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{

A POPULAR HANDBOOK

OF THf.

ORNITHOLOGY

EASTERN NORTH AMERICA.

IIV

THOMAS NUTTALL.

SECOND RHyiSED /IND ANNOTATED EDITION
Bv .MONTAGLl': CIIAMDERLAIN.

WITH ADDIIIOXS
AND UM-; HlMiRr;D AND TEX I I.H STRATtONS I.\ COLORS.

r*~m

<
CD

Vol,. T.

BOSTON:

LITTLE, IJROWX, AND COMPANY.

1897.

Copyns^ht, 1891, 1896,
Little, Hkown, and Company.

Sinibcrsitjj 4|)rrss:
John Wiison and Son. Camhridge, U.S. A

P R E F ACE

TO THE SKCOXD EDITIOX-

nPHK publication of a new edition of this work has
enabled me to correct some errors which oc-
curred in the former edition, and to add some recent!)-
iiisc<)\-ered facts of distribution and habits. We have
\ct much to learn about the birds of this country, but
when it becomes better known that bird-life displa>-s
much that is of ra.e interest to the lovers of nature and
tc the thou.Lihtful, contemplative mind,— that the lives
of these graceful creatures are analogous to our own ;
that they have their periods of infantile helplessness,
and are trained for future self-reliance ; that they have
their love affairs, select their mates, build their homes,

and foster their offspring with almost human instincts.

we may safely predict an ever-increasing interest in the
stud>- of these liver,, and the solving of many problems
which baffle the student of to-day.

M. C.

J>.\R I Iardok. Maim;,
Sep fern her, 1S96.

P R E F ACE.

'" I ""HIS work is practically an edition of " A Manual
-*- of the ( )riiitiiology of the L'nitcd States and of
C.mada," written by 'J^iO.MAS NUTTALI,.

Nuttall's work has been out of print for sever.d years;
but its popularity and real value have ke{)t it in demand,
and the few copijs recently offered for sale were dis-
))osed of at hisjjh prices. A new edition was thus called
f^r; but it seemed unwise to issue the work in its orii^i-
nal form, or to remodel it to the extent that would be
required to arrange it in harmony with the new rcij^inw
of affairs ornitholoj^ical ; for the science has advanced
rapidly since the "Manual" was written, and the
ch.cui'/es effected have been numerous ami imoortant.
A new and entirely different system of classification has
come in vogue; the nomenclature has been altered and
trinomials introduced; and, indeed, little is left of
American ornithology as Xuttall knew it, except the
birds, — and even of these, two species have become
extinct, and a large nu'iiber of new forms have been
discovered.

Thomas Nuttall came to this country from England
in iSo8, and be ween 1825 and 1834 held the positions

\in

I'kKi'ACi:.

(»l Cur.itor of the Hotanic dtirdcn .iiul Lecturer on
Nalur.il Ilistoi')' at Harvard Universit)-. In i<S4_> lie
iclurned to Ln.i;iand, wliere he resided until his de.itU
in \>'>y), at the .iL;e of sevent}'-three.

1 he tirst volume of the " Manual," containiiiL; .ui
account of the Land Hirds, was j)ublished in 183J, and
a second edition, u ith some additional matter, ap[)eared
in 1840. The second volume, of which one edition only
u.i- issued, came out in 1834.

1 he " Manual " was the hrst hand-book of the subject
that had been published, and its deliL,ditful sketches of
bird-life <uid its fragrance of tile field and forest carried
it into immediate favor, liut Xuttall was more than a
mere lover of Nature, he had considerable scientific at-
tainment; and thout;h he a[))iears to have enjoyed the
stiuly o( bird-life more than he did the musty side of
ornitholoL;;}', with its dried i^kins and drier technicalities,
he had an eye trained for careful observation and a stu-
dent's respect for exact statement. It was this rare com-
bination that i:^a\'c; to Xuttall's work its real x'alue ; and
tliese chapters of his are still valuable, — much too wilu-
ahle to be lost; for if a u^reat advance has been made in
the study of scientific ornithology, and of the species
that occur in the Western half of the continent, our
knowledge of the life-histories of most of the Eastern
birds has been advanced but little beyond that left us
by Nuttall and his contemporaries,

I must not however be understood as undervaluing
the recent work of the " American School," as they are
styled by luiropean writers ; for it may be said, without
exaggeration, that the present generation of workers
in this field have placed American ornithology quite

PKLIACE.

abreast of that of an\' other couiitr)'; aiul, uulccd, as
I have written elsewhere in these pages. the\- ha\'r been
called "the pioneers of modern ornithological science."
Besides their more technical work, the American stu-
(Knts have written some of the best chapters of bird
biograi)hy to he found in the entire range of ornitho-
logical literature.

While this is but a frank statement of facts, wc must
concede that the older writers noted so carefully the
habits of the birds they knew that comparatively little
was left for their successors to discover.

It was suggested to me thai the new might be com-
binetl willi the old. — that an interesting and u.-^eful
book might be preparetl b\' taking Xuttall's biographies
and inserting brief notes relating the results of recent
determinations in distrioution and habits. That is what
I have attempted in the present work. The Introduc-
tion has been given e.xactK' as it appeared in .Xuttall's
second edition, and the text of the biographical m.itter
has been changetl but little. I\I\' notes follow each
cha])tcr in a smaller t\'pe, that the}- ma\- be readilx-
distinguished. I have also rewritten the descriptions of
l)luniage, and ha\-e endeavored to {)hrase these in such
well-known and untechnical terms that they may be
understood by unskilled readers. To these I haw
added a description of the nest and eggs of each
species. In short, an effort has been made to prepare
a work that will be useful to young students, as well
as entertaining to those who are merel}' interested in
birds.

The new matter has been selected with special re-
gard for the needs of these classes of readers, for I

I'KliJACK.

liavc liacl another motive in the preparation (jf this
work besides that of preservins^ Xuttall's bioj^raphics.
Some time a^o I made a j)romise to several Canadian
friends to prepare a book treatincj ot' Canadian birds
that would be scientifically correct and at the >anie time
" popular" in its style. So while writinL,^ these pai^es
I have kept Canadian readers constantl\' in mind, and
liave j^iveii here an account of every specie> that has
been found within the Dominion east of the Manitoba
plains, tos4ether with their Canadian distribution.

The limits of a " hand-book " demandinL^ the most
rii^id economy of space, when treating; t-f >o extensive
a subject 1 have been compelled to omit those species
which occur only to the westward of the Mississippi
valley, thoutjjh I have endeavored to make mention of
every bird that has occurred within this Eastern Faunal
Province, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean,
and to give their distribution and breeding area so far
as these are known. Nuttall knew very little about
tlie Western birds, and therefore onl\- a few short
chapters of his have been lost through restricting the
scope of the present work to Eastern forms.

The nomenclature adopted is that of the " Check-
List " issued by the American Ornithologists' Union.
The sequence of species is that arranged by Nuttall,
with some few trifling alterations; and being radically
different from that of recent authors, the student mu.st
be referred to other works for guidance in classification
as well as for diagnoses of the higher groups. Coues'
" Key to North American Birds" is a useful work, and
contains matter not obtainable elsewhere, though the

PREFACE.

system of classification ii«j\v j^cncraliy used is mure
clearly stated in Ri(];4\vay's " Manual of North Amer-
ican Birds." Hut the most complete work at present
obtainable, and one which every student should have at
hand, is "The History of North Ami-rican Birds." by
Baird, Brewer, and Kidcjwa\-. With that work ami the
"A. O. U. Check-List" to guide him, the student will
be equipped for thorough study.

It onl)' remain^ fur me to thank many friends wiio
have aided me. To Mr. William Brew>ter and Mr.
Charles I*'. Batchelder. the president and the treasurer
of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, I am particularly
indebted for kind advice and assistance. Xm niu>t I
forget to mention the name of my fellow-wt)rkcr, ICrnest
!•'.. Thompson, of Toronto. A l.irge number of the
illustrations are from drawings made especially for this
work by Mr. Thompson.

M. C.

II\KVAKn r.MVKKSITV. C" AMDRI I'GE. MAsS.

C O N . E N TS.

Ui.ACKEfRn, Red-winged

Rusty

Vellow-hcaded

Bluebird

Hobolink

Bunting, Indigo . .

Painted . .

Caracara, Audubon's

Cardinal

Catbird

Chat

Chickadee ....

Carolina .

Hudsonian
Chuck-vvill's-widow
Cowbird ....

deeper, Bahama iloney
iirown . . . .
Crossbill, American . .

White-winged

Crow

Fish

V Cuckoo, lilack-])illed . .
.Mangrove
Vellow-billcd

DiCKCIS.SKL

Eaglp:, Bald . . . .
Golden . . .
Grav Sea . . .

Finch, Purple . . . .
Flicker

Page

96
119
102

285
109

314

362

173
146
150

15'

465

104
3S8
387

Flycatcher, Acadian .
C rested .
Least . .
Olive-sided
Traill's. .
V'ellow-bellied

. GXAICATCHER . . .

Goidlinch

j- American .

Goshawk ....
Grackle, Boat-tailed .
Purple
j Grosbeak, Blue . .

Kvening .
1 Pine

Rose-breasted
', Gvrfalcon ....

37ii

Hawk

Broad- winged

38'

•

Cooper's . .

126

Duck . . .

'31

Harris'. . .

436

Marsh . . .

437

Pigeon . . .

432

Red-shouldered
Red-tailed . .

298

Rough-legged
.Sharp-shinned

.Short-tailed

•Sparrow

Humming liird . . ,

37^-

Jay,

ue ...

43S

Canada ....

P.\(.K

4'j
421

410
424
420

170

353

34S

31
if4
f'5

3^'7

375

369

51
II

4r,
41
35

457

^33

xi\-

CONTENTS.

Jiiy, Florida . . .
J unco, Slate-colored

KiN(ii;iKij

Ciray . .
Kingtisher ....
Kinglet, Golden-crowned

Ruby-crowned
Kite, Lvciglade
Mis.sissippi
Swallow-tailed .
White-tailed . .

L.M'L.A.Ni) Longspur
Lark, Horned . .
Meadow . .

M.MMi.N. I'urple . .
Maryland \'cllow-throat
Mocking Bird . . .

Nu.iii H.WVK

Nuthatch, lir^wn-hcaded

Red-lireastcd .

White-breasted

C)Ri()i.K, luTltimore
( >rchard .

Osjirev . .

Oven liird . . .

Owl. r.arn

Harred .
Burrowing
Great Grav
Great Horned
Hawk .
l.ong-eared
Richardson's
Saw-whet .
.Screech . .
Short-tared .
Snowy • . .

Pakoqukt, Carolina
Pewee, Wood . .

Phcel)e

Pipit .....

P.\c.u

'37
339

404
414
461

283

28 1

J/
39
3«

304
294

391

249

US/

470
3S6

3^3

215

75
70
78

f>4
61

«, ^
/J

7:^

57
6S

42S
■4'9

415
292

Raven

Redpoll

Redstart
Robin

Hoary

^Sapsucker . . .

Shrike, Loggerhead
Northern .

Siskin, Pine . .

Skylark ....

Snowliake . . .

Sparrow, Acadian Sharp
IJachman's
Chipping
Field . .
Fo.x

Grasshopper
Hcn.-luw's
Htmsc
Ipswich
Lark . .
Le Conte'.s
Lincoln's
Nelson's
Savanna
Seaside .
Sharp-tailed
Song . .
Swamp .
Tree . .
Vesper .
White-crowned
White-throated

Swallow. Bank . .

Barn . . . .
Cliff . . . .
RouG;h-winged .
Tree . . .

Swift, Chimnev . . . .

tai

led

Tanagkr. Scarlet . .

Summer .

Thrasher, Brown . .

Thrush, Bickncll's . .

Grav-cheeked

Hermit

Page
120

355

35^
1O4

198

450

162

159

297
300

345
327

OJ.J

jj'

33^

329

3.1"

354

326

3^7

33'

328

34^'

325

346

344
-»•>->
J--

342

3'5

3'J^
401

394

39^'
40;

39<)
46;,

306

309
192

2' 2
211

205

CUNTENTS,

Page

. 120

• 355

• 35^
. 1O4

. 198

450
ib2
159
3Si

■ 3^7

■ 333

■ 33(-^

■ 33^

• 3-9

■ 33"

• 354

• 326

• 317

• 33^

• 32S

• 34''i

• 325

• 346

■ 344

• 3-2

• 342

• 332

■ 320

• 3'5

• 3^^

■ 401

• 394

• 39^'

■ 40."

■ 390
46,^

3of>
309
192
2^2

21 I
205

Thrush, Louisiana Water
( >iivc- backed
N\ ater . . .
\\ ilson's . .
W ood . . .

Titmouse, Fufted . .

Tuwlice

Pac.ic

-14
211

212

207

202 i

142 j

359 I

\'iREu, iJlueheaded .
Philadelphia .
Red-eved . ,
Warbiinu , ,

White-eyed . ,
Yeliow-throated
Vulture, JJlack . . . .
Turkey . . .

176
1S6
1S2
I So
1 78
174
4
I

.K.'UfK. iJachman's .
liay-brca.^ted
lilr.ck and white
Blackhurnian ,
lUack-pnll . ,
lilack-throatedBI
Black-throated

Green . .
lilue-winged .

Canadian . .

Cape May .

Cerulean . .

Chestnut-sided

<-"onnccticut .

Golden-winged

Hooded . .

Kentuckv . .

Kirtland's .

. 26f

• ^37
■ 3S9

• 232

• 238
ue 245

226

247

235

253
260

167

246

265

Warbler, Magnolia
Mourning
Myrtle .
Nashville

Orange-crowned
Parula . . ,
Pine . .
Prairie . ,
Prothonotary
Swainson's .
Tennessee .
Wilson's . .
W'^orm-eating
Yellow . \
Yelluw Palm
Yellow-throated
Waxwing, Bohemian

Cedar . .
Wheatear ....
Whip-poor-will . .
Woodpecker, American »
toed

Arctic three-toed
Downy . .
Hairy . .
Ivory-billed .
Pileated . .
Red-bellied .
Red-cockaded
Red-lieaded .
Wren, Bewick's . .

Carolina ....

House

Long-billed M.ush .
Short-billed Marsh
Winter ....

X\-

PAr.K
224

251
217

264
244
239

hree-

257
256
261
1 68

255

230

210
228
152

154

290

467
456

45 S

452

45'
441

444
448

454
446

276

27 2

266

279
277
270

ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. I.

COLORED PLATES.

Froiitispit'ce

Platk I. . . .

1. Hawk Owl.

2. sckkecji owi..

3. (;rkat Horned Owl.

4. P'lorida IUjrrowinc, Owl.

5. Bald Eaglk.

^'LVii: n Page go

1. JiALTiMORE Oriole.

2. Meadowlark.

3. Red-Winged Blackbird.
^,. BoiioLiNK.

5. American Osi'rev.

I''-^-"''- in Page 146

1. CllICKADKE.

2. Catiurd.

3. Cedar Wax w inc.

4. Red-Eyed Vireo.

5. RoiilN.

^''•^■''"- I^^ Page 202

f. American Redstart.

2. Blue Jay.

3. Wood Thrush.
4- Water Thrush.
5. Duck Hawk.

Pla'ie V. D _

Page 220

1. Cerulean Warbler,

2. Prairie Warhler.

VOL. I. — b

Plate W—contiuurJ.

3. Vellow Waui;lek.

4. PARC LA WVRULEK.

5. Bi.ACKiiURN'Ax Warhler.

6. Bi.ack-Tiiru ied Green

Warhler.

I'' -^"- ^'^ Page 262

1. Maryland Yellow Thro.\t.

2. Blue Bird.

3. Winter Wren.

4- Xashville Warhler.

5. Black-Throated Blue

Warhler.

6. Rchy-Crowned Kinclet.

Page 298

Plate VH

1. Snowflake.

2. White-Throated .Si-arrow.

3. Black-Throated Bunting.

4- Indigo Bunting.

5- Scarlet Tanager.

Pi'ATE VHI Page ido

I Snow Bird.

2. S(jxG Sparrow

3. Phcehe.

4- American Goldfinch.

5- Vesi'er Sparrow.

6. ToWHEE.

xvni

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Pi.ATK IX J\li;e 382

1. Tim: Grosukak (Male).

2. Pink Gkusi!i:.\k (Female).

3. Puui'i.K Finch (Male).

4. I'i'kri.i'; Finch (Female).

5. Rosk-Hkk.v.siki) Grosukak.

6. Win ii,-Wi.m;kd CRossiiii.i.

(Male).

7. WlIITK-WlNClKD CROSSIIII.I.

(Female).

i'l.AlK X /V'' 4.^^

1. Rri;v-Tiii;ttArKi) Hum.minc

HlKD,

2. Hakn S\v allow .

3. Fl.lCKKR.

4. Wiiir-i'ooR-wiLL.

5. Crk.siki) Rkd Bird.

6. Rk1>HKAIJKI) WoOni'KCKKR.

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT.

Page

TCKKKV \'ILHKK . .

27.
/

WiniK Gyrkai.con . .

28.

4MKRICAN Si-arrow

29.

Hawk

GoLi)J',.N Eac.le . . .

3''

.5-

Bald Iv\<;lk ....

•9

J-

American Osi'rkv . .

33-

American Goshawk .

34-

Cuoi'Kr's II.\wk . . .

35-

MlSSISSI-l'I KlTK . . .

36-

ic.

Amkrican Rorc. ii-Lk(^.c.ki)

27-

Hawk

38.

II.

RKD-Siiori.DKKKi) Hawk

39-

12.

Broad-Winckd Hawk .

40.

'5-

Hawk Owt

41.

14.

Snowy Owi

•5-

SCRI'.KCII Owi

42.

16.

Great Hornkd owi. .

17-

LoN(;-Iv\REi) Owl . .

18.

Short-Earki) Owl . .

19.

Barred Owi

20.

Richardson's Owl . .

21.

Barn Owi

22.

Florida EuRROwiN'c. Owl

-3*

Meadowlakk ....

24.

Bm,"^imore Oriole .

25-

RED-W inc. ED r> L ACKH I rd

26.

Yellow-Headed '.Jlack-

imrd

102

Boiioi.lNK 109

Blue Jav 133

Canada Jay . , . . 1 3S

TCETED Tn.MOUSE . . I42

Northern Shrikk . . 159

Redstart 164

\\.' son's Waruler . . 168
Blue-Gray GN.vrcATCHER 170

VlLI.oW r.KKASTED CHA L I72

178
187
192
207
215

White-Eyed Vireo . .
Mockino Bird ....
Brown Thrasher . .
\Vils(»n's Thrush . .
0\EN-]5lUD ....

Black-Throated (hiEEN

Waruler 230

Parul.v W.-.rt.ler . . 244
Maryland Vellow-

Throat 249

Worm.E.\it:.'g WARrsi.r.R 255
IlorsK Wrenj .... 266
Carolina Wren . , . 272
Golden-Crowned King-
let 2S3

Bi.uEHiRD 285

Wm.AiK.VR 290

A.iERicAN Pipit . . . 292

Horned Lark .... 294

Skylark 297

Il.l.lSTkA'.''IO\s.

ILL.

) Bird.

WiiOni'ECKl R.

A;r

• •

109

• •

• ' J.)

• •

■ '^'S

)USE

. 142

RIKK

■ 159

. 164

UfLER

. 16S

VICATCHKR 170
TED ChaL 172
. 178
. 187
. 192
. 207
215

IREO
' .

lER
USH

ED (}rEE\

LER . .

LLOW-

244

.... 249
WaRRLI.R 21^5

.... 266

KM . . ,
•.'ED KlNG-

272

285
290
292

294
297

Xo.

5.5. Sxnwil.AKK . .
54. I.'.M.AND LONGSI'ITK
';.v S'ARI.l.;-] Ta.VAGER

50. Lark Si'.vrkjw

57. VksI'KK SI'vKKow .
5S. S()\(, .Sl'AKR(j\v

>9- Tkkk Si'akrow

"O. Fox Sl'ARK(j\V ,

')!. Siiarp-Tailkd .Sparrow
<>2. .American Goi.hfi.n
•ij- Gdldkincii .
(>4 ki.iu'di.i

65. 1I(JARV Rl Dl'oi.i,

66. Cardinal

67. Kose-Brkastki) Gr(

Ili.AK ....
6.S. I'l.NE GR(J.S1;Kak

'V American Crussjuij.
70 Willi k-Kreasted Nct

ilA'ICH . . .

300
306

3^7

33=

33^
344
34«
353
355
358
362

369
375
37S

3Si

83.

84.
85.
86.

7'- I'-i \iK A\i> White Wa

i;m;r

7^- liAK.N .Swallow .

Trke Swallow .

Hank .Swallow .

KiNOIilRI)

OLivi:.Si/,|.:nF,,v,vi( 11,

• Traill's Flycatcher

• Carolina Paroockt
Vellow-Bii.lki) CrcKo.

rVORY-BlI.I.Kl, WOOI).
I'iX.KER ......

PiLEATEI. \Vooi)l.l.;cKER

Yellow-Bellied Sap-
sucker

Kci;V-THROATEI. Hl'M-

Mi.No Bird ....
1!elted Kincelsher

GlilMNi;v SWIET .
NiGilTiiAWK . .

75
76.

77-
78.

79-

80.

Si.
82.

-XIX

As'

K-

• 3^')

■ 3''4

3'">

401

404

R 410

4-M
4-^8

' 43-^

44 f
444

450

457
461

463

470

-i9

m:^$m

'■ 'O-

INTRODUCTIOxN.

( )i all the classes of animals by which we are surroundetl in
the ample fiekl of Nature, there are none more remarkable in
their apnearance and habits than the feathered inhabitants of
the air. They play around us like fairy spirits, elude approach
\w an element which defies our pursuit, soar out of sight in the
yielding sky, journey over our heads in marshalled ranks, dart
like meteors in the smishine of summer, or, seeking the solitary
recesses of the forest antl the waters, they glide before us like
beings of fancy. They diveisify the still landscape with the
most lively motion and beautiful association ; they come and
go with the change of the season ; and as their actions are di-
rected by an uncontrollable instinct of provident Xature, they
may be considered ar '-oncomitant with the beauty of the sur-
rounding scene. With what grateful sensations do we involun-
tarily hail the arrival of these faithful messengers of spring and
summer, after the lajjse of the dreary winter, which compelled
them to forsake us for more favored climes. Their songs, now
heard from the leafy groves and shadowy forests, inspire de-
light, or recollecti(v-,., . ; the pleasing past, in every breast.
How volatile, how p!.',, fully capricious, how musical anil happv,
are these roving sylphs of Nature, to whom the air, the eartii,
and the waters are alike habitable ! Their lives are spent in
boundless action ; and Nature, with an omni.scient benevo-
lence, has«assisted and formed them for this wonderful disjjlay
of perpetual life and vigor, in an element almost their own.

XXII

INTKUUlCTloN.

If v\x' draw a coiniKiriMUii between the^c inhabitants (jf the
air ,111(1 the earth, we shall perceive that, instead of the large
head, formidable jawi armed with teeth, the (•ai)a(:i()us che^l,
wide ■>h()ulders, anil nuiscular leg:> of the (iuadrii|)eds, they
have bills, or pointed jaws destitute of t'^"'th ; a lonj; and pliant
neck, jfently swelling; shoulders, iai! ,e verlebrie ; the fore-

arm attenuated to a point and ( lothed with feathers, fonnuig
the expansive wing, and thus fined for a different sfjecies ot
motion ; likewise the wide extended tail, to assist the general
provision for buoyancy throughout the whole anatomical frame.
For the same general purpose i)f lightness, exists the ci;ntrast
of slender bon\' legs and feet. So that, in short, we percei\e
in the whole conformation of this interesting tribe, a structure
wisely and curiously adapted for their destined motion through
the air. Lightness and buoyancy appear in every part of the
structure of birds : to this cm\ nothing cijntributes more than
the soft and delicate plumage with which they are so warmly
clad; and though the wings (or great organs of aerial motion
by whi( h they swim, as it were, in the atmosphere) are formed
of such light materials, yet the force with which they strike tin-
air is so great as to impel their bodies with a rapidity unknown
to the swiftest (piadrupctl. The same grand intention of form-
ing a class of animals to move in the ambient desert they
occupy above the earth, is likewise visible in their internal
structure. Their bones are light and thin, and all the muscles
diminutive but those appropriated for moving the wings. The
lungs are placed near to the back-bone and ribs; and the air
is not, as in other animals, merely confined to the pulmonary
organs, but passes through, and is then conveyed into a num-
ber of membranous cells on either side the external region of
the heart, communicating with others situated beneath the
chest. In some birds these cells are continued down the
wings, extending even to the pinions, bones of the thighs, and
other i)arts of the body, which can be distended with air at
the ])leasure or necessity of the animal. This diffusion of air
is not only intended to assist in lightening and elevating the
body, but also aj^pears necessary to prevent the stoppage or

IMK(.)lJLCTIO\.

Will

interruption of rosplnitiun, which would otherwise follow the
rapidity of their motion through the resisti'ng .itmo«>phere , and
thus the Ostrich, tluMigh deprived of the power of llight. run^i
almost with the swittness of tlir wind, and reiiuires, as he
p(jssesseb, the usual resources of air conferred on other l)lrds.
Were it possible for man to move with the rapidity of a Swal-
low, the resistance of the air, wiilujut M)me su( h jjeciili.ir pro-
vision as in birds, would (luickly bring on sullo( jtion. The
superior vital heat of this class of beings i> likewise |)robal)ly
due to this greater aeration of the vital tUiid.

I)irds, as well as (luadrupeds, may be generally distinguished
into two great classes from the food on which they are destined
to subsist ; ami may, consequent!) . be termed carnivorous and
granivorous. Some al^o hold a middle nature, or partake of
both. 'I'he granivorou> and herbivorous birds are provided
uith larger ami longer intestines than those of the carnivorous
kinds. 'I'heir food, consisting chiefly of grain of various sorts,
is conveyed whole into the craw or first stomach, where it is
Moftened and acted u])on by a ])eculiar glandular secretion
thrown out upon its surface ; it is then again conxeyed into a
second preparatory digestive organ : and finally transmitted
into the true stomach, or gizzard, formeil of two strong muscles
connected externally with a tendinous substance, and lined in-
ternally with a thick membrane of great power and 'rength ;
and in this place the unniasticatetl food is at length c tmpletely
triturated, and ])repared for the operation of the gastric juice.
'I'he extraordinary powers of the gizzard in comminuting food,
to prejjare it for digestion, almost exceeds the bounds of cred-
il)ility. Turkeys and common fowls have been made to swal-
low sharp angular fragments of glass, metallit tubes, and balls
armed with needles, and even lancets, which were found
broken and compressed, without producing any apparent pain
or wounds in the stomach. The g'avel pebbles swallowed by
this class of birds with so much r.vidity, thus appear useful in
bruising and comminuting the grain they feed on, and prei)ar-
ing it for the solvent action of the digestive organs.

'I'hose birds which live chietiy on grain and vegetable sub-

XXIV

IMKODUCTIUN.

stances iKirtakc in a di'grcc of the nature and <lis])osituin <>{
hirbivorous (iiiadnipL-ih. In l)oth, the food and the provision
Inr its dii^fstion are ver\ Nimilar. AHke distinjiui>hiil for
s and gentleness of manners, their hws are

sedentary

habit>

harndessly and usefully passed in collecting seeils and Iruits,
and ridding the earth of noxioti- and destructive insect- ; they
live wholly on the defensive with all the feathered ra<"e. and
are content In rear and defend their olfspring from the atta( ks

fth

eir enemies. It is from this tra< tahle and gentle race, a-

Will as from the amphibious or a«|uatic tribes, that man iias
long -.ucceeded in itbtaining useful and domestic species,
uliK h, from their prolificacy and hardihood, afford a vast
supply of wholesome ami nutritious food. Of these, the Hen,
originally from India: the (loo«<e. !)uck. and Pigeon of
ICurope ; the Turkey of America ; and the I'i.Jado, or (luinea-
hen of Africa, are the princ ipal : to whi( h may also be ad-
ded, as less useful, or more recently naturalized, the iVacock
of India, the I'lu'asant of the same country, the Chinese
and Canada (loose, the Musiovy l)uck, and the European
Swan.

CarniNorous birds by many striking traits evince the destinv
for which they have been created ; they are provided with
wings of grer.t length, supj)orted by powerful muscles, which
enable them to tly with energy and soar with ease at the
loftiest elevations. I'hey are armed with strong hookeil bills
ami with the sharp and formidable claws of the tiger: they ire
also further distinguished by their large heads, -.hurt iu<k>.
strong muscular thighs in aid of their retractile talons, and
.1 sight so piercing as to enable them, while soaring at the
greatest height, to perceive their l^rey, upon which they some-
times descend, like an arrt)w, with undeviating ;tim. In these
birds the stomach is smaller than in the granivorous kinii>. and
their intestines are shorter. Like beasts of prey, they arc of a
fierce and unsociable nature : and so far from herding tt<ether
like the inoffensive tribes, they drive even their offspring iVom
the eyry, and seek habitually the shelter of desert rocks, ne-
glected ruins, or the solitude of the darkest fore>t, from wlience

IMKDDL'CTIUN.

XXV

posjtiun i>f

• provision
ihIkiI for

• li\cs .lie
ind t'niits,
•tt^ : they

r.icc, ami
lu' attacks

k' TMV. .IS

, man iias
(• spciics,
rd .1 vast
the Hell,
I'iuc-on of
)r (luiiKM-
>.o l>f ail-

; Chinese
European

le destiny

(led with

s, vvliirh

>e at the

ked !)ills

tliey are

rl ii'-i k-.

iii>. .'.nd

at the

y some-

In these

n, and

are of a

. aether

111^: from

)(ks, ne-

whence

thtv utter loud, territi

( . or pur( 111.:,' iTie>, ill act

on I

in<e

with

the gloomy rage and intpiietude of their insatiable de>ire-.

iJesides these grand <livision> of the winded nation^, tlu-re
are others, whic h, in their habits and inaniier>, might he « oin-
|iared to the ainphil)iou> aiiimaU, as they li\e < hietly on the
water, and feed on its productions, jo enable them to iwiin

,iii(

I d

ive in

(|ue>t of their a(|uatic food, their toes are i itn-

iiected by broatl nienibraiio or webs, with which, like i)ir-«,
they strike the water, aiul .ire impelled with lorce. in tins way
t ven the sea.s, l.ikes, and river>. abounding with fi>h. in>ects,
.iiid seeds, swarm with birds (jf \ari«tu> kinds, which all obtain
all abundant supply. 'I'here are other .uju.itic binU, t"re<iuent-
iiig niar>hes and the margins of lakes, rivers, and the se.i,
whuh seem to partake of an intermedi.ite nature between the
land and water tribes. S<jiiie of these teed on fishes .iiid re|i-
liles ; others, with long and sensible bills and eAteiidi'(| necks,
seek their t'ood m wet .md muddy marshes. These birds are
not made for swimming : but, famili.ir with water, they wade.
ami many follow the vdi;c of the retiring wa\es of the sea,
^'leaning their inset t prey at the recession of the tides: for
this kind of life N;rture has provided them with long legs, i)are
oft^'athers even abtive the knees; their toes, unconnected bv
webs, are only partially t"uniished with membranous appen-
dages, just suftitieiit to su])pi>ri them on the sot't and boggy
Ljrounds they frequent. To tiiis tribe belong the Cranes, Snipes.
Sandpi])ers, Woodcocks, and many others.

In comparing the senses of animals in ( onnectit)n with tluir
iustint t, we tuid that of .v/;-/// to be niore extended, more at ute,
and more distinct in birds, in general, than in (iuadru])ed-. I
say "in general," for there are some birds, such as the Owls,
whose vision is less clear than that of quadrupeds : but this
rather results from the extreme sensibility of the eye. which,
though dazzled with the glare of lull day, nicely distinguishes
even small objects by the aid of twilight. In all binls the
organ of sight is furnished with two membranes, — an external
and internal, — additional to those which occur in the human
subject. The tormer, mtininami iiictitan.^, or external mem-

XXVl

INTRODUCTION'.

branc. is situated in the larger angle of the eye, and i^., in
fact, a second and more transi)arent eyelid, whose motions are
directed at ])leasure, and its use, besides occasionally cleaning
and polishing the cornea, is to temper the excess of light and
adjust the cpiantity admitted to the extreme delicacy of the
organ. The other membrane, situated at the bottom of tlie
eye, a])])ears to be an expansion of the optic nerve, which, re-
ceiving more immediately the impressions of the light, must be
much more sensible than in other animals : and consequently
the sight is in birds far more perfect, and embraces a wider
range. Facts and observations bear out this conclusion ; for a
S])arrow-hawk, while hovering in the air, perceives a Lark or
other small bird, sitting on tlie ground, at twenty times the dis-
tance that such an object would be visible to a man or dog.
A Kite, which soars beyond the reach of human vision, yet
distinguishes a lizard, field-mouse, or bird, and from this lofty
station selects the tiny ol)jtjct of his prey, descending upon it
in nearly a perpendicular line. lint it may also be added that
this jirodigious extent of vision is likewise accompanied with
ecjual accuracy and clearness ; for the eye can dilate or con-
tract, be shaded or exposed, dejiressed or made protuberant,
so as readily to assume the precise form suited to the degree
of light and the distance of the object ; the organ tlius answer-
ing, as it were, the purpose of a self-adjusting telescope, with a
shade for examining the most luminous and dazzling objects ;
and hence the Ivigle is often seen to ascend to the higher
regions of the atmosphere, gazing on the unclouded sun as on
an ordinary and familiar object.

The ra])id motions executed by birds have also a reference
to the ]')erfe(tion of their vision ; for if Nature, while she en-
dowed them with great agility and vast muscular strength, hail
left them as short-sighted as ourselves, their latent powers
would have availed them nothing, and the dangers of a per-
l>etnaliy impeded progress would have repressed or extin-
guished their ardor. We may then, hi general, consider the
celerity with which an animal moves, as a just indication of
the perfection of its vision. A bird, therefore, shooting .^wil'tl>

IMRUDUCIION.

XXVll

lOL

degree

higher

ference

she en-

;th. had

powers

)f a per-

extin-

ider the

ition of

; hwh'tl)

through the air, must undoubtedly see better than one which
slowly describes a waving tract. 'I'he weak-sighted bat. ll> ing
caretully through bars of willow, even when the eyes were ex-
tinguished, may seem to suggest an exception to this rule of
relative velocity and vision ; but in this case, as in that of some
blind individuals of the human species, the extpiisite auditory
,ipi)aratus seems capable of sup])lying the defect of sight. Nor
are the tlickerings of the bat, constantly perl'ormed in a narrov/
( inuit, at all to be compared to the distant and lofty soarings
of the i^agle, or tlie wide wanderings of the smaller birds, who
often annually jxiss and repass from the arctic circle to the
equatoi.

The idea (jf motion, and all the other ideas connected with
it. such as those of relative velocities, extent of country, the
l)roportional height of eminences, and of the various inetjuali-
ties thai prevail on the surface, are therefore more precise in
birtls, and occupy a larger share of their conceptions, than in
the grovelling (piadrupeds. Nature would seem to have pointed
out thi< superiority of vision, by the more conspicuous and
elaborate structure of its organ ; for in birds the eve is larger in
[)roportion to the bulk of the head than in (]uadrupeds ; it is
also more delicate and finely fashioned, and the impressions it
receives must consequently excite more vivid ideas.

Another cause of difference in the instincts of birds and
<|uadru]<eds is the nature of the element in which they live,
birds know better than man the degrees of resistance in the
air. its temperature at different heights, its relative density, and
many other jiarticulars. probably, of which we can form no
ade(iuate conception. They foresee more than we, and indi-
cate better than our weather-glasses, the changes which happen
in that voluble fluid ; for otu-n have they contended with the
viol' nee of the wind, and still oftener have they borrowed the
advantage of its aid. The Eagle, soaring above the clouds, can
at will escape the scene of the storm, and in the lofty region of
( ihn. far within the aerial boundary of eternal frost,' enjoy a

1 Tho mean licights of etein.il frost under tlic equator anl at tlie latitude of
30'' and fio'are, respectively. 15,207, 11,484, and 3,818 feet.

XXVlll

'MKUUUCTION.

serene sky and a bright sun, whi. • the terrestrial animals re-
main involved in darkness and exposed to all the fury ot the
tempest. In twenty-four hours it can change its climate, and
sailing over different countries, it will form a picture exceeding
tlie i)owers of the pencil or the imagination. 'I'he quadruped
knows only the spot where it feeds, — its valley, mountain, or
l)lain ; it has no conception of the expanse of surface or of
remote distances, and generally no desire to push forward its
excursions beyond the bounds of its immediate wants. Hence
remote journeys and extensive migrations are as rare among
quadrupeds as they are frecjuent among birds. It is this
desire, foundetl on their aci[uaintance with foreign countries,
on the consciousness of their expeditious course, ami on their
foresight of the changes that will happen in the atmos[jhere,
and the revolutions of seasons, that ]>rompts them to retire
together at the powerful suggestions of an unerring instinct.
\Vhen their food begins to fail, or the cold and heat to incom-
mode them, their innate feelings and latent powers urge them
to seek the necessarv remedv for the evils that threaten their
being. The inquietude of the old is communicated to the
young ; and collecting in troops by common consent, influ-
enced by the same general wants, impressed with the approach-
ing changes in the circumstances of their existence, they give
way to the strong reveries of instinct, and wing their way o\er
land and sea to some distant and better country.

Comparing animals with each other, we soon perceive that
smell, in general, is much more acute among the (luadrupeds
than the birds. I'.ven the i)retended scent of the \'ukure is
imaginary, as he does not perceive the tainted carrion, on
which he feeds, through a wicker basket, though its odor is as
potent as in the open air. This choice also of decaying flesh
is probably regulated by his necessities and the deficiency of
his muscular powers to attack a living, or even tear in |)ieces a
recent, jirey. The structure of the olfactory organ in l)irds is
obviously inferior to that of quadnipeds ; the external nostrils
are wanting, and those odors which might excite sensation
have access only to the duct leading from the palate ; and even

INTRODUCTION.

XXIX

imais re-
ry ot tlH."
iKitf. and
xcccding
Liadrupcd
mtain, or
icf or (){
)r\vanl its
Hence
re auion!^
[t i^ this
countries,
I on their
nosphere,
to retire
\ instinct.
to Hicom-
irgo them
aten their
,'d to the
nt, intlu-
)|)roach-
they uive
way (j\er

eive that

\drupeds

ulture is

rrion. on

lor is as

mg flesh

ient:y of

pieces a

hirds is

nostrils

sensation

and even

m those, where the organ is disclosed, the ner\'es, which take
their origin from it, are tar from being so niniierous, so large,
or so expanded as in the quadru[)eds. We may therefore
regard f(U/ch in man, s/neil in the quadruped, and sight in
birds, OS respectively the three most perfect senses which
exercise a general intluence on the character.

After sight, the most perfect of the senses in birds appears
to be hcariiii:;, which is even superior to that of the quadru-
peds, and scarcely exceeded in the human species. We i)er-
( eive with what facility they retain and repeat tones, successions
of notes, and even words ; we delight to listen to their im-
wearied songs, to the incessant warbling of their tuneful affec-
tion. Their ear and throat are more ductile and powerful
than in other animals, and their voice more capacious and
Lienerally agreeable. A Crow, which is scarcely more than the
thousandth part the size of an ox, may be heard as far, or
farther; the Nightingale can fill a wider space with its music
than the human voice. This ])rodigious extent and power o{
Mjuml depend entirely on the structure of their organs^ but
the support and continuance of their song result solely from
their internal emotions.

The windpipe is wider and stronger m birds than in any
other class of animals, and usually terminates below in a large
cavity that augments the sound. The lungs too have greater
extent, and communic;.te with internal cavities which are
< a|jable of being expanvled with air, and, besides lightening
the body, give additional strength to the voice. Indeed, the
formation of the thorax, the lungs, and all the organs connected
with these, seems expressly calculated to give force and dura-
tion to their utterance.

Another circumstance, showing the great power of voice in
birds, is the distance at which they are audible in the higher
regions of the atmosphere. An Ivagle may rise at least to the
height of seventeen thousand feet, for it is there just visible.
I'locks of Storks and (}eese may mount still higher, since, noi
withstanding the space they occupy, they soar almost out of
sight ; their cry will thereibrc be heard from an altitude of

XXX

L\TKODU':riO.\,

more than three miles, and is at least four times as [)owerful as
the voice of men and (juadrupeds.

Sweetness of voice and melody of song are qualities whicli in
birds are partly natural and partly aciiuired. The kuility with
which they catch ami repeat sounds, enables them not only to
borrow from each other, but often even to copy the more difti-
cult inflections and tones of the human voice, as well as of
musical instruments. It is remarkable that in the tropical
regions, where the birds are arrayed in the most glowing
lolors. their voices are hoarse, grating, singular, or terrific.
Our sylvan Orpheus (the Mocking-bird), the Brown 'i'hrush,
the Warbling Flycatcher, as well as the Linnet, the Thrush,
the lilackbird, and the Nightingale of Kurope, pre-eminent fjr
song, are all of the plainest colors and weakest tints.

The natural tones of birds, setting aside those derived from
education, express the various modifications of their wants and
passions; they change even according to different times and
circumstances. The females are much more silent than the
males ; they have cries of pain or fear, murmurs of inquietude
or solicitude, especially fo: their young ; but of song they are
generally deprived. The song of the male is inspired by ten-
der emotion, he chants his affectionate lay with a sonorous
voice, and the female replies in feeble accents. The Nightin-
gale, when he first arrives in the spring, without his mate, is
silent ; he begins his lay in low, faltering, and unfreiiuent airs ;
and it is not until his consort sits on her eggs that his en-
<-hanting melody is complete : he then tries to reliexe and
amuse her tedious hours of incubation, and warbles more
pathetically and variably his amorous and soothing lay. In a
state of nature this propensity for song only continues through
the breeding season, for after that period it either entirely
ceases, becomes enfeebled, or loses its sweetness.

Conjugal fidelity and parental affection are among the m- st
conspicuous traits of the feathered tribes. The pair unite their
labors in preparing for the iccommodation of their exi)ected
progeny ; and during the time of incubation their parti( i])a-
tion of the same cares and solicitudes continually augments

INTRODUCTION.

XXXl

■I

thfir mutual attachment. Uhen the young appear, a new
source of care and i)leasure opens to them, still stiengthei.in.L;
the ties of affection; and the tender charge of rearing and
defending their infant brood recjuires the joint attention of
both parents. The warmth of first affection is thus succeeded
by calm and steady attachment, which by degrees extends,
without suffering any diminution, to the rising branches of die
family.

This conjugal union, in the rapacious tribe of birds, the
Kagles and Hawks, as well as with the Ravens and Crows, con-
tinues commonly through life. Among many other kinds it is
also of long endurance, as we may perceive in our common
Pewee and the lllue-bird, who year after year continue to fre-
quent and build in the same cave, box, or hole in the decayed
orchard tree. But, in general, this association of the sexes
expires with the season, after it has completed the intentions
of rejiroduction, in the i)reser\'ation and rearing of the off-
si)ring. 'I'he ajipearance even of sexual distinction often van-
ishes in the autumn, when both the parents and their young
are then seen in the same huml)le and oblivious dress, ^^'he^
the\ arrive again amongst us in the spring, the males in flocks,
often by themselves, are clad anew in their nuptial livery ; .uid
with vigorous songs, after the cheerless silence in which they
have passed the winter, they now seek out their mates, and
warmly contest the right to their exclusive favor.

With regard to food, birds V ive a more ample latitude than
([uadrupeds; flesh, fish, amphibia, reptiles, insects, fruits, grain,
seeds, roots, herbs, — in a word, whatever lives or vegetates.
Nor are they very select in their choice, Init often catch indif-
ferently at what they can most easily obtain. Their sense cf
taste appears indeed much less acute than in quadrupeds : for
if we except such as are carnivorous, their tongue and palate
are, in general, hard, and almost cartilaginous. Sight and scent
can only direct them, though they possess the latter in an infe-
rior degree. The greater number swallow without tasting ; and
mastication, which constitutes the chief pleasure in eating, is
entirely wanting to them. As their horny jaws are unprovided

XXXll

INTROnUCTION.

with teeth, the food undergoes no i)reparation in the mouth,
hut is swallowed in unbruised and untasted morsels. Yet there
is reason to believe that the first action of the stomach, or its
])reparatory vcntriculiis, affords in some degree the ruminating
g'-itification of taste, as after swallowing food, in some insectiv-
orous and carnivorous birds, the motion of the mandibles, ex-
actly like that of ordinary tasting, can hardly be conceived to
exist without conveying some degree of gratifying sensation.

The clothing of birds varies with the habits and climates
they inhabit. 'l"he acjuatic tribes, and those which live in
northern regions, are provided with an abundance of plumage
and fine down, — from which circumstance often we may form a
correct judgment of their natal regions. In all climates, atjua-
tic birds are almost equally feathered, and are provided with
])osterior glands containing an oily substance for anointing
their feathers, which, aided by their thickness, prevents the
admission of moisture to their bodies. These glands are less
<onspicuous in land birds, — ^mless, like the fishing Kagles, their
habits be to plunge in the water in i)ursuit of their prey.

The general structure of feathers seems purposely adapted
both for warmth of clothing and security of flight. In the
wings of all birds which fly, the webs comjiosing the vanes, or
])lumy sides of the feather, mutually interlock by means of reg-
ular rows of slender, hair-like teeth, so that the feather, except
at and towards its base, serves as a complete and close screen
from the weather on the one hand, and as an impermeable oar
on the other, when situated in the wing, and required to catch
and retain the impulse of the air. In the birds which do not
fly, and inhabit warm climates, the feathers are few and thin,
and their lateral webs are usually separate, as in the Ostrich,
Cassowary, Emu, and extinct Dotlo. In some cases feathers
seem to pass into the hairs, which ordinarily clothe the quadru-
peds, as in the Cassowary, and others : and the base of the
bill in many birds is usually surrounded with these capillary
plumes.

The greater number of birds cast their feathers annually, and
appear to suffer much more from it than the quadrupeds do

^ t

IMK(Jl)LCl'IO\.

XXXill

the mouth,
Yet there
nach, or its
ruminating
no insectiv-
ncUbles, ex-
onceived to
.'nsation.
1(1 cHmates
lich Hve in
of phmiage
ma}' form :i
lates, a(iua-
3vided with
r anointing
revents the
nds are less
Ragles, their
)rey.

ly a(la])ted

It. In the

e vanes, or

ins of reg-

|her. except

lose screen

meable oar

d to catch

ich do not

and thin.

le Ostrich,

s feathers

e quadru-

ase of the

|e capillary

uially, and
Irupeds do

from .i similar change. The best-fed fowl ceases at this time
lu lav. ''he season of moulting is generally the end of summer
(ir autumn, and their feathers are n(Jt completely restored till
the spring. Tlie male sometimes undergoes, as we have already
remarked, an additional moult towards the close of suunner ;
md among many of the waders and web-footed tribes, as Sand-
])ipcr>. Plovers, and (lulls, both sexes experience a moult twite
ni the year, so that their summer and winter livery appears
wholly different.

The stratagems and contrivances instinctively emjiloyed l)y
birds for their support and jn'otection are peculiarly rem;irk-
able ; in this way those which are weak are enabled to elude
the })ursuit of the strong and rapacious. Some are e\en
screened from the attacks of their enemies by an arrangement
of colors assimilated to the places which they most frequent
for subsistence and repose : thus the Wryneck is scarcely to be
distinguished from the tree on which it seeks its food ; or the
Snipe froni the soft and springy gr(jund which it fretpients.
'I"he (Jreat Plover finds its chief security in stony places, to
whi< h its colors are so nicely adapted that the most exact
observer may be deceived. The same lesort is taken advantage
of by the Night Hawk, Partridge, Plover, and the Ame.ican
(^)uail, the young brood of which s([uat on the ground, instinc-
ti\Lly conscious of being nearly invisible, from their close
resemblance to the broken ground on which thev lie, and trust
to this natural concealment. The same kind of tlecej)tive and
protecting artifice is often emjiloyed by birds to conceal or
.ender the appearance of their nests ambiguous. Thus the
Kuroperin Wren forms its nest externally of hay, if against
a hayrick ; covered with lichens, if the tree chosen is so
clad ; or aiade of green moss, when the decayed trunk in which
it is built, is thus coveretl ; and then, wholly closing it alxjve,
leaves only a concealed entry in the sitle. Our Munnning-
bird, by external ])atches of lichen, gives her nest the appi-ar-
an( e of a moss-grown knot. A similar artifice is employefl by
our Yellow-breasted I'dycatcher, or Vireo, and others. The
vol.. 1. — c

XXXIV

INTRODUCTION'.

(loldi-n-cnjwiK'd Thrush {Srinnis (iiii<uapi//us) mak«^s a iit-^t
like an oven, erecting an arch over it so |)ert"ec;tl)' resem-
bUng the tussuck in which it is concealeil tluit it is only dis-
ccnerable by the emotion of the female when startled from its
covert.

The Ikitcher-bin.l is said lt> draw aroun<l iiim his feathered
victims by treacherously imitating their notes. The Kingfisher
of luirope is believed to allure his i)rey by displaying the
brilliancy of his colors as he sits near some setiuestered place
on the margin of a rivulet ; the fish, attracted by the splen-
dor of his lluttering and expanded wings, are (detained while
the wily fisher takes an unerring aim.^ 'i'he Erne, and our
iJald I'lagle, gain a great part of their subsistence by watching
the success of the Fish Hawk, and robbing him of his finny prey
as soon as it is caught. In the same way also the rapacious
l)Urgomaster, or (llaucous (hill {Larus o^/aiicits), of the N(.>rth
levies his tribute 'of food from all the smaller species of his
race, who, knowing his strength and ferocity, are seldom inclined
to dispute his jMratical claims. Several species of Cuckoo, and
the Cow Troopial of America, habitually deposit their eggs in
the nests of other small birds, to whose deceived affection are
committed the preservation and rearing of the i)arasitic and
vagrant brood. The instinctive arts of birds are numerous ;
but treachery, like that which obtains in these ])arasitic species,
is among the rarest expedients of nature in the feathered
tribes, though not uncommon among some insect families.

'I'he art displayed by birds in the construction of their tem-
porary habitations, or nests, is also deser\-ing of passing
attention. Among the Gallinaceous tribe, including our land
domestic s])ecies, as well as the acpiatic and wading kinds,
scarcely any attempt at a nest is made. The birds which swarm
along the sea-coast often deposit their eggs on the bare ground,
sand, or slight depressions in shelving rocks ; governed alone
by grosser wants, their mutual attachment is feeble or nugatory,
and neither art nor instinct prompts attention to the const ruc-

1 The bria;lit feathers of this bird enter often successfully, with otliers, into
the composition of the most attractive artificial flies employed by anglers.

INTK(>[)lCri(>N.

\XN\'

laki;^ a not

uctly rescni-

is only <lis-

;lcd troni its

his tealhcrrd
ic Kini^fisliLT
sjjlaying the
estercd place
)y the s])lcn-
etained while
,rne, and our
i by watching
his finny prey
the rapacious
of the North
species of his
;klom inclined
f Cuckoo, and
their eggs in
affection are
jiarasitic and
Ire nunierous ;
nsitic s]iecies,
he feathered
families.
of their tem-
g of passing
ling our land
fading kinds,
wliich swarm
bare ground,
verned alone
or nugatory,
Ithe const ruc-

|,vith others, into
una;lers.

tion of a nest, — the less necessary, indeed, as the young run or
take to the water as soon as hatched, and early release them-
selves from parental tlependence. The habits of the other acpia-
ti( birds are not very dissimilar to these ; yet it is singular to
remark that while our common (leese and Ducks, like domestic
jowls, have no permanent selective attachment for their mates,
die Canadian Wild (loose, the Kider I )U( k, and some others,
are constantly and faithfully paired through the season; so
that this neglect of accommodaticjn for the ycjung in the fabri-
( ation of an artificial nest, common to these with the rest of
their tribe, has less connection with the recjuisition of mutual
aid than with the hardy and precocious habits of these unmusi-
( al, coarse, and retiring birds. It is true that some of them
show considerable address, if little of art. in providing security
for their young ; in this way some of the Razor-bills (including
the Common i\ififin) do not trust the exposure of their egg>.
like the (iulls, who rather rely on the solitude of their retreat,
than art in its defence ; but with considerable labor some of
the Akas form a deep burrow for the se( urity of their brood.

Iiirds of the same genus differ much in their modes of nidi-
ficaiion. Thus the ^Fartin makes a nest within a rough-cast
rampart of mud. and enters b\' a flat o])ening in the upper
edge. 'I'he Cliff Swallow of Jjonaparte conceals its warm and
feathered nest in a receptacle of agglutinated mud resembling
a narrow-necked purse or retort. Another species, in the
Indian seas, forms a small receptacle for its young entirely
of interlaced gelatinous fibres, provided by the mouth and
stomach ; these nests, stuck in clusters against the rocks, are
collected l)y the Chinese, and boiled and eaten in soups as
the rarest delicacy. The I'ank Martin, like the Kingfisher,
burrows deep into the friable banks of rivers to secure a de-
pository for its scantily feathered nest. The Chimney Swallow,
originally an inhabitant of hollow trees, builds in empty chim-
neys a bare nest of agglutinated twigs. The Woodpecker,
Nuthatch, Titmouse, and our rural lUuebird, secure their
young in hollow trees : and the first often gouge and dig
through the solid wood with the success and industry of car-

I ll

XXXVl

INTRODUCTION.

pL'iitcTs, and without the litl of any other chisel than their
wcdj^jcd bills.

Mut the most consumniate ingenuity of ornithal architecture
is displayed by the smaller and more social tribes of birdi, who,
in proportion to their natural enemies, foreseen by Nature, are
pn)\i(U(l with the means of instinctive defence. In this labor
both sexes generally unite, and are sometimes occupied a week
or more in completing this tempc^rary habitation for their
young. We can only glance at a few examples, chietly domeri-
tic ; since to give anything like a general \iew of this subject
of the architecture employed by birds would far exceed the
narrt)w limits we prescribe. And here we may remark that,
after migration, there is no more certain disi)lay of the reveries
of instinct than what presitles over this interesting and neces-
sary labor of the species. And yet so nice are the gradations
betwixt this innate j)ropensity and the dawnings of reason that
It is not always easy to decide u])on the characteristics of
one as distinct from the other. Pure and undeviating in-
stincts are perhaps wholly confined to the invertebral class of
animals.

In respect to the habits of l)irds, we \\v]\ know that, like
([uadrupeds, they possess, though in a lower degree, the capa-
cit\- for a certain measure of what mav be termed education,
or the power of adding to their stock of invariable habits the
additional traits of an inferior degree of reason. Tiius in those
birds who h;i\e (bscovered (like the faithful clog, tiiat humble
companion of man) the advantages to be derived from asso-
ciating round his jiremises, the regularity of their instinctive
habits gives way, in a measure, to improvable conceptions. In
this manner t>ur (loh't'u Robin {Icterus balfiinoir^, k^x I'iery
llang IJird. originally oiily a nati\-e of the wilderness and the
forest, is now a constant summer resident in the vicinitv of
villages and dwellings. From the dei)ending boughs of our
towering elms, and other spreacbng trees, like the Oriole of
I'Au-ope, and the Cassican of tropical America, he weaves his
pendulous and purse-like nest of the most tenacious and diu'-
able materials he can collect. These naturally consist of the

INlKODLCrioN.

WWII

1 th;in their

architi'cluio
)f binli, who,
■ Nature, arc-
In this lal)i>r
ipicd a wiik
)ii for tlu'ir
lictly doint'n-
r tiiis subject
r exceed the
remark tliat,
f tiie reveries
g and neces-
le gradations
f reason that
icteristics of
;leviating in-
,'bral class of

3w that, hke
e, the capa-
l education,
e habits tlie
'hus in those
tliat humble

from asso-

r instinctive

e])tions. In

), or Fiery
ness and the
L' \-icinity of
)Uglis of our
le Oriole of
e weaves his
Dus and dur-
onsist of the

Indian hemp, flax of the silk-weed (.lsi-A-/>/<is species), and
otiier tougii and fibrous substances ; but with a ready ingenuity
he discovers that real tlax and heinj'. as well as thread, cottiMi,
varn, and even hanks of silk, or small strings, aiul hursr and
( ()w hair, are excellent substitutes f r his original domcMtit ma-
terials ; and in *)rder to be convenient to these ai cidmtal
resources, — a matter of some importance in so tedious a labor.
— he has left the wild woods of his ancestry, and conscious of
the security of his lofty and nearly inaccessibU' mansion, has
taken up his wekome abode in the precincts of tjur h.ibitations.
'The same motives of convenience and c-oinfort have hatl their
ajjparent inlluence on many more oi' our almost domestic
feathered tribes; the liluebirds. \\rens, and Swallows, original
inhabitants of the W(;ods, are now no K'ss familiar than our
Pigeons. The Catbird often leaves his native solitary thickets
for the convenience and refuge of the garden, and watch-
ing, occasionally, the motions of the tenant, answers to his
whistle with complacent mimicry, or in petulant anger scolds at
his intrusion. The Common R()l)in, who never varies his simple
and coarse architecture, tormented by the parasitic Cuckoo
or the noisy Jay. who seek at times to rob him of his progeny,
for ])rotec:tion has been known fearlessly to build his nest
within u few yards ot the blac;ksmith's anvil, or on the stern
timbers of an unfinished vessel, where the carpenters were still
employed in their noisy labors. That sagacity obtains its intlu-
ence over unvarying instinct in these and many other familiar
birds, may readily be conceived when we observe that this
\enturous association with man \anishes with the occasion
which required it ; for no sooner have the Oriole and Robin
reared their young than their natural suspicion and shvness
again return.

Deserts and solitudes are avoided by most kinds of birds.
In an extensive country of unvarying surface, or possessing but
little variety of natural productions, and i)arti(ailarly where
streams and waters are scarce, few of the feathered tribes are
to be found. The extensive prairies of the West, and the
gloomy and almost interminable forests of the North. a< well as

.WW 111

IM KUDLX llO.N.

till' iiinhnim'oiis, wiM, .iinl uiipcdpkil I);l^k^ of the Mississippi,
iind otluT of tiu' br^'tT risiTs, no less than the vast piiH'-l»ar-
reiis of tlie Southern St ales, are nearly without birds as |)enna-
nent residents. In ( ros>in.Lj the desolate piny j^lades of the
Siiuth, with tlic exception of Creepers, Nuthatches, Wood-
|»e(keis, Tine Warhh-rs, and llocks of Hitting l.arks {Sfiniui/ti),
scarcely any birds arc to be seen till we a|)proach the mean-
ders of some stream, or the precincts of a plantation. The
food of birds being extremely various, they conse(|uently con-
gregate only where sustenance is to be obtained ; wati-ry situa-
tions and a diversified vegetation are necessary for their su|)port,
and convenient for their residence; the fruits of the garden
and orchard, the swarms of inse( ts which follow the progress of
agriculture, the grain whi< h ue cultivate. — in short, everything
wjiich contributes to our luxuries and wants, in the way of
subsistence, no less than the recondite and tiny enemies which
lessen or attack these various resources, all conduce to the
support of the feathered race, which consequently seek out and
frcipient our settlements as humble and useful dependents.

'i'he most ingenious and labored nest of all the North .Amer-
ican birds is that of the Orchard Oriole, or Troo]iial. It is
suspended, or pensile, like that of the IJaltimore IJird, but, with
the exception of hair, constantly constructed of native mate-
rials, the principal of which is a kind of tough grass. The
blades are formed into a sort of platted purse but little inferior
to a coarse ?traw bonnet ; the artificial labor bestowed is so
apparent tha: Wilson humorously ailds. on his showing it to a
matron of his actpiaintance. betwixt joke and earnest, she
asked *' if he thought it could not be tauizht io darn stock-
ings." FA-ery one has heard of the Tailor Uird of India {Sv/r/ti
sit Zona) ; this little architect, by way of saving labor and gain-
ing security for its tiny fabric, sometimes actually, as a seam-
stress, sews together the edges of two leaves of a tree, in which
her nest, at the extremity of the branch, is then secured for the
])eriod of incubation. Among the Sy/r'/tis. or Warblers, there
is a species, inhabiting Florida and the West Indies, tli3
Sy/i'/a pensi/is, which forms its woven, covered nest to rod; in

It •«!

IMKolJLClI".N.

X.WIX

Mi»i>>i|il»i,
-.1 piiu-lMr-
Is ;»s pi-rma-
l.idi'^ of tin;
:hcs, Wood
(Sfiinii'//tJ),
h the incan-
tation. '\'\\c
<liu-iitly con-
wati-ry Jiilua-
luir sii|)|u)rt,
f the garden
L' i)rogrc>.>. of
rt, c'vcrythinj;
the way of
leniics \vhi«h
i(hue to the
seek out and
endents.
North Amer-
>opial. It is
rd, but, with
itive niate-
^rass. The
ttle inferior
towed is so
jwing it to a
arnest, she
darn stoik-
idia {Sy/ria
)r and gain-
as a seani-
ee, in wliich
ured for the
rblers, there
Indies, \.\\i
St to roe!: in

the air at the end of two >^l^|K•ndinf^ strings, rather than trust
it to thi' wilv enemies by whu h it is surrounded ; the entrani c.
for ^et urity, is also from IktIow, and through a winding vestibule.

Our httle eheerful and ahnost domestir Wren (T>;n;/,>if\fi'\
f///r/fs). whiih >o often disptjles with the Martin and the iJhie-
bird the possession of the box set up tor their ace ommo<lation
in the ganlen or near the house, in his native resort ot a hollow
tree, or the shed of some neglected out-house, begins ju^ labrit
b\ forming a barricade of « rooked interlacing twigs. — a kiml
of <7/<7 <///.v-.// -yW.w, — for the detence of his internal habitation,
leaving merely a very small entram-e at the ujjper vd.iv. The
indiistrv of this little bird, and his affectit)n for his mate, are
somewhat remarkable, as he frequently completes Ins habita-
tion without aid. and then searches out a female on whom to
bestow it ; but not being always successful, or the premises not
sitisfactory to his mistress, his labor remains sometimes with-
out reward, and he continues to warble out his lay in solitude.
I'he same gallant ha'oit prevails also with our recluse Wren of
the marshes. Wilson's Marsh \\'rt;n {Tn>i^-/i>t/\Vr.\- />a///.\/n\).
instead of courting the advantages of a proximity to our dwel-
lings, lives wholly among the reed-fens, suspending his muij-
l)lastered and circularly covered nest usually to the stalks of
the plant he so much atVects. Another marsh species inhabits
the low an»l sw.impy meadows of our vicinity {Troi^^/othfi's />>r-
r/ft)s/ris), and with ready address constructs its globular nest
wholly of the intertwined sedge-grass of the tussock on which
it IS built : these two species never leave their subacpi itie
retreats but for the purpose of distant migration, and avoid
and deprecate in angry twitterings every sort of society but
their own.

Among the most extraordinary habitations of birds, illustra-
live of their instinctive invention, may be mentioned that of
the iJengal Grosbeak, whose pensile nest, suspended from the
lofty boughs of the Indian fig-tree, is fabricated of grass, like
cloth, in the form of a large bottle, with the entrance down-
wards ; it consists also cf two or three chambers, supposed to
be occasionally illuminated by the fire-flies, which, however.

IX'lRODLCl ION.

onlv constitute a part of the food it jirobably convoys for the
su|i]H)rt of its yoin\u. lUit tlie most cxtraonUnary instinct of
thi-i kind known, is exhibited by the Sociable, or Kepubhcan
(iiosl)eak {/'/chci/s soii'i/s, Cavh'.k ), of the ( 'ape of ( iood Hojie.
In one tree, acconhntj; to Mr. IV.terson, there could not be
fewer than from eiL,dit hundred to one thousand of these nests,
covered l)v one general roof, resembling that of a thatched
house, and projecting t)ver the laitrance of the ne'>l. ['heir
connuon intluslry almost resembles that of bi'e^. Iteneath this
roof there are many entrances, each of which forms, as it were,
a regular street, with nests on either side, about two inches dis-
tant from eac h other. The material which they employ in this
buildmg is a kind of hue grass, whose seed, also, at the same
time serves them for food.

That birds, besides their predilection for the resorts of men,
are also capable of ap])reciating conse([uences to themselves
and \-ouug, scarcely admits the shadow of a doubt : thev are
capable of communicating their tears and nicely caUailating
the i)robability of danger or the immunities of fa\()r. We talk
of the cunning of the I'ox and the watchfulness of tlie Weasel ;
but the I'lagle, Hawk, Ra\-en, Crow, IVe. and lllat ki)ird pos-
sess those traits of shrewdness and < .uition which would seem
to arise from reflection and ])rudence. 'I'hey well knou- the
])owerful weaj)ons and wiles of civilized man. Without being
able U^ sill <■ I / powder, — a vulgar idea. — the Crow and I'lackbird
at once suspect the character of the fatal gun ; thev will alight on
the bu'ks of cattle without any show of apprehension, and the
I've e\en lio])s upon them with insulting and garrulous phuful-
ness ; but he llies instantly from his human tuiemv. wnA ^eems,
bv his de])recating airs, aware of the i)ro>cription that affects
his existence. A man on horseback or in a carriage is much
less an object of suspicion to those wily birds than when alone ;
and i ha\-e been fretpiently both amused and surjirised, in the
Southern States, by the sagacity of the Common 151ackbirds in
starting from the ])K)ughing field, with looks of alarm, at the
sight of a white man, as distinct from and more dangerous than
the black sla\e, whose furrow thev clcjselv and familiarlv lol-

V l!ii

IM Ri,»l)LCll< LN.

•nwys tor the
ry iiisliiut of
ir Republican

( iood I lo]K'.
could not l)c
»t' these ncsls,
•f a thalchcil
ticsi. Their
Beneath this
IS, as it were,
I'o inciies clis-
niplo) in this
, at the sanie

■sorts of men.

;o themselves

iht ; they are

ly calculating

i>r. We talk

' the Weasel ;

lackbinl pos-

would seem

ell know the

ithout being

1(1 r.lackbird

will alight on

sion, and the

ous playful-

•, And seems,

that affects

aage is much

when alont' ;

)rised, in the

Uackbirds in

alarm, at th.e

ngcrous than

iimiliarlv fi;l-

lowed, I'or the insect food it afforded them, without l)etra\ing
anv api)earance of distrust. Need we any turiher jjroof of
the capacity for change of dispositit)n than that wha h has >o
long ojjerated upon our domestic poultry ? — '• those \ictims,"
as lluffon slightingly remarks, '-which are multiplied without
trouble, and sac rificed withcnit regret." How different the hab-
its of our (loose and Duck in their wild and tame condition 1
Insteatl of that excessive and timid catitiousness. so pei uliar
to their sawige nature, they keep company with tlie doniotic
cattle, and hanlly shuftle out of our ])alh. .\a\-. the (lander
is a very ban-dog. — noisy, gabbling, and vociterou>, he gi\es
notice of the stranger's ap])roach, is often the terror ot the
medtUing school-boy, in defence of his fostered brood ; and it
is repc^rted of anticpiity, that by their usual garrulity and wat( h-
fulness thev once saved the Roman capitol. Not onlv is the
di>position )f these birds changed by domestication, but ewn
their strong instinct to migration, or wandering longings, are
wholly annihilated. Instead of joining the airy phalanx w'ni( li
wing their way to distant regions, they grovel contented in the
perjjetual alnmdance attendant on their willing slaver\. If
instinct can thus be destroyed or merged in artificial cir( urn-
stances, need we wonder that this i)rotecting and innate intelli-
gence is ca]>able also of another change b\ improsement.
adapted to new habits and unuatural restraints? Kven without
undergoing the slavery of domestication, many birds become
fully sensible of immunities and |)rotection ; and in the >aine
acpiatic and rude family of bir«ls already mentioned we may
(juote the tame habits of the llider I )ucks. In belaud and
other comitries. where they breed in such numbers as to render
their valuable down an object of commerce, thev are tbrbidden
to be killed under legal penalty ; and as if aware of this legisla-
tive securit\, they sit on their eggs undisturbed at the ai)|)roach
of man, and are entirely as familiar, during this season of
breeding, as our tamed Ducks. Nor are they api)arentl\- awari'
of the cheat habitually practised upon them of abstracting the
down with which the\- line their nests, though it i-^ u>uall\-
repeated until the} make the third attempt at iiKaibation. If,

xlii

TMROULCTIO.N.

h(;wfVfr, the last nest, with its eggs and down, to the lining
of which the male is now obliged to contribnte, be taken away,
they sagaciously leave the premises, without return. The pious
.Storks, in Holland, j)rotected by law for their usefulness, build
their nests on the tops of houses and churches, often in the
niidst of cities, in boxes prepared for them, like those for our
Martins: and, walking about the streets and gardens without
aiJi)rehension of danger, perform the usual office of domestic

scavengers.

'i'hat birds, like our more sedentary and domestic quadru-
peds, are ca])able of exhibiting attachment to those who feed
and attend them, is undeniable. Deprived of other society,
some of our more intelligent species, particularly the Thrushes,
soon learn to seek out the company of their friends or ])r()tec-
tors of the himian species. The Brown Thrush and Mocking
Bird become in this way extremely familiar, cheerful, and
<'apricioui-ly playful ; the former, m particular, courts the atten-
tion of his master, follows his steps, complains when neglected.
Hies to hull wh^ii suffered to be at large, and sings and re])oses
gratelully perched on hishaml. — m short, by all his actions he
appears cajjable (A real and affectionate attachment, and is
jealous of e\ery rival, jiarticularly any other bird, which he
])erse( utes from his presence with unceasing hatred. His pet-
ulant dislike to ])articular objects of less moment is also dis-
jjlayed by various tones ami gestures, which soon become
sufficiently intelligible to those who are near him. as well as
his notes of gratulation and satisfaction. His language of
fear and surprise could never be mistaken, and an imitation of
his guttural low /s//rrr, tslwrr, on these occasions, answers as
a premonitor\- warning when any danger awaits him from the
slv api^roach of (at or s(|uirrel. .\s I have now descended, as
I may say, to the actual biography of one of these birds, which
I raised and kept uncaged for some time, I may also add, that
besides a jilavful turn for mischief and interruption, in which
he would sometimes snatch off the paper on which I was writ-
ing, he had a good degree of curiosity, and was much surprised
one day by a large springing beetle or F.latey {E, oce/iaius),

IMKODUCIIUX.

xlii

, to the liniiiL;
3e taken away,
'n. 'riic pious
efulness. biiilfl
s. often in the
those for our
irdens without
e of domestic

lestic quadru-
lose who feed
other society,
the Thrushes,
ids or protec-
and Mockin-^
cheerful, and
irts the atten-
en neglected,
s and reposes
lis actions he
nent, and is
d, which he
. His i)et-
is also dis-
)on become
n. as well as
anguage of
imitation of
answers as
m from the
scended, as
)irds, which
so add, that
n. in which
I was writ-
1 suri)rised
ocellatus),

which I had caught and placed in a ttnnbler. On all such
occasions hi> looks of capricious surprise were very amusing ; he
cautiously ajjjjroai hed the glass with fanning and closing wings,
.ind in an under-tone ccjnfessed his surprise at the address and
iumping motion of the huge msect. At length he became
bolder, and ])erceiving it had a relation to his ordinary prey of
beetles, he, with some hesitation, ventured to snatch at the
prisoner between temerity and playfulness. But when really
alarmed or offended, he instantly tlew to his loftiest perch, for-
bid al! triendly ai)i)roaches. and for some time kei)t up his low
and angry fs/'irn . My late friend, the venerable William liar-
tram, was also much amused by the intelligence displayed by
thiri bird, and relates that one which he kept, being fond of
hard bread-crumbs, found, when they grated his throat, a very
rational remedy in softening them, by soaking in his vessel of
water : he likewise, by experience, discovered that the painful
l)rick of the wasps on which he fed, could be obviated by ex-
tracting their stings, iiut it would be too tedious and minute
to follow out these glimmerings of mtelligence, which exist
as well in birds as in our most sagacious (juadrupeds. The
remarkable talent of the Parrot for imitating the tones of the
human voice has long been familiar. The most extraordinary
and well authenticated account of the actions of one of the
(omnion ash-colored species is that of a ]>ird which Colonel
()■ Kelly bought for a hundred guineas at Bristol. This indi-
vidual not only repeated a great nimiber of sentences, but
aii.u^<t'rei/ many (piestions, and was able to whistle a variety of
tune>. While thus engageil it beat tmie with all the apjiear-
ance of science, and possessed a judgment, or ear so accurate.
th;!t if by chance it mistook a note, it would revert to the bar
where the mistake was made, correct itself, and still beatimr
regular time, go again through the whole with perfect exact-
ness. So celebrated was this surprising bird that an obituary
notice (jf its death appeared in the "(ieneral livening Post"
for the 9th of October, 1802. In this account it is added, that
besides her great musical faculties, she could express her wants
articulately, and give her orders in a manner approaching to

xli\-

INTRODL'L TioX.

rationality. She was, at the time of iier decease, sii])|)().-,ecl to
be more than thirty years of age. The colonel was repeat-
edly offered five hundred guineas a yar for the bird, by
])ersons who wislied to make a public exhibition of iier : but
out of tenderness to his favorite he constantly refused the
offer.

'The story related by (ioldsnuth of a i)arrot belonging to
King Henry the Seventh, is very amusing, and possibly true. It
was kept in a room in the Palace of Westminster, overlooking
the Thames, and had naturally enough learned a store of boat-
men's phrases; one day, sporting somewhat incautiously. Poll
fell into the river, but had rationality enough, it a])pears. to
make a profitable use of the words she had learned, and ac-
cordingly vociferated, " A boat ! twenty pounds tor a boat!"
This welcome sound reaching the ears of a waterman, soon
brought assistance to the Parrot, who delivered it to the
king, with a re(iuest to be jiaid the rountl sum so readily ])rom-
ised by the bird ; but his Majesty, dissatisfied with the exor-
bitant demand, agreed, at any rati-, to give him what the
bird should now award ; in answer to which reference. Poll
shrewdly cried, ''(live the knave a groat!"

The story given by Locke, in his -' l"]ssay on the Human
rnderstanding," though approaching closely to rationality, and
apparently mii)robable, xnay not be a greater effort than could
have been accom])lished by Colonel ()' Kelly's bird. This
Parrot had attracied the attention of Prince Maurice, then
governor of Prazil, who had a curiosity to witness its powers.
The bird was introduced into the room, wtiere sat the prince
in ( ompany with several Dutcdimen. On viewing them, the
Parrot exclaimed, in Portuguese, '* What a company of white
men are here ! " Pointing to the prince, they asked, " Who is
that man? " to which the Parrot replies, '• Some general or
other." The prince now asked, " l''rom what j)lace ilo you
come?" The answer was, *' P'rom Marignan." "'I\.> whom
do you belong?" It answered, " To a Portuguese." "What
do you do there?" To which the Parrot replied, " 1 look after
chickens ! " The prince, now laughing, exclaimed, " Ydu look

I\rR(»I)LCTl().\.

C, SllJ)[)()^,(.'tl to

el was rcpcat-
• thf bird, liv
n (jf Ikt : luit
ly rcfusdl ihc

hclongiiit; lo
isibly true. It
■r, overlook int;

store of l)();it-
-•autiously, Toll

it a])i)ears. lo
irned, and ac -
; for a boat ! "
•aterman, soon
'ed it to the

readily prom-
vith the e\(^r-
lim what the

efereiK e, Poll

II the Human

itionality. and

rt than could

bird. This

'^laurice, then

ss its powers.

at the jMinre

ni; them, the

)any of white

ed, '" Who is

genenil or

)la('e do vou

se.

I (' Whom
" "What
1 look after
" \'(>// look

.ifter <:hickens ! " To which Poll |)ertinently answered. •' Yes,
/_ — and I know well enough how to do it ; " clucking at the
■>anie instant in the manner of a calling brood-hen.

The docility of birds in catching and exjjressing sounds
depends, of course, upon the perfection of their voice and
hearing:, — assisted also by no inconsiderable power of memory.
The imitative actions and passiveness of some small birds, such
a.> (loldfmches. Linnets, and Canaries, are, however, quite as
( urious as their expression of sounds. A Sieur Roman exhib-
ited in Knc^land some of these birds, one oi' which simulated
death, and was held up by the tail or claw without showing any
active signs of life. V second balanced itself on the head,
with its claws in the air. A third imitated a milkmaid going to
market, with pails on its s';o.ilders. A fourth mimicked a
X'enetian girl '' -k'HL 3ut at a window. A fifth acted the
s(jldier, and moun . guard as a sentinel. The sixth was a
cannonier. with a cap on its head, a firelock on its shoulder,
and with a match in its claw disc barged a small cannon. 1 ho
same bird also acted as if w.)unded, was wheeled in a little
l),!rrow, as it were to the hospital : after which it flew away
before the company. The -^exenth turned a kind of windmill ;
and the last bird stood amidst a discharge of small fireworks,
without showing any sign of fear.

A similar exhibition, in which twenty- four C"anary birds
were the actors, was also shown in London in 1820, by a
i''renchiiian named Dujon; one of these suffered itself to be
>hot at, and falling down, as if deatl, was ])ut into a little
wheelbarrow and conveyed away by one of its comrades.

'['he docility of the Canary and (ioldfinch is thus, by dint of
se\-ere education, put in fair competition with that of the dog ;
and we cannot deny to the feathered creation a share of that
kind of rational intelligence exhibited by some of our sagacious
iiu;ulrui)eds, — an incii)ient knowledge of cause and effect far
removed from the unimprovable and unchangeable destinies of
in>tinct. Nature ])robably delights less m producing such
animated machines than we are apt to suppose ; and amidst
the mutabilitv of circumstances bv which almost ever\- animated

xhi

iNTRoni'i ri()\,

being is siirrounflcd, there seeni^ lo hv a frequent ilemnnd .r
that reUeving inxiiition denietl to those aniniils uiiich are
solely governed by intlexible instinrt.

The velocity with which birds are able to travel in their
aerial element lias no parallel among terrestrial animals : and
this ])owcrtul cajjacity for jjrogressive motion is bestowed in
aid of their i)eculiar wants and instinctive habits. The swiftest
horse may ])erha])s proceed a mile in something less than two
minutes ; but such exertion is unnatural, and quickly fatal. An
llagle, whose stretch of wing exceeds seven feet, with ease and
majesty, and without any extraordinary effort, rises out of sight
in less than three minutes, and therefore must tly more than
three thousand five hundred yards in a minute, or at the rate
of sixty miles in an hour. At this sj^eed a bird would easily ])er-
tbrm a journey of six hundred miles in a day, since ten hours
only would be recjuired, which woukl allow freijuent halts, and
the whole of the night for repose. Swallows and other migra-
tory birds might therefore i)ass trom northern Europe to the
equator in seven or eight days. In fact, Adanson saw, on the
coast of Senegal, Swallows that had arrived there on the 9th of
October, or eight or nine days after their dejiarture from the
colder 'continent. A Canary I'alcon, sent to the Duke of I,erma,
returned in sixteen hours from Andalusia to the island of Tene-
riffe, — a distance of seven hundred and fifty miles. The (lulls
of llarbadoes, according to Sir Hans Sloane, make excursions in
Hocks to the distance of more than two hundred miles after
their food, and then return the same day to their rocky roosts.

If we allow that any natural powers come in aid of the
instinct to migration, so powerfiil and unifi)rni in birds, besides
their vast (~ai)acity for motion, it must be in the perfection and
delicacy of their vision, of which we have such striking ex-
am])les in the rapacious tribes. It is possible that at times
they may be directed prmcii)ally by atmos[)heric phenomena
alone ; and hence we find that their a])pearance is frequently
a concomitant of the apjiroaching season, and the wild Petrel
of the ocean is not the only harbinger of storm and coming
change. The currents of the air, in those which make exlen-

INTRODrClM'X.

Xl\ 11

sive voyages, are se(iuloiisly employed ; and hence, at certain
^iMsons. when they are nsually in mo'.i(>n, we find their arri\-,il
or departure accelerated by a favorable direction of the winds.
That birds also should be able to derive advantage in their
journeys from the acuteness of their vision, is not more wonder-
ful than the capacity of a dog to discover the ])atli of his
master, for many miles in succession, by the mere scent of his
steps. It IS said, indeed, in corroboration of this conjecture,
that the Passenger, or Carrying Pigeon, is not certain to return
U) the place from whence it is brought, unless it be conveyed
in an (Ji)en wicker basket admitting a \ie\v of the passing
scenery. Many of our birds, however, follow instinctively the
great valleys and river-courses, which tend towanU their
southern or warmer destination ; thus the great valle\s of
the C(jnnecticut, the Hudson, the 1 )elaware, the Susquehanna,
the .Santee, and more particularly the vast Mississip]>i, are often,
in part, the leading routes of our migrating birds. IJut, in fact,
mysterious as is the voyage and de])arture of our birds, like
those of all other countries where they remove at all, the des-
tination of many is rendered certain, as soon as we visit the
southern parts of the Union, or the adjoining countries of Mex-
ico, to which they have retired for the winter ; for now, where
they were nearly or wholly unknown in summer, they throng
bv thousands, and flit before our path like the showering leaves
of autumn. It is curious to observe the pertinacity of this
adventurous instinct in thcjse more truly and exclusively insec-
tivorous species which wholly leave us for the mild and genial
regions of the tropics. Many penetrate to their destination
through Mexico overland ; to these the whole journey is
merely an amusing and varied feast. Wwt to a much smaller
number, who keep too fir toward the sea-coast, and enter the
ocean-bound peninsula of Morida, a more arduous aerial voy-
age IS presented ; the wide ocean must be crossed, by the
young and inexperienced as well as the old and venturous,
before they arrive either at the tropical continent or its scat-
tered islands. When the wind ])roves propitious, however,
our little voyagers wing their imerring way like prosperf)us

xKiii

IN'lR(JDLCriU\.

fairies ; hut l)affle(l 1)\' storms and contrary gales, they often
suffer from want, and at times, like the (Quails, become victims
to tlu' devouring waves. On such unfortunate occasions (as
Mr. liullock ^ witnessed in a voyage near to Vera Cruz late in
autumn), the famished travellers familiarly crowd the decks of
the vessel, in the hope of obtaining rest and a scanty meal
preparator)' to the conclusion of their un])ropiti()us llight.

Superficial observers, substituting their own ideas for facts,
are ready to conclude, and frecpiently assert, that the old and
young, before leaving, assemble together t\)r mutual departure ;
this may be true in many instances, but in as many more a
different arrangement (jbtains. The young, often instinctively
vagrant, herd together in separate Hocks ])revious to their
departure, and guidetl alone by the innate monition of Nature,
seek neither the aitl nor the company of the old ; conse(|uently
in some countries flocks of young of particular species are alone
ol)served, and in others, far distant, we recogni/e the old.
Vvom jiarental aid the juvenile company have obtained all that
Nature intended to bestow. — existence and education; and
they are now thrown upon the world aiiiong their numerous
companions, with no other necessary guide than self-jjreserving
instinct. In l'vUroi)e it appears that these bands of the young
always affect even a warmer climate than the old ; the aeration
of their blood not being yet complete, they are more sensible
to the rig(jrs of cold. The season of the year has also its effect
on the movements of bu'ds ; thus certain species i)roceed to
their northern destination nicjre to the eastward in the spring,
and return from it to the south-westward in autumn.

The habitudes and extent of the migrations of birds admit
of ctMisiderable varietv. Some only tly before the inundating
storms of winter, and return with the first dawn of s])ring ;
these do not leave the continent, and only migrate in cpiest of
food when it actually begins to fail. Among these may be
named our common Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow. Blue-
bird, Robin, Pewee, Cedar Bird, Blackbird, Meadow Lark, and
many more. Others ])ass into warmer climates in the autumn,

1 Tiavels in Mexico.

I.\ TRfJULCl'ION.

X 1 1 x

es, they often
iconic victims
occasions ( as
1 Cruz late in
the decks of

scanty meal
s (light,
eas for facts.

the old and
il departure ;
lany more a

instinctively
Kis to their
m of Nature,
consequently
:ies are ahjne
i/e the old.
ined all that
:ation ; and
ir numerous
f-preserving
)f

le aeration
ore sensible

so its effect

)rocee(l to

the spring,

)irds admit
inundating
of spring ;
n (piest of
se mav i)e
row. ijiue-
l.ark, and
le autumn,

after rearing their xoung. Some are so given to wandcrmg
that their ( hoice of a (ountry is only regulated by the resources
which U i)lfd> lor subsistence ; such arc the I'igeon>, Flerons
of >e\eral kinds. Snipes, wild (leese and 1 )uck>, the wandering
Albatros, and Waxen Chatterer.

The greater number of birds travel in the night ; mjitu-
>periiv,. howe\er. prut eed only by day. as the diurnal birds of
prcv. — Crows, I'ies, Wrens, Creepers. Cross-bills, Larks, I5lue-
bii<U, Swallows, and M)me others. Those which travi-l wholly
in the night are the Owls, lUitcher ISirds, Kingli>her>, 'I'hrushes,
Flycatchers, Night Hawks, \\"hip-poor-wills. and also a great
number of aquati( birds, whose motions are also principally
nocturnal, except i:i the cold and desolate ni^rthern regions,
where they usually retire to breed. Other binN are -^o ]iow-
erfully imi)elled by this go\i'rning motive to migration that
they stop neither day nor night ; such are the Herons, Mota-
<illas, I'loMTs, Swans. Cranes, Wild (leese. Storks, etc. ^\'hen
untow.ird ( ircum^tances render haste necessary, certain kiniU
of l)ird>. which ordinarily travel only in the night, continue
their rome during the day, and scarcely allow themselves time
to eat : yet the singing-birds, |)roperly so called, never migrate
by day, whatever may hap])en to them. And it may here be
incjuired. with astonishment, how these fee]:»le but enthusiastic
animals, are able to ])ass the time, thus engaged, without the
aid of recruiting sleep? lUit so powerful is this necessity for
trawl that its incentiw breaks out equally in those which are
detained in captivity, — so much so that although during the
day they are no more alert than usual, and onh" occupied
in taking nourishment, at the approach of night, far from seek-
ing repose, as usual, they manifest great agitation, sing without
ceasing in the cage, whether the apartment is lighted or not :
and when the moon shines, they appear still more restless, as it
IS their custom, at lilierty, to seek the advantage of its light
for facilitating their route. Some birds, while engaged in their
iourney, still find means to live without halting, — the Swallow,
while traversing the sea, pursues its insect ])rev : those who
can subsist on fish without any serious effort, feed as they pass

vol.. I. — ,/

INTkODUCTlcV.

wr ffraze tlu' surface of the deep. If the W'len, the Creeper,
.111(1 tlic 'I'itmoiiNe rest for an instant on a tree to snat< h a hasty
morsel, in the next they are on the wing, to fulfil their destina-
tion. However abundant may be the nt)urishnKiU which
|)rrM'ms Itself to supply their wants, in general. binU of passage
rarely remain more than two days together in a i)la( e.

The cries of many birds, while engaged in their aerial voy-
age, are such as are only heard on this important occasicju, and
appear necessary for the direction of those which tly in assem-
|)K(1 ranks.

1 )uring these migrations it has been observed that birds

the hiuh

)( tht

My onimaruy m the higher regions ot the air, excein when
fogs force them to seek a lower elevation, '['his habit is
l)articularly pre\alent with Wild (Icese, Storks, ("ranes, and
Herons, which often pass at such a height as to be scarcely
distinguishable.

We shall not here enter into any detailed description of the
manner in which each si)ecies conducts its migration, but
shall content ourselves with citing the single remarkable exam-
])le of the motions of the Cranes. Of all migrating birds, these
api)ear to be endowed with the greatest share of foresight.
They never undertake the journey alone : throughout a circle
of several miles they ai)i)ear to communicate the intention
of commencing their route. Several days ])revious to their
departure they call upon each other b\- a peculiar cry, as if
giving warning to assemble at a central jioint ; the favorable
moment being at length arrived, they betake themselves to
tbght, and, in military style, fall into two lines, which, uniting
at the summit, form an extended angle with twt) equal sides.
At the central point of the phalanx, the cliief takes his station,
t(^ whf)m the whole troop, by their subordination, appear to
have ])ledged their obedience. The commander has not only
the ])ainful task of breaking the path through the air, but he
has also the charge of watching fcjr the common safety ; to
avoid the attacks of birds of prey ; to range the two lines in a
circle at the approach of a tempest, in order to resist with
more effect the scjualls which menace the dispersion of the

IliS

INTRODUCTION.

n, the Creeper,
snatth a hasty
il their destina-
ishinent which
)ir(U of passagi'
plai c.

heir aerial \oy-
t occasion, and
:h tly in assem-

■ved that birds
■, excel )t when

This hal)it is
S Cranes, and

to be scarcely

icription of the
mitrration, but
larkable exam-
pg birds, these
of foresight,
ighout a circle
the intention
vious to their
iiliar cry, as if
the favorable
hemselves to
lich, uniting
) equal sides.
•s his station,
n, appear to
has not only
e air, but he
n safety ; to
|\vo lines in a
resist with
rsion of the

linear ranks: and, lastl>, it ir. to their lea.ler that the fatigue.!
< ompmy look up to np|)oint the ino^t ( onvenieni places for
nourishineiil and repose. Still, important as i> the station and
function of the aerial director, its existence is but luomeiuary.
As soon as he k-els sensible of fitigue, he cnk>, his place to
thf nr\i m the file, and retires himself t,, its extremity. Dur-
nig the night their Ihght is attended with considerable noise;
the loud cries which we hear, seem to be the marching orders
of the chief, answered by the ranks who follow his command-..
\\ iUl (leese and several kinds of Ducks also make their aerial
voyage nearl\' in the same manner as the Cranes. 'I'he loud
call of the passing ( leese, as they soar se( urel\- through the
higher regions of the air, is fimiliar to all : but as an additional
proof of their sagacity and caution, we may remark that when
fogs in the atmosphere render their llight necessarily \o\v, they
steal along in sil'.uice, as if aware of the danger to which their
lower path now exposes them.

The direction of the winds is of great imi)ortance to the
iiiiL;rjtion of birds, not only as an assistance when favorable,
but to be avoided when contrary, as the most disastrous of
accidents, when they are traversing the ocean. If tlu,' l)rt'e/e
suddenly ( hange, the aerial voyagers tack to meet it, and di-
verging from their original course, seek the asylum of some
land or island, as is the case very fre(iuep*ly with the (^)uails,
who conseipiently, in their passage across the Mediterranean,
at variable times, make a tlescent in immense numbers on the
islands of the .Archipelago, where they wait, sometimes for
weeks, the arrival of a pro])itious gale to terminate their jour-
ney. And hence we perce-ve the object of migrating birds,
when they alight upon a vessel at sea : it has fallen in their
course while seeking refuge from a baffling bretve or o\er-
whelming storm, and after a few hours of rest they wing their
way to their previous dest-ination. That Nature has provided
am])le means to fulfil the wonderful instinct of these feeble but
cautious wanderers, ai)])ears in every part of their economy.
As the period ajiproaches for their general de])arture, and the
chilli; of autumn are felt, their bodies begin to be loaded with

INTK(»I>1( HON.

<i-llii1.ir niatti-r, ;iii(l ;it no season of ihf yt-ar an- tlu- triR' binls
ot l);!ssaj.,'t' so f.il a> at the approach of ihL'ir ini^ralion. I'hi'
( iiill>, ("raiK's, ami IIc'ron>, ahnost proverbially ina( ileiit. arc al
this season loadeil with this rcser\oir of nulriiuent, which is
intended to adininistir to their support through their arduous
and hazardous voyage. With thir> natural provision, dormant
aniniaN also c iMuiuente their long and dreary >leep through

the winter, — a nutritious resource no less ne<essa

ry ni birds

while engaged in fulfilling the powerful and waking reveries of

nistinct.

Uut if the act of migration surprise u> when jierl"ormed by

birds of acti

rkable wht

is oi active power ot wmg, it is still more remarKaDie wnei
undertaken by those of sht)rt and laborious tlight. like the
Coots and Kails, who, in fai t, perform a part of their route on
foot. The (Ireat Penguin {.-//<(/ i>ti/>iiinis). the Ciuillemot, and
tlu' Divers, e\en make their voyage < hietly by dint of swim-
ming. The young l.oons {Co/ym/'us i:;/tuia/is), l)red in inland
])onds, though |jroverbially lame (and hence the name of Lom,
or l.oon), without recourse to their wings, which are at this
time ineffn lent, continue their route from pond to pond,
floundering over the intervening land ])y night, until at length
they gain some creek of the sea, and finally complete their
necessary migration by water,

Hirds of passage, both in the old and new continents, art-
observed generally to migrate southwest in autumn, and to
jxiss to the northeast in spring. Parry, however, it seems, ob-
served the birds of (ireenland proceed to the southeast. This
a])parent aberration from the usual course may be accounted
for by considering the habits of these atpiatic birds. Intent on
food and shelter, a part, bending their course over the cohl
regions of Norway and Russia, seek the shores of luirojje ;
while another division, eipially considerable, proceeding south-
west, spread themselves over the interior of the I'nited States
and the coast and kingdom of Mexico.

'I'his propensity to change their climate, induced by what-
ever cause, is not c(jnfined to the birds of temperate regions ;
it likewise exists among many of those who inhabit the tiopics.

\ '-'

IMkoKlCTlnN.

liii

.* tlu" triK' birds
iij,'r;itit»M. riic
iiarili'iit, arc at
lUfiit, uhi< h IS
ii their arduous
isioii. doruiam
sk'cj) liirtMiijh
fssary in birds
iing reveries of

performed by
narkable when
tlii,dit. hke the
their route on
liuilleniot, and
dint of swim-
bred in inland
name of I.om,
<h are at this
[jnd to pond,
mtil at len.uth
:omplete their

)ntinents, are

min, and to

it seems, ob-

least. This

)e accounted

Intent on

er tlie cold

of I-^urope ;

eding south-

'nited States

ed by what-
ate regions ;
the t topics.

.\»|uatic birds of several kinds, according to Humboldt, cross
the ime <>n either side about the time of die periodu a! ri-.e of
the riverN. Waterton, like\vi->e. who spent mu» h tune \n l>ciu-
er ira and the neighl»oring countries, observed that the visits of
many of the tropical birds were periodical. l'hn> the wonder-
lul (ampanero, whose solemn voiie is heard at mtervals tolling
like the convent-bell, was rare to Waterton. but fretjuent in
llra/il, where it most probably retires to breed. I'he failure
of partitiilar food at any sea>on, in the mildest climate, would
be a sufticient incentive to a partial and overland migration
with any speciei oi the feathcreii race.

The longevity of birds is various, ami, diflerent from the
case of man and <|uadnipe<ls. >eems to bear but little propt>r-
tion to the age at which they a«(|uire maturity of character. A
tew months seems sufficient to bring the bird into full j)os^e^-
sion of all its native powers : and there are some, a-^ our Marsh
Titmouse or Chickadee, which, in fact, as soon as tledge*!, are
no l(jnger to be distinguished trom their parents. Land ani-
mals generally 'ive Nix t)r seven times as long a- the ])eriod
reciuired to attam maturit) ; but in birds the rate is ten times
greater. In projiortion to their si/e, they are ako f . r more
vivacious and long-lived than other animals of the superior
class. ( )ur knowledge of the longevity of birds is, however,
necessarily limited to the few examples of domesticated species
which we have been able to support through life : the result of
these examples is, that our tlomestic Fowls have lived twenty
years ; Pigeons have excee<led that period ; Parrots have at-
tained more than thirty years, (ieese live ])robably more than
half a century ; a Pelican has lived to eighty years ; and Swans,
Ravens, and Kagles have exceeded a century. I-Aen Linnets,
in the unnatural restraints of the cage, have sur\ived for four-
teen or fifteen years, and Canaries twenty-five. To a< count for
this remarkable tenacity of life, nothing very satisfactory has
been offered ; though Pjuffbn is of opinion that the sot't an<l
jiorous nature of their bones contributes to this end. as the
general ossification and rigidity of the system perpetually tends
to abridge the boundaries of life.

liv

IMROUUCTIOX.

In .1 general way it may be considered as essential for the
bird to lly as it is for the lish to swim or the quadrui)ed to
walk , yet in all these tribes there are exceptions to the general
habits. I'hus among qiuulrupeds the bats fly, the seals swim,
and the beaver and otter swim better than they can walk. So
also among birds, the Ostrich, C.'assowary, and some others,
incapable of Hying, are obliged to walk ; others, as the Dippers,
lly and swim but never walk. Some, like the Swallows and
Hummmg liirds, pass their time chiefly on the wing. A far
greater number of birds live on the water than of quadrui)eds,
for n\ tlu- latter there are not more than five or six kinds fur-
nished with webbed or oar-like feet, whereas of birds with this
structure there are several hundred. The lightness of their
featherb and bones, as well as the boatdike form of their boilies,
contributes greatly to facilitate their buoyancy and i)rogress in
the water, and their feet serve as oars to propel them.

'I'hus in whate\'er way we \iew the feathered tribes which
surround us. we shall fivul mucli both to amuse and instruct.
^\ e heai ken to their songs with renewed delight, as the harbin-
gers and nssociates of the season they accompany. Their
return, after a long absence, is hailed with gratitude to the
Auth(ir of all existence ; and the cheerless solitude of inani-
mate Nature is, by their presence, attuned to life and harmony.
Nor (if) they \Iont atlminister to the amusement and luxury of
life ; faithful aids as well as messengers of the seasons, they
associate round o.r tenement'^, and defend the various produc-
tions of the earth, on which we so much rely for subsistence,
from the <lestructive depredations of myriads of insects, which,
but for timely riddance by unnumbered binls, would be fol-
lowed by a general failure and famine. Public economy and
utilitv, then, no less than humanity, ple;ul for the i)rotection of
the feathered race ; and the wanton destruction of birds, so
useful, beautiful, and amusing, if not treated as such by law,
ought to be considered as a crime by every moral, feeling, and
reflecting mind.

^liii

;ntial for the
iuaclrui)ed to
o the general
: seals swim,
in walk. So
some others,

the Dippers,
-wallows and
^'ing. A far
qiuulrupeds,
ix kinds fur-
rds with this
less of their
their bodies,

progress in

ribes which

nd instruct.

the harbin-
my. Their
ude to the
le of inani-
d harmony,
d luxury of
•asons, they
)us produc-
iubsistence,
?cts. which,
i:ld be fol-
anomy and
otection of
'f birds, so
ch by law,
2cling, and

ORNITHOLOCxY

OK lUK

UNITED STAIHS AXI) CANADA

1^*

I 1

nff

turki:y vulture.

TURKEY BUZZARD.

Cathartf.s aura.

Char. Brownish black; head bare of feathers and bright red; bill
white ; length about 2 feet.

A'isf. In a stuni]i, or cavitv among rocks, without additional material.

It:-::', 2: white, or with a tinge of green or yellow, spotted with brown
and i>urplc; 2.75 X 1.90.

'fhis common Turkey-like Vulture is found abiuidantlv in
both North and South .America, but seems wholly to avoid the
Northeastern or New Kngland States, a straijcjler being seldom
seen as far as the latitude of 41°. Whether this limit arises
from some local antipathy, their dislike of the cold eastern
storms which prevail in the spring till the time they usually

V( )L. 1. I

2 niRDS UF rkKV.

breed, or some other cause, it is not easily assignable ; and the
fact is still more remarkable, as they have been observed in the
iiikrior by Mr. Say as far as Pembino. in the 49th degree
of north latitude, by Lewis and Clarke near the Falls of the
Oregon, antl they are not unccjmmon throughout that territory.
'i'hey are, however, much more abundant in the warmer than
in the colder regions, and are found beyond the ecjuator. even
as far or farther than the La Plata, All the West India islands
are inhabited by them, as well as the tropical continent, where,
:is in the Southern States of the L'nion they are connncjnly
protected for their services as scavengers of carrion, which
would prove highly deleterious in those warm and humid cli-
mates. In the winter they generally seek out warmth and
shelter, hovering often like grim and boding spectres in tiie
sul)urbs, and on the root's and chimneys of the houses, around
the cities of the Southern States. A few brave the winters of
ALaryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, but the greai- r part
migrate south at the apjjroach of cold weather.

The Turkey Buzzard has not been known to breed north of
New Jersey in any of the .Atlantic States. Jlere they seek out
the swampy solitudes, and, without forming any nest, deposit
two eggs in the stump of a hollow tree or log, on the mere
fragments of rotten wood with which it is ordinarilv strewed.
Occasionally, in the Southern States, they have been known to
make choice of the ruined chimney of a deserted house for
this purpose. The eggs are larger than those of a Turkey, of
a yellowish white, irregularly blotched with dark brown and
blackish spots, chietly at the larger end. 'J'he male ot"ten at-
tends while the female is sitting ; and if not materially dis-
turbed, they will continue t(j occupy the same place for several
years in succession.

The yoimg are covered with a whitish down, and, in common
with the habit of the old birds, will often eject, ujjon tiu^se who
happen to molest them, the filthy contents of their stomachs.

In the cities of the South they appear to be somewhat grega-
rious, and as if aware of the protection afforded them, ])re-
sent themselves often in the streets, and particularly near the

TURKEY VLLTL'RK.

ble ; and the
iserved in the

49th degree
: Falls of the
that territory,

warmer than
equator, even

India islands
tinent, where,
re commonly
irrion. which
lid humid cli-

wannth and
lectres in the
ouses, around
he winters of

grea.ti r part

reed north of

they seek out

nest, dejiosit

on the mere

irily strewed.

en known to

ed house for

I Turkey, of

brown and

lie often at-

terially dis-

e for several

in common
>ii those who

stomachs.

■what Strega-
them, pre-
irly near the

shambles. They also watch the emptying of the scavengers'
carts in the suburbs, where, in company with the still more
domestic Black \'ultures, they search out their favorite morsels
amidst <lust, filth, and rubbish of all descriptions, liits of
cheese, of meat, fish, or anything sufficiently fuetid, and easy of
digestion, is greedily sought after, and eagerly eyed. When
the opportunity offers they eat with gluttonous voracity, and
fill themselves in such a manner as to be sometimes iut apa-
ble of rising from the ground. They are accused at times
of attacking young pigs and lambs, beginning their assault by
picking out the eyes. Mr. Waterton. ho\ve\er, while at I )em-
erara watched them for hours together amidst reptiles of all
kiescrijjtions. but they never made any attack u[)on them. He
even killed li/ards and frogs and put them in their way, but
they did not appear to notice them until they attained the
putrid scent. So that a more harmless animal, living at ail
upon flesh, is not in existence, than the Turkey \'ulture.

At night they roo^t in the neighboring trees, but, I believe,
seldom in tlocks like the IMack kind. In wintv.r they some-
times jjass the night in numbers on the roofs of the houses in
the suburbs of the Southern cities, and ajipear particularly
desirous of taking advantage of the warmth which they dis-
cover to issue from the chimneys. Here, when the sun shines,
they and their black relatives, though no wise social, may be
observed perched in these conspicuous places basking in the
feeble rays, and stretching (jut their dark wings to admit the
warmth directly to their chilled bodies. And when not en-
gaged in acts of necessity, they amuse themselves on fine clear
days, even at the coolest season of the year, by soaring, in
companies, slowly and majestically into the higher regions of
the atmosphere ; rising gently, but ra])idly, in vast spiral circles,
they sometimes disappear beyond the thinnest clouds. They
practise this lofty flight partic ularly before the commencement
of thunder-storms, when, elevated above the war of elements,
they float at ease in the ethereal space with outstretched wings,
making no other apjiarent effort than the light balloon, only
now and then steadying their sailing j>inions as they spread

4 BIRDS OF TRIiV.

them to the fonning bree/.e, and become abandoned to its
accidental sports. In South America, according to Humboldt,
they soar even in company with the C'ondor in his highest
flights, rising above the summits of the tropical Andes.

Examples of this species still wander occiisionally to New Kng-
laiid and to lirand Menan, and in 1887 iSIr. I'iiili]) Cox reported
the capture of two near the nioutii of the Miramichi River, on the
Ciulf ol St. Lawrence, in latitude 47^. It occurs regularly on the
St. Clair Flats, in Ontario.

The Vultures are not classed as the first of birds by the syste-
matists Oi the present day. Now the singing-birds — the Oschies —
ar: considered the most highly developed, and of these the Thrush
family is given highest rank. The \'ultures are classed as tlie
lowe.t of the birds of prey ; and this entire order has been moved
down below the Swifts and the Woodpeckers.

BL:\CK vn;iT'RE.

CARRION CROW.
CaIIIAKISIA ArKAKA.

Char. Dull bl.Tck ; head dusky .iiid partially covered above with
feathers. Length about 2 feet.

i\ ■<■»/. On the ground screened by bushes, or in a stump. (Xo attempt
is made to build a nest or e\en to lav a cushion for the eggs.)

/•/^V*'- '~3 (usually 2) ; bluish white, marked with several shades of
brown ; 3.10 x - 05

This smaller, black, and truly gregarious species of Vulture
in the L'nitcd States ai)pears to be generally confined to the
Southern States, and seems to be most numerous and familiar
in the large maritime towns of North and South Carolina,
(ieorgia, and Florida. I'hey are aLiO met with in several of
the Western States, and as far u]) the Ohio as Cincinnati. In
the tropical regions of America they are also very common,
and extend at least as far as Chili. Like the former species,
with which they associate oidy at meal-times, they are tacitly
allowed a pidilic protection for the service they render in rid-
ding the earth of carrion and other kinds of filth. They are

151. AC K NLl.lLKi:.

oncd to its
I Muniboldt,
his highest
des.

o New Kng
Jox rcpoitctl
Liver, on the
ulariy on the

by the syste-
le Osc/iies —
; the Thrush
.ssed as the
been moved

1 above witli

(Xo attempt

)

U shades of

of Vulture
ned to the
nd familiar
1 Carolina,

several of

uinati. Ill

y common,

er species,

are tacitly

der in rid-

'I'hey are

much more familiar in the towns than the ])rcceding, delight-
mg, durmg wint r, to remain on the roofs of houses, catching
the feeble rays of the sim, and stretching out their wings to ad-
mit the warm air over their fuetid bodies. When the weather
bec(mies unusually chilly, or in the mornings, they may be
seen basking upon the chimneys in the warm snujke, which,
as well as the soot itself, can add no additional darkness or
impurity to sik h filtli\' ami melancholy spectres. Here, or on
the limbs of some of th.e larger trees, they remain in listless
indolence till arou>ed by the calls of hunger.

Their flight is neither so easy nor so gracefid as that of the
Turkey IJu/./ard. 'I'hey flap their wings and then soar hori-
zontally, renewing the motion of their pinions at short inter-
vals. At times, however, they rise to considerable elevations.
In the cities of Charleston anil Savannah they are to be seen in
numbers walking the streets with all the fimiliarity of domestic
Fowls, examining the channels and acciunulations of filth in
order to glean up the offal or animal matter of anv kind
which may happen to be thrown out. They appeared to be
Very regular in their attendance around the shanil)les. and
some of them become known by sight. 'I'his was particularly
the case with an old veteran wIkj hop])ed ujion one toot
(having by some accident lost the other), and had regularly
apjjcared round the shambles to claim the bounty of the
butchers for about twenty years. In the country, where I have
surprised them feeding in the woods, they ap])eared rather shy
and timorous, watching my movements alertly like Hawks ;
and every now and then one or two of them, as thcv sat in
the high boughs of a neighboring oak, communicated to the
rest, as I slowly approached, a low bark of alarm, or 2oai/i^/i,
something like the suppressed growl of a pujipy, at which the
whole flock by degrees deserted the dead hog ujjon which
they happened to be feeding. Sometimes they will collect
together about one carcase to the number of two hundre(l
and upwards: and the object, whatever it may be, is soon
robed in living mourning, scarcely anything being visible but
a dense mass of these sable scavengers, who may often be

BIRDS OF I'RKV

:,ccn jealously conlending with each other, both in and c)iit (jf
the carcase, defiled with l)lood and filth, holdinjf on witli their
feet, hissing and clawing each other, or tearing off morsels so
as to fill their throats nearly to choking, and occasionally
joined l)y growling dogs, — the whole presenting one of the
most savage and disgusting scenes in nature, and truly worthy
the infernal bird of Prometheus.

This species is very rarely .seen north of the Carolinas, though
a few examples have been taken in New England and at Grand
Me nan.

AIDUHON'S CARACARA.

CARACARA KAtil.E. KI.\<. 1!LZ/ARIJ.
FoiAlloRrs I'lll.KIWAV.

f'UAR. Gencr.il color brownish black; fore part of hack aiul breast
liarrcd with white ; tail white, witii bars of l)lack. Length 20.\ to 25 inches.

AVs/. On a low tree or bush ; made of sticks and leaves.

/■'^TA'f- --4 (iisuallv 2) : brownish white or pale l)rown, bhjtched with
deeper l^rown ; 2.30 X 1.75.

This very remarkable and fine bird was first nut with by Mr.
.\udtd)on near St. .Xugustine, in East Moricki. He afterwards
also found it on Cialveston Island, in Texas. P'rom its general
habits and graceful, swee])ing flight, it was for some time mis-
taken for a Hawk. Though common in many |)arts of .South
America, it is within the limits of the United States merely an
accidental visitor. It is said, liowever, to l)reed in Florida, in
the highest branches of tall trees in the pine-barrens, making
a rough nest of sticks like a Hawk. In Texas it breefls, accord-
ing to Audubon, in the tops of bushe.;.

Since Niittall wrote, the Caracara has been found in niuiibers
in parts of Florida, and it is not uncommon in Texas, southern
Arizona, and Lower California.

and out of
I with their
morsels s(j
fcasionally
une of tlic
-Illy worthy

nas, tliougli
d at Graml

1; aiul brenst
, to 25 inches.

)lotclied with

ith by Mr.
afterwards
its general
time niis-
s of South
merely an
I'lorida. in
us, uKikintf
Is, accord-

iii iiumlnTs
., southerr.

WHITE GYRFALCON.

FaI.CO ISIvWDUS.

Char. Prevailing coh^r white, often immaculate, but usuallv with
dark maikings. Legs partially feathered. A sharp tooth near point of
up])er mandible ; the end of under mandil)le notched. Length 21 to 24
inches.

AVj-/. Usually on a cliff ; roughly made of sticks, — large drv twigs.

^vv'-''- 3-4; l^"lf or brownisli, marked with reddish brown; 2.25
X 1.25.

GRAY GYRFALCON.

F.xr.co RusTicoi.us.

Thap. Prevailing color dull gray, with whitish and slaty-blue bands
and .'-iKjts; sometimes white prevails ; thighs usuallv barred.

BIRDS OF I'KEY.

GYRFAL )N.

FaLCO RUSl'ICOI-L.-. ..YRFALCO.

Char. Upper parts dull brownish (dusky), with bars of bluish gray;
lower parts wiiitc, or mostly white marked with dusky ; thighs heavily
barred.

I -1

BLACK CrYRFALCON.

Fai.co KLSTICOLUS 0I!S(JLI;IUS.

Char. Prevailing color brownish black; usually barred with lighter
tints, but sometimes the bars are indistinct.

This elegant and celebrated Falcon is about two feet in
length ; the female two or three inches longer. 'I'hey particu-
larly abound in Iceland, and are found also throughout Siberia,
and the North of Europe as far as Greenland; Mr. Hutchins,
according to Pennant, saw them commonly about Fort Albany,
at Hudson's Bay. Occasionally a ])air is also seen in this
vicinity in the depth of winter. They brave the coldest cli-
mates, for which they have such a jjredilectlon as seldom to
leave the Arctic regions ; the younger birds are commonly seen
in the North of Ciermany, but very rarely the old, which are
readily distinguished by the superior whiteness of their plumage,
which augments with age, and by the increasing narrowness
of the transverse stripes that ornament the upper ]xirts of the
body, 'J'he finest of these Falcons were caugh.t in Iceland by
means of baited nets. The bait was commonly a Ptarmigan,
Pigeon, or common Fowl ; and such was the velocity and
power of his potmce that he commonly severed the head
from the baited bird as nicely as if it had been done by a
razor. These birds were reserved for the kings of Denmark,
and from thence they were formerly transported into Ger-
many, and even Turkey and Persia. The taste for the amuse-
ment of falconry was once very prevalent throughout Europe,
and continued for several centuries ; but at this time it has
almost wholly subsided. The Tartars, and Asiatics gener-
ally, were also ccpially addicted to this amusement. A Sir

DUCK HAWK.

iliiish gray;
glis heavily

rtith lighter

vo feet in
y particu"

lit Siberia,
Hutciiins,
rl Albany,
tn in this
oldest cli-
seldom to
lonly seen
which are
' plumage,
i.urowness
irts of the
celanil by
't;irmigan,
ocity and

tlu- head
one by a

)enmark,
into (ler-
le a muse -
t luirope,
ne it has
cs gener-
it. A Sir

Thomas Monson, no later than the reign of James the First,
is said to have given a thousand jtounds for a cast of Hawks.

Next to the Ivigle, this bird is the most formitlable, active,
and intrepid, and was held in the highest esteem for falconry.
It boldly attacks the largest of birds ; tne Swan, (loose, Stork,
Heron, and Crane are to it easy victims. In its native regions
it lives much on the hare and Ptarmigan ; upon these it darts
with astonishing velocity, and often seizes its prey by pouncing
upon it almost ])erpendicularly. It breeds in the cold and
desert regions where it usually dwells, fixing its nests amidst
the most lofty anil inaccessible rocks.

Nuttall treated llic four forms as one, while I follow the A. O. U.
in separating them : though I do not think that tlie present classifi-
cation will be retained. The accessible material is very limited,
but it appears to indicate that there is hut one species with two,
or possibly three, geographical races. The nests and eii^js and
the habits are similar, the difference being entirely thai ol plu-
mage, — the prevalence of the dark or white color.

The White breeds chiefly in North Cireeiiland and alon;; the bor-
ders of the Arctic Ocean : tlie Clrav breeds in South Greenland : the
Black is restricted to Labrador; and the liabitat of _i^r^<?/^<' isgiven
as "interior of Arctic America from fhidson s ISay to Alaska."
Specimens of all four have been taken soutli of latitude 45°. and
a few of the Black have been taken, in winter, as far .south as
southern New England and Xew N'ork.

Note. — A few examples of the Pkaikik Falcon (Fiilco iiiexi-
canns) have accidentally wandered to the prairie districts of
Illinois.

dit:k ha\\k.

PEREGRIXE FALCON. GREAT- FOOTED HAWK.

FaLCO PERKGRINUS ANA'ITM.

Char. Above, bluish ash or brownish black, the edges of the feathers
paler; below, ashy or dull tawny, with bars or streaks of brownish; a
black patch on the checks, bill of bluish color, and toothed and notched,
as in all true Falcons; cere yellow. Wing long, thin, and pointed
Length 17 to 19 inches.

«l

I5IUUS OK i'ki:v.

.W.fA On tree or cliff; a loosely arranged platform of dry sticks,
sometimes j) irtially lined with gra^s, leaves, or mo>s.

/•.',.,'■ --4; rt'ldisii i)rown — sometimes of brigiu tint — marked with
dull red and rich brown ; j.io x i.oo.

'ihc cclcbratnl, powerful, and princfly Kalcon is conimoij
l)(jth to the continent of 10uroi)e and America. In the former
they are chielly found in moiuitainoiis regions, and make tiuir
nests in the most inaccessible clefts of rocks, and very rarely
in trees, layinj; 3 or 4 e^gs of a reddish-yellow, with brown
sl)()ts. In I'.urope they seldom descend to the plains, and
avoid marshy countries. The period of incubation lasts but
a short time, and commences in winter, or very early in the
spring', so that the young accjuire their full growth by the
middle of May. They are sujjposed to breed in the tall trees
of the des(;late cedar swamps in New Jersey. Audubon, how-
ever, tound them nesting on shelving ro« ks on the sh(jres of
Labrador and Newfoundland, laying from 2 to 5 eggs of a
rusty yellowish ])rf)wn. spotted and blotched with darker tints
of the same color. They also breed on shelving rocks in the
Kocky Mountains, where Mr. Townsend obtaineil a s])ecimen
on }>ig Sandy River of tlie ('(jlorado of the West in the month
of July. \\'hen the young have attained their growth, the
parents drive them from their haunts, with incessant and
piercing screams and complaints, — an unnatural proi)ensity
which nothing but dire necessity, the difficulty of accpiiring
sustenance, can ])alliate.

In strength and temerity the Falcon is not exceeded by
any bird of its si/e. He soars with easy and graceful motions
amidst the clouds or clear azure of the sky : from this lotly
elevation he selects his victim from among the larger birds, —
(irouse, Pheasants, I'igeons, Ducks, or (ieese. ^\'ithout being
])erceivetl, he swiftly descends, as if falling from the clouds in
a ])eriiendicular line, and carries terror and destruction into
the timid ranks of his i)rey. Instead of flying before their
relentless enemy, the Partridge and Pheasant rim and closely
hide in the grass, the Pigeons glance aside to avoid the fatal
blow which is but too sure in its aim. and the Water Fowls seek

i I

riGEoN HAWK.

1 1

if dry sticks
marked wilii

IS cominoi
the foriiur
make tluir
very rarely
A'ith brown
|)lains, and
n lasts but
arly in tlie
vth by the
e tall trees
iibon, h(;\v-
; shores of

eggs of a
larker tints
^cks in the
L specimen
the month
rowth. the
.'ssant and
propensity

ac(iuiring

ceeded by
111 motions

this lofty
r birds, —
lout being

clouds in
ction into
.'fore their
nd closely
1 the fatal

owls seek

a more 'ertain refuge in <living beneath their yielding element.
If the prey be nut too large, the Kah on mounts into the air.
bearing it off in his talons, and then alights to gorge himself
with hiN booty .it leisure. Sometimes he attacks the Kite,
anotht .-^ fellow- 1 ilunderer, either in wanton insult, or more
probably to rob him of his quarry.

The I'eregrinc is ver\- generally distril)utcd throughout .Amcrii i.
hut exct]>ting on the Atlantic coast of Laljrador. and |)os>i!)ly on
Newfoundland, it is nowiicrc conuuon in this f.iuiial province. It
is a winter visitor chictly in Ohio and southern Ontario. !)ut it is
known to breed on isolated cliffs in the Maritime Provinces and the
New Knirlanfl States, and it is said that nests liavu been founrl in
Pennsylvania and Maryland. The report of its building in a swamp
in New jersey has not been confirmed.

PIGEON HAWK.

F.\I.CO COIlMnARIlS.

Char. Gcnerallv the prcv.iiling color, above, is blackish brown, thoiiuh
tlic olticr l)ird> assiunc a dull tint .npproaching hliiisii grav ; win^s, back,
•and tail streaked and barred with btiffy or reddish brown. Tail tipped with
white ; the middle tail-feathers in nuile with four bands of blackish, and
in female .about six pale bands. r>clow. dull, pale reddish brown, lighter
on breast and throat. Length li to 13 inches.

.W.r/. Usually on branches of trees, though found sometimes in cavi-
ties of dead trees and on cliffs ; loosely built of twigs, and lined with grass
and leaves.

E<r^s. 3-6: bnffv or pale reddish-brown ground color, blotched with
dull red and brown ; f .30 x 1.55.

This species is a little larger than the following, but by no
means so abundant : though met wnth in latitude forty- eight
degrees by Long's Xorthwe.stern Expedition, and occasion-
ally extending its migrations from Texas to Hiulson's Bay, and
rearing its young in the interior of Canada. Its nest was also
observed by Audubon in Labrador in the low fir-trees, and con-
tained five eggs, laid about the ist of June. It is shy, skulk-
mg, and watchful, seldom venturing beyond the unreclaimed
forest, and llies rapidly, but, 1 believe, seldom soars or hovers.

BIRDS OF PREV,

Small birds ami mice constitute its [)rincipal food ; and ac-
cording to Wilson, it follows often in the rear of the gregarious
birds, such as the Blackbirds and Reedbirds, as well as after
the Hitting tlocks of IMgeons and Robins, picking up the strag-
glers, the weak and unguarded, as its legiinnate prey. Some-
times, when shot at without effect, it will lly in circles around
the gunner and utter impatient shrieks, — probably in appre-
hension for the safety of the mate, or to communicate a cry
of alarm.

The I'igcon Ffawk is a common migrant tlirougli Xcw Kngland,
Ohio, and southern Ontario. It is always late in migrating, and a
few examples have been seen in Massaclui.setts in midwinter. It
breeds sparingly in the northern portions of New England, and the
-Maritime Provinces of Canada. Its breeding area extends north
to the lower fur countries, and in winter it ranges to the Southern
States and South America.

NoTF. — One example of the European Merlin {Falca regains)
has been captured off the coast of Greei and.

{Im|

; and ac-

gregarious
■II as after

the strag-
/. Some-
es arouinl

in ai)pre-
:ate a cry

,v Lngland,
ting, and a
winter. It
nil. and tiie
ends north
e Soutliern

'cfl regit Ills)

AMF.RKWN SPARROW HAWK.

Faho si'AR\i:Kirs.

Char. Adult male : licad biui-~h ash. with reddish patch on crown, and
l)l.ick p.it( h on .sides and nape: !):Kk infoiis; wings bluish and black in
bars ; tail tawny, with black band, and tipped with white ; below, huffish or
tawny. Ktmalc : rufuus barred with black; uiulcri)arts buffv streaked
with tawny ; tail tawny, with blacki-li I ars. length lo inches.

A'cst. I >u.illy in cavities of trees, often in Woodpecker's holes, some-
times in deserted nest of a ("row.

'£!i,'X'-f 5-7 "• buttish, occasionally white, blotchcil with dull red and
brown; 1.33 X i-i^-

This beautiful and singularly marked bird appears to reside
principally in the warmer parts of the I'nited States. 'I'hev are
particularly abundant in the winter throughout South Carolina,
(ieorgia. Alabama, and Morida. whither they assemble from
the remote interior of the Northern States, wandering in sum-
mer as far as the Rocky Moimtains, and were even seen by
Dr. Richardson in the remote latitude of 5 V^ : these appear,
ho\vi\er, to be onl\- stntggleis, nor do they seem at all to visit

BIRDS ui- rki.v.

thf mnritime districts o( New l-"nglantl. As they were seen in
St. I )()iniiii,'(), !)>• \'cillot, abumlantly in April and May, the
brcL-ding-scason, \vc may naturally conclude that thii species
has a much greater predilection tor the warm than t' e cold
(li mates. On the south side of the ecjuator. even in ( avenue
and i'araguay, they arc still found, in all (jf which countries
llicv prol)alily breed.

A( cording to the hahit.i of this tribe of rapacii^us birds
it appears that the nest is built in a hollow, shattered, or
decayed tree at a considerable elevation.

Its motions appear somewhat capricious ; it occasionally
hovers with beating wings, re( onncjitring for Jtrey. and soon
imjjatiently darts off to a di>tan< e to renew »h,e same ma-
n(euvre. In the winter, however, it is most conuiionly seen
])erched on some dead branch. »jr on a pole (jr stalk in the
fulds. often at a little distance from the ground. kee|)iiig u]) a
tree juent jerking of the tail, and attentively watching lor -lome
siK h hum])le game as mice, grasshopjjers, or li/anK. \i this
lime it is likewise so familiar as to enter the garilen. orchard,
or premises near to the hou^e, and shows l)Ut little alarm on
being ai)proached. It is, however, by no means deficient in
< ourage, and, like the larger Fahons. (jften makes a fatal and
rapid swiep upon Sparrows or those small birds which are its
accustomed prey.

Insti'ad (if hiing a nuTc >iragnie> r>u'.sirle t'le warnu'i pornoii^ 'li
till' r>iitc(l Stall's, as Xuttali .■'.:';''car> to have (•(insi(h'i\'i! this Kal-
cou. it is (|ui;e eommou throughout most of the continent, and not
onlv breeds in New Hngland. but occasiouallv wintcr.s there. It
breeds aLsu throughout Lanada. north to the lower iur countries,
and during the cold wcath.cr rang'.-s from New Jersey to the
Soutiiern .States.

Note. — 'I'he Cuha.v Sp.\kko\v \\.\\\k {/'uho thuniniiensis)
has been found in Fltjrida ; and two exainjilcs ol the Ki;stki:l
(/•'iiAo tiiinuiuitlus) have been captured on this side of the
.Atlantic, —one off liie coast ol Greenland, and the ulliet at Nan-
tasket, Mass , in 1.S.S7.

i^il

L- >c(.'n 111
May, the
ii sjieciis
the cold
( 'a\ (.'niiL'
countries

ous l)ir(ls
LtLTe<l, or

(.asionally
aivl soon
iiinu' liia-
only seon
ilk in the
[nwji 11] » A

tor -lonie

. Al this

. on hard,

alarm on

fficient in

fatal and
ich are its

,! tliis Fai-
nt, and not
there. It
• countries,
se\- to the

//l/i/if/lS/S)
■ Ki:STKKL

dc of the
\ci at Nan-

GOLDEN KAC'JJ:.

:\<jrii.\ (•iii<\s.\i;iiis.

^HAR. Dark brown, head and neck tawiiv brown ; logs feathered to
tiie toes; in the young, tail whitish, with broad terminal band of black.

.\'< ./. On a tree, sometimes on a higli ( liff ; loosclv built of drv sticks,
lined with twigs, grass, moss, leaves, .uul fe.ithers.

/^X^CJ. 2-;, (usually 2); dull white or pale buff >pottcd and blotched
more or less tlnckly with rt'iklish brown and i.ucntkr; 3.00 X 2.30.

This ancient monarch of the birds is found in all the cold
and tt.'m])erate rc-^ions of the northern hemisphere, taking tii'
his abotle by choice in the ureat forests and ])lains. and in wiki,
desert, and mountainous regions. His eyry, commonlv formed
of an e.\tensi\c set of la\ers of large sticks, is nearly horizontal,
and occasionally extended between some ro( k and adioining

IJIRDS (Jl- TRKV.

tree, as was the one described by \\'illuii;hby in the Peak of
Derbyshire. About thirty miles inland from the Mandan I'ort
on the Missouri I once had occasion to obserye tiie eyr\' of
this noble bird, which here consisted of but a slender lining of
sticks conyeyed into a rocky chasm on the face of a lofty hill
rising out of the grassy, open plain. It contained one young
bird, nearly fledged, and almost of the color of the (lyrfalcon.
Near their rocky nests they are seen usually in pairs, at times
majestically soaring to a yast height and gazing on the sun,
towards which they ascend until they disapjjear from yiew.
From this sublime eleyation they often select their deyoted
])re\ . — sometimes a kid or a Jamb from the sporting llock, or
the timid rabbit or hare crouched in the furrow or sheltered in
some bush. 'l"he largest birds are also frecpiently their yictims ;
and in extreme want they will not refuse to join with the
alaruK-d Vulture in his cadayerous rejjast. .\fter this gorging
meal the Kagle can, if necessary, fast for seyeral days. The
pre< arious nature of his subsistence and the yiolence by which
ii !> constantly obtained seem to produce a moral effect on
the disposition of this rapacious bird : though in jxairs, they are
ne\er seen associated with their young; their offs{)ring are
driyen forth to lead the same unsocial, wandering life as their
unfeeling i)rogenitors. This harsh and tyrannical dis])ositi()n is
strongly dis[)l.iyed eyen when they lead a life of restraint and
confinement. The weaker bird is neyer willingly suffered to
eat a smgle morsel; and though he may cower and (juail under
the blow with the most abject submission, the sami' sayage
de]')ortment continues towards him as long as he exists. Those
which I haye seen in confinement frecjuently uttered hoarse
and stridulous cries, sometimes almost barkings, accom])anied
by ya])orous breathings, strongly expressiye of their ardent,
untiuenchable, and sayage appetites. Their fire-darting eyes,
lowering brows, flat foreheads, restless disj^osition, and terrific
plaints, together with dieir powerful natural weajjons, seem to
assimilate them to the tiger rather than the timorous bird. \'et
it would aj^pear that they may be rendered docile, as the Tar-
tars (accortling to Marco I'olo in 1269) were said to train

Liui.oEN i:a(.li:.

this s])c'tifs to the chase of liares, foxes, wolves, antelopes, and
oihcr kinds of larj^e ,sj;anu'. in whicli it displayed all the dcx ility
tWthe l-'al(on. The lonLievity of the Magle is as remarkable as
it> stren^'th : it is believed to snbsist for a century, and is about
three years in gaining its complete growth and I'lxed plumage.
This bird was held in high estimation by the ancients on ac-
( ount of its extrac^rdinary magnitude, courage, and sanguinary
habits. The Romans chose it as an emblem for their imperial
standard ; and from itr> abjuring llight and majestic soaring it
was fabled h) hold communication with hea\en and U) be the
favorite messenger of lox'e. The Tartars ha\e a particular
esteem for the feathers of the tail, with whii h they supersti-
tiously tiiink to plume invincible arrows. It is no less the
\enerated War-Iuto/r of our Northern and Western aborigines;
and the caudal feathers are extremely valued for talismanic
head-dresses and as sacred decorations for the Pipe of Peace.

The llagle ai)pears to be more abundant arouml Huds(jn's
liay than in the I'nited States : but tiuv are not unfrecpient in
the great ]>lains of the Mississi])i)i and Missouri, as appears
from the fri(|uent um' of the feathers b\' the natives. "l"he
wilderness seems their fivorite resort, and they neither crave
nor obtain any advantage from the society of man. Attached
to the mountains in which tlu'\- are bred, it is a rare occurrence
to see the llagle in this vi( iiiit\" : and. as with some other birds,
it would appear that the xoung onK' are found in the United
Stall's, while tin- old remain in Labrador and the northern
reg!on^. The l()fi\- mountains of New I Iamp>hire affijnl suit-
able situations tor the eyry of the l'",agle, o\'er whose snow-clad
summits he is seen majesticalb' soaring in solitude and gran-
deur. A young bird from this region, whii h I have seen in a
state of <lomestication, showed considerable docility, lie had,
howe\er, been brought up from the nest, in which he was found
in the month of August : he aj^peared even playful, turning his
head about in a \t'rv antic manner, as if desirous to attract
attention, — still, his glance was (|uick and fiery. W'lu'n birds
were giwn to him, he plumed them \ery clean before he began
his meal, and picked the siibje<"t \o a i)erfect skeleton.
Vol.. I. — 2

BIRDS OF l'kl;^•

The ferocious and sav;ii;o nature ut" {hv Magle, in aii unre-
clainu'd state, is sometimes displayed in a remarkable manner.
A peasant attempted to rob an eyry of this bird situ.it. > at the
Lake of Kiil.inu'}- : for this purpose he stripped and ^uam o\er
to the spot in the absence of the old birds ; but on hi-> return,
while yet up to the chin in water, the parents arrived, and
mis^ini,' their ycjung, instantly fell on the unfortmiate i)hnider(,r
and killed him on the sjiot.

There are se\'eral well-authenticated instances of their carry-
ini; olf children to tlnar nests. In 17.^7, in the parish of
\orderhout,fs, in .\orwa\-, a bo\' o\'er two \t;us old, on h\> way
from the « oitaL^^e to his parents, at work in the fields at no j,Meat
distance, fell into the pounce of an l-".agle, who Hew otT with
the ( hild in their siij;ht. and was seen no more. .Xnderson. in
his history of Ice'land, sa\s that in that inland children of four
or five \ears of ai^e have occasionallv been borne away i)y
Kagles ; and Ray relates that in one of the Orkneys a child of
a year old was seized in the talons of this ferocious bird and
carried about four miles to its nest, but the mother, knowing
the place of the eyry, followed the l)ird, and recovered her ciiild
yet unhurt.

The Common, or Ring-tailed Hagle, is now found to be the
young of the (lolden I'.agle, These {progressive changes have
been ol)servcd bv Temminc k on two living subjects which he
ke])t for several years.

The C.oldL'n ICagle is generally considered to be a rare bird in
New Euiilaiul and Canada, and, indeed, througliout the settled dis-
tricts e\er\ where ; though examples have been taken the continent
over, trom (ireenland to .Mexico, and we.st to the I'.ieific.

.tflC.^^^tO.ii

15.\I,I) i-.Aci.i;.

WASMINCTON r..\(iI.E.
Hai.i.kk'iis I lie (k I I'll mis.

<'HAR. Atliilt : l)l.ickisli hniwn, jialer on niart;in of feathers ; head and
tail white alter tliird year; bill ami feet vellow; !eL;s 1)are of featlier-^.
Young: darker than the adult : no white on head or tail (or concealed by
contour feather^;); bill and leet bio\\iii>h.

Length 50 to 40 inches ('{'he voun,;^ are larger than liie adult l)irds,
and arc very similar to the young of the (lolden Ivigle, though the latter
are easily distinguished by their feathered leg--.)

.Vfst. On a high tri'c, usually in a crotch, seldom on a dead tree, some-
times on a cliff; made of dry sticks loosely arranged, and (KcasionaUv
^veed stems and coarse grass arc added : but there is rarely any att( nipt at
a lining.

/:i.irX-^. 2-3; white or pale buff: 290 X 2.25.

IHkDS OF I'RKV.

'f/it- ll'as/iiii>;/t>n /''.iv^/('. — It i-> to llic indi'tatij^abk- Audu-
l)(*ii th.it \vf owe the ilisiim t note and descrii'lion of this nohle
KaL(lc, which first drew his attention wiiile \()v:iL(ini,' fir up the
Mississippi, in the nionlh of IV'bruary, i.Si.j. At hiii^^th he Iiad
thi' satisfaction of iliscovcrini,' its t'vr\-, in tho hiL;ii clifls of (Iri'eu
Ri\er, in Ki-ntucky, near to its junction with the ( )hio : two
youiii^ were di^cover'd loudly hissini; from a fissure in the
rocks, on *he apj)!oa( h of the male, from whom they re( ei\'e(l
a fish, 'j •■ r<r;'e now also came, and with solicitous alarm
for the sati. ; ol 1 .r young, gave a loud scream, dropped the
food she had brougli , and hovering owr the molesting party,
kept up a growling and thre>itening cry by way of intimidation ;
and in fact, as our disappointed naturalist soon discovered, she
from this time forsook the spot, and found means to convey
away her young. 'I'he tliscoverer considers the species i.s rare,
— indeed, its jirincipal residence appears to be in the northern
])arts of the contini-nt, particularly the rocky solitudes around
the (Ireat Northwestern Lakes, where it can at all times col-
lect its finny prey and rear its young without the dread of man.
In the winter season, about January and I-'ebruary, as well as at
a later i)eriod of the spring, these birds are occasionally seen
in this vicinity (C'ambritlge, Mass.), — rendered perhaps bohUr
and more familiar by want, as the prevalence of the ice and
cold at this season drives them to the necessity of wandering far-
ther than usual in search oi food. At this early period Audubon
observed indications of the approach of the breeding-season,
'i'hey are sometimes seen contemling in the air, so that one of
the antagonists will suddenK' dro]) many feet downwards, as if
wounded or alarmed. Mv frii'ud Hr. Hayward. of IJoston, had
in his possession one of tln'se inu'. docile Ivigles for a consid-
erable time ; biU desirous of devoting it to the then l-innaMn
Museimi, he attempted to poison it b\ corrosive sublimate of
mercury : several times, howe\er, doses even of two drams
were gi\'en to it, conci'aU-d in fish, without j^roducing any inju-
rious effect on its health.

The \Vashingt()n llagle, bold and vigorous, disdains the
piratical habits of the Bald I'lagle, and invariably obtains his

i;.\i h i:.\(.i.r.

own sustenance without niolfstin^,' tlic ( •'^j)rcv. The circles he
(Icscrihes in his HJLjlit ;ue wi<li r th:in thn,t' of the ^^'hite-
hcadi'd Mai,'K' ; he aKo lliis nean r to the land or the surface
of llie water ; and when about to disc for his j'rey, he (K'>< ends
in circuitous, spiral rounds, as if to « hcik the retreat of the
fi-fh. on whi( it he darts only wiii-n within the distance of a few
yards. When his jiny is obtained, he llies out at a low eleva-
tion to a considerable distance tii eniov his re{«a>t at leisure.
The ([uantity of food ( on^uined by this enormous binl is very
great, according' to the account n( those who have had them
in ( onfineuHiit. Mr, Audubon's male bird wei;^'hed fourteen
and one half jiounds avoirdupois, ( )ne in anall musetini in
l'hikKlelj)hia (according to the accoimt oi ui friend Mr. C.
Pickering), also a maU-, weighed mu( h n; 'e, - - ",)V whi( h dif-
ference it would appear that they are capable of becoming
exceedingly fat ; for tlie length of this bird -• is about the same
as that t)f Audubon, — thit'e leet six <'r seven inches. The
width, however, was only about M\eii ; t, — agreeing pretty
nearly with a sj)ecimen now in the Ni w laigland Museum,
The male of the (lolden Magle, the largest hitherto known, is
seldom more than three feel long.

That this bird is not the White-tailed liagle {/ui/rc alhi-
ci//ti), or its yoiuig, the Sea llagle (/", ossi/rai^us), is obvi-
ous from the iliftVrence in si/e alone, the male of that bird
being little over two fi'et four im lies in length, or a little
less even than the llald l!agle. The female of the Washing-
ton Magle must, of course, be six or eight inches longer, —
which will give a bird of unparalleled iiiagnitu<le amongst the
whole Magle race. This measurement of the Sea Kagle is
obtained from "I'emminck's " Manual of Ornithology," who has
examined more than fifty individuals. At the same time I have
a suspicion that the Washington I'.agle, notwithstanding this,
exists also in Europe : a.s the '^rcaf Sea I'lagle of r>ri>son is
described bv this author as being three feet six inches in length
from the point of the bill to the end of thi' tail, and the stretch
of the wings about se\en feet ! These measurements al^o are
ado))ted by Huffon : but the indi\ iduals were evidently in young

lURDS Ol- I'kKV

plumaj^'c, in which state, as described by llrisson, they again
approacli llie present species. Nor need it l)e considered as
surprising if two dirferent species be confounded in the Sea
I'.agle (if Ilurope, as the recently estabhshed Inii)erial Iviglo
had ever been confounded with the (iolden. Another (Hstin-
guishing trait of the Washington l-lagle is in the length of the
tail, which is one and one half inches longer than the folded
wings. In the White-tailed species this part never extends
beyonil the wings.

The White-headed or Jia/d F.ni^/e. — This noble and daring
I'iagle is found along the sea-coasts, lakes, and rivers through-
out the northern regions, being met with in Asia, ICurope, and
America, where they extend to the shores of tlie Pacific, and
as far as the confines of California. In IJehrlng's Isle, Mack-
enzie's River, and (Ireenland, they are not uncommon. Hut
while they are confined in the Okl World to this cheerless re-
gion so constantly that only iwo instances are known of their
ap|>earance in the centre of Europe, in the United States they
are most abumlant in the milder latitudes, residing, breeding,
and rearing their young in all the intermediate space from
Nova Scotia or Labrador to the shores of the (lulf of Mexico.
The rocky coast of this part of New England (Massachusetts)
is, however, seldom tenanted by this species, though they are
occasionally seen in the sjjring and about the connnencement
of winter. In the United States it is certain that they show a
decid(.<l prediliciion for the milder climates. It is probable
that in luirope they are deterred in their migrations by the
tyrannical persei iition of the White-tailed I^agle {F. alhicilhi),
which abounds in that country, living also principally on fish,
and therefore selecting the same maritime situations as our
I'^agle. In the United States he sways almost without control
the whole coast of the .Atlantic, ami has rendered the rival
Ospreyhis humble tributary, proscribing, in his turn, the ap-
pearance of the Sea l^agle, which, if it exist at all with us, is
etjually as rare as the present species appears tcj be in lairope.

Though on Behring's Isle the liald ICagle is said to nest on

I!\l I) I..\(.I,F.

cliffs, as the only secure situation that j)robal)ly offers, in the
I'nited States he usually selects, near the sea-io.i^t, ^^oine lot'ty
l)ine or cypress tree for his eyry ; this Is built of larj^e sticks,
several feet in leiiLjih, forming a lloor, within and i)\er which
are laid sods of earth, hay, moss, dry reeds, sedi^'e-j^^rass, pine-
tops, anil other coarse materials, piled after se\eral iiK ubations
to t'; height of 5 or (t feet, and 4 or 5 fett in breadth. ( )n
this almost level bed the female early in I'ebruary deposits two
(lull white eggs, one of which is said sometimes to be laid after
an interval so considerable that the young are hatched at dif
ferent jierioils. l.aw>>on. however, says that they breed mi
often as to commence laying again nndi-r their callow young,
whose warmth assists the hatching of the eggs. This eyry ot
breeding-place continues to be perpetually o( ( upird and re-
paired as long as the tree endures, — indeid their attachnunt
to particular places is so strong that after their habitation has
been demolished, by the destruction of the tree that supported
it, they have very contentedly taken possession of an adjoin-
ing one. Nor is the periot.! of inc ubation the only time spent
in the nest by this species ; it is a shelter and < ommon habi-
tation at all times and seasons, being a home like the hiil to
the savage, or the cottage to the peasant.

The heli)less young, as might be sup|)osed. are fed with
great attention, and suj)plied with such a sui)erlluity of fiMh
and other matters that they often lie scattered around the
tree, ]»ro(hicing the most i)utrid and noisome effluvia. The
young are at first clothed with a whitish down ; they graduall)
become gray, and continue of a brownish gray until the third
year, when the charaiteristic white t)f the head and tail be-
comes ])erfectly (leveloi)ed. .\s their food is abundant, the
young are not forcibly driven from the nest, but t\'d for some
time after they have left it. Thiy are b) no imans shy or
timorous, will often permit a near ajiproac h. and sometimes
even bristle up their feathers in an attitude of daring de-
fence. Their cry is sonorous and lamentable, like that of the
(Ireat llagle, and when asleej) they are said to make a very
audible snoring sound.

liikh^ ni i'Ki:v

'I'hc principal food of the Haiti Magic is fish; and though he
possfsst's every nciui^ilc of alertnos and keenne^i of virion
for securing his j>rcv, it is seldom that he ohtain-^ it l>y any
other means than stratagem and rapine. I'or thi^ habitual
daring pur|)ose he is often sien perc hing upon the naked
limb of some lot'ty tree which commands an extensive \ie\v of
tile ocean. In this attitude of expec tation he heedlessly sur-
veys the active employment of ilie leathered throng, which
{ oiirse along the wi\y strand, or explore the watery deep with
beating wing, mitil from afir he attentisely scans the motions
of his provider, the ample-winged and hovering ( )>.prey. At
length the watery prey is espied, and the featlured fisher de-
scentls like a falling ro( k ; cleaving the wave, he now bears his
struggling victim from the deep, and mounting in the air,
utters an exulting scream. At this signal the l^agle jtirate
gives (base to the fortunate fisher, and soaring above him, by
threatening attitudes obliges him to relimiuish his prey ; the
I'-agle, now poising for a surer aim. clescends like an arrow,
and snatching his booty before it arrives at the water, retires
to tile wcjods to consume it at leisure. These perpetual dcp-
redatioiiM on the industrious ( )sprey sometimes arouse him to
seek for vingeance, and sever.il occasicjnally unite to banish
their tyrannical invailer. W'hiii greatly pressed by hunger, the
llald I'.agle has sometimes been ol)s«.r\-ed to attack the \'ul-
ture in the air, obliging him to disgorge the carrion in his
craw, which he snatches up beft)re it reaches the grt)Uiid. He
is sometimes seen also to drive away the Vultures, and feed
voraciously on their carrion, besides fi-ih, he preys upon
1 )U( ks, (leese, (lulls, ami other sea- fowl ; and when the re-
sources of the ocean diminish, or fail from any cause, par-
ticularly on the southern migrauon of the (Jsprey, his inland
depredations are soon notorious, young lambs, pigs, tawns, and
even deer often becoming his prey. So indiscriminate in-
deed is the fierce appetite of this bold bird that instances are
credibly related of their carrying away inlants. An attempt of
this kind, according to Wilson, was made upon a child lying
by its mother as she was weeding a garden at (Ireat Kgg-

bALI» KACI.E.

II he

i>ion

any

iittial

u of
siir-

•hich
wiih

»tions
At

IlarlKir, in New Jersey: but the garment sci/e«l upon by the
liable yiving way at the instant »)f the attempt, the lite of the
( hild was spared. I have heard ol" another instance', >aid to
have happeneil at lVtcr>l>uruh, in Cieorgia, n^ar the Savaiuiah
kiver, where an infant, sleeping in the >hade near the hou>e,
was seizetant, and when found, almost innnediately, the
(hild was dead. The story of the Kagle and < hild, iii 'The
ni>tory of the Ilou^e of Stanley," the origin of the crest of
that family, shows the credibility of the exploit, as Mipjiosed to
liave been effei ie«l by the White-tailed Kagle, so Uf irly related
to the present. Indeed, about the year 1745 some Scoteh
reapers, accompanied by the wile ol one of them with an
infant, repiireil to an island in l.och l.omond ; the mother 1 aiil
down her child in the shade at no great distance from her, and
while ^he was busily engaged in labor, an Kagle ol this kind
siuldenly darted upon the infint and immediately bore it away
to its rocky eyry on the summit of I'.en l.omond. The alarm
of this shocking event was soon spread : and a considerable
party, hurrying to the rescue, fortimaiely succeeded in re<iner-
ing the child .iHve.

The Bald Kagle. like most of tlie large species, takes wide
circuits in its tlight, and soars at great heights. In these sub-
lime attitudes he may often be seen hovering over waterfalls
and lofty cataracts, particularly that of the famous Niagara,
where he watches for the f;ite of those imfortunate fish anil
other animals that are destroyed in the descent of the tumul-
tuous waters.

All ornitlioloiiists of the present day agree in the opinion that
Audubon's •• bird oi Washington '* was an ininiatine !'>alil l-as^lc,
— the (lifferenee in size and coloration accounting lor tlie error.

Nuttall, followinti Aiuluhon. wrote of the two phases as of (hs-
tinct species : lor it was not until about 1.S70 that 7Utis/uUi^Uvii was
(hopped from tlie lists. I have ijiven the two biographies as thiy
appeared in the original work, for together they form a good lii>-
tory of tlie bird's distinetive habits. 'Ihe (Ufference in habits noted
is not due to ilifterence of age, as might be supposed, but to the
(Hfferent conditions under which the birds chanced to be obscn

lURDS OF rUKV.

I will take this opportunity of protesting; aijainst tlie perpetua-
tion of an idea, still current, wiiicii originated with the older writers,
toncerniny the •■nobility" of tiie Falconiihc, under which family
name are grouped the J-agles, 1* alcons, Kites, and Hawks. They
were until (|uite recently classed among the first of tlie feathered
race : but the systematists now place them below the Woodpeckers,
and next aljove the (irouse and Pigeons.

'Ilie in.ijority of the Falion'uhc have an attractive physique and
superior strength, as well as a haughty i)earing. They are hand-
some, .stalwart ruffians, but they are nothing more. They are
neitiier tiie most intelligent nor niost enterprising of birds, nor the
bravest. They are not even the swiftest, or most dexterous on the
wing ; and in bearing, proudly as they carry themselves, are not
supreme.

It i.s now considered probable that the tales of Eagles carrying
off children are myths.

CRAY SF.A KAGLE.

will TF-TAILEn EAGLE.
II VI.I.KI US AI.i;iClI.I,A.

CllAK. Gcner.!! color, grayisli-brown (i)alcr on margin of feathers);
head .iikI neck Rray, — jKiler in old birds ; tail white; legs bare.

Length : male, ^t^ inches ; fi'niale, 3S inches.

,\'<.f/. In a tree or on a rock, sonictinies on the ground ; made of dry
sticks loosely arranged and otten piled to considL'rable height.

^V.^'J- 1-3 (usually 1). dull white; 2.S5 X -.25.

Mr. llagerup reports that this Fuiropean bird breeds in southerti
( ireenland and is (|uite common there. It feeds jirincipally on fish,
but will eat any kind of meat or carrion. l)eing iiarticularly partial
to water fowl, and is much more enterprising than is its congeiiei,
the Dald Ea^le.

AMKKICAN ()SI'ki:V.
risii HAWK.

PaNHKiN lIAIIAl'lLS CAROI.INF.NSIS.

CiiAK. Almve, daik hinwti; lu'ad ami neck wliilc, with dark strijie on
^ido of the head ; tail ^iiavi-li, will sivnal iiaiiow dark I)ar>, aiul lipiud
witli wl\ite ; muier-l>ans while nr ')ulti>h, soiiictimes (ii\ (emaic) streaked
with brown. Kcet and claws larj;e at\d strong. ll<>i>k nf the l)ill h)iii;.
Length 21 to .1 5 inclies.

.\':'7. Of l()()>clv arraiiiicd sticks on top of liij^li tree, — generally a
iK.ul tree is selected: u-ually near water.

/•.';:;'.'. 2 to 4 ; vari,d)le in shape, color, size, and markings ; ground
color generallv whitish, witii yellow or red tint, hlotchctl with reddish
brown of various shades. Size about 2.50 X 1-75

'I his hxT'^v and well-known spcties, allied to the Ma^i^les, is
fomul near fresh and salt water in almost every cuuntry in the

|;IKI>.>> c»i- IKKV

world. In sumnuT it watnlers iiikj the Arctic rcijions of
l!uro|)e, Asia, and America ; it is also e<iually j)rcvalciu m the
milder parts of both continents, as in (Irecce and !'-^'yi>t. In
America it is found in the summer from Labrador, and the
interior around Hudson's Hay, to 1-lorida ; and aciordiuL; to
liuflbn. it extends its residence to the trojiical regiouM oi
Cayenne.

Its food ])eing almost uniformly fish, it readily acquires sub-
•^i^tl■n( f as long as the w.iters remain unfrozen : but at the
( DUinuiK enunt of cool weather, even a-> early a-> the c lo>e ol
September, or at fj.rthest the middle of October, these birds
liMve New \'ork and .New Jersey and iio farther south. This
tarlv period of departure is, in all |>rol)ability, like their arrival
towards the close of M.irch, wholly rejiulated by the coining
and going of the shoals of fi>h on which they are a(CU^tonieil
to \vrt\. Towards the cloie of Manh or beginning tjf April
thev arrive in the vicinity of llosion with the lir,>i ^\u)a\ ot'
aleui\('s or herrings; but yet are seldiim known to breed along
du' ( ()a>t of Massachusetts. Their arrival in the .-.pring is wel-
(onu'd by the fisherman as the sure in<lication of the approach
of those shoals of shad, herring, and other kinds of ti>h which
now begin to throng the bay», inlets, .ind rivers near the ocean ;
and the abundance with whit h the w.Uers teem affords ample
sustenance for both the aerial and terrestrial fishers, as eac h
pursues in peace his favorite and necessary emplo\iiunt. In
>hort, the harmle>> industry of the 0>|)rey. the f,inuhiiit\- with
whi( li lu- rears his \oung .iround the farm, hii unexpected
neutrality towards all the domestic animals near hiin, iiis snb-
iiiuely pictures(iue tlight .md remarkable employment, with the
strong affe( tion ilisplayed towanls his « on^tant mate and long
helpless young, and the wrongs he hourly suffer-, tVoin the
pirate I'.agle, are ( ir( um>tan( es sutticiently <alculated. without
the aid of rc'ady superstiti«)n, to ensure the |)ublie faxor and
toliaiiKe towards thi> welcome visitor. Driven to no iiarsh
necessilie--, like hi- Miperiors the Kagles, he lead-* a roinj ir-
atively harmk'ss life ; and though unjtjstly (loomed to MiMtiide.
his address and industry raise him greatly above lii> oppressor,
so that he ^^pplies himself and hi- voium with :i plentiful

♦

x>^

AMKRK AN OSTRKV.

cs sub-
It the

L' birds

'Ihis

arrival

sustenance. His docility and adroitness in catching fish have
uIm) s(»nK-tin\es been emi/.oycd ])y man for his advantage

Intent on exi)loring the sea for his food, he leaves the nest
and jiroeeeds directly to the scene of action, sailing n)iind \\\
easy an<l wide circles, and turning at times as on a i)iv(ji, ap-
pirently without exertion, wiiile his long and ( nrving wing>
>eem scarcelv in motion. At the height of from one hundred
to two nunored feet he (ontinues to >urvev tiie i)osoni of tlie
deep. Suddenly he checks his course and hovers in the air
with beating pinions ; he then descends with rapidity, but the
wily victnn has escaped. .Wnv he courses near the surface, and
by a dodging descent, scarcely wetting his feet, he seizes a fish,
which he >t)meinnes drops, or yielils to tiu' greedy l^agle ; but,
not discouraged, he again ascends in spiral sweeps to regain
the higher regions of the air and renew his survey of the watery
expanse. ili^> prey again espied, he descends per])endicularly
like a falling plummet, plungmg into the sea with a loud, rush-
ing noise and with an unerring aim. In an instant he emerges
with the -iruggling prc-y in his talons, shakes off the water
from his t'eatliers. and now directs his laborious course to land,
beating in the wind with all the skill of a practised seaman.
'I'he n>h whi< h he thus c arries uiay be sometimes from six to
eight pounds : and ^o firm sometimes i-> tlie penetrating grasp
of his talons that when 1)\ mistake he engages with one whicli
is too 1 '.rge, he is dragged beneatli the waves, and at length
both fish and bird perish.

l*'rom t'^' nature of its food, the llesh. and even the eggs, are
renilereil exi ceilingl) rank and na iseous. 'I'hough its prev is
generally taken in the bold and spirited mimier described, an
Osprey Mimelimes sits on a tree cjver a j)ond lor an hoiu" at
a time, .luietly waiting its expec:ted approac h.

I'nlike other rapacious birds, these may be almost con-
>idired gregarious, breeding so near eac h otlier that, accord-
ing to Mr. (iardiner, there were on the small island on which
he resided, near to the eastern extremity of l.ong Islaml
(New \"ork),no less than three hundred nests with young.
Wilson ol»er\ed twenty of their nests within half a mile. I
have seen them nearlv as tlii< k about Kehoboth I'.av in 1 )ela

;;o

liiKDs oi- ri<i:\'.

ware, Ht-rc tl)oy \\\c toi^'cthcr at ka->t as pea; ca]>lv in iuuk;-..;
..11(1 s<» harin!t.'ss arc they considered by other bird tliit, :».c-
rordinij to Wilson, the (row IMackbird-^, or (Irakles, are -.onie-
linies allowed refiiiie by the (Jspreys, and construct their nests
111 the very interstices of their eyry. It would appear sonie-
tiiiies tiiat, as with Swallows, a general assistance is f^iven in
the constructin}^ of a new nest ; for previous to thi-, event, a
l]o( k lia\e been seen to assemble in the sanu- tree, s(|uealing as
is their custom when anything materially aL;itati-> tin in. At
times they are also seen en}j;age(l in social gambols high in the
air, making loud vociferations, suddenly d;irting down, and then
sailing in circles; and these innocent recreations, like many
otlier unmeaning things, an- construed into prognostications of
stormy or changing weather. 'J'lieir common friendly call is a
kind of shrill whistle, '/»//(<%', '///^a-. '///^r.', ri'i)eated li\c or six
times, and somewhat similar to the toiu- of a file. Though
social, they are sometimes seen to combat in the- air. in^ts.: ititl
prol)al)ly more by jealousy than a l()\e of r iiiine. as fli.. :: food
is always obtained from an unfailing source.

Marl)' in May the Osprey commences laying, and has from
two to four eggs. They are a littlr larger than those of the
Common l'V)wl, and are from a reddish or yellowish cnMm-color
fo marlv white, marked with large' blotches and loints of
reddish brown. I hiring the period of incubation the male
freipiently supplies his mate witli food, and she leaves her eggs
f«jr very short intervals.

The young appe;ir about '■ '^ lasi of |une, and ,\rc most
assiduously attended and supplied. ( )n the approach of any
person towards the nest, the parent utters a ])eculiar plaintive,
whistling note, which increases as it takes to wing, sailing
rcjund, and at times making a (luick descent, as if aiming at
the intruder, but sweeping ])ast at a short distance. On thi-
nest being invaded, either while containing eggs or young,
the male disjilays great courage and makes a vioK'nt an<l
dangerous ()p|)osition. The yoimg remain a long time in the
nest. s(j that the old are sometimes obliged to thrust thnn
u'!t and encourage them to fly : but lluy ^iill, for a period, con-
tinue to feed them in the air.

:-m%

■:Ki^!!(^^ii,S^m^L-^-.

111. Ai
ill the

111 tlu'ii
many

lums of
ill is a

|e or six

Uiualrd
I loud

AMKKK AN (iOSIIAWK.
ni.rr: iif.n hawk.

A( ClI'MKR AlKIt Al'II.I.rS,

Thar. Above, dark bliii-.li i;iav; lop nf head black, the fialhers be-
neath the surface white; whit' >tri|)c f)ver the eye : tail with t'"in dark
bands . below, white barred and >treakcd with narrow dark !inc> Vi)nn:4
very different ; above, brown, cdne- nf feathers buffish ; tail lij^htei , ti))pfd
with wiiite and crossed by four or live dark bands; below, buflish, streaked
witii l)rown. Kenj^th 22 to 2.\ incho.

AV.f/. In a tree ; made of iwii," .

Av;.r. 3-\ : bluish white, with bnff or reddish brown nKirkin.;s ; 2. '^o
X 1.75.

The f()re'i<rn rcprfscntatlNr ot this t'lejiant and spiritcil sp,
cies of Hawk appears to lu- ( oninion in l*>anre, Cieririaiiy, the
northt-rn parts of Cirt'at Britain, Russia, and Siberia, ;nid ex-
tends into Chinese Tartary. Our sjiecies, so nearl\- related '.<>
the iMiropean bird, is viry r;ire, niitirating to the South aj)-
parently at tlu' iijiproach of winter. On the _'6th of < October,
I S ^o. I re(t.-ived oiu' of these birds from the proprietor of

I'.ikDs (»!• rki-.v.

l-'roh Tond lloti-l, in \hv moult, liaving the stonvicli ciainmcd
with iin)lr> an<l mict', and it was shoi in ihc act of di-voiirini,'
a I'lL'ton.

Tin- (ioshawk was held in considerable esteem for f il( oiirv,
and. at ( (irdin,u' to Hell, was employed for this amusi-mrnt by
the emperor of China, wlio moved sometimes to tluse excur-
sions m f^'reat state, ot'ti-n bearin.L,^ a Hawk on his jiand, to let
ll\ at any ^ame that mij^du be raised. whi< h was UMially Pheas-
ants. Tartridges. (^)nails, or ( rines. In \ 2(><) Marco I'olo
witne--->ed this di\er>ion of the emperor, uiu( h probably hid
existi'd tor man\' ages previous. The filconers distinj,mislu<l
tluse liinN of sport into two classes. — namely, those of fih oiua'
proi)erly so called, and those of Ihi-c/a'iii:; ; and in this second
.md inferior class were includeil the (Ioshawk, the S])arrow
Hawk. llu/,/.ard. and llar])y. 'i'his species does not soar so hi^h
as the longer-winifed Hawks, and darts upon its (|uarry by a side
glain e, not by a diri'ct desctiu, like tlu- true P'ah on. These
bird-- wi're caught in nets baited with live Pigeons, and reduced
to obfdi<'nce b\' the same system of pri\ation and discii)line

ris till' i'.ilicn.

as nic r.iiion.

A p.iir of ( loshawks were l-^pt for a long time in a cage by
P.uffi.i; lie remarks that the female was at least a third larger
tliiUi the maU'. ami the wings, wluai closed, did not reach
vvithm ^i\ in< he- o( the end of the tail. 'I'he ni.ik', though
smiller. was nnu h more fierce and untamable. 'rhe\- otten
fought with fhfir < laws, but seldom used the bill for any other
purpos<' I .an tearing their f(»oil. If this lonsisttd oi' birds.

not! V, lue luuie uis.igrei'.ioie me oiii-iier ine\ were ri'peaieo ;
and th(, cage could never be ap])roached without exciting
violent gestures and screams. Though of different sexes, and
confined to the same cage, they contrac ted no iriendshi|) for
each <»;'»er which mitiht soothe their ini|»risonment, and finally,

COSllAWK.

?>^

to end the dismal picture, the fein.ili', in a fit of indiscriniiiiate
rage and vioK-nee, murdered her mali- in 'he silen( c ol liu-
night, when ail the oilier fealliered race wi-re wrapin-d \n
rcpoNc. Indeed, their disposiiicjiis are so furious that ados-
hawk, left with any other I'alcons, soon ef(ei:ts tin- destructitm
of the whole. Their ordinary food is young rabbits, scpiirrels,
mice, moles, yoimg (ieese, Pigeons, and >inall birds, anil, with
a cannibal appetite, they sometimes even prey upon the young
of their own species.

The (lO.sliawk is not >i() v.ivv in AiiuTita a.s the older naturalists
su|)pose(l : indeed, ii is (piite a common bird in the maritime I'ro\
inces of Canada and in nortlii in New jjigland. where it is lound
(luruig the tiilire year, it oi curs also west to .M.initoi).i (though
api^areiitly rare in tlie l..ikf Superior region), .lud ranges, in winter,
.south to Maryland, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Its usual hreediug area is from about latitude 45° to the fur
countries: though a few pairs |)rot)al)lv build every year in southern
.New ICnglaud. .So It w, ( omparalivilv. of the older .uid lull-plii
maged birds are seen that the species is not well known, the
younger brown birds beiug almost iudistingui.sli.iiile tVom the
young of .several other Hawks.

There are sever. il sjiei ies tli.it receive tlie name of •• Hei' Hawk "
from the f.irmer; but none is .so much dreaded as the •* Blue Hawk."
— and for good reason. With a boldness, strength, and di'xti'rity ot
Might that is rivalled ouly by the Peregrine, the (iosh.iwk (om-
bines a spirit of enter|)rise worthy ot the Osprev, and a ferocitv
and < unning that .ire num. itched by any of the tribe. I have seen
one swoop into a f.irmyard while the fowls were bi iiig fi-d, and
carry off a half-grow n chit k without .iu\ percei)tible [)ause in the
High't.

vol.. 1. — 3

i\Vr»^r..

^;>>^

c:(>oi'i:k's hawk.

A( ( ii'iri:K i(K)i'i:kii.

( llAK. Atliilt l)liiish grav or .ilnm^t l)liiisli aslu head darker; below,
wliitisli, breast and liclly tliicklv >trcakcd with rt-ddisli limwn, -iiKs with
a l)liii>l» tinge; wings and tail barretl with tlaik brown, tail tipped with
white. Length about il) inches (female 2 to .? inches longer).

.\is/. In a tree, near the trunk ; made of twigs, lined with grass.

^.^X-f- ]-A' bluish white spotted with reddish brown isoinctimcs im-
niaiulate) ; i.oo X 1.50.

This fiiu' specifs of Hawk is found in considorablt' numlKTs
in the Middle Stati-s. partic nlarly Niw \'ork and Nfw jcrsi-y,
in the atitmnn and at tiie- approach of winter. It is also
seen in the Oregon territory to the shores of the Pacitli . Its
food a])pears principally to be birds of various '-inds ; from
thi' Sparrow to the RnCfed droiise. all contribute to its rajja-
cious appetite. 1 ha\e also si'iai this species as tar south as
the capital of Alabama, and. in common with the ])receding.
its depredations among the domestic fowls are very destructive.
Mr. (a)opi'r informs me that the plumage of the adult male
liears the same analogy to the adult of F. fusciis as the voung
of that species does to the present, excepting that the rufous

siiai;i-mii\m;i> hawk.

315

tints arc paKr. I he iliH\rfmf in si/i' between the two is as

or eviii

to 1,

C(i(tiur's Mauk is ^in. i ,ill\ (listril)Uti(l tlirt»ii<;h«)Ut Nortli Aimr-
iia (rum tlii.' fur louiitrio lu .Mf.\in» (in wiiUt-n. tlioiiyh most
.-ilmndant in tlic sniitlu-rn portions of New Knclanrl anfl in t'a'
Middle States, wlicrc it is I airly (ommon at all siasons.

It is called "Cliitkcn Hawk " by the Nortlurn fariut-rs.

SH.\KI'-SlIlN\i:!y HAWK.

.\( t iriii.u \ ri.nx.

TllAK. 'ilu' .idult may Ik' l)Lst (Icscrihcd as ;i small iditioii nf
(uoikt's Hawk, which it rcstniMcs in :ihn<ist cvcrvtirm<^ hut s'\/x . The
lop of the luad is bluish, and the ihnks have a reddish tinge. Length
of male about 1 1 inches ; female somi' 2 inches lon;.iir.

Xis/. In a tree; made of twiu-^, and lined with haves and grass.
AVv-f- .i"5'' I'l'iisli wiiite or greenish white blotched with brown;
I..15 X 1.15.

This l)ol(l and darin.u' spi-ciis possesses all the ••otiiaycons
habits and tenicnly of the tnu- I'ahon : and if the princely
amnsetnent to whirh tliesc birds wire .'.cvotcd was now in
fashion, few spc( ies of the genus would be found more san-
guinary and pugnacious than the present. 'I'he young bird is
described by IVnnanl under the name of the Pubious I'.ilcon,
and he remarks its aflinity to the Fairopean Sparrow Hawk.
It is, however, somewhat less, diffi-rentlv marked on the head,
and mu( h more broadlv and faintly barred below. The nest
of our species, according to Audubon, is made in a tree, and the
eggs are tour or l'i\e, grayish wiiiie, blotched with dark brown ;
they lay about the beginning to the middle of March. The
true .Sparrow 1 lawk shows (onsiderable do( ihty, is easil\ trained
to hunt Partridges and (juails. and makes great destrm tion
among I'igeons, young poultrx, and small birds of all kinds.
In the winter tlie) migrate from lair«jpe into liarbary and
(ireece, anil .ire seen in great numbers out at sea, m. iking such
h.ivoc among tiie birds of p.issage they h.ippcn to meet in
tiieir way that the s.nlois in the Mediterranean call them
(nrs.iirs. Wilson obserxed the leiu.ile of our spi< ii-s di'S( end

.36

iwRhs ()!• \'\<i:\.

ii|Kiii itM I'rcy with ^tcat \cl()( il) in ;i ^ort of /i<;-/;ij; poiiiK c,
aftiT tlif iiKimu'r of ihc (ioshawk. I )fs( i-iidinj,' fiiriDiisly and
hliiiflly upon its (|narry. a youn^' Hawk of this spccit's hrokc
tlirotii^'h tlu' glass of ilu' greenhouse at the ("anibridgc Uot inic
(l.irdcn, and tcarlcssly passing ihnMigh a si'( ond gliss p.irti
tion, he was only brought up by the third, and (aught, though
little stunned by the effort. His wing-feathers were niu( h torn
!)>■ the glass, anci his fiigin in tiiis way so iui])e(ie(i as to aiiovv
of his being approached. This species feeds princii)ally upon
mice, li/ards, small birds, and sometimes evi-n si|uirre'-i. Ih
the thinly seltU'd States of ( leorgia and .\lal)ama this llawk
si-ems to abound, and pro\cs extremely destructive to young
chickens, a single binl h iving bii-n known regularly to couu'
every da\- until he had carrii-d away betwetn twenty and thirty.
At noon-dav, while I was conversing with a planter, one of these
Hawks (ami' down, and without any ceremony, or heeding the
loud crie^ of the housewife, who most reluctantly witnessed the
robbery, >ii itched aw.iy a chi( ken directly bi-fore us. At an-
other time, near Tuscaloosa, in Alabama, I observed a pair of
these birds furiously attack the large Ked-tailed Hawk, scpiall-
ing \-ery loudly, and striking him (>n the head until they jiail
entirelv chased him out of sight. This emnitv appi'ared to
ariM' from a suspi( ion that the llu/./ard was prowling round
the farm-house fiU' tlu' poultry, which tlu'se Hawks seeme(| to
claim as their e\( lu^ive pen|uisite. .\s this was, however, the
I ',th (if I'tbruary, these insulting marauders might possibly be
already ])reparing to breed, and thus l>e incited to drive away
every su-.pi( iou-. intruder approaching their ne^t. In fme
weather I lia\c ob^erwd this spi-cies soar to a great ele\ation,
and ascend abo\'e tlu' clouds. In tlii-^ cxen iM', as u->ual, the
wings seem but little e\fr( i^.ed, the a^^( cnl being made in a
sort of suinuuing g\ralion ; though while near the surtace ot
the earth the motion of the wings in this bird is ra])id ami
continuous.

The Sharp-shinned is the commonest Hawk throughout New
Falkland and the settled portions of Canada, and breeds southward
to the Southern States. In winter it ranges south to Panama.

Mississii'i'i Kin:.

IlLUK KITK.

IciIW MISSISSII'I'IKVSIS.

Cmar. General cdlor Miiisli-^ray, liijlifor on the head .'iiul seronrla-
ries, darker on piiniariLs and tail. lAn,i;ili, 15 to i^'i intlus.
M:if. On a tree; of small Micks, lined with moss and leaves.
/•-XvJ- --^'< bluish white ; >i/i variable, averaging i.f)^ X 1.35.

'This rrinark;il)ly lonii- willed ^hk! hi'.-uilifiil I l;i\vk docs not
appear to cMi'iid its miu'rations far within tin: United Statt's.
Wilson obsiTM'd it ratlur pUntiriil about and hi-iow Natchf/,
in the; suiunuT season, saiUn^' in easy < ircles, soinetinics at
a great elevation, so as to kii'p ( onipany with the Tiirkey
r.ii/./ards in the most elevated ri'^ions of the air ; at other times
they were seen amoiv' the lofty forest trees, liki- Swallows
sweej)inj< alony. and < ollectinj,' the locnsts {Ciiiu/n) which
swarmed at this season. .My frii'tid Mr. Sav observed this
species pretty far up the Mississippi, at one (»f Maior long's
cantonments. Diit except on the banks of this great ri\cr,
it is rarely seen iven in the most southern States. Its food.

,5> ^ .0. ^^" Q.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

L^/

1.0

I.I

1.25

t lis

Z5
122
2£

1.8

M. 11.6

Photographic

Sdences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

«■

''%'•

BIRDS OF I'REV.

no doubt, abounds more along the iuimen.sc valley of the Mis-
sissij^pi than in the interior regions, and, besides large in-
sects, probably often consists of small birds, lizards, snakes,
and (jther reptiles, which swarm in these their favorite resorts.
On the failure of food these birds migrate by degrees into the
Mexican and South American provinces, and were observed
by D'Azara in (luiana, about the latitude of 7°. According to
Audubon, this Kite breeds in the Southern States as well as
in Texas, selecting the tall magnolias and white-oaks. From
the narrow limits within which this bird inhabits in the United
States, it is more than probable that the princii)al part of the
species are constant residents in the warmer parts of the Ameri-
can continent. 'I'hey begin to migrate early in August.

The range of this species is given as "southern United States
southward from South Carolina, and Wisconsin and Iowa to
Mexico."

WHITK-TAILKl) KITK.

BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE.
Elanus LEUCURUS.

("HAR. General color bluish gray fading to white on head and tail ; a
large patch of black on shoulder; lower parts white. Length 15 to \6}^
inches.

A^esi. In a tree, loosely built of sticks and leaves.

E^i,'-gs. 2-4; dull white, 'icivily blotched with brown, 1.60 x 1.25.

This beautiful Hawk, scarcely distinguishable from a second
African species of this section, chiefly inhabits the continent
of South America as far as Paraguay. In the United States it
is only seen occasionally in the peninsula of F'ast Florida, con-
fining its visits almost to the southern extremity of the Union.
It appears to be very shy and difficult of approach ; flying in
easy circles at a moderate elevation, or at times seated on the
deadened branches of the majestic live-oak, it attentively
watches the borders of the salt-marshes and watery situations

SWALLOW-TAII.KD KITK.

lor the ficld-micc of th;it country, or unwary Sj);irro\vs, tliat
approach its perch. The bird of Africa and India is said to
titter a sharp and i)ier(in:4 < ly, which is oft'^n repeated wliilc
the bird moves in the air. It builds, in tlie forks of trees, a
broad and shallow nest, lined internally with moss and featiiers.
A jiair have been known to breed on the Santee River in the
month of March, according to Audubon.

This Kite occurs regularly in tlie Southern States, north to
South Carolina, and Mr. Ridgway lias met with it in southern
Illinois, It extends its ranjio westward to California.

S\VAl,I,0\\-T.\ILEr) KITI-:.

E<ORK-TAILED KITE.

Ml,A\()H>FS roRFFC.VrfS.

f'HAR. Head, neck, nniip. and lower parts wliite, other parts black ;
tail deeply forked. Length 19', to 25;^ inches.

jVest. In a tree . of sticks and moss, lined with grass and leaves.

^Ks'^- 2-3 ; white, with buff or green tinge, spotted with va> ious shades .
of Iirown ; 1.85 X 1.50

This beautiful Kite breeds and passes the summer in the
warmer parts of the United States, and is also ])robal)Iy resi-
dent in all tropical and temperate America, migrating into the
southern as well as the northern hemisphere. In the former,
according to Viellot, it is found in Peru and as far as Buenos
Ayres ; and though it is extremely rare to meet with this
species as far as the latitude of 40° in the Atlantic States,
yet, tempted hy the abundance of the fruitful vallev of the
Mississippi, individuals have been seen along that river as
far as the P'alls of St. .Anthony, in the 44th degree of north
latitude. Indeed, according to Fleming two stragglers have
even found their devious way to the strange climate of (ireat
Britain.

These Kites appear in the United States about the close of
April or beginning of May, and are very numerous in the Mis-

MiRDs oi' v\u:v.

sissij)))i territory, twenty or thirty being sometimes \i-,il)li.' at
the ^ame tiiiK- ; ofirn co'lecting locusts and other large insects,
which i1k'\' arc said to feed on from their claws while llviny,
at times also seizing upon the nests of locusts and wasps, and,
like the Honey lUi/zard, devouring both the insects and their
larvic. Snakes and lizards are their common food in all ])arts
of America. In the month of October they begin to retire to
the South, at which season Mr. Uartram observed them in
great numbers assembled in Florida, soaring steadil)' at great
elevations for several days in succession, and slowl\- passing
towards their winter (piarters along the (lulf of Mexico. I'^om
the other States they migrate early in September.

Tills species is most abundant in the western division of tlie Gulf
States, but is irregularly distributed over the Southern, Western,
and Middle States. It has occasionally visited New I'.ngland. and
examples have been seen in Manitoba and near London and
Ottawa in Ontario.

! '

EVERGL.ADE KITE.

BL.^CK KITE. HOOK-BILL KIJ K. SN.VfL HAWK,
R( )SIRHANIUS SOCLAIil LIS.

Char. Prevailing color dull bluish ash, darker on tail, wings, and an-
lerior portion of head ; rump white, with terminal bar ot ligiit brown ;
bill black ; feet orange. Length i6 to iS inches.

A't'st. A ijlatforiu with a slight de])ression, composed of sticks or dried
grass, built in a low bush or amid tall grass.

£i;!^s. 2-3; brownish white blotched with various shades of br(jwn ;
1.70 X I45-

This is a tropical species that occurs in Florida. Mr. \V. 1!. T).
Scott reports finding it abundant at Panasofkee Lake, and says :
"Their food at this point apparently consists of a kind of large
fresh water snail which is very abundant. . . . They fish over the
shallow water, reminding one of gulls in their motions; and iiaving
seciired a snail by diving, they inuuediately carry it to the nearest
available perch, when the animal is dexterously taken from the
shell, without injury to the latter."

-^K

-c;-^-_e-.5'

Y -:\i^' -^-T Jf,' :■

sm-

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AMERKWN ROUGH-LEGGi:U HAWK.

BLACK. HAWK.
ArCHIHUTKO LAGOI'L'S SAXCII-JOHAWIS.

Char. General color variable, — dark or ligiit brown, or brownish grav.
sometimes black ; all tl;e featluTs ccP^ed with jiglitcr color. ])roducing an
afipearance of streaks. The a,,. ..ue of these streaks on the belly forms
a dark band. T.iil with dark and light bars, and whitish at its base.
Easily distinguished from any other Hawk by the feathered shank. Lciigtli
\'-)].2. to 22 inches.

Xcst. In a large tree, or on rocks ; of sticks lined with grass, drv
moss, and feathers.

Eg'^s. 2-3: wiiite iir creaniv. more or less sjjotted with brown; i ()o
X 1.55.

This remarkable species of llu/./ard appears to take up its
residence chiefly in the northern and western wilds of America.
My friend Mr. Townsend found its nest on the banks of IJear
River, west of the Rocky Mountains. The nest, formed of
large sticks, was in a thick willow bush about ten feet from
the ground, and contained two young almost fledged. It is

r.IKDS OF TRKV.

said to lay four eggs, clcnulcd with redtlish. It i-. comnioii
al^o to the nortli of I'jirope, if not lo Africa. The usual station
of thesL' birds is on the outskirts of woods, in the neighborhood
Oi marshes, — situations suited for supplying them with their
usual humble ])re}- of frogs, mice, reptiles, and straggling birds,
for which they i)atiently watch for hours together, from daybreak
to late twilight. When jire}- is perceived, the bird takes a cau-
tious, slow, circuitous course near the surface, and sweeping over
the s])()t where the object of pursuit is lurking, he instantly
grap])les it. and Hies off to consume it at leisure. Occasionally
thc\' feed on crabs and shell-fish. 'I'he inclement winters of
the high northern regi(jns, where they are usually bred, failing
to afford them food, they are under the necessity of making a
slow migration towards those countries which are less severe.
According to Wilson, no less than from twenty to thirty young
individuals of this species continued regularly to take up their
winter (juarters in the low meadows below Philadel]>hia. They
are never observed to soar, and when disturbed, utter a loud,
scpiealing note, and only pass from one neighboring tree to
another.

The great variation in the plumage of this Hawk has been the
cause of considerable controversy. Wilson wrote of the black and
tlie-l^rown phases as of two species, giving them distinct habits.
Nuttall. following Audubon, considered the changes from light to
dark due only to age. Spencer Baird (in 1^58), Cassin, and Dr.
Brewer agreed with Wilson. Later authorities, however, with
more material to aid them, have pronounced both views incorrect,
and have decided that there is but one species, — that the black is
but a melanistic phase. Our systematists now separate the Ameri-
•can from the ICurcpean form, giving to the former varietal rank,
as its " trinomial appellation " denotes.

Nuttall does not mention the occurrence of this bird in Massa-
chusetts, though Dr. Brewer states that at one time it was abun-
dant near Boston, and within more recent years numbers have been
cajjtured by Mr. K. O. Damon on the Holyoke Hilis, near Spring-
tield. It occurs within the United States principally as a winter
visitor when it ranges south to Virginia, its chief breeding-ground
lying in the Labrador and Hudson Bay district.

noii

tioii

ood

u'ir

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vak

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mly

tally

\h of

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.

WINTER HAWK.

Burr.o lineatus.

("har. Adult; general color dark reddish brown; head and neck ru-
fous ; below, lighter, with dark streaks and light bars : wings and tail
black with white bars ; lesser wing-coverts chestnut. Young, with little
of the rufous tinge . below, buffy with dark streaks, Length ig to 22
inches.

jVesL In a tree; of loosely arranged twigs, lined with grass and
feathers.

Ei^'X'-s. 2-4 ; bluish white or buffy blotched with brown ; 2.20 X 1.70.

This very elegant Hawk does not migrate or inhabit very
far to the north. It is never seen in Massachusetts, nor per-
haps much farther than the State of Pennsylvania. In the
Southern States, during winter, these birds are very common in
swampy situations, where their quailing cry of mutual recogni-
tion may be heard from the depths of the dark forest almost

r.lKDS OF I'RKV

every mornii\u of the season. This plaintive e» honiLi note
resembles somewhat the garrulous com])laint of the Jay, /:iy-<uK
kii-oo, kt('-(>('>, ((jntinued witii but little intermissicMi sometimes
for iK'ar twenty minutes. At length it beeomes loud and im-
|)atient ; but on being distantly answered by the mate, tlie
sound softens and becomes plainti\e like {'ii-oc. I'his morn-
ing call is uttered most loudly and incessantly by the male.
in(|uiring for his adventurous mate, wnom the uncertain result
of the c'lase has perhaps separated 'Vom him lor the night.
.\s this species is noways shy, and very easily approached, 1
have had the opportunity of studying it closely. At length,
but ill no haste, 1 observed the female approach and take her
stati(jn on the same lofty, decayed limb with her companion,
who, grateful for this attention, phnned the feathers of his
mate with all the assiduous fondness of a 1 )ove. Intent uj)on
her meal, however, she soon flew off to a distance, while the
male still remained on his perch, dressing up his bei'utiful
feathers for near half an hour, ot'ten shaking his tail, like some
of the lesser birds, and occasionally taking an indifferent sur-
vey of the hosts of small chirping birds which surrounded him,
who followed without alarm their occupation of gleaning seeds
and berries for subsistence. I have occasionallv observed
them j)erched on low bushes and stakes in the rice-fields, re-
maining thus for half an hour at a time, and then darting after
their prey as it comes in sight. I saw one descend upon a
Plover, as I thought, and Wilson remarks their living on these
birds, Larks, and Sandpi])ers. 'J"he same pair that I watched
also hung on the rear of a flock of cow-buntings which were
feeding and scratching around diem. They sometimes attack
s(iuirrels, as I have been informed, and Wilson charges them
with preying also upon Ducks.

I never observed them to soar, at least in winter, their time
being passed very much in indolence and in watching for
their game. Thei" flight is almost as easy and noiseless as
that of the Owl. In the early part of the month of March
they were breeding in West Florida, and seemed to choose
the densest thickets and not to build at anv jjreat heischt from

RED-SHOl l.DERKD HAWK.

the ground. On afiproachitiL': these places, the k(r-,>o became
very louil and angry.

ll'inhr Hiuck. — i ; larLje American liu^/.ard is not un-
common m this vicinity, as well as in the neighborhood ot
I'hiladv-lphia, where Wilson met with it along the marshes and
meadows, feeding almost wholly upon frogs. It is abundant
toward winter. It appears to have very much the manners
of the Kuro])ean liu/./.anl, remaining inactive for hours to-
gether on the edges of wet meadows, perched upon the larger
limb> of trees, and ut times keeping up a regular quailing and
rather hoarse kci.;h-oo, kcityh-oo, which at inten-als is answered
by the mate. When a])proached, it commonly steals off to
some other tree at no great disumce from the first ; but it
the pursuit be continued, it flies out and hovers at a consider-
able height. It is aht> an inhabitant of Hudson's Bay and
Nev\1oundland.

Xuttall regarded the c'd and yotmg as distinct species, giving
to thetn not only distinctive names, but a ditierent distribution.
Taken toiiether. liis two biographies tell about all that is yet known
of the habits and range of the species. It is found throughout this
faunal province, from the Gulf States to the scuthern border of the
fur countries, has Ijeen taken at York Factory on Hudson's Bay,
and is common in Manitoba.

Note. — The Florida Red-Shouldeked Hawk (Bnteo linea-
tus alhni) is a Southern form found in Florida, and rangincj on
the Atlantic shore north to South Carolina and along the Gulf
coast to Texas. It differs from true lineatus in having the rufous
tb ..-e on the head and neck replaced by brownish gray.

lUKDS (•! I'UKV.

HARRIS'S HAWK.

PAriAIin! () INK iM-n s ii akkisi.

CllAK. Prevailing color black, soniL-timcs clujcoiatc biowii, tingLrl with
chestnut on the runij) ; slioiiUler.s and lining of wings chestnnt ; tail-C(i\ oris,
base of tail, and terminal band, white. Length about jo inches.

A't'.''/. On a cliff or in a tree, — usually the latter; a mere pi itfoiin of
twigs and roots, lined with grass.

A;';v.r. j-5 (usually 3^ ; whi'e, tinged wiili yellow, souietiines marked
with brown or lavender, or both , J. 15 X 1(15.

Harris'.s Hawk is abiiiulant in parts of Texas and in Mixicn,
and occurs in small numbers in tbe soiitlicm part ot" Mississi|)pi.
It IS usually represented as a ratlicr shi,i(,i;isb bird, associ.it ini; with
the Vultures and joininij in their feasts of carrion, but sometimes
prcvinjj; upon the small reptiles that infest the banks of streams
and pools. Mr. .Semiett. however, describes those he saw alonj;
the lower Rio (irande as more active, feedinjj; chiefly on birds.
mice, and <(ophers.

t i

Ri:i)-TAII.KI) H.\WK.

BUIEO I!UKI:AI.I^:.

Char. Above, dull brown streaked with rufous and grayish; below,
whitish or tawny streaked with brown; tail chestnut al)ove and gray
beneath, with a band of black near the end and tipped with white. In
the young the tail is grayish brown crossed bv some nine dark bars,
and the undcrparts are white with brown streaks. Length rg!^ to 23
inches.

yVt.v/. In a high tree; of sticks, lined with grass, sometimes with
feathers.

/•.";;;',(. 2-4 ; whitish or bluish white, usually heavily spotted or blotched
with reddish brown ; - 30 X i.So.

This beautiful Buzzard inhabits most parts of the United
States, being obser\ed from Canada to Florida ; also, far
westward up the Missouri, and even on the coasts of the
northern Pacific Ocean, by Lewis and Clarke. Wilson found
the young to be fully grown in the month of May, about
latitude 31° on the banks of the IMississii)pi ; at this j)eriod
they were very noisy and clamorous, keeping up an inces-
sant squealing. It also occasionally nests and breeds in large

i<En-'rAii.i;iJ hawk.

trccs in the sechidcd forests of iliis part of Mnssitchiisctts.
The young birds soon become very submissive, and allow them-
selves to be handled with impunity by those who feed them.
'I'he oldiT l)irds sometinus i:ontest with i-ac h other in the air
about their prey, and nearly or wholl\ descend to the earth
grajjpled in each other's talons. Though this species has tin-
general aspect of tile i!u//ard. its manners are \ery similar to
those of the ( loshawjc ; it is iM|uaii\- fien e aiKl pre<iatory,
prowling around the farm often when straitened for food,
and seizing, now and tln-n, a hen or chi( ken, whic h it snatches
l)y making a lateral approach : it sweeps along near the sur-
face of the ground, and grasping its prey in its talons, 1)ears it
away U) devour in some i)lace of security. These dejjredations
on the farm-yard happen, however, only in tlu' winter ; at all
(jther seasons this is one of the shyest and most difticult
l)irds to approach. It will at times ])ounce upon rabbits and
considerable-sized birds, ])articularly Larks, and has been
observed in the Southeni Slates i)(.'rseveringly to ])ursue
sijuirrels from bough to bough until they are overtaken and
seized in the talons. It is frequently seen near wet meadows
where mice, moles, and frogs are ])revalent, and also feeds
upon lizards, — appearing, indeed, often content with the
most humble game.

They usually associate in pairs, and seem much attached to
each other; yet they often find it convenient and profitable to
separate in hunting their prey, about which they would readily
(juarrel if brought into contact. Though a good deal of their
time passes in indolence, while ]ierched in some tall and dead-
ened tree, yet at others they may Ix; seen beating the ground
as they tly over it in all directions in (piest of game. On some
occasions they amuse themselves by ascending to a vast eleva-
tion, like the aspiring I'lagle. On a fine evening, about the
middle of January, in South Carolina, I observed one of these
birds leave its withered perch, and soaring aloft over the wild
landscape, in a mood t)f contemplation, begin to ascend
towards the thin skirting of elevated clouds above him. At
length he passed this sublime boundary, and was now per-

IlIRDS OI' i'Ri:v.

( eiveil nnd soon followed by his ambitious iiute, and \n a little
limi', by circular ascending' gyrations, tho)' both disappeared in
the clear azure of the heavens ; and thou[;h I waited for their
re-appearance half an hour, they still continiieil to be wholly
invisible. This amusement, or predilection for the cooler
regions of the atmosphere, seems mc^re or less common to all
the ra|)acious birds. In numerous instances this exercise must
be whollv independent of the inclinati(jn f(;r surveying their
prey, as i\-\\ t)f them besides the Falcon des( end direct ujjon
their (juarry. Many, as well as the present species, when on
the prowl l1y near to the surface of the ground, and often wait
and wat( h so as to steal upon their victims before they can
take the alarm. Indeed the Condor frecjuents and nests upon
the summit of the Andes, above which they are seen to soar
m the boundless ocean of space, enjoying the invigorating and
rarefied atmosphere, and only descending to the plains when
impelled by the cravings of hunger.

Tlu' l!astcrn variety of the Red-tail is a common bird through-
out eastern North America north to about latitude 49°, and was
taken by Dr. I>ell at Fort Churchill, on Hudson's Hay. It ranges
westward to the (ireat I'lains, where it is replaced by the sub-
species krideri. From the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific it is
represented by calunis, and examples of this latter variety have
been taken, occasionally, as far east as Illinois. The Red-tail is a
summer resident only of the Maritime Provinces, but a few are
found in winter in southern Ontario and New En";land.

NoTi.. — Mr. Ridgway now considers Harlan's Hawk to be
a variety of the Red-tail, and he proposes to name it Bntco borealis
liarlani. Its usual habitat is along the lower Mississippi : but exam-
ples have been taken in Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Capt. Bendine reports that Kuidek's Hawk (/>'. /', Krideri)
occurs in Iowa and northern Illinois. (Life Histories of North
American Birds.)

Two examples of Swainson's Hawk (^Buteo suiainsoni)^ a
Western species, have been taken in Massachusetts, — one at
Wayland in 1876, and the other near Salem in 1878.

BROAD \VIN(;i;i) HAWK.

TjI'IIO I.A'IISSIMIS.

Chak. Above, dull brown, the feathers with paler edges; tail dusky
with toui light bars aiul lipijcti vvitii wiiite ; below, bulti^h or tawny, barred
and streaked with rufous. Length lO inclies. Vouiig : similar, Ijut tail
brownish, with several dusky liars ; below bulTy streaked with dusky.

.Visf. In a tree ; loosely built of twigs, and lined with leaves and
feathers.

A^i,'.?. 2-4 ; buttisl:. blotched with reddish brown of various shades ;
1.90 X 1.55.

This species was obtnined b\ \\'ilsf)n. in the vicinity of
I*hila(le]]>hia, in the act of feedini^ on a meadow-nioiise. On
beinu^ ap])r()ache(l, it nttereil a whininij; whistle and flew U)
another tree, where it was shot. Its great breadth (jf wing, as
well as of the head and body, compared with its length, aj)-
pears remarkably characteristic. The following day the mate
was.obser\-ed sailing in wide circles, the wings scarcely moving,
and presenting almost a semi-circular outline. These two in-
dividuals appear to be all that were known to Wilson of this
Vu: .1. — 4

itl

»l

BIRDS oi- I'kEV.

spfcies. Audubon considers it by no nuvuis a rare s[)ecics
in Virginia, Maryland, and all the States to the eastwartl of
these. Its usual i)re\' is small birds, very young poultry, small
(juatlrupeds, and insects.

The Broad-wing occurs throughout tliis eastern faunal province,
but is somewhat local in distribution. In jjortions of tlie Maritime
Provinces it is abundant, thougli in general it is rather uncommon.
.Mr. John Neilson considers it common near the city of Ouet)ec, but
.Mr. Ernest Wintle reports it rare at Montreal, while Mr. William
L. Scott thinks it the commonest Hawk in the Ottawa valley. Mr.
Thomas .Mcllwraith gives it as a "casual visitor" to the southern
jjortions of Ontario, and Mr. ICrnesl Thompson found it abundant
in the Muskoka district. Thompson also reports it common in
.Manitoba.

In the more northern portions of New England it is a fairly
common sun.mer visitor, while it is found in Massachusetts and
Connecticut throughout the yeir, but is rather rare. It occurs
also in more or less abundance in all the Middle, Western, and
Southern St.ites.

My observatioiis in New Brunswick have led me to form a dif-
ferent opinion of the characteristics of this Hawk from those
expressed by several writers. The examples I met with were not
peculiarly void of eitlier boldness or vigor in pursuit of their prey,
nor peculiarly spiritless when wounded. They ilid, of course, like
others of the tribe, pursue weak prey, and displayed little true
bravery: but bravery is not a characteristic of the Hawks. A
wounded Broad-wing, however, acts just as does the l)oldest of
thom, — he turns on his back and hits out with claws, beak, and
wings : and the gunner who thinks he has a meek or spiritless bird
to handle mav retrret the thoutrht.

SHORT- TAIEKI) H.\WK.
l-)t"'i K( ) I'.K.Aciivrkrs.

Cn.\R. Above, brownish bhick or blackish brown ; forche.id anil cheeks
white; tail h.ownish gray barred with black and tipped with white;
beneath, pure white, a patch of riifms on side of chest. Length 16
inches.

AV.vA In a tall tree; made of dry twig.s, lined with fresh twigs of
cypress.

-'^.W-f- i~3 ; dull white, s]50ttcd on lavue end with reddish ^rown.

MARSH HAWK.

The black and brown phases of plumage worn by tliis bird have
caused the scientific ornitholo<,Msts no httlc p'.Tplcxi'.v, and been tiie
sul)ject of some controversy: so a l)rief summary of tiie various
opinions held may serve as an illustration of the evolution of many
scientific names.

The species was first described from a specimen in brown plu-
mage and given the name it now bears ; then a young bird came
into the hands of another systcmatist. and supjiusing it to be a new
species, he named it B. oxypttrus ; and afterwards an example in
black was taken by still another, who supjjosed it to be something
new. so he wrote it down B. /ii/ii^inosiis. These two last-men-
tioned were disposed of by other writers as svnonyms of stiui/h-
soni, oxyptcnis being considered the young plumage, and fulii^i-
itosHS a melanistic phase, while in several more recent works the
latter, as the Little Black Hawk, was restored to specific rank.
These opinions have recently been abandoned for that which lias
been held for a long time by the few. — tliat both fulia^inostts and
oxypicriis are synonyms of the present species.

It cannot, however, be said that the matter is finally adjusted, for
the black color still presents this problem : Is it individual or sex-
ual, — a melanistic phase, or the normal color of the adult male .'

The bird is entirely tropical in its range, and is found within the
United States only in the tropical portions of Florida. It was sup-
posed formerly to occur there merely as a casual or accidental
straggler: but recent ol:)servations have proved it to be a regular
though uncommon visitor, and breeding there.

MARSH HAWK.

marsh harrier. blue hawk.
Circus hudsonius.

Char. Adult male : above, bluish gray; tail with dark bands ; rump
white ; beneath white, .\dult female and young : above, dark brown
streaked with rufous; tail with dark bands; rump white ; beneath, tawny
with dark streaks. Length 19 to 24 inches.

Nest. On the ground, in damji meadow or cedar swamp ; a loosely
arranged platform of dried grass some four to six inches high, with little
depression, occasionally lined with softer material.

^Sg^- 3-S; bhiish white, .sonietinies spotted with huffish or brown;
l.Sc X 1.40.

I5IRDS OF I'REV.

This species is common to the northern and temperate, as
well as the warmer parts of the old and new continents, being
met with in Europe, Africa, South America, and the West
Indies. In the winter season it extends its peregrinations
from Hudson's Ikiy to the Oregon territory and the southern
parts of the United States, frecjuenting chiefly open, low, and
marshy situations, over which it sweeps or skims along, at a
little distance usually from the ground, in (piest of mice, small
birds, frogs, Hzards, and other reptiles, which it often selects
by twilight as well as in the open day ; and at times, pressed
by hunger, it is said to join the Owls and seek out its ])rey
even by moonlight. Instances have been known in England
in which this bird has carried its temerity so far as to pursue
the same game with the armed fowler, and even snatch it from
his grasp after calmly wailing for it to be shot, and without
even betraying timidity at the report of the gun. The nest if
this species is made on th', ground, in swampy woods or
among rushes, occasionally also under the protection of rocky
precipices, and is said to be formed of sticks, reeds, leaves,
straw, and similar materials heaped together, and finished with
a lining of feathers, hair, or other soft substances. In the
/^ cuwrdfeus, so nearly related to this species, the eggs are of
a pure white. When their young are approached, the parents,
hovering round the intruder and uttering a sort of uncouth
syllable, like gCiJ^ g('i^ ^(1^:;, or ^i^c gc ne ge ge, seem full of afright
and anxiety. The Crows, however, are their greatest enemies,
and 'they often succeed in demolishing the nests. The young
are easily tamed, and feed almost immediately without exhib-
iting any signs of fear.

Nuttall has told about ail tliat more modern observers have to
tell of this species. The authorities differ chieHy in descriptions of
the structure of the nest and the markings on the eggs. The nests
that I have examined have been composed entirely of coarse grass,
witliout 'ining, though the softest of the grass was laid on top.
The eggs were unspotted.

HAWK OWL.

SURNLA UI.LI.A CAl'AKOCH.

Char. Above, dull blackish brown, spotted with white ; crown without
spots; dark patch on the cheeks; face white, the feathers with dark
margins; tail and wing with white bars; below, white with dark bars.
Length 14-V to 17 }< inches.

JVi's/. On a tree; of twigs lined with feathers.

/;>^j. 2-7; dull while ; 1.55 X 1.25.

This remarkable species, forming a connecting link with
the preceding genus of the Hawks, is nearly confined to the
Arctic wilds of both continents, being frequent in Siberia and
the fur countries from Hudson's liay to the Pacific. A few
stragglers, now and then, at distant intervals and in the depths
of winter, penetrate on the one side into the northern parts of
the United States, and on the other they occasionally appear
in Germany, and more rarely in France. At Hudson's Bay
they are observed by day Hying high and preying on the White
(rrouse and other birds, sometimes even attending the hunter
like a Falcon, and boldly taking \ip the wounded game as it

I![RI)S OF I'RFA'.

\ < il

flutters on the ground. They are also salt I l<j f-jed on mice
and insects, and (according to Meyer) they nest upon trees,
laying two white eggs. 'I'hey are said to be constant atten-
dants on the Ptarmigans in their spring migrations towards the
North, and are observed to hover round the camp-fires of the
natives, in (juest probably of any offal or rejected game.

In Massachusetts and the more southern portions of New Eng-
land tlie Hawk Owl is only an occasional winter visitor ; hut in
northern New England and the Maritime Provinces it occurs regu-
larly, though of varying abundance, in some seasons being cjuite
rare. It is fairly common near Montreal, and rare in Ontario and
in Ohio. Thompson reports it abundant in Manitoba, but only
one example has been taken in Illinois {Ridi^way). It breeds in
Newfoundland, the .Magdalen Islands, and northern Manitoba,
and north to sub-arctic rcirions.

\U^

.^^^■iil^>l^^

SNOWY OWL.

NvciEA x\-c'ri:.\.

Char. Geiier:\1 color pure white, w'tli markings of dull brown or
brownish black, the abundance and shade of the spots varying with age.
A large, stout bird. Length 23 to 27 inches.

Nt'sl. On the ground, of twigs and grass, lined with feathers.

-^v"''- 5 ''J 10 ; white; 2.55 X 190.

This very large and often snow-white species of Owl is
ilmost an exclusive inhabitant of the .Arctic regions of both
continents, being common in Iceland, the Shetland Islands.
Kamtschatka, Lapland, and Hudson's Day. In these dreary
wilds, surrotmded by an almost perpetual winter, he dwells,
breeds, and obtains his subsistence. His white robe renders

IJIRDS OK I'RKV.

him scarcely discernible from the overwhelming snows, wlierc
he reigns, like the boreal spirit of the storm. His loud, hol-
low, barking growl, 'lolwwh, 'ivhmvh, "ivlunok hdli, hah, hah,
/id/i,^ and other more dismal cries, sound like the unearthly
ban of Cerberus ; and heard amidst a region of cheerless soli-
tude, his lonely and terrific voice augments ratlier than relieves
the horrors of the scene.

Clothed with a ilense coating of feathers, which hide even
the nostrils, ant' leave only the talons exposed, he ventures
abroad boldly at '11 seasons, and, like the Hawks, seeks his
prey by daylight as well as dark, skimming aloft and reconnoi-
tring his prey, whit;h is commonly the \\'hite (iroiise or some
other birds of the same genus, as well as hares. (Jn these he
tlarts from above, and rapidly seizes them m his resistless
talons. At times he watches for fish, and condescends also \o
prey upon rats, mice, and even carrion.

These birds ajjpear to have a natural aversion to settled
countries ; for which reason, perhaps, and the sc*-erity of the
climate of Arctic America, they are freciuently known to wander
in the winter south through the thinly settled interior of the
United States. They n igrate probably by ])airs ; and accord-
ing to Wilson, two of these l)irds were so stuiiid, or dazzled,
as to alight on the roof of the court-house in the large town of
Cincinnati. In South Carolina Dr. Carden saw them occa-
sionally, and they were, in this mild region, observed to hide
themselves during the da^' in the palmetto-groves of the sea-
coast, and only sallied out towards night in quest of their prey.
Their habits, therefore, seem to vary considerably, according
to circumstances and climate.

This species is a regular winter visitor to the Northern and
Middle States, and duruig some seasons has been quite abundant.
A few pairs have been seen in summer in northern Maine, New
Brunswick, and Nova Scotia: hut the usual breeding-ground is
from about latitude 50^ to the Arctic regions.

While in their more southern resorts tliey are rarely found far
from the forest districts.

^ These latter syllables with the usual quivering sound of the Owl.

SCREECH OWL.

MOTTLED OWL, RED OWL.

Mkc;.\scops asio.

Char. Of two phases, brownish gray and brownish red. Above,
mottled with darker shades of the prevailing cohjr and with blacixish ;
below, dull whitish or with a rufous tint aud heavily marked with dull
brown or blackish. In highly colored red examples the spots arc less
frequent. Large ear tufts ; wings and tail barred with the light and dark
colors ; legs feathered and toes bristled. Length 7 to 10 inches.

Nest. In a hollow tree or stump ; the bottom of the hole slightly lined
with leaves or feathers.

E,^-gs. 4-S ; white, nearly round ; 1.35 X 1.20.

Mottled 0-ivl. — This common, small, and handsome species,
known as the Little Screech Owl, is probably resident in every
part of the United States, and, in fact, inhabits from Greenland
to Florida, and westward to the Oregon, It appears more
abimdant in autumn and winter, as at those seasons, food fail-

1 1

ISIRDS OF I'RKN'

! I

ii\U, it is obli.m'd to apjjnjach habitations and barns, in wliich
\hv uiUv it chirtly prejs on now assemble ; it also lies in wait
for small birds, and fee(U on beetles, crickets, and other in-
sects. The nest is usually in the hollow of an old orchard tree,
about the months of May or June ; it is lined carelessly with
a Httlc hay, lea\es, and feathers, and the eggs are commonly
four to six, white, and nearly round. Aldrovandus remarks
that the (Ireat Hornetl Owl provides so i)lentifully for its
young that a person might obtain some dainties from the
nest, and yet leave a sufficiency for the Owlets besides. I'he
same remark may also ajjply to this species, as in the hollow
stuniji of an apple-tree, which contained a brood of these
young Owls, were found several Iliuebirds, lUackbinls, and
Song S])arrows. intended as a supply of food.

l)uring the day these birds retire into hollow trees and un-
frequented barns, or hide in the thickest evergreens. At times
they are seen abroad by day, and in cloudy weather they wake
up from their diurnal slumbers a considerable time before
(lark. In the (kiy they are always drowsy, or, as if dozing,
closing, or scarcely half opening their heavv eyes, presenting
the very picture of sloth and nightly dissipation. When i)er-
ceived by the smaller birds, they are at once recognized as
their insidious enemies ; and the rareness of their apjjearance,
before the usual roosting-time of other birds, augments the
suspicion they entertain of these feline hunters. From com-
plaints and cries of alarm, the Thrush sometimes threatens
blows : and though evening has perhaps set in, th«. snialler
birds and cackling Robins re-echo their shrill chirpings and
complaints throughout an extensive wood, until the nocturnal
monster has to seek safety in a distant flight. Their notes are
most frecpient in the latter end of summer and autunm, crying
in a sort of wailing quiver, not very unlike the whining of a
])U])py dog, //3, ho ho ho ho ho ho, proceeding from high and
clear to a low guttural shake or trill. These notes, at little in-
tervals, are answered by some companion, and appear to be
chiefly a call of recognition from young of the same l)rood, or
pairs who wish to discover each other after having been sepa-

RKD owr,.

rateil while dozin<]; in the (l;i\-. On moonlight evenings this
isiender waihng i.-> kept up nearly until niiiliULjht.

Rdt 0'<i.u. — From the wry satisfactory and « arcftil obserwi-
t ions of l)r. K/ra Michcncr, of New (larden, Chester County.
Pennsylvania, published in the eighth volume of the Journa! of
the .V.adeniy of Natural Sciences of l'hiknleli)hia, it appears
certain that the Red and (Iray " Screec h Owls "' of the United
Stales are specifically distinct ; he has observed that the Red
Owls rear yo\inLr of the same c(jlor, and that the (Iray Owls
of thtr preceding sj)e( ies have al^o young which are gray and
mottled from the very west Still difterent as they are in
plumage, the habits of the species are nearly alike. The
pre^sent inhabits and breeds in most ])arts of the United States.
In Pennsylvania they are hatched by the latter eml of May,
breeding in hollow trees. The eggs are about four.

I have had an opj)ortunity of verifying all that Wilson re-
lates of the manners of this species in a Red or young Owl,
taken out of a hollow api)le-tree, which I kejjt for some
months. A dark closet was his favorite retreat during the
day. In the evening he became very lively and restless, glid-
ing across the room in which he was confined, with a side-
long, noiseless flight, as if wafted by the air alone. .At times
he clung to the wainscot, and, unable to turn, he brought his
heati round to his back, so as to present, by the aid of his
brilliant eyes, a most spectral and uneardily ajjpearance. .\s
the eyes of all the Owls, according to Wilson, are fixed im-
movably in the socket by means of a many clet't capsular liga-
ment, this provision for the free versatile motion of the head
appears necessary. '^ hen approached towards evening, he
apf>eared strongly . i imaged in reconnoitring the object, blow-
ing n-iih a hissing noise {shay, shay, shay), common to other
species, and stretching out his neck with a waving, lateral
motion, in a threatening attitude, and, on a nearer approach,
made a snapping with the bill, produced by striking together
both mandibles, as they are equally movable. He was a very
expert mouse-catcher, swallowed his prey whole, and then,
after some time, ejected from the bill the bones, skin, and

HIRDS OK I'REV.

It '! I

hair, in pellets, lie also devoured large lliv's, which at this
time eanie into the room in great numbers ; luid even the dry
parts of these were also ejectt'fl from the stoma( h without di-
gestion. A pet of this species, wh'"'- Michener had,
drank frecpiently, and was accustome . wash every day in
a basin of cold water during the heat of summer.

N'uttall, following Wilson and Audubon, treated the gray M\i\
red phases of this bird as two distinct species, and wrote separate
biographies, which I insert in full. Some ornitliolo<,Msts have sup-
|)osed that the gray specimens were the youn;^ birds; but it has
been proved beyond (juestion that the two phases are simply indi-
vidual variations of the .>ame species. (Iray and red birds have
been found in one nest, with both parents gray, or both red. or witli
one of each color.

The Screech Owl is a resident of southern New Kngland and
quite common. It breeds northward tc the Maritime Provinces,
westward to Minnesota and southward to the (Julf States. Prob-
ably southern New England is the northern limit of the bird's
distribution in winter.

Note. — A smaller and darker race is found in South Carolina,
Georgia, and Florida. It is named Florida Sckek( h Owl
(/I/, asio JlorUunus^. In this race the reddish feathers wear a
richer rufous tint, and the gray are more deeply tinged witli
brown.

GREAT HORNED OWL.

CAT OWL.
lUlK) VIRGINIANUS.

f'tiAR. Plumage very variable, of mottled black, light and dark
brown, buff, and tawny. A white band on the throat, and a white stripe
down the breast, — the latter soriietimes obscure. Ear-tufts large and
conspicuous : legs and toes feathered Length iS to 25 inches.

iWiT". Sometimes within a hollow tree, but usually on an upper limb.
A deserted nest of Crow or Hawk is often used, and then it is a clumsv,
bulky affair of sticks, lined with feathers

E^'-^^s. 2-3; white and nearly spherical ; 2.20 X i.So.

This species, so nearly related to the (ireat Eared Owl of
Europe, is met with occasionally from Hudson's Bay to

BIRDS (H- IKKV.

t I

':%'

I lorid.i, and in ()rrg()n; it exists wen bt-vond the tropics,
beinj,' very probably the same bird de>eril)e»l by Marc grave as
inhabitinj^' the forests ot lira/.il. All t Jimates are ahke to this
liagle of the nijj;ht, the kinj,' of the iioetiirnal tril)e of American
birds. The ajjoriginal inhabitants of the country dread his
l)0(bng howl, decUcating his elligies to their sokuuiities, and, .is
if h" were their sacred bird of Minerva, forbid tiie mot kery of
his ominous, ihsmal. and ahnost snpernatunil c ries. His favor-
ite resort, in the dark and impenetrable swampy forests, where
he dwells in chosen solitude secure from the approacli of every
enemy, agrees with the melancholy and sinister traits of his
character. To the surrounding feathered race he is the I'liiio
of the gloomy wilderness, and would scarcely be known out of
the dismal shades where he hides, but to his victims, were he
as silent as he is solitary. Among the choking, loud, guttural
sounds which he sometimes utters in the dead of night, and
with a suddenness which always alarms, because of his noiseless
approach, is the '7ci(ru<^^/i ho .' '7c<aii;^li ho! which, \Vilson re-
marks, was often uttered at the instant of swecjjing down
around his camp-fire. Many kinds of Owls are similarly daz-
zled and attracted by fire-lights, and occasionally finding, no
doubt, some offal or flesh thrown out by those who encamp in
the wilderness, they come round the nocturnal bla/e with other
motives than barely those of curiosity. The solitary tra\elkrs
in these wilds, apparently scanning the sinister motive of his
visits, pretend to interpret his address into '^'U'ho \ooks for
you all !'" and with a strong guttural i)ronunciation of the final
syllable, to all those who have heard this his common cry. the
resemblance of sound is well hit, and instantly recalls the
ghastly serenade of his nocturnal majesty in a manner whi( h
is not easily forgotten. The shorter cry which we have
mentioned makes no inconsiderable approach to that uttered
by the luiropean brother of our species, as given by lUiffon,
namely, 'hc-hoo, Wioo-hoo, hoo-hoo, etc. The (ireeks called this
transatlantic species Byas^ either from its note or from the
resemblance this bore to the bellowing of the ox. The latin
name Biil'o has also reference to the same note ^'>i this noc-

ClUr.AI" IinUNT.!) owi..

turnal bird. .\« ( «)r(liiig lo IiimIi, who krpt one of thi-^'- birds
.di\t', it-^ ( rii's varied accordinj; to cirriniiNtaticrs ; whcii hungry
it had a imihiij; i ry hki- /Vt/iu. I haw rcinarki-d tin- yonny;,
probably, of our spec ics utter tlic same low, (luailiiiy; ( r\. while
yet daylij,'hl, as it sat on the low braiK h of a tree ; the sound
of both is. at times, also not unlike that made by the Hawks or
diurnal birds of prey. Indeed, in gloomy weather I have seen
our species on the alert, tlying about many horns before dark,
and utterintj; his call of 7v' ko, ko ko /i<>. 'I'heir UMial prey is
youni; rabbits, scpiirrels, rats, mice, (Jtiails, and small birds of
various kinds ; and when these resources fail or diminish, they
occasionally prowl ])retty boldly anjuntl the farm-yard in (juest
of Chickens, which thev seize on the roost. Indeed tin- lairo-
pean Horned Owl freipiently contends with the iJu/zard for its
])rey, and generally comes off coiKjueror ; blind and mfuriate
with hunger, one of these has been known to dart even upon
.1 man, as if for contbct, and was killed in the encoimter. My
friend Dr. Iloykin. of .Milleilgeville, in (leorgia, assured me that
omofciir own daring nocturnal adventurers, ])rowling njund
his premises, saw a cat dozing on the roof of a smoke-house,
and supposing grimalkin a more harmless, rabbit-like animal
than appeared in the setjuel. blindly snatched her up in liis
talons ; but finding he had caught a Tartar, it was not long be-
fore he allowed jniss once xwoxc to tread the ground. In
I'aigland the same error was commiited by an Magle, who,
after a severe conflict with a cat he had carried into the air,
was at length brought to the ground before he could disengage
himself from the feline grasp.

An Owl of this s])ecies, which I have observed in a cage,
appeared very brisk late in the morning, hissed anil blew when
api)roached with a stick, and dashed at it very heedlessly with
his bill ; he now and then uttered a 'ko-koh, and was pretty
loud in his call at an earlier hour. When approached, he cir-
cularly contracted the iris of the eyes to obtain a clearer view
of the threatened object ; he also listened with great quickness
to any sound which occurred near his prison, and eyed the
flying Pigeons, which passed by at some distance, with ascruti-

HIRDS OF PREV.

ni/ing and eager glance, ^\'hen fed he often had the habit o(
hiding aua\ his sni)erfluous provision.

As far as I have been able to observe the retiring manners
of this recluse, he slumbers out the day chiefly in the dark tops
of lofty trees. In these, according to Wilson, he generally be-
gins to build m the month of May, though probably earlier in
the Southern States. The nest is usually placed in the fork of
a tree, made of a considerable pile of sticks, and lined with
dry leaves and some feathers ; and, as a saving of labor, some-
times they select a hollow tree for the purpose.

This Owl is usually found in woods of rather large growth : but
Nuttall slightly exaggerated in naming the "dark and impenetrable
swampy forest" as its "favorite resort." Throughout the Mari-
time Provinces it is found on the outskirts of settlements, as well
as in the wilderness.

An interesting aceo int of the habits of this species in captivity,
from the note-book of Mr. James W. Banks, of .St. John, N. B.,
appeared in "The .\uk " lor .April. 1S84.

i'i

XoTE. — There are two geographical races of this species that
should be named here. The DusKV Hoknf.d Owl (B. vi)-gi-
iiicini/s sii(urijfi(s).:\n extremely dark form, occurs in Labrador, and
is found also on the coast of the Northwest. The Wkstickx
HoKNi:r) Owi, {[>. I'ir^iHtaniis siibarcficiis), a light-gray form, is
usually restricted to the middle faunal province, but has been taken
in Illinois and Wisconsin.

GRF.VT (IRAV OWL.
SarriAPTEx cinerf.a.

Char, .^bnve, sooty brown mottled witli irregular bars of dull qray :
below, paler tints of same colors in wavy stripes. No ear-tufts. The
largest of the Owls. Length. 23 to -50 inches.

A\st. Tn a nee.

/t;:i,'.r. 2-3; white; 2.15 X 1.70.

This is the largest .\merican species known, and if the S.
lapponica, common also to the Arctic circle, and seldom leav-
ing it, being only accidental about Lake Superior, and occa-

GREAl" GRAV (JUL.

The

sionally seen in Massachusetts in the (k'])th ol' severe winters.
One was caught i)erched on a wood-jjile, in a state of listless
inactivity, in the morning after daylight, at Marblehcad, in
February, 1831. 'Ihis individual survived for several months,
and showed a great partiality for fish and birds. At times he
uttered a tremulous cry or ho ho lid ho hoo, not very dissimilar
to that of the Mottled Owl. .\t Hudson's Ikiy and Labrador
these Owls reside the whole year, and were found in the ( )re-
gon territory by Mr. Townsend. They associate in pair^, tly
very low, and feed on mice and hares, which they seize with
such muscular vigor as sometimes to sink into the snow after
them a foot deep. With ease they are able to carry off the
alj^ine hare alive in their talons. In lairoj^e the species ap-
pears wholly confined to the desert regions of Lapland, two or
three stragglers being all that have been obtained out of that
country by naturalists.

Dr. Richardson says that it is by no means a rare bird in the
fur countries, being an inhabitant of all the woody districts
lying between Lake Superior and latitudes 67° or fj.S'^ and
between Hudson's l]ay and the Pacific. It is common on
the borders of Great Bear Lake ; and there, and in the higher
])arallels of latitude, it must pursue its prey, during the summer
months, by daylight. It keejis, however, within the woods, and
does not frequent the barren grounds, like the Snowy Owl, nor
is it so often met with in broad daylight as the Hawk Owl, but
hunts principally when the sun is low, — indee<l, it is only at such
times, when the recesses of the woods are deeply shadowed,
that the American hare and the marine animals on which the
Cinereous Owl chiefiy preys, come forth to feed. On the 2^^<.\
of May J discovered a nest of this ( )wl, built on the top of a
lofty balsam poplar, of sticks, and lined with feathers. It con-
tained three young, which were covered with a whitish down.

The capture in New England of several examples of this species
has l)een recorded. During the winter of 1889-90, a number were
.seen along the northern border of these States and in tlie southern
portions of Canada. Mr. Mcllwraith reported that a large number
had been taken near Kamilton.
vol.. I. — 5

11;

1 I

LONG-EARED OWL.

ASIO WILSONIANUS.

Char. Above, finely mottled with dark brown, dull buff, and gray ;
breast similar, but of reddish tint ; belly paler, with dark markings. Ear-
tufts large; toes feathered. Length 15 inches.

jVfsf. Usually in a tree ; of twigs, lined with grass and feathers.
Sometimes a deserted Crow's or Hawk's nest is used.

^A''A''s- 3-6; white and oval ; 1.65 X 1.30.

This species, like several others of the genus, appears to be
almost a denizen of the world, being found from Hudson's Ray
to the West Indies and Pirazil, throughout Europe, in Africa,
northern Asia, and probably China, in all which countries
it appears to be resident, but seems more abundant in certain
places in winter, following rats and mice to their retreats in or
near houses anil barns. It also preys upon small birds, and
in summer destroys beetles. It commonly lodges in mined
buildings, the caverns of rocks, or in hollow trees. It defends

LONG-EARED OWL.

It hers.

ifrica,

Intries

Ttain

in or

[, and

mned

Ifends

itself with great spirit from the attacks of larger birds, making
a ready use of its bill and talons, ai.d when wounded is dan-
gerous and resolute.

The Long-Eared Owl seldom, if ever, takes the trouble
to construct a nest of its own ; it seeks shelter amidst ruins
and in the accidental hollows of trees, and rests content with
the dilapidated nursery of the Crow, the Magpie, that of the
\\ ild Pigeon, of the Buzzard, or even the tufted retreat of the
scpiirrel. True to these habits, \\'ilson found one of these
Owls sitting on her eggs in the deserted nest of the Qua Bird,
on the 25th of April, six or seven miles below Philad(^l]ihia, in
the midst of the gloomy enswamped forest which formed the
usual resort of these solitary Herons. So well satisfied was she
in fact with her company, and so i)eaceable, that one of the Quas
had a nest in the same tree with the Owl. The young, until
nearly fully grown, are grayish white, and roost close together
on a large branch during the day, sheltered and hid amidst the
thickest foliage ; they acquire their natural colo^ in about fifteen
days. Besides mice and rats, this si»ecies also preys on field-
mice, moles, and beetles. The plainti\ e cry or hollow moan-
ing made by this bird, •* cloui f/oiu/,'" incessantly repeated
during the night, so as to be troublesome where they frequent,
is very attractive to the larger birds, who out of curiosity and
for persecution assemble around this species when em])loyed
as a decoy, and are thus shot or caught by limed twigs.

This Owl occurs throughout temperate North America, and is a
common resident everywhere excepting along tlie northern limit of
its range, where it is less abundant, and appears in summer only.

SHORT-EARED OWL.

ASIO ACCIPITRIXUS.

'"har. Above, mottled with dark brown, tawny, and butlish white;
below, paler ; feet feathered ; ear-tufts inconspicuous. Some examples
arc much jjaler, as if the colors had faded. Length about 15 inches.

A'rst. On the ground amid tall grass, and cunipused of a few twigs and
a few feathers.

■^.V'V-'- 3"6 ; white and oval ; 1.60 X 1.20.

This is another of those nocturnal wanderers which now and
then arrive amongst iis from the northern regions, where they
usually breed. It comes to Hudson's Bay from the South
about May, where it makes a nest of dry grass on the groiuid,
and, as usual, has white eggs. After rearing its brood it de-
j)arts for the South in SejUember, and in its migrations has
been met with as far as New Jersey, near I'hiladelphia, where,
according to Wilson, it arrives in November and departs in
April. Pennant remarks that it has been met with in the

SHORT- HARK I) OWL.

southern continent of Anvrica at the Faikliind Islands, It is
likewise sjjread through every part of Iuiroi)e, and is common
in all the forests of Siberia; it also visits the Orkney Islands
and Ireland, and we have observed it at Atooi, one of the
Sandwich Islands, in the Pacific, as well as in the territory of
Oregon. In England it appears and disappears with the mi-
grations of the \\'oodcock. Its food is almost exclusively mice,
for which it watches, seated on a stump, with all the vigilance
of a cat, listening attentively to the low scjueak of its prey,
to which it is so much alive as to be sometimes brought in
sight by imitating the sound. It is readily attracted by the
blaze of nocturnal fires, and on such occasions has sometimes
had the blind temerity to attack men, and come so close to
combat as to be knocked down with sticks. When wounded
it also displays the same courageous ferocity, so as to be
dangerous to approach. In dark and cloudy weather it some-
times ventures abroad by daylight, takes short flights, and
when sitting and looking sharply round, it erects the short, ear-
like tufts of feathers on the head which are at other times
scarcely visible. Like all other migrating birds, roving indif-
ferently over the country in quest of food alone, these Owls
have sometimes been seen in considerable numbers together ;
Bewick even remarks that 28 of them had been counted at
once in a turnip-field in lilngland. They are also numerous in
Holland in the months of September and October, and in all
countries are ser%'iceable for the destruction they make among
house and field mice, their principal food. Although they
usually breed in high ground, they have also been observed in
Europe to nest in marshes, in the middle of the high herbage,
— a situation chosen both for safety and solitude.

This is one of the commonest of the New England Owls, and
has been supposed to l^reed in all the suitable marsh land along
tlie coast, but -Mr. William Brewster states that he knows -of no
.uithentic record of its breeding in any part of New England w ilhin
the past ten years." It ranges north to the fur countries, south to
the Gulf States and bevond, and west to the Faeific.

; 1

4 '

l^!

BARREL) OWL.

HOOT OWL.
SyRNIUM NtBULOSUM.

Char. Above, brown barred, spotted, and striped with dull gray or
tawny ; below, similar colors of paler tints ; face, gray stripes ; tail
barred ; iris brownish black ; bill yellow. Length jq^ to 24 inches.

Easily distinguished from all other species by its dark eyes.

jVi^st Usually in a hollow tree, but often a deserted nest of Crow or
Hawk is re-lined and used.

££^s. 2-4; white and nearly spherical ; 195 X 1.65.

This species inhabits the northern regions of both the old
and new continent, but with this difference, as in the Bald
Eagle, that in the ancient continent it seldom wanders be-
yond the Arctic circle, being found no farther to the south than
Sweden and Nonvay ; while in America it dwells and breeds
at least in all the intermediate region from Hudson's Bay to
Florida, being considerably more numerous even than other
species throughout the swamps and dark forests of the South-

BARRED OWL.

em States. I's food is principally rabbits, squirrels, (Irouso,
(Quails, rats, mice, and frogs. From necessity, as well as choice,
these birds not unfreciuently ajjpear around the farm-house and
garden in (juest of the poultry, particularly young chickens.
At these times they [jrowl abroad towards evening, c<\\u fly low
and steadily about, as if beating for their \nvy. Ii: Alabama,
(leorgia. West Florida, and Louisiana, where they abound, they
are often to be seen abroad by day, particula -iy in cloudy
weather, and at times even soar and fly with all the address of
diurnal birds of i)rey. Their loud guttural call of '/^o/i 'kok ' ko
ko, ho, or \i<hah 'ivJiah '-.uliali 'i^haJi-aa, may be heard occasion-
aUy both by day and night, and as a note of recognition, is
readily answered when mimicked, so as to decoy the original
towards the sound. One which 1 received, in the month of
December (1830), was hovering over a covey of (Quails in the
day-time : and though the sportsman had the same aim, the
Owl also joined the chase, and was alone deterred from his
sinister purj^ose by receiving the contents of the gun intendetl
only for the more fovorite game. When the young leave the
nest they still keep together for mutual warmth and safety in
the high, shaded branches of the trees where they have prob-
ably been hatched. On being approached by the parents,
they utter a hissing call audible for some distance. According
to Audubon, when kept in captivity they prove very useful
in catching mice. Their flesh is also eaten by the Creoles of
Louisiana, and considered as palatable.

/ .1 interesting article, containing the most valuable information
regarding the habits of this Owl tliat has yet been published, ap-
peared in " The Auk " for April, i<S9o. The writer, Air. Frank Bolles,
kept a pair for several years ; and one of these, having broken its
wing, was reduced to sucli subjection that Mr. Bolles was enabled
to make use of it in hunting for other birds, and thus gained
an insight into the bird's methods that no other naturalist has
equalled.

Note. —The Florida Barred Owl {S. nebulosum allcni).
a somewhat darker variety, is restricted to the Gulf States and
Florida.

BIRDS OK rktV.

SAW-WHET OWL.

ACADIAN' OWL.

NVCIALA ALAI>I''A.

C}i \R. Above, dark grayish brown spotted with white ; below, while,
spotted with reddish brown ; tail short, with three narrow bands of white
spoti^.
n

i reddi<h tint, and face with white

oiMig ahnost solid Ijrown o
laricings. Length 7 '4 to Sj^ inches.
A'lSL A hole in a tree (often in a hole that has been deserted by Wood-
peckers), lined with feathers.

-6 (usually 4) ; white; r 20 X 100.

Tliis very small si)ecnes is believed to be an inhabitant of the
northern regions of both continents, from which in Europe it
seldom wanders, being even very rare in the North of ( Germany.
In the United States it is not imcommon as far to the south as
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where k is resident, having a])-
])arently a predilection for the sea-coast, living and nesting in
the pine-trees or in the clefts of rocks, and laying 4 or 5
white eggs. It is generally nocturnal ; and if accidentally
abroad by day, it flies quickly to some shelter from the light.
It is very solitary in its habits, living wholly in the evergreen
forests, and coming out only towards night or early in the
morning in search of mice, beetles, moths, and grasshoppers.

The note of this species is \ery different from that of the
S/rix passcrina, or Little Owl, to which it is nearly related.
This latter kind has a reiterated cry, when flying, like poopoo
poopoo. Another note, which it utters sitting, appears so much
like the human voice calling out a'iiiii\ heme, edme, that accord-
ing to Pjuffon, it deceived one of his servants, who lodged in
one of the old turrets of the castle of Montbard : and waking
him up at three o'clock in the morning, with this singular cry,
he opened the window and called owl, ^' Who's thety />r/o7i> ?
J/v name is not Imxmk, but Peter ! "

The Saw-whet — called so from its note, which resembles the
filing of a saw — breeds from the Middle States northward to about
latitude 50°, but is not an abundant bird anywhere.

U \

I illL

^ It

RICHARDSON'S OWL.

SPARROW OWL.
NyCTALA TENGMALMl RICHARDSONI.

Char. Above, dark brown spotted with white ; beneath, white streaked
with brown; legs and feet buffy, sometimes spotted. Similar to the Saw-
whet, but with more white on head and neck. Length y tu 12 inches.

AVj/- In a tree ; of grass and leaves.

£g;^s. 2-4; white; 1.35 X M5-

This is a small and nocturnal species, and so much so that
when it accidentally \Vanders abroad by day it is so much daz-
zled by the light as to be rendered unable to make its escape
when surpri.sed, and may then be readily caught by the hand.
Its nocturnal cry consists of a single melancholy note repeated
at the long intervals of a minute or two : and it is one of the
superstitious practices of the Indians to whistle when they hear
it ; and if the bird remains silent after this interrogatory chal-
lenge, the speedy death of the inquirer is augured : and hence
among the Crees it has acquired the omnious appellation of
the Bird of Death {CheepomesVcs). According to M. Hutch-
ins, it builds a nest of grass half way up a pine-tree, and lays

BIRDS OF l'Ui:V.

i 1

2 eggs in tlu' month of May. It feeds on mice and beetles.
It i)rol)ably inhabits all the forests of the fur countries from
(ireat Slave I-ake to the United States, i )n the banks of the
Saskatchen-an it is so common that its voice is heard almost
rvcry night by the traveller wherever he may select his camp.
It inhabits the woods along the streams of the Rocky Moun-
tains down to the Oregon, and betrays but little suspicion
when ajiproached.

Kicliardson's Owl is usually a rare winter visitor to the Maritime
Trovinccs: but Mr. C. I>. Cory found it common and hrcecling on
the Magdalene Islands, and a few examples have been taken in
New Bruntiwick in summer.

It is common on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
tliougli rare near the city of (Quebec: it occurs sparingly in winter
along the northern border of New England and in southern Onta-
rio, and occasionally straggles to Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Thompson reports it common in Manitoba, audit is found through-
out the fur country. Mr. Nelson reports these birds breeding in
northern Alaska, where they occupy tlie fleserted nests of other
birds — usually on bushes.

Dr. Merriam. on the authority of Mr. Comeau, of Point de Monts,
describes the cry of this Owl as " a low liquid note that resembles
the sound produced by water slowly dropping from a height."

111

BARN OWL.

SlRlX PRA'lINCOLA.

Thar. Colors extremely variable. Above, usually yellowish tawny or
orange brown, clouded with darker tints and spotted with white ; beneatli,
buttish with dark spots; face white, tinged with tawny; bill whitish.
Some examples have but little marking on the back, and the face and
lower parts are pure white. Easily distinguished from other Owls by
peculiar facial disc. Length 15 to 21 inches.

A'i'sf. In barn or church tower or hollow tree, — usually the last. The
eggs are laid upon a mat of loosely lai^l twigs and weed-stems or grass.

^SS^- 3-"; white; 1.75 X 1.30.

There is scarcely any part of the world in which this com-
mon species is not fomid ; extending even to both sides of the
equator, it is met with in New Holland, India, and Brazil. It
is perhaps nowhere more rare than in this part of the United
States, and is only met with in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
in cold and severe winters. Nor is it ever so familiar as in
Europe, frequenting almost uniformly the hollows of trees.

lURDS ()| I'KKV.

In the old tontinont it is almost doiufstic, inhabiting even iiop-

iiloiis towns, and i-^ ])arti(ularly attac hed to towers, hillVies,

the roofs of churches, and other lofty iMiildings, which afford

it a retreat during the day. The elegant, graphic lines of

dray, describing its romantic haunt, are in the recollection of

every one, —

" From yniukr ivy-mantlcd tower
The moping Owl ilocs to tlif moon comi)lain
Of Mich as, wandcrin^i luar liei ^Ltrct Ijowcr,
Molest lur ancient solit.iiy r(.'ii;n "

Superstition laid aside, these Owls render essential ser\'i( e to
the farmer by ilestroying raice, rats, and shrews, which intest
houses and barns ; they also catch bats and beetles. I'hey
likewise clear churches of such \ermin. and now and then,
pressed by hunger, they have been known to sip, or rather eat.
the oil from the lamps when congealed by cold. A still more
extraordinary appetite, attribiUed to them, is that of catch-
ing fish, on which they fed their \oracious young. In autumn
also they have been known to pay a nightly visit to the places
where springes were laid for Woodcocks and Thrushes. The
former they killed and ate on the sjxjt : but sometimes carried
off the Thrushes and smaller birds, which, like mice, they either
swallowed entire, rejecting the indigestible parts by the bill,
or if too large, they ]jlucked o(( the feathers and then bolted
them whok, or only took them down piecemeal.

In fine weather they venture out into the neighboring woods
at night, returning to their usual retreat at the api)roach of
morning. When they first sally from their holes, their eyes
hardly well opened, they fly tumbling along almost to the
ground, and usually proceed side-ways in their course. In
severe seasons, 5 or 6, probably a family brood, are iliscov-
ered in the same retreat, or concealed in the* fodder of the
barn, where they find shelter, warmth, and food. The Ham
Owl drops her eggs In the bare holes of walls, in the joists
of houses, or in the hollows of decayed trees, and spreads
no lining to receive them ; they are 3 to 5 in number, of a
whitish color, and rather long than round.

MAkX OWI..

Wlu'n out abroad by <lay, like most of the other sj)c'(ies,
tliey arc niinierously atteiiilcd by the little gossipiii}; and insiilt-
itiL,' binU ol'tlic m-ij^hborhood ; and to add to their distraction,
it is not an uik onnnon practice, in the North of l!nf,'land, for
boys to set up a shout and follow the ( )\vl. who becomes so
di-afeni'd and stunm-d as at times nearly to fall down, and
thus become an easy prey to his persecutors. And the prob-
ability of such an effect will not be surprising when we con-
sider the delicacy and magnitude of the auditory a|)paratus of
this bird, the use of which is jjrobably necessary to discover
the otherwise silent retreats of their tiny l)rey. When taken
captive, according to l>unbn. tiiey do iKJt long survive the loss
of liberty, and pertinaciously refuse to eat, — a hal)it very differ-
ent from that of the young Red Owl. who allowed himself to
{k:k:{\ from my hand. an<l tugged greedily and tamely at the
morsel held out to him until he got it in his jjossession ; small
birds also he would instantly grasp in his talons, and hiss and
shai(\ sliair, when any attempt was matle to deprive him of his
booty.

'J he young of this species, when they have just attained their
growth, are. in France, considered good food, as they are then
fat and plump. When first hatched they are so white and
downy as almost entirely to resemble a powtler i)urf. At
Hudson's Hay a large ()\\\, resembling the cinereous, is like-
wise eaten, and esteemed a delicacy, according to Pennant.

The Hani Owl occurs regularly tiuiii the .Middle States south-
ward, though it is not aliundant north of South Carolina. .\ few
examples have been taken in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and
Mr. Mcllwraith reports that tour have been taken in Ontario.

IIIC

Ham

oists

eads

of a

lil.'

FLORIDA BURROWIN(i OWL.
Speotyto cunicularia floridana.

Char. Above, grayish brown spotted and barred with white ; below,
pale huffish barred with brown ; a patch of white on the breast ; legs long
and slender, and covered with huffish bristles. Length about to inches.

jVt'st. At the end of a burrow in the ground, lined with grass and
feathers.

/^,i,';i:s. 4-10; white, varying in shape, usually nearly round; i.::5
X 1.00.

This variety, which is found in Florida only, is smaller and lighter-
colored than is the well-known bird of the prairies. In habits the
two differ little, the Florida birds living in communities, — sometimes
several pairs in one burrow, — and feeding on mice and small birds.
The tales related of Burrowing Owls and rattlesnakes occupying
the same burrow are "hunter's tales,'' and lack confirmation.

■iir

Note. — The Western form of the Uurrowing Owl (S. cuni-
cularia hypogcea. has been taken in Massachusetts ; but its occur-
rence to the eastward of the Great Plains is accidental.

ili

xMEA DOW LARK.

FIELD LARK.

Sturxeli-a .ma(;\a.

Char. Above, grayish brown barred with black ; crown with medial
stripe of buff; lateral tail-feathers white; below yellow, sides darker
and spotted with brown ; black crescent on the breast. Length about
lo inches.

M:sf. Made of dry grass and placed amid a tuft of long grass in
a meadow ; often covered, and the opening placed at the side.

/t,:,%'s. 4-6; white, thickly spotted with reddish brown and lilac;
1.15 X .80.

This well-known harmless inhabitant of meadows and (>/(/
fields is not only found in every part of the United States, but
appears to be a resident in all the intermediate region, from
the frigid latitude of 53° and the territory of Oregon, to
the mild table-land of Mexico and the savannahs of Ouiana.
In the winter these birds abound in .Alabama and Westen

t ,

SINGING BIRDS.

Florida : so that in some degree, like the Jays and the legiti-
mate Starlings, they partially migrate in quest of food during
the severity of the weather in the colder States. It is not, how-
ever, improbable but that most of the migrating families of these
birds, which we find at this season, have merely travelled east-
ward from the cokl Western plains that are annually covered
with snow. They are now seen in considerable numbers in and
round the salt-marshes, roving about in Hocks of ten to thirty
or more, seeking the shelter of the sea-coast, though not in
such dense flocks as the true Starlings ; these, in the manner of
our common lUackbirds, assemble in winter like dark clouds,
moving as one body, and when about to descend, perform [)ro-
gressive circular evolutions in the air like a phalanx in the
order of battle ; and when settled, blacken the earth with their
numbers, as well as stun the ears with their chatter. Like
Crows also, they seek the shelter of reed- marshes to pass the
night, and in the day take the benefit of every sunny and shel-
tered covert.

Our Starling, like the American Quail, is sociable, and some-
what gregarious ; and though many, no doubt, wander some
distance after food, yet a few, in Pennsylvania as well as in
this rigorous climate, may be seen in the market after the
ground is covered with snow. Wilson even observed them
in the month of February, during a deep snow, among the
heights of the Alleghanies, gleaning their scanty pittance on
the road, in company with the small Snow Birds.

The flesh of our bird is white, and for size and delicacy it is
considered little inferior to the Partridge ; but that of the Euro-
pean species is black and bitter.

'Ihe flight of these Farks is laborious and steady, like that
of the (^uail, with the action of the wings renewed at short in-
tervals. They often alight on trees, and select usually the main
branches or topmost twigs on which to perch, though their food
is commonly collected from the groimd. .At various times of
the ilay. and nearly through the wi .ter, in the milder States,
their very peculiar lisi)ing. long, and rather melancholy note is
heard at short intervals ; and without the variations, which are

MKADOW LARK.

not inconsiderable, bears some resemblance to the slender sing-
ing and affected pronunciation of it se da' ah. and pSi'Jce etsiho,
or tai seiiiiio in a slow, wiry, shrill tone, and sometimes differ-
ently varied and shortened. 'Ihe same simple ditty is repeated
in the sjiring. when they associate in pairs ; the female also, as
she rises or descends, at this time frequently gives a reiterated
guttural chirp, or hurried twitter, like that of the female Red-
winged Blackbird. I have likewise at times heard them utter
notes much more musical and vigorous, not very unlike the fme
tones of the Sky I, ark ; but I can by no means compare our
lisi)ing songster with that blithe " harbinger of day." There
is a monotonous affectation in the song of our I,ark which
ajjpears indeed somewhat allied to the jingling, though not
unjjleasant, tune of the Starling. The Stare, moreover, had the
faculty of imitating human speech (which ours has W(A, as far
as we yet know), and could indifferenlly speak e\en French,
English, (ierman, Latin, and Greek, or any other language
within his hearing, and repeat short i)hrases; so that " ' I can't
'^ct out. I can t get out,' says the Starling," which accidentally
afforded Sterne such a beautiful and pathetic subject for his
graphic pen. was probably no fiction.

At the time of pairing, our Lark exhibits a little of the
jealous disposition of his tribe ; and having settled the dispute
which decides his tiiture condition, he retires from his fra-
ternity, and, assisted by his mate, selects a thick tuft for the
reception of his nest, which is pretty compact, made of dry,
wiry grass, and lined with finer blades of the same. It is
usually formed with a covered entrance in the surrounding
withered grass, through which a hidden and almost winding
])ath is made, and generally so well concealed that the nest is
only to be found when the bird is flushed.

The eggs are four or five, white, with a very faint tint of
blue, almost round, and rather large, for the size of the bird,
marked with numerous small reddish-brown spots, more nu-
merous at the greater end, blended with other lighter and
darker points and small spots of the same. They [jrobably
often raise two broods in the season. .About the time of
VOL. 1. — 6

S \

SINGING 151 KDS.

1 1'

I ; i

I ■

pairinc:, in the latter end of the month of April, they have
a (all. like 'A////, /zccc, the latter syllable in a fine and slender
tone. — something; again allied to the occasional notes of the
Ked-winged Ijlackbird, to which genus (/(■/<■ /u.^ ) .>nr Stiirnella
is ncjt very remotely allied. Towards the close of June little
else is heard from the si)ecies but the nois\- iwitter of the
female. ])rece(led by a hoarse and sonorcjus '//////' or y '//>. ac-
(■oni])anied by an im])atient raising ami lowering of the wings,
and, in short, all the unpleasant and ])etulant actions of a
brood-hen, as she is now assiduously engaged in fostering
and sui)porting her helpless and dejjendent offs}:)ring.

Their food consists of the larva: of various insects, as well as
worms, beetles, and grass-seeds, to assist the digestion of
which they swallow a considerable portion of gravel. It does
not appear that these birds add berries or fruits of any kind
to their fare, like the Starling, but usually remain the whole
summer in moist meadows, and in winter retire to the open
grassy woods, having no inclination to rob the orchard or gar-
den, and, except in winter, are of a shy. timid, and retiring
disi^osition.

In the Kast the Meadowlark seldom ranges north of latitude 43^.
I met witli but one example in New Brunswick, and learn that it is
rari' near Montreal. It is common around Ottawa and tlu-QUghout
southern Ontario. In winter thes-. iiirds are found occasionally as
tar north as southern New England and Illinois.

NoTK. — A larg r and paler form, named the Western Mead-
owL.AKK. (.S'. //lai^iiii nci^lecta), occurs in Wisconsin. Illinois, and
Iowa: and Mr. W. E. I). Scott has lately announced that the birds
found in southwestern fdorifla should be referred to nuxhaud. the
,Mi".xi(AN Meadowi.akk, which is the smallest of the three.

A stray .Staki-1\« {Sfitnnis -I'u/j^aris) is said to have wandered
from luirope to Oeenland : and some sixty were imported aufl
released in Central Park, New York, in 1890. They are tliriving
and increasing, giving evidence of al)ility to withstand the winter
storm.

.\ Tkoui'IAI. {hlcnis icterus), a Soutli .American bird, was
taken by Audubon near Charleston, .S. C.

'^■?:>.^.yi '^'"^.j

*>- / 'ilLL --"^t "-1

>\X'-ir^'~

'I'lA

(^^^"^-J

BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
golden robin. hang-nest. fire bird.
Icterus galbula.

Char. Male : head, neck, throat, back, wings, and greater part of
tail black ; wing-coverts and secondaries tipped with white ; other parts
orange. T?ill and feet blue black. Female : smaller and paler, some-
times the black replaced by olive brown or grayish orange. Voung
similar to female. Length 7 to 8 inches.

A'est. Pensile and purse-shaped, 6 to S inches deep, suspended from
e.vtremity of branch 10 to 50 feet from the ground, composeo uf yarn,
string, horsehair, grass, etc., woven into a compact te.\ture.

Eggs. 4-6; dull white, blotched irregularly with dark brown ; .yo X . 60.

SrXOIN'G BIRDS.

'I'hese gay, lively, and brilliant strangers, leaving their hi-
bernal retreat in South America, appear in New luigland about
the first week in IVIay, and more than a month earlier in I,oui-
siana, according to the observations of Audul)on. They were
not seen, however, in West Florida by the middle of March,
althiKigh vegetation had then so far advanced that the oaks
were in leaf, and the white flowering cornel was in full
blossom.

It is here that they pass the most interesting period of their
lives ; and their arrival is hailed as the sure harbinger of
approaching summer. Full of life and activity, these fiery
sylphs are now seen vaulting and darting incessantly through
the lofty boughs of our tallest trees ; appearing and vanishing
with restless inquietude, and flashing at quick intervals into
sight from amidst the tender waving foliage, they seem like
living gems intended to decorate the verdant garment of the
new-clad forest. But the gay Baltimore is neither idle nor
capricious ; the beautiful small beetles and other active-winged
insects on which he now principally feeds are in constant mo-
tion, and require perpetual address in their capture. At first
the males only arrive, but without appearing in flocks ; their
mates are yet behind, and their social delight is incomplete.
I'hey appear to feel this temporary bereavement, and in shrill
and loud notes they fife out their tender plaints in quick suc-
cession, as they pry and spring through the shady boughs for
their tiny and eluding prey. They also now spend much time
in the apple-trees, often sipping honey from the white blossoms,
over which they wander with peculiar delight, continually roving
amidst the sweet and flowery profusion. The mellow whistled
notes which they are heard to trumpet from the high branches
of our tallest trees and gigantic elms resemble, at times,
^fshippe-tshayia too too, and sometimes ^tshippee 'tshippce
(lisj)ingly), too too (with the two last syllables loud and full).
These notes are also varied by some birds so as to resemble
'tsh 'tsh Usheetshoo tshoo tshoo,^ also 'tsh 'tshcrfd 'fsheefd ^tsheefd

' Tlie first three of these notes are derived from tlie Summer Yellow Hird,
tliougli not its most usual tones,

i»

BALTIMORK ORIOLE.

low 15iid,

tshoo and ^k'tuf a tuf a ti'tf ii //</ /vv/i ,' another bird I have
occasionally heard to (all for hours, with sonic little variation,
/// /eo t7'o ico tto totK in a loud, (lueruloiis, and yet almost lu-
dicrously merry stiain. At other intervals the sensations of
solitude seem to stimulate sometimes a loud and interrog-
atory note, echoed forth at intervals, as k' ny kcny f and
terminating i)laintively k'yry k'rry k'rrx, tu; the voice falling
off very slenderly in the last long syllable, which is a])j)arently
an imitation from the Cardinal (Irosbeak, and the rest is de-
rive<l from the Crested Titmouse, whom they have already
heard in concert as they passed through the warmer States,
Another interrogatory strain whi( h I heard here in tlie spring
of 1830 was precisely. \\ip k'rry. '1//. 'v// k'iry, very loud and
oft repeated. Another male went in his ordinary key, tsherry
tskeny, tsJi'ipcc ts/i' riy, — notes copied from the exhaustless stock
of the Carolina Wren (also heard on his passage), but modu-
lated to suit the fancy of our vocalist. The female likewise
sings, but less agreeably than the male. One which I had
abundant opi)ortunity of observing, while biisiec' in the toil of
weaving her complicated nest, every now and then, as a ri'lief
from the drudgery in which she was solely engaged, sung, in a
sort of querulous and rather plaintive strain, the strange, un-
couth syllables, ^ka 'kcd koTii'd. krka kcka, the final tones loud
and vaulting, which I have little doul)t were an imitation of the
discordant notes of some South .Xmerican bird. l'\:r many
days she continued this tune at intervals without any variation.
The male, also while seeking his food in the same tree with his
mate, or while they are both attending on their unfledged
brood, calls frequently in a low, friendly whisjjcr, 't7vait, he' it.
Indeed, all the individuals of either sex ap])ear ]K'rtinaciously
to adhere for weeks to the same quaint syllables which they
have accidentally collected.

This bird then, like the Starling, appears to have a taste for
mimicry, or rather for sober imitation. A Cardinal Crosbeak
hajjpcning, very unusually, to pay us a visit, his harmonious

' Tlie last phrase loud and ascundini;. tlu- tra plaintive, and the last syllable
tender and cclioini,'.

SrN(;iN(; BIRDS.

i 1

:,'

and bold whistle struck upon the ear of a Baltimore with great
delight; and from that moment his ordinary notes were laid
aside for '700//, 'jooit, kii, and other phrases previously foreign
to him for that season. I have likewise heard another individ-
ual exactly imitating the soft and somewhat plaintive i'lt yit,
7'}f yiii of the same bird, and in the next breath the /r«/. or
call of Wilson's Thrush ; also at times the earnest song of the
Robin. Indeed his variations and imitations have sometimes
led me to believe that I heard several new and melodious
birds, and I was only undeceived when I beheld his brilliant
livery. So various, in fact, are the individual phrases chanted
by this restless and lively bird that it is scarcely possible to fix
on any characteristic notes by which he may be recognized ;
his singular, loud, and almost plaintive tone, and a fondness
for harpmg long on the same string, are perhaps more peculiar
than any particular syllal)les which he may be heard to utter.
When alarmed or offemled at being too closely watched or
approached, both male and female utter an angry, rattling /shcr
tsh'r, or hiss. tsJC ish' tsIC 'tsh.

The beautiful Baltimore bird is only one of the tribe of true
Icteri, which, except the present and two following species,
remain within the tropical regions, or only migrate to short
distances in the rainy season. Ours wing their way even
into Canada as for as the 55 th degree, and breed in every
intermediate region to the tabledand of Mexico. A yellow
lira/ilian s])ecies of the section of this genus, called cassicus,
according to \\'aterton inhabits also Demerara, where, like our
bird, he familiarly weaves his pendulous nest near the planter's
house, susj)ending it from the drooping branches of trees, and
so low that it may be readily looked into even by the incu-
rious. Omnivorous like the Starling, he feeds equally on insects,
fruits, and seeds. He is called the Mocking P)ird. and for hours
together, in gratitude as it were for protection, he serenades
the inhabitants with his imitative notes. His own song, though
short, is sweet and melodious. But hearing perhaps the yelp-
ing of the Toucan, he drops his native strain to imitate it, or
place it in ridicule by contrast. Again, he gives the cackling

RALTIMORK (JRFOLE.

«7

antcr's

cries of the Wooflperkcr, the bleating of the sheep ; an inter-
val of his own melody, then i)rohal)ly a IHi|)i)y <iog or a Ciuinea-
fowl receives his usual attention : and the whule of this mim-
icry is accompanied by antic gestures in(Ucative of the si)ort
and com]>any which these vagaries afford hnn. Hence we see
that the mimicking talent of the Stare is inherent m this
branch of the gregarious family, and our own IJaUimore, in a
humbler style, is no less delighted with the notes of his feathered
neighbors.

There is nothing more remarkable in the whole instinct of
our (iolden Robin than the ingenuity displayed in the fabrica-
tion of its nest, which is, in fact, a pendulous cylinilric jiouj h
of five to seven inches in depth, usually su>5pende(l from near
the extremities of the high, tlrooping branches of trees (such
a* the elm, the ])ea.r or apple tree, wild-cherry, weeping-wilhnv,
tijliji-iree. or buttonwood). It is begiui by firmly fastening
natural strings of the llax of the silk-weed, or swamp-holyhock,
or stout artificial threads, round tuo or more forked twigs,
corrcs7->onding to the intended width and depth of the nest.
With the same materials, willow down, or any accidental ravel-
lings, strings, thread, sewing-silk, tow. or wool, that may be
lying near the neighboring houses, or rounfl the grafts of trees,
il interweaves and fabricates a sort of coarse cloth into the
form intended, towards the bottom of which is placed the
real nest, made chiefly of lint, wiry grass, horse and cow hair,
sometimes, in defect of hair, lining the interior with a mixture
of slender strips of smooth vine-bark, and rarely with a few
feathers, the whole being of a considerable thickness, and
more or less attached to the external jjouch. Over the top,
the leaves, as they grow out, form a verdant and agreeable
canopy, defending the young from the sun and rain. There is
sometimes a considerable difference in the manufacture of
these nests, as well as in the materials which enter into their
composition. Both sexes seem to be equally adepts at this
sort of labor, and I have seen the female alone perform the
whole without any assistance, and the male also complete this
laborious task nearly without the aid of his consort, — who, how-

it i

cS8

si\(;i\(; iMKns.

|H:

Jlii

ever, in general, is the i)rin(ii)al worki r. 1 have observed a
nest made almost wholly of tow, \vhi< h was laid out for the
convenience of a male bird, who with this aid ((^mpleted his
labor in a \ery sh(^rt time, and frecjnently sang in a very ludi-
crous manner while his mouth was loaded with a mass larger
tiian his head. So eager are these birds to obtain fibrcMis ma-
terials that they will readily tug at and even untie hard knots
made of tow. In Audubon's magnificent plates a nest is rep-
resented as formed outwardly of the long-moss ; where this
abounds, of course, the labor of obtaining materials must be
greatly abridged. The author likewise remarks that the whole
fabric consists almost entirely of this material, loosely inter-
woven, without any warm lining, — a labor which our ingenious
artist seems aware would be superfluous in the warm forests of
the lower MississipjM. A female, which I obsetved attentively,
carried off to her nest a piece of lamp-wick ten or twelve feet
long. This long string, and many other shorter ones, were left
hanging out for about a week before both the ends were wat-
tled into the sides of the nest. Some other little birds, making
use of similar materials, at times twitched these flowing ends,
and generally brought out the busy Baltimore from her occuj)a-
tion in great anger.

The haste and eagerness of one of these airy architects,
which I accidentally observed on the banks of the Suscpie-
hanna, appeared likely to prove fatal to a busy female who,
in weaving, got a loop round her neck ; and no sooner was she
disengaged from this snare than it was slipped round her feet,
and thus held her fast beyond the power of escape ! The male
came frequently to the scene, now changed from that of joy
and hope into despair, but seemed wholly incapable of com-
prehending or relieving the distress of his mate. In a second
instance I have been told that a female has been observed
dead in the like predicament.

The eggs of this species are usually four or five, white, with
a fliint, indistinct tint of bluish, and marked, chiefly at the
greater end, though sometimes scatteringly, with straggling,
serpentine, dark-l)rown lines and spots, and fainter hair streaks,

« f

BALTIMOKK ORIOIK.

ends,

li)()king sonictimcs almost like real hair, and ocrasionally lined
only, and without the spots. The period ot' incubation is four-
teen days. In Louisiana, according to Audubon, tlu\ tre-
(juently raise two broods in the season, arrivinjf in that country
with the opening of the early spring. Here they raise but a
single brood, whose long and tedious support in their lofty
< radle absorbs their whole attention ; and at this interesting
period they seem, as it were, to live only to protect, cherish,
and echicate their young. 'I'he first and general cry which the
infant brood utter while yet in the nest, and nearly able to
take wing, as well as for some days atter, is a kind of f'-,iiii tr-
tiiii, te-iiiii, kai-tl'-te-tiiii, or 'te 'tc'te ' tc 7/ 't-dii/, which becomes
<:lamorous as the parents approach them with food. They soon
also acquire the scolding rattle and short notes which they
])robably hear around them, su'h as puf-u'Cft, the cry of the
spotted Sandpiper, and others, and long continue to be assidu-
ously fed and guarded by their "ery affectionate and devoted
parents. Unfortunately, this contrivance of instinct to secure
the airy nest from the dei)redations of rajjacious monkeys, and
other animals which fre([uent trees in warm or mild climates,
is also occasionally attended with serious accidents, when the
young escape before obtaining the perfect use of their wings.
They cling, however, with great tenacity either to the nest or
neighboring twigs; yet sometimes they fall to the ground, and,
if not killed on the spot, soon become a prey to numerous
enemies. On such occasions it is painful to hear the jilaints
and wailing cries of the parent^. And when real danger offers,
the generous and brilliant male, though much the less queru-
l(jus of the two, steps in to save his brood at every hazard : and
I have known one so bold in this hopeless defence as to suffer
himself to be killed, by a near approach with a stick, rather
than desert his offspring. Sometimes, after this misfortune, or
when the fell cat has devoured the helpless brood, day after
day the disconsolate parents continue to bewail their loss.
They almost forget to eat amidst their distress, and after leav-
ing the unhappy neighborhood of their bereavement, they still
come, at intervals, to visit and lament over the fatal spot, as if

si\(;iN(; niRDs.

I t

spcll-bonnd by despair. If the season l)e not too far advanced,
the loss of their eggs is generally soon rejiaired by constructing
a se< ond nest, in which, however, the eggs are fewer.

'Ilu- true Oriole {(). <;^ir//>///ii), whkh migrates into Africa,
■A\)i\ passes the breeding season in the centre of l-airope. also
makes a pendulous nest, ami displays great courage in the de-
fence oi Its young, being so attac hed to its progeny that the
female lias been taken and conveyed to a cage on her eggs, on
which, with resolute and fatal instinct, she remained faithfully
sitting until she expired.

The Baltimore bird, though naturally shy and suspicious,
]jrobably for greater security from more dangercnis enemies,
generally chooses for the nest the largest and tallest s|)reading
trees near farm-houses, and along frecpiented lanes and roads ;
and trusting to the maccessibleness of its ingenious mansion,
it works fearlessly and scarcely studies concealment. IJut
as soon as the young are hatched, here, towards the close of
June, the whole fuiiily begin to leave the immediate neighbor-
hood of their < ares, flit thnjugh the woods, — a shy. roving, and
nearly silent train ; and when ready for the distant journey be-
fore them, about the end of August or beginning of September,
the whole at once disappear, and probably arrive, as with us,
amidst the forests of South America in a scattered flock, and
( ontinue, like Starlings, to pass the winter in celibacy, wholly
engaged in gleaning a quiet subsistence until the return of
si)rin<:. Then, incited by instinct to prepare for a more pow-
erful ]»assion, they again wing their way to the regions of the
north, where, but for this wonderful instinct of migration, the
whole rare would jjcrish in a single season. As the sexes
usually arrive in different flocks, it is evident that the conjugal
tie ceases at the period of migration, and the choice of mates
is renewed with the season ; during which the males, and
sometimes also the females, carry on their jealous disputes
with much obstinacy.

That our Oriole is not familiar with us, independent of the
all-powerful natural impulse which he obeys, is sufficiently
obvious when he nests in the woods. Two of these solitary

I *

BAI.TIMORK OKK.I.K.

ently

litarv

;tn(l ri'tiniiL' |)air«. h.nl tin-. suiiumT, contr-ir)' to tlu'ir u-.ual
habits, taken ti|i their alxxlc in the lofty hranehes of a gij,Mnti<-
IJiittMiiwood ill thi' for-'.t. Am soon as we appeared thev took
the alarm, and niuained uneasy and irritable until we wi-re
wholly oiu of ^iuht. Others. a,:,Min, \i>it the heart of the popu-
lous ciiy, and ]»our forth their wild and plaintive songs from the
trees which dirorate the streets and gardens, aniiil the din of
the i)assing crowd and the tinnult of incessant and noisy oc( 11-
pations. Audubon remarks that their migrations are pertormeil
singly and during the day, and that they proceed high, and tl)
straight and continuous.

The food of the IJaltimorc ap|)earsto be small caterpillar^. —
sometimes those of the a])ple-trees, — some uncommon kinds
of b< etles, cimices, and small tlies, like a spe( ies (;f c)iiips.
( )ceasionally I have sei-n an individual collecting Clciin/iii hy
the sides of sandy and gravelly roads. 'I'hey feetl their y(Kmg
usually with sott caterpillars. whi( h they swallow, and disgorge
on arriving at tin iu'>t : and in this necessary toil both sexes
assiduously unit<:. 'i'hey seldi^m UKjlest any of the fruits of our
gardens, e\ce])t a few cherries and mulberries, aiul are the
most harmless, useful, beauiit'ul, and conunon birds of the
countrv. 'I'heN' are. howi\cr. accused of sometimes accom-
panving their voung to the garden peas, which they devour
while small ami gri'en ; and being now partly gregarious, the
damage they commit is at times rendered visible. Occasionally
thev are seen in cages, being chietly ted on soaked bread, or
meal and water ; they aji'pear al>o tond of cherries, straw-
berries, currants, raisins, ami tigs, so that we may justly
consider them, like the ("assicans and Starlings, as omniNorous,
though in a less degree. They sing and apjjear lively in con-
finement or domestication, and become very (hjcile, playful,
and friendly, even going in and out of the house, and some-
times alighting at a whistle on the hand of their protector.
The young for a while re(|uire to be fed on animal food alone,
and the most suitable appears to be tresh minced meat, soaked
in new milk. In this way they may be easily raised almost
from the first hatching ; but at this time vegetable substances

SINGING lURDS.

appear to afifoid them no kind of nutrition, and at al! times
they will thrive better if indulged with a little animal food or
insects, as well as hard-boiled eggs.

The summer range of this beautiful bird in the fur countries
extends to the 55th degree of latitude, arriving on the plains
of the Saskatchewan, according to Richardson, about the loth
of May, or nearly as eariy as their arrival in Massachusetts.
I'hose which thus visit the wilds of Canada in all probability
proceed at once from Mexico, or ascend the great valley of
the Mississippi and Missouri.

I have had a male bird in a state of domestication raised from
the nest very readily on fresh minced meat soaked in milk.
When established; his ] rinci])al food was scalded Indian corn-
meal, on which he fed vontentedly, but was also fond of sweet
cakes, insects of all ■ 'escriptions, and nearly every kind of fruit.
In short, he ate everything he would in a state of nature, and
did not refuse to taste and eat of everything but the condi-
ments which enter into the multifarious diot of the human
species : he was literally omnivorous.

No bird could become more tame, allowing himself to be
handled with patient indifference, and sometimes with play-
fulness. The singular mechanical apjjlication of his bill was
remarkable, and explains at once the ingenious art employed
by the species in weaving their nest. If the folded hand was
presented to our familiar Oriole, he endeavored to open it by
inserting his pointed and straight bill betwixt the closed fingers,
and then by pressing open the bill with great muscular for< e,
in the manner of an opening pair of compasses, he contrived,
if the force was not great, to open the hand and examine its
contents. If brought to the face he did the same with the
mouth, and would try hard to open the closed teeth. In this
way, by ])ressing open any yielding interstice, he could readily
insert the threads of his nest, and ])ass them through an infinity
of openings, so as to form the ingenious net- work or basis of his
suspensory and procreant cradle.

This is a familiar bird throughout the greater part of this faunal
province nortli to the soutliern portions of Ontario and Quebec,

ORCIIAKK ORIOI.L:.

and it occurs sparingly in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It
winters southward to I'ananui.

Note. - A single example of Btllock's Okiolk [h tents
(?!(//(hJ:i), which was shot near Bangor, Maine, in l88g. gives thus
species a right to be mentioned here. TIjc usual habitat ol thi.«>
species is between the eastern base of the Rockies and the Bacitic
coast.

ORCHARD ORIOLE.

ICTF.Rl'S SPIRIUS.

Char. Male : head, neck, back, wings, and tail black ; other parts
chestnut, deepest on breast. Female: yellowish olive inclining to brown ;
wings dusky brown with 2 white bands , beneath, olive yellow. Voung
similar to female. Length 6 to 7 '4 inches.

A'c'st. A handsome basket-like structure, aliout 4 inches in depth,
composed of grasses woven into a smooth lirm fabric, and lined with
feathers or other soft material. It is sometimes partly supported in the
forks of small twigs, and often entirely pendent. Usually about 10 feet
fiom the ground and near the em! of the branch.

^j,'^'-'- 3~^ (generally 4) ; white with blue or green tint, irregularly
marked with lilac and brown ; .So X 60.

This smaller and plainer species has many of the habits of
the Baltimore l)ird, and arrives in Pennsylvania about a week
later. They enter the southern boundary of the United States
early in March, and remain there until October. They do not
however. I believe, often migrate farther north and ea^i than
the State of Connecticut. I have never seen or heard of them
in Massachusetts, any more than my scientific frientl. and close
observer, Mr. C. Bickering, 'iheir stay in the I'nited States, it
a|)])ears from \Vilson, is little more than four months, as they
retire to South America early in September, or at least do not
winter in the Southern States. .According to my friend Mr.
U'are. they breed at Augusta, in (ieorgia ; and Mr. Say ob-
ser\-ed the Orchard Oriole at Major Long's winter quarters on
tlie banks of the Missouri. Audubon has also obser\'ed the
species towards the sources of the Mississippi, as well as in the
State of Maine. The same author likewise remarks that their

SINCIXCi BIRDS.

northern migrations, like those of the llaUimore bird, ire ])cr-
formed by (hiy, and that the males arrive a week or ten (hivs
sooner than their mates. They aj)pear to affect the eiexated
and airy regions of the Alleghany mountains, where thev are
much more numerous than the IJaltimore.

The Orchard Oriole is an exceedingly active, sprighth'. and
restless bird ; in the same instant almost, he is on the ground
after some fallen insect, fluttering amidst the foliage of the
trees. i:)rying and springing after his lurking prey, or flvini^ and
tuning his lively notes in a manner so hurried, rr.pid, and
seemingly confused that the ear is scarce able to thread out
the shrill and lively tones of his agitated ditty. Ik'tween these
hurried attempts he also gives others, which are distinct and
agreeable, and not unlike the sweet warble of the Red-ljreasted
Orosbeak, though more brief and less varied. In choosing the
situation of his nest he is equally familiar with the Baltimore
Oriole, and seems to enjoy the general society of his species,
suspending his most ingenious and pensile fabric from the
bending twig of the apple-tree, which, like the nest of the
other, is constructed in the form of a pouch from three to five
inches in depth, according to the strength or flexibility of the
tree on which he labors ; so that in a weeping-willow, according
to Wilson, the nest is one or two inches deeper than if in an
apple-tree, to obviate the danger of throwing out the eggs and
young by the sweep of the long, pendulous branches. It is
likewise slighter, as the crowding leaves of that tree afford a
natural shelter of considerable thickness. 'I'hat economy of
this kind should be studied by the Orchard Oriole will scarcely
sur])rise so much as the laborious ingenuity and beautiful tissue
of its nest. It is made exteriorly of a fine woven mat of long,
tough, and flexible grass, as if darned with a needle. The
form is hemisjjherical, and the inside is lined with downy
substances, — sometimes the wool of the seeds of the Button-
wood, — forming th -s a commodious and soft bed for the young.
This precaution of a warm lining, as in the preceding species.
is, according to Audubon, disj^ensed with in the warm climate
of Louisiana. The eggs are 4 or 5. of a very pale bluish

ill

()RCIIAR1> ORIOLK.

tint, with a few points of brown, and spots of dark ])iirpli.',
chiefly disi)osed at the greater end. 'I'he feniah- sit-> al)()'ii
14 days, and the young continue in the nest \o (hiys before
thcv become (luaUfied to flit along with their parmts ; but
they are generally seen abroatl about the middle of June.
Previously to their departure, the young, leaving the care of
their parents, become gregarious, and assemble sometimes in
flocks of separate sexes, from 30 to 40 (jr upwards, — in ihc
South frequenting the savannahs, feeding much on crickets,
grasshoi)pers, and spiders ; and at this season their flesh i?> much
esteemed by the inhabitants. Wilson found them easy to raise
from the nest, but does not say on what they were fed, though
they probably require the same treatment as the Ikiltimore
Oriole. According to Audubon, thev sing with great liveliness

o ',00

in cages, being fetl on rice and dry fruits when fresh caimot be
procured. Their ordinary diet, it appears, is caterpillars and
insects, of which they destroy great cjuantities. In the course
of the season they likewise feed on various kinds of juicy fruits
and berries ; but their depredations on the fruits of the orchard
are very unimportant.

This is a summer visitor throughout the Eastern State--,, though
not common north of tlie Connecticut valley. It occurs regularly
but sparingly in Massachusetts and soUtiiern (3ntario. and has been
taken in Maine and New Brunswick. It breeds southward to tiie
Gulf States, and in winter ranges into Central America.

Mr. Chapman describes the voice of this Oriole as " unusually
rich and flexible," and adds, •• he uses it with rare skill and ex
pression."

M ' !

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.

Agelaius phceniceus.

f'HAR. Ma'e ; black; lesser wing-coverts vermilion, bordered with
bull". Female; above, blackish brown streaked with paler and grayish ;
lower parts dusky white streaked with reddish brown ; sometimes wing-
covcrts have a reddish tinge. Young like female, but colors deeper.
Length 'Yz to lo inches.

Xcst. In a tuft of grass or on a bush; composed of grass, leaves, and
mud, lined with soft grass.

^«s^- i~i\ color varies from bluish white to greenish blue, blotched,
streaked, and spotted with lilac and dark brown ; size variable, average
about 1. 00 X .90.

The Red-Winged Troopial in summer inhabits the whole of
North .America from Nova Scotia to Mexico, and is foinid in
the interior from the 53d degree across the whole continent to
the shores of the Pacific and along the coast as far as Cali
fornia. They are migratory north of Maryland, but pass the
winter and summer in great numbers in all the Southern States,
frequenting chiefly the settlements and rice and corn fields ;
towards the sea-coast, where they move about like blackening
clouds, rising suddenly at times with a noise like thunder, and
exhibiting amidst the broad shadows of their funereal plumage
the bright flashing of the vermilion with which their wings are
so singularly decorated. After whirling and waving a little
distance like the Starling, they descend as a torrent, and, dark-

RED-WIXCir.n IU,ACKr.IKI>.

lole of
3iind in
nent to

Cali-
iss the
States,
fields ;
keninii;
er, and
umage
ngs are
a little

dark-

ening the branches of the trees by their numbers, tliey com-
mence a general concert that may be heard for more than two
miles. This music seems to be something betwixt chattering
and warbling, - jingling li(iui(l notes ]\kv those of the liobolink,
with their peculiar /:(>//i:^-<///rj-jrL' :uu\ hi>h a li\ (>-/>(>/> li he : then
complainmg chirps, jars, and sounds like saw-filing, or the
motion of a sign-board on its rusty hinge ; the whole constitu-
tmg a novel and sometimes grand chorus oi discord and
harmony, in which the i)erformers seem in good earnest, and
bristle up their feathers as if inclined at least to make up in
quantity what their show of music may lack in quality.

W'h 11 their food begins to fail in the fields, they assemble
with the Purple (irakles very familiarly around the corn-cribs
and in the barn-yards, greedily and dexterously gleaning uj)
everything within their reach. In the UKjuth of March Mr.
lUillock fountl them verv numerous and liold near the citv of
Mexico, where thev followed the mules to steal a tithe of their
barley.

I'>(jm the beginning of March to April, according to the
nature of the season, they begin to visit the Northern States in
scattered parties, tlying chieily in the morning. As they wing
their way they seeni to relieve their mutual toil by friendly
chatter, and being the harbingers of r-jjring, their faults are
forgot in the instant, and we cannot help greeting them as old
acquaintances \\: q^ite of their ])redatory ])r(j])ensities. Selec-
tinur their accustomed resort, thev make the low meadows
resound again with their note^, pirtieularly in tlie morning and
evening before retiring to or leaving the ro(jst ; previous to
settling themselves for the night, and before parting in the
day, they seem all t(j join in a general chorus of liijuid warb-
ling tones, which would be very agreeable but for the inter-
ru])tion of the ])Iaints and jarring sounds with which it is
blended. '1 hey continue to feed in small ])arties in swami)s
and by sU)w streams and ponds till the middle or close of
.\pril, when they begin to separate in ])airs. Sometimes, how-
ever, they appear to be ])artly ])olygamous, like their cotisins
the ("ow Troopials : as amidst a numl)er of females engaged in
vol.. f. — 7

If;

SINC.IXd P.IKDS.

incubalicii, but few of the other sex apjiear associated with
them ; and as among the liobolinks, sometimes two or three of
the males may be seen in chase of an incUvidual of the other
sex, but without making any contest or show of jealous feud
with each other, as a concubinage rather than any regular
mating seems to jirevail among the species.

Assembled again in their native marshes, the mole perched,
upon the summit of some bush surrounded by water, in com-
pany with his mates, now sings out, at short intervals, his
guttural ko)i\:^-(]ncr-n'c, sharply calls ftshcali, or when disturbed,
pl.iiiui\ely utters ^tfshay : io which his companions, not insen-
sible to these odd attentions, now and then return a gratulatory
cackle or reiterated chir}), like that of the native Meadcnv
Lark. As a pleasant and novel, tJKjugh not unusual, accomi>a-
niment, perhaps the great bull-tVog elevates his green head
and brassy eyes h'om the stagnant pocjl, and calls out in a loud
and echoing bellcjw, '70' rroo, ''i^^uirroo, 'luoirdriiHK ' I'oCiroo, which
is again answered, or, as it were, merely \aried by the creaking
or cackling \(uce of his feathered neighbi)rs. This curious
coiK ert, mtered as it were from the still and sable waters of
the St_\-x, is at once both liidicrons uml solemn.

About the end of April or ear!\- :n May. in t!ie middle and
northern parts of the I'Mic.n. tiie Rid Winged blackbirds (H)m-
mence constructing their !x-,ts. The situation made ch(Mce of
is generally in some maT:,ii, swamp, or wet meadow, al>oimding
with alder (A/uus) or butto!i-bu:^hes ( CcpJialaufhus) ; in these,
c()n.im.)niy at the height of five to seven feet from the ground,
or sometimes in a detachi':! bu^h or tussock of rank grass in
the meadow, the nest is formed. Outwardly it is composed of
a considerable quantity of the long dry leaves of sedge-grass
{Ciircx), or ()tiier kinds colK'cted in wet situations, and occa-
sionally the slender leaves of the ll.ig {his) carried round all
the adjoining twigs of the bush by way of sii])j)ort or sus]>en-
sion, and sometimes blended with strips of the lint of the
swamp . /.w7</'/</.s", or silk-weed {.\sclcj>ias iiiciiniata) . The
whole of this exterior structure is also twisted in and out, and
carried in loops from one side of the nest to the other, pretty

RED-WINf'.Fn r.I.ACKniRD.

ted with
tlircc of

he IJllKT

ous feiul

■ regular

perched.

in com-
•vals, his
istiirbed,
ot iusen-
atulaiory

Meadow
iccoir.i'a-
I'li head
in a loud
■(>(>, which

creaking
s curious
waters of

Idle and
rds com-
hoice of
)oiu"iding
in these,
ground,
grass in
posed ot
Ige-grass
nd occa-
round all
r susi)en-
it of the
y ) . The
out. and
cr, pretty

much in the manner of the (.Jriole>. but made of less flexible
and handsome materials. The large mtersticcs that remam, as
well as die bottom, are then filled in with roiun wood, marsh-
grass roots, fibrous peal, or mud, so as to form, when dr\', a
stout and substantial, though concealed shell, the whole \iiy
well lined with fine drv stalks oi grass or with slender rushes
(Siir/^i). When the nest is in a tussock, it is also tied to the
adjoining stalks of herbage ; but when on the ground this ])re-
caulion of fixity is laid asiile. The eggs are friMn ^:5 to 5,
white, tinged with blue, marked widi faini streaks of light pur-
]~tle, and long, straggling, serpentine lines and da.shes of \ery
dark brown ; the markings not very numerous, and dlspo^ed
almost wholly at the greater end. Tliey raise two broods ( om-
monly in the season, if the nest is approached while the
female is silting, ur when the young are li;!t< bed. loud cries of
alarm are made by both ])artie>. but more panic ularl\- by the
restless male, wiuj flies tcj meet the- intruder, and generally
brings together the whole sym])athizing company of his fellows,
whose nests sometimes are within a few yards of eac h other.
Tlie female cries \/ui\ih. 'purah, and at lengih, when the mis-
chief they dreaded is accom])lished, the lomler notes gi\e way
to others which are more still, slcjw, and monrnfui ; one of
which resembles /\n. t\ti, or tea and t' Islico.li. When the young
are taken or destroyed. I'-.e p>air continue restless and dejec ted
for several days; but tVom the fon e of their gregarious habit
they again cc^mmence building, usually soon after, in the same
meadow or swamj) with tlieir neighbor^. In the latter jiarl of
July and .\ugust the young birds, now resembling the female,
begin to fly in flocks and release themselves j)artly from dc-pen-
dence on their i)arents, whose cares up to tins lime are faithful
au'l unremitting; a few males only seem inclined to stay and
direct their motions.

-About the beginning of September these flocks, b)- their
formidable numbers, do great damage to the unripe corn,
which IS now a favorite repast ; and they are sometimes seen
whirling and driving over the devoted cornfields and meadows
so as to darken the air with their numbers. Tlie destruction

'1^

lOO

SINCING r.IRDS.

' H

! I

at this time mnde among them by the gun and the Hawks pro-
duces 1)111 litile cltlct u])un the remain<lcr, who continue fear-
lessly, and in spite of all oi)position, from morning to night
to ravage llie cornfields while anything almost remains to be
eaten. The farms near the sea-coast, or alhnial situations,
however, are their favorite haimts ; and towards the close of
Sejjtember, the corn becoming hard, it is at length rejected for
the seeds of the wild rice {Zizaiiia utjitatiia) and other acjuatic
plants, which now begin to rijjen, and afford a more harmless
and cheai) repast to these (.launtless marauders. At this time,
also, they begin to roost in the reeds, whither they repair in
large tloc ks every evening from all the neighboring quarters of
the country; upon these they perch or cling, so as to obtain a
su|)port above the surrounding waters of the marsh, ^^"hen
the reeds become drv, advantage is taken of the circimistance
to destroy these unfortunate gormandizers by fire; and those
who might escajie the tlames are shot down in vast numbers as
they hover and scream around the spreading conflagration.
Ivirly in November tluy generally leave the Northern and
colder States, with the exception of straggling parties, who
still continue to glean subsistence, in the shelter of the sea-
coast, in Delaware, Maryland, and even in the cold climate of
the State of Massachusetts.^

To those who seem inclined to extirpate these erratic depre-
dators, Wilson justly remarks, as a balance against the damage
they commit, the service they perform in the s]iring season, by
the immense number of insects and their larvte which they
destroy, as their ])rincipal food, and which are of kinds most
injurious to the husbandman. Indeed. Kalm remarked that
after a great destruction made among these and the common
Blackbirds for the legal reward of 3 pence a do/en, the
Northern States, in 1749, experienced a C()m])lete loss of the
grass and grain crops, which were now devoured by insects.

Like the Troojjial {Orio/its icterus, LArn.), the Redwing
shows attachment and docility in confinement, becoming, like

1 My friend Mr. S rirocn, of Rostdn. a-surcs nie that he has seen tliese birds
near NCwtcin. in a cedar-swaiiiii, in Jar'-^ry.

ki:D-\\ IXGLIJ lU.ACKiakD.

lOI

wks pro-
UK- tVar-
U) iii^ht
n<> to be
ituations,
closr of
ectcd lor
r a([uatic
harnik'ss
Lhib time^
repair in
uarters of
> obtain a
I. When
nmstance
ind ihose
mnbers as
llagration.
:hern aii<l
rties, who
the sea-
imate of

tic (lepre-

damage
eason, by

ich they
lids most
iked that

ronimon
o/.en, the
)ss of the
nseets.

Redwing
niing, hke

tlu'se birds

the Starling, faniili;ir widi tliose who feed him, and repaying
the attention he receives, by singing hi.-» monotonous ditty
I«rettv freely, con?.isting. as we have alreaily remarkeil, of vari-
ous odd, grating, shrill, guttural, and sometimes warbling tones,
which become at length somewhat agreeable to the ear ; and
instances are said to have occurred of their actjuiring the power
of articulating several words pretty distinctly.

The flesh of this bird is but little e>tee!ned e.xcept when
yoiung. l)eing tlark and tough like that of the Starling ; yet in
some of the markets of tlie United States they are at times
exposed for sale.

The Red-wing is a common sumnur \ isit<ir to the Eastern States
and Canada, breeding as far nortli as latitude 50°. In the West it
rangtrs through the .Saskatcliewaii valley to ( ireat Slave Lake. It
wimers somli to Mexico ; but a few individuals have iK-en known to
brave a New I JiL:,lan(l winter. DurinL"^ the winter of iSSc^-qo. a
male was seen about the Fresh I'ond marshes by .several members
of i]v: Nuttall Club of Caml)ridLre. an<l since that time several of
Uiiea-c birds have been found there everv winter.

Note. — The IjAII a.man Ricd-wint; {A. f^hfrnisus hryauti). -x
smaller, darker race, is found on the Ualiama Islands and in .south-
em FJurida.

'!i

' ■ ■■■py'. ,^^mw:'^''miy

YELL()\V-IIi:.\l)i:i) P.LACKIUKD.

Xani'iiocki'II \ia s xam iKx I i'Ii.m is.

Thar. Male: head, neck, and breast yellow; large ]>atrh on wing
white; other parts black. F(niale and vomig : geneial color bhukish
brown; wings without the white spot; throat and breast dull yellf)w.
Length 1^ to I! inches.

X<-st — Of dried izrass, firinlv woven and fastened to twigs of a bii-h or
stalks of rushes, in a niarsh or >wanipv meadow.

Ei^rs. — 2-6; grayish white, sometimes with a green tint, irregularly
marked with brown; 1.05 X 0.70.

The Vcllow-hcadrd Troo])!.!]. though long known as an
inhabitant of Si)uth Anvrica, was only rrt fntly added to the
fauna of the United Stitcs ])y ^^ajor l.oni:'- e\])(.'dition. [t
was seen in gre.U numbers near the banks of the River I'latle,
nroinid the villages of the I'awnei s, abottt the middle of May ;
and the different sexes were sometimes ol)serve(l associated in
separate Hocks, as the breeding season had woi yet ]irob;iblv
commenced. The range of this Hne s])ecies is, apparently,
from Cayenne, in tropical America, to the banks of the Ri\-er
Missouri, where Mr. 'I'own^end and myself observed exam])les
not fir from the settled line of Missouri State. It has been
seen by Dr. Richardson, in stmimer, as f;ir ;is the sSth ])ar-
allel. Its visits in the United States are vet whollv eonfined to

vr.i.L(>\\-iii:Ai)i:i) ijiackiukd.

'03

(111 wmi^
,1- l)la( kish
nil yellow.

fa bush or

irregularly

n as an

1 to the

tioii. It

er I'latte,

)r May ;

iatfd in
jirobably

)arcntly,

he River

exam])les

has been

Sth par-

n lined to

the west side of the Mississi])pi. beyond \vhi( h. not even a
stragj^ler has been seen. 'I Ium' birds assemble in llocks, and
in ill! their movements, aerial L\(jlutions, and predatorv chr.r-
ai'ter, appear as the counterpart of their Red -winded n-latives.
They are aUo seen to fietiueiit the groinid in searc h of tbod,
in the manner of the Cow iJimtinij, or 'I'roopial. In the
spriiii,' seaM)n they wage war uiKjn the insect tribes and their
lar\;e. like the Red-wings, but in autumn they princii)aliy
depend on the seeds of vegetables. At I )emerara. Uaterton
observed them in (locks, and, as might have bei-n suspected
from their habits, they were very greedy after Indian corn.

On the 2(1 of May, in oiu" western tour acnjss the continent.
an)und the Kansa Indian Agency, we now saw abundance of
the \'ell()\vdiea(led 'J'roopial, associated with the ("(nvbird.
They kept wholly on the grotmd in conijianies. the males, at
this time. b\' themselves. In loose soil lluy dig into the earth
with their bills in quest of insects and larwx'. are \ery active,
straddle about with a (juaint gait, and now and thc-n, in the
manner of the Cowbird, whittle out with great effort a chuck-
ling note sounding like ho-kukklr-'ait, often varying into a
straining scpieak, as if using their inmost endeavor to make
some kind of noise in token of sociability. Their mu>ic is,
however, even inferior to the har>h note of the ('o\v])ird.
In the month of June, by the edgi' of a grassy marsh, in the
open j)lain of the Platte. se\eral hunihcd miles inland, Mr.
Townsend found the nest ot this speci-.s built under a Iii>.m)( k
formed of fine grasses and canojjied o\er like that of the
Stiirnclla, ox Meadow I, ark.

While essentially a bird of the jjrairie. this species occurs reg-
ularly and in aluuidanee in Wisconsin and Illinois. It has betn
oljserved occasionally in southern Ontario, and examples have been
taken at Point des Monts. on the (iulf of .St. Lawrence, and in
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Florida.

104

SINGING 151 KDS.

COWIilRI).
COW liLALKlUKI),
MOLO'IHKLS ATKR.

CllAti. Male: head and luck dull l)r()\VM ; other parts rIossv black.
Female and young '. brownish gray, paler below, with dark >iie.ik.>.
l,cn,t;th 7 to S inches.

N^cst. Does not build any, but lays its eggs in nests of other species,
usually of smaller birds, such as the \'ellow Warbler, Chipping Sparrow,
or one of tlu' X'ireos.

Ei^^'s. ? (nuujber unknown, probably 4) ; dull white. sometimes with

green or buff tint, irregularly marked with various shades of brown ;
0S5 X 065.

The ('()\v-i)en Dird, perpetually gregarious and flitting, is
observed to enter tiie Middle and Northern States in the latter
end of March or the beginning of .\i)ril. They make their mi-
gration now chiefly imder cover of the night, or early dawn ;
and as the season becomes milder they pass on to Canada, and
])erhaj)s follow the Warblers and other small birds into the
farthest regions of the north, for they are seen no more after
the middle of June until the return of autumn, when, with the
colds of October, they again reapiK'ar in numerous and aug-
mented flocks, usually associated with their kindred Red-wings,
to whom they bear a sensible likeness, as well as a similarity in
notes and manners. 'I'hey pass the winter in the warmer parts
of America as well as in the Southern States, where I have
observed them in the ploughe<l fields, gleaning along with the
Red-wings and the common lUackbirds. They are also very
familiar around the cattle, picking \\\) insects which they
happen to disturb, or that exist in their ordure. When on the
ground, they scratch up the soil and appear very intent after
their food. Sometimes even, infringing on the rights of the
Plover, individuals, in the winter, frequent the margins of
ponds in quest of aquatic insects and small shell-fish ; and they
may be seen industriously occu|>ied in turning over the leaves
of the water-plants to which they atlhere. They also frecjuent

CUWIJIKU.

lO:

ssy black.

>trtMks.

:r species,
Spill ii)W,

imcs witli
t brown ;

litting, IS

he latter

Lhcir ini-

y dawn ;

iidd, and

into the

ore after

with the

md aiig-

(1- wings,

ilarity in

ncr i)arts

c I have

with the
\lso very
ich they
n on the
:ent after
;s of the
irgins of
and they
he leaves

fre([uent

occasionally the rice and corn fielils, as well as their more
ncjlorioiiM asnociaies, but are nunv iiu lined to native food and
iiiMei ts at all times, so that tiiey are more independent and
less injurious to the farmer. .\> they exist in Mexico and
California, it is |>rol)al)le that they are also bred m the hi^iier
tabledands, as well as in the regions of the north. In luui-
hiana, howe\er, according to Audubon, ihe\' .iie rare visitors
at any season, seeming more in( lined to follow their route
through the maritime districts. Over these (ountrii's, high in
the air, in the month of October, they are seen by ilay winging
tht'ir way to the ninoter regions of the south.

We have observed that the Red-wings se])arate in parties,
and pass a considerable part o( the summer in the necessary
duties of incubation, liut the ('ow-i)en jJirds release them-
selves from all hmdrance to their wanderings. The volatile
ilisposition and instinct which prompt birds to migrati-, as the
seasons change and as their fooil begins to fail, have only a
periodic al intluence ; and for a while they remain domestic,
passing .i portion of their time in the (ares and enjoyments of
the conjugal state. l]ut with our binl, like the European
Cuckoo, this season never arrives ; the flocks live together
without ever ])airing. A general concubinage j)revails among
them, scarcely exciting any jealousy, and unac ((jmpanied ])y any
durable affection. l-"rom the commencement of their race they
have been bred as foundlings in tlie nests of other birds, and
fed by foster-parents under the ])erpetual intluence of delusion
and deception, and by the sacritlce of the concurrent progeny
of the nursing birds. Amongst all the feathered tribes hitherto
known, this and the I'airojjean Cuckoo, with a few other species
indigenous to the old continent, are the only kinds who nevi-r
make a nest or hatch their ycjung. That this character is not
a vice of habit, but a perpetual instinct of nature, appears from
various circumstances, and from none more evidently than from
this, that the eggs of the Cow Troopial are earlier hatched than
those of the foster- parent, — a singular and critical provision, on
which perhaps the existence of the species depends ; for did
the natural brood of the deceived parent come first into exis-

1 06

SlNCilNG 151 RUS.

tfiKi.'. the strange egg on which they sat would generally be
destroyed.

\\ inn tlie teniale is disposed to lay. slu' appears restless and
dejected, ami separates from the unregarding lloi:k. Stealing
thruiigii till' woods and thickets, she pries into the bushes and
braniblc!) tor the ne>l that suits her, into which she darts in the
absence of it> (jwner. uiul in a few minutes is seen to rise on the
wing, cheerful, and relieved from the anxiety that ojjpressed her,
and proceeds back to the llix k she had so reluctantly forsaken.
If the egg be diposiled in the nesl aloni', it is uniformly
forsaken ; but if the nur>ing i)arent have any of her own,
she immediately begins to sit. The Red-cwd I'hcatcher, in
who^c beautiful basket-like nests 1 ha\e observed these etrirs,
l)ro\es a \er\' affectionate and assiduous nurse to the uncouth
fouudhng. In one of these 1 ftnind an egg of ea( h bird, and
t'.H' hen already sitt'ug. I took her own egg and K't'i the
strange one : she soon relurnetl, and as if sensible of wliat
had happened, looked with steadfisl attention, nd >hii"ted the
egg about, then sat uj)on i:, !)ul soon mo\ed off, again renewed
her obser\-ation, and it wa.s a considerable time before hhe
seemed willing to take her seat ; but at k ngth I left her on
the nest. Two or three da_\s alter. 1 fouiul lli.ii >he had relin-
quished her attention to tlu strange egg and tor>aken the
nest. .Another of these bn(l>. howe\er, forsook the nest on
taking out the Cowbird's egg, although she had still two of her
own left. 'i"he only evample, ])erhap^, to the contrar\ (jf de-
serting the uesi when sok'l)' occupici by the slrav egg. is in
the bhieiiird, who. attached strongly to tin brei'(|ing-])laces in
which it ot'ten continues for seseral \ears, lias been known to
lav, though with apparent reluctance, after the deposition of
the Cowbird's egg. M\ friend Mr. ('. I'i( kt'riug tound two
nests of the Summer vellow llird, in which had beiii deposited
an egg of the. ( "owbird pre\ioush- to an\- of their own: and
unable to eject it. the\- had buried it in the bottom of the ne>t
and built over it an additional story ! I also saw. in the si.m-
mer of 1 S :^o, a similar circumstance with the same bird, in
which the Cowbird's egg, though incarceratid, was still visible

roWIURD.

lo;

on the iii)i)<T ediic hut could luwr havt- l)iH,'n hatched. At
times I think it jirobahle that they 1 1\ in thi' ne>t^ of larger
birds, who throw o\\\. the e-g, or ihai llu\ drop their egiis on
the ground without obtaining a diposit, a^ I ha\e found an egg
of this kind thus e\])ose(l and brokir.. ( )n placing an egg of
this bird in the Catbird's not it was almost instantly ejec ted :
and this would i>robibly be the ustial fate of the strange egg if
the diminutive nurses, thus wi>ely cliosen, were capable «;f
removing it.

'I'he mo.-^t iisual nurse of this bird ajijjears to be the Ked-
eved \'ireo, who commences sitting as ^oon as the ("owbird's
egg is deposite<i. ( )n these occasions I ha\e known the X'ireo
to begin her ineubatioii with only an egg of each kind, and in
other nest> 1 have observed as manv as :; of her own, wi'h
that of the intruder. from tiie largeness of the strange vj^'^,
probably the nest immediately feels filled, so as to induce tlie
nurse directly to sit. This larger egg, brought neanr to tl-e
bodv than her own. is t onseiiuenlly better warmed and sooner
hatched : ami the )-oung of the ("owbird, 1 1 elie\e, apjiei'.rs
about tlu' I 2th or i ;th day of sitting. The foundling is \erv
faithtullv nursed by the afl"e( tion.iie X'ireo, along with her own
brood, who make their appearau'c about a day later th:'.n tix-
Troojjial. j-'rom the great si/.e of the |)arasite, the legitimate
young are soon stilled, and, when dead, are (<)M\-evt.d, as usual,
bv till" dupi (1 parent to a distant e before being drojiped : btit
thev are never tound immediately beneath liie m-st, as would
invariably haj)pen if they were ejt'cted by tlu- young 'I'roopial.
In the >ummer of i'^39 I actually saw a Chipping Sparrow c.\t-
rying out to a distance one of its dead Noung thus stilled : ancl
a sect)nd nest of the same ^pii ies in which ,; of its own brood
Were hatched soon after the ( 'ow Troopial : these sur\i\ed j or
3 days, and as tluy jierished were carried aua\- b\- the parent
bird. As fir as 1 have had opporiunit\ of obser\ing, the
foundling shows no hostility to tlie natural brood of his nurses,
but he lu'arly absorbs their whoK' attention, and earlv dis|)lays
his ( harac teristic cunning and s,l!' possession. When tully
fledged, thev quit klv desirt their foster-pannt, and skulk

io8

SIN(;iNG lilRDS.

( iinEB* 'f I

h'.

about in the woods until, at Itiiulh. tluy instinctively join com-
pany with those of the same tV itiiL-r, and now becoming more
bold, are seen in parties oi 5 or 6. in tlie fields and lanes,
gleaninic their accustonuMl subsistence. Tiiey still, however,
appear shy and watchful, and seem too selfish to study any-
thing more tha)i their own security and advantage.

'I'he son^f oi the Cowbird is guttural anil unmusical, uttered
with an air of affectation, and accompanied by a bristling of
the feathers and a swelling of the body in the manner of the
Turkey. These are also all the notes of the species in the
season of their attachment; so tliat their musical talent rates
lower than that of any other bird i)erha])s in the genus. Some-
times the tones of the male resembU? the liijuid clinking of tiie
IJobolink and l\e(bwinged Hlackbird. Sitting on the sunnnit
of a lofty branch, he anuises himself perhaps tor an hour with
an occasional 'k/iich 'Avr, the latter syllable uttered in a drawl-
ing hiss like that of the Ked-wing. Accompanied by his mates,
he also endeavors to amuse them by his complaisant chatter ;
and watching attentively for their safety, they tlit together at
the instant he utters the loud tone of alarm ; and they are
always shy and susjjicious of the designs of every observer.
(.)\\ a fine s])ring nu)rning, howe\'er, p<.Tched towards the sum-
mit of some tree in the forest where tlu'V seek rest after their
twilight wanderings, small and select jjarties may be seen grate-
fully basking in the mild beams of the sunshine. The male on
such occasions seems as i)r()ud of his uncouth jargon, and as
eager to please his favorite companions, as the tuneful Night-
ingale with his pathetic and \'arie(l lay.

The Cowbird is a common summer rc>si(lont of Now England,
tluni^h of rather local distribution. T)r \\nH'aton re])(irti(l it as
abundant in Ohio duriuLj the summer months, and Mr. Mcllwraith
made a similar re]iort for Ontario. It is rather uncommon in the
Maritime l*n)\iiires. but ranges as far northward as the 5otli par-
allel. In January. 1.SS3. two specimens were taken near Cambridge,
.Mass., by Mr. William Hrewster and Mr. Menry M. Spellman. and
other evidences of occasional wiiUering in New England have been
reported.

■ f

stliiig of

Night-

'^Mh l-^

r.OllOMNK.

RICE BIRD. SKl'SK ilLACKDlKD. MEADOW-WINK.
I )()r.ICHONTX ORYZIVORIS.

CilAK. Male in smninor : black; back of ht-a<l and liiiul-nock bnt'f ;
scapulars, rump, and up|)er tail-coverts ashy white. Male in winter,
female, and vounc; : above, yellowisli brown, beneath p.iler, moie bntfv;
liglit stri]ic on crown. I.enptli 6'^ to 7 '-i inches.

AVs/. In a meadow : ni.ide of dried grass.

j^;:;'-j. 4-6; white witli tjreen or butr tint, irreg.ilarly marked with
h'lac and l)rown ; 0.S5 X' 060.

'Vhv whoK' continent of .America, from I.al)r;i(lur to Mexico,
nntl the (ireat .\ntilles, are the occnsiomil residence of this tnily
migratory sjiecies. .\l)ont the middle of March or beginning
of .\])ri! the cheerful r.oholink tiiakes his appearance in the
southern extremity of the I'nited States, becoming gradually
arrayed in his nuptial livery, and accompanied by troops of his
C()m|)anions, who often precede the arrival of their more tardv

I lO

SI.NCilNC niRDS.

Ill I

I'
! 1

matts. According to Richardson it is tln^ beginning of June
when thcv arrive at their farthest boreal station in the 54th
degree. U e observed thcin in the great \ve>tern plains to the
ba^e ot the Korky Mountains, but not in ( )regon. Their win-
tering ri'^orl appears to be rather the W'cmI Indies than the
tropical continent, as their migrations are observed to take
])lacc generally to the east oi Louisiana, where their \isits are
rare and irregtdar. At thi> season also they make their ap-
proaches chietly by night, obeying, as it were, more distinctly,
the mandates of an overruling instinct, which prompts thi ni to
seek out their natal regions; while in autunm, their progress,
bv day only, is alone instigated by the natural ([uest of food.
About the I St of Mav the meadows of Ma-^sai husetts begin to
re-echo their liwly ditty. At this season, in wet places, and
by newl\- ploughed fields, they destroy many insects and their
lar\;e. According to their success in obtaining fooil, parties
often delav tlu'ir final northern mo\ement as late as the mid-
dle of May, hO that they appear to be in no haste to arrive at
their destination at anv I'xac t period. The principal business
of their iives, howi'ver. the rearing of iluir young, (\nv> not
take |)lace until thev ha\e left thr par.ilki of the 40th di'gne.
lu die sa\-annalis of ()hio and Michigan, and the cool ura-.-y
meadows of New \'ork. ( 'ail id 1. lud \i'W fngland. thev U\
their ab(jd(.', and obtain a sufliciency o\' food throughout the
sumuier without molesting tiie harvest of the firmer, tmtil the
ripening of the lal(.'>t crops o{ ous and barlex, when, in their
autumnal and changed dress. h:irdl\ now known as the sune
sjiecies, thev sometimes show their taste for ])lunder, and tlock
together like the gn-edy and pre(latory lllackbirds. Although
thev diAour wuious kinds of insects and worms on their first
arrixal. 1 ha\-e found that their freijuent \i>its among the grassy
meadows were often also for the ^eeds the\ coiiiam ; and tlu'y
are i.arlicularlv fond of tho^e of the dock and dmdelion. the
latter of which is sweet and oilw Later in the st-ason, and i)re-
viously to K'aving tlu'ir native ri'gions. they I'cvA principally on
various kinds of grass-seeds, j)articularly those ol the l\iiiiciiins,
which art' allied to millet. They also devour ( ri( kets and grass-
hoppi'i>, as well as bei'tles and spiders, 'i'heir nest In fixed on

r.UlSol.lNK.

1 1 1

;)f June
le 54th
s to the
L'ir win-
lan the
to take
isits are
leir ap-
stincily,
thtin to
)rogress,
of food,
begin to
cc-s. and
iid their
, |)arties
he uiid-
arrive at
l)usiness
loes not
(Irgri e.
)i ura-^-y
ihx-y \\\
)Ut ihe
mil the
in thi'ir
If same
\v\ llock
llhonuh
ir first
grassy
nd they
i.m. the
ud i>re-
iall\ on
tiiicinns,
id grass-

fl\rd on

the ground in a slight depression, usually in a field of nieatlow
gra>>, citiier in a dry or moist situation, ami consists merely of
a loose l)L<l(ling of withered gra^s, ^o inartificial as searccly to
he distinguishable from the rest of the ground anjimd it. The
eggs are 5 or 6, of a dull while, inclining to ohse. scattered all
o\er with small ^]i(jts ami touches of lilac brown, with some
irregular blotches of dark rutous brown, c hietl\ disposed to-
wards the larger end.

The males, arri\ ing a little earlier tiian the other sex, now
ai)i)ear very \igorous, lively, and familiar. Many ([uarrels
occiir before the mating is settled ; an<l the hmalt ■- >cem at first
very ct)y and retiring. 1-mulation fire>) the iJobulink at this
period, and ri\al r>ongnters \> \x out their incosant strains of
enlivening mu>i( iVom e\er\- fence and orchard tree. The
quiet lemales kee[» mu< h on the ground : but as stjon as they
appear, they are i)ursued by the aidenl candidates f<;r their
affection, and if either seem> to be favored, die rejected >Mitor
is chased off the gmund, a> soon as he apjJcarM. by hi> more
fortunate rival. The >ong of tb.e male '-ontinues with little iii-
terrujuion as lo. g as tlu' female is fitting, and iiis chant, at all
times verv similar, i.^ both singular and plea>:int. ( )ften, like
the Skylark, mounted, and liovermg on the wing, at a small height
aljove the fiild. as hf pa^se-, along from one tree-top or weed
to another. In- utti rs >uch a jingling niedUy of short. \-arial)le
notes, so confused. ri|)id. and coniinuMU>. that it appears
a!mo>t like tiie bh tiding song of si'\eial different bird-. M mv
of th>'->e tone> are \.-r\ agreeable ; but ihi'V are delivered with
such rapiditv th.it tb.e ear can scarcely s< jiarale tlu-m. Tlu-
genenil effi-ct. howe\er. like all the sinipli' efforts of N.iiure, is
good, and when several are ( hanting forth in the s.ime meadow,
the concert is \-erv cheerful, though monotonous, and somewhat
tpiaint. .\mong the few phrases that can be distinguished, the
lii|uid sound of l>oh-o /ri' hohi^/iiik hol>-(i-linhi\ is \ery distinct.
To givt' an idea of the variable extent of song, .md evi-n an
imitation, m >-iiine measure, of the i hrom uie period and, ;vr of
this fm.iliar and rathir fuorite n'-^idint, the bovs of this j)art
of New laigland make him spout, among others, the fdlowing

< I

J 12

SIXCIXC; 15IRDS.

III

ludicrous dunning i)hr;isi', as he rises and hovers on the uinj,'
near liis uvMc, ^' '/>'i'/>-(>-/////<:, 'Boh-b-link, 'Tom Dininy ' Tom
JJi-iniy. — ' Ci'iiii- /^(ly ntr the t-n'o inu/ six prjicc y('ii''7'C o-k'cJ
iih'it- than a yrar an,/ a half a^^o .' — ' tshc 'tshi' 'tshc, 'tsh 'tsh
'/she'," modestly di\ing at the same instant down into the i^rass
as if to avoid alten ation. However puerile this odd phrase
may apjjear, it is (|uite amusintf to find how near it ajjjjroaches
to the time and exjjression of the notes, when pronounced in
a hurried manner. It would be unwise in the naturaHst to
hold in contempt anything, however trilling, which might tend
to elucidate the simjjle truth of nature ; 1 therefore give the
thing as 1 fmd it. This relish for song and merriment, con-
fined wholly to the male, dnninishes a^ the pcrioil of incuhation
ad\ances ; and when the brood begin to tlutter around their
l)arenls and protectors, the song bccomi's less t'reciuent, the
cares of the parents more urgtail, and an\- app.oach to the
secret recess of their helpless family is deplored with urgent
and incessant cries as they hover fearfully around the inten-
tional or accidental intruder, 'i'hey appear sometimes inclined
to have a second brood, for which pn])aration is made while
thev are vet engaged in rearing the fn>t : but the male gi-n-
erally loses his musical taU'Ut about the end of the first wi-i-k
in julv. from which time his nuptial or pied dres^ begins
gradualh to be laid aside for the humhk' garb of tin- female,
■j'hi' whole, both voung and old, then appear nearly in the
same songless li\ery. uttering only a rh/n/.' of alarm when >m-
]>ri->efl in fcdling on the grass seeds, or the croi)S of grain
whi( h Still remain abroad. Whiii the voice of the IJobolink
begins to fail, with the i)rogrcss of the exhausting moult, he Hits
over the fields in a restless manner, ami merely utters a broken
'/'o/'7,;\ W'oh'hr. or with hi:; songless mate, at length, a 'rcvvV
'rc',v/, /'7<rt /'Vrrt, and a noisy and disagreeable cackling
( hiriL At the earl\- dawn of day, while the tuneful talent of
the species is vet unabated, the effect of their awakening and
faltering voice's from a wide expanse of meadows, is singular
and grand. The sounds mingle like the noise of a distant
torrent, whii h allernatelv subsides and rises on the bri'e/e as

c wing
• ' Tom

c ou'i'ii

'sh 'A/t

c lirass

phrase

oaches

iced in

alist to

ht tend

ivc the

it. con-

ii])alii)n

1(1 llKit

■nt, the
to tlio

\ ur^uent

e intcn-

inclined

le while

ale tien-

rst week
beghis
female,
m the
en >ur-
Li;rain
obolink
he tlits
broken
a ':<.•(((
■acklinn
lalcnt of
lin.u and
^ini^ular
I distant
ree/e as

150 H(.t LINK.

I I ^.

the perf(jrmers awake or relapse into rest ; it finally becomes
more distinct and tuinuliiu)ii>. till wilii the o|)eninL; day it as-
sumes the intelligible character of iheir ordinary song. The
young males, towards the close t)f jul\-. iia\ing nearly .u (|uired
their perfect chara( liT, utter also m the morning, from the
trees which border their favorite marshy uieadows, a \ery
agreeable and c(jntinuous low warble, more like thai of the
Vcllow I'.ird than the usual song of the specae^ ; in fict. tiu-y
appear now in e\er\- respect as {"'inches, and only l)e(()me
jingling musicians when ro!)ed in their jnetl dress as b ten.

About the middle of .\ugust, in congregating number^, di-
vested already of all selective attachment, vast foraging parlies
enter New York and Pennsylvania, on their way to .the South.
Mere, along the chores of the large rivers, lined with lloiting
fields of the wild rice, they find an abundant means of >ul)-
sistence during their >hort stay; and a> their ilesh, now fat. is
little inferior to that of the lairoi)ean ( )rtolan, the keeil or Rice
iJirds, as they are then called in their Sp;irrow-dress, form a
favorite sport for gunners of all tlescriptions, who turn out on
thi- occasion and commit ])rodigious havoc among the almost
silent and greedy roosting throng. The markets are then filled
with this delicious game, and the pursuit, both for success and
amusement, along the pictures(iue and reedy shores of the Del-
aware and other rivers is second to none but that of Rail-
shooting. A> soon as the cool nights of October commen<"o,
and as the wild rice crops begin to fiil. the Reed birds
take their departure from I'e'unsylvania and New |erse\-. and in
their farther progress through the Southern States they swarm
in the rice fields ; and before the cro]) is gathered they have
already made their appearand- in the islands of Cuba and
Jamaica, where they also {i:ci\ on the seeds of the (hiinea
grass, become so fat as to deser\e the name of " Butter-birds,"
anil are in high esteem for the table.

Near the .\tlantie coast the bobolink is not common north of
the 45th paniUel : hut in the West it ranges to nuieii higher latitudes.
A few examples have been observed 011 the Xew llrunswick shore
of the C.uif of .St. Lawrence.
V(M.. I. — ,S

114

SINGING BIRDS.

' I

BOAT-TAI!.KU (;RACKLE.

JACKDAW.
QULSCALUS MAJOR.

CllAR. Extremely long, wedge-shaped tail, less conspicuous in female.
Male : hlack, with niLfillic tints of L;reen. blue, and purple. I-en^th 15 to
17/2 inches. FcMuile : .:i ove, bnnvn ; beneath, grayish brown, changing to
reddish .nul In . \ 'jr.nst and throat. Length, tili to 13 inches.

A'c'sL A bui tin .V c of dried gra>s and strips of bark, cemented
with nuul and line ,ith li:-" rrass ; placed in a tree in swamp or near a
marsh, sometimes fastened i' aislies.

^'sV-f- 3-5; gr.iyish drab witli tints of green or blue, marked with
black and brown l)lulches and lines: 1.23 X o.'jo.

Tills larj^c and ( row-like species, sonietinies called the Jack-
daw, inhaliits the southern maritime ))arts of the I'nion only,
l)arti(iilarly the States of (leorgia and I"lorida, where they are
seen as early as the close of January or beiiinnini,' of ['"ebniary,
but do not begin to pair before March, previously to which
seast)n the sexes are si'en in sejxarate tlocks. I5ut about the
latter end of \oveml)er they quit even the mild climate of
I'loriila, generally, and seek winter-quarters ])robably in the
West Indies, where they are known to be nunn-rous, as well as
in Mexico, Louisiana, and Texas ; but they do not ever extend
their northern migrations as far as the Middle States. Trevi-
ous to their de])arturc, at the approach of winter, they are seen
to assemble in large flocks, and every morning flights of them,
at a great height, are seen moving away to the south.

lake most gregarious birds, they are of a very sociable
disposition, and are frecjuently obser\-ed to mingle with the
common Crow IMackbirds. They assemble in great numbers
among the sea islands, and neighboring marshes on the main-
land, where they feed at low water on the oyster-beds and sand-
flats. Like (rows, they are onmivorous, their food consisting
of insects, small shell-fish, corn, and small grain, so that by
turns they may be viewed as the friend or i)lunderer of the
j)lanter.

I'Lkl'I.K (iUACKLE.

1 I

n female.
114th 15 to
umgiug 10
hcs.

cemented
or near a

iked with

[he Jack-
ion only,
ihcy arc
^'ebniary,
to \vhi( h
pbout the
iniate ot
in llic
IS well as
extend
I'lovi-
arc seen
of them,

sociable
with the
munbers
le main-
ind sand-
■onsi^tinif
that by
er of the

The note of this species is louder than that of the connnon
kin<l, according; to Audubon resembling a l«nid. >hrill whittle,
often accompanied by a cry like i/iik iriik </«v. and in the
breed nig- season changing almost into a warble. 'I hey are only
hcani to sing in the spring, and their concert, though inclining
to sadness, is not altogether disagreeable. Their nests are
built m company, on retils and bushes, in the neighborhood
of -salt-marshes ami ponds. They begin to lay alx>ut the
K-ginning of April ; soon after which the males leave their
mates, not only with the care of in< ubation, but with the rear-
ing of the young, moving about in sei)arate tl«wki like the
("owbirds, without taking anv interest in thf faie (jf their
progeny.

This species is rarely found north of Virginia. .Several instances
of its occurrence in New l-ngland have been rcijortcd : but tlie
correctness of these reports has been c iiallenged and Mr. .\llen
omitted the species from his list of .Ma.ssachr- ctts birds issued in
1886.

PURPl.i: CRACKLE.

CKnW 1;L.\CKI!IRI).
Qr ISC ALLS gLI.^Cl I-A.

Char. Rlack, wiili rich metallic tints of steel blue and purple, the
fcmak somewhat duller. I.eiigtii, 11 to ij'^ inches.

A'tst. ( hi the luaucli of ,1 tree or in a hollow stub; hirge and roughly
made <jf co.UNe gia-s and twigs, and lined with tiner grass, sometimes
cemented with mud.

HiX^. 4-(i ; extremely varial)le in shape, color, and .size ; ground color
gretnish white to rcildish brown, with irregular markings of dark brown ;
1.^5 j< 0.90.

This very common bird is an occasional or constant resident
in every jjart of America, from IludscMi's l!ay and the northern
inierior to the Creat .Antilles, within the tropic. In most jxirts
of this wide region they also breed, at least from Nova Scotia to
I^uisiana, and probably farther stnith. Into the States north
of Virginia they begin U) migrate from the beginning of March

1^'

i: i

Ji6

SIM.IN*. 15IRIJS.

to May, Icavinfj those couiitrii's ai,Min in minicrous troops about
the middle o\' Nosemher. Thus assemMrd iVoin thi- NoiUi and
\\\-<t in incnasini,' nuinhers, they wholly owrnin, at tinio. the
wanner maritime re,i,Mnns, where they assi'mi)le to l).l.^> the
winter in the it)mi)an\ of tluir well-known cousins tlu- \\v(\-
wiuL^i'd 1 ro()i)ial:i or illackbirds ; lor jxjth, imjielled l)\ the
same predatory api)etite, and lo\c ot" etjuitortahle winter
(|uarters, an- often thus u ( ulentally ;issociated in the plun-
dcrini,' and jfleanm.L,' of tlu- plantations. Ihe am,i/in,n
numhers in which the present spi-cies associate are almost
incndihle. Wilson relates that on the joth of January, a tew
miles fn)ni the hanks of the Kojuoke in X'iri^inia, be met wnh
one of those prodii^iou-. arnnes of lllackhirds, which, as he ap-
proached, rose from the Nurroundini,' liilds with a noise like
thunder, and descending; on the >iirel< h of ro.id before him,
coxered it and the fences compK'tely with Mack ; rising again,
after a t'lw (.•volutions, tlu'y di'scendi'd o;i ilu- ^.kirt of a leallcNS
wood, SO thick as to gi\e the whole forest, for a considerable
extent, the ap|)earance of being shrouded in mourning, the
numbers amounting |)robal)ly to many iMudreds of thousands.
Their notes an<l screams ri'scmbled the distant sound of a
mighty cataract, but strangely attuned into a musical cadence,
which rose and fell with the lluctuation (jf the hree/e, like the
magic harp of , l-lolus.

Their depredations on the maize crop or Indian corn com-
mence almost with the ])laiuing. The infant bladi-s no sooner
ap[)ear than they .ire haiK'd by the greedy lllackbird as the
signal for a fea.st ; and without hesitation, they descend on the
fields, and regale themselves with tlie sweet and sprouted seed,
rejecting and scattering the blades around as an evidence of
their mischief and au<la( ity. Again, about the beginning of
August, while the grain is in the milky state, their attacks are
ri'Uewed with the most destructive effect, as they now assemble
as It were in clouds, and pillage the fields to such a degree
that in some' low and sheltered situations, in the \'icinity of
ri\ers, where they delight to roam, one tburth of the crop is
devoured bv thesi- vexatious visitors. The gun, also, notwith-

(

I'L Rli.l i.KAiKl.i:.

»«7

[IS about
Dfth an«l

lu- Krd-

by llu-

■ winliT

he l4un-

ania/ii\j;

(_■ ahnost

ry, a tVw

\m[ Willi

as hi- ap-

loisL' like

^forc him,

ng aLi.iin,
a Icalli'MS
iisidfiablc
iniULi;, iho
honsands.

)\inil ill ;v
(■ailcntr,

\v, \\kc the

■orn com-
|ni) sooner
11 nl as the
ncl on the
ited seed,
lidence of
mninii; ol
lltacks are
assemble
a de,u;ree
icinity of
|he croi) is
I, notwitli-

staiidin;; the havor it inndui i>, lias htile more effect than to
chase them from une pirl oi [\w lirld lo ilu- other, hi the
SoiilherM States, in winter, liu'v ho\rr numd the <orn-(ril>s m
:»warm>, and boldly peik the hud j^rain lidiii llu- cob through
the air openings of the maga/mc. In ( (iii>e(|iience of ihoe
reiterated depredation-', they are deli. -.led by the firmer as
a pe^l ' • his iiuhi>tr\ ; though on iluar arrival their food for
a long time consists wholly of those m>>e( i«. which are i;alculated
to iU> the most essential injury lo the ( rops. They at this season
frequml ^wamp1 antl meadtiw>., awA t.imili.irly following the fur-
ro\\> of the plough, .^weep up all the gnili-wonns ami other
noxious animals a^ -.oon as the) a|ip(.ar, even scratching uj) the
loose soil, thai nothing of this kind inav exape iluni. Ip to the
time of harvest I have imiforml), on dissection, found their food
to consist of these iarxai, caterpillars, moths, and beetles, of
which they tlevour such numbers that i)nt f)r tlii>. providential
economy the whole crop of grain, in many placrs. would |)rob-
ably be destroyed by ihe tune it began to germinate. In
winter they collect the ma.>,t of ihe beei h and oak fir food,
and iiiav be ^eeil assembled in large bodies in the wood> for
thi^ purpose. In the s[)ring season the iShu kbirds rtjo^l in the
cellars and piiu'-irees, to wIik h in tlu' evi-ning they retiii' with
friendly aii<l mutual chatter. ( )n ihe tallest of thoe trees, as
well as in bu>hes, thev generally build their nests, — which work,
like all thi'ir movements, is coinmonlv pi'rlbnm'd in soeietv, >o
that lo or 15 of them Arc often seen in thi' same tree; and
sometimes the\ have been known to thrust tluir nests into
the interstices of the fish Hawk's evry, as if fir safety and
protection. ( )cc;isi()nal!v thev bri'cil in tall poplars lu-ar to
habit itions, and if not moloied. continue to resort to the same

hlace

tor sevi

ral

vears m succi's->ion.

he nest is compos-d

of mud, mi.M'd with stalks and knottv roots of grass, and lined
with fine dry grass and hor^e hair. According to Audubon,
the same species in tin- Southern States nests in the hollows of
decayed trees, after the nianiuT of the Woodjiecker, lining the

cavitv with grass and mui

hi'V seltlom

Id.

produ

ce more

th.

in a

single brood in the season. In the autumn, and at the apjiroach

r
I

ii8

SINGING UIRI;S.

Ill

If!

otwintiT, mmuTotis tlut ks, afti-r foMgmg thr()UL;li the tlay, rctiini
from t:onsi(lcniblc ilisUiiucs lo ihcir general rousts among tlie
rceils. On approai lung ihcir station, each ilciachmcnt, as it
arrives, in straggling groups like cn^ws, sweeps round the ma^^h
in \va\ ing llighl, I'ornung i inles ; amidst these hodies, the note
(jf the old reconnoitring leader may be heard, and no sooner
li.is Ik' li\ed upon the intended spot than they all descend and
take their stations in an instant. At this time they are also
Irecpiently accompanied by the Ferruginous speties, with which
they associate in a friendly manner.

The IJkukbinl is easily tamed, sings in confmcnuiU, and
may be taught to artii ulate some few words jiretty distinctly.
Among the variety of its natural notes, the ]>eculiarly affected
sibilalion of the Starling is heard in the 'icottitshci', icd//t/s/ur,
ami whistle, which often accomi)ames this note.

In Nuttall's day variety making had not conic in fashicm, and
the systematists were content to treat the Crow I'.lackbirds ol east-
ern North America as of one form. Now we have three forms,
wit!) three '* distiiutive scieiititic ai)pellatioiis." It is somewhat
(litlieiilt to (listiiigiiish these lorms. e.\re|)t in extreme phases of
plumage, for many specimens of the Northern variety liave tiie
diagnostic characters of the Southern birds. The i)resent race is
said to occur on the Atlantic coast of the Inited States, north to
.Massachusetts, and in the lower valley of the .Mississippi.

Tlie 1;k()N/i; (iu.vc KL1-: ((j. qniscitla cruiits) lacks the purple
metallic tint on the body, that being replaced by a tint of bronze;
tlie purple and blue tints are restricted to tlie heail and neck. The
wings and tail are purple. This form is abundant throughout tlie
New l^ngiand Slates and Canada, and ranges north to Ihulson's
15av 'ind west to the Great i'lains. I have seen nests of these
l)irds placed on the beams of barns in New IJrunswick. The
farmers along the St. lolm and Kenebecasis rivers erect barns on
the marshy islands and •• intervales " to store their hay until it can
be carried to the maiidand on the ice: and these barns, being un-
used during the l)reeding .season, otfer excellent building sites for
colonies of Crow lilackljirds and Swallows. The nests are fastened
to tlie beams with mud in much the same method as that adopted
by Robins.

A smaller race witli a larger tail is restricted to Florida and the
adjacent country and westward to the .Mississippi. It is named
the Fi.oKiD.x (iK.vcKLi-: (<2' ijid^cula ali^ceus)

KL'>1V IJLACKl'.lKl).

119

, return
)ng the
U, as it
.' mar-^h
he note
sooner
•nd and
are alM)
,h whii h

Mit, and

i>tinctly.

affected

ottitsht-t\

hinn, and

Is 1)1' i-ast-

fc forms,

somewhat

ph.iscs of

liave the

nt race is

, north to

Ihc purple
If l)roii/.L' ;
."ck. The
i^liout llio
1 1 lulson's
(if dirse
,k. 'I'lie
.iriis on
Inlil it can
jcinji un-
sitcs for
fastened
It adopted

la and the

is named

Risrv in..\CKi;iKi).

S( oi.Ktnl'H.V.l^ I AKol.lM'S.

ClIAR. Male in siuumL-r ; glossy blatk. generally more or less feathers
c(lj;c(l with rctldisli hrown. Male in winter: tiic hiovvn m<ne eun.'-pic-
u<.u>, the lower |)arts marked with hully. Kem.iie ami yom\g : dull rusty
brown above, rusty and a^hv beneath. Leh'ith S"4 to ij'4 inches.

A'f^t. Fn a tree nr on the ground ; a lar^e but solid structure of twJRs
and vines, sometimes lemenled with mud. lined with K^iss and leaves.

/■:.Tgs. 4-7 ; Rrayish preen to pale green, thickly blotched with light
and d.irk brown and purple ; I.oo X 0.76.

This Species, less frecpient than the i)receding, is often
associated with it or with the Ri-d-win^ed Troopial or tlie
Cowpen liird ; and aciording to the season, they are found
throuifhout America, fVoin Hudson's ll.iy to l"'lorida, and wi-st-
ward to the Pacific Ocean. l!arly in April, according to
Wilson, they pass hastily throtiL,di Pennsylvania, on their
return to the Nortii to breed. In the month of Man h he
ol)Mer\ed tiiem oxi the banks of the Ohio, near K.entncky River,
duriiiLC a snow-storm. They arrive in the viiinity of Hudson's
ll.iy about the bi-iiniing of .May, and feed much in the manner
of the common (row Pilackbird on insects which they find on
or near the groimd. Dr. Richardson saw tliem in the winter
as far as the latitude of 55°, and in summer they range to the
6.Sth parallel or to the extremity of the wooded region. They
sing in the pairing season, but become nearly silent while
rearing their young ; though when their brood release them
from care, they again resinne their lay, and may occasionally be
heard until the approach of winter. Their song is (piite as
agreeable and musical as that of the Starling, and greatly sur-
passes that of any of the (Uher species. I have heard thein
sit'i.^ing until the middle of October.

They are said to build in trees and bushes at no great dis-
tance from the groimd, inaking a nest similar to the other
species, antl lay five eggs, of a jtale blue sjxjtted with black.
The young and old, now assembling in large troops, n-tire from
the northern regions in Sei)tember. From the beginning of

til

1 20

SINtHNd I'.IRDS.

()(U)1rt lo the middle of Novcinbcr. ihcv are seen in tlocks
through the Eastern States. I )urinj; their stay in this vieiniiy
they assemble towards night to nnjsl in or rwuml the rced-
marshes of l-rcsh I'ond, near ( ainbridge. ScMiietimes they
select the willows by the water lor their lodging, in preference
to the reeds, which they give u\> to their companions the
Crow lilackbirds. Ivirl\' in ()cl(,)ber they feed chieily on
gra^)shoppers and berries, and at a later |)eriod i)ay a transient
visit to the corn-fields. 'I'hey p i^s the winter in the Southern
Slates, and, like their darker relali\es, make fimiliar visits lo
the barn-yard and corn-cribs. \\ ilson remarks that they are
easily domesticated, and in a few days become quite familiar,
being reconciled to any quarters while sui>plied with plenty of
food.

The Rusty lilackbird breeds from about the 45th jiarallel to the
lower fur countries. It is fairly common near the .Atlantic, but is
more abundant in tlie interior, and Mr. 'I'hompson rei)orts it com-
monlv abuiid.mt in .Manitoba. In this region it does not alwavs
select an alder swamp for a nesting siti-. as some authors have
stated. A nest discovered by my friend lianks was amid the upper
branches of a good si/.ed spruce on a dry hillside in .Mr. William
Jack's j)ark. near .St. John.

NORTHFRN RAVI'.N.

Corn IS CDR.xx i'kiM.ii'.\i.is.

Cn.xR. Tll.ick with l)lui.sh purple .^los.s. Length 22 to zGjA inches.

A' >.'. On a I i;if i>r in a tree ; made of stick.s c.uifuliy and compactly
arrans^cd, lined with .i;r.i>-. or wool, — icpaiied year after year, and thus
increased to c<>nsiderahle hulk.

/•'s:::s. 2-7 ; pale )livc, marked with olive-brown blotches ami streaks ;
2.00 X 1.40.

The sable Raven i^as been observed and described from the
earliesi times, and Is a resident of almost every country in the
world ; but is more particularly al)undant in the wi'stern than
the eastern parts of the rnitcd States, where it extends along
the Oregon to the shores of the Pacific. This ominous bird

NORTIIKRN i:a\ i;.\.

IJI

flocks

.-iciiuiy
.' rccd-
•.-, they
fcrciuc
)ns the
.'lly on
ansicnt
juthcrn
visits to
uy are
amiliar,
Icntv of

v\ to the
L-, but is
; it com-
l always
)rs have
ic ui)i)(.r
WilUam

ichcs.

iiiipactly
ami thus

>iri.Mks ;

lun I no
, in the
rn than
Is alonj^
)iis bird

has been ijenerally despised and feared by the sti|>er>titious
even more than the nocturnal Owl, thouL,fh he i>rowl> abroad in
ojun day. lie may be (unsithivd .i> lioldmu a rrlation lo the
birds (»f i>rey. t'etdintj; not only on carrion, but occasionally
seizing on weakly lambs, youni; hares or rabbil>, and scenis
indeed to give .i preference lo inim il food ; but at tlu' same
time, he i>> able to live on all kinds of fruits .mil ijrain. .is w«ll
as insects, earth-worms, e\en de.id lish. md in ad<lition to all,
i> particularly fond of eggs, so that no aniui.il >>e(.iii> mcjre truly
omnivorous than the K.iven.

If we take into consideration hi indiscriminnting xorn ity,
sombre Ii\i. ry. dix ordant, croaking ( ry, with his ignoble, wild,
and I'unere.il .i.>.pect, we nei-d not be surprised that in times of
ignor.in* e and error he should have bei-n mo generally reg.irded
as an object of disgtist and fear. lb- stood pre-eminent m the
h-<t of ^iniMter binb, or those whose onh pinnonition w.i> the
annoinn ing of misfortunes : ;ind. strang( to tell, there are many
people vet in I'.tiropr. e\en in this enlightened ,ige, who trem-
ble and l»eeome uni'asy at the sound of hi~. h.irmless croaking.
.\<("rding to Ad.iir, the Southern aboiigiiu-s abo invoke the
Raven for those who are sick, mimicking his voi* t- ; and th\*
natives of the Missouri, assuming black as tlu-ir emblem of
war, decorate theinselvt's on thosi- o( e.isions with the ]>lumes
of tins dark bird. IJut all the knowk-dge of tiie future. f)r in-
ten-st in destiny, possessed by the Raven, like that of other
inhabitants of tl;e air, is boimded by an in>tiu(ti\e ferling ol
the < hangi'S whic-h are abotit to happen in thi; atmospiu-n-, .uitl
whi( h hi- has the ftculty of annouiK ing by ceit.iin cries and
actions produced l>y these exterr il impr- ssions. In the south
ern provinces of Swiden, as I.inniuus remarks, when the sky i>.
serene the Raxcn llies vi-ry high and utters a hollow sound,
like the word tA'f/'^', whi( h is heard to a great distanci-. Some-
times he has been se«'n in the mi(bt of ;i thunder-storm with
the electri*- fire streaming fn)m tlu- exiri'inity of his bill. --a
natural though extraordinary ])henotnenon, sufti< lent to territy
the snpcistitious and to stanij) the harmless subject of il with
the imaginary Ir.iits and attributes of a demon.

122

SIXClIN'd BIRDS.

In ancient times, when divination made a part of religion.
the i\avcn, though a bad projjhet, was yet a very interesting
bird ; tor the i)assion for prying into future events, even the
moM dark and sorrowful, is an original ])ropensity of human
nature. Accordingly, all the actions of this sombre bird, all
the circumstances of its flight, and all the diiTerent intonations
of its discordant voice, of which no less than sixty-four were
remarked, had each of them an appropriate signification; anl
there were never wanting impostors to i)rocure this pretended
intelligence, nor |)eople simple enough to credit it. Some
even went so far as to impose upon themselves, by devouring
the heart and entrails of the ilisgusling Kasen, in ihe strange
hopi' of thus ajijiropriating its supposed gift of prophecy.

The Raven indeetl not only possesses a great many natural
intli'ctions of voice corres|)onding to its various feelings, but it
has also a talent for imitating the cries of other animals, and
even mimicking language. According to I'.uribu, ct'/iis is a
word which he [)ronounces with i)eculiar facility. Connecting
cinumstances with his wants, Scaliger heard one, whicdi when
hungr\', learnt \er\' distinctly to call upon Conrad the c(jok.
The first of these words bears a great resemblance to one of
the ordinar)' cries of this species, kouui/Zii/i, ko:^<alldh. liesides
possessing in some measure the ficulty of imitating human
speech, they are at times ca[)able of manifesting a durable
attachment to their keeper, and become funiliar about the
house.

The sense of smell, or rather that of sight, is very acute in
the Raven, so that he discerns the carrion, on which he ot"ten
teeds, at a great distanc:e. ThucydideN twn attributes to him
the sagacity of avoiding to teed on animals which had died of
the i)lague. I'liny relates a singular piece of ingenuity em-
ployed by this bird to (piench his thirst : he had obserx'ed
water near the bottom of a narrow-necked vase, to obtain
which, he is said to ha\e thrown in pebbles, (jne at a time,
until the pile I'levated the water within iiis reach. Nor does
this trait, singular as it is, ap])ear to be much more sagacious
than that of i arrying uj) nuts and shell-fish into the air, and

L-resliiig
ven the

human
bird, all
:)nations
ur were
)n ; an I
ctcndcil
Sonic
jvouring

strange

natural

;s, but it

Kils, and

>/tis is a

nnccting

t;h when

10 look.

) one ot

Iksitles

lnunan

durable

)out the

uute in
he often
s to him

died ot"
uity eni-
)bserved
) obtain

a time,

[ot does

agacious

air, and

NUKTHERN RAVEN.

123

drojiping them on rocks, for the purpose of breaking them
to obtain their contents, otherwise beyond iiis reach, — faits
obser\ed by men of credit, and recorded as an instiiK t of the
Raven by I'ennant and Latham. It is, however, seldom ih.it
these birds, any more than the rajtacious kinds, feel an inclina-
tion for drinking, as their thirst is usually iiuenched by the
blood and juices of their prey. 'I'he Ra\ens are also more
social than the birds of prey, — which arises from thr itromis-
cuous nature and conseciuent abmulance of their food, which
allows a greater number to subsist together in the same pLu e,
without bein^ urgetl to the stern necessity of solitude or Lim-
ine, — a condition to which the true rapat ions binls are always
driven. Ihe habits of these birds are much nnjre gener.iUy
harmless than is usually imagined ; they are useful to the farmer
in the destruction they make of moles and mice, anil are often
ver\ well (oiuenled with insects anil earth-worms.

'I'hough spread o\er the wIkjIc world, the\' are rarely ever
birds of |)assage, enduring the winters e\en of tlie Arc ii( i ir( le,
or the warmth of Mexico. St. l)omingo, and Madagascar.
'Ihey are particularly attachetl to the rocky e\iies where they
have been breil and i)aired. 'i'hroughout the Near tluy are
observed together in nearly e(|ual numbers, anil they never
entirely abandon this adopted Ikjiih*. If they descend into
the plain, it is to collect s.ibsistence : b'lt they resort to the
low grounds more in winter than summer, as thev avoid th«.'
he It and dislike lo wander from their cool retreats. Tlu'v never
rco^l m the woods, like (rows, and li.ive suMk ient sagaciiv to
choose in their nx ky retreats a situation det'i-nded Irom the
winds of the north. — commonly under the natural vault toriiud
b\ an extending ledge or cavity of the rock. Here they retire
during the i^.ight in companies of 15 to 20. They perch upon
the bushes which grow straggling in the clefts of tlu' rocks ;
but tliey form their nests in the rock)- crevices, or in the
holes of tin- moul('ering walls, at the summits of ruined towers ;
and sometimes upon the high bran* hes of large and solitary
trees. After they have paired, their fidelity ap])ears to continue
through life. The male expresses his attachment by a particu-

124

SrXCJNC. I'.IRDS.

II'

!ar ^;r;lin m' cio.ikiiiu. .iml both si'\r> arc ohst-rvcd c.irL'^siUL;. by
aj)|tr();t(hiiiii ilu'ir l)ill>, with ;is iiiiK h >riiibl.inrr ol aiiciiion as
tlu' tnu'^t lurllf-(l()\cs. Ill kuipriMU- cliin.Uo ihr K.ism bc-
gin^ It) i.iv 111 tlK' inoiillis i.t" I'lbniuv or M,ir< h. 'Ilir (.j^u^ arc
5 wr (I. of a [jalc, iiiiiilil\' bltii.->li ,uri-iii, marked wilh liumrroiis
s|i(il> ami lilies of il.irk olise brouii. Slu- ^iis about 20 days,
and diiriui; tlii-> liiiu- liie iiiale lakes care to proNJde lier with
abiindaiK e ol" noiirisluneiit. Indeed, from llie <|uainilv or.main,
null, and tViiils which iia\e been found at thiN time in the envi-
rons of the nest, tlii-> Mijiiilv would a|i|iear to be a store laid up
for future occasions. \\ hati-N^r ma\ lie their l"orethou,Lrht re-
j^ardinLi food, tlie\ lia\'e a wi'll known |ir' i|irn>ity i'- hiile things
uhirh ( onu' within their re it h. thoiiLih usele>s to tlieinseKes,
aiitl .ippear tti L;i\t.' a pn fereiit a- to pieta^ ol metal, or aiiy-
thiii,U whit h ha-> a brihiaiit appearaiK e. At jalnrt. oik' * f
these biitis li itl the patient e tt) t arr\ antl liiile, t)ne by tmc,
iindiT a ^tone in the L,'artien, a i|uantity tif .>,mall pieces of
nioiuN', wiiiili amounted, when discovcreil. to 5 tir (> llorins ;
aiiil there are few countries which cannot aliord similar iii-.taii-
ces of their iloiiiestic tlielN.

( )f the perse\i'ra!ice ol the l\.a\en in the act of iiit iibatriai,
Mr. \\ liiti- has relaictl tlu follow inn remarkable ane(tl»)te : in
the centre t)f a uitivc near SelboriU' tlu're stooil a tall i;id
shapeli-ss oak which bnliieti < tii into ; 1 arue e\t rest laice lu-ar
the miildle of the sleia. ( >ii thi- lave a pair of l\a\ens hat!
fixed their re^ithait c for - 1 h a scrie.. .)f years that the oak
was distin-iuished bv the title tif ''The Ravi'ii Tree." Many
were the aMempt> tif the lua^hborm.u ymith-^ to ,L,^i at this nest.
'I'he tlillicultv wliettt ti their inclinatitiiis, ami each was .inibi-
tioiis tif at I taiipli>liinu the arduous task ; but when they arri\< d
at the swa'lliiU!, it jntteil out so in their w.i\. aiitl was so lar
bevoml their },Masp, that the bolili-st lads were ilelerred, ami
at kiiowleilm'tl the limit rtikiiiL;' to be too ha/arilous. 'i'hns the
iia\ii.s I oiitinuetl to buiM. aiitl rear their vtiuiiL; in set iirily,
until the fatal tlav tin whit h the W(n)t| was tti be levelleil.
'l'hi^ wa in the month of l'ibruar\, when these birds usually
beL'iii to >it. ll'.e r^aw was applii'tl it) the inmk, the wt-ti^es

.\()i;i iii:r\ uv\i:v.

i-\>

were driven, the woods ft limd to the liea'.v blows of the hfi-tle
or lii.ilii't. and thr Ww middid to ili tall ; hul >till ihe de\ote<l
l\a\fn M It oil. At la^t, wluii it L;ivt.' w.i\. -.he wa.^ ihinj,' iVnm
her an( lent r\r\ ; and a \ittiiii !<• jiireiital att'r( tion, wa-,
whippiii down by the lwig>, .md lirt>ughi lil».li-.-.s to liic
j^roinid.

'I'lu- voiiiil;, at \n>\. more wink- than l)lai k. arc I'l d 1>\' l«itid
|)ri\ i')ii>l\ pripirrd in ilu' • raw ol the ninthfr ami ilu-n di-.
goriii'd by the bill, nearly iii die uiamu'r ni I'luion^. i hr nialc
at this time, doubly vi,L,'ii int and indii>liit»u>, ni>t i>nl\ |»rii\idis
for. but defends his lainilN Ni.noroii^ly hom i\ir\ htile ail.n k,
and shows a i)artinilar iinnity to the Kite win n he ap])*' ii> in
his neiijhborhotxl, po'iiK inj; tipun him and sinking; with Ium
bill until sonu'times both antaijonists diMend to tlu- ,nrv>und.
'J'he youn-,' are lont( and ailit lioiiati-Iy 1"' d by the paniil> ; and
though they soon lea\f tin- ii(-.i, lluy ninain pi i< liiiiL' on liie
neii:hborin|4 rocks, yt-t unablr to makr an\ t\ti iimw iIil;!!'.. ;:nd
pass the time in continual < omiilainini,' crie> till the approach
ot the parent with too<l, wlu-n tlnir note chanm>. into ./(/<■••,
traii.'. c/ii'o. Now and tin n a> tluv i:.nn strcnu'th ihev make
efforts to tlv, and then return to their n)( k\' roo>,t. About 15
days .ifter leavin.:.; the not. tlu\- become bo well pnparid for
lliuht as to a(«t>inpany the parent-, out on their e.\( ursioiis from
morning to nigh' ; ami it is amusing to wat( h the progress of
this affectionate a>so( i iti on, the nouiil; continuing the whole
sinnnu-r to go out with ilir old in tlie morning, and as regularlv
return with tiuau again in die e\cning. so tint howcsi r u-- m.iv
despise the appelue of the K,i\i n, wr c.inm»t 1 :t admire the
instincti\e morality of his n aiure.

lake birds of prev, the R neiis rejert from tb.e •,tonvch, by
the bill, the hard and indigestible parts ..f tlu ir foo.l. a- the
stones of fruit and tlie bones of Miiall ri-,h. whirli the\ xune-
tiines cat.

The .Vortluru Raven has been separated lately trnm t!ie
'•. Mexican " race (for whieli latter the name ot •.iniiiitin has been
retained I : and the di^trilnitinii ot the .\le.\ie.in bird is given
a.s from tiie Koeky .Mount.iiiis westward. 1 he iiortiurn form

i t

126

SIM.INHi niRDS.

occurs thmuG^hout C.inada iiottli to the Arctic Ocean and west to
the I'acitic.

()£ late years the Raven has ahnost forsaken the New Knuhmd
shores, tlioui^h it is still nunierous iiroinul tiie l'>av of i'lnidy. and
occurs locally in small numbers alouLJ the coast (if tlu- Atlantic to
.\<irth (-'arolina. In the west it ran;,a's south to northern .Miihi^an
and r>ritish C"oluml)ia. It is more aliundantto the westward of the
Mississipi)! th in in the Eastern States.

CROW.

COKVIS AMI.kHAN'US.

Char, llhick, witli gloss of piuple tinge. Length 17 to 21 inches.
AVjA In .1 tree ; ni;ule of sULk> and twigs, liiieil with grass and leaves
£^%''S. 4-6; ^ea-green to dull olisc, blotched with hidw 11 ; l.~o a. 1.20.

'I'lic Crow, like the Kawii. which it .greatly resciiihlos, is a
dcni/.i'ii (d" nearly the whole world. It is louml c\cii in \iw
Holland and the I'liilippine Ulands. but is rare in Sweden,
where tne Raven abounds. It is also (ouimon in Siberia, ami
pleiuilnl in the Arctic de>erts Ix'yoiid the Lena.

The n.itive ('row i-i a coiistaiu mul trotdjlesomclv abundant
resident in most of the settled districts of North Aiui-rica,
as well as an itih.ibitaiil 'd the \\\"stcrn wilds throui^hont
the !<()( ky Mountains, to ihe banks ol' tin- ( )re,uon and the
shores of tlu- I'acitic. These birds only retire into the forests
in the breeding s. i-on, whi(di lasts fr"ni Manh to Mav. At
this time ih;v are disper-cd tlirouudi the wood^ in pairs, and
roost in the ni'i,Lrhborli( >od of the soot which the\ha\e selected
for their ne^t : .iml the (oniuiial union, once fonned. continues
for life. The',' are now wvy noisw and \ii,dlant at^ainst any
intrnsi. p >n di ■!. purjjose, and at times .ijipi-ar influenced by
mutti d iealousy, ''Mt neviT j)roceed to any violence. The
tree they select 's u'nerally lofty, and piefert-nce seems olten
LMven to some d id. .ind conce.ilin^ evert,'reen. 'Ihe nest is
fonned extern. dly of small twii^s coarsely interlaced together,
plastered ami ; latted with t.irth, nwss and long horse hair.

CKUW.

\2:

and thickly ainl carffnlly liiu-d with large (luantitifs of tin- la>t
iiiattri.il, \v(»)l, or the finest I'lbres o{' roots, so as to Ibnn a very
comfortahle bed lor the hel|)les-> and naked \ounj;.

The male at this season is exlrenielv uai< htiil. reconnoitring;
the neinhborhotxl, and givini; an alarm as any i»erson ha|>]nn->
to approach towards their ne^i, when both retire to a di^tance
till the intruder disappears ; and in order the l)i'tler to (onciMJ
their brood, they remain uncommonly silent until these are in
a situation to follow them on tin- wing. The mile aKo carries
food to his mate while confme<l to hi r eggs, and at times
relieves her by sitting in lu-r ab>en( e. In I'.uropr, when thi'
Ka\'en, the Mu//.ard, or the Kestrel makes hi^ ippianiKH'. tlu'
|)air join instantly in the attack, and sometime^, b\ dinl ot' furi-
ous blows, destroy tlu-ir iiiemv : vrt tlu' liul( lur Uird, more
alert and courageous, not only n si-t-^, but often \:ini(ui>hes
the Crows and carries olf their voiing. I. ike the K,i\ens.
endued with an umestrained aixl natural alfec lion. lhe\ ( on-
tinue the whole suc<ei-ding sununer to suc( or and a( coiuiiain
their offspring in all their und'-rtakiugs and e\t uisious.

I'he Crow is ei|uallv omni\orous with the I-', inch : insi'cis.
worms, carrion. Ildi. grain, fruits, and in >hon e\ervlhiug
digestilile b\' an\' or all the birds in e\isteu( f, bi-ing alike
a«( cptable to this gormandizmg animal. Its (k'Ntru( lion oi
bird-iggs is also \frv considerable. In I'.urojie ( 'row-> are olt". n
di'ti'cled feeding t'leir xoracious young with tii<- pre( ioun eggs
of the Partridge, which the\- \er\' sagaiiou^ly loincx b\ care
Inllv piercing and sti( king tliein lAperily on ilu- bill. The\
also know how to break nuts ami shell fish by dropping them
from a grc-at height ttpon the rot ks below. They \isit e\en tlu
snares and devour the birds which they tlnd c.nighi, attacking
tlu- weak i^n^l v.'ouniled game, 'i'hi'y aUo >ometinu's seize on
voung chickens and I )ucks, and have c\i'n Ikt'! ob.->tT\i'd to
poiiuta.' upon Pigeons in ihe manner (jf Hawks, aiul wiih .limost
eijual success. So fmuliar atid audacious are they in sonu'
jx'.rls of the Levant that they will frei|ueut the courts of houses,
aiul, like I larpii's. alight boldlv on the dishes, as the sirvants are
conveving in the dinner, and ( arrv olf the meat, if not driven

I
I

SlNl.l.NC. 1JIK1».

away by blows. In luni. however, the Crow finds cncinit's too
powerful lor liiiii lo (.oii(|uer, >iu h as the Kile and lia^Me ( )wl,
who ()( ( j.iionally make a meal of tliix arrion bird, — a Norat ious
|jro|) ii-^itv whi< h liie \'irL(inian Owl also sonielimes exhibits
towar U the same species. Wherever the Crow appears, the
smaller birds t ike the alarm, and vent upon him tluir just
suspicions and rr|)roa(hes. l!ut U i> t)nly liie redoiiblajili'
Kinn l>iril who has ( oura^e for the att.ick, beji;inning the oii>el
1)\ pur^uin,!^ and diein.L; on lii-> lii< k from above, and haras-
sin- tile phnidrrer with -.lu h violence that he is generally glad
to get out of the way and f )rego his piratical visit . in short, a
single pair of these courageous and (jnarrelsonu- birds are sul-
licicnt to clear the ("rows from an e.\tensive corntiild.

'ihe most serious mischief of wiiich the C!row is guilty
is that of pillaging the mai/e-tleid. He commences al the
planting-time bv [lickiug up .ml rooting out the sprouting
grain, and ui the autumn, when it be( omes rii)e, wlujle llo( ks,
now assi mbled at tin ir roosting- places, blacken the neighboring
fu Ids as soon as ihi-y get into motion, and do exti-iisive dam-
age at every visU. from thr excesMve numbers who now rush to
the inviting feast.

'Their rendezvous or roosting-]»laces are the resort in au-
tmnn of all the Crows and their fimilies for many miles round.
'I'he blackening silent train continues to arrive for mon than
an liour before sunset, and some still straggle on until dark.
They nc\er arri\e in denst- lUxks, but always in lonu lines,
each tailing into the liie as he -.ees opportunitv. 'rhi> gregarious
inclination is common to manv binis in thi' autumn which
a^.-iociate only in pairs in the summer. The forests and gro\'es,
strii)ped of their agrt'cable and protecting \erdure. see -' no
longer safe and pleasant to the feathered nations. I'.xposed to
the birds of jjiev, which daily augment in numbers; pi-netrated
by the chilling blasts, which sweep without control through the
naked branches, - the birds, now inii)elled by an overruling
instinct, seek in coiigregated numbers some general, safer, and
more commodious retreat. Islands of reeds, dark and solitary
thickets, and neglecteil swanips, are the situations chosen for

I
f

ckuw.

129

11 au-
)iin<l.
ihin
(lark,
lines,
irious
vhich

' no
rd 10
lalrd
th the
rulinL;
. and
)liiary
n t\)r

their general (liurnal retreats and roosts. Swallows, IJlackbirds,
ki« c liiriis, and (rows stem always to prctV*- the low shelter of
rce<l-iliit>. ( )ii the Kiwr I )clawarc, it) iVnnsylvania. there are
two of these remarkable C'nnv roosts. The (iiic ineiitionnj liy
^\ ilsun is an island luar Newcastle called the iVa-l'atch, — a
low, llal, alluvial spot, jii^t elevated alM>ve hijrh-water mark,
and thickly covered with reeils, on which the C rows alight
and lake >heller l\jr tin nii^hi. Whether thi> nK»>t he now
«x< upied l)y these birds or not, [ < annot j>retend to say : but in
l»e<cniber, 1SJ9, 1 hul occasion to ob;ier\e their arriN.il on
kvcdy island, just above the commencement of the bay of that
ri\ir, in va>t numbers, and as the wind wafted any beatini;
%-csiM.'l lowanls the shore, they rose in a cloud and filleil the
air whh clamor. hnUed, tluir vigilant and restless iincing
continued till alter dark.

Creatures ol mere instinct, they foresee no |H:rils beyond
their actual \ ision ; ami thus, when they least e\i»e< t it, are
•sometimes swej)! aw;iy by an imexi)e( ted destniction. .Some
years ag<», during the pre\alen( e of a sudilen and violent north-
east storm .u( ompanied b\ heavy rains, the I'ea-I'atch Island
was wholly inundated in tin- night ; and the unfortunate (rows,
<!<<rm:int and bewildered, made no attempt> to estape, and
were drowned b\ thousands, so that their Ixxlies bla<kened the
shores the following da\ for several miles in extent.

'ITie (rows, like manv other l)ird->. lK'«-ome injurious ;ind
f jmudable only in the gregarious season. At other times they
live so scattered, and ire so shy and «iutious, that they are
*.— ' Idnm seen. Hut their armies, like all other great ami
■ •• ). assemblies. h,i\e the power, in limit«-d districts, of
. ng \er)' sensible mischief to tlu- agritailiural interests of the
c<;3nmunity ; and in C()nsi-(|uenci', the poor Crows, notwith-
st..'inding their olnioiis ser\ i( i-s in the destmrtion of a vast host
of insects and their larvne, are proscribed as felons in all < ivil-
ize«i cotmtries. and, with the wol\(>, panthers, and fijxes, a
price is put ujxm their heads. In ( onse(|uence, various means
of ensnaring the outlaws have been had recourse to. Of the
gwn they are very cautious, and suspect its appearance at the

%'4JI_ I. — 9

I '

ill

130

siN(;iN(; iiiKUs.

III"

first glanrc, porrrivinp with ready saj^arity the wily manner of
the lowk-r. S<) fearliil ami suspicious are thi-y of huuian arii'
flees th.ii a mere hue stretched round a field is olun found
sufficient to deter these wily birds from a visit to the cornlkld.
Aj,Minst poison they are not so guarded, and sometimes corn
stee|)ed ui hellebore is given them, which creates giddiness?
ami death.

Another curious method is that of pinning a live Crow to the
ground by the v/ings. stretcheti oul on his back, and retained
in this po>ture by two sharp, forked sticks. In this situation,
his loud cries attract other (rows, who conn- sweeping down
to tlu- prostrate |)risoner, and are grappled in his claws. In
this way eat h successive prisoner may be made the innocent
means of capturing his companion. 'I'he reeds in which they
roost, when dry enough, are sometimes set on fire also to pro-
cure their destruction ; and to add to the fatality produced by
the (lames, gunners are also stationed round to destroy those
that attemjjt to escape by (light. In severe winters tluy suffer
occasionally Iroiu famine and cold, and (all soiiuliiues dead
in the fields. .According to Wilson, in one of tlu'se severe
seasons, more than 600 (rows wert- shot on the carcase of a
(lead horse, which was plated at a p:t)))'T shooting tlistancc
frtjin a stable. The premiums obtainetl fjr these, ami the price
])rocuretl ("or tlu- (juills, prtxlnt ttl to the farmer nearly the value
of the horse when living, besides alCording feathers sufficient to
fill a betl.

file (row is easily raisetl and domesticated, and soon learns
to distinguish the tlifferent members of the family with which
he is associateil. lie screams at the approach of a stranger ;
learns to open the tjoor bv alighting on the latch ; atti'iitls
regularly at meal times ; is very nt)isy anil ItHiuacious ; imitates
the sounds of varit)ns wt)rils which he hears ; is very thievish,
given to hiding curiosities in ht)les and cievices, and Is very
ftjud of ( arrying o('f pietH's t)f metal, corn, bread, antl focjtl of
all kinils ; he is also particularly attached to the society of his
master, and recollects him sometimes after a long absence.

It is ct)mnionly believed and assertetl in some parts of this

FISH CROW.

ner of
\ arti'
found
ntkUl.
s corn
,ilincs?

to the
•taincd
ualion,
; down
ks. In
inoci-nl
( h they
to pro-
le 1(1 by
•y those
L'y suffer
L's dead
,' severe
ase of a

listance

u' price
Ihe vahie

t icut to

In learns
111 \vlii<h
[rani^er ;
attends
lunitates
jhievish,
is very
food of
of his
lire,
of this

»!

cotnitry that the Crows enga^'e at tiine> in general (onihat;
but it has never biin asi ertained whether this hostility arises
from civil dis<:ord, or the opposition of A\'<' different >pi< ies
( oiitistin.u for M)nu' exclusive privile^'e of sub^i^tinji,' j^rounil.
It IS Will known that Kook> ofiiii « oiiund with iMch otiier,
and drivi' awav by exery persi-cuting means indivulu;ils wIhj
arrive among them from any oilur rookery.

Noli:. Till' i"i (>Kiii\ Ckow (('.i///.'i>/itifN/\y/('ri(/<r/iNs)i\'\t(i'rs
frniii truf tiiintitiiiius in Ii.uiiii; tin- win^s .lud t.iil .shorter, aiul the
l)ill and fict lais^^or. It is nstrii led to southern i'lorida.

I'lSII CROW.
CoRvus ossn K.v(;us.

Char. Rlack glossed witli >tcell)lue. Lcnytli 15 to 17)^ inclics.
A'l'st, (Jn a trt'c ; of >tiiks ,iiul l\vi,L;s liinily l.iid, liiud svitli li:ivc>.
/T^'i.'j. 5-7 ; sca-grecu or olive, Ijlo'.chcd uiul spolteil with brown ;
1.50 X 1.05.

Wil^ion was the first to observe the distiiu live traits of this
smaller and jiec uliar American species of Crow along the sea-
coast of ( leorj^ia. It in met with a>. fir nortii as the coast of
New Jersey; and although we did not m'c it in the western
interior of tiie continent, it is common on tlu' banks of the
Oregon, where it was nesting in the month of April. It
keeps apart from the common s])ecies, and instead of assem-
bling to roost among the reeds at night, ri'tires, towards
evening, from the shores which afford it a subsistence, and
perches in the neighboring woods. It> notes, probably various,
are at times hoarse and guttural, at oilurs weaker and higher.
These Crows i)ass most of their time ni'ar rivers, hovering over
the stream to catch up ^\vm\ and ])erhaps living fish, or other
animal matters which lloat wiiliin liuir reach ; at thesi- they
dive with considerabU' celerity, and seizing them in their claws,
convey tiii'in to an adjoining tree, and devour the fruits of
their predatory indu.stry at leisure. They also snatch uj) water-

ii>

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

1.25

iL 1111.6

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

^ts%

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

f fl

SINGING BIRDS.

lizanls in the same manner, and feed upon small crabs; at
times they are seen even co.'itending with the Oulls for their
prey. It is amusing to see with what steady watchfulness they
hover over the water in search of their precarious food, having,
in fact, all the traits of the (lull ; but they subsist more on
accidental supplies than by any regular system of fishing. On
laud they have sometimes all the familiarity of the Magpie,
hopping upon tlie backs of cattle, in whose company they no
doubt occasionally meet with a supply of insects when other
sources fail. Thev are also regular in their attendance on the
fishermen of New Jersey for the purpose of gleaning up the
refuse of the fish. They are less shy and suspicious than
the common Crow, and showing no inclination for plundering
the cornfields, are rather friends than enemies to the f^irmer.
They appear near Philadelphia from the middle of March to
the beginning of June, during the season of the shad and herring
fishery.

The habitat now accorded to this species is '"the Atlantic and
Gulf States north to Long Island and west to Louisiana.'' It
probably occurs occasionally along the Connecticut shore, and may
straggle into .\hissacluisi tls ; though .Mr. .Allen has omitted it from
his list.

(;)n the Pacific coast it is replaced by C. caurinus.

All Crows are more or less fish-eaters, and in some localities fish
forms their staple diet. On the shores of Cape Breton, near the
coal districts, the fish-eating Crows are separated by the natives
from the common sort. It is saiil that the flight and voice of these
birds can be readily distinsiuished. Some inincrs working at
Lepreaux. in Xew Prunswick, who were familiar with the fish-
eating Cr.)\\s of Cape Preton, drew my attention to a flock of
aiiixarentl) .^mall and peculiar-voiced Crows gleaning along the
shores : but though easily trapped by a fish bait, they proved to
be nothin<r more than rather small common Crows.

Note. — The American- M.vgpie {Pica pica /ludsonicd) is a
Western and Northwestern bird, and occurs as a straggler only
east of the Mississippi. It has been taken in Michigan, northern.
Illinois, and western Ontario ; also at Chambly. near Montreal.

:>#-T

lbs; at
)r their
;ss they
having,
11 (J re on
g. On
Magpie%
they no
n other
J on the
; up the
lus than
nitlering
farmer,
larch to
I herring

antic and

ma."' It

and may

d it from

ihtics fish
near the
c natives
of tliese
rkini;; at
the fish-
flock of
long the
iroved to

\'ca) is a
^ler only
Inorthem
treal.

T=?^^

•T J . ' **^!/ ;^;*^ »v>--i -tf.*,- ~ ^=55^ _-= -

BLUE JAY.

CvAXDcrnA crisiata.

CllAR. Above, purplish blue; below, pale piiriiHsh srav, lighter on
throat and tail-coverts ; wings and tail bright blue barred with black ; wing-
coverts, secondaries, and most of tail-feathers brnadlv tipi^ed with white.
Head conspicuously crested ; tail wcdgc->hai)ed. Length ii to 12^ inches.

N'cst. In a small conifer, about 20 feet from the ground, situated in
deep forest or near a settlement ; roughly but firmly constructed of twigs
and roots, and lined with tine roots.

E'^c^s. 4-5; pale olive or buff, spotted with yellowish brown; i 10
X 0,85.

This elegant and common species is met with in the interior,
from the remote northwestern regions near Peace River, in the
54th to the 56th degree, I.ake Winnipeg in the 49th degree,
the eastern steppes of the Rocky Mountains, and southwest-
ward to the banks of the Arkansas ; also along the Atlantic
regions from the confines of Xewfinmilland to the peninsula of
Florida and the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

1 1

134

SIXGINC; IIIRDS.

«ii

lit

Ill' i

The Blue Jay is a constant inhabitant both of the wooded
wilderness and the vicinity of the settled farm, though more
faniiHar at the approach of winter and early in spring than at
any other season. These wanderings or limited migrations are
induced by necessity alone ; his hoards of grain, nuts, and
acorns either have failed or are forgotten : for, like other
misers, he is more assiduous to amass than to expend or en-
joy his stores, and the fruits of his labors very frequently either
devolve to the rats or squirrels, or accidentally assist in the
replanting of the forest. His visits at this time are not un-
fre(|nent in the garden and orchard, and his usual petulant
address of (//'dr, Jay. Jay, and other harsh and trumpeting
articulations, soon make his retreat known to all in his neigh-
borhood. So habitual is this sentinel cry of alarm, and so ex-
pressive, that all the birds within call, as well as other wild
animals, are instantly on the alert, so that the fowler and
hunter become generally disappointed of their game by this
his garrulous and noisy propensity ; he is therefore, for his
petulance, frequently killed without pity or profit, as his tlesh,
thougli eaten, has but little to recommend it. His more com-
plaisant notes, when undisturbed, though guttural and echoing,
are by no means uni)leasant, and fall in harmoniously with the
cadence of the feathered choristers arountl him, so as to form
a finishing part to the general music of the grove. His ac-
cents of blandishment, when influenced by the softer passions,
are low and musical, so as to be scarcely heard beyond the
thick branches where he sits concealed ; but as soon as dis-
covered he bursts out into notes of rage and reproach, accom-
panying his voice by jerks and actions of temerity and defiance.
Tndeed the Jay of Europe, with whom our beau agrees entirely
in habits, is so irascible and violent in '-""s movements as some-
times to strangle himself in the narrow fork of a branch from
which he has been found suspended. Like the European spe-
cies, he also exhibits a great antipathy to the Owl, and by his
loud and savage vociferation soon brings together a noisy troop
of all the busy birds in the neighborhood. To chis garrulous
attack the night wanderer has no reply but a threatening stare

BLUE JAV.

135

[is ac-
issions,
bid the
las dis-
bccom-
; fiance,
nitirely
some-
[h from
111 spe-
by his
ly troop
Irrulous
Ig stare

of indifiference ; and as soon as opportunity offers, he quietly
slips from his slandering company. Advantage in some coun-
tries is taken of this dislike for the purpose of catching birds ;
thus the Owl, being let out of a box, sometimes makes a hoot,
which instantly assembles a motley group, who are then caught
by liming the neighboring twigs on which they perch. In this
gossip the Jay and Crow are always sure to take j)art if within
sight or hearing of the ra//, and are thus caught or destroyed
at will. The common Jay is even fond of imitating the harsh
voice of the Owl and the noisy Kestrel. 1 have also heard the
Blue Jay mock with a taunting accent the Xv' co, /•<■ 00, or quail-
ing, of the Red-shouldered Hawk. Wilson likewise heard him
take singular satisfliction in teasing and mocking the little
American Sparrow Hawk, and imposing upon him by the pre-
tended i)laints of a wounded bird ; in which frolic several would
appear to join, until their sport sometimes ended in sudden
consternation, by the Hawk, justly enough, pouncing on one of
them as his legitimate and devoted prey.

His talent for mimicry when domesticated is likewise so far
capable of improvement as to enable him to imitate human
speech, articulating words with some distinctness ; and on
hearing voices, like a Parrot, he would endeavor to contribute
his important share to the tumult. Bewick remarks of the
common Jay of Europe that he heard one so exactly counter-
feit the actio. :)f a saw that, though on a Sunday, he could
scarcely be persuaded but that some carpenter was at work.
Another, unfortunately, rendered himself a serious nuisance by
learning to houuvl a cur dog upon the domestic cattle, whistling
and calling him by name, so that at length a serious accident
occurring in consequence, the poor Jay was proscribed.

One which I have seen in a state of domestication behaved
with all the quietness and modest humility of Wilson's caged
bird with a petulant companion. He seldom used his voice,
came in to lodge in the house at. night in any comer where he
was little observed, but unfortunately perished by an accident
before the completion of his education.

The favorite food of this species is chestnuts, acorns, and

. n

;i'

■ I f

\ i

136

SL\GL\(] niKDS.

Indian corn or maize, the latter of which he breaks before
swallowinLf. He also feeds occasionally on the larger insects
and caterpillars, as well as orchard fruits, particularly cherries,
and does not even refuse the humble fare of jjotatoes. In
times of scarcity he falls upon carrion, and has been knou n to
\enture into the barn, through accidental openings ; when, as
if sensible of the danger of purloining, he is active and siKiit,
and if surprised, postponing his garrulity, he retreats with
noiseless precijjitation and with all the cowardice of a tliief.
The wor>t trait of his appetite, however, is his relish for the
eggs of utiier birds, in quest of vdiich he may frequently be
seen prowling ; and with a savage cruelty he sometimes also
devours the callow young, spreading the i)laint of sorrow and
alarm wherever he Hits. The whole neighboring coip.munity
of little birds, assembled at the cry of distress, sometimes, how-
ever, succeed m driving off the ruthless plunderer, who, not
always content with the young, has been seen to attack the old,
though with dubious success ; but to the gallant and (juarrel-
some King Ilird he submits like a cowartl, and dri\en to seek
shelter, even on the ground, from the repeated blows of his
antagonist, sneaks off well contented to save his life.

Although a few of these birds are seen with us nearly through
the winter, numbers, no doubt, make predatory excursions to
milder regions, so that they appear somewhat abundant at this
season in the Southern States ; yet they are known to rear their
young from Canada to South Carolina, so that their migrations
may be nothing more than journeys from the highlands
towards the warmer and more productive sea-coast, or eastern
frontier.

East of the Mississippi the Blue Jay has been rarely seen nortli
of the 50th parallel.

XoTE. — A smaller race, which differs also from true cristata in
having less white on the tips of the secondaries and tail-feathers,
has been named the Flokioa Blue Jay {C. cristata Jlorincola).
It is found in Florida and along tin.' (ailf coast.

FLORIDA JAV

:>/

north

\/a/a ill
lathers,

FLORIDA JAV.

ApHKLOCOMA FLORII )AN'.\.

Char. Above, dull azure blue; back with patch of brownish gray ;
throat and chest grayish white strcalvcd with ashy: belly, brownish gray.
No crest i tail longer than wing. Length lo'^ to 12^2 inches.

iVf'.f/. In low tree or thicket of bushes ; made of twigs and roots, lined
with fine roots and moss.

AVc-r- 4-5; P^lc green or bkiisli gray, spotted with rufous and black;
i.:o X oSo.

'I'his elegant species is, as far as yet knuwn, almost wholly
confined to the interior of the mild ]KMiinsula of luist Florida.
In a tonr through the lower parts of (ieorgia and West FIori<la,
])rc)tr;u:teil to the middle of March, I saw none of these birls;
and at the approach of winter the\' c\en retire to the south
of St. Augnsiiiie, as Mr. Ord did not meet with them until
about the middle of February ; from that tinu-, however, they
were seen d'-'y, Hying low and hopping through the luxuriant
thickets, or peei)ing from the dark branches of the live-oaks
which adorn the outlet of the St. Juan. These birds appear
to possess the u-^ual propensities of their tribe, being quarrel-
some, active, and garrulous. Their voice is less harsh than
that of the common IJlue Jay, and they have a variety of notes,
some of which, probably imitations, are said to have a resem-
blance to the song of the Thrush and the call of the common
Jay.

Only a single brood is raised in the season. Its food is ven*
similar to that of the other species ; namely, berries, fruts,
mast, and insects. It likewise collects snails from the marshy
grounds, feeds largely on the seeds of the sword-palmetto :
and, in the manner of the Titmouse, it secures its food be-
tween its feet, and breaks it into pieces previous to swalhjwing.
Like other species of the genus, it destroys the eggs and young
of small birds, despatching the latter by repeated blows on the
head. It is also easily reconciled to the cage, and feeds on
fresh or dried fruits and various kinds of nuts. Its attempts at
mimicry in this state are very imperfect.

CANADA JAY.

WHISKEY JACK. MOOSE BIRD.

Perisoreus canadensis.

Char. Above, a?hy gray; head and nape smoky black; forehead
and lower par:- whitish gray ; breast brownish gray ; wings and tail
dark ashv. ti;>ped obscurely with white. Young: uniform dull smoky
black, paler beneath. Length, ii to 12 inches.

N'est. In a coniferous tree; a bulky hut compact structure of cried
twigs, shreds of bark and moss thickly lined with feathers.

i?:,:;,^ 4-5; •-'f "gbt gray 01 huffish, spotted with dark gray, lilac gray,
and pale brown ; 1.15 X o.So.

Th:s species, with the intrusive habits and plain plumage of
the Pie, is almost confined to the northern regions of America,
being rnet with around Hudson's Bay, but becoming rare near
the St, Lawrence, and in winter only straggling along the coast
as far as Nova Scotia, Westward, occasionally driven by the
severity of the weather and failure of food, they make their
appearance in small parties in the interior of Maine and north-

CANADA JAV.

«39

lenca,

|e near

coast

)y the

their
lorth-

em parts of Vermont, where, adording to Amlubon, they are
freciuently known to breed. 'I'hey also descend into the State
of N' >•' York as far as the town of Hudson and the banks of
the Moh '\k. In the month of May 1 observed a wandering
bro(3d of these birds, old and young, on the shady borders
of the Wahlamet, in the (Oregon territory, where thev had
probably been bred. 'I'hey descended to the ground near a
spring in (juest of insects and small shells.

According to Mr. Mulchins, like the I'ie, when near the
habitations and tents of the inhabitants and natives, it is given
to pilfering everything within reach, and is sometimes so bold
as to venture into the tents and snatch tiu- meat from the
dishes even, whether fresli or salt. It has also the mischievous
sagacity cf watchi.-g the hunters set their traps for the Martin,
from which it i)urloins the bait. Its ajfijctite, like that of the
Crow, appears omnivorous. It fee Is on worms, various insects,
and their lar\-fe, and on flesh of different kinds ; ]ay-> up stores
of berries in hollow trees- for winter : and at times, with the
reindeer, is driven to the necessity of fee<ling on lichens.
The severe winters of the wilds it inhabits, urges it to seek
support in the vicinity of habitations. Like the common Jay,
at this season it leaves the woods to make excursions after
food, trying every means for subsistence ; and tained by hun-
ger, it seeks boklly the society of men and animals. These
birds are such praters as to be consitlered Mocking IJirds, and
are superstitiously dreaded by the aborigines. They com-
monly fly in pairs or rove in small families, are no way difticult
to approach, and keep up a kind of friendly chattering, some-
times repeating their notes for a quarter of an hour at a time,
imm' diately before snow or falling weather. When caught,
they seldom long survive, though they never neglect their food.
Like most of their genus, they breed early in the spring, build-
ing their nests, which are formed of twigs and grass in the pine-
trees. They lay 4 to 6 light-grayish eggs, faintly marked with
brown spots. The young brood, at first, are perfect Crows, or
nearly quite black, and continue so for some time.

According to Richardson, this inelegant but familiar bird

^ii

1 t

■^

-las

rsstss

140

SIN(;iNG ISIRDS.

t t

inhabits all the \vood\ distrirts of the remote fur countries from
the 65th parallel to Ciinada, and now and then in severe win-
ters extends his desultory niii^rations within the northern limits
of the United States. Scarcely has the winter traveller in those
cold regions chosen a suitable place of repose in the forest,
cleare<l away the snow, lighted his fire, and i)repared his tent,
when Whiskey Jack insidiously pays him a visit, and boldly
rlescends into the social circle to pick up any cnniibs of fro/en
fish or morsels of dry meat that may have escaped the mouths
of the wear)' and hungry sledge-dogs. 'I'his ( onfidence is almost
the only recommendation of our familiar intruiler. There is
nothing pleasing in his voice, ])lumage. or attitudes. l!ut this
rlark, sinister dwarf of the North is now the only inhabitant of
those silent and trackless forests, and trusting from necessit\ in
the forbearance of man, he fearlessly approaches, and craves
his alloweil ])ittance from llie wan^lering stranger who visits his
dreary domain. At the fur posts and fishing stations he is also
a stea(iy attendant, becoming so tamed in the winter by the
terrible inclemency of the climate as to eat tamely from the
ofiferetl hand ; >et at the same time, wild and inilomitable
under this garb of humility, he seldom sur^•ives long in confine-
ment, and pines away with the loss of his accustomed liberty.
He hops with activity from branch to branch, but when at rest,
sits with his head drawn in, and with his plumage loose. 'I'lie
voice of this inelegant bird is plaintive and squeaking, though
he occasionally makes a low chattering, especially when his food
appears in view. Like our Blue Jay, he has the habit of hoard-
ing berries, morsels of meat, etc., in the hollows of trees or
beneath their bark. These magazines prove useful in winter,
and enable him to rear his hardy brood even before the disap-
pearance of the snow from the ground, and long before any
other bird indigenous to those climates. The nest is concealed
with such care that but few of the natives have seen it.

Whiskey Jack has evidently moved somewhat southward since
Xuttall made his observations, for the species is now a fairly com-
mon resident of the Maritime Provinces of Canada, as well as of
the northern portions of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New

I {

LANAhA I AY.

141

N'ork. and Michiijaii. Near Ottawa, aiul in the Mu>koka ili>trict
of Ontario, it oci uis regularly. t!n»u;;!i it is not al«iin<l.int. hi ' »l-
toln r. iSSij, oiiL- example was taken at .\rlini;lnii llii^ht>. ne.ir
lioston. and several li.ivc been reported irum oilier localities iu
MassacluiseUs.

I examined a nest taken near ludniundston. New Urunswick. on
April 7, 1.SS3. at which date tin- tuuiitry there was covered with
snow and iee. I'he nest was placed on a small tree near the main
hii;hway. and not many humlred yards from the railro.id station.
As the cold in that rej^ion is intense. t!ie temperature often hein^ at
— 30^ to — 40° F. in midwinter, it is surprising tiiat the eijgs are
ever hatched. lUit the nest is made very warm, and the birds sit
close, and when one parent steps otf the other at once steps on.

liy the first of June the youn<jf are in full feather and takin- care
of themselves.

Nuttall's opinion that tliLSe birds apj)ear bold and familiar onlv
wlieii pressed by the hunger of winter, has not found supDort in
my experience. Fre(|nently when camping in the Xew llrunswick
woods during the summer \aiation i have seen numbers of tiiese
birds gather about ay camp-tire within a few minutes after it has
been lighted : and they did not hesitate to pick up a piece of meat
thrown toward them. .Mr. Thompson reports a similar experience
in .Manitoba, lie describes these birds coming to his camp-tire.side
a;ul helping tlums-lves to scraps lying but a fev feet frem where
he was sitting. .Several other observers, however, have recorded
a similar opinion to .Xuttall's: and it m.ty be tliat the fearless birds
are restricted to localities where they are not disturbed.

The Canadian lumters ami lumljermen liave a superstitious
respect for these birds, fearing the ill-luck that is said to result
from killing" one, and Whiskey Jack may have discovered that.

Note. — The LAr.u.vnoK Jav {P. ntnudcnsis tiij^n'rdfii/us)
differs from true cnniu/ciisis in being darker in i^eneral coloraiit)n.
It is restricted to the coast region of Labrador.

ViX

ji»V -*«>""«*<'W,

'lit

TiFivA) 'rrrMOusE.

I'ARLS IJICOLOK.

Char. Above, bluish ash; beneath, dull white; flanks tinged with
yellowish brown ; forehead black ; head conspicuously crested. Length
5^4 to 6/2 inches.

-\'< jA In a cavity of a tree or stump ; composed of leaves, moss, or
woollen material, lined with feathers,

£^\'s. 5-S , white or pale cream, spotted with reddish brown; 0.75
X 0.55.

From the geographic limits of this species, as it occurs to
me. I am inchned to believe that the birtl seen in (Ireenlantl
may be dififerent from the present, as it scarcely a])pears to
exist north beyond the States of P'^nnsylvania or New York.
They are seldom, if ever, seen or heard in this part of Massa-
chusetts, and instead of being more abundant to the north, as
believed by Wilson, they are probably not known there at all.
In the Southern States, at least in winter and spring, they are
very common, and present all the usual habits and notes of the
genus. The numbers which I saw in the Southern States from
Tanuan' to March would seem to indicate a migratorv habit ;
but whether they hatl arrived from the Northeast, or from the
great forests of the West, could not be conjectured.

The Pt'/o, as I may call this bird from one of his character-
istic notes, and the Carolina A\'ren, were my constant and
amusing companions during the winter as I passed through the
drearv' solitudes of the Southern States. The sprightliness,
caprice, and varied musical talent of this species are quite
interesting, and more peculiarly so when nearly all the other
vocal tenants of the forest are either absent or silent. To

trom
labit ;
n ihe

Icter-

and

h the

Iness,

]iiite

)ther

TUFri:i) riTMOusE.

143

hear in the middle of January, when at least the leafless trees
and dark cloudy skies remind us of tiie coldest season, the
lively, cheerini,', varied i)ii)e of this active and hardy bird, is
particularly t^ratifying ; and though his voice 011 paper may aj)
pear to present only a list of (|uaint articulations, yet the deli-
cacy, energy, pathos, and variety of his simple song, like many
other things in Nature, are far beyond the fteble power of
description; and if in these rudi' graphii- outlines of the inim-
itable music of birds 1 am able to draw a caricature sufficient
to indicate the imlividual pcrfornur, I shall have attained all
the object to be hoped for in an attemj)! at natural ilelincation.

'I'he notes of the Peto generally partake of the high, echo-
ing, clear tone of the lialtimore llird. Among his more extra-
ordinary expressions I was struck with the call of '-whip-toni-
kVly kVly, and now and then 'ri'//// tiun hilly, with occasionally
some variation in the tone and expression, which was \ery
lively and agreeable. The middle syllable {torn) was j)ro-
nounced in a hollow reverberating tone. In a few minutes
after the subject and its variations were finished, in the estima-
tion of the musical i)erformer, he suddenly twisted hnnself
roimd the branch on which he had sat, with a variety of odd
anil fantastic motions ; and then, in a lower, hoarser, harsh
voice, and in a peevish tone, exactly like that of the Jay and
the Chickadee, went ilay- day-day-ddy , and {luy-ddy-tlny-ilay-
(Idif; sometimes this loud note changed into one which be-
came low and querulous. On some of these occasions he also
called 'fsliita dce-dce. The jarring call would then change
occasionally into kai-tcc-did did-dif-did. These peevish notes
would often be uttered in anger at being approached ; and
then again would perhaps be answered by some neighboring
rival, against whom they appeared levelled in taunt and ridi-
cule, being accompanied by extravagant gestures.

Later in the season, in February, when in the lower part of
Alabama the mild influence of spring began already to be felt,
our f^ivorite, as he gayly pursued the busy tribe of insects, now
his principal food, called, as he vaulted restlessly from branch
to branch, in an echoing rapid voice, at short intervals, pefo-

ill

}

Ifl:
llf

) i

l!i; ' '

I i

144

SINGING BIRDS.

pcto-pefo-pcio. This tender call of recognition was at length,
answered, and continued at inter\-als for a minute or two ; they
then changed their quick call into a ^\o\\cx pv/o pefo pefo ; and
now the natural note passed into the plaintive key, sounding
like (jiir-ah (jiic-ali ; then in the same breath a jarring note like
that of the Catbird, and in part like the sound made by put-
ting the lower li]) to the upper teeth, and calling 'A//' rd/i, '/s/i'
7'ah. After this the call of ktrn-kt-ri-y-ki-rry-kcrfv struck uj)
with an echoing sound, heightened l)y the hollow bank of the
river whence it proceeded. At length, more delicately than at
first, in an under tone, you hear anew, and in a tender accent,
pcto pcto peto. In the caprice and humor of our performer,
tied by no rules but those of momentary feeling, the expression
will perhaps change into a slow and i\\\\ pn-f-pect-a-pcct-a-peef,
then a low and very rapid ki:r-kci--ker-kcr-kcr-kcrry, sometimes
so quick as almost to resemble the rattle of a watchman. At
another time his morning song commences like the gentle
whispers of an aerial spirit, and then becoming high and clear
like the voice of the nightingale, he cries kccva kcaui kcrva
kc-'va ; but soon filling into the querulous, the day-day-day-Jay-
diix-dait of the Chickadee terminates his performance Imita-
tive, as well as inventive, I have heard the Peto also sing
something like the lively chatter of the Swallow, leta-lcta-lcta-
ktalif, and then vary into peto-peto-peto-peto-pcto extremely
quick. Unlike the warblers, our cheerful Peto has no trill, or
any other notes than tliese simple, playful, or pathetic calls ;
yet the compass of voice and the tone in which they are
uttered, their capricious variety and their general Q.{iiiQ^^ at the
season of the year when they are heard, are quite as pleasing
to the contemplative observer as the more exquisite notes of
the summer songsters of the verdant forest.

The sound of 'whip-toiii-krlly, which I heard this bird utter,
on the 17th of January, 1830, near Barnwell, in South Carolina,
is very remarkable, and leads me to suppose that the species is
also an inhabitant of the West India Islands, where Sloane
attributes this note to the Red-eyed Flycatcher; but it is now
known to be the note of a tropical species, the vireo longiros-

TUFTED TITMOL'SE.

145

/m, and which our bird had probably • 2Jid mimicked in its
distant chme.

Ihc Peto, besides insects, Uke the Jay, to which he is allied,
chops up acorns, cracks mifs and hapl amid shelly seeds to get
at their contents, holdin , them mcamwrMe in his feet. He
also searches and pecks decayed trcc^rawl ihe ; bark with ccmi-
siderable energy and industry in quc^rC tof lanae ; he often also
enters into hollow trunks, prying after At: s>ame objects. In
these holes they commonly roost in wimirr, and occup\' the
same secure situations, or the holes of ttSae -small Woodi)e(kcr,
for depositing and hatching their egg*,. wSakh takes place early
in April or in May, according to the 4ii&rrent parts of the
Union they happen to inhabit. Somc:.KQes they dig out a
cavity for themselves with much labor, and always line the
hollow with a variety of warm materiabr. T"heir eggs, about six
to eight, are white with a few small specks of brownish red near
the larger end. The whole family, young ajod old, may be seen
hunting together throughout the summer aimd winter, and keep-
ing up a continued mutual chatter.

According to the observations of WeI^ii it soon becomes
familiar in confinement, and readily nnakes its way out of a
wicker cage by repeated blows at the itwigs. It may be fed
on hemp-seed, cherry-stones, apple-f ' - - -. ?.iid hickory nuts,
broken and thrown in to it. In its naciiraii slate, like the rest
of its vicious congeners, it sometimes destmo^'S small birds by
blows on the skull.

This species belongs to the Carolinian fact^-al area, and occurs
regularly only from about the 40th parallel! *o>!Ulhward : north of
that it is but an accidental straggler. A ir-w examples have been
taken in New England, mostly in Connecu;ii.uBiL.

\\\

utter,

^rolina,

jcies is

ISloane

is now

voL. 1. — 10

146

SINGING BIRDS.

ii!

i| %

!/il

1 '

CHICKADEE.

PaRUS AIRICAPILLUS.

Char. Above, ashy gray ; below, grayish white; flanks buffy ; crown
and throat black; cheek white. Length 4J4 to 5^4 inches.

A'ts/. In a cavity made in a decayed stump, entering from the top or
side ; composed of wool or inner fur of small mammals firmly and
compactly felted. Sometimes moss and hair are used, and a lining of
feathers.

jE^i;;i;s. 5-S ; white speckled with reddish brown, 060 X 0.50.

This familiar, hardy, and restless little bird chiefly inhabits
the Northern and Middle States as well as Canada, in which it
is even resident in winter around Hudson's Bay, and has been
met with at 62° on the northwest coast. In all tiie Northern
and Middle States, during autumn and winter, families of these
birds are seen c'lattering and roving through the woods, busily
engaged in gleaning their multifarious food, along with Nut-
hatches and Creepers, the whole forming a busy, active, and
noisv group, whose manners, food, and habits bring them
together in a common pursuit. Their diet varies with the
season ; for besides insects, their larvas and eggs, of which they
are more particularly fond, in the month of September they
leave the woods and assemble fomiliarly in our orchards and
gardens, and even enter the thronging cities in quest of that
support which their native forests now deny them. Large
seeds of many kinds, particularly those which are oily, as the
sunflower and pine and spruce kernels, are now sought after.
These seeds, in the usual manner of the genus, are seized in
the claws and held against the branch until picked open by tne
bill to obtain their contents. Fat of various kinds is also
greedily eaten, and they regularly watch the retreat of the hog-
killers in the country, to glean up the fragments of meat which
adhere to the places where the carcases have been suspended.
At times they feed upon the wax of the candle-berry myrtle
{Myrica cerifcni) ; they likewise pick up crumbs near the houses,
and search the weather-boards, and even the window-sills,

CHICKADEE.

147

; crown

e top or
nly and

ining of

nhabits
,'hich it
as been
orthern
of these
s. busily
[til Nut-
ive, and
g them
ith the
ich they
)er they
rds and
of that
Large
as the
It after,
cizcd in
1 by tae
is also
he hog-
t which
lended.
myrtle
houses,
iw-sills,

familiarly for their Inrking prey, and are particularly fond of
spiders and the eggs of destructive moths, especially those of
the canker-worm, which they greedily destroy in all its stages
of existence. It is said that they sometimes attack their own
species when the individual is sickl}', and aim their blows at
the skull with a view to eat the brain ; but this barbarity I have
never witnessed. In winter, when satisfied, they will descend
to the snow-bank beneath and (juench their thirst by swallow-
ing small pieces ; in this way their various and frugal meal is
always easily supi)lied ; and hardy, and warmly clad in light
and very downy feathers, they suffer little inconvenience from
the inclemency of the seasons. Indeed in the winter, or about
the close of October, they at times appear so enlivened as
already to show their amorous attachment, like our domestic
cock, the male approaching his mate with lluttering and vibra-
ting wings ; and in the spring season, the males have obstinate
engagements, darting after each other witii great velocity and
anger. Their roost is in the hollows of decaved trees, where
they also breed, making a soft nest of moss, hair, and feathers,
and laying from six to twelve eggs, which are white, with
specks of brown-red. They begin to lay about the middle or
close of April ; and though they commonly make use of natural
or deserted holes of the Woodpecker, yet at times they are
said to excavate a cavity for themselves with much labor. The
first brood take wing about the 7th or loth of June, and they
have sometimes a second towards the end of July. The young,
as soon as fledged, have all the external marks of the adult, —
the head is ec[ually bhick, and they chatter antl skip about
with all the agility and self-possession of their parents, who
appear nevertheless very solicitous for their safety. From this
time the whole family continue to associate together through
the autumn and winter. They seem to move by concert from
tree to tree, keeping up a continued 'fshc-dc-dc-(fe-(/e,i\.n(\ '/s/ir-
dc-(k-dc-dait, preceded by a shrill whistle, all the while busily
engaged picking round the buds and branches hanging from
their extremities and proceeding often in reversed postures,
head downwards, like so many tumblers, prj'ing into every

» (

1 48

SINGING BIRDS.

fc I

fi: . I

crevice o( the bark, and searching around the roots and in
every possible retreat of their insect prey or its larva;. If the
object chance to fall, they industriously descend to the ground
and glean it up with the utmost economy.

On seeing a cat or other object of natural antipathy, the
Chickadee, like the peevish Jay, scolds in a loud, angry, and
hoarse note, like '/s/w ihii:^Ji thiii^Ji Jdii^h, Among the other
notes of this sjK'cies I have heard a call like tshc-iic-Jay, tslic-
dt'-Jay, the two first syllables being a slender chirp, with they'^H'
strongly i)ronouncetl. AlniDst the only note of this bird which
may be called a song is one which is frequently heard at inter-
vals in the depth of the forest, at times of the day usually when
all other birds are silent. \\'e then may sometimes hear in the
midst of this solitude two feeble, drawling, clearly whistled, and
rather melancholy notes, like 'fc-iicrry, and sometimes 'iv-
pcrrit, and occasionally, but much more rarely, in the same
wiry, wiiistling, solemn tone, ^pelibc. The young, in winter, also
sometimes drawl out these contemplative strains. In all cases
the first syllable is very high and clear, the second word drops
low and ends like a feeble plaint. This is nearly all the quaint
song ever attempted by the Chickadee, and is perhaps the two
notes sounding like the whetting of a saw, remarked of the
Marsh Titmouse in England by Mr. ^Vhite, in his " Natural
History of Selborne." On fine days, about the commencement
of October, I have heard the Chickadee sometimes for half an
/ hour at a time attempt a lively, petulant warble very different
from his ordinary notes. On these occasions he appears to
flit about, still hunting for his prey, but almost in an ecstasy of
delight and vigor. IJut after a while the usual drawling note
again occurs. These birds, like many others, are very subject
to the attacks of vermin, and they accumulate in great numbers
around that part of the head and front which is least accessible
to their feet.

'llie European bird, so very similar to ours, is partial to
marshy situations. Ours has no such predilection, nor do the
American ones, that I can learn, ever lay up or hide any store
of seeds for provision, — a habit reported of the foreign family.

CHICKADEE.

149

nd in
If the
round

y, tilt-'

y. ami

otlu-r

■, ^s/ic-

which
t inter-
y when
• in the

-d, and
les [\r-
e same
ter. also
dl ra^L's
d ilrops
([uaint
the two
of the
Natural
icement
half an
lifferent
oears to
stasy of
ng note
subject
umbers
cessible

irtial to
do the

by store
family.

In this fact, with so many others, wc have an additional evi-
dence of affinity between the Titmouse and (ay, particularly
that short-billed section which includes the Ganiilns cana-
densis and G. injai/sfiis. l-^ven the blue color, so common
with the latter, is possessed by several species of this genus.
Indeed, from their aggregate relation and omnivorous habit
we see no better place of arrangement for these birds than
succinctly after the Garruli, or Jays.

Following the authority of Temminck and Montagu. I con-
sidered this bird the same as the luiropeari Marsh Titmouse.
I have since seen the bird of Europe in its native country, and
have good reason to believe it wholly different from our lively
and flimiliar C'hickadee. Unlike our bird, it is rather shy, seldom
seen but in pairs or solitary, never in domestic premises, usu-
ally and almost constantly near streams or watercourses, on
the \villow3, alders, or other small trees impending over
streams, and utters now and then a feeble complaining or
querulous call, and rarely if ever the chicka dee-iicc. It also
makes a noise in the spring, as it is said, like the whetting of a
saw, which ours never does. The Chickadee is seldom seen
near waters ; often, even in summer, in dry, shady, and se-
cluded woods ; but when the weather becomes cold, and as
early as October, roving families, pressed by necessity and the
failure of their ordinary insect fore, now begin to frequent
orchards and gardens, appearing extremely fomiliar, hiuigry,
indigent, but industrious, prying with restless anxiety into every
cranny of the bark or holes in decayed trees after dormant in-
sects, spiders, and larv?e, descending with the strictest economy
to the ground in quest of every stray morsel of provision which
happens to fall from their grasp. Their quaint notes and jing-
ling warble are heard even in winter on fine days when the
weather relaxes in its severity ; and, in short, instead of being
the river hermit of its European analogue, it adds bv its
presence, indomitable action and chatter, an air of cheerful-
ness to the silent and dreary winters of the coldest parts of
America.

, . = 1

Ill

150 SINGING BIRDS.

CAROLINA CHICKADEE.

PaRUS CARULINKNSIS.

Char. Above, ashy gray tinged with dull brown ; head and throat
black; cheek white; beneath, brownish white; flanks buttish. Length
4){ to 4;'4 inches.

.Visf. In a cavity of decayed stunij), composed of grass or suieds uf
bark, and lined with feathers. Sometimes composed entirely of fur or
fine wool felted compactly.

£ s, 5-S; white often spotted with reddish brown ; 0.60 X 0.50.

This species, detected by Mr. Audubon, is a constant inhab-
itant of the Southern and Middle States from the borders of
New Jersey to East Florida. It has a j^redilection for the
borders of ponds, marshes, and swamps, and less gregarious
than the preceding, seldom more than a pair or family are
seen together. It is also shy and retiring; inhabiting at all
times a mild and genial clime, it never seeks out domestic
premises, nor even the waysides, but, like the l{!uropean Marsh
Titmouse, it remains throughout the \ oar in the tangled woods
and swamps which gave it birth. In the wilds of Oregon late
in autumn we frequently saw small roving restless Hocks of
these birds associated often with the Chestnut- Backed species.
At such times both parties were querulous and noisy ; but the
/s/ic te lie t/c is comi)aratively feeble, uttered in a slender, wiry
ton'^'. At such times intently gleaning for insects, they show very
little fear, but a good deal of sympathy for their wounded com-
panions, remaining round them and scolding in a petulant and
plaintive tone. At the api)roach of winter those in the Atlan-
tic region retire farther to the south, and on the Pacific border
they are to be seen in winter in the woods of I'l^per C;ilifornia ;
but in no instance did we see them approach the vicinity of
the trading posts or the gardens.

A nest of this species discovered by Dr. IJachman was in a
hollow stump about four feet from the ground ; it was rather
shallow, composed of fine wool, cotton, and some fibres of
plants, the whole fitted together so as to be of an uniform
thickness throughout, and contained pure white eggs.

11UUSUXIA.\ CHICKADEE.

151

IS in a
1 rather
[res of
lilform

HUDSOXIAN CHICKADLE.
Parus hudsomcus.

Char. Ajovc, pale dull brown, darker on crown; cheeks white;
below, grayish white ; dunks rusty ; throat brownish black. Length

5 to SH-

At.<t. In an excavation in a decayed stump, usually entering from the
top. On the bottom of the cavity is placed a platform of dried mo»^, and
on this another of felted fur, and upon this latter is set the graceful pouch-
shaped nest of firm felt, made of the inner fur of small mammal.-.

/i'^X^- (>-io; creamy white with brown spots in a circle around the
larger end ; 0.5S X 0.5S.

This more than usually hardy species continues the whole
year about Severn River, braving the inclemency of the winters,
and fretjuents the juniper-bushes on the buds of which it feeds.
In winter, like the common species, it is seen roving about
in small tlocks, busily foraging from tree to tree. It is said to
lay five eggs. Mr. Autlubon met with it on the coast of Lab-
rad .^r, where it was breeding, about the middle of July. He
describes the nest as being placed at the height of not more
than three feet from the ground, in the hollow of a decayed
low stump scarcely thicker than a man's leg. the whole so
rotten that it crumbled to pieces on being touched. It was
shaped like a purse, eight inches in depth, two in diameter in-
side, its sides about a half an inch thick. It was composed of
the finest fur of different quadrupeds, so thickly matted through-
out that it looked as if it had been felted by the hand of man.
On the nest being assailed, the male flew at the intruder, utter-
ing an angry te-fi'-te-tcc.

The Hudson Bay Chickadee is fairly common in the Maritime
Provinces, though more abundant in winter than in summer. It
has been found breeding, also, in the northern parts of Maine. X-rw
Hampshire, Xew "S'ork, and Michigan, and in the Muskoka districts
of Ontario. Mr. Walter Faxon considers it a rare though reirular
migrant to the eastern part of Massachusetts, but thinks it occurs
in numbers in winter amid the Berkshire hills.

A few examples have been taken in Cunnccticul and in Rhode
Island.

SINGING BIRDS.

BOHEMIAN WAXWING.

A.MPELIS (JARRULUS.

Char. Prevailing color cinnamon brown or fawn color, darker on
front head and checks., changing to ashy on rump; chin md line across
forehead and ihrough the eyes, rich black; wings and tail slatv; tail
tipped with yellow ; primaries tipped with white, secondaries with apjjen-
dages like red sealing-wax. Head with long pointed crest. Length j'/z
toSf^ inches. Easily distinguished from the Cedar Bird by its larger .size
and darker color.

.W.A In a tree, a bulky structure of twigs and roots, lined with
feathers.

-^[^s, 3-5; bluish white spotted with lilac and brown ; i.oo X 0.70.

The Waxwing, of which stragglers are occasionally seen in
Nova Scotia, Massachusetts, Long Island, and the vicinity of
Philadelphia, first obseived in America in the vicinity of the
Athabasca River, near the region of the Rocky Mountains, in
the inonth of March, is of common occurrence as a passenger
throughout the colder regions of the whole northern hemi-
sphere. Like our Cedar Birds, they associate in numerous
flocks, pairing only for the breeding season ; after which the
young and old give way to their gregarious habits, and collec-
ting in numerous comoanies, they perform extensive journeys,
and are extremely remarkable for their great and irregular
wanderings. The circumstances of incubation in this '".pecies
are wholly unknown. It is supposed that they retire to the
remote regions to breed ; yet in Norway they are only birds of
passage, and it has been conjectured that they pass the sum-
mer in the elevated table-land of Central Asia, Wherever they
dwell at this season, it is certain that in spring and late autumn
they visit northern Asia or Siberia and eastern Europe in vast
numbers, but are elsewhere only uncertain stragglers, whose ap-
pearance, at difiierent times, has been locked upon as ominous
of some disaster by the credulous and ignorant.

The Waxen Chatterers, like our common Cedar Birds, ap-
pear destitute of song, and only lisp to each other their usual
low, reiterated call of ze zc re, which becomes more audible

BUlllCMI.W WAXWING.

153

when they arc disturbed and as tliey takj to wing. They are
also very sociable and alTectiunate to their whcjle fraternity,
and sit in rows often on tiie same branch, when not employed
in collecting their food, which is said to consist of juic\ fniits
of various kinds, particularly grapes; they will aUo eat juniper
and laurel beiries, as well as aj^ples, currants, and figs, and are
often seen to drink.

Dr. Richardson informs us that this bird appears in flocks at
Great IJear Lake about the 24th uf May, when they feed on
the berrie? of the alpine arbutus, marsh vaccinium, and other
kinds expos 1 again to the surface after the spring thaw.
Another tlock of three or four hundretl indi\iiluals was >een on
the banks of the Saskatchewan, at Carlton House, early in the
same month. In their usual manner they all settled together
on one or two trees, and remained together about the same
place for an huur in the morning, making a loud twittering
noise, and were too shy to be approached within gunshot.
Their stay at most did not exceed a few days, and none of the
Indians knew of their nests ; though the doctor had reason to
believe that they retired in the breeding season to the broken
and desolate mountain-limestone districts in the 67th or O.Sth
parallels, where they find means to feed on the fniit of the
common juniper, so abundant in that quarter. Neither Mr.
Townsend n^. myself observed this bird either in the Columbia
River district or on the Rocky Mountains.

The Bohemian is still a rover of uncertain and irrej^ular habits,
occasionally in winter appearing along the nortliern border of the
United States and through the settled portions of Canada in large
tiocks, but sor-> .-Hmes absent for several seasons. The statement
has been ni -cie that there is no record of its occurrence in New
England wltliin the past fifteen years. Colonel Goss found a nest
in Labrador, and several have been taken in the Northwest.

V I

154

SINGING IJIRUS.

CKDAR WAXWING.

CEDAR UlKli CllEKKV BIRD.

A.V , . CEDROkUM.

Char. Prevailing color cinnamon brown or fawn color, chanpinp to
ashy on rump and yellowish on the belly; chin and line across forehead
and through eyes, rich black ; wings and tail slaty ; tail tipped with yel-
low : secondaries sometimes with red, wax-like appendages Head wiili
long, pointed crest. Length Gyi to 7^^ inches.

.\W/. In a tree ; large and loosely made of twigs and grass, lined with
g^a^s, hair, or feather.s.

Zf^/. 3-5 ; bluish white spotted with lilac and brown ; 0.S5 X 0.60.

This common native wanderer, wlucli in summer extends its
migrations to the remotest unpeopled regions of Canathi, is
also found throughout the American continent to Mexico, and
parties even roam to the tropical forests of Cayenne. In all this
extensive geographical range, where great elevation or latitude
tempers the climate so as to be favorable to the production
of juicy fruits, the Cedar Uird will probably be found either
almost \. -holly to reside, or to pass the season of reproduction.
Like its European representative (the Waxen Chatterer), it is
capable of braving a considerable degree of cold ; for in Penn-
sylvania and New Jersey some of these birds are seen through-
out the winter, where, as well as in the early part of the
summer and fall, they are killed and brought to market, gen-
erally fat. and much esteemed as food, .^ilky softness of
plumage, gentleness of disposition, innocence of character,
extreme sociability, and an innate, inextinguishable love of
freedom, accompanied by a constant desire of wandering, are
characteristic traits in the physical and moral portrait of the
second as well as the preceding species of this peculiar and
extraordinar}' genus.

Leaving the northern part of the continent, situated beyond
the 40ih degree, at the approach of winter, they assemble
in companies of twenty to a hundred, and wander through the
Southern States and Mexico to the confines of the equator, in

CEDAR WAXNVING.

>55

all of which countries they are now either common or ubun-
ihint. As observed by Ainiulx>n, their flight is easy, continued,
and often performed at a considerable height ; and ihcy move
in tl<K:ks or companies, making several turns before they aligiii.
As the mildness of spring returns, and with it their favoriti-
food, they reappear in the Northern and Mastem States about
the beginning of April, before the rii)ening of their favorite
fruits, the cherries and mulberries. lUit at this season, to n-
pay the ganlener for the tithe of his croj>, their natural dm,
they fail not to assist in ridtling his trees of more deadly ene-
mies which infest them, and the small cater])illars, beetles, and
various insects now constitute their only fo«id ; anil for hours
at a time they may be seen feeding on the all-despoiling canker-
worms which infest our ap])le-trees and elms. On these oc-
casions, silent and sedate, after plentifully feeding, they sit
dressing their feathers in near contact on the same branth to
the number of 5 or 6 ; and as the season of selective attach-
ment ajjproaches, they may be observed pluming each other,
and caressmg with the most gentle fondness, — a playfulness in
which, however, they are even surpassed by the contemned
Raven, to which soc ial and friendly family our Cedar Uird,
different as he looks, has many trait jf alliance. lUit these
demonstrations of attachment, which 11 a more vigorous kind
would kindle the feud of jealousy, a])]»arently produce in this
bird scarcely any diminution of the general social tie ; and as
they are gregarious to so late a period of the inviting season of
incubation, this affection has been supposed to be indejjendent
of sexual distinction. This friendly trait is carried so far that
an eye-witness assures me he has seen one among a row of
these birds seated upon a branch dart after an insect, and offer
it to his associate when caught, who very disinterestedly passed
it to the next, and each delicately declining the offer, the morsel
has proceeded backwards and forwards before it was appro-
priated. Whatever may be the fact, as it regards this peculiar
sociability, it frequently facilitates the means of their destruc-
tion with the thoughtless and rapacious sportsman, who, be-
cause many of these unfortunate birds can be killed in an

' I

156

SLNGIMJ lilKDS.

•t

instant, sittinj,' in the same- rangt-, thinks the exercise of the gun
must be creditetl only l)y the havoc which it prochices against
a friendly, useful, antl inno( ent visitor.

Towards the dose of May or beginning of June the Cherry
Birds, now ])aired. ccjmnicnce forming the cradle of their young ;
yet still so sociable are they that several nests may be observed
in the same vicinity. The materials and trees chosen for their
labors are various, as well as the general markings of their eggs.
Two nests, in the Hotanic (larclen at Cambridge, were formed
in small hemlock-trees, at the distance of 16 or iS teet from
the grcjund, in the forks of the main br uiches. (Jne of tliese
was composed of dry, coarse grass, interwoven roughly with a
considerable (juantity of dead hemlock sjirigs, further con-
nected by a small <iuantity of silk weed lint, and lined with
a few strips of thin grajK'-vine bark, and dry leaves of the
silver fir. In the second nest the lining was merely fine root-
fibres. On the 4th of June this nest contained 2 eggs, — the
whole number is generally about 4 or 5 ; these are of the usual
form (not remarkable for any disproportion of the two ends), of
a pale clay white, inclining to olive, with a few well-defined
black or deep umber spots at the great end, and with others
seen, as it were, beneath the surface of the shell. Two or
three other nests were made in the apple-trees of an adjoining
orchard, one in a ])lace of difficult access, the other on a de-
pending branch easily reached by the hand. These were
securely fixed horizontally among the ascending twigs, and were
formed externally of a mass of dry, wiry weeds, the materials
being firmly held together by a large quantity of cudweed
down, in some places softened with glutinous saliva so as to
be formed into coarse, connecting shreds. The round edge of
the nest was made of coils of the wiry stolons of a common
Cinquefoil then lined with exceedingly fine root-fibres ; over
the whole, to give elasticity, were laid fine stalks of a slender
juiicus, or minute rush. In these nests the eggs were, as de-
scribed by Wilson (except as to form), marked with smaller
and more numerous spots than the preceding. From the late-
ness of the autumn, at which period incubation is still going

others
,o or
ining
1 de-
were
were
torials
iweed
as to
dge of
mmon
over
ender
as de-
maller
e late-
going

CKDAR WAWVINd.

157

on, it would appear that this sperjcs is very pnilifif, and must
have at least two hatches in the si-ason ; ft»r as late as the 7th
of Septeinhcr a brood, in this vicJMity, were yet in the nest.
'I'lie period of sittinj^ is about 15 or 16 days; and while tiie
young are still helpless, it is surprising to witness the silenre of
the parents, uttering no eries, nor ui. iking any approaches to
those who may iinlanger or jeopard the safety of thi ir brood ;
still, they are Hying round, and silently watching tlu- tlrc.uK-d
result, and approach the nest the moment tiu' intruder disap-
pears. 'Ihey k'c^\ the young, at first, with insects and smooth
cater|)illars ; but at the end of the T,d or 4th day they are ivA,
like the old ones, almost exclusively on swi-et and juicy fruits,
such as whortle and service berries, wild and cultivated cher-
ries, etc. A young bird from one of the nests described, in the
hemlock, was thrown u])on my prolei tiou. li iving been by
some means cjecteil from his cradle. In this critical situation,
however, he had been well fed, or ratlur gorged, with bi-rries,
and was merely scratched by the fill he had receivetl. Ked on
cherries and mulberries, he was soon well Hedged, while his
mate in the nest was suffered to perish by the forgetfulness of
his natural protectors. Coeval with the growth of his wing-
feathers were already seen the remarkable red waxen append-
ages, showing that their ajipearance indicates no particular (/^v
or sex; many birds, in fact, being without these ornaments
during their whole lives. I soon found my interesting //vAxv
impatient of the cage and extremely \ or k ions, gorging him-
self to the very mouth with the soft fruits on which he was
often fed. The throat, in fact, like a craw, admits of distenti(jn,
and the contents are only gradually passed off into the stomach.
I now suffered the bird to Hy at large, and for several days he
descended from the trees, in which he perched, to my arm for
food ; but the moment he was satisfied, he avoided the cage,
and ajipeared unable to survive the loss of liberty. He now
came seldomer to me, and finally joined the lisping muster-cry
of fzc tze tze, and was enticed away by more attractive associates.
When young, nature provided him with a loud, impatient voice,
and te-did, tc-did, kai-ft'ifid (often also the clamorous cry of

i i I

Ill '

I h,

158

SINGING BIRDS.

the young Baltimore), was his deafening and ahnost incessant
call for food. Another young bird of the first brood, probably
neglected, cried so loud and plaintively to a male Baltimore
Bird in the same tree that he commenced feeding it. Mr.
\N'inshi]), of Brighton, informs me that one of the young Cedar
Birds, who frequented the front of his house in qi est of honey-
suckle berries, at length, on receiving food (probably also
abandoned by his roving parents), threw himself wholly on his
protection. At large day and night, he still regularly attended
the dessert of the dinner-table for his portion of fruit, and re-
mained steadfast in his attachment to Mr, W. till killed by an
accident, being unfortunately trodden under foot.

Though harmless, exceedingly gentle and ardess, they make
some show of defence when attacked ; as a second bird whicli
I brought up, destitute of the red appendages on the wings,
when thii 'tened elevated his crest, looked angry, and rei)eat-
edly snapped with his bill.

Almost all kinds of sweet berries are sought for food by the
American Waxen-wing. In search of whortle-berries, they
retire in Pennsylvania to the western mountain-chains of the
Alleghany range ; and in autumn, until the approach of winter,
they are equally attached to the berries of the Virginia juniper,
as well as those of the sour-gum tree and the wax-myrtle.
They also feed late in the season on ripe persimmons, small
winter-grapes, bird-cherries, the fruit of the pride of China,
and other fruits. The kernels and seeds of these, uninjured by
the action of the stomach, are strewed about, and thus acci-
dentally planted in abundance wherever these birds frequent.
Like their prototype, the preceding species, the migrations,
and time and place of breeding, are influenced by their supply
of food. In the spring of 1831 they arrived in this vicinity as
usual ; but in consequence of the failure of cherries, scarcely
any were bred, and very few were either to be heard or seen
in the vicinity. In parts of New England this bird is known
by the name of the Canaihi Robin ; and by the French Cana-
dians it IS fancifully called Rccollcf, from the color of its crest
resemblimr that of the hood of this religious order.

'^H

*#rr

111

NORTHERN .^HkiKE.

BUTCHER BIRD.
LaXIUS B<jRE-UJ&-

Char. Above, bluish ash, paler on rnmp; BBnafler pans dull white, with
fine wavy lines of brownisli gray : bar on .-ri^ik: «d 3i>ead black ; wings and
tail black tipped with white; white patch, ucd «iiig; outer tail feathers
white. Length 9^4 to 10^4 inches.

A'c'sf. In a tree or low bush ; large and ntsm^iilT made of sticks and
grass, lined with leaves or feathers.

£,-,Xs. 4-6 ; dull gray with green tint, sp-jGneiiil "wiih lilac and brown ;
1.05 X 0,75.

This little wary Northern hunter ia m^v^t commonly seen in
this part of the continent at the commeiacf ment of winter, a
few remaining with us throughout thai ■><ea*<rjn. They extend
their wanderings, according to Aud'xb«0'ra. a* far as Natchez,
and are not uncommon in Kentucky in -s^-ere winters. In
March they retire to the North, thougti) srjme take up their
summer abode in the thickest forests in Peemsylvania and New
England. The nest is said to be large u;in>d compact, in the
fork of a small tree, and sometime;^ in an ' -'''.-■tree, composed
externally of dried grass, with whiti.^h m. .-. -.:. ": well lined with
feathers. The eggs are about 6, of a. pfsk cinereous white.

iill

;6o

SINGING BIRDS.

thickly marked at the greater end with spots and streaks of
rufous. l"he i)eriod of sitting is about 15 days. The young
appear early in June or the latter end of May.

The principal food of this species is large insects, such as
grasshoppers, crickets, and spiders. With the surplus of tlie
former, as well as small birds, he disposes in a very singular
manner, by impaling them ujion thorns, as if thus providing
securely for a future supply of provision. In the abundance,
however, which surrounds him in the amjile store-house of
Nature, he soon loses sight of this needless and sportive econ-
omy, and, like the thievish Pie and Jay, he suffers his forgotten
store to remain drying and bleaching in the elements till no
longer palatable or digestible. As this little Butcher, like his
more common European representative, preys upon birds,
these impaled grasshoppers were imaginetl to be lures to attract
his victims ; but his courage and rapacity render such snares
both useless and imj^robable, as he has been known, with the
temerity of a Falcon, to follow a bird into an open cage sooner
than lose his quarry. j\Ir. J. Brown, of Cambridge, informs me
that one of these birds had the boldness to attack two Canaries
in a cage, suspended one fine winter's day at the window. The
poor songsters in their fears fluttered to the side of the cage,
and one of them thrust his head through the bars of his prison ;
at this instant the wily Butcher tore off his head, and left the
boilv dead in the cage. The cause of the accident seemed
■wholly mysterious, till on the following da}- the bold hunter
was found to have entered the room, through the open window,
with a view to despatch the remaining victim ; and but for
timely interference it would have instantly shared the fate of
its companion. On another occasion, while a Mr. Lock in this
vicinity was engaged in fowling, he wounded a Robin, who
flew to a little distance and descended to the ground : he soon
heard the disabled bird uttering unusual cries, and on approach-
ing found him in the grasp of the Shrike. He snatched up the
bird from its devourer ; but having tasted blood, it still fol-
lowed, as if determined not to relinquish its proposed prey,
and only desisted from the quest on receiving a mortal wound.

NORTHERN ^IIRIKE.

I6l

;ular

(ling
mce,

ie of
;con-
otten
ill no
.e his
birds,
Lttract
snares
th the
sooner
ms me
marie s
. The
cage,
rison ;
eft the
leemed
hunter
lindow,
ut for
ite of
ui this
, who
e soon
roach-
up the
ill fol-
prey,
vound.

The propensity for thus singularly si-curing its prey is also
practised on birds, which it impales in the same manner, and
afterwards tears them to pieces at leisure.

I'rom his attempts to imitate the notes of other small birds,
in Canada and some parts of New England he is sometimes
called a Mocking Bird. His usual note, like that of the follow-
ing species, resembles the discordant creaking of a sign-board
hinge ; and my friend Mr. lirown has heard one mimicking the
([uacking of his Ducks, so that they answered to him as to a
dc( oy fowl. They also imitate other birds, and I have ])een
informed that they sing pretty well themselves at times, or
rather chatter, and mimic the songs of other birds, as if with a
view to entice them intcj sight, for the purpose of making them
their prey. This fondness for imitation, as in the Pies, may
however be merely the result of caprice.

So complete at times is the resemblance between the
Mocking Bird {Mi/nits po//ygIof/i/s) and this species o{ Lci/iius.
that it is difficult to distinguish them apart. I have lately
heard one (November loth, i>'^33), employed in a low and soft
warble resembling that of the Song Sparrow at the j)resent
season, and immediately after his note changed to that of the
Catbird. Like that pre-eminent minstrel, the Or]:)heus, he
also mounts to the topmost spray of some lofty tree to display
his deceptive talent and mislead the small birds so as to bring
them within his reach. His attitudes are also light and airy,
and his graceful, flowing tail is kept in fontastic motion.

The parents and their brood move in company in ([uest of
their subsistence, and remain together the whole season. The
male boldly attacks even the Hawk or the Kagle in their de-
fence, and with such fury that they generally decline the onset.

The Butcher Bird breeds from about latitude 50^ northward, mi
grating in winter south to the Potomac and Oliio valleys.

Dr. Arthur Chadbourne. of Cambridge, reports that he has heard
a female sing, and describes her as •• an unusually fine singer and
quite a mimic."

VOL. I. — II

; <

1 i»

102

SINGING BIRDS.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.

LaNIUS LUDUVICIANLS.

fi }i

il i

Char. Above, bluish ash, generally not much paler on rump; under-
parts pure white, rarely any lines of gray; flanks tinged with gray;
forehead and side of head black ; wings and tail black tipped with white ;
white patch on wings ; outer tail feathers white. Length SJ< to 9^-^
inches.

Distinguished from borealis by smaller size and by the black forehead
and white under-parts.

A\st. In a tree ; roughly made of twigs and grass, lined wiih leaves
and feathers.

/?V,v*". 4-6 ; dull gray with green tint spotted with lilac and brown ,:
0.95 X 0.70.

This species principally inhabits the warmer parts of the
United States, residing and breeding from North Carolina to
Florida, where I have obser\'ed it likewise in winter. It was
also seen in the table-land of Mexico by that enterprising natu-
ralist and collector, Mr. Bullock, and my friend Mr. T. Town-
send found it in the Rocky Mountain range and in the territory
of Oregon, According to Audubon it affects the low countries,
being seldom met with in the mountainous districts.

Its habits are shy and retiring, and it renders itself useful,
and claims protection by destroying mice around the planta-
tion, for which it sits and watches near the rice-stacks for
hotu"s together, seldom failing of its prey as soon as it appears.
Like most of the genus, it is also well satisfied with large in-
sects, crickets, and grasshoppers, which like the preceding
Si ?cies it often impales. In the breeding-season, according
to Dr. Bachman, it has a song which bears some resemblance
to that of the young Brown Thrush ; and though very irregidar,
the notes are not unjileasing. At other times its discordant
call may almost be compared to the creaking of a sign-board
in windy weather ; it probably has also the usual talent for
mimicry. The pairs mate about March, at which time the
male frequently feeds the female, and shows great courage in
defending his nest from the intrusion of other birds. The nest

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.

163

under-
gray ;
white ;
to ()l4

irehead
I leaves

brown :

of the
lUna to
It was
ig natu-
, Town-
erritory
untries,

is, according to Pr. Bachman, usually made in the ouLer linil)>
of a tree such as the live-oak or sweet-gum. and often tm a
cedar 15 to 30 feet from the ground. It is coar-,cly made of
dry crooked twigs, and lined with root-fibres and slender grass.
The eggs, 3 to 5, are greenish white. Incubation is per-
formed by both sexes in turn, but each bird procures its own
food in the intervals. They rear two broods in the season.
Its manners resemble those of a Hawk ; it sits silent and
watchful until it espies its prey on the ground, when it pounces
upon it, and strikes first with the bill, in the manner of small
birds, seizing the object immediately after in its claws : but it
seldom attacks birds except when previously wounded.

The Loggerhead is now said to be restricted to the southern
portion of the Eastern States north to X'irginia. Oliio. southern
Illinois, and the (ireat Lakes: and through New York to north-
ern New England and Now llrunswick.

Note. — The White-humi'kd Shriki: {L. ludoviciamts excti-
bitori(ics) is a pale form restricted to the Western plains, and which
in habits as in appearance differs but little from the Loggerhead.

If useful,
planta-
rks for
^-ippears.
arge in-
eceding
cording

blance
rregidar,
pcordant
l;n-board
ilent for
hme the
|urage in

:he nest

'11

hi.

REDSTART.

Setophaga ruticilla.

Char. Male : lustrous blue-black ; belly white ; patch on sides of
breast, basal half of wing-quills and of tail, orange red. Female : the
black of the male rei)laced by olive brown, the red replaced by dull
yellow. Young males like female, b... gradually changing to full plumage.
Bill and feet black. Length 5 to 5^4 inches.

A'rsf An e.vceedingly graceful and compact structure saddled on a
branch, or supported by forked twigs of a sapling, from 5 to 20 feet from
the ground. It is composed of a variety of materials, in this region
most commonly of grass and vegetable fibres lined with fine grass or
horse hair.

i?.,:;'-^. 4-;: dull white, spotted chiefly around the larger end with
brown and lilac ; 0.65 X 0.50.

Thi.s beautiful and curious bird takes up its summer resi-
dence in almost every part of the North American continent,
being found in Canada, in the remote interior near Red River
in the latitude of 49 degrees, throughout Louisiana, Arkansas,
and the maritime parts of Mexico ; in all of which vast coun-
tries it familiarly breeds and resides during the mild season,
withdrawing early in September to tropical America, where, in
the perpetual spring and summer of the larger West India
islands, the species again find means of support. At length,
instigated by more powerful feelings than those of ordinary
want, the male, now clad in his beautiful nuptial livery, and
accompanied by his mate, seeks anew the friendly but far
distant natal regions of his race. In no haste, the playful

REDSTART.

16:

Redstart does not appear in Pennsylvania until late in April.
The month of May, about the close of the first week, u>hers
his arrival into the States of New Kngland : but in Louisiana
he is seen as early as the beginning of March. He is no \>en-
sioner upon the bounty of man. Though sometimes seen, on
his first arrival, in the darkest part of the orchard or garden,
or by the meandering brook, he seeks to elude obser\ation,
and now, the great object of his migrations having arrived, he
retires with his mate to the thickest of the sylvan shade. Like
his relative Sylvias, he is full of life and in perpetual motion.
He does not, like the loitering Pewee, wait the accidental ap-
proach of his insect prey, but carrying the war amongst them,
he is seen flitting from bough to bough, or at times pursuing
the flying troop of winged insects from the top of the tallest
tree in a zig-zag, hawk-like, descending flight, to the ground,
while the clicking of the bill declares distinctly both his object
and success. Then alighting on some adjoining branch, in-
tently watching with his head extended, he runs along upon it
for an instant or two, flirting like a fon his expanded, brillimt
tail from side to side, and again suddenly shoots off like an
arrow in a new direction, after the fresh game he has discov-
ered in the distance, and for which he appeared to be recon-
noitring. At first the males are seen engaged in active strife,
pursuing each other in wide circles through the forest. The
female seeks out her prey with less action and flirting, and in
her manners resembles the ordinary Sylvias.

The notes of the male, though not possessed of great com-
pass, aie highly musical, and at times sweet and agreeably
varied like those of the Warblers. ^Lany of these tones, as they
are mere trills of harmony, cannot be recalled by any words.
Their song on their first arrival is however nearly uniform, and
greatly resembles the '/s/i ^tsh tsh tshee, fs/ie, tshe, tshe tshea, or Vy//
'tsh 'isli 'tshitshce of the summer Yellow Bird (Sxlvia cestha),
uttered in a piercing and rather slender tone ; now and then
also agreeably varied with a somewhat plaintive flowing 'tshe
tshe tshe, or a more agreeable ^tshit 'tshit a 'tshee, given almost
in the tones of the common Yellow Bird {Fn'm^i/la trfst/s). I

lit

\\\

I- ■».

i60

SINGING BIRDS.

have likewise beard individuals warble out a variety of sweet
and temtcr, irilling, rather loud and shrill notes, so superior to
the ordinan" lay of incubation that the performer would
scarcely be supposed the same bird. On some occasions the
male also, when angry or alarmed, utters a loud and snapping
chir|j.

The nest of this elegant Sylvan Flycatcher is very neat and
substantial, fixed occasionally near the forks of a slender
hickory or beech sa])ling, but more generally fastenerl or agglu-
tinated to the depending branches or twigs of the former ;
sometimes securely seated amidst the stout footstalks of the
waving foliage in the more usual manner of the delicate cradle
of the Indian Tailor Bird, but in the deep and cool shade of the
forest, instead of the blooming bower. Both parents, but par-
ticularly the male, exhibit great concern for the safety of their
nest, whether containing eggs only or young, and on its being
approached, the male will flit about within a few feet of the
invader, regardless of his personal safety, and exhibitmg unequi-
vocal marks of distress. The parents also, in their solicitude
and fear, keep \^) an incessant '/s/ii/> when their infant brood
are even distantly ajjproached.

Nuttall classed the Redstart with the Flycatchers, as some of
its habit? — such as darting from a perch, and capturing insects
while on the \^^ng — are typical of that family, but the more mod-
em systematists class it with the Wood Warblers. It is an abun-
dant summer resident of this eastern province, breeding from
about the \-aHev of the Potomac to southern Labrador.

'i:i

HOODED WARHI.ER.

1O7

HOODKI) WARBLER.

SVI.VANIA MITRATA.

Thak. Male: above, yellow olive ; beneath, rich yellow : ^ides «hadcd
uith pale olive; head and neck black, enclosing a wide band of yellow
across forehead and through eyes; tail with patch of white on two or
three outer tail-feathers. Bill black, feet Hcsh-color. Female: similar to
male, but sometimes lacking the black, in which specimens the crown is
olive and the throat yellow.

vVV-rA In a low bush; made of leaves and vegetable fibre, lined with
grass or horse-hair.

E,L,X''- 4-5 ; creamy white, spotted chiefly around the larger end wi»h
brown and lilac; 0.70 x 0.53.

This beautiful niifl singularly marked summer species, com-
mon in the South, is rarely seen to the north of the State
of Maryland. It retires to Mexico or the West Indies proba-
bly to pass the winter. At Savannah, in (i(."orgia, it arrives
from the South about the 20th of March, according to Wilson.
It is partial to low and shady situations darkened with under-
wood, is frequent among the cane-brakes of Tennessee and
Mississippi, and is exceedingly active, and almost perpetually
engaged in the pursuit of winged insects. While thus em-
ployed, it now and then utters three loud, and not unmusical,
very lively notes, resembling the words, f7Vfe tii'i't- 'hi'ittshc.
In its simple song and general habits it therefore much resem-
bles the suminer Yellow Ijird. Its neat and compact nest
is generally fixed in the fork of a small bush, formed outwardly
of moss and flax, lined with hair, and sometimes feathers ; the
eggs, about 5, are grayish white, with reddish spots towards
the great end.

The Hooded Warbler is a Soutliern species, but is a regular
sutnmer resident of the ConnecticiU valley, and has been found
l)reeding near Cleveland, Ohio, and in southern Michigan. It
is said to be more abundant in South Carolina than elsewhere.

I ;

1 68

SINGING lURDS.

WILSON'S WARBLER.

WILSON'S HLACK CAP,
SyIA'AMA I'lSII.I.A.

Char. Above, olive ; crown bhick ; forehead, cheeks, and entire
under parts yellow. Female ami young duller, and black cap often
obscure, sometimes lacking. I.engtli, 4^^ to 5 inches.

.\\-jf. On the ground, in a bushy swamp, or on branch of low bush ;
of twigs and vegetable fibre lined with moss or fine grass.

^'iT^- 4-6; white spotted witii brown and lavender; 0.60 X 0.50.

This remarkable species of sylvan Flycatcher was first ob-
served by Wilson in New Jersey and Delaware as a transitory
bird of passage. Audubon has noticed it in I.abrador and
Newfoundland, where it was breeding, and it is not uncommon
irt the State of Maine. He also saw it in his way to Texas
early in April. It begins to migrate from Newfoundland about
the middle of .August, and is seen in Maine in October. Mr.
'I ownsend ami myself had the pleasure of observing the arrival
of the little cheerful songsters in the wilds of Oregon about the
first week of May, where these birds commonly take up their
summer residence, and seem almost the counterpart of our
brilliant and cheerful Yellow Birds (Sv/i-ia ivstii'a), tuning
their lay to the same brief and lively ditty, like 'fs/i 'ts/i ^fs/i
tslua, or something similar ; their call, however, is more brief

WILSON'S WAKIJLEK.

169

and
union
ll'exas
labout
Mr.
rrival
lit the
their
our
lining
' '/s/i
brief

and less loud. They were rattier familiar an<l nnsusi)irious, kept
Ml l)iislier> more than trees, particularly in the thickets which
bordered the Columbia, busuy engaged collecting their insect
fare, and only varying their employment by an occasional and
earnest warble. l>y the 12th of May they were already tVed-
ing their full-tledged young, though I also found a nest on tlie
1 6th of the same month, containing 4 eggs, and just commen-
cing incubation. The nest was in the branch of a small service
bush, laitl very adroitly as to concealment upon an accidental
mass of old moss (C's/wa) that had fallen from a tree above.
It was made chiefly of grountl moss (Ilypnuin), with a thick
lining of dry, wiry, slender grass. The female, when a|)-
proached, went off slyly, running aK>ng the ground like a
mouse. The eggs are very similar ti- those of the summer
Yellow l>ird, sprinkled with spots of i)alc olive brown, inclined
to be ilisposed in a ring at the greater end, as observed by Mr.
.\udubon in a nest which he found in Labrador made in a
dwarf fir, also made of moss and slender fir- twigs.

Wilson's Ulack Cap is a regular, though not common, summer
resident of northern New England, breeding chiefly north of the
United States. It is not uncommon in the Maritime Provinces,
and fairly common as a migrant about Montreal, but is rartly seen
in Ontario, though abundant in Ohio, and reported as brcedin;; in
Minnesota.

Note. — The Smali.-headf.d Flycatcher (IVilsonia mimtta
and Sylvia tiiinuia of Wi'son and .Audubon) was given a place in
the •' Manual " by Xuttall, who alleged to have seen ♦he species.
Not having been found by any of the more modern observers, it
has been omitted from many recent works. It was placed on tlie
"hypothetical list " bv the .A. O. C. committee, but has been again
brought forward by Ridgeway. in his " .Manual." Wilson stated
that he saw it in New Jersey: .Audubon said he shot one in Ken-
tucky ; and Nuttall's e.xamples were in Massachusetts. .As the
birds were seen by Nuttall only "at the approach of winter." it is
probable they were the young of the year of some of the more
northern breeding species.

BLU I :-( ; RAV GXA'ICA rCH E R.

< HAk. Male: ahovc, blui.-Ii gray, darker on head, paler on rump;
forehead and line over the eye black; beneath, pale blui>h white; wiiii;>
du^ky; tail longer than the l)udy, the outer feathers partly white. Fe-
male: similar in the male, but lacking the black on head. Length 4,' J

inches

AV.f/. A graceful, cup-shaped structure, saddled on limb of a tree 15
or 20 feet from the ground; composed of felted plant fibre ornamented
externally with lichens and lined with feathers.

£^'s. ^-y, bluish white, speckled with bright brown; 0.55 X 0.45.

Hut for the ]ei\^th of the tail, this wouUl rank among the
most diminutive of birds. It is a very dexterous, lively insect-
himter, Mid keeps commonly in the tops of tall trees; its
motions are ra])id and incessant, api)'\iring always in quest of
its prey, darting from bough to bough with hanging wings and
elevated tail, uttering only at times a feeble song of /see tsee tser,
scarcely louder than the squeak of a mouse. It arrives in the
State of Pennsylvania from the South about the middle of April.
and seldom passes to the north of the States of New York and
Ohio, though others, following the course of the large rivers, pen-
etrate into Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas. Its first visits
are paid to the blooming willows along the borders of water-
courses and besides other small insects it now preys on the
troublesome mosquitoes. About the beginning of May it forms
its nest, which is usually fixed among twigs, at the height of 10,
or sometimes even 50, feet from the ground, near the summit

bll'i;-(;kav (i\Ar<\r(iiKR.

i/i

of a forest tree. It is formed of slight materials, stirh as the
scales of 1)ir1.«,, hlems and parts of fallen leavis, withered blos-
soms, fern down, and the silky fibres of various plants, lined
with a few horsehairs, and coated externally with li< hen^. In
this frail nest the Cow Troojjial sometimes deposits her ej^'g, and
leaves her offspring to the eare of these affectionate and pigmy
nurses. In this case, as with the Cuckoo in the nest of the
Yellow Wren and that of the Red-tailed Warbler, the egg i«.
probably ct)nveyed by the parent, and jjlaced in this small ami
slender cradle, which would not be able to susuin the weight
or receive the body of the intruiler.

Though tlassecl witii the Flycatchers by Nuttall and other writers
of his (lay, this species is now ranked as one ol the highest tvpes of
tlie Oscines, or Singing liinls. and a sub-family has been made for
this and the two Western forms. Mr. William .Saunders finds the
present species fairly conuuou near London, Ontario, but it is only
casual in New England, and is rarely seen north of latitude 42'.
It winters in tlie Gulf States and southward.

Mr. Chapman tells us that this bird has " an e.xcjuisitely finished
song.'" but the voice is •• possessed of so little volume as to be in-
audible unless one is quite near the singer."

I '. I '

tSt'i',

I in the
April,
[■k antl
>, pen-
visits
water-
)n the
forms
of 10,
limmit

ill. '■ i

yf:llow-breasted chat.

ICl'KRIA VIREX.S.

Char. Above, olive; lores black; throat and breast rich yellow;
belly white. Length 7 to 8 inches.

A\'st. In a thicket 2 or 3 feet from the ground ; of dried leaves, strips
of bark, or grass lined with fine grass or fibres.

E,i;i;-s. 3-4; white, with pink tint, spotted with brown and lilac ; 0.90
X 0.70.

This remarkable bird is another summer resident of the
United States which passes the winter in tropical America,
being found in (Iniana and Brazil, so that its migrations prob-
ably extend indifferently into the milder regions of both
hemispheres. Even the birds essentially troi)ical are still
known to migrate to different distances on either side the
equator, so essential and necessary is this wandering habit to
almost all the feathered race.

The Icteria arrives in Pennsylvania about the first week in
May, and does not usually appear to proceed farther north and
east than the States of New York or Connecticut. To the
west it is found in Kentucky, and ascends the Ohio to the
borders of Eake Erie. In the distant interior, however, near
the Rocky Mountains, towards the sources of the Arkansas,
this bird was observed by Mr. Say, and Mr. Townsend saw it

til

-^*1'

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.

1/3

[ek in
h and

the

near

|insas,

,a\v it

at Walla- Walla, on the Columbi . • n^ in the month of
June. It retires to the south about liTutc middle of August, or
as soon as the only brood it raises --.:■: '^ti-d to undertake their
distant journey.

The males, as in many other migrirwiig birds, who are not
continually paired, arrive several (h.j^ Wfore the females. As
soon as our bird has chosen hin retre.^.".. which is commonly in
some thorny or viny thicket where :.■: jbtain concealment,

he becomes jealous of his assumeil rtpai* and resents the least
intrusion, scolding all who ap[)roach m a variet}- of odd and
uncouth tones very difficult to descTDlwe or imitate, except by
a whistling, in which case the bird may ht made to approach,
but seldom within sight. His resp(jru-!cs o© such occasions are
constant and rapid, expressive of anger amd anxiety ; and still
unseen, his voice shifts fnjm place to pfec-e amidst the thicket.
Some of these notes resemble the ^Eii-r-iioi^ of the wings of a
flying duck, at first loud and rapid,. tEc-m -yanking till they seem
to end in single notes. A succession ©f other tones are now
heard, some like the barking oi yoTxtES p»a![;)pies, with a variety
of hollow, guttural, uncommon sorinxd-j. frtjquently repeated,
and terminated occasionally Vjv stjmetBiiDnag like the mewing of
a ( at, but hoarser, — a tone to which alll! eorar Vireos, particularly
the young, have frecjuent recurrence. Ml these notes are
uttered with vehemence, and with sricSn strange and various
modulations as to appear near or dBtamtt, Hike the manoeuvres
of ventriloquism. In mild weather al-so, when the moon
.shines, this extiberant gabbling is heard HMrariy throughout the
night, as if the performer was di.sputing: mitii the echoes of his
own voice.

Soon after their arrival, or about tine maiddle of May, the
Icterias begin to build, fixing the nest csunanoiiLly in a bramble
bush, in an interlaced thicket, a vine, ©r small cedar, 4 or 5
feet from the ground. The young are hailched in the short
])eriod of 1 2 days, and leave the nest afearatt the second week
in June. While the female is sitting,, the cries of the male are
still more loud and incessant. He n.jw braves concealment,
and at times mounts into the air alnaost perpendicularly 30

174

SINGING BIRDS.

! 'i

\l '

or 40 feet, with ]vs legs hanging down, and descending as he
rose, by re]ieated jerks, he seems to be in a paroxysm of fear
and anger. The usual mode of Hying is not, however, different
from that of other birds.

The food of the Icteria consists of beetles and other shelly
insects ; and as the summer advances, they feed on various
kinds of berries, like the Flycatchers, and seem particularly
fond of whortleberries. They are frequent through the Middle
States, in hedges, thickets, and near rivulets and watery
situations.

This Chat is now found regularly in Connecticut and northern
Ohio, and sparingly in Massachusetts. A few examples have been
taken in New Hampshire and southern Ontario.

III

l.j

YELLOW-THRO.\TED MREO.

ViREO FL-AVIFROXS.

Char. Above, ricli olive, shading to ashy gray on the rump : line
across the forehead and around the eyes yellow ; throat and breast rich
yellow ; belly white, sides shaded with ]iale olive ; wings dusky with two
white bars, tail dusky, the feathers edged with white. Length 5 to 6
inches.

JVest. In woods or orchard; suspended from fork of branch 5 to 30
feet from the ground (usually about 10 feet); a graceful and compact
structure of grass and strips of bark covered with lichens and lined with
grass or pine needles.

/;><,'•■'■• 3~5 ' white with roseate tint, thickly spotted around the large
end with shades of brown ; 0.80 X 0.60.

This species of Vireo, or Warbling Flycatcher, visits the
Middle and Northern States of the Union about the beginning
of May or as soon as his insect food allows him a means of
subsistence. He resides chiefly in the forests, where he hunts
his tiny prey among the high branches ; and as he shifts from
twig to twig in restless pursuit, he often relieves his toil with a
somewhat sad and indoleri note, which he repeats, with some
variation, at short intervals. This song appears like ^prcca
^prccd, etc.. and it sometimes finishes with a complaining call

* '

to ;o

large

the
ming
ins of
lunts
from
,'ith a
Isome

rail

YELLOW-THROA'rKD VIKEO. 175

of recognition, 'pr>rin)^h '/>nrii/i;/i. These syllables rise and
full in different tones as they are repeated, but though usually
sweet and impressive, are delivered too slow and solemn to be
generally pleasing. In other respects they consitlcrabl) resem-
ble the song of the Red-Kved Warbling Flycatcher, in whose
company it is often heard, blending its deep but languid
warble with the loud, energetic notes of the latter : and their
united music, uttered during summer, even ai noonday, is
rendered peculiarly agreeable, as nearly all the songsters of
the grove are now seeking a silent shelter from the sultr\ heat.
In the warmest weather the lay of this bird is iivk-ei! [leculiarly
strong and lively : and his usually long-drawn, almost plaintive
notes, are now delivered in fine succession, with a peculiar
echoing and impressive musical cadence, apix-aring like a
romantic and tender revery of delight. The song, now almost
incessant, heard from this roving sylvan minstrel is varied in
bars nearly as follows: />r,(7 />/>'ci prcoi, prcait prt'iuf f rrji^u-rt
pircai, pcwai praiou. prctai pirro pnu>i/, prcco pn\iK-if prrt-oo.
^^'hen irritated, he utters a very loud and hoarse mewing
pnui:;It prah^/f. As soon, however, as the warm weather begins
to decline, and the business of incubation is finished, about
the beginning of August, this sad and slow but ii\teresting
musician nearly ceases his song, a few feeble farewell notes
only being heard to the first week in September.

This species, like the rest of the gentis, constnicts a very
beautiful pendulous nest about 3 inches deej^ and 2^j in
diameter. One, which I now more particularly describe, is
suspended from the forked twig of an oak in the near neigh-
borhood of a dwelling-house in the country. It is attached
firmly all round the cur\ing t^vigs by which it is supported ;
the stoutest external materials or skeleton of the fabric is
formed of interlaced folds of thin strips of red cedar bark,
connected very intimately by coarse threads and small masses
of the silk of spiders' nests and of the cocoons of large moths.
These threads are moistened by the glutinous saliva of the
bird. Among these external materials are also blended tine
blades of tlry grass. The inside is thickly bedtled with this

. 1

,1 •

1/6

SINGING BIRDS.

last material and fine root-fibres ; but the finishing layer, as if
to preserve elasticity, is of rather coarse grass-acalks. lOxter-
nally the nest is coated over with green lichen, attached very
artfully by slender strings of cater])illars' silk, and the whole
afterwards tied over by almost nivisible threads of the same, so
as to ai)])ear as if glued on; and the entire fabric now resem-
bles an accidental knot of the tree grown over with moss.

The food of this species during the summer is insects, but
towards autumn they and their young feed also on various
small berries. About the middle of Se])tember the whole move
off and leave the United States, probably to winter in tropical
America.

Xuttall followed the older authors in naming the forest as the
favoritr haunt of this species. Later observers consider that it
freciuents orchards and fields quite as much as the woods, and it is
reported as common in the gardens near Boston.

It occurs in soutliern New England and the Middle .States as
far wjst as Iowa, and in .Manitoba, where it is common. It has
not been found in the Maritime Provinces, but is common near
Montreal and in Ontario.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO.

SOIITARY VIREO.
ViRF.O SOLHARTUS.

Thar. A 'ove, bright olive; line from nostril to and around tlie eves
wliitish ; crown and siiles of head bluish ash ; beneath, white, sides and
flanks shaded with olive and yellow; wings dusky with two bars of
vellowish while ; tail dusky, feathers edited with white. Length 5 to 6
inches.

A'rsi. .Suspended from fork of branch of low tree or bush ; comj)osed
of grass or vegetable fibre, ornamented with moss or lichens, lined with
grass and plant down.

>''XS'-f' <^"reaniy white, spotted, in wreath around larger end, with bright
brown; o.So X 0.50.

This is one of the rarest species of the genus, and from
(leorgia to Pennsylvania seems only as a straggler or acci-
dental visitor.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO.

177

eves

and

lis of

to 6

|)right

from
icci-

h possesses all the unsuspicious habits of the genus, allow-
ing a near approach without alarm. It seldom rises beyond
the tops of llie canes or low bushes amidst which it is com-
monly seen hopi)ing in quest of its subsistence, which consists
of insects and berrits. Its flight is generally tremulous an<l
agitated. According to Dr. r>achman. "'it is every year Se-
coming more abundant in South Carolina, where it remains
from about the middle of February to that of March, keeping
to the woods. It has a sweet and loud song of half a dozen
notes, heard at a considerable distance."

About the beginning of May, in the oaks already almost
wholl) in leaf, on the banks of the Columbia, we heard around
us the plaintive delib'^'" te wm ole of this species. fir>t noticed
by Wilson. It so'.i,. .^tems to be intermediate between that of
the Red-eyed anct \'ellow-breasted species, having the prcai,
prcai, etc., of the latter, and the fine variety of the former in
its tones. It darted about in the tops of the trees, incessantly
engaged in quest of food, now and then disputing with some
rival. The nest of this bird is made much in the same manner
as that of the I'ireo oUracfus. One which I examined was
suspended from the forked^twig of the wild crab-tree, at about
ten feet from the ground. The chief materials were dead
and whitened grass leaves, with some cobwebs agglutinated
together, externally scattered with a few shreds of moss
(//i /•;//////). to resemble the branch on which it was hung;
here and there were also a few of the white paper-like cap-
sules of the spider's nest, and it was lined with fine blades of
grass and slender root-fibres. The situation, as usual, was
ojjcn but shady.

This is a fairly common summer resident of northern New
England, and it breeds sparingly south to the .Middle States, and
north to Hudsoifs Bay. It is a rare bird in the Maritime Prov-
inces and in Quebec, though common in parts of Ontario.

XoTi:. — Tlie Mountain Solitarv \'\\KV.ct{\\ solitarins alti-
cola). lately discovered by .Mr. William Brewster in western North
Carolina, is described as "nearly uniform blackish plumbeous, with
onlv a faint tinge of green on the back."
vol.. I. — VI

WHrrE-EYFJ) VIREO.

ViRKO NOVEI50RACF.NSIS.

(-'har. Above, olive, shading to ash on hind neck and rump; line
from nostril to and around eyes, yellow ; beneath, white, duller on throat
and breast; sides shaded with yellow; wings and tail dusky; wing-bars
yellow ; iris whits.- In the adult, l.ength about 5 inches.

A'c'st, Suspended from forked twig of low bush in a thicket, some-
times on edge of swamp; C(jmposed of various materials, — grass, twigs,
etc., — ornamented with muss and lichens, and lined with grass, etc.

£^''^'s. 3-5 ; white, spcjtted around larger end with brown ; 0.75 X 0.55.

This interesting little bird appears to be a constant resident
within the limits of the United States; as, on the 12th of Jan-
uary, I saw them in great ninnbers near Charleston, S. C,
feeding on the wax-myrtle berries, in company with the Ycllow-
Rimiped Sylvias. At this season they were silent, btit very
familiar, tlescenfling from the bttshes when whistled too, and
peeping cautiously, came down close to me, looking about with
complacent curiosity, as if unconscious of any danger. In the
last week of February, Wilson already heard thcui singing in
the southern parts of (leorgia, and throughout that month to
March, I saw them in the swampy thickets nearly every day,
so that they undoubtedly reside and pass the winter in the
maritime parts of the Southern States. The arrival of this
little unsuspicious warbler in Pennsylvania and New England
is usually about the middle of April or earlier. On the 12th
of March I first heard his voice in the low thickets of West
Florida. His ditty was now simply ss'/ (with a whistle) 7C'd
witte 7ottte 7i.<'e-wd (the first part very quick). As late as in
the first week in May I observed a few stragglers in this vicinity

WIinE-LVElJ \ IKEO.

»7y

peeping through the bushes : and in the latter end of the
niunth a jniir had taken up their abode in the thickets of
l-resii Fond, so that those which first arrive leave us and pro-
ceed farther to the north. On the 2 2d of June I heard the
male in full song, near his nest in our neighborhood, where in-
( ubation was going on. His warble was very pleasing, though
scjmewhat monotonous and whimsical, 'i'his affectionate note,
often repeated near to his faitliful mate while confined to
her nest, was like '/s/ri//^rTOfc-7L'(i-si7y, tshippt-ii'ee-ivte-H'as-say,
sweetly whistled, and with a greater comi)ass of voice and
loudness than might have been expected from the size of the
little vocalist. 'l"he song is sometimes changed two or three
times in the course of twenty minutes ; and 1 have heard the
following phrases : '</// tshippmHit '■ii.'urr, tshippez^at 'tvurr : at
another time, '/s/i/pncuy '/she o ct 'tsherr. On another visit
the little performer had changed his song to '/// ti 7cai:;h «.•
tshewa, with a guttural trill, as usual, at the last syllable. He
soon, however, varied his lay to 'whip te wo'i wee, the last sylla-
ble but one considerably lengthened and clearly whistled. Such
were the captious variations of this little quaint and peculiarly
earnest musician, whose notes are probably almost continually
varied. On the 6th of October I still heard one of these wan-
dering little minstrels, who at intervals had for several weeks
visited the garden, probably in quest of berries. His short,
(juaint, and more guttural song was now atshie-ia'it (probably
the attempt of a young bird). As late as the 30th of October
the White-l'>yed \'ireo still lingered around Cambridge, and
on the margin of a ]:)ond, surrounded by weeds and willows, he
was actively employed in gleaning up insects and their larA'ae ;
and now, with a feebler tone of voice, warbled with uncommon
sweetness wholly different from his usual strain, sounding some-
thing like the sweet whisperings of the Song Sparrow at the
present season, and was perhaps an attempt at mimickry.
Occasionally, also, he blended in his harsher, scolding, or
querulous mewing call.

This species, like the rest, build commonly a pensile nest
suspended by the upper edge of the two sides on the circular

I'i

M ,.

■iv J "

iiitii"

I So

SINGING lURDS.

benil. often of the smilax or green briar vine. In the Miflrlle
States they often raise 2 brootls in the season, generally make
choice of thorny thickets for their nest, and show much con-
cern when it is aiJi)roached, descending within a few feet of
the intruder, looking down and hoarsely mewing and scolding
with great earnestness. This [petulant display of irritability is
also continued when the brood are a] )proached, though as large
and as active as their vigilant antl vociferous parents. In the
Middle States this is a common si)ecies, but in Massachusetts
rather rare. Its food, like the rest of the Vireos. is insects
and vir > kinds of berries, for the former of which it hunts
with _: j;jlity. attention, and industry.

•' Eastern United States, west to the Rockies, south in winter to
(iuaiemala,'' is usually given as the habitat of this species. It ha.s
been seen rarely north of southern New England, and only one
example has been taken in New lirunswick, though Mr. J. M.
Jones considers it fairly common in portions of Nova Scotia.
There is no authentic report of its occurrence in Ontario, but Mr.
McIIwraiih thinks it may yet be found there.

Note. — Mr. William Brewster lias lately described the Kr:v
West X'iikeo ( K nai'iiwrdcensis luaynardi) as a larger bird than
the type and of duller color, the yellow paler.

Bf:[.i,'> Vireo ( Virco f'cllii). a bird of much the same appearance
and habits as the White-eyed, is found in the prairie districts of

Illinois and Iowa.
Rockica.

It ranges thence to the eastern base ot the

WARBLING VIREO.

^'^^F,0 GILVUS.

Char. Above, grayish olive brighter on the rump, shading to ashv on
the hfjad; beneath, buffy white, flanks and sides tinged with oHve yellow.
Length 5 to 5/2 inches.

.\c'j/ In open pasture or shaded street, suspended from fork of a
high branch; composed of grass and vegetable fibre, and lined with fine
grxss.

■^aS'''- 3~4; white, spotted, chiefly about the larger end, with brown;
075 X o 55.

thv on
lellow.

of a
ih fine

rown ;

WARIJLING VIREO.

iSl

This sweetest and most constant warbler of the forest, ex-
tending his northern migrations to the confines of Canada and
aloi.g the coast of the Pacific to the (Jrcgon. arrives from trop-
ical America in Pennsylvania about the middle of April, and
reaches this part of New Lngiand early in May. His livery,
like that of the Nightingale, is plain and unadorned; but the
sweet melody of his voice, — surpassing, as far as Nature usually
surpasses art, the tenderest airs of the thite, — jKJured out often
from the rising dawn of day to the a])i)roach of evenmg. and
vigorous even during the sultry heat of noon, when most other
birds are still, gives additional interest to this little vocalist.
While chanting fortli his easy, flowing, tender airs, apparently
without effort, so contrasted with the interrupted emphatical
song of the Red-Eye, he is gliding along the thick and leafy
branches of our majestic elms and tallest trees busied in quest
of his restless insect prey. With us, as in Pennsylvania, the
s])ecies is almost wholly confined to our villages, and even
cities. It is rarely ever observed in the woods : but from the
tall trees which decorate the streets and lanes, the almost in-
visible musician, secured from the enemies of the forest, is
heard to cheer the house and cottage with his untiring song.
As late as the 2d of October I still distinguished his tuneful voice
from amidst the yellow fading leaves of the linflen. near which
he had passed away the summer. The approaching flissolu-
tion of those delightful connections which had been cemented
by affection and the cheerless stillness of autumn, still called
up a feeble and plaintive revery. Some days after this late
l^eriod, warmed by the mild rays of the morning sun, I heard,
as it were, faintly warbled, a parting whisjier : and about the
middle of this month our vocal woods and fields were once
more left in dreary silence.

When offended or irritated, our bird utters an angry 7j-//<7V
^fs/iay, like the Catbird and the other Vireos. and sometimes
makes a loud snapping with his bill. The nest of the Warbling
Vireo is generally pendulous, and ambitiously and securely sus-
pended at great elevations. In our elms I have seen one of
these airy cradles at the very summit of one of the most gigan-

1 82

SINGINO IHKDS.

I '

tic. more than loo feet from the grouinl. At other times they
are not more tlian 50 to 70 feet liigh. '1 he only nest I have
been able to examine was made externally of flat and dry
scdiie-grass blades, for which, as I have observed, are occa-
sionally substituted strings of bass. These dry blades and
»trij)s are confined and tied into the usual circular form by
caterpillars' silk, blended with bits of wool, silk-weed lint, and
an accidental and sparing mixture of vernal grass tops and old
apple-blossoms. It was then very neatly lined with the small
flat blades of the meadow grass called Poa compirssa.

This species is rather uiicomnioii in the Maritime Provinces
exct-ptini; near the Maine border in Xc-w lirunswiek, and in the
more >outhL'rn portions of Xova Scotia. It is fairly coniinon in
southern Quebec, and abundant in Ontario. In parts of Xew
England and the Middle .States it is a common summer resident.
At the West it ranges north to the fur countries.

Hi n

RFd) EYED VIRKO.

ViRF.O Ol.IVACF.US.

Char. Above, bright olive, crown ashy; white line over eyes ; iris
niby red ; beneath, wiiite faintly tinged with dull olive on sides; wings
and tail dusky. Leiigth 5'i to 6)2 inches.

Xist. In an open pasture or along margin of field ; suspended from
fork of an upper branch ; composed of grass and vegetable fibre, and
lined with fine grass, etc.

Ez;s- 3-5 ; white (sometimes with a faint pink tint) spotted sparingly,
around larger end. with dull brown ; o So X 0.55.

These common antl indefatigable songsters appear to inhabit
even.' part of the American continent, from Labrador to the
large tropical islands of Jamaica and St. Domingo ; thev are
likewise resident in the mild tableland of Mexico. Those
individuals who pass the summer with us, however, migrate to
the warmer regions at the commencement of winter, as none
are found at that season within the limits of the United States.
The Red-Eyed Vireo arrives in Pennsylvania late in .April, and
in New England about the beginning of May. It inhabits the

RED-EVLD VIKLO.

I '^3

5 ; ins
wings

from
vv, and

iringly,

Inh.ibit
to the

lev are
Those
i-ate to
none
states,
|U and
Its the

shaily forests or tall trcL-> near garden> and the sul)url)> ol
villages, where its loud, lively, and energetic song is oflen con-
tinued, with little intermission, for several hours at a time, as
it darts and jiries among the thick foliage m (juest of injects
and small caterpillars. From its first arrival until Augus' it is
the most distinguisheil warbler of the forest, and when almost
all the other birds have become mute, its notes are yet heard
with unabated vigor, liven to the 5th of October, still enliv-
ened by the feeble rays of the sun, the male faintly recalls his
song, and plaintively tunes* a farewell to his native woods. 11 ii
summer notes are uttered in short, emphatical bars of 2 or _^
syllables, and have something in them like the simple lay of
the Thrush on American Robin when he first earnestly and
slowly cummences his song. He often makes use, in fact, of
the same expTessions ; but his tones are more monotonous as
well as mellow and melodious, like the rest of the Vire(js. In
moist and dark summer weather his voice seems to be one
continued, untiring warble of exquisite sweetness ; and in the
most populous and noisy streets of Doston his shrill and tender
lay is commonly heard from the tall elms ; and as the bustle of
carts and carriages attempts to drown his voice, he elevates his
pipe with more \igor an<l earnestness, as if determined to be
heard in spite of every discord. The call of " JI7///>-T(>»/-
Xv7/r," attributed to this species by Sloane and even Wilson, I
have never heard ; and common as the species is throughout
the Union, the most lively or accidental fit of imagination
never yet in this count. y conceived of such an association of
sounds. I have already remarked, indeed, that this singular
call is, in fact, sometimes uttered by the Tufted Titmouse.
When our Vireo sings slow enough to be distinctly heard, the
following sweetly \\arbled phrases, variously transposed and
tuned, mav often be caught bv the attentive listener : 't.<hooe
pcwee peea'i mus'ik \hi \iii \iu, '' tshoovc ''here 'hire, hear here,
'k^ina^ ^ritshani, 'fslie^^ru 'tshevUy 'isheevoo 'fshinre peea'i f 'pero'i,
— the whole delivered almost without any sensible internal, with
earnest animation, in a ]xathetic, tender, and pleasing strain,
well calculated to produce calm and thoughtful reflection in

ill

i
I

(

1 84

SINGINd lUKDS.

the sensitive mind. Yet while this heavenly reven* strikes on
tile human ear with su< h peculiar tfkc t, the humble musician
himself" sctins but little concerned; lor all the while, i)erha|)s,
that this Mowing < hurus enchants the hearer, he is casually
hopping from spray to spray in c|uest of his active or crawlmg
prey, and if a cessation occurs in his almost untiring lay, it is
occasioned by the caterpillar or tly he has just fortunately cap-
tured. So unaffected are these delightful etforts of instinct,
and so unconscious is the performer, apparently, of this pleas-
ing faculty bestowed upon him by Nature, that he may truly be
considereil as a messenger of harmony to man a/onc. Wan
tonly to destroy these delightful aids to sentimental happiness
ought therefore to be viewed, not only as an act of barbarity,
but almost as a sacrilege.

The Red-Eyed Vireo is one of the most favorite of all the
adopted nurses of the Cowbird ; and the remarkable gentle-
ness of its disposition and watt hful affection for the safety of
its young, or of the foundling confided to its care, amply justi-
fies this selection of a foster-parent. The male, indeed, de-
fends his nest while his mate is sitting, with as much spirit as
the King Bird, driving away every intnider anrl complaining in
a hfjarse mewing tone when approached by any imjuisitive
obser\er. By accident the eggs were destroyed in a nest of
this species in the Botanic (larden, in a sugar-maple about 20
feet from the ground. At this time no complaints were heard.
and the male sang all day as cheerful as before. In a few
days, unwilling to leave the neighlxjrhood, they had made a
second nest in a beech at the opposite side of the same prem-
ises ; but now the male drove away ever\' intnider with the
greatest temerity. The young of this species are often hatched
in about 13 days, or 24 hours later than the parasitic Troopial ;
but for want of room the smaller young are usually stilled or
neglected. I have, however, seen in one nest a sur\iving bird
of each kind in a fair way for being reared ; yet by a singular
infatuation the supposititious bird appeared by far the most
assiduously attended, and in this case the real yomig of the
species seemed to be treated as puny foundlings.

RED-LVLl) VIKLU.

liiS

itive
St of
It 20
anl.
few
e a
rcni-
the
died
■)ial ;
(] or
bird
jular
most
f the

In the month of August the yoiuiL; fed greedily on the small
berries of the bitter cornel and astringent l'i/>iirnum (/«/'/<///////,
as well as other kinds. One of these inexperienced binls
hojiped cK)se roumi me in an adjoining bu^h. without any fear-
ful apprehension : and as late as the 2U\\\ of October two
young binls of the Retl-l^ye were still hngering in thi-. vicinity,
and busily engageil in gleaning subsi^tein e. I'.ager after llies,
about the J 5th of August a young bin! with ha/el inslea»l of
retl eyes entered a chamber in the neighborhootl and became
my inmate. I clipped iiis wing and left him at lar^u in a
room; he soon became very gentle, took grasshopper-, and
tiles out of my hand, eat I'il'tinmm berries with a good aj)i)e-
tite, and in short seemed pleasetl with his quarter>. A lly
could not stir but it was instantly caught ; hi> only difficulty
was with a lame King llird who occupied the same a|)ariment.
'ITie King aiJjKMred very jealous of this little harmless < om-
panion : snapped his bill at him when he '^pproachetl, and be-
grudged him subsistence when he perceived that he fed on the
same food with himself. At length he would come to me for
provision and for protection from his tyrannical associate. Hut
the career of my interesting and lively companion was soon
terminated by death, occasioned, in all probability, by a diar-
rh(ea produced in conseipience of swallowing a small lock of
hair with his food, which was foimd in his stomach. This bird,
very dillerent from a Sylvia aiitunnuilis which I afterwanls had
in my possession, regurgitated by the bill, like the King Bird,
pellets of the indigestible j)arts of his food, such as the legs
and wings of grasshoi)i)ers and tlies, and the skins and seeds of
berries. Unlike the King IJirtl in one particular, however, he
folded his head under his wing when at rest, and reposed with
great soundness ; whereas for eight months I was never able to
detect the former asleep.

The Red-eyed Vireo breeds from the Southern States t«
L-abrador and Manitoba, and in winter ranges from Florida t'
Central America.

i f

It^: Pl

1 86 SINGLNO BIRDS.

PHII-ADELPHIA VIREO.

VlREO I'HILADELFHICUS.

CHAK. Above, grayish olive, lirightcr on runi]), shading to as!:y on
crown; white line .eicyes; beneath, greenish yellow, paler on throat
and belly. 1-ength about 4'/ inches.

jVis/. In u grove ; suspended fioni forked twigs of low branch ; com-
posed of grass and birch bark.

/ii^^'-s. 4 — ?; white, spotted with brown ; ?

This species was first described by Mr. Cassin, in 1851. from a
specimen shot by liim near JMiiladelphia in 1842. Of the liird's
liabits we have learned but little. The only nest yet discovered
was found by r\ir. Ernest E. 'Ihomp.son in Manitoba in 1S84.

Of the bird's ran^je we liave still much to learn. It is a migrant
only in southern New En<jland, but is known to spend the summer
in .Maine, and has been taken at that season in New Hampshire.
In 1882 our party secured several at Edmundston, in \ew liruns-
wick. near the Quebec border. Dr. W'lieaton considered it a regu-
lar s])i ing and fall mia;rant through Ohio, but very few have been
observed in Ontario.

The song of th.is species is so much like that of the Red-eye,
that they are : .>t easily distinguished.

Note. — Mr. Co-neau has t: ken at Godbout. on the north shore
of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, one example of the YEi.LOW-CiKEEN
\'iKEO {V.Jlavoviridis)^ a bird of Mexico and Central .^Vmerica.

• r

MOCKINGEIkD.

C'liAR. Above, ashy grav, darker ■
white bars ; outer tail-teatlur> whirc ; '■
the breast ; bill and feet black. Length ■. -

-Wv. In a thicket or bunch of low ' .
grass, etc.

£i,:i,'s. 4-6; greenish blue to pale bur"
0.95 X 0.70.

and tail : wings with two
■«hht. tinged witli gray nn

. t -imposed of twigs, roots,

•• d with reddish brown ;

--. : nd natural wonder of
n'r in the State of Rhode

'J'his unrivalled Orphetis of the fi.-
Anicrica inhabits the whole continc-rir.
Island to the larger isles of the Wc-^t Indjf s ; and continuing
through the equatorial regions, is t'; .' " t the southern hemi-
s])here as far as IJra/.il. Nor is it at i.. " .ijfintd to the Eastern
or Atlantic States. It also exists ini ttiae wild territory' of Ar-
kansas more than a thousand mile? j&om the mouth of Red
River; and I have since seen it ir. t . ^c'lnty forests of l'])j)er
California. It breeds at the distinc nr^tem sources of the
riatte, near the base of the Rocky Moiantains, as well as in
Texas; and Mr. I'ullock saw it in ■'•• t^Me-land of Mexico.
The Mocking I'ird rears its yotms. risequently displays

its wonderful powers, in all the inni-nnardiate regions of its
residence in the United States to the p.eiiuinsula of Florida. It
appears, in short, ])erinanently to m'- '^''. *>he milder regions of

i88

SINGING BIRDS.

T,,|j

III'-

I i

the western workl in cither hemisphere ; and the individuals
bred north of the Delaware, on this side the equator, are all
that ever migrate from their summer residence. A still more
partial migration takes place also, jjrobably, from west to east,
in quest of the food and shelter which the maritime districts
afford. Though now so uncommon in that vicinity, 50 or 60
years ago, according to IJartram, it even wintered near i'hila-
delphia, and made a temporary abode in the mantling i\y of
his venerable mansion. In summer a few proceed as far as
Rhode Island, following the mild temperature of the sea-coast ;
but farther north these birds are, I believe, nearly unknown,
except rarely and occasionally in Massachusetts near the sea.
With the advance of the season, also, in the country which it
inhabits, varies the time of incubation. Early in April the
nests are begun in the maritime parts of Georgia, but not before
the middle of May in Pennsylvania.

In the winter these birds chieOy subsist on berries, partic-
ularly those of the Virginia juniper (called red cedar), wax-
myrtle, holly, smilax, sumach, sour-gum, and a variety of
others, which furnish them and many other birds with a plen-
tiful repast. Insects, worms, grasshoppers, and larvas arc the
food on which they princijially subsist when so eminently vocal
and engaged in the task of rearing their young. In the South-
ern States, where they are seldom molested, with ready saga-
city they seem to court the society of man and fearlessly ho])
around the roof of the house or tly before the planter's door.
When a dwelling is first settled in the wilderness, this bird is
not seen sometimes in the vicinity for the first year ; but at
length he pays his welcome visit to the new-comer, gratified
with the little advantages he discovers around him. and seek-
ing out also the Hivor and fortuitous protection of human
society. He becomes henceforth familiar, and only quarrels
with the cat and dog, whose approach he instinctively dreads
near his ncst,;ind never ceases his complaints and attacks until
they retreat \\\nn liis siglit.

None of the domestic animals, or man himself, but partic-
ularly the cat and dog, can approach during the period of
incubation, without receiving .m atta( k from these aiTectionate

al
1-

;t-

"P
)r.

is
at
.■<1

ik-
an

k-ls

\c-
..f

MOCKIXGBIRl).

189

guardians of their brood. Their most insidious and deadly
enemies, however, are reptiles, particularly the black snake,
who sjxares neither the eggs nor young. .\s soon as his fatal
api)roach is (Hscovered by the male, he darts upon him without
hesitation, eludes his bite^ and striking him about the head,
and particularly the eyes, where most vulnerable, he soon suc-
ceeds in causing him to retreat, and by redoubling his blows,
in s])ite of all pretended fascination, the wily nioii>ter often
falls a victim to his temerity ; and the heroic bird, leaving his
enemy dead on the field he provoked, mounta on the bush
above his affectionate mate and brood, and in token of victory
celebrates with hi^T loude.?t song.

'1 he Mocking IJird, like the Nightingale, is destitute of bril-
liant plumage ; but his form is beautiful, delicate, and symmet-
rical in its proportions. His motions are easy, ra[)id, and
graceful, perpetually animated with a playful caprice and a
look that appears full of shrewdness and intelligence. He
listens with silent attention to each passing sounil, treasures up
lessons from everything vocal, and is capable of imitating with
exa< tness, both in measure and accent, the notes of all the
feathered rare. And however wild and discordant the tones
and calls may be. he contrives, with an Orphean talent jk-cu-
liarly his own, to infuse into them that sweetness of expression
and harmonious modulation which characterize this inimi-
tal)le and wonderful composer. With the dawn of morning,
while yet the sun lingers below the blushing horizon, our sub-
lime songster, in his native wilds, mounted on the topmost
branch of a tall bush or tree in the forest, pours out his admi-
rable song, which, amidst the multitude of notes from all the
warbling host, stiil rises pre-eminent, so that his solo is heani
alone, and all the rest of the musical choir apjtear emjiloyed in
mete accompaniments to this grand actor in the sublime opera
of Nature. Nor is his talent confined to imitation ; his native
note-- are also bold, full, and perjjetually varied, consisting of
short expressions of a few variable syllables, interspersed with
imitations and uttered with great emphasis and volubility,
sometimes for half an hour at a time, with undiminished ardor.
These native strains bear a considerable resemblance to those

t.i

190

SINc;iN(i HIKDS.

li.

1!^

\m-

of the Drown 'riirush, to whom he is so nearly related m form,
habits, and manners ; but. like rude from cultivated genius, his
notes are distinguished by the ra])idity of their delivery, their
\ariety, sweetness, and energy. As if conscious of his unri-
valled |)owers of song, and animated by the harmony of his
own voice, his music is, as it were, accompanied by chromatic
dancing and expressive gestures; he spreads and closes his
light anil fanning wings, exjjands his silver 1 tail, and with
buoyant gayety and enthusiastic ecstasy he s\;,.?ps around, and
mounts and descends into the air from his lofty spray as his
song swells to loudness or dies away in sinking whispers.
While thus engaged, so various is his talent that it might be
supposed a trial of skill from all the assembled birds of the
country ; and so jjcrfect are his imitations that e\'en the
sj)ortsman is at times deceived, and sent in ipiest of birds that
have no existence around him. The feathered tribes them-
sehes are decoyed by the fancied call of their mates, or dive
with fear into the close thicket at the well-feigned scream of
the Hawk.

Soon reconcileil to the usurping fancy of man, the Mocking
IHrd often becomes familiar with his master; ])layfully attacks
him through the bars of his cage, or at large in a room : rest-
less and capricious, he seems to try every exi)edient of a lively
imagination that may conduce to his amusement. Nothing
escapes his discerning and intelligent eye or faithful ear. Me
whistles perhaps for the dog. who, deceived, runs to meet his
master ; the cries of the chicken in distress bring out the
clucking mother to the protection of her brood. The l)arking
of the dog, the piteous wailing of the puppy, the mewing of
the cat, the action of a saw, or the creaking of a wheelbarrow,
(|uickly follow with exactness. He repeats a tune of consider-
able length ; imitates the warbling of the C'anary, the lisj)ing
of the Indigo Bird, and the mellow whistU- of the Cardinal, in
a manner so sui)erior to the originals that, mortified and aston-
islied, they withdraw from his presence, or listen in silence as
he continues tt) tr"

■ing

In the cage also, nearly as in the woods, he is full of life and
action while engaged in song, throwing himself round with in-

I ■;■■ i

MOCKINGBIRD.

Ujl

er-

".^
ill

m-
as

ind

111-

s|)iring animation, and, as it were, moving in time to the meKnly
of his own accents. I'.ven the hours of night, which consign
nearly all other birds to rest and silence, like the Nightingale
he oft emphjys in song, serenading the houseless hunter and
silent cottager to repose, as the rising moon illumines the
darkness of the shadowy scene. His capricious fondness for
contrast and perpetual variety appears to deteritjrate Wis pt)w-
ers. His imitations of the Ijrown Thrush are perhaps inter-
rupted by the crowing of the cock or the barking of the dog ;
the plaintive warblings of the Ijiuebird are then blended with
the chatter of the Swallow or the cackling of the hen : amid
the simple lay of the native Robin we are surprised with the
vociferations of the Whip-poor-will ; while the notes of the
garrulous Jay. Wren, and many others succeed with ^uch an
apj)earance of reality that we almost imagine ourselves in the
presence of the originals, and can scarcely realize the fact that
the whole of this singular concert is the elTort of a single
bird. Indeed, it is impossible to listen to these Orphean
strains, when delivered by a sii])erior songster in his native
woods, without being deeply affected and almost riveted to
the s]iot by the comjilicated feelings of wonder and delight
in which, from the graceful and sympathetic action, as well as
enchanting voice of the performer, the eye is no less gratified
than the ear. It is, however, painful to reflect that these ex-
traordinary powers of nature, exercised with so much generous
freedom in a state of confinement, are n<jt calculated for long
endurance, and after this most wonderful and interesting pris-
oner has survived for 6 or 7 years, blindness often terminates
his gay career ; and thus shut out from the cheering light, the
solace of his lonely bu-t active existence, he now after a time
droops in silent sadness and dies.

Tiie Mockingbird is a rare but regular summer visitor to Rhode
Islaiul, Connecticut, and southern Massachusetts, and examples
have been taken in Maine. .Mr. Mcllwraith n-ports that a pair
spent the summer of 1X83 near Hamilton. Ontario, and C. .A.
McLennan records in the O. & O. the capture of one near Truro,
\. .S. The .species is chieflv restricted to the Southern States.

. I

;il

1 H

]: ;

'I r
I

. i

' I.

r i- ■

■'

r I'

BROWN THRASHKR.

bkowx thrush.
Hari'orhvnchus rufus.

Char. Above, brij^ht reddish brown t)r rufous; beneath, white, tinged
with rutous or buti"; l)rcast and side sputied witii bruwu ; bill about as
long .IS the heail. Length lo'j to u inches.

.\>.>A In a tfiicket or low bush, and sometimes on the ground; bulky,
and looselv con.strucied of twigs, roots, and dried grass, sometimes lined
with hor.-«e-hair <tr feather>,

/£^..s. ,-6 (usually 4) ; dull wliitc with buff or green tint, marked with
minute spots of reddish brown ; 1.00 X o.So.

This large and well-known songster, inferior to none but the
Mo( king Dinl in musical talent, is found in every part of this
continent, from Hudson's 1)1}- to the shores of the Mexican
Ciulf. breeding in all the intermediate spare, though more
abundantly towards the North. It retires to the South earlv in
f)ctober, in the States north of the Carolinas. and probably ex-
tends its migrations at this season through the warmer regions
towards the borders of the tro])ics.

From the 15th of .\pril to early in May these birds begin to
revisit the Middle and Northern States, keeping pace in some
mea.^ure with the progress of vegetation and the comparative

I'
If

BKOWX THRASIIKR.

193

,ith

advaPiCcmcnt of the season. They apjuar always to come in
l)airs, so that their mutual attachment is probably more durable
than the season of incubation. Stationed on the top of some
tall orchard or forest tree, the male. uMy and animated, sahites
the morn of his arrival with his loud and charminj; song. His
voice, somewhat resembling that of the 'Thrush of Fjirope, but
far more varied and powerful, rises pre-eminent amidst all the
vocal choir of the forest. His music has the full charm of in-
nate originality ; he takes no delight in mimickry, an«l has
therefore no title to the name of Mocking iJird. On his fir>t
ap])earance he falters in his song, like the Nightingale : but
when his mate commences her cares and labors, his notes
attain all their vigor and variety. The young birds, even of
the first season, in a state of solitary domestication, wiih*>ut the
aid of tlie j)arent's voice, already whisper forth in harmonious
revery the pathetic and sweet warble instinctive to the sj>ecies.
In the month of May, while the blooming orchanls perfume
and decorate the landscape, the enchanting voice of the
Thrasher in his affectionate lay seems to give grateful utter-
ance for the bounty and teeming profusion of Nature, and
falls in pleasing unison with the harmony and beauty of the
season.

P'rom the beginning to the middle of May the Thrashers are
engaged in building their nest, selecting for this purpose usu-
ally a low, thick bush, in some retired thicket or swamp a few
feet from the earth, and sometimes even on the ground in
some sheltered tussuck, or near the root of a bush. They dis-
play the most ardent affection for their young, attacking
snakes, dogs, and cats in their (Kfence. One of the parents,
usually the male, seems almost continually occupied in guard-
ing against any dangerous intruder. 'I'he cat is attacked com-
monly at a considerable distance from the young, and the
woods echo with his plaintive ye-div^ yi'-Inu, and the low,
guttural, angry 'tsh ^fs/i 'fs/i '/s/i. The enemy is thus pursued
off the field, commonly with success, as guilty grimalkin ap-
pears to understand the threatening gestures and complamts
with which she is so hicessantly assailed. Towards their more
vol.. I. — 13

194

SINGING BIRDS.

insidious enemies of the human species, when approaching the
helpless or unfledged young, every art is disijlaycd ; threats,
entreaties, and reproaches the most pathetic and puwerful, are
tried in no e<|uivocal strain ; they dart at the ravisher in wild
desf>air, and lament, in the most touching strains of sorrow, the
bereavement they sufiTer. I know of nothing ecjuai to the burst
of grief manifested by these affectionate parents excepting the
afflicting accents of suffering humanity.

Their food consists of worms and insects generally ; also
caterpillars, beetles, and other coleopterous tribes, as well as
various kin<ls of berries. In the month of January I obsen'ed
this Thrush and the Mocking liird feed on the berries of the
sumach. Sometimes they raise up a few grains of planted
com. but this is more the effect of caprice than appetite, as
the search for grubworms is what commonly induces this
resort to scratching up the soil. The Thrasher is an active,
watchfiil, shy, and vigorous si)ecies, generally Hying low, dwel-
ling among thickets, and skipping from bush to bush with his
long ta.iI sometimes spread out like a (nn. About the first week
in October, after moulting, they disappear for the season and
pass the winter in the Southern States. By the middle of
February, or early in March, they already display their vocal
powers in the warmer parts of (Icorgia and West Florida.
They are easily reared, and become very familiar anrl amusing
companions, showing a strong attachment to the hand that
feeiis irr? TTOtects them. In their manners, intelligence, song,
and sj._;_ ..•.y, they nearly ap[)roach to the Mocking IJird, being
equally playful, capricious, petulant, and affectionate.

The Thrasher is abundant in Massachusetts, and is found in \'er-
mont and New Hampshire, but near the Atlantic seaboard does
not go lanher north than southern Maine. It occurs regularly in
the victr.isy of Montreal, and is common in Ontario and Manitoba.
It winters from about 37° soutliward.

CATBIRD.

195

CATBIRD.

GALEOSCOFri:S carolinexsis.

Char. General color dark slate, paler beneath ; top of head and tail
black; under tail-coverts chotnut. Length S to 9 J4 inches.

Xest. In thicket or orchard ; bulky, and rudely constructed of twigs,
leaves, and grass, lined with grass or tine roots.

E.i;.i:^s. 4-6 ; deep blui»h green ; 0.95 X 0.70.

This quaint and familiar songster passes the winter in the
southern extremities of the United States and along the coast
of Mexico, whence as early as February it arrives in (Geor-
gia. About the middle of April it is first seen in Penn-
sylvania, and at length leisurely approaches this part of New
P^ngland by the close of the first or beginning of the second
week in May. These birds continue their migration also to
Canada, where they proceed into the fur-countries as far as
the 45 th parallel, arriving on the banks of the Saskatchewan
about the close of May. Throughout this extent and to the
territory of the Mississipj:)! they likewise pass the period of in-
cubation and rearing their young. They remain in New Eng-
land till about the middle of October, at which time the young
feed principally ui)on wild berries.

The Catbird often tunes his cheerful song before the break
of day, hopping from bush to bush with great agility after his
insect prey, while yet scarcely distinguishalile amidst the dusky
shadows of the dawn. The notes of difterent individuals vary
considerably, so that sometimes his song in sweetness and
compass 1 scarcely at all inferior to that of the Ferniginous
Thrush. A quaintness, however, prevails in all his efforts, and
his song is frefjuently made up of short and blended imitations
of other birds, — given, however, with great emphasis, melody,
and variety of tone, and, like the Nightingale, invading the
hours of repose. In the late twilight of a summer's evening,
when scarce another note is heard but the hum of the drowsy
beetle, his music attains its full effect, and often rises and falls
witli all the swell and studied cadence of finished harmony.

196

SI.\f;iN(; I5IRDS.

During the heat of the day, or 1 'c in the morning, the variety
of his song (lecHnes, or he pursi hi.s employment in silence
and retirement.

About the 25th of May one of these familiar birds came into
the Lotanic (iarden anil took u[) his summer aboile with us.
Soon after his arrival he calk-d u[) in low whisperings the notes
of the Whip-poor-will, the Kcdbird, the /><•/('/><' A' of the Tufted
litmouse, ami other imitations of Southern birds which he had
collected on his leisurely route from the South. He also soon
mocked the Ushc-yah ' tslie-yali of the little .\cadian Flycatch-
ers, with which tht- neighborhood now abounded. Me fre-
quently answered to my whittle in the garden, was very silent
during the period of incubation, and e.\i)ressed great anxiety
and complaint on my approaching the young after their leaving
the nest.

One uf the most remarkable proi)cnsities of the Catbird, and
to which it owes its name, is the unjileasant. loud, and grating
cat-like ///<"*> ('/</'> '/'7''' 'A^.') which it often utters on being
approached or offended. .\s the irritation increases, this note
becomes more hoarse, reiterated, ami vehement ; and some-
times this petulance and anger are carried so far as to i»er-
secute ever}' intruder who apjiroaches the premises. This
temi>er often prevails after the young are fledged : and though
originating no doubt in parental anxiety, it sometimes appears
to outlive that season, and occasionally becomes such an an-
noyance that a revengeful and fatal blow from a stick or stone
is but too often, with the thoughtless and prejudiced, the re-
wanl of this harmless and capricious provocation. At such
times, with little aj^parent cause, the agitation of the bird is
excessive : she hurries backward and forward with hanging
wings and open mouth, mewing and screaming in a paroxysm
of scolding anger, and alighting almost to peck the very hand
that offers the insult. To touch a twig or branch in any part
of the garden or wood is often amply sufficient to call down
the amusing termagant. This harmless excess, and simulation
of grimalkin's tone. — that wizard animal so much disliked by
many, — are unfortunate associations in the cry of the ^V/bird ;

• i

CATBIRD.

«97

LMllg

lysiii
and

[)art
i)\vn
It ion
by
Ird;

and thus, cmiplcd with an ill name, this delightful and familiar
songster, who scck> uut the very >oeiety of man and reposes
an unmerited ronfiilen* e in his protecticjn, is treated with un-
deser\ed ol)lo(|uy and contemiit. The tli.uht of the Cathinl is
laborious, and usually continued only from bush to bush ; his
progress, however, is ver)- wily, and his attitudes and jerks
amusingly eapricious. He appears to have very little fear of
enemies, often descends to the ground in quest of insects, and
though almost familiar, is very «[uick in his retreat from real
danger.

The food of the Catbird is similar to that of the preceding
species, being insects ami worms, particularly beetles, and va-
rious garden fruits ; feeding his young often on cherries and
various kinds of berries. Sometimes these birds are obser\e(l
to attack snakes when they approach the vicinity of the ne>t,
and commonlv succeed in driving off the enemv ; when bitti n,
however, by the poisonous kinds, it is probable, as related,
that they may act in such a manner as to appear lab(^ring
under the intluence of fascination. The Catl)ird, when raised
from the nest, is easily domesticated, becomes a very amusing
inmate, an<l seems attached to his cage, as to a dwelling or
place of security. About dawn of day, if at large, he flirts
about with affected wildness. repeatedly jerks his tail and
wings with the noise almost of a whip, and stretching forth his
head, opens his mouth and mews. Sometimes this curious
cry is so guttural as to be uttered without opening the bill. He
often also gives a squeal as he flies from one place to another,
and is very tame, though pugnacious to all other birds which
approach him for injury. When wanting food, he stirs round
with great uneasiness, jerks everything about within his reach,
and utters the feeble cry of the caged Mocking IJird. A very
amusing individual, which I now describe, began his vocal
powers by imitating the sweet and low warble of the Sung
Sparrow, as given in the autumn ; and from his love of imita-
tion on other occasions, I am inclined to believe that he pos-
sesses no original note of his own. but acquires and modulates
the songs of other birds. Like the Robin, he is exceedingly

., .»

198

SINGING UIRDS.

fond of washing, and dashes about in the water till every
feather appears drem hed ; he also, at times. ba>ks in the
gravel in fine weather. His food, in confinement, is almost
ever)'thing vegetable except unbniised seeds, — as bread, fine
pastr)-, cakes, scalded cornmeal. fniits, particularly those which
arc juicy, and now and then insects and minced tlesh.

The Catbird ocrnrs regularly ainnu the Annapolis valley in
Nova Scotia, and in Ntw Uriniswick between tlic Maine border
and the valley of the St. John, but it is rarely seen elsewhere in the
-Maritime Provinces. It is fairly common near the city of Quebec,
and abundant about Montreal and in Ontario.

ROIJIN.

MeRI.IA MIGRATORIA.

Char. Above, olive gray; head and nrck darker, sometimes Mack;
wings and tail du>ky ; outer tail-featiiers broadly tipped with white , be-
neath, browni.sh red; throat white with dark streaks; under tail-coverts
white ; bill yellow. Length 9 to 10 inches.

.Vc >/. Usually in a tree, but often on fence-rail or window-ledge of
house or barn; a bulky but compact structure of grass, twigs, etc.,
cemented with mud.

/:.,V.r. 4-3; greenish blue (occasionally speckled) ; 1.15 X o.So.

The familiar and welcome Robins are found in summer
throughout the North American continent from the desolate
regions of Hudson's Day, in the 53d degree, to the tableland
of Mexico. In all this vast space the American I'ieldfares rear
their young, avoiding only the warmer maritime districts, to
which, however, they flock for support during the inclemency
of winter. The Robins have no fixed time for migration, nor
any particular rendezvous ; they retire fru:n the higher lati-
tudes onlv as their food begins to fail, and so leisurelv and
desultor)' are their movements that they make their appear-
ance in straggling parties even in Massachusetts, feeding on
winter berries till driven to the South by deep and inundating
snows. At this season they swarm in the Southern .States,
though they never move in large bodies. The holly, prinos.

ROHIX.

199

img

sumach, snilax, randle-bcrry myrtle, and the Virc;inian junii»or
nc", afford them an ample repast in the winter, in the absenee
of the more juicy berries of autumn, and the inserts and
worms of the milder season, liven in the vicinity of I'oston
flocks of Robins are seen, in certain seasons, assembling round
open springs in the depth of winter, having arrived probably
from the colder interior of the State ; and in those situations they
are consetiuently often trapped and killed in great numbers.

Towards the close of January in South Carolina the Kobin
at inter\als still tuned his song ; and aV)out the second week of
March, in the Middle States, before the snows of winter have
wholly disappeared, a few desultory notes are already given.
As soon as the loth of this month they may at times also be
heard in this part of Xew England. Karly in April, however,
at the close of the jealous contests, which are waged with ob-
stinacy, they are only seen in pairs ; and now from the (jn hard
or the edge of the forest, deliver their simple, thrilling lays in
all the artless energy of true affection. This earnest song re-
calls to mind the mellow whistle of the Thrush, which in the
charming month of May so sweetly rises in waibling echoes
from the low copse and shady glen. Our American bird has
not, however, the compass and variety of that familiar and
much-loved songster ; but his freedom and willingness to
please, render him an universal favorite, and he now comes,
as it were, v;ith the welcome prelude to the general concert
about to burst upon us from all the green woods an<l blooming
orchards. With this ]ileasing association with ihe o])ening
season, amidst the fragrance of flowers and the improving ver-
dure of the fields, we listen with peculiar pleasure to the sim-
ple song of the Robin. The confidence he reposes in us by
making his abode in our gardens and orchards, the frankness
and innocence of his manners, besides his vocal powers to
please, insj^ire respect and attachment even in the tniant
school-boy, and his exposed nest is but rarely molested. He
owes, however, this immunity in no small degree to the fortu-
nate name which he bears ; as the favorite Robin Redbreast,
said to have covered with a leafy shroud the lost and wander-

r 1

300

SINGING 151 KDS.

i I

ing " babes in the woods," is held in universal respect in every
part of l!uroi)e. where he is known by endearing names, and so
faniiHar in winter that he sometimes taps at the window or
enters the house in search of crumbs, ami like the domestic
fowls, claims his welcome pittance at the farmer's door.

'i"he nest of this species is ol'ten on the horizontal branch of
an apple-tree, or in a bush or tree in the woods, and so large
as to l)e scarix'ly ever wholly concealed, 'i'he parents show
great affection, courage, and anxiety for the safety of their
young, keeping up a noisy cackling chirj) when the place is
api)roa(lH(l, sometimes even boldly i)e( king at the haml or
flying in the face of the intruder; and they have often serious
contests with the piratical Cuckoo, who slyly watches the ab-
sence of the parents to tlevour their eggs. To avoid these
visits and the attacks of other enemies, the Robin has been
known to buikl his nest within a few yards of the blacksmidi's
anvil; and in Portsmouth (New Hampshire) one was seen to
employ for the same jiurpose the stern limbers of an unfin-
ished vessel, in which the cari)enters were constantly it work,
the bird api)earing by this adventurous association as if con-
scious of the proteC-ion of so singular an bold a situation, I
have also seen a nest of the Robin bottomed with a mass of
pine shavings taken without alarm from the bench of the car-
penter. From the i)etulant ami reiterated chirp so commonly
uttered by the Robin \'hen sur])rised or irritated, the Indians
of Hudson's 15ay call hiiu from this note, Pce-ptc-tshu. 'I'hey
often also utter a loud echoing 'kh 'kh 'kh, and sometimes
chirj) in a high or slender tone when alarmed, and with an
affectation of anger sharply flirt the tail and ends of the wings.
They raise several broods in a season, and considerable num-
bers flock together in the latter end of smnmer and autumn.
^^'hen feeding on cherries, poke, sassafras, and sour-gum ber-
ries, they are so intent as to be easilv approached and shot
down in niunbers ; and when fat are justly esteemed for food
and often brought to market. In the s])ring they frequi-ntly
descend to the ground in quest of worms and insects, which
then constitute their -principal support.

lonly
ians

'hey

imes
an

in^rs.
iiin-

imn.
)cr-
ihot
;)()fl
ntly
lich

ROBfX,

201

They are commonly brouiihi: np' Dim tiac cage, and M-eui \ery
docile and content. 'I'hev i^mt; mkIL rt-adilv karn to imitate
li\ciy par's of tunes, antl some ktve l)»tien taught !«> ]»i])e forth
l>salms even to so <lull and aijlerain a m-easure as that of" OA/

:^dcrablc taste ft)r mim-
V"' birds aroimd tin in,
• A ill, and uther>. ( )n

'Jtr^ Usually make some
^ ihe bill. At tinus

JIu)ii/iti/'' .' 'I'hey ac([uire al.io " -
ickry, imitatini; the nott s of rii
sucn as the Hluebinl, I'evver-. W ^
being approached with the rln^ !•.
show of anger 1)\' crac king an
they become very tame, and will go an arnJ out (jf tlie houie
with domestic confidence. i<iK:\ imcjrt-r wiit-n left alonr, and on
su( h occasions have sometimes the 3iji;gacit)' of calling attt iition
by articulating endearing wonls, 2a fr<tt}. pretty, etc., < onntc-
ting, ai)j)arenily with these e.xpr'^--- - . '^ • i- ireneral import of
attentive blandishment. They ..niosi naked in the

moulting season, in which thry , j.- • • .» suffer considernbiy,
yet have been known to survive tor i - }rar> or u])uardD. I'he
rufous color of the breast becomrs 4«nrifT in those birds which
thus live in confnieuient. Their • ^ong i> in the morn-

ing, and commences before suan.->e, ai which time it is very
loud, full, and emphatic.

The eastern form of this sperfe>* is not fosicd westward of the
Great Plains excepting in tht- far Xortla- mflaere il has been traced
to tiio \'ukon district of .-\lask.-i. Fnoan hSk- eastern base of the
Rockies to the I'aeific it is rtplaced hj ^■opinqua, a larger, grayer
variety.

I have seen large flocks of RoP>fn+ nti \c-w Bninswit k during
.some u'ntors. and every year they are nwj.Tf or less common during
the cold moiuhs. These winter bfrrfH fear-f much more white on
their under parts than is seen on -pefrnwrm*. taken in tin- suinnur,
and their entire plumat;e is hoary. Tv-t doubtless spend the sum-
mer much farther north. — prohiibly ^m ihc- barren lands which
border the .Arctic Ocean, -and are '^-r rlif northernmost ed^e of
that cloud of Robins which every n*es from their breeding-

grounds and sails awav southward .■■ . o^tTi it has finally si'ttled,
its eastern margin is found stnr hftl '- • '■ -<ju]f f)f St. Lawrente
to the West Indies. Throughout thi^ . . embracing as it does
manv variations of climate, Robins nsaiT be found in suitable local-
ities during cverv winter. — rather rare, sosmrtimes, at the north,
but increasing in abundance toward* tB»e SooIIl.

I«

li'

*^^r^^

.■•

202

SINGING BIRDS.

The habit of this species of assembling in large communities to
roost at ni<;ht, during the summer montiis, was unknown to natur-
alists until a few years ago, and no mention of this habit appeared
in print until Octoi)er, 1.S90, when detailed accounts of several
'• roosts ■' that had been discovered in the vicinity of lioston were
published in tlie '"Atlantic Monthly" and "The Auk." They were
written by Mr. Bradford Torrey and Mr. William Brewster re-
spectively. The •• ruosts "* are situated in Norton's Woods, on
Bea\er Brook, Belmont, in Longwood, and in Melrose.

The Robins assembling in these places are numbered by
thousands.

NoTK. — A few examples of the Vakif-d Thrush {^Hcspcro-
cii/ila iiavia) have wandered from the Pacific coast to the Eastern
States; and the Ri:i)-wixged Thrush (^Turdus i/iuc us) occ.i'sxon-
ally wanders from Europe to Greenland.

WOOD THRUSH.

TURUUS iMUSTELIXUS.

Char. Above, tawny. I)rightest on iiead, shading to olive on rump
and tail ; beneath, white ; breast aiul sides marked with round spots of
dusky. Lengtii -jl^ to 8 '4 inciies.

Xest. In a thicket ox on low biancii of small tree, usually in a moist
place ; of grass and leaves cemented with nuid. lined with fine roots.

F.ggs. 3-5; pale greenish l)Iiie ; r.05 X 0.75.

This solitary nnd retiring songster during summer inhabits
the whole continent from 1 liaison's Bay to Florida ; and ac-
cording to my friend Mr. \\'arc, breeds as far south as the
vicinity of Natchez, in the territory of Mississippi, ^^"hether
it leaves the boundaries of the United States in the winter is
not satisfactorily ascertained ; as the species is then silent, and
abvavs difficult of access, its residence is rendered peculiarly
doubtful. The lateness of the season in which it still lingers
renders it probable that it may winter in the Southern States,
as a yotmg bird, gleaning insects and berries, has been caught
in a garden in Boston on the 26th of October.

From the southern parts of the I'nion, or wherever he may
winter, the Wood Thnish arrives in the Middle States from the

)its
;u-
thr

111(1

irly
;"crs
tcs,
['.lit

lay
he

WOOD THRUSH.

203

ist to the 15th of April ; though his appearance here, where
the species is scarce, does not take i)lace earlier than the be-
ginning of May. At the dawn of morning he now announces
his presence in the woods, and from the toi) of some tall tree,
rising through the dark and shady forest, he pours out his few,
clear, and harmonious notes in a pleasing revery, as if inspired
by the enthusiasm of renovated Nature. I'he prelude to this
song resembles almost the double tonguing of the tlute, blended
with a tinkling, shrill, and solemn warble which re-echoes from
his solitary retreat like the dirge of some sad rc( lu>c who
shuns the busy haunts of life. The whole air consists usually
of 4 parts or bars, which succeed, in deliberate time, and
finally blend together in impressive anil soothing harni«)ny,
becoming more mellow and sweet at every repetiii(jn. Rival
performers seem to challenge each other from various \)dns of
the wood, vying for the favor of their mates with sympathetic
res])onses and softer tones ; and some, waging a jealous strife,
terminate the warm dispute by an appeal to combat and vio-
lence. Like the Robin and the 'Thrasher, in dark :\\v\ gloomy
weather, when other birds are sheltered and silent, the clear
notes of the Wood Thrush are heard through the (lr()p])ing
woods from dawn to dusk, so that the sadder the day. the
sweeter and more constant is his song. His < lear and inter-
rupted whittle is likewise often nearly the only voice of melody
heard by the traveller, to miil-day, in the heat of summer, as he
traverses the silent, dark, and wooded wilderness, remote from
the haunts of men. It is nearly impo>i>il)le by words to con-
vey any idea of the ])eculiar warl)le of this vocal hermit : but
amongst his phrases the sound of \iir<>r>\ ])eculiarly litpiid. and
followed by a trill repeated in two interrupted bars, is readily
recognizable. At times the notes bear a considerable resem-
blance to tlio>e of Wilson's Thrush ; su< h as (/) rlulnt 'rr/ir/in,
then varied to \/i rillui 7'i7/ia, \h villia I'r/ir/iii, then '<•// <•<///
vi//iii. high and hhrill.

The Wood Thnish is always of a shy and retiring disjiosi-
tion, appearing alone or only in single pairs, and while he
willingly charms us with his song, he is content and even soli-

iii

It-

204

SINGlNCi lilRDS.

\ll

■i

If ill!;!

tiious to remain conccalL-d. His faNoritc iiaunts are low, shady
glens by watcrcourst-s, oUcn remlered dark with aldcr-bushes,
mantled with the trailing grape-vine. In (lue.st ot" his insect
prey, he delights to follow the meanders ol" the rivulet, through
whose leafy shade.> the sun])eanis steal only in a tew inter-
rupted rays over the sparkling surfa( e of the running brook.
So partial is this bin! to >olitude that 1 have known one to
siing almost uniformly in the same i)lace, though nearly half a
mile from his mate and nest. At times indeed he would \en-
ture a few faltering, low notes in an oak near his consort, but
his mellowest morning and evening warble was always deliv-
ered from a tall hickory, overtopjjing a grove of hemlock firs,
in which the dimness of twiligriL prevailed e\en at noon. The
\\'ootl Thrush, like the Nigh'.ingale. therefore feels insj)ire(l in
darkness ; but instead of waiting for the setting sim, he ( hooses
a retreat where the l)eams of day can seldom enter. These
shady retreats ha\e also an additional nttraction to our Thrush ;
it is here that the most interesting scene of his instinctive
labor begins and ends : here he first saw the light and breathed
into existence ; and here he now bestows his ni'st in a sapling
oak, or in the ne.xt thick laurel or blooming alder, whose ber-
ries afford him amjjle repast in the coming autumn. IJeetles,
cater])illars, various inset ts. and in autumn, berries, constitute
the ])rincipal food of the Wood Thrush, 'i'he yoiuig remain
for weeks nroimd gardens in quest of berries, and are particu-
larly fond of those of the various species of cornel and vibur-
num. At this season they occasionally leave their fovorite
glens, and in their devious wanderings, ]ire\inus to their de-
parture, sometimes venture to \isit the rund suburbs of the
city. The young are easily rai.;ed, and ^ing nearly as well in
the cage as in their native wilds.

Xuttall made a mistake in giving to the Wood Thnisli so ex-
tended a range, and must have eoufused this species will) the
Olive-hai ked, of wiiich he makes no mention. In New lai^Iand
the Wood Tlirush is rarely found nortli of .Massachusetts exeoi)ting
in western \'ermont. Il occurs in the soutlieri\ parts of Ontario
and Miiluuan. and lias been taken in Minnesota. It has l)cen
fouiul in winter in Cuba and (aiatemahi.

UEKMIT TIIKLSll.

20;

Hi: KM IT 11 IRISH.

SWAM I' ROIMN.
TURDUS AOXALASCHK.K PALLASII.

CllAK. Al)ovc. olive brown or ru- set, .shading to rufous on rump and
tail; i^eneatli hullisli. shaclccl with olivu on sides; tiiroat and breast
niaikeil witii olive wedge-siiapcd spins. Length O'j to 7,', inches.

.\< ^f. ( )ii the ground, icxjsely made of leaves, grass, and moss.

K&'- 3-5 ; greenish blue ; 0.S5 X 0.65.

This species, so niiu h like tin- NiLjiitinuale in color, is r^- .irt e
inferior to that celebnited bird in its powers of --onj:, and
greatly exceeds the \ )od I iiru->h in the melody and sweetness
of its lay. It inhabits thr I'liilid Slates tVoin d;e lofty alpine
mountains of New Hampshire to I'lorida. It is nUo met with
on the tabk'laiid of Mexico and in the warmer (limale of the
Antilles. In rennsylvania. New Jersey, and N\ w l.n^land, at
the close of autumn, it appears to miij^nite eastward to the sea-
const in quest of the winter berries on wh.ic h it now feeds ; in
spring iiwd summer it lives chietly on insec ts and their larva.',
and also collects the surviving berries of the Mitilnila ;>•/<//>.

Like the preceding sjiecies. it ajipears to ( ourt solitude, and
lives wholly in the woods. In the Southern States, where it
inhabits the whole year, it freijuents the d;irk and des<jlate
shades of the cane swamj«. In tliese almost Stygian regions,
which, besides being cool, abound pri)bably with its fivorite
insect food, we are nearly sure to meet our sweetly vocal
hermit Hitting through the settled gloom, which the brighte-t
rays of noon scarcely illumine with more than twilight. In one
of sucii swami)s, in the Choctaw nation. Wilson examined a
nest of this species whi( h was fixed on the horizontal branch
of a tree, formed with great neatness and withoiU using any
plastering of mud. The outside was made of a layer of coarse
grass, having the roots attached, and intermixed with horse-
h;iir; the lining consisted of green filitbrm b!:u!e-: of dry grass
very neatly wotmd about the interior.

In the Miildle States these birds are onlv seen for a few

i\ :

206

SINGLNCi BIRDS.

weeks in the spring and full. They arrive in this part of New
Kngland about the 10th of April, and disperse to jjass the
summer in the sechision of the forest. 'I'hey are often seen on
the ground in cjuest of their food, and fre(iueni low and thick
coi)ses, into \vhi< h tliey c(Miimonly fly for conceahiient when
too attentively observed ; though when in small companies, in
the spring season, they do not appear very shy, but restless
from the unsettled state of their circumstances. When dis-
persed, they utter a low, chirping call, and for some time
continue to fre(iuent the same secluded part of the forest
in society. .\t times, like the Wagtail, they keep this part of
their body in a slow, vertical motion. In manners they strongly
resemble the following species, but their song seems to be
unusually lively and varied.

The Hermit is a common bird in the Maritime Provinces and
Quebec, and nests from about latitude 44° northward. It is com-
mon on .\nticosti and along the north shore of the (iulf of St.
Lawrence, and has l)een taken at Lake Mistassini. In Ontario it
occurs chiefly as a migrant, thoniili breedinij in the Muskoka
district. In .\ew England also it is principallv known as a
migrant, breeding in numbers only along the northern bonier and
on the higher hills of Connecticut and .Massachusetts. The nest
has been taken in Ohio and in southern Michigan.

The opinions expressed by Nuttall that the Hermit Thrush is a
peculiarly shy and solitary bird, and that its favorite resorts are
amid the deep forests, are. I think, somewhat misle.uling: at least
my observations in .\ew lirunswic k led me to form (piite different
opinions. I did tind these birds courting retirement and ajipar-
ently destitute of either vanity or curiosity : but they always dis-
played a calm self-po.ssession that is inconsistent with shyness.
Nor were they peculiarly solitary, for though it was unu.sual to .see
a number of them in clo.se companionshi]). it was not unusual to
meet with half a dozen in as many minutes, or to tind as manv
nests within a small area.

Like all woodland birds, they prefer the groves to the open fields,
and they enjoy a cool shade in a moist valley; but they build
their nests near the settlements, and rarely go into the den.ser for-
ests. This is their habit in New Brunswick, though of course when
farther north they must resort to the timber districts; there are
few .settlements to attract them.

P^'<->/^MJi

IS a
arc
-ast

iL'Ilt

^ar-
(lis-

1CSS.

soe
to
lanv

■Ids.

)uil(l

for-

hen

are

WTT,S()NS rilkl'SH.

TAWXY THRUSH. VKKKY.

' I V k 1 )L"S !■ USCF>iCKNS.

Char. Above, light tawny or rufous ; iK-ncath, white, shaded with
creamy buff on breast, and with «ilive on sides; breast spotted with
tawny. Lengtii 6'. to 7 '^ inches.

A\st. On the ground or near it, usually at the base of small tree or in
tuft of old grass ; of leaves and grass, lined with t'lne roots.

^-'vV-f- 3~5 ! pale greenish blue ; 0.S5 X 0.65.

This common Nortlurn spe'cie-s arrivt-s in Pennsylvania and
New ICngland about the 1)cl,m lining of May, ami its northern
range extends as far as Labrador. It appears to retire to the
South early in October, and is more decidedly insectivorous
than any other native species. Accortling to Wilson, many of

:nj

m-h ^ ^^

1 1

iif'

;(

208

SINULNG lUUDS.

these bin!- winter in llv myrll-j-swamph of South C'aroHna. 1
have noi, however, seen thcni in the vSouthern States at that
sea>4j)n, and most part of the s!)e(;ies pass on probably as far as
the coast of the .Nk-xican (lulf. They do n(jt, acconUng to
Wilson, bree«i in the lower inirts of I'rnnsylvania, though un-
tloublciJiv thev <lo in the mountainous districts, where thc-v are
seen as btc as the 2oih of May. 'I'hey projiagate and are very
comnton in Ma»ijachusclts.

In its retiring habits and love of concealment this Thrush
resembles t;u j»receding. It frc(iuents the dark and shady
iMjrileT' *" .'T5»-,dl brooks and woods, and sometimes the bu>hy
and ret 1 \j irs of the garden ; from whence, withcnit being
often seen, in ih. . orning and particularly the evening to the
ver>' apfjiroach of night, we often hear the siuguhir, (juaint. and
musical note of this querulous si)e(ies at short inter\als, as one
perches u|jion some low branch of a tree or bush. This curious
whisihng note sounds like Vv//// V'Vv//// 'r'/v7/// 't''/r/i/}, and
sotneiimes 'rr</ rv</ 'rrclid 'mhCi vchii, nmning uj) the notes
till ihcy become shrill and (piick at the (lose, in the first
jjhrasc. bwt from high to low, and terminating blender and
slow, in the latter: another expression seems to be. 'rr 'rrd
ithiirr, ascending like a whistle. The song of another indi-
vidual was expressed in the following manner: 'rc'villill'iiirill
' tullull^ttillul. It was then repeated with variation, ^7'e viHillil
viinil riinil : then villillill viZ/i //■//, tnlli/il/ tuirilill : the whole
agreeably and singularl\' delisiTed in a shrill, hollow voi< e,
almost like the >f>tmd of liquor ])assing through a ttmnel into a
bottle. I have also heard several t)f these sounds, S(jmetimes
occasionally prefaced by a mewing or chirping warble. Th».>e
soimds, though monotonous, are jiossessi'd of greater variety
than is at fir-^t imagined, the terminating tone or key ch;mging
through several re])etitions, so as to constitute a harmony and
me!;>«ly in *>ome degree ai)proaching the song of the m<jre
musical Wood Thrush. I'Yom this habit of serenading into
the night, the species is sometimes here dignified with the
nickname of the Nightingale. Occasionally he utters an angr)',
rather plaintive mew, like the Catbird, or a ([uivering bleat

Wll.SUN S Til lU SI I.

209

iV.(\

almost similar to that of a lamh ; and when approached, watches
Mild follows the inlnnlcr with an ani^'ry i)r petulant qucah
(jui'iih ; at other times a sort of mewing, melancholy, or com-
plaining vV^747 yfo7C' is heard, and then, jjerhaps, a hasty an<l
lmi)atient /»<■/// /^v?/ follows. The food of this species, at least
during the early l)art of summer, apj)ears to be shelly insects of
various kinds, f)arti(!ularly C'/inso/z/iAis, or laily-bugs, and those
many legged h;ird worms of the genus lulus.

A good while after the commencement of the perio«i of in-
cubation I have observed the males engaged in obstinate (juar-
rels. On the 4th of June, 1S30, I obsened two of these
petulant Thrushes thus fiercely and jealously contending ; one
of them used a jilaintive and angry * le as he chasecl his
antagonist uj) and down the tree. At lei.^tt iiowever, a cousin
Catbird, to which this species has soni' affirity, stepped in be-
twixt thj combatants, and they soon p.irted. One of these
birds had a nest and mate in the goose'-erry bush of a neigh-
boring garden ; the second bird wa'-; thus a dissatisfierl hermit,
and spent many weeks in the IJotai^*: Garden, where, thotigh
at times sad and solitary, yet he constantly aniHsed us with his
forlorn scjng, and seemed at last, as it were, accjuainted with
those who whistled for him, jjceping out of the bushes with a
sort of complaisant curiosity, and from his almost nocturnal
habits became a great persecutor of the assassin Owl whenever
he dared to make his appearance.

The nest of \\'ilsi)n's Thrush (commenced ;il)out the close of

the first week in May) is usually in a low and thorny bush in

the dirkest part of the forest, at no great distance from the

ground (1 to :; fiet), sometimes indeed on the earth, btit

raised by a bed of leaves, and greatly resembles that of the

Catbird. This s))ecies seems, indeed, for security artfully to

depend on the resemblance of itself and its leafy nest with the

l)os()ni of the forest on which it rests, and wlu-n approache<l it

sits so close as nearly to admit of being taken up by the hand.

The nest sometimes a])]iears without any shelter but sha<le and

association of colors with the place on which it rests. I have

seen one ])laced on a mass of prostrated dead brambles, on a
vol.. I. — 14

I )

!= »

210

\\ • I

SINGING BIRDS.

fallen heap of lilac twigs in a ravine, and also in a small
withereil branch of reil oak \vhi< h had fallen into a bush ; i)e-
low it was also bedded with e\a< tly sinular leaves, so as easily
to deceive the eye. iJut with all these precautions they appear
to lose many eggs and young by sipiirrels and other animals.
The nest is usually bott«)med with dry oak or beech leaves,
coarse stalks of grass and weeds, and lined \ery generally with
naturally dissected foliage, its stalks, some fine grass, and at
other times a mixture of root-fibres ; but no earth is emi)loyed
in the fabric. The eggs, 4 or 5, are of an emerald green with-
out spots, and ditfer from tluxse of the Catbird only in being a
little smaller and more inclined to blue. So shy is the sjjecies
that though I feigned a violent chirjjing near the nest contain-
ing their young, which brought Sparrows and a neighboring
Baltimore to the rescue, the parents, peejjing at a distance, did
not venture to approach or even express any marked concern,
though they prove very watchful guardians when their brood
are fledged and with them in the woods. They have com-
monly two broods in the season ; the second being raised
about the middle of July, after which their musical notes are
but seldom heard. I afterwards by an accident obtained a
young fledged bird, which retained in the cage the unsocial
and silent timidity peculiar to the species.

Wilson's Thrush lireods farther to tho southward than the Her-
mit, but does not range c|uite so far north. It is common in the
Maritime Provinces and near the city of Quebec, but has not been
taken recently on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Thougli it is abunchuit in .Manitoba, and Cliapman reports its
occurrence in Newfoundland, it i^reeds abundandy in Ontario and
in northern Ohio.

In New Brunswick I have found the nest as frecjuently in an
open pasture as in more olxscure places.

Note. — The Willow Thrush (^T. fuscescens salicuoia), a
Rockv Mountain form, occurs occasionally in Illinois and casually
in South Carolina.

b
w

GkAV-( llEEKKl) TIIKLSII.

211

oi.i\ i:-i;.\cKi:i) ruRrsH.

Hcr-

in the
)een
re lice.
[s its
o iind

in an

TLkDis f.viruvirs swains* ixii.

Char. Above, olive ; beneath, white, shatled with olive on the sides ;
sides of head, neck, and breast tinged with l)Ull ; throat and brca.-t
spotted with olive; yellowish ring around the eve. Length 6*2 to 7'j
.ichc.«>.

At'st. In a hnv tree or bush ; of twigs, leaves, grass, etc.

■'^XV-f* 3-4; greenish blue speckled with brown ; 0.90 X 0.65.

This species was emitted by Nuttall. thoujili jjivi-n by Wilson. It
h.is miiih the same ranu'e and similar habits as tiic Hermit, tiioiijih
ditlerip^ in its sonij and the location of its nest. 'I"he tone of its
voice is richer and roimder — more tlute-like and less metallic —
than that of any other of the small Thrushes: but the soni; lacks
th.it si)iritual cjuality so conspicuous in the bymnlike melody of
the Hermit.

The Olive-hacked is found throughout the temperate re^^ion of
eastern North America, and westward to the eastern base of the
Rockies. It bret ds in northern New Knijland and northward, and
in the elevated portions of .Massa« hu.setts and Connecticut, as well
as in northern New N'ork and .Michigan, and winters in the (/ulf
States and southward to Panama.

It is common in the .Maritime Provinces, but is reported rather
rare between .Montreal and Lake Huron, thouiih it beinc; an abun-
dant mijjjrant through Ohio, I should expect to find it plentiful in
portions of Ontario.

GRAV-rPTF.r.KKI) THRUSH.

ALICE'.^ THRLSH.
Tlrdls .\LICL€.

Char, .\bove, olive ; cheeks grayish, a whitish ring round the eyes ;
bene.ith, white ; sides tinged with olive ; throat and breast tinged with
buff and marked with large dark spots. Length 7 to -j}^ inches.

-\Vj/. In a low bush or on the ground ; of grass and leaves, etc., lined
with fine grass.

E^i^'gs. 3-4 ; greenish blue spotted with brown ; 0.90 X 0.70.

After much contention as to the validity of .-Mice's Thrush as a
variety of the Olive-backed, the systematists have decided to give it

^ ! ' .

! > ' ' ll

SINGINCi BIRDS.

spfcirtc rank. In appearance it differs from s7t.'(iiftsoni/ ch'wfty in
Inckin<; the yellow aroiiiul the eye, and in ha\in;.j yray instead of
buff cheeks. .Uicitc is also a triric the lar^^er of the two.

The distribution of the present specie.s has not yet been thor-
ouj^hly worked out. for only a few years have |)as>ed since its
di.scover)-; but it is known to occur in the L'nited .States and the
settled portions of Canada as a mi.L;rant only, breeding north to
the Arctic, and wintering .south to Costa Rica.

'li S^

BICKN i: M.'.S VW Rl'SII.

TlRIUS AMCI-li lilCKNKI.I.I.

Char. Above, olive, varying from a grayish to a russet tnit ; winj^s
and tail slightlv browiur than b.jck ; (ii>tinct riiit; of pale buff .irounil tlic
eyes; thcck-i l)iifti>l); l)tni-;ith, white, tinged with ulive on the >ide>;
throat .ind lirta^t tingid with butT .itul ni.irkcd with large dark >i>ot.s.
Length 7 to 7'i inches.

A'c-'t. On the groiMul. in a thicket ; composed of twigs, grass, and moss,
lined with gmss.

li.^^s. 3-4 ; p.-»Ie blucish green speckled with brown ; 0.S5 x o 65.

This variety of the Gray-cheeked Thrush was discovered by
Mr. Ku^v-ne 1'. Uicknell amid the Catskdl Mountains in 1SS5. It
has been foi:nd on all the hij^her ranges of Ilastern .\meriia and
in Illinois, and .Mr. Lamoille claims to have discovered the nest
on an island off the southern coast of Nova Scotia.

w\'n:R THRrsH.

WATER WAr.T.MI..

Skuris X( )vf.i!( >ra( :f.\sj>.

Char. Above, deep olive brown ; line over the eve whitish: benc.ith,
white tinged with bright yellow, .ind spotted with olive. Length ^'^ to
6 inches.

.Vt-st. On the ground, in border of swamp or «tream ; bulkv, and
loosely made of moss, leaves, and grass. lined with roots. Sometimes
deeply imlxdded in moss, or covered with it.

/r.vr- 4-^; white, spotted, most heavily near the larger end, with
brown and lilac; 0.75 X 055.

ath,

;

•j to

:incl

..f

inu'S

d, with

\VATER-rnKl>ll.

2'3

This shy and retiring sylvan species extends its summer
migrations throughout the L nited States, breeiling rarely in
I'ennsylvania, i)roceeding priiuiiially to the western and
nortliern regions at the period of ini uhalion. Mr. 'lown^end
an«l myself observed this bird in Oregon, as well as in Missouri,
where it was, no doubt, breeiling, and sung m a very lively
manner, keeping in a shady wood whi( h bordered a >inall
stream, often descending to the ground after aipiatic insects or
larv;f, and with the tail in a constant balancing motion, re-
minding us strongly of the Wagtail or Motacilla of liuropc.

l he Atiuatic Ihrush has, indeed, a i)aiticular partiality for
the vieinity of waters, wading in the shallow streams in search
of insects, moving its tail as it leisurely folKnvs its j)ursuit. anil
chattering as it llies. During its transient migrating visits it is
very timid, and darts into the thickets as soon as approat heil,
uttering a sharp and rather plaintive A////' of .iLirm. .\l)out
the beginning of May, these birds appear in I'ennsylvania from
the South, and stay around dark and solitary streams for ten
or twelve days, and ilien dis;ii»pear until alH)Ut the middle of
August, when, on their w,i\- to tlu-ir tr»)|)ical winter (|uarters,
they leave the swamps and mountains of their summer retreat,
and, at'trr again gleaning a transient subsistence for a few days
towanls the sea-coast, depart for the season. In Massu hu-
setts they are scarcely ever seen except in the autumn, and
continue in shadv gardens, probalily feeding on small wild
berries till nearly the close of Septi'inber.

It appears, according to Wilson, that the fivorite resort of
this s|)ecies is in the cane-lirakes, swamps, river shores, and
watery solitudes of Louisiana. Ti-nnessee, and Mississippi.
Here it is abundant, and is eminently distinguished by the
loudness, sweetness, and ex]>ressive vivacity of its notes, which,
beginning high and clear, flow and descend in a cadence so
delicate as to terminate in sounds that are scarcely audible.
At such times the singer sits perched on some branch whi( h
stretches impending over the flowing stream, ami pours out hi.;
charming melody with such effect as to be heard at tiie dis-
tance of nearly half a mile, giving a peculiar charm to *he dark

i: I

J 14

SIXCIXG HIKDS.

;" I

and solitary wilds lu" inhabits. 'Ihc silence of ni^dit is also, at
times, relieved liy the iiire>s.iiu warhle of tl1i^ Western I'hilo-
nul, \\lii)Ne \(»i(;e, hifakini; \\\»>u tlic ear of the lonel)' traveller
in the wilderness, seems like the duleet lay of something super-
natural. His sonj; is also heart! in the winter when the
weather proves mild. In tiiis habit he api)ears eonsiderably
allied to the Keed Thrush or River Nij,Oitingale of Murope.
which night and day almost ( ea^>ele.-,sly sings, and soothes his
sitting mate, among the reeds and marches of his favorite
resorts.

.Since Nuttall's dav tlic W'atvr Thrush has been separated from
the true Thrushes and classed with the Warblers. The birds seen
bv Wilson and Audubon in l.ouisiaua. 'I\nuessee. and .Mississip]>t
wcri' doubtless referable to niotacilla. for though the present spe-
cies is found throui,diout tliis l'".astern Province, west to Illinois and
Manitoba, it seldom lias been diseovi-red breedini; south of 45^. It
is a rather ( (Muinon sj^rinii and autumn visitor to Massachusetts,
and niav breed in sinall numbers on !he berkshire lulls.

On tile plains the t\pe is replace<l by the variety named notal'ilis^
— Gkinnki.i.'s WAiKU-TftKUSii. — which is larger and darker.
Notixbilis occurs occasiouallv in Illinois and Indiana.

LOUISIANA W.Vn.R 11 IRISH.

Si HKIS MolACII.I.A.

riiAR. Similar tn ;/('r',7',>n/,v;/.>/V. but larger, :uul 1)111 li)n.i;cr and stouter.
I'lidd- |>;uls tiiv^ed with htilT. Iiiit never with brigiil yellow ; iluoat free
from spots. I.eiiiitli y'l to ()K inches.

X.st. On the f^uound. hidden amid r<iots of fallen trei', 01 on a mos<y
bank : composed of Icave-^. j^rass, .ind n.oss, lined with ^i.iss and hair.

/•.Vs'^ 4-''; whili'. sometimes with creamy tint, speckled with brown
and lilac; 075 Xodo.

The rang^ of this species extends from southern New I'ngland.
the C.reat La..es. and .Minnesota (in summer) to the Oulf States
and Central Aineiira (in winter)- A few pairs are seen every rea-
son in .southern Ontario. Its habits do not differ from those of its
congener.

nt:

and,
at OS
;.ea-
if its

OVF.N-Blkf#

GOLDF^N-CROVVXtW T39KUSH.
SkU RL>. VLftm. ■

Char. Above, olive : crown oran;;«t -!')«'')•» t., Wrdercd with black stripes,
white riiip; .iioiiiul the eyes; hcnear&v wlblt- ♦^J.^otted with olive. lAii,t;th
5'.' to ()l2 iiH hcs.

Ai-st. On the uroiuul, at the t'uof iH .» Wnit t>r in the moss on a ficravcfl
loq ; rather li>..-e!y made of twigs, !rr&M^„ utart-s. and innss. lined with fine
grass and hair. The top is often comprittidh- rwrfrd. vimiiinies art lied or
domed; the entrance on the -.idc.

/ij^gs. ■\-(>; creamy white, spotted wiiB&i 8ai56<« n and lilac; 0..S0X0.55.

This ratluT coninmn hinl. o rjr:;rly allied to ilir irue
Thnishi's. is fotiii'l throiiijhotit the- tk'j«f st*- of the rnitcd .^latcs,
Canada, and in the territory c{ r>rTi;on (Jurinfj the siiinnur,
arriving in the Middle and Northetrm) Malts abotn the beginning
of >Fay or close of April, .in<l ftepUir,;iiL' for tropical .\ni<.ri( a,
Mexico, and the larger West Irnlui .tr.'ijmis early in Septt nilter.

The Ciolden-crowned Thnish„ th^* naati retiring, is never r^een
out of the >had<' of the wood-. .;'.«(!! ir4ls and nnis along the
ground often like the I. ark; in .u;<.j fff-t'quenis the brandies of
trees, and soinelinies moves it* Liiii m tiii- manner of tin- N\ ag-
tails. It has lew j)retension.s to "WMUg. ami while perched in
the dee]) and shady part of the fio«rr«L, il utters, at intervals, a
simple, long, reiterated note of Vi^>iV /^«y fshr tshr fshr, rising
from low to high and shrill. io a.* to ipiif but little idea of the
distance or place from whence that vtp^iwl jtroceeds, and ofu n
appearing, from the loudness of ch«r diiurixmg cadence, to be uiiu u

•r

i I

2l6

SINGING BIRDS.

nearer than it really is. As soon as discovered, like the Wood
Thrush, it darts at once timidly into the de])ths of its sylvan
retreat. During the periotl of incubation, the deliberate lay
of the male, from some horizontal branch of the forest tree,
where it often sits usually still, is a ^ts/ic tc tshc t? tslic tc fs/icc.
gradually rising and growing louder. Towards dusk in the
evening, however, it now anil then utters a sudden burst of
notes with a short, agreeable warble, whi( h terminates com-
monly in the usual 'fs/w tc fs/u\ Its curious oven-shape<l nest
is known to all the sportsmen who traverse the solitary wilds
which it inhabits, 'i'his ingenious fabric is sunk a little into the
ground, and generally situated on some dry and mossy bank
contiguous to bushes, or on an uncleared surface ; it is formed,
with great neatness, of dry blades of grass, and lined with the
same ; it is then surmounted by a thi( k inclined roof of simi-
lar materials, the surface scattered with leaves and twigs so as
to match the rest of the ground, and an entrance is left at the
side. Near Milton liills. in this vit inity, the situation chosen
was among low wlu)rtleberry bushes, in a stimted cedar and
oak grow. W hen surprised, the bird escapes, or runs from the
nest with the silence and celerity of a mouse. If an attem])t
be made to (b^( omt the nest from which she is lliislu-d, she
stops, flutters, and jjretends lameness, and watching the success
of the mancjuuvre, at length, when the decoy seems complete,
she takes to wing and disappears. The Oven liird i-> another
of the foster-parents sonn-times chosen by the Cow 'IVoopial ;
and she rears the foundling with her accustomed care and
affection, and keeps up an incessant f<Ji!f> when her unfledged
brood are even distantly approached. Tiv >.e binU have often
two broods in a season in the Middlr States. Their food is
wholly insects and their 1 irv;e, ])articularly small coleojiterous
kinils and ants, chielly collected on the ground.

'I'hr Oven-bird, likt- the \V;iter-TIirusli, has licrii n.-aiovi'd by
modirn authorities from elassitiealion with tlie 'i'luaish family .uid
placed with tlie Warblers. It is now known to breed from X'iririnia
and Kansas to bal)ra(lor and Manitol);i. It is abundant in M.issa-
chusetts and the Marit/ne Provinces, and conunon over its entire
range. It winters in llorida and as far .south as Central America.

ess
■to,
ur
al;
n.l

ti'ti

is
rolls

hy
.111(1
ini.i
ss;i-
itire

MYRTLE WAKlJLER.

MVRTI.F. WARr.I.KR.

YELLOW-RUMP WAKIU.KK. VEI.LOW-CKOWXED WARRLER.

1)1 NhkOlCA tOKONAlA.

Thar. >rale: above, l)lui>li gray streaked with Mack; sides of lu-ad
black; brca>t and sid^s mostly black; patches of yellow on crown and
rump and sides of l)rcast ; throat and belly white ; wing-bars and patches
on tail white. Female, young, and male in winter: similar, but the back
with a tint of brown in place of blue, and all cfjlors duller, and markings
less distinct. Length 510 6 inches.

AVj/. In a coniferous tree 5 to 10 feet from the ground, in a pasture or
open grove of woodland; ci>m|)o.<ed of twigs and gr.i>s, lincil with fine
gras.s, sometimes with feathers.

AVs'-f- 4-5 : 'I"'l while or creamy white. s])otted chietly around the
larger end with brown and lil.ic ; 0.70 X 0.50.

Tlu' history of this rather coiiimoii Warbler rem.iins verv
imperfert. In the MicMle and N'orthirn States it is .1 hiril of
passage, arrivint: from the South .il)out [Uv < iosr of .\|>ril or
beuimiiiii,' of M.iy. and |>roeecdin,i,' north as f.ir as ("aiiada .ind
Labrador to ]»ass the summer season in the ( ,ires of bri'e'linj;
and rearing the yonnti, .\s e;trly as the v'di oi .Xiiunst. or after
an absence of Uttle more than three months, thesr binls ai:ain
appear: :Mid beinti hardy, passing parties continue with ^l■^ in
g.inh'ns anil woods till about the (lose ot" NoMinber, teeding
now almost exclusively on the myrtle-wix berries ( )/\//(<i crri-
Ji 111), or on those of the \irginian juniper. I he--r. other late
and persisting berries, and oc<asional insects, constitute tluir
winter food in the Sfjuthern States, when-, in consiilerable num-
bers, in the swamps and slu'liere<l grows of tiu' si-a-coiist, ihey
pass the cold season. In fine weather, in the early part of Oc-
tober, fliey may be seen, at tinus, collecting grasshoppers anfl
moths from the meadows and iiastiires, and, like the lllur llird,
they often w.itch for the ap|)earance of thi ir prey from a neigh-
boring stake, low bough, or fence-rail ; ami at this time are so
familiar and iinsuspi< ions, particularly the yotmg, as fearlessly
to .approach ahnost within the rea<h of the silent spectat»»r. .\t

2l8

SINLlINt; I5IKDS.

the 1- 'lod of migni:iun, they aiJjK-ar in an alicr -d ivu\ U's<
briiliant dress. 'l"hc bright yellow spot on die crown is :\o\\
cdL^ed with brownish olive, so that the prevailing eoit-r -M' ilii,
beamiful mark is only ^een on shcdtling the feathers with the
hand ; a brownish tint is also added lo die whole i)lumage. Hut
Wilson's figure of diis NUi>po>ed autunuial change only repre-
sents the young bird. The old i>, m fut, but little less brilliant
than in stunmer, and I have a well-tounded sii.-^itieiiMi that the
wearing of tiie edges of the feather-^, or some other seeon<laiy
cause, alone produces this change in the livery of spring, par-
lie ularly as it is not any sexual distinction.

While feeding they are very active, in the manner of I'ly-
catchers. hovering among the cedars and m\ rtles with hanging
wings, and only rest when satisfied with gleaning food. In
spring they are ^lill more timid, busy, and restless. According
to Audubon, the nest and eggs are scan ely to be distinguished
from those of .SV/r/i? os/ira; one wlv. h he examined from
Nova Scotia was made in the extremity of the branch if .\ lt>w
fir-tree, about fwii feet from the ground. When approuhed,
or while feeding, they only utter a feeble, plaintive A///> of
alarm. This beautifid •>pecies arrives lure about the 7th or
8lh of May, and now « hieily frequents the orchards, tittering
at short inter\-als, in the morning, a swid and \an" i, rather
lil.uniive warble, resembling in j'irt the s-mg of the Summer
Yellow bird, but much more the firewill, solitary autiunnal
notes of the Roliin Redbreast ..." liurope. 'J'he tones at times
are also so ventrilo>|uial and \ ' \v in eleN.uion diat it is not
always ea>y to ascertain the spot whence tluy jjitx ee<l. W hile
thus engaged in tpiol of small caterpillars, the Myrtle seems
almost insensible to obtrusion, and familiarl)' searches for its
jjrey, imwever near we may approach.

The " Yellow-rump " — by which n.ime this species is best known
— brLTtis rcgul.iily troni iiortlieni New I'.uglaiul northward and
west to .Manitoba; .ilso 011 du- IJerksiiirc hills in Massachusetts.
It i.s an almndaiu suinuK-r residc-nt of the Maritime I'rovinces, but
elsewhere, in the st.-ttU-d portions of Canada, occurs as a migrant
only. It winters re:,;ularlv in Mas.N.ichusett.s anil central Uhiu, and
iht'ii-e soulliw.ud a^ iar .is Central .\mcriea.

Vi:i.l.(>\\ I'AI.M WAklli KU.

2IQ

mi;
In

VKLI,(MV PAI.M WARBLf.R.

VF.I.I.oW KKD-I'OI.L WAUIJI.KK.
Dl.MikOKA rAI.MAKl M ll\ I't )(_M1<VSKA.

Cir\R. Ahovc. Iirownisl) olive : rump yellowisli, clii«ikv streaks on the
had:; crown rliLstiuit ; lim- ovir ivc and untln p.irt^ ricli vtilxw; brL-a^t
and sides strirakcd witli hiown ; no wliitc wing bars; ^ijuarc pati he* of
wliitf on outer tail-fcatl.crs. Adult in winter anii yellow,
Lcn};tii 5 to 5 ''4 inciics.

At.t/. * >n till nioiuul on border ot ><vvamp ; lousciy made of gr.u»s,
weeds, and uii»s ia.*lened with caltrpillai's mIk, iined wiiii roots, liair,
pinc-nccdlch, ur Icailiers.

/•-"vv. 4-5; creamy white, sometinio with io>eate tiii^c, inarki d on
larger end with line sputa ut brown and lil.ic ; 0.65 »; 0.50.

'I'hc \ rlli)\v l\i(l-polls in small numbers anivi- in tlu Miildle
and NorilKin Stall's in ihr monih ut" A|iril : man\ i'ri>(fr«l as
far as Labrador, wlicir thrv wi-ri' snii in Ntimnur 1)\ \iidnb<in.
and in tlu' month of An,i,nist tlu- voimi^ were generally Hedged.
In the Sonihern States they are abundant in wintt r. While
luTe, like many other transient passeniier* of the fitnily. they
a])])ear e\tremi!y busy in (jtiest of their restless in>e« t prey.
The) iVeiineiil low, swampy thickets, are rare, an<l their few
feeble notes are said scarceh' to deser\»' th«' name of ; -".mg.
Tlu'se straiiulers remain all summer in i'ennsylvani 1, bat ihe
nest is niiknown. 1 hey depart in September or early i'^ ' rto-
ber. and some probabh' winter in the s(»nthernmost St>,.es, as
they were met with in {•'e])niarv. bv \N'iI>on. near > .v .''.'.jah,
'I'his is a dilferent speeies from the Palm Warbler, which pro!.-
ably does not exist in the United State.-,.

This bird apjiears yet to be very little known. Penn ml has
most strangely blended \\\) its description with that of the
Rnby-( idwned Wren I his supposed female being precisely
that bird.

Tlio i'.asterii form of tlic i'.iliii W.irMcr is a common l>irfl lr<«<n
till' Atlantic to the .Mississijipi v.illey, where it is r^ pi. iced by true
piilntiinoiu and is abuiulant in suintuer in northern .Mtine aiui
New Mrunswick.

2 20

SINGINC; BIRDS.

Mr. NeiLson thinks it uncommon near Dornald, Quebec, and
says he never sees a specimen hiter than June 1st. Dr. Whealon
has reported it as a comnKjn miiirant tiuouj;!) Ohio, hut it is re-
ported rare in ( )ntari((. NntlaH's statement, borrowed from Wilson,
that some remained in I'enn.sylvania durini; the i)reetbng season,
has not been contirmed by more recent observations.

In habits this species stands pecuhar. lUHke other DcndroiKP,

it nests on the ground, aiul unhke most other Warblers, shows a

stroni,' preference for fields and road-sides, where it may be found

hoppin<i alon^ with the Sparrows, and Hirtiiiij its tail like a Titlark.

The song is a very simple affair, — a few sweet notes.

Note. — The Pai m Wakiii.ku yDeiithouu paltnanim) differs
from hyf>ochrysiij in being smaller and nuicii duller colored. It
breeds in Manitoba and northward, and winters in tiie Southern
States. .\ few examples have been seen in the Eastern States.

Ai;i)fHO\'s Wakiii.i.k {Dciuiroica aiuiuhoiii). though a bird of
the W'eslern I'lains. has a right to mention here through e.\aniples
having been taken in .Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

VF.I.r.OW WARP.I.F.R.

SL'.MMKK VKLLOW BIKD. SLMMKR WARBLER.
1>>FM»K(UCA .1>JI\A.

Char. Male: general eolur golden yelldw, upper p.-trts tinned with
olive; !>ri a.>t riiid >i<irs strc.iked witli orange hmwn Fetnale : siiuilar,
but iipj)cr j irf-i with deeper tinge <>f olive, antl under parts witli Ies.s
.streaks. I.( tijjth 4''^ to 5 '4 inches.

^\V.' '. Oil a liiisl) «).- ! .w tree, in a garden or npcii pasture; gracefully
formed aii<l compaciiy woven, of v.Triou> veuet;ii)le tilires, — grass, steins,
etc. — us ..illy lined with hair or plant down, sometitncs with feathers.

/v., !• 3-5; did! white or greenish white, marked chietly around the
larger erd with brown .ind lilac ; 0.65 X 0.-15.

This very common and brilliant sinnmer species is fount! in
all parts of the American rontincnt. from the confines of the
Arctic circle n Florida and 'i'l-xas. as well as Oregon and the
Ro( ky Moimtains, where it spends the mild season. .Mxjiit
the miiidle of March 1 alre.id\ heard the song amidst the

YKLI.OW WAKI'.I.KR.

221

lie

i-arly Ijlooniinj,' thickets and leafy \v(kj(Is of the Altamaha : but
the birds do not arrive in Pennsylvania and this part of New
Miiglaiid belori' tlie ist of May. AlH>iit the close of .\ugu»t in
the Northern, and by the inid<lle of Sejuember in the Central
States of the I'nion, or as soon as their s»i ond broo«l are ( .lia-
ble of joining the migrating Iio>it, they di>a|)pear, probabl) in
the twihght, and wing their way by easy stages to their trop-
ical destination, parsing tlirough Louisiana in O tol>er and
appearing at length about Vera Cruz, whence they >prcad their
numerous ho^t ilirough tropical America to ( iuiana, Cayenne,
St. Domingo, and other of the larger contiguous inlands of the
West Indies.

This is a very lively, unsuspicious, and almost familiar little
bird, and its l)right gcjiden color renders it vcr\ con^jucuous,
as in |)ursuit of tlitting insects it pries and ilans among the
blooming shrubs and orchards. It is particularly attached to
willow-trees and other kinds in moist and sha<ly >ituations, that
afford tills ami other species a variety of small lan-:c and <Mter-
])lllars, on w(ii< h they il< light to (vt'd. While incessantly am!
busily employed it oci aslonally mounts the twig, am! with a
loud, shrill, and almost piercing voice it earnestly utters, at >-hort
and Irregular intervals, — V\//' '/»//' 'A//' "A//' 7>7/«//e/, or A//<- /s/tt'
till tslutyia tslic /</ir : tills last phrase rather |)laintivc am! inter-
rogatory, as if expei ting tin- recf)gnitlon of its mate. .Smie-
times, but particularly after tlu' < ommincement of incubation,
a more extended an<l pUasingly modulated -"■ - heard, as se
te If fsJii/s/too, or A//' A//' /»/'' tshrrfs/ioo, 7 • '/shr 'fshoo

'ptrt.<luc, and 't<hc 't^hc '/.</ir ' tslir 'tshaia ' tshif : the ter-

mination tender, plalntivi, an<l solicitous. I have heanl this
note also sometimes varied lo ' u>if ' \oif 'saii 'st>it*tsfti/^ d 7i>t<'.
The female sometimes sings nearly a> well as the male, partic-
ul.irly about the timi' sh.e is eng;:gen m fabricatinj; her nest.
.Although the song of these birds may be heard, less vigorou>ly»
to the month of .\ug»ist. yet they do not here appear to raise
more tlian a single brood.

Tlu> nest, in .\lassa( hust tts, is commonly fixc-d ?n the forks
of a barberry bush, (lose shntb, or sapling, a few feet from the

-»•»->

SINCING r.IKDS.

if ..

gTouml ; at o«her times. I have known tlir nest placed upon the
horizontal bran< li of a hornlnani. more than 15 feet from
the gruH!in<l, or even 50 k-ct hii;h in ihc forks of a thick sugar-
mapk- Mr orchard tree. These l(;fty situations are, however,
extraonliiiur)" ; and the httle architects, in instances of this
kind, >oniciinies fail of l,m\ iiiL,' the usual security to their habita-
tion. 'Ilic ncM is extremely neat and durable ; the exterior is
formed of byers of .luVr/>/(is, or silk- weed lint, glutinously
though «>lightly attached to the supporting twigs, mixed with
some slender stri))s of fme bark and pint' lea\es, and thickly
beddcfl with the down of willows, the nankeen-wool of the Vir-
ginian cotJon-gras>. tin down of fi'in-stalks, tin- hair from the
downy acc^h of the buttonwood ( /'Ar/it/zus), or the pa|tpiis of
compound flowers: and the lined litlur with fine-bent grass
(y4i^n>s/ij)f or down, and horse-hair, and rarely with a few acci-
dental feathers, ("ircmnstances sometimes re(|uire a variation
from the iiMial ha1)its of the species. In a garden in Roxbur)',
in the vicinity of IJosion, I saw a nest built in a currant-bush,
in a small panlen very near to the housi' ; and as the branch
did not present the ]>roper site of security, a large floor of «lry
grass and wee<3s wa^ first made betwixt it and a contiguous
board fence: in the midst of this mass of extraneous materials,
the small ne« was excavated, then lined with a considerable
f|uinttty of white horse-hair, and finished with an interior bed
of soft cow-hair. The season [)roving wet and stormy, the
nest in this novel situation fell over, but was carried, with the
yotmg to a safe situation near the j)ia/.za of the house, where
the parents now fetl and reared their brood. The lal)or of
forming the nest sec-ms often wholly to ile\olve on the female.
On the lothof May I observed one of these industrious matrf»ns
busily t-n2..iire<fl with lu-r fibric in a low barberry bush, and by
the even inj: of the second day the whole was completed, to the
lining, which was made, at length, of hair and willow down, of
which she collected and carried mouthfuls so large that she
often appeare*! almost like a mass of flying cot on, and far ex-
cee'ied in indiistr\- her active neighbor, the Baltimore, who
was also engage<i in collect mg the same materials. Notwith-

it . i

Yl.i.Low \\Aki;i.hK.

22 \

standing this industry, the conipk'tion ot' the nest, with thi> and
othrr sill, ill l)ird>, is sonictiint's stran;;cly protra* led or n«)t ini-
nu'diaiily rt.<iuirc'd. Vet occasionally I have found the egps
of this species inipruvidently laid on the j^'round. It i» anitir>-
inj^ to observe the >aj,M(:ity of this littK- bird in ili>|»o>ing of tlie
egjj;s of the vagrant and para^itif Cow Troopial. The egp. de-
positeij before the laxing of the rightful tenant. t«X) large for
ejectment, is ingeniously incarcerated in the l»ottom <»f the
nest, and a new lining placed aliove it, so that it i> never
hat< hed to prove the dragon of the brood. Two instanris of
this kind oc< urred to the obsen'ation of my frii-nd Mr. Charles
I'ickering ; and in iS^^ 1 obtained a ne>t with the adventi-
tious egg about two thirds buried, the upper edge only being
visible, so that in many inst in< es it is probable that thi^ >i)c-
cies csca|ics from the unpleasant imposition of l>eromi'ig a
nurse to the sable orphan of the Cow iJird. She however
acts faithfully the i)art of a foster-parent when the egg i» laid
after her own.

I have heard of two instances in which three of the Yellow
Bird's own eggs were covered alotig with that of the Cow
IJlackbird. In a third, after a Ilia* kbird's egg had been tints
concealed, a second was laid, wliii h was similarly treated, thus
finally giving rise to a three-storied nest.

The Summer Wllow liird, to attrac:t attention from its nest,
when sitting, or when the nest contains young, sometimes
feigns lameness, hanging its tail and head, and tluitering feebly
along, in the i)ath of the spectator; at other times, when cer-
tain that the intrusion had ]iroved harmless, the bird would
only go C":' a few feet, uiUT a feeble complaint, or remain
wholly silent, and almost instantly resume her seat. The male,
as in many other species of the genus, jjrecedes a little the arri-
\-al of his mate. Towards the latter end of summer the young
and old feed much on jui( y fruits, as mulberries, cornel berries,
and other kinds.

224 SIN(;iN(; MIKDS.

MAC.NOMA WARllI-KR.

BLACK AND VKLLOW WAKIILEK.
DUNUkUlLA MALLI.USA.

Ch \k. Male : upper parts'hhn k. the feathers cil^ed with olive; rum|-
yellow; crown ash, Ijnnkrctl by hl.itk ami wiiitc ; beneath, rich yellow,
thitkly spotted on breast and sides with black; white patch 01, .'>nos
4iid on all but middle tail feathers. Female: similai, but colors di^wjr.
and back sometimes entirely olive. l^n;;th 5'4 inches.

.\' -t. On a li'ni/iiiital branch of spru<e<>r fir, usually 3 to 6 feet from
the uround, but sonietinio hij^lur ; niaile nf twi^s and gra.ss, lined with
fine black roots.

E^^<. 4-5; creamy white, spotted with lilac and several shades of
brown ; 0.60 X 0.50.

This ran- and iR-autilul species is occasionally seen in \ cry
small numbers in the S(jui1utii, .MitMle. ami Northern States, in
the spring season, on its w.iy to it> Northern breeding-places.
In Massachusetts I have seen it in this vi« inity about the mid-
dle of May. Its return to the .South is probably made through
the western interior, — a route so generally trav«lied by most of
our birds of |)ass ige at this season ; in i onseciuence of whit h
they are not mrt with, or but very rarely, in the .Atlantic States
in autimm. In this season theyha\e been seen at sea off the
island of Jamai< a, and have been met with also in Hispaniola,
whither they retire to p.iss the winter. Like all the rest of the
genus, stimulate"! b\ the unciuiet propensity to migritv, they
juss only a few days with us, and appear perpetually employed
in i>ursuing or searching out their active insi( t prey or larv;e ;
antl while thus engaged, uttrr only a few chirping notes. The
Magnolia has a shrill song, more than usually i)rotracted on the
api»roa( h of wet weather, so that the Indians bestow upon it
the name of Ritin Bird. .According to .\udubon. tnany of
these birds breed in M aim- and the iJritish I'rovimes. as w<ll
as in l.;ibrador, and <\ttnd their summer residence to the
banks of the .Saskatchewan. They have also a clear .ind sweetly

modulated song.

Althotigh rare in the I'nited States, it appears, according to
Richardson, that this eleg.int species is a common bird on the

MAi.NoLIA WAKULKK.

225

, :f ;

tin-

)ii it

w.ll

the

■•etlv

banks of the S,isk.'it< hewan, where it is as f iniiliar as the coin-
inon Suimner \ ellow llinl (.V. us/trti), \vhi« h it also resemMes
clor>ely in its manners and in it> breeclini; >tation, but is ^ilteil
with a more varied and agreeable song. It fre«|Ments the
thiekets of young spnice-trees and willows, Hitting tVom bram h
to branch, at no great distance from the grouiul, actively en-
gaged in the capture of wingeil insects, whieh now constitute
its prin( ipal fare.

The Magnolia is not so rare a bird as Nuttal! sujjpnscd. — iiulocd,
it is common everywhere between tlie Atlaiitie and the ea>ttTn
base of the Koekies. breeding in northern New bii^land an<l in
tile northern portions ol New York. Oiiio, .md Michigan, aiul
theme to Lal)rador and Great Slave Lake. It also l)reeds •• louth-
w.utl along tile crests oi the AUeghanics to I'enn.syivaiu 1 '
(Cli.ipman).

It winters in Central America, Cub.i, and the liahamas.

In its habits this bird combines the CreejKJr and the Ilyeatiher
in true Warbler fashion, piekinji; insects and larva' from the i.ran-
nies of the bark and troni the leaves, and capturing on the wing the
flying mites. Tlie favorite nesting .site Is the horder of a wood
or an open pasture, though I have found nests in the deep forest,
usually on the m.irgin of an open glade.

'liie soni; is Warhhr-like in its simplicity, yet is an attr.ntive
melody, the tones sweet and musical.

Nuttall's idea that the autumn ronte of migration taken by more
northern breeding birds lies sonu-where to the westward of New
l!n'4land. is n<it (onsistent with more recent observation ; for while
it is true that large numbers follow the valley of the .Mississippi. —
some of them crossing to the .Atlantic when south of the AUegha-
nics. — it has also been ascertained that immense flights of birds
that brei-d in the interior go southward .don^ the lo.ist-line. Many
si)ecies that are not seen in New Kngland during the spring migra-
tion arc abundant in the autumn.

VOL. i. — 15

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

[<»/

1.0

I.I

1.25

|50 ""'^^

Ui 1120

IIUA

U ill 1.6

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. )4580

(716) 873-4503

r\^

^9>

^^v^"^

226

SINGING BIRDS.

'■i

'tt

:i;,

CAPE MAY WARBLER.

Dendk( MCA IK ;rixa.

Char. Male : back yellowisli olive, with darker spots ; crown blackish;
ear-jialch chestnut; line from bill around the eyes biuck; rump yellow,
wing-bars white and fused into one large patch ; white blotches on three
pairs of tail-feathers ; beneath, yellow tinged with orange on chin and
throat, spottctl with black un breast antl sides. P'cmale : similar, but
back grayish, and lacking distinctive marking on head ; under parts paler ;
spots on wings and tail smaller or obscure. Length about 5 inches.

A'c'sf. In a i)asture (jr open woodland, on low branch of small trci ; a
neat, cup-shaped structure, partially pensile, com))osed of twigs and grass
fastened with spider's webbing, lined with horse-hair.

Av,;'^-*'- 3-4 ; dull white or bulTy, slightly specked, and wreathed around
larger end with spots of brown and lilac ; 0.70 X 0.50.

'I'his very rare \\'arl)ler has only been seen near the s\vani])s
of Cape May by Edward Harris, lOscj. ; near Moorestown, in
New Jersey : and in the vicinity of J'hiladeljihia, about the
mi(U]le of May, — jirobably as a stratigler on its way to some
Northern breeding-place. Its notes and further history are yet
unknown.

Since Nuttall wrote, we have learned a little more of the life his-
tory of this feathered beauty, thougii our knowledge of the bird's
habits is still very limited. So rare is the bin! tliat examples a(h)rn
but few collections : vet it has been seen ocea.sionalK throughout tlie
Eastern States, and is reported bv Thoinpson as '■plentiful'" along
the Red River, in Manitoba. It has been traced north to Hudson
Bay, and south (in winter) to the West Indies. The southern limit
of its breeding area i^' ]>rol)abIy about tin- 45111 parallel. The nest
has been found by Mr. II. 15. r)aile\- at I'lubagog bake, in Maine,
and by Mr. James W, lianks near St. John, X. B.

Uanks's nest, which I had the i)rivilege of examining, was eom-
pletelv hidden amid the dense foliage of a clump of cedars, growing
on an open hill-side, and quite close to a much-used thoroughfare.
When first discovered it was imtinislied. and the female was at
work upon it. The male never api)eared. nor was he heard in the
vicinitv, though the spot was visited frequentlv. /\fter four eggs
had been laid, female, nest, and eggs were "gathered."'

The S]iecies had not been observed before near St. John, thntigh
Mr. Boardman had reported taking exanqjles at St. Stej^hen's, and
I had seen .several at Edmundston, near the Quebec border.

ii -I

CANADIAN" WARDLER.

227

blackish;
p yellow,
^ on throe
chin and
iMJlar, but
rts paler ;
:hes.

ill tree ; a
and grass

3d aroinid

I'lie KdmuncLston birds were seen in early Jui. •, and those securetl
proved to be males. As they sant^ with ,y;reat frcciuency, they were
easily discovered, and were invariably found amid the tup brandies
of hi.u'h spruce and tir trees on the crest oi a hill. W'e were anxious
to obtain a nest, and of course hunted through these high branches,
little thinking that this coterie of Benedicts were making holiday
while their industrious but neglected spouses were attending to
housfkee])ing affairs down yonder in the valley. We learned tiie
song, however, and discovcretl that its theme resembled somewhat
the simple lay of the Nashville, though the voice is neither so
full nor so sweet, recalling rather the thin, wiry tones of the Black
and White Creeper.

■. !|

swani])s
itown, in
bout the

to some
y are yet

e life bis-
he bird's
les adorn

lout the
il ■■ along

Hudson
lern limit

The nest
n Maine,

was com-
growing
»)uglifare.
c was at
ird in the
our eggs

n, though
en's, and
jr.

CANADIAN WARBLKR.

SVI.VANIA CAXADF.NSIS.

CuAR. Male : above, bluish ash ; crown marked with black ; line
from bill around the eyes, yellow: line from beneath the eves to sides of
breast black ; undo parts yellow spotted with black, the spots forming a
line or crescent arross the breast ; throat unspotted. I'Vmale and voung:
similar but laebing Mack on head; crescent on breast less distinct.
Length 5 to 5;^^ inches.

AV.i'A On the groimd, sometimes near border of a stream or by a moist
meadow, placi d on sitle of mound or among upturned roots of a tree ; com-
posed of grass and stems, lined with hair.

/f;:;,'.!-. 4-5 ; white or crcamv, spotted, chicflv around the larger end,
with brown and lilac ; 0.70 X 0.50.

This is a rare summer species in the Atlantic Stntes. appear-
ing singly, and for a few days only, on the jxassage north or
south in the spring or autumn. These birds breed in Canada
and Labrador, and are more abundant in mountainous interior,
— the route by which they i)rincipa]|y migrate. They winter
in the tropical regions, are then silent, and, like the rest of
their tribe, very active in darting through the branches after
insects.

.\udubon foimd this species breeding in the Great Tine
Forest of the Pokono in Pennsylvania, as well as in Maine, the
British Provinces, and Labrador. They have a short, imattrac-
tive note in the spring, and in the mountains where they dwell
they have a predilection for the shady borders of streams where
laurels grow.

228

SINGING I5IRU.S.

Ill

lis

ill!

f ^ h;

.: ,.^ ;i!

1 ' Hi

i . i ' |!«,

! ' #

! :.!%

The Canadian \Varl)lci- is common during the mijrrations, from
the Atlantic to tlie Mississippi, and thougli i)reedin<,^ chictiy north of
43°, some pairs nest in .Massachusetts, New \'orl<, southern Ontario,
and Illinois. It has been taken in Labrador and is common in
Manitoba. It winters in Central America.

YELLOW-THROATED ^\^\RBLER.
Dendkoica do.mlmca.

Char. Above, grayish ash; forehead and sides of head, black; line
from nostril to hind neck, yellow; patch on side of neck, white; wing-
bars white ; outer tail feathers with white patches ; beneath, yellowish
white; chin and throat rich yellow; sides streaked with black. Length
4'4 to 5''{ inches.

jVt's/. In an open grove or the edge of heavy woods, on top of horizontal
branch or at the forks of a limb, or '' concealed in iicndant moss," 20 to yo
feet from the uround ; made of grass-weed stems, strips of bark, and moss,
lined with vegetable fibre, horse-hair, or feathers.

^,Cs^- 3-5; white, tinged with green, spotted around the larger end
with brown and lilac ; 0.70 X 0.50.

These elegant and remarkable birds reside in the West
Indies, and also migrate in considerable mmibcrs into the
sontliern parts of the L^nited States, iiarticularly Louisiana and
Georgia, v.hence indeed they only absent themselves in the
two inclement months of December and January. They are
seen in February in Georgia, but very rarely venture as far
north as Pennsylvania. The song is pretty loud and agreeable,
according to Latham and Wilson, resembling somewhat the
notes of the Indigo liird. In the tropical countries they inhabit,
this delicate music is continued nearly throughout the year,
and participatec^ also by the female, though possessed of in-
ferior vocal powers. The bird appears to have many of the
habits of the Creeping Warbler {S. raria), running spirally
around the trunks of the pine-trees, on which it aligiits, and
ascending or descending in the active search of its insect
fare.

The sagacity displayed by this bird in the construction and
situation of its nest is verv remarkable. This curious fabric is

s, from
loilh of
)nlario,
imon in

ick; line

;e ; wing-

^•ellowish

J.cngth

lorizontal

" 20 lo >jO

md moss,

:irgc

r c

ic West
nto the
ana and
in the
'hey are
as far
rceable,
hat the
inhabit,
jie year,
I of in-
of the
spirally
its, and
insect

lion and
fabric is

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.

229

suspe!ided to a kind of rope which hangs from tree to tree,
usually dejjending from branches that bend over ri\ers or
ravines. The nest itself is made of dry Ijladcs of grass, the
ribs of leaves, and slemler root-fibres, the whole interwoven
together with great art ; it is also fastened to, or rather worked
into, the i)endant strings made of the tough silky fibres of some
species of Kcnitcs, or other plant of that Himily, It is. in fict,
a small circular bed, so thick and compact as to exclude the
rain, left to rock in the wind without sustaining or being ac-
cessible to any injury. The more securely to defend this
precious habitation from the attacks of numerous enemies, the
opening, or entrance, is neither made on the top nor the side,
but at the bottom ; nor is the access direct, for after passing
the vestibule, it is necessary to go over a kind of partiti'.>n, and
through another aperture, before it descends into the guarded
abode of its eggs and young. This interior lodgment is round
and soft, being lined with a kind of lichen, or the silky down
of plants.

This species is confined chiefly to the South Atlantic States,
though occasionally a few wander to New York, Connecticut,
and Massachusetts. \\ winters in Florida and Central America.

Note. — The Sycamoke Warbler {D. dominica albilora)
differs from the type in being smaller (length 4^^ to 5^2 inclics)
and in having the line over tlie eyes rc/////t', instead of yellow. It
occurs along the Mississippi valley north to southern Illinois and
eastward to Ohio, wliere it is common, and has been taken also in
South Carolina and Florida.

It winters in Central America.

, i'; 1

! !

III*
i

'itii

•^i&ife^

! h

'.Ti t

ii'!! ii'

•!'. :'

'f'-l

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.

Dendroica virens.

Char. Male in spring : above, bright olive; line on sides of head rich
yellow; wings and tail dusky; wing-bars and outer tail-feathers white;
beneath, white tinged with yellow; throat and chest rich black. Male in
autumn, female, and young: similar, but black of throat mixed with
yellow, sometimes obscured. Length 5 to ^}^ inches.

Mt'st. On the border of heavy woods, in fork of coniferous tree 30 to
50 feet from the ground; of twigs, grass, etc., lined with hair and down.

^ft'-*'- 3~4 5 white or creamy white wreathed around larger end with
spots of brown and lilac; 0.65 X 0.50.

This rather rare species arrives from its tropical winter-
quarters in Pennsylvania towards the close of April or begin-
ning of May. About the 12th of the latter month it is seen in
this part of Massachusetts ; but never more than a single pair
are seen together. At this season a silent individual may be
occasionally observed, for an hour at a time, carefully and ac-

BLACK- IIIROAIED GKLEN WARBLER.

231

icad rich
rs white ;
Male in
xed with

tree 30 to

clown.

end with

winter-
r begin-

seen in
igle pair

may be

and ac-

tively searching for small caterpillars and winged insects amidst
tlie white blossoms of the shady apple-tree ; and so inolVeiisive
and unsuspicious is the little warbler that he pursues without
alarm his busy occupation, as the spectator within a few feet of
him watches at the foot of the tree. Early in (Jctober these
birds are seen in small numbers roving restlessly through the
forest, prejiaratory to their departure for the South.

'Ihough the greater part of the species probably proceed
farther north to rear their young, a few spend the sinnmer in
the Middle and Northern States; but from their lin'iorous and
retiring habits it is not easy to trace out their retreats at the
period of breeding. In the summer of 1830, however, on the
8th of Jime, 1 was so forliuiate as to find a nest of this species
in a perfectly solitary situation on the lilue Hills of Milton.
The female was now sitting, and about to hatch. The nest was
in a low, thick, and stunted Virginia jimiper. When I ap-
proached near to the nest the female stood motionless on its
edge and peeped down in such a manner that I imagined her
to be a young bird. She then darted directly to the earth and
ran ; but when, deceived, I sotight her on the ground, she had
very expertly disappeared, and I now found the nest to con-
tain 4 rotmdish eggs, white, inclining to flesh-color, variegated,
more particularly at the great end, with pale, purplish points
of various sizes, interspersed with other large spots of brown
and blackish. The nest was formed of circularlv entwined
fine strips of the inner bark of the juniper and the totigh white
fibrous bark of some other plant, then bedded with soft feath-
ers of the Robin, and lined with a few horse-hairs and some
slender tops of bent-grass {Agrostis). The male was singing
his simple chant at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the
nest, and was now nearly in the same dark wood of tall oaks
and white pines in which I had first heard him a fortnight be-
fore. This simple, rather drawling, and somewhat plaintive
song, uttered at short intervals, resembled the syllables 'tc dc
terlfscii, sometimes tc i/cn'sru, pronounced pretty loud and
slow, and the tones proceeded from high to low. In the inter-
vals he was perpetually busied in catching small cynips and

I i '

;

f M

4i''!t

!i. ■

232

SL\(;iN(; BIRDS.

other kinds of flies, kce])ing up a smart snapping of his bill,
almost simikir to the noise made by knocking pebbles together.
This quaint and indolent ditty I have often heard before in
the dark and solitary woods of west Pennsylvania ; and here,
as there, it affords an agreeable relief in the dreary silence and
gloom of the thick forest. This note is very much like the
call of the Chicadee, and at times both are heard amidst
the reigning silence of the summer noon. In the whole dis-
trict of this extensive hill or mountain, in Milton, there ap-
peared to exist no other pair of these lonely Warblers but the
present. Another pair, however, had probably a nest in the
vicinity of the woods of Mount Auburn in Cambridge, and
in the spring of the present year (1831) several pairs of these
birds were seen for a transient period.

Nuttall was not the only one of the; older writers who expressed
the opinion that this and other species of the family were less
abundant than more niocl(M-n observers have found them. Wilson
and Audvibon made sir.iilar statements.

Tliis Warbler is now known to be a common bird throughout
these Eastern States, and may be found, in summer, in any coni-
ferous forest in Massachusetts, and thence northward to the fur-
countries and westward to the plains. It breeds also, sparingly, in
southern New England, northern Ohio, Illinois, etc., and "along
the AUeghanies to South Carolina," and winters in the West Indies
and Central America.

BLACKBURN IAN WARBLER.

DeNDROICA BLACl'.BURNI^.

Char. Male : ahove, black, back streaked with whitish ; side., of head
black ; crown patch, line over eye, and entire throat and breast rich
orange or flame color ; belly yellowish white ; sides streaked with black;
large white patches on wings ; outer tail-feathers nearly all white. Fe-
male : similar, but black replaced by grayish brown, and orange by dull
yellow ; white patches on wings and tail less conspicuous. Length 5^
to 5^ inches.

A^est. Usually in coniferous woods, saddled on horizontal limb of pine
or hemlock, 20 to 40 feet from the ground ; composed of twigs, roots, and
shreds of bark mixed with vegetable down, lined with feathers and hair.

Eggs. 4; white, often tinged with green, spotted, chiefly around
larger end, with brown and lilac, 0.70 X 0.50.

BLACKlJl, RMAN WARDl.KK.

The Blackburnian Warhlcr is one uf the rarest and UM^t
beautiful species uf the !.^enus, \vhi( h from the l^l to the isih
of .May, or sonielinics later. i)ays a transient visit 'o tiie Middle
and Northern Stales, on its way to its remote boreal place of
retirement fof the breeding' season. It is still more rarely seen
in the autumn, about the month of Sei)lember, in its passage
to tropical America, where it winters, as may be [)resumed, fron
its occurrence late in autumn about Vera C"ru/, according to
Mr. IJullock. It is an exceedingly nimble insect-hunter, keej)-
ing towards the tops of trees, scarcely uttering even an audible
chirp, and at this season no song as far as is yet known.

On the Magdalene Islands in the (julf of St. Lawrence, in
June, Audubon remarks that he heard the song of this beauti-
ful warbler, consisting of five or six loud notes, which it uttered
from the branches of a fir-tree while engaged in (juest of its
prey. The n'.st found in Xova Scotia was made externally of
coarse materials and lined with silky fibres and delicate strii)s
of bark, over which lay a thick bed of feathers and horse-hair.
It was found in a small fork of a tree, 5 or 6 feet from the
ground, near a brook. Ur. Brewer also found a nest of this
species in Massachusetts.

of head

last rich

|h black;

Lte. Fe-

by dull

igth s%

of pine
lots, and
|>d hair,
around

The very rare adult of the Hemlock Warbler was foimd by
Wilson in the Great Pine Swamp in Pennsylvania, and aj)-
peared to take up its residence in the dark hemlock-trees of
that desolate region. It was very lively and active, climbing
among the branches and hanging from the twigs like a Tit-
mouse. It darted after flies to a considerable distance, and
beginning with the lower branches, hunted with regularity up-
wards to the summit of the tree, and in this way it proceeded
very industriously to forage through the forest till satisfied. At
intervals it stopped an instant to warble out a few low and
sweet notes, probably for the recognition or company of its
mate, which the discoverer, however, did not see.

The nest of this species, according to Audubon, who discov-
ered it in the Great Pine Swamp, was made in a hemlock or

i V

1 M , '

11 <

■

li;

'II,

\l u«'

234

SINGING BIRDS.

sj)ruce tree at a consiflerablc elevation. Lichens, dry leaves of
the hemlock, and slender twigs formed the exterior ; it was
then lined with hair or fur and the feathers of the Ruffed
(Irouse. He afterwards met with this species in Maine and
Newfoundlanil.

Nothing is more remarkable in the history of this species
than the rarity of the adult and tiie abundance of the young
birds ; these last, which we have long known as the Autumnal
\\'arbler, appear in gregarious Hocks in the largt;r solitary for-
ests of Massachusetts as early as the 20th of July, assembled
from the neighboring districts [)robably, in which they have
been reared. They remain there usually until the middle o(
October, at which time they are also seen in the Midtlle
States. They feed on small insects and berries. Late in the
season, on a fine autumnal morning, troops of them may be
seen in the fields and lanes, sometimes descentling to the
ground, and busily emjjloyed in turning over the new i'l.nvn
leaves, or perambulating and searching the chinks of the bark
of the trees, or the holes in the posts of the fence, in (juest of
lurking moths and spiders ; and while thus eagerly engaged,
they are occasionally molested or driven away by the more
legitimate Creepers or Nuthatches, whose jealousy they thus
arouse by their invasion. Earlier in the season they prey on
cynips, flies, and more active game, in pursuit of which they
may be seen fluttering and darting through the verdant boughs
of the forest trees. One of these little visitors, which I ob-
tained by its flying inadvertently into an open chamber, soon
became reconciled to confinement, flew vigorously after house-
flies, and fed greedily on grasshoppers and ivy berries (Cissus
hcifoacca) ; at length it became so sociable as to court my
acquaintance and eat from my hand. Before I restored it to
liberty, its occasional tiveet attracted several of its companions
to the windows of its prison. At this time the bird is desti-
tute of song, and only utters a plaintive call of recognition.

Nuttall followed Wilson and Audubon in considering the young
Blackburnians a different species, naming it the " Hemlock War-
bler." I have given above Nuttall's account of the two.

CIIKSINL r-SIDKl) WAKIU.KK.

,oung
War-

TIk" lllackhurni.'in is rutlK-r common in tlic Atlantic States and
Westward to tlie Plains, breeding chietly north of 45°, and sparingly
in Massacluisctls and Connecticut, and scjutliward aloni; the crests
of the Allegiianics. It winters from the liahanias and eastern
Mexico southwaril.

Many Canadian observers have considered this \Vari)ler ratlier
rare, hut thr ojjinion Ii.is pn)l)al)ly arisen from tlie secluded habits
of tile bird wliile in its summer liome. It shc)ws a j)relerence for
the higlier branches, .ind its favorite liaunts arc amid llie deeper
forests where the pine and liendock llourish.

ciii;srNi r-sii)i:i) \\aki'.m:k.

I )l,\liRi)U A I'F.NNsN lA.WU A.

Char. M.ile: back black, streaked with olive of uiavish or vclluwish
tint; eiown vellow; sitiesof heuvl white, ciiclosinj; .1 patch ot black; >i(les
of neck and entire under parts while ; sides streaked with chestnut, which
extends from neck totlanks; win<^-liars and blotihes on tail white.
Fcni.de: similar, but colors duller. Young; ui)j)(.r parts bright olive;
wing-bars yellowish ; under parts white. Length 4^4 to 5J4 inches.

A'c-s/. On the edge of an open woodland or the mtirgiii of a moist
meadow, in low tree or bush; compcjsed of grass and strips of bark fas-
tened widi insect >ilk, and lined with grass or leaves or hair.

Aft''-f* 4~5 > white or creamy, spotted, chietly around the larger end,
which is sometimes wreathed, with reddish brown and lilac ; o.GS /; 0.50.

This rare and bcautilul Sylvia, which probably winters in
tropical America, appears in the Middle and Northern States
early in May on its way north to breed ; it is also seen in the
spring in Canada and arotinil Hudson's Hay. A few ])airs re-
main, no doubt, to rear their young in secluded moimtainous
situations in the Northern States, as on the 2 2(1 of May,
1830, a pair appeared to have fixed their summer abode
near the summit of the Blue Hills of Milton. The note of the
male was very similar to that of the Summer Vellow Bird, being
only a little louder, and less whistling ; it resembles '/s/t ' tsh
'tsh 'tshvia, given at about an interval of half a minute, and
answered by his mate at some distance, near which, it is proba-
ble, there was a nest. He appeared to be no way suspicious
of our approach ; his resdessness rt-as subdued, .-^rd he quietly
sat near the same low^ bushes, amusing himself and his consort,
for an hour at a time, with the display of his lively and simple

liiL

'ii

2;, 6

SINGING lUKDS.

ditty. ( )n their fir^t arrival, previous to pairing;, these birds
are like the rest of the gemis, restless, and intently enj^M^ed
in the ( hase of insects amidst the blossoms and tender lca\es ;
they likewise pursue eonunon and green bottle Hies with a-, idity
and success. On the jjth of June, 1S31, I observed a i)air
selecting food f )r their 'young, with their usual address and
activity, by the margin of a bu^hy and sechuled swamj) on the
west side of i-'resh Tond, in this vicinity ; but 1 had not the
got)d fortmie to discover the nest. I have, however, since, I
believe, discovered the nest of this bird, in a hazel copse in a
wood in Acton, in this State. It is fixed in the forked twigs of
a hazel about breast liigh. The fabric is rather light and airy,
being made eviernally of a few coarse blades and stalks of
dead grass, then fillecl in with finer blades of the same, the
whole matted and tied with caterpillar's silk, and lined with
very slender strips of brown bark and similar white-pine leaves.
It appeared to have been forsaken before its completion, and
the eggs I have never >een.

In the woods around Farranville, on the Sustjuehanna,
within the range of the Alleghany chain, in the month of May,
1830, I saw and heard several males in full song, in the
shady forest trees by a small stream, and have no doubt of
their breeding in that situation, though I was not fortunate
enough to find a nest.

*t^'

This species is now a common summer resident of New England
and the st'ttlcd portions of Canada, and occurs westward to the
Plains. It breeds in numbers as tar soutli as tlic fortieth parallel,
and regularly, thougli sparingly, on tlie elevated lands southward
to Georgia: is not an uncommon summer visitor to the IVIaritime
Provinces, and is quite common in .Manitoba. It winters south-
ward to the Bahamas and Central America.

n.W-llRKASTKI) WAUr.I.r.F--.

^11

rland
the
i-allel,
nvard
itime
south-

BAY-I5R MASTED WARIUJ'.R.

I)r.\l)K( )IC A CASTANKA.

Char. Male : hack grayish olivL-, strcakcil with black ; forehead and
cheeks l)lack ; sides of neck huffy ; crown, throat, breast, and sides chc«it-
nut; remaiiuitr of under parts l)utti>h ; \vin.!;hars and patches on tail
white. Fenialc : ahove, olive streakccl with Mack ; beneath, buffy, sides
and breast tinged with dull rufous. Length i)i to 6 inches.

Xcst. In an open wondlnul, on hori/oiital branch of coniferous tree
10 to 20 feet from the ground ; of tw igs, shreds of bark, s;ra>s roots, and
moss, lined with fine roots, moss, or pine-needles.

F:<:<s- 3-6 (ii>^uaiiy 4) ; white, with blue tint, or bluish green, spotted
with reddish brown ; 0.70 X 0.50.

'Ihis is a still rarer and more transient visitor than the last.
It arrives in I'ennsylvania from the Soiitn .-.(jme time in April
or about the beginning of May, and towards the i Jtii or 15th
of the same month it visits Massac husetts, but seldom stays
more than a week or ten days, and is very rarely se-.-n on its
return in the autumn. Audubon onre obser\-ed >'veral in
Louisiana late in June, so that it probably sometimes breeds
in very secluded places without regularly proceeding to the
northern regions. It is an active insectdiunter, and keej^s
much towards the tops of the highest trees, where it darts about
with great activity, and hangs from the twigs with fluttering
wings. One of these birds, which was wounded in the wing,
soon became reconciled to confinement, and greedily caught
and devoured the flies which I offered hiin ; but from the
extent of the injury, he did not long sur\-ive. In habits and
manners, as well as markings, this species greatly resembl.s
the preceding.

This Warbler is exceptional in being more abundant in New
England in spring than in autumn. Mr. Mcllwraith reports that
the same rule obtains in Ontario, but Dr. Wheaton considered that
in Ohio the birds were more numerous during tlie autumn: an*.
these apparently conflicting statements suggest an interesting phase
in the question of migration routes.

The bird is common as a summer resident in the northern por-
tions of New England, New York, and Michigan, though rather rare

2^,8

SINGING BIRDS.

in New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. The most southern point
at which it has been found breeding is Chicarua, N. H., in lati-
tude 44°, where Mr. Frank Holies obtained a nest in 1S90. The spe-
cies ranges north to Hudson Bay, and south to Central America.

,. ■

tl.

V ''

!j!

r '

'. 1

1! 1

i ■

I !

BLACK-POLL WARBLER.
Dexdroica striata.

Char. Above, grayish olive thickly streaked with black ; top of head
black; cheeks and eiuire under i)art< white; sides streaked with black;
wing-bars and tail-patches white. Length 5>4 to 5-V inches.

A'r\t. In an evergreen forest on low branch (sometimes on the groinul) ;
of grass, roots, twigs, and lichens ; lined with grass covered with white
feathers.

/^i,^'^: 4-5; white, with various tints (usually pale pink or creamy),
more or less spotted with reddish brown and lilac, — often dark blown
and olive gray ; 0.75 X 0.55.

'Ibis rather common and wt'll-marked species is observed to
arrive in Pennsylvania from tiie Soutli about the 20th of April,
but in Massachusetts hardly before the middle of May ; it re-
turns early in September, and appears to feed wholly on insects.
In the Middle States it is confined chiefly to the woods, where,
in the summits of the tallest trees, it is seen in busy pursuit of
its favorite prey. On its first arrival it keeps usually in the
tops of the maples, darting about amidst the blossoms. As
the woods become clothed with leaves, it may be found pretty
generally as a summer resident ; it often also seeks the banks
of creeks and swamps, in which situations it probably passes the
breeding season. In this vicinity the Black-poll is a familiar
visitor in the lowest orchard-trees-,^ where it feeds on canker-
worms and other small caterpillars, as well as flies of different
kinds, etc. At this time, towards the month of June, it is no
longer a restless wanderer, but having fixed upon its station for
the simimer, it now begins, in a humble way, to display its
musical talents in the cherished and constant company of its
faithful mate. This note, uttered at interwals of half a minute,
is like the sound of /s/i' ts)i tsh tshc tshc, from low to high, but

!l!i.!i

PINE WAKIJIER.

239

altogether so bhrill antl slender as lo sound almost like the
faint filing of a saw. This s[)ecies extends its migrations to
Newfoundland, according to Pennant. In the month of
June, Audubon found the nest in Labrailor jjlaced about
3 feet from the ground, in the fork, of a small branch, close
t . the main stem of a fir-tree. It was formed of green and
white moss and liche is, intermixed with coarse dried grass ;
within this was a layer of bent-grass, the lining, of dark-colored
dry moss, looked like horse-hair, and was arranged in a circu-
lar direction with great care ; lastly was a thick bed of large
soft feathers, — some of them were from Ducks, but most of
them from the Willow Cirouse. It contained 4 eggs.

The Black-poll breeds sparingly in nortliern New England, New
Brunswick, and northern Michigan, building chicriy beyond the
Lan'-entian hills, in Quebec antl Ontario: though Dr. L. B. Bisliop
found it breeding in numbers on the Magdalen Islands, and Mr.
J. P. Xorris took a number of nests on Grand Menan. It ranges
northward to the Barren Grounds and to Alaska, and winters in
northern South Anierica.

PINE WARBLER.

Dexdroicw vir.oRsii.

Char. Above, ohve ; beneath, yellow, paler (or white) on bcllv ; wing-
bars and blotches on outer tail-feather.s, white. Length 5 '4 to 5 '4
inches.

iVt's^. Usually in evergreen woods, on horizontal bough of pin:, or
cedar 30 or 40 feet from the grcund; of weed stems, slireds oi bark,
and leaves fastened with insect silk, lined with hair and feathers.

E.i,Xs- 4-5; dull white or gray, spotted with brown and lilac; 0.70
X 0.50.

This common species, to the commencement of winter, in-
habits all parts of the United States, and probably extends
its northern migrations to the forests of Newfoundland. It
arrives in Pennsylvania at the close of March and beginning of
April, and soon after is seen in all parts of New l-mgland,
amidst the pine and juniper forests, in which it printdpally

^ 1

i
it

240

SINGING BIRDS.

if -I"

1 1

{¥

!<»!

li:

!«:■

(■'.

■ fli

! ^ ii

V ■

?:-:■(
! ■ ■ ■

,'■ 'Li

h^iiil^

resides. Uoth the old and young remain with us till nearly the
close of October; stragglers have even been seen in mid-win-
ter in the latitude of 43°. In winter they rove through the
l)ine forests and barrens of the Southern States in companies
of 20 to 50 or niore, alighting at times on the trunks of the
trees, and attentively searching them for lurking larvas, but are
most fretiuently employed in ci.pturing the small insects which
infest the oi)ening buds of the pine, around which they may be
seen perpetually hovering, si)ringing, or creeping, with restless
activity; in this way they proceed, from time to time, foraging
through the forest ; occasionally, also, they alight on the
ground in quest of worms and grubs of \arious kinds, or dart
irregularly after hovering flies, almost in the manner of the Fly-
catchers. In these states they are by far tlie most numerous of
all the Warblers. In the montli of March they already began
to show indications for pairing, and jealous contests ensued
perpetually among the mak . The i)rincii)al body of the spe-
cies ]-)robably remain the year round in the Southern forests,
where I saw them throughout the winter ; great numbers are
also bred in the Northern States. In summer their food is the
eggs and larvre of various insects, as well as flies or cynips,
caterpillars, coleoptera, and ants. In autumn, the young fre-
quent the gardens, groves, and orchards, feeding likewise on
berries of various kinds, as on those of the cornel, wild grape,
and five-leaved ivy ; at this season they are very fot, and fly and
forage in families. They now only utter a shrill and plaintive
chip. I have had a male Pine Warbler, domesticated for a
short time ; he fed gratefully, from the instant he was caught,
upon flies, small earthworms, and nr'nced flesh, and was so
tame and artless as to sit contented on every hand, and
scarcely shift himself securely from my feet. On offering him
drink he walked direcdy into the vessel, without using the
sMghtest precaution or exhibiting any trace of fear. His /s/iip
and manner in all respects were those of the Autumnal
\\'arbler.

The song of the Pine Warbler, though agreeable, amidst the
drearv solitude of the boundless forests which he frequents, has

)■
aintive

for a
aught,
,vas so
and
him
ig the
s tship
tumnal

ist the

^ts, has

riXE WARBLER.

241

but little compass or variety ; sometimes it approaches the sim-
plest trill of the Canary, but it is commonly a reverberating,
gently rising, or murmuring sound, like cr ' r '/• ';■ '/-'/• ' rdh ; or,
in the spring, 'hoc 'tioe 'tio 'fro '/:o 'ho 'ho, and sometimes like
'/s/i 'IsJi 'tsh 'ho 'ho 'ho 'ho 'ho ; when barkened to some time,
there is a variation in the cadence, which, though rather feeble
at a distance, is not unpleasant, as the little minstrel tunes his
pipe during the heat of the summer day, while he flits gently
and innocently fearless through the shady boughs of the pine or
cedar in i)erpetual quest of his untiring jirey. This song is
commonly heard at a considerable distance from his mate and
nest, from whom he often widely strays, according to the suc-
cess of his precarious pursuit. As the so'.md of the warble
varies from slender to high or l(jw, it is often difficult to dis-
cover the retreat of the little busy musician, which appears far
or near with the modulation of his almost ventriloiiuous note.
The female likewise tunes, at times, lier more slender lay in
a wiry tone, almost like that of the S. varia, in early spring.

About the 7th of June, 1830, I discovered a nest of this
species in a Virginian juniper, near Mount Auburn, in this vicin-
ity, at the height of about 40 feet fn^m the ground. It was
firmly fixed in the upright twigs of a close branch. The nest
was thin, but very neat ; the principal material was the wiry old
stems of the slender knot-weed (/I'/i^vv////// tome), circularly
interlaced, and ccjnnected externally with rough linl\- fibres of
some species of Ascicpias,?a\<\ blended with caterpillar's webs.
The lining was made of a few hog's bristles, slender root-fibres,
a mat of the down of fern-stalks, and one or two feathers of
the Robin's breast, — a curious medley, l)Ut all answering the
pose of warmth and shelter for the expected brood. I saw
several of these nests, which had at different times been thrown
to the ground, and in all, the wiry grass and general material
were the same as in the one now described ; and this, of
course, is entirely different from that given by Wilson on the
authority of Mr. Abbot. The nest there mentioned is nothing
more than the usual pendulous f;ibric of the Red-eyed Warbling
Flycatcher. The eggs in ours were 4, and, advanced towards
VOL. I. — 16

' \\

i \

! 1

242

SINGING BIRDS.

••V
1 1

%■

hatching, they were white, with a shght tinge of green, very
full of small pale brown spots, somewhat more numerous
towards the larger end. where they apjjear connected or aggre-
gated around a purplish ground. ' The female made some little
complaint, but almost immediately resumed her seat, though 2
of the eggs were taken away ; the male made off immediately,
and was but seldom seen near the place.

The Pine Warbler is a common summer resident of New Entr-
land, but I seldom saw it in New Brunswick, and can find no evi.
dcnce of its occurrence in Nova Scotia. Mr. Neilson thinks it
uncommon in the vicii.ity of (2uebec city, and Mr. Mcllwraith
makes a similar report for Ontario, while Mr. Thompson reports
it common in Manitoba. It winters in the Southern States.

PRAIRIE WARBLER.
Dexdroica discolor.

Char. Above, olive; back with patch of red spots; forehead, line
over the eyes, wing-bars, and entire under ])arts rich yellow ; black streak
on sides of head ; sides spotted with black ; 3 outer tail-feathers with
broad patches of white. Length 4J2 to 5 inches.

A\-s/. In open woodland or old meadow, on sinall tree or 1nish ; neatly
and compactly made of grass and vegetable fibre lined with hair or
feathers.

Ei^li^s. 4-5 ; white, spotted around larger end with brown ; 0.63 X
0.47.

These birds, rare in the Atlantic States, appear to be some-
what more common in the solitary barrens of Kentucky and
the open woods of the Choctaw country. Here they prefer the
open plains thinly covered with trees ; and without betraying
alarm at the visits of a spectator, leisurely pursue their search
for caterpillars and small flies, examining among the leaves or
hopping among the branches, and at times descending pretty
near, and familiarly examining the observer, with a confidence
and curiosity seldom witnessed in these shy and retiring
species. Such was the conduct of a male bird in this vicinity,
on the 4th of Jime, whom I discovered by his slender filing
notes, which were uttered every half minute, and like those of

I : 'I,

PRAIRIE WARllLER,

^43

0.63 X

search
laves or
pretty
idence
retiring
|icinity,
filing
lose of

tlie ]!lack-poll Warbler resembled the suppressed syllables 7j//
'/sh Us/i '/s/h'ii\ beginning low, and gradually growing louder,
having nearly the same slender whistle as that species, though
somewhat stronger. The pair were busily engaged collecting
Hies and larva; from a clump of young locust-trees in thr wotjds
of Mount Auburn, and occasionally they flitted amcjiig the
\irginian junijjers ; the familiar visit of the male appeared for
the purjiose of discovering my intentions near the nest, about
which he was naturally solicitous, though he made his aj)-
proaches with the appearance of accident. 'Ihe female was
more timid ; yet while I was still engaged in viewing this little
interesting and secluded l)air, she, without any precaution or
concealment, went directly to the nest in the forks of a low
barberry bush near by, and when there, she sat and looked at
me some time before she removed. She made, however, no
pretences to draw me away from the sjjot, where she was sit-
ting on 4 eggs, of which I took away 2 ; her ap])roaches to the
nest were now more cautious, and she came escorted and en-
couraged by the presence of her mate. Two eggs were again
soon added, and the young brood, I believe, reared without
any accident.

The nest was scarcely distinguishable from that of the Sum-
mer Yellow Bird, and quite different from the nests described
by ^^'ilson and Audubon. My oj^portunity for examination,
so long continued, seemed to preclude the possibility of error
in the investigation ; neither can I compare the slender note
of this species to any 7vhirri)ii:^ sound, which would more
nearly approach to the song of the Pine Warbler. 'l"he Prairie
Warbler visits Cambridge about the first or second week in
May, and according to the observations of my friend Mr.
Cooper, is seen probably about the same time in the vicinity
of New York in small numbers and in pairs, and retires to
winter in the West Indies about the middle of September.

This species is now considered - jnimon in Massachusetts,
though it lias not been taken farther northward. It occurs in
Michigan, but not in Ontario, and breeds southward to Fiorid.i.
It winters in southern i'lorida and the West Indies.

1*1

i i

11:

II'

ij: '^4^1

ir It

■^ ■ 1

. i ■ ■* '

li.

PARULA WARBLER.

BLUE VELLOW-BACKED WARBLER.

CoMI'StnilLVPIS A.MKKICANA.

Char. Male; above, bviglit ashy blue, an olive patch on the back;
throat and breast yellow, a |)atch of rich brown on the breast ; belly
white ; wings with 2 broa 1 white bars ; white patches on inner web of
outer tail-feathers. Female : similar, but colors duller and the patches on
back and breast obscure or absent. Length ^'2 to \';^ inches.

At'.fA In moist v.oodland or on border of swamp; usually in a bunch
of "beard-moss" (jtsiuu) hanging from the trunk or branch of a tree 10
to 40 feet from the ground, and composed of threads of the moss and tine
grass or hair compactly woven ; sometimes lined with ])ine-needles or
hair.

^K>^- 3~7 (usually 4); white or creamy, thickly spotted with several
shades of reddish brown ; 0.65 X 0.45.

This remarkable species visits the ]\ Fiddle and Northern
States about the 1st to the 15th of May, and is seen again
early in October on its way to the West Indies (St. Domingo
and Porto Rico), whither it retires at the approach of winter.
A few, according to Catesby, pass the whole year in Sou^h Car-
olina, It is very abundant in the summer in the woods of
Kentucky, is active and restless on its first arrival, and fre-
quents the summits of the highest trees, being particularly
fond of the small caterpillars and flies of various kinds which
are, in the early part of spring, attracted to the open blossoms
and tender shoots. It also possesses in some degree the
creeping and pryii.g habits of the Titmouse, to which genus it
it was referred by Linnteus and Pennant. Entering the south-

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WAKl'.LLR.

24:

cm extremity ot" the I'nion by the first approach of spriiii;, it
is now seen searchmg for its insect food on shrubs and plants
in moist places, bv the borders of lakes and streams. In this
vicinity it is not common ; but as it was singing as late as the
2 2(1 of May in the woody solitude of the lUue Mills of
Milton, it must undoubtedly breed there.

The notes of this species resemble those of the I'rairie
Warbler in some respects, though sutticiently different ; the
tones, rising from low to high, are rather weak and insignificant.

In Nuttall's dav this dainty bird was named •• I'arty-colorcd War-
bler " and '' Finch Creeper.'' It is a rather Lommon summer resi-
dent in .Massachusetts. Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and breeds
nt)rth\vard to the (Julf of St. Lawrence. The nests have been
found also in northern (Jhio and southern Illinois, and in winter
tlie birds range through southern Florida and among the moie
northern West Indies.

The I'arula is associated in mv mind with secluded woods on
cool and siiaded hill-sides bordering a stream, and the song eomes
to me from amitl the top branches of tall trees. — birch and jxiplar.
It is an attractive song, though it has little theme. — merely a
rapid trill of some twenty sibilant notes delivered with a rising in-
riection : but the tones are sweet, and the effect is pleasing. The
song is clearly an outburst of joyous emotion.

'thern
again
I n in go
(•inter.
Car-
ols of

1 fre-
lularly
Khirh

isoms
the

hns it

louth-

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.
Dendroica c.f.rui.f.scf.ns.

Char. M.-xle : aliove, dull blue, b.ick sometimes streaked with black ;
sides of head, throat, and chest rich black; remainder of under parts
white; white spot on wing; tail with large white blotches.^ Female;
above, dull olive; beneath, dull greenish, yellow ; white spot on wing.
Length 5 to 5)2 inches.

A'c-sf. In deep woods amid thick underbrush or on high branch ; of
grass, twigs, vines, and lichens, fastened with insect silk, lined with roots
and hair.

^A'S''^- 3~5 ; white, with green or buff tint, often, when fresh, tinged
with rosy, marked with large s])ots f)f reddish brown ; c.70 X 0.50.

Of this uncommon species we know ver>' little. It ajipears
only as a transient visitor in the month of April, in the Middle

ill'

I t|

1 '

I'll

24^

SINGING BIRDS.

lif ■ w

Stntes, nnd after staying to feed for a u'eek or ten days, it
l)rococ(ls to its northern breeding-place in the wilds of Canada,
of which wc are wholly ignorant. In November 1 have ob-
served a few on their return to the South, and according to
Vieillot, they winter in Si. Domingo and other of the lar^^er
West India islands.

Near Farranville, on the Susquehanna, within the range of
the Alleghany Mountains, in the month of May, I saw and
heard several pairs of this rare sjiecies in the shady hemlock-
trees. The males were uUering their slender, wiry, and very
])eculiar notes, while busily engagetl in foraging for insects,
and seemed, by being paired, to prepare f jr incubation.

The Pine Swam]) \\'ari)ler (.SV/rvV/ sp/iai^nosa) is now consid-
ered only as the young of this species, of which, however, I
think there yet remains some doubt.

The history of this si)ccies need no Ioniser remain a ir.vstery. for
while not abundant, its ncstinj;- habits may be studied in any suita-
ble locality in northern New Knglaml or nortiiern New York, and
westward to tlie Plains, or along the higher altitudes of the AUe-
ghanies as tar down as Georgia: though the major p-ii'^ion of the
Hocks pass on to the Canadian faunal area before stopping to build.

T did not meet with many examples in New Brunswick, and 'Sir.
Neilson thinks it rare near Ouc!)cc city, but Mr. Wintle calls it
common near Montreal, and the Ontario oljservers also regard it
aj common. It winters in Florida as well as In the West Indies.

i! mi

i 4-.{

' 1

KENTUCKY WARBLER.

GkOTHI.VPIR FORMOSA.

Char. Above, olive; crown and sides of head and neck, bla'; ; line
from nostril to and around the eye yellow; beneath, yellow, the sides
shaded with olive. Length 5J2 to 5^4 inches.

jVt'st. On the ground, in rather thick woods ; a bulky aflair of loosely
laid leaves and grass, lined with vegetable down, roots, or hair.

^;';;'-.r. 4-6; white o. creamy, spotted with lilac and several shades of
brown ; 0.73 X O.56.

This beautiful species, first described by Wilson, frequents
the dark forests of the southwestern parts of the Union, being

CERULEAN WARUl.ER.

247

; line
le sides

loosely

pdes of

jquents
being

particularly abiintlant in Louisiana, and not uncommon in Ken-
tucky and Tcnnt-'sscc, and from thence inh ibiting throughout
the country l(^ the estuaries of the Mississijipi. It frecjuents
low, damp woods and the desolate borders of the lagoons,
cane-brakes, and swamjjs near the banks of the great rivers.
It arrives in Kentucky abcjut tiie middle of April, but enters
the southern extremity of the L'nion from Mexico by the same
time in March, and by the mitldle of September retires south
of the United States. The males are very ])Ugnacious in the
pairing season of spring, and utter some loud notes, in threes,
resembling the sound o{ 'tzoced/e ttofedh' tiuiw/Zr. The nest is
often attached to stems of stout weeds, or placed in a tuft of
grass. It is made of the dry bark of herbaceous jjlants, mixed
with downy substances, and lined with the ci^tton of the seed
of the wild poplar. The species is scarcely known to the east
of North Carolina.

In the A. O. U. checklist the habitat of this s])ecies is j^ivcn as
"Eastern United States, west to the Plains, and north to soutliern
New England and southern Michiijjan. In winter. West Indies
and Central America.*' It is most abundant aloni; the Mississippi
valley, and has been seen but rarely east of the Alleghanies.
There isonlyone record of its occurrence in New England. — a i)air
taken in 1876, at Suffield, Conn. Mr. John Xeilson reports that a
pair were frequently seen l)y him near the city of Quebec during
the early part of July. 1S79.

Tliose who have heard the song pronounce it an attractive
melody, the tones being loud and clear and the theme jilcasini:;.
Mr. Wm. Brewster ranks it among the best of the Sylvicoline per-
formances.

CERULEAN WARBLER.

BLUE WARBLER.
DeNDROICA C/ERULEA.

Char. Male: above, bright azure blue, sides of head and back
streaked with black ; line of dusky blue through the eyes ; wings with
two white bars; all tail-feathers but inner pair ])atched with white; be-
neath, white ; breast and sides streaked with dusky blue. Female :
similar but upper parts tinged with olive, and under parts tinged with
yellow. Length 4)4^ to 5 inches.

Nest. In open woodland, on horizontal bough 30 to 50 feet from the

iHI

248

SINGIXr, niRDS.

iff:

11^''

in-

ft.':

ground; of g'ass and liclicns fastened with insect silk, lined with fine
grass.

/t';;vV' 4; w'litc with j^rccii or bhie tint, spotted chieliy around the
larger end with icddisii brown and lilac ; 0.70 X ^1.53.

This very dt'licatfly colored s])ecies is among the rarest
suniti/ icnts of the Atlantic States, and does not probably

migrate ur rather stray farther north tha?\ the State of New
\'ork. In the Scnithwestern States, particularly Temiessee and
West Florida, it is one of the most abundant s|)ecies; it is also
foimd in the western wilderness beyond the Mississip|)i. It is
only in the Minnner that it ventures into the Middle States,
from which it retires almost before the first chills of '.iitumn. or
by the middle of Aiignst. It fre(iuents the borders of streams
and marshes, and possesses many of the habits of the l-'ly-
catchers, warbling also at times in a lively manner, and
though its song be short, it is at the same time sweet and
mellow.

The ])rincipal range of this daintilv dressed songster is through
the southwestern division of this Eastern Province, butweeu the
valley of the Mississippi and tlu' /MIeudianian hills, north to Ohio
(where it is abundant), southern Ontario, Indiana, and Illinois.
It occasionally wanders eastward to central New \'ork, Rhode
Island, and Connecticut.

Nuttall copied Audubon when characterizing the song of this
species as '' sweet and mellow."

Wilson, who discovered the bird and named it the Blue-green
Warbler, described the note as " a feeble chirp." Between the
opposed opinions of these fathers of American ornithology comes
the report of a recent observer, Mr. William Brewster, who found
the species abundant in West Virginia. " At best it is a modest
little strain, and far from deserving the encomium passed upon it
by Audubon ; " and again, " The song is a guttral trill much like
that of the Blue Yellow-backed Warbler."

'I ^"!'

; i:,-

J 1

^ ' 1

■»^»

MARVI.AM) \i;i,IO\V-'lIIK()\'r.

CiKOTMI.M'IS IkK HAS.

f'HAR. Above, olive, (hilkr on tlif Ir.uI. iMiuhtci on nmii) ; fore-
head and broad l)and on side of iicad black, with whitish border; litncath
rich yellow, palei i>n tlic l)ellv. I.eni;tli 4 V to 5'^ inclies.

.Vis/. Iliililen bv tni't of }4ra>s, or iinid thicket of briers, usually in a
moist woodland or on border of swamp; composed exteriorly of loosely
laid grass, twii;s. etc , lined with fine gia^^s compactlv woven.

/•?;';;'.f. 4-6; white, sometimes creamy, spotted around larj;er end with
brown and lilac ; often a few black spots and lines ; 0.70 x 052.

'I'liis common and familiar sj)C(-ics extends its sinnnur mi-
grations from Florida to Nova Scotia, arri\in,u in I'cnnsyKania
towards the- mido j of April, and in this part (.>( New l-'.ngland
about ihc first week in May. The majurit\- return to the South
in Sejitember ; a few stragglers of the young, houc\er, ma\ be
seen to the first week in ( )ctober, and though some may re-
main and winter in the Southern States, it is more probable
that the main body retire at this season into the interior of
tropical America, as they were seen late in autumn aroimd
Vera Cruz by the naturalist antl traveller Mr. ISullock. Marly
\n the month of March, however, I heard this species singing
11 the forests of West Florida.

The Maryland Yellow-Throat, with cheerful devotedness to the
great object of his summer migration, — the attachments and
cares of his species, — passes his time near some shady rill of
water, amidst briers, brambles, alders, and such other shrubbery
as grows in low and watery situations. Unambitious to be seen,

250

SINGING IIIKDS.

♦I!.'

!iM

J I

he seldom ascends above the tops of the underwood, where he
dwells, busily employed in collecting the insects on which he
feeds. After these, like the Wren, he darts into the iUei>est
thicket, and threads his devious way through every opening ;
he searches around the stems, examines beneath the leaves,
and raising himself on his peculiarly pale and slender legs,
peeps into each crevice in order to seize by surprise his tiny
lurking l)rey. While thus engaged, his affection to his neigh-
boring mate is not forgotten, and with a simplicity, agreeable
and characteristic, he twitters forth at sliort intervals his
^whititctee 'whi/ifffce 'iv/ii/i/c/rr, but his more common song is
'loliifti/s/u-f ^whitittslu'c, or 'K'tt'ilshce 70itilslu'e wee ; and some-
times 1 have heartl his note like, 'wetitsliee ivctitshec, 'loifyii
70t\ On this last s) liable a plaintive sinking of the voice n-n-
ders the lively, earnest ditty of the active minstrel peculiarly
agreeable. Co])ying a|)parently from the Cardinal \]iu\, the
song was, in one instance, which came to my notice, 'vifiyii
^vifiyii ^vit'iyii. The whole is likewise often varied and lowert-d
into a slender whisper, or tender revery of vocal instinct.
Sometimes he calls out, tectshoo, ti'efs/ioo, and scu<aidciiit
sciiHiiifi'iUt sewaiiritseioee, or sacundh/if sf7<>a/i/i/s/7iur, as he
busily darts through the blooming and odor-breatiung shrubs
of the grove or garden, which he examines with minute atten-
tion, and sometimes springs perpendicularly after his retreating
and discovered prey. He appears by no means shy or sus-
picious, as long as his nest is unapproached ; but for the safety
of that precious treasure he scolds, laments, and entreats with
great anxiety.

The species generally nest in the recluse thickets of the
forest, 01 the low bu.^hy meadow ; but sometimes they take up
their abode in the garden, or the field contiguous to the house,
and if undisturbed, show a predilection for the plice which
has afforded security to themselves and their young. They
commence their labor of building about the middle of May,
fixing the nest on or near the ground, among dry leaves,
withered grass, or brush, and choose often for security the most
Intricate thicket of briers, so that the nest is often sheltered

MOLRMNLi WAUULEk.

251

and concealed by projecting weeds and grass. Sometimes a
mere tiissiu k of grass or accitknt il pile of brn>h is cho>cn.
It is made of ilry ^edge-grass ( Ciinw), and a lew leaves loo>ely
wound together and supported by the weeds or twig> where it
rests; the lining consists entirely of tine l)ent-gra>-. ( ./;,'/i/..//( ).
'I'hc young leave the nest, here, about the mid«lle of June,
and a second brood is sometnnes raised in the ( ourse of
the season. I he parents and young now rove about in
restless prying troops, and take to the most secluded bushy
marshes, where tluy pass their time \n comparative security
till the arrival of that period of scarcity which warns them to
dei)art. As early as the close of July, the lively song of the
male ceases to be heard, and the whole i)arty now forage in
silence.

This species " breeds from the Gulf States to Manitoba and
Labrador; wiiUcrs from the Ciulf States southward." (Chapman.)

Note. — The Western form has lately been separated from true
trichas and given varietal rank with tlie luiinc G. trichas iKiiifi ntalis.
Its habitat is from the .Mississippi valley to the Pacific. It is some-
what larger and more brigiitly colored than is the eastern race.
Another geographical race, the P'i.okida VKr.Low-THRoAT {G.
irii/ius is^'iiota), ditlVrs from typical (rh/uis in havint; the yellow of
under parts of deeper shade and greater e.\tenl ; the facial mask is
wider also.

MOURN IXC; WARDI.l'.R.

CiKOTHLVriS PHII..\DF.I.Pni.\.

Char. Above, olive ; head, neck, and brca.-t a.shy ; breast mottled with
black ; remainder of under parts yellow. Length 5 '4 to f'^ inches.

X't. In open woodland or pasture, on the ground or in low tree or
bush ; of vegetable fibre, lined with hair.

E^X-'^. 3-5 ; white or creamy, with brown and lilac spots wreathed
around the larger end; 0.70 X 0.54.

Wilson, the discoverer of this curious species, never met with
more than a single individual, which in its habits of frequent-

. i 1

2^2

SINGING BIRDS.

tl'

VI U^

ing marshy ground, and flitting through low bushes in quest of
insects, a]jpears very similar to the Maryland Yellow-throat.
'I'hc discoverer, however, also distinguished it more importantly
by the }wvclty of its sprightly and pleasant warble ; we may
therefore perhaps consiiler it as a solitary straggler from the
main body in the western regions of this vast continent. It
was shot in the early part of June near Philadelphia.

On the 20th of May, 1S31. I saw, as I believe, the male of
this species in the dark shrubbery of the Botanic Garden
(Cambridge) . It possessed all the manners of the common
species, was equally busy in search of insects in the low bushes,
and at little intervals warbled out some very pleasant notes,
which though they resembled the lively chant of the Maryland
Yellow-throat, even to the 7i.'c/ifslu-t\ yet they were more agree-
ably varied, so as to approach in some degree the song of the
Summer Yellow l>ird i^Syhia asfira). This remarkable note,
indeed, set me in ([uest of the bird, which I followed for some
time ; but at last, perceiving himself watched, he left the gar-
den. As far as I was able to observe this individual, he was
above of a dark olive-green, very cinereous on the lore part of
the head, with a band of black through the eyes, which de-
scended from the side of the neck, where at length it joined
v.iih a crescent of dusky or black spots upon the breast; the
throat was yellow and the under parts paler.

Mr. Townsend saw a specimen on the shady borders of the
Schuylkill in the month of May last, and a second individual
has been obtained by "Sir. l)e Rham in the vicinity of New York.
Two or three other specimens have also been obtained in the
vicinity of Thiladelphia and in New Jersey. It is, however,
still a very rare species, and its proper habitation lo yet to be
discovered.

This is still a rare bird in many localities, and it is among the
desiderata of most collectors ; yet within the limits of Us favorite
breeding areas, — at the higher altitudes of the Aileghanies ; on the
Berkshire Hills; along the northern borders of \'ermont and New
Hnmi^shire; in portions of New York; and elsewhere between the
Atlantic coast and the Plains where suitable conditions of environ-

CONNECTICUT WARBLER.

253

)ined
the

f the
■idual

ork.
11 the

ever,
to be

the
/orite
)n the

New
'11 the
riron-

ment are obtainable. — tlie Mournini,^ Warbler is not at all rare,
and in the West — in Minnesota, Dakota, and .Manitolxx — it is
deeidedly abundant. Evidently it has no spceial liking;- for the
Maritime Provinees nor lor any portion of Canada east of Lake
Winnipeg, for Canadian ol)servers in t^eneral report it rare or
uncommon. Vet one of the few nests that have been discovered
was secured by Mr. Kells, near Listowel, in Ontario. This nest
was in a cedar swamp ami placed on the horizontal branch i)f
a small tree (|uite close to the ^rcniiu!.

The examples I saw in New I5runswick were in small Hocks, and
were a very busy and very merry company, — busy in searching for
their food, moving in most sprightly and vivacious manner, and
making merry with sweet voices. The song consists (-f a tew sim-
ple notes, but the birds frequently ascend to a high perch to delivei"
it and sing on as if much pleased with the performance. Merriam
reports them singing thus for half an hour at a time.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER.

GKAV-HEADED WARBLER.
Gf.othlypis AGILIS.

Char. Male : above, olive ; head, neck, and breast ashy, darkest on
breast and crown, lightest on the throat ; white ring around the eyes ;
chest and belly yellow, sides shaded with olive. Female : similar, but
without ashy tint on the head; throat tinged with brown; belly paler.
Length 5'< to 6 inches.

jVcsf. Hidden on a tuft of weeds, or sunk in mossy mound, in >waini)y
woods ; composed of dried grass.

Jti^^s. 4- ? ; creamy, spotted, chiefly around tiie larger end. wiih lilack,
brown, and lilac; 0.75 — 0.55.

This mre species, tliscovereci by Wilson in ConnectitMit and
afterwards in the neighborhood of Philadeli)hia. appears to
frequent low thickets, and is exceedingly active in pursuit f)f
its prey, scarcely remaining a moment i'l the same idace.
Wilson afterwards shot two specimens of a bird which in every
partictilar agreed with the above, except in having the throat
dull buff instead of pale ash. These were both females, as he
supposed, of the present species.

The historv of this bird is still interestingly obscure, so much
has yet to be learned; but gleaning from records made by obser-
vers in various parts of the country, I am enabled to add a little to
Nuttall's account.

I I

r f-

' 1

254

SINGING BIRDS.

'■!■.

I !

iii

The bird has been taken throughout the greater part of this
Eastern Province; but its distribution appears, from the evidence
so far gatliered, to be somewhat pecuHar. It winters in Mexico
and soutlnvard, and in tlie spring migrates wholly along the Missis-
sippi valley, where it is more or less abundant north to Manitoba,
though it is rarely seen at that season to the eastward of Illinois.
It breeds in Minnesota, Dakota, and Manitoba, and in the au-
tumn part of the flocks go south along the Mississippi, while others
pass eastward along the shores of the Great Lakes, and thence to
Massachusetts, the most northern limit of the bird's range on
the Atlantic side, where it is common during the first half of
September, after which the Hocks continue on a gradual movement
southward.

Dr. Wheaton considered the species very rare in Ohio, and it
was thought to l)e rare in Ontario until 18S4, when my friend Wil-
liam Saunders found it common in the vicinity of London. The
only nest yet taken was discovered by another friend and fellow-
worker Ernest 'I'liompson. It was found near Carberry, Manitoba,
in 1883, sunk amid a mossy mound in a tamarack swamp, — "a
dark, gray waste.''

In the West, during the spring migrations, these birds are exceed-
ingly active and very shy, moving incessantly among the branches
in quest of insects, and when approached darting into the thickest
covers ; but those I saw on the Fresh Pond marsh at Cambridge
fed chietiy on the ground, among the leaves, and when disturbed
flew generally but a short distance to a low branch, and sat as com-
posedly as a Thrush.

Thompson describes the song as similar to the Golden-crowned
Thrush, and says it may be suggested by the syllables bcechcr-
bcii lirr-bi-ccJier-beeclter-beecJier-lh'ccJicr, sung at the same pitch
throughout; he adds, "but he also had anotlier which I can recall
to mind by the aid of the syllables frccchaple, frecchaple^ frcc-
chaple^ AVHOIT."

This same writer says : " Connecticut Warbler is an unfortunate
misnomer for this species," and he suggests " Swamp Warbler '' or
" Tamarac Warbler" or " l)Og Black-throat." " This species," he
writes, "has somewhat the manners of the Vireos, but is much
more active and sprightly in its movements."

WORM-EATIXG WARBLER.

Hklmithkrus vermivorus.

Char. Above, olive; head buff, with four stripes of black; beneath,
buff, paler on belly. Length 5I2 to ^^^ inches.

jV^sL On the ground, often covered by a bush, or beside a fallen log ;
of leaves, moss, and gra.ss, lined with moss, fine grass, or hair.

Eifi;s. 3-6 (usually 5) ; variable in shape and color- white, sometimes
with buff or pink tint, marked with fine spots of reddish brown and
lilac; 0.70 X0.55.

These birds arrive in Pennsylvania about the middle of
May, and migrate to the South towards the close of Septem-
ber ; they were seen feeding their young in that State about
the 25th of June by Wilson, so that some pairs stay and breed
there. They are very active anil indefatigable insect-hunters,
and have the note and many of the manners of the Marsh
Titmouse or Chickadee. About the 4th of October I have seen
a pair of these birds roving through the branches of trees with
restless agility, hanging on the twigs and examining the trunks,
in quest probably of spiders and other lurking and dormant
insects and their larvoe. One of them likewise kept up a con-
stant complaining call, like the soimd of ts/ie dc dc.

According to Richardson this species visits the fur coun-
tries, where a single specimen was procured at Cumberland
House, on the banks of the Saskatchewan. It is fotmd a' j in
Maine and the British Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia. Dr. Bachman says that it breeds sparingly in the

256

SINGING BIRDS.

swamps of Carolina, as he observed a pair followed ,by three
or four young ones nearly Hedged, all of which already exhibi-
ted the markings on the head.

Ric liardson led Nuttall into a mistake regarding the distribution
of lliis spL'cies. It is a Suullicrn bird, breeding chictly suulli oi lati-
tude 40^, and occurs but rarely along the nordiern limit of its range,
— southern New England, the southern sliores of Lake Erie, and
southern Illinois. It has not been taken in the Provinces.

Usually these birds feed on the ground among the dead leaves,
but sometimes rise amid the branches, as described by Nuttall.
They are not '* shy "" birtis, for they will remain on the nest until
fairly driven off, and when feeding are apparently indifferent about
being watched.

]

'1 ^

1 t

■ 1 ■ ■ ■

SWAINSON'S WARBLER.

H LLIX.VI.V SWA 1 NS( )X 1 1 .

Ch.\r. Above, dull olive, head and wings tinged with reddish brown;
dark streak through the eyes; line over eyes and under parts white with
yellow tint ; sidL's tinged with olive. Length 5'4 to 6 inches.

A^'c'sf. In a swamp, or near stagnant pool, or on dry upland ; in cane-
stalk or on bush, 4 to 10 feet from the ground ; a bulky and inartistic
affair of dead leaves, lined with roots and iiine-ncedles.

■^v^■•''• 3-4; white with blue tint, unmarked ; 0.75 X 0.60.

Dr. Bachman, who discovered this species near the banks
of the Edisto River, in South Carolina, remarks: ''I was first
attracted by the novelty of its notes, four or five in number,
repeated at inten'als of fwc or six minutes apart. These notes
were loud, clear, and more like a whistle than a song. They
resembled the soimd of some extraordinary ventriloquist in such
a degree that T supposed the bird much firther off than it
really was ; for after some trouble caused by these fictitious
notes, I observed it near me, and soon shot it." These birds
appear to have a predilection for swampy, muddy places, usu-
ally more or less covered with water. They feed on coleop-
terous insects and tie larvre which infest the pond-lily. They
usually keep in low bushes, and retire southward at the close
of summer. They breed, it appears, in South Carolina.

:ft

PROTIIUNUTARV WARBLER.

257

■ three
ixhibi-

ibution

of lati-

5 range,

rie, and

leaves,

Nuttall.
est until
nt about

sh brown ;
white with

in cane-
inartistic

he banks
was first
number,
ese notes
They
,t in such
T than it
fictitious
,ese birds
ces, ttsti-
n coleop-
They
the close
a.

|v.

Until recently, naturalists knew nothing' more of this species than
Nuttall put into the above few lines ; and tor that information lie was
indebted to . .uclubon. Only three examples w.Te taken between
Audul)on's time and 1N73, when Nathan C Brown captured three
more in Alabama; and eleven years afterwards, in 1.S84, William
Brewster collected lilty specimens in the vicinity of Charleston,
and iHiblished in "The Auk" for January, 1SM5, an interestini;
account of the bird's habits.

He reports that he met with this bird in dry, scrubby woods or
open orani^e-groves, thoui;h it prefers the ranker growth of the
swamps, to which it appears to be confinecl during the breeding
season. Its song is said to be '"very loud, verv rich, very beau
tiful, while it has an indescri])able tender quality that thrills the
senses after the sound has ceased."

The distril)ution of the species has not yet been very satisfac-
torily determined, but it prol)ably occurs in all the South Atlantic
and Gulf States, and along the Mississippi valley north to Illinois
and Indiana.

PROTHONOTARV WARP.LER.

PrOTOXO'J ARIA Cn'REA.

Char. Head, neck, and under parts golden yellow; back bright
olive , wings, tail, and rump, bluish ash ; inner webs of tail-teathcrs white.
I,ength about 5J-2 inches.

A('.f/. On the margin of a stream or pond or in a swamp; a cavity In
dead tret, often a deserted nest of Woodpecker or Chickadee, generally
near the ground ; lined with leaves and moss.

/\i:.^s. 4-7 (usually 6); white, or with butf tint, thickly spotted with
brownish red ; 0.70 X 0.55.

This beautiful species inhabits the Southern States commonly
in summer, being plentiful in the low, dark, and swampy f(jrests
of the Mississippi near New Orleans, as well as in Louisiana
and the wilds of Florida. In these solitary retreats individuals
are seen nimbly flitting in search of insects, caterpillars, larvai,
and small land shells, every now and then uttering a few creak-
ing notes scarcely deserving the name of song. They some-
times, though very rarely, proceed as far north as Pennsylvania.
They appear to affect watery places in swamps which abound
with lagoons, and are seldom seen in the woods. According to
VOL. I. — 17

•

2:;8

SINC.IXC; BIRDS.

1 1

ijlf i

Dr. Hachman, these birds breed in South CaroHna, as he saw a
pair and their younj; near Charleston.

This species is eonimon in the (iulf States, and ranches aloni^f the
Mississijjpi valley, bein,^:; pcciiliarly abundant in southern Illinois
and southwestern Indiana, but near the Atlantic is rarely seen
nouli of (icorgia. A few stragglers have been encountered in
New I'higlanfl, while one has been taken at St. Stephen, New
Brunswick, by .Mr. George A. Ik)ardnian, and another near Hamil-
ton, Ontario, by H. C. Mcllwraith.

It is said to be more deliberate and thrushlike in its movements
than are its si)rightly congeners, the Dcndroicic. The song most
frequently heard is described as a simple but pleasing whistle, like
that of the solitary Sandpiper, though when the singer is near at
hand, almost startling in its intensity. Mr. lirewster mentions
hearing aiiotlur song delivered on the wing, and intended lor the
ear ot the mate alone. It is generally heard only after incubation
has commenced, and is low, but very sweet, and resembles some-
what the song of a Canary, delivered in an undertone.

i .

BLUE-\VIX(;i:i) WAKJiLER.

HeLMINTHOPIIII.A I'lNUS.

Char. Male: above, bright olive; wings ami tail dull blue; winces
with two yellowish bars ; outer tail feathers with uiiite l^lotches : black
line through the eye ; crown aiul uiuier parts bright yelUjw. I'einale :
similar but uiuler i)arts duller, aud yellow on head restricted to forehead.
Length about 5 inches.

A^est. In a tuft of grass amid thicket of underbrush or along margin of
woods; bulky, and loosely made of dried leaves and vegetable fibre, lined
with fine grass.

Eggs. 4-5; white, faintly speckled with brown; 0.60 X 0.50.

About the beginning of May this species enters Pennsylvania
from the South, and frequents thickets and shrubberies in quest
of the usual insect food of its tribe. At the approach of win-
ter, very different from the Pine Warbler, with which it has
sometimes been confotmded, it retires to pass the winter in
tropical America, having been seen around Vera Cruz in
autumn by Mr. Bidlock. On its arrival it frequents gardens,
orchards, and willow trees, gleaning among the blossoms, but
at length withdraws into the silent woods remote, from the

r.i.rE-Nvi.\c;i:n \vaki;ler.

259

,e saw a

Ions tlie
Illinois
ely seen
XcYcd in
en, New
,r Haniil-

ivements
,)ii<i most
istlc, like
s near at
nientions
xl tor tlie
ncubation
,les some-

|)lue ; wini^s

hcs : l)Uick

I'cinalc :

lo torehead.

haunts of men, to pass the period of breeding and rearing its
young in more security.

The apparent distribution of this species, judged by the records
of recent observations, is somewliat peculiar. It seems to be
abundant in the southwestern portion of this Eastern Province, and
rarely ranges east of the Alleghanian hills until north ot 40^, when
it spreads off to the shores of the Atlantic, though seldom going
beyond latitude 42°. '• It is a common summer resident of south-
ern Connecticut, but is not known to occur regularly nortii of
Hartford, .iiul is most numerous in the country imniLcliatcly Ijorder-
ing the Sound and in the lower valley of the Connecticut River ''
(IJrewster). A few examples only have been taken in .Massachu-
setts, and though common in Ohio it has not been seen in Ontario.
Farther west it is found north to the southern portions of Michigan,
Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It winters south to eastern Mexico
and Guatemala.

The nests that have been discovered in recent years are not
fashioned like that described by Wilson, for instead of being
funnel-shaped, they have the ordinary cup-like form.

Opinions differ regarding the song, I)ut I am inclined to believe
that it is a rapid trill of strong, sweet tones, limited in compass and
executed with little art, — a merry whistle rather than an artistic
melody. " As a rule it consists of the two drawled wheezy notes
siccc-chec ; the first inhaled, the second exhaled. A less common
song uttered later in the season is ivee, chg-chH-chS-chS, chfir, chee,
chnr, and is sometimes accompanied by peculiar kik notes "
(Chapman).

' )l

! J

In- margin i^f
fibre, lined

I >l

l-msylvania
[s in quest
Ih of win-
lich it has
winter in
Cruz in
gardens,
[^soms, but
from the

26o

SIXGIXn TURDS.

Gf)i.i)i:x-\\ iN(;i:n \\.\Kr.i.i:R.

HeI.MIX UK )PIiII,A CHRVSOFIERA.

\im I

i8l

i'l^i

(liAk. Male: above, bluish grr y, sometimes tinged with olive;
crown biiglit yellow ; side of head yellowish white, with broad patch of
black from bill tlirough eyes; wings with large pa'ch of bright yellow;
blotches on tail white; beneath, while tinged with yellow; throat blacU ;
sides tinged with gray. I-'em.dc : similar, Imt colors duller; patch from
bill through eyes, grayish. Lengtii about 5 inches.

A't-st. Amid a tuft of long grass, in moist meadow or damp margin of
woods; constructed of shre(l> df hark, roots, etc.. lined with fine grass.

/'^^•^i^s. 4-6; white spotted with brown and lilac, 0.65 X 0.50.

This scarce species api)ears only a few clays in Pennsylvania
about the last of April or beginninj.!; of May. It darts actively
through the leafy branches, and like the Titmouse examines the
stems for insects, and often walks with the head downwards ;
its notes and actions are also a good deal similar, in common
with the Worm-eating Warbler. I have never yet seen it in
Massachusetts, and if it really does proceed north to breed, it
must follow a western route.

The Gold 'n-wing still remains a somewhat "scarce" bird, but it
occurs rcgularlv in Connecticut and southern ."Massachusetts, and
in some few localities is often quite numerous. Its general breeding
area lies north of latitude 40°. though nests have been found among
the hills of Georgia and North Carolina. To the westward it breeds
in Ohio, southern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and in the
vicinity of London, Ontario, where Saunders reports it quite com-
mon. It winters south to Central Ainerica.

Note. — Two variations from the type. Rrrwster's Warbekr
(//. Icucobronchialis) and Lawrf.nce's Wa ruler (//. lawrencci)
are still placed on the '' hypothetical list '" by conservative writers.
Both birds are supposed to be either hybrids between H. pimis and
H. chrysoptera^ or color phases. Lawrence's Warbler is rather
rare, though it occurs regularly in Connecticut, but Brewster's
Warbler is not uncommon in the Connecticut valley, and has been
traced south to Virginia and west to Michigan.

TENNESSKi; WARBLER.

261

th olive ;
, patch of
It yellow ;
oat Vilack ;
latch from

) margin of
lie grass.

;o.

msylvania
ts actively
mines the
)\vn\vards ;
1 coniniun
seen it in
breed, it

ibird, but it
usetts, and
l1 breeding
and anion 2;
•d it breeds
and in the
[quite com-

Iwarbi.i-.h
ylaivrencei)
Ive writers.

is rather

JBrewster's

has been

BACH M A N ' S \\ A R B L E R.

Helminthophila r..\CH.M.\MI.

Char. Male: above, olive; head dull ashy; tail j;rayish with white
patches ; hlack band across crown ; forehead and luulcrparts yellow, with
large patch of black on the breast; yellow band on wing. Female:
similar, but duller and grayer ; under parts paler. Length .(I3 inches.

.Vcsf. In a low tree.

Jii^XS. 4 ; dull white, heavily wreatiicd around larger end with dark
brown and spotted with lilac; 0.74 X 0.60.

This species was first obtained a few miles from Charles-
ton, S. C, in July 1833, by Dr. 15achman, alter whom it is
named. It appears to be a lively, active species, frequenting
thick bushes, through which it glides after insects, or occasion-
ally, motmting on wing, it seizes them in the air. Several
individuals were seen in the same neighborhood.

Nothing more was heard of this interesting bird than the little
told by Audubon and Nuttall, until 1883, when Mr. H. B. Hailey
described the nest and eggs from examples collected in Oeorgia,
by Dr. S. W. Wilson, somewhere between 1853 and 1865. The
male and female secured by Dr. Bachman were the only specimens
taken until 1886, when a third was shot by Charles S. Galbraith,
in Louisiana, and announced by Mr. George N. Lawrence in '-The
Auk " of January, 1887. A fourth, taken in Florida in March,
1887, was announced by Dr. Merriam, and during that year others
were reported. Since then the bird has been discovered to be
fairly common in the South Atlantic and Gulf States.

It is described as an active, quarrelsome bird, wary and difificult
to approach. Its manner, when searching for food, is described as
rather leisurely. The song is somewhat similar to the Parula. It
frequents both shrubbery and high trees, but shows a preference
for the latter and for a rather thick growth.

TENNESSEE WARBLER.

HeI,M1\THOPHII,A PKRF.r.RlXA.

Char. Male : above, olive, brightest on rump, shading to ashy on
head; wings and tail dusky; beneath, white, with faint tint of yellow;
sides tinged with grav. Female : similar, but crown tinged with olive
and mider parts with more yellow. Young: similar to female, but crown
olive and under tail-coverts white. Length ^]4, to i,}( inches.

A^est. On a low bush in open woodland ; made of grass, moss, and
vegetable fibre, lined with hair.

^1!

i !

262

bINCiING BIRDS.

II!

I-,

/ti,':cJ. 0-0 (probably 4 or 5) ; wliito, wreathed around larger end with
brown and purplish spots : 0.O5 X 0.50.

'I'his rare and plain si)ccies was discovered by Wilson on
the bulks of Cnmbcrland River, in the Slate of Tennessee. It
was hunting; with great agility among the opening leaves in
spring, and like the rest of the section to which it apjiertains,
I)ossesses a goc^d deal of the habits of the 'I'itmouse. Its ncjtes
were few and weak, and its food, as usual, smooth caterpillars
and winged insects. It is still so rare that Audubon never
saw more than three individuals, — two in Louisiana, ai.d one at
Key \\'est in ICast Moriila, all of which were males.

( >niitlu)l()gi.sts of the present day do not consider this Warbler
quite so rare as did Xutlall and liis coiUemporaries, though it is
somewhat local in its distribution, and is only met with occasionally
at many places within its range. In the Eastern States it is rather
rare, excepting on the northern border of New York and New Eng-
land, where it breeds; but it is more numerous in the .Mississippi
valley, and Dr. Coues found it migrating in abundance along the
Red River, through Minnesota and Dakota, while Thompson
reports it as " a common summer resident " in parts of Manitoba.
Dr. Wheaton considered it rare in Ohio, init Saunders reports it
" conunon at times" in the southern jieninsula of Ontario, while
IMcIhvraith lias seen it but twice near Hamilton. It is rare in the
Ottawa valley and near the city of Quel)ec, while conunon near
Montreal. Comeau says it l)reeds in numbers near Point de
Monts, on the nortli shore of the (adf of St. Lawrence, and Macoun
reports it common around Lake Misstissini. It is not uncommon in
some few localities in New Brunswick, where it remains all sum-
mer. Very few nests have been discovered.

The bird is very wary and always on the alert, — darting rapidly
from branch to brancli. The song is a sweet-toned, cheery whistle,
— somewhat siiuilar to that of the Nashville, "but so decidedly
different," writes ;\Ir. Bradford Torrey, ■' as never for a moment to
be confounded with it." He adds : •• The resemblance lies entirely
in the tirst part; the notes of the concluding portion are not run
together or jumbled, after the Nashville's manner, but are quite as
distinct as are those of the opening measure."

. 1

NASIIVILLL WAkULLR.

263

\(\ with

1)11 oil
■V. ll
tvcs in
;rtains,

S IKJtCS

rpillurs
I never
i one at

i^h it is
isioniilly
is rather
L'W I-lng-
ssissippi
lon.ii the
,ionii)son
[anitoba.
cports it
o. wliile
•(' in the
-ion near
oint de
Macoiin
nimon in
all suni-

; rapidly
whistle,
"[ecidedly

)nient to
entirely
not run
quite as

NASHV I 1,1.1: W ART. LKR.

1 Il.l.MlN 1 IK )1'11II-V Kll KAI'ILLA.

Char. Above, oiivo, brighter on rump; lioarl a>hy gray, with con-
cealed patch ui reddish bnnvn ; yellow ring around the cyc> ; beneath,
briglit yellow, paler on the belly ; sides shaded with olive. Length 41^ to
5 inches.

.\ts/. Amid a tuft of weeds in pasture or open woocUaiid ; composed
of leaves and vegetable fibre, lined with grass, pine-nccdics, or hair.

^'■XA'-' ■ 3~5 (usually 4) ; white or creamy, marked with fuie spots of
reddish brown and lilac ; 0.60 X 0.50.

'I'liis rare species was discovered by Wilson in the vicinity of
Nashville in Tennessee ; it also exists in the neighboring States
in siuiinier, and occasionally proceeds as far north as Philadel-
phia, and even the neigiibtirhood ui Salem in this State [Mas-
sachusetts]. Its discoverer was first attracted to it by the
singular noise which it made, resembling the breaking of small
dry twigs, or the striking together of ])ebbles, for six or seven
times in succession, and loud enough to be heard at the ilis-
tance of thirty or forty yards. A similar sound, jiroduced, no
doubt, by the smart snapping of the bill, is given by the Stone-
chat of Kurope, — which hence, in fact, derives its name. Au-
dubon says, the male, while standing in a still and erect posture,
utters a few low, eagerly repeated, creaking notes. This spe-
cies has all the active habits of the family to which it more
particularly belongs. Audubon says that these birds are not
in fact rare, as he saw them in considerable numbers in the
month of April, towards Texas, on their way eastward ; he also
saw them in Maine and the Provinces of New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia. A few proceed to Labrador, and Dr. Richardson
mentions the occurrence of a straggler in the fur countries.

However rare the Nashville may have been when Nuttall lived
in Cambridge, it is not a rare bird here to-day. It is, indeed, a
common summer resident throutjhout Xew Fngland and the Mari-
tine Provinces, and occurs in more or less abundance westward to
Manitoba. It winters south to Mexico and (kiatemala.

On the arrival of these birds in the spring they frequent the sub-

264

SINGING lilKDS.

urban j^ankns and orchards, hut soon retire to a more secluded
l)Ia(c to Ijuild : and hidden away amid tiic thicker luiNhcs of their
faviirite iiaunls, arc olten overU)ukcd by the collector. — the or-
nitholoj^ical reiH)rter, — an<l thus the species has acquired a repu-
tation of bein;,' •• uncommon."

The song is a typi( .d W.irbkr-liki.' performance, — a short trill of
sweet notes, whistled with little variation in tone, and little ellort
at artistic execution; but I have not heard any of the "harsh"'
and •• creaking " effects noted by some writers.

oran(;e-('R( )\v\i:n warbler.

IIi;i..MIVll|()PIIII,.\ CKI.ATA.

Char. Abdve, olive, lirightcst on the rump; crown with concealed
patch of bro\vni>h oiaiige ; line over aiul aroimd the eyes, pale yellow;
beneath, pale greenish yellow ; sides shaded with olive. Length 4'-^ to
5 '4 inches.

AVsf. On the ground among clumps of bushes; made of grass, moss,
and plant stems, lined with hair.

£j,XS. 4-6; white or creamy, marked, chiefly around the larger end,
with spots of reddish brown and ])urplish slate ; 0.65 X 0.50.

This species, first discovered, early in May, on the banks of
the Missouri by my friend Mr. T. Say, appeared to be on its
passage farther north. It is not unconimon in winter in the
orange-groves of ^^'est Florida, where it proceeds to pass the
season, around St. Augustine ; and its note is described as a
mere chirp and faint squeak, scarcely louder than that of a
mouse.

According to Audubon, these birds breed in the eastern part
of Maine and in New Drimswick and Nova Scotia. In the
month of May we saw them abundant in the forests of the
Oregon, where no doubt they breed. The song is weak, some-
what resembling that of most of the Sylvicolas.

Aua ibon must have gathered in all the New Brunswick Orange
Crowns, for none have been seen there since his visit, nor can I
learn of any having been observed elsewhere in e.^.stern Canada,
excepting the few discovered by IMcIlwraith and Saunders in

KIKTLAND'S WAKULLK.

.^65

southern Ontario, and one taken by Krncst I). Wintle near .Mon-
treal in 1.S90.

Accidental strairnlers have been taken in New England, but it Is
thieriy a Western l)ird, breeding in the far nortli, tliough it winters
in the Southern and (Jull States.

KIRTLAXD'S WARHLER.
1)KN1>R()ICA kikii.andi.

Char. Above, slaty brown, head bluish ; head and back stre.iked
with black; line across forehead and through tlie eyes, black ; beneath,
yellow, brcist and sides spotted with black; white blotches on tail.
Length 5^2 to 6 inches.

AVj/and A.,yj. Unknown.

Only a few specimens of this bird, discovered by Dr. Kirtland,
near Cleveland, in 1S51, have as yet been seen, and these few were
captured in South Carolina, \'irginia, 01ii(». .Michigan. Wisconsin,
and Missouri during the spring migrations, Mr. Charles H. Con,-
secured one in the Bahamas in winter. The habits of the bird are
unknown, but Mr. Chubb, who shot a male and female near Cleve-
land in 18S0, says: " I am inclined to think they are rather terres-
trial in their habits, freciuenting busliy fields near woods." .Mr.
Chapman suggests the probability of these birds breeding "'in the
Hud.son Bay region."

rn part

In the

of the

some-

Orange
can I
"anada,
lers in

XoTK, — The CARRONATEn Wakrler {Dendrflica carhonata),
mentioned by Xuttall on the authority of Audubon, who killed two
specimens in Kentucky, has been placed on the " Hypothetical
List " by the A. O. U. Committee, as has also the Blue .Moi-.v i aix
Warrler {Dendroica montuna) and the Smali.-hf.adko War-
bler {Syk'aniii microccphala), mentioned by Wilson and Audu-
bon. Xo specimens of either have been taken in recent years.
On this same list has been placed the Cincinnati Waki'.ler
{Iftlmintliophila cincinnatiensis ), which is probably a hybrid of
H. pi nil s and G. forniosa.

T(iwxsknd's Wari{Li:r {Dendroica ffl7vnscndi), described by
Nuttall and named in honor of its discoverer, is a rare bird of the
Far West, and its claim to mention here rests on the accidental
occurrence of one example near Philadelphia in 1868.

JiiiHii-^:

HOUSE WREN.

WOOD \\KEN.

Troglodytes aedon.

Char. Above, reddish brown (sometimes with dark bars), darker on
the head; below, brownisli wliite, marked irregularly with dark lines;
wings and tail with fine waved lines. Length ah(Hit 5 inches.

.Vt'st. On the eaves of houses or in a barn or hollow tree, etc. ; made
of grass, twigs, etc. ; the hole generally filled with rubbish and lined
with feathers.

^.-.X^- "-<'; white tinted with pink, densely marked with reddish
brown; 0.65 X 0.50.

This lively, tlucrful, capricious, and well-known little min-
strel is only a sinnmer resident in the United States. Its
northern migrations extend to T,abrador, but it resides and
rears its voting principally in tlie Middle States. My friend
Mr. Sav also observed this species near Pembino. beyond the
sources of the Mississippi, in the Western wilderness of the
49th degree of latitude. It is likewise said to be an inhabitant
of Surinam, within the tropics, where its delightful melody has
gained it the nickname of the Nightingale. This region, or
the intermediate country of Mexico, is probably the winter
quarters of our domestic fivorite. In Louisiana it is unknown
even as a transient visitor, migrating apparently to the east of

arker on
rk lines ;

made
id lined

reddish

min-

s. Its

e> and

friend

nd the

of the

abitant

ody has

ion, or

winter

known

east of

HOUSE WREN.

267

the Mississippi, and sedulously avoiding the region generally
inhabited by the Carolina Wren. ll. is a matter of surprise
how this, and some other species, with wings so short and a
flight so tluttering, are ever capable of arriving and returning
from such distant countries. At any rate, come from where
it may, it makes its aj)])earance in the Middle States about the
i2ih or 15th of April, and is seen in New England in the latter
entl of that month or by the beginning of May. It takes iis
departure for the South towards the close of September or
early in October, and is not known to winter within the limits
of the Union.

Some time in the early part of May our little social visitor
enters acti\ ely into the cares as well as pleasures which preside
instinctively over the fiat of propagation. His nest, from pref-
erence, near the house, is placed beneath the eaves, in some
remote corner under a shed, out-house, barn, or in a hollow
orchard tree ; also in the deserted cell of the Woodpecker, and
when provided with the convenience, in a wooden box along
with the Marlins and Lluebirds. He will make his nest even
in an old hat, nailed x\p, and perforated with a hole for en-
trance, or the skull of an ox stuck u])on a pole ; and Auduijon
saw one deposited in the pocket of a broken-down carriage.
So pertinacious is the House Wren in thus claiming the con-
venience and protection of human society that, according to
\\'ilson, an instance once occurred where a nest was made in
the sleeve of a mower's coat, which, in the month of June, was
hung up accidentally for t\V(j or three elays in a shed near a
barn.

The nest of this s])ecies, though less curious than that
of some other kinds, is still constructed with considerable
appearance of contrivance. The external a])proach is bar-
ricaded with a strong outwork of sticks, interlaced with
much labor and ingenuity. When the nest, therefore, is
placed beneath the eaves, or in some other situation contig-
uous to the roof of the building, the access to the inner fabric
is so nearly closed by this formidable mass of twigs that a
mere portion of the edge is algne left open for the female,

:^^ 1-1

268

SINGING BIRDS.

iiii

i !

1 ill'

•(.■:

I IHI

: Mi

1 ^- ■! i

: ; '1
. , '(

■.I

■i

just sufificient for her to creep in and out. Within this judi-
cious fort is i)laced the proper nest, of the usual hemispherical
figure, formed of layers of dried stalks of grass, and lined with
fealliers. The eggs, from 6 to 9, are of a reddish flesh-color,
si)rinkled all over with innumerable fine grains of a somewhat
deeper tint. They generally rear two broods in the season :
the first take to flight about the beginning of June, and the
second in July or August. The young are early capable of
providing for their own subsistence and twittering forth their
petulant cry of alarm. It is both pleasant and amusing to
observe the sociability and activity of these recent nurslings,
who seem to move in a body, throwing themselves into antic
attitudes, often crowding together into the old nests of other
birds, and for some time roosting near their former cradle,
under the affectionate eye of their busy parents, who have
perhaps already begun to prepare the same nest for a new
progeny. Indeed, so prospective and busy is the male that
he frequently amuses himself with erecting another mansion
even while his mate is still sitting on her eggs ; and this curi-
ous habit of superfluous labor seems to be more or less common
to the whole genus.

One of these Wrens, according to Wilson, happened to lose
his mate by the sly and ravenous approaches of a cat, — an ani-
mal which they justly hold in abhorrence. The day after this
important loss, our Httle widower had succeeded in introducing
to his desolate mansion a second partner, whose welcome
ai^peared by the ecstatic song which the bridegroom now
uttered ; after this they remained together, and reared their
brood. In the summer of 1830 I fountl a female W^ren who
had e\i)ired on the nest in the abortive act of laying her first
egg. I therefore took away the nest from under the edge of the
shed in which it was built. The male, however, continued
round the place as before, and still cheerfully uttered his
accustomed song. Unwilling to leave the premises, he now
went to work and made, unaided, another dwelling, and after
a time brought a new mate to take possession ; but less foith-
ful than \\'ilson's bird, or suspecting some lurking danger, she

to lose

in ani-

er this

ucing

come

now

their

n who

r first

of the

inued

1 his

now

after

liith-

, she

I II

HOUSE WREN.

269

forsook the nest after entering, and never laid in it, Uut still
the happy warbler continued his uninterrupted la\-, apparently
in solitude.

The song of our familiar Wren is loud, sprigluly, and tremu-
lous, uttered with peculiar animation, and rapidly repeated ; at
first the voice seems ventriloquial and distant, and then bursts
forth by efforts into a mellow and echoing warble. 'J he trill-
ing, hurried notes seem to reverberate from the leaf\" branches
in which the musician sits obscured, or are heard from the low
roof of the vine-mantled cottage like the shrill and unwearied
pipe of some sylvan elf. The strain is continued even during
the sultry noon of the summer's day, when most of the feath-
ered songsters seek repose and shelter from the heat. His
lively and querulous ditty is, however, still accompanied by
the slower-measured, pathetic chant of the Red-eyed I'ly-
catcher, the meandering, tender warble of the Musical Vireo,
or the occasional loud mimicry of the Catbird ; the whole
forming an aerial, almost celestial concert, which ne\er tires
the ear. Tliough the general performance of our Wren brars
no inconsiderable resemblance to that of the luiropean species,
yet his voice Is louder, and his execution much more varied and
delightfiil. He is rather a bold and insolent intruder upon those
birds who reside near him or claim the same accommodation.
He frequently causes the mild Bluebird or the Martin to relin-
quish their hereditary claims to the garden box, and lias been
accused also of sucking their eggs. \or is he any better con-
tented with neighbors of his own fraternity who settle near him,
keeping up frequent squabbles, like other little busybodies,
who are never happy but in mischief; so that iq^on the whole,
though we may justly admire the fine talents of this petulant
domestic, he is, like many other actors,, merely a good per-
former. He is still upon the whole a real friend to the farmer
and horticulturist, by the number of injurious insects and their
destructive lar\-ne on which both he and his numerous family
subsist. Bold and fearless, seeking out every advantageous
association, and making up in activity wliat he may lack in
strength, he does not confine his visits to the cottage or the

iiil

270

SINGING BIRDS.

II.

country, but may often be heard on the tops of houses even in
the mi<lst of the city, warbling with his usual energy.

The House Wren is a common summer resident of Massachu-
setts, hut is rarely seen north of this State,

The only instance of its occurrence in New Brunswick is that of
a pair seen at Cirand Falls by Mr. C. F. Batchelder. It is fairly
common near Montreal and throui^di southern Ontario, and is
abundant in Manitoba. It winters in the Middle States and
southward.

NoTi:. — A Western form — distinguished from true acdon by the
prevalence of gray on its upper parts and its more distinct bars on
the back — occurs from Illinois and Manitoba westward. This is
Western House Wki:n {T. a. astccus).

The Wood Wki:.\ (7". anicriianiis), mentioned by Nuttall on the
authority of Audubon, should have been referred to T. acdon.

\VINTP:R WRICN.

Troc;i,()I)V'jks hikm.ai.is.

Ch.\r. Above, recldi.^h brown, biighle.st on the rump, marked with
dark waved lines; wings and tail with dark bars; under i)arls paler
brown, belly and under tail-coverts with numerous dark bars. Length
about 4 inches.

Nest. At the font of a moss-covered stuinn, or under a fallen tree, or
amid a pile of brush; coniposcil of twigs and moss, lined with leathers.

Eggs. 4-6 ; white, sp'-itud, chiefly near the larger end, with reddish
brown and purple ; 0.70 X 0.50.

This little winter visitor, which approaches the Middle States
in the month of October, seems scarcely in any way distin-
guishable from the Common Wren of Europe. It sometimes
passes the winter in Pennsylvania, and according to .Audubon
even breeds in the (heat Pine Swamp in that State, as well as
in New York. Karly in the spring it is seen on its returning
route to the Northwest. Air. Say observed it in stmimcr near
the base of the Rocky Mountains ; it was also seen, at the
same scnson, on the White Mountains of New Hampshire by
the scientific exploring party of Dr. P)igelow, Messrs. I>oott

WINTI'.K WREN.

271

tree, or
lithcrs.
reddish

States

(listin-

[letimes

Idubon

Iwell as

lurning

T near

lat the

|iire by

15oott

and (iray, so tliat it must retire to the Western or mountainous
solitudes to pass the period of incubation. Mr. Townsend
obtained si)ecimens of this bird in the forests of the Cohun-
bia. Durinj^^ its residence in the Middle Slates it fre(iuents
the broken banks of rivulets, old roots, and decayed loL^s near
watery places in ([uest of its insect food. As in lauope. il also
approaches the farm-house, examines the \voud-i)ilc, erecting
its tail, and creeping into the interstices like a mouse. It
frequently mounts on some projecting object and sings with
great animation. In the gardens and outhouses of the city it
a])])ears ecpially familiar as the moie common Hour^e Wren.

'I'he Wren has a pleasing warble, ami much louder lh:ui
might be expected from its diminutive size, lis song likewise
continues more or less throughout the vear, — e\en during the
prevalenc ' of snowstorm it has been heard as cheerful as
ever ; it li' e ise continues its note till very late in the evening,
though not after dark.

This species is common throughout the ]:Iastern States, breeding
in northern New England and north to the (iull Of St. Lawrence,
and westward througli northern Ohio and Ontario to .Manit()l)a.
During the summer it occurs :dso, sparingly, on the lierkshirc Hills
in .Massachusetts, and along tlie crests of the Alleghanies to .\orih
Carolina. It winters from about 40° southward.

Had Xuttall ever met with the Winter W'ren in its summer
haunts ; had he heard its wild melody break the stillness of the
bird's forest home, or known of the power controlled by that tiny
throstle and of its capacity for briilianl execution : had he but once
listened to its sweet and impassioned tones, and the sugi,a'stive
joyousness of its rapid trills; had Nuttall, in short, ever heard
the bird sing, — he could not, surely, have damned it with such
faint praise.

The song of this Wren is not well known, for the bird seldom
sings beyond the nesting period, and tlien is rarely heard away
from the woodland groves. Ihit once heard, the song is not; soon
forgotten : it is so wild and sweet a lay. and is flung upon the
woodland quiet with such energy, such hilarious abandon, that it
commands attention. Its merits entitle it to rank among the best
of our sylvan melodies.

r 1

i I

Mi;

"i'

f:'.'

If' ^

CAROLINA WKEN.

MOCKING WREN.
TlIRVOlHORUS LUDOVICIANUS.

Char. Above, reddish brown, with fine black bars ; below, tawny buff ;
long line over the eye white or buff ; wings and tail with dark bars
Lengtli 5/2 to 6 inches.

A'c's/. In any available hole, often ni hollow tree, sometimes in brush
heap, usually in the woods ; composed of grass, leaves, etc., sometimes
fastened with corn-silk, lined with feathers, grass, or horse-hair.

^-Xlif^- 3~6 ; white, with pink (jr buff tint, thickly speckled around
larger end with reddish brown ; 0.75 X 0.60.

This remarkable mimicking and Musical Wren is a constant
resident in the Southern States from Virginia to Florida, but
is rarely seen at any season north of the line of Maryland or
Delaware, though, attracted by the great river-courses, it is
abundant from Pittsburg to New Orleans. A few individuals
stray, in the course of the spring, as far as the line of New
York, and appear in New Jersey and the vicinity of Philadel-
phia early in the month of Aray. On the lyth of April, re-
turning from a Southern tour of great extent, I again recognized
my old and pleasing acquaintance, by his usual note, near
Chester, on the Delaware, where, I have little doubt, a few
remain and pass the summer, retiring to the South only

!■,').

^ 1

CAROLINA WREN.

273

:a\vny buff ;
dark bars

es in bru>h
sometimes

led around

constant

)rida, but

jiryland or

[■ses, it is

idividuals

of New

Philadel-
I April, re-

^cognized
|ote, near

)t, a few

juth only

as the weather becomes inclement. On the banks of the
Patapsco, near Baltimore, their song is still heard to the close
of November.

Our bird has all the petulance, courage, industry, and famili-
arity of his particular tribe. He delights to survey the mean-
ders of peaceful streams, and dwell amidst the shady trees
which adorn their banks. His choice seems to convey a taste
for the pictures<]ue and beautiful in Nature, himself, in the
foreground, forming one of the most pleasing attractions of
the scene. Approaching the waterfall, he associates with its
murmurs the presence of the Kingfisher, and modulating the
hoarse rattle of his original into a low, varied, desi)onding note,
he sits on some depending bough by the stream, and calls, at
intervals, in a slow voice, tcc-yiirrJi kc-yiirrh, or thr'r' r'r^r/i.
In the tall trees by the silent stream, he recollects the lively,
common note of the Tufted Titmouse, and repeats the peto pcto
pcto pcct, or his peevish katttiuUJ, katHcdiii, katciiiJ. While
gleaning low, amidst fallen leaves and brushwood, for hiding
and dormant insects and worms, he perhaps brings up the note
of his industrious neighbor, the Ground Robin, and sets to his
own sweet and li(iuids tones the simple hnocct towcct to-wcct.
The tremulous trill of the Pine Warbler is then recollected,
and tr' r' r' r' r' r' ih is whistled. In the next breath comes his
imitation of the large Woodpecker, woity 7<'oih' 7^oify and
7votchy wotchy wotcJiy, or tshovcc tshovce fshof, and tshooddee
tshoodiiee tshooadcet, then varied to tshiivai tsJiiivai tshuvat, and
toovaiiah toovaiiah toovai'iatoo. Next comes perhaps his more
musical and pleasing version of the Blackbird's short song,
uottitshee ivottitshec 7i.'offitshee. To the same smart tune is
now set a chosen part of the drawling song of the Meadow
Lark, pirceJo prccedo pircri-f. then waried, rccedo recede receet
and tecedo tecedo tccect ; or changing to a bass key, he tunes
sooteet sooicet soot. Once, I heard this indefatigable mimic
attempt delightfullv the warble of the Bluebird in the month of
February. The bold whistle of the Cardinal Bird is another
of the sounds he delights to imitate and repeat in his own
quaint manner ; such as vit-yii vit-yii vit-yii, and vishnu lishnu

VOL. I. iS

274

SINGING BIRDS.

»<■■ ?^

i ;

t » ■

ijii

Mil

' i

:f.

I ii,;.

4 1.

t:r

7'is/uN/, then his woitcc looihr woitee and wiltce wiltee wiltee.
Soon alter I first heard the note of the White-eyed Vireo in
March, the CaroUna Wren immediately mimicked the note of
tciah 7>.<cwd wittec loeeioa. Some of these notes would ap])ear
t(j Ije recollections of the past season, as imitations of the
Maryland Xellow-'l'hroat (joittisee wiitisce wittiscc loif, and
shcwaiJit shcuHiiilit shcivaiiiit), not yet heard or arrived within
the boundary of the United States. So also his /sherry tslurry
tilwrry tshiip is one of the notes of the Baltimore Bird, yet in
South America.

While at 'I'uscaloosa, about the 20th of February, one of
these Wrens, on the borders of a garden, sat and repeated for
some time /s/ie-iohiskct' 7i<hiskcc w/iiskee, then soohiit soolait
soohiit ; another of his phrases is tshiikadcc tshiikdikc tsliukd-
dcctslioo and cJij'ihway chj^ihuay chjlbway, uttered quick ; the
first of these exj)ressions is in imitation of one of the notes of
the Scarlet Tanager. Amidst these imitations and variations,
which seem almost endless, and lead the stranger to imagine
himself, even in the depth of winter, surrounded by all the
quaint choristers of the summer, there is still, with our capri-
cious and tuneful mimic, a favorite theme more constantly
and regularly repeated than the rest. This was also the first
sound that I heard from him, delivered with great spirit, though
in the dreary month of January. This sweet and melodious
ditty, tscc-toot tscc-toot tscc-toot, and sometimes tsce-toot tscc-
toot sect, was usually uttered in a somewhat plaintive or tender
strain, varied at each repetition with the most delightful and
delicate tones, of which no conception can be formed without
experience. That this song has a sentimental air may be con-
ceived from its interpretation by the youths of the country,
who pretend to hear it say sivcet-hcart S7vcct-hcart sivcet ! Nor
is the illusion more than the natural truth ; for, usually, this
affectionate ditty is answered by its mate, sometimes in the
same note, at others, in a different call. In most cases it will
be remarked that the phrases of our songster are uttered in
3's ; by this means it will generally be practicable to distinguish
its performance from that of other birds, and particularly from

CAROLINA WREN.

275

wiltee.
'ireo in
note of
appear
of the
'//, and
I within
' ishiiry
1, yet in

, one of
?ated for
:V soolait
' tshukd-
ick; the
notes of
ariations,
) imagine
^y all the
lur capri-
onstantly
) the first
t, though
nelodious
toot /s(r-
or tender
(it fill and
^1 without
J be con-
country,
r^// Nor
,aUy, this
:s in the
;es it will
[ttered in
jstinguish
rlv from

the Cardinal Cirosbeak, whose expressions it often closely imi-
tates both in power and delivery. I shall never, I believe,
forget the soothing satisfaction and amusement J deriN'ed from
this little constant and unwearied minstrel, my sole vocal com-
panion through many weary miles of a vast, desolate, and
otherwise cheerless wilderness. Vet with all his readiness to
amuse by his Protean song, the epitome of all he had ever
heard or recollecteil, he was still studious of concealment,
keeping busily engaged near the groimd, or in low thickets, in
cpiest of his food ; and when he mounted a log or brush pile,
which he had just examined, his color, so similar to the fiUen
leaves and wintry livery of Nature, often prevented me from
gaining a glimpse of this wonderful and interesting mimic.

Like the preceding species, he has restless activity and a
love for prying into the darkest corners after his prey, and is
])articularly attached to the vicinity of rivers and wet places,
when not surrounded by gloomy shade. His quick and (ai)ri-
cious motions, antic jerks, and elevated tail resemble tne actions
of the House Wren. Imager and lively in his contracted llighl,
before shifting he quickly throws himself forward, so as ne;irly
to touch his perch previous to springing from his legs. In
Tuscaloosa and other towns in Alabama he appeared frctpiently
upon the tops of the barns and out-houses, delivering with
energy his varied and desultory lay. At I'allahassec, in West
Florida, I observed one of these birds chanting near the door
of a cottage, and occasionally imitating, in his way, the squall-
ing of the crying child within, so that, like the Mocking llinl,
all sounds, if novel, contribute to his amusement.

This species is common in the Southern States and north to 40^,
hein.fj extremely abundant in southern Illinois, and it occasionally
wanders to northern Ohio and to New York, Connecticut, Massa-
chusetts, and southern New Hami)sliire. Mr. Saunders reports
that one was taken near London, Ontario, in February, 1891.

jg^oxE. — The Florida Wren {T.Iudovicianus //lianiensis) \'?,
a lar"-er, darker form, which is restricted to southeastern Florida.

! !

siNciiNc] i;ikijs.

'.I

Mh..

•ii I

lu:

!<', 1

BKwicK's wri:n.

LON(i-l All.r.lJ 11UL>K WREN.

'I'llKMH lloKLS lilAVlCKIl.

Char. Above, chcslimt hiown; tail with durk l)ar.s; wings wot
l»arrecl ; huff stripe over eye; below, dull white; Ikuiks brown. Length
5 to 5J^2 inches.

A'fsf. Almost anywhere. In settled districts it is usually built in a
crevice of a house or barn; but in the woods a holluw tree or stump is
selected, or a clumi) of bushes. Composed of a mass of leaves, grass, etc.,
roughly put together.

/A.,,f. ,_7; white or with jjink tint, thickly marked with tine si)0ts of
reddish brown and purple; 0.65 X 0.50.

i'or the (lisc;ovcry of this beautiful species of ^\'ren, appar-
ently allied to the preceding, with which it seems nearly to
agree in size, we are indel)ted to the indefatigable Audubon, in
whose splendid work it is for the first time figured. It was
observed by its discoverer, towards the approach of winter, in
the lower i)art of Louisiana. Its manners are very similar to
those of other species, but instead of a song, at this season it
only uttered a low twitter.

Dr. l>achman foinid this species to be the most prevalent of
any other in the mountains of \'irginia. particidarly about the
Salt Suli)hur Springs, where they breed and i)ass the season.
The notes bear some resemblance to those of the Winter Wren,
being scarcely louder or more connected. From their habit ol
pryipg into holes and hollow logs they are suj^posed to breed in
such situations. Mr. Trudeau believes that the}- breed in Loui-
siana. In the marshy meadows of the Wahlamet Mr. Townsend
and myself fre([uently saw this species, accompanied by the
young, as early as the month of May. At this time they have
much the habit and manners of the Marsh Wren, and probaljly
nest in the tussocks of rank grass in which we so frequently
saw them gleaning their prey. They were now shy, and rarely
seen in the vicinity of our camp.

Bewick's Wren is abundant along the Mississippi valley, but is
rarely seen east of the Alleghanies or north of latitude 40°.

'-\

SIIOKT-DILLLl) MAKSII \VKi:\.

2/7

k but is

SHORr-i;ii.i.i:i) maksh wrkn.

Cismi iiokus sii.i.i.AKis.

CilAR. AIjovc, brovn, \ety dark on crown and l)ack, and streaked
evcrywliere with bultv ; winj;s and tail with dark l)ai> IjcIow. hutly
white, paler on throat and belly; Imast .md sides shaded with biown
I-cngth 4 to -I '2 inches.

^\V,v/. On the ground, amid a tuft of iii^h grass, in fresh-water marsh or
swampy meadow ; composed of grass, lined with vegetable down. L. du-
ally the tops of surrounding grass are wcaved above the nest, leaving an
entrance at the side.

Zi^;:,^. 0-b; white; 0.O5 X 0.50.

Tiiis amusing and not unnuisical little species inhabits the
lowest marshy meadows, but does not freciuent the reed-tlats.
It never visits cultivated grounds, and is at all times shy, timiil,
and suspicious. It arrives in this jiart of Massachusetts about
the close of the firrit week in May. and retires to the Soiiih by
the miildle of Se]nember at farthest, probably b\- ni^ht, as it is
never seen in ])rogress, so that its northern residence is only
l^olonged about four months. In winter this bird is seen from
South Carolina to Texas.

His presence is announced by his lively and quaint song of
Vj7/ ^tsJiip, li (/av (An (Ah' (An, delivered in haste and earnest
at short intervals, either when he is momited on a tuft of
sedge, or while perching on some low bush mar the skirt of
the marsh. The '/s/i '/,*///> is uttered with a strong aspiration,
and the remainder with a guttural echo. A\'hile thus engaged,
his head and t- il are alternately de])resscd and elevated, as if
the little odd jx'rformer were fixed on a pivot. Sometimes the
note varies to V.v//// 'A//// 'A7//(i', (//i' (///' (///' <///', the latter
part being a pleasant trill. When approached too closely, —
which not often ha]ipened, as he never permitted me to come
within two or diree feet of his station, — his song became
harsh and more hurried, like 'A//// (/d (At dd, and (A' r/c (A' (A'
iV (P (Ah, or tsJic (A- r/c (A- dc, rising into an angry, petulant cry,
sometimes also a low, hoarse, and scolding (Am^li (Aa'n^h ; then
again on invading the nest the sound sank to a plaintive Usk

i .

-i ■

' ■■ Jf'

■ ;. U

278

si.\(ii.\(; lUKDs.

/s/ti/>, '/i/i tship. In the early part of the breednig season the
male is very lively and musical, and in his best hunmr he tunes
up a 'A//// 'tship tship a i/,i\ with a pleasantly warbled and
reiterated </<•. At a later period another male uttered little else
than a hoarse antl guttural (/(fii;h, h.irdly louder than the croak-
ing of a frog. When approached, these birds repeatedly descend
into the grass, where they spend much of their time in (juest of
insects, tdiielly crustaceous, which with moths. ( onstilute their
l)rincipal food ; here, unseen, tiiey still sedulously utter their
quaint warbUng, and tship tship a ii,ry (An (An (An may for
about a month from their arrival bi' heard pleasantly echoing
on a fine morning from tiie borders of ever\ low marsh and wet
meadow ])rovided with tussocks of sedge-grass, in which they
indispensably dwell, for a time engaged in the cares and grati-
fication of raising and providing for their young.

The nest of the Short-billetl Marsh Wren is made wholly of
dry or ])artly green sedge, bent usually from the toj) of the
grassy tuft in which the fabric is situated. \\'ith much inge-
nuity and labor these simple materials are loosely entwined
together into a spherical form, with a small and rather obscure
entrance left in the side ; a thin lining is sometimes added to
the whole, of the linty fibres of tlie silk-weed or some other
similar material. 'I'he eggs, pure white and destitute of spots,
are probably from 6 t(j S. In a nest containing 7 eggs there
were 3 of them larger than the rest and perfectly fresh, while
the 4 snuincr were far advanced towards hatching ; from this
circumstance we may fairly infer that /'iv^ diiferent individuals
had laid in the same nest, — a circumstance more common
among wikl birds than is generally imagined. This is also the
more remarkable as the male of this species, like many other
Wrens, is much employed in making nests, of which not more
than one in three or four are ever occupied by the females.

The summer limits of this species, confounded with the
ordinary ]\^arsh-^^'ren, are yet unascertained ; and it is singu-
lar to remark how near it aii])roaches to another species in-
habiting the temperate parts of the southern hemisphere in
America, namely, the Sylvia p/atensis, figured and indicated by

on the

• luiics

(l and
tic else

croak-
[csccnd
jucst of
te tluir
;[■ tluir
;uay for
cchoinfj
and wet
ch they
id grati-

dioUy of
[) of the
L'h inge-
intwiiK'd
obscure
Idc'd to
other
f spots,
s there
1, while
om this
ividuals
ommon
also the
ny other
lot more
ales,
ith the
IS singii-
ecies in-
-)here in
:ated by

lie

I.ONCi-IULLKI) MARSn WkKN.

2/9

HulTon. The time of arrival and (K'|iarture in this <fpc< ic^,
agreeing exactly with the apiJearame of the Mar-.h Wren of
W'ikon, appears to prove that it also exists in Pennsylvania
with the following, who^e migration, according to Audubon, is
more than a month earlier and later than that of our bird. Mr.
( 'ooper, however, has not been able to meet with it in the
vicinity of New Vork, but I )r. I'rudeau found its nest in the
marshes of the 1 )elaware.

This Wren occurs thnnii^^hout the Mastcrii I'rovince nonh to
Massachusetts on the Atlantic, and in tlie wot to .Manitoba, breed-
ing generally ncMtli of 40^ and winterin;; in the (iulf States. It is
found in eastern Canada only on the marshes near Lake 6t. Clair.

LOXd-BII.I.I'l) MARSH WRKN.
CivinnioKis l>\| rsiKIS.

Char. .Above, dull roddisli hrown, darker on crown ; b.ick biack,
streaked witii white ; white line over eyes; winj;s and t.iil with dark b.ir3;
below, buffy white, sh.idetl uii sides with brown, l.ciiytii 5 to 5^^ inches.

.Vcsf. In a salt marsh or reedy swamp of interior, t'a>teiied to reeds or
cat-tails or a small biisii ; composed of ,y;rass and reeds, sometimes
plastered with mud, lined with tine grass or feathers. It is bulky and
spherical in form, the entrance at the sitle.

/t\v- 6-10 ; gcnerallv so thickly covered with dark-brown spots .is to
appear uniform chocolate with darker spots; 0.65 X 0.50.

This retiring inhabitant of marshes and the wet and sedgy
borders of rivers arrives in the Middle States of the Union
early in April, and retires to the South about the middle of
October. It is scarcely found to the north of the State of
New Vork, its place in New Mngland being usually occupied
by the preceding species, though a few individuals are known
to breed in the marshes near Cambridge and lioston.

It is a remarkably active and quaint little bird, skipping
and diving about with great activity after its insect food and
their larvne among the rank grass and rushes, near ponds and
the low banks of rivers, where alone it affects to dwell, laying
no claims to the immunities of the habitable circle of man.
but content with its favorite marshes ; neglected and seldom

2SO

SINGING BIRDS.

fji

III- : .:

''U-v\

» ?

f f

(

H-

■i-j-

seen, it rears its young in security. Tiie song, according to the
obser\ations of a friend, '<h very similar to that of the preced-
ing, — a sort of short, tremulous, and hurried warble. Its
notes were even yet heard in an island of the Delaware, opi)o-
site to Philadelphia, as late as the month of September, where
they were still in plenty in this secluded asylum. Towards tiie
close of the breeding season the song often falls off into a low,
gutturai, bubbling sound, which appears almost like an effort of
ventrilociuism.

The nest, according to Wilson, is generally suspended
among the reeds and securely tied to them at a sutificient
height above the access of the highest tides. It is formed of
wet rushes well intertwisted together, mixed with mud, and
fashioned into the form of a cocoa-nut, having a small orifice
left ip. the side for entrance. The prmcipal material of this
nt-st, as in the pre(r(ling species, is, however, according to
.\udubon, the leaves of the sedge-grass, on a tussock of which
it also occasionally rests. The young quit the nest about the
20th of June, and ihey generally have a second brood in the
course of the season. From liie number of empty nests found
in the vicinity of the residence of the Marsh Wren, it is
prottv evident that it is also much employed in the usual
suj/v ifluc-as or capricious labor of the genus. The pugnacious
character of the males, indeed, forbids the possibility of so
manv n n-; 'jcing amicably occupied in the near neighborhood
in which tliey are commonly found.

This Wren is common in suitable localities in Massachusetts, but
has not been found farther northward. It occurs westward to the
Pacific, and south (in winter) to the (iulf States. It appears on
Canadian territory only in .southern Ontario and .Manitoba.

Note. — Worthixgton's Marsh Wrkx {C. paliistns i^riscus)
and Marian's Marsh Wkkn {C. p. mariaiue) have been discov
ered somewhat recently, bo.h are smaller than true palustris.
Gfiscus is described as the palest of the three, and •• its dark mark-
ings are less pronounced. It is restricted to the coast of South
Carolina and (jeorgia,"' while iiiariancc has been found only on the
southwestern coast of Florida. The latter race is the darkest of
the three.

RUBV-C KOWN KI ) KING LET.

281

RUP.Y-CROWN 1<: I ) KINGLET.
Regulus CALEN I )U I .A .

Char. Above, olive, brighter on rump; crown witli a concealed patch
of rich scarlet, white at the base, — wanting in feniaie and young , white
ring around the eyes; wings and tail chi.^ky, the leathers edited witii dull
bul^; wings with two white bars, below, dull white tin;j,e(l with buff.
Length about 4J4 inches.

iVt.'f. In woodland, usually partially pensile, suspended iiom extrem-
ity of branch, — often placed on top of branch, sometimes against the
trunk, — on coniferous tree, 10 to jo feet Irom the ground: neatly and
compactly made of shreds of bark, gras>, ami moss, lined with feathers or
hair.

JS^j^s. 6-9; dull white or buff, spotted, ehietly around larger end, with
bright reddish brown; 0.55 X 0.43.

These beautiful little birds i)ass the summer and breeding
season in the colder parts of the North American continent,
penetrating even t(j the dreary coasts of ( irccnland, whert', as
well as around Hudson's Bay and Labrador, they rear their
young in solitude, and obtain abundance of the diminutive
flying insects, gnats, and t:ynips, on which with small cater-
pillars they and their young delight to feed. Li the months of
October and November the approach of winter in their natal
regions stimulates them to migrate towards the South, when
they arrive in the I'^astern and Middle S(;Ues, and frequent in
a familiar and unsuspicious manner the gardens and orchards ;
how flir they proceed to the South is uncertain. On the 12th
of Januar}' I observed them near C"h;nieston, South Carolina,
with companies of Sv/r/as busily darting through the ever-
greens in swampy situations in (piest of food, i^robably minute
larvre. About the first week in Marcli I again observed them
in W est Florida in great numbers, busily employed for hours
together in the tallest trees, some of which were alread\- un-
folding their blossoms, such as the maples and oaks. About
the beginning of .\pril they are seen in Pennsylvania on their
way to the dreary limits of the continent, where they only
arrive towards the close of May, so that in the extremity of
their range they do not stay more than three months. Wilson,

'Ii!

•I

SINGING BIRDS,

it would appear, sometimes met with them in Pennsylvania
even in summer; but as far as 1 can learn, they are never t)l)-
served in Massachusetts at that season, and with their nest and
habits of incubation we are unaccjuainted. In the fall they
seek society apparently with the 'litmouse and Golden-Crested
Kinglet, with whom they are intimately related in habits, man-
ners, and diet ; the whole forming a busy, silent, roving com-
pany, with no object in view but that of incessantly gleaning
their now scanty and retiring prey. So eagerly, indeed, are
they engaged at this time that scarcely feeling sympathy
for each other, or willing to die any death but that of famine,
they continue almost uninterruptedly to hunt through the same
tree from which their unfortunate companions have just fallen
by the destructive gun. They only make at this time, occa-
sionally, a feeble chirp, and take scarcely any alarm, however
near they are observed. Audubon met with this species breed-
ing in Labrador, but did not discover the nest; its song, he
remarks, is fully as sonorous as that of the Canary, — as pow-
erful and clear, and even more varied.

This species probably breeds from about latitude 45° to the
lower fur countries, and on the higher mountains to the southward.
Few nests have been discovered. Rev. Frank Ritchie found one
near Lennoxville. Quebec, and Harry Austen has taken another
near Halifax, in which he found 11 eggs.

The full song is much more elaborate and more beautiful tlian
the bird has usually been credited with, for it has been described
by writers who have heard only the thin, weak notes more gener-
allv uttered. Mr. Chapman describes this song as mellow and
riute-like, "loud enough to be heard several liundred yards: an
intricate warble past imitation or description, and rendered so
admirably that I never hear it now without feeling an impulse to
applaud."

Note. — Cuviek's Kixgi-F.t {Riyulii.'; cin'icr}) was placed on
the " Hvpothet'cal List" by the A. O. U. Committee. The simple
bird shot bv Audubon in Pennsylvania is the only specimen that
has been obtained.

i I

; !

Li.i

GOLDEX-CROWX F.D KI XG LI : T.

ReGULUS SATKArA.

Char. Above, olive, brightest on the rump; crown with patch of
orange red and yellow, bordered by black (female and young lacknig the
red) ; forehead and line over eyes and patch beneath, dull white ; wings
and tail dusky, the feathers edged with dull buff; two white bars on
wings; below, dull white with buff tint. Length 4 inches

A\st. In damp coniferous woods, often wholly or partiallv i)endent
from >niall twigs near end of branch (sometimes saddled upon the luaiuii)
10 to 50 feet from the ground; usually made ut green mos^ and lichens,
lined at bottom with shreds of soft bark and roots, and often with feathers
fastened to inside of edge, and so arranged that the tips droo|) over and
conceal tlie eggs ; sometimes the nest is a spherical mass of moss and
lichens, lined with vegetable down and wool ; tin entrance at the side.

y:,;;;'.!-. 6-10; usually creamy or pale buff, sometimes white, unmarked,
or dotted with pale reddi>h brown and lavender over entire surface,
often merely a wreath, more or le>s distinct around larger end; 0.55
X 0.45.

These diminutive birds are found, according to the season,
not only throughout Xorth America, but e\-cn in the West
Indies. They ajipear to be associated only in pairs, and are
seen on their southern route, in this ])art of Massachusetts, a
few days in October, and about the middle of the month, or a
little earlier or later according to the setting in of the sea-on,
as they appear to fly before the desolating storms of the north-
ern regions, whither they retire about May to breed. Some
few remain in Pennsylvania until December or January, pro-
ceeding probably but little farther south during the winter.
They are not known to reside in any part of Xew England,
retiring to the same remote and desolate limits of the farthest
North with the preceding species, of which they have most of

M-'

'ill

■J

'mam

284

SINGING BIRDS.

!■'•'

ii;

the habits. They are actively engaged during their transient
visits to the South in gleaning up insects and their lurking
larvne, for which they perambulate the branches of trees of
various kintls, frequenting gardens and orchards, and skii)ping
and vaulting from the twigs, sometimes head downwards like
the Chick'idec, with whom they often keep company, making
only now anii then a feeble chirp. They appear at this time
to search chiefly after spiders and dormant concealed coleop-
terous or shelly insects ; they are also said to feed on small
berries and some kinds of seeds, which they break open by
pecking with the bill in the manne of the Titmouse. They
likewise frequent the sheltered cedar and pine woods, in which
tht-y probably take up their roost at night. Early in April
they are seen on their return to the Nordi in Pennsylvania ; at
this time they dart among the blossoms of the maple and elm
in company with the preceding species, and appear more vola-
tile and actively engaged in seizing small flies on the wing, and
collecting minute, lurking cater])illars from the opening leaves.
* )n the 2ist of May, 1S35, I observed this species feeding
its full-fledged young in a tall pine-tree on the banks of the
Columbia River.

Tlic ranc;e of tliis species is now set down as " Fnstcrn North
America, breeding from the northern border of the United States
northward and southward along the Rockies and the Alleghanies;
wintering soutli to ( iuati'niala." I'ntil (|uite recentlv it was sup-
posed to be a migrant throui^di Massacluisetts. wintering in small
numl)ers. but has been discovered breeding in both r>erkshii'e and
Worcester counties. It is a resident of the settled portion of
Canada, though not common west of the Georgian Bay, and rarely
breeding south of latitude 45°.

The song is a rather simple " twittered warble," shrill and liigh-
pitclied.

id liigli-

BLUEBIRD.

SlALIA SIALIS.

Char. Male : above, azure blue, duller on checks ; throat, breast, and
sides reddisii brown ; belly and under tail-coverts white ; shalt^^ of feathers
in wing and tail, black. Female : duller, blue of back nii.\cd with grayish
brown; breast with less of rufous tint. Length about 6^4 inches.

A'est. In a hollow tree, deserted Woodpecker's IkjIc, or other excava-
tion or crevice, or in a bird-box ; meagrely lined with grass or feathers.

Eggs. 4-6 ; usually pale blue, sometime^ almost white ; o.S5 X 0.65.

These well-known and familiar favorites inhabit almost the
whole eastern side of the continent of America, from the 4<Sth
parallel to the very line of the tro])ics. Some appear to mi-
grate in winter to the liermiidas and llahama islands, though
most of those which pass the summer in the North only retire
to the Southern States or the tableland of Mexico. In S(juth
Carolina and Georgia they were abimdant in January and Feb-
ruary, and even on the 12th and 2Sth of tlie former month, the
weather being mild, a few of these wanderers warbled out their
sim])le notes from the naked limbs of the long-leaved pines.
Sometimes they even pass the winter in Pennsylvania, or at
least make their appearance with almost every relenting of the
severity of the winter or warm gleam of thawing sunshine.
From this circumstance of their roving about in cpiest of their
scanty food, like the hard-pressed and himgry Robin Redbreast,
who by degrees gains such courage from necessity as to enter
the cottage for his allowed crumbs, it has, without foundation,

' I 1

■

i ^f i

•■.f

286

SINGING lllRDS.

\\i

i«'

I -If

•t I
I i

- : : ■ ■

; 1 . ,

been supposed that our lUucbinl, in the interwils of his absence,
passes the tedious and stormy time in a state of dormancy;
but it is more probable that he iHes to some shclterctl glade,
some warm and more hosi)itable situation, to glean his frugal
fare from the berries of the cedar or the wintry fruits which
still remain ungathered in the swamps. Defended from the
severity of the cold, he nt)\v also, in all probability, roosts in
the hollows of decayed trees, — a situation which he generally
chooses for the site of his nest. In the South, at this cheer-
less season, l>luel)irds are seen to feed on the glutinous berries
of the mistletoe, the green-brier, and the sumach. Content with
their various fare, and little affected by the extremes of heat
and cold, they breed and si)end the summer from Labrador to
Natches, if not to Mexico, where great elevation pnjduces the
most temi)erate and mild of climates. They are also abundant,
at this season, to the west of the Mississippi, in the territories
of the Missouri and Arkansas.

In the Middle and Northern States the return of the Iilue-
bird to his old haunts round the barn and the orchard is
hailed as the first agreeable presage of returning spring, and he
is no less a messenger of grateful tidings to the farmer, than
an agreeable, familiar, and useful companion to all. Though
sometimes he makes a still earlier flitting visit, from the 3d to
the middle of March he comes hither as a permanent resident,
and is now accompanied by his mate, who immediately visits the
box in the garden, or the hollow in the decayed orchard tree,
which has served as the cradle of preceding generations of his
kindred. Affection and jealousy, as in the contending and re-
lated Thnishes, have considerable influence over the IJluebird.
He seeks perpetually the company of his mate, caresses and
soothes her with his amorous song, to which she faintly replies ;
and, like the faithful Rook, seeks occasion to show his gallan-
try by feeding her with some favorite insect. If a rival make
his appearance, the attack is instantaneous, the intruder is
driven with angry chattering from the precincts he has chosen,
and he now returns to warble out his notes of triumph by the
side of his cherished consort. The business of preparing and

BLUEIIIKD.

y.Q-

.'S

cleaning out the old nest or box now roninienres : and even
in October, before they bid farewell to their favorite mansion,
on fine days, inlluenced b\ the anticipation of the season, they
are often observed to go in and out of the box, as if examining
and planning out their future domicile. Little pains, however,
are recjuisite for the protection of the hardy young, and a sub-
stantial lining of hay, and now and then a few feathers, is all
that is prepared for the bru'od beyond the natural shelter of
the chosen situation. As the Martin and House Wren seek
out the favor and convenience of the box, contests are not
unfrequent with the parties for exclusive possession ; and the
latter, in various clandestine ways, exhibits his envy and hos-
tility to the favored lUuebird. As our birds are very prolific,
and constantly paired, they often raise 2 and sometimes prob-
ably 3 broods in the season ; the male taking the youngest
under his affectionate charge, while the female is engaged in
the act of mcubation.

Their principal food consists of insects, particularly beetles
and other shelly kinds ; they are also fond of sjjiders and
grasshoppers, for which they often, in company with their
young, ii> autumn, descend to the earth, in open i)asture fields
or waste grounds. Like our Thrushes, they, early in spring,
also collect the common wire -worm, or lulus, for food, as well
as other kinds of insects, which they commonly watch for,
while ])erched on the fences or low boughs of trees, and dart
after them to the ground as soon as perceived. They are
not, however, flycatchers, like the Sy/i'iio/ijs and Mitsi-iia/'iis,
but are rather industrious searchers for subsistence, like the
Thrushes, whose habits they wholly resemble in their mode
of feeding. In the autumn they regale themselves on various
kinds of berries, as those of the sour-gum, wild-cherry, and
others ; and later in the season, as winter apj)roaches. they
frequent the red cedars and several species of sumach for
their berries, eat persimmon^ in the Midille States, and many
other kinds of fruits, and even seah, — the last never enter-
ing into the diet of the proper Flycatchers. They have also,
occasionally, in a state of confinement, been reared and i<.i\

■W

288

SINGING 15IRDS.

tfl

'ii^

'IS.

t I

t >

on soaked bread and vegetable diet, on which they thrive as
well as does the Rol)in.

The song of the l)luebird, which continues almost uninter-
ruptedly from Marcli to October, is a soft, rather feeble, but
delicate and pleasing warble, often repeated at various times
of the day, but most fre([uently in early spring when the sky
is serene and the temperature mild and cheering. At this
season, before the earnest Robin pours out his more energetic
lay from the orchard tree or fence-rail, the sim])le song of this
almost domestic favorite is heard nearly alone ; and if at
length he be rivalled, at the dawn of day, by superior and
bolder songsters, he still relieves the silence of later hours by
his unwearied and affectionate attempts to please and accom-
pany his devoted mate. All his energy is poured out into this
simple ditty, and with an ecstatic feeling of delight he often
raises and (piivers his wings like the Mocking Orpheus, and
amidst his striving rivals in song, exerts his utmost powers to
introduce variety into his unborrowed and simple strain. On
hearkening some time to his notes, an evident similarity to the
song of the Thrush is observable ; but the accents are more
weak, faltering, and inclining to the ])laintive. As in many
other instances, it is nearly impossible to give any approxi-
mating idea of the expression of warbled sounds by words ; yet
their resemblance to some (]uaint ex]iressions, in part, may not
be useless, as an attempt to recall to memory these pleasing
associations with native harmony : so the IMuebirtl often at
the commencement of his song seems tenderly to call in a
whistled tone '//rar — //I'ar />//(v, btity ? or merely //<'<?;■ — /^/M',
and instantly follows this interrogatory call with a s(jft and warb-
ling trill. So much is this sound like that which these birds
frequently utter that on whistling the syllables in their accent,
even in the cool days of autumn, when they are nearly silent,
they often resume the answer in sympathy. During the period
of incubation, the male becomes much more silent, and utters
his notes princijially in the morning. More importantly
engaged, in now occasionally feeding his mate as well as him-
self, and perhaps desirous of securing the interesting occupa-

Ji i'ijii

< ^m

i5i.ui:r.iRi).

2S9

thrive as

; nnintcr-
?cble, but
JUS times

I the sky
At this

energetic
ig of this
md if at
erior and
hours by

II accom-
into this
he often

lens, and

[jowers to

ain. On

ity to the

are more

in many

approxi-

)rds ; yet

may not

pleasing

often at

call in a

— />u/y,

11(1 warb-

ese birds

accent,

ly silent,

period

d utters

Dortantly

as him-

occupa-

tion of his devoted consort, he avoids betraying the resort of
his charge by a cautious and silent interest in their fate, (len-
tle, peaceable, and funiliar when undisturl)e(l, his society is
courted by every lover of rural scenery; and it is not un-
cc^nnnon for the farmer to t'urui^h the iiluebird with a bo\, as
well as the Martin, in return for the pleasure of his <()m]Mn\,
the destruction he makes upon injurious insects, and tlir ( iim-
fulness of his song. Confident in this {jrotection, he >lio\vs
but little alarm for his undisturbed tenement ; whik' in the
remote orchard, e\|jecting no viNitor but an eneniv, in ( om-
])any with his anxious mate he bewails the approach of the
intruder, and llying round his head and hands, appear^ ])V his
actions to call down all danger tipou jiimself rather than ^ufter
any injury U) arrive to his helpless brood.

Towards autunni, in the UKMith of October, his cheerful song
nearly ceases, or is now changed into a single ])laintive note
o( /s/un-it:'//, while he passes with his tlitting companions o\er
the fading woods ; and as his song first brought the wiliouie
intelligence of sj)ring, so now his melancholy ]ilaint ])resages
but too truly the silent and mournful decay of Nature. i".\-en
when the leaves have fallen, and the iore^t no longer affords a
shelter from the blast, the faithful iUucbinls still linger over
their native fields, and only take their departure in Novrniber,
when at a considerable elevation, in the earl\' twilight of the
morning, till the opening of the day, they wing their way in
small roving troops to some milder regions in the South. lUit
yet, after this period, in the Midtlle States, with every return
of moderate weather we hear their sad note in the fields or in
the air, as if deploring the ravages of winter ; and so frequent
are their visits that they may be said to follow fair weather
through all their wanderings till the permanent return of sjiring.

If the Bluebird ever tried the climate of Labrador, it e\'i(lently
discovered tliat the weather there was not .suitable, for now it rarely
goes north of latitude 45°. A few pairs are seen every season
about the farm-lands on the upper St. John, in New brunswiek,
and I'hilip Cox has seen several at Newcastle, near the mouth of
the Miramichi. Conieau found a pair breeding at Godbout, and
Thompson reports that lliey have lately entered Manitoba.
\oL. 1. — 19

({ii

»t

WHlvVn-.AK.

S\XK()I.A (KNAMUF.

CllAR. Above, bluish pray; forehead and stripe dvcr eyes white;
patcii on check andwin^s l)lack; rump wliitc ; middle tail-feathers black,
rest white, broadly tijiped with black; under jiart.s white. In the female
the upper parts are brown, and unrlcr jxirts buff. Length 6}4 inches.

AVs/. In a crevice of a stone wall or a stone heap ; made of plant
stems and grass, lined with feathers, liair, or rabbit's fur.

ECk''^. 5-7; I'ale blue, sometimes spotted with pale tawny, or purple;
o..S5'xo.6s.

The first mention of the occurrence of this species in eastern
America appeared in Ilolboll's account of the liirds of Greenland,
issued in 1S46; it had been reported previously from the I'acific
coast by Vii^ors. In 1854 the name appeared in Cassin's work,
and in Baird's •' Repeat " of 1S59 it was recorded as "accidental
in the northern part of North America."

It should not be termed accidental at the present day, for it
occurs regularly in Greenland and Labrador and at Godbout, on
the St. Lawrence, and has been taken in winter in Nova Scotia,
Maine, New York, Long Island, Louisiana, and Bermuda.

American writers formerly gave the vernacular name as "Stone-
chat," or "Stone Chat," — Coues alone adding Wheatear (as a
synonym).

'lif

cs white ;

rs black,

|lic female

ichcs.

(if plant

Ir purple ;

eastern
feenland,

I'acitic
)'s work,
pcidental

', for it

|bout, on

Scotia,

>" Stone-
ir (as a

\viii:\riAK.

?9i

The Stoncchat is a (litfercnl bird, thouj^h Mafjillivray i ailed
the present species the " \Vhite-runii)ed Stoncchat." Tltrouglioiit
Kuroi)e tlie bird is c oininonlv known as the " Wliilf riiin|i."' and
Saunders considers the name •• wlicatear "' a coriiipti«)n ol u'ititr
and ars^ — the Anj;lo-.Sa\on equiv.iient ot the inodern woril
•• rump.*'

In i!uro])c and .Asia tlie sjiecies is aidindaiit, breedini^ from ten-
tral iuuope far to tlu' northward, and mi,iiratin<{ in wintir to north
ern Africa. A few winter in tlie Hritish Islands, ihouj^li these may
be of tin- ( Ireenland race, which some aiitliors think is a di^tinct
form, — lar.mr than those that breed in Kmope. as the (irecn-
land birds are known to migrate across Great l}ritaii\. Kidnway
states that the examples taken on our western coast are smaller and
more like those found in central lanope.

Formerly lar<ie numbers were tr.ipped in the autumn on the
Soutlulowns in Knglanii, and marketrd. being consickreil little
inferior in delicacy to the famous Ortolans.

The favorite resorts of the Wheatear at all seasons are the lonely
moors or open meadows by the sea-shore. It is an active bird and
always alert, keej)ing up a perpetual tiittmg. It is very terrrestrial,
though the (ireenlantl race is said to perch on trees more fre-
quently than the Kuropean bird.

The song is sweet and sprightly, and the male often sings while
hovering over his mate.

.Mr. Ilagerup writes to me that the birds in (ireenland sing at
times very similarly to the Snow Huntings, — a song that he never
heard from the Wheatears of Denmark, — and this song is ren-
dered by both females and males. Seebohm writes: "The love
notes form a sliort but pleasing song: and the more particularly
are we apt to view his performance with favor, because it gener-
ally greets the ear m wild and lonely places." And again : '• .Some-
times he warbles his notes on his perch. accompan\ ing tliem with
graceful motion of the wings, and finally launching into the air to
complete liis .song, the aerial fluttering seeming to give the perform-
ance additional vigor." Dixon has seen *' two Wheatears in the
air together, buffeting each other, and singing lustily all the time,
with all the sweetness that love rivalry inspires."

n'
I

AMKRKAX rilTP.

TITLAKK.
Anthus PKNSII.VANICUS.

Char. Above, olixc l)io\vn, edges of the feathers paler; line over
and around llie eve pale Initf ; winas dusky, edges of feathers pale brown ;
tail diiskv. middle feathers olive brown, large jiatches of white on outer
feathers; below, dull buff, breast and sides spotted with brown. Length
6ji inches.

.\('.r/. On the ground, usually sheltered by stone or mound ; a bulky
affair of grass, steins, moss, and lichens, — sometimes only grass is u^ed,
— often loosely made, occasionally compact.

A..yr. 4-6; variable in color, usuallv dull white covered thickly with
reddish lirown and purplish brown ; sometimes the markings so nearly
conceal the grotnul color as to give appearance of a brown egg with
gray streaks ; o So X 0.60.

This is a winter bird of passage in most parts of the United
States, arriving in loose, scattered flocks from the North, in
the Middle and Eastern States, about the second week in
October. In the month of .\]iril we saw nimierous flocks
flitting over the prairies of Missouri, on their way, no doubt,
to their breeding quarters in the interior. Aiidnbon foimd
these birds also in the summer on the drear}' coast of Labra-
dor. During the breeding season the male often rises on wing
to the height of eight or ten yards, uttering a few clear and

AMr.ktc.\> vivvv.

293

line over

le brown ;

on outer

Length

;x bulky
is u^etl,

kly with

-o nearly

egg with

United

orth, in

week in

flocks

doubt,

found

Labra-

on wing

ear and

mellow notes, and then suddenly settles down near the nest or
on some projecting rock. They leave I-abr.idor and New-
foMiidland as soon as the young are abU" to lly. or alxiut the
middle of August. .\cct)rding to their well-known habits, they
frequent open tlats, commons, an<l ploughed fields, like a
I. ark, nmning rai)idly along the groun<l, taking by suri>ri>e their
insect prey of llies, midges, and other kinds, and when re^t-
ini; for an instant, keeping the tail vibrating in the manner of
the Kuro])ean Wagtail. 'I'luy also frequent the river shores,
partictil irly where gravelly, in <[uest of nunute shell-fish, as
well as aquatic insects and their larvae. .\t this time they
utter only a feeble note or call, like Awv / /?i'<r/, with the final
tone often plaintively i)rolonged ; and when in tlocks, wheel
about and tly pretty high, and to a considerable distance before
they alight. Sometimes families oi these birds continue all
winter in the Mit'dle States, if the season prove moderate. In
the Southern States, particularly North and South Carolina,
they apjjear in great flocks in the depth of winter. On the
shores of the Santee, in January, I observed them gleaning
their food familiarly amidst the \'ultures. drawn by the nibbish
of the city conveyed to this quarter. They likewise frequent
the cornfields and rice-grounds for the same purpose. They
emigrate to the Bermudas, Cuba, and Jamaica, and penetrate
in the course of the winter even to Mexico, Guiana, and
Dra7.ii, They also inhabit the plains of the Oregon. They
are again seen on their return to the North, in Pennsylvania,
about the beginning of May or close of April.

The Titlark is distributed over North America at large, breed-
ing in subarctic res^ions and wintering in the Ciulf States and
Central America. During the aiitiuun niiiirations it is abundant
on the moorlands along the coasts of New England and the
Maritime Provinces.

XoTE. — Two European conu;eners of the TiUark. the White
W.\GTAIL {Motacilhj allni) and the .Mi:ai)OW Piimt {Ant/iiis pnt-
/I'fi.i/s) have been captured in Greenland, but should be considered
merelv as " accidentals" in that region.

Spkaguk's Piimt (.h//////s spra^ueii), a bird of the western
plains, has been taken near Charleston, S. C.

> ■ n

^•" ■ ■ T'

^M&mMk^

^i<K^

: ':'

HORNED LARK.

SIlOKl': I.AKK.
Ol'OiOKlS AI.l'l SI RIS.

ClfAR. Above, dull gravi^h lirown streaked with darker: nape, shrul-
dcrs, and nunp i)iiik-vinace(iu!i cimi.r. ion; black bar acro>» furehead and
along sides of head, terminating in erectile horn-like tufts; throat and
line over the eves, vellow : black bar from nostril curving l)elo\v the eyes;
l>el(i\v, dull white, shaded on the sides with same color as back; breast
tinged with yellow and bearing large black patch; niiddie tail-feathers
like back, the rest black, with white patches on outer pair. Length about
7_^ inches.

/\V.>7. On tlu ground, amid abed of mo^■.s ; cotnposed of gras<, lined
with feathers.

F.,:;:^s. 4-5 . dull white with buff or purple tint spotted with purplish
brown or olive blown and lilac; 0.93 X 0.70.

This beautiful spet ies is comiTion to the north of both the old
and new continent ; but, as in some other instances already re-
marked, the Shore Lark extends its migrations nmch farther mer
America than over Liiroj^e and Asia. Our bird has been met
with in the Arctic regions by the numerous voy.igers, and Mr.
Bullock saw it in the winter around the city of Mexico, so that
in their migrations over this continent these birds >pread them-
selves across the whole habitable northern hemisphere to the
very equator ; while in Liirope, according to the careful obser-

fev-:i

i i'i'

fc^^

; -ti^

\ -■■

pe, shf Ill-
head and
hr<iat and
the ovLs;
k ; breast
il-fcathcrs
^th about

as-, lined

purplish

n the old
k-i(ly re-
luT ovor
leon mt't
and Mr.
so that
id ilK-m-
■e to tlie
lul obser-

IIORXKD I.ARK.

295

vations of Temminck, they .irc unknown to the south of Ocr-
niany. Palhis met with these birds round Lake liaikal and on
the \'olga, in the 53d degree of latitude. W estward they have
also been seen in the interior of the United States, along the
shores of the Missouri.

They arrive in the Northern and Middle States late in the
fall or commencement of winter. In New I'.ngland thev are
seen early in October, and disappear gcnerall\ on the apj)roach
of the deep storms (if snow, though straggling parlies are still
found nearly throughout the winter. In the other States to
the South they are more c(juunon at this season, and are jiar-
ticularly numerous in South Carolina and decjrgia. friHpienting
ojjen plains, t)ld fields, common grounds, and the dry shores
and banks of bays and ri\ers, keei)ing constantlv on the
ground, and roving alxjut in families under the guid.'.nce of the
older birds, who, watching for any apjjroac hing danger, give
the alarm to the young in a plaintive call ^-. ry similar to that
which is uttered by the Skylark in the same cin uin-.tances.
Inseparable in all their movements, like the hen and her fos-
tered chickens, they roost together in a close ring or com-
pany, by the mere edge of some sheltering weed or tuft k){
grass on the dry and gravelly gnjund, an<l thickly and warmly
clad, they abide the frost and the storm with hardy imlilVe-
rence. They lly rather high and loose, in scattered companies,
and follow no regular time of migration, but move onward only
as their present resources begin to fail. They are usually fat,
esteemed as food, and are fre(iuently seen exjx^ed for sale in
our markets. Their diet, as usual, consists of various kinds of
seeds which still remain on the grass and wi'eds the\- freiiuent,
and they swallow a considerable |)ortion of gravel to assist
their digestion. They also collect the eggs and dormant
larva^ of insects when they fall in thi'irway. About the middle
of March they retire to the North, and are seen about the
beginning of May round Hudson lla.y, after which they are
no more obser\'ed till the return of autumn, 'i'hey arrive in
the fur countries along with the I.a])land I'jimtings, with which
they associate ; and being more shy, act the sentinel usually to

i t

■ f

w k

'I '^'

296

SINGING IHRDS.

the whole company in advcrtisnig them of the approach of
danger. They soon after retire to the marshy and wuotly (hs-
tricts to l)reed, extentUng their summer range to the Arctic Sea.
They are sai<l to sing well, rising into the air and warbling as
they ascend, in the manner of the Skylark of Europe. '-'Ihe
male," says Audubon, like the Common Lark. " soars into the
air, sings with cheerfulness ov-r the resort of his mate, and
roosts beside her and his nest on the ground, having at this
season a very remarkable ai)pearance in the development of
the black and horn-like egrets."

Hapin' Nuttall, to have died helorc "variety making' came into
fashion! ]'<>u had but one form ul Horned Lark to dual with,
while I am confronted with eleven. Fortunately a largL' number of
these sub-species have never taken it into tiieir horned heads to
cross into the territory under present consideration, so I am saved
from puzzling myself and my readers with their diagnosis.

The true alpestris is found during sununer in the region be-
tween the (iulf of .St. Lawrence and Greenland west to Hudson
Bay, and in winter south to about latitude 35^. It is cjuite common
along the New England shores while migrating and in winter.

Tlie Pkaikiic Hornko Lark {O. alpestris praticoUi) is a smaller
bird with very gray back ; line over eyes white; c\\\n pale yellow.

This race is found in summer along the upper Mississippi valley
and (ireat Lake region, eastward sjjaringly to Montreal. \'ermont,
and Long Island. It is resident over the greater portion of its
range, but some few winter south to the Carolinas and Texas.

If.

-ra

i 'I

SKY I. ARK.

Alauda au\f.nsis.

Chak. Above, yellowish brown streaked with dark brown, darkest on
back and crown ; buff streak over the eye ; wings brown, margined with
buff and tipped with white ; outer tail-feathers mostlv white ; below, pale
buff, spotted and streaked with brown. Length atiout 7 inches.

A'tsf. In a meadow, under a tuft of grass ; made of coarse and fine
grass.

^AX^- 3~5 ; ^li'" 'A^^y> marked with olive brown ; 0.91; X 0.70.

Altlioii«;h not mentioned by Nuttall, this I'.tiropcan bird becomes
entitled to a place anioni;; tlie birds of America tliroii!,di its occur-
rence casually in Creenland and Ucrnnida. About 1.SS6 a number
of these birds were liberated in New \'()rk State and New Jersey,
and in 1SS8 a colony appeared established at i'latbush, Lonjj
Island : but the experiment has not been successful, for this colony
has disappeared, and Mr. Frank M. Chajinian. writint^ in 1805,
says: ".At the present time tlie species is not known to exist in
North America in a wild state."

(1)1
ill

298 SINGING BIRDS.

DICKCISSKL.

BLACK-TIIKOATKD HUNTING.

SPIZA A.MKKICANA.

Thar. Male: above, ,t;ray Ijiowii, inidcUc of back streaked with
bkick ; iiai)c and side ot head ash , ciown olive streaked with dusky ; line
over the eyes yellow ; chin white ; large patch of black on throat ; two
wing-bars chestnut ; edge of wing yellow; below, wiiite tinged with yel-
low ; sides shaded with brown. Female: similar, somewhat smaller;
throat without patch, but with black spots ; less tinge of yellow on lower
parts. Length 6 to 7 inches.

Ais/. On the i)rairie or in a field or pasture or open scrubbv woods ;
placed ujjon the ground or in a bush or low tree, sometimes 10 to 20
feet from ground , made of grass, wecd-stalks, leaves, and roots, lined
with hue grass or hair.

ii>o. 4-5 ; pale greenish blue, unspotted ; o.So X 0.60.

These birds arrive in Pennsylvania and New England from
the South about the middle of May, and abotmd in the vicinity
of rhiladelphia, where they seem to prefer level fields, building
their nests on the groimd, ehiefly of fine withered grass. 'J'hey
also inhabit the ])rairies of Missouri, the State of New York,
the remote northern regions of Hudson's Uay, and are not un-
common in this i^art of New England, dwelling here, however,
almost exclusively in the high, fresh meadows near the salt-
marshes. Their song, simi)le and monotonous, according to
^Vilson consists only of five notes, or rather two, the first
being rejicated twice and slowly, the second thrice and rapidly,
resembling /s//s/^ tship, tshc tshc tshc. ^^'ith us their call is 'tic
'til — tshc tshc tshc tsh'ip, and tship tship, tshc tshc tshc tsliip.
From their arrival nearly to their departure, or for two or three
months, this note is perpetually heard from every level fielil of
grain or grass ; both sexes also often mount to the top of some
low tree of the orchard or meadow, and there conlimte to
chirp forth in tinison their sinijile ditty for an hour at a time.
While thus engaged they may l)e nearly approached without
exhibiting any appearance of alarm or suspicion ; and though
the species appears to be numerous, they live in harmony, and

I l<

ked with
isk\ ; line
oat ; two
with yel-
smalitr ;
on lower

y woods ;

lo to 20

ots, lined

nd from
vicinity
building
;. They
w York,
not un-

lOWCVCV,

he salt-
ding to
the first
rapidly,
is 'tic
he i.diif^.
or three
field of
of some
in lie to
a time,
without
though
)nv, and

DICKCISSEL.

299

rarely display any hostility to the birds around them, or
amongst each (Jther. In August they become miUe, and about
the beginning of Sei)tember depart for the South, wintering as
well as breetling in Texas and other parts of Mexico, but are
not seen in the Southern States at any jjeriod of the winter.
Their food consists of seeds, eggs of insects, and gravel, and in
the early i)art of summer they sul).-,ist much upon caterpillars
and small coleopterous insects ; they arc also among the many
usual destroyers of the ruinous cankerworm.

This species is now restricted chictly to the \ alh y of the Mis-
sissippi, though it occurs s[)arinuly in southern New Kngland, but
is merely accidental fartlicr to the northward. Tiic oidy example s
that have been met with in Canada were tlie few that Mr. William
E. Saunders *"ound breeding at Point Pelee in southern Ontario.

Mr. William brewster, writing of this species, says: •• It is nnw
uncjuestionably one of the rarest species known to breed within
this rei^ion (New f^ngland). Moreover, within the past two de-
cades it has practically tlisappeared from the .Middle Stales, where
it was formerly abundant, and at many localities west of the .\lle-
ghanii's and east of the Mississippi its numbers have diminished
steadily and more or less r.ipidly."

XoTK. — Townsicnd's IU'ntinc; {Spiza to:^'nsLiit1ii) was placed
on the '• Hypothetical List "' by the A. O. U . Committee. The type
specimen taken by .Mr. Townsend in Penns^Kania remains unicpie.

The Lark ]>u.\ti.n(. {Calamospha uiclanoioiys) has been seen
in Massachusetts and Long Island, — the only instances of its oc-
currence east of the Great Plains.

•- ^

Hi'

(lii

SNOW FT, ARE.

SNOW nUNTING. WIllTK SNOW BIRD.
P[,F,(.'rR< )I'HK\AX N'lVAT.lS.

Char. Tn summer, prevailing color white; middle of liack, wings, and
tail mixed with black. In autumn the d.irk color is extended, the black
being broadly margined with tawnv brown, which gradually becomes white
as winter advances. Length about 6'/ inches.

jVrsf. On a barren hillside, under shelter of a rock or in a stone heap,
sometimes in cavity of a sand-bank; compactly built of dry grass, plant
stems, and moss, lined with feathers and hair.

/\i,%'s. 4-6 ; dull white, with faint tint of blue or green, spotted, chiefly
aroimd larger end, with reddish brown and lavender; 0.90 X O.65.

This messenger of coUl antl stormy weather chiefly in-
habits the higher regions of the Arctic circle, whence, as the
severity of the winter threatens, they migrate indifferently over
Europe, eastern Asia, and the Tnited States. On their way to
the South they appear round Hudson IJay in September, and
stay till the frosts of November again oblige them to seek out
warmer quarters. I'^arly in December they make their descent

lili:

SNOWFI.AKK

301

1, chiefly

fly in-
as the
ly over
way to
-T, and
.'ek out
lesf^ont

into the Northern States in whirling roving flocks, either im-
mediately before or soon after an inundating fall of snow.
Amidst the drifts, and as they accumulate with the Mast, flocks
of these ///?i.'(irs /ci^i/. or bad-weather birds, of the Swedes, like
the spirits of the storm are to be seen flitting about in restless
and hungry troo])s, at times resting on the wooden fences,
tl-.ough but for an instant, as, like the ( ongcnial Tartar hordes
of tiicir natal regions, they appear now to have no other
objec I in view but an escape from famine and to tarr)' on a
general system of forage while they happen to stay in the
vicinity. At times, pressed by hunger, they alight near the
door of the cottage and ai)proach the barn, or even venture
into the out-houses in ijuest of ilormant inse< ts. seeds, or
crumbs wherewith to allay their hunger ; they are still, how-
ever, generally pltnup and fat, and in some countries nmch
esteemed for the table. In fine weather they appear less rest-
less, somewhat more familiar, and occasionally even at this
season they chant out a few unconnected notes as they sur\ey
the h;)p])ier face of Nature. At the period of incubation they
are said to sing agreeably, l)nt ai)iK'ar to seek out the most
desolate regions of the cheerless North in whi( h to waste the
sweetness of their melody, unheard by any ear but that of their
mates. In the dreary wastes of (Ireenland, the naked I.ipland
Alps, and the scarcely habitable Spitzbergen, boun<l with eter-
nal ice, they jiass the season of rei)roduction seeking out the
fissures of rocks on the mountains in which to fix their nests
about the month of May or June. .\ few are known to breed
in the alpine declivities of the \\'hite Nbjuntains of New
Ilamjishire. The nest is here fixed on the ground in the
shelter of low bushes, and formed nearly of the same materials
as that of the Common Song Sjiarrow.

At times they proceed as far south in the United States as
the State of Maryland. They are here generally known by the
name of the White Snow liird, to distinguish them from the
more common dark-bluish Sparrow, so called. They var\' in
their color accortling to age and season, and have always a
great predominance of white in their plumage.

'(■

i^i

;502

SINGING UIRiiS.

The Snow l^untings arc seen in spring to assemble in Nor-
way and its islands in great nnnibers ; and after a stay of about
three weeks they ilisajjpear for the season, and migrate across
the .\r(ti<: Ocean to tiie firihest known land. Un their return
in winter to the Sixjttish Highlands their llo( ks are said to be
immense, mingling, by an aggregating close tlight, almost into
the form of a ball, so as to present a very fatal and successful
mark for the fowler. They airi\e lean, but soon become fat.
In Austria they are caught in snares or traps, and when fed
with ,;<illet become e(iual to th(.' ( )rtolan in v.'lue and lla\-or.
/ bcr caged they show a very wakeful disposition, instantly
' .])p n/ al)out in the night when a light is protluce-d. Indul-
gence in I 's constant train of action and jjcrpetual wai( iitul-
ness may perhajw have its inlluence on this ^jjccies, in the
selection of their breeding j)laces within the Arctic regions,
where for months they (oiuinue to enjoy a perpetual day.

The food of these birds consists of vari(,us kinds of seeds
and the larvae of insects and miniUe shell-fish ; the seed^ of
a(inaiic plants are also Nometimes sought bv them, and I ha.ve
found in their stomachs those of the Riif^l^iii, species of Poly-
i^oniiin. and gravel. In a state of confinement they shell and
eat oats, millet, hemp-seed, and green peas, which the\' s])lit.
'I'hey rarely perch, ami, like Larks, live much on the ground.

This harbinger of winter breeds in the northernmost of the
American islands and on all the shores of the continent from
Chesterfield Inlet to I'.ehring's Straits. The most southerly of
its breeding stations in America, according to Richardson, is
Southampton Island, m the 62(1 parallel, where Captain Lyons
found a nest, by a strange fatality, j)laced in the bosom of the
exposed corpse of an Lsquimaux child. Well clothed and
hardy by nature, the Snow Hunting even lingers about the forts
of the fur countries and open places, picking uj') grass-seeds,
until the snow becomes deep. It is only during the months
of December and January that it retires to the southward
of Saskatchewan, and it is seen again there on its return
as early as the middle of February, two months after which
it arrives in the 65th parallel, and by the beginning of May it

■i:!iin

SNOWII.AKK.

303

n Nor-

f about
across
re turn

1 to 1)1'

jst into
;:cessl"ul
imc fat.
hen k(l
1 tlivor.
nslantly
In.lul-
ati hful-
, in ilic
regions,
ly.

:)f seeds
sce(l> of
il I have

of r<>/v-

hell and
ey split,
roinid.
st of the
nt from
Itheiiy of
lid son, is
n Lyons
n of the
ficd and
Ithe forts
s-seeds,
months
uthward
;-, return
r which
May it

has penetrated to the coast of the Polar Sea. At this period it
feeds upon the buds of the purple saxifrage (.V(/.\7//(/;,(/ opl^osi-
tijolia), one of the most early of the An tie plants.

As the Snow Hunting sometimes begins to vir^it i' I nited
States in October, it appears pretty certain that ^onic of these
birds breed almost, if not ([uite, within the northern liniii> of
the I nion ; and as statetl elsewhere, a ne^5t has been fountl
near the rocky summit of the White Mountains of New
llaiupshire.

The Snow nuutiiii; is usually restricted in summer to the higher
latitudes, — Irum Labrador and the (ireat Slave Lake n -Jon to the
Arctic Ocean, — but an occasional tlock is seen fartlui .soiithwanl,
and nests have been taken in *1ie White Mountains. Tn wini >•
these birds range south to the dd'.' States, occasionallv j^oini^ as
far as •• (leorgia and Kansas." iMi .bers spenrl tin- winter in New
lirunswick, gathering' in timk. ■>? twenty to tifty. Thev are to be
seen about the suburbs of St. John as \\v\\ as on the ni.ir^ins of
lakes in the deep forests.

Mr. A. Hauerup. who ?aw considerable of this bird when in
(ireenland, writes to me t t the son^ is a sweet and pleasing
melody, though rather disconnected, ''delivered in short stanzas."
"Warbling," he adds, " is perhaps the Ln^lish word liesl suited to
describe its character."

'\ \

/'•

■■^■"'■'■■,f>'i ,.

^r^i>i;^\.

LAPLAND I.ONCISI'UR.

CaIaAKIIS I AI'I'ONUUS,

Char. Above, brownish lilack. the featlicrs edged with dull buff,
wing -feathers witli dull b.iv ; liead and throat rich black (female and
young have the crown same as back) : line from eyes and down side of
tiiro:il. white; band of bright cliestiuit across hind-neck; tail with patches
of white on outer fiatiiers ; below, dull white, breast and sides marked
with black; bill yellow, tijiped with bhu k ; legs and feet black. Lengtli
about T)'/ inches.

A'iSt. In swampv moorlands, amid deep moss or tuft of grass, or at
the base of a mound ; composed of grass, plant-stems, roots, and moss,
lined with feathers or deer's hair.

/•,';';^'-j. 4-7 ; pale grayish brown or reddish brown, marked with dark
brown ; o.So X 0.60.

This species generally inhabits the desolate Arctic regions of
both continents. In the United States a few stragglers from
the greater body show themselves in winter in the remote and

LAri.AXl) T.ONCSI'IK.

335

/;«

imscttlc(i parts of Maine, Mi< hij^an, and the Northwott-rn
'Icrritorics. Lari;o flocks also at tinu-s rntcr 'the TnicMi, ajul
contrary to their usu.il practice of resting ami living wholly on
the gronnd, occasionally alight on trees. They leave the colder
Arctic deserts in the autumn, and are founc' arotnid Ilmlson
Hay on their way to the South in winter, not making their
appearance there before November. Near Severn Kiver they
haunt the cedar-trees, upon whose berries they now prin< i
pally feed. They /live in large flocks, and are so gregarious
that when separated- from their own species, or in small par-
ties, they usually, in luirope, associate with the common Larks,
or, in America, they join the roving bands of Snow liinls. In
the fur countries they extend their migrations in the spring as
far as the 65th parallel, where they were seen about I'ort
l""ranklin by the beginning of May ; at this time the)' fed mu( h
upon the seeds of the Alpine arbutus. They feed princii)ally
on seeds, and also on grass, leaves, buds, and insects. They
breed on small hillocks, among moss and stone>, in o\>vi\
marshy fields, and the nest is thickly and loosely constructed
of moss and grass, and lined with a few feathers and deer's
hair. The I.ongsjnir, like the I. ark, sings only as it rises in
the air, in which, suspended aloft, it utters a few agreeable and
melodious notes.

dull buff,
•cinale and
Iwn side <>f
itli patches
lies marked
|k. Ixngth

Igrass, or at
and moss,

ll with dark

Iregions of
klers from
mote and

'I"lu' I.ongspur occurs in winter in South Carolina, Kentucky,
aiul Kansas, though it is not common south of alxuit 40^.

Of its song Mr. Hagerup writes to me: "It sounds best when
the bird, after mounting up in the sky, drops slowly to the earth
with extended wings. Tlie song is not very lon<;. but has a sweet,
riute-Iike tone, and though tlie melodv is attractive, it is almost mel-
ancholy in its wikl plaintiveness, — as. indeed, all tiie notes of this
species are."

NoTii. — The CHi:sTNt'T-coLi.AREn LoxfJsi'i'K {Ca/c-iuius or-
H(jtus) has been taken in Massachusetts and Long Island.

.Smith's LoNdSPUit {Calcan'us pictusX which occurs in the in-
terior, — breeding
Ocean, — is found,

from the Great Slave Lake district to the Arctic
in winter, in Illinois.

VOL. I.

7BP2

u-'

■>':'?^'^;;H

•7W

'fl

I ;

! i

s(\\rt,i:t taxag er.

PiRANOA ERYTFIROMF.LAS.

Char. Male: scarlet, with black wings ami tail. Male in wintir:
similar 'o female, but wilii bl.iek wings and tail. Female and young;
above, olive ; wings and tail dusky, the feathers edged witli olive ; below,
greenish yellow. Length 7 to 7'_. inches.

A'l'sf. In a woodland grove, sometimes in an orchard, placed near the
extrenuty of a horizontal limb 10 to 20 feet from the grouml ; compo.^Lcl
of twigs, roots, or shreds of bark, and lined with routs, sometimes with
pine-needles.

■'-^iV-f- 3~5 (usually 4) ; dull white or with blue tinge, thickly marked,
with several shades of brown and lilac ; 0.95 X 0.65.

This splendid and transient resident, accompanying fine
weather in all his wanderings, arrives from his winter station in
trojiical .America from the beginning to the middle of INTay,
and extends his migrations probably to Nova Scotia as well as
Canada. With the shy. tmsocial, and suspicious habits of his
gaudy fraternity, he takes up Iu.t abode in the deepest recess

fWN

SCAKI.F/r TANA(ii:K.

307

in winter :

unci young-

llivc ; below,

Iced ne.ir the

; conipoM-'d

lictimes with

|:kly marked,

[nying fine

station in

|o of May,

as well a<5
[hits of his
Dcst recess

of the forest, where, timidly flitting' from ob>er\Mtion, he d.irts
from tree to tree like a lla^hiiii; meteor. A gaiuly sylph, con-
scious of his brilliance antl the exposure to \vhi< l» it subjects
hiin, he seems to avoid remark, ami ir> only solicitous to Ik*
knt)\vn to his humbK- mue, and hid from all K^iilcs. He
therefore rarely approaches the habitations of men, unless
perhaps the skirts o\' the orchard, where he sometimes, how-
ever, builds his nest, and takes a taste of the early and invitinj^,
tlu)Ugh forbidden, cherries.

Among the thick foliage of the tree in which ho seeks stip-
port and shelter, from the lofty branches, at times we hear his
almost monotonous A////> ((•i/rr, tsliif^-hitt , or fshukih/t't', />/;//-
kiii/tt- rei)e.ited at short intervals and in a pensive umlertone,
heightened by the solitude m which he delights to dwell. The
same note is also uttered by the female when the retreat of
herself and young is approached ; and the male occasionally
utters in recognition to his mate, as they perambulate the
branches, a low whispering 'A/// in a tone of caution and ten«ler-
ness. But besides these calls on the female, he has also dur-
ing the period of incubation, and tor a considerable time after,
a more musical strain, resembling somewhat in the mellowness
of its tones the song of the fifmg Baltimore. The syllables
to whiih I have hearkened appear like Ws/wcrr 'wiiif ';»•<///
^'I't'ho'ii'it wait, and ^li'ait ^I'chd-u'il vca i^'uif, with other atldi-
tions of harmony for which no words are adecjuate. This
pleasing and highly musical meandering ditty is delivered for
hours, in a contemplative inood, in the same tree with his
busy consort. If surjiriscd. they flit together, but soon return
to their favorite station in the spreading boughs of the shady
oak or hickory. The song resembles that of the Red-eyetl
\'ireo in its compass and strain, tlioiigh nuu h superior, the
'7i'(/// icaif being whistled very sweetly in several tones and
with emphasis, so that upon the whole, our Piiiini^a may l>e
considered as duly entitled to various excellence-, being harmless
to the farmer, brilliant in plumage, and harmonious in voice.

These birds only sojourn long enough to rear their single
brood, which are here fledged early in July, le ing us already

;o8

SINCiINC; lURDS.

't .)]■

for the South about the middle- or (lose of Aupi^t. or as soon
as the young arc well able to endure liie fatigue of an extensi\e
migration in company with their parents. The female ;»hows
great solicitude for the safet\ of her only bnxMJ, and on an
api)roa( h to the nest ai)pears to l)e in great disire-s and aj)pre-
hension. \\ hen they are released from her more immediate
protection, the male, at fust cautious and distant, nuw attends
and feeds them with a( li\it\. being altogether indiUerent to
th.'.t concealment which his gaud\ dress seem> to retjuire from
his natural enemies. So attached to his now interesting brood
is the Scarlet 'i'anager that he has been known, at all ha/.ards,
to follow for half a mile one of his young, submitting to Wi-d
it attentively throimh the bars of a cage, and, with a devotion
which despair couM not damj), roost by in the branche> <»f the
same tree with its jtrison ; so strong, indeed, is thi-> innate and
heroic feeling that lifi' itself is le.>> cherisheii than the de;>ire
of aiding and supporting his endearing ])rogeny (Wilson).

'Ihe food of the Scarlet 'I'anager while with u^ consists
chielly of winged insects, wasps, hornets, and wiKl bees, as?
Weil as smaller kinds of beetles and other shelly tribes ; it
probably al^o sometimes feeds on see<ls, ami i> jtarticularly
partial to whortleberries and other kinds which the season
affords.

About the beginning of August the male begins to moult,
anil then exchanges his uu|)tial scarlet for the greenish livery
of the female. At this period these birds le.sve us; ami ha\ing
])assed the winter in the celibacy indicated by this humble
garb, they arrive again among ii.-. on its vernal renewal, and
so >iOon after this change that individuals are at this time occa-
sionally seen with the speckled livery of early autunn), or with
a confuted mixture of green an! scarlet feathers in scattered
l)atches.

The Scarlet Tanager is common tlirouiihoiit this Eastern Prov-
ince north to about latitude 44', and occurs sjjarinijly along the
Ai,aiaj)olis valley, in Nova Scotia and alontr the \ alley of the .St.
John in New liruiiswii k, also near the city of Quebec and in the
vicinity of Lake Winnipeg It breeds from \irginia norliiwaul
and winters in northern South .Vinerica.

s soon
;cnsive
shows
on an
ai)i>rt'-
ncdiale
.uunils
nni to
re- troni
U briiod
ha/.iinl>.
lo iVcd
levotion

naiL- a IV I
ic (Ichiro

jn).
lonsisls

brcs. aif

ribcs ; it

rtuularly

ic season

,) vnoiilt,

i,h livery

1(1 havin;^

, hmnlile

■wal. ami

luc (><"«a-

n, or with

scatiorcil

icrn I'rov-
alonu the
I of the St.
land in the
lnoriii\\'"'i

SUMMER lANAllER. 309

SUMM1:R lANACiKR.

su.m.mi;k ki.1)-i;ikd.

I'lkANt.A kli;ka.

Char. Male: ricli vermilion, duller above. Female and young:
above, dull ulivc ; below, thill bull. Length about 7)3 inche.-'.

iWy/. On the edge ol an open grove or by a roadMilu, placed near
the extremity ot a horiiiontal limb, eonipo>(.d ol grass, leaves, ami vcgc-
tabie tibre, lined vviih gras.-^.

>'-v^•>■• 3"4 ; bright green, sometimes with a tinge ot bine, >potted.
chiefly near the larger end, with various .-shades ot brown and purple ;
0.95 X 0.65.

This brilliant and transient resident, hkc the fanner spc'( ies,
passes the greatest p.irt tif the year in Uoiik il .\nieri(;i, whence
in his gaudy nnjjtiai suit he presents hiniseU' with his hiiinlde
mate in tlie Sotitiiern Stales in the latter end ot" April or by
the 1st of May. In I'e!uis\i\ania tlu->e birds .ire but rarely
seen, though in the warm and sand)' liartvn forests of New-
Jersey several pairs may usually be observed in the . ourse of
every season ; farther north they are imknown. < eding those
regions aiijjarently to the scarlet species. 'Ihey are not con-
fined to any jKirticular soil, though often imi with in bf.shy,
barren tracts, and are conse(|uently ( ommon e\en to the west
of the Mississijipi, in I,(»uisiana and the Ti'rritury of Arkansas,
as well as Mexico ; they also brei'd near ihi' banks of that
river arotm<l Natchez.

The nest is built in the woods on the low, horizontal branch
of a tree, often in an evergreen 10 or \2 (cvi from the ground.
Both parents assist in incubation, and the yoimg are Hedged
by the middle or latter end of Juiu". They only raise a single
brood in the season, and towards the middle or close of
.\ngnst the whole party disaj)pear on their way to the South,
though the young remain later than the old and more restless
birds.

The note of the male, like that of the I'altimore Bird, is said
to be a strong and sonorous whistle, resembling the trill or

ill

310

SLNGIXG JIIKDS.

III

musical shake on the file, and is fre(iuently repeated. The
note of the female is a chattering, and appears ahnost like the
rapid pronunciation of tshicky-Uikhy-fiik, tshicky-it(kk\-tiih, and
is chielly uttere<l in alarm when any |)erson approaches the
vicinity of her nest. l''roin the similarity of her color to the
foliage of the trees, she is, however, rarely seen, and is usually
unite ; while the lociuacity and l-rilliance of the male render
him. as he Hits timidly and wildl\- through tlie branches, a mcjst
distinguished and beautihil object.

The food (jf the Sunnner Red IJird is ver\- similar to that of
the ; receding species ; bugs, beetles, and stinging bees make
part of his repa.-t, as well as flies and (•ynii)s of \arious kinds,
after which he often darts about until hindered bv the ap-
])n)ach of night. i'he late suppers are probabh necessarv,
from the aliiio^t nocturnal habits t)f some i)f these in^'ct
tribes. .After the period of in( ubation, antl until their depar-
ture, whortleberries and other kinds of berries form no incon-
siderable |)art of the food of the^e birds.

Tliis spci ics (loi's not occur rciiularly nortli of New Jersrv,
southern ( )nio. and .southern lUinois. Occasionally stragi;lers are
found in Connecticut and Massacliu.setts, and two examples liave
bcin taken in New Hrunswii k. one in Nov,. .Scotia, four near
IMoiUreal. and one at Ilaniilton. Ont.uio.

.\oTE. — .Specimens of tlie LoLisi.vx.v T.\nac;i:i< {Piiaii^ii
ludoviciatia)- a Western species - have been taken in New York.
Connecticut, Massachusetts, and .Maine.

IN D Kin r.rxriNG.

P.ASSI.RIXA CVANi:.\.

Char. Male: indij^o blue, intense on he.id and throat, otlior parts
tinged with green ; hlaek l)ar from hill to eyes ; \vi^g^. and tail brown, the
edge of feathers tinged with l)lue. l-'emale : above, brown ; below, nnich
paler, with dark strcak.s. Length about 5'^ inches. '

A't'st. On the margin of a meadow or conntrv road, or in an orchard
or garden, in a busli or low tree, placed in an upright crotch ; a rather

'Iho
ike the
tk, and
lu's the
to the
usually
rentier
, a niu-^l

) that of
■s make
IS kinils,
the a|>-
jcessary,
;e insect
r (h'par-
u) uieon-

,v Jersi'V,
^Icrs ;irc
Irs luivc
ur near

c\v York.

jvhiT parts
Ihrown, tlic
I'lDW, much

liii oriliard
;i r;Ul>er

IXDKIO r.lNTINr..

tluinsv and bulky aff.iir of twij^s, stems, grass, etc., lined witli fine grass,
etc., sometimes with horse-liair.

E^^s. 4-5; white, soMietinio with blue or green tint, occasionally with
a few fir. : spots of purpli>li brown; 0.75 X O.55.

'This very beautiful and rather familiar nicssengcr of suinnur,
after passing the winter in tro|)i(al Anieriea, towards the 15th
of May, decked in his brilliant a/ure livery of the nu|)tial sea-
son, again joyfully visits his natal regions in the Middle Slates;
and about a week or ti'U days later his h\cl\- trill in tiie garden,
orchard, or on the top of the house, its < hiuuie\. or \,inr, is
first heard in this part of New Kngland. Still lati-r. ac ( ouipa-
nied by his mate, he passes on to Nova Scotia, and probiblv to
the i)recincts of Labrador. After raising and training their
only brood in a unifonn and more iunnble dre--s. the whole
family, in color like so many commo)i Sparrows, begin to
retire to the Somh from the lirst to the middle of September.
They are also known in Mi-xico, when-, as wtll .is in the
.South.ern States to the peninsula of l-'Iorida, tluv bretd and
pass the summiT as with us. ThiTt- is rea-M^n. liowi'\er. to
belie\e that they are less abundant, if seen it all. to the west
of the Mississippi; but yet they are met uiih in the W'eMern
States uj) to tlu' alluvial lands of that great natural bouivlary.

'I'heir foo<l in the early ])art of the season, as well as that of
their young for a considerable time, is ( hieily insects, worms,
and caterpillars, as well as grasshopi)ers, of whi( h thi'y are
jtartictilarly fond. They likewise cat seetls of various kimls,
and are readily reared in a cage on the Usual diet of the
( anary.

'I'hough nattnally shy, active, and stispicious, partictilarl\- the
brilliant male, they still at this interesting period of procn-a-
tion resort chietly to the precincts of habitatit)ns, around which
they are f:ir more {M)mmon than in the solitary woods, seeking
their borders or the thii kets by the si<les of the road ; but
their favorite resort is the garden, where, from the topmt)st
b(jugh of some tall trei' which commands the whole wide land-
scape, the male regularly pours out his lively chant, and < on-
tinues it for a considerabK' leiiL'th of time. Nor is this song

iW!

SLNGINO niKI>S.

»|i

confined to the cool and animating'" down of mofMi'ng, but it
is renewed and still more vi^^orous diirirjg tiie noon- day heat
of summer. This lively strain seems composed of a repeti-
tion of short notes ; commenc ing loud and rai)id, and then,
slowly falling, they descend almost to a whisper, succeeded by
a silent interval of about half a minute, when the song is agai.
continued as bt Ium'. 'I'hc most common of these vocal expres-
sions sounds like s/ir tslw tshc — tshc fs/irt' tslu'r — tsht' (she
tshf. Thf mitldle syllables are utteretl lispingly, in a very
pi( uliar manner, and the three last gradually fall ; sometimes
the song is varied and shortened into (slua tshra ishca /s/ur/i,
the last sound being sometimes doubled. This shorter song
is Usually uttered at tlie timi' :hat the female is engaged in
the cares of incubation, or as the brood alread\' appi-ar, and
wiien too great a (lis])lay of music might endanger the relirmg
se( uritN' of the fimih'. l"ro)u a young or imperfectly moulted
male, on the suuuuit of a weping-willow, I IvMid the following
singularly li\il\ s\ll,ibK's. V/r '//r ' //<■ (a l,r. repeated at short
i!iter\'al->. While thus ])roniiiunilv I'xpwsed to \iew, the little
airy minstrel is continually on the watch against any surprise,
and if he be steadily looked at or hearkened to with visible
attention, in the next instant he is off to se-. k out some secmer
elevation. In the village of Cambridge 1 have seen one of
these a/ure, almost celestial musicians, regularly chant to the
inmates of a tall dwliing-house from the smnmit of the chim-
ney or the poin (f the fijrked iightninf-rod. 1 have also
heard a ("anary, wii.iin hearing, rejx'at and imitate the slowly
lisping trill of the Imligo bird, whose warble indeeil often
greatly resembles that of this species. The female, before
hatching her brood, is but seldom seen, and is then scarcely
distinguishable from a couunon Sparrow ; nor is she ever to be
observed beyond the humble bushes and weeds in which she
commonly resides.

'I'he nest of our bird is usually built in a low bush partly con-
ccaleil by rank grass or grain ; at times in the forks of a young
orchard tree lo or 12 feet from the ground. I have also seen
one suspended in a complicated manner in a tri'llised grape-

INDK.U I!!'NTl.\v;.

but it
y heat
rcpcti-
ihcn,
led by
i ai^ui..
■xpres-
//(' hhe
a very
letimes
I shirk,
•r si)n.u;
igcd in
■ar, and
retirin.u
Aionltcd
)lio\vinij;
It short
In- little
kurprise,
1 visible
securer
one of
to the
chini-
vc also
slowly
d (ifien
belore
scarcely
iT to be
lich she

vino. If left indisturbed, they often I nid in the sui'-.e garden
or orchard fur several successive years. When in a bush, dvj
nest is suspended betwixt two twigs, passing u|) on eitn-r mI* .
Ivxternally it is composed of coarse sedge-grass, some v; .. r'.'d
leaves, and lined with fine stalks of the same, and the nd.er
hairdike tops of the bent-grass {^Ai^rostis), with a ver> fe»v
cow-hairs ; though sometimes they make a substantial hning of
hair. The nest whic h I saw in the vine was com|)osed out-
wardly of coarse strips of bass-mat, weeds, and some strings
picked up in the garden, and lined with horse-hair and a few
tojts of bent-grass. The yoimg here scan ely leave the nest
before the end of July or the first week in Augu-i, and they
raise usually but a single brood in the season. I hey appear
to show great timidity about their nest, and ofp u readily i'or-
sake it when touched, or \\\\c\\ an egir i > abstracted. Their
usual note of alarm when th( in->t'lves or their X'.ung are
approached is a ^harj) A////, (piicklv ■\\v\ anviou^ly rejje ited,
resembling almost the striking of two pibbles. 'i'h.ey will not
forsake their young, howescr ready they mas be to relimiui.ih
thi-ir eggs ; and they have been known to fi'ed their brood
verv faithf-.illv throuLjh the bars of a caue in whi( h tlu v we re
confined.

This species is a common summer resident frop- '^outh C-'olina
to western Maine and tlu: city of (.Hiehce, and w---' vard '.'U'oiigh
Ontario and Illinois to tiie Great Plains. It also - , urs Oi.easion
allv in eastern Maine ami the Maritime Province .

N'oTK. — One examjile of the \'.\kiio Hintin'; {'^'isseriiia
".•ersicdlor) has i)een captured in southern Mi( hi-aii. ii.s usual
habitat is the vallev of the Rio diande and Lower California.

rlly con-

a young

ilso seen

•d grai)e-

314

SINGING HIRIJS.

ti'

11:

,,.!
j:^

PAINTKl) I5UXTL\G.

NOM'AKKIL.
P.ASSKUINA Clkl.S,

Char. Male: head and neck blue; eyelids red; back yellowish
green ; rinnp red; wiiii^s dusky, gldsscd witli green; tail purplish brown;
below, \erniiliiin. J'eniale : above, olive; below, buff; wings and tail
dusky edged with olive. Length 5_J4 inches.

.\''.r/. In a thicket of low bushes; (ninpactiv made of twigs, roots,
shreds of bark and gr.iss, lined witii tine gra» or horse-hair, or tine roots.

/i^X''- 4~5 • ''"" wiiiic, or wiili bhie tinl, niaikul chielly aiuund hirger
end willi piir|)li->h ami reddish luown ; o.So X o.'.iO.

This si)l(.'iKli(l, gay, and docile bird, known to the Anieri("ins
as the Nonpareil, and to the l-'rcnch l,oiiisi;uHans as the J^ipe,
inhabits the woods of the low countrii's of die Southern Sl;Ues,
in the vicinity of the sea and alonj^^ llie borders of the larger
ri\ers, from Nortii C"iiri;lina to Mexito. It arrives from its
tropiial (jiiarters in l,ouisian;i ;uid (ieorgi;i from the mitldlc
\() the 2oth of April ; but imi);itient of cold, retires to the
South c irly in Oi tobcr, \\n\\ is supposed to winter about Vera
Cru/. i'or the saLe of tiieir song ;is well as be;iuty of plum-
age, these birds are conmionly domesticated in the ho^^^es of
till IV'^nch inh;d)it:uits of New Orleans ;ind its vicinity ; and
some have succeeded in raising them in < ;ii)tivity, where plenty
of room was allowed in ;in avi;iry. Tluy ;ire familiar also in
the g;irdens and orchards, where their w;ubling notes are al-
most perpetually luanl throughout the summer. 'Their song
much resembles th;ii of the Indigo Hird, but their voice is
more feeble ;ini| coik isc. Soon reconciled to the cage, they
will sing even ;i few da\s ;ifter being c;uight. Their food con-
sists of rice, insects, ;tn<l \arious kinds of seeds ; thev collect
alstj the grains of the ripe figs. ;md. tre(|uent!ng gardens, build
often within ;i few p;u:es of the house, being particularly
attached to the orangeries.

Their nests are usuallv made in the hedges of the orange, or
on the lower bram he> of the siime trt'c. likewise o<:casionally
in a bramble or thorny bush. In the mildest climates in which

will I i;-cRt->\vM:i) >rARR<>\v

5'5

yeilf)\vish

li l)i")\\n :

and tail

4s, rotjts,
iiie roots,
nil larger

thov ]xiss tlic suimncr, tlu-y raisi- two bnxuls in the season.
'I'lu'V are roninionly caught in trap-cages, U) whu h ihey are
sonietiiues allured by a >tull"e(l Mnl, \vlu< h they descend to
attack ; and they liave been known to survive in domestica-
tion for upwards of ten years.

This species is conimon in tiu- South Atlantic and < iulf St.Ttes,
ami has been taken north to southern Illinois and North Carolina.

Nmi:. — 'ihe (iRASScu 11 {i'.Kttkcia hiio/op) and the .Mi:lo-
1)1(11 s ('.KAssiU IT { Iltu't/ititi ciiiiura) — hotli West India birds —
have been taken in southern Florid.i, ihouLrh thev arc nierclv
accidental wanderers there.

nencans
le /'//i-,
1 States,
e lir|::er
from Its
middle
s to the
Hit Vera
)f plum-
ou^es t»f
tv ; and
l)lenty
also in
are al-
eir song
voice is
ge. they
od con-
V collect
ns, bi'ild
ticnlarly

ange. (^r
asionally
in which

wnrrr.-CRowM-.i) spm^irow.

/t)M>i ki( 111 \ II i( ()i'iikN>,

Tir AU. U]i]ior part-" ^rnvisli binwn. -treakeil uitli dull l>,iv, and ])ale
ash ; crown wliite. hordered hv han(!> of hi n k : lines of black and white
from evrs to iund neck; \viiiu< willi two wliile l):irs: tail dii^kv ; below,
grav. whitening on ♦.hroai aiul belly ; llanks sliadcil with brown. Length
about 7 inches.

Xrsf. In an open woodland, on the ground or in a low bii>h, —
usually coii(:eali.fl in Lirass at the fool of a bu^h ; lirndv made oi di ied
grass lined with tine grass, — somitin)^^ wiiii d.eer's hair or fcatiicrs. or
roots.

/•,';';''.r. 4-6; greenish while or bUiisli wliite thickly spotted with red-
dish brown; 0.90 X o<>v

'I'his rare and h mdsome s]tc( ies is \i'rv little known in anv
jiail of the I'nited States, a h \v stragglers only l)eing set-n
about the beginning of winter, and again in May or e.irlier, on
their way back to their Northern breeding-places, in the fur
countries and round Hudson's '.ay, whi( h they visit from the
South in May, and construct their nests in June in the vkinity
of Albany I'ort and Severn Rivi'r. These are fixed on the
group.d, or near it, in the shelter oi the willow-trees which
they glean, jirob.ibly with many other bird^. for the insects
which frecpient them.

I ^""■"■Sa^lggjggigg;

'imm

316

SIN(ilMi KIKUS.

At this season the male sings in a loud, clear, musical, but
rather plaintive tone, the song consisting of six or seven notes;
these he rejjeats at short intervals during the whole day. On
the ij5th of April, i>S,?5, 1 saw llcjcks of this species among
the thickets in the \i( inity of Santa Barbara, L'pper C'alilornia.
They sung with a teehle, (juaiiU note, to me unlike that of any
oth<.'r sjjecies, and almost similar to s(juk' of the notes of the
Cliickadee. As they depart from Hudson liay in September,
it is |)robable that they |»rincipally winter in the Canadian
provinces, otherwise, as passengers farther south, they would
bi' seen more abimdantl) in tlu' I'niled States than they are.
Indeed, as they aj)pfoa( h this part of New l-jigland only in
small desultory parties in the winter, as in November and
Di'cember. it is I'vidrnt that they only migrate a short (li>tance
in iiuest of food, and return to the North at the approach of
line weather. \\ hile here they a])pear silent and solitary, and
are not difti( nit to approai h. 'I'heii- food, as usual, is seeds of
grasses, insects, and their l:ir\:v.

Tills species is not so rare in our day as Nuttall evidciuly con-
sidered it. for it now oet ur.s (luitc regularly llinnighout this l^astcrii
Province, lliough likely to appear in irregular lumibers at any given
loiality. It breeds in northern .Maine and Xcw I'.runswick. and
norlii to sub-arctic rcLiions. Xests have been found also in \'cr-
niont and New \'ork. The birds are met with in winter from
soutliern New England southward to Mexico.

in . •(

! i!:^

>ical, but
II noU's ;
lay. On
s anion^'
alilornia.
It of any
's ot the
plcmbcr,
Janadiaii
ey would
they are.
I only in
ihtT and

(!i>lan((.'
iroach ot"
lary. and

scc'iU of

.Miily LDii
i Kastcni
my given
ivick. and
o in \'cr-
tcr trom

LARK SI 'A K ROW.

LARK. riM II.

Ciu )Ni)i;si r.s ukammac us.

f'n.\R. Al)(nc, ^rayi-^li olFvc : ihc l)ai k Niown, with fine ^trtak-i of
black; tail l)la( k, — cxcLptiiij; central fcatiicr>, — ti|>jiL(l uitli uliitc, "Hiui
wcl) of iiiUci |iair ciitiicly white; crown chestnut, wiih nudiaii line ol
(hill while; line over tiie eve dull while; white crescent iimlei the eves
linidcrcd I)V black, and l)i'hinv' ' y chestnnt ; below white tin^,ctl with
brown ; breast with patch of black, l-en^^lh 6 to (iK inches.

.\Vj/. Usually amid a tutl of ;.;rass, but sometimes in a tree or bn-li;
composetl of j;rass and vegetable fibre.

/',\%o-. 3-5 (Usually }) ; white or with Mni' or buff lint, ni.uked wilh
spots and lines of dark brown or black ; 0.S5 X 0.^)5.

for this s])c-cics wo ;ire atf;iiii iiKhhtcd to Mr. Sav. who ob-
served it in abundance near the Cotmcil I'hilTs and tht- m-i^h-
boriiiff coimtry of the Missouri in thi' s])rinLr. as well ;ts in the
nn)nth of June. \- jiijprars to In- wJiolK confined to the west
side of the .Mississippi, ;ind ])rob,d)lv cvicnds ii\to Mexico.
These birds frecpient the prairie Ljroiinds, ;tnd seldom if evi-r
alijfht on trees; they sin<j sweetly, and, like the I, arks. h;ive
the habit of continuing their notes while on the wing.

Mr. Townsend observes ; "'I'his si)eeit s inhabits several hun-
dred miles of the I'lattc plains in ure;U nutnbi'rs, as well as the
banks of the ('olunibia River. It generally affects th<' low
bushes of wormwood {A r/i misi'd), (rom the summit of which

318

SINGINC; lilUDS.

f li

it pours forth a variety of pretty notes." At the comnv^nre-
MRDt of the pairing season the males arc \ery piigii.itioiis,
ii^hliii;; often on wing, and the contiuering rival, repairing to
the nearest bush, ttnus his lively pipe in token of su( cess.

The Lark I'iiuli is conimDn aioiig tlie Mississippi vallt \ iiortli to
Jowa and soutliLTii Miiliigaii. It has hucii taken oeeasiunally in
Manitoba and in Ontario, and a liw examples ha • appeared in
New Kngland. and soutliward along the Atlantic coa. . io Morida.

It is said to ri'seni!)Ie tlu- (iriss F'"inch in general lia'/its, and its
song is soniewh;,! similar.

wn rn: ruRoArKD .si>arrow.

rEAIJODV I'.IKD — OLD TOM l'EAIK)DY.
ZONOTRK lllA .\I.l;l( OI.I.IS.

Char. Back strciiUcd, reddi^li brown, hlack and dull huff; sides of
head and rump ashy; crnwii with median .slrijic uf white hordcrcd by
sfri|ns ofhlnck ; ^triprs of vclluw from bill to eves; stripes of white over
eyes; .slri])cs of black through eves; throat white; under p.irts yravi^h
shadinij to white op. the I)ellv, the sides shaded with brown ; wings with
two white bars. I.cn<;th 6|^ to 7 inches.

A't's/. In an old meadow or opet woodland, or on the edge of a grove ;
placed on the ground uj^on a cushii.n of moss; composed of giass, stems,
roots, etc., lined with tine grass or roots, — sometimes with hair or
feathers.

/ ;;'• 4-^: palc j:jreenish blue, thickly marked with several shades of
reddish brown ; 0.S5 X 0.60.

These large and handsome Sparrows are seen in this ])art of
Massachusetts only as transient visitors at the approach of
wintiT, or in spring al)out tlu- first week in May. In the
Mi«ldle and Southern States they pass the inclement season,
and ap])ear there as a numerous species. A flock has been
observed in the State of New York in the month of January.
In their hibernal resorts they are seen in bands, and show a
predilection for thickets, swamjjs, small streams, ;in(l the bor-
ders of ponds, where, among the tall and bleaching weeds,
they continue to collect the seeds, and probably insect larvai,
which constitute their usual fare. \Vhile here they keep much
on the ground, and seek out cool and shady situations, scratch-

ninH-nce-

giKK imis,
)airing to

X'SS.

y north to
wonally in
iJiai'Lil in
i I lorid.i.
;.s, and its

f ; sides of
)rdcrcd by
white over

rt-^ L;iavi<h
win;4.s with

[)f a grove ;
iss, stems,
h liair or

siiades of

part of

roach of

In the

t season,

las been

lanuarv.

sliow a

the l)or-

:; weeds,

il larvfie,

ep nmch

seratch-

\vimi:-Tiiuo.\Ti:i) siaukuw.

319

IHR up the fallen leaves in (lucst of worms and other insects,
and arc at this time often very nnMisj)icioiis, allowing' a near
ajjproach without hetraymg any alarm ; hut when in lar^'e
tlo( ks. they mo\e about in timorous haste as soon as a|)
l)roa(;hed. Alx)ut the i5lh of April they leave the Middle
States, and retire to the high iKjrtlu-rn latitudis to breed, ha\ -
inji been seen in Labrador. Newfoundland, and tiie fur i oun-
tries up to the 66th parallel in sinnmer. At the period of
breedini^ the male sin.i^s with considerable enerj^y and melody
already in the early spring ; also before their iKparture to the
North, on fine mornings, they are heard to whisper forth ,1 lew
sweet anil clear notes, as in a revery of the ajjproucliing hap-
piness of their more lively and interesting ctMidinon.

This Sparrow — known to tlu- country ;)coplt' «)l tii.. Last as the
•' reahody Ilird" and "Kennedy bird'' — l)rec(ls abundantly in
tiic nurtlKrn portions of New York and \i w lainl.uid as wlH as
in tile .Maritime Provinces: and at the wist in northern Miih.igan
and .Manitol)a. According to .Mr. Hrcwsttr, tliis binl breeds also
"very conimonlv on .Mount (Iravloek. sparingly i/ the noriiicrn
part of Worcester County. .Massachusetts, and occasionally in
eastern .Massachusetts." The bird winters sjjaringly in southern
New laigland, and comnioidy thence soutliward to I'lorida.

The song, which is loud and sweet, is laniiliar in the district
wlure the birds build, tor they sing all day long. ;m<l are often
heard during tlie niglu. It lias been interpreleil peaped-pedbody
pedboiiy-pt'dhody ; hence the name.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

1.8

1.25 1.4

11^

6" —

►

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

i;.

"! i

'i:;

1 ttti

it)

VESPER SPARROW.

GRASS FIXCH. BAV-WINGED BUNTING.
PoOC.tTES GR.\MI\EUS.

Char. Above, yellowish brown, streaked with darker ; line over and
around eyes, white; shoulder chestnut or hay; two white bars on wing;
two outer tail-feathers partlv white ; below, white with buffy tinge ; breast
and sides streaked witii bmwn. Length about 6}^. inches.

//fst In a field, old meadow, open pasture, or roadside, on the ground,
— usually hidden by tuft of grass or under a low bush; composed of grass
and roots, and lined with fine grass, sometimes with hair.

/Vi,f;'.c. 4-6; grr yish white, sometimes with green or pink tint, thickly
marked with several shades of brown ; 0.80 X 0.60.

This plain-looking Finch chiefly freqtients dry pastures and
meadows, and is often seen perched on the fences and in
orchard trees ; it also often approaches the public roads and
gathers its subsistence tamely from various sources. It is
abundant in all the States east of the Alleghanies, where many
pass the whole year ; yet great numbers also winter in the south-
ern parts of the Union, proceeding as far as the maritime
districts of (Jeorgia and Florida. From the beginning of
April to the beginning of June, the males sing with a clear and
agreeable note, scarcely inferior to that of the Canary, though
less loud and varied. On their first arrival, as with the Song
Sparrow, their notes are often given in an under-tone of con-
siderable sweetness. Their song begins at early dawn, and is
again peculiarly frequent after sunset until dark, when, from

VESPER SPARROW.

3^1

ine over and
lars on wing ;
tinge ; breast

II the ground,
osed of grass

tint, thickly

jastures and
ces and in
roads and
es. It is
iiere many
|i the sonth-
e maritime
ginning of
a dear and
|ary, though
h the Song
ne of con-
awn, and is
when, from

the fence of some elevated pasture-field, in the cool of the
summer evening, when uther songsters have retired to rest, the
(jrass Sparrow, more than u?>ually wakeful, after a silence which
has perhaps continued nearly through the warmer part of the
day, pipes forth his clear and slender, though now almost mo-
notonous song, near to the favorite spot where his mate hatches
or fosters her tender brood ; and from all the neighboring
meadows, at this silent hour, as the last rays of the sun are re-
flected from the dusky horizon, we hear a constant rejjetition
of an echoing and shrill tsh 'tsh Ushe tc tshete tslute, with warb-
ling tones blended ami varied, at the beginning ami close of
this simple, rather pensive, but agreeable ditty. They are
more common in fields than thickets, and run along the ground
in the manner of the Lark. They likewise frequent ploughing
fields, searching on the ground for insects, and are very fond
of dusting themselves and basking in dry places.

Being nearly sedentan.-, they raise probably several broods
in the season. Sometime^ when started from the nest, the
female simulates lamene:^. with remarkable dexterity, so as
very readily to draw off the attention of her enemies or in-
truders. The young are easily raised from the nest, and
become very tame, clean, and domestic, but readily (luarrel
with each other.

The •• Bay-winged Bunting " of earlier writers was named " \'cs-
per Sparrow "" by Wilson F'lagg, from its habit of singing during
the early evening. It breeds from Vir<iinia and Kentucky to Mani-
toba and the Maritime Provinces, and is one of the most abundant
Sparrows in New England and Ontario. It winters from \'irginia
southward.

The song is much more effective than Nuttall's description indi-
cates. The voice is of sweet tone, and the theme, though simple,
is exceedingly tender and plaintive.

VOL. I.

Mti

IMM

iiil

\'i i

li'i

SONG SPARROW.

MeLOSPIZA FASCIA'IA.

C}IAR. Back streaked with black, bay, and ash; crown bay, streaked
with black and with two stripes of ash ; wings gravisii brown edged with
dull rufous , tail grayish brown, with dark wavy cross-bars , below, white ;
breast, sides of throat, and sides of body spotted with brown, the spots
forming a " patch " on the breast. Length 6 to 6^2 inches.

jVc'sL In a field or open pasture, amid a tuft of grass or under a low
bush, sometimes fastened to bush or vine, occasionally placed in a cavity
in a tree ; composed of twigs, grass, roots, and leaves, lined with grass
and roots, or hair.

iT'.yj. 3-7 (usually 4 or 5) ; dull white or with tint of green, blue, or
pink, thickly marked with several shades of brown ; occasionally un-
spotted ; o.So X 0.60.

'This familiar and almost domestic bird is one of the most
common and numerous Sparrows in the United States ; it is
also, with the Bluebird, which it seems to accompany, one
of the two earliest, sweetest, and most enduring warblers.

j 1

)ay, streaked
edged with
ow, white ;

i-n, the spots

under a low
in a cavity
with grass

een, blue, or
asionally un-

)f the most
ates ; it is
ipany, one
iz warblers.

SONC. SrAKRUW.

3^3

Though many pass on to the Southern States at the commence-
ment of winter, yet a few seem to brave the colds of New-
England as long as the snowy waste does not conceal their
last resource of nutriment. When the inundating storm at
length arrives, they no longer, in the sheltering ^wam])> and
borders of bushy streams, si)end iheir time in gleaning an in-
sufficient subsistence, but in the month of November begin t(.)
retire to the warmer States ; and here, on fine days, even in
January, whisper forth their usual strains. Ab early as the 4ih
of March, the weather being mild, the Song Sparrow and the
Bluebird here jointly arrive, and cheer the yet dreary face of
Nature with their familiar songs. The latter flits restlessly
through the orchard or neighboring fields ; the Sparrow, more
social, frequents the garden, barn-yard, or road-side in quest
of support, and from the top of some humble bush, stake, or
taller bough tunes forth his cheering lay. in frequent repetitions,
for half an hour or more at a time. These notes have some
resemblance to parts of the Canary's song, and are almost
uninterruptedly and daily delivered, from his coming to the
commencement of winter. \\ hen the birds first arrive, while
the weather is yet doubtful and unsettled, the strain appears
contemplative, and is often delivered in a peculiarly low and
tender whisper, which, when hearkened to for some time, will
bt and more than usually melodious, seeming as a sort of
revery, or innate hope of improving seasons, which are recalled
with a grateful, calm, and tender delight. At the approach of
wintei, this vocal thrill, sounding like an Orphean farewell to
the scene and season, is still more excpiisite, and softened l)y
the sadness which seems to breathe almost with sentiment,
from the decaying and now silent face of Nature. Our song-
ster, never remarkable for sprightliness, as the spring advances
delivers his lay louder and more earnestly. He usually begins
with a /s/i^ fsh' tshe fc tshctc tsli'ctc' and blends in a sood deal of
quivering notes. Individuals also excel, and var)' their song from
time to time with very agreeable effect ; and it is only because
our familiar vocalist is so constantly heard and seen that so little
value is set upon his agreeable, cheerful, and faithful perform-

•■u

324

SINGING IJIRDS.

.• •:

j i

iui

11!

I . I*

< llii.

1:1-1

ance. When not atteichcd to the garden, our Sparrow seems
fond of freciuenting low bushy meadows, streams, swamps, and
watery situations, which afford him ready shelter, and his usual
food of worms, insects, larvae, and seeds. Such situations are
also their favorite resorts when, in gregarious and miscellaneous
flocks with other congeneric kinds, they are seen to crowd the
sheltered marshes of the Southern States. They are also com-
monly seen nimbly running along the ground, and gliding
through low thickets in ([uest of their insect fare ; and in fine
weather they dust themselves, anfl bask in the sun. I'hey often
likewise fretjuent the water, being fond of washing ; and some-
times are seen to swim across small streams, particularly when
disabled from flying by a gunshot wound.

The nest is usually formed of a considerable portion of fine
dry grass neatly put together, and mostly lined with horse-hair.
These birds are very prolific, raising as many as three broods
in a season, the young being occasionally hatched, in the Mid-
dle States, from the close of April to the end of August. They
are very solicitous for the safety of their young, keei)ing up at
this time often a tiresome chirping ; and on the destruction of
the female and most of her young, I have known the remain-
ing male, with unceasing and anxious attention, raise a solitary
survivor of his ruined family witl the most devoted affection.
As they keej) the young and their habitation so very clean, and
are so prolific, it is a matter of surprise that they do not re-
occupy the ])remises ; instances are, however, not wanting in
which they have been known to raise two broods in the same
nest. l)Oth parents join in the duty of incubation, and alter-
nately feed each other while so engaged.

This species nests from Soutli Carolina to Lake Mistassini. and
from central Ohio and northern Illinois to Lake Winnipeg. It
arrives at St. John, N. H., during tlie secoi.d week in April in im-
mense flocks, and is usually accompanied by similar tlocks of
Robins and Juncos. Occasionally a few winter in the Maritime
Provinces and in Quebec, while in eastern Massachusetts and Con-
necticut they are often quite numerous at that season.

SAVANNA SI'ARKOW.

3^5

3W seems

imps, and
his usiKil
ations are
:ellaneous
crowd the
also com-
id gliding
ind in fine
rhey often
and some-
larly when

ion of fine
hor^ediair.
ree broods
II the Mid-
;ust. They
;i)ing up at
;traction of
he rernain-
a solitary
affection,
clean, and
o not re-
wanting in
the same
and alter-

tassini. and
imipeg. It
April in ini-
riocks of
Maritime
.s and Con-

SAVANNA SPARROW.

GROUND Sl'AKKUW.

Ammodramus s.\xd\vichensis savanna.

Char. Above, streaked with grayish brown, black, rufous, and gray;
line over the eyes and edges of wings yellow ; crown with median stripe
of Yellowish white ; line troni lower mandible yellowish white bordered
by brown ; below, white tinged with buff, breast and sides streaked with
brown and black. Length 5I2 inches.

Mese. In a salt-marsh or along a river bank, sonictitnes in a drv
inland meadow, concealed by tall grass or tuft of weeds ; composed of
grass, sometimes mixed with line roots, and occasionally lined with
horse-hair.

^■.V-r 3-6 ; variable in shape, size, and markings, usually tiull white
or with green tint, thickly spotted with dark brown, rich brown, and
lilac ; o 70 X O.55

This Sparrow, allied to the preceding, but flir less f;imiliar, is
commonly seen in this part of New England from April to
October, migrating towards the .South in severe weather, though
many pass the whole winter in the Middle States In Georgia
and West Florida these birds are rather numerous in the cold
season, migrating in quest of food probably from the West ;
and the whole species generally show a predilection for the
warm and sheltered Wcinage of the sea, where the seeds and
insects they feed on are most abundant. On their first arrival
in Massachusetts they frequent the sandy beaches and shores
of the bays in quest of Cicindcliv and other coleopterous
insects which frequent such situations ; and they are at this
time exceedingly fat, though their moult is not yet completed.
In summer this shy and timid species lives wholly in pastures
or grass fields, and often descends to the ground in quest of
food. Its nest, also laid in the grass and made of the dry
blades of the same, ver>- similar to that of the Song Sparrow, is
usually built about the close of .April.

In the month of March, in Georgia, I observed rhese Spar-
rows in the open grassy pine woods on the margins of small
swamps or '' galls." At times they utter a note almost exactly
similar to the chirpings of a cricket, so that it might be easily
mistaken for that insect. At other times they utter a few

ii V

326

SIXdINd 15IRDS.

. < 1 .

flKH

pleasant notes somewhat similar to the song of the Song Sjjar-
row, but sufficiently distinct.

The Savanna S]xuio\v breeds more abundantly alon<; the coast
of -Massachusetts than in the interior, and perhaps this may apply
to all localities ; but the opinion expressed by many writers that it
is almost exclusively a bird ol the sea-shore — of the salt-marshes

is far from correct. 1 traced it uj) the valley of tiie St. John as far
as there were cleared Helds or marshy meadows, and in no locality
was it more abundant than at Fort Kent, — the most northern point
of Maine. It occurs throuj^hout the southern portii)rs of Canatla.

These birds are rarely seen off the ground; an occasional perch
on a stoue heap or a fence being the only deviation from this rule.

IPSWICH SPARROW.

AmMODR-UIL'S I'RINCEFS.

CllAR. General appearance of a Ir.rge pale Savanna Sparrow. Above,
grayish brown, each feather streaked with bl.ick, rufous, and giay ; jrown
stripe dull buff or buffy white ; stripe over eyes siniiiar but paler ; wings
blackish brcnvn, edged with buff ; tail grayish brown tipped with white ;
beneath, dull white tinged with buff ; chest and sides streaked with brown.
Length 6 to 6^4 inches.

A'c'sf. In a cup-shaped hollow scratched in the sand and concealed by
a tussock of grass or a low bus-h ; made of gra.ss compactly woven, with
an outer shell of coarser material and lined witn fine grass.

/iX'^^'J- 4-5; bluish or grayish white thickly marked w^ith deep brown
of several shades and some spots of purplish and grayish brown ;
0.61 X 0.S5.

This interesting bird was first described by M'". C. J. Maynard
from a specimen taken by him at Ipswich, Mass., in 1868. For
two years the type remained unique, and for several years later the
species was supposed to be rare. It has since been found all along
the Atlantic coast from Georgia to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It
usually frequents the sea-shore or salt-meadows near by, thougli
Mr. N. C. Brown reports that he has seen it at Lake Umbagog, in
the interior of Maine. I met with it in New Brunswick only for a
few days during the second week of April, 1883. When feeding
on the sandy shore (the snow still covered the fields), in company
with other Sparrows, it was not difificult to distinguish the Ipswich
from their congeners, but it is difficult to define the distinguishing
characteristics.

■;''.?. !

1 (

hachman's srARRow.

327

ng Spar-

thc coast
nay apply
crs that it
t-niarshcs
ohn as far
10 locality
licrn point
I Canada,
jnul percli
this rule.

3\v. Above,
;iay ; jrown
aler ; W'ing:»
with while ;
Iwith brown.

oncealed by
woven, with

deep brown
,h brown ;

Maynard
i,S68. For
•s later the
d all along
i/rence. It
y, though
bagog, in
only for a
len feeding
company
le Ipswich
inguishing

In 1S04 Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr.. v'sitcd Sable Island, off Nova
Scotia, anfl ohtTiined several nests of this species with sets of eggs.
His nionograpli, issued as a memoir of the Nuttall Ornitliological
Club. ( ontains the only account that has been ])ublislicd of the
habits of the bird, and from that paper I have taken tlie description
of the nest and eggs given above.

Dr. Dwiglit describes these I)irds as tamer than they api)('ar
when on the migrations, yet they were so retiring he could not learn
much of their "domestic affairs." The soiig, he says, is similar
to that of tile Savanna Sparrow, but is "a more ])olished and
tuneful affair."

BACH MAN'S SPARROW.

SL'.MMER FINCH.
PeUC;EA /K.S'H\AIIS B.ACHM.4NII.

Chak. Above, rufous streaked with black and ash; lines over the
eyes \sh ; edge of wing yellow ; below, bufT, side.; shaded with ash, breast
with brown. Length 0,'4 inches.

A'tst. In open grassy woodland, half-cleared field, nr old meadow ;
placed on the ground ; made of dry grass or mi.xed with routs ; sometimes
the top is roofed, the entrance at the side.

£xX^'- 4-5; white: 0.75 X 0.60.

This interesting species was first made known to .Vudiibon
by Dr. Ikichman, who found it near the l-ldisto River, and
afterwards breeding in the vicinity of Charleston, South Caro-
lina, in the pine barrens. The discoverer remarks of this
bird : " When I first heard its notes they so nearly resembled
those of the 'I'owee P»unting that I took it to be that bird. As
soon as it is seen in the tall pine-trees where it usually sits to
warble out its melodious nv)tes, it darts down and conceals
itself in the rank grass, through which it runs off like a mouse,
and is flushed with difficulty." It is believed to breed on the
ground. It is said to be the finest songster of the Si)arrow
family in the United States. Its notes are loud for the size of
the bird, and heard nearly alone in the region it frequents.
About the month of November it proceeds to migrate flirther
souti., though a few stragglers still remain throughout the
winter. According to Latham, its nest is usually on the ground
among the grass, under small bushes ; it is composed of dry

I
t

I ;

■"■•

3-^8

SINGINC lUKDS.

If T

II!

llll

grass tor the most part, and the eggs arc dusky white. He
also adds that these birds inhabit (Georgia the whole year,
freciuenting feiues, brushwood, and thickets.

Some years ago in (leorgia in the month of Marc h 1 ob-
served these Sparrows in the open grassy pine woods, on the
margins of small swamps or galls. On being suddenly sur-
prised, they often (lew oif a little ilistance, and then, if followed,
descended to the ground, and ran and hid closely in the tall
tufts of grass.

Their notes at this time were very long, piping, and ele-
vated, and resembling often /.\/ir /s/i//> /s/i//> tship tship fship
/ship, then fs/tc cIC tsh' tsh' /s'lt ts'/i. Some of these notes were
as fine and lively as those of the Canary, — loud, echoing, and
cheerful.

'I'he food of this species consists of grass seeds, coleoptera,
and a variety of small l^erries as they come in season, 'ihe
sexes are nearly alike in piimiage.

This species occurs in tlie ("ailf States and north to Soutli Caro-
lina and southern Illinois, but tlie vicinity of Charleston, S. C, is
the only locality in which it has been found in abundance. \'ery
little is known of its habits or of its distribution.

NoTK. — The type of this species is larger and darker than
bachmanii. It is restricted to southern Georgia and Florida, and
has been named the Pine-woods Sparrow {^Pcticaa astivalis).

\ \

!■' ,

4L'^

LINCOLN'S SPARROW.

LINCOLN'S FINCH.

Ml-.LOSl'IXA l.INCOI.NIl.

Char. Above, streaked with brown, gray, and black, below, white :
band across the breast and on sides brownish yellow. Length about
5^i inches,

A'L'st. On the ground, amid low bushes, along the skirts of marshy
meadow, or on a dry grassy hillock in an open woodland ; composed of
grass.

Egi^s. 4-5 ; pale green or huffish, — sometimes almost white, — thickly
spotted and blotched with reddish brown and lilac ; o.So X 0.60.

lite, lie
oil- year,

rcli 1 ob-
is, on the
enly sur-
followed,
ill the tall

and ele-
y//// (ship
lotes were
lohig, and

oleoptera,
ion. I'he

outl\ Caro-
n, S. C, is
ice. Very

ker than
orida, and
stivalis).

ow, white :
ngth about

of marshy
imposed of

;, — thickly
3o.

CiKASSlIOl'l'KR Sl'ARkOW

3^9

The habits of this l)ureal s|)e( ies, discovered by Audubon in
Labrador, are very similar to those of the Son^ Sparrow. Like
it, mounted on the toi)mosl twij^ of some tree or tall shrid), it
eh.'nts for hours together ; or, diving \\\\.o the thicket, it hops
from branch to branch until it reaches the groimd \\\ (|uest of
its usual fare of insects and berries. It moves off swittly when
watched, and if forced to take wing (lies low and with rapidity
to some consiilerable distance. It is met with usually near
streams, in the sheltered valleys of that cold and desolate
region. My thj 4th of July the yoimg had left the nest, and in
August they had l)egun their migrations to the .South. Spe< i-
mens have been obtained by Mr. W, Cooper near New \'ork
city.

Lincoln's Finch is now considered less •• boreal " in its distribu-
tion than Nuttall and his contemporaries supposed, tor tliough it
has been found in Labrador and in tlie high .\rctie regions of the
West, yet nests have been discovered in Nova .Scotia, nortliern
New York, and Wisconsin, as well as on the higher mountains of
the West down nearly to the Mexican border. It is a rare bird
near the Atlantic, but is abundant along the Mississippi valley.

(;rasshopim:r si'arr( )w.

YELLOW- WIXGED .SI'ARROW. VELLOW-WIXGED RUNTINC,
.\MM()|)R.AMU.S SAVANNARIM I' ASSKRINHS,

Char. Above, streaked with bay, black, buff, and ash; crown black-
ish, with median line of buff; lines over the eve buff; bend of wing bright
yellow; below, buff, shading to white on the belly. Length about 5
inches.

Nest. In a field, concealed by long grass; composed of grass, lined
with horse-hair.

i5]i,^i,'j. 4-5 ; white, spotted with rich brown and lilac ; 0.75 X 0.60.

This small Sparrow is a summer resident in the I'nited
States, in the distant territory of the Oregon, and is likewise,
according to Sloane, a common species in the savannas or
open glades of the island of Jamaica. From what little is
known of it as a bird of the United States, it appears to

I i

•ii

.■).•)

^.o

SINf;iN(i lilRDS.

Ilf ^

'If

rt'innin in the sheltered plains of the se.i-coast of New N'ork
;in(l New Jersey until the very connnenrenient of winter. It is
;ils() ol)ser\'e(l in the lower parts of Pennsylvania ; and about the
middle of May, or later, they are occasionally seen in the gar-
tlens in Canibridge, Mass.. on their way apparently to some
otIuT breeding. stati(in. On these occasions they perch in
sheltered trees in pairs, and sini; in an a^jreeable vi»ice some-
what like that of the Pnrple l-'inch, though less vigorously. In
the West Inches they live much on the groiuid, and run like
I, arks. Hying low when Hushed, and soon alighting. Their nesr
is likewise fixed on the groimd, among the grass, where they
collect their usual fare of seeds and insects.

'Ihe majority of local students of bird life to-day consider this
species more or less common in Massachusetts and Connecticut,
and it is known to occur in parts of the more northern New Eng
land States, and in New York, Ohio, Ontario, and Mieliigan. One
e\am])Ie has been taken in New Brunswick. Its supposed rarity
hy earlier observers was ))robaI)ly due to its usual concealment
amid tlu' tall grass and to its lack of an attracti\e son,<; ; for in spite
ot NuttalTs assurance to the contrary, modern observers have \n-
dorsed the 0])inion expressed by one of their leaders that " its best
vocalization is scarcely stronger or more musical than the stridula-
tion fif a u:rasshopper."

'1.^:1

HENSLOWS SPARROW.

IIEXSLOW'S DUNTING.
.\.M.M(JI»RAMrs HKXSI.OWII,

f'jiAR. Above, streaked with olive brown, l)ay, and gray ; crown olive
ij;rav, with two blackish stripes; edge of wing yellow ; below, buff, j)akr
on throat and belly: sides of throat and sides of body streaked with
black. Length about 5 inches.

.Visf. In a field, concealed amid long grass; made of grass with a
lining of hair.

/•f;'-;'.c. 4-5; dull white, sometimes tinged with green, spotted with
brown and lilac ; 0.75 X 0.60.

This species, so much allied to the Vcllow-winged Finch
discovered by Audubon, is known to breed in New Jersey.

r\v \iirk
r. It is
bout the
the gar-

to SOllK-

pcrcli in
vv somc-
isly. In
run like
'heir nesr
I ere they

sider this
nnecticut.
Nlcw Ens;
jan. One
st'cl rarity
nccahiniit
;or in spite
s luwc in-
1 " its best
; stricUila-

rovvn olive
l)uft', paler
:akcd with

iss with a

otted with

:d Finch
|v Jersey.

LE CONTL'S Sl'AKK(J\V.

As a winter bird of passage it is common in South Carohna,
and e(iually abumlant in the pine forests of Floridi, seeking
out l)y «hoice the hgiit sandy soils overgrown with pines,
though it keeps on the ground wholly, running with ( cicrity.
and threading its way through the grass with the nimbleues?
of a mouse.

Henslow's Sparrow breeds from southern New lin^Iand toSoiUh
Carolina, and from Ontario and Illinois southward, and has been
found in New Hampshire and \'ermont. It is more abundant to
the westward than near the Atlantic seaboard.

I.K COXrK'S Sl'ARROW.

LE CONTE'S BUNTING.

Ammodramus LF.CONTKII.

CllAK General color reddish brown, streaked with Iirownish black,
the feathers inargiiicil with pale biU'f ; crown with two black stripes sepa-
rated by a narrow stripe of pale buttish gray ; cheeks and stripes over the
eyes buff; hind neck rufous; untler parts buff, paler ou the bullv ; no
streaks on the breast. Hill small and slender ; tail-feathers narrow,
tapering, and extremely pointed. Length about 5 inches.

A'c-sf. In a marsh or wet meadow, raised from the ground by tangled
grass ; made of fine grass.

/\i,{?s. 3-?; delicate pink, with a few spots of brownish and of black
towards the larger end; 0.75 X 0.50. (Thompson.)

This interesting bird was first described by Audubon in the 1.S43
edition of his work. — issued after NiUtall had written. Audubon
secured but one specimen, and only one other was discovered until
1873, when Dr. Coues took several examples on the Dakota plains.
Since then the species has been found by a number of naturalists,
anrl it is now known to breed on tlie plains of Dakota. Minnesota,
and Manitoba, migrating in the autumn through Illinois, Iowa.
Kansas, etc., to South Carolina and Florida. It is by no means
a rare bird, — Ridgeway thinks it abundant in Illinois, and Thomp-
son reports it common in Manitoba: biu. as Dr. Coues suggests, its
retiring habits and the nature of its resorts have doubtless caused
it to be overlooked.

The birds resemble Henslow's Sparrow, and the habits of the
two species are similar. Only one nest and set of eggs have been
discovered, and they were taken by Mr. Ernest Thompson on the
Manitoba plains.

iiri

TREE SPARROW.

SpIZELLA MOXIICOLA.

Char. Above, streaked with black, bay, and buff; crown chestnut,
sometime- the feathers edged with ashy; sides of head and neck asiiy ;
line from liehind eyes chestnut ; wings with two white bars; edges of tail-
feathers white ; below, dull white, breast and throat tinged with ash ; spot
of brown on the breast: flanks shaded with brown. Length 6% inches.

iVc-jV. (Jn the ground or in a low bush ; made of grass, twigs, and
roots, — sometimes cemented with mud, — lined with hair or feathers.

£^^'s. 4-5 ; pale green or greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown ;
0.75 X 0.60.

This handsome winter Sparrow arrives from the northern
regions in New England about the close of October, withdraw-
ing from Hudson Bay and the neighboring cotmtries some-
time in the month of September. The species consequently,
like many more of our Fn'/fi^^i/Ars, only measures its speed by
the resources of subsistence it is able to obtain, and thus
straggling southward as the winter advances, it enters Pennsyl-
vania only about the beginning of November ; there, as well as
in the maritime parts of Massachusetts, and perhaps as far
south as Virginia, the Tree Sparrow is often associated with
the hardy Snow Birds, gleaning a similar kind of subsistence ;
and when rht severity of winter commences, leaving the woods,
gardens, and uplands in which it is an occasional visitor, it
seeks in company the shelter of some bushy swamp, thickly
shaded brook, or spring. Near Fresh Pond, in this vicinity,

lii.

CHIl'l'IXG SPARROW.

3-y -»

3\vn cliestnut,
nd neck ashy ;
; edges of tail-
kvith ash ; spot
h 6^4 inches,
^ss, twigs, and
r feathers,
ddish brown ;

e northern
|r, withdraw-
tries some-
msequently,
Its speed by
li. and thus
rs Pennsyl-
, as well as
[haps as far
iciiited with
ubsistence ;
the woods,
|il visitor, it
mp, thickly
Ihis vicinity,

these birds are at that season numerous, and roost together
near the margin of the reeds, almost in the society of tlie
Blackbirds, who seek out a similar place of warmth and shelter
as the chillinL '•'osts begin to prevail.

At this covji and gloomy season, and down to the close of
the first week in November, as they pass from branch to
branch and play capriciously round each other, they keep up
almost perpetually a low and pleasant liquid warble, not much
unlike that of the Yellow Bird {/"'nn^^uV/a /ns//s), but less
varied. Sometimes two or three at the same time will tune up
s'lueedit s'weeiiit ii.'cet, and s'waidit s'waidit wcet, accompanied
by some tremulous trilling and variation, which, though rather
sad and querulous, is heard at this silent season with peculiar
delight. In summer, during the breeding-time, they express
considerable melody.

According to Mr. Hutchins they breed around the Hudson
Bay settlements, making a nest in the herbage, formetl exter-
nally of dr)- grass, and lined with soft hair or down, ])robably
from vegetables, in the manner of the VelU)w Bird. About the
beginning of April they leave the Middle States for their sum-
mer quarters, and arrive around Severn River in May ; they
also probably propagate in Newfoundland, where they have
been obser\-ed. With us they are still seen in numbers to the
19th of April.

Numbers of the Tree S;iario\v winter regularly in the Maritime
Provinces of Canada. Macoun re])orts the species common in
summer at Lake Mistassini, whit li lies a little to the southward of
Hudson Bay.

CHH^'ING SPARROW.

CHIFPV. HAIR-BIRD.

Sp1ZKLL.\ SOCL4LIS.

Char. Above, streaked with gravish lirown, black, and bay ; crown
che.stnut ; forehead black ; sides of head and neck ashy , dull white line
over eyes ; dusky stripe from bill through eyes ; hill black : tail dusky
with pale edgings; wings with two white bars; below, dull white, tinged
with ash on breast and sides. Length about 5^ inches.

\il

I I

iti

! I i^ )

«;

\ Kl '

334

SINGING BIRDS.

AWA In a pasture, orchard, or garden, placed in a bush or low tree;
composed of grass, — sometimes mixed with roots, — thickly lined with
horse-hair.

A\%''s. 4-5; bluish green, spotted, chiet^y about the larger end, with
brown, black, and lilac; 0.70 X 0.50.

This species, with the Song Sparrow, is probably the most
numerous, common, and famiHar bird in die I'nited States,
inhabiting from Nova Scotia to Florida, westward to the banks
of the Missouri, and Mr. Townsend found it to be a connnon
species in the Territory of Oregon. Aware of the manv para-
sitic enemies of the feathered race which it has to encounter,
who prowl incessantly, and particularly in quest of its eggs, it
approaches almost instinctively the precincts of houses, barns,
and stables, and frequently ventures into the centre of the
noisy and bustling city, to seek in the cultivated court an
asylum for its expected progeny. Soon sensible of favor or
immunity, it often occupies with its Lest the thick shrubs of
die ga/den within a few yards of the neighboring habitation,
by the side perhaps of a frequented walk, in the low rose-bush.
the lilac, or any other familiar plant affording any degree of
shelter or security, and will at times regularly visit the thresh-
old, the piazza, or farm-yard for the crumbs which intention
or accident may afford it. On other occasions the orchard
trees are chosen for its habitation, or in the lonely woods an
evergreen, cedar, or fir is selected for the purpose. It makes
no pretensions to song, but merely chips in comi^laint when
molested, or mounting the low boughs of some orchard tree or
shrub, utters a quickly articulated ascending 7j7/ 'fs/i 'tsh '/s/i
'/s/i tshc tslic, almost like the jingling of farthings, and a little
resembling the faint warble of the Canary, but without any of
its variety or loudness. This note, such as it is, is continued
often for half an hour at a time, but is little louder than the
chirping of a cricket, and uttered by the male while attending
his brooding mate. For many weeks through the summer and
during fine weather this note is often given from time to time
in the night, like the revery of a dream.

The nest of the Chipping Bird varies sometimes consider-
ably in its materials and composition. The external layer.

> 1'

■ low tree ;
lined with

end, with

the must
(I State?',
;hc banks
e (J mm on
anv para-
ncounter,
:s eggs, it
,es, barns,
re of the
court an
favor or
shrubs of
labi cation,
rose-bush,
degree of
le thresh-
intention
orchard
woods an
It makes
lint when
rd tree or
'tsh 'tsh
(1 a Utde
ut any of
:ontinued
than the
attending
amer and
|e to time

Iconsider-
lal Uiver,

CHIPPING SPARROW.

-» T -

seldom so thick but that it may be readily seen through, is
composed of dr)- stalks of withered grass, and lined nu)rc or
less with horse or cow hair. I'he Cuckoo destroys many eggs
of this timid, harmless, and sociable little bird, as tiie nests are
readily discovered and numerous; on such occasions the little
sufferer expresses great and unusual anxiety for the security of
her charge, and after being repeatetlly robbed, the female sits
closely sometimes upon perhaps only two eggs, desirous at any
rate to escape if por^sible with some of her little (offspring. Two
or more broods are raised in the season.

Towards the close oi summer the parents anii ilicir brood
are seen busily engaged collecting seeds and insects in the
neighboring fields and lanes, and now become so numerous, as
the autumn advances, that flitting before the path on cither
side as the pasrscnger proceeds, they almost resemble the
falling leaves of the season rustling before the cheerless blast ;
and finally, as their food fails and the first snows begin to
appear, advertised of the threatening famine, they disappear
and winter in the Southern States. In the month of January,
in Georgia, during the continuance of the cool weather and
frosty nights, I frequently heard at dusk a confused chirj^ing or
piping like that of frogs, and at length discovered the noise to
proceed from dense flocks of the Chipping Sparrows roosting
or huddling near together in a ])ile of thick brush, where, with
the Song Sparrow also, they find means to pass the cool
nights.

The Chipping Sparrow occurs throughout the Maritime Prov-
inces and westward to the Rockies, northward to the Great Slave
Lake region, and southward to Florida. It is abundant in Quelicc
and Ontario. It is very abundant in the Eastern States and tlie
Eastern Provinces.

Note. — One example of Brewer's Sparrow {Spiae/Zd
hrcweri). a bird that dwells chiefly on the western slopes of the
Rockies, has been taken in Massachusetts.

'ill

■■ nil

.;
t t. . . jri

i t

W-

1 ' f

}ji6 SINGING BIRDS.

FIKLD SPARROW.

SpIZELL.\ PUSILl.A.

<"HAK. Above, streaked rufous, black, and buff; crown chestnut, with
obscure mctliaii line of ash ; hind neck, sides of head and neck ash ; cheek
shaded with brown ; winj^s with two white bars; below, white; breast and
throat tinged with yellow ; bill reddish brown. Length 5^ inches.

^\V.f/. In a field, pasture, or oi)en woodland, amid a tuft of grass or in
a tangled thicket, sometimes placed on a low bush or vine; composed of
grass, twigs, and straw, lined with hair, line roots, or fur.

^■xX-^- 3~5; ''"•'" ^vhite or with buff or green tint, usually thickly spotted
with reddish brown; 0.70 X 0.55.

The Small Brown Sparrow arrives in Pennsylvania and New
Mngland from the Southern States, where it passes the winter,
in the beginning of April. It is with us a shy, wild, and retir-
ing species, j^artial to dry hills and i)astures, and o]')en, bushy,
secluded woods, living much in trees. In autumn, indeed, the
pair, accompanied by their brood, in small flitting flocks leave
their native wilds, and glean at times in the garden or orchard ;
yet but little is now seen of them, as they only approach culti-
vated grounds a few weeks before their departure. These
Si)arrows, if indeed they are the same as those described by
\\'ilson. in winter flock together in great numbers in the
Southern States, and mingling with the Chipping Birds and
other species, they now line the roads, fences, and straggling
bushes near the plantations in such numbers as, with their
sober and brown livery, to resemble almost a shower of rust-
ling and falling leaves, continually haunting the advancing
steps of the traveller in hungry, active flocks, driven by the
storms of winter into this temporary and irksome exile. But
no sooner does the return of early spring arrive than they flit
entirely from the Southern wilds to disperse in pairs and seek
out again their favorite natal regions of the North.

Our little bird has a pretty loud and shrill note, which may
be heard at a considerable distance, and possesses some variety
of tone and expression. Sometimes it is something like true
hi'ce twai, tw 'ho 'fw 'A\' 'Av 'tio 'ho, beginning loud and

:'!:■ I

istnut, with
ash ; check

breast, aiul
iches.

grass or in
imposed ot

kiy spotted

and New
lie winter,
and retir-
en, bushy,
ideed, the
3cks leave
• orchard ;
pach culti-
2. These
icribed by
s in the
>irds and
straggHng
ith their
Ir of rust-
dvancing
1 by the
lile. But
they flit
land seek

lich may

|e variety

Hke i7ve

loud and

FIELD SPARROW.

337

slow, and going up and down, shrill and (jui* k, with a reverbe-
rating tone almost as raj)id as the drumming of the Ruffed
(Irouse. At other times the sound appears like k tic lic </<• de
if iP if tP tf if i/r\ raj^id and echoing ; then «'<v7 icurf 7veed
7i'(U ti \/ \i \/ \i \i \/, also lacct lueet iccet 7i.'tr/' Ti-/' a'/' w/'
icf try : the whole of these notes rising and nmning together
into a short trill something like the song of the Canary, but
less varied, and usually in a querulous or somewhat plaintive
tone, though towards the close of summer I have heard indi-
viduals nearly as musical and warbling as the common Yellow
Bird. These tones are also somewhat similar to the reverbera-
tion^. of the L"hii)i)ing Bird, but quite loud and sonorous, and
without the changeless monotony of that species. In fart, our
bird would be worthy a place in a cage as a songster of some
merit. Like most of the Sparrows, the food of this sjK'cies
consists of seeds and insects ; and they also search the leaves
and branches at times in quest of moths, of which they appear
fond.

The Field Sparrow is a common summer resident of southern
New England, but is rather rare north of Massachusetts. It b.as
not been taken in the Maritime Provinces, tiiough Mr. Xei'son
thinks it not uncommon near the city of Quebec, and it is common
throughout Ontario and in Manitoba. It breeds southward to
South Carolina and winters from the Southern States southward.

Note. — A few examples of the Clav-colorei> Sparrow
{Spi-el/a pallida) wander every year from their usual habitat on
the C.reat Plains to Iowa and Illinois.

VOL. T.

1 ''

> I

(

'i'

I' ';

:«('
1

W-.:\ I

FOX SPARROW.

PaSSERELLA ILIACA.

Char. Above, foxv red (brightest on wings and rump) streaked with
c ih (in winter the asii is sometimes obscure); head and tail without
streaks ; wings with two white bars , below, white spotted with red.
Length about 7 inches.

A^f/. Amid moss, or on a low bush , composed of grass and moss, lined
with grass, roots, and feathers.

■Ej;.:;s. 4-5 ; white with green or blue tinge, spotted and blotched with
brown of several shades (sometimes "^he brown almost conceals the
ground color); great variation in size, average about O.So X o 65.

This large and handsome Sparrow, after passing the summer
and breeding-season in the northern regions of the continent
around Hudson Bay, and farther north and west perhaps to
the shores of the Pacific, visits us in stragghng parties or pairs
from the middle of October to November. At this time it
frequents low, sheltered thickets in moist and watery situations,
where it usually descends to the ground and is busily emploved
in scratching up the earth c nd rustling among the fallen leaves
in quest o^ seeds, worms, and insects, but more particularly the
last. It migrates in a desultory manner, and sometimes arrives

treaked with
tail without
:d with red.

moss, lined

otched with
ronceals the

le summer
continent
)erhaps to
es or pairs
lis time it
situations,
employed
len leaves
cularly the
nes arrives

.SLATE-C< >LOKEl) JlNCi ).

339

as far south as (ieorgia, jjas^ing the winter in the Southern
States and retiring early in the s])ring to its favorite boreal
retreats. These Siiarrows are silent birds, rather tame and
unsuspicious; when alarmed or separated their ciU is simjfly
slu'p, slu'p ; yet ai times in the sprint^, a little lx'fi)re their
departure, they whisper forth a {^w low and sweet notes indi-
cative of the existence of vocal powers in the pairing season.

According to Richardson this species breeds in the woody
districts of the far countries up to the 68th ])arallel.

Nuttall was correct in his conjecture that the Fox Sparrow is a
vocalist. It ranks as a peer of the best songsters of tlie entire
Sparrow- Finch tribe.

1 have heard fhe song frequently in New Brunswick, when cold
storms have detained the birds on their journey north until tlie
approach of their mating season. Sometimes they arrive there
early in March, and pass on in a couple of weeks, without uttering
any other note than a metallic cheep. But when they tarry until
after the first week in April they then burst into full song, and
sing almost continuously. It is a '"fervent, sensuous, and withal
perfectly rounded carol." writes William Brewster: and he adds :
"It expresses careless joy and exultant masculine vigor rather than
the finer shades of sentiment."' The voice is strong, of wide com
pass, and sweet, nch tone.

Nests of this species have been found on the Magdalen Islands
and in Newfoundland, where it is called the Hedge Sparrow, and
Thompson reports it breeding in numbers on Duck Mountain in
Manitoba.

SLATE-COLORED JUNCO.

snow bird. white bill.

Junto hvemaus.

Char. Male : upper pans, neck, and l)rea>t dark slate or blackish
ash; belly white; outer tail-feathers and bill, white. Female: similar,
but upper parts browner, breast paler. Length Q>% to 6^ inches.

Nest. In grassy woodland, or old meadow, or by the roadside, 3ome-
times in the garden of a farm-house : sheltered by a mound or stump, or
amid long grass ; composed, usually, of grass, sometimes mixed with
roots or moss ; lined with feathers, hair, fur, or moss.

Ill

)40

siN(;i\(; liiRDS.

i»

: ; ' J . '

/',>;'.<■• 4-5; ill'" white, or tiiitccl willi L^rcen or buff, spotted chiefly
aroiiiul larger end willi rt(l(li>h-bro\vn and lil.ic; o.So X 0.60.

'I'liis lianly ;in(l wry iiiiincnMis species, conmion to Ijotli
coiuineiits, jjours in tlocks from the northern re^^ions into Mic
I'ni.ed States about the middle of October, where their ap-
pearance is looked n|)on as the presage of approaching winter.
At this season tliey migrate into the Sontht-rn States in great
numbers, ancl seem to arrive in augmenting hosts with tiio
jjiogress of the wintry storms and driving snows, before wiiich
they fly for food rather than shelter ; for even during the
descent of the whitening inundation, and while the tempest
still rages without abatement, these hardy and lonely wander-
ers are often seen fliuing before tiie blast, and, seeking ad-
vantage from ihe s\vee])ing current, descend to collect a scanty
pittance from the frozen and exposed ground, or stop to col-
lect the seeds which still remain ujxjn the unshorn weds
rising through the dreary waste. At such times they are also
frecpiently accom])anied by the Snow IJunting, the htnnbly
dressed Yellow Bird, and the querulous Chickadee. Driver
to straits, however, by hunger, they at length becoine more
familiar, and are now seen about the barns and out-houses,
spreading themselves in busy groups over the yard, and even
approaching the steps of the door in towns and cities, and
gleaning thankfully from the threshold any crumbs or acci-
dental fragments of provision. Amidst all this threatening and
starving weather, which they encounter almost alone, they are
still lively, active, and familiar. The roads, presenting an
accidental resource of food for these northern swarms, are con-
sequently more frequented by them than the fields. Before the
severity of the season commences, they are usually only seen
moving in families ; and the parents, v.-atchful for the common
safety, still continue by reiterated chirpings to warn their full-
grown brood of every approach of danger, and. withdrawing
them from any suspicious observation, wander off to securer
ground. At this time they frequent the borders of woods, seek
through the thickets and among the fallen leavr^s for their
usual food of seeds and dormant insects or their larvne. Their

cd cliielly

to bolli
into Mio
their ap-
g winter,
in great
with the
)re which
iring the
tenipeiit
• wander-
king ad-
: a scanty
)p to col-
rn weeds
y are also
? humbly
Driver
me more
It-houses,
and even
ti'"s, and
or acci-
ning and
they are
kiting an
are con-
lefore the
Inly seen
Icommon
lieir full-
[idrawing
securer
ids, seek
for their
Their

SLATE-CULOKED [LNCU.

341

caution is not unnecessary, for on the skirts of the larger tlocks
the famished Hawk prowls for his fated prey, and des' ending
with a sudden and successful sweep, carries terror through all
the wandering and retreating ranks.

In the latter end of March or beginning (jf April, as the
weather begins to be mild, they re-appear in tlocks from the
South, frecpienting the orchard trees, or retreating to the shel-
ter of the woods, and seem nuw to prefer the shade ol thickets
or the sides of hills, and freciuently utter a few sweet, clear, and
tender notes, almost similar to the touching warble of the
t'^ropean Robin Redbreast. I'he jealous contest for the
selection of mates already also takes place, soon alter whi( h
they retire to tne northern regions to breed ; though, accord-
ing to Wilson, many remove only to tlie high ranges of the
Alleghany Mountains, where, in the interior of Virginia, and
towards the western sources of the Sus(|uehanna, they also
breed in great numbers, fixing their n^sts on the ground or
among the grass, the pairs still associating in near communion
with each other. In the fur countries they were not observed
by Richardson beyond the 5 7th parallel.

The Junco breeds from northern New England northward, and
on the higher hills south to North Carolina. It is an abundant
summer resident of the .Maritime Provinces, and winters there in
s.'.ull numbers. It also winters sparsely in noithern New Knt^land.
and from Massachusetts southward it is a comnu)n winter bird.

The song is very similar to that of tlie Chipping Sparrow.
Though usually building its nest on the ground, a few have been
found in other situations. Sheriff iiisliop, of Kentville, N, S., re-
corded in the O. & O. for .Septeml)er, iSSS, finding nests on branches
of IDW trees, in holes in apple-trees, etc.

Note, — Examples of Shufeldt's Junco (/. Jiycinalis s/m-
feldti), a western form, has been reported from several Eastern
States.

Another species, the Carolina Junco (/. //. caro/inciisis), was
first described i)y .Mr. William Brewster from specimens obtained
by him on the mountains of North Carolina in June, 1885. It is
larger and lighter colored tlian livciualis. and has a horn-eolored
bill.

f' (

ifl

34-'

SIN'CJlNt; I5IUDS.

: I

'HI

L ji

III

:^^l

SWA.l 1» SPARKOW.

MeLOSI'IZA (JKORCIANA.

Char. AIjovo, -i with brown, black, and buff; crown l)ay,

sonictinits with inch. .i...c nicdian line of ash and streaks of black; fore-
head l)lack ; blown strijje bcliind eves, sides of liead and neck ash;
below, dull while, breast shaded with ash, sides shaded with brown ,
wings and tail tinged with I)av. Lcngtii about 5 '4 inches.

A\'s(, Under cover of long grass, in a swamp or wet meadow; usually
made entirely of grass, though sometimes weed-stems are added to the
exterior, and haii is used in lining.

.^VXO'. 4-6 ; (.lull white, tinted with green, blue, or pink, blotched, often
clouded, with lilac and several shades of brown ; o.So X 0.60.

The aquatic habits of these common, though Httle known,
birds is one of their most remarkable pecuUarities. In New
England they arrive from the Southern Slates, where they win-
ter, about the middle of April, and take up their summer resi-
dence in the swamps and marshy meadows through which,
often withoiit Hying, they threatl their devious way with the
same alacril) as the Rail, with whom they are indeed often
associated in neighborhood. In consecjuenre of this perpetual
brushing through sedge and bushes, their feathers are fre-
quently so worn that their tails appear almost like those of
rats, and are very often flirted in the manner of the Wagtail.
Occasionally, however, they mount to the tops of low bushes
or willow-trees and chant forth a few trilling, rather monoto-
nous minor notes, resembling, in some measure, the song of
the Field Sparrow, and appearing like ^701' /ro' fra' hd' M>' tic'
hoc, and hoP /a'V 'tw tio' tive, uttered in a ])leasant and some-
what varied warble. These notes are made with considerable
effort, and sometimes with a spreading of the tail. In the
spring, on their first arrival, this song is delivered with much
spirit, and echoes through the marshes like the trill of the
Canary. The sound now resembles the syllables ^tw ^tw ^tw
'tivee 'hi'ce 'tw 'twe 'hoc, or Ushp Wsli/^ 'tshc ' tsh 'fsh 'tsh 'tsh,
beginning loud, sweet, and somewhat plaintive ; and the song
is continued till late in the morning, and after sunset in the
evening. This reverberating tone is again somewhat similar

SWAM I' Sl'AUKoW.

343

iwn bay,
ck ; fore-
cck ash ;
1 brown ,

; iihually
;d to the

icd, often

known,
In New
ley witt-
ier resi-
i which,
vith the
id often
erpetvuil
are fre-
hose of
Vai'tail.
bushes
Inonoto-
song of

/u'' /7c''

some-
derable
In the
|h much
of the

'sh Ush,

e song

in the

similar

to that of the ("hipping Sjjarrow, bin fir louder and more musi-
( al. In the intervals the Swamp Sparrow descends into the
grashy tuss(jcks and low L-ushes in cpiest of his insect food, as
wj.'ll as to repose out of sight ; and while here his movements
are as silent and secret as those of a mouse. I In- rice planta-
tions and river swamps are the fav(jrite hibernal resorts of
these birds in Louisiana, (leorgia, and the Carolinas ; here they
are very numerous, and skulk among the canes, reeds, and rank
grass, solicitous of concealment, and always exhibiting their
predilection for watery places. In the breeding season, before
the ri])ening of many seeds, they live much on the insects of
till' marshes in which they are fouml. particularly the smaller
coleojiterous kinds, Caraln and Ciirculioiu's. They extend
their northern migrations as far as the coasts of Labrador and
Newfoundland.

'i'hey probiibly raise two or three broods in a season, being
e(|ually prolific with our other Sparrows. They express extreme
solicitude for their joung even after they are fully Hedged and
able to provide for themselves ; the young also, in their turn,
possess uncommon cunning and agility, running and concealing
themselves in the sedge of the wet meadows. They are (|uite
as difficult to catch as field .ice, and seldom on these emer-
gencies attemi)t to take win^. We have observed one of these
sagacious birds dart from one tussock to another, and at last
dive into the grassy tuft in such a manner, or elutle the grasp
so well, as seemingly to disappear or burrow into the earth.
Their robust legs and feet, as well as long claws, seem jiur-
posely ])rovide(l to accelerate this clinging and running on the
uneven ground.

This species is a common summer resident throughout the settled
portions cf eastern Canada, and abundant on the St. Clair i"hils
and in Mai.itoba. It is common at that season in New England
also, and breeds south to Pennsylvania. A few spend each winter
in some marshes near Boston, and the flocks winter from that lati-
tude to the (kilf.

Mr. Chapman tells us that in the South they frequently belie
their name and resort to dry fields,

f [

■I

S. V'

SHARP-TAILFI) SPARROW.

SHORE FINCH.

Amm( )nK.v.MLs cAUl)Acu^^'s.

Char. Above, brownish gray tinged with olive; crown darker, with
median stripe ofashv gray and two stripes of black; back streaked with
black; stripes of biifl" above and l)eIow eyes meeting behind ear-coverts;
wings edged with yellow; tail-feathers narrow, with acutely i>ointed tips;
below, dull white, breast and sides tinged with buff and streaked with
black. Length about $^'4 inches.

.Vest. In a salt-marsh or wet meadow, amid a cluster of reeds or tuft
of sedges, to the stems of which it is sometimes fastened ; a somewhat
bulky structure of grass and weed-stems, lined with fine grass.

Ei:;i;s. 4-5; dull white or tinged with buff or green, thickly spotterl
with brown and lilac; 0.75 X 0.55.

The Shore Finch is an inhabitant of the low islands and
marshy sea-coasts from Mass;vchnsetts to Texas, living on
small shrimjis, marine insects, and i)rol)ably grass seeds, mov-
ing through the rank herbage nearly with the same agility and
timidity as a Swamp Sparrow, to which in structure of the
feet and stoutness of the bill it bears considerable affinity.

ker, with
ikcd with
■ coverts ;
Itcd tijis;
kcd with

is or tuft
lomcwhat

spotted

ids and
[ing (jn
IS, mov-
fity and
of the
Litfinity.

ACADIAN MIAkl'-lAll.i:i> >l'AKKo\V

345

Tht'SL" birds arc not ran-, though not so numerous ii the Sea-
side Sparrow, with \vhi( h they connnonly associate.

'Ihese Kinches frenuent the water, and walk mi tlu tloating
weeds as if on the land ; throughout the winler they remain
grrgarioiis till spring, when they sei)arate fur the purpose of
brei'ding. They are almost silent, a single f:^<,rf being now
all they are heard to utter; and even in the spnny, m. defer-
tivc arc they in melody that their notes are s( an ely worthy
the name of a song. I'hey nest on the gromul, amid the short
marsh-grass near the line of high-water mark ; a slight hollow
is made, ami then lined witli delirate grass. They raise two
broods in the season in the Middle States.

*• Sliarp-tails" have been traced north to Priiue I'dwanl's I.si.uul,
but in 1887 Mr. Jonatiiaii Dwight, Jr., discuvetcd that true cuinia-
Lii/iis liad not heen taken beyond Portsmouth, N. H.. the l)inls
fouiiil to the iiortiiward ol tluU point being .1 distinct variety, which
he named siibvir^^^atus.

ACADIAN SHARi'-r\Il.i:i) SPARROW.
Amm( )I)Ramus c.al dacltl's suhvir(;a rijs.

Char. " Similar in size and coloring \o A. caiuiacutus,h\x\. paler and
much less consiiiciioiisly streaked beneath with jiale greenish prav instead
of black or deep brown. Hill averages smaller. Comiiared with iielsoni
it is much paler and grayer, generally larger, and with a longer bill "
(Dwight).

AV.iV and i^vv*' '"'^' ""^ known to ditfer from those of true ratiif'.uiitus.

The habitat of this newly discovered sub-species, or. rather, the
limit of its range, has not yet been determined. Mi". Dwight gives
it as " Marshes of southern New Brunswick. F'rince Kdward's
Island, and probably Nova .Scotia, and southward in migration
along the Atlantic coast." In habits the present bird differs from
caudacutus in trecpienting fresh-water marshes and dry meadows
on the margins of inland streams.

The song of this bird - if its few wheezy notes deserve such
recognition — is a rather ludicrous etYort. and suggests a bad cold
in the head. Mr. Dwight represents it by the syllables lic-sc-e-
e-e-oop- All I remember having heard from the specimens I
encountered is the ste-c-e-e-oop, delivered with apparent eftort, as
if choking.

340

SINGING BIRDS.

NELSON'S SPARROW.

Am.MODR.\.MUS CAUDACUTUS NELSOXl.

Char. Differs from the type by the colors of the back being very
sharply defined, the white a clearer shade, and the brown a richer and
more decided umber ; chest and sides decjj buff. Size larger than true
cauiiacutus. l^ength about 5j^ inches.

.Vist and £,^ifs similar to caiidacutiis.

Nelson's Shaq>-tail was described by Mr. J. A. Allen in 1875.
It is found in summer on the marshes of the Mississippi valley,
from northern Illinois to .Manitoba, and in winter on the Atlantic
coast from Massachusetts (sparingly) to South Carolina, and west
to Texas.

SEASIDE SPARROW.

SEASIDE FINCH.
Ammodr.\mus MARITLMUS.

Char. Above, dull olive brown, back and head with indistinct streaks
of ashy; superciliary line and edge of wing yellow ; below, dull white, the
breast and .sides with dark streaks. l,ength about 6 inches.

iVtSt. Hidden amid a tuft of grass or coarse sedges in a salt marsh or
wet meadow ; sometimes placed on the ground, often a few inches above
it : composed of dry grass.

E^:ru 4-6: dull white with green or buff tint, spotted with brown ;
o.So X 0.60.

This species is not uncommon in the maritime marshy
groimds and in the sea islands along the Atlantic coast from
Massachusetts to the Southern States. It confines its excur
sions almost wholly within the bounds of the tide-water, leav-
ing its favorite retreats for more inland situations only after
the prevalence of violent easterly storms. In quest of marine
insects, Crustacea, shrimps, and minute shell-fish, it courses
along the borders of the strand with all the nimbleness of a
Sandpiper, examining the sea-weeds and other exuviae for its
fare : it seeks out its prey also at dusk, as well as at other
times, and usually roosts on the ground like a Lark. In short,
it derives its whole subsistence from the margin of the ocean,

SEASIDE SPARROW.

347

: being very
. richer and
:r tlian true

;n in 1875.
ippi valley,
lie Atlantic
1, and west

and it> flesh ii even imbued with the rank or fishy taste to be
expected from the nature of its food. At other times it re-
mains amiiist the thickest of the sea-grass, and climbs upon
the herbage with as much dexterity as it runs on the ground.
Its feet and legs for this purpose are robust, as in the Swamj)
Sparrow. It appears to rear two broods in the season. In
May and June the Seaside Finch may be seen almost at all
hours perched on the top of some rank weed near the salt-
marsh, singing with much emphasis the few notes which com-
pose its monotonous song. When approached it seeks refuge
in the rank grass by descending down the stalks, or tlies oft" to
a distance, riirting its wings, and then, alighting suddenly, runs
off with great nimbleness.

The Seaside Finch is now considered a rare l)ird in Massachu-
setts thoujjh an abundant summer resident of the salt marshes of
southern Connecticut. It breeds southward to North Carolina,
and winters in the Southern States.

tinct streaks
11 white, the

It marsh or
Inches above

[vith brown ;

|e marshy
:oast from
lits excur
later, leav-

only after
lof marine

it courses
Iness of a
liae for its
at other
In short,

he ocean,

NoT-E. — Scott's Seaside Sparrow (A. viaritimns penin-
siller) was first described from specimens taken by Mr. W. E. D.
Scott at Tarpon Springs. Florida, in i.SSS. It is intermediate in
coloration between A. iii^^nsceiis and A. viaritiiinis.

This race is found in South Carolina and Florida, and along the
Gulf coast to Texas.

The DcsKV Seaside Sparrow {Animfldra/znts Ht'i^rescens)
differs from maritiir.us in being black above, streaked with olive
and gray: beneath white, streaked with black. It was described
originally by Mr. C. J. Maynard. who captured the type specimen
in 1S72, in southern Florida. He reported the bird as c]uite abun-
dant in some localities, but no other collector has been successful
in finding it.

'r \

AMERICAN COLDFINCH.

YELLOW BIRD. THISTLE DIKD. THISTLE FINCH.

CANARY.

W II.D

Sl'INL's TRIS'lIS.

Char. Male in suniMier: bright gamboge yellow; crown, wii'gs, and
tail black ; upper and undc»- taii-coverts, wing and tail marking?, white.
In winter the male resembles the female, though with less olive tint.
Female : above, olive brown ; below, paler or yellowish ; forehead with-
out black ; wings and tail much the same as in the male. Length about
4^4 inches.

A'fst. In a pasture or orchard ; usually placed in a crotch of a decidu-
ous tree lo to 20 feet from the ground; a compact and gracefully formed
cup, made of grass and vegetable tibre, lined with grass and plant down,
and often with hair.

^4^4'^- .>~6 ; white with tint of green or greenish blue, c ccasionally
marked with faint spots of brown ; o.6^ X 0.50.

This common, active, and gregarious Goldfinch is a very-
general inhabitant of the United States. It is also for.nd in
summer in the remote interior of Canada, in the fur countries
and near Lake Winni|)ique. in the 49th degree of latitutle, as
well as in the remote territory of Oregon and the Rocky
Mountains, on the banks of Lewis's River, where I found the
nest as usual with white eggs. On the other hand, it is also
met with in Mexico, and even in Ciuiana and Surinam in trop-
ical America, where it frequents the savannas. Although
many of these birds which spend the summer here leave at
the approach of winter, yet hungry flocks are seen to arrive in

. I .. .

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.

349

this part of New Englainl throughout that season; and some-
times, in company with the Snow Buntings, in the inclement
months of January and February, they may be seen busily
employed in gleaning a scanty pittance from the seeds of the
taller weeds, which rise above the deep and drifted snows. As
late as the 15th of September I have obser\-ed a nest of the
Yellow Bird with the young still unfledged. Their migrations
are ver)- desultor)-. and do not probably extend very far, their
progress being apparently governed principally by the scarcity
or abundance of food with which they happen to be su])plied.
Thus, though they may be numerous in the dej)th of winter, as
soon as the weather relaxes in the month of March, scarcely
any more of them are to be seen, having at this time, in quest
of sustenance, proceeded probably to the southern extremity of
the Unite<l States. Tho-^e observed in tropical America may
be hibernal wanderers from the cooler parts of Mexico. At
all events they select the milder climates of the Union in
which to pass the breeding season, as at this time they are but
rarely seen in the Southern States, Kentucky being about tlie
boundary of their summer residence.

Naturally vagrant and wandering, they continue to live in
flocks or in near vicinage, even throughout the greatest part of
the selective season. As the fine weather of spring approaches
they put off their humble winter dress, and the males, now
appearing in their temporary golden livery, are heard tuning
their lively songs as it were in concert, several sitting on the
same tree enjoying the exhilarating scene, basking and pluming
themselves, and vying with each other in the delivery of their
varied, soft, and cheerful warble. They have also the faculty
of sinking and raising their voices in such a delightful cadence
that their music at times seems to float on the distant breeze,
scarcely louder than the hum of bees ; it then breaks out as it
were into a crescendo, which rings like the loud son; of the
Canary. In cages, to which they soon become familiar and
reconciled, their song is nearly as sonorous and animated as
that of the latter. When engaged in quarrel they sometimes
hurl about in a whole flock, some, as it were, interfering to

i I

350

SINGING BIRDS.

iff

Ot.,
i

make peace, others amused by the fray, all uttering loud and
discordant chirpings. One of their most common whining
calls while engaged in collecting seeds in gardens, where they
seem to be sensible of their delinquency, is '///</r /'/•, 'may be.
They have also a common cry like 'tshevect 'tshrrce, uttered in
a slender, complaining accent. These and some other twitter-
ing notes are frequently uttered at every impulse while pursu-
ing their desultory waving flight, rising and falling as they shut
or expand their laboring wings. They are partial to gardens
and domestic premises in the latter end of summer and
autumn, collecting oily seeds of various kinds antl shelling
them with great aildress and familiarity, n" undisturbed often
hanging and moving about head downwards, to suit their con-
venience while thus busily and craftily employed. They have
a particular fondness for thistle seeds, spreading the down in
clouds around them, and at this time feeding very silently and
intently ; nor are they very easily disturbed while thus engaged
in the useful labor of destroying the germs of these noxious
weeds. They do some damage occasionally in gardens by
their indiscriminate destruction of lettuce and flower seeds,
and are therefore often disliked by gardeners ; but their use-
fulness in other respects far counterbalances the trifling inju-
ries they produce. They are very fond, also, of washing and
bathing themselves in mild weather; and as well as tender
buds of trees they sometimes collect the Confervas of springs
and brooks as a variety to their usual fare.

They raise sometimes two broods in the season, as their
nests are found from the first week in July to the middle of
September. In 1831 I examined several nests, and from the
late period at which they begin to breed it is impossible that
they can ever act in the capacity of nurses to the Cow
'I'roopial. This procrastination appears to bi occasioned by
the lack of sufficiently nutritive diet, the seeds on which they
principally feed not ripening usually before July.

Note. — The Black-hkaded Goldfinch {Spini/s notatus),
a Mexican bird, is credited with an accidental occurrence in
Kentucky.

ig loud and
lon whining

where the y
/'/, 'ntiiy in'.
', uttered in
ther twitter-
rt'hile pursu-
as they shut
1 to gardens
Linimer and
mil shelling
urhed often
it their con-

They have
the down in
silently and
hus engaged
ese noxious
gardens by
ower seeds,
it their use-
fling inju-

ashing and
as tender
of sjirings

•n, as their
middle of
id from the
ossible that
the Cow
asioned by
which they

s notatus').
:urrence in

PINE SISKIN. 351

PINE SISKIN.

PINE FINCH. FINE LINNET.
Sl'INUS FINUS.

Char. Above, olive Iirown or dark fla.xcn, streaked with duskv ;
wings and tail l)lack, the fcatlicrs edged witl) yellow; wings with two
buttish bars ; below streaked with dusky and yellowish white. Length
about 4^ inches.

Xest. Usually in a deep forest, on a horizontal branch of an evergreen
tree 20 to 40 feet from the ground. It is fairly well built, as a rule,
but is neither as compact nor graceful as the Thistle Bird's, and i> com-
posed of various materials, though generally grass, twigs, and pine-needles
form the exterior, while the lining is either feathers or hair, or both.

Eggs. 3-5 ; pale green or greenish blue spotted with light reddish
brown and lilac; 0.70 X 0.50.

Our acquaintance with this little northern ('roldfinch is very
unsatisfactory. It visits the Middle States in Xoveml i fre-
quents the shady, sheltered borders of creeks and rivulets, and
is particularly fond of the seeds of the hemlock-tree. Aunjiig
the woods, where these trees abound, these birds assemble in
flocks, and contentedly pass away the winter. Migrating fi.r
no other purpose but subsistence, their visits are necessarily
desultory and uncertain. My friend Mr. Oakes. of Ipswich,
has seen them in large flocks in that vicinity in winter. With
us they are rare, though iheir favorite food is abundant. They
are by no means shy, and permit a near approach without tak-
ing alarm, often fluttering among the branches in which they
feed, hanging sometimes by the cones, and occasionally utter-
ing notes very similar to those of the American (loldfinch.
Early in March they proceed to the North, and my friend
Audubon obser\'ed them in families, accompanied by th ir
young, in Labrador in the month of July. They frequented
low thickets in the vicinity of water, and were extremely fear-
less and gentle. Their summer jilumage, as we have since
also found in the Oregon Territory, where they abound and
breed, is entirely similar to the garb in which they visit us in
the winter, with the sole exception that the yellow of the wings-
is brighter.

! I

\ it

! Ii

t, i

»?!i

.1 i

SINGING HIRDS.

'I'hey sing on tlu- wing in the manner of the C'loldfinch.
Their notes are clear, Hvely, and mellow, like as in that bird,
but still sufficiently distinct ; they tly out in the same graceful,
deep cur\es, emitting also the common call- note at every
effort to ])roceed.

The historv of this interesting; bird is but littlf bt-tter known to-
day than wiien Xuttall wrote. Our ignorance is partly due to tiie
irregular, nomadic habits of the bird, but chiefly because its favorite
haunts are in out-of-the-wav places, amid the deeper recesses of the
forests, where ivw ol)servers penetrate. At intervals large flocks
visit the outskirts of settlements, and even look in upon the vil-
lages: but these are merely excursions by the way introduced into
the migration programme. Its habitat is now given as '• North
America in general, breeding mostly north of the United .States.*'
In the east, nests have been found in New ^■ork .State by Dr. C
Hart .Meniam and Dr. A. K. Fisher, and the nest and eggs have
l)een taken twice in Massachusetts; but the major portion of the
eastern flocks go to the more northern portions of New England
and beyond before '-cttling down for the summer.

The dates usually given for the nesting are early in May; but
a much earlier time is given by Dr. A. Leith Adams, an Eng-
lish naturalist who met with the species in New Brunswick. In
his •• Field and fairest Rambles," he writes : " It breeds early, and
has its young flying before the first summer migrants arrive in
April, when lart^e flocks may be observed feeding on the buds of
the hawthorn preparatory to their departure northward." He adds
that it is a choice cage-bird, and is easily tamed. He kept some
for several months, and when liberated they all returned to their
cages after an absence of several days.

The biogra])liv of this species forms an interesting chapter in
that interesting book. *• The Land Birds and Game Birds of New
England." by H. D. !Minot, — a book, by the way, that has not
reieived the reco<rnition its merit deserves.

'I
■■\-

Cioldfinch.
n that bird,
ne graceful,
tc at every

■t" known to-
y due to the
ic its favorite
cesses of the
hirge flocks
ipon the vii-
roduced into
1 as '■ North
ited States."'
e by Dr. C.
:1 egtis have
rtion of the
ew K upland

in May : but

lis. an Eng-

inswick. In

early, and

s arrive in

le buds of

He adds

kept some

led to their

chapter in
i"ds of New
;it has not

-y-

s^^^lJ^St^lfi

(;OLDFINCH.
Carduelis cakduelis.

Char. Forehead and throat crimson ; cheeks and lower throat white ;
crown and nape black, the latter being bordered by a narrow line ol
white; back brown; wings black, tipped with white and barred with
yellow; tail-coverts white with black bases; three outer tail-feathers
black, with white centrai spots, the remainder black, tipped with white;
breast white, banded with brownish buff; flanks buffy ; belly and under
tail-coverts white. Lensjth about 5 inches.

iVt' /. In an orchard or garden, placed in a fork of a tree or bush ; a
compact and neatly made structure of fine grass and moss, lined with
grass and plant down, etc.

Ei^i^s. 4-6 : dull white tinged with blue or green, spotted and streaked
with purpli.-5h brown ; 070 X 0.50.

This European songster has been introduced within recent years.
and though increasing slowly, appears to he thoroughly naturalized.

It is most abundant near Hoboken, N. J., where a number were
set at liberty in 1878, but examples have been taken in oiher States.
A nest and eggs were discovered in Caniliridijje some ten years
ago, and during the summer of iSyo a nest was taken near
Worcester, .Mass.

In Great Britain it is ver\- common, and breeds north to Caith-
ness, and one ne.st has been taken on the south side of Skye.

The voung are fed on insects and larvae; but Mr. Saunders says
"the principal food of the Goldfinch consists of seeds of the thistle,
knapweed, groundsel, dock, and other plants."

VOL. r. — 2-;

354

SINC;iN(; lilRDS.

/ i -

■f

><<

ili>

'' 1

> !

•

1 n

HOUSE SIWRKOW.

english .spakkovv.

Passer domes'iui's.

Char. Generr.l color prav'sh brown, the back streaked with black ; a
narrow strijic of white over tin.- cyo ; cliccks with patches of chestnut and
wliitc ; sides and neck white ; throat and breast black, sometimes washed
with chestnut; wings brown with white bar; tail brown: belly dull wiiite.
Female: paler, without the black throat-|)atch. Length about inches.

A'fs/. Anywhere and of any material, — usually a bulky affair, roughly
made of dry grass and feathers.

^j,::,'-s. 4-7 ; grayish white speckled with rich brown and pale lavender ;
0.85 X 0.60.

This is another introduced species: but about i^s naturalization
there is, unfortunately, no doubt.

The history of the introduction of this bird, and its relation to
American agriculture, is exhaustively treated in a volume nrepared
by Mr. Waller B. Narrows, under the direction of Dr. C. Hart
MerriaiTi, ornithologist to the Department of Agriculture, and
issued from the (Government Printing Office at Washinsrton in
1889. From it we lenrn that the first importation of this Sparrow
was made by Hon. Nicholas Pike, and the birds were liberated in
P>rooklyn, N. Y., in 185 1. The first batch did not thrive, so others
— about a hundred - were brought over during 1852 and 1853. In
1854 Colonel Rhodes, of Quebec, brought a number from England
and liberated sotne in Portland, Me., the remainder being taken
to Quebec. During the following ten years a few hundred were
brought from Europe and scattered between Portland and New
York, some thirty being turned out on Boston Common. About
1869 a thousand were taken to Philadelphia, and several cities in
the interior received each a few pairs.

From these imported birds have sprung the hosts of "ruffians in
feathers " that have taken possession of every town and village,
from Cape Breton to Florida, and west to the plains,

A few pairs were taken to southern (Greenland, and though some
lived through several winters, the entire dock at last perished.

Note. — The European Tree Sparrow {Passer montaiins)
has also been introduced. A few years ago a number were liber-
ated in St. Louis, and have become thoroughly naturalized there.
This bird is closely related to the House Sparrow, which it resembles
in appearance and in habits. The Tree Sparrow has not, however,
increased so rapidly as its congener, nor proved so great a pest.

h black ; a
lestnut and
les washed

dull white.

6 inches,
air, roughly

e lavender ;

uralization

relation to
e nrcpared
r. "C. Hart
ilturc, and
hington in
is Sparrow
.lierated in
>, so others
I 1853. In
n England
eing taken
idred were
and New
n. About
il cities in

ruffians in
|nd village,

lough some
shed.

inoittaims)
l^vere liber-
jzed there,
resembles
^, however,
a pest.

REDPOLL.

LESSER REDPOLL. REDPOLL LINNET.
ACAN'JHIS LlXAklA.

CllAR. Above, brownish gray streaked with dusky; rump white,
tinged with rose pink and streaked with dusky; forLliei.u with patch of
deep carmine; wings dusky brown with two white bars; below, white,
sides heavily streaked with dusky ; chin and throat dusky ; breast deep
rose pink. P>ill extremely acute ; in winter its color is yellow tii)pcd with
black, but in summer the color is dull blacki.sh. (Female differs from
male only in lacking the red tints on rump and breast.) Length 4,'^ to 5
inches.

Nest. In a low tree or amid a tuft of grass ; coni])osed of dry grass and
moss lined with hair or feathers or plan! down.

Ei;^i{s. 4-6; white tinged with green or blue, spotted with reddish
brown ; 0.65 X 0.50.

These elegant birds, which only pay us occasional and
transient visits at distant inter\-als, are inhabitants of the whole
Arctic circle to the confines of Siberia, and are found in Kam-
tschatka and (Greenland as well as the colder parts of Iuiro])e.
Arriving in roving flocks from the northern wilds of Canada,
they are seen at times in the western parts of the State of New
York with the fall of the first deep snow, and occasionally ])ro-
ceed eastward to the very city of New York, where in the
depth of winter, and for several weeks, they have been seen
gleaning their scanty food of variotis kinds of seeds in the
gardens of the town and suburbs. Flocks are likewise some-
times seen in the vicinity of Philadelphia in severe winters,
though at remote periods ; as according to Mr. Ord they have
not visited that part of Pennsylvania since the winter of

i 'v

35^

SINOIXG IURI>S.

' ■■ I.

:J M

II.

I m

i i '

;,_. I. . ...

feiy«i

1813-14. They api)i;;ir very iinsuspicioua while feeding in the
gardens, or on the seeds of the alder-bush, one of their favor-
ite repasts, and thus engaged allow a near approach while
searching for their food in every ])osture, and sometimes head
dcjwnwards. They are also fond of the seeds of the pine, the
linden, and rajie, and in the winter sometimes content them-
selves even with the buds of the alder. Wilson believed he
heard this si)ecies utter a few interrupted notes, but nothing
satisfactory is known of its vocal powers. Mr. Ord remarks
that their call much resembles that of the common Yellow
IJird, to which, indeed, they are allied. They are said to
breed in the Highlands of Scotland, and to select the heath
and furze for the situation of their nests, though they more
commonly choose alder-bushes and the branches of the pine.

According to Richardson, these birds are among the few
hardy and permanent residents m the fur countries, where they
may be seen in the coldest weather on the banks of lakes and
rivers, hoj)ping among the reeds and carices or clmging to their
Stalks. They are numerous throughout the year even in the
most northern districts, and from the rarity of their migrations
into the United States it is obvious that they are influenced by
no ordinary causes to evacuate the regions in which they are
bred. Famine, in all probability, or the scarcity of food, urges
them to advance towards the South. It is certain that they do
not forsake their natal regions to seek shelter from the cold.
This season, by the 7th or Sth of November (1833), before
the occurrence of any extraordinary cold weather, they arrived
in this vicinity (Cambridge, Mass.) in considerable flocks, and
have not paid a visit to this quarter before to my knowledge
for 10 or 12 years. They now regularly assemble in the birch-
trees every morning to feed on their seeds, in which employ-
ment they are so intent that it is possible to advance to the
slender trees in which they are engaged and shake them off by
surprise before they think of taking wing. They hang upon
the twigs with great tenacity, and move about while feeding in
reversed postures, like the Chickadees. After being shot at
they only pass on to the next tree and resume their feeding as

KEUrOLL.

357

iig in the
uir tlivor-
ch while
lies head
pine, the
lit thcm-
Ueved he
t nothing
remarks
n VcUow
i said to
the heath
icy more
le i)ine.
r the tew
here they
lakes and
ig to their
en in the
nitrations
enced by
they are
lod, urges
they do
the cold,
before
y arrived
cks, and
nowledge
ic birch-
employ-
ee to the
m off by
:ing upon
eding in
shot at
ieding as

before. They have a (|uailing call perfectly similar to that
of the Yellow iiird ( /'/vV/i,'///!/ /n's/i's), tioce /icu'c, or ts/u'-jui-;
and when crowtli ig together in llight make a (onfused chirj)-
ing 77i'//'//A'//7u'// 7?i7/ 77t'//, with a rattling noi^c, and some-
times go <;l'f with a simultaneous twitter. Occasionally tlu-y
ilescentl from their favorite birches and pick up sunllowir
seeds and those of the various weedy Choiopodittms growing
in wastes. At length they seemed attracted to the pines by
the example of the Crossbills, and were busily emjjloyed in
collecting their seeds. As the weather becomes colder they
also roost in these sheltering evergreens; and confused (locks
are seen whirling about capriciously in (juest of fare, sometimes
descending ow the fruit-trees to feed on their buds by way of
variety. Though thus urgeil from their favorite regions in the
north, there appeared no obvious reason for their movements,
as we found them fat and not driven to migrate trom any
imminent necessity.

In XuttalTs day but two forms of Redpoll were recognized by
naturalists, — tinaria and canescens {=z c.vi7ipes)\ but now there
are five, -or six, if we count the hyj)otlietical brewstet it. Similar
as these appear to the casual observer, an expert can readily divide
them when examples of the different races are compared, tliou.udi it
is sometimes difficult to refer a specimen with accuracy unless so
compared.

The habitat of true liitaria is now given as •■ northern portions
of northern hemispliere, in Nortli America: south in winter to
Kansas and \'irginia."

NoTi;. — HoLHffiLL's Rkdi'oli, {.Iciint/iis linaria JiolbcelUi) is
larger than the type, with a proportionately longer bill. It is
usually restricted to the northern coasts of Europe and Asia, but
examples have been taken in Alaska, Quebec, Massachusetts, and
New York.

The Greatkk Reoi'OIX {Acanthis linaria rostrata) is still
larger, — iengtli •)% to 5U inches. — and the colors are darker,
with the under parts more broadly striped. It is found in southern
Greenland in summer, and in winter migrates to New England,
Manitoba, and northern Illinois.

f I

i .

f i

i i

'il

' :ft

''V

I I

HOARV Kl<:i)l»ULL.

MKAI.V KKDI'OLL.

ACANTHIS HORNI.MANIl l.XIMPKS.

Thak. Male: ahove. d.ill wliitc streaked with dusky brown ; crown
crimson ; riinip wliitc washeil with pink ; wings and tail dusky brown
witli two while bars; l)clow, dull white sparsely streaked with duskv :
chin and throat duskv; breast delicate rose pink. Female: similar, but
without phik on breast and rump. Length 5 inches.

Similar to A. linariii, but colore ,'iler, — the brown largely replaced by
gray, and the re^l of a pakr sIkkK- and more restricted.

S'est. In a low tree or on the ground ; comjiosed of grass and twigs
lined with feathers

Egi::s. 3-5; white tinged with blue or green, spotted with reddish
brown ; 0.65 X 0.50.

This species, so nearly allied to the last, is met with partly
in the same remote boreal regions in the summer, but is of
much more rare occurrence ; it is also found in the territory
of Oregon, and stragglers have been obtained as far south as
New Jersey and New York. In Maine it is less rare. These
birds have a note very similar to the last species, but distinct.
They are full of activity and caprice while engaged in feeding,
making wide circles and deej) untlulations in their flight. Like

T«>\vin;i:.

359

Titmice also, thoy fn-qiicntly feed and hiiu-; to the twigs it)
rcvcrNcil jK>.«.ture!>. ,

This form sunimers in tlic Arctic regions, h-mI in wiiUcr nii;(rati'.s
.Sf)utli\var(l. ;i hw cxninpl.s rfuiiiing tlic ikiiIkiu bitr-lcr i>l tlic
L ilitt.(l St.Ucs.

Notf:. — The (Ikki.XI.am) Ki.di'OM. {Acanthis horttcmaunif)

is lari4Lr tli.in <M77//t'j-, — length 5,'j to (>;j iiu lies, it l)ici(ls in
(irLunland aiul lli-j e.istcrn part ot Arctic Aincrica, and in winter
ranges as far south as Labrador.

r.Ri wsti:r's Linm.t {.Uani/iis bre^i'stcrii) is a "Ridpoll''
witliout A\\\ red on its poll : it dit'i\rs alio Iroin tiie other lorins in
lacking; lIu- du>.ky spot on the tiuo.it anil in li.ivin;; a pdilion nf its
plumage tinijcd with yellow. The type specimen was taken .it
Waltliam, M.iss., in 1S70, and remains uni(|ue. Tlie A. O. U. have
plaeed tlie name in tliat "lock-up"' for suspicious characters, the
" hypothetical list."

wn ; crown
sky lirown
ith (hisky :
imilar, but

[ephiccd by

and twigs

Ith reddish

rith partly
but is of

territory

south as
. l^hese

distinct.

feeding,
lit. Like

towiihf:.

GROUXn KOlilN. CHEW INK.
PH'n.O IKVlHklJl'HIHAI.MLS.

Thar. Tll.nck with white belly and bay sides and vent ; outer tail-
feuthci> partlv wiiite ; white spot on wing; iris red. Female and young
tawny brusvn wlicre the adult male is black.

Xcst. Near the margin of woodland or in an overgrown pasture ;
usually placed on the grouiui and concealed in a tiit't of grass or l)ru>h-
heap, or under a lorr cr bush, — sometimes fastened to a low '"ash ; loosely
made of dry leaves, grape-vines, weed-stems, and gras>, lined with tine
grass, roots, or pine-needles.

A^TiT'f' 4"6; dull white thickly marked with fine spots of wariu, reddish
brown and lilac; sometimes the marks are bolder ; 0.95 X 0.75

This is a very common, hmnble, and iinsuspirioiis bird,
dwelling commonly in thick dark woods and their borders,
flying low, and frequenting thickets near streams of water,
where it spends much time in scratching up the withered
leaves for worms and their larvre. and is particularly fond of
wire-worms (or /////), as well as various kinds of seeds and
gravel. Its rustling scratch among the leafy carpet of the
forest is often the only indication of its presence, excepting

36o

SINGING lURDS.

1^^

now an<l then a call upon its mate {/(m'-n'n; t(nv-7vce, toio-
7i'tt'ij, with which it is almost ( onstanlly associated. While
thus busily engaged in foraging for subsistence, it may be
watched and apijroached without showing any alarm ; and
taking a look often at the observer, without susi)icion, it
scratches up the leaves as before. This call of recognition is
uttered in a low and somewhat sad tone, and if not soon
answered it becomes louder and interrogatorv. /in^'-ttu't- towee f
and terminates often with towtit. 'i'hese binls are accused
of sometimes visitmg the pea- fields to feed, but occasion no
sensible damage.

In the pairing season and throughout the p.^riod of incuba-
tion the male fre(juently mounts to the top of some bush
amidst the thickets where he usually passes the time, and from
hence in a clear and sonorous voice chants forth his simple
guttural and monotonous notes for an hour or so at a time,
while his faithful mate is confined to her nest. I'his ([uaint
and somewhat pensive song often soumls like f<:h\i -iSih'c tc ti
tc tc ti', or 'l'iii--ici t(i-, tr fr ' tr 'tr. — the latter part a sort of
quaint and deliberate (juivering trill ; sometimes it sounds like
'htii tsherr " rh 'r/i. rrh '7.'f, then V'tcW /uvr /' fs/ter' r' r, also
€t se ya, \ti \\a \\ti \\a \\(j : the latter notes, attemjned to be
expressed by whistled and contracted consonant syllables, are
trilled with this sound.

(iround Robins, sometimes also called Ts/i('-7c>i>ik and Pee-
7t'///X', from another of their notes, are general inhabitants of
Canada and the United States even to the base of the Rocky
Mountains and the peninsula of Florida, in all of which regions,
except the last, with Louisiana and the contiguous countries,
they pass the summer and rear their young, migrating, how-
ever, from the Northern and Middle States in October, and
returning again about the middle or close of April, according
to the advancement of the season, at which time ^Iso the
males usually precede the arrival of their mates. They pass
the winter generally to the south of Pennsylvania, and are then
very abundant in all the milder States in the Union.

They are said to show some address at times in concealing

'{•f, /f'TC-

While
may be
11 ; aiul
cion, it
nition is
ot soon
■ tin^<cc ?
accused
usion no

" incuba-
ne bush
I ml from
s simple
I a time,
is ([uaint
.nice ic tc
a sort of
m»ls like
/•';■, also
(1 to be
bles, are

hnd Pce-
itants of
|e Rocky

regions,
[.luntries,
iig, iiow-
ber. and

•cording
blso the

lev pass

lire then

TOWHEE.

36 r

their nest, which is fixed on the groimd in a dry and elevated
bituatiun and sunk beneath the surface among the fallen leaves,
sometimes under the shelter of a small bush, thicket, or brier.
Accurdini( to the ct^nvenience of the site, it is formed of differ-
ent materials, sometimes, according to W ilson, being made of
leaves, strips of grape-vine bark, lined with fine stalks of <iry
gra.ss, and occasionally in ]jart hidden with hay or herl)age.
Most of the nests in this vicinity are made in solitarv dry jmie
woods without any other protection than some small bush or
accidental fallen leaves ; and the external materials, rather
substantial, are usually slightly agglutinated strii)s of red-cedar
bark, or withered grass with a neat lining of die same ami
fallen pine leaves ; the lining sometimes made wholly of the
latter. The nest is also at times elevated from the ground by
a layer of coarse leaf-stalks such as those of the hickory. The
first brood are raised early in June, and a second is ot'ten
obser\-ed in the month of July ; but in this jiart of New laig-
land they seldom raise more than one. The pair show great
solicitude for the safety of their young, lluttering in the path
and pretending lameness with loud chirping when their nest is
too closely examined.

The eastern form of the Towhee is not found west of Minnesota,
Kansas, and Texas. In the more northern and unsettled portions
of Xew Enjcland it is very rare or absent. It is common in Man-
itoba and southern Ontario, but rare in yiicbec ; and one example,
captured near .St. John, N. B.. in 18S1, is the only known instance
of its occurrence in the Maritime Provinces.

The flocks migrate in winter to the Southern States, settling in
\'irginia and .southward.

Note. — The White-eyed Towhee {Pipilo oytlirophthalnnis
alleni differs from the northern race chiefly in ljein<i of somewhat
.smaller size, and in the iris being white instead of red.

It was discovered during the spring of 1879 by .Mr. C.J. .May-
nard in Florida, and is .-.aid to be distributed along the coast north-
ward to South Caix>lina.

"^1

[icealing

• ■-f

! '

CARDINAL.

REDBIRD.
Cardixalis CARDIXALIS.

Char. Head with conspicuous crest. Male : above, brisiht vennf-
Jion. shaded with gray on the back; beneath, paler; forehead and throat
black. Female: above, olive gray; beneath, bufify. Young similar to
female, but duller. Length about S to S}^ inches.

.\V.fA In a variety of situations, most frequently amid a thicket of
brambles or in a low tree; loosely made of twigs, strips of grape-vine,
dry grass, weed-stems, lined with fine grass or roots, sometimes with
hair.

E,i:^'-s. 3-5 ; dull white or tinged with blue, green, or buff; spotted
with reddish brown and lilac; lOO X 0.75.

These splendid and not uncommon songsters chiefly reside
in the warmer and more temperate parts of the United States
from New York to Florida, and a few stragglers even proceed
as far to the north as Salem in Massachusetts. They also
inhabit the Mexican provinces, and are met with south as far
as Carthagena ; adventurously crossing the intervening ocean,
they are likewise numerous in the little temperate Bermuda
islands, but do not apparently exist in any of the West Indies.
As might be supposed, from the range already stated, the Red-
binls are not uncommon throughout Louisiana, Missouri, and
Arkansas Territor)'. Most of those which pass the suminer in

CARDINAL.

V^l

isiht venni-

and throat

similar to

thicket of
Igrape-vine,
[times with

|ff; spotted

[fly reside
;d States
proceed
'hey also
Ith as far
[g ocean.
iKermuda
Ft Indies,
the Red-
)uri, and
Immer in

tilt cooler and Middle States retire to the South at the com-
mencement of winter ; though a few linger in the sheltered
swamps of Pennsylvania and near the shores of the Delaware
almost through the winter. They also, at this season, probably
assemble towards the sea-coast from the west, in most of the
Southern States, where roving and skulking timid families are
now seen flitting silently through thickets and swampy woods,
eager alone to glean a scanty subsistence, and defend them-
selves from prowling enemies. At all times, however, they
appear to have a predilection for watery groves and shaded
nnining stream>. abounding with evergreens and fragrant mag-
nolias, in which they are so frequent as to be almost concomi-
tant with the scene. But though they usually live only in
families or pairs, and at all times disperse into these selective
groups, yet in severe weather, at sunset, in South Carolina. I
obser\ed a flock passing to a roost in a neighboring swamp
and bushy lagoon, which continued, in lengthened file, to fly
over my head at a considerable height for more than twenty
minutes together. The beautiful procession, illumined by the
last rays of the setting sun, was incomparably splendid as the
shifting shadow}- light at quick intervals flashed upon their
brilliant liver)-. They had been observed to pass in this man-
ner to their roost for a considerable time, and, at daybreak,
they were seen again to proceed and disperse for subsistence.
How long this timid and gregarious habit continues, I cannot
pretend to say : but by the first week in February the song of
the Redbird was almost daily heard. As the season advances,
roving pairs, living, as it were, only with and for each other, flit
from place to place ; and following also their favorite insect or
vegetable fare, many proceed back to the same cool region in
which they were bre<l. and from which they were reluctantly
driven ; while others, impelled by interest, caprice, and adven-
ture, seek to establish new families in the most remote limits of
their migration. Some of these more restless wanderers occa-
sionally, though rarely, favor this part of New luigland with a
visit. After listening with so much delight to the lively fife of
the splendid Cardinal, as I travelled alone through the deep and

364

SINGING BIRDS.

J ■•: I

J (

i i

,i ;

i! «

U: ^

'' ^i

:: i

t <

wild solitudes which prevail over the Southern States, and bid,
as I thought, jK-rhaps an eternal adieu to the sweet voice of my
charming com)janions, what was my surprise and pleasure, on
the 7th of May, to hear, for the first time in this State, and in
the Jiotanic (larden, above an hour together, the lively and
loud song of this exquisite vocalist, whose voice rose above
every rival of the feathered race, anil rung almost in echoes
through the blooming grove in which he had chosen his re-
treat. In the Southern States, where these birds everywhere
breed, they become familiarly attached to gardens, which, as
well as cornfields, afford them a ready means of subsistence ;
they are also fond of the seeds of most of the orchartl fruits,
and are said occasionally to prey upon bees.

The lay of the Cardinal is a loud, mellow, and pleasingly
varied whistle, delivered with ease and energy for a consider-
able time together. To give it full effect, he chooses the sum-
mit of some lofty branch, and elevatmg his melodious voice in
powerful as well as soothing and touching tones, he listens,
delighted as it were, with the powers of his own music, at
intervals answered and encouraged by the tender responses of
his mate. It is thus the gilded hours of his existence pass
away in primeval delight, until care and necessity break in
upon his contemi)lative reveries, and urge him again to pursue
the sober walks of active life.

The song of the Redbird, like that of so many others,
though possessed of great originality, often consists in part of
favorite borrowed and slightly altered phrases. It would be
a difficult and fruitless task to enumerate all the native notes
delivered by this interesting songster ; a few may be perhai:)S
excused by those who wish, in their rural walks, to be made, in
any way, acquainted with the language of the feathered vocal-
ists that surround them. All the tones of the Cardinal are
whistled much in the manner of the human voice. Late in
February, while travelling in Alabama, I heard one crying
woolit, wolit 7Volit wolit, then in a quicker tone hiitsh butsh
butsh hfitsh, and Ushooway tshoo'iiHjy tsJuunuay. At another
time the song was ^ivit d'uut, ^t'ei'i ; then tshevi tshere ^feii,

CARDINAL

365

and bid,
(ice of my
■asure, on
te, and in
ivt'ly and
3se above
in echoes
Ml his re-
verywhere
which, as
Insistence ;
lard iruits,

pleasingly

consider-
3 the sum-
is voice in
he listens,

music, at
sponses of

ence pass
break in

to pursue

[ly others,
n part of
would be
ive notes
perhajis
made, in
led vocal-
•(linal are
Late in
le crying
'tsh hutsh
another
hei>e ''feu,

'-li'hoit \ohoii 'ivhoit 'tl'i'i (the ''whoit an exact human whistle,
anil the ten tenderly emphatic). Another bird called tco tio
ti'o, tshooi' (sliooc tsliooe tshooe, then teo tco tfo tco alone, or
'luoit '7i'dit 'ivoit Hooit, with the last word tlelivered slower, and
in a sinking, delicately plaintive tone. These phrases were
also answered in sympathy by the female, at a little distance
w\i the meandering brook where they were engaiyed in collect-
ing their food. In Florida, about the 12th of March, I heard
a very fine Redbird singing ''lOhittoo wittoo ichioo 'lindJoo.
Pie began low, almost in a whisper, but very clearly articu-
lated, and gradually raised his voice to loudness, in the manner
of the Nightingale. He now changed the strain into 'r/r///,
ii<ilt -ii'ilt wilt wilt ; then 'lictii tshooe 'ishdiH' tshooe tshooe,
afterwards ' ///' I'ietu, and 'ricta tu tii, then varying 'tshooee,
etc.. \v ;i lower key. On approaching this bird, to see and
hear hiui more distinctly, he exhibited his anger by scoUling in
a hoarse tone almost like that of a squirrel, and from the sea-
son, and absence of respondence in the female, I imagine he
already had a nest in the neighboring thicket. The bird, whif:h
frequented the Botanic (larden for several days, in the morn-
ing sang fearlessly and loudly, but at other times the pair hid
themselves amongst the thickest bushes, or descended to the
ground to feed among the grass and collect insects and worms ;
now and then however, in an undertone, as if afraid of attract-
ing notice, he whispered to his mate ten teii feu, -coit, Wcoit
'-woit, elevating his tone of recognition a little at the close of
the call, and going over other of the usual phrases in the same
whispering and slenderly rising voice. About the 4th of July,
the same pair, apparently, paid us a parting visit, and the male
sang with great energy, 7r'' t7C'\ 'wi'to ''weto 'loeto 'weto 'weto
7oait. then waiti'ip 7iHiitfip laaitiip 7i>aitfip, t^ho-w tshow tslu'm'
tshow tshow. On whistling any of these notes within hearing
of the Cardinal, a response is almost certain, as this affectionate
recognition is frequently answered by the female. His phrase
may also be altered at will, by whistling some other than that
which he repeats, as he often immediately answers in the call
he hears, sujiposing it to be that of his approachuig mate.

366

SINGIXG r.IKDS.

IJ:

(IJ

|i:

I!,- J J

On their arrival in the Middle States, in spring, violent ron-
tests sometimes ensue between the unmated and jealous males.
When the dispute is for the present closetl, the pair, probably
for greater security, and dreading a recurring ([uarrel of doubt-
ful issue, wander off to a remote distance from their usual
abode, and in this way, no doubt, occasionally visit countries
but little frequented by the rest of their s])ecies. Marly in
May, it seems, in Pennsylvania, according to Wilson, they
begin to i)repare their nests, which are often j^laccd in an ever-
green bush, cedar, laurel, or holly. They u>>ually raise two
broods in the season. As they are so easily domesticated im-
mediately after being caught in trap cages, it is unnecessan," to
raise them from the nest. By this kind of unnatural confine-
ment, the brilliant color of the male is found sometimes to
fade until it becomes of a pale whitish red. They live, how-
ever, long in confinement, and an instance is known of one
which had survived for 21 years. In the cage, they have not
that variety of song which they exhibit in their native wilds :
and this, judging from the frequent rei)etition of the same
phrase, would appear to be a monotonous performance, if the
variety of expression, tone, and key did not perpetually relieve
and enhance the character of the lay. His song also con-
tinues for 6 or 8 months in the year, antl is, even, as among
the Thrushes, more lively in wet weather, the sadness of
Nature, softening and soothing the tender vocalist into a lively,
pathetic, and harmonious revery. So highly were these birds
esteemed for their melody that, according to (iemelli Careri.
the Spaniards of Havanna, in a time of public distress and
scarcity, bought so many of these birds, with which a vessel
was partly freighted, from Florida, that the sum expended, at
10 dollars apiece, amounted to no less than i<S,ooo dollars!
Indeed, Latham admits that the notes of our Cardinal •• are
almost equal to those of the Nightingale," the sweetest feath-
ered minstrel of Kurope. The style of their performance is,
however, wholly different. The bold, martial strains of the
Redbird, though relieved by tender and exquisite touches,
pobaebs not the enchanting pathos, the elevated and varied

EVENING GROSBEAK.

367

lent <on-
)U.s males,
probably
of (loubt-
leir usual
countries
Early in
son, they
1 an ever-
raise two
cated im-
cessan,' to
1 confine-
letimes to
live, how-
vn of one
■ have not
ive wilds ;
the same
nee, if the
.11)- relieve
also con-
as among
adness of
o a lively,
lese birds
i Careri.
tress and
a vessel
nded, at
dollars !
inal '■ are
:est feath-
mance is,
is of the
touches,
d varied

expression of the far-famed Philomel, nor yet tho>e contrasted
tones, which, in the solemn stillness of the growing niglit, fall
at times into a soothing whisper, or slowly rise and quicken
into a loud and cheering warble. A strain of almost senti-
mental tendcme::»s and sadness per\'ades by turn^ the song of
the Nightingale; it flows like a torrent, or dies away like in
echo ; his varied ecstasies poured to the pale moonbeams,
now meet with no re»fx>nse but the sighing /ephyi or the ever-
murmuring brook. 'I'he notes of our Cardinal are as full of
hilarity as of tender expression ; his whistling call is uttered in
the broad glare of day, and is heard predominant over most of
the feathered choir by which he is surrounded. His respond-
ing mate is the perpetual companion of all his joys and cares ;
simple and content in his attachment, he is a stranger to
capricious romance of feeling, and the shades of melancholy,
however feeble and transient, find no harbor in his preoc-
cupied affections.

The Cardinal occurs sparingly in southern New Kiiglcuul. .md it
has been occasionially seen in Massacluisetts and nortliwani. 'l"\vo
examples visited Halifax, N. S.. in 1871. It is quite common in
Ohio, and has been taken, across the lake, in Ontario, and westward
to Iowa.

EVENING GROSBEAK.

CfXrCXriHRAUSTES VESPERIINUS,

Char. Dusky olivaceous, phading to ycllowisli on the rump; fore-
head, line over the eye«. and under tail-coverts, yellow ; crown, wings,
and tail black ; secondaries mostly white ; bill greenish yellow, con-i>icu-
ouslv large. Female differs sliiihtly from the male, but i> readilv identi-
fied. Length about ~*2 to S inches.

A'est. In the deep forest, usually on a branch of a tall tree, sometimes
in low bush; composed of twigs and roots, lined with roots or hair.

/i";';;^r. 4-? ; pale dull green, marked with pale brown spots.

This beautiful species inhabits the solitudes of the North-
western interior, being met with from the extremity of the
Michigan Territory to the Rocky Mountains. It is not un-
common towards the upper extremity of Lake Superior and

;68

SINGING lURDS.

'I .

h I

i||M,

(«'

the borders of Athabasca Lake; to the east of these Hniits
these birds appear to be only transient visitors in spring and
fall. They are common inhabitants of the fur countries, and
particularly of the maple woods of the Saskatchewan, where
they do not arrive from the South before the commencement
of the month of June. In the pine woods of Oregon (accord-
ing to Mr. '1 ownsend) numerous tlocks are seen about the mid-
dle of May, and at this time they are very tame and unsuspicious,
moving about in considerable numbers throughout the whole
of the day, and seem no way given to retiring before sunset.
'i'heir ordinary note while feeding consists of a single rather
screaming call. At other times, particularly about mid-day, the
male from the branches of some tall pine-tree utters a single
warbling note much like the interrupted beginning of the
Robin's song, but not so sweet. They feed upon the seeds
of the i)ine and other trees, alighting upon the large limbs,
and ])roreed by a series of hops to the very extremities of
the branches. They also occasionally devour the larvce of ants,
and probably other kinds of insects.

The Evening Grosbeak occurs regularly in winter in Wisconsin,
Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, and occasionally in Ohio and Ontario.
During the latter part of the winter of 1889-90 numbers were
seen eastward to Montreal and the New England States.

The flocks appeared in the vicinity of Hamilton about the
middle of December. Mr. Mcllwraitli writes that the first he saw
was a flock of about twenty or thirty, some of whom were on the
bank of the Lake feeding. '■ while others were down on tlie sandy
shore, picking gravel or dabbling themselves in the water. ... I
thought at first that the original flock had remained, but soon found
that an easterly migration was going on. and that as one flock left
another arrived. . . . During Eebruary few, if any, were observed
here. In March the return trip commenced, but was in all respects
different from the easterly one. The birds were then fewer in num-
ber, and all seemed excited and desirous to go west with the least
possible delay." (Uirds of Ontario.)

lesc limits
pring and
itrics, and
an, where
lencement
1 (accord-
It the mid-
sus])ici()us,

the whole
)re sunset,
igle rather
id-day, the
rs a single
ng of the

the seeds
irge limbs,
remities of
•v£E of ants.

Wisconsin,

m\ Ontario.
Iiibers were

s.
about the

iirsl he saw
ere on tlie

n the sandv
ter. ... I
soon found

lie tiock left
e observed
all respects
A'er in num-
ih the least

ROSi:-ijRi-:Asri:r) c.rosuhak.

Hai?ia ludoviciana.

f'HAR. Male: above, black ; rump white; wings ami tail black with
white markings; below, white ; breast and under tail-c<>vcrts deep rose
pink. Fcmalu: above, streaked blackish and olive; crown with central
stripe of white ; rumi) white : under ])arts dull white, stre;d<cd with brown ;
no red on the breast. Length 7^4 to S'X inches.

A'esf. Usually on the margin of woods, or in a dense alder-swamp, —
occasionally in a garden or open pasture; composed of gras.s, //.W(V? moss,
roots, stalks, and twigs, lined with fine grass, roots, or pine-needles.

■^iT-f- 3-5; <bill green or bluish green variously marked with spots
and blotches of reddish brown, lilac, and pale lavender; i.oo X 0.70.

The remote Northwestern Territories of the l^nion, Canada,
and the cool regions towards the Rocky Mountains apjjcar to
be the general residence of the Rose-breasted (Irosbeak. A
few pairs l)reed on the banks of the Mohawk, and probably
in the interior of Pennsylvania. Mr. Say met with it in the
sjjring, on the lower part of the Missouri ; and at I'ombino, on
the 5th of August, in the 49th parallel. Dr. Richardson also
observed it in the latitude of 53°, and Audubon found it breed-
ing in Newfoundland. It has likewise been seen in Mexico
and Texas. These are, no doubt, its proper natal regions, and
the course of its migrations, from which it only ventures acci-
dentally in severe winters, and is then transiently seen in pairs
east of the Atlantic mountains, which constitute the general
boundary of its range. It is thus seen occasionally in the
VOL. I. — 24

370

sinc;l\(; iwkds.

1 1

1
II 1 < 1

: '^ :

'1! !

f ^
1

,Jtn;(ii

vicinity of Philadelphia, in the State of New York, particularly
along the borders of l,ake Ontario, and in Connecticut, but
rarely in this part of New l-'jigland. Pennant >peaks of its
arrival in the State of New York in May, where it has a nest ot
5 ei^'gs, and then retires in August. It is also unknown in the
Southern States.

My friend Mr. Cooper remarks that though this species is
rare in the vicinity of New York, a few probably l)ne(l in the
woods of the Hudson, as at 'I'njjpan, 30 miles \\\) that river, it
is frecpiently seen in the cherry-trees in the month of June,
and is said to be common in the forests along the south shore
of Lake Krie, and usually breeds there. It thrives very well
in a cage, is a most melodious and indefatigable warbler, tre-
(juently in fine weather, as in its state of freedom, passing a
great part of the night in singing, with all the varied and touch-
ing tones of the Nightingale.

While thus earnestly engaged, it seems to mount on tiptoe
in an ecstasy of enthusiasm and delight at the unrivalled har-
mony of its own voice. The notes are wholly warbled, now
loud, clear, and vaulting with a ([uerulous air : then [)erhaps
sprightly ; and finally lower, tender, and pathetic. In short,
I am not acquainted with any of our birds superior in song
to the present, with the solitary excej^tion of our Orphean
Mocking l>ird.

The Louisiana (irosbeak is fed with the usual kinds oi bird-
seed, and in its wild state seems to be particularly fond of
the kernels of the sour-gum berries ; it probably also feeds
upon the berries of the juniper, which abound in the regions
it usually inhabits.

Though somewhat local in its distribution, this attractive bird
occurs regularly throughout the Eastern States, but is uncommon
in Maine, New Hampsliire, and Vermont. It is found in some
parts of New Brunswick. Nova Scotia, and Quebec, and is quite
common in Ontario, and abimdant in Manitoba.

Though generally selecting a secluded spot for nesting, a pair
will occasionally wander away from the forest and thicket, and even
build in the heart of a town. In 1890 a nest was built and a brood
raised not a hundred yards from where I am penning these words,

i ■

KUticularly
client, but
•aks of its
IS a nest ot
)\vn ill the

HLl'i: (IKOSUKAK.

371

— almost within tlie shadow of Memorial Hall. TIu' nest w.>s
laid upon a hraiieh that hiinii over tlit- sidewalk of Oxford Street,
not more than ten or twelve feet from the ground, the tree being
in the Liardi'n adjoinini^ the residenee of Mr, Francis Foster.

species IS
red in the
hat river, it
th of June,
iouth shore
,'S very well
varl)ler. fre-
1. passiuLf a
I and toueh-

U on ti])toe
rivalled har-
arbled, now
hen perhaps
In short,
rior in song
ur Orphean

Inds (jf binb

larly fond of

also feeds

the regions

[tractive bird

lis uncommon

lund in some

and is quite

?sting, a pair

Iket, and even

and a brood

these words,

BLL'K (;r()si;i:ak.

CiriRACA C.KRII.I'A.

(iiAU. M.ile . general plumage rich hlue, darker nn the hai k : fe.ith-
eis iuoimil I)ase of l)ill, wiiii^'s, and tail black; two liii:;lit rufous hands
on the wings. Female: smaller; above, yellowish brown; below, dark
buff. Length 6j4 to 7 inches,

y\V'.>A On a low branch of a tree or bush, situated along the margin of
a wootl, or in an open pasture or orchard, or by a roadside, — sometimes
m an alder swamp or blackberry thicket ; composed of leaves, weed-
stems, ard grass, lined with horse-hair, root>, or fine grass ; occasionally
pieces of snake skin or newsnajier .ue worked iiUo the exterior.

y'\%'s. 3-4; light l)lue; 0.S5 X 0.65.

This shy and almost solitary s])e(ies chielly inhabits the
warmer parts of .America from IJni/al to A'irginia ; stragglej-s
occasionally also visit the lower parts of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey, and lUillock observed them on the tableland of
Mexico. According to \\'il;;on, it is nearly a silent bird, seldom
singing in the cage, its usual note of alarm being merely a
loud (-/lUck ; though at times its musical capacity under more
favorable circumstances is suggested by a few low and sweet-
toned notes. It may be fed on Indian corn, hemp-seed,
millet, and the kernels of several kinds of berries.

According to Audubon, thesff birds arrive in Louisiana
about the middle of March, They proceed through Alabama,
(leorgia. and the Carolinas, in all which districts they breed;
and although rarely seen in the Western States, Mr, Townsend
and myself met with them in May on the borders of the
Platte, near Scott's Bluffs, where they were already mated and
breeding. They are sometimes met with along the Atlantic
coast as far as New Jersey, and Audubon found a nest in that
State within a few miles of Philadelphia. Their food consists

SIN'dlNCi UIKDS.

principally of difforciit sorts of seeds ; tiicy arc also fond of
those of n<t', and ^rass of all kinds. At the pericjii of breeding;
they sing with great sweetness anil melody.

This s|)L'( ies is still rdtisidcrcd a Southern bird ; hut it nv^ularly
visits Pennsylvania. Kintu(ky, and Kansas, and 1ms been taken in
.Massachusetts, Maine, and New TJrunswick.

t '

I'l'KlMd': KlXCIl.
i.iNNi;r.

C.AKI'ohAi.lS IMRITRKCS.

Char. Male: no " ])urplc ; " body roNV ( rinisoii, l)riglitest on the
head, <laikc>t on tlic hark, iiakst on tlic bieasi ; brllv wliitc ; wiii-s and
tail dusky; everywhere streaked more or less with brown and ;;i.iv.
FVinale and youn^ : without red; stre.d<L'd brown and gray, sonietinio*
with (jlive tint. Length about 6'4 inciics.

yVt'.fA Near a .settlement and in some old pasture, open grove, park, or
orchard ; com|)oscd of twigs, weed-stems, roots, and bark, lined with tine
gr.iss or hair.

•'^C;'^^''- -\~y- pale dull bluish green, variously marked with dark brown
and lilac ; 0.S5 X 0.60.

These brilliant and choerfid songsters inhabit the Northern
and Western States during the sumrner, where they rear their
young. They appear to have a great predilection for resinous
evergreens, pine, and sj^nice, and feed iii)on the berries of the
juniper and red cedar as well as the seeds of the tulip-tree and
others ; they likewise frecpient gardens for the same purpose,
and are partictdarly pleased with suntlower seeds and other
oily kinds. When reduced to necessity they are observed to
eat the buds of the beech and those of the fruit-trees, — prob-
ably for the sake of the stamens contained in them, of which
they are greedy when dis])layed in the opening blossoms. 'I'he
stipules of the expanding buds of the elm, which are sweet
and mucilaginous, as well as the young capsules of the willow
in the spring, also make a common part of their fare. Their
food in simimer, however, consists principally of insects and
juicy berries, as those of the honeysuckle and others.

IL Kl'I.i: lI.Wll.

►/ J

i» font I of
f brcctliiii;

it iwuularly
iu lakfii in

litest on tlie

c ; wiiii;s .md
vn aiul :4i,iy.
ly, soinctiim.*

rove, piuk. or
incd witli Inie

h dark brown

ic Northern
y roar their
for resinous
crries of the
ip-tree and
lu' puri)Ose,
, ;,n(l other
observed to
es, — prob-
1-n, of which
Issonis. 'I'he
h are sweet
f the willow
fare. Their
insects and
Irs.

Ahhoiigh the Purple I'inch bree<ls and passes the season in
this vicinity, yet as early as the close of Scptciubcr they leave
us for the S<juth : about which time and nearly to the close of
()(tt>ber, small, hungry, roving (locks arrive from the more
northern States and Canada or Ncwtbuudlaiid. At the same-
time likewise great numbers visit I'ennsyU inia, the maritime
j)arts of New York anil New Jersey, invl M\any pass the winter
in the Middle States, while others proieed as far south as the
States of Louisiana, I'lorida, anil Texas, returnint; north in the
latter enil of March or early in April, and arrivintj with us in
the month of May to pass the most important period of their
existence. Rovin;^ tlocks are also seen here as early as the
24th of March, singing while they stay with great energy and
cheerfulness ; these in all probability proceed to Labrador or
Newfoundlanil to breed. The males now lia\e many bitter
<:oniests for the choice of their mates, and are \ery bold ami
pugnacious in confmement. attempting to destroy every other
l)ird introduced into the same cage. They also bite severely
when taken up wounded, but are directly reconciled to the
cage, finding their most imj)orlant wants so am])l\- supplied ;
yet in this state they often refuse to sing, and after moulting
into the hmnble plumage of the female, fre([uently remain so,
without ever renewing their crimson dress. Thev are here
exposed in cages for sale at high prices (by the name of
Linnets), and sing i»retty commonly in confinement. Their
notes are very similar to those of the Warbling \'ireo, but
louder, and more agreeably diversified. From the tops of our
lofty and spreading elms or shadowy spnice trees, where they
delight to pass the time, their varied and very cheerful melody
is often continued for hours almost without inter\al. and
poured forth like a torrent. After a combat with a rival, his
towering notes of victory burst out into rapture, and he now
seems to triimi])h with loud and petulant hilarity. The song
of this beautiful Finch is indeed much finer than that of the
Canary; the notes are remarkably clear and mellow, and the
trilling sweet and various, particularly on their first arrival. At
times the warble is scarcely audible, and appears at a distance :

iiii

If'

374

SINCIING BIRDS.

it then, by a fine crescendo, bursts into loudness and falls into
an ecstasy of ardent and overpowering expression ; at such
times the usual pauses of the song are forgotten, and like the
variefi lay of the Nightingale, the ravishing performer, as if in
serious emulation, seems to study every art to produce the
effect of brilliant antl well-contrasted harmony. As he sits on
the topmost bough of some tall sapling or more lofty tree, sur-
veying the wide landscape, his proud voice and elevated action
seem to bid defiance to comi)etition ; and while thus earnestly
engaged, he seems to fear no spectator, however near may be
his apprciches. The rajjidity of his i)erformance and the pre-
eminent execution with which it is delivered seem almost like
the effort of a musical-box or fine-toned, cjuickly moving, deli-
c-'e strain on the organ. While feeding in the month of
March these birds also utter a querulous tsliippee tshcr, in
nearly the same sad and liquid tone as that uttered by the
Yellow Birds while thus engaged. The dull-colored birds, in
the attire of the female, do not sing either so well or in the
sime manner as the crimson-colored individuals.

The nest of this species is, as I have observed in two in-
stances in Cambridge, matle in the horizontal branches of the
'jalsara fir. In the first, which I saw in the garden of Professor
Farrar, it was made in a yoiuig tree about 6 feet from the
grot- d- (Jn approaching it the female sat still until I nearly
touch,:fd her, ar 1 made very little complaint when off. The
nest was coarse and substantial, very much like that of the
Song Sparrow, composed of coarse grass and lined with fine
root-fibres. From this nest was raised in a cage one of the
young, which became exceedingly docile and affectionate, but
was not remarkable for its song.

In winter the Purple Finch is found regularly, though sparingly,
through tlie southern and central portions of New England and in
(3ntario. and occasionally as far north as New IJrunswick. Its
winter range extends southward as far as the Ciulf States, while
its breeding area extends from Long Island and Minnesota to the
lower fur countries.

falls into

at such
A like the
r. as if in
iduce the
he sits on
tree, sur-
ted action
i earnestly
ar may be
(1 the pre-
ilmost like
)ving, (leli-

month of
(' islur, in
red by the
d birds, in
I or in the

in two in-
ches of the
)f Professor
t from the
til I nearly
off. The
hat of the
1 with fine
one of the
ionate, but

|li sparin,e;ly,
kland and in
Lswick. Its
I tales, while
lesota to the

PINE GROSBEAK.

PiMCOLA ENUCLEA J ( )R.

Char. Male: grayish brown, darkest on the back, shading lo ashy
on the runip, washed with rosy carmine, whicii is deepest on the crown
and rump; wings and tail dusky, the wings with two white l)ands. Kc-
ma'e and young: similar, but without tlie rosy coloring; head and rump
washed with pale olive bronze. Length S'^ to 9 incl'-es.

.Ve;:. On the border of a swamp or the margin of a strer.m running
through an evergreen I'orest ; s.addled on a low branch or in a crotch of
a low bush, or placed in a crevice of a rock. A bulky, ill-made affair
of mo<s, or twigs and roots or strips of lnik, and lined with fine gr,tss,
roots, or vegetal ile fibre.

E^^s. 4-.^; pale greenish blue marked with dark brown and lilac;
1.05 X 0.75.

These splendid and very hardy birds appear to dwell almost
wholly within the cold and Arctic regions of both continents.
whence, only in severe winters, a few migrate into Can-
ada and the United States, where they are consequently of
rare and uncertain occurrence. They have been seen in
winter in the lower part of Missouri, and at the same season,
occa.sionally, in the maritime parts of Massachusetts and Penn-
sylvania, and are observed to return to Hudson Pay as early as
April. .According to Mr. Pennant, they frequent the woods of
pine and juniper, and are now possessed of musical talents ;

^^,4^

I k '

1 i. S

i I

li'li'llpr:.

376

SINGING 151 RDS.

but as the period of incubation approaches they grow silent.
Suited to the sterile climates tht-y inhabit, their fare, besides
the seeds of the jjine, alpine plants, and berries, often consists
of the buds of the poplar, willow, and other northern trees and
shrubs; so that they are generally secure of the means of sub-
sistence as long as the snows are not too vjverwhelming. The
individuals as yet seen in the Lnited States are wholly young
birds, which, it seems, naturally seek out warmer climates than
the adult and more hardy individuals.

According to Mr. T. McCuUoch, of Pictou, Xova Scotia, in
very severe winters flocks of these birds, driven from the pine
forests by famine and cold, collect about the barn>., and. even
enter the streets of Pictou, alighting in quest of food. A male
bird at this season, caught in a trap, became very familiar, and
as the spring approached he resumed his song hi tiie mornings,
and his notes, like those of the Rose-breasted tlrosbeak, were
exceedingly rich and full. As, however, the period for migra-
tion approached, his familiarity disapj^eared, and the desire of
liberty seemed to overcome every other feeling. For four days
in succession his fooil remained untouched, and hiri piteous
wailing excited so much commiseration that at length he was
released. The Pine (irosbeak is said to breed in Maine as
well as in Newfoundlaml and Labrador.

The visits of this handsome bird to New England and the more
southern portions of Canada are decidedly irregular. During an
occasional winter the tiocks are large and numerous, while again
for several seasons but a few stragglers may appear.

Dr. Coues thinks that there is no question but that the bird is a
"resident" in northern New England, breeding in some parts of
Maine, New Hampshire, and \'ermont : but I am much inclined
to question it. \'ery possibly a few pairs may pass an occasional
summer in that region, but I can find no evidence of the birds
having been seen there with sufficient frequency to warrant their
being termed residents.

The only known instances of this species having l^uilt in the
vicinity of northern New England must be credited to New
lirunswick. These are Boardman's hypothetical nest, found near
St. Stephen; the unfinished nest which Banks discovered the
parents at work upon, near St. John ; and the nest with three

i i|.!

FINE GROSBEAK.

}>77

;ro\s" silent,
re, besides
en consists
1 trees and
Lins of sub-
ling. 'Ihe
lolly young
matc> than

a Scotia, in
v^ the ]>ine
., ami even
1. A male
imiliar, and
I mornings,
■ibeak, were
for migra-
le desire of
jr four days
his piteous
igth he was
\ Maine as

young and one egg taken by Cox on the Restii^ouche, in latitude
47"'. But e.xcepting in these three instances, aiul a fourth where
young birds were seen on the Tobique River, the species has
been unknown as a .summer resident in New Brunswick. Co.\
saw several e.\amples along tlie Restigouche in July. iSSS, but I
have hunted for them up and down the same river, froiu the
Wagan to the .Metapedia, both in July and Septenilici. without
seeing or hearing so much as one.

It is said that the .southern limit of its breeding .uci i-. in the
vicinity of the 50th parallel, though in th.e West it is somewhat
farther north, as Thompson reports the bird a winter visitor onlv
at Winnipeg and Ponage la Prairie. From thence it ranges far
north — to the Yukon and beyond. In winter the tlorks spread
over the country in varying abundance, as far south as Kansas and
Maryland.

Some years ago I kept a male in confinement, and found him a
delightful pet. He was healthy and happy in his cage, wa.-> easily
tamed, bein-: contidiiig and affectionate, anil added to \\\^ other
good (lualities a sweet voice and pretty melody.

The song differs with the season. In winter it is >tronn and
cheery, as befits a stalwart fellow who lauglis at Jack Fro.st and
makes merr\- when the north wind blows. But when the spring-
time comes he tells the old, old story in most gentle tones, - a
whispered love song, sweet and tender, yet with a wild plaintive
ness that makes it peculiarly pleasing.

nd the more

During an

while auain

he bird is a
me parts of
h inclined
occasional
.^t the birds
irrant their

ici
1

milt in the
ed to New-
found near
overed the
witli diree

) '

AM K RICA. \ C ROSSI ilLL.

COMMON CROSSBILL. RED CROSSBILL.
U)\\A CURVIKt)STR.\ MINOR.

Char. Bill long and compressed, ni:iiulihlcs curved at the points,
wiiich cross or overlap. In young birds the bill is straight. Adult males :
dull red, variable in shade ; wings and tail blackish brown. Young males :
yellowish olive. In changing plumage thcv display great variety of com-
binations of yellow, olive, and red. Females : above, dull olive ; rump
and crown yellow ; wings and tail as mnle; below, grayish. Length ^Vz
to 6 inches.

jVt's/. Usually in a dense wood, on a branch of an evergreen tree 15
to 30 feet from the ground; made of twigs, strips of bark, weed-stems,
and roots, lined thickly with grass, roots, hair, and feathers.

^Cs'- 3~A ' P''ile green dotted, near larger end, with brown and laven-
der; 0.75 X 0.57.

This more common species, like the preceding, inhabits the
high northern and arctic regions of both continents, where it
breeds, and is met with from Cireenland to Pennsyh-ania, or
farther south, according to the season and the success in
obtaining food when driven to make a southern descent or
migration. From Septeml)er to April these birds are found
inhabiting the extensive pine forests in the mountainous and
interior districts of Pennsylvania and other States to the north ;
they also extend their winter migrations into the lower parts of
the State of Missouri. They have occasionally been seen in
the maritime parts of Massachusetts, but are less common

'■""iiu

; the points,
Adult males :
oung males :
iety of com-
olive ; rump
Length ^Vz

een tree i 5
weed-stems,

[i and laven-

habits the
, where it
h-ania, or
access in
iescent or
lire found
[nous and
Ihe north ;
Ir parts of
h seen in
comnion

AMERICAN CROSSBILL,

379

here than the following species, generally Uking, in their irregu-
lar incursions, a more interior and mountainous route. In the
eastern chain of the Alleghanies, in Pennsylvania, according to
Wilson, they appear to be at times very abundant visitors,
fc'e<img so steadily on tlie seeds of the white pine and hem-
lock spruce as to be api)roached without taking alarm. 'I'hey
have also a loud, sharp, and not unmusical note, chattering as
they tly, and during the prevalence of deej) snows become so
tamed by hunger as to alight round the mountain cabins, e\en
settling on the roofs when disturbed, and, like pigeons, de-
scending in the next moment to feed as if they had never
been molested. They are then easily trapped, and so eager
antl unsuspicious as to allow an approach so near that they
may be knocked down with sticks. In these ver)- familiar visits
they are observed even to pick off the clay from the logs of the
house, and to swallow the mere earth to allay the cravings of
hunger. In cages they show many of the habits of the Pariot,
climbing up the sides and holding the pine-cones given them in
one claw while thev extract the seeds. Like the same bird in
Louisiana, they also do considerable damage at times in the
orchard by tearing ajiples to jjieces for the sake of getting at
the seeds only. They feed likewise on the seeds of the alder,
as well as the kernels of other fniits and the buds of trees.
Scarcely any of these birds have yet been obser\'ed to breed
within the United States, as they retire for this puri)ose to their
favorite pine forests in high and more cool latitudes, where in
security and solitude they jMirsue the iluties of procreation.
Dr. Brewer, of Boston, however, obtained eggs of these birds
from Coventry, in Vermont. T,ike the preceding sjjecies, they
often breed in winter in more temperate countries, as in
January and February, and the young fly in ^L^rch.

This bird was not obser\-ed by the naturalists of the north-
ern expeditions in any part of the fur countries. It is, how-
ever, described by Forster. In the winter of i'S32, during or
soon after a severe snow-storm, a large flock of these uncer-
tain winter visitors were seen in a red-cedar grove near to
Mount Auburn, in this vicinity. In 1833, accomjianied by the

iil

i Mf!:^

1;!: iifi!

380

SINGING BIRDS.

White-winged species, a tlock of tiie same birds made their
appearance as early as the i ith of Novemlx-r m some tall
pine-trees n the same place they visited the last year in the
dei)th of winter. They are very busy and unsuspicious, having
very much the manners of Parrots in their feeding. .At some
distance beneath the trees where they are engaged, we can
hear them ft)rcing open the scales of the rigid pine cones with
a considerable crackling, and the wings of the seeds fly about
in all directions. Sometimes the little Redpolls also attend to
snatch a seed or two as they are spread to the winds. I'hey
fly somewhat like the Yellow Hirds, by repeated jerks and sink-
ings and risings in their course, but proceed more swiftly and
directly to their destination ; tht;y also utter a rather loud and
almost barking or fifing chirp, particularly the females, like
V.s/f 7,v//// '/s/i 'ts/iip. Iheir enemies seem also to follow them
into this distant antl unusual retreat. One evening, as they
were uttering their ([uailing chirp, and about to roost in the
pines, we heard an unusual cry, and found that the alarm was
justly occasioned by the insidious and daring attack of a bold
Ikitcher IHrd {Lanit/s l>o)ra//s), who had taken advantage of
their bewildered confusion at the moment of retiring to repose.
Besides their call and ordinary plaints, we hear, as I have
thought, now and then, in the warmer jiart of the day. a rather
agreeable, but somewhat monotonous, song. We found these
birds, as well as the Redpolls, very fat nnd ])lump ; and they
devour a great (piantity of pine-seeds, with which the (esopha-
gus is ])er))etually gorged as full as in the gluttonous and tune-
less Cedar birds iyBomhycilla).

The Red Crossbill is still known to be chiefly a winter visitor to
New Kni^land and the .Middle States, though every summer ;i
small number may be met with in the more northern districts and
on the crests of the Alleghanies south to (ieorgia. In April, 1889^
Mr. G. S. Miller, Jr., found a flock on Cape Cod, and upon dis-
secting several, he discovered evidence that they were nesting.

In nortliern Maine and New iirunswick numbers have been seen
during the summer months; but even in these region.s the bird is
chiefly a winter visitor, and at that season it ranges to the Southern
States.

ladc their
some tall
•ar in the
us, having

At some
.1, wc t an
cones with
s rtv about

attend to
ids. Ihey
s and sink-
swiftly and
;r loud and
males, like
ollow them
ng, as they
oost in the
s alarm was
: of a bold
rlvantage of

to repose.

as I have
a rather
bund these
and they
le (esopha-
an<l tune-

■r visitor to

summer a

istricts and

April, 1889,

d upon dis

Ksting.

e been seen

the bird is

le Southern

WmiE-WlNGED CRUSSmi.L. T,Sl

\vHiri-:-\viNGi:u crosshii.l.

b )XL\ LF.L:COFrF.R.\.

Char. ISill long and compressed, nuindibks curved at the points,
which cros^ ur uverlap. Male; dull n»y, clouded with dull dark l)rown
ou the b.ick ; wttigT* and tail black; two broad while bai.i nn the wiiv^s;
belly dull white :»ireaked with brown. I'emale : dull olive, paler beneath;
rump huffy Young: similar to female, but paler olive above, and m.^re
decided ycHow Wiseath, streaked everywhere with dark brown. As the
youn^ mature they are subject to considerable variation. Length about
6 to 6|j in .hes.

AVj/. In ihe deep fore>t. on an evergreen, amid the denser toliage
near the centre of the tree ; made of twigs and strips of birch bark, cov-
ered with mos.s iiisiuai, and lined with soft moss and hair.

^'■.<:^'^- j-?r pale blue, spotted and streaked near larger end with red-
dish brown and I;iac; o-So X 053.

This beautiful and well-distinguished species inhabits tlie
northern regions of the American continent only, whence,
at irregular inter\-aLs, on the aj)i)roach of winter, it arri\ es in
the Northern ami Middle States, and, as usual with the rest of
this rurious family, seeks out the jiine and henlock-spnice
forests. Its visits to this State [Massachusetts] nre ver>'
irregular. .Xbout two years ago, large, gregarious, famished
flocks were seen near Newburyport and other neighboring
towns in the virinity of the sea-coast, at which time many
were caught, killed, and caged. The liabits of this bird are
almost entirely similar to those of the preceding species. Its
song is said to be mellow and agreeable, and in captivity it
becomes gentie and familiar.

.Acc^ording to Mr. Hutchins, it arrives around Hudson Bay
in March, and in May builds a nest of grass, muil. and feath-
ers, fixed generally about half way up a pine-tree, and lays 5
white eggs marked ttith yellowish spots. The young fly about
the end of June. It remains in this country till the close of
November, after which it retires, probably to the South ; and
Wilson's bird was obtained in the (ireat Pine Swamp or forest
of the Pokono ( Pennsylvania ) . in the month of September,
so that it may be possible that some few pairs breed in this
situation.

^,82

SINGING BIRDS.

(■

i. ' '•■

This species, according to Richardson, inhabits the dense
white spriu e forests of the fur countries, feeding princiijaUy on
the seeds of the cones. It ranges through the whole brea(hh
of the continent, and probably up to the G.Sth ])arallel, where
tiie forests terminate. It is usuall)' seen in the upper branches
of trees, and when wounded still (lings so fast as tt) remain
suspentled after death. In September, collecting in small
Hocks, they tly from tree to tree in a restless manner and make
a chattering noise; and in the depth of winter thi-y retire from
the coast to seek shelter in the thick woods of the interior.

This interesting bird must still be written "irreguhii " in its oc-
currence in .Massachusetts, tliuugh usually more or less .unnidant
in winter down to the 40th parallel, and occasionally ranging as far
south as X'irginia.

It is partially sedentary in northern .\ew England and the .Mari-
time Provinces of Canada, though nuich more abundant in winter
than (luring the warm weather. Mr. .Mcllwraith consitler.^ the bird
a winter visitor only to southern Ontario, and .Mr. Thompson makes
a similar report for Manitoba though he thinks it may breed tiiere.
The nest is built in January and Fei)ruary. — 1 have known 'of
numerous nests being discovered in .New Brunswick in tliose
months, and it is probable that both young and old retire farther
northward after the young birds are able to tiv.

The flight of the Crossbills is undulating, like the fhglit of the
American (ioldfinch, and their songs are similar. Tliev sing on
the wing, and as a Hock j^asses overhead on a clear winter's day
their sweet voices come through the quiet air with pleasing effect.

I fi

thu dense
icipally on
)1l' breadth
illel, wherei
■r brandies
ti) remain
1^ in small
■ and make
retire from
lUerior.

in its oc-
s ainmdant
igiau as far

1(1 the -Mari-
nt in winter
ers the bird
ipson makes
breed there,
e known of
k in those
etire farther

li;j;ht of the
ley sing on
inter's day
in"' effeet.

WHITK-BRKASTHI) MTHATCH.

SrriA eAKOl.lNIASIS,

Char. Above, bluish ash: top of Iiead and neck black ; %vini;> black,
blue, and white; tail black, marked with white; beneath, white; under
tail-coverts reddish brown. I>ill long and acute. Female .\\\A yuung
similar, but black of head tinged with ashy nr wanting. Length ;*4
inches.

iVest. In open wo idland, placed at the bottom of a cavitv excavated
in a dead tree or stumj), — sometimes an old woodpecker's ne^t is nscrl ;
made of leaves, grass, feathers, and han.

-^AT-f- 4~^ (occasionally as many as lo, u>uallv 5) ; white tinged witii
rose pink, and spotted with reddi>h brown and lilac ; 0.80 X 0.60.

This species, so nearly allied to the Knropean Xuthatdi, xc-
sides ])ermanently throughout North America, from Hiids(jn
Hay and Oregon to the tableland of .Mexico, appearing only
more common and familiar at the apj)roach of winter in con-
sequence of the failure of its food in its favorite sylvan re-
treats, which it now often forsakes for the ojkmi fields, orchards,
or gardens, where, in ])airs or small and sometimes contending

3«4

SIX(JING BIRDS.

■ .Ml

!l '

I!!

11-

ilr^. '

'!!

iii

{Kirtics, they cautiously glc.ui ;i transient means of subsistence,
ami wander from )-' :e to place as the sujjply dimmishes. At
the welcome return 'however, of the month of April, with the
revival and renewal of its insect fare the Nuthatch becomes
more ilomestic ; and retiring into the forest with its mate, it
prepares for its progeny in some hollow tree, or e\en in a rail
of the neighboring fence. The male is now assiduously atten-
tive to his sitting mate, supplying her regularly wiUi food ; on
which tjccasion he affectionately calls her iVom the mouth of
her dark and voluntary prison, where sometimes, in mere
sociability, he attempts in his rude way to soothe her with his
c()m]ilai>-ant chatter. He is too affectionate to ramble from
this fa\(>rite spot, where he not only accom])anies his consort,
but. sentinel-like, watches and informs her of everv threaten-
ing danger. When the pair are feeding on the trunk of the
same tree, or near to each other in the same wood, the faithful
male is heard perpetually calling upon his comjjanion at short
inter\als as he circumambulates the trunk. His approach is
announ( cd usually at a distance by his nasal Xv////' Xv/z/X',
frequently rejieated, as in s])iral circles round the trunk of
some tree he ]>robes, searches, and shells off the bark in quest
of his lurking i)rey of spiders, ants, insects, and their larvae in
general. So tight and secure is his hold that he is known to
roost indiffereiulx' with his head u]) or down from the tree ;
and win n wounded, while any spink of life remains, his con-
vulsive and instinctive grasp is still Hrmly and obstinately
maintained. Sometimes, with a sort of complaisant curiosity,
one of the birds, when there is a ])air, will silently descend
nearly to the foot of the tree, where the spectator hai)pens to
stand, sto])])ing, head downwards, and stretching out his neck,
as it were, to reconnoitre your appearance and motives; and
after an interval of silence, wheeling round, he again ascends
to his usual station, trumpeting his notes as before. He seldom
wholly quits the forest, but when baffled by the slippery sleet
which denies him a foothold, he is sometimes driven to the
necessity of ajiproaching the barnyard and stables, or the
precincts of the dwelling, where, occasionally mixing among

KKD-r.KKASlKI) NL IHA 1< "H.

3«5

iiibsistence,
iiishcs. At
:-il, with the
:h becomes
its mate, it
Ml ill a rail
uusly atleii-
li Iboil ; on
e moulli of
;s, in mere
ler witli liis
amble from
his consort,
rv threaten-
runk of the
, the faithful
lion at short
approach is
kaiik kiiiik,
he trunk of
;irk in quest
leir larvae in
is known to
n the tree ;
ns, his con-
obstinately
[It curiosity,
Itly descend
happens to
It his neck,
lives ; and
lin ascends
le seldom
[ippery sleet
ven to the
es, or the
ing among

the common fowls, enterin;;; the barn, examining its beams and
rafters, he seems to leave no means untried to secure a
subsistence.

I liis species is doubtless a resident in Ontario and New Kntj-
land, licconiing more abundant during the winter months; but in
tlie Maritime Provinces it is onlv a summer visitor.

Ri:i)-l}Rlv\S'i"Kn NUTHATCH.

SriTA CANADKNSIS.

Th AK Above, .ishv blue (tn]) .nnd sidi- of Iifad blacl< on the male) ;
broad stripe of white over tlie eyes; wintjs blackish, with ashv markings;
outer tail-feathers black with white patches; beneath, reddish brown,
— paler in the female; chin white; bill loiip; and acute. Length 4'2
inches.

A'l'st. In open woodland ; an excavation in a decaved stub, lined with
gra.ss and roots. Often the entrance is surrounded with fir I)alsam.

AX's'r- 4-6 ; white with pale roseate tint and thickly spotted with brown
and lilac; 0.60 X 0.50.

The habits of these smaller birds are almost similar to tlie
prececbng ; they have, however, a predilection for jiine forests,
feeding much on the oily seeds of these evergreens. In these
barren solitudes they are almost certain to be found in busy
employment, associating in pairs with the Chickadees and
smaller Woodpeckers, the whole forming a hungry, active, and
noisy group, skipjiing from tree to tree with petulant chatter,
probing and rattling the dead or leafless branches, prying in
every jiosture for their scanty food, and, like a horde of Tar-
tars, ]>rocecd through the forest and leisurely overrun the wh(de
of the continent to the very confines of the tropics, retiring
north in the same manner with the advance of the spring.

The notes of this species of Nuthatch, though similar, are
sharper than those of the preceding, resembling (fay day dait,
and sounding almost like a child's trumpet. Its motions are
also quicker. They cling to the bark of the tree and roost
commonly with the head downwards, in the manner of their
whole tribe.

VOL. I.

-0

«^^1

386

SINGINC. lURDS.

This si)erics lias a nioro cxtciulcd raii^a- than carolincn^is. Itcing
found tartlici west and larthcr north. It breeds Ironi noithcni
Nl'w Knyland and Manitoba nortluvard and soutliward along the
Aiifghanifs. In wintrr it ranges from New IJrunswick to tiic *iulf
States

ll
r

I]RO\vn-iii;ai)i:i) m riiAicii.

SiriA I'usir.i.A.

CllAR. Above, ashy blue ; top (jI lu'ad and ircU lnnwn; wintespot
on b.iek of neck; wings bhick ami iiluish ; iiiicidli' tail-fealhers hke back,
otiieis black tipped with l)liii>ii ; iKiiealli. dull brownish white tinged
with pale ash bchintl; throat white. IJill lung, skiuler. anil acute.
Length 4 to 4I2 inches.

^\'c.f/. In open woodland; an excavation in a dead stmnp, lined with
i^rass, leaves, and f(:athcr>

/vj,:;'-,f. 4-6; white, thickly marked with fine spots of reddi.-h br^wn and
pale lilac ; 0.60 X 0.50.

This small species is seldom seen to the iKjrth of tlic State
of Virginia. In the Southern States it is rather common, and
is also met with in the island of Jamaica. Like the last, which
it resembles in manners, it is very fond of pine-trees, and
utters a similar note, hut more shrill and chirping. Its food,
besides the seeds of the i)ine, is iisnally the insects which infest
the forest trees. In winter fumilii s of this species of 8 or 10
individuals may be seen biisii)- hunting in company, and keep-
ing up a per[)etual and monotonous screeping. It is less
suspicious than most other s\ Kan birds, sometimes descending
down the trimk of a tree watching the motions of the by-
stander; and if the intrusion happens to be near the nest, or
while engaged in digging it out, the little harmless me< hanic
utters a sort of complaining note, and very unwillinglv relin-
(juishes his employment, which is instantly renewed on the
removal of the observer.

This species is restricted to the Southern and (".ulf States, rarely
wandering nortli of X'irginia and Maryland: but examples have
been taken in New York, Missouri, Ohio, and Michigan.

iiin iiniilitrn
rd uIdiij; the
k to tlic (iulf

in ; white spot
Ikms like Vjack,
I white tinged
er. anil acute.

inip, lincil with

Lli.-<h biiiwn and

1 of tin- State
:omm<>n, and
le last, which
le-trcL's. and
;. Its food,
wliich infest
les of S or lo
V. and keep-
It is less
s descending
>, of the by-
the nest, or
■is mechanic
[illintj;iy relin-
'wed on the

1 Stales, rarely
kainples have
Wan.

KKUWN CRKKI'KK. ^^j

r.ROWN CKKKPKR.
Cfkihia FA.MII.IAKIs amikkana.

CllAK. Above. Kr.iyi^h brown, each fc.ithtr stre.iki<l witli tinll white;
rump iuf<)U>; winj;s with .i band of bulty white; lient.ith, dull white or
pale grav. l.enuth about Hi inches.

.\'ij/. In deep woods, placed behiiul a >liver of loose bark on a
tlecayed tree or stui) ; made of >hreds of bark anil ////<</ mo>s tirmly
interwoven and set on a platform of twij^s. It is sometimes lined with
feathers.

/i";;'.f. 4-.S ; white or creamy. — when freshly l.iid, tinted with pale
roseate, — spotted with reddish brown ; oAo X 0.50.

This industrious forager for insects, chiefly dwelling in the
seclusion of the tbrest, is but seklom seen in the summer; but
on the ai)i)roach of winter, with other hungry wanderers of
similar habits such as the small \Vood])eckers and Nuthatches,
it makes its appearance on the wooded ;;kirts of the village,
l)articularly among the pine-trees, and occasionally becomes
familiar enough to pay a passing visit to the orcha.''d. In this
country, however, the sjiecies is neither common nor familiar,
nor is it more abtmdant in the Xorthern than the Midille
States, though its breeding range extends from Pennsylvania to
Newfoundland.

'I'he bill of the Creeper not being of sufficient strength to
probe the wood, it rests contented u uh examining the crevict-s
of the bark for inserts and their eggs, proceeding leisurely
upwards or downwards in straight or spiral lines towards the
to]) of the tree, dodging dexterously to the opposite side from
the observer, and only resuming its occupation when assured
of solitude and safety. While thus em]>loyed it utters at short
intervals a sharp, quick, rather grating note, by which its resort
may be discovered, though it reipiires some time and a good
eye to perceive it if on the upper branches of a tall tree.
Though it lives chiefly on insects, it also, according to Wilson.
collects the seeds of the pine for food, and is particularly fond
of the vermin which prey on those kinds of trees. In the
thick forests which it inhabits in the Northern an'l Western

5SS

SINGIXC; HIRDS.

Slates about the middle of April, it commences the nest in the
hollow trunk or branch of a tree which has been exposed to
tiecay by mjury or accident. Here in the accidental cavities
or deserted holes of the squirrel or Woodpecker the Creeper
deposits her eggs. The young creep about with great caution
previous to taking to their wings.

The Brown Creeper is a coiiinioii bird in New England, though
in the southern portions it occurs in tlie winter only, 'ts breeding
area extending from .Maine and Minnesota northward. In winter
it rantics as far southward as the (iulf States. It is common in
Untario and Quebec, iiut less abundant in the .Maritime Provinces.
•An interesting account of the breeding habits of this bird, written
by Mr. William IJrewster, appeared in the Nuttall bulletin for
July. 1 8-9.

.Mr. iirewster credits the Creeper with a tender song, wliich
falls upon the ear " like the soft sigh of the wind among the pine
boughs."

B.\H.\MA HOXKV CREEPER.

C<KRI !.\ r.AHAMF.N'SIS.

ClIAR. -Above, dark brown; rump vellow; stripe over eyes and un-
der parts dull white ; breast and edge of wing pale yellow ; tail broadly
tipped with white. Length 4'< inches.

AV.7. In a low tree or bush; .1 large, pen.sile, dome-shaped structure,
the entra:. e at the side ; made of weed-stems and grass, and lined with
plant do'.in.

^^W'- --4; white, tinged with green and sjieckled with rufous : 0.65
X 0.50.

The home of this species is on tlie Bahamas, but a straggler
has Ijeen found on tiie coast of Florida. Mr. C.o.sse in his " Birds
o! Jamaica " gives an interesting account of this bird's habits. Me
descri!>es it as obtainiui; its food in much the same manner as
Humming iJirds. ])y probing tlie tiowers; but instead of hover-
ing in front of a tlower, die Creeper alights on the tree. When
e.vaniining a flower for the insects which are at the bottom of the
cup, the bird throws its liody into a variety of positions, .sometimes
with the b.ack downward.' the better to reach the interior of a
blossom with its curved bill and jieculiar tontiue. The bird is
unsuspecting and familiar, and freely r.'sorts to the blossoming
shrubs of a garden.

c nest in the
I exposed to
intal cavities
■ the Creeper
^reat caution

frland, though
•. i*s breeding
rd. In winter
is common in
me l^rovinces.
s bird, written
1 liuUelin for

r soiig, which
iiiong the pine

er eves and un-
sv ; tail broadly

aped structure,
•md lined with

|th rufous: 0.65

Lit a straggler
in his " I'.irds
IS habits. He
he manner as
lead of hover-
tree. When
hottom of the
Ins, sometimes
interior of a
The bird is
le blossoming

DLACK AM) wmri-: \\ar);i,i:r.

BLACK .AM) WHITE CREErEK.
MNInril.lA VAklA.

Char. Above, black striped with white, head, wings, and tail mostly
black: beneath, white, more or less striped with black. Female and
young without stripes on the throat. Length 4 '3 ti» 5 '2 inches.

Xt it. In o))en woodland or jiasture; placed at the tojt of a tree or
stump, or at the base of a moss-covered rock, xmietimes in a hole ; made
of grass, moss, and shreds of bark, and lined with grass, hair, roots, and
vegetable down.

i5",,%'/. 4-5; creamy white, thickly spotted with pale reddish brown;
0.65 X 0.50.

This remarkable bird, allictl to the ("recpcrs, is another
rather common summer resident in most parts of the United
States, and probably migrates ]iretty far to the north. It
arrives in I^ouisiana by the middle of I''e])runry, visits Pennsyl-
vania about the second week in .April, and a week later a])])ears
in the woo<ls of New Fjigland, jirotracting its stay in those
countries till the beginning of October, and lingering on the
southern Hmits of the Union a month later, so that it does not
appear to be mu<'h affected by the commencement of frost,
and probably at this season occasionally feeds on berries.
As numbers are observed round Vera Uruz toward the com-
mencement of winter, and are described as inhabiting the
West India islands, it is probable they pass the extremity <j{
the winter beyond the southern boimdary of the Union.

T^ ■

390

SINGING BIRDS.

^1%

'fin

•i , I

i, ;

11:1

Like the Creepers and Nuthatches, these birds are seldom
seen to perch upon the branches of trees, but creep spirally
around the trunk and larger boughs up and down, in quest of
insects which alight upon or hide within the crevices of the
bark. In this employment they dis]ilay all the dexterity of the
more regular climbers. For this purpose the hind toe is rather
stout, and extends backward so as to balance with the anterior
part of the foot, and allow a motion like that of the Creepers,
from which genus they are at the same time wholly distinct.

At the period of breeding, the male scrapes out a little
monotonous ditty in recognition of his mate, resembling some-
what the syllables A' /s/w tshe tshe fsh' tsluit', proceeding from
high to low in a tolerably strong and shrill, but somewhat
filing tone. As the season of incubation advances, this note,
however, becomes more mellow and warbling, and though
feeble, is very pleasing, bearing at this time some resemblance
to that of the Redstart {Sctopha^^a niticilla). This song is like
the ascending call of 'ti;.<cc 'f-iccc 'fiocc 'huee 'tiL'ict. At the
romantic estate of the Cold Spring i)lace in Roxbury the pro-
prietor, Mr. Newman, pointed out to me the nest of this bird,
which on the 27th of June contained four young about a week
old. Other birds of this species I had seen fledged this year
about the 1 7th of the same month, and as Wilson remarks the
flight of the young in July, we may suppose that they raise two
broods in the season. The nest was niched in the shelving of
a rock on the surface of the grounii, and was externally com-
posed of coarse strips of the inner bark of the hemlock-trees,
which overshadowed the situation. With these were mixed soft,
dissected old leaves and a few stalks of dead grass ; the lining
was made of a thin layer of black hair. According to Audu-
bon, these birds nest in Louisiana in some small hole in a tree.
and employ dr\- moss and a lining of downy substances. The
pair fed the young before us with affectionate attention, and
did not seem more uneasy at our presence than the <:ommon
and familiar summer Yellow Bird. They crej^t about the trunks
of the neighboring trees, often head downwards, like the Sittas,
and carried large smooth caterpillars to their young. Thia is,

PURPLE MARTIN.

391

■e seliiom
p spirally
n quf st of
:es of the
rity of the
e is rather
e anterior
Creepers,
listinct.
ut a little
ling some-
ding from
somewhat
this note,
nd though
^semblance
song is like
/. At the
-y the pro-
f this bini,
out a week
this year
marks the
V raise two
helving of
nally com-
ilock-trees,
mixed soft,
the lining
g to Audu-
e in a tree,
ices. The
ntion. and
e iommon
the trunks
the Sittas,
This is.

in fact, at all times a familiar, active, and unsuspicious little
visitor of the shady gardens and orchards, as well as woods
and >oIitiides.

The iSlack and White Creeper, as this species is usually called.
breeds from the Southern States to Fort Simpson. It is abundant
in soutlK-m New England, and fair'y common in the .M.uitime
Provinces.

It was first clas.sed with the Warblers by Si)enc rr liaird in 1S59.
and has been retained there by all later authorities. Nuttall con-
sidered that there were two .species, one of wliicli he named borcalis ;
but it has not been considered valid, thouirh Kidirwav, in liis •• .Man-
ual." >uggests the name .1/. xuitia hoyealis tor a .supi)0sed .Missis-
sippi valley and Middle American race, which lie describes as
somewhat smaller than true 7'aria ; but he thinks the material at
hand insutificicnt to warrant a positive decision, so we are saved the
infliction of this much "hair-splitting."

PURPLE MARTIN.

PrOGNK SLlilS.

Char. Male: lustrous black with purple tint, wings and tail with
brownish tint. Female and young : browner above, and beneath grayish.
Length -]z inches.

Xist. In a bo.\, or attached to the eave of a house ; sometimes in a
decayed tree : made of grass, leaves, etc.

E^^s. 4-6: white and glossy ; 095 X 075.

According to the progress of the season in the very different
climates of the United States, is measured the arrival of this
welcome messenger of spring. Around the city of New Or-
leans, for example, the Purple Martin is seen from the ist to
the 9th of Febniar)-. .\t the Falls of the Ohio, it is not seen
before the middle of March, and representatives do not arrive
in the vicinity of Philadelphia tmtil the first week in .April ; on
the 25th of that month, or later, they visit the vicinity of Bos-
ton, and penetrate even to the cold regions of fludson Hay,
where they arrive in May and retire in .\ugust ; about the 20th
of the same month they also leave the State of Pennsylvania.
The inigrations of these birds are remarkably extensive, as
they were seen by Mr. Swainson in great numbers arounjl Per-

Ifllfl

•li

if;

<ii.

i <

^ : !l'.

ii.

] \>

;>:'!

'S!!!
I I

!-.'

•r<. f[

SINGING BIRDS.

nanibuco. Mr. Townsend met with tlicni on the Rocky ^loun-
tains, ami Authiboii observed them breeding in Texas. In
Oregon we tound them nesting in the knot-holes of the oaks,
and they <li<l mn appear to court the society of man, as we
seldom saw them near the fort. In their haste to return to
their natal climes, they sometimes expose themselves to fatal
accidents from ( hangeable and unfa\orable weather. In the
maritime parts of Massachusetts, and i)rol)ably throughout the
State, a few years ago after a rainy midsummer, many were
found dead in their boxes, and they have since been far less
numerous than formerly.

This beautiful sj)ecies, like many others (jf the tanuly, seeks
out the (iwellings of man, associating itself e(|ually with the
master and the slave, the colonist and the aboriginal. Vo the
Martin it is indifferent whether its mansion be carved and
painted, or humbled into the hos|)itable shell of the calabash
or gourd. Secure of an asylum for its mate and voun. , while
under the protection of man it twitters forth its gratitude, and
is everywhere welcomed to a home. So eager is it to claim
this kind of protection that sometimes it \entures hostilities
with the Jjluebirds and tlomestic Pigeons, wiio are often forced
to abandon their hereditary claims. Satisfied with tiie rece])-
tion and success, like so many contented and taithtul domes-
tics, it returns year after year to the same stition. The
services t)f the Martin in driving awav Hawks and ("rows from
the premises he claims, are also important inducements tor
f^ivor ; he has even the courage to attack tlie redoubtable
Kingbird, when its visits are too familiar near the nest.

At the ai)i)roaching dawn the merry Martin begins a lively
twitter, which, continuing for half a minute, subsides'until the
twilight is fairly broken. To this ])relude succeeds an ani-
mated and ificessant musical chattering, sufficient, near the
dwelling, to awaken the soundest sleeper. His early vigils are
scarcely exceeded by the domestic Cock ; tiie industrious
farmer hears the pleasing call to labor, and associates with this
favorite bird the idea of an economical, cheerful, and useful
guest.

PURPLE MARTIN.

393

:ky Nioun-
Vxas. In
f the oaks,
nan, as we
return to
es to fatal
r. In the
mhout the
iiany were
en far less

niil>, seeks

y with the

1. Vi) the

arved and

K- calabash

junu. while

titude, and

it to elaini

f, hostilities

ften forced

the rece])-

iul donies-

ion. The

rows from

enients for

cdouhtable

St.

ns a lively
s'until the
ds an ani-
, near the
V vi.^ils are

ndustrions
L's with this

and useful

In the Mitldle States, from the 15th to the 20th of April,
the .Martins begin to prepare their nest, which ir> uMially maile
of small green or dry leaves, straws, hay, anil feather>. laid m
considerable (luantities. They rear two broods m the >ea->ou.
Several pairs also dwell harmoniously in the s;ime l>o.\. Ihe
male, very attentive to his sitting mate, also takes part in liie
task of incubation ; and his notes at this time ha.e apparently
a peiailiar and expressive tenderness.

The food of the Martin is usually the larger winged uisccis,
as wasps, bees, large beetles, such as the conunon Ct/i>///<is, or
goldsuiilhs, which are swallowed whole. His flight i)ossesses
all the swiftness, ease, and grace of the tribe. Like tile Swift,
he glides along, as it were, without exertion. .Sjmetimes he is
seen passing through the crowdetl streets, eluding the pa»en-
gers with the rapidity of thought ; at others he ^aiU among
the clouds at a ili/,/y height like something almost ethereal.

The Purple Martin occurs througlinut the Maritime Provinces,
though nowhere common, and is extremely local in its distriliution.
It is rather rare near Quebec, but common at Montreal and
throughout Ontario. Ohser\ers in Winnipeg consider the bird
abundant there, and it is said to range nortli to the .Saskatcliewan
valley. It breeds from the C,u\i States nortluvard. and winters in
.Soutii America.

Small colonies of these .\Lu'tiiis are found scattered througli
New Lnglaiul at wiilely separated localities, accepting, usually, the
j^roffered hospitality nf tVinulK villagers who provide dieni with
homes, though an occasional eoterie may be found nesting in the
]>rimitive manner of their ancestors. — rearing their broods in
natural cavities of trees or in crevices of rocks, as was the custom
of tlieir race before the luiropeans led them into more Sybaritic
habit.s.

XOTK. — The CruAN M AK UN {Pmgnt Liyptoiciica) is a siiinme'
resident of southern Florida.

I ■

■ !
t

..(■

'II ' '

! i

■ 1

f >

i '

1, ;y.

^^^^^.

, ,

BARN SWALLOW.
Chi i,ii)( )\ r.Rv inRocAsi RA.

Chak. Upper parts slccl blue; forehead, throat, and breast rich
chestnut ; belly i)aler ; tail deeply forked, — outer feathers several inches
longer than the inner. Length ^^i to 7}^ inches.

AV.f/. Attached to a rafter of a barn or the side of a cave; cuii
shaped; made of pellets of nuul bound with grass, antl lined with grass
and feathers.

ACs-*^ 3-(*'- white, variously marked with dark brown, reddish brown,
or inirplish brown and lilac; 0.75 X 0.55.

The Barn Swallows arrive in Morida and the maritime parts
of (teorgia abotit the middle of March, but are not seen in the
Middle States before the last of that month or the beginning

DAKN SWALLUW,

395

lud breast rk\\
several inches

|)t a cave ; cup
Led with grass

reddish brown,

Lxritime parts

It seen in the

he beginning

of April. Their northern migration extends to the sources of
the Mi'^'-jssippi. the kocky Mountains, and the fur countries,
where, uisi.int from the habitatii^ns of man, tiny inhabit caves,
parti< ularly tho>c in the hmestone nj( k^. 'I hey retire from
.\hissa<hu!>etts a\nnn the i Sih of September, and are observed
in the -ame month and in October passing over the jjcnin-
sula of Florida on their way to tropical Americ a, where they
probably pass the winter. I have seen a straggling i)air in
this vicinity even on the 15th of ( )ctober. The ileetness with
which they move, and the i>eculiarity of their inse( t fire, are
circumstances which would impel a prom])t transition to more
favorable climates. Accidental fits of torpidity. like those
which occasionally an<l transiently take ])lace with the Htnn-
ming Hird. have undoubtedly hap])ened to Swallows, without
proving anything against the general migrating instinct of the
species, which as long back as the time of .\nacreon has been
generally obser.ed.

Early in May they begin to build against a beam or rafter,
usually in the bam. The external and rounding shell is made
of pellets of mud tempered with fine hay and rendered more
adhesive by the glutinous saliva of the bird; within is laid a
bed of fine hay, and the lining is made of loosely arranged
feathers. They have usually two brocnls in the season, an<l the
last leave the nest about the first w^ek in August. 'I'wenty or
thirty nests may sometimes be seen in the same barn, and twt)
or three in a cluster, where each i)ursues his busy avocation in
the most perfect hannony. \\hen the young are Hedged, the
parents, by their actions and twitterings, entice them out of
the nest, to exercise their wings within the barn, where they sit
in rows amid the timbers of the roof, or huddle closely to-
gether in cool or rainy weather for mutual warmth. At length
they venture out with their ]>arents, and, incai)able of constant
exercise, may now be seen on trees, bushes, or fence-rails, near
some pond or creek convenient to their focjd ; antl their diet
is disgorged from the stomachs or crops of their attentive
parents. When able to i»rovide for themselves, they are still
often fed on the wing, without either party alighting ; so aerial

ik:

396

SINGING i;iKJ)S.

ami light arc all their motions thai the atmosphere alone
seems to be their favorite elemeni. In the latter end oi
summer, jjarties of these social birds may be often seen by the
sides t)f dusty roads, in which they seem pleased to bask.

About the middle of August they leave the barns, and begin
to prepare for tiieir departure, assembling in great numbers (jn
the roofs, still twittering with great cheerfulness, 'i'heir scmg
is very sprightly, and sometimes a good while continued. Some
of these sounds seem like VV^' V'A' VAA////. uttered with rapid-
ity and great animation. A while before their departure, they
are observed skinnning along the rivers and ponds after insects
m s^reat numbers, till the approach <jf sunset, when they assem-
ble to roost in the reeds.

The Barn Swallow is a common liird tiuougiiout this Eastern
rroviiice, and northward to (Jrceiihuul and Al.iska.
It winters in tlic West indies and south to lira/il.

> I'.

CLIFF SWALLOW.

EAVK SWALLOW.
PeTRDCHF.I.IDoX I. r MI-RONS.

Char. Above, dark steel blue; loiehcad dull white; wings and tiiil
brownish black ; rump rufous; chin, throat, and collar around neck dee))
chestnut ; patch of blue black on breast ; remaining; under-parts pale
gray tinged with rufous. Length about 5J4 inches.

A'i's/. Fastened to the side of a cliff or the cave >>f a building ; made
of pellets of nuid and lined with grass and feathers. I'suallv gourd-
shaped, the entrance at the month of the gourd, — sometimes open on

tO]).

i?_;';o'. 4-6; white, variously marked with shades of bmwn and pur])le ;
o.So X 0.55.

The Cliff .Swallows have but recently come to the notice of
naturalists. Their summer residence in the temperate parts
of America is singularly scattered. They have long occupied
the regions of the Rocky Momitains, extending to the banks of
the Columbia, and the cliffs of the Missouri, and are probably
to be found on other large Western rivers. According to

ij.ifi

phere alone
tier cntl of
seen by ihe

bask.

is, and begin
nuuibi-T.T on
Their ^owj,
nued. Some
(I with rapitl-
•parture, they
s after insects
n they assem-

1 this Kaslcrn

; wings and l.til
louiid iR'ck deep
|uiulcr-parts pale

building ; made

I'suaHy gnuid-

Inetimcs open on

iwu antl purple ;

the notice of
[mperate \iarts
[long occupied
|() the banks of
[l are probably
According to

CLllK ^W ALLOW.

397

Richartlson they are extremely alnnulant in the fui countries,
in US15 they were observed for the first time at Henderson,
on tile banks of the Uhio, and at Newport in K«"nucky. In
1.S17 tiiey made their appearance at Whitehall, near Lake
C.hamplain, in the western part of the State of Nc\. N'ork. In
these places their increase seems to have kept pace with the
time since their arrival, augmenting their nest;, from a single
(luster to several hundreds in the course of four or five years,
^'ieillot observed one at sea off Nova Scotia, and they have, in
fact, long been commonly known in that Province. In i.SiS,
as I learn from J. W . lioott, Kscp, they began to build at Craw-
ford's, near the base of the White Mountains of New I! ,.ip-
shire. In the summer • '^30 a few nests were seen by
(leneral Dearborn at Winthru in Maine: he hatl also heard
of one at (lardiner in the u;me State. The hibernal retreat of
these birds would apj)ear to be in the West Indies, as they
were seen in I'orto Rico b} Vieillot, and one was also observed
in St. 1 )omingo by the Miie auth(jr.

In the Western States they arrive from the South early in
Ajjril, and almost immediately begin to construct their nests.
They commence their labor at the dawn, and continue their
operations until near mid-day. The nests are made of pellets
of sandy mud. disposed in layers until the fabric, with its
entrance, assumes the form of a projecting retort, agglutinated
to cliffs or the walls of buililings as convenience may oiTcr.
From the nature of the friable materials employed, the whole
is frail, and would cnimble in the ])ossession of any but the
airy owners. The internal lining is of straw and dried grass
negligently disposed for the reception of the eggs. They raise
but a single brood, who. with their jiarents, after several
attempts at mustering, finally disappear in August as suddenly
as they came. Mr. Townsend says: "In the neighborhood of
the Columbia River the Cliff Swallow attaches its nest to the
trunks of trees, making it of the same form and materials as
elsewhere." The face of Pillar Rock, an isolated columnar
mass of basalt near Chinhook. at the estuary of the Columbia,
was rendered still more fantastic and picturesque by the nests

398

SIN(JIN(; r.IRDS.

h i

If'

ot" the (lit'f Swallow with which it was laced; a small colony
having taken up their abotle here. These were, as usual, made
of pellets of mud, enclosed at the toj), but without the retort
necks.

Like the rest of their congeners, these birds are almost per-
petually on the wing m (juesi of tlies and other small insects
which constitute their (ordinary food. ihcir note does not
appear to resemble a twitter, and according to Audubon it
may be imitated by rubbing a moistened cork round in the
neck of a bottle. In Kentucky, until the connnencement (jf
incubation, the whole party resorted to roost in the hollow
limbs of the buttonwood-trees. However curious, it is certain
that the birds have but recently discovered the advantage of
associating round the habitations of men.

Numerous colonies of this species are touiul throughout Xew
Kngland and the Maritime Provinces, and a tew paiis have been
seen at I-\)int de Moiits, on the north shore ot the (nilt ot St. Law-
rence, which is till- limit of its northward range near the Atlantic,
though in the interior it rangrs much farther nortii. It Ijreeds
southward to the C.ulf States, ami winters in South America.

It is higlily prob.it)'e tliat the habit of breeding in large conunu-
nities. and tlnis becoming *• local" in distribution, will account for
the report of their having moved eastward during the tirst half of
the present century. As a matter of fact. Audubon discovered the
species in Kentucky tive years before Say found it amont,' the
Pvockies. 'I'hat the older writers knew so little about the bird
should not be taken as evidence of its absence. tlu'\- failed to
learn the Instory of several ecpially connnon species; and after the
added years we are still ignorant of the breeding habits of some of
these birds.

NoTK. — The CcRAN Clifk Swaliow {J\'trochi'lidon fnliui)
has been taken in Florida.

mall I olony
usual, made
at the retort

almost j)t'r-
imall insects
tc does not

Audubon it
ound in the
ctueinent oi
11 the hollow
,, it is certain
ad\antage of

ouj^hout New
iiir.s have been
Lilt" ot St. Law-
■ tin- Atlantic,
h. It breeds
\meriea.
Vm'^c lommu-
1 account tor
e tirst half of
liseoverod the
t amoiVi; the
).nit the bird
liuv failed to
and after the
ii^ of some of

\clic/i>ii Jiili'ii)

TRKE SWALLOW.

\VII1TE-I5ELLIED SW.M.LOW . >IN(iIN(; SWALLoW.
'I'.\C11V( INKIA I'.HOKiR.

Cmak. Aljovc, ricli steel hhic, \viiit;s ;iiul tail willi green ictlcctiuns ;
l)eneatli, white. Length about 6 inches.

Xist. In a cavity of a tall dead tree. — often a deseited Woodpecker',
hole, — sometimes in a hiitl hox ; made of grass and straw, lined with
featiiers.

E^i^^s. 4-9 (usually 5) ; white ; 0.75 X 0.55.

'I'his species, less common than tiie Uarn Swallow and nearly
allied to the common Martin, arrives in iVnnsylvania and
New England about the middle ot". April, and extends its migra-
tions over the continent nearly to the .An tic circle, having
been seen by Dr. Richardson in the latituiU' of 53° ; it is
also abtmdantly dispersed over the Rocky Mountains and the
('olimibia River, where it breeds, as well as around Hudson
I5ay and throughout the Northern and Middle States. On its
arrival, like many other species, it seeks out the society of
man and frequently takes possession of the mansion of the
Martin. When these advantages are imattainable it will be
content with the eaves of some deserted dwelling, a hollow
tree, its ancient residence, or even an horizontal branch when
large and convenient.

The note of these birds is a shrill, lively, warbling twitter :
but they are more quarrelsome and less sociable in the breed-

(

I
i

* I

^^ i

400

SIN(;iN(; IMRDS.

iiiji M-ason that the IJarn Swallow. In the spring their pro-
t rat led, angry contentujns, and rapid chatter are often heard in
the air. Their food is similar to that of the species above
mentioned, and they make a snapping sound with the bill in
the act of seizing their prey. 1 hey proceed to the South m
Sej)tember, anil accijrding to the observations of Audubon
pass nearly, if not (juite, the whole winter in the cypress swamps
near to New Orleans, and i)robably in the Mexican vicinity.
He i>bserv(Ml them about the middle of December, and also
near to the close of January. •* During the whole winter many
retired to the holes around houses, but the greater number
resorted to the lakes, and spent the night among the branches
of the wax-myrtle," whose berries at this season afford then) a
su|)j)ort on whi( h they fatten, and are then considered as excel-
lent food, .\bout sunset they usuall)' began to Ibx k togethi'r
at a peculiar call, and were then seen almost in clouds moving
towards the neighboring lagoons or the estuaries of the Mis-
sissippi. Before alighting they perform their aerial evolutions
to reconnoitre the place of roosting, soon after which they
rapidly descend as it were in a spiral vortex almost like the
fall of a water-spout, and when within a few feet ol the wax-
myrtles they disperse and settle at leisure ; but their twittering
and the motions of their wings are heard throughout the night.
At dawn they rise, at ln>it llying low over the waters whi( b.
they almost touch, and then rising gradually separate in (]uest
of food. During their low Ibght numbers of them are often
killed by canoe-men with the mere aid of their l)a(ldk■^
(Aul)ubon). This jiredilection for the borders of lakes and
ponds led some of the an( lent writers to believe that Swallow^
retired to the bottom of the water during the winter ; and
some fishermen on the coast of the Haltic pretended to have
taken them up in their nets in large knots, clinging together
by their bills and claws in a state of torpidity.

'ilu' Tree Swallow breeds from tlic (iiill Slatrs north to tlie
fur countries, and winters from tlie SoutliLrii States to Central
America. .Mr. William Brewster believes that tliese l)ir(ls liavc
l)een driven from the cities ot soutliern .\ew England by tlie House
Sparrows.

r ilu'ir l»n)-
i-n hcanl in
ifcics a\)()ve
1 the bill in
K' South \n
)f Amhibon
ircss s\vam|)s
can vicinity.
)lt, and also
winter nvmy
atcr number
tin- branches
iftbnl them a
•red as excel-
lock together
louds movinii
i of the Mis-
rial evolutions
■r which they
Imost like the
■t ot the wax-
uir twittering
out the night,
waters whi( 1^
arate in quest
um are oUen
|their paddles
i)f lakes and
that Swallows
winter ; and
nded to have
iging together

iiortli to the

[es to Central

|sc birds have

by the 1 louse

«1

liWK SWALLOW.

.-^AND MARTIN.

CJ.IVIC()I-\ KIIAKIA.

("h\k .\l)ovc, (lull gr.-iy:>ii Urowii, which cxtciids anHnv.i the neck
and across the breast; throat .ind belly while. Length about 5 inches.

A'est. At the end of a l)urrow excavated in a hank of sand or pravcl,
— usually wuhiii a tew feet ■>! the top ; the bank izennallv n-ar a stream
of water ; the excavation i> 2 to 4 feet deep, and widens at the inner md,
where a little dry grass and a few feather- .ire loosely placed, and on tlii>
cushion the c^t^s are laid.

AVa'.". 4-^; white; 0.70 X 050.

These plain-looking and smaller birds, though eiiually grega-
rious with other kinds, do not court the protection or society
of man, — at least their habitations are remote from his. They
commonly take possession for this purpose of the sandy bank
or bluff of a river, cpiarry, or gravel jiit, 2 or 3 feet below the
u|)per surface of the bank. In such places, in the month of
April, they may be obser\'ed burrowing horizontally with their
awl-like bills, when at length, having obtained a foot-hold in
the cliff, they also use their feet and continue this labor to the
dejjth of 2 or 3 feet. Many of these holes may be often seen
within a few inches of each other. This spe ;s has gener-

VOL. I. — 26

402

SirCING UIKDS.

?:■■ '

ally two broods in the season, and on the egress of t'nc youni;
in the latter t.nd of May the jjiratieal Crows often await their
o|»i>ortunity to destroy them as they issue from the iu-)i. In
rocky countries the birds often take possession of the clefts
on the banks of riwrs for their dwelling, and sometimes ihey
content themselves with the holes of trees.

Their voi( e is only a low twitter of short lisping notes ; and
while busily passing baekwards and forwanls in the air around
ihejr numerous burrows, they seem at a di>tan<e almost ~.miilar
to hiving Ix^-s. As they arrive earlier than other species, the
cold and unsettled weadier often drives them for refuge in
their holes, where they cluster together for warnuli. and have
thus been found almost reducetl to a state of torpidit\. Dwel-
ling thus shut up, they are often troubled witii swarms ui infest-
ing inscct>, resembling tleas, which assemble in great numbers
around their holes. Ihey begin to depart to the South from
the close of .Sej)tember to the middle of October, .\ltliough
they av<M<l »l\\tlling mar houses, they do not tly t'rom settled
vicinities: and parties of six or more, several miles from their
nests, have been seen skimming through the streets of adjacent
villages in the province of Normandy.

'Ihey are found <in both sides of N\)rth AniiTica. from the
shores of the Atlantic to the borders of the Columbia, and in
all the intermeibate region suited to llicir manner of breeding.
According to Auilubon, tluy winter in great numbers in Florida,
and bree<l from I.a.brador to Louisiana.

If the Bank .Swallow was found in Labrador bv Aii(lubi>n it has
since changed its liahitat to tin- (.'Xtent of (Uscrtint^ that ' ouiitry,
for during recent years only one c.xaniple lias been seen on the
northern side of tlie (iull of St. Lawrence, though colonies have
iK'cn found on Anticosti and the ^L^g(lalen Islands.

In the Far West tliesi' birds rantre lo niucli hii^lict* latitudes, a
few having been met with along the valley ot the .Mackenzie
River, and in .Alaska. They breed from the Gulf .States northward,
and winter in tlie tropics, ranging as far south as lini/il. Ihey
are locally common throughout the E.islern Slates and the idjoin-
lag I'rovince.s.

i)f the yount;
-n invait their
the mv.. In
of the clefts
melimes they

iLi note-. ; ;in(l
the air around
:Unu)>t :.imilar
cr species, the

for refuge in
null, and have
•l)idity. Dwel-
rarnis of uifchi-

ureat numbers
the South from
ber. Althouiih
fly from -ettled
miles from their
cets of ndjarenc

ii'rira. from the
oUuubia, and in

ler of breedini;.

ihcr- in Florida,

,\u(hil">n it has
lin.Li that ' ovuUry,
It'cn sei-n on the
In-li colonic- have

L;hor latitudes, a
"'the Mackenzie
Itatcs norlhward,
lis r.ra/.il. They
Is and the adjoin-

ROLGIl-WINGKI) .SWALLOW. 403

ROLCiH-WlNGKl) SW.MI.OW .
SrEL(;ii)f)i''rF.RVX skrripknms.

* H\k. Above, grayisli 1 now II ; l>(.iic:Uli, l)io\\ni-li <;r.Ty. whitening on
the belly. Edge ol wings rough to the toucli ; ••i)ut( r wcl) c,f tlic tirst
l-rimary wi:h recurved huoklets " which are Ln king on liic vounu' birds.
Ixngih 5 to 3 '4 inches.

Xift. In a cavity of a bank or in a crevice of a --tone wall or bridge,
usualiy near a -trt-ani; made uf ilrygra>s lined wiiii tLatiitrs.

h^^i. 4-7; wiiitL- ; 0.75 X 0.50.

We are imlebted to Audubon for the discovt-rv of this spe-
cies -rtfi much allied to the preceding,', who first ibM-rved it
near iJayrju Sara, and afterwards in Scnith Carolina. < )f its
habits he says nothing ; but it is r.irer. and he thinks its
habitual residence may prove to be far lo tlu- westward, —
perha[>s the valleys of the Colinubia.

This species is more comiiKin in tlie Western Faunal Province
than in the Kast : it is abundaiu in llritish Cnlmnbia. hiu Mr.
Thompson has not jjut it in his •' Birds of .Maiiitdb.i." It occurs
reyularly. hmvever. throiiLchout the Mastern .Statis noith to New
York. Ohio, and Illinois, and si)arinL;ly in Conneiticul It lias also
been found in parts of Ontario.

In appearance and habits it so closely rcstnil)Ics tlic Lank .Swal-
low that it may be overlooked by tlic casual observer; U does not,
however, confine its choice of a nesting site to a sand-bank, but
v.ill place its nest amid the stones of a wall or bridi^e, in a crc-vice
of a buildin;:. f»r even in a knot-hole. It ditfers also from the Lank
.Swallow in bein^ of a paler color, and both ol these birds dilfer
from our other swallows in weariii": no metallic tints.

.\«»TE. --The Ci'r.AN ("mi I' Swai.iow {Pefroc/ii-/ii/on f'lilva)
and the IVvhaman .Swallow {Calliihcliilon cyuineoviriiiis) have
been added to the United States faima by .Mr. W. V.. D Scott.
who captured examples on Dry Tortujj;as island during .March and
.\pril. 1^93.

If:

^u i; i

K i\(; RIP. n.

BEE MARTIN.
TyR.AX\US TYRAXN'US.

Char. Above, blackish ash, darker on the head: beneath, white;
breast tinged with g'a\ ; tail black, tipped witli broad band of white.
Crown with concealed patch of yellow or orange red. length 8 to 9
inches.

A'ifs/. On a branch or in fork of a tree, in garden or pasture ; com-
posed of twigs, roots, and moss, lined witii roots, horse-hair, and feathers.
The exterior is loosely laid, but the interior is neat and compact.

^-.V- 4-?- creamy white, spotted with light and dark brown; 0.95
X 0.70.

./-\

'»'

-.^^

•^■

beneath, white;
Id band of white.
Length S to 9

I or pasture ; v;om-
lair. and feathers.
Ic impact
Hark brown ; 0^5

KINtJlilKl).

405

This well-known, remarkable, and pugnacious bird takes uji
his siuniner residence in all the interniediaie region from ihe
temperate parts of Mexico to the iniinhabitt-d and remote inte-
rior of Canada. In all this vast geograijhical range the King-
bird seeks his footi and rears his young. Ak ording to Audu
Lxjn they appear in lA>uisiana by the middle of .M an h ; and
ilxjut the 20th of .\pril W ilM)n remarked their arrival in
Penn>ylvania in small parties of five or six ; but they .ire >eldum
seen in this part of New Lnglanil before the middle of .May.
They are now silent and peaceable, until they begin to pair,
and fonn their nests, which takes place from the first to the
last week m May or early in June, a* coriling to the advance-
ment of the season in the latitudes of 40 and 4:; ilegrees.
'I'he nest IS usually built in the orchard, on the horizontal
branch of an apple or pear tree, sometimes in .111 oak, in the
atljoining forest, at various heights from the ground, seld<jm
carefully concealed, and firmly fixed at the bottom to the sup-
|)orting twigs of the bran« h. The outside con>i>ts of coarse
stalks of dead grass an«l wiry weeds, the whole well conne( ted
and iK-dded with cut-weed down, tow, or an o( casional rope-
yarn and wcKt] : it is then lined with <lry, >leniler grass, root
fibres, and horse-hair. The eggs are generally t, to 5, yel-
lowish white, ami marked with a t"ew large. well-d( Tim d >pots
of deep and bright brown. They ot'ten build and hat( li twice
in the season.

The Kingbird has no song, only a shrill, guttural twitter,
somewhat like that of the Martin, but no way musital. At
times, as he sits watching his prey, he calls to his mate with a
harsh /s/u'H/'. rather quitkly pronounced, and attended with
some action. As inserts a]tproach him, or as he darts after
them, the snapping of his bill is heard like the shutting of a
watch-case, ami is the certain grave of his pre\. I'.eetles,
grasshoppers, crickets, and winged insects of all destriptions
form his prin< ipal summer f(X)d. I have also seen him col-
lecting the canker-worms from the I'.lm. Towards autumn, as
various kinds of iK-rries ripen, they constitute a very consider-
able and favorite part of his subsistence : but with the exccp-

4o6

I'LVCATCHPJKs.

.Uil

tioii ol currants (of which lie only cuts pcrhap' /hen confineil),
he refuses all exotic productions, cont-.ntin;.; himself with
blackberries, whortle-berries, the berries of the sassafras, cornel,
\il)urnuiu. eltler, poke, and five-leaved ivy. Raisins, foreit;n
( urrants, grapes, cherries, peaches, pears, and apples were
never even tasted when offered to a bird of this kind, w! i; h I
had many months as my pensioner; of the last, when roasted,
sometimes, however, a few mouthfuls were relished in the
absence of other more agreeable diet. Berries he always swal-
lowed whole, grasshoi)pers, if too large, were ])ounded and
broken on the tloor as he held them in his bill. To manage- the
larger beetles was not so easy ; these he struck repeatedly against
the ground, and then turned them from side to sitle, by tiirowing
them dexterously mtcj the air, after the manner of the Toucan,
and the inse<t was uniforml}' caught reversed, as it descended,
with the agility of a |)ractised cup-and ball player. At length
the pieces of the beetle were swallowed, and he remained still
to digest his morsel, tasting it distinri';\ soon after it entered
the stomach, as became obvious by the ruminating motion of
his mandibles. When the soluble portion was taken up, large
pellets of the indigestible legs, wings, and shells, as likewise
the skins and seeils of berries, were, in half an hour or less,
brought up and ejected from the mouth in the manner of the
Hawks and ( )wls. When other food failed he ai)peared \ery
well s;i:iNlied vidi fresh minced meat, and drank watiM" tVe-
quently. evei i.; ing the si-vere frosts of January, whic h he
en<h).''ed with . .nu( h difli(u!t\'; basking, however, like Hio-
genes, in the feeble beams of the sun, which he followed round
th(> room of his confinement, well satisfied when no intruder
or coniijanion threw him into the shade. Some ver\' cold
evenings he had the sagacity to retire under the shelter of a
de|iending bed-(iuilt, was very much pleased with the warmth
and brilliancy of lampdight, and would eat freely at an\' hour
of the night. Unacquainted with the deceptive nature of
shadows, he sometimes snatched at them for the substances
they resembled. I'nlike the Vicros, he retired to rest without
hiding his heatl in the wing, and was extremely watchfiil.

r.iXGTURr).

407

11 confined ) ,
limsclf with
.ifras, cornel,
sins, foreijin
apples were

and, w'- '•■ li I
i-hen roasted,
ished in the
always swal-
iounded and
[) manatee the
atedly against
-, by throwing
if the Toucan,
it descended,
cr. At length
remained still
fter it entered
ting motion of
aken u)), large
Is, as likewise
|i hovir or less,
manner of the
appeared very
Ilk water I're-
ary. wliii h he
vcr, like Dio-
[t)il()\ved round
n no intruder
Ime vc-ry cold
u- shelter of a
Ith the warmth
llv at anv hour
ive nature of
|he substances
lo rest without
K'lv watchful,

thougn not abroad till after sunrise. Hi> taciturnity :uv\ 'disin-
clination to friendship, and familiarity m confnK'mcnt,«VL - sirik
ing trait>. His restless, (juick, and >idc-glan<ing ey^ - nabied
him to follow the motions of his Hying insect prey, ..; ^ to as-
certain precisely the infillible instant of attack. He readily
caught morsels of food in his bill before they rea<:hed the
ground, when thrown across the njom, an<l on these octa-
sions seemed pleased with making the ne< essary exertion.
He had also a practice of ( autiously stretching out iiis nc( k.
like a snake, and peeping about either to obtain sight of his
food, to watch anv a])proach of ilanger, or to examine any-
thing that appeared strange. At length we b<'ame so well
ac(|uainted that when very hungry he wotild express his grati-
tude on being \l\] by a slirill twitter and a lively look, which
was the more remarkable as at nearly all other times he was
entirely silent.

In a natural state he takes his station on the top of an
apple-tree, a stake, or a tall weed, and betwixt the amusenunt
of his scpieaking twitter, employs him>elf in flarting after his
insect tbod. Occasionally he is >,een hovering over the field,
with beating wing, almost like a Hawk, sur\eying the ground or
herbage for grasshoppers, whiih are a favorite diet. At "tiier
times these birds may be observed in companies iiii kenng over
still waters in the sanie employment, — the gratifi: .ju o'.ippe-
tite. Now and dien, during the heat of sumtne. iliey are seen
to diji and bathe in the watery mirror: and witl^ t'ds washing,
drying, and pluming, they appear to be l>oth gratifier and
amused. Durir.g the season of their sojourn ';v,' p.dr are
often seen moving about in coinfiany. with .1 apid ipiAering
of thi' wings and a continued tremulous.. .-hriekii:g twitter.
Their energetic and amusing motions are most comirionly per-
ft)rmed in warm and fine weather, ami continue, with little
interruption, until towards the close of August.

One of the most remarkable traits in the character of the
Kingbird is the courage and affection which he displays for his
mate and young ; for on his fir^t arrival he is rather timid, and
readily dodges before the .Swallow and Purple Martin. Indeed

4oS

FLVCATCnKRS.

iHl

iii
f

at this season I have seen the Spotted Saniljiiper drive away a
pair of Kin^MMrds because they happened U) approach the
premises of lier nest. IJut he now be( cnnes, on tliis important
occasion, so tei'iacioiis of his rights as readily to commence tiie
attack against all his feathered enemies, and he pa>ses several
months of the summer in a hcene of almost |)erpetual euntest ;
and not overrating his hostile powers, he generally finds me.ins
to come off with impunity, ilagles, Hawks, (rows, Jays, and
in sliort every bird whi( h excites his hUsj)i(ion by its inten-
tional or accidental a])i)roach, are attacked with skill and
t:ourage ; he dives upon the heads and backs of the larger
intruders, who become so annosed and tormented as willingly
to make a i)recii)itate retreat. He pursues his foe> sometimes
tor a mile : and at length, assured of con(|uest, he return*, to his
liromiiniit wat( h-ground, again (|ui\ering his wings in gratula-
tion, and rapidly uttering his shrill and triumphant note>. He
is therefore tiie friend of the faniur. as the scourge of the pil-
ferers and j)lunderers of his croj) and barn-yard. Dut that he
might not be perfectly harmless, he has sometimes a propensity
for feeding on t!ie valuable tenants of the bee-hive; for the^e
he watches, and exult ingly twittirs at the prospect of success
as they wing their way engaged in busy employment ; his (|ui« k-
sighted eyis now follow them, until one, more suitable than the
rest, becomes his fivorite mark. This selected victim is In-
some farmers belie\ed to be a drone rather tnan the stinging
neutral worker. The selective discernment of the eyes of
thi> bird has often amused me ; berries of different kinds, held
to my doine^itic Kingbird, however similar, wt-re reje( ted
or snatched as they suited his instinct, with the nicest
discrimination.

As the young acfpiire strength for their distant journey, they
may be seen in August and Se|)tember assembling together in
almost silent, greedy, and watrhful parties of a »lozen or more,
feeding on various berries, particularly those of the sassafras
and cornel, from whence they sometimes drive away smaller
birds, and likewise spar and chase each other as the supj)ly
dimimshes. Indeed, my domestic allowed n(j other bird to

.\P

fl<#t?'

drive away a
pproach the
lis important
)inincnce the
•a>sc» several
tual contest ;
funis means

AS, J'iy>» '^'^'l
by its inten-
ith skill and
of the larger
•d as willingly
les sometimes
return^ to his
it(s in gratula-
it ii()tc-«. He
rge of the pil-

IJut that he

s a pro] tensity

jve ; for these

ct of success

nt ; his (iui< k-

ible th in the

victim is by

the stinging

the eyes uf
nt kinds, held

i-rr reje* ted
the nicest

journey, they
ig together in
)zen or more,
iic sass;ifras
away smaller
is the su])])ly
)ther bird to

KIN(il;lkI).

AOj

hve in jicace near luin when feeding on similar food ; ami
though lame of a wing, he often wat( hed his opportunity for
reprisal and revenge, and became so jealous thai, uislea«i of
being aniuscti by cornjianions, sometimes he (aught hoM of
them with his bill, and seemeil inclined to destroy them f»)r
invatling his usuri^d privileges. In September tlie Kingbird
begins to leave the L'nited States and proceeds to pass the
winter in tropical America. During the i)eriod of miu'raticjn
southward, Andulion remarks that ihe\ tl\ and sail through the
air with great ea^e at a considerable elewition ; and they thus
continue iht-ir silent retreat thrcjughoiii the niglit until al>)ut
the first of (l< loixrr, when they are no longer lu be seen
within the Hmib> of the Middle States.

We now know that the Kingbird ranges throughout North
America from the tropics to the lower tiir ( ountrie>, though
not common west of the Rockies.

All lovers of birds and of justice will thank Mis. < )Iiv<. Tliorne
Milkr t'lir her rwible defence of this ( liiv.iliims ami much nialiiined
I)inl, which appeared in the •• Atlantic .Moiuhly" for Auijust. iS*>o.
The systematists have dubbed liiiii •• tyrant of the tvrants." but
his .'fiends know him to be a true kniLclu. the real - kinu of the
air.*' Mrs. .Miller credits the Kiiiiii)inl with •• .i >i)ft ind very
pleasins; sont;,** which she lias heard •only in the very early
morning."

NoTF. —The Arkansas KiNtnuKn (T. 7w7/Vv?//» ditters from
fvtitnttHS in bein^ light ashv <:rav on Ik ;ul. neck, and breast, md
other lower parts yellow. In si/e the two birds are much the same,
some examples of the Western form being slii^htlv larger.

Its habitat is the Western filains: but specimens liae beer
taken in the Middle and Northern .States.

if ■*■

Ul-

ULlVi:-SII)i:i) FKVCA'rCHMR.

COX'JOI'US l;()RKAI,l.S.

CiiAK. Above, dull olive brown, darker on head, paler on rinnp; tail
du.-,kv. tipped with nray ; wings diiskv, with grav luiul ; lower pan- yel-
lowish white ; flanks i)ale olive. Length 7J4 to S inclies.

A'es/. .Saddled on horizontal limb of tall tree ; cf twigs and grass lined
with grass and moss.

3-5; creamy white, spotted near larger end with redd

ish t

)rown

and pale j)urple ; 0.S5 X 0.65.

This remarkable species, which appertains to the L^roiij) of
Pewees, was obtained in the woods of Mount Auburn, in this
vicinity, \>y Mr. John Hcthune, of Cambridj^i', on the 7th of
Jime, 1.S30. 'I'his, and a second s|)C( imen accjiiired st
aft

)on

erwards. were females on the point of imuibation. A third
indivichial of the same sex was killed on the 21st of |une.
T.S;,T. They were all of them fat, and had their stomachs

ed with torn fragments of wild bei , wasi)s, and oth

er snii-

ivni'f

fill

ilar insects. I have watched the motions of two other 1
individuals who ai)i)eared tyrannical and (luarrelsome even with
each other : the attack was always accompaniid witii a whir-
ring, (luerulous twitter. Their dispute was apparently, like
that of savages, about the rights of their respective himt

grounds. One of the l)irds, the female, whom I

usually

ing-
saw

alone, was mcommonly sedentary. Tiie territory she

seemeil

on rumii ; tail
WLi- i):iil> yel-

nd grass lined

■eddish hrowii

K' i^roui^ of
)urn, in thi^
ihf 7lh i)t'
[uiroil soon
n. A thinl
|sl of June.
II sloniachs
otluT sini-
lothcr livnii;
oven with
ith a whir-
L-ntly, like
■e hunting-
lusually saw
llie seemed

( HIVE-SIDED il.VC'A rclIEU.

411

cleteriiiiMed to ( hiim was circumscribed by the lo|)^ of a cluster
of tall Virginia junipers or red cedars, and an adjoining elm
and decayed cherry-tree. I'rom this sovereign station, in the
sohtude of a barren and sandy piece of forest adjoining Mount
Auburn, she kept a sharp lookout for passing inse< ts, an<l pur-
sued them with great vigor and success as soon as they ap-
l)eared, s(jmetimes chasing them to the ground, and generally
resinning her perch with an additional mouthful, whi( h ^he
swallowed at leisure. < )n descending to lur station slu- occa-
sionally tpiivered her wings and tail, rrected her blow>y cap,
and kept up a whistling, oft-repeated, whining call of '/// '/*//,
then varied to '/// /•//>, and '/// ///, also at times '///^ '///» '/>//
'/// '/>// '/•//. '/// '/// ///, or 7//, 'tti 7//, anil 7// 7//. This
shrill, pensive, and (juick whistle sometimes drop|)ed almost to
a whisj)er or merely '/a?. 'I'he tone was in fact much like that
of the '///// '///// '///// of the Ki^h Ilawk. 'ihe male, however,
besides this note, at long intervals had a call of \-h' f^hilnc or
^ICf^hil'i'd, almost exactly in the tone of the circular tin whistK-,
or bir<l-call, being loud. >hrill, and guttural at the connnenc e-
ment. 'I'he nest of this |)air I at length ilistov'red in the
horizontal branch of a lall red cedar 40 or 50 feet from the
ground. It was formed much in the manntr of the Kingbird,
externally made of interlaced deail twigs of tin- i idar, inter-
nally of the wiry stolons of the common < intiuefoil, dry grass,
and some fragments of branching /.i(-/tr>i ox I'sihui. It ( on-
tained .^ yc^ung and had probablv 4 eggs. I'lu' eggs had been
hatched about the 20th of June, so that the pair had arrived in
thi^ vicinity about the close of Ma\.

I'he young remained in the ne>i no less tluui j .; days, and
were fed from the first on beetles and perfect insects, which
appeared to have been wholly digested, without any regurgi-
tation. Towards the close of this i)r<)tracte(l period the young
( ould fly with all the celerity of the parents ; and tlu-y prob-
ably went to and from the nest repeatedly before abandoning
it. The male was at this time extremely watchful, and fre-
(|uently followed me from his usual residence, after my payin;
him I .isit, nearlv half a mile, 'i'hese birds, whi( h I w at( In .

412

FLYCATCIIKKS.

f i

.i^<i

on several mk < cssivc days, wire iio way timid, and alk)\vi d
nif for sonu' liine previous to visitm^^ their nest to in\estij,Mte
llieni anil the premises they had ( hosen, without showing any
sign of alarm or particular ol)ser\ation.

This bird appears to have bi'en discovered in the fur coim-
tries about the same time as in the Inited States. According
to Dr. Richardson, the specimen, tii^ured so spiritedly in the
'* Northi-rn /oology of Canada." was shot on ''.e ))anks of thr
Saskatchewan as it was tl\ing near the ground.

In iS^j, about the middle of June, the same i)uir appar-
ently had again taken possession of a small juniper not more
than 300 yards from the tree they had occu|)ied the prec i-ding
year, about 14 or 15 feet up which they had fixed their thin
twiggy nest as in the preceding year, it contained 4 eggs, on
which the female had commenced sitting; these, except in
their su|)erior si/e, were i)recisely similar with those o( the
W'ootl I'ewee, — yellowish-cream color, with dark-brown and
lavender-purple spots, rather thinly disjjersed. I'.eing unforli-
nate enough to shake t)ut the two eggs I inttiided to leave in
the nest, the pair had to commence their labors of prepaiing
for a progeny anew; and a few days after, a second nest was
made in ;inother Virgini;in juniper at a very short distance
from the preceding. The present year, however, they did not
return to their accustomed retreat, and no individuid was seeu
in this \icinity. In all places it appears, in fac t, .1 scarce and
widely disi)ersed species. Audubon has since obser\ed this
birtl in other parts of Massaihusetts, Maine, the Magdalen
Islands, and the coast of Labrador. He has also -,een u in
(Jeorgia and in Texas. This sjiecies is a connnon inhabitant
of the dark fir-woods of the Columbia, where it arri\es
towards the close of May. We again heard, at iiUer\als, the
same curious call, like '^li-phrhca, and sometimes like the gut
tural sotmil 'ra^/i-p/ic/ur, commencing with a sort of MU])pressed
chuck; at other times the note varied into a lively and some-
times (\\\\ck p'f-(/r/(m>ay. This, no doubt, is the note attributed
by Wilson to the Wood Pewee. When approached, or when
calling, we heard the />///>// pu.

li^i.

CRi:s'n:i> i i.\(AI( iii;k.

4'^

I allowttl
lUA'Sti^ 111"
jwing any

tur coun-
AccordiiiK'
•dly in the
nks »)!" ihc

iiin- a|>|>ai-

r not more

preceding

tlu'ir thin

4 ^\^.^-^< '>'^
cxcL-i'i in

osc of iIk-

brown and

n;4 unfortu-

to leave in

t" (.rcpaiing

id nest was

rt distance

[licy did not

\\ was seen

scarce and

served this

1- Mat^'dalen

^een il in

inhabitant

it arrives

UTvals, the

ke the .^ut

suppressed

and some-

attributed

11, or when

'I'lif olive-sided l'lyt;U( Iut is a rare sunmur rc^idiiU in tiir
soiilliern portions ol New l"a»t;lan(l. but i>, (juiie' lommoii iit .Mainl-
and Ni w IJruiiswiek, and raiii;i-< lutrtli to about tlie 50tl> parallel.
It winters south to liie iropii^.

CRi;sri:i) I'lAc.vrciiiiK.

Mm\k(1us (KiNnrs.

(MAK. Upper parts olive, inclined to brown on the he\d ; belly bright
yellow; tliro.it .uul brca.-^l ashy qray: wint;> and t.iil dnsky, marked with
nitons. Iliuit crested. Lcnj;th S'j to >) inciics.

A'rs/. In a cavity of a tree; of twigs, j;rass-roots, ieat!',Ts, and usually
a casl-uti .sii.ikeskin.

AvV*- •!-''; I'K''' buffy brown, marked with lines ot biowi oul |uirple;
0.85 X o.t>5.

This species, nearly unknown in New Mni^dand. arrives in
Pennsylvania earl\ in May, and builds his nest in the (K^erted
holes of the \\'o()<l|)e(ker or llluebird. lie also frecpients the
orchard, and is eciually fond of bees vith the Kin^d)ird. lie
ha^ no other note than a harsh sipieak, which soinids like '/<///•,
'/'"A /''-•'"'A 'A'.i'7t '//>, with a strong accent on the first syl-
lable, lie preys actively on insects, which he colk'cts from
his stand, and, in siiort, has most ot the manners and physi-
oj^nomy of the whole section or family to whic h he briongs.
The note of the male appears often delivered in anger and
im])atien( e, and he defends his retreat from the access of all
other birds with the tyrannic insolence characteristic of the
Kingbird.

Towards the ond of summer these birds fei'd on berries of
various kintls, beiuL particularly i»artial to jjokeberries and
whortleberries, which for .1 titne seem to constitute the prin-
cipal food of the young. They rem.iin in Pennsylvania till about
the middle of Se]itember, when they retire to tropical ,\nierica.
In bily, '*^3'» I observed a pair in an orchard at .Acton, in this
State (Massachusetts). They had reared a brood in the vicinity,
and still appeared very stationary on the premises ; their harsh

o^. \^>^S.

IMAGE EVALUATION
T.^7 TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

1.25

,50 "=

1.4

122
20

1.6

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

:i?

•«^

'*?)

'(/

f-^

414

FLYCATCHERS.

pay up, and sometimes a sU.-nder twittering, as tlK\- tO(jl< the
perch, were heard ahiiost from morn to night, and resembled
at first the chirp of a young Robin. I'hey ted on the cater-
pillars or vermin of some kind which hapi)ened to infest the
aj)p]e-trees. I was told that they utter a different and more
musical note about sunrise ; but of this 1 cannot sjieak from my
own knowledge. 'J'hey are unknown in the vicinity of the
sea-coast of Massachusetts. According to Audubon, they are
found on the upper Missouri during summer. Many also
pass the winter in the warmer parts of Florida. The)- also
breed in Texas.

Tills species is common in the Eastern States north to Connec-
ticut and northern Ohio and in southern Ontario. It is rare in
portions of .Massachusetts, but examples have been observed in
.Maine and New Brunswick. It breeds south to Florida, and
winters in the tropics.

Those who know the bird best say it has the courage of the
Kingbird, and a knack of quarrelling that is all its own.

GR.AY KINGBIRD.

TVR.4NNU.S DOMINICKXSIS.

Ch.ar. Very similar to the Kingbird, Init ot" paler color ; the upper
parts, including the head, being ashy gray. Its size is somewhat larger, —
about an inch in length.

Nest. In a tree ; composed of twigs, lined with roots or moss.

Eg^s, 3-4; white, tinged with ]iale buff or salmon pink and spotted
with brown and purple ; i.oo X 0.75.

This fine tropical species was discovered by .\udubon on
the Florida Keys, where it arrives about the first of .Xpril, and
spreads over the peninsula as far as Cape Florida. It is com-
mon in Cuba and several other of the West India islands.
Stragglers, however, appear to wander at times as far to the
north as South Carolina ; a pair anrl their nest having been
found in a college yard, where they continued to return for
several years in succession, rearing two broods in a season.
Its whole demeanor so much resembles that of the common

I'HCEBE.

413

bey to(jk the
ml resembled
on the cater-
to infest the
snt and more
leak from my
cinity of the
bon, they are
Many also
I. Thev also

rth to Coiinec-
It is rare in

n observed in
i'lorida. and

oura^e of the
:s own.

Kingbird that but for its superior size and note it might be
mistaken for that species.

'I'hese birds flutter while flying, and sometimes during the
breeding season the pair, crossing each others path, rise in
spiral evolutions, loudly twittering as they ascend. When
interrupted, alarmed by pursuit, or in quc-t of insects, they
dart off with great velocit). If a large bird, as a Heron or
Crow, or indeed any intruder, jiass near their station, they
immediately pursue it, and that often to a considerable dis-
tance. At the same time they appear careless of the approach
of man except when the nest is invaded, when they fly about
in great anger, snapping their bills and loudly chattering ; but
when relieved from their unwelcome visitors, they return to
their stand with notes of exultation.

Nuttall. following Audubon, named this species the Pipirv Fly-
catcher. It is abundant in the West Indies and occurs in parts of
Florida and along the coast to South Carolina. ExampL-s have
been taken on Long Island, and at Lynn, in Massachusetts.

It winters in the tropics.

olor ; the upper
ewhat larger, —

r moss,
link and spotted

.\udubon on
of April, and
. It is corn-
India islands,
as far to the
t having been
to return for
in a season,
the common

PHfEBE.

PEWEE. PEUIT.
S.AYORN'IS VUHV.F.

Char. Upper parts dull olive brown, darker on hea'. under part^
whitish, changing to pale veilow on bellv. and brownish on flanks: wings
and tail dusky, outer tail feathers and wins: bar whitish : white ring
around the eyes ; hill and feet black. Head with inconspicuous crc^t.
Length 6^{ to 7 inches.

M-sf. Attached to the under-side of a bridse. or to a rock, or the side
of a cave ; of twigs, roots, and moss, cemented with mud, lined with grass
and feathers.

E{',^s. 4-5; white, sometimes speckled with pale brown : 080X0.55.

This familiar species inhabits the continent of North .\mer-
ica from Canada and Labrador to Texas, retiring from the
Northern and Middle States at the approach of winter. How

4i6

MALA TCI IKRS.

^l,

far they proceed to the South at this season is not satisfac-
torily ;;>( ertained ; a (cw, no doubt, winter in the milder jjarts
of the Union, as Wilson saw them in I'ebruary in the swamjjs
of North and South Carohna, where they were feeiling on
sniilax berries, and occasionally even giving their well-known
notes; but in the winter and early sj^ring of 1.S30, while em-
ployed in an extensive pedestrian journey from South Carolina
t(j l''lorida and Alabama, I never heard or met with an individ-
ual of the s]»ecies. Audubon found them abundant in the
Floridas in winter.

These faithful messengers of sj)ring return to Pennsylvania as
early as the first week in March, remain till October, and
sometimes nearly to the middle of November. In Massa-
chusetts they arrive about the beginning of A])ril, and at first
chiefly frecjuent the woods.

Their favorite resort is near streams, ])onds, or stagnant
waters, al^out bridges, caves, and barns, where they choose to
breed : and. in short, wherever there is a good prospect for
detaining their insect food. Near such ])laces our little hunter
sits on the roof of some out-building, on a stake of the fence,
or a projecting branch, calling out at short inter\'als and in a
rapid manner phcbc pJicb'c. and at times in a more plaintive
tone pJicc-hc-cc. This quaint and querulous note, occasionally
ap])roaching to a warble, sometimes also sounds like pcivait
pnoiiif, and ihen pr-rcai-rr. also phcbe phe-bcc-ec, twice alter-
nated ; the latter phrase somewhat soft and twittering. In the
si)ring this not unjileasing guttural warble is kept up for hours
together until late in the morning, and though not loud, may
be heard to a considerable distance. From a roof I have
heard these notes full half a mile across the water of a small
lake ; and this cheerful, though monotonous, ditty is only in-
terrupted for a few seconds as the performer darts and sweeps
after his retreating prey of flies, frequently flirting and quiver-
ing his tail and elevating his feathery cap, while sharply
watching the motions of his fickle game.

In the Middle States he begins to constnict his nest about
ihe latter end of March, in Massachusetts not before the first

rilCEilK.

417

not satisfac-
; milder parts
n the swamps
.' feeding on
r well-known
30, while em-
outh Carolina
th an individ-
ndant in the

nmsylvania as
October, and
. In Massa-
il, i.nd at first

;, or stagnant
;hey choose to
I prospect for
ir little hunter
p of the fence,
r\-als and in a
more plaintive
, occasionally
s like pciLHiit
twice alter-
-rmg. In the
t uj) for hours
not loud, may
roof I have
ter of a small
tty is only in-
ts and sweeps
ig and quiver-
while sharply

Hi is nest about
lefore the first

week in .\|,ril. The nest is situated under a l)riilge, iii a < ive,
the side of a well 5 or 6 feet down, under a shed, or in the
shelter of the 1<jw eaves of a cottage, and e\en in an empty
kitcheii ; sometimes it rests on a beam, though ii is fretjuently
attached to the side of a piece of roofing limber in the manner
of the Swallow.

According to the touching relation of Wilson, this humble
and intjffensive bird forms 'onjugal attachments \vhi( h jirob-
ably continue through life ; for, like the faithful iJluebirds,
a pair continued for several years to freijuent and build in a
romantic ca\e in the forest which made part of tiie estate of
the venerable naturalist, William Ikirtram. Here our unfortu-
nate birds had again taken up their weUouu: lease for the
summer, again chantcil forth their simple lay of affection, an<l
cheered my aged friend with the certain news of spring ; when
unexpectedly a party of idle boys, one fital Saturday, de-
stroyetl with the gun the parents of ihis old and peaceful
settlement ; and from that time forward no other pair were
ever seen around this once happy, now desolate spot.

Their attachment to particular places is intleed remarkable.
About the middle of April, 1831, at the Fresh Pond Hotel, in
this vicinity, three different nests were begun in the ]>ublic
boat-house, which may be here consid —"^d almost as a thorough-
fare. Only one nest, however, was completed ; and we could
not help admiring the courage and devotedness with which
the parents fed their young, and took their alternate station
by the side of the nest, unda mted in our presence, only now
and then uttering a 'A//// when observed too narrowly. Some
ruffian at length tore down the nest and carried off the brood ;
but our Pewit immediately comniem ed a new fabric, lai<l 5
additional eggs in the same i)lace with the first, and, in haste
to finish her habitation, lineil it with the silvery shreds of a
Manilla rope which she discovered in the contiguous loft
over the boat-house. For several previous seasons the parents
had taken up their abode in this vicinity, and seemed unwil-
ling to remove from the neighborhoorl they had once ( hosen,
in spite of the most untoward circumstances. In two other

VOL. I. — 27

4i8

FLYCATCHERS.

'I"

ill:

instances I have known a pair, when the nest and eggs were
taken by some nitvhievous boys, commence a new nest in
the same place, ami bying a smaller number of eggs, ruisetl
a second broo<l. In one of those nests, under a bridge, the
insidious Cowbird had also dro]-)ped her i)arasitic egg.

Towards the time of their departure for the South, which is
about the middle of October, they are silent, and previously
utter their n(jte^ more rscldom, as if mourning the decay of
Nature, and anticipating the approaching famine which now
urges their migration. In the Middle States they raise two
broods in the season : but in Massachusetts the I'ewit rarely
raises more than a single brood, unless, as in the instance re-
lated, thev have had the misfortune to lose the first hatch.
The young, dis{>erscd through the woods in small numbers,
may now and then be heard to the close of Sept^iiber exer-
cising their feeble voices in a guttural/////^/. Ikit the old birds
are almost wholly -rilent, or but little heard, as they flit timidly
through the woo<l:^. when once releasetl from the cares of rear-
ing their inflint broo«fl : so that here the Phoebe's note is almost
a concomitant of spring and the mildest opening of summer, —
it is, indeed, much more vigorous in April and May than at
any succeeding period-

The Phfebe is an uncommon bird in the Maritime Provinces,
but more common m the vicinity of Montreal and westward to
Western Ontario, and in all the Eastern States. It breeds from
Manitoba and Newfoundiand to South Carolina, and winters in the
(iulf States as well as in Cuba and Mexico.

Note. -- .Mr. G. S. Miller, Jr., captured on Cape Cod, in Sep-
tember, 1SS9, an example of Say's Pho:be (Sayomis sava), the
tirst that has been taken to the eastward of the Great Plains.

Wnou I'KWKE.

419

and eggs were
3 new nest in
of eggs, raised
r a bridge, the

c egg.

South, which is

and previously
^ the decay of
ine which now

they raise two
:he I'ewit rarely
:he instance re-

the first hatch.

small numbers,
Septnnber exer-
:',ut the old birds
i they flit timidly
;he cares of rear-
e's note is almost
ig of summer, —
nd May than at

iritime Provinces,

and westward to

It breeds from

uul winters in the

:ape Cod, in Sep-
^yornis saya), the
;reat Plains.

WOOD pi:\\i:k.

CONIOPLS VIklNS.

Char. Upper parts olive brown, darker on tlic head; lower jiarts
whitish, with dull yellow tinge; side.i pale olive, extending across the
breast; tail and wings dusky; wings with bars of uiutish. Head with
inconspicuous crest. Length 6 to 6ji inches.

Nest. On branch of a tree ; of twigs and grass, covered exteriorly
with lichens and lined with moss.

>?;";'■•''• 3~4 ; creamy white with spots of brown and lilac wreathed
about the larger end; 0.75 X o-55-

This species has much the appearance of the common Pewit
Flycatcher, but differs essentially by its note and habits. The
Wood Pewee appears generally to winter south of the Ignited
States, and scarcely arrives in Pennsylvania or New England
before the middle of May ; its mif itions, in all probability,
extend to Canada. According to .Audubon, many of tliem
winter in the southern extremity of the United States, and Mr.
Townsend and myself frequently saw them in the dark forests
of the Oregon. It is a solitary species, frequenting gloomy
forests and dark orchards, where, watching on some dead and
projecting branch for its insect prey, it sweeps at intervals
amidst the shade, and the occasional sna])ping of its bill an-
notmces the success of its flight. It then again alights as
before, sometimes uttering a sort of gratulatory low twitter,
accompanied by a <[uivering of the wings and tail ; and in the
lapse of its employment, in a feeble, sighing tone, often cries
pce-7vee or pce-e, and sometimes fe-ivcc pc^inttifcc or pmnftcc
p'e-wee. This note is continued often till (juite late in the
evening, at which time many of the insect brood and moths
are abundant. Most of these birds, indeed, ai)j)ear capable of
collecting their food by the feeblest light, the only season when
some of their favorite prey ever stir abroad. This species also
appears particidarly fond of small wild bees. From June to
September, its solitary notes are heard in the field and forest ;
after which time, preparing for its departure, and intently glean-
ing food in every situation, it sometimes ap])roaches the city.

420

FLVCATCIIKRS.

? I

i >

i ,

Nf:

■

i I '

often examines the court^. and ifarden^, at the same time iVed-
ing and training its young to the habits of their subsistem e,
and about the firot week in October it retires south tu pass the
winter.

Tiie Pewee is a very expert and cautious flycatcher; and as
if aware of the drowsiness of insects in the absence of the sun's
broad hght, he is on the alert at day-dawn after his prey. At
diis early period, and often in the dusk of evening, for the most
jxirt of summer till the middle of August, he serenades the
neighborhood of his mansion from 3 to 4 or 5 o'ch^ck in the
morning, with an almost uninterrupted chanting ditty, swecl,
l)ut monctonous, like //-(/r />a\-7L'h', pi'-ay pax-ulr, then in a
little higher and less sing-song tone, his usual and more serious
pce-d-wec. In dark and damp mornings this curious warble is
sometimes continued nearly to 8 o'clock ; and the effect of
this tender, lulling lay in the gray dawn, before the awakening
of other birds, and their mingling chorus, is singular and pecu-
liarly pleasing. It is a gratulatory feeling of unmixed and
placid delight, concomitant with the mild reviving light of the
opening day and the perfect joy of the mated male, satisfied in
every reasona])le desire, — in short, a hymn of j^raise to the
benevolent /\uthor and Supporter of existence I

Towartls the period of departure they become wholly silent ;
and driven to extremity, they may n(jw be seen watching the
stagnant ])ools and ponds. di])ping occasionally into the still
surface .'fter their drowsy and languid prey. Like the King-
bird, this species at times displays a tyrannical disposition ; and
I have observed one to chase a harmless Sparrow to the ground
for safety, who merely by inadvertence happened to approach
the station he had temporarily chosen for collecting his insect
game.

The notes oi pcfo-K'ay peto-7C'ay prr-rcuiy are never uttered
by this species; but on the 12th of February, 1830. in Ala-
bama, I heard, at that season, a bird uttering this note, and
several times afterwards I saw a rather large and dark 1-ly-
catcher in the pine woods, to which I attributed this call, and
which must be a distinct species, as its notes bear no resem-

vt,(

.me time fco<l-
ir subbistcm c,
.ith io pass the

atcher ; and as
icf of the sun's
r his prey. At
ng, for the most

serenades the
5 o'clcjck in the
ng ditty, swecl,
v--ir. . then in a .
nil more si;rious
curious warble is
id the effect of
? the awakening
igular and pecu -
3f unmixed and
ving Ught of the
male, satisfied in

of praise to the

:e:

lie wholly silent ;

en watching the

Idly into the still
Like the King-

fl imposition ; and
)W to the ground
ned to approach
ecting his insect

Ire never uttered
(y. 1830, in Ala-
Ig this note, and
(e and dark 1-ly-
Ited this call, and
bear no resem-

•^

LEAST ILVCATCIIKR.

4-^1

blance to those of the N\ ood I'ewee, — at this season probably
in Souih America.

'I'he Pewee, I believe, raises 1 're but a single brood, which
are not abroad before the middle of July. I'he not i> ex-
tremely neat and curious, almost miiversally saddled upon an
old moss-grown and decayed limb in an hcjrizontal position,
and is so remarkably shallow, and incorporated upon the
branch, as to be very easily overlooked. The body of the
fabric consists of wiry grass or root-fiDres. often blended with
small branching lichens, held together with cobwebs and cat-
erjjillar's silk, moistened with sali\a ; externally it is so coated
over with bluish cruj^taceous lichens as to be hardly discernible
from the moss upon the tree. It is lined with fuier root-fibres
or slender grass stalks. Some nests are. however, scarcely
lined at all, being so thin as readily to admit the light through
them, and are often very lousy, with a species of nciints which
probably infests the old birds.

The plaintive and almost pathetic note of th'j Wood Pewee is a
familiar sound amid the orchards of New Brunswick, and the bird
is of common occurrence through Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba,
it breeds south to Florida, and winters southward to .Mexico and
Guatemala.

Lf:ASi' FLYCATCHER.

CHELEC.

Empidox.ax minimus.

Chak. L'iper parts olive: lower parts white, tinged with yellow;
the breast washed with olive gray ; wings with two bars of grayish white.
Length 5 to 5,'^ inches.

.\V.7. On fork of a tree; of twigs and grass, lined with grass or
feathers.

E,i\^s. 3-5 ; creamy white, usur.lly unspotted ; 0.63 X 0.50.

This ix one of our most common summer birds in thi» part
of New England, arriving from the South about the la>,t week
in April, and leaving \is to retire probably to tropical America
about the beginning of September or sometimes a little later.
It also extends its migrations to Labrador and the Oregon

422

FLVCATCIIKRS.

'IVrriton', and seems most abundant in the N'orthern and
liastcrn States. Though, Hke the i>rece(hng. thi-se are sohtary,
retiring birds, and fond ot' the sha<le of the forest, yet in tins
viciinty their nests are numerous. On their first arrival, pre-
vious to pairing, they are engaged in constant <iuarrel>> about
their mates, and often molest other birds whom they hapjjen to
see employed in pursuit of the same kind of ftjtjd with them-
selves. Like the jjreceding si)ecies, they take their station <Jii
a low branch to reconnoitre the passing insects on which they
feed, and from time to time make a circular sweep for their
prey. When seated, they utter very frequently a shari), un-
l)leasant squeak, somewhat resembling that of the Kingbinl,
sounding like (jiicah, and sometimes UsICali, or tslicah, tsluali,
and fshooi-, with a guttural, snapi)ing sound, succeeded by a
kind of cpienilous, Xaw twitter uttered as they tly from tree to
tree, and chiefly at the instant of alighting. At other times
they have a recognizing, rather low call of 'whit, ^luhif, re-
peated at ^ihort inter\als : again, in the warmest weather, I
have heard one of these Pewees call something like the whist-
ling of ^7c>eef, 'aw/, 'wcef, 'ici//. Occasionally, when fighting
or in flying, it also makes an echoing tshirr. It possesses all
the habits of the Kingbird, catches bees, flies, and moths, ex-
hibits a variety of quivering motions, and defends its nest with
great courage against the approach of larger birds.

'The nest of the Small Pewee is usually fixed in the slender,
upright forks of a young forest tree from 6 to 20 or 30 teet
from the ground. I have also found the nests on the horizon-
tal branch of an apple-tree or forest tree. In most instances
in the woods a gloomy, solitary situation is chosen. The mate-
rials of this fabric var}' according to circumstances ; for the
first brood a verv- soft and warm nest is usually made of dry
grass, willow, and cud-weed <lown in large quantities, partly
felted or matted together externally with the saliva of the
bird. Common tow, if convenient, is also occasionally em-
ployed when the nest is in an apple-tree, for which some neigh-
boring graft is probably unravelled. The interior is usually
formed of slender, narrow strips of bark, bass, and dry grass ;

liii ::

i.i:.\>T 1 i.vc.vrciiKK.

423

NortluTii and
se are solitary,
,'st, yet in tins
St arrival, jtre-
iiuurrcls about
hey hai)i)cii to
)od with thcnv
hcir station on

on which they
sweep for their
/ a sharp, un-

the Kingbird,

ucceeded h\ a
fly from tree to
At other times
vhit, 'whit, re-
lest weather, I
r hke the whist-
, when fighting
It possesses all
and moths, ex-
Is its nest with
s.
in the slender,

20 or 30 feet
111 tlie horizon-
most instances

;en. The mate-
ances ; for the
ly made of dry
lantities, partly

1 saliva of the
ccasionally eni-
ich some neigh-
srior is usually
and dry grass:

th<' lining,' is commonly of fine root-librf^, >l'n(lcr tops of bi-nt
gra^s, and at times a few liair^ and feathers. Occasionally the
principal external material consists of strijjs or strings of silk-
wiTcl liii: and tbr bark df ihc (i-'iunon \ irgin'> bowi-r. The
not is rxtrciiuls neat and uniform, resembling a complete
hemisphere. As neits may be fouml late in jnl\, it is
probable they have a ^ecoml brood in iht course of the
>ea^(jn. 'I hey an- extremely atta{:hed to their offspring, and
keep up an incessant, almost choking Ishiiih t.\lu'ah when
any person apprcxiches the tri-e where 'hev have their
brood, 'llie y(jung and old now ino\e about in (ompanj,
and at this time {ki^^X on \arious kinds of berries, Dartic-
ularly those of the cornel ami whorileberr)'. At leiigdi the
young are ^een to select each other's society, and rove about
withoiu any fixed resort, previous to their gradual departure.
A pair, prol d)ly of the same brood, still lingered here in Se])-
tember, and like the little Parrots called .nseparable. ap])eared
fondly to ( herish each other's company. It was toward even-
ing when I saw them, and at first they appeared inclined to
roost in the shady willow-tree in whif;h they had alighted. They
nestlefl close to each other with looks and notes of tenderness
and affec tion : wherever one went, the other instantly followed,
and the same branch contained the same contented pair.

Nuttall followed Wilson in the mistake of supposing this species
and aadirns to be identical, and in his account lias mingled the
biograpliies of the two. The latter is more southern in its distri-
InUion, the center of its breeding area being in the Middle States.
'• Chebec '' is a common summer resident from Pennsylvania to tlie
Gulf of St. Lawrence, and westward to the prairies. It winters
south to Panama.

I ;

Ik'

TRA I i.i.'s i-i,\ c\ rc: n !:r.

li.Ml'llJONAX lUAlLl.ll Al.N(JkU.M.

CllAR. I'ppcr ])aits olive brown, darker on iIk- licad. lipliter on tlie
rump; under parts wliitish, the sides tinged with i)ale olive whicli ex-
tends nearly across the breast, the belly tinged with yellow ; wings dusky,
with yellowish white bars. Length ^'^ to G inches.

A',s/. On an iijiright fork in a cliiini) of alders or low deciduous tree,
I to S feet from the ground; composed of grass roots or hempen tibre,
lined usually with fine grass, sometimes with horse-hair or thistle-down.

■^vs'-f- 3-4 I creamy white or buff, boldly spotted with light and dark
brown chiefly about the larger end ; 0.70 X 0.53.

'I'his species, so nearly allied to the last, was fir.->t distin-
guished by Audubon. Its note resembles the syllable 'w/icef,
'ri'/ur/, articulated clearly while in the act of Hying. It was
first obser\ed on the wooded skirts of the prairies along the
banks of the Arkansas. Mr. Townscnd and myself observed it
in various places in the skirts of the forests of the Columbia
and Wahlamet during the summer, when it was breeding, but
we could not discover the nest. Its motions are thus de-
scribed by Autlubon : " When leaving the top branches of a
low tree this bird takes long flights, skimming in zig-zag lines,
passing close over the tops of the tall grasses. snaj)ping at and
seizing different species of winged insects, and returning to the
same trees to alight."

Traill's Flycatcher is chiefly a spring and autumn migrant
through southern New England, though a few pairs breed as far

*i«

ACAIHA.N I LVLAlLllKk.

4-^5

cad. liglitci on the
le tilivc. which cx-
low ; wings dusky,

u\v dtcidui'iis tree,
i or hempen fibre,
- or thistle-down,
vith light and dark

rt-as fir.^t distin-
syllablc 'K'hcet,
Hying. It was

■airifs along the
>clf observed it
i the C'ohimbia
> brcciiing, but
s are thus de-
branches of a
in zig-zag hnes,
, napping at and
Ireturning to the

lutumn migrant
lairs breed as far

south as I. out; Island. It i.s a common suiuiner residiiu of Maine
and (if the nortliern part of W'rniont .ind \e\v !Iaini)siiire. and
IS not un< ;)ninion on the Herkshire hills in .Mass.uliusells. It is
( (tiniuon in New Hrunswick. West of tliis re^jion it breeds fartlier
to tiie southward, being eonunon in tiie middle of Olno .md in
soutlurn Illinois and .Missouri. .Mr. .McIIwraith considers it un-
common in ( )ntario, and .Mr. Thompson reports it i ommoii in
.Manitoba. It winters in Central .Xmerit.i.

There has been considerable discussion over the biceding ludiits
of this species, caused by the difference m habits of ilie Western
birds from those which breeil near the Atlaiuic. Here the favorite
site is a clump of alders near a running stre.im. and the nest is
placetl within a foot or two of the grounil : while in the West a
small tree is generally selected, — sometimes an oak, — and the
nest is placed as high as ten feet. The nest, in the XVest, is not .so
compactly or neatly matle, and the materials are coarser. The note
of this bird — for while the Flycatchers are not cla.^s'd with the
Oscincs, or Singingdlirds, they add not a little to our forest melo-
dies — is peculiar, though strictly of the family type. It sounds
something like lce-\i.<ink delivered with a rising intleciion and the
accent on tlie tinal sound, which is prolonged, — (piite a different
note from the abrupt clwln'c of minim lis. I have never hearil the
song uttered on the wing: but when the bird is perching, the head
is to.ssed back, and the note is _//«;/;' out with a decided emphasis
of manner as well as of voice.

ACADIAN ITA'CATCTIKR.

Empidon'.w viuksckns.

(TiAR. Upper parts olive, sligiitly darker on crown; under parts
whitish, the sides tinged with i)ale olive, which reaches almost across the
breast; belly tinged with pale yellow; wings and tail dusky; wing-bars
huffy. Length 5}^ to 6 inches.

A'cst. In a tree, suspended on fork of twigs at the extremity of a low
limb; rather loosely made of moss or grasses and shreds of bark bound
with spider's webbing.

/\i,',i,^s. 2-4; buff or creamy white, spotted, chiefly about the larger
end, with reddish brown; 0.75 X 0.55.

The older writers had rather confused ideas regarding these
small Flycatchers, and Nuttall supposed he was writing of the
present species, when the bird he had in mind was ininiiniK.

426

FLYCATCHERS.

,' (

The Acadian Flycatcher bel()ii<;s to the Middle States ratliet
than to New Eny,land, and lias been taken but once north ot the
Connecticut valley. It is abundant in CMiio and Illinois, but has
not been observed in Ontario. Mr. Thompson reports it as com-
mon in Manitoba. It breeds south to Florida, and winters in
Central America.

! iiave not met with this species in the field, but those who iiave
bven so fortunate describe ii as a shy bird, seeking the low, moist
thicket and shaded groves rather t'.ian the open pastures. Dr.
Coues thinks the nest " may be compared to a light hammock
swung between forks." It is shallow and saucer-shaped, and so
loosely made that the eggs may be seen from below. Dr. Wheaton
states that so much loose grass is left on the outside of the nest
''that it looks like a tuft of hay caught by the limb from a load
driven under it."

Mr. Chapman tells us that the most common call of this bird is
'• a single s/>ei- ox peet re])eated at short intervals, and accompanied
bv a rapid twitching of the tail. A more peculiar note is a louder
pee-e-yuk. The bird seems to articulate this no.e with difficulty,
with bill pointing upward nnd wings trembling, like a fledgling
begging for food."

YELIX)W-B1-: I.LIED FLYCATCHER.

E.MI'IIX )XAX FI,A\"I\KX'1RIS.

Chak. Upi^er parts dull olive, darker on the crown; under parts
bright vellow, shaded with olive on the breast; wing-bars pale yellow; a
yellow ling arouiul the eye. Length 5J/2 to 6 inches.

Nest. .Amid ninss-covered roots of upturned tree or mossy log; of
twigs, or vegetable fibre, or moss, lined witli roofs, or tine grass, or
moss.

-^vC-f- 4; pal«-' buff, sparingly spotted, mostly about larger end, with
reddish brown ; 0.70 X 0.50.

This species was discovered about 1843, and for manv years-—
as late as 18S0 - was considered a rare bird. Even now compar-
atively few persons are familiar with it. though it occurs throughout
this Eastern Province. It is common in New England, breeding
in the northern portion, and occurs on the higher hills elsewhere.
I found it abundant in New Brunswick, and it has been traced
northward to the lower Hudson Bay region. Macoun reports it
'"ommon at Lake Mistissini.

many years —
\n now compar-
:urs throughout

rland, breeding
It ills elsewhere.
las been traced

:oun reports it

VKLL( )\V-1U:LLIEI) KLVCATCHER.

427

States rather
norlli ol the
inois. but has
rls it as com-
\d winters in

lose who luive
the low, moist
pastures. Dr.
ight hammock
,haped, and so
Dr. Wheaton
ide of the nest
lb from a load

I of tliis bird is
id accompanied
note is a louder
: with difficulty,
[ike a Hedgling

Dr. Wlieaton considered it a common migrant tliroug'i Ohio,
but (ib.>>Lrvers in (Jntario have met with it so seldom as to think
it rare, though Kidgway says the bird is common in Illinois, and
Tliompson found it in Manitoba.

Tin notes of this species have caused much iMscussion. some
writers claiming for* it an individuality, and others insisting that it
litters nothing different from the notes of traillii or minimus. Tlie
kil-lii of Jla-'ivcntris seems, to my ear. cjuite different from the
kc-iuink of Traill's, — which is rather sibilant, and is delivered
witli a rising inflection, — and differs also from \\\^ che-bec of the
Least Flycatcher. While the 'atter delivers the last two notes
abruptly and makes more or less pause after each couplet, the
Yellow-bellied wliistles four notes, kil-lic kil-/ii, with, but a short
pause — a mere /vj/ — between each pair, and delivers the notes
witli a trifle less abruptness. Dr. Dwight thinks the song " is more
suggestive of a sneeze on the bird's part, than of anv other sound
with wiiich it may be compared."

Otlier notes of tlie present species resemble pea and pe-ive-vcii.
These are heard when a pair are in close companionship. Thev
are soft, sweet, cooing-notes. delivered in a plaintive tone that
suggests the tender pathos of the Pewee's.

ER.

j\vn ; under parts
[s pale yellow ; a

\x mossy log ; of
>r fine grass, or

larc;er end, with

Note. — The Fork-tailed Flyc.-vtcher {Milvulus tvran-
juis), a bird of Central and SouLli America, has occasionallv
wandered north, and been taken in Mississippi, Kenturks-, and
New Jersey.

Also a few examples of the Scissor-t.\iled Flycatcher
(^Mikntlus forficatus'). which rarely appears north or east of
Texas, have been seen in X'irginia, New Jersey, Connecticut.
(Ontario, and Manitoba, and one wandered to the shores of
Hudson Bav.

BRf \

if H

1 t-

{' '

t'' '' '': '

I ri.

•■ ■ ii

•M.-^f

( 1

i I

fd^^f'^^'

CAROLINA PAR0QUP:T.

CAROLINA PARROT. PARAKEET.
CONURUS CAKOLINKNSIS.

Char. Head and neck yellow ; forehead and sides of head orange
red; body and tail green, the belly tinged with yellow; wings green and
yellow, the edges tinged with orange red. In immature specimens the
yellow of head -i/.id neck is replaced by green. Length about 13 inches.

jVt's/. In den.se woods or cypress swamp ; placed on a fork near the
end of a branch or in a hole in a tree. When on a branch it is made of
cypress twigs loosely woven, and a nest in a hole is usually lined with
cypress twigs. When abundant the birds generally build in large colonies.

^A.S''^- -~5 (•'') ; greenish white or creamy; 1.40 X i.os-

Of more than 200 species now known to belong to this
remarkable and brilliant genus, the present is the only one
found inhabiting the United States ; it is also restricted to the
warmer parts, rarely venturing beyond the State of Virginia.
West of the Alleghanies, however, circumstances induce these
birds commonly to visit much higher latitudes ; so that, fob

CAROLINA IAR«>»L'ET.

429

j*.>

!=-/
fc.

of head orange
wings green and
Ire si)eciniens the
jbout 13 inches.

a fork near the
jich it is made of
Isiially lined with
ill large colonies.

|5-

lielong to this

[the only one

(stricted to the

|e of Virghiia.

induce these

so that, fol-

lowing the great valley of the Missi-Ssippi, they are seen to
fre(iuent the banks of the Illinois. an<i occasionally to ajjproac h
the southern shores of Lake Michigan. Straggling paities
even have sometimes been seen in the valley of the Jimiata in
Pennsylvania, and a tluck, to the great surprise of the Dutch
inhabitants of Albany, are said to have appeared in that vicin-
ity. They ( onstantly inhabit and breed in the S<juthern States,
and are so far hardy as to make their appearance, commonly
in the tlepth of winter, along the w<X)<iy banks of the (Jiiio,
the interior of Alabama, the banks of the Mississippi and
Missouri arountl St. Louis, and other places, when nearly all
other birds have migrated before the storms of the season.

The Carolina Parrakeets in all their movements, which are
uniformly gregarious, sh(jw a peculiar predilection for the allu-
vial, rich, and dark forests bordering the principal rivers and
larger streams, in which the towering cj-press and gigantic
sycamore spread their vast summits, or stretch their innumer-
able arms over a wide waste of moving or stagnant waters.
From these, the beech, and the hack-berr\", they derive an
important supply of food. The flocks, moving in the manner
of wild Pigeons, dart in swift and air\" phalanx through the
green boughs of the forest ; screaming in a general concert, they
wheel in wide and descending circles round the tall button-
wood, and all alight at the same instant, their green vesture,
like the fairy mantle, rendering them nearly invisible beneath
the shady branches, where they sit perhaps arranging their
plumage and shuffling side by side, seeming to caress and
scratch each other's heads with all the fondness and unvarying
friendship of affectionate Doves. If the gun thin their ranks
tiiey hover over the screaming, wounded, or dying, and return-
ing and flying aroimd the i)la(:e where they miss th'.dr compan-
ions, in their sympathy seem to lose all idea of impending
danger. When more fortunate in their excursions, they next
proceed to gratify the calls of himger, and descend to the
banks of the river or the neighboring fields in (juest of the
inviting kernels of the cockle-burr, and probably of the bitter-
weed, which they extract from their husks with great dexterity.

430

PARROTS.

I '

ft
r ,

' ■

■ i

' If:

1
i

In the depth of vinter, when other resources begin to fail,
they, in common with the Yellow Bird and some other
Finches, assemble among the tall sycamores, and hanging
from the extreme twigs in the most airy and graceful jjostures,
scatter around them a cloud of down from the pendant balls
in quest of the seeds, which now afford them an ample re})ast.
With that peculiar caprice, or perhaps ai)petite. which char-
acterizes them, they are also observed to frequent the saline
springs or /ic/;s to gratify their uncommon taste for salt. ( )ut
of mere wantonness they often fre(|uent the orchards, and
appear delighted with the fruitless frolic of plucking apples
from the trees and strewing them on the ground untasted.
So common is this practice among them in Arkansas Territory
that no apples are ever suffered to ripen. They are also fond
of some sorts of berries, and particularly of mulberries, which
they eat piecemeal in their usual manner as they hold them by
the foot. According to Audubon, they liKcwise attack the
outstanding stacks of grain in flocks, committing great waste ;
and on these occasions, as well as the former, they are so
bold or incautious as readily to become the i)rey of the sports-
man in great numbers. Peculiarity of food appears wholly to
influence the visits and residence of this bird, and in plain,
champaign, or mountainous countries they are wholly strangers,
though common along the banks of all the intermediate
watercourses and lagoons.

Of their manners at the interesting period of i)ropagation
and incubation we are not yet satisfactorily informed. They
nest in hollow trees and take little if any pains to provide more
than a simple hollow in which to lay their eggs, like the W'ood-
l)eckers. They are at all times particularly attached to the
large sycamores, in the hollow trunks of which they roost in
close community, and enter at the same aperture into which
they climb. They are said to cling close to the sides of the
tree, holding fast by the claws and bill ; and into these hollows
they often retire during the day, either in very warm or incle-
ment weather, to sleep or pass away the time in indolent and
social security, like the Rupicolas of the Peruvian caves, at

CAROLINA PAKO<,)LET.

431

icgin to fail,

sonic other
ind hanging
;ful postures,
)endant balls
iniple repast.

which char-
nt the saline
'or salt. Out
rchards. and
icking apples
uul untasted.
[isas Territory

are also fond
berrie>. which

hold them by
se attack the
2 ereat waste ;
r, they are so

of the sports-
lears wholly to

and in plain,

loUy strangers,
intermediate

)f propagation
lirmed. They
provide more
ike the Wood-
tached to the
they roost in
lire into which
If sides of the
these hollows
•arm or incle-
indolent and
Lian caves, at

length only hastily aroused to forage at the calls of hunger,
Inileed, from the swiftness and celerity of their aerial move-
ments, darting through the gleaming sunshine like so many
sylvan cherubs decked in green and gold, it is obvious that
their actions ai well as their manners are not calculated for
any long endurance ; and shy and retiring from all society but
that to which they are insejjarabl}' wedded, they rove abroad
with incessant activity until their wants are gratified, when, hid
from sight, they again relapse into that indolence which seems
a relief to their exertions.

The Carolina Parrot is readily tamed, and early >.hows an
attachment to those around who bestow any attention on its
wants; it soon learns to recollect its name and to answer and
come when called on. It does not, however, evince mu( h, if
any, capacity for mimicking human speech or sounds of any
kind, and as a domestic is very peaceable and rather taciturn.
It is extremely fond of nuts and almonds, and may be sup-
ported on the vegetable food usually given to other species.
One which I saw at Tuscaloosa, a week after being disabled in
the wing, seemed perfectly reconciled to its dome.itic conili-
tion ; and as the weather was rather cold, it remained the
greater part of the time in the house, climbing up the sides of
the wire fender to enjoy the warmth of the fire. I was in-
formed that when first caught it scaled the side of the room
at night, and roosted in a hanging posture by the bill and
claws ; but finding the labor difficult and fruitless, having no
companion near which to nestle, it soon submitted to pass the
night on the bq,ck of a chair.

I fear that the story of this gorgeously apparalled bird is nearly
finished. It is not quite exterminated yet, but of the large flocks
that were once to be seen all over the Southern States, only a mere
remnant can be found, and these are hidden amid the dense
swamps of central Florida and along the lower valley of the Mis-
sissippi. The farmers and fruit-growers were obliged to kill large
numbers, and later woman's vanity and man's greed have joined
hands to carry on the slaughter. From the combined attack of
such foes the remnant has but slight chance for escape.

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.

rain crow.
Ojco'zu- america>:us.

Char. Upper mandiWe asad tip of lower, black ; rest of lower mandi-
ble and cutting edges of upjjier, vtllow. Ujiper parts olive, witli a : 'ight
metallic gloss, tinged with as-h toward the bill ; wings tinged with rufous ;
m' Idle feathers of tail like back, remainder black tipped with white ;
beneath, white or creamy, JLejigih about u inches.

A'c'sL In a thicket bjr tht s-ide of a stream or on the border of a
swamp ; placed in a bsfch or Jow tree. A ilat, frail affair made of twigs
loosely laid, sometimes Icme-d vhh bark strips or grass.

A\%'-s. 2-6 (usually 4) ; jnzit dull ■jreen or bluish green; 1.25 X 0.90.

The American Cacko'» arrives in the middle and colder
States of the L'nion afjomit the close oi April or the first week
of May, and [)roceefl-* to the north as for as Nova Scotia.
It i)robably winters in Miexko. and individuals pass no farther
than the fore<<-s of I>o''iiii-jiana. We also met with it in the
remote Territory of Oregon. Latham speaks of these birds
also as inhabitants of the tropical island of Jamaica. They
delight in the shady reCBrenient of the forest, and are equally
common in tall thick ■- nd orchards, where, like piratical
prowlers, they skulk and hjde among the thickest boughs ; and
although, unlike the KiJio|>ean Cuckoo, they are faithfully paired,
yet the pair are seldom seen in tlie same tree, but, shy and
watchful, endeavor to elude everything like close obserwition.

VKLIJ >\V-1ULL'IJ CUCKOO.

433

of lower mandi-
ve, with a : 'ight
ged witli rut'ou:, ;
)cd with white ;

the border of a
ir made of twigs

; 1.25 XO.90.

le and colder
[the first week
Nova Scotia.
lass no farther
•ith it in the
)f these birds
knaica. They
^d are equally
like piratical
boughs ; and
th fully paired,
1 but, shy and
obsers'ation.

'Ihc male, however, fretjuently uetrays iiis >,nug retreat by his
monotonous and guttural kow ko-n.> ko'ic k('>7o, or koc koo koo
h.oo, and ko kiik, ho kuk, koo koo koo kiik, koo ko koo, k(>o
ko koo. uttered rather low and plaintively, likf the call of the
Dove. At otlier times the ko7>.> kow koro. and '//: '//' '//■ '/k
'/.ik, or 'k/i 'k/i 'kk 'kh 'kali koio ko7c koio ko7o, beginning
>K)\v. rises, and becomes :/' (juick as almost to resemble the
grating of a watchman's rattle, or else, commeiiciiig with this
call, terminates in the distant cry of koio koio koio. I'rom this
note, supposed to be most clamorous at the approach of ram,
it has received in Virginia and other States the name of Raiti-
Cnr.o and CoK'-Bin/. At various seasons durmg the contin-
uance of warm weather the vigil ko-w korc ko7c> ko^c of the
faithful male is uttered for hours at intervals throughout the
night. The same notes, but delivered in a slower and rather
tender strain, are given with great regularity likewise in the
day as long as the j)eriod of incid)ation continues. He often
steadfastly watches any approach to the nest, going to it occa-
sionally to assure himself mat it is tmmolested ; and at times
he may i)e observed darting even at the dormant bat, who
accidentally seeks repose beneath the shadv leaves of some
contiguous tree, so that he is no less vigilant in seeking the
security of his own progeny than in piratically robbing the
nests of his neighbors. 'I'here are two or three other species
in Jamaica and other parts of tropical America possessing a
note very similar to that of our bird, which also fre(|uently
apjiroaches, when delivered in the plaintive mood, koo koo and
koo koo koo. the usual sound of the European Cuckoo. There
is a Mexican species {^Ciiculus riiiihundiis) which so simulates
laughter as to have excited the sujierstition of the natives,
by whom it is hated as a messenger of evil, its accidental
note of risibility being construed into an ominous delight in
misfortune.

The whole tribe of Cuckoos are in disijrace for the tmnatural
conduct of the European and some other foreign species, who,
making no nests nor engaging in conjugal cares parasitically
deposit their eggs one by one in the nests of other small birds,

VOL. 1. — 28

ffp

434

CLCKOUS.

to whom the care of rearing the vagrant foundling is uniformly
consigned.

liiit we may turn with satisf:iction to the conjugal history of
our own subject, which, early in May or soon after its arrival,
may be at times observed obstinately engageel in the (juarrels
of selective attachment. The dispute being settled, the ne^t is
commenced, and usually fixed e^'ther in the horizontal brant hes
of an apple-tree or in a thicket, a ihorn-busli, crab, cedar, or
other small tree in somt- retired part of the woods. Tiie fabric
is usually very slovenly and hastily ])ut together, and possesses
scarcely any concavity for the reception of the young, who in
conse(iuence often fall out of their uncomfortable ( radle. The
nest is a mere llooring of twigs put together in a zig-zag form,
then blended with green weeds or leaves and withered blos-
soms of the maple, apple, or hickory catkins. A nest near the
Botanic (larden had, besides twigs, fragments of bass-mat, and
was very uncomfortably heated, and damjj with the termenta-
tion of the green tops of a sjjecies of maj)le introduced into it,
and the whole swarmed with thrush-lice or milli])edes. The
eggs :.rc of a bluish-green color, often pale, varying in the
shade and without spots ; they are somewhat round and rather
large. Tf they are handled before the commencement of incu-
bation, the owner generally forsakes the nest, but is very tena-
cious and affectionate towards her young, rnd sits so close as
almost to allow of being taken off by the hand. She then
fretjuently ])recipitates herself to the ground, tluttering. tumb-
ling, and feigning lameness, in the manner of many other affec-
tionate and artful birds, to draw the intruder away from the
])remises of her brood. At stich times the mother also adds to
the contrivance by uttering most uncouth and almost alarming
guttural sounds, like (///(} <///(}/i ^i^u>ai/i, as if choking, as she runs
along the ground. While the female is thus dutifully engaged
in sitting on her charge, the male takes his station at no great
distance, and gives alarm by his notes at the approach of an>
intruder ; and when the young are hatched, both unite in the
labor of providing them with food, which, like their own, con-
sists chiefly of the hairy caterpillars, rejected by other birds.

VLLLt'\V-l;ll.l.i;i) (UCKiM..

4^b

is uniformly

gal histury of
icr its arrival,
^ the (luarrcls
;d, the nest is
,ntal brani hes
rab. cellar, or
s. The fabric
ami ])ossesses
young, wht.) in
■ (■ rattle. The
I /ig-/.ag form,
withered blos-
^ nest near the
[ bass-mat, and
the fermenta-
rodnced into it,
illii)edes. The
.varying in the
iinul and rather
ement of incu-
it i- very tena-
sits so close as
11,1. She then
uttering, tumb-
mv other affec-
away from the
er also adds to
Imost alarming
nu. as she runs
lituUy engaged
^ion at no great
iproach of an>
ith unite in the
heir own, con-
,y other birds,

that so commonly infest the aiiple-trees, and live in coinma-
nities within a common silky web. Ihi y also tlcvour the large
yellow cockchafer, ('•iri\ and other kinds of insects, as will
a^ various sorts of berries; but their wor>t i«rt»i»en>ity is the
parasitic habit of sucking the eggs of other birds, thus spread-
ing niin and dismay wherever they ai)proa(h. 'Ihey hatch
several broods in a season, and 1 have seen a ne^t with eggs in
it as late as the 2.Sth of August ! — though they usually take their
departure in some jjart of the month of September. Consid-
ering the time they are engaged in breeding, they raise but few
young, appearing to be improvid it nurses and bad nest-
makers, so that a considerable ])art of their ])rogeny are cither
never hatched, or perish soon after. These birds are greatly
atta< hed to places where small birds resort, for the sake of
su< king their eggs; and I have found it difti« ult at times to
eject them, as when their nests are robbed, without much con-
tem they commence again in the same vicinity, but adding
caution to their operations in proportion to the persecution
they meet with. In this way, instead of their exposing the
nest in some low bush, I have with difti( uity met with one at
least in a tall larch, wore than fifty fret from the ground.
^Vhen wholly routed, the male kej^t n]> a mcjurnful X'/'.-i' ^vti'
A'd7i' for several days, ajipearing now sensible by experience of
his own predatory practices.

Careless in providing comfort for her ])rogeny, the Amer-
ican Cuckoo, like that of luirope, seems at times inclined to
throw the charge of her offspring on other birds. Api)roach-
ing to this habit. I have found an egg of the Cuckoo in the
nest of a Catbird; yet though the habitation was usurped, the
intruder prob..bly intended to hat' •^. her own eggs. At another
time, on the 15th of June, 1S30, 1 saw a Rol)in's ne^t with two
eggs in it indented, and penetrated by the bill of a bird, and
the egg of a Cuckoo deposited in the same nest. Both
birds forsook the premises, so that the object of this forcible
entr}' was not ascertained. — though the mere appropriation
of the nest would seem to ha\e been the intention of the
Cuckoo.

43^

CUCKUOS.

il I

Tliis Cuckoo occurs lhr()ii;;hnut this l''auiial I'rovincc north to
New iJrunswick. its brccdini,' area extendi iiij srxitli to Florida.
Nuttall has not mentioned one peculiar habit of this bird. — that of
layinc; ey;i;s at such lony; intervals that youn,<; in very dit'ferer.t stages
of maturity arc frequently fountl in tiu.' same ne..t, a • -''<o youni;
i)irds and partially incubated ejj.iis. Tiie practice ,4 its ejiys

in the nests ot other birds is seldom indulged in. — indeed, the
known instances are extremely rare.

i I

I I

BL\CK-I]ILLi:i) CUCKOr).

R.MN CROW.
COCCYZL'S FRY rHR( )1'H I HALMUS.

Chak. .\h()vu, olive brown with a slight metallic gloss, tinged with
asli toward the bill; wings slightly tinged with rufous; tail similar to
back, outer feathers slightly tinged with gray, narrowly tipped with white.
Benejtli, white, tinged on the throat with pale buff, fiiil black. Length
about 12 inches.

JVi's/. On the edge of a swanipv wood, usually in a retired situation
placed generally in a low bush; made of twigs, strii)s of bark, moss, and
catkins. Simil.ir tu the nest of the Yellow-billed, but somewhat firmer
and more artistic.

A^'S^'f- 2-6 (usually 4) ; deep glaucous green ; 1,10 X 0.80.

This species, so nearly related to the preceding, is also
equally common throughout the United States in summer, and
extends its migrations about as far as the line of Nova Scotia
or Newfoundland. This kind also exists in the island of St.
Domingo and Ciuiana, and the birds which visit us probably
retire to pass the winter in the nearest parts of tropical
-America. They arrive in Massachusetts later than the Vellow-
billed Cuckoo, and the first brood are hatched here about the
4th of June. In Cleorgia they begin to lay towards the close
of April. Their food, like that of the preceding species, also
consists of hairy caterpillars, beetles, and other insects, and
even minute shell-fish. They also, like many birds of other
orders, swallow gravel to assist digestion.

They usually retire into the woods to breed, being less
familiar thaa the former, choosing an evergreen bush or sap-
ling for the site of the nest, which is made of twigs pretty well

"T^

ncc north to

to Floriihi.

ird, — that of

tforor-.t sta.uos

■ -'so younn

.4 its ejius

- indeed, the

loss, tinged with

; tail similar to

l)ped with white.

black. Length

retired situation

bark, moss, and

somewhat firmer

0.80.

(ling, is also
svimtiier, and

f Nova Scotia

e island of St.

it us probably
ts of tropical

an the Yellow-
lere about the
ards the close
g species, also
insects, and
irds of other

pd, being less

bush or sap-

ligs pretty well

MANCiKONi; ( LCKU<i.

437

put togctluT, but still little more than a conc.ue flooring;, and
lined with moss occasionally, and withered ( aikin> of the hick-
ory. Ihe female sits very close on the nest, admitting a near
approach before (lying ; the young, before aciiuiring their
fcatiiers, are of a imiform bright gra\ish blue; at a little dis-
tance from the nest the male keeps up the usual raiiltng (all
of Xv/Ti' /v'7i' Xv'a' Xv7t', the uote iiK reasmg in loudness and
(juickness ; sometimes the (all seeln^ like /■//' kh' hlf klC ' kh
'kali, the notes growing louder, and running together like those
of the \'ello\v-winged Wotjdpecker. This si)t.( ics has also,
before rain, a pe( uliar call, in a raucous, guttural \(>ice, like
onaltotoo or 'iKHurattotoo. It is less timorous than thr N'ellow-
billed kind ; and near the nest with yoiuig. I have observed
tlie parent composedly sit and plume itself tor a considerable
time withotU showing any alarm at my presence. It is e(|ually
addicted to the i)ractice of sucking the eggs of other birds.
Indeed, one that I saw last sunnner. kej)! up for hours a con-
stant watch after the eggs of a Robin sitting in an apple-tree,
which, with her mate, kept up at intervals a running fight witii
the Cuckoo for two days in succession.

This species is considered less abundant than the Yellow-billed,
hut it has much the same genera! distribution ; it goes, howc\ r,
farther nortli, having been taken in Newfoundland and Lalirad )r.
and is common in .Manitoba. wh(.TL' the \'cllow-billt.'d is not found.
The Black-billed is rather common in New lirunswick and Nova
Scotia and throughout New England.

MANGROVE CUCKOO.

COCCVZU.S MINOR.

Char. Above, olive ; head, ashy ; below, hiifi vith tawny tinge, paler
towards the chi . ; middle tail-feather olive, rest black, broadly tipped
with white. Length \i inches

A'cst. In a low tree or bush; loosely made of twigs.

^K.K^- 3~4; pale green or bluish green ; 1.25 X 0.90.

The Mangrove Cuckoo is especially a West Indian bird, but is
a resident also of the Florida Keys, though not common there
A few examples have been met with in Louisiana.

43«

NVOODI'KCKERS.

NoTK. — MAVNAl(r)'s Ci'CKoo (C'. minor mavnanii), a smaller
race, with |)alLr lower parts, is found In the iJahama islands and in
Soutliern !• h)ri(hi.

Noi !•:. — Nutlall made no mention in his book of the Am {Croto-
pluit'ii itiii), a South American bird that IkuI been found in Loui-
siana and Florida. It wa>. hut a strai^nltr within the borders ,1 the
Liiitetl States it) his day, and is still < oiisidered a rare bird here.
A few years ago one was taken near I'hiladelpliia by Mr. John
K rider.

\\i

i ). .

^^H^^^

i'i,1(ki;k.

ooli)EN-\vin(;ei) \v(M)I)Im:cki:r. imc.eon \vooDr'i:cKKr<.

IIK.II-IIULULR.
(.'ol.AIMKS AUK.VrUS.

<n\R. Male: alcove, olive brown barrt-d with black; ( rown and
side- of neck bluish j;ray ; red crescent on nape; "moustache" black;
rump white ; beneath, pale brown with pink and yellow tints, each feather
bearing a spot of black ; breast with conspicuutis black crescent ; shafts
and under >urface of win^s aiul tail golden yellow. Female : similar, but
without the black '• moustache." bength about 12^4 inches.

.\'.'7. In open woodland, p.asture, or orchard; a cavity excavated in
dead trunk, and unlined save for the fine chips made bv the boiiiig.

/^j:.''- 6-IO (usually 2 or 7) ; snow white, with surface like highly
poIi>hcd ivory; i 10 X 0.90.

This beatitifid and well-known bird breeds and inhabits
throuirhoui North America, from I.al>rador and the remotest
wooded regions of the fur countries to F'lorida, being partially
migratory only from Canada and the Northern States, i)roceed-
ing to the South in October, and returning North in April.
From the great mnnbers seen in the Southern States in winter
it is evident that the major part migrate thither from the North
and West to pass the incleinent season, which naturally de-
prives them of the means of acquiring their usual sustenance.
At this time also they feed much on winter berries, such as
those of the sumach, smilax, and mistletoe. In the Middle
States some of these birds find the means of support through
the most inclement months of the winter. In New Kngland
they reappear about the beginning of April, soon after which

:tav.

H.ICKKK.

43'>)

/), a smalU-r
laiuU anil in

Am {CnUii-

luul ill I-"Hi-

)or(lcrs ' .1 the

re bird here.

1)V Mr. John

ODI'KCKKR.

:k ; * rown and
stachc " black ;
us, each leather
;resccnt ; >halls
lie : similar, but
ics.

ty excavated in

ie bo< ing.

ace like higlily

and inhabits
the remotest
jeing partially
ites, proceed-
|)rlh in April.
Ir.tes in winter
)m the North
[naturally de-
ll sustenance.
jries, such as
(i the Middle
]liort through
;e\v England
Vl after which

they « onnncnre to ])air and build ; for this jtnri)osi' thev i)ften
in, ike choice of the trunk of a decayed apple or lorc>t tni-, at
different heights from the ground. When an a( ( idi-ntil cavity
i> not conveniently found, confident in the formidable means
provided them by naiure. with no other aid than the bill, ihev
have been known to make a winding burrow through a solid
oak for 15 inches in length. .\t this lalxjr, for greater secii-
rit\ and |)rivacy, they continue till lair in the evening, and
may be heard dealing blows as loud .ind succcs>i\e as if aided
by tlu' tools of the carjjenter. .My friend Mr. (lambel ob-
served the |)resent spring (1.S40) a burrow of this kind in
Cambridge, excavated out of the living trunk of a sas^^afras
about 15 feet from the ground, it was about S inches in
diameter and iS inihes deep, dug with a shelving inclination ;
and was C(intinued at intervals for more than 4 weeks before
it was completed. 'i"he eggs, about b, and pure white, are
deposited merely upon the fragments of wood which line the
natural or artificial ca\ity thus forming the nest. This cell,
before the young are tUdged, ac(|uires a rank and flisagrei-able
smell ; and on inserting the haivl into it, the brood unite in
pro'lr.cing a hissing, like so man\' hidden snakes. They at
length escape from this fetid den in which they are hatched ;
and flimbing sometimes into the liight-r branches of the tree,
are there k^\ until able to tly. At other times the young ding
to their i)rotecting cell with great pertin.acity, so that the
female will often call upon them for hours together {(/itfii/t
i/inii/t), trying every art to induce them to <iuit their cradle,
punishing them by fasting, till at length they are forced to
come out and answer to her incessant ])laint. If not disturbed,
thev will occasionally approach the flirm-house ; and I have
known a pair, like the Pduebirds, repair to the same hole in a
l)oplar-tree for several years in succession, merely cleaning out
the old bed for the reception of their eggs and young. They
incubate by turns, feeding each other while thus confined to
the nest, and are both likewise c(iually solicitous in feeding
and protecting their young ; the food on this occasion is raised
Dften from the throat, where it has undergone a preparatory

440

WOODPECKERS.

' 1 1 ' ' ,

process for digestion. In the month of March, in Morida and
Alabama, 1 observed them already pairing, on which occasion
many petulant ([uarrels daily ensued from a host of rival sui-
tors, accompanied by tlieir ordinary cackling and aiiuealing.
One of their usual complaisant recognitions, often delivereil on
a fine morning from the summit of some lofty dead limb, is
'7t'// (7 'ti'/V 'rt'// 'u'// '?t'// 'tc'// 'a'// Zl'/y/ and aw'/ t? kw//, widt
7iH>if 'lOoif woit, commencing loud, and slowly rising and (piick-
ening till the tones run together into a noise alnuj^t like that
of a watchman's rattle. 'I'hey have also a sort of complaining
call, from which they have probably derived their name of
/<<■ ///. pct' itf : and at times a plaintive ijitcah ijuiiiii. Occa-
sionally they also utter in a sciuealing tone, when surprised, (jr
engaged in amusing rivalry with their fellows, iut'-tOi^h K't'-tcgh
we-cogh luc-cogli or -coccup loccup lucci'ip.

The food of these birds variis with the season. They are
at all times exceedingly fond of wooddice, ants, and their
larvre ; and as the fruits become mature, they also add to their
ample fare common cherries, bird cherries, winter grapes, gum-
berries, the berries of the red-cedar, as well as of the sumach,
smilax, and other kinds. As the maize too ripens, the Flicker
pays frequent visits to the field ; and the farmer, readily for-
getful of its past ser\'ices, only remembers its present faults,
and closing its career with the gun, unthinkingly does to him-
self and the public an essential injury in saving a i^w unim-
l^ortant ears of corn. In this ])art of New England it is known
by the name of Pigeon Woodpecker, from its general bulk and
appearance : and, to the disgrace of our paltry fowlers, it is
in the autumn but too frequently seen exposed for sale in the
markets, though its flesh is neither fat nor delicate. It is
exceedingly to be regretted that ignorance and wantonness in
these particulars should be so productive of cruelty, devas-
tation, and injurious policy in regard to the animals with whose
amusing and useful company Nature has so wonderfully and
beneficently favoreil us.

'^H^

I Murida and

lich occasion

of rival sui-

wd .-,([ucalinii;.

delivered on

dead lind). is

iig and (luick-
iiost like that
it complaining
;heir name of
/iii'ah. Uc ca-
ll surprised, or

on. 'They are
ints,, and iheir
Iso add to their
er grapes, gum-
lof the sumach,
ns, the Flicker
icr, readily for-
present faults,
, does to him-
ng a few unim-
and it is known
ueral bulk and
; fowlers, it is
for sale in the
lelicate. It is
wantonness in
cruelty, devas-
,als with whose
'onder fully and

IVORY-BIT J, ED Wr)OnPFCKF.R.
Campephilus principalis.

Char. Glossy bl.ick ; white stripe from bill down sides of neck ; scap-
ulars and secondaries white ; bill ivory white. Male with crest of scarlet
and black ; female with crest of black. Length 21 inches.

A'l'st. In a cypress-swamp or deep forest ; a cavity excavated in a live
tree.

E}^\i;s. 4-6; white: 1.40 X i.oo.

This large and splendid bird is a native of Brazil, Mexico,
and the Southern States, being seldom seen to the north of
Virginia, and but rarelv in that State. He is a constant
resident in the cotmtries where he is found, breeding in
llie rainy season, and the pair are believed to be united
for life. More vagrant, retiring, and independent than the
rest of his family, he is never foimd in the precincts cf

442

WOODI'ECKERS.

cultivated tracts ; the scene of his dominion is the lonelv
forest, amidst trees of the greatest magnitude. His reiterated
trumpeting note, somewhat similar to the high tones of the
clarinet {pait pait paif pait^, is heard soon after day. and until
a late morning hour, echoing loudly from the recesses of the
dark cypress- s\vam])s, where he dwells in domestic security
without showing an\' impertinent or necessary desire to ([uit
his native solitiiry abodes. L'pon the giant trunk and moss-
grown arms of this colossus of the forest, and amidst almost
inaccessible and ruinous piles of mouldering lugs, the high,
rattling clarion and rapid strokes of this princely Woodpecker
are often the only sounds which vibrate through and commu-
nicate an air of life to these dismal wilds. His stridulous,
interru])ted call, and loud, industrious blows may often be
heard for more than half a mile, and become audible at vari-
ous distances as the elevated mechanic raises or depresses his
voice, or as he flags or exerts himself in his laborious employ-
ment. His retiring habits, loud notes, and singular occupa-
tion, amidst scenes so savnge yet majestic, afford withal a
peculiar scene of solemn grandeur on which the mind dwells
for a moment with sublime contemplation, convinced that
there is no scene in Nature devoid of harmonious consistence.
Nor is the performance of this industrious hermit less remark-
able than the peals of his sonorous voice or the loud choppings
of his powerful bill. He is soon surrounded with striking
monuments of his industry; like a real carpenter (a nick-name
given him by the Spainards), he is seen surrounded with cart-
loads of chips and broad flakes of bark which rapidly accumu-
late round the roots of the tall j)ine and cypress where he has
been a few hours employed ; the work of half a dozen men
felling trees for a whole morning would scarcely exceed the
])ile he has produced in quest of a single breakfast upon those
insect larvK which have already, perhaps, succeeded in dead-
ening the tree preparatory to his repast. Many thousand
acres of pine-trees in the Southern States have been destroyed
in a single season by the insidious attacks of insects which in
the dormant state are not larger than a grain of rice. It

\ ;

C! ,

IVOKV-HII.I.ED WUODPECKEk.

443

the lonely
s reiterated
)nes of the
y. and until
;sses of the
tic security
sire to quit
and moss-
iiidst almost
s, the high.
Woodpecker
and commu-
is stridulous,
lay often be
lible at vari-
depresses his
rious employ-
rular occupa-
brd withal a
mind dwells
nvinced that
Is consistence.
less remark-
|\ul choppings
Iwith striking
a nick- name
ed with cart-
idly accumu-
,vhere he has
dozen men
exceed the
,t upon those
led in dcad-
[iv thousand
[en destroyed
lets which in
of rice. U

is in quest of these enemies of the mo=t imjwsing j-art of the
vegetable creation that the industrious and indefatigable Wood-
pecker exercises his peculiar labor. In the sound and healthy
tree he finds nothing which ser\'cs him for fx>d.

One of these birds, which Wilson wounded, sur\-ived with
b.im nearly three days, but was so savage and unconquerable as
to refuse all sustenance. When taken, he reiterated a loud and
piteous complaint, almost exactly like the violent crying of a
young child ; and on being left alone in a tavern, in the course
of an hour he had nearly succeede<l in making his way through
the side of the wooden house. He also c*:t the author severely
in several places while engaged in drawing his portrait, and
tlisplayed, as long as he survived, the unconquerable spirit of a
genuine son of the forest. Frum his magnanimous courage
and ardent love of liberty, the head and bill are in high esteem
among the amulets of the Southern Indians.

The nest of this species is usually made in the living trunk
of the cypress-tree at a considerable height, both sexes alter-
nately engaging in the labor. The excavation i.-> <aid to be
two or more feet in depth, '["he young are fledged and abroad
about the middle of June. It is usually known by the name of
'• Large Log-cock." This species appears to live almost wholly
upon insects, and chiefly those that bore into the wood, which
never fail in the country he inhabits ; nor is he ever known
to taste of Indian corn or any sort of grain or orchard
fruits, though he has a fondness for grape^ and other kinds of
berries.

This species is now restricted to the Guli States and lower
Mississippi valley.

I ■'

If!

m.-

:i!.^

' '1

1 1: '«

;. ! !fa.

I ^

;i'!i '!■

PILEATED WOODPECKER.

log-cock. black woodcock.
Ceofhl(j-:us fil.eatus.

Char. General color greenish black ; wide stripe ot white from the
bill down the sides of the neck ; chin, throat, and part ot" wings white or
pale yellow. Male with scarlet crown, crest, and cheek patch. Female
with crest partly black and no scarlet on cheek. Length about iS
inches.

A'esf. In a deep forest or the seclusion of a swampy grove ; excavated
i.i high trees, and lined only with fine chips.

/ti^i.'-j, 4-6 ; snow white and glossy ; 1.25 X r.oo.

This large and common \\'oodpe(:ker, considerably resem-
bling the preceding speci;s, is not unfrequent in well-timbered
forests from Mexico and Oregon to the remote regions of
Canada, as far as the 63d degree of north latitude ; and in all
the intermediate region he resides, breeds, and passes most of
the year, retiring in a desultory manner only into the Southern
States for a few months in the most inclement season from the
North and West. In Pennsylvania, however, he is seen n^
a resident more or less throughout the whole year ; and Mr.

'hi a 1

PI I. LA ri; I J WOODrKClvKR.

445

Hutchins met with him in the interit)! of Hudson iKiy, near
Albany River, in the month of janiiar). It is, however, suf-
ficiently lingular, and shows perhaps the wild timidity of this
northern chief of his tribe, that though an inhabitant towards
the :.".vage and desolate sources of the Mississijjpi. he is un-
known at this time in all the maritime parts of the j)()])ulous
and long-settled State of Massachusetts. Jn the western i)arts
of the State of New York he is sufficiently common in the
uncleared forests, which have been the i)erpetual residence of
his remotest ancestry. From the tall trees which cast their
giant arms over all the uncleared river lands, may often be
heard his loud, echoing, and incessant cackle as he flies
restlessly from tree to tree, presaging the approach of rainy
weather. These notes resemble ckcirk rek vck irk rrk irk irk
uttered in a loud cadence which gradually rises and tails. The
marks of his industry are also abundantly visible on the decay-
ing trees, which he probes and chisels with great flexterity,
stripping off wide flakes of loosened bark to come at the bur-
rowing in>ects which chiefly compose his food. In whatever
engaged, haste and wildness seem to govern all his motions,
and by dodging and flying from ]^lace to place as soon as
observed, he continues to escape every appearance of danger.
Kven in the event of a fatal wound he still struggles with uncon-
querable resolution to maintain his grasp on the tru ik to which
he trusts for safety to the very instant of <leath. When caught
by a disabling wound, he still holds his ground against a tree,
and strikes with bitterness the suspicious hand which attempts
to grasp him, and. resolute for his native liberty, rarely submits
to live in confinement. Without much foundation, he is charged
at times with tasting rnaize. I have observed one occasionally
making a hearty repast on holly and smilax berries.

This species is being driven back by '"civilization." and is r.ow
found only in the deeper forests. Mr. William Ilrewster reports
that a few pairs still linger in the northern part of Worcester
Countv. Mass.

{•

446 WOODPECKERS.

REI>-HE.\DEr) WOODPiXKER.

MHI-WKKPLS 1 K\ JHROCKFHALUS.

C'liAK. Back, tail, and prnmarjes blue black; head, neck, and breast
crimson ; belly, rump, and *<e>cundaries white. Length 9 to 9^^ inche>.

yViJ/. In woudland, patstimre. or orchard ; usually a cavity in a decavcd
tree.

£i,';!;s. 4-(i; glusav whue: i-oo X o.So.

This common and wcM-known species is met with along the
coast from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico, and inland in
the region of the R<x.ky Mountains and about the sources of
the Mississippi. In M the intermediate country, however
extensive, it probably rc^ades and breeds. At the appnmch
of winter, or about the rojddle of October, these birds migrate
from the North and VWt^t. and conscvquently a]ii>ear very
numerous in the >'''-i'.h'tm States at that season. Many of
them also probably ; :-- nto the adjoining provincto of Mex-
ico, and they reapp^car in Pennsylvania (according to Wilson)
about the first of May. Acconhng to Audubon, they effect
their migration in the night, flying high above the trees in a
straggling file, at vvhi<:ini tome they are heard to emit a sharj)
and peculiar note, easily h<ear<l from the ground, although the
birds themselves are elevated beyond the sight. lake the
Log-cock, the present species is but rarely seen in the mari-
time ports of Massarhmsfelt!^ : this region is only occasionally
visited by solitary ^tna-jjcr^. yet in the western jvarts of the
State it is said to be a- <r ornrnon as m the Middle States.

These birds live princcifjially in old forests of tall trees, but are
much less shy than facM of the genus, freOjUently visiting the
orchards in quest of ri|">e ifiruits, particularly cherries and juicy
pears and apples, uith wrhich they likewise occasionally feed
their young. They slIm'j at times eat acorns, of which they are
said to lay up a store, and *isit the maize-fields, being partial
to the corn while in its JMio' or milky state. In consequence
of these dependent kabits of subsistence, the Red-headed
Woodpecker is a ver}' Camiliar species, and even sometimes

h:;

^^.»,'*-S",LJ\-ll

KLD-IlKADLb \V«J(Jl)l'l::( KKR.

44;

leclv, and lireast
o gyz inches,
ity in a decayed

vilh along the
and inland in
he sources of
iirry, however
the ai)i)roach
birds migrate
api^ear very
on. Many of
incta of Mex-
ing to Wilson )
^)n, they effect
the trees in a
) emit a sharj)
, although the
ht. Like the
1 in the mari-
V occasionally
li parts of the
le States.

trees, but are
Itly visiting the
Irries and juicy
asionally feed
Ivhich they are
, being partial
|i consequence
Red-headed
len sometimes

not only nests in the orchard which su])j)lies him with ^u«.te-
nance. but ventures to rear his brood within the boundaries of
the most pojjulous towns. In the latter end of suimner it^
reiterated tappings and cackling screams are freipiently heard
from the shady forests which border the rivulets in uwvc
secluded and less fertile tracts. It is also not unconnnon lo
observe them on the fence-rails and posts near the public
roads, flitting before the passenger with the familiaritv o(
Si^arrows. In the Southern States, where the mildnes> of the
climate prevents the necessity of migration, this brilliant bird
seems half domestic. 'I'he ancient live-oak, his cradle and
resilience, is cherished as a domicile : he creeps around its
ponderous weathered arms, views the i)assing scene with ( om-
placence, turns every insect visit to his advantage, and for
hours together placidly recjnnoitres the surrounding fields. At
times he leaves his lofty citadel to examine the rails o( the
fence or the boards of the adjoining barn ; striking terror into
his lurking prey by the stridulous ta])pings of his bill, he
hearkens to their almost inaudible movements, and discovering
their retreat, dislodges them from their burrows by "luu kly
and dexterously chiselling out the decaying wood in which they
are hid, and transfixing them with his sharp and l)arbed
tongue. lUit his favorite and most ])roductive resort is to the
adjoining fields of dead and girdled trees, amidst whose
bleaching trunks and crumbling branches he long continues to
find an anijile repast of depredating and boring insects. When
the cravings of appetite are satisfied, our busy hunter occa-
sionally gives wa; to a playful or 'luarrelsome dis])osition, and
with shrill and lively vociferations not unlike those of the
neighboring tree-frog, he pursues in a graceful, curving flight h's
companions or rivals round the bare limbs of some dead tree
to which they resort for combat or frolic.

About the middle of May, in Pennsylvania, they burrow out
or prepare their nests in the large limbs of trees, adding no
materials to the cavity which they smooth out for the j)U' pose.
As with the Ijluebird, the same tree continues to be employed
for several years in succession, and probably by the same imdi-

448

WOUDrtCKERS.

'I ;,

';.;

vided pair. 'Vhc eggs and young of th's and many other birds
occasionally fall a i)rcy to the attacks of the common black
snake. I'he young are easily tamed for a while, and when left
at large como for some time regularly to be fed, uttering a cry
to call attention. I have seen them feed on corn-meal paste,
a large piece of which the bird would carry off to a distance
and eat at leisure.

This species is common in Ontario and near Montreal, hut is
only an accidental visitor to other portions of eastern Canada. It
is usually a rare bird U) the eastward of the Hudson River, though
it is said to Ijc rather common in Western Vermont, and in the
fall of iSSi it was (|uite common in other parts of New England.

The habit of this bird — in common with others of the family —
to store nuts and grain for winter use, briefly alluded to by Nuttall,
has been confirmed frequently by recent observers An interesting
paper on this subject by O. P. Hav appeared in the " Auk " for
July. 1.S.S7.

RED-BELLIKI) WOODPECKER.

jSIf.lankrpes caroli.vls.

Char. Above, black and white in narrow bands; tail black and
white ; bcncatii, pale buff; belly rosy red. Male, with crown and back
of head scarlet, which in the female is replaced by dull ash.

jVc'sf. Usually in a secluded forest of tall trees; a cavity cut in a dead
trunk or limb.

£^,^s. 4-6: white and glossy; i.oo X 0.7 v

This species inhabits the whole North American continent,
from the interior of Canada to Florida, and even the island of
Jamaica, in all of which countries it probably rears its young,
migrating only partially from the colder regions. This also,
like the preceding, is unknown in all the eastern parts of Mas-
sachusetts, and probably New Hampshire.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker dwells in the solitude of the
forest ; amidst the tall and decayed trees only he seeks his less
varied fare, and leads a life of roving wildness and independ-
ence, congenial with his attachment to freedom and libertv.
•Sometimes, however, on the invasion of his native haunts by

KKI)-BEI,I.Ii:i) WuuUl'ECKEK.

449

the progress of agriculture, he may be seen prowling among
the (lead an<l girdled trees which now affonl him an lugmented
source of supjxjrt ; and, as a chief of the soil, he sometimes
claims hir> native rights by collecting a small tithe from the
usurping field of maize. His loutl and har-ih call of 'tshou'
^tshoic \'Ji"-i,.> 'tilwiC, reiterated like the barking of a cur. may
often be heard, through the course of tiie day, to break the
silence of the wilderness in which his congenial tribe are
almost the only residents. On a fine spring morning I have
obser\"etl his desultory ascent up some dead an<l lofty jiuie,
tapping at inter\als, and dodging from side to sitle, as he as-
cended in a spiral line ; at length, having gained the towering
summit, while basking in the mild sunbeams, he sur\-eys the
extensive landscape, and almost with tlie same reverberating
sound as his blows, at inter\als he utters a loud and solitary
\ii}' rli in a tone as solemn as the tolling of the Camj^anero.
He thus hearkens, as it were, to the shrill echoes of his own
voice, and for an hour at a time seems alone employed in con-
templating, in cherished solitude and security, the beauties and
blessings of the rising day.

The nest, early in April, is usually made in some lofty
branch : and in this labor both the sexes unite to dig out a cir-
cular cavity for the purpose, sometimes out of the solid wood,
but more commonly int(j a hollow limb. The young appear
towards the close of May or early in June, climbing out upon
the higher branches of the tree, where they are fed and reared
until able to fly. though in the mean time from their exjiosure
they often fall a prey to prowling Hawks. These birds usually
raise but one brood in the season, and may be considered, like
the rest of their insect-devouring fraternity, as useful scaven-
gers for the protection of the forest ; their attacks, as might be
reasonably expected, being always confined to decaying trees,
which alone afford the prey for which they probe.

This bird's breedin<j area lies between Florida and .Mar\land
and northward through the interior to Southern Ontario, where it
is quite common.

VOL. I. — 29

1).

iilf '

!
I

■J

YKLLOW-nEI.I.IKI) SAPSl'CKKR.
Sphvrapicus vahius.

Char. Above, black and white, back tinged witli veliow ; i rown and
chin scarlet, bordered by black ; cheeks black, bordered bv white or pale
veliow; breast black ; belly pale yellow. In females the scarlet on chin
is replaced by white. Length S.'i inches.

.\'<'.i7. In woodland; a cavity in a dead trunk of large tree ; sometimes
excavated in a live tree.

/tV^'j. 4-7 ; white ; '^ S5 x 0.60.

This species, according to the season, extends over the
whole .\merican continent, from the 53d degree to the tropics,
where it is seen in Cayenne. With us it is most common
in summer in the Northern and Middle States, and as tar
north as Nova Scotia. At this season it is seldom seen beyond
the precincts of the forest, in which it selects the most solitary
recesses, leaving its favorite haunts only at the apj)roach of
winter, and seeking, from necessity or ca])rice, at this roving
season the boundaries of the orchard. The habits of this bird
are but little different from those of the Hairy and Downy
Woodpeckers, with which it is often associated in their fora-
ging excursions. The nest, as usual, is made in the body of
some decayed orchard or forest tree, the circular entrance to

i:r,

mellow ; I ruwn autl
d h\ white or pale
he scarlet on chin

llAtiiN' WOdhrKlKl'.R.

4>I

;c tree ; s

ome times

\vhi( h is k'ft only just sufficient for the passage of the parties.
The (hi)th of the cavity is about 15 inches, and the ( -pis, .\ or
upwards, are white. 'I'he jjrincipal food of these birds is insects,
for they sometimes bore the trunks of the orchard trees.

The •• sapsuckintj " habit of this spetics, ckiiicd by sonu- dl our
most eminent naturahsts. has been estaldi^lud by Mr. frank
r>olIcs, who piiblishi'd an interesting account ol liis observations in
"The Auk" tor July, iSiji.

For several days .Mr. IJullcs almost < ontinuously watched a
number of these birds while they operateil on tries in the vicinity
of his summer home at Cincarua, N. H. The binls drilled holes
in maple, oak, bin ii. and ash trees, and drank the sap as it dripped
from these holes. When one set of holes became "dry." others
were drilled, eitjht to sixteen on each tree, tlie new holes bein^
made higher up than the old. Some of the birds spent about
nine tenths of the time in drinking the sap. .Mr. bolks placed
un'ler the trees cu])s made of birch bark and tilled with m.i])le
syrup, which the birds drank freely. Later brandy was added,
with amusing consecpiences, the mi.xture tbially acting as an emetic.
He moreover states that the sap was not used as a trap for insects,
as some writers have supposed ; and wliile the birds caught insri ts
occasionally, these did not ap;-.ear to t'orm .1 huge part of their diet.
An examination of the stomachs of a few birds revealed but little
insect remains, and that little was composed chiefly of .uUs.

tends over the
|e to the tropics,
most common
lites, and as tar
l)m seen beyond
lie most solitary
|ie apj)roach of
|, at this roving
bits of this bird
iry antl Downy
ll in their fora-
in the body of
liar entrance to

HAIRY woodpecki:k.

Drvoiutes VII.I.OSL'S.

Char. Above, black and white, the back with lono;, slender, loose
hair-like feathers; beneath, white ; outer tail-feathers white. Male with
scarlet band at back uf head, which in the female is black. In inunaturc
birds the crown is more or less tinged with red, or, sometimes with
yellow. Length 8j4 to 9 inches.

Xcsf. In ojien woodland, pasture, or orchard ; a cavity in a dead
trunk, without lining.

£!;,^s. 4-5; white and glossy ; 1.00x0.70.

This common and almost familiar species is a resident
in most parts of America, from Hudson Bay to Florida, fre-

45-'

NVUUUI'1::CKEK>.

<iucntly approaching the* cottage or the skirts of the town as
well as the forest. It is likewise much attached to orchards,
an active borer of their trunks, and an eager hunter after in-
sec ts and larvaj in all kinds of decayed wood, even to stumps
and the rails of the fences. In autinnn it also feeds on berries
and other fruits. In the month of May, accompanied by his
mate, the male seeks out the seclusion of the woods, antl
taking possession of a hollow branch, or cutting out a cavity
anew, he forms his nest in a deep and secure cavern, though
sometimes a mere stake of the fence answers the purpose. In
the Southern States these birds have usually two broods in the
season, and raise them both in the same nest, which is not
infrequently at no great distance from habitati(jns. Their call
consists in a shrill and rattling whistle, heard to a consid-
eral)ie distance. They also give (Jut a single (juerulous note of
recognition while perambulating the trunks for food.

The hahitat of true rv'/Aw/r is now considered as restricted to
Nortli Carolina and Eastern Canada. At the Xortlnvest it is repre-
sented by D. 7'illosus leucoinelas. a larger variety (length lo to 1 1
inches), and at tiie .South by D. villosHs amiubonii. which meas-
ures about 8 inches In length.

DOWNY \V()()I)P'r:CKr:R.
Drvi )r.A rr.s f'uhksci.ns.

'"'HAR. Similnr to D. lullosiis, hut smaller. Above, bl.-ick and white.
the back with lona:. slender, loose hair-like ("downy") feathers: beneath,
white ; outer tail-feathers barred. Male with scarlet band at back of
head, which in the female is black. In immature birds the crown is more
or less tinged with red, or, sotnctimcs. with yellow. Lenj^th (^Yz to 7
inches.

Xt-st. In open woodland, pasture, or orchard ; a cavity in a dead
trunk, without lining.

£';';'■.>■. 4-6; white and glossy ; o.So X 0.60.

This species, the smallest of .\merican Woodpeckers, agrees
almost exactly with the P. villosits in its colors and markings.
It is likewise resident throughout the same countries. About

DOWNY \V(»ul)l'LCKtK.

453

cavitv in a

the middle of May also, tin- pair btgin to look out a suilahlc
• It'posit for their eg^s and yoiiiiii. I he entrance is in the form
of a perfect circle, and lel'l only ju«.t large cnougl; for an indi-
vidual tt) pass in and out. I loth sexes labor for about a week
ai ihis task with indefatigable diligence, carrying on the Ixtrrow
in some orchard tree, in two different directions, to the depth
of 1 6 to 20 inches ilown ; and to prevent siispicion the < hips
are carried out and strewn at a distance. The male occa-
sionally feeds his mate while sitting; and about the close of
June the young are observetl abroad, climbing up the tree with
considerable address. St)nietinR's the crafty House Wren in-
terferes, and, (hiving the industrious tenants fiom tluir hole,
usurps possession. These birds have a shrill cackle and a reit-
erated (all, which they frecjuently utter while engaged in (|uest
of their prey. In the autunui they feed on various kinds of
berries as well as insects. No sjjecies can exceed the present
in industry and perseverance. While tlius regularly i)robing
the bark of the tree for insects, it continues so much engaged
as to disregard the approaches of the observer, though imme-
diately under the tree. These perA^rations, made by our Sap-
suckers, — as tlu' present and Hairy species are sometimes
called, — are carried roimd the trunks and branches of the
orchard trees in regular circles, so near to each other that,
according to Wilson, eight or ten of them may be covered by
a dollar. The ol)ject of this curious i)iece of industrs' is not
satisfactorily ascertained : but whether it be done to taste the
sap of the tree, or to dislodge vermin, it is certain that the
plant escapes uninjured, and thrives as well or better than
those which are unperforated.

This diminutive and very industrious species is a constant
inhabitant of the fur countries up to the 5Sth parallel, seeking
its food principally on the maple, elm, and ash, and north of
latitude 54 degrees, where the range of these trees terminates,
on the aspen and birch. The circles of round holes which it
makes with so much regularity round the trunks of living trees
are no doubt made for the purpose of getting at the sweet sap
which they contain. In the month of February, 1830, 1

454

WOODPECKERS.

Ill

■I'

obsen-ed these borers busy ta[)ping the small Uve trunks of
several wax-myrtles {A/yrica cerifera) ; and these perforations
were carried down into the alburnum, or sajj-wood, but no
farther: no insects could be expected, of course, in such situ-
ations, and at this season very few could be obtained anywhere.
On examining the oozing sap, 1 fountl it to be exceedingly
saccharine, but in some instances astringent or nearly taste-
less, 'io a bird like the i)resent, which relishes and devours
also berries, I make no doubt but that this native nectar is
sought after as agreeable and nutritious food, in the same
manner as the l>altimore Bird collects the saccharine secretion
of the fruit blossoms ; and in foct I have observed the ^^'ood-
pecker engaged in the ace of sipi)ing this sweet tluid, which so
readily supplies it on all occasions with a temporary substitute
for more substantial fare. Sometimes, however, on discovering
insects in a tree, it forgets its taste for the sap, and in (juest
of its prey occasionally digs deep holes into the trees large
enough to admit its whole body.

Tlie Downy Woodpecker is found throughout the eastern and
northern portions of Xortli America, and like its congener, the
Hairy, is a resident, rather than a migratory species, breeding usu-
ally wherever it is found. There is no such difference in the two
birds as is represented by the names ••hairy" and ••downy;*' the
long feathers of the back from which the names are derived are
exactly similar. The differentiation lies in the size of the birds
and in some markings on the tai'-feathers.

ill

THE RED-COCKATTED WOODPECKER.

DrVORATES nORF.AI.IS.

Char Above, l)lack and wliitc. barred transversely; crown, black;
sides of head with white patch, bordered, above, by red stripe; beneath,
white, sides streaked with bhick. Length "jYz to 8,14 inches.

N'cst, In nine woods ; an excavation in a decayed trunk or living tree.

Egi^s. 4-t< white, with but Httle gloss ; 0.95 X 070.

This species, remarkable for the red stripe on the side of
its head, was discovered by \\'ilson in the pine woods of

■'/t ' -■ "■^

ARCTU IliKEE-TUED WOOUI'ECKKR.

h3D

live trunks of
;,o perforations
-wood, but no
;, in such situ-
ined anywhere,
be exceedingly
)r nearly tas.te-
:<, and devours
lative nectar is
, in the same
larine secretion
rved the W'ood-

lluid, which so
)orary substitute
, on discovering
ip, and in ([uest

the trees large

the eastern and
its congener, the
es, breeding usu-
rence in the two

I •■ downy ; '" the
are derived are

size of the birds

CKER.

lly; crown, black;
\\ stripe ; beneath,
ches.
lunk or living tree.

on the side of
Ipine woods ot

North Carolina, whence it occurs to the coast of the Mexican
(iulf, and as far to the north and west as New Jersey and
'I'ennessee. It is a very active and noisy s])ecies, gliding witli
alertness along the trunks and branches of tree-;, principally
those of oak and i>ine. At almost every move it utters a short,
shrill, and clear note, audible at a considerable distance. In
the breeding season its call, still more lively and ]>etulant. is
reiterated through the pine forests, where it now chiefly dwells.
These l)irds are frequently seen by jjairs in the <omijany of
the smaller Woodpeckers and Nuthatches in the winter sea-
son, an<l they now feed by choice principally upon ants and
small coleo])tera.

In Florida tiiey are already mated in the month of Januar}-.
and prepare their burrows in the following month. The nest
is fretpiently in a decayed tnmk 20 to 30 feet from the
ground. In the winter season, and in cold and wet weather,
t4iis bird is in the habit of roosting in its old nests or in the
holes of decayed trees, and fre(iuently retreats to such places
when wounded or pursued.

The habitat of tliis species as at present determined is the South-
eastern States, includiiiq: North Carolina and Tennessee, and West-
ward to Indian TL-rritorv.

ARCTIC I^HRKE-TOF.D WODDPECKFR.

P,LACK-B.\CKED WOODPECKER.
PICOIDF.S ARCTICLS.

Char. Only three toes. Above, black ; white stripe on side of head :
outer tail-feathers white: beneath, white barred with black. Adult niale
with square patch of yellow on the crown. LeuLith t^i to 10 inches.

AV>7. In a deep forest, an excavation in a dead tree.

E,i,'-gs. 4-6; white and glossy: 0.95 X 0.75.

This species is an inhabitant of the northern regions from
Maine to the fur countries, dwelling among deep forests in
mountainous regions. Its voire and habits are indeed pre-
cisely similar to those of the Spotted Woodpeckers, to which it

450

WOODPECKERS.

(

!
i '

II;

i !

' 1

. I

, t

fiV.

is closely allied. Its food consists of insects, their eggs and
larvte, to which it sometimes adds, according to the season,
seeds and berries. Audubon had the good tbrtune to meet
with it in the jiine forests of the Pokono Mountains in Penn-
sylvania. It is, however, sufficiently common in the dreary
wilds around Hudson Ikiy and Severn River. It is remarkable
that a third species, so nearly allied to the present as to have
been confounded with it merely as a variety, is found to inhabit
the woods of (luiana. In this (the /^(Vav muiitlatits ot Vieillot)
the crown, however, is red instead of yellow ; the tarsi are als(j
naked, and the black of the back undulated with white.

This species occurs somewhat sparingly in winter in northern
New I'higland and southern Canada, and sometimes wantlurs in
numbers to .Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New N'ork State.
Occasionally one is met in summer in northern Maine and New
Brunswick.

AMI .RICAX THREE- rOED WOODPECKER.

BANDED-BACKED WOODPECKER.
PlC( )11 )i;S A.MERICANUS.

Char. Only three toes. Above, black, thickly s]5ottcd witl; white
about the head and neck; back barred with white; beneath, white;
sides barred with black. Adult male with yellow patch on the crown.
Length about 9 inches.

Xcst. In a deep forest; an excavation in a dead tree.

Ei^gs. 4- .''; cream white; 0.90 X 0.70.

According to Richardson, this bird exists as a permanent
resident in all the spruce-forests between Eake Sujierior and
the .\rctic Sea, and is the most common \\oodpecker north
of Oreat Slave Lake. It resembles P. villosiis in its habits,
seeking its food, however, ])rincipally on decaying trees of the
pine tribe, in which it frequently burrows holes large enough
to bury itself.

This is an uncommon winter visitor as far south as northern
New England, though it has been taken in Mass:, .husetts, and
Dr. Merriam has found a nest in tiie .Vdirondacks.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.

TrOCH ILL'S COLUBRL-.

Char. Above, metallic green; wings and tail brownish v')iet or
bronzy ; chin velvety black ; throat rich ruby, refleaini; variou- hues
from brownish black to bright crimson : belly whitish. Female and voung
without red on the throat, which is dull gray: la. -leathers barred with
black and tipped with white. Length 3 to 3«4 inches.

A/esi. In an orchard or open woodland : placed on a horizontal branch
or in a crotch ; made of plant down tirmly felted and covered e.xteriorly
with lichens.

Jtggs. 2-?; white, with rosy tint when fresh: 0.30X0.30.

This wonderfully diminutive and brilliant bird i> the only
one of an .American genus of more than a hundred species,
which ventures beyond the limit of tropical climates. Its
approaches towards the north are regulated by the advances of
the season. Fed on the honeyed sweets of flowers, it is an
exclusive attendant on the varied bountie> of Flora. By the
loth to the 20th of March, it is already seen in the mild
forests of Louisiana and the warmer maritime districts of
(ieor'~" ., where the embowering and fragrant Gtlsemiutn, the
twin-ieaved Bignonia, with a host of daily expanding flowefs,
invite our little sylvan guest to the retreats it had reluctantly

45 cS

IIL'MMLNG JURDS.

t •

ii.

i } ♦

forsaken. I )esiiltory in its movements, roving onl\ through
the region of blooming sweets, its visits to the Northern States
are delayed till the month of Ahi)-. Still later, as if deter-
mined that no tlower shall " blush unseen, or waste its sweet-
ness on the <lcsert air," our little s}li)h, on wings as rapid as
the winti, at onee launches without hesitation into the flowery
wilderness of the north.

'I'he lirst cares of the little bus\ pair are now bestowed on
their expected progeny. This instinct alone propelled them
from their hibernal retreat within the tropics ; strangers amidst
their numerous and brilliant tribe, they seek only a transient
asylum in the milder regions of their race. With the earliest
dawn uf the northern sj^ring, in pairs, as it were with the celer-
ity of thought, they dart at intervals through the dividing
space, till they again arrive in the genial and more happy re-
gions of their birth. The enrai)tured male is now assiduous
in attention to his mate : forgetful of selfish wants, he feeds
his comjjanion with nectared sweets, and jealous of danger
and interruption to the sole comj^anion of his delights, he often
almost seeks a quarrel with the giant birds which surround him :
he attacks even the Kingbird, and drives the gliding Martin
to the retreat of his box. The ])uny nest is now ]irepared in
the long-accustomed orchard or neighboring forest. It is con-
cealed by an artful imitation of the mossy branch to which
it is firmly attached and incorporated. P>luisli-gray lichens,
agglutinated by saliva and mat<;hed with surrounding objects,
instinctively fcjrm the deceiving external coat : portions of the
cunning architectme. for further security, are even tied down
to the supporting station. Within are laid copious quantities of
the I'jappus or other down of plants ; the inner layer of this
excpiisite be*! is finished with the shortwood of the budding
Plata)ius, the mullein, or the soft clothing of unfolding fern-
stalks. Incubation, so tedious to the volatile pair, is completed
in the short space of ten days, and in the warmer States a
second brood is raised. AVhen the nest is approached, the
parents dart around the intruder, within a few inches of his
face ; and the female, if the young are out, often resumes her

KLBV-rHROAlEI) IILMMING lilRD.

459

onl> through
orthern States
, as if deter-
Lste its sweet-
s as rapid as
U) the flowery

\,- bestowed on
repelled them
-angers amidst
nly a transient
;h the earhest
with the celer-
i the dividing
lore happy re-
new assiduous
•ants, he feeds
:ms of danger
hghts, he often
surround him :
gUding Martin
iw prepared in
St. It is con-
nch to which
-gray lichens,
nding objects,
portions of the
en tied down
s (juantities of
layer of this
the budding
folding fern-
is completed
Inner States a
)roached, the
inches of his
resumes her

seat, though no more than three or four feet from the obser\-er.
In a single week the you.ng :ire on the wing, and in th'\> situa-
tion still continue to be fed with their nursing sweets by the
assiduous pareni>.

Creatures of such delicacy and uncommon circumstances,
the wondrous sports of Nature, everything appears provided
for the security of their existence ; the brood are introduced
to life in the warmest season of the year : variation of temjiera-
ture beyond a certain medium w<nild prove <lestnictive to
these exquisite forms. The ardent heats of America have
alone afforded them support ; no region so cool as the United
States produces a set of feathered l)eings so delicate and
tender: antl, consecjuently, any sudden extr- mt: by produ-
cing chill and famine, are fatal to our ' lur -'I'l.g liinls. In the
remarkablv wet summer of i8^i verv fe\ of the vounii were
raised in New England. In other seasons they comparativ^-ly
swarm, and the numerous and almost gregarious young are
then seen, till the close of September, eagerly engaged in sip-
ping the nectar from various showy and tubular flowers, partic-
ularly tliose of the trumjjet IJignonia and wild ba.sam, with
many other conspicuous productions of the fields and gardens.
Sometimes they m:iy also b^^ seen collecting dimunitive in-
sects, or juices fn^m the tender shoots of the pine-tree. While
thus engaged in strife and employment, the scene is i)eculiarly
amusing. A]jproaching a flower, and vibrating on tlie wing
before it. with the rapidity of lightning the long, cleft, and
tubular tongue is exerted to ])ump out the sweets, while the
buzzing or humming of the wings reminds us of the api)roach
of some larger sphinx or droning bee. No other sound or
song is uttered, except occasionally a slender chirp while flit-
ting from a flower, until some rival bird too nearly apj)roaches
the same plant : a quick, faint, and petulant squeak is then
uttered, as the little glowing antagonists glide up in swift and
angr>' gyrations into the air. The action at the same time is so
sudden, and the flight so rapid, that the whole are only traced
for an instant, like a gray line in the air. Sometimes, without
any apparent provocation, the little pugnacious vixen will, for

460

HL'3IMlN(i HIKDS.

mere amusement, ptiirawie largt-r ])ir(l^. such as the Yellow Hinl
and Sparrows. To man th<"y show but little either of tear ijr
aversion, often quietly feeding on their favorite (lowers when
s(j nearly approached ^■*< to be <aught. They likewise fre-
(|uently enter the ^zreen houses and windows of tlwellings
where flowers arc kept m sight. After feeding for a time, the
individual settles on aomrae small and often naked bough or
slender twig, anil ,lrc-r^.-> its leathers with great com])osure,
particularly preening ani clearing the plumes of the wing.

The old and young; j^re ^oon reconciled to confinement. In
an hour after the los-;^ of Ililx-rty the cheerful little captive will
often come and snck idoBuled honey, or sugar and water, from
the flowers held oat tif> it ; and in a few hours more it becomes
tame enough to sip its favorite beverage from a -)aui er, in the
interval flving tKickwramd* and forwards in the room for mere
exercise, and then renting on some neighboring elevated object.
In dark <jr rainy weatfier it seems to pass the time ( hietly
<l()/,ing on the perch. It is also soon so familiar as to <ome to
the hand that feed- f** Fo <;<jld nights, or at the a{)proarh of
frost, the pulsation .: . ..^ little dweller in the sunbeam be-
comes nearly as low 1- in the tor])id state of the ilormouse ;
but on ai)plying w-:. .-.:.. the almost stagnant circulation
re\'ivrs, and slowly inncreases to the usual state.

Near the .Atlantic r • : • i] creature nests reLiulady as far nortli
as the Laurentian lu[L> of Ovix^hnc. and lirecds in more or less
abundance southward m Florida and wt-stwartl to the I'lains. It
is an abundant summer res-idcnt of tlic MariliuK' Provinces.

The fact that i^sc•ets^ i«wm a staple diet of tliesf diminutive birds
has been satisfactorfty provied, tliough formerh- they were sup-
posed to feed entirely om honey. Honev doubtless tonus a part
of their food, and they al^rf* drink freely of the sweet sap which the
Woodpeckers draw frotra uhie maple and birch.

Another mistake regarding the Humming Hinls, — that they
never alight while feeding;, — has been rectified by several trust-
worthy observers. T' " 'rds have l)een seen to alight on the
leaves of the trump' '- - while Lcatherinij lioney, and also to
rest on the tapped tr : . they leisurely drank of the flowing

sap.

The young birds are fed Ibnr regurgitation.

!it'/

Yellow ninl
cr ut" tear or
tlo\VL'r> when

likcwi-ic frc-

of tlwellings
3r a time, the
ed bough or
,t comiJObure,
the wing,
hnement. In
le captive will
1(1 water. t"r<.)ni
)re it becomes

-.aiu er, in the
room Tor mere
levated object.
- time rhietly

as to come to
lie approach of
: sunbeam be-
:he dormouse :

nt circulation

Illy as far north
h 111 ore or loss
the I'lahis. It
|ov luces,
iminutive birds
hey were sup-
s tonus a part
It sap which the

|s, — that they

several trust-

aligh.t on the

^y, and also to

of the flowing

UKl.TKl) KINCiFISHER.

C'KRVr.K .\H \i)\\

(iiAR. Above, slaty blue: head with lone; crest: beneath, white.
Male with blue band acin>s bica^!. I-\niale and youn^ with breast-band
and >i(ics of belly pale chestnut. I.enyth I2 to 13 inche>.

AV'.f/. An excavation in a sandbank. — UMially by the side of a stream;
lined with grass and feathers.

i^V^O". Ti-S ; white and glossv ; 1.35 X' 1.05.

This wild and grotesque-lo(jking feathered angler is a well-
known inhabitant of the borders of fresh waters from the re-
mote fur countries in the 67th i)arallel to the tropics. Its
delight is to dwell amidst the most sequestered scenes of
uncultivated nature, by the iiorders of rimning rivulets, near
the roar of the waterflill, or .miidst the motmtain streamlets
which abound with the small fish and insects that constitute
its accustomed fare. Mill-dams and the shelving and friable
banks of watercourses, suited for the sylvan retreat of its
brood, have also peculiar and necessary attractions for our re-
tiring Kingfisher, Ky the broken, bushy, or rocky banks of

lif

i ■

402

KIXGIIMJEUS.

its solitary and a(|uati(: rcta-at. this bird may often be seen
perched on some dead and projecting branch, scrutini/.ing the
waters for its expected prey. If unsuccessful, it (|uick!\ ( ourses
the meanders of the streams or borders of ponds just above
their surface, and occasionally hovers for an instant, with rap-
idly moving wings, over the sjjot where it percei\'es the gliding
(juarry : in the next instant, descending with a (|uick sjiiral
sweejj, a fish is seized from the timid fry, with which it returns
to its post and swallows in an instant. When startled from
the perch, on which it spends many vacant hours digesting its
prey, it utters commonly a loud, harsh, and grating cry, very
similar to the interrupted creakings of a wat(hinan's rattle, and
almost, as it were, the vocal counterpart to the watery tumult
amidst which it usually resides.

Ihe nest — a work of much labor — is now burrowed in some
dry and sandy or more tenacious bank of earth, situated be-
yond the reach of inundation. At this task both the parties
join with bill and claws, until they have horizontally perforated
the bank to the depth of 5 or 6 feet. With necessary precau-
tion, the entrance is only left sufficient for the access of a
single bird. The extremity, however, is rounded like an oven,
so as to allow the individuals and their brood a sufficiency (jf
room. I'his important labor is indeed prospective, as the same
hole is employed for a nest and roost for many succeeding
years. Here the eggs are deposited. Incubation, in which
both parents engage, continues for sixteen days ; and they
exhibit great solicitude for the safety of their brood. The
mother, simulating lameness, sometimes drops on the water,
fluttering as if wounded, and unable to rise from the stream.
The male also, perched on the nearest bough, or edge of the
projecting bank, jerks his tail, elevates his crest, and passing to
and fro before the intruder, raises his angry and vehement
rattle of complaint (Audubon). .At the commencement of
winter, the frost obliges our humble Fisher to seek more open
streams, and even the vicinitv of the sea ; but it is seen to
return to Pennsylvania by the commencement of April.

icsimsr

l*^v»i£i^

C H I M N E \ S W I F 'I\

CHIMNEV SWALLOW.
CH-tTUR-A PKLAGICA.

<'u\R. General color sooty brown, paler on the throat and brca«t,
linged with green above. Length about 5 '4 inches.

.X'c-j/. Usually in a chimney, sometimes in a hollow tree or a barn;
made of twigs cemented with saliva.

£^'::s. 4-5; white; 0.70 X 0.50.

This singuiar bird, after passing the winter in tropical Amer-
ica, arrives in the Middle and Northern States late in April or
early in May. Its migrations extend at least to the sources
of the Mississippi, where it was observed by Mr. .Say. More
social than the foreign species, which frequents rocks and ruins,
our Swift takes advantage of unoccupied and lofty chimneys,
the original roost and nesting situation being tall, gigantic
hollow trees such as the elm and buttonwood { P/a/anus).
The nest is formed of slender twigs neatly interlaced, some-
what like a basket, and connected sufficiently together by a
copious quantity of adhesive gum or mucilage secreted by the
stomach of the curious architect. This rude cradle of the
young is small and shallow, and attached at the >ides to
the wall of some chimney or the inner surface of a hollow

464

SWIFTS.

I i

111

1 1

1^:

trie ; :t l^> wholly destitute (M lining. They have commonly
two broods in the season. So assiduous are the parents that
they teed the young through the greater part of the night ;
their habits, however, are nearly nocturnal, as they Hy abroad
most at anil before sunrise, and in the twilight of evening.
The noi^e which they make while passing up and down the
chminey resembles almost the rumbling of distant thunder.
When the ne^ts get loosened by rains so as to fall down, the
young, though blinil, fmd means to escape, by creeping uj) and
clinging to the sides of the chimney walls ; in this situation
they continue to be fed for a week or more. Soon tired of
their hard cradle, they generally leave it long before they are
cajxable of flying.

On their first arrival, and for a considerable time after, the
males, particularly, associate to roost in a general resort. This
situation, in the remote and unsettled parts of the country, is
usually a large hollow tree, open at to]). These well-known
Sii.Hi/Zo'ic Ores are ignorantly supposed to be the winter quar-
ters of the species, where, in heaps, they doze away the cold
season in a state of torpidity ; but no proof of the fact is ever
adduced. The length of time such trees have been resorted
to by particular flocks may be conceived, perhaps, by the
account of a hollow tree of this kind described by the Rev. Dr.
Harris in his Journal. The Platiniiis alluded to, grew in the
upper jiart of Waterford. in Ohio, two miles from the Muskin-
gum, and its hollow trunk, now fallen, of the diameter of 5'^
feet, and for nearly 15 feet upwards, contained an entire mass
of decayed Swallow feathers, mixed with brownish dust and
the exuviae of insects. In inland towns these birds have been
known to make their general roost in the chimney of the
court-house. Before descending, they fly in large flocks, mak-
ing many ample and circuitous sweejis in the air : and as the
point of the vortex f;ills, individuals drop into the chimney
by degrees, until the whole have descended, which generally
takes place in the dusk of the evening. They all, however,
disappear about the first week in August. Like the rest of the
tribe, the Chimney Swift flies very quick, and with but slight

t IH«K-\\II.l. s-\\ li>()\v

465

>• have commonly
e the parents thai
tart of the night ;
as they tly abroad
•ilight of evening,
up and down the
if distant thunder,
i to fall down, the
)y creeping up and
; in this situation
re. Soon tired of
ig before they are

ible time after, the
neral resort. This
;s of the country, is
These well-known
le the winter qnar-
I07.C away the cold
of the fact is ever
lave been resorted
, perhaps, by the
[cd by the Rev. Dr.
d to, grew in the
from the Muskin-
diameter of 5^4
cd an entire mass
)rownish dust and
e birds have been
|e chimney of the
large flocks, mak-
e air : and as the
into the chimney
Id, which generally
jrhey all, however,
like the rest of the
ihI with but slight

vibrations of its wings, appearing as it \\\rv to swim in tin .lir
in widening circles, shooting i)ackwards and forwards through
the ambient space at great elevations, and yet scarcely moving
it^ wings. Now and then it is luird to uttir, ui a hu'.ied
manner, a sound like /s//> tstp tsip tsec fst<\ It i> never seen to
alight but in hollow trees or chinmeys, and appears always
most gay and ai ti\e in wet and gUjomy weather.

Near the Atlantic Ixirdur this sik'cIcs is found north ti> 50". Init
in till' West it ranges still tartlicr northward.

C H U C K - W I I. L ' S- \V T n O W.
An rR( )STOMUS c.akui.in i nsis.

Char. Gape extremely wide, the rictal bristles with Litcrai filaments.
General color reddish brown mottled with bk;ck, white, and tawny ; throat
with collar of pale tawny, terminal third of outer tail-teathers white or
buffy ; nnder parts tawny white. Length 1 1 to 12 inches.

.W'st. Ill open woods or dense thicket. \o attemjit is made at build-
ing a rcce])tacle for the eggs, which are laid on the bare groim 1 or upon
fallen leaves.

■E.CA'^'- -; white or bufiish, marked with brown and lavender; 1.40
X 1.00.

The Carolina Goatsucker is seldom seen to the north of
Virginia, though in the interior its migrations extend up the
shores of the Mississi])pi to the 3Sth degree. After wintering
in some part of the tropical continent of .\merica, it arrives in
(ieorgia and Louisiana about the middle of Ma'ch. and in Vir-
ginia early in A])ril. Like the following species, it i:ommences
its singular serenade of ^ cJiuck-^wiir s-widmo in the evening
soon after sunset, and continues it with short interruptions for
several hours. Towards morning the not is also renewed
until the opening dawn. \x\ the day, like some wandering
spirit, it retires to secrecy and silence, as if the whole had only
been a disturbed dream. In a still evening this singular call
may be heard for half a mile, its tones being slower, louder,
and more full than those of the ^Vhip-poor-will. The species
is particularly numerous in the vast forests of the Mississippi,

VOL. I. — -,o

466

GOAI'SLCKEkS.

where througliout the cvcnin;,' its echoinj,' notes arc heard in
the sohtury glens and fn^m the snrroundin;^ and silent hills,
l)ecotning almost incessant during the shining of the moon;
and at the boding sound of its elfin voice, when familiar and
ritrongly reiterated, the thcjughtful, >uperstitious savag«; becomes
sad and pensive. Its (light is low, and it skims only a few feet
above the surface (^f the groun<l, fre(|uently settling on logs
and fences, whence it often >weei>s around in jjursuit of tlying
moths and insects, which c(jnstitute its fouii. Sometimes these
birds are seen sailing near the grounil, and (occasionally descend
to pick up a beetle, or tlutter lightly around the trunk of a tree
in (juest of some insect crawling upon the bark. In rainy and
gloomy weather they remain silent in the hollow log which
affonls them and the bats a common roost and refuge by day.
When discovered in this critical situation, and without the
means of escape, they ruftle uj) their feathers, spread open
their enormous mouths, and utter a murmur almost like the
hissing of a snake, thus endeavoring, apparently, to intimidate
their enemy when cut off from the means (>( escape.

This sjjecies also lays its eggs, two in number, merely on the
ground, anil usually in the woods; if they be handled, or even
the young, the joarents, suspicious of danger, remove them to
some other place. As early as the middle of August, accord-
ing to Audubon, these birds retire from the I'nited States;
though some winter in the central parts of Kast Florida.

The general habitat of this species is the South Atlantic and
Gulf States and the lower .Mississippi valley. Near the Atlantic
the bird ranges to North Carolina, and Mr. Kidgeway reports it
not uncommon in southern Illinois. It winters in tlie (iulf .States
and southward.

WllII'-l'ook-WILL.

46;

\viiir-i»ooR-u 1 1.1,.

An"ik( )sr( ).ML s \ t )Lin;kL.s.

CUAK. (iapc extremely wide; rittal biisllo witliout Literal filaments,
(itiieral color dull yr.iv brown, mottled with black, while, and tawny;
throat with collar ot white or tawnv ; outer t.iil-ieather> partly white;
under parts gray mottled with black. Ixngth yJi to 10 inches.

.Vest. In dense woods or shady dells; eggs laid on the gronnd or
amid dry leaves.

/j'vi'f. 2; white or butfy marked brown and lavender ; i.\z X 0.S5.

This remarkable and well-known nocturnal bird arrives in
the Southern States in March, and in the MiiJdle States about
the close of April or the beijinninti of .May. and proceeds in
its vernal migrations along the .\tlanti( States to the centre
of Massachusetts, being seldom seen beyond the latitude of
43°; and yet in the interior of the continent, acconiing to
\'ieillot, it continues as far as Hudson l!ay, and was heard, as
usual, !)y Mr. Say at I'embino, ;i the high latitude of 49°. In
all this vast intermediate space, as fctr south as Natchez on the
Mississip])i, and the interior of Arkansas, these birds familiarly
l^reed and take up their temjiorary residence. Some also i)ass
the winter in the interior of Hast Florida, according to .Audu-
bon. In the eastern i)art of Massachusetts, however, they are
uncommon, and always affect sheltered, wild, and hilly situa-
tions, for which they have in general a preference. .About
the same time that the sweetly echoing voice of the Cuckoo is
first heard in the north of Muroi)e, issuing from the leafy
groves as the sure harbinger of the flowery month of May,
arrives amongst us, in the shades of night, the mysterious
W'hip-poor-ivill. The well-known saddening sound is first
only heard in the distant forest, re-echoing from the lonely glen
or rocky cliff; at length the oft-told solitary tale is uttered from
the fence of the adjoining field or garden, and sometimes the
slumbering inmates of the cottage are serenaded from the low
roof or from some distant shed. Sui)erslition, gathering terror
from every extraordinary feature of nature, has not suffered
this harmless nocturnal babbler to escajie suspicion, and his

. 1

(

■ 1 *:

1 '

h <f;.

; J

'i ' !

468

GOATSUCKERS.

familiar approaches are sometimes dreaded as an omen of
misfortune.

In the lower part of the State of Delaware, I have found
these birds troublesomely abundant in the breeding season, so
that tiie reiterated echoes of 'whip-whip-podr-rvill, \vhip-pen-
will, issuing from several birds at the same time, occasioned
such a confused vociferation as at firs*^ to banish sleep. This
call, except in moonlight nights, is continued usually till mid-
night, when they cease until again aroused, for a while, at the
coannencement of twilight. The first and last syllables of
this brief ditty receive the strongest emphn.sis, and now and
then a >ort of guttural 'inck is heard between the repetitions;
but the whole phrase is uttered in little more than a second
of time.

Although our Whip-poor-will seems to speak out in such
plain i-.nglish, to the ears of the aboriginal Delaware its call was
iL'ccoii/is, though this was probably some favorite phrase or
interpretation, which served it for a name. The W'hip-poor-
will, when engaged in these nocturnal rambles, is seen to tly
within a few feet of the surface in quest of moths and other
insects, frequently, where abundant, alighting around the house.
During the day the birds retire int' die dr.rkest woods, usually
on high ground, where they ])ass the time in silence and
repose, the weakness of their sight by day compelling them
t(j avoid the glare of the light.

The female commences laying about the second week in
May in the Middle States, considerably later in Massachusetts ;
she is at no jxiins to form a nest, though she selects for her
dejiosit some unfrecjuented part of the forest near a pile of
brush, a heap of leaves, or the low shelving of a hollow rock,
and always in a dry situation ; here she lays two eggs, without
any ai)])earance of an artificial bed. This deficiency of nest is
amply made up by the provision of natme, for. like Partridges,
the young are soon able to run about after their parents ; and
until the growth of their feathers they seem such shapeless
lumps of clay-colored down that it becomes nearly impossible
to distinguish them from the grountl on which they repose.

WHIP-POOR-WILL

469

LS an omen of

, I have found
ling season, so
oill, ' whip-pen -
me, occasioned
;h sleep. This
isually till mid-
a while, at the
Lst syllables of
, and now and
he repetitions ;
; than a second

ik out in such

ware its call was

orite phrase or

I'he Whip-poor-

s, is seen to fly

noths and other

lund the house.

woods, usually

in silence and

mpelling them

iTond week in

iMassachusetts ;

selects for her

|near a pile of

a hollow rock,

p euss, without

|ency of nest is

like Partridge 5,

parents ; and

^uch shapeless

irly impossible

|i they repose.

NVere a nest present in the exposed places where we find the
young, none would escape detection. The mother also, taith-
iul to her charge, deceives the passenger by prostrating herself
along the ground Avith beating wings, as if in her dying agony,
'i'he activity t)f the young and old in walking, and the abscn«:e
of a nest, widely distinguishes these birds from the Swallows,
with which tliey are associated. A young fledged bird of this
species, presented to me, ran about with great celerity, but
refused to eat, and kept continually calhng out at short inter-
vals pe-ugh in a low. mournful note.

After the period of incubation, or about the middle of June,
the vociferations of the males cease, or are but rarely given.
Towards the close of summer, previously to their departure,
they are again occasionally heard, but their note is now languid
and seldom uttered; and e rly in September they leave us for
the more genial climate of tropical America, being there found
giving their usual lively cry in the wilds of Cayenne and
Demerara. They enter the United States early in March, but
are some weeks probably in attaining their utmost northern
limit.

Their food a])pears to be large moths, beetles, grasshoppers,
ants, and such insects as frequent the bark of decaying timber.
Sometimes, in the dusk, they will skim within a few feet of a
]ierson, making a low chatter as they pass. They also, in com-
mon with other species, flutter occasionally around the domes-
tic cattle^ to catch any inserts which a];proach or rest upon
them ; and hence the mistaken notion of their sucking goats,
while they only cleared them of molesting vermin.

The VVhip-poor-will is a common summer resident throuijhout
New England, and is not uncommon in the Maritime Provinces. It
is common also in Ontario, and Dr. Robert Bell reports finding it
in the southern parts of the Hudson I5ay rejiion. Mr. Thompson
reports it common in .Manitoba. These birds winter in Florida and
southward.

;

1 1

ill

1 .J

R^tll

(

' :

i I't

NIGHTHAWK.

GOATSUCKER. HULL BAT.

ChoRDKII.KS MRdlNIAXUS.

Char. Male; above, dull black mottled with brown and gray: winirs
brown, a patch of white on five outer primaries; tail dusky, with bars of
gaay and a jiatch of white near the extremity; lower ])arts reddish white
with bars of brown; thr(3at with ]>atch of white. Female: similar, but
without white on the tail. I^en^th about o'i inches.

.'Vfs/. Usually in oi)en woods ; the eggs generally laid ujjon a rock or
on the turf, — sometimes thev are laid on a gravel roof in a city.

E^if^i^s. 2 ; dull white or buff, thickly mottled with brown, slate, and
lilac: 1.25 X 0.S5.

Towards the close of April the Nighthawks arrive in the
Middle States, and early in May they are first seen near the
sea-coast of Massachusetts, which at all times appears to be a
favorite resort. In the interior of the continent they penetrate
as far as the sources of the Mississii)iM, the Rocky Mountains,
and the Territory of Oregon ; they are hkewise observed
around the dreary coasts of Hudson Bay and the remotest
Arctic islands, breeding in the whole intermediate region to
the more temjierate and elevateo parts of (ieorgia. They are
now commonly seen towards evening, in ])airs, sailing round in
sweeping circles high in the air. occasionally descending lower

^^1

NIOHTHAWK.

47 »

,vn and gray ; \vinE;s

dusky, with bars uf

l)arts reddish wliite

male : similar, hut

laid ujxin a rock or
|iii a city,
brown, slate, and

•

Is arrive in the
1st seen near the
I appears to be a
they penetrate
jcky Mountains,
lewise observed
1(1 the remotest
[diate region to
rgia. They are
Laihng round in
[scending lower

to capture flying insects, « hietly of the larger kind, such as
wasps, beetles, and moths. About the middle of May, or
later, the female selects some open spot in the woods, the
corner of a corn-field or dry gravelly knoll, on which to
deposit her eggs, which are only two, and committed to the
hare ground, where, however, from the similarity of their tint
with the soil, they are, in fact, more secure from obser\ation
than if placed in a nest. Here the male and his mate reside
during the i)eri(jd of incubation, roosting at a distance from
each other on the ground or in the neighboring trees; an«l in
consequence of the particular formation of their feet, like the
rest of the genus, they roost or sit lengthwise on the branch.
1 )uring the progress of incubation the female is seen frequently,
for some hours before nightfall, playing about in the air over
the favorite spot, mounting in wide circles, occasionally pro-
l)elled by alternate quick and slow vibrations of the wings,
until at times he nearly aricends beyond the reach of sight,
and is only known by his sharf) and sudden squeak, which
greatly resembles the flying shriek of the towering .Swift. At
other times he is seen suddenly to precipitate himself down-
wards for 6o or 8o feet, and wheeling up again as rapitUy ; at
which instant a hollow whirr, like the rapid turning of a
spinning-wheel or a strong blowing into the bung-hole of an
emjny hogshead, is heard, and supposed to be produced by
the action of the air on the wings or in the 0|)en mouth of the
bird. He then again mounts as before, playing about in his
ascent and giving out his harsh squeak till in a few moments
the hovering is renewed as before ; and at this occupation the
male solely continues till the close of tAvilight. The Euro-
pean (ioatsucker is heard to utter the hollow whirr when
perched and while holding it heail downwards, so that it does
not appear to be produced by the rushing of the air. The
female, if disturbed while sitting on her charge, will suffer the
spectator to advance within a foot or two of her before she
leaves the nest ; she then tumbles alx)ut ami flutters with an
appearance of lameness to ilraw (^ff the obsener, when at
length she mounts into the air and disappears. On other

lit.

F) .'

47^

GOATSUCKERS.

ii;

I !

, t

> t

I: <l

occasions the parent, probably the attending male, puffs him-
self up as it were into a ball of feathers ; at the same time
striking his wings on the ground and opening his capacious
mouth to its full extent, he stares wildly and utters a blowing
hiss like that of the liarn Owl when surprised in his hole. On
observing this grotesque manujuvre, and this appearance so
unlike that of a volatile bird, wc are struck with the propriety
• of the metaphorical French name of Crapaud vo/aiis, ox
Flying Toad, which this bird indeed much resembles while
thus shapelessly tumbling before the astonished spectator.
'I'he same feint is also made when he is wounded, on being
a])proached. IJke some of the other species, instinctively
vigilant for the safety of their misshapen and tender brood,
these birds also probably convey them or the eggs from the
scrutiny of the meddling obser\er. In our climate they have
no more than a single brood.

Sometimes the Ni,!.];hthawk, before his departure, is seen to
visit the towns and cities, sailing in circles and uttering his
squeak as he flies high and securely over the busy streets,
occasionally sweeping down, as usual, with his whirring notes ;
and at times he may be observed, e\'en on the tops of chim-
neys, uttering his harsh call. In gloomy weather these birds
are abroad nearly the whole day, but are most commonly in
motion an hour or two before dusk. Sometimes indeed they
are seen out in the brightest and hottest weather, and occa-
sionally, while basking in the sun, find means to give chase to
the Cicindtii, Carabi, and other entirely diurnal insects, as
well as grasshoppers, with which they often gorge themselves
in a surprising manner ; but they probably seldom feetl more
than an hour or two in the course of the day. On Wappatoo
Island, at the estuary of the Wahlamet, they were till the loth
of September numerous and familiar, alighting often close to
the dwellings, in quest probably of crawling insects which come
out in the dark.

About the middle of August they begin their migrations
towards the south, on which occasion they may be seen in the
evening moving in scattered flocks consisting of several hun-

Ll ■ i

male, puffs him-
Lt the same time
ng his capacious
utters a blowing
in his hole. On
s appearance so
th the propriety
paud volaiis, (jr
resembles while
ishecl spectator,
undeil, on being
ies, instinctively
1 tender brood,
e eggs from the
imate they have

ture, is seen to
nd uttering his
le busy streets,
whirring notes ;
le tops of chim-
her these birds
St commonly in
nes indeed they
ther, and occa-
to give chase to
rnal insects, as
•rge themselves
dom feed more

On \\'api)atoo
?re till the loth

often close to
:ts which come

NH;i I'll [AUK.

473

dreds together, and darting after insects nr r r , •
t'-y advance towards mL co^ ^ d^m!' "V"^"" ' "
tl-- weeks these processions along the rit n . 7- T "'
tcndmg towards their destination are sH) '"'' ^^''"'^•^'

^^•'tli the wandering host e ■ """^'""^d. Mingled

speciesof swaiio '^tf.:: K r:;"r t^" ^^^ ^'^^ ^'■''--■-

'" l^abits and charact:^ ^^ ^ ^^^ Tf ""^' ^'''^'^
^vhole busy troop have disappearL/lor T^^"^""' '-

-own Of the eggs being ^ounclt^ue^unrgrr'— ^'S

Note. -The Fu,„u,a \i,,,m, uvk

"";;"• ' -"-^i'" "«. breed, i,. ,.,;: u,

* fill t coast.

a and westward on the

END OF VOL. I.

leir migrations

be seen in the

)f several hun-