tinged and varied, in different sjieeimens, with light chestnut. In some males, this
chestnut is diminished to traces, chieHy in tiuiik-bars and arrow-heads, and the white throat is
immaculate ; in otliers, the throat shows blackish [)encilling, and the rest of the under parts are
s<» much marked with chestnut, chiefly in cross-bars, that this color predominates over the
white, and appears in direct continuation of the pectoral area itself. Some feathers of this area
are commonly dark brown. Length I'J.OO-iJO.UO ; extent about 49.00; wing 15.00 or a little
more ; tail 8.50 ; tarsus 2.50 ; middle toe without claw 1.50. Adult ? : Much darker under-
neath than the male ; throat pure white, but other under parts probably never whitening
decidedly. Pectoral area from rich dark chestnut or !nahogany-color, mixed with still darker
Fig. 381. — Dutm vulijaris of Earope, i nut. size; not iliBtingulslmble in the cut ft-om one of the plumages of
II. strainsoni. (From Brelim. )
feathers, to brownish-black ; and other under parts heavily marked with chestnut, chiefly in
cross-bai-s alternating with whitish, but on the flanks, and sometimes across the belly, these
markings quite blackish. The general t(nie of the under parts may be quite as dark as the
pectoral area of tlie nnile, hut it hicks uniformity, and the increased depth of color of the
pectoral area in this sex suffices to })reserv(' tlie strong contrast already mentioned. Length
20.00-22.00 ; extent 50.00-.'')4.00 : wing 15.()0-1().50 ; tail 9.00. Changes of plumage with age
affect cliiefly the under parts ; the back, wings, and tail are more nearly alike at all times.
Young (J 9 ■ Entire upper parts dark brown, everywhere varied with tawny edirings of tlie
individual feathers. The younger the bird, the more marked is the variegation : it corresponds
in tints closely with the color of the under parts, being palest in very young examples. Under
parts, including lining of wings, nearly uniform fawn-col .r (pale dull yellowish-brown),
548
SYSTEM A TIG SYNOPSIS. — HA PTOSES— A CCIPITltES.
thickly and sharply marked with bliickiah-lirawn. Thcso largo dark spots, for the most part
circular or gnttit'orm, crowd across the torcbrcast, Hi^attcn- on the middle belly, culargo to cross-
bars on the ilauks, become broad arrow-heads ou the lower belly and tibitu, and are wanting
on the throat, which is only marked with a siiarp, narrow, blackish jjencilling along the median
line. Quills brownisii-black, the outer w<d)s with an ashy shade, the inner webs toward the
base grayish, jjaler, and marbled with white, and also showing obscure dark cross-bars; their
shafts black on top, nearly white underneath. Tail-feathers like the quills, but more decidedly
shaded with ashy or slatt'-gray, ajid tipped with whitish ; their numerous dark cross-bars show
more plainly than those of the quills, but are not .so evident as they are in the old birds.
Nestlings are covered with white Huffy down. Western N. Am., Mississippi Valley to the
Pacific, abundant ; in nuiny regions the commonest and most characteristic of the large hawks ;
occasionally eastward through the N. States to Canada and New England. Nests inditl'erently
on the ground, cliffs, bushes, trees ; nest indistinguishable from that of other large hawks ; eggs
usually 2, — I have never found more, sometimes cmly one; they are iibout 2.2.) X 1.75, resem-
bling hen's eggs, being nearly colorless and unmarked, like those of the marsh hawk ; some-
times stained with rusty-brownish, probably never marked all over nor boldly blotched anywhere.
This buzzard represents the Euro]>ean B. vulgaris (fig. 381) in N. Am., being, in fact, little
different. (It is Falco buteo Aud., fcdio pi. 372 ; B. vulgaris Sw., F. ]J. A., \)\. 27 ; And., 8vo,
pi. 0; B. montamis Nutt., 1810, not of authors; B. bairdi Hoy (young i ; ?jB. oxypterus Casj.
I young); B. imignatus Cass., 111. pi. 31 (melanistic) ; B. guituralis Maxim.; B. obsolctus
Sharpe, 1874 (not Falco obsoletus Gm.). It is probably also B. " vulgaris " of Maynard, Bull.
Xutt. Club, i, 187<), p. 2; and of Itidg., ibid. p. 32.)
524. B. penn8ylva'nlcu8. (Lat. pennsylvamcus, of Wni. Penn's woods.) Buoad-winged
UuzzAiii). Adult $ 9 : Above, dark brown, the feathers with blackish shaft-lines, and pale
grayish-brf)wn or even lighter (edgings, those of hind head and nape cottony-white basally ;
usually also some featln.Ts with fulvous edgings, especially on the hind neck ; upper tail-coverts
barred or spotted with white. Prinuirics and secondaries blackish on outer webs and at ends,
most of the inner webs white in large area, more or less perfectly barred with dusky; concealed
parts of scapulars thus barred ou both webs. Exi)osed portion of tail with three blackish
zones, the terminal one broadest, alternating narrower pale gray or grayish-white zones, one of
these terminal ; from below these zones appear whitish, but from above grayish. Under parts
mixed white and fulvous-brown, trdull chestnut, the latter nearly as pronounced as in B. linea-
Ins, the pattern being rather that of Accipiter fuseus or A. cooperi; the fulvous in excess ante-
riorly, the white prevailing posteriorly and nearly or quite innnaculate on crissum ; the middle
regions with the white in oval paired spots or incomplete bare ou each feather, the flanks and
tibiiu pretty regularly barred with the two colors ; most of the feathers black-shafted, producing
a fine jjencilling, this black increasing to decided streaking on the white throat, and forming
noticeable maxillary patclies. Lining of wings mostly white, but with some reddish and black-
ish spotting. Bill mostly dark ; feet yeUow; claws black. Length of (J 1 1.00 ; extent 33.00:
wing 10.50-11.00; tail 6.50-7.00; tarsus 2..30; middle toe without claw 1.20. ? larger;
wing 11.00-11.50; tail 7.00-7-50. Young: Ditters as usual in the genus, in Licking the
special coloration and jiattern of the under pnrts, tail-pattern dift'erent, wing-))attern nnich the
same. Upper parts blackish-brown, highly variegated with fulvous, tawny, or whitish edgings
of all the feathers, on the head and neck the light and dark coloi> in streaks about balancing
each other. Under jiarts white, more or less buff-toned, with more or fewer linear or clubbed
fuscous markuigs ou the breast and sides, changing to arrow-heads on the flanks and sides,
the amount of this nnirking wlxdly indeterminate. Tail crossed with numerous light and dark
bars (six or eight of each exposed), on both webs of middle feathers and outer webs of the others ;
these on their inner webs largely white, with consequently better pronounced dark bars; all
the ♦'eathers tipped with white. Eastern N. Am. and throughouc Middle America, conunon ;
883,
181.
525,
I
FALCONID^ — BUTEONIN^: BUZZARDS.
549
a Hinall but stout Buteo, with aitiplo wings and tail, very different from any of the forpgoinj^,
and easily rt'cognized by its size and proportions, aside from color. A largo 9 rrscinblcs ii
small (J Ii. lineatm in some respects, but the difference is too great to require detailed com-
parison. Nesting nowise peculiar ; eggs S-.5, 2.00 X l.'iO, heavily marked.
882, 883. B. bracliyu'rus. (Gr. ^pa^us, '"■"(.'/«»•''■, short : oi(jd, oi(;y(, tail.). Fli.UilNOUS IUzzard.
Kesombling B. abbrcciutus in being blackish or fuligiiiuus all over, liiit entirely another bird,
belonging to a different secticm of the genus. Only three primaries are abruptly enn\rginate on
the inner web, though the next one is sinuate. Adult 9^ Color fuliginous, or dark umber-
brown, nearly uniform, but barred on the under wing- and tail-coverts with white, and the
feathers of the hind head and nape fleecy-white at base ; the color blackening on the exposed
surfaces of the primaries, the inner webs of whicii are extensively whitened, with the usual
dark bars ; little white, however, on the secondaries, exce})ting the inner ones, most of them
being simply spaced gray or light brown between their dark bars. Tail-pattern as usual in
young hawks of this genus, there being nunua-ous (f) or 8 exposed) blackish and lighter grayish
bars alternating, the subterminal one of each broadest, the whole tail tipped with grayish-
white; the inner webs of all the feathers excepting the ccmtral pair whitening in the spaces
between the dark bars. Length IG.OO; wingi;5.00; tail 7.00; tarsus 2.00. I Described from
No. 12,117, Mus. Smiths. Inst., from Mazatlan, Mex., agreeing with U. fuUginosus Scl., 1'. Z. S.,
18 j8, p. I$5(); Tr. Z. S., 1838, p. 267, pi. Ixii ; a bird supposed to be the young of the same
is B. oxypterns, Cass., Pr. Phila. Acad., 1855, p. 28!i; both are treated as a variety of B.
smiinsoni by Ilidgway, Hist. N. A. B., iii, 1874, p. 26(5 ; but are now supposed to be melanistic
adult, and young, of a good species, probably B. brachyurus Vieill., which normally has the
face and most under parts white.) Mexican border, Florida, and southward.
181. ARCHIBU'TEO. (Lat. «rc/w-, from Gr. apx'k, archos, a leader, chief; buteo, a buzzard.)
IIaue-pooted Buzzahds. Chars, of Buteo proper, but tarsi feathered in front to the tties,
naked and reticulate ahmg a strip behind. Wings very long; 3d and 4th qnills longest; 1st
shorter than 7th; 4 or 5 emarginatc on inner webs. A small group, well marked by the char-
acter of the feet. The species are among tlu! largest of the buzzard-hawks, but are rather dull
heavy birds, preying upon humble quarry, especially small quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects.
Analysis of Species
Below, white, variously dark-marked, and • ften with a broad black abdominal zone, but generally no
ferruginous ; in melanotic state, whole plumage nearly uniform blackish. . lariopns sancti-jokannis 525
Below, pure white, scarcely or not marked, excepting that the legs are rich rufous witl- black bars,
in marked contrast ; above, varied with dark brown, chestnut and wliite ; quills brown, with much
white ; tail silvery-ash and white, clouded with brown or rufous fenmgineus 626
525. A. lago'pus sancti-johan'nis. (Gr. \afi)T:ovs, layopous, hare-footed ; Lat. sancti-johannifi,
of St. John, Newfoundland. Fig. :582.) American KoiTr.H-i.EOOEi) Buzzard. " Black
Hawk." Adult (J 9- Too variable in jdumage to be concisely described. In general, the
whole plumage with dark brown or blackish and light brown, griiy, or whitish, the lighter
colors edging or bamng the individual feathers ; tendency to excess of the whitish on the. head,
and to the formation of a dark abdominal zone or area which may or may not include the tibia- ;
usually a blackish antcorbital and maxillary area. Lining of wings extensively blackish. Tail
usually white from the base for some distance, then with dark and light barring. The inner
webs of the flight-feathers extensively white from the base, usually with little if any of the
' dark barring so prevalent among buteonine hawks. From such a light antl variegated plmn-
age as this, the bird varies to more or less nearly uniform blackish, in which case the tail is
usually barred several times with white. Our lighter-colored birds are not fairly separable
from the nornial European A. lagopus ; but our birds average darker, and their frequent mel-
anism docs not apjiear to befall the European stock. But In any plumage the rough-leg is
known at a glance from any Buteo by the feathered shanks ; while the jieculiar coloration ttf
550
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — HA I'TOliES — A CCIPITRES.
A. ferrugineus is highly distinctive of the latter. Length of a 9> 22.(X); extent 54.00; wing
17.50; tail 9.00; iris light brown; bill mostly blacikish-bliie, cere juile greenish-yellow, feet
dull yellow, cLiws blue-black. This is about an average size ; the ^ averages smaller ; wing
about 10.00, etc. The name adojHed, it must be ob.ierved, is not intended to discriminate the
black from the ordinary plumage, but to separate the American' bird subspecifically from the
European. N. Am., at large, common, especially in fertile, well-wntcred regions, as those of
Fio. 382. — Kougli-legged Buzzard, ( nat. 8ize. (From Brehm.)
the Atlantic seaboard ; a large, heavy, and somewhat sluggish hawk, haunting meadows and
marshes, to some extent crepuscular in habits, of low, ea.'iy, and almost noiseless flight ; prey-
ing upon insignificant quarry, particularly small rodent and insectivorous mammals, reptiles,
batrachians and insects. Nest usually in large tree.", but frequently on a ledge of rocks or the
edge of a cut-bank ; a bulky mass of interlaced sticks, with softer matted material of miscel-
laneous kinds ; eggs 3-5, laid late in May and in June, measuring 2.10-2 25 in length, by
1.75-1.80 in breadth; varying in color from dingy whitish with scarcely any marking, or but
FALCONID^ — PUTEONINJE : BUZZARDS.
661
faint cloiidinp, to crcamy-whito boldly vuriogated with blotdioa and wnslios of dark brown on
tlio siirfaci', with nciitral-tint markings in the ^^ul)StanLT of tiic shell.
520. A. ferrugl'neuB. (Lat. feiriiyo, iion-nist.) Ficuitrdisorn Itoi'oii-i.EnoEii IIizzaiik.
"Califoknia SyuiKUKi, Hawk." Adult ^ 9 : UtldW, juno wliito fimn hill to end nf tail,
tho legs rich rufou.s or bright chestnut haired witli black, in marked contrast; usually a few
chestnut bars or arrow-heads on the belly and Hanks, 'ind the breast 'vith sharp shaft lines of
black. The older the bird the pun^r >i'hite below, wich more perfci-l, contrast of the chestnut
legs; the 9 retaining marks of immaturity longer than the ^ ; these consisting in extension
of tho blaek-ban'ed chestnut markings on to the belly, Hanks, and even more of the under parts,
and spreading of the fine shaft lines on the breast into ordinary streaks. Tail silvery-white
below, above white at ba.so and extreme tij), in most of its extent clouded with silvery-ash and
iriore or less tingi'd with ferruginous. IJack, rump, and wing-coverts mixed bl;ickish anil
bright chestnut in varying but about equal amounts, the former color making central markings
on the exposed ]>ortion of each feather, the chestnut yielding to white at the bases of the
feathers. Top, back, and sides of head streaked with blackish and white in about e(|ual
amomits, the feathers being eottony-white, with ilark streaks or spaces on their exposed ]ior-
tions. Primaries blackish, with a glaucous bloom on their outer webs, their shafts almost
entirely white, several outer ones with extensive pure white areatioii on their inner webs:
inner ])rimaries and secondaries continuing this pattern, but with more or less evitlent ashy
spacing between blacki.sh bars, astisual in buteoniue hawks. Length of ^, 22. .")(); extent .Vl'.-
50; wing 1(1.7.'); tail '.).2.j ; tarsus 2.?.") ; length of 9 . 2:5. .")(); extent .jd. ,")(); wing i7-2>; tail
9.7"). Iris [lale brownish to light yellow; cere and feet bright yellow; bill dark bluish horn-
color ; mouth purplish Hesh-cohir. Third and 4th quills subequal and longest ; 2d between 5tli
and Oth ; 1st about e(jual to 8th ; 1st— ith abruptly ennirginate on inner webs ; 2d-.5th sinuate
(m outer webs. Thi; foregoing is from a lino pair I procured in Arizona in ISOl'. A younger
bird is described as loss rufous above, ami almost entirely white below, the flags scarcely varie-
gated or contra.sted. The first plumage does not .seem to bo described ; I have seen it in
Dakota, but have no specimen at hand, and cannot trust my memory. One of the largest,
handsomest and most distinctively marked hawks of N. Am., somewhat recalling Buteo nlho-
caudatus; common in the west, from the region of the Ked Uiver of tho North anil of the .Sas-
katchewan t.> Texas and into Mexico, ami from the Plains to the Pacrific; sometimes oven E.
of the Mississippi, as in Iowa. Nesting and habits in no wise peculiar, as (Mimpared with
those of other large hawks; nest in trees, on ledges and banks, comi)o.sed of sticks, with mat-
ted lining of various softer materials ; eggs not characteristif , but large, averaging 2. .50 X 1. !*■"'.
182. ASTURI'NA. (Modified from Lat. nstin; a hawk.) Star IUzzaud.s. General chars, of
Buteo, in proportions, but system of cohiration as in Astiir : sexes alike; adults ashy, with
black, white-barred tail, the under parts closely barred crosswise with ashy and white; young
different, the under parts marked lengthwLse with blackish on a whiti.sh ground. Wings short
for this subfamily ; Sd, 4th, and .")th quills longest, 1st very short ; outer 4 emarginate on inner
webs; 2d-5th cut on outer webs. Tail even, long, about J the wing. Logs longer than usual
in Buteonints, more nearly as in Accipitrinm ; feet stout; tarsus scutellate before and half-way
up behind, shortly feathered above in front, elsewhere .strongly reticulate. A small gniup of
handsome under-sized hawks, peculiar to America.
627. A. plaga'ta. (Lat. plagata, striped.) Gray Star Buzzard. Adult ^ 9 : L^l)per parts
nearly uniform cinereous, or light plumbeous, tho feathers dark-shafted, and with nearly obso-
lete undulations of lighter ash ; upper tail-coverts in part white. Tail black, with several
white zones, sometimes broken, and white or whitish tip. Under parts, including tibia?, white,
beautifully and closely cross-barred with tlark ash, except upon the throat and crissuin ; some
of tho feathers also dark-shaftod. Lining of wings white, less clo.sely barred with ashy.
Primaries darkening from the color of the back, their inner webs spaced lighter and darker, and
552
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— RAl'TORES—ACCIPITKES.
with extensive whiter nrentioii, wliicli clinmcters incrense on the secondaries. Iris brown ; cere
and feet hright yellow; bill and claws bltic-black. Winj; of $ 10.00; tail 7-00; tarsus 2.75 ;
middle foe without claw 1.50. Wing of 9 H-OO; tail S. 00. Young: Hlackish-brown above,
much variegated with reddish-buff, the white upper tail-coverts sjtotted with blackish; below,
whitish, dashed with large blackish nuirks, the Hags barred ; tail dark brown, with ninnenms
narrow blackish bars. Cent. Am. and .Me:;., regularly into southwestern U. S., occasionally
uj) the Mississippi Valley to Illinois. Nest in trees tu- bushes, not peculiar; eggs 2, nmnd-
oviil, colorless, 2.00 X 1.<J0.
183. UIIUBITIN'GA. (.S. Am. «n(fcH, a vuhure; /i»)/7«, bright.) ANTiiUACiTi; JJitzzauuh. (Jcn-
eral chars. i>( Biiteo, but system of cidoration peculiar, the adults being chietly black and white,
the tail typically broadly zoned. The limits of the genus vary with different writers ; it
contains several species, confined to America, one of them reaching our border. In this tlic
tail is about S as long as the wing, emargiuato or nearly oven ; the wing with 3d-5th (piills
longest, 2d about equal to Gth, Ist very short ; outer 1 sinuate on inner webs ; the jioint of the
fcdded wing reaching but littlo beyond the longest secondaries; the bill lengthened and rather
weak ; the tomiaof the upper nnindible strongly festooned or almost hd)ated back of the hook :
gonys convex ; nostrils large, subcircular ; lores extensively denuded ; tarsus much longer than
middle too and claw, feathered but a little way down in front, scutollate before and behind,
reticulated laterally like the basis of the toes, which in the rest of their length are broadly
scutellate.
528, U. aiitliraci'na. (Lat. fl»i</)rnc/»i((s, carbuncular ; in this case coal-black.) Antiiuaciti;
IJlZZAKi). Adult (J 9 • Coal-black ; feathers of head and neck with concealed white ba.«es ;
tail white at extreme base and tip, and crossed about the nuddle with a broad white zone; ends
of coverts white ; (pulls of wing nuire or less mottled with rusty-brown ; cere, rictus, and base
of bill, and feet, yellow; bill and claws blackish. Length about 23.00; wing 115.00-15.00;
tail S. 00-10.00 ; tarsus 3.25 ; 9 larger than ^. Young : Extensively varied with rusty or huff,
which is gradually obliterated as the bird matures ; tail numerously barred with black and
' i.hite. There arc 0-9 such bars, mostly broken or otherwise irregular. The whole undiM-
parts are white, more or less tinged with buff, ])cncilled on the throat, heavily striped on the
breast and sides, closely barred across on the tibite and erissum, with blackish. The feathers of
the head, nape, and foreback are largely white or whitish, appearing in streaks among the over-
lying blackish of the ends of the feathers. The exposed portions of the primaries are blackish,
obscdetely crossed with lighter; these featliei"s lightening basally and internally, where narrow
blackish bars alternate with wider spaces t>f white tinged M'ith brown and fulvous. The
secondaries and larger coverts are Lrown with naiTow dark bars, their inner webs also indented
with whitish and tawny. The younger the bird the more the whitish or buff prevails over the
<lark colors. 'I'lie contrast between the cross-barred tibiw and the lengthwise-strijied breast
and sides is always notable. The tail varies from rounded through square to emarginate.
A remarkable hawk of Cent. Am., W. I., and Mex., lately ascertained to occur in Arizona.
184. ONY'CHOTES. (Gr. ovv(, owxoi, onux, onuchos, a claw, and a suffix -n/r, -ten.) Clawed
BtZZARK. " IJill short, the tip remarkably short and obtuse, and only gradually bent ; cere
on top about equal to culmen ; very broad basally in its transverse diameter, and ascending in
its lateral outline, on a line with the culmen ; commissure only faintly lobed. Nostril jiearly
circular, with a conspicuous (but not central or bony) tubercle ; cere densely bristled below the
nostril, almost to its anterior edge; orbital region finely bristled. Tarsus very long and slen-
der, nearly twice the length of the middle toe ; toes moderate, the outer one decidedly shorter
than the inner ; claws very long, strong, and sharp, curved in about one-qnarter the circumfer-
ence of a circle. Tibial feathers very short and close, the plumes scarcely reaching below the
joint. Feathers of the forehead, gular region, sides and tibia; with white filamentous attach-
ments to the ends of the shafts. Wing very short, much rounded, and very concave beneath ;
FALCON lU^E — BUTEOXINyJ'J : AM fJIJCS.
("»;'){$
4th )iuill longest ; 1st shortor tliiin 9tli ; 4 itriiimricH ciimrgiiiiitrd, iiiiil one uinuiiti'il, mi inner
weba ; 5 sinuatcil on ontiT wi'lm. Tail aliout S as long ii» wing, roiniilfil. Oiitstrotclii'd feet
rcafiiing licyond end of tail.'' (Kidgway.) (hie Hiiccics.
5'i«. O. Rrii'beri. ('I'o F. tiniln'r.) (iitiUKu'H Hr/./CAiti>. " Innnaturc f General plumage dull
darU bistre, with a grayish-umber east in some liglits, darkest on the bead above and baeU ;
the posterior lower jiarts paler ami more redili^ii ; throat and neek miirb tinged witii pale
rnsty ; primaries uniform black. Tail lik<- the rum|i. but with a more boary tinge, not paler
at the tip, and crossed with ? or 8 very narrow obscure bars of darker, the last of which is
distant an inch or more from the end. Lining of wings dark bistre, miu-h tinged with rusty,
tliia jirevalent toward the edge ; under surfaces of primaries white anterior to their ennirgina-
tion, beyond which they are ashy, approaching black at the ends; ashy portion with distant,
very obscdete, dusky bars, but the cheeks and throat streaked- idt.soletely with this color. No
distinct white anywhere about head or neck. Wing 10,00; tail .5.>0; tarsus -i.TO ; middle toe
1.40." (Hidgway.) California ? A second specimen has been discovered since the deseri[ition
here co]>ied was made. "Closely allied to, if not identical with, ('nthitiiigu." (Sbariie.)
185. THRASYAK'Tl^S. {(',r. $i)a<Tvs, thrasus,hithl; diros, (li'tos, nuvHgh'.) IIaui'Y KA(U,K(s. A
genus containing one species of enormous size, the most jiowerful raptorial bird of America, if
not of the entire sub-order. Head with a broad flowing occi|)ital crest. Bill of great length
and depth, much compressed, so hook<'d that the curve of the eulmen is about a ([uadrant of a
circle, the commissure about straight, the tomia festooned but not toothed; cere e.\tensive, with
nearly vertical fore-edge, close to which are the narrowly oval nostrils about midway between
tomia and eulmen: lores extensively naked and bristly; superciliary shield prominent; feet
and talons of innuense strength ; tarsus feathered a little way <lown in front ; the covering of the
feet reticulate, excepting a few scales on top of the toes ; lateral toes much shorter than iniddle
one: inner claw much larger than middle one; hinder one much the hirgest of all. Wings
rather short, but very ample, the seconilaries entirely covering the primaries when folded ;
wing as a whole much vaulted, the outer quills strongly bowed. Tail long, f the wing, fan-
shajied, vaulted.
331. T. hurpyi'a. (Gr. 5/3jrwa, /lar/jMtrt, a harpy.) Harpy Eaole. The largest and finest spcci-
nuMi before me 1 judge to have been nearly or about 4 feet long ; the wing is about 2 feet ; the
tail 18 inches; chord of eulmen, including cere, 2.75 inches; depth of bill 1.50; tarsus over
4.00; chord of hind claw nearly Il.OO. Head and entire under parts dull white, more or less
obscured with ashy or dusky, particularly on the crest, across the throat, and on the tibiro,
which latter are in some cases regularly barred with blackish. llpi)er parts at large ashy-gray,
intimately hut irregidarly barred with glossy black, especially on the wing-coverts. Flight-
feathers mostly blackish, but with more or less ashy nebulation, to which whitish variegation is
added on the inner webs. Tail pretty regularly barred with black and ash, in other cases
irregularly nebulatcd with light and dark ash. The bill appears to have been blackish, the
feet of some yellowish color. Young birds are much darker. V. and S. Am. and Mexico, a
well known and most formidable bird of ]irey. reaching the Texas border.
186. A'QUILA. (Lat. aqiiila, an <'agh'.) Golden Eagi.ks. Hirds of great size, robust form and
powerful pbysicpie, but in technical characters near Buico an<l especially Archihuteo. Tibia
extensively flagged. Tarsus closely feathered all around to the toes; toes mostly reticulate on
top, margined, outer and middle webbed at base. Hill large, hing, very robust; tomia lobed ;
nostrils oval, oblique ; superciliary shield prominent. Wings long, pointed by the :5d-5th ([uills,
2d subequal to 0th, 1st very short, 5 or (i emarginate on inner webs; 2d to 0th or 7th sinuate
on outer webs. Tail moderate, rounded or graduated. Feathers of occiput and nape lanceidate,
acute, discrete, like a raven's throat-plmnes. Sexes alike; changes of plumage not great.
This extensive genus includes the eagles properly so called, of which there are numerous Old
World species, but only one Americau.
654
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — lit VTORES — A CCIl'ITUI'.S.
533. A. rlirymte'tiiH. (Or. ;(pvcrd(rot, c/n-i(A(i«to«, ^iilili'n riiKlc. Fi^. Ii8<').) (Siildk.n Kaoi.k. HinO'
TAIm:i> KAdi.i:. Ailiilt ^ 9 = "mk lirowii, with a )iiirj)liwh ^lims, liiilitcr on tlic oovitIh of tlui
wings mill tiiil ami on tlic llai;s or tarsi; tin' cowl of lancuolatu feathers golden-brown, (jiiill.s
anil tail-teathers hlaclush, but basally more or less varieirated or areated with limht brown, gniy,
or whitisii ; at niatnrity these niarhiiigs beconiint; e.\tensiv() and detinite. Yonng birds are
blacker than tiie adult!, whicii " grow gray " with age, and are " ring-tailed," that is, the basal
)H)rtiun aiul tinally
|l'"l!l ....'I ' '*Hi« most of the tail is
white, offset by a
broad black termi-
nal zone. Length
about ;{ feet ; extent
(1 foot orinore: winu
2 feet ( (Jl or more
(9); tail 14.00-
15.00 inches (f?i
or more ( 9 ); bill,
without cere, 1.50-
1.75; tarsMs .'1.50-
4.00. This great
bird inhabits N. Am.
at large, as well ns
Euroi)o, Asia, etc. ;
in this country rathir
northerly, S. ordina-
rily to about 35°.
The Americnn is not
fairly to be distin-
guished from the
Europoan, but on
the whole is a larger
and "better" bird,
like several others
of the present fam-
ily, as well as of
the goo.«e and duck
Fio. 383. — The Eyrie of tlio GolUeii Eagle. (l)e»lgncU by H. W. Elliott.) tribes. This I SUII-
pose to be owing to the fact that there is more room for them, more food, loss persecution, and
altogether less competition in the struggle for existence. It breeds cbiefly in mountainous or
boreal regions, the eyrie being usually upon a crag, the nest an enormous platform of sticks,
etc. The eggs are subspherical and equal-ended; four selected specimens measure: 2.65 X
2.15 ; 2.90x2.40; 3.00x2..'}5 ; 3.10X2.25 ; in 12 cases, only one is white like a bald eagle's;
the rest are wliitish, wholly indeterminately spotted, splashed and smirched with rich sienna,
umber and bistre browns, with neutral-tint shell-markings ; 2, 3, or 4 are laid.
187. HALIAE'TUS. (Gr. dXid»Tor, 7tn/jae7rt.'«, a .oea-eagle ; t. e., the osprey.) Sea Eagles. Fish-
ing Eagles. General chars, of Aqttila, as above, but the tarsi only feathered about half-way
down, and no webbing between outer and middle toes. This nakedness of the shank is an in-
fallible character : among the several different kinds of eagles popularly attributi^d to North
America, only tivo have been found on the continent ; the one with the feathered shank is No.
532 ; the one with scaly shank is No. 534, whatever its size or color. The scutellation of the
FALCONriiJE -- h V IKON IN M : KA GLKS.
666
WXi.
tnnius vnriPH in tliiH opocioM; tlirrc in iiontially li oliort mw of hciiIi'm in IVinit, ilisi'imtiiiii(-il
iilxii'.t the liiiscs i>f tiu' toi'f), wlicri' hit ^rainiliir rctiriiiatioiiM, the Nciitfllaticiii litinj,' rcsiiiiii'd
fnrtlH'r on tliu toes. Wings pciiiitcd hy .'{(l-,)tli tiuills ; ii\ nearly i'<|Mai to tllii : 1st longiT
than Utii ; 6 to (I cinarginatc on inner welm. 'J'ail roumleil, grailuuteil or eiineatc, of 12 reit-
trieeH (14 in the Aniatie II. iii'liifficiis), FeathfTs of neek all iiruuml Jance-aente, discrete.
Ahont 8 species of this geinis ar<> recogni/ed ; one of them is appro|)nato to this continent;
unothor occurs in Greenland ; a third (//. jirldi/icui)) may he expected in Alaskii.
Alinll/ult Hi' Sfiirlm.
Adult witli licnil mill lull white le.ucocrphiiUi* ri34
Adult with tnll only wlilto nlli'uilhi Tia,':
II. alblcll'lu. (Lat. iilhicillu, white-tailed.) Wiirn;-TAii,i:ij Si;a r,.\(iLK. Adult ^ 9:
Dark hrown, hlackoning on jiriniaries, the liead and neck gray, the tail white. Kill and feot
Put. 384. — Hald Knglc. ( From Tcnuej , nftor Wilson. )
yellow. Yonng with tail not white, and otherwise different. Rather larger than the next
species. Enrope, etc., only North x\ineiicaii as occurring hi Greenland.
634. H. leiicoceph'alus. (Gr. ^tvKos, leucon, whho ; K((f)a\^, Icephale, h^ixd. Fig. .3^.) Wittte-
iiKADKi) Ska Eagle. "Hai.d Eaole." " Biiii) or Wasiiinotos " (the yonng). Ailult:
<J 9 '• I5iiil< hrown ; quills hlack ; head and tail white ; bill, eye.s, and feet yellow. Length
about .'5 feet ; extent (i or 7 feet ; wing 2 feet (9 ) <'i' less ( ^) ; tail afoot, inoro ( 9 ) or less ( ^).
Three years are required for the i)erfection of the white head and tail of the "bald"' eagle.
The first year, the young arc "bla<-k" eagles; very dark colored, with fleecy white bases
of the feathers showing here and ther(> ; bill black ; iris brown ; feet yellow. The next
year, they are "gray" eagles, and usually larger than the old birds, the Lirgest Icufiwn
specimens being of this kind. Young in the <lo\vn are sooty-gray. N. Ain. anywhere,
coiTimon — for an eagle; jiiscivorous ; a piratic.il parasite of the osprey: otherwise notorious
as the emblem of the republic. Nest on trees or cliffs ; eggs ordinarily 2, white, unmarked,
about 3.00X2.50.
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — BAPTOBES — ACCIPITHES.
32. Family PANDIONID--E : Fish Hawks ; Ospreys.
188.
530.
See page 498. Plu-
iiiiif;(( i)('<'iiliiir, c'ldsc
and firm, iiiilji-icatod,
oily, lacking al'tci-
sliat'ts; head d<'ns<'ly
fi'atlicrcd up to tin;
eyes; dccipital foatli-
crs Iciigtlieucd ; legs
cldsely featlicred, witli-
ont any sign of a flaa-,
•liiills of tlic wings and
tail acinninatc, stiff and
liard, and the primary
coverts of similar char-
acter. Feet inunense-
ly larg(! and strong,
roughly granular-retic-
ulate; tarsi little feath-
ered above in front;
toes all free to the
liase, the outer versa-
tile. Claws very large,
all of equal lengtlis,
snbc.ylindric or taper-
ing terete, not being
scooped out under-
neath, but all compressed, and the middle one sharply grooved on the inner face. I?ill tooth-
less, contracted at the cere, elsewhere inflated, with very large hook; gonys convex, ascending;
nostrils oval, oblique, without tubercle, and in tlie edge of the cere. The peculiarities of the
plumage and of the feet are in evident adaptation to the senii-aqnatic piscivorous ha1)its of
these "fishing hawks," which require a water-jtroof covering, and great talons to grasj) their
slippery quarry. The structural characters arc rather those of the buteonine than the falconine
birds of prey, in the coracoid aiTangement, etc. The supraorldtal shield is rndiinentary,
leaving the eye flush with tlic side of the head. The family consists of a single genus, and
probably but one cosmopolitan species, the well-known Os[)rey, Pamliov lutliaetits.
PAXDl'ON. (Or. TlavSiiav, Lat. Pmidion, noui. propr. Fig. 38.5.) O.sfUKYS. To the
foregoing add: Wings very long, pointed; 2(1 and 3d prinniries longest; 1st between 3d and
5th; 3 outer ones abruptly emarginatc on imier webs, and 2d to 4th sinuate on <inter webs.
Tail short, scarcely or not half as long as tlie wing. Hexes alike; 9 l"''ger, Young similar.
P. baliae'tiis. (See Haliaetiis.) Fish Hawk. Osi-itKY. Adult ^ 9 : Above, dark van-
dyke-brown, blackening on the quills, the featiiers of the upper parts more or h'ss conqiletely
edged with white — the older the bird, tlie more conspicuous the wliit(^ markings. Tail dark
brown with dusky bars, white tip and shafts, and inner webs of all but tlie middle pair of
feathers regularly barred with white and dark. Head, neck, and under parts white, the crown
more or less extensively streaked with blackish, and a heavy bhickish jMistocuIar stripe to the nape ;
the breast more or less spotted with dusky hniwn ; the white more or less tinged with tawny in
some places, especially under the wings and on the head. Coloration very variabU^ in the relative
FIO.-385. — The Fish Hawk, or Osprey. (After J. Wolf.)
CATHAUrWES : AMERICAN VULTUHEH.
om
amounts of tho dark and white colors ; young darker, the upper parts without the wliitc
crescents. IJill blackish, bluing at base and on cere; feet grayish-blue; claws black; iris
yellow or red. Length 2 feet or rather less; extent about ii feet; wing 17.50-21.50; tail
8.50-10.50; tarsus i.'ij; middle toe without claw 1.75: chord of culnien M-itliout cere l.SO;
chord of claws nearly tlie same. Nearly cosmopolitan; entire temperate N. Am., over inland
waters and especially ahmg the sea-coasts, migratory, abundant. P\'W birds are better known
than tins industrious fisherman, so often tlie purveyor p(,'rforce of the bald eagh,'. IJreeds
anywhere in its range; nest bulky, finally ac(|uiring enormous dimensions by yearly repairs and
additions, jdaced usually in a tree or stout busli, sometimes on rocks cr the ground ; .sometimes
hundreds together. Eggs usually laid in May, 2 or ;5 in number, very variable in si/e, say
2.50X1-75, running through all the variations in cidor common to hawks' eggs, from a white t<i
creamy, tawny or reddish ground, from few browni.sh markings to heaviest blotching with
sieiiiui, umber, bistre and sepia ; c(doration usually richly reddish or mahogany. Some nests
grow to be 6 or 8 feet in diameter, and as mudi in depth, and smaller birds, such as purple
grackles, frequently build theirs in the interstices of the mass.
8. SuHouDER CATIIAllTIUES : Ameuicax Vultures.
As already stated (page 497), the characters of this grouj) are of more than family value,
for whidi I lately pro])osed the above luime (New England Hird Life, vol. ii, p. 1155). In no
event have tliese birds anything to do with tlie Old World vultures, which scarcely form a sub-
family apart from lutkonklce. In a certain sense, tliey represent the gallinaceous type ttf
structure; our species of Cathartes, for instance, bears a curious superficial resemblance to a
turkey. They lack tlie strength and spirit of typical Ituptores, and rarely attack animals
cai)ablo of ofi'ering resistance ; they are voracious and indiscrin'inate gormandizers of carrion
and aninnil refuse of all .sort.-* — efficient and almost indis])ensable scavengers in the warm
countries where they abound. TJiey are uncleanly in their mode of feeding; the nature of
tlu^ir food renders them ill-scented, and when disturbed they eject the fuetid contents of tho crop.
Althougli not truly gregarious, they assemble in multitudes wliere food is i)leuty, and some
species breed in connnunities. Wlien gorged, they appear heavy ami indisposed to exertion,
usually passing the period of digestion motionless, in a listless attitude, with the wings half-
spread. But they .sjtend much of the time on wing, circling high in the air ; their Hight is easy
and graceful in the extreme, and cai)able of being indefinitely protracted. On the ground,
they habitually walk instead of pnigressing by leaps. Possessing no vocal apparatus, these
vultures are almost mute, emitting only a weak hissing sound.
33. Family CATHARTID--E : American Vultures,
See page H)7. Head, and part of the neck, more or less comph'tely bare of feathers,
sometimes caruncular ; eyes Hush with the side of the iiead, not overshadowed by a suj)er-
ciliary shield ; ears small and simple. Bill lengtliened, contracted toward the base, moderately
hocdied and comj)aratively weak. Nostrils very large, completely perforated, through lack of
a bony seiituiu. Wings very long, ample, anil stning; tail moderate. Anterior toes long for
this order, wel)bed at base; bind toe elevated, very short; claws comparatively lengtliened.
olituse, little curved and weak. To tiiese external ciiaracters, which distinguisli our vultures,
I may add, that there are numerous osti'ologic;il |ieculiarities. A lower larynx is not de-
veloped. The capacious gullet dilates into an immense crop. Ca>ca are waiitiiiir. Tiie caro-
tids are double. The featiiers lack an aftershaft ; the plumage is sombre and unvaried ; its
changes are slight ; the sexes are alike, and the 9 '>* uot larger than the ^. The famous
Condor of the Andes, Sitrcorhumphiis (/i-i/phiis ; the King ^'llItllre, (ii/jxiirhiis j)fi/iii. which
probably occurs in Arizona, and species uf the three following genera, compose the family.
568
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — HAPTORES— CATHARTIDES.
AnalyHt of Getifm.
Head and neck entirely naked; tail square Pseudogryphm 189
Uca<l and up])cr part of neuk naked ; tail rounded Cathartes 190
Head naked, but feathers running up to it behind ; tail 8<|uarc CathaHula 191
189. Pseudogpy'phus. (Gr. ^tuSor, pseudos, fiilse : Lat. (/ri/2'hus, ii griffin.) ("amfoknian
CoNiH)R. Size iinineiisi-, abuut equalliug that of the Comlor. Head and neck entirely bare,
smooth, witliout caruncuhir appendages. No cervical rutf of snowy, downy feathers ; jjluniagc!
beginning over the shoulders
with loose lance-linear featherp,
and that of the under parts
generally of similar character.
Frontal region depressed below
the level of the inflated cere,
but the general ])rofile straight- ,^^^^^^HH^^^^^^^^B&l^f
ish from the hook of the bill
to the hind head. Bill wid<'
and deep, comparatively little
hooked. Nasal passage much
more contracted than the nasal
fossa. Wings of great ampli-
tude, folding to or beyond the
end of the square tail, the ends
of the primaries uncovered by
the secondaries ; 4th or 5th
(juills longest. Tarsus about
as long as middle toe. One
species.
536. P. callfornia'nus. (Of CJali-
fornia. Fig. 38G.) Califou-
NiAN Condor. Adult <J 9 :
lilackish, the feathers with
browner tips or edges, quite
gray or even whitish on the
wing-coverts and inner ([uills ;
primaries and tail - feathers
black ; axillars and linine of , „ ,„ ,. . , .
' ,. , .,, ,, . , Fig. 386. — Oalifornian Condor. (From Tunney, alter Audubon.)
wnigs white; bill yellowisli,
reddening on cere, and skin of the head orange or reddish; iris said by some to be brown, by
otiiers carmine. Length 4-4i feet; extent about 9i feet; wing 2*-3 feet; tail U-U foet:
tarsus 4.50-5.00 inches; middle toe without claw 4.00-4.50; middle claw 1.90; hind claw
1.50 ; chord of culmen without cere about 1.50, but whole bill about 4.00, whole head about
7.00 ; cere on top nearly 3.00. Young with the bill and naked parts dusky, and more or less
downy; plumage without white. Nestlings covered with whitish down. I'aciHc coast region.
U. S. and southward, conunon. This great creature rivals the condor in size, and like it i.-^
powerful enough to destroy young or otherwise helpless animals, tiiuugh its usual food is carrion.
The nidifieati(m, as described, is like tluit of the turkey buzzard ; but the eggs are whitish,
unmarked. They measure about 4..")0X2.50. The general habits appear to be the same as
those of the turkey buzzard ; the flight is similar.
190. CATHAR'TES. (Gr. icadapTijr, kathartes, a jturitier.) TiiRKEV Hiz/ards. Of medium
size; body slender. Whole head and upper part of neck naked, the plumage begimiiiig as a
.-|37
CATHARl'ID^: AMERICAN VULTURES.
559
53*
circlet of ordinary feathers all around the neck ; the naked skin cornigated and sparsely beset
with bristles, especially a patch before the eye. I$ill long, moderately stout and hooked, the
nostrils large, elliptical, completely pervious, the cere contracted opposite them. Wings
extremely long, not particularly broad, pointed, folding beyond the tail, which is short and
rounded. Point of the wing formed by Ud or 4th quill ; '2d and 5th nearly as long ; 1st nmcli
shorter ; outer 4 or 5 emarguiate on inner webs. Tarsus about as long as middle toe without
claw. Of Cathartes as restricted there are several species described, but only one is estab-
lished as N. Am. They are noted for their extraordinary powers of sailing flight.
C. au'ra. (Vox barb., name of the bird. Fig. 387.) Tikkey HrzzAKU. Adult ^ ?:
>^\i-^^^-:
Fio. 387. — Turkey Buzzard, ^ uat. site. (Krom Brehm.)
Hlackish-brown, grayer on the wing-coverts ; quills black, ashy-gray on their under surface ;
tail black, with pale brown shafts. Head red, from livid crimson to pale carmine, with wliitisli
specks usually ; bill dead wliite ; feet flesh-colored ; iris brown. Length 2}-24 feet ; extent
about fi feet; wing 2 feet or less; tail a foot or less ; tarsus 2.25 inches; miihlle toe without
claw rather more ; outer toe 1.50 ; inner 1.25; liiiid 0.75; chord of culmen without cere 1.00.
Weight 4—5 pounds. Young darker tlian the adults ; bill and skin of head dark, tlie latter
downy. Nestlings covered with wliitisli down. U. S. and adjoining jirovinces, Atlantic to
Pacific, and south clear through C". and S. Am.; N. to about 5H°; resident \. to about 40°,
beyond which migratory, being starved out in winter. Nests on the grouml, or near it in
hollow stumps or logs, generally in communities. Eggs commonly 2, sometimes 1, about
560
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — RAPTUHES — CA THARTWES.
2.75 X 1.90, wliitp or creamy, variously spottod ami blotched with different browns, and with
lavender or jiiiridish-drab shell-markings. Tiiis species has a curious habit of " playing
possum," by simulating death when wounded and captured ; the feint is admirably executed
and often long protracted.
191. CATH ARISTA. {(\\: Ka6api(m, kiithitrizo, \ \mv\h\) Caruion Cuow.s. Of medium size ;
body stout. Head naked, and geiu'rally as in Cuthurtes, but feathers of the neck running up
behind to a point on the occiput, the outline of the plmnage thus very different. Cere con-
tracted ; nostrils narrow, less openly pervious than ii' Cuthurtes. Wings shorter and relatively
broader than in Catharte.'i, not folding to the end of the tail, which is short, only about half the
wing, and even «)r eniarginate ; 4th and 5th quills longest. The difference in size and shaiic
tvy^??^->^
Fio. 388. — Black Vulture, i iiat. size. (From Brolim.)
between Caihartes and Cathurista is strikingly displayed when the birds are .seen flying together ;
there is abo a decided difference in the mode of flight, as Cutharista never sails for any distance
without interrupting that easy uu)tion by flajjping the wings.
538. C. atru'ta. (Lat. atrata, blackened. Fig. 3^8.) Cauhion t^uow. IJlack Vitltire. Adult
$ 9 : Entire jdumage. including skin of head, and bill, blackish ; shafts of the primaries
white : bases of the ])rimaries paling to gray or whitish. Tijt of bill and feet grayisli-yell-.w ;
iris l)rown ; claws black. Smaller than C. aura, in linear diuiensious, but a heavier binl ;
length abo"t 2 feet; extent only about H feet; wing IT.OO inches; tail 8.00; tarsus :}.O0;
niidiUe toe i .ther less ; chord of culmen without cere 1.00 or less. Nesting like that of C. aunt;
eggs similar, but larger, or at any rate longer; about ;{.25X^."0. CliieHy S. Atlantic and (Ju!f
States, especially maritime, there very numerous, out-numbering the turkey buzzards, and
semidomesticated in the towns, where their good oHices are appreciated ; N. regularly to X. ('.,
COLUMB^: COLUMBINE BIRDS.
oUl
tliciK^o straggling to Mass. and even Maine ; not authenticated as occurring on the Pacific side,
but of general distribution in C. and S. Am.
No one can fall to observe with Interest the great <llft'erenco In the form ami general apiiearunce of the
Turkey Buzzard and Carrion Crow when he compares them silting side by Hide sunidng themselves upim chlnnuy
or hou.'.e-top ; and CHpeelally the discrepancy In their mode of flight as tliey wheel together overhead In endless
inosculating circles. The Turkey Buzzards look larger as they tly, tliough really they are lighter weights ; they
arc dingy-brown, with a gray space underneath the wing ; the tall is long ; tl-.e fore-border of the wing is lient at
a salient angle, and there is a corresponding rcentranco in its hind outline ; the tips of the longest (pillls sprcail
apart and bend upward j and one may watch these splendid Hyers ftir hours without perceiving a movement of the
pinions. Comparing now the Carrion Crows, they are seen to be more thick-set, with less sweep of wing and
shorter and more rounded tall, beyond which the feet may project ; the front edge of the wing is almost straight,
and the back border sweeps around In a regular curve to meet It at an obtuse jiolnt, where tlie ends of the quills
are ncltiicr spread apart nor bent upward. The birds show almost black Instead of brown ; in place of a large gray
area under the wing, there is a smaller paler gray spot at the point of the wing. And, finally, the Carrion Crows
flap their wings five or six times in rapid succession, then sail a few moments ; their flight apiwars heavy, and
even laborious, besMo the stately motion of their relatives.
Own.— CatJmrti'H bnrrovianus Cass., B. N. A., ISiW, p. 6 ; Eliot, B. N. A. pi. 30, a doubtful sjiccies, is said to
Inhabit Lower California. — From various accounts, It seems probable that the king vulture (f;,i/;«<'"c/i».'< P'lpn)
really occurs on our southern border, but this remains to Iw determined. (See Bartram, Trav. In Fla., p. 150 ;
Cass,, B. N. A., p. 6 ; Cones, Proc. Phlla. Acud., 1806, p. 49 ; Allen, Bull. Mus. Com|>. Zool., 11, 1871, p. 313 ; Coucs,
Bull. Nutt. Club, vi, 1881, p. 248.)
V. Order COLUMBiEi: Columbine Birds.
An essential character of birds typical of this group is found in the structure of the bill,
which is horny and convex at tlie tij), somewhat contracted in the continuity, furnislied at the
base with a tumid membrane in which the nostrils open. Tliere are four toes ; three anterior,
generally cleft to tlio base, but occasionally with slight webbing; one behind, with few e.xcej)-
tions perfectly insistent or not obviously elevated. The feet are never much lengthened ; the
tarsus is commonly shorter than the toes, either scutellate or extensively feathered, reticulatti
on tlie sides and beliind, the envelope rather membranous than corneous. (One N. Am. genus,
Starnwnas, has entirely retic-ulate tarsus and elevated hallux.) On the whole, the feet are inses-
sorial, not rasorial ; the liabit is arbtireal, not terrestrial ; but there are many ground pigeons,
some quite fowl-like ; and progression is always gradient, never saltatory. The wings and tail
do not afford ordinal characters; but it maybe remarked tliat the rectrices are usually (net
always) 12 or 14 instead of the higher numbers usual in gallinaceous birds; and that the wings
are usually long and tiat, not short and vaulted. The jjlumage is destitute of aftershafts (qu.
Didiis ? small aftershafts in Pterocletes ?). The syrinx has one pair of intrinsic muscles, if any
(none in Pterocletes). The oil-gland is nude, when iiresent (small in Tieroti, etc.; wanting in
Goura, Starnoenas). The gall-bladder is generally absent (present exceptionally in some true
Pigeons). The copca are absent ; or present, but small. There are two carotids. The gizzard
is muscular. There are many good osteidogical characters. The palat<,' is schizoguathous.
The nasal bones are schizoriiinal. The sternum is doubly notched, or notched and fenestrate,
on each side ; the pectoral ridge of the humerus is salient and acute, and doeb not receive the
insertion of the second pectoral nmscle. The ambiens muscle is normally present, the birds
being unquestionably hoinalogonatous ; but is sometimes lost; the femoro-caudal, accessciry
femoro-caudal, semitendinosus, and accessory semitendinosus are present ; the fourth gluteal
muscle, which in other schizorhinal birds covers the femur-head, is uudevehjped {Garrod).
Some ornithologists, like Liljeborg, enlarge the Columbine order, under name of Pullas-
trae, to receive the American Curassows, {Cracidte — see beyond) and the Old World Big-feet
or Mound-lrirds (Megnpodida) ; mainly on taccount, it would appear, of the low position of
the hallux in these families. But the balance of characters favors their reference to the galli-
naceous series, where they are relegated by Huxley. While there is no question tiiat the
Columbine birds are very closely related to the Galline, in fact inosculating therewith, it
86
562
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — COLUMBJE — rERlSTEli^.
seems best to draw the liue, if one must be drawn, so as to incliitlc the Pterocktea in Cohimha,
and leave the Cracida and MegapodidcB with GallitnE. The Sand-grouse (better Sand-pigeoUM),
or Pterocletes, re[)resent the inoscuhitiou of the two series. Tliey are terrestrial Columbines,
uiodiiicd for a grouse-like life ; the digestive system is fowl- like (cujca several inches long, etc.);
but the jiterylosis, the sternum and Immerus, the cranial and many other characters, are pigeon-
like. The only alternative to reference of Pterocletes to the Columbine series is their elevation
to independent ordinal rank, as proposed by Huxley.
The Columbee, as above indicated, are intended to be made conformable to Huxley's Periste-
romopluc plus Pterocletes. Assuming the imperfectly-known extinct Dodo, Didus ineptus, to
have been a modified Columbine, and considering the Pterocletes to rej)re8ent a rasorial modi-
ficiitiou of the Columbine series, the Order Columbee may be separated into three groups, or
suborders, Didi, Pteuocletes, and Pehister^, the first two certainly, the last probably, of
a single family. The Peristerce alone are American.
9. Suborder PERISTER^ : True Columbine Birds.
(Equivalent to the Peristeromorpha; of Huxley ; the Gemitores of Macgillivray, or
Columhai proper of most autiiors ; the Gi/rantes of Bonaparte, jdus Uiduiiculus; Columba; of
Garrod minus Pterocletes ; PiiUastrce of Liljeborg miims Crackltc and Meyapodidw.) Skull
Bchizognathous, schizorhinal ; basipterygoids prominent ; angle of mandible not produced ;
rostrum externally as above said. Sternuni doubled-notched or notched and fenestrate, on
each side; pectoral crest of humerus salient, acute. Carotids two. Syringeal muscles one
pair. Coeca coli small or wanting ; gizzard muscular ; crop develojied ; gall-bladder generally
absent. Fourth glutwal muscle undeveloped ; second j)ectt)ral specially inserted ; ambiens
nonnally present, or wanting. Oil-gland nude, small, or wanting. Plumage without after-
shafts. Feet insessorial ; hallux normally insistent ; tarsus normally scutellate. Rectrices
normally 12 or 14. (Rasorial tendency in more rectrices, hallux up, and tarsus reticulate.)
Altricial ; psilopsedic ; monogamous ; eggs few. One family ?
34. Family COLUMBIDuE : Pigeons.
The family is here taken to be co-extensive with the
suborder as defined. With one exception {Starnanas
cyanocephala), all our species will be innnediately recog-
nized by their likeness to the familiar inmates of the
dove-cot. One seemingly trivial circumstance is so con-
stant as to become a good clue to the.se birds : tlie frontal
feathers do not form autise by extension on either side of
the culmen, but sweep across the base of the bill with a
strongly convex outline projected on the culmen, thence
rapidly retreating to the commissural point. The plumule-
less plumage is generally compact, with thickened, spongy
rhachis, tlie insertion of wliich will seem loose to one who
skins a bird of this family. The head is remarkably
small ; the neck moderate ; the body full, especially in tlie
pectoral region. The wings are strong, generally length-
ened and pointed, conferring a rapid, powerful, whistling
flight ; the peculiar aerial evidutions that these birds are
wont to perform have furnished a synonym for the family,
Gyrantes. The tail varies in shape, from square to grad-
uate, but is never forked; as a rule there are 12 rectrices, frequently increased to 14, rarely to
Fio. 389. —European RInfc Dove {Co-
ktmba palumbM). (From Dixou.)
COLUMBID^ : PIGEONS.
5fl3
16, exceptionally to 20; all the North Aiiierican have \i, excepting Zmaidura, with U. The
feet sliow C(m!<i<l('rable iiKiilificatioii wiieii tlie strictly urlmricole are couip.ired witli the more
terrestrial species; their general character has just been indicated. The gizzard is lari;o and
muscuhir, particularly in the species tluit feed on seeds and other hard fruits ; the gullet dilates
to form a capacious circumscribed crop, divided into lateral halves, or tending to that state.
This organ at times secretes a peculiar milky fluid, which mixed with macerated food, is
poured by regurgitation directly into the mouth of the young; thus the fabled "pigeon's milk"
has a strong spice of fact, and in this remarkable circumstance wo see probably the nearest
a])proach, among birds, to the characteristic function of nuiinmalia. " The voice of the turtle
is heard in the land " as a plaintive cooing, so characteristic as to have atl'iirded another name
f'.r the family, Geniitores. Pigeons are altriciul, psilopu'dic, and monogamous — doubly
monogamous, as is said when both sexes incubate and care for the young ; this is a strong
trait, com{)ared ivith the praecocial, ptilopjcdic, and often polj'gamous nature of rasorial birds.
They are amorous birds, whose passion generally results in a tender and constant devotion,
edifying to contempLite, but is often marked by high irascibility and pugnacity — traits at
variance with the amiable meekness which doves are su])posed to symbolizes Their blandness
is supposed to be due to absence of the gall-bladder. TIh^ nest, as a rule, is a rude, frail, flat
structure of twigs; the eggs are usually two in number, sometimes one, white; when two,
supposed to contain the germs of opposite sexes. (For anatomy of a pigeon, see frontispiece.)
" The entire number of Pigeons known to exist is about 300; of these the Malay Archi-
pelago already counts 118, while only 28 are found in India, 23 in Australia, less than 10 in
Africa, and not more than SO in the whole of America." They focus in the small district of
which New Guinea is the centre, where more than a fourth of the species occur. Mr. Wallace
accounts for this by the absence of fruit-eating forest mannnals, such as monkeys and s(]uirrels;
and iinds in the converse the reason why pigeons are so scarce in the Amazon valley, and there
chiefly represented by sj)ecies feeding much on the ground and breeding in the bushes lower
than monkeys habitually descend. " In the Malay countries, also, there are no great families
of fruit-eating Passeres, and their place seems to be taken by the true fruit-pigeons, which,
unchecked by rivals or enemies, often form with the Psittaci the prominent and characteristic
features of the Avifauna." (Newton.)
There are several prominent gri>ups of Pigeons ; but authors are far from agreed upon the
subdivisions of the family. It is not probable that Garrod'a three subfamilies of Cohimhida-,
based up(m characters of the ambiens, coeca, gall-bladder, and oil-fflan<l, will not stand without
modification, and I cannot adopt his arrangement. Sclater divided tlie suliorder Cohunlm' as
above defined into two families, Columhidec and Carpophaf/idw, to which he afterward ailded
Gouridm, and probably DiduncuUdcc. IJonaparte made five families, Did iivcid idee , Treronidw,
Columbidw, Calaenadidcc, and Gouridte three of them upon single genera), with twelve sub-
families. Some of the leading groups may be thus indicated : —
1. The extraordinary Tooth-billed Pigeon of the Samoan Islands, Didttnculus striffiros-
tris, alone represents a subfamily or family, with its stout, compressed, hooked and toothed beak,
and many other peculiarities. The length of intestine is excessive, being seven feet instead of
about two, as usual in Columbidee. The ambiens is present ; the oil-gland and gall-bladder
are absent. There are 11 tail-feathers.
2. The singular genus Goura, with two New-Guinean species, is outwardly distinguished
by its innnense umbrella-like crest, and possesses anatomical peculiarities which entitle it to
stand alone as type of a subfamily or family. The tarsi are reticulate ; there are 16 rectriccs;
coeca, gall-bladder, oil-gland, and ambiens muscle are all wanting ; the intestines are four or
five feet long.
3. The single genus and species, Calaenas nicobarica, has a very tumid bill, and acu-
minate, lengthened, pendulous feathers of the neck ; but there are only 12 rectrices, as in
664
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — COL UMBJE — PERISTEUM.
192.
orilinnry Pigcous, iviid tin; aimtoiny is (lonformablo to a usual tyi)P, cxcopt that the liniug of the
gixzaril is ossitit'd.
4. 'J'hi! liii'gc 01(1 Worlil g<Mi('ra Trcron ami Ptilopus, with wlii(ih latter another largf
genus, ('(irpophatfa, is clostdy related, are a group of fruit-eating, arborietde species, with a
tthort, stout beak, short, soft, broad-s(ded and extensively feathered feet, normally 14 reetri(?es,
and soft lustreless plumage, of wliieii green is the characteristic color. Of such Treroniiice or
Treronidw. " 54 speciijs are confined to the Austro-Malayan, while 28 inhabit the Indo-
Malayan, subregion : In India 14, and iu Africa a species are ftiund; 30 inhabit the I'acific
Islands, and 8 occur in Australia or New Z(>aland, while New (Juiuea has 14 species "
( Wnllnce).
5. There are a large number of Pigeons of both the Old and New World, possessing neither
the peculiarities already stated nor those of the Columhina jtroper, to be i)resently given.
'I'liey are the Zenaidinee and Phnpina; of Bonajjarte, with more or less lengthened naked tarsi,
and of more or less terrestrial habits. They are exemplified by such genera as Chamtcpelin
and Melopelia witii 1-2 rectrices, and Zenaidtmt with 14, of America; by Lopholeemus with 12,
Geopelia. Phlogcenan and Oci/phnps with 14, and Phaps with 1(5,' of the Old World. Nearly
all possess the anibiens and oil-gland, without ca>ca or gall-bladder. Having many points in
common, these ground-doves might fonn a subfamily Zennidhio' or Pluiphuc, notwithstanding
the ])eculiarities of (certain genera. Such a group would correspond to the two Boua))artian
subfamilies just named, and clo.«ely with the I'hiipitM! of Garrod.
0. From the Zenaidina; thus composed our genus Starnatias differs more notably than
authors, excejjtiug Garrod, seem to have appreciated. It is a pullet-like ground-pigeon, with
long reticulate tarsus, short and somewhat elevated hind toe; with ca'ca and without oil-gland
or ambiens muscle, the reverse of the rule in Zenaidinai as above noted. It can hardly bo
referred to the totally difierent TrernnincB on the single circumstance of lacking the ambiens,
and must stand alone, in such division of the family as is here sketched, as type of a new sub-
family Starnanadina.
7. With the remaining (Mumhi(. r. there is no difficulty, as they form a wrdl character-
ized restricted subfamily Coluwhintc. The leading genera are the sipuire-taiknl Coliimhn, of
both Worlds; the round-tailed Tuiinr of the Old ; the wedge-tailed il/ncco^jf/jfirt of the Old,
matched by the wedge-tailed Eciapisten of the New. The sj)ecies arc arboreal, with short feet,
scutellate or partly-feathered tarsi, and 12 tail-feathers; coeca, oil-gland, and anibiens ])resent;
gaU -bladder absent.
Of the seven groups thus indicated, three are North American. Tlw^y may readily be
distinguished as follows.
Analysia of North American SubfamUlea of Colmnbiila.
Tarsi scutellate, feathered Cnlumbinm
Tarsi scutellate, naked ZinnUVma
Tarsi reticulate, naked StamwnatUnas
48. Subfamily COLUMBINE: Typical Pigeons.
Feet small ; tarsus short, not longer than the lateral toes, scutellate in front, feathenMl
above. Wing pointed, of 10 ])rimaries. Tail variable in shape, of 12 rectrices. Bill typically
as described above. Arboreal. (See above for anatotnical character.)
Analijsi) nf Genera.
Tall nearly even, much shorter than the wing, with broad obtuse feathers Columba 19i
Tail long, cuneate, equal to wings, with narrow tapering feathers Ectopistea 193
COLUM'BA. (Lat. columba, a pigeon.) Bill .short and comparatively stout, about half as
long as head. Wings pointed, 2d and .3d quills longest. No black spots on scapulars. Lateral
toes of about equal lengths, with claws about as long as middle tw without ; hind toe and claw
539.
COLVMBIDJE — COLUMBINJE : TYPICAL PIGEONS.
565
about as long us )n.teral without. Contains tlie domestic Pigeon, C. livia, the Stoclt Dovo,
ۥ anas, King Dove, C. jHilumbus (tig. 389), and several other sjieeies of both llciiii.sphercM.
AnalyaU of Specirt,
A wliito band on nape ; metallio itcales of nape without borilura. Tail wltb liglit terminal and dark nub-
terniinul bars ; bill and feet yellow , former l>lauk-tippe<l fimrinlti CIO
No widto (in liead ; no luetuUic Hcales on najio ; tail not bande<l ; bill and feet not yellow . , friilliriiin n40
Topof head white; tall not banded ; metallio feathers of uapo black-bordered Ivucociphata 541
539. C. fascia'ta. (Lat. fasciata, banded; alluding to tlic bars on the tail.) JIand-taii.kk
PltiEON. WlliTK-coLLAUEi) Pkskon. Adult (J : Head, neck, and uiulcr parts purjiiisii
wino-red, fading to white on belly and erissum, the nape witli a distinct white lialf-collar, the
cervi-v with a j)atch of metallic, scaly bronze-green featiuirs. liiunp, ui)per tail-covertu, lining
of wings and sides of body slaty-blue. IJack and scapulars dark greenisli-brown, with con-
siderable lustre, changing ou the wing-coverts to slaty-blue, the.se feathers with light edging.
Quills blackisli-brown, with pale edging along the sinuous j)ortioii of the outer webs. Tail
bluish-ush, paler beyond the middle on top and much ])aler below, crossed at the middle by a
black bar. Hill y(dlow, tipped with black ; feet yellow, claws black ; a red ring r(jund eye —
these c(dors very conspicuous in life. A large stout species : length IC.OO ; e.\tent about 27.(lf* ;
wing 8.00-8.50, pointed; tail 5.50-G.OO, square; bill 0.75, stout for a pigeon; tarsus 1.00,
feathered half-way down in front ; middle toe and claw 1.67. Adult 9 • Back, wings, and
tail, as in (J ; metallic scales and white collar obscure or wanting. Head and under parts
nuich less purplish, the rich hue replaced by a rusty-brown wash on an ashy ground; yellow
of feet and bill obscured; smaller; wing 7.50; tail 4.75. Young ^ : Kesembling the ?.
Uocky Mts. to the Pacific, II. S., common and of general but irregular distribution, chiefly in
woodland, and especially where acorns, upon which it largely subsists, can be procured ; some-
times in flocks of great extent. Nest in trees and bushes ; eggs 2, cc^ual-ended, white,
glistening, 1.50X1.20.
540. C. erythrl'na. (Gr. €pv6pivos, eruthrinos, reddish.) Red-billed Pigeon. Adult <? :
Head, neck, and breast dark purplish wine-red, with a slight glaucous overcast, like tlie bloom
on a grape ; no metallic scales on ueck. Middle wing-coverts like the head. Middle of back,
and some inner wing-quills, dark olive-brown with a bronze-green gloss. Greater wing-
coverts, lining of wings, sides of body, belly, crissum, and rump, slate-coh)red, sometimes quite
sooty, sometimes more bluish ; tail like rump, but nion* blackish. Quills of wing dark slate
with narrow pale edging. Bill pink for basal half, rest pale horn-color; feet purplish-red,
with pale claws ; eye-ring red ; iris orange. Bill and feet drying an undefinable color. Bill
remarkable for forward extension of feathers on cuhnen, to with lialf an inch of tip, covering
the nasal scale. Length 13.50-11.50; extent 23.00-25.00 ; wing 7.50-8.00; tail about 5.00;
tarsus 0.87 ; middle toe and claw 1.50. 9 'I'ld young similar, duller and more dilute in color,
the wine-red and slato-color more ashy. Texas, Mexico, Lower California. A dark, richly-
colored pigeon, common in the Valley of Lower Rio Grande and southward. Nest in trees and
bushes, of twigs, grasses, and roots, well-formed for a pigeon's ; egg single, equal-ended,
glistening wliite ; averaging 1.54X1.09; laid in Aiir., May.
541. C. leucoce'phala. (Gr. 'KtvKos, lettcos, white ; Ke(/)aA^, kephale, head.) White-crowned
Pigeon. Adult (J 9 '• Dark slaty, paler below, the quills and tail feathers darkest. Whole
top of head pure white; hind neck above rich maroon-brown, lower down and laterally metallic
golden-grern, each feather black-edged, giving the appearance of scales. Bill and feet dark
carmine or lake red, the tip of the former bluish-white; bill drying dusky witii yellowish tip,
feet dingy yellowish. Iris yellow or white. Length 13.00-14.00 ; extent 23.00 ; wing 7-50 ;
tail 5.75. 9 ^^^y duller than <J. West Indies and Florida Keys. Nest in trees and bushes,
of twigs, roots, and grasses ; eggs 2, white, 1.40 X 1-05.
193. ECTOPIS'TES. (Gr. iKToni<rn)s, ektopistes, a wanderer: very appropriate.) Passexgeu
566
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — COL VMBJE — PEmSTERJE.
PiOEONS. Tiiil lonj;, equal to the wings, cnnrnte, of 12 tapering acmniimto feather?, parti-
colored. Wing acutely jxiinteil by first A primaries, with blacli spots on the coverts. Hill
ainall, with culnien less than half tlie head, short gonys, feathered far forward between the rami.
Tarsi short, feathered ]>art way do\m in front, wlicre seutellute, but not in one regular row of
8(uiles. Lateral toes unequal. Sexes unlike.
543. E. mtgrato'riuB. (Lat. migratorim, migratory. Fig. 390.) Passexuer Pkieon. Wild
Pi(iE()N. Adult (J: Upi)er parts, including head all around, slaty-blue, bright and pure on head
and nnnp, siiaded with olivaceous-gray on the back and wings ; the back and sides of the neck
glittering with gidden
and vi(det iri<le8cence,
the wing-coverts with
velvety -bliick spots.
Helow, from the throat,
light purplish-chestnut,
paler behind and fad-
ing into white on the
lower belly and cris-
8um. Til)iie, sides of
body, and lining of
wings like upper parts.
Quills blackish, with
rufiius - white edging.
Two middle tail-feath-
ers blackish ; others
fading from pearly -
Fio. ;t!)0. - Piissciigor Pigeon. ( From Tonnoy, after WllHon.) bluish into white, their
extreme bases with black and chestnut spots. Bill black ; feet lake red, drying an undeiinable
cidor; iris orange; skin about eye red. Length about 17-00, but very variable, according to
development of the tail; extent 23.00-25.00; wing 8.O0-S.50; tail about the same, the lateral
feathers graduated rather more than half its length ; bill 0.75 ; tarsus 1.00 ; middle toe and claw
1.25. Adult 9 : Upper parts, wings and tail, as in $ : below, brownish-gray, fading ])oste-
riorly. Young: Like the 9 i hut still duller; little or no dear slaty e.vcept on rump; plumage
varied with white crescentic edges of the feathers, especially on the back and wings ; quills
edged about with rufous; most of the lateral tail-feathers gray. '"Wanders continually in
search of food throughout all parts of X. Am. ; wonderfully abundant at times in particular
districts;" chicily, however, temperate N. Am., East of the K. Mts. We do not have the
'* millions " that the earlier writers speak of in the Eastern U. S. now : but I remember one
great llight over Washington when I was a boy : the greatest roosts and flights we now hear
of are in the upper Mississippi Valley. Nest in trees and bushes, a slight frail platform of
twigs, so open as to leave the egg visible from below. Eggs 1 or 2, equal-ended, 1.45 X L05.
49. Subfamily ZENAIDIN^: Ground Doves.
Feet larger than in Columbina. Tarsus lengthened to exceed the lateral toes, entirely
n.aked and scutellate in front Csearcoly feathered in Scardafella). Tail-feathers nonnally 12,
rarely 14 or more (Zenaidura the only North American Pigeon with more than 12). Seven
North American genera, each of a single species in this country.
Analysis of Genera,
Tall of 14 feathers Zenaidura 195
Tall of 12 featliers.
Outer primary attenuate, biitoary-like Kngyptila 191
COL I 'MBIDJE — XKNA 11)1 XJh: : G ROUND DO VKS.
;>;?
Outer primnry normal.
Tall longer rliim wing, <Iouble-rniinileil Sniriliifrlht loe
Tall about e<|ual to wing. TarauK not nliortor than miiMlo too anil claw Ilmtrnijon 'Ma
Tail iiliortrr tlian wing. Tnmiin aliorlor tlinn mlildlc loe anil claw.
No bluo-blark 'iHit nor nietnlllu luHtre on liunci or neck rhnmapelia 1W
A bine-block upot ami metallic luHtru on lieail or neck
DIack ii|H>tK anil no wbitu |iatcli on wtng ZmnUln ItiO
Whito patch anil no block s|>ots on wing Mrlopeliit VJJ
194. ENGYTTILA. (dr. «yyvr, fr/iyiM, narrow, striiitoni'il ; jttiXov, ;;/i7om, foathcr ; nlliKiiiij; tn tlm
outer iiriiiiiiry.) Pix-wixci DovKS. First primary uliriiiitiy t'liiarKinato, attonuuto and liiinir
near tlie end. Willis of iiiudonitu Irn^th ; .'Jd and 4th ]iriinari('a lonp'st ; first siiortiT than
7th. Tail much sliorti-r tlian tlic \viiig.x, rounih'd, of 12 broad feathers. Tarsus entirely nuked,
equalling or rather exeeeding the middle toe and elaw. Lateral toes nearly equal, the ends of
their elaws reaehing about ojiposite the base of the niiddie elaw. Hind toe shortest of all, but
perfectly iucuinbcut. Bill small and sluudur, iimcli shorter than the head. A cunsiderublo
542.
.^^
Fio. 391. — Details of EngyptUa albi/rons; head and foot nat. site ; wing and tall roiluced.
(Ad nat. del. K. Ridgway.)
naked space about the eye, thence extending in a narrow lino to the bill. Size medium or
rather small. Body full and stout. Coloration subdued, but hind-head and neck iridescent.
No metallic spots on wings or head. Lining of wings chestnut. (Only N. Aui. genus with
attenuate outer primary.)
E.al'bifrons. (Lat. «?6ms, white ; /ro»is, forehead. Fig. 391.) White-fronted Dove, g,
adult: Upper parts brownish-olive, with silky lustre (much as in Coccygus americanus for
example). Hind-head, nape, and back and sides of neck with coppery-purplish iridescence.
Top of the head of a bluish or glaucous " bloom,'' fading to creamy-white on the forehead. Under
parts dull white or whitish, more or less shaded with olive-brown on the sides, deepening on the
fore-breast and jugulum to pale vinaceous; belly, cri-ssum, and chin quite purely white. Wing-
coverts and inner quills like the back, and without metallic spots ; other larger reniiges
slaty-blackish, with very narrow pale edging toward the end. Under wing-coverts and axilla-
ries bright chestnut. Two middle tail-feathers like the back ; others slaty-black, tipped with
white in decreasing amount from the outer ones inward, the largest white tips about half an
inch in extent. Bill black. Feet carmine-red. Iris yellow. Bare skin around eye red and
.'■>(;h
SYSTKMA TIC SYNffJ'SIS. — COU'MJIA': — VEUISTF.UJE.
llvia liliH'. Lnigth ia,0()-12,5(); oxtoiit 19.(t()-10.5() ; wiii^ «.0(l-ft..'H) ; tail 4.25-4.50; liill
0.fl()-0.7(( ; tiirsiiH 1.2.')-1.H.'» ; niiddlo too and claw nitlior Ichk. 9 »*iiiiilar. (In |ii'iiitiiif; tlu'
f'hcrk List, tlic Nil. of tills* Hiiccico acciilrntally transpiiNi'il with No. ."JIH, KvUt]tislvn.)
196. ZKNAinr'IlA. (/rod/VAi, nom. iiroiir., and oipa, oi(»v», tail.) I'iN-TAll, 1>(»vkh. 'I'ail loii^r,
iibdiit (M|imlliii>; uiiitiH, ciiiicaU', nf II- narrow, taiicrinj;, olitusc-cndi'd rcallicrt* (nniijuc anioiif;
N. Am. ('oliimhi(lfr). Wmikk jioliitcd ; 'id primary rather longest, Iwt and tlic Ud aliont ('i|nal
and st-arcfly KliorttT. Tarsiiw naUcd, Hcntfllatf in front, in Icnf^tli intermediate between middle
and lateral toe.s ; tlie latter of inuMpial len^'tlm, the miter t<liortei<t. Mill miieli Nlmrter than
head, slender and weak, the featherw running out far between the rami. A bare eirriim-orbltal
space, Volvoty black HjxitH on head and wiiiffn. Lining of wiuga not rnfonH. Sexes nnlike.
There is a cin-ioim mimicry of h'ctopistes in form and even in cfdor ; but the technical characters
are widely ditferenf.
ft44, K. rnrollnen'stti, (Of Candina. Fip. 392.) ('AUoi.iXA Dovi;. MniUNiNd DoVK. WiU) DOVK.
Adult (J : rpper jiarts, including miildle tail-feathers, urayish-lilue shaded with brownish-idive,
the head and neck ochrey-browu overlaid with >,'laucoiis-bliie, the sides of the neck jilittering
with golden and ruby iridescence; a vi(det-
bliick spot under the ear-covert.><. L'nder jiarts
glaucous-purplish, (dianging gradually t<i oidira-
ceoiis on the Ijcily and crissum, to bluish on
the sides and under the wings, to whitish on
the chin; the purplish tint s)ireadiiig up on the
sides and front of the head ti> blend with the
glaucous-blue. l$lack spots ou mmw of the
scapulars and wing-coverts, most of which are
c(dor('d to eorrosponil with the bacdj, the larger
ones being rather bluish-plumbeous. Lateral
tail-feathers plunibeous-bluish, crossed with a
black bar, the outer four on each side broa<lly ended with white. Hill black ; angle of mouth
carmine ; iris brown ; ban; skin around eye livid bluish ; feet hike-red, drying dull ycdiowish.
Length aVont 12.50: extent about 18.00; wing 5.75 ; tail the same, the feathers graduated for
half its length; cuhnen 0.00; tarsus 0,80; middle toe and claw 1.00. 9 , adult : A little
snuiller, not purplish below, the rich C(dor replaced by grayish-brown, like the back but paler;
head and neck with little of the glaucous blue shade, and less iridescent. Young : I^ike the 9 I
but at an early age the velvety-black sjiots and iridescence are wanting, and the general tone
is quite gray; many feathers with whitish edging, as in the wild pigeon, with which not only
the ccdors but the sexual and juvenile differences are thus closely correspondent. Temjieratc
N. A., anywhere, the most widely and ecjuubly difl'used of its tribe, abundant in most localities,
in some swarming ; " millions " in Arizona, for example. Irregularly migratory, imperfectly
gregarious; great numbers may be together, but scarcely in compact flocks. Terrestrial rather
than arboreal, almost always feeding on the ground; where very numerous, they become famil-
iar, like blackbirds in the West. Nest indifferently on the ground or in buslies; eggs 2, white,
equal-ended, averaging 1.12X0.82; 2 or even .S broods in the South. During the mating
season, where those birds arc numerous, their cooing resounds on every hand, but at other
times they arc silent.
106. ZENAI'DA. (A proper name, that of Zenaido, cousin and wife of Prince C. L. Honaparte.)
Love Doves. Tail rounded, shorter than wings, of 12 feathers. Wings long, pointed by
2d and 3d quills ; 1st little shorter. Hill short, slender, black. Feet as in i>t\wr ZeitaidiiKe ;
tarsus intermediato in length between the iniddio and lateral toes ; the.so of unequal length,
inner a little the longer. Circuuiorbital space little bare. Metallic iridescence on neck ; blue-
black ear-spot, and others on wings. Sexes similar. (West Indian.)
545.
Fio. 802.
E. C.)
-Carolina Dovo, imt. hIzo. (Ail nat. del.
197.
A4n.
198.
r,n.
548,
COL VMIilDJh: - ZEN A Ih/X.-K : (niOt'NU DOVES.
AC.O
518. Z. «mii'l»IU». (]Mt. ainahiliH, \it\p\y,) Zknaioa Dovi;. Olivp-Rruy with u rrddlHli tiiinf ;
(Town mill uiiik'r |)arts vinact'oiis-ri'd ; hiilcs anil axillaiN l>liii>li ; a vrlvcty-lilack aiiriciilar
H|i<it, ami iitlicrH mi tlic wiiiK-cnvcrts ami tci'tiarit's; Mrcumlarli's ti|i|inl witii wiiitc ; luck wiili
iiii'tallir liiHti'c; iiiiildic taii-t'catlici'H like tiic l)a<'k, otiici'M liliiisli with whiter ti|m, u hiark hami
intcrvcnint,' : liili hlack willi iTinisini cnnicrs nf llic niniitli : iris Ihhwii : Itft red; ciuwn Idark.
Li'liiilii al t 10.00: wiiiir <'>.00 ; tail 1.0(1. West Indies and Kliirida Krys.
197. MKMU'KLl'A. (ii]-. niXiis, inclits, uwhiAy ; triXtia, /WW«, a dnvf.) \ViiiTK-WIN(l Dovus.
Tail riiiindcd, slmrtrr than winy, ol' 12 hniad, ruiinili'd t'ralhcrs. Wind's imiuti'd; l.st, ii\, ami .'<il
]iriiiuii'i('N nearly ('i|nal ami Imigcst. Mill sli'iidcr and Irnythi'iii'd, ('i|iialliiii; tarsus, hlark. A
large bar<> eircinnorhital H|iaco. A bliie-hhiek spnt belnw auricnlurs, Itnt uuui' on wiiigH ; neck
with inetallie lustre. A ureat white spaee on wiin;. Feet as in itthiT Xetiniilind: Se.ves alike.
.110. M. leuco'ptoru. ((Jr. XeuKor, Iniros, wliite ; jrrf/jdi', ptiTon, wiiii;.) \Vlirri:-WIN(l Dnvi;.
Wing with a liroad white har ol)lii|ne t'nnii tlie carpal juint to tlie ends of the lonu'est coverts,
continned hy white edging at and near ends of outer wehs of the secondaries ; very coiis|iiciions,
recognizahle at giin-sliot range. Lower hack iind rniiii), some of the middle coverts, lining of
wings, and entire under jtarts from the hreast, tine light Idnish-ash. I'rimaries hlackish with
narrow white edging. Tail, excepting two middle feathiM's, shity-hlne, becoming gradually
Bhity-black, then broadly and 8i|uarely tipped with ashy-white. General color of back, lesser
wiiig-cMiverts, inner ipiills, and middle tail-feathers, (dive-brown with some lustre; the tail-
feathers browner; the top of head and back of neck ])urplish-vinims with a slight glancons
Himde; sides of neck iridescent with g(dden-green ; a violet or steel-blue sj)ot below auricnlars.
Hill black, very slender. Length 11.25-12.2.) ; extent 19.00-20.00; wing (•..0(M)..")0 ; tail
4.0()-l..')0 ; bill 0.S7; tarsus O.ST ; middle toe and claw 1.25. ? scarcely distinguishable.
In the youngest, the white wing-bar apjiears, though there is little or no iinrpli.sh, or iri-
descence, or blue-black Ixdow ears. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and S. Calu. and southward,
abundant in suitable localities. In the breeding season, A|)r.-May, the sonorous cooini; is
incessant. Ne.st in hushes and h)W trees, slight and frail, of stick.s and weeds; eggs 2, whito
or vrvdimj, averaging l.lSXO.SH.
1 98. CH AMiKPELI'A. ('Jr. xaiiai, chamai, on the ground ; W X«a, peleia, a. dove.) Dwarf Doves.
Very small. Wings short and broad, with (doiigated inner secondaries, nearly overreaching
primaries in the folded wing. Tail still shorter than wing, nearly even, of 12 broad feathers.
Hill slender, about half as hnig as head, mostly yellow. Feet largely zenaidine ; tarsus as
long as middle toe without claw. No iridescence nor blue-black si)ot on head ; such sputa on
wings. Sexes unlike, but Arcades umbo.
.547. C. passerl'iia. {Ln\. pasxcriiid, sparrow-like; from the pygmy stature.) GRoirNH DovE.
Urayish-olive, glossed with blue on the hind head and neck, most feathers of tlie fore-parts
with (hirker edges, those of the breast with dusky centres. Forehead, sides of head and neck,
lesser wing-coverts and under parts ])iir|)lish-red of variable intensity, j)aler or grayish mi the
belly and crissuni ; under surface of wings orange-brown or chestnut, this color siiU'nsing the
quills to a great extent ; upper surface of wings sprinkled with lustrous steel-blue sjiots. Middle
tail-feathers like the back, others jiliinibeous, blackening toward ends, with paler tips. Feet
yellow; bill yellow with dark tip. Diminutive: length (i. 50-7. 00; extent 10.00-11.00; wing
3.50, with inner secondaries nearly as long as the primaries; tail 2.75, rounded; bill 0.45;
tarsus 0.67; middle toe and claw 0.75. 9 '""l young dift'er as those of the wild pigeon and
candina dove do, the pur])lish tints being replaced by gray or " a.slies of rosr's," the very young
bird having whitish skirting of the feathers. Southern IT. S., Atlantic to Pacific, but chietly
coastwise; N. to the ('andinas, and accidentally to Washington, I). C. ; common. Nest on
the ground or in hushes itiditi'erently : eggs 2, white, O.S7XO.()3.
548. C. p. palles'cens ? (Lat. jjaWcsfCHS, bleaching.) Scarcely difterent ; described as paler. Cape
St. Lucas.
6T0
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — COL IIMBJE — PEBISTEE^.
199. SCARDAPEL'LA. (Italian, siKimlizinf^ the scaly appoarancc of tho feathers, duo to their
eoliir.) Shell, Doves. Tail of peculiar shape, double-i 'umled, median and lateral feathers
both shorter than intermediate ones; all narrow and tapering; 12 in number. Wings as in
ChamcBpelia. Bill very slender, rather long, black. Feet not typically zenaidinc ; tarsus very
short, slightly feathered abt)vo. No blue-black spots on head or wings ; no iridescence on neck.
Size very small. Sexes similar, llemarkable genus, of 2 trojrical Am. species, one reaching
our border.
649. S. iii'ca. {Inca or ynca.i, a Peruvian title.) IxoA Dove. Scaled Dove. $ 9 . a'hdt :
Above, grayish-brown with the usual olive shade, anteriorly also with a slight "ashes of roses"
hue ; below, ])ale ashy-lilac, changing to ochracMions on the belly and crissum — nearly all the
plumage nuirked with black cresceutic edges of the feathers, producing the shelly or scaly
appearance. Primaries and bastard quills intense chestnut, with blackish ends ; lining of
\
F
a
f
1
1
550. <
i'
800.
Fio. 3i)3. — Blue-lieaded (juail Dcivu, i nut. bIzu. (From Brclini )
wings black and chestnut ; outer secondaries blackish with chestnut central ar.-as, gradually
diminishing till the inner secondaries assimilate with the color of the back. Middle tail-
feathers like back ; three lateral ones basally plumbeous, then black, tlien broadly tipped M-ith
white — the black running out into tho wliite as a shaft line. 9 similar Xo$ ; young similar,
but with little or no ashy-rosy, and sprinkled with white <ni upper j)arts. L?ngth about 8.00 ;
wing !{.75 ; tail more ; bill 0. 1-5 ; tarsus 0.50 ; middle toe and claw 0.87. A very pretty little
dove, with mahogany wings upholstered in shell-figured ashes-of-roses velvet; a curious mini-
ature of the conuno dove in form. Mexico to Te.xas, New Mexico and Arizona, along the
borders. Nest in bushes ; eggs 2, white, 0.90X0.70.
GKOTRY'GON, (Gr. yfo, {len, the earth ; rpvymv, trugon, a cooer.) Lustue Doves. Tail
about as long as wings, a little rounded, of 12 broad rounded feathers, with curved shafts.
201.
551.
COLUMBIDJE — STARN(EJ^ADIX^: QUAIL DOVES.
671
Wings short, rounded; 3d and 4th quills longest, ^d and 4th little shorter, 1st mu(;h shorter.
Feet strongly zenaidiiie; tarsus not shorter than middle toe and claw ; still, soutellate in front,
and hind toe more than half as long as the middle, perfeetly insistent. Hill rather long and stout ;
frontal feathers obtuse on culmen. Head and wings without Itlue-bhu-k spots; whole upper
parts highly lustrous. Medium size ; form stocky, somewhat <]uail-like, but tail long. Ap-
proaching the ne.xt, but at a distance. West Indian and Tropical American.
550. G. martl'nlca. (Of Martini(pie.) Key West Dove. Above, vinaceons-red with highly
iridescent lustre of various tints ; below, pale j)uri)lish fading to creamy ; an infra-ocular stripe
and the throat white. Length 11.00 ; wing and tail about 0.00. West Indies and Key West,
Florida, where not observed of late.
50. Subfamily STARNOENADIN^: Quail Doves.
See p. 504. Hallux not perfectly insistent; short, only about half as long as the middle
too and claw. Feet large and stout ; tarsus longer than the nuddle toe, entirely bare of
feathers even on the joint, conipletely covered with small hexagonal scales. With ca'ca, but
without oil-gland or anibiens muscle, the reverse of the Zcnaidinai, of which it is a remarkable
outlying fori>", grading toward gallinaceous birds in structure and habits ; like some partridges
even to t'.io special head-markings. Including one isolated American genus and species, not
referable to any established Old World group.
201. STAI. E'NAS. (Stania, name of a genus of partridges ; Gr. oivat, aenas, a dove.) Qi;ail
Doves. In addition to the foregoing : IJill short, stout; frontal feathers projected in a point on
culmen. Wings short, broad, vaulted and much rounded ; first primary reduced. Tail .short,
broad, nearly even. Size medium ; whole form and appearance quail-like. West Indian.
551. 8. cyanoee'phala. (Gr. Kvavos, kuanos, blue; Kf^aXiy, kephale, head. Fig. ',i'Xi.) Hi.ite-
HEADEu Quail Dove. Crown rich blue bounded by black ; a white stripe under the eyi>,
meeting its fellow on the chin ; throat black, bordered with white. General color olivaceous-
chocolate above, purplish-red below, lighter centrally. Length 11.00 ; wing 5.50 : tail 4.50.
West Indies and Florida Keys.
VI. Order GALLINiE: G-allinaceous Birds; Fowls.
Equivalent to the ohl order i^asor^s, exclusive of the Pigeons — this name being derived
from the characteristic habit of scratching the ground in search of food ; coimecting the lower
terrestrial pigeons with the higher members of the gn^at plover-snipe group. On the one hand,
it shades into the Columhte so perfectly that Huxley has j)roposed to call the two together the
" Gallo-columbine series ; " on the other hand, scmio of its genera show a strong plover-ward
tendency, and havt; even been placed in Limicolcc. I have already (p. 502) noted the inoscula-
tion of GalUtue with Columbce by means of the grou.se-like Pigeons, Vterocklcfi ; it reuuiins to
indicate the limits of the GaUintc in other directions, by referring to two remarkable grou[is,
one n-presented by Opisthocomus iilone, the other con.sistiug of the Huuiipods or Tunikes.
Both of these have usually been referred to fiaUintr.
1. The wonderful Hoatzin of Guiana, Opisthocomus crisfatufi, is one of the most isidated
and |)uzzling forms in ornithcdogy, sometimes [daced near the Muxophugidii' , but assigned by
maturer judgment to the neighborhood of the fowls, which it resenibh's in many respects, a.s an in-
dependent order Opistiii, OMI, sole relict of an ancestral type. The sternum and shoolder-girdlo
are anomahms ; the keel is cut away in front ; the furcula anchylose with the coracoids (very
rare) and with the manubrium of the sternum (unique) ; the digestive system is scarcely less
singular ; and other characters are remarkable.
2. The bu.sh-quails of the Old World, Tiirnicidae, differ widely from the Cfallincr, rc-
Bombliug the Grouse-pigeons and Tinamous in !jome reH])ects, and related to the Plov rs in
672 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLIN2E — PERISTEBOPODES.
others. A siugiilur circuinstance is a lack of the extensive vertebral anchyloses usual iu birds,
all the vertcbriB remaining distinct. The palatal structure is curiously like that of Pussercs
(a'githognathous). Tiie crop is said to be wanting iu some ; as is also the hind toe, and one of
the carotids. There are some 20 current species of the principal genus, Turnix, to wliich Gray
adds tlie African Orty.rdos meiffrcni, and tiie Australian Pedionomus tovquaius. Late studies
of tlie group have resulted in the view that it should represent a distinct order, IIemipodii.
Elimination of these non-confonnable elements renders the Gallince susceptible of much
b<?tter definition, as foUows: —
Bill generally short, stout, convex, with obtuse vaulted tip, not constri( ed in the con-
timiity, wholly hard and corneous except in the uasiil fossa. Tomia of upjjcr mandible over-
hippiug the lower ; culmen higli on forehead, the frmital feathers there forming a re-entrance.
with wore or less salience on either side. Xi>strils scaled or feathered, in a siiort abrupt fossa.
Legs usually feathered to the suffrago, often to the toes, sometimes to the chiu . Hallux
elevated, excepting iu Cracidtc and Megupodida, normally shorter than the anterior toes.
Tarsus generally broadly scutellate, when not feathered. Front toes commonly webbed at
base. Claws blunt, little curved. Wings sliort, strong, vaulte<l. Kectrices commonly more
than 12 (not more in Cvacidw, beyond). Head and brain small in proportion to the body, us
in Pigeons. Plumage with after-.';hafts. Oil-gland tufted. ('aroti<ls two (except in Megapudidic).
No intrinsic syringeal nuiscles. Sternum generally deejdy doubly-notched, and furculum witli
a hypocleidium. Palate schizognatlmus. Xa.-'al bones schizorhinal. Sessile basipterygoid
processes present. Angle of niandible produc<'d into a recurved process. Pectoral muscles,
three ; the second extensive ; femoro-caudal variable ; accessory femoro-camlal, senii-tendiuosus,
accessory senii-tendinosus and ambiens j)resent. Intestinal cceca extensive ; gizzard muscular.
Nature jmecocial and ptilopaHlic, tyi)ically pcdygamous. Chiefly terrestrial.
The order thus defined is etiuivalent io the AlectoromorphfC of Huxley (18G7), minus
PtcrocMes and Hemipodii. The birds composing it fall into two series or suborders, according
to the structure of the feet and more essential characters.
5.'»tJ.
10. SuBouiJER PERISTEROPODES : Pujeox-toed Fowls.
Framed to accommodate the Old World Megapodidee, or Mound-birds, and the American
Cracida, or Curassows.
The Mound-birds, Megnpodido", as the name implies, have large feet, with little-curved
claws, and lengthened insistent hallux. They share this last feature with the Cracidcc
(bej'ond) ; and the osseous structure of these two families, except as regards pneumaticity, is
strikingly similar. Both show a modification of the sternum, the inner.iuie of the two notdies
being less instead of more than half as deep as tiie sternum is long, as in typical Callhuc.
The Megapods do not incubate, and the j-onug pass through i\w downy stage in the egg,
hatching with true feathers (p. 22(i). Tiu-y are confined to Australia and the East Indies ;
Mcfjnpodius is the principal genus, of a dozen or more species ; there are three others, each of
a species or two.
36. Family CRACID-^ : Curassows.
This type is peculiar to America, where it maybe considered to represent the Megapodida;
though differing so much in habit and general appearance. The affiniti<'s of the two are indi-
cated above, and some essential chanicters noted. According to the hltest authority on the
family, Messrs. Sdater and Salvia, it is divisible into three subfamilies : CniciiKe, curassows
and hoccos, with four genera and twelve species • Onophasintc, with a single genus and
species, Orcophasis derhianus, and the
en A CIDjE — VESEL OPINjE : G I 'ANS.
573
u birds,
'asseres
one of
h Gray
studies
IPODII.
f inucii
le cdii-
over-
traiK-e.
fossa.
Hallux
tilt's.
I)cd at
iiioro
ody, as
'J(li(Uc).
51. Subfamily PENELOPINiC: Cuans,
with sovpn genera and tliiity-nine species, one of which reaches our Iwrder.
802. ORTALilS. (Gr. opToXir, ort«/(s, a pullet.) GlANS. Head crested ; it.s sides, and strips on the
chin, naked, but no wattles. Tarsi naked, scutellatc! before aiul behind, with small scales
between the scutellar rows. Hind toe insistent, about i the middle toe. Tail graduated,
ample, fan-shaped, longer than the miKrli rounded wings, of 12 broad, obtuse feathers. Wings
short, concavo-convex, with abbritviated outer primaries, the secondaries reaching about to the
ends of the longest primaries when the wing is folded. Bill slender for a gallinaceous bird,
without decided frontal antisc. Coloration greenish. Sexes alike. In some points of she
shape, and general aspect, there is a curious su))erticial resemblance between this genus and
Geococci/x, though the two genera belong to different orders of birds.
S.j'i. O. ve'tula inaccal'll. (Lat. vettila, a little old woman. To Geo. A. McC'all.) Te.\ax
Gl'AX. CuAt'HALACA. Dark glossy olivaceous, paler and tinged with brownish- yelhw below,
plumbeous on the head ; tail lustrous green, tipped with grayish-white except on the middle
pair of feathers ; bill and feet plumbeous; iris brown. Length 2^.00-24.00; extent 24.00-
28.00; wing 7-50-9.00 ; tail 9.00-11.00; tarsus 2.00 or more ; middle toe and claw about the
same. 9 similar. Downy young : Above, mixed brown, ashy and tawny, with a black central
stripe from bill to tail; below white, ashy on the jugulum. Mexico to Texas in the Lower
Kio Grande Valley, abounding in some localities. A notable bird, unlike anything else in this
country. Easily domesticated, said to be used as a game fowl. Very noisy in the breeding
season (.\pril), reiterating the syllables cha-cha-lac in a loud hoarse tone. Nest in bushes,
a slight structure; eggs generally 3, with a thick, granular, and very hard shell, like a
Guinea-fowl's, oblong-oval, buff-colored or creamy-white, large for the bird, 2.35XL*J0.
11. Slboudeu ALECTOROPODES : True Fowls.
The birds of this suborder are more or less perfectly terrestrial; the legs are of mean
length, and stout; the toes four, three in front, generally connected by basal webbing, but
sometimes free, and one behind, always short and elevated. The tibia) are rarely nakcnl below;
the tarsi often feathered, as the toes also sometimes are; but ordinarily both these are naked,
s<mtellate and reticulate, and often developing processes (^spurs) of horny substance with a bony
core, like the horns of cattle. The bill as a rule is short, stout, convex, and obtuse ; never cered,
nor extensively membranous; the base of the culmen parts prominent antite, which frequently
till the nasal fossa;; wluni naked the nostrils show a superincumbent scale. The head is
fnxiuently naked, wholly or partly, and often develops remarkable fleshy i)rocesses. The
wings are short, stout, and concavo-convex, conferring ])ower of rapid, whirring, but unpro-
tracted, flight. The tail varies extremely; it is very small in some genera, enormou.'»ly devel-
oped in others; the rectrices vary in number, but are commonly more than twelve. The
sternum without certain exception shows a peculiar eonfonnation ; the posterior notches seen
in most birds are inordinately enlarged, so that the bone, viewed vertically, seems in most of
its extent to Im' simply a narrow central jirojection, with two long backward processes on each
side, the outer conimoidy hammer-shaped. There are other distinctive osteological charactei-s,
as noted above. The digestive system presents an ample sj)ecial crop, a highly nuiscular
gizzard, and large cceca. The inferior larynx is always devoid of intrinsic muscles; the
structure of the trachea varies with genera, jjresenting some curious modifications. There
are after-shafts, and a circlet around the oil-gland. Alectoropoiles are jiran-ocial and ptilopa-dic.
A part of them are pcdygamous — a circum.'<tance shown in its ])erfection hy the sultan of the
dung-hill with his disciplined harem ; and in all such, the se.\es are conspicuously dissimilar.
The rest are monogamous, aud the sexes of these are as a rule nearly or <|uitu alike. The
574
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLING— ALECTOROPODES.
eggs arc very nuincnms, usually laid iin the ground, in a rude nest, or none. The suborder is
cosmopolitan ; but most of its groujjs have a special geographical distribution. Its great eco-
nomic importance is perceived in all forms of domestic poultry, and principal game-birds of
various countries; and it is unsurpassed in beauty — some of these birds tiffer the most
gorgeous coloring of the class.
Genetically, the Fowls
are nearer than most
birds to a generalized,
old-fashioned tyjie. They
have relations in the cu-
riously ostrich-like Tiua-
mous of South America
(Tinumida: or Crijpturi),
the lioatzin {Ojusthoco-
nius), and other antitpie
relicts. Notice a (|uarter-
grown Turkey with this
idea in mind, and you will
hardly fail to see that
it looks like au o.strich
in miniature. Leading
types of existing Alec-
toropod Gulliiia: are the
Quail, the Grouse, the
Guinea-fowl, the Tur-
key, and the domestic;
Cock. The two former
are very close to each
other, and hardly .sepa-
rable as families ; the
three latter are nearer
one another, and often
placed together in a fam-
ily. The families Tct-
rctouida, Grouse, Quail,
and Cartridges; and Me-
Iciigridida:, Turkeys, are
iudigcntius to N. Am.,
and fully treated beyond.
A word on the others will
not be misplaced here.
The Guinea-fowl, ^Vm-
mididcp, of which a sj)e-
cies, Numida mdeagris,
is commonly seen in do-
Fio. 3M. — Engliiili Pheasant, Phaaianus colchicus. (From Dixon.)
tnestication, are an African and Madagascan type. While the foregoing families are strongly
specialized, this one, like the turkey family, more closely approiudies the true fowl, and
lK)th may be only subfamilies of PtMsianidte. The bones of the pinion have a certfiin
peruliarity ; the frontal generally develops a protuberance ; there are wattles, but no spurs ; the
tail is very short ; the head naked. There are six or eight species of Xumida, in some of
PHA SIA NWJE : PIIEA l^ANTS.
575
which the trachea is convoluted in an appendage to the fiireuhiin ; AcryUhim vulturina, Agelns-
tes meleagridcs, and Phasulun niger, are the reinaiiiiutr ones.
The Phasianid<e, or Plieasants, are a inagniticent family of typical Gnllinte, of which the
domestic fowl is a characteristic example. The feet, nasal fossie, and usually a part, if not the
whole, of the head, are naked, and often comhed, homed, or wattled. The tarsi commonly
develop spurs. The tail, with or without its coverts, sometimes has an extraordinary develop-
ment or a remarkahle shape (p. 118). There are fifty or si.xty species, distributed in numerous
modern genera, about
twelve of which are
well marked ; they
are all indigenous to
Asia and neighbor-
ing islands, focusing
in India. In the
Peacock, Pavo cris-
tatus, the tail-coverts
form a superb train,
cjipable of erection
into a disk, the most
gorgeous object in
ornithology ; in an
iiUied genus, Poly-
jjlectron, there are a
pair of spurs on each
leg. The Argus
Pheasant, Argusa-
nus giganteus, is dis-
tinguished by the
enonnous develop-
ment of the secon-
dary quills, as well
as by the length of
the tail-feathers and
peculiarity of the
middle pair. The
combed, wattled, and
spurred bam - yard
fowl, with folded tail
and flowing middle
feathers, are descend-
ants of Gallus bank-
t'crt, typo of a small
Fio. 395. — Turkey. ( From Lewis. )
genus. The Tragopans, Ceriornis, are an allied form with few species; the Macartneys,
Enplocomiis, with a dozen species, are another near form, as are the Impeyans, Lnplwplwriis,
with a slender aigrette on the head, like a peacock's. The naturalized English pheasant, P.
colchicus (fig. 391), introduced into Uritaiu prior to A. D. 1056, is the type of Phasianus, in
which the tail-feathers are very long and narrow ; in one species, P. reevesii, the tail is said
to attain a length of six feet. Tiie Golden and Amherstian Phcasa.iits, Chrysolophus pictus and
C. amhiTstiw, are singularly beautiful, even for this group. The other genera are Crossoptilon
and Pucrasia.
676
SYSTJiMA nV SYNOPSIS. — GALLING — ALECTOROPODES.
36. Family MELEAG-RIDID^ : Turkeys.
Iload and ui>per neck naked, faniuculatc ; in tmr s|ii'cics with ti dewlap and erectile jji-o-
cess. Tarsi naked, scutellate before and behind, si)urred in tlie <J. Tail broad, roiinde((, of
14-18 fwithers. Plumage compact, lustrous; in our species with a tuft of luiir-like feathers
on the breast. One genus, two 8i)ecics. M. ocellatun is the very beautiful Turkey of Central
America.
203. MKLEA'GRIS. (Gr. ixtktaypis, Lat. meieagris, a guinea-fowl ; transferred in ornithology to
this genus.) TmKKYS. Characters of the family.
553. M. gallipa'vo. (Lat. gallus, a cock, pavo, a jtea-fowl. P^ig. 395.) Tukkey. Upper tail-
coverts chestnut, with paler or whitish tips; tail-featliers tipjied witli brownish-yellow or
whitish ; 3-4 feet long, etc. Wild in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and southward ; domesti-
cated elsewhere. The Mexican bird is the original of the domestic race ; it was upon tills
form, imported into Europe, that Linuieus imposed the name galloitaro (Fn. Suec. No. 108;
Syst. Xat. i, 17'j(), 'M>'^), which has generally been apjdicd to the following feral variety :
554. M. g. america'na. Eastekx Wild TruKEY. Ujjper tail-coverts without light tips, and ends
of tail-feathers scarcely paler. This is the ordinary wild turkey of Ea.steru North America;
N. to Canada, where it is said still to occur ; extirpated in New England. XW. to tlie
Missouri, and SW. to Texas. The .slight differences just noted seem to be rennirkably con-
stant, and to be rarely if ever shown by the other form; although, as usual in domestic birds,
tills last varies interminably in color.
87. Family TETRAONID-ffi : Grouse ; Partridge ; Quail.
AU the remaining gallinaceoua birds an; very closely related, probably constituting a
single family ; although the term Tetraonido! is usually restricted to the true Grouse as below
dciiued (Tetraiminee), the Partridges and Quails being erected into another family, Perdicidd',
with several subfamilies. But tin; Grouse do not appear to differ more from the Partridges
and Quails than these do from each other, and they are all variously interrelated; so that no
violence will be offered in uniting them. One group of the Partridges (Odontophorince) is
confined to America; all the rest ti> the Old World. The leading fonns among the latter are
Perdix, the true partridgt* ; Coturnix, the true Quail ; Francolinux, the Fram^olins ; with
SoUulus and Caccabis. In all, jjerhaps a hundred species and a dozen genera. Without
attempting to frame a family diagnosis to cover all their moditicatious, I will precisely define
the American forms, as two subfamilies.
Anaiyfla of SuhfamilicB.
Tetraoktk^k. (trnune. Tlie shank (tarsus) more or less feathered. (Plenty more characters, but tills
is perfectly ilisthictlvc.)
Odontophorin.k. American Partridge) and Quails. The shank entirely bare and scaly. (Plenty
mure characters, etc. )
Oiis. — The vernacular names " pheasivnt," " partridge," and "quail," as applied to our
game birds in different sections of the country, arc the cause of endless confusion and misun-
derstanding, which it seems hopeless to attempt to do away with. (1.) The word " jdieasant"
(derived from the name of the river Phasis in Colchis) belongs to certain Old World Phasianidee
(see above ; and fig. 394-) having no representatives in AnuTica. But early settlers of this country
applied it to the Ruffed Grouse, BoHa.sa umhella — and "pheasant" is the Ruffed Grouse called
to this day by the common people of the Middle and Southern States. (2.) " Partridge " is an old
English word, specifically designating the English Perdix cinerea, then enlarged in meaning to
cover iUl the family Perdicida" (see beyond). In the Northern States, both the Spruce Grouse,
Canace canadensis, viwA the Ruffed Grouse, are connnonly called "partridge." In the Middle
TETliA ONW.E — TETliA UMX.E : GliOUSE.
677
and Southern States — wherever the Kuffod Grouse is culled " iiheasiint," the Hob-wliito, (Miix
virt/iniana, is called "partridge." (15.) The term "([uail" is s])eeialiy aiijilieahle tn the Euro-
jieau Migratory or Messina Quail, CoUirnix ductijUsonam. Hut this reseiuhles our llob-white
not distantly, causing the latter to be called "(|uail " in the sections where the KuHcd and Spruce
Grouse arc called "partridge;" and in the Southwest, the sjiecies of Jjijiliorti/.r, Oirtirti/.v, and
Cijrtonijx arc universally called " quail." The following tabular statement should bring the
matter clearly into view.
Siimmari/ of yorth American Ti'.ruAONin.K — Grouse, Partrkhje, Qtmil.
A. (Ji! )i!si:, with feathers on shank (Tetruonincc).
1. Saiif Fowl: Sage Cock; Sago-Him ; Cook-of- the- Plains. Western. One 8i)eeies :
( 'iHtrorercus urophasianu.'i.
•2. Shttrp-tuikd Grouse: I'in-tail Grouse; Prairie Um or Prairie ("hicken of the North-
west : 1 species, 2 varieties : I'ediu'cctes phasiduellus.
3. Pinnated Grouse: common Prairie Hen or Prairie Chicken of the Mississi])pi, Ohio,
and Lower Missouri valleys. One species; two varieties: Cujiidouiit rujiido.
4. Tree Grouse: Spruce Grouse; Hhu^k (Jrou.se; the Nortiiern Stati's species improperly
called " partridge." One si)ecies, two varieties : Cunnee canadensis.
Another s])ecies of 'i varieties, confined to the West : Canace obscurn.
5. ]{ujl'id Grouse : improperly called " partridge " in the Xortliern and '• pheasant " in the
Middle and SoiitiuTU States. One si»>cies, Jionasu umlnUii. of 'A varieties.
0. Snow Grouse, or Ptarmit/an. Three sj)ecics of Luf/opus, boreal and alpine, turning
white in winter : L. albus, L. ri(2)estris, L. leucurus.
B. PAUTUiixiE and Qit.ml, without feathers on shank (OdontopJwrinre).
7. The imported Messina (^JHfdV, or Migratory Quail of Kurope : one species: Coturnix
dacti/lisonans.
8. Bob-white: called "iiuail" in Northern States; called "partridge" in the Miihlle
and Southern States. One species : Ortiix cirginianu, with -2 varieties, one in
Florida, the other in Te.xas.
9. Helmet Partridtjes : of the Southwest, commonly called " <iuail," with a beautiful
recurved tojj-knot. Two species of Lophorti/.r : L. (jambeli, L. californica, (tonimonly
called " valley <piail."
10. Arrow Partridije : with two long arrowy jilumes on the head. One species, of Cali-
fornia: Orortijx picta, commonly called "mount'iin (juail."
11. Shell Partridije : bluish-white markings, as if scaly. One species. Southwest. Calli-
pepla s(/namata.
12. Masscna Partridije (not to l)e confused with the
imported Messina Quail) : with a soft crest anil
nnnil)erless white "eyes" on the belly. South-
west. One species : f'l/rtoni/x massena.
In all, »'l) varieties, of Id species, of 12 genera, of 2
subfamilies, of 1 family.
52. Subfamily TETRAONIN^: Grouse.
Head com]>letely featherecl, excei)ting. usually, a
naked strip of skin over the eye. Nasal fossil" densely
feathen'd. Tarsi mon; or less perfectly feathered, the
feathering sometimes extending on the toes to the
claws; the toes, when naked, with horny fringe-like
proce.>iS(!s. Tail variable in shape, but never folded.
37
Fio. 39C. — ' Kcd Game ' of Brituiii, Lagopus
scolicus. (From Hlxoii.)
678
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLINJE — ALECTOROI'ODES.
of 1(1-20 feathers. Sidt's of tho neck frequently with lengthened or otherwise modified feathers,
or a bare distensible skin, or both.
The true Grouse are confined to the northern hemisphere, and reach their highest devehip-
meut, as a group, in North America, where singularly varied forms occur. The only Old World
species are — the great Tetrao urogallus, or Capercaillie of Knrope, and its allied Asiatic species;
Li/rurits tetrix, the "black game'' of Europe, with curiously curled tail-feathers; Cnnuce
falcipeiiHis of Siberia, tiie representative of our Spruce I'artridgc ; Bonasa hetulina of Northern
Europe and Asia, like our Ituttcd (irouse ; and two or three species of Ptarmigan (Laijojxis).
All the species <if this subfamily used to be referred to a single gnnis Tclnto — the luiiy
generic name familiar to sportsmen and others who make no technical sttidy of birds. Hut such
must not be surprised to find me discarding this well-known name, and ado|>ting several ditl'erciit
ones as generic designations of our Grouse, which ditler much among themselves, in jioints of
form and structure, and are all widely diverse from Tiiruo nroffallitu of Eiu'opc, type of llu'
genus.
Anali/Hin of A. Am. (lemrti of Tclriioninir.
Tnil stiff, pointed, weilge-sliniicd, eiiimlliin; or exceeding tlio wings, of LH) fentliern; waly and tiiiir-liko
ftiiitliei'8 on bruust. Titrti tull-featliured. Very large Vintrnrvrom 2(i5
Tall utitt', i>ulnted, wedge-sliaiml, much shorter tbun wings, of 18 feutliera; no obviously iieeuliiir feathers
on neek. Tarsi full-feathered J'ldiiictits 'JUC
Tail stiltisli, rounded, much shorter tliau wing, of 18 feathers : wing-like tufts and great bare space on
neck. Tarsi scant-feathered Cuiiiiloiiia 2(17
Tail soft, roundeil, about as long as wing, of 18 feathers; uuibrclla-liko tufts on neck, but no obvious
bare ^ipace. Tarsi bare below Jionanti 'J08
Tail stiflish. Hat, B<iuare, shorter than wing, of 1G or 20 feathers ; no evidently peculiar feathers or oliriiiiinlji
bare si>ace on neck. Tarsi full-feathered ('(iiiiirr 234
Tail, etc., a» in faHiirc. Tarsi and toes fully feathered. White in winter I.iujopus 20!)
204. CA'NACE. (Lat. Ciinace, a proper name.) Tkek Gkoitse. Hlack (iuoisi;. No (devi-
ously lengthened or otherwise peculiar feathers on neck or head. No ohciously naked space on
neck: but tiiere is a [licce of skin capable of distension, especially in the Western species of
Dcndnujuims. A strip of baiv colored skin over eye. No crest. Tarsi feathered to the toes.
Tail little shorter than wing, stiHish, nearly square, of broad, «dttuse feathers, normally lii (in
Cnnace proper) or iJO (in Dendraf/apus) in number. Of medium iind large size, and dark
blended colors, inhiibiting woodland, like the species of Ilonasa, and (juite arboretil ; U(jrtherly
and alpine. Sexes distinguishable. Eggs heavily-colored.
Anahisis of Suhgencrn, Species, and I'arhtii'H.
Tail normally of 16 feathers (exceptionally of 14 or 18, as an indiviilual iiecnliarity). {Canacf proiwr.)
Tail with broad orange-brown cud, its upi>er coverts without white »iN)ts. Kastcrn . . rioiai/cn.ii.i 5rA
Tail without orange-brown end, its upiier coverts with widtesiwts. Western franklini 556
Tail normally of 20 feathers (exceptionally 18 or 22 ?). (ncmlntijainto.) Western.
Tail black, with broad slate-colored end.
Under parts clear bluish slate color. Kocky Mts., etc., southerly nbscuni MT
Under parts sooty plumbeous. Alaska. . fiiliyiiiosa 559
Tall black, with narrow or no slate-colorcd end. Rocky .Mts., etc., northerly richartlaoni 558
555. C. canaden'sis. (Of Canada. Fig. V.ST.) Canaoa GuorsE. Spotted Grouse. Spruce
Grouse. Spruce " Partridcje." Adult cock: Head smtKith, but feathers susceptible of erec-
tion into a slight crest. A cidored comb of naked skin over the eye, bright yellow or reddish
wlien fully injected. Tail slightly rounded, of If) feathers, a scant inch broad to their very ends.
Tarsi full-feathered to the toes, wliich are naked, scaly, and fringed. Tail black, broadly tii)ped
with orange-brown ; its ujiper coverts witht)Ut decidedly white tips. Under parts glossy bliick,
extensively varied with white ; under tail-coverts tippeil with white ; sides and breast with
white bars or semicircles ; white spots boundini: the throat ; white spots on lore. Upper parts
wavy — barred with black and gray, usmiUy also witii some tawny markings on the back and
wings. In full feather, the appearance is of a black bird, grayer a\ : .e, spotty with white
bel(
.-..-•7.
TETRA ONIDJE — TETRAONINJE : GROUSE.
579
ncli
■lit
>{
lie
2(15
aw
i;a4
l'"iii. 3117. — Ciuiailii tir()ii!<t', iiiit. size. (Ad iiat.
tlfl, K. C.)
bolow, and orange tail-ond. Length ii.sually 16.00-17.00; wing 7.00; tail 5.50. Hon rather
sinallor. No ctiiitiiiiKnis blacit licluw. wiicre white ant! tawny, hitter jiarticnhirly on brea.«t,
nearly everywhere pretty regularly wavy-harrej with blackish. Ab..ve, nn.re like the tnale, but
browner. Knd of tail nmre narrowly orange.
I'ulh'ts resemble the hen. N. Am., E. of the
U. Mts., northerly, in w<iodlaiiil. N. nearly or
(|iiite to the limit of trees; N'. W. to Alaska.
S. into the northern tier of States, es]tecially
Maine, Michigan, anil Minnesota ; casually to
.Massachusetts. It is a very hardy bird, enduring
the rigors of sub-arctic winters, and not properly
migratory. Kggs numerous, 1.6S X 1-20, rather
pointed, buff-c(dored, dotted, sjiotted, and boldly
splashed with rich chestnut. Shape and j)attern
of eggs more like those of ptarmigan tlian of the
prairie grouse.
.»56. f. e. fraiik'llnl. (To Sir John Franklin.) Fi{.\nki-in's Si-uick (litoisi;. Si/c, shape, and
whole appearance of the foregoing. Tail rather longer, more nearly I'ven, with broader featiiers ;
lacking the terminal orange bar; tipped narrowly with white, its u](iier coverts tipped with
white, making the up])er side of the tail conspicuously spotty. Hocky and Cascade Mts.,
northerly, in V. S., and northward about sources of tli(^ Saskatchewan, Athabasca, and
.McKenzie Uiver.s. A mere variety of C. cunudensis : the variation parallel with that of C.
rwhardsom as compared with (.'. obscitra.
.■».'>7. C. obseu'ra. (Lat. nhsciira, dark.) DiSKV Guot SE. Hu'K Gijoi si;. IJit.w (iuoisE.
I'INE Guoi'.SE. Old cock: Hack and wings blackish-brown, finely waved and vermiciilated
in zigzag with slate-gray, mi.ved with more or less ochrey-brown and soiiui white on the scapu-
lars. F^ong feathers of the sides witli white ends and shaft stripes: other under parts line
bluish-gray or light slate color, varied with white, esjiecially on the lower belly, thinks, and
vent-feathers. Cheeks black : chin and throat finely speckled with black and white. Though
the lateral feathers of the neck are sniootl. and simple, formiusi no decided tufts as in Ciipidoiiia
or lionasii, they are somewhat enlarged, covering a nulimeutary tyiiipaniiiii : these feathers
with snowy white bases and black tips. Tail brownish-black, veined and marbled with tcray,
and with a broad slate-gray terminal bar: of Ht feathers, broad to their very ends, the tail a,-*
a whole sligiitly rounded. Hill black; iris brown -orange ; comb over eye. Size very variable;
well-grown cocks usually 20, or ii inches, sometimes up to i feet long: extent of wiiii;s about
.'50 inches; wing 1) or 10; tail 7 or *>. Hen smaller, and more motley, lighter colored and more
extensively varied with white and tawny; but showing the distinctive slate-gray of the under
parts, and the slate bar at end of the tail. Pullets like the hen, but the upper parts with ham-
mer-headed white shaft-lines. Tail with white shaft-lines enhirged at tlie end, also niark<'d on
some of the feathers with wavy blackish crossbars. Uocky and other Mts., U. S., to the i'acific.
As])ecies of general tlispersion in eh'vated and wooded, especially conifenais. regions of the We.st.
S. to N'ew Me.\ico, and in the White .Mts. in Arizona ; in the H. .Mts. northerly shading into
var. richardsoni. A large cumbrous bird, itsually disjilaying stolidity or indifference to the
presence of man, taking to trees when disturbed, and very easily slauuhtered. Eggs larger,
more elongated, and less heavily c(dored than those of spruce grouse and ](tarmigan ; creamy-
buff, finely freckled all over with chocolate-brown, seldom with any large spots : 2.00 X l-')0.
358. C. o. ricli'arrtsonl. (To Sir John Hiciiardson.) HiciiAunsoN's DiSKV (iuotSE. Size,
shape, and whole appearance of the fia-egoiiig. Tail rather longer, more nearly even, with
broader feathers, having the terminal slate bar reduced or wanting : general color more uni-
formly darker, black of throat more extensive. Kocky Mts., northerly, U. S. and northward.
680
SYSTEMATIC SYXOPSIS. — GALIJXJF. — ALECTi)R<)P()l)Kfi.
A mere variety, only rccogiiizublc when fully developed ; many intermediate specimens cannot
be fairly rcfcrvcd to one ratlier than the otlier.
S50. V,. o. fiiliKino'sa. (Lat. fidiffinosa, s(K)ty.) Sooty Okoisk. With tlie hroad slate tail-
l>iir of ohsciim projjer, but culors darker than iu richardsoni even. Al>ove, blaekisli, niinnti'iy
ficekled with gray and rusty-brown; below, dark pliiinbcous. Tlie lien is more diHerent. with
prevailinj^ rich rusty and cliestuut-browu markings. Nortliweji coast inouutuins, Oregon to
Sitka.
206. CKXTKOCER'CUS. (Or. Kivrpov, Tcentrnn, a sjiine, jnickle; (ctpitoy, kerlcon, tail.) SA(iF,
OltnisE. Sl'IXE-T.\IL Guof.SE. Of great size. Tail very lolii;. ciiualliiiu: or e.\ceediiig tlie
wings, of 20 stiifened, narrow, acuminate feathers, much graduated in lenuth. Xeek su.seept-
ible of enormous distension by means of air-sacs covered with naked livid skin — not reiridarly
lieniispherical and lateral like those of Cii])iilimiii. but forming a ureal protMberanci' in front of
irregular contour; surmounted by a fringe of hair-like filanicnts, several inches long, springing
from a mass of erect white feathers; covered below with a solid set of sharj) white horny
feathers, like lish-scales. (Tlie affair is not easy to describe in few words, especially as it is
constantly changing with the wear of the feathers, and is only fully exhibited by thi^ cock
during the amours. The anatomical arrangement for inflation is only a sjiecial e.xhibition of
the air-sacs of other genera, as Ciipkhiiia and I'cdiuwtvs ; the peculiarities of the feathers
are the inherited results of habitual attrition, the birds rubbing the breast against the
ground in their love-sjiasms ; and, as said, the state of the i)arts is always changing with the
wear of the feathers. This accounts for the vague or conflicting statements of authors.)
Tarsus feathered to the toes. Digestive system remarkable for the slight muscularity of the
trizzard, which is rather a nu-mbraucais paunch than a grist-mill ; the idrd browses rather than
scratches for a living, feeding on wormwood and al.so extensively on insects. Sexes similar in
color, unlike in size and to sonu' extent in form. One jirairie species, perfectly terrestrial.
500. C!. uroptaasla'nus. ((Ir. ovpa, oiirii, XaW; (^atriai/oy, y^/c/sfVoias-, a jiheasatit.) S.\(ie Cock.
S.MiE Hex. Cock of the I'laixs. Lamest of American Grouse. Full grown cock 2-2i
feet long; extent of wings 3 feet or more; wing anil tail about a foot; M-eight upwards of 4
pounds. Hen a third smaller. Above, varied with black, gray, brown and buff; below,
chiefly white, with a larg.; sipnirish black area on the belly. To describe the peculiar neck-
feathering of the idd cock more |)artieularly : On eacii side is a jtatch of feathers, meeting in
front, with extremely stiff bases, pndonired into hair-like filaments some three inches in length;
with the wearing away of these feathers in the peculiar actions of the bird in ])airing-time,
their hard horny bases are left, forming the " tish-scales " above said. In front of these
peculiar feathers is the naked tympauum, capable of enormous inflation under amatory excite-
ment. Above them is a tuft of down-feathers, covered with a set of long soft filamentous
plumes corresponding to the ruff of Bonriia. Many breast feathers reseiid)le the .scaly ones of
the neck, and are commonly fiamd worn to a bristly " thread-bare" state. Scaly bases of the
feathers soiled white: the thready ends blackish; the Huffy feathers snowy-white, like wool,
the longer ovi'rlying lihnnentous plinnes mlossy blaidj. Chin and throat blackish, speckled with
white ends of the feathers, usually jm'senting a definite white half-collar. Lining of wings
white. Hen : Lensith about -20 inches; wing 10 inches ; tail 7 or S, of same general <-haracter
as the cock's, but softer, shorter, less enneate, with more ra]iidly tapering featlufrs. A small
tympanam, but no obviously jieculiar feathers on neck. Coloration (piite like that of the cock.
I'ullet : No peculiar neck-feathers ; tail beginninir to show its special form ; general coloration
of the hen. Before the September moult, all the feathers of the upper parts with sharj)
white hannner-headed shaft lines, and circular sjwitting of the feathers of the breast. Sooty
belly-patch .showing with the first feathering. Chick in down altogether different from the
dingy yellow chick of Pediacetes ; below grayish-white, above gray-brown mottled with black;
bill black. This remarkabh' bird, quite u Roland for the Capercaillie's Oliver, inhabits the
TKTUA <K\WyK - TKTHA OSIN^E : GliOriSE.
681
laiiiiot
tail-
lilfcly
with
l;i)|| tl>
stprilp saRr-liiish plains of tlic Wrst; an a)inn<Uiiit and cliaraotoristii' s])('rip» fif thosp fiirliidflinfr
regions, licgiiininK with tlic Ka.>.t('rn slnpi's and t'lHit-liiils of tlif I{. Mts., Smitli into New-
Mexico and Arizona, sparingly N. to 4!('' or inlightly fnrther, in the Milii Kiver reginn. Not in
Ualiota east of the ("otean, or in the Missouri llasin niucii below the ^'elhiwstone eoinilry.
Its eentre of ahundanee is the arteniisia traets of Cnjorado, Wyomint;. I'tah, Nevada, Idaho,
Eastern Ciilifornia, and Oregon. It straggles throiiiih the sage-i>iish, hiit I have seen packs of
hnndreds in the fall. In the breeding season its sononms hiillaliulloo resounds on every hand
where the birds are numerous. The llesh is edihli' or not, "as you liive it." The bchavinr
towards man varies with circumstances; sonietiiiies tlie birds may almost be kliocUed over with
ii sti<'U, at others it is diliicult to get a shot. In walking, the tail is somewhat idevated. and
swings sideways with each step. The Might is extremely vigorous, and at times greatly pm-
tracteil, with wings so widely expanded that the tips of the primaries stand apart; the course
rapid and steady when the bird is once fairly on wing, accomplished with a succession of <piicU
energetic wing-beats, alteniating with sailing with stitHy motionles.s wings until the iiii|)ul-<'
is spent. From the natnn^ of its resorts the bird is exclusively terrestrial. The egi; is nar-
rower and more |>ointed than that of any other grouse of oin- conntry, measuring from 2.05 to
2.25 in length by 1.50-1.00 in breadth; grayi.sh or greenish-drab f(dor, thickly speckled with
choc<date-brown, mostly in minute dots evenly distributed, occasionally with well-defined spots
np to the size of a split pea. tending to circular shape.
206. PEDICE'CKTES. ((Jr. trtfiioi/, pediou, a plain; o(«'n;r, oiAWr.v, an inhabitant.) I'lX-TAil.
(illDf.SK. Xeck without obviously peculiar feathers, like those either of the pinnated or
ruffed grouse or .sage cock, but with a hidden, definitely circuniscrilied space on each siile of
reddish, vascular, and distensiblf skiu, constituting an undeveloped tyiripanuni, over which
lies a lateral series of slightly eiilartfed feathers. Head lightly crested, the longest feathers of
the crown fallini; on the occiput ; a cresccutic naked i)atcli over each eye of numerous orange
or chronie-yeUow fringe-like ]trocesses, in several jiarallel curved rows. Feet full-featheir 1 to
between the bases of the toes, with long, hair-like plumage reaching to or beyond the end of the
hind claw; toes above with one row of Itroad, transverse scutella. a row on each side of smaller
rounded scales, and a conspicuous frinire of horny processes; below, bossed and scabrous.
Tail much shorter than the wings, normally of IS true rectrices, of wliich the central jiair are
soft, parallel-edged and sfpntre-tipped, projecting an inch or two beyond the next pair; the
rest rapiilly graduated, stiflish, and crisp (making a creakini: .sound when rubbiul together) ;
at first about straight-edged, soon beeoming eluli-shaped (with a constriction near the apex)
by mutual attrition. Sexes simihir, but cork rather larger and darker than thi' hen, with more
jiroininent snpraciliary papilla-, due species, of two varieties, of prairie, perfectly terrestrial.
.■tnnhiiii.1 nf t'iiriitif>.
Northern Sharp-lailetl (irou.ii: The ni.irkiiigs bl.ick, wliito and il.irk brown, with little or no t.iwny;
spots on the under parts numerous, blackish, V-shaiied ; thi-ont white, speckled. (.Vrctlc America. |
plinninnilhtH 3C1
Common Sharit-taihd (Iroime. The markings Mack, white, and especially tawny ; below, the bimiIs fewir,
lirown, U-shaped; throat bulf. (U.S. and adJoiidnK ISrltisli Province rolitmhiniiii.i .102
501. P. phasianel'lus. (Diminutive of Lat. ^(/(rt.smjNrs, a pheasant.) Xoutiierx Sii.\ni'-T.\ri,i:n
Gkoise. As above, in compari-Son with the ordinary bird next described. Very clark-cidored,
in blackish and white variegation, with little buff", even in the fall. The inarkint:s below
heavier, in shaqior, more aiTow-headed shape, quite blackish. The feet very heavily feathered,
almost like a ptannigan's. Interior of Uritish America, E. to Hudson's Hay. X. and W. to
the Yukon, southward shading directly into the T". S. bird, before reaching 19°. This is the
true Tctran phasifoieUKs — a name conunonly a|)plied to the next variety.
562. P. p. oolunibla'nus. (Of the ('(dunibia River. Fig. ,'?98.) Common Sii.\np-T.\ii.i".i> Gkhusk.
Pr.\iuie Chicken' ok the Xokthwe.st. Adult ^ 9 : Upper parts closely and pretty evenly
682 SYSTEM A I'lC SYNOPSIS. — GALL TNuE - A LECTOliOl'ODKS
vftriegated with bliuikiMli-hrowii, rt'ddisli-hrowii, mid ffruyisli-brDWti, tlu< ]mttoni Hiniil on tlm
riimi) mid Idwit l)ack, wlicrt' tlic Idui'kisli in mostly in !timri>-iin)u;l<'d starx ; X\w rrddisli nmst con-
Hliicinms on tlir MpiHT l)a('i<, and Ixitii tin' JiiflittTrniiirM nvorywlicrt" finely xprinldcd witli blacklKJi.
Win>,'-<'i)V('rts like thi' npiicr hack, hat with nniniTonr* cimHiiirniMm ninndvd white spots, one mi
tho end (if each feather. Crown and hack of neck nearly like the hack, hut in smaller pattern, and
the nlHrkin^s mostly transverse. An illy-delined white area on each side of the neck, over llie
tympanum, and slight whitish stripe behind the eye. 'i'hroat tine li>;ht hnff, usually immac-
ulate, hut sometimes finely speckled
<pnte across. Under ])arts white, more
or less tinted with hnti' toward the
throat: the hreast with nunn'rous r(*)t;u-
lar dark-hrown I'-shaped spots, imo
on each feather; similar hut snuiller,
sharper, and fewer such spots thence
scattered over most of the under parts,
only the middle of the helly h '; left
unmarkeil. L<in/; featlier,s ( sitlcs
unth'r the wings nnitching ]>or
wing-coverts nearly ; iniih'r wii.^-cov-
erts and a.xillaries pm-e white, not
markeil ; flunks with hars or U-spots
of <iark brown. Kegs grayish-white,
umnarked. Quills of the wings fns-
••oiis ; outer webs of the secondaries
with equidistant, s([uari.sh, white or
tawny sj)ots, the secondaries tipi)ed
and imperfectly twi<'e or thrice barred
with white, and gradually becoming
sprinkled with the varied ccdors of the
back, .so that the innermost of them are
almost precisely like the greater coverts. Four middle tail-feathers variegated, niucii like the
back ; others white, or grayish-white, on tlni inner wtd)s, the outer webs being mottled ; a few
under tail-coverts .spotted, the rest white ; np]ier tail-coverts nearly like the rump. Iris light
brown; bill dark horn-color; part i>f imder nnmdibh! Hesh-colored ; (daws like hill; toes on
top light bom-color, the 8(des darker. Length, 18 or 20 in(dies; e.vtent <Jf to 150; wing
8 to 9 ; middle tail-feathers 4 to 0; shortest tail-feathers (outennost), about li ; tarsi,
2 inches; middle toe niid claw about the same; culmen of bill about H ; gape of bill 1 to U ;
depth of bill at ba.se \ or ratht?r l(>ss. Pullets, before first moult : IVown bright brown, varied
with black. Sharp white shaft-lines above, which, with a bhudt area on ea(di feather, conti'ast
with the fine gray and brown mottling of the upper purt.^. Wing-coverts and inner (piills
with whitish sjiots. Several inner tail-feathers with whiti.sh .shaft lines, and mottled with
blackish and brown. Lower throat and brea.st with ninuerous dark brown spots; sides
similar, the nnirkings lengthening into streaks. Hill brown above, pale below. This lasts
till the Sejitemher moult is com]deted. Chicdis hatch dingy yellow, mottled on the crown,
back, and M-ings with brown and black. The I'in-tail f'hi(d«en inhabits the western portions of
Minnesota, a small |)art of Iowa, all of Dakota, thence diatronally across Nebraska and Kansas
to Colorado in the Laramie and npper IMatte rt>gions ; thence westward in suitable country to
the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges ; northern limit to be conventionally established along
the N. border of the V. S., beyond which it shadi>s into the true phnsianelluH. In fine, this is
the prairie chicken of the whole Northwest ; usually occurring where C. cupido does not, the two
Fio. 3!)8. — lluoU of Slmrp-tallod Oruuse, imt. hIzu. (Ad
nat. del. E. C.)
207.
TLTJiA ONIDJE ~ TETliA ONINA: : GROUSE.
688
•II tlm
Nt I'OII-
ii-kJNli.
•Illl' nil
I'll, mill
vcr III..
IIIIIJIC-
H'cklnj
nil ire
I tli.i
n-Kii-
r IIIIC
lllllci',
ICIICC
JIIIIIn,
J Ml
sides
jior
I
Flo. 399. — Koot of Pralrlo lion, imt. nlzc. (Ail tint. ilul. K t; )
ovprlnp til BoiiiP oxti'iit, Fomiprly niii^oil in all ilin iirairic of Miiiiii'sntn, Mio)iii;an, nml Iowa,
but in iiunIu'iI wrHtwiiril liy tlii' uniiii-liflils- tlir siiiiir ciiiTyiiit.' riipiilo ulllll^. V.nn» .'i-lD 12-
13, ill Jlllir; uruyiHli-olivc or (Inib-folnri'il, iinirnrnily ilnttril with limwii imiiits, rmrly liiri;ir
than II iiiii-licail ; always i|uit<i iliti'iTi'iit iVniii l\nisf ii( i:ii]ti(lo ; l.lill tn I. SI) Imii; hy 1,-20 In l..'|fl
briiail; aviTago 1.7")Xl-«''- A tiin' Kaiiic ami labile binl, in all iTmici'tM lilic riiiiiilu.
207. CUI'IDO'MA. (N'aiiii' ilrrivi'il tViUn ('((ynWo, which f*ir brlnw.) I'lN-NF.iK (Jlinr.sK. Nii'k
with a |ii'i'uliar tuft nn inieli Hidu <>( Unmv, leugthciit'il, U4'uiiiinatt) tratluTH, like littli.' wings,
beneath which in
a I'inmlar )iiiti'h nl'
bare, yi'lliiw skin,
I'lijiabli' III' ^'reat
ilistoiisiiiu, like tlm
hairiif a small or-
nufH'. llcail with |i%^
a sliiflit siil't cri'st.
Tarsi scaiit-lrath-
ercil to till! tors in
front anil on siiles,
bare on a strip behind ; toes extensively webbed at liase. Tail short, rotniilril. of IS broad
stitKsh feathers, with obtusely roiindeii ends. .Sexes nearly alike in size, form, and eolnr;
]iluinaf;(S below barred transversely. »■ s|ieeies, l' varieties, of prairie, perfi'etly terrestrial.
Auahi-'"* of ynrirtifn.
The Common iiiiiii. Tariial rontliors lililliit; tlm biiro xtrlp. Dark liars aboTo block, anil broail; top of
lieail miiBtly bliu'klith rii/iiiln rti:)
Tkx.vs niiii). TiirHi very Hcniil-featliored, tlio bare atrip exposed. Dark bars almve brown anil iiiirn>» :
top of liRoil llttlu liliU'klMJi imltiilwhiclun MM
503a C. cupi'du. ('I'lie tufts on the mrk likened to eoiiventional "eupid's wiiijis." Figs. 3'J'J, 400.)
PiNNATFI) (iltDl'Si;.
"tV . ^-^ I'UAIUIK IIkn. (J 9:
Above, variegated with
blai'k, brown, tawny,
or oehrey, ami white,
the latter ospeeially
on the wintis; below,
]iretf y regularly barred
with dark brown,
white, and tawny ;
throat tawny, a little
speckled, or not; vent
and cri.ssuni mostly
white; unills fuscous,
with white spots on
the outer webs: tnil
fuscous, with narrow
or imperfect white or
-•■^**v.'-t- tawny bai-s and tips;
Fio. 400. — Pralrlo Hen. (From Lewis.) sexes alike in color,
but 9 smaller, with shorter neck tufts. Length 16.00-18.00 ; extent about 2*^.00 ; wing
S.00-9.00; tail about 4..50; tarsus rather over, middle toe and claw rather under, 2.00; neck-
tufts 2.00-3.50 inches long. This well-known bird formerly ranged across the United States,
M^Jih
6«4
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLING — ALE CTOROP ODES.
in iipen (•oiintry, fnnn the Atliuitif to the Eastoni fnot-hills nf tJie R. Mts., in sonip Intitudos,
unil low iibi'uuilst on the jirairifs. frimi Illinois and Wisconsin, to .Midilie Kansas at least, if not
found on tlie dryer plains westward. Its usual range includes Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Eastern
half of Minnesota, Soutbcastern Dakota, Middle and Eastern Kansas and Nebraska, Arkansas,
and Eastern Texas. It is cre<'i)ing westward
with the grain fields. Ten years ago it mixed
ivith the sharp-tails about St. Paul's, Minne-
sota, and up the Missouri to beyond Sioux
;*^^^^^^fc^gf»~^ (.'ity. TIh" line of railroad is a favorite liigh-
I^Qy^^^H^^I^^ way for the birds. It has been almost ex-
hi^SS|^^^^S^^Bk tirpated in the Middle and Eastern States,
^VapjB^SSB^^^^^ thougli it still oeeiirs s]iaringiy in isolated
'-^-'-, ' f^^MH^^^^^^^^ localities in New York, New Jersey, Penn-
■•^ J , ii^-.'S^-^*^^^^ sylvania. Long Island, Nantucket, and Mar-
'*^ tha's Vineyard, etc. Its abundance, and the
excellence of its tlesli, render it an object of
Fiu 4(11. — Head of itutiua Uioiiso, iiat. size. (Ad connnercial importance. Though there may
nat. del.K. C.) I„. ,•„,,,, j„.„i,,n,iii,y „f i,^ ..xtinction, legisla-
tion against its wanton or ill-timed destruction is a measure of obvious jimiiriety. Eggs
averaging shorter, rounder, and smaller than those of the sharp-tail; pale greenish-gray, with
sometimes a glaucous bloom, usually unmarked, sometimes very minutely dotted with brown.
564. C. e. pallidicinc'tn. (Lat. piillidiis, pale; ciiicliis, begirt.) Pai,e Pixxatki) Guoisk.
Above, the dark markings not in excess of the lighter markings, and rather brown than black :
below, the dark bars very pale and narrow. Tarsi scant feathered, exposing the bare strip
behind. Southwestern prairies; a local n'.ce, from warmer and dryer regiims.
208. BOXA'SA. (Gr. liovaaos,
Lat. hiniusiix, a bison: tlu!
■•dnmiming" of the bird
being likened to the bel- W^^^v^^P \ >,
lowing of a bull.) Hifked ]d^---^^^m S ^^a .
(iKors;:. Head with a ■'^Si^l^^^^tjfeilSSS^ "^ fk v ^'^
tull soft crest. Neck on y 's '.i^j^HHl^Xi^cr^^'-"^^^^'!^^^
e.ich side with :i tuft of J ..;,.{c3,, " "
numerous (13~;i0) broad A^fr^ -^ '^^^^^H^^^I^SH%^^^^^''
soft ghissy-black feathers, V^ l.'.'^Bi- '^^^^^^i^^^^^^^HM
covering the rudimentary jL'^^B^H^^ ^^^^^^HRSIOI^H^POF ^ /'/_
tvmitanum. I'ail about as ^mA^^I^^k!' .^^V^^^^^^SB^^^/' ^""•'■'*
long as the wings, amply
roiuided or fan-shaped, nor- h^^^^^^^^b^^^^b^^^Hv ^n ^^^M^'i iiill
feathers, with truncate ^Ilil^&MHRr^^
ends. Tarsi scantfeath-
ered, naked below, with , <v'..«, 'jJr,'^..- - ■~>
two or three rows of sen- '^^>./-^^, ..'*^*">^.'^ "
tcHa in front. Plumage of
blended and vmie.l colors : *"'"• •*"- " ""«''^'' '■•"""^'' <"•'■•""' ''«"'«•'
se.v.'s alike. Woodlaml species, more or less arboreal, of common occurrence in suitable places.
Annlijuiii r\f I'ariitiin.
Bronii, i>f mixed ami varied vliadeH of reiMlitli and gray. Kai«terii and Xdrllicm vmlnlla MTi
Pale; slaty-Krav tlie prerailiiiK xliade. ItiHky Mniintniii rei;i(in uniliillciili.i Till!
Dark; clicstiiut-bruwn the iirevailitiK eliado. Pacillc Coast region mhinii Ml
r,a:t. 1
snn.
,'i«7,
I ^^^
TETRA ONIDJI': — TKrUA ONINyE : GROUSE.
585
udos,
if not
stern
nsas,
ward
ixp(l
niiiL'-
•iiiiix
lijrli-
cx-
atcs.
lati'il
■nn-
Mar-
tlic
•vt of
.'i()5. B. iiinbel'la. {Lut- umbella, an nnilu I, mnlircll;.; f/m6«v(, ^shuJ(^ shadow ; alludiui; totlii- ncok-
tufts. Figs. 401, KW.) UiFFKi>(Jij<)i -i!;. •• I'AUTUiiMiK ; " New Kuglund. " I'ukasam ; "
Middle and Southern States. J 9 '■ Almxc, variegated reddisli- or grayisii-hrown, tlie haek with
nuiiH-nitis, oldong, pah', hhiei\-edged spots, iielow, wliitisli, harred with lirowii. Tail hrowu
or gray, numerously and narrowly hiacU-iiarred, witii a hroad suhtenninal Idaek zone, ami
tipped witli gray. Tho neek-rutlle of the ^ mostly glossy black, and very full ; of tin; 9
smaller and more lirown. The colors are endlessly varied as well as blended, and tlie prevailing
tone of the brown birds of the F.ast shatles insensibly into that of the Western varieties.
Length Kl.Od-lS.OO; extent ^':i.()(t ; wing r.lll)->.il(( : tail about the .same.' A woodland bird,
like the species of ('(Iikicc, abundantly distributed over Fastern .\orth America; in the I'. S.
to the central plains: in Hrit. Am. to Alaska. If is well known under the above names in
ditt'erent sections; but it is neither a "partridge" nor a " pheasant,"' heiui;. in tine, a IkUll'i il
flrouse. Till '• drunnning" .sound f<ir which this bird is noted, is not vocal, as some siipposi',
but is produced by rapidly beating the wings. Kgg.s very characteristic, from creamy white to
creamy butt', usually immaculate, sometimes minutely dotted or even speckled with brown; they
resemble partridgi' eggs also in shaiie, which approaches the pyriform, broad and blunt at one
end. pointed at the other; size about l.CtV) X \.'iO.
jftO. It. II. iiinbrllu'i'ilrH. (Lat. iimhclUi, as above defined, and Gr. «t8oj, fidoK, resemblance.)
(iHAV l{ri"I'i:i> (JkcU'.si;. A variety of the last, of very ditt'erent tone of color in its extreme
development, but shading into the conunon Hiitl'ed by insensible (h-grees in llrit. Am. When
fully manifested, as follows: Lower hack, rump, upper tail-coverts and tail slate-gray, with
little if any brown tinge: the feathers of the back and rump with light gray cordate or arrow-
beaded spots narrowly bordered with black, the tail-feathers linely vermiculated with black, and
with a hroad snbterminal black zone. HutHe glo.ssy greenish-black. I'nder parts whitish, more
or loss tinged with tawny-browii, with several broad brown cross-bars on each feather, largest
and most clistinct on the long feathers of the sides, some of which have also white shaft lines;
heavy feathers of Hanks anil vent mostly whitish, unmarked. Feathers of fore-neck and .scap-
ulars blendi'il with gray, rich reddish-brown, odirey-brown, and white, in inde.scrihabl(! con-
fusion. .Most of the wing-coverts with white sliaft-lines. Hen with the ruiHe le.ss ih'vcdoped,
varied with brown and white, (leneral torn- more rufous than in the cock. Kocky Mt. region,
V . S.. running into both the other varieties.
."jfll. H. siihiiiii. (To ,F. Sabine.) IJkii Wiiikm (iitdisi;. (»iti;(i()x l{i;rn.i> (fitof.sK. More
nearly resembling the common riiHed grouse. l)ut the coloralion more heavily brown, — darker
and richer. .Mori" blackish to the brown, and the latter almost chestmit in well-marked cases.
I'acilic coast region, Oregon to Alaska.
209. K.VtlO'l'l'S. (dr. Xnyojjrot't, littlDiiiiiin. Lat. Iilfiiijtiis, hare-l'ool : the densely-feathered feet
resemhli' those of rabbits.) I'tak.MIcan. Snow (iltoisi;. No peculiar feathers on head or
neck. Tarsi ami toes ileiisely feathered. Tail short, little rounded, normally of 1 I- broad
feathers, with long upper coverts, some of which resemble reclrices. the central pair of these
usually rei'koued Jis rectrices, m.ikiiig Id. .\ naked red coinh over eye. Horeal and alpine
grouse, sh;ipe<l nearly as in Ciinnci', reniiirkable for thi' seasonal changes of plniiia!;e. becomini;
in winter snow-while (excepting the Ihitish insular race), '{'here are only five or six species,
at most, and probably fewer: we eertaiirly have the three here given.
.innhiMiM »;/" S/ii rii .<.
1'ilil bliick at nil soiiiiniiH.
Tlio HiuiiimT iiliun.iBC mimtly rich I'lieKlmil nr (iriiiiKi'-lirown, anil binrk. In whilor, no liliii'k i<trli«'
on lieinl. Hill Ktmit nlhiif .lOS
Tlie Kuminci' plinnntff wIkiIIv lirownliili-.vcllciw ami block, except im winKx anil lall. In u Inlrr .1 bl nk
ntriim iin licail. Illll Hlcnilcr i-h//. .</n.< ."KiS
Tnil nlilli! at all noaHiniH.
Tlie Riuinncr plumage oclirey-bniwn ami black. In winter entirely wliito Iruriinia riM
686
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLINJE — ALECTOlifJPODL'S.
568. L. airbus. (Lat. albus, wliito. Figs. 403, 40i.) Willow Grocse. Willow Ptaumiuan.
Bill very stout ami eoiivox, its depth at base as much as the distance fnnii nasal fossa to tip;
whole culinen 0.75 ; bill black at all seasons. ,J J , in -.viiiter : Snow white ; 14 tail-feathers
black, white-tipi)ed ; the middle pair (which most resemble and perhaps are true rectrices, hav-
ing no after-shafts) together with all the coverts, tme pair of which reach to end of tail, white ;
shafts of several outer wing-quills black; no black striiie ou head. ^, iu summer: The head
500.
wmm
Fio. 40.3. — Willow Ptnrmigan, summer plumage, ) nat. bIzo. (From nrclim.)
and fore parts rich chestnut or orange-brown, more tawny-brown on back and rump; the richer
brown parts sparsely, the tawny-brown more closely. barre<l with black ; most of the wings and
under parts remaining white. 9 similar, wholly colored excepting tli(< wings, the color more
tawny than iu the $, and more heavily, closely, and uniformly barrecl with black. Length
15.00-17.00; wing about S. 00; tail 5.50. Arctic and Xorthern X. Am. from ocean to oceau,
into the northernmost U. .S. Kggs very heavily colored, with bold <'ontluent blotches of intense
burnt sienna cidor, upon a more or less n^ddish-tinted buff ground. All the eggs of birds of this
family are colorless when the shell first forms liiuh in the ovidifct, ac((uiring pigment as they
pass down; iu the ])tannigan, where tho coloring is so heavy, an egg cut from the pigment-
PUAX.
tip ;
litliors
luiv-
Hiito ;
head
TETEA OXIIKIC — TETRA ONIN.E : GROUSE.
587
secretinjg part (»f the passage is as if covcrt'il with fresh paint, soft and sticky, wliich may be
rubbed off before it " sets '" on the shell. Size l.SO X 1-^0.
569. l<. rupes'trls. (Lat. riipestris, relating to riipi.s, a rook; nipe.strine.) Hckk I'taumki.vn.
Bill slenderer for its length than that of L. nibus, its depth at basi' less than tiie distaiirr tVom
nasal fossa to tip; whole eiilnien 0.07; bill always blaek. jj 9i''i winter: As in £. «//*«.s,
but a blaek trausiK'ular stripe on side of head. (J ? , in suininer: 'I'iie whole |diiinage, exeeptiuK
the wings and tail, barred with blaekish-brown and brownish-yellow, liatlier smaller than the
Fio. 404 —Willow Ptnnnigiin. winter pliiiiinKi', \ ii:it. t,l/.v. (From rirrlim.i
foregoing. I^eiititli 14.00 1."). 00; wing 7-00-7. ."lO ; tail 1.. 50. Arctie Aincrii-a. not ."<. to the
U. S. Kggs l.'J-l.'j or more, like those of A. nlliiis, but ilarker and rather smaller: size
1.70 X 1.18. "The sunnner plumage is iissumed at variable jM'riods of the months of .\pril,
May, and even in early ,Fune, aeeording to the loeality. The moult for the simimer is usually
shown first on the head anil nerk, fidlowed by the lower baek, sides, breast, luitldle Itack, tlaiiks.
and alidomen, in ihi' order iiami'il. The ahilomen and chin are the last areas to show the emu-
plete moult. The parts named also assume, in the order given, the white winter ]dnmage.
During the time of the summer plumage scarcely a single day j)asses that the gen<>ral color of
the feithers is not inodiHed by the api)earance or loss of some feather." (Tnrnrr.) Hence the
ilitfieulty if not impossil)ility of estahlishini; races of this s|H>cies upon color, as the amount of
barring, veniiiculation, or uebulation with dusky, tawuy, uud gniy is incessantly changing in
588
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLINJE — ALECrOUOrUDES.
I
the !<aiiie individual!- : and birds taken at different dates in the siiinnier, in the same locality,
may ditler frnni one anotiier more than speeiniens fruni different regions, repi'^senting several
alleged varieties, are always t'cmnd to do. The Anieriean bird, in
fa^-t, is seareely distingiiisliable from tile European L. mHtnmw alpinus.
The (Ireenlaud bird lias been ealled L. reinhdfdti by Hrelnn. That
of tlie Aleutian Islands, L. iiiutux atkemis, Turner. The latter is
said to liave the bill and elan's about 0.10 longer than usual.
570. L. leiien'rus. (Or. Xtuicoj, /f«c«s, white ; oupa, o)«)V(, tail. Fig. 405.)
WmrK-TAll.KK I'TAH.MltlAX. UoCKV MolTNTAIN SNOW GkOUSE.
cf 9 • '" winter : Entirely snow-white ; bill blaek, rather slender, and
general size and jiroportions nearly as in L. rtqtestris. ^ ^ ,'m sum-
mer: Tail, most of the wing, and hiwer part.s
from the breast, remaining while; rest of the
plumage minutely marked with black, white,
and tawny or grayi.sh- brown, varying in pre-
cise character almost with every specimen ; but
there is ih> difheulty in recognizing this white-
tailed sjH'cies, of alpine distribution in West-
•■rn X. A. from the Arctic regions to New-
Mexico (lat. ;{7"). In Slimmer, inhabits the
mouutain ranges from timber-line to the high-
est peaks, in winter ranging lower down.
Eggs very different from the iie;ivily-painted
onus of L. iilhiis, of dull creamy complexion,
minutely dotted over the wlude surface with
luirnt-sienna, few of the markings exceeding
a pin's head in size, and not thick enough
to obscure the ground-c<dor ; shape purely
uvuidal, greatest diameter near the middle ; size 1.70 X 1.14 ; number variable, about a dozen
Fio. 40,5. — Wliitc-tailuil Ptarmigan; uiiiicr, in siiui-
mer; lower, in windT. (From Haydcii.)
53. Subfamily ODONTOPHORIN^ : American Partridges and Quails.
Head completely feathered, and usually crested,
the crest fretpiently assuming a remarkable shajie.
Nasal fossa- not filled with feathers, the nostrils
coverelwith a naked scale. Tarsi and toes iiaked,
tlie latter scarcely or not fringed, the former seu-
tellate. Size smaUer than in T<t)<i<tuiiur.
Our Partridges may be <listiiigiiislied, among
American GuIUikc, by the foregoing characters, but
not from those of the Old World; and it is highly
improbable that, as a group, they are separable from
all the forms of the latter by any decided peculiari-
ties. The principal supposed character, namely, a
toothing of the uiiiler mandible, is very faintly
indicated in some foniis, niid entirely wanting in
Fio. 400. — Euro|>ean I'liririiii;.-. (i'ruiii Kixon.) ,,t|„,rs. Pending final issue, however, it is expe-
dient to recognize the group, so strictly limited treographically. if not otherwise. Several
beautiful and important genera occur within our limits, but these Partridges are most numerous
fn sjiecies in Central and South .\inerica. Orloutoplwrus is the leading genus, with perhaps
1j sjK'cies; Eupsychortyx and Dmdrovtyx are other extra-limital forms; and in all, some
^^.■iim
210.
TETBAONII)^ -OhONTOPHOmNJE: PARTiaDUES OH QVAIL r)H9
pral
210.
forty-odd siiwit's arc known. In habits, tlioy agree more or less completely with the well
known IJob-wliitc. Our spech's are apparently monogamous, and i;ii in small Hocks, called
"coveys," usually consisting of the nuMuhers of oni^ family; tliey are terrestrial, hut take to the
trees on occasion; nest on the ground, laying numerous white or speckled eggs; are chielly
gruuivorous, but also feed on hnils, soft fruits, and insects; and are uon-nugratory.
Analjisia of Giiiira.
An iiii-oiispU-iioiiH crt'Ht, Ncarcely visililu cxt'cpt in life. Tall about j{ as long an tlio win);. Coloration
cverywlioru vaiiegateil. (Unu »iM;cieii ) thiiir 'Jlii
A Hliort, Hoft. full crest. Tall J tlie wing Coloration much tliu same all over, sliowing eurtouH Heini-
cirenlar niai'kiugH. lOne H|ieeie») <iillijir/ilii '.'l!!
A long. Hieniler, arrowy orcsl, two or three inches long, of two narrowly linear feathers. Tall i, as long as
the wing. Parli-<-olorciI, hut the coloration chiefly in masses (One sjiecies) iin-rhi.r 211
A long, recurved, helniet-likc crest, of several Imhricateil jilunies, enlargeil at the extremity. Tail ; as
long as the wing. Coloration chietiy in masses (Two8|iccie») I.iijiliniln.r 'Jia
A short, soft, full cri'sl. Tail scarcely ) us long as the wing. Coloration |ieculiar, in round, white s|i..ts
on the under parts of ||[,.' (f. (One siwcles) Ciirlimiir 2U
As all these genera have each hut a single species in this country, excepting l.ophorliix. t\w foregoing is
nearly ciiuivalent to a determination of the 8l>ecie8.
OH TYX. ((Jr. opTv$. oiiii.r. a (|uail.)
Feathers of crown lengthened and erec-
tile, hut hardly forming a true crest.
Tail about '| as long as the wing. s-Si^^.r^^^ f! \
()ut.>itretched feet reaching hevond end >raP^<ifli^^ mJ ' /— >'
of tail. Coloration much variegated;
a rcddish-bi'own varied with black
and white the leading color. Eggs /
white, pyriform, numerous. Fic. 407. — IMll ami foot of r>;7i/,r, nat. size. (Ad m»t. ilel. i:. C.)
A)\nUjMA nt' I'tiriifits.
Length of rf , 1» indies or rather more; extent 1.5 or more; wing 4.00 itv more. Hill hl.ickisli-browii.
Ground color dull pinkish-red with narrow hlack bars helow liriiiiiiinin ,171
Length of (f. scanely lOinciu'w; extent under 15; wing scarcely or not iM Hill jet hiack. (ir.piinil
color dark reddish, with much hroader hlack hars lielow ilnriihinn 572
Length etc. as in tlnritldiin. (ironnd cohir paler than in riniiiiiaim, wltli numerous t.l'n'U- hars. and
increase of ashy and tawny ttjuun .173
Fm. 408. — Mr. and Mrs. Bob White, nal. size. (Ad nat. del K. C.)
•»71. O. virginia'na. (Of Virginia. Figs. 107, 40S, 109.) ViiiiiiMA Pahtiudck. or " Qi .ML."
Bou-WJIITK. "Quail: " New Knglaml, wherever the Uuffed Grouse is called " partriiltre."
690
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — GALUN^J: — ALECTOHOPODES.
" I'AUTIIIUOK : " .SoutluTU and Mitldlc States, whoicvir the Huffed Gniusf is called " pheasant."
(J : Foreliead. stipei ciliary liiii', and tiimat, white, hcirdered with hiaek ; er<iwn, neek all round,
and njiper jiar of lirca.st, hrownisli-reil ; other nnder parts tawny-whitish, all with more orft^wcr
douldy-ereseentie. Idack hars : cri.ssnin rufous; sides hroadly striped with hrownish-red ; uj>per
parts varifirated with i-hestnnt, hlaek, gray and tawny, the latter edging the inner iiuills, form-
ing a conliniious line when the wing is elosed. 9 '• Known hy having the throat huff instead ot
white, less Idaek ahout the fore-parts, and general eoloration snhdued. The reddish of this hird is
of a peculiar dull pinkish shade. The Idaek crescents of the under jiarts ari' scarcely or not half
the width of the intervening white spaces; the bill is not jet black. Length of (J 10.00-10.50;
."»**•
.-.-73.
211.
Fio. 409. — Tlio Bob Wlilt6 feinily. (Prom "Sport witli (iun and Kod;" Tlio Century Co., N. Y.)
e.\tent 15.00-I.')..'j0; wing 4..50 to nearly 5.00 ; tail -2.75-3.00. 9 'J..50-10.(iO ; extent 14.50-
15.00; wing 4.25- 1-.50; tail 2.50-2.75. Among the thousands of Bob-whites yearly destroyed,
albinotic or melanotic, and other abnormally colored specimens, are fre(|uently found ; but the
percentageoftlie.se ca.xes is nothing uinisual, and the sportsman must be cautioned against su]i-
|Mising that such birds have any statuo, in a scientific iMiint of view, beyond tlu'ir illustration of
certain perfectly well known variations. Such specimens, however, are interesting and valuable,
and shoulil always be j)reserved. Ka.stern I'niteil States. North to Mas.sachusetts and slightly
beyoml ; Canada West : .Minnesota. West to high central jilains. I'p the .Mi.ssouri to White
Hiver. Salt Lake Valley (introduced). The charjicteristic game bird of this country. Eggs
indefinitely nunicruus, pure white, pointed at one end and very blunt at the other, about
L30X1.00.
yi\.
TETRAONW^ — ODONTOPIIORINJI':: PARTRIDGES OR QUAIL. 591
lint."
Innd,
Wiii-
ad (>r
|iril is
liair
1.50 :
.-)*2.
O. V. florida'na. (Of Floiidu.) Fr.oKiDA Qi'AIL. Uatlicr siimllcr, the $ about the size of
the 9 ririjiniunu, hut hill rclativfly larijcr, and jil-hhu-k ; (Mdcir.s darker, all the lilack mark-
ings heavier, tliKse of the under parts nearly as hroad as the intervening white spaces. I'Mnriila,
and similar sjioeiinens in the lower Mississippi Valley; an approach to tiie Cnhau form
( (K cuhunenxis).
'iTi. O. V. texa'na. (Of Texas.) Tk.XAS QfAii,. SU'.v «( Jloriiliina ; colors paler, the prevailing
.shade rather gray than hrown ; upper ]iarts much variegated with tawny. Kggs 1.20 X 0.93.
These two are mere climatic varieth's of one species.
211. OltOR'TYX. (Gr. opor, WO.V, a unaintain : o()ri;|. (i;7«.r, a (|iiail.l I'l,! Mi;i) t^fAIl,. Head
adorned with an arrowy crest of two slender keeled plumes, IJ-l Indies long in the (J when
full-developed; present in 9 » **1'" "■'•'•■• Hill and feet stout ; tarsus eipial to the middle toe and
claw. Tail about I the wing, hroad, rounded, with long coverts. Sizct large; cidors ma.ssed
ill large areas ; sexes alike. l\gt;s colored. One species.
514. O. plc'ta. (Lat.^y(tY«, pictured, painted. Fig. 111.) I'l.fMi'.K I'Ainiuixn;. Mountain Qiaii,
of the Califoriiians. S9- adult: Hack, wings and tail
olive-hrown, thi,' inner secondaiies and tertiaries bordered
with whitish or tawny, forniini; a lengthwise burder in
single line when the wings are folded; the jiriniaries fus-
cous, tho tail-feathers fuscous, iiiiuutidy marbled with
ihecolorofthe back.
Fore -parts, above
and bidow, slaty-
blue (iibove more or
less ulossed with
the idive shade of
the back, below mi-
nutely marble(l with
black) ; the throat
chestnut, imniedi-
at(dy bordered lat-
erally with black,
then framed in a
Krm white line,
bridieii through the
eye, reappearing
around base of im-
d<.r maialible. Kx- ""y. "fter A11.I11I...1,.)
treme forehead whitish. The arr<iw-|duiiies hhick. Ilelly (diestnut, the xides baiuU'cl with
broad bars of black and white, or rufous-white; middle of tin.* lower belly, tibia, and llanks,
whitish or rufous; crissiiin velvety-ldack, streaked with chestnut. Bill du.sky, paler btdow ;
feetbp.wn. Length 11.00-12.00; extent IG.OO-l?. "; whig 5.00-.)..")0; tail :{.(IO-;j.,V); tarsus
1.07; middle toe and claw about the same. An eh'gant sjiecies, much larger and more beauti-
ful than the Hob-white, inhabiting the mountainous parts of Oregon. California and Nevada.
The ndative extent of the olive and slaty parts is very variable. There is soiiiethint,' of a
grouse in tin; composition of this partridge. Egg a miniature of the ruffed grouse's, only dis-
tinguished by smalhr size — 1.40 X 1.10.
LOPHOR'TYX. (Or. \6(fios, lojihos, a crest: Sprv^, orfii.r, a quail.) JlKi.Mtrr (^lAii,.
With an eh'gant cre.st, recurved helmet-wise, of several (Ci-IO) keeled, clubbed, irlossy-black,
imbricated feathers, more than an inch long when fully developed; in the 9, smaller, of fewer
feathers. Tarsus slightly shorter than middle toe and claw. Tail about J as long as the wing ;
212.
Flo. 410. — Helmut yiiiiil (L. ymnlKli).
iiat. xize. (Atl imt. ilul K. (1)
Km. 411. — riiiim.d yuall. (From Ten-
o92
tlYSTJiMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLINjE — ALECTOROPODES.
uutsti'L'tched fvet not rciicliiiig to its end. Bulk of the liob-whitP, but longer; 10.0f)-11.50;
wing -i.OO or more; tiiil .'l.OD or more. Coloration ciiieHy in inu.sxrs ; sexos uulike. $ witli
th(! cliin and tlnoiit jtt-ldack, sliarjdy bordered' wltli wliite ; a wliite line aerosa tin' vcrtcN and
along tlie .sides of tlie erown, bordered behind by black; 9 witliout these head-markings.
£ggs colored. Two elegant species iu the U. S.
Analyiin of Specim
(f inlilillo of belly oraiige-cliefitiiiit ; sltluH like back, with white Htripes ; liliul-heail smoky-brown ; forc-
Iieiul c'hiutly whitish, with white lural lino caUfnrn'wa S75
(f iiihlillu of bully jet-lilitck ; didpR clieBtiiut with white Htrii>e8; hinil-heml chestnut; fore-liend chietty
black ; no white loral lino gambrll S76
510
• . Fig. 412. California Ilclmct Quail, J nat. size. (From Urchin.)
ST.'i. L. enHfor'nIcrt. (Lat. Camoniiaii. Fit;. IH.) ('.\i.iFoitxi.\x PAitTHincK. V.m.i.ky Qiail
of tlic Caliloniian:-. ^ : Willi a sinali white line from bill to eye ; foreliead whitish witii black
lines; occiput smoky-brown ; niicjial and cervical feathers with very dark edging and shaft-lines,
and tine wjiitisli s)ieckliim. (!eneral <-(ilor nf upjier parts ashy, with strong olive-brown gloss,
the edging of the inner iinijls Itnivvnish-iiraiigi'. Fore breast slaty-bliie ; ntlier under jiarts tawny,
deepening centrally intii rich guldcn-brown or orange-chestnut, all the ft'athers sharply edged
with jet-black: siilcs olive-ashy like the back, with sharp white stripes; vent, Hatd<s, and
crissnni tawny, with dark stripes. Length lO.HO-l 1.00 ; wint; 4.;2.j ; tail ;i.75 ; tarsus 1.25;
middle toe and claw rather more. Ib'sides lacking the definite head-markings, the 9 wants
the rich sienna color of the under j)arts, which are whitish or tawny with black semicircles
.50;
(u-itli
mill
lugs.
B76
57f.
TETltAOXIDJE— ODONTOPHOmNJE : I'AHTIUDUES OK Ql'AIL. iV.)3
as in the <? ; the breast is olive-gray. The cliaiiges of plumage are parallel with those of L.
gamheli. Lower j)ortioiis of Culiforiiia and Oregon ; K. nearly to llie ("olorado Kiver ; ahun-
(laiit. A fine speeies, entirely di.>*tinet from the next, hut hahitH and nnmners in uU rcHpcit.i
the same ; replaee.s L. gamheli westward. Kggs speckled, as in the next.
570. L. K»m'belt. (To Wni. (Jambel. Fig. HO.) (Jamiikl's I'autuikiie. Ahizona Qi'Aii..
<J : Without white loral line; forehead blaek with whitisii lines; rxiciput ehestnut ; nnehal and
cervieal feathers with dark shaft lines, but few dark edgings or none, and no white speeklinj;.
General color of upper jmrts (dear ash, the edging of the inner ipiills white. Fore-breast like
the baek ; other under jtarts whitish, the middle of the belly with a large jet-blaek patch ; sitles
rich purplish-chestnut, with sharj) whitt) stripes; vent, tlanks and crissuin white with dusky
streaks. ltilll>la<-k ; iris brown. Ilesidos lacking the definite head-markings, the ? wants the
black abdominal area, where the feathers are whiti.sh with dark lengthwise touches ; cri-st dark
brown, not recurved, and fewer-feathered than that of the cock. Toj) of head grayisii -brown,
nearly uniform from bill to uapc ; throat grayish-whito with slight dark pencilling, ('hicks,
in the down: Kill above reddish, nearly white below; feet dull fiesh-color. lleatl dingy
yellowish, with a large brown spot on the occiput, a few black, white-streaked feathers on
crown, and the crest sprouting in a week or two. Upper parts grayish-brown mottled with
black spots, and conspicuously strijK-d with white lines. Outer webs of the sprouting (piills
marked with blackish and whitish. Throat white; other under parts narrowly barred with
black and tawny- white, striped lengthwise with pure white. Sprouting tail-feathers like the
primaries. Pullets, (pnirter-growu, f)-7 inches long : Leaden-gray, becoming tawny on the
wings, which are .still a little mottltHl a« above described ; below, light gray, nearly white on
throat and belly. Hrea.st waved with light and dark gray, with tract's of the white stripes.
Sides uinh'r the wings slightly fulvous or rufescent, but without definite stripes. Quills j>lain
dusky ; tail-feathers more ]>lumbeous, marked with blackish and whitish. A broad white
superciliary line. With the progress of the fall moult this dress changes for one like that of
the adults, and the sexes are soon distinguishable. Eggs 1.25X1.00, pyramidal, narrow and
pointed at one end, very obtuse the other; color buti' or rich creamy, dotted and spotted all
over with bright brown, splashed here and there with large bhifchcs of the same ; number in
definite — 8-12 or more. Nest like that of any other partridge. New Mexico and Arizona,
both in mountains and valleys, very abundant ; E. to Pecos and San Klizario, Texas, beyond
which replaced by the Massena partridge ; W. to ('ob)rado R. and .slightly beyond ; N. to
TTtah ; S. into Mexico. The characteristic game bird of Arizona.
213. CALLIPKP'LA. (dr. (caXXiirfjrXor, Aa//(^)f/>/o.s', beautifully arrayed.) Shell QlJAlL. General
character of Lojihortyx, but head with a short, full, soft cre.st as in the Mas-^ieiui inniil (fig. 413).
Coloration of under parts jtruducing a shelly or scaly appearance. Sexes nearly alike. Eggs
not heavily colored. One U. S. species.
577. C. squama'ttt. (Lat. squamata, squamous, scale-like.) Scaled Paiitridoe. IIu'b
(ji'AiL. <J, adult: General color bluish-plumbeous, shading into (dive-browu on the back
and wings and to rufous on the under parts behind the wings, with a large abiiominal area of
orange-brown ; the feathers of the neck all around, and most of those of the under parts,
sharply edged with black, producing a i)eculiar shell-like appearaiu'e ; cm the breast the
feathers also with concealed reddish shaft-lines. Long feathers of the sides like the back in
color, with white brown-edged stripes or long-oval spots. On the Hanks and crissum the-
feathers lose the scaly appearance, becoming blended rusty-brown, with linear, sagittate, or
cordate dark sptrts. Inner secondaries edged with buff or whitish, affording to the folded wing
the lengthwise stripe so characteristic of N. A. partridges. Quills plain fu.scous ; tail-feathers
plumbeous. No definite stripes about the head ; crest dark brown ending in pure white.
Length 10.00-11.00; extent U.50-15.50; wing 4.50; tail 3.50; tarsus 1.25; middle toe and
cluw 1.04. 9 little different; head markings the same; the orange-brown of the belly
38
594
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — GA LLINJE — ALECTOROPODES.
Ill
reduced or wanting; size rather less. Texas, N. M., Ariz, and soiitliward ; generally dispersed,
but far less numerous than the top-knot (piails, and apparently more southern; extends along
the Kio Grande to about 100 miles from the roast. Kggs 10-12-10, rather elliptical than con-
ical, 1.25X0.98, white, minutely freckled with buff.
214. CYRTCNYX. (Or. xvprdr, kurtos, bent, crooked; 8w(, ohiijc, nail, claw.) IlARi.KuriN
Ql'AlL. Hill very stout. Head with a full, soft, dejiressed occipital crest. Tail very short,
soft, almost hidden by the coverts, scarcely or not half as long as the wiugs. Wing-coverts
and inner quills highly developed, folding entirely over the primaries. Feet small ; tarsus
rather shorter than middle toe and claw ; t(K's short, but with renuirkably developed claws. A
very distinct genus. Plumage of head of <J curiously striped ; of under parts o<'elluted. Sexes
very unlike.
578. C. masse'na. (To Andre Massena, Prince D'Essling and Marshal of France. Fig. 413.) Mas-
8ENA Partridge, g, adult: Upper jiarts intimately waved with black and reddish-brown
and tawny-brown, and marked with sharp buff or whitish shaft-lines ; on the wings the irregular
black variegation changing to black bars and round spots, in regular paired series on each
feather. Outer <iuills fuscous, their outer webs
Slotted with white or buff. Under parts crowded
with iunumenibie round white spots on a dark
ground, several i)airs on each feather ; the middle
line of the breast and belly mahogany-culored,
the flanks, vent, and crissum velvety-black. 'I'op
of head black in front, with slight white touches,
changing on the crest to brown. Sides of head
and throat fantastically striped with black and
white; a broad black throat-imtch ; another <in
the cheeks, across lores and alongside of crown ;
a third on the ear-coverts ; a fourth bordering the
white all around behind. I^'ugth about '.1.00;
extent 17.00; wing 4.7."); tail 2.00; tarsus 1.20;
Fio.413.-Ma«enaQaail. J.nat.ilze. ,„ijj,j, ^^^, „,„, ^.j.^^. j ^.q . j,^ ,.,„^^. ^,„„p y jq
9, adidt: Upper parts as in the ^, but the markings of the wings less regular, more assimi-
lated with the general variegation, and the tone more fulvous. No peculiar marks on head ;
throat whitish or buff; general tone of the under parts pale pin']dish-cinnanon, with fine
mottling of black and white on each feather. Young (J : Kesenibling the hen, but the under
parts oi'hrey or whitish with black variegation. Chicks, scarcely Hedged, 3-4 inches long :
Bill reddish above, whitish behiw; fe«'t dull brownish. AImivc, light wann brown, varied
with black, b(ddly strii)ed with white — each feather having a hammer-headed white shaft-
line. Some inner wing-cpiills like the back ; others dusky with whitish shafts, broken-barred
with buff, chieHy on outer webs. Below, buffy-white, with numberlt-ss spots of blackish ])aired
on each feather, sharp and circular on breast, further back widening to bars. A singular
species, very showy in full plumage, inhabiting portions ot Texas, N. M., and Ariz. ; in the-
latter, \V. to Fort Whipple at least.
[Subfamily PERDICIN^: Old World Partridges and Quail.
It becomes necessary to introduce this group, in consequence of the naturalization of the-
imported Migratory or Messina Quail of Europe. I know of no characters to distinguish it
from Odontopliorintp, and doubt that there are any.]
215. COTUR'NIX. (I^at. coturnijr, a (piail ; from its note.) Bill smaller and much slenderer thaiv
that of any of the foregoing genera of (Montophorina- ; nasal fossw feathered, excejit on the
tumid nHsal scale. Wings of moderate length, little vaulted and not rounded, |)ointed by the
tetraomikt: — pehdiclwi: : old would quail.
505
>rr8od,
aldiig'
II con-
sliort,
• •verts
tarsus
A
Scxt's
lBt-3d quills, the Ist not shorttT than tin* next. First jiriiniiry emnr^inute on inner web ; 2(1
and 3d wiiumte on outer wel>. Tail extremely short and Hliglit, not half as long as the wing,
pointed, its feathers very soft, the fentral pair laneeolate. Feet small ; tarsus shorter than niildle
toe and claw, slightly feathered ahove in front, with two rows of alterniiting large scutella in
front, two rows of smaller rounded scales meeting in a ridge behind, the sides tilli'd in with
small plates. Size smaller than that of any of the foregoing species; pattern of coloration
somewhat as in OrtifX ; sexes nearly alike.
579. C. dactyll'sonans. (Cir. ioKrvkos, daktitlox, the finirer ; a metrical measure consisting of a
long anil two short syllables ; Lat. soikuks, sounding. Fig. IH.) Messina Qlail. Miuua-
Fio. 414. —Common Quail of Euro|ie, i nat. size. (From Brehm.)
TORY Quail. Common Quail of Europe. Adult ,? 9 : Upper parts variegated with huflF
or whitish and black u|>on a mixed reddish-brown and gray ground, the most conspicuous nnirk-
ings being sharp lance-linear lengthwise stripes of butf or whitish over most of the upper parts,
these dashes mostly edged with Mack ; other less ]iromiuent buff or whitish cross-bars, several
to a feather, likewise framed in black. Crown mixed brown and black, with sharj) median and
lateral buff stri|>es. Throat white, bounded before by a dark bar curving down behind the
auricuLirs; behind, by a necklace of ruddy-brown, blackish, or whitish sjtots; chin varied with
dark marks in advance of the auricular bar. Under parts fading to whitish from the buff or
pale yellowish-brown breast, withiuU any dark crtissbars, hut the long feathers of the sides and
flanks with large and conspicuous white shaft-stripes and otherwise variegated with black,
696
SYSTEMATIC :iYAU]>SIS. — LIMIVOL.E.
brown, and butt". I'r'iiniirii's fimcoiiH, Hpottcd witb ligl't brown on ontiT wobft; BPconilarics
Hiniilur, but tlic marking's bi'i'oniini; bars on ImiiIi wcbw. 'ruil-friitlifr.s browniNh-black, niiich
varifd witli .slial't-lincM, rro.sM-bars, and I'd^in^H of bntl': crisxuni iinniaculati', like tlir ubdoirMMi.
liill dark ; t'ri't pale : iris dark brown. Length about 7-01); wing •'i.7') ; tail 1.75; tarsus IM);
niidille too and <'law ratiirr more. Knrojii', Asia, etc., recently imported and tnrncil loose In
(uinsiderable ninnbers in the I'. S., as in New Kngland ; bnt its permanent naturalization lit
still open Iti ([Uestion. It" one will compare this bird with the bcd)-wliite be will see how very
ditferent is the Old World ((nail from onr Orti/j; or any otlnT birds of this country called
'•i|uail;" but that it resembles Orly.r iw>rv nearly than the Km'o|M-an partridp', I'enlij' cinirfii,
does; so that, if we nnist borrow ii nanu' from any (Mil World birds for oin- species of Oiii/j;
Lophorli/.r, C(tUi])epl(i, etc., the term '(puiil' is rather more appropriate than ' jmrtridge.'
VII. Order LIMICOLJB: Shore-birds.
Counnonly known as the jjreat " plover-snipe grou]i," trom the circumstance that the
pinvialine and scolopacine birds form the bulk of the order, which is practii-ally ei|uivalent to
the Charadriumorplue of Hu.xley. The species average of snuill size, with rounded or de-
pressed (never e-xtremely conijjn-ssed) body, and live in open places on the jtfronnd, usually by
the water's edge. Witb rare exceptions, the head is completely feathered ; tbe general i)tery-
losis is of a nearly imiforni pattern. The osteological characters are shared to some extent by
certain swinnning birds, as (iulls and Auks ; the ])alate is .xchizognathous ; the nasal bones are
normally .Hcbizorhiual : tbe angle of the nuindible is produced into a slender hooked process ;
tbe niaxillo- palatines are thin and .scroll-like; there are prominent basipterygoid processes-
the rostral bone.s are slender, often much idongated ; the sternum is usually doubly, sometimes
singly, notched behind ; the carotids are double ; the syringeal muscles not more than one pair.
The physi(dogical nature is ])ra'Cocial and ])tilopa-ilic ; the eggs, averaging four, as a rule are
laid on tbe ground in a rude nest or bare depression; the yoimg hatch clothed and able to run
about. The ftxKl is inisects, worms, and other small or soft aninnils, either picked up from the
surface, or jmibed for in soft sand or mud, or forced to rise by stamping with the feet on the
ground; from this latter circumstance, the birds havt! been mimed ( 'akatores (stam)iers).
With a few exceptions, the wing is long, thin, flat and pointed, with narrow stitt' jirimaries,
rapidly graduated from Ist to 10th ; secondaries in turn rapidly lengthening from without
inward, the posterior border of tbe wing thus showing two .salient points separated by .i 'leep
ennirgination. The tail, never long, is commonly quite short, and has from 1
number) up to 20 or even 26 feathers (in one remarkable group of Sni| i ).
connnonly lengthened, sometimes extremely so; randy ([uite .short, ..lii
they are indifl'erently scutellate or reticulate, or both. The feather.'- ..ai. (frag
The toes are short (as compared witli the case of Herons and liail.s), tl. ^terior n^ .y senii
palmate, frequently cleft to the base, only jmlmate hi liecurviroslrii and i.i,l_\ lobate u Phaluro-
jHxlida. The hinder is always short and elevated, or ab.-icnt. The length of ' ]dialanges
of the anterior toes decreases from the basal to the penultimate. Thi' lower pan -f the crus
never has feathers inserted u|)on it, though the leg may appear feathered to the suffrago,
owing to the length of the feathers. The bill varies much in length and contour, but is almost
always slender, contracted from the frontal region of the sknll, and is as long as, or much longer
than, the head, representing the " ])ressirostral " (pinvialine) and " longirostral " (scoloi)acine)
types. Furthennore, it is generally in large part, if not entirely, covered with softish skin,
often membranous and sensitive to the very tip, and only rarely bard throughout. The nostril
is generally a slit in the membranous part, and probably never feathered.
Most of the families of this order are well represented in this country, and will be found
fully characterized beyond. The position of Parridte is in question, and it probably belongs here
ruther than among the families where it la ranged (beyond). There are several outlying or
< 1 1. 1 It A DJifi/Lj-: - (11. 1 n. I nims.E . pl o vkr.
r»j»7
rifs
lU'h
Mil.
(«);
ill
is
rry
I.mI
f
4
liKiHriilaliii^; fiiiiiilics in \\w \\v\m\)- >>{ LimicitUr i\w\ AUrlnrideii, u{ iiiiccrtnin |H.t<iti,iii. 'I'lir
liir^i-Kt of tiicsc is the Hii.staril I'iiiiiily, Otiilitln; wliicli (•..iiiiccts /.tmiailtr ami Alectoriilrs m<
pcrt'cctly, tiiaf iln iMisifiuii iiait lung xvavcrcil Ixtwccii tlu'sc two (.nlfrs ; tin- liaiuucc nf cviilcut'L'
fiivorn its referiiice to tiic lattiT. 'I'lif typical families aro Chtirmtiiidu: ami .Sailojidciila:
38. Family CHARADRIID^ : Plover.
Tliiit is ft large ami iiiiiMir-
laiit family of nearly a liiin-
dreil Hjiecies, of all jiarts of
the World. Its limits tire imt
settled, there being a few
forms sometimes referred here,
sometimes made the types of
distiiK't families. The (Uare-
(des ((ildrnilidrr) are a re-
iiiarkalde Hid WorM form,
liki' loIlg-lejLrged swallows,
with n puekoo's hill ; the tail
is forked; therenre four toes;
the wings are extremidy long
aud pointed ; the tarsi are
sclltellate ; thi' middle <da\\'
(leiiticnlate. The Coursers
(Citrsoriiiur) are another Old
World type, near the IJiis-
Fio. 416. — A Plover, llio Eiirojieiin LaiiwltiB, reUueml. (From Dixon.) tarils, of cine or twu eelierii
mill less than ten species. In both of these the gajie of the month is longer than in the trim
plovers; the hind toe, lui nsnal for this family, is absent in the Coursers. The thick-knees,
((K(Ucnemiiitr) are inoro plover-like birds, with one exception belonging to the Old World,
comprising about eight sjiecies of the genera (Kdiainiiiin and Esticus ; they are related to
the Bustards, and most pluvialiuc birds appear to fall in the
54. Subfamily CHARADRIIN^: True Plover.
Toes giinerally three, the hinder absent (excepting, among our forms, SinmtaroUi , Vandhm,
niid Aiihrizd); tarsus reticulate, longer than the middle toe; toes with a basal web (chl'i in
Aphri-a) ; tibia? naked below. Hill of moderate- length, much shorter or not lonjrer than the
bead, shajied somewhat like that of a I'igeon, with a convex horny tenninal ]iortion, con-
tracted behind this; the nasal fossa- rather short and wide, tilled with soft skin in which the
nostrils open as a slit, not basal, and perforate. Gajievery short, reaching a little beyond base
(if culnien. Wings long and )iointed, reachinir, wlu-n fidded, to or beyond the end of tlu- tail,
and sometimes spurred ; crissal feathers loiii: and full; tail short, generally nearly even and of
12 feathers; body plump ; neck short and thick; head large, ghdiose, sloping rapidly to tho
small base of the bill, usually fully feathered. i^W.i' moderate or small.
Our species (excepting Aphriza, if really belonging herei are very closely related, and will
be readily recognized by the foregoing characters. There are in all perhajis sixty species.
The most singular of them is the Atutrhifxc'liii'i fronUdis, in which the bill is bent sideways.
Tliinornis zehindue of New Zealand, I'hegoniis mitchelli ami Oreophilus totaniro.stris of Chili,
are peculiar forms. Species of Chettiisiti, Lobiranelliix and llophptfriis have tleshy wattles,
or a tubercle, often devehiped into u spine, ou the wiug, or both ; some of these, and others,
598
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOL^.
arc rroHtcil. Tlirso aro all noar Vanenun proprr, and a part «f tlioin aro l-tood. Our 8p-'cics
arc liiiniil iilnug the !«>a!<lii>r<', liy tlif witcr'it od^o in otlicr cip<>ii |)laci's, and in dry ]daiiis and
ticldM. Tlicy all pcrfonii oxtcnsivf migrations, appearing with great regularity in the .spring
and tall, and most nf them lireed far northward. They are all more or ]v»» gregarious, except
when breeding. They run and Hy with great rapidity; the voice is a mellow whi.><tle ; the
food is chietly of an animal natni-e. The eggs are commonly four in number, speckled, very
hirge at one end and pointed at the other, plaeo<l with the small ends together in a slight nest
or mere dei)ression in the ground. The sexes are generally similar, but the changes with age
and season are great.
AnalytU qf Genera.
Toes 4.
Uenl not crenteil.
Tani Bcutvllntc In front ; toes cleft to bane .-Iphri-.n 'J21
Tarn) rctlciilatu ; tova with liusal web Siiuntrntiln '.'Itt
Hew) with a loiiK tluwiiig crest yunrllut 2'JI)
Toes 3.
Plumage of upiier iiartM Diieoklecl ; no ringH or Imiiils nf color nlxiiit head orncck . . . Ckamilriun 217
I'lumage orii|i|>cr luirtH nut xiiucklud ; rings iir biinds or<'cilur iilHnit houci iinil neck.
TursUH not nearly twice lu loo;; :u niiilille too without claw KijinHlm 'JIM
Tarsus about twice as long as nililillo too without cinw /'oilniux-i/ii '.'I'.i
216. SQUATARO'LA. (Itul. xi/Mataro/fl, name of the .necies. Fig. H«.) FofK-TOKD I*I.()VKK.
A small but ilistiiiut hind toe, contrary to the rule in t!<is family. Tail less than half as hing as
wing. Tarsus nnich longer than niiildle tiH' and
claw. Tibia bare below, reticulate like the
tarsus. Hasal web lM;twoen outer and nuddle
toes. Upper plumage .speckled, lower black or .^IF'''^,c5V .
white; no rings .,r bars of color about head or ' '"
neck. Legs dark-coloreil. Tail fully barred. ^^5~'^""«<i5I^^^Ji^^('*l""*'*_-^ '■■'''
Seasonal changes of plumago very great ; sexes
alike. ,_i,^^
580. S. helve'tlca. (Lat. //rfiWi'oo, Helvetian, Swiss.
Fig. 417.) Swish Plovku. lii.ACK-iiKi.i.iKi) -^ Mf:i
I'UlVKIt. HtLI<-llEAI) I'LOVEH. WlllSTI.IXd
FiKLi) Pi,ovF.H. ().\-KYK. (J 9 . '" summer:
I'pper parts fretted with bh'ckish and ashy-whiti", Fio. 418. — Hill ami hinil loo of .Squalnrnia, nat.
the feathers being white basally, then black, »'"«• (A.I nat. .kl. K. C.)
tipiMil and usually scallojied with white. I'pper \ail-coverts mostly white, with few (hirk
touches. Fore-h<'iid, lim- over eye and tlieneo more broa<lly over side of neck, the lining of
wings, tibia-, vr-iit and under tail-coverts, white. Siih's of head to an extent embracing t''e
ryes, axillary plumes, and entire under parts (excejit as .slid), black. Tail closely barred with
black and white. Primaries (htrk brown, blackening at tips, with large basal areas and a
portitm of their shafts, white. Hill and feet black. Length 1 1.0<i-l:i.tM) : wing 7.00-7.50;
tiil .'{.OO; bill l.()0-l.;>.) ; tarsus 2.00; midille toe and claw l.M: tibiie bare LOO. Hut such
n binlas this rarely seen in the I'. S. {J 9 i "•''» '" f"" »'"' winter, as usually seen in U. S.
Under i)artH white or whitish, anteriorly .sjM'ckled or mottled with gniyish -brown ; axillary
plumes, however, black, as before; a gtsid color-mark of the species, in any plunnige, in com-
parison with the golden plover. Hirds changing show every mixture of black and white below.
<J 9' young: Similar to winter adults, but upper jtarts sju-ckled with golden-yellow, as iu
V. dominiciis, most of the feathere having edgings of this cobir. Feet gmyish-bliie. A largo
Btout plover, with a little hinil toe. commoidy ditfuse<l over most parts of the world : in Amoriea,
breeding in Arctic regions, tlix-king south and north in fall and s]iring, preferably coastwise ;
rommon, but less so than C. ilominivu.i. Eggs i, i>yrifonn, l.UO to -J. HO loni: by 1.40 to 1.4')
broiid ; drab or dark brownish clay-etior, very heavily marked, eB|H>cially on the larger half of
CUARADRIWX: CHARADRIIX^ : PLOVER.
599
TICS
aiiil
priiijT
I'pt
til..
Ivciy
I iii'.si
m;c
:.'iii
21T
I'lH
Jill
the sIh'U, with int'mihir bhifchosof hrowiiisli-bliiek, smaller spots being more tliiuly distribiitetl
over the rest of the siirt'iice ; the iimrkiugs uboiit the greiit end usually coiittuent uucl wreatliy ;
a few pale markings in tho
shell. .^ i-ii^i^^: ju
217. CHARA'DBIIJS. (Or. . ": "'^ - ^ ^
^apaltfiios, chitrndrios, Lat. ~^^' J*
cImmilriuH, a jilover.) 0^^^ J ' ^* ;
(toi.DKX l'u)VKK.s. Char-
acters as ill SquntaroUt,
but nil liiiiil (This "^-^ -t|^-|, ^^BLT^^^^^^^^B^^^^^^f^^"^~, '^^
the type-^eiiiis of the "'''^K^^-'^^KKi'^^^^^^^^^^Sf^J^^ -^^^^-^
whole ftimily. The several ^^BIH^^^BI^^^^^.J^^"^'^^ ^'^""^
speries are closely relateil : ..^k-^^M^.^ >. . ^ ,= ^C .^'''
to our loiii^ known golilcn
plover have lately been
ailtled as birds of N. .\. ■s ryi M ig'^' *• ■*-^ -^ —' t A-<i '
both the Kuropeau s| ics
and the Asiatic variety; — *?
the former from its occur-
rence in (ireeillillid the Fin. 417. — liln<'l<-l)cllleil Plowr, in Hummcr, rixliiceil. (Kroni I.cwi«.)
latter in Alaska. V . S. birds are all I.'. ihminicHs, — the ('. virginicus of most authors.)
A Hit I nth nf Spfcir$.
Ltiiiiig of wIngH Mliy.
I.eiii;l)i lo.no-II.OO ; wiiigT.OO; tnll<3.no ; inrHiiK I.T.t ilnmimru* SRI
l^iiKthil.OO-inoO; wiiiKU.SI); tall2.ri0; turHiiH I UO fuhut Wi
LiiiiiiK ofwIiigH wlilte pluriiilit S83
581. C. floiiil'nieiis. (Lat. </«miHiciM, of St. Domingo. Fig. H8.) Amehic.vn Ooldkv I'l.oVKii.
FiKi.it l'i.i>VKK. Hi'u.-iiKAii 1'i.nvKK. Iti'U.-iiKAi>. (^ 9 i ><> ^onuDer : Upper |iarts black,
everywhere s|H'okled with golden-yellow, and mostly also with white, the britrhter color in excess.
The markings of individual leathers are a tippilii; undone or several paired scallops, ilind neck
|p88 strongly marked than crown or back. Forehead, and hiiig .stripe over eye snowy-white.
Region immediately around bill, sides of head to include eyes, and entire under |)arts, glos.sy
brownish-black. I.inintj of irintjK, and ii.ril-
lars, soittjf-griiif or oshy. Tail dusky i;rayish-
brown, with numerous irregular pale gray bars,
and reddish-brown shafts; upper tail-coverts
anil rinii]) like back. IVimaries fuscous, black-
ening at tips and whitening at bases of inner
webs, thoui;h without delinite white spaces ;
shafts white for a space. Secondaries and
many of the coverts, like the primaries, plain
fuscous, without thetfoldeu and white fretwork
of the back. Itill and feet Idack. I^eni^th
lO.OO-ll.OO; extent iJi>..')0 ; wing 7.00; tail
^~**- _^ ;{.00; bilKl.ilO; tibiie bare 1.00; tarsus 1.7.">;
^•^Jy - middle foe and claw l.:JO. <J 9> "i winter,
?jt" ' '"T'j-j^ii^V ■ .-T. '-^ and yoiinif, much alike, very different from the
_ „ , , breeding dress: rpiwr iiarts much as before,
Fin. 41S. —liulden Plover, In fell nr winter, reducGil. " , .
(Frnin N'uttnll,nfter ?| but colors not so pure and intense; and spot-
ting mostly giddeii, with little white if any. Front and line over eye not purely white, but
tawny, with dusky streaks. Tail lacking transvenie Imre, the feathers being dark gniyish-
uoo
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —LIMICOUK.
brown with wliiU' nr yellow edging iiml iKitcliiii^. Axillara and liniiii; of winijs iisliy-jiray as
ill KUiiiiiirr ; but, an in Siiimtarubi, the i-hief difference is in the under parts, wliieh liave mi lilack,
Ijeing j;rayisli- white, clearest nnchin, belly, and erisMUni, the throat and sides of head streaked,
the breast and sides of neck and btwly niottleil, with dark prayish-brown. Le^'s not jierfectly
black. 'I'iiis is the state in which the {irohh-n jdover is p'nerally seen in the l'. !S., thouijih
beautiful black-bellied birds may be found late in the vernal init;ration. N. Am. at large;
breeds in the Arctic regions; pa.^ses N. and S. in great waves, in spring and fall, atl'ording tine
.sport at thu lutter season. Kggs 4, similar to those of Sqwitiirold, suuiller, and usually jmlcr
clay eolnr, sometinies whitish; markings of same toni' ami pattern: size 1.S()-12.00 X l.-i") -
1.10. Thi-s is the usual " tiehl plover" of sjMirtsmen ; a well-known and highly-esteemed
game-bird.
682. C. (1. fiil'viis. (Lat. /«/(•««, yellowish.) Asiatic (!i>i. KEN Pi.oVKii. Similar; more suHii.sed
with yellow on head, es])ecially aloni; the supen'iliary stripe; smaller; length about 0..")H ;
wing (). .5(1 ; tail 2. (id; tarsus l.dO ; middle toe and claw 1. 10; bill 0.',».). Alaska, from Asia.
583. C. pliivla'Ils. (Lat. pliniatig, rainy.) KliiofKAX (ioi.ni'N I'l.iiVKit. Like ('. (Inmiiiini.-;
and of same size. Liniut; of winijs irliile. (irei'uland, from Kurope,
S18. /KOIA'LITKS. ((Jr. aiyiaX/njr. a iloer by the sea.) KlXii l'l.nvi,lis, .V genus not easy to
define with precision, owing to the diH'erem-es in details of form which the numerous species
present. Ilest distinguished from Clmratlriiis by eolnr : ujijier jiarts not speckled ; lower never
extensively black. Mars or rini;s ■ if eolnr about head and neck. Se.ves usually distiii;iuishable,
though similar. Tarsus not twice as long as nuddle toe without claw. IMales .if front of tarsus
tending to enlarge in tivo or three special rows, inst^'ad of uniform reticulation. \Vr have,")
perfectly good X. American species, a variety of one of these (?). and two Kuropean estrays.
Aualyniii qf Sj>erii» {iiihill mnlr»).
Bill enlircly black.
Itniiip I'lioHtiiut; two lilark liniiilHiiii tliront ami lirvavt rufi/inm .'ist
l(uiii|i liliiiii; lint' liliick liiiliil nil lii'L'UHt. Hill i>tiiiit irilmiiiiiiH rM
Kiiiii|i pliiin; nil ('i>iii|iK'li' lilai'k liarH nil lirt-aht. Hill blunder nirimuii GtU
Dill iiraiiKU <ir yellow, lilack-liiiiivil : or Maik ullli oran^fv at liaw.
Si'inipalnintu: wcli liclwiv inner anil niiiliilti liie vviilent, llial lietwern oiiUt iinil niiilillu rencliini;
to riiil of Heeoiiil Joint i<( niiilillc
Heavy lilack lianilM on iinaii anil iiei-k; colored ring niiiii'l i-vii Hriiiiiiiilniiitii.i 5Mi
No eviilenl well lielwreii inner ami niiilillo tin-; llmt liet ween outer ami niiilillc only ruai'liini; to enil
nf lirst Joint of niiilille.
Heavy lilaek liaiiiU on lieail ami nn.-k ; one on riilu of lieail.
Niieoloieil ring I'ounil eye. WinK alHiiit ,".IHI Iiinliiiiln fiHll
A eoionil ring rouml eye ; wing iiniler i.W rHroiiii-iiK .V.Hi
No lilack lianil on n'Ae of lieail ; oolorcii ring rouml eye.
King arounil iieek ineomiiletc ukIimIiih .'■*7
King aroniiil iieek eoiu|iluto <-irrii»i< iiirdu Ws
584 iK. vot-rforus. ( Lat. toti/friM, voice-bearing, noisy. Fig. 41".t.) Kii.ukku I'l.ovt.ii. $ 9,
adult : Above, grayish-brown, with an idive shade, and in high ]ilnmage a slight bronzy liisti'e.
Uump and upper tail-coverts bright -i-olori'd, very variaide in tint, from tawny or orange-brown
to cinnamon-brown or che.xtnin. Forehead with a white baud from eye to eye, more or h'ss
pridonged as a superciliary streak, and a black band above it. A white collar around hind
neck, continuous with white of the throat. A black collar arniind back of neck, continuous
with a black jiectoral band. Uai-k of the latter a black \ total belt. Thus the fore-parts are
encircled with one comph-te Idack ring, behind which is a black half-rinii on lueast. before
which is a coin)dete white ring. A while stri]M' over and liidiiiid eye; a dusky stripe below
eye. I'lider jiarts entirely )iure white, except the two |M'ctoral belts, rrimary i|uills blackish ;
a white space on the outer webs of most of them, fnrmini; an oblii|iH' series, and a longer white
space on their inner webs. .Secondaries mostly white, but with black areas in increasing size
from within outwanl. Long inner secondaries, or terliaries, like the back. Tail-feathers siiigu-
WT».
CUA liA imilDAC — C HA HA DRIIS.K : PL O I 'i:i{.
601
Ilii'd.
I'ctly
[v ;
I tiiii!
Iiiilcr
larly varu'^iitfd : scvcriil inner jmirs liltt- tlic Imck, inwnsilily blacUfninij tnwnnls mils, tlini
ligllt(•Mill^ ai;ain, aiitl usually witii nisty tijis ; lateral ones jrainiiin more and nion- "f the luiu'lit
piditr lit the ruui]i, with ninrr dctiiiiti.' liliick siilitt-niiinal liars, and \\wv wliiti- ti|is ; niiirrniiist
l)air mostly while, with the rufous shade, and several liroken hlaeU hars. Tl H'eet of all this
varie;;alion is very slrikini,' when the parts are displayed in tlitrht. Hill Idaek : eye hhn-k.
with a hrijiht rin^ amnnd it : h'gs pale. Lenj;th '.t.OO-Kl.dO : ext<'nt ;!().()(l : wing ti.dO ; tail 3..)()-
4.(M), proportiiinally loni;er and more rounded than usual in this genus : hillO.vO; tiliia' hare
(».'^(>: tarsus l.K); mitldle toe and ehiw l.|-i. (J 9 , youiii:: The hlaek hands replaeed l.y gray !
upper parts duller and more grayish; and when ([iiite yiMmg the leathers of the upjter jiarts
8|MitteiI with rusty brown ; rump pale, markings of tail ineouiplete : hut the birds speedily
aeijuire a phnnagc like that of the adults. Downy young: Above, uray with a ruddy tinge;
a rini; round top of head, a ring round neek,
a stripe down baek, and uiiotlier on eaeh
side of the eolored area, blaek ; eolhir round
baek of neek. forehead, and ends of wing-
tufts, while: tail-tuft and hill blaek — (pieer
little ereatures. reatlily n g'i/ed. N. .\ni.
at largi'. very abundant, breedintr anywhere;
abiiunds in the West. Not gregiiiioiis nor
maritime ; extensively but snmewhat ir-
reiiularly niiyratory. A very noisy bird —
the I'lirinus name is derived fmni its shrill
two-.syllabhd whistle, like l,il-iltrr .' kil-
dfrr! Nest anywhere in tiie trrass or
shinule near water. Kirus 1. about l.jll X
1.1:2, of usual wading-bird shape; gruund
varying from drab through elay-ei.lor to
creamy, marked in endless v.'iriation with
blaekish-hrowii. Kildeers' egi;s and those of 'l'ri)iiii>i(lfs maailiiriiis do excellent duty in boys'
and amateurs' cabinets for those of most small waders.
.W.'i. yK. wilsu'iiliis. (To .Mexander Wilson.) Wilson's I'l.oVKIt. .\ilidt J 9 : Above, |iale
ashy-i;ray (dry-sand color), the feathers with still paler edges, the shade tendini; to fulvous on
the na|H' and hind neck. .\ narrow black band across vertex, not reaching to eyes, being cut
of!" by white of the forehead which extends backward over each eye to na|M'. .V blackish loral
stripe, not prolonged behind eye, not meetiuu its fellow over base of bill, where the white fore-
head comes down to the bill. A black half-rinu on the foreneck. iiitt eonipleled aroiind back
of neck. White of throat passing around hind-neck as a slight collar. I'nder parts, exceptjni;
the black bar, entirely while. I'rinuiries blackish, bleaching towards bases on inner webs, the
short iiMU'r ones also with white on outer webs. .*>haft of Isl primary almost entirely white;
of others hriiwn, then a long white space, then blackening at end. .'Secondaries, exceptini.' the
hing inner ones, mostly white on inner wehs, (hirk on outer. .Middle and iiitennediate tail-
feathers like back, urowing dusky toward ends, iH'arly all with while tips, and the miter one
or two white. No colored riii;; round eye. Itill entirely black ; extremely larye and stout. I.egs
flesh -eolored ; miti-r toe semipalmMte, inner cleft. I<ength 7-<X»-*».(l() ; winu 4..')l)-r).(l(l ; tiiil
2.IM). nearly sijiiare ; tarsus about l.lil; niiddle toe and claw O.'.MI : bill II. '.Ill, not much shorter
than head. Young: Similar: no black mi vertex or lore; a broad band of the color of the
back across the neck in front. Seacoast of S. Atlantic and I ! iilf , 'Elates, common : N. to the
iiiiddle districts, and rarely to New KiiL'land ; also on the I'iieltic side to Callforniaf S. in
winter into S. Am. Kggs laid on the bate shinule of the beach ; usually ><, I.J'i to l.i.i Imit;,
l.lHt to 1.05 broad, pale ollve-dmb, more greenish in soine cases, more clay-odim-d in others,
Fio. 4t'.i. — Kllileor Plover, nal. fizc. (.\il. nut. ilel. K. C. )
602
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS.— LIMICOL^IC.
tliioklj' innrkoil all ovor with Mackish-browii in irn's^ular sliarply-dcfiiu'il spots, splashes ami
fiiii- (lilts. Nil )' liiw, pi)iiiit;, anil nitlicr plaintive.
5M. JK. seniipalnia'tiiii. (Lat. M<-m/, half : 7»i/wri/HA, pahnateil : the speeies is roinurkalily ilistin-
Unislieil l>y the extent "I" tiie half-welihinjj; between the tix-s.) Sk.MII'.VI.matkk I'i.uvkk.
Hi.no I'i.dvku. Kixti-NKCK. <J 9> iitlnit : I'jtper parts nniforni ilaik ashy-fiiay (wet-saml
ciihir) ; miller |)arts ]inre white. A limail hiaek rint; eneirelin^' the neck. In advanee of this
a white lialf-'MJlar anuinil hack of nei-k, spreading into the M'hite of the throat. A white
froulal \>.\r. entirely snrnMiniled hy hIaek : i. c. a lilaek coronal liar anil lilaek stripe alon^ lore
anil side of head, ineetini; its fellow over liase of njiper niandilde. I'rinniries lilaekish, with
narrow white spai-es rednced to a portion of the shaft aloni" on the outer primary ; seeonilaries
hu'Kely white, and f^reater eoverts wliite-tipped ; tertiaries like the liaek. Tail like liaek,
the feathers insensilily Idaokenini; toward tlieir ends, most of them white-tip]ied, the outer-
most nearly all white. An orange rin^' round eye, very liriKht. Itill lilaek, with orange liasr;
letrs yellowish. Web In^tween outer and middle toe reaehing to end of the seeiind joint of the
latter. Length alniut 7.00 : extent l."i.Ot)-l.')..j() ; wing 4.7">-.').()0 ; tail 2.2.5, rounded ; hill (t.,"iO ;
tiirsns <i.'.M) : middh; tm* and claw th<* same. Young: No black coronal har, the white of fore-
head reaching bill and eyes, and pndonged over the hittiT ; »ieck-ring and lornl stripe gray,
not lilaek ; bill mostly black. Ujiper parts with slight whitish or rusty edging of the feathers.
Chick : Upper jiarts mottled with gray, black, and brown, in no special pattern. Collar round
ne«-k and under parts white. N. Am. at large, the most abundant and generally diffused of the
ring-necks, es|M-cially plentil'ul in Hocks on the beaches late in the summer and early autumn.
Hreeds northward ; eggs i to 4, like the kildeer's ; only, of course, distinguishabli! by much
smalh-r size: length \.H) to 1.40, by O.'.MIto ().<).'> in breadth.
5S7. ./K. mclo'dus. (I.,at. m»7(«/«.s-, mehidious. ) I'llMNO I'l.oVKlt. I'ai.K HlSd-XECK. (f, adult.
Above, very pale ash, lighter than any other N. A. species. A white half-collar round back of
neck. .\ black ring behind this, tending to I'licircle the neck ; but I have seldom seen it com-
jilete on the cervix, and as a matter of fact it is seldom comjdete on the fore-neck either; ordi-
narily a link only on each side of the neck. A black coronal bar from one eye to the other.
Forehead, sides of head, and entire under parts snowy-white, exeeiiting the Idack on sides of
n«'ek, there beiiii; no dark bars on lores or sides of head. I'rinuiries dusky, with large white spaces,
tlieir shafts wliiti- for a eiirres|ioniliug extent. Sec<uularies and greater coverts mostly white;
loiur tertiaries like back. I'pper tail-coverts and bases of tail-feathers white ; the latter black-
eninu towards their ends, the outer pair or two entirely white. A colored ring round eye. Itill
yellow, the end beyond the nasal fossic black — very obtuse and short and stout for its length.
Web iM-tween outer and middle toe not reaching to end of the basal joint of the latter, liather
snuiller than the last ; wing 4.;) 4.7'> ; tail L'.n()--2.25 ; bill under 0.50 ; tarsus (1.87 ; middle
too and <-law 0.75. 9 • "(l*itt : 11" coronal bar reduced to ii trace, dark brown ; the ringing of
neck reduced to a dusk y-trniy spot on each side. Young; Resembling 9 us just said, but no
tnice of dark color on In ,id and little if any on sides of ui'ck. A very pretty little species, willi
its pale dry-sand colored upper ]iarts and stumpy bill ; perfectly distinct from the last, with which
it is often a-ssiM-iated. V . S. and Urilish Provinces, V.. of the H. Mts. (beyoinl which ajipar-
enlly n-|ilaeed by A. iiirosus) ; abundant along the -Atlantic coa.st of tln^ l'. S., bni'ding N. to the
St. Lawrence, wintering; from the Carolinas soulhward. Kggs laid preferably on the shingle of
the iM'aeli, while the seuiipalmated usually goes to some grassy or mossy spot back of the sand.
Kutis pretty certainly disiiiuiuishable from those of the other ring-neck by their lighter color-
ing — then* is much the same difference in tone that there is between the birds themselves;
elav-color or palest creamy-brown, sparsely and pretty uniformly nuirked with blaekish-brown
f<l»wk», without sjmts of any size, or scratchy lines, soinetinu's mere |Miint8 ; eggs of nbiiut same
capacity as the ring-neck's, but rather less elongate and pointed ; 1.20 to l.HO X 0.95 to l.tKI.
S8S. AZ. m. (.'ircumclnc'tus t (Lut. circumcincluH, bound abont.) Heltkh 1*u>in(I Pluvkk. A
,'iHO.
590.
.'iOI.
CHARADliJIDJh:—CHAIiAl)liIINJE : PLO VKR.
G03
iikI
Stlll-
IVKIt.
ilnl
lute
uitli
ItlT-
viirioty (^porlmps only some individimls) witli tlio l)liu'k uookliico rtiiiii)l(ti'. DescriluMl from tin'
I Ifiiil waters of tlii> IMiitlc, in Xchraslia, .Iiily ; |>rol)al>ly hrcctliiin llicrt".
5N0. JK. Iiinti'cula. <^I)iiiiin. of hat. hiatus, a gapo ; hialiciilii hfiiig a translation of ;yapndp<ot,
vlinriidrios, 1m>uuusi> tin- liird is found about the nioutlis {hiatus) nf rivers.) Kikhi'k.w HiNti
I'l.oVKU. Sizo of Xo. 580, or rather larger, and t;<>iieral asjM'ct tlio same; no evident wel>
lietween inner and middle too, tlnit between outer and middle only reacliing to enil of fii-st jniiit
of tlu! latter; no ccdored ring round eye; one deseripliou would answer for the head-markings
of hoth, liut hlaek liars very heavy; white touches on eye-iiils. l'|i|irr parts hair-lirown.
Primaries hlaekish-hrown, the outer four or tive with white only on the shafts fcir a s]iaee near
their ends, the white liuginning to invade the W(d)s on the fourth or tifth, ami eidaruing in
width with diminishing length on the rest. Seeoi.daries white with dark ends nf diniinisiiing
length inwarils, till one or two of the .slmrt inner ones are almost entirely white ; the loni; Hnw-
ing innennost ones, Imwever, like the hack. Tail as in ^K. Sfiiiiiiiilmatas. I^ength ahout
7..')lt ; wing .').()(» ; tail iA'y ; hilKt.CiO, orange, with hla<-ktip; tarsus ().',(.") ; middle toe and daw
O.S.") ; feet orange ; claws hlaek. Young like that it{ yJ'^. srwi/ialmatiis ; n<> black on vertex ;
that of side of head and around neck dnsky-gray ; whitish front, line over eye, anil under eyelid ;
primaries quite dark with white spaces on .shafts ami webs well nnirked ; feathers of njiper parts
with pale beady tips ; ends nf even middle tail-feathers white. Wi<lely di.stribnted in the ( >ld
World; Greenlanil ; Cumherland Sound, X. A. (Descrijition from a N. A. spt'cimen.)
590. JK. euro'liloMs. iLat. niroiiiras, of Cnurland, on the Baltic.) KckoI'ka.n Lksskk Kino
Pl.oVKK. Closely resembling the last; snniller ; black bands not so broail ; black of vertex
and aurieulars bordered behind with white ; shaft of 1st prinniry alone white ; bill extrenu'ly
slender, black, yellow only at base of lower nnintlible ; legs yellowish tlesh-ctdor ; a <-olored
ring round eye. Length about )>. 01) ; bill 0. 00 ; wing 'l'.3,'> ; tail :2.H() ; tarsus O.'.IO. Inhabits
much of the Old World ; ipiestionably X. Am., on the Pacific side. Youni; : Differs much as
young /ii«/ir«/rt does. King around neck dusky-gray ; that on side of head ehietly redu I ti>
n loral stripe. Xo black across vertex ; while of forehead soiled. Upper parts darker than in
adult, in an early stage with pale or fulvous edgingsof the feathers. (.1. niicrorhi/nchus Uidg.)
501. JK. ciintta'nuii iiivo'siis. i Lat. (YOi^VniK.v, Kentish ; Lat. »ii('».vi(.i, snowy (.white).) .Snowv
Kino Plovkk tJ, in breeding dress: Above, pale ashy-gray, little darker than in -7v.
meloiliis. Top of head with a fulvous tinge. A broad black cormnil bar from eye to eye.
A narrower black post-ocular strijie, tendini; to meet its fellow on nape, and thus encircle
the t'niviius area. A broad black ]iatcli on each side of the breast : no sign of its completion
above or below ; no comph-te black loral stripe (as in --7'.'. rautianas), but indication of such
in a small dark patch on either side of base of upper mandible. Fon'head, continuous with
line over eye, sides of head exce|iling the black post-ocular strijie, and whole under parts
excepting the black lateral breast-patches, snowy-white. Xo white rinv complete around back
of neck. Primaries blackish, es|iecially at ba.ses ami ends, the intermeiliate extent fuscous;
sbalt of the 1st white, of others white tor a space; nearly all th<> jfinniries bleacbint; toward
bases of iinier webs, but only some of the inner ones with a while area on outer webs.
Primary coverts like the prinniries, but white-li|iped. Grt'uter coverts like the back, but
white-lipped. Secondaries dark brown, bleaching intermilly and ba.sally in increasini; extent
from without inwards, ibi'ir shafts white along their respective white |Hirtions, Tertiaries like
back. Several intermedialt^ tail-feathers like back, darkenint; toward ends ; two or llireo
lateral pairs entirely white ; all the feathers more pointed than usual. Pill slender and acute,
black. Li'gs black. Length ()..-)0-7.00 ; extent 1.'<.50-U.OO ; wing 4.00-l.:J.'i ; tail i.OM or
less; bill O.fiO; tarsus 1.00; middle toe and claw 0.7.'i. Fn winter (young ?) : I'pper plunuigi)
rather darker than as above said, and less uniform, the individual feathiTs with pale edues.
Whide crown like back ; no black or fulvous on head ; forehead while ; lores slightly dusky ;
black of sides of breast repWed by a patch uf tho color of the back. Mill black ; tarsi livid
604
SYSTEMATIC SYSOI'SIS. — LIMICOLJE.
bluish; tws Maokisli. IJ. S., diiefly west of the K. Mts. ; T'tiili ; C'ala. coast, bn'cdiiijj aiid
wiiiteriui;; also, coast of Texas. A s|H'cinu'n ((J, Corpus Cliristi, Texas, June 24, Sviiiirll)
tliou^h in iiiidsuiniiier |iluina^i', has uo fulvous on head ; no trace of loral mark: the coronal
I>ar, |io8t-o<-ular stripe, anil latenil |>eetoral blotch dark brown, not black, hlfina '>i; tone ami
style of coloration about as in ivilsonius; sixe as in wel<Mlii.s, but markings more numerous and
scratchy; 1.20X".',)U. (I'robably six-citically ilistinct from JI'J. vdntiaiiiix.)
219. I'ODASO'CYS. (The Homeric epithet of Achilles, nodas ukvs, podn.i okus, swift as to iiis
f«-et.) MoiXTAiN Plover. In general, eharactci-s <if JtlijiulHen ; but no black belt or
patches on neck or breast; a coronal and loral black bar. Si/e lari;e. Tail short, half the
wini,', square. Legs very long; tibia- nude for a di.Mance S the ]<'iigth of tarsus. Latter
more than half as long again as middle toe and claw. Toes very short, the lateral of unequal
length.s. Tarsus and tibia entirely reticulate. .Se.xes alike. One species.
SOS. I*, nioiitit'nus. (Lat. imnitdiiiis, of mountains. Itailly named: it is a prairie bird.)
I'k.mkik I'l.ovKit. "Moixtain" I'l.oVEK. ,J 9. '» summer: ri)per i)arts nnifnrui
grayish-brown; in most breeding individuals the shade is pure, but in many cases the feathers
are skirted with tawny or ochrey. I'nder parts entirely whiie (iiii black belt or patches): but
the brea.st often shaded across with ditfuse fulvous or gray. A sharp Idack loral line from hill
to eye, cutting oH" the white forehead anil superciliary line from the white of other i>arts. .\
coronal black bar acro.ss the sinciput, varying in width from a mere line to a band nearly half
the length of <Town in width, t^uills blackish, the shaft of the first white, of the others white
for a space; some of the inner primaries with white sjiaces toward the ba.M's of the outer webs,
uud the secondaries ii little pah- on their inner webs. Terliaries and greater coverts like back,
the latter white-tipiM-d. Tail-feathers like back, blackening toward ends, the outermost pale
tiironghont ; all tipped with whitish. Kill Idack, slender ; legs pale; the toes darker. Li-nglh
9.50; extent 18.00; wing 5.5O-«.00 ; tail 2.5()-:{.0(»; bill 0.!l()-1.0() ; tibia" bare over 0.50;
tarsus Dw: middle toe and claw 0.1)0-1.00. The full breeding dress has not before been fairly
described. (J 9 1 i" winter: No black coronal or loral stripe; otlierwiM', geni'rally as in
summer; but the general pbunage more rusty, with more decided wash <if color on the breast.
Young: As last .said ; whole upper j)arts rus»y from extensive edgings of all the feathers; sides
of head and neck similarly suffused with tawny. The ground-odor of the n]iper parts is also
darker than that of the adults. Chick in down : Forehead, sides of li(>ad and under parts
white, with sulphury-yellow tinge. Crown, ba-k and tibiie sulphury or tawny-yellow, closely
nnd evenly mottled with black. I'mnarked lini- over eye ; black ear-spot. Hill light at
«'Xtreme ba.se below, and at the ]Miiut. Livi<l (latch of naked skin on neck. An interestiiiir.
isidated sjH-cies, plentifully and generally distributed in western {'. S., Plains to the Pacific:
N. to 49° at lea.st. I havo shot it in Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, New .Mexico (June),
Arizona, Montana (40°, .lune), California coast (November), etc. It is not Kiuhomiiix,
and sufliciently unlike Jt^ijiuliU'x. It inhabits the mo.st sterile prairie as well as better watered
regions, tpiite iialependently of water, anil is not in the least aipuitic : even on the Cala. coast
it haunts the plain, never the marsh, mud-Hal, or beach. Feeds chiefly u]ion insects, especially
grasshcippiTs. and is generally .seen in loose straggling conipanies of small extent. Nest any-
where on tho bare prairie; eggs .'1-4; L40 to 1.50 long, by 1.10 broad, less pointed than
plovers' etiirs usually are, olive-drab with a brown shade, profusely dotted all over, but espe-
cially at the larger end, with blackish, dark brown and neutral tint ; the markings all mere dots
and points, the larcest scarcely exceeding a |iin's head. .lune, .Inly.
220. V.VNKIVIA'S. (Lat. iv(»ic//iM or rrtOHW/Kx, diminutive of r(i»iiiM.«, a fan.) Lapwings. Hill
filinder, shorter than head, jterfectly idiivialiiie. Legs long: tibia much denuded below; tarsus
greatly longer than middle too and claw. A web between bases of midilli: and outer toes ; inner
tiK- cleft to the base. A small hind toe. Wings very long, folding to end of the long .square
tail, but rounded, iA 5th prinuiries subequal ami longest, Ist about <'i|ual to 7th; primaries
.'S»».
504.
CHAHAVIillJXE — A PlllUZiyjI-: : SURF-BIUDS.
605
iilJd
nifti)
:iiicl
> iiiid
vory broad, 3 "f 4 outer ones inueh nnrroweil toward ond. A loiiij thin ri'cur\Td <HM'i|iital cn'st
of lilaiiH'iitous fcatlicrs. I'UniiaKf "f iiinicr parts liijjlily liiMtroiii* witli iiirtallic iridt'scfiicf.
593 V. crIsta'tHs. (I.at. i/'w^j^im, ercsti'd. Fig. H5.) Cukstki) Lai'wisii. Adult <J ; Tn]( and
front of licad, including tho i-'i imdi long crest, tliroat-line, and large |iectoral area, glossy black.
Sides <jf head mostly, and side."* of neck, white, on hind neck mixed with gray, rpperand
under tail-coverl.s chestnut or orange-brown. Under parts, except as said, snowy-white. Tail
M-hite, with broad bhick bar at ends of feathers excepting outermost, tips of all inirrowly white.
I'pper parts iridescent green, passing on wings to violet-purpli> and steel-hlue. tjnills glo.ssy
blue-black, several outer priuniries fading to grayi.sh-white on the narrow terminal portion,
the secondaries whit(! at base. Hill black ; feet red. This splendiil wanton of the eresv
iidiabits Europe, etc., and has occurred in Greenland.
5B. ? Subfamily APHRIZIN^: Surf-blrda.
The peculiarities of tho single species seem t(j be sujjer generic, but the position of
Aphrhii is still open to ipiestion ; as may be judged from the follnwiug diagnosis.
221. AI'IIKI'ZA. ((Jr. d(f>p6s, aphros, sea- foam ; fdu. zao, I live: badly formed, but euphonious.)
SniK-HiUD.s. Hill plover-like, shorter than head, stout at base, contracted in continuity, with
enlarged horny t<'rmiiiation ; both mandibles deei)ly grooved to their horny ends; nostrils sub-
basal, chnie to commissure, linear, jyerforate ; feathers reaching eipuilly far forward on side of
each mandible, much farther in int'-rrainal sj)ace. Wings very long and acute, f<dding to nr
beyond eiul of tail. 1st primary longest, all rapidly graduated ; tlowing inner quills nut nearly
reacliing point of wing. Tail very short, square, less than one half as long as wing, 12-
featliered. Feet scolopacine. with well-develojied hin<l toe; short and stout, much as in Strfji-
silas ; tibiie naked below, but the feathers falling to the sutfrago ; tarsus little longer than
middle toe and claw, reticulate, scutellati' in front; toes cleft to the base, lateral of equal
lengths, reaching base of middle claw ; inner edge of middle claw ililated and jagged, (ieneral
character of plumage, in its i)attern of c<doration and .sea.sonal changes, as in TriiigcfC. One
8j>ecies ; a remarkable i.s(dated form, perhaps a plover and connecting this family with the
next by close relatiou-ships with Slrepsila-i, but with hind toe as well develoj)ed as usual in
Sandpipers, and general appearance rather sandpi]ier-like than idovcr-like. Aphrizina' might
go under Iltcmatopodiihc next to Strepsilas ; or, jjcrhaps better, Aphrun and SIrrpsiluH might
together constitute a family ApilHlZin.K, next to, but apart from Iheiiiatopodiihr.
501. A. virKu'ta. (Lat. ri/v/afa, striped.) Si'ltK-niKi). In snnnner : Dark ashy-brown, streaked
with whitish on head and neck, varied with rufous and black on the back and wings. I'pjier
tail-coverts and basal half or more of tail i)ure white; rest of tail Idack, white-tipped. I'nder
parts white or ashy-white, variously marked with browni.sh-black ; the throat and fore breast
narrowly streaked, the streaks changing on the breast to curved bars, and there very profuse,
on other under i)arts sparw ami si)otty. I{a.ses and .shafts of ])rimaries, tips of niost ot them,
greater part of the seconilaries, and tips of greater coverts, white ; exposed portions of primaries
blackish. Hill black, fle.sh-ecdored at base below; legs dusky greenish f In winter:
Plinnage of the head, neck, breast, and upper parts tiearly uniform dusky brown, unvaried
with white or reddish, but with obsoletely darker shaft-lines; white nmler parts slightly
spotty; ([uills and tail-feathers as in summer. Length 9.00-10.00; extent 17.00 or more;
wing 0.5O-7.0O ; tail 2.75; bill 1.00; tarsus 1.25; middle toe and chiw 1.10. Varies greatly
in phnnage with aj;e and season, but unmistakcihle in any guise. Extensively dispersed over
the coasts and islands of the Pacific; along whole W. coast of X. A. In Alaska, according to
Nelson, it occurs N. to Hering's Strait ; and about St. Michael's frequents in August the rocky
shores of the small outlying islatids, and the ca]>es whose rugged shore-lines atford congenial
resorts to tho surf-birds aud the Heteroscelua incaniis.
606
SYST^:^[A tic synopsis. — limicola::.
39. Family H^MATOPODID-^: : Oyster-catchers. Turnstones.
A small family of two gcnerii uiul six or ci^lit 8|M'ci*'M, with (in* l>iil hard, ami citlicr acute
or triiiicati', the iiaMal foHMi* slmrt, bmud, uud mIiu11(i\v ; the li-^s Nliort, stunt, brigiitly-ciiliu't'il.
Tin- two following gciii'ra ilitfor iiiiich — in fuct, iiioro tlmii Ajihruu jIck-n from Slrfjisilns : it
in uiincccMMary to give ii formal uiiulyMiH. Kach itlioulJ W ty|>v of u nubfuitiily at li-aMt.
56. Subfamily H^MATOPODINiC: Oyster-catchers.
222. H^KM-V TOPI'S, (dr. ulfuiTotroit, lidimatitjHius, Tvi\-(iH>U'A; atfta, hdima, \t\in«\, novs, poits,
foot.) OYsTKK-t'.VTciiKiiN. No liiiitl tot'. Front to«'8 witli busal wt'liltiiiir, i'oii!<|ii«-iiouH between
miiltllc uud outer, uud broadly fringed with ineinbrikne eontinnoii.s with tlie welw to the enilx.
TarxMK longer than middle toe
and elaw, retieiilate, the platen
iu front enlarged ; Hliorler than
bill. Tihiu- l»rietly hare below.
Legs as u whole very stout,
eoarsi? and ruin;h, and liyht-
eohired. Wintfs i<>ng and
|)oinled ; 1st and 2<l (juills snh-
ei|ual and longest, 'fail short,
Fin. 41.'0. — lilll of Oyatvr-catclier, nut. lUo. ;AiI nat. ilvl. K. C.) s(iuar4', seareelv or not half as
long as the wing. Hill peeuliar — longer than tarsus, twiee as hmg as head, eonstrieted near
the ba.xe, mneh eompressed, almost like a knife-hlade toward end, ami truncate, something
like a Woodpecker's (it is an etticient intitrinneni tor prying open the shells of bivalve mol-
bisks), hard, straight or deflected sideways, highly i-olored (tig. I2<l.) Na.sil groove very short,
broad, and shallow; grooving of lower mandible sliijlit ; interramal space very short, scarcely a
third the length of the long ascending gonys. N'o.Mrils renioti" from the feathiTs, linear, close
to edge of bill. .^i/.e large. Sexes similar. Coloration dark aud white, iu nniHses. Several
sjN'cies, inhabiting the sea-coasts of most countries.
.IH'I/i/HM nf .s'/xrii ».
llfitd, tUH'k mill iipiH'r linck glniw.v-bliK'k : iH'lly wliilr ntlrihiiHt Mm
IIi'IkI mill iii!i:k Kliwxy-IHack ; Imvk Hniokv-limwii; Iwlly wliito imUMtim tt'M
llvuil uikI ii»'k Klinuiy-lilitck ; Imck kiiil iKlly •iiioky-bruwii iiiyir .V.I7
505. II. OHtri'U>ffU». (!.,at. ostrmi, an oyster; lerfo, I gather. Fi^. 121.) Ki'KoI'F.an Oystkk-
CATCIIKK (oyster-opener would be a belter name, as oysters do not run fast). .Similar to the
next to be described. I'pper )iarts glossy-bhiek, like the head and neck, (juills black, broadly
margined with white on inner webs excepting towards end, and also with isolated white
shafts ami ! paces near end. Hack below, interscapulars, rump, and upper tail-coverts entirely
white, as well UH Itases of the tail-feathers. Leni;th about lO.UO; bill about •'<.<)() : wing'J.DU;
tail 4.:U); tarsus nearly 2.01). Kurope, Asia, Africa ; X. .\m. as iH-curring in (ireenland.
506. II. palliu'tiis. (I^at. }Mllintui>, wearing the pnlliiim, a cloak.) Amkkican Oyntkk-catchkk.
ItKowN-ltACKKi) ((VMTKK-CATCIIKU. Adult ^ ? : Itill Vermilion or coral-red, changing to
yellow at end. Feet pale ]Mirplish Hesh-color, drying dingy yellowish. Hyes and ring around
them red or orange. Whole lieati and neck all around ulossy-black, fretpiently overcast with
an ashy or glaucous shade. Duck aud wiuK-coverts smoky-brown —the contrast with the
head anil neck decided. Hump and central Kehl of np|N'r tail-coverts like back (not white);
lateral aud longest central coverts white. Tail-feathen< white lit base for nearly th<! space
covered by the coverts, on the lateral feathers rather farther; then like back, blackening at
emls. Terliaries aud long inner HeeondarieH like back ; next few secondaries pure white; rest
guiuiug dark color iu increai>ing uinouut ; tlio white uf the secuudarieri forming with the loug
HJEMA TOl'ODIUJE — H^MA TOPODINJE : O YSTER-CA Tl llEltS. »507
lUMItl'
I'lTll.
WI'IIIS,
|\VCIM1
i-ikI.s.
toe
lati's
307.
wliit<' tipti of tlio uri'iitiT coviTtn ii contiiiiciiiiim broad obliqiio white bur. I'riiiukricH iliixky,
bliickt'iiiii^ tiiwani t'inl, toncln-d witli wliiti' at bast-s of tlif imifi- wcl>« of limber ciiii'8, with whiin
(III (iiit<T wi-bNiit th<! Hliiirt iiint'r oiivk, but no iisohitcil white HiibttTiiiiiml HpaccH. (ThiiN iiiiich
Ic(ts whitr oil wiiiKH uiid tail tiiaii in ontrilfijHs, biTtidcH t!'o iliHtTcncf in ctdor of tiic bacli ;
tlioiiKli Home aihiwuiici> in cither cuMt- niuxt ix- niadf for normal variation from tlu; miniitvnceiii
of my dfsrri|ition.) Kiitirc niulcr parts pur<' white, iiii-iudiiiK lining of wiugM, where, however,
II few dusky feathers eonimonly show alonj^ the edfje. Lenjtth 17.00-21.UO ; extent HU.OO-.'JIi.OO ;
win^ 10.01) or more ; tail i. 00 or more ; tarsus ^'.00 or more ; middle toe and claw under 2.00.
Bill 'i url iuehvii long, varying in shape with almost every siHrimcn, with wear and tear under
•NI
■(.
■.■;^-
Fiu. 4'.'l. — Kiirniican Oyoter-antclicr, \ nut. Hizii, (Prom Itrelim.)
the roui;li usage to which it is subjected ; onlinarily both mandibles truiuvited ; often the lower,
Hometimes botii, acute. Kills worn thinnest and most knifi-blaile-like towards end are often
bent sideways, as if from habitual use of them in a jiarticular direction. N. Am., ('. and S. Am.,
nliiioHt entirrly coast-wise, and c.hi<'Hy aloni; the Atlantic, but aNoon the Pacific side. Migra-
tory all aloni;, wintering from the middle districts southward, breeding in abundance but
irreuuliirly at ditt'ereut points. There are extensive breedini; resorts alonp tlie Virifinia coast.
II. iil'Ker. (hat. mV/rr, black.) llt.ACK OvKTEii-CATtllKK. Size and shape of the fore-
going. Head and neck the same, but no wliite on eye-lids, and no white anywhoro; rest of
plumage dark smoky-brown, blackening on wiugs-(|uill8 and tail-feathers. I'aciKc. coast.
608
SYSTEMATIC SYXOPSIS. — UMICOUK.
57. Subfamily STRKPSILAIN^: Turnstones.
Tho cliaritctiT of ilic ^ulifmiiily hIidiiIiI Ik- finiMtriictod to
iiU'liid)' Ajihrha, unless Slirpsilas ami A/)liri:ii iimy ron-
Btitutc two siil>faiiiilu>H of ii family Ajihruiitir. (Soi- ji. 605,
niiiliT AjiUrizintr.)
223. HTKKI'MILAS. (Cr. (rrp<>ir, strrpsiM, ii tiiriiiiiu over,
Xuf. Ills, a stone. Fii;. Hi.) TfUNSToNKH. Hill slmrter
than lieati, not lonpT than tarsus, eonstrictetl at liase, then
tapering to an aente tip, almost a little reeiirved. Cnlmen
Mli'aii;ht or a littl mcave, es|NTially over nostrils; eoni-
missnre straight or slightly reenrvetl; nmler ontlint- enrving np from tin* haso, or straight to
aiigli'i then gouyH uiiveudiug. NuiMil fusstu shurt und broad, ahont half the length of tiic Mil ;
Fin. 4'.>2. mil of Turnstone, n«t
size. (All nut. ilul. K. U.)
Fio. 423. — TuniMone, | nat. »ize. (From Rmlim.)
grooving of under mandible tdiort and shaUow. Gonys longer than mandibular rami. Wings
long and ]K)inted. Tail short, a little rounded, searcely or not half as long as wing. Legs
short and 8t«mt ; tibia- little denuded ; tarsus wrutellate in front, reticulate on sides und behind,
about as long as middle too and claw. T<k>s 4, the hinder short, but as well developed us iii
8itndpi|H>rs gcncrully, the front toes cleft to the base. Claws curved, compressed, acute.
There is probably but one c«>sino]Mditan s|N>cies, the scientific and venimmlur names of which
arc both derived frum its habit of turuiug over pebbles along the shore iu s(>arch of fiMid.
ll.KMA TOPODIDJi — STHKISILMS.E : irUSStOSKS.
«;o<)
Inst
Anitlytii i]f .Spicim.
ritnl Willi bliK'k, wliltv, anil cliLKtiiut ; fcoturuuKu inlirfir-t aOH
llllt•'kl^ll iukI whlli) ; f«il iliirk V wiK/.iiKxv/jA.i/m tM.t
3UH. a. Inter pr««». ( l.iil. (>W»-r/(»r.<, a I'lM-tor, ii«<iil, uo-liitwiiu. Fii;. li'H.) Tiusntonk. ItiUNT
Uilti). ('Ai.u-o-iiArK. Adiili (J, ill lircrdiiiu (liisn: I'iicl alxivc Willi liliiik, wliiir, Imnvn,
anil clicstiiiit-rcil; ImIi.w, Himwy, wiili jii liiiasl. 'I'lip i.l' hrail stniiUril with lilai'k ami wliiti-.
F<irclii-ail, rlirrks, .tiili'.s iif hniil ami liack of neck, wliitf, witii a liar nf lilark romiim il|i iVoiii
till' NJilf of iirrk to Im'Iihv rvf, llifii fiiiiiint; liirwiiicl ami niiTtiii!; nr trmliiit; In inrrt il.« ffllnM-
ov*-i' Ita.HC of liill. I'lirlioiiit; or iicaiiy t'iirlii>iiii: a uliiir loral, ami aiintln'r Mark |iniloimati"ii
on sitlc of iirfk : lower fyr-liil wliitc or imi, l^i.wir liimi iio-k, liiti.'rwii|iiilin'N anil !«ca|mlar.-',
pii'il willi lilai'k ami rlicstniit : liark, rinii|i, ami ii|i|ii'r tail-i-nvi'rts, rtuou-y-wliitr, wiili a larui'
crnlral I'larkisli tii'lil mi tlif latter. 'I'ail wliite, with liroail ^^iilitenniiial lilackisli lirl'l,
iiarrowiiiK on oiitfr fciitlicn* iiinl incoiii|il<'li', wiilciiini; to usually I'lit off white tips of eeiiMMl
feathers. \Vin;;-fiiverts ami loni; inner seninilaries pieil like tlie si'a|inlars with lilaek ainl
chestnut, the yreater eoverts liroailly wliite-ti|i|ieil or iiioslly white, the short inner si mlaries
entirely while, the rest aeijuirin^ ilusky on their emis to inereasini; evieiit, with result of a
liroail olilii|ue while winc-liar. I'riinaries hlaekish, the Ioniser ones will: lai'i;e white tiehls on
inner welts, the shorter ones also iletinitely white on outer wel>s for a H|iace, the shafts white
unless at eiiil; |iriniary eoverts white-ti|>|ieil. I'mler |iart>, iiieluilinj; umler wiiit^-eoverts.
siiowy-white, the hreast anil juculuni Jet-l>laek, enelosinu a white tliroat-imtch, ami semliiii;
limits on siiles of heail ami neek as above saii!. Kill blark ; iris blaek ; fcot itrani;e. 9 '■iniilar,
larkini: iiiueli of the eliestnut, replaeeil Ity plain Itrown, espeeially on tlie winu-eoverts ; the
ilark p.'irts in same pattern, Imt restrieteil somewhat, the hlai-k not jet ami ^'lossy. Ailulls in
winter, ami yonni;. larkinu the eliestnut entin-ly, tim black inoiitly replaced liy lintwns ami
grays, that of the breast especially restrieteil or very imperfect. Length 8.(M)-',>.<M) ; extent
H'l.llO-l'.i.lH): win^' .'>..'>iMi.llO: tail 2..'>(l ; bill D.siJ D.'.H) ; tarsus, or iniilille toe ami claw, altoiit
l.llO. Nearly cosniopolitan ; in N. Am., both coasts altiimlantly, ami infrei|Uently on the larger
inlaiiil waters; iiiit;ratiiu; throUi;h ami winteriiu; in the I'. S., breeilim; in hii;li lalilmles.
,*iUU. S. iiit^liiiiucv'pliMliis. ((ir. fttXas, wilns, black: KtrftaXi'i. hrjiliulf, lieail.) Ml.ArK-IIi;AI>i:i>
'I'l ItNSTiiNK. Willioiit any of the chestnut coloration of the last, the parts that are pieil in
iiiliriirrs being blackish; the white parts, howevi'r, anil the ilisiribution of the coloreil areas,
nearly tlie .same. In the most perfect i-as^es I linve seen, the entire bead, neck, ami breast are
dark snioky-brown, the color extendint; further aloiii; the breast tlian the jet plistron of
ilitiriiri's. ii\u\ not uniforiii, but the dark brown nebulaleil with sooty centres of the feathers,
and sliaded by nii.xtnre of white-tip|ieil feaihers into tlii) white of the under parts. White lower
back, mill]!, and upper lail-coverls, with black central flehl of the latter, as in iiitrriirrs; black
and wiiite of winv's sultstaiitially the same, but most of the primaries narrowly while-tipped.
Feet apparently of soinu obscure dark color. Other specimens have a distinct white loral s|Mtt,
and indication of the while of head and neck of hi-
ter/iri'-i in white specklins;. No trace of chestnut
seen in any. Size and form precisely as in i/i/fcyi/yw.
Apparently a permanent melanism; if so, a very
curious case, and a nood species I'acitic coast.
40. Family RECURVIROSTRID-.E :
Avocets. Stilts.
Another small family, characterized by tlii^ ex-
treme leiiitth of the slender leys, and the extreme
slenderness of the loni; acute hill, wbich is either
straight or curved upward. I{ccurvi rostra is l-toed.
ao
-W--:^y^
Fio. 424. — Iloail anil fistt of Avitcct, nlioiit i
nat. kIxp
610
SYSTE^Li TIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOL^.
iiiul fiiU-wiltlwd ; the bill Ih dccidoilly n'ciirvcd, HuttctU'd, and Iiiimtm tn a iiicdli-likf |mliit;
tiic Ixidy Ih (if|iri-n.M('d ; tlio |iIiiiiiiiki' iniilcnifiitli ii« tliifkciicd iin in wiitfr-liiriU. 'I'lii- H|K>eii-H
Hwiin well, HiitunilojiUH is .'{-tixil, M'Miiimliimtf, tlic l>ill ninrly NirulKlit, mid nut llattiMicd ; in
rclutivf IciiKtii III" \vf! it in pndialdy nut siiriiH.sHcd l»y any liird whatmH'vcr. Tlirw twn >{cncra,
carli <■(■ three itr tour .xiMties «( variouti partH of the wtirld, with the ('ImhirhtiH'hm itntornliii
of AiiHtralia, corniioHo tin- family.
224. KH<;URVIU08'TIIA. (Lat. »WMrnw, bent uiiward ; rod^no/i, hill. Fig. lij.) Avihktm.
Flu. 423. - Eurn|ieAii Aviicot, Itecurvirotira aroeilla, \ imt. kIzo. (Froiii Ilrt'lnii.;
Hill excessively slender, more or less reeiirved, then the npper mandible hiudied at the e.xtn'me
tip; ninch longer than head, more or less nearly ei|nallin(; tail and taixns ; tiatteneil on tM|),
withont cnlminal ridge. Wings short (for a wader). Tail very short, sipiare, le.is than half
the wini;. Legs exceedini;ly long and slender; tibia' loni;-deniided ; tarsus nearly twiee as
long as middle toe and<-law: eoverim; of leys skinny. Ki'et 1-toed; the front toes full-webbe4l,
hind toe short, free. Ilody remarkably depressed ami feathered nnderneath with tliii-k duck-
like ]dunnige ; altogether, as in swimming rather thuu U8 in wading birds. It is a modiiieatiuu
UKcruyiuosTniiLK : Avuctrvs AXit srius.
Wi
liko thilt WTii ill ilii- li>lM-f(M.t)'(l |iliiiliirci|M'N. Scxi'ii niitl yoinuf alike; uinti-r iiiul miiiiiiur |>lii-
iiiiii;)' liiHiTi'iil (ill till' Niirtli Aimricaii .»|M'cii'N at miy rati).
(100. II. unuTlott ii». (Lat. iiiiinininii, .\iiuiiiMii. Ki^. »-^l.) A.MKUii an Amuj.t. IJi.i k.-
Nl'iMKrNO. .\iliilt J 9- <" xiiiiiiiiir: Wliitr, I'haiiuiiiu unKliially tci ciiiiiaNiini nr i'l:<'!<tliilt-
lirtiwii ciii imtU mill lirail, cxi'i'iitiii^, ll^<llally, tlir parts alxnit liaNc nf liill. iiiti'i>ra|iiilar» ami
part of the M-apiiliirs liliu'k ; wiiigK Mark, with tlic liniiif;, ainl iniiMt <>r tin- wriniilarii'M, wliiti'.
Tall pfarl-irray. Iris rrd (Miiiin'tiiiii'!* Iirowii). Ley!* dull liliic (ilryiiii: l>lacki»li), iiiiii-li of tln«
wclm llrHli nilnr; tiill Mai-k, nt'ti'ii pair at Ita^r liilnw. .<^i7.i' I'Xti'i'tiiily variitlilc : li'ii^tli
Ift.(M) -iO.m; cxti'iit 4S.(M)-:iS.(Kl ! wiiiK r.(l(l-',).,'i() : tail lUHt-^lM); liill :i..'iiMiinri>iir Ii-hh, tmin
iii-ai'ly straiu'lit t<> strmiKly rrciirvril ami limiki'il: tiliiic l>ari' i.'Ai; taixns :|..')(liir iiinri' ; iiiiililli>
(III' anil rlaw lMIO ur IrsH. .\iliill ^ 9> '" n'ml'i"- Iliad ami iirrk axliyur prarl-u'ra). likr tlii>
tail; lliiN lias liri'ii I'lilli'd l{. ixriilmliilis; al'trrwai'd ruiisiilfn'd tlir yniuii;. Viiiniti : 'I'liii
lirail ami I k strmiiily waslii'il witli rimiaiiiini-liruMii ; rusty or lawny iili;iiiL's "I* llir Mark
fi'atiirrs. I liavr shut si-ari'i'ly tli'ilp'd iiii'ds in thisstatr;
till- Hliaiik Im alwi pi'ciiliarly swiilli'ti. i'. S. and Kiitish
I'riiviiii'i's ; ran- imw in K. I.'. S., mily i-isiial in N'i'W Kiu.'-
iand ; iiliniimlini; in tin- west, rspi'i-ially in the alkaliiii>
ri'i;iii!iM, as tliiisi' iif the Yclliiwstniii' and .Milk liivrr rcuimis,
I'tiih, I'tr. Its appraraiiri' is striking', as iiii^'ht hi' sup-
piisi'd : its i-laninr is iiu-rssaiit wlirii tin- lirci'diiii; plai-rs arr
invadrd. It is iiut a wary liird, and may easily lie ap-
prnarhed when wailini.' almut in small llnrks in the shal-
low alkaline pools it loves so well. Feeds liy jiiiiiiersiiii^
the head ami iieek I'lir sniiie iiionieiits whilst proMiii; alioiit
with the I'urioiis Mil in the soft slimy uo/.e. On t;eitiii^
lieyoiid its depth, it swiiiis with pirfeet ease, and often
aliiihts IVoiii on wini; in deep water. Kitl's -i-i, as variaMe
in sixe, shape, and markings as the parents; Irom l.Si) to
2.1(1 loiiK Ity \.i') to 1.4.) Iiroad : ground i-iilor frmii dark
olive to lirownish-ilrah, tlieiiee to ereaiiiy-hrown or liiill",
like those of Sh.iimliai fowls: pretty uniformly and pm-
fiisely marked witii small sliarp spots of dillrieiit shades i.f cliociihite-lirnwii, with neutral-
tint sliell-markiiius ; on the liull' eiru's usually siiiallest and most iiuiiieroiis, liolder on the
olive lilies.
225. IIIMAX'TOITS. (tir. Ifitti^iinint liiiiiii„t«i„>iis, strap-lei;. Fiu'. k'fi.) .s^riMs. Mill ex-
tremely slender, liilt not llatteiied, imr turned up, nor liiiuked ; luiiyer than head, ratlier shorter
than tiirsuM. Winu Ion;; ami pointed, foldini; heyoml the slioit and Mipian- tail, wliieli is le.sx
than half the wiii^. Lei;s of imiipie leiii;th and slemlerness, the hare part almut as Ioiil.' as
tlle^vill^; tiliiie denuded for a ;;reat distaiiee; tarsus ahmit twice as Ion;; as tiM>H. Feet :i-toei|,
seiiiipalmate ; liiit the species wareely swim. Se.ves similar : yoiiiii; dilierent.
001. II. nicxicii'iiiiM. (Lat. iiir.rit'niiis, Mexican. Fii;. ^i7.) .^ril.l'. l.iiNii-sllASKS. Lawvi^:ii.
Adult (^ 9 '■ .Miintle, constituted l>y tlie interscapulars, scapulars, and wiiit;s (almve and lirlow)
;;Io.ssy-ldack, proloiiucil up the hack of the neck and on top and sides of head, emhracini; the
eyes. .\ spot over and heliiml eye, one on mider eyelid, forehead to ii]iposite eyes, sides of head
lieliiw eyes, sides of neck and entire under parts, touether with the louir hark, rump, and
upper tail-cDverts, while ; tail pearl-L'ray. In life the loiiir Mack winus fold entirely over the
while upper parts and tail, so that the Mnl looks entirely Mack iiliove. Kill Mack : eyes anil
lo^s carmine, latter dryini; yellowish. Lenu'lh aliniil l.'i.lHI; extent almut .'Itl.tlil; win;; "n. .">()-
O.-IO: tail 2.75-;i.i.'. ; hill i.:>i)-i.7:>: liMa' hare .i.MO-.'l.riO : tarsus 4.iiO- 1. .'>(): midilie toe and
claw \.7'}-JM). Adults, not in perfect dre.ss: Some of the dark parts brown, iioj ulossy-hl.iek.
Km. •4111. — stilt iKnini Ti uy,
llfli'l' Wllixill I
612
SYSTKMA TIC SYXOfSlS. - Ll.VK'OUf:.
Yoiiiik: Mautlx uxliy-liioKii, larh IriitliiT cilui'il with wliitinli ; wiiit;- liliirk, liiit .sniiii' nf tin-
<|iiillN \vliitf-(i|>|H'tl, till' *-il(;i' III' tliii wiiiK wliit4', tlm ttovurU* ciIki'iI with palu iM-.lirc. Tail noi
Ml |it'arly j^ray a> in iln-
ailillls. with Miinr ii'ii'i;-
iihtr iluhhy iiiarkiiiup.
Ia'Hh |;r'>](alily iliH'rri iil
(»kili> ull'oiil III" ciilc-
riitii). Ciiicli, ill iliiwii :
Itill ii|)|)ai'riilly lilarki.sli ;
h'Ui' |iah'. I'liih'!' |iai'ts
wtiiN' ; iiIm)Vi', jiiTttily limttlril with lih I'K, lnnwii, auil lawny
• ir oniii^i'. {'. S. ufiM rally, likr llif avurrl rare ivi.slwai'i,
ahnnilant in tin' wrst, ralhrr iiinic HitiilJK'iiy than thi' av i.
Nl•^■I at thr wiilrr'.«-r(li;<' (ir oil |it';i|M'il Mi;iliitiii|i jn.»l ahuM
ihf Mirlarr ill ^hallovv wiiliT ; vau^ I. |iyiit'iiriii, l.tini,, l.s.'iX
l.l.'i til !.:.''i; t;rr) nisli-ili'iili nr luili' lii'iiwiii>li nlivr tn ilark
..„ iirhrarriiii.-, Imlillv Miaikiil all uvii « ilh .-iint.i ami uhlunhi'.' •;!
Kli; 427. - Itliitk-iiii liivl Sljll. . • ' '
] iiiti. hI«!. (Kriiiii Ni'liiti'i . j lilackiHli-liniWii.
41. Family PHALAROPODID^ : PhalaropoH.
'I'lii.'* Is liki'UiM' :i miimII laiiiily : llir llini' rjiirir.- i'iiiii|iri>lnu il irMinlih Minil|ii|H'i>, Iml
ail' iiniiii'ilialrly ili.sliiii;ni.-liri| liy llif hiliati' lirl : tin' Im.-- an' ln|■ni^ll^ll with jilain ur .•MMllnpril
llirilil)rail)-H, likr tlliw iif riHil.s ami l'IiIms, iiiil i.iil Ml liiiiiiil. 'I'lii ImiiI) i?4 ll^•|>l•l•^.sl•ll, Mini ihr
uiiiirr |iliiinau)' tliirk ami i|iirk-lik<' In ri'si>t w.ilii, nii wliii'h llir liinU >uiin with iinlrrt ium'
ami urai'f. 'I'lir Mint;> ami l.i.l an- likr tlniM- >■( nnliiiary haniliii|MT- ; ihr lai>i air iiimh nmi-
|irt'KM'il ; llicrt' i.s lla^al xtiMiini,' nt ih'- tm ~ lii'>ii|i >. tin' inaruiiial iiK'iiilinilii' ; llir l>ill, ami Munr
iitl <'r ili'lailH III' riii'in, liitli i in fiidi nl' lln' llirn' uini la. 'I'lirsr ItiiiK iiihahit tin' iiui'tlirrii (hh
tiiillN III' liiith lii'iiii>|ilii'lrs, iwii III' tlii'in .'It ii'a>t lirrrillliL' nlily in Imrriil ti'i;iiin>, hill tlii'N all
WainliT fai- nniilliwal'il iliuilitrr. TIhtc air hnl lliirr >|Mi'iis. niir |ii rnli.n l>i .\iiiriira. ihr
(«lhl^^ f' uiiiira! ili«tri)iiitiiiii.
.Ill'l'i/l'i '!' ''* "• '■''
Miiiilinitii> |ilulii; liill M iv hIimmIit, ►::/iiil»li' ... .s/i.i;ii«.i/iii» ;■■.'•■.
.Mi'iiil.rniiin Miill.iiK'.l; lilll viT) uli'inli 1. »iit'iili«tii • • /.■•'•i/»» '.••.';
M.nil.r iiM- i-.i1|.i|-mI. I.lll .I.Milir. Iliilliiii"!, Willi liiii'i'iKlmi ••! lit • fli'il.,,.,„i» •.->
226. SI'»-«;,\> on H. 'I.i iiTfyaiomai-. sliiltitii>/ii>ils, wrii rml.) rilivill -Hmh l';i.M..\lliii'i;."'
I'lill Iniii;. ii|n:i|liliL' ihi' laCMls. fXi-iTililii; thr hiail, I'Slrrinily .-li'mli'i', lilrlr itliil ai'lltr. ( 'i.Iiniii
ami uiiiiy." Innail ami i!i'|in'HM-i|. I.iiirial
KrlHlVl•^i Iniit,' iimi iiariiiM, vnirhintj n. urly
III lijiof dill. Inlri-raiiial >|i. ^i' iiariMW ami
viTV fliiirl, ixiriiillni;: niil) hah \Vii\ Iimmi'
iif hill. N.i'ilril.'* at I'xlii'ini' haxi' nf Itill.
Wine- "f imiilrr.ili' linirlh i'a'l .••hurt,
iifi|i|y i!iiiilily-.'iiiai'i.'inati' : Uc cually
••liiiiiliili'il ; liliia' hair fur a riiii!«'nliT,il<lc
ili-lam-i ; t.-il'"!!! <'\ri'rirnii: liliihlh' li"'. Pin -IVM, _ llami nr Wiln'in'ii Pli»liirii|H', mil >l/i i.l<l
'I'lirs Imiiu- ami r'liiil.r. Iir..a.|ly inamimil ""' ''*' ''■'''
uith .'III I'Vi'li, nii>«Miliii|M'<l ini'iiilii'anr. niiiti'il lint I'nr a lirirl' .s|iari' liMMally. ('lawn imiihiati ly
li .nr. aii'llr.l. III, luntt',
aO'i. S. «v(l Hoiil. CI .1 .\. WiImiii. V\u- k'*«.) \Vii.M>N'> I'll M.Ainiri'.. Ailiill 9. in Imiilini.'
itli'H.s : Hill ami li'it Mirk. Crnwn nf hcail jiah' anh, jiaxfinu iiitu whitr alniiu a liiirruw r^trilH'
227.
IIO.'I
l'lf.lLAHOP(U)nKK . fllALAHOJ'KS.
fits
III!
lint
tl,.'
,.y.
ml
Mr-
ni :
Ills
I iiy
l'.
It.
ii\r
■."•-T.
237.
803. I
ill tln' iii'iic. A iiiimtw, (liHtirict, iiiirc \vliiti> lim- ovit tlir ryi'. Siilix i.f nork iiitrnw |iiir|ili»h-
(•li('Miiiit, or tliii'k wiiif-rcil ; aiit: rimly (Iri'iM-iiiiii; ii|n>ii ilir iiiiririilai'M into vclvrty-lilat'k ; |mih-
t!>riiii'ly riiiitiiiiii'tl, HmiM'wIiiil iluilcr in tint, iik a .slri|H- aluiiir I'lU'li !*i<l<' <'l° the lnu'k ti< tli<- tipn
iif tlic M'a|iiilar>4. Otlicr ii|>|M'r paitM |ii'arly-a.->li, lilancliini; mi tlif niiii|i auil iipiMT lail-rnvrrlc,
\Vin;;.s |iali' nrayi!<li-l>ri>\vn ; nivcrts ^liu'lllly wliiti-ti|i|M'il ; jiriniarir.s ilioky-lin-vvn, iliiir ^llal'tN
lii'<iwiii.sli-u-|iitc, <'Xt'i'|it at tip. 'I'ail inailili'il witli |i<'arly-t.'i'ay ami uliilc. All I ir iinilcr |iartn
p ire wliitc, lint llic fnrc part ami xiilcH of tlif liri'axt wa.slicil witli pale rlicHtiiut-hniM'ii, n» if with
a '.vcak solution of tlic rii-li color on tlir m-rk, and a faini tini.'<' of tlir sanir aloni; tin- siilrs of thi'
lioily to till' Hanks, {till ami fri't Mark. Iris lirown. |.*'ii);ili s..'i(i-'.).nii ; ixti-iit l.'i.,'iii-|i>.(M) :
wiii^ 5.(10-5. 2.'i ; tail -i.-.'.'i : hill l.-'H; larsn.s l.^>.') ; iniihlh' tin- anil flaw l.l'i. .Viliilt J : l^-ra
lirhly n.loriil. ami siiialiir ; h'iii.'th ^,<l() s .-,11: .xtiiit l.'i.iKl; xviiiL' l.;."i .'(.(HI. A. lull J 9 . in
vvintiT ; No riisly ml or purr Mack, .\liovr, pine a.sh) -tiiay. each iValhir usually skirlnl with
whitish : rri'ipicntly Miiiir lilacUisli, palc-i'ilKi'il I'l-iithi-rs. WiiiK-ipiilld fuwiuiH, iiHi'.,ii'.y with
liuht I'llu'inL's : tail as in siinuiirr ; nppir tail-covirts, iiiic over cyi', parts ahoiit hill, anil wliolc
nmlcr jiarts, uliitc, tin- jiiirnlinii ami siilis usually shailcil with ashy. N immil'. Iiifoir lirst nimill :
Kill Itlackish, alioiit I. ill loni.' ; h'(;s iliill yellow (tarsiis 1.-2(1; niiilillc tor ami claw l.o.'i).
I'ppcr parts, incliiilini.' ciown ami iipprr siirfacc of wiui;s, hrownish-hlack, each feather eilueil
with nisty-hrown, very conspic.ioiis on the loin; inner secomlaries, ami uivinu a ueneral aspect
like (hat of a samlpipi r of the ceiiiis Ailiiiliouiiis. I'pper tail-coverls pure white. T.ul clear
a.sli, eilueil ami niiicli iiia'iileil with white, the ash ilarker at its line o| ileniarcation from the
white. Line over eye, aiiil whole iimler parts while, the hreast with a faint riisty linue, ami
the sides sliuhlly inarldid \"ith t-ray. (^. tills dusky, (he secnndaries wlcili-edi.'ed. ami the shalts
(if the primaries whitish, '('his slaire is of eMieiiii ly hrief diiialioii, hiLiiniiini; to i;i\i- way.
.iliiiost .'IS soun the liiril is full (.'I'own, to the clear iiniforni ashy ol' the iipp> r |iart->ot ihc fall
and winter condition. The clianue, in some specimens shot early in .Vimnvl. i> ilready \ery
evident, clear ashy feathers hi int; iniMil, on the crown and all the upper parl^. with such as
jiixt di'-criiieil. f<\/,v of tin smallest specimen only H.:{,'i in lenutli hy I I. .'Hi in exteiil ; the winu
■J. (Ml. Chicks are covered with hiiir-colori ij .lown, spotted with Mack ahove. In full pltimau'e
this Ih the iiandsoinesl and largest of the phalai'opi s, and one ol the liiosl ele^Miit of tin wailers.
r. S. and Itritish I'rovinces, N. to the Saskatchewan ; rare in I'. S. K. of lllinnis and Lake
Micliiuiin ; ahnndant in the Misiissippi Valley at laru;e .itid westward. Mii;ratory, leaviiii.' I', .""l.
in winter: hneds iti Miitalde places throiiulioiit its rani:i'. Nest i-- low grassy meadows and
marshes. KtUS .'l-l, l.JII to I.H.'i |o|ii> hy |.!)(l hmail, thus eloliitille pyrilonil, clay -coloi to
iirownish-drah, heavily marked with lart'e spl.ishcs and sixeahle spots, with niimlierli ss specks
anil scrali'lies, of dark Icslre or cIhm'oIiiIi -lirowii ; some eu^s luiicli less |)u:iiti-il than otlierH, in
liner lallern : im'uh.iled hy the J.
I.O'UII*KH. (i.at. liiliiiK, a tlap, ;»'.<, foot.) I.itiii:-! I' I'll \i..Mtiii't:H. Hill L'enenilly as in
SIviimioituH, Imt Hlmrter, hiiNiilly ■.lonler, ami la|HTiii;; to a very acute, i'iitii|in'MM'il tip ; ridue of
I'lilmen and tfoiiys less ileprci seil : interranial sp.ice longer anil
hi'oader. \Viiii;s lonix. Tail short, tfieally I'oiimleil. I,ii;m
and feet Hlmrt ; tlliiii ilenndeil for hill a hriiT xpace ; lamilM
not longer than midille toe. ToisMiy hroadlv rnaruined with
II ini'inhrane which is scalloped or indented at •ach joiiil. ami
linitcil hasally tn sccoml joint hetweeli oilier Ulii' niiilil'c tiH-,
til tirst joint hetwcen the inner and middle tie; feet thus
hcmipaliiiate. ClaWH small alul -horl
liypcrlio retiM. (I,al. /(///» c/kd'ik.v, lieyonil ihe north wind. Kit' I'J'.l.) Null i tll'.IIN
I'll.xi.Aiini'i:. l!i:ii'NK.('KKii I'liAi.Aiini'i';. .\diilt ^ 9 • ■■! stiinmer : AImivi , HiHity-k'ray, with
lateral stripes of ocliriii lis or t.'iwny : neck rich rnsl-reii, nearly •>.' <|iiite all ,ironnil ; under
imrtM (itlierwise white, the siili'H iiiarki d with ih color of hack I'pp*'' lail-coverts like hack,
fill 4'.".t. Kiml ■< l(.i|-IUsl(li|
PlmUr>iI>c, nil. Kite {M iiitl.ilvl. I'M 'I
614
sYSTKMA nc .syyoj'sis. — jjmicol^e.
8<)in<' liitcral onrs wliitf. Wiiiir" l>lafki:<li. tlic ends of tlic fjn'iilfr rnvrrtH lirnailly wliitp, funn-
ill^ II cdUHpiciliiiis ri'iixs-hiir, fiiiililiilcil itii miihc <it° tlif itiiii'i' si'niii(|iiri<'.«. Itill iiliil Icct liliick.
Li'iiytli 7.(J<I ; fxli-iit i:i.50: wini; 1.25-4.50; tail -2. 00 ; liill, tantiiH, ii:iililli> t<M! and daw, rarli.
uiiiirr 1.00. Varies iniicli in |iIiiiiuik)' witli ai;<- and xi'iiwin, Imt •'a>ily riTii^ni/<'d liy tlic hmall
»uv and gi'Hfric ••liarartfiK. CliickM in di>\vn lirli liutra' )Vt', >ilvfiy-t;i'ay liclnw; criiwn inixni
black and yi'llnw: a lnn^ Mark xtri|H- down liack, anntliiT nvcr rarli lii|>, unr arins.s ihr i'imii|i,
and a nIhmiMi'I'-nihiI, N. Iii'mi-^idicri- at laruf. Iiririliii;; in Aii'tir ii'^inn^, niiuratint; into ilir
ti'<>|iii'> Honirtina-.s ; urnnaliy dii^triinitrd, lint <'.s|M'('iaily inaiilinir. l.iiii>< -i-l. •Innr, av<rat;i'
\.i» X O.SO(rinni l.;iO X 0.7.) to 1.10 X O.s^), very vaiialdf ill >izf, .sjiaiif, and i-olor; nivcniKli-
olivi'. llro\vlli^'ll-o|ivl' to various drali and Imtly siiadcs of i;ronnd t-olnr, iiMially v. ry ludilly
s|>iitti'd and sjilaslird sonii'liiiii's in tinrr |iatti'rii, witlj liistnuis. rliondatr, and liuhlrr Innwii.
228. i'ii.\I...V iiOI'I'M. (<ir. il>a\ai>i'movs. filiiiUiiiiiiitiis t-l'ool.) Cddt-Koii'I' I'ii.\I..viiu|>kh.
Kill M'.irri'ly loiiu't'i' than laad or tarsus ; very sloiii for this family; iiinrh drprrssrd, mi Imuid
as to hr almost sjiatiilatr, tlif tip only mo<li-ratrly acute, laMrft-slia|H'd. TjijH'r niandildi' with
the I'idi:)' liroad and llattciK'd, its a|M'\ aichi'd and drciirvtil, its lateral u'l'oovis uide and shallow
luterianial spiiee liroad and very hmi;, e.xlendinK nearly to the end of the hill. Nostrils Mih-
huMal, at some distatire from tiu> t'lMit (if the hill. Wind's loii^ ami |Miiiiled. Tail lolii;,
rounded, the eential I'ertriees iirojeetiiiu. rather aeiiniinate. I.e^'s and feet niiieh as in I.dhijMs,
Imt the seiiii|ialliialion of less extent.
•04. 1*. flllli'U'rlH!«. (I,at. fiiliiiiriils, eoot-like ; fiilini, a eoot ; fii'iijn, siiot.l ('oiir-Kuiimi
TniNii.v. jfi.ii rii.M..MtHi'|-,. (iii.w I'll Ai.Aitiii'i;. Adult J 9 , in Slimmer : I'lider |iarts. with
sides of ni'el.. and ii|i|ier tail-niverts, d.irk |air|dish or wine-red, with a ulailnnis Idoon 'rop
of lieail and around hill. MHity. Sides of head white, this eolur naetinu on iia|ie. l{iini|i
white. Itaek Idark, all the feathers eil|;ed with tawny or riisty-lirown. (jiiills lirownish-lilaek,
with white shafts iiiid iiiin-h while at hases of wehs ; thi verts ilark ash. the ends and inner
wehs of the u'reate" row white; some of the seeondaries entirely white. Kill yellowish, '.vitli
dusky tip; feet yellowish, Lenutli 7,50; extent U..1O; wiii^ ,'i,iK); tail i!..'iO ; hill O.IIO;
tarsus 0.7'); midtlle tiM' and idaw nillier nniri'. .\diilt ^ 9 • ■■> winter: Mead all around,
ami entire iindi r parts, white, -with a dusky eireiimoeiilai' area and nnehal eri'seent, and a
wash of ashy aloiiu siiles >rf iHHJy. Ahove, nearly uniform asli. \Viii(,'s asliy-hlaidiish, the
while I'l'oss-liar very eonNpiinioiiit ; lull mostly <lark ; feet ohsi'ii red. .\ speeien uf lilretim polar
distriliiition in siiniuier, wanderiiii; tar ••oulh in wieor, ehielly eoastwi.si>. Nesting and ecus imi
diNlilitiuisliahle from those of the last ; iulis aveiaiiiiiu laiu'er, l.l.'i - I. .'to X O.ltO-O.Ua.
42. Family SCOLOPACIDiE : Snipe, etc.
Siii|H' and till 11 allies
form a well-delilied and
peilietiy natural asseni-
(ilaue, one of the two
larci'si limieoliiie familii'i*,
aupiinu with I'lover ill
most eNseiitial rexpeets,
yet well diiitint.'niHlied from
the plnvialilie hii-ilit. Ill
general, the hill '> tiillell
elongated, freipienlly wv-
ei.il tiiiiei* loii|.'i'r than t'ii>
head, and in ihocr e ,m'*
in wliieh it i» as Mhorl as
Km. 4.11. - Wll-iiri-snii*.
Ktiitli>)i!lui|i>i. iFtKiii liU'iii,) Ui plover, it dtH'it Hot itlioW Tuniiey, uftvr Wllauii.)
^Kfum
scoi.opAcn)^?:: riiK ssivf. family.
CM
tliP |>nrtiiMilnr, («<im('wlmt pitrcon-liki-, «luii«' di'MrrilM'il uinlrr t'haniilninie, Immiiu olt'iiilrr ami
iMit'i-skiiiiif<l tliroii^liiiiit. It Ik ut'iKTitlly xtraiclii, l>iii tVn|ii)'iitly I'lirvctl up nr itcivvn 'I'Ih'
uawil ^i-iMivi-H, ahvayx Inii^ ami narrow rliaiiiit'lK, raii^i* IVnm nm'-liall' t<> aliii<>i>t iht' whole
li'iiutli of the) bill ; Kiiiiilar kdnivi'.* u^iialiy onMipy tliu »iiit<H «>f tliv iiiiili-r iiiuiiililiit' ; tlii' iiitiT-
raiiial ii|)af<- i.^ i-orr*-!<|Mimliiii.'ly loni; aiiil narrow, ainl nearly naked. 'I'liis lenctli. ^ienllernel»^,
(!r<Hivinu, anil |ieeiiliar sfiisiliniirnH, are tin- prinie i'liaraeleri>lieA ol' the >i'o|ii|iarine hill. The
f;a|>e, never ample, jm generally very oliort ami inirrow, reaehini; little, if any. U-yonii the liaM'
of the hill. The nostriU are hhort tnirrow clits, expnseil. The heail i> eonipliti'ly I'eathereil
to the Mil (exeept ill one Mpeeie.>), at the ha.-e i .|' which the ptilo>i> r.|iip> alirilptlv withoiit
foriiiinu projeeliiii; antia'. The wiiiun roi<r>ioiily !,how ihe thin jHiiiiteil contour ileMtrihetl iimler
J.iiiiiniltr, liiit tliev are oci-ahioiiallv hhtirt ami loiimleil. 'I'he tail. alwaVN xlmrt ami noft, liao
lie a rii
h' 1;
reelrices: in one ^enilx. however, there an
from \i to ^I'l. Tl
le crura are rarelv
feathereil to the hlltri:ii.'o. The tai>i are H'lltellate hefore and heliiiid. and reticulate oii the
hiilex, except ill the curie
here they are .sciilellate only in Ironi : they are prohahly neviT
rntirely reticulate (the normal ^tate in plover). The hallux it- all^ent in only two or thn
instances
il
le anterior i<m's connnoi
Iv >U:
lia.'>al Well, and ol'len tun, he* in iiiaiiy >pi
tiiey
are
entirely cleft. The n'oliipacine hiriU are of mediuni and Miiall .-i/e, raiikiiii; with
|iliiviT ill thi> re(«|M'ct ; none attai'i the averaui' ctatiire of Hrri»lioiii'i.
The u'eneral economy of these liinls i?t >imilar to iliat of plover; a chief |H'cii1iarity heini»
pmlialily their iiiihIc of piociiriiiu' fiHid, hy feelinu l"r il. in th;' majority of ca.oei., in the ^aiid
or inild with tlic'.' lielicatidy xeii^iti.e, jirohe-like hill. The ei;i;M arii eoininonly four, parti-
roloreil, |Hiinted at one end Mid liroad at the other, placed with the siiiail eml^ tnuetiier in a
hiiu'ht iiei>t or mere ilcpi'es>iiiii on the ^'niiind : the yoiiiiu run alioiil at hirth. The M'xe>. with
very rare except ions, are alike in color or nearly so, and the 9 i" nsinilly a little larger than
the (J : liiit the sexual distinctions are very rarely stroni; enoiiuh to he |M'rfectly reliahle
(remarkahle exception in .ymliilrs), Cnlor distinctions with at'e, likewise, an- rarely marked:
Imt oil till iitrary, seasonal plumages are in many case;
ihioiiLrhout the saiiilpi|H>rs, very
Mtroiiifly indicated, the nuptial dresM lieiiiK entirely ditlerelit from that worn the rest of the year.
Kxceplini; a few s|M-eies that freipieiit dry o|m-ii |ilaeeii like many plover, these liirds are found
hv the water's edi;e where the irroumi is S' fl llid oo/v - - ill llloist thickets, low rank meadoMs,
Hi^s ai
III marshes, hv the riverside, ami on the seaslmr
.*<iiiue are solitarv
hut tl
le majoiilv
am KreKiirioiiH when not hreediiiK< mnl iiiaiiy gather in imtiieiise liiH'ks, especially during the
I'xteiisive mit;rations that nearly all perform. The voice is a melh
>w liliM', a sliarii
Ideal.
harsh scream, accordinu to the s|Mciis. Kew hinls surpass the snipe in sapid i|Ualily of llesh.
and many kimlH rank liiuli in tlie esiiinatioii of the sportsman and epicure. The faiiiil\ is
coMiiiipolitaii, hill the majority inhahit the iiorlherii hemisphere, hreediiu; in horeal reuions.
There are aholll ninety wcll-di'teriliimd sjiecies of scoliipacilie hiids. reli lahlc perhaps III
(iflceii teiiahle KiMiera, allhoiiuh many more than this an* often eii!|i|oyed. N'ariiius attempts
to divide tile urnilp into silh-faliiilies liave met with little success, owini; to the close inler-
^'radatioii of the seMi'iil tyjH's. .Ml the leadiiii; forms of the family, with most of the lesser
(.'•■iiera, ar
re represented in this country.
Ill are indicated hv th
speciti
c diM-riptioii" mveii
lieyoiid : while its entire composition may Ih' pointed out ami rendered iierfecily intellicihle hy
a liriif simiiiiary : —
i(. In W'liiiilidil (SiiiliijKi.i and I'liilnli'ln) iiiid /cue Smif ((iiilliiiiiiii>) the ear appears ImIom
mid not iH'hind the eye, which is placed far hack ami hiuli up; and if the hraiii he examined,
it will Im> foiiiitl curiously tilted over no that itN uiiatomieal hase IiMik* forward. TIh* liill id
|M'rfeclly straijrhl and niiicli Ioniser than the he.id. deep-u'nMived to the vi'ry end. which in
cither kllohlied, or wiih lled just hehind the tip, where there is 11 furrow ill the llatteiied cill-
iiipii. The memhraiioUN niveriiitr is aliiindaiitly siijiplied with ihtvi-k; thifi oruiui e<iiiittitMlrs
« prolM' of ileliciitu M'llNihilily, ati ellicielit ilistrilliicnt of touch, used to feel for fissl lielow tlif
(>1<i
SYSTJ-JMA TIC SYXOPSIS. — UMlC(tLJE.
mirfiUT of the ^rriiiiiKl. In tlu- dried ntatc, tlu> «>ft okin xlirinkH tijjlit like pnrphmonf to the
Imhic, uikI IxM-nini'H .studded with hiiiiiI! pitH. 'I'iie pipe of the liioiitii is extreiiiidy sliort and
narrow ; the toed are eleft : ilie U%», neck, and wiiign ar<' eoniiianitively siiort, and tlie ImmIv is
ratlier full. There are no idivioiis seasonal or sexual difl'erenees in ]dinnai;e. Not eonipletely
grepirioiis : no siieli liit;lits of \viHideo<'k and true snipe oeeiir as are nsiuiliy witnessed ainoni:
Muidpi|H rs and hay-sni|ii' : tiiey iiilialiit tiie liot; an<l hrak<- rather tium tiie open waterside :
they ealinot he treaehevousiy nnissaer<'d l>y scores, iik<' some of tneir relatives ; they are know-
ing hirds. if their urains are upset, ami their siieeessful pursuit ealls into a<'tioii all the hetter
<|nalities of the true s|Hirtsnian. There is hnt one speeies of I'hihilirin : two or three of
SciihiHi , and uImiuI twenty of (iiilliniiffii. The eurioiis cirrunistanee oeeiirs, anioni; the
latter, that the tail-feathers ranp' from 12 to SJfi in iliH'erent species; and in those with the
liigher iiinnlH-rs, several pairs are, narrow and linear — a character n])on which the peniis
Kli.. iXi. — Aiiicrlraii WiMMlcwk, ulmiit J nut. itlzi'. (Frimi AniiTiri.ii Klul(!.)
Spihirii n-sts. — T'le singular (jenus /{lii/twIiiTfi, with two species. /^ rn)>riisi.-< (Africa)
and U. srniirtilliiri'i (S. America), may h'dont: hrrv. Mdninliiniiiiliiis niainint' only onr
HIN'cies. and one other, At sniiiiinlmtiliis of the ( llil World, has a l>iil exactly as in (tiiUiiiiiiju.
hut is dislini;uish)Ml hy more jiointed wine's, and dili'en'Utly proportioned le-is. with basal weli-
hint' of the liH's It stai:!!." exactly hetweeu the tfui' snipe and
h. Tlie (liiihiils {l.i:m>i>il I. in which v\e liud the sime Very loUl.', wholly grooved, ;iud
extremely sensitive hill, wdich. however, is not dilated at (he end, nor furrowed on thi- ciilmen,
and is l«-nt ulitihtli/ upward ; the irajie. as heforc. is exceediiiijly constricted. The toes .^how
!• I>;i.«al well. These are ratlier laru'e hinl-', with the colors and n«'neral iisp»'cf of curlews,
hnt the hill is not decurved an<l the tarsi are scutellale iM-hiud. They frefpienf marshes, hays
and esiuariex. and are amoui; the miscellaiu'oas assortment of liiril.-< that are collectively
desijinaled " hay -snipe," There an only 'ive t>r six species, of the sinnle genus Limosa.
I
S((U.(tPA(in.h: IHF. SSIVK FAMILY.
«u:
lis
Iv
Tlip Terekia ciiieira i<( varimiH i>iirls nf ilic Olil WnrM, witli tlu' bill recunMil aliiioxt as in an
aviK'ct, stanils lit'twrrii tlii' miihvii- ainl tiitili'i>.
f. 'I'lic Siiiiil/tiprrs (Tiiiii)ii. cti.) arr a rallicr extrusive irriiii|>, uotalile for tlie variatinn
ill liiilior iletail.s "f fnrill, timt it slmw.s xvilli aliiii»t every speeies —a eireilliiMaiiee liiat lia.H
eaii.sed the creftidii of a iiiiiiilier of iiiiiieees?-ar\ u'<'iii'i'a. Here ihe liill lelains iiineli of ilie
sell.sitiveliesN of a Mlipe's, and tiie i.M|>e iikewise is iiiiieii restricteil : lint the liill is inni'il
sliorliT, avfra^iii^ aliont i'i|ual to the iieail. One trivial eircniiistanee aH'onls a ^ooil i-iiie to
this ^ron]i : tlie tail-featliers are |iiaiii-eoliire(l, or with simide e<li;ini;s, wiiih' in iiliiiosl all
the s|U'eies of other u'roiips these feathers are liarreil eroxswise. In this uronji the seasonal
changes of |ilnnia;;e are very j^reat ; the |iro|ioifions of the hus, and weldiin^ of the toes, are
varialde with the speeies. hnt. as a rnle, the toes are ehft to the liase (not so in *W«/"//i»/(Ihi«
anil Firinietrs), and four in niiinlier (exrept Ciilidri.). The sandjiipers lielont' partienlarly
to the northern hemisphere, and I'l'eed in hiuh latitinles; they perform extensive migrations,
and in winter s| read over inoKt of tin- world. Ainoiig them are the mo^t dlniiniilive of waders.
Km l:i.'l. — AmiTli'iiii Siii|H-, iiInhiI J tint. rizo. iKnim Aniirli'.'iii i'lrl.l
They arr proliahly without exeeption j;rei;arions, and often llecK tlie lieaeli in vast ninltitndes;
they live liy preferenee in (i/irii wet places, rather than in fens and marshes, and feed hy pioli-
iii^, like snipe ', the voice is mellow anil pipint;. They are pretty well distinunished frniii
liolli the fM|ei;oinii, thiiiicli Mitiniiiiltiiiin connects with the snipe throiiuh Miiniiihniiiiilnis;
hnt shade directly into the Tallliis. lln'oMtth siii-h ueiiera as Tfin>(liU'i< and 'I ii..:iiiilii. Nearly
.ill the forms of sandpipers aii' descrilied in detail lieyond. There are in all ahonl •,'(( s|H'cies.
'I"ln' only jieiierie form not represented in this country is the Liiiiimln iiliihtrlniii'liii. the
|H'ciiliarity of which is expressed in its name. The I'.'iiriiiiiiiliiiii'liiii iii/iiimni'i. a woihjerfii!
and exceedinirly rare species, in which the hill is expandi'd and llaitened at the end, somiwli.it
i.M ill the spiHiiiliill, has lately hren stated to occur on our Arctic coa»t. The hingiilar Mailirlrn
])i(f/na.r shoiihl perhaps rather come here than ammi^
018
MA/ A'.i/.i TIC syyupsis. — UMiatUK.
it. Tlic Tiilllfru iToliniiis, rtr. s with whidi it is ruiii;i'il, li<'yi>iii|. In tliis, tli<' larucKt iiiiii
iiiii^t viirii'il L'i'iMi|i, till- liill liiiA i-iiiii|iiirativi'ly littlt- nf tiir i«>iixitivi'iit'»M of tliiil nl' all tin- t'ort'-
piini;, mill iIk' uii|H' is longer, rvtciiilin^ iilivimixly lifyoiiil tin* Imm' ul' the ciihiK'ii, ami hhiiii'-
titiirn til iirarly Im'Ihw the rsvu. It \ari<'.-< iiiiicli in IrMtfth iitiil .-lia|i<', Imt it in iisiinllii liini;)')'
tliun till' hrail, anil vi-ry sIi'MiIit, mil nflrn ({I'linvnl in tlii> tip, ami \h cithiT nirii^ht, nr hrnt
nliKliiiy ii|i\raril. 'I'lit' iHHiy ami ilH ini'inltiTK an uiinniily luurr i-liinf;iit<' than in tin* fnri'iinini;,
ihr tors liavi- a liawil Wf\> or two, ami tlii' himlrr in always |iri'si'iit. 'I'lir tail is usually liariril.
'I'lirsr all' miisy, ri'stli'ss liinis nf tlir inai'slii's ami sinnl-llals ami niiiil-liars nl isliiarirh, ami
a|)|)arriitly ili> m>l |iriilii' fur IimhI tu any i-xtrni : tiny lmIii llicir naiiii' IVniii tliiir harsh vniri'.
Till' VilliiWslianks is a ty|iii'al i'xani|i|r iil' thr L'r">ii|i : must nf ihi- s|H'rii's rliislrr rinse alimit
this ly|ie, ami iiiiuht l,'i> in ihe sinule uiniis Inliiiiiis. The only extra-liniital fnrins are
^KihmiiihfitirhiiM fiiirrii'Dslris ami I'l'imiilMiiiin Iriiiii/ili'i'ii, of the I'arilii' Islamls ; I'lirimih s| iex
ii|)|iarenlly near 'IriiHi/Hi'". There are almiil |S speries in all, nnixersally ilisirihiiteil. I'Mnally,
f. The Ciirlnrs [ .\iiiiiriiiiis) are ilistint'iiisheil hy llie ilnwiiwaiil ciirvaliire. eviieiiie shli-
ilerness, ami usually ureal leliulh i>f the hill, with ihe sliuiil si'litellalinn nf the larsiis. In si/e
ami ^1 neral ap|H'arani'e ihey are near ihe lintlwils ; they inhahit all parts nf the wnrlil. Thev
all helnni; In the (.'eniis S'lnnriiilis, whii'h hai« almnt a iln/eii speeies — exeeplint; the llmlnr-
hi/iiiliii .slrnlliiisi ,,( Awia, whirh is a thne-tneil Curlew, nnt shnwin^ tin Inratimi eharai'ler-
istii' nf (he rest. .(m,i/,„m „r W.rlli Inn n.,iii li.u.ni nf .s,'.,/,./»i. ,,/,f
Ten'" :i |Suni||il|H'r ) . . . . . ( •iliilnn •Jlii
Ti«-» I.
mil K|HH>l|-)lllll|l<tl| /.'Hr>/li'>r/i//Hi7iii« 'Jll
Hill ii'it s|HMiii -hIiu|h-iI.
Oiiii iiiiliT |irliiiiir> ciiiiiruliiiili', iiiirniwiil. ( WixMliiH^lt | . . • . . . .... Srnht/uir zm
Tliri'i' oiili'i |iiliiiiiilr<4 1'liiiiruliiiiti', iiiirriiwly lliii'iir. (WckmIi'ih'Ii I'lnlnhiln '."..'■i
Nil oiilir |<i hiiiirli'ii I'liijiriiliiiilr
T<H'» I'll'tl III llll' lillMt.
'i'lirmiK hliiirlrr limn niiiMli' Im' ninl rliiw
lull nlxiiil Inlrii IIS I'liiu Hs lii'ii'l ; tllilii' niiki'il Ih'I'iw. (SiiI|h' i , . . . (iiilliiiiiiin 'J.'ll
Hill mill' I'liiUi-r tliiiii Iii'ikI , lllihi' li-alliiTi'il In III,' Jiiiiit iSiuMl|'i|s'r I . . .In/UHlrlhi 'jiu;
Turmis iiImiiii I'ljinil in ni' iMiijjt'r lliiiii iiii>Mlt- >■"- :iit'l ■ hiH (SuimI|i||i('mi j
mil sliiililly iiirMsl, IniiKi'i tlitiM liiail
Tarsim I'vl'li'iillv Intiifir lliiiii iiiliMli' tiK- iiikI I'liiw ... .liM'f/'iH'Ai/ii» 'J:is
'I'lirHIIII )'i|lllll III nr lllttl'l) InlilllT lllllll llllilllll' t'H'llllll I'llIM ... I'llillllll I'.'IT
itill l«'rr<'<'lly siriilKlil. iiiiK'li slmrliT lliiiii lii'tiil. riliiiiirli'H iiinllUsI , . , . TinHinh » '2i!i
Hill iH-rrtNlIt Klriil|(lil, i'<|iiiil III lit liuiKi'i lliiiii lii'iiil.
Tiiisiia iiiiirli IniiKir lliiiii iiiliMli' I'N' mill I'liiw Triiifia 'J.'lii
TiiiHiiN almnt i-i|ii il III iiijililli* lis' mill rliiw lcti»lmMii» I'.'k'i
Tnf* M'lllllillllllilll', hIIIi I'lli' I.! iHii I'Vllll'lll HI'liK.
Tlirslls W'llli'lllllr III frnlll nMl> lilll M'ly |ii|l|{. ili rlir\ ri| irilrli'Un I . . .Vlinii HIH» 'i,1|
'I'jii aim Null Hull' III rrniil mil) ; Mil nun ly liuiuri iliiiii lii'tnl. sltiilitlii /A /• xmri /»« L'.Vi
'riiimiM M'titi'tliitfi In friitil iiml Ih-IiIii<I
'lull mil linrrisl iiih' ii:liiiiii' uili I'riiiiiiili - iimllliil Triinilil" '.'<!•
Tllil liOl ImiI isl. Thii lull lillKll Wilis l'llllllll|i'> |i|lllll. (Slllll||ll|H<rit.|
Hill sliiirli'r nr M-iin-i l> Inii^i'i lliiiii lii-iiil . ... /-.'iviifii/tii 'Ml
Hill iiiiii'li Iniiiirr IIliii Iii-ihI . Uiini/xi/iiniii U!l.'l
Tiill lull ml I iii>.»»l»i' ulih llulil mill iliirk I'nlnrs
liii|s mil ii-ai liliiK liimml Iuiik nf Mil
I iilimii furnini'il ul i'IhI IiiiIii h fisil ImiU (Siil|«' ■ ... Muriorli'imiihu^ \:.ti
I'ulliiuii iiiil fiirrnwisl Hill If iiiiyUiitiK ■'•« urvisl liMr ii Innl Iniiu (IjihIhIIi. i
I imifHit ifl.
(In|s' IniiuiT Ijiiglli iiiiilir ti liii'hrs n'lilllirii i
Hill ul'HiMsl iii'iiily In ll|> . TrmgnUli t '.tlM
Hill Knmvisl iiliiMii liiiir »n> I" 11)1 . . . IlkftitrK/ihiliit 'HH
Uii|S' liiii||,'r l.i-hi^lli iivi'i 'I liii'hi'H I'l'iiltlrrs.l
Hill ii'i I'liitiiT tliiiii liniil, Krimvi'il lliriv-riiiirllis Ha IniiKtli.
lull tiliiiiil liiiir ii> Iniin IIS wliiu / 'iiOiiiiiiii Vts
Tnll iini Imlf lis Iniid us oliiK ... Mnilfiin 1'I7
Hill liiiiKir lliuii lii'iul
l^> liliiUli TiM.'> MUilimlimili' milslniit. iWlllet.) .... .Syni/i/n miii 'Uli
l,«(p Krii'ii III yt-Huw UIII •U'liilir ( Vi'llnMnliuiikii.) TnliiuHt VM
nn,"!.
SCOLOPACIlKK: II OODCOCh.
• M!)
ll.'CI
I nil.
t«'U\
■J 1 1
:'i!i
229. I*IIIM)'IIKLA. ((ir. <f>l\iitt, philog, \t>\iun\ i\ot, hrliis, II ]h>i:.} Amciiu an Wcihihim k.
Kiri't Ihrrr |iriinari)'ii I'liiaiuiiiMlr, iitli'iiiiiil)> anil lalcatr, al>ni|itl\ Kluittrr {iinl iiarrowi'i' llian tlir
Uli. \Viu|;it Kliitrt ami riiiniilfil ; wliru fnlili-il, tiu' |iriiiiai'ii'H liiililni liy llii' ciivii'l.'' ainl iiiiirr
Flu. 431. - lli'iiil mill iilli'iiiiiiti'
( A<l mil
.■I !■: < M
iiiiln .; iiriiiiuiifH of /•//('■■/n/.i, iiiil »lzr
(|llillH. I'l't^S HJliil't : tilii^i' I'lMlliriril til llir jiiilit : tai^lls Klliil'lrr than iniililli' liir ;iiiil rlaW, >fli-
ti'llalr lii'fiiri' ami lii'liimi : tni's Imit; ami slrmlir, rlrfl In tlii' ItaMr. hill iiinrli ImiuiT tliaii liiail,
IM-rlrrtly strai^lit, Ntmit ut \>nni-, ulirri' llir riili;r riso liii;li, kimlilMMl at rml nt' ii|i|iri' iiiamlililr.
very ilri'|ily i;riiiiv)'il iirarly all it.-< li'iit;ili. tlir I'lilnii'ii ami liiir nl' pniVM aUn I'lii'mwi'il tnwanl
(•ml; vi'i'y Mi'll ami srii^ltivr ; >:a|H \iiy >liiiil ainI iiainiw. Ilr.iil l,iii;r ; m rl> .-liiiii ; I'lir muln
tin' i-yr. wliirli IM vrry lull, m'I in li.irk ii|i|n r i-iniici nlllir IhjhI. .'^rxr» aliUr ; 9 lai'ci'cl.
OO.'i. I*, iiil'iiur. (I.at. minor, sinalliT tliaii llir l'jirii|iraii Wnml k. FicH. VM, 4>U, IH.'i.)
WiHiiM'iii'K. Itiiii-srcKKIt. ('iiliU's alx'vi' lianiiiiiiinii^h lilrmliil ainl varinl lilark. Iii<>\mi,
^i'ay< ami riisNi't ; Im>-
liiw, |»al<' vvnriii linnvii , \^ ^^j i.i^^ii^i \i V '■ ', ^^^\. . U'
iif varialili' .-^liailr, mil
liarrril, A ilark .stri|ii'
IVniii liill III i<yi>,
( 'niwii IViiiii ii|i|Misili'
ryi' with Mark ami \l *
litilit liars ; almiK tlir '\ t
iiiiirr I'llni's (if llic
W'iiik;)* a liliii.sli-a.Hliy
Mlri|ii'; liiiiii«iir«iiius
riiHt - lii'iiwii : i|iiill>
|ilaiii I'lis I": tail
lilai'k, M|iiitlril. ami
ti|i|ii'il ; liill lii'iiwiiiNli
tli'Hli-i'Mliir. iliisky at
illil ; Irrl jiali ITil-
ili>li til ^li-i'iilm. 'i'lii-
\v Iriirk i.M lit cir I I
ilirlliM Inim. ami 111 '•'"••='•■' •*• '"^^ c.«.k.„i,..lM,
Ill 17 ill iMciit : wiiiu I. ."ill ^.7•■> : liill i.W-i.l'i ; tai-sus \.i:)\ iiiiiWI<> I'm ami ila.\ I ."»ii: ami
WrinliH llNiially .'». '». "P 7 iiillii'i'M. 'I'lif Wiiiitllii'li, UK Miliif ll'Ntlii'lU* liiarkrl-wnlmn ('H !• r lo I'lill
lirr, is larKiT, II or 1^ Iih-Ik'k lniin; fxti'iil 17 or Is ; wiiiij t.J.'i .i.iMi : liill v ^■l ll.tMl ; smiic
KiKiil I'at iiiii'M ii|i III ^ or 9 ox. in wciulil. Hokh, ^;\vaiii|>!<, wt-t wiMiillamI ami lii'lil>. {''.iihtirii
r. ,S. ami Ciiiiaila : .\. In Nova Sr..ti.i ; N.W. i.i .Minnr»oi;i iiml ti|i tin Mi-«.iiiii i.. K'.it \l\f* ;
l.t \%lh. I
t'i:!o
sysii:ma iir svmu'sis i.imhih.k
KiiliNiiK, Ni'liriiHliii, liiiliiili 'I'l'ii'. iniil Tcxiin ; i xlniliiinlMl nrnnl ; iiiiuiiil<>i;<), Im; lurrils
lliritii(;lii>iil ilN I'lniur : wiiiliin In llir hcnitli. 'I his is lln ^aiiii' liinl, uHir ;ill, hiiy wliiil y<>ii
jilrjlN)' ci| Sllipr, <^llllil, cil' I ilnllHI'. I'^KK" llliiM' Milllllil lllllll llliislnl llliisl MiiiiH Wllill'I'N, ml'
ri>|>iiiiiliiii! I<i tlir |iliMii|i riii'iii III llic liji'il, iivci'ii^iiiK I.TiOX l.l'^; ii sliml limail niir I. MIX l.'JO;
II Iniii.' 11,11 1 nw mil' 1..').! X I. I>'i ; liioW'iiisli i-liiy i-i'li'i, nil III ' liully m niinr ur.iusli, \nl|i nnnilirr-
li'hh rli<irii|,ilr ln'iivtll Kinlarr mill It lll^s iiikI htnlir k;liiy hlii-ll h|i.i|s, nniir Miy hilur ul' liiilil ; hi/.i'
mill iiilriiKily III' iiiiii'kiiiKN Mi'iirriilly ('iiii'i'h|Hiiiiliiiu in ili'|iili nl (.'ruiiiiil ciiliir ; iiHiiiilly laiil in
A|ii'il, I'liilii'i' In llii* Miiiilli. Till' wiHiili'iirIi Ims many rniinns artnuiH iliiiint; llii' maliiiu srahnii,
rill' yiilllii; air Miiiii'llmi'H rrnii'Vril Iniiii ilaiiuri li_\ llir jiairlil, raiisiii); llniii willi llir I'lrl.
\ I r\ I ii:ilir anil i'a|M ii'liiiln ill lis mnxrliirlils.
1330. fH^'O'LOTAX. ((ii iritiiAiinii^, 4i(/ii/)iir, l.al. .sro/ii/iw i , iiaiiii' nl lliis \iiy Mnl.) |''.| liiiri.w
W'liiilM III l\. Nil lllllll |illliiaiirH sliiirlriii'il ni' |ii'i'ii|lai', llir Isl mil TiiM I'll hiillli'Willll nil llllliT
tvrli lirai' iml ; Isl ami .'il Iuiiki'kI, llil llllli' sliiHlii, llli miirli sliiiilii' ; mIiil's Iihil', i'iHii
|iaialiM'l\ , llir |iiilnl iif llir wlii^ rHlriiilin^ liiyniiil llir iniiri' sii'iiinlai irs, w liii'li niily lulil aliMiit
III I'liil III .(ill ijiiill. Iirlii'lir rlilirtli'li'I'ii, l'Xrr|ilillt; llmsi' nl llir VMli^, li.ilrli as ill I'hiliilirhi ;
^ami' si\ Ir nl' lull ami liil ami riiiilii.'iiiiilinn nl' IhhIn ami lir.iil ; iiliimaur iniilaily \aii)'u..tri|
aliiiM', liiil lii'InH lianril rm '-vu-'i' lliiniii.'linill ; si/r miirli >il|irriiir. IM all ilii- ''ni|ii' lilir liililn
III lllls tnllllliy, liinsi'|\ I'alllil " Slillilfill I ," lllls sll'.limll'l linlll |''.ll|n|il' !-< llic nllly nllr In Vllilrll
llii' ii.iiiir I' ■llirlly a|i|illi'alili'.
<IOIl. H. rnxll i'HIii. (l.al. iiislinis, a liislir; iiislii iihi, a lillli rnimli s man ) I'.l llnl'l W W'imiIi-
IIH'K. I'nrMiiiil: ('nlniK iiliiiM' liaiimililnilsly lilrliilril ami v.iiiiil lilirK, li|n\ui, rlii 'liinl, ami
>|'IIiimIs|i Itlay 1 iimli'l jialls limwiiisli \\ liilr, itlmiLii l\ i\a\\ liiiiiil lliinllulinill Vlllli ilaili
I III iM II, .\ iliisky siiijii' Irnni lull in tm'. 'I'iiji ami li,irli nl Inail limw iii-<li Marlt ami Innwii,
iliMili'il li_\ llii'i'i' III rniir rl'iwH-liars nl Innunisli wlnlc jiml liin\in. I'larli I'l'allii'i' nl ii|i|irr ,iailn
liirHiniil .mil lilai'li, in viiriruiillnii, llii' lilai'k iisii.illy rniiiiinu a lait'r siiliii-rimnal sjinl. \ \\
Inivlsll Uiay ll'llililll! In 1111111 a Hni|ll|lMI' nI|'I|H' mi llirll nlilr III' llir li,irlt. l/nills ami I'lM il , n|
Willi: lihirliisli, |iii'lly ii'(.'nlaily \aiiril uilli ilaiK rlii'slniil liar-, mi llir I, nun i|iiills llns
i-lir-lniil pali'i mill ii'iliiri'il In iiiait>iiial imli'iilaliniis ; milri uilinl lii-l |iiiiiiaiy |ilaiii uliillsli,
r|i|iir tail r.iMilr- lirli rliisliinl. Illllr vailiil ttllli iiLirlt. Mllli ji.ili' lijis. 'I'.iil I'l'iillirl's liliirli,
II llli iiiiL-Milai I'lu'-tiiiil imli'iilalimis III niiiii \iiIit, ; linn ti|>s u'l'iy limn .ilmM', \ iruril liniii
lirlnll I'll'lrllinu' 'lllrly Vlllllr. I'llilil jialls li|n\llll-ll wllilr, llinll' m li ss .sllHlIM il Mllll
I'lirhliitll lllllll II mi llir liri'iisl, till' ii'pniar iliislty liauiiiL' mill uii iiil; ii,i\ mi llir ii liilisli llimal,
rlianuiiiL' In lriii>lliii Isi' nliialts nil llii' iiinlii' lall rnii'il-. Urn : I 'iimi'<lal%.ilil| sjiiiilai' miiIi-
Nlaiilially till' xaiiii' ; ^-layii alinvi, inmli nl' lli" iiisxrl innllliim nl' llir ,f n jilarnl liylinaiy-
KHiy, A niiH'li " lirllrl lill'il " lliaii nill iiiiihIi'in'Ii ; ii llillil llll'^l'r ; wilulil I'.' I.I 11/.. (Ivt'l'll
fiHil Innu ; iiliiL' sririi ini'lii'H III inmr ; lail ,'t.,''iO ; Mil mily almiil as Iniiu as in mil iimi'l li ;
llllhils I .' . ; inlilillr Inr aiul riaiv llinir. I ilrsriilir tin-, '|iri'irs iiilli |iai I Irillal lly, anil s|inrls-
liii'ii II Im ^I't a lilnl III' lliJH mill ivlll ilii ivi'll In i'i'|Miit llir lat'l nl iniri'. Il iias riiiimilly
inlrnilni'i'il In mil' raiina in llir mlulnal riilllmi nf llir " Kry." 'I'lirir air srinal aillliriilir
lllhlalirrn nl' IIn ni|ilnir in llilx rminliy, ami il is iim|iirHliiiiialil\ rnllllril In siii'li |ilai'r, iin a
sll'iiuulri lllllll r'.iiiii|ii. III' mIiii'Ii innntii II Is llir I'niiiinnli iinnili'iH-k. i'lt'v l.riiis, .\nirili'ail
!<<|Hil'l;Mlli'll. I il nl iMi'i, |i lli'.l, Innlmilr (.Vrii Jrlsry ) ; I ,iill rrlii'r, .Villi. I.yr. S.ll. Illsl. .\ , V.,
iHllll, |i, iWi (Itlinilr Islaml anil Nrtv .IrrHcy ) ; llninl, Am .1 S,-\. sli, ISlill, |i, 'Ja (Nriv-
rminillamll: ( 'mirs, ,\ni \al , \, 1^711, |i .'17'.' ■ N'nuiiii i ).
Sittl. <<,%I<I>IN.V 'iO ll.iil iinlliiiii, a Inn, ii lii'lin i/ii//uiiii/n, lilir niiiiint iii ) Till I SMI'K.
Ilill mmli IniiiM'i than hiail, iirifi'i'lly hlriu^lil, Mill in tin rml, M hirr il is Mimnihal iinlrmil,
m'liiiM'il nil ln|i, lasi'iilai anil sriislliir, in llir ilriril sialr jiilliil ; lalrial tJlnnM's innilillf' liinir
llijin hiill'ilay In li|i; i:a|ii' ii,innii, iml iraihinu lirimiil liasr nl' I'lilinrn. I'',ar nmlrt ry
'rililii' Il alliri'ril Iml ijiillr In llir jnilil, 'raiHiin a Illllr nlmtln lliati iiilihlli' Im ami rlail ; Inrx
IMTlrrlly Itrr, rli II In llir liasr, slrliilrl .iml lliil lllliui'il, Wiiil'i IIiIIii'I '■Imil an, I I'nlimlril (Inr
Oil'
st'in.iH'M'iiKi:: ssiri-:
(iji
:.'(l:
ITl.
\N
lllln Kllllll) , ll'nn Hit lllllll ill iS'rrl/ii/iil i iii I'lllliillllil : llii |>l 1111,11 UN altt'lllllltr. 'I'llll hlliill,
liiilliilnl, III llllllK'I'iillit (ill iHii K|in'ii n III) ri'iillii'i'n, III' wlilrli lln l.ilrrill iilr liiirt'iiWiil ; tail
SlU'iril ('I'lihNU IM'. SrM'M mIIIii'; hi'il^nliiil I'lialiuin nl |iIiiim;ii;i' iml |iliiliiiiliiri il Niiiiii'IhiIh
ii|H'rii-i« III nil ciiiiiiliii'n ; h
III' N. Allii'I'inill, ami almlliri >liiiui{llliu (■> I ■H'lulaliil llnlll Mill
ll|M
.lnii/|i/ai
M If/ S/UI'Ira.
Atlliiim mill II ink n ulilli', llii'iiiii|ili'li'lt hi Iiii|i< i I< i iU Ihiim'I nlili lii i< i.Mi
Akilliiin uikI lliiiikx liill> iiiiij ri'Uiil»il\ ii.iiii'il null »hlloiiii'l l<l i< ki^li
»t)i/i<i (Ui;
in/iiiiM IMki
Ol>*. <i. IIM'tllll. (IjIiI. iiiiiIiiI, liirilllllii (ill M/r, lirUMril lt\<ii>lliii I .illii|ii'ail n|Hrii'». ) I'lU. IHll. )
I.I KMl'I.AN SmCI;
r.NHI.
I ""I"
II
fn
iiii.iitiil urmral riilMialinii iin
ll^ll
^iiinlialili' IViiiii Nil. litis, liiil llir a\illiiiy Iralliiiri al >l iiitiii ly uliili', »illi ."li^lil aiul njiai-^i'
ilurit iiiui'Kiiif^H, ami llir I'l'iillirrN nl'llir lliiiiltH ami niilrn li'xn lii'i|iii'iitl)' ami li'HN ii'^iilarly liainil
I
III-'
Willi liailt Kia\. (Ill liii' Ir.iMi lviiii|ii'iiii Siii|M , <i. fliilliiiiilii, III! Miiif< aiiil liniiii! nl \vili«H arn
lillly liailiil an in mii -V iiilsuiii, Iml llin lail I'imiiIh'I'm an- I I, tin- milr ^ lilllr --Inillfi ami
mil alilil|illy liaiiin\rl lliali ilii' ^l•^l.) l''.lll'i|ii' : Only N .V
llirllrali a-' oi riir< nil.' Ill liirilii
mil
(ION. (a, nirmilll
(I'll .\. WiIm.ii. rit;> l.ll, t.l.l, IHi'i.) .\miiiii\n Ssiit
\Vi
I.SIIS H
Snii'i;. •' KNtii.iHii" Smi'I. (Hn-ralliil) Jaik-Smi'i: .\iIiiIi ,( V r,„\\„ M.iilt. wiih a
jijilr iii'lilry liiiililli' blli|ii'. r|i|irl |iail^ liliiWIii <li liiai'li , V aili'ii \« illi Ihil'IiI li.iy ami la\«liy,
llii' M'a|iiilai liMllii It miiiMillily ami I'M Illy i ilui il v> illi lawny m « lillihli, '.iiiiiinii U\>i |i iilMIi
Klri|M'« nil riicll hIiIi' wlifli llii' uini-i an
ilili
il. l^nillN iiml lii'i'i'trr <
M'llh lilarliinli-
il'iiWli,
iiMiially »itli wliilr li|in, aiiil milrr vvrli nl' lii><l |iiiiiiai'y iiMiiilly
lllill
I
IIIIIIU III
f
I iiMlJaiN "liilf, Inlly ami nuiiiaily ItaiTfil willi l.larli ltiiiii|i lil.nli, llm liallirlw
litli Hlillrll|ir' r|i|iri l.illriiMll^ lil« liy VMili nmiiinill^' lil.irli liiilM, iiml l.ill li .illnif lilarli
Wlll^n am
GU2
SYSTHMA III! SYXdl'SIS. — UMU'Ol^E.
liiiNiilly, llicn lirit'lit I'lioliiiit, Milli II iiarmw Hiilili'niiiiial lil.'ick l>ar, llicir tipN fiulInK to wliil-
IhIi ; mmii' cif till' laliral niiin \« liiir, ailli lilllr riir>iiiM tiiiur ami ri'vi'DiI liiKli'a<l nl' niir Mark
liar. Iti'lly wliiti' ; inuuliiiM ami liin--l>ri'a«l IIkIiI Iimwii N|N'rkli'il willi iliisky limwii; i-liiii
iirai'ly wliilc: hlilrn of iMHiy Kliailril Willi lirowii, ami xiilli iiiiiiii'miiN ri'i;iilar iliixky liarn
lliriiiiKliiiiii : i'rl.«Hiiiii inure ur IrxH riilmiR, willi iiiiiiicroiH ilii-'ky liai>. liiiiKtli of i |0.,'iil-
11.511; cxtriit I7..'ill-I<.)..'i0; uiiiK i.('i-5.)t.'i ; liill ^'..Vl (iiinrc ur Iikn) : tail i.i:*; tarxiiH
l.'i.'i : iiiiililli- li><> ami i-law I. .'ill. 9 avi-rauiiic Niiiallrr. Wriulit i>|' varimiN N|H'i-iiiii'iiH
li 11/., ( ill', til ( iix. :( <lr. Kill uri't-iMRli uray, ilii.-<ky mi irrtiiiiial lliinl ; irin lit'own ; Irri ^rrfii-
JNli-ltray. 'I'liiii In tin* p-iiuiiio iNf/N*, of all tlif liirilx Iinim'Iv wi-rallnl ; IIh iiaiiii' ol' " KiiuMkIi"
i>iil|H' i.i a iiii»miiiirr, a-> il '\* imliui'iiniiM In iIiIn I'liiiniry, ami ili>liiiri rnnii any Kiii'i>|M'aii
H|H'i'ii-M. llmiiuli I'limi'ly n'M-nililint; iwunf ilii'iii ('»'. iinthu nr iirlistis ami (i. iinllimilii). In
• iiir H|H'i-ii'H iIh- lail ih nomially i'iiiii|hiki'iI nf 111 fcalliriK, iIk' two lali'i'al of tvliirli mi cacli
Ml' arc aliriiplly xitiallcr, ^lll■rt<'r, ami iiim'li ii.irrovvrr, ri'm'inlilint; llii' iimlrr cnvi'rlN wiiiirwlial ;
ami llii' »li<>li' ..jilrn III' llii' iHuly I'nini linasl In lail, as wi'll as llic avilLnx anil liniiii; nl' llii-
winuH, an ii|ili'lrly ami r<'t;iilarly liarri'il, as is aUn I lie i-riHsiiin. lt|H'n wi-l jilarrM nl
Nniili Anicrira, al larui- ; niiuralnry ; lirt't-ilH IVniii \. I', .''i. iinriliwanl: ."(, inin S. .Viiii'r. in
winter, tliniiKli many rrinain in I'. .'^. 'I'lir urneral lialiilH >>( lliir* lavnrilr Kainc-ltinl air
tnn well known In ri'i|niri' ninark. Kiium .'I (, imHirralrly iiyiilnrni, ^rayi^li nlivr, with nimi'
nr \rttn limwiiisli Kliailf 1 iiiarkiiii;N IhiIiI ami nnnn'iniiN, innni .»n mi llir lai^cr cml, nf \aryiiii;
hIiiiiIi'm nl' iiiiilM'r-liriiwii ; iiNiially aJMi Hliur|) xrralrhy linrM n|' Mack ; >licll-s|in|N mil nnticc-
alilc. Next a lucre ilc|ii'csshili in ^raxx nr nin..N nf llie lin|r ; rliick.s ninlllnl willi wllile, asliy,
nclircy ami ilark Itrnw n.
332. M.\rK<>|{||.\M'l*lll S. (lo /ioir^Hiv, mxArxM, Imiu, ptt^i/im. /il»m/i/i»H, Leak.) Wl.ll liMii
.*>Ml'l. Kill a> in (iiilhiiiiiiii. Winn-. Iniii»cr ainl ninie |i.iiiiiril, nmie aN in I'tiiiiin. 'I'lliia-
tiakcil liclnw lor a space .ilmiii half llic Icimlli nf larMih. Taixis ImiKcr llian iiinlillc loe ami
claw, .\nterinr liH-H ucMh'iI at lia^e; ueliltint; iiinNi exIeiiMive lielwccn niiilille ami outer.
Tail iloiiMy einaruinate, nf nnly I'.' xtillUli (,is ciiiii|iarcil willi fii(//Miifi/ii) teal hers ; all tlie
Icallicl-N I'losely ami rcuniarly liarreil. Scxcn alike: >iltniiier and wiiiler |i|itiiia|;es ilillerenl
(aN in Hanil|>i|M'r'<) '^llnrnn^llly sni|M--like in llie lull, Inn nilierwiNc like Iiiiik-Ic^'kciI winil
|ii|ici» ; near .Uici'ii/iii/xiiix, Inr i'\ani|ile. 'I'wn allcceil >>|H'cie!<, nr varieticN.
1,1 until liiini lii r.v:.<i. ixiiiii i;.:<i ■.iiio. wlnit .'■■Iimiini, uti'rii|t<' ■>''". ''HI - <«• 3'"li Inmiiii I.Wl 7.\
■vi'riiui' I .'■;i . iiiI'Mli' ic>' willi'iiii iIjiu im I In, iit<'i.i|{>' I im.
Winn .'i '.',1 .1 IKi. iuiinu>> Mo. /■•". ■-• IKI ' W, imiiiKi' v ;i<i, Ihihiii.. iinniui., I .ll; iii|ili|ii> Iih< niniii-,
ItVlTIIUI' Din. til allllltlll'r III li> Wlllllnll . illCIIKl IIImI nilll'H l<|i<', kilMl » il il illl>k V . . >/l )«■ 11.4 IKK)
Wliiu ■• inilim. iivi'tiu'i' .■.;.■• '.i","J".1t :r.ti, im-mi!!. Jhii. iiir>ii>. i(\.iiii(i., I mi. imI<IiII<' |i»' iii ,
nv4'riiK<' I <><> III xiiiiiiiiir . Iti'llv •hiiiiiiiiini Iuhhii. liri'Nui wi
liiirint »llli itiialijr
Illy K|ii
«<i>/i>/nii', IM mil
Mi'llKllll'ini'tllx nf llllli' Illllhl'lllItU, kIiiiI •lilt of ii|ii< tliak III llllktlhl. riirilli'llt ■■ll|i|niM4| to llli'lllili' l»,l||
KiMH'il'K :ll|il I.I nil, iW llli'lr |«'||>.I li'l'I'lll'iO la aUc . Ilnw KllplniMxl In »li.>n lllill\ lilll li > ill llll inli ||| I/.
llliilK'.
Il
■uittU
Kxli'iil iifnliiKu
Wlim
WIkiIc iiiiIii'-I Ii'4
Hill . .
;i III
'.' Jil
t-iiil
.1 III
•.' Ill
In .'ill
.1 Ml
! fill
it •J.%
m.'.-i
.1.1
I I .Ml
III INI
fiT.'V
4 im
III .'ill
I III
II im
III 7-v
I mi
■J iifi
fJ.W
II III
4 III
I'.'.riii
iii.riii
ftKft
I l.%
It(l9. ^'- wl >•<•"»»• (l.al. >innruH, «ray, l-'iij. lit,.) I{i:i>-lilii: \k|'|.i> .^mit, iHiiiiitner). «!iiav
,Sstfi: (wiiiii I ). KitiiWN iiMK. |)ii\Mi< III II. .\iliili 9 ,f. ill Mill r: I'mlcr |iarlN rich
riihty-reil, |>alir nr wliiii>li mi llie lully : |iii.>iiliiiii, lircaxl, ami siiles rnlly sjiccklnl uitli iliiHkv.
AxillarH ami linini; of wiiiL"* uliitr, with anuular <liiHky niiirkiiicN. \Viii(;-<|iiillH fiiNcouH, tlii<
Hlial'l nf the Isl jirilliary white, nf the ntherH limwn : i-ecnmlaricN ^nllh|licl|nll^ly ri|i|ieil with
while, .\ltnve, hIacU, \arieil everywhere with llie leilili.sh cnlnr nf the iimler |iarlK, ami mi
ItlO.
233.
nil.
s((n.iH'M'in.K: ssivk.
»;2S
iiii-
|lar|<
llill
Ihr
\U\ii
lhi< luii'k iiml iMMi|>iiliirM M'itli M'Inic ; tlii> rtiiii|i Miiuwy-whitc, iiiininrkiMl, vrry fiiiiii|il<MiiiiiM m
lliulil. Tail itml il'< >!|i|H'r t-nvrrlN l>la<-k, I'liwly lianiil uilli wliilr or nil'miN. \ iliinky line
rmiii lull III ry. llill aiiil tVi't Kirriiinii-lilaili. liiMiiittr: harU ^ray alNivr, llir rrallicnt
witli iliixky D'lilrcH uml pair uray or wliiti^li i'iluc.«; jnwer Itack |iiiri' \vlii(<> : xiiiN'ri'iliary
lilM* illlil N|Hit nil llllilri ryt -llil \« llitr ; \»\i<\\ . \l liilr, tlic inuullllll, tnrr-lirraKl, .lllil niili'M liiax ily
NliailrtI with uray, Iraviiiu rliiii \vliiii«li ; ilir llatil<-< ami rii-smii wiili wavy <lii!>ky i>|i<itN nr liarw.
(Kiir iliiiii'iiNiiiiiH M'i> itlMivc.) 'I'IiIh varirty Ih hii|i|hini'i| tn lir rcNlricli'il to K.. N. A.(f)i iiIoiik
(III' Atlaiilir riiai-l, wlirrr it alHiiiinU iliiriiit; tin- iiiii;ratii>ii, in |irii|Hirlii>ii of l,(HHI in nin' iif llir
iii'Xt variety. KriTiU in lii^li latiliiilcN, Aiimii^ iln' slmrr liinl-, iln* \-* a ^rrat luvnriti' w iili
Uiiiiiii'rH.
•no. M. K. iu-(llll|MlV«>IIM. (Lit. xololtihfllH, Khi|M -lilii'.^ \Vl Mills DitNMI'i IIKIt. lU'.ll-lll'.l.-
I.ll.i> SMi't:. liiil.A it'.K Lii\i.-lii:Ak. l.iKi' till' laxt : aMrauini; l.iri-<'i. iIk' l>ill )'s|H'i'ially
liiiiKrr {>»'!' iiImivi')' Wi'ii;lit :t n/.. 7 <lr. tn 4 nx. I ilr. Kiitirc iiinlt'r |iartM rirli riiHly-n-il,
iiii'lii)liii|! U'lly ; tliriMii ami lirrast xraiilily N|HTkli'il, F<ii|i'H anil Hanks thickly liarrnl, with
iliisky. Winirr and iniiiiatiin- K|H'i'iinrnH liiiliNlinL;uiNhal>h' iVnin tlir hiMt, i'\ri'|ilinu tlnmr xiir-
|ia>siii|; ihi' inaxniinni hi/i- nl' tlic latlrr. N. Am. at larur, hU|i|Hisi'i| in lie i.iif nr I'ahiial nii
till- Atlaiilii' niilr, aiiil tn lif il Illy ri'iirrsmtaiivi' nl' ilir ui'Iiih in tlir \Vi>l (.'). l.iUc Ihr
nihi'r, it li> altiniilaiil : iiiii{rati>ry : lirrciU in lii^li lalitnilcH. Ilnth uriicraily Ily in lari; mi-
|iarl lliH-k^, liki- till' Naiiil|ii|H'r> ami slmri'liiriU Kriirrally, ralliir than ninuly nr in wi.«|m like
fill. i;ri. lull "I l/.ii'n»A>i»i/iAii< i/ria> iia, mil >U<'. Ill |ii'>llli'. iiikI ll< i'ImI ti.iiii ulmvi'. i Vi| iml ilil i: <' )
lilU
till- ir
in.l
•lir thi' ■.linirs nl li.l\s ,im| I •^llla|■il•s, illsllihl III'
\M't iiiiai
|n«-
I
U'C
if
llii'* Viirii'ly nr llir la^t an' imi |ii'i'iili.ir anmim lliiir allii"<; :i Hn nninhrr ; Iriiulh l..ij In
I. it, liy l.ll> tn l.l.i lit'nail : Kiniiml-rnlnr a.i III finlliniujo, ami uriirral Iihk' aiiil Mtylr nl' iiiink-
jii|!K tin* laiiir.
333. MHUOIV\l-\MA (li
fllltfHIV.
(/
iiiiKiiiH, Niiia
II
miAiifii;, jiiiliiwf
Mll.l .>>\\l>-
I'lniis. llill niiirli a> in llii' l.i-l uriiiix, litll slmrli'i, h
ilrlllU
a Will.)
iilrmil at till' I'liil anil mil
nil ilintiiiflly I'lirmwi'il mi |ii|i, Niuni'tiincN |H'r<'i'|itilily riirviil W'inii-' Innu, |injiiti'(|, l-t
|iriniary liin^i'Hl, rr>t rapiilly uiailnalnl. 'Tail almiil hall' as jniiu as w ini;s, ><lii;htly ilmililv
finaruinati'. Lrus vrry Imii; : iihiir liair an inrli ; tai'Miis as Iniii; as tlir hill. I''i rt srini|ial
inatf, till* I'mnt Iih's iH-iiit; nniiiri'ti-il liy twn rviilriit liasal writs, |'liiiiiai;r rrsi'inlilini; thai
111' Mnrritrhiunfiliii* in iii'iirral rharartrr : ils rluinui's ihc Naiin* ; srxrs alikr. 'I'lii'sr twn
ifi'iirra ari' iiirliri links liriwiin sni|ii' .iihI saiiil|ii|ii'rs. I Mii' sjirrirs.
•III. M liMiiiiii'l)i|iiiH. (lir. ifiiii^iiiriii'v. liiiiiiiiitniHiin, strap Iru'ui'il. I'm. I.'ts.) Si'ii.r Swn-
I'll'I.K. .\ililll ,( 9 •■'■''"■■■'■■■''' ' .\hiivr, lilarklsh, I'ai'li I'latliir ril^nl anil li|i|ii'il with wliili'
anil tiiwiiy nr hay, \v
rliifh
till
ihi
II' sraiHilars lirfiiiiu's si-allii|H'i
il.
Iii'sliiiil ; a I
litll' ri'iiin llill In ryi', ami a huhl rrihlish sii|iri'i'iliary mir ; n|i|irr tail I'nvrrls whili' with
Insky
iih
iliiskv har-
riinarii-s i
lii-k
y w
ilh lilarklsh tips
I'lath
shv
Uiay
III.
Ill
II i'i>iitral lii'lil wliilr : nmlfr piirtH inixnl rrililish, hlark, ami whilish, in sirraks nn tin' inunliiin,
I'lsi-wht'iv iiiliiii-.. llill an. I riil irri riiish-lilaik. l.i'iiL'tli S..'|il <MIII; rxliiit pi.lill i;.l|ll;
(, <^^,
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
1.1
Uif2& 1 2.5
mm
■2.2
■^ 140
m
- 6"
12.0
1.8
i
Imi:
L25 iU 11.6
Photographic
Sciences
Corporalion
33 WiST MAIN STRiiT
WIBSTRR,N.Y. 145S0
(71«)t72-4S03
f
624
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOLJE.
234.
wing 5.00; tail 2.25 ; 1)1111.50-1.70; tarsus the saino ; middle toe and claw 1.00; tibia bare
1.00. Young, and adults in winter : Ashy-gray above, with or witliout traces of black and
bay, the feathers usually with white edging ; line over the eye and under parts white, the
juguluni and sides suffused with the color of the back, and streaked witli dusky ; legs usually
pale greenish-yellow. The full breeding dress is of brief duration ; the birds are usually ashy
and white from September to
April, both inclusive. N. Am.,
generally ; not observed W. of
the R. Mts. ; ran;, lirecds in
liigh latitudes; migrates to W.
I. and C. and S. Am.
EBEUNE'TES. (Gr. ipcvvr)-
T^s, ereuneics, a searcher, i)ro-
ber.) Semipalmated Sand-
pipers. Bill normally about as
long as head, straight, quite
stout for this family, both man-
dibles deeply grooved to the ex-
panded vascular and sensitive
tip. Wings h)ng, pointed ; sec-
ondaries obliqu(!ly incised. 'J'ail
moderate, doubly-emarginate,
witli pointed and projecting cen-
tral feathers. Tarsus rather
612.
Fio. 4.18. —Stilt Snnilplimr, in breeding (lrcs8, reduced.
Nuttall, after Snalnson, i
fFrom
longer tlian middle toe and daw, equal to the normal bill in length. Bare portion of tibia;
]i as long as tarsus. Toes connected by broad basal webbing, and broadly margined. A true
sandpipi.'r, chieHy distinguished from Tringa proper by the semijialmate feet (fig. 'iS) ; frou)
Microjxtlnma, which is similarly webbed, by the shortness of the bill and feet. Very small ;
sexes alike ; summer and winter plumages dift'cnmt.
E. pusirius. (Lat. pusiUus, puerile, petty). Semipalmated SAxnpiPEn. Peep. Bill,
tarsus, and middle toe with its claw, abniit equal to each other, an inch or less long, but bill very
variable, and apt to be sliorter — O.lKi-O.S? ; feet semipalmate, witli two evident webs ; length
5.50-0.50; extent about 11.75; wing :5. 25-3. 75; tail 2.00, doubly-emarginate, the central
feathers projecting. Adult ^ 9 > i" summer: Above, variegated M'ith black, bay, and ashy or
white, each feather with a black field, reddish edge and whitish tip; rump, and uiii)er tail-
coverts except the lateral ones, bhudiLsh. Tail-feathers asliy-gray, tlie central darker; jiri-
maries du«ky, the shaft of t\w first M'hite. A d\isky line from bill to eye, and a white
superciliary line. Below, ))nre white, usually rutVvscent on the breast, and with more or less
ilusky speckling on the throat, breast, and sides. In winter: U|iper parts mostly jdain ashy-
gray. Young in July and August liave .scarcely any traces of the sjiots beneath, being there
almost entirely white, with a light buff wash across breast ; there is also more white edging of
the feathers of the upper parts ; but in any plumage! and under any variation, the species is
known by its small size and semipalmate feet. Tlw extreme variation in the length tif the bill
is from 0.50 to 1.25, or SO per cent of the average (O.SS). N. Am., everywhere ; an abundant
and well-known little bird, thnniging our beaches during the migrations, which extend to the
West Indies and S. Amer. It is only known to breed in higli latitudes, though it commonly
appears in the U. S. in August, and may sometimes be seen in other summer months. The
size, general a))pearance, and changes of plumage are much the sanu! as those of Actodro-
mas minufilla, and the habit.? of the.se two birds are very similar. Eggs ;5-l-, -XO.84, of
usual shape ; ground from day-color (usual) to grayish or greenish-drab or decidedly
SCOLOPACIDJE : SANDPIPERS.
C2o
619
olivaceous, usually boldly spotted and splashed with umber or chocolate brown, massed at
larger end ; sometimes more uniformly spotted in smaller pattern.
613. E. p. occidenta'lls f (Lat. occiV/( )i<a?i,«, western.) Westeux SemipalmAiTD PAiJoi'iVEU.
An alleged variety, jffobably untenable, ascribed to Western N. Am.
235. ACTODRO'MAS. (Gr. axr^, aktc, the seashore; S^ofuir, rfjomas, running.) Pectoka;.
Sandpipers. Spotty-thkoat Sandpipers. Hill about equal to head or tarsus, short,
straight, very slender, somewhat compressed, the tip punctulate, scarcely expanded, acute.
Grooves on both in..iidibles very deep, and extending nearly to the tip. Nostrils situated very
near the base of the bill. Feathers extending on the lower mandible much beyond those ou
the upper, and half as far as those between the rami. Wings long, pointed, first primary
' usually longest ; tertials long, slender, flowing. Tail rather long, deej)ly doubly-emarginato
(in one species cuncate), the central feathers much projecting ; upper tail-coverts moderately
long. Tibia bare for more than half the length of the tarsus ; the feathers very short, making
the exposed portion nearly as great. Tarsus equal to the middle toe and claw. Toes long
slender, very narrowly margined, entirely free at base. A group of several species, including
the smallest representatives of the family, agreeing in form and al.so in having the jugu-
lum and fore-breast thickly streaked or spotted, usually also with a brownish or ashy suffusion.
Analysis of Species.
Tall grnduated, with acuminnte feathers.
Jiigiiliiin ruddy brown, with very small sharp dark streaks. Upper tail-coverts and rump with black
central tield acumiiKita
Tail not graduated ; its featlicrs, except central pair, not acuminate.
Jugulum with brownish or ashy suffusion, thickly streaked. Upper tail-covcrts and rump with black
central field.
Largest ; length 9,00 ; wing 6.25. Crown much darker than hind neck, the transition abrupt.
Cliin immaculate. Edgings of feathers on upi>er parts liglit chcstiiut-rcd, not making inden-
tations toward the shaft. Suffusion on Jugulum very deep, the darker streaks narrow, distinct.
Bill and feet dusky-green maculatn
Medium; length 7.25; wing 4 80. Crown not conspicuously darker than hind neck. Edgings of
feathers on upper parts light reddish-yellow, scarcely brighter on the scapulars, making inden-
tations toward the sliaft. Suffusion on jugulum very light, the darker markings rounded, some-
what obsolete. Bill and feet black bairdi
Smallest; a miniature of the prece<ling; length S.T5; wing 3.40. Edges of feathers chestnut- red,
usually more or less indented, their tips lighter. Bill black ; legs dusky-green . . . mimitilla
Jugulum with little or no brownish or ashy suffusion. Upper tail-coverts white.
iNIcilium ; length 7.50; wing 4.80. Jugulum thickly streaked with narrow dark lines. Upper tail-
coverts immaculate, except the outermost. Central tail-feathers nearly black . . . bonnparlii
Large; length 9.50; wing 5.75. Jugulum thinly marked with oval spots or streaks. Upper tail-
covcrts witli dark arrow-heads. Central tail-feathers scarcely darker than the lateral. . coopirl
014. A. mlnutll'la. (Lat. mimttilla, very minute; ditn. of mimttus, small.) American Stint.
Wilson's Stint. Least Sandpiper. Peep. Smallest of the sandpipers ; length 5.50-6.00 ;
extent about 11.00 ; wing 3.25-.3.50 ; tail 2.00 or less ; bill, tarsus, and middle toe with claw, about
0.75. Bill black ; legs dusky greenish. Upper parts in summer with each feather blackish cen-
trally, edged with bright bay and tipped with ashy or white; in winter, and in the young, simply
ashy. Quills blackish, the shaft of the first white, the secondaries and greater coverts ti|)))ed
with white. Tail-feathers griy with whitish edges, the central ones blackish, usually with reddish
edges. Crown not conspicui;usly different from hind neck; an indistinct whitish line over eye,
and dusky one from eye to bill. Chestnut edgings of scapulars usually scalloped. Below,
white; jugulum and sides of body for some distance with ashy or brownish suffusion, thickly
spotted and streaked with dusky. This species and the last are usually confounded under the
common name of " sandpeeps," and look much alike ; but a glance at the toes is sufficient to
distinguish thein. N., C. and S.America and W. I., anywhere; very abundant during the
migrations. Breeds in high latitudes, returning to the U. S. in August. Eggs unknown.
015. A. balr'dl. (To S. F. Baird.) Baird's Sandpiper. Fonn and proportions typical of the
genus. Bill small, slender, rather shorter than the head, equal to the tarsus, the tip scarcely
40
C16
015
614
617
618
626
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOLJE.
016.
expanded, its point very acute. GriKJves in both mandibles very long and deep, that of the
lower very narrow. Feathers extending (jn the side of lower mandible much farther than those
on the upper, about half as far as those between tlie rami. Wings long ; first and second
primaries about equal, but varying, tliird nnich shorter ; tertials long, slender, flowing. Tail
rather long, but slightly doubly-eniarginate, the central feathers rounded, jirojecting but little.
Toes long, slender, sliglitly margined, the middle witli its claw about c<iual to tarsus. Adult
in breeding phunage : Entire upper ))arts a very dark brownish-black, deeper on the rump and
lighter on the neck behiud, eacli feather bordered and tipped with light reddish-yellow ; on the
scapulars the tips broader and nearly pure wiiite, and tlie margins brighter, making several deep
indentations towards tlie sliaft. Upper tail-coverts long, extending to witliin half an inch of
the tips of the central tail-feathers, black, except the outer series, which are whito with dusky
markings. Central tail-feathers brownish-black, the rest successively ligliter, and all with a
narrow border of white. Juguluni with a very decided light brownish suffusion (much as in
A. maculata), and, together with the sides under the wings to some distance, with rounded
obsolete spots and streaks of dusky. Tliroat and under parts generally wliite, immaculate.
Bill, legs, and feet black. Young in August : Dimensions and proportions as hi tlie adult.
Upper parts a nearly uniform liglit ashy-brown, deeper on the rump, each feather with a
central dark field and with a light edge, these whitish edgings usually (>ons|)icuous. Traces of
the brownish-black of the adult on the scapulars. Breast and juguluMi with the suftusion very
light reddisli-brown, the streaks sparse and very indistinct. Lengtli 7-'lO-7."iO; extent 15.25-
10.50 ; wing 4.25-4.75 ; tail 2.25 ; bill, tarsus, and middle toe witli claw, about 0.87. Colors almost
exactly as in the last species ; edgings of iipjicr plumage rather tawny tiian die.stnut ; jugular
sufiiision pale, rather fulvous, tlie streaks small and sparse, sometiiiies almost (disolete. Size
of honapartii, but not easy to confound M-ith that white-rumped species. Nortli and South
America ; rare on the Atlantic coast, comuion in the interior ; the most abundant small sand-
piper in some parts of the west, during the migrations. Breeds in Arctic regions ; eggs 8-4,
1.30 X 0.92, clay-colored, grayer or more buff'y in dift'ereut specimens, spotted witli rich umber
and chocolate-browns of varying shades; in some cases the markings fine and innumerable, in
others massed at the greater end, sometimes with black tracery also; pale sliell-spots usually
evident. June, July.
A. luacula'ta. (Lat. maculata, spota-d.) Pectoual Sandpipek. Guass-sxipe. Jack-
snipe. Bill a little longer than the head, about ecpiiil to the tarsus or middle toe, moderately
stout, straight or very lightly decurved, the tip more expanded and punctulate than in the type
of the genus. Grooves in both mandibles long and deep. Wings long, pointed, first primary
decidedly longest ; tertials very long, narrow, and flowing. Tarsus eiiual to middle tot;, both
about equal to the bill. Tail rather long, deeply douhly-emarginate, the central featlti-rs pointed
and greatly projecting. Adult in spring : An ill-defined wliite line over tlie eye, and a more
distinct one of dusky between eye and bill. Crown streaked with browiiish-bladt and light chest-
nut, conspicuously different from the neck behind, which is streaked witli dusky and light <iclire-
ous. Upper parts generally, a very dark brownish-black, every feather edged witii ashy or dark
chestnut-red, brightest on the scapulars, the tips usually lighter, and the margins never making
deep indentations toward the shaft. Rump and upper tail-coverts black, the outer series of the
Litter white, with sagittiUe spots of dusky. Primaries deep dusky, almost black, the shaft of tlie
first white, of the others brown. Secondaries and greater coverts dusky, edged and tipped
with white. Lesser coverts dusky, fading into light grayish-asli on their edges. Central tail-
feathers brownish-black, lighter on their edges, the lateral light ashy, margined with white.
Jugulum and breast with a heavy wash of ashy-brown, and witii very numerous well-tlefined
streaks of dusky ; the suffusion extending on ilie sides under the wings to some distance, where
the dusky streaks are mostly shaft-lines. Chin, anil under parts generally, white, iminaculate.
Bill and feet dusky greenish. Young in September : Edges of the feathers of the upper parts
61
SCOLOPACIDJE : SANDPIPESS.
627
generally, and of the tertials and central tail-feathers, light brifjht chestnut, and the tips pure
white. Lesser wiug-coverts broadly edged and tipped with light ferruginous. Suffusion on
the breast and jugulum with a yellowish ochreous tinge not seen in the adult, and tiie streaks
less distinct. Other parts as iu the adult. Not known to have a i)lain ashy and wliite winter
plumage like most sandpipers. Length 9.00-9.50 inches; extent 10.50-18.00 ; wing (average)
5.50; bill, tarsus, and middle toe with claw about 1.10. N., C. and S. Am., W. I., Green-
land, Asia, and Europe; thus of wide and general dispersion; in U. S., chieHy during tho
migrations, when abundant in wet grassy meadows, muddy ponds and Hats, etc. It goes very far
north, quite to the Arctic Ocean, and is supposed to breed only in high latitudes ; the nest and
eggs are still unknown. In some respects of liabit it is ((uite snipe-like ; it never flocks on tho
beaches with tho smaller sandpipers, and it has at times a wayward towering flight, like that
of a snipe. During the amours, this sandpiper has the power of inflating the throat to a won-
derful extent, forming a swelling which hangs like a great goitre upon the breast. ' I'l^ctoral
sandpiper' is a book-name, seldom spoken, the bird being better known as tho 'grass-snipe,'
and 'jack-snipe'; but both these names are objectionable, as it is not a snipe; and 'jack-
snipe,' moreover, is the proper name of an English species of Grillitutgo (G. gaUinula), not
found in this country, where G. wilsoni sometimes takes the same designation.
617. A. bonapar'tii. (To C. L. Bonaparte.) White-rumpeu Saxdpipeu. Bill quite stout,
moderately long, ('(pial to the head or tarsus, the tips st)mewluit expanded. Grooves on both
mandibles long and deep. Feathers extending on tho lower mandible but little beyond those
on the upper. Wings long, pointed, first primary decidedly longest , tertials long, narrow,
and flowing. Tail moderate, quite deeply doubly-emarginate, the central feathers somewhat
pointed and considerably [)rojecting. Tarsus rather longer than tho middle toe. Toes long,
slender, and slightly margined. Crown and upi)er parts generally light brownish-ash, each
feather with a large ti(d(l of dusky towards its end, and on tho crown and middle of tho back
edged with light yellowish-red, deepening into bright sienna on the scapulars. Lesser wing-
coverts dark brownish-ash, fading into light ashy on tho edges, and with shaft-lines of blackish.
Secondaries and greater coverts light grayish-ash, edged and tipped with white. Tertials very
dark brownish-ash, fading into light a.shy on tho edges. Primaties deep dusky, their shafts
white iu the central portions, and tho innermost edged with white. Rump brownish-black.
Upper tail-coverts white, their outer series with sagittate spots of dusky. Central tail-feathera
brownish-black, the rest very light grayish-ash, broadly edged and tipped with white. Jug-
ulum and breast with a scarcely appreciable wash of light ashy, with luunerous, distinct, linear-
oblong streaks of dusky brown ; these extend as minute dots nearly or quite to tho bill, and aa
narrow shaft-lines along the sides to the vent. Rest of under parts white, immaculate.
Lower martdiblo flesh-colored for half its length ; rest of bill, with the legs and feet, black.
Length 7.50; extent 15.00; wing 4.80; bill, tarsus and middle toe witli claw rather less than
1.00. Young in August: Upper parts a nearly uniform dark ash, the black of the adults show-
ing at intervals, but principally on tho scapulars, where also tho reddish margins of tlie feathers
are apparent. Jugulum and sides under the wings with an ashy suffusion, more conspicuous
than in the adult, but much more restricted, and tho streaks more obsolete and indistinct.
Central pair of upper tail-coverts usually dusky. Other parts as in the adult. America at large,
but not yet observed W. of tho R. Mts., nor in Alaska ; Greenland, Europe. Breeds from
Labrador northward ; migratory through the E. U. S.
018. A. coo'perl? (To Wm. Cooper.) Coopeu'.s Sandpiper. Bill considerably longer than tho
head, exceeding the tarsus, straight, rather stout, tip scarcely expanded. Feathers extending
on side of lower mandible scarcely further than those on the upper. Wings long, i)ointcd, first
primary decidedly longest ; tertials moderately long and rather slender. Tail moderate, slightly
but decidedly doubly-emarginate, the central feathers projecting. Tarsus rather lr)nger than
the middle too ; tibia bare for half the length of tho tarsus; toes all long, slender, and slii;litly
628
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —LIMICOLJE.
margined. Adult in spring : Upper parts a nearly uniform light grnyish-ash, each feather
with a central brownish-black field, deepening into pure black on the .scapulars, where also the
edgings of some of the feathers have a reddish tinge. Tertials sooty-brown, fading into light
ashy on tlie edges. Secondaries and greater coverts dark grayisli-ash, edged and broadly
tipped with wliite. Primaries deep dusky, almost black on the outer vanes and at the tips,
the innermost edged with wliito ; shafts of all brown at base and black at tip, the central
portion b(dng white. Upper tail-coverts white, with sagittate spots of dusky. Tail-feathers
ashy-brown, the central pair darkest. Under parts white ; the juguhun, breast, and sides of
the neck with a slight reddish tinge, and, together with the sides, with numerous streaks and
oval spots of dusky, which become largo and V-shajted on the flanks. Length 9.50 ; wing
5.75 ; tail 2.75; bill 1.25 ; tarsus 1.12. Long Island ; only one specimen known. It is still
uncertain whether this is a good species or an unusual state of T. canutus or A. maculata.
619. A. acumina'ta. (Lat. acuminata, acuminate.) Shakp-tailed Sandpipek. A large species,
of the size and with somewhat the general aspect of the pectoral sandpiper. Tail graduated,
almost cuueate, all the feathers more or less acumiuate, the projecting middle pair particularly
so. Bill about as long as head ; tarsus equal to middle toe and claw ; toes perfectly free. Cnjwn
bright chestnut, streaked witli black, bounded by decided whitish superciliary lines ; difl'erent
from the hind neck. Upper parts with the pattern of coloration of those of A. muculata, the
feathers being black, witli bright chestnut edges, and many of them also with whitish tips, the
edgings not making scallops, and particularly straiglit and firm on the long tertials. Central
field of rump and upper tail-coverts black, scarcely or not varied with reddish tips of the feathers,
the sides of this area white with dusky touclies. Tail-feathers dusky, the middle ones darker
or black, all firmly rimmed about with chestnut, buff, or whitish edging. Primaries blackish,
their shafts mostly white; secondaries dusky, successively acquiring white tips and edges;
greater coverts dusky, white-tipped. Entire under parts white, more or less suffused on the
juguhim, breast, and sides with a light ruddy brown (much as in Poilasocys montanus), tlie
jugulum alone with a set of sii.all sharp dusky touches, being an extension across the throat of
better pronounced streaks of the sides of the head, neck, and breast, leaving the chin definitely
pure white. The effect is quite different from that produced by the heavy streaking of A. ma-
culata. Bill and feet blacldsh. Length probably 9.00-9.50; wing 5.25; tail 2.50 ; billl.OO;
tarsus 1.20 ; middle toe and claw the same. (Described from several late summer and early
fall specimens, taken in Alaska. An Australian specimeu before me is smaller (wing under
5.00, etc.), and, excepting the crown, lacks any reddish of the upper parts, all the edgings
being simply gray ; the ruddy suffusion of the breast is scarcely seen.) An interesting species,
widely diffused in the Old World, lately found in Alaska, where it is common in summer in
some localities, as Saiut Michael's, and where it doubtless breeds; extent of its migration in
America, if any, unknown.
236. ARQUATEL'LA. (Lat. arquatella, dim. of arquata, for arcuata, bowed.) Feather-leg
Sandpipers. Bill, tarsus, and middle toe, obviously not of equal lengths. Tarsus shorter
than bill or middle too ; tibite feathered, the feathers reaching the suffrage. Toes very long,
broadly margined, and flattened underneath. Hind toe very short; claws short and blunt.
Tail moderate, wedge-shaped. Bill variable, always longer than head, straight or slightly
decurved, very slender, much compressed, tip scarcely expanded, groove on lower mandible
shallow or obsolete. A generic group established upon the well-known "purple" sandpij)er,
to which two other species or varieties have recently been added. The following analysis ia
taken from B. N. 0. C, v, 18S0, p. 162.
Analysit Cff Speciei or Varieties.
Breeding drett: Crown Btreakeil witli yellowish-gray, or grayish-white; scapulars and interscapulars
irregularly sirattcd and indented with dull buff, or whitish, and tipped with white ; fnre-necl< dis-
tinctly streaked with dusky ; breast dull gray, everywhere spotted with darker, n'inter dress : Back
and scapulars sooty-black strongly glossed with purplish ; the feathers bordered terminally with <lurk
I
SCOLOPACID^i: : SANDPIPERS.
G29
plumbeous-gray; fore-neck uniform mouse-gray, or brownisli-pluaibeous. WlngS.OO; culmon 1.20;
tarsus 0.99; middle too without vlnw 0.90 mnritimn
Breeding tlrci>8 : Crown strcaljed witli deep rusty; scapulars and interscapulars liroadly borderctl willi
bright ferruginous : fore-nccl{ irregularly eluuded witli dull pale butt' or soiled winte and sooty-
plumbeous, the breast more coarncly clouded, with more or less of u black [latch on each siilo.
fCinter ilress: Like that of miiritiina, but the plumbeous borders of dorsal feathers broader and
lighter, or more bluish. Jugulum streaked or otherwise varied with white. Wing 4.8G; cuimen 1.13;
tarsus 0.9.1 ; miihile toe without claw 0.86 coiitsi
Breeding drest: Crown broadly streaked with ochraceous-buff: scapulars and interscapulars broadly
bordered with bright ochroceous-rufous ; fore-neck pure white, sparsely streaked witli brownish-gray ;
breast white, streaked anteriorly and clouiled posteriorly with dusky, latter forming more or less of a
patch on eacli side. Winter dress: Sindlar to the corres|)onding stages of each of the foregoing, but
very much paler, the whole dorsal aspect being liglit cinereoux, the scapulars and interscapulars with
small, nearly concealed, central spots, the wing-coverts very broadly edged with pure white ; fore-neck
with white largely predominating. Wing 5.16; cuimen 1.33; tarsus 0.98; ndddie too without claw
0.90 ptilocnemis
620
621
622
020. A. mari'tima. (Liit. maritima, maritime.) Purple Sandpipeu. Bill little lonijrcr than
head, much longer than tarsus, straight or nearly so; tiljial feathers long, reaching to the
joint, though the legs are really bare a little way above; tarsus shorter than middle toe and
claw. Length about 9,00: extent about 16.00 ; wing.'). 00; tail 2.60, much roinided ; bill 1.20;
tarsus 0.90-1.00 ; middle too 1.00 or a little more. The breeding dress, little known : I'jijier
parts black, conspicuously varied on the head, neck, back, and scapulars, with chestnut or
cinnamon, and ])ale buff or whitish, the darker reddish cohirs edging or indenting tlie .>iides
of the feathers, the paler colors chiefly tipping their ends; the rusty-red also suffusing the
sides of the head, separated from the black and rtjddish crown by a pale or whitish superciliary
stripe. A lighter tawny shade invades the jugulum and breast ; otherwise, under ])iirts
white, streaked on the breast with blackish, elsewhere nebulated with dusky-gray, but' no
definite blackish area formed. Hump and upper tail-coverts brownish-ldack, unmarked.
Wings plain fuscous, the lesser coverts narrowly, the greater broadly, tipped with wliite,
the secondaries mostly white in increasing amounts fi'(un without inwards, and the shaft of
the first primary white. Tail-feathers plain dusky. Adult in winter : Entire upper parts a
lustrous very dark bluish- or blackish-ash, with purple and vicdet reflections, and eiu-h feather
with a lighter border. Gresiter and lesser wing-coverts, tertials and scapulars edged and tipped
with while. Secondaries mostly white. Primaries deep dusky, the .shafts dull white ex(H'pt at
tip, where they are black. Upper tail-eoverts and central tail-feathers brownish-black with
purplish reflecti(jns, the outer pairs of the former white-barred with dusky. Lateral tail-feathers
light ashy. Jugulum and breast bluish-ash, each feather of the latter edged witii white, and
the ash extending along the sides beneath the wings. Rest of under parts white, immaculate.
Legs, feet, and bill at base light flesh-color ; rest of bill greenish-bliick. Most immature birds
of the first fall and winter resemble this, but arc duller, without tlie gloss. Young : Upper
parts much the color of the adult, but with each feather broadly edged and tipped with light
buff or reddish-yellow. Light edging of wing-coverts ashy instead of pure white. Under
parts everywhere thickly mottled with ashy and dusky, deepest on the breast and jugulum.
Chicks in down arc very pretty : grayish-brown, mottled with black, the back, wings, and
rump spangled <\'ith white points ; heiul grayish-white, tinged with fulvous, variously marked
with black; h)rcs with two parallel black stripes ; below, grayish-white. A species of circuin-
polar distribution, breeding and often wintering in Arctic regions; in America S. to tlie Middle
States; chiefly maritime, but also occurriug on the Great Lakes. Egg of usual pyriforni sha[>e,
about 1.40 X 1.00, clay cidor with olive shade, with large b(dd markings of rich unibcr-brown
of varying shade, with neutral tint shell-markings ; markings over all the surface, but largest
and most massed at the greater end.
021, A. coues'l. (To E. Coucs.) Aleutian Sandpiper. Very near the last. The following
ia the original description, in substance. Breeding dress : Above fuliginous-slate ; featliers of
r
630
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOL^.
0S2.
crown, back, and scapulars broadly edged witli rusty-ochraccous, or bright cinnamon, the
central liold of each feather nearly black, much darker than wings or runip, some of tlic scap-
uhirs and interscapulars tipp<;d with white in some specimens. Lesser coverts narrowly,
greater coverts broadly, bordered terminally with white ; greater coverts broadly tipped \vith
white, forming a conspicuous cross-bar ; several inner secondaries chiefly white ; tlie others,
also the inner primaries, narrowly skirted and tipped with white. Kump. upper tail-cos-erts,
and middle tail-feathers, uniform fuliginous dusky, the other rectrices ]>alcr, or dull cin-
ereous. A conspicuous long whitish superciliary stripe, reaching to najie, and couiluont
with whitish of under side of head, thus posteriorly bounding a large sooty-brown auricular
area; anterior portion of lores, and forehead dull smoky-grayish; neck, jugulum, and breast,
dirty wliitish, sometimes soiled with dingy buff, and clouded or spotted witli dull slate, sooty-
plumbeous, or dusky-blackish, this sometimes forming a large patch on each side of breast.
Other under parts pure white, the sides with a chain of slaty spots and streaks, the crissum
streaked with dusky ; lining of wing pure white. Hill and i'eet brownish-black in the dried
skin ; iris brown. Winter jdumage : Above, soft snioky-plunibeous, the scapulars and inter-
scapulars glossy purplish-dusky centrally, tlie plumbeous borders of the feathers causing a
squamous appearance; head and neck uniform plumbeous, excepting the throat and a supra-
loral patch, which are streaked whitish ; jugulum squaniated with white, the breast similarly,
but nioro broadly marked. Wing, tail, and rumj), as in summer. Young, first ]duniage : Scap-
ulars and interscai)ulars black, broadly bordered with bright rusty and buffy-wliite, the latter
chiefly on the longer outer scapulars and lower back ; wing-coverts broadly bordered with huffy-
white ; pileum streaked black and och.rey ; jugulum and breast pale huff, or buti'y-white, streaked
with dusky. Downy young : Above, bright rusty-fulvous, irregularly mottled with black, the
back, wings, and rinnp flecked with yellowish-white papillic ; hi'ad abov(! deep fulvous-brown,
atrij)ed with velvety black from forehead to occiput, where continent with a cross-bar of the
same ; lores with two parallel strip(>s of same. Lower i)arts wliite, distinctly fulvous on sides.
W^iug 4..50-5.15 inches, average 4.80; culmen 0.9S-1.23, average I.l.'J; tarsus 0.88-1.00,
average 0.1)5 ; middle toe without claw 0.78-0.90, average 0.8G. Aleutian Islands and Coast
of Alaska all the year round ; extent of migrations unknown, if any.
A. ptilocne'mis. ((ir. Trn'Xoi', ptilov, a featiier ; Kvrjfiit, hiemis, a greave ; the cms being feath-
ered.) PiiYHiLOV Sanupipeu. Black-bueastei) Sandpipeu. Different. Adult in breeding
dress : Witli somewhat the appearance of a summer VcUdna alpina, but the black area pec-
toral, not abdominal. Crown, interscapulars, and scajmlars black, completely variegated with
rich chestnut, ochrey, and whitish, the body of each feather being black, with one or another
or all the lighter nnu'kings ; the connial separated from the dorsal variegation by a grayish-
white, dusky-streaked cervical interval. Lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts blackish,
little variegated with chestnut. Secondaries nearly all pure white, a few of the outermost and
innermost touched with grayish-brown near end. Primai'ies grayish-brown with white shafts
except at tip, fading to white on iniuT webs toward base ; several of the inner ones also largely
white on outer webs, and tipped with white. Central tail-feathers brownish -black ; next pair
abruptly paler, grayish ; rest white or whitish with pale gray tint. Front and sides of head,
superciliary line, tufts of flank-feathers, and entire under parts, white, interrupted on the
breast with a large but not well defined nor perfectly continuous blackish area, and marked
on the upper breast and sides with a few sharp blackish shaft-lines. A dusky auricular patch*
Legs and bill dark. Length apparently about 9.50 ; wing 4.80-5.30 ; tail 2.30-2.70 ; bill
1.10-1.40! tarsus 0.90-1.00; middle toe and claw 1.03-1.20; 9 averaging less than ,J.
Winter plumage as above said. First plumage : Upper parts much as in the adults, but the rusty
markings in curved rather than angular lines, and much narrower ; edges of wing-coverts ochrey.
lnt(>rior tail-feathers rusty-edged. Throat and breast more or less suflTused with rusty; no black
pectoral area, but the jugulum, breast, and sides suflFused with rusty. Chicks in down (July) ;
SCOLOPACILJE : SAXDPIPERS.
681
Below, Bilvcry-wliito ; above, rich icildish-hiowii, viirietl with white, with purimis little rotnid
(lots, like mildew. Kacli sucli spot is us large as a pin-head, and, niuler a lens, is seen to lie
the enlarged brnshy end of a down-featiier, wheuee several tiny bristles sprout. Kaeh such
plume is white at base, then black, then white-tufted as said; the dotted areas thus correspond
to the areasofl.hiek variegation, but there are, also, a bhiek nndotted frontal line, loral stripes,
and some other markings. Only known from the I'rybilov or Fur .Seal Islands, where it breeds,
and northward to St. Matthew and St. Lawrence Islands. Eggs i, like those of .1. marilinui.
237. I*f:LID'NA. (Gr. mXiUvos. pelUhws, gray f) DiNux Sandpii'kus. Hill stout, much
longer than head or tarsus, slightly decurved, tip somewinit e.xpanded and punctulate ; grooves
in both iiuvndibles deep and distinct. Wings moderate; tertiais long and flowing. Tail
moderate, doubly-eniarginate, the central feathe-:- projecting. Legs ratherjong; tarsus not
shorter than middle toe and claw, if anything i(niger. Hare portion of tibia more than half
the tarsus. Toes vather long, cleft to tlie base, narrowly margined. Contains a few species
or varieties in summer reddi-sh above, with a great black abdominal area.
Analyaia <\f I'arii'lies.
Siimlleat: length nbniit 8.0U; bill, average, 1.40; tarsus little if any longer than middle toe and claw;
tiir»UH and middle toe together 1.75 nlpinu C23
Medium : length about 8.50 ; bill, average, l.'O ; disproportionately longer, stouter, more decurved ; tarxu.s
" dci'ideilly longer than middle too and claw J tarsus anil middle too together 2.00 .... aimriaiini C'ii
[Largest; bill and legs still longer than in the last. Pacitlc Coast, N. A .' jMci_fiea]
023. P. nlpl'na. (Lat. alpina, alpine.) Eiuopean Dunlin. Purue. Ditt'ering as above said from
the X. A. species. Straggler to Greenhmd.
024. V. a. aincrica'iia. (Fig. 439.) A.mkuican Ditnlin. Black-iikllikd Sandpipf.u. Red-
iiACKEU SANDrU'EU. Ox-BIUD. Hill longer than head or tarsus, compressed at the base, rather
depressed at the end, and usually api)rcci;ibly
decurved. Length 8.00-0.00; extent 15.00;
wing 4..")0-5.0(); tail 2.00-2.;W ; bill 1.50-
1.75 ; tibiie bare about 0.50 ; tarsus 1.00 or
rather more ; middle too and claw 1.00 or
rather less. Adult in suinuicr : Above, chest-
nut-red, each feather with a central black
field, and most of them tipped with whitish ;
rump and upper tail-coverts blackish ; tail-
feathers and wing-coverts ashy-gray, the
greater coverts tipped with white ; quills
dusky with pale shafts ; secondaries mostly white, and inner primaries edged with the same ;
outer webs of primaries bhudiish, sonui of the inner ones white-edged toward the base ;
secondaries mostly white. Under parts white ; belly with a broad, jet-black area ; brea.st
and juguhnn thickly streaked with dusky. Bill and feet black. Adult in winter, and
young : Above, plain ashy-gray, with dark shaft lines, with or without red (u- black traces.
Below, white, with little or no trace of black on belly; jugulum with few dusky streaks and
an ashy suffusion. White edgings of inner primaries very conspicuous. The summer dress is
long worn ; it is assumed more or less perfectly in April, and many come from the north still
wearing it. All of N. Am., breeding in high latitudes, migrating through and wintering in the
U. S., preferably coastwise; common, in flocks on the beaches and elsewhere.
238. ANCYLOCHI'LUS. (Gr. dydvXo'xfiXor, ngkulocheilos, Imving a curved bill.) CunLEW
Sandpipeus. Bill much longer than the head, slender, comjiressed, considerably decurved,
the tip not expanded, and rather hard. Grooves in both mandibles very narrow but distinct.
Wings long, pointed. Tail very short, nearly even. Legs long, .slender; tarsus and tibia
both lengthened, the latter exposed for nearly or quite half the length of the fonner, which is
Fio. 439. — Bill and foot of /'c/irfiio alpina americana,
nat. size. (Ad nat. del. K. C.)
632
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOLJE.
1 -I
ii
'I
ncnrly as long as the bill. Toes inotU'rate, slciidor, ("liglitly iiiarginod, tlic iniddlo ono about
tbrco-fourtlis the tarsus. Oijp species, noted for its reseiiiblanco to a iniiiiaturo ciiiicw.
635. A. Bubarqiia'tiis. (Lat. 8((to»v/i(f(^(s or .s«i)arci««<«s, littled curved, as the bill is.) CfRl.KW
Sanupipek. Fkhuuoixkois SANUi'it'Eii. Adult: Crown of head and entire unjier itarts
lustrous grcenisii-black, each feather tipped and deeply indented with bright yellowish-red.
Wing-coverts ashy-brown, each feather with a dusky shaft-lino and reddish edging. Primaries
deei> dusky, their shafts brown at base and black at tij), the central portion nearly white.
Upper tail-coverts white with broad bars of dusky, and tinged at their extremity with reddish.
Tail light gray with greenish reflections. Sides of the neck and entire under parts unifonn
deep brownish-red. Under tail-coverts barred with dusky. Axillars and under wing-coverts
white. Bill and legs greenish -black. Young in antunni : Crown of head and back brown-
ish-black, with a slight greenish lustre, each feather edged with M'hite or reddish-yellow.
Rump plain dusky: upper tail-coverts white. Wing-coverts with broad grayish-white borders.
Tail light ashy, edged and tijiped with white, the c<;ntral feathers witli a subterminal dusky
border in addition. Under parts entirely white, the breast and sides of the neck linely streaked
with dusky, the fonner with a light buff tinge. Length 8.50; wing 4.90; bill (average) 1.50;
tarsus 1.30; toe 0.90; tibia bare 0.70. Inhabits most of the Old AVorld ; in America very
rare, little more than a straggler along the Atlantic (*oast. (For particulars of a dozen or
more instances of its occurrence, see New England Bird Life, v(d. ii., p. 224.)
239. TRIN'GA. (Lat. tringa or in/nga or tryugus, a sandi)iper.) Kohin Sandpiper. Bill
about as bmg as, or rather longer than, the head, straight, stout, somewliat compressed,
widening uniformly from the middle to the .<*lig]itly expanded, rather hard tip; the culnien
depressed on the terminal half to the expansion at tip, and obsidetely furrowed. Both mandi-
bles deeply grooved to tlic tiji. Nostrils very large and placed far forwanl in the upper gro(»ve.
Feathers extending on the lower mandible much further than on tiie ujtper, and nearly as far
as those between the rami. Wings long, pointed, first primary decidedly longest. Secon-
daries moderately incised. Tertials short, broad, and comparatively slitt". Tail rather shoil,
nearly even, the central feathers projecting but little if any. Legs short and very sstout ;
tarsus usuiilly shorter than the bill ; longer than the middle toe. Tibial feathers reaching
nearly to joint ; tibiie bare for nearly tM'o-thirds the tarsus. Toes very short and stout, free
at base, widely margined ; outer lateral longer than inner. Hind toe present, well developed.
Claws short, stout, blunt, much curved, dilated on the inner edge. Size large, form stout.
620. T. eanu'tus. (Named for King Canute.) Red-bkeasted Sandpiper. Ash-colored
Sandpiper. Grav-back. Robin-,snipe. Knot. Largest of North American Tringea:.
liill stout, straight, rather longer than the head, upper mandible widely and deeply grooved to
the exj)ausion at tip. Feathers extending on lower mandible much farther than on upper,
and nearly as far as those between the rami. First primary decidedly longest ; tail short,
nearly even ; legs short, stout ; tarsus usually shorter than the bill, but much exceeding the
middle toe. Adult in summer : Upper parts brownish-bliick, each feather broadly tipped and
edged with ashy-white, tinged witji reddish-yellow on the scapulars. Rump dark ash, barred
with dusky ; upper tail-coverts white, with transverse sagittate or crescentic bars of brownish-
black. Tail grayish-ash, edged with ashy-white. Outer webs and tips of primaries deep
dusky, the inner \m\d\ lighter. Secondaries and coverts grayish-ash, broadly edged and tipped
with ashy-white. Line over the eye and entire under parts uniform brownish-red, fading into
white on the flanks and imder tail-coverts, which latter are marked with sagittate spots of
dusky. Bill and feet greenish-blacli. Young in autumn : Upper parts a uniform dark ash,
or cinereous, each feather tip])cd with ashy or j)ure white, and having a subterminal edging of
dusky-black, jiroduciug a conspicuous set of black and white semicircles, very characteristic of
the species in this plumage. Indistinct line over the eye, and whole under parts, white, more
or less tinged with light rMldish, the throat, breast, and sides with rather sparse, irregularly
240.
aCOL OVA CIDJi: .- sa njjpipeiis.
♦laa
disposed linos and spots of dusky, which bwoine trnnsvorso wuvcd Imrs on the hittrr. Length
10.50; extent 20.50; wing (1. 10 ; tail 2.70; liill about 1.10; tarsii.^ 1.20; middle too 1,00;
tibia bare O.flO. A hirgc liandsonie species, iuliabitinf,' most of t lie World ; in America,
cliieHy along the Atlantic coast, but also in tlie interior, about the large lakes and rivers.
Migratory; breeds only in liitrli latitudes.
240. CALI'DRIS. ((ir. (coXtfi/Mt, kdlidris, Lat, calidn's, name of some beach bird, perlia))s this
one.) SAXDEKLlNd.s. IJiU stout, straight, about as long as head or tarsus; tip thickened,
expanded and rather bard, the culmen just beliind it somewhat concave. Nostrils far forward.
Wings long, pointed ; tail short, doubly-emarginate, central feathers projecting. Tibin- bare
for two-thirds the length of tho tarsus; toes very short, widely margined. Xu hind toe.
(General characters of Triiiga iirojier, but 3-toed. See fig. HO.) (.)nc species.
Fia. 440. — Sanitcrling, i imt. size. (From Brebm.)
027. C. arena'ria. (Lat. arenaria, relating to arena, .sand. Fig. 440.) Saxdermno. RrnuY
" Plovek." Adult in summer: Entire njiper parts an'', neck all round variegated with blm-k,
light ashy and bright reddish ; on the back and scapulars each feather haviuit a central black
field, and being broadly margined and tipped with asliy or reddish. Under parts white, innnac-
ulate. Outer webs and tips of primaries deep brownisli-black, inner light ashy. A white spot at
base of inner primaries. Secondaries mostly pure white; the outer vanes and part of iimer on
the latter half dusky. Greater coverts dusky, broadly tipped and narrowly edtred with pure
white. Rump, upper tfiil-coverts and central tail-feathers dusky, tipped and narrowly edged
with ashy-white; lateral tail-feathers very light ash, nearly white. Bill and feet black.
Length 7.50-8.00; extent 15,00-10,00; wing 4.00; tail 2,25 ; bill about 1.00; tarsus rather
684
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —LIMICOLJE.
less 5 middle too and claw 0.73. Younjj in autumn : No traces <if the reddish. Upper j)nrtn
very light nsh, each feather fading into wliito on tlie edges, and with a narrow siuift-liiie of
duslty. Entire under parts pure white. Hcajmiars duHky, edged witli whitish. Otlier jmrts
as in samnier adults. In a usual winter dress, tiiere are traces of the reddisli on the upper
parts generally, and on the hrenst. Each feather above ia brownish-hlaek, regularly indented
and tipped with ashy-white, tlitis giving to the ui)per parts tlie aj)pearance of heing evenly
niotth'd. There is a buff tinge on tlie breast, and also on the tips of the rump-feathers. The
bend of the wing is nearly as dark as in the adult. At all times the under parts from tlie
jugulum are j)ure white. Inhabits the sea coasts of nearly all countries ; N. A. at large,
abundant coastwise, also in the interior on large bodies of 'A'atcr. Migratory ; breeds in high
latitudes.
241. EUUYNORIIYN'CHUS. (Gr. tipvva, euriino, I M.iU' ; pvyxot, hrugchos, hen\i.) Spoon-
niLi.ED Saxiu'U'Eii. Bill about us long as head, straight, spatulate at end, the " sjioon " being
about as wide as long, lozenge-shaped, witli tlie distal angle well marked, the lateral angles
rounded olf, the proxnnal one of course running into the rest of the bill; both mandibles share
this extraordinary dilation to about equal extent. The shape is not exactly as in the necom-
])aiiying sketch ; but the expansicm is remarkably vascular, doubtless changes somewliat in
drying, and may not be quite alike in different specimens. J^xcepting this prodigy of a bill,
the characters are those of ordinary sandpipers, especially the smaller sjiecies of Actodromas.
Toes entirely free; hind toe extremely small ; middle toe and claw a little shorter than tarsus.
One species.
884. (addenda) E. pygmw'us. (Lat. ^y(irm<PMs, dwarf. Fig. 4il.) SrooN-niLLEi) Saxdpipeu..
Adult 9 ) iu breeding plumage : General apiiearance of a stint (as Actodromas minuiiUa, for
example), and size little greater. Coloration of upper parts
almost exactly as in the species just named, the feathers
being black, with indented light chestnut-red edgings, and
mostly grayish-white tips; crown simply streaked with the
reddish c<dor and black. Under parts white, the whole throat,
breast, and sides of the neck ovcTlaid with bright chestnut (as
in a highly-plumaged sanderliug), the breast, back of this
colored area, and the sides of the body, spotted with dusky.
Primaries plain dusky, with blackish outer webs and ends,
and mostly white shafts; secondaries mostly white from the
base ; greater coverts white-tipped. Bill and feet black.
Length probably 6.00 ; wing 3.90 ; tail almost gone, probably
1.75; tarsus 0.90; middle toe and claw 0.80; bill 0.90, the
spoon 0.45 wide; this singular instrument probably acting as
a sifter or strainer rather than as a shovel, in dabbling in soft
mire. (Described from No. 92,281, Mus. Smiths. Inst.,
Plover Bay, E. Siberia, June 20, 1S81, E. W. Nelson, figured
in colors in Nelson's Birds of Bering Sea, etc., Voyage of the
' Corwin,' Washington, 4to, 1883, p. 87. Only one other specimen in this plumage is known
to exist; figured in Ibis, 1809, p. 462, pi. 12 ; see also P. Z. S. 1871, p. 111. A plain ashy
and white plumage is more usual.) Asia, especially India, breeding on the eastern Arctic
coast of Siberia, and also on the Arctic coast of Alaska; one of the rarest of birds in collections,
only some 25-30 specimens being known, mostly from India ; in tliis country, there is prob-
ably at present scarcely another specimen known than the one here described.
242. LIMO'SA. (Lat. limosa, muddy, miry ; limus, mud, slime.) Godwits. Bill much longer
than head, longer than tarsus, curved a little upward. Culmen flattened toward end, but not
furrowed ; end of bill not notably enlarged or punctulated. Lateral groove of both mandibles
Fio. 441. — Spoonbilled Sandpiper,
nnt. size. (By Sliufeldt, from Kldg-
wny, after nature. )
scolopacw.j: .• godwits.
035
roaching nonrly to ond of bill; Byinitliywiil proovti loss cxtcmled. Gnpo of mouth iiioilcnitt',
.Mcarc'cly deft bcyoiitl luiao of t'uliiicii, lis in Snipes iiml Siiiidiiipci'tt, not as tisnnl anions 'I'attlcfs.
Winj{ long and jMiiiitinl ; tail sliort and sfjiiari'. 'J'iliia di'uudrd below for a niodrnitr space.
Tarsus longer than middle toe aud claw, scutellate before and behind, reticulate on sides. 'I'oes
short and stout, much Hattened uiidenieatli, and widely margined; outer and middle semi-
palmat(<, imier and middle with a slight web. .Si/e large; general aspect curlew-like, but
bill recurved, not deourved. In character of bill apiiroaehing Snipes, esiM'cialiy MHcrorhaiinihiim,
to which it is nearly related in some other res]iects, as seasonal changes of pluuiiige of most
species. Sexes similar. Two N. Am. species, and two others, occurriug iu Alaska and
Urecuhuul, from Asia and Euroi)e.
Anahjaia of Sper'wa.
Bump, tall nnd Uh upper coverts bnrred throiigliout with bhukUli and riifoug. Lining nf wingn vliciitnnt.
No extcnHlvo barring on under pnrtH, Ki> great Kcasonal cbangcH uf plumage 7 FcutluTH not oxIi'mU
Ing (111 itble (if under inumlible far boyoiul tlidHO on upper juiln C28
Rump, tiill, and Its upper covertfi barred tbrnughout wltli white and block. Lining of wliigK and axilhirH
white, with dusky marks iiniiiiniiiilia 031
Itump bhicklhh, upiier tall-covorta mostly white, tall black with white base and tip. Under parts In
■iiminvr liiteimo ferruginous, barred throughout. Lining of wings mostly blackish. Feathers extend-
ing on side of lower mandible to a point beyond those on upper h(vmii.ilira 629
Similar to L. luvmnalica ; rump, tail and its coverts substantially the same. Lining of wings and axillurs
white ajinrijihiilii 630
628. L. foo'da. (Lat. fada, ugly, ungainly, unseemly. Fig. 412.) Grkat Makhlkh Udhavit.
Marlin. Feathers not extending on side of lower mandible to a point far beyond those on upper.
No white anywhere ; rump, tail, and its coverts btirred
tliroughout with blackish and the body-cohir. Lining
of wings chestnut ; axillars the same, more or less
barred with black. General color rufous or light dull
eiiiiiamon-red, uniform imuI nearly uninti.'rrupted on ^^^^^^^^^^^W^n
iiU tiie under jiarts, richer and more chestnut on the
lining of the wings and axillars ; somewhat marked
with dusky on the sides of the breast and body; on
the whtdo ujiper part.s variegated with the brownish-
black central field of each fetither, the blackish pre-
dominating, leaving the rufous chiefly as scallops and «_^ ""'~s.~
tips of the feathers. This rufous very variable in in- ^~ — "
tensity ; usually paler on upper than on under jiarts,
and strongest under tho wings. Primaries rufous,
successively darkening from last to first, the outer
webs and ends of the few outer ones blackish, tho Kio. 442. -Oodwlt, greatly reduced. (Prom
shaft of the first white. Kill livid flesh-colored, *""''y' "
blackish (m about terminal third; legs ashy-blackish. Largo: length 10.00-22.00 niches;
extent 30.00-40.00; wing somewhero about 9.00; tail 3.00-4.00; bill 3..50-5.50, generally
about 4.00; tarsus 3.00, more or less; middle too and claw 1.50; few birds vary more in
size. Sexes not distinguishable ; no ashy and whitish plumage known. Temperate N. Am. ;
the largest of the "bay-birds" excepting the long-billed curlew; conspicuous by its size and
red color among tho waders that throng the shores and muddy or sandy bars of bays and
estuaries during the migration. Known to breed chiefly in the upper Mississippi and Eastern
Missouri regions, in Iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota, to tho Saskatchewan ; does not appear to
go far along tho Atlantic coast northward. Nests anywhere on the prairie, not necessarily
near water ; eggs 3-4, about 2.2S X 1.60, light olive-drab, numerously but not very boldly
spotted with various umber-brown shades, and the usual stone-gray shell-spots.
629. 1j. hsemas'tlca. (Gr. aifiatrriKSt, haimastikos, of bloody-red color.) Hl'dsoxiax God wit-
636
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOLJE.
American Black-tailed Godwit. Ring-tailed Marlin. Feathers on side of lower
luaudiblc reacliing to a jwiut far in advance of tliose on upper. Rump blackish. Most upper
tail-coverts conspi«mously wliite ; longest coverts and the tail-feathers black v;ith white bases,
those of the tail-featliers most extensive, and the latter also white-tipped. The aiipearaiice
of the parts conuectively is tlierefore of a black rump, then a broad white bar, then a broad
black bar, then a narrow white bar. Lining of wings sooty- blackisli, mixed with some wliite;
axillars black. Under parts rich ferruginous or chestnut-red, everywhere crossed with numer-
ous in'cgular black bars, several on each feather, and usually also crossed, especially behind,
w-ith similar white bars, such variegation of black, white, and red most pronounced on the
under tail-coverts. Upper parts blackisli (brownish-black with greenish gloss), intiinately
mixed witli rufous and ochrey or whitish, these lighter c(dors farming indentations on the edges
of each feather. Primaries blackish, with white shafts and white basal spaces ; their coverts
the same, with white tips. Bill light, probably orange or reddish, the terminal third black ;
legs black. Length 14.50-1G.50 ; extent 24.00-26.50; wing 7.50-8.50; tail 3.00-3.50; bill
2.75-3.50; tibia bare 1.00 or more; tarsus 2.23-2.55; middle too and claw 1.30-1.70. ?
averages larger than $ ; M-eight 9.00-9.50 oz. ; <J 7.50-8.00 oz. Immature or winter specimens :
Specific characters of wings and tail much tlm same. Upper parts dark ash, with blade shaft -
lines, the back varied more or less with black patches and whitish or rufesc^nt mai'kiugs.
Fio. 443. — WlUet, iiat. size. (Ad iiat. del. E. C.)
Under parts whitish, more or less rufescent, with traces of black bamng. N. Am. generally ;
C. and S. Am. and VV. I. ; not noted AV. of the It. Mts., and a])parently not common any-
where in the U. S. ; breeds in high latitudes. Tlie American representative of L. (cgocephala.
Eggs 4, average 2.18 X 1.40, very heavy brownish-olive, with the usual markings.
630. li. tegoce'phala. (Gr. aiyoKci^aXor, aigolcephalos, goat-headed ; name of some bird.) ElTRO-
PEAN Black-tailed Godwit. Very like the last ; characters of rump and tail substantially
the same ; at once distinguishable by white (not black) lining of wings and axillars. Europe,
etc. ; only American as occurring in Greenland.
031, li. uropygla'Ils. (Lat. vropygialis, relating to uropygium , \\\o rump.) White-tailed
Godwit. Pacific Bar-tailed Godwit. Rump, tail, and its up])cr coverts, white, more
or less tinged with rufous, barred throughout with black. Lining of wings and axillars white,
former varied, latter barred, with dark gray. In summer, upper parts blackish, everywhere
varied with rusty-red ; head, neck, and under parts rusty-red. In winter, grayish-brown
above, the feathers with darker centres and blackish shaft-lines ; below, whitish ; sides and
crissum with sagittate black marks. Averaging less than L. fada ; bill 3.50-4.50. A widely
distributed Old World sjiecies, very near the bar-tailed godwit of Europe, L. lapponim, and
probably identical with L. norcc-sealandia: ; lately ascertained to occur in Alaska, where it is
common, and known to breed. Eggs like those of other godwits, 2.22 X 1.47.
243. SYMPHE'MIA. (Gr. (rvfi<^i;/«, niivqjhemi, I speak with.) Semipalmate Tattlers. Bill
632.
SCOL OP A CIDJE : TA TTLEliS.
637
longer than head, straight, its tip n<it cxpauJed, knobbed, nor notably sensitive; grooved
abcut half its length only; culnien not turrowed. Gajie of month reaching beyond base of
culnieu. Bill much stouter tlian usual in Tattlers. Legs stout. Feet .semii)alinate, witli
decided web between inner and middle as well as outer and middle tu('s. Tarsus longer tlian
middle toe and claw, sciUellate betore and behind. (General characters of Tutanits at large,
but bill and feet stout, latter bluish, and toes seniipalniate. See fig. 4i).) One N. Am. species.
632. 8. semlpalma'ta. (Lat. semipalmata, half-webbed. Fig. 444.) Skmipai.m.vted Tatti.kh.
WiLLKT. Adult $ 9 > '» sunnnor : Upper parts ashy, confoundedly speckled to greater or
less extent with black-
isli ; this sometimes
giving tiie prevailing
tone, but in lighter col-
ored cases the blackish
restricted to an irregu-
lar central field on each
feather, throwing out
angular pnjcesses and
teuding to become
transverse bars. When
suiih dark fields pre-
vail, the upper parts
become <iuite blackish,
speckled with ashy-
white, like Totanus
melanoleucus, for ex-
ample. Furthermore,
there is often a slight ru-
fescence. Under parts
white, sometimes with a rufuus or brownish tinge, the juguluin and brea.'t spotted and streaked,
the sides barred or arrow-headed, with brownish-black. Axillars and lining of wing, edge of
wing and primary coverts, sooty-blackish. Primaries blackish, with a great sjiace white at
base, partly overlaid and concealed by the primary coverts, partly .showing conspicuously as a
speculum ; shafts white along this space. Most secondaries white ; most ui)per tail-c(jverts
white, the shorter ones dark like rnmp, the longer ones barred like tail. Tail ashy, incom-
pletely harred with blackish ; lateral feathers pale, or marbled with white. Hill dark ; legs
bluii.li. It is evidently a mistake to describe the willet as merely gray and white. Length
about Ki.OO; wing 8.00; tail 3.00; bill 2.23-2.75; tarsus the same; middle toe and claw
1.67. (J 9 hi winter, and young : Character of wing as before. Above, light a.shy. nearly
or quite uniform ; tail cinTe.sponding witli this gray state ; upper tail-coverts white, lielow,
white, shaded «ith ashy on the jugulum, breast, and sides. Every stage occurs between the
two here described. Temperate N. Am. at large, N. to 56° at least, but chiefly U. S. ; breeding
throughout its U. S. range, and resident in the Southern States. A large, stout tattler, known
at a glance by its white-mirrored black-lined wings and blue legs, too plentiful for such a wary,
restless, and noisy bird in marshes for the convenience of gunners, as its shrill reiterated <'ries,
incessant when its breeding places are invaded, alarm the whole neighborhood. Breeds by
pairs or in small companies in fresh or salt marshes ; nest a slight affair in a tussock of grass
or reeds just out of the water; eggs 3-4, 1.90 to 2.12 X 1-45 to 1.5.5, average 2.00 X 1.50,
less pointedly pyriform than usual in this family, brownish or huffy-olive or clay color, boldly
and distinctly spotted and splashed with umber-brown shades, little masst>d at the great end,
with the usual shell-markings.
Fig. 4U — WlIletB. (From Lewis.)
■^
638
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —LIMICOL^.
244. TO'TANUS. (Ital. totano, sciine bird of this kind.) Tattlers. Bill longer than head,
straight or nearly so, if anything rather bent up than down, \x'ry slender, without expansion at
tip or fuiTow on eulmen, the lateral grooves little if any more than half its length ; gape reach-
ing beyond base of ciihnen. Wing.s long, pointed; tail short, even or little rounded, barred in
color. Legs very long and slender ; tibiiu much denuded below; tarsi hmger than middle to(!
and claw, sentellate before and behind. Toes with decided basal M-ebbing between outer and
middle toe, that between inner and middle slight. Legs green or yellow. Numerous species
of various parts of the world.
Analysis of Speciea.
Legs yellow.
Leiigtli over 12; wing over 7 J tail 3 or more; bill over 2, bent up a little melanoleucus 033
Length uiuler 12; wing under 7; tail under 3; bill uiiiler 2, straight Jtaiiprs 334
Legs greenish ; size and form nearly as in T. melanolvucus ytollis 635
633. T. melanoleu'cus. (Gr. /if'Xas, melas, black ; X»u(cds, leucoH, white. Fig. 41.j.) Greater
Tell-tale. Greater Yellow-shanks. Loxc-LEuciED Tattler. Stone-snipe. Bill
034.
Fig. 445. — Greater Yellow-shanks, nut, size. (Ad nut. del. E. C.)
Straight or slightly inclined npwtird, not witli regular curve, but as if beat near the middle,
black or greenish-black. Legs very long and slender, chrome-yellow. Length 13.00-14.00 ;
extent 23.00-25.00; wing over 7.00, nearer 8.00 ; tail 3.00 or more ; bill 2.00 or more ; tarsus
about 2.50; middle toe and claw 1.70. Length from end of bill to end of outstretched feet 17
or IS inches. ^ 9 , adult : Above, blackish, more or less ashy accordintt to season, everywhere
speckled with whitish, in a series of indentations along edge of each feather; the markings
sjiotty on the back and wings, streaky on the head and neck. A slight white superciliary line.
Upper tail-coverts mostly white. Under parts white, the jugulum and fore-breast streaked,
the sides and Hanks, lining of wings and axillars barred and arrow-lieaded with the color of the
back. Tiiil like back, with numerous white bars, generally broken on the middle feathers.
Primaries blackish, with black slmfts, mostly with white tips; secondaries and their coverts
the same, but their edges marbled, spotted, or broken-barred with white. The seasonal
changes of plunutge are inconsiderable, consisting chiefly in the tone of the upper parts, more
blackish and white in summer, more gray and ashy in winter and in the yonng ; and in the
emphasis of the dark mtirkings of the under ptirts. N. Am. at large ; in U. S. chiefly as a
migrant, and in winter ; breeds in high latitudes ; abundant, like the last a noisy, restless
denizen of the marshes, bays, and estuaries.
T. fla'vlpes. (Lat. fliwipen, yellow-foot.) Lesser Tell-tale. Yellow-shanks. A
miniature of the last ; ctdors precisely the same ; legs comparatively longer ; bill grooved
rather farther, perfectly straight. Length under 12.00, usually 10.00-11.00 ; extent 19.00-
21.00; wing under 7.00 ; tail 2.50; bill always under 2.00, about 1.50; tarsus about 2.00;
SCOLOPACin^ : TATTLERS.
639
middle toe and claw, and bare tibia, each, 1.25. N. Am., abundant, in the same places as
the last. Breeds frf)ni the N. States UDrtluvard, and winters in the U. S. Eggs H-4, pointedly
pyriform, 1.58 to 1.78 X about l.Ki ; ground clay-eidor, buffy or creamy, not olivaceous, tlie
markings showing boldly on the pale ground, but in great diversity, some eggs being heavily
splashed with blotches confluent about the great end, others having small elean-edged spots all
over the surface ; markings rich umber, chocolate, or blackish, with neutral-tint shell-spot.s.
035. T. glot'tis. (Gr. yXMrra, (jlotta, the tongue ; i. e. noisiness.) Gi{EEN'-.shanK8. .Size and
form almost exactly as in T. vielanoleucus : rather smaller ; bill about 2.25; wing 7-50; tail
3.25 ; tarsus 2.50 ; colors nearly the same, but bill and legs greenish ; n\\\\\\ and Iowct back,
as well as the tail and its coverts, white with more or fewer dark marks, chictiy broken bars
or otlier variegation on the tail-feathers alone. " Florida." T. glottis Afn., B. Am., 8vo ed.,
V, 321, pi. 31C. There is no reason to suppose that this bird is anytliing more than a strag-
gler to this country ; Audubon's specimen is absolutely identical with European ones.
245. RHYACO'PHILUS. (Gr. pva$, gen. pvaKos, hrunx, hruakos, a brook ; (ftiXot, phiios, loving.)
GuEEN Tattleks. Bill moderately longer than head, perfectly straigiit, very slender,
grooved a little beyond its middle. Legs not very long for this group ; tarsus little e.xceeding
middle toe and claw; bill and legs both dark-colored. Only the most rudiuu'utary web
between inner and middle toe ; a moderate one between outer and middle. Upper parts dark-
colored ; tail rounded, fully barred with white. Small.
Analysis of Species.
Length over 9.00; upper tail-coverts white ; legs grayi»Ii-blue , ocliropus 03C
Length under 9.00; upi)er tail-coverts lll<e bavic ; legs grceiiisli, drying blackish solilarius ti37
630. R. och'ropus. (Gr. ^xpos, ochros, pale, .sallow, wan; irovs, pons, foot; not well chos'-i.)
Green Saxdpu'ER. Upper parts blackish-brown, with faint olivaceous metallic gloss,
streaked on the iiead and neck, speckled on the back and wings, with wliite ; upper tail-coverts
white. Tail white at base ; lateral pair of rectrices white, others marked with white and
blackish in bars. Below, white, jugulum and sides marked with dusky. Bill blackish ; iris
brown ; feet grayish-blue, greenish on the joints. Length about 10.00 ; wing 5.50 ; tail 2.50 ;
bill 1.50 ; tarsus 1.30. Nova Scotia ; a straggler from Europe (one instance, Bull. Nuttall
Club, iii, 1878, p. 19).
637. R. solita'rius. (Lat. .Wi'taniM, solitary ; so?((s, alone. Fig. 44G.) Solitary Tattler. A.mer-
ICAK Greex Sandpiper. $ ? , adult :
Above, dark lustrous <dive-brown, streaked
on the head and neck, elsewhere finely speck-
led, with white; no continuous white on rump
or upper tail-coverts. Below, white; tlie jug-
ulum and sides of neck shaded with brownish -«^ ^^^ .
and streaked with dusky ; sides, axillars, and "^^y ^~
lining of wings regularly barred with dusky. Fio. 44C.— Solitary Sandpiper, nat. size. (Ad nat.
Rump and upper tail-coverts like back ; tail •'*'• *■• *^''
bcai..ifully and regularly barred throughout with black and white; white ])revailing on the
outer feathers, where the dark bars nuty be broken, and white reduced to a scries of marginal
spots on the middle feathers. Primaries and edge of wing blackish, unmarked ; secondaries
like back, mostly unmarked, the inner ones gradually gaining white spots. Bill blacki.sli ;
legs dull greenish (drying quite black, like many scrophulariaceous plants). Lentrth 8.00-
9.00, usually between the.se figures; extent 15.50-17.00; wing 4.75-5.40 ; tail 2.25; bill
1.12-1.24; tarsus 1.20-1.30; middle toe and claw 1.12-1.20. Young: Above, lighter and
less olivaceous brownish, without gloss, the speckling less, or else of a rusty tinge. Suffusion
of jugulum paler and more restricted. White around and over eye better defined. Bill and
feet ashy-greeuish. N. America, the representative of R. ochropus; N. to Alaska. Breeds
640
SYSTEMA TIC SYXOPSIS. — LIMICOLJE.
in N. U. S. aud northward, if not also thn)ngh most of its U. S. rangr; M'inters altogpthor
or chioHy cxtniliuiital. Almndant during tlic migrations; a sliy, ((iiict inliabitant of wet woods
aud niwidows and s(!eludi'd pools, rather tlian of the niurslifs. Eggs still (1883 !) desiderata;
but SCO Bull. Nuttall Club, iii, 1878, p. 107; Now England Bird Life, ii, 1883, p. 210; and
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 20, p. 97.
246. TRINGOI'DKS. (Gr. rpvyyas, triujgas, Lat. tryngas, or tringa, a sandi)ij)er; tiCoy, eichu, re-
semblanoe.) Spotted Saxiu'II'kk.s. Bill straiglit, only about as long as head ortarsus, grooved
for about three-fourths its length. Tibiiu scarcely denuded for half the length of tarsus. Tar-
sus about as long as middle toe and claw. Outer and niiddle toes webbed for the length of
their first joints; inner cleft. Tail fully half as hmg as the wing. Upper parts glossy,
under spotted on white ground; bill and feet pale. Of small size.
638. T. iniwula'rlus. (Lat. wiacu/artMS, spotted. Fig. 447.) Spotted Saxopiper. ^9, adult:
Above, silken ashen-olive ((juaker-eolor — as in our
cuckoos) with a coppery lustre, finely varied with
blackish, in streaks on head and neciv, elsewhere in
wavy or otherwise irregular cross-bars. Line over
eye, and entire under parts, pure white, with nu-
merous sharp circular black spots, larger and nioro
crowded in the 9 than in the ^. Secondaries and
Fio. 447. — Si)ottoa Saiid|(iper, nat. Blze. their coverts broadly white-tipped ; some white feath-
(Adiiat. del. E. C.) , i i r • -n , ,• • o ■
ers along bendof wnig; axiUars and lining of wmgs
white, the latter with an oblique dusky bar. Primaries and most of tlu; secondaries brownish-
black, with brown shafts and large white basal spaces, concealed in the folded wing, consjiicuoua
in tiiglit. Upper tail-coverts aud middle tail-featliers like back ; lateral ones .successively acquir-
ing white tips ; outer with several incomplete white bars. Feet jiiiikish-white, drying yellow-
ish. Bill flesh-color, black-tipped; sometimes much of cnlinen dusky; sometimes much of
under mandible orange. $ : Lougth 7.25-7.60; extent 13.00-13.,')0 ; wing 3.S0-4.00 ; bill,
tarsus, and middle toe with claw, each 0.95-1.00. 9 : Length 7.60-7.90 ; extent, 13.50-U.OO ;
wing 3.90-4.10. Young: Above, less glossy, with litth' if any blackish variegation. Below,
white, entirely free from spotting. Downy young : Below, white ; above, mottled with dark
brown and buff; a sharp black strijie from top <if head down middle of back, aud au(jtlier
through eye. N. Am. at largC; extremely abundant everywhere near water, and breeding
throughout the country ; winters in Southern States and beyond ; familiarly known as the
sandlark, pectweet, teeter-tail, tip-up, etc., these last names being given in allusion to its
habit (shared by allied species) of jetting the tail as it moves ; a custom as marked as the
continual bobbing of the head of the solitary tattler and otliers. Nest a slight affair of dried
grasses, on the ground, often in a field or orchard, but generally near water; eggs 4, jiointed,
creamy or clay-colored, blotched with blackish and neutral tint ; about 1.30 X 100.
247. MACHE'TES. (Gr. /iaxi/rijs, muchetes, a fighter.) Fiohtino Sandpipers. Bill straight,
about as long as head, shorter than tarsus, grooved nearly to tij). Gape reaching behind
cuhnen. Outer and middle toe webb(>d at base ; inner cleft. Tarsus longer than middle too
and claw. Tail about half as long as wing, baired. $ in the breeding season with the face
bare and beset with papillae, and the neck with an extravagant frill or ruffle of elongated
feathers. 9 without these ornaments.
639. M. piig'nax. (Lat. ^^K^/nrtj-, pugnacious. Fig. 448.) Riff, $. Reeve, 9- Combatant.
Gambetta. Adult ^, in wedding dress : Varied above with black, brown, buff and chestnut,
the sides of rump white ; under parts white, breast and sides and crissum black, spotted with
white ; tail brown, barred with chestnut and M-hite ; quills dusky, with white shafts ; wing
coverts ashy-brown. Bill blackish, fiesh-colored at base ; legs dingy yellow ; warty excres-
cences yellow ; feathers of the ruff endlessly varied in color. Length about 12.00 ; wing 7.00 ;
SCOLOPACID^: : TATTLEBS.
641
248.
taJl 3.00; bill 1.50; tarsus 2.00. 9 smallor, lacking the ruff and tuborelos, otr. A widely
distributed bird of the Old World, noted for its pugnacity; occasionally killed on the coast of
New England and the Middle States. (Lawrence, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., v, 1852, p. 220,
Long Island. Coues, Pr. Esse.\ Inst., v, 1868, j). 290 ; New England. Brewster, Am. Nat.,
vi, 1872, p. 300; Massachusetts. Brewster, Bull. Nuttall Club, i, 1870, p. 19; Maine.
Wheaton, Bull. Nuttall Club, ii, 1877, i». 83; Ohio. —Forest and Stream, Oct. 7, 1880, p.
186 ; Massachusetts. See Freke, Zoologist, Sept. 1881, p. 376.)
BARTRA'MIA. (To Wm. Bartrani.) Bill rather shorter than liead, much shorter than tar-
sus, about equal to middle toe ; straight, the culinen a little concave in most of its length, the
010.
^sP-iJ^.^^ .-^^/X'l
Fio. 448. — The liulf, cf , in full featber, } nat. size. (From Brehm.)
upper mandible grooved for three-fourths its length. Gape very wide and deep, reaching below
eyes. Feathers on side of lower mandible si^arcelyor not reaching opposite those on upper, and
n.>t filling the interramal space. Tail very long, more than one-half the wing, graduated.
Wings moderate, pointed. TibiaB denuded for nearly the length of the middle toe. Tarsi
scutellate before and behind, much longer than middle toe and claw. Outer toe moderivtely
webbed; inner cleft to the base. Size medium; neck and legs long; head small; coloration
higiily variegated ; sexes alike ; no great seasonal changes. One species.
B. longicau'da. (Lat. longus, long ; Cauda, tail.) Bartramian Sandpiper. Bartram's
Tattler. Upland Plover. Field Plover. Grass Plover. Prairie Pigeon. Adult
(J 9 • Above, blackish, intinuitely variegated with tawny or whitish edgings of all the
feathers ; blackish prevailing on :rown and back, the lighter colors on the hind neck and
41
04^
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — UMICOLJE.
249.
wings; on the scapulars and long inner seoondaries the black resolved in re|G;ular angular bars
on a greenish-brown field. Ruuip uiid most up])er tail-coverts brownish-bluek, uuviiried ; a
fow of the longer coverts barred to correspond witli tail. Middle tail-feathers dark ashy-
brown, with paler or rufesceut edges, and irregular or broken bars, throughout ; other tail-
fcatliers becoiuing orange-brown, with numerous irregular or broken bars or spots of black ;
with one broad, firm, subtermiual black bar, aud tips white for a distance increasing on succes-
sive feathers. Under parts dull soiled white, or tawny-white, the rufescence strongest on
jugulum and breast, the jugulum streaked with blackish, and sides with sharp arrow-heads
of the same. Axillars and liuiug of wings pure white, regularly barred with black. Prim-
aries brownish-black; the 1st at least, and sometimes all of them, barred with white on the
inner webs ; shaft of the first white, of the otliers brown. .Secoudaries like ]>rimaries, but
usually barred with white on both webs, the inner ones gradually assiiniluting with the back
in diaracter of markings. Rill yellow, with black ridge and tip; feet dull yellowish, drying
darker; iris dark brown. Length 11.75-12.75; extent 21.50-23.00; wing 6.25-7.00; tail
about 3.50; tarsus 1.75; bill, and middle toe and claw 1.00-1.25. Downy young: Varie-
gated above with white, brown, or black ; white below ; bill bluish with dark tip ; legs clay-
color. They are 5 or () inclies long before any feathers sprout. N. Am. at large, rare W. of
the R. Mts., in profusion on the jirairies of the interior, and co.iimon eastward; X. to the
Yukon. Breeds from the middle districts northward ; winters e.xtralimital. A fine game
bird ; but thi-se who only know it when its fears are excited by incessant jiersecution have
little idea what fi gentle and confiding creature it is on the western prairies. Nest any-
where on the prairie, in June ; eggs normally 4, averaging 1.75 X 1.28 ; clay-cidor or jmle
creamy-brown without olive shade ; spotted all over, but most thickly at the large (nid, witli
small, sharji, rounded surface marks of umber-brown, among which are tl>e i)uriilish-gray shell-
spots ; the spots rarely if ever larger than a split pea, and seldom confluent.
TRYN'GITES. (Gr. rpvyyas, triKjgas, a sandpii)cr, with suffix -njy, -tes.) MARnLE-wiXfi
Sandpipers. Bill shorter than head, very slender, tapering, and acute, grooved nearly its
whole length, and thus much as in Tringa ; but gape of mouth extensive, and end of bill not
dilated and sensitive. Frontal feathers embracing base of upju-r mandible in nearly transverse
outline, and extending (piite to nostrils ; those on side of under mandible reacliing further still,
and t< ose of chin completely filling the interramal sjiace ; such extension of the feathers
making the bill appear remarkably short. AViugs of ordinary shape. Tail about one-half
as long as wings, rounded, with projecting central feathers. Tibiaj denuded below for a
space less than length of middle toe. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. Toes cleft to
the base, or with only the most rudimentary basal webbing. Primaries peculiarly marbled in
color. Tail not barred. Related to Tringa in many respects ; but the acute and hardened
tip of the bill, and long gape, are totanine, and on the whole the affinities seem to be with
the last genus. One species.
(Lat. rtifescens, rufescent, reddish. Fig. 419.) BrFF-HREASTED Sandpiper.
(J 9 , adult, in breeding plumage : Above, brownish-
black with a greenish gloss, every feather broadly nuir-
giued with tawny or yellowish-brown, the latter the
l)r(ivailing tone. Under parts buff or fawn-colored, with-
out nuirkings except a few small blackisli spots on sides
of breast. Central tail-feathers greenish-brown, blacken-
ing at ends ; others paler, often rufescent, with white or
Pio. 449. — Buff-lireasted Sandpiper, tawny tips and subtermiual black bar; and usually, also,
Ut size, (Adnat. del. E. C.) some bliusk marbling or streaking. Primaries and sec-
ondaries ashy-brown blackening at end, the extreme tip white — most of the inner webs
of the primaries, and both webs of the secondaries pearly white, speckled and marbled witli
641. T. rufes'cens.
SCOLOPACID^: TATTLERS.
648
black. This curious tracery, best seen from below, is diacniistic; though tho precise pat-
tern varies iutcriniiuibly. Tlie patch of uuilor coverts at tlie bases of ilie primaries have
tho same character. Axillars wliitc ; lining of wings wliite or rufescent. Iris brown.
Bill brownish-black; legs greenisii or yellowish. Length 7.50-8.25; e.\tent about 16.00;
wing 5.00-5. "25; tail 2.50; bill along culnieu 0.(57-0.75, along gape 1.00; tarsus 1.20;
middle too and claw under 1.00. Fall plumage : Under parts less rufescent, frequently simply
tawny-whitisli; and the broad ochrey or tawny edgings of the featiiers of the upper parts
replaced by narrow whitish streakings, in a set of semicircles. Wings and tail as in sjjring.
N. Am. at large, and a frequent European straggler, but apparently nowhere abumlaiit ;
migratory in the U. S. ; 8. in winter through S. Am. ; breeds in high latitudes. Eggs usually
4, pointedly pyriform, 1.40 to 1.50 X 1-02 to 1.10; the ground chiy, st)metimcs slightly oliva-
ceous, often vinito grayish ; markings extremely bold and sharp, in heavy blotches and indeter-
minate spots all over the eggs, but largest and most numerous at the greater end ; colors rich
umber-brown, of varying shade. Nearest thcso blotched samples are the splashed ones, with
markings massed at greater end, elsewhere sjdattered in small pattern. Others are spotted with
narrow markings radiating from the large end, almost wreathing about the greatest diameter.
All with the usual neutral-tint shell-markings; most with scratchy blackish marks over all.
250. HETERO'SCELUS. (Gr. «r»pof, /teteros, different, otherwise ; a-KfXos, skelos, leg.) SiiouT-
LKOGED Tattler. Hill totanine, longer than head or tarsus, straigiit, rather stout, much ci im-
pressed, both mandibles grooved for about two-thirds their length, with inflected tomia lieyoiul.
Gai>o of mouth extending beyond base of column : feathers of equal extent on sides nf botli
nnindibles, those of chin reaching much farther. Wings long, pointed, folding about to end of
tail ; 1st and 2d quills subeipial and longest. Tail short, less than half the wing, nearly even.
Legs short, somewhat rugous, reticulate except on front of tarsus, whei'c imperfectly or incom-
pletely scutellate ; tibiie denuded for a space about half as long as tarsus ; tarsus longer than
middle toe and claw, shorter than bill; outer longer than inner lateral toe; a large basal web
between outer and middle, a rudimentary one between midtUe and iimer ; bind toe long, abcmt
equalling 1st joint of inner toe. One species, remarkable for the character oi tarsal envelope
and perfect un'firmity of color of upper parts.
9i%, H. Inea'nus. (Lat. incanits, (piite gray.) Wandering Tattler. Upper parts perfectly
uniform dark plumbeous, or slaty-gray, including tlie wluilly unmarked tail, wing-coverts, and
inner quills, the longer quills gradually blackening, tho shaft of the first primary nearly all
white ; a white line over eye. Lining of wings, axillars, and sides nf body crdored like the back,
but varied with white. Under parts in general white ; in o>ic plumage without nuirlcings, but
heavily shaded on neck, breast, and sides with the color of the back ; in another, heavily
marked with blackish-plumbeous — speckled on throat, streaked on neck, wavy-barred on breast,
sides, and crissum. Bill black, apparently pale at base of under mandible. Lengtii abtuit
10.00; wing 6.50; tail 3.00; bill 1.50; tarsus 1.25; mid-
dle toe and claw a little less. A species of almost universal
distributi(jn on the coast and islands of the Pacific, com-
mon in summer on the shores of Alaska ; described under
at least twelve different names.
251. NUME'NIUS. (Gr. vtos, neos, new; firivrj, mene, the
moon: the long cur\-ed bill, like a crescent. Fig. 450.)
Curlews. Bill of very variable length, always longer
than head, probably .always exceeding the tarsus, some-
times more than length of entire leg; slender, curved
downward, the tip of the upper mandible knobbed and
overhanging the end of the lower; obsoletely grooved nearly to end. Gape of mouth
extended beyond base of culmen. Feathers reaching about equally far on sides of each nian-
Fio. 450. — Long-billed Curlew, greatly
reduced.
e#
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LIMICOLJE.
diblo. Wings and tail ordinary; latter barred in wdor. Lcrs rather stout; tibiw largely
denuded below; tarsus much longer than middle toe and daw, sentellate in front only, else-
where reticulate. Toes short and thick, flattened underneath, broadly margined on sides.
Of largo and medium stature, and plumi) form. Coloration variegated; rufous usually prevail-
ing. Sexes alike ; changes of plumage not pronounced. A cosmopolitan genus of several
S2)ecies ; in character of bill unique, in that of the legs very similar to Limosa. In fact,
barring the bill, Numenius hngirosiris closely resembles Liinosa fceda. It is a curious fa(!t
that Old and New World representatives of both these genera dift'er from each other in a simi-
lar maimer, the former having the rump, tail and its coverts, and lining of wings white, barred
or not, while some or all of these parts in the latter are dark. Compare Limosn fceda with L.
uropygialls ; L. hudsonica with L. lapponica ; Numenius hudsonicus with N. phaiopus, etc.
043.
Fig. 451. — The European Curlew, Xumeniui arguatus, I nut. size. (From Brebm.)
Analysis qf Species.
Feathers of belly bristle-tipped taitensis
Feathers of belly normal.
Rump white, more or less sjHjtted with dusky.
Upper tall-coverts and under wlng-coverts white spotted and barred wltli dusky . . p?UKopus
Sump, upper tall-coverts and lining of wings not white.
Primaries varied with rufous. General coloration strongly rufous, especially below ; lining of
wings deepest rufous, little or not varied. Large ; bill 4-6-8 inches longirostris
Primaries varied with rufous or whitish. General coloration scarcely or not rufous; lining of
wings entirely varied. Medium-sized ; bill 8-4 inches huasnnicus
Primaries not varied with rufous or whitish. General coloration scarcely or not rufous; lining
of wings entirely varied. Smallest ; bill under 3 Inches borealis
MT
644
643
64S
646
644.
G45.
A'C'OL OP A CIDjE : CURLE WS.
646
643. N. loagiros'trls. (Lat. to«(;Ms, long; ro.s<»Hw, betik.) Loxa-BiLLED Curlew. Sickle- iiii.u
Hill of extrt'ine length iiiul curvature, inwisuriiig tVoni 4 to or S iuclifs. Of iargi'st size : length
24.00 or more; extent aS.OO; wing 10.00-12.00; tail about 4.00; tarsus •2.;,j-;i.o0. IMumago
very similar to that of the goilwit, Limom fvedu : prevailing tone rufous, of varying intcn.-'ity
in ilitfereut specimens, usually ileepest on the lining of tlie wings, which are little varic.l with
other color. Primaries varied with rufous. Top of head variegated with blackish and rufous
or whitish, without distinct pale median and hiteral lines. Upper parts brownish- black,
speckled with tawny or cinuamou-brown, each feather having several indentations or broken
bars of this color; rufous prevailing on wing-coverts. Tail-feathers and secondaries einnamon-
hrown, with pretty regular dark bars througliout. Under parts rufous or ciimamon of varying
intensity, usually di.'epcning to chestnut under the wings, fading to whitish on throat; the
jugulum and fore-breast with dusky streaks which tend on the sides of breast and body to arrow-
heads or more or less complete bars ; lining of wings, axillars, and crissum, mostly unmarked,
though some spots may appear. No white on rump, tail, or wings. Hill black, much of under
mandible pale-flesh-color or yellowish ; legs dark. Little variation in plumage with sex, iige,
or season. Chicks hatch in whitish down, thickly blotched above with brownish-black; tlio
bill striiight, an inch long. Like other exceptional develoi)ments of parts of birds, this member
grows to indetermi-
nate length. Up to .. -:--.-i-T ;-:,-. -
the time it is not over
3 or 4 inches long,
the species may be
distinguished from N.
hiuhonicus by the
strong rufesecnce of
tlieundcrparts, which
are nearly clear of
dark markings. En-
tire temperate N.
Am. ; breeds nearly
throughout its range ;
migratory northward,
resident in the south,
but also S. in winter
to C. Am. ; uncom-
mon in New England.
XT « 1 ]• 1 FlO. 452. — Hmlsonlnn Curlew, miieli reduced. (From Lewis.)
Nests aboundnigly on '
the S. Atlantic coast, and on the prairies of the Northwest. Eggs 3-4, not very pear-shaped,
more like hen's eggs; 2.45 to 2.80 long by 1.80-1.90 broad; clay-colored, tending either to
darker olivaceous shades or to buff; spotting generally pretty uniform and of small pattern,
in some cases blotched or massed at the greater end, of sepia, chocolate, or umber-brown, the
paler shell-markings usually numerous and evident.
644. N. phse'opus. (Gr. <^aws, jj/tfliV/s, dusky, swarthy ; jroCy, poMS, foot.) Etropeax Wiiimhuel.
In stature and general character resembling the Hudsonian curlew ; at once distinguished from
that species by the white rump, upper-tail coverts and lining of wings, spotted or barred with
dusky. An extensively distributed Old World species, only N. American as occurring in
Greenland.
645. N. hudson'lcus. (Of Hudson's Bay. Fig. 452.) Hudsonian Curlew. Jack Curlew. Of
medium size ; bill moderate in length, stout, curved. Bill 3 or 4 inches long. Length 16.00-
18.00 ; extent 32.00 ; wing 9.00-10.00 ; tail 3.50 ; tarsus 2.25-2.50. General tone of coloration
646
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS— LIMICOL^.
scarcely rufmis, the under parts, and the variegation of the upper, hciug whitish or ochmccouo.
No wliito on rump, tail, or lining of wings. Top of head uniform blackish-brown, with well-
defined wiiitish median and lateral stripes (as h\ phaopm, but neither longiro8tna nor borealis).
Upper parts brownisii-black, speckled with whitish, oehraceous or pale cinnamon-brown, in
same pattern as in longirostris, but the dark in excess of the light colors, and these never
strongly rufesccnt. Tail ashy-brown (not rufous), with numerous narrow blackish bars. Prima-
ries fuscous, marbled or brokeu-baiTcd with pale color (pattern as in lotifjirostris, tone not
strongly r«f(jus). Lining of wings and axillars rufescent, but spotted or barred throughout with
dusky. Uuder parts soiled whitish or somewhat oclu-aceous, only obscurely rufescent on cris-
sum, if anywhere ; the jugulum and fore-breast with dusky streaks which, as in other sjjecies,
change to arrow-heads or incomplete bars on sides of breast and body. IJill blackish, some
part of lower mandible pale ; feet dark. The N. Am. n'presentativo of N. phaopm, but
obviously different ; generally distributed, not so common as either lotigirostris or horealis ;
breeds in high latitudes, migratory through the U. S., wintering in the S. .States and far beyond.
Eggs of iuteriuediato size, but not distinguishable with certainty, the markings being as in
other species; 2.12 to 2.30 long, by about 1. GO broad.
646. N. borea'lis. (Lat. borealis, northern.) Eskimo Curlew. Doroii-niRU. Of smallest
size ; bill short, slender, and little curved. Bill 2.00 or more, perhaps never 3.00. Length
J2.00-15.00; extent 28.00 ; wing under 9.00; tail 3.00; tarsus 2.00 or less. General tone
little rufescent, the under parts and the variegation of the tipjicr rather oehraceous than rufous.
Top of head variegated throughout, without median line, but with tolerably well dctined
wliitisli superciliary stripes. Upper parts brownish-black, speckled with oehraceous or very
pale cinnamon brown, the general effect as in hudsonicus ; dark ctdoration in excess c)f the
pale. Tail barred much as in hudsonicus, the broader light bars often rufescent. Priuuiries
and most secondaries jdain fuscous, entirely lacking the variegation seen in the foregoing.
Under parts oehraceous, t)r somewhat rufescent, very variable, fre(juently whitish, marked as
in other species with dusky streaks, arrow-heads, or bars, but these more numerous, frecpu'Utly
occupying all the under parts, excej)ting chin and middle of belly. Axillars and lining of
wings rufescent, barred throughout with dark brown. Bill black, with ba.se of lower nuindibh'
pale <>r yellowish ; feet greenish-black. In handling perhaps a hundred fresh-killed birds, I
have noted much variation in tone, but the sjjeiues is unmistakable. N. Am. at large, breeding
within the Arctic circle, migrating through the U. S., where rarely if ever known to winter,
never to summer, and wintering in C and S. Am. Extraordinarily abundant in some places
during the migration, as in Labrador, where it fairly swarms in August. In the nort' ern
regions, feeds chiefly on th(! Empetrum nigrum. Nest in open plains. Eggs 4, from 1.90 to 2.12
long, by 1.33 to 1.40 broad ; (dive-drab, tending to green, gray, or brown in different cases, with
large, bold and numerous markings of bistre, chocolate and sepia-brown, tending to aggregate
on the greater end, with the ordinary stone-gray shell-marks.
647. N. ta'iten'sis. (Of Otahiti.) Otahiti Curlew. Bristle-bellied Curlew. Of medium
size, about equalling K. })h<eoj)US ; wing 9.00 or more ; tail 4.00 ; bill about 3.50 ; tareus about
2.25. Crown with light median and superciliary lines; upper parts brownish-black, with the
usual tawny variegation ; no white on rump, tail, or lining of wings ; tail and its coverts tawny,
the coverts spotted or streaked with dusky, the rectrices pretty regularly and firmly baired with
about 6 dusky bands, and tipped with tawny- white; lining of wings and axillars fully baiTcd
with tawny and dusky. Primaries blackish, varied to some extent on inner webs, the shaft of
the first white. Under parts pale tawny, the chin white, the jugulum thickly streaked, the
sides more loosely barred with dusky, Init most of under parts inunaculate, and nuuiy feathers,
especially of the flanks, ending in long glistening bristles. Bill and feet dark. Alaska, not
common, perhaps only a straggler from Asia ; a well-known and abundant curlew of various
Pacific islands, only recently added to our fauna.
HERODIONESi HEBOXS AND THEIR ALLIES.
647
Vni. Order HERODIONES: Herons and their Allies.
AUridal GiaUatores: inchuliiiij the Ilprnns, Stoik»,
Ibises, iSpudiibills, and roliitPil birds. Tiiu species
avenvfo of largo size, some standing niiumg the tall-
est of Carinatc birds, witU ooinprossi'd body and ox-
trenioly long neck and legs. The neek has usually
15-17 vertebra', and is eajmble of very strung flexion
in S-shape. The tibiic are naked below ; the podo-
theca varies. The general pterylosis is peeuliar, in
the presence, in central groups of this order, of
powder-down tracts, and in some other respects. The
oil-gland is present, and tufted. A part if not the
wlude of the head is naked as a rule, as much of
the neck also frequently is. The toes, usually long
and slender, are never fully welibed. The hallux is
more or less lengthened, and either little elevated, or
else perfectly insistent. A foot of insessorial character
results ; the species frequently perch on trees, where
the nest is usually i)laced. 'J'he jihysiological nature
is nltricial and usually psilopiedic ; the young hatch-
ing naked, unable to stand, and being fed in the nest.
The food is fish, reptiles, molhisks, and other animal
matters, generally procured by spearing with ii quick
thrust of the bill, given as the birds stand in wait,
or stalk stealthily along; hence they are sometimes
called Graiiatores (stalkers). The bill normally rep-
resents the "cultrirostral" pattern ; it is as a rule of
lengthened wedge shape, hard and acute at end if not
hard throughout, with sharj) cutting edges; enlarging
regularly to the base where the skull contracts gradu-
ally in sloping down to meet it ; but deviations from
such typical shape are frequent and striking. It is
firmly affixed to the skull, and always longer than the
head. The nostrils are small, elevated, surrounded
by bone and a horny sheath, with little if any soft
skin. The wings normally show a striking dift'enmco
from those of Limicolce, in being long, broad, and ample. The tail is short and few-feathered,
usually having 12 rectrices.
The cranial characters, though varying to some extent, agree in several important respects.
The palatal structure is desmognathous, but without keel along line of junction; the maxillo-
palatines arc large and spongy. The nasal bones are typically holorhinal ; schizorhinal in
Ibides ; in which, also, the angle of the mandible is produced and recurved, being noinially
truncate. The sternum is ample, once or twice notched on each side behind. The cervical
vertebrje are numerous ; usually 15-17. The trachea and bronchi present some remarkable
dispositions, but here and there only, such conformations being therefore not characteristic of
the order. The carotids are double (in Bofaunis (fig. 93) unique, as far as known, in uniting at
once). An intestinal coBcum or two cccca, present. Different genera vary in the classificatory
muscles of the leg, the ambiens, femoro-caudal, and its accessory being present or absent.
Fig. 4.')3. — Tlie Bittern's Bog.
Michelct.)
(From
648
SYS JEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — HEHODWNKS — i HIDES.
The group hero noted corresponds to the I'dimjomorithw of lliixley, tlio Cicoiiiijhrmrs of
Gnrrod (minus ('alh(irliihe.'),i]w Grnlhitores tilliiKirex of Sundeviill, iind inchides tlw Hvroilia',
PeUirifi, iiiid Ueiiii(jli)ttiiles itf Nitzscli, — respectively tiie Hmin series, the Stork series, and tjie
m-rivs of Ihise.'* and Sjtooubilh. Tiie first of thehc differs more from tlie otiiers than thesi; do
from one anotlier. As usual, there are eertain oiitlyin;; genera, types of fanalies or suhfauiilies,
the (xisition of wliieii is not assured, lint appearances are tluit tlie ((Uestionaldo forms will
fall in iMie or another of the three series indicated. All of these series, to he conventionally
rated as suhorders or superfiimilies, aro rei)re8euted in North America, where also all the large
Hud leading families occur.
12. Suborder IBIDES: The Ibis Serifs.
Skull schizorhinal. Angle of mandihie produced and recurved. Anihiens musele, femoro-
rnudal aiul accessory, st'mitendinosus and accessory, ami post-acetahidar portion of tensor fasciie,
present; pectoralis nuijor simjdc; hicepscubiti connected with tensor patai;ii longus. Sternum
double-notched on each side. Carotids double, normal. 'J'wo int(>stinal cieea. Tongue ex-
tremely small. A tufted oil-glaud. I'lunuige without powder-down; feathered tracts broad.
Tarsi reticuhito (rarely scutellate). Hallux n((t fairly insistent. Claws resting upon a horny
" shoe." Inner edge of middle chiw not, or not fairly, pectinate. Side of upper mandible with
a deep narrow groove for its wlnde length ; bill otherwise very differently shaped in the two
families, Ibidida and IHatakidee, of which this series consists.
43. Family IBIDID-^ : Ibises.
Bill very long and slender, compressed-cylindrie, curve<l throughout, deeply grooved
nearly or quit(Mo tij), which is rather obtuse, not notched; end of cuhnen rather broad and
depressed, in the rest of its extent the culmen narrow and rounded; interranuil s]iace narrow,
acute, produced nearly to tip of bill. (Whole bill thus closely resembling a Curlew's ; one of
our species is frequently called " Spanish Curlew.'') Legs rather short (for Jlciodioiwn).
Claws com presfied, acute ; the middle maybe dilated and jagged, but is not fairly pectinate.
Hallux sub-insistent. Tarsi reticulate, or scutellate in front only. Anterior toes more or less
webbed at base. Pteryhisis more or less coin\detely stork-like, lacking the i)owder-dowu
tracts of Herons : head more or less extensively denuded. Birds of medium and large size
(among Herodiones), long-legged, long-necked and small-bodied, with ample more or less
rounded wings, of which the inner quills are very large; tail very short, usually if not always
of 12 broad rectrices. ChieHy lacustrine and palustrine iidiabitants of the warmer parts of the
globe, feeding on fish, reptiles, and other animals. The sexes are alike ; the young ditt'erent.
There are about 24 species of Ibises, among which the minor details of form vary cousiderablv,
nearly every one of them having been made type of some genus, according to shap" 'f bill,
character of head-feathering, condition of tarsal envelope, etc. The two leading modii. 'itions
are, tarsus entirely reticulate, and tarsus scutellate in front ; om- genera illustrate the latter.
Obs. Our Wood " Ibis," so called, is a Stork. See beyond, p. 052.
Analysh of Genera and Species.
Head bare on sides and beneath. Claws scarcely curved. Colors dark, metallic, greenish oiid chestnut.
Plkgadis 252
Face without white feathers in adult /a/rinillua 649
Face surrounded by white feathers in adult giiaraiiiia 660
Head extensively bare on fTont, sides, and beneath. Claws curved. Colors light, dull, red or white.
ErDociMUS 283
Adults white allius 651
Adults scarlet ruber 652
lUIDTlKK : IlirSKS.
tU!>
252. PLK'<iAni9. ((ir. »r\ijydj, /)/('.»;fi,i. u Ni-ytlic. !*i(Ulc.) (ii.ossv IniREH. Hill t\vici> as l.iiig
us licml, or iiiorc, rcifiilai'ly ilccurvcil ; Ixitli iiiaiiilililrs ttindvcd mi s'uU-* t'ur tlnir wlinlc Icnuili;
ciiliiit'ii prtiiniuciit tVuiii ncai' base fur iiioMt nf its Inintli, tliittciicil and urodvctl mi tcnniiial iwo-
fifllis; HyinitlijHiHof lower iimudililc Kroovcd to tip. 'I'liiw <'a('li iimii<lilili', tinvard tliccml of
the bill, lia.s H fjroovi'H, oiio median and two lateral; (1 in all. Nostriln linear, in advant f
Irnse of n|i|H'r niandildt', in its lateral ifiooves. Frontal feathers sweepini^ with stionyly convex
iiutliiie aerosH foridieud, near Init not i|nite at hase of hill ; lores Itmudly naked, the hare Mpace
einliraein^ eyes; a pointed projection of feathers on side of lower niandihle ; another niediaii
one advaneiiii; farther and iiior<' acutely on hare spai f chin, which is thus forkeil hehiiid.
Tihiin hare for ii distance e<|iial to half or more of the length of tarsus ; mostly reticnhite, Init
with smooth hare skin for ii space ahove in front. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw,
reticulate, sciitellate in fr(ait. Lateral toes nnei|ual, the inner shortest. Hind toe somewhat
elevated, without claw not half as loiii,' as middle toe will t claw. Claws all loni; and
slightly curved; inner edije of muliUe one dilated and cut three or four times, hut without the
reijnlar " comb " of aileron's. Winys and tail ordinary, latter of 1;J feathers. Colors dark
j{lossy-i{reen and chestnut ; l)ill and feet dark. Two or three species, one cosmopdlitan, one
or two confined to Anieriea. Se.\es alike; young diH'erent. KkK** whole-colored.
010. I>. fiilclnel'lu8. (Lat. /rtfcMiic«/«.s <ir/«/ci)ie///M, a litth' scythe.) Gl-ossY hiis. J 9i '"'"'':
No white feathers around face. Cleneral c(dor ri<'h dark pmplish-chestmit, opac|ue, channiut,'
on head, back, wings (e.\<'e|iting lesser coverts), and tail, to flossy dark purplish-green ; sides
and lining of wings and crissiun dii.sky greenish ; primari<'s greenish-black. Dill blackish ;
legs grayish-black ; iris brown; bare skin of head slaty-bliic. Young: Head, neck, and under
parts grayish-brown, the two former streaked with whitish ; upper (larts glossy dusky-green.
Length about 2 feet; extent about M feet; wing 10.00-11. OH inches; tail i.OO ; bill l.M)-
ii.M : tibiie bare about 2. .50 ; tarsus U.50 ; middle toe and claw rather less. This birtl is chietly
(Hd World, not common or regular in America, fiamd occasionally anywhere K. of the Missis-
sippi, esiiecially coastwise and .southerly ; N. casually to New England. The next species is
much more abundant in its prop(>r range. Kggs with shell rougher and heavier than that of
heron's eggs, ovoidal, not elliptical, greenish-bltip, 1.90 to 2.10 long, by about 1.48 broatl.
050. I*. RHftrau'iia. (Vox barb., .S. Am.) WmTi:-K.\('i:i> (ti,(i,ssY Ini.s. Adult (J : A white
margin of feathers entirely surr(ainding the bare sjiace on head. Head otherwise, neck, and
entire niuler parts of the body, including the tibia*, rich purplisli-che.stuut, (|uitc iniiform on
the under parts, (discured with dusky <pn the bead and nape, there iridescent with violet. Hack
and wings inten.sely iridescent with various metallic tints ; back, wing-coverts, and inner (piills
shining with vitdet, green, and purple; scapulars more like under i)art8, being of a rich deep
wine-red and less lustrous than the wing-coverts. Primaries green, with brassy or almost
golden lustre. Hump, upper tail-coverts and tail chietly green, but with various violet and purple
reHections ; lower tail-coverts similar, cmitrasting with the chestnut of the belly. i.,ining of
wings brassy-green, like the primaries; axillars viidet, like the upper wing-coverts. l$aru
facial area apparently reddish. Bill blackish, reddening toward end ; legs and feet dusky-
reddish ; daws blacki.sh; iris red. Length 22.00-21.00; ext<nt ;}8.00-40.(M» ; wing 10.00-
11.00 ; tail 3.75-4.25 ; bill 5.00-5.50 ; tibiie bare 2.50 ; tarsus .'}.75 ; middle toe and claw U.25 ;
inner do., 2.50; outer do., 2.90; hind do., 1.60. 9 similar, averaging smaller ; length 21.50;
extent HO. 00, etc. In this beautiful species, the feathers sweep down on the fca-ehead with
roguhir conve:city, nearly but not (piite to the base of the culmen, thence retreating around
back of the eye, which is wlndly in bare skin, then running forward to a point on the sid<' of
the lower mandible ; retreating again, then running forward in a point on the middle line of
the chin, further than on jaw or forehead ; there being thus enclosed, on each si(h' of the
head, abroad iniked space, widest forward, narrowing hebind to embrace the eye ; and between
the rami of the jaw another bare space, forked behind to receive the projecting feathers of the
m
650
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — HERODIONES — IBIDES.
cliin, and not quite separated from the bnro loral space, because the feathers on the side of the
jaw stop a little short of the liard base of the mandible. Young, first ])luniagu (with traces tit"
down still) : Iteniarkably lustrous. Plunuige entirely green ; legs black ; bill blackish, irreg-
ularly Wotched or regularly banded with pinkish-white. This green unic(dor plumage, consti-
tuting Ihis thalussinus of some, is retained till full growth, gradually giving way through a
Pio. 4M — Enrnpenn Spoonbill, Plalnlen leucorotlia, I nat. size. (From Brelini. )
Vmnvnish or grayish to the purple-chestnut and iridescent jdumage. ("hicks hatch clothed in
blackish down, with whitish bill. Southwesteni IT. S., especially Texas; N. to Kansas; W.
through New Mexico and Arizona to California (to OrcL'ou?), and fur S. in tropical America.
Swarming by thousands at some points along the Ku> (irande. Nest in vast heronries with
various herons, in the beds of reeds and rushes, rising in air by " hundreds of acres " when a gun
is fired. Nest strongly and compactly woven of dead reeds, affixed by twining to broken down
253
651
053
25<
65:
PL A TALEID^ : SPOONBILL S.
051
253.
651.
052.
or upright living ones, about a foot in diiunptor and nearly as (Icep, well cupped, tliua unlike
the frail platforms herons build. Kggs 3-i, rarely 5, deep bluish-green, not elliptieal, from
1.72 X l-SO to 2.-20 X 1.50, averaging 1.99 X 1.12.
KUDO'CIMUS. (Gr. (uddxt/xot, well-tried, approved, famous.) White Ibis. Scaui.kt
Inis. General character of Plegadis. Face more denuded, witii whole chin bare (in the adults).
Claws stout, obtuse, curved. I'lumage not metallic. Color white or red. Eggs spotted (in
E. aUrns at least).
K. nl'buB. (Lat. rt/b«s, white.) White Inis. Spanish Ciklew. Adult (J?: Plumage pure
white ; tips of several outer prinuiricN glossy blacit. Hare face and most of hill, and legs orange,
red, or carmine ; bill tipped with du.sky. Iris pearly blue. Length about 2(5.00 ; extent 40. (tO ;
wing 11.50-12.50; tail 5.00; bill 5.00-7.00; tansus :5.50 ; middle toe and claw 2.50. Sexes
aliiic ; 9 averaging s'naller. Young : Dull brown, rump and under i)arts white ; hare parts of
head of less extent, yellowisli, bill the same ; legs bluish ; iris brown. Younger : Dull brown all
over, with whitish rump and gray tail. !^. Atlantic and (Julf States, N. to the Ohio, rarely to
the Middle States, casually to New Kngland : W. to Tc'xas ; resident in Florida. Breeds in
commnnities by thousands in tangle and brake and tule of the S. coast; nest similar to that
above described, but of twigs, etc. Kggs 3, 2.25 X l-<)0, dull chalky white, blotched and
spotted with pale yellowisli and dark reddish-brown.
K. ru'ber. (Lat. )'i(?w, red.) Scaui.et Iius. .\dult (J?: I'lumage scarlet : tips of several
outer primaries glossy black. Hare parts of head, hill, and legs pale lake red. Young brownish-
gray, darker above, paler or whitish below. Size and proportions nearly as in the last. This
splendid creature is a native of Tropical America : accidental in the IT. S. (.Seen at a distance,
not procured, Louisiana, July, 1821, Aiiihthim: fragment of a .specimen examined, Los I'inos,
N. .M.. on the Rio (Jrande, .lune, 1864, Cones ; " Florida,"' specimen in Museum of Charleston
College, S. C, Brewster.)
44. Family PLATALEID-^: Spoonbills.
Hill long, flat, remarkably widened, rounded, and sjioon-shaped at the end. Birds of this
group are known at a glance, by the sinirularity of the bill ; they closely resemble the foregoing
in structure and habit, being simply spoon-billed Ibises. Two genera, with five or six species
of various countries. The Anu'rican genus ditlers notably from the type of I'lat'dea, in having
the trachea simple, bifurcating into the bronchi high in the neck ; the bronchi with fusiform
partly membranous dilatation before entering the thorax. In PluUilen leiieortnliii (fig. 151) the
trachea is peculiarly couviduted within the thorax.
254. Ajii'ja. (Vox barb., .S. Am.) Ameuican Spooxnii.i.s. Cliaracter as above said. In addi-
tion : lleail entirely bah', in the adult. Throat somewhat ))ouched. Nostrils basal, linear-
oblong. Tibial and tarsi reticulate witli hexagonal plates. Toes semipalnnite ; hind toe well
down. Tail of 12 feathers. Hill broader than head at the great -st widtli <if tlu^ spoon. A
lateral groove the whole length of the upper mandible. A nail at end of bill ; much of bill
rugous and skinny. A recurved tuft of feath<>rs on the foreneck below. Colors white and red.
Se.\es alike ; young ditferent. One species.
053. A. ro'sea. (Lat. rosea, roseate.) Roseate Sioonbill. Adult ^ 9 : Ctround cohir white ;
back and wings delicate rose-c(dor ; under parts more rosy ; plumes of the lower fore-neck,
lesser wing-coverts, upper and under tail-coverts, rich carmine ; shafts of wing- and tail-feathera
cainiinc. Tail brownish-yellow, and a patch of the same color on the sides of the breast ; neck
white. Bald head varied with gr(>en, yellow, orange, and black ; bill varied with greenish,
bluish, yellowish, and blackish tints. Legs lake red. Iris carmine. Chiws blacki.sh. Length
31.00-35.00; extent 50.00-55.00; wing 15.00-16.00; tail 4.00-5.00; bill 7.00, 2 inches or
more across the Bpoou ; tibia bui'o 3.00 ; tarsus 4.00 ; middle toe and daw 3.50 ; hind do.
652
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — HERODIONES— FELAUGI.
2.00. 9 similiir, smaller ; length 30.00 or less ; extent 48.00. Young : Head mostly feath-
ered, and general color grnyish-wliite ; acquire white with rosy the second year ; full phnnago
the third. Weight of adults \\ or 4 lbs. Tiiis bird, so singular in fonn and magnificent in
color, inhabits the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and soutliward in Tropical America ; resi-
dent in Florida ; N. only tt) the Carolinas. Breeds in communities in trees and bushes of
tangled swamps. Nest a platform of sticks like a heron's ; eggs usuaUy 3, laid iu April, nearly
elliptical, 2.60 X 1.90, white.
13. Suborder PELARGI : The Stork Series.
Skull holorhiniil. Angle of mandible truncate. Ambiens muscle and accessory femoro-
caudal absent ; fomoro-caudal present or absent ; semitendiuosus and its accessory present ;
pectoralis major double ; biceps cubiti and tensor patagii longus disconnected. Carotids double,
normal. Two intestinal cceca. A tufted oil-gland. Plumage without powder-down ; feath-
ered tracts broad. Tarsi normally reticulate. Hallux not fairly insistent. Claws resting upon
a horny "shoe." Inner edge of middle claw not pectinate. Side of upper mandible ungrooved,
witliout nasal fossa, the nostrils bored directly in its substance; bill very stout, compressed,
tapering, straight or recurved or decurved.
The Storks belong chiefly to the Old World, the warm and temperate portions of which
they inhabit. There are about a dozen species, representing nearly as many genera of authors ;
among these Anastomus and Hiator are remarkable for a wide interval betwe<Mi the cutting
edges of the bill, which only come into apposition at the base and tip. The singular African
Scujjus umbretta, type of a family, is often placed among the Herons, but its pterylosis is that
of Storks.
45. Family CICONIID-a: : Storks.
Bill longer than head, very stout at base, not grooved, tapering tt> the straight, recurved or
decurved tip. Nostrils pierced directly iu the horny substance, without nasal scale or mem-
brane, high up in the bill close to its base. Legs reticulate. Hallux not or not completely
insistent. Claws not acute.
The family falls in two American subfamilies, that of the Storks jnopcr, an<l that of the
so-caUed " Wood Ibises." Both are represented
in N. America.
58. Subfamily TANTALIN^: Wood Ibises.
Bill long, extremely stout at base, where it is as
broad as the fa<'e, gradually tapering to the de-
curved tip, without nasal groove or membrane, the
nostrils directly j)erforating its substance, high up
at base of upper mandible. Toes lengthened, the
middle not less than half as long as the tarsus, the
outer longer than the inner; hind toe nearly insist-
ent ; claws less nail- like than hi Ciconiiiifr. One
American genus and s[)ccies, and one genus with
3 or 4 species of Africa, Southern Asia, and part
of the East Indies. As these birds have been as-
certained to be Storks, it is unfortunate that the
name of " Ibis," tending to promote confusion,
,„ ,„ ,„, „ , , ,„ should be too firmly attached to them to leave any
«-). —Wood Ibts, greatly reduced. (From ,. , . i ,. , , /.
after Audubon.) hope of its bemg abolished from such connection.
Fio.
Tenney,
I
255
648
256.
654.
CICOMID^ — CICOXIIX.E : STOliKS.
053
Just as we saw tho American Spoonbill Jistinguished from Plataka of the Old World, so
does the American Wood Ibis difl'er from Old World Tautahis to a marked dejjirec in tho
structure of the windpipe; but this time it is <mr bird which has that organ simple, it being
remarkably complicated iu the other. In I'anfnhi.i ibis, typical of the genus, the trachea is
several times folded and doubled upon itself iu the thorax. In Tantalus loculator, the trachea
is short, straight, and simido in its lowi.T ))art, with numenms reduced and modilied rings, and
ilattened from side to side, producing a ridge iu front. It has been maiU) type of a genus
Tantalides, but that name being preoccupied, a new one seems to be refpiired.
255. TAN'TALOPS. (Gr. TdwTaXot, hat. Tanta'its, a mythical character; wt/r. o})S, aspect.)
Ameuican Wood Stouk or Wood "Ibis." Character as above. In addition: Wlude head
and part of the neck hare, rugous and scaly in the adult. Nasal fossic not continued beyond the
nostrils. Anterior toes webbed at base. Tibise bare for half their length. Olaws com-
pressed, but obtuse. Head feathered in the young. Sexes alike. Color while and black.
648. T. locula'tor. (Lat. locus, a place; loculus, a little place, but (|u. loculator in its application
to this bird ? Fig. 455.) Ameuican Wood Stouk. Wood litis. Colorado Ti:ukev.
Adult ^ 9 • Plumage white, the wing-(piills, primary (diverts, alula, and tail, glossy black.
The bald head livid bluish and yellowish. Bill dingy yellowish. Legs blue, becoming hlacki.sh
on the toes, the webs tinged with yellow. Iris dark brown. Lengtli nearly -1 feet ; extent
5.50 feet; wing 1.50; tail 0.50; bill 9 inches, 2 or more deep at base: tibiie bare 0.00;
tarsus 8.00 ; middle too and claw 4.75. Weight 10 or 12 lbs. 9 smaller than ^. Young:
Head downy-feathered; the jdumago dark gray, with blackish wings and tail; plumage
whitening and liead becoming bald after tho first month. South Atlantic and Gulf States,
and across in corresponding latitudes to tiie Colorado River, where abundant. N. to the
Carcdinas; up the Mississippi to the Ohio; casually straying to Penn., N.Y., and even New
England (?).i W. I., Mcx., C. and S. Am. Resident in the S. States; abundant ; gregarious;
freciuents the most thickly wooded swamps and bayous, fairly swarming in its heronries; flight
performed with alternate flapping and sailing; at times mounts high in air and i)erfoniis tiu;
most beautiful evolutions, with motionless wings, like a turkey buzzard. Eggs 2-3, elliptical
in contour, shell rough with flaky substance ; color white ; size 2.75 X 1'75.
59. Subfamily CICONIIN^: True Storks.
iJill as above described, but end not decurved (straight or rwurved). Nostrils nearly
lateral. Toes short, the middle less than half the tarsus. Lateral toes nearly e(jual. Ilind
toe not insistent. Claws short, broad, obtuse, flattened like nails. Several Old World and
two American genera, Dissoum (D. maguari) and Mi/cteria.
256. MYCTE'RIA. (Gr. nvKTTjp, mv.kter, the snout; fivKnipiCat, vuikterizo, I turn up tho nose.)
Jaihuus. Bill immensely large, recurved. Whole head and neck bare, except a hairy patch
on the occiput. Tail not peculiar. (In Dissoura, bill moderate, straight, head mostly feathered,
tail forked, and its under coverts stiffened and lengthened, resembling rectrices.)
654. M. amerlca'na. American Jauiuu. Adult : Plumage entirely white. Bill, logs, and feet,
and bare skin of head and neck, black, the neck with a broad bright red collar round the lower
portion. Immature (transition pluunige) : Rump, upper tail-coverts and tail, white ; rest of
upper parts, including feathered portion of lower neck, soft light brownish-gray, irregularly
mixed, except on lower neck, with white feathers of the adult livery; lower parts entirely
white. Bill, etc., colored as in the adult. Wing 24.50-26.00; tail 9.50 ; culmon 9.73-12.;iO ;
depth of bill through base about 2.50 ; tarsus 11.25-11.50; middle too 4.20-4.50. Tropical
America, N. to Texas.
• Mr. Allen infomiB me that the alleged New England case is doubtless errnnenu(.(Bull. Nuttall Club, vtll,
July, 1883, p. 187).
654
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —HEliODIONES—UEKODII.
U. SiBOKDEit IIEllODII : TiiK Hkkon Skuies.
Skull holorhiniil. Anglo of iniuuliblo truiieiito. Aiiibions intisflc, and accessory fciiioro-
caiuUil, ab.^i'iit ; IViiiioro-ciuulal, si'initeiuliiious ami its accessory, present. Carotids doiiMe,
Buiuctiiiies abnormal (p. 198). One intestinal ccecnni. Tongue moderate. A tufted oil-gland.
I'hnnage with 2— t pairs of powder-down tracts; feathered tracts very narrow. Tarsi normally
Bcutellate. IIallu.K long and perfectly insistent, with long claw. Inner edge of middle claw
distinctly pectinate. Hill variable with the families, normally narrow and wedged, with long
nasal fossti;.
The «-xtniordinary liahemceps rcr, the Shoe-bill or Whale-lieiul, of Africa, with an
enormous head and bill, thick neck, and one jtair of powder-down tracts, is the type of a family
B(diemcipitid<c, which may beUaig here; but it approaches the Storks, and its peculiarities are
so great that it may constitute a separate superfamily group. The Hoat-billed Ilenm {('aucnmia
cochlcaria) of Central America, with a singular shape of bill that has suggested the name, and
four pairs of jiowder-dowu tracts, constitutes one family of Jlerodii {Voucromidte). The dis-
puted cases of Eiiii/pinin and Scopun have already been mentioned. These and .some other
doubtful forms aside, the Heron series is represented by the single
46. Family ARDEID^ : Herons.
It ia in this family, as in Cunciomid<e, that powder-down tracts reach their highest devel-
opment; and although these peculiar feathers occur in sonie other birds, there appears to be
then only a single pair ; so that the jirescnce of two or three pairs is probably diagnostic of
this family. In the genus Ardea and its immediattv allies {Anhin<r) there are three ))airs,
tl'.e normal nmnber; one on the lower back over the hips, mm on the lower belly under the
hips, anil one on the breast, along the track of the furcula. In the Bitterns {liutunriiuc) the
second of these is wanting. (In the noat-billed Heron, Caucroma (vcldvarid, there is still
another pair, over the shoidder-blades.) There are other pterylographic characters ; in gen-
eral, the tracks are extremely narrow, often only two feathers wide; there are lateral neck
tracks ; the lower neck is frequently bare behind. More obvious characters are, the complete
feathering of the head (as compared with Storks, etc.) except definite nakedness of the lores
alone — the bill appearing to run directly into tin? eyes ; a general hioseness of llu' plnniage
(as compared with Liiiiicohr), ami especially the fre(|uent devi'lopment of remarkably length-
ened, or otherwise modified, feathers, constituting the beautiful crests and dorsal plumes that
ornanu'Ut many species, but which, as a rule, are worn only during the breeding .season.
These features will suHice to determine the Ardeidte, taken in connection with the more general
<mes indicated unih'r head of llerodiows, and the following details : —
IJill longer than head, usually about as long as tarsus, straight, or very nearly so, more
or less compressed, acute, cultrat<^ (with sharp cutting edges) ; upjier mandible with a long
groove. Nostrils mortMir less linear, j)ervious. Head narrow and elongate, sloping down to
the bill, its sides flattened. Lores naked; n'st of head feathered, the frontal feathers extending
in a rounded outline on the base of the culmen, generally to the nostrils. Wings broad and
ample; the inner (piills usually as long as the primaries, folding over them when the wing is
closed. Tail very short, of twelve (usually) or ten (in Zvbrihis and Butniiriiue) soft broad
feathers. Tibia' naked below (exci']>t Xrhrillux), sometimes for a great distance. Tarsi
sciitellate in front (except TifiriHotna), and sonu'times behind, generally reticiilat<' there and
on the sides. Toes biug ami slemlor ; the outer usually connected with the midille by a basal
web, the hinder very long (fia- wailing birds), inserted on the level of the rest. Hind claw
larger and more curved than the middle one (always i) ; the middle v\n\v jJi'ctiiiute.
The group thus defined offers little variation in form; all the numerous geiuTii now
AKDEWJH: HERONS.
666
in vogue have beeu successively dctaelied from Arikn, tlie typical one, with which mauy
of theui should be reuuited. The " Niglit llciuus" (Ni/ctuinlea uud Syderodiun) differ sonie-
Fio. 450. — llorDiis, lilcallzcil from .(iv/ki ciiiiita. (From Mlclielut)
what in shortness ami especially stoutness of Mil ; while the Hitterns (lUitiiKiiis and Ardrllo),
tlie South Aiiii.'ricau genera TiijrUoiiM, Hebrilus, and a tow others, arc still bettor marked.
656
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — HEROLIONES — HEBODII.
There are aTiout seventy-five species, very generally distribnted over the gh)be, but especially
abounding in the torrid and temperate zones. Those that penetrate to cold countries in
sununer are regular migrants; the others are generally staticmary. They are maritime,
lacustrine and jialudieole birds, drawing their chief sustenance from animal substances taken
from the water, or from soft ground in its vicinity ; such as fish, reptiles, tostaeeuns, and
insects, captured by a (piick thrust of the spear-like bill, given as the bird stands in wait
or wades stealthily along. In cimformity with this, the gullet is capacious, but without
special dilatation, the st<mnu-h is .small and little muscular, the intestines are long and ex-
tr(;mely slender, with a large globular cloaca and a coecum. Herons are altricial, and
generally nest in trees or bushes (where their insessorial feet enable them to j)er(di with ease),
in swampy or other places near the water, often in large communities, building a large fiat
rude structure of sticks. The eggs vary in number, coincidently, to some extent, with the
size of the species; the larger herons generally lay two or thre<', the smaller kinds five or six ;
the eggs are somewhat ellipticial in sha])e, and usually of an unvariegated bluish or greenish
shade. The voice is a rough croak. The sexes are nearly always alike in cidor (remark-
able excejitiou in Ardetta) ; but the species in Avhich, as in the Bittern, the plumage is nearly
unchangeable, are very few. Indeed, ))r(d>ably no birds show greater changes of ])lumage,
with age and season, than nearly all the herons. Their beautiful plumes are only worn
during the breedin/i; seasim; the young invariably lack them. There are . still more remark-
able difterences of plumage in many cases, constituting dichmniatism, or permanent nornuil
difi'erence in color, like that of the " red " and " gray " specimens of Scops Owl. Thus, some
species are pure white at all ages and seasons, hi both sexes, other individuals of the sanu'
species being variously colored. Such dichromatism ai)pears in our Ardea occidenttdis, iJi-
chromiiHusm rufa, and Florida carulea. It was fornu'rlj- believed in the cases of the tw(»
latter, that the white- w<!re the young, the ccdored the adults ; but it now apjiears that the
difi'erence is permanent, and independent of age, sex, or season. Many specic^s are jjure white
at all times, and to these the name of "egret" more particularly belongs; but 1 should
correct a j)revalent impression that an egret is anything particularly dift'crent from other herons.
The name, a corruption of the French word " aigrette," simply refers to the plumes that
ornament most of the herons, white <u- otherwise, and has no dassificatory nu'aning ; its
application, in any given instance, is purely conventional. The colors of the bill, lores, and
feet are extremely variable, not only with age or season, but as individual peculiarities ; some-
times tlu! two legs of the same specimen are not cidored exactly alike. The 9 's commonly
smaller than the $. The normal individual variability in stature and relative length of j)arts
is very great ; and it has even been noted that a specimen may have one leg larger than the
other, and the toes of (nie fo(jt longer than those of the other — a circumstance jierhaps result-
ing from the common habit of these birds of standing for a long time on one leg.
The North American Ardeidai, if not the whoh? family, are divisible into the two subfamilies
of Ardei)ia, or Herons proper, and Botanrin<p., or Bitterns.
Analysis of Subfamilies, Genera, and Subgenera.
BoTArRiN^,. Tail-feathers 10. Two pairs of powder-down tractu. (Bitterns.)
Very small ; length about a foot. Sexes unlike Ardetta 267
Sledlum sized ; length about 2 feet. Sexes alike Boiaurus 286
Abdein*. Tail-feathers 12. Three pairs of powder-down tracts. (Herons.)
Bill stout and comparatively short, not longer than very short tarsus, which Is not perfectly scutel-
late in front. (Night Herons.)
Gonys convex, like the culmen ; tarsus longer than middle toe and claw Niiclerodius 26S
Gonys about straight; tarsus almut equal to middle toe and claw Xyctiardea 264
Bin ordinary. Tarsus scutellate in front.
Length under 20 Inches. Tarsus almut equal to middle toe and claw. Greeu .... Butorldcs 263
Length over 20 inches, under 30. Blue, white, or variegated.
Blue or white. Adult without decomposed feathers on back Florida 268
■^
AUDEIDyi: — AUDEINA: : HKHON,^.
\\i)i
257.
fl5!J
Always white. Adult with ilecorapoaed recurvoil featlierB on buck Giir-:etltt WJ
^Vuhy-blue, white liuluw. Bill luiigur thuii turHii.s Ilyttranussn I'liO
Length 30, nut 3U inches. Blue or white. Titrsuit twice uh lung as miildle too. Bill itliortci' than
tursus Diihnimnuiuaii
Length 30 or more. Kntlrely white ; no crest ; long lU'comiiimcJ feathers on hack . . JliioiliiiH
Length •!:! or more ; of dark varied colors, or white ; crested, wilhout dorsal plumes . . .Inha
■-■fil
•a-,
60. Subfamily ARDEIN/E
Tivil-foathcra 12 (in nil N.
Am. goiioni), broiid and .stitt-
i.-ih. I'owder-dowu Iriicts 3
pairs. Tibitu naked bidow.
Outer toe not shorter than in-
ner. Claws moderate, curved.
(Embracing most of the spe-
cies of the family, and all our
species excepting the IJit-
toriis.)
AR'DEA. (Lat. ardea^ a
heron.) Great IlEitoxs. Of
largest size. Neck and legs
very long, former well feath-
ered all around. Tibiic exten-
sively denuded below. Tarsus
longer than middle toe and
claw. Outer lateral toe longer
than inner. Bill sliorttir than
tarsus, equal to or longer than
mid<lle toe and claw. Colors
dark and varied, exceptionally
white; back without length-
ened loosened plumes ; scai)U-
lars lanceolate, lengthened, but
not loosened; lower fore-neck
with lengthened feathers ; head
crested, in breeding season with
two long, slender, flowing, oc-
cipital plumes. Sexes alike;
young similar, but lacking all
lengthened feathers. Di(diro-
matic. (Genera 258-263 should
be reduced to subgenera of
Ardea.)
True Herons.
Fio. 457. —Great Blue Heron, greatly reduced.
Audubon.
(From Tenney, after
Analysis of Species.
Tibiic and edge of wing white; occiput and plumes black. (Europe.) cinerea 657
Tibias and edge of wing rufous ; or whole plumage white.
Occiput and plumes black ; whole iihunage varied. Bill 6 or less; tarsus .S or less .... Iifnulian fiS.'i
Occiput and plumes white; or, whole plumage white. Bill (i or more; tarsusS or more orriil, lUalis ti.')0
A. hero'dlas. (Lat. /iwof/ias, a proper name ; Gt. tpaSias, erodias, nhi'ritu. Fig. t.57.) Great
Blue Heron. Of large size, and varied dark colors; not dichromatic. Back without peculiar
plumes at any season, but scapulars lengthened and lanceolate ; au <jccipital crest, two de-
42
658
SYSl'EMA TIG SYNOPSIS. — HEIiODIONES — HERODII.
dduouB feathers of which in tho breeding season uro long and filamentous; long loose feathers
on the lower neck. Length 42.00-50.00; e.xtent about 70.00 ; wing lS.00-20.00; tail 7-00-
8.00; bill 4.50-6.25, usually between 5.00 and (i.OO; tibiic bare ;5.00-4.00; tarsus G. 00-8.00,
usually (1.50-7.00 ; middle toe and claw about 5.00. 9 average smaller than $. Weight C) or
8 lbs. Adult $ 9 , in breeding dress: Hill yellow, jnore or less blackened on culnien ; lores
blue ; iris chrome-yellow ; legs and feet blackish, the soles yellowish. Tibhi and edge of wing
chestnut-brown. Forehead and middle of crown white; sides of crown and occipital crest
black. Neck jtale purplish-gray, with a mixed white, black, and rusty throat-line, yielding
to white on chin and cheeks. Plumes of lower neck, the breast, and belly, black, more or less
interrupted with wliitc streaks on the middle line ; crissum white. Uin)er parts in general
slaty-blue ; tail the same ; long scapular feathers more pearly-gray ; wing-(iuills deepening
from this ctdor to the black primaries. Young : Without any long feathers. Crown and front
witliout white ; whole tojt of head blackish. Tibiie and edge of wing paler rufous, or whitish.
General c(dor of upper ])arts paler and more grayish-blue, more or less tinged with rusty.
lilack of under parts replaced by ashy. Upper mandible mostly blackish ; lores and most of
lower mandible greenish, rest of tiie latter and the eyes, yellow ; tibite greenish. There are
endless variations in plumage and colors of the soft i)arts, but this great species cannot be
mistaken, being only closely related to the c(dored phase of tlie ne.\t. N. Am. at large, and
much of C. and S. Am., N. to Labrador, Hudson's IJay, and Sitka in Alaska; northerly migra-
tory; elsewhere resident. Breeds in suitable places throughout its range, sometiines singly,
oftener in gn^at heronries to which the birds resort year after year, shared usually with otluT
species of its tribe. Nest usually in trees or bushes, in tiie West sometimes on cliffs ; eggs
3-6, oftener 3-4, pale dull greenish-blue, ellipsoidal, about 2.50-1.50.
656. A. occidenta'lls. (Lat. occidentalis, western.) Florida Hkron. Great White IIeuon.
Wi'iRUEMANN's Heron. Similar to the last; larger; dichromatic. Length 54.00; extent
83.00; wii.g 19.00-21.00; tail 8.00; bill 6.50; tarsus 8.00-8.50; tibiie bare 5.50. ^ ?,
adult, (Hdo ed phase (wurdemanni Bd.) : Head, with the cre.st, white, the forehead streakeil
with black edges of the feathers. Under parts white, the sides streaked with black ; lower
])lumes of neck white, mostly streaked with black edges of the feathers. Neck purplish-gray,
darker than in A. herodias, with a similar throat-line of white, black, and rufous. ITnder
wing-coverts streaked with white; rufous of edge of wing less extensive than in A. herodias,
that of the tibia; paler. Tibiie and soles of feet yellow ; tarsi and top of toes yellowish-green.
Young: Like young herodias; top of head dusky, the feathers with whitish shaft-lines and
bases. Lesser wing-coverts sj)eckled with rusty, the under ones with white. Adult <J 9 hi
white phase (occidentalis And.): Color entirely pure white; bill and eyes yellow; culmen
greenish at base; hires bluish; legs yellow, greenish in front. Southern Fhirida; Cuba;
Jamaica; " S. Illinois and Indiana." Eggs 3, 2.75 X 1.67.
Obs. — A. warrtl is described as indistinguishable in its white plia.se from the last; in its
cohired phase exactly like tlie last, but head colored as in herodias; bill 6.50-7.00; tarsus
8.50-9.0(1. Florida. (Hull. Nutt. Club, vii, Jan. 1882, p. 5.)
657. A. cine'rea. (Lat. OHerert, ashy. Fig. 156.) Eruoi'EAN Hue Heron. Character similar
to that of A. herodias ; easily distinguished by the white (not chestnut) tibia' and border of
wings, aiul ashy neck. Europe; only N. American as a straggler to Greenland.
268. HERODIAS. (Lat. herodias ; see above, No. 6.55. Fig. 458.) Great Egret Herons.
Character of Ardea proper, excepting in plumage; color white; no crest; a long depending
train of stiff-shafted loose-webbed scapular feathers in the breeding season. Size large, only
exceeded by the species of ylrrfcrt. (See fig. of the European species, //. alba.)
658. H. egret'ta. (0. H. G. hieyro, a heron; Fr. aigrette, a jdume; Engl, egret.) Great
White Eoret. White Heron. No obviously lengthened feathers on the head at any time;
in the breeding season, back with a magnifiwint train of very long plumes of decomposed, fas-
259.
: \
AlWEID^i: — AIWEINJE : HERONS.
ti59
tigiiito feathers droriping far beyond the tail; neck closely feathered. Plumase entirely white
at all seasons. Hill, h.res, and eyes, yellow; legs and feet Mack. Lengtii ;{(>.()0-k>.(l() (not in-
cluding the dorsal train, wiiich is a Foot or more longer) ; extent 55.00 ; wing 1(1.00-17.00 ; tail
5.50-().50; 1)1114.50-5.00; tarsus about (i. 00 ; tibiie bare 3.50. ? averaging suiallcr tiian f.
U. S. southerly, and inucii of W. I., C. and S. Am. ; straggling northward to Nova Scotia^
Fio. 438. — European Great White Kgret, //crw/ius a/6rt, J nat. size. (From Brelim.)
Canada, Minnesota, etc.; resident in the south. Breeds like other Iiemns: eggs ."5-1-,
2.20-1.55.
259. OARZET'TA. (Ital. name of a iieron. Fig. 159.) Smam. EdUKT IIkuoxs. Form of the
preceding, but size small; letigth about i feet. C<dor white: an occiiiital crest, and sliort
recurved train of stiff-shafted loose-webbed featiiers in the breeding season ; lower neck-feathers
lengthened, depending. (See fig. of the European species, G. iiicca.)
m
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOr:iIiS. — llEliODWNES — llEUODll.
050. O. candidls'slnia. (Liit. candidissima, very wliitc ; Candida, white.) Littlk White
EuUET. Snowy IIkuon. Adults witli u long (jccipital crest of dciMiinpowd fciithurs, and
siiiiilar dorsal pliniici, latter recurved whau pert'ect; .xiiuiiar, but not rt'curvcd ]dnni<.'s on thi]
lower neck, which is bare behind. Lore.s, eyes, and toes yellow ; 1)111 aftd leg.s black, lornier
yellow at base, latter yellow at the lower part behind. Plumage always entirely white.
Length about 24.00; extent 30.00-40.00; wing U.uO-ll.OO; tail 4.00; bill 3.00 or more;
Fio. 459. — European Little White Egret, Gar:eltn ninca, J iiat. size. (From lirclim,)
tibiflB bare 2.50 ; tarsus 3.75 • middle toe 2.75. S. States ; Cala. ; Middle States, in .summer ;
N. ocrasionally to New England, f'anada, and Nova Scotia. Abundant in its regular range;
resident in the South and beyond ; breeds throughout. Eggs about 4, l.()7 X 1.25.
260. HYDRANAS'SA. (Or. v8a>p, hiidor, water, giving in Lat. /*//(/)•- ; I'vaa-aa, aiitis.sa, a queen.)
Dkmoiski.i.e EdUETS. Of medium size: length under two and a half or three feet. Hill
very slender, contracted from the base toward the middle, Avith almost a little concave upper
and under outline, then tapering to a point ; in length equalling or exceeding the tarsus.
A RDKIDA: — A UDEIS.E : HK110.\S.
Gdl
Toos coinpnrutivcly short, tlio iniildlc littlo morr tlmii Imlt' the taisns. Ailiilt with fciithrrs
(if the lu'iul and neck IciiiHtlu'iKMl, liiiicoipliite, witli Wfll-di'tincd cdycs ; an (icciiiital crest nf
Hcvi'ral Idiii; jdiiincs, and siplciidid dur.sal train ut' dccdniimscd, tVinuf-iiitc fcatiicrs dcpi'mlinn
licyond tlic tail. Diclirmiiatifini nut lomwii.
BOO. H. tplVolor. (I^at. ^I'co/oc, thrct'-c(d<ircd.) LinisiAXA EdUK.r. " I-Ai>v or Tin; Watk.us "
Aiinlt : Siaty-I)lni' on tlio baolt and wings, mostly white helow and alontf the throat-lini' ; crest
and most of the neck reddish-imrple, uuxf'd helow with slaty; the longer narrow feathers
of tiio crest white ; lower back and rumii white, hut concealed hy the <lnll imrplish-hrown feath-
ers of the train, which whiten towards tho oud. Hill hlack and yellow; lores yellow; legs
yeliowish-grren, dnsky in front. Iris red. Yonug variously ditfereiit, bnt never white;
lacking the long occi[iital jilnniPs and dorsal train; nock a.ud hack bright brownish-red;
rump, throat-line and nniUir parts white ; <|nill« and tail pale jinrpli^h-bliie ; legs dnsky-
grecnish. Length 24.(1(1-27.(111 (exclusive of the hmg train) ; I'.xtent ;i7.liO-:j',».(iO ; wing Kl.oo-
11.00; taii;i..")0; bill 4.(IO-.').(IO ; tibiit- bare 2.25 ; tarsus 1.00; middle toe and claw .'i.OO. S.
Atlantic and Gulf States, chiefly miiritinui, very rarely N. to the Middle districts ; ,S. in tropical
Am. Resident along our southern coasts. Hreeds in communities like other herons. Nest and
eggs scarc(dy distinguishable fr<im those of the snowy heron; eggs rather less elli|ilical,
usually 4 in number, averaging 1.78 XI .'iO.
261. DICIIROMANAS'SA. ((Jr. fii'j (lis, twice; xi'^t^"' ''l'>'f»ii(l, c(dor ; anil am(T<Ta; alluding
to the dichromatisni of I), nif'o.) I)i(;iik()ic K(;ifi:rs. ( )f medium sizi- ; length about two and
a half feet. Hill slencU'r, much as in the last, but shorter than the very long tarsus, which
is about twice as long as the middle toe and (daw. Toes extrenudy siiort (for this family).
Feathers of head and ne(d{ (doiigate, lance-linear aiul stillish, distinct ; the longest forming
occipital and jugular tufts. A dorsal train of long (h>composed fastigiate feathers, with siilf-
eiied shafts. Dichnjnnitic ; pure whit(^ or ccdored ; in latter state, without the white throat-
lino of most herons.
801. D. ru'fa. (Lat. »•«/(■«, reddish.) Hkhkisii iMiitKT. I'i:ai-k's KciiiKT. In the colored ]duise:
Adult grayisb-bltie, rather paler Ixdow ; no white throat-line; lie;id and neck lilac-brown;
ends of th(i train y(dlowisb. Hill bla(di on the terminal third, the rest ilesh-c(dored, like the
lores; iris white ; kigs blue, tho scales of th(^ tarsus hlacki.sh. In the white phase: Plum-
age entirely pure white. Hill, lores, and eyes as before; legs dark greenish, the sides
yidlowish ; in which state the bird is " I'eale's Kgret." long held for a distinct species, then
long decided to be tho young. Length 2S.(IO-31.00 ; extent about 46.00; wing 12..')0-14..")O ;
tail 4..')0; bill 4.00; tibia! bare 4.00; tarsus 5.50-().()0 ; middle toe and (daw 3.00. (iulf
States strictly; maritime; resident, abundant. Nests in connnunities, with other species,
upon low bushes, sometimes on the ground; eggs .'i— i, of usual shape and cidor, from l.!)0 x
1.48 to 2.12 X 1.55, averaging 2.00 X L50.
262. FLO'RIDA. (Named for the State.) I'.uiF, AND Whitk Herons. Of small size ; length
about 2 feet. Hill slender, very acute ; cuhnen gently curv(^d from near base; under (aitliue
straight or slightly concave; about as long as tarsus. Head of adult with lengthened de-
composed feathers; those of lower neck, and the sca])ulars, lengthened and linear-lanceolate,
but conipact-w(!bbe(l ; no (hirsal train of fringed feathers. Neck bare behind below. Di-
chromatic ; c(dor blue or white, or both.
002. P. ccBfu'lea. (Lat. cceriilea, blue.) Littlf, Hi.i'e IIkuon. Litti.k Wiiiti: IIi;ito\ (not
to be confused with Little White Egret). In the colored phase; Shity-bhu', or dark grayish-
blu(!, becoming purplish-red or maromi-polored on the ne(di and head. Hill and loral s]iace
blue, shading to black toward the end; legs and feet bhndc ; ej-es yellow. Length about
24.00; extent 40.00-42.00; wing about 11.50; tail 4.25; bill 3.00-3.40; tarsus about the
same, rather more ; tibiip bare 2.00. In (piie jdiase, entirely white ; but generally showing
traces of blue. Pure white birds require a second glance to distinguish them from immature
662
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —HEIWDIONES— IIEJIODJI.
Garzetta candidinsimn, us tlioy iiii! of the siimo nizo, lunl not siiikiii^ly iliffiTt'iit in form ;
nutk-(! lorcH anil \M>m\ liiilf of 1)111 Kr(>c'iiish-i)lni', tlw; mtti hliickiNli; nioiit of lower niiuiilihlt'
ytillowi.sh ; h'^^n nrrcnish-l)lin', with yellow tniccti, or bluiitli-ltliu^k ; the snowy heron Iiuh no
bliiinhur.Hs iiliuiit the Nuft jmrts. S. Athmtle iinil Gulf .States, resident, nlmnilant ; N. in
BUinnier often to the Miilille States, eusnally to Now England. Nestiiii; as UHiml ; ej,'>»s H-i,
1.75 X 1.2.), of usual shaiie and color.
263. BUTORI'DKS. (Lat. hutor, a bittern ; Gr. tldos, eiJon, resenihlanee.) Gkken IIrkdnh.
Kize sniall ; len^^th one and a half feet, liill moderate, longer than tarsus, with gently <;onvex
uulnien and gonys. LegH short; tibiio little dunudetl; tursuti Hcareely or not longer than
niiddli^ to(! and (daw. An occipital crest of lengthened, lanceolate, not decomposed, feathers;
neck-feathers long but blended, those beh>\v dep<-nding in a tufi, those on sides hiding an
extensive bare space behinil. In the breeding season, feathers of back lengthened, lance-
linear, but conii)aet-wel)l)cd, and not forming a train. Upper parts glossy green.
063. B. vlres'ceiis. (Lat. D»re."ice>is, growing green.) (iiiEKN IIkkon. Adnlt in the breeding season
with the crown, long soft occipital crest, and lengthened narrow featht.'rs of the back lustrous
dark green, sometimes with a bronzy iridescence ; the dorsal plumes in high plunuige with
a glaucous bluish cast. Wing-coverts green, with conspicuous tawny edgings; neck rich dark
purplish-chestnut, the throat-line variegated with dusky and white. Under parts nn)stly dark
brownish-ash ; belly variegated with white, tiuills and tail greenish-dusky with a glaucous
shade; edge of the wing white; somo of the quills usually white-tipped. Hill greenish-ldack,
nnich of the under nnindibh? yeUow ; lores and iris yellow; legs greenish-yellow ; lower neck
with lengthened feathers in front, a bare sjiace behind. Young : Head less crested ; back with-
out long narrow plumes, but glossy-greenish; neck merely reddish-brown ; M-lnde under j)arts
white, variegated with tawny and dark brown. Length IG.OD-IS.OO ; extent about 2.5.00;
wing 0.50-7.50 ; bill 2.50; tarsus 2.00; middle toe and claw about the same ; libin) bare 1.00
or less. U. S., and a little beyond, abundant in sunnner; resident in the South, and beyond.
This is a very pretty and engaging little heron, in spite of the ridicnions nickname by which it
is so well known to the great unwaslnul democraciy of America. Breeds anywhere in its range,
sometimes in communities with larger species, often by it.self in jiairs. Nest a rude platform
of twigs, on tree <n- bush ; eggs U-6, elli))tical, 1.37 X 1.12, pale greenish.
264. NYCTIAR'DEA. ((jv. vv(, geii. wktus, mix, niiktos, u])iht: Lat. «>'rfea, a heron. Fig. 460.)
NidiiT Hkuoxs. Of medium size; length about
2 feet. IJill very stout for this family ; bill, tarsus,
and middle too with claw, of approxinmtely equal
lengths. Tarsus reticulate in front b(dow. Tibiae
briefly naked below. Neck short, coi'responding to
the short legs; body stout. No peculiar jdumes,
excepting two or three extremely long filamentous
feathers springing from the hind head, generally
imbricated in one btmdle. Sexes alike ; younj;
very diflerent. A better genus than any of the
foregoing, as distinguished fnnn Anlea, but very
iH'ar the next, \vhi<'h might be combined with it.
664. N. gri'sea nae'vla. Black-ckowned Nioht Hkrox. QtA-HiiiD. Squawk. Adult ^
9 : Crown, scapulars and interscapulars very dark glossy green ; other ui>por parts, wings
and tail, i)ale bluish-gray with a lilac or lavender tinge, most decided on the neck. Fore-
head and throat-line white, shading into the lilaeeous of the neck ; under parts whitish,
tinged with lilac. The long occipital plumes white. Eyes red ; lores greenish ; bill black ;
legs yellow; claws brown. Length 2:}.00-2C.00 ; extent about 44.00; wing 12.00-14.00;
tail 5.00; bill, tarsus, middle toe with claw, each 3.00 or a little more; tibiaj bare about an
Fro. 460. — Nlglit Heron. (From Lewis.)
ARDEWJK: BOTAUHiyAi: JillTEIiNiS.
tjoa
inch. Yontip vrry tliffi'mit ; pri»yish-l)rown n))iivp, tlio fcutliiMx with pnlrr rilgcg, iiml ('(ni-
8j)iini(UiHly is|Mitt('il witli wliitish ; the lnwcr parts imlcr or liull wliiti.xh, sttrmky witli ilaiki'i-;
Rrpon of hcMil rt'iihicfd hy <>li<M'<ihU(>-hri)Wii ; (|ulll8 chouiilutc-hniwii, whitt'-ti|i|if(l; iiti cicci|(.
ital iiltmirs. V. S. ami llriti.»h Priiviiicc?*, (■oiiiiiinii; iiiii;i'ati>ry ; ri'sidfiit in the Himtli.
HiTcds in hcroiiricN, soiiirtimcs nf vast cxtt'iil, nwirtcil to year after year. Nest lari;i' and
frail; t'Ujrs 15-4, of iihuuI Hhapi', very pale Hni-Krecn color, avcrauini? 2.00 X l.'»'t. (»nr
sjM'cics i« only iv varii'ly of thi^ Kin'o|u'an ^Y. grisea, wliunci! the trinomial iniuio; " mcvin"
is only apidicaldc to tlir yonni; in the .-ipotti'd stai;c.
265. NYCTKIlO'l>lt'S. ((jr. i/t^, «iu', iiijjlit; fpo)8(ok-, i/'w/i'o.'i, ahcron.) 'riiicK-niLi, Niuui Mi \j.
()N,s. Of uicdiinn itizo; l('ii]|;th ahout -2 iVrt. Hill ('.xtrcnicly Mtmit for this family ; cnlnicn • i;!'viil
throni;hout ; ^""y'' convex, a.scendinir ; eoniniissiire ami lateral outlines of hill straii;ht; In,.!
much shorter than tarnns. Tarsn.s longer than middle toe and claw, reticulate exceptiiit; nlxiv.-
in front. Feathers of occiput lengthened, the longest of ^reat extent, and linear, formini; :i
hantfini; crest ; fenthers of hack h'nKthenetl and lanceolate, the lonyest loose-wehhed, oxttnidiiij;
heyond the tail. Sexe.s alike; cohu's Variegated ; yoiinj; very ditl'erent.
005. N. vloltt'oeu8. (Lat. ri()/((cei(,«, violet-colored : straininu; a point.) Yk.i.i.ow-crownkI) Nkjut
IIkkon. Adidt (J 9: (jeiioral «<dor ij;rayish-i)lmnheoU8, or light >;rayish-hlue, darker on the
back, wlieni the feathers have black centres and pale edijes, and rather paler below. Head and
ujtper neck behind blai'k, with ii cheek-j)utch, the crown, ami nnist of the crest, white, more
nr lost) tinged with tawny. Quills and tail dusky (dumlx'ous. Mill black ; eyes orange; lores
greenish; feet black ami yellow. Length about i^i.OO ; extent 4k00; wing 12.00 ; tail ."j. 00 ;
bill scarcely :}. 00, over 0.. 50 deep at base ; tibial hare 2.00; tarsus l-.OO ; midille toe and claw
'2.7.5. Young: Above, grayish-brown, with an (dive shade, .streuketl and spotted with brown-
ish-yellow ; below, streaked with brown ami whitish ; siiles of head and ne(d< yellowish-brown,
streaked with darker; toji of head and neck above beliiml blacldsh, variegated with white.
Bill blacki.sh, with ninch of the lower nuindilile, and the lores, greenish-yedlow ; legs the same,
obscured on front of tarsus; iris yellow. S. Atlantic and fiulf States, ami .southward ca-
sionally \. to the Middle States; not abundant, and <diietly conhned to the coast. Hesident in
Florida. Nest as usual iu trees and bushes, in conimnnities ; eggs .3, pale greenish-blue ; 2.00
X 1.45.
61. Subfamily BOTAURIN^: Bitterns.
Tail-feathers 10, broad and very soft. I'owder-down tracts 2 pairs. Outer toe sliorter
than the inner. Claws long aud little curved. The Hitterns form u well-marked section of
Fio. 461. — Bill of Bittern, nnt. size. (Ad nat. ilel. E. C.)
the family, if not <me of subfamily value. They are retiring and solitary birds of the marsh,
not gregarious, not nesting in connnunities on trees, but by separate jjairs, aud on the ground ;
and the eggs have not the characteristic color of those of true Herons.
664
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — HEIiODIONES— HEliODII.
I
Kio. 402. — Amerkun ISittcrn. (From Teniiey, lifter Aiuliilinn.)
266. BOTAU'RUS. (Lntc Laf. hotamus, a bittern ; said to l)e not equal to ho/t-taurus; from
the lidll-jw ffuttural ery ?) IJittekns. Of inwliiiiii size; lengtli almiit 'ii feet. Bill mod-
erately lonfier than head, shorter than tarsus, wliicii is shorter than middle too and claw.
Tarsus broadly .seutellatc in front. No crests or peculiar dorsal plumes ; ncck-fcathers long
and loose ; plumage blended, spotty and streaky. Neck in part bare behind. Sexes and
young alike.
666. B. mugi'tans. (Lat. muijitans, bellowing. Figs. 461, 4C2.) American Bittern. Indian
Hen. .Stake-driver. Boo-itrLi.. I'ltnnage of the upper parts singularly freckled with brown
(if various shades, blackish, tawny,
and whitisli ; neck and under jiarts
ocbrey or tawny-white, each feather
marked with a brown dark-edged
stripe, the throat-line white, with
brown .streaks. A velvety-black
j)atch on each side of the neck
above, ("rown dull brown, with
buff su])erciliary stripe. 'I'ail brown.
Quills greenish-black, with a glau-
cous .shade, brown-ti])ped. Iris yel-
low. Bill ou the ridge brownish-
black, tli(> rest ]iale yellowish ; a
(lark brown loral stri])e. Legs
(lull yellowish-green; claws brown.
Length from ^o.CU to lii.OO ! extent
:{2.ob-45.00 ! wing9.5()-i;{.00; bill
about 3.00; tarsus alxmt 15.50; middle toe without claw about the same; its claw above
an inch long. 9 smaller than $ ; but few birds (jffer .«o much in size as this species, indepeu-
(Icntly of sex. Entire temjK'rate N. Am., N. to 58° or 60°, S. to C. Am. ; accidental in Europe.
Regularly migratory ; resident in the South. The bittern is a bird of very marked character.
It inhabits bog and brake, singly or in pairs ; has a hoarse gurgling outcry of alarm, and a
note sounding like the strokes of a mallet on u stake. Ne.sts on the ground ; eggs 3-5, brown-
ish-drab with a gray («o< green) shade, 1.90 to 2.00 long by about 1.50.
267. ARDETTA. ( I tal. diminutive of .^rrfeff.) DwARF Bitterns. Very small, least of the whole
family; length about a foot. In form very nearly as in Bo/f(i(»'ws. Bill slender. Tarsus about
equal to middle toe and claw. No {wcnliar feathers ; those of lower neck long and loose ; head
slightly crested. Colors of back in large areas. Se-xes dissimilar ; young similar. There are
several species of these queer little herons, of America and the Old World ; they mostly inhabit
reedy swamjis, and somewhat approach I'ails.
667. A. exl'Iis. (Lat. cxilix, for exirjilis, exignous, slight, snniU.) Least Bittern. Adult ^
with the slightly (T(>ste(l crown, back, and tail, glcssy greenish-black. Neck Ixdiiud, most of
the wing-coverts, and outer edges of inner quills, rich chestnut ; other wing-coverts brownisli-
yellow. Front and sides of neck, and under parts, brownish-yellow, varied with white along
the throat-line, the sides of the breast with a blacki.sh-brown patch. Bill mostly ]tale yellow,
the cuhnen blackish; lores light green; eyes and toes yellow; legs gr(>en, tlie hinder scales
yellow. 9 ^''i''' •''•' black of the back entirely, that of the crown mostly or wholly, replaced
by rich purplish-chestnut; the edges of the scapulars forming a brownish-white stripe on either
side. Length 11.00-14.00 ; extent somewhere about 18.00 ; wing 4.00-5.00 ; tail, hill, tarsus,
middle toe and claw, ea'-h, 2.00 or less. IT. S. and Brit, i'roviuces, common; migratory;
resident in the South ; breads throughout its range. Found also in W. I. and V. Am. Inhabits
reedy swamps and marshes, such as rails frequent; nest on ground or in bush tir reed patch,
I
ALECTOIUDES: CliA.XES, HAILS. AM) TllEIll ALLIES.
t!G5
a inero platform of dcaU rushes. Eggs ^-5, I'lliptical, about U)i X 1.2-', white, with faintest
tiuge of bluish.
IZ. Order ALECTORIDES: Cranes, Rails, and their Allies.
A jiortion of these birds, representing the Crmw type, have a general resemblance to the
foregoing, but are readily distinguished by the techuieal eharactrrs given beyond under tlie head
of (iniida; and in essential respeets accord with the rest, reiiresentiug tUv Jiiiil tyjie. The hitter
are birds of medium and small size, Mith compressed body, and the head featiiered. The neck
and legs are not particularly leugtb<'ned, but as a rule the toes are remarkably long, enabliiig
the birds to run lightly over the soft oozy giduud and lloating vegetation of tlu^ reedy swamps
and marshes they inhabit. This h'ligtli of the toes has given a name, jV«c/-w/m////(, to the
group; their shy retiring habit of skulking anioiu; the rushes has caused them to be souu'timcs
called Lafitorcs (skulkers). Their nature is prarocial ; the eggs are numerous, usually laid
on the ground, in a rude nest. The nourishment is essentially the same as that of the LimimUc,
Imt it is simi)ly ]iicked up from the surface, not felt for in the mud, nor stami)ed out of the
ground. The hallux is usually leilgtheued, and but little elevated, but may be short and well
up, or even absent. The feet are conspicuously lobate in some forms, but never e.xteiisivelv
paliinite ; the phalanges of the front toes diminish in length from first to penultimate. The
lower part of the orns is bare of feathers. The wings are usually short, roniKh'd, and concave;
the tail is very short, few-feathered, often held cocked up, and wagged iu time with a boliliing
motion of the head that occurs with each step taken.
l^\\c Akctorides are sehizoguathous in palatal structure. The nasal bones are schizorhiual
in the Crane type. Indorbinal in that of the h'liils. 'I"he angle of the mandible is trimcate. TIk*
ma.xillo-palatines are not spongy, but thin and laminate. There are iiornuilly no basipterygoid
processes. The sternum is typically long and narrow, and luay be entire, or deeply notched;
it is sometimes excavated to receive folds of the windpipe. There are two carotids ; and two
intestinal c(eea are present. While the general pterylosis is not peculiar, the Alcctorides mir-
nuilly lack the powder-down tracts so characteristic of Herons and their allies. As to the
classiHcatory muscles of the thigh, all five are present nearly throughout the (U'der; exception-
ally the feinoro-caudal or its accessory is wanting.
'I'hese norimilly prircocial and jjtilopa'dic (with whatever exceptions) birds are more sharply
distinguished from the perfectly altricial llcrodioiiea than they are from the completely pra'cocial
and ptiloptedic LimicoUc ; with which latter, in fact, the Alcctinides are directly connected
through the IJustards (Otididcc) ami the Thick-knees {(Ediciwmidfc) — the liiu> between the
two orders being probably to be drawn between these two families.
This country attords typical representatives of the two leading forms of the order, that of
tlie Cranes, to which Arawiis belongs, and (if the Rails, Coots, and (Jallimdes, as given beyond.
There ;ire, however, a number of remarkable outliers that maybe briefly mentioned, as fol-
lows: The large ami imiMirtant Old World family of the Mustards, Otididrr, has already been
mentiiuied as the coimeetiug link between Alcdnridfs and Limicola: Tlie Kagti, liliiiiiifliirlus
jiilmlun of New Caledonia, and the Ctirle, Euriipjiga lirlins of (iuiana, each the typi' and single
re[iresentative of a family, are m-ar the Cranes in principal osteolonical characters, although
ptervlograpiiically they are more like Herons, both possessinj: powder-down tracts: and Eiiri/-
J>!/fl(i, in particular, resembles Herons in other respects. More closely allied to the Cranes are
the Trumpeters, Psophiidfr, of oiu' genus and few species of South America : with the Cariaiuas,
Caridiiiidcr, of the same country, represented only by the Caritimn rristafn and the Cliiiiifia
hurmcisieri. The Horned Screanu'rs, I'liliimedridfC, of South .\meriea, consisting of three
sjieeies, I'fdamedcn cornutn, Chaiiva chnnirin. and C. dcvhimxi, seem to be nearer the Kails, and
also to closely approach some water birds : one of theui is by soiue consicU'rcd the nearest living
6G6
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — ALECTORIDES — GR UIFOBMES.
ally of the mesozoic Archoeopteryx ; they should probably constitute an order apart. Some
gigantic extinct birds hulout; in the ucighborliood of the rails and coots. Apparently rail-like,
but probably more truly plover-like birds arc tlie Ja^auus, I'arridm, noted for the l«;ngtii of tlie
toes, and especially of the claws ; they have a sharp spur on the wing. There are less than
12 sjjecies, usually niferrcd to several genera, of various i)arts of the world ; one of them lately
ascertained to occur in our country. Finally, tlie Sun-birds, Heliornithidec, are a small bnt
remarkable family of one or two genera and about four species of tropical America, Africa, and
southern Asia. They have been classed, on account of their lobate feet and a certain general
resemblance, with the grebes ; but the feet are like those of coots, and their whole structure
shows that they belong with the ralliform birds.
Waiving consideration of certain disj)uted forms, the Alectorides may be ranged in two
series, suborders, or superfamilies, according as they arc crane-like or rail-like.
n
268.
668.
15. SuBOUDER GRUIFORMES : Cranes and their Allies.
Represented in N. Am. by two families, Gruidcc and Aramida:.
47. Family GRUID-E : Cranes.
As already explained. Cranes are related to Rails hi essential points of structtire, though
more resembling Herons in tlieir general aspect. They are all large birds, some being of im-
mense stature ; the legs and neck are extremely long (the latter witli about 17 vertebra;) ; the
wings ample, but incised along ])osterior border, from shortness of tlie outer seeondaii(!s ; tin;
tail short, usually of 12 broad feathers. The head is generally, in part, naked and paiiillose or
wattled in the adult, with a grovvtli of hair-like feathers, or, in some caM's, an upriglit tnft of
curiously bushy plumes. The general plumage is compact, in striking contrast to that of
Herons ; but the inner wing-<iuills, in most cases, are enlarged and Howhig. In some species,
the sternum is enlarged and hollowed to receive a fold of the windpi])e, as in Swans, and some
of the Storks and Ibises (p. 202). Hill equalling or exceedhig the head in length, straight, rather
slender but strong, comprcss(!d, contracted opposite the nostrils, obtusely pointed ; nasal fossa-
short, broad, shallow ; nostrils near the middle of the bill, large, broadly opi-ii and completely
jiervioiis ; tibia; naked for a great distance; tarsi scuttdlate in front; toes short, webbed at
base ; liallnx very short, iiiglily elevated ; inner anterior claw large. About 1.5 species of various
parts of tlie world ; only 3 of them American. Most of them fall in the g(>nus (irun ; the
elegant "demoiselle" cranes of tlie Old World, Ahthrnjm'ides (or Tetniptery.x) rirfio and para-
disfffi, and tli(> African IMearicn (or Gernnarchus) pnvonimi, are tlie principal ex('e])tioiis.
GBUS. (Lat. (frux, fern., a cran(>.) Craxes. Of maximum size and length of neck and
legs ; color white or gray. Head with(>ut crest : more or le^.* bare of feathers in adult, cariin-
culate, with hair-like bristles; rorehea<l low. Character of bill, legs, and wings, typically as
above said. Tail short, 12-feathored. Tarsus broadly scutellate in front. Toes sliort, the
middle about third as long as tarsus ; inner rather exceeding outer, with enlarged claw. Inner
wing-quills lengthened, curved, pendent beyond jiriinaries when the wing is ftdded. Nest on
t\)e ground ; eggs f(>w.
AnnhjsiA of Sprrh's,
Adult white, wltli lilack prlmnrlcs. Nakedness extending I)ac'kward In a point on top and side of
Iiead amrriijiiiia 0C8
AdiiltH gray. Nakedness forked on top of head by a point of fcatlicrs, and not rcacliing on aide below eye.
Snmllor: wing under 20.(10; 1)111 4.00 or less ; tarsus 8.0(1 or loss canailinsiH Cfiit
Larger: wing over 20.00; bill 5.00 or more; tarsus 9.00 or more praUnsis (i70
O. america'na. White Crane. Whoopino Crane. Adiih with the bare part of the head
extending in a jioint on the occiput above, on each side below the eyes, and very hairy. IJill
very stout, gonys convex, as(^ending, that part of the under mandibh- as deep as tlie upper
GliUID^E: CllANES. — ARAMIDJE: COURLANS.
667
opposite it. Adult plumage pure white, with black primaries, primary uoverts and alula ; bill
dusky greenish ; legs black ; head caniiiue, the liaii-likc feathers blackisli. Young with the
head feathered ; general plumage gray f varied witli brown. Leiigtli about 50 iuclie.s ; extent
90.00; wing 24.00; tail 9.00; tarsus 12.00; middle toe .5.00; bill 6.00. In tiie adult, the
windpipe is quite as long as the bird itself — .50 inches or more, and over two feet of it is coiled
away in the keel of the breast-bone, which is entirely hollowed out to receive these extraordi-
nary convolutions (fig. 99) ; the voice is singularly raucous and resonant. Temperate N. Am.,
but apparently of in-egular distribution, not W(>11 made out ; said to be or to have been common in
the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and to have extended up the loast to the Middhi States.
Now scarcely known in the Eastern and Middle States. Tiie chief line of nugration appears to
be iu the interior, along the Mississippi Valley, I'exas to Minnesota and Dakota, wliere tiie bird
breeds, iind thence spreading in the interior of tiie Fur Countries. So wild and wary a bird
must bo much influenced by the settlement of the country. Eggs 2 (or li ?), about 3.7.) X
2.05, light browiush-drab, rather sparsely marked, except at great cud, with large irreguhir
spots of dull chocolate-brown, with paler obscure shell-markings ; shell rough, witli numerous
warty elevations, and jtunctulate.
669. G. canaden'sls. (Of Canada.) Northern Brown Crank. General character of the
species next to be described; nakedness of head, and color of plumage substantially the same.
SnuiUer; M-ing 18.00-19.00; tail 7.00; tarsus 6.75-8.00; bill along culinen :}. 00- 1.00! middle
toe scarcely 3.00. Alula, edge of wing, primaries, and tlnMr shafts, black f Head of adult
less naked ? Supposed to be confined in the breediug sea.son to Arctic America, tiience
migrating through Western U. S. to W. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and soutiiward.
(Supposed to be the true G. canadensis Linn., 1758, ex Edw. Is G. fraterculus Cass. ?
I mu.st retain my doubts about this bird.)
670. G. praten'sis. (Lat. pratensis, relating to pratum, prairie, field.) Southern Saxd-iiill
Crane. Co.m.mon Brown or Sand-hill Crane. Adult with the bare part of the head
forking behind to receive a j)ointed extension of tlie occipital feathers, not reaching on the
sides below the eyes, and sparsely hairy. Bill moderately stout, with nearly straight and
scarcely ascending gonys, that jiart of the under mandible not so deep as tlie upper at the same
phice. Adult plumage plumbeous-gray, never whitening; primaries, their coverts, and alula,
ashy-brown, little darker than the general plumage, the shafts of the primaries wliite. Young
with head feathered, and plumage varied with rusty brown. Nestlings quite reddish. Smaller
than G. americana; larger than No. (W.) • length -t-i.OO; extent 80.00; wing 23.00; tail
9.00; tarsus 9.50-10.00; bill along culmeu 5.00-6.00; middle too 3.50-4.00. This species
has been said to lack tracheal convolutious, which is not true of the adult. The traduMi is at
first simple and straight, not ci'ir ing the sternum ; in the adult, about 8 inches of windpipe
is coiled away in the breast-bone, tin anterior half of the keel of which is excavated to receive
the folds (fig. 100). Tlie disposition is the same as in G. iimericnna, but nnich less extensive —
8 iuches as against about 27 — a ditt'erence in degree, not of kind. Temperate N. Am., rare or
irregular in the east, very abundant in the south and west : apjiarently breeds in suHiciently
wild places througiiout its range. Eggs (2) camiot be distinguisaeil fr<im tliose of G. amerkuna
by c(dor or te-xture of shell, or dimensions ; the specimens examined average less capacious,
and relatively more elongate; from 4.10 X 2.40, down to 3.65 X 2.10; average nearer 3.90 X
2.00 ; series probably including eggs of No. 669. {G. canadensis Auct., an Liim. .')
48. Family ARAMID^: Courlans.
Consisting of a single genus, with probably only one sjiecies, of the warmer portions of
America; closely allied to Gruidtr in essential points of .structure, and forming a connecting
link with liallidce. The osteological and pterylographic characters are completely crane-like;
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — ALECTOItlDES— GUriEOL'MES.
tho digestive system is as in the Kails ; tlie circa are two, situate cldsp tofrether. Carotids two;
syriiigeal muscles one pair; fcuioro-caiulal absent.
269. A'RAMUS. (Etym. ignot.) CoiuuAXS. Hill twice as long as the liead, slender hut strong,
coniiiressed, grooved for ahotit lialf its U'ngtli, contracted opposite tiie nostrils, the terminal
portion enlarged and decurved. Nostrils hmg, linear, pervious. Head completely feathered
to the bill; tibiiu half bare; tarsus scutellate anteriorly, as long as the hill, h)ngerthan middle
071.
'mi
Fia. A(\3. — Parrajarniiii.i nat. fhe. (From Ilrclmi.)
too; toes cleft, the hinder short, elevated, the outer longer than inner; wings short, rounded,
with falcate 1st )>rimary, the inner (|uills folding over the primaries when closed; fail short,
of I'i broad feathers.
A. ple'tiis. (I,at. jncfiis, iiainfed. spotted.) Scoi.ni'.ACKof.s CofRLAN. ('nYixr,-Rini>.
("auat. LlMI'KIN. Ohocolate-hrowii with a sliiiht olivaceous or other gloss, paler on the
face, chin, and throat, most of the plumage .sharply streaked with white. Length 2l-.00-28.()0;
I'xtent K).nO-l4.<IO; wing 12.00-14.00; tail (1.00-7.00; bill ami tarsus, each, about 5.00.
FUirida, and West Indies.
PAJiiiiD.i-j : ja(;ana:s.
«!♦»!)
16. SuBonoER llALLIFOKMES : Kallifoum Hmns.
Represented in North Aniericii l)y ilio ilircc Iciidiii!; groups of liallida' — i\w Kails, tliiUi-
nulcs, ami Coots. (For position o{ Vnrrida:, sec IhIow.)
49. Family PARRID-^: Japanits.
A small family of small wailiiig-birds, of W genera and fewer than H species, eombiniiig
characters of Plovers and l{ails, outwardly distinguisiu'd from eitlu'r by the excessive develop-
meat of the toes and especially of the chiws. These are slender, compressed, acute, nearly or
quite straight; tluit of the hind toe much exceeding its digit in length. The spread of feet thus
ac-|uired eiuihles the birds to run with ease over the lloating vegetation of the marshes they
inhabit. The American gemis is I'tmn (lig. ;i(i;5) ; the Old World genera are Mctojiotliux,
Hi/dntledor, and Ili/drophmiaiiiis. The systematic jiosition of the family has been much
(|uestioned. On nearly all counts, it would iippciir to be Limivoliiii; not Alccloridiiiv, and
should be removed to the other order, next to Cliunidriidir. The bill of Parrn is (piite plover-
like; the spur (m the wing and skin-tlaps about the bill -.m- like those of llDplniitrnis and
Lohiranellns (I'lovers). With this understiniiliiig, I leave tiie family where I tind it.
270. PAll'RA. (Lat. jiitrni, name of some bird.) ,Iai,anas. 1)111 plover-like, contracted in
continuity, enlarged terminally; with cnhnen depressed to end of nasal groove, then couvc-x
and decurved; outliiK' of mandibular rand about straight to the gonys, which is ascending;
connnissnre about straight to the decurved end. Nasal grooves along the contracted portion
of the bill; nostrils small, I'lliptical, situati" in advance of the base of the bill. Angle of mouth
with a leaf-like lobe of skin (rudimentary in our spi'cies). Fori'liead with a large leaf-like
lobe of skin, with free lateral and posterior edges, atUierent centrally and anteriorly where
reaching base of upper nnindible. A sharp horny spur on bend of wing. Primaries 10, not
peculiar in structure; outer .'{ about eipial and longest, overhiid by the inner nuills in the
closed wing. Tail very short, with soft rectrices concealed by the coverts. Tibia- bare lielow,
aiul with the tarsus scntellate before and behind, the scutella tending to become conltnent in a
eontiimous sheath. -Ml tin? toes, claws included, longer than tarsus; middle toe alone nearly
as long as tarsus; outer toe alone about as long as niiddh-, its claw shorter than that of middle
toe; inner toe a little shorter than outer, its claw longer; hind toe only about as long as ba.sal
joint of middle toi', but its claw much longer tlian itself; all the claws slender, al)out straight,
very acute.
072. 1*. gymiio'stoiuii. ((Jr. •yi;/ii'oy./7H»i«o.s', naked : oro^a, .s7i);»f/, nniuth. Fig. .VWcr.) Mi;xican
Ja<;AnA. Adult : (Jeueral plumage rich purplish-chestmit, briuhtest on wings and tail, darkest
on back, breast, and sides, fading on lower belly. (Quills |)ale yellowish-green, with <lusky
edging in increasing 4'xtent from the secondaries to the outermost ]irimary : alula and i)rimary
coverts blackish. Hill, frontal leaf, and wing-spur yellow; base of ujiper mandible whitish,
and space between it and the frontal leaf carmine; feet greenish ; iris brown. Young: (irayish-
brown above, streaked with brownish-yellow; below, butly-wliitisli, darker across breast, tin?
sides and lining of wings dusky ; a light sniierciliary and dusky postociilar stripe ; wing-quills
greenish-yellow as in adult ; tail-feathers like u])per parts. Frontal leaf rudimentary.
Wing abimt 5.00 ; bill l.-J.') ; tarsus, and middle toe without claw, 2.00. West Indies, .Mexico,
to Texas on the Lower Kio Grande.
50. Family RALLID.iE: Rails, etc.
This is a large and imiiortant family, abuiuhnitly re|)resented in most jiarts of tin; world.
They are birds of medium ami small size, geneially with compressed body and large strong
legs (the nniscularity of the thiirhs is very noticeable), enabling them to run rapidly and thread
070
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — ALECTOUIDES— ItALLIFOliMES.
with ease the iimzcs <if the reedy iiuirHhes to whieli they are uhnoift exclusively confined ;
while by means of their lout; toes they are prevented from sinking in the mire or the Hoiiting
vegetation. The wings aiv never long and pointed as among Limicola; being in fact of tiie
shortest, most ronnded and concave form found among waders ; and the flight is rarely pro-
tracted to any great distance. The tail is always very short, generally of 10 or 12 soft
feathers. Details of the bill and feet vary with the genera ; but the former is never sensitive
at the tip, and the hitter have? the hallux htnger and Ufwer down than it is in the shore-birds.
The nostrils an! jiervious, of variable shape. The head is completely feathered ; the general
plumage is ordinarily of subdued and blended coloration, lacking much of the variegation
commonly observed in sliore-birds ; the sexes are usually alike, and the changes of plnnuige
not great with age or sea.'son. The food, never probed for in tlu! nnid, but gathered from the
surface of the ground or water, consists of a variety of aquatic animal and vegetalde substances.
The nest is a rude structure, placed on the ground, or in a tuft of reeds or other herbage ; the
eggs are numerous, generally variegated in color ; the young are hatched chith<'d. The
general habit is gregarious, and migratory ; many species occm- in vast nmltifudes, though
their skulking ways, and the nature of their resorts, withdraw tiiem from casual observation.
Some species swim habitually.
There appear to be upward of 150 species of the family, falling in several well-nnirkcd
groujts. The Ucydromiruc are an 0\A World type of some 35 species, ranking with some
authors as a distinct family. Mr. Gray nuxkes the AhivMi Himaxtuniis lucmatopus the typo
and single representative of another sul)family. Excluding the Parridce and Helioniithuhi;
both of whicli are sonu-times brought under MalUdcc, as subfamilies, the three remaining
groups are rej)resented in this country.
Amilyn'm of SulifamUii s unit (Iciiini,
ItALLiN.f':. Ilaih. Nu frontal Hliieltl, tliu rvatherH of foruheatl re.icliiiig bill. Toch simple. Bo<ly com-
prcssud.
Bill Mlcnder, longer tliuii lieiul, c-iirvol, with long imrrow iiiiwil groove and linear noBtrlls . . llallui 271
liill Htoiil, not longer tliuii head, Htritiglit, with broiid iiHHal gr<K)vu and oblong iioHtrilH . . I'orzana 272
Ah in the last; wings longer, folding neiirly to end of tiiil Crix 273
Oai.i.iniilin.i:. Oallinulcs. A bare horny frontal shield. Toes simple or niorcly margined. Body
less compressed.
Toes without eviili'Mt lateral margins; nostrils oval Innornis 275
Toes with lateral margins; nostrils narrow ' (•alliiiula 274
KeiJcix.i:. CootH. A bare horny frontal shielil. Toes lobate. Hody depressed. Nostrils narrow
FuHca 276
62. Subfamily RALLIN^ : True Rails.
I'iiis is the largest, and central or typii'al, group, to which
most of the foregoing j)aragraph is especially applicable. The
species are strictly paliulic(de ; tiie coiuiu-ession of the body is at
a nuixiininn ; the form is blunt and tiii<-k behind, with a very
short tip-up tail, and tapei's to a point in front ; the whole fig-
ure being thus a<lapted to wedge through narrow places. The
wings arc extremely short and rounded, and tin' ordinary llight
appears feeble aiul vacillating, tiiough the migrations of many
Fio. 464.- Carolina Uail. (From «l>w'''« »"' very extensive. Tiie tail has 12 feathers. The
Teiiney, after Wilson.) flank-feathers are commoidy enlarged aiul conspicuously col-
ored; the thighs arc very muscular; the tibia- are generally if not always naked below; the
tarsi scutellate in front ; the toes are long, cleft, without lobes or any obvious marginal mem-
branes. The bill occurs under two principal modificaticms : in Ralhis proper it is haiger than
the head, slender, (compressed, slightly curved, long-grooved, with linear nostrils ; in Vorzana
and most genera, however, it is shorter or not longer than the head, straight, rather stout.
271.
'1
RALLID^ — liALLINA': : HAILS.
(171
which
TlU!
' in lit
vny
The
llight
iijiiiiy
TIio
; th<i
IM'III-
than
zona
itout.
271
with short broad nasal fossa-, and liiiwu-ohlong nostrils — altof,'rthrr somewhat as in gallina-
ceous birds. The ciiliiK'n more or less obviously parts antial extension of th(! frontal feathers,
but never forms a frontal siiiehl, as in the ("oots and (iallinules. Of about ;15 American sjx'cies
or varieties only 10 occur in this country, to which must be added one strafjfgler from Europe.
Tiiere are some 25 Old VViirld sjiecics.
Tile Rails inhabit all temperate countries ; they are remarkably distinguished by the
extniuie narrowness or compression of tlie body, wliicli enables them to thread a way through
the closest reeds and rushes of the marslies where they always live. Instead of long, flat,
pointed, narrow wings, with flowing tertials, diaracteristic of tlie great Plover-snipe group,
they have short, concave, rounded wings, and tiieir fliglit is consequently of a ditterent sort.
They are neither swift nor vigorous on wing. When flushed, a nuitter of some ditticiilty,
they fly in so feeble and vague a way that it is not very easy to understand how they make
the extensive migrations for which, n(^v(!rtheless, they are noted. The legs, as well as more
particuhirly the feet, are large and strong; tlie tliigiis extremely muscular; they trust rather
to these members tiuin to their wings in avoiding pursuit or ctM-aping danger ; pndtably no
birds are more accomplished pedestrians tlian they are. There is generally, if not always, a
sliyht membrane between the bas(! of the toes, but nothing amounting even to semipalniation ;
nevertheless, some of the species swim short distances with ease. While not exactly grega-
rious, since they do not go in flocks that are actuated by a common impulse and the instinct of
socialism, nevertheless they fre([uent, through comniimity of tastes and wants, the marshes
in immense numbers ; where they breed, and where they appear during the migration, jiar-
ticuhuiy the autumnal, the marshes appear full-stocked with them. Their cries are loud,
dry, and harsh ; in the spring-time the mar.shes resound. They scream piteously when
wounded and caught, and fight as well as they can with their strong claws. Their food
consists of all sorts of aciuatic animals small enough to be swallowed — little crabs, snails,
and other small mollusks, grubs, worms, and insects. They pr<d»ably all live at times, and
in a measure at least, npim the seeds and tender shoots of aquatic plants. They lay many
white or whitish, nnich-spotted, oval or elliiitical eggs, in a rude flat nest, built of sticks,
rush-stalks, and gras.ses, upon the ground. The young, of whii-h more than one brood nuiy
be anmuilly raised, are generally black in the downy state, whatever the c(dor of the adults.
They appear to be of somewhat nocturnal habits, and probably migrate mostly by night.
Th(! flesh of some of our species is esteemed good eating, and great numbers are aimually
destroyed for the table, in the fall, when tlu^y an,' generally very fat.
KAL'LUS. (Low Lat. ralliis, a rail, from rasle, rCtk, a rattling cry.) Hails. Markii Hrns.
Hill longer than head, sleuih'r, compressed, decurved, with long nasal groove extending beyond
middle of bill. Nostrils linear, sub-basal. Hind toe not half as long as tarsus. Wings, tail,
and legs as in l{allin<c at large. I'lumage variegated above, plain below, excepting the con-
spicuously barred flanks, and lining of wings and tail. Sexes alik<'; young little different.
Swamps and marshes exclusively. Kggs numerous, butt' and spotted. Very clamorous in
breeding season. We have \\ good s])ecies, (in(! of them of U varieties.
Analysis <>J' Sjii ciin and f'drirlirii.
Large: length 12.00 or inoro ; wiiiK n.OO <ir luoru : bill 2.00 or more.
FlunkH gray, with iiiirrow wliito linrs. Ahovo, olive-brown or olive-gray without chcHtnut on
wingH ; below, jialc rnfoim or iisliy.
Upiicr iiartH ollve-browii obHciirely varied with olive-gray e<lge» of the feathers; below with
little riifoUB. Atlaiith^ crrpilnnt C73
Upper parts ollve-gniy, with olmeiiro dark stripes below, breast quite rufous. I'acille obsdlclim 074
Upper parts olive-gray with disliiict dark Btriiics ; below iluU rufous, (iulf .... snliinilini 075
Planks dusky, with broad white bars. Above, variegated with ollvo-brown and blackish; wliig-
covcrls (piifc ehestuut; below, rich rufous iliiiinm 676
Small: length under 12.00; wing under 4.60; bill under 1.00.
Colors us in cUtjans virijinianus (177
672 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — ALECTOMIDES — liALLIFOliMES.
673.
674.
Fiii. 4iw. — Clapiwr Kuil, reduced. (Altered from Lewis.)
B. longiros'tris cre'pitans. (Lat. longirostrU, limtr-billcd. Lat. crepitans, cropitatim;,
clattering. Fig. 4().).) Ci.ai'PKU K.Mh. fSAi.T-WATiou Mar.sh-he.n. Mik-iikn. (J?, adult:
Above, variegated witli diirk olive-hrown and i)ale (ilive-a.sli, tlio latter edging the featliers,
the variegation dull and
blended. Below, ])ale dull
oclirey-browii, whitening
on the throat, freijueiitly
ashy-shaded on the brea.st,
without derided ciunaniou-
brown shade. Flanks, a.\-
illars, and lining of wings,
fuscous-gniy, with .sliarj)
narrow white bars. Quills
and tail plain dark-brown,
without chestnut on the
ct)verts. Eyelids and .short
superciliary line whitish.
The general tone is that
of a grai/ bird, without
any reddishnesa. Young
mostly soih.'d whitish below; when just from the egg ('ntirely sooty black. Length ]4.0{)-
10.00; extent about 20.00 ; wing 5.00-G.OO; tail 2.00-2.50; bill 2.00-2.50; tar.sus 1.67-2.00 ;
middle toe and claw 2.00-2.33. 9 smaller than the <J. .Salt nuirshes of Atlantic States, ex-
tremely abundant southerly; N. regularly to the middle districts, sometimes to Massachusetts.
Kesident from the Carolinas southward. IJreeds in profusion in the mars'nes of the Caroliuas,
etc., where its clattering is almost incessant during the nuiting season. Nest a rudo platform
of reeds and grasses just out of the water on the ground. Eggs G to 12, averaging 1 .()7 X 1-12.
whitish, creamy, or buff, variously speckled and blotched with reddish-brown, with a frw
ob.scure lavender marks.
R. I. obsole'tus. (Lat. ob.ioletus, obsolete; referring to the markings of the upjier parts in
comparison with those of R. ekgans.) California Clapper Kail. Hack and scai)ulars
grayish-olive, indistinctly striped with dusky ; breast deej) cinnamon. General aspect of the
la.st, but quite reddish below. Wing 6.50; bill 2.23-2.50, its lea.st depth 0.33; tarsus 2.1(1-
2.25. Salt mai-shes of the California coast.
R. 1. satura'tus. (Lat. satioutus, saturated, satiated, i.e. dark-colored.) Louisiana
Clapper Kail. In general similar to crepittDw; above, olive-gray or ashy, broadly striped
with brownish -black ; br<>ast dull cinnamon. "Louisiana."
R. elegans. (Lat. ekgaiin, choice.) Kino Kail. Fresh-water Marsii-iien. With
a general resemblance to crepitans, but larger and nmch more brightly colored. Adult $ ? :
Above, distinctly streaked with brownish-black and tawny-olive, the darker color being the
central field of each ft^ather ; becoming rich chestnut on the wing-coverts, and plain dark brown
on the hind-neck and toji of head. Below, rich rufous ot cinnamon-red, brightest on breast,
fading on throat and belly ; a \\w of the same over the eye, and dusky line through eye ; lower
eyelid white. Flanks and lining of wings blackish, broadly and distinctly barred with white;
some of the crissal feathers similar. Si)ecimens vary much in the richness of the lints and
distinctness of the markings, but the reddish and streaky tone is always quite diH'erent from
the dull blended co\ws ol crepitans. Length 17.00-19.00; extent 23.00-25.00; wing 6.00-
7.00; bill 2.10-2.50; tarsus 2.30; middle toe and claw about the same. U. .S., rather south-
erly, Texas to the Middle States regularly, t . vjounecticut casually ; in the interior to Kansas
RALLIVJE — liALLINJE : HAILS.
678
677.
678.
and Missouri at least. Winters in the St)Uth. Inhabits prefonibly swamps and iimri<bos
above tide-water. Nesting tlio same as crejutdnn; ejfi^s not distiniruisbablc.
B. vlrginla'nus. ViucHNiA Hail. Coloration exactly as in elegans, of which it is a iHTffct
miniature. Length 8.50-10.50; extent about 14.00; v;iug 4.00, always luider l..')it; tail
1.50; bill 1.35-1.65; tarsus 1.25-1.50; middle t<* and elaw 1.50-1.75. TenuMTate N. Aim.,
ehietly eastern U. >S., migratory, abundant, both in fresh and .salt marshes. JJreeds coiiimnnly
in New England; winters in th(! S. States and beyond. Although a regular migrant along
the Atlantic coast, it never occurs in such iuunense numbers as the Carolina Hail. Kggs liUc
those of the foregoing in color, but much snuiller, about 1.^5 X 0.95. They agree in size nearly
with those of I'orzana Carolina, but the latter are greenish or drab, not butfy.
2V2. PORZA'JJA. (Ital. porsana, Venetian name of P. maruetta.) Crake.s. Hill shorter or
not haiger than head, stout, high and compressed at base, tapering, (dituse ; nasal fossiu ample.
Nostrils linear-oblong, near niiddhi of bill. Otherwise generally as in Ralliis ; hind toe longer.
Tarsus moderately shorter than middle too and claw. IMumage of upiH-r parts sjHitty as Vi-ell
as streaky. Snmll. Sexes alike. The 3 N. Am. species are very ditfercut (subgenerically),
but Carolina closely resembles maruetta of Europe.
Analynia of Species,
Small: length S.OO or more. Face of ailult Miicklsli, the breast slate-gray.
Bill orange, with re<l base. Breast simtted. (Kiiropean.) mnruetin C7S
Bin not orange, without red base. Breast not »iiotteil eaitiliiia (iT9
Smaller: length about (i.OO; wing over .'i.OO; yellowish-brown, barreil with white . . noreliorai-iu.iis GCO
Smallest: length about 5.50; wing scarcely 3.00; blockish, Hiieckle<l with white ami chestnut
JaiiiaVo HUM 681
P. marnet'ta. (Fr. maroiiette, name of this si)ecies.) European' Spotteu Ckake. ^ 9 i
adult : Above, dark red-
dish-brown shaded witli
olive ; hind neck tinc-
ly dotted, other tipper
parts spotted and short-
ly striped with white,
and marked with black-
ish. Helow, slate-gray,
fading to whitisli on
belly, the brettst sjiot-
ted with white, the
flanks biirred witli
wiiite, the crissum butt'.
Top and front of head,
and upper tliroat black-
ish, the crown streaked
with this c(dor and dark
brown. Quills and tail
dark olive-brown. Iris
retldish - brown ; bill
orange, nnl at base ;
legs yellowish-green,
livid on the joints.
toe and claw 1.75. Young lack the black face; chin whitish,
occurring in Greenland.
P. caroli'na. (Fig. lOfi.) Carolina Crake. Common Rail. Sora. " Ortolan." Above,
olive-brown, varied with black, with numerous sharp white streaks and specks ; flanks, axillars
43
Fiu. 4C0. — Carolina Rail. ( From Lewis. )
Length about 8.50; wing 4.75; tail 2.00; bill 0.S5 ; tar.susl.ij; middle
Eurojie. Only N. Am. sis
670.
674 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — ALECTORIDES— IULLIFOHMES.
and lining of wings, bniTcd witli white and bliickisli ; bi'lly wliitiNli ; crissuin riifescont. Adult
(J 9 '■ t''"'L' imd fcntval line of tliroat bliiclj, tlie rost of the tlirout, line over eye, and espe-
cially the breast, more or less intensely slate-gray, the sides of tiie breast usnally also with
some obsolete wbitisii barring and speelding. Yoinig : Without tiiis l)lacl», the throat whitish,
the breast brown. Lengtli S.OO-'J.OO ; extent 12.0IJ-13.0U; wing i.OO-4.5(); tail about 2.00;
bill 0.()7-0.75; tarsus l.Ii3; middle toe and claw l.()7. Temperate X. Am., exceedingly
abundant during the migration in the reedy swamps of the Atlantic States, in August and
September, when tens of thousands are killed every year. Breeds from tlie Middle States
northward: winters in tlie S. States and beyond. Has occurred in Greeidaud and Europe.
The eggs are 8j)otted just like those of the foregoing Itulli, but are readily distinguished by
their strong drab ground-color instead of the white or creamy ami pale butty of the former.
Tliey are rather smaller than tliose of ]{. viryinUi)ii(s, and perluips more obtuse, measuring
about 1.20 l>y O.'JO. This is the rail of spfjrtsnu'u. It is also called sora ttr soree; the word
is colloi|uial and local. Tlie word " ortolan '' has a curious connection with this species.
It is Italian and Frencli, eiiual to the Latin hortttlaiiits, relating to a garden : the " ortolan "
is Kndwrizu hurtiilami, a l>unting, esteemed a great delicacy by gourmands ; and our crako
has been called uiiuhiu for no better reason than that it is also edible and sapid ! The same
name is frecpicntly a))plied to the bobolink, IJulidioni/x ori/zivonts, because it is found abun-
dantly in the same marshes in tlie fall, and sells in the same restaurants as the same bird as
the rail, the two being brouglit in together by the gunners.
080. P. uoveboraeeii'sls. (Low Lat., of Xoveboruviim : i. e.. New York.) Yki.Low Ck.vke.
Yklldw Kail. Adult ,} 9 '■ Above, streaked with blackish and brownish-yellow, thickly
marked with narrow white semicircles and transverse bars. ]5<'low, ))ale brownish-yellow
fading on belly, deepest on breast, where many feathers are dark-tipped; tlanks blackish with
uimierous white bars ; crissuni varied with black, white, and rufous. Lining of wings white.
A brownish-yellow superciliary line, and dark transocular stripe. Small; about G.OO long;
wing 3.2.5; tail 1.50; bill 0.50; tarsus 0.87; niiddle toe and claw 1.12. Eastern N. .\m.,
not abundant; X. to Hudson's Hay: winters in the S. States. Does not appear to have been
observed in X. England X. of Mass., nor anywhere W. of the Mississijipi Valley, Te.xas to
Minnesota ; but it is not common, is very secretive like other Hails, and readily eludes td)ser-
vation ; its distribution may be more general than it is known to be. Eggs about (i, rich,
warm, butt'y-browu, marked at the great end with a cluster of reildish-diocolate dots and
spots ; 1.15 by 0.S5, to 1.05 by 0.80 ; shape as in the foregoing.
081. P. jamaiceii'sls. (Of Jamaica.) I.,itti-I'. Ul.vck t'KAKi;. Adult ^ 9 : Upper parts
blackish, finely speckled and barred with white, the hind neck and fore back dark chestnut.
Head and under parts dark slate cobir, paler or whitening on the throat, the lower belly,
flanks, and under wing and tail-coverts barred with white. Quills and tail-feathers with
white spots. Very small : length about 5.50 ; wing 2.75-3.00 ; tail 1.35; tarsus 0.75. S. and
C. America and W. L, not often found in the U. S., being one of the rarest of our birds.
Observed N. to Mass., W. to Kan., and jirobably occurs across to the Pacific. Eggs from Xew
Jersey are altogether different from those of the sora, or the yellow crake, being creamy-
white, sprinkled all over with fine dots of rich, bright reddish-brown, and with a few sjiots of
some little size at the great end ; most like the more finely-speckled exani])les of the eggs of
the large Ralli ; dimensions 1.05 X 0.80.
082. P. j. coturni'culus. (Lat. dim. of co<i<r»iia-, a quail.) Fakralloxe Black Crake. Liko
the last ; rather smaller, the wing 2.50 ; more uniform in color, the back without white specks.
Farrallone Islands, coast of California.
273. CREX. (Gr. Kpt'i, lre.r, Lat. crex, a crake ; refening to the creaking notes.) Land Rails.
General character of Poizana. Wings much longer, folding nearly to end of tail. Tarsus
relatively shorter. Plumage above streaky, but uot spotty.
083.
274.
684.
275.
JLlLLIlKiJ — GALLIXlLIXyE : GAUAXULES.
676
083. C. praten'8l8. (Liit. pmtcmh, of ticlds.) Kiik.i-ean Land Kail. C"(>I!N ("hakk. A.liilt
$ 9 : I'luier imrts liliiokisli-browu, vaiirijiitnl witli browuisli-VflldW, tlu> wimr-c verts t.ntli
above uiul bi'K)\v nisty-reddisli, tho iinill.s riifoiis-bidwii. liclow, bliiisli-i^iuy cif viiiyini,'
intensity, more asby-wliitish on tiiroiit and belly, the tlanks and crissiini barred witii redcii.sli-
brown. Line over eye like under jiarts; a dark brown strijie tbroiijrh eye. Hill and eyes
brown; legs pule. Leni;tb about 10.50; wini; j.dO-ri.OO ; tail 2.0(1; bill O.SO-l.OD; tarsus
l.fiO. Europe; casually in Greenland ; accidental in New Jersey and Hernuulas. (Wedderb.,
Zool., IStO, p. 2591; t'ass., IV. I'hila. Aead., vii, 1S55, p. :J(i5 ; Heiuli., Ibis, IStil, p. 11;
Bd., Am. Journ. .Sci., xli, ISOO, p. 339; Freke, Zo(d., v, H81, p. 374.)
Pig. 467. — Enniiionn Gnlllimlo, Gdlhmla chtn-
oropim. (Kroiii Dixcui.)
63. Subfamily CALLINULIN^: Calllnules.
Foreliead shielded by a broad, bare, horny
phite, a pridoniiation and exjiaiision of the eulnien,
liill otherwise nuu'has in the shorter-billed rails,
like Pur;((HU ; general form mueli tlie same,
though the body is not so compressed ; toes long,
simple, or slightly margined. The Galiiuiiles
are somewhat liail-like birds, of similar habits,
inhabiting marshes ; they agree with the Coots
in possessing a frontal shield, but the feet aro
Hot lobate, nor is the body dejiressed, and the
siiecies swim no better tlian Hails. Home are of
tlie richest and most elegant c(doration. Thero
are about 30 species of various parts of tho
world, constituting several genera, two of which,
very distinct from cadi other, occur iu N. Am.
274. GALLI'XULA. (L.at. gallinula, Aim'm. of (inllina, a hm. Fig. 4(17.) Gallixii.e.s. Water
Il!:x.s. Mud Hexs. Bill not longer than head, stout at base, tapering, compressed, the culmeu
running directly up on the forehead and e.viiaiiding into a frontal plate of different shape iu
different species. NostriLs near middle of bill, linear. Feet lai'ge and stout ; tibia' naked
below; tarsus moderately compressed, scutellate ; toes very long, the outer longer tban tlio
inner, jci7/t an evident though slight marginal m<'mbrane; claws long, slender, little curved,
acute. Wings short and rounded, but ample. Tail very short, of 12 uealc feathers, with
long am{)le under coverts, as iu Rails. Plumage not rich blue, etc. Several species of
various countries.
684. G. galea'ta. (Lat. gahata, hehneted.) Co.mmon Gallixi'i.e. Florida Gat.i.ixi'i.e.
Red-hilli-.d Mud-iien. Adult $ 9 : Head, neck, and under parts, grayish-black, darkest
on the former, paler or whitening on the belly. Back brownish-<dive. Wings and tail dusky ;
crissnm, edge of wing, outer M'eb of first pviniary, and stripes on the Hanks, white. Bill,
frontal plate, and ring round tibite, red, the fonrier tijiped with yellow; tarsi and toes
greenish, the joints bluish; eyes red or brown. Young: Similar, but lacking the bright
colors of the bill and legs, the former simply greenish ; under parts extensively wliitisli.
Length 12.00-14.00; extent 20.00-22.00; wing i"). 30-7.50; tail 3.00; gape of bill about
1.50; tarsus about 2.00. S. Atlantic and Gulf States, N. sometimes to New England, to
Canada West, Minnesota, Kansas, etc., and on the Pacific side to San Francisco; W. I.,
C. Am., and much of S. Am. Resident in the Southern States, and abundant coa.stwise.
Nidification exactly that of the coot (beyond). Eggs 10-1 2-14. 1.75 X 1-25.
275. lONOR'NIS. (Gr. lov, ion. a vi<det ; opvts, oniis, a bird ; alludintr to the rich blue color.)
Sultan Gallixules. Hyacinths. General character of GalUnula ; bill very stout and
670 tlY6Ti:MA'nC SYNOPSIS.— ALKGTOUIlih -liALLIFOUMES.
liifjh, sliorKT thiiH head, the nostrils noar its iiiiiUlo, oval. Tws without lutorul innrpino.
I'luina^e iK'iiutifii! witli rich l)liii', etc.
485. I. martl'nira. (Of Martiiii<iui'.) I'l'RPM': (i.MXlN'ri.K. Aihilt ^ 9 = Ilcail, mrh. ami
uu(h'r parts hcautil'iil |mr|i]isli-hlii(', hhifkciiiii)^ on thf hcily, tlic sides ami lining of wings
bluisii-gret'n, the crissnni wliitc. AIjovc, oiivaccous-grcon, the trrvix anil wing-covcrls tinted
witii hluo. Quills and tail-feathers blackish, glossvd on the outer webs with greenish.
Frontal shield blue; bill carmine, tii)i>ed with yeUow ; legs yellow. The frontal shield is
obovate, witli a point behind. Yoinig with the head, neck, and lower back brownish, the
under parts mostly white, mixed with ochrey. Length 10.00-12.00; extent iiliout 22.00;
wing 0,,>0-7.00; tail ^.jO-IJ.OO ; bill from gape about 1.2.5; tarsus
about 2.2.) ; middle toe and claw about li.OO. S. Atlantic and Gidf
States, N. casually to Now Kngland, etc. ; resident hi the Smith.
Also inhabits much of C. and 8. Aim., and W. I.
64. Subfamily FULICIN^ a.
IJill and frontal plate much as in the tiallinules. Body depressed ;
the under plumage thick and duck-like, to resist water. Feet
highly natatorial ; toes, including the hinder, lohate, being furnished
with large semicircular membranous Haps. The ("oots are emi-
nently afpiatic birds, swimming with ease, by means of their lid)ate
feet, like pha1aro])es and grebes ; but this ability results from very
slight moditi<-atinn of a structure shared by the Kails and Oallinules.
There are about ten species, of both hemispheres, distinguished,
among other characters, by the size and shajie of the frontal shield.
That, for instance, figured (tig. KJS) is of an exotic species, much
larger than that of Fiilica ameiicnna, and differently shajied. One
sjH'cies is remarkable for having the forehead singularly carun-
culate; the others closely resemble our conunon species.
276. FU'LICA. {Lfit. J nlica, or /»/(>, a <!oot, from the sooty c<dor ; /h//(/o, soc t.) Character
essentially as above. Tarsi shorter than nnddle toe, stout, very broadly scntellate. Nostrils
linear, in a broad fos.sa, towards middle of bill. Tibiie bare below. Wings moderate, rounded,
the 2d and .'Id ([uills usually longest. Tail very short, 12-feathercd. I'lumage dark slaty
color ; sexes alike.
086. P. aineriea'iitt. Amkhican' ("oot. WiiiTE-niu.KD Mud-hen. Cnow Ditck. Dark
.slate-C(dor, paler or grayish below, blackening on the head and ned?, tinged with «dive on the
back, ("rissum, whole edge of wing, and tips of secondaries, white. Quills dusky, the outer
edge of the first primary wli>t;. Tail blackish. Hill white or flesh-color, marked with
reddish-black near the end and at ba.se of frontal plate; feet dull (divaceous or livid yellowish-
green : iris carmine; claws black. Young similar, paler and duller. Length 11.00-1 fi. 00 ;
extent 2:J.0l 1-27. 00; wing 7.00-S.OO ; tail 2.00; bill from the gape 1.25-1. .50 ; tarsus about
2.00 ; middle toe and claw about 3.00. The frontal phite is much smaller in this than in some
other species, in which it covers all the forehead. Entire temperate N. Am., even to Alaska
and sometinu's Greenland ; Mexico, Cent. Am. and W. L ; abundant, and breeds throughout
its range ; migi-atory northerly ; resident in the South. Inhabits during the breeding season,
and mostly, reedy sloughs, poids, and sluggish streams, seeking safety in concealment rather
than by tlight. Nesting most like that of grebes ; a hollowed heap of bits of dead reeds,
just out of the water, sonietimes " floating" in the sense that the mass of bndven-down reeds
ujxm which it rests lies on the water. Eggs about a dozen, 1.75 to 2.00 long by 1.20 to 1.35
broad, shaped like au average hen's egg, clear clay-color, uniformly and minutely dotted with
Fio. 408. — Frontal slilelil of
a apuciu8 of cuot.
RHS
LAMELUROSTIiES: AXShlilXE /?//.7>.s'.
077
(lark hrowii, tlit» H\)tt\n usimlly iirto iuu-Iu'iuIh, Hoiiu'tiiiics hn^v l)l(itclu's. 'I'lic not is ••cum'-
tiiiM's nil dry (Jii'cimiil a little away t'nuii watt'f. 'I'lir yoiiiii; liaii-li nivcrril with Madi ilowii,
fantastically Htripcil with hrij,'hl uraugc-rcd, with Vfriiiiliim liiii i1|i|m'(1 with lil.u'k.
H85. (addriiihi.) F. u'trft. (Lat. «^y(, Idark.) Klitdi'KAX ('i»iT. I.ikc the la.st. Hill, iiiclud-
iwfi frciiital idatr, entirely white ; edye <<( winir. and nf tii>t priiiiary, white, lint no white on
the crissum. Kiiroiie; imly N. Am. lis uccuning in (Jrteidaiid.
X. Order LAMCLLIROSTRES : Anserine Birds.
Hill himelliilr : tiiut is, licith niaudihle.- t'iirni>lied alontr their tnmial edi.'es with series
(if laminar or teeth-like imijeetinns, alternatini; and lillini; within eaidi ullier. Covering of
liill meinbranoiiH, wludly or in i,'reaiest jiart. 'ron;.'Me lleshy, iisunliy with lioiny tip, ami
serrate or |)aj>illate edges corresiiondin^' to the dentienlations of tlie liill. Fee, palmate ; hallux
elevated, free, simple, or lohed (rarely ahsenl). Winijs never e.\oeeilini;ly lont;, rarely very
short. Tail Koiiorally short and many-feathered. OOsophaifUs narrower than in the lower
llesh-eating orders, usually with a more or less specially formed crop: ir'/.zar'l stronirly
muscular; in' -^tines and their cceca hing ; (doaca capacious. I.ei!;s near centre of ecpiiirtiriimi ;
position of bi.,i_\ in walkiiiu horizontal or nearly so. I{ci>rodMction pra'cocial. Sexual haldt
freipiently jMilyganioiis. Diet various, commonly rather vei,'etarian than animal. There aro
two remarkalily diverse tyju's of lamellirosiral hirds, of more than family value, hy some now
made the bases of .separate orders. The matter at issue may he hert compromised hy the
recognition of two series, or suborders, as was done in the somewhat parallel ca..-. s of Coliiiiibic,
G(tlUii(P, and Alectoridcs.
17. Suborder ODONTOOLOSS.i: : Grai.latouial Axseue.s.
Consisting of tho single family of the Flannngoes ; the Odoutoglosxn; of Xitz.seh, the
AmphimorjilifC of Huxley, the /'/l(P/llC(/y(^')•/(/f/■ of most authors. " 'l"he genus l'li(ini(<ii>t<Tiis
is so completely iiitermecliate between the Anserine birds on the oiu- side, and the Storks and
Herons on the other, that it ean be rangetl with neither of these groups, but must stand as tho
tyjie of a division by itself. Thus the skull has the long lacrymo-nasal region, the basi-
pterygoid facets, the prolonged and recurved angle of the mandible, the laminated horny sheath
of tho ClienomorphfP [Anntidic] ; but the maxillo-palatines are sjiongy, and the general structure
of tho rostrum is quito similar to that foiiml in Storks ami Herons. The lower end of the crus
is bare, but the feet are fully webbed ; and the pterylosis is said by Nitzsch to be com])letely
stork-like." (Huxley.) According to (Jarrod. two carotids are present, but the right is much
larger than the left, which joins it low down in the neck (uniiine in iletail, but similar to tho
dis|>ositiou found in Hitterns ami certain Parrots; fig. 94). The femoro-caudal is absent ; tho
iimbiens, accessory femoro-caudal, semitendinosus and accessory senutemliiiosus are jiresent
(difl'ering both from Ilcrodiones and Aiuilidti). The tongue is thick, deshy, paiiiUate, with
terminal nail, and closely tied down; (esophagus extreimdy narrow, with special crop; gizzard
very muscular ; intestines ample, both in length and calibre : two long cu'ca, constricted at
base; a capacious cloaca, liill of niii(|ne shape, but perfectly laiii(dlatc. (Jeiieral contigur-
atiou of body and members grallatorial ; legs and very slender neck ex dingly long, exhihit-
ing even an exaggeration of the proportions of Cranes, Storks, and Herons; but toes webbed.
The external characters are so nicely balanceil betw<>en those of wadiuir .-iiid swimminu: birds,
that tho Flamingoes have been )ilaced indifferently in both groups; l.iit nearly the wliid(>
organization corresp(ui(ls essentially with that of the duck tribe, the grallatorial ndationship,
in fonn and habits, tlioiigh so evident, being rather of analoiiy than of atfinity. The jihysi-
ological nature is said to be pra'cocial ; the young hatching clothed and takitig directly
to tho water.
678 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS— LAMELLIROSTBES— ODOXTOGLOSSJE.
087.
51. Family PHCENICOPTERIDjE : Flamingoes.
Bill miiinio in shape, abruptly bout in tlio middle, so that the iijiper surface fares the
ground in the act of feeding ; in length niueh excirding tie heail, very large and thick,
entirely invested with membrane (witiiout the distinct terminal horny nail of Anntidfc).
Mandible narrower than maxilla at base, broader in the rest of its extent, ridged near the end.
Edges of upper mandible furnished with a great number (some 150) of obli(|ue laminic ; of lower
incurved, similarly furnished. Nostrils sub-l)asal, nearer commissure than culmen, linear,
long. Tibiiu bare below for a great distance, and with the tarsi broadly scutellatt; before
and behind. Toes short, the anterior i)ahnate with incised webs; the hallux elevated, free,
Fio. 4C!>. -American Flanilngoos. (From a iihotogrnph of a group mounted by F. S. Webster.)
very small, or absent. Wings moderately long, amjde, with enlarged inner stM-ondaries
folding over and beyond the ]>rimaries when closed. Tail short. There are about 7 s|iecies of
Flamingoes, inhabiting the warmer parts of both Hemis)>heres ; three of Americii besides
ours, and three or four Old World. Tliey rejiresent several genera of late sy.stemafists, the
most marked being that rein-e.^ented by /'. amlinus, which is three-toed. Our species falls in
the restricted genus I'hcDiicorndian of (Iray.
277. PH(KNICO'PTKRUS. (Or. (^oiM(C(i7rTf/)or, j)IioinHop1erns, Lat. phiruicopterits, a flamingo:
1. e. red-wing.) Fi,.\MiNti()KS. Character as above. Head bare between bill and eyes.
Hind toe jiresent. Claws flattened, obtuse. Wings ample, pointed ; Ist three lu'iinarios sub-
oqnal and longest ; inner secondaries elongated and tapering.
PH(ENICOVrEl{II)jE : FLAMING OES.
679
«87. P. ru'ber. (Lat. ruber, rod. Fii;. If)'.).) AMr.ificAX Hkd ri.AMixiio. Adult ^ 9 : I'lu-
liiiitfc sciirlot, th'' iiriiimnps and iiicist of the sccoiidiuics Idack. I.cirs lake-red. Mill Mack mi
tlio teriniiial part, orange in the middle, the liase and bare skin .it' head yelhiu'. Ycinntr the
first yi-ar white or rosy. Statnrc nearly a feet ; weight or 8 llis. Length ahotit i feet; extent
of wings 5 feet orniore ; wing K) inehei ; tail (I: hill."); tihia hare !) ; tarsiislli; middle toe and
cdaw ;{*. 9 '''^'' i in eolor. hilt smaller. Florida and (iulf coast, and .soiithwanl ; .said to
liav(! been \. to S. Carolina. Eirgs 2, '.li^i X ^.10, with thiek sludl, roughened with white
flaky substanee, bluish when this is scraped away. The nest is describt>d as a heap of earth
and other material, whi(di the birds bestride in an ungainly attitude; but it is not hiyh enough
to ])ermit their long letrs to danirle, as re])resented in .some iiopui.ir accounts and pictorial
pflTorts. A recent writer iipmi one of the (lid World species states positively that the incubating
bird doubles her legs under her in the usual way ; so that, unless the American species does
dirt'erently, the accoiiipaiiyiii^ illustration must be consiilered conventional. The yoiiiii,' are
said, on good authority, to take to the water as soon as hatched.
18. Si'BORnEU AXSKRP'S: Axskuink Bird.'! 1'uoi'f.i;.
f^imply erpiivaleiit to liamellirostres as above .letined, minits the (irallatorial type. For
further characters, see on, under head of the single
Fl(i.470. — Willi Diiek.
52-. Family ANATID-^ : Geese, Ducks, etc.
Bill Imnelliiti', stout, more or less elevated and compressed at
base, widened or flattened at the obtuse tip, invested with soft,
touiili, leathery membrane, except at the end, which is furnished
with a hard, horny "nail," jjenerally somewhat overhaimiiiir,
.sometimes small and distinct, sometinn's larire and fused; that is,
chaiiiiing insensibly into tlu^ general covering. (This soft <'over-
ing is regarded by some as a ju'oloiiged cere ; but this is purely
thi'oretieal.) Body full, heavy, flattened beneath; neck of variable
length; head large; eyes small. \o antiie; the frontal feathers
encroaching on the culmen with a convex or pointed outline, iiiul forming other ])roiections mi
the sides of the bill, and in the inti>rranial s])ace, which latter is broad and long, the inandib-
nlar crura being united only at the end by a broad short bridge; no culminal ridife nor keel
of gonys. Nostrils snbbasal, median, or subterminal, elevated, open, naki>d, usually broadly
oval. Wings of moderate length (rarely v<'ry short), stiff, strong, pointed, conferring rapid,
vigorous, whi.stling flight; a wild duck at full s])eed is said to make ninety miles an hour.
Tail of variable sha])e, but usually short and rounded, never forked, sometimes cuneate, of
12-2 !■ feathers, usually 14-10, the under coverts very long and full, forming a conspicuous
crissal tuff. Legs short; knees buried in the general integument ; tibiie feathered nearly or
ipiite to the suft'rago ; tarsi reticulate or scutellate. or both ; toes palmate, the hinder always
present and free, simple or lobate. Wing occasionally spurred.
Like the gallinaceous, the anserine type is a familiar one, comprising all kinds of '• water-
fowl," among which are the originals of all our domestic breeds of swans, gee.se, and ducks,
that vie with poultry in point of economio coiLsecpience, ornament our ]>arks, or furnish exi|uisite
material for wearing appand, as wtdl as the fllling of our piUows and couches. Hut additional
ii)foniuitlon re.speeting the structure of thi«. the largest and most important family of .swimming
birds, nuiy be desirable. It is definitely characterized by many important points besides those
external features just stated. In jtalatal structure, Anntirhc are desmognathous (fit:. 78) ; '' tlio
hicrymal region of the skull is remarkably loni; [tlie lacrynnil bone itself is large]. The basi-
Bphcnoidal rostrum has oval sessile basipterygoid facets. The flat and lamellar uiaxillo-]iulatiue8
680
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLUiOSTRES — A KSEHES.
1'
unitt' iiiul form a bridge across tlic palate. 1'lie angle of tlse mamliblo is jnoduccd and greatly
recurved" (i/iu/ey). Tiie iiitemrhital septuin is more or less completely ossified, and the
orbits are better defined than in iiiaiiy birds, by well-developed lacrynuil and poM-frontal jiro-
C08S0S. The jiremaxillary is large, and its three prongs are so extensively fused that only a
slight nasal aperture remains. Sometimes the top of the skull shows crescentic depressions for
lodgment of the siii)raorbital gland, the secretion of which lubricates the nasal jiassages ; but
this feature is never so marked as in most of the piscivorous swimmers (fig. (i.Sl. The sternum is
long and broad, more or less transverse posteriorly, M'ith a simple notch or fenestra on each
Bide; sometimes its keel is curiously ludlowed out for a pur]iose stated beyond. The vertebra'
vary a good deal in number, owing to the variability of the cervicals, which run up to 21 iu
gome swans. The pelvis is ample, arched and extensively ossified, with small foramina, showing
uothing of the straight, constricted, largely fenestraleil figure pri'valent among lowe. wiiter-
birds. The oil-gland is jiresent, tufted. The carotids are two. The ainbiens, feme o-caudal
and its acccs.sory and .s<>mitendinosus arc present. 'J'he tongue is large and fleshy , its miiiu
bone {(jlosso-hyal ; fig. fi) is highly dcjveloped; its sides show jirocesses corre-'()onding to
tin- lauielhe of tlu! bill. 'I'he gullet is not so ample as in the Hetdi-eatiug swiir.iners. The
giz/ard resembles that of a fowl iu its shajie and great mu.scularity ; the muscles are d<'ep-
eolored, and well show \\w typical disposition of large hemispherical lateral mas.ses converging
to central tendons. 'I'he c(eca vary with the geiu'ra aecoriling to food; they are very lonj; —
12 or 15 inchi's — in .some of thi? herbivorous species. The male genital armature merits
special notice. " In some yalaloirs which copulate on the water there is provision for more
effi<Mi'nt coitus than by simple contact of everted cloaca'; and in the AnuiiiUr a long ]ienis is
developed. It is essentially a sacular production of a highly vascular i>art of the lining mem-
brane of the cloaca. ... In the passive state it is coiled up like a screw by the elasticity of
associated ligamentous structure. ... A groove connnencing widely at the base follows the
spiral turns of the sac to its termination; the sperm ducts open upon papilhe at the base of this
groove. This form of jienis has a muscle by which it can be everti'd, protruded and raised."
{Oircii.) Among the most interesting structures of the AnatitUc are the curious modilicalious
of the \vind|iipe, prevailing iilniost throughout the fanuly. Iu a. nmnber of swans, this organ
enters a cavity in the keel of the sternum, doubles on il.xelf and then emerges to (lass to the
lungs, forming either a horizontal or a vertical coil. Iu some geese the windpipe coils between
the pectoral muscles and the skin. Thest' vagaries of the windpipe are not, however, confined
to the ]iresent family, occiUTing in sonu' of the crani's, ibises, certain (idlliiup, and also, it is
said, in the curious snipe, lilii/iichtra aipensis. In most of the thn-ks, furthermore, and in the
jnergansers, the lower larynx is a singularly enlarged and complicated affair; several of the
lower rinys of the trachea being soldered together and greatly nuignitied to iMnduce a largi'
irri'gidarly shnped capsule. Its use is not known ; in some sense it is a sexinil character,
since it is only fully developed in the male; it viiries greatly in size and shape iu ditl'erent
81>ecies (tii,'.s. '.i, !tS). Finally, it should be addeil, that the pterylosis of the family is perfectly
definite, a certain type of tract-fonnatiou prevailing throughout, with very slight minor modi-
fications.
It is not easy to overrate the economic inijiortance of this hutie fiiniily. It is true thai the
mergansers, sonu' of the sea ilueks, and crrtiiiu maritime geese, that fei-d chiefly upon animal
Hubstani'es. nre scarcely fit for fo4id ; but the irreal majority afford a bounteous supply of sapid
nu'at, II chief <lep<'nilence, indeed, with the populiiliou of some iidiospilalde reuious. Such is
the case, for example, in the boreal ])arts of this eontiuent, whither vast bands of WMlci-fowl
resort to )>r 1 during the tleetiu^ iirelic suunuer. Their comiui: m.ivks a season of compiira-
tive jilenty in places where hunirrr oi'ti'u piiu-hes the belly, and their warm downy covering
is patched into garments almost cold-)iroof.
The general traits of the anseri..e birils are ttio well known to rei|uire more than jmssiug
ANATIDJE — CYGXIX^l'J : SWANA.
081
f
notice. Thoy nro salaciotis to a dpijrro roiiiarljuMc pvou in tlip liot-hltHxlt'd, iiassioiiatc class of
birds; a circumstance rcndcrini; tlic priidiiction of liybiids tVctiucnt, and favorini; tiic study of
this sul)joct. If we recall the peculiar actions of f^ecse ni|ii>iiiu; lierl>a,u;e, and of duclis "ilah-
Ming" in the water, and know that some speeies, as the merpmsers, imrsne tish and other live
prey under water, wo have tlu^ jirincipal modes of feeding;. Ni.iitication is usually on the
f^roimd ; sometimes in a hollow tree ; the nest is often warmly lined with liv<' feathers; the
Cgijs arc usually of some plain pale color, as greenish, dral>, ta- creamy ; the clutch varies in
number, couunonly rani^ing from half a do/en to a dozen and a half. The younu; are clotlied
with stiHisli d(»wu, and swim at once. Amont; the ducks and merpmsers, marked sexual diver-
sity in cidor is the rule ; the reverse is the ease with swans and ijeese. A noteworthy color-
ation of nnniy species, especially of ducks, is the siHriilinn ; a l)rii;htly colored, i;eneral!y
iridescent, area on the secondary nuills. Most of the sitecies are mii;ratory, particularly those
of the northern hemisphere ; the llij^ht is performed in hands, that seem to preserve discipline
as well as companionship ; and with .such regularity, that no hirds are hetter entitled to tlu^
claim of weather-prophets.
There are u]»ward of 1/5 species of this family, iidiahitinij all parts of the world. They
differ a jjood deal in minor details, ami re]iresent a mnuher of p<'culiar i;enera aside from the
ordinary tyiH's, thouju;h none are so aberrant as to endanger the integrity of t!i(> group. It is
diilicult to establish divisions higher than generic, becaii.se the swans, geese, and ducks, if not
also the mergansers, are elo.sely united by intermediate genera. Hut the live groups presented
as subfamilies in the tidlowing pages, aiid re]iresenting the whole if the family, may be con-
veniently rect>gnized, and are readily dislinguislied, so far as our species are concerned, by the
characters assigned. The genera will be found analyzed under heads of their res[>ectivo
Bubfamilies.
ylnah/aii of Siilifnmiliif.
CviiMN.*:. Sirnni. LnrcB pnrlly iiiikoil. Tiiisi rcliiulutc. Iliilliix Klmiile. Scxps nllke.
Anskuin.I':. diisi: l.in-os foiitliured. Tiusl ri'lliiilatc. llulliix hliii|ilc. .Scxcm iilll<i'.
Anatin.v:. Hirer /Im-ks. Lorcii ruatlierod. 'i'lirsi Miitclliid' in front. Iliilinx sthnjilo. DiU flnttoncd. Scxoh
iiiiliki'.
Fei.ioi'i,i.N.i':. .s'i'd /Hirkn. Unea rcatlicroil. TiirHt Kcntclliito tn front, lliilinx lubnto. Kill lliklluni'il
SexcH luilikc.
Mkuiiin.i:. .I/i'IV/(Iii.ii r.i, I^rcs fcallicroil. TiUiil iwMitellato In front, llullux lobato. Itlll cyltmlric. Suxch
unlike.
65. Subfamily CYCNIN^: Swans.
A strip of hare skin Mireeii the ri/e and liill : fnrsi
rdiculdtf, iiiul shorlir than mithllc toe iiiul vhiir ;
hind lor siwpir, or with very .slight hdte. in the
Swans, the neck is of extreme length and llexitdlity,
exceeding the truidi, with up to ii or '2(\ vertebra-;
the movements and attitudes on the water arc pro-
verbially elegant and graceful. The bill eciiials or
exceeils the head in length ; it is high and com-
press<'d at base (where sometimes tuberculutc), Hat-
ter anil wideiu'tl at the end ; thi' nostrils arc median.
The lores are naked in the adults, tlioiiuli usually
feathered in the young. Some of the inner remii;es
are usually eidarged, and when elevated in a pecu-
Fio. 471. - Mulo Swun, <'//../hh,i nhr. (Knini liar position of the wing, they act as sails to hel|i the
'•I""" ) course of the bird over the water. The reticulate
tarsi are shorter than the middle toe and claw. The hallux is scarcely or not lobate. 'I"he legs
are placed rather fur back for this family, so that the gait is awkward and eonstraiaed. 'i Iw
682
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIIiOSTRES — AN SERES.
tail is short, of 20 to 2\ feathers. Although the voice is sonorous at times, an hahitual reti-
cence of Swans e(»ntra.sts strongly with the noisy gabhliug of Geese and Diieks ; it is hardly
necessary to add, that their fancied musical ability, either in health or at the approach of
death, is not confirmed by examination of their vocal ap])aratns : this is in many cases con-
voluted as already described, but there are no syriiigeal muscles nor other apparatus for modu-
lating the voice. There are eight or ten species, of various countries, among them the cele-
■ Lrated black swan of Australia, Cheuopsis atratd, the black-necked swan of South America,
Stiinwiiis mrhniovorjipha (<'i/g)iiis niiirivollis of authors). 'J'he Ci>iiCoroha anato'ide.i of the
same country, a species with feathered lores, often referred here, is perliajis bettor placed
among Auatiiup. In none of these does flie trachea enter the breast-bone. The Pnhroci/ciiiis
fiih-oiwri is a large fossil species from Malta. Our two species belong to the restricted genus
Olor, distinguished from I'l/qnufi proper by absence of a tubercle at the ba.se of the bill
(seen in lig. 471). The sexes are alike throughout the grou]).
278. t'YG'Xl'S. (dr. KVKvui. lidnos, Lat. vi/niiis or '7/_(/>ii<s, a swan.) WillTK SwAXS. \<'ck of
extrenu' lengtii. Trachea normally <'ntenug sternum. Hill tuberculate or not, the skimiy
covering in the adults reaching to the eyes ; not shorter than heatl, very high at base, where
deeper than wide, liroader and tlatt<'ning toward the roimdi'd end ; cnlminal ridge at ba.^e
about horizontal, very broad and flat or even excavated, the sides of the bill there nearly
vertical. Nostrils near middle of bill, high up. l..ei;s behind centre of eipiilibrium when
the body is horizimtal. Tibia* bar4' below. Tarsus .shorter than middle toe and chiw, entirely
reticulate; toes long, with full webs, the anterior reticulate on to]i for a distance, then scu-
tellat<'. Hallux small, elevate, with slight lobe. Wings very long and ample. Tail short,
rounded (in Olor) or wedged (in C'i/()uit.i proper), of twenty or twenty-four feathers. Size
large: adults entirely white, with black bill and feet, former usually in part yellow: young
rusty on head ; younger gray or ashy. Sexes alike. Our sjjecies 1-.') feet lon^. They all belong
to Olor, having non-tnberculate bill, rounded tail, the young with the down on the sides
of the bill forming distinct antia' ; and the inner webs of the outer three primaries, with inter
vebs of the 2d, 'M, and 4th, sinuated.
.Iiinhfsh of Spfrit'S.
Tail of 24 fcntlicrs (iinrnmUy). ISill entirely liloclc, rntlicr longer tlian head, nostrilH fuirly in itH lianni Imif
hllirilliltiir CSS
Tnil nf 20 frntlierH (nnrnmlly). Bill nnrmnlly witli n sninll yellnw K|iot not rencliiiig the n<wlrilH, Hiircely
or not Inrgor tlmn licnd, nostrllH nt the niiiiillo ntlumliiiiiiiin G89
Tnll of 20 feathcrH tn'irnniliy). Hill norninlly with a great yellow fipnco c.xtoniling lieyoml the noHtrilH,
(tearcely or not longi-r than heail, noRtrilH at the miiidle muaicii» 690
688. C. biicolnii'tor. (Lat. buccinator, atrumix'ter: hiwciiia, a trumpet: liiicca, the cheek.)
TmMPKTEU Swan. Adult <J 9 = •Mumag<' vliite, with or witlmiit wa.sh of rusty on head.
Hill and feet entirely black. Hill more develnpeil in the terminal portion than that of ('.
aiiitricaiiHS, throwing the nostrils fairly within the basal half, and making the distance from
the anterior angle of the eye to the hind edge of the no.stril eipial to the distance thence to
the end of the bill. Tail-feathers normally ii. Largest : length .5 feet or more when full
grown, and extent about S feet ; wing i feet or more; tail S-lt inches. Hill about 4. .50 inches
along culmen, from I'ye to tip nearly (l. 00 ; tarsus 4.,")()-.).00 ; middle toe and claw 5.50-(>.00.
Young smaller; bill and feet not ]>erfectly black : |p|innage grayish, the head and upj>er neck
rusty-brown. This swan chit'Hy inhabits N. Am. from the Mississippi valley westward, Texas
to the fur countries; (!reat Lakes; Iludsim's IJay ; Cainula; casual on the Atlantic Coast.
Hreeds from Iowa and Dakota northward; in M'inter south to the Gulf.
680. C. ooluinbla'niis. (Of the Cidumhia River. Fig. 472.) Com.mon Amekica.n Swan. Wiiist-
LlMi Swan. Adult ^ 9= Plumage as before. Bill with a yellow spot or blotch in front of
eye, usually snuill, sometimes wanting. Hill less lentitheiu'd and expanded terminally than iu
C. hiicciimtor, the nt)strils across the middle ; the distance from the anterior angle of the eye
f
AX A TIDJE — A XSEIiLW^ : GEESE.
688
(
to tlio bind odpc of the nostril more than tlionco to tlio cnil of tli(> bill. Tnil-fpnthrrs nonnally
20. Length nntlor .5 foct ; oxteut (J or 1 tVct ; wing under -' feet ; tail 7 or S inehes. Hill about
4.00 along culnien ;
fri ini t'j'o to tij) of bill un- '
der .5.00; tarsu.s l.Od;
middle toe and eUiw
.')..")0. Young sniallor;
jilmnage ashy - gray,
with reddish - brown
wash on head and npiirr
neek ; bill in part tlesli-
(■(diired, the lores [dn-
ninlnse; feet yellowish
tlesh-cobir. X. Am. at
large, U. S. in winter
and during the migra-
tion ; the usual speeies
along the Atlantieeoast,
and more numerous on
eitlier eoast than in in-
terior U. S. ; rare or
casual, however, in
New Kngland and eastward.
to 1..50 X !i.30, with rough dull white shell, witli more or less brownish dis<'<doration.
01)0. ('. niu'sioiis. (Gr. /iova-iKos, mousikos, Lat. miisicus, musical.) Wiiooi'iN(i S\vA\. Similar
to (\ colunihiinum, and having the same shape of the bill, but instead of a snni.' y(dlow spot
behind the nostrils there is a great yellow blotch, occupying one half or more of the bill and
extending beyond the nostrils. Only X. Am. as occurring in Greeidand : Heinh., Ibis, 18(11,
p. LS of the reprint; Freko, Zoiil., v, 18S1, p. 373.
0»I. [C be'wickl. (To Thos. IJewick.) Hkwuk',s Swax. A European .species, incorrectly
attributed to X. A. in the M ed. of the ("heck I^ist, which see, p. 111. J
Fio. 471!. — Wlilstlliig .Swnii. (From l.cwls. )
Breeds only in the high north. Kggs H-'t, from l.OO X 2.25
66. Subfamily ANSERINE: Oeese.
/,o;r.s- rnmpMclii frnthnril : tnrxi entiirhj
ri'tivnhle; hind Uie simjile. Neck in length
between that of swans and of ducks; cervical
vertebne about Kl ; body elevated and not so
much llatlened as in the du<'ks ; legs relatively
longer ; tarsu.s generally exceeding, or at least
not shorter than, the middh" toe; bill generally
rather short, high and conii)ressed at base, and
tapering to tip, which is less wideneil and flat-
tened than is usual among ducks and almost
wholly occupieil by the broad nail. The
species as a rule are more terrestrial, and walk
better, than ducks ; they are generally herbiv-
orous, although several uuiritim.' species (Philacte, an.l an allied South Ameri.-an group) are
animal-feeders, and their Hesb is rank. Ib.th sexes attend to the y,.ung. A notable trait,
shared by the swans, is their mode of resenting intrusion by hissing with out.-t retched neck,
Fio. 473. — Common (a) nnd Ularlt (/.) Brant.
r
C84
S Y STEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LA MKLLIliOSTBES — ANSKKES.
270.
002.
003.
and fttrildn^ with tlio wiii^.s. With Ronic pxcoptioiis the phniuigo is not so hright nnd varicgiitcil
m tiiiit (if tiiicks, and tiic siicciihiin is wanting ; \\u'W \» only an aiiiiiial iiitmlt, and no Hoasimal
chanp« (if |ihiniagc ; the xcxcs an; generally aliiu*. Mdst (if the frccsc fall in or vory near tin'
genera Atixvr and licniicln, and ar<> niodelled in tlie lilteness of tlie (l(iniesti(r breeds. 'I'lie iiinri'
notable exotic. forniH are: the Anstralian Atisrrdmis mflinioleiica and (Jeiropsis twf(P-liolliiii<liir,
tlie former havint; the feet little more than Hemipalmate, the latter wuircudy a(|uatic, with very
lon^ l(%'.s, much l>ar(> above tin* siiflVa^o, and the bill Hmall, very mendtranous; the African
PUriroiiteniH fiumhensis, a |>ur|>lish-blacU bird with spurs on the winjjs and a Inberch" at the
base of the bill ; the AMiatie CiiHOjinis viiijudidcs, fre([uently domesticated, a true goose with
a Hwan-lil<e aspect; the Egyptian go(<.je, Clinuilopcr <rtii/i)li(icn. The geese appear to pass
directly into the dncks through the rather large shieldrake group, the species of which resemble
the latter in many external features, but are more essentially like geese. Characteristic exam-
ph's of this group are the Kumpean Tiulornn riiliiiniscr »Ui\ ('a/«irc(i rHliln; there are several
others in the southern hemisphere; our long-legged arboricole genus l>e)ulr(tciiijmt belongs
in the immediat(! vicinity, while the domesticated ninsk duck, Cairinu nioschtita, is not far
removed. Through such forms as these we are brought directly among the dncks projier.
Analj/aia nf (lenrrti.
Bill pink; feet yullow; iiiiiler partB uxtciiHivuly black. Bill tn]ierlni;, nut longer than head. Lnnicllm
MiiHleruloly ox|kimmI Aiimr 27U
IMII iinil finil |iliik. riumui;o wliito, or uiouli varied. Illll tiiiirrlii);, nut lunKcr than head. Lanielliu
cimi|il«t(Oy ('X|ii»mmI ('Inn L'SO
I'At'i and feet lihick ; lioiul and neek black, with white H|iacc8. llill tapering, nhertcr than head, hainellu)
hidden lUrmi-lii 281!
Bill ai:d I'cet lii;1il ; pliimuKu bluiiih, Willi lilack erciH-cntii. Bill taiierlng, nut lunger than head. LHinclliii
partly expuwni I'liilaclf 'jsl
Bill and Teot variuim; pliiniagu niiicli variegated. Bill Hrarrely la|i«rliig, lunger than head Itenilruriiyiia 2s:i
UliH. — Thenc eliaraeterit nnly Indieale llio N. Am. ii|iceieii.
AN'SKIt. (Lat. otisei; a goose.) (!uAV (iKESi;. Hill shorter or not longer than head,
very stoill, tapering to obtuse tip, at base rather higher than broad. I^ateral laiilelhe some-
what exposed by bevelling of tomia. No.strils in basal half of bill, their anterior edge only
reaching its middle. Tibia* naked below. Tarsus rather shorter than middle toe and claw,
entirely reticulate. Anterior toes full-W(dibe(l, on top reticulate at base, then scutellate.
Hind toe moderate, reaching the ground. Tail of Ki-j- feathers. Color not white, nor
with black head, neck, bill, or feet ; the bill piidt, the feet yellow (in our species).
Analynia i\f I'uriilift.
Bill Hmall; eulinen 1.60-l.Tn <tll>(ih<iiH filfJ
Hill large; eiilnii^n I.7n-2.il0 (/xin'x/i f>'Xi
A. iil'blfruiiH. (I-at. <i/6i/N, white; //"X.v, forehead. ) KlItoi'KAN WlllTK-KHONTKK (ioosH.
The above is the slight character which appears to separate this from the next. Only N. Am.
as (KTurring in tireeidand.
A. II. KKiu'lieli. (To Will. (Janibtd.) Amkkic.xs Whitk-khonti'.ii (toosK. Si>f;(ki.i:-
Iii;i,l.v. Tiiil normally I (i-fealhered. llill sinooth ; the lamiiue moderately exposed. Adult ^
?: llill pink, pale lake or carmine, the nails white. Feet yellow. Kyes brown. Claws
white. A while band along base of upper mandible, bordered behind by blackish; upper tail-
coverts white. Cnder parts whitish, the breast and belly more or less extensively patched or
blotcheil with black, in high plumage perhaps mostly black, the sides of the rump, and th((
rrissum, white. Head and neck dark grayish-brown, paler on the lower neck in front, where
passing into the whitish blaidv-blotched breast. Hack dark ashy-gray, the feathers anteriorly
tipped with brown, fartiier back with p.ile uray. Secondaries and ends of primaries dusky,
more ashy toward base, the primary coverts and outer webs of primaries ashy, tlu* greater
coverts and secondaries bordered with whitish, the primaries and covert', edged and tipped
280.
OUI.
AlK'i.
ANATIVyE — AMiJiUJyyK ; GEEHE.
686
L'MO
with wliito ; shafts of (iiiills white. Yniinj,' ; Darltcr, hrowiicr ; the jjray and asliy cdiors ratluT
brown, tho base of the tail not jiurc wliilc, no wiiitc on t'orchcail, which is ilarkcr tiian rest
of iicad, no bhu'k on undci- parts, tho hill obstcnrcil, the nail hlacUish, the feet jiaU'. l.in>;th
ahont -27.00 inches; extent (iO.UO; winjj ICi.lO-lJ.OO ; tail ,')..j(); tarsus J.7.') ; iiiiililh' toe
and claw rath- r more; bill nji to 2.01). N. Am. at larye, hrceilini; in the far north, winterinj;
ill the U. S., in greater mnnhers on the Pacific side than in the interior or along the Athmtic.
Kggs ()-7, 2.1)0 to ;<.;{() htng by 2.10 broad, elliptical, smooth dull yellowish with an olive
shade, in phuM^s discolored will) a darker tint.
280. CIIKN. (Ur. xhof *^l"'>h 11 goo.se.) Snow (»ki:sk. Hill ahont as hmg as head, very stout
and higll at ba.se, wliere higher than broad, the under mandible very deep. Tomial edges
of mnch bevelled oH", and receding from each other, leavim; an ellijitical space, in which lli(>
large prominent teeth are fidly e.xpo.scd. Nostrils in basal half of bill. Fn-t as in Anscr, bnl
tarsns if anything longer than niiddli! toe and claw. Color white, at K'ast on head. Kill and
feet reddish.
Aiuili/ai* i;/' Sjitcift.
Not white. Nearly the size o( the next citruleseeni 6M
Pure wliitn, with lihick wiiit;-li|m', huiiil riiHly iir ii»t.
I.iirKo: loii|!lli utioiit :i(l.ilil; wing IT.mi or iiioru. Hill Diiiuotli hyperhireua 6M
Siiiiill: li'iigth ulniiit L'.'i.lHI: wiiiK Iti.lNliir li'Mt. Hill kiuohIIi tillHtlua I'llW
VcryHniall: uiiiliir 'J4.(H); wliit; in.OOiir Ii'KH. IIIIIiiIikIiU'iI wUIi iiii|iilla) ronai tlU7
001. V. ewniles'ecas. (I.at. cwnilesiriin, bluish.) Itl.tii: .Snow (ioiisi;. Kill and feet flesh-pink,
former with tlni rece.ss between the mandibles black, tlie nails whitish ; iris dark brown ;
claws dusky. Head and neck above white, tht^ neck below, passing on to the back and
breast, diisky-gray, then fading into whitish on tin* imder parts, changing on the wings into
fine blnish-gray, or silvery-ash ; rnnip and npper tail-coverts whitish ; i|tiills and tail-feathers
dusky, e<lgeil with whitish, the primaries black. .Size of the snow gooso or rather less, and
blackish. Adult put- ^
mage l)nre white, the Km. 471. Kinin'mr (iiHwe. tPnun Dtkll.)
heati usually washed with rusty-brown, like a swan's, the ends of the prinuiries blackening.
Young resembling tho last, but the heatl not white while other parts are colored. Large:
length 27.00-.S 1.00; 4'xtent 57.00-('.2.00 ; wing I7.00-I<l.00 : tailC.'.O: bill 2.:<.'>--'.tiO : tarsus
3.00-3.50; uiiddlo too uud flaw the same. Weight o orb lbs. The dimensions grade down
686
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIROSTRES— ANSEliES.
000.
OUT.
281.
G08.
282.
to those of the next. N. Am. at large ; breeds in high latitudes, migrating and wintering in
tlie U. S. Abundant in the interior and along the Pacific coast, less so on tlie Atlantic.
Casual in Europe. Eggs about 3.00 X ^00, yellowish-white.
C li. alba'tus. (Lat. idbutus, wiiitencd.) Lesseu .Snow Goose. Coloration precisely
as in the last ; size less, but grading up to tliat of hi/perboreus. Length about 25.00 ; wing
15.50; tail 5.50; bill ;J.00-2.12 ; tarsus 2.90-3.00. Western N. Am., probably also Eastern ;
accidental in Ireland.
C. ros'sl. (To H. K. Ross.) Ross' Goose. IIouned Wavey. Least Snow Goose.
Coloration as in tiie foregoing. IJiil witli tlie outline of the feathers on the side nearly straiglit
instead of strongly convex, studded at base with numerous papillee, and less exposure of the
teeth. Very small, no larger than a mallard duck. Length about 21.00; wing 14.50; tail
5.00 ; bill 1.50; tarsus 2.50. Arctic America, U. .S. in winter, western. A curious little white
goose, so different from the other species of Chen as to have been made typo of a genus
E.viinflicmops.
I*IIIL.\C'TE. ((Jr. tpiXos, phUos, h)viug; axTri, akte, the seashore.) Painted Geesk.
Sujjerticial aspect of Clien. Skull with superorbital depressions (wanting in other N. Am.
gee.x.0. Teeth of bill
exposed posteriorly;
the nail prominent ;
•bill moderately ro-
bust. Tarsus not
longer than middle
toe and claw. Plu-
mage variegated, but
no metallic tints; hill
and feet light-colored.
Webbing of the toes
incised. Sexes alike.
Arctic and maritime.
I*. eunu'Kioa. (Of
the island of Kanaga.
Fig. 474.) Painted
GudSE. Emi'EKou
Goose. Wavy blu-
ish-gray, with laven-
der or lilac tintinir Fio. 476. —Common Brant. (From Lewis.)
and sharp black crescentie marks ; head, nape, and tail white, former often washed with amber-
yellow ; throat black, white-sjieckled ; fjuills varied with black and white; eye brown: feet
Hesh-c<dor. Length 25.00-28.00; wing 15.00-17.00 ; tail 5.00-6.00; hill 1.50; tarsus 3.00.
N. W. coast : abundant at mouth of Yukon ; wintering chiefly in S. Alaska and the Aleutian
Islands, breeding N. to Hchring Strait at least; also on the Siberian side. A remarkable
8|H'cies, unlike any other goose of our country; strictly nniritime. Its flesh is rank, and
scarcely fit for food. Eggs about 5, 3.35 X 2.00, white, with fine pale brown dotting, giving a
general pale dirty-brown color.
BKK'NICLA. (Latinized from P'nglish barnacle.) Baunacle Geese. Bkant Geese.
Bill short, the nostrils at its middle. Lamina; of bill not exposed, the commissure being
straight. Head and neck black, with white spaces. Bill and feet black. Hiiul toe vt-ry
small. Tail of 16-1 S feathers. Sexes alike. Several species, of both Hemispheres. (The name
" barnacle " commemorates the fable that these birds sprouted from the little cirripeds called
barnacles ; " brent " or *' brant " is simply " burnt " goose, from the dark C(dor, as if charred.)
009.
700.
^^Y.l TID^i: — .1 SSL'IilN^E : GEESE.
687
'
Anali/sii of Sji,ck» ami fitrietie:
Forehead, cheeks, 011(1 chin wlillo. (Kiiroiiuiiii. ) Uucoptii lay
Foreliua<l, cheeks, nml cliiii bliuki whitu HtripcM (in neck.
Black of neck well (leliiitid iigaliiHt light lower |iikrt8 hnntu TIH)
Hliick of neck extending over breast id'ym.iiu TOl
Fortlieud bluck ; cheeks and chin white; no white stri|ics on neck.
Tail normally 18-feathercd. Large,
No white collar In black of hiwcr neck cdiKK/t nki'ii 70J
A white collar In black of lower neck nccitleutalit 7k;(»
Tail normally 10-featliored. Small.
No white collar In black of lower nock hulchiiiMi 704
A white collar in black of lower uuek hucniuirvi 7(i;i
609. B. leucop'sls. (CJr. \tvK6i, Icimis, wliitc ; u\l/if, oii^is, aiiiMiiram-e : tin- face wliito. )
Harxacle (lOOiSK. Tail uornially of 10 ftatluTs. Bill, fi-et, and claws Mack. Iris lirowu.
Friiut ami sides of liead
and cliiii wliitc, witli a
dark lino at base of bill,
and tlu'iu'C to vyi'. Rest
of head and iiirk all
around black, ]ir(>l(iii(;c(l
on the back and wiiif^s,
the feathers of the latter
bluish, |L;ray at base and
edged at end with whit-
ish : runi]> and tail black.
Upper and under tail-
coverts, sides of nnn)>,
belly, and hind breast,
white or whitish, tlio
sides shaded with i;ray.
Quills dusky, blackeniiii; .^M^^^^^^i^K^f •"» '<
at ends, tinned on the ^^^^^^^^mmtLS /ru
PX]Hised surfaces with ^^^K^fW^Vt^WBt
ashy. .Sexes similar; 9 ^^f^,'. A ^ •»• -.^ *
duller c(dored and smaller
than $. Lentftb of $
28.(10; extent 55.00; —^ - ---- — ^ ^W ^_^--_ ^^
wing 17.00; tail 6.00; — ^^fcfctei^^SiiH^ --« — ^^*^~-
bill 1.50; tarsus 2.75;
middle toe and claw the
same. EuroiM'; very rare
and casual in N. Am. ex-
cepting Greenland, where " • " ---. .^=~.-.—-S^ .^±r-^jp^
regidar. (Hudson's May,
Am. Xat.ii, 1808, p. 49.
., ,, ,. . ', Fid. 470. — Black Brant. (From American Field )
N. Carolina, Am. Nat.,
V, 1871, p. 10. Long Island, Bull. Xutt. Club, ii, 1877, p. 18. Illinois, Forest and Stream,
Nov. 23, 1870.)
700. B. bren'ta. (Qunsi-Lat. hrenthm, hrcntus, burnt. Fig. 475.) BnAXT Goose. Rill. fe«t. and
claws black ; iris brown. Head and neck all around, and a little of f((n> part ><( iHxly, i;l(issy-
bluck, well defined against the color of the breast : on each side of the neck a small j>atch of
white Btreuks ; frequently also white touches ou eyelid and chin. Breast ashy-tn^iy, beginuinir
688
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIIiOSTUES— ANSEUES.
abruptly from tliu black, fading nn the belly anil crissuiii into wliito, Hhailcd alon^; the siilcs
of the body ; iqiper iiarts brownish-gray, the feathers of the dorsal region with paler gray
tips; rump darker; uitper tail-coverts white. Tail-feathers, wing-(|uills, and primary-coverts
blackish, the inner (juills whitish toward base. Length 24.00; extent 48.00; wingl.'J.OO;
tail 4.50; bill 1.33; tarsus 2.23; middle toe and daw about the same. Europe. In North
America, chieJiy along tlie Atlantic Coast, being more maritime than other II. S. geese, hut
still found inland on the great lakes and rivers. U. S. only in winter, and during the migra-
tions, when abundant. Breeds in iiigh latitudes, to the Arctic Coast.
701. B. b. iilg'rlcans. (Lat. »ii(/n'ca>w, being blackish. Fig. 470.) IlLArK HitAST. Similar to the
last ; black of jugulum e.xtending over most of under parts, fading on belly and crissum, without
abrupt line of dcnmrcation on breast; white neck-patches usually larger and meeting in front.
Size of the hwt. Hoth coasts ; very abuudaut on the Pacific side, not common on the Atlantic.
Migrations and breeding resorts the same.
70S. B. canuden'sls. (Of Canada. Fig. 477-) Canada Goose. Common Wild Goo.se. Tail nor-
mally 18 - feathered.
Dill, feet, head, and
neck black; on the chin
a broad white ])atch
mounting on sides of
head behind eyes, some-
times broken on chin ;
not e.Ktending forward
to jaws; white touches
usually on eyelids. V\v-
per taik'overts detiniti>-
ly white ; rump black-
ish ; tail-feathers black.
General color brown-
ish-gray, i)aler or more
ashy-gray below, all
the feathers with jialer
gray or whitish edi;es,
tliose of sides of body
usually <larker than
rest of under pails, the
lower helly and crissmn
definitely white. Iris
brown. Length 3 feet
Fio. 477. — Canada Oooge. (From Lewis.) or more ; e.xtent 5 fei>t •
winsi 18-20 inches ; tail 7.00; tarsus 3.00-3.50; middle toe and claw more; bill about -i.OO.
N. Am. at large. This is the most generally distributed and on the whole the most abundant
goose of our cou!itry. It breeds in various jiarts of the U. S., sometimes in trec.i, but the
greater number of individuals pass further north to nest. Eggs 5 to 9, usually 5 or 6, ellij)-
soidal, smooth, pale dull greenish, about 3.50 X 2.50.
70Sa. B. f. oeoldenta'Iis. (Lat. owiV/w^rZis, western.) LAimKn WniTE-rnEF.KEi) Goose. Similar
to the last ; of e(pial size, and tail 18-fcalliered. Ccdoraticm averaging darker than in the last,
the mider parts especially, against which the white of the anal and crissal region is well-defined.
Black of neck bounded Ixdow in front by a white half-i-ollar. Hill averaging shorter, and
tiirsns relatively longer. The best samjdes are well marked ; others shade into the common
form. Pacific coast, especially Alaska. (The bird here inilicated is B. occidentalis Bd. Whether
103.
701.
283.
705.
700.
ANA TIDJE — A NA TLWK : HI VKH DVl KS.
♦)H!t
kucopnrin Hrdt.f But mtt kucopnria Cimh. Not in the Chock List, 18S2, not hiiviiiK Wen
there tbnniilly rceogiiizeil as ii su)is|ie('ies. )
■J03. B. o. leiic-uparl'tt. ((ir, XtvKiis, Ifitkas, whiw : mifitM, jxirein, cheek.) SMAU.F.n WlllTE-
cilKKKKii (iooHE. Similar t" tlie hist ill ciilor; Imt niiich Hiiiallpr, ami tail lii-fealliered, thiix
resembling No. ZOl, from which <listiiit;iiislieil a> nccidcHtiilifi is Iroiii ciiHdtlniKin. Length HJ)*)
or less; wing alioiit l.'j.OI). This is the small '•white-i lied goose " ligured hj- Cassiii. III..
])1. 4.1, as Jt. Iciicupiirid, Hraiidt. I'aeitic coast, especially Alaska.
701. n. c. hut'fliliisl. (To .Mr. lliitchins.) Ill T(1IIN.s' Goosk. Tail normally Ifi-t'eathered,
Coloration as in tiiu Canada goo.sc. Siz(,' much less. l,eiii;th ;J.).0((-:i(i.()ll; extent ahoiit
4 feet; wing 1.5.()n-17.(JO ; tail .'(.OH-Ci.OO ; hill l..")0; tarsus nmh'r li.OM. Tli.re .seems little
prohahility of estahlishing goiul character of mori' than one species of the anititlfnsis group,
with jirohahiy four varieties: large, no collar (70:.'); small, no collar (TUt); large, collareil
(jUiii); small, collared (H)'\).
283. DKXI>HOCY'<lNA. (dr. Sfvifrnv, ilrndrDti, i\ tree; I^at. r//(/»/i/.s-. a swan.) TitF.i; DiCKs.
l)uck-liko arlioricole gee.se, with the hill loiiifer than the head, terminated hy a prouiiuent
deciirved nail, the lameihe not projecting ; nostrils small, oval, in has.il half of hill : let;s very
long, the tihia- extensivijy denuded helow ; hind toe leut;thened, more than one-third as loni;
as the tarsus; tarsi entindy relicidate, as in geese proper. Wings ainiih-, rouiideil ; 1st (piill
shorter than 1th. Coloration variegated. Sexes similar. Nest in trees. In addition to the
two following species, a third, U. arboren, of the West Indies, may occur in the .South.
AmihjMn 11/' SjHi-ii K.
Bill and feet l>lnckiHli ; c'i>l(>nitioii largely cliiiiaiiioii; im wlilti' wini;-|>'itch .
Bill unci fuet rL'<lcli8li; culnrutioii lar);i'ly lilaiki.tli ; a lar|>o wliUu wiuh'-patcli.
. . fiili-a 7IIS
autuniiKi/io '(III
705. I>. fiil'va. (Lat. fiilva, fulvous, reddish.) Fii.vms Thkj: Ditk. Hill Idnish-hlack ;
feet slaty-blue. I'ale cinnamon or yellowish-hrowii. extensive and uniform on the lower parts,
ilarker on head; nape and hiiid-ne(d« with a black line; scapulars aiicl fore-back blackish with
jiale cinnamon edgings of the feathers. Rump and tail black: iijip.T and under tail-coverts
white. No white speculum on wing ; les.ser wing-coverts eiiocolate-brown ; rest of wing black
on both suri'aces. Length about 20.00; extent ."{fi.i 10 ; wing 'J..)0 ; tail .'J.ii.') ; tarsus -'.2.j ; bill
J. 30, with hooked nail. S. W. U. S. and southward, in summer, Louisiana to Cala. ; common
lUi the Hio (tVande.
700. D. aiituniiiii'lis. ( Lat. (iiitiimtudis or (luclumnnlis, of the period of iiirrcasc of harvest ; riucliis,
increased, augmented.) Al'Tf.MX.M. Tur.K Hi tk. Hill <'or.il-ied. witli oraui.'' above, and
bluish nail; feet pinkish-white. A large white speculum, ciuisisliiu; of greater wing-i'ovcrts
and basal parts of most of the i|uills, as well as spurious (|uills and outer webs of mie or two
jirimarie.s. Head and neck reddish-ehoi'olate, paler oil cheeks and idiiii, with black stripe
down nape and hind-neck, passing throiit;h more yellowish-biowii on tiu' I'oie-parts of the
body to blackish on lower back, runiit, tail, belly, sides of body and lininii of wiiiirs ; llauks
and crissum ino.stly white. Length about 20.00; extent .Sd.OO-Iis.Od ; wiiii: '.l..)0-lO..-)ii ;
tail ;J.OO; bill along irajie -2.00; tarsus 2.2."). S. and C. .\m. and Mex. to Texas, abuinlant
from April to <Jctober on the Hio (Jramle. wIutc called "coriitield duck ; " a comiinui market-
bird in 8(une places. Nest in hollows of trees, often at a i;reat distance from water, to which
the young are transported by the parents in the bill. Kggs 12-1(1, 2.1m x 1..')0, of usual duck
shape, biiffy-white.
67. Subfamily ANATIN^: River Ducks.
Tarsi scutcUuie in front : liiinl lor sinipir (in Ftdujnlivrr, the hiud toe witii a Hap or
lobe.) This ex)ire.ssion sejiarates the jiresent uroiip from all the North .\mericau examples
of tlio foregoing and succeeding subfamilies, although it is not a perfect iliatjuosis. The neck
and legs are shorter than they average in geese, while the feet are .snialh-r than in the .sea-
44
690
HYSThMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LA MKU.IUOSTHES — ANSKliKS.
(]iu*k8, tlin too8 and lluir wi'bs nut bcin^ no lii^lily iI<>vi'|ii|h'(1. None nf tin- Anntinw arc
extensively iiiaritiuii', lilu* most of tin- FuUijuUtitr ; yet tliey are hy no means eoiitined to
fresh waters, and sonui Hjieeies constantly associate wilii the seadueks. 'I'liey feed exten-
sively, llko moot geese, ii|Mm viieenlent a(|natie herlmKc, but also u]Hin varioim aniniMJ
snhstanees ; their Hesh is almost witliont ej^eejition exeeilent. Tiiey do not dive for tiieii-
food, 'riie inoult is donhle ; the sexes are almost invariably markedly distinct in color;
, , , .; -.^ the yoniiK resemble the
"■ "* ^U • ' " . 9 ; «li<' M'ii'i; lias usu-
ally a brilliant s|ie('nliiin,
which, like iIks other
wintf-nunkiii^'s, is the
same ill both sexes. I'n-
like mese, tlnseand oth-
er ilucks are not doubly-
miinoi;annius, but simply
so if not |iidygamiMis ;
the male pays no atten-
tion to the yonii>;. Kx-
cliidini: the shii'ldrake
t;i'i>M|), already nieiitionid
as iiertaining rather to
the ireesi- than the ducks,
there are about fifty spe-
cies, generally distrib-
Fia. 47S. — .MiiUiirils. (From IxwIb.) uted over the World.
They are split into a large miinher of modern gein-ra, most of which indicate litth' mori! than
specific characters; the majority are represented in this country. Of those here fidlowintr.
two, S)w»^//rt and vli.r, represent decided structural peculiarity; the re.-'t might all be referred
to .i4 ««.<(, type of tbo group. The Malacorlii/iiclins mcwhvni>iiro»ii, <^' \ui»trulia, is a notable
exotic fonii.
Aualf/Kh <:i lliwr
Heiiil iTcBteil ; lilll iinrrow. tlie tip f(iriiu'<l wiilclv 1" (Ije unC
Ileiiil iiiit crcKlt'il ; liill t;ri'atly wiiltT at I'liil tliaii
Ifoail imt (TuMlril ; liill licit H|Ki(iii-Hlia|ioil.
Tail tiiiiiMile. Willi iiarniw rciitral fcatlicr'i in« m lialf a;
Tail mil I'lincatc, licit lialfas IcniK iih wIiik.
mil slicirtcr than licacl ; tall-rcallicrx laiiciMuiiU' . licnci '
Hill ulicntiT tliaii lieaci -, lail-fcalliLTH not ncuto ; cniwii
Bill nlinnt ax IciiiK as liiail, or 1<iiii;it.
Wliitf-fiHciiliini wliltc; wliiR-i'iivortii ('lii'!"tiMil ; liill dark ; fct-t iiningo . . . Cli'
Wlnn-siioriiliini vliilcl, lil.ic k-liorcliTccI; liill criniisli. cir clunky ami uraiigo; feet or
Wiiii!.K|Hviiliuii Krceii ; Ithnur I'civertH liliic cir iicil ; bill dark. Wry ^'lllall . . (,'
Ob.s. — The old males of all our species are unmistakable, havinu strong
size, anil form; but the females and young may not always bo nrognized ai
examining any " iliick " of which you are in doubt, Hrst notice X\w hill : if it
cylindrical, with sharp saw-like teeth, very conspicuous, the bird is one of the
<ir " Fishing Ducks," scarcely tit for food. Next, examine the hind Uiv : if it has a tlap or
lobe hanging free, the bird is one of the Fiilitfuliiur, which may or may not be good for the
table; if the hind too is simple and slender, it is one of the Aiidliiuc, and sure to make a
trood <Ush, if in order. .Ml the red- or orange-footed species are Antitiiuc (excfptinf/ the
Mergansers); but not all t\w Aiiutiiuc have the feet thus colored. In determining fiuiale
and young Aniitina; IcMik to the wing-niarkings rather than the body-colors. The species
of Querqueduht are very small "teal " ducks, 1(1 im-hes or less in length.
Al.r aiO
. . S'piiliilit 'M'.t
m whitj (f hiijiln '.'s.'i
It wliilc; lielly wliito yg. anA <i Dajila 'JS.'S
I liully white . .l/iin crt 1!87
''l«HH» 2S(>
tmin 2S4
<. </!(/(• 2SS
of color,
Jauce. Ill
.irrow and
Mergttusers,
AX. I ill) a: - . I AM visa: .• m veu nrchs.
(iiH
284. A'NAS. (liftt. finas, u .liick.i Common IhtKs. Mai.i.aho aki> Ui.ai k Dkkh. Hill
iiiil (.liciiicr lliaii lifiul, lailur \..uc<\ lli.iii Imimis, l.iuiiil ami alioiit i.anilltl-»i.li.|, Ui^hvr tliiiii
witic at liuM', then iiiiit'ii iIi|hv>miI ami llaiiincil, ihc mil miiiiilci, tlic nail imiinw, |i>s tliiiii
niii'-tiiirti ii.s wide as* ll ml h|' tlu' liill. NnMril.'* liiuh ii|>, in l.axal hall' I'f liill. Fiatlnis
rcacliiiifj ti' aliipiit llic Haiiii' ili>lamT mi lonlnail, cliiik.-, ami iliiii. Tail rcMimliMl, Ic.-.^ tliaii
liall' UH loiij; as wiim, i>f Iti-l^ |M.iiitr<| t(alli<i>. Hill irin ni.-li. ni- MacM^li MuIcIdmI with
(irungo. Fret ItriKlit-ci.li.rcil. Siicciilmu vi.iltl, .tc, iVaimd in Mark ami while (in Ih.iIi
sexes). S<'X('s iinliUe (liosvas) or alike (nlixriini).
(f lli'iiil iiiicl iiuik k.'ri'cMi, iii<k Willi wlillii rliitf. lirciiKi |>iir|iUi«li-rlii'i.lniii, I'ic. ^ viirli'galo<l wllli iliiiiky
mill yilliiwlBli-lirdwii Imimiiu 7(17
(f 9 t'litlrc'ly ilimky, viirleiiiilul Willi yullowlnli-liriiwii I lliiiiiKorwIiiKK wliitu iiliicuni '(m, Tmt
707. A. Ixis'cas. (iir. (ioaKtis, Imshis; l.at. ''((NCfx m' 'losc/.s. lunlialily this very s|ieeies. Fiu'. 17"*.)
MAI.LAItU. Wll.lMilt DoMKSTK 1)1 I K. ( i UK.KN-llKAIi. Ailnil^J: Hill Kieelii.s|i-yel|..\v. Feet
(iraiij;e-rt'il. Iris brown. Mead ami iiiniir nerk ulcissy-;,'reeii, siureeileil liy a wliiie riii>,'. Hrea;-!
|iiir|)li>li-elieslniit. Lower liai-k. niiii|i, ami tail-cMi\erts i;liis>y-lilack. 'I'ail-t'iatlicrs inostlv
wliiti.sli. I'mler parts tVoni the lirea^t, anil seapulars, >ilvery-uiay, liiiely iimliilalril willi
iliisky; crissinn hliick. .S|ieeiiliini violet, |iiir|ili>ii ami ui'i'i'iii>li. I'raiiieil in Mark ami white
tips of the yri'ater coverts, ami hlaek lenuiiiul honler. 9 • '"hill : l'''et ainl wiiiirs a> in the (^,
Hill Markisli, hlotcheil with oranire, esperialiy at l»a.-e, tip ami alon^ iili,'e;<. Knliie hotly-
colors with (Insky-hrowii and tawny-hrowii; the tone pale, , •mil in liner pattern on the head,
mrk, and under parts than on the hack. I^enijtli •i2.liii--.'t.(l(); extent 'MMU liii.llt); wiiif?
10. 1(0-1 1. (»0; tail H.OO-kdO; hill alioiit 2.00; tarsus ratlur less; inidille toe and rlaw more.
In the drake, a tnit of enrly leathers on tail. \Veii;lit l' or .'i poiimls. Ilaliitat nearly eos-
mop(ditan; nearly everywhere iloineslieated, lieini; the well-known ori;;inal of tlie harn-yal'd
duck. Wild in ahiindance thro'.iiihoiit N. .\iii., hreeilinj; spariiii;ly in the I'. S. as well
as farther north; rare in New Knt;laml, and scari'ely found heyoml MassaeloiMtts, liein;,'
replaced farther N. K. Ity the dusky duck. Nest on ^'roiiiid, of trash and feathers; ef;j^s
usually 8-10, 2.25 X l-W, smooth, diii«y yellowi>li-dral>.
I OllH. — .\n anomalous duck, with the iiemral aspect of a mallard, hut nearly as laiX'e a.s
a piose, is occasionally taken on the Atlantic coast; it is imi|Uestional>ly |iart mallard, the
Imhmcu of its parentaiie supposed to hemii.scovy; Anas imi.rimii (losse; Fiiliijiilii rinlit Hell. —
A snpposod liyhrid of mallard x triidwall is Anas (jtiicitiinx or .1. hiririri .\uil.; .1. (iinliiliiiiii
Hp. The mallard is known to x with various other species, rpwanl.'- of .'tO kinds of hyhrid
ducks are recorded; some of them jirove fertile. There is even a ('liiiiijiilii X Miiyits.
708. A. obseu'ra. (Lat. o/asck/v/, dark.) DtsKY Dl'iK. Hi.ack Dii k. .*<ize of the mallard,
and reseinliliuf' the 9 "f t'uit species, but darker and without white anywhere I'Xcept the
linini; of the wiiifjs in ^ 9»niiil a narrow white line aloiii; proximal lioider of >peciilimi
of (f. flexes alike. Hill yellowish-f,'reen, willi dusky nail: feet oiamre-red, with dusky
webs. Iris brown. General plumat;<' dnsky-hrowii, paler ImIow tlian above, variegated
with pale rusty-brown edi;ini;s of the fe.ilhers: top of liead darker than sides and throat,
the former blackish with pale brown streakini; in tine pattern, the latter iri'ivish-brown with
dark streakiiit;. Winij-coverts dusky-irray: the L're.iter tipped witli black, edirinu the
imrplish-blue or viidef speculum. The i;eiiinil lilai-ki>h mlor. contrastiiii.' with while linini;
of wiuijs, and the violet speculum framed in velvety-black, are diatrnoslic. 9 ^'oC'r*' is much
litfhtc^r in toiu', aiul more varicijated with tawny-brown. Chietly I'.astern \. Ain. ; Western .'
Abundant aloiiir the Atlantic ("oast. Texas to Labr.idor. One of the commonest ducks in
sninnuT in New Knt,'land and N. K.-wanl. W. to Kansas, Iowa, etc., but not positively
known beyond. Nest on tfrouiul, of weeds, t;rass, and feathers : egf;s 8-10, dirty pale yellowish-
drab, about 2.30 X 1-75. One of the best table ducks.
692
SYSTEMATIC SYNOJ'SIS. — LAMKLLlliOSTJiES— AI^ SEliKS.
TOO. A. o. fulvl'Kula. (Liit. /i(/n«.v, rctldiHli ; (7«/f», tlinmt.) Fu)Kin.\ DrsKY DrcK. Riniil.ir:
liglitrr-citlnriMl; tiiriiat pliiiii |)alr l)riiwiii.>sli ; hill olive, with hlacU nail ami liaHi* of coininiHsiirt',
A liM-al rai!c, roisidciit in Flurida.
285. 1>A'KILA. (A n<iii-scns« wmd ) I'iS-TAII, l>I»KH. Tail (in adnlt ^) namw. ciincatc,
when hilly di'vi'lupnl ncai'ly as loni; iih win^, thu ii cfulrul It-nlhciH liing-i>XM'i1fd, lincar-ucut)' :
in 9 ""'I }'<'iin>; the tail nicridy
tajH'rinK, with ariitc frallii'rs; tail-
fcatlit'i's l(), inchidin^' the Inn^ mid-
dle pair, liill ^4|ll>l-ter than head,
lunger than tarnii.x, marly paralh!
silled, wideniiii; a little to the end,
the nail small, the narrow nostrils
liii^'h np in hasal third of hill.
Feathers of clieeUs sweeping in
stroniily convex outline alnniK side
of n|iper maiii'iide, heyond those
on side of lower niandihie. Winu
ariite, the Jst and ;!d primaries
sulieipnil and longest, rest rapidly
graduated. Neek uniisnally lon^ Fi... 47I>.-Henil of /*,.«'«. 9. nnr. n1™. (A.I imt. .IH. K.C.)
mid slender, and form le^s "stocky" than that of most ducks. .Sexes and yoiiiif; very unlike
ill cidor, even to the wiiiu-markiiif^s, as well as in shape of tail. Itill and feet dark. I'mler
parts white or whitish. >S]ieciiliiin of f framed in hntf, while, and Mack.
7IO. I>. acii'ttt. (Lat. f(iw///(, acute, as the tail is. Fijjs. I/'.', i''^ll. ) I'IN-IAII, DliK. Si'llIO-TAI!,.
Adnlt i: Itill Idack,
with (.'rayish - Idiie
edye of upper nian-
dihie; feet grayish -
Idile : claws Idack :
Iris hi'own. Mead and
neck ahove rich dark
lirown, iilosseil with
f.;i'<'ei, and purple :
side of I k will; a
IciliU white stripe riiii-
iiiii!.' lip from the
while miller parts ;
hack of neck 'villi a
hiaci, stripe pas>iiii;
helow into the ^rav
I'olor of the hack ;
the lower forelieck,
hreast, and iiinler
parts Usually, white,
the sides finely waved
with hlaids, the crissiini hiack, white-hordered. Fore hack liiiely waved with narrow hars of
hlack and while or whitish : the scapulars and loni; tertiaries lirnily striped lent;thwise with
velvety-hlack anil silvery-irray. Lesser winc-coverlH plain irray ; ureater lipped with reddisli-
hiiff, franiiiii; the speculum anteriorly; this is of coppery- or pur)ilisli-violel iridescence, framed
posteriorly with Idiu'k siih-tijis iiiid while lips of the secondaries, internally with silvery and
Km. 4sn ^ I'lii tnll luirk. V .' iKr I.c«Ib )
286.
/
711. {
287. I
ANATlDuE — ANATIS.K : HIVKti DICKS.
(um
I'lKlfl
MiK'Ii stripoB. Tail-fcatlHTs Krny, llir loiii; central cmcs lilarki.sli ; siilcs ami nnits of tail varinl
with Iilackisli ami Imtl'. It is thus a very liamis IncU in I'lili |iliiiiiaui', asiiii' I'imiii the trim
aii<l clipiMT-liki' hiiild. I.cniilh vi-ry variahif, ii|) to H(i inches, accordiiii; t<i ileveli>|inieiit <■!■
tail, which is sfinietinies ',( iiicjpes luni:, iisnally .") nr (1 : extent H(i.(i(»; wiin; ll.tKi; hill -.'.J,!;
tarsus 1.07 ; iniildle toe ami claw :{.:.'.">. Aihilt 9: Smaller; lackiin; ilie il('velo|> nt of the
tail : length 2jr or kss. Only traces of the s| nhini. in irreen ^|ieck.-. in a hrowii area lieiwcm
white or whitish tips of the secomlaries ami those of tlie greater coverts. Kill hlaikish ; feci
ihill iii'ayifli-hhie ; iris hrown. Whole head tinely speckled, and whole neck tincly streaked,
with dilsky-hrown and urayi.sh-hrown or yellowish-hrown ; niidei parts pale ochrey-hrown,
freckled with dnsky : upper parts variegated with hrownish-hlack ami yellowisli-hrown. on the
fore parts the lii;hter color in angular or roimderl hars on each feather. ^'onn^ drake like the
duck, 'riioiiiih the resenihlam-e is close to sonie others] ies, observ dor of hill and feel, tijisof
secondaries and greater coverts, and size and ueneric characters. Northern hemisphere; N. .\ni.
at larp', wintering and ini).;ratinK in l'. S. and heyond. hreedinu from northern horders northward ;
in<ire iinineroiiH in the interior than alont; either coast. I have found it hreedini; ahiimlantly
in parts of \. Dakotit and Montana. Nest on i;ronnd ; ei;i;s li-IO \i, smooth, elongated
ellipsoidal, 'i.lO to 'i.'M) loni; hy ahont l..'i^' ; uniform .iull urayisli-olive, without any liiitf tint.
286. niAn^KliAS'MrS. (tir. xnvXws, <7i'<»/»<w, protiiherant : «X(nrf*(ir. (Vif.vHKW, a layer, plate;
referriim to the teeth of the liill.i (i AliWAI.I.s. Itill ahont as lony a> lieail, rather exi'cedinij
tai^ns, t\w HJdeH parallel to the rounded tip, the lanieihe not concealed, the nostrils hiuh up mar
the hase, the rei'litrance hetweeii the feathers on cidmen and those on side of hill short and
open, in advance of feathers on siile of lower nianilihle. \Vini:s pointed, 1st primary louyest.
Tail short, roumh'd or cniieate, with pointed feathers. J with most of the plinnap' harreil or
half-rini;ed with Idack and white, or whitish ; middle winu'-coverts ilirstiiiil, (,'reater coverts
liliirk, siiiriiliim irhilr : 9 "i'h similar irliilf specniinu. Feet yellowish.
711. <'. Htr«>'|M'riiH. (Ijat. .s/iv'/KTK.s, noisy, ' ohstreperons.'i (i.vnwAi.i,. (Jii.w Mitk. Adult J;
Kill hlue-hl.'ick : feet dull iiraiii;e, with dusky wehs and claws: iris reddish-hrown. Head and
neck hrownish-white, darker on crown and iia|ie. harred and specked with dusky. Lower neck,
hreast, sides of hody and fore-hack waved with i-rescentic hars of hiackish and white, the cres-
centic marks ^ivin^ a scaly appearance most distinct on the neck and hreast, elsewhere liner,
iiiorc iiiidtihilory and transverse. I iower hack dusky, passim; to lilaid< on the rump and tail-
coverts. Kelly white, minutely uiarlded with ^ray. Scapulars linp'd with rusty hrown ; loiiuest
inner iplills hoary i;ray ; lininii of wini;s white; lesser upper coverts ;;ray ; middle coverts
chestnut-red; Hpeeiiluiu white, formed hy part or the whole of the outer wehs of thi' si iid-
aries, frauu'd in velvet Idack of the t;realer I'overt", li rminally hordered with Idack anil hoary
Uray. Lenuth ahont 'J2 inches ; extent :it.lM» ; wiiiu' |(l.."i»t II.Ull; tail (..•.II; tarsus l.fiD; hill
l.7.'i; middle toe and claw -i.'.'H. Adult 9: Smalkr than ^. Kill dusky, hlotched with
orange. Keet diuiry yellowish, with ilusky wehs and cd.iws. I.ackini; the reuular eresceiitic
and wavy markings id' the ^f ; varieijated with dusky and tawny hrown, like 9 "f other
HpecleN ; the chestnut of the ^f waiitiiii; or restricteil ; hut tin' wiuu'-markini.'s are snilicienlly
distinctive. Youiin drake resemhlint; the 9- "'"' of the most widely iliH'u.sed of iliicks, in
most parts of the world ; in N. Am. nearly throuuhont, hut not specially arctic in the hr liiii;
seascui, nesting anywhere in the I'. S. Nest lui irround, sometimes in trees; ei;t;s creamy -hull',
II trille over '2. (Ml hy ahout l.."itt.
287. RIAKKTA. (S. Am. minnn, Kra/iliau name of a kin<l of te:il.) WKil.oS Kill shortir
than head, rather hiyh and narrow at hasi'. parallel-sided, with rounded euil, the nail occupy-
ini; the middle third; the upper lateral reeiitrance short and open: no-.irlN hi^di up ami near
liaHe. Tail pointed, of |(> feathers, not half as loiiu as wiuir- Kill and t'eit dark colored;
helly and middle and fffcatiT win^j-coverls white : top of head while or lit'lit ; speculum ureeu,
bliirk-liorih-riMl.
694
SYSTEMATIC SYXOPSIS. — LAMKLLUiOSTllES -ANSEHES.
AnnlyaU of Sjirrifg.
Head anil neok cinniimoii-reil , Rcarccly vnrictl ; witU mere traces of green, If any ; top of lieail vreaniy or
brownlHli-wliite piiiilii/ir 71'.'
Heail anil nuok gruylali, Hi>eukleil with dusky, tlie stiles of the head with a broad iiatch uf green, llie tup
white or nearly n> iimiriennu Till
7ia. M. peiie'lope. (J'eiwlojn; ti iiiythologiwil imiiii.) KnioPEAN Wujkon. .Sizi' and gennral
chariU'ti.'r of tlif next siMrics ; ditieriiig as abnvc. F.urii]M' ; (Jn't'iilaml ; rare or t'asuul aloiij;
tlir wliolt' Atlaiitii^ coast ; iiiiirc nuiiiurous on tlir N. I'acitic foast ami S. to Calit'oniia.
713. M. Miiierica'iiu. (Fig. 481.) Amekkax WiuEitx. IJald-pate. Adult ^: Hill grayish-blur,
with black tip and cxtrcnif base; fert similar, dnllci', with dnsky webs and claws; iris brown.
Top of head while, or nearly so; sides the .saiiii', or more buti'y, sjieckled with ilusky-greeM,
purer green fnniiinu: ii
)>riiad |iatch from ami
below eye to hind
head ; chin dusky.
Fore neck and breast
light brownish - red,
or very jiale purplish-
cinnamon, ea(di feath-
er with paler grayisii
edge; along the .-iiics
iif the body the same,
finely waved with
dusky; the iireasi and
belly pure white, the
crissum abruptly
blaidi. Lower liiml
neck and fore back
and scapidars finely
waved with the same
FII1.4S1.- .\ni'iioiin Wiunm (Kr.mi l.i»is.) reddish color and with
dusky: lower back and rump similarly waved with dusky and wliitish. Lesser wing-coverts
plain irray : middle and greater coverts pure white, funning a lart:e area, the greater black-
tipjied, forming the fore border of the speculum, which is glossy green, bordered behind by
velvety black, internally by the black and while stripes on the inner s ndaries. Tail brown-
ish-gray, the lateral upper coverts black: axillary feathers white. Only old drakes have the
crown immaculate white, the chin dusky, the auricular patch detinilcly green ; generally the
whole head and upper neck are pale brownish-yellow or reildish-while, >i| kled with greenish-
dusky. 9 resembling the immature ^ on the head: the peculiar brownish-red is interrupled
with dusky and whitish bars. The wing-pattern is nearly as in the ^ ; but the white is re-
stricteil or intermixed with tiray, the greater coverts nuiy lack black tips, the s|)eculum is faint,
and the black stripes of the inner s ndaries aie repla 1 by brown. I'lie normal variability
ill coloration, aside from at'c or sex. is ureal, but the bird cannot be mistaken under any
conditions; the extensive white of ilie under parts and wings is recognizable at unn-slioi
range. Length 1S.(I()-:>1.()() ; extent ;i(I.IM»-;5.').(IO ; wing 10.1)0-1 1.00 : tail l.(IO-l..")0 ; bill
l.fiO; tnrsiiH L50; iiuddle toe and claw more. N. Am. at large, breeding aiiywhcre ; Kurope,
casually. Kl'L's H l-i, >2.()o x l..')0, dull pale butt'.
288. Ql'KUQrK'Dl'L.V. (Lai. i/iwriiiieiliiln, a small kind of duck ; related to English qiuuk.)
Teai, Ducks. Hill nearly or ((uite as long as the head, longer than tarsus, narrow and par-
ullel-sided, the nail narrow, \ to \ of thi' tip. Size smallest aniouir our duidss. Sexes more or
less unlike. Speculum glossy-green. IJill blackish. The genus contains two .sei^tions, perhaps
aa wurthy uf distiiictinn am hoiiio of the forogoiiiK genera.
711.
71.1.
ANA TID^ — ANA TIN^i: : lU \ Eli D L'CKS.
605
Anahj»is nf Snhgenrm and Spfrlea,
Nettich. Head sulxrestcd. Bill very narrow ; imll about J Im tip. Keeiitrnnce nffeathrTiion rldea of
ciilnieii III advance of bane of bill Iwlow, lluail ami nei^k elieslnui, wllli a broad glotwy gnvu baiul on
eafli side bclilnd eye, borderetl with wbltliih, lilackenliig where nicellni; on na|»>. L'tider iniris while,
Willi circular black i>|)OtH; criiinnni black, varied with wliite or creamy ; upper parts and Hides of Innly
closely waved with black and white. S|K'i>uluni rich tjreen bordered in fpiiil wiib buiV tips of ide cov-
erts, behind with white tl|m of the sccoiidarh's; no blue on wing; feet dark; bill blaik. 9 illrt'criiig
cs|ieclally in tliu hea<l markings, those of wings similar.
No white on side of body In front of wing; long scapulars black externally, creamy while iiiier-
nally cn.r.i 714
A white crescent on sUle of body before wing ; scapulars plain nmiliii- iish 71.'>
QuKliqiiKDiTL.v iiroi)or. Head close-fcalhcreil. Bill broailcr than In .S'lllinm, the nail about } iu tip.
Iteentranco on sides of ciilmcn not in advance of l)ase of bill lulow. \Ving-<!overts in ^ J >ky liiue,
the greater whlte-tlfipcd ; wapulais of J i-lripcd willi blue and Imft'
tf Mead and neck lilacklsh-iilunibi'ous ; a large widte cresceiil In front of eye ilitmni "la
J general coh)r purpllsh-chcsl mil ; no white on bead ... ri/iinn/ilirit 717
711. Q i^-) frcv'va. (Lat. crtcca, funned like cir.i; crnUc. i|iiiick, etc.. to c.viiriss the .sdiiuil.) F.iho-
l'i;.\N GUKKN-WINdEI) TkAI.. Liko tlu,' lic.\t to lie ilrsciilird : N.i wllitr ciCSTlit lii't'orc willtf ;
l^rcon ;»iiiid in clK'stimt of side of licud iMirdcriMl witli diridcd wliiti.-*!! ; ItiiiTiiiK of .sides and iqipiT
parts ln'oadi'i' and ooaivsci' ; lonif sca|mlars as well as iunrr .si'ccuidai'ics crt'aniy wliiic, lilack-
liordcrcd cxfcriially. Kiiro)i('; riivcnland : casually on N. Am. .\llanrK' coast.
715. Q. (N.)ourolliieii'sls. (Fitr. 4Si>.) A.MKKUAX (Jur.r.N-wiMiKH Thai.. Adult ^ : IJillldack;
fiii't bluish -gray ; iris brown. A wliitc civscfiit in front of wing. Head and u|ipir nick litdi
,( . ' clicstniil, blackinini;
f,'f " ,'/ ^.' on cliin, wilh a tflossy
' n >,(j/y /iiTcn jiatcli licliiiid
wJ ... I'acli tyi' Idacki'iiiiiu
W^^ ■]" '' y' "" '''^ lower border
y^' /■L-^'^h" :/.,''■, where it meets its
,^^^^^\ /''Ml rl'^ fellow ainoin; the
^^^^^^^^^"^ ' /'\\h' ., ,' i- lengthened teatliers
•jF^a^^^^^^m^^^^Jkg^aJLW] / ■! below by a or
ll*'''^>-?~SB™-sS^ '•iJIL:.-:^^^^^Bi^^^^B^^^Bi|' // l,.ss eviilent whitish
line, which may often
Wt/ ' be traceiltoihe aiitrle
of the month. I'p-
>/ Iter iiarts ami flanks
r/i/^IW^?^^i»i^V^^^B^iMBf^K>Ji} rfi ' '' ^tfflHBBc^'*' waved with narrow
; ricJm.ii,-^'^ -.r <^'^K^-" black bars on a whil-
Fio. 4ti2. - AnierlcnnOnHm-wingeil Teal. (From Lewis 1 ish ground. I'lider
parts white, liecoiiiini; buff or fawn-rcdored on breast, nebniated with irray, on the breast
with nnniprons sbar]) circular black spots; fore neidi ainl sides of breast waved like the upper
part.x. I'rissum black, with a butf or creamy patch on each side. I'rimaries and winir-covtrts
leadi-n gray; speciiliim velvety |mritlish-black on outer half, the inner half rich irrecii : bor-
dered in front with chestnut, fawn or whitish tips of the ureater coverts, behind by while tip8
of the secondaries, interiorly with pnrplish-blaid\ stripes on the oiiti-r webs of the leiiL'theiieil
sceoiidaries. Adult 9: Nearly like ^ on the winu's. the yreeii .s|.eeuliMii less |ieifect : no
crpsi ; head and nock streaked with lii;lit reddish-brown on a dark brown trrouiid : upper parttt
mottled with dark brown, barred and streaked with tawny or grayish ; lower parts white, more
or less biiiry-timieil on lower fore neck and breast, which bavi' nebulous du.sky sjiotting. A
"l's, ono of the iiuist prettily colored of all, of uiisurpas.sed excellenco "f Hi-sh :
^•ory
spi
696
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLlliOSTRES — AXSKUES.
k'liiu'fh iib«mt U.OO ; fxteiit 23.00 ; wiiij,' 7.00-7.50 ; tail .{.(10 ; Mil 1.50 ; tarsus 1.20. X. Am.
at large, extrfiii»-ly abiiiulunt ; ca.sual in Kiimpe. Urocds fmin tlif X. bordprs of the U. S. It
is one of the oarlu'St arrivals anioni; tlic lumlcs of watiT-fowl that coini' tliron||;in^ from the
north in fail. Xcst on tlu' >;roinul, of weeds, grass, and feathers: eggs about S, 1.75 to l.'.IO
by 1.20 to 1.30, ]iah' dull greeni.sh in color.
716. Q. «H8'cor8. (Lat. dincors, discordant.) ni,iK-\viS(JF.l) Tk.M,. Adult (J : Hill grayish-
black ; feet dingy yellow, with dusky webs and claws: iris brown. Heatl deep leaden-gray,
with |iuri)lisli gloss, blackening on top; a large white black-edged crescent in front of eye.
I'nder parts purplish-gray, with ininimerable black spots, rounded or oval on the breast,
changing to bars on the tianks, becoming nebulous on the belly. Crissum black, a patch on
each side of rump, the a.\illars and most of the lining of the wings, white. Lower bind neck
and fore back varied with brownish-black and yellowish-brown; lower back and rump dark
brown with a greenish tinge. Wing-coverts and outer webs of .some of the scapulars sky-blue :
speculum rich green, set between white tips of the greater poverts and secondaries, some of
the inner sectmdaries and longest scapulars velvety greenish-black on outer web, greenish-
brown on iinier web, striped lengthwise with reddi.sh-butf. 9 retaining the sky-blue on
the wing-coverts and nuicli of the other winu'-niarkings, hence easily distinguished among our
ducks, excepting 9 cijaiwittfra. Hill greenish-dusky: feet very jiale or tlesh-tinted. Head
and neck streaked with browni.sh-black on a <lull biitf irroinid, the cheeks and chin whitish,
unmarked. Above, dark brown, with jiale edtres ot the leathers; ludow, whitish-gray,
mottled with ob.scure spots. Length IJ.OO-IC.IKI ; extent 2r).(l()-;{0.(IO ; wing 7-00-7.50;
tail 3.50: bill I.. 50: tarsus 1.20. X. Am., chieHy H. of the K. Mts., to the Pacific in Alaska;
goes to hiu'li latitudes, but also breeds indetinitely throughout its range ; abundant in the
r. S. in winter and durini.' the niit;rations.
7IT. Q. eyano'pterii. (tJr. nvavat, kiiiiHos, blue; Trrc'/iov. /iteroii, wing.) ("IXSAJIOX TlCAi,. Adult
(J : Hill black: feet orange, joints and webs dusky; iris oranu'e. Head, neck, and entire
under jiarts rii-h purplish-chestnut, darkenini; on cmwn anil chin, blackening on middle of
belly: crissum ilark brown. Fore baj-k liijhter cinnamon, varied with brown ciu'ved bars,
several on each feather; lower back and rump greenish-brown, the feathers edged with ])aler.
Winii-coverts sky-blue, as in discors; some of the scapulars Idue on outer webs and with a
central butf stripe, otlu rs dark green, with bntf strijie. ,><peculnin green, set between white
tips of gri'ater coverts and white ends of the secondaries. Wings thus (|nite as in disvors, but
the body-colors and head entirely ditlerent ; rather larger : length Ifl. 00-17. 00 : extent 25.00;
wing 7-50-8.00; bill 1. (>0-1. 75, ah>ng commissure about 2.00. Adult 9^ Similar to ^ discors,
and not ea: " to distinguish : larger : bill longer : under parts at least with a ting<> of the pecu-
liar chestn..: olor ; head and es|iecially chin more speckleil, without the innnaculate whitish
of those parts of 9 diyii)rs. Hill dusky, paler below and along edges; iris brown; feet yel-
lowish-drab. \ generally <listributed .'^. Am. teal, now abundant in V. S. west <if the K.
Mts., and of casual occurrence in the (Julf States. Nest on ground, of grass an*l featliers,
anywhere in its l'. S. range; ('(dorado, I'tah, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, etc. Kggs
"J-12. laid in June, oval, «ine end snntller than other, creamy white or pale buff; l.'JOX 1-30
to 2.10 X 1.40.
280, SPA'Tl'LA. (Lat. nimUilit or spathHlii, a simmhi, s))athe, spatula; shape of the bill.)
Si'dox-Hll.l. I)fCK.s. Hill much longer than head or tarsus, twice as wide at end as at base,
broadly rounded i>|><Hin-fashion at end; the nail narrow and prominent, the lamina- very nunu'r-
ous ami iirotrusive. 'I'.iil short, jiointed, of fourteen acute feathers. Feet small, reil. The
|iecnliarity of the bill characterizes this genus almost as strongly as I'lnUdeii among ibises,
or Kin'jfnorhijnchus among sandpipers ; the form is otherwise that of ordinary Atiatimr.
There are several species, one X. American.
7IR. g. clyp«a'ta. {\a\\. cltiptum, u shield: shape of the bill. Fig. 4S3.) SiioVELLEH DlTK.
290.
AXA TID.E ~AXA TlXJi : lUVKH DICKS.
697
Broao-hill. Adult (J : Hill Idackish : iris oraiittc-itil : t.ct vcniiilicni-icl. Hi-ad iind lu'ck dark
ulcissy irrccn. Lower neck and tnic lircast (mrc white. Alnloiiieii iMiriilisli-eliestniit. Wiiiir-
c.verts .sky-blue ; .«peeulimi rirli trreni, set liet ween wliite tips (if u'reater (•«. verts, .uid l.laek suii-
tijis and wliite tijis of soroiidaries ; iniHr seeoiid.iries t;reeiiish-l>laek, with loiitr white stri|M' :
Iiiiie: seapulars Idiie on outer wehs, striped with white and Kreeiiish-hlaek on inner: siiorl
aiitiTior seajinlars wliite. Hninp anil upper ami nnder tail-cipverts hhu'k ; a white pateh on
eai-h side at root of tail. Adult 9= I'i'l 'hill ureenisli : iris yeUow ; feet orantje. Wini;-
niarkiiitrs similar to tliosp of jj, tliou>;h iniperfeet : trai'es of ehestnut on lielly. lleail and
nerk brownish-yellow, .sixrkled with dusky. In any pluniau'e the s| ies is of course at onre
rero«;nizi-d by the peenliar bill. Lenirth \7.'>'>--2\.^»\: extent I^H.OU-Xi.OO ; winj; '.I.SO ; tail
'A.W; bill about 2.70; ahuit; eoniniissure .i.OO ; tarsus l.:i;5. Kurope, Asia, etc. ; in N. Am.
at large, breediiijf tlirouifhout. and winteriui.' in abundance from the middle districts to C. Am.
'1 ^'t An 'I
? 1
Kid. 4h;I — Sliiivi'llcr Diiik, 1 iiiil. ^lzl•. Frmii Hrtliiu.i
EjjRS about 8, averaffinu 2.111 X 1.50, smooth, elliiitical, in ccdor dull i)ale i;''''''"ish-trray,
sometinies faintly bluish. In full dress, which is comparatively infrcfpient, since it (diaracter-
izes only tin- breeding season, this is a viry smart and jaunty ilnike, trickeil out in parti-color ;
the great majority <if specimens, however, ari' fouml in a phiniage more like that of the duck.
The bird is amoni; the best of the duck«> for the table.
290. AIX. ((ir. n»| or m^, nix or (I'ir : ••ipplic.ition not obvious.) nitlHAI, DfCK.s. IFead cresicd.
Hill shorter than head, no lontrer tli.in tarsus, very hiuh at base, the recntrances at siiles of
culineii iniidi jirolonged towards the forehead. Nostrils larye, oval, set little in advanei' of the
feathers on cnlmen. Terminal nail upying the whole end of the bill, and niiieh curved
downward. Lamellie small, few, aiicl distant. Tarsus incompleU'ly sciitellate in front, much
shorter tlnin middle t(H'. Claws compressed, ciirvetl, and acute, that of the middle toe dilated
on inner edge. Tail luilf as loiitr as wimrs, rounded, of si.vteen rounded fi'athers, and very
698
SYSTLMATJC SYyOPSIS. — LAMELLUiO^TliES — ASSKHES.
IdiiK cnvorts. A i)cculiar as well uh most beiiiitifiil goniiH; tlu> Cliiiirso Maiitliiriii Duck, A.
(jnlvricuhilii, is still inoro rt'iiiarkiildy, though not iiion- i'lct;aiitly, culorcd than ourn.
119. A. spoil 'sa. (I^at. .vyMXwi, Ix'trotlu'tl : i. <>., as it' in wcililiii;; (Ircss. I'i^. ISt.) Woiiii Dim'k.
SiMMKU Dick. "Tiik Uhikk." Adult <J : Hill jiinkish-wliitc with lakc-rrd liasc, Idack
ridt^c. ti]>, and under iiiaiidi1>h> ; iris and <'dj;rs of rjt'lids red: fi'ft oraiiur, with Muck claws.
lJ|)I)('r ])art of the head, iiidudint; crest, vrlisteniiijLT green and |iur|de : a narrow white line over
eye from hill to occiput, and another liehiiid eyi> to nape, these white lines mixing in the crest.
A liroad white patch ou the throat, forkint; hehind, one hraiich mounting head heliind eye, the
other i>assing to side of neck. Sides and fnml of lower neck and fore hreasi rich )iurplifih-chesl-
nut, prettily nuirked with several chains of angular white spots. A lariie white hlack-edged
crescent of enlarged featliers in front of the wing. I'nder jiarts ]iure white, the sides yellow-
ish-gray vermiculaled with black and white wavy hars: the enlarged tlank-feathers limadly
rayed with Mack and white; the lining of the
wiuv's white liarreil with grayish-hrown. of
. -> . -*V -V... \/<'
Kiiilii 'IViiiiry. iifli'i- .Viiililbuii.i
which color is the crissum. I'pjM'r parts yeu-
erally lustrous with lirou/y-u;reen and purple:
scapulars and iniu'r secondaries velvet-black,
glo.ssed with l)uri)le and trreen ; a green spee-
illinn, sutrceeileil liy white lips of the si uda-
ries ; primaries frosted on outer webs near i nd.
,\dult 9 '■ l-iltle or no <'rest, but lent;tlieneil
feathers on inipe ; no eidargemeiit or special
cidorings of feathers about the wings. Hill
dusky: feet yellowish-ilusky. Head and neck
gray, darker on crown, tlii' chin and parts
about bill and eyes white. Fore neck, breast
and sides of body yellowish-browu, uiotlierl
with dark gray, the lireast spotted with brown,
the belly white. I'pper parts dark brown Kio. 4k4. — WimhI Dm k.
with considerable gloss : winus much as in the male, but the velvety-black reduced. I.eutrlh
18,()0-:.'0.rH); extent about ;2S.I)U ; wiiu; '.l.nO; tail 4..')(): bill I.411: tarsus the same : miiMI.
toe aial claw 2. (Ml. X. .\m. at larire. but especially V . S., brecdiui; tliroii^hont its raiiue.
wintering chietly in the South. This exipii^ile bird is comniouly ilisp-rsed in wnodeil porlioMs
of the couiury near water; it nestles usually in the hollows of trees, whence the young are
transported in the bill of the parent. Kirgs about a do/en, very variable in number, of pale
drab color and the usual smooth shell aial elliptical shajie, about :.'.(l(l X l.")'l.
68. Subfamily FULICULIN>E: Sea Ducks.
'Idrsi siiililliilr in Jri'iil : hitnl Im-
liihdtr. The large membranous llap
dependint; from the hinil toe dis-
tinguishes this group from the pro-
ceiling, proli.'ibly without excejition.
While the geiu-ral form is the same
as that of the AtialiiKr, tlie feet
are notably l;irger, with relatively
shorter tarsi, longer toes (tin' ouli'r
scarcely or not slioilpr than the mid-
dle), ami broader webs; thry are
uImii placed tiomewhat further back,
Flo. 485. — Caiivnii-l>ook. (From
LewU,)
Flo. im. — Kcil-liiiiil. (From
I/:wU.)
^.v.i ri/Kii: — Fi'i.iaruN.i: . ska jjicks.
i;*)')
in ronwHiuonco <if which tho gait is still moro awkwiird ami cimstniitipd than tlic " wadiiii" <>f
orilinary dtiolts; hut swiuiMiiui; imwcrs arc tiiiiaiicfd, ami divini; is liu'ljitati'd. A lamp
iiiiiiiImt "f tin.' spccifs arc cxcliisivfiy iiiariliiiic, liiit tlii.s is im inure the fasc wiili all iif ilicm,
than is the ri'vcrw with the river ducks. These hirds Iced iimrc ii|iim iiicdliisks ami "ther
animal slihstances (mit, huwever, iipiiii tish, like tlic iiieri;aiiser>) than the river ducks do, and
their llcsh, as a rule, is coarser, if not entirely too rank to he eaten ; tlicre are, however, sii;nal
exceptions to this, as in the case of the canvas-hack. The sexes arc uidike. a> anioiii; the
AdiiHikp : and hcsides the ditt'crencc in ccdor, the 9 's often distiiwushcd \>\ the ah.seia r
slitrht devclo|inicnt of certain tnherosities of the hill that the (J of S4'ver,il s|iecies, as of s<'oters
and eiders, possesses. .\ larije majority of the species inhahit the Northirn lli'misphere; there
arc some forty in all, cxliilpiliiii.' a ti"'»\ deal of cliver.-ity in minor details, really rc(|iiirinu
recognition of many tjenera. .\nionij iiotahic exotics, we have the soft-hilled lliime)iiiliniiii>s
niiiliii'iirliiiiiihii.i of New ''ealand. and the shorl-winued Mitro/ilfnis iiiiiTiiis of .Sdulh .\merii-a,
hotli related to mir i.'emis ('iiiiiiitnlriiiiiis: there are hut few others. The ^enns Hiisiiiiitiiin is
the type of a small uroU|i remarkalde for the I'liaracter of the tail, as dcscrihed heyond, and
sometimes consiilered as a suhfamily apart. ISi.iiiiii lolmlii of .Vnstralia, with a tlcshy appen-
daiic under the liill, the .\fiieali I'liilliiisonils Inicinnilii, the SraoHCltit Htwklnttilial, and .several
species of I'Jiisiiiiihirii and Xoiiioiii/.r, i'oinpo-e tills •.'roup.
.tlitthiaiM »»/■ Oi III ril 'init Suhi/mn-'t.
Tall-fcri'liiTs rl«|i|. imrniw, llni'ar, ('V|«iiii'il tn tholr hiisis liy s'linrtiii'iui of covt'rl*.
Null "f liMI oiihiiiiry .Vnmoiii/ '' -■"!•
Nail .in.ill iiariiiw liliMVi', iivirliMiiuliiK uiiil wi.l.iiidlM'in'.illi ll|inri.lll Erimmliirn 'i!)K
Tall-I'i'iilliir> jhhI llnir invirls (iriliii.iiy u iiilriil pair vii y loiii;, lioHivir, hi Uniilnii (f).
Itill vari•Hl^ly u'li*l"*ii)<. <'i' appfinhmct), i<r IVatlh'i't><l lifymiil ii<»strilr4
Hill tfll.li.ius al l.ari... Ilii'ii iT.iail. ilo|in>s,.|, «llli larj,'.- I'iihiI nail, Willi. uil frontal pr.Mifws
CiMiosily ol'liill Miixrior, < Iri'iiiiin rll.i.r fiallii'is n.il inoji'iicil mi iiiliiieii.
Tall lil-fi allicri'.l. (f : (Jul. ir iiiliri'ly Mark .0'.lii:MIM
(iiMi.»ily i.f 1.111 siiiieri'ir, rlniniiMillM'.l ; IVullins i.i-...!iili'.l i.ii riilimMi 'i'all U- , ,).;i,.„,i„ .jji;
IcatliiTi'il. (f : Cnlor l.l.iik nr ilark, Willi wliilf wiiiniial. Ii (Ml I.VMTTAI .
(illiU.isily latiral as well as -iipriha': I'railnrH |ii'oJiM'tr<l on rnliin 11.
Tail II ri-alliiiiM| ,/: Color l.la.k, willi wlillo In-ml-imtrlies 1 1'i:l.l()Nt:TTA)
Hill kIIiIioiim at liani', Willi lai'ijc frontal pnu'iKMn.
I'"roiitai |ii"iis»cH 111 lino with lulnii'ii (SoMATiitiA |iro|«Ti
Frontal |iiocii.-«'< lmli;iiii; iiiit iif lino with iiilnioii (KuioMViTA I \ Sniiidli rln '.tifi
Itill not uililinii^, lull foalliori'il on I'liliiion lioyiiiiil nostrils lAlieioM TTA) ....
liill not nihil.. IIS loll a|.|ii'iii|ai:i'.| with liathory (•x|iaiisi.iii ..!' mIiIo of ii|i|.or liiaiiililili',
cliooksiiol hrislly llll'.XIlONl.TTAI
mil ii.it .'Ihh.iiis. hilt ap|Kii.lai;o.| with a l..tK.al hasoof iiiis-iiro Iliitrnmiiii: Jtf.
Illll not Kilil s, hill ai.inii.lanocl wiili a luatliory expaimion of si.U: of »p|Mr iiiainlihlo; lin-ikit
Itrisllv .... ' iiiiifiliitu miiA *JIt4
Bill orilinary.
Nail of hill laruo, fiisf.i. Tall (of ,f 1 alioiit ii» Liiiu as wiiiu Iluiililn JXU
Nail ..thill iiamw, .lisliinl. Tail ..I'or.llnary hiiiiMi aii.l sIiiiikv
Hill Bliort.r tlian li.-a.i. lilu'h at hasc. Ili'inl of ^ pnlly nv i-icKloil, Irlilomeiil. wllli i
Hliitc pat.liis; rrl««iiiii wliilo; col.irs hlai'k aii.l whili', In inasKos ' r/nni/ii/.i '.'»J
,f. whili' spot iKloro oyo (I'l.vxoi i.A proiHT) I
cf, wlilli' patrli iMliin.l oyodti 1 I I'UAl.Ai 1
Kill alK.iit nti I.Mii; a« lioail. Iloaci of <f hiack, ml or hrowii, witliiiut ii|kiIh; crln- \
mini ilark '
nilliliiHky. Ilonilof ,f ilii»ky nvMli'li (.\litsToxi:TTA) ■ /•h/iV/h/u L'.iI
Illll hliiinh or hlarMsh llia.l of (f hiark or iihI iKiI.lX) |
Illll rcl. Ilca.l 10.1. irislo.l (KnroiM.aiil. iFll.liiilA pro|ior) '
Norr. — Sec fnrllicr aiinlvsoK of llic 8iiliBciicr(i (some of wUlch arc of generic value! uinler lioadii of (Kttrmin,
Somntiriii, iiiul h'tiHiinln.
291. FITLI'OIXA. (Lat. fnUijiih or fiiliciila. dim. of Mir or fiilirn, a coot; fidiijo, soot.)
Hi.AcK-iiEAi) and Heu-iikad Dtt k.**. Si aii's and Tix hakhs. Hill ordinary, witl i
special pihbosity or jteculiar outlii f feathers at hasc, only in one species (/•'. r«//i.«tH»nVi;
700
SYSTKMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIliOSTRES — AN SEUKS.
886.
not Hhortor than head and risiiiK liigh on fi)rclu'ud ; unil at rud dixtinct, dfciirved, narrow,
less than onu-tliird as wide aH cud of bill; frontal fcatlR-rs extending to a])|>roxiinati'ly cijiial
<li8taiu-('8 on top and tiidcM of \\\\\tvt niandildr, with a well-niarkcd ri'i'iitraucr lii'twcrn tlicin
reai'hini; hack to ahoiit o|l|>o^iitc aii^lc of the month, those of chin aiivancin^ rather farther.
N'oxtrils in haoal two-tifthx of hill (iieiirly nicdiiin in F. vaUmieriu). Outline of u|i|ier nian-
dihle j^cntly concave to the decurved nail; siden nearly |iarallel, or widenin^' toward end (whole
hill nnicli i\» in ordinary Anatinw). Tail xhort, roinided, lexs than half ax lon^ ax wini;,
14-H>-fcathered. Tarsus lesx than S {\-%) as loni; as middle tiK' ami claw. Mead not crested
or notahly imtfy (in our species). llea<l and neck hlack, hrown or chestnut (not ^reen with
^reat white patches). Sitlex and hack tinely waved with hlack and white. Lining of win^x
white. Crissuni hlack. Hill blackish, or hlack and blue. Le^x dark. Speculum white or
iiray. (("oinprisiny several species of •• hlack-heatl" and "red-head" ducks, includiuK the
" canvax-back " ; characters drawn uj> on consideration of these species; re<|uirin^ modifica-
tion, es|K'cially as to c(dor, to include the Kuropean /•'. riijimt, by some consith'red type of
the genus. K<|uivalent to Fuli.r, Aiftliifii and A rlstoiirlld of IJaird, 18.")S, and a)iparently sepa-
rable into thn'c full {u'eiiera — one for thi' crested piH-liar<ls of Europe ; une for the bla<'k-heads
and red-heads together; and one for the canvas-hack alone. The type of Fuligulu is said by
Sundevall to be F. crisldta ; in which ease Callivhen is available for nijiiia.)
.Aniilytit of Sjirriri.
roiiKlilriiiiiisl.v create*!; lilll bikI feet rc<l Fiiliyuln) rii.tfna 880
Not orvHle*); lilll niul feet diirk.
Bill not lunger tlian lieml, wltli concave line of nulinen, not notnlily liiuli on forehead ; clioril of
culnii'ii luiiler '.' InrlirK. NoHtrilii fairly In liiiiuil lialf of bill, {f'lili.e )
llliirk-hriuh: ^ with heail, iieclc, luKly anteriorly, lower hack, rump, tail and itH coverlii. hlack,
tliti lieail glooHv; lielow, Int'liiiiinK liniii); of wIngH, while, with line lilaik wavhiK on MileH Hml
lower liolly; Mil hlack anil blue, or ilUHky ; feut dark. $ with licad and nci'k hrown, with or
without white around liill, and other hlavk parts of J rather hrown. (Fulije proper.)
No ring arounil luH'k.
(f !>|)eruluni white; hack and nlde* finely wavott In zig-zag with hlark and whilliih ; bill
lilue, with hlai'k nail. $ with the face while.
Length ahout 'JO. on; «ing!lO(l: glo»8 of head green tmiriln 7;!0
U'ngtii alKiut Iti.iK); wing K (Ml; gloiw of iieail purple ojHiiit Til
An orange-lirown ring round ne<'k of J.
.S|MH:uliini gray: hack nearly nniforni hlarkliih ; hill hlack, pale at ha8e and near end;
9 without collar; loreH and cldn whillHli, and ring round eye mlliiriii 722
Knl-hrailf : <f Willi head ami neck cheHlnut, In 9 p'»l>' hrown ; iMidy anteriorly, runi|i, tail, ami
llB coverlH, Mark, in 9 hrown ; hack, iwapulara, and aide* linely waved wilh Mack aii<l white or
aHhy-while In e<|nal amnuntK ; H|iet!uluni gray. Hill Mue witli lilack belt at end. Hack dlii-
llnclly verniiculate<l with hlack on an afhy-white ground (.f.'/A.(/i<i) iinirririiiiii 723
Bill longer than lieail, wlHi scarcely coiu'ave ciilinen riBiiig liigli on forehead ; ch<iril of cull in over 2
inchcH. NoMrilii reaching ndddlo of Mil.
Cunrat-lmrk : cf head dark cliestnul-hrown, much olmcurcd with du»ky on lop and alwut hill,
Silvery-wbitioh of hack prevailing over the hlack waved lineH, which are narrow and much
broken Into chaliiH of (lulu (..irJWoN<y/'il rnlliHiiirUi 724
h'll.Klt I.A.
(addenda.) V. riifl'na. (F.at. rufiua, reddish.) I{f;i>-(HK«TKI> I'lMiiAitn. Adult f :
{'onspicuonsly crested. Kill vermilion, white-tipp<'d ; feet orange-red; eyes brown. Head
and upper neck rusty-red, with a rosy tint. Lower- and hiiid-neck, fore-hack, breast, and
miihlle of belly black. Hack >;iayish-hrown, with a huge while patch on each side, blacken-
ing (lu rump and upjior tail-coverts. Tail ashy-gray. Primaries whitish, edgeil and tijiped
with dusky-gray ; s|M'cu1uiii and siiles of belly white. 9 '■ "'" dusky with ]iink tip, and leet
pinkish, with dusky webs. Tpju-r parts generally rufoiis-brown, umhr pails brownish-
white, the throat and upper fore-neck whitish: crown and rump darker than other upper
parts, the dorsal feathers with jmle edges; ipiills brown, edged and tipped with darker, the
rn
Til
Tfl
AyATJD.K — FCLiaiLIX.tJ. SKA Dirh'S.
f(M
>i]MTiiluiii gray, b«miul«'d tfriniimlly with lirowii. KLir<i|M', fU: IJin- fmiud in Fiiltoii Mark*'!,
Nuw York, Ffl). iHli. ^^iut• Clifck Lint, M i-il., ISSji, \<. liJti.)
Fii.ix.
^•iO. F. inarl'ltt. (tin. ihuimt iiit ? (^i. (Jr. pi/jiAi;, inurile, c-liamml. fmiii tin- i.itili-l.link
f.in-|>ait.s f) (JUKATKU S» Al I' Kkk. Klli Kl.At K-IIKAIi. Itl.rii-lill.l.. \xM\ l>liK.
Fi.o( KINO Fowl. Sihpfi.iiu. Adult ^ : No riiiK ar id mrk. S|m-i-iiIiiiii wliitf. ItjII
iliill Mill', witli lilai'k liinikril nail, liroail ami flat at cini, wlitn ii>iili'ralily wiiicr tliiiii at
Uisv. Ii'In yi'llow. Fi'i't liviil lilarki>li, cir dark |diiiiilM'iiii>, wiili darker \\i\». Wlmlr lirad,
lurk, aiitl fiirc-parts i>( Imdy piti-h-ldai'k, nn the licail with I'liictly •.•n-i'ii iridrMTiiiT. l^nwrr
back, rinii|i, tail, with hoth ii|i|M'r and innli'i' cnvii'ts. hiai-k or Ma>-ki.-li. Middli- nf liark.
.si-a|inlars, and innst of iiiKlcr |)ai'ts, white, the inti'rsc-a|iiilar>. ><'a|>iilar>, >idi-> of ImhIv, llaiik>,
and lower lielly wavi'd with fine /iy-zai; ero>.s-liiie.s of Idaek. "|iiite in ••(•anva>-l>ai'k " >tyli'.
Winu-ei (Verts similar to haek, lint darker yray and more oli>enrely marked: the i;realer
coverts tippi'd with Idark, foriiiini; the anterior liorder of the white ■|N'i'iilnm, wliieh is formed
liy the s iidaries, the white exteiidini: <|iiite across them, their ti|i> Mack. I'rimaries
hrownisli-black, liecomini; yray inwardly. .\.\illars and most of iiinler winii-c.iveris white.
9 : Mill, eyes and feet as liefure. The liliick parts of the ^ rephiced liy dusky or dark lirown,
whicli latter is tlie color of the head. A til'oad helt of pure icliile aroiuid l>a>e of upper
niandilde, forinintr a conspiciioiis white "face." The Idack-iHid-white veriiiiculatioii less
distinctly deveh.peil. Length of ff 9 IS.OO-Jil.Ot) ; i-.xieiit :{it.Ml-:i.j.( HI, usually over lUi.iMi;
Willi; S..')(I-'.).<MI'. tail .'{.(ID: hill 4.00: tarsus I..'i0: middle t.M' and claw i.M. Knrope. Asia.
etc., and N. Am. at lari;i': on the whole more northerly than !■'. iijfitiis. \u,\ priH-eedint: so
far .south ill winter. thoui,'li hreedini; no farther north — from X. Ixtnh'rs of l'. S.. northward.
The more freipient r. S. scaup in winti'r is /•'. «//('»('>■. Nest mi irrotnul, down-lined: eiri."'
diah-coloied, i.Vt X \ri-
Til. F. afll'iilH. (I,at. nl/iiiis, ml and Jhiis. allied, allineil.) I.k.ssku .""i All* l»l < K 1,1111.1
Hl.ACK-iiK.vii (uitli other names of the foreu'oinu). K.\tremely similar to the last: t.'lo>i4 of
head idiietly |>urple, sides and Hanks less closely wavec with Mack f Smaller: leiitrth 1.').50-
17.00: extent under liO.OO; willu' S.OOorless: tail :;..iO : hill I.J.'i; tardus l..'.fl: miildle toe
and claw J.:!0. It is dillicult to deliiii' this liird spi'citically. hiit it apjoars to preser\t' its
characters, ihouuli I'onstantly associated with ihi' last. N. .\iii. at lar>:e ; hreeds from the
X. Iiorders of the r. S. northward: winters in and miirrates through the T.S. tot". Am.
ami W. I
Tl'l. K. collii'ris. (l,at. ro/A/c/.v, pertiiiniiiu to nillniii. \]u- neck: coljare.l.) l{lM;-NKrK iMtK.
.\ihill (J : .\ chestnut or oraiiue-luowii rinu round neck. Spe.-iil yray (not white). Mill
Idack, the ha.se and edt;es, ami a helt near end of upper iiiaiidiMe. pale Miiish. Iri> yellow.
Feet urayish-hliu', with dusky wehs. Mead and neck ahove the collar lustrous Mack, with
ureeii, violet, and purple iridescence, the extreme chin white. l,oWer lieck, fore-hreast,
upper parts nenerally, hiackish, tlu' scapulars scarcely waveil or only dotted with u'rayisli.
Crissum lilack : iiniler parts generally, inclndini,' liniiii: of winu''. white, tin- lowi r iMlly and
siiles finely Waved with Mai'k. WiiiL's plain dark hrown, with an asliy-uray speculum
formed hy outer wehs of SOI f the secondaries. Tail of |t» feathers. Adult 9- NiM'idlar:
head iimher-hrown darker on toji, with whitish i-heeks ainl chin, ami white eye-iini: : other
hlack parts of jj dark hrownish : uiiiler parts less extensively and less purely white: winit
and it.s speculum as hefore. Lcimtli l(i.(M)-lv.iM); ».xteut IHMW or less; w'mti alM.nl '<.<"i: iail
-'.7."> ; tarsus l.-i."): hill l.7.'i, not so 1 h wideiii'd at end as that i«f the scaups. X. .\m at
larsie ; hreeds from X. liorder of l'. S. to far north, winter- in and iniL'rates ihroUL'h V . S.
to(". Am. and W . I. Xest on tiroiiml, of L'tass and mit>s : euys alsiut '.I. pale u'reenish.
2.1:, X l.lilt.
702
a YSTKMA TIC H IWOl'SlS. - LA MELLIUOSTHES — A MiEllKS.
■yt<:.:y.-
^^•^r^l;
.1,47
J^^.^V'
:^^''[n
f^''-;ii^';':>
S
W<^
Tii. V, rerlnn uin<>rira'na. (Lat. ferimi, fcrnl, wild. Fins. 48ft, 4S7, 4S*«.) ItF.D-iiF.AP.
AMKitiiAN l'(u iiAlti). Atliilt ($ : 'I'lir fcutliiTM of tlio lii-ttd siiiiit'wliat full mill piitTy, tlHiii^h
fiii'iiiiiitr 11(1 crcKt. Kill liruail iiml tliitti'iinl,
!i litlli- wiilciiril fnwanl mil, niiiiiiiiK into
till- fiirrlit'itil wliicli uri'lics aliriiptly nvcr
ami away from it, not riHin^ ^'i-ailiially into
liiir with fiH'i'lii-ail ; shorti'i' or not ioii^i-r
tliaii iicail, -i iiiriic:' or U't^A in li'n|L,Mli alouu
cnlini-ii, till' nostrils witliin its )>asal half;
till' forwani I'lul of nostril alimit jj thr way
iVoiii upprr roriK'r to imhI of hill. Kill iliill
ltliii> with a hlark hi'lt at tin* cinl. (('oniiiarx head and hill of
r.'iiivas-hari<.) Iris oiaiii,'!'. Pi't't iliill urayish-ldiif, with diisUy
wi'hs and hlark rlaws. |[i-ad and iii'i-k all around rii-h |inr(i
I'hrstniit, not olisi-iirrd with diisky-hrown, lint with hmn/.y or
ni|i|irry ird ri'lh'i-tions. Lowrr ni'rk and fori' parts of hody
aliovc and hi-low, with riini|i and lail-i'ovi-rts iihovi* and hrlow,
hlai'kish. Kark niixi'd whitish and hlarkish in ahoiit I'lfiial
ainonnts, thr dark wavy lini's dislinct and iinlirokrii. (In thi'
Kiiro|M'aii piNdiard, /•'. frfiwi, from whirh onr hird ditl'i'is, thr
hark is also distinrtly and coniph'trly wavrd with Mark, hut thr
Ui'oniid is ipiili' whiti'. as in oiir I'aiivas-hark, in whirh tin- dark
lini's art' iiinrh hrokrii up. thr wliiii' thns pri'vailiiiir. This tiiii'
vi'miii-nlatioii. whrii not t 'losriy i'\ainiiii'il, uivrs a drlii-ali'
sihrry-tiray toin-, of ditlrri'iit sliailr in thr dilh'rrnt spcrir.-. )
Siili'N of hody under the wiii^s vcrinirnlatcd ninrh like thr hark,
the nndnlations siihsidini; in thf i;rayisli-whiti' of thi' niiddh'
iinilfr parts. \Vini{-i-ovrrt.s a.shy-^'i'ay, niinntcly dotli'd with whili'; sp<-cnluiii Imary-ash,
honli'i'i'd internally
^ N,\' _ / Uj'.'. liil^'. with hlack ; liniiif; of
wiiiiis mostly white.
9: Kill ohsinreil hlii-
ish, with hlack helt
near end; iris yi-llow;
feet as in (J. Same
Mliape of hill and
head. Mead and up-
per nei'k dull reddish-
lirown, jtaler or whit-
ish on eheek.s and
hehind eye ; upper
parts lirownish, the
feathers paler eilued.
Willis iiineli as in
(^, the white lining'
restrii'ted. Leiiirth
2().tlO iU.lKJ; extent
iilioiit 33.00 ; win^
9.(Mt-l(i.()(l; tail3.0(t,
of 14 foathcrs; tarsus 1.50; middle toe and claw 2.75. N. Am. at large, hut |(articularly
Km. Is7. — Uicl-lioad, J iiiit. hI/.o.
(Kriiiii iiiitiii't' li\ .1. I.. UlilKwiiy.)
Km. 'KM. - Ki'il-honila. < From Lcwii.)
AXATID.K — I'CIJGILLWK : Sj:.i DICKS.
r(i:l
K. of tlic MisitiHHiiipi uiul uUnin Atlantic Ci.ii.si; lnccils in liiijli iiiiiiinits, uiuicrs in I'. S.
One <if the cKniiniiiii'.Ht tnurkct-diu'lis in tiolcrn c-itics in wintrr, si
buck, and nioro liki'iy ti Ih- ili.stini.'nisli<'il
tlicrcfroni with the ffutlwrM "U tlian ntF!
Xcst iin jiriiiintl, or aniont; rci'ils over water
likr a coot's, liown-lincil. Ku'us 7-s, hntt",
■i.2:>X 1.70.
AUISIONKITA.
TH. '''■ vitlllMiiorlii. (Name of a i;i'Mns of
agnatic pianls, the wild 4'i.li'i'y, \'. .yjiinilin, ilnlicalrcl to
Antonio N'ailisncri, an Italian naturalist. Tiiis. |s.">. |.>!l, Hhi.)
Canvan-IIACK. Adult (J: 'I'lic head closc-rca'lnrcd. Itil'
liiuli at till' liasr and narrow tlii'out;liout or scarci ly widciird
toward rlid, slo|iiiiu t;radual1y il|i to llir top o|'ilii. hiad in line
with the HWi-i-p of tilt! fori'lirad, altoi;i.tlii'r souiiwliat like a
U'oose's ill shape : decidedly loiu:er than head, -Jt iiiclirs to
nearly or ipiite li in leimtli, measured aloiii; the ciilmen ; the
nostrils reaching the middle of the hill, their fore end hull-way
from upper I'lirner to eiiil of hill. Kill not Idiie, Mack-heltcd,
hut Idacliish ihroiiuliinit Kyes red. Keel i;rayi>li Mile.
Head and ii|ipei neck not coppery hrownish-ii-il, Imi
reddish-hrown, further much cdiscuii'il with dusky oi- i|uiti.
Idackish ahoiit the hill and on top, (iroiiiid color of hack
white, very finely verinicnlated with ziuza^ hlackish hars
much narrower than the interveniiii; spaces, and tendinis' to
break iiii, or mostly broken up, into little chains of dots across
the feathers; the resiiliiiii; silvery-irray tone consec|iienily
.several shades lighter than in the red-head. Oilier characters
Hiibstantially as in that species. 9 dill'ers as 9 red -head does; ,..
head dark snulfy-brown. etc. but tlie bill is cidmed as in the ^, ami sntticieiitly preserves its
peculiar shape ; eyes
reddish -brown. .*«i/.e
of the red-head, or a
little laiL'er; tarsus
l.r.') ; bill longer, as
abo\e ; cnlnieii much
over '2 inches; t;ape
about 2.<i7 : line from
upper corner to ti|
nearly or ipiite :t.(M>.
of which distance tin
nostrils reiich hall
way. N. Am. ai
lariTc; breeils froii
the northern tier "'
States northward, in
the I{. .Mis. further
south, and in upper
Cahfornia ; winters in
the r. S. and soiith-
KliJ. 4K!i. — t'linvim-liai'k, 1 iiiit.
ri/.c (Friiiii iiiituiu l>y ,1. I.. ICIiIk-
way.l
Kio. 490. — t'BiiVRit-lxick. (From lA>wi».)
7u4
ayaJUMA IIV sySOfSlS. — LAMKLLllUtsJUKS — ASSKHES.
ward to (iiiati-iiialik: al>iiiiilant aloii)^ tin- Atlmitic coaitt, from llic iiiiililli' ilixtrii-tH to Tt-xas.
i'H|H'i'ially in llif ('li('wi|>cakc. Wliiii lifiliny on tin- wild ridcry tin- lli'sli ac<iiiirt'« ii iicculiarly
tine lluvor, wliicli lias giiiiicd tor tli<' liini ureal renown anioni; uaMtronoinerx; Itut itx tle!>li ix of
no s|)e<-ial exeeileiiee under other eirenni.ttanceK, in fact iiderior to !liat of nioMt |{iver DueliK
(AtinliiKi). 'I'here i.> little reiiKon for »i|iieiilinu in liarl>arir joy over this over-rated and p'li-
erally nnder-doiie hird ; not one person in ten tlionsaiid can tell it from any other diiek on the
talde, and then only under the celery circumstance just said.
303. CKAN<H'LA. ( Lat. t7«m/ii/<«, dim. of (/<i/(//"''i " •'"!'*<•) Wiiisri.Kiis. tiAitituTN. Hill
much shorter than heail, aliout as hmu as tarsus, very hii;h at hase, laperinu \« \ ml with ilefinile
nail, and acute upiier corners; frontal and mental feathers liiile in advaui'e of h.ral. Nostrils
median. 'I'ail ahout half as loni; as winu. Ki-feathired, jHiinied. ItiHly |duni|i ; neck short;
feet far liack. ^ with the head iiuH'y or slinhlly crested, dark-colored, irideso'Ut, with ureal
wliile |ialches; lower neck all around, under parts includinu sides, and most of the winu-
coveHs, seapulars, and secondaries, white ; linini; of winusilark: most of upper parts Idin'k ;
no wavini; on hack or sides; cri>suui not Idai-k : Mil ilark ; feel liuhl or liriuht. 9 >vith less
puify dark hrowii or uray head, and traces or iiotof ihe white patches. Mediuni-sixed ami suuill
ducks, mostly black and white. They include two ty|H's of at least suhueueric value ; 4ine
(I'ltiHijiiUt proper) repre.seiiteil l»y the parrots, the other {Biurfihiilii) hy the hullie-head.
.tniili/nin ,[/' Sjit fit tt.
NiMtrlls rntlicr Iwrnrc nililillo of t>lll. J Imul luiirnrinly iiiiDy. tlii< kIcisk urvi-ii; » rnuiul >ir i>vul ulille
KIHit Ijcfciru i'}'i-, nut ri'iiililni; ii|i|H'r ninii'r nf lilll ; wliilc nf wliitiH rniitiiiuinia: lliiiiiK of wlni;s I'liliivly
ilitrlt; vyu yulliiw; fui'l i>riiiii!<'. 9 ''*-''"' ''»■''' ''r"*!!, iuini:irki'il. i' /,o<i/ii/ii| iilniuiiim 'Hi
NuHtrllH Its Imforc. (f licn<l Holinuliiil iTi'Mcil, llic kI"s>< purple ami tiolci . an lUiKiiliir nr iTi'MViitk' wliilc
ii|iucu livforuvyc, itiiiiliiHl iiKahisI wlmlu Ihimi of hill; wliili' nf uiiiKi, ill\ jiicil liy it liurK line; lininK »t
winK' ciitiruly ilitrk; (•yi> yi-ilnw ; fcvt iinint;i'. $ lit'iiil ilark lirowii, iiinnaikiHl inlniiilirn "SM
Niwtrils ratlicr U'liinil iniilillc of liill. (f licail cxtrcnii'ly |iurty,tlii' uliiks varlnim. No wliili' lieforc eye,
lull Kreiit wliite spare on side of lieiiil liclilnil, nieetliiK Its ti'liow on iiais'; ulilte of wliiK contliiiioun;
iiniiiK of niiiu Willi some wlille; eyuliMWu; feet llcsli-color ; ^ liiail ilurk ((ray, witli truce of the wliile
aiirienlar pateli. (Itiivi iihiiln) . iiIIhxIh T'.'T
72.1. *'• Rluu'eliiiii. (<ir. y\avKiov, <jUinkiim\ ].,at. (//i(i«<-ii(»i. a duck, perhaps this one.) Coi.iiKN-
KYK. WlllsTI.K.K. ti.Mtltn'i'. Itill with nostrils rather hefoie tli:in hehind its middle line.
Head moderately uniformly puffy. Adult $ : lilo.ss of head chielly ureeii. A larije roimil or
oval spot liefiire eye, not toiichint; hase of hill throughout ; no white liehind eye. Hill Idack,
or ureeni.sh-diisky. Iris fioldeii-yidlow. Feet nranue, with dusky wehs and Idack claws.
Lower neck, under parts at larije, middle and ureater wiinj-coverts, many secondaries, and
nhorter .scapulars in iiarl, while, that of the wind's perfectly cciutiuiioiis. .'^hoiter .scapulars in
j)art, loni; scapulars, inner and outer s ndaries, edue of winu'. primary covci-ts, |irimaries,
and hack at larue, Idack. llie latti'r flossy. Liniim of wiiii-s dusky, as are some feathers at
insertion of let;s and on sides of rump. The while greater coveits have dark l>;ises. not e.Meii-
Mive enough, Intwever. to divide the while winu-surface. 9 : Hill, eyes, and feet as in ^.
liut former usually varied with yellowish at end. Head less piill'y. Miiilly-hrown, wilhoiit
white loral space. Mlack parts of ^ iiudinini; to hrownish : white of winus less extensive and
com]ilete, often wiivcil with jrray tips of some of the coverts ; white of under parts often waved
with irray or hi-own on lower neck and aloni: sides. Length 17.iHl--'ll.tMi : extent i7.ll'>-
\\iM)\ wing s.lttl-'.l.iH) : tail .'i.(M>-l.')(l ; tarsus l..'{o-l..Vt ; niidiUe toe and claw ;;..")0 : hill
l.:U) along culmeii, ahout iM^ alonu gape. 9 snuiller than f. Kuir.pe. etc. ; X. Am. at
lariie, a common winter duck of the I'. .*<., lireeding chietly in hiuh latitudes, hut also in
r. S. All expert diver. Meat had — rank and Kshy. Nest in trees.
726. <'• •slii"'<ll«'ii. (Of island or Iceland) Maiihow'.s Cni.nKN-KVK. IJimkv .Motxr.MX
(i.MtituT. Very similar to the last. Hill with nostrils as hefore. Head moderately ]iutfy,
and with lengthening of coronal and occipital feathers into a slight <'resi. Closs of liead
737.
AyATW^ — FULWrUS.K: ShA DrVKs.
»0.)
rliii'riy i"ir|tl<' iitiil vinlct. A liirift- triiiiiL'ulitr i>r I'lT^cciitii' wliiti' ^imt licfmi' cyr, rmiiiiiiir up
ill II |iiiiiit, iipplinl at;aiiist tin' wlicilr Mr i>( Imm' nf l>ill. Wliitr ai'iu mi wIiik iiioir nr Ii'hm
iliviili'il liy II <lai'k Imr n'miltiiij; fi'mii t'Xti'iiKicni nf ihr dark Imws of iKr nrriitrr cnVfitH.
Avfraiiini; larirtT tliaii tlir lasi : Init'th 1'.I.«MI-l'J..')0 ; cxtriii .'|t).iH» ,,v iihui' ; nini; '.l.on- lii.iio ;
tarsus 1.(1(1; Mil as lifliiri', thus rilativtly slmrtiT. Kiiinpf, Ii'ilaml : (trifnlaiiil ; \. Am.,
iKirllnrly; in wiiitfi- S. ti> X. Y. ami I'tali; Itrmis in ilic |{. Mt». of I". S. ami in liiuli litt-
itmli'M. Not cniiiiiioii with UK. Smns wi'll ilLstiiit'iii.-ln i| from I', ijlnm-iiiiii, though the 9
is not easily tlisfrimiiiatt'il. It may usually lir riroi.'ui/.ril liy ihr ocripiial rrrst, tin- ■lixisimi
of tlif wlilti- urea oil tilt' wiiiir, uu<l the cxtiiisivcly pitrii-colond l)ill, wliii-ii is lilotvluil wlili
rrdilisli.
Til, V. ullKt'olu. I Lat. iillwiilii or iillmlii, dim. of nlhiis, wliiic. Kiij. Wl.) HcFi-'i.K-iiCAii.
lllTTf.ii-ii.Vl.l,. Si-iiiii-DiiK. I)ii'i'i:it. Hill Willi iii.r.irils ralliiT lirliiiid tliaii lirfor.' itM
iiiidillr liiif. Adult (J : lli-ad partit'iilarly pull'y with miicli Iruutlu'md frathi'i's of lateral and
liiiid parts, H]ili'ndidly
various with piirplr-
violi't and nrrrli iridrs-
Ci'liri'; a laru'c siiowy
patrli on carli side lii'-
liiiid ryr, Idnidiiu.' on
iiapi' with its IVIlow.
Hill dull Idiiish with
dusky nail and lia.si'.
Kyrs hrown. Fct't
palf th'sh-color, with
hliuduHh claws. I'p-
prr (iiirts at lari{ii
hiack, fading to i;ray-
i>ih-wliitt» posto-iorly.
Lower iii'ck all around,
niidrr parts at lai't;t',
srapillars in part,
marly all tiic wiiit;-
Covcrts, and most of Fui. tin. — Huffle-luMil (Kmm Ij'wIk. i
the sccondarit's, whiti-. Outer si'a|)ulars wliite, edued with hlaek; inner seeondaries velvet-
black; sides and .sometimes across lower lielly shaded with dusky: liiiinu of winijs mixed
dusky and white. 9 iniich smaller than ^ : head scari'ely putfy, hut ii thin compressed nuchal
idoncation of the feathers; dusky trray, wilii traci' at least of the white spa f the ^, and
commonly a wliite touch under eye. Hill dusky ; feet livid Iduish-trray, with dusky wehs.
Abovi' lit liirgu ilii.««ky-gniy or Idackish, with white speculum on outer welis only of five or six
secondaries; lielow wliiti'. shaded intodark aloiii; sides and across fore-hreast and lower helly.
Thus a very small insijjnilicant-lookini; duck, hut easily recoi;ni;;ed on that very score ; notice
flap of liinil toe, liviil feet, ilark hill, white spot on dark head heliiml eye, etc Leum;. of ^ 9
12.?.')-l."i.(K): extent -i-i.'lO-.'.'i.dO ; wiiii; f'l. 00-7.00 ; tarsus i.|(i-l.;>l: middle toe and claw
2.()()-2.2.') ; hill 1.0(1. aloiiir nape I. ML 9 at or !>liout tiie lesser of these dimensions. N. Am.
at lar^e, and ca-siial in Kumpe ; V. S. in winter, one of the most ahiimlant ducks; breeds from
X. border of V. .S. to liiirh latitudes. The drake in full feather is one of the hamlsomest
ducks, dressed in broad black and white iii artistic contrast, to say nothini; of the brilliancy of
the head. Xoteil for its adroitness in divine to escape a shot, as smartly a.i a irr'd.e. and on
that ncconnt known in some of our elesraiit vernacular as ''hell-diver." TJie tiesh is little
estt'cineil. so it is just as well there is so little of it. Xest feathery, in a tree; iggs ujf to 11,
45
r,
700 SYSTKMA TIC SYSOrsLS. — LA MELLlliUSTRES — ASSKUKS.
»'li|>8«)idal, ulxmt 2.00x1 .50, iu lint buffy-Ur.ib (between gmyinli-olivo aiii ricli creiiniy-
while.)
203. ilAKk:iVI>A. (Till' Iceluiulio iiuiiip.) LoNo-TAiL DfiK. Kill uliortcr than licad, about aH
Imii^ as tarHii.H, ^\\\^\i at ba^-, nearly ))arallel-Miileil to tlie roiiiiiled ciiil iK-<-ii|iieil by the bi'nail
liuil ; th<' ii]i|iei' lateral aiiKlei* of imiNt liuckH iilmoleie, the l'eather:« MWeejiiii^ <iblii|iiely ilowii-
wurd from thuHe mi <'idiMeii : thoM- of ehiii reaehiiit; about o|)|K>i«ite uoHtrilx, which are plaeed
hiuh ii|i ill iiaxal l:..ll' c.f bill; the coiiiniitisiire ai«'eiidili^ near end, tiieii deenrved iii|4i the
|ir<>iiuneiit nail. 'I'ai! of II feathers, in f as loni; a.s wini; by exeer<Nlve <'li-nL;ation of the
III'. row iiiiddle feat bent (iiiunt mo than iu IhijHit of Awitilur) : ^ xeapiiiais aUo loii^ lanee-
linear, iinidnced htraight over the wini;. .^exnal and seiiNoiiai |i|iiniai,'i's unlike. CrisNinn
while; no white on win^' nor any Hpeeiiliiiii ; roloralioii eliietly blaek, while, and brown, with
K'dditth on baek in Hiiniiiier.
TZ%. II. Klut'iu'lU. (I,ai. iiliuiiilis, iey.y I^(»Nu-TAii.r.i> DitK. Sor rii-.s(irTiiKKi.v. Oi.ii-
vin:. (M.i>-Nyi'A«v. (f, in bieedint; tlress : Hill blaek, bmadiy or,ini.'e toward 1 nd ; irih
e.iniiine ; feet livid bluish, with dusky '.vebs :iiid black claws. Ilciid oii top and iH'liiiid blaek-
i^h, with a Kreat patch of silvery-^'ray, wliileniiu; around an<i behind eye. Neck all around
an<l fore bnast, very dark choeolate-brown, 'diiiost blackish; <|uills anil liiriii^ of \. v -s the
saiiM-; under parts frmu the breast abnii^tly wiiile. I'pper parts at laru'e, and loin; tail-
feathers, lilackish, the lou^' scapulars varieil with bright reddish ; the shorter tail-l'ealhirs
whitisii, the lateral wludly so, the in'i'uiediate ones iu part dark. I,ei;i?tii very variable,
aci'oriliiii; to drvilnpiiu ul of the tail, up lo ■.':! iiiclies ; middle taill'ealliers up »o S ur [) inclics
loll:;, till lateral only about i.'tH : w iiii; S..V)-',».."il) ; extent li'l. (HI ; bill l.ij; tardus the same ;
middle toe ami claw twice us iiiuch. Adult ^, in winter: No reddish on up|M'r part>.; the
.scapulars iiearly-^ray. Head, neck, and fore back white or wiiili>li, with uray cheek-pafcli,
anil dark browu or blackisli patch below ear. Tore brea~l of the latter cohir, >.(■{ nipiarely
belweeii white of neek iilid belly. I'pper ;)arti< except as said, and four middle lail-featliers
(less developed than in summer) blackish; the re.st white. Kill extensively orani;e, with nail
anil broad saddle on niandibie black. Youiii; ^ iu tirst winter with bill and feet dusky. .Adult
9; No eloiiiration of tail or scapulars; lenuth about l'».(H); extent under IKI.OII; wiiit; >i. (Hi-
lt. (M); 'ail about H.dO. Kill and feet ilusky-itreenish; iris yelh
it.
mil upper parts
dark ^'rayisli-brown, paler on throat, with laru'e (;rayish-white patch aroimd eye ami another
on side of >ii .k ; under parts white, shailed .iloiui the ^idrs. Thus an ob>cure medium-si/ed
duck ; notice jjeneric eharacteristics of bill, li tail-leal liers, 110 white nu win;,', ^;ray head and
ueck-patelies in daik surromidinus. N. Ileinisphcre, northerly, es|Krially maritime; also on
. S. in winter onlv, br Iin^•■ iu hiu'h latitudes. A lively voluble duck,
pa
iijrc 111
Hel
laud
watiTs ; t . N. in
■'undevall melodious
• All :s r<iiii)iii. III) <iiiihi'ii rrniiiliiii siiiimii it suiinniiii'
an
<l"
rt diver, rank aniiual feeder; meal bad. Ne^t m t,'r.'unii ; < j;t's (1 /, smooth, iliab-colmcd,
2.20 X l.Iiii, to I.'.XIX 1.40.
204. <'AMl'T<>I...<KMf>i. ((Jr. Ko^nrrur, kitnii>liis, Me.<ible • Xmjiot. hdiims, throat; referiinu to
f the hill.) I'ii:i> Ih IK. Kill marly as lonir as bean, longer than
'urlv |Mi.illel->ided, but widened toward end by
the
Mthi
•ry eNp.iuHioii o
tarsus, not l,ii:he< tliau broiul at the has
leathciV expansion of edu'e of upper maiiilible, ilie nail distini-t. Teeth of upper mandible
sliiiht, obliipie; ol under maiililde very prominent
rtical. Frontal anulc> -li-lii. Nostril
liii:li up iu biLial third of bill. Ciieek-featliers alilli.sh and bristly, with enlaiu'cd horny cuds,
extending on side lif upper inaiidibli' iu tiioder.itely convex outline, to about opposite those of
chifi. Wilifs short, vaulteil, with ciirveil priiuarii s, the l>t and lM subciiual and loiure.-i , inner
Keeoiidaries loiij? and taperini;.
'I'ail shirt, al'oiii iwo-ri'tiis 'hewing', I l-feathered, Colon-
tioii of (J black and whi.e : 9 bmwii. ),'ray, and white. One reiiiarkable species.
780. V. Intiriulu r'lia (Of Labrador. V\it. HI2.) I-aiiiiaihiu Dick. I'iki. IMik. Adult ^:
lliil biack with orange at bare and along edges, and grayish-blue along thu ridge; iriu reddish-
AXATiDJ-: — Fruari.ix.i-: : ska hicks.
ro7
browu; <'c<'t (;niyi»h-l>lu«>, with diinky «cb» iiti.l claw*. Ilt-iui an<l tip|Mr iicok wliite, w ith n l>\\ti\.
tiiiliiiiil liliwk MtriiH- (III the <T<iwii hikI iii(|K'. Nfck l>flu\v riiiin-d with Iilii4'k contiiii h with
that of tipiKT iKirtH, tlicli liHlf-rnlland with white ri.|jtiiiii..ii> with that i.f Ma)iiiiaih. Ih h.w,
fi^Mii thi.s whitf, entirely hhuk. exeeptiny wiiite axillars hikI lining of uinuK. Ah..ve. hhuk,
except It8 Huiil; the willjf-eovertM uiiil w iihirirh white, some of the latter iiiarti I with
hiaek ; Mime of the Imit; Keapnlars pearly-cray : primaries and their riivertx aiiil tail-frathrm
hrowiii.sli-hlaek. 9 '■ I*'!'- <'y<'». i"i<l f»'<t as in (J : Hevinil weoiiilarien white, foniiinu a
Hpeciiliiin, hut no wliite on wini.'-eipvert.i or srapiilars : axillars ainl liiiini: of winifs iiio>ily
white; inner wconilarie« etljied with hiark ; f. Miial mlor ilappled lirnwni>h-i;ray, paler ami
more a.thy or pluniheoiis on wint'-eoverts ami inner >eronilarieH. Lenuth l**,'!* •.'((. (Ml;
extent ahont :iO.()0 ; winj,' ahont 9.(H); tail IJ.jO; tarsus I.JO; niiilille ti«- and claw i.M;
Itill alont; culineii 1.75, alon^ pipe
i.2'}. N. Am., aloni; Atlantie
I'oast ; breeds or did lireeil from
Labrador iiorthwanl, in witjter
ranuiiiii; or did rnunv S. to the
Chesape.Hke. Kxtreniely rare
HOW, and apparently in fair way
to hecoiMi' extinct. '1 lie same
pa.r, jirocured liy I)aniel W'eli-
titei. has Herveil for AiMlnhmi's
iind Itaird's descriptions, and for
the present one; two tine mounted
specimens have been lately ac-
ipiired by the National .Museimi.
In Kniilatid, AJHO has hern oll'ei-.ii
for a i.'oimI pair.
IIISTKIONK IM. (Lat. Iiis-
triintiviiK, histrionic, relatini; to
liisln'o, a slatre-player. the bird
beini; U'icki'il mit in various colors,
a.s 'f to play a part.) IIaki.k-
WI'IN><- Kill very small and short,
►horter than hea<l or tarsw>. rap- •'"' *'■'• " I-'*''""'"'- ""' ^
idly taperinu to rounde4l ti|i which is whidiy occupied by the lart;e fused nail ; hut liiuher lli.in
wide at base, and with lateral upper corners a> in Fiiliiiiiliiitr generally, and convex .-«iip
Hcross its side of feathers, intei'mediatc in extent between the frontal and mental I'lojeclions,
fiinner reaching farthest. A nienibranoiiN lobe at base of commissure formed by production of
Hkill of cheekn. .Nostrils in basal half of bill. \Vini;> and tail short, latter |H>inted and about
half 118 loiii; as fonner. I.onijer scapnl.irs and terti.rii's cnrvini; oiitwanl over the w inij as in
eiders, with which this ifeiius connects by means of llniiniiirthi, tlioii;»li in both these uenera
thi' hill is simple, as iisinil in Fiilitiiiliiuv, without tiic peculiar ^'ibbosity and .--iH-cial i utliiU'ti
of feiithem characteristic of eiders. Otie »|M'cies, remarkable for its fantastic learkinirs, heiiiK
jialched with ilitferent colois; a metallic specuhmi, here only anioni; our Fiih'li'ln"'', rxceptiui;
.S'. >l,-llrri.
730. II- iiiImu tiiR. (I.at. niiniilii.i. vei
295.
il''ri)iii i;iii\ llrh I
ilill
olivaceous ; HIS rei
hhsli
lall : not well chosen.) llAiii.K.yiis I'l i k .Vdnli ,;f :
fei-l uriiyish-blue, with dusky «ch> ami pale chiws.
Aside from the definite markiiiu's to be L'ivcii, tfciieral cdor deep liMdru-blue with a purplish
tinue, bhickeiiini; on top of i ad on lower hack, rump, and tail alwive and l>e!ow, ilurker on
head and neck than on breast and hack, chanuiiiit from breast backward, jticliulinx linim,' of
n
I
7UH
SYSmM.inc SYXOrsiS. — LAMKLUHOSmES - A.\SKHi:s.
206.
1
• I
wiiiUH, til Miiiity liriiwii, nil tilt' llaiikN tn rlirMtiiiit-lirowii. A wliiti- |iati'li lii'twri'ii liill ami cyi',
riii'viiii; ii|>waril uikI liackwanl ti> inai'Kio tlx' Mark ■'•irmial Nlri|ir. cliaiiuiiit.' ti> clii'iitiiiil rioiii
over i-yt' In iia|H'. A roiiiiil \\-|iitc ii|Hit on Mr of liiml-lirail ; u Iniit; wliltr s|iiil mi Mv of
ii|i|H'r neck; a wliili liar ar<iiiii<l ui-rk, iiiti'rrii|iti'il m- nnl liirorr aiul '■."irnni ; a whitt'
<T<'r«'riit nil siil<< nf lil'raMt ill riMIlt n|' uiliKN; llii'sr lliarkN lilack-lini'iji'l'i'il. A wllitr M|int nil
wiim-i'nvcrlH ; a wliilr l>ar iirmss nuis nf jjrratcr i-ovcrtH iiinl uni if ilic sri-nmlarirH ; niitiT
wtrliH nt' inner Hi'<-niiclarics tiiuKtIy wliiti' ; Nca|iiilars iim.stly wliiti-. A wliilr N|int nn cacli ^i(U>
nf I'nnl nf tail. S)M'l'llllllll lllC-
ti-.llii' |illl'|ili.s|l nr vinh't. Twn
or llirt'f years ii|i|iear In lie
rei|nireil In perfeel tills |illl-
liiat'e; tile ,( is fnilliil ill alliinst
every eninlilinii lielweeii lliis
ami tile I'lllliiaue nf the 9 : (lie
linal sl:iLie :> llie enlll|lletin|| nf
tlie u liile riiii; arniinil iieek ami
white li|is nf seenmlaries. 9 '•
Itill .lilvky: leel Willi lillli.sli-
uray. Iiis lirnwii A wliilisli
>|inl 111 line eye ami lieliimi ear.
lieii. ill |i|lllMaue nil lieail ailil
ii|<|M'r |iiM'ts ilai'k lirnwii, ilaik-
est nil lieail ami rillii|i. the
ln«er parts similar, iimie gray-
ish, |ia»iiiu thi'iiiii.'h ifiay iiml-
tliiiU In w hitisli nil lielly. Thus
Ihe 9 i'* " ^''<'3 sniall ami
nlisi'lire iltiek, « iilely ilitl'eielit
finiM the ,( ; iiliM Tve till' small
si/e, very .-liml hill, nlily alinlll
1.0(1 alniiL! riihiieii, hiulier than
wiile at hase ; |i|iliiiai;e witlinlll
■ leliiiili' iiiarlvini;s e.xeejitinu the
iHii ><|.ii|s nil eiii-li (tide nf the
liiail : extent nf ila|i|ileil (;ray
ami while mi (he iiinler jiarls
ver\ viiriahle. I,en>,'lh nf (f
Ifi.OM :;.(H); exteiil :,'I.(M(-
:.'7.(M): wiiiK 7.'M) S.OO; tail
I'i.lHl- I.IKI; larHiiii I. Ill); hill
|f|ii.*« IMIU.ir KM^r.. I nm. .!/... vl-w.-l frmii nl-.v.- nii.l In imitlU.. '''■'"« '"I"" " '• 1". "'""H «''l"'
I, .V iniii/i<i>iiiM . 'J, .*>' ni i/ii>.<>ri. iKriiiii .Sinn |n'. i I..'i0. I''.nr'i|>e, Amii, N. .\|II.,
iinrtherly ami ehielly ennstwise, hill alwi ill iiilerinr ; S. in winter In Miihlle States ami Cala. ;
hreeils in It Mln. nf I'. ."*., anil nnrihwaril, a- fnmi Newlmimllam! i" Alaska. NeM in the
hiill.iw nf a tree or Htuiii|i, nf weeils ami uraKws anil i>arentH' .Inwii; eKKx (l-S, Sj.ld X Mill,
i;reeiii>li 'I'iie harlei|iiiiis are in smne [ihirt s ealhil " Innls ami ladies.
HOMATK'UIA. (lir, aitfin, .rii/i.mii, we m, siniiiilon, the ImmIv ; /(Moh, ifiiin. wnnl. d.iwn.)
I•.lll^;lc>^. Hill varyinu iiMniilminalimi Willi llie Hiieeies ; in niie siiii|de. iniieh as in //("/W"-
mills fi.r i'xain)ile, « ilhniH H|ieeia! 4rild»>sily nr |(eiiliar .iiilline nf feathers; in the nsl
viirimwly titniid nr (;il't»"Ui«, Willi very varimis diH|MiHiliniin nf fmnlal jm-'eMeH and mitliiies nf
51
t mumfU Hmtf
ANATID.K—Fri.mri.lS.K: SF..\ lili'KS.
rif.i
fj-iitliiTH. Tliis is as ill the s.-..tcrs, (F.iknua : in l..,tli ,,f wliirli pniTa the |mriiciil;irs ..f ili.. I. ill
bciiii,' siMTilic aiul in a nicasnrf srxnal rliaiiirli i>, t.. Immh.I u.n.ra u|i<>n ihrni wmilil U' t ike
ont' I'mi- aliiioM I'Vfiy s|Hrirs. NiviTtli<lrss. 1 am \><>w siliKli.d that I iiavc ^'..lu' fix. far in iiniliiii;
llniironrtla ami Airloiitlla willi Somtilniu. l'\w siil.iri iiiric rank at r.lr.l t.. lli.x la il,.
fi.iiijuint' analysis is to I nsiilii.d as iji n. rir : an<l a im tlir ciili i> |.r.i|.<r I w.miI.I n^iw
H«|iaral<tlir kiii>,'fiili rsnlmincricaiiy, nn.lir llic nana ..f Kiumiiln. Ihmm ■SniiKilrnn |irii|»r. 'I'la'
cliaraclcrs arr ^'ivrn Im|..w. In llir wla.lr ui \, Uwr |.rrscnt.'.l iin.Irr lli.- nana' •>( S4,mtiliriii.
(MIMIC fiirtlirr ••liaracicis may W in.li .1 as I'mIIows : NoMrils avnamtii; niriliaii. varialijr in |m.si-
liiiii ; I'l-aliicrs iiacliin^' nvcr, iin.Irr, or init t" tliiin. Kioiilal aiiulis ..f l>i|| i ir s|>c.-i. s as
lioriimliy in Fiiliifiilimr, in (.lli.is vari..iisly .■xam.'rralci. Nail .ifl.ill laii-''. fiisc.i, fiinnini; tlir
wliolr li|>. Iiiiirr s< iiilariis ami sfa|iiilars sirkli-.-iiaiii'il, nirviil iHilwaicI ami falliin; "'>•
li.;ilrly iiViT tlir vviin;. Sixes viiy iinlikr. J rliirlly lilai'k anil wliitr, with sia-mrrli nii llir
lirail ; fcatlii'is of Inail in |iart slii.rt, eliw-wl, anil frccl, like pilr nf mIm t, in |iarl usually
Htillisli ami lirislly. Si'Vi-ral rciiiarkaMr s|tiTii's, nf tin- NnrtliiTti llrmisiiiirrr.
Aililliitif i't' ( (!• Ill til ,, Kuhiiittrni, .v/nrinc, iiiiir rurii/iri
(f 9 "III >•■>( kII>I><>i»<i witlioiii (yiiiitiil iiriNTNH'ii, mil ri'iitlinreil In tliu iiiNilrllH. IlKiiiiiliiti lauu illliiliil
mill li'iitlii'ry : im iinimiial iilitiini or niitlliii' iiriVniitKl rnilliiTH. OIi^nikini rrA.I
A \liil»«l N|N'riiliiiii. , ... . tiitUri VM
(f S I'lll II"' itllilii'ii". wllli.iiil frniitiil |irmTw.iii. f.Millini'il ..ii iiii t.. ii |>..|ii| iKiyDiul h.ri,|i||ii. mi,)
llh'iKi' in IliM' sni'i'|i|iii; Uliiinl ii>ihIiII» I<i .iii^'Ii' nf iiiniilli. (.XiiiriiM i i t.i
Nil H|H'i'iiliiiii : iiii I'li'Miiiil roiiiiillNli nliilc liliic'k-lHirili riiil linn iilxiiil ■'>!' nx. /i. ri 7;i','
,f mil kIIiIxiiis lit liiinr nf ii|>|ii'r iii.'iiiilllili' : iiiilliiii' nf riiliiii'ii tarl<iiiAl> I'lirvi-il; Willi Viwf, iii'iilc i.r
rliihlii'il, liiiiilil |iiiN'i'M< I'th'iKlliit; ill Hill' Hitli riiliiii'ii nil iwli nlili'iif rnri'liruil. illvlilnl liy i'<(li'iiiii<iii .if
fiMlliiTH nil riiliiii'ii; rntiliiTo nf kMi' nf hill u<lviiii('iiii; til Hiniiit umliir uiwlrllii, fnr U-yoiiil llioiii' mi
Clllllll'll Nil i-|H'i'llllllll. (SiiM.klKIIIA |ir.i|«l )
(f Nil lilllrk \'-iimrk nil rlllll
Kmniiil iifiHi'SM'K hlmrl. iinrrnn, iK'iitr, iiiirnlli'l SiiiiiUiT mollimiiiiiii 7X1
■''iniiiiil in'iHi'MHi'ii IniiK, liriMul, rlulilivil. iliviTKi'iit. I.iiriii'r ilrimnri T.'ll
,f A liliiik V iii.irl, nil rlilii i-iiiiinim 7.'W
(f Hill rxiri'iiii'ly till'lxiiiH III liiiM' nf iipiu'i iimiMlllili', willi IhhikI M|iiarli>li iiriirly virllnil fmnial |inH'i'iM«'i<
lll'l^ini; IlllUlllnl'ly nill nf lll f rillllll'll, nll rlKll >>l<l<- nl rnrilll'llll, iU> I'IihI l>y I'Mrrlllr |ilnji>i'llnll nf
fi'iitliiTH nil rillllll'll t'lir lH'\niiil tliiiM' nll Hlili'H nl' iiiiiiiilllili', mIiIi'Ii iln lint iimrly rem II tinhlrlU.
(KuiiiN|-rr \ Nl
if .V lillti'k V limrk nll I'lilli tliirlilhilis IM
(IlK.NIrnNKII'A.)
731. H, (II,, Hlrri.Tl. Cr.. (J. \V. Slrll.r.) S rii.i.ni'.s Kliif;it. A.liill ,f : Uill ami fn I ilnll
grayish liliir, tlir wi'lis rallirr ilaikrr ; iris lirnvvn. 'I'nii aiul siilis nl Inail aini inllai mi
iin'k silvrry-w liitr, waslii'il armss fmrlirail anil liimi Ih-.-hI ^^illl sra-^rrrn, tlir rlun willi a
Mark jiatrli nari'<i»ili;{ In run ijnvvn linaKim; tlirmiuli iIh' vvliil >llar ami rniitiniioiis witli
a liriiail Mark riii^ iirniliiil iiirk ; a similar |iatfli aniiiml ryr, llirsr Mark anas willi varimis
Instil'. riilxT jiiirls at lai<{i- flimsy |iiir|ilisli-liliir-lilark : winu-rnvcrtH wliilc ; srnunlarii'N
viiilrl in tlirir )'X|iii.si'il |iiirtiiiiis, li|i|ii'il with wliiti', tli<' rrst, am) tlir trrtials ami niitrr
Hi'a|iiilars, silvrry-wliitr, llir inmr sra|iiilars vinlrt, stri|iril witli wiiilr riliirs ; liniiii; uf winus,
iiiiislly, ami axillars, wliiti'. rmliT jiarts iliill I'lii'stniil-lirowa, jiassiii); In Himty Mark <im llir
lirlly ami rrissiini, with an isnlalnl Mark s|»il mi rarii siilrnf llir lirrast. Tin- yniiiii; J I'lnwly
ri'SfiiiMi-s till' 9- Ik '"■iI> »'>:<'> iIk' liiH aiiii li'ii air i if an iimli'liiiaMi' ilark nilnr in ilrini
s|irriiiiriis. 9 'liHi'i's as ill all tin- liilrrs: ilark rrililisli-lirnwn, M.iikrniiiL' mi liilly iiDil ''ris-
sniii, niiirli iiintllril ami harrnl willi Mai'k ; im wliilr i'Xfr|il nti liiiiiii; nf wint:s ami ti|is nf
^rraliT i-iiVfrlH anil nf w mlarii'H, tlicsr fnrniint; twn wliiti' liars em-lnsini; llir iiii|irrfirl s|ii'i'-
nliiiii. Linulli Is.lid-I'.I.IKI; wiiiL' '<.(MI S..-|ii; tail :;..'in ; liijl I..MI alnm; imiIiiiiii, I.7''> almii;
Kapr ; lar-iis I.J.'i; niiilillr tm- ami I'law l'..'0. Nnrtlirrn r.-finii- nf Kiirn|ir, Asia, ami W.
AiiktIim ; iml yrt rninnimi in rnllrrlinns, tlinii),r|i altniimliiii,' ami -niiiriinu's catlii'rin^ in I'lmr-
llinllH llni'ks nil tlir islaiuls ami liiilll sllnii'S nf Itilir'.ntl's Sia aiul llir Al'i'lii- cnaHl nf N. K.
i
•to
SYSTHMA TIC SYXOI'SIS. — LAMKLUUOSTUKS ~ AXSJ-mi.S.
HilM'riii; winti'riiiK muiiily on tlic Aleutian IhIuihIh; nMiinlly fimmi hi («iin|iuiiy with l'iu>ilir,
ii)M'i-liu-li'<l, aiiil kiii^ I'iilt'n*. llriiiK nliwrvi'tl to Itn-'oit in » |iluniiiK<* rt'm-iiil>liiit; tliiit ol' tlii> 9.
this I'iilrr |iriil)uMy r<'i|iiirrK at Irast twn yearH tn iiri|iiii-i' tin niph'ti' iIi-i'hh. '\'\u< must Ih'au-
tit'iil i>r many N|HM'lnii'nH 1 havi' liamllril liavf hccn wintrr liinis. Kui;m "J -'J, 2.25 X KdU,
oxiu'tly like thoHo of thai uuiuinou liiiirr in Hl".i|if, color, atul loxtnrc of hIm'II.
(AunnNKiTA.)
T3*i. H (A.) tlnVliprl. (To (!..ttli. I-'im-lur, u l{n«.-<ian iialinalist. Kij,'. I'.tl ) Si'K<tA('I.KI> Kiuku.
Itill I in lioili si'M'f.) |ii'<-uliai' in tin- i-xti>nhion upon it of iiiiisi> vrlvrly fratlirrs wliirli rrarli to a
|Kiint on till' riilnirii liryoml tlir inmlrils, tlii'iiri- i<\vi'i'|iini; past tiir nosiriln olilii|iii-ly ilnvviiwaiil
anil liarKuanl In llii* ronmiissin'r, tlir no.stiils n|iiiiitii' jiisl lirnratli tlir liiii' of fialliris. rriithirs
iif I'liin I'xtt-nilin^ in a jHiint nearly as far as tlio.se on cnlmen. A |ieciiliarly ilrnse ami |iiill'y
|ialeh of velvety feallii nt
alioiii till' eye, sii|;i.'i'stinK
h|iii'Iai'lrs ; I'mnlal featli-
ers eliTl. |iiliiiis, in the ,f
Hoiiiewiia! stitlrliril; lu'-
ripital fiMlhiTN li'litlllielii'il
into a nesl ; these ehar-
artel's iif the iieail fiatlnl'-
in^ lii'sl nijirlti'il in tin' ,(,
hill inilii-aleit also in llii'
f . Nail of hill ilisliiii'l.
Ailnll / : tii'iii ral i-mIih-
f^nivisli hlai'k, the melt
anil niosi nf ihe hiieK
while : h'HHer anil ineilian
winu-i'ovei'ls, ll MIA I'll
tl'rlial^, till' liiiiiii; of u inus
ami axillars, uliife; llanlts
while. (In ihe hiail, liie
S,„.,'l.,.'l.',| I'l.irr. (|.'r,.||, llllll.l „|,|,.. ,,|' ,|„, ,|,,,.|^ ^,|^,.^
way to rieh sea-uieeu, es|M'cially on ihr iM'ri|iilal rnsl : ihe fronlal feathers are iilso tinueil with
greenish: hut the ' sjieelai'les' are |iMr.' siixeiy while, franieil in iilai'lt. Hill, ill the ilriiil stale,
ilinu'V yelloW'i'<li : fiel ihi -^ame, with chisKy wehs. Snmller than !l > ion eiiler ; wiiii;
ID.tltl: tiiil l.tlO: t.'irsMs 1.7') : miilille <<»' am! elaw 'i.?') : hill Hilly al I all liieh lonu on
nihiieii, hilt ahoiii ,'.•.•.'> aloiii,' uape. 9 • ••I'eaily iliirereni, iis mi all the eiileis. Kill hiai'h,
with whilish nail o| miiler iiiamlihle ; feel i|iiile ilark. (ieiienil |i|iiiii.iue like thai of the eom-
lliiill filler, liarreil almost tliroiii;hMiit with hliieU, ehestiint-hrowii, ami yellow isli-hrown, ijivini;
way on the helly 1.1 iliill hrownish iiehiilateil with iliisUy ; on the heinl to |iiile hrown olreakeil
.ir otherw'is" 'ihsriireil with ihisliy ANillars white. 'I'lion^'h llnm ho siiiiilar to the eninnion
niih'r in |ilitMia;;e, the peeeliar fi'iilherimr of the lieail ami hill siiUii'es to ilistini;nish the hinl at
n Klaiiee, NortliwesI eoiisl, eoninion ii, some loealities, frimi rmilashlta iiorlhwaril to Niirtoii
ami iloiililh'HM Koi/ehiie Soiiml ; hnt itn oriliiiary raiiKe ii|i|ii>arN to he a resliieleil one, nearly
iMiineiilenI with that of the eiii|ienir ^imiw.
(SuMATKHIA.)
1:1:1. H. liioliU'iilniii, (I,nl. miii/Zmiimix, very soft ; nferriiiL' to the ilown of the eiiler. Til's. 'I'.IH, 'HI.*! )
KrimrKVN Minrn |)n'K. Hill (in holh sexes) with lateral frontal proeess rxicniliim mi eaeh
i«iile of the fornheiiil, tietwern tin* Hhort |Hiinti'il «>xtri)f<iiin of the feathers on tli ilnieii ami ilie
Klil.-tDl
P LWJII fl lW IM WK Iill M Wf ^ Wl H
ANA riiLi: - Fn.iniLis.r. . sk\ dicks.
:n
iiiiich Kr»'ut.>r ..xt.'imi..ii ..f th..Hi. ..n the M,„ „( iho hill, whirl, iva.-l. i,. 1., I,.w il„. u..stnU. uIh.iii
•Tl"'"'''' '•'<""• "" <1 1'i"- 'i'Uv K.-n.rul ii|.|..t nutlin.- ..) ||„. |„|| nmrly Mniiiilii. uu-l tin-
fn.niiil |iiiKM'HH.'M imm.w, anitr, :.i„| ,„.,irly |mnillrl (>.•.■ tii;.s. iiii.l rni,i|.ai.- .l..-.,-ii|,ii,.t, ,,f n.xl
mil.^.|..'firs). Aililll J : I'Imnai;.' mI si nilir. I> l.hirli iiihl wl.ilr. Ini. ..( |,r...l Kl..,>y |,|„..
blark. iiK'lii.liuK <•>.•«, mill forking IhIiIu.! t,. imiv llir wliil,. ..f il.,- Imi.l-li. a.l. 0,-i-i|mt liimv
4!^
I'm. lun - l''.l<liir I'lirKn. ,<„ nut. M/n (Kriiiii llrnhin.l
or It'sH waHlird willi Hca-nri'i'ii. Xii'k all aiMiinil, fiirr Ixi'asl, iiniHt ..f the 'larK, iihinI nl' (Ii«»
wiliu-rnvrrls alMiV4' ami lirlnw, llii' <'Mily Irrlials, ami nhIi's nf rii;ii|i, uliilr, nii lii> luraxt liiiunl
with |ial<> crraiiiy-l'riiwii. Miililli' liiu' of riiiiip, ii|i|M'r tail ■■■nvcrlx, ami iiinl)')' |mrti' frmii tin-
hnaxt, MiK')! or MacKiMli. I.rni.'ili al < ,>I.IHI; i-xtciit lO.IHI ; wlimll.no; ail t.'Nl : tamilil
l,7.'i ; iiiiilillc till' anil rlaw '^.J't : I'lilnirii nf liill "i.'*" it Iris, fn.iii a|>rx nf fniiital piiMTOHrH to
tip ^. III) ; nliiii^ Ki*!"' •■ ("■ Ailiill 9 ' ^'iiHTii'li'iitly similar t<> tlif ^^ m rlianx 'rr nf liill, uiitl
,1
I.'
s)sii:m.i lie s).\orsi.s. i..imi:ij.iIx(>siI{I:s .\.\si i;i:s
fcallii'iiii^ III' IIh Iiiim< ; |)liiiiiiii'i' I'lilii'cly ilillri'i'iit, Im'iii^ iii.irly cxi'i \ u lirrr miiii'iI, cIiii'Mn m
liai'N, \tilli lilai'li, rlii'ntiiiil lnuvtii, iiiiil \rllii\M>li limuii, l;imii^ way mi lln- iiiiiln parlK In
Kl'iiyi^li lilnWIi willi illlnlt) lii'liiilalliill. Sl/r Iini ill. Ill llial i>l' llii< .(. Tliln Im llic ciiiiiiiinii
riili r III l.iiiii|ii', M'liiiiloiiii'Mlii'alril III Miiiii' |ilact'M, Nil I'aiiiuiiH I'm' \irliliiit; iIk* |iii/ri| ilnwii nl
■ 'Mliiiiii'li'i', wliirli llir jiairiil |i|llrU'< limn liri llll'a^<l In riiViT llli' I'ljUH, It ii alM> IkiiiiiI ill N.
Aiii., ah nil I 'iiiiilii'i laiiil Siiiiiiil . liiil llii' rniiiiiinn Aiiirrii'.iii I'lilrl' l.-< nl llii' I'nilnuiiit; I'liaiai'li 1.
7:11. N III. <lr<-H'Hi<rl ( I'n II. I'!, llii'NXfr, of I'liiulaiiil. I''ii;. I'.M ) .\.Mi:i(irA.N l'.li>i:il iH ik. I.iKi-
llii< lail ; |i|iiiiiaK<' IIk' xaiii)' I I'nnii nf ||ii> liijl iliU'i-ii'iit, i-xliiliililiu an a|i|irnii)-li In tlit< Hlnirtiiii'
■ if llial nl' S, N/iri7ii/>i7M. <ii'liri'al |iinlili' nl' riihiii'ii rniicavi', llit' Imiilal |i|'iH'i'Mit's liciiii; wiilcr,
liiKJii'i', ninir nliliiNi', ami inmi' ili\aijraliiii{ lliaii in >' iHttllinHiiiin |iin|H'i' (cniniiiiri' lii^n. ami
^n^l•^nill|> ili'Mi'ii|ilinii). 'I'lii' iliiri'iriirc ii MTV nliviniiN nil i'niii|)ariMnii nl' h|M'riiiii'iiit, aiitl may
Im- Iii'IiI nrH|irriHr \aliii' il iin iiili'niicili.ih' »|ici'liiii'iiN ale Ini llirniiiiiiL;. riilini'll iMNI or llinii' :
IVnlii a|M'\ nl' I'l.iiil.il |ii wf^ In li|i nl' lull altmil it III) ; alnlii; i;.i|i<' .' .ill V ilill'i'm an ill llir
ram' nf ,V. iiinlli-^iiiiil |iin|H'r. \. .\iii , nmlliri ly , i"'|m ri.llly nii llir Allaillh' cnasl ; alnn nil
liiii'i' I II 1. 1 1 II I walri:. : I ml iinii'il liniii I III' N. racillr ; S. 11 MialU in » iiiln in New i'.nijlaiiil, iimri'
lariiy In lln- Miilillr Stalrn; Imriiiiit; I'lnin llir Maini' rna't imi'liMaiil alinnilaiilly in Niu
rnlllllllMllll ami I ..llilllllnl , vvlirt'l' il Ik nlic n|' llll' I'liallll'lall <tli' l>illl-<. \l"<t nil llir l>l>lllllil, n|
IliimM'H, licliciiH, liay , ami nca wrril, In MJiirli ri'allii'i-< aii' aililiil ; fnnif I'l III, nmially I'l'Wt-r,
|ilaili iliill i.-ririii:li ilrali, almiil It llll '< ;'.llll, laiil 111 .liiii>' iml .liil\
7:15. N. V IiIk I'lliil. (t.lii.iM l.al.i iMi/t (fill, iinliiii; llic lilarK \ 'li.l|ii'il liiai l> mi llir llnnal ) I'villU
l''.ll>l:|( l.iln' llir Ian |ii'i litm, lull ttilli a lai'i{i' lil.irU \ '<lia|ii'il iiiaili nii llii< llilnal, |>nilillii»-
InrMaiil ami Imliini^ lirliiml, an in >' f'/xTlnhilis Wlnli' llir |iliiiiiaiv' i' nllirrwlHc aH in ilir I'mn
llinii riili'i, llll' hliajM' nf III! lull ami rliaiai'ln nl' ilt rratlin ini; aii' a|i|iii'i'ialil\ illllrlriil, riiiiii'<li
illK IIM llll rlialarlrli', t'hjiri'lally in tin' r.i-o' nl' llii ^ , 'I'lii' I'iniilai |irni'i'Mni'N all' arillr iiml |i4iialirl,
IIN ill tV niiiltissimii, lull till' ^■ililiii'.itN nl' llll' lull i'4 i;it'ali'i' lliai in .V ihyssiri : w liilc ilu I'latlii'm
n|Hl|l ilH nIiIi'X (III llnl l'\ll'llil hn I'lir (NCalrrly nr iml I'l'lll'llillt; n|l|ln'<lti' llll' lilllil I'llll nf llll' iiim-
ll'lU), ami liaM' iniimli'il iiiHi a<l nl anili' li'iniinalinn , ilnii ImMi Imnlir ir< aLsn innri' iii'ail\
|ialallrl Mllli llir rilt;r nl' ll i||iiiii:<i<liri'. Tin' 1 vli'ii'inii nl' llic li'allii'lx nti ||ii> cliili i'i|iial>< ni
I'Vrii Mll|iahhr" llial nii llin hiili' nl' llir lull, i.illirr llii' iim'Imi' liiini; llir I'a-M' «\illi .S'. im>lli^>iiiiii
aiiil i/if^M't I. I'iD'llir I'nai'l I'min llir .Virlir Ocraii In I '.ililm iiia, ■'niniiinii in Miilalilr InralllirK
mi linlli rmiHlN illiil iMialiilr' nl llrliillii^M Sra, aiiil llir |inlai' i'nat<lr< nl ,S||iiiia ; ir|i|arill^ till'
I'niiiiiinii riilri, allil IINhdi'lalril ttilli tlir kill)*, h|irrlai'li'il, aiiil Sli'lli'l''n I'IiIitn.
7UII. N I !■: ) N|M<i-lit IiIISn (l.al .s/iri7iW>(/i'<, ■'niiM|iii'iimir., n|irrlai'iilai ) KiNii l''.l|iKII. 4'huiai'lrrH
nl lull ami ir ti .illii 1 iiii^ iiiiiir ililli inu^ limii llmur nl nlln r riilri^, ami nimiuM'i miimii^ ininli,
iml nlil) III llll' l\ln Ni'NrK, Iml III llir ,( al illHi'l'rlil m'aHiiiiH. In llir aililll ,(, ill ||||> liit'riliiiK
hraMin, llir lull i|rM'|n|ih iniinriihr iniinilnl nr rtijuariKli lalrral Imnlal iHnrrH'-rH, lmluim{ liii;li
mil nl Inn Ullli llir Irnl n| llir lull: llirt<r |ilnn'hH<'H ar<< Hnll, mill innlfnMi ilr|irliil Im llirii
|ii'iiMiiiiriii'r n|Min llir ilr\i'ln|inirnl nl' a liiiinn nl tally hlllmlaiii'i' ii|inn \« liiili lliry an "iiiiiHirlril ,
lllt'V kIiiiiiIi 'IIIiI liri'mnr iiimr i|r|irrhr'i'tl in \v iiilrr, wlirii tlir ^riirial tniniallnii nl' llir |iiHi-< in
lliil M'ry ilillrri'lil I'lnin llial nl'nlliri riilris I'lii' I'miilal I'rallnrx r\ti inl in a ilrltnllr liiir ainiit;
llir rli'Mllril I'lllliirli In alimit n|i|>ni<lti' llii liiml rliil nl' llir 1 ||||:< ; iIium' n|' llir hlilr nl' llir
lull, nil ll niriiv, I, ill lar hliml nl llir nn-itlll'', llm'rnl llir rlilli Ir.n li iilimil njiiin-ilr
lllnnr nl llir I'llllm li . llir » linir I'clllirlril nlllllt I' llir lull In IIIU lliU' M'ly ilill'l'l'l'lll I' I
lll,il "I'aliy nlliri ililn. In llir y , llmn^li .ill lln |>allK rnin'rinnl .nr Ir.-,'! i|r\ rln|iril, llir n,iinr
lrl,lll\r r\li iranll nl rr,llllr|M nlil, nil',, hn llial till luiil I' illht lllflllhliril r,|hll\ llnlii t||r f nf
am nlliii I kIi'I , llir riiliiiiii.il .iinl liiriil.il l-alliri, Iml li irai'lilllu aliniil n|i|inhili llir lin.ilnlit,
lliiih llir hhlr nl' llir lull ii'>l rxlrmliui- in ally in lai. .\iliill ,( ; IlLirlt ; ||ii> nri'lt ami
Inlr |ia|l nl llir linily, innhl nl till' Mlllif •n\il|-< illlil lllllllU n|' ^UII|•^, illlil a ^pnl nil r,li'li '■lili "I
llir riiiii|i, wliilr ; tin \\ Inlr ..| llir lai.rl lini'i <l \i illi nraiiix lunw n ; lln ,iiil« Irili.il lil.n It
IMJllll III ntlli' <lllrl'<) .V lil,l< k \ "ll,l|>iil III.IlK nil lln illlil, ,l.-> III N I IIIiIHIIII rn|lnl lli.nl
U»k7
A.SMUi.i: iniui i.is.K si:.\ inchs.
7tB
•JJ>V.
mill iiiljir lii'itllliflll |Hail Kliiy ; hhli- ol llir In .i.l vuinIh'iI wiiIi wh i;ririi ; ryilnU lil.irk ; |>i.i-
.-.hM'f. Ill liir lull lliniiiil 111 I Willi ^',lll^N^ l.l.t.l,. jtill ii.li|i>|i; liil iiililrni il, Willi ilii^kv
ui'Iin; iiin IhiUmi. I.iimlli .iIm.iiI '.'.MMI ; « inn II. mi; t,iil J.OH , lull .ili.im niliii.ii I ■.'.i ; ul.iiin
K.i|ir '.'.•.'.'i ; IViilii iipcx III' |iiinThhi'» In ii|i ,il I ill,, naiiii' ; IVmiii IrallHis mi »iilr i.l ii|i|i|.r
liialiilil'li' 111 ll|> illmill I. (III. .\ililll V liiili.-<liiii-iiii.lmlili' tViiiii iilliii lini.ili' i'iilri'.i in |iliiiiiiii;i.,
lull irailily ri uiii/i'il l>\ llir lull, a^ iiIium' ^alll. llill ami t'rri lil.irlusli ; ilinii'iiMiHis m| lull,
a-iili' iViiiii llii- iViinlal | in in •Hum, iiraily a. in llir ,(. TIiih lifaiilll'iil ciiliT ih a <'ii<'iini|i.i|,ii'
f.|ii.rir.N, alMiiiiiiliiit; al Miriiiilfi |iiiiiiIn alniin llir hlmir^ III III!' Arrin- IVraii, lliriirr mnilli m
winli'i nil llir I'ai'illc Hiilc in t;i'i'itl liiiliilii't>< In tlir Alriiii.in |.<lani|A ami Im'MhhI, tliiiiitjli laii- nii
llii' \la"Kan rnaf-l n| jlrliiini-'N Sra ; mi lln Vll.iiilir ;.|ilr mHiiIi niiily alul iiirfiiilail) In Ni «
^mU
O'llM'.'^ll A (lir. iMi'ii/fiii, imliiiiii, l.M. ivilniiii, a nWilliiiL;) SriirillN. .^l III IMiK.s.
Itlll liiiiilil m t;lliliiil|:< III \.iiimiM rliai.nlrr arrnnllliL; In llir N|ii'i'lr^<. aiiil .•rxrn nf Mtllir ^|l^■'l^■<,
ami niillimnl lr:illii.|.< ri|ii,illy N .11 i.ililr, lull alua\» laiiln'r mi iiilt;i' tliiiii nil miIix nl ii|i|ii'l'
niaiiililili', wiiliniil :iiii/iil.ii ii'i'iili.iiiri' . lit iiiiiiallN i'\|iaii>l\ r, \« II II laii;r, ili'Miliil, ami ili
riiiM'il nail, In.-! il \miIi .iml m rii|iMiii; wlmli' li|i. Nnsiiil.. ni ninlilli' ii( lull m licMiml.
(■'fjillii'ln nl rliiii rnnnini; l.ii lm\Miiil, nimr m Iinn iiiaily n|i|iiihiir nnnlnU. ('nlm n| J lilaik,
irlhM'il m linl Willi \tliili' jiali Ill's nil lir.nl ni w illKx, nl linlli ; lull siiii-llllll'lv i;llilimiN al lntM',
|iaili rnlmi'il. y snni \ liinw II, lull i<iiii|i|\ liir(;iil, niiirli wnliniil .it rml. \ iiillii; ,( llUr 9-
I'liiiliriii'ini* llii lilai'k m.i iliirltr<, still iliirlt.-<, si-nli'iM, m Is, an lliry illr vaiiminly ralliil ;
liiai llliiii' iiinllil'lt t'lllllilt n|ii'rii'N, M-iil'i'rly lit Im I I lliii lliirr N|H'rii'N IIiImiIhI Imlli rnanlK,
MiiiirliiiirM llti' laivri itilaiiil walnx, Imriliiii; imilliw ,iiil, iiiiiii mm aluimlalilly in wiiiti'i'
alnlm till' wltnlr I', S. .nasls
Im.i/i/m*'* *'J -^uttlti Itrttt, N/'n'ii M, illlt/ I •Ir4« fl< ■
,r lull aiilli'lilv rill l.iili lli'il ii|i.>li liy hiilllill IkiiIIii'Ik nhlrll hwokii illlisilv itilnna llli' Imi«' , ||llilii>iillv
NII|Hi|lnl , I'lli-lllllm I ILiiil. ..Itllltji. NonlllK till. II, ill Null liiill.ilM.il .ilili'l |.<l h t uliM ullllll'l) lilui k
l''i'i<l iliiik 'i'litl I ii.ilh III li'iillii ii'.l ii|';i>iui« I
', Sinil\ liliinii. imli'i In !.>», nhlllxli .'■■ II I iinl nl.lis ..I lir^nl , Mil ii.il lillilKiim, I. In, k >••«• it. iiia ;;IT
if lull liliiililh I'll! Iiilli liril lllmli li\ llt.liliil li'illlirlH, till , iilllli.tl ll|.||ll\HI 1)111111 l<* ll.iMll tia, Mil llNIi n 111
tl'M* l'«li.|ll. nI|iiII|.| IIiiiII Iii'iiiI, lllli t:ll*ls.^ll% Hit | H'l lul , I 1 1 1 ll 1111*1 1 IIm'i I Nxnllllii Ih<miIiiI llllililli. Null
1.......! 1 ..1.,..^.. lull 1.1... L ..•.. I I I.... I I'..l... 1.1... L ulll> i^lill.. (kill.. ■uAl.'l. ..>..l
III'IIII, III,. |^ii..».~iii niiinii,.|,iiiii|iiin>i|i>i-ii .i..ni,i<n i<>-i..,,,| iiioiit,.' .itiii
liliii K ..iitntli il|i|'ri| li'i'l iitiiiitiK Ciliii liltii K, hHIi ttlilli' «|ii|^|M|li'li mill
llliillil lllfl •.lilllm Hill
■>>i< ii|iiil lull iii'iiiiiillt M ll iiilii'iiil iMi I tM 11 t
|i>v%|v*Tf <ivviti<-a«iii«*ai p«aafvaiiBi«<i ivi«iiv«ti«i
V SiHilyliiiiuii. Mllli nlilli' wliiu (iiilili Mil nil liliii k, li'iin liiiiilil , .n(».it IM
,f mil llillliinit |. Ill null IlKil lllmtl lit lliilll.ll li.illlli'lli. nil I lllllirll IlKllllv III iihIIii III Iii'IiIiIIk, .'II lIlK nl.liw
■ml il nil. hIiiiiiI im lolix is lii'inl, Ilii' lill'l'""!!) Iilli'iiil il" will itn >il|>i'l l.>i N.mlilU Is >.iii.| iiilililUv
lllll III iinui' mill wlilli' ullli Mill k hilrlnl ii|..il I nli.l lilm k mllli wlilli- liniil.il .ilnl lim Iml |.<il.li. lull
..>.....•. u I ...i ( ..,.. I .It lilt 1 1 ■•.,4l I t.l . 1*1 I I.Ik 1 I I I
r.ft.
IIIIIII III! WlliU. Ii'i'l .'lilllUi' I lit li.'llliulU tl Ii'iiIIii'IimI .|'i I liiM I I I
y HiHilt litnwii, I III III lii'liin , nlilllnli .11 I'l'ul, 1 lililli In I. mil nii.l iiiii li illni iiiililim Mil Mink,
liTl lllll k.
Ii'liitllrll nlllli. imli'tl ii'lillllli! I'li'h, rillllllll.il l> ..ll'ii iKm lilliu .'|.|..ii,ll wlllln Itlll iiIhuiI »m
liili)4 III* lii'inl ff, ,'/<!, ,i ,fi l:9t
|''iiiiil.il nliHi' piilili I Lul I,. 1 1,1 . iiliiiliiiil Ivitlliiii* mil K'lii Mutt I'liisiiillu iinaiiiU lllll , iilim
I'tiiiilliill liiiiil , . . fi..i|.|.iiif,, I. ;il)
«!•: iilili<rli-M lilt ( l''iK I'.tll.) \mi i;ii \s 111 M k Hcnilli Sr\«'iiiir Mill, I'tr , as .ilmM' s.ml.
.\iliill ,( I'liiiitapt' I'liliiily lilaiU, It ^.s tin- ' \ ainl |iil> U Inw titan altuM', i;ra\ isli hi lit*- m, ht
Wilis 111 llir i|iiills. hisliiiiwit l''iit lilai'l.i It >iiiiii< ,r 11 siHililiiii; V 9 .''•••ilV *«i<i»'i»,
|ialrl 111 Inw, lii'i'mtiini' Kliiyi'-ll wliilr mi Inllx, tin n i|tisli\ -.ih'. kli'il, nil Hlilfh ainI llisiil-fc
iliis|,\ w.iviil; llii'iiiit ami siilr . nl' In nl iiniNlly ■■miltiiii.nis wliilisli, iml in H|M'i'hil -iint*. ,
lull lilai'liisli, iinl liiili;iit|i , lilt litiil iilivari'iiils witlt lilmit Wilis I >m Uliii^-s iininil »i<ll
lilili-k ilimil. I utii i;iMI .'mill ivlinl :ilMHI HilMI ; wiiit; S IMI iKtIII, i.iil lllll, laixilM
hlili'h iliiUll. I.fliuth l( III! '.Miitii I Mini imwi 111 IBP ; wiiin -^ '"' in >"■ , i.iu i ■•" , nii^n"
l.7:»; iiiiililli' |.H' ami flaw il.v'i , lull I . • '"HI y muih sinalln ll-.m f »"" i»»»mil iIi<h»<
IfHii'i liuMiii's Ihllfis Ifniii llir l''.tiiii|n'aii </■' iiii/iii III slia|ii' ami >-<'l ' i'~ |iinltilM'iniM-»>
111 llii' lull 111 ,f S .\iii , fliirlly i'iia>*lwisi', wln-n almtiilanl ; almi nn lai»r. linn 1 »a(«:-;
r. S. Kiuirally m wiiilii , liiiiil-i in limit I mlfs hmiSM •■ H, l».i4.\ l.ljll, twitf; U«»l «tu thi'
714
SYSTKMA TIC SYXOl'SIS. — LA MKl.LHiOSTUES— AXSHUKS.
Fill. 4tiil — A'> m>i/>' llliu'k SciitiT (Ail mil. ilfl Kr.i
gniiiiiil, in Jiiiio, July. (N.I). The iijip-r ti^- 4<.)ll hIiowm rxtnit uf t'tallioni uiulrr Itill — lu
first iiriito aiiji;!)' fniiii tlii' left — iiiiil Hliit|ii- of iiuiiitliliiiliir riiiiii, rciu'liini;; to next nliliim
rri'iitraiiri'.)
738. 4K. fiiH'cii. (I.nt. /««<i. iliiHlty ; adult ^ is hlai-i*.) Vki.vkt .Scoter. Wiiitk-winukk
HinF 1)1 t'K. Hy.A
f'ouT. IJili, rtc, a*
almvc. Ailiilt <J : I'lii-
iiuiKi' iilai-li, palrr In •
liiw ; a wlilir s|H'i-uliiiii,
rnriiii-il liy iiiiist lit' till'
)«rn iiiilarit'H aiiil ti|m i>t
urratcr ciivrrtH ; a Hiiiall
wliitc h|iiit iiiiiliT ryi'.
Iri« ji'lliiw. Pert or-
aiii;i' III' rariiiiiii- - I'l'il,
witli liliii'li kvi'lis. Yiiiiiii.'
J rrM'liiliIrs 9 • 9 :
Itill ll'HM lllll);ill^, I'll-
tiri'ly (lark : cyrx ainl
fcrl IIH liflnrt', lr<«-
briulit. Siiiity-I)riiuii, |iaif ifrayinli lirlnw, liiit irlaiiiinu tin- wliiir s|iri'iiliiiii ; wliiti.-ii mi liiail
ti'iiiliiiK til fiiriii liiral ami auricular M|iiit.s, as in 7'l'.l. imt J-i?- Larurst : li'ii^tli l<.),(IO--.'-^.IM) ;
fxtciit aliiiiit :{f').<H); wiiiK 1 l.(HI-l:i.()() ; liill almii; uapr ;2..')<) nr iiinri'; tnrHiiit alHUit 2. INI;
iiiiililli' tiM' anil rlaw I!. .111. 9"<<?- '"^"i"! •" ilitl'-r fnnii Kuri>|H'aii In urratcr riicri>ai-liiiirnt
of trallicrs nil liill : luit the iLsi-rilinl fraliirr is imt tanuilili' (var. r< I irii nil). X. Am. at
larijc, rhii'lty cna.Htwi.s)' ; also on larK*' inlaii<l waters; aliumlaiit. WiiittTx in V. H., Iirccils
ill liiuli lati. Mill's.
730. «K. iicniiilcillii'tM. (I,at. })frn}tiaU»Ut ns|>iruiiiiH. H|HM>tn<'ular. V\\i. 4'.I7.) Si'KK UlTK.
Ska t'ltiiT. Ailiilt <J :
Mill, rlr., as aliiivi-,
hiiiuularly varii'traiii!
in rolor, mostly white ^-____^ — .^^ ,
or |>inkisli, anil or- __^ j 1
iiiii;e, with a ^'leat
iiiiiiiil or .siiiiarisli x'j j , . , , , 777, , , ■ m^ -"Z-^
lilarU .••|>ot on Mile ^
near haw; iris pale
yilliiw; feel "iraiiu:e,
Willi iliisky welis. I'lii-
map' flossy lilaek,
•liiller lii'liiw ; no white
oil win^s, liiit a tri-
niiKiilar w-liite imteli
on fiii'elieail, )iiiiiiiiiii;
fnrwaril, reaehiiiu to
Yia. 407.-1111! at ynunu J Surf Duck, iml ulii*. (Ail nul ilil. K r )
or lieyiind ii[i,M)site eye, ami another on nape, imintinn ilownwanl. Yniin^j $ resemli|en 9.
iM'fnri' the bill aei|nire*' ilistinrtive shajie ami rolor. 9 '■ "'" hlarkish, ..ot tiitniil, feathers of
eiilinen rentrieteil, m>t reaeliiiiK o|i|)osite iiostriU; feet ilark, tinueil with reiiilish, the wilis hlaek-
ish. j'liimap'MMity-liri'Wn, Im'Iow silvery-irray; siile of heail with iiiueli whi,,sli, ehielly in two
imtihes, toral ami aurieiilar ; no frontal or nuehal white. I.enuth ! 8.00-2 1.01 1 ; uxtuui lU.OO-
.I.V.I rni.i:— I'ri.mrus.E: ska dicks.
208
711
209
13
3fl.(H); witiB •l.iM)-l((.(Hl: tawiM 1.(17 ; miiMJ,. i,„. aii.l claw .I.*.' ; Itill i.i:,-i:,i) ,\\.,ng c,i|i€.
N. .\iii. lit hiiu'i'. riiniml ill Kiirc>|H' : chiilly rnattui^r. uImi nn laru'tT iutiTinr «.iiir->; 1". .•>. In
winter, alHiii.laiit, lir liiiK in liii;li laiiiucjcH. (N. It. In ii|i|H'r tit. Hi7 tin- lin.t nVtitraiiif
iniliiNili'K PXtrnt nf riatln'rinu iiiDJir tin- liiJI, tlii> iipxI tlir nmiiilil>iilar rami.)
140. (K. p. IrowlirlilKli ? (T.. \V. I". Tmwl.ri.iuf. Fij;. H>s.) Willi lln- Kill l.nivMr, .xmsl-
iiit; till' lirail, iinil ol' NJiulitly <iil'-
Irn-nt Hlia|HS fi>allifi-i< lailinu Klmrl
iif ■■■■'•iriJH; i;a|M- aliiiiit ;'.7.'i ; wliili'
t'i'iilitiil )>alrli .>liiall, ilx |iii!>ti'i'iiir
iHinlt-r anifriiir to a line iM'iwt'iii
t'yi'H, iiixii-ail iif rcai'liiiiK nr |iai»M-
iiit; lii'Viiiiil tliii*^ CiiaM of Cala.
SiMirrlv tcnalili'.
l-:itlH.M.Vn"l{.\. (In. i,,n,T^„.
irriniiiii, a itlay, |>i'<i|i, piiT, aii<l
...•(Hi. o,n.,, .ail. a. ih.. Millrnr.l *'"' '•« -Trn«..r|,|«... H,.rf |.«.k. ,«l,..-,l .K,..«, Kill.,. •
iiiiiiilMr iiiitrlit mtni til Im. ) |{| nKKit iH ikm. |{iinarkal>ly ilixtinu'ninlMil fr.nn ntli»t
I'tiliijiiUmr ix«'f|itiiu{ Siimiitiii.r l.y llir Klill'iniil, lim Hr-laiicii.latc tail-rrallHi^, lli-.'O in
imiiiiIhi, i>x|Nihi'il III till' liasc liy iimmui iif rxlrrtiii' >liiirlni'»i> nf ll vitIr, llirir «liaftK
I iilaii.'<'<l, fliaiini'lii'il unilii'iiiatli; a|i|H'araiii'<' uf tail xtrikiiiuly like tlial »( a rMnimrant. Hill
aliiiiit aH liitii; ai< licail. nrarrrly lii^'lii-r than limail ai Iuim-, wiilt-iml niul ili'|ir<>»Mtl ai )'iiil,
wliii'li \* aliiiii>t tiiriinl ii|i. Nail aN vli'«vi'il fruiii alHivt> viry Hiiiall. iiarMW, auil liiii.ir. cri'iitly
i'\|iaiiiliuK nil a ilrcnrvnl |iart Ih'IiI iiihIi'I' tlir rinl nt' tlic liill (iMii<|iii'). Iliail >iiiall. ami iiii-k
thick; yiiii can ilraw th" nIijii nl' the rmlily iluck uvt-r the hcail. vvhicli i« iiii|iracticalilf with
iniiNt iliickM. TarNiiH itlinit, tncit vrry Imit., llic miililli' with rlaw twice .\* l.mi; a.o tar^im.
< Ine (•|ie4'iert.
K. ru l>l<hi. (l.at. M('>ii/>f, rililily.) Hi uuv IMtk. (^. in iNrficI (iliiiiiaL'e : N<vk all arxiinil
aiiil the u|i|iei' pai'I.s aliil .■<iileN nf hmly rich lirnwiiihli-riil, nr hriuhl uli>M<y-chi-rliiiit. LmWit
|iartit hilky xilvery-white ' watereil' with ilni»ky, yieliliiii; uray iiiiilnhitinnM. Cliin aiiil riilen nf
lirail ileail-white; cmwii ami iia|ii' ulns'-y-lilai'k. \Viiii;-ciivertK, iinilN, ami tail. Iilaclti-.h-
lit'iiwn. Itill ami eiiues nf eyi'liiU urayish-lijiir ; iri» redili-.h-lirnwii ; feet hlni^h-uray. with
ihlNky WeliH. Nut nflell >eell ill tIliN failltlcHN ilrcHK ill the I'. S. .V't uelierally nliMTVeil, ailil
9. Iirn'.i'li ahiive, liiirly ilntleil ami wa\<<l willi ihi-ky; IhImw pahr aiul iliillrr. iiinre i;rayi*<li,
with ilarU iiiiilnlalinns, ami ntlen a iawii\ wanh, an alxn iH'ciirri nii the w' ite nf tin- lieiul; cmwii
aiiil iia|Mi ilark hrowii; cric^nni while; hill ihiHky. Leiik'th 1.*i.<ni-17.ini; extent io.iNi-^tt.lHI;
Willi; ."i.."i(Ml.(t(l: tail .'l.'iO; tardus I.J.'i; iiiiilille tiM' ami claw ■.'.■Hi; hill l.jii. .\ ciirimiK ami
iiitereKtiiii; iliii'k, ahiimlant in .\. .Viii. at Luce, winliriiit: in 1'. S.. Iin-eilini; fmiii N. iMinler nf
\\ S. iinrthwaril. It Ih an e\|iert iliver, ami Kwiiii» will iiiiiler water, w hen it.* nnhliT ctimeM
intii iiite, like a cnrninrant'ii; it i« lirM < keii ii|i when imi in ii!>e, no that thi-- i!iick iI<m-s nnt N|n|M-
<lnwn iM'hinil ari imiHt iln nn the water. Winn alarineil, it ><ninetinie« xiiik» <|iiieily hackwani
iiitn the water, like a urelie; hilt Niiine ntlier Hea iliick', ai the harli'<|iiin, w'll iln the Name.
The tail well iiliixtrateN a inetluHl in which early ilnwii- feat hern an- i>ii|i}ilantiil hy true •jiiilli).
I'p t«t till" time the tlapiient iiro S nr 10 inchex Imiir, the triii' tuil-feather iM'nm nl it» eml th«'
iiilii|ile Nieiii nf the ilnwii-fealher. teriniiiatiiit.' ill a hilHliy tuft nf I>«hm- harlm: the whnle affnir
then hreakH nff ami fall*, (.''ee Am. Nat., x\\, |h7h, y, \1.\, fij; )
NOMO.WX. (tir fiS^or, HOiNfM, law, nnh'r; W^, (»ii>r, nail: iinil nf hill nnlinnry. i ltl'l>
HKIt lll'CKN. Character nf h'.riamiilma, hut nail nf hill imt |H'cnliar. Inner wrniiilarii* «i
li'iii;lheneil iiM to fnhl nver the |iriiiiariefi in the clnoeil wini;.
N. (lonii'nU'M. (Of ,H|. DoininKo-) !*T. DuMlMut iMiK. tieiieral .'nhir ferrnciiinnn, or
cheHtniit-reil, iiiorii or lexit exteiinive anil contiiiiiniix on iimler |>artK aiul nniiiml neck, varietl
ll
716
s Ysi i:ma tk • s y\(U:sis. - y..i miillirosiuhs — asskues.
with liliick ••>> thi' liKck ; crnwii nf licinl liliick : a larKi' wliito an'ii mi tlic wing fonni-il liy iiuiiin
of till' niMTlH ami liaMM nl tlir NcciiiHlai'ii'H ; iixiilai'M iilmi wliilr. A 9 *'r youiiK ^ s|>i'i'iiMi n
liax till' liark lilarkiKJi, r>|Hilti'tl with yrlinwihli-liruwii ; tlic ^riiiral Irri'iiuitinUN nilur ihi|i|ilM|
with iliiHky ; ami two hliu'kii*ii i<lri|i<'H nii each xiilf of hcail. l.iiiKtli aliniit IK. Ill) ; » ini; .Vim ;
tail H.dii; t.ii>ii.s I. (Ml; fiihiirii 1.40. A »iiiall ami riii'iini!* ditrk of ('. ami S. Am. ami \V. I.,
at'i'iilriiliil ill till' r. S., a.'< on l^akc ('liaiii|ilaiii ami in \ViM'on>in (mi- I'rof. Iliint. Sih'. Nat.
Hint., \i, ;t;.i ; xlv, IjI ; Aunr. Nat., v, 441 ; ami llniril, \\. N. A., iH.'iS. tl^.'i).
00. Subfamily MERGING : Mergansers.
Mill narrow, niorr or Icmm ncai'ly rylinilrii'iil, the nail hookt'il ami ovcrhaii^'ini;. tin
lanirlhr iiiifhly ili'Vi'|o|ii'<| into in'oininrnt KrrralioiiN, thr miMil Iks^w Ii'Ii^iImiii'iI ami nan'owrij.
K.vi'r|>iinK ilif rhai'iK'tcr of tlit' hill, ihi' ' Niw-hiil ' or ' lisliinn-iliirks ' arr sunply i'liluinliii,, ,
lutnirwliat iiiotlilit'il in aiia|ilalion |o a niorr cxi-hlHivcly animal ri'^imi'ii : thr hinirlla' nl' iIh-
hill iH't'oMir (li'tainrrs of larur ohjcfti', not ^i^tl'^.sor hlraimi's of niiiiiili' lliilii:s. 'I'lir |>riiii'i|Ml
|Hiint ill tlirir rrononiy ix ahility to |iiirMir IIkIi iimlrr watir, liUr ('orniorant.M, I n>, ami
other hinlH of lower onlcrH. Thi' naturrofthiir fooil ri'iiilriN their tlehii rank ami iin|ialatahle ;
In hiiyiiii; a ' ilm-k,' iioiiee the hill, that it he not ryliiulrii-, hookeil, ami haw-toothiil ; the
lla|i of till' liimi to«> is iiM ill any Sea l>iiek; the \;\\>\ are iiinrh i'oiii|ireh.seil. The ^i/zanl
IN rather lexit itinsciilar than in iiioi-t ilneks ; the intestines ami their eieea are Klmrter : the
xyriiiKeal ea|).siile of the ^ ix very lai'L'e, irreunlar, |iartly nieiiihraiioiis ; the trarhea has
other ililatatioiiN (lii;. ■'(). Ilinls of this ^n'oii|i inhahil fresh ax well ax salt water, ainl are
ahlimlalll in imiiv iihials if not in s|ii eies. 'I'liere are ahoiit S sjierirs. rliieljx of the Noiljn m
lleiiiis|i|iere, hut several oeeiir in South Anieriea: we have .'t, roiiiuioiiiy aiiil |H'rlia|ix |iro|iirl\
relerri'il to 'i p'liera, Mrriius ami Luiiliniliilvs.
300. MI-Ut'lJI'M. I i.at. mrn/i/.v, a liiver ; mifijii, \ nierirein.) Miti(iANsi:nN. risiiiMi iMiKs.
Saw -nil. I. s. {till as ahove saiil. Nostrils nieilian or siih-hasal. Tarsi eoiii|iresseil, anteri
orly seiiteliatr, with xinaller |ihitex on xiiles ami heliiml, one-hulf to t\« o-thinlx iix loiiK ax niiililli'
toe ami riaw. IlimI toe Inhale. Tail roiimleil, usually one-half or more the leiif;th of the
|Hiiiiteil win|:x. lieail nsiially cresteil.
AnitliinU of Siiliiiiinrti iiinl Sin rim.
KIM mil slinrtiT lliiili lii'iiil, iiiiiiilly nil Srrriillniis nf lilll iiniU-, ri'riii\r.l, , liiw lllov 'I'lirKiiii iiIhuiI Iwii-
ItilntHiislniiit Its liiiilillc t»v. 'I'oil iil">iil Imll' iin Imiti iik h liit;s IiiaI I"» , IIIiiis), m < I|>IIiiI. If uiiy.
Ili'itil i,'ii'< r l>ri>«ii (Ml lti,l s I
Ncwirllx iii'io' nii<l'll>' >'*' l'll> l''ri>iitul featlium bvyuinl lliiw mi slilc nl' lilll. I'loi tuiirrfly il<>vclii|xil.
rf Willi I'O'iisI iiiii'iil"ifil min/iiii«.r 74;!
Niislrlls iK'io l>"M' cif lilll. Kriiiiliil fi'illliurM lint Ih')-i>iiiI |||imu> nil slilu nf lilll, Cri'iil U'llrr <l)'Vi'lii|ii',|
,f Willi I'liasI iiinl sliirs niliiiTil n inili'i- 'H
lilll nliiirtiT llinii lii'iiil. iiMwII) liliiik. Si-rrnllniiK iir lilll Inw, iilil|i|iii-. nni IkhiWi'iI Tiimiiii uIkmiI luiiriis
tuiiu :iH iiilililli- l<M' 'I'lill III""' """I liiiir I'" l"'i|! "" «'iil!- I'it'»l III cf I'lu'il.v 'li''"'!"!"''', •••'<■''', ''"i"-
|.riHM'il, iM'iiiirlniilar. ...rniml »» »<'ll ii» ■«■• i|illiil. |l.oi'iiiii>\ n x.)
Xnnlrlts near liiiwnr lilll I-'iiiiiImI fcalliurx |iri«luciMl iM'yniiil lliiiiMi nimlili-x nf lilll . . . ruiulltilUH T4.'i
743. M. iiiiTKaii'MT. (I,at. iiuriin- ami niisrr, iliver-t;<"'se. !•'!«. I'.l'l.) Mt:iiiiANsi:u. (omls-
AsiH'.li. Nostrils near niiihlle of hill. Trontal feathers exlemlini.' aeiiiely on eiiliiieii ahoiit
half way from those on xiih' of hill to nostrils; loral feathers xwee|iiim in nearly verlieal line
aerosx siih' of hase of ii| |>er liiamlihie. ahoiil o|.|iositi' those on siile of lower niamlihie. Ileail
xeareely in sleil. merely a lii f litlle leiiiilh. n. <1 feathers aloiiy .i.Tiiml ami iia|ie. h.lier
ih'veh.|H'.l, however, ill 9 than in ,(. A. hill ,( : Hill ami te.i \enMilioii-r,.,| in hneiliiitf
season, with hhuk hook: iris eariiiine. lleail ami iieeK s|ilemliil dark L-neii. I'mler parts
xjihiioii-eoloieil, the llaiilis ami lower hilly niaihliil or walereil with iliisky, r|i|ier parts
KlitxHvhIaek, failinir to axliy on riini|i and tail ; xiirfaee of winir inoxtly |iiire white, ••roxxeil hy
a hiaek har foriiieil hv haxex of greater eoverts. I'riniaries and outer seeoiidaries Idark. inter-
niediil
iln^l.N
ill J ;
le.'«x s
ri'slrii
l.i'iii;!
iiiliiii
the h 1
liiWi'f
rolllli
lilird ;
AXMiii.i-: Miiiiiiwh: Ml ii(,.i.\st:i{s.
T
iiiciliiitt' w'ciiiiiliiricM wliiii', iimiT h mlarit'H ami wi\|MiliirN liliii-k ami wliiic. 9 ' "i" '"' "I'l'
(lu^liv I'liliiH'ii, irix y<'lliiwi>li, fcrt clinii r oraiii;)' \( lili iliiKJiv wi'li!<, ri'i'!<i U'llir •ii'\< lnjii il tliaii
ill J ; Htill tliniMy, Imwi'Vfr lorn;, jjiail ainl inrk rrilili>li'liri>\vii : tlirnat \«liilr: hihIit |>arlH
IcKH Halniiiii-linlul. iliai'lt parlN nf J asliy-uiay ; !>i'ii|>iilarx williniil wlnlr; wliiti' uf \viiii{
rt'Mlrii'li'il to Ni'i'iimlarii'N ami KrcatiT I'livirt-, wliii'li arr lilark at Imim' ; Kinalli-r ■■uvrrlN anliy.
{.I'liUtli j;t.:i(l-:.'7.(H) ; t-Mciit :il.(H> iir ri': winu lu.iii) n.(Hi; tail 'i.INi: liill i.iNl al<iiiu
riilini'ii, H.OO aiiiiit; i;a|ir ; lai'-*ii.» \.7't : iiiiijdlr icir aiiii i-la\v i-l'i: 9 ■nm'li ^iiiallrr lliaii /. at
till' li'hKiT or licliiw llii' .«iiii;lc iliiiirii-iiiii- III ri- civni. N. Am. lunl ^aiil In ilillVr in nliulilir ami
lower cri'iit, anil i>vlilriit lilai-k liiir in wliiir nf winu, coiircali'il in Knri>|H'iiii. N. Am. at larui't
niintiiiin; V. S. in wintiT, ami liri'iiliiiL; riniii N. Stati'x nortliwanl. Not on t:r<>nml, ilovvn
limil; «'gK>t <•-.'*, t'lliiilical, Itnll-roloml, i'.7."i X i'.'HI.
t^l^S^
arfs
ril^Pi^^a9NIM***'
IM^
^*^,-;. r-. : ■
^^>,
'^nK^Hiiimi
11
Eg— 1 jl/-
^^^^ ■^^^HHBal
^Bmim^^^-
~ - ' ... ' e
"i
^■p^ '«.-.»'
'^
Km 4l»n — M.rijuiiiMT, J, I iml. nl/e fFmin nnOnii.)
lit. M. Hcrra'tor. (I,at. «(»ni^i»-. a wiwyrr. Ki«. .VIO.) |{K.i«-nui..\MKi> Mi-.liii.\N(*K.li. Nostriln
mm- l.aM' I.I' Mil. Fionial I'ratlnTH cxti'iiilinif olitiiHcly on riiliiirn. aii.l m.i lnyoiid ili.w a
Hi.lrs of ii|i|.i'r inamlililr; tlir loial swii|iiiiir foivvanl roiivix l.cyomi ili.w on fi-lr of lowir
niamlililr. A lonu, lliill, ])oiiilcil on-ipilal an.! liiirlial rii'^l in I'olli .-fxi's. .\ilnll t( :
llrail ami mrk all aronml .s|ilcmliil ilaik urrni. A whit.' riiiu loiiml m.k. I'mln- |miIs
wliitr, iiioro or li'ss sMliiioii-litiui'il. llir fori'-liiiiiNl liro\viii>li-ri-.l (.lirakiil willi ilii>liy, iIh-
.siilih linrly waved with dusky. A wliile l.laek-l>ordertil paleli of liio.id f.allier^ in front of
the Willi;. Fori'-liaek. iiiter.tea|inlars, and lon« iiim-r wa|iiilars. Iilaek ; iiiiddli' ami I'wer l>ark
uray, waved wiili wliiti.sli and dusky. Surfaee of winu; mostly while, in. Iiidiiiu ■'ui.r sea|>-
illars ; inner t* mhnies edu'ed ou oiiirr weh willi l.la.-k, and win« en.ssed l>y two Idaek liarn
at liases and jiist bejoml eildx of u'realer eoverts. Hill earmine-red, dusky aloiiL' the lo|i;
pyes earmine; feet liriuht red, 9= I'l" "'i'' •'' t duller eolored : head l■l■aylsh-ehe^tnut i
il
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
■tt iU 1 2.2
II S; Ufi 1 2X)
I.I S. ""^
11.25
H^l
1.6
6"
Hiotographic
Sdences
Corporation
^.^'
23 WEST MAIN STUIT
WIUTfR.N.Y. 14S80
( 71* ) 172-4503
'^
^4^
9
1
718
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — STEGANOPODES.
throat and under parts white, shaded with ashy-gray along the sides. Upper parts plumbeous-
gi'ay, the feathers with paler edges ; white of wiug restricted to a patch formed by the ends
of the greater coverts, and much of the outer secondaries; not divided by a black bar. No
peculiar feathers in front of wing. Length about 24.00 ; extent 34.00; wiug 8.50-9.50 ; tail
4.00; tarsus l.CO ; middle toe and claw 2.60; bill 2.20 on culmen, 2.60 on gape. Young
(J like 9 . Nestlings in down curiously patched. N. Am. at large, more numerous tlmn
the g(j08ander. U. S. abundantly in winter, and breeding in many ])laces as well as farther
north. Also European, etc. Nest on ground, down-lined; eggs 8-10, elliptical, buff, 2.50
X 1.65.
T45. M. (L.) cueuUa'tus. (Lat. cucullatus, wearing a hood). Hooded Merganskk. Bill
shorter than head. Nostrils in its basal half. Frontal feathers extending fur beyond those on
side of bill, these beyond
those on lower mandi-
ble. A niaguiiicent erect
crest, compressed, semi-
circular in outline, in
both sexes, but in 9
smaller, r.nd less stiiot.
/ 'l"lt S : Bill blacii ;
r- ;> \tlHnv ; foot liglit
brow I. \y\ 'lusivj slaws.
Head, i.ov , am! ujumm'
parts black, changrig to
- Bill of Ked-brcasted Merganser, nat. size. (Ad iiat. del. E. C.) bro.vn on lower 1 i •]• •
crest elegantly centred with snowy white ; lower fore-neck and under parts white, the ; ides
regularly and finely waved with brownish-red and black ; crissum waved with dusky. Lining
of wings and uxillars white. Enlarged white doubly black-barred feathers in front of wing.
A white speculum, with two black bars, the white being on outer webs of secondaries and ends
of these and greater coverts ; inner secondaries with white central stripe. Young $ like 9 .
9 : Bill dusky, with orange base Ijolow. Head and neck grayish -chestnut, darker brown im
crown, the throat and under parts whiti-sh ; back and sides dusky-brown, the latter not undu-
lated, the feathers generally with paler edges. No black and wliitc bars before wing ; white
of wing restricted or impure. Length 10.50-18.00 ; extent about 25.00 ; wing 7.00-8.00 ;
tail 4.00 ; tarsus 1.20 ; middle toe and claw 2.25 ; bill 1.50 along culmen, 2.00 along gapo.
N. Am. at large ; common ; breeds at large in U. S., as well as fartiier north; winters in
U. S. Europe, etc. TJiis beautiful species appears to usually if not always uost in trees, like
the wood duck and some others, the young being transported to the water in the beak of the
mother. Eggs 6-8, 1.75 Xl.35, elliptical, buflF-colored.
Fig. 000.-
XI. Order STEGANOPODES: Totipalmate Birds.
Feet totipalmate, with three full webs (as in fig. 52, for example) ; hind toe semi-lateral,
larger and lower down than in otiier water birds, connected vith the inner toe hij a conijiletc iveb
reaching from tip to tip. Nostrils minute, rudimentary, or entirely abortive. A gular poucii.
Bill not membranous nor lamellate ; tomia sometimes serrate ; usually, a long sulcus on upper
mandible re.iching alongside the culmen nearly to tip of bill, whidi is commonly hooked witii
a more or less distinct nail ; mouth much cleft.
This is a definite and perfectly natural group, which will be immediately recognized by
the foregoing characters, one of which, the complete webbing of the hallux, is not elsewhere
STEGANOPODES : TOTIPALMATE BIKDS.
719
observed among birds. It is represented by six genera, all North American, each the type of
a family.
The nature is altricial. The eggs are very few, frequently only one, usually if not always
plain-colored, and encrusted with a peculiar white chalky substance ; they are deposited in a
rude bulky nest on the ground, on rocky ledges, or on low trees and bushe& iii •lie vicinity of
water. The dietetic regimen is exclusively carnivorous, the food being chietiy fish, S(Muetinies
pursued under water, sometimes plunged after, sometimes scooped up. In accordaacc witli
this, Wi) find the alimentary canal to consist of a capacious distensible oesophagus not develop-
ing a special crop, a large proventriculus with numerous solvent glands, a small and very
moderately .uuscular gizzard, rather long and slender iutestinct,, with small ca'ca, if any, and
an ample globular cloaca. The tongue is extremely small, a mere knob-like rudiment (as in
the piscivorous kingfishers). The characteristic gular pouch varies greatly in development.
The ctmdition of the external nostrils is a curious and unexplained feature ; they appear to bo
open at first, and in some species, like the tropic-bird, they remain so ; but they are generally
completely obliterated in the adult state. There are probably no intrinsic syringeal muscles
in any birds of this order. But the most notable fact in connection with the respiratory system
is the extraordinary pneumaticity of the body, which reaches its height in the pelicans and
gaunets. The interior air receptacles are of an ordinary character, but the anterior of these
cells are more subdivided than usual ; from them, the air gets under the skin tlirough the
axillary cavities, and dift'uses over the entire pectoral and ventral regions, in two large parallel
inter-communicating cells on each side, over which the skin does not fit close to tlie body, but
hangs loosely. It is further remarkable that tlie skin itself does n<it form a wall of these
cavities, a very delicate membrane being stretched from the inwardly projecting bases of the
contour-feathers. Thus there is yet another, although a very shallow, interval between this
membrane and the skin, this also containing air, admitted from the larger spaces by immerous
minute orifices close to the roots of the feathers. This subcutaneous areolar tissue is that
wliich, in ordinary birds and mammals, holds the deposit of fat, no trace of which substance
is found in these birds.
The pterylosis adheres throughout to one marked type, there being little variation except
in the density of the plumage, which would seem to accord with temperature, the tropical
forms being the more sparsely feathered. Excepting PhaeOion, the gular sac is wludly or in
part bare. The contour feathers appear to always lack aftershafts. The remiges are from
26 to 40 in number, of which 10 are always long, strong, pointed primaries. Tliere are
usually 22-24 tail-feathers in the pelicans, but 12, 14 or 16 in the other genera. All have the
oil-gland large, with a circlet of featliers and more than one orifice ; sometimes, as in the
pelicans, it is protuberant, heart-shaped, as large as a pigeon egg, with two sets of si.v orifices ;
in the ganuets it is fiat and disc-like.
The palatal structure is extremely desmognathous ; there are no basiptcrygoids ; the
maxillo-palatines are large and spongy ; the mandibular angle is truncate ; other cranial
characters appear under two aspects, one peculiar to the pelicans, the other common to the
rest of the order. The sternum is short and broad, witii transverse, entire or emarginate,
posterior border ; the apex of the furculum commonly, if not always, anchyloses witii the
sternal keel. The upper arm bones are very long ; the tibia does not develop the very long
cnemial apophysis or so called 'rotular process' seen in many Pygopodes. (See fig. 502.)
The carotids are double ; tufted oil-i,land, cceca and ainbiens muscle are present.
The species of this order are few — apparently not over fifty, of which the Cormorants
represent half — very generally distributed over the world.
720
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — STEGA^Ol'ODES.
\
301.
746.
63. Family SULIDJE : Gannets.
Bill rather longer than head, cleft to beyond eyes, vei'y ftout at base, tapering and a
little decurved toward tip, which however is not hooked, the t(jniia irregularly serrale, oi'
rather lacerate. An evident nasal groove. Nostrils abortive. Gular sac little developed,
but naked. Wings rather long, pointed. Tail long, stiff, wedge-shaped, 12-14 feathered.
Feet stout and serviceable, more nearly beneath centre of etiuilibriuni than in some other
families of this order. General configuration somewhat that of a goose; body stout; wwk
rather long ; head large, uncrested ; plumage compact. Marine.
Two carotids. Oil-gland disc-like. Ca'ca very small. Gall-blr.dder large. Pneu-
niaticity extreme, even to intermuscular air-cells. Ambiens, femoro-caudal, and semitendi-
nosus present; accessories absent; former with a peculiarity of insertion. The relationships
of the family are decidedly with the Cormorants.
Gannets are large heavy sea-birds of various parts of the world. There are only live or
six well-established species, of which the two following, with the S. piscator of the Indian
Ocean, and the Australian S. ctjanops, are the principal ones. They are piscivorous, and feed
by plunging on their prey from on high, when they are completely submerg('d for a few
moments ; but they do not appear to dive from the surface of th<' water like Cormorants. Tiie
gait is firm ; the Hight vigorous and protracted, performed with alternate sailing and Happing.
Although so heavy, they swim lightly, owing to the remarkable pneumaticity of the body,
already noticed. They are highly gregarious; the common Gannet C(jngregates to breed in
almost incredible numbers on rocky coasts and islands, of high latitudes, while the ISooby
similarly assembles on the low shores of w-armer seas. Tlie nest is a rude bulky structm-e of
sticks and seaweed, placed on the rock oi' in low thick besiies ; the egg, generally single, is
plain in color and encrusted with calcareous matter. IJoth sexes apjiear to incubate ; they are
alike in color, the youi'g being different.
SU'LA. (Norse s»7f. a booby.) Gannets. Character of the family, as above. The wliitt^
Gannet, type of Siila, differs subgcnerically from the brown Boobies (Bi/sjMms) .
Analysis of Species.
Wliite, with black primaries, head washed with amber-yellow ; bill not yellow ; lores, sac, and feet black-
ish. Young spotted basmmi 74«
Brown, below from the neck white; bill and feet yellow. Young not spotted leitcoi/astra 747
S. bassa'na. (Of Bass Kock, Firth of Forth.) Common Gannet. White Gannet.
Solan Goose. Adult <J 9 : Bill pale grayisli, tinged with greenish or bluish; the nasal
groove, lores and gular sac blackish, as arc the feet ; iris white. Plumage white, the prim-
aries black, the head washed M-ith amber-yellow. Length 3 feet or more; extent 6 feet, more
or less: wing 17-21 inches; tail 9.00-10.00, pointed, 12-feathered ; bill along culmen 4, along
gape ; tarsus 2.00 ; middle toe and claw 4.00. Young : Bill brownish, the lores livid bluish ;
feet dusky ; iris green. Plumage dark brown, spotted with white, below from the neck grayish-
white, each feather darker-edged (character much as in a young night-heron) ; wing-quills
and tail-feathers blackish. Atlantic Coast, swarming in summer at certain northern breeding
places, as at "Gannet Rock" in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, S. to the Gulf of Mexico in winter.
Nest of seaweed ; egg single, 3.00 X 2.00, pale greenish-blue flaked over with white chalky
substance. Young hatch naked, blackish, pot-bellied : then are covered with thick yellowish
down.
74T. S. leucogas'tra. (Gr. XtvKos, leiicos, white; yaor^p, gaster, belly.) Brown Gannet.
Booby. Adult ^ 9 : Bill and bare spaces about head, and feet yellow, former paler or
flesh-color toward end. Tris white. Plumage tlark brown, below white from the neck.
Young: Bill dusky; feet dark; plumage grayish-brown, paler below. Length about 30.00;
m^mmmfmsm
PELECANIDJE : PELICANS.
721
extent 48.0IJ ; wing 16.00; tail S.OIJ, lu/iutoil, li-feutheml; tarsus 1.5U ; middk' Km? un.l daw
3.50; bill along ('ulnii'u 3.75, along gapo 5.U0. S. Atlantic ami Uulf State.s, voiy abui-dant,
.swarming at its breeding idaws along the low shores and keys ; nest of sticks and weeds, in
bushes ; egg single, cliaracter as before, 2.50 X 1-7J.
Flo. 501. — IJill of Nortli Amorlciiii WMte Pelican.
64. Family PELECANID^: Pelicans.
15111 several times as long
as the head, eomparativtdy
slender, but strong, straight,
broad, tiatteued, grooved
liirougliout, ending with
a distinct <'law-like hook.
.Mandibuhir rami joining
only at their ape.x; the long
broad interramal si)ace, and
tiie throat, occupied by an
enormous membranous sac.
Nostrils abortive. Wings
e.\treniely long, in the uj)-
per- and fore-arm portions, as well as the })inion, with very numerous remiges. Tail very
short, of 20 or more feathers. Feet short, very stout. Size large.
The rennirkable pneumaticity of the body (shared however by the ganuets) has been
already described. A jirincipal osteologica) character is, that " the inferior edge of the ossiiied
iuterorbital septum ri.ses rapidly forward, so as to leave a space at the base of the skull, which
is filled by a triangular crest formed by the union of the greatly developed ascending proci.'sses
of the palatines.'' The sternum is short ami broad, with shaUow emargination on each side
behind : the furcnlum is tirndy anchylosed with it. The ca'ca are an inch long. The tongue
is a mere rudiment. Hut the most obvious peculiarity of these birds is the immense skinny
bag hung to the bill, capable of hohling .several quarts when distended^ its structure is as fol-
lows : The covering is onlinary skin, but very thin; the linirg is skin modilied somewhat like
mucous membrane; between these '" is interposed an eipially thin layer, composed of two sets
of very slender muscular fibres, .sejiarat<'il from each other, and running in opposite directions.
The outer fibres run in fascicles from the lower and inner edge of the mandible, those from its
base passing ibiwnward, those .irising more anteriorly passing gradually more forward, and
reach the ndddle line of tin; pouch. The inner fibres have tlii^ same origin, and ))ass in a con-
trary ilirection, backwards and downwards. F'roni the hyoid bone to the junction of the two
crinvi of the inaudible, there extends a thin band of longitudinal muscular fibres, in the centre
of which is a cord of elastic tissue. By means of tliis apparatus, tiie sac is contracted, so as to
occupy but little space. When the bill is ojx'ned. the crura of the lower inandible .separate from
each other to a considerable extent [in tlieir continuity — not at the symidiysis], by the action
of muscles in.serted into their base, and the sac is ex])anded." This organ is used like a dip-net,
to catch fish with ; when it is filled, tlie bird closes and throws up the bill, contracts the j)oiicli,
letting the water run out of the corners of its mouth, and swallows the )>rey. Pelii'aiis fei'd in
two ways; most of them, like our white one, scoo]) up tish as they swim along on the water;
but the brown sjiecies plunges headlong into the water from on wing, like a gannet, and makes
a graij, often remaining submerged for a few seconds. Neither s|)ecies often catches large tish ;
they prefer small fry of which .several hundred may be rei|uired for a full meal. The prevalent
impressitm that the pouch .serves to convey live fish, swimming in water, to the little pelicans
in the nest, is untrue; the young are feil with partially macerated fish disgorged by the parents
4(5
302.
748.
722
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — STEGANOPODES.
T49.
from the crop. As Audubon remarks, it is doubtful whether a pelican could fly at all with its
burden so out of trim.
The gular poucli varies in size with the diiferent species, reaching Its greatest development
iu the brown pelican, where it extends half-way down the neck in front, is a foot deep wlien
distended, and will hold a gallon. Besides this singular adjunct, the bill of our white pelican
has another curious structure, not found in other species. The cubnen is surmounted near the
middle by a high thin upright comb or crest, the use of which is not known. It is found
during the breeding season alone, being shed and renewed in a manner analogous to the casting
of deer's horns. Its structure explains how this can be : " The crest-like excrescence on the
ridge of the upper mandible is not fonned of bone, nor otherwise connected with the osseous
surface, which is smooth and continuous beueath it, than by being placed U[)ou it, like any
other part of the skin ; and wlien softened by immersion in a liquid may be bent a little to
either side. It is composed internally of erect slender plates of a fibrous texture, externally of
liorny fibres, which are erect on the sides, and longitudinal on the broadened ridge ; these fibres
being continuous with the cutis and cuticle."
Pelicans are found in most temperate and tropical countries, both coastwise and inland ;
they are gregarious birds at all times, and gather in immense troops to breed. A large rude
nest is i)repared on the ground, or built of sticks in a low bush near tlie water; the eggs appear
to bo <me to three, plain dull whitish, with a thick roughened shell. The gait of these cum-
bersome birds is awkward and constrained; but their flight is easy, firm, and protracted, and
they swim lightly and gracefully, buoyed up by the interior air-sacs. The sexes are alike ; the
young different ; most species are white, with yellow or rosy hue at times, and a crest or length-
ened feathers, at the breeding season ; while nearly every one of them has a peculiar contour
of the feathering at the base of the bill, by which it may be known. There are only six un-
(luestiouable species, although some authors admit eight or nine. The four exotic ones are :
P. onocrotalus of Europe, Asia, and Africa (including tlie P. mhwr and javanicus of authors),
with tiie frontal feathers extending in a [)oint on the culmen ; P. cris2)its of the same countries,
the largest of the genus, and P. rufescens (with j>/ii7i'/j^)()i)<s) of various parts of the Old World,
in both of which the frontal outline is concave on the base of the culmen ; and finally, the
Australian P. conspicillatus, in which a strip of feathers cuts oft' the naked circumocular region
from the base of the bill. This is an entirely peculiar feature ; and our white pelican shows
another, having the sides of the under mandible feathered at base for a short distance.
PELKCA'NUS. (Gr. pelecanus, a pelican.) Pelican. Character as above.
P. trachyrkyn'chus. (Gr. Tpaxvs, trachtis, rotigh ; pvyxoi, hrur/chos, beak. Fig. 501.)
A.MER1CAN White Pelican. Adult <J ? : Plumage wiiite, witii black primaries, their coverts,
alula, and many of the secondaries, the shafts of the ijuills wliite. Lengthened feathers of occiput
and breast, and some of the lesser wing-coverts, pale straw-yeUow. Tail-feathers said to l)e
ii)sy at times; and a dark spot to appear on the occiput after the breeding season. Iris pearly
white, at tunes or in youug, brown or dusky. Bill and feet ordinarily yellow; much reddened
in tiie breeding season, when the general tone of the bill is reddish salmon color, the under
mandible brighter than the upper, wiiich has the ridge whitish ; pouch passing from livid
whitish anteriorly through yellow and orange to red at base ; bare skin about eye orange ; eye-
lids red ; feet intense orange-red. Length 5 feet ; extent S-9 feet ; wing 2 feet or more ; bill
a foot or more ; fore-arm about 15 inches : tail 6.00, 2-1-featliered ; tibia bare 1.00 ; tarsus 4.50 ;
middle toe about 5.00. This magnificent bird ranges i>ver temperate N. Am. at large, but
irregularly; rare, casual, or wanting in Middle and Eastern States and beyond; S.Atlantic
and Gulf States, common ; and generally in the West abundant in suitable places, inland as
well as coastwise, up to 61° N. at least. Breeds in colonies, sometimes of vast extent ; nest
tnerely a heap of earth ; egg single.
P. fus'cus. (Lat. fuscm, brown.) Ameiiican Bkown Pelican. Adult ^i Bill mottled
PHALACKOCOEACIDJE : COHMOliANTS.
723
with light and dark colors, much tinged in places with canninc ; eyes white ; bare space around
them blue ; eyelids red ; pouch blackish ; feet black. Plumage dark and much variegated.
Head mostly white, tinged with yellow on top, the white extending down the neck as a border-
ing (if the pouch and somewhat beyond ; rest of neck dark chestnut. Upper parts dusky, each
feather pale or whitish-centred, the paler gray color prevailing on the wing-coverts. Prima-
ries blackish, their shafts basally white ; secondaries dark, pale-edged ; tail-feathers gray.
Lower parts grayish-brown, striped with white on the sides ; the lower fore-neck varied with
ytiiow, chestnut, and blackish. 9 said to lack the chestnut coloring of the neck (?) Length
about 4.50 feet ; extent 6.50 feet; wing 2 feet; bill a foot or more, the gular pouch extending
about the same distance along the neck. Tail 7.00, 22-feathered ; tarsus 2.50; middle toe and
claw 4.30. The bill and soft parts very variable in color with age or other circumstance. Young
lack the special coloration of the neck, which is simply dark brown. At first, covered with
whitish down. The feathers of the neck of the adult are peculiarly soft and dtiwny ; there i^
a slight nuchal crest, with stiff bristly feathers on the forehead, and lengthened acute feathers
on the lower foreneck and breast. The brown pelican is exclusively maritime, iidiabiting both
coasts of America from tropical regions to Carolina and California. It plunges for its prey like
a gannet, not S(H)oping it up swimming like the white pelican. Breeds in colonies, indiffer-
ently on the ground or ou bushes and low trees. Eggs 2-3, white, chalky, elliptical, 15.00 X
2.00.
66. Family PHALACROCORACID-ffi : Cormorants.
Bill about as long as head, stout
or slender, more or less nearly terete,
always strongly hooked at the end ;
tomia generally found irregularly
jagged, but not truly serrate ; a long,
narrow, nasal groove, but nostrils
obliteiated in the adult state; gape
reaching below the eyes, wliich are set in naked skin.
Gular pouch small, but forming an evident naked space
under the bill and on the throat, variously encroached
upon by the feathers. Wings short for the order, stiff
and strong, the 2d primary usually longer than the 'M,
both these exceeding tjie 1st. Tail ratlier long, large,
more or less fan-shaped, of 12-14 very stiff, strong
feathers, denuded to the base by extreme shortness of
the coverts; thus almost "scansorial" iu structure,
recalling that of a woodpecker or creeper, and used in a
similar way, as a support in standing, or an aid in
scrambling over rocks and bushes. Tiie body is com-
])act and heavy, with a hnig sinuous neck ; the general
c(mfiguration, and especially the far backward set of tlic
legs, is much like that of pygopodous birds. While other Sleymoimdes can stand with the
body more or less nearly approaching a horizontal position, the connorants are forced into a
nearly upright posture, when the tail affords with the feet a tripod of support. They also, like
the birds just mentioned, dive and swim under water in pursuit of their prey, using their wings
for submarine jirogression, which is not the case with the other families, excepting l'h,ti(l<e.
In both these families the body is noi \n the least pneumatic under the skin —finite the reverse
of Pelicans and Gannets.
Among osteological characters, aside from the general figure of the skeleton, a long bony
Fio. 502. — Kiiee-juiiit of Plmlacrocornx
bicrUtatua, nat. size, from nature by Dr. K.
W. Shufeiat. F, femur ; P, patella ; T, tibia ;
Fb, fibula.
1 I
724
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS — STEGANOPODES.
style in the nape, in the position of the ligamentum nuchm of many animals, and articulated with
the occij)ut, is the most remarkable (fig. 505). It occurs in the Anhiuga also, but is there much
smaller. The desmognathous structuve is seen in its highest dovelopnient ; the palatincjs being
not only soldered, but sending down a keel along their lino of union; the iuterorbital septum is
»f*i;''l*ili"
m
if
.Jii^'S.--;- ,
;,.:;,i|i.M;.i>i;,-
very defective, with hori-
zontal inferior border (a
general character of the
order except in the Peli-
cans). The sternum and
shoulder - girdle, and the
knee, are shown in figs. 501,
502. In the knee-joint,
there is a bulky free j)atella,
coexi.stcnt with a short cne-
niial apophysis or rotular
process of the tibia, but per-
fectly distinct therefrom, as
in Podicips. The muscles
of the Icg.s are as in Siiliihc.
Tlie ]iteryl<isis agrees essen-
tially with the ordinal ptery-
lograi>hic characters, but the
plumage is peculiar in cer-
tain details. Excepting a
few s))eckled species, and
some others that arc largely white below,
the jilumage is glossy or lustrous black, often
higlily iridescent with green, pur)ile, and violet
tints, commonly unifonn on the head, neck, and
under parts, but on the back and wing-coverts,
where the feathers are sharji-edged and distinct,
the shade is more apt to be coppery or bronzy, each feather with well-defined darker border.
This concerns, however, only the adult plumage, which is the same in both sexes; the y<Hing
are plain brownish or blackish. The Cormorants have other special featbei'ings, generally of
a temporary character, assumed at the breeding season and lost soon after ; these are curious
Fio. 503. — The nest of the rnrniorant (P. bicris-
ta.tiis). (Designed by H. W. Elliot.)
PHALA CROCOBA CIDJE : CORMORANTS.
725
Itmg filamentous fciithers (considcrnl by Nitzsch filopluinaccous), on tho hoatl and neck, and
eveu, in some cases, on the upper and under parts too. Tiieso feathers are commonly white, a«
is also a large silky flank-patch acquired by several
species. Many Connorauts are also crested witli
ordinary long slender featliers; the crest is often
double, and wlieu so, the two crests may bo either
one on each side of the liead, or tliey may follow
each other on the middle line of the hind head
and nape. Our species illustrate all these various
featlieriugs. The naked parts about the liead
vary with the species and afford good characters,
3t.O.
Fio SOB -Skull of Phalacrocorax bicrhfatm, showing sfo. occipital style or nuclml bone; nat. Bize. (From
nature by DrB.W ShufeWt. The style is somewhat tilted upward from its natural position.)
726
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — STEGANOPODES
especially considering tlie sliapo of the pouch ; the skin is usuully brightly colored, and sonio-
times carunculate. The eyes, as a rule, are green — a color not common among birds. Thesf
birds are higiily psiloptedie as well as altricial ; the young are for some time blind, naked, and
perfectly helpless.
Twenty-live species of Cormorants may bo considered established. Their study is difficult,
owing to the great changes in plunmge, the high normal variability in size, and their dose
inter-relation, which is such that the single genus Graculus docs not apjiear cnjwblo of well-
founded division. Species are found all over the world, excepting the uttermost jiolar regions,
and are usually very abundant in individimls ; they are all very much alike in their habits.
Many are maritime, but others range over fresh waters as well. They are eminently grega-
rious, especially in the breeding season, when they congregate by thousands — the boreal
kinds generally on rock-begirt coasts and islands, those of M-ann countries in the dense fringes
of shrubbery. They often migrate in large serried ranks. The nest is rude and bulky ; the
eggs are commonly two or three, of elli]>tical form and pale greenish color, overlaid with a
white chalky substance. The Cormorants feed principally upon fish, and their voracity is
proverbial, though probably no greater than that of allied birds. Und<'r some circumstances
they show an intelligent docility; witness their semi-domestication by the Chinese, who train
them to fish for their masters, a close collar being slijiped around the neck to prevent them
from swallowing the booty.
303, PHALiACBO'CORAX. (Gr. </)aXa»rpoitdpof, jihahh'olcorax ; Lat. phnldcnicora.r, a cormo-
rant, sea-crow, corvus marinufi : (^uXaxpot, phalalros, biild, and Kopaf, kora.r, a raven.)
C0RMORANT.S. Character as above said. There appears to be but one genus in the family,
but several groups of species may be cited subgenerically. There are three such groups among
our species, res))ectively exemplified by P. carbo, P. dilojjhus, and P. violaceus.
Analysis of Species,
Tail of 14 feathers.
(iiilar R«o lienrt-slmped bcliind, borJereil with white carbn "SO
Tail of 12 feathers.
Gulnr sac convex or nearly stratght-edgeil behind.
No white border behind gular sac.
Lateral crests of curly feathers on sides of head.
Largest : length about 36.00. Developing wliitc fllaments on head In bree<ling season.
N. W. Coast ciiiciiinatus 752
Me<lium : length 30 00-33.00. Scarcely or not developing wliitc filaments on head in breed-
ing season. At largo ililojihus 751
Small : length 30.00 or less. Probably not developing white filaments. S. E. Coast
Jhiriilanun 753
Small: size of the last. Developing white filaments. S. W. Coast. . . . allmpiliatiis 7.53a
A border of white feathers behind the sac.
Very small; length about 24.00 mv.tinimis 754
Qular sac heart-sliaiwd l>ehind. (No lateral crests. )
Sac dark-blue, bordered by a fawn-colored gorget Feathers of back distinct, dark-edged
P'liirillntua 7i)5
Sac not bordered with a colored gorget. No distinct colored edges of feathers of back.
Shafts of tail-feathers said to be white Jierfpirillatuj 756
Shafts of tail-feathers not white.
Frontal feathers not reaching bill, which is entirely surrounded with red skin ; l)ii8e of
bill blue bicristalua 767
Frontal feathers reaching bill.
Larger: wing 10.00 or more violaceus 758
Smaller: wing under 10.00 bairdi 769
780t P. car'bo. (Lat. carbo, carbon : from the black color.) Common Cormorant. Skao.
Adult ^ 9 : Tail of 14 feathers (here only among our species). Gular sac heart-shaped
behind. Bill blackish, whitish along edges and at base below. Iris green. Skin about eyes
livid greenish, orange under the eye ; sac yellow, bordered behind by a gorget of white
feathers. General plumage glossy greenish-black ; feathers of back and wing-coverts distinct,
PHA LA CROCniiA CIDJE : CORMORA NTS.
727
10-
iid
751.
753.
753.
bronzy-gray, blank-p.lgeil ; quills ami tail jjrayiah-bluck ; ffct black. In summer, wln'ii
breeding, a wiiite Hiiuk-pateii, miiiii'rotis long tiiready white iduines scattereti on head and
neck, and a small black oeciiiital and nuchal crest. Length 30.00; e.\tent (iO.OO; wing
12.00-14.00; tail fi.00-7.00 ; tarsus over 2.00 ; hill 3.10 along ridge, 4.00 along the gape. In
winter no crests or white feathers on neck or Hanks, Young; liill grayish-brown, black on
top and at tip : bare skin and sac yellow. Top of head ami liind neck hrowuish-hlack ; back
and wing-coverts brownish-gray, the feathers with dark margins, some of them also edyed
filially with whitish. Throat brownish-white, and unihT parts generally whitish, Idacki.-li
along th(! sides, dusky under the wings and across lower belly. The naked young in the ui'st
arc unpleasant livid purplisli objects, witli protuberant bellies, and large feet ; the tirst ilown is
blackish. Eggs 3, sometimes 4, bluish-green coated with white chalky substance, ;J.(')0 X 1.75 ;
nests of sticks, moss, and seaweeds, very tilthy and offensive. Atlantic Coast of Kiirope and
North America ; breeds in great numbers on the rocky shores of Labrador and Newfoundland ;
S. to the Middle States in winter.
P. dilo'phus. (Gr. 8/j, dis, twice ; \6(f)ot, lophos, crest. Fig. 50fi.) Doijdi-e-cukstf.k
Cormorant. Tail of 12 feathers. Gular sac convex behind. No coloreil gorget. Glossy
Fio. 606. — Double-crested Cormorant, nat. Bize. (Ad nst. del. E. C.)
greenish-black ; feathers of the back and wings coppery-gray, black-shafted, black-edged.
Adult with curly black lateral crests in the breeding season, but few if any other filamentous
white ones, over the eyes and along the siiles of the neck; white flank-patch not olxserved in
any specimens examined, probably not occurring ; iris green ; gular sa(^ and lores orange.
Winter spec, with bill bright yellow, blackening along culnieu, gular s.ic red anteriorly, ochrey-
yellow posteriorly ; legs dull black. Length 30.00-33.00 inches; extent 50.00; wing 12.00-
13.00; tail 6.00-7.00; bill .ilong gape 3.50; tarsus a little over 2.00. Young: Plain dark
brown, paler or grayish (even white on the breast) below, without head-plumes. \. Am., at
large, the commonest species, the only one diffused over the interior; eggs 3-4, 2.50 X 1.55.
P. d. cincinna'tus. (Lat. cincinnatm, having curly hair.) White-tufted Cormorant.
General character of the preceding, of which it apjiears to be a large northern variety. While
lateral crests, of a superciliary bundle of long curly filamentous feathers. Larger : size of
P. carho. Alaska.
P. d. florida'nus. Florida Cormorant. Similar to, smaller than P. dilophits. Length
30.00 or less; extent 45.00; wing 12.00 or less; tail G. 00 or less ; tarsus a little under 2.00;
but bill as large if not larger; gape nearly 4.00. The plumage is exactly the same. There i
are said to be certain differences in the life-ctdors of the bills (blue instead of yellow on under
mandible and edges of upper — Audubon), but none show in my specimens. This is simply
a localized southern race of dilophus, smaller in general dimensions, with relatively larger bill,
728
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — STEGANOI'ODES.
as usual in such cases ; tlio w\c sroms to bo more oxtcnsivoly dcnu<l<'il. Rpsidcnt on tlic
Kloridan and Gulf couHt, liiccdinji; by tlKiiiMiuidM on the inanyrovu biiylics; in suniinor, ranging
np the Missianippi valjpy to Oliio, ami along the coast to North Carolina.
753a. P. d. albocilla'tus. (Kidgw. MS.) .Small : liUe Jloridanus, but with white nuptial crests us
in chwhtHatus. I'aciiic coast, breed from tlie Farallono Islands to Cape St. Lucas.
754 P. mexlca'nus. Mexican Coumokaxt. Uesembling the last; lustre more intense, ratlicr
violet-purplish than green ; long filamentous wiiitc feathers on head and neck (but no definite
black lateral crests ?) ; sac orange, white-edged witii feathers. Small : leugtii about 2i.()() ;
extent 40.00; wing about 10.00: tail O.OO-O.aO, thus relatively long; tarsus under 2.00;
gape of bill under 3.00. The .sac is not strongly ctmvex in outline beliind, the feathers
))assing across in a straight or even convex line. Central America and West Indies; Texas;
U|i the .Mississippi to Illinois and Kansas.
755. P. peniclUa'tus. (Lat. 2ienicillatus, pencilled, brushy.) Ti.kteu Cok.mouant. Urandt's
CoKMouANT. Deep lustrous green, changing to vi(det or steel-blue on the neck; the I>aek
jiroiier like the under parts, but the scajiulars and wing-coverts showing narrow dark edgings
of the individual feathers (much less cons|)icuous than in any of the foregoing s]tecies; notiiing
of the sort is seen in any of the following ones). Sac dark blue, surrounded by a gorget of
fawn-col(!red or mouse-brown phunage ; iienrt-shajied behind, owing to a narrow jjointed forward
extension of the feathers on the middle Hue, as iii /'. carlo, but largely naked, the feathers ex-
tending on it little if any in advance of those on the lower mandible. White filamentous ])luiues,
2 inches or more long, straight and stiffish, spring in a series down each side of the neck ;
a few others are irregularly scattered over the back of the neck ; many others, still longer,
grow on the upper part of the back. No black crests, nor white flank-jiatch, ob.served.
Wing nearly 12.00 ; tail scarcely or not 0.00, thus relatively very short ; bill along culmeu
2.75; tarsus 2.50. Does not particularly resemble any other si)ecies here described. Yoimg:
Blackish-brown, rustier below, the belly grayish ; scapulars and M'ing-coverts with edges
of the feathers paler than the centres; gorget fawh-colored, as in the adult {P. totctisendii !
Aud.). Pacific Coast, T'. .S., connnon.
750. P. perspicilla'tiis. (Lat. j^fxpicillatiis, conspicuous, spectacular.) I'ai las' Cokmouant.
Deep lustrous green, above and below, with blue gloss on the neck, aud lich purplLsh on the
sc!ii)ulars and wing-coverts, the dorsal feathers not shar])-edged nor bordered, as in all the
foregoing. Shafts of tail-feathers (said to be) white; if this holds, it is a uni<|ue character
among our species. Adult with coronal and oceiiutal crests (not lateral paired crests) ; a
white fiauk-patch in the breediug season ; face and neck with long sparse straw-yellow
plumes; sac orange, heart-shaped ; bill blackish. Large: length 150.00; wing 13.00; tail 7.00?
9.00 f tarsus 3.00; bill (along gape f ) l.OO, very stout, two-thirds of an inch deep at base.
N. Pacific Coast. I have not seen this species, which seems to be well marked. Tjiere arc
no known specimens in this country, and none of the ornithcdogists who have lately visited
Alaskan shores have found the bird.
757. P. blcrista'tus. (Lat. hicristnius, twice-crested. Figs. 502, 503, 504, 505.) Red-faced
CoHMORAXT. Frontal feathers not reaching base of the culmen, the bill being entirely sur-
rounded by naked red skin which also encircles tlie eyes, somewhat carunculate, forming a kind
of wattle on each side of the chin ; ba.se of under mandible hJite ; feet black, blotched with
yeUow. Crown with a median bronzy black crest, and nape with a:iother, in the same line.
In the specimens examined, a large white flank-patch, but few if any white plumes on neck.
Plumage richly iridescent, mostly green, but violet aud steel-blue on the neck, purplish, violet,
and bronzy on the back and wings, the feathers there without definite dark edging.s. Length
33.00; extent 48.00; wing 12.00; tarsus 2.97 ; gajie of bill 3.00. Alaska, both on the coast
and islands ; swarming on the Seal Islands of Behring's Sea, where resident. Nests on the
rocky cliffs; habits in all respects those of other species. Eggs as usual 3-4, 2.50 X 1.50.
T.'iH.
7.'»0.
rHALA CHOCORA CIDJE : Cnii.:r()I{ANTS.
720
^:,H. P. viola'ceus. (Lat. riolairiis, vicilct.) VioLKT-dUKKN ('(iumdkaxt. FmiitMl IV.ithcrs
iciicliiiif,' culiiH'ii ; Kiiliir sue iiinpiispiciiouH, very cxtcnsivi'ly fi'iitlinvd, the fciitlicr..* rnicliiiiK on
flic NJdcs of the under inauilildc tn Ixdinv the eyes, and niiiiiiiii,' in a iHiiiil on tlif siic far in
advance of tlii.x. Small: IciikiIi -il.dO-JS (H); cxti'iit alxnit 4l).iM(; winn Kl.dd-il .(Ml; tail
('..()() or less; tarsus 2.(10 or less; Mil alont; niij'i' H.OO or lc»«, very Hlrndcr, and .■^inootli on
tliu sides, its depth at base about ().;i;i. Deep lustrous j{reen, iniludiiiir tlie back, the I'eaihcrs
of whicli are not margined; tlie scapulars, vviny-coverts, and sides of the body irnh'scent wiiii
pur]disli or coppery, the neck with ricli vioh't and blue; gular sac orange; feet black. Two
median lent;thwise crests as in the last two species. Among the xpeci-eens before me. one
has no white flank-patch, but a few white scattered plumes on the neck; antither, marked 9,
has n(Uie of these, but a large snowy tuft on the thinks. I'acitic Coast of \. Am., verv abun-
dant ill suitable places ahuig thi' Alaskan coast ; breeiling on <'litl's. (!'. i (■sy/ZoK/c/is, ,\ni|.)
730. P. V. Imlr'rtl. (To S. F. Haird.) IJaiiid'.s Coumouant. Like the h,st; very small, tiie
wing being under 10.00. tlu; tarsus 1.07, the gape iXiJ ; the bill extremely slender. II; s
both the Hank-tufts and the neck-plumes; the .sac in life said to be dusky stndd< d with red.
Possibly represents a small southern race, bearing somewhat tiie relatinu to rinlnirii^i tliat
Jloridaniis does to (lifapliits. Farallone Islands, Cala.
56. Family PLOTIDiE : Darters.
Hill about twice as liuig as the head, straiglit, sleiuh'r, very acute, parngnathous, the
tomia with fine serratures. Gular sa<' moderate, naked. Nostrils minute, entirely ipbliterated
in the adult. Wings moderate, the 'M iinill longest. 'I'ail rather long, still', broad ami fan-
shaped, of 12 feathers widening towards the end, the outer web of the middle i)air curiously
crimped (in our sjiecies).
There is an occipital style, as in cormorants, but it is very small. There are remarkable
peculiarities of the cervical vertel)ra', in tlu'ir conforinati(ni and articulation, the jiassage of
tendons through bony eyelets, etc., — a nu'chanism |)roduciug the strong kink observable
near the middle of the neck, and the ability of tiu' bird to thrust forward and retract the head.
'I'hero are 20 cervical vertebne in /'. mihhifia. The digestive system shows a remarkable
feature; instead of the lower jjart of the (esophagus being occupied by the proventricular
ilhinds, these are placed in a small distinct sac (u> the right side of the giz/ard, which, as
in other Stcf/fniopodes, dev(dops a special pyloric cavity, the orifice of which " is ju'otectei!
by a nuit of lengthy hair-like processes, much like cocoa-nut fibre, whi(^h nearly half fills
the sectuid stcunach." There is a single small cu'cuni, as in herons. The tongue is very
rudimentary. The carotid is single in 1'. auhbigu. Sternum as in ("onnorants.
The darters are birds of singular ai)pearance. somewhat like a cornuirant, but much more
slightly built, and with e.weedingly long slender neck and small constricted head that seems
to taper directly into the bill, the head, neck, and bill resembling those of a heron. As in the
Connorants, there are long slender feathers on the neck ; the sexes are ctiuuuoiily distinguish-
able, but the 9 is said sometimes to resemble the $. Other changes of plumage appear
to be coiisiderable, but not well made out. The feet are short, and placed rather far I>ack,
but the birds perch with ease. I'nlike most of the order, they are not maritime, sliunning
the seacoast, dwelling in the most impenetrable swamps of warm countries. They fly swiftly,
and dive with amazing ease and celerity. They are timid and vigilant birds ; when alarmed
they drop from their perch into the water below, noiselessly and with scarcely a riitjile of
the surface, .ind swim beneath tlu' surface to a safe distance before reappearing. When
surprised on the water, they liave the ciiriiais habit of sinking quietly backward, like grebes;
iind they often swim with the body submerged, only the head and neck in sight, lo(diing like
some strange kind of water serpent. They feed on fish, which they ilo not dive down upon.
730
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — STEGANOPOBES.
but dive for and pursue under water like comiorants and loons. The eggs are three or four,
pale bluish, with white chalky incrustation. There are only three or four species : the
African P. kvaillanii ; the P. melatiogaster of Southern Asia, with the Australian P. tioim-
hollandia;, if distinct from the last; with the following:
304. PLO'TUS. (Gr. ffXiUToi, jjlotos, swimming well.) Darters. Character as above.
760. P. anliin'ga. (Portuguese anhitia, Lat. auguina, snaky.) Darter. Anhixoa. Sxakk-
BIRU. Water-tl'RKEV. <J : Glossy greenish -black " a broad silver gray wing-baud foruicil
by most of the coverts ; lower neck behind spotted, and scapulars and tortiaries striped
with silvery-gray ; tail pale-tipi)ed ; lilamentous feathers of neck purplish-ash. 9 : with
parts of the head, neck, and back brown, the juguliun and breast fawn-color sharply
margined with rich brown. Bill yellow, dusky-greenish on the ridge and tip ; sac oraug<' ;
eye-space livid ; eye carmine ; feet <lusky and yellow. Length about 30.00 ; extent nearly
4.00 feet ; wing 13.00-14.00 ; tail 10.00-11.00 ; bill 3.25 along culmen ; tarsus 1.33. S. Atlantic
and Gulf States, common; in sumuier to \orth Candina, and up tlie Mississippi to Illhiois and
Kansas ; New Mexico. Nest bulky, placed on trees and bushes over the water, of sticks,
leaves, lOots, moss, etc. ; eggs 3-4, like (-ormorant eggs in color and texture, but narrow and
elongate, 2.60 X 1-25, Young with butf-colored or white woolly down. Fed in the nest
by regurgitation, like cormorants.
67. Family TACHYPETID^ : Frigates,
Bill longer than the head,
epignathous, stout, straight,
wider than high at the base,
thence gradually compressed
to the strongly hooked extrem-
ity, where the under as well as
upper mandible is decurved.
Nostrils very small, linear,
almost entirely closed, in a
long narrow groove. Gular
.sac small, but capable of con-
siderable distension. Wings
exceedingly long and pointed,
of about 34 remiges, of which
the 10 pi'imaries arc very pow-
erful, with stout <iuadningular
shafts; upper and middle jior-
tion of the wings greatly
lengthened. Tail very long,
deeply forked, of 12 strong
feathers. Feet exceedingly
small, the tarsus, in particu-
lar, extraordinarily short, featli-
ered ; webbing restricted, tiiat
between inner and next toe
very slight; middle claw pec-
tinate. Bulk of body slight
compared with the great length
of the wings and tail. Here
only iu this order is found the
305.
161,
FlO. 607, — Frigate, with Tropic Bird in the distance. (From Miclielet.)
PHALA CROCOliA CIDJE : CORMORANTS.
731
)nr,
tlio
rn-
ire;
i.-ly
itic
OS iincinatum, a ppculiar skull-hone occurring in nearly all the petrels, the turucoua (Musopha-
gulai), and many cuckoos; and iiere only the stomach (leveh)p» no pyloric cavity. CVeca 'i,
but very small. Sternum very broad for its lengtii, die furculuni firmly anchylosed, the jioste-
ri()r border entire. The femoro-eaudul and ambieus are present ; the accessory t'cmoro-caudal,
scmitendinosus, and its accessory are absent.
The frigates are maritime and pelagic birds of most warm parts of tlie globe. Their
general contour is unique among water-birds, in the immense lengtii and sweep of the wings,
length of the forked tail and extreme smallness of the feet. In (■oniniand of wing they are
imsurpassed, and but few birds apj)roach them in this respect. They are more nearly
independent of land than any other birds excepting albatrosses and petrels, being often seen
hundreds of miles at sea, and delight to soar at an astonishing elevation. They cannot
dive, and scarcely swim or wallv ; food is procured by dashing down on \viiig with unerring
aim, and by harassing gulls, terns, and other less active or weaker birds until they are forced
to disgorge or drop their prey. Their habit is gregarious, especially during the breeding
season, when thousands congregate to ncfst in low
thick bushes by the water's edge. Tlie nest is a
shallow Hat structure of sticks; the eggs, two or
three in number, arc greenish-white with a thick
smooth shell. " The young are covered with yel-
lowish-white down, and look at first as if they iiad
no feet. 'J'hey art; fed by regurgitation, but grow
tardily, and do not leave the nest until they are able
to follow their parents on wing." The following is
the principal if not the only species.
305. TACHY'PETES. (Gr. Taxvirirr,,, t(ichilj)eteit, fly-
ing rapidly.) FRKfATES. Character as above.
761. T. a'quilus. (Lat. nquilus, dark, swarthy. Figs.
507, 508.) Frioate. Man-of-war Bird. ^ FiG.508.-Gu)ariM)uduif Frigate,
brownish-black, glossed with green or purplish, duller on the belly, wings showint; ln'own
and gray; 9 '^^'ith white on neck and breast. Length about .'5.50 feet: extent 7.00-8.01);
wing 2.00; tail 1.50; bill 5 or (i inches; tarsi 1 inch or less! S. Atlantic and Gulf Coa.st.
Eggs 2-3, 2.'J0 X 2.00.
68. Family PHAETHONTID^ : Tropic Birds.
Bill about as long ah the head, stout, straight, compressed, ta)ieriug, acute, paragn.ithous.
Gular sac rudimentary, almost completely feathered. Xostrils small, linear, but remaining
patulous. Tail with the two middle feathers in the adult filamentous and extraordinarily
prolonged, the rest short and broad. Among anatomical characters it is to be noted that the
muscles of the leg arc as in Larklce, as might be expected from the outward resemblance of
these birds to terns; they having the accessory semitendinosus, lacking in <)ther families of
the order.
The tropic bird resembles a large stout tern in general figure ; the bill, especially, being
almost exactly like that of a tern. The principal external jieculiarity is the developnient
of the middle tail-f<'atliers ; the feathering of the gular sac and the jjermanent i)atulance of
the nostrils are other features. They are graceful birds on the wing, capable of jirotracted
flight, venturing far from land. They arc gregarious at all times, and nest in commimities
along coasts and on islands, in rocky places or among low trees and bushes. As implied in
their name, they are birds of the torrid zone, though in their extensive wanderings they visit
Southern seas, and have even been reported from beyond latitude 49° X. There are but three
well-determined species : P. flavirostris, P. athereus, and P. ruhricaudu.
732
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIPENNES.
806. PHAETHON. (Gr. *ai^a)»', P;jae7?j(m,sonof thesun.) Tropic Birds. Clianiptcr .-is above.
762. P. tethe'reus. (Lat. (Cthereus, pertaining to tho upper air.) Red-billed Tropic Bird.
liill red ; tarsi and part of toes light colored ; rest of toes black. Plumage pure wliite, on
nearly all the upper parts finely barred with black ; black markings on sides under wings ; a
transocular fascia, outer webs and part of inner webs of most of the primaries, most fif several
inner secondaries, and most of the shafts of the tail-feathers, black, the shafts of the long middle
pair, however, white in most of their extent. Length about 36.00 inches, including the long
tail-feathers; without these, about 18.00; wing 12.00 ; long middle tail-feathers up to 18,00;
tarsus 1.00 ; middle toe and claw 1.75 ; bill 2.50 along culmen, nearly 1.00 deep at base. Trop-
ical and subtropical America, accjidontal in N. Am. : sail to have straggled to Newfoundland
in one instance {Frckc, Pr. Roy. Soc. Dublin, 187!))
763. P. flavlros'trls. (Lat. flavirostris, yeih)w-billed.) Yellow-billed Tropic Bird. Bill
and tarsi yellow ; toes black. Plumage white, ting(ul with salmon or rosy on the under parts
and hing tail-feathers; lacking the barring with black of the last species, but with detinilo
black areas — a transocular fascia, an oblique band on lesser wing-coverts and thence on scap-
ulars and inner secondaries, shaft-stripes on outer five or six ])rimaries, stripes on tho flanks,
and most of the shafts of the tail-feathers, including the middle pair. Smaller than the last;
develiipment of middle tail-feathers about the same; wing 11.00; bill notably smaller, only
about 2.00 along culmen and 0.75 deep at base. Tiiis is the species figured by Audubon (8vo,
pi. 427) under the wrong name of P. <cthereus, which belongs to the foregoing. Tropical and
subtropical America, rare or casual in the U. S., as on the Gulf coast. Has strayed to Western
New York in one instance {Cones, Bull. Nutt. Club, v, 1880, p. fi.S).
ZII. Order LONGIPENNES : Long- winged Swimmers.
Long-whiged Natatores icith open nostrils and small free or no hind toe. — Wings long,
pointed, reaching when closed beyond the base, in many cases beyond the end, of the tail, which
is usually lengthened and of less than 20 rectrices (oftenest 12). Legs more or less perfectly
beneath centre of equilibrium when the body is in the horizontal j)ositi(in ; the crura more nearly
free from tho body than in other Xatutores, if not completely external. Anterior toes j)almate ;
hallux never united with the inner toe, highly elevated, directly posterior, very small, rudi-
mentary, or absent; tibia; naked below. Bill of variable form, but never extensively membra-
nous nor lamellate, the covering horny throughout, sometimes discontinuous. Nostrils variable,
but never abortive. No gular pouch. Altricial.
This order, which may bo recognized among web-footed birds by the foregoing external
characters, is less substantially put together than either of tiie two preceding, — not that its
conqKinents are not sufficiently related to each other, but because the essential points of structure
are shared to a considerable extent by other groups. Thus the osteological resemblances nf
longipenninc birds with loons, auks, and plover, are quite dose, while tho digestive system
agrees in general characters with that of other fish-eating birds. In some of the lower mem-
bers nf the order, the tibia develops an apojdiysis, as in the loons; while even in external
characters, one genus at least (Halodroma) resembles the AlcidcE. It is not certain that tlie
order must not be broken np, or rather enlarged and differently defined, to include some t)f tlie
genera now ranged under Pggojiodes.
The palate has the schizoginithous structure; "the maxillo-palatines are usinilly lamellar
and concavo-convex, but in the Procellariidw they become tumid and spongy" {Hii.rh;/) ;
basypterygoid processes may be wanting, but they are certainly present in many cases. 'I'lie
nasal bones are schizorhinal in Laridte, holorhinal in Procellariidfn. There is ajiparently one
pair of syringeal muscles throughout the order. The oesophagus is capacious and distensible ;
there is no special crop ; the proventiculus is a bulging of the gullet : the gizzard is small and
LARWJE: GULLS, TERNS, ETC.
733
vo.
HO.
(Ill
; a
'lal
(iiig
0:
irts
little muscular; tho coeca are vuriablo; the cloaca is large. Certain genera oflVr peculiarities
of this general type of alimentary canal. A.ror.ling to Xitzsch, tho pt.-rylosis ..f the g.iU.s
"approaches very closely that of the Sculopucidcc, and can hardly be distinguished therefrom
with certaiuty by any character." In the terns, " in conscpience of the slender and .l.-aut
form of the body, tho tracts are very narrow, and perfectly scidopacine." Tlie jiigers ifitter
"in having tho outer branch of the inferior tract united with the main stem in the first part of
its course, and all the tracts still broader and stronger tiian in " tlie gulls ; while in the petrels,
"the tract formation of the jiigers is eh'vated into the type of a group, undergoing scarcely
any change in the form of the inferior tract, but showing some little modifieati.pu of the dorsal
tract."
As here constituted, the order embraces two superfamilies or suborders, to be known by
th(! character of the nostrils ; both are well represuutud in this country, where occur all the
leading genera excepting Halodroma.
lU. Suborder GAVI.^E : Slit-noseu Lonu wings.
The character of this group is the same as that of its single
69. Family LARID-^. Gulls, Terns, etc.
Nostrils not tubular (linear, liuear-obloug, oval or droi>-shaj)ed), sub-basal or median,
lateral, pervious. The hallux, though very small and elevated, with its tip hardly toudiiiig
tho ground, is, except in Bissa, better developed than in the petrels. Tiie hai)itat is Huviatile,
lacu.strine and maritune, rather than pelagic. The family contains four leading genera, each
of which may bo assumed as the basis of a subfamily ; all four occur in North America. Fuller
characters are: Hill of moderate h)ngth, entire, or furnished with a cere, the upper mandible
longer than, as long as, or shorter than the under; the culnien convex; the commissure very
larg(>, tlie cutting edges without lamella-, the syuijjhysis of the inferior mandibular rami com-
plete for ii considerable distance, an eminence being formed at their junction. No gular sac.
Feathers usually extending farther (m the sides of tho upper mandible tiian on the culnien, and
farther between the rami than on the sides of the under mandible. Nostrils linear or tival ;
direct, pervious, lateral, openuig on tho basal half of the bill. Eyes of moderate size, ]daced
about over tho angle of the mouth. Wings long, broad, strong, pointed, with little (pr no con-
cavity. Primaries very long, more or less acute, the first longest, the rest ra]>idly graduatrd.
Secondaries numerous, .sliort, broad, with rounded or excised tips. Tortials of mo(h'i'ate length,
straight, rather stiti'. Legs placed well forward on the abdomen, more or less perfectly ambu-
latorial. Thighs entirely covered and ccuicealed. Tibia' jirojecting ; feathered alxive ; a cim-
siderablo portion below naked, covered with more or less dense, sometimes reticulated, skin.
Tarsi of moderate length or rather short ; compressed ; rather slender ; anteriorly transversely
scutellate, posteriorly and laterally reticulate. Anterior toes of moderate length, tli<' middle
usually about equal to the tarsus; the outer shorter than the middle, iiiternrediate between it
and the inner; scutellate superiorly; all of nornuil number of segments (U, 4, 5). Hallux
present ; very small, short, elevated above the plane of the other toes ; entirely five and clis-
connected ; of the normal number of .segments (i) — excejit in liissa. Webs broad and full,
extending to the claws ; their surfaces finely reticulated, their edges usually more or less incised,
sometimes rounded. Claws fully deveUiped. compressed, curved, more or h'ss acute, tlie edge
of the middle dilated, but not serrated. Tail very variable. Body generally rather full, and
sometimes slender. Neck rather long. Head of moderate size. IMiiniam' soft. dose, thick ;
its colors simple — white, bhick, brown, or pearl-blue predominating ; bright tints hardly found,
except on the bill or feet, or as a temporary condition ; the sexes alike in c<dor. but the plmnage
varying greatly witli age and season. Eggs generally three, light-colored, with numerous
734
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIPENNES — GA VI^.
heavy dark blotches. Nidification normally terrestrial; reproduction altricial; young ptilo-
psedic.
Analyaia nf Suf)familie».
Bill epignatbbuB, cered. (Jugorii) Lgstbidin^
Bill epigiiutliouv, not cereil. (Gullx) Laui>'£
Bill puraguathoua. (Terns) Steknix^:
Bill liyi)oguatbous. (SldmrnerH) , RHVNcnoi'iN^
70. Subfamily LESTRIDIN^ : Jtigers, or Skua Culls.
Covering ot hill discontinuous, the upper mandible being saddled with a largo horny
" cere," beneath tlie edges of wliich the nostrils open (uniciue, among water-birds) ; bill epigiia-
thous. Tail nearly square, but the middle pair of feathers abruptly long-exseiled. Feet
strong; tibia- naked below, the podotheea granular or otherwise rougliened beliind, seutclliite
in front ; webs full ; claws large, curved, acute. Certain pterylographic characters have been
already noted. A leading anatomical peculiarity in the large size of the ca'ca, as compared
witli the cases of the other subfamilies. Another is that tlie sternum is single-notched behind,
tliere being two notciies on each side in the other subfamilies. There is but one genus, and
only four species are well detennined. They belong more particularly to the northern hemi-
sphere, altliougli some also inluibit southern seas ; they mostly breed in boreal regions, but
wander e.ictensively at other seasons. They inhabit sea coasts, and also large inland waters ;
the nidification resembles that of the gulls ; eggs 2-3, dark-colored, variegated. The sexes;
are alike; the young different, excepting one species; there is also a particular melanotic plum-
age, apparently a normal special condition. At first the central tail-feathers do not project,
and they grow tardily. The skua gulls are eminently rapacious, whence their name of " jiig<'r''
(hunter) ; they habitually attack and harass terns and the smaller gulls, until these weaker and
less spirited birds are forced to droj) or disgorge their prey. Their Hight is vigorous ; lashing
the air with the long tail, they are able to accomplish the rapid and varied evolutions rei[uired
for tile successful practice of piracy. Thus in their leading traits they are marine Kaptores ;
whilst the cored bill furnishes a curious analogy to the true birds of prey.
307. STKRCOBA'RIUS. (Lat. stercoranws, a scavenger.) Jagi:i{S. Character <if the subfamily,
as above. The species of Megalestris differs decidedly from the rest, and might form a genus
apart.
Analysis qf Spicks
k
Bill shorter tlian middle toe without claw ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw ; central rectriees little
projecting, broud to tlie ti]i. {Mtnali'stris.)
Of great size, and rolmst form. Bill about 2 inches long skun 764
Smaller ; bill and tarsi relatively longer than in the foregoing, latter not shorter than middle toe and claw ;
central rectriees finally projecting fur beyond the rest.
Central rectriees jirojecting about 4 inches, broad to the end pomatorliiints 705
Central rectriees projecting about 4 inches, acuminate parasilicus "(iO
Central rectriees projecting 8-10 inches, acuminate biijimi 7G7
764. S. sku'a. (Fieroeso name.) Skua. Bill shorter than the middle toe without the claw ;
exceedingly robust ; %vidth at base about equal to the height, which is a third of the length uf
culmen. Strise an<l sulci numerous and well marked. Encroachment of feathers on bill
moderate, and nearly the same on both numdibles. Occiput scarcely ci'osted. Wings only
moderately long for this subfamily ; the primaries very broad, and rounded at their tips. Tail
very short, broail, nearly even, the feathers truncated ; central pair projecting but little, and
broad to their very tijis, which are also trimciited. Feet large and stout; tar.si shorter than
the middle toe and claw. Size large ; form robust and heavy ; general organization very
powerful. C(dors much the same over the whole body : not subject to iiny very remarkable
changes with age, sex, or season. Adult ^ 9 ; Latoro-nuchal feathers elongated, rigid, with
long disconnected fibrillse. Above, blackish-brown, more or less variegated with chestnut and
'
LARID^ — LESTIUDINJE : JAGERS.
(35
Inilo-
705.
whitish ; each featlier beiug dark-colored, with a s\wt of cliestnut toward its oxtreiiiity. wlii.li
in turn fades into wliitisli along tlie shaft toward the \\\i of each feather. On tlic latcro-michal
region and across the throat the i;lie.st:iut lightens into a decided reddisli-yelluw, the white
being us a well-defined, narrow, longitudinal streak on each feather. The crown, i»o»t-ocuIar,
and mental region have but little wiiitish. Inferiorly the iiluiuage i.s of a blended fusco-riifous,
ligiiter than on the dorsum, with a i)eculiar iudetinite iiluuibeous shade. Tlie wings and tail
are blackish; their shafts white, except toward the tips ; the reiniges and rectrices white for
some distance from the bases. This white on the tail is coueeah'd by the loiur tail-coverts,
l)Ut ajipears on the outer priinnries as a conspicuous sixtt. Hill and chiws blackisli-hnrii ;
feet black. Bill from base to tip ^.10 ; to end of cere l.;»0 ; gape ."{.OO ; height at base ll.7,j ;
width a little less; gouys 0.50; wing Ki.OO ; tail (J.OO ; tarsus 2.70: middle toe and claw
15.10. Young-of-the-year : The size much less, bill weaker and slenderer; cere illy developed;
striae not apparent, and its ridges and angles all want sharpness of definition. Wings short and
rounded, the quills having very difl'erent proportioual length from those of the adults; the lA
beiug longest, the 3d next and but little shorter; the 1st about e(|ual to the 4th. The inuer
or hmgest secondaries reach, when the wing is folded, to within an inch or so of tlie tip of the
longest primary. Central rectrices, if anything, a little shorter than the next, t'ulors
generally as iu the adult, but everywhere duller and more blended, having few or no white
spots; the reddish spots dull, uumerous, and large, especially along tlie edge of the forearm
and on the least and lesser coverts. On the under parts the colors are lighter, duller, and still
more blended than above. The prevailing tint is a light, dull rufous, most marked on the
abdomen ; but there and elsewhere more or less obscured with an ashy or plumbeous hue.
The [irimaries, secondaries, and tertials, together with tlie rectrices, are dull brownish-black ;
their shafts yeUowish-white, darker terminally. At the bases of the primaries there exists the
ordinary large white space, but it is more restricted than in tiie adults, and so much hidden by
the bastard quills that it is hardly apparent on the outside of the wing, though very conspic-
uous (m the inferior surface. Legs and feet parti-cidoied, —browuish-ldack, variegated with
yellowish. Bill ahmg culmen i./6 ; along gape '2.7 j; heiglit at base 0.50; length of goiiys
0..'15 ; tarsus 2.(50; middle toe and claw the sauiy ; wing \i.ia\ tail 5.75. N. Am., north-
(Tly, rare or casual. "California."
S. pomatorlii'nus. (Gr. Trw^a, iranaToi, ponia, pomatoft, a flap, lid ; pi's, pivos, hris, hrhws,
nose.) PoMATOKHlNE Jageu. Adults, breeding plumage : Hill shorter than the head, or J-
the tarsus, about 2i times its own height at tlu' base ; width about the same as tiie height.
Tail somewhat less than iialf the wing. 1st piiuuiry but little surpassing tlie 2(1. Occijiut
subcrested. Feathers of the neck rigid and acuniiuate, their fibrilhe disconnected. Tail-
feathers, including the central, broad (piite to their tips, which are truncated, tlie rhachis
projecting as a small niucro. The central pair project about 'i inches ; are broad to near tlie
tilt, where they form an angle of 45° witli the rhaciiis : their fibrilhe exceedingly lout: (2f
inches), while those of the lateral feathers are only 1}. Tail slightly graduated. Tibia- bare
for i of an inch, scuteUate for i inch. Tarsi very rough; anteriorly covered with a single
row of scutella, except toward the tiltio-tarsal articulation, where these scutella gradually
degenerate into small, irregular ludygonal plates, with which the whole of the rest of the
tarsus is reticulated. These plates largest on the sides of the tarsus externally ; on the heel-
joint, and posterior aspect of the tarsus generally, they become raised into small conical pyr-
amids, acutely pointed. The scutella of the anterior portion of the tarsus are continuous witli
the superior surface of the toes, while the polygonal reticulation occupies both surfaces of the
webs, and the inferior surface of the toes. Hallux extremely short, its nail stout, conical at
the base, acute, little curved. Anterior chiws all very strong aiul sliar]) ; inner most so ; the
middle expanded on its inferior edge, n(»t serrated. Webs broad, full, unincise<l. tlieir free
margins a little convex. The "cere" has a straight, smooth, convex culmen ; its inferior
736
i:IYSJ.LMATIV SYNOPSIS. — LONGIPENNES — GA VIJE.
bonier cun-es gently upward to give passage to the nostrils. The union of tiie two hitcnil
halves leaves a well-marked aeiitely-angiilar recess over the euluien. There is a well-marked
lateral longitudinal groove. Curve of nail regular, gradual. Comnd.ssure straight to tlir
nostrils, then gradually deoliuato-couvex. Eiiiiuentia symphysis slightly marked; eommis.-iurc
long, goiiys short, a little concave, gapo wide. Outline of feathers on the bill much as in the
Larhut; hut supero-laterally they do not run so far forward, nor with so aeute an angle. Nos-
trils plaeed far forward, lateral, linear, direct, pervious, their opening a little club-shajied.
Bill horn, deepening into black ; feet black, i'ileum and occipital crest brownish-black ; this
color extending mucii below tlie eyes, and occupying the feathers on the ramus of the inferior
maxilla. Acuminate feathers of the neck light yellow. IJacU, wings, tail, upper wing-coverts,
under tail-coverts as far as the tlanks, deep blackish-brown. Under parts, from chin to abdo-
men, and neck all round (excejjt the acuminate feathers i, ])ure white. Length about 20.00;
extent 48.00; wing 14.00; bill 1.75; tarsus 2.00. Nearly adult: Generally as in the
preceding, but with a row of brown spots across the breast ; the sides under the wings
transversely barred with white and brown; the purity of the dark color of the abdomen
interrupted by some touches of wliite. The legs wh(dly black, and the tail-feathers project-
ing as much as in the fully adult. Intermediate .stage : The band of dark spots across the
breast is widened and enlarged, so that the whole breast ap])ears brown, mottled with white ;
the sides under the wings are conspicuously barred with white and brown ; the white of the
under parts is continued down over the abdomen to the uud<.'r tail-coverts ; the pure brown
of these parts which obtains in the adult now only appea ing as transverse bars among the
white. Ujiper tail-coverts and some of the wing-coverts barred with wliite. Hases of pri-
maric. iufcriorly white. Central tail-feathers only project an inch. Tarsi irregularly blotched
with clirome-yeUow — the hind toe and nail being of this cohtr. Young-of-the-year : Hill
much smaller and weaker than in the adult, light-coh)red to beyond the nostrils, when it
becomes brownish-black. Feet and toes mostly bright yeUow, the terininal ])ortions of the
latter bhick. The whole body everywhere transversely waved with dull rufous. On the head,
neck, and under parts, this rufous forms the predoi.iinating ctdor; and the bauds are ex-
ceedingly numerous, of about the same width as the intervening dark cohjr. On the tlanks
and under tail-coverts the bars become wider, anil almost white in color. On the back and
wing-coverts the brownish -black is the predominating color; and if any rufous is present, it
is merely as narrow edging of the feathers. Quills and tail-feat!iers brownish-black, darlver
at tips; whitish toward bases of lu-imancs on inner webs. Light rufous predominating on
head and neck ; a dusky spot before eye. All tlie above stages traceable from one to another.
Dusky state : The bird is very nearly iiniculur ; blackish-brown all over ; tliis color deepening
into quite black on the pileuui ; lightening into fuliginous-brown on the abdomen, with a
slight gilding of the black on tlie sides of the neck. The whitish l)ases of the jinmaries
exist. The feet are in the chnimo-variegated condition. Thi' central lail-feathers scarcely
l)roject half an inch. N. N. Am., ranghig to the Middle States in winter ; not common.
100. S. parasi'tlcus. (Lat. parasiticii.'i, parasitic.) I'AiiAsnic J.\(;i:u. Adult, breeding plum-
age: Hill much shorter tlian head or tarsus; as high as broad at the base. Culnien broad,
flattened, scarcely appreciably convex to the unguis, which is moderately convex. Hand very
long; gonys very short ; both somewhat concave in outline. Eminentia .symphysis small but
well-marked. Toinia of superior mandible at first as(!ending and a little concave ; then
descending and a little convex ; very concave toward the tip. Cere without oblique strife ;
with a straight longitudinal sulcus on each side of the culnien. Feathers extending far on
superior mandible, with a curved free outline, so broad that the feathers of the sides meet over
the culmen. Feathers on lower mandible also projecting considerably, almost filling the tri-
angular sulcus on the side as well as the angular space between thi> rami. Wings moderately
long, strong, pointed ; first primary much the longest ; rest regularly and rapidly graduated ;
LAIiW^—LESTUWlKJE : JAGEliS.
Vil
all rather narrow and taporiiig to an acute apex, somewhat rigid and faloate. Secondaries
short and inconspieuoiis ; broad, the tips <if the outer ones nearly miiiare, of the inner ohli(|iieiy
incised, the apex being formed by tiie iiini'r web alone. Tertials long, soft, flexible. 'I'ail
moderately long, contained not quite two aiul a half times in the wing ; very slightly rounded,
the graduation being only half an inch. Feathers moderately broad (piite to their tips, whieh
are truncated. The central jiair project three to four inches. They begin to taper about four
inches from their apices, and regularly converge to a very acute tip. Feet rather short and
(piito slender; tarsi as long as the middle toe and claw. Tibia naked half an inch above the
joint. The scutellation and reticulation is the same as that already described, but the nails are
weaker and less arched, though fully as acute. A decided occipital cre.st and a calotte.
Nuchal region with the feathers acinninate and rigid, with loosened Kbrilhe. I'ileum, occipital
cre.st, and wh(de upper parts dee]) brownish-black, with a somevvhat slaty tinge, and a slight
but appreciable metallic shade; this color deepening into ([uite black on the wings and tail.
Kiiachides of prinniries and rectrices whitish, except at their tips ; the inner vanes albescent
ba.so-internally. Chin, throat, sides of head, neck all round, and under parts to the vent, pure
white ; the feathers of the latero-nuchal region rigid, acuminate, with disconnected tihrillie,
light yellow. Under tail-coverts like the up])er parts, but somewhat of a fulit;inous tint ; the
line of demarcation from the white of the abdomen very trenchant. Smaller than No. 7(1,).
Wing 12.00-i;5.00; tarsus 1.7.5-1.87; bill l.;}5-l..-)0; tail a.OO-li.OO, the long feathers up to
9.00. Nearly nuiture: Pileum and latero-michal region, and wlnde upjier |)arts, as in the
adult. The under parts white (aa in the adult), but clouded everywhere with dusky patches,
most marked across breast, on sides, flanks, and under tail-coverts, and leaving the middle of
the belly and throat nearly pure. Varying degrees of this dusky nubilation ap])roach in some
specimens nearly to the uniform dusky below characterized ; in others fade almost into the pure
white of the adult, connecting the tv.o states perfectly. The tarsi of the mo.st dusky specinu'us
have small yellow bh itches ; the others not. Dusky stage : Wholly deep dusky ; ilarker and
more plumbeous superiorly: lighti'r, and with a ftdiginons tingi', inferiorly ; the pileiun ([uite
black; the latero-michal region yellow: the remiges and rectrices quite black; feet black.
Immature: Size and general i)roporti(ms nearly of the adult. Hill and cere perfectly fonned ;
feet mostly black, but with .some yellow blotches. The upper parts unadulterated with any
rufous bars ; the deep brownish-ldack pileum has appeared, and the sides of the neck luivc
obtained their yellow shade, which contrasts conspicuously with the fuliginous back-ground.
Evidences of immaturity, however, are found <m the under parts, where the dark c<dor is mixed
with the illy-defined transverse bars of ochraceous. Kufous is al.so found at the bend of the
wing and on the under wing- and tail-coverts. The primaries are still whitish at the outside,
as are also the rectrices. The central rectrices project 2i inches, and have the taiiering form
of these of the adults. Younger: Small size, delicate bill and feet, little itrojection of the
central rectrices, general mollii)ih)se condition of plumage, etc. The rufous of the very young
bird, instead of giving way everywhere to dusky, yields to this color oidy on the upper parts
and crown ; on the sides of the head, neck, and the wlnde under ])arts, whitish being the ))re-
doniinating c(dor; the continuity of this last being interrupted by indistinctly marked dusky
bars. The yellow of the sides of the neck has not yet appeared. There is the same white
space on the bases of the wings and tail that exists in the very young. The central tail-
feathers only project about 2i inches. Younar-of-the-year in August : Size considerably less
than that of the adult, form every way more delicate. Wings more than an inch shorter; bill
and feet much slenderer and weaker. Rill in some specimens light bluish-liorn ; in others
greenish-olive, the terminal portion brownish -black. Tarsi and greater ])art of the toes
yellow. The bird is everywhere rayed and barred with rufous ami brownish-black. On the
head and neck the rufous has a very light ochraceous tinge, and is the predominating ctdrir,
dark only appearing as a delicate line along the shaft of each feather. Proceeding down the
738
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —LONGIPENNES— GA VI^.
neck to the back, the longitudinal lines become larger, aud gradually spread wider and wider,
until between tlie shoulders tliey occupy the whole of each feather, exeejit a narrow border v{
rufous, which latter is of a deeper tint than ou the head. Passing down the throat to tJie
breast, the rufous becomes decidedly lighter — almost whitish — while the brown, which ou
the throat exists only us a light longitudinal line, changes ou each feather to trausverse bars df
about equal width with the light rufous bars with which it alternates. This pattern prevails
over the whole under parts, tlie trausverse bauds being broadest on the Hanks and under tail-
and wing-coverts, narrowest in the middle of the belly. The primaries are brownish-bhick,
narr(jwly tipped with rufous, their shafts yellowish, their inner webs fading basally into while.
The tail has the same coloration as the wings. The ci'utral feathers project about J of an inch.
Northern N. Am.; U. S. in winter; chiefly coastwise, but breeds in interior Arctic Am.
Eggs resembling those of Xumenius horeuUs, aud (|uite as variable in ground-color and nnirk-
higs ; size from 2.00 to 2.10 long, by 1.50 to 1.70 broad, averaging nearer the larger of these
dimensions; }iointed, but not so pear-shaped as those of the Curlew.
767. S. buf'foni. (To the Count de Buffon.) AncTic Jagek. Long-tailed Jageu. Aduh,
breeding plumage : Bill shorter than the head, less than the middle toe without the claw ;
stout, compressed, higher than broad at the base, its sides regularly converging. Ceral por-
tion of culmen broad, flat, depressed, slightly concave in outline ; ungual portion very de-
cidedly declinato-convex to the greatly overhanging tip ; narrower than the ceral. Tomia of
superior mandible sinuate; at first concave and ascending; then convene aud descending ; again
very concave as they decurve toward the deflected tip, just posterior to which there is an im-
perfect notch. Tomia of inferior nnixilla nearly straight to the tip, where they are decurved.
Gonys very short, slightly concave in outline. Eminentia symphysis acute, but not very large;
rami very long as compared with the gonys, but absolutely rather short, from the encroach-
ment of the feathers. Cere very short, being scarcely if at all longer than the unguis ; its
lower border curving upward to give passage to the nostrils. The encroachment of the feathers
on the bill is greater than that of any other sjiecies ; on the upper mandible they exteutl within
half an inch of the distal end of the cere, having a broad, rounded termination, the feathers of
the two sides meeting on and covering the culmen some distance from its real br.se. The
feathers on the sides of the lower mandible extend nearly as far as on the upjier, and those
between the rami quite to the symphysis. Wiugs exceedingly long ; first primary much the
longest ; rest rapidly graduated ; all rather naiTow, tajiering, falcate, actually pointed, their
rhachides stiff and strong. Secondaries short and inconspicuous ; rather broad ; their apices
as in the other species. Tertials moderately long, very straight, flexible, rounded at their
extremities, the edges of their vanes convoluted. Tail very long ; longer, both ahsidutely and
relatively, than in any other North American species, being half as long as the wings ; gradu-
ated, the lateral feather being i of an inch shorter than the next to central pair ; all the
feathers moderately broad, converging somewhat to their rather broad, rounded tips. Central
rectrices extremely lengthened, exceeding the wings ; projecting 8 to 10 inches beyond the tips
of the lateral ones. They are extremely rigid at the base, being tiiere much stitfer than the
other feathers, but gradually become flexible, and at length filamentous in character, but pre-
ser\-e great elasticity throughont. Feet quite slender ; tarsus equal to middle toe and claw.
Tibia; bare of feathers for f of an inch. The reticulation of the feet identical with that already
described under other species. The scutclla of the anterior face of tlie tarsus, however, show
a tendency to degenerate into minute plates near the tibio-tarsal joint. Proportions of the
toes as in other species, but the claws are comparatively small and weak, and but moderately
cur^-ed and acnte. Occiput decidedly suberestcd. The latero-nuchal region has its feathers
lengthened, with disconnected fibrillfp, but they are hardly acuminate or rigid. The plumage
about the bill is short, thick, and compact ; that of the upper parts is soft and flexible, only
moderately imbricated and compact ; that of the under parts is long, soft, and very thick. Bill
LABIDJE - LARISJE : G VLLS.
739
dusky, its nail almost black. Tarsi dfcp l«ulcii-bluc ; tibia-, plmlanccs, intordiieitiil iiifin-
briiues, and claws black. Occiimt siibcrcstcd, hkpic .lc<-idcdly than in any ..tlirr Kpccics, (■..rul-
ing a calotto of brownish-black, wliidi cob.r extends downward on the cbpcks, thi' fcatliors
before and below the eye and on the sides of the bill being (,f thi.s c.dor. Neck all n>iind, but
f specially the sides of tlie head and the |iecnliarly-t'(irined feathers on the latero-niiehal region,
light straw-yellow. AVhole upper parts, with tipper wing and tail-coverts, deep slate, wiiieli,
on the primaries, secondaries, lateral tail-feathers, and distal half of central jiair. deepens iuK.
a lustrous brownish-bhick. Under surface ..f wings and tail deei)er slate than the Id.ick. Imf
not so deiq) as the upper surfaces. Chin, throat, and upper breast white, gradually beciming
id)scured with dusky-plumbeous, which deepens posteriorly, so that the alidomen and under
tail-coverta are nearly as dark as the back. Hliachides of first two or three i.rimaries pure
white, deepening into brownish-l>lack at their tips; of the other piiuiaries, and of the tail-
feathers (including the central pair), brown, except just at the base, blackening terminally.
Under surfaces of all the rhachides white for nearly their whole length. Lenutli of culmen
1.13 inches; gapo l./O ; cere 0.60; unguis about the same; gonys O.IJd ; from feathers on
sides of bill to tip O.'JO ; wing 12.50; tail 0.2.5; central pair 1 i.OO to Ki.OO; the projection
8.00 to 10.00 inches; tibiic bare 0.75; tarsus l.(iO ; middle toe without claw 1.40. All
changes and states of jduinagc identical with those of No. 7<)(). N. Am., northerly; breeds
in Arctic regions. Eggs not distinguishable from those of No. "iWt, averaging smaller but
dimensions overlapping; a fair specimen is 2.10 X 1-50 ; from this down to 1.90 X 1-40.
71. Subfamily LARIN/E: Culls.
Covering of bill continuous, horny throughout ; bill more or less strongly epignathous,
compressed, with more or less protuberant gonys ; nostrils linear-oblong, median or sub-basal,
pervious. Tail even or nearly so, rarely forked or cuneate, without projecting middle featln'rs.
Certain of the smaller slenderer-billed species alone resemble terns, but may be known by the
not forked tail (e.wept Xema); in all the larger species, the hook of the bill is distinctive.
Gulls average much larger than terns, with stouter build ; the feet are larger and more
ainbulatorial, the wings are shorter and not so thin ; the birds winnow the air in a steady
course unlike the buoyant dashing flight of their relatives. They are cosmopolitan ; species
occur in abundance on all sea-coasts, and over large inland waters ; in general, largo numbers
are seen together, not only at the breeding-places, but during the migrations, and in winter,
when their association depends upon community of interest in the matter of food. This is
almost entirely of an animal nature, and consists principally of fish ; the birds .seem to be
always hungry, always feeding or trying to do so. Many kinds procure food by plunging
for it, like terns; others pick up floating substances; some of the smaller kinds are adroit
parasites of the pelicans, snatching food from their very mouths. They all swim lightly —
a circumstance e.\plained by the smallness of the body compared with its apparent dimensions
with the feathers on. The voice of the larger species is hoarse, that of the smaller shrill ;
they have an ordinary note of several abrupt syllables during the breeding season, and a
harsh cry of auger or impatience ; the young emit a riuerulous whine. The nest is commonly
built on the ground ; the eggs, 2-3 in number, are variegated in color.
Several circumstances conspire to render the study of these birds diflBcult. With some
exceptions, they are ahnost identical in form ; while in size they show an unbroken series.
Individual variability in size is high ; northerly birds are usually appreciably larger than
those of the same species hatched further south ; the <^ exceeds the 9 a little (usually) ;
very old birds are likely to be larger, with especially stouter bill, than young or middle-aged
ones. There is, besides, a certain plasticity of organizati(ra, or ready susceptibility to modify-
ing influences, so marked that the individuals hatched at a particular spot may be appreciably
different in some slight points from others reared but a few miles away. One pattern of color-
740
SYSTEM A TIC S YXOPSIS. — L OXGIPEyXES — GA VI^.
atioii runs through nearly all the specios; they aio n'/nVf, with a darker timiitli' (.sYw/k/ioh),
and ill most cases with Mack crossing the iiriiiiarics near the cud, the tijis of the (luills white.
The .shade of the iiiuuth' is very variable in the .same siiecies, according to climate, action
of the sun, friction, and other causes; the iHitleru of the hlack on the ([tiills is still more so,
Bincu it is coHtimwlbj changing with age, at least until a final stage is reached. lucredihle
as it may ajipear, species and even genera have heeii based uj)ou such shadowy characters.
One group of species has the head enveloped in a dark hood in the breeding season, the under
piirtH tinted with peach-blossom hue. The sexes aro always alike; the moult ajipears to be
twice a year, so that a winter plumage more or less different from that of summer results;
while the young are never like the idd. The change is slow, generally re(|uiring 2-3 years ;
in the interim, birds are found in every stage. They are always darlirr than the old, often
quite du.sky ; usually with black or Hesh-colored bill ; and if with black on the jirimarica
when adult, the younu; usually have these quills all black. There being no jjeculiar e-ttra-
limital species, those nf our country give a jierfect idea of the whole grouj*. Some 75 species
are current ; there are certainly not over 30 good ones.
Aniili/nh of (li'nera.
Tall miiiaro.
Ucnd never tiooilcd ; iiiuler partH ncTcr roBy-tiiited ; size medium and largo ; bill stout.
Hallux well devcldped, wllli perfect claw.
Adult while, wIthacolDred mantle, nr dark, with wliite head Lnrxm ,108
Ailult entirely white; feet black J'aijnjihild .110
Hallux usually ilefecllvc. (Tail emarginate in tlio young) Itinsn 'M>
Head in summer hooded, and under partH rosy-tinted; size medium and small; hill slender
( lirdUtiiiphiilua .11 1
Tall wedge-shaped ; neck collared ; small Illmdnstelliiu .'112
Tall forkeil ; head hooded Xema 313
308. LA'KUS. (Gr. Xapoj, hiwx, Lat. htrus, a gull.) Gfi.l..S. l{ill .shorter than the head or
tarsus, large, strong, more or less robust, usiiiilly very stout, deep at the base, higher than
broad, compressed throughout, the iipex not very acute and never much attenuated or deeurved.
Culnien about straight to beyond the nostrils, then convex, the aiiuuint of curvature increasing
toward the end, varying in ditl'ereut species, ('ommissure slightly sinuate at its extreme base,
then about straight to near th(> end, where it is more or less tircuato-declinate. Eminentia
sympli3'sis always large, jiroinineut, and well-detined, rather obtuse, stddom acute. Nostrils
placed rather far forward in a well-defined nasal fossa, lateral, longitudinal, pervious, rather
broader anteriorly than posteriorly. Feathers of forehead extending cousidtrably farther on
the sides of the ujiper mandible than on its culnien, but falling considerably short of the
nostrils. Wings when ftdded reaching beyond the tail, the remigcs .strong, not vtTy acute,
first longest, second but little shorter, rest rapidly graduated. Tail of moderate length, always
even, never forked nor rounded. Legs rather slender, of moderate length ; iibia> bare for a
considerable distance above the joint, the naked part smooth. Tarsi iibout equal to or a little
longer than the middle toe and claw, varying but slightly in in-oportions among the different
species ; anteriorly scutellatc, posteriorly and laterally reticulate. Hallux fully developed
and always present. Anterior claws stout, strong, little curved, rather obtuse, the inner edge
of the middle one dilated. Webs full and broad, scarcely iiici-sed. Of very large orniedium
size, never very smtill. Robust and powerful. Comprising the largest species of the subfamily
and those typictil of it. White, with a darker mantle, without a hood; the head and neck in
winter streaked with dusky ; one species dark with white head and red bill.
Analynh nf Species.
I. Tail and under parts white in adult ; bill anil feet not reddish. {Lants.)
A. Large and robust : mantle whitish or pale i)early ; no black on primaries at any age.
Mantle very pale ; primaries the same, fading insensilily into white far from the tips.
Larger: length about 30.00 inches; wing 18.00 or more; bill and tarsus, each, alxiut 3.00
glaucus 768
LAIiin.1-: — LAlilX.E : G I'LLS.
r-ii
Smnller: length nlmiit 24.00 InclicH; wlna IT.IKI or less; Mil about L'.OO; tllr»U8 2.2S/.H(•»/<^l•lM 7c.!i
Maiilli' llKlit liliiu; liilmiiiks thewiiiie, «illMlelliiHi> wliltf lipn ijlitun n,; itn TTo
Mttiitlu very imlf liluo, u» liWi H<•<7)^ ™,< ; iniiiiiiika willi hliilu-uray nmrkliiKS . . . .iiim/Lni TTon
B. Ver. lurfe; iiiautlu »laty-l)lai'l(lsli; iirlinailuntrimKi'd wllli blink ; hIzu of lliullrKt . . murtuun 771
C Laife; inaiitlo HOiui; hliaileof bliif, ilarkur tliaiiiii ./, llglitfi lliaii !•• /;. inliiiarliKciiwMCil witli black.
Mantle Biaylsli-blao ; bill iiiiMliialely nibust ; I'l-et lleHli-coloied iiryviilulua or fiiiilhtiimiiiitiiii 77l', 77;i
Mantle slaty-bliiOi bill very robiisl; feel llesli-uolored uviilmliilU 771
Mantle iliirk graylsh-bliie i bill UKulei.il ;ly rubust ; feet yellow ; uyu-rlng oriingo , c<iiliiii>iiin.i 77:.
Mantle dark slate; bill nioileralely robiiitl ; leel llenh-eolured iijlhii» 770
1). Mrdlniu and Hiiiall; iiriniarles trosBed wit li black; feet dark-greenlitb ; webs yellow.
TarBus obviously longer llian tbe middle too and claw ; bill of adult grui'id.tli-yellow, encircled
with a blitck band; tlrHt iirlniary UHUally with a HUb-a|ilcal wbitu kiioI ; leni^lli about tK.(lo-2'.'.0(l
ililiiiriin iisiH 778
TarsHH little If any longer than middle toe and claw ; bill with a red Hjiot, but an iniiHrfui i blaik
band, If any; llrst primary usually with the end broadly white; length about JU.(K)-l".'.(io
riilijin'tiirii.-i 777
Tarsus little If any longer than the middle toe and claw; bill slender, grecidsli, witboui a lilack
band or red spot ; size very small ; length Iti.OiJ or IS.UU .... ckhili or /)n((/i;//-/(;/io7iii.< 77!i, 7no
II. Tall anil under parts dark In adult. Head white; bill and feet reddish. (/;/ii.<(>«.<.)
Hacksbity-leadcobir I„,nji,(,u,i 7sl
7(jS, Ij. glaii'ous. (Gr. yXavKiis, f/liiiiJco-'^, Lut. f/hiiioix, liliii.sh.) (Jl.\1(ih s (iri.L. Ici: Cili,.
IJritiio.MA.sTnu. Vfi'y liiigc ; Iciigtli nboiit .'iO.UU ; (■.\t<'iit 00.00: wing ui> to lb..")0; l.iU -i.j:)-
'•i.W\ (chord of ciiliufii), along gapu 15.75, its di'iitli opiiositf iiostrii.s O.SO, at iiiigic O.h,) ; tatsiis
li.OU-3.25 ; luiildlo tut; and claw 2.7o. Xo bliirk auywiicrc at any agf. Adult ^ 9 '■ Hill lait;(^
and strong, very wide, but not ,so doep tit iinglc nor so convex at cud a.s in iiKiriiiiis, about its
long as iidddlo foe and claw; chrome yellow, tlie tip diiiphanoiis yellow, a verniilinii s|ini ;it
the iingle. Legs and feet pale llesh-color or yellnwish. Iris ytdlow. I'riniarie.s entirely wiiiie,
or palest possible pearly-bliie, fading insensibly into white ut some distance from their tiji.'*, tinir
shiifts straw-yellow. Maiitlt! very pale pearl-blue. Otherwise, wholly white. Jn winter:
Head and hind neck liglitly touciied with pale browiiish-griiy. An iiiimatiire stage: Entirely
white; bill flesli-cidored, blaclc-tipjH'd. Voting: Hill tle.sh-colored, black-tipped: ]dumiige
im])ure white, mottled with pale reddish-brown, sometimes (|uite dusky on the biick ; under
parts a nearly uniform pale shiulc of brownish : (luills and titil imperfectly barred with tlie same.
Smaller: wingl7..")0; bill L'. 40 ; tarsus :J.tO, etc. Northern and Arctic seas, circiimpolar : .>^.
ill winter in N. Am. to the Middle States, coastwise ; lu'c^eds only in the high north. This is one
of the very largest and most powerful birds of the wlnde family, fully e(|Ualling Li mariniis in
these respects.
769. L. Iciieop'teriis. (Gr. Xf uxor, /^((cos, white ; TrTtpdv, j)^ero», wing.) WiiiTK-wixtir.ii Gri.i..
1'ieci.sely like the last, but smaller. Length 2kOO, rather less tliiiii more; wing 10.00-17.00 ;
bill iilong culmeii 1.75-2.00, tilong gape about 2.75 ; de])th iit angle 0.05 ; ttirsiis 2.00-2.25,
not longer thiin middle toe and tdaw. This counterpart of L. ghutcHK inhabits the same north-
erly regions, coining south to the same degree in winter. It appears to be much le.«s char;icter-
istic of N. Am. than of Europe.
770. ^- glauces'eens. (Lat. (jhuceaccufi, growing bluish.) Gi-AfCof.s-wiNGF.i) Gri.i,. Like a
herring gull with the black of the ])riinaries washed out ; primaries of the ccdor of the mantle
to the very tips, wliich are occupied by detiiiito sintill white spots; the 1st also with a liiri:e
wliite sub-terminal spot. Hill long and rather weak, the upper mandible acut<' and projecting
considerably beyond tip of the under, the convexity near the end conipiiratively slight : iingle
pretty well defined, the outline between it and the tip about straight. Tarsus rather longer
than middle toe and claw. Length about 27-00 ; wing 16.75 ; bill along culmon 2.25 ;
gape 3.25 ; depth at angle 0.70 ; tarsus 2.60 ; middle toe and claw 2.50. Adult in summer :
Bill light yellow, an orange spot at angle of lower mandible, and a dusky one just above.
^Ltndible pearl-blue, much the same shade as in nrgentntiis. Primaries scarcely darker than
the back, all with well-defined, rounded apical spots of white. First, the base not ajipreciably
T48
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIPENXES — GA VLE.
liglitrr tlmii till' biiily of the fciitlier, with ii u-cll-dcfinod wliitc spot on l)o(li Wflxt iirar tlic riid,
B('imnit»'cl I'ldlii tlic wliiti' tiji Ity ii tnilisvii'«(^ hiiml of tlic color of tlic body of the fcatlirr ; >ccoiicl
tliird, anil fonrtli, basal portions notaldy lii-litcr than the ti'niiii il, fading into pin-o whiti' at
tliL'ir jiinctnru with the lattrr, withiait spots cxft'pt at the a|)('X ; fifth, sixth, basal portions the
Ctdor of the ba(fU, fading into \vhitt» uuar tlii< cud, separated from the whilii apircs by a band,
narrowest on the sixth, of the eolor of tiie onter primaries. Iniu'r primaries like the second-
aries, with ]ilain broadly white emls. Feet light llesh-cohir. Adnlt in winter : Head, neck,
and breast thickly nelmlated with liglit grayish-ihwky, tlie throat mostly immacnlate. Approach-
ing maturity : Itill dark-C(dored, yellowish along the cuhiien and gonys. Wings and tail ii^lit
gri'yish-ashy, the former without sharply-deliued white tips or spots. Under parts generally
marked with dusky, tho wing-coverta nntrkcd with dusky and white. Feathers of the back
iiarr iwly edged with gray. Intermediato : liill Hesh-colored, tlie terminal portion black. \Vini:s
and tail darker than in the preceding especially on the outer webs of the former. Everywhere
dusky-gray, more or loss mottled with white, the guU-blne of the upper jiarts appearing in
patches of greater or less extent. Young-of-the-year : Hill black. Kverywhere grayish-dusky,
somewhat mottled with whitish ; the feathers of the back, wings, aial upper tail-coverts edged,
tippeil, and crossed with more or less regular transverse l)ars of grayish-white. Downy young:
Hill and feet black ; head and neck dull whitish, i^jiotted with blackish ; ujiper parts s]iotted
with grayish-black and grayish-white ; under ])arts more uniforudy gray, the abdomen white.
Pacific coast of N. Am., of U. S. in winter, breeding northerly; common. Also on the
Asiatic coast.
T70a. L. kuniUeiil. (To L. Kumlieu.) GuAV-wiXdEU Gft.L. Adidt ^ : Like glaucescem ;
rather smaller, with lighter mantle and ditt'erent c(dor and ))attern of the primaries. Mantle
about as in leucopicnts ; priuuiries and secondaries mostly white on their exposed surfaces,
with markings of dull slate-gray. First jjrinuiry white on both webs at end for about two
inches, the itnier web white to the base excepting a slate-gray strip next the shaft, the outer
web (except at end) slate-gray fading into white toward the base. Sitcom' primary with the
gray confined to a space of about four inches on the outer web, and Ixith Webs tinged with the
Color of tho mantle which, on the inner web, fades into white about three inches from the tip,
but on tho outer web is deepest where it joins the darker gray area. Third primary with sub-
apical gray bar on both webs, half an inch wide on inner web, but running along the outer web
for two inches; the tip of this fi'iitlier white, tho rest tinged with the cidor of the mantle.
Fourth primary with a slate-gray subterniiual bar, but narrower and \)nhr ; fifth with a pair
of subtcrminal gray spots; remaining priuuiries and all the secondaries jilaiu and eoncidor with
mantle to within about two inches of their tijjs, where the poarl-blue changes rather abrujitly
into white. Iris cream-color; bill yellow with red s))ot, as usual ; orbital ring reddish ; feet
flesh-color. Length 21.01); extent .50.00 ; wing 16.00-17.00 ; tail 6.50; chord of culmen 1.7.5 ;
gape 2. GO ; tarsus, or middle too and claw, about 2.150. Yiamg said to be even darker than
that of argentnUts (J) Cumberland Sound and Greenland, 8. in winter to New England, the
citations of "//?ai«cc.sce>!,s" from Maine belonging here. (Description compiled fr. Urewster,
Bull. Nutt. Club, viii, 1883, p. 216. The bird is probably i. chalcopterus of Bruch, Lawrence,
and Coiios.)
771. L. mari'nus. (Lat. marinus, marine). Gueat l^LACK-BArKED Gull. Saddle-back.
CoFFix-CARRiER. CoBB. Adult, breeding plumago : Size very largo ; general form strong,
compact, and powerful. Bill very stout, deep at the angle, rather short for its height; culmen
toward the end exceedingly convex, so much so as to make a tangent to it at the point where
the tip of the lower mandible touches it perpendicular to the connnissure. Syinphyseal enu-
rcnce very prominent ; tarsus but little if any longer than the middle toe and claw, compressed,
rather slender for the size of the bird. Bill bright chnr.r.c, the tip of both mandibles diapha-
nous. A largo bright vermilion spot occupies nearly the ter.'ninal half of the lower mandible
nn
on
M
br
li^
wl
siv
t'l
at
tl
as
wl
ai
LAlillU-: — LAlilS.E : G LLl.S.
\:\
an.1 fiiproiiclicH a litflr .m tlic \\\^\»r. K.lu'is dfjawM l.ritrlit vrrmilicii. Paliitr uihI toimn.' imlc
.ll•all^l■-l•..(l. Ey.'li.lM vrinilini,. Iii.s i,„l,. l.iiiun-y.ll U%^ aii.l frft jmlf tl.'.H|i.rnl,,r,
Miiiitlo inteimo Hlati'-folor, iifiirly Muck, witli u iMir|ili>h ivHtrtioii ; k mliirii'M ami tntial.s
iH-dudly tii)])i'il with wliitc, tlic line of il. maivatidii iliMinct. I'riniarics : tii>t, l-la.'li, .sraicdy
lif,'litiT at its basf, it.-* tip wiiilc tur •.'! iurl;c>, its siialt wiiitc iiit'.'iidijy, ami Niipcriurly aii.iiu ilic
\vliit(^ IMirfioii (if the fcatlier ; scctimi, lii«i! tlir tiwt, but it.s bast' liKlitiT, tlir wliito tip \vm cxtni-
Hivc, aial iiiti'rru]if('(i by a iiarmw l)ar nf blaclj im niic nr liotii webs ; tliinl, fniiiili, tifili, luMadly
tiiUMMl witli wiiitf, tiicii- bases nf a IIkIiIit siiadc nf slat.' tiiaii tiic sinniil, ami failing,' into wliitc
at till) jmu'tioii with the broad black siibtcriniiial baud. Adult iu winter : As in siinnncr, but
the head and iK'ck streaked with dusky. YounK-if-the-ycar : As larp' as the adult; the bill
as hir^e, but not so strong, nor tho eminence so well developed ; wholly black, rpiier parts
wliidly dusky chocolate-brown, mottled with whitish and lii;hl rufous, the latter on tiie ba(di
and wings, the feathers being tipped ami the wiui,'-cnverts deeply indented with this color.
Umler jiiirta niotth'd with white or ruf(uis-wliite and dii.Nky, the throat mostly imrjuu'ulato.
Primaries ami tail deejt brownish-black, the former tijiped, subternuuaily barre<i, and its enter
feather nnittled, with whitish. Diuu'usicais : length .'iO.OH inches ; extent O.'i.DK ; win;; i'.MM);
bill alxfvi) 2. .50; rictus .'V.jO; height at nostril 0.85; iit angle ().<,),') ; tarsus ;>.()0 ; middle too
and claw slightly less. This great bird, the dark rival of the ice-gull, inhabits the .\tlani',c
coasts of Europe and \. Am., ranging south coastwise in winter to Florida, breeding beyond
the II. H., especially in Labrador. Foinul on the hirger inland waters as well as coa,stwise.
Nest on the grouml, of moss and .seaweed ; eggs .'{, S!.'.)0 X 2.1.'), pale drab or olive-gray, irreg-
ularly bhttched with dark brown and blackish, with pinplish or neutral-tint shell-spots.
713. fj, urKeiitiv'tus. (Lat. iin/vntdtiis, silvered, silvery.) KlUol'KAN Hi;i{|{IN(i (111. I,. I'recisely
lik(^ the next to be described, excepting the tbllowing [larticulars : Average smaller size ; wing
av<'raging 1.50 inches shorter; feet abiait (•..50 shorter on an average; bill shorter and slenderer,
])articularly at base. The 1st prinniry has usually a white termimil s])ace 2 inches hu'g ; the
2d a largo rounded sub-terminal white sjiot, occupying both webs. The 1st primary of the
American bird bus usually a rounded white subterminal spot much like that on the 2d ju'lmary
of the Enroi)ean, alnuist always sejiaratcd from the white apical sjiot, and if a spot is present
on the 2d primary it is small. A variety is pn'dicable upon theses average diH'erences. IJirds
ty]>ically like the European occur in X. Am., where the next is the ordiiniry " herring gull."
773. L. a. siiilthsoiiia'iius. (To the 8. I.) Amkuican IIi;uuiN('t fJi'i.i-. Adult: ISill rather less
than tarsus, shorter than head. ; nditist, its height at the angle slightly more than at the base.
Culnieu nearly straight at the no.strlLs; then rajiidly convex to the stout, deflected, overhanging
ajM'x. Outline of rami sliglitly concave ; gonys about straight; emineiu'c at symphysis large
and prominent, but its apex not very acute. Breeding plumage: Hill bright chrcjuie, its tii)
diaphanous , a vermilion s))ot at the angle, with sometimes a small black one just anterior to it.
Legs and d'ot j^ale Jlesh-color ; claws blackish. Manth' typical "gull-blue," miU'h lighter than
in occidcntalis ; lighter than in brachi/rhi/)ichus ; of much the sanu' shade as in (kluwitnnsis or
gldiicescetis ; darker than in glaiiciis or leiicopterun. The basetdf the primaries are the sanui
as tlie back, or very slightly lighter, not so light, nor of so great extent (being exceedinuly
short on the first primary), nor so broad at the end, as iu crilijhrnicus. On the first prinniry
this light basal portion is very short, hardly reaching within six or seven inches of the tip of
the jirimary. Tt is not lighter at its junction with the black, nor does it exteml furthi'r on the
central portion than on the edge of the feather. On the second, third, and fourth primaries the
bluish of the basal jxirtions of the feather extends about the same di.stanco on each (within
four inches of the tip of the second), and runs up further on the <'eiitres of the feathers than on
their edges, and grows nearly white at its junction with the black piation of tlu; feathers.
First primary with a subapical white spot near its tip; .small, rounded, not much over an inch
in diameter ; generally not longer on the outer vane than on the inner; sometimes wanting on
744
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LON GIPENNES — GA VI.E.
the fonner; in oldest birds this spot enlarging to coalesce with the white tip of the feather ;
second primary usually without a subapical spot, or if one is present it is small. All the j)ri-
maries with small rounded wliito apices, and black from these apical spots to their bluisli-wliite
bases; this band of black growing narrower from the first toward the seventh, where it is a
mere point. Winter ]duniage : Head and nedi streaked with dusky; bill less brightly colori'd.
Otherwise as in summer. Immature : The feathers of the back have gray margins; the upper
wing-coverts mottled with dusky-gray. An imperfect subterminal bar of dusky on the tail.
Young of first winter: Head, neck, and whole under parts more or less thickly mottled with
dusky, as are the wing-coverts, secondaries, and tertials. The gull-blue of the up]i('r jiarts
appears in irregular patches, mixed with gray. Kemiges and rectrices brownish-black, with
very narrow whitish tips, th<> former wanting both ai)ical and subapical white spots. l$ill llcsli-
ctdor, its terminal third black. Feet dull liesh-ctdor. Younger : Entirely a deep dull brown-
ish ; the throat lightly streaked and the rumi) transversely barred with whitish; the feathers of
the back with yellowish or grayish-white edges ; wings and tail black; bill black; legs and
feet dusky ilesh-ccdor. Dimensions of adult: li'ugtii, 2i to 25 inclies; extent 54 to 5S;
wing 17.00 to 18.00; bill along culmen, 2.10; height at nostril, 0.73 ; at angle O.SO; tarsus
2.7') ; middle toe and claw the same. Female a little, and youug cmisiderably less than the
above. Wing down to 15. .50; bill to 2.30; tarsus to 2.40. N. Am. at large, abundant, buth
coastwise and in the interior, especially numerous along the Atlantic coast in winter; casually
on the Pacific coast. Breeds from New England and the great lakes northward, especially
about the St. Lawrence, Xewfoundland, and Labrador; but not specially arctic. Ne.st nn
the ground, exceptionally in trees; eggs normally 3, averaging 2.80 X 1-05 ; ground-color from
light bluish- or greenisli-white to dark l)rowiiish-(dive; markings of every size and shape, very
irregularly disposed, dark brown and blackisli, jialer brown and neutral-tint; June and early
July. Nestlings covered with whitish down, mottleil with angular dusky spots.
774. L. oeeideuta'lis. (Lat. occidentnlis, western.) WicsriouN HniiuiNii (iri.r,. 15111 large, very
stout and deep ; culmen unusually c(mvex at the end ; angle strongly developed, making the
under outline doubly-concave. Feet large and stout : tarsus eijual to middle toe and claw.
Adult, sununer plumage : Hill bright chrome-yellow ; a vermilion spot, more or less extensive,
at the angle. Mantle dark blnish-asli, almost slate-color; the tips of the secondaries and ter-
tials white; the line of demarcaticni distinct. Primaries: first three black throughout their
exposed pin'tions, the outer white for some distance at the tip (1.75 inches), cros.sed near the
end with an irregular black bar, the shafts entirely black; second, without a white spot, but
its tip, and the tiiis of all the others, white. Legs and feet llesh-cidor. Approaching matu-
rity : As in the preceding, but the upper parts rather lighter, and the tail with an imperfect
subterminal bar of black. Intermediate: 15)11 much as in the adult. White of the head,
neck, and under parts, more or less mottled with dusky; ''gull-blue" of the upi)er parts ap-
pearing in irregular i)atches ; most of the feathers tipiied with light gray. Primaries and tail
uniform deep blackisli-browu, witli scarcely lighter tips, the former without spots. Young-of-
the-year: 15111 entirely black, rather .•shorter than in the adults, but at the same time with
great comparative depth at the angle. Everywhere a deep blackish-brown, mottled with
grayish-white, the feathers of the U])i)er parts being tipped and <'(lged with that color. Kump
and upper tail-coverts ban'ed with whitish and dusky. Wings and tail as in the preceding.
Winter plumage: This .species seems to form an exception to the rule which obtains so exten-
sively among large gulls, siiu-e in winter the head and neck l)ehind are not, ordinarily at least,
streaked with dusky. Dimensions of adult: length 2t inches; extent 55.00; M'iug 1G.50;
bill above 2.30 ; along gape .'5.10 ; height at nostril 0.75 ; width 0.40 ; height at angle 0.85 ;
tarsus, and middle toe and claw, 2.75. Pacific Coast of \. A., very counn(m.
775. Li. caohlii'nans. (Lat. ciichiDiirnis, laughing iunuoderately.) Pai.l.vs'.s Gi'll. Size, pro-
portions of parts, pattern of primaries, etc., as in a common Herring Gull. Feet yellow (not
776.
777.
778.
LAliW.E — LAlUX.E : GULLS.
r4r,
flesh-color); ring round eye in the livoctling season onuiije-rca (not yclluw). Miintle dark
bluish — much darker than that of argentuUis, yet not slate-colored us in oaitlcntuli^. Euidi.e,
Asia, and X. W. coast of N. A.
L. affl'nis. (Lat. offinis, allied to L. fiisciis.) Rkixhardt's Otll. rnkii.iwn i.. me;
Descrilied as a slaty-hacked bird, rcxcnihlinj,' /.. fiisnis, but bclipn<;iuij t<> the herring' uuU
group in the pattern of the priniavics ; feet liesh-colnrccl, siiuill, toes shorter than tarsi. Asia;
only X. American as occurrini; in Alaska aud accidentally in Greenhind.
L. ealifor'iiieus. ('.\lifou\iax Gl'l.l.. Adult, suunucr phnnasre: l?ill iimderately stout,
the angle well developed ; varying in size, lnUirer than in (Irlawdiensis, snuicliiiies ncirly <i|ual-
liug ari)e)it(ifi(s. Tarsus ecpial to or slightly louucr than middle toe aud claw. Itill chr.>uie-
ycllow, tinged with greenish; a vermiliiui spcit on lower nuindilde at aimlc : a black spot just
above, forming, with a very snuiU black spot on the upper maudilile. au imperlect transverse
band. Feet dusky hliiixh-greeii, the webs yellutv. Mantle pearl-blue, much as in hnwhiirhim-
chiis, lighter than in atnus, sliglitly darker than in unjenUdux. I'liniarics : liases of all liuht
blnish-wiiite, internally almost white, especially on outer webs, and of irreat extent on all : 1st
with a white si)acc at the end for alxiut i inches, the shaft white along the white portion of
the feather; 2d with a white spot near the end on the whole of the inner and most of the
outer web, divided by the black shaft ; tijis of all white ; black forming merely a narrow sub-
terminal band on the 6th. Tips of iuner primaries white, as are also the tips of the second-
aries and tortials, the lino of demarcation between the white and the blin- of the mantle jireity
distinct. In breeding jdumage: Kyelids bright satt'ron-yellow or red. Kyes brown. I'pper
niauilihlo bright chrome, the greater part < if the lower vermilion, the rest chrome. (Jape of
nioutli deep crimson. Feet green. Winti'r ]iluinagc: IJill dully coloreil. Head and neck
behind streaked and mottled with dusky. Nearly nuiture : As in the preceding. Tail with
an imperfect subtermiual bhud? b'r. Sonu' of the feathers of the upper parts edged with irray.
White space at end of 1st prinuny crossed by a trausvi;rse bhndi bar: no sjiot on iA primary.
Young: Bill ycdiowish llesh-color, black on the terminal half. Head, neck, rump, wim;-
coverts, tertials and secondaries, iuottle(l with dusky. I'rimaries and tail uniformly hrowiiish-
bhudi, scarc(dy lighter at the tijis. Hack as in the adults, but the feathers with grayish edges.
Diuu-nsious : Length -.'O.OO-^.S.OO ; extent 50.00-.) J. 00 ; wing 15.00-17.0(1; hill 1.00-2.00;
depth at emiiu'utia symphysis 0.50; tarsus 2.00-2.25; middle toe and (daw about the same.
Adults near the larger of these dinu'usious. Western and Arctic X. Am., breeding abundantly
in U. S.
L. flelawaren'sis. (Of Delaware.) IJixci- milled (Jfn,. Common Ami:uic.\n' (ifi.i,.
Adult in sumnu'r: 15111 rather stout, as louif as the middle toe aud claw ; tin' upper maudilile
considerably convex at the end ; under nuiudihle inucdi thiidieued at the ausile. which is prom-
inent ; the outline from l)as<! to angle, and from angle to tip, both concave. .Miildle toe aud
claw .scarcely more than j- the tarsus. Hill fireeiiish-yidlow, at tip chrome, encircled at the
angle with a broad band <if black. Lei;s and fi'ct dusky blui :'i-green. Mantle liixht pearl-
bine, fading into white at the ends of the secondaries aud t< rtials, the line of demarcation ju-
di.sttnct. I'rinmries: 1st black, the basal jMirtiou of the inner web very liuht bluish-white,
(almo.st white), witli a spot of white about 1.25 in(du's louir ne.ir the end, of ei|Ual ixteui on both
webs, divided by the hX-M'k shaft : 2d with a small white spot on the inner web, and the inner
web whitish at base for a longer distance ; the whitish of the bases of the primaries reirularly
increases inward and the bhudt decreases, luUil on the (ith it is mendy a transverse bar. .\]ie.v
of 1st in-imary black, of othi'rs white, the sjiot being very minute on the 2d. aud trradiially in-
creasing ; 7th and innermost primaries without any black, like the secondaries, .\dult in
winter: As in snnnner, but the head ami neck btdiiud spotted (not streaked nor n(bidateil)
with dusky. Youiur, first winter; Tpjier ])arts irrcirularly mottled with dusky brown and the
pearl-blue of the adults, the wing-coverts being almost entirely dusky, with lighter margins
SYSTE3IA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIPENNES — GA VI.E.
to tlio feathers. Head, nock, and under parts, mottled with white and dusky. Primaries
uuifnnuiy black; socoudaries witli a patel of brownisli-blaek near the ends; tertials wholly
brownish-black, narrowly tipped with whitish. Tail with a broad subterminal band of black,
uari'owly tipped with white. Terminal half of bill black, the extreme tip yellowish. Youiii;-
of-tlic-year in August : Everywhere mottled thickly with brownish-black, on the ujjper jmrts
the feathers with yellowish-white edges, the pearl-blue of the adults scarcely apjiarent, excejit
on the wing-coverts. Terminal two-thirds of bill with the tip black, the rest light iiesh-
coh)r. Dimensions: length 19.75; extent iS.aO; wing 14.73; bill above 1.70; gape 2.30;
heiglit at nostril 0.43; at angle 0.50; tarsus 2.10; middle toe 1.80. N. Am. at large, on
the whole the commonest species, both coastwise and in the interior ; breeds in the U. S. as
well as far nortli.
7T9. 1". ea'nus. (Lat. canus, hoary gray.) European Mew Gitll. Assigned to N. A. on
strength of a specimen shot by me in Labrador in 18(30. It is entirely like the next to bo
described excepting the following particulars: Tarsus a fourth longer than the middle toe and
<'law. Hill stouter, with less convex culmen and better developed angle. The bluish bases of
the primaries darker, not fading into white at their junction with the black, not running so far
ahing the feathers, nor farther "in the centres than along the edges of the inner webs. .Size
jireater. Probably not more than varictally distinct from the next to be described.
780. li. brachyrliyn'ehus. (Gr. ffpaxvs, bnichus, short; pvyxos, hrugchos, beak.) Ameuican
Mew Gi'LL. Bill small, sumewhat stout for its length, nuich shorter than the head or tarsus.
Upper mandible straight to the end of the nostrils, moderately convex to the tip, rather more
f!o than in canus. Angle of lower mandible pretty well-developed, comparatively more so than
in canus ; the lower outline considerably concave posterior to it, somewliat so before it.
Commissure about straight to near the tip. Tarsus and middle toe and claw about eqiuil, tlie
former but little if any longer than the latter. Adult in summer: Hill bluish-green, its ter-
minal third bright yellow. Legs and feet dusky bluish-green, the webs yellowish. Mantle liglit
grayish-blue or darlc pearl-blue, a shade darker than in canus, much darker than in delaira-
renxis. Prinuu'ies : the bluish-gray bases rather lighter than in canus, much darker than in
dchtirarensis, but fading into nearly pure white on all but the first at the jimcture «-ith the
black portion ; these bluish-gray bases of the feathers extend toward the ends nmch furtlu'r
than in canus, as far as in delawarensis, and, as in that species, on the 2d, 3d, and 4th. extend
further along the central portions of the inner web than at the eilges, so that they are bordered
for scpuie distance with the black of the terminal portions of the f<>athers. The black takes in
the outer web of the l.st primary and nearly the whole of the inner, but rapidly becomes nar-
rower, till it is merely a subterminal transverse bar on the Gth. The 7th has frequently a s})ot
of black on one or both webs. First, with a large white spot near the end two indies lung,
longer on the outer than on the inner web, not divided by the black shaft, the tip of the feather
black ; 2d, with a similar spot, but smaller, not longer on the outer than on the inner web,
and divided by the black shaft ; the extreme apex white, as are the apices of all the other
primaries except the 1st. Adult, high breeding plumage: Eyelid, ocular region, and gape of
inoutii, bright orange-yellow, which color extends over the tip and cutting edges of the bill.
The green of the bill with a peculiar hoary glaucescence. Legs and feet bluish-green, the
webs bright gan.iboge-yellow. Sometimes a faint pink blush of the plunuige of the under
parts. Adult in winter : The hca<l and neck all round, with the upper part of the breast, UKit-
tled with dusky. Approaching maturity: Head and neck faintly mottled. Primaries brown-
ish-black, without decided white tips; the spots on the 1st and 2d restricted. Tertials with a
dusky spot on each web near the end. Tail with a more or less perfect subterminal band.
Young, first winter: Bill flesh -color; black (m the terminal half. Legs and feet light yellow-
ish. Head, neck, rump, and whole under parts, mottled irregularly with dusky. Back as in
the adult, but the feathers with grayish edgings. Wing-coverts, secondaries, and tertials
LAlilD.T-: — LARINJE : G ULLS.
747
dusky; darkest on the latter; all with light edgings. Primaries uuif„n., l.ruwnish-l.lack,
without white spots, tips, or lighter bases. Tail almost emirelv l.rownish-hla.'k. witli a
narrow border of white. Young in August : I5ill and Irgs as in the i.nrr.liui:. Kveivwhero
whitish-gray ; the white of the under i)arts appearing as mottling, and th.- hhu' of tii." uj-prr
parts as irregular patches. Dimensions: lenjith 17.50; extent 42.00; wing i:}.?:. ; bill
above 1.10; gape 2.00; width at nostrils O.^J5 ; height 0.35, height at angle ().;i5 ; tarsus.
and middle toe with daw, 1.80. Interior of Aretic America, and PaeiKc roast generally. N,)t
authentieated as occurring on the Atlantic coast. The American representative of L. caiim.
781. L. heer'inanni. (To Dr. A. L. Heermann. Fig. 50'J.) Wiiiti;-hk.\I)i;i) Gill. Very different
from any of the foregoing, belonging to a ditlerent section of the genus {Bliisij)i(s). Hill shorter
than head or tarsus, rather slender, nioderat(dy comiircssed, the tip rather acute; its color re.l in
part in the adult. Folded wings reaching beyond the tail. Tail of moderate length, even, slightly
einarginato in the young. Feet rather large. Tarsus equal to the middle toe and cla«-. ( ieu-
eral colors dark ; tail mostly blackish. Adult, breeding idinnage : Hill bright vermilion red,
black for its terminal third, sometimes whidly red ; a red ring around eye. Head white; this
c(dor gradually merging on the neck into plumbeous-ash, which extends over the whole under
parts, being lighter on the abdomen and under tail-coverts than elsewhere. The back is deep
plumbeous-slate, lighter on
the rump. Upper tail-cov-
erts clear ashy. Upper sur-
faces of wings like the back;
the ))rimaries black ; tiic tips
of all, except the two or
three outer ones, narrowly
white. Tail black, nar-
rowly tipped witii white.
Legs and feet reddish -black. .---^^'^- <?#>^
Young-of-the-vear : Smaller ^'*'' 509. — Wliltc-headetl Gull, Jimt. size. (From Sclatcr mul Sahin.)
than the adult. Bill and feet brownish-black. Entire plumage deep sooty or fidiiriieins-
blackish ; all the feathers, but especially those of the back and upper wing-coverts, edged
V. ith grayish-white. Primaries and secondaries black, as in the adults, with only traces of
white tips on the former. Tail black, very narrowly tipjied with tlull white. Inunature:
Bill as in the adult. Head all round, and the tliroat, mottled with brownish -black and dull
white, the latter c(dor predominating on the forehead and throat. T'liper tail-coverts lighter
than ill the adult, and the white tips of the tail-feathers broader; otherwise generidly as in the
adult, but with all the ctdors rather deejier. Dimensions: " li>nirlh about 17.50: winir 13.50;
tail 5.50"; length of skin 18.50; wing 14.00; tail 5.75; bill ab'Uir culmeu l.S(); along gape
2.40; depth at base 0.55; at angle, about the same ; tarsus 2.2li; niidille toe and claw a little
less. Young: wing 12.25; tail 4.7.) ; bill along culmen 1.00; dejnh at base 0.50; at auule
0.45 ; tarsus 1.90. Length of some skins up to about 20 inches. Pacific coast of N. Am., fmin
British Columbia to Guatemala ; singular among all our species in dark lead-color with white
head and red bill ; common on the California coast.
309. KIS'SA. (Icelandic name, rmn or ritsn.) Kittiwakes. Hill st<iut. rather short, little com-
pressed at the base, shorter than the head, equal to miildle toe without claw, longer than tarsus ;
tip decurved and attenuated ; cimvexity of culmen regular and trrailua' from base to tiji : tronys
concave, in consequence of the great ileHectiim <if the apex of lower mandible; outline of rami
slightly C(meave; eminentia symidiysis well marked and ac.ite, but not larire. Winers very
long, pointed, reaching beyond the fail; the j)rimaries pi»itifed, first longest. Tail moderately
long, even or (in young) emarginafe. Legs stout and short. Tarsus remarkably short, less
than middle toe alone ; anterior toes all long, and united by broad, full webs with uninci.-ied mar-
748
SYSTEM A TIC SYXOPSIS. — LONGIPEXNES — GA VIJE.
gius. Hallux riidiinentary or not well developed, the ungual phalanx being generally obsolete
Pattern of priuiaries and livery of the young, peculiar. Nesta on crags.
Analysis of Species.
Feet (lark; bill clou(le<l with olivaceous, about 1.50 long; wing 12.00.
Hallux rudimentary, witliout a claw-bouring pbalanx triilactyla 782
Hallux better formed, bearing a claw l:otr.i'ljiiii 783
Feet coral red (drying yellow); bill clear yellow, about 1.20; wing 13.00 bnriroslrin 784
782. R. triilactyla. (Lat. tris, thrice ; dacli/lus, digit.) Common Kittiwake. Hind too (july
ajjpcaring as a minute kn<d), its claw abortive. Adult, breeding plumage: Bill light yellnw,
clouded witli olivaceous. Head and neck all round, tnider parts and tail, pure white. Jlniitlo
rather dark bluish or cinereous-blue, thi^ tertiaries and secondaries of the sain(^ color nearly to
their tips, which arc white. Primaries: the first very light bluish-white, without white apex,
its outer web, ai.d its inner web for about two inches from the tip, black ; second like the first,
but without the black outer web, its tij) being black for nearly the same distance as the first,
its apex with a minute white spot; on the third and fourth the black tips grow shorter, while
the apices are niort? broadly white ; this lessening of the black on each feather is exactly pro-
portional to the shortening of the successive quills, bringing the bases of all the black tips in
the same straight line (a pattern peculiar to the species of Jiissa). A .sub-apical black sput is
usually present im one or both webs, but is sometimes ab.sent. Legs and feet blackish. Iiis
reddish-brown; eye-ring red. Adult in winter: Occiput, nape behind, and sides (if tlie breast,
clouded with the c(dor of the back, deepening into slate over the auriculars. A very small but
well-defined black crescent before the eye. Otherwise as in summer. Young : IJill black ; an
ante-ocular crescent, and a ))o.st-ocular spot, du.>iky-slate. A broad transver.«ie bar across the neck
behind, the whole of the; le.'iserand median wing-coverts, the bastard <(uills, the tertiaries, except
at their edges, and a terminal bar on the tail, black. The outer four primaries with their outer
webs, outer half of inner webs, and tips for some distance, bhick, the rest of the feathers jiearly
white. Tips only of the fifth and sixth black, their extreme apices with a white speck. Leiiiith
lG.00-18.00; extent 30.00; wing U.2o; bill above 1.40 to 1..50 ; ah.ng rictus 2.10; height
at base 0..50 ; at angle 0.40; tarsus 1.30; middle toe and claw 1.80. Arctic America and
Europe, chiefly coastwise, very abundant ; breeds from New England northward ; ranges in
winter S. to the Middle States. Xests preferably not on the ground like most gulls, but on tlie
ledge-s of rocks and cliffs overhanging the water, such as the guillemots select ; nest of sea-
weeds, etc. Eggs like those of other gulls, 2.2.5 X l.SO.
783. R. t. kotzebiii'l. (To Otto von Kotzehue, the Russian navigator.) Kotzeiujk's Kitti-
wake. It is a curious fact that the common kittiwake of the North Pacific usually has the
hind toe better formed — sometimes nearly if not quite as long as in ordinary trulls, with a
nearly or quite jterfect, though small, claw. But I cannot predicate a specific character on this
score, since the development of the toe is by in.sensible degrees. (See CofE.s, Proc. Pliila.
Aciid., 1809, p. 207 (footnote) ; Birds N. \V., 1874, p. 014.) N. Pacific coa.st. abundant.
784. R. breviros'trls. (Lat. hreriiostris, short-billed.) Short-billed Kittiwake. Red-
LEOGED Kittiwake. Adult, brc'>ding plumage: Bill very short, stout, wide at the base, the
upper mandible much curved, though not attenuated nor very acute. Convexity of culmen
very great toward the tip ; the culmen being, from the nostrils to the apex, almost the arc of a
circle, whose centre is the symphyseal eniinence. Outline of rami of under mandible and gonys
both .somewhat concave; the eminentia symphysis but slightly developed. Tarsus very short,
hardly more than two-thirds the middle toe and claw. Wings exceedingly long, reaching,
when fidded, far beyond the tail. Tail of moderate length, even. Bill a uniform clear light
straw-yellow, with little or no tinge of olivaceous: iris hazel ; eye-ring red. Head and neck
all round, under parts and tail, juire white. Mantle deep leailen or bluish-gray, much darker
than in i?. triilactyla ; the color on the wings extending to within half an inch of the apices of
the s
vane
the
defin
feath
same
light
in fa
a spi
bluis
third
310.
785.
311.
LAlUD^i: — LAlUX^i: : G I 'LL S.
U9
the secondaries, whicH terminal half-inch is wliite. Primaries : the first lias its shaft aiul cmt.T
vane black, bnt has un its inner vane a spaee of .luU ir,uy (iidt wliile). wliieji at tlie h;ise ,,f
tlie feather oecnpies nearly all tli(; vane, hut unnliially irr.nvs narrower nntil it ends liy a well-
detineil ronndeil termination iuilf as liroad as tiie vane itself, ahoiit ih inelies from tiie tii. ot tln^
feather, tiieso 2^ inches being black, liiic the outer vane. Second: tlie onter vane is of tiie
same leaden gray as the back, to witliin four indies of tlie tip: tlie inner vane is of a rather
lighter shade of the same cohir, to within three inches of the tip, tliegray ending .ibrnptly, beiui;
in fact almost truncated. Third: like the second, but the gray extends further, leaviiig only
a space of two incdies black ; and tiie tip has also a minute apical gray spot. Foiirth : wholly
bluish-gray to within U indies of tlie tip, wliidi lias a larger gray apical sjiot than iias the
third, so that the black is less tlian 1^ inches long. Fifth : the gray extends so far that it is
separated from the well-defined white ajiical spot by a band of bla(dc less than H indi wide.
Sixtli : gray, fadhig into white at the tiji, and with the black reduced to a small subapical sjiot
on one or botli webs ; other primaries like tlie sixth, minus the blad: spot. (This "gray" of
the primaries is the c(dor of the mantle.) Legs and feet coral-red, especially the toes and webs
(tlie tarsi not (jiiite so bright) ; drying yellow. Claws black. Young not seen. IJird at times
said to have a black eye-ring and dark spot Ixdiind eye. Nestlings covered with white down, with
whitish bill and feet. Dimensions: 15111 along ciilmen 1.21) inches; along rictus about l.?*!;
from nostril to tip 0.60; depth at base 0..jO; width i)Ai; depth at sympliyseal eminence i)A-2;
wing 13.00; tail altont 5.00; tarsus 1.25; middle toe and claw nearly 2.(10; length of the whole
bird, apparently about 14 inches. A beautiful and very distinct species, swarming by thou-
sands in islands in Bering's sea, where it is a permanent resident; nests on shelves of the most
inaccessible crags, Imilding a substantial structure of grass, moss, and seaweeds, mixed with
mud; eggs 2-3, size and sliape of a lien's egi;s, of tlie usual ]iattern of colipration : .June, July.
310. PAGO'PHILA. {(ir. iToyos, pogos, lev; (f>iKos, jiliilos, hty'uii;. I IcK Gfi.L.s. 15111 very short,
much less than the head, only about e(|ual to the short tarsus, very stout, little comjiressed, tlie
nasal fossa deep, tlic nostrils |daced far forward. Legs an<l feet very sliort and stout, the scales
of the tarsus and toes large and rough. Tibia feathered to near the joint; tarsus short, about
as long as middle toe without daw ; claws hirge, strong, and nuadi curved; webs narrow and
much incised; a slight connection of liind with inner toe. Size moderate; form stout; cidor
entirely white. One species.
785. P. ebiir'nea. (Lat. ebiiniea, of or like ebur, ivory.) Ivouv Gfl.l.. Adult, breeding plu-
mage : Culmen straight to the nostrils, then regularly convex ; commissure gently curved to the
tip, where it is considerably decurved; goiiys straight to near the angle, which is well definedi
the outline from angle to tip perfectly straight. Feathers extending between the rami nearly to
the angle. Wings long and pointed, reaching beyond the tail; primaries gradually attenuated
to the tip. Color entirely pure white, the shafts of the primaries straw-yellow. Hill dusky
greenish, yellow at tii) and along tiie cutting edges. Legs ami feet bla<'k. Eye brown, the
edges of the eyelids red. Young : Front, ciiin, and sides of the head, grayish-dusky ; the upper
part of the neck, all rouml, irregularly spotted with the same. Scapulars, and upper and under
M-ing-coverts, spotted with brownish-black, the spots most numerous along the lesser coverts.
Tips of the primaries and tail-feathers with a dusky spot. Dimensions: Length I'J.OO; extent
41.00; wing 13.25; bill above L40; along gape 2.10; height at nostrils 0.15; tarsus about
1.45 ; middle toe and claw 1.75. Arctic seas of both hemispheres, coming southward in win-
ter, bnt rarely to the U. S.
311. CHROICOCE'PIIALUS. (Gr. xp<"«to'r. f/iroi'te, colored ; Ktri)a\f). krjMJe, hond.) IfonnEn
GULL.S. Rosy Gtlls. Form as in Jmhis, but general organization averaging less rolmst,
size smaller, and bill usually weaker, slenderer, more acute and less hooked. Head envdopcd
in a dark hood in the breeding season, when white of under parts usually blushim.' jiiiik or
rosy. Markings of the prinu»rics .-arying with the species, but ditlereut from that of the larger
750
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LOXGIPENNES— GA VIJE.
gulls. Tail square, or uearly so. There are no nmrked peculiarities t)f form of this genus,
the pattern of coloration being mainly its basis. Tiie numerous si)eeies average uiiich under
tlidse of Larus in size (thougli oue at least is among the largest of Laruuc) : they approximate
toward Xema aud lihodustethia in souio respects, but the tail is neither forked nor cuneatc.
78T.
Analysis of Species.
Tarsus longer than middle too and claw.
Dill reddi»li, feet the sauie. Length 18.00 or more
Tursus not longer than middle toe and claw.
Dili rcddisli, feet tlio same. Lengtii a()out 14.00 inches fmultiiii
Bill blaclt, feet red or yellow. Length about 14.00 Inches philaihliMn
alricilla 'HO
7>7
7S8
788. C. atrlcil'Ia. (Lat. «?Wt'(Wa, black-tail : only applicable to the young. Fig. 510.) LAUiiiiiNO
Gull. Black-ueaded Gull. Bill longer than middle toe and chiw, shorter than tarsus or
head, moderately compressed, rather stout for this genus. Culmeu and commissure hotli decurvcd
at the end, the latter somewhat sinuate at the base. Gonys considerably concave in front
of the angle, somewhat so between the angle and tip ; although the angle is mtH defined,
the tip of the bill ij so decurvcd that a chord from tip to base does not touch it. .Middle toe
barely three-fourths the tarsus. Adult in summer : Bill and edges of eyelids deep caniiiue ;
legs and feet dusky-red; iris blackisji. Hood
deep plumbeous grayish-black, extending further
on tlie throat than on the najie. Eyelids wiiite
posteriorly. Neck all round, rump, tail, broad
tips of secondaries and tertials, and whole under
l)art.>i, white, the latter with a rosy tinge (like tli(^
tint of ))each-blossonis). Mantle grayisli-plum-
beous. Outer six primaries black, their extreme
tips white ; th(nr bases for a very shoi't distance
Fig. 610.— Bill of Laughing QuUiUat. size. (Ad on the first, and only on the inner web, aud for a
nat. del. E. C.) successively increasing distance on both webs of
the others, of the color of the back. Adult in winter : Under parts simply white, not rosy ;
hood lost, the head being white, mi.xed with blackish. Bill and feet more dull in color. Innna-
ture : Bill and feet brownish-black, tinged with red. Plumbeous of the upper parts more or
less mixed with irregular patches of light grayish-brown. Primaries wliolly brownish-black,
fading at the tip. Secondaries brownish -black on the outer wel). Tail-feathers more or
less tinged with plumbeous, and witli a broad terminal baud of brownish-black, the extreme
tips of tiie featiiers wiiite. Upper tail-coverts white. Young-of-the-year : Entire u)ijper
parts, aud neck all round, light brownish-gray ; tiie feathers tipped with grayish or rufous-
white, broadly on the scapulars and tertials, the blue of the adults appearing (m the wing-
coverts. Eyelids whitish ; a dusky space about the eye. Forehead, tiiroat, aud under parts,
dull wiiitish, more or less clouded with gray, especially on the breast, where this is the
prevailing color. Wings and tail as before. Length about 16.50 ; extent 41.00; wing 13.00;
tail 5.00; bill 1.75, ahuig gape 2.25, its heiglit at nostril 0.45 ; tarsus 2.00; middle too and
claw 1.50. Tropical Am. and temperate N. Am. ; in tjie U. S. north coastwise in sunnner to
Maine, in tiio interior to Ohio or beyond ; on the Pacific side to California ; Central America,
both coasts, and various W. I. islands; S. Am. to the Lower Amazon; casual in Europe.
By thousands along the Atlantic coast during the migrati(ms, breeding in colonies anywhere
along, wintering in the South. Nest on the ground, of eel-grass, seaweeds, and other vege-
table material; eggs mostly 15, sometimes 2; 2.10 X L55 ; ground cohir some olive sliade,
ranging from dull grayish to dark greenish, thickly marked all over with spots and irregular
splashes of brown, blackish, dull reddish and pale purplish ; sometimes the markings ciiiefly
wreathed about the large end.
LAlUDJt: — LAIUNJK : G ULLS.
^,"1
(.)1
78T. C. frank'Iinl. (To Sir John Franklin.) Fuaxklin's Rosy GuLr,. Adult in bncling
plumage : Hill ratiifr sUmkIi'i-, atttiiuatcd and a little dtTurved at tlu; tip, widcli is acute ;
outline of both rami and g"nys I'oni'avc. I$iil slua'tcr than head ; tarsus eiiual tiiiiiiddlc toe
and claw. Bill red (carmine, lake, or vermilion), crossed with black near tiie end. l,ei,'s
dusky-reddish. Edges of eyelids orange. Kyeliils white, tliis color also reaching a little
behind the eye. Hood deep slaty or pluniheous-black, encircling the upper [lart cif the ucck
as well as tlio head, and extending further (mi th(ahroat than on the nape. Mantle not iiuite
so dark as in atriciUa (more blue), darker than in jihilttclvljihia. First primary with the uulcr
vane black to within an inch of the tip; the iimer pearly-white, crossed an indior more from
the tip by an isolated black bar an inch broad, thus leaving the feather white on both webs
for an inch or more from the ti]). The ne.\t live primaries are basally of tiie color of the hack,
paler on the inner web, and both webs fading toward their tips into wliite ; each is crosseil by
a black bar near the end, two inches wide on the second primary, narrowing on successive
feathers to a snuiU bar or pair of little spots on the sixth ; the tips of all these primaries pnro
white. Other primaries, with secondaries and tertials, cidored like the back, fading at the tijis
into white; shafts white, simietimes black along the black portion of the feather. Tail very
pale j)early-bluc, the three Literal pairs of rectrices wliite — or rather tail white, liglitly washed
with pearly (m the si.x central feathers. Xeck all around, rump, broad tips of secondaries and
tertials, and whtde under ])arts white, the latter rosy. Younger, that is to say, in summer
pUnnage, and with a perfect hood, red bill, etc., but the primaries not yet having altaiued
their perfect pattern: General coU)ration e.vactly as before. Shafts id' first three prinniries
black, of the rest gray, except along the black portion of tlie feathers ; 1st primary with tlie
outer web wholly bhick, tiie inner web jiearly-gray, mucii like the back but ligliter, to witiiin
two or three inches of the tip, then black for the rest of its extent; 2d like tlie 1st, but tin-
base of the outer web like the inner; on the 'M, M\, and 5th, successively, the black decreases
in extent, till on the 6th it is merely a little bar, or pair of spots ; tips of all the primaries
white; that of the 1st primary smallest, that of the others successively increasing in size.
Winter plumage : As in summer; the hood wanting o!' indicated by a few slaty feathers about
the eyes, on the anriculars and naiie ; the rosy '.canting ; the bill and feet dull-colored.
Young: Bill blackish, with ])al( base of under mandible; feet flesh-colored: eye black.
Traces of a hood, or nape largely shity, etc., ac>'ording to precise age. Outer five or six
primaries wholly bhick in th"ir contiiiuity, rather lighter and somewhat slaty at base, with
or without a minute white speck at the tip. Mantle gray or lirown, more nr less mixed witli
blue, according to age. Tail ashy-white, with a broail lilack subterminal bar. I'nder i»arts
white. This ap] tears to be the usual jdumage of birds of the first autumn. Dimensions:
Length about li.OO inches; extent IJj.OO; whig 11.25; tail about 4.5((; bill along ciilmen
1.30; nhmg gape 1.75; height at nostril 0.;15 ; tarsus 1.(10; middle toe and claw tlie same.
Young smaller than adults; bill 1.10-1.20; wing 10.00, etc. S. and V. Am. in winter; in
N. Am. migrating through the interior, chiefly west of the Mississiiii)i, to the Arctic i-egioiis,
abundant; has never been observed in the Atlantic States. Breeds from the X. Ixinicr of
the U. S. northward. Eggs 2.12 X 1- !0, closely resembliiii; tliose of tlie EskiiiKi curlew in
size, shape and cohu-; though tlie dark splasln'S are more evenly distriiiuted over thi' surface.
788. C, philadel'phia. (T(. the city of that name.) Box.ap.MITk's Rosy Gfix. .\diilt, breeding
plumage: Bill shorter than the head or tarsus, much compressed, very sh'iider. like a tern's :
both mandibles witli a .slight but distinct notch near the tip. Convexity of culmen slidif,
gradual from base to apex ; rami slightly concave; ironys about straight. Nostrils very narrow.
Tarsus equal to middle toe and claw. Tail .s.unewhat eiiaririnato in the younu. Bill
black. Mouth and eyelids carmine. Leits and feet coral-red. tinged with vermilion. Webs
bright vermilion. Hood idumbeous-slat<', not so deep as in frmd-Uni. envidoiiintr the Inad
and upper part of the neck, reaching further before than behind. White patches .m eyelids
752
SYSTEMA TIC SYyOPSIS. — LOXGIPENXES— GA VIJE.
312.
narrow, and lialf piisti'ricir to the cyi'. Mantle iicarl-bhic, niucli lighter than iu franklini
Ends of the teilials and seaimlars seareely lighter than tiie baek. Primaries: shafts of the
fii-st five or six white. exeej)t at their extreme tijis, the others dark-eolored ; first, <mter weh
and extreme tip Idaek, rest white; second, while, its tip lilaek for a greater distance than the
first, and on one or both webs, for a greater or less distance (sometimes half M'ay down the
feather) narrowly bordered with black ; third, fonrth, fifth, sixth, black at the ends for about
the same distance on each, the black borch'ring the inner web mnch further than the outer ;
the imier webs of the third anil foin'th, and both webs of the fifth and sixth, of a rather liu:liter
shado of the color of the back. Other prinuiries like the baek, the seventh and eighth with
a touch of black on one or both webs near the tip. The third to sixth prinuiries witii a white
or pearly-white speck at extreme tip. As is not the case with either of our other sjiecies of
the genus, the prinniry wing-coverts, bastard quills, etc., are wholly or in great part white,
causing the whole win^ to be bordered with white as far as the carpus. Neck all around,
and under parts, including under wing-coverts, pure white ; the belly rosy in breeding time.
No difference iu color between the sexes. Adult, M'inter jdumage: Hill light cidored at base
beh'w; feet tiesh-color. Crescent before the eye, and patch below the auriculars, deep slate.
Crown and occiput mottled with grayish-black and white. Hack of neck waslieil over with
the <'oh(r of the mantle. Forehead, sides of the head and throat, white, continuous with the
white of X\w under jiarts. Young, first winter: lUU dusky Hesh-color, except tttward the
en<l; legs and feet light flesh-cidor. Without the slaty mottling of the crown. Auricular
patch distinct. Lesser wing-coverts and tertials dusky-brown, lighter ahaig their edges.
H indari' s with a p.tih of dusky near the end, which <iu the innermost three or four becomes
restricted to the outer web. First jirimary, witli about half the inner web along the .^haft,
bhick : second and third with the outer webs wlndly black, and a narrow line of black on
the inm-r, along the shaft. 'J'ail with a subterminal brownish-black bar. Very young : Hill
•fle.sh -color, dusky on the terminal half, ("rown of head, aial neck behind to the interscapulars,
chiud".; with du.'^ky bluish-gray, heightening on the sides of the neck into light grayish-
ochrei us. Scapulars and middle of the back light gull-blue, as in the adult, but the feathers so
broadly (fori inch) tipped with grayish-brown, fading into dull white at tip, that the original
color is nearly lost. Lesser wing-coverts and tertials brownish-bhudv, the latter edged with
the c(dor of the edgings of the back. Hastard <piills and feathers along the edge of the wing
variegated with black and white. Primaries black; the outer two-tliirds of the inner vane
of the first four bluish-white to near the end ; both vanes of the otiiers of that cidorfor a little
distance ; the extreme tips of all but the two first, white. Secondaries light gull-blue, each
with a large terminal blackish s)iot coiitiimous with the black ends of the inner primaries.
Tail with a broail terminal bar of black, and very narrowly tipped with dull white. Uinien-
sions : Length ILOO inches ; extent 32.00; wing 10.25; bill above, 1.20; gape 1.75 ; height
at nostrils (t.25 : tarsus, or miildle toe and claw, 1.40. N. Am. at large, both coastwise and
iu the interior, migrating through and wintering in the U. S., breeding in high latitudes ;
abundant; esjiecially numerous ah mg tho Atlantic coast during the migrations ; accidental iu
Europe. One of the most airy, graceful, and elegant of the family. Eggs rare and scarcely
known; one has been described as 1.8(1 Xl.'^O, olive-gray, with a close wreath of very
dark and lighter brown splashes around the larger end, and «)ther scratches and spots of the
same scattered over the whole surface. In the interior this species and the last m.ay often be
seen winnowing over ploughed land. pr<d)ably after earth-worms.
RHODOSTE'THIA. (Gr. pobov, hrodon, tho rose ; (rr^floj, stethos, the breast.) Wedge-
TAII, Gir.L. Tail cuneate (here only among Laridec). Otherwise, form much as in other
small gulls ; bill weak and slender, with little salience of the angle ; wings folding beyond
the tail. No colored hootl, but a black ccdlar round neck. Under plumage blossoming in
breeding season.
791.
LAIillJ.i: — LAlilN.'E : GULLS.
7r)8
789. B. ro'sea. (Lilt, romt, rosy.) Wkikie-taii.ei., or Hoss' Rosy fii'i.i,. .V.lnlt : Whit.',
i-osy-fhitca ; a Muck collar, but ik. Ii.hmI ; iiianth' i)caiiy-l)lu(>; i.riinaiics inailud wiili l.Ja.U ;
bill black, gape and odtfc (if cydids ivd; fn't vcniiilimi. Li-umli II.IIO; winy lii.:.(): bill
0.75, very sIciuUt; tar.sus littb' over l.Oi); tail .")..')(), tvofm^c, tb,.\'radiiati..ii iHiiji; our iud,.
Young extuusivfly mottled with bladu.sli. Aivtii- ivuious; a ciiruniiiolar siiicir.s, diiiliy
inhabiting the Arctic Leasts of N. Am. and SilHiia, thoiii.'ii known to cmiic southward to the
FiiTocs and Heligoland in Kuroiie, and to St. .Mifharl's in Alaska. This cx.|uisitf i;iill, fanird
for the beauty of its phliuage, remained until recently oni' of the rarest of birds in colhrfions;
oidy about a dozen being known to exist, not one of them in any Anu'rican inu.seum. In 1S7<»,
Mr. H. L. Xewcotiib, naturalist of the ill-fateil " ,b annetle," secured eight sjiecimens on the
Siberian coast, oldy three of them, however, beinu jireserved. Mr. K, \\, Nelson took one at
St. Michael's, Alaska. More recently, a very large numlier of speciniens have been secnreil at
Point Harrow, on the Arctic coa.st of Alaska.
313. XE'MA. (A noiisen.so word — sviiiin svu.sk airois.) Fuuic-tail (iti.i.s. Tail foiked (iiere
only in Liiritu/). Head hooded, with a more or less evident darker collar, liill lilack. with
light tip. Size nujderate and small. With a geiu'ral bearing toward Clin/icDiijilinliix, in tlie
hooded head and other features, the genus is distinguished from this or any other groii|i of
LariiKc by the tern-like character of the forked tail.
.Iiiitlyxin of SpicU'S.
Siimll: Wing 11 iiieliCH or less; tall lightly forked ; a iletliiite black collar boiimling tho liooil ; fiot Mack
.■<iiliii,ii 790
Large: Wing ID inches or mure; tall tleejily forked j black collar iiicoiisplcuous; feet reililisli . . fuinila 7'Jl
790. X. sabi'nii. (To E. Sabine.) FoiiK-TAiLEi) GuLL. Adult, breeding plumage: Hill black
to the angle, abruptly bright chrome from anglt^ to tip. Mouth briirht orange ; eyelids
orange; legs ami feet black. Hood uniform clear dee}) slati', bouniled inferiorly by a ring,
narrowest on the impe, of velvety-black. Lower part of neck all round, tail and its coverts,
four inner jiriinaries, secondaries, greater jiart of greater coverts, tijis of tertials except the
innermost, ami whide under parts, pure white. Mantle slate-blue, extending (piite to the ti])s
of the inner tertials. Ertge of wing from the carpal Joint with the bastard wing, bhick. First
five primaries, with their shafts, black; their extreme tips, and the outer half of the inner
webs, to near the end, white. Other primaries white, tho si.xtli with a tou<'h of bla<'k on the
(juter web. Ennirgination of tail 1.25 inches. Length 13.?.") ; wini; ID. 7."); bill 1.0(1; along
gape 1.30; height at angle O.ISO; tarsus L2.5 ; middle toe and claw same. Adult in winter:
Without the hood. Yonng-of-the-year : Tail forked, neiirly as in the aihilt. liill small
and weak, Hesh-cidor and dusky. Legs a]iparently He.sh-c<dored. N<i hood nor c(dlar.
Most of the head, the back of the neck, and upper parts in general, slaty-gray, triinsversely
waved with brownish-white; each feather being tipped with this color. Under piirts white.
Tail white, with a broad terminal bar of black, an inch wide on the central rectrices,
growing narrower on tho others successively; on the outermost sometimes invadinu oidy
one web. This black bar very narrowly edged with white. Wings surprisingly similar to
those of the adult, but the white on the inner webs more restricted, and the white tips very
snmll or wanting altogether. Dimensions a little less than those of the adult. Y<iunu not
distinctly resembling the same iigi' of CIi. philiiih'lphiu. Arctic America, both coastwise and
iu tho interior, irregularly sotith in winter through the V. S. : Hennudas : Peru I Euro|pe.
Cominou enough in high latitudes, but seldom seen in the V. S.. and still ratliei' r.ue in col-
lections. Eggs 3, L7.") X l.-"), much like a curlew's iu general asju'ct, brownish-olive, sparsely
si)lashed with brown.
791. X. furca'ta. (Lat. fiircatit, forked.) S\VAi,T,n\v-TAii.i;i) ftti.t,. Immature? Head and
nearly all tin' neck grayish-brown : a white mark on each side of the forehead ; mantle uray-
ish-white; tail white, much forked; lesser wing-coverts white; greater slate, white-bordered;
48
.
m
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LONUIl'ENNES— GA VLll.
bill bliu'k lit base, white tit cud; eyes (iml fcpt ri'(l ; cycruls oniii^tf; chiw.s black. Lc'u>,'tli
abimt 2 ft'i!t. " California" (?) Tho fon-yiiiiit; i.s uiiiiipilcJ frinii tlip original ilcscriiition.
Only tliroi' sjK'cinu'Us of tiiis excessively rare gull are known ; one ascribed to Monterey, Cali-
forniu ; another, adnlt, from Chatliani island, one of the (ialapagoes. The latter, in thr
Ilritish Mnseuin, is thns described; '• Head, neck, and throat, of a sootier color than in A'.
sabinii) darkening toward tiie base of tho hood, but not forming a distinct black c<dlar, as in
this species; a white frontal band; under jiarts anil tail jiun! white, the latter more deeply
forked than in subhni ; mantle pale pearl-gray, somewhat darlu'r on the wing-coverts; piiniii-
ries blackish-brown on outer webs and continuation of inner webs, thence white, except at ti|i:
seconilaries white, tiiij;ed «itli gray at their tips; bill blackish, tipped with horn-yellow fmin
tiie angle. Wing Hi. 50 inches ; tarsi nearly 2 inches; middle toe the same; hind toe very
snuill. but bearing a well-developed claw." A third has lately been announced from I'aracas
Hay, Peru ; tliis is a yoimg one, with black bill, reddish feet, the manth* spotted and the tail
barred with blackish. Adult and young are figured by Saunders, 1*. Z. S., 1882, p. 52.'{, pi.
34; see also 1*. Z. S., 1878, p. 210. Tho spech's is very (|uestionably N. Am.
72. Subfamily STERNIN^: Terns.
Covering of bill continuous (no i-ere), hard and honiy
throughout. IJill jxtrdgiidtlioiis, relatively longer and slenderer
than in the gulls, very acute, the conunissure straight or nearly
8t> to the very end. Curve of culmen gentle and gradual tVom
base to apex. Symphysis of inferior mandibular rami niucli
more extensive than in LeMridiiKC or Larinw, but the emineutia
symphysis less marked. Interramal space narrow. Encroach-
ment of feathers on the bill as in iMriiiw. Nostrils linear-
obhing, lateral, direct, iiervious, varying with genera as regards
degree of approximation to the base of the bill. Wings ex-
tremely lengthened, narrow, and acute, th(' first prinuiry nuicli
the longest, the rest rapidly gradinitcd'. Secondaries short and
inconspicuous. Tail usually much elongated aiul deeply forked,
Fio.Stt.— Roseate Tern. (From the lateral feathers being more or less attenuated and filiform;
Tciiiicy, after Aiiaubon.) only occasionally short and broad (Gelocltflidnii), or graduated
(Aiwiis, etc.). Legs jdaced rather further back, and less decidedly ambulatorial than in
Larincf. Tibia denuded for a varying distance. Tarsi short and usually slender ; scutellate
and reticulate, as in Larinw. Toes of moderate length, and of the usual relative proportions.
Webs rather narrow, and (e.xcei>t in Aiwiis, etc.) more or less incised. Claws small, com-
pressed, but much curved and acute. Sizt- moderate, or very small. (Jeneral form slender
and delicate. Plumage as in other subfamilies, but the ))teryla' narrow ; the sexes hardly
differing in coloration, but the variations with age and season very great.
The terns are not distinguished from the gulls by any strong structural peculiarities, but
they invariably show a special contour, in the production of which the longer, slenderer, and
acutely paragnathous bill is a conspicuous element. Only one species has the bill in any no-
ticeable degree like that of a gull. A few of the terns are as large as middle-sized gulls, but
tho normal stature is much less ; and they are invariably of a slenderer build, more trim in
shape, with smoother, clo.ser-fitting plumage. The great length and shar[)ness if tlu^ wing
relative to the bulk of the body confer a dash and buoyancy of Hight wanting in the gulls; in
Hying over the water in search of food, they hold the bill pointing straight downward, which
makes them look curiously like c<dossal mosquitoes ; and they secure their prey by daiting
impetuously upon it, when they are usually submerged for a moment. The larger kinds feed
priiudpally upon little fish, procured in this way; but most of the smaller ones are insectivo-
LAIilD^ — STEItNlNJE : TKHNS.
766
rous, and flutter alumt (ivor marsliy siidts like swiillowa or nijtlit-lmwks. Tho Rcnrriil iipiicar-
aiice ami iiioilc of tliglit luivc siiggcsinl the niiiiu' cf " Mca-swall-.w," the (■((iiival.'Ui ..f which
is apiiliod ill Hourly all i-ivilizcd laiiniiMi,'cs. A fnijuiig (,f the lail is an almost universal char-
acter. In the Caspian ami niarsii terns, tlie black tern and its allies, and sonic others, tiio
forking is moderate, and not accomiiaiiied Uy altcniiation of the lateral I'eathcis ; l.nt orli-
iiarily, tlicso are reiiiarkalply hngtliened iind almost tilanientons, as in tiie barn swallow. It
should be observed that in all such cases the narrowing elongation is gradual, uud coii»ec|ucnlly
less evident in the ycaiiig ; and that it is very variable in its devejopiiieiit. The noddies oiler
the iieciiliarity of a tail lightly forked centrally, but muiided Ulerally. 'I'lie feet are small and
rtdatively weak tlirouglnmt the group; the terns walk but little, iind scarcely swim at all.
Ordinarily the webbing is rather narrow, and inciseil, particularly that between the middle and
inner toe; hi Ifi/druchelidoii, this occurs to such extent that the toes seem sinndy semipalniale.
The W(d>s are fullest in Anoiin, where also the hallux is unusually lung; in some species, this
toe is slightly connected with the tarsus by a web. 'I'he inner tue is shortiT than the outer,
and much less tliuii the middle, which, especially in Uiidi-mliclitlon, is much lengthened, and
has the inner edge of its (daw ililated, or even slightly serrate. 'I"he c(diiratiou is very con-
stant, almost throughout the subfamily. .Most of thi' species are white (oftin insy-tiuted lie-
low), with a pearly-blue mantle, a black cap on the head, aial dark-colcred priumries. along
the inner web of which iisikiIIi/ runs a white stripe. These (lark-<'<doicd ipiilK, wliin new, arc
beautifully fro.steil or silvered over ; but this hoariness being very superlicial, soon wears nil',
leaving the feathers simply blackish. The black cap is otteii interrupted by a while fiontal
crescent; it is sometimes prolonged into a slight occipital crest ; in a few species, it is reidaceil
l(y a lilack bar on each side of the head. One s[)ecics, Iiicii iiii/fitncitlis, has a curious bundle of
curly white plumes on each side of the head. Another, Oi/f/is idha, is jmre white all over;
I'roirhtcriKt c//(C('ef« is wholly ashy; the noddies are all fuliginous ; the upjier parts of Uitli-
2)1(1)1(1 are dark ; the specit's of Ilydrodteliddn are largidy black. These are the juincipal if
not the only exce[)tioiis to the luu'mal coloraticui just given, '['he .sexes are never distinguish-
able, either by size or color; but nearly all the sjiecies, in the progress toward maturity,
undergo changes of ])hiiiiage, like gulls; while the seasonal ditt'erences are usually consider-
able. As a rule, the black cap is imiieifect in young and winter specimens, and the firmer
show gray or brown patching instead of the pure tiual color of the mantle. In all those species
in which the bill is red, (uange, or yellow, it is more or less dusky in the young. The changes
are ]UMbably greatest in the black terns.
The general ec(uiomy is much the same thronghout the group. The egys arc laid in a
slight depression on the ground, — generally the sliingl(! of beaches, or in a tussock of gra.ss in
a marsh, or in a rude nest of sticks in low thick bushes ; they are l-.'i in number, variegated
in C(dor. Most of the species are maritime, and such is particularly the case with the noddies;
but nearly all are also found inland. They are noisy birds, of shrill penetrating voice; and no
less gregariiMis than gulls, often assembling in nuiltitudes to breed, and generally moving in
company. Species occur near water in almost every jiart of the world, and most of them
are widely distributed; of those occurring in N'oi'tli America, the majority are found in corre-
sponding latitudes in the Old Wculd. Some seventy species are currently reported ; the true
number is apparently just about that of the (!nlls (about fifty).
The generic and subgeneric groups of the StcniitKC are rather better marked than those
of the Luiiiuc. ritfCtliKKd, Gi/i/is, and several subgenera near vl kohs are extraliiuital. The
North American forms may readily be distinguished by the following analysis. Jli/dniihclidan
and Anoiis may be regarded as genera, the remainder being subgenera of Sterna.
Annlijxh nfllic Xorlh Amrrimn forms of SIcmitKT.
Nostrils Bub-baB,il. Frnntal .inlin! iininiiiieiit, embriiclng base of culmcn. Tail more or loss forked.
Tarsus not sliortcr lliioi niKlclU' t.jo without the claw. Lateral toes much shorter than the middle.
756
SYSTEM/. TIC SY^^OPSIS. —LONGIl'E^WES — GA VI.E.
Webi tnclMxl (Hrmip STKRNi:.t:).
Wobs mixluriitfly liiilwid. Tall well-rnrmcd, geiiorally more tlmii liulf an long aa tlio wliij,.. I'mlui
parlH wbllr or light.
Uinn^r |Mirl« iiuiirl-gniy. Cap In mininior black, or a bliiok bar tbroilgli t'}c.
Hill kIioii unci vi'iy Htoiit, i.omc'wlmtKiill-Uko, black. Tumi niui'li longer tlian tliu t<ii>ii,
black. 'I'lill llglilly liirkfil. Mwlliini hIzo Inliuli.lhhm
Bill long, large, bright colorcil, or with yellow lip. An (Hclpllol crcBl. Kc.l black.
Forklngof tall varlulle. Of large size Thnldnnim
Bill niiMlerule, Hlender, uxinilly bright eoloroil, liku tlio feot. Nocrcat. Tail bmg. deeply
forked. Size nieilluni and Mnall Slinm .'114
Upper parlH chntky. Ca|> Uku the back.
Hill and feet bbuk. A while frontal crescent Ildlijilinin
Wcbd deeply Incised (feet little more than Keinlpalinatei. Tall nu'rely einnrglnate, lianlly or not half
an long a8 the wing. Under jiartii In Hummer black Iliiihinln liilin ai."i
MoHtrlls nearly meilian. No frontal unthe, the fcatherH exlinillii^ further on cnlinen than al thi' hIiIcm.
Tall double-rounded. Tar»l very Hhort. Toch leiigilieiied, the lateral nearly as long us the ndddle, with
full wclm. Klroup Anok.i;.)
Color fullglnouH tiiiiti.i 'Mi;
314. STKR'NA. (Liitiuizcd from EuLtlisli xirni or tcni.) Tkuns. Fofiii tyi>ic;il id' tlic siil.-
limiily. Ndstrils siib-luiHiil. Frontnl iiiitiii' ](riiinim'iit. Tnil iiiorc fir Ifss fnrkcil. TiiiMis
tint .slniftcr thiiu iiiidillc toe \vitliuut daw. I..iit('i'iil toes imicli nlKirtfr tliiiii luidilli'. Wtlis
iiioilcralcly incised. Under yurta of adult white, or iilie hiivU. (('liiiracters of the tmhriiinilv,
exebbsivo of llydrochclidon and Auoiis.)
/tnnlynis of Siihijeni'm and Sperhn {aihiltn).
Gl'.l.oeilKr.lDOX. Hill very Htout, ulmoHt gull-like, black. Tarmis much longer than looB, black. Tall
lightly forked, ctuitained ubotit 2^ tInieH In wing .Size moderate.
Head ercMte<l. Cap bhiuk. I'early mantle e.\teiiillng over rump and tail iiuiiHin 7!il'
TiiAi.A8gKUH. Hill long, large, tern-llku, bright colure<l or wltb yolluw tip. Feet black, lleuil crei-ied.
Size largo to largest.
Tall merely enuirgimite, contained nearly or ubmit ,'l tlmcH In wing. PrIniarleH without white space
on inner webs. Bill red. Largest: wlngabont Ki.OO; tall ."i.rid; bill nearly ;i.lP() iuniiin 793
Tail forked. Prinmrles with while space on Inner webs. Bill ornnge, stout, about 'J.60, 0.51) or more
deepatbaHo; gonyH about Mil) long. Wing 14. .no mii,riiiiii T!i4
Tall forked. I'rimariea with white space cm inner wclm. Bill orange, slender, about 2.W), under n 50
deep at base, gonys about 1.50 long. Wing l-'.BO ilninun "li.l
Tall deeply forked, w ith narrow outer feathers. Trlinarles with white space on Inner webs. BUI
slender, black, yellow-tipped rniilincit I'M
Stf.ijn.v proper. Bill long, slender, acute. Tarsus not longer than ndddle toe imd daw. Tail more or
less forked, with acute or very narrow lateral feathers, one-bulf or more as long as wing. Head imt
decidedly crested. Size medium to smallest.
Mantle! jiearly-ljlue.
No black cap.
Head whitish, with black bar through eye; under parts liku the mantle Intiliditi glfj
A black cap.
No white frontal <'rc>»cent ; black cap rcaebing bill.
Hill wholly or mostly red or recldlsh.
Bill red, blackcnln;; at end; feet coral-red. Outer web of enter tail-feather white;
Inner gray or dark. Tarsus O.iH) or more furstiri THS
Hill red, blackening at end; fc^ct coral-red. Outer web of outer tail-leather gray or
dark, Inner white; under parts jialer than upper. Tarsus about T."i . . Iiininih 707
Bin wholly red; feel vermilion: outer tail-feather as in tlie last. Tarsus 0.05 or less
Under parts nearly like upper tiinrriirii 7TO
Bill black, or oidy red at base. Feet reddish itouijaUi 800
A wldte frontal crescent.
Hill yeHow, tipi)ecl with Mack. Feet yellow aniilliinim Wll
Hill and feet black niculira 803
Mantle dusky. A white frontal crescent. Hill and feet black. (IlALirLAXA.)
Mantle blacklsb-brov.n : cap the same fuHginosa 804
Mantle sooty-gray; cap black aiiirstlnlirn 805
Ons. Above analysis based on adult sumn'cr birds, and not entirely avidlablc for young and winter ones.
in whieb the chars, of the cap, and colors of bill and feet, may be entirely diflcrcnt. These must be de-
termined by reference to the detailed descriptions.
7»a. 8.
793.
gro
Hill
I. . I UIIKK — STKHXISJI-: : TKIiXS.
767
79!:. 8. (O.) aii'Klli-a. (F.at. f?m///m, AiiKlican, Knulish. i (;i m.-Muxkii Tkhn. Mauhii Tkkn.
^ 9, in siiimnrr: Kill nithcr simitir than lini.l. n.l.nM, nnt very anitc nipr.'HHul ; culm.'n
nrarly .Mtl•ai^ht t<> Ivynui nostril, then v.ry (icrlinati.-n.nvrx to ilif lip ; yimys al»iiit straight :
rami NliKJilly concave; Nynipliysi'al .'njinn w.li niarUnl • toniia nl |,,uTr nmmlil.l.' inllirt..,! ;
(■(.niniissiirf p-ntly cnrvcil. Iliiylji ,,f l>i|| „t liasr a third nf tdtal lrni;tli. Nasal un.ovi)
Mliiirt and broad, nut (h'cp ; iidsirils shurl, widily nval. placrd very near ha.Mc i.f l.ill, ju.st
hcycind the tt'riiiinatitiii of tin tVatluis. Winits I'xcr.dinirjy hmL' and aiMitr, .nrh priniaiy
surpassiiij,' the next liy a full inch ; the sc idarics Khnrt, soft, o|ilii|ncly incursfd at their
cxtrt'niitics. 'I'ail short, contailud :2J tilins in thf wintr; ihi'ply cniartrinah', hut i'k iatfral
fi'allicrs not clonuatcd nor attcnnati'd. Vvi\ loni: ami >t(inl lor this snlifainily. 'I'lrsnn
shorter than hill, loimrr than middh' toe and rh.u. Hind tne otjiarkahiy develop,.,! hoi.t
shorter than ontcr; iiilerdii;ital nieinhraiies deeply inei^'d, especinlly tlie inner. Tihia ij.i ked
for half an iindi. Crown and loni,' oi^eijiiial erest t'lossy ureeni>h-hiaeli, extendiu>{ on i ' -r
Imrder of eye, leavini,' only a very narrow line of white to run aloni; the edtie of the feailurs
on side of iipiier inaiidilde. Neidj all ronnd and niider parts, while. Mantle liu'lit pearl-
l)lii(', this color exteiidiiii; on rnnip and tail, ipiite to tlie tips of ilie nc'trii'es ; tail-featliers,
indeed, deepest ccdored at their tips, fading' into nearly pure wliite toward their hases, on that
portion of each feather whi.di is covered with the lU'Xt one. The color <if tin' mantle extends
iplite to tips of tertials, lint dilutes u little toward the tips of the .sec<indaries. Sliafts of
primaries yellowish-white. Primaries all grayish-hhudt, deepest on the onter vane of tin*
first ; hilt this color so heavily silvered as to apjiear much lighter. All the primaries havo
on their inner wehs a space id' white, which extends towanl their apices for a varyiin: distance
on each ; on the first the white is largest, purest, and extends fnrthest : is distinctly defineil
from tilt' Mack, and has not a mari;in of hlack alonj; its inner lionler, except just at its apex.
'I'he amoniit of the white diminishes in leiit;th and hreadth with each siici'cssivi' primary,
until on the last one it is inconspiciioMs ; still it is ipiite perce|itilp|e on all. Kill hlacd<,
with or without ii iiiiniitc yidlowisti tip ; le^s and teet ^'reenish-ldack ; iris hrown. In winter :
Differs in restriction of the hlack caji, chieHy to the hind lieail and nape, on sides of heail
riMcliinj; forward to oye; sometimes extinct, excejit in dusky eye-stripe and sjiot hefore eye,
when whole heail otherwise white. Yoinii; : Mill hlackish-iprown, pah^ at base bidow; feet
dull brownish. Upper parts pearl-blue, interrupted hy numerous cre.scentic or hastate spots
id' dull brownish, one on each feather, the extremo tip <if which is whitish. A brownish-
black bar aloiitj lesser wini;-<'overts. Forehead and most of crown white, with dark sljaft-
lines, increasini; to exchnle white on hiinl head ami nape; blackish s|iot before and behind
eye. NecU all around, njiper tail-coverts, and wlxde under parts, white. Tail-feathers
whitening at ends, each with a diisky space. Lenytli l;i.iMi-l.-).li(l: extent li.'i.OO-:'.?.'!'! ;
bill l.K); ahiiig gape -i.OO: its height at base (I. I.") : tibia' naked ().,")0 ; tarsus (average) 1.:>»I :
middle toe and daw l.Kl; hind toe and claw (i. Ml; wiiit; 11.73-12.2."); tail 5. ,50, forked
1.20-1.7."). Nearly cosmopolitan; in N. Am., not .liiiindant, and chiefly in Kastern I'. S.,
Te.xus to New Kngland. Not a beach-nester , breeds in marshes, like the black tern;
eggs 3, laid oil broken-down reeds or grasses, 1.73 X l-'''0, olivaceiais, laruely and irregularly
splashed with iinibcr-brown and blackish, especially about the largest jiart, but very variable,
like all terns' egg.s.
793. 8. (T.) cas'plu. (Of the Caspian Si'a. Fig. 312.) C.vsi-iAN Trkn. iMi-KiiiAi. Ti:it\. Of
maximum size. Length 2<).00-;);{.(Ji) ; extent 50.01)-33.(l(l ; wing 15.00-17.110, u.-nally about
10.00; tail <mly 3.00-().00, forked about 1.50, middle feathers broad to their rounded ends, rest
growing successively more acute, hut lateral without any slender filamentous developnieut.
Bill extremely large, 2.73 ahmg ctiliuen, 1.00 ahuii: gape, 0.90 .leep ,it base, 0.50 wide at^
nostrils; about as long as head, with ('ulmcn regularly cnrvcl from ba.'^i' to tiji; outline <d"
mandibular rami slightly concave; goiiys about straight; angle not very well marked.
768
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIPENNES — GA VLE.
Tibiae bare about 0.75 ; tarsus 1.75, rather exceeding middle toe and claw, the seutella in
front replaced by polygonal scales similar to but larger than those on its sides, which are
rough ; hind toe extremely small ; outer lateral nearly as long as middle toe and claw, whicli
is 1.65. Bill dark vermilion red, growing lighter and somewhat "diaphanous" toward the
tip. Pileuni and occipital crest glossy greenish-black, extending to below the lower level of
the eyes, and occupying the termination of the feathers on the side of the mandihle to the
■^!' ~^Sr^- #S. Jl"
'^Vr^'
c#=
~\-
Fio. 612. — Cattpiuii Tcni, I nat. size, (b'luiii Kiuliiii.)
exclusion of the white; lower eyelid white, forming a noticeable spot on the greenish; a
white streak along sides of upper mandible, not extending to the end of the feathers. Mantle
pearl-bhic, the line of demarcation between it and the wliite rather indefinite, both on nape
and rump ; most of the tail-feathers, and especially the central (Uies, retaining a more or less
pearly tint. Shafts of the primaries yellowish-white; primaries grayish-black, but, when
new, so heavily silvered over as to apj)ear of a light hoary gray, ei'pecially on their sujierior
aspects. On the inner web of all there is a central liglit field ; this is very narr4)w, even on
the first primary, although it runs for .some considerable distance, and on the others it ra])idly
grows less; and it has no trenchant line of division on any of the primaries from tiie darker
portions of the feather. Wlnde inner web of secondaries ])ure white, outer jiearl-blne. Legs
and feet black. Adult, winter plumage : Chiefiy distinguished by a diminution in the bright-
ness of the bill, and by a change in tlie character of the ])ileum. 'Die vermilion is rejilaced
by light orange-red, growing still yellower toward the tip of the bill and along th(> tornia.
794.
LAItlBJE— STEUNIX.E : TKHXS.
759
The forehead is whito, usiiully quite pure : cicnvTi wliito, with siiiiili, narrow, distinct strniks
of brownisli-black, along tlie shaft <if .acii f.atli.r. On tlw si.U-s of tlu> lira-l. hr(„u- and
behind the eyes, and over the auricuhirs. tlie hhick is more hiri;e!y intennixed witii tiir while;
and ou the nji.pe of tlie ueek, tliat is, toward tlie t<'niiination of tlie oceij.ital erest. the Idark
is the predominating coh)r, being only sliglitly variegated with white. Young-of-tli.-y.ar :
Everyway much smaller tiian the ailult, tlie hill especially smaller, shorter, aii.l w.'aker,
and of a duller red, more inclining to oran;:e. Cpptr parts as in the adidt. but tlie pearl-
blue everywhere s])otted with latlier small roundish or liastate .spots of brownisli-black,
largest on tlie tcrtials. Forehead grayisli-wliite ; vertex speckled with u'layish-wliite anti
black, the latter color increasing in amount until it becomes nearly or ([iiite ]iiiic mi the sliort
occii)ital crest. Wings much as iw tlie adult. Tail much .shorter and less forked; the reclrices
with brownish spaces near their tips, diietly on their inner webs. I'uder parts dull white.
Legs and feet rather shorter and weaker than tho.se of the adult, but of nuicli the same color.
Downy young : Grayish-white above, faintly mottled with blackish not a<.'t.'n'i;ated iiitu spots;
white below, dusky across throat. Northern IIemispher<' : In N. Am. irregularly distributed,
ehieHy in Arctic regicuis, and along whole Atlantic coast ; has lately occurred in various locali-
ties ill tli(! Mississippi and Ohio valleys; known to breed on coasts of Virt:inia and Tixas.
Eggs i. in hollow scooped in dry sand without nest, 2.().") to i.J') X l-'^O to l.'.Ml, broader and
more elliptical than those of S. maxinui, with smootlier and harder shell; i;rouiid-c(dor pale
olive-buff, evenly marked all over with small spots of dark-brown and lavender. Ibciils
commonly by single or few jiairs, not in great C(donies like S. wii.rinid.
794. S. (T.) iiiaxima. (Lat. J/i'/.i'/mo, largest : not true. Fig. .")|l{.) (".wennf. Tkkn. Hovai,
Ti;hn'. Hill about as hug as that of S. cagpiu, but of very ditierent shape, iiuu'h slenderer, its
height at base only
from a fourth to a
tliinl of its length,
t'nlmen gradually de-
clinato-eonve.K from
ba.se to tip, the amount
of curvature iiicn>as-
ing but slightly tow-
ard the apex, which
is not very acute.
Commissure some-
what sinuate basally, regularly decliuato-conve.x for the rest of its leii<;tli. Kami decidedly a
little concave along their edges. Gonys straight, shorter than the rami, the promiiu'nco
between the two illy develo])ed. Tibia! bare for a consiileralde distance (0.00 of an inch).
Tarsus not bmger than midille toe and (daw ; its anterior aspect sliows a tendency toward
reticulations instead of transverse .s<'iit(dla, but there are usually some scales which extend
quite across it. Tlie lateral and posterior aspects are thickly reticulated, as in rii:<pi(i. but
the plates are not so rough nor idevated. Tail long for this subgenus, quite deeply forked ;
central featliers broad to tlieir very ti|)s, which are rounded ; lateral ones successively more
elongated and narrower toward tiieir tips, tlie external jiair slender and ipiite tilamentoiis for
some distance. Adult in summer : I'ileum gh)ssy green ish-ldack, not exteinliui.' below eyes, so
narrow (ui side of uj)per inaudible that a broad white streak extends to extremi' tip of the
feathers. Mantle exceedingly lii;ht pearl-blue, fadim,' imperceptibly into white on the rmiqi and
toward the extremities of the tertials. 'I'ail white, with a faint tinire of pearly, especially on the
centr.al feathers and inner webs of the others, i^eccuidaries pure while for their whole lenirthex-
ce]>tastnall sjiace on the outer web near the lip, which is trrayish-bhie. ileeper than the mantle.
Outer \v(d) of first jirimary grayish-black ; tlu^ inner web of .he same has a space of black
Fio. 513. — Koyal Tern, j) iiat. sine. (From ScLitcr ami Salviii.)
760
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIl'ENNES — GA VIJE.
extending the whole length of the feather, very narrow at the base, widening as it runs toward
the tip, witliin 1^ inches of which it occupies the whole web ; the rest of the web white, sep-
arated from tlie black by a straight distinct line of division. The second, third, fourth, and
iiftli primaries have the same general diaracteristics, but the wliite space rapidly grows nar-
ntwer and shorter, and runs up further in tlie centre than along the edge of the web, so that fur
a little way from its end it lias a Ixu'der of hlackisli along its outer margin ; other primaries
wholly pearl-blue, tlieir inner webs margined with white. IJill coral or orange-red, with a
slightly liglit(T tip ; feet blackish, their soles dull yellowish. Winter plumage : Bill less brightly
odorcd, its apex and toinia dull yellowish. Fvont white; cuiwn variegated with black ami
white, the former color increasing on the occiput and nuchal crest, which latter, though shorter
than in sununer, is almost or quite unmixed with white. This black extends forward on the
sides of the head to the eye, which it includes. (Hut frecfuently found breeding in tliis
imperfect condition of the black cap, which is much more usual than the complete black.)
Tail not pure white, but glos.sed over with tlie blui.>ili of the mantle, which deepens toward
tlie tips of the feathers into dusky-plumbeous; also considerably less forked, tin; lateral feathers
having little or nothing of a filamentous diaracter. Young-of-tlie-year in August : Bill con-
siderably smaller and shorter tlian in the adult; its tip less acute, and its angles and ridges less
sharply defined ; mostly reddisli-yellow, but light yeUowisli at tip. Crown much as in tlie
adults in winter, but tlie occipital crest scarcely recognizable as such. Upper parts mostly
white ; but the pearl-gray of the adults appearing in irregular patches, and the wlude back
marked with small, irregularly shaped, but well-defined spots of brown. On the tertials the
brown occupies nearly the whole of eacli leather, a narrow edge only remaining white. Lesser
wing-coverts dusky plumbeous. Primaries much as in the .adults, but the line of demarcatiou
of the black and white wanting sharpness of definition. Tail basally white, hut soon becoming
jdumbeous, then decidedly brownish, the extreme tips of the feathers again markedly wliite.
Otherwise as in the aduUs. Dimensions of the adults: length 18.00-20.00 ; extent 4<J.0t)-
44.00; wing 14.00-15.00;
tail ().00-8.00; the depth
of forking 3.00-4.00; bill,
ahing cuhnen, 2.50 to 2.75;
ahing commissure 3.75 ; its
height at base 0.70 ; its
width 0..50; gonys 1.00-
1.25 ; tibiai bare 0.90; tarsus
Fio. .->14. - i:itsaiit Tern, S n»f- "'««• (From Selatcr and Salvin. ) 1.37- middle toe and chlW
1.40. Tropical and temperate America; Brazil and Peru to California and New England,
chierty coastwise, sometimes in the interior, as in Nevada. A fine s|iecies, second in size
only to S. caspia; linear measurement nearly as great as in that species, owing to elongaticm
of tail, but bulk much less. Breeds in great cohmies along our Atlantic coast, drojiping 2
eggs (in the sand, 2.1)7 hing, as much as in caspia, about 1.70 or less broad, narrower and
es[)ecially more pointed than those of cnsjnn, rougher, yellowi.sh-drab irregularly blotched
with dark umber and pale purplish. Chicks spotted boldly above with dusky.
705. S. (T.) e'legans. (Lat. elegaus, choice. Fig. 514.) P]lf,(JANT Tk.un. Pkincely Tkkn.
Similar to the last; smaller and dirterently iiroportimied ; bill as long, much slenderer ; tarsus if
anything longer than middle toe and claw ; mantle very jiale ; under parts rosy iu high plumage
Bill much longer than head, exceeding the tarsus, middle toe and claw together; much com-
pressed, very slender, scarcely | as deep at base as hmg ; culmen (piite .straight to beyond nos-
trils, then slightly convex for the rest of its lengtli ; commissure dcclinato-convex for nearly its
whole length ; mandibular rami very short, decidedly concave in outline, their angle of divergence
very acute. Gonys extremely long, exceeding the crura of the mandible, its laitline straight.
LA mn.i-: — srEiixixji-: .- teuxs.
rtii
Toinia of both mandibles sharp and much indorU'd. Xusal groove long, fully half tlio .■uliiicn.
narrow, not deep, diroctcd oblitiuoly dowiiwanl and forward toward tiie tomia. A few obli.iue
indiistinft strire on both uiandiblus. The (Hitlini' c.f the fcatluTs on the bill is as usual. Adult in
sniniiier : Hill bright red, salnion-eulijred tcwanl tip. I'.ct black : Sdl.'s and uudir suit'a.-<s „(
claws slightly yellowish. Crown of head, including lonir-tlowiini; occipital crest, pure Mack,
reaching down on the sides of the beail to a straiirht line just on a level witli the lower l>onler
of the eye; the white of the cheeks accouiiianyinu the black to the foreiuo.st point of extension
of the feathers in the nasal fossie. All the umhr jiarts rosy-white, with satin ttloss. Tail
entirely pure white, longer ami more deeply forked than in winter. Hack and wings pale pearl-
bltie; the usual iiattern of ctdcu-ation of the primaries. •■ Length 1'.); e.\tent IS" (label);
enlmen 2.75 ; gape nearly 4..j() ; depth of bill at base ()..)0; tronys l..")0. not .shorter than man-
dibular rami; wing 12.25; tail?-")!); dejith of fork ;i..')0; tarsus 1.25: miildle toe anil claw
the same, or rather less. In winter : IJill orange, fadin-: to yellow at tip and alony cuttlui;
edges. Forehead and feathers on side of bill entirely white; crown varied with dark and white,
black prevailing on hind head, complete on the occipital crest and sides of head to eyes. \o
pink blush of under jiarts. Tail slunler than in summer, o.tli) or less, firUed iiuly about 2. (Ml,
washed over with i)early-bhie. Total leiitrth less, owiuir to less development of tail. Hl.OO-
17.00. Young not seen. A tridy (degant species, resemblinir the royal tern, but easily dis-
tinguLshed. S. and ('. Am. to California; unknown on our Gulf or Atlantic coast.
790. S. (T.) canti'aca. (Of Kent, P^nghind. Fig. 515.) Sandwich Tf,I!N. Di-cm. Ti;i!n. iiill
much longer than head, exceeding the tarsus, middle toe, and (daw together; (|uite slendi'r
and attenuated for this sub-
genus, tip excessively acute ;
convexity of culuien, from
tip to base, regular, but
slight ; commissure gradual-
ly <leelimvto-eonvex tbrough-
(uit ; (uitline of mamlibidar
eruradeeidedly concave : that
(d' gonys about straight ;
eniinentia symphysis hardly
appreciable. Adult, breed-
ing plumage: Hill black, Fio. ,ol5. - San.lwK-h Tom, nat. sUe. U-l nat. .lei. E. C.)
the tip for i to J of an inch bright yellow, sharply defined against the black; "inside of
mouth deep blue." Feet dull black, rileiuu and occipital cre.st glossy black, with a tinge of
green; the color extending just btdow the eyes, but leaving a space aloni; the side of tlm
mamliblo white to the extremity of the feathers. Mantle exceedinirly liirlit pearl-blue, fading
on the rump and upper tail-co\ 'rts into pure white; but the rectrices themselves have a
slight shade of pearly-blui.sli. Friuntries colored as in iiiaximii. On tlie inner web of the
first the black space; is broad :ind <leep in color; when about H inches from iIm! a|ii'x of the
quill it (piite suddenly grows wider, .so as to exclude the white portion from the tip altosretlier.
The second, third, and fourth primaries have the same general pattern, but the white nuis
up further on the central portion than on the edsre of the web, so tliat toward its end it
receives a narrow edging of blackish. The other primaries have no blacki.sh, but are simply
pearl-blue, with broad white maririns alont: the whole lenuth of their imiir webs. The outer
primaries are all heavily silvered when tlie ipiills are new. Dimi'usioiis of the aduh : lentrth
15.00-10.00 inches; extent Ml.OO; wing from the carpus 12.50; tail 0.00; depth of emargi-
nation 2.35 ; bill along culmen 2.25 ; alonir cape 3.00 : its height at basi' 0. 18 ; width, ditto,
0.37; length of rami from feathers on side .d' hnv.T mandible l.dO; gonys 1.20 (longer than
rami); tarsus 1.00; middle toe and claw, slightly hui-er. .\dult. winter iduniage : Yellow
^<^N
•v>.~"
702
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONOII'KNNKS (i.\ VI JE.
tip of bill loss in cxtciit iuiil intensity nf color ; front wiiitc, 4'iilicr pun' or spccklcil willi \<\\\vV \
crown varii'^atci) witii lilacii iiinl wliitc, the former color consistint; of small, narrow, ilistinci
Htrealss aloni; tiie sliafi of eacli featlier; but tii<! lon;r occipital crest, which iloes not entiiilv
(lisap|iear at this season, nsually remains <if an nnmixeil hrownish-hlack. Lateral lail-featlii'i>
shorter than in summer. Youni;-oi'-the-year : Coiisidcrahly smaller tlian the atliill, as is usual
in this suhl'amily, the winj^ heimj; a full half-inch shorter. Hill shorter ami weaker, ami
without sharply-tlefineil unifies and ridges, hrownish-ldack, the extreme point only yellow-
ish, ("rown, front, and occiput hrownish-hlack, variegated with white ; white touches vny
snnill on the forehead. Upper parts as in adult, hut <'ver) where inarkeil with irregul.irly-
shaped hut well-delined spots iiml transv<Tse bars of hrownish-hlack. No well-formed occipilid
(•rest until after the tirst nnudt. Primaries like those of adult. The tail, however, is very dilferent.
The feathers for three-foiu'ths their length are of the color of the hack; this c(dor gradually
deepens, until toward the lips it beciuues hrownish-hlack, each feather having a terminal irreg-
ular edge left whitish, 'fail simply deeply enuirginate, the outer feathers being but sliulilly
longer than the second. \ line species, alone among the large terns, with its hhudi yelliiw -
tipped hill, of wide distribution in holh Ileniisplicres ; in N. Am. observeil along Atlantic
coast, New Kngland to 'i'exas; both coasts of (". Am. ; .'^. Am. Kggs 'i-W, dro]iped on the dry
sand; :.M(I X 1.10; rather pointed, yellowish-drab, most irregularly s|)ottcd with dark brown
and reddish-brown, with lilac shell-spots. Hreeds in large colonies, like most terns.
707. 8. Iiii-uii'lu. (Lai. hinimli), a swallow.) Com.mon Tkkn. Wii.siis's 'i'lnts. Si;a
SwAl.l.iiW. Adult, sunnner phnnage : Kill as long as head, about ei|nalling tarsus and midillc
toe without claw, of moderate robustness ; height at base contained a little more than live
tinu's in length of <'ulnieii ; gonys as long as rami, measured from feathers on side of mandihic
to enunentia symjdiysis, which latter is hut slightly marked ; bright coral, or light vermilii.u,
on basal half or rather nmre, the remaiuiler blacli, exci'pl the extreme tips, which are yelinw -
ish. I'ileuui lustrous velvety-black, with tinge of glos.-iy-grcen ; it extends to lower level nl'
eyes, hut leiives tho lower lids white, and it is so broail on the lores that tlu^ white line of
feathers along side of inandihie hardly reaches to their extremity. Whole upper jiarts pearl-
blue, this cidor commencing insensibly on back of neck, deepening on dorsum, ami extending
(piite undiluted ahnost to the extreme apices of the tertials; ending abruptly and distini-tly
on rump, the upper tail-coverts being pure white. I'nder parts of a considerably lighter
shade of the color of the back. On the throat, toward the chin and along the borders of the
black pilemn, it fades into nearly or i|uite pure white, as it does also on the lower tail-coverts
and the circumanal region ; inferior surfaces of wings and axillary feathers pure white.
Shafts of all the primaries white, deepening into blaiddsh toward their apices. Outer web of
tirst primary black, witli scarc(dy any hoariness. 'I'lie first four or tivi' primaries are grayish-
black, with a very stnmg silvery hoariness ; their inner webs with a space of white along their
inner nuirgins. This space on the first priujary at the ba.^e occupies the whole web, becomes
narrower as it a.scends, ami ends, or becomes a mere line, about an inch from the ajiex of the
• piill. On the other primaries it is of less exti'iit, and runs up along the centre of the shaft a
little further than on the edge. On tin' iunerinost prinuiries, again, it is very inirrow, but
forms an entire nnirgin to the inner webs, running ipiite to their lips. The inner primaries
have scarcely any grayish-black, but are rathi'r of the color of the mantle. .Secondaries mostly
jnu'e white, but toward their ends have a sp grayish-hlue of about eipKll extent on holh
Wi'hs. 'I'ail moderately elinigated and forki'il, contained about 1'^ times in the wing; the
ftdded wings reach luie to two inches beyond it ; central feathers broad to their evenly rounded
tips; the lateral ones successivi'ly narmw'er, more laperinu ami acute; their (»»^r webs liglil
pearl-gray (very like the back), their imirr webs nearly jiure while. The external pair, how-
ever, are on most of their inner wehs, especially terminally, grayish-blue, while their outer
Webs are dark grayish-black. Legs and feet light coral-red. Dinu'usions : length (iivenige)
LAlUlhK - STKUMS.K .- THIIXS.
768
I |..r)() indies ; extent illnMit lU.mt ; wiiii; iVmii llie riiipiis |(I.,MI; t:iil Ci.lM) ; lirplh of (ntk ;i.."iO
(:iveril>;e) ; liill nldUi; ciilnieu \:.\:,: h.i-iil at La^r (l.H.i ; |V,,in Icallurs .m m,|,. ,.t Invvniimil-
ilililc 111 tip l.flO ; nonys OX); uape ^'.Kl; lil.ia' iiaiv (I.JO ; larsiis (I.SO i,, ll.s:, ; iniil.llr toe
11.;,"), its flaw (l.;iU ; (.liter d./'lt, its claw (l.js ; imuM- II. IS, its .-law 0.1 1 ; hallux willi il> .law
II. aS; whole toot iib.mt 1.75. Kxlr.nie laii^;.' : lciii,'tli Ki.iiil |.. Hi. nil; cxI. nt •.".i.nii i.. llj.iMl;
» Willi; '.t.75 to 11.75 ; tail 5.00 t.. ;.(lil ; tarsus (I.CiC. t.. (I.S; ; hill I. •,'.') 1.. 1..">II. I'.inales av.iai;.'
a little less than the males. Voiiiit; I'all iiM.li-r the ah.ive iiiiniiiia ; Icntilii .lnwii i.. 1-J.iMl, vviiit,'
t.. '.1.00, tail to 4.00, bill t.. l.l-J, etc. Niiiiim-nl'-iii.-ycar in .\iii,'iisl : I'pp.i' inaii.lihli' hmw n,
l..'C(.iiiini; hlacUish on the eiiliiieii towanl the ti|i, ami s..iii(what llc.sh-i-o|..r((l hasallv al..iiu
llie toiiiia. Uiiiler nuiiiilihle lii;lit yellow, (laik.'iiiiii; into hi'owii towanl lip. M..iith villow ;
I'.i't iliill yellow, with scarcely a tiiine ol' ri.l.lish. Koichtail tjiayish-white ; on lli.' vertex this
yray iliteriiiixeil wilh laixe, n.iimlisli, illy-.l. liiiiil spots ..f l.la.-kish ; ..n ...•.•ipiil an. I nape l.la.'k
is the prevailiiii; i'..li.r, the extrenii' tips ..t' th.' I'.alh.is only h.inn i;ray ; oii si.j.s ..f hi'a.l, as
lar as eyes, tiie lilack also nearly pure. Th.' yr.iun.l-color .il' the iipp.r parts is a rather linht.'r
slia.le of the pearl-hlue ..t' the a. hilts, hut every t'lallnr is tipp.'.l uilh .lull liulil iriay. an. I lias
a siihtenniiial sp.)l (generally a cresc.Mit or seini.-ircle) of liyhl l.i-owii. '['h.-sc spots an. I tips
arc ipiite conspicuous, an. I i^ive perhaps the pr.'.l.iiiiiiiatiiii; c.il.ir to tin- iljiper parts : hul tli.v
are n..t so ilisliiiclly .li'line.l, nor so .lark, as in iiiniriun. Lesser winir-c.iv.rts aloiu; tin- ..lue
ol" the t'ore-anii toriii a c.iiitiiiu.nis han.l ..!' nearly piir.^ hrowiiish-hlack. I.ess.'r ami m.'.hau
c.iverts are conspicu.iiisiy tipp.'.l with y.'ll..wish-i;iay ; i;riater s.'.-omlari.s, ii.iwevir, la.!.' int..
nearly pure white at their tips. The secomlaries are whit.', with tiie outer wch, except at tip,
ami the nieilian portion of the inner weh, .lark phinihi'ous ..r
asliy-i;ray. I'riniaries .•ol.ire.l alimisl exa.'tly as in thi' a. hills.
Kiiiiip white, with a tiiii;e ..f pearl-hhi.'. Tail sliuhtly torke.l,
th(. einaruinatioii lieint; hut little more than an in.-li ; inner
wehs .if all the rectrices nearly pure white, hilt the outer wchs
are pliiniiie.iiis-yray, iii.'reasiiiij; in intensity from within out-
ward ; .so that tl liter pair ..f rectri.'es, whi.'h ar.' hut little
taperint; or el.iiifjate.l, have their oilier wihs yr.iyish-hla.k.
ileepest toward th. Ir tips. Hnlire iin.l.r pinniaiie, im'lii.lini,'
the under wiiitj-c.iverts, pure while, wilh ii.i trace ..f the
phimheoiis wash ..f the a.lulls. 'i'lie « inter rani;.' ami cliaiiyes
of plumage of this familiar species an' n.it will kn.iwn ; il
d.ies n.it appear t.i lose the hla.'k cap, whi.-ii neverlheless is
imperfect at that seas.ui. N.irth .\nierica at larne, Knrope,
etc. Mreeds and wiiiti'i's vari.msly in its N. .\. ranp-.
Kyi.t?-"* •'*) l.*>5 X l.~5, n.it ilistiiiu:iiishahle tVoiii th.ise .if allie.l
spei'ies.
708. «. for'storl. (To .1. K. Torsler. Fit;s. "lO. ,'i It). ) F.)i!STi:i!',s
'I'Klt.N. Similar to the last; lart;.r; hill loim.r. si. niter ;
Willi's sh.irter, tail longer ; I'eel loni;.r I..'nylh ahoiit l.").IMi;
extent ;iO.(II); wiiii; ',l.50-|il.,"ill ; tail ,"i.(l(l-S.II(l, lork.'.l -'.50-
5.00; hill ahiiii,' ciiliiieii 1.50 l.?.-., av.raeini; l.fiO, its .h'plli at ha.se 0. Ill ; taiMis ii.'.Kl-l.dH ;
miil.lle too and claw 1. 00-1. Hi; wh..le f.i.il aveiatjint; -'•HO. .\.lull, sprint; pliimatre : Itill
oraime-yeUow, I. lack for iie.irly its lerminal half, ihe exMciiie points of l.oth nian.lihl.'s yell.iw-
ish ; rohilst, ileep at l>,i.se : cnhn.n .lc.lin,il.i-.'.invex, einiiii'n.'i' at .sympliysis well ih'Vel.ipi'.l ;
leiiiith IVoili -,l„ 1.1 ,-,, .if an inch loiiiiir than that of .V liiriimh. Illa.'k pil.iiin not .xt. 11.11111;
.so far il.iwii on si.les of hea.l as in liiniiiihi. hanly enihra.'iim eye (ih.' h.w. r li.l .'f whi.'h is
white), ami leavinu ,1 wi.l.'r wiiih' spa.'.' h.tw.'.'ii ll y.' ami e.lue .if siipeli.ir maxilla than
in hiniiiilo. The color .if the ha.'k hanllv .lilhr." fmni that sp.'.'ies ; p.rha|is a sha.l.' liulHer.
Fl.i . niC. — 'I'lill "!' l''"rsl .Ts T.Tii,
ttb.1111 it Milt. bIzu. il'i'iiii lllli'il I
764
SYSTKMA TIC SYXOI'SIS. — LOXdll'hXNKS - (fA VI. K.
VVintrs poinpiirutivfly sliorttT tliiiii tluiso of AiVioif/o, ticiiii; iilisoliitcly ii little sliDrtn-, tliuiiyli
Jhrslfi-i is a lai-fjcr liinl ; very litxlit cdliircd, liciii^' stiMii),'ly silvcrrd ; mitcr wcli of ili,. |i,M
primary is imt. MacU, lint silvery liki- the iilhers; all the jiriinaries want tlie very decideil whilr
spaee oil tlie inner wi'h.s which exists in liinnidit anil tiKuriini ; there are indicalicins of ii i.n
the three or tnur (inter primaries, lint the others are a nearly nniforni dnsky tcray, inodeiMli 1\
hoary. Kntire inider parts white, with scarcely a trace of the plninlieons so evident in '
hiniiido, and so decided a color in iiuuri
Ih.
'lail a slightly lighter shade of the color ,,t
mantle, separated from the latter for a short space hy the decidedly white rninp ; hiiii;il
feathers mnch more lenfithened than in liinniiln, the elont;ation generally unite e(|i
(if iliacnini, and sometimes even exceeding it. These two lateral featl
'<|nallinu tlml
lers are white on llic
iiiili'r well, diisl(y-i;ray on the inner. This lieiiitt exactly the reverse of liiniii(li>, and a m iv
lioticeahle feature, was the tirst to dra
w attention to the
liird ;
.1 th
aracter heini;
tan^ilde and convenient, writerm have perhaps laid too much stress upon it, to the exclii-inn
of others (|iiite as evident. I''eet liritjht oranixe, tinned with vermilion; tarsus shorter tiian
middle toe and claw ; feet longer and stouter hy over 0. lt» of an inch than the sa parts in
hiniiulo. .Vdnlt, winter plnma^e : The Idack of the liill iiu-reascs so much that Mearl\ liic
whole hill hecomes dusky, except a small siiace at the liase of the nnder mandihle, ainl a
terndnal spa f varyinj; extent. Tin' feet lose their veiniilioii tiiiu:e and hecome dusky
yellowish. The Mack pilenm morti or less variegated with while on forehead ; hut thnv
is always considerahle lilack left on the nape, and a more or less hroad and distinct Imr
always extends alonu; the sides of tlu^ head, emhracinn the eyes. The lateral tail-fcalln is
have not the elonij;ation and attemiation of those of siniimer, heiiit,^ Imt little, if aav, longer
tl
lan those of liinnii
•ilo d
nniitr the hreei
ilini;
'J'li
e color of the inner wch is iisiiallv
darker, and sometimes extends on the outer as well as the inner, especially toward the tip iif
the feather. (.V. Iiiiirlli .\nd.) .\t the time of the monlt the old primaries lose llnir
silvering and hecome plai
(iwn and white, their shafts lieii
decided
iimer weliH at this season have white spaces, with nearly as distinctly delineil mari;ins as arc
found in /i/>')/)ir^) and iiliicnirii. Vouni; : Itill in all its proportions cousideralily smaller and
Weaker than that of the adults; lirownish-ldack, fadint; into dull llesh-color at ha.sc of niidii'
mandihle. rroiit white, lint the crown and nape show traces of the Id.ick that is to appear,
which is now mixed with lii,'ht lirowu. I'earl-ldne of inu-k and « intj-coverts interrnpled hy
irreu;ular patches of li^lit txrayish-hrown, showinu; a tendency to hecome transverse liars ; tiiis
f^rayish-lirown on the tertials deepens into lirownish-lda(di, and occupies nearly the whole
extent of each feather. The primaries diU'er from those of the adult in havini; less silvery
^loss, and the ima-r white spaces more marked, lieiiii; in tact like those of the adult hiniiiiln.
1{
iim
(I
er parts pure w
hit(
The tail intensities, so to speak, its adult character
the
reitards color; and, iialependcntly of any other feature, «ill always serve to identify
species. It is deeply emai'^'iliate, hnl the lateral feather is not ^:reatly produced, snrpassii
th
le second hv scarcely more than the
latti
r surpasses the tlnn
1. It
s inner W(
li, I'
or an incli or
NO from tiie tip, and hotli welis of the other featl
and also its extent, d
central
lers, ijrayis
the ilitensitv of this coin
ecreasilii; snccessivelv on eacli te
p.iir scarcely ileepi
Mil their cidor at the liiis
r
ither from without inward, so that ilic
e outer Well of the lateral feather w iiile,
lint sometimes is just at the liii invaded hv the darker color of its inner W(
li. N. .\i
at lart;r
790. 8.
common; lirtieds from Te.vas to the Pur countries; ahunditnt alont; Atlantic coast durini; th
mitjrations; S. in winter to Urazil. Nest in marshes; ei;us '.>-,'!, I.S,') X \.'M, yellowish-drali
freely lint irreifularly spotted and dashed with dill'ereiit shades of lirown.
erii'rrt. ((«r. iJLaKp6s, mak'nis, lom; ; oc^jd, mini, tail.) .Xitcric Ti'.itN. Adult i
hi'eedin^ pluinai;e : Itill shorter than head, eipial to middle toe and tarsus together, slendei.
compressed, acute, deep carmine, or lake red: usually without any Idack, hut Ihiw color
wjiuethnL'g appearing; in a limited decree. Keet remarkaldy small and weak ; lihiai hare for
LAUID.i: - STF.HSIS.K . lEHSS.
706
;i iiiodfialr .lisiiinci'; tarsi rxc.r.liiiiily «li..it, l.rin^ l,..ss than iiii.l.llr h»- wiilioiii .-law, i.r
only (Miiial t.i il : tors lalli.r loiiu; U- \\w Aw «\ xW Uv\\ \\u- (Hil.i' fall.- l.ul little -l„,il ,if
'III' liii'l'll "■• "hill' till' ti|i .it" till' claw nf the itiiirr liaiiily m m.Ik > Imv I ili,. tlmd aiti.iil.i-
lioii of ihc iiiiilillc (inc. Tlic frit aiv a li-liln tint ><'( \\\r .•ulur nf lull, iciulini; inwanl vcnnilinii,
ci- n.i-al-ivil, l)llt licit so lii;lil as tlio-,. nl liiniiidii. W'iiiys vi'iy loiii; ; |iiiiMatirs iianow,
la|iciiiii; 111 tlirii- nmiiilisli l>iit sIcikIit lips; sliafts wliilc, willi sraicily ilaikir tips. ( (iilrr
\\il> of lii-.st iiriiiiary i;iayisli-lilacl,. li-lit.nin^ into siK.iy-may at tip; iiiii.r \m li wliitr,
uilli only a \ri'y narrow line of yiayisli-diisLy alono tin' shaft; tliis diislvv spac nrli
narrower ami lii^liter lliaii in liiniintn .- next fnin- oi- fue primaries silvery-uniy, darkest
toward their lips; their inner wehs mostly white (wholly so at llnir hases) ; hut the while
does not exieiid so far toward the tips of ilie leathers as on the tiist piimaiy, and it iiiiis up
farther in the centre of the weh than on the edye of it. Inner primaries of the color of
the hack, liroadly lipped ami margined inlernally with while. Tail exceediimly loiiu, the
exterior friither lieiiii; as iiiilch l('iij;llieiied, and as narrow , t:ipeiiiii; and acute, as in .V. ilniiiinHi.
The tail-t'eathei's reaidi lieyond the tips of the folded w iiiys. T.iil pme white, the miter well
of its exterior feather heiiii; irrayish-ldacU, liuhter lias;illy, and its inner weh, and ih iter
wehs of llie next two I'ectrices, havini; a eonsiderahle wash of peail Miie. t .ip pme. Iiislroii.s
t;reenisli- Idack, so liroad on llie cheeks as lo leave only a slemler line iif while to exieiid aloni;
the eilije of the feathers on the side of the upper malidilde. I'ppei p.nls pearl hhie, of :iliont
the same .shade as in liiniiidii : Ihis color, however, fadiiii; into wliiti' at tips of leilials and
inner secondaries. I'lnler parts hut a little liehier shade of the ccdor of the hack, tadiiii;
iliseiisildy into whitish on the chin, throat, and eili;es of the hiack I'ap, and eliding aliiii|>ll\ at
llie under tail-covei'ls, which are pure while, in maikeil I'oiiti'ast to the resi of llie iiiider parts;
liniiii; of winu;s and axillars also pme while. W'inler plmiia;;e of adiill : l>illei's tVoin the
aliove ehlelly in thi' color id' the cap; forehe.id while; crown \tliile, Init iii.irked with naiiow
shal't-liiies of Mack, which increase from liefore liackward imtil. on the nape, ihe Idack is
nearly or iplite pure. .\ lateral stripe, more or less pme and dislincl, exliiids loiward on
.siiles of lieail over tiic miriciilars, to jiisl in front of eye, leaviin:, howe\er, the eyelids while.
I'pper jiarts iiiiich as in smnnier, hut under parls from chin lo vent, ninch liuhlei. The
carmine of hill and feel liyhler and duller, hill not thi' coral-ri d lint of llie feet of IiiiiiikIh or
Jnislni. I'Inmaue of the yoiinu-of-lhe-year : [till iniicli smaller than in the adiill, heiiii;
only 1. IIS imdies hint;: : hrowiiish-ldack toward tip ; ijonys and sides of lower mandihle toward
tlH>alii<;le of the month dull oranm' ; feet only iiiaiiye-colored on the soles, otlieiw ise hrownish-
I'l'il. Tail ninch shorter than in adiill, only LJi to .'i.llll inches loiiu, and the oiiler pair
of I'ectrices Inoader and scarcely at all laperiin; in form. I'^orehead while; the crown
streaked with narrow, loimitndinal spots of w hile upon a Idack i^roiiiul color, which e\leiids
as far as the eyes, and rims hack over llie leinples and anricni.irs as far as the nape. Whole
under parts rroiii the chin, inclndiin; nnder lail-coverls and mnler surfaces of wiiiys, pure
while. On the hack there |irediiiniiiates everywhere a nniform, liiiht hhiish-eray (somewhat
darker than in S. Iiiniiidn), all the fealheis lipped with yellowishw liile or white, most of
them with a IdacUish-lirown streak or cresceiil -shaped spnl near I he end ; lliese spots darkest
on the lertialsand inner s nidaries, ami ai;t;rei;aleil into a siimle, liroad, slate-colored streak
on the lea.sl w ini;-ciiverls. The asheii-ldne primaries deepen into slale-color toward their
lips; their shat'ls white, their inner welis with a loimilndinal space of while, ihi lerweh
of the lirst slaty-ld.ick. Inner lail-fealhers white, as are their shafts; their lips white, each
with « siihterininal crescent-shaped spot of hrowni.sli Idack. l>imensioiis of ihe adult:
leiii,'lli (extremely varialde from varyinu leniilh of lail) I l.nil-| r.dil inches: e\lent -.".Mi'i
;i:i.(IO; wiii^' |().ill)-|ll.7.'i; tail usually 7. im-'^.llii. somelimes (i.,-|U-S.."iii: depth of fork I.IM'-
ri.OU; tiliiif liare (l.l.-i ; larsns ll.."i."i-ll.ri."i ; miildle toe and claw ll.sil- U.S.'. ; inner toe and
claw l)..")."i; whole loot al t I. .'id; hill ahum ciilmen l.x'O-l. 10 ; In iylit at hase n.IKi;
^.
'1 t
7<5(]
SYSTJiMA TIC SYyoJ'SlS. — LONGIPENNES— GA VUE.
from ft'iithcrs of »\Ac ctf hiwiT inaiuli1il<' to tip 1.10; giipc 1.90; gonj's 0.75. A licnutiliil
spwit's, t'iisily rt'cofiiiizwl liy points of size iiml form, aaiilc from color; tliis viirios mucli with
ag(^
anil
season, givintr rise to many nominal sppcics; among American synonyms arc 6'. iiihii
Lawr., .V. luiif/iijeniiis (.'ones, S. portlditdivd Hiilg. Enrojjc, Asia, Africa; X.Am, at l;iii;i',
northerly; breeds from Massachusetts northward; 8. to MidtUe States and ("aliforniii, ;niil
prohaldy fartlier. P'ggs 2-'^, not di.stiuguishabh^ from those of the two foregoing siiccics,
hut
iveraging smaller.
800. S. Uou'Kiilll. (Tol>r. McDougall. Fig. .511.) HdSK.vn; Tf.rn. Pakahimk Tkrx. Achih In
breeding plumage : IJill about as long as liead or foot, straight, slender, compressed, verv acuir:
gonys longer than rami, former .straiglit, hitt<'r concave in outline, witli acute liiit ii<.t
prominent angle between them. Wings shorter than usual, l.st jirimary little longer iIimm
lie.\t, all rounded. Tail exceedingly long and deeply forked, with very narrow tilauiiiiioiis
outer feathers. Tibia' slightly denuded; tarsus a little shorter than middle foe and ihiu.
Whole form trim and elegant. Hill bhndi, the extreme poiut yellowish, the base fur :i liiili-
distance, and inside of mouth, red. Feet bright yellowish-red; claws black. Cap hi.siiiiii>
black, very amjde, reaching to lower border of eyes; under eyi'lid white, as is a .streak tn lud
of feathers on bill, Xeck all around and entire under jiarts snowy white, tinted witli lnv( Iv
rose-pink. Mai;tle delicate pale pearly, over all the n](per jiarts from the necdi, iiicliiiliiii;
rump and base of tail, fading however to white on tips of tertials and inner webs of secondaiics.
Long tail-featlu'rs white, with a faint (learly tint. Primaries grayish-black, strongly silvernl
when fresh; out< r wi'b of the fir.st blackish : inner webs (pf all pure white for more tli:in \\:[\(
their breadth, this white stripe broadest on the first, toward the base of which it occiipiis tlic
whideweb. and on all of them continued to and usually around th<' very tips ; shafts of all
the <|uills white both sides nearly to end. Adult in winter: l$ill dull black, with yellowisli
tip and brown base. Forehead and cheeks white : crown, hind-head, ua{)e, and sides of head.
brownish-ldack, ndxed with white on vertex. Xo rosy tint. Lesser coverts along edue nt
fore-arm brownish. Tail without nnudi tdongation or forking, and pearly like the hiick.
Young, newly tieilgcd : Hill small, weak, slender, greenish -black, hardly 1.10; wings like
those of adults. Tail mertdv forked
an inch or so, pearly-blue on
outer webs, almost whitt
on inner, with subtenninal edging of bla<dvisli. (ieneral ccdor of ujtper i)arts light pearly-
blue, variet;ated on most parts with a didicate mottling of blacdv and butf, the black cliirlly
in narrow zig-zag cross-bat's, broken by the fawn-cidor; on the wings the variegation in
larger pattern, the feathers mostly black with ycdhiwish border. Forehead and cheeki
1 hind-head into streaks of blackish and tawii
light grayish-brown, re.scdved on crown aiK
lost again in blackish on the na|)e. A silvery-white spot before and above eye : eye sin
roimth'd by black. A band of black along edge of forearm, where some of the feathers lia\
y(dIowish tips. I'nder jiarts pure white, a little (di.scured with gray on the breast. Li
of adult 11.0ll-l.').00: extent about ;{(t.(IO: winu '.».2.")-'.).
n^ith
tail r.llO-S.O(», forked .•{..")0-l-..)():
bill ahing culmen 1.50: height at base 0.^5 ; h'ugth of gonys l.dO, of mandibuhir rami {).',:>:
tibia' bare (».10: tarsus 0.S5 ; middle toe and <daw 1.00. This e::(|ui,site siiechs inhabits
Knrope, etc., and in X. .\m. is known to occur along the wlude extent of the Atlantic and
Gulf States, in viirious W. L Islands, and (". Am. ; breeds apparently throughout its range.
wintering extralinntal. Kggs as in other beach species.
801. S. superoilln'ris antilla'rimi. (Lat. siiiicrciliiiris, relating to the ey(d>ro'
to tl
le wliiti
frontal crescent; Aiililluntm, of the Antilles.) Lkast Ti;hn. Mucdi smaller tli:i
i (i.OO; tail ii.SO, forked 1.75 ; hill
iddle too and claw 0.75. Youin:
the forciroiuti; length about 9.00; extent 20.00; wing
along culmen 1.20; depth at base 0.28; tarsus 0.00 ;
amaUer; h'ntrth 8.50; wing ().25 : tail H.Od ; bill 1.00. Tail moderately forked, the lateral
fi'athers scarctdy filamentous, rapidly narrowing to acute tip. Hill about as long as head,
rather shorter than whcde fmtt. yellow tiiijied with black for i-i inch. Caji gb)ssy greenish-
LAlilD.E - STEHNIX.K .- TKItSS.
767
lihick, with a niirrow wliitti frdiitiil
crfsi'i'iit the hnrns ..(' wliicli roach (pvit tl.i
(•(.nvcxity (luitc to tlic lull, Ixit cut dll' fmiii tlic white df il,,. checks 1
thi
eye to c'Uil of foathcrs on hill. Kn
)y a line of hiiick thniiiyh
tire iii.|i<T parts, iuchuliiit,' tail, ]ieaiiy-lihie, raliier dark
an.l of a loailcii slimlc, rnichiii;; .|iiiie l,, the hiack cap, la.liiii; ..ii si.ies of" neck aii.l ]iea,l ii.t ,
he snowy satiiiy-whito of all the ini.hr (.arts. Tail-feathers like hack, hut jiahr l.asilly
and whitu on their iiiuler surfaces, and outer web of tl
outer feather
Maiit!
e exteiidin:; tn
very tips of the torthils uud secondaries. Inn inner wehs of tii.se featiiers nearly white towan
tlie liaso. Shafts of first two priiiiaries Ipjacls on top,
er with a white spa(H', distinctly oiitlii
iiite underneath, liie Wi'hs hlack, tin
troni the hlack, not reacliini; ends of the feathers
liol'ilers
other prinniries lik(^ back, but darker |diiiiil us, fadiiu,' to while on their iuu.r
Keet orantre-yellow, claws black. Adult in winter: Kill black; fiet ilull villowish. V
head and lores wl
lite
own white, with black slial'l-lines ; occiput and nape blackish,
sendins; forward a band tlirouij;h eye. Mantle d.irker than in snniiiier, and niMn^ lestri.'ted,
leaving hind-neck white: a haml of i,'rayisli-black ahuii: f.ne-arni, ami wli.de ..l!,'.' of tlio
•th
.M
>st ot
tl
le priiiiaries lilai
kisi
1, Witllollt sllvi'l-llu.
iinii; .if lirsl winter
Similar, forehead not juire white, nor hiinl-lieail (|iiit<' bhudush, mauili' varie.l with li>;hter
tips of nuist of the feathers; tail with traces of dark spots. Voun;; in Aiii;iist : liill 1
black, pale at ba.se Ixd.
Forehead niostlv white ; cr.ivMi an.l liin.l-hea.l varieil wi
•rownish-
Ih white
lid brownish-bla.dv, the latter
c.dor especially
an auri.'ular )iat.-li. I'earl-t;ray
mantle (d" the ailiilts apiiearinu, but interrupted with brown hastate or cres.inti.' sp.its, one
or more on I'acli feather, mottliiiif the whole upper parts. Primaries t;rayish-blaid
filter from first to last, iiiaru;ined on inner webs with white, 1
iMMa.Uy anil
niter wt b of first in
l», trrowini^
.iiiti'r
]irimaries, more narrowly and lenutliily on succissive ones; outer wen oi nrst priiuaiy,
shafts id" all on ii](per side, bhudi. Tail men ly emariiinate, without <doi.i;ati.iii id' oulir
feathers; pearly-blue, shadiiii,' towards the en. Is <d' the t'eatliers to.liisky-i;ray, tin- tips white
Wh.de
e under parts pure w bite. A pretty little " sea-s
inhaldtiiii,' teiiiperate X. Am.
especially aloiii; the Atlantic coast id' the U. S., but als.i .m lar;;er inlanil waters; Pacific
side to ("alifornia : South into the Antilles an.l .Mi.l.lle .America; very intimat.dv r(dateil to
the S. Am. s)i]ii'fciliiiris ami Eiiroiii
iiitd. Ki:i,'s .Ir.ipped on bare .by saml .if heacln
or ill a little slndly depression, 1, 2, or 15 in iiuinhcr. I.;.'l) to 1..'{I) by ().'.)() ; m-.nin.l c.dor
varying from pale clear greenish to dull jiale drab, spe.dilcd all over with small splashes,
irregular spots and dots of .several shades of clear brown, with paler ami nmre lilaceoiis
siudl-spots; the markings often evenly distribtit.'.l, ni.ire fre.|ueiitly ten.lini; t.i wreathe at
.ir around the larger end, the p.diit often fre.' from marks ..r with only a few il.its.
802. S. trudeau'i. (To Dr. James Tnnhau.) Titi dkai "s Tt:i{N. \ViiirK-iiKAiii;i> TFlts. Size
and proportions nearly as in S. furstcri, the bill esp.'.'ially ..f sain.' si/e an.
vpry ditt'erent, uiihpie in the subfamily. A. lull : IJill stiaw-y
(dl.iw at en. I, apiiareii
1 sh;
1,
C.il.irati.iii
illlv b
ht
dored, pr.dtably reddish, at base, with a broad black intervening haml. 'I'lie wli.de head pure
white, inoludinji all the i)arts about the base .if tlii' hill : this .leepens insensibly iiit.i the |)early
color all ar.uind.
rr.iw .listinct bar .d" slatv-black
iile .d" Ilea. I.
passiiii; tliroiigli eye
fr
iin a point just in advanci
tl
le auriciilars,
where the fascia wi.lens an.l heii.ls d.iwu a little.
All the rest <d' the plumage, bel.iw as widl as ab.ive, of a uiiif.irm lustrous pale pearly, with
the fidlowing exceptions; Tiider surfaces .d' wings ])iire white ; tail, with its coverts an.l the
rump, white, still with an a]ipreiiable jx-arly tint ; tips, and part .if inner vaii.'s .d' secomlari.'s
and tertials, white; primaries with the jiicture (.'inmon to ni.ist terns, with a whit.' spa. n
the in
them
ippei
IT wel)s; their darker porti.ins beautifully silvered .iv.r with h.iary gray w
ihi.'h
appear paler than iisiia
shafts white above ami below, except at extr.'ine tips ; fe.t
to hi
lave ix'en re.t.iisn .ir vi
sh, certaiiilv of somi' bright color. Wing 10.
tail
6..5(); depth of the fork -2.75; bill al.nig culmen 1.50; its .leiith at lias.' 0.:^ : lemrth of gonys
1.75; tarsus O.'JO; middle toe and daw l.Oo. A rare and reinaikabl.' species bel.nitring to
I r • I
768
SYSTEM A riC SYXOJ'SIS. — LONGIPENNES— GA VIJE.
Fid. rilT. — Alculian
niiii'li ri'iliu'i'il.
Tern,
South America, qut-'stioiiably occiining in N. Am. ; " Now Jersey und Loug IshiuU " (Audu-
bon).
803. S. aleu'tica. (Of tlie Aleutian I^^le.x. Fij;. 517.) Alkitian Terx. Adult : Hill ..foriliii;iry
sha]i(', as in hiniudo, mdcnini, etc., entirely lilack. Feet small, as in the species just niiiind.
but tli<' webs more deei)ly inci.sed ; enuiruination not so great, however, as in Hiidniclidithin ;
much as in Hdliplaiiu. Tibia! bare to the usual e.\tent. WIul's
and tail exactly as in Sterna proper, the latter, in its lenttlli nud
depth of fork, recalliuf; tiutcnint and forshri. ("rown and niipo
black ; a large white frontal crescent, the horns of whi(di reacli to
the posterior border of the eyes, the convexity of which extemls into
the nasal fossii', tlie concavity of which is opposite the anterior
border of the 4'yes ; thus broader than in most species similiirlv
marked. The black vertex sends through the eye a baud that crosses the cheeiis and rciidicv
the liill just posterior to tlu' point of greatest extension of the fealliers on the latter. 'I'he
<diin, auriculars, and other jiarts of the head bordering this vitta btdow, are pure wliite,
liresently deepening insensildy into the hue of the imder ]iarts. Tail wholly |iure white; no
jiearly wash on either vane of any of the feathers. Upper parts at large dark jiearl-gray, wiih
a didl leaden hue, different from the clear pearly of mticnim, etc.. yet not of the smoky cast
of jiatiaifoisix, etc. ; it is a tint intermediate between these, that I tind ilitlicult to name satis-
factorily. The whole under ]>arts, from the wliite of the chin, just noticed, to the under t:iil-
eoverts, paler and more decidedly pearly, more nearly as in full-plumagecl miicrura, yet nimc
grayi.sh. Hoth under iind upper tail-coverts, like the tail, white. The color of the back
mounts on the ne<dv Ixdiind to the
black of the najx- without interven-
tion of white. Under wing-coverts
and edge of wintr jmre white; as are
all the siiafts of the primaries. Pri-
maries blackish lead-color, with
silvery hoariness, and eacdi with a
large white sjiace on inner web; this
white space on the first jirimary oc-
cupies at the base the wbide width
of the inner wel>, but grows nar-
rower toward the tip of the feather,
ending about an inch from the ti]i,
which is wholly blackish lead-color,
this color running down as a narrow
margining of the inner vane for two
inches or more. On the other ju'i-
nuiries successively this white spaci! Fio, 518. — Foot of Sootv FlO. 519. — Foot of Bridled
diminishes in size, and is also h'ss Tern, ..at. .im (K.om .Saunders:* Tern, ..at.«i«. (Kro.n Suu.i.lers.)
distinctly defined. Secondaries c(dorod much like the back, but the greater part of the inner
web of all white, and a narrow (ddicpie touch of white on outer web near its end, which forips
a bar across the wing M-hen (dosed. IJill along culineu 1.40 ; along gape 1.70; height at b;isc
0.30; length of gonys 0.80; wiug 9.75 ; tail G.uO ; depth of fork 2.40; tarsus 0.60; nnddic
toe alone 0.80; its claw nearly 0.. '50. Alaska and Aleutian Islands; a notable late discovery,
coming between the species of Stcnia proju'r and the sooty tern group; related to S. hiudtii.
804. S. fiilig^no'sa. (Lat. fiiUfjiiwsn, sooty. Fig. .".IS.) Sooty Tekn. Representing a sniali
grou). ajiart from any of the foregoing, named IfriJiphtirt by some; approaching the noddies
slightly. Bill as long as head, scarcely exceeded by whole foot, straight, stout at ba.se, taper-
LAliliLK -SrrJiSLWK: TJJl^XS.
Tt'.i)
uiix, acute, ;:onys ii.spoiidiii!,', .•ciiiinissiii-c not cliniivnl ; nostrils latlur tar loiwanl, VmI
' .l.'cjily forkftl, iis in Slcniii ; IV'ct stout ; to.s slioit, witli nnidi iMciscd w.l.s. IMnnmgc bicolor.
Hill and IVrt black ; iris red. On llir toivl,cad a wliit.. rivsrcnt, .-. ludiini: ov.r ryrs, si'iiaratcl
IVdin white of idiofUs l.y u blac-k biidlc tVoni cy.. ,d,li(iu( ly dnwnwaid an.l fonvaiil to bill. Kn-
tirn uijprr parts black, deep an.l unifonn, witli sliirlit u;ivcni--li i;loss. Entire inidcr jiarls wliiic,
reaching on sides of iiead to eyes, iin.l more than half-wiiy aronnd neck. Priinaries M.iekish.
lighter on inner webs, their .sbalts lu'own above, white below; .secondaries like primaries, hut
most of their inner webs whitish : lining of winys white. Tail like' back, duller on under mm-
face, the hmg lateral feathers wliite, with whiter shafts, bla.dienin-; toward end. esiMciallvon
inner W(d)s. Voum.': entindy dill'erent : Hill black above, dull nd.lisli below: eyes and feet
dull reildish. Whole pbnuage s ky-hrown, darkest above, paler ami i,'ravi>li or «liilish on
bidly, almost black on primaries, ujiper wing-coverts and .scapulars broadly lipped with white,
giving a peculiar spotty appearance : feathers. d' back, rump, ami upp.u- tail-.'.iverts maraiui.l
with dull rufous. Tail lik.' wings in .'.dor, liltl.' fork. .I, lal.ral leathers n.d elonirated.
Length about 16.50; ext.^nt ab.iut ;U.(l(J; winu \i.W: tail r..")ii. fork.. I ;i.l)l»-;5.r)0; bill al.mg
.•ulnien l.Sn, gape ;J..")() ; de|)lh at base il.jO ; tibia liare O.Jn : tarsus I. OH: mi.l.lli' t.i.' an.l
claw \.iV: \ .r.iter d.i. 1.0.'); inner .1... 0.7."); hiu.l .lo. I). III). A w.ll-knnwn inhabitant .d' most
of the wanner parts of the gl.ibe. In N. Am. N. akriu; Atlanti. asi r.uularly t.. the Caro-
linas, casually to New Kuglan.l; bree.ling s.> numerously .)n .)ur S. coast tha' thi' ei;i.'s ar.' or
were an article of onnuerce. Kggs 1}, .Inijipe.! .)n the sand, i.\i X 1. •')(). buH' .ir cr.amy,
si)aringly nuirked with spots and splash, s .if light br.iwn and pal.' purplish.
80,). S. aiia'stlie'tlca. ((ir. dvaiaOr^riKus, (lUdixthctilcox, st.ili.l, a])atheti.'. Fiu;. .')10.) llltlDi.i;!)
Ti:kn. Form of S. fiiliijiuoxa, but W(d)bing of the toes less e.\tensive, being nearly as .leiply
inciseil as in Hi/ib-uchrlidoii. Hill an.l teet black. Crown, an.l stripe through eye t.i nostril,
black. A white frontal lunula, narr.iwer than in fuliyiitosa, cxten.ls smiw .listance behin.l the
eye. The black pihnim is, on the naiie, sharply defined against ashy-white, which, as it ))r.)-
feeds backward, .h'epcns int.) cinerous-brown, the prevailing c.d.ir .d' th.' ny\>vv ]iarts. \Viiu.'s,
and esi)ecially the prinniri.'s, .larker than the rest of tli.' upper parts, an.l with s.'arcidy a shad.'
of cinereous ; tail, with its coverts, much lighter and m.ire ashy, approachiiii: the nap.' in color.
The primaries have well-. lefine.l, ])ure white spaces rimning for a c.insi.lerald.' distan.'.' from
their ba.ses al.mg tlu; inner web, while in fnliijiiio.fa the inner webs are simply irrayisli-brown,
with no well-nnirked pictura. A large part of inner webs .if s.'on.lari.'s an.l t.'rtials white.
All th(! under wing-overts pure white. Central tail-feathers br.iwnish-ashy, c.uicidor with
their coverts. The lateral .mes have much white towanl th.'ir bases, esjic'lally on th.' inner
webs, and this increa.ses .m each feather successively t.i su.'h an ext.'Ut that the next to the
out(>r one is wholly white except a small space at its ti|), whih' th.' .iuterm.)st is entirely white.
Shafts of prinniries brownish-black above, white beneath ; of th.> rectrices, dark al.mi: the
cinerous, ami white along .)ther p.>rti.ins .if the feathers. H.'low, the bir.l is entirely pure
white. Dhnensions: length 11.00 t.) l.j.OO inches ; wing 10..")0; tail (i.OO t.) 7.00 : hill l.iil-
tol.GO; height at base 0.35 to 0.40 ; width slightly less ; tarsus 0.8."); mi.kUe t.ie th.' sam.',
with the claw 1.20; outer toe and claw 1.00; inner 0.7.>. Inunature iihiuniire : Ulack .if
pih'uni imperfect, largely mixed with white .m the vertex, so that it fa.les ins.'iisibly into the
white of the lunula, which latter is thus .)hscurcd. The black bridle is corresp.>ndini:ly imper-
fect. Upper parts paler an.l gray.T, s.)nie of the feathers being margined with whitish. Lat-
eral rectrices n.it wh.iUy white. Under parts pure white, as hefor.'. This is probably n.it the
youngest plumage (of which 1 have yet to .see specimens; .l.'.scrih.^.l as heini; liirht-.'.il.ire.l
below from the very first), but rather represents a plmna;:.' that cl..sely r. s.'ud)les, if it be
not identical with, the ordinary winter idumagi; of the a.lult. This iierfcctly distinct species
inhabits warmer parts of the globe in b.ith hemispheres; West Indies an.l Florida. (Haliplana
discolor, Cones.)
40
';, I
) ;
h
w
ITO
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIVl
J— GA Vlyl-J.
316. HYDKOCHELI'DON. (Ur. v6o>p, hudor, wMcr ; x'^tdwi', chelidon, ii hwiiIIow.) Hlack
Tkknh. Hill a Hull- hIiuiIit tliau head, luii{^i'r than iiruUllc toe iiiid claw ; very (Iclicate, Hlcndcr,
aotite i ctiliiicii and ciiininiMHari' dcculrdly dcc-liiiatd-eonvcx, the aiiuiuiit of curvatiin- iMcrcaMln^
toward the tip; outline <>f rami and ^ouys luith eoneave, the lornier inotit so; eniinentia syni-
jihy.sis prominent and very acute. Wings exceedingly long, pointed, of .same color as hack,
without distinct nnirkings ou either web. I'rimaries hroad and not very tapering, not acute ;
tertials very short, rounded, not sIcikUt nor Howing, reaching in the folded wing only half-way
to tip of longest primary. Tail rather short, contained iij times in the wing, only moderately
cmarginate (much as in Gdoclielidoii), the lateral feathers but little exceeding the next, not
tapering and acuminate ; all the ft-atliers broad and rounded. Feet slender aiu'. short ; tarsi
much abbreviated, rather less than the middle toe alone. Toes moderately long ; the webs
rather narrow and very deeply incised (fig. 51). Size small, general form delicate j colors
mostly black, the wings uud tail plumbeous.
800
Analyilt of Sptclet.
Wings nnil tnil nbovo like back
Wlii^H whitening ulong border of forearm; upper tall-cnvertit white
lari/nrmh 804
(t uriiptird SOT
H. Inrlfor'mis. (Lat. lailformis, gull-shaped.) Hi.ack i eun. Siiokt-TAILEK Ti:iin.
Adult, in summer : Head and neck all around and under jiarts to tlie vent, jet black; under
tail-coverts pure white. On back of neck, and between shoulders, the black lightening into
leaden-gray, which extends over all the upper jmrts to the very tips of the tail-feathers. Ter-
tials like back; secondaries darker, tending to the color of the primaries, which are grayish-
black, silvered, with paler nnirgins of inner webs, their shafts white exce])t at tijis. Lining of
wings ashy-white, reaciiing a litth' over border on to lesser coverts. Itill and claws black,
angle of mouth lake red : feet reddish-brown ; eyes brown. In winter: \'ery different ; fore-
head, sides of head, neck all round, and entire under parts, white ; under wing-coverts only
ashy-gray. Ujiper parts generally as in sumnu'r, Itut paler, many feathers with whitish edges.
A grayish-black bar along lesser coverts. On the crown, white varied with grayish or ashy,
darker on mipe, with bar through eye. While changing, bead and uniler parts jiatched with
white and black. Young: Uill brownish-black, base bi'low tlesh-color ; mouth yellow; feet
light brown. Forehead grayish-white, deepening on crown and un\w to grayish-brown which
reaches down to the back, (d)scurintr the idumbeous ; interscapulars (piite brown; on other
upper parts the brown eilges the feathers. Lesser wing-coviTts grayish-black. A black cres-
cent before eye. Under parts juu'e wliite, tiie sides of the breast ashy-brown, the sides of the
body and lining of the wings ashy. Quills as in the adults, but the shafts of the prinuiries
brown. Length about 9.25; extent 25.00 ; wing S. 25 ; tail H. 75, forked 1.00; bill along cul-
iiien 1.10; along ga)ie 1.00; height at base 0.25 ; gonys 0.(10. Young smaller, about S.OO ;
Lill 1.00 ; tail shorter and less forkeil. N. Am. at large, interior and coastwise, abundant.
Breeds in large coloides anyvhi-re, in marshes and reedy sloughs, in June. Egi,'s on debris of
dead reeds, often wet and floating, without any nest ; 2-;{, l..'{5 X "-'.'j average, pointed, yet
with considerable bulge of the sides; ground cidor hrownish-idive, rather jmlo and clear,
thickly marked with spots and sidashes of every size froni dots to imisses, but mostly large
and bfdd, of light brown and Idackish-browii, anil the usual neutral-tint shell-markings; ten-
dency to agfrregate at or arounil the larger end.
807. H. leuco'ptera. (Or. Xfvicor. /r)(/vw, white: nrtpou, pterou, wing.) Wmite-wincek Hlack
Tekx. Adult ill summer: Hill black, tinged with red; feer red; claws black. Head and
neck all around and under jiarts imre black, .shading on back and scapulars into dark slaty
plumbeous; wings dark silvery-idumbeous, fading to white along border of forearm, the quills
silvcred-dusky with white shafts and dull white area on inner webs of the primaries ; lining of
wings sooty blackish, varied with white along the border. Tail and its coverts, above and
316.
808.
LARIDjE -STEIlNLWf:: TEIiXS.
771
below, white, abruptly contruHtiiiiL' witli dark slato of tlic rmiiii an<l Mark ..f tlir 1.. ||y, thf tail-
ft'iithi-ra Hliiulcd with |)carly-«ray tnwanl their ciids. Li'iiirtli (..f skin) N,UO ; wiiii; 7..',0 ; tad
2.75, forked uudiT 0.50 ; liill aldiij; oidrucn O.UO, aloim pipe 1.:.'0. lifi^lit at lias.' ()..'() ; tai-iiit
0.73; middle too and (daw 0.S7- KcMciiildini,' tlic last, atid cliaiims ,>( pliiiiiai.'.' i(prr(sp<pudtut ;
disfiiiguiidicd in any pininai;f by wliitc upper taii-covi'rts and lesM r wiiiji-inverts. litirupc;
nccideiifal in N. A. in one instance ( WisciMisin).
310. ANOU9. (Gr. (ivovt, (dioita, mindless, regardless; i. e. slujiid.) Noddikh. Mill alicnil as
lont; as liead or loinrer, mueli |iMi(.'er lljan tarsus, moderately rol>ust or very sleniler, depressed,
us liroad as liitfli at base ; (dsewliere depressed, taperiiii; to au aeuniinate and somewhat ile-
curved tip. Fore end of no.strils nearly iiall'-way to end <it' hill, the fossie lonj; and diep. Nn
frontal aiitiie; outline of feathers on base of bill convex (reverse id Strrun), Wines hut mod-
erately loiif; for this subfamily, the second primary but little shorter than the tirst. Tail very
hmj,', broad, fdn-sli'tpcd, (hmbk-nmiiiM, i. e., graduated laterally, yet with central feulhers
shorter than the next. Tarsi very short, robust, less than the nnddle toe without its (daw.
Lateral toes, es])ecially the inner, unusually lem;theneil ; hallux well develojieil. Webs hroad
and full, not incised. Chiws short, stout, little curved, but very acute, i'lpdothica nearly
Binooth, from tendency to fusion of the plates, there beini; but a siiiule define 1 row of scutella
iu front, with ilicate reticulations elsewhere; s(dea of the webs perfectly smM,.'li. i'.diies ol
middle (daw tted and ^' nu'wliat pecfimife. I'lumane dark or nearly unic( dor. .\ remark-
able genus. Tin I e are several sjiecies of warmer jiarts of the world, all alike sooty-lnown,
with hoary or whitish head. They aliglit with ease on trees and bushup, where the nest is
usually (placed.
808. A. sto'lidus. (Lat. stolidits, 8t(did, Rfu|)id.) Noddy Tkun. Adidt, lireedim; plumage:
Uotli mandibles marked with m<pre (pr less distinct longitudinal striie; their toniia intlectdl.
Nasal sulcus deep and hpiig, fiprmed by the rounded culmen and a pripuuiient ridge, which runs
along the iipjier numdible from its base to beyond the nostrils, where it is gradually hpst. Just
above the base there is a small but distiiu't fossa, .seiiaratcd by an obli(pie ridge fi i tlie large
nasal sulcus. C'lilincm alxput straiuht for half its h'ligth, regularly decurved toward the tip.
ba.sally broad ami flat. (_'(pmmissin-e slightly (h'(dinat(P-c(pnvex. Outline bipth (pf rami and gipuys
concave, the fcprmer most .sip ; eminentia symphysis illy di-lined and iupt acute. Primaries iiin-
eolor, very broad almost to their tips, which are rounded ; first primary searct ly surpassing the
secoml. Tail very long and mmdi graduated ; but there is also a slight emargination, the two
central re(!trices being a little shiprter than the next pair. Hill and claws blmdi. Mouth black
to a little bey(pnd the anghMpf the jaws, the fauces y(dhpwisli. Kyes brown. Tarsi and toes
dark rcddiali-br<pwn, nearly black in the dried skin. Occiiiut bhiish-plumheoiis. beecpmini:
pure white (m the i'vimi. Sides <pf the head and neck all npuml with a diriihd wash ipf Ipluish-
plnmbeous. The whole body is a (h'cp fuliginous brown, gripwing alm(p.st Iphnd; ipu the remiges
and rectrices, with a very dark spot aiiteriipr to and just above the eye. DinuMisions : length
1() inches; c.Ktcnt of wings ;U.OO: wing from tle.xure 10.00 to 11.00; tail abiput 0.00: Ipill
' ahmg culmen 1.75; height or wi(hh at base O.SS; tarsus 1.00; nnildle t(pe and (daw 1.15;
outer ditto but slightly shorter; imier ditto 1.20: hallux O.tO: Ipreadth of w( bsO.'.l'i : diam
eter of eye O.SO. Widely distributed over warmer parts of the gliphe : in N. Am., S. .\thintic
and (Julf States, breeding by thousands (Pii the low mangrove and ipthor bushes, where the
bulky nest of sticks is plac.'d. Kirgs :i, about 2.00 X 1.35, warm buff, spotted and splashed
with reddish-brown and neutral tints.
772
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — L ONGIPENNES — GA Vl^.
!
FlO. 520. — Bill of Skimmer, iiat. size.
73. Subfamily RHYNCHOPIN^: Skimmers.
Bill hypogna-
thous. AiiioDi;
I till' singular bills
^ of birds t''ut fru-
quciitly fxcito
our wonder, tluit
of tbo skimmers
is one of till- most
auoiiiiilous. Till)
under inuudible
is much louder
than the upper, compressed like a knifi'-bliide : its cud is obtuse ; its sides conic abruj)tly
together and are completely soUlered ; the U])pt r edge is as sliarp as tlie under, and fits a
groove in the upper mandibh! ; the jawbone, viewed apart, looks like a short-Iiaiidled pitch-
fork. The upper mandible is also compressed, but less so, nor is it so obtuse at the end; its
substiince is nearly hollow, with light cancellated structure, much as in a toucan ; it is freely
movable by ineuiis of an elastic hinge at the forehead. There arc cranial jieculiaritics. Con-
formably with the shaiie of the month, the tongue ditt'ers froii that of other IjwgipcnncH in
being very short and stumjiy, as in kingfishers, and the Stegatiop.xks. The wintjs are exceed-
ingly long, and the flight more measure<l and sweeping than that of terns; tli(^ birds fly in close
flocks moving simultaneor.sly, rather than in straggling companies. They seem to feed as they
skim low over water, with the fore parts ineliiu'd downward, the under mandible probably
grazing or cutting the surface ; but they are also .said to use their otld bill to ])ry ojien weak
bivalve mollusks. The voice is very hoarse and rau(!ous, rather than strident. They are
somewhat noctunial or at least crepuscular; their general economy is the .same as that ot terns,
as are all points of structure excepting those above specified. Hesides the following, there are
only two species : B. flnriroslris and 7i'. albicollis, of Asia.
317. RHYN'CHOPS. ((ir. pvy\os, hritgchoa, beak; «>//■, opx, the face; well ajiplied to the bird
whose l)eak is such an extraordinary feature.) Ski.mmkk.s. Charai'ter as above.
800. R. ni'Krn. (Lat. »nV;;o, black. Fig. .520.) Black Skimmku. Adult ^J 9 : Hill with basal
half carmine-red, rest black. Iris hazel. Feet cannine-red, ilrying yellowish, with black claws.
Crown <»f head, its sides to just below eyes, back of neck and whole upper parts, glossy
iet-black. Forehead, sidi's of head below eyes, sides of neck and whole under )iarts, jmre
white, tinted rosy or creamy in the nu]ttial .season. Lining of wings and tli(! bordering
under wing-coverts, black. Primaries black, with black shafts, their inner webs duller
blackish, the inner four with inner webs and tips of both webs, white; sec-ondaries white,
with a space of dark color on outi'r and small part of inner webs, increasing in amount
inwards, till the inner four are dark with only white tips. Tail-feathers white, the inner
web.s more or less ob.scured with dark brown. Length 16.00-20.00 ; extent 42.00-50.00 ;
wing i;i.00-lf).50 ; tail lOIVd.OO, forked about 1.50; tibiw bare 1.00; tarsus 1.45; middle
toe and claw l.tJO. Length of under mandible 3.50-4.50, of upper about 15.00 ; height opposite
nostrils 0.65 ; width 0.45 ; gape 4.50 or more; fused toinia or gonys of under mandible 4.00
or less; greatest depth of under mandible 0.00. 9 smaller than ^. Young at niiniinnm
dimensions given. Young-of-the-year : Hill smaller than in adult, thinner, weaker, its
ridges less sharjdy defined, and the two mandibles of less unequal lengths. Hill brownish-
black for three-fourths of its length, fading into dull bom-color just at its tip, lightening into
more or less inten.se flesli-ctdor, or light reddish, toward the ba.ie. The strire on the siiles
of the lower mandible are as numerous ns, but much less distinct than, in the adult. Tail
riiUCELLA liJIlJJE : I'E TliELS.
(3
ehortiT and let"? dfcply .'iimrgiiuito. Lpj;s and fpot dull light reddish. Entiro ii|>prr parts
a ratht-r light gi'iyish-umwu, deepest mi the wing-eoverts and tertials : eacli fialhir willi
a tolerably broad .iiargin and tip of white, lnoadest and most eonspienous on the wiiig-eoverts
and terthils. Forehead, sides of the liead helow the eyes, the neck all round, the edge of
the fore-arm, inferior surfaees of the wings, and whole under jiarts, white. [Viniaries almost
exactly as in the adults, except that tie innermost have more white, and there is a slight
wliite terminal margin as far as the fourtli or tifth. iSeeondaries about as in the adults, hut
their brown jtortious lighter and duUer. Tail white; the greater part of the two central
reetrices, and the inner webs of the others, with a ting<' of dull grayish-brown, deepest on
the middle pair. 8, Atlantic and Gulf States, strictly maritime, abundant ; casually N. to
New Kngland. Nesting like that of terns, iu communities; eggs ilroppcd on the sand,
3 in number, pure white, spotted and splashed with dark browns and blackish, and jiale
ueutral-tint.
20. SrnoHDKU TFIJIXAHES: Ti'be-nosed LoxowiNos,
Character and deKiiition of this group the same as of the single
60, Family PROCELLARIID-a: : Petrels,
Xostrils tubular.
Bill e]>ignathous ; its
covering discontin-
uous, consisting of
several horny jiieeea
separated by deep
griKives. Hallux
small, elevated, fune-
tionless, ajii)earing
merely as a sessile
claw, often minute, or
absent.
These are oceanic
birds, rarely landing
except to breed, un-
suq>assed in jiowers
if flight, ami usually
strong swimmers. Ex-
cepting the Sea-nin-
ners {Halothomintr),
none of them dive.
With the siune excep-
tion, the wings are
long, strong, and
IHiinted, of 10 stiff
jtrimaries and numer-
ous short secondaries;
Fio. 621 —Nest of tlie Fulmar. iDeslgiiod by H. W. Elliot.) jj,p Imiiicral ami anti-
brachial portions are so,n..ti,nes extren.ely lengthened. The tail is short or ;■';;'-•;;• ;"^;-
than -20 Lthers, variable in shape. The feet are usually short, w.th long full-webW ft...
t.K.s, and a rudhnentary hallux, or none. In size, these birds vary ren.arkably. rang.ng from
774
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIFENNES— TUBINAHES.
that of a swallow up to the immense albatrosses, probiibly unsurpassed by any birds whatever
in aliir expanse, and yielding to few in bulk of body. The plumage is compaet and oily, to
resist water ; the sexcfs appear to be always alike, and no seasonal ehangcs are determined ;
but some variation witii age, or as a matter of individual peculiarity, certainly occurs in many
«ases. Tile food is entirely of an animal nature, and fatty substances, in particular, are eagerly
devoured. Wlien irritated, many species eject an oily fluid from the mouth or nostrils, and
Bome are so fat as to be occasionally used for lamps, a wie.k being run tlirougli the body.
The eggs are few, or only one, laid in a rude nest or n(me, on the ground or in a burrow.
Petrels are silent birds, as a rule, contrasting with gulls and terns in this particular; many
or most are gregarious, congregating by thousands at their breeding places or where food
is plenty.
Birds of this family abound on all seas ; but the group is yet imperfectly known. IJona-
parte gave 6'J species, in 185G ; my memoirs upon the subject (lS(ii-6(j) present 92, of wh. -li
17 are marked as doubtful or obscure ; in 1871 Gray recorded 112; there are probably a'/oiit
75 good species. They are sharply divided by the character of the nostrils into three gMups;
two represented in \orth America, as beyond, and the Halodrominte. These last, co'i listing
of one genus and three sj)ecies or varieties, are remarkably disiiuguished from .'le rest,
resembling Auks in external appearance and liabits; the wings and tail are very .short ; there
is no hind toe; the skin of the throat is naked and distensible; the tubular nostrils, in fact,
are the principal if not the only outward petrel-mark, and these organs are nni(|ue in ojicniiig
directly upward, the nasal tube being vertical instead of horizontal as in all the rest.
74. Subfamily DIOMEDEIN^: Albatrosses.
Nostrils disconnected, jilaced one on each side of the
bill near the base. Hallux rudimentary, so .small as
to be usually called wanting. Of largest size in this
family. There are eight unquestionable species, with
two or three doubtful or (d)scnre ones. Oidy tlirce
have proven their right to a place here. There i.s no
well authenticated instance of the occurrence of the
great Wand(;ring Albatross, I), exiilnns, off our coasts ;
but it lias been taken in F^uro]ie, and is liable to ap-
pear at any time. It is distinguished from the first
spe(nes following by its great size, and the outline of
the fnmtal feathers; deeply concave on the culmen,
strongly conve-x on the sid<'s of the bill to a point nrarly
ri(i. 622. — mil anil Foot of Sliort-toilcd opj)osite the nostrils. The Yello>v-no.sed Albatross,
AibntroBs. (After canBin.) jj cJdornrhijncha (of Audubon, not of Gnielin), is the
Z). culminaia, a species of Australian and other Southern seas, said to have been taken " not
far from the Columbia river," but there is no reason, as yet, to believe it ever comes within a
thou.<<and miles of this country. It luus the bill black, with the eulmcu and under edgi; yellow.
Other well-known species of Southern seas are I), chlororhyncha, cauta, and mclanophn/s.
Analyiii» r\f (Jrnera.
Tall rounded, containeil 3 or about 3 times In lenRtli of wing. Bill stout, evenly encircled by fcathprc i\t bnso
Dinmiiliii 318
Tail cuneate, containe<l about twice in Icngtli of wing. Bill comprcsseil, with Arontal retintrniicu ami
lateral salience of feathers at base I'haMria 31!i
318. DIOMEDE'A. (Gr. Ato/iijdi/r, TWomerfcs, a Grecian hero, Jove-counselled.) Albatuo.sses.
Bill thick, stout, and heavy, especially broad at base, without colored gr(M)vc along lower
uiaudiblo, or other apeoial parti-eoloratiou. Nasal tub«a ample. Tail short, rounded, less
PKOCELLAIillD^: : DIOMEDKIX^i: : ALBATliOSSES.
775
than half the wing (in one species uhout (Uio-third the wing"!. Coloration variogatod with
white and black, or uniformly fiiliiriimus. Of largest size in the snlifauiily. It. exuhiHf is
type of this group ; our two species fall in a subgenus I'hoebantria.
Analysis <>/ Species.
Adult white, with (lark wings ami tail; bill and fuel light bracliynm Klii
Adult fuliginous ; bill and feet darl( nigripts Ml
810. D. bracliyu'ra. (Gr. ^paxis, brachiis. short ; ovfjd, uum, tail.) Siiokt-taii.ku Alhatkoss.
Bill 5.00 or 6.00 ini'hes long, with nioilerately ciiiioave nihiicn and prominent hook. Frontal
fe.ithers forming almost no reentrance on oulinen, runniii;; nearly straight around wl'olc base
of upper mandible, and extending scarcely farther on sides of under inandii)le, with hardly
any convexity. Tail very short, contained rather more than U times in length of wing.
Total length about 3.00 feet, with spread of about 7-00 feet; wing 20.00 inches; tail .")..")0-
6.00 inches; tarsus nearly 4.00 inches. Adult plumage wliite, tlie heail and neck usu-
ally washed with shining rusty-yellow ; wings and tail dark or blackish, with a wholly
indeterminate amount of white (Ui the coverts and inner ipiills — soinetinu's nearly all the
wing-coverts white excepting a line ahuig the border of the fore-arm — sometimes the wliite
restricted to a small space at the elbow. Hill pale reddish-yellow, <lryiMi; pah' dingy-
yellowish ; feet Hesh-ccdor. Young dark-cidored, resembling nigripei^, but easily distinguislied.
Pacific Ocean at larg<' ; abundant oti" our coast. This albatross drops a single egg on the
grotind, nearly equal-ended, wliite, 1.20 X ^-60 ; both se.xes incubate.
811, D. ui'gripes. (Lat. nigripcs, black-footed.) IJi.ACK-kooted Aliiatiioss. Bill about
4.00 (never 5.00) inches long, extremely stout, with the culmen almost perfectly siraiiilit
to the hook, which is comparatively small and weak, scarcely rising above level of the cnlnien.
T!ie horny piece forming
the culmen very bi-oad,
especially at ba.>.e, where
it widens and descends to
overlap the lateral jtiece.
Outline of feathers nnich
as in hriivhi/iira, yet a
slight reentrance on fore-
head, and feathers on sides
of under numdible salient
with a slight convexity.
Connnissure about straight
to the hook. Itill about
one-third longerthan head,
slightly longerthan tarsus,
eijual to middle toe with-
out claw; 1.50 deep and
1.-25 wide at base. Tail
PlO. B23. Sooty Albatross, ranch reilucod. (Prom Tenney. after Auilubon.) cntained ll times in the
wing. Bill dark-colored : feet black. Phunage dark chcn-olate-brown, paler and grayer,
rather plumbeous, below, lightening or whitening on head; feathers of the upper ])arts with
paler edges, as if faded ; spot before eye and streak over eye quite black. Primaries black,
duller on inner webs, with yellow shafts to near the end ; tail blackish, duller below, with
whitish shafts except at tip. A final jdumage may be lighter than as .lescriWd, but is never
white, and otJier characters prove the validity of the species. Chord of culmen 4.00, its curve
4.60 ; distance from feathers on side of upjMjr mandible to tip 3.50 ; ditto lower maudihlo 3.20 ;
II
£
fl
77G
SYSTEM A TIC SYXOPSIS. — LONGIPENNES— TlBlXAliEH.
tarsus 3.70; middle or outer toe and claw 4.50; inner do. 4.00. Wing 19.00-20.00; tail about
C.50. Pacific coast of N. Am., abundant.
319. PHCEBE'TRIA. (Gr. ^otySijrpia, phoibetria, a soothsayer, presager.) Ulack Albatross.
Bill comparatively slender, strongly comiiresscd, with sharp culmen ; side of under mandible
with a long ccdored groove. Frontal feathers fonning a deep acute reentnuuv on culmen;
a long acute salience on sidc^ of lower mandible. Nostrils low and strict. Tail cuneate,
contained twice in the length of wing. Plumage uniformly dark. One species.
812. P. fuligino'sa. (Lat. fuUgiiwsa, sooty. Fig. 52;}.) Sooty Albatuo.ss. Hill with shape
and outline of feathers as above said ; chord of culmen 4.00-4.50; height of bill at base 1.50,
at hook 1.00; width at base 0.75; from feathers on side <»f upper nuindible to tip 3.50, ditto
lower mandible 2.50. Wing 20.00-22.00 ; tail 10.00-11.00, graduated .'5.50-4.50 ; tarsus about
3.00; middle toe and claw 4.75, outer do. 4.50, inner do. 4.00. Plumage ordinarily unifonn
sooty-brown; quills and tail blackish with white shafts; eyelids wliite ; bill black, with
long yellow (perhaps in life pink or red) groove ; feet pale or Hei>h-coU)r, drying yellow.
In some cases the plumage lightens to a clearer more ashy-gray C(jloration on various part.-i.
The head and neck frequently washed with rusty-yellow. Pacific ocean at large ; off coast
of N. Am.
75. Subfamily PROCELLARIIN^: Petrels.
Nostrils united in one doubU'-barrelled tube laid horizontally on the culmen at base.
Hallux present, though it may be minute. Five groujis of petrels may be distinguished,
although they grade into each other ; four of them are abundantly represented on our coasts.
The fiihimrs are largt; gull-like species (one of them niif,'lit be taken for a gull were it not
for the nostrils), usually white with a darker nuintle, the tail hirge, well formed (of 14-16
feathers), the nasal case prominent, with a thin partition. They .»;hade into the group of
which the genus (Entrclatn is tyjjical, embracing a large number of medium-sized species,
cliieHy of Soutliern seas, in wliich the bill is short, stout, very strongly hoidied, with ]irominent
nasal case; the tail rather long, usually graduated. The sheanraters (I'uffiiius) have the
bill longer than usual, comparatively slender, with short low nasal case, (di!i<iuely truncate
at the end, and the ]iartition between the nostrils thick; the tail short and roimded ; the
wings e.xtremely long: the feet large. The elegant little "Mother Carey's chickens" or
"stormy petrels" (" Thtdassuhoma" of authors; PrweUaria proper and its relatives) are
a fourth groiijt, marked by their snuill size, slight build, and other characters; their Hight
is peculiarly airy and flickering, more like that of a butterfly than of ordinary birds; they
are almost always seen on wing, ajqiear to swim little if any, and some, if not all, breed
in holes in the ground, apparently like bank swallows. Like other jn'trels they gather in
troops about vessels at sea, often following their course for nuniy miles, to pick up the refuse
of the cook's galley. Some of them, as the species of OcenttHes, have renuirknbly long legs,
with fused scutella, flat obtuse claws, and the hallux exceedingly minute ; in the rest, tho
feet are of an ordinary character. The exotic genus Priou typifies a fifth firoup, of five or
six species: here the bill is expanded, and furnishe<l with strong laminte, like a duck's ; tho
colors are bluish and white.
Annhinit qf ftenern.
Fulmam, with prominent nasal tube, vcrtlrnlly trniicato and witli tliin partition ; under inandil>lc not
hoo1(e<l at end. I.ength 16.00 or nmro.
Tail 16-rcRthcre<I. Length about 3 feet Otti/raga 320
Tail 14-feathcre<l. length l.''>-20 iiichci.
Bill very stout, mucli sliortcr than tarsuB Fulmanm 321
Bill slenderer, little shorter than tamus /Yiiieella 322
Petrels, with nasal tul)ci( ns tiefore, tho bill very stout and strongly hookol. Length 10.00 to 16,00.
Plumage i<iKitte<l alKivc, white below nnplium 328
Plumage uniformly dark alwvu, and white lielow ; or, entirely riiligtnous (Ktlrelala 324
320. o
in
h(
Cil
of
F
cl
cl
J,"
813. O
ol
7.
321.
814.
PROCELLARIIL.E : PliOVELLAmiy^ : FULMARS.
Stormy Petrels, with nasal tube ns before, the bill variable. Length uiiilor 10.00.
CiaWB hooked, acute; tamuH little if any longer than niiiliile toe anU claw.
Tail cuneato. Color uniform fuliginous Ilitlori/plenn 325
Tail nearly square. Color fuliginous, with white /•nu'ellaria :fM
Toil forked. Color fuliginous, or dark with white Cymiirlnn-ni 3i'7
Tail forked. Color bluish or grayish, with white Ocniiimlrr.mn JKS
Claws flat, obtuse; tarsus niiiili longer than inldille too and claw.
Color fuliginous; u|ii)crlail-c,)vcrtp white; webs yellow Orninites 329
Color dark, the underparts whi' .' ; wcbs l>lack I'mniia 330
Sheancaters, with low broad nasal case, and end of umler luanilible hooked like the upiier. Leiigih U'.OO
or more.
Nasal tube truncate, with the partition thin, as in fulmars Priniiuua 331
Nasal tube obliquely truncate, the partitiou thick J'liiHiius 332
320. OSSI'FRAGA. (Lilt, ossifraifd, boiie-bivakiiif,' ; o.s and frmujo.) Giant Fii.m.vr. Of
iminense size and powerful orgaiiizatioii; as large a.s ninst of tlie albatrosses. Bill iiiiijrcr than
head, about as biiig as tarsus, very robust, deeidy grooved; nasal tube very long, depressed,
carinate, with contracted orifice; reaebiug half way or more iVoni ba.xe to tip of bill. Hook
of bill large and sti-ong. Coinniissure sinuate ; gape restricted, not reacliing under eye.
Fnintal feathers extending obtusely upon root of nasal ca.se ; mental feathers extending to
gonys. Outline of lower mandibular rami about straight; gonys stiaiglit, ascending, with
(dituse angle. Feet large; tibise bare btdow ; tarsus short, nuieli less than nuildle toe witli(uit
chiw, reticulate; outer and middle toes with claws <if equal lengths; bind toe merely u .stout
claw; webs full. Wings short, not very acute, folding short of end of tail. Tail moderate,
graduated, lf)-feathered. Out! species.
813. O. gigau'tea. (Lat. giqnntea, gigantic.) Giant Fi'LMAK. Bone-hreaker. The largest
of the petrels, equalling most of the albatrosses in size. Length about U.OO feet; spread
7.00 feet; wing 20.00 inches; tail 8.00; hill ;{..")0-4.00, the iiastil case netuly i.m; taisus
3.50; middle or outer tot; imd claw nearly (i.OO ; inner do. 4..")(). I'lumagc vei-y variable
with age or other circumstances; usually dark dingy gray, or uniform fuliginous above, paler,
whitish or white below; wings and tail uniform dusky; bill mostly yellow (dried,; • feet
dingy yellowish or brownish-bhick. Pacitic Ocean ; " common otf Montei'ey."
321. FULi'MARUS. (Latinized from Eng./(//»i((r.j Fri.MAUS. Of m.iderate size, and general
gulUlike aspect; white with pearly-blue mantle. Hill shorter than tarsus, about two-thirds
as hing as head, very robust, especially at base, with turgid sides; hook short, stout, very
convex, rising almost from the end of the nasal ciise ; commissure greatly curved ; outline
of mandibular rami a little concave; gonys ascending; grooves of both mandibles i)rofoiiiid.
Nasal tube long, nearly half the culmen, j)rominent, tui'gid, with straight upper outline,
truncate emarginate end and thin partition. Wings of moderate length, folding about to end
of tail; primaries broad, tapering ra|)idly to rounded ends, 2d nearly as long as 1st. Tail
of 14 feathers broad to their ends, somewhat graduated. Feet rather small, gull-like ; tibiae
bare below; tarsus compressed, three-fourths as long as midille toe and claw. Outer ami
middle toes with claws of about ctpial lengths ; hind toe appearing as a stout sessile claw.
One species, of several varieties.
814. P. glacla'Us. (Lat. glacialis, icy.) Fri.MAR. Length 13.00-20.00 inches, averaging 16.50;
wing 11.00-13.00; tail 4.00 or 5.00 ; chord of culmen 1.50 (l.:iO-I.^O); bill about O.?.') deep
at base, and nearly as wide ; na.sal tube O.GO long : tarsus 2.00 (average) ; middle toe without
claw 2.25. Adult f 9 : White; mantle pale i)early-blue, restricted to back and wings, or
extending on head and tail; usually a ilark spot in front of eye; quills dark ashy-brown.
Bill yeUow, tinged with sea-green on culmen and lower mandible, the opening of the nostrils
black ; feet drying dingy yellowish, said to be delicate French gray in life ; iris brown.
Young: Stnoky-gray, paler below, the feathers of the upper parts with darker margins;
primaries as in the adult ; cfllora of bill and feet obscured. Extraordinarily abundant in the X.
lit'
Ilk
778
815.
AlO.
322.
S17.
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —LONGIPENNES. — TUDINAUES.
. tlaiitic, swarming at some of its fuvoritc brooding places, especially St. Kilda, wido ntnging at
otluT seasons ; S. to U. S. in winter. Nest on crags over tli«! sea ; egg .><ingle, white, with
rougii brittle shell, resembling a hen's egg in size and shape ; young covered with whiti.sh
down ; fed in the nest by regurgitation of an oily Huid. The fulmars are very greedy of fatty
substances, and constantly attend the whale-fishery to feed upon the blubln'r.
F, g. paci'flcus. (Lat. jmcijicus, pacific.) Pacific Fitlmak. Averaging darker than No.
814, the mantle bluisii-cinereous rather tiian pale pearly-blue; tiie bill rather weaker and
le.ss strongly hooked. N. Pacific, in vast numbers. Changes of plumage, habits, etc., the
same as those of the conmion species.
F. g. rod'gersi. (To t'omin. John Kodgers, U. S. N.) Rouoeks' Fitlmau. The nuintlo
dark, as in pucijicus, but much restricted, most of the wing-coverts and inner (piills being
white; primaries mostly white on inner webs, their shafts y'.low. Size and shape as before.
N. Pacific, swarming on some of the rocky islands in I5ehriiig's sea. Nest on the crags ;
single egg white, nearly equal-ended, rougli with innumerable pits and points, 2.90 X l.'JO;
chick hatches like a pufl'-ball of white down.
PKIOCEL'LA. (rrioti -\- rrocella.) GiLL Filmahs. Character of Fulmanis jiropcr;
bill little shorter than head or tarsus, about f the middle toe and claw, compressed, higher
than broad at base, not very robust, sides regularly ta|)ering to rather narrow tip ; grooves
not so well marked as usual ; hook moderate; commissure a little curved; outlines of inferior
mandibular rami and gonys both .slightly concave ; nasal tube i-§ the ciilinen, depre.s.sed at
base, high and narrow at end. Feet, wings, and tail as in Euhnarus. Two sjjecies; ours
curiously resembling a gull.
P. tenuiros'tris. (Lat. temtirostiis, sleadcr-billod. Fig. 52i.) Si.exuek-hiixkij Fn.MAK.
Adult <J 9 '• Plumage white, with clear pearly-blue mantle, and black i>rimaries, just like a
Fro. 624. —Slender-billed Fulmar, nat. Rize. (From Elliot.)
gull ; the mantle beginning faintly on the nape, continuing over whole back, rump, tail, wing-
coverts and inner quills ; edge of the wing slaty-gniy ; primaries black, their shafts yellowish-
whito at base, their inner webs pearly-white to near the ends ; white of first prinmry extending
to within two inches of the tip, further on the rest successively, reaching the end on the 6th ;
outer webs of secondaries slaty-black, inner white ; a small dusky spot before eye ; a faint
pearly shade on sides of breast and body. Bill and foot (dry) yellow ; nasal tube and lnK>k
obscured with bluish horn-color. Length about 18.50; extent alHtut 36.00; wing 13.00;
tail 5.23 ; tarsus 2.00 ; middle toe and claw 2.60 ; outer do. 2.70 ; inner do. 2.95 ; chord of
323.
HIH.
324.
810.
81
PBOCELLAIilJD.i: — PROVELLARIIX.E : PETRELS.
(7!
at
rith
itty
No.
aud
the
NIN.
324.
culinrn 2.00; lioiiilit or width of bill at base 0.7.) ; iia.xal ttibo 0.67; tln> bill i>< really very
stout, ouly "slt'Uiler" in coinimrisoii with thi' short rolui..*t orpin of tlio coiiimou fdlinar.
Youiifi not seeu; changes of plumage probably coincident with those of Eitlmdrus. A species
described under a largo and not select assortment of names, both generic and specitii', but easy
to identify; wide ranging over much of the water of the world; occurs on the I'acilic coast
of X. Am., as at Kotzebiie Sound.
323. DAP'TIUM. (Or. 3<ijrT<a, dapto, I devour.) PuiEOX 1'etkel. Bill much shorter than
head or tarsus, very stout and especially wide, as broad as hiuli as far as the hook, where ab-
ruptly compres.sed; culmeu nearly straight from tu!" to hook, wliicli latter is neither large nor
much deeurved; sides of bill turgid, with convex outline from base to ho(d{ ; forks of lower
inaudible wide apart, enclosing a flat-iron shaped space : rictus ample ; skin of throat loose anil
distensible, pjutly naked ; gonys very short, with slight angle; inside the edge <>f the upper
mandible a series of obli<|U(! ridges; nasal ca.se i as long as culnien, broad, depressed, with cir-
cular truncate oritiire. (Chars, of bill a])proaching those of Prion.) \Vini;s folding about to
end of the short rounded tail, which is contained i^ times in length of wing. Tibia' little bare
below ; tarsus nuich shorter than middle toe and claw, .stout, compressed, reticulate with small
circular plates out.side, large inside ; outer toe without claw longer than niidtUe toe alone ; bind
toe well devcdoped for this family. Small ; phmiage spotted. One species.
D. capen'se. (Of the I'ape of Goo<l Hope.) I'intaix) I'ktukl. Cait. ricF.iix. Damieh.
.Spotted above with blackish aud white ; white below; tail black-barred ; bill black. Lenirth
15.00; wing 11.00; tail 4.30; bill 1.33; tarsus 1.(17. Southern Seas at large ; accidental ou
coa.st of California and of Maine. (See esjiecially X. Kng. Bird-Life, ii, 188.3, ji. SSfi.)
<KSTRK'IjATA. ((Jr. oiVrpijXaror, oistnhilos, goaded ou by a gad-fly.) (Jadki-Y l'Eri!F.i..s.
Diabolic Petkfxh. Bill about as h>ng as tarsus, stout, compressed throughout, with nearly
straight converging lateral outlines, the hook particularly large, high-arched, long-decurved,
rising almost imnuHliatidy from tlie end of the nasal tube, leaving but a short concave cubnen
proj)er. Lateral horny piece of the bill very large, turgid, rising high at root of nasal ca.se,
c<>nv(>.v along under outline; commissure strongly sinuate throughout; outline of mandibular
rami nearly straight, of gonys a little concave, the tip of the under mandible being curved
down to fit the arch of the hook. Grooves of both nnindibles distinct. Xasal case of moderate
length, high, not carinate, about straight, truncate at end, with thin ))artition between the
tubes coming well forward. Interramal space narrow, tally feathered. Winfjs ]>ointed, very
bing, folding beyond end of tail. Tail long, with graduated feathers, wedge-shaped or nuu-h
rounded. Keet of miHlerate size; tarsus reticulate, about as long as, or little shorter than,
middle toe without claw; outer toe alone rather bmger than middle; with its claw, about as
Itmg as middle toe and claw ; tip of inner claw reacbinij ba.se of middle. Hallux a short .ses-
sile claw. A genus of numerous (about 20) medium-sized and rather small species, inhabiting
the southern seas; some bicolor, others uniform fuliginous. Our four are mere stragglers to
N. Am., unless (E. Jhheri should prove otherwise.
CE. Iiaesita'ta. (Lat. htesitata, stuck ; Mie describer was in doubt about it.) Black-caited
1'etkel. Adult : Forehead, sides of head, neck all round, ujtjK'r tail-coverts, base of tail and
all under j)arts, white; back clear bistre-brown (nearly uniform, but the feathers often with
paler or ashy edge.s), deepening on the quills and terminal half of tail ; crown with au i.solated
blackish cap, and sides of head with a black bar (younger birds with the white of the bead and
neck behind restricted, so that these dark areas run together) ; bill black : tarsi and ba.s<> of
toes and webs, flesh-colored (drying yellowish) ; rest of toes and webs black. Young exten-
sively dark below? Length Ki.OO; wing 12.00; tail .1.2.5, cuneate, its graduation 1..50; tarsus
1.10 ; middle too and claw 2.12; bill l.iO, O.fit) deep at base, 0.40 wide ; tuln- 0.33. (Jf casual
occurrence on the Atlantic Coast, U. H. (/'. meridionalis, Lawr., Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y.,
iv, p. 475; v, p. 220, pi. 15.)
810.
780
SYSTEMA TIC HYyOPSJU. — LoyQIVENNES— TUBINARES.
!
887. (addenda). tE. gula'ris. (Lat. gularis, pertaining to the throat.) Pkale's Pktuei,.
Form typically of lEntrelatu as above >;iveu ; size smaller. Adult : Upper jiarts, iiieludiiiK
tail-coverts and exposed .>iiirtiu-es of tail-feathers, pure cinereous, deepeuiuq to pluinl us ou
hiud-head, rmiip, and lesser wing-eoverts, the feathers of the back and greater and middle
wing-coverts tipped with ashy-white. Under parts pure silky white, the ash of the upper
coming down the sides of the neck and deepening as it extends nuire broadly along sides and
cjuite across abdomen, which is plumbeous, this color with vayue and nebulous bounilaries ;
under wing- and tail-coverts white. Sides of head white, with a distinct narrow dark bar
through eyes ; a white superciliary line; forehead and crown mixed white and ashy. Primaries
and secondaries with distinct i)ure white areas on inner webs; ou the primaries these areas
occupying the whole webs at base, sending a narrow wedge forward, included between dark
areas of the webs ; prinuiries lightening from without inward, secondaries abruptly darkening
again. Hill black ; tarsus livid flesh-c<d<ir; basjil third of toes and contained webs yellowish,
the rest black. Young; Darker; especially more cloudy below ; throat and crissum white.
Chord of culmcn 1.05 ; height of bill at base 0.15-0.50 ; width 0.10-0.15; tarsus l..'{5; middle
toe and clawl.GS; outer do. 1.65; inner do. 1.40. Wing 9.80; tail 3.90; graduated 0.75.
Southern Seas ; a waif caught in X. Y. State, Livingston Co., Apr. 18S0. (Hull. Nutt. Club,
vi, 18S1, p. 91.)
887a. CE. fisheri. Fi.sher's Petrel. Closely related to the last ; perhaps requiring confirnuition.
Above plumbeous-gray, blackish on lesser wing-coverts, the edges of the secondaries hoary
white ; head and lower parts white, the crown spotted with blackish, the belly overlaid by a
wash of smoky plumbeous. Wing 10.15; tail 1.00; euluien 1.00; tarsus 1.35; middle toe
1.40. Off coast of Alaska (KtKliak). (Pr<K-. U. S. Nat. .Mus., v, 1883, p. 650.)
820. OS. bul'werl. Hulwer'.s Petrel. A small sooty-c<dored species, with cuneate tail more
than half as long as wings, not typical of lEslretttta, perhaps forming a genus apart {ISiilireria).
Length about 10.00; wing 8.00; tail 4.50, graduated 1.75; bill 0.85 (chord of culuien), ot
ordinary (Estrelata shai)0 ; tarsus 0.90-1.00; middle or outer too and claw l.lO; inner do.
0.85. i'lumagc entirely fuliginous, ahnost black on wings and tail, lighter and more brown-
ish below, somewhat ashy on head, gray ou greater wiug-covci1s. Caiuiry Islands, etc. ; has
once occurred in Greenland (or Labrador). (Pr. Phila. Acad., 1866, p. 158 ; Zoiil., 18S1, p.
378.) Egg white, 1.60 to 1.75 by 1.20, laid in rocky burrows; young covered with sooty
down.
Obs. There is a Jamaican species, (E. carribeea N., which should ily to N. Am. st)me
time.
325. HALOCYPTE'NA. (Gr. oXr, hah, the sea, uxiis, okiis, swift, tmjvos, pfenofi, winged.)
Pygmy Petrel. Like a uiinmture (Estrelata or I'lerodroma ; unic<dor, fuliginous. Hill nnicli
shorter than head, about \ the tarsus, weak and slender, acutely hooked ; nasal tubes as in
Procellaria proper. Wings folding In'yond tail, 2d primary lougest, 3d nearly e(|ual, 1st
about equiil to 4th. Tibia briefly bare below; tarsus little longer than middle toe and claw ;
outer toe without claw as long as middle ; tip of inner claw reaching base of middle; hallux
mimite ; webs nuMlerately full ; claws compressed, curved, acute. Tail rather long, wedge-
sha])ed ; central feathers projecting ; lateral regidarly gniduated, narrowly rounded. One species.
821. H. mlcroso'ma. (Gr. niKpos, mikroK, small : irwpi, soma, boily.) Lea.st Petrel. Plumage
lustrous brownish-black, darker above, blackeniiii; on wings and tail, browning on under parts,
graying on greater wing-coverts and inner quills ; bill and feet black ; no white anywhere.
Length 5.75; wing 4.75; tail 2.50, graduated 0.35; bill 0.50; gape 0.62; lieight at base
0.19, width 0.21; nasal tul>e 0.22; tibia bare 0.30; tarsus 0.90; middle toe and claw 0.82 •
ttuter do. 0.80 ; inner do. 0.68. A queer little bird, from the coast of Lower Cala.
326. PROCKLLA'RIA. (Lat. procella, a tempest.) Stor.my Petrels ; " Mother Carey's
Chickens." Diminutive, fuliginous, with white. Hill small, short, compressed, sides rapidly
822.
convert
folding
bare b(
rouudei
distingi
r. pelt
ish-bla
on crisi
webs,
breed <
chickei
the mi
diate, 1
CYMt]
Petkf
as or li
as cull
than i
short;
rather
Three
Upi
No
823. C;. leu
327.
824.
825.
Willi
formii
of a
recog
black
wing
1.00;
both
N. A
Nest
C. II
Hla»
r<dui<
whit<
l)row
feet 1
bare
base
C.Ik
smal
No ^
lowe
FUOCELLAlillDurE — PROCELLAUIINJE : PETRELS.
i«l
■.I,.
'IK
llU
11."
icr
111(1
couvcrfing to narrow tip ; less tliiiu half us Imi!,' as hnul, nbont lialf tlif tarsus. Wmii;s
folding boyoiul tail; 2d iiriiuary Imiircst, 3.1 litil.. sii.nti'r, 1st less than Hh. Tihia hri.'lly
baro below; tarsus cjual to nii.ldle toe and claw; eluws comiiressed, curve.l, a.'Uie. Tail
rouudcd or nearly siiuare, with broad feathers ; under tail-eoverts very ample. Several spoeies,
distinguishe.1 by shape of tail fr.nn tli.ise of tli.- preeediui,' or followint; t,'i'nns.
822. P. pela'gica. {(i\: vtXayiKot, pehujikos, wvnuw.) Stihi.my rKTiiKh. Ab..ve, f,'h>ssy brown-
ish -black, below luoro fuliginous; upjier tail-coverts whit.', with black tips; white streak ini;
on crissuni, and usually white touches un.ler the wintjs. Itill an.l feet bla.-k ; n.> yellow on
webs. Size of the last; wiiif; ab.iut 1.50. fonnn.m (.') ..tt' the Athmtic Coast ; not kn.iwn to
breed on our side. This is the rarest of the three little black white-runiped " Mother Carey's
chickens" of our Atlantic Coast, easily .listinyiiished by its sh.irt l.'iis an.l s.iuare tail; Leai'li's,
the nioiit numerous, is also short -l.'irired, but larg.'r an.l f.irked-taii.-.l ; Wilson's is interme-
diate, witli s.|uare tail, but very loni; stilt-lik.' letjs, flat .daws, an.l a yellow spot on the Mcbs.
327. CYMOCIIORE'A. (Gr. kC^o, luma, a bill.iw; xopV"- 'i dancini;.) SooTV FdHK-TAII.
I'KTKKhS. Hill much shorter than bea.l, about S as l.)ng as tarsus, rather stout, as high
as or higher than wide at base, the ho.dv str.mg an.l acute; nasal tube l.'ss than half as long
as cuhnen. Wings moderately long, f.d.ling little beyond tail; 2.1 primary longest; 1st louijer
than 4th. Tail very long, deeply forked, the feathers all broa.l, obtusely r.mn.le.l. Legs
short; tibia little bare btdow; tarsus e.pial t.i middle t.ie an.l claw, or sli;,'iitly l.mger. Of
rather larg. size (for this group) and robust f.irm. Color fuligiuous, unicd.ir or nearly .so.
Throe or four species are known.
Analj/niii nf Species.
Upiwr talI-<!overt8 wliite.
General pliuniigo »oot)-bri>wii leucorrhnn S'.',!
No wlilto anywhere.
Sooty-brown; large; wlngC.TS; tail 4.00, forked 1.00 nr more niFlirnn 824
Sooty-gray; small; wing 5.00; tall a.'.'o, forkeil about 0.50 homoclinin KJ5
H'Z'.t. C leucor'rhoa. ((J. Xtuxdr, /tfi/Avw, M-liite; o/J/5or, r»7iro.s', rump. Fig. 525.) Lkach's 1'ktkki..
WiiiTK-iU'Ml'ED rETKEL. C.doratioii as in the last speci.'s, with white u]>per tail-coverts,
f.)rniing a c.insi)icuous nnirk; but apt to be lighter — rather
of a grayi.sh or even ashy hue on s.mie parts ; but easily
rowgnized, whatever the sha.le of cd.ir. ISill an.l feet m^,
black; iris br.>wn. Length about S.OO; extent 17.50;
wing 0.00-0.50; tail 3.00-3.50, f..rkeil about 0.75; tarsus
1.00; mi.l.lle toe and claw the same; bill 0.07. N. Am.,
both coa.st8, and W. coast of Kur.ipe. Abundant on our
N. Atlantic coast, breeding fr.nn New England n.irthward.
Nest in burrows in the gr.tun.l; e^jg single, white.
824. C. luelaD'na. (Gr. fiiXatva, mrlnina, black. Fig. 520.)
Black I'etkei.,. Form of the last very nearly; bill more f,o r.2.^. — i,pncir» Petrel, mnrii re-
robust ; tarsus a little longer than mi.ldle t.ie and claw. No <l"ceU. (From Tenncy, aner AikIhIhim )
white anywhere. Plmnage sooty brownish-black, darkest above and on he.i.l, more smoky-
brown on under parts, grayer on wiuir-overts, quite black on wing- an.l tail-feathers ; bill and
feet black ; iris brown. " Length 9.00 ; extent 18.50 ; " wing 0.75 ; tail 4.00, f.>rke.l 1.20 ; tibia
bare 0.50; tarsus 1.25; mi.l.lle toe and claw 1.10 ; bill 0.00; gape 0.(15; heitjht .ir wi.lth at
base 0.25 ; iui.sal tubes 0.30. Cape St. Lucas, L. Cala. ; a rare and little kn.iwn species.
62S. C liomo'chroa. ((ir. ofios, omos, like, e.pial : xP^Oj chroa, ol.ir.) .Somewhat like the 1,'ist :
smaller, with short, weak, conipresse.l bill, and tarsus no longer than nii.ldle too and claw.
No white anywhere. Plmnage dull plumbeous or slaty-blackish, more smoky-brownish on
lower parts, lighter grayish-browu on greater wiug-coverts ; wings and tail black. 2.1 primary
n
782
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGIPENNES— TUBINAPES.
Flu. 020. — Bliick Petrel, iiui.
8i7.o. (Ad nut. del. £, C.)
longest, 'M nearly equal, Ist longer thiiu 4th. The general pliinibeoua or l»liu»h-nsliy ca>t
of the pluuiage is (luite differuut frmii tlie sooty shade of C. meltcna, aiiproaeliiiig the eouditiou
Been in species of Uceatwdroma. Length about 7.2J ; wing about 5.00; tail 3.25, forked O.GO;
tarsus O.yO ; uiiddle toe and claw the .same ; bill 0.50 ; gapo
0.75 ; height or width at base 0.20 ; nasal tubes 0.24. Farul-
lone Islands, ("ahi. ; another rare and little known species.
328. OCEANO'UROMA. (Gr. 'QKtavos, Okeaiws, Lut. Oceaiius,
the divinity of the sefi ; fi/jtijios, drvmos, running.) Gkay
FoKK-TAiL I'ETiiELS. Bill snittU, Weak, much compressed.
Wiugs short; 2d and 3d i)riniaries e<iuul and longest, Ist shorter
than 4th. Tail loni,', deeply forked, with broad medium and
narrow external feathers. Feet as in Cymochorca. t'oloni-
tion peculiar; bluish or grayish, and white.
820. O. furctt'ta. (Lat. furcata, forked.) Guay Fohk-tailed 1'ethkl. Hluish-ash, palrr
or whitish below and on the greater wing-coverts, dusky about the eyes; leaser wiiig-covert.s
Booty; fpiills and tail brownish, the primaries pale or white on their inner edges, outer web
of outer tail-feather white ; bill and feet bhick. Length about 8.00; wing 0.00; tail 4.0(1,
deeply forked; bill 0.00; tarsus O.S?; middle toe and claw the same. X. racilic eoa.^t,
common.
827. O. korn'byi. (To Admiral Hornby, U. N.) lloitxnY's Fokk-taii.ed 1'etkel. Front,
cheeks, throat, cidlar round neck, breast, and abdomen, j)ure white; crown, hind head, a hroml
baiul ill front of neck, bend of wing and lesser wing-coverts, sooty-gray ; upper part of liacli
gray; lower part of back, and tail ashy-gray ; greater wiiig-coverts brownish-gray; tertiariis
and (piills black. Length 8.25; tail 3.75; tarsus 1.00; middle toe about the same; bill aloiii;
ciiliiK'U O.OU; along rictus 0.1)0. N. \V. coast. I have never seen this rare species, of which
there are not to my knowledi;e any specimens in this country.
329. OCKAXI'TES. (Gr. 'Q«ni;injf, OA«»ii7e,«i, son of thesea.) WlLSoSIAX Stoumy rKTHEl.s.
Very diH'erent from any of the foret;oiiig "stormy" petrels in great length of the htrs. like
stilts. ISill short, weak, eompres.sed, not i as long as head, abniit § the tarsus, with sides
a littlt^ c<tncave, ho<ds small, and nasal tubes perfectly horizontal. Wings very huig, 2il
primary niiich the longest; 1st and 3d about eipial; 4th much shorter. Tail moderate, about
8(pnire (as in I'lvcelluria) ; ample, with feathers broad to their very tips. Tilda denuded an
inch or more. Tarsi presenting the character, remarkable if not uni<|iie among water birds,
of being covered in fnuit and on sides by a continuous plate or "boot," as in a thrush, the
ordinary scutella being fused. Toes, though long, only about S the greatly lengthened tarsi;
hind toe so minute as to be liable to be ()verlocd<ed. Claws broad, Hat, (dttuse. There arc
several species of this notalde genus.
82S. O. oeeu'nieus. (Lat. oceniiiciis, oceanic.) WlL.sox'.S Stokmy PmitEf.. Coloration much
as in J', pdiujica or C. leiicorrhori ; dark .sooty-brown, pale gray on the wing-coverts, black
on wings and tail; the upper tail-coverts, and fre(|nently the crissuni and siiles of rimip ami
base of tail, white; bill and feet black, but webs with a yellow spot; iris brown. Length
7.00-S.OO; extent about 10.(1(1; wins; about 0.(10; tail 3.00, nearly even; tibia bare l.OD;
tarsus 1.30; miilille too and claw I.IO; bill 0.50. (Mie of the conmuuiest and best known
species, widely dispersed over the globe; said to breed on our X. Atlantic coast. Nest in
burrows in the ground; eiri; single, white.
330. FKEOET'TA. (Ital. frcquUi, a fritjate.) Stilt .'^tohmv Pethei.s. Resembling Ocemiilc.i
in the great length of leg. Hat obtuse claws, and other characters. Hill stout, about as liiuh
as broad at base, half as long as head, with long high nasal tube. Wings moderately long,
folding just beyond the tail; 2il primary longest ; 3d nearly equal ; 1st between 3d and Ith.
Tail niiiple, square, with broad feathers, squure-tipped. Tibiiu bare an inch or more ; tarsus
H'i9.
331
630.
332
nearly '
broiid, 1
to our t
F. gra
I'ETRE
under \
of all
8.00; '
0.50; I
Flori.h
PRIO'
form,
rowing
corres]
broad,
mnriis]
of 12
gradui
outer t
marka
more 1
1*. nif
Hl.Atl
with I
jiarts ;
sides I
intern
cuttiii
feet (
weds,'
1.80,
claw
the
Desc
Nat.
ciner
1801
viiri
180s
Pill
as 1
com
ma I
dep
and
rou
equ
inu
kn<
dai
PROCELLAHIIlJyE — I'liOCELLAlillXA: : SHE AH WA TEliS.
7«3
least
ItiiMi
nearly half as long again as m'uldlr tiic. Tops short, with stnall narrow wrhs ; daws Hat,
broad, roinult'd. Colors blackisli and white. ScviTal sitceii's of Soiitiicni Seas, ono strajigliug
to our fonntry.
Wi9. F. gralla'rla. (Lat. (irnUn-, stiltf.) Lawi!1-N( r.'s Sm.r rr.TUKi.. Wihtk-hii.i.if.d
rKTREL. Blackisii-gray of variatdc intensity, idiiciicnini: on the <iiiills ami tail, lh<' \\li<di'
iindor parts from the breast, thi- upper tail-poveilH, most of tlie under wiiitf-eovertw, ami bases
of nil the tail-feathers, except tiie middle pair, white; bill and feet \>hwk. Leiik'th ab.Hit
8.00; wint; 6.0(M').5(); tail .'l.OO, ahont even, witli very bioml, siiiiare-tipjied feathers; liill
0.50; tarsus l..'W ; hmgest toe (outen and rlaw I.IKI or less; tihiiu bare 1.00 or imire,
Florida, accidental, on<' instance (Lawr. Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. \. Y., v, 117).
331. PRIO'I'MMJS. (Prion + J'uJ/iiiiin.) Fii,.m.vu Shkakw.\ti;rs. »>( larue size ami rohust
form. Hill a little shorter than head, about 3 as Ion;; as tarsus, broiul and stout at base, u;ir-
rowing regularly to the strong, much compressed and hooked tip ; under mandible hooked to
correspond with the upper, with concave gonys (as in I'li/fiiiiis). Nasal tubes loiii;, verv
broad, depressed (as in Pii/finiis), but vertically truncate ami with thin partition 'as in P'hI-
niiiriis). Wings rather short, the primaries broad and still', 2d as long as 1st. Tail rather short,
of 12 feathers, the central projecting and a little acuminate, lateral nmre rounded, ami rapidly
graduated. Feel laru'e and stout, as in PiiJ/iiiitx ; tarsus shorter than niiildle toe iiud claw ;
outer toe longer than middle ; tip of outer (daw about reaching base of middle. A ycnus re-
markably connecting the fuhnars with the shearwaters; nearest the latter. A lew spcciis, if
more than one, chieHy of Southern Seas.
830. V, niplanii'rus. ((Jr. /le'Xar, iiirliis, bhudi ; ovpii, mini, tail, i .><Mi"n"V-Niisi;ii Sm;Aii\v \ ii:it.
Hl,ACK-TAII,KI) SlIKAIlWATKU. I'pper parts ciuer Is, nearly uniform, but some of the leathers
with paler edges ; uiuh'r jiarts white, without line of demarcation from the color of the upper
parts; tail, crissinn, and reut hiacki.ih ; lining of wings, axillars, and .some feathers on the
sides of the body, brownish-cinereous; ([uills btaidtish-ciuereous ou outer webs ami tips, pjiler
infernally and basally, with brown shafts. Hill iiiUitir. the nasal case, culmeu as far as the hook,
cutting edge and groove of lower mandible, liUuk, these varied colors very conspicuous in life;
, feet (dried) diniry greenish with yellow webs. I-artre: MI.OO; wim; IM.OO; tail .'i.tK )-."). 7 •'>,
wedge-shaped, l:J-feathered, the outer feathers an inch or more shorter than the middle ; bill
1.80, 0.()7 high and O.OO wiile at base, the nasal tubes nearly (L.^) ; tarsus 2.40 ; noddle toe and
claw 2.SS. Accidental ott" the coast of California. A ])e<'uliar species, very dirt'erent from any (d'
the fcdlowing, apjn'oaching the fulmars. Proc. miliniiini Homu. J'inr. Inisiliiln Torst.,
Descr. Anim., |S|4, p. 20'^ ; (loiild. H. Aust., pi. <)7. Pnl/iiini lin:<itiiliis I.Mur., Ami. Lye.
Nat. Hist. N. Y., vi, p. .5. I'rnc. ailamastitr S(ddeg(d. Ailniinisliir ti/piis llouap. I'liffiinis
cinereiis liawr. in Hil., 15. N. A., bS.'iS, p. s:i.'). AilmiKisttir cineieiis t'mies, I'roc. I'hila. .\r;id.,
1801., p. 119; Priiifiiiiis cinereiis Coue.s, I'roc. K.ssex Inst., v, ISilS, p. ;Wl Pi-iojiiiiis mrhi-
viiriis, Cones. 2d ed. Check List, ISS-', p. 127. PuMixx^ ^•"/'/'« Cass., I'l IMiila. Acad.,
18(52, p. Wr, (err.)
332. PlIK'FIMTS. (Latinized from Kuet. puffin.) Siikaiiwatf.iis. Hill nearly or about as long
as head, S-J- as long as tarsus, varying in slemleria'ss, a little hii;lier than broad at base,
compressed for the rest of its extent ; the end mu(di hoidied, ti])s of both mandibles decurvi-d,
making the g(mys concave. Nasal tubes short, only about \ the lentrth of culmen, broad and
depressed, (ddiquely truncate at cud, the i>artition thick, the nostiils oval. Wimrs lom:, thin,
and pointed, folding beyond the tail ; 1st primary lonixest. Tail more or less lengtlaueil,
rounded or rather wedge-shaped, of 12 feathers. Feet very large and stout ; tarsus compressed,
equal to middle toe with or without claw ; outer toe about as long as middle, but its claw
much smaller; tip of inner claw scarcely or not reaching' base of niiildle; himl toe a mere
knob. Embracing numerous species, of moderate and small size; a pi)rtion of them bicolor,
(lark above and white below, the others uniformly sooty.
\1
784
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOl'SIa. — LOMUPEyXhS— TVlilNAHES.
Annlysin <\f Sptcki.
TwcH;()lorc(l ; white below, ilnrk nbovo.
I^r|{o; leii|(tli tll.(N) (ir iiiiiris wint; I'.'.OU or iiinrv.
I'lilc l>iiiniili<li-ii»li ; iiihIi'I' lall-('ii\i>i'l!i while, ii|>|H'r liirKi'ly ilni'k. Alluiitic . . Imrealiii ut hilili KM
Diirk hi'iiwii : iiiiihT lall-<'>iverlii(hirk, ii|i|iei liii'k'el.v wlitle. Alhinllu iimior Ki'j
Uiirk hniwii; iiiidiT mill iipiier tiill-idvertH iluik ; feetllehh-ioldr. J'aelllu rriitlniniH Ktl
Muilliiiii ; leiiKlh iiliilei' lli.UU, liver 111 IMI; wliiK tl.L'.'i. Alnivu hliickUh. Atluiillu .... aiii/lnnim K.'ll
Siiiiill : leiiuth 1.1.(1)1 iir Iohh; win); !> DU nv Ickh.
I'liiler Inll-CDverlH liiimtly while. .iMIiintle nliHrurut KV,
t'liiler tnll-uovertH nioKlly black, riullle opiHlhoinclim K3tl
Olio-i'n|i)reil; HiMily.
Larue: Iviiglh Ili.Onnr iiinri' : win;; 11.01) nr iimru.
I'liiler wiiiK-eiiverlh niiiiilly ilark. Allanlle /ii/if/imwin i<37
I'licler wliiK-eoverlH iiiiwtly white, raillle aiiiiiiiiuKiiiiiii k;w
.Small ; leiiKtli about 14.0(1 ; wing 1().(H). Pacillc Iinmnmlris KW
831. I', kiilil'l, (Til Dr. il. Kiilil.) CiSKHKors Siikakwatkh. Meihtkuuanka.n Siikau-
WATKii. IJill .scaiccly or imt sliurtcr tliaii licail, t'([iiul to farsll^^, iiioiU^ratcly linokdl fm- a
tilicaiwatiT, with nlmrt nasal liilirs, alidul \ \\» Imit; as ciiliiu'ii, but I'litluT high I'm- thi.-* gciiiis,
with trace of u intMlian rid^c ; iKLStrilii opciiiiig roiiiiditih ; wings fuldiiig a little bpyinul the tail,
which is graduated, with lengthened middle leathers; feet rather weak ; oilier toe and claw
longer than middle toe and (daw; tip of inner (daw ahoiit reaching hase of middle, riipir
|iiirts light siiioky-gray, or pale hrownish-ash, nnilorin on erowii iind nape, interrupted on liaidt
hy white or grayish-white edges of the feathers, especially on tlie scaimlars, darkening on tlic
wing-coverts and tertials to grayish-hidwn. K'ump like haid; ; upper tail-coverts siicce.'isivcly
aeipiiring white till the longest ones are mostly of this color, only touched with hiowii. I'li-
maries grayish-hlack, with large white spaces on ha.sal half or two-thirds of inner wehs. Outer
wehs and tips of secondaries grayish-plniiiheons ; most of their inner widis white. Kiitire
niider parts, from chin to ends of under tail-coverts, jmre white, e.xceptiiig some slight touches
of gray on the Hanks ; lining of wings and axillars white, exeejit just along the edge. On
Hides of head and neck, no lino of (leinarcatioii between color of upper and under jiarts, the
two merging through a cloudy or wavy area ; under eyelid white. Hill y(dl(iwish, darker on
cnlnieii and hook; feet yellowish, the wehs dearer. Length about IS. 00; wing IH.OO;. tail
5.50, graduated 0.75 ; chord of culineu 1.90, gape 2.C0 ; height of bill at ba.so 0.70, width 0.()0 ;
tarsus 1. ',)•); middle toe and claw 2.50, outer do. 2.55. (Deseribeil ' ' ,,u speci-
men.) X. Atlantic. iMiropeau coast, especially of the .Mi 'ilerr nl f | am
not yet satisfied that bird really oceiir.s on our coa.st. I in'tswl'ii-. ji, 1S72, in
the orig. ed. of the Key, but upon strength of its genei gelV ipfiim of it
to (Jreeiiland ; and have never .s(M'n an unquestioiialile .N i. speciiic It j' •lialdy occurs,
however.
888. (itddenda). P. liorea'lls. (Lat. iiorailis, northern.) ('oitvV Mir.AUWATKU. "Above
brownish-a.sh, the feathers of the back becoming pale at the tips, luose on the nape and sides
of the neck ntiiTowly tijiped with white ; on the sides of the head and neck the a.sh and wliil"
gradually mingling as in P. kiihlii. 'I'ips of the ujiper tail-coverts, white. Under eyelid
white, showing clearly in contrast with the ashy-gray of the head. The first three priinnrii
are light ash on the inner webs. Wings and tail brownish-gray. Under parts white, slit'
touched with ash on the Hanks, lining of wings white. Under tail-coverts white, the long.
tinged with ash near the ends, which extend nearly to the tips of the longest tail-featla .
Outside of foot greenish-black, inside and webs dull orange; bill jtale yellowish at the ba>
shading into greenish-black, but again becoming jiale near the tip. Length 20.50 iiadies ;
wing 14.50; bill (straight line to tip) 2.25; (h-pth at base 0.75; tail 0.50; tarsus 2.20."
Coast of Ma.ssi>chusetts ; several specimens now known. I copy the original de.«crii)tion.
(Hull. Xutt. Club, vi, 18S1, p. 84.) The bird is jierfectly distinct from P. major, but very
near P. kuhli, if really different.
I'liOCKLLAnilD.i: - I'ltOCKLLA UIISJE : SIIKA H WA TKRS.
isr)
83a. p. major. (Lat. wifyor, Kmitcr.) (Iiikatek Siikahwatkii. WAxnFiiiSd Siif.auwatkk.
Common Ati.antu SiiKAiiWAiKit. Hill .-ciimly Hlioit.r tlmii Ii.m.I ..r tMiMi>. M..iit aii<l miI.-
cyliiHlriciil at liasc, tiirn •(■ ami iiKirc i i|iiv>,c.| t<, tj,,. (.tmiiu Imnk. Nasil tnl.c ctraiuhl,
altiiiit \ as IdUj; aw ciil ii, willi wiilcly Hciiaiatnl siilii'lli|itii-al n|>.iiiinrs. Ciil i, li^hm with
(•liKJit cinitiiiiKPUS niiicavity I'loiii iin.strils ti> top of the jiuok: nuiiiiiisMiir a Imiu huhImi- .•iiivc.
convex downward, tVoiii fcatlicrN til I'liivc of tlir iiiiuU. Oiitliiir nl' inrciinr niainliliiilai' mini
iiliimt dtraiuiit. IHI! alimit :; ti s a.s Imiur as liij;li at liaxi' t no wide a.s liii.'li. WImcm lout;
aial iKiiiitcd; Ixt and :.'d iiriiiiaiicH neaily iiiual. 'I'ail (•initaiiiid almiit J.| liiiic.x in liiiirtli ot"
wliiiu', iiincli rouiidi'd, ainmst wedded. 'I'aiMns as limu as iiiidillr tm' witimnl rlaw : nnici tor
as long as or lonircr tlian niiddlf. Imt it> idaw nnialli r, fallinc .siiurl nf tip of middle claw : tip
of iiiniT claw nut rcaciiing liasc nf niidillc. Aliovr, dark liintn-inow n head incliniiiir a
little to pliiiiil ns or ^l•ayisll-lll•own ; ii.-iially liuiiirr on hind neck, daikest on tiriial- and
rnnip ; I'aidi fi atlier of liack, ninip, and winu-coveits, edued with pale liriiwiii>li-asli m- even
ashy-whitish. ( hi the head tlie cidor wnit'nnn. wilhunt these liyht niarniiis, oxlendini; hid'iw
eyes to level of the gape, with distiia-t line of demarcation fmai while of the thmat. On side
of iH'ck the white reaches farther aroniul, and is less distinrtly ontliMed ; further hack, on sides
of lireast, the dark color encroaches on the white. 'I'lie iipjier tail cuverls, especiallv the long
IHiHtcrior OIK'S, lire mostly white, with dark liars ou central lields. I'liniaries hrownish-hlack,
lightening on inner webs towards l>ase. I'nder parts white tVoni chin to anus, witli laiue dark
brown patches on Hanks ; under tail-coverts dark grayish-hrown, with whitish tips; iiniiii,' of
wings white, mottled with dark along the border and on ends of axill.irs. Tail -feathers like
primaries, liill dark blackish horn color; mitside of tarsus and miter toe brownish : rest of
ft't't and webs yellowish tie.sh -color ; iris brown. The intt'iisily and uniformity of coloration of
the upper parts varies much with ago of the plumage. Fresh plumages are deep phiinlieoiis-
brown with narrow pale or wiiitish margins; old worn feathers are duller brown wiih broader
less distinct grayish-brown edgings. Observe line of demarcation of dark and while on head,
neck and breast ; uniform feathers of head; dark under and partially white upper tail-coverts.
Audubon gives " bill yellowish-green, the tips brownish-hlacdi, tinged with green ; feet li^ht
greenish-gray, webs anil claws yellowish Hesh-color." Length lS.O()-:iU.O() ; extent k'.UO-
45.00; wing about lU.OO ; tail .5. 7j. graduated 1.00; tarsus :>.iO ; inidiUe toe and claw ::'.'.MI ;
outer do. 2.7.'i ; inner do. i.'M) ; idiord of cnlmen 2.00 ; <le|itli of hill at base O.li.'i, width O.liO.
Wanders over the whole Atlantic, Greenland to Cape Horn and (iood Hope. Aliundant,
8oinetini<>s seen in (locks of thoiisanils, shearing the crests of the waves, and skiinmini; the hil-
b)wa with marvellous ease, without a visible motion of the pinions.
833. I', crea'topus. ((Jr. K/j«ar. kreiix, ilesli, ttoCs, poim, foot.) Fi.F.sii-ronTKK .'siiKAitWATKU.
liesemhling the last, but i|uite distinct, Hill short, less than head or tarsus, turgid at basse,
where as wide as high. Na.sal tubes short, hardly J- the length of ciilmen, turgid, with slight
median furrow and very olili(pn' triincatioii. Frontal feathers ninniiii.' forward on median line.
Form otherwise as in 1'. miijor. liill juile yellowish llesli-color, the nasal tubes, ciihneii, and
tip blackish. Feet flesh -colored; claws whitish with brown ends. I'pper parts .ihoiit the
.same sliade of brown as in 1'. major ; upper tail-coverts entirely dark. No white on inner
webs of ])riniaries. On sides of head and neck, tiie color of the upper parts extends entirely
jiround, without any distinct line of demarcation, the chin and throat mottled with dark and
white in about eipial amounts. <tn the sides of the breast the color more restricted than mi the
neck. Lower eyelid white. Sides of body and linini: of wings mottled with ihisky and white
in about e<iual amounts ; long axillars entindy dark except just at base. Middle of belly and
vent region variegated with dusky and while. I'lider tail-coverts entirely fnlijiniais black.
"Length 19.00; extent 15.00 : " wing U'..">n; tail 5.00, irradiiated l.flU; tarsus 2.10; outer
toe and claw 2.50; middle do. 2.()5; inner do. 2.00; chord of eiilmen l.Cil): gape 2.:V); height
or width of bill at base O.fiO ; nasal tubes 0.10. San Xiclndas Ishiiid, Coast of Cala.; a curious
species of wbicli little is known.
50
786
SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LONGII'ENNES— TUUIXAliES.
834. P. annIoTum. (Liit. ^1 >i///or«m, of the Eiiylisli.) Manx t<HF.AK\VATEU. (Siimllcr and otlier-
wisf vcTy ilitrcrcnt I'roin any of tin- tin-fgninj;. rppiT jiarts uiiil'iirm lustrous blacU, or blackisli
with slight browu shade, rathor ashy aornss hind iifck ; the dark ccdor cxtciurmj; on sidos of
htsul niiicli hell )W cyi's, but there inarided with white ; uniler eyelid white, set in bhieU. On
.-ides of neck the white reaches part way around ; mi sides of breast the dark extends sonic
ihstanee, dilute and inarbh'd with white. I'riniaries blaek, with blaek shafts, their inner webs
dull grayish-brown; tail-feathers lik..' primaries. Entire niKh'r parts, from chin to anus, jinro
white, except a few featheis of the ll.inks, and the outer welts of th<! outer under tail-eoverts,
wiiieh arc plinubeous-bhiek. Lining of wings and axilhtrs wliitc, inottletl with blaek just
along the edge. Length about 1:5.50; exti'Ut ;i0.00 ; wing 9.2.5; tail 4.00, graduated 0.75 ;
tarsus 1.80; middle toe and claw 1.1)0; outer tlo. ;i.00 ; inner do. 1.55; chord of culnien 1.40;
gajieii.lO; height or width of bill at base 0.1-5. Varies much, but the small si/e and black-
ishness are distinctive. This species chielly iidiabits the .\tlantic coast ^f Kiiropc, and tlie
.Mediterranean ; it is the commonest British species of the genus, said to range the N. Atlantic,
at large, and to occur on our coast ; but those who suppose it to be one of our common species
are ajiparently nnstaken. Xest in burrows in the ground, <lug by the birds ; egg single, dead
white, .smooth, 2.;15 X 1.0".
835. 1*. oliseu'nis. (Lat. tihstiinix, dusky.) DlsKV SiiKAitWArr.it. itill small and weak,
about ji as long as head, i as lon.^ as tjirsus; .stout oidy at ba.se, where higher than with';
liook rising abruptly from line of celmeii ; commissure lower, and outline of bill almost
straight from feathers to hook. Wing? fidding to eiul of tail, which is comparatively long,
and much graduated. Tar-
sus as long as middle top
without claw; outer too
and claw ei|ual to miihllu
toe and claw ; tip of inner
claw reaching ba.se of mid-
dle, lilackish of ujijier
parts with much grayish
or ]duiiibeous cast, with
lighter borih'rs of the feath-
ers, especially on the scajt-
ulars and tertials; darkest
on niinp and upp(;r tiiil-coverts ; on sides of head not extending below eyes, and even there
inarlded with whitish; both eyelids white, and there is indication of a li::ht superciliary stripe.
Quills and tail-feathers as in i*. mujlofum. I'nder parts from chin to vent, white, as are lining
of wings and axillars, only a few plumbeous black feathers on Hanks. The longest and out<'r-
tnost under fjil-coverta are black, the rest white, pure or M-ith a plumbeous shade. Itill dull
leaden-blue, blackening at lip ; iris bluish-black ; edges of eyelids bluish ; outside of tarsus and
outer toe bluish-black, inside and webs of all ytdlowish th'sh-color. Small; length 11.00-
12.00; extent 20.00: wing 7.50-8.00 ; tail 4.25, graduated nearly 1.00; tarsus 1.(10 ; middle
toe and (daw 1.80 ; chord of culmen 1.25; gape 1.70; nasal case to tip 0. 90; depth of bill at
l)ase 0.40; width 0.155. A small bicolor species, readily di.Htintruished from any of the foregoing.
S. Atlantic and (iulf coast, common, .straying N. to the Middle States, (/'. ulixcitnis (Jm. t
P. iiuiliiltoni Fiiisch.)
836. P. oplstlio'nicljw. (Cir. omirOt, opisthe, hiick\\:\ri\; /liXas, nit Ins. hUu-h. Fig. 527.) Hl.ACK-
VENTKI) SiiEAKWATF.K. Resembling the last, and little larger. Hill about | as long as tarsus.
Tail ndatively shorter, less graduated. Tarsus as long as middle toe and half its claw. Frontal
feathers extending in a point on culmen. Dark color of upper parts extending farther on sides
of head than iu obacurus, leaving no white about eye. Under tail-coverts entirely sooty-
Fio. 627. — Black-vented Shearwater, nut. size. (From Klliot.)
837.
83
8:
riiOCELLMillD.i: : I'lKHKLLAniLWK : SllllAU 11 .1 iHltS.
rs7
l.lackisli, cxni.t ;i l«-\v (if tli.' .-linitol jiiM :it llic vent. More dark n.l.ir on tiaiiks, on liniMt;
of \viiig-» aiitl axillars than in ohsciuiis. In tlir dry ^^tali', bill yi'llowisli or riddisli-Lniwu, tli''
nasal tiiix's and cnlnicn i)larkisli, liic lionk mostly l.liiish-wliitf. Oiil-iiii' >.( tarsns for tin-
most [lart, ontcr toe and (ili;i> of w,l.>. Markisli ; n-sl nflo,,! pair y.ij.iui^li tl.sli-r..lor : "iris
l.rown." Wintr about 'J.liO; tail :\.7:>. t;r,idimtcd (MiO: tarsus I. mi : middli' lo.. and >l,i\v ■> In ;
rliord of culmtn l.Hi; iitiyv i.W; . -d of nasal tul.is to ti|i l.ii:, ; iHJirlit :,t l.;i>,. \\.{i. at I k
i).M. ("a|H'St. Lucas. L. Cala. Drridiilly diir. rent iVoiu I', iih.siiinis. (I', ijmiii KorM. .')
837. r. fiiliKiiiuSiis. (l.aI.7'////7//».sM.<. sooty, rii;. V.'H.) Sdurv Sim:aI!\\ atkI!. Very tiitf.r. lit
from any of ilio forcnoini.'. Nearly iniiforjn dark sooty-browii, Idaekenintr on .|uill> and
taii-featbers. more sooty-mrray below. |.aler still on the throat; linii « of \vini;s iiiixnl sooty
:ind wliitish. Hill dryini; an
nuih'liuable dark eolor. in life
dusky bluish-born color, the
tube, ridye. and hook blai'k-
isb : fei-t ilryinir ilark outside,
pale inside: in life the inside
of tarsus and upinr side of feel
livid Hesb-color. the outside of
outer tiK- and under side of
feet blackish: eye blackish.
Leniitb about \^M\, rather
less than more; extent about Fui. Mg.-Sm.ty Slicnrwnti-r. nat. »Uc. i A.I n.it. iM. K. C.)
40.(tU; \\\i\\i 12.0(1 tail l.H"; tarsus i!.i'5; michMe toe and claw :i.,iU: chord of cnlmen 1.7.'>-
2.00; najM' 2.'.V.\ ; feathers on side of lower mandible to lip 1.(17; depth ipI bill in front of nasal
tube (1. 10. .\ wide-ran^int; spei'ies; eonunoii otf onr .\llaiitic coast, especially iiortherlv. It
is |H-rfectly ilislinct froni any of the two-colored species, of several of which it lia.s at times
boeu eoiisidered to be the 9 "I' n special state of pliimaue. Ilreeds in cidonics, ofie;. jf yjreat
exti'Ut, layini; a siiiiile ei;;; in holes binrowed si'veral feet deep in the urouuil.
N3H. I*. ndiuiirosMi'niu. ((ir. ci/uiK^ic, iiiiidiinis, dark: awfia, saiini, ImhIv.) I>ai<K-II<ii>IKI>
SiiEAKWATEK. .Similar to llii' last, from which perhaps not specitically tlistinct. I'lider
winii-coveils white, only interrupted by some dusky marblinu. Itill 'dry) brownish-black,
honi-colored at tip. Feet (dry) lii;hl yellowish tlesh-cidor, tini,'ed with brown on outsiile of
tarsim, outer tiH', aiul tips of claws, ."^mailer: winir 11.00; tail I. ',*.'>. trradnated O.'.KI ; tai-sns
•2.0't; middle toe and idaw2. Id; outer do. i.'M): chord of culmen 1.7". ('a|«- ."»t. lan-as,
Cala.
830. I*. tenuirostrU. (hat. trnids, slifjht, thin ; lostnim, beak.) Si.KXiiKi!-mi.i.Ki> Siikak-
WATKIl. Distinct: a small, weak-bilk d, short-tailed, very dark-colored .-pecii ,-, siH.ty-black
above, quite black on ipiills and tuil-featliers, beneath mnoky-nniy, palest on throat, the
under tail-coverls nearly as blackish as the upper parts. (Jroove of under siile of |irimary-
shafts yellow. Kill (ilry) dusky j;reenish-yellow. brii;iiter aloiii: edi.'es and at lip: feel (dry)
yelldwisli, the hinder edi;e of tarsns and uinU'r surface of webs blackish. Lenulh about
It.OO: wini; 10.00; tail :i..")0, irradiiated 0.7.'i ; chord of cnlmen l.-Jd; .1. pili of bill at base
0..'iO: width 0.1(1; tarsns l.'.IO; iniildle or outer tiH' and claw -2.2.'>. N. I'acilic, ."^itka to
Japan.
ZIII. Order PYOOPODES: Diving Birds.
In the birds of this order the natatorial plan reaches its biu'liest dcveiopnenl. .Ml the
8|»eciei» swim and dive with jierfect ease; many are cajiablc of reniaiainir bum snlmierui «l,
and of tnversinj; f:reat distances ninler water, jiroirreos beiinr effected by the winijs as veil
788
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PYGOl'ODES.
as l>y the feet. Few (itlier birds, sueh lis connonmts and anhiiigas. roscinblo the Pygnpoden
ill tliis respect. Tlie legs are so emiiph'tely iMisterior, tliat iti standing tiio hni'izontal position
of the axis of the bmly is iin])<)ssii)ie ; tlie liirds rest upriglit or nearly so, the whole tarsus
beinii often a))plied to the ground, wliilo the tail att'ords additional support; jirogression
on land is awkward and constrained, only accomplished, in most cases, with a shiiHIini;
motion, when the belly jiartly trails on the ground. One sjiecies of auk could not Hy at all,
because the wings, although perfectly formed, were too small to siippoi-t the body. The rest
of the order Hy swiftly and vigorously, with continuous wing-beats. The rostrum varies
in sliJijK) with the genera; but it is never extensively membranous, nor lamellate, nor
furnished with a pouch. The nostrils vary, but are neither tubular nor abortive. The
wings are short, never reaching when folded to the end of the tail. The tail is short, never
of iNTiiliar shape, generally of many feathers; there are, however, no perfect reclri<'es in
the grebes. The crura are almost completely buried, and feathered nearly or (piite to the
heel. The tarsus is usually compressed, sometimes, as in the loons, extremely so. The front
toes are completely palmate in the loons and auks; lobate, with basal webbing, in the grebes;
the hallux is present and well formed, with a membranous expansion, in loons and grebes,
wanting in the auks. The idumago is thick and completely waterproof: once observing
some loons under peculiarly favorabb; circumstaniM's in the limpid water of the I'acifie, I saw
that bubbles of air cIuiik to the plumage whilst the birds were under water, givi'ig tliein a
beautiful spangled appearance. The pterylosis shows both contour and dtiwn-feathers, both
after-shafted; there are deKiiite apteria; the auks have free <iuter branches of the inferior
tract-bands, wanting in the loons and urebes. The oil-^land is htrye with .several orifices.
Among osteohigical characters should be particularly mentioned the long apophysis of the
tibia found in the looiis and grebes, but not in the auks. In auks, the elbow has two
sesamoids. The thoracic walls are very extensive; the bmg jointed ribs grow all aloiit;
the backbone from the neck to the pelvis, and form with the long broad sternum a bony
box enclosing much of the abdominal viscera as well as those of the chest, perhaps to pri'vent
their undue compression under water. The top of the skull has a pair of crescentic depres-
sions for lodgi cut of a large gland; the palate is .scbixot;iiathous. 'I'he sternum has a
different shajie in eui'h of the families. There are two carotids, except among the grebes,
and ill AUe. The digestive 8yst(>iii shows iiiiiior modifications, but accords in general with
the piscivorous regimen of the whole order. 'I'he sexes are alike: the young different; the
seasonal changes often great. The auks are altricial, the loons and grebes pra-<-ocial.
There are three families of PijgojHHleit, sharply distinguished by external characters ; all of
them are fully re|>resented in this country, where all th<' known species of loous and auks
occur. The |ienguiiis {Sphnmcomnrph'f), formerly iiichuled in this order, are better left to
stand by themselves; they are confined to the Southern lleinisphere, where they are represented
by several genera (as Ajiletwtli/tes, I'l/ffosreliH, Kioli/ptes and Sjihenixcus) and about IH sjM'cies.
The wind's are reduced to mere flippers, without true reniifji's, until for flight, but xery eHicient
as fins in swimming under water. Much of the ]ilumat;e is harsh and ."caly. There are numerous
osteological char-.i-ters, among thi'iu the flatness and solidity of the winy-bones, and the iiicom
plete fusion of the metatarsals. The elbow has a pair of sesamoids, and the kneu u large
irregularly shajK-d patella. The feet are four-toed, and )mlniatc.
Analytit nf Fumilies.
Ltmni. Foot 4-t(M<l, |iAlinat« CoLVMninj!
Urrliff. Ki'i't 4-tiM><l, liil)ate Poi)l('IPKI)IIi.«
Aiiki. Kcet 3-t(>e<l, |>alniate Au:iliA£
COLYMBID.K: LOONS.
78!)
61. Family COL YMBID-ffi : Loons.
Hill stout, mmiiiiit, foin-
.ife. _ : ••" •*<!i r- pn"*"**"'!, taiKTiii!.', aciiic, idiriifi;-
<■ '^'*'*U^SfeMiS^^^^t«dfc^- liMtliMiis, ciitiivly linn v. Xoa-
ti?-'' .■^'^^^^mamS^SsSat^SK'^^ trilsnamiwly linear, tlicirupiicr
.ic; '^Ml^^fil^BlI^lTl'irgaiiffim^iffiir" ^'^^''' '"'"''- "*''"' coiiiiili'tt'ly
loathiTcil, till' aiitia- proiiiiiicnt,
iicuti'. rcacliiiif; tlir iiosirils; im
crests imr riiti's. Winjjs strmi:,',
with still" jiriiiiaries ami slmrt
inner iiuills. l.ei;s r.inipletely
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ jxisteriiir. linrietl, feathcrcil im In
'**"^^ *I^Bi^^» the lieel-ji lint ; tarsi entirely re-
tienlate, extremely eimiiiressed,
the haek edtre .sniimth; toes
li^^^gig^^^^Hf .-tf^^^^^^^^^^H^^^^HDauai^B^ '"'"'' '''*' ■'>nteri<ir jialniate,
tpJMK^^^^^^SiKtB^^XSS^^^m posterior seniilateral and liavinfr
11 lohe conneetinL' it willi tlm
liase of till' inner. Tail short,
lint wi'll fonned, of many feath-
.-fc -,:P^._ir- . j_|^ Capitids ildiihle. 'I'ihia
"^^^^^ ^-T--"" with loiiiL' apojdiysis. Steninni
- ^_. with louj;. broad, ei'iitral iiroj
tioii liackwanl. and shorter lat-
Fio. 820. -Loon.. (From MIchelet.) ,.^,.1 ,,r.„.,.s,,.,. (•„,.,, ,,,,„.,„.
Accessory soinitemlinosns absent. Haek spotted. Head of yonnir not striped. I ns are
largo heavy birds with broad flattened Itody and rather long sinuous neek, abundant on th«
eoasf-s and large iidand waters of the Northern Hemisphere. They are noted for their powers
of diving, being able to evade the shot from a gun by disappearing at the flash, and to swim
liuiliy fathoms underwater. They are migratory, breedini; in high hititudes, being generally
disiKTscil further south in winter. They are pra-em-ial, and lay two or time dark-eolored
spotted I'ggs in i. ruile nest of rushes by the water's edge. The voii-e is extremely loud, harsh,
and restunint. The sexes are alike, the 9 smaller than the ^ ; the young ditlireut. There
is but one genus, M-ith only tliroo well-determined siM-eies.
333. COIiYM'KlTS. ((Jr. (to^l;/l^o^, /•o/(/Hi/(o.«, a diver.) Loons. Character as above.
Amitfin'mof Si>erii»iinil Varirtim (.lilitllf).
Hen<l nnil neck black, nitli Krccn, liliic, nml |iiir|ilu rt'lliriiun, ami patclioii orwiiitt utrcnkH.
mil nioatly or wholly liliick, tlio I'lilmcn, coninilNiiiri', nml goiivM iill Konlly riirvnl ; fi'.itlier!) fnlllni;
Hhort orintclilloof MOHtrlla; cnlmcM IMNlur Icms; ^a|K3 4.00 or more: IifIkIiI nf bill at mwlrils ii-iMally
iimlcr 1.00, (Ilonsiif licailaml iKH'k niodlly (jrocii: wliltc KiKilsof bark m-iirly iKiiiart' . , inriiuntun MO
lilll moHtly yellow; riiliiioii nearly iitraiKlit ; conimiiwurc otralglit; K"0.v>* "O'iilclit . reathcrs ri'iuliiiii;
nililillc of MOHtrllH: ciiliiu'ii about ll.T.'i; gajH' al>oiit .'•.DO; liclglit <>r bill .it nnKirllH iimially urer I. mi
(Horn oflicml iinil na^k nicmtly IiIiir; n-liltc K|>ots ofbai'k longpr than liroad ..... . mlamti Ml
Top of lii'ucl liliilHh-aHli, front of nock bbio-lilnck ; nci-k wllli whlti- Blri|H'(<.
I.j»rgcr: wing about I'.'.OO; lilllalmiit '.'50, giMiir, with convex iiilmcn nrrlicun M2
Smaller: Willi; alKiiit ll.iKi; liill alioiil L'.OO. ulciulcr, with Btraiulit culmen /wirirftiM M.I
Tliront and kIiIix ol'liencl l>liilHh-a»h; fnmt of iieik witli rml patch $rplmtrinnitli> M4
840. C. torqim'tii!). ( 1. at ^ov/Hfi^rt, collared. Fig.s. .ji'.t, ."ilJO.) Common L<viv. Oheat Xoinii-
KU\ DiVK.K. Adidt : IVill black, the tip and cutting tH'ires sometimes yellowish. Keet black.
Iris roil. Head ami neck deep glossy greenisth-black, with lustrous purplish relUrtions on the
790
SYSTEHIA TIC SYNOPSIS. — I'YGOl'ODES.
froi t iiiiil sides of the head. A patch of sharp wliitc streaks on the throat, and another larfjcr
tria igiihir patch of tlie same on eadi side of tlie iiecli h)wer down, tiic two hist nearly or (iniic
meeting behind, separate in front. Sides of breast striped witli black and white. Entire uppiT
part*, wing-coverts, inner secondaries, and sides inider tiie wings, ghissy black ; all except the
sides thickly marked with white spots; thosu uf the scapulars, tertials, and middle back, large,
s(iuare, and regnhir; those of other pails sinaller, oval, smallest on rump, most numerous on
wing-coverts. Upper tail-coverts greenish-black, immaculate. Wing-<piills brownish-black,
lighter ou inner webs. Under surface of wings, axillai's, and under parts generally from the
nock, pure white ; the lower belly with a dusky band. The white throat-patch consists usually
of five or six streaks; in
this, aa in the lateral
ueck-striiH's, the individ-
ual feathers are broadly
black, with sliarp wliifj-
edges toward their ends.
The texture of tlie.se
feathers is peculiar, — the
outer surtace is hollowed,
with raised eilges of s)>e-
cially tirm, smooth, pol-
ished character, so tliat
these patches may 1m' filt
i\» Well as .seen. The
Fio. 530. — Coniinnn I/wn. (After Wllwm.) white >iMits on the back
occur in a jiair on each feather near its end, llieir aggregation in any n'gion being therefore
detennined by the .size of the feathers thein.selves. Yount; : Kill smaller than in the .idiilt,
bhiish-whiti', with dusky ridge. Iris brown. Crown and hind neck dull brownisli-black ;
other up|M>r parts similar, but the fealhe>'s, especially of the fore back, with light gray edgings.
Primaries black, with bnivvn inner webs. Tail-leathers with gray tips. Traces of liuliter and
darker lineation on sides of breast. Sides of hea<l mottled with ashy and whitish: chin, throat,
neck in front, and whole under pails, white. I)imensions: leinfth 'M to 'M\ inchis; extent
about :>iM{) ; wing 1J..")I» to ll.-i.'j; bill -i.?.') to li.OO ahmg euliiieii : gajM- 4.<MI to l.i.") ; height
at nostrils, about 0.80; width there about 0.40: tarsus H.OO to .'{..^O ; middle t >e and claw
4.25 to ."i.llO. Inhabits the Northern Hemisphere. In winter, generallv dispersed in the l". S. ;
breeds in portions of the U. S. and thi'iice iiortliwanl. Kggs i, .'{..jO X i.'i'>, eloimate and
pointed, dull greenish-drab, with (hirk brown spots. Young covered with .stillish black down.
841. r. t. u'dainsl. (To ;*r. ('. H. .\danis.) Yki.I.hw-iui.I.KK Loon. Lart'er than T. /(»(/(//(//(>,
with th(^ bill rather la. ^r and somewhat iliM'ereiitly shaped and coloreil. ISill alxiiit icjiialling
head, hniger than tarsus, mneb compressed, tip very acute, not at all decurved, the culmeii
In-ing almo>l perfectly straiuhl. as the commissure also is. fJony-* straii:lit i>r nearly so to the
angle, which is very prominent. (Fig. ')'">0 shows the shape of the bill better than it does that
of No. 840, for which it is intended.) Frontal antia' reachini; beyoiul middle of nostrils. Itill
light yellowish horii-<'olor. only dusky at base. Mead :ind neck diep steel-blue, with iiurplish
and violet retli'cfioiis, irlossed only on the cervix with (freeii. Throat-patch of while streaks
piiialler than in torqtiiiliis, but the individual streaks larger, .-is are those of tiie iHH-k-patches.
While spots of upper parts larger than in torqiintiis, lonuer than broad insti'ad of sipiare on the
scapulars aiicl tertials. Mill alont; culiiieii :t..')0 to '.\.7'>: along i:a)N- .'i.OO to .j.J.J : height at
nostrils 0.<).") to 1.10: wiilth 0. 10 to 0..")0 : tarsus ;(..")( I ; outer to«> l.fi.'i to .').10. General dimen-
sions somewhat exceeding tho.se i>( torqiintn.i. Arctic .\inerica, common; ]H'rhaps speciti<'ally
distinct from the last.
844.
COI.YMIUIKK: J.OOXS.
791
Hia. C. iiri' tlfiis. (\m\. (irdiciis, ■.iirur.) nhACK-TiruoATKi) DivF.u. Bill goiiprally as ill ^*r-
qualKs, l)iit sinalli'i-; v,>\„r l.la.-k. Cliin, ilnvat, au.l n.rk in fi,.iii, Mark, wiili piiiplisli ami
violft roHfctidlis oil tlic si.lcs ><( tlic lira.l. u'lailtially ladiiii; inti, a tiiw, clear l.lui^li-i.'i;iy. d.ci.-
C8t on lorc'lioail, liKlitost iMliin.l, aial .sqiaratid iVuiu ih,. l,h,ck uf tlic tliroat by a scries '<>( wiiito
streaks. A crcweiit of slioit, wliite streaks aemss iipiHr tliroal : si.lcs «( l)icast striiic ,| with
puro whittt and glossy l.lack, these stii|Ms neaily lllcetill^ in In.iit. Kniiiv upper parts .jeep,
ghissy >;reenish-l»hic'k, cadi leather of scapulars and interscapulars with a white spot near eii.l
of oach wcl>; tlioso of the scapulars lari;e^l, fniuiini; four patches in tranverse rows. Witii;-
covorts thickly speckled with small ovale white spots. Iiini r wehs of (|uills, and tail-feathers
below, linlit grayish -brown. Sides under wings like back. I.ining of wings and entire under
part.s from the neck, pure white, with a narrow dusky band across lower bidlv; under tail-
coverts dusky, tii)ped with white. Young: ISill light bliiish-gniy, dusky ahmg the riduc
Iris brown. Feet dusky. I'pper part of head and neck dark L'layish -brown ; >i.les of head
dull grayish-white, minutely streaked with brown. I'pper parts with a reticulated or .-^caly
appearance, the feathers being brownisli-bla<di with broad bluish-gray margins ; the rump
dull brownish-gray. Primaries ami their coverts brnwiii.-h -black ; secmidaries and tail-feathers
dusky margined with gray. Ton'-part of neck grayir-h-white, ininutely and faintly dotted with
brown ; its sides below streaked with the same. Lower paits, iucludiiii: under surface of
wings, pure white, the sides of the body and rump, with part of the luwer tail-coveits, dusky,
edged with bluish-gray. (.Viiduboii.) Dimensions: length about HO.IIO; e.Meut 4(1.01);
wing I^.OIt; bill along culmeii 2. b); along s;ape ;{.{(); its height at nostrils ().(>.■) ; its wiillh
there O.X) ; tarsus -2. •.)(); outer toe ami (daw .S.MO. N. Ileinisphere ; not common in the I". S.
843. <'• "• pat'l'fk'us. (Lat. pncijicus, jiacitic.) I'.\( iKic i{|..\(K-Tiiiin.\Ti;i> Divku. Like the
ia.sf, colors tlm same. Size less ; leiifih 21.0(1; wing 1 1.00. Kill shorter, slenderer, .somewhat
ditl'ereiitly shaped, with straight culmeii - much like the diH'erence between ylulimojihoi-Hs
occiilfniiilis niu\ ylC. tlnrki. Hill along culmeii I. ',10-2.20; gape U.OO ; length of bill (/..lO or
less; tarsus about 2..V). N. \V. .Vinerica; abundant on I'acitic coast of V. ,S. In winter.
844. C. s€'pU'iitrloiin'lls. ( Lat. .v(7/<(/(/n()m//i,x, northern.) Ui:i>-riiKoATi:i) DiVK.ii. Mill usually
slenilerer than in the foregoing; culnii'ii slightly concave at the nostrils, gently convex to tip,
which is rather obtU.se and a little decurved. Oiitlii f rami nearly str.iiirht ; goiiys slightly
conve.N'. Frontal antia' .scarc-ely exti ndiiig beyond base i if nostrils. 'I'arsus relatively rather
longer than in foregoing species, about four-lifths the niiildle toe. .\diilt : Itill black, nither
lighter at the tip. Crown and broad cervical stripe glossy greeui>li-black, the latter thickly
streaked wiili wliite, which streaks, on the sides of the breast, s|ire:i<l so as to nearly meet iu
front. Throat and sides of head clear bluish-gray. A large, well-th'tined, triangular, chest-
nut-brown throat-patch. Kiitire upper |>arts and sides iimh'r the wings deep brownish-black,
with greenish gloss, everywhere profusely spotted with white, the s]iots small, oval. I'riiii-
aries blackish, paler on the inner webs. Tail narrowly tipped with while. I'mler parts and
lining of wings while, the axillars with narrow dusky shaft-streaks, and the lower belly, with
some of the under tail-coverts, dusky. Yoiiim : Still mostly liubt bbiish-white. with dusky
ridgo. Crown of head anil neck behind bliiish-i.'ray. the feathers nf the termer bordered with
whitish. Kiitire u|)]ier jiarts brownish- or irrayisli-black. everywhere profusidy markeil with
small oval and linear s|)ots of white. Throat without red patch, its sides and those ot the
head mottled with dusky. Other parts as in the ailull. LeiiL'th 2.'>.00 : extent U.oo : winir
U.OOorless; bill ahmg culmeii 2.00 : ahuig gape It.OO : hei^'ht at nostril 0..")(i; width there
0.S5 ; tarsus 2.7") : outer toe I^.-iO. Varies greatly in size, and in the size and siia|M! of the bill;
recognized by the profuse spottiiic of the uiijier parts, as well as, when adult, by the red throat-
piitcli. The s|tols are smalle>t and most immerous on the wing-coverts and upper hack, where
tliey grade into the streaks of the hind iiei k ; larirest on the tcrtials, scapulars, and sides nniler
tlie wings, where they are rather lines than spots, and are fewest, iir almost wantiiiir, on tlio
792
SySTiJMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — 1' YUUl'ODES.
micldlu of tho bnck. The iiiiirkin^ results frnin a isiiiall spot or Htripc near tin; on<l i>f cki.),
f(!atlicr, oil tho cdj^o of cafli well ; tlu're is oiTJisioiially a swoml pair iifari-r the base ..| tin.
fcatlior. Tln> atnoiiiit of siMitting is vory varialilo with imlivithials ; in llii? joiiiii; tin- spms miv
always larger and more numerous tliau in tiie adults, and usually lengthened into oliliipu'
lines, produeing a regular diamond-shaped retieulation. Northern ilemisphere at large; most
of the U. S. in winter ; breeds in high latitudes. Kggs 2-A, 3.00 X 1.75.
62. Family PODICIPEDID-ffi : Grebes.
Hill of variable length, mueh longer or shorter than head; eidmen nsinilly about straight,
sometimes a little eoucave, or ((iiile eonvex, esj ially at ihi' enil. Coniniissure nearly straight,
but more or less corresponiling with the eurve of the eulmen, usually sinuate at base, riuhr
outline iif bill in gem-ral eonvex, with slight gonydeal an;;le or none. Sides of bill more or
less striate. Nasal fossa- well marked, the nostrils near their termination. Nostrils lineiir and
pervious (broader in l'i)dHiiinliiix), ujtper edge straight, not lobed. Frontal extensiciu of
featheix eonsiderable, and usually antia- run still further into the nasal fossa. A gi ve aluni.'
the symphysis nf the mantlilde extends often nearly to the tip. Kyes far fnrward, with a lnml
strip of bare skin running thence to ba.-se of upper mandible, very narrow in the typieal forms,
l.Toader in Tavlii/ha/ik's and J'odiliiinhiix. Head usually adorned in the breeding season with
variously lengthened eolored eri'sis or rutt's : when th<'se :ire wanting the frontal feathers niav
be bristly. N<'ek usually long, slender, and sinuous. I'lmnage thiek anti rompaet, sninntlilv
inibrieated above, bcdow of a jM-euliar smooth, satiny texture. AVinns short hut ample, verv
eoneavo-eonvex ; primaries eleven, narrow, somewhat falcate, graduated, the three or fmir
outer ones attenuate on one or both webs ; seeundaries short and broad : tertials very long,
hiding the rest of the ipiills when the wing is closed. Itastanl quills unusually long, their tips
reaching over half-way to the ends of the ]irimaries. (Sreater coverts al.sn very hmg. 'I'ail
riulimentary, represented by a tuft of downy feathers. Characters of the feet peculiar; for in
other Itdie-footed birds, as l'halaro]>es and Coots, the lobation is of a ditferent character. 'I'arsi
exce(Hlingly compressed, with only a slightly thieUened tract within which the tendons pass.
Front edge a single si th row of overlapping, the hinder ser-
rate with a double row of pointed, scales ; sides n'guhirly trans-
versely scutellate, as are the upper surfaces of the toes, the latter
being inferiorly reticulate, with an edging of pectinated scales.
Toes flattened out and further with'iied with broad lobes, esjie-
cially wi(h' toward the end, and at base connected for a varying
distuueo by interdigital webs. Hind toe highly elevated, broadly
lobate. free. Claws short, broad, flat, obtuse, ofsipnirish shape:
that of the hallux miinile.
The (irebes are strongly nuirked by the ft>regoing charae-
t<'rs, es]ieeially of the feet and tail, though thi'y agree closely with
■■*' 'tbi- Loons in general structure and ecnuomy. i'rincipal internal
characters are the absence of mie carotid, and of the ambi<-ns,
femoro-caudal and ai-eessory Hemiteialinosus niu.scles, the greatei-
innnber »( cervical vertebra- (lit instead of l.'l) and shnrtness of
Fin. mn hh. — F. fltmln; T, '''•' sternmn, with lateral priK-esses reaching beyond tin- transverse
tiliiit, Willi n, iiH rnrmliil pfdcciw. main part (the reverse of tin- t^ase in Loons), 'i'liere is a long
anil r, Inrizi! iintclla, of n irrdHi; . > r .i .-i ' i ■ i ■ i i . .i i . : ■ .
iiBt flip -•'«■". ,.,!,, ,„|„| |,ro(-ess of the tibia, reaching high above the knee-joint,
backed by a large jiatella of about e<|ual altitude (tig. fi.'to hin.).
The gizzard has a sp«-cial pyloric sac; then- are e<pea and a tufted oil-gland. These birds are
ex]iert divers, and have tin- curious habit of sinking back (piietly into Ihi- water when alarmed,
like Anliiiigas. Owing to tho virtual absence of tho tail, the general as|M>et is singular, ren-
P
■ a.
334. JKVtlM
P01)I(U'i:i)W^E : GUEltES.
798
tlerfd still innro .m. Iiy the almost umtcsfni.' imrti-colnir.! lulls aixl crfsts that most siH^cicn
|M»sw'88. Tlnw ..riiaiiH'iits an- v.ry traii^iciii ; i.l.l l.injs in wiiit.r, and lii.' y.Mim;, aiv v.ry
.liffcrnit from tlir uiIiiIIh in l.ri'.Mlini: ;iiiiiv. ■rh,. ,.t;ys aiv ni..iv nnnxToiiM than in ..tii.r pyuo.
|mm1oiih liirds. fiv.|n<'iitly numhciini.' (i-^ ; .liipiirMl. nf a [.iiir ..r whiiisl lor, nnvini.iiatrci ;
commonly covcn-tl with chalky snliMancc. 'I'lu' niM i- I'nrnicil of niaitnl viuiiation, vlor to
the wati'r, or even, it \n saiil, tloalini; anionu iKiuatir |ilants ; the yoimir swiiri dirictly. (irchcd
arc the only cosmopolitan hirds of the oi.jcr, h.iim iil.nn.lantly disirilintcd over the lakes and
rivers of all (tarts of tlic \v<irld. tlioii^rh they arc h.-s maiitiinc than tiie siMcics of cither of
tlic other families. There are not over Iwcniy-live well dclerniiiicil siiccics.
Auiihitit 11/' (iitiirn.
Bill iili'iiiliT iir niilv iiKHlcrntely Htoiit, parnKiiiiilhniH, uciilc. X.wlrllii narnnv .ir linear. I.onii oiire »trl|.
niirrou. Frontal l'uallici» iinrniikl. Tarsus Krnirally lull Hi lie, If any. sIi.tIit ihan lliii iiiM<l!i' i.k'- at
least tlin-i-f.Mntlis as ionu. Scinlpalnialinn ..fi.HS nnslurali'. I,iil r liallux l.r..aM. l-\iall) »illi
oniis|i|i'iiiiiiHi'ri'sts or riitVs cliiriiiK tin- lirecilint; 'Oawm.
Hill liinj{er tliiiii IhmlI, rxlruiiu:l> slimlct and ai'Mo. Tarsus niual I., lliu nil<iilli' I.k' ami ilaw.
('rests anil nitt's slight. Large 1., Iiim^iilfinit 33|
mil ml InntfiT iliaii licail, iinHloratcly stout. Tiirsu* iliorter than niliMlo toe and claw (rusts
and riill's i|i'i'id>-<l. Size nviT HI ini'lii'S /'i«/hi/iik 33B
mil iniicli slicirtvr tliaii licjid, nut lwi>-llilrds tlie tarsus, i|iiitt< stunt. Tarsus iilxiiit tlini'-fiUirtliH
tlio nilildli' lot', Oulur ami nilddlu Iocs o<|iml. No <lvcidu<l LTeatii or riilTs. Small; Imiitli to
liii'liOH or li'ss T.i./ii/ (»!/./, t
Dill stout, cjiiKiiBllious, olitus4'. Xostrlls liroailly ovni. Loral liarc strip lironcl. Frontal fiailn rs lirisily.
Tnrsiis not tliro'-fourtlis llio iniildlutiHV Si'inl|ialniation of Iik'H rxtcnsivc. I.olio of liallnv i liraliv
Noiliviiled creslior r.ills I'-uUhjmlnif XVi
334. /KCIIMO'l'llOlll'S. ((ir. ni'x^^. oithmr, a spear: (/lo/jdr, iilioriis, bearing'.) Sl'i:.\lt-lill.l,
(illKlir.s. Hill very lony, cxcceilinu' the head, >ti'aii.'hl or >lii;htly recurved, very slender and
aciile ; ciilnicn straiirlit or sliuhtl\ iicavc; coiiiiiii.s<iire alioiit .-itraiiiht, or slitrhtly sinuate
at liase; under outline concave at hasc, Hitli.uit piotiilieraiice at symphysis. Marc 'oi-al spaci-
extremely imrrow. \Vini;s coniparalivdy loni;, with much attenuated outer priniaries. Lei;s
loiif; ; tarsus in.t shorter than hill, as loiit; as middle toe and claw; hasal wehhiiitr of toe,,
slight. Size larue; neck very loni; : liody slender. Crest and rntl's iiicoiispicnous, not
specially colored in our sitecies. One species, western, of which two varieties may usually
lie reco)j;ni/e(l liy the followinir characters;
.tutihjHii lit' t'ltrii'th'H.
Largo: Iciigtli (extreme) iilsnit '.".iiHt Imlies: wiiiu alioiit s.ixi; liill and tarsus each alsiut ;i(K). Illll ei|ual
to tarsus, KtralKlil. mostly dark olivaceous, lirl|{liler yellouisli at lip ami aiotiK cutting etiises. t'ndiT
outline of Illll straiglil from bam) to the sll);lil angle, lionya ilienee straiKlit to tip. Uires ashy-gray.
iH'Cftintiilii* &45
Snnill: length iiboiil '.".MH) Inches: wing alMiiil 7 ml; hill l>.L'.'i . tarsus 1' T."!. Hill sliorter than tarsus.
Hllghtly riH'iirveil, under outline alniosl regularly convex from base to tip, with liarcly appririahlo angle.
Lores pure v»hito r/(irii' IH«
845. /K. ot'fltlontn'IU. (I^at. tx-iiilnitdlis, western.! Wkstkhn (iliKliK. Hill oliscurely oliv;i-
ceoiis, lirinhter aloiij; edires ;ind ;il lip. Iris ontut'e-red. pink or c;irniine, with a white riiiK.
Hard |iarts of |ialate like liill ; soft p;irls purplish or lavender. Outer side and sido of foot
Idackish, rest dull olivaceous, more yellowish on widis. Foreliciid ;inil lores dark sil\ery-;ish.
.\ short occipital crest and putVy cheeks, luit luither lirit'ht-coloreil, aureeini; with white and
dark colors of the respective parts. 'Cop of head and line down li.u'k of neck .s<m it y -Idackish,
clianj;iii^ on tijiper parts into ;i Ijoliler, more hrownish hiack. the fc;itheis of the lp;i(k with
lirayish maririns. I'rimaries mostly dark chondate-lirown, with while liii.ses, their sli;ifis
white at liasc. Secoiidarii'H iiioslly white, lull more or fewer of them d;iik on most or all
of the outer welis. Sides under the wiiiL's washed with a pale shade of tin- color of the li;ick.
Linitm of witijts and wlade under parts from the hill pure while, with s;itiny uloss. I,eui.'th
•2i.00-i«.(K); extent 40.00 or tliercalioiits ; wiii^: about >.(MI; bill, tarsus, middh' toe ami
794
SYSTEM A TIC SYXOPSIS. — J'YGOPODES.
cliiw, all about IJ.OO ; papo of hill .■{.(iO ; liciulit at liaso 0.50. Wrsfcrn IT. S., coiiiinnn.
As lifH! dcseribcil, tin; bini i.s given in its jmrfst rliaractiT; but It jjradrs in n'v/x' <lirectly into
tlio nest, and some of the largi-r individuals have a mostly ytllow and soniowliat rt'curvcd bill,
with white lori's.
840. .cK. o. flurk'l. (To J. II. Clark.) Ci.akk'.s Ckkiik. Hill about as long ai< luwl, sbtntcr than
tarsus, sliiihtly ri'curvcd, rxtrrnwly .sli-ndcr and acute; euliuen a little eoncave ; luider outline
almost on<^ unbroken eurve from bas<- to tip. .\dult in breeding |>luniage: I'nder mandible,
and tip anti cutting edges of the U|i|mt, ehrome-yellow, in marked <Mintrast to black of culnien.
Loral bare strip leaden-blue. (Vown, <M'ciput, and hinil-ueck deep grayish-black; almost
pure black on the hind-head, fading gradually along the neck into tlie lighter blackish-iiray
of the upper parts generally. Lores broadly pure white, as are the entire under parts, with
a sharp line of demarcation along the sides of tlit> head and neck. A decided occipital crest,
the feathers about an inch long and ipiite tiliform, but not colored a))art from the general
cidoration. No decided ruffs — no colored rufts at all; but the while feathers of tin; sidiH
of the head behind anil across tin; throat are longer an<l fuller than elsewhert! — about as in
grini'if/i'iiti. Wings and general coloration (excei)t the white lores) exactly as in oiTiilriiliilis.
Winter dress not materially different. Dimensions: length about 22.00 inches; extent 2S.,')() ;
wing 7.00; bill along culnien 2. .'10 ; along uape 2.7"> ; height at nostrils 0.40; tarsus and
middle toe with claw, each alMiut i.J't. Thenci- grading up to iicridciitdlis. With only
extremes before us of the two varieties, one nnght well consider them distinct species; but
other sj)ecimens show the intergradation ; we fr<'i|uently find specimens as small as typical
claiki, and with eipially slender bill, yet with the color of tin; bill wholly olivaceous and the
lores ashy, as in tyi)i<'al iMX-iilenttiiis. Western I'. S.
335. POOICU'ES. (Lat. 7Xk/w, gen. yxx/iW.s-, the rump ; yjt'.s, foot.) (Jukiiks. Hill nnulerately
.stout, usually more or less comjiri'-ssed, I'lpialliiii; or shorter than the heail or tarsus. Tarsus
obviously shorter than the middle tiM' and claw. Outer lateral toe a little longer than tin;
middle. Head in tin; breeding .season with lengtheiu'd colored crests or ruffs, or both.
NoTK. — Believing /'. rrUlnlut niay liave beeil lioatlly ellaiiiiuteil fruiu uur Tuuiiu, I uuulyzu iiiiil iIuhctIIhi it
Willi llio rest, without number oMtiKiied.
.'In»///xm nj' .s'/w cicjt (lulnltii),
Ijtrge: length over 15 incbm. Itill more nr Iohh nearly c<|iiniliiii;tlio hea<l or tarHiiK In lonittli.
CreHtfi, anil vtipefiaily rutfx. lont; nnil riinii|>i<'iitiii». Nirk williniit ret I or gray In front; iimiiT imrtH
pure 8ill(y-white. TumiiK avcraginK equal to lliv nif'Mii! toe witliout ilH claw criHtuliiH
Cri'Htii nioileratc ; rutlii iiiconspifumisi Seek witli rnl or gray In front ; nniler par tn watereil wllli
ilunky (Hometimeti hut xliglillyl Tarxiis averaKliit; Ii'sh llian tlic iniiliilo tot; ami elaw . . hnllinUi K47
Small: lenKtli under l.'i iiiclios. Kill much nliorlcr tlinn liiail; little ovim- lialf tlie tarsUH.
Bill c'DinprcMcil, liiglier than broail at the norlrilii CrcKls ami rutin very coimpicuoUH ; neck rcii In
front inriiiiliiA Mh
Bin ilepreiwcil, brnailer than high at the noNtrils. Crostii in form of aurieular tufts; neck I'Mick in
front iiurilUH 849. or nil: miiitu Wil
F. crista'tus. (I'St. rrulntu; cmlml.) Crcrted ORt:nK. A<lult, lireciiini; plumage: <.'ri>wn ami Iniii;
nccipilal I'leiitH Kloiuiy Mark; emi of riifl the sanic, the rext reiiilinli-lirown, railing into .liiky-wliile of tliroal ami
HlileH of lieail Neck Iwhiml ami up|ier |>arls ilark brown, the feathers uilli gray niai gins. I'riiiiarieH iliocolale-
brown, with blark iihanii, the tl|is of the Inner oiien white, aH are all tlie HeconilaricH ami terliarim, excepting a
little of the outer web» of the former ; greater wliig-coverts while on inner welw. iriiiler part" pure silky white,
without a traceof iliisky mottling, the j<l<les c)f the ncek ami iKKiy llngcil with reihllHii, ami on the tlanks mixed
with ilusky, where the fe.ithem have dark shaft-lines. Louglli about 24.00; extent 3,1111); wing TOO; liill 2 01),
the ga|« 2.70 : lamus 2..'iO. Kuro|ie, etc. N. Am ?
847. I*. Krlsclgc'iitt liolboclli. (Low Lat. firiseiii, gray ; ^enn, cheeks. To (". Ilolboll. ) Amkiiican
Ukd-NKckkk (Jkkiik. Adult, bn-eding plumage: Crests short, and ruffs scarcely apparent.
Iris eanninc. Hill black, the tomia of up|M'r mainlible at base and most of lower iinindiblo
yellowish. Crown and iM-eiput i;los.sy creenish-black ; back of neck the same, less intense,
and up|MT parts geneniUy the same, with grayish edgings of the feathers. Wing-cuvuits and
POincil'EDUhi: : (iHKHKS.
Iirimnrios miifnnii cli liito-l>r..\vii, tlip >lMlts of th,. lattir Mark. S nlari.s \vhit.>, in..>ily
with Miick Nliiifl« ami l.r.pwuisli tips. Liiiini; .iCwiims aii<l a.xillars wiiitr. .V l.inu.l jiatrfi
.,f Nilvi-ry-asli on llir tlimat, f.\t.i„iiiii; aioim,! ,,|, m,1,.s ,,f hrail. wliiirtiinu' aluni; iln. ,,f
junctiiri' with \\w l.lii<-k of thf <Tn\vii. N.^.-k, i..\r.|.i tlic ilorsiil lin... .1.'..,, I.r..wi.i.sl|.,r.|. wl.i.l,
e.vti'lHl.s ilililtcil soiiir .liMaiicr .m tiir l.r.ast. rii.j.T paits silky-whilr, with :i >liaclr ..f >iiv.ry-
aHJi, <'ilfh fcalhiT liaviiij; a liark .shat'l-liii.' and tcniiiuai >|M.t, iiimhiciiii: .i |Hciiiiar il,i|.|.|.'.|
apiicaraiicc. Wilit.T phlinaK.-, uiiil joiiim; CnM.-* >rar.vly apprcrial.lf. Itiii m,..>tly y.llnw-
i.-h, till" ritli{<! iiioi-f or h'.s.s dusky. Kid nf \\\v lack nplaicd l.y 1.im« iii>li-asli ..f vatialdc
sliaih', fnmi iinitc dark to whitisli. A.-ii of throat ami >iilr» ot head nphiicd hy piuv whii.'.
I'lidiT part.-* ashy-whitf, the iiiotlliiii; not so foiispinioii.- as in ..ii nr. I >iim'iisioiis : Length
ahoiit l'.).<)0; c.xti'lit MM); wiuir 7.<)lt: hill aloim cidimn I.'.M)-1K), aiom,' yapf :;.pl- :(. Id ;
lii'ii{lit at iiostrilH ().,").'); tarsus 2..')lt ; middle toe and idaw li.S.'i. 'rhi> l.inl rould onlv \»-
I founded with rrisliitiis in inimatiin- dress: it is smaller, stouter, more thirk-set. with
stouter bill, nehiilated umler plumaye, less white on the wini:. and usually has rather slmrter
tarsi, — only ahout four-fifths the luiddlo toe and elaw, instead of ahoiit eipial to the midillr toe
alone, as in cristiiliis. The Amerieau bird is a laru;er variety of the Kuropean, the hill,
espeeially, dispropoi'tioiiately longer, dill'erently shajied and coliin.,! ; tarsn> lonu'er, both
ab.sobitely and relatively t<> leiiL'th of toes. N. Am. at l.irue anil ( J rein land ; ( nmn in
the r. ,S. in winter, breedinir northerly. Ki;i.'s -i.lo to iM'i X ^--'i \>> l.l.'i, ronirh. wliiiisl,.
either inelinini; to pale greenish or with bully discoloration, of the narrow-eloiij^ate shape
usual in this family.
Oils. Speeiiiiens more like the ty|iieal firisrifiniii from the N. W. eoast.
|§4t). I*. ooriiirtiiH. (Lat. roniiilKs, horned.) lloitNi'.i) CiiKiti:. Adult, br line plumaue :
Kill blaek, lipi)ed with yellow. Keet dusky externally, internally yellowish. Iris earmiiie,
with a fine while riiu;. A brownish-yellow stripe over eye, wideiiinir behind and deepening
in color at the ends of tlii' lout; crests, and beiii^; dark chestiuit between eye and bill. Crown,
chin, and the very full rutf jilo.ssy ^reenisii-hlack. r|i|ier par's brownish-hlaid», with paler
edjrcs of the feathers. I'rimaries rather liulit chocolate-brown, with black shafls, e.\cept at
till! base. Soeoiularies white. Neck all round, except stripe down behind, and sides of the
body, rich dark l»rownish-red or purpli.sh wine-red, mixed with dusky on the ll.iidxs. I'lnler
jiarts June silky-white. Winter pluinai:e, and yoiini;: Itill dusky, much of tin' umler
mandible bluish or yollowish-while. Indications of crests and rulf in the leni;tli anil fulness
of the feathers of the parts. Crown and neck behiml, ami sides of the body, sonly-hlackish.
Other upper parts and the wint;s as in the adult. Chin, throat, and sides of head, pure white,
this color nearly eiicirelinij the nape. Neck in front and lower belly liirhlly washed with
ashy-ijray, ITnder parts as before. Newly-Hedged youni; are curiously striped on the head
with rufous, dusky, ami white. Ditneiisions : lenuth about I I. OH iiii'lies: extent .'I.Di':
wiiiR ii.J'i ; tarsus 1.7">; middle toe and (daw -i.lO; bill aloni; culmen about H.IIO, alotu; i;a|M'
].'M); its liriubt at the nostrils ().:l(>, its width there U.i:>. Hill eoin|>ressed, laperim;. with
considerably curved culmen, — (piite dillereiil from the broad depressed hill with straiuhl tip
ami inucli asccndint; iroiiys of I', miriliis. It varies much in si/, , even amoni; eipially adult
examides ; in the younjr it is always smaller and weaker than in the old. Mhick, yellow-
lipped in the nbl, we fimi it variously liijbler in the youni.'. ~ usually dusky on the riilue,
(dsewhere tinued with olivaceous, yellowish, or even oranije or 4-xlensively hluish-wliite.
In breeilini; plunn\u;e (his bird is ciuispiciiously dillereiil from any other ; hut the ynuui; are
mueh like those of J', iiiiritiis, reipiiriiii; careful discriinimition. N. Am. at larjje, abundant,
ami jjeiierallv diH'u.sed. Kucs laid on soaking; or lloatim; beds of decayed reeds, while or
slijjbtly shade.l. elliptical, 1.70 X I.-'"-
M*. I*, ani-rtiw. (hat. aiiritiis, eared.) Kruni'K.W K.\UI-.I) OitFiiK. Like the next to Jm- de-
scribed, excepting imiri' white on ih.' wini: : inner four primaries entirely white, all the rest
more or less white, senMidaries ull entirely while. Only N. Am. as occmrini; in (ireeidand (f).
IW
SYSTKMA TIC SIWOJ'SIS. — VYaOl'ODES.
\n\
850. I'. ». ciillfor'nlcuit. Amkkican Kaiu'.o (iiiKiiK. Ailiilt, lirt'cdiii^ ]iliniui|L;)! : Itill sliiirtti
than licatl, riitlicr Hloiit at banc, iiiiich ilcpn'ssi'il, lihiailcr lliiiii lii^l> at the luiNtrilit, tip aciiic,
not (Knirvril, (.'miys Htrai^'lit. ax-ciiiliii^', culincii a little coiicavi' ha.sally, iii'iiriy i«ti'ai|L;)it tcrini-
lially. Tai'Mis alxnit ciiiial In niiiiiilc tm' wilhniit its claw. Hill ciitiicly lilack. Feet iliill
tiliva iiH, lilackisli oiitsiilc aial i>ii .«cil<'. |')y<> scarlet. Kyeliil iintii^e. ('iiii.x|ruMiiiiiN Inn^r
auricular tufts, i;ii|ileii-lirii\vii ur tawny, finely ilisitlayeil U|iiiu a black KriMind. Crnwn, cliiii,
anil neck all rouml. Mack. All the |iriniaries entirely chi'cnlute-liriiwn, with usually a wash
III' iliill reililish-liriiwn exlerually. .'^ecnuilaries white, hut lUe lias<'s i>!' all, anil a cuiisiilerMhle
|iarl lit' the twii iiuter lines, ilusky ; their shafts nmstly all ilusky. Sides deep purplish-limwn
(ir wine-red ; this cidur washed across the breast, behind the black of the neck, and also ncrnss
the anal reiiioli. I'mlir parts silky-white, the abdoiiien yrayish. Yimni.': Itill shaiud j:ener-
ally as in the adiill. but smaller, with less lirni outliiH's, so that its disliiu-tive shape is sm
wiiat (disctired. hittle or no trace of tho auricular tufts. Crown, sides of head, and neck all
aniund. sniity-u'riiyisb, paler and more ashy on the fureneck. I'pper parts rather lighter and
didler cnliired than in the adults. Primaries as in the adults, but witlioiit the reddish tinp' ;
a few of the innermiist ones sometimes white-tipped. Sides under the wings washed with a
lii;hter shade of the ciilur of the back: lower belly urayish. Dimensions: length 1 2 to I I
inches, usually \'A or less; extent i\.'^)-i\.W^\ wins,' X.l^t-'t.i't ; bill 1.00 or less; along
ffape \.-l'>\ height at nostril (I.-22 ; width there O.id ; tarsus 1.(10; middle toe and claw l.'.l.").
While the breeding pliimau'es of /'. conilltlis and the present species are widely ililh'rent,
there is much similarity between the young and winter dress of the two species. As a rule,
nfiW^/.v is smaller ; even traces of ruH's are less appreciable; the (ore neck is warcely lighter
tinin the hind neck; the back is rather deeper colored and more uniform. The shape and pro-
portions of the bill, however, furnish the most reliable characters. Western \. Am., the coni-
inonest species of grebe br ling in the ]iools west of tiic Mississippi; K. to Illinois. Kggs
not distinguishable from those of 7'. coniittiis.
8A1. i*. <lunii'nicii8. (Of St. Domingo.) St. Domin(si) (iitKnic. liepreseiiting a genus or subgenus
ajiart from the foregoing (Tiichifhtiiitfs). ISill very short, much less tlian the head, .scarcely
over half the tarsus ; stout, little compri'ssed, rather obtuse. Lateral outlines nearly straight ;
cnlineli slightly concave at tin nostrils, elsewhere convex ; commissure straight, except a litth)
sinuation at ba.se; under outline straight to angle, gonys thence straight to tip, the angle
well delined. Wings short, and with abriipl attenuation of the outer primaries. Tarsus
Htout, little over three-fourllm the middle toe and (daw ; outer lateral about eipial to the mid-
dle toe. Si/e ve,-y small ; body full: neck short; no decided crests or rutl's. Adull : Crown
and occiput deep glossy steel-blue. Sides of head and neck all around dark ashy-gray, darkest
IM-Iiiiid, where tinged with bluish. Chin varied with ashy and white. I'liper parts brownish-
black, with glossy-gri'enish retlections. Primaries cbocolafe-browu, the greater portion of the
inner vanes of all, and nearly all of the inner four or five, together with all the secondaries,
pure white. Fialer parts silky-white, thiidily nmttled with dusky. I'pper mandible ilusky,
the lower nn)stly y<dli>wish. Dimensions: length about '.I.."i0; extent 1(1.00; wing II. (10; bill
along culmen 0.7<l; along gape 1.00; tarsus 1.;!."); middle toe and claw 1.7."). Warmer parts
of .\merica. \. to the Hio (irande of Texas.
336. POniLYM'Hrs. (Poilirij>cs-\-('ol!imliiis.) Tiii(K-ii!i.!.i:ii (iui:nKs. Hill shorter than
head, stoniest in the family, compressed, with obtuse and hooked lip; culmen about straight
to the nostvils, then lecdinato-couvex ; gonys regularly convex without (h'cided angle; com-
iidssiire slightly sinuate at base, then straight, then much deth-ded. ri»per mandilde covered
with soft skin to the nostrils, between which are two fossil', the anterior shallow, oblong, the
other deep, triangular, se)iarated from the bare loral sjhk'c by an intervening ridge. Nostrils
broadly oval, far anterior. No <Te.sts or niH's, but shafts of frontal feathers jirolonged into
bristles. Kj'elids peculiarly thickened. Outer three or fonr primaries abnijitly siiiuutc near
M.( llt.K: AlhS
Tit"
till' oml. TarmiH niiicli aldnwiatcd, ininpuiMiivcly sioiit, iilM.ui ilmr-toiiitlis ii> Liiii; us inhUIr
toe tiiid cliiw, Miil.llr anil imtrc tnr> u.mU- m|||ii|. ll^isil >i'iiii|ialiiiMti.>ii of lo.s i,i..rv i xt. ii-
bivc tliail ill I'lillidjiii'. Lcilic ul'lilinl tuc i IiimIc.
8.Vi. P. po«ll'«>l|)e». (For 7H«//'ti>c,s, xr nl.nv,..) I'ii;i.-iiii.i,i:i, (Jmhi;. Paikhkk. iMiprii.
l)lKI.Al'Pi:il. WATnitWlTCII. Adult. Invcliii- l.|iiiii:ii.T : ISlll liniil .lull Miiisl,. ,,i- l,|iu.|,.
wliltc, ilu>i|«y (111 riilm' or at tip, Miriirliil willi a lunail Mark liaml. i-i.- limwn ami wlnli' ;
cyt'liils wliiti'. Feet j;rcciiisli-l)lai'k niit.siili, Icaili'ii-itray iii^iilr. Frnlital ami ronmal IniMlis
Mack. Crnwii. lu-cipiit, ami lark liiliiml, i.'rayisli-Mai'k, llir IVntliir- witli sjiulitly ii-litii-
('ili;i'.-<. Siilfs of hi'ail ami lu'fk lirii\viii>li-i.'iay. A limail Mark tliiuat-palili, ixliiiilliiu .ai
f-iilrs of lower iiiaiiiliMi'. Tpi"'!' I'aits lirii\Mii>ii-Mai'k, tlii' fiallit i> willi w'airily liirlilir i ilui>.
I'riiiiaricM ami M'coiularic.s (•liocolali'-ln'owii, tlir lattir liri|iii'iiily wiili a whiir ana mi thr inmr
Wilis. Uuilcr parts ashy, waslii'ii ovir wiili .-ilvrry-m-ay, tliirlily iiioiiliil with iliisky : iIum
ilai'k spots iiiiisl imiiicroiis ami rviiiiiil mi tlir >i.|i>. I.ovmt In lly marly uiiiloniilv iln>kv.
Winter iililliiap'; Hill liylit ilnli yrliowisli, willmiil a ilini> liaiid, iiime m- li>s ilii>kv mm tlir
riilgi'. Nil glllar jtatrli. Crown ami orripiit (lii>ky limu n. I'ppir pMrt> wiili mmi' iviili nl
pale ('iliiiiins of till' fi'iitlirrs than in siiiiinirr. Nirk. liira>I. ami >iili >. liijlit limwii. iliirkrr
posli'riorly, whcri' more or less emispicnoiisly tmillleil willi i|ii>ky. I'mlir piirl> niiii twIm pine
silky-wliite, iliiMiaeiilate; lower helly grayish. YouiiK-of-tlie-year : While unhiv jialeh in-
vaded by streaks of the liniwiiish of the heail, ami the lattir iinirli stnaknl with white.
Diineiisioiis : leiiirtli ahont Hi. 00: extent :.'|.00: wiini ahmit ,VOII ; hill aimm enlniiii O.7.") ;
all iiii; jini'i' 1.20 ; height at nostrils II. lO ; width ili't ; tarsus L.'il); middle toe and elaw i. l.'i.
Varies irreatly in size. Inhaliits the greater part of S. and ('. Am. and all temperate N. Am. ;
the most abundant s]ieeies of the family in Kasterii I". S.
63. Family ALCID-E: Auks.
Feet palmate, three-toed (halhi.x wanting). Tarsi retieiilate or partly seiiti Hate. Tihio-
tarsal joint naked. Claws ordinary. Hill of wholly inditerminate sh.ipe, ol'tin mneli as in
ColymhUUc or I'odicipediilfC ; often curiously shaped, witli various ridyes, furrows, or horny
jirotubenmct's. Tail perfect, of few feathers. Lores cmiiplelily feathered. Nostrils wholly
variable in shape and position, naked or feathered. Legs very variable. Color.ition \iiri-
able ; head often with long ciuiy crests. No tibial apo)iliysis. I'siially (always .') an aiicmial
sesamoid, soiiietiiiies doiihle. Carotids usually doiihle (single in .1//'). Cieci ddi pres-
ent; ambiens muscle present, accessory semiteiidiiiosiis absent; oil-iilaml tutted Palatal
structure schi/ogtiathous ; nasal schizorhinal. Nature allricial and ptilnpiiilir. lit'iis lew or
single, plain or variegated. The imnierous species coutined to the Nnrihiru llriiiisphere.
Birds of this family will be immediately recognized by the I'met.'oin'; circiunstaiices, taken
in eiinni'ctioii with general pygopudons characters. Airieiiiu; closely in essential nspects, ihey
dill'er among themselves to a remarkable dciine in the lorm of the bill, with every uiiiiis ami
.■ilinost every specios ; this organ frequently assuiniiii: an odd shape. devilopiiiL' horny pro-
cesses, showing various ridges and furrows, or beiiii: brilliantly cnloied. It is the rule that
any soft jtart that may be observed on the bill will linally bei hard, or form ai tiirowth.
or both ; and such processes, in .some cases at hast, are temporary. a|ipeariiii.' only dnriiiir the
breeding seasou.
The hi.st sentence, reprinted as it stands in the original edition of the Key (1*^7-') hints .it
the extraordinary <diaiiges undergoiie by the bill in several geiier.i of Aliiiln. so nbly rlmidateil
in 1877 and 187'.l by L. Mureaii, who showed that in many species parts ol the horny coverinu'
of the bill are regularly shed or moulted, in a manner analoi;ous to the castim.' of deer's antlers,
(juite as .shown by H. I{iil!,'way in the ease of our White I'llican. which dmiis tl eiitie-
board." In the Common I'lillin, for example, no fewer than nine pieces of the bill fall ofl
7l»8
SYSThMA TIC SY\(U'SIS. — J' Y(!0l><H)E8.
i«t'|iarut<'ly, iit'trnlic liiiiii- ' .
illi; sriiMili, til lie niicwcil
.i:.'ilill iViilil till' Mill liil.irlni'llt Ini'liilinilic.
'I'iic llllKi'lirr, III irililfr, nrtllf linriiy platt'
at llir ailu'lr nf llir lllnlltll "I' SlllinrllilUi
crist'itilliiM, hail lici'ii iiiitril (Kiv. |i. Mi),
Well a« tlu' Jircsclii r alirria t" iIm' Imri.
('eriiliirhinii ; Imt \vr liail iii> kiiuw Inliir I'l'
|iriii'<'!<!« liy wliicli the rhaiiur wasiMirliil. |i
til ItiircaiiV stiiilii's. Ill till' i'nlliiis tlirrr U i
II iiiiiiill 111' till' I'xcrisi'iiiri's ii|Miii tln' <'yrl
Hiiil a i^lirivi'lliiit; of the cnlnml rnsi'ttc at
ciiriiiT lit" till' iiiiiiitli.
Tlif Aiilis arc I'niiliiiiil 111 till' Niii'il
Ilt'iiiis|ilii'ri'. Siiiiii' ri'iiiiM'iiIiitivi'!* Iiavr
fiiiiliil as far imrlli as rx|iliiri'rs liavr |i(iirlr;
'I'lic urcat iiiajiuity live in iimrr t(iii|ii'rati'
tiiili's. A iiiiin- <ir less ciiiiiiilctc ini;;i°atiiiii tii
Jilarr willl llliist sliri'li'S, wllii'll stray snlltliwi
MHIirtillirs t<< a ciilislilrl'alili' ilistaiirr, ill til)'
tiiiiiii, ami rrtiini imrtli again to linril in
i>|trin;.'. A Irw s|prrifs apiM'ar marly staliciiii
'I'lii' iiKKst MHitlirrn rt'i'iirili'il haliilat ■>!' •
iiii'iiilitr of tilt' Caniily is almut lutitiiilc il"
(III till' I'at'ilii' ciiast of N'mtli Aini'rica, Imt
is railiiT i'xri'|iliniial. 'i'lii' spcfii's arc
iin<'i|iially iliviilnl iMtu'ccn tlu* twn iM'oaiii'.
Atlaiitii' lias liiit frw r<'|ir('s('ntativ('s ciiiiipi
Willi till' I'aritii'. (Ml tlii' iinrtliiTn coasts
tin- latter the laiiiily readies its liiu'licst ilc
i)|Mnciit ; till' greatest iiiiiiilicr <if s|>icics, of i
must ilivcrsilicil I'nniis, arc t'niiml tlicrc, tlm
the iiuinlicr nl" imliviiliials uf any sjH'cics i
not surpass that nl' several Atlantic spci
Coinparativcly few spccicH arc CDniiiinii to
oceans. All the inenibers nftlie family arc
clusivcly marine. They are ilcciili'tlly >;rei
rioiis, ]mrticiilarly in the hreciliiitf wasdii, when vm mi. - KgeUig in .vinnkii nii i liiVs iiiiiui>lte<l iiy
some species coiiirrciratc in niillltless niimliers. Kllllwuki's (p. 74S). AnkB. .'Ir (Ki'hIuiiciI l.y II. W.
,, Klllnit. Pniin lliirfior ItriitliurH I
I snally one, often two, rarely tliri'c I'^ux arc
IttiJ, citlier upim the biirc nM'k or gnmiid, or in crevices hctwecn or umlvr riH'ki<, or in burrowH
MrUKK: MKS.
7!»U
n
► r*
(■\c;HMt. .1 f.,| ill,- |iiir|M.M'. Aiikn
art' nil iilliin.i, iiuil art' Inliiv..!
ti» !>«• rliiclly iM.iiii.ca IH. Tlif
yoiiiiU iirr at Hr>i lov.rr.l with
\'<\\\i M.Cr w.H.llj- ,|,,„„ ; rarily
-iilli>li lmir.<ii|i|i.ar on ....iiii' part;..
'"I"' ' ilf i» ■I'Hil.lf. Till' )..iMii;
lit' tlif yiar ii-iiiilly ilitlir tV,„„ i|„.
iiiImIi-. ; tijr l.iti. r iiMi.illy iliHir in
till II- ■'IIMlllli V iiIkI \\\uWy |l|lllili(l,'«>«.
A viry invMili lit finiiiiv i, tin-
|i..-M»>i..ii .,r nvMs ,.r iiliiincN ,.r
••lohUMtlll li.llllllS nt I, |l.rl||i,ir
■•''•'1 11 III.' >i,|,.s .,f III,. 1|,.,„|.
All iIm >|Hii.'. walk liiiilly;
Li^ "I Hill' M-ali'iij walk at all.
Till' ii..«iti..ii III' ill,. I,,,, „|,|,
ri I'l niiii. ti. ill,' a\i« ,if til,.
liMily Mill s^jiatc , an ii|iiiulil
liii-iliiiii will II MaiiiliiiL'. 'I'll,'
liiril> ;i|i|ii'ai' tu ri>t uii ili, ir
iiiiiijiN, «illi ill.- 1, It i-xli inliil
li,i|-izii:itally liil'm-i tliiin, iii.„t
111' llll- tal-MI^ I Iiilii; ||„.
uriiiiiiil. Till' I'lidiiiN. Iic,«.
rvir, mill a I'l-w nilni-s, ^taml
Will nil tliiir |',,t. All tin-
s|itrir.s liiit ,iii,' llj- Will, with
ni|.ill vit.'iil°l>ll.-> lllnlillll n|' ill,'
Wilms, ill a Ntiai^'lii, tiriii,
will - Mistainril ii-M-. All
|irii(.'i-,'.s> mi iir w\,\i\- ili,>
watir «illi till- iitiiiiisi I'aciliiy,
Tliiy all' vi'iy sili-iit liinl.-,;
llii' viiicr is riiiii.'li anil liarsli ;
till' lliitrs all' IMiilliitiilii'il.
TIh'V fi'i'il t'Xrliisiviiy ii|iii|i
l-'Ki. .VlL'. — A ni'i-ill,' riK-lt i,'iiiiiii.'<| liy('.,rm"rniii».|.. 7>, X.i. T.-.T), Aiikn. animal snlistalK'cs iinii'Miiil
8lc. ili,>.|'{ii,'.l l.y 11. W. Klliiiii l''roiii MariHi- lli.ilhti>.) ,. ,
liiMii till' vvati-r.
Till' fainily is ili\isilil,' iutn iwn .siilifaiiiilirs ai-ciiriliii^ ti> tin- Iratlii'iiiii; uf tiii' imstiils
ami iitlnr rliaracti'i's.
Auiihinh of Sul'fiimiliiii iiml (Itllrrtl
I'll.\M-:iltl>lN'.i:. NoHtrllH nnki'il. ri'iiini,^ rnmi t'l'allii'm. KIM i>( viirliiMf i>lia|x', alwayii <<iiiipni>MH|,
lil|{lirr lliiiii Willi', a!> Tar as kimwii a|i|>ciiila:;<'il ulili il,, iiliioiin I'liiiii'iilx llrail nearly always rn-sli-il
No Kl't'at hi'iiHiiial iliaii^i'S nl' iiliiinai:i'.
Kyt'lMii Willi <lerii|iiiiiis appi'iiilaKi-K Nn i-rrslK Hill ,>xlri'iMi-l> liii;h ami lliiii. i iilini-ii nilli on,'
<'iirvi<: ImiIIi iiiiiiiilililri' lirni'vi'il A rnmtli' at aiii.'li' nl iiinulli. Cnvrrliiu' nl' I ill iiiiiulnil m i-!i
pli'i'i'H. liiiHT lati'ral (law I'lilarKoil. Tarsus Miiti'llal,' in fripiil . hrfihrmhi S.17
Kyi'llilH siiiiiili' l.iiiiu' iahTal i nsis Hill ,'xlri'im'ly lii;;li ami thin. i'iiliiii!ii wiili tw.irarv,-s. iipisT
iiianililil,) ^riiiivcil, iiiMirrsiinHitli. A riiw'tli' al aii;,'li'i>t' iiiniilli. i;iivcrliii(i>ri>ill in aiUuiliii 7 pi, h.
Itiiii'r liilcnil I'law riilai-k'i'il. Tarsus vulillali' in Iriuit . . I.timlit ;)38
KyuUilH Hiuiplu. Uitvrul (-rcslH. Hill nitli a iluciiluiiiiH liurii al liasi- nf U|>|>i'r mumlib'U. Nu ruMilto
m
systi:m.i tic syxopsis -- v Ycoi'ohi'.s.
Ni'lllii'r iiiiiiiilililu ^'riuivi'l. <'.j\i'rlii!; I't Mil iii'miIIi'iI Iii '.> |i|irui<. Inner latvrnl cinw nurnial
Tai>iii« M'uirllali* In hoiit . . 1 1 ratin-fthni 'Xi'J
Kvillil- >iiiiiilr. Vurlniihly iii».l«il. Hill "f liulHtiTiniii.ih' »Iiiiik;, viirloun imrlii inoulti'il in 1-7 iiliriii.
No siifl i(ii«ctli>. Inm T . Ia« ii"iiii:il. Tiirciiit nllinlalr Siiiiiirliiiinhm 31ii
Kyili'ls niiupli'. Noi croii'il '.' Hill iiiiitv: n|>|K.'i' niamiihlu Atrlali': no moult nf liill kmiun. Nn
iHwIli'. Inmr cliiw Miirnml. Taixiii' ivilriil.iit: /'Iiiilifrliumjiliiif ;ill
Al.<'lN I . Nojiiiils Ml II' i>r i'.'.-o. iimi|.lt tily IimiIhti'iI. Hill of vmiiililr hliiipo, iih far ii» kiinwn not
iippc iiilau'i'cl u'.ili ili'i'iiluonh I'ltnu'nlK. tlra<l ho! irchtcil itMcpt onu p|ivl'1('ii). 8rui><>nal cliungiK of
liiiiniau'c ii»uiilly uiarKril.
liill rloii^alr, nioir or li^w nioiilir, willioot Tirllial crooM'x.
NoKlrih iK-ariy I'iri'iilar, ini'oni|ili'l('ly fcallu'ri'il. Illll Hlmrt ami .xtoiit for tliln i;ronp. TarHUs
HI ari'i-ly roll, prt'Mi'il, M'lili'llair ill front !//< '^\'i
NoHirilH liroailly oval. Iiiioinpli'icly ffatlirriMl. Hill niiir'i i'oni|irt"'M'i|. Tail ni'iirly c-vi.'ii. TiirMii
L-Mruiiifly I'oiiipiciwil, N •■Hall' 111 front ami liilrniilly SiiiilhHI:ii-h:iiiii>hn» 34:i
}<oKtrll.'< oval. IVatlii'i'i'il. Hill virv miall, ►liii'ifr, ariiic. TarKii" riliiiilali' . .Ilrm liurliiiiiiiiliin :ill
No^trilK narrow, fcallirreil Hill al>oiii i',|iial to lai»u>'. TarKiis ri'tlriilati' Irin 3t'i
Noririli* narrow. ,||.|i>.>ly f, iiliiml. Hiil ion.-iT tlian tarMiit. '{'arniis Miiii'llali) In Ironi Aowiiu :Hi;
Hiii I'loii^atc. Ntoiit, liiuli, narrow, virtiially uroovcil. No»trli» liin'ai . il'iiMly fualiirrcil.
\Viin!« fully ili'n|o|Kil. Ill lor liitflil llniiimiUi M'
Willi's n-lini-.l in i.i/.i-, until for lllKlit . .U,n 'M*
Olii4. Many aiMliioiial cliarat trix of llasi' riMnarkaMi' Kciicra arr liivcn iiii:!i;!' tlii.'lr r('i>|Hu'llvi' ijit.
w
jji;^
76. Subfamily PHALERIDINiC: Parrot Auks, etc.
C'liiirartcfs a.-* alinvr. 'I'liis siiltfainily ciiiilaiiiM a luitnlpcr nt' ciiiinit^ liiiil.-^ nf tlic AuU
family J'i'i' w'lirli llirrr i.s im .•."m^lc F,in;li>li iiaiiic. With niic cxciiitiiiii (tliai nf ilii- ('iiiiii:iiiii
I'ltlliii III' .S'a I'aiTiii III' till' Atlaiilii') all art' ciiiititii'il tn N'lirtii I'acilir ami i'nhii' vvalri>.
Without known rxci'ptioii (litil i|ii. I'ti/iliorlKiiiijiliitu .') all thi'Sf liinls have tin- hill a|.|ii'!iiliit.'<'<l
with ilfciihiotis i'li'iii('iit!<, whii'li is not ihi' casr with tin' Ahiiitr iii'Mpcr : hiil thf MihCainily i>
iml very .sliar|ily ili.'^iiiitrirt.-^hi ,1 IVinii .. i /<•/((«■, mu-Ii fnrtn.s a,". I'li/rli(iiii'iiiii>liiin ami Allr htiiiy
•'iiiitH'cliiii; links. 'I'li;' j;cii<ia Frtilmitln ami Liitidii arc toiri'thcr ^n ilitli'i'riit frmn the r«•^t
that M'liir iiiitliiifs M'|iat'ali' thnii as a family Murimiiiidif ; hut thi.-i si'ciiih srarrrly aiivisahh".
337. KKATKU'CrLA. (Dimiii. i>i J'ltilir, ii hiiithiT : what a|iiilii'atii>ii ?) Si;,\ I'.vitiioTK.
Ma»KIN<' I'll tins: the t,'r<jt('^c|iii' hill lifiiiiT likcnt'il to thr rcimir mask of ri'vcllcrs at a
cartiiva!, ainl 1h'-
iiijr II" i' wrri' put
oil for thr iittjilial
f(';itivilii s, ami af-
Icrwanl nimivid.
Mill alioiil as Imiu'
us lirail, ahoilt as
IukIi as Ions,'.
cxlrciiirly roin-
jirt'ssiil, \v it h
licHily vrrlii'al
hiilcH, its lateral
|irotili' soiiii'whal
t riaitiriilar, itn
ili'|itli at liiiKc
Fin. B.T.1 — Ifc'iil of Sea rorroi (/■' (irr/iV.ii, iiat. i^ir.e i Ail nat ilil. i: <'.) {'(iii.il to that of
thi'licail; fiiltiini hcuinnittir mi a Icvil with tin' forilnail, thi'iii'i rnrviiii: ilowiiwar.l wit!i rr^iilat
(•oiivi'.\ity to tin'ovi'rliatii.'iiiL' ii|', its riiltre sharp ami tmhrokcii tliioiiixlioiit : ('oinmissiitr straight
iiiitl horizontal to the il.'i'iirvi-il tip; coiiys sharp, a.sn'mliiit.', ir«'iitly siiiiioiis. 'I'lrmimil |MirtioiiH
of hoth iiiaiiilihh's h.iiil. hnriiv, ami pri'si>ti'iit, iliprrssi'il with srvcral iil,rti|ii<' riirviil uroovi's,
fdiivcx forward. Ha.^al portion ot iip|M'r mamlihlc formini; a luirrow ohtusc-iiiigh' i triaiijjiilar
AJ.cin.i: - ruM.i.iiihiwK: rrriixs.
SOI
ml
inn 3u'.i
■in.
/(».. 311)
N..
.'Ill
Hot
i.f
US
;h:i
/•■
ait
ill
34.-.
III
34i;
'*
.117
M
M-
airace, <.r imwil f..sHa, iir- .-Ihxt 1,a«e horizontal, iti. 1..,,;. >i,i..,. riMi.j: »,..! ,|..,,„,k l.;..-kwanl
to iiici-t at an a.-uw aiiu'l. al l.a«r nf .■iiIiimmi ; tiiv lin-ar u..>UxU li..ri/,.utal, .-I.-m, i.. .•,.n.-
n.i^Miii-at l.as thi.s .s|,a,v. wl.irl, i„ w iiitrr in i.ak. ,1 ai„l iiuii.l.ran...,,. in .siiininrr .-..v.nil
with u cymiu.'lrii'al h..niy •• Ha.i.ii.." Kh.-all.iui; ih. ua.«all,«>a : willi a l..i>«l raiw.l •• n.llar "
siirmiin.liiii,' l.a.s.- ..f iipi....' inan.iiMr, tl,i.,M«l; i r..ii.> p. if..rati..nr. ..f whi.-h prniniiir ni.ii-
lii.iitary fiatii.rs; wilh a xiiiall nanuw lioii/,,nlal li. riiy >trii. nti .•arii si.jr l„ |.,w ii..>iril.«;
with usnally. alx., a lont;, luiircw, ..l,li,,ii,|y v.rti.'al Mri|. l...iMi.iiiii: thr triaiiu'iiiar s^wv
uuliri.ir. Ilasal pcirtioii .,|' nmhr nian<lil>l< nliacli-.l an<l iii.ihliraii..i|. in w ini.r. in muimiuit
with a syniinilriral h..rny •• xiior " wlii.li rarii.r. tlir linr ..l' li,.' u..ny> .i..w nwani an.! l.a.l<Har.|
to a point, ami a narrow liorny slrip ajoni; l-a.-r. ThfHf .U'riaiioan .liinrnls ilm.- t..rinini;
tlircc ?*yniinrlricMl |ii •-.. .siinonn.linu llii- hill, ami liir r two pairs of latrnil pir.-o : in all.
It or 7 pieces ('.I in inriiai an<l ijhui>tlis, 7 in inniiviiluto) wliirli ar.- r.-t'nlarly inonlti.l.
An::!'' of inontli willi a lositti' of nalicil skin, frslooncil In >ntnin.r. >lirnnkiii in winter.
Kyeli.ls surnioMiite.l atiovc l.y a lriani.'iilar. ol.lii>r or aetiic, Ih low hy a horizontal, h'imtliene.l.
rallo.Hity. No rre.-tM on Inail. hut a furrow in pliini:i:;i iH-hinil eye. \Viin,'> nov |H'iMiliar.
Tail nnimlei!, Init eentral leather." shorter than the next, rontaine.l alMint ij tMi..s in lein^th
iif vvini;, Hl-leathered. Tarsus very short, only npial to inner toe without ri.iH. stout, liitli-
eotnpre.HSftl, retieulate exeept for .1 small spare in front, wljich is seutellate. tliit.r toe alnnit
•■•,nal to the iiiiilille ; its elaw shorter than the uti<l<lle elaw, IhiiIi -lightly eiirvi. I. not very
aei.fe, upright ; iniildle claw ililateil on inner i.li;e ; inia'r elaw iiilart.'e<l, nirviil to a s«-nii-
rin-ic, very aente, nsinilly lyiiiir hori/onlal. .S'xe« alike; m'a.xonal eliaiitfeH of phmiaue sliuht,
liuI^M• <-i)iiiieeteil with thi' inoiilt of ihi' hill very yreat. Ku'i; siiiu'li . white or M-are. ly niarkeij,
laiii ill riM-ky i-reviee.s or hiirrowr* in u'roinnl.
Anitlyni* nf Sprciff.
KxiTcMvni'v nr ii|i|K>r rycilhl fiirniliiK n kIi'ImIit aiMitc Iimni llui|{lil of lilll muili (raster than Ivngth nf
<'<.nniilii)iiiri. lllai k nf lliroiit r< miIiIii^' hill ihkhI-iI.i 'Kl
KxiTi'mTMci' of iii'inT I'Vi'llil I'liriiilii;; :ii> lililiiMi (iriK'i'HS Itliirk of lliroat not ri'ih^liliiK Mil
Ciilnirii miMliT.'ilily loiivi'X, Itn ili.ml iiIhiiU ■.'()(); Itn iirc '.•10. Mil iin.lcr I .'«• .I.t'i. .11 Ihum- Wliiu
anili r T.IMI .ir./.. .1 H.-.I
t'uliiK'ii wry i-onvux, ilx rliopt aJHUit 2.40; iin iirc '.MM; lilll over t U> <lw|> »t liom. WliiK * idi or
Mtort. y/fifiii/ix HAS
H53. F. rornletila til. (I. .11 (■(yr)//(((/<(^(, ha\ iiii» a little horn fover the eye). Fii:. .'i.'} J. 1 iliiiiNi:i>
Ma.skino i'n'I'lN. Ailnit ill Hiinmier : Appemlaue of the Mp)M'r eyeliil pr<Mhi<i-.l into a lone,
tileiiiler. aente, upiiuhl Imrti ; that of lower eyiliil linear-ohtiiM-, horizontal. Hill very l.irue,
fspeeialiy l.l'jli foi its lenirth, its hi'ii;ht ahoiit eipial to elionl of enlnien exi-ln.sivi- of the hasal
<iillar, iiMieli greater than lenixth of ^Mpe ; hase of lulinen .iikI point of t,'ony!< Uilh priMJiieeil t ir
ba<-k\varil. ^iviii^ a \ery ennve.\ ontline of fiatherK alon^Kide ihi' hill ; siilis of hill not
diftliiietly iliviileil into niL^al eonipartiiniit and jjriMived portion, nearly !<in<H>th, with only
three short shallow grooves; eulineli very i-onvex, aliiio..t the wM.int of a eirelf; tip of np|HT
inanilihh mneh hooked: rii-tiis sunrt, that |iorlion in .idvanee of the ha'>;il rim of up|M'r niaii-
(lihle only ahoiit aM ioii^ a.s upper niaiidihle Is deep: outline -if L'otiys xiniiate. at firvl eolivex.
then iMori' aHceiiditit.'. with slit,lil eoneavity ; ehord of t>onys im ar!y .1- Iomk as thai of up|M'r
liiaiidihie, exeliisive of the ha.sal rim or eollar. Form otlMrni.M. not iHi-iilmr lU the i;eniiM.
Crown of head ^rayit>!i-hlark. narriiwiiiL' to a point at haw ..f eiiliiieti. ."iitU-* of head wliiUt;
the |h■^tol•ldar furrow and shies .pf lower jaw achy. .\ distiiiet nnn^'vr line ■•< while ahmr
clge of fore-arm. Kntire upper partn .',;lossy him Idaek ; a WH.tii r shade i.f Idaek • nrirehutf
the fori'. neck, .•Uliniliu forward on throat to hill. Other uiid>r parts while, exo-pt a few
ehumated hlacki.-h feathers ou wdeH if tlaiikr^^. laniiit; ■•( witiifs jMarly-iwh. Hill mtireiy
Veriiiilioii-red. even the ' isal Cidllir : edires ..f eyehd* red; eicre«i-eni-«'S of eyelidn Idllish-
^nly ; iriH hrown
fell onitiue riij. the weh- lintfeii with Vermilion: elaW!" hrownirh-hlaek :
rwctte of mouth hriu'ht yelhiw-orHntfe. I*enj.'th U.:V»: extent it.tH; wiuu J.i.'i : tail :i.7»:
hi
802
SYSTKMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — VYUOPODES.
turousl.lO; iniildli' toe; and claw 2.0U ; outer do. l.'JU; iiiticr do. 1.35; chord uf ciilinon 2.00;
curvf i.i'.t \ Ka|pc, friiiii liasal collar to (iii, l.:iO; diord of j^ouyH 1.7j ; depth <.f bill at h»»p
l.SU; fjrfalc-ht widih 0.(10; iio,->lril O.IU; horn over eye 0.35. lit wif*">-: The moult of the
bill not known ; NU|iiiosed with i,'ood reason to siied 3 Hyininetrical pieces and two pairs of
pieces, in all 7, namely, the collar at ha.se of upper nuiudihie ; the Maddle of nasal fossa ;
the shoe of under niandilde ; the pair of suh-nasal strips ; the pair of nuindihular strips ; if so,
all the same as in /•'. (intiai, excepting' the pre-nasal strijis. The proces.ses of the eyelids
full; the colored rinn round eye pales; the rosette of mouth shrivels and pales; feet yellow;
the denuded mendiranoiis part of hill doubtless blackish. In any state, the species is easily
recognized by extension at the black collar to the bill. N. Pacific, both coasts, and adjoining
pidar seas ; not known in N. Atlantic ; S. to .Sitka at least. Kconomy in all respects* that
of the better known sjiecies. The single egg seen is dead white, rough, 2.75 X 1-75.
854. F. urc'tlert. (Lat. arclica, arctic. Fig. 533.) Com.mi).n I't kkin. Sk.\ I'ahkot. Ailult in
summer: Appendage of up|M'r eye-
lid upright, obtusely triangular;
of lower eyelid linear, obtuse, hori-
zontal. Itill moderately i.irge, with
moderate convexity of culmeii, its
height less than chord of eulin(>n,
Hull more than from posterior bor-
der of nostril to tip; ba.se of cul-
ineii anil point of gonys not pro-
duced far backward, leavin:: hut
nioderetely convex outline of feath-
ers along side of bill' sides of bill
distinctly divide into an anterior,
hard, horny, deeply grooveil por-
tion, diH'erently colored from the
8inooth basal portion; rictus long,
that portion in advance of the bas;>l
rim of upper nuindible much longer
than upper miinilible is deep ; out-
liia- of uniler mandible n'uularly
curved from base to tip; chord of
goiiys much shorter than that of
culmcn. Crown of head grayish-
hlacl', sharply detined against color
of HUleti of iiead, separated by a
slight ashy cervical coi;..r fi.im the
dark cnhn- of the upper parts. .Sides
of head, with ehili and throat, asliy-
wliite, nearly while beiween e' es and hill, with a dirk ashy patch on sitb- of throat. I'pper
|>aris flossy blue-black, coniintioUH with a broad collar around the neck in front, not extending
to the hill. \ narrow line of while aloiiii l.ordi r ot for.-arm. I'nder parts from the lu'ck
luue while, the long feathers ..f the sides ami Hanks blackish. I'nder surface of wings pearly-
gniy; inner webs of priinarie- and secondaries grayish -brown, the iihafts hniwu, willi bhn-k
pnds and whitish bases. In.- bro« ii. Kyidids vermilion-red. the excrescences grayishblue.
na.-.id roll.ir of bill .iiid tif-t ridge dull yellowish ; nasal sadilh and corresponding shoe of hiwer
mandible grayish -bliii' ; rest of bill vermilion-red, the tip of the lower nnindible ami two ter-
iiiiiial grooves often yellowish; I'wiie of month orange-yellow ; feel coiul or ViTmilion-red :
I'K.ri.ll I.i'fi, iioi I I'lilIlM ; rluhl, Tiirit'il I'liflln. iMriiwM
by li W. Ullliill. Kr.iiii llitriivr llmtlr i».|
.d*^V
ALCIUJE — rilALEliWlS.i: . rCFI-I^iS.
803
claws blaoli. Lonpth 13.50; cxtrnt il.Ou; wiuu; 0.30; tail 2.23; tar»u« 1.00; mi.l.ilo t..c
alouu 1.10, its claw 0.10; outer do. 1.10. it* daw ii.30; iun.r .io. l.OO. it.- rlaw 0.10 (it.n lionl
— the curve inoro) ; clu.rd of culmen 2.00, itsi arc 2.10. tlu- onliiiatf O.lio ; .l.ptl. of oill Mo;
paiic 1.23 ; ffoiiys 1.43 ; prciitc.^t wiiltli of l.ill (at las.- of n,,..tnl!.) O.Co ; i,.,Mrils 0.:i3. 9 ;,\ -
era^iiiuf li'HM than ^. In winter : No colorcil vm
iiK nor a|>iK'n.la(;i'.s (,f cjclids. IJosctn- of
inoiitli shrunken and piih-. Fei-t orantre, not riU. Face hhiokUh around ,.y,., the uNhy-whit..
ohscureil with dusky. Masai |iarla of hill nuMnl.ranous and Idackis-li, and wholf hax' ..f l,iil
contracted, tiic [i-lnt of tin- ^onys cut oil', 'the foll,.uini.' iiincs lia\.' Ihm n .-ht d : I, t!ir ha.sil
rim or ccdlar ; 2, the na»al case or saddle ; 3, the I'luudihular
CUM' or Slloe
tile Mr
base of inaiidil)le, one on each side; (i, 7, ilie suhnasal slri|iS, oi n each si.lr ; •«. '.•, tl
nasa
1 stri|
Ks, one on
each side (li symnietrieal |iieee.s :t jiaired |.i.ees. 'J in all). Yi
1 1 IN at
■ |.re-
fall and winter: Iteseuihle the ailults in wiiitrr, hut liiU ^till
jdmnaye is tlie same, with hiackish face. Tiiis loni,' k< jit u> in i^'norance of tin
lunt;, lirst
Weaker and less developed ; the
>ull .if the
bill, the aihilt.s in winter beini; initilaken for vouni; birds hv all author> till It
iireau exiilai
tlie case, inhahils the coasts and i>lands of the N. All,
intic
hreedii
Id.,
ned
Nolllllrril
Cireeniami, l<ahrador, Newfouudhind and S. to \V,\\ nf Fuudv ; r;
ire in the N. I'ai-ilic (I'alhi.s),
where chielly replaced by /•'. corniailiild ; replaceil on n>o>t of the Kuropeali coast by a snialle
weaker-billed variety, and in I'oiar ."^eas hy tin' iarircr sti.uter-hilhd /■'. iilnciiilis In wiutrr,
ranging or I'.riveu soutli irregularly aioui,' nio.-t of the l". S. ; not regular hryiMul Nrw F.nulaiid.
The inoult of the hill as well ii8 of the pluuuige <KTUr» in August and Septemh. r, when the
birds are unable to lly for a |perioil, and many i<rri>h if caut;ht at .sea in .-loniis at this time.
Nest hy thousands on coast.s and i.-laud>, liiir'ouini; in the ltomiiiI like rahl>it>. to arm's lent.''h
or more. The singh* egg is laiil late in .luiie and in July, on a slight grassy nest i<l the end <>f
the burrow ; in shape rouiuled ovate, with greatest diameter nearly at the middle; averaee sizr
2.50 X lw3 ; siull urauular, white or hrownish-'vhiti-, colorless or marked with <
spots, dots, aiul scratches of pale ]iMrpli.-.li, sometimes willi a few spla:
I with hiackish down, whitish helow from
bro
Nesll
ing.^ are coverei
H,'i.5. K. tt. Kbiela'llii. (Lat. ghdalin, icy.) l.,.\l(iiK-ltll.l.Kl> PfKKlX.
!•'. (ircliv(l ; si/e urraler, ihe hill esprcially lari,'ir. and dilferiiitly
.h.s
of
the
hr
i^l
)ec
h\\n
p...
h>o|i le
pale yillowisli-
east.
itic character of
I. Protuberance'
of U|iiH'r eyelid higher and sharper. Kill very deep, rising high on forehrad, with viry convi^x
riihuen, dropjiing nearly |icrpendicularly at end. Four gixMives of upper anil ihriT of Ihwit,
distinct; gonys (piile convex Length 14.30; extent 20.00; wing 7,23; tail 2.25; tarMis
1.20; middle toe and claw l.'.Ml, outer do. l.'.tO, inner do. 1.13; ehonl of <'ulmeu 2.40, its arc
2.00, the (irdiuatc 0.45; depth of hill at base 1.70; uajM' 1..30; gonys 1.00; greatest width
of bill 0.05; imsal slit 0.45. I'olar Seas: Spit/heri.'<n : N. (Jreruland. Sol authentic as
occiu'riug in the U, .S. The s<vi.sonal changes are in all respects the siune
!•'. inrlicii.
th'
i.f
338. M'N 1>A. (Vox barb.) TlFTKli M.\sKI\<! I'lKflX. (ieneric character of /•Vn<crcM/ri, ex-
cepting crest, eyelids, and delalis of hill. A long tuft i>f feathers on <'ach side of head. Kye-
lidH imt appendaged. Nostrils very sm.ill. limai', mari;!ii:il. Tpper mandible dividfd inti
distinct but not dith'renlly colored compartt
ruts; its base with a deciduous raised rim or
lar, perforated for the pa.ssagc of feathers as in Fralrrciilii, but this ndhir not so pnimiuent,
and the deciduous snuMiih basal saddle not so .li,iiiieily M-paratfd from »lu' ridt'cd part of the
bill beyond, where are three well uuirkcil, widily separalcl ciirvnl irri»>ves. conc-ave forward
(the reverse of Fniti-rcula). Culineii arched in two separat<> curv.s, the basal oni' suniiounled
by a prominent wiih'tied ridu'c-pole. endiiiir abruptly, thr tirrniual one sharp, stronirly eonvrx
t') the hooked tip of the hill. Lower ni:indihle with, the >id.s |Hrf.-clly sueHilh tliroUL'hout. th-
limt dcwendinif, then roundini: upward and thence alsiut straiirht to tip of
lutlhio (if gonys at
bill : the bi
,{ lie
idihte with a narr.>w di<i.luoUH Ik rder ; ordinarily no evidiiire ol
f tie
cxisteiice of the deciduou* bIuh.' o
f the lower nMndible. The j-.trts of the bill iiiouIIimI are the
,
804
SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — J' YGOl'oUES
biiwil ciillnr, tlio numtl i>ad(ll(> iiml piiir of Biibnu.xul strips; tliu iiiuiulilxilar rIioo niid bai*al Atrip;
tlirc't' lilr^<' syiiiiiii'triL'iii piirrs ami twn pairs >il small lateral picrrs, in all seven, ('i'lius as in
y. arcticti, laeUiu^ only the pair of pronasul strips ; tliiis exactly us supjMweil tu lie the vnsv in
/■'. corniculata. The losit of the |iieces of .hi; iip|)er niantlihle niaki-s the muiie ilitference in the
hill as occurs in F, ardica ; but the moult of the umudibulur shoo eifects less chunf;e in the
appearance of the hill).
H&O. L. clrra'ttt. (I^at. c(n«/rt, havini: curly loeks. Fii;s. ,")IU, 5;)ri.) Ti;ftei> I'fFKlN. Adult
iu Huniincr: CreHts about 1 inches lon^, Htruw-yellow, some of the ]»isterior feathers hlacU at
liMse ; the>e bundles i>f >ilky, i;lossy
feathin) with very delicate shaftK and
lotisened webs; they ehielly ^prllllt
friim what corresponds to the furrow
in the plumaue of /•'. orrlirii. I'ace
white, broadly of this color on sidex
• if '"ad to iH'yond eyes (as far as the
crest>), u:irri>wly across forehead and
chin, the bill bcint; thu.H entirely : iir-
rouiiiled by white. Crown between
the crests, anil entire u|iper parts,
••xeeplini; the extreme forehead and
'^ n line aloui; the forearm, ({lossy blue-
^ black. Kntire umler parts, exct'ptini;
Fio 63a.-niIlofj/oi.H(;Tuflo.lI'umn,nai Klze extr. me chin, and includin.^' sides ..f
hind head and Hides of neck, wooly brownish-black, inon- (jrayish on the belly, the lininit of
wintis smoky-(;ray, the under tiid-coverls ipiite blai-k. \ViuL'> and tail black, their inner
webs brownish-black, tie shaft of the tir.-t primary whitish imderneath near base. Kill, feet,
and «'ye-nii>5 vcnnilioii-rcil ; tho basal parts of the bill wlu u about to desi|uaiiiate showini;
more yellowish or einnuel color, or even showini; the livid cidor of thi' sulijacent membrane.
llt)t*ctto of uiouth yellow. C'luwb black. Lyes " browui.sh-yenow." Len^,'th lu.OO-Ui.UO;
Flo. KM. Ilorn-blUwl Auk, »>lult In mmnuT, nat. sl^c. (Kr.)iii Kll|i)l )
extent 27.00; whiK 7.7'i ; tail 2.75 ; tarsus 1.30; middh' i.k> 2.00, its clawO.,'iO; outer do. 1.80,
its claw 0.40; inner do. I.'i.-), its daw 0.50 ; greatest depth of bill l.'.M); urealest width n.'.K);
chord of .idm. n i.W, of which the terminal part is 1.10; ira|M' almiit l.'.»0; pmys l.flO; ureatest
<loi>f!i of i.pper mandible 1.15 ; nostrils 0.-25. .\dult iu winter : Fluinat'e ns i'l summer ; crests
retaiueil : iris "pale blue." liasjil part of bill dark-colored, without tlu< iibove-nuined deciduous
ALCIJKK I'llALEUnnS.K: AUKS.
MOrt
pirroR ; tho rhiiniic in iipixT inaiKlililc is cl.ci.lccl, as in /•'. arclirn, l.iit ihr tlifT.rcnrr In tin-
lower inaiKlil.l.' is cnniparativcly sli^lit. In l.iids ..f ili.. lirst .-iirini; tli.- t.Tiniiiai i".rlinii ,,f \Uv
bill may U- siiiix.tli. iil«' tlir nn.ic r maii.lil.lr, ami tlir liill and feet ratlicr Mianuf-rr,! tliau v.r-
miliiin ; at lliis time liii- fan- \vliit(ii> ami tiic rrcsis spriMit. Ymiiiu: Nocrrsis, ami im wliiii'
alxmt till- lace.
Till' Mil likr t|,;lt
"f till- ailiills ill
winter after the
niiiiilt, haililint
witli >ortilark-.'.i|-
iireii sl»in at lla^•(',
lint every way
snialli.r, weaker,
nml i|nite mi th
( '• Siiiimntiirliniit
hithtiini," til.', .i.'tj,!
nml, like the feet,
Km .MT. — ll.irii-liillcil Aiik, adiill III winliT, ii:it. >i/.i-. (Ki..iii t'.lil.itt.l nlher VrllnW
orniiRP than nil ; the |i|nMiai.'e entirely hlaekisli almve, snntyhrown helnw, the feathers <>{ i)ie
belly iinil llaliks whitish at the hase: iris hrnwn. Ciasts ami Islands cif liir N. I'aiilie, S. in
winter on the Aniericau side to (':ilifornia ; nf easnal 'leeiirreii n the Atlaniir Coast lo Niw
EnfjIiiUil. (leneral IniliitH and eennoniy of the eoinimm |iiitlin ; nestint; similar. K^'u sintiie,
roii;;li, dead-white, lint showinir, liesides frecnient discoloraticiiis, ohsolete shell-iiiarkiiiL's >'(
pale ]inr|p|islii;ray ; size from ^.ti.") to ■i.s.'i, \>\ l.'.l:.' to -^.Od ; hroailer and more cajiarioiis than
that of /''. coniidiliilii, thoiiiih no loniier.
339. C'KUATOItlirXA. ((Jr. ic/jKif. niimTot. I.rni^: Lriiiliis. a horn : ^'r, /kciIv. /iri',-.', /in/m.i, the
nose.) lilllNix I'.ltos Al'KS. Helaled to /y((»l(/(l and /■V((/fRl(/<I ; no lieeiiliarily of eyelids or
inner elavv; hill siikhiiIi;
base of njiper inandihie
with it lar){i n|>rii;ht
born, and under mandi-
ble with an aeeessory
borny pieee lyiiitr he-
tween its rami ; this
pieee iind the horn deeid-
mms, when bii.se of up-
per mandible eovered
with a noft cere. Kill
gliortcr than head, HtoUt, *"><'• •'>;'*'• - lloni-t.lll.Hl .\nV, ym\ie. imt.Kii'.i'. (Fphii lUllDt.)
deep at base, nineli coinpri-.s.sed a:id rapidly taperini; to aeiite deenrved tip. sidss erect. sniiHith,
oiilmeii very eoiivex. >;ape gently eiirvrd. coiiys nearly straight, with aimle at symphysis.
Nostrils short, linear, siibbasnl, iiiaririmil, iinpervioiis, at b;i.se of the hum or e.ere. Two
Heries, jiostoenlar and niaxill.iry, of h'tiLMhemd, siraidit, stitli-h lam-e-aeiite white feathers on
eaidi side of head. (Jemr.il forni of Fnilnruhi. Size larire. One sjieeies.
857. O. liionoeoni'tu. ((!r. jiiW. woxos-, only. siiiL'le ; Kt fias, hrni, h,<rn. l'ii;s. .Vifi. .Vl*. ■')''l''.)
rvirouK Al'K. llni{N-iiii,i. AiK. Adults in slimmer : IJil! oriint:e-yeUow. Cnlinei 1
base of niiper mandilde diisky : feel some yellow eolor. the tarsi behind and the sob'H blaekisli ;
«daws blaek. The sharp fe.ithers of the head white, ahoiil an imli lonir. Kntire iip).er partu
jrlossy blm-blaek: ,i line of white ahuii.' ediie of foii arm. Sid. s of head and ne.d<, ..f ImmIv
ttbuig under ihu wings, with ehin, throat, and fore-lnvast. elear ^rayish-ash, or pale bhiish-
m
I
"
800
SYSTEMATIC SYSol'SIS. - PY(i01'(U)i:S.
\ t
if
j^iy ; uiidnr \iwe\n fnnii tin' liri'iixt piiri' wliilc, Klunlint; iiiwnciMy iiili> \\w (•nlor of tht> k'hIcm imil
lliiiikN. Iiiiirr wrliM iif Willi;- ami tiiil-riatliiTH i;rayi^li-l>i'<>\vii, palrr tovvanl liaHr, tlii< HiniflM of
till' |iriiiiiirirN iliill wliitiitli at liiiw. Li'iiKtIi I.')..'i0; i-xli>iit 2<1.<M>; wiiii; 7.:2'>: tail i^.TiO; tarxim
Ud; iiiiililii' tnr ami riaw l.sri ; iiuIit iln. 1.7(1; iiniiT il<i. I. Id; rlinnl nf ciiliiii'ii witlmiit Imrii
I. Ill), with liiirii I. Ml; t-''M"' ^'''"" > ■■■"^(■'il In ti|i nf ii<irn ll.7'> '• total ilrjilli uf liill, iiii'liiilini; liorii,
l.x''i. Inwintrr: IMiiiiiaKi' tin- sniiir ; iris wliiti' ; im Imrii imr a ssnry |>irt'i' iimli'i- tlii' liill,
llirsi' liriiii; xlicil ; plai'i' uf Imrii i>c<'ii|iii'il liy a xnl't ihirh-rnlnri'il liaNrliiriit iiiniiliiaii)' i>r rrri'
(" SiujiHiiloihinn niicklri/i," V'm. t)'.\7). Vmiii): : Hill like timt of iuIiiIih in wiulrr, lai'liiiin
Imrn, Imt rvrry wjiy wrakcr, lianlly iiicm' tliaii lialf as larur. Mnstly ilai'li-i'iilnii'il. No >\|iiti>
Iratlicrs nil siilr nf licail. Wliilt' nf iniilvr |iari.s nvrrlaiil ami iiiai'lilctl with ilaik-^ray i'IhIn nf
till' fi'iillHTs ; lilai'k nf ii|ijM'r imrtH limwiiisli. 'I'lif lirnl n|iriin» tin- Imrn KmwH, the luvt'Hxnry
|iit'i'i' (lt'vrln|i'», ami tin' [ilniiiai;!' rlcarn ii|), NtsiliinfM ap' cnvciiil witli siiiciky-limwii dnwii.
Itntli nia.stM ami islamls nf N. I'ai-ilii-, In hnwrr Calirnriiia ami •la|ian ; imt H|iri'ially arrtio;
I', t;-. l>r<'*'<l-< nil till' rarallnm' Nlamls.
340. MI^IOIlllYNTimS. ((Jr. irift.'ir. siiimn, Minliiinsi'il ; I'n'ryx'"^' firiiiii-ht-i, licak.) Sni'II-Miinko
Al KN. Of iiinilrrati' ami very small .-izi', ainl slnrUv -.jiaii' llrail usually cri'sli'il nr willi
pi'rnliar fciktliiTs. Hill nf imli'liTininat*' Hlia|H>, ililfrriiit; willi I'lu-li H|N<fi<>M, fiiriiiHiii'tl willi ii
varying iiiiiiil»'r nf clrciclumis Imriiy cliiiii'iils. Nnsiril-* I'lilirrly iinfi'atlicn'd. Wines ;iiii| tail
nnlinary. FitI sinall; tarsi slmitrr lliaii iiiiiklli' \i»\ rtitinly iitii'iilati'; t<H's Iniii;, iiiiiliilr anil
niitiT nf aliniit t'i|iial li'iiKllis, claw of the fnrim-r Iniiiii'st ; iniirr claw icachiiiu hasc nf micMli' ;
all I'lirvcil ami cniii|irrssi'i|. l-'mir s|M'«'irs, very ilistinci ; ihr i|iicci'<'st liltlc auks in llir s»nili|.
KjicIi has Im'I'ii iiiailc ly|M< nf a ui'iiiis ; .S'. iinillnriiliis ililfcrs iimn' frniii llic rcsl than ihrsi ilii
IVniii niic aiinilnr, ami iiMi:ht staml a|i:ict as a uriiiis ( I'linlfii^). ihr nlhcrs hciiiij rali'il as siili-
^I'lina {Simiirhi/Hclius |Mo|icr, 'I'l/lorhniiiiihiis, aiul Cirriiiiiiii).
.'Iii'i/f/ajii t[/' ,s'yii<if«
l'|i|iiir iiiiiihIIIiI" "viil, I'lniT muiiilllilo riilciiio, rlrtiiii<-iirr<xl ii|iwiiril No itpM i.rh<slrrin) , iifilliinilut KW
lT|i|i<'r tiiiiiiilllili' IrluiiKiiliir, inmi olnilulil. rtrliiM lii>rliulitill, nlhiiiili'
A li'iiK fi'iiiliil rrnsl. ti|, linn hht fniwiiril.
mil' wiliii nf wiilli' fiMitliiirn "II I'fti'li uliji' nf lii'iiil (SimcWivii. /iin iiiM|»>r) rrMotrllu* Will
Mnl" llinil mill wrii'll nf wll'ln li'rllllrrs nil fill li xliji nf lli'ilil ( /l(i"i'i'IHI/i//um .... iiliiimitnn MKI
HlinrI Willie liiilr-liknfi'ikllii'rHiiVKr Ilia liiri'lii'ikil; im I ri'Kt ((tr>n>niii| . . , />ii<t//ua Mil
S.^H. **• |»»Mlii'fMlMM. (I,at. itsilliiriihis. a little |>annt. Fii;. tM'.l.) I'miuikji I'.t At K. I'ni-
Nusi;i> Al'K. Hill iiinileiately larije, much ciiiii|iresseil, lieiisely fi'iilhereil fur smiie ilistaiice at
liase, Iml not tn the iinslrils, which are iiarrnwly
nval, nverhiiiii; liy a iirnjectin^' xciile or sliiehi,
which is ili'ciilllnUN. I'rnlile of hill oval; of
n|>|"'r iiiamliMe iiarmwly nval ; ciilnieii i:eiitly
I'nIIVeX, ill I'linate, tnlilial iili;e imire c.'IIMX, iic-
clinule, iiieeliiiu: Hi all ••liliiw tip; Inwer mamli-
lile extrciui'ly sleiiiler, falcate, ciirveil upwai'il,
with cniicaM' Iniiiia, very cmivex umiys, anil
aciile |Mtinl. Kmnlal feathiTN einhraciiii; ciil-
men Willi u ri'iMiliai , tlieiice ilrnppinu per-
peiiiliciilarly I niiiiiHHiiii' ; tlmsc "ii lower
tiiii'iilihle not reaching ipiili' HI) far; inlerranial
y
Kio. Wn I'nrrmiHct Aiili, nril. kI/i'. ( A<I iinl.ilol.
H W. Klllnll \
the
Ailiilt ; In Hiiniiner with
naoal nailille, niniilieil in nm piece in winter; sha] f hill iml m.-iterially all!-eil, Imwevi r,
space fully featluTeil.
the pif«i' lM'in« mnall ami llallish. Hill vermilion or eoral-reil, usually eiiam. I yel'nw al lip
ami alnuK eilt{«'.'«. Nn curly i n st . n fnrelieail, hut a series nf Iniii; while filamenlmiH featlu rs
frnni lUt cj»i ilowiiwanl iiml hackwanl. Liitiie upper purls, with chin, tlim.it, lin'a»l, ami
MJlh.K I'llM.I lilhlS.K MhS.
,sn7
KM I
MKI
Mil
llaiikH H.M,iy l.r..\viii-.li-li|.i.li. tniyrr Im|..w tliali hIm.v.' ; ntlirr iiii.l.r |Mrt« wMl.. ; linini; .,f
wiiijfs .link. Km .lull mv.tiisli ,,i y.ll..vu>l,. ,|.,rl<.r ImIiIm.! .m.l l« l,m-. I., nmli iil t '.l.iMt;
Mini; .-|.Ht-.-,.7.-, : |:iil I.:,:,; i;,r.iis iil.,Mit I.IMI; i„|,|,||,. I,,.. ,i|..ii.. 1 10; .-hnr.! ..f nilin. ii -r
,i.,uy« (».••.() ; ^,^^H' I.IMI; ,|r|.tli ,.f |„|| (I. i;, ; wi.lll. il.Ho. YmiMi; : N,, u|„|,. liUin. „i.m^ f.alli-
rrx nil li»>iiil ; it wliili' .■•|iii| on lnwrr i-yi-liil; iijiiht
piirlF) as lirfiiri', iiiiilcr jiartH wliih', maililnl aiiil
lliiilflnl with (liiMliy i'IiiIm of llii' l'iallirr><. N,
Paritir ami (Hilar Nt'af, liiijlily ari'lic, a|i|iari'iitly
iml rniniiii; iiiiirli hihiiIi. 'I'liix i|iiMilitly lirald i|
Mill rcMirls III clitl!* ami rraits 1" lirrril, l.ijiiiL; Us
Kiiii;li' i-i;i; il(<i>|i in ili« ravitii-H nf tlw iiiuhi iiiai'-
rrssilili' riM'Us iivrrliaiiL'iiii! tilt' si'ik ; it rcm'tnlilrx
u small iiarriivv ln'ii's i m>, ImImi; wliilr, variniisjy
ibiili'il ami ilisniliiri'il, iiiiiiiiti ly iriaiiiilar ami rmii'li
Im llir I li. ■.•.:.'.'i III i.Xi liint.' liy \A't In I. .Ml.
N.'VO. M. <TlHliil<>riHii. (Lai. nittiili'llus, ilimiii. >>(
crhliilits. i-ri-*\vi\. Kii;s, ,"i|ii, .iH, 'il-'.) t'lti sii:i>
AiK. SNrii-Niisi;i> .\iK. Ilill riiml.iiiiciiially
Hiiiall ami Hiin|i|i>, coiiiiiniKNi'il-i'iniii-, with rniivi'x
rilliiirii ami liltlr siiinati' linri/iilital niiiiiiii'isiiii' ;
|»ilt ill till' lirrrililii; sfasnii ili'Vr|ii|iilli; NCVrral
rnnii'iHis a|i|H>iiilai;i's, wliirli jilliT its Hliii|if (jn-ai
ly, iiialii' il Hiiimilaily irnu'ilai', ami iiiiHlily rvin
llii' iiiitliiH' iif lilt' f'lallifis at its liaw. 'I'licsr
u<'i'i'i<Nnry piiM'i'H an- : ii iiaxiil |ilal)-. lilliiit; tli<<
nasal fiis.K.i, Ni'|iaral)' rrniii its frllnw i>( llir n|i|iii-
hIIi' siili' : a siiliiia.sal >tii|i |irii|iiiii;i'il mi tin- ciilliiit;
i"<li.'<' "it ill" ii|i|H-i- iii.iiiiliMrs liai'kwanl iViiiii ll-c imslrilsi a riisrllc-lil<i' |ilal<' at liasr nf ii|i|M'r
liiamlllili' JMHt nviT aiiulr nl' till iiioiiih ; a lari;>' slmi' nicasiiiu tlu' |<nstiriiir |uirt n(' tin- iiihIit
iiiaiiililili' : ill)* latlrr siiiiili', tlif ntliiT lliriT |ii s in (uiirs, iiiakiiiu m-viii in it!l wliirli an>
inniilli'il: all tlir-i' rli'imiiN vi'miilmii nr rm.il ml : I'liil nf llit- liill riiaiiirl-yi'll<'» ( lli fnii'
niM|uiiiiii; lliisr nnnvtli.s tlic yniiiiu liiril is UimailuH «( iiutlmi-M ; tlic lululi in winiir, aflir
Kill. MO < ri'NiiHl Auk,
W Kllloll I
'Iiii-ih! (.\iI nai ilrl
Kj
Pill .141 — rrwitPil AiikJiKMiimn'r. mil *itf. Kln..'H.' I'nil.'.l .»iik, In "IiiIit iiui 4I»
RluililitiK Ili4'ni, is liiihiiis.) A lirannrnl .n-sl ,if I »-.•" -I. n.l. i H%tiliir> sfniiiuiiii: fmin ili.fnn-
hr«.|. nirliiit; nvrr fnrvvanl in arr nf a cirrlr In fall cLucfiilly ii|inn it., lull: this >« limi in
Miu'UiNli : a! full Niiirlli ;^liniil .' inWits Imin ; tin- fi-atliirs ari' iml MlaMi. iilnns. l.il hn\>' \\i II
forinr.1 «ilm. ami aiv Inimllfil or iiii|.ai'tr.l tnirfthir. ..»i«i», t • l» Wi<|"M' aivi.r«<-i -'f llm
ii
mn
SYSTKMA TIC SY\(WSIS. — l'Y(i(H'01)KS,
1 '
) i
I
I
wclm fniin tlio »\u\f\, ai« in tlif p>iiU)i jAJfiltorli/j'. A Hlcndcr scries ul' white tiliiwioiitouN feailirrs
over ami lieliiliil eaeli eye, <lriMi|iiii); iluwiiwanl unci liacUwanl. The wimh' |>iiiinaKe ntherwiKe
WMity — iiinri' hni\viii.»h-lilack alhive, iimre lir<i\viii»h-^ray hejnw. Feel hiiii.'.h, with darlt
weliH. A>i>le t'riiiii tlie tn>ii>ri>riiiitti<>ii of the liill, the vihiii^ cmly (liller in lai-kiii(.' the cTe>i aiiil
white liiaineiit.t ; hut Inith are early aeijiiirett ; theri> is a while s|Hit Im'Iiiw eye. The suiiiiiier
aial winter |iliiniat:es are alike. Iris saiil t<> he in winter while, in siiiunier with a hiaekisli
iiuler an<l hliiish inniT riii^' ; in the yniinu, l>ri>wii. Length S..'ill-<l,l)i) ; wini; ri.2'>-5.riO ; tail
1.5.1; tarsns O.'.MI I.IMI; niiihlle i.h- ami elaw l.lt.'i: clionl of euli.ien I). I.'j. N. rarilie, hxth
eiiaHlM and i»lanils, nii the Asiatii- si le l<i.la|>an, hut nut kimwn to nitne S. In LI. S. Nesting
ill vvury n'8|Hrt like S. jmtiiii-Mhix ; single ej^g, similar, smaller, ^'. Ml X l-IO.
860. 8. pyKin>**'u»' (I-al. jiijijmfiHs, dwarf. I'ius. ."> J.'J, .Ml.) \Viii.sKi;itK,i) .\i K. Kku-Nokkii
Al'K. Itill small and simply riiiiic-eiim|iressed, htllc lunger than high, resemhiing the yniiiig
or winter bill of the |inTe<linu ; having hut one pair
of iMM-essory |>ieees, the small shields whirli till the
iiitMal fosHO-, and are 4lonhlle.-is shed in winter, .\diilt :
A very long curly erest of slender tihiinentons lialh-
vn eurving over forward in are of a einde |odri"i|>
U|Hin the hill : the i-resi dark-rolored and of same
general eharaeter as that of ,S'. crisliilclliis, hnt of
fewer and more thri-aily feathers. .\ iiia.\illary series
of slender filaments from the iinnndssme of the hill
along the side of the jaw: another series from hase
of enlmeii to eye; a |Kisto«Mdar series adown the side
861.
of the neek, all tlu'se white or vidlowish-white.
Klii. M.'l. - Wliihlii'reil Auk, yiiuiiK. mil nice.
(Kroiii Kllliitt.i
Crest and general |dillnage as in the last. Hill (ciry) orange-red, more salmon erdor or yellow
enamel al eml ; feel (ilry) nndelinaldy ilark. Length
8.(M) or more: wing .'i.lill; tail \.i')', tarsus I. mi;
middle toe and elaw I..V1; oiitrr do. I.lill: inner
do 1. 10; ehord of eulmeli H. I^.'i; dejitli of hill at
hase II. ltd; gape (I. '.Ill; rresl outstretehed I. .Ml;
lontiest while lilamelits on head I.lill. Younu:
Itill very small ami weak, niueh eompl'essed. No
siiin of eresl nor of white feathers on head. Ahove
Idai'ltish-einereoiis, ipiite hiaek on head, wings,
and tail : unde:- parts liuditer and more grayish-
pinmheotis, hlearhing on the lielly and erissum.
Itill redilish-dusky : tarsi hehind ami soles hIaek ;
eye Maek and white. (.V ctissiui. Cones.) N.
I'aeifii-; apparently rare in most loealities ; there
(From K.lllot I ari' as yet lint few speeimens in any innseuins.
8. piisiriiiH. (I,al./.i(.«i7/i«.-(. puerile. Figs. .') l.'), .Hd, 547.) Lkant AtK. Kni>H-N<>ski. Ai K.
Adult ill summer: Mill small and simph-, l.ut stoiil for its length, scarcely hiuher than wide at
l.a.Mc, rather ol.luse at tip. A small kiioh or tnhercle at tli>' hase of the culmen. which is
deciduous. No crest : hut front, top, and sides of head more or less thickly Pud with delicate
white threa.ly fi^athers: a similar series, ex dinu'ly tine, from tl ye along sides of hind head
and nape. Kxceptini: these tilameiits, the entire upper parts ulossy hlack ; region ahoiit under
inandilde, mid a few f«alhers aliMit; the sides of hody nnd thinks, hlackish ; under parts white,
more or h'ss exteiisivelv iiiotihd or doudeil with hlai'kish. I/mim; of wiiiL's wliile, with dark
feathers aloiii; the e<lt:e. Itill red. the kimh and hase of upper mandihh' chirk. I.igs (dry)
undelinahly dark, the front of tarsni. and tops .d" toes lighlcr. I,eui.'th ft.50 ; wing It. 75;
Pui rAi. — Wlilakrreil Auk, ailtilt, nat nizc.
341.
ALI'UjA: - I'llALUltUtlS.K . AVKS.
HK\\\
Uiil l.ii5 ; taraiiH 0.70 ; miililli' t<»' ami cl.uv Ijm, cliitnl <•!' i-iiliiitn, iticliuiiiif{ tlic iiiNlt-, 0. H);
KajK' O.Cill; luiulit «if liill at Iium- ti.Mi), wiilili Kcamly Uhn. In wiiUrr; 'riic kiiolt jjimi- ;
llic little wliitf Idi.Hlli'it of liiatl n laiiinl ; wliitf nf uiulir parth rxtrii-ivc rcarhint; far arnmiil
iii(lt>M of iirrk ; iiiiiiH'ral ami M'a|>iilar fiatlnrx ainl many i>l tlii' Mmnilarii'it uiarkiil wiili \\lilii',
|irii(lui'int! |iat(-lii'.t nf ilii.H rnlm' .mi tlic ii|i|m r |>arti<, nukiiown in <'tlii r I'liiiliiuliiur ; »nrli
M'aMinal I'lianuc of iilumiuir iniliraliiii; an a|>|>ro,it'li to MiniiiliiH or llruihitrhnmiihn*. Yoiinu :
Like til)' ailiiltH, liiit tlie wliitc of lilt' nniUr partit ni'lmlatrii with llu^ky I'lnln ot llic ffatliirv;
tluH cliiUilinK (Iocs Hot clear up until the knob of liiil anil liristles of luail have lieen a<'<|iiir4'il.
y'
^>
FlO. Mn. — l.<'»i>l Aiik, ailiilt. iiiir kI/i>, Kki r>l(l ' Ij'iial Aiik, ynitiiK, tiiit. iitKi'
Thii* enrioils liltie hinl, the sm.ilii -t of mII the aiil<>, ami one of thi' |i'a<.| nf all water hinU,
inhahit!* the eoasis ami isianij-i of thi' \. I'aeilir, reitortim; to favorite hreeilim; |.li.'C!. hy
inillionx, with «V, psilliwulun ami X < ristnlillns. 'The nestiiii; \'< i»iniilar, the ninule ruti !» iim
lai<l in the re<'ei««4's of roeky shin;,'le ovi r liie water; i<i/e l..'i."> X \.\'l. The hinl i-- not known
t<> eonn' S. HO far as the 1'. S.
-^'
-" tic
'»•..
Km. B47. -(Ir»ii|i"fl..'ai.l Aiik.. .m-.trfiii-l !> II- W KHIoH )
341. ITYrilOUIIAM'IMIl H. ((;r. nri^. nrv\'ii. lilni; /)^<(7ww, a folil ; (niiifpot. /ir/iHi/»/i<w, Ixak.)
WlllNKl.K.-NnsKI. Al KS. Si/e nio.lerale: form Htont: m. ereMH m,r any peenliar feather*
alH.nt hea.l. 11.11 al...nt il as h.n^ as hea.l. sI..m|, straiu'hi. liill |Tesse.l, .•onie-aei.le ;
eiiiinen little eonvex, l.road at baw. where In th.' .Irie.l stale trauHVOi^ely eorrn«ate.i; m I'la'je
of whirl, wrinkles there may ho son.e forn.atioii ..ow ....known; .-hh's of u|.|.er n.an-lll.le
fl
'4
MIO
SYSThMATir SYNOPSIS. rvatH'ODFS.
tHTfi\i\, with iiitlcctol toiiiial iiiiiri;iiis; <>( iimlir ii|irii;lit, ^r|'ll<>v<'ll li'iii;tli\vi.si<; pi|i)> Ntriiiirlit ;
gniiys Ntriiiulit or iiiarly xi<, \iry Ikhh. ^a^<ill (»!*>iv laryr, nliallow, cnvcri'tl with wifi Hkiii
ill tl liy Htulr kiHiwii ; whirh tlaicH civcr the rathir Imi^, iiarmwly oval Niih-haHul iiostriln
at the liottoiii of thi' fossa. Oiitlii f I'miital rraliitTs iiraily traiisvt'i-si' across ciihiH'ii, llu'iicn
nln'aliiiK ohiii|mly to ti niiiissiirc. Tarsi rciicuiatr, inm-li shorlir than iniilillr lor
witlioiit (law. 'litis nciiiis u|i|iarriiily coniMrts tlir I'hdleriilimr with the Alchitr, haviiit;
iiiiii-li tlw as|Mct of MrnjnlHK or Itriivlii/rhnmiihus, with siii jjciii-ris sha|>it of hill ; its position
will only 111' sfiili'il hy Icarnlni; what, if any, arc ihr tninsfornnitions of thrhill.
Ha'i. I*. ali-irtlciiM. ((If ihr .Mintian islaiuls.) Ai.F.rTiAN Al'K. Mill hlaik, tlit> skinny part
pair in till' only stall' ohsi'rvnl ; IVri hlackish iM-hiiiil iinil liclow, Ithiish in front of tarsiiH ami
(III tops of tins. A touch of white ahoiil eye. I'ppi'i' parts lilackisli-phinihcoiis, the head,
winus, anil tail nearly hlack. This dark color, ililiilcil to urayish-pliinihcoiis, cxtciiils aroiinil
till' head, neck, and forc-hrcaMt, aloiiK tlm Hides, and on linini; ol win^s, fadini; to while mi
helly and crissiini. No special states of plmiiaL,'i' are known. I<eni;lh H.III)-',).50 ; extent
IC..IMI-IH..VI; winii 4.7."i-.").2."> ; lii'l l.."ill-l 7."i ; tarsus alioiit I.IIO; midine toe and claw l.M);
outer do. |.:<(); inu( r do. I.IH; ciihneii 0.7.'> ; (.'ape D.'.in; pmys O.iiO; depth of hill at hamt
0. Id, width O.'M). I'acilii ast of N. .A., Aleutians to L. Cala., thus not npecially Arctic.
Mri'i'ds as far soiiih at le.tst as the Faralloiies.
77. Subfamily ALCIN^ : Guillemots, Murres, and Auks proper.
See analysis on p. 7W, and characters of siihfaiiiily I'hiilfniliiur. Ainoni; the Alriiur,
that is to say, Anks with feaihered nostrils and iinappenilai;eil hill, there is a gentle i;railalion
from those genera in which the hill is simplest and slenderest, as in the (inillemols and Mnrre-
]ets, to those in which it is stiiiitest, as in some of the liiiillemots, and in the ra/or-hilled and
(;reat auks, in which it is i;reatly compressed and silicate, recallim; that of a piillin. .Some of
the uenera ar nliiied to the North I'acilic, as Siitillililiiirliuwiihus and Ilniiliiirhitmfihiis:
others arc circiiniptdar. as I'rin and Ltiinrin : several, as Allr, I'riii, Lomriii, I'liiiiinnin and
Aliii, represent the family in the North .Atlantic, to);elher with Frtittrriild of the Phalrridiiur.
342. AI/liK. (\ local name of the hinl.) Si;.\ Dnvi-;. Si/e small; form sipiat and hiinchy.
. Mill very short, stout, and cditiise, as wide a-- hif{li at h.ise,
the KiilcM of holh mandihles turbid, the edue of the upper
much inllecti'd ; ciilmcn very convex; rictus ample, de-
curved at end : ^onys straight, very short, the mandihiilar
rami correspondiliuly lont;, and widely divaricated ; nasal
fossil' short, wide, deep, partly feathered. Nostrils siih
hasal, liioie nearly circular than in any other >;eniis except-
ini; the next. Willis rather loiii; for this family; tail
lunch rounded, with narrow pointed feathers. Feet small
and weak; tarsus scarcely compressed, hroadly sciitellale in front, finely reticulate hehind.
One species.
863. A. iit'KrlrnnH. (I,at niiiriravs, Idackenini,'. Kit;. .'^ilH.) Sf:A-i)i)Vi';. Dovkkik. Ai.i.k.
Adults in summer : Ileail and neck all around, and entire upper parts, very f;lo.'<sy hhie-hlack ;
^capillars edyed and .secondaries tipped with white, formim,' two conspicuous patches; touches
of white alwiiit eyes. I'nder parts from the neck pure white, some of the lont; feathei-s of the
flanks rayed with hlack ; lining; of wini;s dusky. Mill hlack ; month yellow ; feet hlack hehind
mill helow, in front and ahove llesh -colored ; eyes hrown. In winter: The while of under
parts extendini; to the hill, ami on sides of i k nearly around. \'oMni; like adults in winter,
but upiMT parts duller; liill smaller ; feet dusky ureeiiisli, the scales ohscured. i-en^tli HM);
extent l.')..'')0; winu 4.7.') .I. J.') ; tail l..'iO; tarsus O.SD ; middle toe and claw 1. '20, outer do.
Km .'.Is - Scii-ciiivc, nut. slro.
rli.j
trilH
I'lii'ii
I'irii;
liiiri
iiirl
ami
kI.
n.l
I'll
lit
0:
Al.rin.K-M.cf.WK: MlliUKUns. Ml
nt liiH. (.. 1„ N. Atlaii I... l..„|, ...,,.,.. In suuur S. „. ,1,.. M.,1.11.. s,... r lH.v.,i..i
( v.T.akni l.y M..nnH at tin. H-a.,,,. ,|.i, hnl.. i.inl ., ,„., ...1.1.„„ |.|„«i, „,U,..|. 1. ./..tv
nJ...,Mla.it at Its Lnrilin,- crn,„.,|,s i,. ,|,.. ,„, ,„„„,, ,..„,^, .„ ,. „^^, ,__,,^^ ,_^_^^ _ •
Kiii; -nil,'!.'. I. fid x I.H", |mI.' ^nviiHl,-!.!,,,..
343. HVVniMI.OUl,A>ll.,l,S. „;,.. ,„,^.,„, „,„„,,., , ....,,„..., .;^^, ;„, ,„,
lMal<.) M.M.KU-N.mK., Ml KUK..K.M. ( M' |..,a... H... an,| ,„„., ..,ri„; ..^.ral aM« . , „f
All>-: vyiti, nr witli-.u, a .■ri.t. Kill .,„n..«l,at a, in llnulnnl,n,n,,l,„s, l,n< m.-i... r an,l
;''■'•'"''' '"'■ '"^ ''■'"■'"' i *•''•'"">• ' 'I'>'-<'I tliin.mli.mt. ii« .|..,„|. H, I,,,., .,i„.,„ !,.,„ ^,. „„„.,, „
Irimlii nt .•i.lin.n; riili.irn iii.Hl..ralrly n.nv.x. «..nyK awTn.iiiiK. N..MiiIh «,.!,. I,a>al l.r.M.lh
oval .,r ii-arly .•uvular; iiasii lossa. Mnall an.l .l.all..«, IVallirr,.,! t,. u....|ril.. Fralli.rH li,
aJH.iit ..|i|.nsil.. |,„inls „n .iilnim aii.l k.vl, iIh nr- r.Ir.aliim r.ii.i.lly l.arkwar.U. S.rnn.larirH
wry slic.it. a. in Hr,i,l,,nhm,,lms. il,.. l„nu..Nt iint mu-liiuK murli iiior.' ll.aii Imlf «av lr..n,
••arpal jmnl U, il,.. |.nint ..f ||„. ,.|„s,..l winu. (Tlii. Myl.. ,.f winu U .•liarart.Ti.iir of il,..
liiiirrrl.'I.M, wiiirl, '• |.:„l,llr " iIm' air ill a |..rnliar uay.) Tail >|„,rl. n.aily .,,,mrr. will, l,i Ilv
r..iiiHlr.l tVatli.is. Tarsi 1, n.ini.rr.Hr.l, lik.. il„. I.ill ; trai.M-.Twly hnil.llal.. in IVmih anil
on tiic Nidi', rrti.'iilali' licliimi; al I as Inin; as midilli' \„v wiiln.nl claw. With ilir l-- n. lal
i-liaractiT of llriiili!iili<imi>liiis, \\,is p'niis .lillirs In tlic .lc.|Hr. sinnl. r lilll. and niu.l. ...m-
prrssr.l sciitrllatii tarsi; it iiichidi's tw. Vfiy . stylish sp.rirs .,f tlir N. I'anli.'. v. ry ditl. r. nt
from c'licli otin'r.
Atl>thl*i* of S/ii'rir»,
II..,..lcInH.lyrr.il1„T.-l; iK.ptli nri.lll m..irlhaii hairiu I.iikiI, , wlillB nf »|.|,.. of (Town iml n.lKii.Hni:
Itof'iri' ryrM
N
llcnil cr.mli'il; iliplli ..f liilj nl>„iii liajf ||„ i.mkiIi; wlilto of kIiIi'h .>r i r.inn nUvniidiiK iii>nrlv l„ U
nnlviHuii t*'A
Mil
Hrtl. S. aiitl'<|iiiiN. (Lat. iiiiliiiiius, aiiciini; i. f. t'ray-linulfd. I'ii;. JUi.) lli.M k-tiiiiiia rKii
Ml :iiH1;i.i:t. Adnll in linrdini; divss : Itill wliilisli or yrllnwisli. its hasr and ridirr Idai-k.
Feet wliilish or ycllnwisli, llii' tarsus lii'liiml and Imlh snrl'arrsnl' Wfhs, Idack, llrad all arniiiid
and throat, Mark, piiri' almvc, sooty on i-liiii and throat. A
nins|iirnons wliilr slripr lidni ovrr tai'li cyr to sidrs nl' na|ii',
wlicrr coiinri'ti'd l>y soini' while tVallicrs wilh its IVlldw, and
HprradiiiK on tlio siilrs and hark i<< ncfk into a mI nf sharp
wliiti- streaks; trare nf white on each eyelid. I'ppev parts ilark
pliiniheiins, Idackeliini; on tail; upper sin tare nf w inu the same,
tiici rd^iii^' of tlio wiiiK all aloii); rrom the clliow, and ihe ex-
posed parts of the primaries, Maekish; .s mdaries like th v- Kui Mo. - lllni-k-thrmtlnl IMiir-
fits, or rather darker; hasal portion nl' inner uelis and shat'ls r<l>'i."'>i "'««'■
of primaries whilish; mnler surface of winii while, niollled willi dusky just aloin; liie edues.
Sides of liody nmler the wiiii;s velvi'ty-hlack ; the.se Idaidi leathers li'iictheiiini: hehiml. anil
overlying' the Hanks, which are seen to he white on ruislin; ihein. Anteriorly this Marl extends
in front of the win^s and (Miitiniles on to the nape of the neck, when' it mixes wilh the \>liite
Htreaks ahiive said. The sooly-hlack of the throat is contimiiiiis with that of the sidi's n|' the
lioiid as far as the aiiriciiiars. heyond which il narrows lo a |Niiiii on the throat, lieiiii; separateil
from the hiack of the na|><' l>v a lar<;e white area, an extension to the aiiricnlars <>f the while
which is the cidnr of the wliole under parts, except as said. Li'ni;lh '.l.."ill-|0. j(l ; extent l'l.7'>-
I'S.:^,) ; wiiiK ,'i..'in : tail l.tiO; tarsas 1. 00; i.'iiildle toe and claw l.i.'i, outer do. I.l.'i. inmr do.
1.00; Mil aloni; culmeii (I.CiO, tape I JO, uonysO.pi; depth al ha.se 0.:iO. width i).i», V, ,11114;
or winter : I 'p|"'i' parts darker, the plnmheous heini; ohscured hy dusky, espcially on the wim;-
iind tail-coverts and rump. Forehead, iTowii, nape, siHiiy-hlack, not relieved hv while streaks. )
or only with traces of the latter; eyelids soinetiiiics lamely white. No Mack on throat, only
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
1.0
1.1
■^ I2£ 122
1 2.0
us
Itt
■it
•a ^
■40
t
1
1-25 1 1.4 1 1.6
<
6"
►
Sciences
Corporalion
23 WEST MAIN STiCET
WIBSTiR,N.Y. 145M
(716) •72-4S03
'^
!^
812
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PYGOPODES.
some dusky mottling about base of bill ; the white of the under parts extending on head nearly
to eyes, and far around on sides of nape, so that only a narrow median line is left dark. Sides
of body under wings merely dusky, not continuous over the flanks, where the feathers are
partly white, and scarcely advancing in front of wings. The course of the seasonal plumuges,
or those dependent upon age, is not yet fully traced for this species ; the clarity of the ash, the
intensity of the black, and the purity and distinctness of the white striping, indicate the more
perfect feathering, and conversely. N. Pacific, both Asiatic and American, S. iu winter to
the U. S., breeding from Sitka, Alaska. Accident.al in one instance in Wisconsin.
865. 8. umizu'sume. (The Japanese name. Fig. 550.) Japanese Murrelet. Temminck's
Auk. Bill more elongate and acute than in the typo of tlie genus, less compressed, not so deep
for its length. Bill yellow, with black ridge ; feet livid-bluish, with dusky webs. A large crest,
of a dozen (more or fewer) feathers springing from extreme forehead, not recurved^ but
drooping backward over the occiput. A conspicuous series of wliito feathers on each side
of head, from origin of the crest over eye to nape,
where more or less confluent with those of <t\i\w-
site side, and then dispersed iu streaks over tlie
sides of the neck to the shoulders. Kt ' ^f head,
including throat, sooty or ashy-blackist. hi. ■■'•■ IrK"
extending as far as the interscapulars, wheu^- th -
upper parts are more plumbeous, only darker o
wings and tail. Sides under the wings plumbeous-
black to tho flanks, this color advancing in front
Fig. B50.- Japanese Murrelet, nat. size. ^,f ^.jugg ^nd continuous with that on the sides of
neck and head. Lining of wings white, except some dark mottling along the edge ; bases of
primaries, and most of their inner webs, white, shading through gray to their dusky tips.
Whole under parts white, except as said. Length 10.50-11.00; extent 18.00-18.50; wing
5.50; tail 1.75; tarsus 1.00; middle toe and claw 1.25, outer 1.20, hmer 1.00; bill along
cuhnen 1.00, gape 1.10; gonys 0.40 ; height or width at base 0.25-O.aO. Younger : No crest ;
bill obscured; little or no trace of white about head, which is dusky plumbeous; other tipf.er
parts similar, the back lighter; white of under parts extending to bill iind far around on sides
of neck. Tliere is much variation in different specimens, the full significance of wliich remains
to be detemiined ; but the species is unmistakable. N. Pacific, both Asiatic and American ;
S. to U. S. and Japan.
344. BRACHYRHAM'PHUS. (Gr. /Spa^u'r, brachus, short : pdiufios, hramplwn, beak.) Peaked-
nosed MuRRELETS. Approaching Una in generic character. Bill small, slender, much
shorter than head, not longer than tarsus, compressed, very acute; culmeu gently curved,
rictus and gonys straight ; tomial edge of upper mandible much inflected toward base, notched
near tip. Nasal fossre small and shallow, nearly filled with feathers, reaching to the broadly
oval nostrils. Wings very narrow, falcate, pointed, with extremely short secondaries. Tail
nearly squiire, \vith obtuse feathers. Feet very small and sliort ; tarsus of variable length
relative to the toes, entirely reticulate. Outer and middle toes of equal lengths, the claw
of the fonner smaller; inner toe short, its claw not reacliing base of middle claw. Claws all
small, compressed, acute. Containing several species of diminutive murres, all confined to
the Pacific.
Analysis of Species.
TarsuH shorter than middle toe without claw.
Upper parts blackish and chestnut, lower blackish and white (summer), or upper parts cinereous and
white, lower white (winter) vmrnwratus 866
Upper parts ashy, barred and spotted with dull yellowish ; under parts whitish barred with dusky.
" tlitzi 867
Tarsus as long as middle toe without claw.
806. I
868.
ALCID^—ALCINM : MURltELETS.
813
Lining of wingg white
Lining of wings dark
Tarsus said to be longer than middic toe
hypnieuouf 868
. . rriifiiii (>uy
. br<u-lif,;'tirus H7c
866. B. marmora'tus. (Lat. mamoratus, marbled.) Marbled Mikrelet. Wraxcc/./s
MURRELET. Adult lu suinmer : Hill black ; tarsi belaud and both surfaces of webs blackisli ;
tarsi in front and top of toes livid Hesh-color, or dull l>luisli-gray ; iris brown. Alx.vei
bi-ownish-black, barred crosswise with chestnut-brown, or bright rust-color, e.vcopt on the
wings, whidi are uniform brownish-black, the jjriinaries darker, their inner webs gray toward
the base. Lining of wings smoky brownish-black. A few whitish feathers, varied with
chestnut and dusky, on the scapulars. Entire under jjarts, including sides of head and neck,
marbled with sooty brownish-black and wliitc, the feathers being white witii dark ends.
Adult in winter: No chestnut, and entire under parts pure white, innnaculate, excepting
some dusky streaks on the long feathers of the sides and Hanks. Upper parts very dark
cinereous, the centres of the feathers, especially of the back and rnui)), blackish ; the crown,
wings, and tail almost black, the greater coverts narrowly edged with wliite; the scapulars
almost entirely A\-hite, forming two conspicuous patches. On the lores, the white invades
t') the level of tlie eyes, and extends into the nasal fossas ; it then dijis, leaving thi' eyes in
dark color; on the na])e it reaches nearly across the middle liue ; on the sides of the rump
it leaves a band of dark color about an inch wide. Sjiecimcus are found in every
stage intermediate between the two here descrilted. Young, iirst plumage, with bill only a
third as long as head : Resembling the winter adult, in absence of chestnut. I'])pcr parts
blackish, with only a shade of cint>reous, therefore darker than in the winter adult ; white on
scapulars present, but restricted, and intcrrupte<l witii dusky. Entire under i)arts white, as
before, but thickly marked with fine wavy dusky linos, most mnnerons across throat, largest
on sides and Hanks, finest on lower breast, the chin, middle of belly and crissum unmark<'d.
Lining of wings as before. Leugth 10.00; extent IS.OO; wing 5.00; tail 1.30; tarsus 0.70;
middle too alone, 1.00, its claw 0.20; outer toe and claw 1.15; inner do. 0.90; bill along
culmen 0.00-0.70, gape 1.25-1.35, gonys 0.15-0.55, height at base 0.21, width 0.2<). (^^'oasts
and islands of the N. Pacific; on tin- American side, S. in winter to S. Cala.; breeds as far
south at least as Vancouver, and apiiarently does not jjenetrate far north.
867. B. klttUt'zl. (To F. H. v. Kittlitz.) Kittlitz's Murrelet. Related to the last, and
belonging to the same section of the genus, liaviug the tarsi .shorter than middle toe without
claw. Bill about one-third as lor.g as the head. Length about fl.OO. Al)ove, ciuereotis <if
lighter and darker shades, sjxitted and barred with dull yellowish. IJelow, whitish, undulated
with dusky. Wings blackish. This is the sub.stanco of Brandt's description of this species,
which is quite distinct from tlii^ foreg<ping. The bird was originally described from
Kamtschatka ; two specimens have lately been takeu from the Aleutian Islands by Mr. E. W.
Nelson and Mr. L. M. Turner. They are preserved in the National Museum, whore I inive
handled one of them, but are not at present accessible to mi> for description.
868. B. hypoleu'cus. (Gr. vjro, /ihjw, below, XtvKos, leukos, vrhiU^) White-bellied Mi'RRelet.
Adult in winter : Bill i the head, f the tarsus, as long as middle toe and half its claw, very
slender. Tarsus equal to middle toe without claw. Entire upper parts unvaried cinereous,
slightly darker on head; this color extending on head to include eyelids, and a little farther down
on the nape ; thence in a straight line along middle of side of neck to shoulders, thence along
sides of body in a strip nearly an inch broad, the elongated Hank-feathers being also of tiiis color :
other under parts pure white, including lining of the wings. Primaries black, the greater part
of their shafts and inner webs whitish. Bill black, the base of lower mandible pale ; feet whit-
ish-blue, black below. Length 10.00-10.50; extent 10.00-17.50; wing 4.75 ; tail 1.75 ; tarsus
0.95; middle toe without claw 0.95, its claw 0.20; outer toe and claw 1.10; inner do. 0.90;
bill 0.80 ; gape 1.30 ; gonys O.iS ; depth of bill at base 0.22 ; width 0.19. S. and L. Cola.
814
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PYGOPODES.
869. B. crave'ril? (To F. Craveri. Fig. 551.) Craveri's Murrelet. Resembles the last;
questiuuably dlstiuct ; diilers in having the under surface of the wiug dark. L. California,
both sides.
870. B- brachy'pterus ? (Gr. /Spap^tr, brachus, short; nripov, pteron, wing.) Short-wixged
Murrelet. Tarsus said to be longer than middle toe. Bill about i as long as head.
Above, cinereous, the wings and tail
blackish. Neck on sides and below,
breast and belly white. Length 9.00.
Unalashka. (This is the substance of
Brandt's original description. The al-
leged species is unknown to me, and no
specimens are known to exist in tliis
country.)
345. U'RIA. (Gr. ovpia, oun'a, a kind of
waterfowl.) Black Guillemots. Bill
much shorter than head, about equal to
tarsus, straight, rather stout, moderately
compressed ; culmen at first straight, then
decurved ; gape straight to near tip ;
gonys short, straight, ascending, about J Via. 651. —Craveri's Murrelet, nat. size. (From Elliot.)
as long as culmen. No nick or groove near tip of upper mandible ; its tomial edge scarcely
inflected. Nasal fossae large and deep, partially filled with feathers which do not entirely
cover the nostrils. Feathers salient in rounded outline on side of lo". er mandible. Tail little
rounded, contained 2t times in length of wiug. Tarsus entirely reticulate, slightly shorter tlian
middle toe witliout claw. Claws compressed, arched, acute, the outer grooved on outer side,
the middle dilated on inner edge. No postocular furrow in plumage. Color black, relieved
with white on head or wing, bill black, feet red; in winter, largely white. Eggs plural,
colored. Three or four species.
Analysis of Species.
A large white mirror on wing above and below, entire ; no white about head grylle 871
A largo white mirror on wing above, partly divided ; none below ; no white about head . . . .colutnba 872
No white mirror on wing; parts about eye and bill white carlo 673
871. U. gryUe. (N. European name of the bird. Fig. 552.) Black Guillemot. Sea-pigeon.
Adult in full dress : Plumage sooty-black with a tint of " invisible " green ; wings and tail pure
black ; former with a large white mirror on both surfaces ; biU and claws black ; mouth and
feet carmine, vennilion or coral red ; eyes brown.
This faultless dress-suit is only worn about two
months. In August, the wings and tail fade to
gray ; the body-color loses the green gloss ; the
white mirror is soiled with brown. When the
quills and tail-feathers have fallen, and new ones
partly grown, the progress of the moult gives a
new clean white mirror, smaller than in midsum-
mer; head and neck all around, rump and under
parts, marbled with black and white, the bird
looking as if dusted over with flour ; back black,
the feathers mostly edged with white. Completion of the moult gives the following winter
plumage: Wings and tail black, the white mirror faultless; head and neck all around, rump
and under parts, white ; back and more or less of the hind neck and head black, variegated
with white. Youc j in firat plumage : Bill black, feet dusky reddish. Upper parts plumbeous
Fia. 632. — Black Guillemot, nat. size.
ALCID^ — ALCIN^ : G UILLEMOTS.
815
872.
8T3.
Fia. 653. — Pigeon OuiUemot, iiat. size.
or sooty, little varied with white ; under parts white, marbled, rayed and waved with dusky;
incipient mirror spotty. Nestlings arc covered with sooty brownish-black down ; bill and ft"et
brownish-black. Perfectly white and entirely black birds arc rarely seen. The mirror on the
upper smface of the wings is composed of the terminal half (more or less) of the greater coverts,
the rest dark ; of the several next rows excepting their dark bases, tlic white of these coverts
normally overlying and concealing the dark basal portions of the greater coverts, so that the
oval mirror is usually unbroken ; the anterior border of the mirror is the line through the union
of white tips with dark bases of the row of lesser coverts about i an inch from the fore-arm
edge of the wing. When, as not seldom happens, the row of greatest coverts are dark beyond
j the extent of the next row, this dark being tlius
uncovered, shows as a wedge partly splitting the
mirror, as normally occuis in U. columha. Or,
the greater row of coverts may be enlh-ely dark,
when the mirror is unbroken, as before, but much
smaller ; or, again, the middle row of coverts may
be tipped with dark, making a break across tlie
mirror, but in a different method from that first
described. Finally, the mirror may bo only in-
dicated by isolated white feathers, or wholly want-
ing. Length, average, 13.00; extent, average,
22.50; wing 5.50-6.25 ; tail about 2.00; tarsus 1.25; middle toe and claw 1.75; bill 1.30;
gape 1.75 ; gonys 0.65 ; depth of bill at base 0.45, width 0.35. Eur. and N. Am. coasts and
islands of the N. Atlantic, very abundant; rare or casual in the N. Pacific, where replaced by
the succeeding species ; occurring in the Arctic Ocean, but apparently mostly replaced by U.
mandti ; in N. A. occurring in Hudson's Bay, and S. in winter to the Middle States. Gregari-
ous ; flying in close flocks low over the water ; nesting scattering in rifts of rock near the
water; eggs 2-3, sea-green, greenish-white or white, spotted and blotched most irregularly
with blackish-brown, and with purplish shell-markings ; size 2.25 to 2.50 X 1.50 to 1.60 ;
shape nearly elliptical, not pyriform like those of Guillemots ; laid in June, July.
U. coluin'ba. (Lat. columha, a pigeon. Pig. 553.) Pigeon Guillemot. Bill stouter than
that of grylle, and more obtuse. No white on under surface of the wing. White mirror of
upper surface nearly split in two by an oblique dark line, caused by the extension of the dark
bases of the greater coverts, in increasing
amount from within outward, till the outer-
most are scarcely tipped with white ; con-
sequently there is a dark wedge between
the white ends of the greater an<l middle
rows of coverts. Plumage and its changes
otherwise as in the foregoing; general
habits and nesting the same. Asiatic and
Am. coasts and islands of the N. Pacific ;
breeds as far south as California.
U. car'bo. (Lat. Carho, a coal; i.e. F,o. RU - Sooty Guillemot, nat. size.
black. Fig. 554.) Sooty Guillemot. Spectacled Guillemot. Like the last ; larger,
especially the bill. No white on either surface of wings. A i)air of white spectacles on the
eyes, and whitish about base of bill. General plumage and its changes as in others of the
genus ; bill and feet the same. Length 14.00-15.00; wing 7.75 ; tail 2.50 ; tarsus 7.35 ;
middle toe and claw 2.10 ; bill 1.55-1.70 along culmen, along gape 2.20, from feathers on
side of lower mandible 1.50 ; depth at base 0.50; width 0.38. N. Pacific, in higher latitudes;
British Columbia to Japan. An interesting species, still rare in collections.
I!
810
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —PYGOPODES.
346.
I;
874
LOM'VIA. (N. European name of birds of tliis kind.) Murues. Guillemots. Egq-
uiRDS. Hill shorti'r than head, longer than tarsus, straight or slightly decurved, much com-
pressed ; culmeu regularly t"ur\-ed throughout ; rictus curved in most of its length ; gonys
straight, or little curved, nearly as long as culnien ; upper mandible grooved on the side near
tip, its commissural edge greatly inflected. Nasal fossae fully feathered. Feather's on lower
Fig. 555. — Giitlioriiig Murre's eggs in Al.i»ka. (I)esigneil by H. W. Elliott.)
mandible retreating in straight oblique line from interramal space to rictus. Tail short, much
rounded, contained over 'A times in length of wing. Tarsus compressed, much shorter than
middle toe and claw ; outer claw not grooved on outer face. A furrow iu plumage behind eye.
Colors dark above, white below. Egg single, pictured, pyriform.
Analysis t\f Species.
Deplli of bill opposite nostrils not more than J the length of (.'iilmen.
Bill comparatively slemlttr, not dilated along edgeof iijiper mandible at base, theculmen, commissure
and gonys curveil. Atlantic troile
Bill stouter, somewhat dilated along edges of upper mandible at base, the culmon, rictus, and gonys
nearly straight. Pacific calif'oniica
Depth of bin opposite nostrils more than } the length of cnlmen.
Bill very stout, thick, deep, much dilated along edges of upper mandible at base ; culmen, commissure
and gonys curved arra
874
876
870
L. troile. (Norn, propr., of uncertain reference. Figs. 556, 557, 560.) Common Guillemot, or
MUUKE. Adult in summer : Head and neck all around rich dark maroon brown, changing on
upper parts into dark slaty-brown, nearly uniform, but most of the feathers of the biick and rum))
with slightly lighter, more grayish-brown, edges. Secondaries naiTowly but distinctly tipped with
white. Under parts from the throat ptirc white, the sides and tlanks marked with dusky or slaty,
the lining of the wings varied with white and dusky. Bill black ; mouth yellow ; eyes brown ;
feet blackish. In some cases, not iu most, a white " eye-glass," consisting of a rim around eye
I I:
ALCID^ — ALCIX.E : MUliJlES.
817
Eaa-
com-
gonys
near
liiHTr
875.
876.
and hand e back of eye m the furrow „f tiio pUm.ago. lu winter : White of under ,mrt.s rearhi,,..
to the bill, on sides ..f head to level of the c<mnnis«ure, farther around ou «ia,.s „f n.rk l.ujn.,
only a narrow isthmus of dark color; the two colors shudiuf; without distinct line of .Icnuirc'i"
turn ; usually a spur of dark color in the furrow behind eye. Y.,ung, first winfr, like the
adults at that season ; bill shorter and weaker, and, like the feet, in part light-colored Fh.dg-
lings dusky brownish, with white breast and belly, au.l whitish about h.'ad and neck. Lcni;tli
17.00; extent 30.00; wing 8.00; tail 2.25; tars... l.W; middle toe and claw 2. lU; outer do
2.00; inner do. 1.70; bill along culnieu 1.75;
gape 2.50 ; gonys 1.15 ; depth at base 0.55 ;
width 0.30. European aud American coasts
and islands of the N. Atlantic, to or beyond 80°
N. ; on the Amer. side breeding from Nova
Scotia northward ; in winter to the Middle States. Fio. 556. -Common Guillemot, or Murrc, nearly
Myriads of murres congregate to breed on rocky '""• *'""■ l^™™ ^'"°'-)
islands, incubating their single eggs as closely together as they can find standing-room on the
shelves of the cliffs ; their ranks serried on ledge after ledge, and clouds of birds whirling
through the air. The eggs, so numerous as to have conunercial value, are notorious for their
variability in coloration. The size is great for that of the bird, averaging 8.25 X 2.00, run-
ning unusually from 3.00 to 3.50, with half as much variation in breadth. The ground color
ranges from creamy to pure white, then through
earthy, grayish, bluish, or greenish-white to
sea-green and every darker shade of green. The
markings of the creamy and white varieties are
generally .spots and blotches of different shades
of l)rown, pretty unifonidy dispersed, and eggs
of this type resemble tho.se of the razor-bill,
but may usually I)e distinguished by larger sizo
Fio. 657. — Common Guillemot, nat. size. (in length) .md more pyriform shape. The
green eggs are endlessly varied, in pattern of the markings, but are normally more streaked iu
sharp angular zigzag lines, inextricably confused, reminding one of Chinese literature.
L. t. callfor'nica. (Fig. 558.) Calikounian Guillemot. Like the last. Bill averaging
somewhat longer, about 1.90; cidinen, commissure, and gonys nearly straight ; upper mimdiblo
somewhat dilated toward the base along the cutting edges, and less feathered ; gonydeal angle
prominent. The bill consequently approaches that of the next species, in width and depth, but
exaggerates the length and straightness of that of the last species. Pacific coast of \. .Am.,
breeding from islands in Behring's sea to California.
L. ar'ra. (Russian name, arrie. Fig. 559.) Thick-billed Gi'ILLEmot. Ahrie. Like tho
foregoing in plumage and its changes. Form very robust. Bill short, stout, wide, deep ; culmcn
curved throughout; commissure decurved at end; gonys if anything concave in outline, the angle
very protuberant ; cutting edges of the upper mandible dilated and denuded toward tho base,
52
'•1
n
!
i r
i; i-
I'
818
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PYGOrODES.
347
877.
FlO. 658. — Californian OuiUemof, iiat. size.
this bare turgid space flesh-colored in life, drying pule yellowish. Length 18.00; extent 32.00;
wing 8.50; tarsus 1.25; bill along cuhnen 1.40, along gape 2.20; gonysO.OO; depth at angle
0.55, width at base of nostrils 0.30, at angle of mouth 0.80. N. Athintic and Polar and
N. Pacific shores and islands, in myriads ; on the Atlantic S. in M'inter to the Middle States,
breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence northward. The N. Pacific form, unquestionably
of the " thick-billed" species, does not exhibit the extreme of shortness and stoutness us just
described for the At-
lantic ; with a cul-
men of about 1.67.
the depth opposite
nostrils is hardly 0.(17,
thus less than hulf
the length of culmon,
instead of about hulf;
gape nearly 3.00.
The sides of the up-
per mandible are char-
acteristically diluted
and denuded, of a
glaucous bluish color ; the tip of the bill is less deflexed, though more so than in the connnon
guillemot. This is the great " egg-bird " of the high N. Pacific ; on St. George's, one of the
Prybi'iv group, for example, the birds "go flying around the island in great files and platoons,
always circling against or quartcriug, on the wing, at regular hours iu the morning and the
evening, making a dark girdle of birds more than a quarter of a mile broad and thirty miles
long, whirling round and round the islund, and forcing \ipon the most casual observer a lasting
impression." The N. Pacific form is L. arra proper; that of the N. Atlantic is " Billunich's
guillemot," difleriug as said, and perhaps constituting a subspecies apart (L. a. svarbag).
UTAMA'NIA. (Cretan name of the bird.) Razor-bill Auk. Size, form, and general
aspect of the last genus. Bill about as long as
head, densely feathered for hulf its length, the
feathers extending on upper mandible beyond mid-
dle of commissure, those on lower somewhat fur-
ther. Bill greatly compressed, cultrate, sulcatc,
hooked; culmcn ridged, regularly convex; com-
missure straight to the hook ; gonys about straight.
Nostrils linear, marginal, densely feathered. Tarsi
scutellate in front Tail short, pointed, of stiffish,
acute feathers. Wings nonnal, eflcctive for flight.
Bicolor. Egg single, colored. One species.
U. tor'da. (Name of the bird.) Razor-billed Auk. Tinker. Adult in summer : Bill
and feet black, the former with a white line occupying the length of the middle sulcus on both
mandibles ; mouth yellow; eye bluish. A strict, sunken line of white from eye to base of
culraen. Head and neck all around and upper parts black, glossy and intense on the latter,
lustreless opaque brownish-black on the sides and front of the former. Tips of secondaries
and entire under parts from the neck, including lining of wings, white. In winter : White
reaching to bill, and invading sides of head and neck ; the dark parts duller. Young : Like
the adults in winter ; smaller ; duUer ; bill unformed, and like the feet not black. Nestlings
clothed with sooty down, paler or whitish below. In the adults, the shai^ white line from
bill to eye is very characteristic, appearing with the first feathering, but sometimes fails in
winter birds. Length about 18.00; extent 27.00; wing 7.75; taU 3.50, graduated 1.25;
Fio. 669. — Thick-billed Guillemot, nat. size.
348.
878.
ALCIDJE — ALCINJE : GREAT AUK.
819
tarsus 1 25 ; middle .u- outer toe and claw 2.00, inner 1.40 ; chord of cul.non 1..30, arc L.'-.O :
gapo 2.25; gonys 0.75; greatest depth of bill 0.90. This auk abounds in the N. Ath.ntio
both coasts, and parts of the Polar seas; casual in the N. Pacific; Japan. On our coast'
brecls in great numbers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, about Newfoundland and Labrador!
strnys a. in winter to the
Middle States, like other
Alcida. The eggs are
usually laid in caverns
and fissures of the rocks
along precipitous shore-
lines, often with those of
sea-pigeons and puffins;
about 3.00 X scant 2.00,
white with creamy or
milky-bluish tint, never
green like those of murres,
spotted and blotched, but
not fantastically traced
over, with difierent shades
of umber - brown ; less
pointed ; laid in June and
July.
348. AL'CA. (Lat. from alk
or auk.) His Guace,
The Auk, who lost the
use of his wings, and per-
ished off the face of the
earth in consequence.
878. A. Impen'nls. (Lat.
impennis, wingless. Fig.
561.) The Great Auk.
Largest of the family:
length about 30.00 inches;
wing 6.00; taUS.OO; bill
along gape 4.25; chord Fio. 860.— Murres.
of culmen 3.15; greatest depth of upper mandible 1.00, of lower 0.67; greatest width of bill
0.67; tarsus 1.67; middle toe and claw 3.25; outer do. 3.00; inner do. 2.25. A great white
oval spot between eye and bill. Hood and mantle dark; under parts white, extending in a
point on the throat; ends of secondaries white. Bill black, with white grooves; feet dark
Special interest attaches to this bird, which is now doubtless extinct, largely through human
agency. It formerly inhabited this coast from Massachusetts northward, as attested by earlier
observers, and by the plentiful occurrence of its bones in shell-heaps; also Greenland, Iceland,
and the N. W. shores of Europe, to the Arctic Circle. On our shores it was apparently last
alive at the Funks, a small island off the S. Coast of Newfoundland; while in Iceland, its
living history has been brought dovra to 1844. For some years, it was currently, but prema-
turely, reported extinct. Mr. R. Deane has recently recorded (Am. Nat. vi, 368) that a speci-
men was "found dead in the vicinity of St. Augustine, Labrador, in November, 1870;" this
one, though in poor condition, being sold for 8200, and sent to Europe. But there appears to
be some question respecting the character, date, and disposition of this alleged individual; and
it seems very improbable that the species lived down to 1870. I know of only four speci-
820
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PYGOPODES.
mens in this country, — in the Smithsonian Institution, in the Philadt-lijhia Academy, tlin
Cambridgo Museum, and Vassar College, Poughkeepsio (the latter the original of Audubon'H
figures). There is an egg in each of the first two mentioned collections. In pattern of
coloration the egg is like that of the razor-billed auk, though it is of course much larger, meas-
uring about 5.00 X 3.00. About 70 skins appear to be preserved iu various museums, M'ith
as many eggs, some half dozen more or less complete skeletons, and other bones representing
perhaps a hundred individuals.
Fia. £61. — Great Auk. (From Sport with Gun and Rod. Tbe Century Co., N. Y.)
Part IV.
1:1
n
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS
OF THE
FOSSIL BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA.
Therp is at present mi satisfactory pvidcncc that Birds existed in North America hefore tlio
Jurassic period ; the fnotijviiits in the sandstouo of the Connecticut Valley attributed to IVirds
having probably all been made by Dinosaurian Reptiles (p. 63). A number of Cretaceous
Birds have been known for some years, as given in the original edition of this work (1872) ;
but it is only since 1881 that tliis class of vertebrates has been traced back to the Jurassic
by the discovery of Laopteryx prisms on a geologic horizon ne'>rly that of the fauKitis
Arcli(Eopteryx.
The Tertiary Birds of North America belong to genera identical with, or nearly related
to, those now living (p. 64). The case is otherwise with the earlier forms from the Cretaceous
and the Jurassic, which represent difl'eront primary divisions of the class Aves (p. 237), com-
parable in taxonomie value to that one (Sauiur<e) which is based upon the Archaopkryx, or
to those afforded by the Ratitc and the Carinate birds respectively. Most of these forms are
Odontornithes, or Birds with teeth ; having the teeth implanted eitlier in grooves (Odon-
tolcce), or iu sockets {Odontotorma:), as illustrated by the genera Ilcsperornis and Icldhyornis
respectively.
In the original edition tif the Key these Cretaceous types were ranged with those from the
Tertiary, their characters not having been fully worked out at that time. They have since
become well known, through Professor Marsh's splendid restorations and illustrations, iu his
great work entitled 'Odontornithes' (Ito, Washington and New Haven, 1880).
It is deemed advisable to present the Fossil Birds of North America under the three
categories of the Tertiary, the Cretaceous, and the Jurassic forms; the first-named bemp
ranged under the several orders to which they are supposed to belong, as described in this
work ; the remainder, with few exceptions, being Odontornithes.
f ^
822
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL BIIWS.
A. — Tertiffi'!/ IHrds*
CAKINATJE (p. ii:tH).
FASSERES (p. 238).
PALiEOSPIZA BKLLA.
Ful(eoK])i~u hella, Allkn, Bull. U. S. Gool. Siirv. Torr., iv., no. 2, May 3, 1878, pp. 443-
44.5, pi. i, figg. 1, 2. — Am. Jourii. Si-i., xv. May, 1878, p. 381. — Ainer. Nat., xv. Mar.,
1881, p. 253.
Based iii)on soino beautifully preserved reinainn, froui the insect- bearing .sliales of Floris-
sant, Colorado, now deposited in the Museum of the Boston Society of Natural History. Tiicy
consist of the greater part of the skeleton, including all the bones of the wings and legs ex-
cepting tlie femurs, but unfortunately lacking the bill. Tlie impression oi" the feathers of the
wings and tail are remarkably distinct, showing not only the general shape of these parts, but
the shafts and barbs of the feathers themselves. The bones are all in situ, " and indicate be-
yond question a high ornitliic type, probably referable to the oscino division of the Passeres.
The lack of the bill renders it impossible to assign tl>c s])ecies to any jjarticular family, but the
fossil on the whole gives the impression of Friugilliue atBuitics." The approximate length of
the specimen is seven inches.
PICARUB (p. 444).
2. UINTORNI8 LUOARIS.
Uintornis lucaris, Marsh, Am. Jouru. Sci., iv, Oct., 1872, p. 259. — Coues, Key, 1872,
p. 347.
This bird was about as large as a robin, and apparently related to the woodpeckers. The
only known remains are from the Lower Tertiary formation of Wyoming Territory. They are
preserved in the Museum of Yale College.
RAPTORES (p. 496).
3. AQUILA DANANA.
Aquila damna, Marsh, Am. Joum. Sci., ii, Aug., 1871, p. 125. — CoUES, Key, 1872,
p. 347.
This sjiecies was nearly as large as the golden eagle (A. chrysaetiis) . The only known
reiiiiiins were found in the Pliocene of Nebraska, and are preserved in the Yale Museum.
4. BUBO LEPTOSTEUS.
Bubo leptosteus, Marsh, Am. "Joum. Sci., ii, Aug., 1871, p. 120. — Coues, Key, 1872,
p. 347.
A species about two-thirds as large as the great horned owl (B. virginiannn). The re-
mains were discovered in the Lower Tertiary beds of Wyoming, and are now in the Yale
Museum.
5. PAL^OBORVS UMBROSUS.
Cafhartes iimhrosus, Cope, Proc. Phila. Acad., xxvi, 1874, p. 151. — Ann. Rep. Cliief of
Eugrs. U. S. A., 1874, p. G06.
Vultitr umbrosus, Cope, Proc. Phila. Acad., xxvii, 1875, p. 271. — Ann. Rep. Chief of
Engrs. U. S. A., 1875, p. 993. —Rep. Surv. W. 100th Merid., iv, pt. ii, p. 287, pi Ixvii, figg.
10-18, pi. Ixviii, figg. 1-19.
From the Pliocene of New Mexico; remains found in the sands north of Pqjuaque, repre-
senting a rapacious bird in size intermediate between the golden eagle and the turkey vulture ;
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL JilRDS.
823
(1
rcfcrrcil at first ti> tlio gcmw Cuthitrten, at'tcrward lunvisionally ti) the tcnu.s Viiltiir. As tli«
(Icscriptidii uiitl figuros cluiirly iiulioatu a l)inl ),'ciicri(ally distiiict frmn Cdlluiitis, ami a.s llm
improbability of tbo occurrciuM" (if a tnu' Vultiir in Nmtli America is vxu-f , it is siignistcil
tlmt this sppcica hv. iiiailo tins type of a new gciiim, I'alwohorus, busi'il upipu tliu cliaractiirs
given by the describcr.
OALLINiB (p. 571).
6. MELEAORIS ANTIQUUS.
Mcleagrin antiqiim, Mausii, Am. Joiini. Sci., ii, Aug., 1S71, \>. 12(1. — Coues, Key,
1872, p. 347.
This species was nearly aa large xw tlie wild tiirUey (.1/. gallijxini). The remains repre-
seiiting it were fimnd in the Miocene of t'olorailo, and are preserved in the Yale Mus(>un).
7. MELKAGRI8 ALTUS.
Mcleagris nltiis, Mahsii, Proc. Pliila. Acad., Mar., 1870, p. 11. — Anier. Nat., iv, July,
1870, p. 317. — Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., lS7;i, p. 2IJ0.— Cdue.s, Key, 187-^ p. 348.
MclcatjriM superhm, Cdpf;, Syn. Ext. IJatrach., etc., p. 239.
" Kepre.sented by portions of three skeletons, of different ages, which belonged to birds
about the si^e of the wild tnrUey, althougli proportionally mncli taller. The tihiie and tarso-
metatarsal bones were, in fact, so elongated ns to resemble those of wading birds." From the
Post-plioeeno fif New Jersey. The remains are mostly in the Museum of Yale College.
8. MKLEAGRIS GRLER.
Meleagrin celer, Mausii, Am. Journ. Sci., Oct., 1872, p. 201. — Coues, Key, 1872, p. 31-8.
A species much smaller than the foregoing, but with legs of slender proportions. Also
from the Post-plioeeno of Now Jersey, and preserved in the Y'alo Klusouni.
i'
LIMICOLiE (p. 596).
9 CHARADRIU9 SHEPPARDIANUS.
Charadiius sheppardiantis, Cdi'K, Hull. IT. S. Geol. Surv. Terr., vi, no. 1, Feb. 11, 1881,
pp. 83-85. —Amor. Nat., xv, Mar., 1881, p. 233.
ALECTORroES (p. 665).
10. GRUS HAYDENI.
Grus haydeni, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., .\lix, March, 1870, p. 211-. — COUE.S, Key, 1872,
p. 348.
A species about as large aa the sandhill i-raiie (G. camdensis). From the Pliocene of
Nebraska. Remains jireserved in the Mnseum of the Philadelphia Academy.
11. GRUS PROAVUS.
Grus proavus, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., 1872, p. 261.— Coues, Key, 1872,
p. 348.
This species was nearly as large as a sandhill crane. The remains representing it weiv
found ill the Post-pliocene of New Jersey, and are now in the Yale Museum.
12. ALETORNIS NOBILIS.
Aletomis nobilis, Mausii, Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., 1872, p. 236. -Coues, Key, 1872,
P- 348. , . , „r
Nearly as largo as the preceding species. Found in tbo Eocene deposits of Wyommg,
and now in the Museum of Yale College.
824
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL BIRDS.
13. ALETORMS PERNIX.
Aletornis jpernix, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., 1S72, p. 256. — Coues, Key, 1872,
p. 348.
About half the size of the above, and from the same locality. Also in the Yale Museum.
14. ALETORNIS VENUSTUS.
Aletornis vennstus, Mahsii, Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., 1872, p. 257.— Coues, Kov, 1872,
p. 348.
A smaller species, about as large as a curlew (Numenins). From the same locality, ami
likewise in the Yale Museum.
15. ALETORNIS GRACILIS.
Aletornis gracilis, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., 1872, p. 258. — Coues, Key, 1872,
p. 348.
A bird about the size of a woodcock (Philohela viinor'). From the same fornuition and
locality, and now preserved in the Museum of Yale College.
16. ALETORNIS BELLVS.
Aletornis hellus, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., 1872, p. 258. —Coues, Key, 1872,
p. 349.
A still smaller species, probably belonging to a different genus. From the same locality,
and also in the Yale Museum.
24.
LAMELLIROSTRES (p. 677).
17. CYGNUS PALOREGONUS.
Cygnus paloregonus, Cope, Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr., iv, no. 2, May 3, 1S78, p. 388.
Represented by numerous bones, especially by four metatarsals, two of which are nearly
perfect, indicating a species very near those now existing, but apparently distinct. From the
Pliocene if Oregon. Remains in Prof. Cope's Collection.
18. BERMCLA HYPSIBATES.
Anncr Jnjpsihates, Cope, Bull. IT. S. Geol. Surv. Torr., iv, no. 2, May 3, ]878, j). 3^7.
Based upim a metatarsal bone lacking the hypotarsus, indicating a goose nearly related to
Bernicla canadetusis, but probably !;),'-ger or with longer legs. From the Pliocene of Oregon.
Remains in Prof. Cope's Collection.
STEGANOFODES (p. 718).
19. SULA LOXOSTYLA.
Sula loxostgla, Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, xiv, Dec, 1870, p. 230. — Coues, Key,
1872, p. 31<).
A gannet, not so large as the common living species (S. hassana), from the Miocene of
North Carolina. The reiiinins are preserved in Professor Cope's Ctdlection.
20. PHALACROCORAX IDAHENSIS.
Gracidus idahensis, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., xlix, Mar., 1870, p. 21G. — Coues, Key,
1872, p. 349.
A typical cormorant, rather smaller than P. carbo. From the Pliocene of Idaho. Most
of the known remains are deposited in the Yale Museum.
21. PHALACROCORAX MACROPUS.
Graculus macropus, Cope, Bull. IT. S. Geol. Surv. Terr., iv, no. 2, May 3, 1878, p. 380.
From the Pliocene of Oregon, in wliich it appears to have been numert)us ; represented by
various bones, those upon which tlx^ species is based being three nearly jierfect metatarsals in
the collecticm of Prof. Cope, indicating a bird somewhat larger than the living Phalacrocorax
ddophtis, and agreeing closely in size with Ph. idahensis.
STSTE3IATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL BIRDS.
826
LONQIPENNES (p. 732).
22. PUPFINUS CONRADI.
Puffimts conradii, Marsh, Am. Jouru. Sci., xlix, Mar., 1872, p. 212. — CoUES, Key,
1872, p. 350.
A shearwater about the size df P. cinereus. From the Miocene of Maryland, anil now-
preserved in the Museum of the Pliiladcliihia Academy.
PYGOPODES (p. 787).
23. LOMVIA ANTIQUA.
Catanactes aniiquus. Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., xlix, Jlar., 1870, p. 213. — Coues, Kcv,
1872, p. 350.
A guillemot rather larger than the common niurrc (L. troik). From the Miocono of
North Carolina. Deposited in the Philadelphia Academy.
24. LOMVIA AFFINIS.
Catarractes affinis, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iv, Oct., 1872, p. 259. — CofES, Key, 1872,
p. 350.
A species about as large; as the preceding, and nearly related. From the Post-pliocene of
Maine. The origiual specimen is in the Philadelphia Academy.
MATIT.^ (p. 'J38).
26. OASTORNIS GIGANTEUS.
Diatryma gigantea, Coim;, Proc. Piiila. Acad., 1870, p. 11. — Kep. Surv. W. 100th Merid.,
iv, pt. ii, 1877, i)p. 60-71, pi. xxxii, figg. 23-25.
From the Eocmie of New Jlexieo, of the Wahsatch epoch; based upon a tarso-metatarsal
bone lacking a part of the shaft and the external condyle. The species was of great >^m'. the
proximal end of the bone being nearly twice the diameter of that of the ostrich. " Its discovery
introduced this group of IJirds [liulUw] to the known faume of North America, and ilemou-
strates that this continent has not been destitute of the gigantic forms of birds now confiucil to
the southern hemisphere fannie" ((-'ojie). The proximal cud of the bone is described as rescui-
bling the same part in the ostriches (Struthionkhc) and moas (Dinornithidii:) ; wliilc the distal
end, as far as that is preserved, is similar to that of Gastornis of the corresponding Iiorizon in
France.
S. — Cretaceous Birds.
The following synopsis is based upon that givi'U in the appendix of Marsh's great work
already cited (* Odiuitornithes'). The nine genera and nineteen species presented are sujipused
to be referable to one or the other of tlio two types exemplified by Iclithyonm and Hesperoniix
respectively ; but, as many of them are still known only by remains so fragnunitary that it is
impossilile to say whether they are OdontotortruB or OdontokeB, an alphabetical arrangement
of the genera is followed.
Most of the known remains of Cretaceous birds of North America have been discovered
on the eastern 8l()i)es of the Rocky Mountains, in beds of middle Cretaceous age whicli have
been termed by Marsh "Pteranodon beds," from the genus of toothless Pterodactyles found
in them. These Western Cretaceous birds were all found in Kansas, excepting some from
corresponding -itrata in Texus. The Eastern Cretaceous forms from the green-sand of New
Jersey, all of i-hich are <iif<tiiH't from the western ones, are from a higher horizon, representiui;
a division of the upper Cretaceous. No jaws or teeth of these birds having been found, it is
826
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL BIRDS.
itiiposssible to say as yet whether or not they are odontornithic. All the deposits of Cretaceous
age in North America, in which birds have been found, are marine, and the species appear to
have all been aquatic.
26. APATORNIS GELKB.
Ichthyoniis celer, Maush, Am. Joum. Sci., v, Jan., 1873, p. 74.
Apatoniis celer, Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci.. v, Feb., 1873, p. 162. — Id., ibid., v. Mar.,
1873, p. 230. — Id., ibid., x, Nov., 1875, p. 401. — Id., Am. Nat., ix, Dec, 1875, p. f>m.—
Ii>., Gcol. Mag., iii, Feb., 1870, p. 50. — Woouw., Pop. Sci. Rev., Oct., 1875, p. 349. —
Marsh, Odont., 1S80, p. 192, pU. xxviii-xxxiii.
A bird about the size of a pigeon, from the middle Cretaceous of Western Kansas ; related
to IchtJnjornis. The two known specimens are preserved in the Yale Mu.'seum.
27. BAPTORXIS ADVENUS.
Bupiornis adccnus. Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., xiv, July, 1S77, p. 80. — Id., Journ. de
Zool., vi, 1877, p. 3S7. — Id., Odont., 1880, p. 192, figg. 37-39.
Based upon a nearly perfect tarso-nietatarsal, closely reseiiibling the same part of Hexjier-
ortus, and indicating an aquatic bird about as largo a.s a loon. From Western Kansas, in the
same Cretaceous beds witli Odontornithes and Pteranodontia. The type, and a second speci-
men referred to the sauKi species, Jire preserved in the Jliiseum at Yale College.
28. GBACULAVUS VELOX.
Gruculavus velox. Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iii, May, 1872, p. 303. — Id., ibid., v, Mur.,
1873, p. 229. — Id., Odont, 1880, p. 194. — Coies, Key, 1872, p. 349.
A bird about two-thirds as large as a cormorant. The remains were found in tlie green-
sand of the middle marl bed, or ujiper Cretaceous, near Ilomerstown, New Jersey, and are all
jireserved in the Museum of Yale College.
29. GBAOULAVUS PUM1I-,US.
(xraciilavus immilufi. Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iii. May, 1872, p. 304. — Id., ibid., v,
Mar., 1873, p. 229. — Id., Odont., 1880, p. 195. — CoiiE.s, Key, 1872, p. 350.
A smaller species than the foregoing, from the same formation and locality. Remains
also in the Yale Museum.
Note. Several western species, provisionally referred to the genus Graculavus, haw since
been identified with Ichihyorim, which see.
30. HESPERORNIS REOALIS. (See p. 63, fig. 15.)
Hesperonm regalis. Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., iii, Jan., 1872, p. 50. — Id., ibid., iii,
May, 1872, p. 360. — Id., ibid., x, Nov., 1875, p. 403. — Id., ibid., xiv, July, l'^77, p. 85, pi.
v. — Id., Am. Nat., ix, Dec, 1S75, p. 025.— Id., Geol. Mag., iii, Feb., 1870, ]). 49, pi. ii.—
Id., Odont., 1880, pp. 1-117, p. 195, pll. i-xx. — Coites, Key, 1872, p. 195. — Woodw., P<.p.
Sci. Rev., Oct., 1875, p. 337. — Seeley, Journ. Geol. Soc, xxxii, 1S76, p. 510. — Huxl.,
Pop. Sci. Monthly, x, 1876, pp. 215-218.— VooT, Uevuo Scient., xvii, 1879, p. 247. — Dana,
Man. Geol., 1880, pi. iv.
Reference to ]i. 238, antea, will show the essential characters of the order or subclass
Odontolca, of which the present species is a tyjw. Hesperornis may be tersely characterized
as a gigantic diver, some six feet in length from the point of the bill to the end of the toes,
standing over three feet high in the position represented in the above-cited figure. While the
general configuration of the skeleton may be likened to that of a loon, the conformation of the
sternum is ratite, like that of struthious birds, and the wings are rudimentary or abortive, only
a renmant of a humerus being left ; other struthious characters are noted in various parts of
the skeleton ; the jaws are long and furnished with sharp recurved teeth implanted in grooves,
but the vertebree are heterocoelous, or saddle-shaped, and the coccyx is short, as in ordinary
birds ; most of these characters separating this odontolcous type of Odontornithes sharply from
both OdontotomuB and Saurura. Comparisoa of the three Mesozoic genera, Hesperornis,
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL lilRDS.
827
Ichthyornis luid Archceopteryx, shows greater diversity from one another tlmn tluit pxisti.i-;
among iill known birds of hiter geologii; and of the present epoch.
The first remains of this now famous species were found I)y Prof. Marsli in November,
1870, in the yellow chaliv of the Pterauodon beds, near the Smoky Hill river in Kansas. The
type specimen was found in July, 1871, on the south bank of tiic same river, about twenty
miles east of Fort Wallace, imbedded in gray calcareous shale, ifany other remains have
also been collected, representing in all some forty different individuals, all from the same
geologic horizon in Wcsteni Kansas, and most of them near the locality of the original ones.
They are all preserved in the Museum of Yale College.
31. UESPERORMS CRASSIPE9.
Lestornis crassipes, Mar.sh Am. Jouni. Sci., xi, June, 1870, p. .')<)9.
Hesperornis crassipes, M.vusii, Odont., 18Si), p. 190, fitrg. il) a-d. pll. vii, xvii.
Based upon a nearly complete skeleton from the yellow chalk of Western Kansas, indicat-
ing a bird considerably larger than H. regalis, and one tliat may provi; to he <renerically
distinct. Deposited in the Yale Museum.
32. HKSPERORNIS GRACILIS.
Hesperornis gracilis, Maush, Am. Jonrn. Sei., xi, June, 1S70, p. 510. — Id., Odont., IS'^O,
pp. 09, 197.
A third species, from the same horizon and locality, represented by two specimens, one of
them a nearly complete skeleton. Deposiited in the Yale Museum.
03. ICHTHYORMS DISPAR.
Ichthijornis clispur, Marsh, Am. Jonrn. Sci., iv, Oct., 1S72, p. 314. — In., ihi<]., v, Peh.,
1873, p. 101. — lu., ibid., Mar., 1873, p. 2:50. — Couks, Key, 1872, p. 350. — Owex, .Joiwii.
Geol. Soc. Lond., xxxix, 1873, p. 520. — Woonw., Pop. Sci. Rev., Oct., 1875, p. 348. — Maksii,
Am. Nat., ix, Dec, 1875, p. 625. —In., Geol. Mag., iii, 1870, p. 49. — IIu.xi.., Pop. .Sei.
Monthly, x, 1870, pp. 215-218. — Maush, Jonrn. dc Zoid., iv, 1875, p. 494, pi. xv; vi, 1877,
p. 385. — Id., Od.mt., 1880, pp. 119-183, 197, pll. xxi-xxvi.
This remarkable bird, forming a tyi)(; of the w1k)1c grou]) Odontoiormw (p. 237) of Odont-
ornithes, with general characters of the skeleton like those of ordinary birds, yet with socketed
teeth and biconcave vertebraB, was discovered in 1872 near the Solomon river in Northwesteni
Kansas, in the Pteranodon beds of the middle Cretaceous. It was about as large as a jjigeon.
The remains of about nine individuals, all from the same region, are jireserved in the Musemn
at Yale College.
34. ICHTHYORMS AGILI8.
Graculavus agiJis, Marsh, Am. Joum. Sci., v. Mar., 1873, p. 230.
Ichthijornis agilis. Marsh, Odont., 1880, p. 197.
From the same horizon in Western Kansas, on Butte Creek, a tributary of the Smoky
Hill river, where discovered in October, 1872. The remains are preserved in the Yale College
Museum.
35. ICHTHYORMS ANCEPS.
Graculavus anceps, Mar.sh, Am. Jouni. Sci., iii. May, 1872, p. 304. — CouE.s, Key,
1872, p. 350.— Marsh, Am. Joum. Sci., v, Mar., 1873, p. 229. — Id., Odont., 1880, pp.
124, 198.
Resembling J. disjmr, but with slenderer jaws and more teeth. The right lower jaw of
the type specimen of I. dispar shows twenty-one distinct sockets. Discovered in November,
1870, in the gray shale of the middle Cretaceous, on the north f«n-k of the Smoky Hill river in
western Kansas, where other specimens have since been found. All are preserved at Yale.
36. ICHTHYORNIS L.ENTU8.
Graculavus lentus. Marsh, Am. Joum. Sci., xiv, Sept., 1877, p. 253.
Ichthyomis kntus. Marsh, Odont., 18S0, p. 19S.
828
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL BIRDS.
Based upon part of a tarso-metatarsus from near Fort McKinney, Texas, in beds of middle
Cretaceous age. Deposited in the Yale Museum.
37. ICHTHYORMS TENEB.
Ichthyornis tener, Marsh, Odont., 1880, p. 198, pi. xxx, fig. 8.
From the Pteranodon beds of the middle Cretaceous, Wallace County, Kansas ; two speci-
mens, secured in 1876, and now preserved at the Yale College Museum.
38. ICHTHYORMS VALIDVS.
Ichthyornis validus, Marsh, Odont., 1880, p. 198, pi. xxx, tigg. 11-14.
Discovered in 1877, in the yellow chalk of the middle Cretaceous, near Solomon River, in
northwestern Kansiis. The known specimens are deposited in the Museum of Yale College.
39. ICHTHYORMS VICTOR. (See p. 64, fig. 16.)
Ichthyornis victor, Marsh, Am. Jouru. Sci., xi, June, 1876, p. 511. — Id., Odont., 1880,
p. 199, pll. xxvii-xxxiv. — Dana, Man. Geol., 1880, pp. 466-468, pi. v.
A species of the genus rather larger than a pigeon, of which more than forty specimens
have been found in various localities in Kansas, all apparently from the same geological horizon
in the middle CretJieeous. These are preserved in the Museum of Yale College.
40. LAORMS EDVARDSIANUS.
Laornis edvardsianus, Marsh, Proc. Phila. Acad., Jan., 1870, p. 5. — Id., Am. Joum.
Sci., xlix, Mar., 1870, p. 20G. — Id. ibid., v, Mar., 1873, p. 230. — A. Milne-Edw., Rech.
Ossem. Foss., ii, 1871, p. 540.— CouES, Key, 1872, p. 350.— Marsh, Odont., 1880, p. 199.
This species was nearly as large as a swan. The remains by which it is represented were
found in the middle marl bed, of upper Cretaceous age, at Birmingham, New Jersey, and are
now in the Museum of Yale College.
41. PAL^OTRINGA LITORALIS.
Palceotringa Uttoralis, Marsh, Proc. Phila. Ac.id., Jan., 1870, p. 5 Id., Am. Joum.
Sci., xlix, Mar., 1870, p. 208. —A. Milne-Euw., Rech. Ossem. Foss., ii, 1871, p. 540.—
Coi-ES, Key, 1872, p. 349. — Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., v. Mar., 1873, p. 229. — Id., Odont.,
1880, p. 199.
A bird about as large as a curlew. The remains representing it were discovered in the
green-sand of the upper Cretaceous, near Hornerstowu, New Jersey, and are preserved in the
collection at Yale College.
42. PAL^OTRINGA VAGANS.
Palaotringa vagam, Marsh, Am. Joum. Sci., iii, May, 1872, p. 365. — Coues, Key,
1872, p. 349.— Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., v. Mar., 1873, p. 229.
From the same fonnation and locality as the lust; of smaller size, being intennediate
between the other two species of the genus. The specimens upon which this species is based
are preserved in the Yale College Museum.
43. PALCEOTRINGA VETUS.
Scolopajc, Morton, Syn. Organic Remains of the Cret., U. S., 1834, p. 32. — Harlan,
Med. and Phys. Res., 1835, p. 280.
Palteotringa vetus, Marsh, Proc. Phila. Acad., Jan., 1870, p. 5. — Id., Am. Joum. Sci.,
xlix, Mar., 1870, p. 209 — A. Milne-Edw., Rech. Ossem. Foss., ii, 1871, p. 540. — Coues,
Key, 1872, p. 349. — Marsh, Am. Journ. Sci., v. Mar., 1873, p. 229. — In., Odont., 1880,
p. 200.
Tlie first fossil bird of North America appears to have been noted by Dr. Morton in 1834,
as that of a snipe-like species. The specimen, consisting of a femur imperfect at the upper
extremity, was presented by S. W. Conrad to Dr. Harlan, who remarks that "the bone
appears to be jwrfectly mineralized." It was found near Arneytown, New Jersey, in the lower
marl bed of the Cretaceous fonnation. This same specimen (which meanwhile had been
generally regarded as of H recent species, notwithstanding its condition and the position in which
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL BISDS.
829
it had been found) furnished Prof. Marsh the basis of his Palaotringa vetus, a smaller species
than ei(her of the others of this genus. The known remains are in the Philadelpliia Academy.
44. TELMATORNIS PRISCUS.
Telmatornis priscus, Mausii, Proc. Phila. Acad., Jan., 1870, p. 5. — In., Am. Journ. Soi.,
xlix, Mar., 1870, p. 210.— A. Milxe-Edw., Rech. Ossein. Foss., ii, 1871, p. 541. — Colls,
Key, 1872, p. 349. — MAR.Sir, Am. Journ. Sci., v, Mar., 1873, p. -229. — lu., Odont., ISsO, p.
200.
A species about as largo as the king rail {Rallus elegam) ; from the middle marl bed of
the upper Cretaceous formation. The remains were found near Hornerstown, New Jersey, and
are preserved in the Museum of Yale College.
45. TELMATORMS AFFINIS.
Telmatornis qffinis, Mausii, Proc. Phila. Acad., Jan., 1870, p. 5.— In., Am. Journ. Sci.,
xlix, Mar., 1870, p. 211.— A. Mii.ne-Euw, Rech. Osscm. Foss. ii. 1871, p. 511. — Coues,
Key, 1872, p. 349. — Mar.sii, Am. Journ. Sci., v, Mar., 1873, p. 229. —Id., Odont., 1880,
p. 201.
The known remains are in the Yale Museum.
1;,
C. — Juransic Birds.
The single representative of birds at present known from this formation is odontomithic.
46. LAOPTEKYX PRISCUS.
Laoptenjx priscus, Mausii, Am. Journ. Sci., xxi, Apr., 1S81, p. 341.
From the upper Jurassic beds of Wyoming. The known remains are deposited in tlie
Museum of Yale College.
The interest attaching to this fossil induces me to transcribe the original description : —
" The type specimen of the present species is the posterior portion of the skull, wliich
indicates a bird rather larger than a blue heron (Ardea Herodias). The braincaso is so
broken that its inner surface is disclosed, and in other respects the skull is distorted, but it
shows characteristic features. The bones of the skull arc jineumatic. The occijjital condyle
is sessile, hemispherical in form, flattened and slightly grooved above. Tliere is no trace of a
posterior groove. Tlie foramen magnum is nearly circular, and small in proportion to the con-
dyle. Its plane coincides with that of tlie occiput, which is slightly inclined forward. The
bones around the foramen are firmly co-ossified, but the supra-occipital has separated somewhat
from the squamosals and parietals. Other sutures are more or less open. On each side of the
condyle, and somewhat below its lower margin, there is a deep, rounded cavity, perforated by
a pneumatic foramen.
"The cavity for the reception of the head of the quadrate is oval in outline, and its longer
axis, if continued backward, would touch the outer margin of the occiiiital condyle. This cav-
ity indicates that the quadrate had an undivided head. The braincase was comparatively
small, but the hemispheres were well developed. They were separated above by a sharjj
mesial crest of bone. A low ridge divided the hemispheres from the optic lobes, which were
prominent.
" The following measurements indicate the size of the specimen : —
"Width of skull across occiput (approximate) 24 mm
" Transverse diameter of occipital condyle 5 "
" Vertical diameter ■» "
" Width of foramen magnum B "
"Height 8 "
" Distance fi'om occipital condyle to top of suprv.-occipital 11 "
880
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS OF FOSSIL BIRDS.
th..t "/" '*' '"'!"'/'^^\"''««' *'^« P'-««ent specimen resembles the skull c.f the Matitec ,„ore th„n
tooth l}';;;:;::p;^r:;;i::;'tf'"' '^ -f .^-^^ -- ^-n^. -hieh most .sembios the
and also bico;Z vit ' "" ' " ''"''^'^'^ ''"' "'"''^^^''^^ ^"^-^ '^^'^'
INDEX.
Note,
Turilus
irood.
foTE. — (1) Scicntifiu names of birds consisting of two terms nre entered but onco, undur the conns- as
lus mustflinus. (li) But vernacnliir names of iwo terms are entered twice; as, ir<»«/ thrush, ami Thniah'
. <3) Anatomical and other tedinical terms are fnlly iiidexuil as nccunin;,' in I'ait II , where they are
dellneU and explained; but not as occurring in Parts 111. and IV., where tliev are siniiily used In descrlhlne
birds. (4) Names of birds, both sclentitlc and vernacular, are fully Indexed as occurilni; in Parts HI and IV
7,1/ not as Incidentally occurring in Parts I. and II. in Illustration of the zoologlcsl and anatomlcai
there noteil. (5) Names merely appearing in the te.xt, not as headings, are uaiially not Indexeil; many
■ver, will lie found, especially such as are not elsewhere formally treated. («) Synonyms, both sclentitlc
but UHudl!!/ not as Incidentally occurring in Parts I. and II. in 'illustration of the zoologlesl and anatomlcai
characters t' *- ' ••> ■>^' — ■■ ' 1.._ !.. .,.. _^. _> — ., .. ...
sucli, liowe\
and vernacular, are Indexed. (7) Stiitters of lield-work and taxidermy 'treated In l»art'l. are fully indexed by
one or more leading words; as, lunect peal.i. anil /'(■s•^«, innect. (8) Names of persons mentioned cir of authors
quoted an; not Indexed. (9) The whole work Is so fully indexed tliat the Index will serve as a glossary of the
terminology of ornithology. (.10) All the tigures refer to pages.
AnnoMEN 95, 96
Abducent nerves 177
Abduction of wing 108
Abert's towhee 3'J8
Acadian owl 513
Acanthisitta 2G9
Accentor
a(|uatio .109
golden-crowned 308
Accessory
bone' of shoulder 107
metatarsal 119
Accidents from the gun 19
Accipiter irll
cooperi .V28
fuscus 528
nisus 194, 527
Accipitres 49(>, 498, 517
Aceipitrinic 526
Accommodation of evo 178
Acetabulum 119, 148
Acromial pi-ocess 146
Acromion 146
Acromyodi 240
Acromyodian 205, 239
Acropodium 124
Acrotarsium 124
Acrylliuni vnlturinum 575
Actodromas 625
acumiimta 628
bairdi G25
bonapartii 627
cooperi 627
nmculata G26
miimtilla 625
Adduction of wing IDS
Adrenals 46, 216
.^Echmophorns 793
clarki 794
occidcntalis 793
ililchmnrhynclius parvirostris 618
i£gialites 600
cantianus 003
clrcumciiictus 602
.^Egialitcs
curoniciis 003
hiaticiila 60:1
melodus 002
microrliyiuhus 603
niv(jsus"603
seniipalniatus 602
vociferus (iUO
wilsonius 601
yEgiotlius ;)52
e.xilipes 353
holboelli 353
honicnianui 353
liuaria 252
yF,f;llhogiiatliism 172
yE;iillionnatlious skull 172
^Ejjotiieles 44S
.^Epyornis maxinuis 05, 221
Aetiimorplue 400
AilVrunt function of nerves 174
After-shaft 84
Age, recognition of a bird's 46
A-eIaMiu« 400
AgclaMis 403
guberindor 404
pha'uiceus 404
tricolor 404
Agclastes meleagrides 575
.Aiivrtria liiuuei 459
Aii--bone 168
Air-cells 200
Air-gun 3
Aix «!(7
galericulata 09S
sponsa 698
Ajaja 051
rosea 651
Alaskan
jay 425
winter wren 279
.Via spuria 109
Alauiia 2S2
arvensis 2S3
Alaudidie 69, 239, 280
Alaudime 282
Albatross
black 776
black-footed 775
sliort-tailed 775
sooty 770
Albatrosses 774, 776
AIca 819
imp<>nnis 819
Alcedinidie 468
Alcedinime 469
Alcedo ispida 469
AlcidiB 7117
Alcinic 810
Alcohol, use of 21
Alcyone 126. 127
AlectoriJes 065, 823
Aleetoromorplia^ 171, 672
Alcctoropodes 573
Aletornis
bcllus. 824
gracilis 824
nobilis 823
pcrni.x 824
venustus 824
Aleutian
auk 810
sandpiper 629
tern 708
Alexander lumiming-bird 462
Aliethmuid 153
A imentarv canal 209
Alinasal 15»
Aliseptal i53
Alisplienoid 158
Alle 810
nigricans 810
Allen's rosv (inch 350
Allied robiii 244
Altrices 88
Aluco 501
fiammcus 502
pratincola 502
Aluconidtt! 500
832
INDEX.
Alula 106, 107, 100
AiiiaziU huinniunj 466
Aiiiuiiilin 4(ili
ccrviniveiitris 406
fuscucauduta 4U(i
Anibieiiii 1U3
Americaii
avocct 611
bitturn 664
black scoter tl'i
black-tailed godwit 636
brown pelican 'ii
continental gyrlaicuu 532
coot 670
crow 417
cuckoos 474
dipper 235
dunlin 631
eider duck 712
fljcutcliers 428
golden plover 5'Ji)
goldtincUcs 354
goshawk 530
green sandpiper 63!)
green-wiiiHeu teal 695
harritr 521
hawlincliCK 342
hawk owl 511
herrinj; gull 743
jnbiru 653
lunner falcon 534
long-eared owl 507
marr-li huwk 521
nicalv red-poll 353
merlin 537
mew gull 740
oyster-catcher 006
niglit-jars 450
nutcrackers 417
partridges 588
pochard 702
quail 588
raven 416
red cross-bill 349
red flamingo 679
red-necked grebe 794
redstart 316
rough-legged buzzard 549
shrike 338
siskin 354
snipe 6)7, 621
spoonbills 651
starlings 399
stint 625
swan 682
titlark 286
vultures 557
warblers 287
white-iyonted goose 684
-tvhite pelican 722
wigeon 694
woodcock 619
wood owl 509
-wood stork 653
Amlierstian pheasants 575
Ammodramus 367
caudacutus 368
maritimiis 367
nelsoni 368
iiigrescens 368
Ammunition 4
Amotus 128
Ampelidie 325
Ampelis 325
cedrorum 327
garrulus 326
Amphiecelotii vertobriB 138
Aniphimorpha- 677
Anipliispi/.a 375
belli 376
bilineata 376
nevuden.sis 370
Ampulliv 189
Aiuilogy 67, 6S
Anarhynchus Iroiitalis 597
Anas 691
auduboni 601
boscas 69 1
breweri 691
fulvigula 692
glocituns 091
maxima 01)1
obscura 691
Anastomus 052
Anatida) 679
trachea of 50
Anctinoi 089
Anatomical structure 133
Anatomy 133
Anchylosis 134
A neon 100
Ancylochilus 031
subar(|uatus 632
Angeiologv 195
Anglo of tlie
jaw 98
nmndible 166
mouth 105
wing 109
Angular bone 166
Angulus oris 105
Ani 472
groove-billed 472
Animalia 81
Animation 174
Anis471
Ankle joint 120
Ankylosis 134
Anna humming-bird 404
Anoea; 750
Anomalogonatous birds 195
Anorthura 278
nlascensis 279
hiemalis 278
pacilicus 279
troglodytes 278
Anous 771
stolidns 771
Anscr 684
albifrons 084
gambeli 084
hj'psibates 824
Ansefaims melanolcuca 684
Ansercs 679
Anserina! 683
Anserine birds 677
proper 679
Anteorbital region 97
Anthracite buzzard 552
Anthina< 285
Anthus 385
ludovicianus 286
pratensis 285
spinoletta 285
Anthrenus scrofulariie 55
Atbropoldes 666
paradissea 666
vlrgo 666
Antlo! 105
Antibrachium 106, 107
Antitrochanter 148
Antrorae 105
Antro8*omus 450
arizoiuu 452
caroiinensis 451
vociferus 452
Aorta 197
Apatornis celer 826
.\phulocoma 423
arizonie 424
californica 424
Horidana 423
sordida 424
idtrainarina 424
woodhousii 423
Aphriza 605
virgata 605
Aphrizidie 005
Aphrizina' (i(l5
Aplonuiilo fuli'on 530
Apophyses 134
Appendicular skeleton 134
Ajilcria 87
A(|uatic accentor 309
A(iueous humor 179, 183
Aquila 653
chrysaiitus 654
danana 822
Arachnoid 176
Arinnidit 007
Aramus 008
pictus 608
Arch
pectoral 145
pelvic 147
jxist-orul 152
l)re-oral 152
scapular 145
visceral 152
Arclm'optervx lithographica 62,
63, 237, 821
Archetypes 70
Arclietypic characters 70
Archibuteo 549
fcrrugineus 561
lagopus 549
sancti-johannis 549
Archsaurian 112
Arctic
american saw-whet owl 512
blue-bird 258
jiiger 738
tern 764
towhee 396
Arctonetta 710
Ardca 657
cinerea 655, 658
herodias 147, 657
occidentalis 658
wardi 658
Ardeida; 654
Ardeime 654, 656, 657
Ardetta 664
exilis 664
Argus pheasant 575
Argusanus giganteus 576
Annas 495, 496
Aristonetta 703
Arkansaw
goldfinch 355
tyrant flycatcher 433
Arizona
chipi>ing sparrow 380
goldfinch 355
jay 424
quail 593
summer finch 374
thrasher 262
INDEX.
833
Arizonik
wliippoorwill 463
Arin-boiio 107
Arquatcllu U28
coucsi 02U
murithim 020
ptilucncini!! 630
Arsuiiic 26, D7
Arsenical Hoap 2G
Arrio 817
Artcinisitt sparrow 376
Arterial system 195
Arteries l'i)7
Articular bone of jaw 100
Articiilatioii of bones 134
Artillcial "Keys" 22T, 2.i0, 231
Arytenoids 20-1
Asli-colorcil sandpiper 032
Asli-throuted
crested flycatcher 436
flycatchers 4-".4
Asiatic golden plover 000
Asio 507
aeeipitrinus 507
otus ,507
wilsonianus 130, 507
Astra(;alinus 354
urizono! 355
lawrcncii 355
mcxicanus 355
notatus 350
psaltria 355
tristis 354
Astragalus 120
Astur 530
atricapillus 530
palumbarius 530
striatulus 531
Asturina 551
plagata 551
Asyndcsnius 490
torquatus 490
Atlas 139
Atmostcon 168
Atthis 405
heloiso! 405
Attic hummers 405
Attypic characters 70
Audition 184
Auditory
meatus 97
nerve 177, 187
Audubon's
oriole 410
thrush 247
warbler 302
Auk
alcutian 810
crested 807
great 819
horn-bill 805
least 808
knob-nosed 808
parroquei 800
pug-nosed <i00
razor-billed 818
red-nosed 808
snub-nosed 807
temniinck's 812
unicorn 805
whiskered 808
Auks 797
parrot 800
rhinoceros 805
snub-nosed 800
wrinkle-nosed 809
Aural region 97
Auricles of heart 196
Auricular region 97
Auriculars 97
Auiipiirus 2(J!)
Ilaviceps 209
Auris 97
AHtuninul tree duck 089
Aves (ate also Birds) 2'!7
definition of the class 01
aiirea! 81
aquatiou 81
terrestres 81
Avian
foot, niodilicatiiins of 12\)
stenuuu 143
AvoCL't, american Oil
Avocets, 009, 010
Axial skeleton 134, 135
Axilla 111
Axillars 111
Axis 139
Azure warbler 301
Bachma.n's
summer tinch 373
warbler 294
Bahamun honey creeper 317
Uaird's
cormorant 729
rosy linch 351
sandpiper 025
savanna sparrow 300
Baking birdsknis 57
BaliBUiceps rex 654
BiiLcnicipitidio 054
Balosarica pavonina 000
Bald eagle 555
Bald-pate 694
Baltimore oriole 408
Band-tailed buzzard 540
Bank
pigeon 505
swallow 324
Baptornis advenus 826
Barbicels of feathers 84
Barbs of feathers 84
Barbules of feathers 84
Barn
owls 500, 501
swallows 321
Barnacle geese 036
Barred owl 509
Horida 510
western 510
Barrow's golden-eye 704
Bartramia 641
longicauda 641
Bartramian sandpiper 041
Bertram's tattler 641
Basal phalanges 127
Basibranchial 107
Basihyal 107
Basilihnu 400
xantusi 400
Basioccipital 150
Basipterygoid processes 159, 163
Basis cranii 149
Basisphenoid 158
Basisphenoidal rostrum 158
Basitoniporal 155, 156
Bastard
baltimore 407
quills 109
wing 109
Batrachostomus 448
53
Bay-breasted warbler 304
Bay-winged
l)unliug 304
loiigspur 359
sunnner linch 375
Beak of birds 100
Beaked savanna spuirnw :iii3
Beardless llyculcher 443
Hoards 99
llee-martin 432
IkU's
linch 376
greenlet 335
Bellv !I5
Beltod kiriglisher 470
Beiiil of the wing 100
Ben/.ino 57
Bcrniclu liSO
brunta 087
canadensis 088
hutchinsi 68:i
hypsibates 824
leucoparia 089
leucopsis 087
nigricans 088
occidentalis 688
Bewick's
swan 683
wren 277
Bicarotidinie
abnorniales 198
normales 197
Big black-head 701
Bile 215
Bill of birds 100
Bill-hook 52
Bills clasaitied 101
Binomial nomenclature 79
Biogen 192
Biogenation 192
Biology 65
Birdskins
baking 57
how to make 28
instruments for making 25
Bird of Washington 555
Birds and reptiles 00
Birds of prey 406
Birds
anatomy of
classilieution of 80
carrying home safe 18
class of 61
contour of 91
cretaceous 825
definition of 00
exterior parts of 82, 02
fossil 821
geologic succession of 02
handhng bleeding 17
how many of a kind wanted I i
how to approach 15
how to find 10
huw to mount 40
how to skin and stuff 28
inrassic 829
killing wounded 10
recovering 16
structure of 59
synopsis of n. american 237
tertiary 822
topography of 01
Bittern
american 664
least 604
Bitterns 663, 664
884
INDEX.
Uittcrns
dwarf 664
Biziura lubutu 699
Uluck
albatross 770
brant 088
duck 091
grouse 678
guillemot 814
hawk 549
oystcr-ciitcher 007
petrel 781
pewit (lyctttchcr 437
rail U74
red-tail &46
scoter 713
skimmer 772
snow-bird 377
tern 770
white-winged tern 770
vulture 600
Warrior 643
witch 472
Black-and-white
creeper 290
spotted woodpeckers 480
Black-and-vellow
oriole 40!)
warbler 304
Black-backed three-toed wood-
pecker 485
Block-bellied
plover 598
sandpiper 631
Black-billed cuckoo 475
Blackbird 404
brewer's 411
marsh 404
red-winged 404
red-winged marsh 404
red-and-Duff shouldered marsh
404
skunk 400
red-shouldered marsh 404
red - and - white shouldered
marsh 404
savanna 472
thrush 411
white-winged 387
vellow-headed 404
Blackbirds etc. 399
crow 410, 412
marsh 400, 403
thrush 411
yellow-headed 404
Black-breasted
longspur 359
sandpiper 630
woodpecker 487
Blackbuniian warbler 302
Black-capped
flycatching warbler 313
gnat-catcher 201
greenlet 330
petrel 779
titmouse 205
Black-chinned sparrow 381
Black-crested titmouse 265
Black-crowned night heron 062
Black-eared bush-tit 268
Black-faced
grass quit 392
sage sparrow 376
Black-headed
ducks 099
goldfinch 356
Black-headed
gull 750
jay 422
oriole 410
sojig grosbeak 380
turnstone 009
Black-footed nibutross 776
Black-ncckcd Htilt012
Black-poll wurliler 303
Black-shouldcreil
kite S25
longspur 358
Black' throated
blue warbler 30O
bunting 387
diver 791
pacific 791
gray warbler 300
green warbler 298
niurrelet 811
Black-vented shearwater 780
Black-whiskered greenlet 332
niudder 217
lllade-bone 146
Blanding's finch 398
Blasipus 741, 747
Blastoderm 226
Itlustodermic membrane 225
Blustula 225
Itlastulation 225
B'cachcd vell.-wing'd sparrow 300
Blood 190"
corpuscles 106
stams 37
Blowing eggs 51
Blow-gun 3
Itlow-pipe 61
Blue
crow 418
golden-winged warbler 294
grosbeak 390
grouse 579
hawk 521
hen hawk 530
joy 421
quail 693
snow goose 085
yellow -backed warbler 290
Blue'and white herons 001
Blue-bill 701
Blue-bird
arctic 258
mexican 258
rocky mountain 258
western 258
Blue-birds 250, 257
Blue-eyed yellow warbler 298
Blue-fronted jay 422
Blue-gray gnat^atchcr 201
Blue-heacled
grackic 411
greenlet 333
quail dove 571
quake-tail 284
saw-bill 408
Blue-stocking 611
Blue-throat, red-spotted 258
Blue-throated redstart 258
Blue-throats 258
Blue winged
teal 090
yellow warbler 293
Boat-billed heron 054
Boat-tailed
crow blackbird 412
grackle 412
Bobolink 400
Bob-white
Body proper 92. 93
"topographv of 94
Bog-bull 004
Bog-sucker 019
Bohemian waxwing 326
Bonaparte's rosy gull 761
Bonasa 584
betulina 678
sabinii 685
umbelloides 686
umbella 585
Bone, structure of 134
Bone-breaker 777
Bone-tissue 149
Bones
of the hind limb 118
of the wing 106
Bonv basis of the tail 114
BooI)y 720
Book-keeping, ornithological 22
Booted tarsus 124, 125
Botaurina- 054, 050, 603
Botaurus 604
mugitans 004
Boucard's sinnmcr finch 376
Bow-billed thrasher 262
Bower-birds 224
Brachial plexus 177
Brachium 100
Brachyotus 507
Brachyrbamphi(s 812
bfacliyjiterus 814
craverii 814
hvpoleucus 813
kittlitzi 813
mamioratus 813
Brain of birds 175, 176
Brandt's
corniornnt 728
rosy fiucli 351
Brant
geese 086
goose 080
Brant, white 685
Brant-bird 009
Brass
cowbird 403
grackle 413
Breast 95
Breast-hone 143
Breech-loader 2
Brewer's
blackbird 411
sparrow 381
Brewster's linnet 363
Bridal ducks 097
Bride 098
Bridled
tern 709
titmouse 205
Bristle-bellied
curlew 040
woodpeckers 490
Broad-tailed humming-bird 463
Broad-winged buzzard 648
Bronchial syrinx 205
Bronchiales 206
Broncho-tracheal syrinx 205
Broncho-tracheales 205
Bronzed
cowbird 403
crow blackbird 413
Brotherly-love greenlet 332
Brown crane 667
INDEX.
886
Brown
creeper 273
gaiiiict 720
my 41!)
lark 28U
owU 508
tbrusli 251
towlieo 397
Brown-biu'k 622
Urown-backod oyster-catcher 606
Browii-huudvd
cactus wren 276
nuthatch 271
woodpecker 486
Bubo 503
arcticua 604
leptostvus 822
pacilicus 504
saturatiiB 604
virginiuiius 604
Buboninnt 503
Bucconidic 446
liucephala 704
Bucerotidii! 212, 446
UudytcH 284
flavua 284
taivnnua 285
Buff flycalcliers 443
Buff-breasted sandpiper 642
BufHe-liead 705
Bugs 55
to destroy 57
Bulla ossea 50
Bull bat 454
BuUflnch
cardinal 393
cardinals 393
cassin's 344
Bullfinches 344
pine 343
purple 346
Bull-head 509
Bull-head plover 598, 699
Bullock's oriole 409
lUilweria 780
Bulwer'3 petrel 780
Bunting {see I'incli)
bay-winged 364
black-throated 387
lark 386
le conte's 366
painted 391
silk 387
snow 356
towhee 395
townsend's 388
varied 391
Buntings (see Finches)
lark 386
towhee 395
Burion 347
Bush warblers 309
Bush-quails 571
. Bush-tit
black-cared 208
least 268
plumbeous 268
Bush-tits 267
Bustard, gular pouch of 210
Bustards 597, 665
Butcher-bird 337
Buteo 541
abbreviatus 546
albccaudatus 542
albonotatus 546
bairdi 548
Buteo
boroalis 644
bracbyurus
cahinis 545
cooperi 543
elcgans 546
fuligiiiosuB 640
giittiiralis 548
harlniii 543
harrisi 542
iiisigiiatus 548
kridcri 545
linentus 545
luoasuniis 545
montanus 548
obxoletuH 548
oxypterus 548
pcnnsylvanicus 548
Bwansoni 546
unicinctus 542
vulgaris 547
zonoccrcus 646
Buteonina' 541
Butter-ball 705
Butoridcs 665
virescens 662
Buzzard
ainerican rough-legged 549
anthracite 552
baud-tailed 546
broad-winged 548
common american 546
cooper's 543
ferrugineous rough-legged 651
fuliginous 549
gray star 551
cruber's 553
Earlau's543
harris's 542
red-shouldered 545
red-tailed 544
rough-legged 549
swauison's 546
turkey 559
western red-shouldered 646
white-tailed 542
Buzzards 541
antliracite 552
clawed 552
hare-footed 549
star 551
Cahinkts 56
C'acatuiniv 495
Cactus wren
brown-headed 275
St. lucas 275
Cactus wrens 274
Caducous parts of bill 103
Cwca or ca'cuni 214
Cairina moscliata 684
Calamospiza 386
bicolor 387
Calamus 84
(^ttlaudritiuiB 281
Calcaneum 120
Calcar 114. 133
Calico-back 609
Calidris 6:)3
arenaria 633
California
clapper rail 672
condor 558
gnome owl 514
gull 745
jay 424
California
partridge 592
sage sjiarrow 376
screecli owl 506
si|uirrel hawk 551
thrasher 2.'i4
towhee .197
woodpecker 489
Caliologv 227
Callichen 700
Calliope humming-bird 466
Callipepla 5!i:>
squaniata 59.')
Calu'iias uicobarica 563
Calothorax 4(i6
lucifer 466
Calypte 464
anna; 464
costo) 464
Calyx of ovisac 221
Cumpephilus 479
priiuipalis 479
Camphor !>1
Camiitoliemus 7IX>
labradoriu:. 706
Campylorhynihiuic 274
Campylorliynclius 274
alVniis 276
coucsi 275
bruuneicapillus 276
Canace 578
canadensis .578
falcipenuis 578
fraiiklini 579
fuliginosa 580
obscura 579
ricliardsoni 579
Canada
goose 688
grouse 578
jav 425
nuthatch 271
warbler 314
Cancroma cochlearia 654
Cancromidffi 654
Cane-guu 3
Canon towhee 397
Canon wren
dotted 276
mexican 276
speckled 276
Caiion wrens 276
Canthus of eve 97, 180
Cantores 204'
Canvas-hack 703
(Jape may warbler .305
Capo pigeon 779
Capercaillie 578
Capitonidic 446
Capitulum of rib 143
Caprimulgida; 447
Caprimulgina! 448
Caps for gun 4
Capsules, supra-renal 46
Caput 97
Caracara 539
Carau 668
Cardcllina 314
rubra 314
Cardinal
bullfinch .393
grosbeak 393
red-bird 393
fierv-red .394
texas .393
CardinaliB 393
I
886
INDEX.
Cardinalia
iaiicuR 304
virgiiiianus 303
Cam i>{ a vnlluctioii 64
Cariuma crixtata 605
Cariaiiildu) U05
Curinn) 1U3
Carinatoj 238, 822
Carinate
bird.s 238
Btornuin 143
Carlo 665
Carolina
chickadee 266
cruko 673
dovo 608
nuthatch 260
parrnquet 496
rail 073
waxwinor 327
wren 277
Carotid
arteries 107
canal 169
Carpal
angle 109
bones 100, 107, 108
Carpodacus 346
cansini 347
frontalis 347
purpuvcu!) 340
rhudoculpua 348
Carpophaga 664
Carpus 108, 107, 108
Carrion crow 660
Cartilage 134
Cartridges 2
Carunctea 98
Carunculie 103
Casarca rutila 084
Cases for storage 56
Caspian tern 767
Cassidix 411
Cassin's
bullfinch 344
greenlet 333
purple (inch 347
summer tinch 374
tyrant flycatcher 433
Casuarius 170
Catarractes
aflinis 826
antiquus 825
Cat-bird 250
Cathari^'ta 560
atrata 600
Cathartes 658
aura 669
burrovianns 561
umbrosus 822
CathartidoB 557
Cathartides 497, 657
Catharus 243
Catherpes 270
conspersus 276
niexicanus 270
punctulatus 276
Cat owl 603
Caudal vertebras 141
Cayenne tern 759
CecomorphoB 171
Cedar-bird 327
Cedar waxwing 327
Centre of gravity 91
Centrocercus 580
urophasianus 107, 680
Centrophanos 357
lupponicuH 357
ornatus 358
pictiis 358
Centrum of vcrtcbm 137
Cenfurus 487
aurifroiH 488
carolinuH 488
uropygialis 488
Cera! 102
Corato-broiu'liial 167
Cerato-hyal 107
Cerutorhinii 805
monocorata 805
Core 102
Curcbcllum 175
Cerebral vehicles 176
Cerobro-spiiuil system 174
(!crcbrum 175
Cereopsis n()vn>-hollandia! 684
Certliia 273
nmcricana 273
britannica 273
fusca 273
mcxicana 273
montunu 273
occidcntalis 273
rufa 273
Certhiidie 272
Certhiino! 272
Certhiola 317
bahamensis 317
flaveola 316
Cerulean warbler 301
Cervical
region 96
ribs 138
vertebra! 92, 138
Cervix 90
Ceryle 469
'alcyon 470
am'cricana cabanisi 470
Ccyx 120, 127
Chaclialaca 673
Chaitura 457
pelasgica 467
vauxi 468 >
Choiturinic 467
Chafllnch 339
Clmluzn; 222
Chalazifcrous membrane 222
Chamiea 262
fasciata 262
hcnshawi 202
Chamx-idiG 202
Chamoipelia 669
passerina 669
pallescens 569
Chaparral cock 474
Characters
anatomical 71
attypic 76
archctypic 76
embryological 70
etypic 76
pr'ototypic 76
seasonal 71
teleotypic 76
valuation of 74
zoological 70
Oharadriidn; 607
Charadriinn; 597
Charadriomorpbo: 171, 696
Charadrius 599
dominicus 699
fulvus 600
Charadrius
pluvialis 000
shcppurdianus 823
virginicua 699
Chat
long-tailed 312
yellow-broastnd 312
Chats 242, 260, 311
Chatterers 325
Chnulolasmus 093
strcporus 003
Chauna 005
chavariu 065
dorbiana 006
Chock 98
(Jholidon urbiea 320
Cholonia 02
Chen 685
nlbutua 680
cccrulescens 685
hyperboreus 686
rossi 086
Chenalopcx u'gyptiaca 684
Cheiium(>r]ilin! 677
Chonopsis atruta 082
Ch<)rry-bird 327
Chestnut-backed titmouse 207
Chcstnut-collurcd loiigspur 368
Chestnut-headed warbler 298
Chestnut-sided warbler 304
Chettusia 597
Chewink 396
Chiasm of optic nerves 176
Chickadee 205
Carolina 206
long-tailed 266
mcxican 266
mountain 200
vrestern 200
Chicken hawk 528, 530, 545
Chimney
swallow 457
swift 457
Chip-bird 380
winter 379
Chipping sparrow 380
arizona 380
Chipping sparrows 370
Chippy 380
Chlamydodera maculata 224
Cholornis 126, 127, 238
Chondestes 384
grammica 384
Chordediles 463
acutipennis texensis 464
henryi 454
minor 454
popetue 454
Choroid membrane 182
Chrolcocephalus 749
atrieilla 75U
franklini 751
Philadelphia 761
Chrysolophus 575
amherstiiv 576
pictus 675
Chrysomitris 363
pin us 364
Chrysotino! 495
Chuck-will's- widow 461
Chunga burmeisteri 006
Chyme 212
Cicatricle of egg 221
Ciceronia 806
Cichlopsis 328
Ciconiidi! 662
INDi:X.
83T
CIconiiformoii 053
('iconiina; (ini'l
Ciliary
fittllKll(ln 177
gamuiit 1H.3
miint'lo IH.'I
proi'edBPK IS'I
Cliu'iiiimti wurlilor 203
Clncrpoiis
Hlioorwiitcir 784
I »iiow-l)iril .■I7!t
HoiiK-Npiirrow .'172
Clmliiiii' 24-2, 2.')ri
(lilK'lllS '2f)lt
a(|imticuH 2'i4
inoxicniuiH 2r),'i
(^iiirianioii teal fl'.M!
(y'iri'« hutnimTH 41(7
CIrru luinimin^-tilrd 407
Circiiia^ 621
Circle of Willis litS
Circulatory svi-lciii l!).')
CIrciiiiiorbltal region i)7
Circus 521
liuilsoiiiiis .Vil
cvuncuK 622
CixtothnriiH 280
Htellaris 280
CladorlivncliiiH poctoralis 010
Claniatnros 2;i!t, 427
ClaiiKiiIa 704
allioola 705
glaucium 704
islandica 100, 110, 202, 704
Clapper rail 072
Clarke's crow 418
(-lark's Rrelie 704
Class 72, 7;i
of birds 01
Classes of birds' bills 101
Classification
of birds 69, 80
of N. Am. birds 2.')4
macliinory of 78
principles and practice of 65
morphological (ill, 08
Clavicles 147
Clavicular process 148
Clawed buzzard S52
Claws
of foot 1.12
ofwinglOS, 114
Clay-colored sparrow 381
Cleavage
cavitv 225
cell 2'24
Clefts, visceral 152
Cleido-trachealis 202
Cliff swallow :12:)
Climacteris 272
Clinoid walls 153
Cloaca 214
Cloud swifts 457
Cnemial process 119
Cobb 742
Coccothraustes 342
Coccygeal vertebra; 114, 141
Coccygina; 474
Coccygus 474
americanus 476
crythrophthalmus 475
seniculus 470
Coccvx 114, 142
Cochlea 151, 188
Cock
chaparral 474
('(M'k sago 580
«'(Kk of the plains 580
('<iT»2l4
• iiciini 214
• 'iirclia 317
t'lirebidie 317
Cullin carrier 742
Coluplcs 4!ll
auralo-nuixicanUH 113, 492
aiiralus 4!I3
ayrei-i 4!i2
iTirysiildes 493
hyHridus 4!l2
nicxicaiiiiH 41)3
('oliidii'440
Collar-bones 147
Collared woodpecker 400
Collecting
birds 1
iiesis and eggs 60
Collecling-ilu'si 27
Colleclioii, care of n .^)4
Collector, to be a good ',1
(!olIe( torsliip, livgiciic uf 19
Collo>'alia224, 4.'>0
ColUiniOO
Colorado screech owl 600
turkev 053
Colunilia 004
crylhriiia .Idft
fasciata MU)
leiK'occpliela 606
livia .nii.")
o'oas nij.'i
paliiMibus .')02
Coluiuba! 601
(!uIunibidiG 602
Colunibiiiic 604
Columbine birds .VII, 602
Columella auris 185
(Jolyinhidie 789
(Jolymbus 789
adamsi 790
arctiiuis 791
pacilicus 791
septeiitrionalis 791
torijuatus 789
Combatant 040
Combs 98
Commissural
line 105
point 10.")
Commissure 105
Common
atlantic shearwater 785
brown crane 007
caracara 639
cormorant 720
cow-bird 402
crow blackbird 413
europcan buzzard 547
galliuule 076
gannet 720
kittiwakc 748
loon 789
puflin 802
quail of europc 595
rail 073
red-poll 362
savaiinnli sparrow 363
sliarp-tailcu grouse 681
teni 762
wild goose 088
Common american
buzzard 640
crow 417
Common ami rican
gull 74.')
shrike 338
C(im|ilii te tail 118
Comiiticationa in nklnning 34
Cciuijire»se<l tarsut 126
Conditions of envirunmeut 72
Condor, califurnlan b&H
Condj les
orclpital 160
of fiiuur llU
of huniiTus 107
Conirostral |ii|
Ciiii^unitiva 179, IHl
l"unj»nrt<)-<aroliilinie 198
CduiU'cticut warbler 309
Cons('i(jusui'Ks 174
Ciiiispccies 79
Cuutopus 4.18
borcalis 438
pertiuax 439
richardsiihi 440
vireus 43!)
Contour of a bird 91
Contour-fealhcrs H6
(.'ontracujr Irailieu' 202
Counrus 490
carolinitiisis 490
('ooiHir's
buz/.ard 643
crested llyiatcher 436
hawk 528
Banilpi|K'r 027
tanager 318
Coot
american 670
curoi)can 077
sea 71.3, 714
Coot-foot pimlaropcs 014
Coot-footud triiiga 014
( oots 670
( Copper-tailed trogon 408
Corucitdos 440
Coracoid bone 107, 140
('oracomorpha! 172
Cormorant
baird's 729
brandt's 728
common 726
double-crested 727
florida 727
mexican 728
pallas's 728
red-fiKc^l 728
tufted 728
violet-green 729
white-tufted 727
Cormorants 723
Corn crake 075
Cornea 179, 182
t'orneous covering of bill 103
(.'ornua of byoid 107
Corona 97
Coronoid process 106
(,'orpora bigemina 175
( 'orpus
callosum 176
striatum 175
Corrosive sublimate 57
Corvidffi 414
Corvina: 415
Corvus 415
caurinus 417
corax 416, 172
cryptoleucus 416
tloVidanus 417
888
Corvus
frugilegus 200 •
frugivoriis 417
moncdula 414
maritimus 417
Cory's shearwater 784
Coscoroba anatoldes (i8'2
Costa humming-bird 4(i4
Costal process of sternum 143, 144
Costiferous part of sternum 145
Cotilc 323
riparia 324
Cotton, use of 26
Cotuniiculus 3G5
hcnslowi 368
lecontii 306
maninibe 365
passerinus 365
perpallidus 3ij6
Coturnix 594
dactylisonans 595
Couch's nvcatcher 434
Coues' flycatclicr 439
Courlan, scolopaceous 668
Courlans CG7, 668
Coursers, niglit 449
Covering of bill 102
Coverts
tail 115
wing 110
Cowbird ^
brass 403
bronzed 403
common 4*12
dwarf 402
rcd-«.'ved 403
Cowbirds"401
CracidiB 572
Cracinic 572 '
Crake
Carolina 674
curonean spotted 674
farallone black 674
little black 674
vellow 674
Crak'cs 073
Crane
common brown 667
northern brown 667
sandhill 667
white 666
whooping 666
Cranes etc. 665, 666
Cranial bones proper 160
nerves 175, 176
Craveri's murrelet 814
Creeper
bahaman honey 317
black-and-white 290
brown 273
honey 316
mexican 273
small-billed 200
Creepers 272
Creeping warblers 290
Crescent swallow 323
C«c;tcd
auk 807
blue jars 421
grebe 794
lapwing 605
titmice 264
Crested flvcatcher
ash-throated 436
cooper's large-billed 436
great 434
INDEX.
Crested flycatcher
lawrence's 436
rufous-tailed 435
Crested flycatchers 434
Crcstless blue jays 4'J3
Crests of birds 9i)
Cretaceous birds 61, 62, 63, 825
Crex 674
pratcnsis 076
Crimson llnch 346
Oinison-fi'ontcd (inch 347
< )rimson-lieaded tanager 319
Crissal
thrasher 255
towheu 3!I7
Crissuui 96
Crista; 99
Crop of birds 212
Cross-bill
american red 349
mexican 350
white-winged 348
Cross-bills 348
Crossoptilon 575
Crotaphyte depression 167
Crotophaga 471
ani 472
sulcirostris 472
Crotophagina; 471
Crow
blue 418
carrion 560
Clarke's 418
con.mon americuii 417
northwostern fi^b 417
southeastern fish 417
Crow blackbird 410
boat-tailed 412
bronzed 413
common 413
fan-tailed 412
tlorida414
purple 413
Crow-duck 676
Crown of the head 97
Crown sparrow
intermediate 383
gambol's 383
golden 383
hooded 384
white-browed 383
white-throated 382
Crown sparrows 381
Crows 414, 415
Crows, blue 418
Crura cerebri 175
Crmal 119
feathers 123
Crus 119, 125
Crying-bird 668
Crypturi 674
(?n>-stalline lens 183
Cuban
night-hawk 454
sparrow hawk 538
Cubit 107
CuculidiG 470
Cuculiform birds 467
Cuculiformes 466, 467
Cuculus canorus 471
Cuckold 402
Cuckoo
black-billed 476
ground 474
mangrove 476
vellow-bilbd 476
Cuckoos 470
american 474
ground 473
tree 474
Culmen 104
Cultrirostral 101
Cuneiformo 106, 107, 108
Cupidonia 583
cupido 123, 583
pallidicincta 684
Cupola 188
Curassow.s 572
Curlew
bristle-bellied 646
eskimo 646
hudsoniun 646
jack 645
long-billed 645
otaliiti 646
Spanish 651
Curlew sandpipers 631
Curlews 618, 643
Cursorial foot 129,130
Cursoriina' 597
Curve-billed tlirasher 252
Cyanecula 258
suecica 258
Cyanocitia
annectens 422
coronata 322
cristata 421
diadenmta 422
florincola 421
frontalis 422
niacrolopha 422
stelleri 421
Cyclarhis 330
(Jygnina! 681
Cygnopsis cvgnoides 684
Cygnus 082"
bewicki 683
buccinator 082
columbianus 682
musicus 683
nigricollis 682
olor 681
palorcgonus 824
Cymocliorea 781
homochroa 781
Icucorrhoa 781
mel.xna 781
(\vpsclidaE 455
('\ pseliformcs 446, 447
("ypselinae 456
C'}pselus 456
apus 87
Cytula 224
DAm:iiiCK 797
Dacelonino! 469
Dafila 692
acuta 692
Damier 779
Danger's method 51
Daptium 779
capense 779
Daptrius 539
Dark-bodied shearwater 787
Darters 729
Darwinian logic 60
Day owl 511
Decomposition 39
Degrees of likeness 71
Demoiselle egrets 660
Dcndragapus 578
Dendrocygna 689
autumnalia 689
(ulva 68!)
Dciidrocca 2'JO
adelaida' 297
lEBfiva 2!)8
albilora 306
aiiduboiii 802
aureola 297
hiackburnic 302
bryanti 298
capitalis 297
castanca 304
clirysopnria 300 ^
cocruica 301
ccpriileRCcns 300
coroimta 301
discolor 305
dominica 300
eoa 297
cracias 306
h , pochrvsoa 307
kirtlandl 306
maculosa 304
iiigrescena 308
occidentalia 299
palmarum 307
poiinsylvanieii 304
petccbia 2117
pharetra 297
pimis 307
pityophila 297
striata 303
tigrina 305
townsniidi 299
vioilloti 298
virens 298
Dendrortyx 588
Doiitary bone 108
Doiitirostral 101
Derby flycatcher 430
Dcrinestes larilarius 55
Design, evidences of 477
DcsmamfEba 192
Desmognatliisni 171, 172
Dcsmognathous skull 171
Determination of sex 45
Development
of feafliers 82
of skull 151
Diabolic petrels 779
Diaphragm 193
Diapophyses 137
Diatr}'ma gigantca 825
Dicholoplius 144
Dichroic egrets 661
Dichromanassa OSl
rufa 661
Didacfvic birds 126
Didi 5(i2
Didunculus strigirostris 563
Didu3 incptus 65, 562
Dieda|ipcr 797
Digeslivn system 209
Digiti 120
Digits
of foot 121,128
of wing 101)
Diglossa 317
Dinomithcs 65
Dinosaurs 63, 821
Diomedca 7"4
bracliyiira 776
nigripcs 775
Diomedcina; 774
U;pper 705, 797
Dipper
auiorican 255
cinopean 254
Dippers 242. 254
Directions for using the keys 227
Discogastrula 225
Dissiiuraniamiari 053
Distal phalangi's 127
Disticlidus iirrangcniunt 114
Diurnal birds of prey 017
Diver
black-thriiiitcd'ni
groat niirllK'ni 78!)
piii'ilic lihick-throated 791
red-lliniatcd 791
Diving birds 7X7
I)(iilo 05, 562
Dogs!)
Uollihonyx 400
oiyzlvnrus 400
Domestic
duck 091
pigeon 505
Dorsal verlebrii! 139
Dorso-bunbar vertebra' 140
Dorsum 94
1 totted <anon wriMi 276
DoublcKTcsteil ((innorant 727
Double-forked tail 117
Dmihle-roundcMl tail 117
Dough-bird 646
Dove
blue-hcadeil 571
carolinii5ii8
ground 569
inca 570
key west 571
mourning 568
quail 571
scaled 570
sea SIO
white-fronted 567
white-winged 569
wild 568
zcnaida 569
Dovekie 810
Doves
dwarf 569
love 568
lustre 570
pin-tail 508
I)iii-wirig 567
quail 571
shell 570
white-wing 509
l)»witcher«22
Down-feathers 86
Downv woodpecker 483
Draco'82
l)rill3 for eggs 51
I)rom;eognathic 69, 170
Droina-ognathism 108
Droinojognathous skull 109, 170
Droma!US 170
Dnmi of ear 185
I)ruuislick 119
Ducal tern 761
Duck
black 691
black-bead 701
bufflc-heail 704
canvasback 703
crow 076
domestic 091
dusky 0!)1
cider 708, 710, 713
Duck
florida dusky 892
gray t)!l3
golden-eye 704
greater scaup 701
barleciuin 707
labrador 70(i
lesser scaup 701
■ Mig-tail 706
pied 7llti
jiin-tail ti!l2
raft 7110
reil-head 7C2
ring-neik 701
ruililer 715
rufhly 715
shoveller 096
summer 698
St. doniingo 755
surf 714
wild 001
wliite-wingcd surf 714
wood «!)8
Ducks
blackhead 699
bridid 6!l!»
eider 708
lishing 716
pintail 6!)7
redhead 699
river 689
rudder 715
sea 698
spoonbill 696
surf 713
teal 694
tree 68!)
Duck hawk 534
Dunlin
american 031
eiiropean 031
sandpipers 631
l^uodcnum 213
Dura mater 176
Dusky
duck 691
horned owl .504
grouse 579
shearwater 786
Dusky-tailed bununing-bird 466
Dwarf
bitterns 664
cowbird 402
doves 56!)
Dynamamoebie 215, 218, 219
DysponiH 720
bald 555
golilcn .554
harpy S53
ring-tailed 554
sea 5.")5
white-headed sea 566
white-tailed sea 555
ICagles 519, 541
lishing 554
golden 553
harpy 553
sea 554
Kar of birds 92, 184
Kared grebe
american 796
curopcan 795
liared owls 507
II
840
INDEX.
Eastern
bluebird 257
fox sparrow 385
hermit thrush 247
house wren 278
snow-bird 377
Eaves swallow 323
Ecdvsis 88
Ectoderm 226
Ectopistes 565
migratorius 566
Educabilia 76
Efferent nerves 174
Egg 216
anatomv of 222
Egg-drills 61
I':gg-laying 223
Egg-pod 2S2
Egg-shell 223
reinforcing 53
Eggs
collecting 50
labeling 53
preparing 51
shapes of 223
Egret
great white 658
little white 660
louisiana 661
peale's 661
reddish 661
Egrets
demoiselle 660
dichroic 661
Eider
spectacled 710
steller's 709
european 710
american 712
pacific 712
king 712
Eiders, 708
Elnodochon 86
Elanoldes 525
forficatus 526
Elanus 525
glaucHS 525
Elbow-joint 100, 107
Elegant tern 700
Elf owls 515, 516
Emargination of remiges 112
Emberiza hortulana 401
Embernagra 398
rufivlrgatn 398
Embryological characters 70
Embryology 210, 224
Embryos 216, 217
extracting 52
Emperor goose 686
Empidonax 440
acadiciis 441
diflicilis 442
flaviveiiti'is 442
hammondi 443
minimus 442
obscurus 443
pusilltis 442
pygmii'Hs 443
siibviridiii 441
trailli 441
wrighti 443
Enccphalon 175
Endoderm 226
cells 225
Endolymph 190
Endoskeleton 134
Endysis 88
English
pheasant 574
snipe 614. 621
sparrow 344
Engyptila 667
albifrons 567
Environment, conditions of /2
Eocene birds 04
Epapophysis cerebri 175
Epiblast 22G
Epibranchial 167
Epicleidium 147
Epidermic structures 82
Epididymis 217
Epigastrium 96
Epiglottis 204, 210
Epignathous bills 101
Epiotic 157, 187
Epiphyses 134
Epipleural processes 142
Epipubic bone 149
Equilibration 190
Equivalence of groups 73
Eremophila 281
alpestris 281
chrysoliema 282
leucolirma 282
Ereunetes 624
occidcntalis 625
pusillus 624
Erismatura 715
rubida 715
Erythrocnema 542
Esacus 597
Eskimo curlew 646
Ethmoid 160
Etypic characters 76
Eudocimus 651
albus 651
ruber 651
Eugenes 461
fulgens 461
Euplocomus 575
Rupodotis australis 212
Eupsychortyx 688
European
black-tailed godwit 636
blue heron 658
coot 677
cuckoo 471
curlew 644
dunlin 631
eared grebe 795
cider duck 710
great white egret 659
golden plover 600
goshawk 629
green-winged teal 695
hawk owl 612
herring gull 743
jackdaw 414
jay 419
kingfisher 409
land-rail 675
lesser ring plover 603
little white egret 660
mew gull 746
oyster-catcher 006
partridge 588
■ ring plover 603
snipe 021
sparrow owl 513
spoonbill 650
spotted crake 073
■potted woodpecker 477
European
whimbrcl 645
white-fronted goose 684
wigeon 694
woodcock 620
wren 273
Eurynorhynchus 034
pygma-us 034
Eurypyga helias 605
Eustachian tube 158, 183, 210
Evening grosbeak 342
ICverglade kite 523
Evidences of design 77
Evolution, theory of 00,02, 06
ICxantliemops 686
Exoccipital ISO
Exocoetes 82
Exoskeletal structures 82
Exoskelcton 134
lOxplanation of frontispiece 236
Extension and flexion of wing 106,
109
Extensor muscles 199
"Extent" 24
Exterior of a bird 82, 92
Extinct birds 04
Eye 92, 178. 179
Eye-water 38
Eyes, glass 44
Facial
bones 161
nerve 177, 187
Falcate bill 102
Falco 532
sesalon 537
candicans 533
colunibarius 536
fu«cica'rulesccns 539
gyrfalco 532
isabcllinus 538
islandicus 532
labradora 533
lanarius 534
mexicanus 534
obsoletus 532
pealii 536
peregrinus 534
polyagrus 534
ricl'iardsoni 537
sacer 532
sparverioides 538
sparverius 537
suckleyi 537
Falcrtn
aplomado 539
femoral 539
peule's peregrine 536
peregrine 534
rusty-crowned 537
Falcoiiidie 519
Falconinn' 531
Falcons 519, 531
Fallopian nerviduct 187
False cere 102
Family 72, 73
Fan-tuiK'd
crow blackbird 412
wrens 274
Farallonc block crake 674
Fasclic 192
Fat, fatness 37
Fatigue and hunger 20
Fauces 210
Feathered tracts 86
Feather-leg sandpipers 628
INDEX.
841
Featlicrs 82, 84, 85, 109
Feet of birds 118
Females, full suites of 14
Femoral fiilcoii 53!)
Fcmoro-caudal 195
Femur 119
Fenestra
ovalis 153, 154, 185
rotunda 185
Ferrugiueous
buzzard S51
owl 514
sandpiper 632
Fibula 119
Kibulare 120
Field
lark 406
naturalist's duties 21
ornithologj' 1
plover 598, 599, 641
sparrow 380
work 9
Fierj'-rcd cardinal 394
Fisliting sandpipers 040
Filopluinaceous feathers 85
Filoplumes 86
Finch
alien's rosy 350
arizona summer 374
bachman's summer 373
baird's rosy 351
blanding's 398
brandfs rosy 351
boucard's summer 375
bay-winged summer 375
black-throated 376
bell's 370
cassin's purple 347
cassin'B summer 374
crimson 346
crimson-fronted 347
florida sea-side 308
grass 364
green 398
house 347
Illinois summer 373
indigo 391
lazuli 391
lincoln's 370
nelson's sharivtailed 368
painted 391
pallas's rosy 352
pine 354
purple 346
purple painted 391
ridgway's rosy 350
rufous-crowned summer 374
sea-side 367
sharp-tailed 308
swainson's rosy 351
western grass 365
Finches 339
painted 390
rosy 350
summer 373
Fire-bird 408
Fire-crowned flycatchers 444
Fish
crow 417
hawks 556
Fisher's petrel 780
Fishing
ducks 716
eagles 554
Fissirostral 101
Fixtures 25, 27
Flag of hawks 123
Flamingoes (178
Flamniulated owl 506
Flunks 95
Flaps of toes 98
Flesh-footed shearwater 785
Flexion of wing 106, 109
Flexor
digitorum perforatus 195
longus Imllucis 193
muscles 109
Flicker 493
mcxicaii 493
Flickers 491
Flight-featluvs 88, 109, HI
Flocculus 17G
Flocking fowl 701
Florida (i(il
barred owl 510
c(crulea 661
cormorant 727
crow 417
crow blackbird 414
dusky duck 692
gallinule 075
heron 058
jay 423
quail 591
sea-side lineh 368
screech owl 506
wren 277
Flycatcher
acadiau 441
arkansaw tyrant 433
ash-throated crested 436
black pewit 437
beardless 441
cassin's tyrant 433
cooper's large-billed crested
435
couch's tyrant 434
coues' 439
derbv 430
dirtv little 443
fork"ed-tailed 431
gray little 443
great crested 434
green-crested 441
hammond's 443
lawrencc's crested 436
little buff-breasted 443
little western 442
least 442
olive-sided 438
pcwee 437
pewit 437
rutous-tailed crested 435
say's pewit 437
small greou-crcstcd 441
sulphur-bellied striped 431
swallow-tc'ded 431
train's 441
vermilion 444
•western wood pewee 440
western yollow-bellieu 442
wood pewee 439
Wright's 443
yellow-bellied 442
Flycatchers
american 428
ash-throated 434
beardless 443
crested 434
derby 430
fire-cniwiied 4-14
king 432
Flycatchers
little olivaceous 440
pewit 430
rufous-tailed 434
strijied 431
swallow-tailed 431
true tyrant 428
woi id pewee 438
Flvcatcliing thrush
tiiwnsend's 329
Flvcatcliing thrushes 328
Flycatehiiig warbler
black-capped 313
Canadian 314
hooded 313
painted 315
red-fronted 314
Flvcatehing warblers 312, 313
rose 314
Fly-snapper, shining 328
Fly-snappers 327
Fontaiiclles iif sternum 144
Foot 118
integument of 124
modilications of 129
plumage of 122
Foramen
lacerum 160
magnum 156
of monro 175
ovale of skull 156
ovale of heart 196
Forceps 25, 52
Forearm 106, 107
Fork-tail petrels 781
gray 781
horhbv's 782
sooty 782
Forked-tailed
flvcatcher 431
gull 753
Forms, generalized 78
specialized 76
Formulation of knowledge 78
iMirnix 176
I'orster's tern 763
Fossa, nasal 104
Fossil birds 62, 821
cretaceous 825
Jurassic 829
tertiary 822
Four-toed plover 598
Fowls 571, 573
pigeon-toed 572
true 573
Fox sparrow
eastern 385
large-billed 386
slate-colored 386
townsend's 385
Fox sparrows 385
Francolinus 576
Franklin's
rosy gull 751
spruce grouse 579
Fratercula 800
arctiea 802
coruiculata 801
glacialis 803
Freg'etta 782
grallaria 783
Fresh-water
ducks i;R9
marsh hen 672
Frigates 730
Fringe-footed phalaropcs 61?
842
INDEX.
Fringilla coclebs 339
FringillidiK 339
Frontal
antiiE 105
bone 156
Frontlets 99
Frontispiece, explanation ef !
Fronto-facial hinge 15li
Fulgent hummers 461
Fulica 676
americann 676
atra 677
Fulicinai 076
Fuliginous buzzard 549
Fulipula 099. 700
atlini.s 701
nmorieana 702
collaris 701
feriiui 702
niarila 701
rulinu 700
vallisncria 703
Fuligulinai 698
Fulix 701
F'ulmar 777
giant 777
pacific 778
rodgers" 778
slender-billed 778
Fulmar shearwaters 783
F^ulmars 777
gull 778
Fulmarus 777
glacialis 778
pacificus 778
rodgersi 778
Fulvous tree duck 089
Furcate tail 117
Furculum 107, 147
Gadfly petrels 779
Gadwall 693
Gairdner's woodpecker 483
Galbulido; 446
Gall-bladder 215
Galeoscoptes 249
Gallinaceous birds 571
GalliniB 571, 823
Gall in ago 615, 020
gallinula 623
coolest is 622
media 621
wilsoni 621
Gallinula 675
galeata 675
Gallinule
common 676
florida 675
sultan 676
Gallinules 675
sultan 675
Gallinulinn- 675
Gallo-colunibine series 571
Gallus bankiva 575
Gambel's
crown sparrow 382
partridge 593
Gnmbetta 640
Gamin 344
Ganglia
of brain 175
of nerves 174
Gannet
brown 720
common 720
white 720
Gannets 720
Gape 105
Garrot 704
Garrulimc 419
Garrulus glandarius 419
Garzetta 659
candidi^iiinm 660
nivea UliO
Gastornis
giganteus 825
pai'isiensis VA
Gastra'um 94, 95
Ghstrula 225
Gastrulation 225
Gaviif 733
Gcothlj-pis 310
niacgillivrayi 311
Philadelphia 311
trichas 310
Geotrj'gon 570
marlinica 571
Gcranarclius 660
Geranomorplue 171
Germinal
spot 220
vesicle 220
Germination 224
Germ-velk 224
G(Sant65
Geese 683
barnacle 686
brant 686
gray 684
painted 686
snow 685
Gelochclldon 756
Gemitorcs 562
Gena 98
Genera 72, 73
General ornithology 69
Generalized forms 76
Generative organs 215
Genetic relations 78
Genio-hyoid 211
Genital glands 215
Genns 72, 73
Geococcyx 473
calitbrnianus474
Geologic succession 62
Geopclia 564 <
Giant fulmar 777
Gigerium 213
Gila woodpecker 488
Gilded
woodpecker 493
woodpeckers 491
Ginglvmus 121
Gizzard 212
Glabrirostres 449
Gland, oil 86
Glareolidn' 597
Glass eves 44
GlauciJiuni 614
ferrugincum 514
gnoma 514
passerinum 514
Glaucous gull 741
Glaucous-winged gull 741
Glenoid
cavity 146
process 146
(;ios»o-hval bone 167
(ilosso-pliaryngcal nerve 177
(ilnssv
ibis 049
ibii^cs 649
Glottis 204, 210
Gnat-catcher
black-cap)>ed 261
blue-gray 260, 261
plumbeous 261
Gnat-catchers 242, 260
Gnathotheca 103
Gnome owl
californian 514
ferrugincous 614
Gnome owls 514
Goatsuckers 447
true 448
Godwit
american black-tailed 630
eur(ip(!an black-tailed 636
great marbled 635
luidsoniau 63.*)
pacific biir-tailed 036
white-tailed 636
Godwits 616, 634
Golden
crown sparrow 382
eagle 554
eagles 553
pheasants 575
plover 599
robin 408
swamp warblers 291
Golden warbler 298
chestnut-headed 298
Golden-cheeked warbler 300
Golden-crested kinglet 200
Golden-crowned
accentor 308
thrush 308
wag-tail warbler 308
Gulden-eye 704
Golden-winged woodpecker 493
Goldfinch
american 354
arizona 355
ark an saw 355
bluck-liendud 350
lawrence's 355
mcxican 355
Goldfinches 354
american 354
Gold-tits 269
Gonys 103, 166
Goosander 716
Goose
american white-fronted 684
barnacle 687
black brant 688
blue snow 685
brunt 687
Canada 688
common wild 088
emperor 680
europcan white-fronted 684
hutcliins' 689
large white-cheeked 688
least snow 686
lesser snow 686
painted 686
ross' 686
smaller white-cheeked 689
snow 685
Gorget hummers 461
Gorglets 99
Goshawk
american 530
european 529
western 631
Goshawks 630
Gour
Graa
Grac
Grac
Grac
Gra(
Gra(
Gra(
Gra'
Gral
Gra
Gra
Gra:
Gra
Gra
Grai
Gra
Gra
Gra
On
Gri
Gr
Gr
Gr
INDEX.
843
Goura 563
Groatian follicle 220
Grace's warbler 306
Grackle
blue-hcadcd 411
boat-tailed 412
brass 413
green 414
purple 413
rusty 411
texas 112
Grackles 410
rusty 411
Gracuiavus
agilis 827
anceps 827
lentus 827
pumilus 826
vclox 826
Graculus
idahcnsis 824
macropus 824
Gradation of tail 117
Grallntores altinares 648
Grallatorial
anscres 677
foot 129, 130
Granatellus 287, 311
Granulation of podothcca 125
Grass
quit 302
plover 041
sparrows 364
Grass tincli 304
western 305
Grasshopper sparrow 366
henslow's 366
le conte's 366
Grasshopper sparrows 365
Grass-snipe 026
Gravity, centre of 91
Gray
duck 693
forked-tailed petrel 782
geese 684
greenlet 334
grouse 579
Iays 425
Lingbird 433
little tlvcatuhcr 443
owls 5(58
plialarope 614
rulTed grouse 585
shrikes 337
snipe 622
song sparrow 372
star buzzard 551
towhee 398
Gray-back 632
Gray<heeked thrush 247
Gray-headed snowbird 379
Gray-winged gull 742
Great
black-backed gull 742
blue heron 057
Carolina wren 277
crested flycatcher 434
egret herons 658
gray owl 509
herons 657
horned owl 503
marbled godwit 636
northern diver 789
northern shrike 337
white egret 658
white heron 658
Greater
coverts 110
lonnl)eak 023
hiuup duiU 701
sliearwater "85
telltale 038
titmouse 2(i-)
yi'Uowshanks 038
Great-footeil hawk 534
Grebe
amcricaii eared 79(i
anicrican rid-iiecked 794
crested 7!)4
Clark's 794
european eared 795
homed "!)o
pied-billcd 797
St. dominni) 796
western 793
Grebes 792, 794
spear-bill 793
thick-bill 796
Green
finch 398
grackle 414
heron 062
jays 424
sandpijicr 039
Green-backed humming-bird 463
(Jreen-created flycatcher 441
Green-liead 091
Greenland
gyrfalcon 533
nicaly red-pull 353
Greenlet "
bell's 335
black-capped 336
black-whiskered 332
blue-licaded 333
brotherly love 332
cassin's 333
grav 334
button's 334
ler..-st 335
plumbeous 334
red-eyed 331
solitary 333
Stephens' 335
vellow-green 332
yellow-throated 333
warbling 332
western warbling 333
white-oved 3'14
Grecniets 329
Green-shanks 039
Green-tailed towhee 398
Groove-billed ani 472
Grosbeak
black-headed 389
blue 390
cardinal 393
evening 342
pine 343
rose-breasted 389
Grosbeaks 340
blue 390
cardinal 393
song 388
Ground
cuckoos 473
doves 500, 569
sparrows 360
warblers 310
Groups
higher than genera 284
taxonomic equivalence of 73
Groups
zoological 72
(innise 570, 577
black 678
blue 579
Canada 578
common shurp-tailed 581
dusky 579
franljlin's spruce 579
gray 579
gray ruffed 585
northern sharjvtailed 579
Oregon ruflcd 585
pale pinnated 584
pine 579
pinnated 583
|)in-necked 583
pin-tailed 581
red riifTed 585
ricliardson's dusky 579
Tockv mountain snow 583
ruffed 584, 585
sage 580
sharp-tailed 581
snow 585
sooty 580
spotted 578
sjjnice 578
tree 57S
willow 586
Gruber's buzzard 553
Gruidie COO
Gruiformes 066
Grus
americana 203, 666
canuden.-is 203, 667
fraterculiis 007
huydeni 823
pratensis 007
proavus 823
Guan, texan 573
Guuns 573
Guillemot
black 814
briinnich's 818
californiun 817
common 810
pigeon 815
sooty 815
sjiectacled 815
thick-billed 817
Guillemots 810.816
Guinea-fowl 074
Guiraca 390
eiirulea 390
Gulu 90
Gular 90
GuJur pouch 210
Gull
amorican herring 743
ainerican mew 746
black-headed 750
bonaparte's rosy 751
californian 745
common american 745
european herring 743
european mew 740
fork-tailed 753
franklin's rosy 761
glaucous 741
glaucous-winged 741
gray-winged 742
great black-backed 742
ice 741, 749
iv()iv 749
kitti'wakc 748
844
INDEX.
Ottll
laughing 750
puUas's 744
swallow-tailed 753
reinhardt'a 745
ring-billed 745
ros8' rosy 753
western herring 744
white-headed 747
white-winged 741
Gull fulmars 778
Gulls 733, 739. 740
forked -tailed 763
liooded 749
ice 749
ivorj- 749
rosy 749
skua 734
wedge-tail 752
Gull-billed tern 757
Guns 1, 5, 6, 7
Gustation 191
Guttur 96
Gygis alba 755
Gymnocitta 418
cyanoccphala 418
Gypietus barbatus 519
Gyparchus pajia 557, 561
Gypogeranides 497
Gypogerauus serpcntarius 497
Gypohierax angolensis 519
Gyrantes 562
Gyrfalcon
american continental 532
american lanner 534
greeniand 533
Iceland 533
labrador 532
Gyrfalcons 532
Gyps fulvus 519
Gypsum 27
H.£MAL
arch 136
spine 137
Hamapophyscs 137
Hoimatamccba cruentata 196
Haematic system 195
Hamatopodidiv 606
Htematopus 6U6
nigcr 007
ostrilegus 606
palliatus 606
Hxmatothcrmal 196
Hair-bird 380
Hairy woodpecker 483
Half-webbed foot 131
Haliaetus 554
albicilla 555
leucocephalus 555
pelagicns 556
Haliplana 756
Hallux 128
Halocyptena 780
microsonia 780
Halodroma 732
Halodrominie 773, 774
Halones of egg 222
Hammond's tlvcatcher 443
Hamulate bill '102
Hamuli 84
Hang-nest 408
Hardcrian gland 179, 181
Hare-footed buzzards 549
Harelda 706
glacialis 706
Harlan's buzzard 543
Harlequin
duck 707
quail 594
Harpagornis 65
Harporhynchus 250
Dcndirii 252
cinereus 253
crissalis 254
curvirostris 232
lecontii 254
longirostris 231
palmer! 252
redivivus 233
rufus 251
Harpy eagle 553
Harriers 521
Harris's
buzzard 542
sparrow 384
woodpecker 483
Haunch bones 148
Haversian canals 134
Hawfinches, american 342
Hawk
american mar^h 521
black 549
blue 521
California squirrel 551
chicken 528, 530, 545
cooper's 528
Cuban sparrow 538
duck 534
tish 556
great-footed 534
hen 530
isabel sparrow 538
marsh 521
piKCun 528, 536
ricliardson's pigeon 537
shariKshiuned 528
sparrow 537
winter 545
Hawk owl 511
american 511
europcan 511
Hawks 519, 526
sharp-shiniu'd 527
Head of birds !)2, 97
Hearing, sense of 184
Heart 196
Heel 120
Heermann's song sparrow 372
Heliornithidie 6(J6
Helmet '
hummers 464
quail 591
Helmintherus 291
swainsoni 202
vermivorus 291
Helminthophaga 292
Helminthophila 292
bachmani 294
celata 295
chrj'soptera 294
cincinnatiensis 293
lawrencii 293
leucobronchialis 293
luciic 294
peregrina 295
pinus 293
rulica|]illa 294
virginiic 294
Heloise huinming-bird 465
Hemiglottides 648
Hemipodii 571, 572
Hemispheres of brain 175
Heniconetta 709
Hen hawk 544
Hen, sage 580
Hens, marsh 671
Henshaw's wren-tit 262
Henslow's
bunting SCO
grasshopper sparrow 366
Hepatic tanagcr 318
Heredity 66
Hermit
thrush 247
warbler 299
Herodio! 04ii
Herodias 658
alba 659
egretta 658
Herotlii 654
Herodiones 647
Heron
black-crowned night 662
europcan liluo 058
florida 658
great blue 637
great egret G08
great wliito 658
{freeu 602
ittlc blue 661
little white 661
night G62, 663
snowy 660
wUrdeniann's 658
Herons 654
ond their allies 647
blue and white 661
great 657
great egret 658
green 662
small egret 659
night 662
thick-bill night 663
true 657
Herpetolheres 519
Herring gull 743
american 743
europcan 743
Hesperocichla 243
Hesperoplionu 342
■ vespertina 342
Hesperornis 63
crassipcs 827
gracilis 827
rcgalis 63, 826
Heteroccelous vertebra; 138
Heterodactyli 448
Heteroscclus 643
incaniis 643
Hiator 652
High-holder 493
"High," in scale of organization 77
Himantopus 611
nigricollis 611
Himantornis hicmatopus 670
Hind
limb 118
toe 128
Hip- joint 118
Hirundinidiv 319
Hirundo 321
crythrogastra 322
horreorum 322
rustica 319
Histrionicus 707
minutus 707
Hobbies 532
INDEX.
846
HolbiiU'R red-poll 353
Holobla^tic cp^n 220
Ilolorhiiial 165
Ilolothccal podotlieca 125
llomalogoiiatous birds 105
Homology 67, 68
Honey creeper, bahaman 317
Honey creepers 317
Hooded
crown sparrow 384
flj'calclung warbler 313
merganser 718
oriole 40!)
Hnndlum 344
Hooklets of feathers 84
Hooks, foroggs 52
Floot owl 503, 509
Hoplopterus 597, 669
Horn-bill auk 805
Horned
grebe 795
lark 281
owl, 504
puflin 801
screamers 605
wavy 686
Hornby's petrel 782
Horns of liyoid bone 167
Horny integument of foot 124
House
finch 347
martin 320
sparrow 344
wren 278
Hudsoninn
curlew 645
godwit 035
titmouse 207
Humero-scapulnrc 145
Humerus 106, 107
Hummers
amazili 466
attic 465
circe 467
fulgent 461
gorget 461
lielmct 464
lightnini; 462
lucifer 466
queen 460
starry 465
xanttis 460
Humming-bird
alien 463
alexander 463
anna 464
broad-tailed 463
calliope 465
circe 467
costa 465
dusky-tailed 466
heloise 465
lucifer 466
red-backed rufous 462
refulgent 461
ruby-tliroatcd 461
rufous-bellied 466
xantus 460
HuMiming-birds 458
Hunger and fatigue 20
Huschke's process 189
Hutchins' goose 089
Mutton's greenlet 334
Hyacinths 675
Hyaloid membrane 184
Hvbrid snow-bird 378
Hydralector 669
llydranassn 660
tricolor OGl
Ilydropliasinnus 669
Hygiene of collectorship 19
llylocichla 80
HVlophilus 330
Ilylotonuis 480 „
pilentus 480
HymenolaMiuis ninlacorhjruchus 699
Ilyoid bono 153, 167
Hj-papopliysis 137
cerebri 175
Hypoblast 220
Hypochondria 95
Ilypocleidiuu) 146, 147
Hypoglossal nerve 177
HypognathoHs bill 101
Hyporliachis 84
Hvpositta 269
Iaciie 467
latirostris 467
tbidorhvncha strulhersi 618
Ibidcs 6*48
Ibidido! 648
Ibis series 648
Ibis
glossy 649
scarlet 651
white 051
white-fuced 651
glossy 649
wooir653
Ibises 048
glossy 049
scarlet O.jl
white 051
wood 652
Ibycter 539
Ice gulls 740
Iceland gyrfalcon 533
Iclithyopsida 60
Ichthyornis 63, 64, 70, 77, 237
agilis 827
anceps 827
celer 826
lentus 827
tener 828
validus 828
victor 828
Icteria 312
longii'.iuilft 312
vircns 312
IcteridiB 399
IcteriiniB 288, 311
Icterin* 406
Icterus 407
afliiiis 408
nudubnni 410
bulhicki 409
cuciillatus 409
galbula 408
melaiiocephaUis 410
parisoruni 409
spurius 407
vulgaris 407
Ictinia 523
subeirrulca 523
-Ida; (suHix) 78
Ideal plan of vertebra 135
Ilium 148, 213
Illinois summer finch 373
Imperial tern 757
Impeyans 575
Implements for collecting 1
-inw (suflix) 78
Inca dove 570
Iiic:i mystaoulis 755
Incubation 226
Incumbent hallux 128
Indian hen 064
Indicatorida' 446
Indigo painted linch 391
Indigo-bird 391
lufra-nrbilal region 97
Infuudibulum
of ear 188
of ovidiiii 221
Ingluvies 212
Innominate bone 148
Insect pests 55
Insessores 238
Insessorial foot 129
Insistent hallux 128
Instruments 25
for eggs 51
Integument of foot 124
luterelavicle 147
Intermaxillary bone 100, 164
Intermediate ciown sparrow 382
Intermedium 120
Internasal plate 151
Internodes of foot 121
Interorbital septum 153
Interramal space 97, 104
Interscapulare 95
Intestine 213
lonornis 675
martinica 676
Ipswich sa>'^ii.na sparrow 361
Iridoprocne 322
bicolor 3!?2
Iris of eye 183
Iris swfi'llows 322
Isabel sparrow hawk 538
Ischiac artery 199
Ischium 148
Isomeres 229, 233
Isotonics :^29, 233
Isthmu!; uf oviduct 222
Ivory gull 749
Ivory-billed woodpecker 479
lyngida; 446
lynx torquilla 105
Jabiru 653
american 653
Jaij'ann, mcxicau 669
Ja^aniu) 609
Jack curlew 645
Jackdaw 412
european 414
Jack^nipe 621, 626
Jiiger
arctic 738
longed-tailed 738
parasitic 736
poniatorhine 735
Jiigers 734
Japanese murrelet 812
■Fuw-bone 106
Jaws of birds 100
Jay
alaskan 425
arizonn 425
blue 421
blue-fronted 422
black-headed 422
brown 419
846
INDEX.
Jay
California 424
canadu 4'25
crvslvd blue 421
crcKllesii blue 423
florida 423
lun);-cre9ted 422
Oregon 425
rio ^rande 424
rocky mountain 425
smutty-nosed 425
stcllcr's 421
woodhouse's 423
Jays 414, 419
brown 419
crested blue 421
crCMtless blue 423
gray 425
green 424
Jejunum 213
Jerfalcon tee gyrfalcon
Jugal
bar 162
bone 162
Jugulum 06
Juncn 377
aikcni 378
anncctcns 379
caniceps 379
cinereus 379
connectens 378
dorsalis 379
hiemalis 377
oregonus 378
Jurassic birds 61, 62, 829
Kaimak song sparrow 372
Kagu 665
Kemiicott's
screech owl 505
warbler 259
Kentucky warbler 310
Kestrels 532
Key
to the families 231
to the orders 230
Key west dove 671
Kevs
urtificial 227
directions for using 227
Kidneys 317
Kildeer plover 600
King
cider 712
rail 672
King bird 432
gray 433
Kingfisher
belted 470
texan green 470
Kinglishcrs 468
belted 469
piscivorous 469
Kinglet
golden-crested 260
ruby-crowned 259
western golden-crested 260
Kinglets, 242, 259
Kirtland's warbler 306
Kitchenmiddens 64
Kite
black-shouldered 525
everglade 523
mississippi 524
swallow-tailed 526
Kite
white-tailed 526
Kites 522
lead 523
pearl 525
sickle-billed 523
swallow-tailed 525
Kittiwake
common 748
kotzebuc's 748
red-legged 748
short-billed 748
Kittiwakes 747
Kittlitz's raurrelet 813
Knee 120
cap 119
joint 119
Knives 25, 52
Knob-nosed auk 808
Knot 632
Kotzebue's kittiwake 748
Krider's red-tail 545
Labellino, 21, 23, 53, 70
Labels 23, 24
Labrador
duck 700
gyrfalcon 532
Labyrinth
of ear, 187, 188. 190
of trachea 50, 202
Laciymal
bone 165
duct 179
gland 170, 181
Lacteals 109
Ladder-backed three-toed wood-
pecker 485
Lady of the waters 661
Lasvo-carotidino! 198
Lagena 189
Lagopus 585
albus 48, 586
atkensis 588
Icucurus 588
mutus 688
reinhardti 588
rupestris 687
scoticus 577
Laletes osburni 330
Lamellate bill 102
Lamellirostral 101
Lanielliroslres 077, 824
Lamina
spiralis 188
terminalis 175
Laminic of tarsus 125
Laminiplantur tarsus 125
LaminiplantatioM 126
Lanipornis mango 459
Land rails 674
Laniido! 336
Laniino! 336
Lanius 337
borealis 337
excubitorides 338
ludovicianus 338
Lanner, american 634
tenners 532
Laopteryx priscus 829
Laomis'edvardsianus 828
I^pland longspur 357
Lap owl 509
Lapwing, crested 605
I Lapwings 604
Large-billed
fox sparrow 386
puflin 803
wag-tail warbler 309
Larger white-cheeked goose 688
Laridoi! 733
Larinse 739
Lark
bunting 387
finch 384
savanna sparrow 363
sparrows 384
Lark
brown 286
field 406
horned 281
meadow 406
meadow mvxican 406
meadow western 406
shore 281
western 282
southwestern 282
sky 282, 283
Larks, 280
meadow 405
Larus 740
afiinis 745
argentatus 743
brachyrhynchus 745
cachinnaiis 744
califoniiciis 745
canus 745
delawarensis 745
glaucescens 741
glaucus 741
beermanni 747
kumlieni 742
leucopterus 741
marinus 742
occidentalis 744
smithsonianus 743
Larva; of insects 55
Larynx 202
lower 204
Latitores 665
Laughing gull 750
Law of priority 80
Lawrence's
crested fly-catcher 436
goldlinch 355
stilt petrel 783
warbler 293
Lawyer 611
Lazuli painted finch 391
Leach's petrel 781
Lead kites 623
Least
auk 808
bittern 664
bush-tit 268
flycatcher 442
greenlet 335
petrel 780
sandpiper 625
snow goose 686
tern 706
Le conte's
bunting 366
grasshopper sparrow 366
Leg
plumage cf 122
relative length of 123
T^guatia gigantea 65
Length of leg, relative 123
"Lengths " of parts 24, 26,
Leptosomatida: 446
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
INDEX.
847
Lesser
coverts 110
scaup duck 701
snow Koosc 686
tell-Ule 638
Lestornis crassipr^ 827
Lestridince 7<')4
Leucocytes 1!)G
Leucostictc !)5U
arctoa 352
atrata 350
australis 350
griseinuclia 351
Rtofftlis 361
tephrocoti.s 351
Lewis' woodpecker 490
Lightning hummers 463
Likeness, degrees of 71
Limicoia platyrhyncha 617
Limicolie 5U6, 823
Limosa 616, 634
legocepliala 636
foeda 635
hsemastica 635
lapponica 636
novw-z-ciilundiie 636
uropygialis 636
Limpkiii 608
Lincoln's song sparrow 370
Lingula 151
Lining of wings 110, 111
Linnet
brewster's 353
pine 354
Linnets 340, 353
red-poll 352
Linota 353
fiavirostris brewsteri 353
Little
black crake 674
black-hcuded duck 701
blue heron 661
buff flycatchers 443
horned owls 504
olivaceous flycatchers 440
seed-eater 3U2
western flycutclier 442
white egret 060
heron 661
Liver 215
Lobate toot 131
Lobation 131
Lobe-foot phalarope 613
Lobes 98
Lobipes 013
hyperboreus 013
Lobivanellus 597, 609
Loddigesia
mirabilis 115
Loggerhead shrike 338
Lomvia 816
afHnis 825
arra 817
antiqua 825
californica 817
svarbag 818
troile 816
Long-billed
curlew 645
marsh wren 279
Long-crested jay 422
Long-eared owl 507
Long-exserted tail-feathers 116
Longirostral 101
Lonsipennes 732, 825
Long-legged tattler 638
Long-shanka 611
Longspur
bluck-brousted 359
black-shouldered 358
bay-whiged 359
chestnut-collared 358
laplund 357
painted 358
white-tuilid 358
LouR-spurs 357, 3u9
Long-tuik'd
chat 312
chickadee 2GG
duck 706
jager 738
Long-winged swimmers 732
Loon
black-throated 791
pacific black-throated 791
red-throated 791
vellow-billud 780
Loons 789
Loose plumage 30
Lophodytes 710
lx)phola'nius 504
Lophophanes 2li4
atrocristatus 265
bicolor 204
inomatus 264
woUweberi 266
liOphophorus 575
Lopliortyx 591
californica 592
ganibcli 893
Lophosteoii 143
Loral 98
I^ords and ladies 708
Lore 98
Loruni 93
Louisi;inu
clapper rail 672
eprct (iOl
pipit -JSO
water thrush 309
Love doves 508
'•Low"in scaleof organization 77
Lower larvnx 204
Loxia 348'
amcrlcana 349
leucoptera 348
mexicana 350
'.oxiine finches 340
Lucifer
hummers 466
humming-bird 466
Lucy's warbler 294
Lumbar vertebra; 140
Lunda 803
lirrata 804
Lungs of birds 200
Lustre doves 570
Lymph 199
Lym|)liutic system 195
Lvmphatics 199
Lyre-bird no
Lyrurus tctrix 578
Macartnevs 575
Macgillivrav's warbler 311
Machetes 040
pugnax 640
^lachinery of cltissification 78
Jtacrodaclyli 665
^fairopvfria 564
Macrorhamphus 622
MacTorhamphus
griseus t)±J
scolopui'cus (123
semipahiiatus 016
ilaguolia 304
Magnum 107
.Magpie 420
yelU.w.billcd 421
Magpies 421)
Muize-thief 404
Mala 98
Malacorhvnchus membranaceoai
690
Malar region 98
Mallard 690, 691
Malleus 162
Mannnalia 60, 69
Mandible 100, 166
under 1U3
upper 104
Mangrove cuckoo 476
Mantle 95
Man-of-war bird 731
Manubrium 144
Manus 106, 108
Manx shearwater 788
Marbled murrelot 813
JIarble-wing sandpiper 643
Mareca 093
americaiia 694
penelope 694
Marginal fringes of toes 131
Marlin 635
ring-tailed 636
Marsh
blackbird 404
blackbirds 400, 403
hawk 521
hen 672
hens 071
owls 507
robin 396
tern 757
wren 279, 280
wrens 279, 280
Marsupium 184
Martin
house 320
purple 325
sand 324
Maryland yellow-throat 310
JIasked woodpeckers 483
Jfasking puffins 800
Massena partridge 594
Materialization 174
Materials for taxiilemiy 25, 26
Matrix of feathers 82
Maxilla 98
Maxillary
bone' 162
line 98
JIaxillo-palatine
bar 152
bone 162
Jfeadow
pipit 285
starlings 405
Meadow lark 406
mexican 406
western 406
Meadiiw-wink 400
Mealy red-poll 353
amcrican 353
grcenland 35!
Measurements, direetions for 24
Sleatus auditorius 97, 158
848
INDEX.
Meatus
externua 185
internus 187
Mechani.'im
of leg-bones 121
of wing-bones 106, 107, 108
Meckel's
cartilage 160, 162
(ganglion 177
Median coverts 110
Medio-palatinc ossification 173
Medio-tarsai joint 121
Mediterranean shearwater 784
Medulla
oblongata 175
spinalis 176
McgapodidiE 672
Mcgapodius 572
Memnerpes 480
angustifrons 490
bairdi 400
erythroccphalus 489
fofmicivorus 489
Meleagrididic 676
Meleagris 576
altus 833
americana 676
antiquus 823
celer 823
gallipavo 576
superbus 823
Melittarcbus 432
Melopelia 569
leucoptera 569
Melospiza 369
cinerea 372
fallax 372
fasciata 371
guttata 372
hcrmanni 372
lincolni 370
palustria 370
rulina 372
samuelis 372
Members of birds 92, 100
Membrana
putaniinis 222
tyinpani 154
Membranous labyrinth 188, 189
Meninges of brain 175
Mentum 98
Menura superba 116
Merganser
hooded 718
red-breasted 49, 717
Mergonsers 716
Merginic 716
Mergus 716
cucullatus 718
merganser 716
serrator 717
Merlin, american 537
Merlins S32
Meroblastic eggs 221
Meropidic 446
Merry-thought 147
Mcrula 243
MeseiiccphalDii 175
Mescthinoid 160
Mesoblast 226
Mesometrv 221
Mesomyodi 427
Mcsomyodian 205, 239
Mcsozo'ic 62
Messina quail 595
Metacarpus 106, 107
Metagnathoua bills 101
Metatarsal
accessory 121
bones I'il
spurs 133
Metatarsus 110
Metoncephulon 175
Metopodius 669
Metosteon 144
Mctovum 221
Mexican
bluebird 258
brown towlicc 397
caiion wren 276
chicki Jeo 260
cormorant 728
creeper 273
cross-bill 350
flicker 493
golddnoh 355
javann 689
meadow lark 406
snow-bird 379
Miasm 19
Micraster 619
Micratbene 615
Whitney i 516
Micropalama 623
himantopus 623
Migratory quail 595
Milvago 530
Milvinic 522
Milvulus 431
forlicatus 431
tvrannus 431
Milvus 523
Mimiiin> 242, 248
Mimiis 249
carolinensis 250
polyglottus 250
Miocene birds 64
Mississippi kite 524
Missouri titlark 286
Mitrcphanes 443
fulvifrons pallcscens 443
Mitrcphorus 443
(lallesccns 443
Mniotilta 200
borcalis 200
varja 290
Moas 65, 825
Mockers 249
Mocking-bird 250
mountain 249
Mocking thrushes 242, 248
Modiolus 188
Molothrus 401
ffineus 403
oter 402
obscurus 402
Momotidie 468
Momotus cffiruleiccps 408
Monerula 224
Monogamy 226
Moose-biril 425
Morclet's pygmy finch 302
Morphological classification 66, 68
Morphology 67
Motacilla 284
alba 284
ocularis 284
MotacillidiE 283
Motacilliiuc 284
Moths 55
Motor nerves 174
Mottled owl 505
Moult 88
of bill 103
Mound-birds 572
Mountain
chickadee 266
plover 804
mucking-bird 240
quail 591
sparrow 345
Moimting birds 40
Mourning
dove 568
warbler 311
Mouth 92, 210
Miicronutc tuil-feath'^rs 116
Mud-hen 672
white-billed 676
Mud-hens 675
Mud swallow 323
Mulluriun ducts 215
Muininification 47
Murrc 816
Murrelet
black-throated 811
craveri's 814
kittlitz's 813
Japanese 812
marbled 813
short-winged 814
white-bellied 818
Murrelcts
nipper-nosed 811
pealvcd-nosed 812
Murres 810, 816
Muscicapa
acadica 441
fulvifrons 443
querula 441
subviridis 441
Muscles of birds 192, 194
Muscular
sense 191
system 192
tfssue 192
Musoplmgidiv 446
Mute swan 681
Mutilation 38
Muzzle-loader 2
Mycteria 863
americana 653
Mvclenccphalon 176
Myiadcstcs 329
townsendi 329
Mvumoeba
la;vis 192
striata 192
Myiarchus 434
cincrcsccns 436
conperi 436
criiTitus 434
crj'throcercuR 435
lawrencii 486
mexicanus 436
MyiodioctCR 313
canadensis 314
mitratus 313
pilcolatus 314
pusillus 313
Myiodynastes 431
luteiventris 431
Mviozetetes texensis 430
MVlo-hyoid 211
Myology 192
Mvrtle bird 301
INDEX.
849
Nail of bill 103
Nulls of toi'8 132
NanicK, scieiititle 78
Niirio UU
Niii-fs 104, 178, 210
Niirrow-f routed uuodpcckcr 490
Nusnl
bonca 105
foHsu 104
Kland 178
Hcale 105
turblnal 17-'l
Nasliville warbler -21)4
Natatorial foot 12!), 131
Natural
atrinitic!< 72
selection 0(1
Nauulcrus 5211
Neeli 112, UU
Neochloe 330
Neocorys 280
spru^uii 280
Xeopliron pcrcnopterus 519
Neplia'cetcs 457
ni);er borealia 457
Nerve-tissue 174
Nervous system 174
Ncsonetta'aui'klandica 091)
Nestor product us 05
Nests aud viiii", eolleclin); 50
Nests, plea for study of 54
Netting birds 4
Nettiuni 095
Neural
arch 135
spines 137
Neurapophyses 137
Neurology 174
Neuramucba
Candida 174
cinerea 174
Nevada sage sparrow 376
New york water thrush 309
Nictitating mcuibraue 179, 180
Nidilicatiou 227
Night heron
black-crowned 002
yellow-crowned 003
Nigl'it herons 002, 003
Night-courser, whiie-throated 450
Night-coursers 449
Night-hawk
Cuban 454
texaa 454
western 454
Night-hawks 453
Nightingale, Virginian 393
Night-jar 452
Night-jars 448
anicrioan 450
Nipper-nosed murrelets 811
Nocturnal birds of prey 498
Noddies 771
Noddy tern 771
Nomenclature 78
binomial 79
rules of 80
trinomial 80
Xomonyx 715
dominica 715
Non-melodious passeres 427
Nonpareil 391
western 391
Nootka humming-liird 402
North american birds
classitication of 234
North Rmcrican birds
Hystenialie synopsis of 237
Norlhcrn
black cloud swift 457
brown cninc 007
plmluidpe 013
>liiirp-tailed grouse 581
-hiike 337
Norlhwcsl lisli crow 417
N(iHtrils 1114
Nolii'uni 94
Notiocorys 285
Notocliord 151
Nolornis 143
Nucha 90
Xuclial
bone 725
regie pu 90
\voo(l|ieckcr 488
Nucifraga caryocatactes 418
Number
of phalanges 127
of Iocs 120
Numbering of toes 127
NumeniusOKS, 043
anpiatus 041
iKU'eiilis 040
lmd>onicus 045
lougirostris 045
plui'opus 045
taitensis 040
Nuniida mcleagris 574
Nuinididiv 574
N utcrackcr
american 417
brown-hcadeil 271
Nuthatch
Canadian 271
Carolina 270
curopean 270
pvgmv 271
red-bellied 271
slender-billed 271
white-bellied 270
Nuthatches 209
tvpicnl 270
Nuttali's
poorwill 45-'!
woodpecker 483
Nyctala 512
acadica 513
albifrons 513
richardsoni 512
tengmalmi 512
Nyctca'510
scandiaca 510
Nycterodius 003
violaceus 063
Nyctiardca 062
grisca na'via 002
Nyctibiime 448
Nyctidromus 449
albicollis 450
Oak-woods sparrow 373
Obliquus
inferior 181
superior 181
Observations, record of 21
Obturator foramen 149
Occipital
bone 150
condyles 156
style 725
Occiput 97
Oceanites 782
64
Oceanites occanious 789
Oceanodronm 7H2
fineala 782
lionibv i 782
Oculi-nu)ior nerve 177
Ocyilromina' 070
OcVpbaps 504
Odonlou'lo-^iv 077
OduMloid process 139
<»<lomol,jeO:), 238, 821
()donlo|,liorina'588
Oclontcjpborus MS
Oclonlornilhe.s 821
(tdonldiornuu 03, 237, 821
a;demia713
inuericana 713
Iusca714
per>pleillala 714
Irowliridnii 715
velveliiia 714
(Eiticnemina- 597
(K-ophagus 211
ItMrelata 77U
bidwi'ri 71-0
iisheri 780
gularis 780
lucsilato 779
Oil-gland 80
( )id-lield lark 406
( lld-sriiuiw 700
< ild-wife 700
• lid world
partridges 694
quail 694
vultures 519
Olecranon 107
Ollaction 178
Olfactory
foramen 160
lobes 175
nerves 176
Olivaceous llvcatchers 440
Olive warbler 290
Olive-backed thrush 248
Olive-black towhec 390
Olive-sided flycatcher -138
()lor682
Omi.s 100
Onychiiles 5ri2
gruberi 653
Ontogeny 71
Oiilogy
described 215
study of oO
Oiiphoroii masculinum 218
Opttiorliyncbus 205
Ophthalmic nerve 177
Opisthocadous vertebra? 138
Opislhoconii 071
Opisthocomus cristntus 143, 571
(Jplstliotic bone 157, 187
Opomrnis 309
ngilis 309
formosa 310
Optic
foramina 159
lobes 175, 170
nerves 170, 184
limlanii 175
Orange-crowned warbler 29S
Orbicularis ocnii 180
Orbit of eye 97, 179
Orbital
process of quadrate 102
region 97
Orbito-uasal septum 160
850
INDKX.
Orbito-nphenoid 168
Orcliiinl oricilu 407
tuxus 4U7
Ordur 72, 73
Oregon
juy 426
olivi'-bnckod llirubli 247
NiKiw-liird ;I78
8011^ xpurruw U72
robin 246
riiflvd grouse 680
towiicv aun
OrcopliuKiiiii! 572
OreopbusJH dvrbiiinuH 572
Orcopliiliis totuiiinisilris 607
Orguiiization, scale of 77
OrgaiiN
o( circulation 106
of digestion 2UII
of generation 217. 219
of loconiotiun 100
of respiration lUU
of special senses 174
Oriole
audubon's 410
baltimoro 408
black-and-vc'llow 409
l)lack-bca(fcd 410
bullock's 400
hooded 409
orchard 407
paris' 400
texas orchard 408
Orioles 400, 407
Oniithichnites 02
Ornithium 443
imbcrbe 444
Ornitholite 63
Ornithological book-keeping i
Ornithology dclined 53
Omithoscclida 62
Orortyx 691
picta 591
Oroscoptes 249
montanus 249
Ortalis 573
vetula maccalli 673
Ortolan
(rced-bird) 401
(sora or rail) 673
Ortyx 689
floridana 601
tcxana 691
virginiana 089
Ortyxelos mciffreni 672
Oscine podothcca 125
Oscines 69, 239, 240
Os
humero-scapularc 145
innominatum 148
lacrymo-palatinum 165
magnum 107
promincns 108
uncinatum 165
Ospreys 656
Osseous system 134
Ossicles
of ear 136
of wing 108
Ossicula auditfts 136
Ossific centres 134
Ossifraga 777
gigantea 777
OsteamcebEC 140
Osteological preparations 48
Osteology 134
Of<te<>!<ea 134
Ostrich, Hkuli of IflO
Otaliiti curlew 04U
Otic
capsule 156
ganglion 177
Otididic OltT, (iOO
Otis tarda 210
Otocruiic lt<7
OtogvpH niiriiulinls 510
Otoli'tlH I!K)
Ouzel 255
water 2'i0
Ovaries 45, 4(1, 216, 210
Oven-bird 308
Oviduct 220
Ovisac 220
OvipoRition 223
Ovulation 220
Ovum 210
Owl
acadian 013
anicrican hawk 611
anierican loug-carcd 607
nniorican wucid Ol)!l
orctic umerican saw-whet 612
barn 002
barred 509
burrowing 5(!
California screech 606
California gnome 514
cat 503
Colorado screech 600
day 611
dusky horned 504
elf 5i(i
enropean hawk 512
ferriigineous gnome 514
flammulated screech 006
florida barred 610
florida screech 100
florida burrowing 517
great gray 609
great horned 603
hoot 603, 600
kennicott's screech 505
lap 509
little horned 506
mottled 606
red 5')8
saw-whet 613
screech 505
short-cared 507
snowy 510
spectral 609
texas screech 606
western barred 510
white horned 604
Owls, 498, 600, 602
barn 50O, 601
brown 508
burrowing 618
eared 607
elf 516
gnome 514
gray 608
great horned 503
hawk 611
hoot 603
little homed 604
marsh 507
other 502
pygmy 514
saw-whet 512
screech 604
snow 510
Owls
sparrow 514
Ox-eyi. OIIH
Oyster-catcher
auK'rican (106
black 607
europeiiii (i06
Oy«tcr-<utclicrM 606
Pacific
bar-tailed gfidwit 636
black-throated diver 701
cider 712
fulmar 778
orange-crowned warbler 205
Pagophila 749
euurnea 749
Painted
biniling 391
tinch 391
indigo 301
lazuli 301
purple 301
fluches 300
Hvcatching warbler 316
glcse 680
goose 086
k)ngspur 358
Paisano 474
Pahi'oborus umbrosus 822
Palu!0cycnus I'alconeri 683
Pnlivornilbidir 495
Palo'ornithina' 495
Palniospiza bella 822
Paln!otringa
litoralis 823
vagans 828
vctus 828
Palamcdeu corniua 666
Palamedcida' 665
Pallas-
cormorant 728
gull 744
rosy tinch 362
Palatal
bones 1C3
structure, tvpes of 168
Palate, hard 163
Palatine bones 163
Pale ring-neck 602
Palm warbler 307
Palmate foot 131
Pahnation 131
Palpebriu 97
Pancreas 215
Pandion 556
haliaetus 556
Pannicnlus carnosus 200
Panyptila 456
saxatilis 466
Parabutco 542
Parachordal cartilage 151
Paradise
tern 706
trogon 467
Paragnathons bill 101
Parasite 344
Parasitic jiigcr 736
Parasphcnoid 105, 159
Paraucbenia 06
Paridic 263
Parinic 263
Paris' oriole 409
Parietal bones 156
Parovaria 215
INDEX.
861
Pnrra (Mil)
Kyiiiiiofttnma 133, (16!)
jiieana 008
Parroquct auk 80(1
I'arrnquct, Carolina 4i)0
ParroquetH 4!l(l
PurrotH 4!I4, 4UH
Hi-a 8(M)
Part I I
1169
III 2.17
IV 821
Partridge 570, 685, 590
blue 5U:i
eallfnriiiaii 593
ciiropi'iiii 688
floriila 6!) I
gamhi'l's 593
massvna 604
old world 594
pluinod 591
■calc'd 69.1
spruce 578
texas 691
virf;iiiia 689
Parula 290
aiiiericuim 290
niftrilora 291
pitiuvunil 291
Pariis 205
atrlcapillus 266
carnliiiciisis 200
cinctUH 207
evura 207
hudsoiilcus 207
mcridionalJH 266
montanus 200
ncglectua 207
occidentnlls 266
rufesccns 207
BcptcntrioimlJ!) 2GU
Passenger pigeon 500
Passer 344
domexticus 344
montanus 345
Passerculus 360
alaudinus 303
anthinus 303
bairdi 300
guttalus 364
princcps 301
rostratus 303
sanctorum 304
sandvicensis 362
savana 303
PaiscrcIUi 385
iliaca 386
megarhyncha 386
schistacca 380
unalasccnsis 385
Possercs 69, 238
acromyodi 230
mesomyodi 427
Passerina 390
amoena 391
ciris 391
cyauea 391
versicolor 391
Passerine
foot 129
sternum 145
Patella 119
Pathetic nerve 177
Pavo
bicalcaratus 133
cristatus 575
I'pabody-l.ird 382
I'l'BciHk 57 'i
I'caki'il-nuKcd niurreleta 812
I'ealo'H
cgri't 001
IxTcgriiH' 630
iiclrul 7H0
IVnrl kitt's 526
IViliii 184
I'cctiimtiiin
ofrliiw..* 132
<>r Iocs 132
IVctiiial arch 145
of I'lu'inalii' 140
iif niiitir 14(1
Pcclonil
uiukcIi'm 1!I3
Hundiiipcr (126
yiiudpipcr!! (125
I'ci'tiiralls
major 103
niciliui 193
niiiiiir 193
Pectus 95
Pedicle of qua<Iratc bono 102
I'cdiocorvs 285
Pedid'celes 681
pliuslaiU'lluH 140, 681
columliianUK 581
Pcdiononius torciuatus 572
Peep 024, (125
Pelargi 048, (162
I'clargoniorpliic 648
Pelecanidu! 721
Pelccanus 722
conspicillatus 722
crispus 722
fuscus 722
onocrotalus 722
rufesccns 722
trachyrhynchus 722
Pelican, amefican
brown 722
white 722
Pelicans 721
Pelidna 631
alpina 631
americana 031
pacilica 031
Pelvic arch 147
Pelvis 147
Penclopinic 573
Penguins 788
Pennaceoiis feathers 86
i'ennic 85
Pentosteon 107
I'crchers proper 238
Pcrdicina! 594
Per(Ux 676
Peregrine falcon 634
Peregrines 632
Perilymph 190
Periofteura 134
Periotic bones 166, 157, 187
Pcrisoreus 426
canadensis 425
capitalis 425
fumifrons 425
obscurus 425
Perissoglossa 207, 306
Pcristeric 602
PeristeromorphiP 562
Peristeropodos 572
Pernis apivorus 523
Pessulus 205
Pests, insect 66
Petrel
black 7KI
black-cappcil 770
liulwor's 780
(Inlicr's 780
Kray (ork-tiiiled 782
iKiruby's fiirk-lailiMl 789
lawrci'icc'h »tilt 783
leach's 781
least 780
liealc's 7H0
l.inc-,iii 7711
pyumy 7H0
stil( storm \ 782
stnrmv 7Mi
whilcllidlicd 783
wliili'-runqicd 781
wiJM.n's atorniv 783
Petrels 773, 776
ilialicdic 779
gudth 779
gruy'l..rk-(all 783
pigeon 779
»(io(y fork-tail 781
slormy "n)
stilt s'tonny 782
wiKdiiian stormy 783
Petrocliclidon 323
lunirrons 323
Petrosal bone 157, 187
Peucaa 373
lestivalis 373
arixonii' 374
boucardi 376
ciirpalis 376
cassini 374
cremirca 376
illinoensis 373
niliceps 374
Pencedramus 290
olivaceus 200
Pewee
water 437
wood 439
Pewit 437
Pewit flycatchers 436
Pezophaps solitarius 66
Phaelhon 731
a'thereua 732
(lavirostris 732
rubricuuila 731
Phaiithonlidu! 731
Phnsthusa 755
Phalnopepla 328
nitens 328
Phaleridinrt- 800
Pluileris 800
Phalacrocoracidn' 723
Phalacrocorax 720
albociliatus 728
bairdi 729
bicristatua 728
carbo 720
cincinnatus 727
dilophns 727
floridauus 727
idahensis 824
macropus 824
mexicanus 728
penicillatus 728
perspicillntus 728
violaceus 729
Phal.Tnoptiliis 452
nuttalli 453
Phalanges 106, 108
of foot 121
862
INDEX.
Phalanges
number of 127
caprimiilgiiic 127
cvpseline 127
Phalanx 1U6, 108, 121
Phalarope
grav 614
northern 613
red 614
red-necked 613
Wilson's 612
Phalaropcs 612
coot-foot 614
fringe-foot 612
lobe-foot G13
Phalaropodidu; G12
Phalarupus 614
fulicarius 614
PhalcobaMius 539
Phaps !>64
Pharomacrus mocinno 115, 467
Phnrynx 210
Phasianido.- 575
Phasianus
colchiens 574
recvesi 575
Phasidns niper 576
Pheasant (Lnglish) 574
"Pheasant " (Anu'rican) 585
Phegornis mitchelli 5U7
Philactc 686
canagicn 686
Philip sparrow G44
Philohela 615, 619
minor 619
PhlogoDi^as 564
Pfaodilus badius 500
Phoebe 437
PhoenicoptcridoB 678
Phoenicoptcri's 678
andinus 678
ruber 679
Phocnicorodias 678
Phonipara 392
zenn 392
Phylloscopus 259
borcalis 259
Phvlogcnv 71
Phj-Ium 66
Pia mater 176
Pica 420
hudsonicn 420
nuttalli 421
rustica 420
Picarioc 444, 822
Picarian birds 444
Picicorvus 417
columbianiis 418
Picidoe 477
Picifomi birds 476
Piciformes 446, 476
Picoldes 484
americanus 485
arcticus 485
dorsalis 485
Picumnidic 446
Picus 480
borcalis 481
gairdneri 483
harrisi 483
lucasanug 482
major 477
nuttalli 482
pubosce' 483
scalaris 481
stricklandi 482
Picus
villosus 483
Pied duck 706
I'icd-billed grebe 797
Pics 420
smoky 419
Pigeon
guillemot 815
hawk 528, 536
petrel 779
woodpecker 493
Pigeon
band-tailed 565
passenger 566
prairie 641
red-billed 565
sea 814
white-collared 565
white-crowned 565
wild 660
Pigeons 562, 504
Pigeon-toed fowls 572
Plicated woodpecker 480
I'ileum 97
Pine
bulUinclies 343
finch 354
grosbeak 343
f;rouse 579
innet 354
warbler 307
Pineal body 175
Pine-crcepnig warbler 307
Pinicolu 343
enuclcator 343
Pinion 100, 108
Pink-sided snow-bird 379
Pinnated grouse 583
Pin-neck grouse 583
Pinnatipcdcs 67
Pintado petrel 779
i'in-tnil
doves 5(18
duck 692
grouse 581
Pin-winged doves 567
Pipilo 395
aberti 398
albigula 397
allcni 3!MJ
arcticus 39'!
chlorurus 398
crissalis 397
erylhroplithalmus 396
fu'scus 397
maculatus 396
megalonyx 397
mesoleucus 397
orcgonus 396
Piping plover 602
I'ipit savanna sparrow 303
Pipit
louisiana 286
meadow 285
sprnguc's 286
Pipits 283, 285
sky 286
Piscivorous kingfishers 469
Pitangus 430
derbianus 430
Pituitary
body 175, 176
space 151
I'Inin tit-mouse 264
PInuesticiis 80
Planta 124
Plasma 196
Platalea 650
leucorodia 650
Plataleidte 651
Plates of podotheca 124
I'latycercina' 495
Platyciclila 328
Plectrophanes 356
nivalis 356
Plcctropterus gambensis 684
Pleura; 95
Pleurapophyscs 137
Pleurostcon 144
Plegadis 649
falciucllus 649
guarauna 649
Pliocene birds 64
Ploceidie 224, 340
Plot idle 729
Plotus 730
anhinga 730
levaillanti 730
niclanogaster 730
Plover 597
american golden 599
asiatic golden 600
belted piping 002
black-bellied 598
bull-bead 598, 599
europcan golden 600
european ring 603
europcan lesser ring 603
field 599, 641
four-toed 598
golden 599
grass 641
kildeer 600
mountain 604
piping 602
prairie 604
ring 600, 602
ruddy (>33
semipalniated C02
snowv ring 603
Swiss" 598
upland 641
whistling' field 598
wilsonV 601
I'lougbshare bone 142
Plunia- 85
Plumage 82
changes of 88, 89
of foot 122
Plumbeous
bush-tit 268
gnat-catcher 2(Jl
greenlet 334
Plumed
partridge 591
quail 59'
Plumous feathers 85
Plumulaceous feathers 85
Plun.ulo; S6
Pneumaticitj- of skeleton 135
I'ncumatocysts 200
Pncumatology 199
Pncumogastric nerve 177
Pochard
american 701
red-crested 701
Pochards 699
Pocket-lens 27
Podarginie 448
Podargus 448
Podasooys 604
montanus 604
INDEX.
853
Podicipcdido! 792
Podicipes 71)4
auritus 795
californic'iis 796
cornutus 795
crista! us 794
domiiiicus 796
griseigeim 794
holboelli 794
Podilyinbus 79(i
podicipL's 797
Podium 12(i
Podotlieiii 124
Point of the wing 114
Poison 20, 40
Pole-baclvfd woodpecker 485
Polioptila2Ul
californica 2G2
ccerulea 201
nielanura 201
pluinbeu 261
Polioptilinie 242, 260
Pollex 108
Polyborinio 539
Polyboioides 521
Polyborus 539
audnboni 539
cheriway 539
lutosus 539
Polj-plectron 575
Pomutorliine Jiii;i'r 735
Pons varolii 175, 176
Pooccetea 364
continis 365
grainincus 304
Poor sliins, restoriiift 47
Poor-will, nuttall's 453
Poor.',vills 452
Poi)e 391
Pope's nose 114
Portal system of veins 197
Portio
dura 187
mollis 187
Porzann 673
Carolina 073
coturniculns 674
maruetta 073
jainaicensis 674
noveboracensis 074
Position of digits 128
Post-frontal
bone 157
processes 156
Post-oral urch 162, 154
Post-orbital region 97
Post-palatine processes 164
Post-sacral vcrebric 142
Post-zygapopliyses 137
Powder, gun 4
Powder-down feathers 80
Priccoces 88
Prairie
chicken of the northwest 581
hen 583
falcon 534
pigeon 041
plover 604
warbler W-
Preeninfr plumafje 80
Premaxillary 100, 104
Prenasal cartilage 153, 155
Pre-oral arch 152
Prepalafines 164
Preparations
osteological Vi
Preparations
wet 48
I'ri'ssirdstral 101
rrespheniiid 158
I'rc-zygapophyscs 137
Primaries 112
I'rinuiry coverts 110
Primary, spurious 113
Primordial kidncjs 215
Princely tern 700
Priocclla 778
tenuirostris 778
Priolinus 783
melanurus 783
Prion 770
Priority, law of 80
Procclfaria 780
pelagica 781
Proccllariidie 773
Procellariina- 776
Procelsterna 755
I'roca-lous vertebra" 138
Procoracoid 145, 147
Prognc 325
subis 325
Prometheus 302
Pronation 109
Pro-otic bone 157, 187
Propubis 149
I'rosencephalon 175
Prosobonla leucoptera 018
Prothonotary warbler 291
Protonotaria 291
citrea 291
Protoplasm 196
Prototype 75
Prototypic groups 76
Protovum 221
Protozoa 70
I'roventriculus 212
I'l-nsiano 391
I'rybilov sandpiper 630
Psiiltriparus 207
mclanotis 207
minimus 208
plumbens '2(18
I'seudoitrypluis 558
californianus 553
Psilopii'dic birds 88 '
I'silorhinus 419
morio 419
Psittaci 494
Psittacidie 4!)5, 498
Psophiidic 005
Ptarmigan 585
rock 587
wliitc-lailcd 588
willow 48, 580
I'tcranodon beds 825
Ptcrocletes 502
Pterodactyls 62
PtiTosauria 62
I'Icrygnid bones 103
I'leryla
alaris 87
caudalis 87
crural is 87
dorsalfs 87
femoral is 87
humenilis 87
spinalis 87
ventralis 87
Ptcryhv 87
Ptervlographv 80
Ptcn'losi8 86"
Ptilogonatine 327
Ptilngonys 328
Ptildimrliynchus 224
i'tildpadic birds 88
I'tildpus 504
Ptilosis S2
Ptinus briinneus 55
Ptychorhamphus 80!)
alcuticus 810
Pubes, Pubic, Pubis, 149
Pucrasia 575
Pullin
common 802
horned masking 801
large-billed 803
tufted 803
Putlins 800
masking 800
tufted masking 803
Puliinus
umaurosoma 787
angliirum 780
Uireaiis 784
conradi 825
crealiipus 785
fnliginosus 787
kuhli 784
nuij<ir 785
obscurus 786
opistliomelas 786
tenuirostris 787
Png-nosed auk 800
Pullastra; 563
Piilmoiiary organs 199
Pulmonic circulation 195
Pulviplumes bO
Pupil of eye 183
Purple
bullfinches 346
crow-blackbird 413
finch 340
cassin's 347
gallinule 076
grackle 413
martin 325
painted finch 391
sandpiper 029
Pygmy
linch, morelets 392
finches 392
nuthatch 271
petrel 781
Pvgopodes 787, 825
Pygostvle 114, 142
Pvlorus 213
Pyramidalis muscle of eye 181
Pyranga 317
ii'stiva 318
cooperi 318
bepatica 318
luiloviciana 319
rubra 318
Pvroceplialus 444
mcxicanus 444
rubineus 444
Pyrrhula344
cassini 344
coccinca 344
Pyrrhuloxia 393
sinuata 393
Pyrrhurimi' 495
Qt;A-Biiti> 002
()uadrate bone 101
(Juadrato-jugal bono 162
tjuadratus muscle of eye 181
854
INDEX.
Quail 576, 689. iSee also Partridge
arizoiia 503
harlequin 594
helmet 591
messina 5U5
migratory 595
mountain 591
old world 594
plumed 591
shell 593
valley 591
Quail
doves 571
sparrow 365
Quake-tail, blue-headed 284
Queen hummers 4(i()
Querquedula 694
carolinensis 695
crecca 695
cvanoptera 696
dfiscors 696
Quesal 467
Quill-feathers 112
Quiscaliiia; 410
Quiscalus 412
aineus 413
agliEus 414
macrurus 412
major 412
purpureus 413
Quit, black-faced grass 392
Quits, grass 392
Radiale 106, 107, 108
Radius 106, 107
Raft duck 701
Rail
California clapper 672
Carolina 673
clapper 672
common 673
european land 675
king 672
little black 674
louisiana clapper 672
Virginia 673
yellow 673
Rails 665, 669, 670, 671
land 674
Rallido! 669
Ralliform birds 669
Ralliformes 669
Rallinic 670
Rollus 671
crepitans 672
elegans 672
longirostris 672
obsoletus 672
saturatus 672
virginianus 673
Rami of bill 103
Raptatorcs 496
Raptores 496, 822
Raptorial foot 130
Rasores 571
Rasorial foot 131
Ratitw 69, 238, 825
Ratite
birds 238
sternum 143
Raven
aniorican 416
white-necked 416
Ravens 415
Razor-billed auk 818
Record of observations 21
Recti muscles of eve 181
Kectrices 115, 116"
Recurvirostra 610
aniericaiut 611
avocettu 611
Recurvirostrida! 609
Red
cross-bill 349
flamingo 679
game 577
owl 505
phalarope 614
ruffed grouse 585
Red-and-buS-shouldcred blackbird
4U4
Red-and-white- shouldered black-
bird 404
Red-backed
humming-bird 462
sandpi|)cr 631
snow-bird 379
Red-bcllicd
nuthatch 271
snipe 623
woodpecker 488
Red-billed
mud-hen 675
pigeon 565
tropic-bird 732
Red-bird
cardinal 393
summer 318
western summer 318
Red-breasted
merganser 717
sandpiper 632
snipe 622
woodpecker 486
Red-cockaded woodpecker 481
Red-crested pochard 700
Reddish egret 661
Red-eyed
cowbird 403
green let 331
Rcd-taced cormorant 728
lied -fronted flvcatching warbler
314
Red-head 702
Red-head ducks 699
Red-headed woodpecker 489
Red-legged kittiwake 748
Red-necked
grebe 794
phalarope 613
Red-nose<l auk 808
Reil-poll
american mealy 353
common 352
greenland mealy 363
holbiill's 353
linnets 352
yellow warhlcr 307
yellow-bellied warbler 307
Red-shafted woodpecker 493
Red-shouldered
blackbird 404
buzzard 545
Rei' -spotted blue-throat 258
Redstart
american 316
blue-throated 258
Redstarts 315
Red-tail
krider's 545
St. lucos 545
western 545
Red-tailed buzzard 544
Red-throated
diver 791
woodpecker 487
Rcd-wiugcd
blackbird 403
blackbirds 404
thrush 245
Reed-bird 400
Reed wrens 277
Reeve 640
liedex action 174
Refulgent humming bird 461
Regions of the body 94
Registration 21
Regulina- 242, 259
Regulus 259
calendula 259
olivaceus 260
satrapa 259
Reinhardt's gull 745
Remigcs 11
Reptiles 60
Respiration, organs of 199
Respiratory svstem 199
Restoration of poor skins 47
Rete mirabile 199
Reticulate tarsus 124, 125
Reticulations of podotheca 124
Retina 180
Retrorse 105
Rhachis 84
Hhamphastidie 446
Khampliotlieca 103
Hhca 170
lihinencephalon 175
Rhinoceros auks 805
Rhinochoctus jubatus 665
Rhinotheca 103
Rhodostethia 752
rosea 753
Rhyacophilus 639
ochropus 639
solitarius 639
Rhyncho^a 616
capensis 616
scmicollaris 616
Rhynchofaico 539
Rhynchophancs 359
" maccowni 359
Rhynchopinic 772
Rhynchops 772
nigra 772
Ribs 142
Riblets 138
Rice-bird 400
Richardson's
dusky grouse 579
pigeon ha' /k 537
Rictal bristles 99
Rictus 105
Ridgwav's rosv finch 350
Rima grottidis'204
Ring dove 565
Ring plover 602
european 603
lesser european 603
snowy 603
Rini^-nei'li
duck 701
plover 602
Ring plovers 600
Rlng-Dilled gull 746
Ring-tailed
eagle 554
marl in 636
INDEX.
856
Rio grande jay 424
Rissa 747
brevirostris 748
kotzcbuii 748
tridactyla 748
River ducks 68i>
Road rumicr 474
Robin 244
allied '244
gulden 408
marsh 306
orefjon 245
St. Incus 244
Robin-siindpiper 632
Robin-snipe 632
Rock
ptarniifjan 587
swift, wliite-tliroated 456
swifts 456
wrens 275
Rocky mountain
blue-bird 258
garrot 704
jay 425
snow grouse 588
Rodgers' fulmar 778
Rollulus 576
Rook, vocal organs of 206
Rose
flycatcliinp warblers 314
tanager 318
Roseate
spoonbill 661
tern 7i>6
Rose-breasted
finch 348
song grosbeak 389
Ross'
goose 686
rosy gull 753
Rostrhamus 523
plumbcus 523
sociabilis 523
Rostrum 100
of sphenoid 158
of sternum 144
Rosv finch
"alien's 350
baird's 351
brandt's 351
pallas's 352
ridgway'a 350
swainson's 351
Rosy finches 350
Rosy gull
"bonaparte's 751
franklin's 751
ross' 753
Rosy gulls 749
Rough-winged swallow 324
Royal tern 759
Ruby-crowned kinglet 259
Ruby-throated humming bird 461
Rudclcr ducks 715
Rudders 115
Ruddy
duck 715
plover 033
Ruff 640
Uuflcd gronso 584, 585
Ruffs of binls 97
Rufous-bellied humming-bird 460
Rufous-crowned summer finch 374
Rufous-tailed
crested flycatcher 435
tlvcatchefs 434
Ruga- 103
Rules of uomendature 80
Kump 94
Runner, road 474
liusset-backed thrush 247
Rusty
graekles 411
song sparrow 372
Uustv-ciowiied falcon 537
Kutiellla 258
Sachal
plexus 141
verlebrie 140
Sacro-iliiic anchylosis 147
Sacro-sciiitic notch 148
Sacrum 140, 141, 147
Saddle-back 742
Sage
cock 580
grouse 580
hen 580
Sage sparrow
black-faced 376
California 376
nevada 376
Sage sparrows 375
Sage thrasher 249
Sagmatorhina
lathanii 805
sucklcyi 806
Saguaro woodpecker 488
Saint domingo
duck 715
grebe 796
Saint lucas
cactus wren 275
red-tail 545
robin 244
savanna sparrow 364
thrasher 253
woodpecker 482
Salivary glands 210
Salpinc'tes 275
obsoletus 275
Salt-water marsh-hen 672
Samuels' song sparrow 372
Sanderling 633
San diego savanna sparrow 363
Sandhill crane 667
Sand-pigeons 562
Sandpiper
aleutian 629
amcrican green 639
ash-colored 632
baird's 025
hartramiun 641
bl.ick-l>ellied 631
blaek-hrcasted 630
buff-breasted 042
cooper's 027
curlew 0;)2
ferrugiiieous 632
green 039
least 025
red-breasted 632
pectoral 026
j)ur|)lc 629
prvbilov 630
robin 632
semipalmated 624
sharp-tailed 028
spotted 040
spoon-billed 034
stilt 023
Sandpiper
western scminalmated 635
white-rumped 627
Sandpipers 017
curlew 631
dunlin 631
feather-leg 628
lighting 040
marble-wing 042
pectoral 025
purple 028
scmipalnuUed 625
spotted 040
spotty-throat 625
Sandwich tern 761
Sap-sucking wooa|/eckers 485
Sareorhaniplms grvphus 657
Sasia 126, 127
Saurognathism 173
Saurognathous skull 173
Sauropsida 60
Saurotherina' 473
Saurura' 237, 821
Savanna blackbird 472
Savanna si)arrow
baird's 3(i0
beaked 303
common 303
ipswich 361
lark 363
pipit 363
san diego ?63
St. lucas 363
Savanna sparrows 360
Saw-bills 468, 716
Saw-whet owl 513
arctic nmerican 613
Saw-whet owls 612
Saxicola 256
cenanthe 256
Saxicolino! 242, 250
Sayiornis 436
fusca 437
nigricans 437
sayi 437
Say's pewit flycatcher 437
Scala
media 190
tympani 188
vestibuli 188
Scale, nasal 105
Scale of organization 77
Scaled
dove 670
partridge 593
Scansores 445
Scansorial foot 130
Scape 84
Scaphoid tail 118
Scaphohinare 106, 107, 108
Scapula 107, 140
accessoria 108, 145
Scapular arch 49, 145, 146
Scapulare 94
Scapulars 94
Scardafella 570
inca 570
Scarlet
ibis 651
tanager 318
Scaups 6»»
Sehi/ognathism 170
Sehizognathous skull 170
Sehizorhiual nasals 165
Scliizolhecil podolheca 128
Science delined 59
856
INDEX.
Scientific names 78
Scissors 25, 52
Scissor-tail 4^1
Scleroskeletal bones VA
Sclerosteous bones lti8
Sclerotal bones 182
Sclerotic 180, 182
Scolecopliagus 411
cyanoccplialus 411
fcrrugineus 411
ScolopaceuuK cotirlan ti68
Scolopacidiv G14
Scolopax CID, C20, 828
rusticula 620
Scops 604
asio 505
bcndirii 506
flammeola 506
floriclana S06
kennicotti 506
maccalll 506
maxwcllir 506
trichopsis 506
Scopus umbrctta 652
Scoter
american black 713
velvet 714
Scoters 713
Screech owl 505
California 506
Colorado 506
flammiilatcd 506
ilorida 506
kcnnicott's 505
texas 506
Screech owls 504
Scutella 124
Scutcllatc podothcca 124
Scutelliplantar tarsus 124
Sea
coot 713, 714
ducks 698
eagles 554
parrot 802
parrots 800
Sea-dove 810
Sea-pigeon 814
Sea-shore sparrow 363
Sca-sidfi
finch 367
florida 368
sparrows 307
Sea-swallow 702
Secondiiries 113
Secondary
coverts 110
sexual characters 89, 90
Seed-eater, little 3!l2
Segmentation of the vitelluu 224
Selasphorus 462
alleni 462
hcnslmwi 403
plntycerous 463
rufus 463
Selection
. natural 00
sexual 90
Sella turcica 198
Semen 218
Semicircular canals 188. 189
Semilunar membrane 205
Semipalninte
foot 131
tattlers 036
Semipalmatcd
plover 602
Semipalmated
sandpiper 624
Semipalniation 131
Semiplumes 86
Semitendiuosus 195
Scnex 539
Sennett's warbler 291
Sense of
hearing 184
sight 178
smell 178
taste 191
touch 191
Scnsori-motor nerves 174
Sensory nerves 174
Septo-maxillarv 163, 173
Septo-nasal I'i
Serrate bill 102
Serration of tarsus 125
Serum 190
Sesamoid bones 134, 108
of wing 108
Setirostres 449
Setophaga 315
picta 315
ruticilla 310
Setophagina- 288, 312
Sex, determination of 45
Sexual
characters 89, 90
selection 90
Shaft of feather 84
Shag 726
Shank 119
Shapes of tail 117
Sharp-shinned hawk 527, 528
Sharp-tailed
linch 3G8
grouse 581
sandpiper 628
Sheanvater
black-vented 786
black-tailed ~i'i
cinereous 784
common atlautlc 785
cory's 784
dark-bodied 787
duskv 786
flesh-footed 785
greater 785
manx 786
mediterranean 784
slender-billod 787
smulty-noscil 783
sooty 787
wandering 785
Shearwaters 783
fulmar 783
Shell
doves 570
quail 593
Shining flv-snapper 328
Shoe-bill 054
Shoot, how to 8
Shore-birds 596
Shore larks 281
Short-billed
kittiwake 748
marsh wren 280
Short-cared owl 507
Short-legged tattler 643
Short-tailed
albatross 775
tern 770
Short-winged raurrelet 814
Shot 3
Shot-gun 1
Shoulder 106
Shoulder-blade 146
Shoulder-girdle 145
Shoveller duck 690
Shrike
common american 33S
great northern 337
loggerhead 3.18
white-rnniped 338
Shrikes 336
gray 337
true 336
Shuffler 701
Sialia 257
arctica 258
mexicana 258
sialis 257
Siberian
titmouse 207
wagtail 284
Sickle-bill 045
Sickle-billed kites 523
Sierra jay 422
Sight, sense of 178
Sigmoid llexurc of neck 93
Silk bimtings 387
Silver-tongue 371
Simorliynclius SOC
cassini 808
cristatellus 807
dubius 807
psittaculus 806
pusillus 8(18
pygma'us 808
tetraculus 807
Sinciput 97
Singing of birds 206
Sinus rhomboidalis 176
Siskin, american 354
Siskins 353
Sitta 270
aculeata 271
cffsia 270
canadensis 271
carolinensis 270
pusilla 271
pygmn?a 271
Sitteira269
Sittida; 269
Sitodrepa panicea 55
Siurus 308
auricapillus 308
motacilla 309
na'vius 309
notabilis 309
Skeleton of birds 134
Skeletonizing 48
Skimmer, black 772
Skimmers 772
Skimming birds 28
Skua gulls 734
Skull of birds 149
Skull, development of fowl's 151
Skunk blackbird 400
Skvlarks 282, 283
Sky pipits 280
Slate-colored fox sparrow 380
Slit-nosed longwings 733
Slender-billed
fulmar 778
nuthatch 271
shearwater 787
Small
egret hert)ns fi.'iO
green-crested flycatcher 441
INDEX.
867
Small-billed creeper 290
Siiialler wliite-checked goose f
Smell, sense of 178
Smoky pies 41!)
Smutty-iiosed
jay 425
shearwater 783
Snake-bird 7;J0
Snake killer 474
Snnrin;; birds 3
Snipe «14, 020
amcrican C21
englisli U21
european G21
grass G26
gray r(22
jacic 021, C2«
red-bellied 023
red-breasted 022
robin 0:12
stone 0:i8
trne 020
web-toed 022
wilsoQ's 021
Snow
bunting 3oS
geese 083
goose 085
grouse 585
owls 5IU
sparrows 377
Snow-bird
black 377
cinereous 379
eastern 377
grav-hcaded 379
hyljrid 378
mexican 379
Oregon 378
pink-sided 379
red-backed 379
white-winged black 378
Snow-birds 377
Snowflake 350
Snowy
heron 000
owl 510
ring plover 603
Snub-nosed
auk 807
auks 806
Solan goose 720
Solitaire 05
Solitary
grcenlct 333
sandpiper 039
tattler 039
Somatcria 708, 710
dressed 712
fischeri 710
mollissinia 710
spectabilis 712
gtelleri 709
v-nigrum 712
SomatopTeura 220
Song of birds 200
Song grosbeak
black-headed 389
rose-breasted 389
Song grosbeaks 388
Song sparrow 371
cinereous 372
frav 372
adiak 372
lincoln's 370
Oregon 372
Song sparrow
Vusty 372
Samuels' 372
swamp 370
Song sparrows 369, 371
Songless passercs 427
Sooty
albatross "70
fork-tail petrel 781
grouse 580
guilleuuit 815
shearwater 787
tern 708
Sora 073
Soree 073
Southeast lish crow 417
Southern sand-hill crane 667
South-southerly 700
Southwestern shore lark 282
Spanish curlew 051
Sparrow 344
arizona chipping 380
artemisia 370
baird's savanna 300
beaked savanna 303
black-chinnud 381
black-faced sage 370
bleached yellow-winged 360
brewer's 381
California sage 370
chipping 380
cinereous song 372
clay-colored 381
common savanna 363
eastern fox 385
english 344
european 344
field 380
fox 385
ganibel's crown 383
golden crown 383
grasshop|icr 305
grav song 372
harris' 384
licermann's song 372
henslow's grassnoppcr 366
intermediate crown 338
ipswich savanna 301
kadiak song 372
lirge-billed fox 380
lark 384
lark savamia 303
le conte's grasshopper 306
lincoln's song 370
mountain 344
nevada sage 370
oak-woods 373
Oregon song 372
pipit savanna 363
rusty song 372
sage 370
saint lucas savanna 364
Samuels' song 372
sail diego savamia 303
slate-colored fox 380 ^
song 371
swamp song 370
texas 3!)8
townseiul's fox 385
tree 379
whitc-crownod 383
white-'iiroatcd 383
ycllow-wiiigi'cl 305
Sparrow hawk 537
Cuban ri38
Isabel 538
Sparrow owls 514
Sparrows
chipping 379
cnjwn ;t8l
fox 385
grass 304
grassliopiier 365
gi'iiuud 300
lark 384
quail <t05
sage 375
savanna 360
sea-side 307
snow 377
song 309
Spatula OUO
tlvpeata 690
Spatulate
bill 102
tail-fuathcrs 110
Spear-hilled grebes 793
S|)ecializeil forms 70
Species 72, 73
Specitie
characters 72
names 80
Speckle-hellv G84
Speckled cani'U wren 276
Speckle-tailed wren '278
Spectacled
eider 710
guillemot 815
Spectral owl 509
Spermatozoa 218
Spermophila 392
moreleti 392
Splieniscomorpha^ 171, 788
Sphenoid bone 158
SpluMio-palatinc ganglion 178
Sphenotic bone 150
Spinal
accessory nerve 177
chord 170
column 137
nerves 177
Spine-tail
gnuise 580
swifts 457
Spirit-duck 705
Spiza 387
ainericana 387
tnwnscndi 388
Spizella 379
agrestis 380
arizonic 380
atrigularis 381
breweri 381
domestica 380
monticola 379
pallida 381
Sphyropicus 485
nuclialis 480
ruber 486
thyroidcs 486
varius 480
Splanchnology 209
Splanchnoplcuia 220
Splenial hone 100
Spoonbill, roseate 651
Spoonbill ducks Oflfl
Spoon-billed sandpiper 634
Spoonbills 051
anierican 051
Spotted
grouse 578
sandpiper 640
858
INDEX.
Spotty-throat sandpipen 625
Sprague's pipit 2t)6
Sprig-tail UU2
Spruce
grouse 578
partridge 578
Spurious primary 113
Spurred towlico "397
Spurs
of wing 114
of foot 132, 133
Spur-winged birds 114
Squamosal
bone 157
process 157
Squutarola 5U8
helvetica 5U8
Squawk 662
Stake-driver GG4
Stands for birds 44
Stapedial
cartilage 154
elements 180
Stapes 185
Star buzzards 551
Starling 427
Starlings
american 309
meadow 405
old world 426
typical 426
Stamoenadino! 571
Starnoenas 571
cyanocephala 571
Starry hummers 4(i6
Steatnornithinic 448
S' eatornis 448
Steganopodes 718, 824
Steganopus 612
wilsoni 612
Stelgidoptcryx 324
serripennis 324
Steller's
cider 709
jav 421
Stellufa 465
calliope 465
Stenonine duel 210
Stephens' grcenlet 336
Stercorarius 734
buffbni 738
parasiticus 736
pomalorliinus 735
skua 734
Sterna 756
aleutica 768
aniesthetica 769
anglica 757
antillarum 766
cantiaca 761
caspia 757
dougalli 766
elegans 760
forsteri 763
fuliginnsa 768
hirundo 762
macrura 764
maxima 759
snpcreiliaris 766
trudcaui 767
SterneiB 756
SterniniB 754
Stcrno-trai-hcales 202
Sternum 143
Sthenelus melanororypha 682
Stigma of ovisac 221
Stilt 611
petrel 783
sandpiper 623
stonny petrel 782
Stilts 60!l, 61 1
Stimulation 21
Stint
american U25
Wilson's 625
Stock-dove 565
Stomach, examining 47
Stone-chat 256
Stone-snipe 638
Storage, casus for 56
Stork series 652
Storks 652, 653
true 653
Stormy
petrel 781
lictrcls 780
Stragulum 95
Strcpsilainti! 608
Strepsilas 608
interpres 609
melanoccphalus 609
Strickland's woodpecker 482
Striges 498
Strigida; 502
Slrigimu 502
Stringopino! 495
Stringops habroptilus 76, 238, 495
Striped flycatchers 431
Strisores 445
Strix 508
allcni 510
aluco 508
cincrea 509
lapponica 509
nebulusa 509
occidentalis 510
Struthio 170
Struthious birds 69, 238, 825
Structure
anatomical 133
epidermic 82
of birds 59
of feathers 84
types of 74
Stuffing birds 40
Sturnella 405
magna 406
mexicana 406
neglecta 406
Sturnellinae 405
SturnidiB 426
Stumino! 426
Stumus 426
vulgaris 427
Stylo-hyal 180
Stylo-hyoid 211
Sub-, the prefix 78
Subgenus 80
Submaxillary line 98
Subocular bar 152
Subspfcies 79
Success, qualiflcations for 6
Sula 720
bassana 720
Icucogastra 720
loxostyla 824
Sulcate claws 133
Sulci 103
Sulcus, nasal 104
Sulidiu 720
Sulphide of carbon 57
Sulphur-bellied flycatcher 431
Sultan gallinules 676
Summer
duck 698
linch
arizona 374
bachmun's 373
bay-winged 375
boucard's 375
cassin's 374
Illinois 373
rufous-crowned 374
finches 373
redbird 318
tanagers 317
warbler 298
yellow-bird 298
Sun-birds 666
Super-, the prefix 78
Superior maxillary nerve 177
Supcrnature 50
Snpcrorbital gland 178
Supination 109
Supra-occipital 156
Supra-orbital 97
Supra-renal capsules 46
Surangular bone 166
Surf
duck 714
ducks 713
Surf-bird 605
Surnia 511
funerea 511
ulula 512
Suspensorium of mandible 153
Suture of bones 134
Swainson's
buzzard 546
rosv finch 351
warbler 292
Swallow
bank 320
barn 322
chimney 457
cliff 323
crescent 323
eaves 323
mud 323
rough-winged 324
violet-green 323
white-bellied 322
Swallows 319
bank 323
barn 321
cliff 323
iris 322
rough-winged 323
viofet-vclvet 322
Swallow-tailed
flycatcher 431
gull 753
kite 526
kites 525
Swamp
song sparrow 370
warblers, golden 201
Swan
bewick's 683
common american 682
whistling 682
whooping 683
trumpeter 6S2
Swans 681
white 682
Swift
chimney 457
northern black cloud 457
INDEX.
869
Swift
rock 456
vaux's 458
whitc-tliroatcil 456
Swifts 455, 45li
cliiinncy 457
cloud 457
rock 456
gpinc-talled 457
Swiss plover 598
Sylvia
carbonata 308
montana 308
Sylvicolidic 287
SylvicoliniB 288, 28!)
Symbolic formulation wanted 78
Symmetrical tigurcs from feathers
83
Sympathetic nervous system 174,
Symphemia 638
seniipalmata 637
Symphysis
mandibular 166
pubic 147
Syndactyle foot 129
Syngnesious foot 129
Synopsis, systematic
of n. a. birds 237
of fossil birds 821
Synthliborhamplius 811
antiquus 811
umizusume 812
Syrinx 204, 239, 240
Syrnium 511
Systematic synopses 237, 811
Tabular view of higher groups
234
Taction 191
Tachybaptes 796
Tachycineta 322
tnalassina 323
Tachypetes 731
aquilus 731
Tachypetido! 730
Tadorna vulpanser 634
Tail 114
shapes of the 117
Tail-bones 114
Tail-coverts 115
Tail-sacrals 141
Taking cold 19
Tanager
cooper's, 318
crimson-headed 319
hepatic 318
louisiana 319
rose 318
scarlet 318
summer 318
western summer 318
Tanagcrs 317
summer 317
Tanagrlda! 317
Tantalinic 052
Tantalops 653
loeulator 653
Tantalus 653
ibis G53
loeulator 653
Tarsal
bones 119, 120
cartilages of eye 180
Tarso-metatarsus 119, 120
Tarsus, 121, 122, 125, 239
Taste, sense of 191
Tattler
bartram's 641
long-lL'Kged 631
semipulmntod 637
short -legged 643
wandering 643
Tattlers U18
green (')39
semlpalmnted 636
solitary 039
Taxidermy 28
Taxononiic equivalence of groups
73
Taxonomy 65
Teal 694
american groen-winged 695
blue-winged 096
cinnamon 690
europeaii green-winged 690
Tectrices 110, 115
inferiores (tail) 115
inferiores (wing) 110
siiperiores (tail) 115
superiores (wing) 110
majorcs 110
mcdiiB 110
minorcs 110
Tegumentary system 82
Tclmatornis
affijiis 829
priscus 829
Teleotype 75, 70
Teleotypic groups 76
Telmatodvtcs 279
paludlcola 279
paliistris 279
Temminck's auk 812
Temporal
bone 157
region 97
Tendons of wing 109
Tengmahn's owl 513
Tennessee warbler 295
Tensor patagii 193
Tenuirostral 101
Terekia cinerea 617
Teretristis 287, 311
Tergum 95
Tern
aleutian 768
arctic 764
black 770
bridled 709
Caspian 757
cayenne 759
common 702
ducal 761
elegant 760
forstcr's 703
gull-billed 757
imperial 757
least 706
marsh 757
noddv 771
paradise 768
princelv 700
royal 759
roseate 700
sandwich 701
short-tailed 770
sooty 768
trudeau's 707
white-licaded 767
white-winged 770
Tern
Wilson's 762
Terns 754, 756
T.Ttials 113
Tertiarics 113
Tertiary birds 64, 822
Testes, Testicles, 45, 40, 216,
217
Tetradactyle birds 126
Tetraonid'a- 576
Tutraonhm- 577
Tetrao unigallus 678
Tetraptcryx 060
Texan, Texas
beardless Hycatcher 444
cardinal 393
graekle 412
green kingfisher 470
gnan 573
night-hawk 454
orihnrd oriole 408
quail 591
Bcrcecli owl 500
sparrow 398
thrasher 251
woodpecker 481
wren 277
ThalamencephaUm 175
Tlialasscus 756
Thalassidroma 770
Thalassornis leuconota 690
Thamnophilus 205
Theory of evolution 00, 62
Thick-billed nlght-hernns 663
Thigh or thigh-bone 119
Thinornis zelandias 697
Thin skins 36
Thistle-bird 354
Thoracic
duct 199
vertebriB 139
Thorax 142
Thrasher 251
arizona 252
bow-billed 252
crissal 254
California 253
curve-billed 252
St. lucas 253
sage 249
texas 251
vuma 254
Thrashers 250
Throsyailtus 553
harpyia 553
Three-toed
birds of n. am. 126
woodpecker 485
black-backed 485
ladder-backed 485
pole-backed 485
woodpeckers 484
Throat 90
Thrush
brown 251
gray-cheeked 247
golden crowned 308
hermit, audubon's 247
eastern 247
western 247
new york water 309
olive-backed 248
Oregon olive-backed 247
red-winged 245
russet-backed 247
townsend's flycatching 329
860
INDEX.
Thnis-h
variod 245
water Mi
willow tawny 240
Wilson's (or tawiiv) 246
wood 24(i
wvomiiiK water ;iO!l
Thruxli blackbirds 411
Thrushes 240, 24:i
flvcatehiii); .128, 32!)
typical 241, 243
iiiockiiiu241, 248
Tlirvomanes 277
Thryothonis 277
'bcrlaiidieri 277
bewiiki 277
lvuco}j;aster 275
hidovicianus 277
niianiiensis 277
sjiiltirus 278
Thumb 108
Thyroarvtenoid muscles 204
Thyro-cricoid muscles 204
Thyro-hyal 107
Tliyro-hVoid muscles 2(t4
Thyroid'cartilagc 204
Tibia 119
Tibial epiphyses 120
Tibiale 120
Tibio-tarsus 110, 120
Tichodroma murnria 272
Tichodrominai 272
Tiga 120, 127
Tigrisoma 054, 055
Timeliidn' 202
Times to go a-shooting 11
Tinamidn; 574
Tinamou, skull of 170
Tinamous 00, 574
Tinamus rohustus 170
Tinea flavifronlclla 55
Tinker 818
Tinnunculus 531, 538
Titlarks 285
Titmice 263, 205
Titmouse
black-capped 205
black-crested 265
bridled 205
chestnut-backed 207
european greater !K3
hudsonian 267
plain 264
Siberian 207
tufted 264
Tobacco, use of 21
Todidic 446
Toes, number of 126, 127
Topographv of birds !»1, 94, 95
Tomia, Toinium 103, 105
Tongue of birds 210, 211
Tooth-billed pigeon 503
Totanus 618, 638
flavines 038
glottis 630
mvlanoleucus 038
Totipahunte
birds 718
foot 13)
Totipalmation 12!)
Touch, sense of 191
Towhce
abert's 398
arctic 396
brown 397
californiau 397
Towhec
eaiion 397
crissal 397
gray 3i)8
green-tailed 3(18
mexican brown 397
olive-black spotted 396
oregiin 390
white-tlironted lirown 397
Towhee bunting 3<.l6
crissal 397
wliitc-(^yed 3!l6
spurred" 397
Towhees 395
Townsend's
bunting 388
flycutching thrush 329
fox sparrow 085
warbler 299
Trabecula- of skull 151
Trachea 201
of ducks 50
of merganser 49
Tracheal
labyrinth 202
syrinx 205
tympanum 202
Tracts, feathered 80, 87
Trngopans 575
Tramp 344
Transocnlor line 98
Transportotion of birds 45
cases for 66
Trapping birds 3
Travs 34, 50
Tread of eggs 221
Tree
cuckoos 474
duck, autumnal 089
fulvous 089
ducks 089
grouse 578
sparrow 379
Treron 504
Trcviranus, lamclhe of 189
Triassic formation 03
Tricolor woodpeckers 489
Tridnctvle
foot 126
birds 120
Trifacial nerve 177
Trigeminal nerve 177
Tringa 617, 632
canutus 632
Tringa, coot-footed 614
Tringoides 040
macularius 640
Trinomial nomenclature 80
Trivia 190
Trochanter 119
Trochilidtc 458
Trochilus 461
alcxandri 402
colubris 401
Troglodytes 278
doniesticns 278
parkmani 278
Troglodvtidic 273
rroglodytin;e 274, 277
Trogon 408
ambiguus 408
Trogon, copper-tailed 468
Trogonida! 4t68
Trogons 468
Tropic bird
red-billed 732
Tropic bird
yellow-billed 732
Tropic birds 731
Troupial 467
Troupialia 405
Trudeuu's tern 707
Trumpeter swan 082
Trumpeters 005
Trunk of birds 92, 93
Tryngites 042
rufescens 642
Tuherculum of rib 143
Tubinares 773
Tufted
cormorant 729
pnllin 804
titmouse '204
Tul(! nnirsh wren 279
Turbinal bones 100
Turdidic 240
Turdinie 241, 243, 328
Turdus 244
aliciic 247
anduboni 247
conlinis 244
fusccscens 246
iliacus 245
migratorius 140, 244
mustelinus 246
nuivius 245
nanus 247
propinquus 244
salicicola 240
swainsoi]! 248
unalasciu 247
ustulatus 247
Turkey
eastern wild 576
mexican 570
Turkcj' buiszard 559
Turkeys 570
Turnices 571
TurnicidiD 571
Turnstone 000, 008, 009
black-headed 009
Turtur 504
Tylari 125
Tylorhamphus 806
Tympanic bone 101
Tympaniform membrane 205
Tympanum
of ear 185
of trochcB 202
Typo 75
Types of structure 74
of feathers 85
of palate 180
Typical and subtypical groups 75
Typical thrushes 241, 243
Tyrannida; 428
Tyrannino! 428
Tyranims 432
carolinensis 432
couchi 434
doniinicensis 433
irritabilis 430
verticalis 430
vociferans 430
Tyrant flycatchers 428
UiNTORNls lucaris 822
Ulna, 100, 107, 113
Ulnare 100, 107, 108
Umbilicus of feather 84
Unciform bone 107
Uncinate processes 142
INDEX.
861
Under
mandible 100, 103
parts 04
tail-covcrts 115
wing-covcrts 110
Unfoathered spaces 86
Unpis nf bill 102
Unicorn niik 805
Upland plover (Ul
Upper
niandiblo 100, 104
parts 94
tail-covcrts 115
winB-coverts 110
Upupido! 446
Ureters 210, 217
Uria 814
uarbo 815
columba SIS
Bn,-lle 814
mandti 815
Urinary
bladder 217
organs 215
Urogenital
organs 215
sinus 214
Uro-hyal 167
Uropygial gland 80
Uropyginni !)4
Urosacral vertebraj 114, 141
Urostcon 144
Urubitingii 552
antbracina 552
Utamania 813
tordaSIS
Valley qnail 692
Valuation of chiiracters 74
Vane of feather 84
Vanellus 604
cristatua 605
Varied
bunting 391
thrush 245
Vascular system 195
Vas deferens 217
Vaux's swift 458
Vcery 246
Velvet scoter 714
Venous system I!)5
Venter 94", 96
Ventricles
of brain 175
of heart 196
Vcntriculus glandulosus 212
Vermilion flycatcher 444
Versatile toes 126
Vertebra, see. Vertebra;
Vertebra- 137
caudal 141
cervical 138
coccygeal 141
dorsal 139
dorso-luuibnr 139
thoracic 13!)
lumbar 140
plan of 136
sacral 140
urosairal 141
Vertebrarterinl canal 139
Vertebrates, Vortcbrata 00, 81
Vertex 97
Vesicles
cerebral 175
seminal 218
Vesiculn; sominales 218 .
Vcspcr-binl 304
Vestibule of ear 188, 189
Vibrissa' 0!)
Violet-green
cornuirant 729
swallow 323
Violet-velvet swallows 322
Virei), »ic (irecnlet
Vireo 330
altiloquus332
atricapillus 336
barbatulus 332
belli 335
cassini 333
flavifrons 333
(laviviridis 332
gilvus 332
huttoni 334
iu)vel)oraccnsis 334
olivaceus 331
philadelphicus 332
plumbeus 334
pusillus 335
solitarius 333
stevensi 335
swainsoni 333
viciiiior 334
Vireolanius 330
VircoiiidiK 73, 329
Vireos 329
Virginia
nightingale 393
partridge 589
quail 589
rail 073
Virginia's warbler 294
Visceral
arches 162
clefts 152, 158
Virion, sense of 178
Vilolline membrane 220, 221
Vili'llus 220
Vitreous humor 180, 183
Vocal
chords 205
organs 204, 205, 206
Vomer
of coeevx 114
of skull 161
Vulture, black 560
Vultures
auierican 567
ol<l world 519
Vulturinie 519
Vultur
inonachus 519
umbroaus 822
Wads 4
Wagtail
Siberian 284
white 284
yellow 284
Wagtails 283, 284, 286
Wag-tail warbler 309
golden-crowned 308
largc-billpd 309
Wag-tail warblers 308
Wall creeper 272
Wandering
shennviiler 785
tattler 643
Warbler
audubon'g 302
Warbler
a/.ure 301
buchman's 204
bay-breasted 304
bluckburn's 302
lilaek-antl-yellnw 304
lilack-cappcd llvcatching 313
lila:k-iHill 303 '
black-throated blue 300
gray 3tK)
gre.''U 208
liluc-eyed yellow 298
blue nolden-wiugcd 204
blue-winged vellow 203
blue vellow-lmcked 200
Canadian llvcatching 314
cape may 305
cerulean' 301
chestnut-headed 298
chestnut-sided 304
Cincinnati 203
conueetinu 309
gulden 208
gdldiiwidwned wig-tail 308
goldeu-cheeked 300
grace's 3(Mi
hermit 209
hooded tlycatching 313
keimicott's 259
kenlucky 310
kirtlanil's 306
large-billed wag-tail 309
lawreni'e's 203
liRvN 204
macgillivray's 311
magnolia 304
mourning 311
nashville 294
olive 206
oraiige-iTowncd 295
paeilic 205
painted tlycatching 316
palm 307 '
pine 307
|)iiie-ereeping 307
prairie 305
prometheus 302
prothonotary 291
red-fronted flycatching 314
rose flvcalchi'ng 314
seniutVs 201
sunnner 208
swainson's 292
tcnncssce 205
townscnd's 299
Virginia's 294
wag-tail 300
western 299
western ycllow-rumped 302
western 1)lack-cappeid flycatch-
ing 314
white-browed 306
white-thioaled 203
worm-eating 292
yellow-bellied red-poll 307
yellow-crowned 301
yellow red-poll -107
yellow-runiped 301
yellow-throated 300
velldw-throatcd ground 310
Warl)lers
american 287, 288. 312
blue vellow-backed 290
bHsh"3l)0
creepinc 290
golden '298
862
INDEX.
Warblers
i;rouii(l -IK)
tiv-c'iitchin^' 312, 314, 315
ofd Wdilil 2f)!)
Hwaiii|) 2U1
triif '28!l
wn(,'-tiiil ;1II8
woikI 2Uti
wdrm-uutin^ 2111, 202
Warbling
greeiilot 332
vire() ;I32
western 333
Warrior, black 543
AVasliington, bird of 5B6
Water
ouzel 2')5
jicwce 437
Walcrtlirushes 309
Watcr-tiirlicy 730
Wnterwitch 7U7
WattlcH 08
Wavi-y, liorned 686
Waxwiiifj
bolK-niiaii 320
caniliiia 327
cedar 327
Waxwingfl 325
Weapons for collecting 3
Webbed foot 131
AVeli-toed snipe 1122
Wedge-tailed gull 752
Western
barred owl 510
black-capjied warbler 314
bluebird 258
chickadee 2(iO
dowitcher (123
golden-crested kinglet 200
goshawk 531
grass linch 305
grebe 793
nemiit thrush 247
lierring gull 744
house wren 278
meadow lark 406
night-hawk 454
nonpareil 391
red-shouldered buzzard 546
red-tail 545
shore lark 282
summer rcdbird 318
warbler 299
warbling vireo 333
winter wren 279
wood pewee 440
yellow-bellied flycatcher 442
yellow-rump 302
Wet preparations 48
Whale-head 654
Wheat-ear 256
Whippoorwill 452
arizona 452
Whip-tom-kellov 332
Whiskered auk "808
Whiskey jack 425
AVhistler 704
Whistling
plover 598
swan 682
White brant 085
crane 660
fannet 720
eron 058
horned owl 504
ibis 651
White pelican 722
wagtail 284
White-bellied
murrelet 813
nuthatch 209
petrel "83
swallow 322
wren 278
White-browed
crown sparrow 382
warbler 306
White-crowned
])igeoii 565
sparrow 382, 383
White-eyed
greenlct 334
towhee 396
White-faced glossy ibis 649
White-fronted dove 507
White-headed
gull 747
sea eagle 665
tern 767
woodpecker 484
White-necked raven 416
White-rumped
petrel 781
sandpiper 627
shrike 338
White-tailed
buzzard 542
godwit 636
kite 525
longspur 358
ptarmigan 588
sea eagle 555
White-throated
brown towhee 397
night courser 450
rock swift 456
sparrow 382
warbler 293
White-tufted cormorant 727
White-wing doves 569
White-winged
blackbird 387
cross-bill 348
gull 741
snow-bird 378
surf duck 714
Whooping
crane 666
swan 683
Wigeon
american 694
europcan 694
AVigeons 693
Wild
dove 668
duck 091
pigeon 506
turkey 576
Willet 637
Williamson's woodpecker 487
Willow
grouse 586
ptarmigan 586
thrush 246
Wilsonian stormy petrels 782
Wilson's
autograph 58
bhiehird 257
phalarope 612
plover 601
school-house 58
snipe 621
Wilson's
stint 625
stormy petrpi 782
tern 702
thrush 246
AVindnipe 2(l2
of merganser 49
AVing-coverls 110
Wing-feathers lOil
Wings of birds 106
Winker of eye 180
AVinter
chip-bird 379
hawk 545
wren 278
alaskaii 279
western 279
Wish-bone 147
Witch, black 472
WoKlian bodies 218
Wood
diiek 098
ibis 052, 653
owl, american 509
owls 508
pcwee 430
pewee flycatchers 438
stork, american 063
thrush 240
AVoodeock
american 610
european 020
W'oodcocks 015, 610, 619, 620
AVoodliouse's jay 423
AVood pecker
black-breasted 487
black-backed three-toed 486
brown-headed 486
californion 489
downy 483
gairdiier's 483
gila 488
gilded 403
f olden-winged 493
airy 483
harris' 483
ivorv-billcd 479
lad(fer-backed three-toed 486
lewis' 490
narrow-fronted 490
nuchal 480
nuftall's 482
plicated 480
pole-backed three-toed 486
red-bcllied 488
red-breasted 480
red-cockaded 481
red-headed 489
red-shafted 493
red-throated 487
saguaro 488
St. lucas 482
Strickland's 482
texan 481
white-headed 484
Williamson's 487
yellow-bellied 480
yellow-fronted 488
Woodpeckers, 477
black-and-white spotted 480
bristle-bellied 490
gilded 491
masked 483
plicated 480
sap-sucking 485
three-toed 484
INJJEX.
863
Wijodpockcrs
tricolor 489
zubra 487
Wood-wurbler, sei Warbler
\Voo(l-wn.'ii» 2,')!t
Work, a kooU day's 16
Worin-catiiiR .swiiinp warblers 2'Jl
warbler !i'J2
WraiiKel's iniirrclct 813
Wren
aluskan winter 271)
bewick's 277
ftoridian 277
creat Carolina 277
lioiise, eastern 278
western 278
marsh, lontr-billed 279
short-billed 2S0
rock 27.'i
speckled-tailed 278
texan 277
tnlt5 27!)
western winter 279
white-bellied 278
winter 278
Wrens 27;i, 277
cactus 274
canon 27(i
marsh 27!), 280
house 278
reed 277
rock 275
true 277
winter 278
Wren-tit 202
hensliaw's 262
Wren-tits 202
Wright's tlyeatcher 443
Wrist-joint l()(i
Wiirdcmann's heron 058
Wyoming water thrush 309
XANTIKlCErHALlIS 404
ictcriKcplnilus 404
Xaniliura 424
luxuii(i«a 424
Xantus iMiMiniing-bird 400
XcMia 75:1
fiircata 7.j;i
saliinii 753
Xenopicus 483
allMilarvatus 484
Xiphoid process 144
Yklk
of eggs 220
Yellow
crake 074
red-poll warbler 307
wagtail 284
Yellow-baeked warbler, blue 290
Yellow-bellied
flycatcher 442
red-poll warbler 307
woodix'ckcr 489
Yellow-billed
cuckoo 476
loon 7!K)
nnigpie 421
tropic bird 732
Y'ellow-bird 354
summer 2!I8
Y'ellow-breasted chat 312
Yellow-crowned
night heron S63
warbler 301
Yellow-fronted woodpecker 488
Y'el low-green green let 332
Yellow-headed blackbird 404
Yellow-runiped warbler 301
Ycllowahanks 688
Yellow-tlirout, maryland 310
Ycllow-tliroaled
greenlcl 3.13
ground wiirbliT 310
warlilcr 3(»i
Yellow-winged simrnjw 305
bliachcd 305
Yokc-locd biids 120
Yn( ker 4113
Yunwi tllra^ller 265
Zamrijidia 388
luiloviciaini 389
nii'luuiii cpliiila 38!)
Zebra w Ipcckers 487
Zeliriliis li,")4, 055
Zenaida 50H
ainabilis 509
Zenaida dove 509
Zenuidina' 500
Zenaidura 508
cariilinciisis 508
Zona jii'llucida 220
Z(jnotricUiii 381
albicQlli'. 332
bollerji 374
coroiinta 383
pinibuli 383
nitermrdia 383
leucophrys 383
querul» 384
Zoological
characters 70
groups 72
table of 81
Z.vgapophyfcs 137
ZygiKlacfvJc 445
bird8"j26
foot 130
Zygodactylous arrangement 126
Zygoma 102
Zygom»tic arch 162
Univebsity Press: John Wilson & Son, Caubridge.